He Died for Me

"He died for me," she said, her voice firm, "and I have to live for him."

By Molly Hennessy-Fiske and David Zucchino, Los Angeles Times

January 17, 2011

Quoting Mavanell "Mavy" Stoddard, whose husband shielded her from a gunman’s attack.

This very real event captured the nation’s attention

with the sobering reality;

we met face to face with

more than a vivid picture of our own mortality.

Why was this murder different

than other tragic losses of life?

Mrs. Stoddard lives

because her husband sacrificed himself

for her.

This action is

not within the grasp of logic,

not in keeping with independence,

not declaring human rights or privileges.

And it was not a kneejerk reaction.

Mr. Stoddard began preparing

for this moment

when he first looked into her eyes,

when he said, “I do…until death do us part…”

when he chose to love her sacrificially

day by day,

through the big decisions in their marriage,

and moment by moment

through the little things of life.

He was well-versed in the art

of sacrifice.

If only he didn’t need to… but he did.

There was another,

a very real event which captured my attention

with the sobering reality;

I met face to face with

more than a vivid picture of my own mortality.

I live

because Jesus sacrificed Himself

for me.

~ae

“For one will hardly die for a righteous man;

though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us,

in that while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.”

~Romans 5:7,8

Struck Out

Have you ever read or studied a portion of Scripture

which tells about someone who did something

really dumb and selfish

and acted without consulting God? 

Did you think, or even discuss, how ridiculous

that person must have been for doing so? 

Did you ever imagine yourself

in that Biblical person’s shoes

and conclude that the scene would have turned out entirely different

because you would have blah, blah, blah?

I have. 

“When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord

standing in the way with his drawn sword in his hand,

the donkey turned off from the way and went into the field;

but Balaam struck the donkey to turn her back in the way…

…she pressed herself to the wall

and pressed Balaam’s foot against the wall,

so he struck her again…” 

~Numbers 22:23-25

Once again,

I must plead with God

for forgiveness,

and ask Him to reveal His purposes for me

through His Word,

rather than stand in judgment over others,

Biblical or my own loved ones.

Once again,

I must humbly ask someone who bore the brunt of my selfishness

for forgiveness,

and begin rebuilding trust.

~ae

“Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, ‘I have sinned.’” 

~Numbers 22:34

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

As far as the east is from the west,

so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Just as a father has compassion on his children,

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

For He Himself knows our frame;

He is mindful that we are but dust.” 

~Psalm 103:11-14

Reading the Readers

Through swamps of words

slogging waist deep,

exhausted readers

yield to sleep.

Through desert treks

o’er factual crust,

readers dry up

from eating dust.

Through gushing streams

of sentiment,

readers lose grip

from thoughts’ intent.

Through word pictures

that draw the mind,

the readers’ hearts

are thus inclined.

~ae

Um... Why?

A recent phone call from my three year old grandson...
*Note:  Tutu is Hawai'ian for Grandma
"Hi Tutu!"
"Well hello there!"
"Um, Tutu?... are you gonna come to my house?"
"Actually, just Papa and Uncle are going to come to your house; Tutu can't come this time."
"Oh.  Why can't you come?  Because you're a girl?"
"Well, no.  I have to go to work at the office."
"Oh.  At the post office, Tutu?"
"Well, no.  I work at the doctor's office, but I'm not sick.  Isn't that funny?"
"But Papa is coming to my house?"
"Yes!"
"Are you gonna come with Papa?"
"I'm sorry, Honey, not this time."
"Oh..."
"I love you!"
"Um... Can Papa and Tutu come to my house?"...


I can relate to my grandson.  I am in the midst of writer's block, an interesting phenomenon that arrives precisely when it's not wanted.  Of course, it's never wanted.  


There are so many thing about the human mind that no one understands.  And within the pockets of bountiful understand, wisdom moments and creative surges, none of us can even scratch the surface of beginning to understand God and His Ways.

"Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; 

it is too high, I cannot attain to it."  

~Psalm 139:6

An Idea to Consider

When a new Idea is born,

there is nothing that can drive a wedge

between Reality and Potential;

they are inseparable.

The Idea takes to the wing with

excitement for what will be,

joy for the adventure, passion for the game!

Every occasion seems to breathe on topic,

every conversation hints in context,

every dream makes larger than life the future's path.

Energy is poured into perfecting,

analyzing, streamlining, as the infant Idea

progresses through stages of maturity.

It’s a creeping thing…

Despair waves a flag of distraction,

makes faces through the window

beckoning Reality to stand alone.

Reality looks to Despair,

rising to meet this new outlook,

its face glowing, feeling the rush of self-reliance.

Despair slowly, steadily,

forces Potential into the background.

Bruised and beaten by harsh blows of negative outlook,

repetitive unrelated troubles,

and generalized hopelessness,

Potential cowers and is unable to hold its footing.

Idea cannot breathe.  It falls.

Despair makes a grand display for all to see,

praising Reality for its wisdom,

its wholesomeness, its righteousness.

Reality shakes hands and swaps stories of the past

with Animosity, Fatalism, Bitterness,

and countless others.
Reality speaks.  They all applaud.

Despair quietly backs Potential into a dark corner,

covers it with a blanket of warnings,

stuffs a pillow of false security into its mouth,

and tapes it in place with tolerance.

Reality glories in the moment,

growing taller with every stroke

of Despair’s unceasing flattery.

Idea is dead.

A lull in the din pervades the depths of Reality,

whispering softly, “Where is Potential?”

Reality snaps to attention.

Shoving Despair to the floor,

it rushes through every room,

overturns furniture, 

grabbing every guest by the shoulders, “Where is Potential?”

A quiet whimper of hope captures the attentive ear of Reality.

Despair flutters about, 

tugging, shouting, demanding,

but to no avail.

Reality throws off the cumbersome weight

and suffocating entanglements

from its precious friend, Potential,

reviving and restoring their unity

with the oxygen of hope.

Together, Reality and Potential

breathe new life into Idea,

revitalizing its vision, feeding it new thoughts,

and clothing it in motivation.

Reality and Potential don't waste time;

with lumber of encouragement

and nails of thankfulness,

they begin building a structure on a foundation of truth;

a house large enough to entertain many more Ideas to come.

~ae

Mirror, Mirror

Mirror, Mirror on the wall,

Who’s the fairest One of all?

Who casts out the dark of night,

as His Life is brought to light?

Whose incense of praises burn

brightly as His loved ones yearn?

Who is honored and adored?

Who deserves the title, “Lord”?

Who is holy? Who is just?

Who is worthy of our trust?

Who will always bless His own

as they bow before His throne?

Who provides?  Who offers gifts?

Who reaches down?  Who gently lifts?

Who tells us to serve one another?

To forgive?  To love our brother?

Mirror, Mirror on the wall,

we do not understand at all

how His beauty is made known

through sinful ones He calls His own.

This gathering of broken jars

reflects His suffering and scars.

This body, errant and impure,

 displays His image and His cure.

Mirror, Mirror, you are we,

that all the world, through us, may see

His beauty and His love displayed

and glimpse His glory on parade!

~ae

“One thing I have asked from the Lord, 

that I shall seek:  

That I may dwell in the house of the Lord 

all the days of my life, 

to behold the beauty of the Lord 

and to meditate in His temple.”  

~Psalm 27:4

“Do you not know 

that you are a temple of God 

and that the Spirit of God 

dwells in you?  

…for the temple of God is holy, 

and that is what you are.”  

~I Corinthians 3:16,17

Stepping Out

She stood,

one hand reaching out

while the other felt for the

steadying influence of something solid.

 “Come!”

She let go of the chair

just long enough to clap her little hands

with joy.

“Come!”

She wiggled and smiled

with excitement,

anticipating the delicious thrill

of stepping out.

He knew he would feel

pain,

if only he could rest

a bit longer.

“Come.”

It was time;

the routine

that would maintain

a portion of wellness,

prevent atrophy and

limit further weakening.

“Come.”

With every ounce of his will,

he steadied himself

to step out…

The race would soon

begin.

Each athlete stretched,

paced,

focused;

every inch of sinew

pulsating with the rush

of anticipation.

“On your marks…”

Each foot placed

in exact position,

ready.

Time stood still

as they waited eagerly

for the signal

to step out…

Inexperience,

discomfort,

uncertainty,

facing seemingly

overwhelming odds.

Yet,

the mother,

the nurse,

the coaches

say, “Come!”

… and they smile.

They desire to reach out,

to encourage,

to protect.

   They delight in seeing progress,

   developing fortitude,

   stimulating hope.

      They joyfully anticipate furthering

      ability,

      purpose,

      strength.

         They have experience guiding others,

         knowledge and methods to apply,

         resources to motivate for success.

To step out in faith

in obedience to His Word,

in anticipation of the Way,

is a leap 
into the Light!

Jesus says,

“Come!”

~ae

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, 

and He delights in his way.  

When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, 

because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.”  

~Psalm 37:23,24

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, 

and to make you stand in the presence of His glory 

blameless with great joy, 

to the only God our Savoir, through Jesus Christ our Lord, 

be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, 

before all time and now and forever.”  

~Jude 24,25