Let your light shine!

Today flying above the clouds with occasional glimpses of stunning mountain views, I was filled with wonder. There was breathtaking beauty before me for miles and miles and miles. As the sun set over the horizon, beacons of light would reveal small communities and even lone homes - oasis in the midst of wilderness. As I peered from this new perspective, I was reminded of the sea of people we live and move within and thought of those lovely people I know within it who are beacons in the storm. They are genuine, caring people whom you know you can trust - a safe harbor in the face of adversity...a friend along the way. I am blessed to have many in my life, but recently a co-worker - known for her tremendous sense of humor and kindness, delivered a card and gift as I was ready to embarq on a trip. I was so moved. She was an answer to prayer as she ministered to my concerns. I was full of gratitude for her and for God.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16).

It causes me to examine myself....does my light shine? Am I a lighthouse in the sea of people shining a message of hope on the way to the Savior? I'm working on it. Let your light shine my friends!

Pay Attention - Gifts are Showing All Around

In a Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule, next a woman rushed by and threw a dollar in the hat, and a few minutes later a young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, but a glance at his watch spurned him to walk on. A few minutes later a 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly. Forty-five minutes and the musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

At one hour, he finished playing and silence returned. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition. No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities. It raised several questions: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

So I must ask - what do we miss each day in the many talented people around us? How many of God's gifts do we take for granted or not even notice at all?


"I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance God has given his people." Ephesians 1:18

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

Behind every success lies ambition… Behind every ambition - effort…
Behind every effort there is someone who is willing to try.
How often do we get lost in our own list of inadequacies, never realizing that others have not trod the
road we have, acquired the knowledge, talent, skills, been given the unique combination of intelligence
with our experiences. God made each of us unique, individuals hoping we would grasp hold fully and
wholly of the amazing creation – IN HIS IMAGE – we are.
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb, I praise you because I am
fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful and I know that full well.
Psalm 139: 13-14
He wants for us to run into the world – arms spread and say “here I am.” Where are your dreams? You
know, while it’s the very young “successes” that make it to the news… its more common for people over
35 to find/return to their passion and make it a success with their acquired experience, knowledge and
desire. LET’S GO FOR IT – GIVE IT A TRY!!!

A New Year - What will you do with it?

Happy New Year and Decade!!!

I know new years resolutions are seen to be a yearly effort lasting - many times - only a short time. But we are called to examine ourselves - our lives and continue to do so with scripture as our measure. We are called to "...examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD." (Lamentations 3:40) As I participate in this examination I am compelled to make some determinations going forward. One of mine this year is again - purpose to live with intention. James Allen once said, "Dream lofty dreams, and as you dream, so you shall become. Your vision is the promise of what you shall one day be; your ideal is the prophecy of what you shall at last unveil."

What will your life unveil? What does your gradual unveiling look like?