I just wanted to share a quick story that my good friend, Jody Burgin, wrote in one of his devotions. This story is awesome and very inspirational. Please read it and enjoy.
For twenty years, the great French artist Renoir was in great pain and misery. Rheumatism had wracked his body and crippled his fingers. Sometimes, as he held his brush between his thumb and forefinger and slowly and painfully applied his paints to the canvas, great beads of perspiration broke out on his forehead. His suffering often was so great that he cried out in pain as he painted. He could not stand up to paint, so he was placed in a chair that was raised up and down to give him access to the upper and lower parts of his canvas. Sometimes a doctor gave him sedatives, but the suffering was hardly touched.
Yet Renoir was diligent, painting in pain great masterpieces of beauty and enchantment. One day his disciple Matisse pleaded with him, "Master, why do you do more? Why torture yourself?"
Gazing at one of his favorite canvasses, Renoir replied, "The pain passes, but the beauty remains."
What a wonderful motto this is for breakthrough living. We have gone through great pain and suffering, but it has passed; it is over and gone. Diligence compels us to accept each task as a special assignment from the Lord and use all my energies to do it quickly and skillfully. The result of our effort, the beauty, the victory, remains.
So much of what we have yet to do will be painful, but the results will last. Our pain can energize us and stimulate us to diligently move on and move away from our suffering. Whatever it does, our pain indicates that we are alive and sensitive, not numb and senseless - or dead.
O Christ, keep me painting, doing, working, living in spite of the pain I suffer. Amen.
That last line says it all: Whatever it does, our pain indicates that we are alive and sensitive, not numb and senseless - or dead. Anybody who knows me at all, knows that I have always said, "I like pain because it reminds me that I am alive!" If you are experiencing pain in any aspect of your life, I challenge you to lift it up to God and examine how much you feel alive when He begins to deliver you from it.
Peace!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Drought
Have you ever felt like your life is in a drought or you are lost in the wilderness without God? That is what I have been experiencing for quite some time now. I was reading my daily passages on Biblegateway.com a couple of weeks ago when a book advertisement popped up on one of the side bars of the web site. "The Land Between", by Jeff Manion is a book about all of life's unwanted transitions, (unemployment, foreclosure, illness, family crisis, etc.), and how to apply God's teaching to deal with them.
In the book of Exodus, God leads Moses and the Israelites into the desert to escape from Egypt. God promised Moses a land of their own, "filled with milk and honey". But in order to get there, they would have to endure the desert. The desert is the middle space, the land between two desirable places. Behind them was Egypt, a land filled with bountiful meals and riches, but in order to receive it you had to live under the Pharaoh as a slave. The land ahead was the promised land, the land full of milk and honey, the land that God promised to Moses and the Israelites.
Jeff Manion uses the book of Exodus as an example that compares to our droughts. In life, there will always be trials and crisis. We never know when it will happen, but it does and most times we will not be prepared for it. No one is exempt from crisis. The question is, "How will we deal with it when it hits"? The Israelites chose to whine and complain against God. This left Moses in a very uncomfortable position. Not only was he stuck in the desert, but he had to put up with the whiny Israelites as well.
In my desert place, I have been trying to trust and rely on God. I have never prayed as much as I do now until I got caught in this drought. I have even been whiny at times, questioning God's Word and His promise to me. I don't think God likes it when we whine and I'm willing to bet that He ignores us at those times, just like when we ignore our children when they are whining about something. On the other hand, I am willing to bet that when we pray in honesty to Him, He listens to us and wants to help us, even if His help comes in a form that we aren't expecting.
The chapter of this book that hit me the hardest was chapter ten, "The Disciplinarian". Jeff uses this chapter to explain how God had to discipline the Israelites before He could allow them to enter the promised land. In the ongoing complaints that the Israelites were delivering, they began to demand things as well. They were sick of eating manna and they wanted meat. Moses warns them that the promise of meat will be delivered, not just for a day though but for a whole month. "They would have meat until it comes out of their nostrils", is the way it is written in Numbers 11:20. I sometimes wonder if I could eat meat until it fell from my nose. I'm guessing if it did, I probably wouldn't want it any more. The discipline comes in the form of a plague. There was so much meat that most of it went bad. The Israelites were unaware of this and continued to eat the spoiled meat. This eventually led to a lot of upset tummies and even death among their people. Seems kind of harsh that God would supply them with spoiled meat to teach them a lesson for complaining and for being demanding. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there supposed to be consequences when discipline is being administered? Here is the paragraph that hit me the hardest from this chapter:
Sometimes God will give us what we demand and let us take the consequences. This is not because He hates us or has given up on us. As harsh as those consequences may be, they are still under the control of a God who loves us and a God who sees. He sees the big picture. He sees what's coming. He knows the events and challenges for which we need to be prepared. In Hebrews, we read, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (12:11).
My personal example of this is the house that we live in. The house that we said that God opened the door for us to because He wanted to bless us with it. The house that I thought I HAD to have. The house that I thought everybody would admire me for. The house that has been on the market now for a year and a half. The same house that has become my own personal prison. Even now, I am whining and complaining about it. But I have been receiving and continue gratefully to receive my discipline. I believe that I have experienced the most spiritual growth of my life in this past year and a half. I have grown closer to God and continue to rely on Him to keep His word and deliver us from this financial burden. He hears my cries and gives me hope. I pray honestly to Him everyday, and several times throughout the day, and ask Him for His provision. I know God wants the best for me, as He does for all of us, but I cannot receive what He has for me until I totally surrender to Him.
This season of drought will be over soon, only to yield to a new season of trials and tests, but I am remaining patient and my excitement grows every day to see what He has in store for me.
So, what does your desert place look like? Will you allow God to work in it? Will you give thanks for the good and the bad? Just some things to think about while you wander around in the land between.
Peace!
In the book of Exodus, God leads Moses and the Israelites into the desert to escape from Egypt. God promised Moses a land of their own, "filled with milk and honey". But in order to get there, they would have to endure the desert. The desert is the middle space, the land between two desirable places. Behind them was Egypt, a land filled with bountiful meals and riches, but in order to receive it you had to live under the Pharaoh as a slave. The land ahead was the promised land, the land full of milk and honey, the land that God promised to Moses and the Israelites.Jeff Manion uses the book of Exodus as an example that compares to our droughts. In life, there will always be trials and crisis. We never know when it will happen, but it does and most times we will not be prepared for it. No one is exempt from crisis. The question is, "How will we deal with it when it hits"? The Israelites chose to whine and complain against God. This left Moses in a very uncomfortable position. Not only was he stuck in the desert, but he had to put up with the whiny Israelites as well.
In my desert place, I have been trying to trust and rely on God. I have never prayed as much as I do now until I got caught in this drought. I have even been whiny at times, questioning God's Word and His promise to me. I don't think God likes it when we whine and I'm willing to bet that He ignores us at those times, just like when we ignore our children when they are whining about something. On the other hand, I am willing to bet that when we pray in honesty to Him, He listens to us and wants to help us, even if His help comes in a form that we aren't expecting.
The chapter of this book that hit me the hardest was chapter ten, "The Disciplinarian". Jeff uses this chapter to explain how God had to discipline the Israelites before He could allow them to enter the promised land. In the ongoing complaints that the Israelites were delivering, they began to demand things as well. They were sick of eating manna and they wanted meat. Moses warns them that the promise of meat will be delivered, not just for a day though but for a whole month. "They would have meat until it comes out of their nostrils", is the way it is written in Numbers 11:20. I sometimes wonder if I could eat meat until it fell from my nose. I'm guessing if it did, I probably wouldn't want it any more. The discipline comes in the form of a plague. There was so much meat that most of it went bad. The Israelites were unaware of this and continued to eat the spoiled meat. This eventually led to a lot of upset tummies and even death among their people. Seems kind of harsh that God would supply them with spoiled meat to teach them a lesson for complaining and for being demanding. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there supposed to be consequences when discipline is being administered? Here is the paragraph that hit me the hardest from this chapter:
Sometimes God will give us what we demand and let us take the consequences. This is not because He hates us or has given up on us. As harsh as those consequences may be, they are still under the control of a God who loves us and a God who sees. He sees the big picture. He sees what's coming. He knows the events and challenges for which we need to be prepared. In Hebrews, we read, "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (12:11).
My personal example of this is the house that we live in. The house that we said that God opened the door for us to because He wanted to bless us with it. The house that I thought I HAD to have. The house that I thought everybody would admire me for. The house that has been on the market now for a year and a half. The same house that has become my own personal prison. Even now, I am whining and complaining about it. But I have been receiving and continue gratefully to receive my discipline. I believe that I have experienced the most spiritual growth of my life in this past year and a half. I have grown closer to God and continue to rely on Him to keep His word and deliver us from this financial burden. He hears my cries and gives me hope. I pray honestly to Him everyday, and several times throughout the day, and ask Him for His provision. I know God wants the best for me, as He does for all of us, but I cannot receive what He has for me until I totally surrender to Him.
This season of drought will be over soon, only to yield to a new season of trials and tests, but I am remaining patient and my excitement grows every day to see what He has in store for me.
So, what does your desert place look like? Will you allow God to work in it? Will you give thanks for the good and the bad? Just some things to think about while you wander around in the land between.
Peace!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Hard Lessons
Story:
Dante is a tenth-grade football player full of potential. After football practice one afternoon, his coach asked to see him in his office. Dante was leading his team in total yards and touchdowns. Partway through the season, the coaching staff even began considering moving him up to the varsity team. Rarely had they seen such promise in a maturing young player. Football came so naturally to Dante that he was a dominant force without even working at it. And that was the problem - the reason he was in the coach's office. He just wasn't working at it.
Discipline issues with Dante were becoming an increasing concern. He was constantly showing up late to practice with no reason. He misbehaved during practice and even mocked the coach. He figured that he was so good that he didn't have a need to be coached.
When Dante made it to the coach's office, it was to his surprise to see the varsity football coach also present for the meeting. His coach asked him to have a seat and proceeded by reminding Dante how much talent and potential that he has. Then he said, "But your unwillingness to receive correction, your tardiness and your misbehavior is poisoning this team." The coach then made the decision to bench Dante for the remainder of the season, even if this meant no chance of making it to the playoffs.
Then it was the varsity coach's turn. He concurred with everything that Dante's coach had mentioned. He too, made Dante aware of his talent and potential, but informed him that there would no place for him on the varsity team unless his attitude changed. Disrespect would not be tolerated, no exceptions.
Dante thought the coaches were trying to destroy his image and more important, his football career. But as the season rolled on, Dante realized that the coach was actually disciplining him in order to rescue him, not only for his current position but for his future as a football player as well. That is what good discipline does. It has to inflict pain sometimes in order to save or rescue something. Maybe God has to discipline us in ways that may seem harsh in an attempt to rescue us.
I read a story similar to this recently and was thinking about my son's soccer practice last night and I thought I would compare his situation to the story. Dominick didn't feel like going to practice last night for a number of reasons. He had a headache, it was too hot and I'm quite certain that he thinks that he is too good for practice sometimes. After a grueling hour and a half in 98 degree heat, Dominick immediately began to complain about how hard it was because of the heat and about how much he doesn't think that he needs to be at the optional practice on Thursday evenings. I'm not trying to call him out or ridicule him, he is my son and I love him. But it drives me completely up the wall to hear him talk about his life dream of skipping college, becoming a pro soccer player and moving to Barcelona to play soccer for his dream team. I am constantly trying to reassure him that there isn't one guy on that team (or any professional team for that matter) that hasn't paid their dues. I often use the example of Michael Jordan and how he would show up on a court that was filled with guys much older and better than him and played hoops with them - no matter what.
Dominick is an exceptional soccer player. He has played it since he was 5 years old. He lives, eats and breathes soccer. I love watching him each season and I have noticed how much of a leader he is on the field. That leadership will prepare him for a lot of things in life. I am very reserved on the sidelines compared to a lot of other fanatic parents. I watch and when the game is over, I tell him what I think he needs to improve on. Sometimes he takes that info as an insult and sometimes he accepts it as good advice, I guess it just depends on if his team has won or lost and what kind of mood he is in. He is well aware of his gift and we constantly try to keep it respectable, but even he needs discipline sometimes to keep his perspective on things.
I am thankful that God has provided me the opportunity to father someone and discipline them as well. I know that He is constantly disciplining me in my life and that there will always be areas in my life where I need it most. It may seem harsh sometimes, but I believe that it is in those difficult moments where the most growth and maturity will occur.
Peace!
Dante is a tenth-grade football player full of potential. After football practice one afternoon, his coach asked to see him in his office. Dante was leading his team in total yards and touchdowns. Partway through the season, the coaching staff even began considering moving him up to the varsity team. Rarely had they seen such promise in a maturing young player. Football came so naturally to Dante that he was a dominant force without even working at it. And that was the problem - the reason he was in the coach's office. He just wasn't working at it.
Discipline issues with Dante were becoming an increasing concern. He was constantly showing up late to practice with no reason. He misbehaved during practice and even mocked the coach. He figured that he was so good that he didn't have a need to be coached.
When Dante made it to the coach's office, it was to his surprise to see the varsity football coach also present for the meeting. His coach asked him to have a seat and proceeded by reminding Dante how much talent and potential that he has. Then he said, "But your unwillingness to receive correction, your tardiness and your misbehavior is poisoning this team." The coach then made the decision to bench Dante for the remainder of the season, even if this meant no chance of making it to the playoffs.
Then it was the varsity coach's turn. He concurred with everything that Dante's coach had mentioned. He too, made Dante aware of his talent and potential, but informed him that there would no place for him on the varsity team unless his attitude changed. Disrespect would not be tolerated, no exceptions.
Dante thought the coaches were trying to destroy his image and more important, his football career. But as the season rolled on, Dante realized that the coach was actually disciplining him in order to rescue him, not only for his current position but for his future as a football player as well. That is what good discipline does. It has to inflict pain sometimes in order to save or rescue something. Maybe God has to discipline us in ways that may seem harsh in an attempt to rescue us.
I read a story similar to this recently and was thinking about my son's soccer practice last night and I thought I would compare his situation to the story. Dominick didn't feel like going to practice last night for a number of reasons. He had a headache, it was too hot and I'm quite certain that he thinks that he is too good for practice sometimes. After a grueling hour and a half in 98 degree heat, Dominick immediately began to complain about how hard it was because of the heat and about how much he doesn't think that he needs to be at the optional practice on Thursday evenings. I'm not trying to call him out or ridicule him, he is my son and I love him. But it drives me completely up the wall to hear him talk about his life dream of skipping college, becoming a pro soccer player and moving to Barcelona to play soccer for his dream team. I am constantly trying to reassure him that there isn't one guy on that team (or any professional team for that matter) that hasn't paid their dues. I often use the example of Michael Jordan and how he would show up on a court that was filled with guys much older and better than him and played hoops with them - no matter what.
Dominick is an exceptional soccer player. He has played it since he was 5 years old. He lives, eats and breathes soccer. I love watching him each season and I have noticed how much of a leader he is on the field. That leadership will prepare him for a lot of things in life. I am very reserved on the sidelines compared to a lot of other fanatic parents. I watch and when the game is over, I tell him what I think he needs to improve on. Sometimes he takes that info as an insult and sometimes he accepts it as good advice, I guess it just depends on if his team has won or lost and what kind of mood he is in. He is well aware of his gift and we constantly try to keep it respectable, but even he needs discipline sometimes to keep his perspective on things.
I am thankful that God has provided me the opportunity to father someone and discipline them as well. I know that He is constantly disciplining me in my life and that there will always be areas in my life where I need it most. It may seem harsh sometimes, but I believe that it is in those difficult moments where the most growth and maturity will occur.
Peace!
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Give Yourself Away
What does true sacrifice mean to you? What would you freely give up for someone? Is it your time? Your money? Your career? Your life? Last night, I met a guy who gave his all for someone very close to him. Let me share his story.
I only know his first name is Chris. He came to our small group of men to share his story of faith, love and true sacrifice. Chris is a Texas native and has only been in Cincinnati for a short period of time. Upon his arrival, Chris prayed for God to provide him a church home and the answer was Vineyard West Side. Chris came and he immediately felt like this was his family. He has only been to church for a couple of weeks, and already he has found a place where his community would love him and accept him for who he is.
Last night, as our group discussed the topic of sacrifice, I sat across from Chris and watched him slowly open up to share a story that completely broke me. The question came up, "What does true sacrifice look like and do we have what it takes to do it"? Chris answered with this: His wife of fifteen years, his soul mate, had sclerosis of the liver which is a life ending disease. Chris sacrificed everything to take care of his wife until her last breath. He gave up his job to be with her. He had no income to pay for food or transportation. He spent every second of his life to stay by her side and walk this out with her. Eventually the disease would prevail and his wife died in his arms. Chris would spend the next several months receiving counseling and would eventually find himself at the mercy of alcohol to ease the pain of his loss.
When Chris moved to Cincinnati, he met another woman and began dating her. During there courtship, she discovered a lump on her neck. They went to see a Doctor and he delivered the devastating news. Without hesitation, Chris immediately vowed to his new love that he would be there for her. The cancer was already in stage four and had spread to lungs. After months of therapy and hospice, Chris again had the love of his life die in his arms.
After sharing his story, Chris wiped the tears from his eyes and spoke to us with an authoritative voice. He told us that we should not worry if we will ever be up to the task of giving up one's self for the life of another. God would provide! When Chris gave up everything to be with his wife, he still had everything he needed to live. He had food, shelter, transportation and strength to carry on. All of which God provided for him. Sacrifice was not something that he could prepare himself for. The circumstances arose and Chris simply set his fears aside and stepped up to the plate.
I believe that God knew that Chris would have the strength to sacrifice himself not only once, but twice to love and comfort one of God's daughters on their deathbed. Chris knew his role, he knew that God was asking him to do this for Him. It might seem like a crappy thing to be asked to do, but he will be rewarded greatly for it, if not in this life, then definitely the next. Nothing can prepare us for the storms. Nothing can prepare us for the life altering events that can and will take place. The only thing we can cling to is our faith in Christ and know that He is with us, no matter what. And I think that Jesus knows a little about giving up a life to benefit the lives of others. He paid the ultimate price for a world full of sinners.
I believe that it was U2's Bono that originally sang, "And you give . . . and you give . . . and you give yourself away". So again I ask, What does true sacrifice mean to you? Would you freely give your time, money, career or even your life for someone? How can you give yourself away?
I only know his first name is Chris. He came to our small group of men to share his story of faith, love and true sacrifice. Chris is a Texas native and has only been in Cincinnati for a short period of time. Upon his arrival, Chris prayed for God to provide him a church home and the answer was Vineyard West Side. Chris came and he immediately felt like this was his family. He has only been to church for a couple of weeks, and already he has found a place where his community would love him and accept him for who he is.
Last night, as our group discussed the topic of sacrifice, I sat across from Chris and watched him slowly open up to share a story that completely broke me. The question came up, "What does true sacrifice look like and do we have what it takes to do it"? Chris answered with this: His wife of fifteen years, his soul mate, had sclerosis of the liver which is a life ending disease. Chris sacrificed everything to take care of his wife until her last breath. He gave up his job to be with her. He had no income to pay for food or transportation. He spent every second of his life to stay by her side and walk this out with her. Eventually the disease would prevail and his wife died in his arms. Chris would spend the next several months receiving counseling and would eventually find himself at the mercy of alcohol to ease the pain of his loss.
When Chris moved to Cincinnati, he met another woman and began dating her. During there courtship, she discovered a lump on her neck. They went to see a Doctor and he delivered the devastating news. Without hesitation, Chris immediately vowed to his new love that he would be there for her. The cancer was already in stage four and had spread to lungs. After months of therapy and hospice, Chris again had the love of his life die in his arms.
After sharing his story, Chris wiped the tears from his eyes and spoke to us with an authoritative voice. He told us that we should not worry if we will ever be up to the task of giving up one's self for the life of another. God would provide! When Chris gave up everything to be with his wife, he still had everything he needed to live. He had food, shelter, transportation and strength to carry on. All of which God provided for him. Sacrifice was not something that he could prepare himself for. The circumstances arose and Chris simply set his fears aside and stepped up to the plate.
I believe that God knew that Chris would have the strength to sacrifice himself not only once, but twice to love and comfort one of God's daughters on their deathbed. Chris knew his role, he knew that God was asking him to do this for Him. It might seem like a crappy thing to be asked to do, but he will be rewarded greatly for it, if not in this life, then definitely the next. Nothing can prepare us for the storms. Nothing can prepare us for the life altering events that can and will take place. The only thing we can cling to is our faith in Christ and know that He is with us, no matter what. And I think that Jesus knows a little about giving up a life to benefit the lives of others. He paid the ultimate price for a world full of sinners.
I believe that it was U2's Bono that originally sang, "And you give . . . and you give . . . and you give yourself away". So again I ask, What does true sacrifice mean to you? Would you freely give your time, money, career or even your life for someone? How can you give yourself away?
Friday, July 23, 2010
Stuff
Have you ever felt like everything around you is falling apart? Like everything in your life that you had security in, is all of a sudden in jeopardy? This past week has had that effect on me. Let me explain.
My wife and I have spent the past several years traveling down this path of seeking and filling. We have been seeking God and what His will is for us, and at the same time, filling our lives with things that are considered earthly treasures. All the while, thanking God for such blessings. Was His will for us just to collect stuff? Probably not. But maybe He allowed us to have such things just to show us that we wouldn't need it anyway. Confused yet?
I think that all of us feel as though we need something to make us happy at one point or another in our lives. Maybe it's a house, or furniture, or cars, or electronics, etc....etc.... But in reality, those things don't bring true happiness. I fell for that lie. I thought that the really nice house was a must. Then we had to fill the house with all of the stuff. Then came the cars. Then . . . one day I take a trip to a different country and witness people who have nothing. My world begins to fall apart. I return home and decide that we should sell our house. Well, the house has been on the market for over a year now and still not one offer has come in. We lower the price to less than what we paid for it, and still, nothing. So, we begin to put the stuff up for sale that has been occupying space in the house. This is where it starts to feel like everything is falling apart. We now have empty rooms in the house that were once filled with glamorous items. We took pride in those items. It feels odd to go into those rooms to witness emptiness. The thought goes through my head, "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away". It makes me sad. I begin to question my thoughts and my faith. Why did I feel led to sell the house only to have the market drop out from underneath us and to put us in a position of financial disaster? Does God want this for us? When is He going to deliver on His word in all of this? These are the questions that ramble through my head every minute of every day.
Then comes the stress that all of this puts our family in. Saying goodbye to things we once had joy in is hard, but knowing that we have to sell it just to replenish our depleted savings account is even harder. The mortgage consumed the savings account months ago, so something had to be done. It is even more depressing thinking that this house could have been our nest egg and then a failed market proved otherwise. There is the stress of deciding what will be sacrificed on the chopping block next. The stress of listing and coordinating everything. The continuous stress of seeing things go, and yet the house remains to be a burden. I begin to wonder if God has to strip us of the stuff inside the house first, in order to prepare us for the move.
There is a story in the Bible about a guy name Job. This guy had it all and lost it all. His children were killed as well as all of his livestock. His possessions were taken. His friends and wife turned against him. Even his health and own life was at stake. His whole world crashed around him, and yet he remained loyal and faithful to God. God allowed satin to commit all of these things on Job (but He did not give satin permission to take Job's life) in order to prove to satin that Job would remain faithful. Job remained and there was victory in God.
Lately, I have been comparing myself to Job. I have been wondering, "what's next"? Will I lose my children, my wife or my friends? Will I have the strength to remain faithful? I hope that I don't have to lose loved ones and that I will have the strength.
Only God knows what my future holds. I know that He has a plan for me/us. I know that He is protecting us from disaster. My job is to just trust Him and let Him lead. I am holding on to His word and His promise that there are greater treasures that He has in store for us, far greater than the ones that we have acquired on this earth on our own.
Peace!
My wife and I have spent the past several years traveling down this path of seeking and filling. We have been seeking God and what His will is for us, and at the same time, filling our lives with things that are considered earthly treasures. All the while, thanking God for such blessings. Was His will for us just to collect stuff? Probably not. But maybe He allowed us to have such things just to show us that we wouldn't need it anyway. Confused yet?
I think that all of us feel as though we need something to make us happy at one point or another in our lives. Maybe it's a house, or furniture, or cars, or electronics, etc....etc.... But in reality, those things don't bring true happiness. I fell for that lie. I thought that the really nice house was a must. Then we had to fill the house with all of the stuff. Then came the cars. Then . . . one day I take a trip to a different country and witness people who have nothing. My world begins to fall apart. I return home and decide that we should sell our house. Well, the house has been on the market for over a year now and still not one offer has come in. We lower the price to less than what we paid for it, and still, nothing. So, we begin to put the stuff up for sale that has been occupying space in the house. This is where it starts to feel like everything is falling apart. We now have empty rooms in the house that were once filled with glamorous items. We took pride in those items. It feels odd to go into those rooms to witness emptiness. The thought goes through my head, "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away". It makes me sad. I begin to question my thoughts and my faith. Why did I feel led to sell the house only to have the market drop out from underneath us and to put us in a position of financial disaster? Does God want this for us? When is He going to deliver on His word in all of this? These are the questions that ramble through my head every minute of every day.
Then comes the stress that all of this puts our family in. Saying goodbye to things we once had joy in is hard, but knowing that we have to sell it just to replenish our depleted savings account is even harder. The mortgage consumed the savings account months ago, so something had to be done. It is even more depressing thinking that this house could have been our nest egg and then a failed market proved otherwise. There is the stress of deciding what will be sacrificed on the chopping block next. The stress of listing and coordinating everything. The continuous stress of seeing things go, and yet the house remains to be a burden. I begin to wonder if God has to strip us of the stuff inside the house first, in order to prepare us for the move.
There is a story in the Bible about a guy name Job. This guy had it all and lost it all. His children were killed as well as all of his livestock. His possessions were taken. His friends and wife turned against him. Even his health and own life was at stake. His whole world crashed around him, and yet he remained loyal and faithful to God. God allowed satin to commit all of these things on Job (but He did not give satin permission to take Job's life) in order to prove to satin that Job would remain faithful. Job remained and there was victory in God.
Lately, I have been comparing myself to Job. I have been wondering, "what's next"? Will I lose my children, my wife or my friends? Will I have the strength to remain faithful? I hope that I don't have to lose loved ones and that I will have the strength.
Only God knows what my future holds. I know that He has a plan for me/us. I know that He is protecting us from disaster. My job is to just trust Him and let Him lead. I am holding on to His word and His promise that there are greater treasures that He has in store for us, far greater than the ones that we have acquired on this earth on our own.
Peace!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Dunk Fest 2010 (VWS Style)
Once a year, our church has it's annual baptism celebration. It usually kicks off around ten in the morning and stretches into mid afternoon. With live music provided by Jon Price and group, and a cookout after wards, this is a celebration not to be missed. Last year around sixty people publicly gave their lives to Christ and I'm sure that there were probably close to that many this past Sunday as well.
My brother from another mother entered the water this year. Kelly Jackson came into my life just a little over a year ago. We were having a free car-wash at the church when this guy showed up in his minivan, thinking that he was just there to get his vehicle cleaned for free that day. God had other plans! My other brother, Steve Nixon, and I were introduced to Kelly and he told us that he was looking for group of Christian men to connect with. We invited him to our men's group and we prayed for him on the spot that day while bird poop and leaves were being removed from his car. Kelly informed me, just a few days before Sunday, that he was going to get baptized. That morning, he asked Steve and I if we would do the honor of baptizing him. My wife took some incredible pictures of the moment. As we invited the Holy Spirit and prayed over Kelly, our brother poured out his emotions and gave it all to God.
Take a look:
Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptism of Jesus
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
God painted the sky that evening, in a way that only He can create. His love is unfathomable and His mercy is endless. What a glorious day!
Peace!
My brother from another mother entered the water this year. Kelly Jackson came into my life just a little over a year ago. We were having a free car-wash at the church when this guy showed up in his minivan, thinking that he was just there to get his vehicle cleaned for free that day. God had other plans! My other brother, Steve Nixon, and I were introduced to Kelly and he told us that he was looking for group of Christian men to connect with. We invited him to our men's group and we prayed for him on the spot that day while bird poop and leaves were being removed from his car. Kelly informed me, just a few days before Sunday, that he was going to get baptized. That morning, he asked Steve and I if we would do the honor of baptizing him. My wife took some incredible pictures of the moment. As we invited the Holy Spirit and prayed over Kelly, our brother poured out his emotions and gave it all to God.Take a look:
Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptism of Jesus
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
God painted the sky that evening, in a way that only He can create. His love is unfathomable and His mercy is endless. What a glorious day!Peace!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
When I Grow Up . . .
For as long as I can remember I wanted to be an Architect. When I was a kid, I would sit and draw for hours. My favorite things to draw were cars and super hero characters, but mostly, I loved to draw floor plans to houses. I even bought magazines with house plan illustrations. I read though Architectural Digest and other books that pertained to the subject. Even my favorite classes in school were wood shop and art class because they allowed me to be creative.
My parents didn't make a lot of money during my childhood. My dad was a roofer and my mom stayed home to raise my brother and I. I remember meal tickets during my middle school years. We weren't poor by today's standards, but we weren't rich either. I didn't do very good in school. I mostly had a "C" average, with the occasional "D" in some subjects. Somehow, I knew when I entered high school, that I wasn't going to go very far after wards. My dad started talking about the military when I was a junior in high school. He and mom just simply couldn't afford to send me to college, and not having any achievements didn't help me much either. I pretty much buried the dream of being an architect when I was a senior. I figured I would just let the world determine my place and I would do my best at what ever I would become.
After high school, I entered the the U.S. Air Force in the Civil Engineering field. My job would be Liquid Fuels Mechanic which is basically a glorified gas station maintenance man. I was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The fuel system there was an out dated mechanical pump station that required a lot of maintenance, but was on the bottom of the funding list because of the base mission. We were a support base with no fighter aircraft, so most of the funding went to more important things. None the less, I still enjoyed my job and was just proud to be serving my country. After about a year of my enlistment, I started making friends in other career fields. One of my closest friends, David Cook, worked as a carpenter. He acknowledged my passion for construction and invited me to assist him in an off base project that he was working on. He was building a log house in the Sandia Mountains for his Pastor. This was no little cabin either. It was a 2,500 square foot home with a two car garage as well. If my memory serves me correctly, it took a little over four months to set all of the logs in place for the exterior walls of the house. This was in the late 80's, so pre-fab kits weren't in use yet. Once the shell of the home was raised, the interior walls were framed and the rest of the house was under roof within a couple of months. I remember how exhausting it was because most of the construction was done in the middle of the winter from sunup to sundown. Between the wind, cold temps and snow, winter's are brutal when you are in the valley of a mountain range. It was worth it though. This project gave me new vision and determination to do what ever it took to be a home builder/designer.
When I separated from active duty in the summer of '93, I transferred into the Air National Guard and enrolled into Cincinnati State's Architectural Engineering Program. Once I received my associates degree, I took a job with an engineering firm designing HVAC systems until I could get my feet in the door with an architectural firm. I spent my spare time studying house construction and designed floor plans of my own with my computer's CAD software. It wasn't long before I interviewed with a prominent architectural firm and was hired a drafter. Some of my accounts were Penn Station Restaurants, BW3's, Skyline Chili Restaurants and various warehouse projects as well. I loved my job at first, but that didn't last long. The company I worked for only had two other employees at the time, both of which were licensed architects. Within a year or two, the company added two more licensed associates. I longed to have some of the accounts that the other employees were given, but just didn't have the experience or the knowledge at the time. I began to grow bitter as I would spend ten or more hours a day at my computer doing design work that became repetitive and mundane to me. I wanted more! I wanted to get out in the field. I wanted to design and create things of my own.
I gave up on my dream of becoming an architect and made a career change into cabinetry construction. I worked for a couple of custom cabinetry shops for a few years before I decided to become a stay-at-home dad and start my own company as a side job. I have been doing my own thing now for the better part of ten years and have been blessed with the opportunity to create some really nice cabinetry for people; not to mention the friendships that I have established with those clients.
As this summer draws near it's end, my stay-at-home days will be over. Time for a new chapter in my life and time for some major career decisions. I am struggling with getting the work that I need to provide an income for my family. I am struggling with the thought of working for someone after being on my own for ten years. I still have a passion for architecture and I love building things with my own hands. I have even been considering going back into the Air Force to become a recruiter as a full time job and possibly doing some side work as a designer or a craftsman. If I did reenlist into the military, I would get all of my benefits back and I could retire in ten years. I feel very conflicted and scared, simply because I don't know what I should do or how to start doing it.
Here is a story I received in a devotion from my good friend, Jody Burgin. This story speaks volumes to my heart and gives me hope:
12 years and 14 operations later, Styer was back on his board - dancing across the tops of the waves with the help of a custom-made alloy brace that supports and strengthens his virtually useless knee. He even realized a lifelong dream and qualified for a professional surfing contest. These days, he relies on a wide array of measures to minimize the pain, including icing the knee, ultrasound, and physical therapy. And while he sleeps each night, he wears a neurostimulator that essentially blocks the electrical impulses that inform the brain of the pain in his knee.
My parents didn't make a lot of money during my childhood. My dad was a roofer and my mom stayed home to raise my brother and I. I remember meal tickets during my middle school years. We weren't poor by today's standards, but we weren't rich either. I didn't do very good in school. I mostly had a "C" average, with the occasional "D" in some subjects. Somehow, I knew when I entered high school, that I wasn't going to go very far after wards. My dad started talking about the military when I was a junior in high school. He and mom just simply couldn't afford to send me to college, and not having any achievements didn't help me much either. I pretty much buried the dream of being an architect when I was a senior. I figured I would just let the world determine my place and I would do my best at what ever I would become.
After high school, I entered the the U.S. Air Force in the Civil Engineering field. My job would be Liquid Fuels Mechanic which is basically a glorified gas station maintenance man. I was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The fuel system there was an out dated mechanical pump station that required a lot of maintenance, but was on the bottom of the funding list because of the base mission. We were a support base with no fighter aircraft, so most of the funding went to more important things. None the less, I still enjoyed my job and was just proud to be serving my country. After about a year of my enlistment, I started making friends in other career fields. One of my closest friends, David Cook, worked as a carpenter. He acknowledged my passion for construction and invited me to assist him in an off base project that he was working on. He was building a log house in the Sandia Mountains for his Pastor. This was no little cabin either. It was a 2,500 square foot home with a two car garage as well. If my memory serves me correctly, it took a little over four months to set all of the logs in place for the exterior walls of the house. This was in the late 80's, so pre-fab kits weren't in use yet. Once the shell of the home was raised, the interior walls were framed and the rest of the house was under roof within a couple of months. I remember how exhausting it was because most of the construction was done in the middle of the winter from sunup to sundown. Between the wind, cold temps and snow, winter's are brutal when you are in the valley of a mountain range. It was worth it though. This project gave me new vision and determination to do what ever it took to be a home builder/designer.
When I separated from active duty in the summer of '93, I transferred into the Air National Guard and enrolled into Cincinnati State's Architectural Engineering Program. Once I received my associates degree, I took a job with an engineering firm designing HVAC systems until I could get my feet in the door with an architectural firm. I spent my spare time studying house construction and designed floor plans of my own with my computer's CAD software. It wasn't long before I interviewed with a prominent architectural firm and was hired a drafter. Some of my accounts were Penn Station Restaurants, BW3's, Skyline Chili Restaurants and various warehouse projects as well. I loved my job at first, but that didn't last long. The company I worked for only had two other employees at the time, both of which were licensed architects. Within a year or two, the company added two more licensed associates. I longed to have some of the accounts that the other employees were given, but just didn't have the experience or the knowledge at the time. I began to grow bitter as I would spend ten or more hours a day at my computer doing design work that became repetitive and mundane to me. I wanted more! I wanted to get out in the field. I wanted to design and create things of my own.
I gave up on my dream of becoming an architect and made a career change into cabinetry construction. I worked for a couple of custom cabinetry shops for a few years before I decided to become a stay-at-home dad and start my own company as a side job. I have been doing my own thing now for the better part of ten years and have been blessed with the opportunity to create some really nice cabinetry for people; not to mention the friendships that I have established with those clients.
As this summer draws near it's end, my stay-at-home days will be over. Time for a new chapter in my life and time for some major career decisions. I am struggling with getting the work that I need to provide an income for my family. I am struggling with the thought of working for someone after being on my own for ten years. I still have a passion for architecture and I love building things with my own hands. I have even been considering going back into the Air Force to become a recruiter as a full time job and possibly doing some side work as a designer or a craftsman. If I did reenlist into the military, I would get all of my benefits back and I could retire in ten years. I feel very conflicted and scared, simply because I don't know what I should do or how to start doing it.
Here is a story I received in a devotion from my good friend, Jody Burgin. This story speaks volumes to my heart and gives me hope:
Brian Styer, wading in the shallow Pacific waters before a surfing session, had a life-altering encounter with a stingray. The stingray, with a wingspan estimated at 17 feet, fired its sharp barb through the surfer's left kneecap and out the back of his leg. For ten days, Styer, then 18, lay partially paralyzed, wondering if he would ever walk again. He did, after doctors removed a portion of the barb, declared him fit and released him.
But a sliver of the stingray's weaponry escaped detection and remained lodged in Styer's knee for more than a year. It caused fierce infection that invaded the surfer's entire leg, eroding muscle and bone. He nearly lost the limb.12 years and 14 operations later, Styer was back on his board - dancing across the tops of the waves with the help of a custom-made alloy brace that supports and strengthens his virtually useless knee. He even realized a lifelong dream and qualified for a professional surfing contest. These days, he relies on a wide array of measures to minimize the pain, including icing the knee, ultrasound, and physical therapy. And while he sleeps each night, he wears a neurostimulator that essentially blocks the electrical impulses that inform the brain of the pain in his knee.
Drawing upon Styer's story, let me ask you a couple of personal questions:
1. What is your "lifelong dream"? Down deep inside your head, what hidden goal do you long to achieve? Think. State it to yourself. Picture it in your mind. Breakthrough living calls for a few dreams that pull us toward them.
2. How is your loyalty to that dream? Be honest. Have you started slacking off? Allowed a few obstacles to weaken your determination?
The surfer story speaks for itself., If that guy will go through all that to accomplish his dream, what can I say? Bring on the stingrays, Lord!
I have had my fair share of stingray attacks and setbacks in life. I have made some good choices and some bad choices, but all in all, I know that everything that I have encountered on my path in life has happened for a reason. I am excavating the dreams that I've once envisioned. I am dreaming again and thinking about what I want to be when I grow up. Whatever the outcome over the next couple of months, I will be grateful for what ever God provides for me and I will accept my purpose for His cause. At only forty years young, who knows, maybe my lifelong dream of becoming an architect or becoming a successful craftsman will come true.
Peace!
I have had my fair share of stingray attacks and setbacks in life. I have made some good choices and some bad choices, but all in all, I know that everything that I have encountered on my path in life has happened for a reason. I am excavating the dreams that I've once envisioned. I am dreaming again and thinking about what I want to be when I grow up. Whatever the outcome over the next couple of months, I will be grateful for what ever God provides for me and I will accept my purpose for His cause. At only forty years young, who knows, maybe my lifelong dream of becoming an architect or becoming a successful craftsman will come true.
Peace!
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