Happy Birthday, Jay!

After running errands this morning, it was time to head out to the country and celebrate my brother in law's 40th birthday. Many family and friends gathered together for a BBQ dinner and 2 types of cake for dessert. Some of the attendees haven't been seen for 15 years, so as you can imagine, there was a lot of catching up to do.

The gaggle of kids enjoyed jumping on the trampoline, playing volleyball, horeseshoes and swimming in the creek out in the back yard. God's beauty was evident in many ways today.

Genesis 1:31 (New International Version)

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.



Good Night

Bring It, Paul!

As I sat in Willson Park today, eating my lunch with ear-buds in, I could almost hear Paul preaching right there next to me:

Romans 10:13-11:12 (English Standard Version)

13For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

14How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

18But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."

19But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, "I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry." 20Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, "I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me."

21But of Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people."

Romans 11

1I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 "Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." 4But what is God’s reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

7What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8as it is written,

"God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day."

9And David says, "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; 10let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever."

11So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

God Night

This About Sums It Up!

Romans 10:8-12 (Amplified Bible)

8But what does it say? The Word (God's message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is, the Word (the message, the basis and object) of faith which we preach,

9Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation.

11The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.

12[No one] for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. The same Lord is Lord over all [of us] and He generously bestows His riches upon all who call upon Him [in faith].

Let that sink in for a minute.

If you confess that Jesus is Lord, accept Him as savior, believe in who He is and what He has done, you'll be saved. Whoa. It doesn't get any clearer than that.

We can't earn it.

We don't deserve it.

But through His love and grace, salvation is a freely available gift that humanity would be foolish not to accept.

Good Night

Do We Really Live This Way?

Romans 8:28-31 (New International Version)

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Think about it. If we truly lived as though God "had our back" in each of life's situations, how different would we live our lives? What risks would we take? What opportunities would we not let pass us by?

Good Night

Clean, Baby!

For the last couple of days (and presuming the next two) my wife and I have been working by day and then cleaning up the kids' rooms while doing musical chairs with bedroom furniture.

It's been exhausting, but well worth it!





The other day, you got to see our eldest son's room once we went through it. Now, take a peek at the 'clean' version of the other rooms. It might not seem like much, but you can see the floor! They aren't perfect, but they no longer represent the definition of "pit".

Thank you Lord, for the responsibility of owning a home, the freedom to clean it and the resources to share pictures of it with family and friends who aren't local. Help us to remember that we're truly blessed, even when it feels like we aren't. Amen.

Good Night

I Love You

I just wanted to let all of my family and friends know that I love them. You know who you are. ;)

Good Night

Please Pray For My Family

Tonight, I learned that our finances were in more of a dire state than I'd feared. For a month or two now, I've let my obsessive grip on the checking account and credit cards go- only to learn tonight that I'm over my limit on a card- and obviously funds are low at the end of the month in the checking account anyway. My heart sank. It's not like I'm out buying toys, but groceries when the cabinets are bare, or fixing our truck.

I'm trying not to stress out completely. Normally in this situation, I'd take control and sell off things I don't absolutely need. Then, through ultimate tyranny, try to stop up any and all spending of capital. I'd also consider cutting off things like television, etc. Not that frugality is bad; it's just really easy to take it to the "next level" when things look grim. We need a plan and sacrifices are likely required, but it's possible to overcome financial shortfalls with discipline and balance.

My wife and I are planning on working on the situation; tightening up the belt and she's going to try and gain some more hours at work to perform some damage control. It's going to be a rough time, as there is school around the corner and all of the expenses that go along with it.

Mostly, we need God's partnership in getting over this hurdle. I know God doesn't have a credit issue in Heaven, nor does he have a light bill he can't pay. There's no poverty in Heaven, so I'm praying that He helps us out and strengthens our finances (and helps keep all of the unforeseen debts at bay that like to steal our money).

Good Night

Welcome Home!

After staying up entirely too late last night, I found myself fighting to stay asleep at 9:00 AM. My wife convinced me to get moving, with the necessity of assisting our friend move into her new place (and the promise of having Starbucks for breakfast was alluring).

After a quick jaunt to the store, we assisted our friend. It was awesome; so much better than her last home. This new pad was classy, spacious and we hope she forms many new happy memories there, as recollections of her past dwelling slip quietly behind her.

After she went through the fire (literally) this month, the Lord has steadily brought her through the restoration process. In many ways, her new beginning leaves her better off than she was before. He is a good God!

As we were leaving for the day. we took a picture of her pool. How refreshing that will be on a ninety degree day!



Revelation 21:1-5

1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

5He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Isaiah 61:2-4 (New International Version)

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

Once home, the kids dug into video games and lunch, while my wife and I worked on our eldest son's room. He returns home from camp tomorrow and we've been busy refreshing his digs while he was out of town, so it's "appropriate" for a teenage man-child. Gone are the loathsome bunk beds and trashy foldaway table for his television. We think his room turned out pretty well and we hope he really likes what we've done with the place. One thing's for certain; it's a lot cleaner now, than when he left!





A common theme tonight? God brings restoration to his children. If you're experiencing hardships right now, stay faithful! Help is coming!

Good Night

TGIF!

I look forward to having a productive, yet relaxing weekend and hope you'll do the same. It will be a time of getting chores done and "recharging the batteries of the soul".

There's a lot to do around the house and we're looking forward to having our son come home from camp. God Bless,

Good Night

Does This Sound Like The World Today?

After hearing this Daily Audio Bible podcast, God put it on my heart that this country and most of the world is as described below. Moral decay is as pervasive now, as it was when these words of Paul were being penned. Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Romans 3:10-18 (New International Version)

10As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." 13"Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The poison of vipers is on their lips." 14"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness." 15"Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16ruin and misery mark their ways, 17and the way of peace they do not know." 18"There is no fear of God before their eyes."

Good Night

It's Time to Regroup Again

I so need this tonight.

Psalm 23 (New International Version)

A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Good Night

Happy Birthday, Punkinseed!

15 years ago today, our eldest son was born. Happy Birthday, son!

Good Night

Do You Have A Dream?

Has God put something in your heart that you feel you're supposed to do? Have you had an idea to do something that may come off as folly to some, but the idea of doing it keeps resurfacing months, or years later? Are you at some level certain you're supposed to live or do something perhaps different than what you're presently doing now?

For years, I've been wanting to run my own business. I've run from idea to idea, but nothing seemed so certain as to prompt me to take action. I've never been so sure of what I was supposed to do, but I knew that one day, I was supposed to take the step toward launching and running a company. Not knowing a direction, however, has hindered me for years.

As I get older and priorities begin to shift, it's not even about the money that could potentially be made from a successful business. Surely, I'd love to afford more of the luxuries in life and be able to provide for my family at a higher level. But the thrust of running a company is multifaceted for me, and surprisingly has little to do with lining my pocketbook.

I now view a business as a means to provide for my family and to provide a service to future employees and their families. After hard work and investment, it's about building subsystems that can run on their own, or with other capable hands. It's a launchpad to begin other businesses and to redirect proceeds to community building programs in a very transparent manner. I hope to create innovative, affordable products, which people can feel good about purchasing.

I pray that this proverb is for me. What's your dream?

Proverbs 16:9 (New International Version)

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Good Night

Sunday Night

Alas, a new work week begins tomorrow morning. Leisure time is through and it'll soon be time to get back to the grind for another five days. I'm looking forward to taking my own advice and applying myself wholeheartedly to my work and every other opportunity that crosses my path this week. I pray you will do the same.



The highlight of the evening tonight was an iChat session with my dear brother. We do this a couple of times per month, spending sometimes an hour or more just chatting about the happenings of our lives, what's new in the Tech world and then we tend to goof off. Tonight was just such a session. My wife, our friend and my brother and me were all chatting, giggling and making faces- it was a blast. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time and I really needed it tonight.

I hope that you've had a great weekend with family and friends, or at least enjoyed a phone call or iChat session like we did. God bless you.

Good Night

Wake Up

It was funny. In the aftermath of the sleepover birthday party for my son last night and earlier today, sleep was minimal and we'd become very tired this afternoon. After an early dinner at our favorite place, Annette's, we'd all anticipated pushing through church tonight, so we could come home and go to sleep! I wasn't savoring the day anymore; I was pushing to end the day.

At church, I found myself watching the countdown to worship and realized that as each second ticked away, that was a second I'd never get back. Then it was a minute I'd never get back. Finally, five minutes had passed by and I'd never get them back!



Then I started thinking about all of the time I've wasted in my lifetime, doing things that really don't matter or that don't add value to my life or the lives of others. That equates to many wasted hours, minutes and seconds that I'll never get back.

When our pastor began his message tonight, one of the main topics in Ephesians rang out like a bell.

Ephesians 5:15-21 (New International Version)

15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.



In other words: Stop wasting time doing things that are wrong, immature or that don't matter at all. Be thankful and build each other up in spirit. Live as Jesus does.

So, Get Busy!

Good Night

TGIF Again!

I'm certain it sounds a bit like a broken record; thankful on Friday and tired on Monday. True as it may be, I'm still thankful that the work week has finally wound down! I'm also thankful that the report I've been struggling to completely renovate was finally refreshed and the draft submitted to my supervisor for review. God really had to hold me by the hand for that one.

Tonight, my eldest son has about 5-6 friends over for a pre-birthday party. He's turning 15 on Tuesday and then heads off for camp for a few days, so we're letting him go all out tonight and tomorrow. Our house is full of pizza, junk food, kids, and games (and potent smells) for the next 24 hours or so.

Thank you, Lord for the freedom and ability to relax and goof off with family and friends during these special occasions, Amen.

Good Night

Thank You God for Being Faithful!

I just wanted to tell you that the Lord has answered our prayers and has brought my uncle Victor back home. He called my mother today and filled her in on the situation. Although I didn't receive many details from my mom, it turns out that there were unexpected diversions coming back into the United States and he's changed cell phones, which explains the lack of contact over this past week.

For all of you who prayed, thank you- really.

Tonight, as my wife and I were driving home from the grocery store, a friend of one of my sons happened to be walking home; we passed him and waved as we drove down our connecting street. We didn't think much of it; he had been at our house with the intent to play, but was returning home because we weren't present to greet him.

About two hours later, a man pulled up in the driveway looking for the boy. It was his grandfather. I'd never met the man in person, but had spoken to him on the phone. His voice was quiet, but his words were clear: "Have you seen Ben?" he said. "We were expecting him home and we thought he'd be down here." I was shocked. The boy had been to our place, but for all we knew, he was walking home a couple of hours earlier. With one more hopeful stop on his mind, Ben's grandfather drove away.

After about 20 minutes, we called Ben's grandfather (they live a few blocks away) to follow up and see if the lad had been found. Thankfully, he had been at another friends house. He'd gone to visit someone else after visiting our house, instead of going straight home. I'm sure Ben is currently being punished, but in spite of this, we're so thankful that the Lord kept him safe.

These are two real-world examples of people who were away from home in unknown conditions, yet were covered by God's protection and were brought home safely. Thank you, Jesus! In Acts 27, we'll read about the protection received by Paul and others, amidst a shipwreck. What a great example of the providence of the Lord!


Acts 27:27-44 (New International Version)

The Shipwreck

27On the fourteenth night we were still being driven across the Adriatic[a] Sea, when about midnight the sailors sensed they were approaching land. 28They took soundings and found that the water was a hundred and twenty feet[b] deep. A short time later they took soundings again and found it was ninety feet[c] deep. 29Fearing that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30In an attempt to escape from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea, pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow. 31Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." 32So the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall away.

33Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. "For the last fourteen days," he said, "you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food—you haven't eaten anything. 34Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head." 35After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grain into the sea.

39When daylight came, they did not recognize the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach, where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40Cutting loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time untied the ropes that held the rudders. Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach. 41But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf.

42The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. 43But the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. 44The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety.

Good Night

Good Night

It's pretty late and I'm getting to the keyboard later than usual. Nothing much new today, other than the Lord helping me through a report at work which I've been stressing over and struggling to complete. Hopefully tomorrow, His grace will guide me through to completion, so it will be ready to hand in.

Until tomorrow night, God bless you!

Good Night

God Is Up To Something

There are many things going on in my life right now. Little signs here and there and then some not-so-subtle hints that the winds are shifting. God is up to something. Change is on the way and I'm uncertain of exactly what it entails.

As the Holy Spirit leads me through what I believe is a season of change, it will be important to remember that I need to let go and fully let God have access to all avenues of my life. If I'm willing to wholly surrender to Him and trust that His heart is good and right, only then will the fullness of a life based in Christ be realized. What are you willing to give up, so that you can truly follow Christ?

It's scary sometimes to think about what you could lose in the process, isn't it? Would you give up your home? Your car? Finances? Friends or family? Often we don't fully trust that the Lord cares about such things- or that collateral damage will result if we give ourselves over to God. Maybe we don't really believe He exists in some level of our belief system. Maybe we've been burned by human relationships, therefore we don't trust Him completely. We place ourselves back into the drivers seat and potentially risk missing out on God's intended life for us, because we think we can do a better job. Maybe we're making excuses, or waiting for the "right time" to let go. However, at some point in our Christian walk we need to move from simply acknowledging God, to believing and trusting in Him wholeheartedly in every area of our lives.

In a podcast from a few days ago, Brian Hardin spoke about a group of farmers which gathered together in Africa to start a pineapple processing plant. You see, this group of farmers had historically sold their raw pineapples to a third party processor. The processor in turn made juice and other products at a profit, while the farmers and their families barely earned a living.

In coming to together, these farmers were very proud of the first processing machine, which launched their new business. It was a simple blender. Here is a group of impoverished people, banding together, starting a business- with a blender! They followed the instructions that the Holy Spirit placed upon their hearts and they never waited for optimal conditions to materialize. The heard the call of the Lord and they went for it without excuse and few resources. God showed up and the rest is history. Those farmers now operate a small, four room processing plant, but they're making a difference in their communities.

I'm at that crossroad tonight. I choose to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God and the guidance of established, Christian mentors. Even if I look like an idiot to the world for doing so, I choose to follow Christ.

Lord Have Mercy.

Good Night

Please Pray For My Family

Please pray for my uncle Victor, whom works on a ship and was supposed to come home on July 5th. He hasn't arrived yet and his cellular phone seems to be disconnected. The family wants anyone and everyone who is willing to please pray for his safety. Please pray that he will find access to a telephone and let the family know he's alright.

I also ask that you continue to pray with us for our dear friend whom recently lost her apartment (and contents) in a fire last week. We pray that all of the processes for moving forward with her life, finding a new home and rebuilding are met with blessings.

Do you Remember the '80's group Mr. Mister? They were pretty cool back in the day and tonight, the Daily Audio Bible tacked on the song "Kyrie" to the end of the podcast I was listening to. For well over 20 years, I've been cranking that song and singing along every time it aired on the radio. However, tonight I learned that the term "kyrie eleison" means "Lord have mercy". This was a really popular rock song, which for all intents and purposes, is a prayer. Awesome!

Kyrie - Mr. Mister

The wind blows hard against this mountainside
Across the sea into my soul
It reaches into where I cannot hide
Setting my feet upon the road

My heart is old it holds my memories
My body burns a gemlike flame
Somewhere between the soul and soft machine
Is where I find myself again

Kyrie Eleison
Down the road that I must travel
Kyrie Eleison
Through the darkness of the night
Kyrie Eleison
Where I'm going will you follow
Kyrie Eleison
On a highway in the light

When I was young I thought of growing old
Of what my life would mean to me
Would I have followed down my chosen road
Or only wished what I could be

Kyrie Eleison
Down the road that I must travel
Kyrie Eleison
Through the darkness of the night
Kyrie Eleison
Where I'm going will you follow
Kyrie Eleison
On a highway in the light

Good Night

The Beach (Day Trip)

Before we set sail into another work week, my family simply had to get out of town for a bit today. Other than my daughter's horseback riding lessons in the morning, the day was open to us. It was going to be near ideal temperatures in Lincoln City and we hadn't gone for a day trip to the beach in about 2 years. It was long overdue.

We began by fueling up for lunch at Cafe 22, which is located on the highway out of town. They have wonderful breakfasts and the fruit is fresh, so it seemed like a great place to eat today. My wife and I had eaten there before, but we'd never taken the kiddos. It was a hit.



After lunch, we piled back into the truck and headed off to the coast. Once there, we jockeyed around for a parking space and by the grace of God, we found one. After sauntering down to the sand, I spread out a blanket which served as "home base" while my wife took pictures and the kids played in the water and on the sand. Several seashells were collected and one of my sons actually rescued a sea urchin that had washed into shallow waters!

After a couple of hours, it was time to head off to dinner and then souvenir shopping. Now, anyone who really knows a thing or two about the Oregon Coast, knows that one of the only places to eat is "Mo's". If you like clam chowder, this is your diner. A round of cheeseburgers and fries was had by the boys, while my wife enjoyed an Oregon Bay Ship sandwich. My daughter and I each had a decent helping of the tasty clam chowder.





Once dinner had finished, the kids wanted to hijack a few packages of saltines from Mo's, so they could walk out on the docks and feed the seagulls. Evidently this is done all the time, because when the dinner rush is in full swing, there are many seagulls just waiting for their treats as well. Remember "Mine?" from the movie Finding Nemo? It was just like that.



After an hours' trek home and some showering to remove the buckets of sand in our hair, we're finally settling down for some quality shuteye before starting the daily grind all over again tomorrow.

Thank you Jesus, that you give us the freedom to go out and enjoy your creations; to go out as a family and laugh, love and live together. Amen.

Good Night

Life's Funny Sometimes

Warning, some content may be offensive. That is, if you do not have a genuine sense of humor or are easily offended, please consider skipping the clip.

Do you ever wonder if God has a sense of humor? In some churches, such a question may be shunned or discouraged. Some may think that the Lord is sedate, while others may believe that the Lord feels all of the same emotions we do, because we were made in his image.

I fall into the latter group.

If you look around in the world, you'll find traces of God's humor in many things; from the duck-billed platypus, to the strange sights of plants gone wrong, you can almost hear God laughing. It's good to laugh- it helps to heal the mind and soul.



God also expresses his sense of humor through his children. Tonight at dinner, there were several interesting and funny tales shared. Hanging out with my wife and our friend afterward brought some pretty decent laughs as well; some of which were on the "racy" side.

Does God have a sense of humor? You bet He does.

Good Night

Another TGIF!

It's been a long week, in spite of the truncated work week due to the 4th of July. State agencies including ours actually closed on the 5th in observance of the Federal Holiday. Although it was only four days long, this week was fortified with enough energy to fill 2 normal weeks. I'm so very thankful that it's over.

A weekend break is nigh.

It's in times of trouble, when the bottom has fallen out that we need to take stock of the situation from a Godly perspective. If He brings you to something, He'll bring you through it as well. Stay strong and don't lose heart!

Romans 5:3-5 (New International Version)

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

James 1:2-4 (New International Version)

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Good Night

Time To Count Blessings

After feeling quite sorry for myself a couple of days ago- only to have a dear friend experience a genuine loss, I'd say an alignment is required. Here goes:

1. I am thankful that I'm alive.
2. I'm grateful to be an American citizen, who has the luxury of taking my freedom for granted.
3. Thank you Lord for my beautiful, caring and loving wife who understands me.
4. Thanks for my four wonderful, God-fearing children.
5. I appreciate our church and all who work or volunteer there.
6. I'm thankful that no matter what a situation looks like today, it could all change for the better tomorrow.

Most importantly, I'm thankful that God loves me. Thank you for being my savior, Jesus.

John 3:16 (Amplified Bible)

For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

Good Night

Full House Tonight

This day started out as any other, but by the end of the night, we have a house full of friends and family. My eldest son had arranged to have a friend over for the night, as he (the friend, not my son) is going to be moving to Portland in about a month. It was all set to go after my two eldest sons got home from youth group.

Then the phone rang. A dear friend of ours was in trouble. Evidently a house fire above the apartment broke out and was threatening the safety of the tenants and their pets. I've been there; living through a house fire in 1992. It's pretty disturbing, seeing that your life is in danger. Tonight, my wife was on the scene with our friend, providing support where needed while I held down the fort with the kids.

Rough night. However, I'm thankful that all of our friend's pets were located and are safe. The apartment also seems to be spared, so as she stays over tonight and gathers her thoughts and plans, we hope to assist in helping get things back on track.

God is good. From a packed house in Salem, I bid you Good Night.

An Answered Prayer

Tonight, I wanted to convey that a need I prayed about last night has already been met. A dear friend of the family decided to sew into the lives of our kids and help with our church camp expenses this summer. I was really worried about this and now that worry has been diminished.

Thank you, Jesus!

This is further proof that when you pray to the Lord, He hears you. Sometimes the answered prayers take the form of something unexpected and arrive from the most unexpected of sources.

There are no coincidences.

Good Night

Obligatory Entry

It's almost 11:00 PM and I'm wiped out. I Other than serving at church this weekend, I've not done much in the way of reading or listening to the Bible. It's beginning to show- so thank the Lord I'll be back in the swing of things while commuting tomorrow morning.

Without regular, full exposure to God, I feel like I'm starving to death spiritually. When I'm not reading about, or talking to God, my attitude will sour and all hope for anything positive goes out the window. I need Jesus to survive and that's no joke!

Our guest pastor this weekend stressed the importance of praying scripture and journaling our prayers so that when they're answered, we don't write it off as circumstantial. Here goes:

Lord Jesus, you know us inside and out. You understand our ways of thinking and our motives for doing (or not doing) things. The way we feel about our earthly relationships and the feelings we harbor are in plain sight to you. In James, you say that we have not because we ask for things with improper motives. For those times, I deeply apologize.

Lord, you know we have some serious financial obligations upon us, and we're facing reduced work hours and lack of funds to accomplish the things we need and want to do. This lack of funds and abundance of stress is causing a domino affect in other areas, which you well know. Relationships are straining and a general feeling of hopelessness is setting in. Please come through for us financially, so we can have our trim painted before winter harms the bare wood on our home. Please come through to help perform maintenance on our car, before other issues arise that are beyond our ability to resolve. Please come through for us, so that our kids can attend church camp and I can attend the Men's retreat this fall. Please help with the purchase of school clothes and supplies. Please guide me in the shortcomings in my relationships- so that I can step into your will for my life. Amen.

Good Night

Happy Independence Day!

Have a safe and happy 4th of July, everyone! God bless you and God bless America! Good Night.

234 Years Ago Tonight...

The United States of America was about to be born. A great country, led by God-fearing men and women. The blessings we've enjoyed for these past 2 centuries has no doubt been because of God's favor upon the USA.

God Bless America.

As Independence Day rolls around in a few short hours, enjoy your backyard BBQ's, s'mores and fireworks with family and friends, but don't forget it's freedom that makes it all possible. Freedom wasn't (and isn't) free. As a citizen, it's your right to be free, but it's the sacrifices of others that paved the way for personal liberty.

Good Night

I'm Very Proud Of My Sons

Today, our boys met up with a family friend at our local Starbucks. They had their Bibles in tow and S.O.A.P. was on the agenda. The deal was if they showed up, our friend would buy drinks and they would all have a great time in their devotions.


S write down the portion of scripture you will journal on. This is usually a short section that you have underlined or marked as you were reading.
O write down your observations on the passage
A write down how you will apply this passage to your life today.
P write down a prayer to God about your experience today

I'm very proud of my sons. I truly love seeing all three of them spending time in the Word and talking about the lessons, stories and proverbs within it. I hope that the Lord calls each one of them to His purposes (and that they're ready to listen). God has certainly blessed me with such fine, upstanding young men.

Psalm 127:4 (New International Version)

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.

Psalm 128:3 (New International Version)

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.

And for the proud grandparents who may be reading...

Proverbs 17:6 (New International Version)

Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

Good Night

Empty Again...

Despite listening to Daily Audio Bible podcasts, I find myself coming up empty tonight.

To try and get some perspective, let's read the following together, out loud:

Psalm 147:1-20 (Amplified Bible)

1PRAISE THE Lord! For it is good to sing praises to our God, for He is gracious and lovely; praise is becoming and appropriate.

2The Lord is building up Jerusalem; He is gathering together the exiles of Israel.

3He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows].

4He determines and counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by their names.

5Great is our Lord and of great power; His understanding is inexhaustible and boundless.

6The Lord lifts up the humble and downtrodden; He casts the wicked down to the ground.

7Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praises with the harp or the lyre to our God!--

8Who covers the heavens with clouds, Who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.

9He gives to the beast his food, and to the young ravens that for which they cry.

10He delights not in the strength of the horse, nor does He take pleasure in the legs of a man.

11The Lord takes pleasure in those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy and loving-kindness.

12Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!

13For He has strengthened and made hard the bars of your gates, and He has blessed your children within you.

14He makes peace in your borders; He fills you with the finest of the wheat.

15He sends forth His commandment to the earth; His word runs very swiftly.

16He gives [to the earth] snow like [a blanket of] wool; He scatters the hoarfrost like ashes.

17He casts forth His ice like crumbs; who can stand before His cold?

18He sends out His word, and melts [ice and snow]; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow.

19He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His ordinances to Israel.

20He has not dealt so with any [other] nation; they have not known (understood, appreciated, given heed to, and cherished) His ordinances. Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

Good Night