Reflections of Wayne

It's so fitting that today, May 26th, is Memorial Day. Although he wasn't a veteran, May 26th is my brother's birthday, and he would have been 44 today. He died at age 40...3 years and 3 months ago after a 3 month intense struggle with cancer took its toll. Although those few final months are vivid in my memory in both painful and beautiful ways, my memory takes me back to one particular day just a few months before his illness evidenced itself. My dad and I were shooting at some targets at Wayne's house. Eventually Wayne came out to join us, holster and all, looking like a big kid playing John Wayne in some old western movie. My heart still laughs to think of the sight of him that day.

So, I'm just remembering....

Expectations

I feel like I've been away for so long...you probably feel the same since it's been several weeks since I've written anything new. I have been consumed with editing for a new phase of workbooks coming out this summer...sometime in July I suspect. This phase of editing is winding down nicely and we will have three new workbooks to offer on the topics of:
Spiritual Insecurity
Widows' Grief
Childhood Abuse

These are all beautifully written with compassion and hope and vision for the future.

On another note, I was just reviewing some teaching notes from some recent church services and I came across some intriguing notes on Expectations...and how Jesus failed to meet people's expectations.
-Judas wanted financial resolution
-the people honored Jesus with palm branches, but within a week, they yelled, "Crucify him!"
They possibly expected him to free them from Roman rule, and they were disappointed.

Do we have an expectation of what Jesus will do if we follow Him?
He calls us to die..."If you lose your life, you will find it."

As we draw close to Him, we'll pray less for our circumstances to change and more for our own hearts to change.

(Notes based on the teaching of Pastor Peter Rufener, Saline Community Church, 3/16/08.)