I find the TV series, Criminal Minds, to be consistently thought-provoking. In one of the episodes this season Agent Rossi commented, "scars remind us where we've been, they don't have to dictate where we're going." I love that redemptive thought.

We have all been changed, healed, and called to be dispensers of grace and justice. And, now we are about to be part of something NEW. I don't yet know what this new thing is, but I know it's coming...  

Lyn was supposed to be furloughed at American, but in the end she kept her job. I attended my 45th high school reunion, and found my high school class had been replaced by old people. At 91, my mom graduated from residential living to assisted living, but with her advanced dementia she didn’t really notice the change.

Our grandkids are growing up faster than their years indicate—just ask them. Grant  (9), Garrett (7), Halle Grace (7), Tyler (7), and Zoey (4) send their best to you and yours. Since their parents live close by, we get to see them on a weekly basis. Lyn and I love to keep them over night, they get to eat what they want, and we get to hear what we want. It’s a secret-sharing trade-off.

It’s been a challenging year financially, but we paid off one of the cars, lived through an IRS dispute, cut back on Lyn’s number of daily hot-flashes, and thanks to facebook we have reconnected with friends we’ve never known. We remain faithful to God to provide for our needs.

Lyn and I joined our sailing buddies on an adventure in the Bermuda triangle. We didn’t find any treasure, but we did run into the cast of LOST. Or, maybe that was a hallucination.

In the midst of uncertain times, we have found peace. Lyn still loves her job with American. My ministry at FaithTeam.org continues to grow and expand. We are discovering the fingerprints of God in places we’ve never looked before.

Each year as we think back on the experiences of the past twelve months we see the hand on God and realize HE is still working on us. We are thankful for what HE has done and for what HE is going to do in our future.

And, we are thankful for you. Lyn and I pray that your Christmas and all of next year is filled with grace and peace.

When Moses was walking in the foothills of Sinai, shepherding sheep, he was surprised by a strange oddity—a single bush that burned like a lamp—it just kept burning. As he stepped closer, a voice seemed to come from within the fire, “Take off your shoes. This is holy ground.” At that moment, it was as though God wanted nothing to come between his man and His Presence, not even a strip of leather.
 
I imagine God wanted Moses to wiggle his toes in the rocky soil, to celebrate the moment, to mark it in memory and listen for the voice.
 
When I experience a "burning bush" moment—a sacred place—noise is overcome with silence; my toes wiggle in the spiritual Presence, my memories are anchored with smells, colors, music, impressions, and stories. The commonplace is transformed into a “holy place.” And, I have nothing to do with it. It's a God thing.
 
These sacred moments become signposts of personal calling and clarity along the road of life. Ever-once-in-awhile I revisit a "holy moment" place; I wiggle my toes a bit and remember what it was like to feel the Presence. There I want to reconnect with the holiness, to sense again the calling…and to listen again for my name and to feel the peace that only Jesus can give.