PARADISE REVEALED

Mike's move to the wide open spaces of Washington County has been both an opportunity and a challenge for him. New ground opened up for discovery and Mike has been doing his homework. He is "on point" for game trails, discovering deer sign, observing habitat, filling feeders, etc. The weather has made these hikes glorious and he has already shot a hog and taken some great game-camera pics of a black bear.

This morning Mike was up and out at 5:30 and had covered a big square of ground in an area that the owners/friends call "Thar Woods". He had already seen three bucks and lots of squirrels (they are cutting nuts like crazy this

week) and he happened to look down at the ground and was about to put his foot on a 4.5 foot velvet-tailed timber rattler. The snake was not curled up and rattling, but was stretched out in the morning sun. (Note: pic to the left is not the actual snake.) The rattler's circumference was bulging behind his head...it was so large that it would have taken both of Mike's hands to go around it. Perhaps the critter had just swallowed a squirrel for breakfast and was just resting and making a mental "to do" list for the day as the lump in his throat passed. Maybe he was thinking how well the morning had gone. But then my husband crossed his path and the pain began.

Mike's morning hike was more a "Lewis and Clark" exploration rather than a hunt. So he was not packing heat. Well now...THAT raised the stakes at this standoff. But Mike's adrenaline snapped in and with a primal urge, he picked up rocks and stoned the reptile. Of course, the man's intensity matched his desire to do mortal damage to the rattlesnake. The rocks found their mark, but the man's rotator cuff was worse for wear. I guess that made the score 1-1. The snake died, but Mike carries a nagging reminder of the conflict. Thankfully, there will be one less velvet-tail with 12 rattles to stumble upon in the early morning darkness.

Some men are made to be satisfied in the outdoors and Mike Cruse is such a man. He finds quietness for his soul and a kinship with his Maker there. Mike moves through the woods as easily as I move through a cluttered antique store. He could narrate most of the NatGeo nature specials because he "knows things" about the habits of so many wild creatures. This week PBS is running a Ken Burns special on the National Parks and that has been such a treat for us to watch. Mike has identified with John Muir (assuming Muir worshipped the Creator and not the creation). Although I used to think "the woods" were my competition, I've come to appreciate the symbiotic relationship that they share. I love my nature-loving man!

"The basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of his divine being. So nobody has a good excuse." Romans 1:19, 20 The Message

THE CRIMSON COUNTENANCE

Can you remember a time when you were embarrassed unto beet red? I mean embarrassed so that you were BEGGING the ground to swallow you up? I can remember that happening to me at least twice, and that's remarkable because I've NEVER been accused of having a good memory. One time that stands out in my mind is from waaay back in 1959 or 60. I can remember that vignette like I'm watching the video LIVE.

My friends and I were old enough to have a leash that extended probably a couple of miles from our house. In those days, we walked everywhere freely; 1960 was pre-predators. Often our destination was a drug store by Big Star on Gee Street. In the back of this drug store was a soda fountain and we would walk there to buy a coke or an ice cream cone. Baby-sitting money must have been burning a hole in this thirteen-year-old's pocket.

Somewhere along the line, someone thought of doing a daring thing. What if we took our ticket from the soda fountain...and wandered up through the store and pretended to be shopping for a while...and then casually just walked out past the cashier without paying...how would they know if we had paid or not? I don't remember if I thought up the plan, but I do remember being afraid the kids wouldn't like me if I didn't go along. (Note to self: 49 years have gone by and I'm still working on that trait of people pleasing.) I can remember the moment I decided to go along, even though that first time was so scarey. Then...liberation...we got away with it! The clerks were so easy to fool. The next few times when we did it, it got easier and easier. My "pretending to shop" act took on more and more flourish. I was Greta Garbo reborn.

Now the next part is fuzzy. I had great parents and I can't remember how Mother found out. I think they had a Mother Underground back then with a hotline. Thank goodness. Anyway, one awful day Mama asked me about it. I remember her face and how it hurt her to even ask me if it were true. I spilled the beans right away because being found out was killin' me. When I admitted it was true, she told me that I had stolen from those people and I should make it right. I was feeling so low you couldn't slide a razor blade under me. Quickly I agreed that I should pay them back (although I had no idea how many times I had done it) and she agreed. I thought that meant that she would take the money in for me. Imagine my shock when Mother insisted that I take the money to them and confess and tell them how sorry I was for taking things without paying for them.

I remember very well the "slow molasses dread" of the car ride to the drug store. I remember Mother pulling up in front, and me getting out by myself. I remember being glad there were no customers at the front cash register. The lady behind the counter asked if she might help me and I handed her some money. She asked me what the money was for...and my countenance glowed red like hot charcoal briquettes. I explained the dirty deed and said that I was so sorry (I was sorry all right!) and I would NEVER do it again. The lady said something encouraging about how she appreciated my honesty to come in and admit what I had done (like it was ME who thought of the plan!).

Back in the car, I can remember being so glad that my life of crime was over. What a relief! And there even was a smidgen of pride that I had done the right thing in confessing. My Mother was a pretty smart cookie. I can't recall EVER even being tempted to take something that was not mine after that. Consequences are prime motivators. Looking back, I can't say that I "fessed up" because I had a sense of disappointing Jesus. I'm sure Mama told me to tell God that I was sorry. But there was someone in front of me with flesh and bones that I had disappointed and THAT nearly broke my heart. The episode was tough love and Mother must have gotten an "A" in parenting that semester.

"He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion." Proverbs 28:13

Note: This picture is from 1961 when I was in 9th grade. I found the 1960 picture, but the writer retains the right to pick the cutest one. Besides, the red sweater coordinated with the theme.

ADDENDUM TO "UNRAVELED"

In the blog two days ago, I found myself "feeling better" about our political turmoil by remembering how BIG our God is. And that is a great perspective adjustor. He did speak everything into existence and we are tiny specks as ants. But as I thought about those chapters in Isaiah (40-42), I realized that God's bigness only tells half His story. Those chapters also speak of the marvelous/inexplicable other side of God. Yes, He is the powerful Creator, but He also is the tender Shepherd.

Listen to this from The Message. It is talking about God knowing it all (literally a know-it-all) and not getting tired out or pausing to catch His breath as He works with people...

"He energizes those who get tired and He gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind." (Isaiah 40:29-31)

"God's message, the God who created the cosmos, stretched out the skies, laid out the earth and all that grows from it, Who breathes life into earth's people and makes them alive with his own life: 'I am God. I have called you to live right and well. I have taken responsibility for you, kept you safe. I have set you among my people to bind them to me, and provided you as a lighthouse to the nations, to make a start at bringing people into the open, into light; opening blind eyes, releasing prisoners from dungeons, emptying the dark prisons.' " (Isaiah 42:5-7)

God says "I'll take the hand of those who don't know the way, who can't see where they're going. I'll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. These are the things I'll be doing for them - sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute." (Isaiah 42:16)

Our God made the cosmos and keeps it running...and also tenderly reaches down to minister to us. Like a father, He takes us by the hand. He is far above us, but right beside us. What a package!

"For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created by Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

Colossians 1:16,17 (NASV)

UNRAVELED

It seems like our country is coming unraveled at an alarming rate. Well, then I should get busy writing thank-you notes to:

1. The press. Their choice was not to vet Obama's candidacy. After the election, we got silly swooning rather than objective reporting. And after Wednesday night's big speech (when the polls say 53% of the American public want no part of the President's plan)...media comments were shameless ("a touch of greatness/ something in there for everybody/a remarkable speech/the speech rebranded the President as a centrist"). So by putting whatever goals you media must have...over the welfare of your country, you lead the enablers list.

2. The Democratic party. By keeping a lid on things you obviously must have known for a long time (but chose to ignore), you put career over country and rode the gravy train into power.

3. The black community. Ninety-six percent of you chose race before country (while assuming racism in everyone else).

4. The politically unconcerned and watching Survivor reruns. Snoozing through your political responsibility put amusement over country.

5. The young people who took the President at his word. Thank you for your idealism. As the impact of what you have done sinks in, please write it off as experience. Rather than becoming cynical, commit to examine deeds. It's oft repeated, but true: people do what you inspect, not what you expect.

6. The wide circle of radical friends around Mr. Obama. You are responsible for the puzzled look on Hillary's face. Mrs. Clinton was sure that people would connect the dots and public outrage would sink her opponent's ship. That didn't happen.

And WHY, do you think those dots never did connect? Are we all just busy pursuing our own courses? Do we not take such claims seriously...or understand how such a claim would affect the country..or care? Surely we care. Surely we haven't taken our blessing of liberty for granted. In my 62 years, we sure have "had it good".

When I feel unsettled, I find chocolate comforting, but not permanent. So I look at what the Book says...and the Book says "this is the day that the Lord has made". Huh? Even this day that feels like a Jacuzzi on full tilt? Yes! Isaiah nails it with these questions from the "commonspeak" version of the Bible called The Message:

"Who has scooped up the ocean in his two hands, or measured the sky between his thumb and little finger? Who has put all the earth's dirt in one of his baskets, weighed each mountain and hill? Who could ever have told God what to do or taught him his business? What expert would he have gone to for advice, what school would he attend to learn justice? What god do you suppose might have taught him what he knows, showed him how things work? Why, the nations are but a drop in a bucket, a mere smudge on a window. Watch him sweep up the islands like so much dust off the floor! There aren't enough trees in Lebanon nor enough animals in those vast forests to furnish adequate fuel and offerings for his worship. All the nations add up to simply nothing before him - less than nothing is ore like it. A minus.

Have you not been paying attention? Have you not been listening? Haven't you heard these stories all your life? Don't you understand the foundation of all things? God sits on high above the round ball of earth. The people look like mere ants. He stretches out the skies like a canvas - yes, like a tent canvas to live under. He ignores what all the princes say and do. The rulers of the earth count for nothing. Princes and rulers don't amount to much. Like seeds barely rooted, just sprouted, they shrivel when God blows on them. Like flecks of chaff, they're gone with the wind."

Well, THAT was a wonderful reminder of Who is in control! Listen to some more of what God sez:

" 'So - who is like me? Who holds a candle to me?' says the Holy. Look at the night skies - who do you think made all this? Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off, calls each by name - so magnificent!...so powerful! And never overlooks a single one.

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or whine, Israel, saying 'God has lost track of me...He doesn't care what happens to me'? Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God LASTS. He's the Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows EVERYTHING, inside and out.

'I, yes I, am God. I'm the only Savior there is. I spoke, I saved. I told you what existed long before these upstart gods appeared on the scene. And you know it, you're my witnesses you're the

evidence...God's Decree."

Yes, I am God. I've always been God and I always will be God. No one can take anything from me. I make, who can unmake it?

Who out there fears God, actually listens to the voice of his servant? For anyone out there who doesn't know where you are going, anyone groping in the dark - here's what: TRUST GOD."

OK, I feel better now.

A NEW YORK CITY MOVE

Tonight Mike and I got it together enough to have company after 10 WEEKS in this house. Our first guests were Beth and Nate...and it was just frozen lasagna...but it finally felt "normal" to invite someone over. As I was setting the table, I had a random flashback. I remembered that when I was little, when company was coming for dinner Momma would let me use my crayons to decorate the white paper napkins. That made me feel like a special part of the preparation. You know how good it feels to go to someone's house and open the door to wonderful smells and the table already set. Then I thought of the other Cruses who just undertook a move 10 DAYS ago. And I wondered how Brad and Laura's progress was going. Moving in New York City is no piece of cake; Brad said carrying moving boxes on the bus was a pain. This is a special couple who choose to live where the Lord is not famous...that they might make Him known.

Here is something four-year-old Hanna might tell about their move:

"Hi! My name is Hanna and my family lives in New York City. We just moved last weekend. It was a lot of trouble to just move twenty blocks. But my Daddy is happy because the rent is less and he says it is like he got a nice raise. Our space went from almost 1,000 square feet to about 800 square feet. My Momma says that she traded a real kitchen for a kitchenette, but she's adapting.

My little sister Caroline and I now have a school just across the street that Daddy and Momma really like for us (when it is time for us to go). And our brownstone apartment is on the ground floor so there will be no more climbing three flights of stairs. This apartment even has a "yard". We like to ride our trike in the backyard and play with chalk.

When my new brownstone was converted to apartments, they cut a hole in the floor and put in a really cool black wrought iron spiral staircase so we can get downstairs to our bedrooms. A fireman's pole might have been faster. When my parent's bed wouldn't fit down the staircase, the movers wanted to cut it in half. But my Daddy figured out a way to disassemble a wall of bookshelves so the box

springs could get a better angle...and...it fit! My Daddy is good with spacial awareness.

We are also glad our piano made it safely. Daddy says that the movers earned their money.

My little sister and I like to go to the park on most pretty days and we still live close to both Riverside and Central Park. For the Labor Day weekend, we went boating in Central Park and that was fun!

Caroline and I are playing like we will get married and I have on a "wedding crown". My sister says she's getting "berried"...but she won't hold my hand like you're supposed to.

Mimi and Aunt Beth are coming to New York City to see us soon. And I want to go to Arkansas to see their new house, too. Did you know my Papa and Mimi moved to a new town where my cousin lives? They live in the country and there are deer in their backyard. The End."

Romans 10:14 in The Message says:

"But how can people call for help

if they don't know who to trust?

And how can they know who to trust if they haven't heard of the One who can be trusted?

And how can they hear if nobody tells them?"