The decline of posting

The buttonless buttons that an iPhone has combined with the "wonderful" auto correction. Makes it difficult to communicate what I want to say when I want to say it...donut (that is an autocorrected word for "so it" when you miss the space.) so it just don't get said. It really takes too much work. I think I am going to try dictating them in dragon and see if that's better...

How is everyone?

Haven't blogged in a while. Too much going on and I've been too lazy. Looking to get back in the swing of things!

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Pray log

I thought I might start using this to keep a journal on my prayer life:

1.       My mom and dad

2.       My wife

3.       M – strength for her day to overcome shortcomings

4.       L – focus, diligence, strength in the Lord

5.       C – direction, diligence, to continue becoming a warrior for Christ

6.       LE – organization, continue to grow in her sweet spirit

7.       J – decision making, love for his brothers and sisters

8.       JD – humility, continue to grow in strength and confidence, laziness

9.       N – seriousness, to throw off some of the childishness – to know you more Lord

10.   Ma – that she would have a desire to be like her sweet momma

11.   Z – salvation, love for his sibs, selfishness

12.   BG – comfort for the passing of his mom

13.   KE – her sick father – health, salvation, rest.

14.   My sister and her awesome family – that they would know I love them, that they would know Gods love. Health, job, growth

15.   Wife’s folks – love, salvation, strength to overcome obstacles

16.   JH – health, encouragement, salvation.. to be an encouragement despite his circumstance, to his older brothers

17.   Church

18.   Financial decisions about house, insurance, indebtedness

19.   Job

20.   Patience and wait on the Lord..yet when He says to “do”, I would immediately.

21.   My pastors:

a.       LH – that he would seek your will and accomplish mighty things for your Names sake. That he would be overwhelmed by Your provision.

b.      GS – strength for the work you have him doing. Wisdom to continue to move forward while watching you.

c.       CM – his growing family. Wisdom in growing and feeding your flock.

  ­­  

Rewards?

I think I am finally understanding a little more about what rewards are. Or, at least what one really feels like. Right now I am blessed to be leading music at Awana at Immanuel baptist. It's basically singing songs with a bunch of kids. The first couple of times I was really feeling pressured for just the right songs, playing the guitar just so...the feedback was minimal. After all a majority of the kids are too young to read! We are about 7 or 8 weeks into it and those kids have remembered most of the words to the songs!!! Wow! Kids are just amazing. What a reward to be able to hear all those little voices singing praises to God...it's awesome.

So, I still want to play well an pick the right songs, but the pressure feels lifted. Another reward!!

I am so glad the pastor asked me to do this. I am starting to understand a little more about love and service...and the rewards involved. No, it's not about the reward since I know that so much of what we do is either done without reward (which is fine), rewarded in heaven, or not worthy of a reward due to impure motives or what ever...but, in THIS situation, I have a newly realized reward that I probably would not have considered a reward before I did this.

That probably doesn't make any sense. I guess it doesn't have to.

:-)

My second oldest boy

I had to take care of some things at the office last night and my 10yo came with me. He swept floors, stacked thin clients, rolled cables...and the best thing was he did them so happily. He's such a great help.

Thanks Jdude!

Wisdom?

Eat less and exercise. Eat your veggies. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

I have been given correct advice so many times from very wise people. Typically, I would just admire from a distance but be to afraid or unwilling to act on my own.

At the same time, I have experienced various successes. People occasionally inquire how certain things were accomplished. Yet, they think things like....that works for you, but (insert excuse here).

Why do we do that? The only reason I can think of is that we are too in love with our own ways.

Visitors

My parents made the rounds for this summer and are now headed back to sunny, warm, boring Florida. It was great having them here. My dad worked furiously to get my boat in good repair...he pretty much knocked everything out on it too! It looks better than I expected it to. He is leaving just at the time comes to use it...oh well, maybe next year. Mom made vegetarian egg rolls in mom style. Manna from heaven...yum.

It would be pretty cool if they would just move here...maybe my sister and her family would too then.

Speaking of my sister...she came for a very short visit as well. She brought my oldest nephew with her. I sure do like having him around. He's just a really great young man.

It was a great visit.

Crazy idea

I had a crazy idea to take the kids camping. But, not just camping around here, camping where I used to go as a kid. I have a lot of fond memories camping at Baskahegan lake when we lived in Maine. Sleeping in the front of the truck, fishing ALL day, and the food!!!

I looked up directions on google maps to see how far it is from here...1920 miles...each way. 64 hours of driving. 200 gallons of gas. That's where it really became crazy. 800 dollars, just for gas!

We may have to forget that craziness..too bad.

How are you?

What do you say when someone asks you that question? It's typically become a greeting that really doesn't warrant an honest answer. It has become the more sincere "hi". But, even so, shouldn't my answer reflect the truth. And not just the truth as it pertains to that instant, but eternally?

I find myself being so caught up in what's happening to me that I become a victim of my circumstances. A prisoner of the situations that I am in. I have a hope that's greater than all things that could ever happen to me on this earth. I have the bread of life that will sustain me for eternity. What should I feel ho hum about? Or, even slightly depressed?

I read in John where Jesus says He is the bread of life. That the food He has will fill us forever...that's the food I have. So, I think from now on when people ask me, "how are you?" I am going to answer "full!"...

Family

My mom, dad and grandmother are visiting and I find myself struggling with something. I really love that we pray at meals, but, my extended family are not believers. They participate but I can tell they are uncomfortable and that makes me nervous...so, I had been praying for us before they joined the table...but, that might give the kids the impression that I am ashamed. It's hard to pray when you know there are those around the table that are staring at the top of your head as they don't participate. They are good sports about it and hold hands with everyone. But, my dad occasionally utters a "geez" when it's time and I really don't like an authority figure doing that...

What to do?