Zippy Chippy

 “Winning and strength aren't always the most important factors in life." ~ Ecclesiastes 9:11

The grey thoroughbred gelding was bred to be a champion. He was the great-great-grandson of Bold Ruler, who had fathered Secretariat, and the grandson of Kentucky Derby winner Northern Dancer. Owners had hopes when three-year-old Zippy Chippy strode into the gate for his debut at Belmont Park in 1994.

Horse racing fans love a winner. Zippy was anything but. He would be forever immortalized, not for his winning ways, but for his perfect winless record.

Felix Monserrate bought the horse in 1995, in a trade for a 7-year-old Ford truck. Most people believed he got the worst of the deal.

From his earliest days, Zippy was a free spirit. He never really took to harnesses or saddles. Told to run in one direction, he did the opposite.

If he didn't feel like training, Zippy would ignore the trainer. He'd destroy his stall for fun and snatch anything a handler was gripping, chew it up, then spit it back.

His diet consisted largely of cupcakes, popcorn, pizza, and ice cream. He favored Doritos with beer and occasionally shared both with Felix.

Zippy was banned from racing at his hometown Finger Lakes racetrack in 1998 after failing to leave the starting gate for the third consecutive time. His suspension became a cover story in the USA Today newspaper in 2000, and he made People magazine’s list of one of the year’s most intriguing personalities in 2002. 

Comedian Jay Leno made Zippy something of a cult hero around racetracks. He’s probably best remembered by the slogan displayed on the official Zippy Chippy coffee mug, “Winners Don’t Always Finish First”.

“What’s the rush?” Zippy must have questioned. As a result, he lost every race he entered. His final race occurred on September 10, 2004. He went off at odds of 7-2, making him the second betting choice; however, Zippy Chippy finished dead last.

He retired that December, with zero wins in 100 races. (He did beat two minor league baseball players during his racing career). With career earnings of just over $30,000, Zippy's legacy stands as the all-time losingest racehorse ever.

He lived out his life’s last furlong at the Old Friends at Cabin Creek retirement farm in upstate New York, where the beloved thoroughbred died at the age of 31.

“Running for the Roses” gets its name because of the magnificent blanket of 564 red roses given to the Kentucky Derby’s winning racehorse. Zippy reminds us there's so much more than racing from point A to point B. Sometimes it's better to just stop and admire them.

Far better horses ended up as footnotes in someone else’s story, but Zippy’s defiance of the usual success parameters made him famous, made him loved, and somehow made him successful in life.

Faithful Father, we are awestruck by Your workings in our lives. Our hearts are full of gratitude today. You’ve shown us time and time again that nothing is impossible for You, and always there when we need you most. Amen

Love Unbounded

 “Love is patient, love is kind." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:4

Cockroaches crunched under his feet as he entered a room in 2005, no bigger than a closet. There was no bed, just a soiled mattress covered with maggots and flies. The odor from used diapers was overwhelming.

The seasoned detective felt bile rise in his throat as he fought the urge to weep. An emaciated child cowered in the corner. If ever there was an example of a feral child, Danielle was the poster child.

They transported Dani to a hospital for urgent care. She’d spend six weeks there, taking nutrition only from a bottle. She weighed 46 pounds and couldn’t walk or talk.

Police arrested her birth mother. A series of unfortunate breaks had left her widowed and destitute. She later waived her parental rights as part of a plea deal.

Doctors and therapists eventually diagnosed the girl with “severe autism.” Having spent her entire life in solitary confinement, she’d never been to a doctor or school, and never felt sunshine on her skin. As such, 7-year-old Dani functioned at about the 6-month development level.

Florida officials placed her in a group home, praying that the victim of unimaginable neglect might someday join a loving family. Caseworkers, however, considered the child “unadoptable.”  

Despite people’s warnings, Bernie and Diane Lierow decided to add a daughter to their family of five sons. They knew raising her wouldn’t be easy, but they adopted her in 2007, loved her like their own, and became the miracle others prayed for.

Dani began overcoming her learning disabilities. She learned not to steal food, use a toilet, and eat with utensils. “We love her just as she is,” Bernie said. “Though baby steps, they’re huge to her.”

Eventually, the Lierows moved to a Tennessee farm. Dani grew up with horses, alpacas, and puppies. But after about three years, Diane left. She could no longer cope - Dani had advanced as far as she could; never able to write, drive, or dress herself.

Bernie cared for her alone. He’d developed a special bond with Dani from their first visit.

Puberty brought regressive behaviors. He had to put her back in diapers and padlock the fridge. When Dani became eligible for Medicaid in 2016, a small group home offered an open bed for her. Bernie agonized. Then he moved her in after Christmas.

“Daddy can’t take care of you anymore,” he told her through tears. “You’ll live here now, but I’ll come visit.” Bernie tries to see Dani every month. He’s been her only visitor. “That’s how life is, kids grow up and you have to let them go.

He has no regrets. “God blessed her to me,” Bernie said. “I took care of her as long as I could. He found this place for her. I‘m glad we could give her a home and a family to grow up in.”

Father God, help me love my child even during the most unlovable times in their lives, just as You love me when I’m most flawed. Give me Your patient, loving heart. Amen

The Penitent Robber

 “Jesus, remember me when you come in Your kingly power” ~ Luke 23:43

By all assumptions, he wasn’t a man of faith; certainly not somebody who lived a virtuous life. He was one of two unnamed bandits in Luke's account of Jesus’ crucifixion. Little is known about him, though tradition often refers to him as ‘Dysmas,’ adopted from a Greek word meaning “sunset” or “death.” In the eyes of Roman law, he was a violent criminal.

Dysmas probably hid in caves near the road from Jericho to Jerusalem and robbed travelers by force. The fact that he was crucified alongside Jesus suggests the armed bandit brutalized and perhaps murdered some of his victims before stealing from them. He made a living by coercion and violence.

Death by crucifixion was designed to be excruciatingly slow and painful, often taking hours or even days. Death resulted from asphyxiation, blood loss, or shock.

The gruesome execution method was reserved for the most heinous criminals. The brutality and public display of crucifixion were meant to cause severe humiliation and serve as a deterrent for future criminal wannabes.

That day on Calvary, three would die. The villain to Jesus’s left mocked Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” (Luke 23:39). Dysmas on Jesus' right, chided his fellow thief, conceding: “We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man has done nothing wrong" (Luke 23:40-41).

In a remarkable display of faith, Dysmas turned to Jesus and said, "Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!" (Luke 23:42). We don’t know why Dysmas changed his mind about Jesus. But while dying, he honestly acknowledged his wrongdoings and asked forgiveness, seeking Jesus as the source of eternal life.

Jesus replied with a promise of salvation, saying, “I assure you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43). His words illustrate the power of repentance and the immediacy of God's grace, grace that was given freely through faith and not earned by Dysmas’ works.

The story offers a vivid illustration of several biblical Truths. First, it’s never too late to turn to God.  Despite a despicable life, Dysmas’s last-minute confession secured his place in Heaven.

Second, no sin is too horrific to be forgiven. Dysmas had already received a death sentence for his sins. Yet, according to Jesus, it was forgivable.  And third, that means there’s hope for us, too.  

The Catholic Church never formally canonized St. Dysmas, though he’s regarded as a saint because Jesus declared that he would be in Paradise. His relics rest in Notre Dame’s Reliquary Chapel, including a piece of St. Dysmas’ cross. He’s known as the patron saint of Condemned Prisoners, Undertakers, and Repentant Thieves. His feast day is recognized annually on the 25^th of March.

Precious Lord, we’re all like Dysmas. We’ve sinned against You and deserve Your wrath. We pray that despite our weaknesses, we may be revived by the spilled blood of Your  Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Cold As Ice

 “Love one another deeply, from the heart." ~ 1 Peter 1:22

Jerry awoke to silence and tranquility, the world outside blanketed with delicate blooms of feathered crystals in their most artistic form. Heaven's sunlit glitter appeared as if each snowflake had its own LED. This snowfall was more than western Kentucky had seen in a decade.

The rest of the world and its worries ceased to exist for a few precious moments. Cozy in the warmth of their trailer home, he dreamed of building a snowman with twiglike arms and a bubblegum grin with his children.

A bitter reality shattered his fantasy when he tried to turn on the shower. Nothing! Not a drip or a groan. Temperatures had dropped into the twenties overnight. A frigid north wind made it feel much colder. He’d left water dripping from faucets last night, but the pipes had frozen solid.

So, he pried open the vinyl skirting and belly-crawled under the trailer to where the water line emerged from the ground and ran up into their home.

Field mice scattered as Jerry ran extension cords to a space heater and hairdryer, hoping to get water flowing again.

While Jerry lay atop the icy ground, he fought the urge to shiver. His desperation grew from the lack of progress as the afternoon shadows lengthened. He wanted to scream, throw a tantrum, and beat his hands on the ground like a toddler out of control.

Just then his beautiful three-year-old daughter poked her head under the trailer. “Daddy,” she said with the clairvoyance of an Angel. “Mom made me some hot chocolate. I put some marshmallows in it for you!” she said, offering her little sippy cup in Jerry’s direction.

Jerry smiled, took a sip, and let the liquid heat flow down his throat and warm his insides. He took a second sip. It was the best hot chocolate he’d ever tasted.

Just as Jerry thanked his sweet child, he heard a miraculous sound: water flowing from the kitchen faucet. He exited the trailer’s underside and carried out the heaters, he gazed up at steel-grey clouds and thanked God for a productive day. Then he carried his loving daughter back inside for another cup of steaming cocoa.

Sometimes our world feels like a very cold place. But there’s beauty all around us. When a ray of sunshine strikes the wintry ground, the snow sparkles with His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). In the silence of falling flakes, the Lord whispers in your ear. (Matthew 10:27). The warmth of God's love doesn't just cover us in wintertime (1 John 4:7-8).

When we share our warmth we help God to take away the cold. And when we share our Love we can help God to melt the ice casing around another’s heart.

Almighty Father, there’s no frostbitten heart that can stand up for long under the radiance of Your Son’s love and grace. Melt our frozen hearts so that the living water of the Spirit will flow unhindered into our hearts. Amen

Little Woman, Big Heart

 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ~ Philippians 3:10

At 4’10”, Gladys was determined. Once she felt the call of mission work, nothing would deter her from reaching that goal. God affirmed His calling by helping her overcome mind-bending obstacles.

Born in 1902, Gladys grew up in a churchgoing, working-class family. At 14, she left school to work as a parlor maid for Britain’s upper crust. The work was demanding, but she enjoyed vicariously living their affluent lives.

After attending a revival meeting in her early twenties, Gladys found herself conflicted by the Gospel. She enrolled in a three-month Chinese prep course for aspiring missionaries. Sadly, her inability to grasp the Mandarin language ended any further study.

When she learned of an aging Chinese missionary needing personal care, Gladys offered to help. In October 1930, Gladys packed two suitcases—one for clothing and the other for biscuits, tea, and hard-boiled eggs. With a proud smile, she boarded the train for the treacherous trip across Siberia. Her months-long journey involved trains, hunger, and violent Russian soldiers.

Aylward settled in Yangcheng, China, where she cared for the elder missionary and helped manage an inn for tired travelers. Learning Chinese became a necessity.

Her customers taught her the language. She shared the Gospel with them. Her evangelism also sparked keen interest from villagers, where large crowds gathered to hear the tiny woman speak.

Having gained the trust of the locals, Gladys served as a "foot inspector," touring the region to enforce a new law against footbinding (tightly binding young girls’ feet to ‘enhance their beauty’). The work afforded her another opportunity to visit homes and spread Jesus’ good news.

In 1938, Japanese forces invaded central China. Because Gladys cared for wounded soldiers, the enemy offered a reward for her capture, and she was forced to escape. Despite being wounded and deathly ill with typhus, Aylward led more than 100 orphans to safety over the mountains.

During the twelve-day passage, food was scarce and rugged paths hampered the children. But God provided help along the way from Buddhist priests and Chinese soldiers. Finally arriving at Fefung, the children were placed with loving foster parents.

Gladys was immediately hospitalized, a recovery that took months. Once recovered, she opened an orphanage for nearly 200 homeless children.

When life again became too dangerous, she returned to England in 1949, still retaining an unquenchable hunger to lead others to Jesus. So, in 1960 at the age of 58, she opened an orphanage in Taiwan where she worked until she died from pneumonia nine years later.

Her story inspires us to seek God’s purpose for our lives. Like Gladys, even when almost impossible situations discourage us, we should pray and boldly answer His call. She didn’t let her size, lack of education, or others’ opinions prevent her from realizing her God-sized dreams.

Father God, thank You for Gladys’ example of faith to the hesitant, conviction that motivated her to face challenges and overcome obstacles. We desperately need people with her passion for spreading the Gospel. Amen

Diving Faith First

 “We are not of this world because your identity is rooted in Christ." ~ Hebrews 13:14-15

Free diving is similar to scuba but without a tank or gear. You float at the surface, breathe deeply, then hold your breath as you kick downward. It’s deep meditation: trusting your lungs to carry you 30 or 50 meters below. It's also one of the deadliest extreme sports on earth.

Full disclosure – I’ve never been freediving, but after watching a documentary on the subject, it got me thinking about how freediving is deeply woven into my Christian faith.

Without the hiss of a regulator, divers descend among fish close enough to brush fins. Divers observe schooling patterns, predatory chases, and the way sea fans bend with the gentle surge.

Mostly, they listen. The ocean has its own sound: a hum, a subtle vibration. It’s the sound of millions of gallons of water sliding over the ocean floor like a heartbeat.

Diving deeper into Christian faith requires the silence that comes when we’re in prayer with God, disconnected from the internet, TV, and people. By breathing in heaven’s lifeline through reflection, worship, scripture, and other spiritual disciplines, we maintain a connection with a God who’s guiding, sustaining, and embracing us.

The key to freediving is to conserve oxygen by remaining calm amidst intense stress and pressure. Every second underwater without a breath reminds us of the innate discomfort humans feel when a basic necessity is withheld. It’s a powerful metaphor for stepping out of our comfort zones.

Throughout my walk with Christ, I’ve noticed a persistent nudge not only to ditch my “safe place”, but to proceed in new, more challenging ways.

Free diving requires strong swimming skills, cardiovascular endurance, proper relaxation, and a keen understanding of safety protocols. Humans don’t belong underwater; it's not our natural habitat. Neither is this world the real home for followers of Jesus. The Bible verse above says that we are physically present in the world, but not of it, not part of its values.

Freediving is a communion affair. Though most descend into the deep alone, without trusted safety divers, freedivers would be splashing at death’s door. Dangers include blackouts, equipment failures, and entanglement. Divers rely on the buddy system as a safeguard while underwater.

Our spiritual life is no different. Christ came into the world to guide us on our spiritual ascent. When we’re at life’s toughest points, Christ reminds us that we aren’t designed to go it alone. God wired us to live and function in the company of other believers who can encourage us, hold us accountable, and spot dangers before we do.

As Christians, we put our hope and trust in Jesus, realizing that whatever happens in this world, our faith should not be moved, God is ALWAYS in control. Further exploring our faith and the Word of God will keep our hearts and minds focused on The One who sustains us daily.

Our Father, through Christ the living water, we thank you for the lessons learned from freediving, the magnificent ocean, and all who dwell and rely on it. Amen

Faith is Unnatural

 “God’s peace exceeds what the human mind can comprehend." ~ Philippians 4:7

They were nearly home from church. Jana’s preschool son and infant daughter sat securely in the back seat. The sun’s golden rays cast a warm glow on the passing countryside. It was a perfect day to put the world on pause - or so it seemed.

When she felt her iPhone vibrate, Jana instinctively reached for it. In that split-second distraction, she failed to notice the car ahead slowing down. Tires screeched, glass shattered, and airbags exploded when her car struck theirs in a thunderous collision.

Miraculously, the children were frightened but unharmed.

As a cautionary measure, paramedics transported Jana to the ER. They examined her for signs of internal bleeding, fractures, or anything unusual. Numerous scans revealed a kidney stone… and something else.

Weeks later, an Ultrasound, MRI, and subsequent biopsy confirmed Stage 2 breast cancer. The mass was close to her chest wall, masked by bone structures and muscle tissue. It'd gone undetected for years despite annual mammograms. The cell's advanced maturity required an aggressive treatment regimen.

Overwhelming shock, fear, confusion, and anxiety followed, as well as feelings of disbelief and worry about her family’s well-being. But a conclusive diagnosis discovered under such bizarre conditions due to a car wreck seemed… miraculous, which also brought tears of joy and gratitude.

The car accident had been a metaphor for her connection with God. “My faith had always been there, although barely enough to hold onto at times. Literally the size of a mustard seed, it helped me stay focused on that glimmer of hope as I recovered.”

“I'm grateful for the numerous ways God stretched and bolstered my faith in the weeks, months, and years that followed,” she confided. “I learned about trusting God and His sovereignty during that season, and found refuge in the book of Job.”

Call it belief, trust, or faith, none of it comes naturally, but as a gift of grace, made possible through Christ. It transforms our fallen nature, enabling us to trust and depend on God. “His comforting presence never left me. I leaned into Him during the accident, treatment, and recovery.”

Faith is more than intellectual acceptance of God’s existence. It’s far more than committing to a faith community, practicing a set of religious habits, and developing biblical literacy. Faith is something that shatters you, and then radically remakes you.

Faith requires a willingness to confess, without excuse or blame shifting, sins you once denied or hid. Faith is abandoning your own wisdom and fortifying your heart with God’s insight. It means giving up on your delusional control and resting in God’s authority.

While almost all civilizations throughout history believed in and worshiped some kind of God, faith is not a natural instinct. It must be fought for, cultivated, honed, practiced, tested, and honored.

Father God, Jesus’ Disciples were told that even if their faith was only the size of a mustard seed, they could crumble mountains. Help us grow and increase our faith in You alone and make us mountain-movers. Amen