* 50 Shades of BenGay

My Hound From Heaven It’s been years since Francis Thompson’s epic poem, “The Hound of Heaven” crossed my path. It is a Victorian poem.  Whereas it’s language is outdated to our modern ear, it is still as endearing as the day it was penned as it centers on the pursuit of a sinner by a loving God. It’s a poem about Grace. Raw Grace. Unbridled and unfettered Grace.  Grace that reache s beyond the surface facades into the grit of life. It is this Grace for which I am most thankful as for without it I would not be standing today. Not until a few months ago, when unable to sleep, did the poem show itself again – and in such an odd fashion.  God is like that you know – popping up at the most inopportune times when we are so busy trying to handle life on our own. It was about two in the morning and I could not sleep. It’s almost as if I had been summoned to my easy chair to find the answer.  I crept out of the bedroom, tippy-toed over the dog’s gate trying not to wake them.

Sometimes things break. Cars, bowls, relationships, even people.  It's just a natural part of life – unpleasant as it may be. Every time something breaks there are choices to be made; does one get it fixed or not?  Sounds simple?  It’s not. As a matter of fact, it can be really hard trying to figure out what is worth saving and what deserves to be tossed in the trash along with the leftover tuna fish. I’ve had a lot of things break in my life. My collarbone for one.  I was 7 years old and took things very literally.  So when the PE teacher told us to do a shoulder role I naturally thought that meant I was to run full speed down the mat and dive directly on my clavicle.  Not only was the incident a first indicator that Olympics gymnastics may not be in my future, but it also taught me not to be first in line anymore – if I could possibly help it.  My last name did start with “B” after all.  Anderson had a tendency to miss PE. I also broke my two front teeth whe

We are either moving forward or moving backwards. Nothing in the Universe is stagnant.  We crave security but we also crave change. Honor the dichotomy with humor and faith.  God’s got your back. Give it a go. Stop saying; ”I’m Fine.” It’s been a cop-out phrase for too long. There are some things that need to change in life to get us to where we want to be; mentally, physically, socially, artistically, spiritually, and monetarily. We are NOT fine if we are not where we want to be in those areas. Changes need to be made. We alone can make those changes by our everyday choices. Each individual choice will bring us closer to the changes or keep us from them. Stay in in present. Choose judiciously every single time. Give it a Go. No, you not going to feel like making the needed changes. No one ever does. Its not about ‘feeling’, its about Action. Give it a Go. Ask yourself the question: “What is the worst thing that could possibly happen if I take this risk?”  If the life of