Some Things Are Worth Remembering

Many of us are probably thankful for today.

It's a day off, right... What's not to like about that?

But it's so much more than just a good excuse to BBQ or grill burgers, or go to the beach, or do nothing (that's what I chose).

We rightly set aside the last Monday of each May to remember all those that paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy in America.

Having served in the Navy for almost 10 years, I certainly understand some of the things that our military men & women surrender & endure, but today we don't just honor sacrifice.

Today, we honor THE sacrifice... The ULTIMATE sacrifice.

Jesus said, "No greater love has a man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Today, if I may, I'd like to borrow that expression: "No greater love for country has someone than this, that he lay down his life for it."

Thank you, Army, Navy, Air Force, & Marines... Your service & your sacrifice are worth remembering!

Take 2 & Call Me in the Morning

Today is my day off.

I love my day off!

I typically sleep in a little, then make brunch with one of the girls: chocolate-chip pancakes, eggs, & bacon (or "meat candy" as we call it here in the Oettle house). Yummy!

After brunch, I clean the kitchen, make my 2nd helping of coffee, then sit down & watch some cartoons with my kiddos.

I've gotta tell ya... Cartoons are TOTALLY therapeutic for me! The Bible says that laughter does good like a medicine, & I've certainly found that to be true... It's good to laugh!

Laugh at life's little jokes (some might see that as redundant).

Laugh at life's ironies.

Laugh at life's difficulties.

Most of all, laugh at myself... That seems to be the only remedy for taking myself just a little--or a lot--too seriously.

Yep... It's good medicine.

How 'bout you... Are you needing a healthy dose of perspective?

Here's a prescription: spend about 10 minutes watching Bugs Bunny (that's about 2 cartoons worth).

But you don't have to call me in the morning. ;-)

Never Been Here Before

One of the many things that amazes me about my journey with Jesus is how different the scenery is along the road, and He never seems to take me down the same road twice. Unless, of course, I didn't learn the first time... I'm guessing you probably know what I mean.

But lately, I have been exploring a new land. New for me, anyway.

I've heard about this land. I've read about it in the tales of the great explorers that have gone before us, but it's an undiscovered country to me. As I read of their exploits, I remember wondering what the scenery looked like.

I can tell you now.

I remember listening to their tales & mentally placing myself into their story, wondering how I would respond if this-or-that happened. It was pretty much all a guess, because it's impossible to know how you'd respond until you actually take that journey.

I can tell you now.

I've often wondered how the story of my life would play out. If pen were put to paper, what would it say? What would happen? Where would it all play out? Would it be a drama? A comedy? A tragedy? Inspirational? Devotional?

I'll have to let God worry about all that, but I do know this: it IS being written, God is in charge of it, & where I am today is not where I will be tomorrow. I don't know where that will be, but I know it won't be here.

In fact, I don't recognize much of where I am today.

Nope... I've never been here before.

Let the adventure begin!

What if...?

That's got to be one of the most-powerful questions ever asked!

Think about it: the very asking of it opens a doorway to infinite possibility, infinite hope, infinite vision!

What if...?

How many things in your life have come to a stalemate, a screeching halt, or kind of coasted to a standstill?

What if...?

What if you faced your circumstances head-on & asked the "What if...?" question?

What if you actually caught a glimpse of what COULD be?

What if--for just one moment--you saw what could be as a very-real possibility?

What if--during that flash of hope--you knew that you knew that "possible" is enough to become "try"?

What if "try" became one simple step? Then another? Then another? And another? And...

What if you glanced up from your current step & looked around to find the scenery had TOTALLY changed because you aren't where you used to be? You didn't notice the change happening because you were so focused on the steps.

What if you put your head back down to take the next step, but THIS TIME knowing that the next glance up would again be a total change of scenery?

What if you actually began to EXPECT the scenery to change?

What if what you once saw as "possible" you now see as "probable"?

What if what you see as "probable" comes closer and closer to "reality" with each step?

Wait, wait, wait... Let's get back to reality.

But...

What if that's been reality all along?

What if we were to find out?

What if...?