Six Letters

I love brain teasers. I like word mysteries, puzzles and 3-D and other optical illusions. More likely than not, I have to read the cheat sheet to be able to solve them, but I still enjoy the challenge. Here are a couple of my favorites.

“A cab driver is going the wrong way down a one way street. Two policemen see him but don’t stop him. Why?  Or: “In the following line of letters, cross out six letters so that the remaining letters, without altering their sequence, will spell a familiar English word.”

Believe it or not there is reason to my seemingly unrelated thought processes. I was cleaning off my desk when I found my folder of icebreakers. The cross out six letters brain teaser was on top and it made me think about crossing Christ out of Christmas, therefore shortening it to Xmas. It just so happened that on the same day, yahoo.com ran a story about the origins of using “X” to replace Christ in Christmas -- therefore the jump from brain teasers to Christmas.

Admittedly I am one of those who cringe when I see “Xmas.” Not ever having taken Greek, I had not, until after reading the article, made the connection that our “X” is the Greek ‘chi’ which, when combined with ‘rho’ symbolizes Christ. Below is the article from connectamarillo.com.

“In the first story, we look at the abbreviation commonly referred to as Xmas. How did the word Christ come to be replaced by the letter “X”? Turns out it goes back to the very beginnings of Christianity. “Using the symbol “X” for Christ is a tradition that dates far back into the history of Christianity and into the first few centuries. That’s because our letter “X” is identical to the Greek letter ‘chi,” which is the first letter for Christos in Greek, and so early Christians many times would see the letter “X” or combine that with the letter ‘rho’ in Greek to symbolize Christ,” says Father Robert Busch, PhD, Amarillo Diocese Schools Director. Xmas therefore means, “Christ’s Mass,” so in many ways, the “X” stands for Christ. But some people unaware of the Greek origin of this “X” often mistakenly interpret the Xmas as an informal shortening pronounced (eks-mas). Many therefore frown upon the term Xmas because it seems to them a commercial convenience that omits Christ from Christmas. It’s also important to note that it is a written abbreviation, and should not be pronounced “X”mas, but instead as “Christmas.” Another interesting fact, in olden times when paper and ink were precious commodities, the “X” was used to save space when printing.” (connectamarillo.com))

A little Greek goes a long way but I suspect that most of us, even after a brief lesson in word origin, still prefer to see Christ in Christmas; after all, He is the reason for the season.

Copyright © 2010 Judith Bell

P.S. Let me know if you can’t figure out why the cabbie wasn’t stopped.

Evil Momma

They finally did it! They pushed me too far. They have to learn that “every choice has a consequence.” They of course are those young men living in my house.


I’ve been on a tear for the last two weeks. It all started with a sink full of dirty dishes. I thought I could wait them out. I was wrong. The same dishes sat in the sink Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I was patient. I asked repeatedly who left the dishes in the sink only to learn that a fourth person going by the name, “I don’t know”, had moved in without me knowing about it.

I didn’t get mad. I didn’t threaten certain death if they weren’t washed and put away. I did decide there were consequences. Friday morning I got up, cleaned out the gun closet and outside freezer and put all the dishes, glasses, pots, pans, forks, spoons, bowls, knives and cooking utensils in one or the other. I locked the doors and hid the keys. I left paper plates, plastic cups, plastic forks and spoons, one cookie sheet, one small pot, one small pan, a wooden spoon and a spatula. I figured they had everything they needed to survive. Yup, every choice has a consequence.

Needless to say they are not very happy right now. Lee got mad and wouldn’t talk to me. David asked if he had to wash the paper plates. Reid left challenging messages on yellow sticky notes in the cabinet and refrigerator. The one in the cabinet read “Bring it on big dawg” and the one in the refrigerator read “Evil momma is back.”

Of all the notes that he left, the most meaningful was “Evil momma is back.” During their elementary years, while other mom’s were referred to as Ryan’s mom or Mrs. Dee Dee, Reid and all of his friends called me “Evil Momma.” Evil Momma was special; it set me apart from the other moms; and let me say, that was a name I wore with honor. There was something about that label that let me know that somewhere along the way I had done what I was supposed to do. It set me apart from the other moms.

The name Evil Momma means something and so does Christmas; “…She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:23)

Copyright © 2010 Judith Bell

Back in the Manger

Christmas always takes us back to the manager; to the night when Christ was born.


One of the most familiar reminders of that night is the nativity. Nativity scenes have served as a reminder of Christ’s humble birth since the Dark Ages. However, it‘s Saint Francis Assisi that gets the credit for popularizing the most treasured display of Christmas. Though it was undoubtedly rustic in design and construction, scholars believe that it was a live nativity and most likely biblically correct, portraying on those that were present in Luke’s telling of the birth. Luke’s account is vague, giving no specific details about the setting of Christ’s birth, other than it was a structure used for stabling animals and that only Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the shepherds were present. The details weren’t important to Luke because the focus was totally on the birth of Jesus.

I have several nativities, but my favorite is a very simple wooden scene of the first Christmas. The last three years the set has been missing a piece because three years ago Lucy, the Airedale puppy from the dark side, ate baby Jesus. One night the baby was lying in the manger and the next morning it was nothing but splintered pieces of wood.

It has taken three years, but my Dad has finally managed to craft a replacement; baby Jesus is back in the manger! I felt a sense of completeness this year as I removed the cherished pieces from the box and placed them on the table. As I put the baby in the manger I was reminded, as I am each year, that Christmas is a time of preparation and anticipation. It is a time to purposefully prepare our hearts to receive God’s perfect gift of love.

Nativities have undergone drastic changes since 1223. Regardless of how extravagantly or garishly crafted today’s nativities are, they serve to remind us that the focus of Christmas remains on the baby lying in the manger.

Tonight as I look across the room I see a complete nativity. The scene is complete. The splintered pieces have been replaced and baby Jesus is back in the manger.

“I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snuggly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12)

Copyright © 2010 Judith Bell

Not Enough Stars

Between 1840 and the mid 1950s, polio was a worldwide epidemic. At the height of the polio epidemic in 1952, there were nearly 60,000 cases with more than 3,000 deaths reported in the United States alone. Polio often resulted in partial or full paralysis and common treatments included the use of body casts and other supportive devices.


In his Thanksgiving sermon, entitled Deep Thanks, Dr. Don Webb recounted a story told to him as a young man beginning his first pastorate in Ohio. The pastor had spent time visiting a young girl hospitalized with polio. She spent her days and nights in bed, strapped to a board with little else to do but to gaze out the window. When the pastor asked her what she did to pass the time, the girl replied, “I play with the stars.” She went on to tell about how she picked out a star and then said what she was thankful for; she picked the brightest star for her mother and the twinkliest star for her brother. She also thanked the stars for the flowers, the trees, family and so on. When she finished listing what she was thankful for, she looked at the pastor and said, “God didn’t make enough stars.” Considering there are over 30 billion trillion stars in the observable universe; that is deep thanks.

I have much for which to be thankful; family, health, work, friends, and quality of life. If I were to stand outside tonight and begin labeling stars, those would easily be the brightest and easiest stars to point out and whisper a silent prayer of gratitude. However, as I go through my list, I am reminded of Paul’s words in 1 Thessalonians; “…be thankful in all circumstances.” The part about “in all circumstances” makes the task of thankfulness somewhat more difficult. Yet, a thankful spirit is what I am called to offer unto the Lord.

Tonight I plan to take some time, stand in my front yard and play with the stars. I plan on thanking God for the times I’ve laughed until I’ve cried. I plan on thanking God for the time I’ve spent with loved ones. I plan on thanking God for the long line at the grocery store that made me slow down, take a deep breath and realize that there was no need to rush. I plan on thanking God for the challenging week that I’ve had and that I’ve been able to move through it without a complete emotional breakdown.

And finally, and perhaps most importantly, I plan on thanking God.

Psalm 100

A Psalm for grateful praise

Shout to the Lord, all the earth

Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

*Story written with permission of Dr. Don Webb


Copyright © 2010 Judith Bell

God's Canvas

Opening the text message with the attached photo was one of those “take your breath away moments.” I immediately sent back the reply; “Beautiful! It is now my new screen saver.” My immediate thought was “God’s canvas.”

My next thought was that of a preschool classroom. One of my fondest memories of being a preschool teacher is that of watching two- and three-year-olds stand at an easel with paint brush in hand. They always approach the blank piece of paper the same way; wet paint brush palmed and held at one of the top corners of the easel. When they are ready to make the first colorful stroke, they use their entire body as the paint brush; making broad, slashing strokes as they fill the paper with color. Their enthusiasm for creating is contagious. If I close my eyes and let my imagination go, I can picture God, the Creator, dipping His brush into the majestic colors of the universe and using the sky as His canvas, and using broad, slashing strokes to fill the sky with color.

I went searching for Scripture that captured the essence of the sunset and found Psalm 19 verses 1-6 -

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end.” (Psalm 19: 1-6)

The photo and the words of David reminded me of three very important things.

1. At the end of the day, regardless of what happens, God is going to be there.
2. God has made my life a canvas and it is my responsibility to create something.
3. God has a plan for me and all I have to do is follow the course.



This is a day that the Lord has made!

Copyright © 2010 Judith Bell

The Spirit of Aggie Land

First things first; it is absolutely imperative that I include the following disclaimer: I’m writing this fearing exile from the Razorback nation; but please note - I’m not trading in my cardinal for maroon and white and while I love the fact that Texas A&M’s war hymn includes a verse about sawing varsity’s horns off; there is no way it beats thousands of Razorbacks calling the hogs!

Two Sundays ago, my fortune cookie read; “You will experience something different this weekend.” I laughed when I read that strip of paper because I knew, without a doubt that it was going to be true; I was College Station bound on Friday. For an Arkansas girl this was a major trip; cheering on the Aggies for the weekend was definitely different and I wondered if I was going to be able to pull it off.

Visiting Texas A&M is an experience. I say “experience” because there is no other way to describe it. Before I left for College Station, I looked up and memorized the words to the A&M fight song, I bought a maroon shirt and I swore that I wouldn’t talk about Arkansas’ win over the Aggies earlier this year. I did all of this because I wanted to fit in; to be accepted as part of the group. All of my prep work paid off. I had a great time, felt welcomed and no one held my Arkansas allegiance against me. I’m officially declaring myself impressed by the Aggies.

I’ve always known about the traditions of Texas A&M, including their total disdain of the Texas Longhorns, the Corp of Cadets, the 12th Man, dates kissing after each A&M score and the precision marching of the band. Entering the world of Texas A&M, particularly the quad, home of the Corp of Cadets, is like entering a different world. How does one explain to an outsider Fish Spurs, chants and shouts, tall boots, creased and non-creased hats and the “Howdy?” The world of Texas A&M is so unique that if you aren’t Texas A&M bred, there is no way for you to understand. They even have a saying about it; “From the outside looking in, you can't understand it. From the inside looking out, you can't explain it."

But, the problem is this; I want to explain it. There is something special about Aggies that needs to be teased out. There is something in Aggie Land that the rest of us need to know, experience and embrace.

The explanation is two fold. I believe that in part, the following line from the “Spirit of Aggie Land” explains most of what it is: “We are the Aggies - the Aggies are we; True to each other as Aggies can be.” That one line is the explanation - there is an unquestionable self and group identity. Aggies know who they are and what they stand for and they hold true to that identity and that pride is immeasurable. However, the rest of the answer is about experience. Aggies aren’t just Aggies because of their university; they are Aggies because of how they experience the it. Some refer to it as brainwashing; but it seems to me that Aggies choose to experience life in such a way that it culminates in the belief that life is bigger than self.

As I watched alumni gather and rejoin ranks, friends visit, cadets do whatever it was they were doing and the 84,000+ fans at Kyle Field saw varsity’s horns off, I couldn’t help but wonder what our world be like if each of us possessed the unquestionable identity as God’s children and held true to the spirit of God; allowing ourselves to truly experience His love.

Hullabaloo, Caneck, Caneck

Copyright © 2010 Judith Bell

Get the Umbrella

The drought was relentless. They watched the skies; hoping for rain clouds, but none appeared. The ground was parched. The crops were dying. There wasn’t much they could do but wait for the rain to come. So, they waited and still no rain. Then someone suggested that they gather in the school house to pray; after all it wouldn’t hurt if the community gathered for a prayer vigil. The school house was full, adults and children alike. As the preacher greeted everyone and the group settled down to pray, a little girl ran from the school house. The startled adults called after her and asked where she was going. To which the little girl replied; “To get my umbrella.”


It is easy to live a faith-filled life when burdens are light and spirits are effervescent. Fear, worry and insecurity wear us down leading to the erosion of faith. Faith erosion drives most of us to the comforting words of scripture.

• Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about the things we cannot see.”

• Romans 5:1-4 “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us to develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.

• Ephesians 2:8-9 “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

• Mark 11:22-26 “…Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”

• 1 John 5:4 “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.”

• John 14:1 Let not your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me.”

• Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Faith – a simple word that is influenced by the complexities of human nature. Webster defines faith as “firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust.” But what does that really mean? Faith means different things to different people. Consider the following:

• To Oliver Wendell Holmes faith was, “When in doubt, do it.”
• Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”
• John Burroughs writes, “Leap, and the net will appear.”
• Albert Camus offers this insight, “In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.”

For some faith and belief are transposable words. For me faith is more than belief; faith is knowing that deep down in your soul that all is well. Faith is running to get an umbrella because you know the awesome power of a steadfast God.

*Thanks to Billy Hance for telling the story that inspired this week’s reflection.

Copyright © 2010 Judith Bell

Just Eat The Whole Cookie!

Several years ago I attended a retreat -- not the spa kind of retreat where body, mind and spirit are pampered in the poshness of a world class resort; but a work related retreat deep in the woods of Robert, Louisiana. The retreat center has no televisions, radios or telephones and cell phone reception is almost nonexistent. However, there is one perk; every afternoon at two o’clock there are fresh baked cookies.


Monday afternoon the kitchen staff placed a tray of chocolate chip cookies in the refreshment area. As the afternoon passed, the number of cookies on the tray dwindled. Several people, not wanting to take a whole cookie, broke off a piece of a cookie and left the remaining portion on the tray. Breaking cookies seemed like a reasonable thing to do if you didn’t want to eat a whole cookie.

During the closing session on Monday, the facilitator asked if there were any questions, comments or concerns. Bud Snowden, of the Greater Baton Rogue affiliate, was frustrated as he addressed the group. His question: “Who is breaking the cookies?”

There was a lot of eye cutting and shoulder shrugging but no one owned up to being a cookie breaker. Thinking that Bud’s frustration was germ related, a couple of people asked if it would be more acceptable if the broken cookies were placed on a napkin and put to the side instead of putting it back on the tray. Obviously frustrated, Bud’s answer was an unquestionable, “No.” Someone then asked: “Bud, what would you have the people breaking the cookies do?” Bud’s answer was awesome and was truly the only possible answer – “Just eat the whole cookie!”

I later asked Bud why eating the whole cookie was so important. Again, Bud’s response was insightful and the only possible answer – “Enjoy the cookie.” Bud’s philosophy on cookie eating is a lesson in living. Life is there for us to live to the fullest and to enjoy the pleasures that are ours to claim. Yet, so many times we fail to embrace what is right in front of us. The next time you have the opportunity – eat the whole cookie and remember, “Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that makes you smile.”

Original 4/24/08 Judith Bell 10/15/10
*Quote attributed to Mark Twain

Copyright © 2010 Judith Bell

Do It Anyway

Most of us grew up learning the Ten Commandments as a pretty straight forward list of eight “thou shalt nots” and the two directives; “Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy” and “Honor thy father and thy mother.” The Ten Commandments weren’t intended keep us from a life of fun and frivolity. Instead, they serve to remind us that with love, honor and respect for others creates for us a life of fulfillment. Personally, and for the most part, following the Ten Commandments hasn’t been a challenge. Ok, there was a period of time, especially during adolescence, that I might have forgotten the part about honoring my parents and I’m sure that I’ve coveted something, most likely a pair of shoes. And, admittedly, I have worked on Sundays.

Tougher yet, is wholeheartedly embracing the whole notion of the “greatest commandment” - loving your neighbor. Let’s be honest, there are just some people out there that are totally unlovable; especially those fiends that do us wrong. Really? And God’s answer: “Really.” In 1968, Dr. Kent Keith, penned a list of “Paradoxical Commandments;” a list of life rules that are contrary to human nature. Following is Dr. Keith’s list of Paradoxical Commandments:

1. People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
3. If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.
5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
6. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.
7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.
10. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway. © 1968, 2001 Kent M. Keith

If those words sound vaguely familiar, they should. The revision of Keith’s list is better known as “Mother Teresa’s Prayer” or “Do it Anyway.” The following words are slightly different from Keith’s earlier version and are supposedly inscribed in a children’s home in Calcutta, India:

1. People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
2. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
3. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
4. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
5. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
6. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
7. The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
8. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
9. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Considering those lists, the original list of Ten Commandments is looking pretty good right now. There is some serious “love” your neighbor” personal responsibility and accountability in both Keith’s and Mother Teresa’s lists of commandments. While loving, forgiving, being kind and happy and doing good and giving your best can be challenging, perhaps the most difficult challenge lies in loving ourselves enough to love others. Jesus could have stopped with “love your neighbor,” but he didn’t. Instead he added the caveat, “as yourself” to the commandment. Why? He knew that we would struggle with the act of self love. Loving self requires us to believe in who we are. How can you truly love others without truly loving you? When we love self, we truly accept who we are in Christ and therefore, can conquer “the do it anyways.”

Copyright © 2010 Judith Bell

“Crisis in the Gulf”

"Boudreaux suddenly quit drinking, took a bath, quit chasing women, quit his poker games and stopped laying around. He started cutting the grass around the church, even painted it and was faithful to be the first to attend on Sundays! Father Thibodeaux asked him what about dis wonderful change that had overtook him. Boudreaux explained, "I heard 'Crisis in the Gulf' and if He’s dat close, I wanna be good to go!"

It seems that Old Boudreaux was padding his good works resume and had obviously had forgotten Paul’s words in the second chapter of Ephesians; “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (New Living Translation).

Salvation isn’t a solo act. As Christians we are called to help, extend kindness, to love everyone, and serve others. Being in service to others comes because of the transforming love of Christ. It is important to remember that while grace has personal benefits, it also comes with the responsibility to edify God and to extend His kingdom here on earth.

Accepting God’s gift of grace is the unwrapping of faith. Faith, once unwrapped, is to be shared. Faith sharing isn’t about building a heavenly resume; it is about revealing the love of Christ. Faith sharing isn’t about being “good to go” it is about doing good so that others will be “good to go.”

If Boudreaux had been working purposefully for Christ and not only working to make sure that he was “good to go,” perhaps Marie would have had something else to add to his obituary.

"Mrs. Boudreaux went to the local newspaper and said she wanted to put in the obituary column that Boudreaux had died. They told her it would be $1.00 per word. She said, "Here's $2.00 - put in dere dat BOUDREAUX DIED. They said, "Mrs. Boudreaux, surely you want more dan dat." She said, 'Mais, no, ust Boudreaux died." The editor said, "Well, you're a little upset. Bring yourself back tomorrow and you will probably tink of somethin else." She came back the next day, and said, "Yeh, I taught of somethin else ---
BOAT FOR SALE."

Copyright © 2010 Judith Bell

Character of the Game

I’m an avid football fan, preferring college ball over pro ball, but with a house full of young adult males, football reigns supreme, so I watch both. I spend Saturdays watching my beloved Hogs, cheering for underdog teams that I don’t have a particular interest in and rooting for any team playing against the LSU Tigers. On Sundays I multi-task, only half-way watching a game, relying on the boys to holler (that’s “call” in Arkansas speak) at me when there is a replay of some spectacular play. This past weekend I watched Arkansas beat Georgia, Texas beat Texas Tech, LSU beat Mississippi State, Michigan State beat Notre Dame and bits and pieces of other games. Sunday, I watched the Bears beat the Cowboys and I held my breath Monday night as the Saints pulled of a last second victory over the 49ers. Without a doubt the networks had plenty of film for their highlight reels; but what caught my attention more than the big plays and bone crushing hits, were the scenes that captured the humanness in the violent game of football.

I watched Jason Witten, tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, leave the game dazed and confused after his head slammed into the turf during a tackle. The cameras zoomed in as Witten vehemently argued with Cowboys’ medical staff that he was fit to play and I could almost feel the intensity of Witten’s plea to be put back into the game.

I agonized as the Red Raiders of Texas Tech played their hearts out against the Texas Longhorns. It was obvious that the Red Raiders were out manned and even though Tommy Tubberville tried to keep his defensive line rested, making frequent substitutions whenever possible, his two safeties had to play the entire game because there wasn’t enough depth on the bench to give them a breather. I was impressed by the young safety’s composure as the Longhorns marched down the field. It was obvious he was exhausted – hands on hips and chest heaving for breath; but when Texas broke huddle and lined up on the ball; he was one of the first players to get into position.

Last, but not least, I watched the last second on the road wins of the Arkansas Razorbacks and New Orleans Saints. Both teams had early leads, but ultimately found themselves behind in the final seconds. For both teams it was “do or die” in a seemingly impossible situation; on the road with only seconds remaining. As the teams broke huddle for the last play of the game, they did so with composure and confidence, believing the impossible was possible.

I watched as teams celebrated victory and I watched as teams suffered disappointment and defeat; but I saw far more than winning and losing. I saw determination and passion as Witten pled his case. I saw patience and fortitude as the Cowboys’ medical team stood their ground. I witnessed selflessness in the Red Raider safety as he gave more than he had to give. I felt the composure of the quarterbacks and sensed the confidence each had in their team to get the job done regardless of the circumstances.

In the midst of a game that is all about winning; I saw humanness. I saw discipline. I saw passion. I saw selflessness. I saw willingness. I saw confidence. I saw composure. I saw teamwork. I saw Christ. I saw all that is life. I saw what I am called to be.



Copyright © Judith Bell 9/24/10

One Foot on the Brake

Christol is the most scaredy-cat driver I know. She chooses to say that she is “cautious.” Trust me, she is a scaredy-cat. She doesn’t drive in the rain, panics when she drives long distances and absolutely freaks if she has to drive over water.

So, imagine my shock when she tried to kill me a couple of weeks ago! I promise; this is the honest to goodness truth. She will try to deny this but, I couldn’t make this up if I tried. My car was in the shop and she offered to be my chauffer. We had run an errand and were on the way back to the office. Unexpectedly, there was the loud blaring of a train whistle. Before I could even locate the train on the tracks, Christol was asking; “Do you think I can make it?”

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve taken the chance and crossed the tracks after hearing the train whistle. So, it wasn’t that I opposed her thinking about it. My indignation is that when I finally located the train, it was on MY side of the car and was less than 500 feet away! And, to make matters worse, she had her foot on the brake as she was asking the question!

In order to keep to the truth, I admit that I didn’t handle her action, or should I say inaction, very well. I know that there was at least one expletive that was uttered because the second thing out of my mouth after a shouted and basically hysterical “NO!” was “Oh the heck NO! This coming from the person who was just griping about having to have her bumper replaced but was willing to have the whole right side of her car smashed in? I don’t think so!” (Ok, maybe, but just maybe, I didn’t say “heck.”)

The Bible is full of people, Biblical role models, who took risks; Abraham, Rahab, Ester, the disciples, just to name a few. What did all of those risk takers have in common? Faith. They answered God’s call and willingly stepped into the role that they were called to assume. They knew without question that if God was in the equation, they could do what it was that had to be done. There are risks that have to been taken. I love what Usuguk, a character in Lincoln Child’s book, Terminal Freeze, says about risk taking; “If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance.”

Christol was seriously considering trying to beat the train while she had her foot on the brake! There is a moral in this; you can’t move forward if your foot is on the brake. There are times in our personal, professional and spiritual lives that we have to let go and go for it. We have to be willing to move forward without hesitation and to “Choose with no regret” (Mary Anne Radmacher), knowing that if God is part of the equation, we can do what it is that has to be done.

Judith Bell

Copyright © Judith Bell 2010

Separation Anxiety

Shoe leather must be one of my favorite things. It seems that I’m always opening my mouth; taking one foot out only to put the other one in. You’d think by now that I’d know how to tame my tongue, or at the very least, know when to keep my mouth shut. Obviously, I don’t because I’ve done it yet again.

My two month custody of JJ (the red metal flying pig) ends today. I started preparing for JJ’s departure last week. I moved her from my office because I wanted to get used to the empty spot on my filing cabinet and I wanted time to explain JJ’s absence to others. JJ’s co-owner showed up and I’m all ready to hand her over, and lo and behold he presents me with Flower (a pygmy pink metal pig with wings), JJ’s new sister and says that I can keep JJ! Yea for me!

I should have left well enough alone; but I didn’t. I sent a bragging email to a mutual friend letting him know JJ was mine to keep and as I bonus I also now had Flower. That would have been the perfect place to stop; but I didn’t. What I did was call JJ’s co-owner a “sucker” and “that by batting my big brown eyes, I had managed to get what I wanted – sole custody of JJ.” I should have stopped there; but I didn’t. I had to mention the email and it appears that I won’t have sole custody of JJ until pigs fly!

Now, I’m back to where I started; not wanting to share JJ. Three weeks ago I said that I had learned some lessons from JJ, including,
• You can’t always assume that what you want is what you will get
• Life is full of compromises
• There are benefits to sharing even those things you don’t want to let go of
• Life is a story that unfolds a little bit each day

… Well, I might have believed those lessons then, but as her imminent departure approaches, I’m having separation anxiety. Actually, this week with JJ was the source of another life lesson – God never moves. In fact in Malachi 3:6 there is the bold proclamation; “I the LORD do not change.” The desire of God’s heart is to be with me, to be one with me, to fill me with all that He is and express all that He is through me. God doesn’t change positions; I’m the one that moves away from Him and the desires He has for me.

I’m the one who has to do the soul searching to determine if my heart’s desire matches God’s desires for me. And though God yearns to be close to me, I am the one that experiences the angst during times of separation. What I am forced to acknowledge is that I can’t keep the desires of God’s heart first and foremost when I fill my heart with things, thoughts and activities that cause me to move away from him.

Perhaps the anxiety of separation creates within me the need to evaluate whose desires have priority. Removing self and replacing God’s desires for mine lessens the anxiety. God is always there; a place of refuge, peace and security. He will not separate Himself from me; therefore I will not be anxious.

                                                                                                                           Judith Bell 9/2/10
Copyright © 2010 Judith Bell

                                                                                                                         

True Grit

Note: Normally I wouldn’t have noticed the remaking of an old movie. I’m not wed to the belief that movie remakes are heresy; however, there are just some movies that Hollywood should just leave be.


It’s a travesty I tell you; a travesty! A black dot on the film industry. Marion Morrison, better known as John Wayne or The Duke, is rolling over in his grave. How can Hollywood even consider remaking one of John Wayne’s films? But, that is exactly what is happening. The Coen Brothers are producing a remake of True Grit. The remake is supposed to follow more closely with the Charles Portis novel, True Grit, but come on, who in their right mind can picture Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn? You have to be kidding me! After all, John Wayne won an Oscar for his performance in the movie and the 2009 Harris Poll listed him as one of America’s top 10 actors. I don’t have anything against Jeff Bridges, but there is no way he can come close to The Duke as Rooster Cogburn. And to make matters worse, Matt Damon, who is playing a Texas Ranger in the remake, actually admitted that he had never seen the original movie. Really??

As I was tirading (yes, I just made up that word) around the office, it became really clear that others did not value True Grit or John Wayne, for that matter, the same way I do. In fact, no one in the office has ever seen True Grit. Now that is just un-American. Ok, so here is the thumbnail sketch of the movie plot: Mattie Ross, a teenage girl, hires the one-eyed, drunken, hard-core U.S. Marshall to help find her father’s murderer.

The Duke was 62 years old when True Grit was filmed in 1969. He had one lung and was in such poor health that he couldn’t do his own stunts. Let’s face it; John Wayne had as much grit as Rooster Cogburn during the production of the award winning film.

True grit. Determination. Resolve. Tenacity. Doggedness. Those are definitely words I’d use to characterize John Wayne and the characters he portrayed in 100 or so movies. However, there is something to be learned here.

Stop for just a moment and think about the meaning of those six words. They are the same words that should describe our journey with Christ. Discipleship requires sacrifice and sacrifice requires total commitment. Total commitment comes from true grit, determination, resolve, tenacity and doggedness. The words Jesus said to his disciples 2000 plus years ago still ring true today; “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

Although John Wayne was a movie icon, his life was not without controversy and neither is our call to discipleship. Time and time again, God places us in situations where we are called to proclaim our faith. God’s movie is one that can never be remade, but isn’t it wonderful that he rewrites our role so that we can learn the script, become a practiced player and develop the true grit that makes us fit for service in the kingdom of God. Thanks be to God!


                                                                                                                        Judith Bell 8/27/10

Copyright © Judith Bell 2010

Opening the Door

J.B. is the baby of his family and has assumed primary supervisory responsibility of his 91 year-old mother. I’ve never met Mrs. V, but apparently she is something else! She lives by herself, has a cell phone that she knows how to use, still drives and generally is the queen of the house. I repeatedly tell J.B. how much I admire his unflappable patience with his mother. I usually laugh when J.B. tells me a Mrs. V story, but last night’s story though worrisome, gave me pause and caused me to seriously consider how I invite others to Christ.


Sunday afternoon a white pick-up pulled up to the curb in front of Mrs. V’s house. A man knocked on her front door and when she answered told her that he was from Texas State Technical College and was painting house numbers on curbs. She talked to him through the screen door for a while, but quickly tired and invited him in. He told her that he had been in prison for 17 years, but she shouldn’t worry, because after all he hadn’t hurt anyone to get there. In between hearing about how she asked him if he was on drugs and him starting to “use cuss words” my mind went to the ugly place. My heart was racing as J.B. told this and I assure you that my positive intent meter had dipped into the extremely low range for Mrs. V’s Sunday visitor.

After my outburst and tirade of all of the bad things that could have happened, J.B. casually said, “I really can’t be too upset with her; after all, the only perfect human on this earth opened the door to everyone. “ Those calmly uttered words stopped me in my tracks and demanded that I pay attention. There was a message that I needed to hear.

J.B. was right; Christ wasn’t selective with his invitations. He opened the door to those who were imprisoned, to those who were addicted, to those who were without, to those who had made poor choices and to those who were different.” He invited in the poor, the unclean, the unsavory, the sick, the lonely and the unfamiliar. Christ wasn’t choosey when it came to inviting others into a relationship with him.

Far too often, I not only close but also lock the door on people that threaten the safety of the world I have created. I avert my eyes from the homeless man on the corner begging for money. I cross the street to avoid greeting the woman that is unclean and grubby looking. I tsk, tsk the objectionable body art and piercings of a teenager. Far too often, I practice selective discipleship by inviting only those who are similar in status, appearance and culture to experience the love of Christ.

Mrs. V’s invitation of hospitality to a stranger reminded me that Christ is available to everyone, not just to those with whom I am comfortable. Patrick Patterson from Volunteers of America Michigan says it best; “He set the standard and didn't provide any exceptions.”

And because I have already been invited in and have experienced His grace, I am to unlock the door of my heart and invite others in, as well.

                                                                                                                  Judith  8/20/10


Copyright © Judtih Bell 2010

The Zombie Plan

There really are times that I’m convinced that Lee Bray is not my child and was in fact swapped at birth. There is absolutely no way that this now 24 year-old belongs to me. Yes, I’ve always known that he marches to his own drummer and lives to the far left of what most people consider normal. The fact that my genius child is a struggling tattoo artist and believes in zombies is still something that I’m grappling to accept.


Where Lee comes up with some of the stuff he comes up with is beyond me. I’ve always - and I mean always - wondered about how his mind works. He is the most eclectic, free-thinking person I know. He can talk knowledgably about anything from ancient history to urban legends to pop culture and is the only person that I know for sure who has actually read Dante’s Inferno.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he has immeasurable information about zombies. Don’t ask me because I couldn’t even begin to explain why, but for years he has talked about how zombies are going to take over the world. For the most part, the zombie conversation is brought up after he has watched some horror film or has seen some obscure program on late, late, late night television. I admit that I usually don’t give him my full attention when he starts talking zombies. I listen with one ear, nod my head and utter a “really” every now and then for good measure. That was true until he laid out his escape plan for when Haitian zombies invade.

He was dead serious (no pun intended) when he laid out the master escape plan in detail. His entire plan is based on the theory that when the Haitian zombie invasion begins, it will be in our best interest to leave the city and head for the country. He gave Reid, Evan and me specific instructions about where to meet, where we are to stop for gas and supplies and where we are to go—to Sarepta, Louisiana and my parents’ house. I won’t bore you with the details, but trust me; he has a plan to survive the zombie invasion. Like I said, there are times when I’m absolutely convinced that there is no way in this world that the boy belongs to me. I am telling you the honest truth; he has a plan for evading zombies but doesn’t have a clue about what he is going to do with the rest of his life. Go figure.

There are certain things in life that make you go “hmmmmmm” and Lee’s zombie plan is one of those things. Regardless of how farfetched and unrealistic the need for a zombie plan seems, I am reminded that having a plan helps provide direction, reach goals and unravel the future. Coming up with a plan is the easy part; putting God in the plan--not so much so. Though I hate to admit it, I have repeatedly found myself ignoring God’s plan for my life and am continually having to find ways to out-maneuver the zombies.

While I don’t always see God’s overall plan, it is comforting to know that God really doesn’t need much from me to accomplish His plan for my life. He needs my mind, heart and spirit to open to His presence. He needs my willingness to let go of where I want to go and how I want to get there. He needs to me to allow Him to be the fiber of my very being.

Unless I allow God to be the designer of my life plan, I might as well be planning for the zombie invasion.

Copyright © 2010 Judith Bell

Judith Bell 8/13/10

"Skip-a-dee-doo-dah"

Ok, I am about to date myself and at the same time reveal just how country I am. I was driving home the other day and for some reason had the radio dialed to a Country Oldies station. I have always listened to country music and really did put peanuts in my coke, just like Barbara Mandrell sang about in the early 1980s. I went barefoot, ate watermelons straight from the field, and ate bologna sandwiches on white bread, moon pies and Miracle Whip sandwiches for snacks.

Unfortunately, I can go back even further than Barbara Mandrell in the early 80s. I can go all the way back to 1972 and Donna Fargo. So, when her 1972 hit, “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA,” came on the radio, I sang right along with her and didn’t miss a word of the lyrics.

After the song ended, my brain started processing happiness. I began creating a list of the things in life that bring out my happy feelings and take me to my happy place. Of course family and friends topped the list, but I filtered the given and started thinking about the little things; those things that bring a smile to my face and make me laugh. I thought about fireflies, puppies, purses, shoes, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, watching college football (as long as my Razorbacks are winning), chocolate milk, wild flowers, rushing streams, jumping in the lake, sitting with my toes in the water, watching old television shoes like Dragnet, Adam 12, and Hawaii Five-O, ice cream cones, Sunday drives and listening to it rain on a tin roof.

The timing of the song can only be described as a “God thing.” Just let me say…it has been a long seven days! My car has been in the shop since last Thursday because rats ate through the electrical wiring, the water pump died and there was a coolant leak. The air conditioner at home decided to go out on the exact same day. I suffered through the three digit temperatures until a new unit was installed Sunday afternoon, but my car is still in the shop. And believe it or not, I was able to remain remarkably calm and maintain a fairly optimistic outlook. Each time I thought about having a pity party, and let me say, I could have had several of them, I would stop and sing the line in Fargo’s song: “I’m the happiest girl in the whole USA.”

One of my favorite pictures of Jesus is the one of him with his head thrown back in laughter. It reassures me that God enjoys a good laugh every now and then. That picture also reminds me of Mike Dooley’s thoughts about the fun loving nature of God. Dooley writes, “God prefers to go barefoot, laughs a lot and is always happy. Loves orange, wears blue jeans and has read every book ever written. Skips stones, plays in the rain and rocks out. Remembers birthdays, forgets arguments and every day visualizes me smiling even more.” God is truly a God of joy and laughter.

Happiness is a state of being. It is a choice and I am in control of embracing my state of happiness. I keep a quote by Martha Washington taped to my computer screen that reads: “I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition.”

I am the only one that can make me happy. I am the only one that can willingly share my happiness with others. I am the only one who can share the happiness that Christ brings. I am the only one that can make it a Skip-a-dee-doo-dah day and claim the title of “happiest girl in the whole USA.”

Judith Bell 8/5/10
Copyright © 2010

Lessons From JJ

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend a dinner and live scholarship auction in San Antonio. It was a fun and lighthearted experience. Let me say, Texans sure spend a lot of money on some very interesting “stuff.” Jim Bob Solsbery, comedian and motivational speaker, was the auctioneer and he kept the dinner guests and bidders entertained and can be credited for the $6000 dollars raised for scholarships.


The first item up for bid was a red metal “flying pig.” Let’s see…red metal pig….Arkansas Razorback fan…I had to have the pig. A friend started the bidding at $20 and after several minutes of back and forth bidding, goaded by Jim Bob, JJ was securely snuggled under my chair. JJ was one of the most interesting items of the evening and it quickly became obvious that my ownership of her was in question. While it is true that I didn’t personally fork over the $55 for JJ, it was clearly understood that she was mine. By Sunday morning I was in a bitter custody battle for JJ. Long story short, I share joint custody of JJ. She is in my possession until August when she’ll have to go back to Texas to spend time with her co-owner. The story of JJ is a storyteller’s dream; a little truth, a little fabrication and a whole lot of exaggeration!

JJ is a uniquely interesting piece of work. Her outside body is red, while the underneath side is yellow and pink. She has flat orange ears, green wings and blue hooves and snout. JJ is welded together from pieces of unidentifiable scrap iron and is a little rickety. I have to be careful with handling her or her co-owner may demand immediate custody, but all in all, JJ has character and a certain charisma.

JJ sits on top of my filing cabinet and each time I look at her I have to smile or at least laugh just a little. But, more importantly JJ, and her evolving story have made me pause and take note of some very important things that I had started to take for granted. Over the last four days, JJ has reminded me of the following:

• Even the most unlikely of us have a purpose
• Odds and ends / bits and pieces come together to make the whole
• Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
• You can’t always assume that what you want is what you will get
• Life is full of compromises
• There are benefits to sharing even those things you don’t want to let go of
• You are never too old to laugh, make new friends and have a good time
• Never pass up an opportunity to make new friends; you never know who you will meet
• Life is a story that unfolds a little bit each day

I never cease to be amazed by how God works. It took an oddity of art and a weekend in San Antonio to remind me that I have a full and blessed life. Thanks be to God.

Judith Bell 7/28/10
Silk Purses and Sow’s Ear
Copyright © Judith Bell 2010

Why Silk Purses and Sow's Ear

Everyone and I mean everyone has been bugging me to start a blog.  But, before that could happen I had to have a  name.  A friend referred to the old adage: "You can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear."  A little Internet research gave me what I to know. You can make something out of nothing.  Silk Purses and Sow's Ear is pretty descriptive of me as a person:  a little bit of "girly girl" and a little bit of "something else." 

So here it is Silk Purses and Sow's Ear.  Here are my thoughts about life.  Most people find them interesting and relevant.  I hope you do too.