I recently opened a profile on facebook.com. WOW it has been amazing to discover all those people I sometimes think about but haven't seen for many years. In some cases I have connected with people I haven't talked to in over 12 years. It is always interesting to see what people are doing nowadays...where they live, what they do, if they have a family now, and so forth. I also think we forget that there are people out there thinking about us that we didn't even realize. Think about it. There are people from our past that we think about that may not remember us that well. Then there are people out there that are wondering what is going on in our life and we don't really think about them that much at all. That's confusing isn't it. The value for me is to realize that we all impact people differently. What we say or do is going to be more meaningful for some and less meaningful for others. Some people are going to feel more important to us then we do to them. It has been an interesting experience. One thing I do recognize is that when you share Jesus Christ with others you always stay connected. There is a bond there that can't be broken no matter how long it has been.
It has been a real encouragement for me to reconnect with so many people. One thing it does for me is to really think about where I am at and how I got here. When 12 years passes we forget so much of what God has done. We are often quick to wonder where God is or wonder what he has done when the truth is He has moved mountains in our life. In the last few days I have grown a new appreciation for the journey that has been my life. I am discovering more and more of the things I have taken for granted and I have spent a lot of time in pray thanking God for that work. I wonder...what has God done in your life in the last 12 years? When was the last time you sat down and thought about it like that? I would encourage you to take an inventory and see where He has been working. Trust me, it will give you a whole new appreciation for where you are at now.
So if you are on facebook and haven't connected with me yet, just do a search for me and send me a poke and we will let the good-times role. Or maybe you should check it out. Setting up a profile is free and it is a great way to connect with people you haven't seen for years. Anyway...see you out there in cyberspace somewhere! Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Gotcha SEC!!!
Well the hunt is over...the baiting...the chasing...the loud shrills from the women in my family...SEC has been killed. He has been put out to pasture. Wow what an adventure! You might be wondering what the heck I am talking about?!?
Well it all started on a calm cool evening much like the one today. I was minding my own business down in the basement playing MotorStorm on the PS3 when all of a sudden the floor next to me seemingly moved. For an instant I thought I saw a little brown flash dart across the floor and then it was gone. Only moments later I saw a small brown object running along the edge of the floor and in behind my TV set. I saw the cords move and then this little brown nose pop out and just sat there. It was like he was watching me or something...it was a mouse.
A few days later I heard a scream from down in the basement (which is not too uncommon when my kids are down there). It was Tawna. The mouse had just run between her feet and then under the door. In that instance I knew it was time to move into action. So I found an old trap left over from hunts long ago. I loaded it up with peanut butter and I set it. Oh yeah it was on!!! The following day I went to check the trap and to my amazement the peanut butter was gone and the trap had not even been triggered. Round one to the mouse. At this moment I new I had a tough opponent. It was a terrible defeat on my part. It was an embarrassing loss, so I named him SEC.
I scooped up my trap and I went upstairs with my head bowed in shame unsure if how I would respond to such humiliation. But I went to the refrigerator to see what I could find, and there it was, a slice of sharp cheddar. This time I took it and I crammed it into all of the pours of the trap. Making sure he would defeat me again. SEC was about to go down! I set the trap and waited. This morning I woke up put my Buckeye shirt on and I moved to the basement with hesitation not wanting to lose to SEC again. I gabbed the flashlight and there he was. Caught in the jaws of my trap. SEC had been defeated!!! He may have won the first time. But I learned I adapted and in the end victory was mine. He is now in my garage awaiting his final resting place...the garbage! I only wish Jim Tressel was able to do what I had done. Make the necessary adjustments to not lose to SEC twice in a row. But alas catching mice is not as complicated as running a football program. Not sure there is any value to this post. Just was on my mind and gives you a glimpse into the silliness that is the Alice household. Blessings, Your Weird Dreaming Pastor
Well it all started on a calm cool evening much like the one today. I was minding my own business down in the basement playing MotorStorm on the PS3 when all of a sudden the floor next to me seemingly moved. For an instant I thought I saw a little brown flash dart across the floor and then it was gone. Only moments later I saw a small brown object running along the edge of the floor and in behind my TV set. I saw the cords move and then this little brown nose pop out and just sat there. It was like he was watching me or something...it was a mouse.
A few days later I heard a scream from down in the basement (which is not too uncommon when my kids are down there). It was Tawna. The mouse had just run between her feet and then under the door. In that instance I knew it was time to move into action. So I found an old trap left over from hunts long ago. I loaded it up with peanut butter and I set it. Oh yeah it was on!!! The following day I went to check the trap and to my amazement the peanut butter was gone and the trap had not even been triggered. Round one to the mouse. At this moment I new I had a tough opponent. It was a terrible defeat on my part. It was an embarrassing loss, so I named him SEC.
I scooped up my trap and I went upstairs with my head bowed in shame unsure if how I would respond to such humiliation. But I went to the refrigerator to see what I could find, and there it was, a slice of sharp cheddar. This time I took it and I crammed it into all of the pours of the trap. Making sure he would defeat me again. SEC was about to go down! I set the trap and waited. This morning I woke up put my Buckeye shirt on and I moved to the basement with hesitation not wanting to lose to SEC again. I gabbed the flashlight and there he was. Caught in the jaws of my trap. SEC had been defeated!!! He may have won the first time. But I learned I adapted and in the end victory was mine. He is now in my garage awaiting his final resting place...the garbage! I only wish Jim Tressel was able to do what I had done. Make the necessary adjustments to not lose to SEC twice in a row. But alas catching mice is not as complicated as running a football program. Not sure there is any value to this post. Just was on my mind and gives you a glimpse into the silliness that is the Alice household. Blessings, Your Weird Dreaming Pastor
Monday, February 25, 2008
Just another surgery for Isabel
Many of you know that my daughter Isabel was born with a rare genetic disorder called Apert's Syndrome. She has many issues resulting from this...Mainly with her skull, hands, & feet. Wanted to keep you updated on her so that you can continue praying for her.
The first Tuesday in April she will be having double hand surgery. The purpose of this is to reposition her thumbs so she can have a better grip. This means they will be inserting two pins. She will also have the wells deepened between her other fingers. (She was born with her fingers fused). She will be in casts on both arms that go all the way up to her arm pits. It amazing how routine and normal this feels to us because she has been through so much.
She has always been a warrior and has never once complained about her difficulties. She is such a source of strength for our entire household. I hope if you have difficulty in your life or in one of your loved ones lives that she can serve as an inspiration for you. Keep our family in your prayers, especially Isabel. May God Bless you today, Your Dreaming Pastor
The first Tuesday in April she will be having double hand surgery. The purpose of this is to reposition her thumbs so she can have a better grip. This means they will be inserting two pins. She will also have the wells deepened between her other fingers. (She was born with her fingers fused). She will be in casts on both arms that go all the way up to her arm pits. It amazing how routine and normal this feels to us because she has been through so much.
She has always been a warrior and has never once complained about her difficulties. She is such a source of strength for our entire household. I hope if you have difficulty in your life or in one of your loved ones lives that she can serve as an inspiration for you. Keep our family in your prayers, especially Isabel. May God Bless you today, Your Dreaming Pastor
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Those long winter months
What a crazy winter it has been weather wise. One day it is 10 degrees and snowing the next day it is 50 degrees and raining. We have experienced ice, sleet, slush, and freezing rain all in a few months. For me I tend to get a little cabin fever and the walls feel like they are coming in on me. Our family really thrives outdoors and there are times where we get to feeling a little stir crazy this time of year. It is really difficult on the kids because there is so much for them to do outside and it also doesn't really ever give Erin and I a break because we can't say, "hey go outside and play". If we didn't have a basement for them to go play in I am not sure we could keep our sanity.
I have heard studies that the gloominess of winter is a real phenomenon in our lives. With all of these dark gray days, with the lousy weather, and low temperatures it can wear on a persons soul. Depression is a bigger issue in the winter months just because of the climate. I have to confess there are times where I just feel dreary and blah because I haven't seen the sun in a few weeks. I also think it is this time of year in late February where it feels like the lousy weather is never going to end. Very soon however it will start warming up, the farmers will hit the fields, and everything will be in bloom. I don't know about you but I am looking forward to those days.
It reminds me how much we relay on our feelings. That our feelings tend to dictate our attitudes, our actions, and even our inactions. It is so hard for us to make sure we continue to do those things in life that are important and a priority even when we don't feel like it. What I am learning is sometimes I have to act my way into a feeling. In other words if I wait to do something that I feel like doing it may never get done. However if I take right action even if I don't' feel like it eventually the awkwardness wears off and the feelings come. These days it's so easy to allow the blah or dreariness of the day affect our life actions. We may not always feel like it and then again there are times where we just need to act it and the feelings come. So for now I am going to watch some TV while the kids play in the basement and Erin rests (until I feel like doing something else...hah, hah). I pray that you are making it through these trying months and that God continues to shed light on your soul even on these gray days. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
I have heard studies that the gloominess of winter is a real phenomenon in our lives. With all of these dark gray days, with the lousy weather, and low temperatures it can wear on a persons soul. Depression is a bigger issue in the winter months just because of the climate. I have to confess there are times where I just feel dreary and blah because I haven't seen the sun in a few weeks. I also think it is this time of year in late February where it feels like the lousy weather is never going to end. Very soon however it will start warming up, the farmers will hit the fields, and everything will be in bloom. I don't know about you but I am looking forward to those days.
It reminds me how much we relay on our feelings. That our feelings tend to dictate our attitudes, our actions, and even our inactions. It is so hard for us to make sure we continue to do those things in life that are important and a priority even when we don't feel like it. What I am learning is sometimes I have to act my way into a feeling. In other words if I wait to do something that I feel like doing it may never get done. However if I take right action even if I don't' feel like it eventually the awkwardness wears off and the feelings come. These days it's so easy to allow the blah or dreariness of the day affect our life actions. We may not always feel like it and then again there are times where we just need to act it and the feelings come. So for now I am going to watch some TV while the kids play in the basement and Erin rests (until I feel like doing something else...hah, hah). I pray that you are making it through these trying months and that God continues to shed light on your soul even on these gray days. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Torn between two loves...
I have two major loves in my life right now. One is my devotion to my family and the other is my commitment to the local church that I serve. One of the greatest struggles in my life is how to handle situations when those two things collide. There are often times where my family is going in one direction with a commitment or activity and my responsibilities at the church are going in another direction. For instance last summer we had this awesome sermon series called "Facing the Giants". Well the Friday night that we had movie night my son Austin was playing in his first tournament game with his baseball team. I was the assistant coach. I missed that game and probably will always regret it. But what should a person do. I know for a fact that if I missed our movie night here at OFC and gone to the game I would have regretted missing that event as well. I always heard it described by other pastors like this..."when I'm at home I feel like I should be at church and when I am at church I feel like I should be at home." I can certainly relate to that. Life is filled with choices and commitments. How do we decide in these tough circumstances. I always try to put myself in my kids shoes in these cases. When I was a child at least one of my parents made it to every one of my basketball games, awards ceremonies, concerts, or banquets. In fact through my basketball career I never once remember my parents not being there even at some of our far away road games. When I think of that it brings me back to today and my commitment to my kids and my family. How can I make sure I create those memories for them?
Like for instance my dilemma with my daughter Tawna and her Baton/twirling team. Their major competition for the year just happens to be the same morning of one of our biggest events of the year at OFC, our Easter outreach to the community. My entire family will be going to see Tawna's performance, even my folks are coming up from Dayton to go see her. This is one of the only competitions she will participate in all year. How could I miss that? Tawna will remember that day for the rest of her life and I won't be there.
But then again we are putting on a major ministry outreach here at the church. I will be asking and recruiting people to come and to serve. I will be expecting our leaders to show up and do a great job as they put on an excellent party for the community. How could I miss that? People will want to know, well where is the pastor? How could he miss such an important event? These moments for me are some of the most difficult times when it comes to being a parent and a pastor. I can handle the crisis, the back biting, people's frustration, the ugly parts of being in the ministry. But when it comes to things like this I feel lost and lonely. You might think that it isn't that big of a deal but for me I just get torn. I show up to one place while my heart is somewhere else. I am sure all of you can relate to these circumstances.
It's kind of funny... I'm the one always throwing advice out to you guys. Now I need a little encouragement from you. How do you handle and deal with these kinds of circumstances? I would love to hear any of your feedback on this one. I know you can't decide for me and I don't expect you to. Just looking for any insights you might have or what you might do. Look forward to your comments. Blessings, Your Dreaming & Torn Pastor
Like for instance my dilemma with my daughter Tawna and her Baton/twirling team. Their major competition for the year just happens to be the same morning of one of our biggest events of the year at OFC, our Easter outreach to the community. My entire family will be going to see Tawna's performance, even my folks are coming up from Dayton to go see her. This is one of the only competitions she will participate in all year. How could I miss that? Tawna will remember that day for the rest of her life and I won't be there.
But then again we are putting on a major ministry outreach here at the church. I will be asking and recruiting people to come and to serve. I will be expecting our leaders to show up and do a great job as they put on an excellent party for the community. How could I miss that? People will want to know, well where is the pastor? How could he miss such an important event? These moments for me are some of the most difficult times when it comes to being a parent and a pastor. I can handle the crisis, the back biting, people's frustration, the ugly parts of being in the ministry. But when it comes to things like this I feel lost and lonely. You might think that it isn't that big of a deal but for me I just get torn. I show up to one place while my heart is somewhere else. I am sure all of you can relate to these circumstances.
It's kind of funny... I'm the one always throwing advice out to you guys. Now I need a little encouragement from you. How do you handle and deal with these kinds of circumstances? I would love to hear any of your feedback on this one. I know you can't decide for me and I don't expect you to. Just looking for any insights you might have or what you might do. Look forward to your comments. Blessings, Your Dreaming & Torn Pastor
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Skating with the fam
Today we had an Ice skating event with our church. Our whole family went and everyone except E-Beth and Erin went out on the ice. It is kind of an odd feeling for me being on skates. We skated once last year and before that it hadn't been since I was a teen in youth group since I had last gone skating. Once my skates hit the ice I felt really wobbly and off balance. It is a very awkward experience. However, very quickly I would gain my confidence and I go faster and faster and faster until by the end of our time I was as confident as I can be. It just amazes me that after all these years it just takes a few minutes to remember all over again how to ice skate.
I think life is lot like what I experienced today. It takes us time in certain things to gain our balance and our confidence with what we are doing or for that matter with what God is doing in us. So we gingerly move forward trusting at some moment we are going to get it. Sometimes we stumble sometimes we fall but in the end after time goes by and many struggles later there we are skating through life with God guiding the way. I think the point is it is so easy to get discouraged when things feel unfamiliar or awkward. Anything new or that we haven't tried in a long time will seem awkward at first. But the reward of working through those moments far outweighs our stumbles along the way in getting there. I can picture God coaxing us out onto the ice of life, to trust Him as we grow with Him, that things will become familiar.
Like when Isabel joined me out on the ice and she couldn't even stand on her own. I propped her up and held her and once she looked comfortable I started letting go more and more. Until for a few seconds I wasn't holding her at all I was just there to support her and guide her. If we can look at our faith like that we would better understand how God is there for us through our life development. There are times where His grip on us is tighter than at other times. There are times where we are moving forward and he is there to make sure we are all right. There are times where He has to pick us up after we fall. The point is he never leaves our side no matter how well it is going. There are just different levels of our development with Him. I pray that you have the courage to be out on the ice of life with God and are trusting him through the stumbling and bumbling moments...believing that he will be there to guide you along the way and that eventually you will get it, feel confident, and be moving along. Another thing. maybe it ahs been awhile since you tried skating out on the ice with God in life. Don't worry as soon as you step out there and try it again you will pick it up as quickly as I did. You can never be to far away from God to try and pick up your relationship with Him. Hey let's go skating together...see you out on the ice! Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
I think life is lot like what I experienced today. It takes us time in certain things to gain our balance and our confidence with what we are doing or for that matter with what God is doing in us. So we gingerly move forward trusting at some moment we are going to get it. Sometimes we stumble sometimes we fall but in the end after time goes by and many struggles later there we are skating through life with God guiding the way. I think the point is it is so easy to get discouraged when things feel unfamiliar or awkward. Anything new or that we haven't tried in a long time will seem awkward at first. But the reward of working through those moments far outweighs our stumbles along the way in getting there. I can picture God coaxing us out onto the ice of life, to trust Him as we grow with Him, that things will become familiar.
Like when Isabel joined me out on the ice and she couldn't even stand on her own. I propped her up and held her and once she looked comfortable I started letting go more and more. Until for a few seconds I wasn't holding her at all I was just there to support her and guide her. If we can look at our faith like that we would better understand how God is there for us through our life development. There are times where His grip on us is tighter than at other times. There are times where we are moving forward and he is there to make sure we are all right. There are times where He has to pick us up after we fall. The point is he never leaves our side no matter how well it is going. There are just different levels of our development with Him. I pray that you have the courage to be out on the ice of life with God and are trusting him through the stumbling and bumbling moments...believing that he will be there to guide you along the way and that eventually you will get it, feel confident, and be moving along. Another thing. maybe it ahs been awhile since you tried skating out on the ice with God in life. Don't worry as soon as you step out there and try it again you will pick it up as quickly as I did. You can never be to far away from God to try and pick up your relationship with Him. Hey let's go skating together...see you out on the ice! Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Its been a long year already
I can't beleive it is only the middle of February. Our family sure has had a crazy year so far. I think we have been fully healthy for a total of 1 week so far. We have had upper chest infections, ear infections, strep throat, stomach viruses, procedures, colds, you name it we have had it. Isabel and Erin went to Cincy Children's Hospital for her latest check up on how she is doing and they determined that she will be having double hand suregery in April. Last week we got water in our basement...again. Two weeks ago Erin and I got away for a few days in Columbus. The kids have had 2 hr delays it seems almost every morning for school. Three of our girls have already finished an entire session of ice skating and will be starting another this weekend. It has just been nutty. At the church we have had countless people in the hospital with their own struggles with surgeies, emergenices, and other illnesses. We had to cancel My Place last week & cancelled our lead team last night all because of weather. It has been quit a year.
Do you ever just have those seasons of life that are so hectic and chaotic? You wonder how you have made it through them? Or in some cases it is so crazy that it just seems to be a blur...you feel like you have been doing nothing but catching up or just keeping your head afloat. That is what this year has felt like. I am sure some of you can relate to this and some of you have had even crazier years. I am always amazed that no matter how wild our seasons of life are that God never changes. He stays constant and true in His character and His qualities. I wish I could say the same for me during these times. Sometimes I just seem to be (or at least feel like I am) out of balance. I get irritable, more selfish and self-focused. It is easy to lose touch when life is going a million miles an hour. I am sure things will slow down here pretty soon...yeah right. Does life ever slow down? Well maybe sometimes but it is not a guarentee. How do you cope with a crazy life full of the expected and the unexpected? It's not easy but that is life isn't it. I pray that I continue to take on the characteristics and qualities of Jesus as I walk through life with Him together. I pray that you do the same as well. Blessings,
Do you ever just have those seasons of life that are so hectic and chaotic? You wonder how you have made it through them? Or in some cases it is so crazy that it just seems to be a blur...you feel like you have been doing nothing but catching up or just keeping your head afloat. That is what this year has felt like. I am sure some of you can relate to this and some of you have had even crazier years. I am always amazed that no matter how wild our seasons of life are that God never changes. He stays constant and true in His character and His qualities. I wish I could say the same for me during these times. Sometimes I just seem to be (or at least feel like I am) out of balance. I get irritable, more selfish and self-focused. It is easy to lose touch when life is going a million miles an hour. I am sure things will slow down here pretty soon...yeah right. Does life ever slow down? Well maybe sometimes but it is not a guarentee. How do you cope with a crazy life full of the expected and the unexpected? It's not easy but that is life isn't it. I pray that I continue to take on the characteristics and qualities of Jesus as I walk through life with Him together. I pray that you do the same as well. Blessings,
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
When we step out in faith
I couldn't imagine doing anything else with my life then being a pastor of a church. There is no greater fulfillment for me than to see the light bulb come on for people as they connect and reconnect to their purpose in Jesus Christ. I love it when people take risks and believe that God can do something huge through them. These are normal everyday people who are just as busy as anyone else. These are people that have full schedules filled with real issues going on in their life. Yet they hear God's call and they step out in faith and let Him use them.
I was reminded of this as I sat in our first worship service for our new Celebrate recovery ministry this past Sunday night. I watched a group of everyday lay people be used by God in extraordinary ways. Not because they were qualified or had been to Seminary but because they believed God could use them...and He did. God can do amazing things in our life when we believe him for it and let Him use us. We don't need degree's or titles to change the world. This ministry has been dreamed by, developed by, and lead by the layette in our church and two other pastors from other churches. This has been a huge commitment for them and a time consuming venture but they are seeing God's power work through them and touch others lives. There is nothing more fulfilling as a pastor than to watch your people go for it and risk it on the front lines of ministry.
My prayer is that everyone at some point in time would not only realize their potential in Christ but that they would make the necessary sacrifices and have the faith and the trust in God to let him use them. Way to go God!!! Let me ask you where you are at. Are you too busy? Everyone is busy...its about adjusting priorities. Do you not believe you are capable? Well you probably aren't that is why God is going to do it through you. Maybe you just afraid? That's why this thing only works with faith and trust. Step out on the limb and God will meet you there. Together you will change the world. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
I was reminded of this as I sat in our first worship service for our new Celebrate recovery ministry this past Sunday night. I watched a group of everyday lay people be used by God in extraordinary ways. Not because they were qualified or had been to Seminary but because they believed God could use them...and He did. God can do amazing things in our life when we believe him for it and let Him use us. We don't need degree's or titles to change the world. This ministry has been dreamed by, developed by, and lead by the layette in our church and two other pastors from other churches. This has been a huge commitment for them and a time consuming venture but they are seeing God's power work through them and touch others lives. There is nothing more fulfilling as a pastor than to watch your people go for it and risk it on the front lines of ministry.
My prayer is that everyone at some point in time would not only realize their potential in Christ but that they would make the necessary sacrifices and have the faith and the trust in God to let him use them. Way to go God!!! Let me ask you where you are at. Are you too busy? Everyone is busy...its about adjusting priorities. Do you not believe you are capable? Well you probably aren't that is why God is going to do it through you. Maybe you just afraid? That's why this thing only works with faith and trust. Step out on the limb and God will meet you there. Together you will change the world. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Thursday, February 7, 2008
My heart aches!
Have you seen the footage? Have you seen the images? It is like ground hogs day as we relive the flooding of August all over again. Roads are closed, the waters are high, and businesses and houses are getting flooded...again. I can't tell you how sad my heart is for all those just finishing up from the disaster last year only to have water in their houses or property again. I saw one interview yesterday of a man from Findlay, OH (that is flooding yet again) who said his family was just about to move back in to their house this weekend from last August's flood and now their house is flooding again! ...........I have no words at this moment............. How devastating.
There are moments like these when our hurts, pains, and problems are so deep that the only thing that can sooth is to think that there is someone greater than us that is looking out for us in some way shape or form. It is so easy in these times to wonder, "where is God when bad things happen to good people?" However, in times of severe crisis I just choose to cry out to God and say, "I need you now." Imagine how much worse it would be to go through fiery trials and realize there is no reason behind it...that there is nothing out there greater than you, caring for you, that you can cry out to for strength. In this case there would be no answers, no reason, it would be hopeless, and all our trials and struggles would be for nothing. In Christ there is always hope. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. There is always promise. My prayer is that those that suffer today in their tragedy could some how feel and know the touch of God in their hearts...to know that they are not alone in their struggles...to feel God's tears as they cry themselves, but to know that they are not by themselves. May people today in our area feel the compassion of our creator who does in deed have our concerns & struggles on His heart. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
There are moments like these when our hurts, pains, and problems are so deep that the only thing that can sooth is to think that there is someone greater than us that is looking out for us in some way shape or form. It is so easy in these times to wonder, "where is God when bad things happen to good people?" However, in times of severe crisis I just choose to cry out to God and say, "I need you now." Imagine how much worse it would be to go through fiery trials and realize there is no reason behind it...that there is nothing out there greater than you, caring for you, that you can cry out to for strength. In this case there would be no answers, no reason, it would be hopeless, and all our trials and struggles would be for nothing. In Christ there is always hope. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel. There is always promise. My prayer is that those that suffer today in their tragedy could some how feel and know the touch of God in their hearts...to know that they are not alone in their struggles...to feel God's tears as they cry themselves, but to know that they are not by themselves. May people today in our area feel the compassion of our creator who does in deed have our concerns & struggles on His heart. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
A dose of humility and perspective...
Well we have water in our basement again. That was one heck of a storm we had overnight. It is amazing for the first 7 years of this house there has been no water and now this is twice in the last year. I have to tell you one of the rudest awakenings early in the morning is waking up to a basement with water in it. Not the way most people want to start their day.
Today I am being reminded that it is so easy for me to get caught up in my own troubles and crisis. In these moments I tend to forget all the other struggles other people are dealing with too. For instance when I got on the internet to find the number for SERVPRO to come out and clean things up there was an article on the web page about 30 people dying as a result of a bomb going off over seas. Here I am worried about a little water and my stuff getting wet. Then I went to Toledo today to visit w/ one of our parishioners from OFC who is having open heart surgery. The whole way there I am thinking about our basement and then it dawns on me that hey this guy is having SURGERY. Life could always be worse and it usually is for others. It is a humbling thing to realize you aren't the only one with problems.
Actually in times like this it usually helps me take the time to be thankful for what I have and how God has blessed me. Seems weird to thank God at a time when there is a life crisis. But it is that crisis that gives me a fresh perspective and a new appreciation for what I do have. Even when Isabel has to go through her numerous surgeries I am still reminded it could be worse. I am still learning everyday to be appreciative of what I have and of my life no matter what is going on at the time. It is events like today that make me realize that I need God to keep me humble and to walk through life with thanksgiving and praise. God is so good. Keep our family in your prayers as we walk through yet another struggle. Then again when is there not struggle in life? Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Today I am being reminded that it is so easy for me to get caught up in my own troubles and crisis. In these moments I tend to forget all the other struggles other people are dealing with too. For instance when I got on the internet to find the number for SERVPRO to come out and clean things up there was an article on the web page about 30 people dying as a result of a bomb going off over seas. Here I am worried about a little water and my stuff getting wet. Then I went to Toledo today to visit w/ one of our parishioners from OFC who is having open heart surgery. The whole way there I am thinking about our basement and then it dawns on me that hey this guy is having SURGERY. Life could always be worse and it usually is for others. It is a humbling thing to realize you aren't the only one with problems.
Actually in times like this it usually helps me take the time to be thankful for what I have and how God has blessed me. Seems weird to thank God at a time when there is a life crisis. But it is that crisis that gives me a fresh perspective and a new appreciation for what I do have. Even when Isabel has to go through her numerous surgeries I am still reminded it could be worse. I am still learning everyday to be appreciative of what I have and of my life no matter what is going on at the time. It is events like today that make me realize that I need God to keep me humble and to walk through life with thanksgiving and praise. God is so good. Keep our family in your prayers as we walk through yet another struggle. Then again when is there not struggle in life? Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
The ongoing battle of Apert's
Many of you know that our 3 year old daughter has a rare genetic syndrome called Apert's. It affects many functions of the body but especially the shape of the skull, a fusing of her fingers, and of her toes. Isabel is our little trooper and a warrior of courage and strength. I believe to date she has had 13 different surgeries. It amazes me how little I think about the fact that she has Apert's. In fact I have to be reminded of it, otherwise Isabel just seems normal to us. Today is one of those days where I am reminded of her struggles. She is in Cincinnati meeting with her surgery team in order to determine when he next major surgery will be. More than likely there will be a surgery for her toes to continue to shape and separate them. There could be a hand surgery soon as well to do the same. However, we are not anticipating a major skull surgery for another year or so.
I remember when she was first born and all the prognoses were that she would not have anything better than normal intelligence. I worried that she wouldn't be able to have a fun filled healthy life. Boy was I wrong...she has beaten all the odds and is doing incredibly well. She lights up a room when she walks into it and brings joy and smiles to everyone's face. She is becoming very independent and doesn't want help doing anything. I regularly see her helping her little sister E-Beth in many ways and it warms my heart.
To be honest with you I do not have much worry or concern about today' meeting. When you have been through what she has already and seen God prevail so many times against the odds...meetings like today just seem normal. I guess that's why it is so important for us to always remember what God has done in our life and in others so that we can have the courage to know what he is going to do for us now. We know and believe that God will always provide and Isabel is our walking living example of God's wonderful powerful provision. I pray today that you gain a greater understanding of how our Lord Jesus Christ who watches over us and cares for us. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
I remember when she was first born and all the prognoses were that she would not have anything better than normal intelligence. I worried that she wouldn't be able to have a fun filled healthy life. Boy was I wrong...she has beaten all the odds and is doing incredibly well. She lights up a room when she walks into it and brings joy and smiles to everyone's face. She is becoming very independent and doesn't want help doing anything. I regularly see her helping her little sister E-Beth in many ways and it warms my heart.
To be honest with you I do not have much worry or concern about today' meeting. When you have been through what she has already and seen God prevail so many times against the odds...meetings like today just seem normal. I guess that's why it is so important for us to always remember what God has done in our life and in others so that we can have the courage to know what he is going to do for us now. We know and believe that God will always provide and Isabel is our walking living example of God's wonderful powerful provision. I pray today that you gain a greater understanding of how our Lord Jesus Christ who watches over us and cares for us. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Monday, February 4, 2008
Wanna Get Away?
I always have loved those South West commercials that ask us all a question that often times we find ourselves saying yes to. Last week my mom came up and watched the kids and let Erin and I got away to Columbus for a few days. What a refreshing time we had just driving around relaxing at the hotel, visiting shops, eating out. However the most fun we had was in the small things like not having to unload five kids every time we got to a store. Erin also liked eating first before having to feed anyone else. I particularly liked the quietness and relaxed nature of our time together. Every couple that has young kids ought to find ways to get away from the daily routine that never seems to end.
It did a couple of things for us. It of course brought Erin and I closer and allowed us to catch up on some things. We were able to carry on a conversation longer than 2 minutes without being interrupted. It also had us appreciating our children even more than we already did, which seemed impossible. Absence does make the heart grow more fonder. For our children it reinforced to them that the most important relationship in our house is the one between mommy and daddy. We modeled for them just how much of a priority our marriage is. In fact Austin made himself sick on Thursday before we left town because he didn't want us to go. It gave me a chance to let him know that no matter how badly he felt mom and dad were still going to go because we needed this time to getaway and focus on us for a few days. A few hours later he was doing fine so I dropped him off at school.
I wonder for many of us that are married, how worn out and weary we are? How strong is our relationship with our spouse? There are times during the week where we are with our kids so much and when we aren't we are so exhausted that it doesn't even feel like we exist for each other. There are times were all we can do is just keep up with our responsibilities and the only conversation we have is to tell the other our schedule or ask for help with something. Needless to say life can be really full. Ours always seems to be...so I am thankful for those moments where we can just get away. Do you wanna getaway? Then do it. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
It did a couple of things for us. It of course brought Erin and I closer and allowed us to catch up on some things. We were able to carry on a conversation longer than 2 minutes without being interrupted. It also had us appreciating our children even more than we already did, which seemed impossible. Absence does make the heart grow more fonder. For our children it reinforced to them that the most important relationship in our house is the one between mommy and daddy. We modeled for them just how much of a priority our marriage is. In fact Austin made himself sick on Thursday before we left town because he didn't want us to go. It gave me a chance to let him know that no matter how badly he felt mom and dad were still going to go because we needed this time to getaway and focus on us for a few days. A few hours later he was doing fine so I dropped him off at school.
I wonder for many of us that are married, how worn out and weary we are? How strong is our relationship with our spouse? There are times during the week where we are with our kids so much and when we aren't we are so exhausted that it doesn't even feel like we exist for each other. There are times were all we can do is just keep up with our responsibilities and the only conversation we have is to tell the other our schedule or ask for help with something. Needless to say life can be really full. Ours always seems to be...so I am thankful for those moments where we can just get away. Do you wanna getaway? Then do it. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
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