Trip Without my Cell Phone

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

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

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

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

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

The joy is Back

Last time I wrote ,I wrote about overflowing joy. I have had time to think about that since then. I decided that joy is an active choice we make moment to moment. We can choose to have joy or choose to be morose and unhappy.

Having asked God to forgive me of my sins and come into my life, was a turning point in my life. I realized I had forgotten that or let that hope go. I have let the worries of the economy and the daily life struggle over come me the joy didn’t go away. I put it down to take up the burden of life. Well I’ve picked up the joy of life and I am choosing to carry that, not the burden of worry and angst.

I have hope in my salvation join me in that hope. Thank you God for forgiving my sins and giving me the joy in my life.

Overflowing Joy

I heard a pastor speak of a woman he saw two or three days before she died. She said to him "my cup is running over with joy. I so full of joy my heart cannot contain it". She died a few days later. He was struck with how happy she was knowing full well she didn't have long to live.

I have been thinking about that. And I asked myself do I have that kind of joy. I have to admit no I don’t. I’m not completely sure how to have that kind of joy to be quite honest with you. God and I have been talking about that these last few days. I will write more about this I’m sure.

What I would like though is to hear from you. My e mail is overflowingjoy1@gmail.com. Or you can write a comment to this post. Please write me and tell me what over flowing joy means to you.

Eyes that see

I was playing golf last week and one of the guys hit a ball that was a little off, don’t worry mine were worse usually. Well we were watching his ball so we could find it when we went looking for it. I lost it after it started to come back down against some low clouds. Luckily one of the other guys was able to pick it back up. John made a comment that at his age he didn’t have the eyes to track the ball like he did when he was younger. He said he played with his nephew earlier this summer, and he could see way out there and hardly ever lost sight of the ball. He could track it until it stopped rolling. Wow to have those young eyes again. We got up to where the ball was and it was in a good spot and there was a clear path to the green. He hit it on and pared the hole, that’s the goal when we play golf par or better.

That started me to start thinking about my walk with Christ, and how as things are happening in my life and I don’t have the eyes to see what goes on all the time. Just like the shot that was what we thought was a little off was ok when we got up to it. It wasn’t in the middle of the fairway away from all trouble sitting up just waiting for us to come up a hit it again. We want our life to be down the middle of the fairway and ALWAYS out of trouble. How many of us know that doesn’t happen?

We grow through trouble, we are stretched and gain strength through perseverance while we are in trouble. God is not a puppet master who says to himself what trouble can I make this guy go through so I can laugh at him as he struggles and sometimes fail. Rather he has eyes that see all, which guide us through because we don’t see the end result. And one of the most amazing things happen also, the end result is usually better than we could do on our own. While my eyes don’t always work the best and I can’t see all. God’s eyes work perfectly.

Join Me

It’s Sunday morning and we’re going to church. There was a time not so long ago that going to church on Sunday morning was just done. My wife and I are looking for a new church, we’ve narrowed it down to two. This has been a curious experience for us. We have not gone through the looking for a church experience. When we moved to a new town we went to the same denomination church in that town as we had in the town we just moved from. Anyway getting back to looking for a new church, through this process we found ourselves making excuses of why we didn’t go to church that week. We were talking this week and both of us agreed that we can’t let the various and sound good at the time excuses stop us from going to church.
So we are off this morning, some of you reading this may or have been in the same boat as my bride and I find ourselves in. My advice is just go until you find a home. The road can be long and arduous . You will be rewarded in the end and the effort will be worth it. Church’s can and are a rewarding experience, you get challenges, support to help you through tough times. And sometimes you are able to help others and give back to someone what someone has given you. We also get to hear the word of God (Bible) taught and I know for myself I can use all the help I can get. Join me in going to church. Maybe I will see you there, I hope so.

My Secret's are Safe

A friend of mines brother died. Although he knew not everything was right with him, he had no idea of what life was really like for his brother. From what he told me his brother had issues. My heart was broken for my friend. He not only had lost his brother, he had to pick up the pieces of his brother’s life. My friend said something to the effect of you never know what kind of life a person has until it’s too late. I thought about that we all put on a front to the world even to our closest friends, but we keep some things hid. And to a point we are successful we did a great job of hiding our secrets from everyone.
At least we think we are successful, but you know what God see’s and knows everything we not only do, but all we think about. The bible tells us that we will have to give an account of what we did in this life. You see God knows it all, not so he can embarrass us, but so we can be forgiven. Did this only happen to me when I was a kid. Someone found something out about me and the word spread like wildfire. My life was miserable, I was teased and taunted. God doesn’t do that he forgives us. All we have to do is ask him. I am so glad that my trust is put in God. I do have those things that I am not proud of. I also know that those same things are in God’s hands and as the song goes “He has the whole world in his hands” and I am safe in his hands.

Moving Day

Today we move the 3rd of our four children, they are going away to college. I have very mixed feelings about this. I watch them as they go through life. Celebrating with them and cringing when they make decisions that I don’t agree with. I want them to grow and experience life, I can’t keep them as little children all their lives. I worry about how they will do and when they have trouble I won’t be around the corner to dash over and fix things. I knew this day was coming , our child has been talking about and planning for a almost a year. This child is the most like me, we call them pea pod. They have so many of my characteristics both good and bad. I told this child one day that they were so much like me, it scares me. I was worried that they would make the same mistakes and blunders that I have made.
I have ask God to watch over them and to guide and protect them and I know he will. I thought of God as he watches us make our mistakes and think we can do it better and we don’t need his help. We make mistakes and blunders and like our children call us, we call on God. HELP ME. When my child calls I will do everything in my power to help them. God is ready and waiting for us to call him for his help and forgiveness. We just need to call on him, all of us do.

Everything is Possible

Well it was bound to happen, most likely later than sooner. I listened to my wife today, and did what she suggested. My wife is the most precious thing I am associated on this earth. I have a habit of not listening to her enough.Well back to my thoughts. I was working in the yard and I needed to spray some weed killer. I was mixing it up and my wife came home from the store. She saw what I was doing, and asked me if I had looked at the sky lately. I replied yes. She asked me if I had noticed the clouds, you know the kind that are dark and ominous. The kind that is going to throw rain down on your head until it hurts. I said yes I had seen them, but I don’t think it will rain. She kindly advised me to wait and spray tomorrow. I looked at the clouds and thought to myself those babies don’t look good. I had better take her advice. So I went and started to weed some flower beds.
As I was weeding I started to replay the conversation with my wife again and I complemented myself on listening to my wife. I don’t know what more amazing that I listened to my wife and didn’t blaze full speed ahead, doing what I thought was right. Or that I wasn’t laying on the ground in total shock that I had listened to her. About that time God spoke to me and said “you do the same thing to me Rob. I talk to you and try to help you and you just go a do what you want to do, without regard for what I am trying to tell or help you with”. Wow I was humbled and ashamed. I have the creator of the universe trying to help me. I sometimes wonder why God keeps trying, but I am grateful that he does. In the bible a man brought his son to Jesus and asked for Jesus to heal his boy. He said to Jesus “if you can”. Jesus replied and said “everything is possible if you believe”. The man replied back a said “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief”. You see when I do what I think is best what I am really saying is I don’t trust God to do it so I had better do it myself. Like I listened to my wife and took her advice. I asked God to help me overcome my unbelief, and listen and obey his voice.
And yes it did rain like my wife said it would about 30 minutes later

I don't want to get Spewed Out

I had lunch with a client last week. I went to lunch to get to know Rick better and see where I could get more business. Did that ever not happen, as we talked I lost all thought of getting more business and started to focus and think about God. My relationship with Christ. Rick talked about listening to a message from a pastor that talked about having all our focus on attaining and getting more and more wealth. Rick sent the link to me of the sermon and I watched it a few days later. WOW I was shook, the guys talked about our security being in the things of this world. One example he used we wanted a bigger house, bigger income, bigger retirement, more, more , and more. But when it comes to God I have enough, I don’t need anymore. Nothing could be farther from the truth, the inverse is true. I need more and more and more of God and less and less and less of things. I had a hard time even writing the work less three times like I did the word more.
In case you are wondering this has been me of late. I have been focused on the wrong things. I have been felling the tug from Christ to spend more time with him in both prayer and in his word the bible. I just ignored it, in my quest for more and more. In the bible the book of revelation tells us that if you are lukewarm, God says I will spew you out of my mouth. Have you ever taken a big drink straight from the carton of milk (it’s a guy thing) and the milk was sour. You can’t evacuate that milk fast enough. You spew it out with all the vigor and force you can muster. That’s the picture I got. I don’t want to be the one that God spews out because I was lukewarm or worse spoiled and apathetic. Join me on the journey of being a fired up on fire person for God.

A Funny Thing Happened

I walked out my front door yesterday morning and the sun was shining and it was snowing very lightly. I stood there for the moment and just took in the experience. It was glorious to stand there and soak in the sun, and snow at one time. As all good things are I needed to get going and the time came to an end. I got in my truck and started my work day, and off I go to see my clients. As I drove I noticed while it continued to snow, the sun was fast giving way to clouds and overcast sky. I looked in my mirror and the sun was still there where I left it, shining away waiting for me to come back and soak it up again. I didn’t I keep driving to my appointment.

As I drove I recalled during a period of my life when I was young that I walked away from God and kept going farther, and farther away. My life like that sky that was now above me increasingly was gloomier and gloomier. I remember thinking I was living the high life, Life doesn’t get any better than this does it I would tell myself. Early one morning finishing an evening and night of revelry I stood outside the bar I was at and reflected on my life. I confess even though I had been telling myself it doesn’t get any better than this. I was spinning a yarn to myself that just wasn’t true. When you lie to yourself that’s the worst. And I had been lying to myself big time.

I said to myself “Is this all there is to life” God spoke to me and said “no Rob it isn’t I’m here waiting for you” You see all the time I was living what I thought was the high life God had been waiting for me to come back to him. God hadn’t moved away from me, I had moved away from him. Like the lost son in the bible (Read Luke 15:11-31). I told God that if he would take me back, I would serve him the rest of my life. And to the best of my ability I have. A funny thing happened though, God didn’t make me pay the price of walking away. He wasn’t keeping a scorecard. He welcomed me back with open arms and no conditions, and loved me like I had never left. He will you as well. Just ask God

Thanks for Paying the Price

My two youngest children are applying for financial help with college. One if them has to write a paper on the humanitarian effects and the conflicts in Darfur. We were discussing different directions they could go in writing the paper. I asked them why you suppose that marauding armies and guerrilla’s rape the women of the country they are conquering. They had some ideas and we tossed a few of them around.

My thoughts turned to Christ on the cross, all the sins of the world were heaped on Christ when he died for our sins. I wondered what his thoughts were at the time. I speculated how his heart broke with that burden. On that cross Christ paid the price for mine and your sins. I haven’t raped and pillaged, but my sins were no less or greater in the eyes of God. I was and still am a sinner. I am only saved by the shed blood of Christ on that cross. You may think this may be a little dramatic, but every day I want to remember the price that was paid for MY sins. I never want to for, and I give thanks to God daily for his forgiveness of my sins, and Christ paying the price for my sins.

I Was Finally Quiet Enough to LISTEN !!!!!

Guess what I rode my bike this weekend, like that a revelation for thise who know me. As I was getting ready to ride, I went to get my MP3 player to listen to as I rode. I started back into the house, and felt like God was telling me to forget the noise, and listen to the quiet of the ride.

As I rode I could hear my bike the different sounds that I don’t hear on most rides because I’m talking to someone. You were thinking because I’m huffing and puffing to much to hear anything else weren’t you. Most times you would be right, not this time though. I heard my chain rubbing because the derailleur wasn’t in the right position. I fixed that. Then I heard my brake pad rubbing on the wheel as well as other things.

I said to myself I wonder how many times those noises are there, but I’m to busy or not paying attention to hear them. As soon I said that, the verse in the bible Psalms 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God” exploded in my head. I have been in a funk these last few weeks; I tried to get out of it by lots of activity, and saying the catchy motivational sayings to myself. Then I tried to pray my way out of it, still trying the frenzied activity route. The worst part about that was I didn’t realize it until later. I discovered again (like it worked so well I quit doing it) God has been speaking to me all along. I just hadn’t slowed down to listen. God was and is there talking to me all the time .I just don’t listen or go still long enough to hear. I said to God you have my attention I’m her ready to listen to what you want to say to me. And he talked to a dumb, impatient, oblivious, person me. What a concept, God cares enough about me not only to talk to me, but he’s ready and willing to wait for me to listen to him.

Can you believe it, I can

Am I a Crab?

I was at Starbucks today, while I was there I watched an older gentleman and was reminded of a statement one of the guys that I meet with every week made. He said “that as men get older they get crankier. It usually happens when they get close to 50”. That bothered me, I’m 51 and to a certain extent I’ve been kind of cranky all my life. Ask my wife and children.

That comment started me thinking am I getting to be more of a crank. I hope not. On my journey with Christ I’ve seen direct result of God softening my heart. I want to show the love of God more, not less by being an old crab. I guess you might know what parts of my prayers are going to be for the near future. God please soften my heart and make me more soft able to show your love, and not be a CRAB. From experience I know God hears and listens to my prayers and he will answer mine and yours as well. Ask Him

I Jerry McQuire'd it

I rode my bike on the road two weeks ago for the first time since my knee surgery. It’s been 5 ½ months. I was released about a month before, and then the weather turned and I didn’t want to ride in the snow and ice. After that was gone, I found a myriad of reasons why I couldn’t or shouldn’t ride. Well I finally got on the bike, and after a mile or so asked myself, why. Why did I wait so long, why did I let all the excuses stop me, why didn’t I remember how great it feels to get on my bike and ride. I came to the conclusion that I was afraid, that I wouldn’t be able to, I would fall and hurt myself again. Or that I had just gotten to out of shape to ride. The last part was certainly true, at least to the extent that a small ride last summer is a day to remember and accomplishment today.

As I rode and looked at the surrounding countryside, my thoughts turned to my walk with Christ. During my younger years I didn’t have a relationship with Christ, I had turned my back on him. I had been raised in church, but decided it wasn’t for me church was for weak people and I wasn’t weak. Has that happened to you? I remembered during that time all the excuses that I had. Arguments that at the time seemed viable and true, they totally made sense at the time. Kind of like when Jerry McGuire wrote his manifesto in the middle of the night, and when the light of morning came, he realized he was a moron and tried to get it back. Unlike Jerry McGuire it isn’t not to late for us. We have the hope of salvation. In the bible John 3:16 tells us that “For God so loved the world that he gave his on e and only son and who so ever believed on him would have everlasting life”. Don’t be a Jerry McGuire, In the light of day. Believe in Jesus Christ and ask him to come into your life and forgive you of your sins. I did it and I don’t regret it. What I do regret is not asking sooner and losing that time with Christ. Ask him.

Join Charlie & I

It’s overcast and gloomy here in Bend. One of the main reasons I like Bend is that it’s sunny most of the time. Sometimes it’s downright cold, but sunny. With the weather and the great economic news (that’s irony in case you didn’t get it) it’s been a struggle to stay at a high positive level of enthusiasm. I told my wife I’m going to stop watching the first 10 minutes of the news, because nothing is good in the first 10 minutes. Confirming the old adage of “If it bleeds, it leads” in the news game

I went to see a friend of mine who I’m lucky to do business with. His name is Charlie. I told my wife later in the day that my spirit was uplifted after spending time with Charlie. He did my heart a world of good. Thanks Charlie.

I drive a lot in my job, so I have time to think and wonder about things if I take the time and not get consumed with the challenges and troubles that could consume me. As I drove this afternoon I was reminded of Peter in the bible in Matthew 14: 28-31 (you can read for yourself at the site listed below. Cut and paste in your browser) Anyway Peter walked on the water, until he took his eyes of Jesus. Then you guessed it he sank like a rock until Jesus grabbed his hand and rescued him. When I take my eyes and trust off of God and try and do it myself. I sink as well. Those of you that wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat and can’t go back to sleep or you can hardly breathe because of the stress and pressure we feel. Sound familiar. You’re not alone, we all forget.

One of my resolutions this year is to keep my eyes on God more and not lean to my own understanding, but lean on God for his understanding. Join Charlie and I.



Read for yourself
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=14&version=31&context=chapter

Poems & Prayer

Almost every Sunday morning I get up and watch the TV same show. I set my alarm on purpose so I won’t miss it. This morning I was watching and a person was on talking about the inauguration that is coming up. They were discussing the writing and reading of a poem that will be read during the inauguration. While I am not a poet, poetry has always fascinated me. The prose that is written, and the deep reflection and ideas that go into writing a poem. I very much admire poets, they have a very special God given gift. The guest who was on the show said and I quote “the reading of the poem is more important than the prayer”.

In case you were wondering or have guessed that bothered me very much. Prayer has and is a very important part of my life. I believe it was Charles Swindall who said “I can do all things through Christ, but I do nothing without praying first”. I looked up prayer in my concordance in the back of my bible and there were I think 79 -80 references (I counted 4 times and kept losing count it was a lot) where prayer is the topic. Jesus thought prayer was so important that he taught his disciples to pray, we call it the Lords Prayer. Its recited innumerable times each day and year.

To conclude I felt that statement couldn’t go by without a comment. My friend Allen Ruggles has said to me many times “I need God everyday. Hour by hour, minute by minute”. I’m reminded of that many times though out my day , and prayer is a very integral part of looking to God all day. As for me and my house we will continue to keep prayer of the forefront of our belief and continue to pray daily if not minute by minute if it’s needed.

Waiting for Chloe

I was on Face book yesterday talking to a friend Melissa, I just discovered the online friend portion. Have patience with me please. Anyway I noticed on her dad’s Facebook site he was waiting for her and her son to come and see him. I asked her then commented to her what a treat it must be for Grandpa Jim to see the little man. I have a grand daughter on the way her name is Chloe. I told Melissa that I already have a picture of her on my phone, one of the ultrasound pictures. I made the comment that when I was able to hold her in person it would be a day that would be added to my top 10 days. After marrying my bride, asking Christ to forgive me of my sins, and the birth of my four children.

I instantly thought of when Christ comes back for us, and I wondered how much more God’s joy would be to welcome us into heaven. I thought to myself I love this little girl and I haven’t seen, held or talked to her. I’m almost in tears thinking about the joy of Chloe coming into this earth, and how much more Gods joy will be when we come home to be with him. It gives me pause and wonderment to just try and wrap my thoughts around the concept of how much God loves ALL of us.

I can’t see my granddaughter or God yet, so I for now will be content to wait for Chloe and the day I can see God face to face. WOW