Coming to Potosi!  

Saturday morning, July 18.  

I'll be at the library from 9 - 1:00 with more books, "Potosi That's Where I'm From".  If you'd like one...or just would like to come and say hello!

That evening there is an all school alumni reunion.  All you Potosi grads - get out and have a little fun with friends!  All you gotta do is let someone know you'll be there.  There is a social/tea at 3:00 and dinner at 6:00.  Tickets for everything is 20.00.

Sure would like to see some familiar faces!    

For anyone who still wants a copy of my book, "Potosi, That's  Where I'm From", I will be in Potosi again on Saturday July 18 at the Washington County Library in Potosi from 9-1:00!

Come on down!!  Please spread the word.  I have quite a number who have asked for copies and it would be next to impossible to hand deliver them all.  I will have a new shipment with me and can distribute that day.

If you can't make it, but need a copy, please have someone pick it up for you.  Since I'm coming from St. Louis it makes it much easier for me to get them to you this way! 

I am also planning to be at the Washington County Fair.  Times and area to be announced as soon as I get more information!

Thank you to ALL who have purchased copies and continue to ask for copies.  It is my pleasure to make them available, and it is even more-so my pleasure to have had such a great opportunity to see many old and new faces who share in the interests of Potosi!!

Summertime, and the livin' is easy.  At least for a butterfly, it would seem!  As good as it might look, butterflies actually have a pretty tough "row to hoe" from squeezing out of a cocoon to an early death.  

Perhaps my point would be this:  Anytime it looks better than where or who you are, re-consider the "greener grass."  

Each of us have a pathway.  It will most likely be a unique one, and full of trials regardless of the comforts and beauty we might gain along the way.  Each life comes complete with challenge and heartache.

It is easy to look at another and long for the life they have.  It is also easy to entertain some "green" in the form of envy when it seems others might have been more fortunate than we.

Lord, help me to be glad for others when they prosper.  Help me to be thankful and genuinely content in all You give and in all You take away - for whatever reason!  Help me to appreciate Your provision and trust that I will not lack in need as Your faithfulness is constant and all-sustaining!  God bless the butterflies - and give me wings to fly even when I feel broken or not as successful as those who are looking more colorful or vibrant!

The birthday of our America.  It means so much more than a celebration.  It means so much more than fireworks and barbecue and watermelon. Those are all good things, but as I really contemplate the cost to be free, my heart begins to feel the fear and grief that goes with what our forefathers and pioneers went through to cut the paths of liberty for all. Much pain and many lost lives were the sacrifice.  War, the separation of families, friends and neighbors, uncertainty, discomfort, sickness and death are the cobblestones upon which we as Americans now walk.  

This country has been blessed with abundance - so much so, that we have perhaps forgotten the expense at which it has come.  The generations that bought and paid for our independence have almost all gone on before us.  I raise the banner once again here as a reminder and a salute to those brave men and women who made ultimate sacrifices and lived their lives with loyalty to something they believed in - our freedom.

I raise that banner even higher to honor the ONE who offered eternal freedom.  We may not be so fortunate to hold our nation's liberty for many more years.  We have slowly offered this precious "one nation under God" into the hands of a nation under a government.  I have seen much in these past few years that concern me and bring me to my knees as I ask forgiveness on behalf of the decisions of the leadership of our country.  It seems to me that there is much compromise, greed, dishonesty and pride. I too often see a mesmerized people nodding under a spell of a money-hungry government seemingly unconcerned about God or His will being done among us.

Now there are many gods to whom our nation bows and honors.  Money, possessions, wealth, people, indulgences, and even false gods that have been in direct conflict with the God of Abraham - discounting the work of the cross that offers our own salvation, blessings and eternal promise.

Let us pray in this hour...for repentant hearts who would turn in surrender to the God who does indeed forgive and deliver. Let us pray for our leaders and our government to be challenged to honesty and truth.  Let us pray for those who continue to lose loved one as a result of war and tragedy in a world where it seems that God is not wanted and therefore unable to bestow blessing, help and favor.  Let us pray that people will once again consider the God who has given so much to this incredible land for so many decades.  He has not turned His back on us, it is America who must turn back to Him. God have mercy on this country and draw your people back to You.

Sometimes it obvious to see that believers mis-represent the very Jesus we desire to reflect.  Though it is sad and often disappointing, especially when our own role models fail us, we have to remember that humanity is just that - human!  The reason Jesus sacrificed so much is that He knew what our nature would be even before we were born.  He also knew that we could not measure up to perfection.  That is why He went to the cross - to pay for our humanity - once and for all!  

We come complete with sin and cannot be perfect on our own.  Only God is perfect.  The good news is that He allows His perfection to become our covering through the sacrifice of Jesus.  The Son of God was allowed to be sacrificed so that our sins could be forgiven.  That is incredibly amazing grace!

I write this to remind myself that I must also forgive - as Jesus forgives me!  How many times a day do each of us fail - whether it be in thoughts or actions?  To ask forgiveness daily is to reflect Jesus.  When others see that we deal with our humanity through humility, He smiles.  And when He smiles, He does so through us!  Just as a light house shows the way for sailors, so our light can be a beacon of His radiance and love.

It is easy to point a finger when we see others failing or setting what we might consider a bad example.  Accusation is often the way we push blame onto others and seek to forfeit responsibility for error.  Pointing at another is often more revealing about the accuser than it is the one to whom it is aimed!

May we better learn the practice of responsibility and humility!  May our finger first touch our own chest as we consider how we might love as Jesus first loved us.  May our lips be slow to speak insult or blame and may we become a reflection of His light and life!

One definition of the word "lotus" is contentment.  For some reason, that seems appropriate when I look at this flower.  I simply post this as I pray for those going through difficult times today.  Those who have lost loved ones or who are dealing with health concerns.  I have a few friends who I especially think of this moment.  Healing, help, strength, peace - and contentment to each of you.  TJ, Cindy, Carla and Bethany....

What could be better than a country drive?  Here's a little refresher scene for all you who love to breathe clean air - straight from Palmer Missouri!

A gate is always somehow inviting!  Even this one in the photo, with its vines and greenery hugging it tightly!  I have a hard time avoiding a gate.  I must at least make it a photo op, if not walk through it, just because!  This one is particularly lovely, with some very brilliant light in the background that would make many curious.  It has some weeds, which means it could take some "stomping" to push through and explore the other side of its hinges. 

It so reminds me of another gate that is inviting, yet requires some sacrifice on our part if we choose to walk through it.  In John 10:9, Jesus says, "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."  

A gate provides a way through a barrier and gives us access to something. Sin is a barrier for each of us.  There is no other way to be released and free of sin but through Jesus, who is our access to relationship with the Father.  God forgives sin with welcome arms when we simply take a step toward Him as we surrender our heart!

Some say there are many ways to God.  Jesus tells us it is only through Him and the work of the cross that we can enter into complete forgivingness and freedom!  None of us can pretend to have the answer or keys to eternity.  But Jesus offers both the answer and the key - no questions asked!  He only requires a repentant heart!

There will be weeds!  Our lives are full of them.  The master gardener will take care of the pruning and trimming as we allow Him to do so.  He knows how to care for us!  Simply walk through the gate!