Well, 2012 is quickly coming to an end.   What a year it has been!

I've been heavily involved in a thing called "Couch Surfing"--www.couchsurfing.org--hosting people who are traveling all over the world, from all over the world.  As of today, I've had 112 people from 39 countries in my home...

It has been AMAZING.

I plan to be more faithful in my blogging in 2013

So while I'm sitting here

There are just so many things swirling freely in my thoughts today...

How I will stretch my $5 until Friday--my next pay day...

How I will leave work early so I can drop some important documents off at the Post Office---been putting it off for almost a month now...

The death of a great man (and dear friend) C Donald Cole, Radio Pastor for Moody  Radio for MANY, MANY years.  He went to Heaven Saturday evening.

An uncle that I've not seen in more than 20 years--had a stroke, hospitalized in Alabama...

Vacation Bible School that started in my local church this morning...expecting 500+ children...

My precious friend Brandon--a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps--and how he is ready to get life back to normal...and the rest of us are ready for him to return to Chicago...

A meeting I had with my supervisor this morning.  Went MUCH better than I expected...

So what's on your mind?

"We've been down this road before..." Sadly enough

I awoke very early this morning (3:15 a.m. CST), and turned on "World News Now"--from habit, I guess.  About 3:55 a.m.(CST), I heard, "we are interrupting this broadcast to bring a Special Report from ABC News" telling me about the horrific tragedy in Aurora, Colorado.  (I once was stationed at Lowry AFB in Aurora, so I am familiar with the area.)

I'm still stunned by this senseless, cowardly, horrific crime.  Of course, uttering all the "spiritual stuff" now is not only insensitive and non-effective--it makes God look bad.  However, I have to remind myself that none of these events (or anything else that has ever happened, or ever will happen) takes Him by surprise.  Not a single one.

If there were ever a time for the Body of Christ to "rise up" and be the face of JESUS--this is surely that time.  We may not have all the answers--and we certainly should act as though we do.  But we can be the compassionate, caring, loving, and gentle hands of our LORD to those who have lost so much.

But then again, I'm convinced that we should be the face of CHRIST anyway.

Not just when tragedy strikes.

It finally came....and it's is good...

Last Tuesday, March 13, 2012--I celebrated my FIFTIETH birthday! It's been good...

Without all the drama that accompanied my 40th birthday, the 50th was just refreshing and nourishing to my heart. Some wonderful friends from my local church (www.moodychurch.org) threw a small surprise Birthday dinner for me last Saturday evening---some delicious Barbeque in downtown Chicago, no less. So Meredith, Philip, Alex, Lindsey, Vince, and Jerry--I had a marvelous time....and "Thank you" is so insufficient, but heartfelt.

Tuesday was a celebration at Rush University Medical Center for me...my immediate boss, Cheryl Evers, made sure that I got a lovely gift bag, and a balloon...in front of a lot of people. It was SO special...

My friend Gary Singh got me a chocolate cake with chocolate icing...just what I wanted....and it was delicious...

Then the three most important men in my life (at least on Tuesday evenings) who compromise the small group that I belong to (Jeff, Kent, and Rob) held a special birthday dinner, gave me a wonderful gift, and asked me to tell "my story." It was so very special and heartwarming to me.

The only sad note is that my longtime friend, retired Pastor Dr David Bishop went to be with the Lord on Tuesday evening...such a precious, precious man whom I have admired for years. He was never my "official pastor..." but has been a wonderful friend for a long time. Gifted pulpiteer, the heart of a shepherd, marvelous artist, and a gentle giant in the Kingdom of God, in my opinion. He will be missed, and Heaven is sounding sweeter all the time.

A Prayer for Today...

"Come Thou Fount of every blessing, TUNE my heart to sing THY GRACE..."

Lord, when I'm confused, and just wondering what I should do next: housework, homework, or just "stand still" please "tune my heart to sing Thy grace.."

Lord, for that precious friend who feels alone and abandoned...who feels that no one really cares, who hugged me tightly this morning, with tears falling down their face..."Tune my heart to sing Thy grace" and let their heart receive it. Keep reminding them, they are NOT alone. Their Moody Church family loves them, and more importantly, YOU love them.

Lord, for the single mom who feel as though she is about to lose her mind--burdens, bills, bruises, and yet she chooses to raise her children in the fear of the Lord..."tune my heart to sing Thy grace"...and put that same song on her lips. She is a "hero" and should be treated like one.

Lord, for that patient who just heard news they hoped to avoid--at least for a little while longer--and now I have the high and tremendous privilege/responsibility of being concerned..please "Tune my heart to sing Thy grace." My song may be the only one--or even the last one--they hear.

Lord, when I'm struggling through despondency, depression, and start asking "Why me?" please "tune my heart to sing Thy grace." Remind me, Dear Lord...that You still walk with me, and You tell me that I am still Your own. In case I haven't mentioned it, Lord, "tune my heart to sing Thy grace."

Lord, for that friend who is strugging with the "bottle," drinking to "drown their sorrows" but finding that nothing is solved, only exaccerbated...when I see him again, please "tune my heart to sing Thy grace." Lord, remind him that You love him, no matter what.

Lord, for that homeless lady who asks for some change every single morning--and when I purposely don't carry any change on me, create a heart of compassion in me...and "tune my heart to sing Thy grace." I could be homeless and hungry too....

And Lord, remind me regularly of how great it is to be "tuned to Thy grace."