Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Space Between Us

Conflict visits every relationship like a salesperson at dinner time. Who wants that?

We share what we've learned about conflict in the March issue of Austin Faith & Family and talk about the SPACE between us.

Look for our Journey for Two article "The Space Between Us" on page 15

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Super Moon Tonight


March 19th, 2011 - TONIGHT - our moon will appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter than it has in 18 years. So get outside and look up.
Click to read more about this Perigee moon.

LOOK UP!

I was thinking last night, as I was enjoying the stars out on my patio, what would it feel like if the sky were empty. No moon, no stars....no clouds...just vast, dark emptiness.

How would that feel? (Lonely)

It made me wonder, perhaps, if those things are not painted across the sky simply to remind us that we are NOT alone.


Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing. Is 40:26



There is something, Someone above us. Earth is wrapped in the beautiful, breath-taking blanket of the universe. And even though we have mapped out the stars, and charted the phases of the moon, this blanket is ever-changing. Our skies are predictable but never the same. Somethings are constant - Orion in Winter. and the Bear in Spring. Yet, no sunrise, no evening sky is ever the same. There is always new beauty to behold. Factor in the Hubble Space Telescope and there is seemingly no end the the glory ABOVE us.



I see a portrait of God when I look up. Constant and steady.....yet surprisingly NEW every morning. I think He painted the sky scape to help us wrap our minds around this improbable dichotomy. Don't miss it tonight!



When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them? Psalm 8:3-4



Thank you Adrian Gutierrez for your gorgeous moon photo!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Baseball, America and You

I needed an escape the other night so I grabbed one of my boy's book and filled up the tub. The great thing about junior fiction is that it only takes a hour or so to finish a book and they are usually quite refreshing! In The Year Of The Boar And Jackie Robinson, by Bettte Bao Lord is the story of a young Chinese girl, who immigrated to the U.S. and found a sense of belonging through baseball. Her teacher Mrs Rappaport had this to say about the sport and her new home:


"In our national pastime, each player is a member of a team, but when he comes to bat, he stands alone. One man. Many opportunities. For no matter how far behind, how late in the game, he, by himself, can make a difference. He can change what has been. He can make it a new ball game.


"In the life of our nation, each man is a citizen of the United States, but he has the right to pursue his own happiness. For no matter what his race, religion or creed, be he pauper or president, he has the right to speak his mind, to live as he wishes within the law, to elect our officials and stand for office, to excel. To make a difference. To change what has been. To make a better America."


The main character, Shirley was so inspired by her teacher's speech. The author goes on to say "Shirley felt as if the walls of the classroom had vanished. In their stead was a frontier of doors to which she held the keys."


Each one of us holds a set of keys and there are doors that need unlocking. There in the tub with my pruney toes, I wondered if I am making the most of my turn at bat. I've always found comfort in the whole, in being part of the team. Standing out there all alone at the plate looks so scary. Mrs Rappaport inspired ME to see the opportunity and not the pressure. I'm on deck. Practicing my swing.

What will you do when it is your turn at bat? Do you believe that one individual can indeed make a difference?