Saturday dawns and Manna concludes.

With almost 24,000 sack lunches and 50,000 wieners served, and countless smiles enjoyed, it has been a very enjoyable six years in this ministry, and the co-laborers and I, we have been blessed by it all!

Meditating over all that has been, I am comforted by Psalm 127 which reminds us all: "1 Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat, for He grants sleep to those His beloved."

And in this new season of service, let's let those that labor for the approval of men have their reward, me, I'll keep the Lord in focus, and the world will fall away..

People say

Sometimes, people ask me why I do what I do, or better still, why am I so exacting in how I prefer others to be around me, and though this isn't the answer, often, how we phrase questions, determines the appropriate response.

Thursday, and the weekend is going to be here soon enough...

Mardi Gras;

"Fat Tuesday is the traditional name for the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. During Lent, many of the faithful commit to fasting or giving up certain types of behavior as a form of penitence. Fat Tuesday gets its name from a custom in many Catholic deceived countries, of marking the day with feasting, before the fasting season of Lent begins."

Me, this year, I'm giving up fear. Fear and maybe even reluctance. And yet, even w/out a reason, I will be embracing change!

Change and more Joy actually!

Aside from the usual fear mongering;

"There is no division, don’t you understand

The future looks as though it has come around

And maybe we have finally found our common ground

We’re the children of one Father

If you’re looking back don’t bother

We’re black and white America!"

NAACP Awards for sure, but that's not what started me thinking...

Wonders;

Wednesday, and though I can feel the tension in the air is huger still, oddly enough, I'm on the Worship Schedule, but then again, I am the servant that I always was, and in that, I can find comfort, even while others are still uncomfortable with the reality of it all.

And maybe it'll make no more sense now, than it did all the months I poured myself in so freely, while others made off with the cream, but, even in that, my spirit is free, and my God isn't wondering about my motive(s), so, I'm liking this new season more than I thought I would.

Which doesn't surprise anyone,
except for those, it does!

Happy February 14th.

The day of Valentine(s) Celebration.

And whereas today can also be celebrated as Singles Awareness Day(!), my hope is that no matter where you are in life, there is for you, someone to love(another to be loved by), whether it's a great friend, or someone truly special(?), just remember to include the Ultimate Love in your celebration too;

Jesus Christ, our Lord & Savior!

In the between though, here's trusting that you'll have a fantastic day.

One filled with Real Love, Absolute Joy and of course, Commercial Success.

Never did figure out how to monetize love, but for all you who write, paint, sculpt, draw, and/or perform, let this be the gateway to a much brighter 2012...

In this new Season;

Sunday afternoon, and the service(s) @ River Valley this weekend reminded me that in the doing, in the actual serving for(of) the Lord,
and in all things Worthy & not just Noble appearing, lives Grace.

And me, I love Grace.
Love Mercy too!

But Grace reminds me that I can keep trying, even as I'm failing. For failure lives in the excuse(s), and not in the action of doing.

Plus, I love Verbs, and words that begin with the letter V.

Words like:

Valiant

Valuable

Venerated

Victorious

Visualized

Vivacious

Vocal

But I trust you see where this is leading...

Change(s);

"Reading through the Bible, one often gets the impression that those who people it weren't afraid to move about. Actually, then as now, a certain amount of travel is essential, and not just because merchants had to carry their goods across deserts and mountains to exchange with far-off neighbors, or that the pious wanted to make pilgrimages to holy places.

Often enough, Ambassadors needed to carry messages. Soldiers were required to march to war. And people, had to move their livestock to greener pastures.

And so, roads had to be built."

Odd then, as we've come forward as a people,
that so many stay in one place!

What is love?

Is it a connection unbroken, or, does it ever really need connecting?

Many people love through their work, others, through their friends and families.

And then, there is you.

A one in, upon, through, and because of,
Love is often defined and enveloped.

So on this day, maybe we've grown as close as we're designed,
or, maybe like rain, this day is just another reminder that same,
and change are real!

cou·ra·geous/kəˈrājəs/

Adjective: Not deterred by danger or pain; brave - willing - eager.

Synonyms: brave - bold - valiant - plucky - gallant - hardy

Of course in context, Super Bowl Sunday is an opportunity to shine as a Husband, Son, Father, Brother, or Friend by being the one man, who reminds the other men to maintain, and stay focused. That though, will require presence, and in the absence of courage, many a family will be in tears on Monday.

Have a good time today,
but keep it in perspective please...

Friday, and my new life begins.

"Luke 10:5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’

6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages."

Thanking Jesus, and my Lovely Mother for their work and continuous prodding and interceding on my behalf! Life gets more exciting when you believe..