It's Sunday morning and we have been gone in CA for the two previous sundays. In short, it's the first Sunday after the church we used to attend closed!
So, we will head to a local church this morning at 9am and try it. I hate the church shopping thing, but I find myself doing it for our children and a place where we can connect with others for Sunday mornings. We continue to be involved with a group of Christ Followers on Sunday nights and that will likely be our deepest connection and place of study and growth!
Cheers to another journey beginning!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Looking ahead
So much of life is like this picture above Tye and I are riding the Virgin River Rim Trail and at the time of the shot over 9,000 feet up! We are looking South into Bryce Canyon!
In a small way our lives are like this snapshot. We see what is likely ahead, but the twists and turns of life are really not that visible. In truth, we don't know what is around the next corner. Cancer or some other illness? Trouble with our children or parents? Broken relationships, financial issues and too many other things to name here.
Regardless of your position about Jesus Christ, I for one, am following Him. He is teaching me more about loving people today than ever before. So, if you read this and have issues that make you question God's role in your life- Good! Call me and I will walk with you through it.
I don't have answers to much, I won't judge your position or circumstances, but I am willing to get "dirty" with you as you try to sort through your life. I would honestly just like to be your friend. Heaven knows we need more good one's in our life.
I love you!
In a small way our lives are like this snapshot. We see what is likely ahead, but the twists and turns of life are really not that visible. In truth, we don't know what is around the next corner. Cancer or some other illness? Trouble with our children or parents? Broken relationships, financial issues and too many other things to name here.
Regardless of your position about Jesus Christ, I for one, am following Him. He is teaching me more about loving people today than ever before. So, if you read this and have issues that make you question God's role in your life- Good! Call me and I will walk with you through it.
I don't have answers to much, I won't judge your position or circumstances, but I am willing to get "dirty" with you as you try to sort through your life. I would honestly just like to be your friend. Heaven knows we need more good one's in our life.
I love you!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Fires, fires everywhere
I am currently in Ponderosa Basin (near Mariposa, CA). We are staying with Lori's parents and the kids having a family vacation. As I look outside this morning the smoke is terrible. The cool night has brought the smoke down, but later today as the temp rises, so will the smoke.
Yesterday we drove up a mountain road about 2 miles from the house to see the fire burning. It's crazy to watch as these hillsides smoke and flames leap high into the air! We are in no danger at this time, but we have had many thoughts about evacuating with her parents. All is well, and God is certainly still in charge!
Hopefully we will not have a "fiery furnace" escape in our future!
Yesterday we drove up a mountain road about 2 miles from the house to see the fire burning. It's crazy to watch as these hillsides smoke and flames leap high into the air! We are in no danger at this time, but we have had many thoughts about evacuating with her parents. All is well, and God is certainly still in charge!
Hopefully we will not have a "fiery furnace" escape in our future!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
6 Dave's, full flight and a hot night, Part 2
So, we just meet this guy at the airport and head back to his apartment. It's about 105 in Pasadena and we are heading for a birthday party with about 30 people we have never met. The birthday party is for Dave (the airport guy) that we have known for about 20 minutes!
We have a great time with the group and end up back in the apartment (which is about 800 sq/ft) and there is no room. It's sweltering heat upstairs so it looks like a rough night. The apartment was too small to have us crash on the floor so we end up on the floor in an empty apartment, however the was two window A/C units...probably saved our lives.
After a short night of sleep a homemade breakfast, we were back to the airport and I was still wearing the same clothes (I sent my other stuff with Lori). No shower and looking good, we made it through security and home at last.
Needless to say, I spent the remainder of my day on the couch...drooling!
We have a great time with the group and end up back in the apartment (which is about 800 sq/ft) and there is no room. It's sweltering heat upstairs so it looks like a rough night. The apartment was too small to have us crash on the floor so we end up on the floor in an empty apartment, however the was two window A/C units...probably saved our lives.
After a short night of sleep a homemade breakfast, we were back to the airport and I was still wearing the same clothes (I sent my other stuff with Lori). No shower and looking good, we made it through security and home at last.
Needless to say, I spent the remainder of my day on the couch...drooling!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
6 Dave's, full flight and a hot night
Dave and I were flying from Burbank, CA to Phoenix, AZ yesterday. The plane was too heavy to take off so they asked for volunteers to stay overnight. We thought we could grab a hotel and "no big deal"...or so we thought.
All Burbank hotels were sold out. We could not reach any of my local friends and the floor in the airport began to look more appealing. Dave had contacted a girl from another camp that we had brought to Burbank earlier that day. She asked her sister and brother in law if we could stay with them on the floor. So, Dave (Nikki's brother-in-law) came to the airport to pick us up!
I will finish the story tomorrow, so stay tuned.
All Burbank hotels were sold out. We could not reach any of my local friends and the floor in the airport began to look more appealing. Dave had contacted a girl from another camp that we had brought to Burbank earlier that day. She asked her sister and brother in law if we could stay with them on the floor. So, Dave (Nikki's brother-in-law) came to the airport to pick us up!
I will finish the story tomorrow, so stay tuned.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Help! With NO answers!
I found myself sitting in a coffee shop yesterday in Ojai, CA. It's a small town not far from the coast and it has a little of the Sedona, AZ feel to it! I liked the quaint downtown and the coffee was great.
The purpose of my visit was to meet a vendor that camp has worked with for years. We have created many shirts, bottles and other products over the years, but I have never met Russ in person. Yesterday would be that day!
We began talking about business, but things quickly moved to the recent death of his wife of 35 years. It was heartbreaking listening to a man talk about the loss in his life, but it's compounded with additional loss. A journey like his (dealing with a death) is unique and very difficult. Many have tried to be helpful, but at times it feels like their help brings more guilt. Their suggestions to be in church or to have "enough" faith strike further blows!
He is "mad as hell" at times, and I would be too! Perhaps the best thing any of us can do is, listen and try not to sound stupid or knowledgeable! I found myself understanding his pain, his lack of church attendance (too many memories), but encouraging his continued pursuit of God! Life is never easy and then things like this happen that really bring turmoil. How you deal with those in your life says a lot about your faith in Jesus. Be loving and don't try to have all the answers! Thats' my best encouragement for you!
The purpose of my visit was to meet a vendor that camp has worked with for years. We have created many shirts, bottles and other products over the years, but I have never met Russ in person. Yesterday would be that day!
We began talking about business, but things quickly moved to the recent death of his wife of 35 years. It was heartbreaking listening to a man talk about the loss in his life, but it's compounded with additional loss. A journey like his (dealing with a death) is unique and very difficult. Many have tried to be helpful, but at times it feels like their help brings more guilt. Their suggestions to be in church or to have "enough" faith strike further blows!
He is "mad as hell" at times, and I would be too! Perhaps the best thing any of us can do is, listen and try not to sound stupid or knowledgeable! I found myself understanding his pain, his lack of church attendance (too many memories), but encouraging his continued pursuit of God! Life is never easy and then things like this happen that really bring turmoil. How you deal with those in your life says a lot about your faith in Jesus. Be loving and don't try to have all the answers! Thats' my best encouragement for you!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Team, the Beach and 150 kids
Yesterday at camp was beach day. 150 students and adults from camp piled (crammed) into buses for the 11 mile journey down to the beach in Ventura. We arrived about 2pm and left about 8:30pm. We ate, played, surfed, roasted marshmallows, sang and heard Anthony speak right there at the beach.
There is something very powerful about people gathered in the name of Jesus singing songs to Him and watching the sun go down over the ocean. Very cool!
So the whole event was amazing, but it's most amazing because of the Forest Home Staff and Dave McMurray. Together this team of people have created an atmosphere where kids will have fun and be challenged by Jesus. It's been an amazing few days and we still have 1 to go!
There is something very powerful about people gathered in the name of Jesus singing songs to Him and watching the sun go down over the ocean. Very cool!
So the whole event was amazing, but it's most amazing because of the Forest Home Staff and Dave McMurray. Together this team of people have created an atmosphere where kids will have fun and be challenged by Jesus. It's been an amazing few days and we still have 1 to go!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)