Doubt.....

This morning as I was on my way to work, I passed a Church Sign that read: “Doubt can destroy what God wants to accomplish through you”. Thankfully, I saw the green light I was approaching turn to yellow out of the corner of my eye as I was reading the sign. Otherwise, I would have plowed into the back of the massive Ford Excursion that was slowing to a stop in front of me. Looking back now, I see the irony of what almost happened. The words on that sign hit me with the force that my compact SUV and I would have felt if we had slammed into that Excursion. Isn’t it amazing how God can do things like that? He can take something as simple as a Church Sign on the side of the road to bring us the insights and realizations that we so desperately need.
Though it may sound egotistical or self-centered, I know in my heart that the words on that Church Sign were meant for me. You see, for the past few days I’ve been plagued by DOUBT. I’ve been wondering, questioning, second-guessing, and plain-old doubting that I am doing what God wants me to do. About a month ago, God told me to start a charitable organization called Bear Hugs Brigade. Going against my normal mode of operation, I did what He said to do with very little hesitation or argument. Normally, that’s not how I do things! I usually question every little detail over and over, subconsciously trying to convince God that I’m probably not the best choice for the task He has in mind. This time it was different…He said “Robert, do this for me” and I immediately replied “Yes, Sir!” I was really kind of surprised by my own willingness. I guess it was probably silly of me to not realize that, at some point, the doubts and questioning would eventually rear their ugly heads.
In the month that has passed since our initial conversation, God has allowed Bear Hugs Brigade to grow far beyond my limited expectations and He has begun to open doors for us that I never could have imagined. I guess it should come as no surprise to me that Satan would choose now to flood my mind with fears, doubts, and questions…

“Is this really what God wants you to do?”
“What if you can’t meet the demand if this continues to grow?”
“What if you can’t rely on more than the “faithful few” to help support your vision?”
“What if there isn’t as large a need as you think?”
“Teddy Bears………..seriously?!?!?!?”

It’s hard to think of these questions and not feel at least a slight sense of discouragement. That’s where I have been for the past couple of days. But, as He is prone to do, God has used the past couple of days (and a Church Sign) to teach me a very valuable lesson. If you stop and think about what that sign said: “Doubt can destroy what God wants to accomplish through you”, you may say “Wait a minute, NOTHING can destroy what God wants to accomplish”. That’s very true. However, this statement is conditional because of the phrase “through you”. God can and will accomplish anything He wants, but if you doubt that He can do it “through you”, then He may simply choose to accomplish it through someone else, someone else who has more faith than doubt. LIGHT BULB!!!!! I get it. I realize that regardless of what the answers to the above questions may be, if I allow them to bring doubt into my mind and heart, God may choose to accomplish His task through someone else. With that realization comes the knowledge that I’m not willing to let that happen. I believe with all my heart that God wanted Bear Hugs Brigade to come to be so that it could fill a real and valid need. I also believe, for whatever reason, He chose me to help accomplish this task. I have no intention of letting doubt destroy my chance to be a part of it. I could not be more humbly grateful for the opportunity, the responsibility, and that Church Sign I passed on the way to work this morning.

Mysterious Ways

I’ve heard all my life the phrase “God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform”. I believe that it is very true, and the happenings of yesterday reinforce it in my mind. I was off from work yesterday and I spent a few hours in the morning working on the project that has become “Bear Hugs Brigade”. Hopefully, all of you have read my last blog post that details what “BHB” is and how it came to be. As I was working on setting up some record-keeping files, I looked around at some of the Teddy Bears that had arrived earlier in the week. For a few moments, I began to question if what I was doing was indeed what God wanted. I started wondering if this endeavor actually could make a difference, or if this was something else that I would focus my attention on for a week or so and then let fall by the wayside when it seemed the need for it just wasn’t there. I began to ask God if there really was a need for something as trivial as an organization that gave away stuffed bears. Then, yesterday afternoon, I was sitting at the computer checking Facebook when I saw a post come through about a local family whose home had burned down. The post said that they had SEVEN children ranging in age from 11 years to 7 months. At that moment, it was as if God spoke audibly and said to me “Why do you question me when you know that I know what I’m doing?” The Facebook post was requesting donations of clothes for the children. I had no children’s clothes to offer, but I did have something I could contribute to these seven precious children who had lost their home and belongings: the comfort of a Teddy Bear for each of them. It was at that moment that I knew that God has put His hand on Bear Hugs Brigade and is going to use it to make a difference in the lives of children who need it. This Friday evening, I will be delivering seven new Teddy Bear Friends to seven little boys and girls who are in need of comfort right now. What a blessing to be able to do so!
Last evening, as I was collecting the names of these boys and girls, I read another Facebook post that once again reminded me of how God works in mysterious ways. I read that Angel Gail Watson, a 6-year old little girl who has been battling cancer for several years, had given up her fighting and gone home to be with her Heavenly Father. While my heart was broken that a young life had been cut so short, I could not help but rejoice that she would never again have to suffer the pain and agony that she had to endure for much of her short life. Angel (along with Liam Witt, who also ended his battle with cancer at the age of 6) was one of the inspirations for Bear Hugs Brigade. I wish that I could have given her a Teddy Bear Friend before the cancer overtook her young body, but for some reason that wasn’t meant to be. The natural reaction to a tragic event like this is to question God and ask “Why?” But then I thought back to the words He had spoken to me earlier in the day: “Why do you question me when you know that I know what I’m doing?” You see, it’s not our place to know the mind of God. We must just have faith that He knows what He is doing and that there is a reason for it all. After all, God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.

"Bear Hugs Brigade": the beginning

As you can see, it’s been a few months since that last post. I admit that after posting the news of Liam’s passing, it was difficult to find anything to post about that didn’t seem trivial. I have decided to post now to tell you about a new venture that God has been dealing with me to bring to fruition. For quite some time, I have felt in my soul that I need to do something charitable that has to do with children. I have supported “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer” and World Vision for over a year now. I would love to be able to do more to help “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer” as I feel that it is a wonderful and deserving organization, but I don’t really know how to go about organizing a huge bake sale. So, I will continue to contribute to them personally until I can figure that one out. I am thrilled to be the sponsor of two adorable World Vision children, Panashe and Luyanda. It is so rewarding knowing that I am helping to make a difference in the lives of these two precious children half a world away. However, I have still been feeling that there is more I need to be doing. I have thought about volunteering at Children’s Hospital or maybe even Ronald McDonald House (and those are still options I am considering).

But, as I sat watching TV the other night, God spoke to my heart (through an Allstate commercial, of all things) and showed me the answer for which I have been searching. Teddy Bears. Yes, I said Teddy Bears. In the Allstate commercial, Dennis Haysbert talks about how Allstate has distributed several hundreds of Teddy Bears to children who have been affected by the recent tornadoes that have devastated large portions of the South. As he spoke those words, God spoke to me. He told me that there are many kids in the area who are facing and will be facing very difficult times. Difficult times that no adult should have to face, much less an innocent child. In those difficult times, a child often needs something comforting on which to focus their attention. They need a friend. To many children, some of their best and most-trusted friends come in the form of Teddy Bears. I remember as a child that mine sure did. I had a ton of Teddy Bears and I remember that before Super Powers and Masters of the Universe toys came along, they were my favorite things! Because of this, I know from experience the comfort and happiness that a Teddy Bear can bring to a child. So there you have it…..Teddy Bears, that’s what God told me I need to use as my tools to make a difference in the lives of children in need. Since that realization, I have been praying that the Lord would guide me to do what I need to do and He has been showing me a lot of things. That is why I am proud to announce the birth of the “Bear Hugs Brigade”, an organization that will “help bring smiles to children during difficult times”. I am going to be delivering Teddy Bears to children who are facing illness or some other difficult or tragic event. I believe I have found a wholesale distributor online where I can get quality Teddy Bears at a very reasonable rate. The first shipment is on its way and should be here in a few days. I am hoping and praying that they will be of good quality, and I am trusting God that they will be. My plan is to stock up and have them ready when the need arises. I am hoping to be able to have friends and family be able to contact me when they know of a child in need. At that point, I will be able to deliver or ship the Teddy Bear to the child. I am making my first delivery on Friday, a special bear to a special little boy named Eli. I am so excited to have this opportunity.

So, I am asking all who read this blog post to remember me in prayer. I really feel a burden in my soul to do this. Hopefully, I can help to make a difference in the lives of these precious children, even with something as small as a Teddy Bear. I have set up an e-mail account to take requests ( bearhugsbrigade@yahoo.com ) and plan to set up a Facebook page after I make sure the quality of the bears I have ordered is acceptable. I will keep you posted on that in the next few days. Please feel free to contact me if you know of a child who needs to have a new Teddy Bear friend. Thanks to each of you for your prayers!

Good night, Sweet Prince

This morning as I awoke, I was met by the terrible news of the passing of a precious little boy named Liam Witt. Liam was known as “Prince Liam the Brave”. He was only 6 years old and for the past 4 years, he has been fighting valiantly against a vicious enemy called Neuroblastoma, a relentless form of Pediatric cancer. Liam and his family have been through a horrible nightmare for the past four years. He has fought with a strength that you would not likely find in the bravest of soldiers on the most war-torn battlefield. On Monday, his strength was finally depleted and he bravely gave up his fight. My heart aches for his mother, father, family, friends, and those like me who have been touched by his story.

I first became familiar with Liam’s story through “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer”, the non-profit organization that was founded by his parents after his diagnosis in 2007. I have been a supporter of “Cookies for Kids’ Cancer” for a couple of years now and have followed Liam’s fight since becoming familiar with his story. It is amazing to me the sense of loss that I feel in my heart this morning for this precious little boy that I never met. It just goes to show that we never know how many hearts and lives we may touch in this world, for Liam definitely touched mine.

Pediatric cancer is the leading cause of death by disease for children under the age of 18. Unfortunately, Pediatric cancer research is the least funded of all cancers. We MUST change this! It is not acceptable! I urge you to make a donation today in memory of the valiant “Prince Liam”. I also urge you to take a few moments to read his story on the blog his parents have kept since his fight began: http://princeliamthebrave.blogspot.com/ . Please remember in your prayers his family as well as all of the precious little ones who are fighting this horrible disease and the families who tirelessly support them. I know (as do many of you) a precious little girl named Angel who is currently carrying on this fight. We must do all we can to help her and to help find a cure!

Though my heart is broken today, I am comforted by the thought of Liam running, laughing, and playing in Heaven, finally free of the relentless pain he endured for most of his young life. It is so hard to understand why things like this happen to precious, innocent little children, but I know that there must be a reason for it all. I stop and think of the tremendous impact that "Prince Liam the Brave" has had on the world through the amazing work being done by the organization that was started because of him. What an amazing legacy that has been left by an amazing little boy.

In loving memory of Liam Witt. Good night, Sweet Prince. Thank you for touching my heart.


Please make a donation here to help fund research to end Pediatric Cancers:
http://www.cookiesforkidscancer.org/donate.asp

"have you lost your hearing?"

Just wanted to take a minute to share this selection from one of my all-time favorite authors, Max Lucado. Hope you enjoy...


"Once there was a man who dared God to speak...

"Burn the bush like You did for Moses, God, And I will follow.
Collapse the walls like You did for Joshua, God, And I will fight.
Still the waves like You did on Galilee, God, And I will listen."

And so the man sat by a bush, near a wall,
close to the sea and waited for God to speak.

And God heard the man, so God answered...

He sent fire, not for a bush, but for a church.
He brought down a wall, not of bricks, but of sin.
He stilled a storm, not of the sea, but of a soul.

And God waited for the man to respond.
And He waited...
And He waited...
And He waited...

But because the man was looking at bushes, not heart;
Bricks and not lives,
seas and not souls,
he decided that God has done nothing.

Finally he looked to God and asked, "Have You lost Your power?"
And God looked at him and said, "Have you lost your hearing?"

~ Max Lucado (from "A Gentle Thunder")

mere mortal super heroes: Part II

Last time, I told you a little about my fascination with super heroes, comic books, and action figures. Today, I’m going to tell you a little about why my fascination has remained intact for all these years. You see, like most kids, I was drawn to super heroes at a young age by the brightly colored costumes and the really cool powers. But as I have gotten older I have realized that there are certain super heroes that I actually respect as an example of what my life should be like. I noticed back a few years ago, that a lot of the characters to whom I seemed to be most drawn (Batman, Robin, Green Arrow, Arsenal, and my all-time favorite, Nightwing) all had one thing in common……they were actually mere mortals. They did not have any super, meta-human, or mystical powers. They were just plain old average joes who decided that there was a need for them to be more. These people had to spend countless hours, days, months, and years developing and honing the skills they needed to make a difference in the world. They had to spend time training their bodies and minds to be at a level where they could fight alongside the likes of Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and the Flash. They actually had to work to become heroes, unlike the ones who were born with phenomenal powers or attained them as a result of some sort of freak lab accident.

As I mentioned before, Nightwing is my all-time favorite super hero. For those of you who aren’t familiar with his story, let me bring you up to speed. Nightwing is actually Dick Grayson, who was the very first Robin. Much like Bruce Wayne (Batman), Dick had a very traumatic childhood. He watched his entire family be murdered by a maniacal villain when he was a young boy. After he was orphaned, Bruce Wayne took him in as a ward and began to train him to become a sidekick for Batman. Dick worked hard and became known as Robin aka “the Boy Wonder”. He spent many years living and fighting crime in the shadow of Batman. He also spent many years dealing with and overcoming the personal demons that had emerged because of his early life. Finally, when he became an adult, he decided it was time to step out of the shadow and become a hero in his own right. Thus, the persona of Nightwing was born. In the time since, Nightwing has become one of the most beloved and respected heroes in the DC Comics Universe. He is not only well-liked and respected by the DC Comics fans and comic book geeks the world over, he is well-liked and respected by the other characters in the DC Universe. As a matter of fact, many people consider him to be the glue that holds the DC Universe together. Since leaving the shadow of Batman, Nightwing has proven himself to be a true and capable leader during stints with the Teen Titans and the Outsiders (two of the largest super groups in DC Comics). He has also stepped up as a leader of the largest and most powerful DC super group, the Justice League of America. He was even chosen to take over the mantle of Batman last year when Bruce Wayne was supposedly killed. When you stop and think about the impact Batman has had not only on the DC Comics Universe but on the world and pop culture as we know it, it says a lot that Dick Grayson was chosen to fill those boots. Even though he is just a comic book character, Dick Grayson (who will always be Nightwing to me) is a shining example of what a true super hero should be: someone who overcomes the adversities and obstacles that life puts before them. Someone who digs deep inside themselves and finds the strength, courage, and determination to step out of their comfort zone and fight with everything that is within them to make a difference in the world. Someone who manages to do all of these things with grace, dignity, and character. Someone who stands as a shining example of what it means to be a hero. So you see, most people may think it’s crazy (or maybe even a little sad) for a grown man to read comic books and be fascinated by super heroes that are really just fictional characters. But the reason these fictional characters are important to me is that I see in them an example of what I want to be in my life. I want to be a man who strives to make a difference. I want to be a man who combats injustice. I want to be a man who helps people who don’t have the means or are incapable of helping themselves. I want to be a man who stands for justice, character, and what’s right. I want to be like Nightwing.I want to be a mere mortal super hero.

mere mortal super heroes: Part I

Okay…I have a confession to make. My name is Robert and I am a comic book geek. (Wow…that felt good!) Ever since I was a little boy, I have had a fascination with super heroes. Not just any heroes, the heroes of DC Comics, the “World’s Greatest Super Heroes”. I remember as a child watching “Batman” and “Wonder Woman” on TV. I remember seeing “Superman” being portrayed by the late, great Christopher Reeve in movies. My Saturday mornings were spent watching cartoons that included “The Super Friends” which featured characters from my favorite group, the Justice League of America. These heroes were a very important part of my childhood. At one point, they released a line of toys called the “Super Powers” collection. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of the times I would get to go to the store with Mom or Dad and I would walk down the toy aisle in search of an action figure that was missing from my collection. Oh the excitement when I would actually stumble across one and get to take it home! I had the complete first series of the “Super Powers” action figures. I can’t tell you the countless hours I spent playing with those toys as a child. Those memories are priceless to me! As I got older…I turned from the toys, TV, and movies to the comic books where these wonderful heroes had originated. Such great stories and such great characters were found in the pages of those books.
I have a brother who is 13 years younger than me. At some point, years after I had stopped playing with my “Super Powers” action figures, they somehow got passed along to my younger brother (who was about 4 or 5 years old at the time). Needless to say, my action figures were never the same after that. Some were missing arms, legs, or heads…some had these parts partially missing as they had been partially chewed off. Yes, my “Super Powers” collection was pretty much destroyed. I was pretty sick about this when it happened. I was even sicker several years later when e-bay came along and I saw how much those figures were bringing in online auctions. But, I’m not bitter….looking back, I would have made sure to keep my beloved figures safe, but what’s done is done and no one is to blame for their unfortunate demise. Back a few years ago, they did an updated version of the Super Friends cartoon called “Justice League Unlimited”. It was, to date, the best animated television show EVER! Along with this new show, they released a new line of action figures based on the characters of DC Comics. This new line was the closest thing to the “Super Powers” collection I had seen and at the age of 32 years old…I was a child again. I began collecting these new action figures and this time I decided to keep them in their original packaging. Before long, my collection grew to a size incredibly larger than the 15 -20 figures I had in my “Super Powers” collection. Now my collection is so big that it takes up an entire room. I like to call it the “Retirement Fund” room because at some point, I should be able to sell the collection for an amount much larger than what I originally paid (if I'm able to part with them...fingers crossed on that one). Along with the packaged figures, I have found some other collectibles related to the heroes of DC Comics. Yes, my collection is a source of great pride for me.
So……why the fascination? What do these heroes mean to me? Probably more than you think. I’ll tell you all about it. But we’re out of time for now, so tune in next time for the conclusion…..same Bat time, same Bat Blog… :-)

outside these walls

About 20 years ago, I went to Nashville with a group from the church I was attending. We went to a Youth Evangelism Conference. I don’t remember every detail of what happened back then, but I do remember a few things about the trip. The first thing I remember is that our speaker at one of the services was a man by the name of David Ring. David is a preacher who has Cerebral Palsy. I remember how he captivated the congregation in the arena that night. How inspiring was the message that he brought to us! He kept saying “look at me” and telling us not to feel sorry for ourselves or use petty little things as excuses for not doing what God wants us to do. God doesn’t put limitations on who He uses to do His work. He can use anyone regardless of how sick, broken, or useless the world may think them to be.
Another thing I remember is that we went to a service at a large church while we were there and heard a singer by the name of Brent Lamb. Brent sang a song in that service called “Outside These Walls”. That song has stuck with me throughout these past 20 years, and I still think about it to this day. The meaning of the song is that we as Christians shouldn’t be comfortable just doing our work and worship within the four walls of the church building. There is a dying, hurting, searching world out there and it’s our job to do whatever we can to help them find what they so desperately need.
One last thing I remember about that trip is that on the way back home, we “had a little church” on the old school bus that had taken us on the trip. As a matter of fact, we had to pull over to the side of the road for a while as the Holy Spirit came into that old bus and began to work and change lives. What a wonderful time we had as souls were saved, lives were re-dedicated, and some of us stepped out on faith and did things we never thought we would. To this day, that was one of the most amazingly spiritual services I have ever witnessed.
Now, 20-something years later, I still think back to that trip and the great things that took place on it. And I still find myself singing the song “Outside These Walls” in my head from time to time.

“Within these walls we join our hearts. We come together to be set apart. But worshipping on Sunday is just a place to hide if we can’t face on Monday the dying world outside.
Do the crying know we care? Do the lonely find us there? Are we so involved we do not hear their calls? Everywhere men are searching…they’re wondering why they’re hurting. Do they see the love of Jesus at all…outside these walls?
Within our hearts he planted a seed. It’s a love that will be there for all that we need. But safe in our seclusion how can we know that outside these walls are fields we need to sow?” ~ Brent Lamb

I have reached a point in my life where I realize just how true and relevant those words are today. We have to step outside the walls in our lives and realize that there is a greater work to be done. Not just the walls of the church building, but the walls of our own houses and even the figurative walls of our comfort zones. Working within the walls of the church is a wonderful thing, but most of today’s churches are filled with believers…Christians who, let’s be honest, are extremely blessed and fortunate in comparison to so many others in the world. We have to step outside the walls of our own homes and stop being so focused on ourselves and the trivial things we deal with on a daily basis. And to start, perhaps most importantly, we need to step outside the walls of our comfort zones and start focusing on what we can do to make a difference in this world and in the lives of the less fortunate ones who live in it. We need to stop looking out the window from the safety of that comfort zone waiting for someone else to do something…to make a difference. What if everyone did that? What if everyone waited on someone else to take the first step? Someone has to be first….perhaps you are the one who can inspire others around you. So what are you waiting for? Isn’t it time you opened the door and stepped outside your walls?

sweet tea and Kroger peanut butter

For as long as I can remember, my beverage of choice has been tea. Not just any tea, mind you, but SWEET tea. And, not just any brand either….it has to be LIPTON. Now I know that sweet tea is probably not the healthiest drink in the world, in fact it probably has something to do with the weight struggles I am presently having. But try as I may…I haven’t been able to quit sweet tea. My dad used to be the same way, but he actually managed to give it up a few years back. To my knowledge, he hasn’t had a drop since. In fact, he’s a lot like an alcoholic now in the fact that he’s afraid to have even a sip of sweet tea for fear he will “fall off the wagon”. While I applaud his strength and determination, I am neither that strong nor that determined. I’m not sure I could give up my sweet tea altogether and never have another drop. I have managed to go for a few weeks at a time without indulging in the sweet nectar, but I always come back. It’s a part of who I am, that’s just how it is….it’s in my very nature. I can remember seeing pictures of myself as a toddler drinking tea out of a baby bottle. In today's world, some might think that’s wrong or even a little sad, but not me…I’m thankful. If I had never been introduced to sweet tea, I can’t imagine what I would reach for when I walk into the kitchen first thing in the morning. Certainly not coffee...love the smell of that stuff, but to me the taste is absolutely putrid! (No offense to any coffee drinkers who may be reading this blog entry). When I walk into the kitchen first thing in the morning, it’s to grab my glass of sweet tea (already poured the night before) from the fridge and start the day off on a happy note. There is absolutely nothing in the world (except MAYBE ice cold water) that can quench the thirst like a big old glass of sweet tea!
If sweet tea is my drink of choice, my go-to food is………wait for it.....peanut butter! Yep, you read that right…peanut butter. I love a LOT of foods: chicken, cheese, rice, beef, pasta, turkey, bread, chocolate (I think we’re all starting to understand the aforementioned weight struggle, huh?). But, at the end of a long, stressful day nothing makes me happier than to sit down with a big spoon and a big jar of peanut butter……absolutely wonderful! And, just as I am a stickler for Lipton tea…there is only one brand of peanut butter for me. It isn’t JIF, Peter Pan, or even Skippy, it’s Kroger Brand! I don’t know if you have ever tried it, but let me tell you that there is something special about Kroger peanut butter. It is without a doubt the best peanut butter I have ever eaten! I have tried a lot of other brands but nothing comes close to it. In fact, to prove my point, I will tell you that a few months ago I stopped grocery shopping at Kroger (for reasons that are my own). I started buying my groceries like most people do, at Wal-Mart. However, when peanut butter is on my shopping list, I have to make a stop at Kroger on the way home from Wal-Mart. Sound crazy? I assure you it’s not. It’s that good! And I should know…because I may not know about a lot of things, but two things on which I am an expert are sweet tea and Kroger peanut butter!

(NOTE: I am NOT being compensated by Kroger or the Lipton Company for the endorsements I have made in this blog entry. However, if a representative from either company reads this and wants to send a few dollars my way, I assure you I will not be offended in the least!) :-P

July 4th: celebrating freedom...and a miracle!

Today is Independence Day, or the "4th of July" as it is commonly called. Today we celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence which gave America its freedom from British rule. It’s a day for us to celebrate the freedom that we as Americans so often take for granted. July the 4th is also special for another reason…it’s the day a very special little girl named Adreana Hope was born 7 years ago (2003).
Adreana is the daughter of two of my best friends, Michael and Kim. She has two older brothers, James (age 12) and Austin (age 9). I remember the day that Kim told me that she was pregnant again and that it was going to be a little girl. Everyone was so excited! Then came the news that this little girl had a defect called an omphalocele. This meant that she was going to have to have surgery immediately after birth and possibly be in the hospital for several weeks thereafter. There was the possibilty of very serious complications, and also the possibilty that her health could be affected throughout her life. An omphalocele is a defect in the abdominal wall in which the liver, intestines, and occasionally other organs remain outside the abdomen in a sac. During the months before she came to greet us, there was a tremendous amount of praying that went on for this precious little girl. Adreana ended up being born on July 4, 2003. She weighed a very healthy 10 pounds! As soon as she was born, she was rushed into surgery to repair the omphalocele. The surgery was successful and the doctors told her parents that she was probably looking at being in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit for at least a month. The awesome God we serve saw to it that she went home after just 16 days! I remember visiting that NICU during those 16 days and holding this precious little girl. I also remember walking past all of the other little babies who were fighting for their lives. There was one who could have easily fit into the palm of my hand. How comforting it was to know that all of these little ones were safely in the palm of a hand much bigger than mine.
It’s been a long time since I’ve thought about these things that happened 7 years ago. Like so many other things…..my life, health, family, friends, and freedoms……I have taken for granted the miracle that God allowed me to witness back then. Today Adreana is a very healthy and happy 7 year old! You would never guess that she went through what she did at such a young age. In fact, the only way you might know something was different about her is if you saw her belly button. You see, because of the omphalocele she wasn't born with one....so the doctor made her one! What a blessing! I’m thankful to God for bringing this to my remembrance today because July the 4th is more than just a day to celebrate freedom and independence…..it’s a day to celebrate a miracle, a miracle named Adreana Hope! Happy Birthday, Adreana! Bubber loves you very much!

so much from so little

I remember as a little child hearing a Bible Story about a boy who had 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes that Jesus used to feed a multitude of 5,000 people. What a miraculous thing….that Jesus could take something so small and get so much out of it (with leftovers, no less). Although there may be nothing in our lives that would seem to be on as large a scale as this, God still performs this “So Much from So Little” miracle for us every day. Take your daily life for example. You may think of your daily walk of life as something small and insignificant. In the context of a world filled with billions of people, it may very well be. But, God can use something as small and insignificant as your life or your actions to make a HUGE difference in the world. A lot of times, I hear people say they don’t get involved in charity or humanitarian work because they are “just one person”. They often say “what difference can one person make?” By ourselves, we might not be able to do anything to make a difference in the world. But, if we put forth the effort and have a willing heart, God can take our little efforts and make MUCH out of them. Plus, if we make the effort and so do other people, God can combine our efforts to make something even greater. It all starts with one person making the decision to do something. There’s a line in a Jason Mraz song that says “if this little light of mine combined with yours today, how many watts could we luminate? How many villages could we save?” We all have to be willing to let our lights shine so that God can use them to overcome the darkness that plagues our world today. It all starts with the little things: a phone call, a card or letter of encouragement, an unexpected gift, a commitment to help those less fortunate, even something as small as a smile. It doesn’t have to be something huge to make a difference, because God can always find a way to make “So Much from So Little”! So, it’s up to you…..you have one life. What little things are you going to do so that God can make much from them?

a lesson 25 years in the making...

In 1985, I was 12 years old. I didn’t know much about things that went on in the world outside of Knoxville, Tennessee. That year a song came out that changed my life. The song was called “We Are the World”. I remember all the publicity surrounding the song and the message for which it stood. What I remember the most, though, is that I loved the song not for its message or for the cause it was supporting, but for the all-star line-up of singers who were involved in it. At that point in my life, music was very important to me (still is today!). To have a song that combined the talents of some of my favorite singers like: Lionel Richie, Billy Joel, Huey Lewis, Tina Turner, Steve Perry, Cyndi Lauper, Dionne Warwick, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, and yes…even Michael Jackson, was almost unfathomable to me. I LOVED that song….I had it on a 45 record and even had a t-shirt (which I STILL have around here somewhere). The song has always been special to me, even though I didn’t hear it for several years.
Now, 25 years later…..the song has become even more special to me than it was back then. The reason is somewhat ironic. The thing I didn’t really understand back then was the point of the song: there are people in the world (especially Africa) that are far less fortunate than most. They are poor, they are hungry, they are sick, and they are dying. That’s what “We Are the World” was about….it’s up to us to do something about it. Now as a man of 37 years old, I FINALLY get it. I recently felt the need to sponsor a child in Africa. I wanted to do something to make a difference in the life of a child who really needed it. As a result, I have spent a good portion of the past 2 weeks learning about the place where this precious little boy lives. Some of the things I have learned have rocked me to my very core. It is safe to say that a difference has already been made in MY life because of him. I have spent a lot of time researching the organization through which I sponsor this little boy. I have spent hours on their website and their Facebook page reading stories about children and families who are in dire need and the people who are helping to make a difference in their lives. I cannot begin to describe the feeling in my heart these past couple of weeks, it has been nothing short of amazing. You see, it IS up to us. It’s up to us to do whatever we can to help these people. I honestly believe it’s what life is all about….making a difference in someone else’s life. I am thankful for what God has placed in my heart these past two weeks and pray that I will always be willing to do what I can to help those in need. It’s my duty. It’s my honor. It’s my privilege. It’s my responsibility. It’s OUR responsibility. Why? Because we ARE the world!

(A couple of months ago, they did a re-make of “We Are the World” to help people who were affected by a devastating earthquake in Haiti. They did a great job, but nothing will ever touch the power of the original in my mind. Here are the amazing lyrics sung by the amazing stars who made it a reality.)



"We are all a part of God's great big family.......there's a choice we're making, we're saving our own lives. It's true we make a better day, just YOU and ME!"

If you would like to learn how you can make a difference by sponsoring a child in need, please visit World Vision International: http://www.worldvision.org

send out your ray of sunshine...

One of my favorite songs at the moment...

"The Sunshine Song"

Well sometimes the sun shines
On other people's houses and not mine
Some days the clouds paint the sky all gray
And it takes away my summertime
Somehow the sun keeps shining upon you
While I struggle to get mine
If there’s a light in everybody
Send out your ray of sunshine

I wanna walk the same roads
As everybody else
Through the trees and past the gates
Getting high on heavenly breezes
Making new friends along the way
I won’t ask much of nobody
I’m just here to sing along
To make my mistakes look gracious
And learn some lessons from my wrongs

Sometimes the sun shines
On other peoples houses and not mine
Some days the clouds paint the sky all gray
And it takes away my summertime
Somehow the sun keeps shining upon you
While I struggle to get mine
A little light never hurt nobody
Send out your ray of sunshine

Oh if this little light of mine
Combined with yours today
How many watts could we luminate?
How many villages could we save?
My umbrellas tired of the weather
Wearing me down
Well look at me now

You sure look as good as your outlook
Would you mind if I took some time
To soak up your light, your beautiful light
You’ve got a paradise inside
I get hungry for love and thirsty for life
And much too full on the pain
When I look to the sky to help me
And sometimes it looks like rain

As the sun shines
On other peoples houses and not mine
And the sky paints its clouds
In a way that it takes away the summertime
Somehow the sun keeps shining upon you
While I kindly stand by
If there’s a light in everybody
Send out your ray of sunshine

You’re undeniably warm
You’re cerulean
You’re perfect in design
Won’t you hang around?
So the sun, it can shine on me
And the clouds, they can roll away
And the sky, can become our possibility
If there’s a light in everybody
Send out your ray of sunshine

~ Jason Mraz

proud to be a "Friend of Literacy"

Last night, I went to a speaking engagement and book signing by one of my all-time favorite authors, David Baldacci. The event was a fundraiser for "Friends of Literacy", a local non-profit organization that is seeking to eradicate adult illiteracy in Knox County. The goal of Friends of Literacy is " to provide funding and volunteers that support basic education and life-skill training to adult students, helping them to become better workers, parents and citizens". When I decided to attend the event, my main motivation was just to see David Baldacci speak and possibly get a book signed. I knew it was a benefit for "Friends of Literacy", but I didn't really know anything about the organization. At the beginning of the event, they played a video about "Friends of Literacy" and the work that they do. It was definitely an eye-opening thing to see. Here are some statistics on illiteracy in the United States:

- 42 million American adults can't read at all; 50 million are unable to read at a level higher than is expected of a fourth or fifth grader.
- The number of American adults that are classified as functionally illiterate increases by about 2.25 million each year.
- 20 percent of high school seniors can be classified as functionally illiterate at the time they graduate.

(Source: National Right to Read Foundation, 2007)

Reading these statistics made me think about something that I (and many of you) take for granted everyday....our basic ability to read. Imagine what your life would be like if you couldn't read the newspaper in the morning, read directions on a map, read the names on street or business signs. What if you couldn't read the directions on your prescription bottle or the warnings of possible side effects or drug interactions? How would you feel if you couldn't read the ingredients of your favorite recipes or read a letter written to you by someone you love? What if you went out to eat and couldn't read the choices on the menu, or couldn't get a job because you couldn't read the questions on the employment application? There are so many things that we read every single day without thinking or stopping to think about those who don't have the ability to do so. Without the ability to read, think about all the Facebook posts and tweets on Twitter you would have to miss....you wouldn't even be able to enjoy this blog! And...don't even get me started about all the adventures you would miss out on by not being able to read one of the greatest treasures found in this world...BOOKS!
As I said earlier, this event was a real eye-opener for me. It made me stop and realize how thankful I am for the ability to read and how I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on the joys it can bring. Now I can say that I am a supporter of " Friends of Literacy" and the wonderful work they do. I hope you will stop and consider how thankful you are for your ability to read and remember those who taught you to do so.

a little perspective from another continent

I have always had a very special place in my heart for children. I believe that one of the most special and important things we can do in this world is to make a difference in the life of a child. Recently, I began to think about sponsoring a child in another part of the world. My sister has sponsored children through World Vision International for several years. Last weekend, I visited the World Vision website and decided it was time to make a commitment to do my part to make a difference in the life of a child who really needed it. As you may have read in an earlier blog post, I ended up sponsoring a little boy from Zimbabwe named Leon . Last night I received the World Vision welcome kit in the mail. It contained pictures of Leon, a booklet explaining the details of sponsoring a child, a DVD with some enlightening information and images, and a brochure that listed some information about Zimbabwe, Leon's home country. As I began to read through the brochure about Zimbabwe, there were a couple of things that jumped off the page and hit me like a smack across the face. The first thing is that the Average Annual Income in Zimbabwe is $340.00. Yes, I said ANNUAL income. $340.00 for the entire year! Most of us are blessed and fortunate enough to make more than that in a WEEK! That is almost inconceivable to me. The second thing that hit me is that the Life Expectancy in Zimbabwe is...39.5 years. When I stop to think that I just turned 37.......I can't even begin to tell you how this makes me feel.
So, it appears that this sponsoring of a child in need is going to be more than just deducting $35.00 from my checkbook register each month. I have really been thinking today about what I read in that brochure about Zimbabwe. I have been feeling quite gulity about all the many blessings that I take for granted on a daily basis. I have MUCH more than I deserve and sometimes I wonder why I do when there are so many good, decent, innocent people in the world who don't even have access to the basic necessities of life. I complain about having to leave my nice, comfortable bed in the morning when there are people in the world who have nothing but a dirt floor for a bed. I complain about having to work a job for eight hours a day (in an air conditioned building) when there are people who work hard labor in the blazing sun from dawn to dusk and still can't provide for themselves or their families. I complain about gaining weight because I have too much to eat when there are people (including small, innocent children) who sometimes go for days without having a bite to eat. It's through nothing I have done that I am as fortunate as I am, merely the grace of God. I pray that God will shower His grace on all of those in the world who are so much less fortunate than I and my family and friends. I hope these words have helped you gain a little perspective and think about all the blessings that you take for granted. Please help me pray that God will give each of us the desire to do something to make a difference in the lives of those that are less fortunate than us.

a chicken biscuit and a smile named Judy

I usually have no trouble getting up in the morning. As a matter of fact, I sometimes wake up a few minutes before the alarm goes off. Today was not one of those days. Today is Monday and I could tell it from the minute I heard the alarm screaming that it was to time to leave Dreamland behind and get up to face the world. The first thing I noticed as I stood up from the bed was that my head felt like I had ran face-first into a cinderblock wall. These allergies are getting on my last good nerve this year...but I digress. After finishing my morning routine and hitting the road for my daily trek to Farragut, I was in an increasingly bad mood. I had to stop and get gas...always a pleasant thing on a Monday morning. After waiting for my turn at the pump, I got back on the road and traffic was flowing in such a way that made me wonder if they've started giving out Driver Licenses as prizes in Cracker Jacks. I headed down Kingston Pike getting more and more agitated by the second.
As I was about halfway to work, I realized that I had a few minutes to spare, so I decided to take a chance and get in the mile-long drive-thru line at Chick-Fil-A. Fortunately, the line was moving pretty quickly. As I approached the speaker and rolled down my window, I was met by one of the most unique voices I have ever heard. The voice said: "Good morning and welcome to Chick-Fil-A...my name is Judy, how may I help you?" Now, this voice was loud and booming with one of the thickest country accents I have ever heard, but had the most genuinely warm, friendly, polite tone that I couldn't help but smile upon hearing it. I gave her my order to which she replied with my total and a big "thank you....we'll see ya at the window." Again, I could feel a little smile form across my lips. I pulled around to the window and was greeted by a pleasant young man with a smile on his face as well. Behind him I could see the source of the big, loud, booming, country voice that had managed to bring a smile to my face at the speaker. It was coming from a slight, tiny little woman who couldn't have been more than four feet tall. I could hear that she was taking someone else's breakfast order as this young man completed mine. He reached out the window for my payment and said "Good morning, how are you today?" I replied, "I'm good, thanks, how are you?" A huge grin came across the young man's face as he said "I'm doing great! I get to work with Judy today!" He handed me my chicken biscuit and sweet tea and thanked me. I thanked him as well and took one last glance inside at the little woman who obviously has a big effect on many people. I wonder if she realizes that she has that effect on people, because today my terrible Monday morning made a 360 degree turn because of a sweet little lady with a big voice. Thank you, Chick-Fil-A, for starting my day with a delicious chicken biscuit and a smile named Judy! :-)

a little boy named Leon

For a while I have been thinking about sponsoring a child in need from another part of the world. My sister has sponsored children through World Vision International for several years. I've thought about it now and then but never taken the time to actually do it. Tonight, I took the time. I went to the World Vision International website and started flipping through the photos of children from all across the world who are in need. It was actually quite a humbling experience to see all those helpless little faces who have never known anything but a life of need. I felt quite guilty for all the many blessings I take for granted on a daily basis. As I was flipping through the photos (wishing I could afford to sponsor ALL of them) I came across a photo of an adorable little boy named Leon. As I read through Leon's information, my heart was touched to realize that he has things in common with my three favorite kids in the world: James, Austin, and Adreana. Leon was born on November 7 (same as James) in 2003 (same as Adreana) and his favorite activity is singing (something that James, Austin, and Adreana ALL enjoy). Leon lives in Zimbabwe with his grandmother and two brothers. His grandmother struggles to provide for them and they live in a very poor community that is greatly affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I am so thankful for the opportunity to do something (as small as it may be) to hopefully make a difference in the lives of this little boy and his family so very far away. May God bless all of you and especially a little boy named Leon.

page 220 in the "Red Book"

As a child and teenager growing up and attending a small Baptist church in East Tennessee, I became quite familiar with many of the treasured old hymns of the "Church Hymnal" (commonly and affectionately referred to as the "Red Book"). One of those hymns that I thoroughly loved to hear and sing was on page 220: "The Love of God". One day, I was looking down at page 220 while the congregation was singing this beloved hymn. I'm not sure why I was looking at the page (or even holding the book, for that matter) because I had known most of these hymns by heart since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. As I looked to the bottom of page 220, I noticed the following words in small print below the lyrics and music of the song:

"The last stanza of this song was pencilled on the wall of a narrow room of an asylum by a man said to have been demented. The profound lines were discovered after his death."

I remember the first time I read those words. It was as if something clicked inside of me and made me realize just how special and amazing it was that such beautiful and truthful words were found in such a place! I have always known the love of God, now more so than ever. There are those who are not so fortunate. There are those who choose not to believe in such an unconditional love. There are those who know full well, have experienced it first-hand and have chosen to turn their backs on it. There are those who have never had the opportunity to be told of such an amazing love. And, there are those that we assume have no idea of God's love because we think they are incapable of understanding such a thing. The words that were found on the wall of that insane asylum show me otherwise. There is no one that God's love cannot touch. It is the most powerful and amazing thing ever, and yet it is so simple that even a little child can understand it. It is so encompassing that even one whom the world declares "demented" can obviously experience its magnitude. For those of you who don't know the words that were written on that insane asylum wall, here they are:

"Could we with ink the ocean fill and were the skies of parchment made, were every stalk on earth a quill and every man a scribe by trade...To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry. Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky."

How wonderful to know this amazing Love of God!

Welcome!

Welcome to Reflective Ramblings! The purpose of this blog is to do just as the name implies: ramble about my reflections and thoughts on a wide variety of subjects. I hope you will find encouragement (or at the very least a smile) from some of the things I share. I hope you enjoy!