Desperately people are seeking the attention of a father and from time to time you still will find one that fills the roll in a proper manner. Many children grow up today and miss out on the love and companionship of a father in their life. They don't know what is missing, only that something IS missing.
I remember being a young boy and standing on the edge of a pool. I was afraid to be in the water because I couldn't swim. I still don't swim well, but the difference is I know that I'm protected when I get into the water. When I was young, there was always mom or dad to keep you from drowning. Hurling yourself off the side of the pool was the way you played, often into water that was many times deep than your own head.
A few years ago, my oldest nephew was about 3 and my brother-in-law was crossing the street. Oblivious to his peril, he ran towards the road, we luckily caught up to him in time before he go into the street, but he ran, arms out seeking his father to lift him up.
In a life that is often times filled with pain and turmoil, we must remember that we can still jump from the side of the pool or run with arms reaching out into the arms of our father. God has a way of puting people into our path when we need them the most. It may not be God himself, but he is acting through the love of those that are closest to us to lift us up and to make us strong.
Remember that He is there, that He is waiting for us to come crying to him, and most important, He is waiting to lift us up.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Two Questions
Whose life are you meant to be in?
Who is meant to be in your life?
These were the two questions that were posed at worship tonight during Work and Worship weekend at Wildhorse Canyon. It is actually called Washington Family Ranch, but I just can't bring myself to calling it that. I haven't as of yet figured out the answer to the first question, but I have recently become involved in a ministry called Mark 2
(While he was preaching God's word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Mark 2-4).
2 is about helping those who can't really help themselves by giving them a ministry to be involved in. I work with two men who have disabilities of some kind and worked with another who is looking at coming to join. I don't know that I'm meant to be in their life, but I know that they are meant to be in mine. For just a day now I've worked with them and already found several places in my life that I need to work on. I'm sure that I will be assailed with more and more things that I need to work on, but I will work through these things that I have been informed of for now.
Ron Sauer, Jerry Tubbs, Steve Ericson, and I'm sure if I thought about it I could put down about 30 other names. At one time or another I have had people come into my life that have affected me in ways that helped me grow in Christ. These two guys are another couple guys. I wish I could say that I was meant to be in these guys lives, someday, I hope I find one person, one day who will say my name as an answer to that second question, in the mean time I will do what I can to learn rom those who were meant to be in my life.
Who is meant to be in your life?
These were the two questions that were posed at worship tonight during Work and Worship weekend at Wildhorse Canyon. It is actually called Washington Family Ranch, but I just can't bring myself to calling it that. I haven't as of yet figured out the answer to the first question, but I have recently become involved in a ministry called Mark 2
(While he was preaching God's word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Mark 2-4).
2 is about helping those who can't really help themselves by giving them a ministry to be involved in. I work with two men who have disabilities of some kind and worked with another who is looking at coming to join. I don't know that I'm meant to be in their life, but I know that they are meant to be in mine. For just a day now I've worked with them and already found several places in my life that I need to work on. I'm sure that I will be assailed with more and more things that I need to work on, but I will work through these things that I have been informed of for now.
Ron Sauer, Jerry Tubbs, Steve Ericson, and I'm sure if I thought about it I could put down about 30 other names. At one time or another I have had people come into my life that have affected me in ways that helped me grow in Christ. These two guys are another couple guys. I wish I could say that I was meant to be in these guys lives, someday, I hope I find one person, one day who will say my name as an answer to that second question, in the mean time I will do what I can to learn rom those who were meant to be in my life.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Head sickness
I have almost made it back from Cambodia. I don't mean that I hit the exit hatch parachuted into the ocean and am now paddling my way back across the Pacific. I mean that my health, weight and some normality (thank you Douglas Adams) has returned. Then Why am I feeling the way that I do right now.
Cambodia was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I had both good and bad times, good memories, as well as some awful experiences that I wish I could forget. Put all together, the trip was something that was and is worth remembering. So now I'm home. I can't forget what happened to me, I can't even begin to explain it, but now I've just lost touch with this half of the world.
If you're wondering what I mean, then that makes two of us. I'm not sure I fully understand why I can't focus on the "what's next" in my life. This has the feel of running through a maze that has no exit, things start to look the same and then you're sure at one point that you've passed that place before.
Friends are still friends, my family is still on my last nerve most the time and I'm walking a tightrope with my finances, that much is the same, but my world has expanded once again and I don't know where I'm supposed to fit into it anymore. I literally have a head ache that won't go away.
Cambodia was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I had both good and bad times, good memories, as well as some awful experiences that I wish I could forget. Put all together, the trip was something that was and is worth remembering. So now I'm home. I can't forget what happened to me, I can't even begin to explain it, but now I've just lost touch with this half of the world.
If you're wondering what I mean, then that makes two of us. I'm not sure I fully understand why I can't focus on the "what's next" in my life. This has the feel of running through a maze that has no exit, things start to look the same and then you're sure at one point that you've passed that place before.
Friends are still friends, my family is still on my last nerve most the time and I'm walking a tightrope with my finances, that much is the same, but my world has expanded once again and I don't know where I'm supposed to fit into it anymore. I literally have a head ache that won't go away.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Complete...
I got a bug! No, I'm not sick, well, actually I am sick, but nothing that I won't get over in a little time. This is a different kind of bug.
I'm told that when people start to get tattoos they just have a way of wanting to get more and more. Sure you can fight the urge and many people I know only have one that they got in the service years and years ago, but it seems that people with tattoos, want more of them.
I imagine that this is the way an addict feels when they get that itch in the back of their mind saying that they need to use again. Once they use, they don't feel it quite so badly. I'm coming off my high from my recent trip but am almost certain that in a month I'm going to want to travel somewhere else. My passport stamps look strangely alone in that this book.
Next trip, I don't know where it will take me. Maybe Israel, China, Australia, all would be equally amazing. I just have to listen carefully to where God is leading me. I'll go where he calls and be glad to do it. So my next adventure is out there, and I can already feel the itch starting. I need to go somewhere. Nevermind the hours in a plane or the week of sickness after. Those are a small price to pay to see the world in the hands of God.
I'm told that when people start to get tattoos they just have a way of wanting to get more and more. Sure you can fight the urge and many people I know only have one that they got in the service years and years ago, but it seems that people with tattoos, want more of them.
I imagine that this is the way an addict feels when they get that itch in the back of their mind saying that they need to use again. Once they use, they don't feel it quite so badly. I'm coming off my high from my recent trip but am almost certain that in a month I'm going to want to travel somewhere else. My passport stamps look strangely alone in that this book.
Next trip, I don't know where it will take me. Maybe Israel, China, Australia, all would be equally amazing. I just have to listen carefully to where God is leading me. I'll go where he calls and be glad to do it. So my next adventure is out there, and I can already feel the itch starting. I need to go somewhere. Nevermind the hours in a plane or the week of sickness after. Those are a small price to pay to see the world in the hands of God.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Missions
I'm not sure what to expect of the next few weeks, but it will see me in 3 foreign countries and travelling over 14,000 miles. I'm not really excited about the trip in and of itself. I'm more excited about what it is God wants me to learn, see, do, while I'm in Cambodia.
A year ago now, Ted Albreicht spoke at my church and invited people to look into missions work for themselves. I began dialogue with some of the council because I felt like it was something that I was supposed to do. Moving ahead til now, I've raised the money and about have my stuff packed.
So, Why am I not excited? If anything I feel a bit fearful. Not for my own health, for the success of the trip, or for even my safety; I'm afraid of what it is that God has in store for me. Too much of my life I have sat and watched other people do things and this is really my first time that I've followed the prompting that I needed from the divine and went.
What will I see? What will happen? I'm not sure, but it is not an overwhelming fear, more like the kind you get when standing on a bridge about to jump into water from some great height. It's been done before by others and you aren't afraid of success, just how you will change as a result of the leap.
Here I go, I'm leaping.
A year ago now, Ted Albreicht spoke at my church and invited people to look into missions work for themselves. I began dialogue with some of the council because I felt like it was something that I was supposed to do. Moving ahead til now, I've raised the money and about have my stuff packed.
So, Why am I not excited? If anything I feel a bit fearful. Not for my own health, for the success of the trip, or for even my safety; I'm afraid of what it is that God has in store for me. Too much of my life I have sat and watched other people do things and this is really my first time that I've followed the prompting that I needed from the divine and went.
What will I see? What will happen? I'm not sure, but it is not an overwhelming fear, more like the kind you get when standing on a bridge about to jump into water from some great height. It's been done before by others and you aren't afraid of success, just how you will change as a result of the leap.
Here I go, I'm leaping.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
2011
Run a Marathon
Find gainful employment
Own my own car
More time with God
Noticable character changes
Teach a church class
Repay much of my debt
Get my own place
Finish my book
Go on a mission
Year after year sneaks by me and I barely seem to notice them anymore. I have achieved a point in my life that I really want for nothing. Still, I have yet to figure out how to get rid of some of my basic needs, you know the kinds: food, water, oxygen. Someday I will be called home and not need these things anymore, but for now, I'll work with them.
The above list is 10 things that I set out to accomplish in 2010, and sadly, I only managed to work my way through 3 of them; and set up the fulfillment of a fourth. Much of my debt is gone, I worked through a book with a group of guys at my church that I facilitated the group and I've managed to rid myself of some of my less than attractive character flaws. Just a couple though, after all, if I change completely will I even know who I am anymore.
Those two led to a third that I accomplished, spending more time with God. I went to church about the same number of times but I believe that I spent more time in prayer and contemplation. I involved myself in men's ministry to a point that I was all but required to pray for guidance on many occasions. And the fourth thing, I am heading on a mission here in the first part of February to the lovely country of Cambodia.
Four of ten!! The pessimist in me is screaming that I'm a lazy, no-good failure, that my exploits in 2010 mean very little and I shouldn't bother patting myself on the back, but the screaming optimist within me is shouting that I've made steps. I'm getting there. There is still a ways to go, but the end is in sight. So for 2011, I've managed to come up with a few things to replace the old.
Top 10
Run a Marathon (no injuries this year, please)
Go on that Mission (leave Feb 3rd)
Get a car (el Camino if you please)
Find a place to live
Pay back what I borrowed
Climb a mountain higher than 10,000 feet.
Go on a packing trip for more than 4 days
Visit out-of-town friends more frequently
Finish both of my books (yes, I'm writing 2 of them now)
Begin discipleship with someone
2011 is a week over, but that isn't that far behind.
Find gainful employment
Own my own car
More time with God
Noticable character changes
Teach a church class
Repay much of my debt
Get my own place
Finish my book
Go on a mission
Year after year sneaks by me and I barely seem to notice them anymore. I have achieved a point in my life that I really want for nothing. Still, I have yet to figure out how to get rid of some of my basic needs, you know the kinds: food, water, oxygen. Someday I will be called home and not need these things anymore, but for now, I'll work with them.
The above list is 10 things that I set out to accomplish in 2010, and sadly, I only managed to work my way through 3 of them; and set up the fulfillment of a fourth. Much of my debt is gone, I worked through a book with a group of guys at my church that I facilitated the group and I've managed to rid myself of some of my less than attractive character flaws. Just a couple though, after all, if I change completely will I even know who I am anymore.
Those two led to a third that I accomplished, spending more time with God. I went to church about the same number of times but I believe that I spent more time in prayer and contemplation. I involved myself in men's ministry to a point that I was all but required to pray for guidance on many occasions. And the fourth thing, I am heading on a mission here in the first part of February to the lovely country of Cambodia.
Four of ten!! The pessimist in me is screaming that I'm a lazy, no-good failure, that my exploits in 2010 mean very little and I shouldn't bother patting myself on the back, but the screaming optimist within me is shouting that I've made steps. I'm getting there. There is still a ways to go, but the end is in sight. So for 2011, I've managed to come up with a few things to replace the old.
Top 10
Run a Marathon (no injuries this year, please)
Go on that Mission (leave Feb 3rd)
Get a car (el Camino if you please)
Find a place to live
Pay back what I borrowed
Climb a mountain higher than 10,000 feet.
Go on a packing trip for more than 4 days
Visit out-of-town friends more frequently
Finish both of my books (yes, I'm writing 2 of them now)
Begin discipleship with someone
2011 is a week over, but that isn't that far behind.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Living by Faith
I know this has been beat to death by Pastors and Priest alike over the last 2000 years but I haven't had my stab at trying to inspire someone so here it goes.
I have recently picked up the book "The Robe" for about the 5th time in as many years. It was recommended to me by my grandfather back when I was in college and really struggling to believe in... well, anything, let alone Christ. He told me it would give me a different perspective on what it meant to be Christian, but not just as a title, but as a person. This of course meant nothing to me and the pages went by with little impact on my life.
The book is centered around a young Tribune named Marcellus in Rome around the beginning of the common era. Without giving away too many of the details, the main character comes into contact with this revolutionary by the name of Jesus. Marcellus being of high integrity, and for a Roman, good moral fiber, recognizes the strength in this "criminal" and seeks to find more about him.
As I've read the book before, it's a tale about a guy finding out stuff about another guy and decides to believe in his teachings and become his follower, yadda yadda yadda.
This time is somehow different. Not only have I been reading it as a story, but a semi-historical account of someone who was actually in and around Jerusalem and Galilee at the time Christ was crucified. He himself witnessed the crucifixion, but not the resurrection. Hearing accounts of this man Jesus, he discovers that he is risen and finally believes.
I cannot help but rewind one fact over and over in my head. He is interviewing witnesses who knew Jesus. How easy would it be to look into the eyes of Peter or Thomas, hear their empassioned testimony, maybe a few anecdotes, and believe? Truly believe.
Look back at my first sentance for a second... Pastors and Priests for 2000 years... Jesus met with how many after the resurrection. They told their friends, they told their friends and somewhere down the line, someone told me. I'm hearing the same story that someone who legged it around the Sea of Galilee with the Good Teacher told his friend. Somewhere it would have been disproven long before now if it weren't totally and absolutely true, so why do I doubt.
I think that we are allowed to doubt, because without doubt, how could we have faith.
I have recently picked up the book "The Robe" for about the 5th time in as many years. It was recommended to me by my grandfather back when I was in college and really struggling to believe in... well, anything, let alone Christ. He told me it would give me a different perspective on what it meant to be Christian, but not just as a title, but as a person. This of course meant nothing to me and the pages went by with little impact on my life.
The book is centered around a young Tribune named Marcellus in Rome around the beginning of the common era. Without giving away too many of the details, the main character comes into contact with this revolutionary by the name of Jesus. Marcellus being of high integrity, and for a Roman, good moral fiber, recognizes the strength in this "criminal" and seeks to find more about him.
As I've read the book before, it's a tale about a guy finding out stuff about another guy and decides to believe in his teachings and become his follower, yadda yadda yadda.
This time is somehow different. Not only have I been reading it as a story, but a semi-historical account of someone who was actually in and around Jerusalem and Galilee at the time Christ was crucified. He himself witnessed the crucifixion, but not the resurrection. Hearing accounts of this man Jesus, he discovers that he is risen and finally believes.
I cannot help but rewind one fact over and over in my head. He is interviewing witnesses who knew Jesus. How easy would it be to look into the eyes of Peter or Thomas, hear their empassioned testimony, maybe a few anecdotes, and believe? Truly believe.
Look back at my first sentance for a second... Pastors and Priests for 2000 years... Jesus met with how many after the resurrection. They told their friends, they told their friends and somewhere down the line, someone told me. I'm hearing the same story that someone who legged it around the Sea of Galilee with the Good Teacher told his friend. Somewhere it would have been disproven long before now if it weren't totally and absolutely true, so why do I doubt.
I think that we are allowed to doubt, because without doubt, how could we have faith.
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