There are two ways to vote:

1. Visit the Lynchburg’s Bark for Your Park entry and click on the orange “Vote for This Finalist” tab.
2. Like PetSafe on Facebook and then click on the “Bark for Your Park” link under the profile picture. Scroll to the bottom to find Lynchburg. Click “View Entry.” Scroll to the bottom of that page and click on the orange “Vote for This Finalist” tab.

You can vote twice on Tuesday (time’s running out) and twice on Wednesday. Please…

When Lynchburg has a dog park, Archie won’t have to play Twister.

Archie’s wanted a dog park ever since he was a puppy.

Last year, a dog park was the only thing Archie wanted for Christmas.

Visit my Flickr site for more fun Archie photos of “When Lynchburg Has a Dog Park.”

What about you?
Does your city have a dog park? Would you please vote for Lynchburg? Would you mind sharing this post on your Facebook wall, in your Twitter stream or on Google+?

Tonight I’m headed back to the Blue Ridge Regional Jail to meet with a small group of woman inmates. Two other women and I will be facilitating a session on communication, based on Biblical principles.

I knew it would be a long week, so I set aside several hours this afternoon to review the material (I’ve participated in this particular session several times), prepare my heart, and pray.

However, sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is listen to your body, and rest. I took some Aleeve and a nap, and woke up refreshed, but feeling pressed for time. Instead of doing the logical thing, getting out the material and making notes, I opened my journal and began to write.

…”I’m not feeling very prepared.

“Lord, what can I share about communication? What truths have I learned? What do You say about communication? What do others say?”

I began to write. God brought to mind the story of the woman at the well. I turned to John 4 in my Bible, read, then wrote pages of notes. In this passage, Jesus was after intimacy. The woman was more interested in putting up walls. Jesus persisted. He asked questions. Listened. Saw her fear, her need and her heart.

Every single thing I wrote in my journal dovetailed beautifully with sections 9-13 that I’ve been asked to facilitate. Everything.

I’m not going into the jail tonight as an expert on communication. I’m going as a woman who said yes, who’s put up my own share of walls, but thankfully, found Jesus to be persistent.

And I’m counting on God to show up because He alone is faithful.

Would you pray?
Would you pray that the three of us leading will be effective and in unity? That we’ll be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit? Would you pray for the 3-10 women involved in Interfaith Outreach Association’s Progressive Release Program? That God will tangibly reveal truth to each of us tonight, and in the days to come? Pray for each of the women to be encouraged this week and to be able to share what they’ve learned with someone else in the coming week.

What about you?
When have you said “yes” to God and felt like you weren’t at all prepared, only to discover God was the One equipping?

Creative Commons photo on Flickr by 710928003.

Then I wondered if it even mattered, explaining something that was weeks old. Maybe, however, telling the story here will encourage you in your journey. Maybe as I explore breathing throughout the year, you’ll journey with me. We’ll learn how to breathe together. But before I get ahead of myself…

In December, I found myself in the middle of a home renovation project. I couldn’t breathe. In fact, I spent a portion of December, thinking about breathing and breath.

On Tuesday, December 21st I wrote in my journal,

“My ‘to-do’ list is growing but I must take time now to stop and spend time in worship and study. Otherwise, the sight of all the things that must be done causes me to stress. My breathing quickens, becomes shallow and it’s hard to inhale/exhale deeply.

“Stop. Breathe.

“Maybe that’s what I’m missing…I’m so focused on what I haven’t done, what’s yet to do, that I’m missing the most important part.

“I must learn to breathe…Have I really forgotten how to breathe in the Presence of God?

“Worship is breath. I’ve grown weak. I’m breathing in stale, smoke-filled air, full of second-hand smoke. For too long, I’ve been taking shallow breaths, barely effective at filling my lungs with the breath of God.”

I studied Genesis 2:7, Job 33:4, Psalm 150:6.

“Breath – neshamah. Breath, breath of life, breathing person, living soul. First used in Genesis 2:7.”

That’s when I see it. This is the tender account of God leaning over and into mankind, bowed down, gently and lovingly filling us with His breath, teaching us how to breathe.

Filling me.
Teaching me.

Sometime after journaling I remembered a dream I’d had the night before. I was working at The Farm Basket, this really quaint gift shop/cafe overlooking the Blackwater Creek. They make the best pimento cheese sandwiches and apple dapple cake. The coffee is good and the wifi is free. It’s an aesthetically pleasing location to browse, shop, eat, meet or do some work/writing.

Hannah had a doctor’s appointment that day, so I decided we could go there afterwards, for lunch. Maybe my dream was telling me I needed a pimento cheese sandwich.

We looked all around the store. Hannah wanted to see the Vera Bradley section. I was hoping the “Sittin’ in a Tree” lamp would be on sale.

It wasn’t.

I eyed the Vietri dishes. We oooed and ahhhhhed at the Christmas decorations. Just before lunch was ready, I went to wash up.

That’s when I saw it.

A small lavender scented, silk pillow with the word “BREATHE” written on the front.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve often wished God was into skywriting. I never, however, considered He might be into silkscreening.

I whispered a prayer of gratitude. The pillow was still at full price, so instead of buying it, I snapped a quick photo with my phone. I needed a tangible reminder of God’s voice, confirming His word spoken just hours before.

A Prayer
Father, thank you for lovingly and gently breathing Your very breath into my life. Remind me throughout the days and nights to stop and breathe in Your presence.

What about you?
When have you seen a tangible reminder of some truth God spoke to you?

(Note: After the first of the year, I returned to The Farm Basket and found the pillow was on sale. I snapped it up and have given it a new home next to the throw pillows on our bed. Several times a day, I’m reminded to “BREATHE” in the very presence of God.)

“Come for the fiddle and pipes of the Celtic music. Come for the great illumination. Come for the Celtic carols and candles. Come for the ‘best nowells’ and be ‘blyth.’ Come to know the Child of ‘Marie meik and Virgin meild.”

I love the simplicity of the service.

Bagpipes invite us to worship, boldly. The sound, so different than most anything we hear these days.

Celtic musicians in plain robes tied with rope offer pure and honest worship on drum, violin, tin whistle and a simple piano.

We sing traditional carols and watch the flicker of advent candles.

I love hearing Karen‘s voice as she reads. Is it possible that once again the Word becomes flesh, and a babe is rocked gently by the rhythm of her cadence?

I love seeing Jeff in his kilt and tam. Smiles and cheer and rosy cheeks like Santa himself.

And those women, my friends Roz and Debbie and Wendy. Their song, offered to an audience of One, graciously blesses us who sit with backs against wood. (I’ll share those clips in days to come.)

We light candles and pass the flame while quietly proclaiming, “the light has come into the world, and the darkness cannot overtake it.”

We sing Silent Night with candles raised.

And then…Hey, the Gift

“Hey, the Gift, Ho the Gift,
Hey the Gift on the living.

The fair Mary went upon her knee,
It was the King of Glory who was upon her breast.

The side of the sack, the side of the sark
The hide is struck upon the spar.

To tell us that Christ is born,
The King of kings is the land of salvation.

I see the hills, I see the strand,
I see the host upon the wing.

I see angels on angels on clouds [waves,
Coming with speech and friendship to us.

Hey the Gift, ho the Gift,
Hey the Gift, ho the Gift.
Hey the Gift, ho the Gift.”

What about you?
What draws your heart to Christmas? Do you attend a special Christmas Eve service?

For the last few days, Lynchburg temperatures have barely reached freezing and the windchill makes it seem MUCH colder. When it’s this cold outside, I wonder if the man in the moon has the covers pulled up over his eyebrows, so that the only thing you see is top of his head. That’s what I was thinking as I drove home against  the backdrop of the night sky.

I wondered if it was this cold in Bethlehem, when Mary and Joseph spent the night in a stable. I’m not sure why, but I grew up thinking that Bethlehem’s climate was warm and tropical. I guess I missed the part about Bethlehem’s cold winters.

I thought about Mary, swaddling the baby, just like Linus said on Charlie Brown’s Christmas. That’s how I learned most of the Christmas story by heart, hearing Linus recite it from center stage.

When it’s this cold outside, I want to stay in, safe and warm. I want to spend time with those I know and love instead of venturing out into the cold unknown.

When it’s this cold outside, I long for my flannel Pj’s and fuzzy slippers, and a cup of steaming hot coffee from a porcelain Christmas mug. I want flames glowing in the fireplace, and like Linus, I want my blanket, only mine is green.

When it’s this cold outside, I know I’m blessed. And I wonder if a blanket or coat would make a difference for a child. Or emergency services or training and counseling.

When it’s this cold outside, I’m thankful for the work of people who are making a difference. I’m thankful for organizations like World Help and Union Rescue Mission, and for the many men and women who both work and volunteer there.

This Saturday is my birthday. I’ll spend the day with loved ones, including Peter, who shares my birthday. We’ll be warm, despite winter’s frigid temperatures.

Might I ask you for a small birthday gift? Presumptuous, I know. But if you’ve been reading this blog for a day or two, a month or two, or for a year or two, would you consider making a donation to either of these organizations? When it’s this cold outside, someone could use our help.

On the gift card, simply put “CultureSmith.” When it’s this cold outside, we can make a difference by shaping the culture of the world around us.

How about it?

Creative Commons photo on Flickr by cj berry.

[lcf] is Lynchburg Christian Fellowship, a 2-year old church plant that meets in Schewel Hall on the campus of Lynchburg College. Our family just started attending this fall.

There was no teaching/sermon time, only worship and prayer. The folks in the band rocked it out yesterday, and capably brought us into the Presence of God. It was powerful! These guys are truly anointed for worship leadership.

And can I just say, “they are young! And they play loudly!” :) But none of that matters when you’re in unity with other believers and you’re worshiping God.

After we sang a few opening songs, we were asked to find a partner and pray together. Right there in the middle of church. Who ever heard of such things? No 8 week class to learn how first, just get together and pray. I believe God was at work mightily during that time.

Peter and I prayed together. He began by asking me how he could pray for me. His prayer was a thing of beauty, spoken from his heart to God’s. Husbands, ask your wives this question. (My blogging friend Kim has a lot to say about that.)

After that, it was my turn to pray for Peter. (Ladies, without prompting at a church service, how often do we ask our husbands how we can pray for them?)

Following the partner prayers, we were encouraged to visit any of the prayer stations set up around the auditorium. The three normal response stations were already set up: the wooden cross with the sticky notes and markers, the community chest and the communion table.

Incidentally, since listening to Mike Breen‘s sermon on Identity and Purpose, I’m partaking of the Lord’s Supper with more significant meaning than ever before in my life.

The other response stations were specifically about prayer. We were to lay hands on the Lynchburg College t-shirt, and pray for the campus. As we touched the lcf t-shirt we were to pray for the lcf community.

The other side of the auditorium had three prayer stations. One to write ideas about how lcf can do service in our community or around the world and one was a prop from the last sermon series on rhythms and we were to put a post it note on the rhythm where we are most in need of consistency. (I know that’s only two, but I’m saving the last one…)

The band played worship music throughout the time of prayer. After I visited each of the prayer and response stations, I returned to my seat. I think it was Philip (one of the co-pastors) who encouraged us to simply listen to what God might be saying. Here’s a glimpse of what I wrote in my journal:

“Cheryl, I have spoken to the deep places of your heart today through the worship time. As you prayed for the LC Campus, I poured out my heart of love for the people here who don’t know me, and for those who are hurting and broken. As you took communion, I said ‘you are worthy.’ I poured out my blood and gave my body, freely, for you to be accepted. Cheryl, I say again, you are worthy. On the Scrabble table, you saw ‘Author.’ You heard me say this to you. You spelled out ‘Abba’ and before you returned to your seat, Philip prayed Abba aloud during his prayer.”

“Cheryl, today, you have heard my voice.”

I continue to give thanks to what God is doing through leadership, both paid staff and lay people, at [lcf].

What about you?
When have you heard God speak personally to you? What did He say?

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the Awareness Garden, let me explain. The Awareness Garden is a place of beauty and reflection for those whose lives have been touched by cancer. There’s a fountain, benches, and a cobblestone-like path with beautiful reddish bricks. Lots and lots of bricks. Many of the bricks are engraved with names and fond thoughts in honor or in memory of someone whose life has been touched by cancer.

I’ve passed that garden more than a dozen times without ever paying attention. But not today.

Something caught my eye, drew me in. A bouquet of roses wrapped in florist plastic, once beautiful, were now fading from the heat of warm sunshine and the coolness of crisp autumn nights. I wondered who left the flowers and for whom. Surely one who loved. And now mourned.

I felt a sudden sense of awe, like when you enter into a quiet church or even a library. I looked at the bricks. Really looked at them this time.

I looked for Stephen’s brick, the husband of a dear friend, who passed away more than a year ago. Cancer. I never found Stephen’s brick, but I saw others. Names of people I knew, or knew of. And some I never knew.

Like Alex, the twenty-something year old son of my neighbor, whose life ended far too soon.

I saw bricks in honor of survivors, like Susan Barney, who beat breast cancer and now is a runner. I’m inspired by her and so thankful that she’s here with her family.

I read the sign about Lalla’s Bell, and nearly walked away, unchanged. But for some reason, I felt compelled to ring the bell this morning. Three times. In honor of survivors. In memory of those who have died.

One.

Two.

Three.

And I thought of my own mom and dad, who both had cancer. Dad “beat” prostate cancer, but eventually died my freshman year of college from complications of Emphysema and Alzheimer’s (not even a common word in those days). Mom “beat” lung cancer, but was never quite the same. Pulmonary Fibrosis dealt her the final blow.

I celebrated Sharon Bulson’s beautiful testimony of a life lived well for God, despite numerous recurrences of ovarian cancer. Sharon is living a life poured out, bringing honor and glory to God in spite of her circumstances.

As I drove home, I began to cry. Not quite weeping, but close. It was weird, unexpected really, until I thought about how God cares for widows and orphans. And that He is acquainted with our grief.

I pray and ask God to break my heart for the things that break His. Today, He did.

Prayer
Father, too often we go through life, closing ourselves off because it’s too hard to feel others’ pain. Give us a heart for the wounded and the broken, the sick and the grieving, the lost and the dying. Show us how to be Your hands and feet in the world and then give us the courage to do so. Bring Your Holy Spirit of Presence and Comfort to all who mourn. In Jesus name, Amen.
What about you?
Has your life been touched by cancer? How has God broken your heart for the things that break His?

I just saw this awesome video and it’s got me thinking. Apparently Lenny Kravitz was in N’awlins having a drink when he heard his song being performed by a church choir. So he left to join in the fun. Maybe there are some spiritual parallels. Watch, and then tell me what you think:

Here are some of my initial thoughts.

1. The Holy Spirit doesn’t always move according to our plans. I’m pretty sure the VOP choir folks didn’t anticipate running into Lenny Kravitz on the streets of New Orleans and having a 5+ minute sing along with one of the hottest (and yes, I mean hot) performers in the world. Which leads me to my next point.
2. The Church needs to recognize the move of the Holy Spirit when it happens. What if the leaders of the VOP Choir only sang songs written by Lenny Kravitz, without ever actually knowing what he looked like. If that were the case, it’s quite possible that Lenny could have shown up and never been given the freedom to participate. Not only would the choir have missed out, but so would all those people who were standing around watching.
3. When the Holy Spirit is present, the world is drawn to the Church. The Spirit of love and of power are so contagious that people actually WANT to be there.
4. When we’ve had an encounter with the Holy Spirit, we want to tell others. I’m pretty sure choir members will season their conversation with “did you hear about what happened in New Orleans?” questions and comments for a long time.
5. When the Holy Spirit is present, people don’t care who gets the credit. The drummer gave up his seat. The singer gave up the microphone. All to the glory of God and the edification of the Saints. Literally.

Don’t even get me started on whether or not the church has room for walk-ons. My sports analogies aren’t that great.

What do you think? Can the Church, the world, learn something about the Holy Spirit from Lenny Kravitz? And if so, what?

I don’t want to miss a thing God might be doing. So Lenny, if you’re listening, and you’re ever performing anywhere near Lynchburg, VA I’d love to have a back stage pass.

Oh, and thanks Guy, for your post that started me thinking.

What’s your favorite networking story?

Last night, Rusty asked if we could meet a bit later because he needed to talk about Haiti with Founder and President, Vernon Brewer. Vernon is a man of great vision. Because he has spent a lifetime in obedience to the call of God on his life, World Help has been ministering in Haiti for ten years. There are several hundred children who are being sponsored by the gifts of everyday people like you and me.

As I was driving to the meeting with a cupajoe for Rusty, he called to see if we could reschedule. They were all slammed trying to figure out how to minister effectively in Haiti. I completely understood! I offered to drop off the coffee, pray for them and then leave so they could get to work. I’m glad I did because here is what I learned:

God is About Positioning

• For ten years, World Help has been building in Haiti. Building feeding centers. Building churches. Building relationships.
• World Help has established relationships with partners in Haiti and elsewhere, thus positioned for expedient help. World Help staff will make an impact. Quickly, while time is of the essence.
• Before there was even an earthquake, World Help was preparing. Three days ago two containers with $2.5 million dollars in medical supplies, medicine and shoes arrived at the wharf in Port-Au-Prince, simply waiting to be unloaded. There, ready before anyone even knew about an earthquake. Except God.
• Vision goes beyond crisis. Vernon’s ultimate vision is for World Help to provide clean water to people who need it most. Once the need for humanitarian aid is met, clean water will be an ongoing need in Haiti. Through CauseLife.org, World Help will continue to meet the needs of people in Haiti, and around the world.

I’m blown away by the hand of God in using Vernon and World Help to minister to the people of Haiti. Perhaps this is a picture of one life, several lives, yielded to God.

Be Found Faithful
You can GIVE to World Help today. Your donation will make an immediate impact in a country that needs it. For people who need it. And will be used by an organization that follows God’s leading.

How is God positioning you today so that in three days (figuratively or literally), you’ll be ready for the next thing?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I am the President of CultureSmith Consulting and have done consulting work for World Help. This post, however, is written without request from World Help and I am not receiving any financial remuneration for the writing thereof. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”