Tonight we are being serenaded with a light and sound show from the heavens. Even the best fireworks display pales in comparison to the vivid lightning and roar of thunder from a massive storm cell like this. One of the best parts is staring off into the deep black of night just to catch a glimpse of a jagged white streak tearing through the skies. Soon after, the sound wave from the thunder rattles the windows. The best part about this show is the unpredictable pattern in which it exerts it's power and rage on earth and sky. There is no script, and there are no forecasts of certainty as to when and where the storm will play out its role.
This whole scenario brought to mind the two highlights of my day...
1. This life was not meant for us to "go it alone", share it with somebody.
2. In 1873 Horatio Spafford laid pen to paper the words of his famous hymnal, "It is well with my soul." He did so while crossing the Atlantic Ocean to meet his Wife in Great Britian. However, these words came to Spafford after tragedy shook his very core. In a two year time frame Spafford would not only lose his son to scarlet fever, but he would also lose his four daughters as they crossed the Atlantic ahead of him on an ill fated voyage. These events also followed the loss of all of Spafford's belongings and financial holdings in the great Chicago fires which leveled most of the city. This guy had more reasons than most to give up on everything; give up on life for that matter! Instead, he goes out and penned the words, "It is well with my soul." He didn't dig deep down for anything, Horatio simply looked up. I'll let you figure out the rest...
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Friday, August 29, 2014
One nation...
Yesterday I had the opportunity to watch a movie (documentary) called, "One Nation Under God." Before I say anything more, no this is not going to be a movie review. Movie reviews are boring and lack insight that really matters, yours! What you think of a movie might be totally different than my take on it. With that said, here we go...
One Nation Under God is about 4 college students attempting to live outside of their comfort zone as Christians. They noticed over time they had become "Sunday Christians"; individuals who become content with showing up to make there appearance at church and not doing much more. Their journey took them on a road trip around the outskirts of the country, through major US cities, and even into Ontario, Canada. There were two things that really struck me in this film...
1. The people they interviewed gave real answers, not ignorant and self absorbed commentaries like you see in the news. One of the four guys asked a woman, "What do you think happens after you die?" Her answer caught them all off guard because it was short and honest. She simply answered the question with, "I don't know? ", and then slowly bowed her head.
2. A verse they heard along their journey a few times resonated in me. Even if the devout atheist, or an agnostic took these words and cut God out of them, there is no denying the truth and power in each syllable. Good thing it does come from the bible.
8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,[b]
and to walk humbly with your God -Micah 6:8
...and now it's time for the weekend!
One Nation Under God is about 4 college students attempting to live outside of their comfort zone as Christians. They noticed over time they had become "Sunday Christians"; individuals who become content with showing up to make there appearance at church and not doing much more. Their journey took them on a road trip around the outskirts of the country, through major US cities, and even into Ontario, Canada. There were two things that really struck me in this film...
1. The people they interviewed gave real answers, not ignorant and self absorbed commentaries like you see in the news. One of the four guys asked a woman, "What do you think happens after you die?" Her answer caught them all off guard because it was short and honest. She simply answered the question with, "I don't know? ", and then slowly bowed her head.
2. A verse they heard along their journey a few times resonated in me. Even if the devout atheist, or an agnostic took these words and cut God out of them, there is no denying the truth and power in each syllable. Good thing it does come from the bible.
8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,[b]
and to walk humbly with your God -Micah 6:8
...and now it's time for the weekend!
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Day Off
Today was a day of thankfulness. I started things off with a sebatical on our couch after being sick. Fast forward to evening time now, and I am wondering where the day went. Between the kids monopolizing Netflix, and more cartoon episodes than I have ever watched at one time. Short post tonight because sometimes the best things are kept simple. There have been a lot of people on Facebook posting 3 things daily that they are thankful for. Here are mine...
James 5:13-15
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
1. God healing my flu/sickness!
2. Having a family loving enough to help me when I'm down and out!
3. I am thankful to have a job where I can take sick time!
James 5:13-15
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Another day...
Tomorrow echos the choices of today. Our choices tend to form some of the change which occurs all around us. Then again, sometimes those very same choices may have nothing to do with our tomorrow at all. Regardless, change is inevitable in our lives. Just like the summer which is slowly drawing to a close, and my kids' smiles turning to frowns as they contemplate the thought of returning to school.
I thought about change, uncertainty, and so many other emotions today as I said goodbye to my parents so they could catch their flight home. We never quite know how we are going to feel, or what unexpected turn life will take. Case in point- I attended training last year for my job involving defense tactics, or simply put, the art of physically defending yourself effectively. One of the instructors probably didn't wake up that morning knowing that he would receive a hard shot to the junk, but all the same, it still happened!
I see so many people from day to day who lack the skills to cope with life and all of its twists and turns. You may think these are probably dead beats, the homeless, or even hopeless drug and alcohol addicts. You would be right, and also wrong. How many of you read on the internet and watched the news about the recent Ebola outbreak? I bet that got some worry flowing and some hearts pumping. I am not going act like it didn't phase me, however, one of my biggest fears was when Hostess went out of business! I wasn't going to see any more of the Hostess fruit pies which my belt line had come to cherish. I had to take a breather after that calamity! Everyday I come to learn that life is going to happen. Sometimes I miss the mark in where my trust lies, and sometimes I am spot on. One thing I know for certain is that God uses my worry and distrust as a lesson. I am one of those individuals who grows up and learns by mistakes. I pray that tomorrow I will place my trust in Him. Tomorrow echos the choices of today...
I thought about change, uncertainty, and so many other emotions today as I said goodbye to my parents so they could catch their flight home. We never quite know how we are going to feel, or what unexpected turn life will take. Case in point- I attended training last year for my job involving defense tactics, or simply put, the art of physically defending yourself effectively. One of the instructors probably didn't wake up that morning knowing that he would receive a hard shot to the junk, but all the same, it still happened!
I see so many people from day to day who lack the skills to cope with life and all of its twists and turns. You may think these are probably dead beats, the homeless, or even hopeless drug and alcohol addicts. You would be right, and also wrong. How many of you read on the internet and watched the news about the recent Ebola outbreak? I bet that got some worry flowing and some hearts pumping. I am not going act like it didn't phase me, however, one of my biggest fears was when Hostess went out of business! I wasn't going to see any more of the Hostess fruit pies which my belt line had come to cherish. I had to take a breather after that calamity! Everyday I come to learn that life is going to happen. Sometimes I miss the mark in where my trust lies, and sometimes I am spot on. One thing I know for certain is that God uses my worry and distrust as a lesson. I am one of those individuals who grows up and learns by mistakes. I pray that tomorrow I will place my trust in Him. Tomorrow echos the choices of today...
Monday, August 25, 2014
A place called Fear...
The sun rose on our day of sightseeing with my parents who are in town from Southern California. My Dad and I took a little jaunt to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. I find very few museums and memorials that strike a chord deep in my soul. I enjoy the beauty and splendor of the place, however, I often find it hard to connect to the deeper message which each notch, etching, or formation in stone and metal often presents. I don't think I could have prepared myself for way the organizers of this museum placed a horrific era of genocide right in my face. While only halfway through the realistic settings of the exhibition's cold brick walls and raised wooden floors, I started to understand the immense fear which ruled the minds and thoughts of the Jewish people in Europe at that time. If you ever make it to Washington DC, this museum should be at the top of your list. I rediscovered the meaning of a word I tend to forget sometimes, tolerance!
I have never felt a fear like the victims of the holocaust were unduly subjected to, but I knew that fear has made it tough for me to really enjoy life at times. I leave today with the excerpt below as my parting thought. I read it on my Facebook page and felt that somebody else might be able to relate, whether it be one, or many.
"If we were to write a history of our fears, we would realize that about 90 percent of the things we worried about never happened. We would realize that about half of the things that did happen were actually brought about or intensified by fear. And we would realize that most of the bad things we couldn't control anyway.
God repeatedly tells his people not to fear, even in the midst of their trials. Nothing in our lives is beyond His ability to control. "
I have never felt a fear like the victims of the holocaust were unduly subjected to, but I knew that fear has made it tough for me to really enjoy life at times. I leave today with the excerpt below as my parting thought. I read it on my Facebook page and felt that somebody else might be able to relate, whether it be one, or many.
"If we were to write a history of our fears, we would realize that about 90 percent of the things we worried about never happened. We would realize that about half of the things that did happen were actually brought about or intensified by fear. And we would realize that most of the bad things we couldn't control anyway.
God repeatedly tells his people not to fear, even in the midst of their trials. Nothing in our lives is beyond His ability to control. "
Jeremiah 46:27-28
-NIV Once-A-Day Bible
Friday, August 22, 2014
Not so independent after all...
This week my Mom and Dad flew in for a visit from Southern California. Seeing them here and talking about old memories made me think of a specific line I was told once, "An isolated sole breeds an independent mind." The author is unknown, and it doesn't really matter. I didn't know exactly what they were talking about until years after I heard those words. I left home for the Marine Corps and found myself seldom missing home or anyone attached to it as the months and years of separation went by. Every once in a while I would take myself home and know what I really missed back in Southern California, but then I would instantly regain my sense of independence after leaving again.
This work week has drawn to a close, however, the future never stops forming. One instance ends only for another to begin. If you find yourself jumping from one difficult week to the next, then maybe it's time to change things up. Bri will tell you that I probably worry about things a lot more than I should, which brings me to the point of my post. You can typically tell who you think is in charge of your life by what's in your heart. Are you running the show with that lingering feeling of anxiety in your life, or do you allow God to reside there? I run back and forth sometimes...
Just a few verses below for some thought, and enjoy your weekend.
Cheers
1 Peter 5:6-7
This work week has drawn to a close, however, the future never stops forming. One instance ends only for another to begin. If you find yourself jumping from one difficult week to the next, then maybe it's time to change things up. Bri will tell you that I probably worry about things a lot more than I should, which brings me to the point of my post. You can typically tell who you think is in charge of your life by what's in your heart. Are you running the show with that lingering feeling of anxiety in your life, or do you allow God to reside there? I run back and forth sometimes...
Just a few verses below for some thought, and enjoy your weekend.
Cheers
1 Peter 5:6-7
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
The remains of the day...
Stress can sometimes be that awful coworker you know you're going to see everyday, but you're not quite sure what form of frustration they will manifest into from day to day. They steal you're lunch items in the fridge at work even though your stuff wasn't sitting there that long. They drink the last bit of coffee and leave the pot empty! But one of the worst abominations, is their blatant refusal to observe the one stall separation rule in the bathroom! That is what we call a "deal breaker" folks...
From difficult coworkers to the rumblings of today's events on CNN, stress and other factors maintain our focus on today, and not down the road. Today may be a swift kick to the junk, but you wouldn't know that your world could be any different because life is making sure you cannot see the bright path of tomorrow. I went through my day feeling like I was carrying a heavy load, and then I caught this commentary on Facebook. Hopefully it resonates with you as it did with me.
"Most of us are too attached to our here-and-now lives to be able to identify fully with Paul's [biblical apostle] perspective. We have a hard time holding our agendas and goals loosely. But that should be our goal. We must learn to let go and trust God with our future."
No verse to accompany this...sometimes I know God works through the words He gives us as well.
From difficult coworkers to the rumblings of today's events on CNN, stress and other factors maintain our focus on today, and not down the road. Today may be a swift kick to the junk, but you wouldn't know that your world could be any different because life is making sure you cannot see the bright path of tomorrow. I went through my day feeling like I was carrying a heavy load, and then I caught this commentary on Facebook. Hopefully it resonates with you as it did with me.
"Most of us are too attached to our here-and-now lives to be able to identify fully with Paul's [biblical apostle] perspective. We have a hard time holding our agendas and goals loosely. But that should be our goal. We must learn to let go and trust God with our future."
No verse to accompany this...sometimes I know God works through the words He gives us as well.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
During the week......
While on a walk tonight I almost agreed to a recommendation made by my son. While this seems inconsequential, I have done so in the past and paid dearly for it by incurring the "Wrath of Mom". This wrath is legendary, and many good husbands have paid dearly despite their good intentions! I was not about to get caught in such an obvious trick bag so I negotiated a set of terms with him. Sean would be the first to tell Mom the full story about Savannah taking a fall at the playground after he wakes up tomorrow morning, and Dad would tell Mom tonight that she fell but was okay. Sometimes it takes such dedication to ensure your best interests, and continued existence. Here are some of the highlights from today...
1. My awesome family met me for lunch at work.
2. Lots of inspirational sayings these days scream "trendy"! They are often over used and lose the passion and endearment which the creator attempted to capture while verbalized and/or written. I included a short daily devotional snip below which popped up on my Facebook newsfeed. It doesn't matter if the words inspire you, just read...
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
by Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org
This is passion for the LORD. Do we long for the place where God meets us, or do we see our place of worship as a dull obligation? Many times the difference is not in what happens at a church building, but what happens the rest of the week. Make the LORD your center during the week and see how corporate gatherings become richer to your soul.
1. My awesome family met me for lunch at work.
2. Lots of inspirational sayings these days scream "trendy"! They are often over used and lose the passion and endearment which the creator attempted to capture while verbalized and/or written. I included a short daily devotional snip below which popped up on my Facebook newsfeed. It doesn't matter if the words inspire you, just read...
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
– Psalm 84:1-2 (NIV)
Today’s commentaryby Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, GraceNYC.org
This is passion for the LORD. Do we long for the place where God meets us, or do we see our place of worship as a dull obligation? Many times the difference is not in what happens at a church building, but what happens the rest of the week. Make the LORD your center during the week and see how corporate gatherings become richer to your soul.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Shutting down the factory.....
I used to always run with the common saying, "You never know what life will bring." Instead I believe that it reads like this, "You never know what God may bring."
I woke up this morning and looked over at the alarm clock knowing that I told Bri we would go to early service at church. I knew we could make it there, but the lazy side of me was saying, "Stay in bed!" I got over my laziness rather quickly and we made it to church. Today's message was about Shutting Down the Sin Factory. I am not much of a long writer so I'll cut to the chase with today's highlights.
1. Bri and I cooked raw meat over flaming coals like our ancestors.....okay, the truth is that I am terrible at barbecuing anything and we had friends over who showed me how it's done.
2.Bri read me an article about a child molester who sued the county after he was raped multiple times while in custody. A reader's remark to the article read as follows, "...a snuggle with a struggle." That was a new one for me...
3. I learned an important lesson from the sermon at church today; the purpose of Christ's death. The pastor spoke in a loud firm voice and stated that most people would say Jesus died for our sins to save us from our sins, and while that may be true the pastor offered another take on it. He died for our sins so that we might live for Him.
4. Without forgiveness there would be no mercy or grace.
Until next time...
I woke up this morning and looked over at the alarm clock knowing that I told Bri we would go to early service at church. I knew we could make it there, but the lazy side of me was saying, "Stay in bed!" I got over my laziness rather quickly and we made it to church. Today's message was about Shutting Down the Sin Factory. I am not much of a long writer so I'll cut to the chase with today's highlights.
1. Bri and I cooked raw meat over flaming coals like our ancestors.....okay, the truth is that I am terrible at barbecuing anything and we had friends over who showed me how it's done.
2.Bri read me an article about a child molester who sued the county after he was raped multiple times while in custody. A reader's remark to the article read as follows, "...a snuggle with a struggle." That was a new one for me...
3. I learned an important lesson from the sermon at church today; the purpose of Christ's death. The pastor spoke in a loud firm voice and stated that most people would say Jesus died for our sins to save us from our sins, and while that may be true the pastor offered another take on it. He died for our sins so that we might live for Him.
4. Without forgiveness there would be no mercy or grace.
Until next time...
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Luray
Today our family traveled to the Luray caverns in Luray, Virginia. It was pretty incredible to see one of God's outstanding creations. We walked through the caverns for about an hour while we observed countless stalactites, stalagmites, and other rock/mineral formations. The only issue with our day started when we arrived at the complex where the caverns are located.
When we drove around the corner we saw a massive line protruding from the entrance. There were also very few parking spaces left in the parking. It was frustrating because we drove 80 miles to get to the caverns, only to see our peaceful day dashed by hundreds of other people who had the very same idea. We made it inside though, and were able to enjoy a walk through awesomeness. The tour group started out quite large, and embodied the "Herd Mentality." Once our tour group thinned out along the path we were able to really enjoy all of the sights. Being in a place like the caverns almost made me forget about the real world up above. I definitely took some lessons away from today through all of the craziness:
1. Support my wife regardless of how I am coping with a situation. She may view it differently!
2. Perseverance is the key. If we had given up when things got tough at the beginning, we would not have seen the beauty of the caverns.
When we drove around the corner we saw a massive line protruding from the entrance. There were also very few parking spaces left in the parking. It was frustrating because we drove 80 miles to get to the caverns, only to see our peaceful day dashed by hundreds of other people who had the very same idea. We made it inside though, and were able to enjoy a walk through awesomeness. The tour group started out quite large, and embodied the "Herd Mentality." Once our tour group thinned out along the path we were able to really enjoy all of the sights. Being in a place like the caverns almost made me forget about the real world up above. I definitely took some lessons away from today through all of the craziness:
1. Support my wife regardless of how I am coping with a situation. She may view it differently!
2. Perseverance is the key. If we had given up when things got tough at the beginning, we would not have seen the beauty of the caverns.
Verse of the day
Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20)
Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/activistfaith/2011/08/6-bible-verses-on-experiencing-god-through-his-creation.html#ixzz3Ac7cyCcx
Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/activistfaith/2011/08/6-bible-verses-on-experiencing-god-through-his-creation.html#ixzz3Ac7cyCcx
Friday, August 15, 2014
Family
There are many things that wear out, get lost, or simply go out of style in our lives. I guess you could say the same thing about some family members, however, family is worth far more than anything else in our lives. How long does it take each of us to appreciate one another? Some people never figure out the worth of each family member, and others find out right away.
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