MY HERO

Today in Jacksonville, Florida, one of my heroes is having a birthday. Hat's off to Erma, who is Hanna and Caroline's "other" grandmother.

If Erma hadn't birthed our daughter-in-law, we might never have met. But Laura is not the main reason that Erma is my hero. Erma makes beautiful clothes for the little girls; she can "copy" or make a reality anything that Laura describes. That's a huge asset, but still is not the main reason I admire her.

I look up to Erma because she exemplifies the Philippians verse about considering others to be more important than herself. She is like many "unsung" folks who care for an Alzheimer's loved one. Erma cares for her husband, Jim.

We first met Jim and Erma six years ago during the wedding prep for Brad and Laura. Immediately we coined a nickname "JimDear" for Laura's Daddy...perhaps because Jim had a crusty outer shell after years in law enforcement. Most readers will not remember 1955, but that was the year "Lady and the Tramp" came out. And the human couple in the movie were named JimDear and Darling. Our Jim might be crusty outside, but he has a soft center for his little girl, Laura.

The Lord is faithful to provide the strength for us on the path He calls us to walk. Erma loves the Lord and depends on Him. Still, my life experience puts my heart very close to Erma. I know that being conscious of another person's whereabouts and welfare for 24/7...is weighty. This lady is not a complainer, but she IS stubborn and will not allow much help. I'm so thankful for her sense of humor. That's a saving grace like the jiggler on top of a pressure cooker.

Erma is always careful not to dishonor her husband...but please understand that if you don't laugh at some of the inane things, your head would explode. Here is a peek into just one hour of a "normal" day...

Jim and Erma were in a store. She sat Jim beside the dressing room door as she went in to try on something, and the next thing she knew...her name was broadcast over the store intercom like an Amber alert. It doesn't pay to be out of sight.

So my hero Erma gets a shout-out on her special day because she is a special lady. God bless and keep you, Friend! You illustrate the Philippians verse for me:

"Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, and became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death - and the worst kind of death at that: a crucifixion. Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever...so that all created beings in heaven and on earth - even those long dead and buried - will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father." Philippians 2.4-11 TM

JINGLE BELLS IN JANUARY

We all know that birthdays (like hair) can come with extensions. I personally have been known to milk a birthday for several consecutive days...or, if need be, even a week. Our family claimed that extension privilege for Christmas this year.

The Big Apple Cruses came for Christmas in the middle of January. Mike and I had taken most of the decorations down, but we left up the tree and the outside lights. Although I would have been the first to declare "tacky" the practice of leaving up Christmas lights too long, Hanna (4.5) and Caroline (2.5) both twinkled along with the lights. Nate (5.5) liked the icicle lights around the back patio the best.

The weather cooperated most days that they were here. We were able to have a campfire with smores, ride the four wheeler, swing on the tree swing, go to a wedding, play at Aunt Beth and Uncle Matt's, and eat pretty regularly. Laura is pregnant and due in July, and she had a fried chicken itch that AQ Chicken was unable to scratch in one visit. We ate there twice. Funny as it may sound, Hanna and Caroline just enjoyed playing in what was to them a big space (a house and a yard). And their mother had access to a car and the mall.

Here are some pictures of the Cruses. The really high resolution ones were taken by our friend, LeAnne Winters, with her new camera. The girls had on beautiful black velveteen coats/hats that their other grandmother made them. Nate was obedient, but not thrilled with the project.

So here are the Cruses (Brad, Laura, Hanna and Caroline), the Saferites (Matt, Beth and Nate), plus Papa and Mimi...as our 2009 Christmas celebration continued into 2010.

I CHOOSE YOU

Last night I asked Mike if we could adopt a Haitian orphan. He very calmly said..."and which of my wives would help me raise that child?" OK, so I'm not getting around so well anymore. Dadgummit. But then today I got up and read this story in the New York Times. GOD BLESS the New York Times for running this story:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/us/26orphans.html

Can't WAIT for you to read the article. It may warm the cockles of your heart (whatever those are). The piece also has a place to click on an audio by Kristin Heaton (the adoptive mom) as she tells their story. And be sure to click on the MARVELOUS 18 pictures. Don't miss a one. What a wonderful story!

I thank the Lord that He puts the desire for adoption in many, many hearts. Adoption serves as a snapshot for us to understand just what God had in mind when He adopted US:

1. Those children survived the quake, but had very little hope in life. Did you see the "before" picture of the orphanage babies? Now just look at the "after" pictures and see the love being lavished on the girls. God lavishes love on His adopted ones! "Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us...that we should be called the sons of God."

2. One day those little girls had one particular last name; today they have a new name. That's how it is when we come into God's family. One day my name was Separated, now my name is Included. That might sound pompous except all I did to receive my name...was to yield.

3. The future possibilities for Bettania and Dieunette dramatically changed; so did my possibilities when I set my heart on eternity.

4. How the girls view life will be uniquely shaped by the parents who raise them. The believer's indwelling Spirit gives unique perspective to see things as God sees them.

5. In a blink, Bettania and Dieunette had a large family who loved and welcomed them. Look at the joy on all the faces. The body of Christ is that for believers. When we moved into our new Fayetteville neighborhood, we had an instant bond with the believers in our neighborhood and in our new church.

6. The girls were not accepted on the basis of anything that they accomplished. That is so like God's amazing grace. Did you notice the picture taken in their garage? There is a sign on the garage wall proclaiming God's name, Jehovah Nissi. That is saying...we are under God's "banner" of protection and deliverance. Think that name will always be precious to Bettania and Dieunette?

Now a final stretching thought. When you see the pictures, you can see why the Heaton family wanted to provide a home for these little girls. They are cutie peetooties. But what about our adoption? I don't know about you, but I know my heart. Why would God long for US to the extent that He would give up His own child so we could be with Him? God's love and mercy are beyond comprehension.

"His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure." Ephesians 1.5 NLT

HAITIAN COURAGE

A tweet from Max Lucado today said that he was bemoaning and groaning about a busy Monday until he remembered Haiti's struggles and he shut his mouth. Haiti is an overwhelming backdrop that causes everything else to pale.

Out of the upheaval, those brave souls raised their hands to heaven. We look on and our questions turn our thoughts to heaven.

It's heartbreaking although we pray for mercy and help to send help. God, bless the children. Our grandchildren just went home and I thought I was tired. How tiring would it be to find three meals a day and safe shelter in the midst of chaos?

The LA Times has been a great source for photos; their photographers are sending in poignant glimpses of the story daily. As in the last blog, credit for these pictures goes to the LA Times.

"In all their suffering, He also suffered..." Isaiah 63.9 NLT

HAITI SHAKES OUR WORLD (photos from latimes.com)

When the January 12th terror shook our southern neighbors, Americans responded generously. The quake also shook loose some dandy questions:

Why are these poor people losing the bare minimum they have to sustain life? Isn't that cruel? Is it true they made a pact with the devil...and what does that mean, anyway? Does God punish people for blending voodoo into His gospel? Why would God allow such suffering and destruction?

Huge questions. They have bounced around in my mind a LOT lately. Some folks have fired off answers that perhaps they wish they hadn't fired off. Others simply got snarky about "devil speculation" (as if there weren't such a thing). But people who are serious and curious DO wonder. I have questions still after googling and wikipedia-ing and thinking and reading and praying. But what about some of these thoughts...

Haitians are desperately poor and now they have lost what little they may have had. How fair is that? True. But Haitians have Someone they can never lose...

Our son Brad spent one summer at a mission in Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Mike was also there for a week. When they returned, they talked a lot about the light in the faces of the people who were happy although they had so very little. Mike and Brad were both struck by that truth. When Haitians bow their head to thank the Lord for their food, they MEAN it. When the Lord provides a physical need, they know who their Provider is. So...who is really poor?

"Listen, dear friends. Isn't it clear by now that God operates quite differently? He chose the world's down-and-out as the kingdom's first citizens, with full rights and privileges. This kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God." James 2.5 TM

Last summer when Mike and I left Little Rock, our movers loaded everything into a couple of yellow trucks for the two day move. Late that afternoon, we passed the trucks backed up to a Red Roof Inn on the outskirts of Fayetteville. It was weird to pass all your worldly goods beside the road. I wondered out loud "what if someone breaks into the truck and takes our stuff?" At that point Mike thought that was a pretty liberating idea. He had lugged stuff around about as many times as he cared. The Cruses have been given much, and we will be held accountable for the much we have been given. I'm not wanting to toss it, but still...I can see how "stuff" can be both captivating and insulating.

What about the question about how cruel it was for Haitians to undergo the crisis?

They called out to Jesus. They prayed. They looked up and rethought their connection to God. Perhaps now they may even have a chance for good neighbors to do some restructuring of their government and infrastructure, and lend more of a helping hand to their economy. Perhaps oversight by foreign governments will provide the accountability they have needed for stability. Those are all good things, not cruel things, that could come from "bad".

Cruelty is when dictators siphon off money from people who live on less than $1 a day. "You insult your Maker when you exploit the powerless; when you are kind to the poor, you honor God." Proverbs 14.21

Cruelty is a 30-year corrupt father/son Duvalier rule in Haiti, with their dreaded tonton machete gangs who terrorized the powerless with killings and beatings. Cruelty is when "Baby Doc" Duvalier took over from his father, married, and spent 3 million dollars on his wedding. How nauseating is that? Then a former priest who espoused liberation theology became the next corrupt dictator. Remember Aristide? It was 1990 and was called Haiti's first "free election". But I also remember how Aristide threatened his opponents with "the necklace" (flaming tires around the neck to burn them alive). Cruel? Yes. Was it freedom? My hind leg.

For years the people of Haiti have been victims of leaders who have not kept their oath to provide for the public's good. Can you believe that in the 1700's Haiti was the richest country in the Western hemisphere? Inconceivable. Today you could easily guess it is the poorest country.

What about this devil pact the Haitians could have made? How do you make a pact with the devil?

Simplistically, either you give God the right-of-way for your liferoad ahead, or YOU are at the wheel because you hold the deed to your life. Let's suppose for a minute that the Haitians did yearn for freedom from the French and asked the "alternate power source" for help. What time would that have been? They supposedly signed the pact in 1791. Haiti has had SEVEN major earthquakes before the one we witnessed in January. Six of the seven earthquakes happened BEFORE that 1791 pact. How COULD the pact have caused the earthquake? (Thanks to Dr. Jim Denison @ informedfaith.com for that insight.)

And what about blending Christianity and voodoo? In our country, that would be such a no-brainer/no-no. But in Haiti, they seem to reach out to God with some of their old African ways. If the devil is the source of the power grab, then it offends God and He will take care of it. But if they are reaching out to God to the best of their ability, I'm for letting God sort it out. God sees the hearts of men accurately; He's the only One able to judge righteously.

Can I be totally sure God is not spanking the people for the voodoo? No. He may be taking them to the woodshed if they are on a self-destructive path. That's because God is good and this life is not all there is. He wants as many to come to Him as will make that choice during this dress rehearsal of life. He doesn't want hell for anyone. The Haitians who knew Christ and died in the quake were delivered to a better address. Zap. Think they would want to come back? I don't think so. But what about the ones who did not belong to Him? That's where our trust comes in.

We believe (because we trust God's goodness) that each heart had sovereignly received their last offer to trust Him. And even if those godless souls were given another 100 or 1,ooo years, they still would not bend the knee. Forrest Gump might say "stubborn is as stubborn does".

Now for the big boy of hard questions...why would a good God allow suffering?

Did God blink that day when the tectonic plates shifted? Nope. He knew what would happen. The answer to the "why" question about Him allowing suffering is..."who knows?". We cannot presume to know God's mind, but we CAN presume to know His character. Reading the Book helps us know how His character has been expressed in the past. He never changes, so even in the most dreadful of circumstances (like the Haitians faced), or in circumstances that we might face, we can know that the Lord has it on His radar, has the ability to bring good from it, and is still in total control. He spoke heaven and earth into being. How hard would it be to steady tectonic plates?

Matthew explains God's sovereignty over our affairs. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father." Matthew 10.29 NIV

El Elyon (The Most High God) sees and He knows and He is in control. We can believe Him just as Abraham did. "Abraham entered into what God was doing for him, and that was the turning point. He trusted God to set him right instead of trying to be right on his own." Romans 4.3 TM

Or, the same verse in a version we are more familiar with..."Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous." Romans 4.3 NLT

THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT

from ghoulies and ghosties

and long-leggedy beasties

and things that go bump in the night

good Lord, deliver us!

(Scottish prayer)

I can't be sure about ghoulies and ghosties...or long-leggedy beasties. But can we agree that "things go bump" in the night because daylight prohibits their cover? I've been thinking a lot about the stars lately. It was a true kindness for God to put nightlights in the sky. Utter darkness would bring all sorts of opportunity for bad behavior around our globe. And lately, our politicians have repeatedly employed a "cover of darkness" to conduct the people's business. Why would that be? Would the business not stand up to the light of day? Here are a few examples from the growing list of dark deeds from our transparent administration:

Democrats huddled up behind closed doors ("no Republicans allowed") as they revamped 20% of the nation's economy. That's right, one-fifth of our economy...and half of the legislative branch was not allowed to be present. But Republicans weren't the only ones left out of deliberations. "We the people" were not allowed to read the 2,000 page plan, and even fellow Congressional members were urged to "just pass it and then we will explain it later". Talk about not seeing the light of day...

Our government was founded on separation of powers. We have checks-and-balances so that one branch can look over the other's shoulder and everyone is protected. Enter the unsupervised czars. Can't check their appointment; can't look over their shoulder. Add power to unaccountability and what do you get? Darkness.

Michelle Obama and Social Office Secretary Desiree Rogers (who have been friends for twenty years) both have made a point to say that NOW the White House would be returned to being known as "the people's house". And so the people named Salahis took them up on that promise. When Desiree wanted to go to the party instead of stay by the door (or post someone else to check guests), the gate crashers created a huge security breach. Instead of Desiree's head rolling, the White House would not let her answer a Congressional subpoena to testify...or any press questions. So much for the promise of open government. Turn out the lights, the party's over.

When we lost the term "war on terror" and the "overseas contingency operation" was in...we scratched our heads. When the Attorney General wanted to bring terrorists to NYC to be tried as criminals, we scratched our heads. When they wanted to send Gitmo terrorists back to Yemen, more scratching. And now scratch and sniff the admin's response to the last two terrorist schemes (Ft. Hood/Christmas Day flight). The President asked us "not to jump to any conclusions about Maj. Hasan"...our Homeland Security chief said "the system worked" (before she ate crow and re-explained it)...and the president turned the panty-bomber over to law enforcement. The young man was singing until he got a lawyer. Huh? Why should a Nigerian get American rights? Was he not a combatant? Could the military have learned some helpful things? Now today (ten days later) the admin says mistakes were made, and they HAVE allowed the bomber to be questioned. Well, public outcry apparently works, but where is a President who would act in our best interest FIRST?

Now the latest thing to come to light happened on Christmas Eve when President Obama gave a blank check to Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. Really? http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/economy/ceos-at-fannie-mae-and-freddie-mac-could-receive-6-million-in-compensation-for-2009-80055842.html

You can bet most folks did not hear about that giveaway because it was dumped into the news stream Christmas Eve. But the article explains how the government has basically handed an ATM card to FM/FM (by removing their $400 billion dollar cap) to keep them afloat. Of course, this is AFTER already giving them $111 BILLION. And by acting before the end of the year, they did not have to get an "ok" from Congress. That was an end run around the people, because the people are not in favor of giving more money to Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac.

Where are the high beams when you need light? Let's pray for an unveiling...

"He is the unveiler of deep and secret things; he has knowledge of what is in the dark, and the light has its living-place with him." (Daniel explains his God to King Nebuchadnezzar - Daniel 2.22 BBE)

ANAGRAM

Two things that are close to this old teacher's heart:

playing with words (like this anagram cartoon that was in today's paper)

and a Nate story about a play on words

I had forgotten what an anagram was. That's neat that you can take the letters in a word ("Yemen") and rearrange them into another word ("enemy"). That's fun to play. Elvis lives.

I grew up in a house where my father (Popi) played with words all the time. It tickled the listener ONLY because it tickled Popi so much. He had certain jokes (like slapping your back and saying "good to see your back again") that were so overused and so anticipated...that they would be completely maddening if you didn't see the merriment that Popi got out of them.

Nate is growing up just like Popi. That's a mini-miracle, considering he never knew Popi. But right now, Nate is in a rhyming phase, and doing "why did the chicken cross the road" jokes, and seeing irony in language ("the countertop can't count!"). Last night he spent the night over here and was soaking in bubbles and playing with his plastic bath toys. I heard Nate say to a pink plastic crab..."Do you know what your name will be? Mr. Taxicrab!".

Can you be a genius at five?

"Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in your eyes, O Lord, my strength and my salvation." Psalm 19.14 BBE