You're in Wyoming Now

My Royal Son

2011-09-26T10:59:00.000-07:00

Add this to my list of things I never expected. When I spoke with his sister, she too, was amazed. But it just goes to show you that we don't really know what tomorrow holds.

That was the serious thought I took from the whole Homecoming experience. I go about making my plans and thinking about what I expect and don't expect when all along I really have no control over it at all.

I was reminded of Proverbs 19:21, "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails." And also Psalm 33:11 reminds me that my plans come with no guarantees but, "the plans of the Lord stand firm forever."

I just finished reading about Joseph's life and was struck by how it was all about God's plan. I have a funeral this week and was reminded again that we don't always have a tomorrow. My son never ceases to amaze me. Perhaps I am too easily amazed that the way I see things isn't chiseled in stone.

But as I said, that was the serious thought that I took from the whole Homecoming thing. I also just had fun watching my boy grow up a little more. In two more years perhaps it will be King and not just attendant! Never say never!

Too Much For One Sermon

2011-08-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

It's a short week after getting back (a day late - thank you United!) from vacation with my family. (it was a FABULOUS week together!) (read Amanda's blog for more details on that)

Anyway, I have been using this short week to get ready for Sunday and have just finished my sermon except that there was more I wanted to talk about! It just didn't all fit. So I decided to write a little about it here to get it out of my head and hopefully not get too sidetracked on Sunday. (nobody likes two sermons squeezed into one!)

I am preaching from Ezekiel 47:1-12 and referring to Jesus' comments in John 7:37-39. The sermon will focus on the power and spiritual healing of the Holy Spirit that we recieve when we believe in Jesus. I can only touch on the point that we then become LIKE Jesus and the Holy Spirit will flow through us to others.

That is where the sermon could get much longer! I was reading and thinking about the balance that God put in the whole idea and how we too often fail to maintain. Right from the start I want to affirm that I believe BOTH ideas are needed, otherwise there would be no balance and our life and faith would not be what God has intended for us.

So allow me to begin my second sermon. In Ezekiel 40-46 God had the prophet measuring the boundaries of the land and walls of the temple. One commentator pointed out that these represent legalism which emphasizes the need for separation and holy living. This has for many believers constituted the main emphasis of being "Christian." We point to Jesus Himself laying down the law to the rich young ruler and say, "See, THAT is what it takes to be a 'Christian.'" That leads us to focus our efforts at presenting the gospel to sin as humanity's problem, forgiveness as our need and the gospel as the means by which we reach forgiveness and peace with God. It's what the Romans Road and many gospel presentations are based on, "All have sinned...the wages of sin is death...but there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Understand that is all 100% true but it is best suited for people with a strong ethical, moral sense of what is right and wrong, and who feel an obligation to live up to a certain standard or code of morality. "It is a way of showing those who believe in the existence of walls, like the rich young ruler, that they themselves are on the outside." To that person showing them their sin is the best way to invite them to forgiveness so they can come inside.

The problem is when we start to believe that this is the ONLY way to present the good news of Jesus. We currently live in a society that is not merely immoral but actually moving fast to becomeing amoral. So many people just can't see the world in black and white; right and wrong. (thank you postmoderism) To continue the imagery of walls, many today don't believe that spiritual walls actually exist. It is a world of many ways to get to heaven, if there is one. So if I don't believe that walls really exist, then I reject the premise that I am on the outside needing to come in. If I don't believe I am guilty, I don't need to be forgiven. And so we need to be able to present the gospel (same good news) in a different way. Instead of the sin - forgiveness - gospel equation can we look at the problem - need - solution this way? We still have a problem but instead of guilt could we focus on bondage? That would make our need, liberation and the gospel then is our solution that enables us to be free to be what God created us to be.

This is seen in the River of Ezekiel's vision in chapter 47 that flows from the temple. It represents a gospel of freedom and fullness. No walls can contain it and it grows in depth and power able to wash away any barrier and bring life to all that it touches. It still leads us to a relationship with God through Jesus but is presented in a different "language."

It's sad that so many today have abandoned the walls of the temple (the church) in search of total freedom; a life with no rules or restrictions, do whatever I please. And they fail to see that the one true free flowing River begins right there. It often involves us not understanding that, "Sin is not just breaking the rules, it is living a life centered around something other than God."And equally sad is how the church too often tries to put a wall around the river, too, not inviting sinners to approach and be healed for fear they may contaminate us.

I guess it reminds me of the Apostles on Pentecost speaking one truth - God longs for a relationship with everyone - and each man was able to hear it in his own language. I'm not saying that we can/should never lead someone down the Romans Road or use the Four Spiritual Laws. I guess I am just thinking we ought to know who we are talking to enough to know what "language" they speak. If they believe in walls, show them the walls. If not point them to the River that flows freely from Jesus and invite them to believe and drink their full.

(the quotes above and the impetus for some of my thoughts came from the Ezekiel volume of The NIV Application Commentary written by Iain M. Duguid)

No More of Me

2011-07-12T21:49:00.000-07:00

The other day I was reading The Sense of the Call by Marva J. Dawn and was reminded again of one of the truths that has and is transforming my life. God really accepts me - plain and simple - without me doing anything to deserve it.

Ms. Dawn quotes Eugene Peterson who wrote, "We do not progress in the Christian life by becoming more competent, more knowledgeable, more virtuous, more energetic. We do not advance in the Christian life by acquiring expertise. Each day, and many times each day, we return to Square One...We hear Jesus say, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Mt.18:3). And so we become as little children...we adore and we listen....The world does not need more of you; it needs more of God.... The Christian life consists in what God does for us, not what we do for God."

God, I don't deserve Your grace, but I am so thankful for it. Continue to mold me into the child you want me to be.

Free At Last!

2011-06-29T13:28:00.000-07:00

“Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

That cry originated with an old Negro Spiritual and was made famous by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his famous “I Have A Dream” speech and it has been a rallying cry for many different people and groups who feel oppressed and enslaved. You can feel the emotion of emancipation whenever you say the words, even if you personally aren’t subjugated in any way.

What is the power in that word, “free” and the concept of freedom? For most of human history freedom, it seems, has been the desire of one group or nation or race from another almost non-stop.

Freedom was a driving force in our own nation’s Revolution and has been a rallying cry for every war since. The Fourth of July is a celebration of our freedom. Even Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Armed Forced Day; how many holidays do we celebrate that are related in some way to achieving and protecting our freedom? We Americans love our freedom!

And we should. But our political freedom is only part of the picture. The Bible calls us to focus on the best freedom of all, spiritual freedom in Christ. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross has provided us with something we could never gain on our own; freedom from sin. That is something worth celebrating!

As I read Romans 8 I get the same feeling as when I read the stirring words of MLK Jr. See if you feel it too…

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”

“Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”

Grace Greater Than My Sin

2011-06-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

I am so old. I get a thought to share today and what comes to mind? A hymn. Oh well, thank you Nanty-Glo Alliance Church

The hymn is "Grace Greater Than Our Sin" (or # 545 in the maroon book for any Tunnecliffe's that may read this) So the hymn includes the lines, "Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace freely bestowed on all who believe." and "Grace, grace, God's grace. Grace that is greater than all my sin." (I know it is OUR sin, but this is MY blog and I like to personalize my hymns!)

A number of things have come together to lead me to this hymn. First, over the past few days I have seen some very beautiful things like this.

(Thank you Vance & TJ)

And I have done some beautiful things with beautiful people and again in beautiful places, like this...

(Brenda takes better pictures - but you get the point)

And that reminds me of these verses in Psalm 16...

"LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;

you have made my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;

surely I have a delightful inheritance."

Then, I have been reading my daughter's and wife's blogs and they make me so proud and happy. If you read them you know what I mean. They remind me that I am blessed beyond what I deserve...that is what grace is all about. They also remind me that I am lousy at keeping up with a blog. So I came to write it all down.

I am humbled and very thankful today. I agree with David...

“You are my Lord;

apart from you I have no good thing.”

(Psalm 16:2)

This is a good way to start my week.

Reading Day

2011-04-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

Today my copy of Rob Bell's book, "Love Wins" came today in the mail. (Remember I live in WY!) God knows best since this was my day off and I sat down and read the whole book. (Not something I do very often) I did take a break to rake the yard since it was such a nice day - that was mostly for Brenda's benefit so she would know I got that done!

Anyway, reading today was a very good thing and I thought it would be good for me to blog about it while it is still fresh on my 50+yr old brain. I purposefully refrained from commenting on all the other blogs and articles I saw about the book, both pro and con, because I don't like to give my opinion on someone's opinion on someone else's opinion on a book I haven't read. I ask that you read all the way through my thoughts and not just stop half way and think you know what I think. (you'll see why if you persevere)

I did very much agree with Rob when he wrote, "There is no question that Jesus cannot handle, no discussion too volatile, no issue too dangerous." and I pray that brothers and sisters in Christ can engage in the debate in a Christ-like manner.

There has already been lots of controversy over his thoughts on "heaven, hell and the fate of every person who ever lived." and I must admit the first part of the book left me very skeptical. Bell attacks what he calls, "some of the dominant stories that are being told as the Jesus story." I thought the description of some of those points of view were set up as straw men with a fair amount of generalizing going on. Granted, the views he addresses are present in modern Christianity but I hesitate to consider them all mainstream even if that is often what is portrayed in the media and is accepted by many.

Also in the first part of the book it seemed as if arguments were being made based on how people felt about things , such as this quote. "Does God punish people for thousands of years with infinite, eternal torment for things they did in their few finite years of life?" The danger in this line of thinking is that it brings into question absolute truth. If I don't feel good about something does that make it any less true? Anyway, I think Rob played on that a lot in the beginning of the book.

Bell makes a valid point when he says that it "matters how you respond to Jesus" and then asks, "which Jesus?" There are so many different ideas that people hold about who Jesus is, how He interacts with us and what He really teaches that it is very important to know what people mean when they talk about Jesus. Our age of sound bites and tweets doesn't always lend itself to deep conversation when you can really discover what is meant behind what is said.

I still have to wrap my aging mind around some of the thoughts and dig a little deeper to check on Rob's Hebrew and Greek references. Things like defining eternity and age and how they should be understood in context. And I have to evaluate my upbringing as well when it comes to Rob's thoughts about "everyone", "all people", and "the nations" being in heaven. Rob seems to infer that those phrases mean literally everyone, in a universalist sort of way. Am I doing too much mental gymnastics to think that those phrases refer to representatives from every nation, tribe, people and tongue? We come to a similar conclusion when Bell speaks of the great diversity and unity in heaven and I wholeheartedly agree that "A racist would be miserable in the world to come."

Rob Bell was attacked in one interview I saw as the host believed Bell was implying that what we do in this life has no bearing or impact on eternity. I'm not sure where he came up with that line of questioning! Rob is very clear that how we live now has a lot to do with our eternal life. He points out very clearly that our eternity is going on right now and what we do now matters. "While we continually find grace waiting to pick us up off the ground after we have fallen, there are realities to our choices. While we may get other opportunities, we won't get the one right in front of us again."

I have always felt that the whole "hell on earth" concept sort of downplayed the actual torment of the hell described in the Bible. I am not taking lightly the extreme pain and suffering that is in our world. I am just saying that even the torment many live through in this life is but a reflection of the eternal reality of hell. As I read the book, I felt that Bell seems to not make that distinction.

I felt like Rob was making a false dichotomy when he asked, "Is God our friend, our provider, our protector, our father - or is God the kind of judge woh may in the end declare that we deserve to spend forever separated from our Father?" I found myself asking can God not be BOTH Father and Judge?

As I got into the 100's, however, I found I was agreeing more than disagreeing. The thought that, "love, by its very nature is freedom." resonated in me along with the observation that, "We aren't fixed, static beings - we change and morph as life unfolds." It wasn't until pages 113-114 that I felt I found the key to Rob's line of reasoning. He is very clear that Heaven will not be home to sin or "those who would continue to do them." The statement "We are free to resist, reject adn rebel against God's ways for us. We can have all the hell we want," eased my mind concerning Rob Bell becoming a universalist!

Bell leaves open for discussion and disagreement the notion that after death and/or the end of the age people will still be able to change their mind about rebelling against God. He points to numerous church fathers who held that belief noting that this is nothing new. Rob Bell states, "Will everybody be saved, or will some perish apart from God forever because of their choices? Those are questions, or more accurately, those are tensions we are free to leave fully intact. We don't need to resolve them or answer them because we can't, and so we simply respect them, creating space for the freedome that love requires." Again, I pray that brothers and sisters in Christ can engage in the debate in a Christ-like manner.

When Bell states "Yes, we get what we want." in relation to Heaven and Hell I was left thinking of one player that was missing from the discussion. Remember that Satan is also at work lying to man as he always has, "did God really say...?" That doubt casting can really influence a person's decisions concerning what they really want.

I appreciated Rob's recognition of the two stories and how one resonates better than the other in our modern world. I will have to think that through in light of Paul's stated purpose to become all things to all men so that by all means he may win some.

OK this was really long, but it helps me to sort some of my thoughts while they are still fresh on my mind. I am not ready to make a final conclusion regarding some of the thoughts raised in the book, "Love Wins" but I have always believed that there is nothing wrong with questions as long as I turn to God for the answers! I invite dialogue about my observations and would love to hear yours as well. I just ask that you read the book and not just other people's thoughts about it.

God bless us all in our journey together!

PS - I'm not a fan of the plastic slip cover! Just saying.

Thankful for 2010

2010-11-03T14:34:00.000-07:00

I always seem to start late and never get caught up. Such is the story of my life. But this year I'm only 3 days behind - So here we go...

I am thankful and pray I will always be:

1. for my God who is patient and loving and forgiving and kind (I'll only count that as one but reserve the right to repeat any of those as God shows Himself in my life) Ultimately EVERYTHING listed here is out of gratitude to Him. He is the source of ALL that I cherish. James 1:16-17 "Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
2. for my wife who shares so many of the same qualities toward me (Keep an eye out for this recurring thought)
3. for my daughters, all grown and gone, (also responsible and loving God) who make me proud every time I think of them (again-look for this recurring thought)
4. for my son who is growing into a responsible young man and who will one day move out of my house as well
5. for my brothers and sisters who miss me enough to ask me when I will move back to PA but understand that there is no better place to be than where God wants you to be.
6. for my mother who taught us well and who gave us all the peaceful assurance that although we miss her she is REALLY happy right now!
7. for my church family here in Greybull who have opened their hearts to my family and me and walk the trail with us as we follow our God (what a crazy trail!)
8. for my church family spread out all over the place! The memories and recent contacts in those relationships are sweet and serve as an encouragement and blessing to me more than they know.
9. for the world that God has placed me in. Almost daily I am reminded that all of His Creation declares HIS glory and He has put me in a beautiful place. May that meditation always please Him. (Psalm 19)
10. for my life. Each breath, whether gasped hiking in the mountains or enjoyed at ease, is a priceless gift that I too often take for granted. Not today!

So there we go - a start - as I look back over the list it seems like really BIG stuff. I suppose it is. But they need to be voiced and will be repeating themes as the list grows because they are foundational to all I am thankful for. Most likely the mood will lighten and the list may seem more trivial but I pray the gratitude will only grow deeper until it floods over me every moment of every day.

I'm Not Dead Yet

2010-09-02T10:36:00.000-07:00

WOW, I couldn't believe that I haven't blogged anything all summer! Where did the time go? Well, although it may disappoint some, I'm not dead yet!

I was reading a week or so ago about personal tragedy and came across this line that really stuck with me.

"We are not in the land of the living going to the land of the dying, but we are in the land of the dying going to the land of the living."

There was no indication of the author, but I wish I knew so I could thank him/her. This is perhaps the best description of what my life focus should be that I have seen. 1 Peter 3:14-15 reminds us not to be frightened by the threats of this world but instead recognize Christ is the Lord of your life and be ready to explain to others why we have such hope in this dark world. Our relationship with Christ is the basis for the hope that there is more to life than this world. We will spend eternity with Him in heaven.

John Bunyan wrote of the pilgrimage, others have sung that this world is not my home, but the living of the truth is so very difficult. I am right here in the middle of all this "stuff" and it is so "real" and tangible that it easily distracts me from what is really real. I am in the land of the dying. From the moment I was born I began to die and I am another moment closer to that time than just a bit ago. It's like Woody describing Buzz in Toy Story, "that's not flying, its falling - with style." I'm not really living, I'm dying - slowly. Real life awaits me with my God in heaven. These days, months, years are just the journey to get there. That changes how I look at things significantly.

A favorite quote of mine is from C.S. Lewis when he says, "If you think of this world as a place intended simply for our happiness, you find it quite intolerable; think of it as a place of training and correction and its not so bad." My view of this world changes how I engage and interact with the people, places and things along the way.

God gave me this time to enjoy, to cherish and I need to see things clearly here. The only things from this world that will last forever are God's Word and people. I need to be investing my time and efforts on the things that last.

Lord, give me Your view of reality and Your compassion for people and a passion for your Truth.

Father's Day

2010-06-08T12:33:00.000-07:00

Father’s Day is probably one of the most conflicted holidays for me. I have four incredible children, which bring me great pride and joy. I haven’t been the best father in the world and have failed them many times and in many different ways. That is not a pleasant thought for me. Still, I look at their lives and see responsible young adults who love the Lord and, for at least the first three, moved out of my house. Abi has also added to my bliss twice by making me a grandfather to Claire and Nick. When I think about it all, I am nothing short of amazed at how blessed I truly am.

On the other hand, every Father’s Day I think of my father. He is the man who literally taught me everything I knew about God in the first 12 years of my life and for that I am very grateful. He was sure that our family was in church and that we knew the Bible at home. He always had an issue with his temper and in the end his passions were his undoing. He left my mother, sisters and me for another woman and thereafter did not support us in any way really. Our contact with him was infrequent and rarely if ever initiated by him. In more recent years I realize that he does not know who I have become and certainly has no idea who my children are. That is his great loss and a huge sadness to me. I mourn for him. It also makes getting "just the right" Father's Day card very difficult. So often i don't get one at all. Then when I am reading the ones I get from my children (don't forget to mail early!) I end up feeling guilty along with the joy. See what I mean about conflicted feelings?

But still, through it all, I am overwhelmed by my Heavenly Father who has proved Himself to be more than enough to meet all my needs; physically, emotionally and spiritually. I love that song! "All of You, is more than enough for all of me, for every thirst and every need. You satisfy me with your love and all I have in You is more than enough." So I have positives and negatives that clamor for my focus for Father’s Day. Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I focus on the wrong things and please help me to focus on You and my children this Father’s Day.

Fishing in WY

2010-05-20T16:24:00.000-07:00

This past week I had the opportunity to go on "visitation" as my friend called it. He wanted me to come with him and another friend and visit the fish at Buffalo Bill Lake in Cody. We liked it so much we brought many of the fish we visited home! That evening we had fresh fried fish for supper from the rainbow, brown, cutthroat and lake trout we had met earlier. Yesterday I got a few smoked trout and my dear wife promises to make her smoked trout dip this weekend. I am looking forward to that! Anyway, I just wanted to say that God has been very good to me. Here is the scenery I had to put up with while visiting the fish...
I suppose I will have to go again before too long!

Welcome Spring!

2010-05-03T11:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Spring in WY! This was April 30, 2010. I had hoped to do some work outside, shoveling wasn't it. But still I love WY weather - it is so true that if you don't like the weather here - just wait a little bit and it will change! Saturday, May 1st, there was no snow to be seen out my door but we had hurricane force winds (maybe a little bit of an exaggeration, but not much) and I was on the roof trying to tack down loose shingles before they blew away. Sunday it changed again to dark skies and rain. I am still waiting for the change to sunny and warm.

Are You Ready for a WEDDING!!!

2010-04-21T16:54:00.000-07:00

OK I just got the official NFL schedule for the 2010-11 season. It is usually an exciting time of planning for the days when the Steelers will be on TV and not be during a church service. We have to stock up on velvetta cheese and tortilla chips for nachos. We have to plan what games will be party games.

But now we have to also plan WEDDING GAMES! My third beautiful daughter is getting married in October to, of all things, a Raven's fan. I have come to terms with that already and am prepared to be gracious and kind in light of such heretical alliegances. But in order to secure a date and location for the wedding, they made thier plans BEFORE the NFL announced their schedules. SO...

You guessed it - October 3rd, Steelers v. Ravens. Wedding colors, Gold and Purple. No longer friend of the bride or friend of the groom. No body paint allowed. This should be interesting!

Tax Day

2010-04-19T16:07:00.000-07:00

OK, I know that was days ago now, but that is just how slow my mind works sometimes! Anyway, I was reading in Psalm 130 and it made me think of Tax Day.

It started with the first verse, "Lord, I cry out to you because I'm suffering so deeply." That's fairly accurate for Tax Day wouldn't you say? But that wasn't the end of it. In verses 3 & 4 David writes,

"Lord, suppose you kept a record of sins.

Lord, who then wouldn't be found guilty?
But you forgive.
So people have respect for you."

Doesn't that just sound like the IRS? They keep records of your income, your family, your charitable giving, your investments, and other stuff (plus your health care before too long.) They know a lot about you! I have always known that if I ever do anything wrong I will get caught. That is exactly what my wife and I have prayed for our kids, too. "God if they do anything wrong be sure they get caught." So if I were to do anything shady with my income taxes, I would get caught.

Then I think, if the IRS keeps that kind of records, imagine God's! If God kept a record of sins; ooohhh, that's not a pleasant thought! You know nothing is going to get lost in the filing. He knows EVERYTHING. That is a double edge sword; its a relief that God knows every good thing I have done. Sometimes other people don't seem to notice that. But its a bit scary to think that He also knows all the other stuff I've done or thought in secret. He knows all the stuff I should have done but didn't. That is not a pretty image in my mind.

Some people think that our salvation will be determined by God stacking up all the good stuff we have done and all the bad stuff and then seeing which pile is bigger. I for one am THRILLED that is not true! None of us, and certainly not me, would have a "good" stack that could even come close to the pile of sin we have accumulated!

So I love verse 4; "But You forgive!" ( I added the exclamation point cause that is HUGE!) God forgives! (insert raucous cheers and shouts of hooray) (throw confetti and bang a drum) (do something that shows how excited you are because this is bigger than anything you will ever celebrate in your life!)

In His grace, God chooses to forgive every sin I confess to Him. I don't have to file any papers in triplicate, I don't have to drive to an office hundreds of miles away to explain myself. The penalty for all my sin has been paid by Jesus. My debt is stamped, PAID IN FULL.

The more I reflect on that, the better my day gets! And it works for you, too! Amazing!

Not My Thoughts

2010-04-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

These are not my thoughts but God's, they just really jumped off the page at me this morning.

Psalm 128 (TEV)

Happy are those who have reverence for the Lord,
Who live by His commands.
Your work will provide for your needs;
You will be happy and prosperous.
Your wife will be like a fruitful vine in your home,
And your sons will be like young olive trees around your table.
A man who obeys the Lord will surely be blessed like this.
May the Lord bless you from Zion!
May you see Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life!
May you live to see your grandchildren!
Peace be with Israel!

As I read this all I could think of is that God is so good to me in so many ways. Thank you God for all your blessings. Like David I say, "I will praise the Lord, I won't forget anything He does for me." (Ps. 103:2)

Going Fishing

2010-04-08T09:00:00.000-07:00

My good fishing friend is just about finished preparing his boat and he told me the other day that the lakes would be clear soon and that means put the ice fishing gear away and get ready to chase some fish around the lake!

Easter is past and so we can pretty much put Winter behind us and focus on Spring. (I know that WY weather is never that simple, but I still like to think that way!) But before the resurrection story fades from your mind completely take a moment to finish off a few jelly beans and think about the fishing trip that took place shortly after Jesus rose from the dead. In John 21 you can read about what took place.

Jesus had appeared to the disciples to let them know that He had risen from the dead and had sent them to Galilee (Matt. 28:10) and while they were there, Peter thought it would be a good time to fish a little bit. He had a really bad experience in Jerusalem, not only losing his Lord, but also denying that he knew Him three times. No doubt he felt as if he were a much better fisherman than a disciple at that point.

So he and six other disciples took off to wet their nets a bit. They fished all night and didn’t catch a thing. (I can certainly relate to that!) They noticed a man on the shore calling out to them, “Got any fish?” Don’t you hate that question after being skunked?

“NO!” they shouted back and the man called out to them, “Try the other side of the boat!” And probably in a might-as-well sort of effort they cast the nets one more time. Suddenly they had more fish than they could handle! The disciples flashed back to another time they had a catch like that and realized it must be Jesus on shore. Peter, the impulsive one, jumped in and swam while the others brought the boats and the catch to shore.

Jesus had a fire going and some fish and bread cooking for them all. What an amazing reunion that must have been! But for Peter the best was still to come. Jesus pulled him aside and asked him “Peter, do you love me?” Jesus asked him three times – the same number of times Peter had denied he even knew Jesus. And when Peter answered, “Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus gave Peter a job to do, “Take care of my sheep.” referring to His followers. It was a “guy thing” – a way to let Peter know that Jesus had forgiven him and trusted him to be a disciple. The Bible never really says, but I wonder if that was the last time Peter ever went fishing? Jesus let him know that he was as good a disciple as he had ever been a fisherman.

This fishing trip reminds me that failing doesn’t make us failures it just makes us experienced. Especially when we take our failures to Jesus. He is anxious to forgive and restore us and use us for His glory. Don’t think that you have to give up following Jesus when you fail. If you confess your sins, He is faithful to forgive your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Where Did I Put That...?

2010-03-25T11:41:00.000-07:00

A wise man once said, “You will always find what you are looking for in the last place you look.” Of course looking in the right place makes that process much shorter. When Brenda is looking for something that I have put away she will often say something like, “I just have to think like you think so I know where to look.” Otherwise she will be looking in the “wrong” places. (or at least different places than I thought of)

I was thinking of that when I read Luke 24:5-6. "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!”

Of course, in defense of the women, the grave is exactly where they left Jesus just days before, so their behavior is perfectly understandable. But they hadn’t considered the possibility of Jesus leaving on His own. Looking back we may think they should have since He told them,“The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.” (v.7) But still, after experiencing the trial and crucifixion, I can understand how the thought of rising again might seem a bit far fetched.

But the truth of Easter is exactly what the angel said, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” JESUS IS ALIVE!

And that makes all the difference in the world to you and me every day. We don't pray to a Jesus who is dead, He is alive and He hears our prayers and answers them. We don't follow an "ideal" or "philosophy" that Jesus left behind. We follow a living Savior who walks with us and guides us through this journey of life.

I suppose that is what I like about the old hymn "He Lives!" It is the hope and strength of every believer.

"I serve a living Savior, He's in the world today. I know that He is living whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer. And just the time I need Him, He's always near.

In all the world around me I see His loving care. And though my heart grows weary I never will despair. I know that He is leading through all the stormy blasts. The day of His appearing will come at last.

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life's narrow way. He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart."

I for one am VERY glad!

I'm Leavin' In a Green Van...

2010-03-11T10:50:00.000-08:00

Not quite the same as the 60's song and it's Jet Plane since I DO know when I'll be back again. But this Saturday morning I will leave with one good friend from the church and one transient who wants a ride south in a 15 passenger Forest Service green van for Rio Chico, Mexico.

Another good church buddy gave me pictures from the time he went on a missions trip there so that I would know a little of what to expect. I of course being a veteran of missions trips know full well that you can NEVER know what to expect on a missions trip. But I appreciate the thought and am anxious to live the Rio Chico experience - complete with side trip to Copper Canyon of which I have heard many vague but awe inspiring descriptions. (I am hoping the hiking uphill both ways descriptions were exaggerated!)

So I will be working on a water system there, or something else, until we return ON A JET PLANE on the 23rd. Pray for us please.

PS - I have NO idea what this is a picture of yet but I assume it has something to do with where we will be working. But I expect NOTHING.

Imagine

2010-03-11T09:19:00.000-08:00

While considering God testing Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, (Gen. 22) I came upon an interesting thought in my reading. If we wanted to devise a test that would be comparable to Abraham’s test we could ask ourselves, “Are you willing to give up eternity in heaven for God?” That is a more accurate portrayal of the test than asking if we would be willing to give up our hormonally challenged, mood swinging, emotional basket case of a teenager. That would be a tough thing for us most days, but its not the same as the test Abraham faced.

Abraham was being asked to sacrifice the promises God had made to him. Isaac WAS the promise of descendants as numerous as the sands of the sea. Isaac WAS the promise of all the nations of the earth being blessed through Abraham. All of God's promises to Abraham were wrapped up in this boy.

Join me in the “Way-Back” machine for a moment and remember the lyrics to John Lennon’s song, “Imagine”.

“Imagine there’s no heaven

It’s easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today…”

Although Lennon was coming at this from a totally different worldview; he saw heaven and hell as fantasies that keep us from living in the “real” world; still these are valid questions for us to consider. What would my faith look like without the hope of heaven or the threat of hell? Would I give God my life if He gave nothing back but Himself? Would I love God and live in relationship with Him if I were simply, “living for today?”

Abraham answered YES in his test with Isaac who was the embodiment of all of God’s promises to him. My answer…your answer…something to think about.

(Thank you John Walton for the thought provoking concept)

Getting into the Olympic Spirit

2010-02-18T12:28:00.000-08:00

I love Pig...

Bible Reading for Lent...and beyond!

2010-02-17T12:07:00.000-08:00

Our family has agreed to read through the Bible during Lent this year. The concept is to simply read the Bible like we would read any other book. You pick it up and start reading - and if its really good you don't stop til you're done. That's the concept for us and I got my start today getting up to Gen 12 this morning with more to follow later. (that's my plan anyway) I have chosen to read the Message since I have never read through that completely before. I like it!

Also, I found (thank you Brenda) the following reading plan online from Mark Batterson and the National Community Church.

http://fromgardentocity.com/home/

It looks like a good way to spend more time in God's Word. (always a good idea) So if you want to - you can sign up to read along (I did) and just spend a little computer time in the Bible each day. They put the day's reading right there on the website for you!

Anyway, for the one or two who read this, I strongly encourage you to read the Bible. Whether you use of of these two plans or come up with something all on your own, do something. It's always good to have a plan! And it is imperative to start. You can never finish if you never start.

So DO IT! NOW! And as a very wise man once said, "If you do it now, it will be done."

A Loving Memory

2010-02-05T09:18:00.000-08:00

“Mem’ries, light the corners of my mind. Misty, water colored mem’ries of the way we were…”

Be glad, be very glad, that this is in print and you don’t have to hear me sing love songs like Barbra Streisand.

In February the big red heart decorations start showing up which remind us of Valentine’s Day which causes us to think about LOVE. And love makes us remember old songs sometimes that cause us to think about when we were once young and in love. But the problem is that often our memory isn’t all that good. I’m not talking about me forgetting to do whatever chore I promised Brenda I would do either. I’m talking about memories that light the corners of my mind – it must be very dimly lit. I (and you can feel free to include yourself in this as well) often have; what’s the nice way to say it; a distorted view of the past. What I remember may not necessarily be exactly how things occurred.

For instance, I can honestly say that I have no memory of my children flagrantly, defiantly disobeying me. Did that ever happen? I feel certain it has, and if I tried real hard, i might could come up with something. But iIdon't want to. Once they move out of my house and are well on their way to being responsible young adults who love the Lord, my memories of them get more and more pleasant. It may be senility, but I think it’s more like what the Psalmist wrote. "Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to Your love remember me, for You, Lord, are good." Psalm 25:7 I love them SO MUCH!

David was asking God not to remember all the times he screwed up or all the times he willfully disregarded Him and His directions. Instead, “according to Your LOVE remember me…” is David’s prayer.

I DO have pretty clear memories of the sins of my youth, and my young adulthood, and middle age, last year and last week. It seems those memories are way too clear for me. You don’t have to argue with me to convince me that I have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. I know that full well. And God knows that even better than I do. But how nice is it that God is a loving parent! Jesus, the dearly loved Son, took my sins and died to remove my sins as far as the east is from the west. Because I’m with Jesus, God remembers me according to His LOVE. You, Lord are GOOD!

Happy Groundhog Day

2010-02-01T12:26:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow (Feb. 2nd) is Ground Hog Day and I realized that there are no ground hogs - Marmota monax - in Wyoming. (see map)

The largest Groundhog Day celebration is held in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, where crowds as high as 40,000 gather in the early morning darkness (they start to show up at 3 AM!) to get a look at Punxsutawney Phil! If you are not familiar with the legend, it works like this. Basically if Phil sees his shadow he will return to the burrow and there will be another six weeks of winter. If he does NOT see his shadow, he comes out to play because there will be an early Spring.

So what will happen here with no ground hogs? I predict at least six more weeks of winter! Just because winter never ends in WY until May!

Hope all your ground hogs are happy!

Glory, Grace & Truth

2010-02-01T10:23:00.000-08:00

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

I have been thinking about this verse since before Christmas. That last phrase keeps running through my mind. (probably because there is so much room to roam there) The description of Jesus with obvious glory and full of grace and truth. The glory is easy to understand - He is GOD after all. But full of grace AND truth? Aren't those two often seen as opposites? Truth is absolute, grace is more subjective. One focuses on the law and the other on love.

Jesus said Himself that He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it.(Mat. 5:17) so being full of truth fits. Jesus represented the absolute truth of God's Law. But He also lived His life expressing the mercy and love that is grace. (think, eating with tax collectors and sinners, associating with prostitutes and pagans) He was full of both grace and truth, which is exactly what man needed.

Sometimes people lob bombs at each other - "You're liberal!" or "You're legalistic!" In the Church we fight over how to deal with people which is, in general, a very messy business indeed. But add sin into the mix along with the dispute of whether it should be met with truth or grace and it can get downright gory!

So it is VERY good news that Jesus was full of both grace and truth! It's a balance man and the Church in particular has struggled with all through history. Understanding how to LIVE that balance is what we really need. Just talking about the balance of grace and truth, love and law, hasn’t really worked for us. Is it any wonder that God sent Jesus to SHOW us how it looks? To show us how HE (God) looks?

The answer is, and has always been, less about our religion and more about our relationship with our God. Getting to know Him and a desire to become more like Him is what we need to focus on. The relationship begins (salvation in Jesus) and ends (Heaven!) the same for us all but the journey will look different for each individual - that's what makes it really fun!

So this year I will be exploring with my church family the glory, grace and truth of our God that we find in scripture in an effort to get to know Him better so we can become more like Him in our relationships with one another. This should be great!

For Dixie

2010-01-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

Puzzle me this

2009-12-09T10:04:00.000-08:00

Why is it that I love to do puzzles but never start one until Brenda puts it on the table? This one took us a few hours and we got to share the fun with good friends the other night. So when Brenda and i were shopping yesterday, we bought another Christmassy puzzle. If you love puzzles too, call and you can work on another one with us. But don't wait, as soon as I open the box it will suck me in and I will have to complete it NOW!

Ready or Not...

2009-12-09T09:51:00.001-08:00

In my childhood my friends and I would often enjoy a good game of Hide and Seek. Almost everyone has either played the game or at least has a pretty good understanding of how the game works; probably because the name sort of spells it out for you. The person who was seeking had to close/cover their eyes and count to a predetermined number. The hiders would take that time to find a good spot where they hoped they would never be found. Then after reaching that number the seeker would call out, “Ready or not, here I come!” Then you found out how good that spot really was.

I’ve been thinking about that warning lately, “ready or not…”, and how it relates to Christmas. Of course December 25^th will come whether I have completed my shopping or not, whether the tree is up or not, whether “the stockings are hung by the chimney with care” or not, whether I have “visions of sugar plums” dancing or not… you get the idea, Christmas is coming, “ready or not.”

That is both comforting and alarming at the same time. Comforting, because I cannot steal Christmas no matter how grinch-ly I may be, and still alarming because Christmas will not wait for me to get ready.

That is why I appreciate marking Advent with my family each year. Advent is a three-fold celebration of the birth of Jesus, his eventual second coming to earth and His continued presence in our lives here and now. During the four weeks leading up to Christmas Day, I am reminded that Christmas is coming because our family lights a candle at our dinner table, reads scripture, sings a carol (to make the dog howl) and prays. It helps us to focus on what Christmas is really all about, a birthday party for Jesus. It’s not my party it’s His.

Advent helps me get ready for a meaningful celebration and it also helps me get ready for Jesus’ second coming by keeping His daily presence in focus as I live my life. You see, just as December 25^th will come whether you are ready or not, Jesus will return whether you are ready or not; whether you believe it or not.

In Revelation 22: 7 & 12 Jesus tells us all, “Remember, I am coming soon! God will bless everyone who pays attention to the message of this book… I am coming soon! And when I come, I will reward everyone for what they have done.”

This is both comforting and alarming at the same time. Comforting that there is more to my existence than this life. God has a plan for eternity and its a good one! You and I have the opportunity to share in it because Jesus was born into this world over 2000 years ago; He lived to point us to God and died to make the way for us to go to Him.

It is alarming to think that I could have missed this like so many people have. I don't want you to miss it so here it is straight up...Christmas is just the beginning. You not only need to know the God/Man born in a manger but you need to know Him as your personal Savior who died on the cross in your place and for your good. Only then will you be ready for Him to return to usher in eternity.

I want to be ready to celebrate Jesus’ birthday in order to honor Him the best I can. And I want to be ready for His return because what I do now matters for eternity. Be encouraged, it’s not too late for you to get ready; both for Christmas and for Jesus to return. Start now (if you haven’t already) to pay attention to the Bible and live like it matters because, ready or not…

Muchas gracias

2009-11-23T11:24:00.000-08:00

40. People who pay attention to my blog
41. Trips to Billings with Brenda and Alex
42. Good hospital visits
43. Vance's auction skills
44. A fresh box of Chai tea
45. Gluten-free brownies
46. Brenda's pizza making skills
47. Being far away from Pittsburgh after the last two games
48. Bring Your Antlers to Church Sunday
49. That Nathan kept his foul smelling, rotting deer skull in a plastic bag
50. So many reasons to celebrate
51. Friends to share Thanksgiving Dinner with
52. Family that will miss us at Thanksgiving Dinner
53. Reserved hotel room
54. New shoes ("Hey, I got my new shoes on and suddenly everything is right!")
55. Ice scraper that really works
56. Advent is coming!
57. Christmas lights on the porch
58. Christmas lists
59. Church family that will share with and encourage one another
60. Community Thanksgiving service

Mom Update

2009-11-12T14:05:00.000-08:00

Just an update for everyone and a big thank you for praying.

Mom is out of the hospital and temporarily in a Nursing Home while arrangements are being made for some type of home health care. She needs someone to be sure she is getting regular meals and her meds each day. The Dr. told her that there was no need for radiation or chemo therapy on her hip. I guess it was not as bad as the original diagnosis seemed. I can't say for sure, but I am inclined to thank God for making that so. Thank you for your prayers and as God leads you would you please continue to pray for all the details of home care to come together. Also, pray for my sister Cindy and brother Russie who are handling everything on site. It is an extra load on them and they need God's wisdom and strength.

It is so good to have family in Christ!

A Fragile Heritage

2009-11-12T07:49:00.000-08:00

I will continue my thanksgiving list in a little bit, but I have been moved during my scripture reading the last few days and had to take a moment to put it down. I am reading in Chronicles (2 Chronicles 32-33 today) and was struck by how scripture records the kings of Judah. Just going back a few chapters you have Uzziah in ch. 26; "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord." Until pride settles in and he messes up bad and the Lord gives him leprosy the rest of his life. Then after 52 years as king he dies and Jotham his son takes over and "he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Uzziah had done." It does mention that unlike him Jotham didn't do the pride thing. So for 16 years he reigned and then his son Ahaz became king. And right from the start it says, "unlike his father...he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord." And not just a little, he worshipped other gods and even sacrificed his children in the fire to Baal. And I thought WHOA! how did that happen? You have over 60 years of mostly positive examples of following God Ahaz, and when you take over you go off the deep end! Didn't you learn anything from your father? But it continues, because after Ahaz ruled for 16 years he dies and his son Hezekiah takes over as king, and thankfully, "he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord." He cleaned up his father's mess and there are four chapters covering the 29 years he followed God. There was one brief mention of pride messing him up, but he repented and God forgave him. So I thought, OK we are back on track. There were 60 years of following God, a 16 year blip of massive failure, but 29 more years of the blessings that come from following God. When Manasseh died his son Amon takes over and for the two years of his reign it says, "he did evil in the eyes of the Lord."

Seeing this pattern is frightening as a father. Obviously making right decisions to follow God doesn't just rub off on your kids. I know God has given us all a free will so we can choose for ourselves whether to follow Him or not, and that is a good thing. But how difficult is it to set your kids up to make good decisions in their lives? Especially when I have messed up myself throughout my life? Is a Godly heritage that fragile? It drives me to my knees to pray that I will hand off the Faith well to my son. I praise God that my daughters seem to have it - but I still pray for them realizing that Ahaz and Amon (the "A" names are simply a coincidence, right?) were in their early 20's when they started down the wrong path. I guess that is the answer, do all you can to live a Godly life as an example and then PRAY LIKE CRAZY, trusting God to make the difference.

Alex just started his day at school. I gotta go pray now.

First WY Buck!

2009-11-09T10:36:00.000-08:00

I am very thankful for the privilege to hunt with such good friends and that God allowed me to take one of His beautiful creatures. We found him lying down which only goes to prove that sometimes its better to be lucky than good! Looking back I had a great hunting season - even the dragging him out part!

Still Thankful...

2009-11-09T10:27:00.000-08:00

21. cloudless blue skies
22. tires with air in them
23. Brenda coming home
24. hugs and kisses
25. friends to hunt deer with
26. friends who help you process your deer
27. a full freezer
28. dogs that love bones
29. haircuts
30. hot tea in a cold office
31. gluten-free cookies
32. being able to help people in need
33. my God who "upholds all those who fall and lifts us all who are bowed down"
34.who God is and what He does from Psalm 145 (I could have just started listing, but I would be accused of padding my thankful list!)
35. noisemakers in worship service
36. friends who pray for me (& my Mom)
37. a God who answers prayers
38. my Mom's faith
39. my brothers and sisters
40. airlines at Christmas

Late Start

2009-11-05T09:59:00.000-08:00

OK - I am getting a late start but I figure its better late than never... so here goes!

I am thankful - VERY thankful for...
1. A wife who is thankful to be mine
2. Daughters who love me and achieved all three goals!
3. A son who is growing into a responsible young adult who loves the Lord and loves me too!
4. Blogs that allow me to see pictures and read about their lives
5. A God who loves me more than all of them combined (that is a LOT!)
6. Indian Summer (read not cold while I hunt)
7. A beautiful place to be hunting
8. Good friends who don't make fun of me while I am hunting
9. A freezer that is full enough that it doesn't matter if I shoot a deer or not (no pressure!)
10. Gluten free cookies
11. Gluten free chocolate cake
12. A cup of hot tea to go with them
13. Candy left from Halloween
14. No trick-or-treaters so there was plenty of # 12
15. Colored pencils to help organize my sermon
16. Psalm 145:8-9 The Lord is gracious...
17. And compassionate...
18. Slow to anger...
19. And rich in love...
20. The Lord is good to ALL; He has compassion on all He has made.

Just thinking...

2009-10-23T08:59:00.000-07:00

I am thinking about a verse from Psalms that I just heard again. Psalm 19:14 “Lord, may the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in your eyes. You are my Rock and my Redeemer.” So I’m thinking about this and my mind gets stuck.

WARNING: if you start to THINK about God’s Word, your mind will often get stuck.

How do you do this? Is it even possible for all of my speech and all of my thoughts to be pleasing to God? As I take inventory of recent words and thoughts, I’m guessing I haven’t been exactly stellar. Oh, I have learned how to bite my tongue so that words I am thinking aren’t spoken in public but does it count if I just mutter under my breath? And the thoughts…the idea of a mind reader scares me to death! But God knows my thoughts; “For the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts.” (1 Chron. 28:9)

I can never live up to that standard. What a depressing thought!

But then the Psalmist adds, “You are my Rock and my Redeemer.” So what does that have to do with this?

Well the idea of Jesus as my Rock speaks of a firm foundation on which to stand. Perhaps some of my wayward words and thoughts are a result of not standing firm in Christ. Can my relationship with Christ help me grow beyond some of my inappropriate words and thoughts?

I know I have fallen off rocks before - literally and spiritually speaking. So the thought of Jesus as my Redeemer is awesome! Even when I do fail, Jesus is my Redeemer, taking my ugly sin away and cleansing the stain it leaves behind.

I need to seek to please God in every area of my life even knowing I can’t do it myself. Then, my relationship with Jesus can both improve my speech/thought life AND redeem it when (not if) I fail.

Sometimes getting stuck isn't so bad afterall...

Loving like I am loved

2009-10-13T12:11:00.000-07:00

Are You Lonely??? by Bound4Heaven†Saved†By†Grace on Polyvore.com

God has been speaking to me about loving like I have been loved...that is so huge it is overwhelming. There are so many people in this world - so many right here in WY - too many right here in Greybull - that need to know they are loved by God and His plan is that I would SHOW them that He loves them. I know that all I'm supposed to need is a confident assurance that I am loved by God and the faith to live like it, but that is hard to do. So I pray that He will complete the work He has begun in me; I can't do it myself. Lord, help me to love like I am loved.

Trick or Treat

2009-10-09T11:10:00.000-07:00

Just how my mind has been working lately...

Halloween comes at the end of the month and people will spend time and money pretending to be someone – or something – they are not. I am aware of the pagan roots of the holiday and the demonic focus it has taken in our culture for some. But to the pure in heart for the most part it is just something fun to do.

When our daughters were younger “dressing up” was a favorite activity. We had the “dress up box” in the playroom and Brenda and I were often treated to dances and songs and shows that the girls imagined while dressed up like a princess, a pirate, a pumpkin or whatever was the costume of the day. Nothing but good clean fun.

So I am thinking about the heart of the matter and I believe it is the heart that matters. You remember God telling Samuel which of Jesse’s boys to anoint as king of Israel; “I (God) do not look at the things people look at. Man looks at how someone appears on the outside. But I look at what is in the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

And no matter how good the costume, you are never going to fool God about what is in your heart. 1 Kings 22:29-40 tells the story of Ahab trying to hide the fact that he was the King as he went into battle. The intent was to be safe from being singled out for attack. Ahab had a wicked heart and had angered God with his sin. Well, you read the story, but the disguise didn’t work.

Whether it’s for Halloween with the intent to get more candy, or any other day when you dress to impress…Dress up all you like, it doesn’t change what is in your heart. You may trick me, but God knows what is behind the mask.

Oblivious to the Grandeur

2009-09-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

This is really a great thought by Del Tackett, check it out for yourself...
http://deltackett.com/2009/09/03/oblivious-to-grandeur/#more-1433
Way too often we are (I should say I am) oblivious to God all around me. Forgive me Lord.

Wise Words

2009-09-12T10:25:00.000-07:00

Wise words...

You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.

Abraham Lincoln

I'm busy, busy, dreadfully busy!

2009-09-01T16:18:00.001-07:00

There is a VeggieTales song that goes like this, “I’m busy, busy, dreadfully busy. You’ve no idea what I have to do. Busy, busy, shockingly busy; much, much too busy for you.”

Unfortunately, there are far too many people who relate to that thought way too often; myself included.

In Isaiah 30 God has the prophet pronounce a “woe” on the obstinate nation Israel. “Woe to the obstinate children, declares the Lord, to those who carry out plans that are not mine…” (v.1) The description in the rest of the chapter is not a pretty picture. In verse 15 it says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, BUT you would have none of it.” This concept is true for us today as well. When we turn from our busy-ness (repent) and quietly rest (trust) in God to care for our needs we will find a safe place that is strong enough to take very good care of us.

BUT…like Israel, we often will have none of it. We are too comfortable taking care of ourselves. We live like taking care of our own needs poorly is better than accepting or worse yet, asking for aid. We can get so busy taking care of ourselves that we have little time to invest in our relationship with God and others. But it is in those relationships that we will find salvation and strength.

In vs. 18 it says, “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you, therefore He will rise up and show you compassion…Blessed are all who wait for Him.”

Amazing isn’t it! God who has infinite responsibilities LONGS to be gracious to you; He is never too busy for you.

“Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Ps. 27:14)

Year One

2009-08-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

It is official, we have lived in WY for one year. The extra population hasn't burdened the town's infrastructure too much.

This means, among other things, that I can officially apply for RESIDENT hunting and fishing licenses! Thanks to a very generous and good friend, I will have a rifle of my own to take hunting this fall. Pray the hiking around the mountains doesn't kill me!
(Stay posted for hospital reports)

Alex and I will continue to enjoy the fishing - especially when the only ice is in our drinks!

There have been other adjustments to be made involving weather.

The bottom line is that I love the people here and, at least I think, they love me, too! Thank you all for a great year. And most of all thank God for bringing me here.

"The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance." Psalm 16:6

Relationships

2009-07-27T10:56:00.000-07:00

Not to be confused with relatives - that is an entirely different subject!

I have been thinking a lot about relationships. I have all sorts of them and I'm afraid I don't think about them enough - you know - sort of take them for granted. I'm sorry.

I listened to one of my favorite songs by The Swift, "Almost There" When you listen to it, picture the father singing to the Prodigal Son.

When I listen to it, I hear my Heavenly Father singing to me - His all-to-often prodigal son. I have broken His heart over and over and He still loves me and wants me back with Him. That is AMAZING!

Too often I KNOW about my relationship with God; I've read the book and know most of the facts about it all. But I don't always think about my relationship with God, how all the stuff that happens every day, and the things I do and say affect my Father. I just hear Him saying,

"You go ahead and do what you "have to do".
I hope and pray you change your mind.
But if you come back, could you remember to bring my heart
I'll stay right here so I'm not hard to find."

I am so very sorry for all the times I have wandered off just not paying attention. And I am so very glad that you are right here and not hard to find. Thank you Father.

You're So Far Away...

2009-07-16T23:23:00.000-07:00

OK so I am sitting here looking at pictures of my family on the other side of the continent (not to mention the ones on an entirely different continent...) and there is the song in my head...

"You're so far away, doesn't anybody stay in one place anymore. It would be so fine to see your face at my door. And it doesn't help to know that you're just time away. Long ago I reached for you and there you stood. Holding you again could only do me good. How I wish I could, but you're so far away... "

The sad thing is that I was able to remember almost all of those lyrics. in my head being sung, of course, by Carole King...my mind frightens me sometimes.

But I have so many joys and so much to be thankful for.

Still I miss you all and love you all...just "one more song about movin' along the highway..."

How can you say that?

2009-06-23T14:57:00.000-07:00

I was reading the other day and came across these words of King David near the end of his life. 2 Samuel 22:21-26 "The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. 22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God. 23 All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees. 24 I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin. 25 The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness [a] in his sight. 26 "To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless,"I read it, stopped and read it again.

Then I said to myself (since I was the only one there) HOW CAN HE SAY THAT? with a fair amount of incredulity. This is the same David who feigned insanity to escape his enemies. This is the same David who, in anger, was on his way to kill Nabal because of his rudeness. This is the same David who got another man's wife pregnant, had her husband murdered to cover up his "indiscretion" and then lied to everyone about it. This is the same David who says, "I have been blameless before Him (God) and have kept myself from sin."? THAT David? How can he say that? How can that be a part of the inspired Word of God?

Well, as I was contemplating it all, some other scriptures came to my mind. There is Isaiah 1:18, "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." And Ps 103:11-12, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." and finally all of Psalm 32 which begins, "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered."

And I saw it. David, later called "a man after God's own heart", could say those things with a straight face because he totally understood how complete God's forgiveness is. David confessed his sins and asked God to forgive him, THEN he ACCEPTED God's forgiveness! He took God at His word! When God forgives HE NEVER BRINGS IT BACK UP - it's GONE!

My problem is I remember how I have failed. I know my sin. And its hard to let go of guilt even after God has declared confessed sin forgiven.

Often if it seems too good to be true, it probably isn't true. But in this case God's forgiveness certainly seems too good to be true - BUT IT IS!

Help me wrap my brain around that one God...

Wid Goose Chase

2009-06-02T14:23:00.001-07:00

I am reading a good book entitled, Wild Goose Chase by Mark Batterson. (I highly recommend it) One line jumped off the page at me yesterday as I was reading so I just wanted to put it out there for you to think about it too. "One of the greatest dangers we face spiritually is learning how and forgetting why."

I am reminded that the journey is more important than the destination and that just going through the motions of our spiritual life - no matter how well we are able to do that - is empty without a meaningful relationship with our God.

So when we speak, sing, pray, act, etc. if we are merely repeating what we have become accustomed to and have perhaps even gotten good at, all we have is empty ritual. So it is good to allow the Holy Spirit to shake up our lives a bit so we rely more on WHY we worship, pray, love, etc. like we do than HOW we do those things.

Anyway, it makes me think...(ouch - my head hurts!)

Whose Story is This

2009-05-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

To understand what I am about to write you must first accept the premise that we all are living our "story" every moment of every day. I also begin with the understanding that all of history is God's story. Today's thought clarified and reinforced my understanding of "story" (that's a good thing)

During my scripture reading for the day I did something I don't normally do. (Perhaps I will begin from here on out.) I read the introduction to the books of 1 & 2 Samuel in my copy of the Message paraphrase of scripture. In it I read the following,

"The biblical way is not so much to present us with a moral code and tell us "Live up to this"; nor is it to set out a system of doctrine and say, "Think like this and you will live well." The biblical way is to tell a story and invite us, "Live into this. This is what it looks like to be human; this is what is involved in entering and maturing as human beings." We do violence to the biblical revelation when we "use" it for what we can get out of it or what we think will provide color and spice to our otherwise bland lives."

Then the sentence that started the red crayon underlining,

"In the reading, (of the Bible) as we submit our lives to what we read, we find that we are not being led to see God in our stories (even though He is) but to see our stories in God's." (parenthesis mine)

God's story is bigger than any of our stories, especially mine. It is in His story's context and plot that I fit in. If all I have is MY story, not only is it bland, but it is downright depressing sometimes. But when I see that I am a supporting actor, in the story just to point to and highlight the STAR, making HIS grace and HIS love and HIS power and HIS goals more glorious, well, that makes much more sense and is much more fulfilling for me.

Thanks for wading through my rambling thoughts. (Its good to have proof that I have some every now and then) If nothing else, it has been a good reminder for me.

Peter Peter Won Tree

2009-04-27T11:31:00.000-07:00

I am encouraged by a passage of scripture that I read while traveling last weekend. Sitting for 6 hours in the Denver airport gives you extra reading time (as well as a stiff neck). While there I read 2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” The phrase “has given us everything we need” jumped off the page at me. Of course when asked, I would know that God is Jehovah Jireh – my provider. But often I find myself living as if I were the only one I could count on to meet my needs. God was just nudging me a little to remind me that not only am I NOT the only one; but my best efforts are pitiful compared to what He desires and is able to give to me.

Plus, it's not like God is holding back. It doesn't say He WILL, it says He HAS given us everything we need. So why don't I see that all the time? Probably the same reason I don't "see" Jesus with me all the time. FOCUS. OK - there is plenty more for me to work on in this godly life I am trying to live. But my work is to focus on Him - He has given me everything I need for a godly life.

Then this week I came back to this verse just because I am a slow processor, much like my computer. I was further reminded of the reason God so graciously gives me “everything I need for a godly life.” I don’t deserve such blessing and I cannot earn it in any way. I have these things for no other reason than that I know him. Remember the T-shirts. “I’m with him -->”? It’s just like that; nothing more.

Now that I am reminded, I am left to ponder the question, what will it look like to live like that is true?

Increasing Sensitivity

2009-04-23T09:28:00.000-07:00

The more I read and hear the more sensitive I am becoming to the spiritual climate in our nation and world. This is far more frightening to me than "global warming." There is a moral crisis in our nation and our world. Every believer in God needs to get serious about prayer and more.

Planned Parenthood's annual report for 2007-08 shows it claimed the lives of more than 300,000 pre-born babies — and referred fewer than 5,000 women to adoption agencies. The abortion giant generated more than $1 billion in the most recent fiscal year — including about $350,000 in taxpayer money. We are paying money to kill ourselves.

We need to pray A LOT! This one moral issue (I hope to address more in the future) has been treated as a legislative issue and people who believe in the sanctity of life have been losing on that front.

Look at what our government has done regarding sanctity of life in just the last few months:

Rescinded the "Mexico City policy" and authorized your tax dollars to fund international groups that are promoting abortion around the world.
Begun the process of eliminating the "conscience clause" that protects doctors and nurses from being forced to take part in the crime of abortion.
Expanded human experimentation by increasing federal funding of destructive embryonic stem cell research.
Renewed funding for UNFPA – the United Nations group that helped China carry out its "one child" policy of forced sterilization and forced abortions.
Promised to sign the "Freedom of Choice" Act - which, if it ever were to reach his desk, would undo every pro-life law in all fifty states.

Pray with me. It is obvious that killing innocent children will not be illegal in our nation so we need to pray for people to begin to see it as immoral. We need to pray for a change of heart in young mothers and fathers. We need to pray that God will give us opportunity to show HIS compassion in our lives – Lord, send someone across my path that needs to see your love in action and give me the courage to act on your behalf to save a life.

It may mean beginning relationships with neighbors who may be facing the question of abortion and counseling and supporting them (spiritually, emotionally, financially and physically) to choose life. We may not be able to influence high political powers, but we can make a difference one person at a time by being active in personal relationships right where we live.

Pray with me for wisdom, courage and opportunity. The National Day of Prayer is coming up and I don't think we should wait even a couple weeks to get started. As Abraham Lincoln said, "It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness."

2009-04-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

HAPPY EASTER!

May the truth of a risen Savior add a new, brighter perspective to your life. There is more to life than the here and now.

The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed!

Absurd

2009-04-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

OK its been a long time but here I am again to post on April Fools Day - sounds ominous and slightly insulting.

I just read a quote this week by Voltaire - "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." It was from the Truth Project study we are doing and relates to political powers. I am challenged to be more informed and active in the political process so I spent the morning praying for and emailing members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. It's a start.

Only a fool for Christ!

They're called EARWORMS?

2008-10-01T07:35:00.001-07:00

Perhaps this explains the recent "Choreography" incident that occurred among the female members of my family. They say knowledge is power so perhaps understanding the phenomenon will give us power over it.

"West Virginia, mountain mamma, take me home country roads..."

Or not.

Title explanation

2008-09-22T10:33:00.000-07:00

There are two possible takes on the title I chose for my blog. One is a take off of a rhyme used in the Army (or so I was told) but the remaining words are not appropriate to post. That they are in my memory is due to either my superior mental acuity or a result of a sin nature that continues to raise its ugly head from time to time. I will leave it at that...

The other possible take is a reference to the Wizard of Oz. I note simply that I am not in Kansas anymore, Toto. Not that I have ever resided in Kansas but I do believe I passed through on at least one occasion. I am also NOT in Pennsylvania anymore, which is both good and bad. Good because God wanted me here instead and it is always best to be where He wants me. And bad because I do miss family and friends who are still there.

Either way you look at this, I am indeed in Wyoming now and I even have a little cowboy guy sticker that will go on my car as soon as I clean a spot for it. And for the record, I am glad to be in Wyoming for the reason I noted above as well as the fact that I am truly enjoying exploring new places and meeting new people. The places have been beautiful and the people have been marvelous. I intend to STAY in Wyoming. Come visit me!

Blog envy

2008-09-22T10:12:00.000-07:00

Every day I hear from my wife how my grown children are doing when she tells me about what they have posted on their respective blogs. (I do hope they are also respectful since that is one of the three rules you know) So today I decided that perhaps I should enter the fray and attempt to stay in touch myself as well. So here I am. In Wyoming. In my office. In my chair. In anticipation of finding out how my wife and daughters are doing. Once I see how this goes I will attempt to make a go of this whole blogging thing.