ASPIRE

Unto Us Is Born

Welcome To Our World by chris rice

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that You don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
Long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at home
Please make Yourself at home

Bring Your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile fingers sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world

"God My Daddy"

In memory of my daddy who loved me.
God.
Jehovah.
Jehovah Shalom.
Jehovah Shammah.
Jehovah Jireh
El Elyon
El Shaddai
Adonai
Father.
These are some of the names I generally think of when I think of God. But the name that came to me this morning wasn’t like any that I listed. The chorus of “God Forbid” says:
God forbid that I should find you so familiar that I think of You as less than who You are.
And God forbid that I should speak of You at all without a humble reverence in my heart.
God forbid.
When driving the girls to school this morning there suddenly appeared a little orange light in the form of a gas pump…the same light that appeared YESTERDAY when I was running errands. OK! OK! So it slipped my mind. But I remembered again when I saw it this morning and I was going to take care of it immediately after dropping Bethany off. Can I help it that I ran out of gas before I could get to the gas station?
Over the next few minutes I had several thoughts. My first thought was, “this is okay because both girls are in school on time.” My second thought was, "AAA may take too long right now since I have carpet layers coming between 8 and 9. My third thought, “I’ll try calling Dan, although it is quite possible that he will be unavailable.” God answered. Dan was already out of the office on a job. My forth thought was, “call Ed,” my faithful neighbor who, along with his wife Elsie, always serves with a smile. And as usual he came to my rescue! Thanks Ed! You’re the best. Thanks to you, too, Bethany, for reminding me that my cell was at home and I should take yours just in case. After calling Ed, and hanging up the cell phone I immediately received my fifth thought…more like a revelation. Only a week ago I came across Ed and Elsie’s phone number and thought to myself, “I need to put this number in my memory bank so if I don’t have access to my cell I will know it.” So, I did and what do ya know. My cell was at home this morning. We have lived next door to Ed and Elsie for nearly 11 years and the thought to memorize their phone number has never crossed my mind. As I pondered that, I thought about the mysterious ways that God cares for us and sometimes like a daddy.... a loving protective bear of a daddy. A daddy who thinks of everything that his little girl may need to know in order to stay safe and sound. Knowing that He loves me and will never leave me is an absolute but experiencing His love and care in the little insignificant things is so sweet. He cares about everything in my life: my comfort and warmth on a cold rainy day, having the right number for the right person at the right time, Bethany’s eight o’clock test, carpet layers coming, Dan’s schedule, my peace of mind...but most of all He cares about our relationship. Life would have been fine if Bethany hadn't noticed that I needed her cell or if she was late for a test. Life would have been fine if carpet layers had to knock on the door of an empty house, if Dan had to be interrupted to help me out, if AAA took 2 hours to come to me and even if I had to walk a few miles in the rain. None of these things would have been a crisis. This is why I have chosen Christianity and not religion. I get to have a relationship with a God who is all things to all men exactly when they need it. God knew what I needed today. Had the same thing happened tomorrow, God may have thought I needed to wait for AAA or walk a few miles in the rain....and do you know what is so cool about that? God would have taught me something awesome about Himself in that situation too. God cares about our relationship and I think that in any situation he just wants to say, "I see you today and I love you."
Dear God! Thank you for being exactly what I need, sometimes Jahovah Shammah, and sometimes God My Daddy. You know that I desire to think of You as who You are. The great I AM. You are not merely my buddy who comes in handy in my time of need. You are an awesome God who deserves to be lifted up and revered. So with all reverence I thank you, Daddy God, for caring about your children, this child. Your voice this morning was clear and cheerful as you said, “Robin, I see you today and I love you.” God, I love you too. Thanks for always saying it first. Maybe tomorrow I will beat you to the punch…but I doubt it. Amen.

His Rightful Place

Amid the season's hectic pace

I pause astonished by God's grace,

And give the Son His rightful place,

High and lifted up.

"On Bended Knee"

Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King

How often do I sing songs with beautiful lyrics of love and adoration and then walk away unchanged? It’s not that I don’t mean it. I just don’t take the time to ponder.
After the church children’s program and parties were over I came across a family who couldn't find their 5-year-old son, Sean. It was after 9:15 and most of the church was empty. I had seen Sean just minutes earlier, he couldn’t be far. Sean’s mommy, at home with newborn baby sister, left Daddy Mike, brother Dylan and sister Nicole searching for him. Naturally, I joined the search, as did eight others before it was all over. We looked everywhere inside and out. Sean’s coat was still inside but Mike asked Dylan to check to make sure that Sean hadn’t decided to go out to the car and wait. Most of the church doors were locked by now so I told Mike I would follow Dylan to the door and wait to let him back in. Dylan was quite concerned by now as he ran out to the vehicle to check for Sean. I could see him in the distance opening each door to the vehicle. I could hear him as he called again and again for Sean. There appeared to be no sign of Sean as Dylan lifted his arms in frustration and placed his hands on his head. As he ran back toward the church I could see the distress on his face and I was touched to see the sweetness of one sibling concerned for another. But what happened next was something I didn’t expect. One minute Dylan was running toward me and the next minute he was down on the concrete, leaning forward on his knees. Ouch! When he didn’t get up right away I asked him, “Dylan are you OK?” He didn’t answer so again I asked, "Dylan did you get hurt?” As Dylan looked up, his 11-year-old hands were clasped together and he had a look on his face I couldn’t exactly read. “I’m praying” was his gentle reply. I was somewhat ashamed at my surprise, but mostly awestruck and deeply moved. I mean, I had been praying too, but not like that. I wonder if that was how Mary felt when Jesus said, “Did you not know that I had to be in MY Father’s house? (Luke 2:49)
Well, we did find Sean. He was in the restroom, but not the one you would think he’d have chosen given his family was at the opposite end of the church. Furthermore, he was having a problem that was never disclosed to me. The poor little guy was waiting there in hopes of his daddy or brother coming to his rescue. He was probably as distressed waiting as we were looking.
The faith of a child…it’s a beautiful thing. So today, whether we are adoring Christ or pleading with Him, let’s all be like Dylan. Let’s fall down on bended knee and cry to Jesus- our rock and our redeemer.

Meet Jordan!

This is Jordan! Jordan is our first born child, our only son. My dreams came true when my first born baby was a boy. Jordan is everything "warrior like" and then some. He is intense and competitive, determined and courageous, relentless, fierce and bold. Jordan is inspirational. His mettle, grit and guts never seem to end and we have come to love his never say die attitude.
Remember when the toy stores sold the bow and arrow sets where the arrows had rubber suction cups on the end. By the time Jordan was 4 he could hit squirrels with those things. He would thunder into the house with victory whoops that raised the roof! Dan tried to reassure me that boys just do these things. Jordan loved sports as far back as I can remember. At two, his love was baseball and he would swing his little plastic bat at those baseball sized Nerf balls with fierce determination. I don't remember outlasting him, he would hit as long as we would pitch. I don't recall what sport came next. Once introduced to the world of sports he's liked them all. He likes playing sports, watching sports and even announcing for sports activities. In high school Jordan was doing lots of announcing of the games for 4 different sports. Jordan is in college now and his love for sports continues. He works in the athletic department, plays intermurals and he is announcing the basketball games for both the men's and women's teams at Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn. Oh ya, I can't leave out fantasy sports. Jordan has participated in fantasy baseball and football for several years now and he is getting better all of the time. I don't know where to begin explaining fantasy sports. In a nutshell, it is done on the computer. He is in leagues with several of his friends. They draft their teams and play against one another. They have to manage their teams on a daily basis and it is very involved. I stay out of it.
Jordan has lots of other interests as well. He loves people and ministry and spends lots of time with people doing various ministries. Some of the ministries he has been involved with include street evangelism, serving breakfast to the homeless in our city, and praying regularly in front of our city's Adult Shop. He has become a friend to the manager through this, as they go to pray for and love the people there, rather then to slander and condemn the people who run this shop. He continues to do these ministries whenever he is home on breaks from college which really shows his love and commitment for what he does. He brought the manager Christmas dinner this year because he knew he was working the night shift. Yes the Adult Shop in our city is open 24/7 every day of the year. Jordan is also in the midst of getting some evangelism ministries started at Bryan. When he is home on breaks the phone never stops ringing with young men and women wanting to get together with Jordan to catch up and share what's going on in their lives with God and others.
Jordan is an amazing young man and a fascinating person. His strong character traits of competitiveness and his never back down attitude have often sent me into a tizzy and yet I wouldn't want it any other way. When I started "Meet Jordan" I thought I already knew the one word that would describe him. Competitive. But as I have been writing a different word comes to mind. Jordan is an overcommer. Competitive is probably a tie with that so lets say that the two must go together. God has given Jordan the competitive spirit that has helped him to overcome countless obstacles in his life. Not even we as parents fully understand. Jordan has had juvenile rheumatoid arthritis(JRA) since he was one year old. Doctor's, medications, therapy and surgeries have stolen away many hours of time he would rather have spent chasing squirrels and playing football. But praise God, Jordan is strong in character and has wisdom like Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery. Joseph was able to able to say that what his brothers meant for evil against him, God meant for good.(Genesis 50:20). Jordan too, can see that God desires and is able to bring good out of every situation and he chooses to live just that way. Jordan would rather me not mention that he has arthritis because he isn't into dwelling on that so that is all about that for now. But to know Jordan is to know a little about all he has faced and all he has overcome.
Jordan, you are an amazing person and I am more grateful today then I was nineteen and a half years ago, when you were born, my first born child and son. I love you and may your passion never die.
Heavenly Father! Only You understand and remember how overcome with gratitude that I was when Jordan was born. To be given the gift of a child, a son, and to have him on his dad's birthday was unfathomable to me. I remember wishing, but I don't remember daring to ask. It was way too much goodness. I was so scared that I would wake up and realize that it was just a cruel dream. But it wasn't. It was true. Once again you were telling me, "Robin, I do love you and want to give you only good things."
God, I love our son and I have so much more then I deserve. How can I say thanks for all you've done for me. As one song says, "the voices of a million angels can not express my gratitude....all that I am or ever hope to be, I owe it all to thee...To God Be The Glory." May the life of Jordan bring you glory and honor forever. Amen

Meet Bethany!

This is Bethany! Bethany is our second child, the middle child, and our first daughter. Bethany is our listener, our thoughtful child, our student.
Unbelievably, Bethany is 17, soon to be 18 years old. It's so bittersweet. We raise them up, to let them go, that's the goal. Memories flood my mind as I write. She's been our precious petunia, Jordan's beppy ru, and is still Hannah's beloved sister. Since her 16th birthday, she loves us three plump juicy grapes at bed time, a story for another time. Vivid memories of her daddy chasing her around the kitchen island, at about 15 months of age, still make me laugh out loud. Thinking about her daddy standing beside our bed, holding her hands, as she was jumping on the bed, still makes me smile...and sigh. Bethany! Beautiful inside and out.
There are many things I could tell you about Bethany. She really is our student...a student of life, people, and her surroundings. She listens and observes. When she was very little her people questions were, who is that, where are they going, why are they going there, what are they doing, and where do they live? Being that I was her amazing mommy she couldn't believe that I rarely knew the answers. She said that when she was big she was going to meet every person in the whole wide world. As Bethany
studied her surroundings she did so with her entire self. I was sure that I was the only mom in the neighborhood who yelled out the window, "Bethany, please don't lick the sidewalk," or "we don't eat grasshoppers" or how about, "lets not lick the sand off of the shovel." Experiencing things with your whole self often requires slithering along the ground like a snake rather then motating vertically. We didn't track Bethany by following her footprints in the snow...we followed a long, long line. How could anyone cover so much ground on their stomach?
One winter day I got a knock at the door and opened it to Bethany. I didn't recognize her at first because her blue winter coat had so much snow stuck on it I could barely see the blue. Her tongue was out (you must read the following with your tongue out) and she said something like, "I suck my tong on the gill." You got it. Her tongue got stuck on the gas grill while she was learning about what happens when you touch your tongue to a grill. The end of her little tongue was very red and raw! OUCH! Once I learned that there is a learning style called kinesthetic, I was much less concerned.
A few more things about Bethany: She is inspiring and forgiving, humble and modest. She is loyal and true. She loves God and children. At 17 she has read through her Bible three times and has done devotions daily since she was 11. She babysits for lots of families. I think we have counted over 30. She has volunteered in the toddler nursery on Sunday mornings for six and a half years.
If I had to come up with one word to describe Bethany I would have to go with discipline. The consistent discipline that she exercises has taken her personality and molded it into an awesome young woman who is inspirational and motivating to those around her, including me. Thanks Bethany for what you mean in my life. You are loved a "bunch." Mom.
Dear God, Thank you for our beautiful Bethany Joy. She has brought joy and understanding into our family by showing us how to accept all who are different. You are so awesome in wisdom, giving good gifts, exactly what we need. We needed Bethany in our family. Thank you for loving me and may I love you back, by acknowledging that Bethany is Yours and not mine. I pray that she will be a wonderful student of who You are and all that You have done. Amen.

Meet Hannah!

This is Hannah! Hannah is my third and youngest child...my second daughter. It seems as though she has been with us forever... and yet... born only yesterday. Neither are true. Hannah is 13 years old. Just today a friend of mine said, "When you came to my house a few weeks ago I wondered who the girl was that you had with you. Then, I realized it was Hannah. She was so sophisticated. She really grew up!" Yes, she certainly has. Hannah is an 8th grader in a middle school, with over nine hundred other 6th -8th grade students.
There are so many things to say about Hannah! Where do I begin? Hannah is a bouquet of beauty and laughter. She is intuitive, sensitive, fun-loving and sweet. She is imaginativeand funny and Hannah has a lot of class. Hannah is always ready to laugh. Hannah loves her friends and has lots of them. She is a loyal friend...a genuine friend. Her many interests have allowed her to enjoy a wide variety of people. It's amazing! Hannah is interested in God, music, cooking, NOT puzzles, shopping, youth group at church, music, travel, photography, interior design, fashion, piano, music, animals, music, acting, real estate, and more. Let's see, did I include music? Hannah is not afraid to try new things. She once had an interest in horses and took horse riding lessons. She was curious about playing the drums so she took drum lessons. She taught herself to play the guitar after one quick lesson from me along with the gift of a chord chart. She has been in Lego League and Video Documentory. She has tried softball, basketball and tennis. Hannah is a serious student and is totally responsible for anything that has to do with her school work and her church activities. She has volunteered in the 3 year old class for over 2 years. My guess, is that there will be many future blogs about Hannah, her friends and her adventures. My fear is that I will be unable to keep up with her. She loves to be on the move.
If I were only allowed one word to describe Hannah I would be hard pressed but the one that comes to mind is pure. I believe that it is Hannah's pure and genuine spirit that makes her so lovable to so many. Hannah is a first class teen who brings blessings of life, love and laughter into our family as well as into the lives of her friends. I love you Hannah! (my little brown braid).
Love, Mom
Dearest Father! Thank you for the gift of Hannah Rebekah, our precious daughter. Her love and beauty touch my life and my heart every day. Her many interests keep our lives full of newness and adventure.She reminds us to keep trying new things and to keep having fun. Who am I that You would bestow such a treasure? Who am I that You would entrust her to my care? She is Your child. She is Your own. I commit her to You to use as You please. Amen.

A Champion in the Family!

A few weeks ago we had some big excitement in the family. My nephew Nick plays football and is #52 for the IKM Hawks. His team not only made the playoffs but went on to win the Class A State Championship football game. It couldn't have been any sweeter since they beat arch rival, the Manning Bulldogs, to earn that playoff spot. HAWKS EAT BULLDOG MEAT!!
Anyway, they played their next two games in Cedar Falls, Iowa at the UNI-Dome so our family got see Nick play two games. Our son, Jordan, had to miss out on the game but he did get to watch it later on TV. Nick was so awesome! In the Manning game he dislocated his shoulder so he played his last two games with a nasty shoulder injury and lots of Tylenol. He is one gritty guy. Nick plays center on offense and nose guard on defense. He played practically all of both games! He was only out for a few plays per game and he took himself out at that. We would see him running towards the sidelines, flagging for someone to come in for him with his left arm, while his right arm hung limply at his side. But a few plays later and he was back in there, crushing people. Being the competitive person that I am and having had some championship experiences in my life, it was emotional . There is nothing like a championship experience! So many hours, weeks and often years of hard work and dreams all come down to one game. I feel for those athletes who are just as good and work just as hard but may not have as good of a team...it is such a blessing to be #1.
I was popping at the seams and even better was being there with Nick's dad/my brother Mike (the awesome #66 for the Hawks from 1972-75), Nick's mom Julie, and Nick's sister Kami. IKM is made up of three small Iowa towns, Irwin, Kirkman, and MANILLA. I'd say that most of the population from all three towns traveled to Cedar Falls for both games. Also attending were Nick's grandma, aunts, and uncles from Julie's side so he had an entourage of fans. It was a blast! I'd like to invite you to come along and watch Nick again next year but that can't happen. Nick is one of 16 graduating seniors for the Hawks! Congratulations Nick to you and your team. We are all so proud of you!

Packer Mania

Before I got married if someone had asked, "who is your favorite NFL football team?" I may have said Central College. HEY, college, NFL, what's the difference? I really didn't care. I live in the NOW and I live MY life. Why would I watch a bunch of guys I don't even know pummeling each other? Watching Central, on the other hand, was fun. I went to watch Dan Koskamp, #6 for the Dutch, and he was worth the watch. I didn't know it yet but I was going to marry him someday. I think the only teams I could have thought of to answer the question were, the Manilla Hawks(my high school team), the Iowa Hawkeye's, (a team I had kind of heard about since I lived in Iowa my entire life), the Green Bay Packers(a team my brother liked), and Central College(my Alma mater). You will be pleased to know that in 1983 I did marry #6 and I now know the difference between high school, college and professional football. I even understand that there are different divisions for each of these separate entities.
Dan grew up a Chicago Bears fan. Since I had no particular attachments to any team, I followed the Bears as well and I continued to be a Bears fan for over ten years. Our firstborn, Jordan, came along in 1987 and had no influence on me as far as which football team to support...not for a few years anyway. But it didn't take long. That boy was born competing and he has the ability to make anything into a competition. Jordan also has a mind of his own so why would he just automatically be a Bears fan. Jordan was a fan of whomever HE decided. It is a miracle that today he and his dad both like the Chicago Cubs.
We don't remember the exact time that Jordan's love for the Packers began, but likely between the ages of 4 and 7. When the kids were young we traveled to Grandpa and Grandma's house two or three times between September and December. Also in Manilla Iowa, lived Uncle Mike, Aunt Julie and cousins Kami and Nick. Football was always the greatest part of these visits. Watching football on the big screen TV, playing football outside every opportunity they got, and even a little indoor football, much to Grandma's horror and disapproval, was the main focus. And the only team that had any priority in Manilla was Uncle Mike's Green Bay Packers. Nick loved the Packers too. Their family had Packer jerseys, Packer footballs and even Packer tree ornaments. Jordan is an all out kind of guy so this had a big influence on him. By the time Jordan was 8, his yearly picture was Packers all the way.
My boy and I are a lot alike. Living with this kind of commitment and enthusiasm how can I be anything but a Packer fan. Like Jordan, whatever I do, I do with all my heart and living with him during the football season is a blast. Sorry Dan, but Jordan and these Packers are just too exciting.

The Things We "Become" for our Kids!

The things we do for our kids! Or, would it be better to say, the things we become for our kids? I like the latter. Because of my 19 year old son Jordan, who is a freshman at Bryan College in Tennessee, I had another memorable Sunday afternoon.
Jordan has been a Green Bay Packer fan since he was 7 years old and being the enthusiastic, and influential person that he is, there have been many "Packer Parties" in our home over the past twelve football seasons. Cheeseheads, green and gold streamers, food, pop, and even a life size stand up of the awesome Brett Favre, adorn our basement during the football season. When Jordan went away to Bryan we were sad, realizing that watching the Packer games would never be quite the same. Little did we know that we would find a new way to enjoy each other and the Packers. For Jordan's birthday, Dan bought him some service that enables him to hear the game on his computer. That was the best we could do unless he was fortunate enough to get the game on TV in the lounge at Bryan. But the residents of Tennessee aren't real big packer fans so not many games are on there. For the first few games of the season Jordan listened on his computer and I watched here on TV. Our Verizon family plan comes in handy for calling each other when something exciting happens.
It didn't take long before Jordan met a new lifetime friend at Bryan, Coach Don Rekoske. Coach is a BIG packer fan and he said that Jordan was welcome to come over to his house any time for any game. Coach has direct TV so the Packers are on weekly there. As Jordan would say, "Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!" Jordan, of course, hasn't let coach down and now when we call back and forth I can hear coach and his family in the background. Jordan even has a cheesehead, a cheese cowboy hat and some cheese coasters on order for Coach, his wife and their two adorable kids. They are going to have a cheesy Christmas! A perfect way for Jordan to say, " thanks for hosting me."
Hey, wasn't I going to tell you about my memorable Sunday afternoon? Today, the Pack wasn't on at my house so when that happens, and it does happen, I do the unthinkable. I go over to Prime Time, a local bar and grill(shh) to watch the Packers there. At first, I was obviously alone, sitting at my own little table, with a sprite and a cell phone. I can barely choke down the sprite because it tastes like smoke. Bars are not my type of place but I am getting the hang of it. And even though the Packers are struggling this year the fans are loyal and I see about all of the same people every time. They don't care that I don't have a beer and a cigarette in my hand. I am a Packer fan and that is all that matters. Watching the Packers and being with Jordan go together and I am thankful that he thinks so too. My Sunday afternoons for these next few years are going to continue to hold precious memories.
As for the difference between doing and becoming...there are lots of things I can do for my kids and for others, but when I became a Packer fan rather then just doing the Packer thing, my relationship with my son took on a whole new meaning. 1 Corinthians 9:22b says,"I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some." Jesus didn't say, "Hey dad, I'll see ya in 33 years. I am going down to earth to do the human thing so those fools can get it." He became human. He emptied himself and became one of us. He did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped. He got into it. He died to Himself. He faced the fear and endured the pain. He won the victory for you and for me. I don't know about you, but that is a God that I want to worship, love and follow. Lord, do what ever it takes.... I desire to have your very nature....I want to BECOME like You. Amen

The Teacher Who Couldn't Read

When the cold weather sets in, I get in the mood to read some "just for fun" books. One can only read so many "self-help" books in this lifetime!"
So I trot up the street and start digging through the books in the church library. I trot up the street because the church I attend is just one block away from where I live! (http://www.newcovenantbible.org/)
One of the books I have read recently is The Teacher Who Couldn't Read by John Corcoran. Can you imagine going through thirteen years of school, then college, and then being a High School English teacher without being able to read a single word? Amazingly, John Corcoran did that and more. I have always told my kids, there are many ways to be smart and academics is only one of them. I still stand by that.
I've never known anyone who couldn't read. It was eye opening to see what he went through. Once again, I was reminded of how I so easily misinterpret the actions and behaviors of people and how easy it is to assume that they are just plain jerks. John had to be an occasional jerk to protect himself and his secret. He lived in such fear and agony. I must remember that the next time I run into what appears to be a jerk. Every person has their journey and most of those, so called jerks, are wounded people, living in fear, protecting their hearts from more pain.
Help me, God, to look at each person through your eyes. Cause me to be thankful for the billions of blessings You lavish upon me. Thank you that I can read!!!!...a common thing and yet such a miracle. Thank you that I have true friends who know me, my weaknesses, my fears, and my secrets. Plus, they love me! And most, most, most, thank you for Jesus, my best friend..... the friend who sticks closer then all the rest. I love you God, because You loved me first.

The Face Of Christ

Have you ever had someone tell you that you think too much? Well, I have.
In the early 90's, when our family home schooled, we did a unit on Indian's. Everyone in our family was given an Indian name. The name had to be an accurate description of the person being named. Dan gave us our names and I was delighted when he gave me mine! It was just right for me.My name is Deep River. Dan said that it is because I am a river of ever flowing thoughts, that go far deeper than anyone would think.
I've always been a thinker. I like to think, and I don't think that one can think too much. So if anyone tells you that you think too much, go ahead and claim it.
Now, what is really cool is when someone else takes the things that I think and puts them into words. Sometimes it happens through a sermon, some times through a speaker at a retreat or a conference and sometimes in a song. There are so many thoughts that only music can corner.
I like the lyrics to the following song because the song writer thinks like I tend to think as I go about life, wondering about the lives of the people I encounter.

The Face Of Christ by chris rice

He shares a room outside with a dozen other guys
And the only roof he knows is the sometimes starry sky
A tattered sleeping bag on a concrete slab is his bed
And it's too cold to talk tonight
So I just sit with him instead and think

* How did I find myself in a better place
I can't look down on the frown on the other guy's face
'Cause when I stoop down low, look him square in the eye
I get a funny feeling, I just might be dealing
With the face of Christ

After sixteen years in a cold, gray prison yard
Somehow his heart is soft, but keeping simple faith is hard
He lays his Bible open on a table next to me
And I hear his humble prayer
I feel his longing to be free someday *

See you had no choice which day you would be born
Or the color of your skin, or the planet you'd be on
Would your mind be strong, would your eyes be blue or brown
Whether daddy would be rich, or if mama stuck around at all

Bridge:
So if you find yourself in a better place
You can't look down on the frown on the other guy's face
You gotta stoop down low, look him square in the eye
And get a funny feeling, 'cause you might be dealing..... *

These lyrics for living are a great reminder to us! We never know when we may be entertaining angels unaware or maybe even Jesus Himself!

I Have a Thankful Heart

Today, after thinking about what to say about our 2006 family Thanksgiving, I realized that sometime in the last few years my favorite holiday has become Thanksgiving.
Our son, Jordan, loves Thanksgiving. The idea of the 3 F's (family, food, and football) is one of his favorites and going to his Grandma Vivian's there were always all 3, each in abundance. And even better then watching football on Grandma's big screen, there were several "real" games of football outside with his dad, sisters, cousin Nicholas and whatever neighbors joined in. For Jordan, each game was as big as the Superbowl itself. One of my biggest joys as a mom is watching my kids having fun with their dad and family.
Another contributing factor to my love for Thanksgiving also involves our son Jordan. Only 3 years ago, just before Thanksgiving, we came very close to losing Jordan during surgery in Iowa City, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Thanks be to God and the best doctors and nurses in the country we were given more time to enjoy our son on this earth. Definitely a Thanksgiving story of it's own.
Last and most importantly, Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday celebration because the longer I live and experience God the more I realize I have to be thankful for. The first time I sang at New Covenant Bible Church it was Thanksgiving time, around 1989. I sang a song by Petra called Thankful Heart.
If you know me, you know that I don't sing songs that I don't mean. I had a thankful heart.
Lots of water has passed under the bridge since then and God has been so awesome. He has given me more then I could have ever asked or imagined. At the time, if someone would have told me there was more, I would have said, "that's not possible. My heart is full." All I can say now is that somehow, over the years, my heart must have grown a few sizes and it is still full. God is so good and I praise Him. By His grace I will forever sing, I have a thankful heart.
Happy Thanksgiving!

"Thankful Heart"

* I have a thankful heart
That you have given me
And it can only come from You

There is no way to begin
To tell You how I feel
There are no words to express
How You've become so real
Jesus You've given me
So much I can't repay
I have no offering *

There is no way to begin
To tell You how I feel
There's nothing more I can say
And no way to repay
Your loving touch
That melts my heart of stone
Your steadfast love
I'll never be alone *
*chorus

My Journey Begins

It's May, 1978. I am 18 years old. I am at the Iowa High School Girls State Track Meet in Des Moines, Iowa. I'm done warming up and I'm just sitting around stretching. This isn't really new. This is the forth time that I have run in the state meet at Drake Stadium. I've run on this track in the Drake Relays too. But, there is one thing that I haven't done and that is to win the 1500 meter run at state. I ran the 1500 last year but we don't want to talk about that.
I have given it my all this season. Having run 2 and sometimes 3 times a day, I can't imagine not winning this race. How will I cope coming home with anything less than first place? How will I go on? Running has become everything to me. It's who I am. It's all that I am. Every time I've gone for a run, I've run this race(the race that in reality is minutes away). I've been focused. I've been determined. I've gone through every possible scenario, determining how I will respond both physically and mentally. Oh no! I am distracted again. I was so focused and suddenly I start thinking about God. Why do I keep thinking about God? God! I don't know lots about God but I know that He can do anything so if He's on my side, it can only help. The prayers have become part of every run and they happen spontaneously. They come when I least expect them. They are so intense.....so urgent. One minute I am running and the next I am crying out, "Please God, O please let me win this race. If I win this race I will give you all the credit God. If I win this race I will dedicate myself to living my life for you God. And God, if you let me win this race I will really believe that you care about ME." Before this track season the only prayers that I ever prayed were the ones you pray before bed at night. "God bless mom. God bless dad. God help grandma and brother and so on. Where did all of this come from? All I know is that it has been more then just using God. I'm not just wheeling and dealing. I really mean it.
OK, back to the here and now.
"All 1500 meter runners meet at the SE corner of the track!" Oh man. My heart is beating. This is it. This is the time I have been living for. No more lonely morning runs. No more team practice runs. No more dark evening runs. No more going through the school day unable to think about anything but this race. No more wondering. No more... "RASMUSSEN," the official calls out my name.
"I'm here," I say. Our eyes meet and he smiles at me...like he knows something I don't know. Something good. He continues on his way.
"OK girls, as soon as this group of runners go by we are going to line up."
Time to take off my sweats. A few teammates are here with me, taking my stuff, offering words of encouragement, just hanging out. But it's different then ever before. It is so surreal, I can't explain it. There is a strange calm amidst the adrenaline. There is noise all around. Noise from the crowd. Voices of my coach and my fans from the stands. Teammates saying all sorts of final words before they go to spread around the track and cheer me on. Meet officials ordering instructions and the meet announcer letting the crowd know that Robin Rasmussen is now lining up in lane 3! It's never been like this. There is amazing peace in all of this noise. Everything is moving in slow motion and I am beginning to believe that something big is about to happen and I am going to be a part of it.
BAM!!
I don't recall much of the race. All I remember is that I was ahead at the beginning and I was ahead at the end. It was one of those runs....where you think you should be getting tired and you don't, and you don't.... and you still don't. It was a different world. I was lost in it all. I remember with 200 meters to go and I was told that it was all mine....no one was close. I was getting stronger and stronger as well as more and more aware of that calm...that peace. I crossed the finish line.
I'm not the type to celebrate. I've won countless races throughout high school and when I've won before, I've crossed the line, checked in with the official, stepped off the track, gathered my sweats and cooled down. So today when my arms went up and my eyes touched the sky, I was a bit surprised. I will never forget the sky that day. I was paralyzed in the moment as teammates and meet officials were pushing in around me. I started to fall. My body hit the track but I didn't feel it. It was as though I was caught in arms of down. I was in another world, a different realm. It was similiar to the world I sensed around me when the prayers first began but then it was just around me. Now I was in it. Held close, in the center. It was a perfect world, a spiritual world. It was God's world. Every prayer and promise came back and I was awe struck. God cared about ME. The race I had just won........it was suddenly nothing. I didn't even care. Something bigger was happening and it consumed me. A new journey had just begun for me. The God of the universe had just introduced Himself to me and I knew that my life would never be the same. Thus begins, Robin's Road.

Robin's Road

Two roads diverged in the middle of my life I heard a wise man say. I took the one less traveled by and it's made the difference every night and every day.

Matthew 7:14 "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life."