The Extra Mile

I will do more than belong - I will participate.
I will do more than care- I will help.
I will do more than believe- I will practice.
I will do more than be fair- I will be kind.
I will do more than forgive- I will forget.
I will do more than dream- I will work.
I will do more than teach- I will inspire.
I will do more than earn- I will enrich.
I will do more than give- I will serve.
I will do more than live- I will grow.
I will do more than suffer- I will triumph.
- Williams Arthur Ward

From Putting Your Dreams to the Test by John C. Maxwell

So Awesome I Had to Share

As a writer I marvel at the ability to draw power from a word. Max Lucado has done just that, and then some with this amazing devotional. It is so awesome that... well you get the point. Enjoy!

ALIVE!
by Max Lucado
ROAD. DARK. STARS. SHADOWS. FOUR. SANDALS. Robes. Quiet. Suspense. Grove. Trees. Alone. Questions. Anguish. "Father!" Sweat. God. Man. God-Man. Prostrate. Blood. "NO!" "Yes." Angels. Comfort.
Footsteps. Torches. Voices. Romans. Surprise. Swords. Kiss. Confusion. Betrayal. Fearful. Run! Bound. Wrists. Marching.
Courtyard. Priests. Lamps. Sanhedrin. Caiaphas. Sneer. Silk. Arrogance. Beard. Plotting. Barefoot. Rope. Calm. Shove. Kick. Annas. Indignant. Messiah? Trial. Nazarene. Confident. Question. Answer. Punch!
Peter. "Me?" Rooster. Thrice. Guilt.
Proceedings. Court. Rejection. Prosecute. Weary. Pale. Witnesses. Liars. Inconsistent. Silence. Stares. "Blasphemer!" Anger. Waiting. Bruised. Dirty. Fatigued. Guards. Spit. Blindfold. Mocking. Blows. Fire. Twilight.
Sunrise. Golden. Jerusalem. Temple. Passover. Lambs. Lamb. Worshipers. Priests. Messiah. Hearing. Fraud. Prisoner. Waiting. Standing. Shifting. Strategy. "Pilate!" Trap. Murmurs. Exit.
Stirring. Parade. Crowd. Swell. Romans. Pilate. Toga. Annoyed. Nervous. Officers. Tunics. Spears. Silence. "Charge?" "Blasphemy." Indifference. Ignore. (Wife. Dream.) Worry. Interview. Lips. Pain. Determined. "King?" "Heaven." "Truth." "Truth?" Sarcasm. (Fear.) "Innocent!" Roar. Voices. "Galilean!" "Galilee?" "Herod!"
9:00 A.M. Marchers. Palace. Herod. Fox. Schemer. Paunchy. Crown. Cape. Scepter. Hall. Elegance. Silence. Manipulate. Useless. Vexed. Revile. Taunt. "King?" Robe. Theatrical. Cynical. Hateful. "Pilate!"
Marching. Uproar. Prisoner. Hushed. Pilate. "Innocent!" Bedlam. "Barabbas!" Riot. Despair. Christ. Bare. Rings. Wall. Back. Whip. Slash. Scourge. Tear. Bone. Moan. Flesh. Rhythm. Silence. Whip! Silence. Whip! Silence. Whip! Thorns. Stinging. Blind. Laughter. Jeering. Scepter. Slap. Governor. Distraught. (Almost.) Eyes. Jesus. Decision. Power. Freedom? Threats. Looks. Yelling. Weak. Basin. Water. Swayed. Compromise. Blood. Guilt.
Soldiers. Thieves. Crosspiece. Shoulder. Heavy. Beam. Heavy. Sun. Stagger. Incline. Houses. Shops. Faces. Mourners. Murmurs. Pilgrims. Women. Tumble. Cobblestone. Exhaustion. Gasping. Simon. Pathetic. Golgotha.
Skull. Calvary. Crosses. Execution. Death. Noon. Tears. Observers. Wails. Wine. Nude. Bruised. Swollen. Crossbeam. Sign. Ground. Nails. Pound. Pound. Pound. Pierced. Contorted. Thirst. Terrible. Grace. Writhing. Raised. Mounted. Hung. Suspended. Spasms. Heaving. Sarcasm. Sponge. Tears. Taunts. Forgiveness. Dice. Gambling. Darkness.
Absurdity.
Death. Life.
Pain. Peace.
Condemn. Promise.
Nowhere. Somewhere.
Him. Us.
"Father!" Robbers. Paradise. Wailing. Weeping. Stunned. "Mother." Compassion. Darkness. "My God!" Afraid. Scapegoat. Wilderness. Vinegar. "Father." Silence. Sigh. Death. Relief.
Earthquake. Cemetery. Tombs. Bodies. Mystery. Curtain. Spear. Blood. Water. Spices. Linen. Tomb. Fear. Waiting. Despair. Stone. Mary. Running. Maybe? Peter. John. Belief. Enlightenment. Truth. Mankind. Alive. Alive. Alive!

From No Wonder They Call Him the Savior
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2005) Max Lucado


http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/

Judas Love

John 12:1-8
Jesus knew exactly who Judas was. He knew exactly what he would do, the role he would hold in His own perceived demise, and yet he loved him. Walked, talked, shared his secrets, time, and money with him. That is amazing love to me. To know someone's whole story, to see the not so happily ever after and still dote on them. Still allow them access to your most intimate circle of friends. What is even more amazing is that since Jesus said we would do even greater things than He has done (John 14:12-13), then how many people who cause strife in your own life should you be loving right now? Whew, talk about a hard act to follow!
A great resource to strengthen your love for family, friends and even enemies is Garry Chapman's The 5 Love Languages one of the most helpful reads I have ever undertaken. I hope this helps,
Love Well,
Ina

My Easter Soundtrack

So here are a few songs that put me in the right mind to celebrate the reason for the season:
1. Jimmy Needham "Forgiven and Loved"










2. Switchfoot "Always"










3. Amy Grant "Better than a Hallelujah"











4. Kid Syc "Victory"











5. Mali Music "My Heart"











6. Sanctus Real "Forgiven"











7. Joann Rosario "Joyous Salvation"











Bonus Track
8. KeKe Sheard "Jesus"









Happy Resurrection Day and Happy Listening,
Ina