Tuesday, June 30, 2009

"Oh no, I would never leave him"

This statement came from Mrs. Bailey. She was describing the final days of her husbands life. They are dear friends and have been married for 65 years this July.

We were discussing the long nights in the hospital and the lack of sleep, but when asked if she would come home and rest she said, "Oh no, I would never leave him". It wasn't an arrogant statement, it wasn't a guilty statement. Being with Kenny like that was just like being at home. There was no better place than WITH HIM!

While there is much more to the story, I am stopping here because all I need to know is found in her simple words. I look forward to growing old with you Lori!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Decisions, decisions

Lori and I were hiking yesterday morning. (Before I go any further, let me just say that my wife is amazing. She loves being outside and loves to exercise, I am lucky to have a woman like her in my life. I love you Lori.) Okay, so we were discussing a decision regarding a vehicles. We are going to buy a newer car for our family. After we decided to buy a newer car, we need to discuss the future of our current vehicles. Do we keep them both, sell one, give one away and many other thoughts?

What do we do? How do we decide? We pray and seek God for direction. Now I am beginning to think that Wisdom is earned through the process like we are going through. So, we will pray, talk and make the best choice we can. Hopefully, it's a wise choice that helps us, helps others and honors God.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Ephesians 2:11-15 says...

11Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)— 12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.

Verse 14 jumped off the pages to me yesterday. It says, "For he himself is our peace". Meaning that another part of Jesus' coming was to bring peace between those who are trying to follow God. Formerly it was the Israelites who were God's people and with Jesus' arrival that spread to "gentiles" as well and Jesus was bringing peace between both groups.

Is in any different today? There is different theology that helps people understand God better and sometimes those differences create a divide. Perhaps, we could hear these words and allow them to make a change in the divide of our relationships. Afterall, many people on both sides have the same goal to know and follow God.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Sacred Life

On Saturday afternoon, a friend of ours fell during a climbing accident. At the time, he was alone and was found by emergency services after 3+ hours. The first responders estimated his fall at 40 feet. Basically, he could have died on site!

Well, it's early Monday morning and Dan is struggling against his own body and injuries. He is a fighter and clearly wants to survive, but his injuries are very severe.

As I saw him in ICU yesterday, I was amazed! I continue to pray that this part of Dan's life would be the best part! I pray that he will not only survive, but thrive and use this part of his life to teach others about overcoming difficulty. Join me and say a prayer for Dan!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

I get mad when

I get mad when people don't take responsibility for what they do. It seems that they are never at fault and what they do is always someone else's issue.

I get mad when I see all these class action lawsuits advertised on TV. Apparently the way to beat a recession is to file suit against a company for a product.

I get mad when I hear insurance companies refusing to pay for the stupid people they insure and filing suit against someone else's insurance company.

I get mad when the best way to settle the debt you owe (money you spent) is to file bankruptcy and make the problem go away (refer to my first entry).

Most I get mad at these because at times this has been me over the years. Selfish, blaming, lazy or a person who will take advantage of the system.

Monday, June 1, 2009

Love and generosity

I visited a great church yesterday in Phoenix. They had taken up a special offering for the camp and wanted to present it to someone! As I sat in the first service (more traditional) it was very clear that this group of people loved each other and reached out to me!

In the second service (more contemporary) there was the same feeling! The make up of each service was different from the outside. On a basic level, one service was "older" than the other, but he same spirit of love and generosity flowed through both!

Congrats Desert Christian Fellowship on being a body of believers who loves each other, cares about the needs of people and is willing to sacrifice to help. Keep up the good work. It inspires me to do more!