I went to a movie with my wife and one of my children, and afterward we went for a lite meal. We had one of my favorite foods sushi. My wife and child had bento boxes. I’ve been intrigued with them since I first saw one. Whoever thought them up was good. I know your probably saying to yourself “get a life, it’s just a box”. I know it is, I saw a segment on a TV show where there was an auction and very old bento boxes like over 300 years old were being sold for a lot of money. If memory serves me correct over a $ 1,000,000.00.
Back to reality, what impresses me was that everything has its place. The little compartments and how it kept the different food separate from each other. I looked at them and asked myself “Do I do that with my heart with God”. Do I keep things in little compartments in my heart and not let Gods love and his influence affect those areas in my heart and my life?
We have a tendency to compartmentalize things in our life and try not to have them spill over to other areas. We or I don’t want things to get messy. When God works in my life and I’m trying to hide things from him (as if that can happen) it can get messy. I don’t know why I do that experience has taught me that if I just let God into my whole heart, it ALWAYS works for the best and I grow from it.
God and I have been talking about me trying to compartmentalize my heart and not letting him have access to my whole heart. When I accepted Christ into my heart and asked him to forgive me of my sins. I opened all of my heart to him, not just part of it. This was a good reminder that if I have areas in my heart I’m compartmentalizing, I’m taking the walls out and letting it all mix together in one big heart. Thank you God for the reminder.
10.19.2008
10.01.2008
It Worked So Well We Quit Doing It
A couple of weeks ago I was driving down the road and I thought I saw a motorcycle that had a training wheel on it. I saw it at the last moment and turned to look after I passed him to get another look, but I couldn’t see anything more. I pondered that as I kept driving to my destination. It reminded me of when my wife’s niece was in town and came to have dinner with us along with her 2 boys. After dinner they were boys and wanted to get out and run and ride their bikes, not sit at the table with Mom and talk. So I took them out side to ride their bikes. It was a duty I’ll do anytime they come. I really enjoy those boys. The oldest one was proud to show me how good of a bike rider since I saw him last year. Last year you see he had training wheels just like his little brother. This year he’s a man riding on 2 wheels, going fast and jumping off the curb when his Mom wasn’t looking. He made sure I know he was a 2 wheeler MAN.
A week or two later I was out riding my bike, it was the next day after a long hard ride and my legs were tired and sore. I just wanted to get out and get my legs moving, so I wasn’t pushing it. I hade taken my MP3 with me to listen to the radio while I rode. There was this guy whose complete career had he had been the piano tuner for Steinway pianos. He just wasn’t just any tuner, he was the tuner for the concert maestros and did all the concerts in Carnegie Hall and places like that. He said something that really struck me and made me think. He said “like the tuning fork is to the piano, so is God to us” he went on to say that the tuning fork has the note that the tuner uses to bring the piano back into tune, you can’t tune a piano without a tuning fork. And we can’t live our lives without God being in our lives.
What that humble man had said rattled around in my head for a couple of days. When we first ask God into our lives and ask him to forgive our sins we look to God for everything and we think we can’t live without his input in our life. After we’ve gone along for awhile we get this false sense of self confidence and think “I can do this I don’t need to bother God with this small thing” that starts the process of making more decisions on our own and after a time we forget to ask God first Then one day we’re in a situation, and we may even say out loud “How did I get into this situation”?
Yea we forgot to involve God in a little decision and decided to do what we thought was right. Walking with God and having his input, not domination in our lives worked so well we quit doing it.
You know what God is waiting right beside us waiting for us to ask his help. Just ask him.
A week or two later I was out riding my bike, it was the next day after a long hard ride and my legs were tired and sore. I just wanted to get out and get my legs moving, so I wasn’t pushing it. I hade taken my MP3 with me to listen to the radio while I rode. There was this guy whose complete career had he had been the piano tuner for Steinway pianos. He just wasn’t just any tuner, he was the tuner for the concert maestros and did all the concerts in Carnegie Hall and places like that. He said something that really struck me and made me think. He said “like the tuning fork is to the piano, so is God to us” he went on to say that the tuning fork has the note that the tuner uses to bring the piano back into tune, you can’t tune a piano without a tuning fork. And we can’t live our lives without God being in our lives.
What that humble man had said rattled around in my head for a couple of days. When we first ask God into our lives and ask him to forgive our sins we look to God for everything and we think we can’t live without his input in our life. After we’ve gone along for awhile we get this false sense of self confidence and think “I can do this I don’t need to bother God with this small thing” that starts the process of making more decisions on our own and after a time we forget to ask God first Then one day we’re in a situation, and we may even say out loud “How did I get into this situation”?
Yea we forgot to involve God in a little decision and decided to do what we thought was right. Walking with God and having his input, not domination in our lives worked so well we quit doing it.
You know what God is waiting right beside us waiting for us to ask his help. Just ask him.
8.18.2008
It Doesn't Make Sense Does it? But it Does
I was on an airplane last week coming back to Bend from Chicago. The only way they could have packed more seats on that plane was to hang the seats from the ceiling. It was packed, I had an intense couple of days and spending time on a cramped and stuffed plane was not as my neighbor Mike says “pure joy”. I wanted to relax catch up on some work and have a little down time. As soon as the fasten seatbelt sign went off, the guy on front of me leaned his seat back to relax. You know what that does to the guy behind, yea ten pounds in a five pound bag.
I decided to make the best of things; I’ll watch the movie, remember how stuffed the plane was. For a guy like me that’s not a pencil neck. OK some might call me fat, I’m really robust. Just like I don’t snore I purr. You get the picture the seats were very very cramped. I couldn’t find the jack to plug my headset in. I had to get out of the seat, and while doing that I stepped on this poor ladies foot. After profusely and sincerely saying how sorry I was (she was very gracious thank you) I found the jack and hallelujah I had sound to go along with the picture. I watched the movie and enjoyed every minute of it.
After the movie was over I took my headset out of the jack because I thought everything was over. Can you tell I’m an inexperienced flyer? Well it wasn’t shows kept being shown. I wanted to listen, but I was afraid and didn’t want to go through the process of getting up stepping on the nice ladies foot. Sticking by rear end in the guy across from me face to find the jack again.
As I set there I realized this could be like that for people that haven’t asked Christ into their life. They see what’s going on, but they can’t hear anything. It doesn’t make sense to them. This asking Christ into your life and being a Christian thing. It just doesn’t make sense to them, so the question is most likely asked why should I do anything about becoming a Christian? As strange as it seems asking God to come into your life and asking God to forgive you of your sins. It works as time goes on and you start to understand. If you have question you can e mail me and we can discuss it further.
It Doesn’t Make Sense Does It? But it Does
I decided to make the best of things; I’ll watch the movie, remember how stuffed the plane was. For a guy like me that’s not a pencil neck. OK some might call me fat, I’m really robust. Just like I don’t snore I purr. You get the picture the seats were very very cramped. I couldn’t find the jack to plug my headset in. I had to get out of the seat, and while doing that I stepped on this poor ladies foot. After profusely and sincerely saying how sorry I was (she was very gracious thank you) I found the jack and hallelujah I had sound to go along with the picture. I watched the movie and enjoyed every minute of it.
After the movie was over I took my headset out of the jack because I thought everything was over. Can you tell I’m an inexperienced flyer? Well it wasn’t shows kept being shown. I wanted to listen, but I was afraid and didn’t want to go through the process of getting up stepping on the nice ladies foot. Sticking by rear end in the guy across from me face to find the jack again.
As I set there I realized this could be like that for people that haven’t asked Christ into their life. They see what’s going on, but they can’t hear anything. It doesn’t make sense to them. This asking Christ into your life and being a Christian thing. It just doesn’t make sense to them, so the question is most likely asked why should I do anything about becoming a Christian? As strange as it seems asking God to come into your life and asking God to forgive you of your sins. It works as time goes on and you start to understand. If you have question you can e mail me and we can discuss it further.
It Doesn’t Make Sense Does It? But it Does
7.30.2008
Move Closer
I love to play golf. When I was younger I was pretty good, not PGA, or even club champion but I had some game. A couple of years ago a friend of mine helped me with my set up and pre shot routine to help me get started right. Things went well for a while. But lately I’ve been having some consistency problems. OK when I stand over the ball I have no idea where it’s going. About a month ago I was standing over the ball, and the thought crossed my mind. I’m standing to far away, I ignored that thought and swung away and promptly forgot everything that just crossed my mind. Yea you guessed it my problems kept on. Two weeks ago I was hitting some balls on the range, and we had a little contest to see who could hit the ball farther. I stepped up to the ball and totally creamed the ball it went a country mile, not true it went about 100 yards and took a hard left. Oh yea it stayed about 2 feet of the ground, instead of coming off the club and rising to a beautiful height then falling back to earth about 300 yards from where I hit it. One of the guys there said to me you’re standing to far away move closed to the ball. I instantly remembered that thought form a month ago and knew he was right.
As I thought of that later I was reminded of the times that God had said something to me and I ignored him. I knew that God was talking to me, and didn’t pay attention. In the bible John 10:27 says My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I didn’t pay attention and paid the price, I kept making the same mistakes over and over again. As I’ve gotten older I keep learning from my mistakes and try not to make the same mistakes. The man who wrote the song Amazing Grace was a captain of a slave ship and the story goes that as he was passing a church service he heard the music went in and asked God to forgive him of his sins and to come into his heart. His name was John Newton, he said one time “I am a horrible sinner, fortunately my God is a greater savior”. He forgave me of my sin and he will for you to.
As I thought of that later I was reminded of the times that God had said something to me and I ignored him. I knew that God was talking to me, and didn’t pay attention. In the bible John 10:27 says My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I didn’t pay attention and paid the price, I kept making the same mistakes over and over again. As I’ve gotten older I keep learning from my mistakes and try not to make the same mistakes. The man who wrote the song Amazing Grace was a captain of a slave ship and the story goes that as he was passing a church service he heard the music went in and asked God to forgive him of his sins and to come into his heart. His name was John Newton, he said one time “I am a horrible sinner, fortunately my God is a greater savior”. He forgave me of my sin and he will for you to.
7.14.2008
You Got to Finish
You Got to Finish
July in Tour De France month for me, I am inspirited when I see the effort and commitment from the riders. The price they are willing to pay for success. We have a multi day stage race here in Bend. A friend of mine invited me to ride in one of the team cars on Saturday for a local team that has riders in the race. My job was to give the team bottles of water and gatorade type drinks when the bottles they were carrying were empty. I saw performances all across the spectrum from less than a mile out from the start line quitting and saying I don’t have it. To three of the riders from the team finishing in the top 30 out of about 75 starters. Right before the end of the race there was this hill, that was so steep and it went forever it seemed like. The grade was 7 – 8 percent and I believe it was about 2 miles long. In the car you could hear the engine working, it was so steep. My friend kept saying before we got to the hill “I hate the hill coming up” He said it over and over and over. You could hear in his voice him recalling the pain and frustration of when he had ridden the hill. The pain and agony it had caused him.
When we got the finish line we were congratulating the riders on the great job they did. Terry the rider that had finished in the top ten (I believe) was talking about how much she liked that hill, the very one my friend had been saying over and over how much he hated. My friend is a very good rider and is on the team but he is injured, other wise he would have been riding in the race. So he’s no wimp when it comes to riding and racing bikes. Terry had made the transition from pain and effort to knowing when they rode that hill and gave it all they had. They were better off than before they rode the hill. They had faith that the effort had been worth it. And had kept her eyes on the prize.
We can make that same conclusion in life. In the bible Paul writes in Hebrews chapter 11 about faith. He recounts some of the great men and woman in the bible that had faith, and how God rewarded their faith. In verse 40 Paul writes “For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can’t receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race. The key to me here, we have to finish the race we can’t quit.There have been some things I have been worrying about, I haven’t been exercising my faith/ When I’ve been looking at the hills in my life, all I’ve been seeing is the agony and effort it will take, not seeing the prize In the next two verses Hebrews 12:1-2 Paul writes “therefore let us run the race with endurance, the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus on whom our faith depends from start to finish”
I was able to see an example of the kind of faith this week end, Terry kept her eyes on the prize, the finish line. It encourages me to keep my eyes on the prize, a better and stronger relationship with Christ. You Got to Finish
July in Tour De France month for me, I am inspirited when I see the effort and commitment from the riders. The price they are willing to pay for success. We have a multi day stage race here in Bend. A friend of mine invited me to ride in one of the team cars on Saturday for a local team that has riders in the race. My job was to give the team bottles of water and gatorade type drinks when the bottles they were carrying were empty. I saw performances all across the spectrum from less than a mile out from the start line quitting and saying I don’t have it. To three of the riders from the team finishing in the top 30 out of about 75 starters. Right before the end of the race there was this hill, that was so steep and it went forever it seemed like. The grade was 7 – 8 percent and I believe it was about 2 miles long. In the car you could hear the engine working, it was so steep. My friend kept saying before we got to the hill “I hate the hill coming up” He said it over and over and over. You could hear in his voice him recalling the pain and frustration of when he had ridden the hill. The pain and agony it had caused him.
When we got the finish line we were congratulating the riders on the great job they did. Terry the rider that had finished in the top ten (I believe) was talking about how much she liked that hill, the very one my friend had been saying over and over how much he hated. My friend is a very good rider and is on the team but he is injured, other wise he would have been riding in the race. So he’s no wimp when it comes to riding and racing bikes. Terry had made the transition from pain and effort to knowing when they rode that hill and gave it all they had. They were better off than before they rode the hill. They had faith that the effort had been worth it. And had kept her eyes on the prize.
We can make that same conclusion in life. In the bible Paul writes in Hebrews chapter 11 about faith. He recounts some of the great men and woman in the bible that had faith, and how God rewarded their faith. In verse 40 Paul writes “For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can’t receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race. The key to me here, we have to finish the race we can’t quit.There have been some things I have been worrying about, I haven’t been exercising my faith/ When I’ve been looking at the hills in my life, all I’ve been seeing is the agony and effort it will take, not seeing the prize In the next two verses Hebrews 12:1-2 Paul writes “therefore let us run the race with endurance, the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus on whom our faith depends from start to finish”
I was able to see an example of the kind of faith this week end, Terry kept her eyes on the prize, the finish line. It encourages me to keep my eyes on the prize, a better and stronger relationship with Christ. You Got to Finish
7.06.2008
The Vision
My wife went with a few of her friends to spend the day going to garage sales. You might be saying to yourself uh oh. But not me, she doesn’t go crazy and get caught up in the deal fever. She called me later and asked me to come to one of the sales she had bought something for our backyard. I asked her what she needed picked up; she told me she bought a trundle bed us to sit on in our backyard. I wondered about it, but didn’t say anything I said I would be there in a bit. She thanked me and said she would be on her way to another sale.
I pulled up to the sale and told them I was her to pickup the bed my wife bought. I was escorted to the purchase .And my unspoken thought and fears were realized. It was an old frame with the built in springs. I asked myself what was she thinking when she say this ugly old bed. I looked at it for a bit and decided to trust her judgment and wait to see what she was going to do with it. I will admit I was skeptical.
I was cutting the grass today and looked over and saw the bed sitting in our backyard, it is still in the shape it was when bought it. My bride has been to busy to work on it, we’ve talked a couple times of how to proceed. Well the truth is my wife has talked and I’ve listened. As I looked at the bed today I was reminded of my first thoughts when I saw it. And started to get upset. That was the exact moment that God spoke to me. He reminded me of the vision my wife has. She see’s the potential of good in things and does her best to bring that out. Part of the man I’m today is a result of her vision and love for me. Thank you honey.
God does the same thing, he doesn’t look at our ugliness from the things we’ve done or said. He see’s the potential in us. God looks at and says to himself “I see them and I know how great they are and I’m going to help them become the person they were created to be. In Jeremiah 29:11-13 it 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 see’s the goodness and potential in myself and he see’s it in you. I’ve tried to do it myself and didn’t such a good job. God has, and he will and can do the same for you.
I pulled up to the sale and told them I was her to pickup the bed my wife bought. I was escorted to the purchase .And my unspoken thought and fears were realized. It was an old frame with the built in springs. I asked myself what was she thinking when she say this ugly old bed. I looked at it for a bit and decided to trust her judgment and wait to see what she was going to do with it. I will admit I was skeptical.
I was cutting the grass today and looked over and saw the bed sitting in our backyard, it is still in the shape it was when bought it. My bride has been to busy to work on it, we’ve talked a couple times of how to proceed. Well the truth is my wife has talked and I’ve listened. As I looked at the bed today I was reminded of my first thoughts when I saw it. And started to get upset. That was the exact moment that God spoke to me. He reminded me of the vision my wife has. She see’s the potential of good in things and does her best to bring that out. Part of the man I’m today is a result of her vision and love for me. Thank you honey.
God does the same thing, he doesn’t look at our ugliness from the things we’ve done or said. He see’s the potential in us. God looks at and says to himself “I see them and I know how great they are and I’m going to help them become the person they were created to be. In Jeremiah 29:11-13 it 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 see’s the goodness and potential in myself and he see’s it in you. I’ve tried to do it myself and didn’t such a good job. God has, and he will and can do the same for you.
6.23.2008
It's Summertime
Its summer and I started to think about children going to camps. Of course I reminisced about my going to camp. I only went for 1 week at a time. A friend of mine grew up in New York, and his parents shipped he and his sister off to camp for the whole summer. When I heard that I wondered who had more fun. He and his sister at camp, or mom and dad at home without children for the summer? Anyway back to my train of thought.
The camp I went to most was the camp the foursquare denomination put on for the district that we were part of. The camp director was named Roy Hicks Jr. During mail call after dinner Roy called out your name if you had mail. You wanted to get mail, but it was a two edge sword. You see Roy was a complete nut bag during this time. He was a wild and crazy. You were laughing so hard, your sides hurt. At the same time even though you wanted to get mail, a part of you was praying to God please don’t let this be the day I get mail. Some kids prayed more and harder there than they did in chapel.
When I think back to those events. (Oh yea I never got mail thank you God). I remember the fun times. And I remember the times that I learned about God more. That was the start of me on my own deciding to follow God. I thought if a nut bag like Roy Hicks can serve God and have that much fun and be cool. I want that for me. I found out later that he was following another camp director. And some of my friends (those who got embarrassed at mail call) said he was copying the guy before him.
If he did that’s OK. You see we as Christians are called to copy Christ. He’s the guy we follow and imitate. The meaning of Christian means “to be like Christ”. The first thought I had after I wrote that was “be like Mike” from the Nike commercials and that’s not it. Sorry I wondered I do that if you’ve noticed. Any way I’m back, there is a verse in the bible Psalms 51:12 it says “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you”. I asked God to do that in me and he is.
The camp I went to most was the camp the foursquare denomination put on for the district that we were part of. The camp director was named Roy Hicks Jr. During mail call after dinner Roy called out your name if you had mail. You wanted to get mail, but it was a two edge sword. You see Roy was a complete nut bag during this time. He was a wild and crazy. You were laughing so hard, your sides hurt. At the same time even though you wanted to get mail, a part of you was praying to God please don’t let this be the day I get mail. Some kids prayed more and harder there than they did in chapel.
When I think back to those events. (Oh yea I never got mail thank you God). I remember the fun times. And I remember the times that I learned about God more. That was the start of me on my own deciding to follow God. I thought if a nut bag like Roy Hicks can serve God and have that much fun and be cool. I want that for me. I found out later that he was following another camp director. And some of my friends (those who got embarrassed at mail call) said he was copying the guy before him.
If he did that’s OK. You see we as Christians are called to copy Christ. He’s the guy we follow and imitate. The meaning of Christian means “to be like Christ”. The first thought I had after I wrote that was “be like Mike” from the Nike commercials and that’s not it. Sorry I wondered I do that if you’ve noticed. Any way I’m back, there is a verse in the bible Psalms 51:12 it says “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you”. I asked God to do that in me and he is.
6.15.2008
Thanks Dad
Today is Fathers day 2 of my children that are still living with us made me breakfast and gave me my gifts and the other 2 called and wished me well. Now that my father isn’t living Fathers day mean a lot more to me. I reflect the joys my children have brought me and the happy times we’ve had together.
My wife was out of town with 1 of our children helping them move into their first apartment, and my 2 left at home had to work. I’ve wanted to visit a church right by our neighborhood, so this seemed like a good Sunday to do it. I went and enjoyed it. The youth pastor gave the message and one of the verses he read struck a cord with me. It was Exodus 15:2 say “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my victory. He is my God, and I will praise him; he is my fathers God and I will exalt him!” The second part of the verse that says he is my fathers God keep ringing in my head.
I was raised in church and have gone all my life except for high school and a short time after. I started going because my parents went and so did I. Then I went because my parents made me. About the time of high school, I told my parents I wasn’t going anymore. We quarreled for a while, eventually my parents relented and I quit going. I don’t know if I wore them down, or they said to themselves “he’s old enough to decide for himself on whether he’s going to follow God or not. I was on my own with that decision.
After living life for myself for a spell, I realized my parents weren’t a stupid as I thought they were. I remembered the lesson I had learned in Sunday school. I told God if you will have me I want to ask you back into my heart. And 29 years later I know now more than ever I made the best decision of my life.
You see my father had showed me who God is not by harping on me, but by living his life as he felt God wanted him to. I started out knowing God as my fathers God, and he has become my God and I do praise him.
Thanks Dad
My wife was out of town with 1 of our children helping them move into their first apartment, and my 2 left at home had to work. I’ve wanted to visit a church right by our neighborhood, so this seemed like a good Sunday to do it. I went and enjoyed it. The youth pastor gave the message and one of the verses he read struck a cord with me. It was Exodus 15:2 say “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my victory. He is my God, and I will praise him; he is my fathers God and I will exalt him!” The second part of the verse that says he is my fathers God keep ringing in my head.
I was raised in church and have gone all my life except for high school and a short time after. I started going because my parents went and so did I. Then I went because my parents made me. About the time of high school, I told my parents I wasn’t going anymore. We quarreled for a while, eventually my parents relented and I quit going. I don’t know if I wore them down, or they said to themselves “he’s old enough to decide for himself on whether he’s going to follow God or not. I was on my own with that decision.
After living life for myself for a spell, I realized my parents weren’t a stupid as I thought they were. I remembered the lesson I had learned in Sunday school. I told God if you will have me I want to ask you back into my heart. And 29 years later I know now more than ever I made the best decision of my life.
You see my father had showed me who God is not by harping on me, but by living his life as he felt God wanted him to. I started out knowing God as my fathers God, and he has become my God and I do praise him.
Thanks Dad
5.15.2008
Truth is Inconvertible
I went for a bike ride yesterday. Lately when I ride, my bike helmet has been irritating my forehead and rubbing it raw. I looked inside my helmet and noticed that 2 of the pads in front had fallen off and the Velcro that held them on was coming in direct contact with my skin. I guess I found the problem. I put some new pads in and went on my ride.
I still had some soreness up there so after I got out of the shower I looked in the mirror to see if forehead was OK. It was but while I was looking I got the haunting impression that my forehead looked bigger. Confession time here. I’ve always thanked God that I’ve kept my hair and hadn’t lost it. Well it’s starting not bad but my hairline is rising, I won’t be parting my hair from the back of my neck anytime soon though.
I worry what I will look like without hair. I’m not ugly, but I need all the help I can get. Fortunately I was reminded that God looks at the inside of us our hearts and not the outside. That started me thinking about things. I have some friends that are exploring God right now. They aren’t sure if God is for them. They’re still checking God out that’s OK. I ride with 2 other guys we call ourselves the 3 amigos. I really enjoy these guys, and have grown to appreciate and look forward to riding with and seeing them. One of the guys told me that his son was questioning is God real and am I wasting my time worshiping God? His son is intellectual and wanted concrete answers. He couldn’t give them to him so he had one of the youth pastors meet with him. He couldn’t answer all his questions either, most but not all of them. So he put him in touch with another pastor and they got his questions answered.
I realized after thinking about that question that my relationship with God is a heart thing. I don’t have all the intellectual answers either. But I do know that I tried to run my life without God in it and it was a disaster. Winston Churchill once said something to the effect “people can argue with you, but ” (I had to look up that word to make sure I spelled it right). At church we sang a song that had this line in it “Lord I’m amazed by you, how you love me”. But God still does love me and in spite of myself will continue to love me and you as well.
I went for a bike ride yesterday. Lately when I ride, my bike helmet has been irritating my forehead and rubbing it raw. I looked inside my helmet and noticed that 2 of the pads in front had fallen off and the Velcro that held them on was coming in direct contact with my skin. I guess I found the problem. I put some new pads in and went on my ride.
I still had some soreness up there so after I got out of the shower I looked in the mirror to see if forehead was OK. It was but while I was looking I got the haunting impression that my forehead looked bigger. Confession time here. I’ve always thanked God that I’ve kept my hair and hadn’t lost it. Well it’s starting not bad but my hairline is rising, I won’t be parting my hair from the back of my neck anytime soon though.
I worry what I will look like without hair. I’m not ugly, but I need all the help I can get. Fortunately I was reminded that God looks at the inside of us our hearts and not the outside. That started me thinking about things. I have some friends that are exploring God right now. They aren’t sure if God is for them. They’re still checking God out that’s OK. I ride with 2 other guys we call ourselves the 3 amigos. I really enjoy these guys, and have grown to appreciate and look forward to riding with and seeing them. One of the guys told me that his son was questioning is God real and am I wasting my time worshiping God? His son is intellectual and wanted concrete answers. He couldn’t give them to him so he had one of the youth pastors meet with him. He couldn’t answer all his questions either, most but not all of them. So he put him in touch with another pastor and they got his questions answered.
I realized after thinking about that question that my relationship with God is a heart thing. I don’t have all the intellectual answers either. But I do know that I tried to run my life without God in it and it was a disaster. Winston Churchill once said something to the effect “people can argue with you, but truth is inconvertible” (I had to look up that word to make sure I spelled it right). At church we sang a song that had this line in it “Lord I’m amazed by you, how you love me”. But God still does love me and in spite of myself will continue to love me and you as well.
I still had some soreness up there so after I got out of the shower I looked in the mirror to see if forehead was OK. It was but while I was looking I got the haunting impression that my forehead looked bigger. Confession time here. I’ve always thanked God that I’ve kept my hair and hadn’t lost it. Well it’s starting not bad but my hairline is rising, I won’t be parting my hair from the back of my neck anytime soon though.
I worry what I will look like without hair. I’m not ugly, but I need all the help I can get. Fortunately I was reminded that God looks at the inside of us our hearts and not the outside. That started me thinking about things. I have some friends that are exploring God right now. They aren’t sure if God is for them. They’re still checking God out that’s OK. I ride with 2 other guys we call ourselves the 3 amigos. I really enjoy these guys, and have grown to appreciate and look forward to riding with and seeing them. One of the guys told me that his son was questioning is God real and am I wasting my time worshiping God? His son is intellectual and wanted concrete answers. He couldn’t give them to him so he had one of the youth pastors meet with him. He couldn’t answer all his questions either, most but not all of them. So he put him in touch with another pastor and they got his questions answered.
I realized after thinking about that question that my relationship with God is a heart thing. I don’t have all the intellectual answers either. But I do know that I tried to run my life without God in it and it was a disaster. Winston Churchill once said something to the effect “people can argue with you, but ” (I had to look up that word to make sure I spelled it right). At church we sang a song that had this line in it “Lord I’m amazed by you, how you love me”. But God still does love me and in spite of myself will continue to love me and you as well.
I went for a bike ride yesterday. Lately when I ride, my bike helmet has been irritating my forehead and rubbing it raw. I looked inside my helmet and noticed that 2 of the pads in front had fallen off and the Velcro that held them on was coming in direct contact with my skin. I guess I found the problem. I put some new pads in and went on my ride.
I still had some soreness up there so after I got out of the shower I looked in the mirror to see if forehead was OK. It was but while I was looking I got the haunting impression that my forehead looked bigger. Confession time here. I’ve always thanked God that I’ve kept my hair and hadn’t lost it. Well it’s starting not bad but my hairline is rising, I won’t be parting my hair from the back of my neck anytime soon though.
I worry what I will look like without hair. I’m not ugly, but I need all the help I can get. Fortunately I was reminded that God looks at the inside of us our hearts and not the outside. That started me thinking about things. I have some friends that are exploring God right now. They aren’t sure if God is for them. They’re still checking God out that’s OK. I ride with 2 other guys we call ourselves the 3 amigos. I really enjoy these guys, and have grown to appreciate and look forward to riding with and seeing them. One of the guys told me that his son was questioning is God real and am I wasting my time worshiping God? His son is intellectual and wanted concrete answers. He couldn’t give them to him so he had one of the youth pastors meet with him. He couldn’t answer all his questions either, most but not all of them. So he put him in touch with another pastor and they got his questions answered.
I realized after thinking about that question that my relationship with God is a heart thing. I don’t have all the intellectual answers either. But I do know that I tried to run my life without God in it and it was a disaster. Winston Churchill once said something to the effect “people can argue with you, but truth is inconvertible” (I had to look up that word to make sure I spelled it right). At church we sang a song that had this line in it “Lord I’m amazed by you, how you love me”. But God still does love me and in spite of myself will continue to love me and you as well.
4.28.2008
The Demolisher
I was with my new found friend this weekend, yes you guessed it Mr. roto- hammer. I decided that while our house is torn up and the new floors hadn’t been completely laid down to take the tile off the counters so we could redo them. I’m glad I did it made a Texas size mess.
As Mr. roto – hammer and I were spending time together I was remising on a conversation my bride and I had a week or two earlier. We were discussing some of the other projects that we (she) wanted to do in our house. After she had shared her vision, I shared an epiphany I had a week earlier. I told her that I’ve realized that doing the finish work and making things look good when I’m done is not by any stretch of the imagination my forte. If she wanted us to do these projects she would have to be actively and I mean actively involved. I would help any way I could but she would be involved.
I have a couple of friends who are wizards at home repairs and things like that. I can see what I want to do in my head, I just can’t get my hands to do it. I can cut a board in half and the cut edges wouldn’t match. I’m not kidding. My one friend Mike has done all this work to his house and it looks great. My other friend Rich can and does build anything, in high school he wanted a tent for camping. He couldn’t afford one, and was complaining to his mom. Her response was something along the line “well I guess you had better learn to sew” So he did. He also built a 3 bedroom addition to his 2 bedroom house and it looked great. These guys are good.
I’m a good demolisher; just ask my wife how many of her things I’ve broken. On second thought please don’t remind her. Anyway back to reality. I was reminded of the ways God has been an impact in my life, how he has repaired the things in my life that I’ve demolished and he has repaired many. Relationship with my wife, friendships as well as many other things. God has bailed me out so many times I can’t count them.
He will for you also, Put the monkey on Gods back and ask for his help. Jeremiah 29:11-13 tells us11 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.
I wrote to a friend of mine tonight and relayed the above verse to him . My comment after that was I thing God not only hears our prayers, he is actively listening for our prayers. Just waiting for us to call on him and ask him
Call on God, I did and don’t regret it.
As Mr. roto – hammer and I were spending time together I was remising on a conversation my bride and I had a week or two earlier. We were discussing some of the other projects that we (she) wanted to do in our house. After she had shared her vision, I shared an epiphany I had a week earlier. I told her that I’ve realized that doing the finish work and making things look good when I’m done is not by any stretch of the imagination my forte. If she wanted us to do these projects she would have to be actively and I mean actively involved. I would help any way I could but she would be involved.
I have a couple of friends who are wizards at home repairs and things like that. I can see what I want to do in my head, I just can’t get my hands to do it. I can cut a board in half and the cut edges wouldn’t match. I’m not kidding. My one friend Mike has done all this work to his house and it looks great. My other friend Rich can and does build anything, in high school he wanted a tent for camping. He couldn’t afford one, and was complaining to his mom. Her response was something along the line “well I guess you had better learn to sew” So he did. He also built a 3 bedroom addition to his 2 bedroom house and it looked great. These guys are good.
I’m a good demolisher; just ask my wife how many of her things I’ve broken. On second thought please don’t remind her. Anyway back to reality. I was reminded of the ways God has been an impact in my life, how he has repaired the things in my life that I’ve demolished and he has repaired many. Relationship with my wife, friendships as well as many other things. God has bailed me out so many times I can’t count them.
He will for you also, Put the monkey on Gods back and ask for his help. Jeremiah 29:11-13 tells us11 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.
I wrote to a friend of mine tonight and relayed the above verse to him . My comment after that was I thing God not only hears our prayers, he is actively listening for our prayers. Just waiting for us to call on him and ask him
Call on God, I did and don’t regret it.
4.25.2008
Made My Life
I received an e mail from my second child this morning. It was a note thanking me for an e mail of encouragement that I had sent them yesterday. It made my not just the day, but it made my LIFE. I have no problem confessing that I had tears in my eyes as I read it. At times and it’s probably just me, but I wonder if what I’m saying is being heard? Has that happened to you? I’ve felt at times that I’m talking to the wall, not with just this child but with all my children. Then out of the blue, one of my children will repeat something back to my wife or I that we had talked to them about, and it’s almost exactly what we said to them. I guess they process it and it passes whatever criteria they use and it made sense so they accept it. Those are the times that you look at that child and you say to yourself “This child has it they are going to be alright; they are going to be great human beings
As I’m writing this I’m sure that God is looking down and saying to himself right back at you Rob. You do the same thing to me. Now this is God talking to himself about me. I talk and talk to you but you don’t listen. Then you go and so the right thing, just like I’ve been talking to you about. As much as I love my children God loves me and you even more. When I was younger I used to think that God was up in heaven and he was just waiting for me to mess up so he could hammer me. As my relationship with Christ has matured and I spend more time reading my bible and time in prayer. I’ve come to understand better, but not wholly complete the love that God for me.
God only wants the best for us, like we want for our children. We don’t have to do great or huge things to please God. He just wants a relationship with us. In Revelation 3:20 we are told 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Will you open the door? If you do God will make your life.
As I’m writing this I’m sure that God is looking down and saying to himself right back at you Rob. You do the same thing to me. Now this is God talking to himself about me. I talk and talk to you but you don’t listen. Then you go and so the right thing, just like I’ve been talking to you about. As much as I love my children God loves me and you even more. When I was younger I used to think that God was up in heaven and he was just waiting for me to mess up so he could hammer me. As my relationship with Christ has matured and I spend more time reading my bible and time in prayer. I’ve come to understand better, but not wholly complete the love that God for me.
God only wants the best for us, like we want for our children. We don’t have to do great or huge things to please God. He just wants a relationship with us. In Revelation 3:20 we are told 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Will you open the door? If you do God will make your life.
4.22.2008
The Easier Way
I have been on my knees for the entire weekend. My wife and I are getting hardwood floors installed in our house next week. It’s been a dream of ours for a long time. However before the floors could be installed we being I had to tear the tile that was in about 75% of our house up. For those of you that think that’s no problem let me enlighten you. You don’t just take a pry bar and take the tile up. You have to use a roto hammer. Which inside the house it sounds louder than a jack hammer my wife says. You then have the distinct and hopefully for you once in a lifetime please of take the cement boards up as well. Nails won’t penetrate the cement board. So up it comes.
I started to use my new found friend that roto hammer again to do that. It took me about 2 hours to do about a six foot square area. Being the fine physical specimen that I am yea right I was exhausted. I called my friend Chris who is a tile installer in desperation. He laughed at me and said you have to hit the cement board with a hammer a few times to get it to break free of the mortar that was used to install the cement board along with the 1000 nails per sheet. Otherwise you’ll kill yourself trying to get the board loose. I can attest that is true. I followed the instructions and finally got the job done. It was a lot easier. Thanks Chris.
While I was doing this project I had lots of time to think. I was reminded that we have a book that will help us get through life a lot easier. Not only does it have great stories like David and Goliath, or about Sampson never cutting his hair and fighting and killing a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey. It give us practical advice and ways to learn about life (the book of Proverbs) But it also lays out the plan of eternal life through salvation. Christ died on the cross for our sins. He paid the penalty so we wouldn’t have to. The book I’m talking about is the bible. Try reading it you might like it. I did and still do.
I started to use my new found friend that roto hammer again to do that. It took me about 2 hours to do about a six foot square area. Being the fine physical specimen that I am yea right I was exhausted. I called my friend Chris who is a tile installer in desperation. He laughed at me and said you have to hit the cement board with a hammer a few times to get it to break free of the mortar that was used to install the cement board along with the 1000 nails per sheet. Otherwise you’ll kill yourself trying to get the board loose. I can attest that is true. I followed the instructions and finally got the job done. It was a lot easier. Thanks Chris.
While I was doing this project I had lots of time to think. I was reminded that we have a book that will help us get through life a lot easier. Not only does it have great stories like David and Goliath, or about Sampson never cutting his hair and fighting and killing a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey. It give us practical advice and ways to learn about life (the book of Proverbs) But it also lays out the plan of eternal life through salvation. Christ died on the cross for our sins. He paid the penalty so we wouldn’t have to. The book I’m talking about is the bible. Try reading it you might like it. I did and still do.
4.05.2008
Be Like Mike
My wife and I came to Portland this week. She had her 6 week appointment with the surgeon from her cancer surgery. She was healed of cancer, but they still wanted to insure that she was healing correctly from the surgery. We stayed over to spend time with family. I also wanted to spend time with my friend Mike. He lives in Portland and even though we talk 4 or 5 times a week on the phone, it’s not the same as being with him and just spending time together.
While we were together Mike asked me what I wanted to do. I responded and said I didn’t care I just wanted to spend time with him today. So we got coffee and went to the landscape store and got lights and Mike showed me his new shed had built. I wish I could build things and be as handy as Mike and my other friend Rich are. They are amazing.
Mike asked me again and my response was the same, he said something to me that is very true. He said “You don’t have to be doing something or say anything to enjoy being with your friend. Sometime just being with them is enough, no action or words need to said or done”. Since I had over slept this morning and I hadn’t had my quiet time this morning. And Mike had run into his pastor having his quite time this morning at the coffee shop. We decided that we needed to spend time reading our bible and having our quiet time together. So we did.
As I was reading I read in 1 Corinthians 15: 33-34 it says that bad company corrupts good character. Do not be misled come to your senses as you ought and stop sinning. It reminded me of the person I was before I recommitted my life to God and the change for the better. God has given me good friends like Mike, at times I take them for granted and I need times like this to appreciate them. People like Mike have helped make me a better man, husband, father, and friend to others. If you ask God he will do the same for you, you are worth it. Ask God
Thanks Mike
While we were together Mike asked me what I wanted to do. I responded and said I didn’t care I just wanted to spend time with him today. So we got coffee and went to the landscape store and got lights and Mike showed me his new shed had built. I wish I could build things and be as handy as Mike and my other friend Rich are. They are amazing.
Mike asked me again and my response was the same, he said something to me that is very true. He said “You don’t have to be doing something or say anything to enjoy being with your friend. Sometime just being with them is enough, no action or words need to said or done”. Since I had over slept this morning and I hadn’t had my quiet time this morning. And Mike had run into his pastor having his quite time this morning at the coffee shop. We decided that we needed to spend time reading our bible and having our quiet time together. So we did.
As I was reading I read in 1 Corinthians 15: 33-34 it says that bad company corrupts good character. Do not be misled come to your senses as you ought and stop sinning. It reminded me of the person I was before I recommitted my life to God and the change for the better. God has given me good friends like Mike, at times I take them for granted and I need times like this to appreciate them. People like Mike have helped make me a better man, husband, father, and friend to others. If you ask God he will do the same for you, you are worth it. Ask God
Thanks Mike
3.30.2008
Perceptions
I had the same thing happen to me twice in the same day this week. Both times I was focused on something and out of the corner of my eye I saw movement. What happened was I was sitting still in my car and the car beside me moved in a way to make me feel as is I was moving. The first time was at a stop light, the car beside me rolled back back a bit and I instantly perceived I was rolling out into the busy intersection. Even though I had my foot on the brake I pushed harder until my leg hurt from the pressure that I was applying The second time I had just backed into a parking stall and was sending an e mail from my blackberry. The car beside me back out of the parking stalls next to me. My first reaction was rather than putting my car in park, I had put in reverse and was going to hit the car behind me. To make mattes worse the driver was in the car behind me. I had seen them when I backed into the stall. I wouldn’t be able to leave a note apologizing with my phone number, I would have to face the music and apologize in person, and swap insurance information face to face. All because I hadn’t paid attention and put my car in park and had instead put it in reverse, how careless of me.
Of course none of that happened, I was doing it right, I did have my foot on the brake all the way, and I had put the car in park as you are supposed to do. I was reading my bible this week, and Paul was talking in 1 Corinthians 9 about becoming all things to all people, not to deceive or trick them into believing the gospel, rather to have relationship with them. There is a saying that was told to me when I first started in sales it was “People don’t care what you know, until they know you care”. Usually when someone is doing something for you, it’s so they can gain something out of the interaction. Paul was contrary to that he was doing everything to take himself and his ego out of the relationship. So that people wouldn’t perceive that he was only in it for the money or to gain something.
Christ sent his son down to earth to be crucified for our sins. God sent his son to earth so that we could have relationship with him. He doesn’t ask for us to pay a price for it. Romans 6:23 tells us “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God (his son) is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
What is your perception of Gods gift?
Of course none of that happened, I was doing it right, I did have my foot on the brake all the way, and I had put the car in park as you are supposed to do. I was reading my bible this week, and Paul was talking in 1 Corinthians 9 about becoming all things to all people, not to deceive or trick them into believing the gospel, rather to have relationship with them. There is a saying that was told to me when I first started in sales it was “People don’t care what you know, until they know you care”. Usually when someone is doing something for you, it’s so they can gain something out of the interaction. Paul was contrary to that he was doing everything to take himself and his ego out of the relationship. So that people wouldn’t perceive that he was only in it for the money or to gain something.
Christ sent his son down to earth to be crucified for our sins. God sent his son to earth so that we could have relationship with him. He doesn’t ask for us to pay a price for it. Romans 6:23 tells us “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God (his son) is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
What is your perception of Gods gift?
3.23.2008
We are not Failures !!!!
It’s Easter Day the day Christians celebrate Jesus raising from the dead after being crucified on the cross. I’m sitting in church listening to a young man named Nick Vijicic. He was born without any legs or arms, and he has a smile on his face from ear to ear. His website if you want more information is www.lifewithoutlimbs.org.
I’m reading a book; the truth is I haven’t read any of it for about 2 months. I was telling a friend I was reading it and he said get ready for a crisis of faith. He went on to say that it would stop and make me rethink what I believed. So I did what a lot of us do, at least I hope I’m not the only person that does this. I stopped reading the book and avoided it completely. I wasn’t ready to have my beliefs rethought.
One of the things I do know about myself is when I find a new passion that’s all I want to do. As a result I limit what I put my interest in, to limit myself and my time. I don’t feel that what I’m doing I’m doing well enough to start something new. Am I making sense?
My wife was telling some friends of ours this week that when we first met, I used to say to her when we were skiing “if you’re not falling, you’re not skiing hard enough. I was praying with some people this morning and Greg in his prayers ask God to help us not be failures and he asked for God to help pick us up to keep trying. We are not failures, we pick ourselves back up and keep trying. We don’t just lay there and say woe is me, I’m a failure, I’m going to stay on the ground and give up.
That’s what I saw in Nick this morning I can only imagine he has asked God many times to help him to get back up and keep fighting and trying. I’m going to start reading that book this week, what will you do that you’ve been avoiding. If you are having troubles ask God he will help you.
Ask.
I’m reading a book; the truth is I haven’t read any of it for about 2 months. I was telling a friend I was reading it and he said get ready for a crisis of faith. He went on to say that it would stop and make me rethink what I believed. So I did what a lot of us do, at least I hope I’m not the only person that does this. I stopped reading the book and avoided it completely. I wasn’t ready to have my beliefs rethought.
One of the things I do know about myself is when I find a new passion that’s all I want to do. As a result I limit what I put my interest in, to limit myself and my time. I don’t feel that what I’m doing I’m doing well enough to start something new. Am I making sense?
My wife was telling some friends of ours this week that when we first met, I used to say to her when we were skiing “if you’re not falling, you’re not skiing hard enough. I was praying with some people this morning and Greg in his prayers ask God to help us not be failures and he asked for God to help pick us up to keep trying. We are not failures, we pick ourselves back up and keep trying. We don’t just lay there and say woe is me, I’m a failure, I’m going to stay on the ground and give up.
That’s what I saw in Nick this morning I can only imagine he has asked God many times to help him to get back up and keep fighting and trying. I’m going to start reading that book this week, what will you do that you’ve been avoiding. If you are having troubles ask God he will help you.
Ask.
3.15.2008
The Litmus Test
I’ve been out of town for a few days and I can’t wait to get home. I used to really enjoy business trips. I didn’t enjoy this one. My bride had surgery a few weeks ago and I worry that she’s taken care of. That she will do too much, and I want to be there to help take care of and her. I’m on an airplane that gets into Bend 1 minute before midnight. It’s about 98% full. I imagine like myself that the rest of the people want to get to Bend as much as I do. Otherwise they would wait for the next day and travel at a decent hour. I will most likely get to be after 1:00 am, but my wife is worth the effort. Before you start thinking to much of you let me remind you I’m still a guy and I think, say and do stupid things everyday. And afterwards wish that I had stopped and thought and that I had done better.
As I was sitting on the plane I was reminded of a song that we sing in church sometimes. It refers to the book of Psalms which mostly of was written by King David of the David and Goliath fame. He wrote “as a deer is panting for the water so my soul is panting for you “meaning God.
Just as I was longing to get home and see my bride, God does the same thing for us. He is just waiting for us to come and spend time with him. To pray and talk to him, read the bible and wait for the Holy Spirit to jump a verse or passage off the page to get our attention to hear what God has to say to us. You might ask how I know that what I’m hearing or feeling is God. I’ve wrestled with the same question. A man name Bob Wolf was teaching a class that I was in one time and he said something very profound and Holy Spirit inspired. He said: when God speaks to you it is to build you up and to be a better person, when the devil talks to you he talks to destroy you. I’ve used that as a reference when I wonder if I heard the voice of God or not. Let me give you an example. I’ve been convicted lately that I need to spend more time in prayer than I have been. So I refer back to what Bob said and check what I’m feeling. After the test I have come to the conclusion that God is calling me to pray more because he wants to spend time with me, and teach me things and learn from him. When you learn from someone it’s usually from the quantity of time spent with them, not quality time. Anyway back to the test if it had not been God speaking the talk would have gone something like this “you haven’t spent time praying today, you’ll never make it as a Christian quit trying you won’t live up” If I listened to that type of talk I would never do anything. I would say to myself why try. Use this litmus test next time you have a thought and wonder is God really speaking to me? Remember the deer panting for the water. God is waiting for us
As I was sitting on the plane I was reminded of a song that we sing in church sometimes. It refers to the book of Psalms which mostly of was written by King David of the David and Goliath fame. He wrote “as a deer is panting for the water so my soul is panting for you “meaning God.
Just as I was longing to get home and see my bride, God does the same thing for us. He is just waiting for us to come and spend time with him. To pray and talk to him, read the bible and wait for the Holy Spirit to jump a verse or passage off the page to get our attention to hear what God has to say to us. You might ask how I know that what I’m hearing or feeling is God. I’ve wrestled with the same question. A man name Bob Wolf was teaching a class that I was in one time and he said something very profound and Holy Spirit inspired. He said: when God speaks to you it is to build you up and to be a better person, when the devil talks to you he talks to destroy you. I’ve used that as a reference when I wonder if I heard the voice of God or not. Let me give you an example. I’ve been convicted lately that I need to spend more time in prayer than I have been. So I refer back to what Bob said and check what I’m feeling. After the test I have come to the conclusion that God is calling me to pray more because he wants to spend time with me, and teach me things and learn from him. When you learn from someone it’s usually from the quantity of time spent with them, not quality time. Anyway back to the test if it had not been God speaking the talk would have gone something like this “you haven’t spent time praying today, you’ll never make it as a Christian quit trying you won’t live up” If I listened to that type of talk I would never do anything. I would say to myself why try. Use this litmus test next time you have a thought and wonder is God really speaking to me? Remember the deer panting for the water. God is waiting for us
3.05.2008
No Matter What
Ask God
2.23.2008
You Never Know Do You ?
I’ve been away for awhile so to the steady readers (if there are any besides myself) I’m sorry to be away. Things have been busy, I was offered and accepted a job. I hope to start next week.
When I woke up this morning it had snowed in Bend and it was time to go out and shovel the drive. I debated on whether to go or not , hoping the sun would melt the snow. But after a short deliberation I decided to go our and shovel. Our drive while it’s not real steep, if you don’t shovel and the snow gets packed down and we’ve had cars slide back down the drive into the street. To be truthful that is the only reason I shoveled. To say I wasn’t to gun ho would be an understatement. Then I looked across the street to my neighbors drive and there was no snow. Being the mature and grown up man that I am, I started to grumble to myself. Thinking things like that Mike sure is lucky to have his drive face the sun so he doesn’t have to shovel. And when I buy my next house I’m going to make sure the drive faces the sun so my drive can be free of snow because the sun melted it all away. And I wonder where my children learned the grumble that starts when I ask them to do something?
The next thing that pops into my head is the verse that my cousin Moe sent to me this week part of the verse says “My grace is sufficient to you”. I was quickly humbled recalling the things that God has done for me and I’m complaining about shoveling about grossly exaggerated 1 1/2 inches of snow. I don’t carry near the burden my friend and neighbor Mike carries. He’s a pastor of a church and he has the lives of all the families to be responsible for. He preaches God’s word every week and makes sure that what he says from the pulpit is correct and he mentors others and takes care of his family as well. Way to go Mike.
Well to makes matters worse the sun came out and melted all the snow. The day turned out to be beautiful and the sun shone brightly. I just helped the sun out. I live in a great place get to enjoy the beauty that God created every day. I have a wife and children who love me, and great friends, and now I have a job as well. Thank you God for all you’ve provided me.
When I woke up this morning it had snowed in Bend and it was time to go out and shovel the drive. I debated on whether to go or not , hoping the sun would melt the snow. But after a short deliberation I decided to go our and shovel. Our drive while it’s not real steep, if you don’t shovel and the snow gets packed down and we’ve had cars slide back down the drive into the street. To be truthful that is the only reason I shoveled. To say I wasn’t to gun ho would be an understatement. Then I looked across the street to my neighbors drive and there was no snow. Being the mature and grown up man that I am, I started to grumble to myself. Thinking things like that Mike sure is lucky to have his drive face the sun so he doesn’t have to shovel. And when I buy my next house I’m going to make sure the drive faces the sun so my drive can be free of snow because the sun melted it all away. And I wonder where my children learned the grumble that starts when I ask them to do something?
The next thing that pops into my head is the verse that my cousin Moe sent to me this week part of the verse says “My grace is sufficient to you”. I was quickly humbled recalling the things that God has done for me and I’m complaining about shoveling about grossly exaggerated 1 1/2 inches of snow. I don’t carry near the burden my friend and neighbor Mike carries. He’s a pastor of a church and he has the lives of all the families to be responsible for. He preaches God’s word every week and makes sure that what he says from the pulpit is correct and he mentors others and takes care of his family as well. Way to go Mike.
Well to makes matters worse the sun came out and melted all the snow. The day turned out to be beautiful and the sun shone brightly. I just helped the sun out. I live in a great place get to enjoy the beauty that God created every day. I have a wife and children who love me, and great friends, and now I have a job as well. Thank you God for all you’ve provided me.
2.10.2008
Congratulations
I looked out the window this morning, I saw snow still. I wasn’t expecting to not see snow, I’m not sure what I expected to see. Here in Bend we’ve had snow for at least 2 weeks maybe longer. My family and I have lived here for about 5 years, and this may be the longest we’ve had snow on the ground. My wife and I were commenting last week how much we enjoyed snow and the beauty of a fresh fallen snow.
The thing I noticed this morning when I looked out the window was how the once fresh and pristine snow had gotten dirty. It had gravel, grass, and dirt all mixed in it. It wasn’t pleasant to the eye any more. All the things that were in the snow had been there all the time, they were just covered up by the new fallen snow. When the warm sun came out and started to melt the snow all the dirt and stuff was exposed.
Sin in our lives is like that, we keep covering it up so it can’t be seen, thinking that it will never be exposed. But it can’t stay covered up forever it will be uncovered and found out. Usually when that happens it’s worse than if it had been brought to light as soon as it happened. Sin like the old snow that’s out my window isn’t pretty or nice. But no matter how hard we work to cover it up, it’s still there waiting to be uncovered.
God gave us a rescue plan for our sins when he sent Jesus to die for our sins on the cross. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he sent his only son, that who so ever believed in him would be saved. Right here you have a choice to keep reading or to stop. If you want help with your life keep reading.
Because Jesus died on the cross for our sins we can just ask God to forgive our sins and he will **. You can say this short prayer and God will forgive you of your sins. I prayed this prayer and it was one of the greatest days of my life. Here’s the prayer that you can pray. “God I know I’m a sinner, Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins. Please forgive me of my sins, and come into my heart”. I’m available if you have questions just comment and include your e mail and I will reply.
Congratulations on your great decision.
** Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,
** Romans 6:23 for the wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our lord.
The thing I noticed this morning when I looked out the window was how the once fresh and pristine snow had gotten dirty. It had gravel, grass, and dirt all mixed in it. It wasn’t pleasant to the eye any more. All the things that were in the snow had been there all the time, they were just covered up by the new fallen snow. When the warm sun came out and started to melt the snow all the dirt and stuff was exposed.
Sin in our lives is like that, we keep covering it up so it can’t be seen, thinking that it will never be exposed. But it can’t stay covered up forever it will be uncovered and found out. Usually when that happens it’s worse than if it had been brought to light as soon as it happened. Sin like the old snow that’s out my window isn’t pretty or nice. But no matter how hard we work to cover it up, it’s still there waiting to be uncovered.
God gave us a rescue plan for our sins when he sent Jesus to die for our sins on the cross. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he sent his only son, that who so ever believed in him would be saved. Right here you have a choice to keep reading or to stop. If you want help with your life keep reading.
Because Jesus died on the cross for our sins we can just ask God to forgive our sins and he will **. You can say this short prayer and God will forgive you of your sins. I prayed this prayer and it was one of the greatest days of my life. Here’s the prayer that you can pray. “God I know I’m a sinner, Jesus died on the cross to pay for my sins. Please forgive me of my sins, and come into my heart”. I’m available if you have questions just comment and include your e mail and I will reply.
Congratulations on your great decision.
** Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,
** Romans 6:23 for the wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our lord.
2.04.2008
Those Kids
I took 2 of my children to school this morning, and after I got back home I went into the kitchen to fix something to eat. I looked around and I could tell you every place they had been and at most of the spots what they had prepared there. The clincher was I pulled the breadboard out and crumb city with various foods stuck to it YUCK!!!!!!. My first thought was where did I fail? I know they’ve been trained, somewhere between knowledge and application there was a cut out and the information got flushed. I was reminded of my mother saying something to the same effect to me. I had to laugh at my self righteous thoughts. I have 1 child we call peapod, because they are so much like me. They are my mother and fathers revenge. I’ll take that revenge anytime, I have some of the greatest kids.
I was reading yesterday about the Israelites after they left Egypt and God called then a stiff necked people. He was so mad at them that he said to Moses “I’m sending my angel to go with you, so I don’t get angry and kill Israel. Wow that’s mad. I remember seeing Dan Merino of the Miami Dolphins on the sideline one time tell his wide received get away from me, I don’t want to see you. He was so upset and disappointed in the receiver’s performance. When I read about God being mad at Israel and saying what he said, I thought how could Israel be so dumb to act like that after all the things God had done for them. God quickly and bluntly said to me “you’re like Israel to, don’t be so high and mighty dude” (my translation). I quickly asked God for forgiveness and saw how much I’m like Israel, and my children are like me. The good and the bad.
God gives me grace all the time, so the least I can do is extend the same grace to my children. Who I love so much it hurts, and it’s time to live the love that God has given us. I thank God everyday for his grace to me.
P.S. Wednesday Feb 5,2008 My wife said to me last night : I can see every place you've been in our house, oickup after yourself" I wonder where those kids get it from most likley their mom. (I love you dear)
I was reading yesterday about the Israelites after they left Egypt and God called then a stiff necked people. He was so mad at them that he said to Moses “I’m sending my angel to go with you, so I don’t get angry and kill Israel. Wow that’s mad. I remember seeing Dan Merino of the Miami Dolphins on the sideline one time tell his wide received get away from me, I don’t want to see you. He was so upset and disappointed in the receiver’s performance. When I read about God being mad at Israel and saying what he said, I thought how could Israel be so dumb to act like that after all the things God had done for them. God quickly and bluntly said to me “you’re like Israel to, don’t be so high and mighty dude” (my translation). I quickly asked God for forgiveness and saw how much I’m like Israel, and my children are like me. The good and the bad.
God gives me grace all the time, so the least I can do is extend the same grace to my children. Who I love so much it hurts, and it’s time to live the love that God has given us. I thank God everyday for his grace to me.
P.S. Wednesday Feb 5,2008 My wife said to me last night : I can see every place you've been in our house, oickup after yourself" I wonder where those kids get it from most likley their mom. (I love you dear)
2.02.2008
Well Done
I woke up this morning out of sorts. I felt like the weight of the world was on my shoulders. I had woken up several times in the middle of the night worrying about things. What if I don’t get a job, or if I do it doesn’t meet the needs of my family finances. You can see where I’m going, have you been there before? Or maybe you’re there right now. I saw a sign one time that said “worry is interest paid on a debt that may never come due”. I tried reciting the verse that says “ look at the lilies of the field and how beautiful they are, if God put so much care and work to make them so beautiful , how much more does he care for you. I wasn’t having any of it.
My friend Mike across the street from me is a pastor of a local church. I was reading his blog this week and he wrote about a guy named Joe who died and how he will miss Joe and, he went on to write how Joe went about Joe worked without anyone asking or any recognition. How many of us can say that. I drove by the church Mike pastors and the reader board said “goodbye Joe, we’ll see you soon” meaning they will see him in heaven.
I went home and yes you guessed it started to shovel snow in my driveway again. When I grow up I’m getting a snow blower. I put the music on and the song I’ll fly away came on, I sang to the song in my head only and started to think what I want to be said about me when I go. I thought many things “like loved his wife and family, served God well, and always gave to others and such things. I then remembered what Mike wrote about Joe. While that was nice and Joe was quite a person for Mike to write so much about him. That’s not it.
I then remembered what the author Luke wrote about a man named Steven in the book of Acts Chapter 7 in the bible. Stephen is called on the carpet by the so called religious people of the day. He stands them on his their ear and tells them off so to speak. Not because he wanted to belittle them, he spoke to correct and point out the truth. Well they didn’t listen they stoned him, yea that’s right they threw rocks at him until he died. It says in verse 56 Stephen looks up and heaven opens up and he sees God and Jesus waiting for him. I wonder if Joe saw that, it wouldn’t surprise me if he did. To wrap it up it says in the last verse of chapter 7 that a man named Saul was there giving his approval of the death. Nice guy huh?
Later as Saul is riding on a road God knocks him off his mule and blinds Saul and they have a little conversation. The long and short of it that Saul repents and God changes Saul’s name to Paul and he went on to do many things for the kingdom of God and wrote many of the books in the New Testament. The point is that he wasn’t as nice person and God forgave his sins. No matter if you’ve done a lot bad of things as Saul or worse, God forgives. He forgave Saul and he’ll forgive you to ask him.
What I want said about me is for God to say when I stand before him, and I will to say “well done my good and faithful servant”. Join me in heaven and we’ll see
My friend Mike across the street from me is a pastor of a local church. I was reading his blog this week and he wrote about a guy named Joe who died and how he will miss Joe and, he went on to write how Joe went about Joe worked without anyone asking or any recognition. How many of us can say that. I drove by the church Mike pastors and the reader board said “goodbye Joe, we’ll see you soon” meaning they will see him in heaven.
I went home and yes you guessed it started to shovel snow in my driveway again. When I grow up I’m getting a snow blower. I put the music on and the song I’ll fly away came on, I sang to the song in my head only and started to think what I want to be said about me when I go. I thought many things “like loved his wife and family, served God well, and always gave to others and such things. I then remembered what Mike wrote about Joe. While that was nice and Joe was quite a person for Mike to write so much about him. That’s not it.
I then remembered what the author Luke wrote about a man named Steven in the book of Acts Chapter 7 in the bible. Stephen is called on the carpet by the so called religious people of the day. He stands them on his their ear and tells them off so to speak. Not because he wanted to belittle them, he spoke to correct and point out the truth. Well they didn’t listen they stoned him, yea that’s right they threw rocks at him until he died. It says in verse 56 Stephen looks up and heaven opens up and he sees God and Jesus waiting for him. I wonder if Joe saw that, it wouldn’t surprise me if he did. To wrap it up it says in the last verse of chapter 7 that a man named Saul was there giving his approval of the death. Nice guy huh?
Later as Saul is riding on a road God knocks him off his mule and blinds Saul and they have a little conversation. The long and short of it that Saul repents and God changes Saul’s name to Paul and he went on to do many things for the kingdom of God and wrote many of the books in the New Testament. The point is that he wasn’t as nice person and God forgave his sins. No matter if you’ve done a lot bad of things as Saul or worse, God forgives. He forgave Saul and he’ll forgive you to ask him.
What I want said about me is for God to say when I stand before him, and I will to say “well done my good and faithful servant”. Join me in heaven and we’ll see
1.31.2008
Let it Snow, Let it Snow
It’s been snowing in Bend for those of you reading this that don’t live in Bend. I shoveled my drive this morning. I usually take my MP3 player and listen to the music or the radio. (Thanks to my bride for a great gift). As I started to suit up, I felt the Lord say to me leave the music inside and let’s listen to each other. So I did, I went out and shoveled and listened to my breathing from the exertion. As I shoveled and stopped for a breather, and looked around I thought to myself “why am I out her doing this I’m going to be out here again later in the day shoveling, shoveling and huffing and puffing all day. This drive is going to be my own little golden gate bridge. There is a crew of people that do nothing but paint the golden gate bridge ever day. That’s their job. When they get done painting it’s time to start all over again. I’ve wondered if they start at one end and paint towards the other. Or if ever other year they start in the middle and paint towards the ends, just to break up the monotony. I started to whine to myself, and that’s when it happened. POW right between the eyes, I'm hard headed sometimes that's the only way to get my attention.
God said to me your looking a this driveway the same way you’re looking at your life. You are looking at the situation with your self centered eyes, not your big picture eyes. This snow that your shoveling is not only falling where you are, it’s also falling in the hills and forest storing up water which you will need for later. This summer when the lakes are full and there is plenty of water we’ll be glad it snowed so much this winter.
In the same vein of thought the struggle I go through looking and staying motivated and positive looking for a job will carry me through when I struggle and have challenges in my job. I will be stronger and have more experience to draw on to meet the challenges. If I learn my lesson well, I will be a better person for the struggle.
See God does know what he’s doing, he’s refining me and making me stronger. He can for you as well.
God said to me your looking a this driveway the same way you’re looking at your life. You are looking at the situation with your self centered eyes, not your big picture eyes. This snow that your shoveling is not only falling where you are, it’s also falling in the hills and forest storing up water which you will need for later. This summer when the lakes are full and there is plenty of water we’ll be glad it snowed so much this winter.
In the same vein of thought the struggle I go through looking and staying motivated and positive looking for a job will carry me through when I struggle and have challenges in my job. I will be stronger and have more experience to draw on to meet the challenges. If I learn my lesson well, I will be a better person for the struggle.
See God does know what he’s doing, he’s refining me and making me stronger. He can for you as well.
1.29.2008
No Matter What You Can To
Things have been busy in our house. With the change in job status I’m always looking and checking with myself “what haven’t I done or what can I do better”. I’ve been e mailing and talking to people I know getting the word out so if they hear of things they think of me. Writing my resume, most of my jobs I’ve gotten have been because they called me, not the other way around. A friend of mine called me yesterday and asked how I was doing? I told him well I have great friends like you calling, and I’m still getting results form my e mails and phone calls. It’s only been 3 business days, and a couple of the things that have come up really intrigue me and I see myself doing them. I’ll stay the course and keep working and looking for an opportunity.
I believe I’ve mentioned in previous post that I meet with some men every Monday morning. We read passages in the bible, journal about what it meant to each of us. We then share those thoughts with each other. One of the guys Steve was struck by Peter and the change in him in Acts. Previous to Acts he was impetuous, quick to react (usually the wrong way). *He even cut a dudes ear off, which Jesus had to put back on. Jesus said to him “Peter I will build my church on you”. In effect and as history showed later it cam e true. In Rome I believe there’s a church named St. Peters Basilica. But when crunch time came for Peter to step up he denied know Jesus **3 times, even swearing that he didn’t know Jesus. After that event he was lower than whale poop, I’ve felt that have you?. But them he’s filled with the Holy Spirit, and all heaven breaks loose.
During my quiet time this morning I was reading my bible in Acts Chapter 5. about Peter again, and people are bringing sick people in the street waiting for Peter’s shadow to land on them as he walks by so they can be healed. WOW this was a very short time after Peter’s what could be called his lowest point in his life denying Jesus. Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and he had the power and courage to get back up and make a huge impact on the world. I’m encouraged by reading this and I have hope.
You can have the same hope and Peter and I do.
* John 18:10, Luke 22:49-51
** Luke 22: 45- 62
I believe I’ve mentioned in previous post that I meet with some men every Monday morning. We read passages in the bible, journal about what it meant to each of us. We then share those thoughts with each other. One of the guys Steve was struck by Peter and the change in him in Acts. Previous to Acts he was impetuous, quick to react (usually the wrong way). *He even cut a dudes ear off, which Jesus had to put back on. Jesus said to him “Peter I will build my church on you”. In effect and as history showed later it cam e true. In Rome I believe there’s a church named St. Peters Basilica. But when crunch time came for Peter to step up he denied know Jesus **3 times, even swearing that he didn’t know Jesus. After that event he was lower than whale poop, I’ve felt that have you?. But them he’s filled with the Holy Spirit, and all heaven breaks loose.
During my quiet time this morning I was reading my bible in Acts Chapter 5. about Peter again, and people are bringing sick people in the street waiting for Peter’s shadow to land on them as he walks by so they can be healed. WOW this was a very short time after Peter’s what could be called his lowest point in his life denying Jesus. Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and he had the power and courage to get back up and make a huge impact on the world. I’m encouraged by reading this and I have hope.
You can have the same hope and Peter and I do.
* John 18:10, Luke 22:49-51
** Luke 22: 45- 62
1.24.2008
The Craziest Thing Happened
The craziest thing happened to me yesterday at the end of my work day. Do you see it coming I didn’t, I got laid off from my job. My first reaction was you’ve got the wrong guy in this office. When I was a wee little one there was a carton I can’t remember the name. But this kid time traveled, and every time he got in trouble he called out “Mr. Wizard, Mr. Wizard rescue me and Mr. Wizard would. I was tempted to look around and call out Mr. Wizard rescue me. He didn’t and I still got laid off.
All week the scripture been resounding in my head its Jeremiah 29:11-13. Are you ready it 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 on me and I will listen to your prayers. 13 You will seek me and, find me when you seek me with all your heart.
I can say I have been seeking God with all my heart and I will continue to do so. This will be a journey I’m sure I’ll write more about. So more to follow
All week the scripture been resounding in my head its Jeremiah 29:11-13. Are you ready it 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 on me and I will listen to your prayers. 13 You will seek me and, find me when you seek me with all your heart.
I can say I have been seeking God with all my heart and I will continue to do so. This will be a journey I’m sure I’ll write more about. So more to follow
1.23.2008
Those Darn Scales
I made a New Years resolution that I would lose weight. So I got on the scales yesterday and I’ve gained not lost weight. Can you imagine such a thing? It has nothing to do with the ice cream or other late night grazes that I have been known to do. I meet with a group of men on Monday mornings and this week we were talking about the discipline of exercise and how to be fit you must have a constant and disciplined schedule to stay fit. No matter how long you work out it only takes about a week for the process of going backward in your fitness to start to go soft, and boy am I soft. And it seems like the longer we stay away from fitness the harder the journey is to get started again.
Yes I know that I have to decrease intake and increase motion, I know all the cute saying and catch phases that are supposed to motivate and inspire you, it’s still hard. Our conversation on Monday turned to how we need to do the same thing in our spiritual walk with God. We need to read his word (bible) daily and spend time in prayer. The more you do do this the easier it is to continue to do it. But if you slack for a couple of days, man just like exercise it’s harder to get started again. You start and it’s work, but the more you do it gets easier to keep it up. Psalms chapter 119 verse 11 tells us “I have hidden your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you”
So in conclusion I will continue to hide the word of God in my heart, and I will lose weight.
Yes I know that I have to decrease intake and increase motion, I know all the cute saying and catch phases that are supposed to motivate and inspire you, it’s still hard. Our conversation on Monday turned to how we need to do the same thing in our spiritual walk with God. We need to read his word (bible) daily and spend time in prayer. The more you do do this the easier it is to continue to do it. But if you slack for a couple of days, man just like exercise it’s harder to get started again. You start and it’s work, but the more you do it gets easier to keep it up. Psalms chapter 119 verse 11 tells us “I have hidden your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you”
So in conclusion I will continue to hide the word of God in my heart, and I will lose weight.
1.18.2008
John 3:16
I came in the house on Sunday after church, and my wife who was home sick told me 1 of our children had called and were going to be a grandparents YAHOO. The kids didn’t want anyone to know until they had been to a doctor and had it confirmed. I talked to them last night and it’s been confirmed. We’re still praying that everything goes well and the baby is safe and well and so is Mom. For the last couple of days I’ve held my excitement in check until they knew for sure. Now that we know WOW, I have a thousand thoughts going through my head, dreaming of seeing the baby for the first time. Skiing with them, playing football, everything that can be done will be done. I think about passing on the legacy of our families and the importance of having a relationship with God. I hope I can do as good a job for my grandchildren as my grandparents did for me. Even though I didn’t meet my grandparents until I was in third grade (my dad was in the service and we were overseas and on the opposite end of the nation) my grandparents did a great job of passing on the example of following God.
When Mary Jesus’s mother found out she was pregnant she want to see her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant also. When Mary walked in the door and Elizabeth heard that Mary was pregnant. Elizabeth’s baby jumped in her womb. You can read about it in Luke chapter 1 verse 39 – 45. The baby in Elizabeth’s womb was John the Baptist. His mission in life went on to be, to prepare the way for Jesus who would come later.
I don’t have a baby in my belly, even though it looks like it. I am stoked and I have a different purpose in my life. I need to do try and Love all my grandchildren with the Love that Christ showed for us. He sent his only begotten son that who ever believes in him shall not perish, but will have everlasting life John 3:16.
When Mary Jesus’s mother found out she was pregnant she want to see her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant also. When Mary walked in the door and Elizabeth heard that Mary was pregnant. Elizabeth’s baby jumped in her womb. You can read about it in Luke chapter 1 verse 39 – 45. The baby in Elizabeth’s womb was John the Baptist. His mission in life went on to be, to prepare the way for Jesus who would come later.
I don’t have a baby in my belly, even though it looks like it. I am stoked and I have a different purpose in my life. I need to do try and Love all my grandchildren with the Love that Christ showed for us. He sent his only begotten son that who ever believes in him shall not perish, but will have everlasting life John 3:16.
1.16.2008
Are You the 1?
As a child I thought family reunions are something that every family did. Somewhere between adolescence and being an adult I lost that train of thought. So the result is that I didn’t go for a long time, 31 years for my Moms side of my family. To cut to the chase I finally went to my mother’s side family reunion 3 years ago. Man I can’t begin to tell you how much fun I had. I saw cousins and aunts that I hadn’t seen for 35 - 40 years. Some of them weren’t at the last few reunions I did go to, for those of you that are doing the math. I saw my uncles and some of my aunts and my bride said to me, I see where you get your body shape. The other thing I noticed was that we’ve all gotten older and fatter present company included.
The coolest thing though was I saw my family legacy of serving God that had been passed down to me by not only my parents, but my aunts, uncles, and grandparents as well. I sat with my cousin Moe and talked to her for over an hour. Now when I was younger and very full of myself I didn’t particularly like her. I thought she was mean, but as I look back she just wasn’t going to put up with the likes of me. Yes it’s hard to believe, but I haven’t always been the humble, kind, generous man that I am today. Are you ready to vomit yet, truthfully I was a handful and as my friend Pastor Mike Johnson says, my orbit was pretty small. I thought life revolved around me. As I look back she showed me a lot of grace that I didn’t deserve. Anyway back to Moe, she told me about cousins that had been sick, and they were prayed for and they got well. The same was true for friends of hers. I was able to tell about how great God has been in my life, and just a small portion of the things God has done for our family.
I read in my bible a couple of days ago, when Jesus was talking to a group of the in crowd of his time who were very full of themselves. In Luke chapter 15 verses 1-7. He talks about a man who has 100 sheep and he loses one of them. He asks do you leave the 99 and go look for the one. You bet he does he goes out and finds the one. When he finds the one, he picks it up and takes it back to the other 99 sheep. The he goes even farther he calls his friends and neighbors and says to them come and party with me I’ve found my 1 lost sheep. Then Jesus goes on and says “there is more partying in heaven over 1 sinner who repents than over the 99 that didn’t need to repent.
You know God is always looking for the 1 person that is lost and needs help. When he finds them all the 1 lost person needs to do is ask God to forgive them of their sins, and come into their heart and accept the free gift of salvation. Come on you can do it all you do is ask.
Are you the 1?
The coolest thing though was I saw my family legacy of serving God that had been passed down to me by not only my parents, but my aunts, uncles, and grandparents as well. I sat with my cousin Moe and talked to her for over an hour. Now when I was younger and very full of myself I didn’t particularly like her. I thought she was mean, but as I look back she just wasn’t going to put up with the likes of me. Yes it’s hard to believe, but I haven’t always been the humble, kind, generous man that I am today. Are you ready to vomit yet, truthfully I was a handful and as my friend Pastor Mike Johnson says, my orbit was pretty small. I thought life revolved around me. As I look back she showed me a lot of grace that I didn’t deserve. Anyway back to Moe, she told me about cousins that had been sick, and they were prayed for and they got well. The same was true for friends of hers. I was able to tell about how great God has been in my life, and just a small portion of the things God has done for our family.
I read in my bible a couple of days ago, when Jesus was talking to a group of the in crowd of his time who were very full of themselves. In Luke chapter 15 verses 1-7. He talks about a man who has 100 sheep and he loses one of them. He asks do you leave the 99 and go look for the one. You bet he does he goes out and finds the one. When he finds the one, he picks it up and takes it back to the other 99 sheep. The he goes even farther he calls his friends and neighbors and says to them come and party with me I’ve found my 1 lost sheep. Then Jesus goes on and says “there is more partying in heaven over 1 sinner who repents than over the 99 that didn’t need to repent.
You know God is always looking for the 1 person that is lost and needs help. When he finds them all the 1 lost person needs to do is ask God to forgive them of their sins, and come into their heart and accept the free gift of salvation. Come on you can do it all you do is ask.
Are you the 1?
1.13.2008
The Only Thing Stopping You is You
I was on my way to work yesterday and stopped for a power breakfast. Okay I confess it was McDonalds, and I had a sausage biscuit & 2 hash browns. I paid for my power meal and was given an extra dollar back in my change. I’m getting old I counted it 3 times to make sure it was her that made the mistake and not me. I concluded that she had, then quicker than a blink of an eye I thought “keep it no one will ever know”. I very quickly turned around and returned the extra dollar. As I was waiting for my meal I thought to myself “Do I have an amount that I would keep and not return?” Take a minute and ask yourself that question. I once found $2000.00 and returned it. No I ‘m not a saint, I just thought at the time that if I lost that amount I would prayerfully hope that the person that found my money would return it.
There was a guy in the bible named Zacchaeus ( Luke 19)he was little guy, so short he had to climb a tree to see over everyone. Jesus is walking down the road and stops, looks up and says :Zacchaeus come down and we’ll go to your house and eat” and they did. The proper people of the day muttered to themselves and out loud. What is Jesus doing he’s eating with a criminal. Zacchaeus hearing what was being said I give ½ of my possessions to the poor, and if I’ve cheated anyone I will pay them back 4 times the amount. And you can be sure that Zacchaeus had cheated people, he was a tax collector, and tax collectors during this time pretty much had a free hand to collect what they wanted and you couldn’t do anything about it.
If I had kept the dollar only God and I would have known. It could be said of I’ve lived life as a good person I wouldn’t be called a criminal by people that know me. But I have sinned, not to the degree maybe that Zacchaeus did. But I’m eligible for the same gift that Zacchaeus got and it’s called Salvation. The bible tells us in Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. You might say to yurself I’m a good person I don’t need God. John 1:12 tells us that yet all who received him to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God. Its simple ask God to come into your life , forgive you of your sins and he will. Some of you reading this are saying to yourself “the dude is crazy” you’re right I am crazy for God. The day I asked God to forgive my sins and come into my life is the single greatest day in my life. It can be for you as well. The only thing stopping you is you.
ASK GOD
There was a guy in the bible named Zacchaeus ( Luke 19)he was little guy, so short he had to climb a tree to see over everyone. Jesus is walking down the road and stops, looks up and says :Zacchaeus come down and we’ll go to your house and eat” and they did. The proper people of the day muttered to themselves and out loud. What is Jesus doing he’s eating with a criminal. Zacchaeus hearing what was being said I give ½ of my possessions to the poor, and if I’ve cheated anyone I will pay them back 4 times the amount. And you can be sure that Zacchaeus had cheated people, he was a tax collector, and tax collectors during this time pretty much had a free hand to collect what they wanted and you couldn’t do anything about it.
If I had kept the dollar only God and I would have known. It could be said of I’ve lived life as a good person I wouldn’t be called a criminal by people that know me. But I have sinned, not to the degree maybe that Zacchaeus did. But I’m eligible for the same gift that Zacchaeus got and it’s called Salvation. The bible tells us in Romans 6:23 “The wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. You might say to yurself I’m a good person I don’t need God. John 1:12 tells us that yet all who received him to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God. Its simple ask God to come into your life , forgive you of your sins and he will. Some of you reading this are saying to yourself “the dude is crazy” you’re right I am crazy for God. The day I asked God to forgive my sins and come into my life is the single greatest day in my life. It can be for you as well. The only thing stopping you is you.
ASK GOD
1.10.2008
New Years Resolutions
I haven’t written lately, it seems that every time I even think about sitting down to write 20 things come to mind of things I need to do before I sit to write. I’ve also let other pressures affect my writing time. You know we get caught up in things we think a paramount and if we don’t do them we’ll have failed we think. And then we look back and see that it wouldn’t really have mattered. One of my dreaded New Years Resolutions I made this year was to slow down a bit and enjoy life. Guess what it’s January 10, 2008 and I haven’t put the old habits aside to learn new ones to make that happen. I guess that’s one of the things resolutions do, you write them down so you can review them later and keep yourself on track.
Pastor Ken Johnson ask us last year in one of his sermons “are you taking time to listen to God” He went on to say that God is talking to us always, we’re just to busy or stubborn to listen. The stubborn part was my input based on personal experience. My friend Rob Imhoff and I were talking yesterday about things, and he asked me how is your quiet time with God. I thought for a second to make sure my answer was true, and I was able to say I have been setting aside that time and it’s has been good. As I played that conversation back in my head last night I realized that my success with resolutions won’t always be 100 percent successful, the important things I will strive to improve. I say that to encourage those of us that make resolution and struggle to keep them, or even 1 or 2 of them.
Pastor Ken Johnson ask us last year in one of his sermons “are you taking time to listen to God” He went on to say that God is talking to us always, we’re just to busy or stubborn to listen. The stubborn part was my input based on personal experience. My friend Rob Imhoff and I were talking yesterday about things, and he asked me how is your quiet time with God. I thought for a second to make sure my answer was true, and I was able to say I have been setting aside that time and it’s has been good. As I played that conversation back in my head last night I realized that my success with resolutions won’t always be 100 percent successful, the important things I will strive to improve. I say that to encourage those of us that make resolution and struggle to keep them, or even 1 or 2 of them.
1.01.2008
New Years Day “ A Taste of Heaven on Earth”
Today is New Years Day and this day can be a good or bad day. You can look back and see the failures and how the next year will be the same. Or you can look back and see the great things that happened last year, and you have a new slate to start again and while you may not unqualified success you will succeed in what you set out to do. This last year has been a great year for me, it hasn’t been without challenges and bumps in the road though. I turned 50 this last year and my bride and 4 children had over 60 of my friends and family there for the surprise party for me.
Every day my bride lets me know she loves me, you don’t need much else. I’m reading the book titled “When Heaven Invades Earth” by Bill Johnson; in his acknowledgement page at the start of the book he thanks different people for the help and encouragement they’ve given him. The last person is his wife; his comment is ‘you are my taste of heaven on earth, Thanks”. Bill Johnson I hope you won’t mind that I plaugerize your very elegent and respectful way of honoring your wife. And say the same to my bride,
To my wife “Thank You, You Are My Taste of Heaven on Earth” and I thank God everyday for your love for me.
Every day my bride lets me know she loves me, you don’t need much else. I’m reading the book titled “When Heaven Invades Earth” by Bill Johnson; in his acknowledgement page at the start of the book he thanks different people for the help and encouragement they’ve given him. The last person is his wife; his comment is ‘you are my taste of heaven on earth, Thanks”. Bill Johnson I hope you won’t mind that I plaugerize your very elegent and respectful way of honoring your wife. And say the same to my bride,
To my wife “Thank You, You Are My Taste of Heaven on Earth” and I thank God everyday for your love for me.
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