I couldn’t resist parading her senior picture out for her. East Des Moines High School, class of 1957. I get to see my mom (aka mommiekins, aka mamala, aka mommita, aka mammogram) in approximately 7 days, 9 hours, 47 minutes and 32 seconds…give or take an hour.
A 2004 movie, Man on Fire: Directed by Tony Scott. Starring Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Marc Anthony. In Mexico City, a former assassin swears vengeance on those who committed an unspeakable act against the family he was hired to protect.
I love you, Dave. I thank God for the day He sent you our way. I will never forget the spiritual dream given to me in the early morning hours of the hope you were bringing, or of meeting you later that day, not even recognizing you as that dream fulfiller. I still laugh knowing that the day dad proposed to me almost 30 years ago, He was putting all the shattered pieces together and you were being born into the world. There God was, unbeknownst to us, putting all the pieces in place until the appointed time.
You were sent to us. I know this. Maybe like the guy in the movie. And I thank God for it.
For the past few years, I have watched you as a contagious, youthful-zeal and passion guy whose love for Jesus invited people, just swept them in, to awe and worship of God; a preacher who could rain down the words of righteousness like life and bring hope and joy. You are always at your strongest when you release true joy in a room, btw. Always. But this season, as we have ventured into an unknown that is beyond anything any any of us have ever seen (and I mean: I have been around the block!), I am keenly aware of the size of the vision and the gift of communication God has entrusted to you. I have watched you become a voice that cannot be ignored, a spiritual stateman serving notice in enemy territory. I have told the interns: You are watching history unfold. You are hearing some of the most clear, visionary, faith-building, hope-infusing, revolutionary, enemy-diminishing, Kingdom-advancing words of our time. You are being exposed to something unbelievably powerful and earth-changing. Watch for how God plans to use that in your life, through your life, because this? This is an honor.
But if I say, “I will not mention his word
or speak anymore in his name,”
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
Jeremiah 20.9a
I have told them that, these young interns (ww.heavenfest.com), because I am aware of its’ truth. I get to hear you speak often and every. single. time. I am BLOWN AWAY by the power of it. Especially because I also know the gentleness and purity of it. Because I am your mother-in-law and I know for a fact that what you speak to the crowds is absolutely as transparent and real as when you stop and take the time (so so so often) to speak to just one person, even me. I watch people walk away from listening to you, as you invite everyone to know and love Jesus like never before, and I understand their awe, I get that the anointing has begun the removal of some yokes and they are amazed at this Dave Powers. I listen as they try to express. And I can stand there knowing full well that who you are on stage or in front of a crowd is the tip of the iceberg of the man of character and faith, the husband, the father, the son and brother, the man you are outside of the spotlight (which you have never tried to find anyway), what they see, what impresses people – is never more true than when no one is looking. Yes, this is what I know.
If anyone could think differently, wouldn’t it be the mother-in-law? *smile
You belong to your parents. They birthed you and raised you and did a great job. I am grateful to their sacrifices and commitment to see you be all God had in mind. But God sent you to us. We got you as a gift. And I thank Him for that.
DREAM: I was at Heaven Fest. Some friends who are going through very hard times right now were there. We sat down and talked and laughed. And their troubles were very far away. And it brought me hope. www.heavenfest.com
DREAM: I was at my family reunion and I heard my grandparents’ voices in the other room. I thought for sure I heard my grandpa calling out to me, “Debbie Jean!” He is the only person who ever called me that and I could hear their sweet voices like they were right there.
I asked my mom: Where are Grandma and Grandpa Allison? I heard them?
She warned me that they had Alzheimer’s and didn’t remember anyone. “You can go see them, sweetie, but don’t be disappointed. They won’t know who you are.”
I ran to an elevator and got on and there they were, standing close to one another, as always, looking so sweet and beautiful, slight, pleasant smiles, and they politely and warmly said hello to me, as they would have greeted anyone. I knew they didn’t know me.
Very cautiously, though, because I was so glad to see them, I asked, “Do you remember your granddaughter, Jeanie?”
Their faces lit up, they smiled brightly.
My grandma said, “Yes, of course. We remember Jeanie.”
And I knew that even though they didn’t know me there, in that elevator, they remembered me, who I was to them.
I cannot even tell you what that has done to me. It was just a dream, yet…ridiculously teary….
I wrote about them recently here [CLICK] and made this small tribute video. I haven’t heard their voices in years, but I *heard* them this morning. And I think every child in the world should have grandparents who just love them and leave them with this kind of legacy. Their favor and love meant so much. On it goes…
God, You are good.
Have you ever wondered, if for some one else, you have become to *amen* to everything the enemy has tried to do to them their whole life; whether you have become the person who causes the grief and rejection, rather than heals it? The wound-inflictor rather than the wound-dresser?
The day can be perfect. And the heart can be broken. And you do not get those hours back.
Cast all your cares upon Him , for He cares for you…
You watch and pray. You warn and lookout for…But you cannot fix everything for the people you love. If you could, they’d come to you instead of the Author and Finisher of their faith.
You can plant the highest quality seeds, but while you are sleeping away without a care in the world, an enemy will come in to sow weeds. And even though you planted good seed, there they grow, side by side. You don’t uproot the enemy-weeds or you’ll hurt the crop you desired, the one you carefully planted and cared for. You wait until the harvest. Then it will all be revealed. The good with the bad, side by side until the Lord of the Harvest brings it all to light, just like in Matthew 13.
B O M B : exploding weapon, torpedo, ticker, missile, minefield, attack, blast, bombard, destroy, destructive, blow up, charge, unstable, threat
O R
B A L M : dressing, emollient, ointment, soothing, restorative, refreshing, palliative, healing, easement, comfort, soother, alleviation, salve
Which one will I be?
One of the final lines. I could have written this, yes?
TOULA: ?My family is big and loud, but they’re my family. We fight and we laugh, and yes, we roast lamb on a spit in the front yard. And wherever I go, whatever I do, they will always be there.
Dessy, Dessa, Tre-Tre, Dessy-Pooh-Pie – all names for the exotic, dark haired beauty who arrived just days before a most lovely summer in 1983. You were christened and accessorized in a wardrobe of sunshine-yellow and an earlier, milder form of Jeanie-green to set you apart, I suppose, from the lots-of-pink we already had in the family. You were baby-girl-number-three (thus, Tre) and I knew from the first moment I had alone with you, something very different, quite extraordinary and alluring lay there in my arms. The eyes, even at birth, showed an intensity of spirit; yet there seemed to reside in you, even as a tiny bundle, a quiescent repose, a knowing restfulness.
Everything about you has proven these inklings to be so. You excel in so much, baby-girl. The time God spent knitting you together in my womb, was a favor I cannot hope to comprehend. So lucky you are mine.
We were kids. You arrived before our second anniversary. Dad was playing church softball and I was involved in women’s ministeries and of course youth group with dad. There were family walks and bicycles-around-the-block. 1106 S Armstrong in Kokomo, so much love and ice cream in the charcoal-colored house. So much togetherness. Garage sales with Miss Faye and dressing you so cute with intense colors because your hair and complexion were sufficient for them. Playing in the pool in the backyard. Hot summer days and sweet nights with our little family. You arrived to happiness and love and gratefulnes that you came.
This is your “birthday card” from your mama who loves you and really couldn’t fit all the words I want to say in a whole album of photos of you. Love you, sweet-pea. I hope this birthday is the best you have ever had…yet.
Tredessa Rhoades on her birthday
PS to Ryan ~ Do you realize how blessed you are to see what you see? To know her as you do? You must be very special to God, indeed. You have found treasure!
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Yeah! Some of you joined me. Joining anything takes effort, so I applaud you! Thank-you. You are keeping me accountable, too! Come on, Tami, Dave, Stef, Joe & Robin (??), mom, Stormie, Heather, Marilyn and Dawn: hold my feet to the flame!
Slowing down to let it sink in. It is really not that much to read at once, or especially if you are separating it into the morning and evening readings, as is a more traditional, high-church approach in daily meditations. I actually read all of the first 11 Psalms at least 3 times, some, more. I need to learn to stop, meditate, think them through, sloooooooooooooooooooooow down. Yes, I do!
The very final words of Matthew 14 just exploded in an almost-summary of this whole Jesus story, didn’t they?
“…And all who touched Him, were healed.”
Wow!
Also diggin’ on Matthew 13, which is all about being a {backyard} farmer like myself with the Parable of the Sower, the Parable of the Weeds and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. When the disciples asked Jesus why He spoke in parables, he explained,
“Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you…”
That is where I learn all the secrets of the kingdom – when I am planting and weeding and sowing seed in the garden.
As for the Psalms, I just have always loved the third chapter –
But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
Followed shortly thereafter by Psalm 5.12, that favorite scripture that says, “Surely. LORD, You bless the bless the righteous; You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.”
I am off this morning to do a Heaven Fest Sunday in Dacono at New Horizons Christian Church with my buddies Glenn & Linette Bellew, where I will get to invite people to volunteer or hook us up with materials to keep those costs down, because, every. single. dollar. we get. from parking AND tickets – is being. given. away! Jesus, help us! There are 7 “Heaven Fest Sundays” going on around the metro-area this morning. That is crazy favor from God with the fam, gotta love the Household of Faith! www.heavenfest.com
It’s no different than cooking for 4. Except that what takes 30 minutes for 4 might take an hour and a half for 100. That is actually a pretty good ratio!
4 1 lb. boxes rotini pasta, cooked al dente and then cooled in a cold water bath (I do boil the pasta with sea salt and garlic powder to infuse more flavor) 4 x $1.18
2 1/2 bottles of Wishbone Italian Dressing (one I had opened was a Balsamic Italian) 2.5 x $1.88
4 cans black olives, drained and I cut mine into 3rds for better distribution and prettiness, but they can be left whole, too. 4 x $1.28
10-12 peppers, julienned: 2 green, the rest: red, orange and yellow. YEAH for King Soopers having a fab sale on them this week. $12
2 bunches of celery, chopped or thin-sliced 2 x $1.18
2 pints grape tomatoes cut on the diagonal (just for making it look more beautiful and so they are easier to eat) 2 x $2.48
1 container baby spinach leaves $2.98
2 8 oz. containers feta cheese crumbles 2 x $3.37 each
I tossed 1 bottle of the dressing on the cooled pasta to marinate it well and stored it in the fridge. I tossed the second bottle with the cut veggies to really coat them (except for the spinach) and stored them in the fridge. Just before serving, I tossed the pasta and veggies and spinach together with a little more dressing and sprinkled the feta over the top. Added salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste. $ Voila!
Pssst….Also made Swedish Meatballs for 100, popped some gourmet popcorn, threw in 9 dozen bakery cookies, a huge tray with fresh watermelon and 6 quarts of strawberries and fed 100 HF leaders for $132 and some cents.
The sound of singing birds before the sun even comes up. In the trees just outside my window on early mornings – the song, o-so-pretty. I get all squishy-happy and cartoon-princess-romantic about it.
The mama birds gossipping about me, swooping dangerously close to me in menacing fashion, and screaming at me from the fence when I am out gardening in the afternoon.
2 Timothy 3.16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
For fun and for LIFE, here is where I will be this summer. Want to join me?
This is reading 410 chapters of Bible over the course of June, July, August and wrapping up the week of Labor Day. It averages to slightly more than 4 chapters a day, or more specifically, 2-3 chapters of NT daily, plus almost 2 of the Psalms each day of the week. That is just averaging.
I know summer seems a weird time to pick up a “plan,”to start somthing that you are committing to when we usually see this time as our “lazy days,” (although who has time to be lazy ever these tdays??). But don’t you also hate getting to the end of a “season” and find that it was wasted, that you didn’t get everything from it you could have?
The busier I am, the more I need the life-giving Word of the Living God to be in me, to actually live in me…
Colossians 3.16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Russian sage.
Meditate on it throughout the day. At the end of each week (or on Sunday), write yourself a few quick notes of what God’s Word did in your heart the past week.
Jeremiah 15.16 When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, LORD God Almighty.
June 5 Matthew 1-14; Psalms 1 – 11
June 12 Matthew 15 – 28; Psalms 11 – 22
June 19 Romans; Psalms 23 – 34
June 26 1 & 2 Corinthians; Psalms 35 – 46
July 3 Mark; Psalms 47 – 58
July 10 Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians; Psalms 59 – 70
July 17 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus and Philemon; Psalms 71 – 82
July 24 Luke 1 -12; Psalms 83 – 94
July 31 Luke 13 – 24; Psalms 95 – 106
August 7 Acts 1-14; Psalms 107 – 118
August 14 Acts 15 – 28; Psalms 119 – 124
August 21 Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter; Psalms 125 – 133
August 28 John, 1, 2 & 3 John, Jude; Psalms 134 – 142
September 4 Revelation; Psalms 143 – 150
Hebrews 4.12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
It is about 20 minutes a day, I’d say, reading at a leisurely pace (I just meandered through Matthew 1-5 and Psalm 1-5 in about 30 minutes). Just think what a great meal we’ll have enjoyed in the next 90 days!
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