It has been a somewhat rough day for me. Soon maybe this blog will carry some joy. Net yet. Just to give you a synopsis of the day. I miss my wife, Mary Ann. Some would attribute that statement to depression from lack of employment and unemployment running out in the next few weeks. Not so! I miss her because she brings joy, sanity, accountability, love, so much love, to my life; my sometimes confused life., my sometimes frustrated life. But, she can bring joy and love to my life when it is even sitting excitedly on the highest mountaintop of experiences. I am so excited to be missing her because she is such an integral part of my life and she is present in my life to be able to miss.

I do not know what the next couple of weeks will hand me. I know that I am in love with an awesome God and a beautiful woman that He created just for me. I am not in need of much because it has been supplied in abundance. I began to think after this weekend's message at our church. Am I truly listening to God for guidance?

God: I am yours to deal with as you wish. I will go where you want me to go, do what you want me to do, feel what you want me to feel. I just need to open my ears to hear your voice when the noise around me is often very loud.

I am a work in progress, but aren't we all. I just know that sanctification, being set apart for God, is also a work in progress and it fills my cup. We all need to have that exuberant feeling that God is setting us apart for His ministry and service.

I miss my wife and I am excited in anticipation of her coming home! I, I should say my home, needs some rest from the stress and uncertainty of tomorrow. I need answers to what life is getting ready to hand over to me. I need, I need, I need. It really isn't all about me. I need to step away and and be patient enough to listen until I hear. It IS All about God!

The leaves are turning. It is Fall. There is a chill in the air. Spring is nearly here.

The Night

Two posts in one day. That is a first here on my blog.

I am sitting here gazing out the window watching the cars and trucks passing by in front of our house. I often think of the fast pace of people's lives and can't get my thoughts around the purpose. People passing me in a double yellow only to be directly in front of me at the next stoplight, nearly 15 minutes later. Next rest stop 60 miles, we need to pull over, stop and rest. Our yokes are heavy. Our burdens are great.

The vehicles rush by the window. Hurry! The occupants have an agenda. Hurry! Some are headed home to family, maybe to dinner with a friend. Hurry, I'm late! Others may be finishing up the business trip in the next town. Hurry! Some laughing, crying, broken, depressed, lonely. My prayers go out to each one of them for rest, safety and peace. Please slow down avoid the hurry! Rest, listen to God's still small voice. He wants to chat.

I am also watching my life pass by: have I done enough for Christ. Has there been a lost soul that I failed to discover along my journey. Was there a "least of these" that I walked by without stopping to minister. Did I not see or hear because of my weak spirit. So, I wonder about my lack of resting in God's presence. I always say I will do better. Do I?

I do not know the value of this blog to my reader, other than it permitted you into the thoughts that permeate my mind. I have a deep concern for people's pace in life. They need to know where the locations of the rest stops.

I apologize for my ramblings. It rained today! Good night my friends.

Beau Voir Vacation

We just returned from the Smokies in Tennesee for a much needed retreat/vacation. There was joy in the morning and we experienced the beauty that God so lovingly gives us. We were in awe of his majestic presence as we rested from the stress of daily life.

Some friends from the Nashville area joined us with there precious children and our daughter, who is pursuing her PHD in Psychology at the University of Tennesee, also spent the weekend.

The cabin was named Beau Voir located in Sevierville, about a half hour out of Knoxville.

It was a wonderful experience to assist us in dealing with the stress of unemployment, which will be coming to a close in about two weeks. God has a plan and that is what we wait for as we worship and serve Him in obedience. We are okay and we will remain that way.

I am trying to stay up with this blog. There is just so much on my plate and I haven't even got to the main course yet :-). We are getting the house ready to sell in the event of no job, It is really too big for the two of us but we just love the comfort that it gives us.

The whole scope of our situation is so frighteningly unknown and as we get up in the years it seems like it should get a little more known. And even though we have our direction and life in the hands of God, it still finds us confused and afraid.

God winks and we will wake up knowing that joy comes in the morning.

God Bless all of you, your friends and loved ones. Tell them that you love them today!

It is Friday, but Fridays are nothing really special for me unlike the working class who looks forward to the weekends and rest from a grueling week. Having said that, the urgent importance of Fridays is that I will be able to spend the beautiful moments, on an extended scenario, with my lovely wife. I look forward to the conversation, the closeness, the shared moments, the awesome love that is in the air when her presence holds hands with mine. I love her dearly and each day that goes by without a job is a new day of disappointment that I also share with her.

This will be a work weekend because we are having a garage/ moving/ yard/ basement/ whatever they call it sale. I have my resume to distant lands (i.e. Dayton and Cincinnati) and we are going to be downsizing from a 3000 sq. ft. of space to about 1800. The less I have to move without having to find storage, the better I can deal with it. I really dread moving because it is so exhausting and it can really wreck a day.

With the scariness of no job and the likes of that, my prayer is that i have not waited too long to turn this phase of my life over to God. I have been hanging onto friendships and an awesome church thinking that God would not remove me from all this. Then I think of Abraham being told to leave his home and family to do some traveling for Jehovah. My eyes are open now to the fact that friendship never leaves and the church is not just a specific church in the Bellevue area of Ohio.

Excuse me for a moment: God I am ready to go wherever You have me scheduled and I am sorry for my plans getting in the way of Yours. I am sorry for being so selfish in those same plans of mine not really grabbing hold of the idea that You also have a will for my beautiful wife. You are awesome and in charge and I am reporting for duty. I love you more as each breath is taken that you have allowed me to take. Thank you for never forsaking me.

Okay! I am ready for my ministry to take flight on the back of eagle's wings. I am ready to visualize the plans God has for me and my wife. Thank you all who are following my blog for your prayers. I am confident that they were heard.

The sun is shining, I have my cup of coffee, temp is about 73, with no rain! I can deal with it.

I enjoy my time with the fish tank. It gives me some semblance of the calm, peaceful side of life. And that is a place where I need to be at this point and time. So, pull up a comfy chair and sit here with me and calm your spirit.

Monday morning the study is in Romans 12-14. What a powerful book for our Christian faith.

How tragic when we let the world force our thinking into Satan’s mold. Righteousness isn’t like that at all! The righteousness that God gives us, and the righteousness that His Spirit is at work to shape in us, is a warm personal kind of thing. Rather than isolate us from others, for the first time we find it is possible to draw truly near. We find that the first fruit of the Spirit, love, warms and deepens our relationships with others who have become our brothers and sisters, one with us in the forever family of God. The second product, joy, makes the fellowship we share bright and colorful (see Gal. 5:22–23).
So let’s exchange our old, mistaken picture of righteousness for the reality. Let’s take off our imaginary suits of black. Let’s put on our brightest party clothes. Let’s reach out to others … stretch out our hands … touch … smile! Let’s call for the music to play, the celebration to begin! Let’s move out into the sunlight, feel its warmth, shout together, share our joy!

There is a fall chill in the air and it is that special time of the year when I can venture outside and not feel the weather on my face. Wow! God is so good! I sit back, close my eyes to listen for that still small voice. Suddenly there it is and I know I am at worship with my 'Abba', my daddy, my friend.

God bless your journey!

A song this morning in worship says "I'm falling on my knees... this is what my heart is living for". I began to wonder if, like Job's four "friends" contended, that I have committed some sin in my life to cause this stress of unemployment. And I wonder what it is that my heart is living for. I am beginning the doubts and paranoia and anger that I hoped would not rear it's ugly head.
I have been on interviews that I felt on top of the world afterwards, only to find the door, not only closed, but locked when I tried to re-enter. I am really unsure now if a job is even going to happen. It used to be when; now it is why. Why does it not happen for me. I look around at everyone going to and coming home from a job and I wonder why I am not among them. Everyone says it will happen but they are not the ones on the outside looking in and I always sang the lyrics "I don't want to be. I don't want to be the one caught on the outside". Granted, my last interview has not been logged in the books as a yea or nay. My life is already in place and accepting it as a nay.
I feel close to God. Each day is is "draw me close to You" and each day I feel closer. My prayer life is without ceasing. My thoughts are its all about God. But, is there some sin keeping me from...?
It is a fall day but we are still among the days of summer. I love the feel of a chill and a cool breeze blowing across my face. It bring s a smile that seems to dry my eyes. May God's blessings and grace wrap around all of my followers and readers. Listen to Him, talk to Him, and more importantly be still and know Him. God loves you.
Me.

Today I went to take a test. It was a test to indicate how much "SolidWorks" experience I have learned over the past 1 1/2 years. SolidWorks is a software that is a 3d solid model program that permits the engineer to design and draw up their product before it gets on the shop floor. It evern goes beyond the concept of dimensioning twice and cutting once.
The instructions for me to accomplish this test were vague and not very well written. The program version was a newer version from what I had worked on. I did what I think was required and I did it the best I could do, so, I am pleased with the day and know beyond all doubt that God is sovereign and I belong to Him and His plans are my plans. I just need to get out of His way more often and let Him make those plans.
Thursday is the second and last interview. It will evaluate my performance today and if it is God's direction and the plan He has for me, they will give me an offer of employment.
God is good ALL of the time.
Our study with the Monday morning men's group is in the 12th chapter of Romans.
Summer was quick! The cool days are coming and so is Christmas :-).
God Bless my readers. I hope you haven't deserted me.

Missed

I don't know if there is anyone following my blog but if you are I apologize for being distant. I will be back soon. I have a lot of stuff on my plate and I need to get past some stuff going on in my life. God is good all the time.
See you soon.

Be Bold

Our study on Monday morning takes us to the book of Romans. At the time of writing this letter Paul had not yet visited the church in Rome. Many of the readers opposed the gospel, while others twisted it to suit their own preferences. Some said that salvation might be by grace but the believer is "kept" by the law. Some taught that you could be saved by grace and still live the way you wanted-- even continuing in sin.
Today the scriptures are still twisted to fit situations and people still think they can live any way they want regardless of the sin in their lives. The decline of man was the same in 56 as it is in 2009. They knew God (Romans 1:18-20); they perverted God's glory by "exchanging the glory of an incorruptable God for an image in the form of corruptible man" (Romans 1:21-23); "they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator" (Romans 1:24-25); "they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer" (Romans 1:26-32). We still don't get it! Why can't we have the motivation of Paul, "I am under obligation... I am eager to preach the gospel... I am not ashamed of the gospel..." (Rom 1:14-16).
My prayer today is that those who are readers of this blog and all christians will take up the cross and be "BOLD" for Christ.
Prediction: Rain today, Hot and Humid.

I opened this post about a half hour ago and still I am lost into the nothingness as to what to say. I have grumbled of late and questioned why my dreams and visions seem to remain as they are defined. Kind of like going through the paces. I read in Hebrews,"For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee". It is difficult to wait on God sometimes, but I rest assured with this very breath that He will never leave me or forsake me. He also said "I know the plans I have for you. Another assurance!

I spoke to a resource person last week concerning the startup of a CoffeeHouse here in my community. I have since done the math and it appears to not add up. So I turn the page and read the next chapter. God still says "I will not leave you".

Monday morning we begin a new study on Romans.
The first three chapters of Romans carefully argue that all men are guilty before God. No one who relies on his observance of the Law will be declared righteous in the divine court. The Law, as a moral revelation of righteousness, offers no hope; it testifies against us so that “every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God” (3:20).
Yet the devastating critique of our human condition ends on a note of hope. God has found a way to give us a righteousness that is apart from Law.

So before we begin a study of Romans we need to look at the word "Guilt".

What are some words that describe how guilt makes us feel?

The following are several approaches used to break free of guilt:
• One approach to handling guilt is to deny it.
• Another approach to handling guilt is to explain it away.
• A third approach to handling guilt is to punish ourselves.
• A fourth approach to handling guilt is to construct a system of do’s and don’ts which we can live up to.
• Of course, there’s a fifth approach. Just enjoy sin!
“Which of these approaches do you think most people would be likely to use? How have you in the past tried to deal with guilt feelings?”

I asked the following questions to begin preparation for this study:

Supposed someone accused you of not being a Christian. What proof do you have?
How do you share the gospel with someone?
How is a person saved?

I encourage you to follow my blog and discover the answers to these questions.

It is raining!

Today it rained and the freshness aroma entering the room is so sweet, so much God. I like the rain. It permits emotions to invade my thoughts and they in turn saturate my life, for a short time. I think of where I have been and the events or actions that have prodded me to this moment. The faithfulness of God, my friend, has always been part of the discovery and He has always been present in the good, the bad, and the ugly.
He said that He knows the plans for me. I am waiting; not near as patiently as I should. I guess I don't know how to get beyond here. I have thoughts of starting a Christian Coffee House in Bellevue. I do not know the way. I am seeking employment; no response. I am trying to secure clients in my Drafting business; no response. What is next? What does tomorrow have in store for my life? It is frightening to not know but comforting that God does.
I have been absent from this space for awhile. I just needed to let you know where I am. Not sure who is reading but I ask for your prayers.
God Bless your Journey!

Mary and Martha

Our BMCF (Bellevue Men's Christian Fellowship), Monday mornings at McDonalds (6:45 am), is continuing a study on "Spiritual Detours" and our text is Luke 10 and 11. I was reading a commentary by Warren Wiersbe and he define s the passage better than the others:

"The family at Bethany was especially dear to Jesus (John 11:1–5), and the Gospel record gives us three glimpses of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (Luke 10:38–42; John 11; John 12:1–11). Each time you find Mary in the Gospels, she is in the same place: at the feet of Jesus. Most Jewish rabbis would not accept a woman for a student, but Jesus delighted in teaching Mary the Word. It was not wrong for Martha to prepare a meal, because people have to eat if they are to live; but it was wrong for her to be so preoccupied with work and her own “burdens” that she ignored her guest and was rude to her sister. She was “anxious and troubled” as she tried to serve the Lord, and yet she was missing the greatest and the most lasting blessing. Mary was occupied with Jesus; Martha was preoccupied with herself. What we do with Christ is far more important than what we do for Christ, for submission leads to obedience and service."

We are working through the word Activism with these studies (the good Samaritan, Mary and Martha and the exxample of how to pray): a doctrine or practice that emphasizes direct vigorous action esp. in support of or opposition to one side of a controversial issue — ac•tiv•ist \-vist\ n or adj — ac•tiv•is•tic \ˌak-ti-ˈvis-tik\ adj

One of the most deeply ingrained human notions is that a person must do something to merit God’s favor. We accept gifts from other people. But we seem to want to say of what we receive from God, “I earned it!”

There is a chill in the air today!

Our Neighbor

Monday morning the men at McDonalds are beginning a new study entitled "Spiritual Detours". Our study takes us to the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 where the "expert in the law" asked Jesus "what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He answered his own question by quoting a passage from Deuteronomy 6:5 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” I think this explains it all but there is one question that arises; who is my neighbor?

What we learn from this story is that being a neighbor has nothing to do with how near we live to others, or how similar our religion or race. Being a neighbor depends simply on our humanity-- and our need.

Anyone you or I come in contact with who has a need is our neighbor. And to love our neighbor means to care enough to reach out, and help in any way we can.

Mother Teresa said this: "Because we cannot see Christ we cannot express our love to Him; but our neighbors we can always see, and we can do to them what, if we saw Him, we would like to do to Christ."

So, what have we done for our neighbor? Shame on us if we are like the "priest" and the "Levite".

It rained today!

Ragdoll

We took our new Ragdoll kitten to Ann Arbor, Michigan this past weekend for his first cat show. His name is Moe and he did really well for his first introduction to the show ring. What happens in a cat show is: The cat is in a cage at the owner's station in the show hall. There he is groomed and made presentable for the judging. At the time of the judging the number that is given to the cat is indicated at the "Ring" where the cat is placed in a cage in the judging area. When it comes time for the cat to be judged a judge will take him out of the cage and place him on the judging table where he is judged for color, markings, and size of each particular breed. He is then awarded a place for color in division and overall breed based on the number of conpeting cats in his breed.

Moe placed last in five of the six judging rings. One ring he made second in breed. However, he was competing with 7 month old kittens and he is only 4. So he has not matured in color and markings like the other kittens. Eight months they are classified as an adult and will compete for championship ribbons. The main purpose for taking kittens to the shows is to acclimate them to the showhall and the judges and presence of other cats. By the time he is an adult he will do very well I am sure.

We had fun and it was a very relaxing get-away trip. Stay tuned for the journey of Moe as he competes with other Ragdolls in the months to come.

Mother's Day

Today is Mother's day and I have missed 31 of these days to spend with my mother. I often take unscheduled moments of my day and this emotion enters my thought. I miss the talks, the wisdom messages that she excelled at giving. I miss her spiritual insights into life and I miss her presence. I am angered that for 12 years prior to 1978 I didn't take enough time to spend with her, to talk to her, to here her wisdom and experience her presence. I ask myself why!

Thank you, mom, for raising me, for sheltering me, for your discipline and for love. I was blessed and I am blessed to have had a mother and father who showed me the contrast between the world and God.

Happy 61 Mother's days!

National Day of Prayer

Have a cup of coffee with me this morning.

Did you start your day with God? More than ever we as a collective body of believers in this nation must get on our knees and seek God in the morning, commune with Him during the day and thank Him as we close our eyes in the evening to begin our rest. We are a broken and hurting nation and not unlike the days of the Older Testament "everyone did what was right in his own eyes". We have removed God from the equation and it doesn't add up.

In 1775 the Continental Congress allocated a time for prayer in forming a new nation. Over the years, there have been calls for a day of prayer, including from President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. On April 17, 1952, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming the National Day of Prayer into law in the United States. President Reagan amended the law in 1988, designating the first Thursday of May each year as the National Day of Prayer.

PRAY today for God to heal our land! Pray for our leaders to not hide God under a bushel so that His light will shine into this world. The evening news paints a dark picture.

Now on a different subject, I dug dandelions the past two days. I just glanced out the window and there are 7 that I seemed to have missed. Just like my faith journey, it is a continual work in progress. Sometimes it appears that the difficulties we face are gone and suddenly they reappear in another area; more digging, more pruning. That is why we must pray without ceasing.

Have a great and blessed day with God.

Mondays

For some, Mondays are depressing because they have to return to work after a restful/ active weekend. The song says "Mondays always get me down". I will attempt to explain the scene in my valley.
This mornings men's bible study went great because of the the presence of God and because of the hearts of the men present. My mind was awol and I struggled with focus all morning as I often do in my life. I have felt of late that satan is on major attack mode, knowing my struggles with maintaining a consistent focus. I have no logic or reasoning to deal with this attack but I guess that is the mentality that comes with this feeling. Its something I can't do alone. I just have to get out of the way and let God renew my mind and feed me like the ravens fed Elijah. I wish there were answers for all of life's hiccups but this one elludes me.
Those who are following this journey with me I ask for prayers. I can't tell you any specifics because I have none. God knows.
Today's lesson in Ephesians began in 5:1. "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children..." Today, in my journey, I will work on imitating. Maybe I will get out of this funk that I am in.

Without Ceasing

I awoke this morning in kind of a funk, as I do some mornings of late. I think sometimes stress takes on a different form and we fail to recognize it right away. We place all sorts of labels on it but it is still spelled s-t-r-e-s-s.

Then scripture speaks, tells me what to do and I listen.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
“Rejoice, pray, and give thanks” sounds like ordinary Christian activities; but when you add the adverbs, you have a real challenge: “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all circumstances.”

There should be no limits for seeing reasons to rejoice and give thanks all day long if I “Pray without ceasing”. It does not mean a constant mumbling of words as it says in Matt. 6:7. True prayer is the attitude of the heart, the desire of the heart. When our hearts desire what God desires, we are praying all day long as the Spirit moves for us and in us.

I always talk about praying without ceasing in our studies and I have failed of late to be on my knees rejoicing and thanking God for everything He has given me. My question to you: Are you rejoicing, praying and thanking God with every breath you take? What is your attitude and desire of the heart?

How are you and God getting along today?

Imitators of God

Here are some thoughts from the beginning of my study this week in Ephesians 5:1-16. What does it mean to be imitators of God? It seems to be relative to what is going on in present day society. Kind of makes you wonder about the level of spirituality and encourages us to take our own level to the next step. Shame on us if we don't.
We are called to live for God and to be imitators of Him (Eph. 5:1), just as children follow after the patterns seen in their parents. Here are some of the patterns that a godly lifestyle would include, patterns that we should be embracing:
(1) Living in love, which means giving of ourselves sacrificially for the benefit of others, just as Christ has done for us (5:2).
(2) Forsaking selfish pursuits such as self-seeking immorality and ruthless greed (5:3, 5).
(3) Replacing filthy talk, flippant chatter, and unkind jesting with communication rooted in thanksgiving to God and affirmation of others (5:4, 20).
(4) Exercising discernment about what we are told so as not to be susceptible to trickery from others (5:6–7, 15).
(5) Bowing out from situations where evil is the agenda (5:11–12).
(6) Managing our time well (5:16).
It rained today!

Fourth day in a row temp in the 80's. There must be something to this global warming, oh wait, we also had 4 days in the 80's back in 2004. It was hot on the golf course! I got dizzy and a bad cramp in my leg, couldn't finish 18 had to stop at 16. I was 5 holes behind at that time and couldn't bear to lose by 7. Don't know if Pastor Mike reads my blogs or not. Mike, if you do, good match to tie me after 5 rounds. Thank you for the fellowship.
It is a joy to play golf with Mike. I love his passion and compassion, not just for the game of golf but for life and people. He gets me pumped, not just for the game of golf but for life and God's children. We talk, not just about the game of golf, but about life. He has taught me, not just about the game of golf but about life, about God and faith.
We serve an awesome God.
My fish are swimming!

The Magnolia tree in front of our house is in bloom. I stand beneath the tree, smell the fragrance and witness the magnificence of God's creation as my eyes behold His beauty. It it is never difficult for me to find opportunities to praise my Awesome God.

And God said it was good!

I miss MaryAnn!

My wife just left for Dresden. Going to make a basket at Longabarger. Safety and fun are my prayers for her. The weather appears to be cooperating with her trip, but we are in Ohio, give it 5 minutes. She needs some get-a-way in her lfe and some means to unwind. I hope this will be a beginning to that process. She occupies such a precious room in my life journey and she contributes so positively to the everyday stuff. God did good and I am thankful every day for His bringing her into my life.

Sunday is coming! Sunday morning, for Sunday school we are past the Pentateuch and the Theocratic Historical books (Joshua, Judges, Ruth) and beginning the Historical Monarchical books. Attempting to go through the entire Older Testament in 8 or 9 weeks. You ask how, I say haven't accomplished it yet. The overview includes author, date and time of writings, timeline, key words, phrases, verses, and chapters, what to look for as the book is read and some questions to work with after it is read. The study seems to be going well. My main hiccup is, I often spend two weeks on one or two verses making this format of information gathering and giving a major challenge.

Molding

Crown molding is very pleasing to the eye when you can stand in the room and look up at it. When you are embracing the ceiling standing three feet off the floor and installing it; it then produces a different response. I have completed the task, with Jim's help or I would be more accurate in saying Jim completing the task with my help, of putting crown molding in the two bedrooms upstairs. Needless to say: "Don't attempt to do this at home" Hire a professional regardless of the cost.
That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship with Jim and even increased my knowledge along the way. I may even remit a picture as soon as the nail holes are covered and cauking has been completed.
The rooms are already looking great and now that the task is over I am glad I did it.
God Bless your moment and remember how you treat the "least of these" (see my April 19 Post).
The sun is shining!

Maturity

Our Monday morning study is taking us to chapter 4 of Ephesians,verses 12-16. What does Paul say about becoming mature and reaching a level of unity in the community of believers? We are to build up the body, “until we all reach unity in the faith … and become mature” (v. 13). The first ministry of believers is to other believers.

It is vital that we “grow up into Him” if we are to be a valid expression of Jesus in this world. The whole body “grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (v. 16).
This is sometimes hard to accept. We look at the world and are burdened by the need for evangelism. We look at the poor and are burdened by the need to establish justice. We look at the suffering and are impelled to comfort and to care. So sometimes we slip into the trap of organizing the local church to undertake one or more of these tasks. We program evangelistic efforts and buy more buses. We commit ourselves to an active social welfare involvement. All too often we lose sight of the fact that the first function of the body is to build itself.

So, maturing within the body, growing more and more like Jesus, is the believer’s first calling. To equip the church for service, believers must minister to one another and to the world.
I think this focus on building one another up is essential. Only as we grow toward maturity together can we respond fully to Jesus as He directs us to serve in the world.

It is also talking about this very thing in Deuteronomy 6:5-7. "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." We are to teach the gospel tirelessly to every opportunity that we are given. We should be totally exhausted at the end of the day sharing our faith if we heed these verses in Deuteronomy. Let's get it right as to how we are to become mature ministers in Christ.
Be BOLD for Christ!

Tuesday

How was your day with God? I remind you to talk to Him and begin early. He wants you to know Him better. Oh, you might also want to listen. I have discovered both means of communication very helpful in my journey.
I might have seen a light at the end of the unemployment tunnel, today. Mark your calendars it may just happen soon. I seek God's direction for my life every day and it includes the work scene. A lot of questions and few answers as of this Tuesday but I know God is faithful.
I have had an 'algae bloom' in my saltwater aquarium for a long time. It has been so frustrating to see a tank that is all green. By the way, for those who don't know, an algae bloom is when the tank creates tiny pieces of floating algae that cloud the tank so much that the fish cannot be seen. The tank is clear, finally, and all the fish (2-Maroon Clowns, a Sailfin, a Hippo Tang, 2-Fire Fish and 4-crabs that I can see) are accounted for.
It is cold today!

Community

I find strength and encouragement in the people that surround me. The church community yesterday; the small group community last evening; the outreach community this morning and my beautiful wife today and everyday, (Thank you for the note on the brownies).
I often discover along my journey that some days are not the best of. Today hasn't been the best of but then I stop and listen and in the whisper of God I am shown that it is.
Those of you reading this must embrace community. God chose more than one disciple.
Thank you, my very special friends.
It is raining!

The Least of These

"And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’" We were discussing in Community Group this evening our preparedness for the return of Christ. My question is what have we done for the "least of these"? How have we "watched" (how is this defined in our life) for the Lord's return? The thoughts for you and for me as we begin a new week in our journey. This week let us begin a new chapter in our lives and take care of God's children. Sunday has come and is nearly gone. Included with the next breath we take, from this moment on let us make it All about God, let us pray without ceasing.
It is raining!

Walking with God

Again I find myself in God's word seeking more of what He wants of me. Ephesians 4:1, Paul speaks of walking in a manner worthy of my calling. He goes on to say that my walk should be in humility and gentleness with patience and the show of love. I seem to have a lot of time to reflect on these verses and I have determined that I have failed to walk in this manner. It needs a lot of work. It seems kind of ironic that I should need to slow down more so I could listen to God better in a time of my life when things often appear as if they could not get any slower.
I opened my first window of the spring. The cats are being nice and sharing the sill. I miss my wife; she is on call. The air flowing in feels good and refreshing. Sunday is coming. Community group tomorrow night. I pray for those who have been absent of late to return to the group. We all need community in these troubling times.

Inclusion

It's Friday! Weather warming up to the 60's. The furniture has been taken to the back porch awaiting occupancy. Looking forward to spending more time out there this year.
In my studies today in the book of Ephesians and the mystery surrounding the church in the days of the Newer Testament, I am encouraged to know that I am included in God's plan from the days of Abraham. What an awesome prayer by Paul in verses 14-21 in chapter 3, "so that you may be filled up to the fulness of God" and that we can comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth. Oh, that we could have that boldness and confident access through faith in Him that Paul speaks of in verse 11. I am eagerly looking forward to my faith growing to these levels. Have a blessed day and spend it with God.

One

I have been studying and preparing (Ephesians 3-4) for Monday morning men's bible study (BMCF) at McDonalds. My blogs will tackle the struggles and the confusion of the subject material during this study. There will be moments when I have a tough time discerning or understanding what life is throwing my way and there will be the times when I need to share my awe of God and the things that make me smile and laugh. I am looking forward to sharing my journey with you. Looking forward to enjoying the time we have together.

In the Book of Ephesians there are three images which help us think about the church. They are a body, a family and a holy temple. Ephesians 4:1–6 mentions aspects of our oneness: one hope, one Lord, one faith. What about the person who claims to have the divine life, but whose beliefs differ from mine? The Jew and the Gentile each turned from sin but still retained cultural differences. Is the "One" mentioned by Paul in Ephesians meant to be inclusive or exclusive? I can accept and ignore many differences but what about the doctrinal differences?

In Christ my brother and I are one. My life with him must affirm, not deny, a unity that God says is. This passage of scripture speaks of the mystery that "the gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." Eph 3:6. I am thinking that the oneness Paul speaks of lies somewhere in the meaning of this mystery. I am a work in progress in attempting to understanding scripture and what it's application is for my life, what ministry and mission field God is leading me into and discovering God's plan for my life. He said "I know the plans for you..."

Robins

Good Morning. I was looking out the window and witnessed a robin gathering nest material for her (I assume it is a she) new home. She nearly couldn't get off the ground because the load was too large. Suddenly she was gone to build somewhere in our evergreen tree in the front yard.

I began to think of the wonders of my awesome God, how He is taking care of that robin and me and doing well with both. I often grumble like the Israelites in the desert after their salvation from Egypt. I often wonder where he is in my wanderings and then He shows me a robin and a blessing of grace and then I am ashamed of permitting that thought to be a thought. The robin has returned but God never left and He never has. I will begin my day knowing God is beside me.