Biking Across America...

A fourth year medical school student, Lauren Leffler has the month of April off in order to pursue something other than her usual work and study. After researching several other options, she decided to pack her bicycle into a box and fly from Florida to San Francisco. In California, she took her box of bike pieces to a bike shop and said, "Bring this bike back to life, please!" They worked their magic and soon she set off on what is the adventure of her young life! She is taking a month to bike from California back to Florida with a commitment to raise funds for Shriners Hospitals for Children. This is a wonderful cause she believes in strongly. Her residency will be in pediatric orthopedics.

I learned about Lauren's adventure from a friend. My friend was seeking a home in which Lauren could spend an overnight one day this past week. I quickly agreed we'd love to welcome Lauren to our home when she arrived in Kerrville.

But Lauren had 150 miles to cover between Del Rio, TX and our home and she would be biking through the most challenging hills in TX - more than a day's ride even for the most experienced long distance bikers. Lauren and I talked by phone and decided that I would pick her up if the distance proved too great the day she was attempting to cover that segment of her trip. We planned her route and had a stopping place for her in mind if needed.

She started early on Wednesday with overcast skies but slowed with pavement containing small pebbles rather than smooth asphalt. Lauren's call came about 3:45pm saying she would like a pick up at our prearranged spot about 6:00 pm if possible. I told her I would arrive there about 5:30 pm in order for her not to have to wait long for me. By now it was and had been raining all day - sometimes quite hard.

I arrived at Garven's Store before Lauren. I considered pulling out my book and reading until she arrived but I thought of the nearly 100 miles Lauren had already covered, saw the rain and threatening clouds and decided to head down the highway in her direction. Within a distance of about seven miles, I saw a speck in the distance I thought must be my biker. As she approached, I slowed my minivan and rolled down the window as she arrived. Her first words were. "Linda? Am I happy to see you!"

She was soaked and physically tired but got the bike loaded quickly so we could head off to a warm shower and hearty supper. She eagerly enjoyed the apple and banana I offered her.

But before going home, I felt she just had to experience Garven's Store. That lonely gas station and country store has a little bit of everything and is pure TX country charm. She purchased several flavors of their specialty Jerky before we dashed through the torrents of rain to my car for our ride home.

Lauren assured me that only her body was tired but her mind wasn't weary. She filled me in on her life, her family and some of the adventures she'd had so far on her trip. She admits it's been very different from what she expected. She's had only one or two days of ideal biking conditions but has seen magnificent countryside and met wonderful people. Her bike and her flip flops are keeping her on schedule - along with a few "helps" such as I had been that day.

Over supper we discussed the routing she'd mapped before the start of this trip. It would be another long day of biking but again it would take her on beautiful country roads in central TX. Since this is the peak of a spectacular season for bluebonnets, we knew she would have beautiful views along the way.

We awakened Thursday morning to more rain - gentle as we ate breakfast at 7:00 am. She relished the big bowl of Old Fashioned Oat Meal with raisins, cinnamon, brown sugar and a little milk as well as my signature homemade pecan rolls.

As my husband helped Lauren add some bike oil to her chain, he whispered to me, "Maybe you should drive her part way."

With the threatening weather and the distance she faced, that seemed very logical. Our suggestion was warmly accepted; "maybe to the edge of town?" But I felt a drive through Comfort past the Interstate 10 exchange which would get her on the road to Sisterdale would be better. This way she would avoid the "heavy" morning traffic coming into Kerrville.

So off we headed toward Sisterdale. As we left Comfort, there didn't seem a good place to stop so I decided to go all the way to Sisterdale. As it turned out, that was wise as a several mile stretch of road was under construction with the surface only rough, rocky gravel. It would have been a very rough, damaging ride on a bike.

But the quaint village of Sisterdale, (pop. 63) seemed a friendly, welcoming place for Lauren to reclaim her bike in order to set off for that day's ride. With a jacket giving some protection from the cool rain and all her supplies for the trip in a small bag encased in a garbage bag to keep them dry, Lauren donned her gloves, helmet and big smile as she straddled the bike and valiantly rode away.



I'm keeping informed about Lauren's progress through emails from her mother. At this point she has promise of only a small portion of the funds she hopes to raise for Shriners Hospitals for Children. But there is still time to participate with her if you feel inclined to add something for her worthy cause.

It was a pleasure to meet Lauren and host her briefly this week. This gal has courage and determination. She is trusting God for protection during this venture as she pays attention to her health, the road and her faithful flip flops.

She expects to arrive in Tampa, FL between April 26 - 28th. I think she'll make it with some amazing stories to share with her family, friends and future patients.

Lauren arrived April 26th at 5:30pm to cheers from her family and friends.

Easter Letter to Jesus... #5

(Note: Please see Easter Letter #1
for introduction to this series of posts.)

JOSEPHINE, WOMAN WHO HAD BLED FOR 12 YEARS

The tomb IS empty! It IS true! On my way to the temple this morning, I learned that something has happened which has created great excitement in Jerusalem today. It is being reported that there's been a resurrection from the dead - Jesus of Nazareth has risen from the dead! I decided I just had to come here for myself and make sure Jesus' grave really was empty. You see, I am Josephine, the woman who was ill for 12 years with hemorrhaging. He miraculously healed me one day and I just knew he really was the Messiah, the Anointed One of Israel. There have been many things I wanted to tell him, so I have written him a letter. Let me read it to you.

Dear Jesus, my healer,
Until I met you that day as you walked through my neighborhood, my life was miserable. For twelve long years I had been bleeding abnormally. I had been to so many different doctors. I know they tried their best to find a cure for my problem. They experimented with any new theory they heard or read about, but for me there was no answer. My money was gone, my suffering continued and worst of all, I was shunned by society as continually unclean. I felt so abandoned and forlorn. There were many days when I thought God must be punishing me for something evil I had done or thought. I was brokenhearted because I would never know the love of a man or be able to give birth to a child. I questioned whether or not I was really a normal woman. I felt so different and rejected. How I ached to be able to one day hold my own flesh and blood - to have that wonderful experience of motherhood which so many women are privileged to have. I knew in my present condition, I was without hope. But then, I heard about you.

I had heard of great miracles which you had performed - blind were given sight, paralyzed were made to walk, deaf were made to hear - why couldn't my bleeding be stopped? But for me, it seemed impossible. I was not allowed to be amongst other people for fear of making them unclean. Then I heard that you were nearby.

There was a very large crowd following you, pressing about you and I thought maybe I could slip unnoticed into that crowd and get close enough to just touch just the edge of your garment. I was able - I touched your clothes and as I did, I was immediately healed. I felt it - I knew the miracle I had been praying for had happened. I wanted to just slip out of sight and return home to quietly meditate on what had happened, but you stopped and asked who had touched you. I saw there was no escape so I fell at your feet in fear and told you the whole story. You then said to me, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." How elated I felt. You recognized me - you blessed me - you healed me physically and spiritually.

That day I went home a changed person. You said my faith had healed me. Yes, it is true. I had great faith. I know you honored that and gave me the greatest desire of my heart - a cure for all my problems. I can't thank you enough. I knew I needed physical healing and you knew I also needed spiritual healing. I now know that your death on the cross makes that healing possible and your resurrection makes it certain. I am most grateful for all that you have done for me. I give you my allegiance and will always be,
Your faithful friend and follower,
JOSEPHINE

I, too, have a letter I've written to Jesus.

Dear Jesus,
I can relate to Josephine. I, too, have experienced being different from most other women. My womb is barren. I have not yet been able to conceive a child. I long to one day become a mother and hold my own flesh and blood in my arms. And I don't know if you will heal my physical problem and make that dream of mine come true or not.

But this one thing I know for sure. My love for you does not depend on your response to my deep desire to conceive and give birth to a child. Easter is so important to me today because I know that it really shows me again that you will do what's best for me. Your death wasn't what you wanted, but it was best for all humanity. Your love for me took you to the cross. And I love you for being the worthy sacrificial lamb for my sin. Whether or not you chose to bless my husband and me with our own biological child, I give you my allegiance and aspire to always be, your faithful friend and follower.

Easter Letter to Jesus... #4

(Note: Please see Easter Letter #1
for introduction to this series of posts.)

JAMES, BROTHER OF JESUS
MONOLOGUE FOR EASTER

The tomb IS empty! It IS true! The news was brought to our home earlier today and mom is so thrilled but the rest of us don't really know what to think. You see, I am James, the brother of Jesus. Our family has been together since Jesus' death on Friday. There've been so many things to talk about, so many feelings we have. This crucifixion has been really difficult for all of us but especially me because I was closest in age to Jesus. I have been trying to be the brave big brother but it hasn't been easy. You see, I have a lot of questions about who Jesus really is. But let me read you a letter I've written to him. There are so many things I want to say to him.

Dear Jesus, My brother,
The news came to us earlier today that your grave was found empty this morning. Some are saying that there's been a resurrection; that you have come back to life. Several of the women even claim they've seen you. They also seem to think they've talked to you and some angels. I really don't know what to think. I wish I were able to sort this out in my head and know for certain whether or not you really are the Messiah you claimed to be. I was so positive until this morning that I had the truth about you and now I am completely confused.

Have you wondered why none of your brothers and sisters believed you really were God in the flesh? Let me try to explain. As soon as I was old enough to understand things, I realized that there was something different about you. You were always so perfect - so in control- so almost inhuman and yet you were also ordinary but in a way I can't really explain and I never could understand. We were such close buddies when we were little - we used to chase each other around everywhere but I always had the feeling I could never be as good or as religious as you were. So I decided I would get recognition for being different from you - looking different and acting different and believing differently. Those avenues for expressing my individuality brought me some recognition but often left me feeling somewhat unfulfilled. It was as though I accomplished notable things but found they lacked satisfaction even though their achievement required much courage and resolve on my part.

When you told us you were God and man, and we heard the story of your birth and the early years of your life from mom and dad, none of that really made any sense. To me you were just another of my brothers - how could you be the Messiah? We knew you were just like any other human being except for the things you claimed about yourself. And that's really why I decided you must actually be crazy, mentally unstable. For your own good, I felt you should be restrained. When the Messiah came, he would set up an earthly kingdom. You weren't working on that. In fact you were an embarrassment to the rest of your family. You were associating frequently with scum, riff-raff, low-life. Your ideas were provincial and weird. We valued education, proper affiliations, community esteem and all you brought our way was disgrace. We even heard that you terrorized employees at the temple. When you rebuked our attempt to calmly and quietly get you some counseling, I decided the only thing I could do was distance myself from you and your fruitcake ideas.

When I heard of your death on Friday, I wasn't surprised. It was just a matter of time. We tried to prevent that from happening but people just can't put up forever with such a bizarre character as you have been. I wish it could have been different for us. You were really a cool big brother to me. I really looked up to you but I just couldn't swallow your philosophies. But you know, since this morning, I've really started thinking again. You told people, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." I always thought you were referring to stone and brick but maybe you were talking about your body as a temple. I heard that at the moment you died on the cross, that the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom to open the way into the holy of holies. If it tore from top to bottom, that was supernatural because that curtain is 40 cubits or 72 feet high. How could anyone get up that high to tear it from the top down? But I wonder where the logic is in all this? I know you. I just can't believe you could be God. But this I have decided. I will attempt to learn the truth. I want to see you again so I can find out for myself, if you really have come back to life. If I am convinced that you really were dead and now live, I will change my mind. I will devote my life to serving you as the worthy sacrificial lamb. I will repent and give you my allegiance.
Your brother in the flesh and in the Spirit,
JAMES

(Remove costume and continue speaking.) I, too, have a letter I've written to Jesus.

Dear Jesus,
I can relate to some of the experiences of James, Jesus' brother. I, too, have an older brother. It was sometimes difficult to maintain my own identity as I followed his footsteps through life. I haven't, however, experienced the same degree of doubt about you as did your brother. I am so grateful that you did appear to him so that he could resolve his dilemma and follow through with his promise to serve you faithfully. He wrote another letter which I've read many times. It has reminded me that trials are to be considered pure joy because they produce perseverance. It also has clued me in that my faith is really nothing if it's not accompanied by good works. I do want to thank you for giving me a brother, a sister, a strong family. I am not always worthy of your love but Easter reminds me that you considered me worthy to die for - a truth I can hardly fathom. Thank you. I give you my allegiance and desire to always be, your faithful friend and follower.

Psalm 62: 5 - 8...

Psalm 62: 5 - 8
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress,
I will not be shaken.
My salvation and my honor
depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reading these verses multiple times opens my eyes to profound truth for my soul which I need every day. Today I am noticing these truths:

Rest for my SOUL is found in God alone.
God is:
my hope
my rock
my salvation
my fortress
my honor
my refuge

And what is my part in response to this truth?

Trust in Him at all times &
Pour out my heart to Him.

God is all we need but too often I forget to trust that and end up with some fear, doubt, insecurity and weakness. At the point of realizing my lack of trust, I can "Pour out my heart" - that's the picture of real prayer - with a whispered whimper or loud wail.

And that's when my soul finds rest in God alone.

An 11 year old's poem...

Saw-Whet Owl

He lives all year round

in northern states from

Washington to Maine, and

somtimes spends the winter

in southern area rain.

His tiny feathers puff, making him

look wise and vain. He has a seven-

teen inch wingspan, and calls Saw-Whet,

his name. He prefers to perch on evergreen

trees to wait for coming prey.He is a

creature that God made, fragile, new,

and small. Saw-Whet is his name.

a sweet sweet name

WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY PHILLIP J. WORDEN

is Saw-Whet and

shall he ever live.

Moldova 2010...

The dates for our Moldova Mission Trip this summer have been decided.

July 30 - August 9, 2010

A team will return to Chisinau, Moldova to spend a week with children ages 7 - 16 from Internat II (Boarding School/Orphanage) who will be living at a camp outside of the capitol city this summer. Our team will stay in the IMB mission house in Chisinau and be driven to the camp each morning for our daytime hours there.

We have at least 7 people ready to book tickets but others are welcome to explore this privilege. We don't want to be the only ones having all this fun so contact me if you want details about our plans.

This trip is sponsored by CERI, Children's Emergency Relief International, which is an arm of, BCFS, Baptist Child and Family Services.

This will be the sixth year for a team from Trinity Baptist Church in Kerrville, TX to lead this life-changing trip.

If you love the Lord, love children, love hugs and have a longing to share yourself and your Savior's truth with some kids waiting for attention and activities, plan to be part of this experience this summer.

The Farm on Buffalo Ridge - A Poem

The Farm on Buffalo Ridge

We moved there as I reached age four.
It was the farm my folks saved for.
I would come to love those verdant acres;
the stage for childhood memory makers.

Those years from 4 to 18 filled with toil;
our major duty tending cows; tilling soil.
So few days with refreshing solace;
though front yard trees were outdoor palace.

From top branches in the oak and maple,
I viewed with joy the outdoor table
on which my world was deeply rooted
while hidden so high was nearly muted.

Now I know what fed my soul.
It was wisdom in that leaf bound hole.
I pondered long of home and hearts,
and there refreshed my burdened parts.

I love that place with memories to treasure;
Safety, lavish love and truth mixed with leather.
Though years and distance dim my thoughts;
His strength grasped there remains my tether.

Celebrating St. Patrick...

Since today is St. Patrick's Day, it seems appropriate to share a prayer that is attributed to him. This prayer and additional information about St. Patrick, are available as today's DAILY REFLECTION and PRAYER by Mark D. Roberts at THE HIGH CALLING.

A Prayer attributed to St. Patrick

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through the belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me:
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Amen.

Responding to Reconciliation...

I have just spent a couple of hours researching the issue of whether or not the Senate version of the Health Care bill contains the same restriction of funding for abortions as is contained in the Stupak amendment of the House version. I have read a number of articles at the Politico website and a number of others. There are many different opinions about whether or not the Senate bill includes the Hyde Amendment wording.

I do not want to make a judgment here about whether or not the funding of abortions is denied in each version of the Health Care bills. I want to make another point.

My concern is with the process of passing this legislation.

My concern is related to the issue of trust.

It is my understanding that House members are being urged to vote for the senate version as it is with the promise that there will be an opportunity to fix the unacceptable aspects of the bill through a Reconciliation process after the bill is passed and after the President signs it into law.

But many folks state concerns about whether or not this process can be trusted to work as promised. And I share those concerns.

To illustrate the personal nature of my concern, I will relate something my husband and I experienced within the first year of our marriage - about 43 years ago. My husband signed a contract to teach high school speech following our August wedding in 1966. His contract also included the stipulation that he would become the assistant drama coach for the school. This school produced 2 major student musicals each year and had lengthy after school rehearsals which started before labor day and continued through the public performances which were held in November just prior to Thanksgiving for the fall semester and the spring event was similar. My husband was required to be at school at least 3 nights a week and many Saturdays for several hours. He was responsible for the sets and all staging for each production. It was a hugely time consuming responsibility but he faithfully fulfilled his commitment during his first year of teaching.

When it came time to sign his contract for the 2nd year, he told the department chair that he would like to be replaced as the assistant drama coach so that he could devote more time to his classroom assignment and other interests he had in the school and community. The department chair readily agreed that there was no problem with his request. A replacement would be selected for that position. He mentioned a new hire that was being interviewed with plans to move from another state.

The day came when the contract had to be signed. My husband noticed that the contract had the same wording as the previous version had a year earlier and included this position as the assistant drama coach. He mentioned that to the Department chair. And the immediate response was,

"Oh, that's just a technicality. We have a new person being hired from out-of-state who has agreed to serve in that position
so just sign this with the understanding that
you won't actually be doing that part of the contract."

So he trusted the man's word and signed the contract.

You guessed it. There was "no new person from out of state" but a contract had been signed with wording which would require my husband to honor a commitment he had knowingly but unwittingly signed. I'm proud to say that my husband fulfilled the contract as signed that year and did it without malice or vengeance against the man who misrepresented the facts. It was my husband's last year to teach at that school though that had been the plan before the conned contract.

How does this apply to the current Health Care bill?

Legislators, please study this bill and vote on the merits of the bill and not on what is promised as change after your signature is secured.

Too often promises are not kept and trust is seriously eroded. Unfortunately, I speak from experience.

Turning to Psalm 46...

Our daughter's world was rocked with horrific tragedy on Sunday as she learned of the weekend tragic death of two of her eighth grade students. The death of these two girls and a third friend from the same middle school, happened Saturday evening as the girls were crossing a train trestle.

So many questions are raised. Why were they on the tracks? Why didn't they hear the blasting train whistle? Why didn't they feel the vibrations from the pounding, oncoming train? Why didn't they jump? What could have prevented this? Why have these precious lives been so sadly ended at age 14 and 15? What future sccomplishments have been denied this trio which now their families, friends and schoolmates will never know? The questions continue without answer.

How will those left behind ever recover from this HUGE grief?

As I learned of this incident, my heart ached for the girls' families, of course, but also for my daughter who would have to have strength, wisdom and words of compassion for the classroom Monday morning. She would be facing another day on the front line with students who had just been jolted because of the sudden, tragic loss of classmates. How could she prepare for Monday morning? Where would her strength and answers come from?

My mind went immediately to Psalm 46 and my first email quoted these comforting words:

Psalm 46: 1- 3

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear,

though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the

heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake

with their surging.

Psalm 46: 10a

Be still, and know that I am God;

When life has no answers and is painful almost beyond endurance, only God can be the "ever-present help in trouble". He is the solid rock on which we can stand. He can provide peace that passes understanding. He calms the storm as it rages and threatens to sink us. We can cling to His truth and hope which provides the courage to meet the challenge of a classroom filled with hurt and pain or any other overwhelming crisis.

Has this hope ever been proven in our family's life in the past? My husband recalls the worst tragedy our family faced which happened when his only brother was killed in a car accident in 1983. He left a wife and three children ages 5 - 12. He added his memory of the impact of Psalm 46 in an email to our daughter and I share it here:

"It (Psalm 46) is the Psalm that immediately came to Mary Jane’s mind when your Uncle Jim was killed. He had taught the family a versified version set to music and they sang it together as a family when she broke the news to their children. And I think it was sung again in the memorial services. A Google search reveals that there are many such versifications, but the first and last stanzas of the one referenced are thus:

Psalm 46, The Scottish Psalter 1650
Tune: Winchester Old “Este’s Psalter” 1592
Common Meter 4/4 time Key Bb

God is our Refuge and our Strength,
In straits a present aid;
Therefore, although the earth remove,
We will not be afraid.

The hills amidst the seas be cast;
Though water roaring make
And troubled be; yea though the hills
By swelling seas do shake.

A river is, whose streams make glad
The City of our God
The holy place, wherein the Lord
Most high hath His abode.

God in the midst of her doth dwell;
And nothing shall her move;
The Lord to her a helper will,
And that right early, prove."

There are no easy answers to the horrors experienced during life in this fallen world. But there is a God who can be known personally, who cares about our pain and who provides us with refuge, strength and ever-present help in trouble.

I'm praying that this truth will sustain those deeply grieving this week in central Florida and wherever else the shock of tragedy has struck.