It’s the 13th; the 13th of the month.

It’s FRIDAY the 13th. 

For some of you that conjures up images of Jason Voorhees, and others a superstitious fear of Friday the 13th. 

My Friday the 13ths are neither a horror story, nor unlucky.  Just the opposite! 

Amy & I started going out on Friday the 13th.   
We married on the 13th.
Amy’s birthday is on a 13th.

Today is the 313th 13th that Amy & I have been “going out.”

It’s been 1361 weeks.
It’s been 9527 days.
And, I’m still counting my blessings!

As I’ve said, I don’t believe on New Years resolutions I believe in New Years gifts. Gifts that we give ourselves. 

Resolutions that I had made in the part were well-intentioned, but often I gave up or got distracted. 

I believe in action.  I don’t want to just plan to do things, I believe in doing. I’m ambitious and encouraged others to have ambition.  

Trap

I am a notorious multi-tasker. As some women in my life have said, I can multitask as effectively as a woman.  I’m certain that’s not true, but I am a notorious multi-tasker.

Taz, our dog, usually ran into his “dog run” to take care of “his business.” 1

In his last months, despite his best intentions he didn’t always make it. That’s inconvenient, but it’s not a problem when it’s outside, someone notices what’s going on and she or he responds promptly.

On-the-other-hand, it can become a big problem if:
– Inside, not outside, well, hopefully he made it into the kitchen.
– Someone fails to notice, and there is now an unforeseen minefield awaiting.
– Someone fails to respond, and now there the minefield is caused by neglect too.

Welcome to all the new mysilentscream readers who joined us yesterday!

Here are a few holiday stress-busting suggestions:

Take a warm bath or a long relaxing shower.

Take a walk. Bundle up with a buddy and get your body moving.  Walk outside. Look around.

Take a five deep relaxing breaths. Exhale slowly.

Take a nap. Nap – not to hide from your responsibilities, but to retreat, recharge and recover.

I almost never remember my dreams. Yesterday I wrote to my friend Anastasiya, “I wish I had pleasant dreams”. This morning, just before I woke up, I was dreaming of hanging out with musician Dave Matthews after a show.

While there are several reasons not to like Dave Matthews’ music, but I still love most of his songs.  I and Paul Thyren, a friend and fantastic co-worker of mine, love the Dave Matthews Band.   One of our favorites is “Two Step.”  Listening to the extended jam that often accompanies Two Step played live brings me peace in a surreal, mellow, “I’m just glad to be here” kind of way.

I love listening to my old music.  I love breaking out a Bruce Springsteen concert or playing Rush’s La Villa Strangiato.

I also love learning about newer artists. 

Recently my son Josh’s girlfriend Taylor introduced me to metalcore bands I hadn’t heard.  Now I listen to Acacia Strain, Asking Alexandria, Dead By April, and Motionless in White.  I admit, they won’t make the daily list, but they will spin in my media player.

By the way, what music are you listening to that I should consider listening to too?

Deep Music

In the past I mentioned my appreciation for singer-songwriter Sara Groves.  This week Amy and I are going to her CD release concert so I’m highlighting some of her great songs.  They inspire and encourage me.  I think that they will do the same for you.

A couple of months ago I mentioned how moved I was by Sara’s compassion churned by the pain and hurt she saw in Rwanda.   I Saw What I Saw expresses that she could never be the same after her trip.

Most people want to relieve or avoid pain, and understandably so. 

What is something that amazes you?

In our garden we planted a watermelon plant. From one single seed amazing things happen:

- Watermelon seeds have the ability to drawing resources from the ground.
– Watermelon seeds develop a hard armor that looks a work of art.
– Watermelon seeds create a 2nd line of defense, a white rind.
– Watermelon seeds rest in a red heart inlaid with black seeds capable of reproducing.

Each of those watermelon seeds is capable of becoming a watermelon 200,000 times its weight.

Perhaps you’ve watched one of these recent films The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian or more recently, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.  Each of the movies is based on a novel by C.S. Lewis.

Lewis was a teacher, writer and theologian. He wrote books which were witty and wise, warm and welcoming.

Beware Freedom Which Relies On People

I’ve been thinking about peace and war for days now. On Sunday Steve Wiens talked about peace entitled “What Christ Left Us”. You can watch it here [after a Father's Day address].

My thoughts and Steve’s thoughts about peace continue to melt in my mind.

Feeling like I wanted to give you a chance to learn with me I present to you this week’s Message Tool provided as a follow up to the week’s message.

I hope that you find this exercise as meaningful as I am.

Practice:

Write out the following passage, Philippians 4:6-7, on a piece of paper.