Articulating Hope

Category: Fun and Excitement

  • Is It Okay To Hide In The Barrel?

    Is It Okay To Hide In The Barrel?

    The rodeo clown has an important role to play in the safety of the participants.  It isn’t always an easy task and I am sure there are times when the heart rate of the clown must skyrocket.  Getting a bull’s attention at close range is not necessarily what I would call fun.  I could see myself having a great desire to jump and hide in the barrel at the first sign of danger.  (Thus, I sit in the stands as a spectator rather than as a cowboy or a clown.)I am not a rodeo clown, and yet, there are still times that I would like to jump in a barrel and hide.  The difficulties and anxieties of life can take a toll and weigh me down.  Although running away and hiding can seem appealing, it is generally not the most effective means of coping.  There has to be a healthier and more productive manner in which to address the problems of day-to-day life.One thing I was taught years ago was that I am responsible for my joy.  If I believe that I am a child of God I should be filled with joy.  If I allow my joy to be taken away by others or by the difficult circumstances of life, I am walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit.  It took a lot of years before I started grasping the real depth behind that thinking.  I finally started to understand a little bit of it when I distinguished the difference between happiness and joy. Problems may be filling my days and I find that I am not necessarily happy about the way things are going. However, I should still have the joy of the Lord despite the difficulties.I am grateful for the gift of prayer.  The older I get the more I realize that God really does speak to us in the depths of our being.  There is grace; there is strength; there is peace and contentment when we engage in the act of prayer.  Let us walk boldly in faith.  “For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control.”(2 Timothy 1:7)

  • Life In The Calm Lane

    Life In The Calm Lane

    The world certainly has enough problems these days.  The Middle East seems to always be an interesting location, the Ukraine and Russia has become a hot-spot once again with the Malaysian airliner being shot down, and according to one news report there are over 40 wars being fought at the current moment across the globe.  Violence is a way of life in much of our world, and even in our own country the violence in some of our cities is absolutely astounding.As I watched the parade on Saturday in Cheyenne I was struck by the contrast of what was being experienced in our town compared to the horror and devastation that war-torn countries were enduring at the same time.  The excitement of children watching the parade was heart-warming and the community spirit was a sign of hope.  However, the realities of the fragile existence we share could not be missed.  The military always has a commanding presence in the parade and this year was no exception.  As parade watchers applauded our men and women in uniform for their service to our country, one couldn’t help but wonder what the future holds in regard to war and peace.  Will we enjoy tranquil days or be ravaged by conflict and violence?Seeing pictures on the news this week of people who were killed in violent attacks in a multitude of locations made me stop and pause.  What am I personally doing to create a culture of non-violence?  How am I building up the Kingdom of God?  I may not be able to solve the world’s problems, but I have a responsibility to pray and act in my little corner to promote peace and justice.  Am I doing my part?
    One float in the parade each year makes me a little sad.  This year it hit me even harder than usual.  Some of the deceased in the airliner disaster were children.  It was sad to see their stuffed animals and other belongings laying on the ground.  Behind each of those belongings was the life of a child snuffed our prematurely.  The float (pictured below) with the small casket was a stark reminder of the shortness of life and the length of eternity.  Let us give thanks to God for the gift of life and fervently pray for peace.

  • Cheyenne Frontier Days–aka–Holy Week

    Cheyenne Frontier Days–aka–Holy Week

    All is quiet in front of the capitol building today, but the parade days will create a completely different scenario tomorrow, Tuesday, Thursday, and next Saturday.  Cheyenne Frontier Days bring a festive atmosphere to the city with parades, free pancake breakfasts, big star musical entertainment, shopping, games, rides, and of course, “the daddy of em all” rodeo.

    Ten days of fun–HERE WE GO!

  • Mother’s Day Snowstorm

    Mother’s Day Snowstorm

    Yesterday I began mowing for the first time this year.  I just left the mower sit on the porch because I figured I would continue to do more over the next few days.  Yes, I had heard the forecast but chose not to believe.  Maybe I just didn’t want to believe it.  How could it snow on Mother’s Day?  My mower thinks I should have listened because it prefers to be kept dry and snow free.

    I called my mom this morning to wish her a Happy Mother’s Day.  It was 28 degrees in Cheyenne at the time and 82 degrees in St. Louis.  We had the same numbers; they were just reversed.  My mom said it was warm enough with the humidity that she had turned on her air conditioner.  If she was looking for sympathy, she was definitely looking in the wrong place.  I would thoroughly enjoy feeling 82 degrees with some humidity to go along with it right about now.  Instead I went out and shoveled snow–a wet and heavy snow I might add.

    Although the weather has challenged some Mother’s Day social gatherings in our part of the country, it can’t erase the sentiments of love and affection expressed on this day.  Motherhood is probably one of the most daunting tasks in the world, and I sincerely hope that we share our gratitude to mom on more days than Mother’s Day, her birthday, and Christmas.  While greeting card companies and florists cherish a day like Mother’s Day, I hope the rest of us truly cherish our mothers every day of the year.

    To all the moms out there striving to faithfully live up to the responsibilities of your calling–I simply say, “THANK YOU!”  You give us a glimpse of God’s love.  The commitment to loving your children, which is evident even after the children have left the nest, is admirable.  The sacrifices you make on a regular basis are a genuine reflection of God’s love for each of us.  The example and model you set makes our world a better place.  

    Happy Mother’s Day!