Happy Birthday

March 25th was Randy's birthday. We were able to celebrate with a night out...meal at a new (to us) restaurant, and cake at home for dessert.

On the way home I thought about how much I loved Randy...and how I thanked God for him. I considered the joy his parents must have felt at his birth...their first son! I then pondered the awesome nature of God's grand plan...that Randy would end up in Kansas at a little college on the plains where we would meet, fall in love, and then later marry and settle back on the family farm.

How often do we live life moving from this moment to the next...but miss the story of our lives because of the focus only on the immediate. It is important to be in the moment, but to do so within the context of the larger twists and turns of the past to the present.

The Bible gives us so many examples of remaining mindful of our past...to REMEMBER.

Remember the days of old;
consider the generations long past.
Ask your father and he will tell you,
your elders, and they will explain to you.

Deuteronomy 32:7

The larger story of God working in and through His people gives perspective to the present. We gain a deeper appreciation of His faithfulness and steadfast love and care demonstrated clearly in the past and unfolding in the present.

Randy’s birthday was a time for me to again bow the knee in gratitude and praise to God as I remembered...and celebrated.

The Go-To Place For Moms

March 11 & 12 were the dates of this year’s National Hearts At Home Conference which is held each year in Bloomington/Normal IL on the campus of ISU. The theme of this year’s event was “Mom Revolution”. “...Revolution is a very powerful word, but if you look closely, there is a key element to the word revolution...love. In all that we do for ourselves, our family, and our loved ones we must remember to keep love at the forefront of our Revolution.”

Over 4500 women in all the stages of motherhood attended. They heard powerful keynote messages by Jennifer Rothschild and Jill Savage. They laughed with Chonda Pierce and expanded their horizons through the many workshop options and presentations.

Every great conference has a resource center, and Hearts at Home provides that, too. Speaker tables were heavy with books early Friday morning, but by Saturday afternoon the loads of books had shifted to thousands of conference bags...just large enough to carry a few purchases.

Hearts At Home is truly the “Go To Place For Moms”. There is no other conference quite like it...with the focus so powerfully directed toward women and their role as ‘mom’. Motherhood and all the joys and sorrows that it encompasses, is universal. It is also very evident when you become a parent, that the task at hand is one that will bring you to your knees sooner or later. That is why I appreciate HAH most...the unapologetic Christian focus that is present throughout main sessions and workshops.

This video clip is a special moment from the closing Main Session. There is nothing quite like the sound of almost 3000 women lifting their hearts and voices in praise to God...the giver of life!

Community

The Daily Audio Bible has been an essential staple of my life since December 2007. January, 2011 marks the beginning of year four in listening to the daily podcast that brings the Bible to ipods, ipads, and computers in a new and engaging way. (Click on the link beside this post to find out more...)

While DAB is a wonderful podcast, and a great way to experience the entire Bible each year, it has yet another layer...that of Community. Saturday, March 5 I was honored to attend a DAB Community Gathering, in Indianapolis IN.

How amazing it was to walk into the restored depot and instantly connect with folks I have corresponded with for the past 3 years. Some of these dear brothers and sisters have shared prayer requests with the larger community through the podcasts and the forums...and I have prayed specifically for them. Some have prayed specifically for me.

Others were new DABbers...new to the podcast and new to the online community of the Daily Audio Bible. It made no difference. We were community in that we were deliberately walking through the Bible together, praying together about common requests and were experiencing the power of God’s Word impacting our lives. The beauty of the variety of ages (DAB has a podcast for children), races (DAB is podcast in five languages), and walks of life (students, parents, executives, educators, trades) was evident in the kaleidoscope of folks gathered.

Sunday worship at the Plainfield Baptist Church was yet another gathering of the DAB community within the larger community of the local church. Together we worshipped as Jill Parr (Brian’s wife) sang passionately from her heart and Brian spoke on Community. The message was one I needed to hear...a timely reminder and encouragement to seek to grow deeper in community (Biblical Community). Brian concluded his message with a reflective song by Sara Groves...Twice As Good

When I am down and need to cry till morning,
I know just where I am going.
When I'm in need of sweet commiseration
To speak out loud.
Raise a glass to friendship
And to knowing you don't have to go alone.
We'll raise out hearts to share each other's burdens
On this road.

Every burden I have carried,
Every joy--it's understood.
Life with you is half as hard,
And twice as good.