2018 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 2018 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 Terriance Foster, senior and 2018 graduate of North High school.

"I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it." - Maya Angelou

He may be the youngest of eight children, but Terriance is not one to be overlooked or left behind. He is determined, self-sacrificing, and a leader in his family as well as North high school. Terriance has persevered hardship and loss and it has shaped him into a stronger and more compassionate person to others in need. 

"I have not met a stronger, more positive, or loving student than Terriance. His smile is infectious, his attitude is inspiring, and his love has no bounds." shares Mrs. Rost, a teacher at North. 

Terriance has grown up with a mom who made life happen for her children even when she didn't have anything. This meant seeking and providing a home and food so they wouldn't go without. It wasn't easy by any means and included going in and out of shelters. These survival experiences shaped Terriance to be an overcomer with a drive to make a life for himself. 

In December 2017, Terriance suffered a devastating loss through the unexpected death of his brother, Jay. He didn't let the shock and grief process shut him down; Terriance knew he needed to stay focused, positive, and graduate high school. And that's exactly what he's done, often being the source of comfort for his family. 

Terriance has given to others through baking cookies and pies for homeless shelter, as well as preparing meals for kids who don't get enough to eat. He has helped with the Polar Bear Closet and Pantry giving to those in need at school. In his words, "Overall it's just a blessing to help people in need and to see their facial expressions when things are accomplished."

Academically, he has shown dedication and the perseverance to reach his goals. "Terriance has maintained a great GPA, has been involved in multiple activities (including Student Leadership, prestigious internships, and multiple sporting teams), and challenged himself with AP courses." says Mrs. Rost. 

Terriance has been accepted into Des Moines Area Community College and looks forward to pursuing a career in sports communication. He hopes to someday be a sports commentator or journalist. 

Today

I will trust you with the little and the big. 

I will trust you with my fears. 

I will receive my gift of limits. 

I will receive your grace sufficient.

 

I will be present. 

I will be grateful. 

I will look for beauty.

I will laugh out loud. 

Today, I will live a good day. 

A Second Breath

Photo by Marc Sendra martorell on Unsplash

Breathing is the source and sustenance of living. When breath is gone, there is no life. More than once in Natalie’s cancer treatment, oxygen was provided to assist when she was too physically weak to breathe. It was always accessible at the head of the hospital bed, a hand reach away. We can’t live without breathing. 

Given by God, breath was breathed into humankind at creation. 

One day the Eternal God scooped dirt out of the ground, sculpted it into the shape we call human, breathed the breath that gives life into the nostrils of the human, and the human became a living soul. Genesis 2:7

Given by Jesus, a second breath was breathed into humankind at redemption. 

Now He drew close enough to each of them that they could feel His breath. He breathed on them: Welcome the Holy Spirit of the Living God. John 20:22

As real as our physical need for breath, so is our spiritual need. In Jesus’ words, we need to experience a second birth. A second breath of life. 

I tell you the truth; only someone who experiences birth for a second time can hope to see the kingdom of God. John 3:4

Just as a deep breath invigorates our physical life, so is a deep breath of the Holy Spirit to our spiritual lives. 

Tired? Anxious? Running on empty? Here's to living our best and breathing deeply. 

For in him we live and move and have our being.

Our Story

Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash

As you listen to the young, you will hear a lot of dreams. The hope of marrying and having a family. The hope of a career that is meaningful and enjoyable. The hope of being known for their contributions to others. The list goes on... all good; and sometimes a little starry-eyed.   

I remember my own imaginations as a young person and how vividly I was writing my story in my mind. In my 20’s I lived some of my dreams and some were dashed in tragedy. It was a challenge to reconcile my hopes with reality and to hold both. 

My first invitation was to surrender my story and to let God talk with me about his story. 

Albeit hard at times, it turned out to be a very promising season as I let go and let God be the author. He showed me his love that was never going to fail me and comforted me in his faithful presence. He opened to me new spaces and goodness from unexpected places. I lived here for several years; and then something began to shift. 

The Lord began to talk to me about living our story. 

He took me to Psalm 139, and he showed me his presence creating and designing me for such a life as this. He told me that I had everything I needed to be all that I was called to be and more. It’s not that my story was wrong, it was just too small. 

My new invitation is to live our story. 

As this unfolds, I’ve found a sweet companionship with the Lord. The playfulness of an intimate friend. The tender care of a Good Shepherd. The challenge of trusting an untame God. 

I’m also experiencing a new richness in my relationships in the Body of Christ. I don’t have to be it all, know it all, do it all. I’ve been blessed to live out life in a community, where together we are all God’s story, past, present and future. 

I am living the same story of Moses, Ruth, and Esther. I am living a story with fellow believers who all contribute to the manifestation of his glory and honor through our lives together. I am living a story that will continue to be written by my daughter and the generations yet to come. 

When God invites us to surrender, it’s not because our dreams are wrong or because he is some giant cosmic killjoy. It’s because there’s something so much more he wants to give us.

May you find the joy of living our story. 

Sealed Orders

Photo by Maximilian Weisbecker on Unsplash

 

< : Sealed Orders : >

written orders or instructions that are not to be looked at until a specified time, especially orders that are given in sealed form to a commander of a vessel to be opened after the vessel is out of contact with the shore.

Dictionary.com 

< : Faith : >

never knows where it is being led, or it would not be faith. 

True faith is content to travel under sealed orders. 

J Oswald Sanders 

< : A Challenging Invitation : >

 Walking with Jesus is the best, scariest place to live.

It's the adventure our souls cry out for.

It's the risk that demands we follow without fully knowing the plan.

< : A Forever Promise : >

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding. 

 Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6

 

 

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