The New Year

When the new year is getting ready and as it arrives, I usually wonder to myself. I wonder what the new year will bring, and how will I accept it? Last year found us moving , new job for me. And a new grandchild, who we adore and can't hold or see enough. Some of the constants in my life is my bride Michelle and Gods influence in my life. I read an author this morning who stated that he ignored what Christ wanted him to do and did his own thing his own way. To my dismay I can identify with him on that. He went on to state that he is going to allow Christ to have control more and see what happens this next year. I know for myself a little less turmoil would e nice.

There is a song I go to sleep with most nights , the title is " Blessed Assurance". The opening words are you guessed it Blessed Assurance Jesus is mine. Oh what a fore taste of glory divine. It goes on to say perfect submission perfect delight. I can't say that with full truth yet. I am still a work in progress.

As this new year unfolds I'm asking God to help me get out of the way of what he wants me to hear and do in my life. I'll let you know how it's going.

A Good Christian

This morning I was listening to a radio program and the host was interviewing an author that wrote a book named “the good muslim”. That started me to thinking what is a good christian? I haven’t done the research , but I imagine there are many books written on that topic. How would you answer that question? Maybe like Jesus did in the ‘Sermon on the Mount” http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%205:1-12&version=NIV. Or maybe with actions like. Maybe like the diciples when they were asked by the disabled man for money, the reply was silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give unto you. And the man was healed. Or maybe like Daniel when he asked not to be fed the rich food of Babaloyn, but the simple food of vegetables. I don’t believe that being a so called “good christian” is something you do.

It’s not so much actions as it is heart. There is a song that I have written about before that goes “as the deer panteth
t for the water so my heart pantheh after thee”. Wanting to spend time with Christ to get to know him better. Not through actions, you may ask how can I spend time with Christ when he is u p in heaven and I’m stuck here. We spend time through reading our bible and time in prayer. Not as an another thing to check off out to do list everyday, rather as time invested in a relationship, hopefully causing us to know the heart of God better and being closer to him. When I met my wife I didn’t want to see her to check something off my list. I wanted to spend time with her because she was and is my life.

Christ is my life as well, and I can’t explain it is a clear and concise way. It is something you have to experience yourself. Join me in that adventure.

Living the Dream

For the last couple of years my response to someone when they ask how or what I’m doing I have replied “living the dream”. Last week when I replied that to the question, my friend Bill asked how’s that working for you? He knows the struggles and troubles that have been happening. I said to him it’s more like a nightmare. He is always very forthright and direct. He said you had better get a new dream. I agreed.

As I reviewed that conversation over the last week or so, I first started with the woe is me routine. That made me feel worse, I didn’t like the direction that was taking .Then quietly God began to speak to me in that soft low voice he is so good at. He said Rob lets review some things. And we began to list the blessing I have in my life, my bride, the 4 children I have been blessed with and on and on and on.

I had started to look at things with the wrong set of eyes. Yes I wear glasses but I don’t have four eyes on my face. I was looking at the things that I didn’t like about my situation, no job, not enough money to buy everything I wanted (as if that will ever happen, and I don’t need all I think I do right). As we started to compile the list and all the blessing God has blessed me with my perspective changed. I do have a good dream to live and I will do so. My pastor said a couple of weeks ago in one of his sermons. When we have doubt and fears, it reminds us. Are we going to believe in our doubts or in our faith in God? I am reminded that I am living the dream, and it’s good.

My Bride is Coming Home

My wife is coming home today. She has been away visiting our granddaughter for the last week. I have missed her quite a bit. I went to the store yesterday and got flowers and groceries for a welcome home meal, of course I forgot a few things. When I got up this morning I swept all the dog hair up, cleaned the bathrooms,vacuumed,changed the sheets on the bed, and picked up. All to welcome her home, I want to things to be in place, neat and picked up so she can rest. My thoughts all day are. My bride is coming home today, I want to prepare and have things ready.

When Jesus went up to heaven he told his disciples that he was going to his father’s house to prepare a place for them, if it were not so he would not tell them. I am sure Jesus is not hurrying around like we do with our heads cut off, but all the same he is making sure of all the details. Putting everything in its place and everything has a place.

My excitement for my wife coming home is nothing compared to Christ excitement to him coming back for us to take s to heaven to see his father face to face. That will be the day won’t it.

I was with my wife this last week and we were doing a little bit of Christmas shopping . I was highly agitated not because of the commercialism of Christmas, but because I was worrying about money and not having enough to take care of things. My bride I have to tell you was a picture of faith and strength. She was don’t worry Rob, I have been praying for our situation and God has provided and he will continue to provide.

You know my response don’t you, being the man of faith that I hope and want to be. I grumbled around for awhile acting like the back side of a donkey. I am not proud of that. I went out to get the car and bring it closer to the door at my wife’s suggestion. (she wanted me away from her truth be told). Anyway as I was getting in the car I sat still for a moment. During that short time that I quit moaning and groaning, God said something to me. He had to work fast I didn’t stop for very long. He said to me “Rob why are you so worried haven’t I provided your needs?”. Have you gone hungry, or not a roof over your head?” I had to answer no God yes you provided my needs. He said yes I have and I will provide your needs in the future. Trust me Rob with all your heart in the good and the lean times. Just like I took care of Israel I in the desert and gave them mana for the day I will take care of you and your family.

A prayer I pray it seems more than not is God help my unbelief it seem right for this situation.

Spring Rain

My wife made me an apple pie last week. As you read this you may be asking yourself why this is so significant. You are not alone, I asked her the same thing. She replied so matter of fact, and without even thinking. I know you like apple pie I had some apples that needed to be used , so I made you a pie. Let me give you a little back round, my wife to my taste makes the best apple pie in the world. I don’t have apple pie anywhere else except when at home. All the rest of the apple pies to my taste are not as good as hers. So I don’t waste my time having them outside of home.

When I stop to think about things , not just going through life without seeing or stopping to think . I start to see things I miss when I just plow through and think only of myself or how only it benefits me. I have more time right now than I usually have. So I decided to read the book of Zechariah. I confess that I have to read some things three or four times to start to understand what I am reading. Not just reading the words, but to begin to understand what the writer is wanting to convey in the text. Which happened to me in chapter 10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Zech%2010&version=NIV). It said “ask to Lord for the rain in the springtime” (click link for the complete text) That sounds pretty easy doesn’t it, fairly straight forward. I thought about those 9 words all day, I asked God to revel the complete meaning to me, throughout the day. You guessed it I utterly forgot about it as I went throughout my day. The next morning without thinking again I went back and read Zechariah 10 again. When I reread those 9 words again God reminded me of my prayer from yesterday. Then ask me if I was ready to listen, or if I wanted a repeat of yesterday. Going on with my day and forgetting him, and what I had asked him to do.

I ask for forgiveness and said yes I was ready to listen this time. God recapped a couple of the situations in my life in the very recent past where I had plunged ahead and tried to solve problems and situations without stopping to first ask him, for the spring rain in my life. Asking God for the help, and not leaning on my own understanding or ways to solve things. Once again God like my wife in spite of me , took the time to do something for me that I don’t deserve. Not having done anything remotely to be able to deserve the gift I received. I am not alone in this, all of us at one time or another are the recipients of something we don’t deserve to our good.

I constantly ask God to please help me to slow down and ask him ,then to follow through with that request to be able to see how God does it much better than I could ever dream of doing it.

P.S. Yes the pie was great

Play Ball !!!!

I have started to umpire girls fast pitch softball this year. It has taught me many things, not only about softball, but getting better as a person and a follower of Christ. I especially like to be behind the plate, I have the best seat in the house. I am the guy that gets to say at the start of every game in a loud voice “Play Ball”. I even say it at the start of every inning. I love being able to say that. Not because I am the guy, but it’s the reason that every player, coach, parent, and fan is there for. No more practice, drills or make believe this is the real thing. The game is played not only to win, but to enjoy the game and the joy playing the game brings. The girls get to play ball and enjoy the game.

Every day I get to say the same thing to myself. I start the day with my quiet time. I read my bible and spend time in prayer. This doesn’t take hours and it is not a tedious task or requirement, it helps me keep my eyes on what is important. Reading my bible I get to read about battles, men and women struggling with life and how they overcome the travails they encounter.
When I am done I get to say to myself “Play Ball” and get to face the day and I know that I am not alone in life.

Learning to Ride a Bike

I was driving this morning and I came up on a father and mother teaching their child to ride a bike. They were trying to explain to the child how to push of and get on the bike without falling. They couldn't get the concept of reaching the point to commit fully to pushing off and swinging your leg over the seat,balancing, and starting to pedal. Do you remember when you were starting to learn to ride and at some point you committed yourself to pushing off and swinging your leg over. When you did and either by luck or a result of your actions, you were off and instantly you were a veteran bike rider. You had made it. You had joined the club. I remember the freedom and the joy of the speed of riding.

The concept of asking Christ to come into your life, and the concept of asking forgiveness of my sins is kind of the same thing. People can explain it to you. They can give you cute and inspirational stories. But until you commit yourself to the act of accepting Christ, asking for forgiveness of your sins, it's hard to understand. Just like pushing off to ride that bike, you just have to do it. And like riding a bike, after you do it. You will understand, and see how easy it is. And like riding a bike, just because you ride once you're not a pro, you will have spills and scrapped knees. But the more you ride and the longer you have with Christ in your heart, the better you will be. I can't fully explain it, you have to experience it.

Are you ready to start riding your bike with Christ in your heart?

The Wave

There is a saying in Central Oregon it says” If you don’t like the weather in here wait 15 minutes and it will change. Yesterday it snow about 2 inches in the morning and the sun came out and it was about 60 degrees in the afternoon crazy I know. Last week there was a day where it was gorgeous, the sun was out and it was a day you dream of. I was on my way to a meeting in the afternoon and noticed a lot of motorcycles out and guys were riding. I was following one and I have to admit I was having a strong case of envy for the guys that were riding and was wishing I had and was riding a motorcycle as well.

As I was following this one bike, I noticed that as each time one motorcycle rider passed another they all waved to each other. My friend Rich’s told me of when his brother Mike bought his bike. The guy he bought it from told him his first decision after he bought the bike was, “what his wave was going to be”. Everyone has one, and he needed to also. When I got out of high school, I bought a bike from my uncle. I rode it everywhere and thought life couldn’t get any better.He didn’t tell me about the wave, I had to learn it on my own. Anyway after I figured it out why the rest of the riders were waving as we passed. I got my wave. I remember marveling to myself, these guys didn’t care what kind of bike I had, who I was, what I wore, how old I was. They accepted me on the sole fact I was riding and I was part of the culture they were. No other reason.

As I was following the rider and wishing I was riding my thoughts turned to what the wave would be from Christ when I entered Heaven and saw him face to face. Jesus talked in the Bible in Luke Chapter 15:11-31 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2015:11-31&version=NIV about the lost son that was welcomed back by his father. I imagine that Christ won’t have just a wave. He will be standing at the gates with a smile on his face and his arms spread wide welcoming us home. I can’t wait.

Christ accepts and loves for us for who we are unconditionally. He doesn’t care what we have done, what we look like, where we live, or what kind of car or motorcycle we drive. He simply loves us, and can’t wait to see us face to face.

Trip Without my Cell Phone

Last week I left my house to go see a movie with my wife without my cell phone. I realized it after we were almost to the theatre. I felt lost without my phone, I was surprised the anxiety that I had. My wife had her phone with her in case there was an emergency or one of our children needed us. So we had communication with the world if needed, but I didn’t have my cell phone.

After buying the movie tickets and sitting down, I told myself this was crazy it’s just a cell phone stop these feelings. It is the evening your customers or friends will live for the most part if you don’t call back for an hour and a half. I was able to sit and enjoy the movie, as soon as we headed back to our car my thoughts returned to going home and getting my cell phone.

As we were driving home I had this random thought, why don’t I have that same intensity about my relationship with Christ? Why don’t I worry and fret if I don’t have my quiet time at the start of the morning? I am not trying to be a fanatic, but my relationship with Christ I say if at the top of my list. By my thoughts and worries you can see it isn’t. I have a friend he told me that God is more and more talking to him about his relationship between he and Christ is paramount. God is slowly and lovingly teaching him to let the other things that he thinks is important to realize that they aren’t as important as his relationship with Christ is.

I used to have and some of you may have the view that God is this big guy sitting in Heaven waiting for us to screw up so he can smack us down. God tells us that he is a jealous God and in the 10 commandments “we are to have no other Gods before him”. But from what I see in God working in my friends life and mine. God puts having a relationship that is two ways between us and him as the most important, not the busyness we equate with effectiveness.

I am taking more time to spend with Christ this next year and I will let you know how it goes.