Notes to Self...and whoever's listening

It is finished. (John 19:30) Three of the most haunting words in the Bible.   The last three words recorded before Jesus was overcome by death. And the three greatest words that were able to bring us life - eternal life. John 19:28-30 are very difficult passages to read.  The entire story is difficult.  I'm one who struggles to grasp the magnitude of evil and how anyone can knowingly inflict pain and harm on another living being.  I cringe at t.v. shows.  I have to close my eyes and wait for someone to tell me when it's okay to look again.   So reading this passage (and any of the other gospel accounts) kills me every time.  His murder was senseless in that His accusers were just jealous of Him and angry because they did not understand His purpose.  His murder was violent and merciless.  His treatment was inhumane. But, His death also shows a level of love that can never be repeated again. Verse 28 says, "Later, knowin...

The evolution of the Apostle Peter is nothing short of miraculous.  Today, a wise filmmaker might even consider making a movie about his life.   I'm no bible scholar and would never claim to be, but here is a little of what I personally know about him before he left behind his business and followed Jesus: *He was a fisherman, seemingly a successful one. *He had a brother and they both worked together. *He also worked with some other friends. *Acts 4:13 describes them as unschooled, ordinary men. A pretty average story for that time, I'd say.  But, then, Jesus walks by and his life starts down a path that even Hollywood couldn't make up. One day when he and his partners are out working, Jesus sees them and asks to use his boat (Luke 5) so he could teach the people.  The crowd had gathered and He needed to get off the land in order for everyone to hear Him.  Peter obliges.  When Jesus is all done, He notices that Peter isn't having any luck ca...

Reading in John these past several weeks has been enlightening.  I've read it through before, but I'm always excited when I find new things that stand out to me.  Recently Thomas  (also known as Didymus - rather think I'd go by Thomas at that point, too!) made me pause and reflect. I've always heard him referred to as Doubting Thomas because he was the disciple who refused to believe that Jesus had actually resurrected and had shown Himself to others unless he got to see the nail marks in Jesus's hand and put his hand in Jesus's pierced side  (More on that in John 20:24-29).  Thinking back, I'm not sure I have ever heard Thomas painted in a positive light.  I've grown up in a Christian home, in Christian schools through graduation, a pastor's kid, and the list goes on --- and not one memory came to me that made Thomas out to be a great guy.  Still, somehow he was chosen as one of Jesus's disciples, right?  That list wasn't very long so he h...

Someone I care about very much mentioned something yesterday that I haven't been able to get off of my mind.  This person had shown me two statements that were very sad and negative.  They told me that is their identity.  I quickly told this person that it is not WHO they are, but I understand that, at this point in their life, they identify with those statements. And that got me to thinking since then...who are we really?  Are we numbers on a scale?  Years gone by?  Someone's sibling?  Child?  Aunt/Uncle?  Co-worker?  Are we just those things?  Maybe also a voter number, a social security number and the person behind a credit card number? I identify with a lot of those things, those people, those numbers, BUT they are NOT my identity.   I AM an Aunt, a sister, a child, an employee, a friend, an Escalante. I have a social security number, credit card and bank account numbers, even a house number. But those things...

Yesterday marked a huge day for the world when Billy Graham breathed his last breath on earth at the age of 99 and awoke in heaven to a celebration only the Lord could prepare.  His teachings reached each continent, with him stepping onto 185 countries to share the love of the Lord and to preach repentance.    For decades he has preached this, sat with quite a few of the US Presidents, met countless other world leaders, but to him, the greatest accomplishments came with that one sinner that turned to Christ.  Billy himself wasn't interested in the huge celebrations, ones with pomp and circumstance, the ones with fine linens on the table and a huge spread of food.  His daughter even said that he was easily satisfied with a plain McDonald's hamburger and a scoop of ice cream.  He was a simple man with a simple message: turn from your sins so you could know abundant life and and have eternal life . Well, as Billy walked through heaven yesterday, free from ol...

When hashtags became a "thing", I balked at it.  A lot.  I HATED them.  I couldn't understand why everyone was using them and using them ALL THE TIME.  So annoying.   Then, I began to understand what their true purpose was.  Then I started using them here and there.  And, now, I must admit, they can be fun. :)   I see #winning used a lot on people's posts or in the media.  Whether it is a relationship, a new strategy that is working for them, or a game of sorts, it's everywhere.  And, let's face it, everyone likes to win.  I once played on a softball team in high school that only won one game - due to forfeit.  It was a long season.  It's not fun to lose all 4 games when we're bowling, especially when I've personally had a good night.  I'll even admit to crying on my couch the night the Yankees lost Game 7 of the World Series to the Diamond Backs on Luis Gonzalez's single to center field in the bottom of...

It's no secret that I love my nephews.  And the two that live in my house have staked such a claim on my heart that they have pretty much taken ownership of it.  There isn't anything I wouldn't do for them (unless it's buying endless "bucks" to feed their video game addictions) so when Lucas (9 years old) announced he wanted to try out for the basketball team last fall, all he got was encouragement from this aunt.  No matter he had never played it before and that he doesn't have the best running skills, I was willing to sacrifice my time to sit at games on butt-numbing bleachers :)  just to support him.  And that is just what his mom, his grandparents and myself have been doing this past month. The only drawback (besides the aforementioned butt-numbing bleachers, of course): they're team isn't great.  They do have a hand full of good players, but the rest seem to be newcomers and/or not entirely athletic.  Lucas himself falls into both of those...