The Last Dance

Graceful fingers slightly curve

Arms above, her

Head tilts back, neck elongates

Body snaps,

And twirls, then twirls again

Leg goes up, extends, around

Then down

To touch the ground.

She moves like notes on melodies

Entwined, emotive symphonies

Divine

Her heartbeat fills the room

Ba-boom, ba-boom, ba-boom,

Gliding,

Smooth.

It touches everyone,

A flow

From head to toe.

We feel it.

Then, she smiles,

And we know.

We know her passion to

Awaken dreams

Thought dead in those

Who’d accepted

Defeat instead.

“Rise up!

Get moving!

You’ve got this!

You can do it!”

That is what she said.

And they rose

Moved

Dreamed

Achieved

Believed

Because

She knew it.

Soft arms

Fiercely embrace,

A sweet smile

Emanating grace,

Beauty

Spontaneously unfolds

And wraps a multitude

Brings them together,

One.

Laughing,

Dancing

Loving

Being,

One.

Childish giggles

Echo as they

Run among

Those gone before.

They gaze in awe

In rooms where

History’s laid out,
At things once old,

Now new to them.

Rotary phone?

A typewriter, and

Feathered hats?

Flapper dress and

Polished Mary Janes

Crossing lanes -

To meet?

“Yes,” she said,
"Yes."

“Don’t you

forget -

To remember.”

She kneels

at the end

of the number.

Arms outstretched,

Head lifted

Smile radiant

Eyes closed.

It was her final pose

The last dance we would see

Now every move
 is Heavenly.

She’s twirling with the angels.

In Memory of  Brenda Cooper

How Are You Living?

"What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of it. Not how long you lived, but how you lived. You are going to give your life for something. What will it be—a career, a sport, a hobby, fame, wealth? None of these will have lasting significance. Service is the pathway to real significance. It is through ministry that we discover the meaning of our lives. The Bible says, "Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body" (Romans 12:5 Msg) - Rick Warren.

Those words struck a deep chord as I sat in a memorial service where I'd been asked to sing. As I listened to the tributes being offered, I thought, "Wow. What a life." It wasn't perfect, but it was enviable. We were celebrating a man who had great vision and lived every moment positively impacting the lives of others. He was fearless in his expression of faith and boldly shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with anyone he could. Many said he'd left this earth too soon, but the way he lived and what he'd accomplished seemed like the product of many lifetimes. He was committed, and passionate. Purpose drove him.

Myles Munroe said, "Die empty." Leave nothing you are purposed to do undone. I find myself on a journey of epic proportions. Not just serving, worshiping, or teaching our youth, but writing and publishing books as well as promoting my first worship conference. It sometimes seems surreal. Mainly because I am just a vessel. I have to rely on God every step of the way.

One thing is clear, a God-given vision is never accomplished without God. It is larger than life. You face doubt. You battle fears, yet giving up is not an option. I have decided to live on purpose, to die empty. This resolve allows me to keep moving in spite of uncertainty. Fear becomes motivation, not discouragement or prevention. Whatever you are destined to do, do it scared. Don't stop. That's when you're living? That's how you live.

Constant Companions

Sweet words,
Constant companions.
They calm or stir,
evoke,
deride,
assault,
assuage,
force guilt,
or joy,
peace, anger -
fear.
Sweet words,
Constant companions.

Craftily woven
they create a
tapestry which
bends the ear and
draws the heart
unraveling tales,
triumphant,
woe,
Sweet words,
Constant companions.

Can I live
without them?
This I'll never know
When I wake up
or go to bed
They're always there
breathing, new life
Like Bible verses
truth rings clear -
Sweet words,
Constant companions.
I'll never let them go.

Come Alive

When a goal is set and reached, it is the end of a process which often signals the beginning of another. Something motivates us to keep moving, learning, growing, seeking new challenges and outcomes.

I recently read a blog by Joya Martin (award-winning business leader and experienced accounting professional) titled, What Dreams Will Die With You? She mentions a quote attributed to Dr. Howard Thurman, "Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who come alive."  

Are you living your dream? Has fear paralyzed you? What do you need to take the next step? What's stopping you from moving toward a goal?

The caption on my high school yearbook photo reads, "Author/Singer," and though I graduated a lifetime ago (it seems) the dream of writing a book is only now being realized. One will soon be published, and I have already started writing another. It is exciting, exhilarating, terrifying, phenomenal, awe inspiring, just crazy cool and unreal.

It is never too late to live on purpose. Don't let your dreams die with you. Now is the time to watch the painting on your life's canvas become a masterpiece. Come alive.