GCR Women

New.  A simple word that has so many implications.  Fresh, not seen before, pure, clean, unspoiled, not used up, full of hope and anticipation of the possibilities. I'm always looking for a new diet.  Last week, a friend of mine got a new knee.  Researchers work diligently for a new cure.  People will do almost anything to find ways to replace old habits with new ones.  New. But what kind of "new" thing do I really want?  I want something new that stays new - that never wears out, that always gives me that feeling of newness.  More importantly, why do I want "new"?  Could it be because of what "old" says to me and about me - how it makes me feel "old"? The writer of Ecclesiastes said there's nothing new under the sun and in many ways, he was correct.  But every new day that dawns brings with it a sense of starting over.  I can put yesterday with its brokenness, its stains, its mistakes behind me and start over new today. ...

One hundred fifty years ago today, the battle of Gettysburg began and lasted for three days, resulting in some 53,000 casualties.  Right or wrong, men from the North and the South sacrificed their lives for a way of life they believed in. In another time and place, after a brilliant concert, a woman approached the great pianist Van Cliburn and congratulated him on a marvelous performance.  She said, "I'd give my life to play the piano like that."  He simply replied, "I did." What are you willing to give your life for?  Is there a cause or a discipline that you've spent your life to further?  Is it patriotism or love of country?  Is it love of music or art that drives you?  Perhaps something you believe in so strongly that you spend your time and money advancing?  When's the last time you stopped and took a look at what you're doing with your life and asked yourself, "Is it worth it?"  If the answer comes back, "No" or "Ma...

I had shoulder surgery just about two weeks ago.  Back in March, I fell and really messed up my shoulder.  It turns out that I'd also damaged it sometime in the past but didn't realize the extent of the previous damage until now. Injury upon injury.  The shoulder can only take so much before it finally can no longer function as a shoulder should.  I'd pushed mine to the limit and needed surgery to get it back in shape again. All is going well.  I'll see the doctor Tuesday for a check-up and to get instructions for living for the next month.  I will recover but slowly and with a lot of hard work.  Surprisingly, I haven't had as much pain as I thought I would but I expect to make up for that in physical therapy. This experience has been a blessing to me.  Oh, I get more than a little frustrated with my limitations.  The sling is annoying, but necessary.  Finding clothes that I can put on has been very challenging.  My hair is - ...

It's time to go.  Monday is the big day and we will leave today so we'll be there in plenty of time to be ready for Monday.  We had thought we'd have more time, but no, it's all set for Monday. I've known the day would come eventually.  And I've even been making vague preparations along the way.  But suddenly, the day is here and I'm not ready.  I have a lot of details taken care of:  clothing, supplies.  But I'm not through getting ready for my departure. I don't know if you're like me, but when I'm going somewhere, I like to leave everything in place at home - just in case.  There are always things left undone:  closets to be cleaned out, drawers to be sorted, filing to be done.  But I really try to take care of what I think is important, what no one else would know about, those responsibilities that are mine and mine alone.  This time, though, I keep thinking I'm forgetting something.  And it woke me up. Laundry. ...

Tomorrow is a big day.  For almost a year now, we've been planning a retreat and we leave tomorrow.  I'm filled with so many thoughts feelings.  Excitement, anticipation, exhaustion.  I've been writing lists and rewriting them trying to make sure I've covered what I'm responsible for. What will the weekend be like?  Will the reality of the weekend measure up to our plans? It's one thing to be a part of a large project for work.  It's still another to be part of a large project for family.  But being a part of a large project for God's Kingdom - well, that's something else again.  He's put our team together, adding to it over the years, allowing some to come and go as He calls them to other good works. Our Father has placed before us opportunities to be a part of something much bigger than ourselves, challenging us to trust, to do, to stand. The task has indeed been a challenge, but no matter how big we dream, God has consistently shown us tha...

I've recently had to choose which course of action to take in an important decision.  It has not been easy.  At first glance, both choices before me are good.  So, I had to dig a little deeper to see the differences and be better informed to make the choice that will work best for me. How do I know when I've made the right decision?  That's difficult to say.  As I said, both choices have a good side. And once the decision is made, there's no going back.  Do I trust my instincts?  What if I've made the wrong choice? Wouldn't it be nice to be able to look at a situation through decision-making glasses?  Kind of like the Ben Franklin glasses in National Treasure.  Then, as I looked, I'd see the answer right there before me.  I wouldn't have to guess.  I'd know. I don't know how you make your tough decisions.  It's a very personal thing, isn't it?  I look at the information provided by one side of the question.  I kno...

Today is the day our income tax is due.  We have various opinions about the taxes we pay in this country, but right now, it's the law of the land and we do what's required of us. Once, Jesus was approached by a group of Pharisees and Herodians trying to trip him up and hoping to be able to get him into trouble with either the religious or civil authority.  On the surface to us today, this might seem like a simple situation.  But there are layers of unspoken traditions and truths that turn a simple scene into a powerful lesson for them and us.  This story is told in Matthew 22:15-21; Mark 12:13-17; and Luke 20:20-26. The Jewish people were required by Rome to pay a certain tax.  The tax had to be paid in the currency of Rome.  The Roman currency had on it a portrait - a graven image, if you will - of Caesar.  Some of the Jews saw possession of such a coin as a violation of the second commandment.  There was also an inscription on the coin stati...