Jesus

Photo by Cathal Mac an Bheatha

He has revealed God to us. John 1:18

Babe of a virgin girl, he shows us nothing is impossible. 

Lost boy found at the temple, he shows us the father’s business.

Maker of wine at a wedding, he shows us delight in celebrating.

Healer, deliverer, provider, storm-calmer.

Shepherd, light, the way, truth and life. 

Washing the feet of his friends, he shows us humility.

Breaking bread and sharing the cup, he shows us covenant.

Praying not my will but yours, he shows us commitment.

Life, death, resurrection, return. 

Teacher, Savior, Friend, and Lord.

Sending the Holy Spirit, he shows us we are not alone.

Promises heaven, he shows us our forever home. 

Jesus. Emmanuel. King of Kings. Lord of Lords. 

Jesus. Forever you are ours and forever you will show God to us. 

Let's Get Ready to Rumble

Most of you know my daughter has battled and now won a fight against Stage 3 Burkitt's Lymphoma. Towards the end of Natalie’s treatment, a well-meaning person told her, “In the big picture of your life, this is only going to be a small blip.” While I knew what they were trying to convey, it didn’t set well with me. As the days passed, that uneasiness turned into a kingdom rumble on the inside and has only grown in intensity. How dare such a horrific disease and attack of the kingdom of darkness put my daughter through so much for it all to be over and considered a “blip”. 

I thought, isn’t this just how the enemy works. First, he attacks. Then, when God’s kingdom prevails and healing is won, he tries to push it under the rug, like no big deal. Just move on and live your life. All the while, scheming to continue his attacks on people to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10a)

This was a turning point in my heart and when I began to desire more. I began to pour out my heart in prayer and believe for more than Natalie’s healing alone. I wanted us to not only survive the enemy’s attack; but to press into God’s kingdom being expanded through this. What the enemy intended to shut down, would only lead to more of Jesus on the earth and His abundance of life for people. (John 10:10b)

With that in mind, this t-shirt is not a Natalie shirt or a beat cancer shirt. It’s a God-story shirt. One that conveys the message of the kingdom battle we all fight here on earth and the power of his love that surrounds us and exceeds every expectation as we trust in him. It’s an everyone can wear it shirt. Because we all have our battles and we all have a God who dearly loves and carries us. It’s a let’s tell the world around us the good news of His kingdom and stop letting the devil and cancer get all the headlines. 

Let’s get ready to RUMBLE!! 

All proceeds from the sales of the t-shirts will go to Journey of Hope Cancer Support and bless cancer patients. Payment requested in advance. Click here to order one 

Not One is Wasted

There are in this world blessed souls, whose sorrows all spring up into joys for others; whose earthly hopes, laid in the grave with many tears, are the seed from which spring healing flowers and balm for the desolate and the distressed. - Harriet Beecher

We recently saw the movie, The Shack. I delayed seeing it because the book had such a deep, healing impact in my life several years ago. I feared no movie could do it justice and didn’t want to taint my experience. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when Natalie was lying on the couch recovering from a tonsillectomy and at the end of her patience with the healing process. 

Desperate for a distraction, I suggested hitting a Redbox and seeing a new movie of her choice. I’m thankful to say the movie was well done and we both were touched at different parts of it.

***SPOILER ALERT***

My favorite scene of the movie was the Holy Spirit bottling Mackenzie’s tears of sorrow and loss; which later came back to water Missy’s grave and make a beautiful garden grow. 

This week I experienced one such moment.

Many of you know Living In Sync sponsors a scholarship award called Light A Candle. I was blessed to honor our second recipient and to share hope with a house filled with grieving family and friends.

Life came full circle for me. I found myself on the other side of conversations and scholarships I had received 15 years ago after the loss of my husband and mom. I am so grateful.

Gardens grow in mysterious places. Living your best is trusting that and living into healing, hope, and the love God has for you. He is bottling your tears, not one is wasted.

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Psalm 126:5

Living In Sync

“… the most important thing in our lives is not so much what we can do as leaving room for what God can do.” Jacques Philippe

Earlier this spring, I felt stuck on a ‘hamster wheel’ of things to do. There didn’t seem to be enough time to breathe and my list never ended. There were the typical signs of edginess and the drive to escape through entertainment, food, and sleep.  

I was saying “no” and withdrawing from things, but it wasn’t completely getting resolved. I could tell things were askew on the inside, so I began taking extra time to pray and seek God about it.

He gave me two words - Entangled and Escape. Two reactions that were feeding off each other. One, I was getting too entangled by being over-caring, over-responsible, and over-doing. That was leading me to want to escape, as I mentioned above, trying to cut things out of my schedule, sleep more, etc. Not that those were wrong things, they were just more of “me trying to control life” and not giving him room to do what only He can do.

His invitation was for me to Engage. To actually go back to some of the areas of my life that I had cut out and say yes again, because those were life-giving activities for me. When I cut them out, I was cutting out renewal and restoration. Interesting, huh?

I began to allow space for God to do His part and I do my part. Instantly, I felt more lightness and freedom.

Living your best life is one lived in sync with Him. Moment by moment, day by day. He does his part, you do yours. It's creating space for God to do what only He can do.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:28-30 The Message

2017 Light A Candle

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5

Living in Sync is excited to announce our 2017 recipient of the Light a Candle Award, which is a $500 academic scholarship given in recognition of someone who has overcome adversity and exemplifies a giving spirit towards others.

Rather than being shut down in the challenges of life, this person embraces hope and a determination to make the world a better place. They embody the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

This year's recipient is Tia Rieckhoff,19 year old sophmore at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).

You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have. - Bob Marley

Strong is not a word that described Tia’s feelings the day her father died unexpectedly after what was supposed to be a routine hip surgery.

“My dad is the one person who continuously showed me what strength is until November 9th, 2016 at 5:55 in the morning when my dad became my guardian angel. I remember the moment I leaned over and put my head on his chest as I had done many times before, but this time there was no longer a heartbeat. Many would think this would be the hardest part, but the hardest part is to continue living without my dad.” ~ Tia

Despite this tremendous loss, Tia is courageously pressing forward in life.

“Tia has shown that although gone, Brad lives on in her. She is determined to stay positive, continue her education, and be the support that her mother needs at this time.” shares her Aunt Brenda.

And this isn’t Tia’s only life challenge. At 10 years old, Tia was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Learning how to live with diabetes requires many life changes that need to be made not only for the person living with the disease but as well as their family. Tia learned from her parents at an early age to overcome a struggle was to remain positive and press on.

After her first year of living with diabetes, her own struggles motivated her to help others, as well as find a cure. In 2008, Tia started her first JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) walk team. She and her family rallied together to set a positive example to other families facing the same disease. She has raised funds a variety of ways: by having bake sales, helping her grandma with bridge luncheons, as well as holding fundraisers at her mom’s work. To date, Tia has raised $60,305! Her 2017 goal is another $10,000.

Tia is passionate about making a difference for people and generous in making the world a better place. According to a family friend, she is a blessing - very positive, outgoing, and always willing to help others when needed.

Tia’s dad, Brad, loved photography, and being daddy’s girl, she fell right into his footsteps using her first camera at age 3. She is currently enrolled in the Graphic Design program at DMACC. Tia’s goal is to get an internship next year, and eventually get a job at a small business and design for them. She is excited to follow her dreams and make both her mom and dad proud.

Tia exemplifies all that the Light a Candle Award stands for and we are proud to honor her and the strong young woman she is.

Light a Candle Award funded through the generous gifts of people who know the power of lighting a candle together and the difference it makes in people's lives. Donate to the scholarship fund here.

Tia and her dad.

Tia's family.

Staying an Artist

“Every child is an artist, the problem is staying an artist when you grow up” – Pablo Picasso

Last weekend I went to Canvas and Conversations at our church. It is one of those events where they give you step by step instructions to paint a canvas. There are appetizers and desserts out. Wonderful friends and conversation starters. Each setting has a blank canvas, three paint brushes, paint palette, and cup of water for cleaning the brushes. Sounds like a perfect girls night out, even as I type it.

I quickly tried to size up my creativity skills by asking the women at my table if they were good at painting, had done this before, etc. Everyone appropriately downplayed their artistic ability, even the lady handily mixing her own paint colors and creating the most beautiful teal, blue-green color. I soothed my growing apprehension by nibbling on some delicious chocolate as we waited for the instructor to begin. 

The first stroke included three colors on the paintbrush. Within minutes, my inner perfectionist was hidden in the recesses of my soul. It gave up, I guess. Enjoying the silence, I let myself begin to enjoy the process. The joy came and went. At one point our table was so intently caught up in the project, that someone blurted out, "Am I even breathing? Breathe!"

Towards the end, we began to make flowers. I learned my best lesson of the night right then: listen to the instructor to know what you're doing and then stop listening. All the details, highlights and techniques she was giving were simply beyond my skill level. Once I let go of it and began to simply look at what I was doing and enter into what I was creating, they started to look like flowers. And the fun returned. 

My favorite part of the night was walking around and seeing 30 different interpretations of a similar piece of art. The masterpieces were as varied as our lives and it was beautiful. 

Living our best lives doesn't mean we'll all paint like Picasso, but it does mean we can silence our performance mindset long enough to enjoy creating. And once we learn to enjoy the creating, we can let it lead us wherever it wants to.

Here's to staying an artist... painting, creating, friendships, and joy.

It's Well Worth It

Yesterday was a busy day at the Optometrist office I work at. The phones were ringing one call after another, and in the midst of it I answered one from someone with very broken English. As I had her repeat everything she first said, I silently said a prayer inside... "Lord, help me understand." She eventually slowed down a little and I began to pick up threads of what she needed. 

She had a prescription called in for eye drops last week and when she went to pick them up at the pharmacy she was charged $100. She was looking for "cheaper", as she put it.  After I talked with the doctor, he said she should make sure she was getting the generic brand of the drug, not the name brand. I called her back and left the message on her voicemail. 

When she received the message, she called back confused and I tried to explain that she needed to simply go to pharmacy and ask for the generic. We went around and around, and clearly we were getting nowhere. She didn't understand the concept of a generic drug. Eventually, she was willing to give it a try, but asked would we please help her if she went to pharmacy and needed help to explain. I said yes, and then told her I wouldn't be at work any longer that late in the day - but there are other ladies here that will help you. 

She wasn't too happy, but bravely said, "Okay." 

After hanging up, I faced a choice. Keep plugging away at the work in front of me or try to do something further to help this dear soul. She had given me the street address of pharmacy she was going to, so I looked it up online. I gave a call and was able to ask the pharmacy tech to change the prescription to the generic brand. Within moments it was done and she confirmed the copay would only be $10. 

I called the patient back. When I gave her the news that it was all straightened out and would cost her $10, she was elated. I couldn't tell if she was laughing or crying or both at the same time. In the midst of her celebration, she asked, "What your name? What your name?" After telling her, she repeatedly thanked me, using my name over and over again. I was touched that she wanted to know who I was so she could express her appreciation fully. 

Something that was so simple for me meant the world to someone else. 

Living our best lives means pausing long enough to really care and go the extra mile. Sometimes it means you won't get everything done or you'll have to stay late to do it. And you know what? It's well worth it.

Lay them down

One of my favorite worship songs is We Fall Down by Chris Tomlin. It’s a song written about Revelations 4, describing what it looks and sounds like around the throne of God in heaven. It is pretty amazing to consider that as we worship here on earth, we join the songs of heaven.

In considering the ‘crowns’ we lie down at his feet, these are often assumed to be our human accomplishments and successes… the things we are strong and proud about. And yes, they rightfully go at his feet.

The other ‘crowns’ that may be less recognized, would be as the one Jesus wore to the cross. A crown of thorns, bearing persecution and suffering… the areas we are weak and challenged in. And I’m here to let you know, they rightfully go at his feet also.

The miracle of the cross we celebrate, is laying it all down at his feet.

This Easter week, may you experience a fresh invitation to surrender yourself to his mercy and love. And may you rise up in his resurrection power… free. Unburdened. Unrestricted. Unattached. Unworried. Living our best lives everyday in his love.  

I have loved you as the Father has loved me. Abide in my love. John 15:9

Compassion

This weekend we got out to see the new movie of Beauty and the Beast. Whether or not you find yourself a fan of the movie, there’s something in the story that resonates deeply within the soul. I find myself here a couple days later wondering where we all are in this story of good and evil.

In the beginning, it shows the how the prince ‘fell’ from his humanity into the form of a beast because he lacked compassion towards a woman in need. Not only he, but his entire castle darkens and his serving staff transform into inanimate objects.

The heroine, though beautiful, is cast as a misfit in society, as one who would be most unlikely for a heroic role. Certainly not seeking the spotlight and often attempting to avoid it, Belle is moved by compassion to act justly and even sacrificially towards her father and later the Beast.

Compassion. We watch one character fall without it and another one rise because of it. We watch it redeem the fallen and bring about transformation, restoring the original design of goodness.

Every day we have the same choice.

Do we love well or do we not?

Are our lives rising or falling?

Living our best lives means to rise, knowing that those around us are depending on it. May we find more beauty than beast within and may it release transformation to the people and world around us.

Breathing Room

I've had some changes to my schedule this year which brought about a need to re-balance and structure things in my life. As I've been working towards a new rhythm, I found myself struggling to rest and like I was running from one thing to the next, even when I wasn't. Life has felt somewhat constricting and without margin. There just isn't always enough time to go around.

As the Lenten Season began, my prayer was that God would help me find "breathing room" again. 

And here's what is happening... 

Deep breath #1: Trust. The Good Shepherd is teaching me again that he cares for me always. And in all ways. Psalm 23:1

Deep breath #2: Listen. It's been a rainy, gray, 40's and 50's bleh week. Yet, tonight sitting at the table working, I was overcome by the joyful songs of the birds announcing spring. Sometimes what we can't see, is given to us as we listen. 

Deep breath #3: Friends. Often I really can't grasp the grace I need on my own. It's in the shared moments where we bear one another's burdens and pray and laugh and tell stories. Suddenly the weight is lifted and we're energized to keep going. 

May you experience a deep breath of the goodness of life this week.

Deepest Love

Covering many a public place are the declarations of love one has for another. From notebooks, to restroom stalls, park benches, and tattooed bodies... we humans have a tendency to announce our love so others may know. 

We're just like our Creator and Loving King. In his words, "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49:16a

What I love most about his hands is that right in the middle of the engraving, I see the nail scars that demonstrated his love. 

Living your best life is remembering who loves you most. The one who is with you in the darkest of nights, the prosperous times and the needy ones. The one who gives you purpose and the freedom to enjoy life here on earth. The one who has rescued you from a miry pit of destruction more times than you can count. The one who celebrates over you with singing. The one who gave his life so you could experience life.

May you receive the deepest love there is for you today... His. 

Shared Joy

Shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half a sorrow. - Swedish Proverb

Last Friday had me at Vineyard family movie night watching the movie Rio. As the hosts introduced the evening, they ran a short video trailer of a fundraising event. It was cute and pretty funny. At one point, the two-year-old sitting diagonally in front of me was so tickled watching it that he turned his head looking for someone to share the laugh. His eyes locked with mine and we both laughed a big belly laugh.

That was it. Spontaneous hilarity and I was his person. For the rest of the evening, any scene in the movie that cracked him up.... or if he wanted to laugh for any random reason... he'd turn and look at me to share it. Then, after so much giggling, he would sigh really loud. Which would set me to laughing again and on and on we went.

Whether it's laughter or tears, it really is so much more when we lock eyes and share it. 

Living your best in life depends on moments such as these. Spontaneous, heart-felt experiences that enrich, lighten and refresh. Ordinary days interrupted with emotion. 

Sometimes I fall into the grind of life, especially on gray, cold winter days. Sometimes I let worry cloud my outlook or busyness distract me. Sometimes I get tired or over-stimulated and simply tune out.

And sometimes I am surprised by the moments I've been given. 

Let's keep our eyes open and live present with the people around us. May it double our joy and half our sorrows.

Three Things Will Last Forever

On Sunday our church went to a local hospital to deliver handmade fleece blankets and offer prayer for patients on the cancer floor. As I drove down the street, the memories began to come. One after another and with every passing block, they came faster. It's been nearly ten years ago since my friend Sherri was battling leukemia and all those visits to see her. Yet it seemed like yesterday as I turned the corner and parked the car.

As we divided up blankets and people, Sherri and I were paired together. I've done this outreach more times than I can count, yet this is the first time I've done it partnered with Sherri. She was joyful, gentle, and strong - arms filled with blankets as we went room to room. I kept watching her interact with the patients and all I could think is, "Wow, she's alive."

We visited five rooms. We met people of all ages and stages of cancer. Couples and singles. Old and young. One had only been diagnosed two days prior. One was facing another diagnosis, which may well be his final. Some were courageous. Some tired. One laughed with us. And another cried.

I have never felt so in touch with life. And such vulnerability. They lie in bed and trust. 

Simultaneously, I'm watching Sherri out of the corner of my eye. Walking room to room, more alive than I've ever seen her.

I left the hospital different than I entered. I had experienced such a range of life and death, joy and sorrow, the ordinary and the sacred, in these moments shared with people I will most likely never see again.

I’m a little less fearful of what I cannot control.
I’m a little less busy trying to make life better.
I’m a little less worried about what others think.

I’ve tasted and seen the three things that will last forever - faith, hope, and love. It is enough.

Living our best lives puts us in places that stretch us. And it is there we discover the fruit we most desperately crave grows. Let’s not shrink back from suffering, from strangers, from friendships, from God. Let’s go. In faith, hope, and the greatest of these… love. Let’s live our best.

Determined to Learn

I have been teaching piano lessons for seven years and currently have 16 students. I’m still amazed as I watch the learning process unfold right before my eyes. There are so many different ages, personalities, learning styles, and giftings that keep me continually learning how to teach each student to maximize their musical skills. One recurring conversation I find myself having with the students is how to be a good learner.

Just yesterday, I had two students with two very different responses to a challenge. One student had worked diligently practicing a song at home all week and had the notes down perfectly. Unfortunately, she had the incorrect rhythm. Re-learning is hard because you are now having to address the muscle memory that’s been established and intentionally adjust it. We took probably five minutes (which can feel like a lifetime to an 8 year old) to work on correcting the song. I could tell the process was stretching her and watched her do it over and over again until she got it right. I was super proud of her perseverance to hang in there and her capacity to engage in the learning process without letting the frustration get the best of her.

The other student came in and admittedly wasn’t having the best of days. We came to a new skill that she tried two or three times and then threw her hands up in the air and said, “It’s too hard! I can’t do it!” This is not an unusual response to learning, and I gently prodded her to try again. She moved on and then kept making an error in the same place. As I corrected her, she strongly told me, “NO! That’s not right!” I let the silence hold a moment, letting her words sink in as she looked at me. Then, I gently said, “Really? I’m not right?” She sighed dramatically, caught in her the trap of her own frustrated words realizing how ridiculous that sounded in telling the teacher. We went on; she was able to make the correction and discover how she really could do this new skill. It was just going to take some time and practice.

What’s your response when facing challenges? Are you willing to learn? Determined to learn?

Living your best life is being engaged in the learning process. Certainly, we love those times and environments when things ‘click’ and come easy for us. However, there are equally the number of situations we find ourselves in that challenge us and our skill set. What we do in those moments are more defining our our lives than anything. Go easy on yourself. Ask someone to help you or guide you. And stay with it.

If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, non one can stop you. - Zig Ziglar

Let Life Speak

A few days ago in a class, I had the opportunity to spend about 20 minutes watching a live eagle cam. While I often say I wish for quiet and rest, this exercise made me wonder if I really do. It’s hard to sit still like that and quiet my running mind and body to simply observe!

The nest had an adult eagle (not sure if it was momma or dad), a recently hatched eaglet and one egg. Other than the adult eagle clearly keeping watch through turning the head here and there and moving occasionally to a new spot in the nest, there wasn’t a lot of action going on.

It was a time to let life speak to me.

Life is beautiful.
Life is boring.
All things take time.
What is destined to happen will happen.

Living our best lives is making time to still ourselves and listen to what life speaks. And then rising up and carrying this knowledge into our ordinary lives. Not every moment is a soaring through the sky moment and that’s okay. Let’s live our best each moment we’re given. 

Today as I hopped on, life speaks again as I watch that little eaglet up and moving now.

How quickly things can change. 

Click here to check out the live video. You might be surprised by what life speaks to you.

 

A Misconception

This fall and winter I have been on a spiritual journey through the Ignatian Exercises. The meditation and focus for the last couple of days was when Jesus was on the cross. As the scene plays out, there are three different people groups: the religious leaders, the soldiers and one of the criminals being crucified next to him, all telling Jesus the same message... "Save yourself!"  

As I identified with the crowd of people who were standing and watching, I heard those words being yelled out at him. I thought of how they were demanding power and proving of His authority as Son of God and here he was demonstrating His love as the Son of God. Of course, as God he could have saved himself. But that wasn't the point. The whole reason He came to earth was to save us. 

In their cry for power, they missed love. 

Just a few days prior of the crucifixion, as Jesus recognized his time and all that the Father had given to Him, he took off his robe, picked up the towel and washed the feet of his disciples. Even those of his friend who would turn betrayer. He came to show us love. 

It makes me think of all the stuff that captures my attention. Of all the injustices I want to prove wrong and correct in the world. Of all that happens that I wish I could speak into a little louder or have the power to change. And these pictures of Jesus now give me context for the greatest question of all, "How will I love?"

Living our best lives is loving even when it is misinterpreted by all the people around us. It's laying down our own lives and rights and serving others. 

Jesus, show love through us.

A New Chapter

Great things have small beginnings. - Francis Drake

There’s something special about a blank page in front of you and a pen in hand. Releasing the thoughts and ideas within and etching the words or drawings into being. They take shape in the process of creating and we end up with something more than the seedlings we began with.

I know this is why I love writing. Maybe it’s why I love the New Year so much, too.

We are beginning a New Year and the page is blank. What is yet to come, none of us fully know. What we can do, is be intentional about taking our ideas and dreams and begin to look for where they can be written into our life. Take the seedling and make a next step: a phone call, an appointment, a conversation, or whatever. Never underestimate the potential within these small beginnings. Beginning is the hardest stage. Once you get moving, the next part takes shape and then the next.

As you begin to actively live into life you find a greater freedom and happiness. No longer sitting on the sidelines and watching life happen, you become an active participant.

Living our best lives is being engaged in the creative process. What do you most desire to see this year? What is one area you want to be intentional? What is the first small step in getting there?

Write it down. Tell a friend. Here’s to authoring a new chapter in our lives this year.

Happy 2017!