Happy Tuesday!

Today I went to worship at Brite. There is a service of Word and Table each week on Tuesday followed by lunch and a community conversation. This week’s focus was All Saint’s Day. It was a bit of an emotional time of worship for me as the pastor who delivered the message spoke of crossing the finish line with your torch still lit. She told a story of the early days of the Olympic Games. One of the races was not won simply by who crossed the finish line first, but by who crossed the finish line first with their torch still lit. When I think of Casey and how courageous he was I am sure he crossed the finish line with his torch held high, lighting the way for the rest of us.

Prayer: “Father, thank You for being the sovereign Lord of the universe, the one true God who is, was, and always will be. I praise You for You are God and You do not change. You make promises to Your children, and You always keep them. Help me this day to read the promises in Your Word and be confident and at peace that You will accomplish all You desire to accomplish in my life. Amen!”

Isaiah 55: 11 “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the living thing for which I sent it.”

As I think of saints that I have known I immediately think of Casey and my Mamo. They were not perfect, but they were people who were often found doing the will of God.

My mamo never had an unkind word to say about anyone and always accepted people as they were through a happy smile and a loving spirit. She did not do anything spectacular in her life, unless you consider that she raised a family through the Depression, earned a living as a seamstress, was a member of the Christian Homemakers Sunday School class and spent her life completely in love with each member of her family. God accomplished in her all He intended in her long life. Maybe she did do something spectacular, after all.

As for Casey, God accomplished in Him all He intended within the last year of his life. God gave him a fighting spirit determined to conquer the disease that had invaded his body along with a sweet spirit that never complained. In Casey’s last year he became a mighty prayer warrior as he prayed for each person on the hospital floor by name each evening. We look back at the pictures of him in that last year and all we see on his face is the most relaxed and peaceful smile. God was dwelling in Casey’s spirit which allowed him to appear unafraid and cheerful while letting others know that they need not be afraid either.

Both of these amazing people opened their hearts and minds to God and allowed Him to accomplish in them what he pleased to His glory and ultimate victory. Sounds pretty spectacular to me.

Just a thought…think of someone(s) in your life who you would name a saint. It is not someone who is perfect, but someone who has an open mind and heart for letting God accomplish in them He greatest hopes and desires.

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.