Thank God for the rain. As I type this blog, the sky is open and the rain is coming down. I pray that it will keep coming. We need it here in the Village and surrounding areas.
I pray also for the families in New Orleans that they will see an end to Katrina. God bless them as they face this terrible Hurricane.
Be back later with more thoughts.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Friday, August 26, 2005
Beautiful Morning
This morning I had the oppurtunity to spend an hour in a classroom full of 5th graders. I am in a rotation of adults that get to spend time with these young minds while their teachers are in conference. So, the 3rd Friday of every month I am able to share with them stories of my life and my ministry. I also get to hear their takes on Jesus and His love. I cannot think of a better way to start the day!
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Application
I just finished giving a devotional thought to the seniors that are taken care in The Good Samaritan Nursing Home and Assisted Living complex. We discussed 'Forgiveness.'
Forgiveness.
Such an easy word to say. But the application is where things get difficult.
How many of you out there have held a grudge that just kept getting larger and more painful? Something that may have begun as a little tiff suddenly snowballs into relationship damaging bitterness. And the cycle will not end until one or both parties involved say "I'm Sorry."
I have read of families and friendships being ripped apart over small things like the cost of sugar. Sad, but true.
Please, if you are embroiled in an argument with your friends or family, take the time to renew your relationship through forgiveness. Pray to God that He give you a piece of His heart and break the chain of 'unforgiveness.'
Forgiveness.
Such an easy word to say. But the application is where things get difficult.
How many of you out there have held a grudge that just kept getting larger and more painful? Something that may have begun as a little tiff suddenly snowballs into relationship damaging bitterness. And the cycle will not end until one or both parties involved say "I'm Sorry."
I have read of families and friendships being ripped apart over small things like the cost of sugar. Sad, but true.
Please, if you are embroiled in an argument with your friends or family, take the time to renew your relationship through forgiveness. Pray to God that He give you a piece of His heart and break the chain of 'unforgiveness.'
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Quote Of The Day
"When you forgive someone, you slice away the wrong from the person who did it. You disengage that person from his hurtful act. You recreate him. At one moment you identify him ineradicably as the person who did you wrong. The next moment you change that identity. He is remade in your memory.
You think of him now not as the person who hurt you, but a person who needs you. You feel him now not as the person who alienated you, but as the person who belongs to you. Once you branded him as a person powerful in evil, but now you see him as a person weak in his needs. You recreated your past by recreating the person whose wrong made your past painful." - Lewis Smedes
You think of him now not as the person who hurt you, but a person who needs you. You feel him now not as the person who alienated you, but as the person who belongs to you. Once you branded him as a person powerful in evil, but now you see him as a person weak in his needs. You recreated your past by recreating the person whose wrong made your past painful." - Lewis Smedes
Monday, August 22, 2005
About...
About the smashed van window...one of the young men from the youth group, in trying to scare one of his buddies, flat-handed one of the windows at it's weakest point and accidentally smashed it to pieces. It was a lesson in restraint and responsibility that will not be quickly forgotten. He has profusely offered to work and scrounge up extra spending money to pay it off.
About last Saturday...Walt and Shirley M. were once again gracious hosts for the youth and several young families for the Back To School Celebration with more food than we could all consume, 4 boats to ski and tube behind on Lake Balboa, and a great atmosphere for God's family to fellowship. Thanks to Walt and Shirley, John and Trish, Rick M, Doug, and Gary for providing great times!!
About my Mom...she spent the weekend with Elizabeth and me to have a nice, relaxing weekend getaway, but wound up getting more than she bargained for. She was the third in line to tube and as she jumped out of the boat her hand got caught in the crevice between the gate and the boat railing. She said later that she felt a pinch on her way down. In reality, it was more than a pinch. As she came up out of the water, I noticed that her right hand was bleeding. Thinking it was a cut, several from the boat asked if she was alright. But she had actually severed her pinky finger in half. The top of the finger was found and put on ice. We rushed my mom and her finger to the hospital, in hopes that the doctors would be able to sew the finger back on, but they were not able to do so.
My mom was a trooper during the whole ordeal. She stayed strong and God blessed her with a minimal amount of pain. She is at home now resting and recovering from quite the opposite of the weekend that she thought she would have. We love you, Mom and pray that God continues to keep you out of pain and in great health.
About life...it has a strange way of constantly changing on us.
About God...He has a great and mysterious way of taking care of us through it all.
About last Saturday...Walt and Shirley M. were once again gracious hosts for the youth and several young families for the Back To School Celebration with more food than we could all consume, 4 boats to ski and tube behind on Lake Balboa, and a great atmosphere for God's family to fellowship. Thanks to Walt and Shirley, John and Trish, Rick M, Doug, and Gary for providing great times!!
About my Mom...she spent the weekend with Elizabeth and me to have a nice, relaxing weekend getaway, but wound up getting more than she bargained for. She was the third in line to tube and as she jumped out of the boat her hand got caught in the crevice between the gate and the boat railing. She said later that she felt a pinch on her way down. In reality, it was more than a pinch. As she came up out of the water, I noticed that her right hand was bleeding. Thinking it was a cut, several from the boat asked if she was alright. But she had actually severed her pinky finger in half. The top of the finger was found and put on ice. We rushed my mom and her finger to the hospital, in hopes that the doctors would be able to sew the finger back on, but they were not able to do so.
My mom was a trooper during the whole ordeal. She stayed strong and God blessed her with a minimal amount of pain. She is at home now resting and recovering from quite the opposite of the weekend that she thought she would have. We love you, Mom and pray that God continues to keep you out of pain and in great health.
About life...it has a strange way of constantly changing on us.
About God...He has a great and mysterious way of taking care of us through it all.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Sinking In
Well, it is just now starting to sink in that my partner- in-crime, Jim Gardner, is really gone. Being here in the office without him is something that will take a while to get used to. The shepherds here have been really great and supportive. Matter of fact, Rick N. came by the office to give his support to Jeanne and me. Thanks to you men for your encouragement.
I gave the motivational address to the faculty and staff of Jessieville Schools today. My heart skips a beat when it is time for school to start back. Even though I am well out of high school, the fond memories come rushing to me. I am sure that I speak for many kids in my youth group, as well.
I have to go now. I am prepping for my sermon this coming Sunday morning. I will blog later about the incident of the young man and the smashed van window...
I gave the motivational address to the faculty and staff of Jessieville Schools today. My heart skips a beat when it is time for school to start back. Even though I am well out of high school, the fond memories come rushing to me. I am sure that I speak for many kids in my youth group, as well.
I have to go now. I am prepping for my sermon this coming Sunday morning. I will blog later about the incident of the young man and the smashed van window...
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Thoughts
We are back from Camp Barton in one piece and on a spiritual high. A week full of creating and shaping memories. How many of you out there have a fond memory or Bible Camp story that you would like to share with the rest of us?
_____________________
Several of the youth met today to paint and redecorate the youth room. We worked, played and ordered in Pizza. I got a little too overzealous with my pizza order, so we will most likely be eating it again for lunch tomorrow when we meet to wrap up the room. I will be posting pics soon.
_____________________
I will miss you, Jim.
I'll miss riding in the truck and talking about everything under the sun.
I'll miss deliberating over serious matters in the office.
I'll miss 'Naw you' and 'Jim Burger?!?'
I'll miss Good Sam Chapels together.
I'll miss visiting in homes and in hospitals together.
I'll miss grilling out together before the games
The list goes on and on...
_____________________
Several of the youth met today to paint and redecorate the youth room. We worked, played and ordered in Pizza. I got a little too overzealous with my pizza order, so we will most likely be eating it again for lunch tomorrow when we meet to wrap up the room. I will be posting pics soon.
_____________________
I will miss you, Jim.
I'll miss riding in the truck and talking about everything under the sun.
I'll miss deliberating over serious matters in the office.
I'll miss 'Naw you' and 'Jim Burger?!?'
I'll miss Good Sam Chapels together.
I'll miss visiting in homes and in hospitals together.
I'll miss grilling out together before the games
The list goes on and on...
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