Playing It Safe

"They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness." Psalm 111:8

The cover of New York Magazine reads.."What ever happened to Obama?" The once adoring public masses are turncoats doing an about face..but who's surprised?

I feel for him. I do. His loyal base, which is deteriorating at a rapid pace, is adamantly against him and this decision. And his adversaries are waiting with baited breath to see what hole he will dig in which they can attack from behind and push him in...No, tonight is not easy.

We're telling these young faces who volunteer to put their lives at risk for our freedom they will be leaving home; they will be in the line of fire; they may not return. These men and women are living sacrifices to our glorious liberty and endlessly carry our burdens.

Looks like the hideous, dark, scary secrets in the little black National Security book are more atrocious then we simpletons can realize as our Commander in Chief said we are facing

violent extremism and that the American public should know our lives are at constant risk...

"This is no idle danger, no hypothetical threat." It's real. And 30,000 of you are heading out to an abominable landscape in a most primitive world to deter a revived evil Taliban to accomplish a near impossible feat in the limited time.

Oh yeah, and the strategy is embarrassingly vague.

Thrilled he thinks Islam is one of the greatest religions in the world...He could have failed to mention that and rallied the American public with a little more rousing zest.

The United State Military Academy West Point cadets shot pictures of a charismatic figure, just not so sure he's a wartime leader.

Is your hope fortified with his unwavering resolve?

A Classical Lesson

"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." Matthew 25:45

He stepped on at 14th Street and stood silently anticipating the doors to shut out the white noise behind him. I met his meek eyes from across the subway car. He shamefully looked down and clutched the worn wool hat to his chest. I noticed his pale yellow button down was torn in a few places and the arms looked as though they had been dragged through the dirty puddles that gathered at the bottom of the station steps. His dated KSwiss sneakers were soaking wet. He couldn't have been over 20 years old. His unsteady voice was faint...

"Excuse me ladies and gentleman, I am a young opera singer. I am struggling terribly to keep my head above water and am in and out of homeless shelters. Please if you have anything to share, I would be gracious...This is Tchaikovsky."

This time he opened his quivering mouth and out flowed the most magnificent controlled sound you have ever heard. Opera on the 6 Local. Tears immediately rolled down my cheeks as I witnessed a usually stiff lipped jaded crowd reach inside their wallets and a look of complete compassion spread across their faces.

Humbled.

My feeling sorry for myself notes I scribbled on a napkin at work became a moot point. I am blessed beyond measure. I step over the garbage bags riddled with rats, have a coat for all seasons and every night come home to an over heated dry, comfortable bed.

I work six hours in a fortuitous back rubbing industry that thrusts people into wild success not based necessarily on ability, but on sheer luck. This real talent was down on his.

I rode one more stop, dropped a meager dollar in his hat, and again sang my praises of gratitude.

Do you think you have it hard?

Calvary's Tide

"The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt." Exodus 12:13

Yeah, I get it. It's not often I quote Old Testament as I understand the initial reaction it incites. But this glorious story in Exodus is the precipice for my faith and underlying proof that from Genesis to Revelation, The Bible tells the story of Jesus Christ. And since I was the butt of many "Jesus Take the Wheel" jokes Thanksgiving night, I thought it was appropriate to tell just exactly how long He has indeed been driving.

Now, every Jesus Christ believing Christian remembers the time they surrendered their life and control to the Lord and the immediate peace that overcame them.

I don't remember hearing the Passover Story for the first time but I will forever remember its impact...as mine is as vivid of a memory as if it happened this morning....

I'm sitting up erect on my Great Muppet Caper sheets in southern Indiana, restlessly looking out at the wind blowing the six acres of deep dark woods behind our house on the hill. I'm seven years old, shaking uncontrollably with doubt and fear. My crippling concern was that the Angel of Death would pass over our stand alone home and the blood of the sacrificial lamb would not be displayed on our wooden door frame.

For a little girl, the terror of dying is incapacitating. I close my wet eyes and tell the Lord I love him and ask Him to please come into my heart and protect me and my family.

With that the wind ceased, my heartbeat slowed, and a beautiful hushed stillness took over...

"For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Revelation 7:17

Sitting in City Light Church service, the pastor only needed to mention the Blood of Jesus and my worries, woes, anger, and angst of today were perfectly pacified.

-There is Power, Power, Wonder Working Power

In the Blood of the Lamb.

There is Power, Power, Wonder Working Power.

In the Precious Blood of the Lamb.- Lewis Jones 1899

Could you live daily His praises to sing?

The Clan

"They are joined fast to one another; they cling together and cannot be parted." Job 41:17

“In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.” Alex Haley

Feeling the residual pangs of a long weekend and the discontentment of the restless spirit I remain to be...

This afternoon I listened to a lovely story about a 35 year ritual where all of the happy mom's and dad's, rosy cheeked aunts and uncles, anxious sons and daughters, and rambunctious cousins alike all take the pilgrimage to Nana and Poppy's house to gather in harmony for the festive season, embrace with heightened glee, and whistle Zip Pe Dee Doo Dah around the trimmed tree.

Drinking my coffee black due to sour milk, I am still trying to wrap my brain around the concept of Home for the Holidays. For the last twenty- two years I have jockeyed parents, driven miles, and sat at a blended table with steps, half's, exes, and a not so healthy combination of the three and now more than ever, I realize how much I crave one nuclear unit. Yep, a cozy plaid clad hallmark card next to the blazing fire and ice cold spiked turkey nog up to our plastered smiling lips. One where family comes to me, I call the shots, determine the play list, laugh hysterically and fly the freak flag continuously.

I want four walls filled with family that resemble a net of safety.

But a steady rock I do not tread.

In the interim, it's just another next to normal day.

Is family really a haven in a heartless world?

Soaring High

"The meat of his fellowship offering of thanksgiving must be eaten on the day it is offered; he must leave none of it till morning." Leviticus 7:15

A 15 pound turkey and copious amounts of fermented grape juice relished entirely.

The morning after..nursing a head that feels like a Macy's Day balloon...wishing there were leftovers.

Are your blessings over inflated or overlooked?

The Difference a Year Makes?

'Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song". Psalm 95:2

Helium, T-Day playlist, sunset view over Midtown, starches, and the best "We are The World" group karaoke jam Chinatown ever saw. Then of course what holiday wouldn't be complete without the inevitable discombobulated disconnect?

A year ago today I watched the Thanksgiving Macy's Day Parade alone in XL sweatpants and cried....

I packed up the bookshelves of years and memories past, moved onto the guest bedroom linens, and then a few never used Martini glasses in the ole so quaint, gotta hold onto Butler's Pantry cabinet. And told my husband matter fact, I was moving to New York City.

This morning at 5 AM, bundled with a healthy thermos of Irish Whiskey in the mornin, we perched underneath the balloons on Central Park West and viewed it together.....still wondering if our shared dreams of tomorrow have the same soundtrack.

Happy Thanksgiving. And Happy Anniversary to me.

Who says you shouldn't make hasty decisions when you're mad?

Gracious Giver

" Know that the Lord, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!

Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,

and his faithfulness to all generations."

Psalm 100:3-5

Lord, You have so good to me. In my faithless hour, You've been my strength. And You are a Tower from my enemy. You have so good to me. Thank You. Thank You for my endless blessings.

I am thankful for my long work day as a featured clerk on White Collar and the demographic ratio in my favor (10 men, 3 women). Episode, "The Front Man."

I am thankful my husband braved Union Square Farmer's Market the day before Thanksgiving in the pouring rain and bought everything on the punch list.

I am thankful (despite the squeaking) that we FINALLY captured the mouse in our apartment and I took him out with sweet potato peelings and pumpkin innards.

I am thankful I can sit at my desk and hear live jazz from my open window. Brrr..

I am thankful the Dream I dreamed is coming true and a I've called Manhattan home for 11 months and counting....

I am thankful the Lord Jesus Christ is my Savior. He lives. So I can lead the life I live. And for that, my gratefulness is boundless.

Are you still taking credit for your abundance?