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

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

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

Spring Rain

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

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

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

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

P.S. Yes the pie was great

Play Ball !!!!

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

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

Learning to Ride a Bike

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

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

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

The Wave

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

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

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

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