The promise of “arrival” and “rest” is still there for God’s people. God himself is at rest. And at the end of the journey we’ll surely rest with God
Hebrews 4:9-10
Make the Most of What God GivesAfter looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot.Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift!
God deals out joy in the present, the now. It’s useless to brood over how long we might live.
Ecclesiastes 5:17b-20
Sarala will tell you "Don't sad, be happy" if you're looking a little worried/tired/stressed/sad. She is happy regardless of the situation surrounding her. My wife and I care for this little girl and make sure all of her needs are meet or exceeded...we pour our lives and resources into her. God does this on a much grander scale...and if we're "lucky" we are working in a job that some could say is our "calling" and are blessed beyond what we deserve or even need in most cases. It's on us to realize this and accept that it's a gift of God. Yes...even our work is a gift. I thank God for allowing me to do something that I love....something I think I'm great at...and to make pretty decent money doing so...and have whatever we need or want....
I figured I'd try some "quick" post action...I've got some stuff in the works but it is 10:15 in the PM and I've got some stuff to do...so, here are some things to ponder:
Why does Fox 2 have American Idol "news" as part of their broadcast?
Now, it's not a serious question...I understand why American Idol would be a part of "Fox" news...but it still bugs me.
What's the deal with gas prices vs. barrels of oil? If the price of barrels goes up...or if someone even "thinks" about it...the price seems to instantly go up, but if the prices plummet...it takes forever for that to hit the pumps...!
Again...I also understand, or at least think I understand, how this oil stuff sorta works...but again...bugs me.
It's going to be a cold couple of days coming up. Haven't seen anything this cold since my junior year of high school...in Montana. I do miss the snow though...wouldn't mind the cold so much if there were a reason for it...like...SNOW!
It's amazing how an excursion to get our oil changed at the Toyota dealership can turn into a $140 trip when it's all said and done...with a meal at Cracker Barrel, a "stop" by Wal-Mart to pick up some "essentials", and...don't forget about the whole reason for the trip...the changing of the oil/other things they do to your car...!
Check this site out and see where you rank in the world as far as being "rich." I apparently fall in the top 0.91% of the richest people of the world, which puts me at the "richest" end of the spectrum above...being the 55,146,441 richest person in the world. Something to think about.
Where do you fall on the globalrichlist? Post your rank....
I've been reading through Samuel lately and it has been quite refreshing. It's been awhile since I've been in any part of the Old Testament. I'm currently in 1 Samuel 13 where Saul "jumps the gun" and decides to do something himself that should've been done by Samuel. God is not at all happy with this.
I think about how this reflects my own life and actions at times. There is an element of patience that I struggle with. Faith is also something that I tend to overlook if something isn't happening like I think it should or in the timing in my mind. It comes down to wanting to follow God...as it puts it in Samuel, "to have God as my king." The Israelites in Samuel wanted a King to rule over them...irregardless of the things God told them how it would go (and GOD being their king)...likewise I tend to not want to hear it or to not listen altogether, thus I tend to screw up things a lot worse. The conversations that the Israelites had with Samuel and God sound a lot like the conversations I've had with God...which means that I need to listen more.
So, just some thoughts as the week nears the end. It has been a crazy week, as per usual...and it's time to go pick up Sarala.
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7
All I can offer is this verse above. I don't know what to say. Some bad news, devastating news, was given to us via a voice-mail tonight while we were enjoying the company of some friends. Our friends had stopped by to give Sarala some Christmas presents. Life tends to happen that way. There are ups...then immediate "dives" that can occur. Do I expect these things? Not necessarily...I'm not a pessimist. We were talking and watching Sarala play with her Christmas gifts when we heard Crystal's cell phone ring. We usually let the voice-mail or machine pick up if we have visitors. Crystal checked it out as we continued to talk and found some terrible news from a family we're close to. The husband, Ron, has a grade 4 brain tumor. How does one digest something like this? It seems like one moment all was well, he was fine...the last time we saw them, now...the world around them is completely different.
As I thought about this news...I went back through my old blog posts and began reading. I came upon a post from April 2008, a result of similar circumstances...not knowing what to say to those you love who are hurting. Here's an excerpt of all I could offer and I'm in the same frame of mind again...what to say...how to say it....
Caedmon's Call has this song on their new album called "Hold the Light." It's a pretty amazing song that describes how a life with relationships goes. There will be times of celebration and times of loss...along with all the stuff in between. We are supposed to hold the light for each other in times of darkness. We need to allow the "silent peace of God" reflect in our actions and words.
Hold the Light Caedmon's Call (Andrew Osenga/Randall Goodgame)
It's been a long year Like a long sleepless night. Jacob wrestled the angel, but I'm too tired to fight. Every wednesday for two years we've met. I've showed you all my anger my doubts and bitterness.
There was no judgement in your eyes just the silent peace of God, that felt so real in you. Will you hold the light for me? Will you hold the light for me?
And I stay up late because I cannot sleep. I don't want to face the quiet where its just God and me. I'm waiting for the gavel handing me the sentence down, because I don't believe forgiveness or even repentance now.
There was no judgement in your eyes Just the silent peace of God, that felt so real in you. Will you hold the light for me? Will you hold the light for me?
I want to feel redemption flowing through my veins. I want to see with clear eyes beyond lust and hate. I want the war to be over, and know the good guys won, and I want love to hold me to know I'm not alone.
Standing around a willow weeping, we were praying in the backyard. In the chill of the night the friendship light reminded me who we are ...who we are, who we are
Will you hold the light? Will you hold the light for me?
Two weeks away from work is amazing. The fact that I still get paid is even more amazing. It was a glorious time of rest and visiting with the family but there were a couple instances of insanity that reminded us how crazy life can get in the midst of great times. For example...my brother got some ice out of the freezer one night and left it cracked open. Thus...much of the stuff thawed and there was water all over the floor when we awoke the following morning. As Crystal was taking care of this matter...I was in the shower. As I flushed the toilet and prepared to jump into the shower...the water began to come UP rather than down and away. I was dodging toilet-water while calling for Crystal to bring some form of towel...mop...something. Keep in mind that I was about the get into the shower so my attire was...well...you could probably guess. The next couple days went pretty smoothly until we get to the night before the end of break, January 4th.
Sarala is on the couch eating some Mini-M&M's out of a small cup...we're watching some old Droopy cartoons and what do we find...Sarala with a finger up her nose. Now, normally we wouldn't think a whole lot of it but when she brought out her finger out of her nose...the end was green. She had stuck a Mini-M&M up her nose. We spent the next 3o minutes trying to get the thing out. Spraying stuff up there...sucking it out with the "nose-sucker." She doesn't want any part of "candy" after this...for now anyway. Now...we're back to normal, routine life.
You Are Worthy of My Praise - Big Daddy Weave Your Grace is Enough - Chris Tomlin Holy is the Lord - Chris Tomlin Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Chris Tomlin All For You - Paul Baloche
I'm in the midst...or near the end of my first actual Christmas "break" in a long time. Coaching basketball has always been a big part of my breaks with practice and a tournament, but since I'm not coaching...I actually had nothing to do. I also ended up taking a break from the blog. There were things I did go do and things I saw, attended...but there really wasn't anything that I "had" to do. It was...and is quite amazing.
So...until my next post...I'm wishing all of you a happy and blessed 2009. I'm now back to my "nothing", which actually includes playing some Wii, watching some tv, hanging out....
This is essentially a place for me to put down thoughts about God, my family, life, school, whatever that doesn't require me to write. If you've seen my handwriting...you'd understand. I want a way to record what I've been thinking about...and since I'm not the best at journaling...this may serve that purpose. Hopefully this serves more than just my purpose....
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