Record-breaking snowfall + dinner at Blue Mesa with Rev. L + an evening with "The Shack" author Paul Young = PRICELESS

Thursday began just like any other day except one little detail: SNOW!!!! Now, unlike others my age, I watch the local and national news for the latest headlines and weather forecasts. I grew up watching NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw, and yes I cried when he announced his retirement, but I've become accustomed to Brian Williams. For local news, I watch WFAA Channel 8, an ABC affiliate. I'm now partial to Gloria Campos, John McKaa, and the oh-so-adorable-weather-man, Pete Delkus. Speaking of Pete, he warned North Texas that snow was a-comin' and to be prepared. At noon, the snow was heavier and falling faster. Several local school districs, except Burleson, had early dismissals. When Burleson schools finally dismissed at normal-hour, nearly six-inches of snow was on the ground.

More than 8 inches of snow at our house on Friday!!!!

For more than two weeks, I had been scheduled to be at Texas Christian University for an evening with Paul Young, the author of the mega-hit, "The Shack." In fact, there were 20 people from First United Methodist Church in Joshua planning to attend. Despite the snow and deteriorating road conditions, Rev. L and I were determined to be there! She was already in Fort Worth for a prior appointment, and I left Burleson about 4:30 and slowly, and very cautiously, made my way to the TCU area of southwest Fort Worth. Roads were covered with a messy slush of snow, but the temperatures were steady around the 34-degree mark.

Since the rest of our church family decided to stay home, Rev. L and I met at Blue Mesa Grill for dinner. Speaking of delicious-ness, this place was awesome! They have these homemade sweet potato chips that are amazing, and even better dipped in the tableside guacamole. For our entrees, Rev. L had goat cheese enchiladas and I had chicken and spinach enchiladas. I already have menu items selected for my next visit, this place was really, really tasty! And, they are very allergy-friendly too. The waiter was knowledgeable of the menu and the chef was extremely courteous when he personally brought my entree and assured it had been prepared with oil instead of butter. Two thumbs up for this place, I am a big fan and will definitely visit again. Check out their website, they also post several of their popular recipes, including specialty drinks.

BLUE MESA GRILL

Since TCU had cancelled classes and their campus was closed, "The Shack" event was moved next door to the University Christian Church, a beautiful, and traditional church located on South University Drive. The limestone columns, colorful stained glass murals, and grand pipe organ was breathtaking. Walking into the sanctuary, I knew God was meeting me in this place. Seating was at a premium with inclement weather, it was a very intimate evening with Author Paul Young.

If you've not read "The Shack," it's a book that I highly recommend to any reader. It's a story of tradegy, surprise, healing and grace. Whatever notion of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit you have, reconsider the possibility of imagination. This is a book that I've read, and loved very much, but now hearing Young's story in his own voice, I want to read it again. I made connections I had never considered before. It's a picture into our own souls, reminding us to let go of the secrets that haunt our lives and to never put God into a box.

I left University Church around 8:30 and pulled into the garage at 9:45. The roads were still a slushy mess (and getting messier each mile!), but traffic was minimal and it was a gorgeous, peaceful, and wonder-filled night to drive home without rush. The snow was beautiful, reminded me of Kentucky winters. Driving in the snow doesn't bother me, of course I worry about the other drivers, but the traffic that I met this night were overly-cautious and driving very slow. I carefully passed them and continued on my way. I never exceeded 40 mph and never, EVER touched the brakes when on a bridge or overpass - DUH!!!

Call me crazy or stupid; say whatever you want about me driving in record-breaking snowfall and "risking my life to hear a silly author talk about his book." I enjoyed the evening, and I would do it again.

Thank you Brite Divinity School for hosting this most special event. Thank you Rev. L for having dinner with me and sharing laughs! Thank you Paul Young for your beautiful story. And, to my Heavenly Father, thank you for the band of angels that kept me safe on the drive to and from Fort Worth, and for Your infinite grace.

Peace and love,
Nicole

Book #11: 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN

Are you scared of dying? Are you afraid of death? Do you have faith and assurance in your salvation? If I had answered these questions earlier today, I would have said, “Yeah, I’m OK.“

I just read “90 Minutes in Heaven” and I am no longer satisfied with being mediocre with my salvation. I had doubt, skepticism, even fear about death. I was afraid and unwilling to admit this truth.

I went to the Christian bookstore this morning, mostly out of boredom and needing to spend time in the company of a good book. I hadn’t bought any books for a while; I am trying to stick with a budget and away from frivolous spending. Kevin enjoys team-roping and I have books - I love my marriage!

I left the house this morning with cash in my pocket, budget in mind, and seeking direction from God in my heart. This was going to be a good day. And a good day it was: 31 books, including “90 Minutes In Heaven” by Don Piper, for less than $40. Not bad, not bad at all.

I didn’t think much about this book except I like the cover design; it said, “A True Story of Death and Life” and it sounded interesting. While driving home, I was thinking about lunch - imagine that! - and Mallory Ervin in the Miss America Pageant. I remember watching her sing during the talent portion and a bubble appearing on the screen saying she sky-dived from 15,000 feet. I also remember watching another television program where a couple went bungee-jumping together. I asked Kevin, “Would you do something like that?” And his response surprised me, “Yeah, probably.”

They live their life with no fear, absolute trust in Our Heavenly Father. I'm not saying I would jump (literally!) at the opportunity to skydive or bungee-jump, but why not? What do I have to lose? Perhaps I should live my life more vividly, without hesitation, and open to experiences in extreme situations. Maybe I should widen my comfort zone. Live my life without regrets. What would that be like? I'm honestly not sure.

“90 Minutes In Heaven” recounts Don Piper’s extraordinary experience of dying in a car accident, visiting heaven, and waking up in ICU at a hospital in Houston. His journey is remarkable, often hard to imagine, but encouraging to all believers. I don't want to play down the part of him dying and going to heaven and returning back to earth, but I believe God is capable of anything and saying this isn't possible is putting God in a box - and God is without limits. And, I'm a huge fan of "The Shack" and would totally be up to camping in the mountains and go fishing with Jesus dressed in carpenter pants and a plaid shirt. Or eat pancakes made by God - I wonder if He uses cow's milk or soymilk?!?!?!

OK, back to "90 Minutes in Heaven"

Don Piper, an ordained Baptist preacher from South Texas, was involved in a car accident involving an eighteen-wheeler truck and a narrow bridge across Lake Livingston, near Houston. The truck crossed the center line and hit Piper head-on, smashing his small car between the bridge railing and the truck‘s cab. Medical personnel arrived shortly after the accident and Piper, without a pulse, was pronounced dead.

A couple, acquaintances of Piper, was driving along the same roadway when they came upon the stopped traffic, caused by Piper’s accident. The man, also a preacher, went to paramedics and asked to help. While his wife shared her coffee with another accident victim, the man went to Piper’s car, crawled through deformed steel and shattered glass and under a tarp that shielded Piper’s body to pray. Prayer, what an amazing gift to give and receive.

…the biggest miracle: People prayed and God honored their prayers.

Piper offers so many life-lessons, including the need to surrender pride and allow others to offer their gifts of love during our time of deepest desperation. And, ultimately, to be still and hear the whispers of God.

I knew how to give generously to others, but pride wouldn’t let me receive others’ generosity…I’m eternally grateful for that lesson of allowing people to meet my needs. I’m also grateful because that lesson was learned in a hospital bed when I was helpless…to trust that God knew what he was doing through all of this…God forced me to be still…The longer I lay immobile, the more open I became to God’s quietness and to inner silence.

My prayer life isn’t too much to brag about, until now. However, I’m convinced that great changes are coming with my newfound perspective. I had fallen into the oh-pitiful-me syndrome of going to God AFTER all my efforts had failed. Of course, that never works how I'd like! It’s the same story, all over again: Surrender control. Let go and let God.

Besides my own miraculous experience, four things stand out from my heavenly journey. First, I’m thoroughly convinced that God answers prayer…second, I have an unquestionable belief that God still is in the miracle business…third, I want as many people as possible to go to heaven…and finally, I don’t want to see others die without Jesus Christ.

Lord, please grant me the ability to be your prayer warrior and give me the heart of a servant. I want to do Your will. I expect to witness Your miracles in the lives of those around me and give You all the glory and praise. I want to be a vessel that leads others to You, I want everyone to experience this joy and peace that You so freely give to all Your children. Your grace is truly amazing, please teach me how to share it more freely.

…God brings people into my life who need me or need to hear my message, giving me the opportunity to touch their lives.

What is my purpose in life? What message does God want me to share?

The restlessness that I felt earlier today has been erased by God’s grace and reassurance and replaced with genuine peace resting in my heart. After reading these 205 pages, I am convinced that my faith, my trust, and all my hope rests firmly on my Lord, and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Praise be to God!

*I highly recommend and encourage you to visit Don Piper's website, http://www.donpiperministries.com/, or http://www.90minutesinheaven.com/, to learn more about his heavenly experience, remarkable recovery, and his truly amazing testimony to faith. I can only hope, and pray, that we all can experience true joy in our pilgrimage to know God deeper, and more fully while on Earth. But I am definitely looking forward to the day that I arrive at my permanent dwelling place with loved ones and singing hymns of praise with Jesus!