I bought one of my children a VW Bus. It is a project. Frankly knowing what I know now, I shouldn’t have bought the bus. Yesterday they called and said in a panic said the car wasn’t working and I’m stuck in the middle of a busy intersection. Of course being the dad I am, I said I’ll be right there. My child called me 3 more times in my journey to get there. The 1st call was "are you coming". 2nd call is "the police are here and they are telling me the intersection is being closed down because the car is blocking the intersection". 3rd call is "how far ways are you". As I was a couple of blocks away I called to let them know how close I was, and to find out what part of the intersection they were in. They thought I was coming from a different direction so the location in relation to where I was backwards, luckily my keen vision (yea right) I saw where they were and was able to make adjustments before I fully committed to the intersection.
They had been pushed out of the intersection and were in a drive by the side of the road and the intersection hadn’t been closed, the policeman had pushed them over and out of the way. Thank you to all the police that perform these duties daily. Anyway I got in the car and sure enough the car wouldn’t start, as if I have magical car mechanic powers. We towed the car home and I took them to their original destination and I went back to work.
As I was driving back to work, I pondered the thought process that God goes through when we call on him. I know he hears us and starts at the onset to work to answer our call. I compared myself to my child, when I’m in a pickle and need God. I call him and when he doesn’t respond the very second I think he should I call him again and so on you get the picture. Just like my child thought I was coming from one direction and tried to tell me where they were, I do that to God, I not only ask for his help, but I tell him how and when he should answer it. Unlike my hothead self, God has an extreme amount of patience, he doesn’t get frustrated when we keep calling him. He just loves and loves us, continuing to nurture and teaching us to trust him more.
I can say with certainty that God has never let me down. As I’ve looked back at situations I’ve realized that if God had answered my prayer the way I ask him to, it would have really thrown a wrench in to the works. Even though it was most likely tough for him to let me hang for awhile, I am a better man for it. God has, does and will continue to hear and answer us, with all the love and compassion that only God has.
11.29.2007
11.27.2007
A Warrior for What ?
I was driving to work today and was at a stop light waiting, I must say patiently. There was a RV Trailer lot next to me. My bride grew up with an RV in her family and has always talked to me about our family having one. I will admit I haven’t been receptive to the idea, but that’s another topic for a later time. Anyway back to the RV lot. I noticed on many of the back of the trailers there was a logo with Klingon (Star Trek) like swords and the words “Weekend Warrior”. I’ve seen the logo before and had thoughts along the line of I thought RV’s were supposed to be relaxing and fun. How does Weekend Warrior tie into that. I remember when we lived in Portland, and went to the river with our friends that had a boat. The ramp at times was war zone. I wondered if the people that built the trailers were thinking along lines like that when they designed the logo. Or if we are a powerful nation and we will conquer the forest, beach, or whatever remote area we are in at the time. I logged the thought away for when my wife brought up getting am RV to ask here what she thought about that. By the way it’s not if we will get an RV, but when we will get an RV.
The light turned green and I started down the road again and saw a Ford Bronco that had on the top of the windshield the words “FEAR THIS”. My 1st thought was that I’ve always have kind of liked the Bronco’s. Then I saw the driver it was a girl about the age of one of my children. My next thought was I don’t fear her or the car. What message is she trying to convey and the thought process to put a decal on your car like that.
I then thought what kind of decal I would put on my car to convey a message. I do have the Oregon “O” this is the righttime to say "GO Ducks” on my car now. My thoughts turned to Christ and am I doing what it takes to be a warrior for the kingdom of God. I know that I need to spend more time on my knees in prayer. I can always read my bible more to become as our pastor says a lot
“A man after Gods own heart”. A warrior trains hard and long to be ready to do battle. His body is tough and strong ready for the abuse of battle as well as making sure his weapons are ready. When I picture a warrior, I see a Roman Warrior. He has his helmet, breastplate, sword, and shield and the dude is fit.
Ephesians 6:10 - 18 tells about putting on the full armor of God. It says 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
This is a great reminder to me to be ready
The light turned green and I started down the road again and saw a Ford Bronco that had on the top of the windshield the words “FEAR THIS”. My 1st thought was that I’ve always have kind of liked the Bronco’s. Then I saw the driver it was a girl about the age of one of my children. My next thought was I don’t fear her or the car. What message is she trying to convey and the thought process to put a decal on your car like that.
I then thought what kind of decal I would put on my car to convey a message. I do have the Oregon “O” this is the righttime to say "GO Ducks” on my car now. My thoughts turned to Christ and am I doing what it takes to be a warrior for the kingdom of God. I know that I need to spend more time on my knees in prayer. I can always read my bible more to become as our pastor says a lot
“A man after Gods own heart”. A warrior trains hard and long to be ready to do battle. His body is tough and strong ready for the abuse of battle as well as making sure his weapons are ready. When I picture a warrior, I see a Roman Warrior. He has his helmet, breastplate, sword, and shield and the dude is fit.
Ephesians 6:10 - 18 tells about putting on the full armor of God. It says 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
This is a great reminder to me to be ready
11.25.2007
Unconscious Learning
I was working on one of our cars this weekend and it had to do with wiring. I got the repair book out looked at the hieroglyphics of the wiring diagram. To me they looked like the writing of an ancient and extinct tribe that writes on the cave walls and are found thousands of years later. After a panic attack and a short prayer it started to make sense, and I could actually start to identify what was what. I found the taillights in the drawing and amazing enough the wires that went from them to the turn signal lever. I even figured out the color code, so when I saw the wires at the lever switch I could figure out which side was which. I had a question , so I called a friend of mine, I described my problem and progress I had made, his comment back was I can’t believe you made it this far. My reply back to him was desperation is a great motivator.
I was talking to some people the next day and they were telling me about their car woes. I commiserated with them and told them about my phone call yesterday . The question was asked “what kind of training have you had to work on cars” It took me by surprise, you see I haven’t any. I thought for a minute and replied that I guess I learned more from my father than I had realized. A point to further illustrate this was my friend Rich & I were at my dad’s house one time and we were in his garage/shop. Rich looked around like a kid in a candy store, he looked at me and said wow what a place to work there’s every tool you would need for a project. I don’t remember my exact response, but it was something to the effect of yea but I would rather ride my bike or ski than work on things. Then in total seriousness Rich asked my dad to adopt him.
As my day went on I reminisced about my dads teaching style, He didn’t stop in the middle of things and say to me “look this is a life lesson remember it”. I must confess that I do that to my children sometimes (kids I’m sorry) Dad just made comments or talked about what and why he was doing such and what the outcome would be if things worked out they usually did. I learned from my dad by example and his imparting knowledge a little at a time. He tricked me he was teaching me all the time, I just didn’t realize it. He really didn’t trick me; he was helping me be ready for life when he wouldn’t be here on earth anymore as a resource for me to access. The internet is good, but it doesn’t replace dad.
I also realized that God has taught me the same way as my earthly father did. Little by little he has taught me his ways, and once in a while thru crises or big events. He teaches us through the bible, he speaks to us, or someone relays something how God has taught or helped them. I’ve learned more from my heavenly father than I realized. I’m not only ok with that I’m ecstatic with that. I prayed on my 40th birthday and told God that I had lived the 1st 40 years for myself, I was now going to live the rest of my life for him. I asked him to teach me his ways and help my heart to become more and more like his. I’m still a work in progress. I’m reminded of the Winchester house in California. After Winchester died his wife believed that if she kept adding onto the house she wouldn’t die. So she built this huge house, some of the things she did don’t make sense. Like stairs that don’t go anywhere and doors that open into a wall. But God always has a purpose for the lesson he teaches us. Jerimiah 29:11-13 says 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. God has heard my prayer and is answering it.
I was talking to some people the next day and they were telling me about their car woes. I commiserated with them and told them about my phone call yesterday . The question was asked “what kind of training have you had to work on cars” It took me by surprise, you see I haven’t any. I thought for a minute and replied that I guess I learned more from my father than I had realized. A point to further illustrate this was my friend Rich & I were at my dad’s house one time and we were in his garage/shop. Rich looked around like a kid in a candy store, he looked at me and said wow what a place to work there’s every tool you would need for a project. I don’t remember my exact response, but it was something to the effect of yea but I would rather ride my bike or ski than work on things. Then in total seriousness Rich asked my dad to adopt him.
As my day went on I reminisced about my dads teaching style, He didn’t stop in the middle of things and say to me “look this is a life lesson remember it”. I must confess that I do that to my children sometimes (kids I’m sorry) Dad just made comments or talked about what and why he was doing such and what the outcome would be if things worked out they usually did. I learned from my dad by example and his imparting knowledge a little at a time. He tricked me he was teaching me all the time, I just didn’t realize it. He really didn’t trick me; he was helping me be ready for life when he wouldn’t be here on earth anymore as a resource for me to access. The internet is good, but it doesn’t replace dad.
I also realized that God has taught me the same way as my earthly father did. Little by little he has taught me his ways, and once in a while thru crises or big events. He teaches us through the bible, he speaks to us, or someone relays something how God has taught or helped them. I’ve learned more from my heavenly father than I realized. I’m not only ok with that I’m ecstatic with that. I prayed on my 40th birthday and told God that I had lived the 1st 40 years for myself, I was now going to live the rest of my life for him. I asked him to teach me his ways and help my heart to become more and more like his. I’m still a work in progress. I’m reminded of the Winchester house in California. After Winchester died his wife believed that if she kept adding onto the house she wouldn’t die. So she built this huge house, some of the things she did don’t make sense. Like stairs that don’t go anywhere and doors that open into a wall. But God always has a purpose for the lesson he teaches us. Jerimiah 29:11-13 says 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. God has heard my prayer and is answering it.
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