| In Numbers 13, we read about the Lord commanding Moses to send twelve men to explore Canaan, their promised land. At the end of forty days, the twelve men returned to Moses and Aaron and reported to them and all the Israelite community. After scoping things out, ten of the men gave a grim report including the fact that they saw giants there and they could never overcome them. They turned the people against Moses and Aaron, and they even wished to return to Egypt. But there were two men, Joshua and Caleb, who disagreed. They saw the promised land from a different perspective. They agreed there were obstacles but focused on the fact that God was with them instead of on the obstacles. I sometimes feel like a grasshopper surrounded by giants. Can you relate at all? The issues that concern me and mine seem huge. Some of the issues make my heart hurt. I agonize about my precious friends and family who are far from God. I struggle to see any glimmer of hope. There are those in my circle who are facing tremendous health problems while others battle with unexpected financial challenges. People who I love and respect are lonely and feel lost after the death of a spouse. The giant issues surrounding me seem overwhelming…when I take my focus off God. How often do I have to catch myself in grasshopper mode when I don’t see God working in these situations? Unfortunately, it happens more than I like to admit. My God is big, and he has a plan that is better than anything I can come up with. When I focus on my big God and the fact that he is able to work in all the situations that mean so much to me, then my problems begin to shrink.  Lord, help me trust you more, and to trust you completely. You know the things that weigh heavy on my mind and the things that break my heart. Please continue to work in me at the same time that you are working in these situations. I ask for open hearts for those I love so they can be drawn to a new or stronger relationship with you. Show them your love. Help me stay focused so that my grasshopper tendencies diminish. |
Author: Trisha Kennedy
Ridiculous Questions
| People ask ridiculous questions sometimes, don’t they? I walked into a building trying to close my wet umbrella and someone asked, “Is it raining?” I was with someone who was on crutches and a stranger asked if he hurt his leg. I overheard a person ask a very pregnant woman, “so you haven’t had that baby yet?” A man was wearing a Dallas Cowboys jersey and ball cap. Someone nearby asked if he was a Cowboy’s fan. You know what I mean. People mindlessly ask things even though they know the answer. But Jesus didn’t ask mindless questions, did he? His questions always had a point. Think about these situations where Jesus asked a question: -“Who touched me?” Jesus asked in Luke 8:45. He was in a crowded place. Because he is all-knowing, he knew who touched him, but he wanted others to see and hear her story. -“What do you want me to do for you? Matthew 20:29-34 -“Do you want to get well?” John 5:1-15 -“Do you love me?” Jesus asked Peter in John 21:15-17. Jesus asked Peter three times. Have you, like Peter, blown it with Jesus? Do you ever think about this question in terms of your own life? Let it sink in right now. We are constantly faced with choices that boil down to whether or not we will follow Him or the world. Do you want to get well? Do you want to move forward spiritually? Lord, open my eyes to be able to see you. Let me hear you speak to me and guide me each day. Forgive me when I question you and your ways when it seems to me things are out of control. Help me understand that things are never out of your control. Remind me to tell the story of how you have changed my life whenever you prompt me to do so. Lord, help me choose you over the things this world offers. Forgive me when I have let my schedule, my finances, my job, my family, and my hobbies squeeze you out. |
Which Word Is Next to Your Picture In The Dictionary?
We were recently travelling quite a bit, zigzagging around the country. I am sort of a people-watcher. My Uncle Pete always said, “Idiots come in swarms!” I believe it. Some people are a delight, and others are a fright.
We meet a lot of different people in our various ministry endeavors. Some people crack me up with their forwardness. And then, there are people who are comical to watch as they interact with others. So many people seem to be lost in spirit with no purpose in life. We have met people who are so loud and obnoxious in public places that it makes me cringe to think of how they interact with their families at home. Some cannot have a conversation without spewing four-letter words. You know the type – they have no filter and say whatever pops into their pea brain. Yikes.
Occasionally I see people who seem to be on vacation but look as though they could have never found their way without help. I often glance at Jody and ask, “Where are their keepers?”
Recently, I glanced at Jody and gave him the “where is his keeper?” look while we were walking behind an elderly man at an airport as the man stumbled and bumbled. We soon met Bill when he fell as he exited the airport. Bill ended up staying in the same hotel and also went on the same tours as us. Bill was 89 years old and his wife had died not long before this trip. He wanted to take the trip that the two of them had planned. Apparently, his children don’t live near him but spoke to him on the phone. He seemed to be doing fine as far as they could tell, and so they encouraged him to go on the trip rather than just sit home and mope. Oh, my stars, Bill had no business travelling alone. Bill is a precious, grieving man whose picture in the dictionary is next to the words “lost as a goose” and “needs a keeper.”
So that brings us to the question. Which word or phrase is near your picture? When people think of you, what pops into their mind?
When I think about which word or phrase pops into people’s minds when they think of me, I’m challenged to do better! My goal is for words like caring, dependable, honest, forgiving, patient, kind, thoughtful, considerate, and humble to come to mind, but I’m afraid that there are times when selfish, unforgiving, judgmental, impatient, inconsiderate, and gripey are the words that others think first about me because of things I’ve done or said. I have made many mistakes in my life, but I am trying to live a mindful life now, as Christ intended. He is transforming me into the person he created me to be…sometimes with little help on my part.
Join me in examining your life, your words, your actions. No, it’s not so much about what other people think–it’s about what God thinks. But, sometimes, when we closely examine and consider what others think, like me, it might challenge you to draw closer to the Lord so that he can continue that transforming work. Let him continue to shape your life.
Lord, thank you for giving me a separate, distinct, and unique personality. I am special because you say so. It’s not because of anything I have done, but because of who you are and how you are working in my life to make me into the person you created me to be. Lord, help me when I resist you. Fill me with your love so that I can reflect it to others. Help me lean in to the changes you are making in me. Sharpen in me the qualities that honor you and guide me to move away from those that don’t.
Just a Flicker
So, I am this detail-oriented person who is always observing the miniscule things of life. One day I was thinking about the personalities of various people I encounter in my life. I have had interactions recently with some truly extraordinary people and interactions with some less than extraordinary people. Here is a list of a few with whom I have crossed paths:
. a stern, rigid person who later turned out to be kind and friendly when stress and responsibilities lowered somewhat
. a smart-alec person who irritated everyone in his path
. a joyful person who was in the middle of a serious family situation but did not dwell on the negative
. a person who was not self-aware and was condescending, argumentative, and hurtful to those closest family and friends
. a know-it-all person who would argue or one-up every single person encountered
. a caring person who cares so much that people take advantage
. a loving, generous person who treated everyone with kindness
. a gripey person who I eventually discovered was in the middle of a personal trauma that they kept very private
. a happy, laughing person who was actually hurting on the inside
. an arrogant person who was always right (even when it was not true)
. a quiet, but thoughtful person, whose countenance glowed
Today, God reminded me, again, yes, again, that I also have personality traits that maybe reflect exactly who I am but maybe don’t reflect who I think I am or whose I say I am. Hmmm. Who I am…Who I think I am…Whose I say I am—just a few letters are different in those phrases, but those few letters really change the meaning of the phrases, don’t they?
Do my encounters with people leave a positive impression or a negative impression? Do I even care? Am I so entrenched in my way of thinking that I have become indifferent to others? Now, to be clear, I am not saying that we should elevate other people’s opinions over the voice of God. But sometimes, if I prayerfully inspect myself and how I interact with others, God can reveal things about my personality. Do I reflect the love of Jesus as I meander through my life or do I just meander doing my own thing without a thought of whose I am. Someone is always watching. What am I reflecting? Is my life just barely a flicker of light or does it shine for Jesus?
Lord, help me be a learner as you work in my life. Help me not to resist the efforts to smooth off the rough spots in my personality. Make me more like you. Continue your work in my life, helping me grow closer to you. Remind me that growing closer and closer to you is necessary to become more like you. Gently guide me to consider how I am seen by others. I want to reflect your love in everything I do and say. I don’t want to just occasionally flicker.
Memories and Tears and More Tears
| Today is the birthday of my baby sister, Lisa. Well, it would have been today, I should say. She went to be with the Lord in 2023 almost exactly 1 year ago. Yesterday was the anniversary of the birthday of my mom. It has been a tough week. Lisa was an April Fool child. My mom was a jokester and so, growing up we always had funny or silly April Fool’s jokes for Lisa. You know what I mean…iced Styrofoam “cake”, etc. Of course, the jokes faded as she got older, but I can’t help but think of that today. Lisa had a great, sort of crooked smile any time she was caught off-guard. I miss her. Live your life with no regrets. I know people say it all the time, but it is true so I will repeat it: You don’t know how long you have on this earth. Don’t wait to say “I love you’s” or bake some cookies or go out for a coffee or send a card (a card??) or text. You will wake up one day and wish you could do it one more time. Make sure that you take time to focus on the Lord. Share your faith. Invite your loved ones to church. Pray for them. I did all these things with Lisa and my mom and others, but I could have always done more. And so, I move forward, knowing that Lisa is healed from her physical limitations and is happy and making some new friends and visiting with some old friends on her birthday. Will we celebrate birthdays? I don’t know. But I hope if someone plays a trick on Lisa because it is April 1, I hope she gets a real cake with sprinkles too. As I move forward, I am more focused on my remaining family and friends. I want to be more intentional in showing my love. I want to save time in my schedule for God to guide me to the person I need to encourage or help in some way. My heart truly feels shattered when I think of those that I love so much who are far from God. I spoke to a lady at church yesterday about the same topic. She had invited her kids to church and hoped that since it was Easter that maybe they would come. But they didn’t. My job (and hers) is to fully trust that God is working, even when I don’t see much happening. In the meantime, I pray, I follow God’s guidance, and I love the best way I know how. I try to be a good example and witness in all that I do. Of course I cannot do that on my own, but only with the help of Jesus working through me. Lord, help me to remember the good times with Lisa, my mom, and my other family members. But help me to point the still living people in my life towards you. Prompt me to pray for them and with them. Guide me. Show me when I should challenge them and when I should leave it to you. I want to work with you, Lord, not against you. Prompt me with questions like: Do you forgo praying at meals when you are with non-believers? Do your friends and family see your priorities or do you “hide them under a bush?” Do the people in your circle see you read your Bible? Do you tell them about God-moments? Challenge me as well as them. Lord, I love you. Make me more like you. |
Which Word Is Your Picture Near In The Dictionary?
We were recently travelling quite a bit zigzagging around the country. I am sort of a people watcher. My Uncle Pete always said, “Idiots come in swarms!” I believe it. Some people are a delight and others are a fright.
We meet a lot of different people in our various ministry endeavors. Some people crack me up with their forwardness. And there are people who are comical to watch as they interact with others. So many people seem to be lost in spirit without any purpose in life. We have met people who are so loud and obnoxious in public places that it makes me cringe to think of how they interact with their families at home. Some cannot have a conversation without spewing four-letter words. You know the type – they have no filter and say whatever pops into their pea brain. Yikes.
Occasionally I see people who seem to be on vacation but look as though they could have never found their way without help. On those occasions, I glance at Jody and ask, “Where are their keepers?”
Recently, I keeper-glanced at Jody while we were walking behind an elderly man at an airport as he stumbled and bumbled. We met Bill when he fell as he exited the airport. Bill ended up staying in the same hotel and also went on the same tours. Bill is 89 years old and his wife had died not long before this trip. He wanted to take the trip that the two of them had planned, in her memory. Apparently, his children don’t live near him but stayed connected to him by telephone. He seemed to be doing fine as far as they could tell and so they encouraged him to go on the trip rather than just sit home and mope. Oh my stars, Bill had no business travelling alone. Bill is a precious, grieving man whose picture in the dictionary is next to the words “lost as a goose” and “needs a keeper.”
So that brings us to the question. Which word or phrase would be near your picture in a dictionary? When people think of you, what pops into their mind?
When I think about which word or phrase pops into people’s minds when they think of me, I’m challenged to do better! My goal is for words like caring, dependable, joyful, honest, forgiving, patient, kind, humble to come to mind, but I’m afraid that there are times when selfish, unforgiving, judgmental, impatient, and gripey are the words that others think first about me because of things I’ve done or said. I have made many mistakes in my life, but I am trying to live a mindful life now, as Christ intended. He is transforming me into the person he created me to be.
Join me in examining your life, your words, your actions. No, it’s not so much about what other people think – it’s about what God thinks. But, sometimes, when we examine closely and consider what others think, like me, you might be challenged to draw closer to the Lord so that he can continue that transforming work.
Lord, thank you for giving me a separate, distinct, and unique personality. I am special because you say so. It’s not because of anything I have done, but because of who you are and how you are working in my life to make me into the person you created me to be. Help me to lean in to the changes you are making. Give me the qualities that honor you and help me move away from those that don’t.
— We need your help! —
The book “Keep Your Hands in the Air When You’re on a Roller Coaster” is available on Amazon. It is available in print but also now as an e-book. If you find that this book is recommendable, please help us by telling your friends and by posting it on your social media. We don’t use social media ourselves for reasons that go back to our time living overseas. So, those of you that do use it can help by posting information about the book. Also, please leave a review on Amazon. Reviews help with where the book falls in the list of books available.
The End of 2023
Here we are on the final day of the year. The final minutes of 2023. It was a bumpy year. It wasn’t as bad as the roller coaster years of 2020 and 2021, but it still had some bumps. I lost my sister, Lisa, this year. We also lost some precious friends this year. Lost, as in we don’t have them with us, but not lost lost…because we know where they are. They are not lost at all. Each of these dear ones I believe are in heaven now, possibly getting to know one another, but for sure they are rejoicing with the King of Kings. All of these, I know for sure, had asked Jesus in their heart, to change them, guide them, and forgive them during years long past.
Still, knowing that, with confidence, I struggled with the emotions around the holidays. If you know what I mean, you know what I mean. And if you don’t know what I mean, you haven’t been there yet. You haven’t had the emotions of missing someone deeply, the regrets of things left unsaid or undone, the sweet old memories that bring tears to your eyes, the emptiness at the dinner table, the embroidered stocking sitting empty, the awkwardness at a meal with three close friends suddenly instead of four.
So, it has been both sweet and bittersweet with the emotions swirling and with my red, puffy eyes. The sweetness comes from the fact that I know that they are happy where they are, without pain for the first time in a long time for many of them, and fully complete. They wouldn’t want to come back to this world. That doesn’t mean that they didn’t love or care for their family and friends, it just means that heaven is so glorious that finally feel “at home.” But, I guarantee that each of these would want each of us to know that Jesus loves them and wants to forgive them and to change their life and that they prayed that for us.
As we close the books on 2023 and look towards 2024, may be each take an assessment of our lives. Join me as I evaluate what I need to focus on in 2024. If you have never invited Jesus into your life, now is the time. Start the new year afresh. It’s not enough to pray occasionally, or read your Bible or a Verse-of-the-Day from time to time. It is not enough to go to church off and on. Jesus wants a relationship with you. He won’t force you, though. He waits for you to reach out to Him, to invite Him to come in to your life, to guide you, to forgive you of the things that you’ve done that are against God’s plan for you. Invite him to change any part of you that doesn’t match the way He created you to be. Ask Him to help you be consistent with the things you are trying to change. Ask Him to lead you to a Bible-believing church. Ask Him to help you guide your family in the right way.
You can do hard things…with His help.
Pray about all these things. Then watch what He does. God is in the business of making crummy things sparkly and new.
Happy New Year!
Happy Fall-ish
Finally the weather has begun to moderate a bit in Texas. It has been an incredibly hot summer, even for us…and we’ve lived in Texas much of our lives. We also lived in tropical Nicaragua for many years. So, for us, living in hot climates is normal. We acclimate quickly compared to many people. But this year has been uncharacteristically humid in addition to the heat. That humidity just saps the energy out of me. Anyway, I am so grateful for the changes in the weather. We spend a lot of time outside in our personal lives and for our chaplain work and prison ministry, so it is finally more comfortable to do so.
Jody continues to defy odds and is doing well. Is he completely back to normal? No, of course not. He has a variety of long Covid issues, but most are minor, manageable, or medicated. He has to pay particular attention to the hot, humid weather, ozone alert days, and any high pollution areas or areas where there is smoke or even ashes from fires. We are careful and remain aware and vigilant and we feel blessed as we move forward, thankful for the extra bonus time that God has allowed.
Take a minute and thank God for this day and for whatever blessings He has poured out on you as you look forward to the fall-ish.
Lord, I am grateful for every day that you have given us. Thank you for allowing us time together and time enjoying your creation.
Answered Prayer
Is it okay if I share something very personal and very remarkable with you? Many of you have walked with us and even served alongside us over many years. I usually try to be pretty transparent, even sharing personal struggles and successes. This one is no different from the others, but also is very different if that makes sense.
If you’ve followed along, you know about the undertaking and sometimes struggles of writing the “Keep Your Hands in the Air When You’re on a Roller Coaster” book. You also know that my main impetus behind the book was to be obedient to the Lord and what I felt he had called me to do. It’s never been about making money or notoriety.
In doing so, I have determined to leave the results and how He chooses to use the book up to Him, while in my humanness I want to know if the book is hitting a chord with anyone or making a difference. Of course, it is not necessarily something for me to know – it’s just that in my frailty as a human I want that confirmation that I have done the right thing at the right time.
God blessed me in an expected, but, oh so, remarkable, way today. I was speaking with a friend (let’s call her Mary) who had read the book and then loaned the book to someone else (let’s call her Sally). Later, Sally told Mary that she had started it and was anxious to continue reading it even though she was very busy and didn’t have a lot of free time to do so.
Some weeks later, Sally told Mary that what she had read so far in the book was making her really think. She said it was causing her to re-evaluate some things in her life and even that it made her want to make some changes in her life.
Now, is that a blessing from God, or what? I don’t know Sally, but I am grateful that it seems that God is working in her life as a result of the book.
And, so, that is a prayer answered. It was a selfish prayer really. I am satisfied to know that the book has touched at least one life. Of course, I hope that it touches more lives in the future, but all the struggles of the journey and the hurdles in writing the book are worth it for one life changed.
Thank you, Lord, for choosing to bless me in such a tremendous way. Continue to work in my life as you teach me more about you every day. Thank you for the encouragement from others that you sent to me to challenge me to write this book. Thank you for Mary who took the time to share the book and then took the time to share with me about Sally. Continue to work in both of their lives too. Hoolaray.
—————————–
I encourage you to take the time to share with me any God-stories! The book is available on Amazon in print. An e-book is in the works. Feel free to share about it on your social media if you think it’s worth sharing.
Plumb Line
Today I heard something that made me think about a plumb line. I am not a construction person but I know that those that are use plumb lines to make sure things are straight. They measure their work against the perfect line.
God has given me an ability to see when objects or pictures, etc. are askew. It is actually quite comical at times. I can see things that aren’t straight by a tiny margin. Things that aren’t straight practically glow-in-the-dark for me. Over the years I have had many conversations like this with a few people:
“Yes, it is straight.”
“No, it’s not.”
“Yes, it’s too high on the left.”
“No, I think it is level.”
“Please go get the level.”
“Ugh. Okay” [eye roll] …. “You were right. How’s this?”
As time has passed, Jody doesn’t question it anymore. He’s gotten the level out too many times. Other people still question my judgment, but he usually warns them first.
But, I have to be honest and admit that, in my life, I’m not as good at seeing things that are askew. We have been given the perfect plumb line in Jesus. He is who I should be measuring my life against. It is so easy to get just a fraction off the mark without realizing it. If I don’t make corrections right away, I can slip even further off that new mark. One day, I realize that I am twice as far away from the perfect example Jesus has given me on how to live my life.
So, today I am challenging you to join me in examining where you are against the perfect plumb line of Jesus. Don’t compare yourself to someone on television, or a friend, or even someone at church. Compare yourself to Jesus. During your evaluation, if you, like me, realize that you have moved away from the mark, pray and admit it and ask Jesus to help you get back to aiming for the true and perfect plumb line. Ask him to help you see the mark in a glow-in-the-dark or bold sort of way, so that you can clearly recognize it when you slip away from the mark.
Lord, guide my steps. I want to live in a way that is pleasing to you. Show me when I have stepped away from you, even the slightest bit, and nudge me back towards the plumb line.
—————————-
Jody continues to work hard every day. He has adjusted to his new normal by now and most of his lingering issues are not readily apparent if you just spend a few minutes with him. We choose to not dwell on those but instead are just grateful for the bonus days. We are knee-deep in ministry of all types, and we feel so very blessed to be able to serve the Lord together in a variety of ways.