Claire Crossed the Rainbow Bridge Today

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent. Her eager body quivers. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

~Unknown Author

God, Our Defender

Here is a big question.  What is God doing when you are in a bind?  When the lifeboat springs a leak?  When the rip cord snaps?  When the last penny is gone before the last bill is paid?...

I know what we are doing.  Nibbling on nails like corn on the cob.  Pacing floors.  Taking pills...

But what does God do?...

He fights for us.  He steps into the ring and points us to our corner and takes over.  "Remain calm; the Lord will fight for you" (Exodus 14:14).

His job is to fight.  Our job is to trust.

Just trust.  Not direct.  Or question...Our job is to pray and wait. 

Max Lucado, When God Whispers Your Name

He is my defender; I will not be defeated.  ~  Psalm 62:6

Got It All Figured Out

We understand how storms are created.  We map solar systems and transplant hearts.  We measure the depths of the oceans and send signals to distant planets.  We...have studied the system and are learning how it works.

And, for some, the loss of mystery has led to the loss of majesty.  The more we know, the less we believe.  Strange, don't you think?  Knowledge of the workings shouldn't negate wonder.  Knowledge should stir wonder.  Who has more reason to worship than the astronomer who has seen the stars?...

Ironically, the more we know, the less we worship.  We are more impressed with our discovery of the light switch than with the one who invented electricity...Rather than worship the Creator, we worship the creation (see Romans 1:25).

No wonder there is no wonder.  We've figured it all out.

Max Lucado

I look at your heavens, which you made with your fingers...But why are people important to you?  ~  Psalm 8:3-4

The Shepherd Leads

In the second verse of the Twenty-third Psalm, David the poet becomes David the artist. His quill becomes a brush, his parchment a canvas, his words paint a picture. A flock of sheep on folded legs, encircling a shepherd. Bellies nestled deep in the long shoots of grass. A still pond on one side, the watching shepherd on the other. "He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters."

Note the two pronouns preceeding the two verbs. He makes me...He leads me..."

Who is the active one? Who is in charge? The shepherd. The shepherd selects the trail and prepares the pasture. The sheep's job--our job--is to watch the Shepherd.

~ Max Lucado, Traveling Light

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. ~ Psalm 23:2

Breathtaking Photos

GRiT Banners, Stickers, and Workshirts, Oh My!

GRiT Sticker

As you all are probably well aware, GRiT MouthGuards is one of the sponsors of Combat Corner's Grappling Tournament being held at the Pius XI High School in Milwaukee.  Since Saturday is only days away, we have been hard at work creating and ordering custom GRiT banners, stickers, and even new workshirts. 

I'm so excited to show off the goods and really can't wait for Saturday to show them to you, so take a sneak peak and be sure to tell me what you think!

GRiT Workshirt







Don't Forget to Vote Today!

GET OUT AND VOTE TODAY!
If you're angry about the way things are, go vote!

If you think things are about as good as they are likely to get given the circumstances, go vote!

If you think we're on the wrong track, go vote!

If you think we're on the right track, go vote!

If you have a vision about the way things ought to be, go vote!

If you doubt everyone's vision, go vote!

If you're excited about the tea party, go vote!

If you think the tea party has a bunch of cracked pots, go vote!

If you're a Republican, Democrat, or independent, go vote!

IT'S THE DUTY OF EVERY CITIZEN TO SHARE IN SHAPING THE FUTURE BY VOTING.  Find your polling place here:  http://maps.google.com/maps/mpl?moduleurl=http://maps.google.com/mapfiles/mapplets/elections/voter-info/voter-info.xml

Life is Long Enough!

No person lives one day more or less than God intends.  "All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old." 

But her days here were so few...

His life was so brief...

To us it seems that way.  We speak of a short life, but compared to eternity, who has a long one?  A person's days on earth may appear as a drop in the ocean.  Yours and mine may seem like a thimbleful.  But compared to the Pacific of eternity, even the years of Methuselah filled no more than a glass...

In God's plan every life is long enough and every death is timely.  And though you and I might wish for a longer life, God knows better.  

Excerpt taken from Traveling Light by Max Lucado

"All the days planned for me were written in your book before I was one day old."  ~  Psalm 139:16