As I gunned the gas through the freeway intersection, half way through, it sputtered and shut down...
For three days in a row, I could not get a full breath and would have to stop and rest after a few steps. Five, maybe ten football throws to the boys and I was completely winded...Warning signs.
Finally, I went to the Dr. Couldn't breathe, couldn't sleep. So I've been fighting off Pneumonia and between a fuzzy head and heavy breathing, I kinda remember Janet saying something about the gas tank on "E." Now, I know first hand what she was trying to tell me.
On my way to drop my son off at school, I made a left turn out of the sub-division and the first sign of trouble was revealed with a sputter. I looked at the gas gauge and then looked at Austin and said "I don't think we are going to make it." The gas level read 1/4 inch below E and the closest gas station was a mile away. He prayed right then and there that we would have a safe and successful trip to the station, and that there would not be any cars coming either way at the freeway intersection.
Impressive, I always wonder just how much of a sponge our kids are when it comes to Spiritual things.
There are at least three take-aways to this story; first, that our kids do observe how we as parents respond to life's difficulties, they do notice us reading the Word and putting into practice the promises and warnings written. Second, how warnings have meaning.
I know my BMW can go 157 mph, I also know it's not safe to drive it that fast. I know when a gas warning light comes on, that I should fill up fairly soon. Similarly, the Bible gives us plenty of warnings, guidelines, and guardrails on how to live life. The riskier the life, the closer the warning signs, the higher the possibility of difficult times ahead.
The biggest take away though, is that once the car sputtered a mile away from the refill, I knew humanly, we were not going to make it to the gas station. I told my son the only way we will make it is God delivering us, is with a modern day miracle, and that's when he prayed... Sure enough, as we approached the intersection, for maybe the second time in three years, there were no cars coming either way. We coasted into the gas station after passing halfway through the freeway intersection with a dead car, we made it safely to that destination and then on to school..on time.
Once again, God does come through on time. On His time. What a relief to know that as we are stretched and stressed in other areas of our life. His hand is never to short to reach down and grant us favor when we ask. That my friends, is a great promise.
Isaiah 59:1 (New Living Translation)
1 Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you,
nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
I've become a facebook junkie.
It's pretty cool to be able to connect with people from your past. One of my friends from High School and I recently added each other as friends, and were able to call and talk. As we talked about things, I eventually started to talk about the church in GA that I had connected with. I talked about the relaxed, casual atmosphere, the amazing music, and clear, relevant teaching. I let him know that I was really enjoying going to church and getting involved doing the "coffee ministry" and leading a small group.
His next comment made me feel concerned about his perspective on church. He said, "I could never attend a church like that. My view of church is that there needs to be some sort of punishment associated with it. It doesn't make sense that church would be fun."Although my friend and I had attended the same denomination as kids, and we both believed in Jesus, his church experience was very rule-based... Show up in your best clothes. Sit, stand, at the prescribed times while listening to the organ play. Recite the prayers, word-for-word. Respond with the proper words after scriptures are read. Yada, yada, yada.
Matthew 11:28-30 tels us about our relationship with him...
But Jesus didn't come to heap punitive rules on us as a heavy yoke. We're reminded of that in Matthew 11:30. He invites us to enjoy a personal relationship with him and with each other. We're reminded of those invitations in Luke 10:27. And Paul says in Romans 10 that Jesus came to establish his church where "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
It's pretty cool to be able to connect with people from your past. One of my friends from High School and I recently added each other as friends, and were able to call and talk. As we talked about things, I eventually started to talk about the church in GA that I had connected with. I talked about the relaxed, casual atmosphere, the amazing music, and clear, relevant teaching. I let him know that I was really enjoying going to church and getting involved doing the "coffee ministry" and leading a small group.
His next comment made me feel concerned about his perspective on church. He said, "I could never attend a church like that. My view of church is that there needs to be some sort of punishment associated with it. It doesn't make sense that church would be fun."Although my friend and I had attended the same denomination as kids, and we both believed in Jesus, his church experience was very rule-based... Show up in your best clothes. Sit, stand, at the prescribed times while listening to the organ play. Recite the prayers, word-for-word. Respond with the proper words after scriptures are read. Yada, yada, yada.
Matthew 11:28-30 tels us about our relationship with him...
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matt%2011:28-30&version=NIV
But Jesus didn't come to heap punitive rules on us as a heavy yoke. We're reminded of that in Matthew 11:30. He invites us to enjoy a personal relationship with him and with each other. We're reminded of those invitations in Luke 10:27. And Paul says in Romans 10 that Jesus came to establish his church where "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Friday, October 23, 2009
The Rudder
Every sunrise sings your grace. The universe cries out your praise. I'm singing freedom all my days...Now that I'm alive. -Steve Fee
The first time we met Steve and the band, we were visiting N Ga, eating at Zazby's a local eatery. We ended up sitting right next to where the whole band and fam we sitting, the local band now touring as "Fee." Back then the lead singer was one of many who led worship at a local church we had visited, and my oldest wanted to meet him and tell him he liked the songs they sung. So we chatted for a moment, told him we were visiting from SoCal, and thinking about moving here.
Now with a string of hits like: Glorious One, Glory to God, Happy Day, We Shine, and All Because of Jesus I'm Alive, to name a few. I think it's cool that the kids got to meet a rock band totally committed to "The Rock."
Enjoy a vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmdylCFUBs8
The first time we met Steve and the band, we were visiting N Ga, eating at Zazby's a local eatery. We ended up sitting right next to where the whole band and fam we sitting, the local band now touring as "Fee." Back then the lead singer was one of many who led worship at a local church we had visited, and my oldest wanted to meet him and tell him he liked the songs they sung. So we chatted for a moment, told him we were visiting from SoCal, and thinking about moving here.
Now with a string of hits like: Glorious One, Glory to God, Happy Day, We Shine, and All Because of Jesus I'm Alive, to name a few. I think it's cool that the kids got to meet a rock band totally committed to "The Rock."
Enjoy a vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmdylCFUBs8
The Rudder
Proverbs 16:1,3,9 or read all of Proverbs 16
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=pr%2016&version=NLT
A good friend is planning a trip to Nicaragua, and asked me to join him there for a couple weeks as we endeavor to bring an existing coffee company to the states. So this morning as I opened my email, there is the itinerary leaving Nov 8 back Nov 22. Back in time for Thamksgiving.
For some of you, planning is something you enjoy and you're pretty good at it. Like my wife, you're the first one to let everyone know about an event in July--and it's only October. You've already set up an excel spreadsheet to monitor all the aspects of the event. Your Outlook calendar is studded with appointments, meetings, and reminders. On your wall, or in our case the fridge, is a three-month calendar showing last month, this month, and next month. Your desk is covered by another calendar, showing just the current month. Oh, and nothing is out of place on your desk either. Your iPhone or Blackberry never leaves your side, except when it's in your hand.
For others of you, and yes, I fall in this category, planning is despised. You play it by ear and prefer to be spontaneous. You'd rather just see how things play out, than plan too far in advance. You don't understand why someone would email you about an event in July--even if it's now June.
We can find ourselves so wrapped up in planning that we think we're actually in control-or, we can feel out of control because we didn't plan well enough.
Proverbs 16:4 says, "The Lord works out everything for His own ends." So, whether you're a planner or not, remember who's really in control.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=pr%2016&version=NLT
A good friend is planning a trip to Nicaragua, and asked me to join him there for a couple weeks as we endeavor to bring an existing coffee company to the states. So this morning as I opened my email, there is the itinerary leaving Nov 8 back Nov 22. Back in time for Thamksgiving.
For some of you, planning is something you enjoy and you're pretty good at it. Like my wife, you're the first one to let everyone know about an event in July--and it's only October. You've already set up an excel spreadsheet to monitor all the aspects of the event. Your Outlook calendar is studded with appointments, meetings, and reminders. On your wall, or in our case the fridge, is a three-month calendar showing last month, this month, and next month. Your desk is covered by another calendar, showing just the current month. Oh, and nothing is out of place on your desk either. Your iPhone or Blackberry never leaves your side, except when it's in your hand.
For others of you, and yes, I fall in this category, planning is despised. You play it by ear and prefer to be spontaneous. You'd rather just see how things play out, than plan too far in advance. You don't understand why someone would email you about an event in July--even if it's now June.
We can find ourselves so wrapped up in planning that we think we're actually in control-or, we can feel out of control because we didn't plan well enough.
Proverbs 16:4 says, "The Lord works out everything for His own ends." So, whether you're a planner or not, remember who's really in control.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The Rudder
Anyone get up early to see the Orionid meteor shower this morning? I made espresso, hot cocoa and waffles, got the boys up a half hour earlier than normal while the sky was still dark, and headed out to watch. We saw maybe a half dozen, still all in all, it was an experience I hope they will treasure and remember when they have their own kids. Incredible how God's hand spans the universe while at the same time cares so deeply for us.
Psalms 8- When I consider the heavens a work of your fingers even the moon a stars you set in place...What is man that you are mindful of him? Yet you made him only a little lower than the angels..How majestic is your name, oh Lord. "The Message" version sums it up a little differently-I look up at the Macro-sky and compare to the Micro-self and ask why do you even bother with us?
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%208&version=NLT
I can hear God saying "Dudes, you are so special that I made all this for you, all I ask is that you recognize just how much I love you, and that with your own free will, love me back."
The bottom line is yes, it is amazing He would take a second look, yet He loves us so much and set us up as managers of His creation down here, gives us a sky show each year, a rainbow for promises made, and the ultimate sacrifice-gave His life for us.
Psalms 8- When I consider the heavens a work of your fingers even the moon a stars you set in place...What is man that you are mindful of him? Yet you made him only a little lower than the angels..How majestic is your name, oh Lord. "The Message" version sums it up a little differently-I look up at the Macro-sky and compare to the Micro-self and ask why do you even bother with us?
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ps%208&version=NLT
I can hear God saying "Dudes, you are so special that I made all this for you, all I ask is that you recognize just how much I love you, and that with your own free will, love me back."
The bottom line is yes, it is amazing He would take a second look, yet He loves us so much and set us up as managers of His creation down here, gives us a sky show each year, a rainbow for promises made, and the ultimate sacrifice-gave His life for us.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Stay Strong
Stay strong you are not lost, did you forget whose trip your on? Stay strong, there's a new dawn to light your way... Phil 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!
I keep hearing of people who are losing heart. Like I mentioned in another blog, it's easy to take our eyes off the prize and look at our surroundings and situations and start down the slippery slope; "Where is God in all of this?" I'm here to tell you He's still there, He's still refining us, testing us, seeing what mettle we are made of. Some of us are having wood, hay, and stubble, burned away to expose us as the real deal, or as poser's.
Here's another one of those songs you'll end up humming all day; only listen if you want to stay strong!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m96MtNlMz8&feature=related
Stay strong, His grip is sure!
I keep hearing of people who are losing heart. Like I mentioned in another blog, it's easy to take our eyes off the prize and look at our surroundings and situations and start down the slippery slope; "Where is God in all of this?" I'm here to tell you He's still there, He's still refining us, testing us, seeing what mettle we are made of. Some of us are having wood, hay, and stubble, burned away to expose us as the real deal, or as poser's.
Here's another one of those songs you'll end up humming all day; only listen if you want to stay strong!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m96MtNlMz8&feature=related
Stay strong, His grip is sure!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
The Rudder
Shoulda, coulda, woulda...What might have been. What could have been. What should have been. Setting up camp around these thoughts can anchor us in the mire and muck of mediocrity, moping around as if we are there to stay. God has never called us to settle for burying our talents, or having a bad attitude when everything doesn't go our way. Failure is imminent or we'd never know success. Edison said "In order to succeed, you must first double your failure rate."
Last time I checked, my kids are a reflection of me. I can let them run around with scuff marks on their faces, and holes in their shoes and socks and have a sucky attitude.But frankly, I'd rather see them looking and feeling good and loved. Similarly, our Heavenly Father is Master of the Universe and owns the cattle on a thousand hills. As a reflection of Him, I'm told so many times in Scripture that as an Ambassador for Him, as Royalty, certain rights like being able to ask Him to bless our relationships, businesses, family and friends. These come with the territory of God being our Father.
Proverbs 24:16 (New Living Translation)
16 The Godly may trip and fall seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the ungodly.
Everybody fails. I think back on those who tried and risked and lost...but got up and tried, tried again--Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Colonel Sanders, just to name a few. Had they given up after the first set back, there's a chance we would still be under segregation, eating by candlelight, and chicken might not be be so finger lickin' good.
I got to thinking about the temporary setback of my dream to eventually have my own Bed and Breakfast. Out of the blue, an opportunity to interview for a Hotel Manager position happened this past week. The dream has been re-ignited...
Last time I checked, my kids are a reflection of me. I can let them run around with scuff marks on their faces, and holes in their shoes and socks and have a sucky attitude.But frankly, I'd rather see them looking and feeling good and loved. Similarly, our Heavenly Father is Master of the Universe and owns the cattle on a thousand hills. As a reflection of Him, I'm told so many times in Scripture that as an Ambassador for Him, as Royalty, certain rights like being able to ask Him to bless our relationships, businesses, family and friends. These come with the territory of God being our Father.
Proverbs 24:16 (New Living Translation)
16 The Godly may trip and fall seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the ungodly.
Everybody fails. I think back on those who tried and risked and lost...but got up and tried, tried again--Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Colonel Sanders, just to name a few. Had they given up after the first set back, there's a chance we would still be under segregation, eating by candlelight, and chicken might not be be so finger lickin' good.
I got to thinking about the temporary setback of my dream to eventually have my own Bed and Breakfast. Out of the blue, an opportunity to interview for a Hotel Manager position happened this past week. The dream has been re-ignited...
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