Ouch

We have officially been in Colorado for six days; skiing for 5 days, with a one day break and I'm smoked! I have bruises on my shins that cause me to whimper at the slightest bit of pressure. So you can imagine that the force caused by my inertia while I try to gracefully glide down the mountain is more like a scary movie where I try not to crash.  To add to the out of control dance I seem to be choreographing, my quad muscles have never been this exhausted. It's like I'm tempting fate every time I choose to point the tips of my skis down the mountain.

I am far too stubborn to waste the money we spent on lift tickets and quit skiing. But even more than that, there is an amazing thing happening here at Snowmass this week. The DAV (disabled vets of America) is hosting their Miracle on a Mountainside for the 25th year. There are skiers and snowboarders with no legs, with one leg, half paralyzed, and blind. And those are just the men and women I have met. There are about 325 vets and twice as many volunteers making this miracle happen.

It's so inspiring to see these disabled vets and volunteers all over the snow. From the bunny slopes to the most rigorous black diamonds there is so much strength and love. The strength it takes for a blind vet to get on skis and navigate down a slippery snow-covered mountain side and the love and patience it takes for two volunteers (one in front as a vocal guide, and one behind with guide straps to use if necessary) to take something they love and apply it to someone who couldn't do it without them. It makes me want, even more than ever before, to make a positive impact on the world!

Reflection Question: How will you make your positive impact on the world?

photo used with permission

Dear Love,

My Dearest,

I have been thinking about you day and night. Thoughts of you consume me. Have you thought of me too? Your beauty astounds me. Compared to you, nothing is worth catching my gaze. The sunsets no longer look so captivating. The mountains no longer have the mystical aura that keeps my thoughts. Your image constantly pulls me from reality to a dream where we are together, side-by-side, forever more. 

Never let go of the spirit inside you; do not be foolish like others around you, and try to be someone else. You are amazing! You have an inner beauty that could never be matched. I long so deeply to enjoy your laugh in person, it makes my heart smile. Your nature and your heart are one of a kind. I have never had the pleasure of meeting someone quite like you.

I left some flowers for you. I hope you enjoy them. But they could never replicate your beauty. You are a gift to the world. Never hide the shining light within you. If any evil spirit comes to tell you otherwise, he is a liar and a thief. Send him away empty handed. Do not let him take a piece of your magnificent heart.

Please come to me. I need you with me, to myself, be whole again. I know the journey won’t be easy for you, but trust me, it will be worth it. All the hard work fighting the good fight will bring you closer and closer to me, my love. Enjoy as much of the adventure as you can, but when it seems too much, think of me and know that I am with you in your heart always. Call on me or send me a note. I am never too far away to answer your call. I can’t start the journey for you, you must make that choice. I will, however, never stop requesting that you come. You are far too important to me to cease.

All My Love for You,

Jesus

Yes. Jesus writes this to YOU. Not me, not your friend, not your neighbor, to You. See for yourself-

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)

“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” (James 4:8)

“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him… We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:16-17, 19)

“The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

You are LOVED by the one who created the sun, the moon, and the stars in the sky. Enjoy that! 

Reflection Question: Do you realize how much Jesus loves you? Are you treating yourself like someone who is loved by God? 

Island of Misfit Toys

(Make sure you pause the "music" before playing the video)

Have you ever felt like you belonged on the Island of Misfit Toys? You know... from the old Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer movie, where the toys that didn’t fit the mold got sent to. Whether you’re different than the “cool” people at school, or you’re not quite like the people at work... or even the black sheep of your family. Hopefully you don’t, but most of you probably know what I’m talking about. You have felt alone, like no one knows or cares who you are.  That is what the devil would like you to think, and he is the king of lies.

“Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!” (John 8:42-45 emphasis mine)

But if that is a Lie then what is the Truth? The truth is that we ALL belong to God and therefore we all belong! Notice that the night Jesus was born, also came Great Joy for ALL PEOPLE.

“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for ALL THE PEOPLE. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”(Luke 2:4-12 emphasis mine)

There is a place where each of us belong. It is in the only place worth being, in the body of Christ. We belong in His “crew”... with the “cool people”. The ones who “really know what’s going on”. Each of us deserves to find a Church, which IS that body of Christ, where we can be who we are and be loved exactly where we are. If you don’t have that love in the body of Christ, take the time, find it...it’s worth it. It is one of the only things Worth doing.

Reflection Question: Do you belong to the “cool people”? 

Mean Girl

From the beginning of time we were selfish.  Eve wanted to “be like God” so she ate of the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3). Adam and Eve’s son Cain killed his brother Abel, not because Abel did anything to Cain, but because God found Abel’s sacrifice to be worthy of His blessing and He found Cain’s to be lacking (Genesis 4).  He was jealous of his brother’s good favor.

Why do I do this? I am frustrated with something... maybe something from work, or some person who cut me off while I was driving. The next thing I know I’m yelling at my kids because they’re laughing too loud (yes, laughing... Really laughing?!?) or I’m being snappy or critical of my husband for something he’s done that is helpful for the family!! Ugh!

I want TO LOVE!

1 Cor 13:4-8
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  8Love never fails.

I want to be able to say “Loren is patient and kind; she is not self-seeking, easily angered, rude and keeps no record of wrongs”. I can’t say that about myself. Right now I feel more like “Loren is impatient and mean; she is selfish, easily angered, rude and holds a grudge.” So where does that come from? Why do I do these things and feel this way? How do I combat this?  

We are in a spiritual war for our hearts everyday. Our decisions and actions point to the condition of our hearts. We have the ability to choose which way our hearts are going to point. I can pray and trust God to change my heart to be of love, like His.

Reflection Question: Are you going to let the devil control your heart or are you going to give it over to God?