Maybe I'm a Hero!

Presently, I am reading Max Lucado's book, "When God Whispers Your Name." I LOVE reading his books because they are always encouraging and an easy read. I am able to read them without having total silence.

Last night, I read Chapter 3 entitled "Hidden Heroes." I was so encouraged and brought to tears from what I read. He explains how most of the time a true Hero is not recognized until after they are gone. Thus, many times we do not even know who the hero was or how much affect the small things we do in life truly have. He provides an example of this by writing:"For that reason, a hero could be next door and you wouldn't know it. The fellow who changes the oil in you car could be one. A hero in coveralls? Maybe. Maybe as he works he prays, asking God to do with the heart of the driver what he does with the engine" (31). So many times, we think Heroes are Perfect people, dressed up in a superhero outfit, but in reality, "for every hero in the spotlight, there are dozens in the shadows. They don't get press. They don't draw crowds. They don't even write books!" (31). Lucado continues to illustrate this point by telling the story of John Egglen.

Have you heard of him? I had not heard of him until I read this chapter. He was a Deacon in an England church in the 1850's. One Sunday morning in January, a snowstorm made it almost impossible for any of the church members to get to church. The pastor was snowed in and Egglen debated about venturing out in the snow to attend church when he knew so many people would not be able to get there. Well, he did go and only 13 people were there, one of which was a visitor. Most wanted to just go back home since no one there had a sermon prepared. However, Egglen stepped up to the need and even though he had never preached a sermon before and had nothing prepared, he preached that Sunday. His sermon was only 10 minutes long! He closed his sermon by addressing the visitor directly and saying, "Young man, look to Jesus. Look! Look! Look!"

At the time, Egglen had NO idea what he was doing. In fact, he probably thought what he did was silly and made no difference. However, for the visitor it made a difference. When that boy became a man he commented about this with these words, "I did look, and then and there the cloud on my heart lifted, the darkness rolled away, and at that moment I saw the sun." Oh, I should note that this visitor's name was Charles Haddon Spurgeon!!! (England's Prince of Preachers.)

Every time I think of this, I get chills!! Egglen was just meeting a need that came across his path...doing what he thought was right. He did not realize how powerful of a moment that was and what amazing ramifications his willingness to preach that Snowy morning would have on countless people!!! Luado closes the chapter with these words:

"We seldom see history in the making, and we seldom recognize heroes. Which is just as well, for if we knew either, we might mess up both. But we'd do well to keep our eyes open. Tomorrow's Spurgeon might be mowing your lawn. And the hero who inspires him might be nearer than you think. He might be in your mirror!" (33)

Goose Bumps? Me too! So, maybe I'm a hero =)

"The Rabbi's Heartbeat"

Tonight I finished reading "The Rabbi's Heartbeat," by Brennan Manning. This was my first time reading a book by this author, but plan to read others in the future because I really enjoyed this book.

If I had to summarize this book in one sentence, I would write the following: "In 'The Rabbi's Heartbeat,' Manning reminds the reader to listen to the heartbeat of Jesus, allowing that to be your guide and Him to be your focus." (You know, I am really not satisfied with my summary statement, but I do not have the energy or time to fix it, so it will remain how it is...because after all, it is only for my Blog and not for a Grade =)

This book spoke to my heart. I felt uplifted as Manning pinpointed how I am first a child of God and that needs to be enough for me and be my foundation.

The book was beautifully written. Here are some excerpts from the book that really grabbed me:

• "The longer you spend in the presence of Jesus, the more accustomed you grow to His face, the less adulation you will need because you will have discovered for yourself that He is Enough. And in the Presence, you will delight in the discovery of what it means to live by grace and not by performance." (pg 32-33) How freeing is this truth!

In one chapter, Manning discusses how we need to radically define ourselves "as one beloved by God" (40). This is my true self. As Manning discusses this concept, he quotes Eagan writing:

• "Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. God's love for you and His choice of you constitute your worth. Accept that, and let it become the most important thing in your life."

My possessions, talents, accomplishments, applause from others, or lack of any of these things do not define my personal worth.

I LOVED this book and am sure I will re-read it. I must say I did have to read it slower than I usually would because of Manning's writing style and the fact that most of his sentences caused me to stop and reflect for a while.

Manning ends his book with these Beautiful words:

• "Let the Great Rabbi hold you silently against His heart. In learning who He is, you will find out who you are: Abba's child in Christ our Lord."

Strike 3...

Well, we have had a busy week preparing for Madelin's first birthday party, but somehow despite this, we still managed to watch a movie Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night! (I think we just needed to just chill once we put the girls to bed).

Matt rented all the movies!

Thursday, we watched, "Marley and Me." I cried through a LOT of it...most of it!!! I kept thinking of Cooper. As I was watching it, I felt all my initial feelings of hearing about Cooper's death come rushing back! I had a MAJOR headache when it was time for bed. Besides the personal attachment I had with the movie story line, it was a good movie.

Friday, we watched, "Seven Pounds," with Will Smith. I don't want to ruin this movie for anyone who hasn't seen it, so all I will say is that there is a Car Accident involved and it is a heavy movie! After our car accident in August, I cringe and have vivid memories of our accident whenever I see another accident.

Saturday, we watched, "Slumdog Millionaire." Matt has been dying for me to see this. He went with a friend and saw it in the theater. He came home RAVING about it and said it was on his Top Ten movie list. So, as soon as it was released...he rented it. Again, I don't want to ruin anything for anyone, but I had a VERY hard time seeing the reality of how life is in the Slums of India. When it was over, I just sat there with tears running down my face thinking about people having to actually live in SLUMS like the movie showed.

So, 3 Strikes and Matt is OUT!! He is not allowed to choose movies for us for a while, because I can't stand to see another Dark, heavy, downer movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!