What do you do when people are hurting?

Yesterday we talked about a subject at TNL that allowed a lot of people to share some ways that they are hurting. I feel a couple of things about this. I am so sad that such young people have such hardship in their lives, really heavy burdens that too often they seem to be shouldering alone. Second is amazement of the resiliency of junior highers to continue on in spite of a really tough reality and hope that they will rise above their current situation- and I know that they can. In the midst of experiencing anothers heartache, I often feel at a loss for words, for how to comfort without seeming cliche. I find the answer in Romans 12:15 "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Sometimes all you can do is cry with someone, the only comfort you can offer is "I am here." While this seems like you are doing nothing the truth is you have validated their pain, confirmed for them that they are not crazy or wrong to feel the way they do. Empty condolences offer no real help and while just sharing in their hurt doesn't help in the standard definition of the word would lead you to believe, I think it can help just knowing that you aren't alone. My heart is heavy for these people I talked with yesterday and for those I know have such brokenness but I didn't talk to. I look at the sea of faces and I see so much in them, so much potential, so much joy, so much innocence, and so much pain. I wish I could make it better for them but I know I can't. I know the only one who can help is God, He can work in a heart and a life that may not get better in this lifetime but He promises to make a new life for those who follow Him. He is the only one who can keep you from ever being alone. He is the ultimate Counselor, the Prince of Peace. He is faithful, even when we are not. Those who follow are pulled into His promise, adopted into His family, and has a place in eternity with Him. I have no other comfort then that, knowing this life is not the end but the beginning to our lives with Him for those who know Him. Oh how I wish they all would know Him! I know He wishes that too.

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

You may or may not be aware of the fact that "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln" is back at Disneyland. What is it you ask? Well- the idea first came out and was realized in the 60's for a special thing they were doing in Illinois. Disney had always been a huge admirer of Lincoln and he also happened to be the head of the Disney Studio and therefore one of the leaders in something called Audio-Animatronics. That is how the Tiki Room works, the Pirates, anything that moves "realistically" and talks. So Disney made a talking Abraham Lincoln for this fair thing in Illinois. Then he brought it to Disneyland to the Opera House on Main Street. It was gone for about 5 years now where it was replaced by a sweet show with Steve Martin and Donald Duck titled "The First 50 Magical Years" or something like that that debued during their 5 year long 50th birthday celebration. Well in January they brought Mr. Lincoln back.

This last Monday, I needed a day off and so I went to Disneyland. I had an incredible time!!! The Cast memebers were so great, I got free parking, free buttons, and felt super well taken care of. I went on rides, drew Pluto and all around had a blast. I learned 2 things- (well more then that but the rest for a later time) 1. that the Jewel of Orleans- my favorite jewelry store (it's right in New Orleans square across from the guy that paints umbrellas), is closing- I am soooooo bummed!!! But more importantly 2. That Mr. Lincoln was back and better then ever. The show was so good! It reminded me of all the reasons I am proud to be an American, and taught me more about a great leader from our history who was a man of deep character, who faced very difficult circumstances, and who followed God.

I hope you get a chance to see it in person but if not I got this off of youtube. It is fairly long but oh so good. It is in 2 parts- make sure you start with the one on top:)

Punxsutawny Phil

Do you even know what that is? That is the name of the ground hog that tells us if we will have 6 more weeks of winter of if we are in for an early spring. The whole deal around Groundhog Day, if he sees his own shadow- you know what I am talking about, yes?

Punxautawny is the name of the town where all this groundhog stuff takes place and where Phil lives. But why is this a national holiday? Why do we have Groundhogs day in the first place? While I was determined to find out. After some extensive research I found that Phil's first prediction was in 1887 and that he is wrong more then half the time. Still I was no closer as to learning how we even care what a groundhog thinks about the weather. I continued searching and I came across this:

"The story of Groundhog Day begins with Candlemas, an early Christian holiday where candles were blessed and distributed. Celebrators of holiday eventually declared clear skies on Candlemas meant a longer winter. The Roman legions, during the conquest of the northern country, brought this tradition to the Germans, who concluded that if the sun made an appearance on Candlemas Day, a hedgehog would cast a shadow, thus predicting six more weeks of bad weather or "Second Winter." German immigrants brought the tradition to Pennsylvania, but how did Punxsutawney Phil emerge?

In 1887, a spirited group of groundhog hunters from Punxsutawney dubbed themselves "The Punxsutawney Groundhog Club." One member was an editor of Punxsutawney's newspaper. Using his ink, he proclaimed Punxsutawney Phil, the local groundhog, to be the one and only weather prognosticating groundhog. He issued this proclamation on Candlemas, and yes, Groundhog Day. Phil's fame spread, and newspapers from around the globe began to report his Gobbler's Knob prediction. Today you will find 20,000+ in attendance an millions watching on television or via the web."

Strange but true. If you actually read the whole article probably you are wondering what "prognosticating" means so I'll throw the answer to that in for free: "to make a forecast; prophesy."

Happy Groundhog's Day!