One of my favorite times of the year is here. Austin's baseball season starts this Saturday with his first practice. I get to be the assistant coach on the team again as well. What a great way for Ausitn and I to get to spend some times together away from the rest of the kids in the family. It is tough for me to get one on one time when there is 5 kids. Coaching is a great way for me to do that with him. The truth is I would be at the ballpark for his practices and games anyways why not coach? I am really excited.
For me it is also something that is really fun to do...I really enjoy it. I get to be with Austin and work with other boys his age. Who knows maybe they will learn something from me that will help them in their growth and development. I also enjoy it because I get to watch Austin develop and grow right before my eyes...and that is cool. For me though it is a good escape from the normal routines of life. I am able to get away from the church while still being a witness to other coaches and the players yet not have to deal with "church stuff". It also gets me away from the routine of the house and all of the chaos there. I guess you could call this coaching thing a hobby for. Just an all around good thing!
I know Austin and my other children will always remember that there dad was there to coach their teams. This will be a foundational moment for them. I don't want to be one of the parents that later in life they tell there friends that "I was never there or never around for them." Coaching is a creative outlet for me to build a great bond with my kids and it creates healthy memories that will never be taken away. How do you creatively invest time into your kids. What outlets do you have in your life and how can you include your kids in on them? I pray that God continues to grow you and all your relationships with your children. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
If only it could have lasted a little longer
Well Erin and I will be saying goodbye to our minivan and saying hello to a new used minivan. This one was a hard pill to swallow. We had every intention of holding onto our 99 Chrysler T&C for several more years. It only had 118,000 miles on it and things were going fine with it. We only have one car payment right now and we will pay that off in under two years. The plan was to be able to keep the van long enough to have our other car paid off. Well as you know some of the best laid plans never come to fruition. Neither did this one. We had discovered and issue with our van recently that would force us to sink major $ into it to be repaired, or trade it in for a van that is newer with a lot less miles. We chose the latter rather than the former option.
It made me sick to think that we wouldn't be able to hold onto it. It has been such a good van to us. This was the van that we had for many of our foster kids. I remember picking up Hailey, Austin, and Tawna for the first time in that van and driving them to the park and Bob Evans for dinner. I remember taking all of the family vacations in it to Myrtle Beach and to Gatlingurg. God has blessed us with that van and I thank Him for always providing through it. Not once did it break down on us on the road. There were never any major issues with it until now. Now it is time to say goodbye. It has served us well and we thank God. So much so that I think my family will say a prayer of thanks giving over our old van before we let it go. God is good.
Now it is time to place our trust in a new vehicle. It feels a little uneasy because we don't know what to expect from this new van. We knew our old one...we were comfortable with it and trusted it. Now we have to build that trust all over again. Anytime you buy a new car no matter how many miles there are on it you are taking a risk. You never really know what kind of car it will turn out to be. So we will also be saying a prayer over our new van that God will provide many years of safe transportation and memories through this one as He did with the last one.
I am also thankful for the choices Erin and I have been making for the past 11 years financially. It really set us up to be prepared for an unexpected expense like this one. You never really know when things are going to happen in your life that require a huge expense. You have to be prepared for those things. I would say this time we were as prepared as we could be. Thank you Lord. How about you? Are you prepared for a future emergency no matter what it might be? There are so many twists and turns in life that it kind of gets your head swirling. If you had told me several months ago that I would be spending spring break with my family van shopping I would have told you, that you were crazy. None the less my family thanks you God for providing in a time of crisis. I pray that God has you making healthy choices today for those moments that will not go according to plan in the future. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
It made me sick to think that we wouldn't be able to hold onto it. It has been such a good van to us. This was the van that we had for many of our foster kids. I remember picking up Hailey, Austin, and Tawna for the first time in that van and driving them to the park and Bob Evans for dinner. I remember taking all of the family vacations in it to Myrtle Beach and to Gatlingurg. God has blessed us with that van and I thank Him for always providing through it. Not once did it break down on us on the road. There were never any major issues with it until now. Now it is time to say goodbye. It has served us well and we thank God. So much so that I think my family will say a prayer of thanks giving over our old van before we let it go. God is good.
Now it is time to place our trust in a new vehicle. It feels a little uneasy because we don't know what to expect from this new van. We knew our old one...we were comfortable with it and trusted it. Now we have to build that trust all over again. Anytime you buy a new car no matter how many miles there are on it you are taking a risk. You never really know what kind of car it will turn out to be. So we will also be saying a prayer over our new van that God will provide many years of safe transportation and memories through this one as He did with the last one.
I am also thankful for the choices Erin and I have been making for the past 11 years financially. It really set us up to be prepared for an unexpected expense like this one. You never really know when things are going to happen in your life that require a huge expense. You have to be prepared for those things. I would say this time we were as prepared as we could be. Thank you Lord. How about you? Are you prepared for a future emergency no matter what it might be? There are so many twists and turns in life that it kind of gets your head swirling. If you had told me several months ago that I would be spending spring break with my family van shopping I would have told you, that you were crazy. None the less my family thanks you God for providing in a time of crisis. I pray that God has you making healthy choices today for those moments that will not go according to plan in the future. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Saturday, March 22, 2008
So much pain it has to be good!
I have always believed that the more stresses and issues that face my life and family the more work God is about to do. Evidently God is about to do something awesome on Easter Sunday. This has been a week filled with extraordinary stresses in our life. It all started on Monday when I spent the whole day wondering if our basement was going to flood again. I don't know if you have ever had a flood-prone basement before but it really ways on your heart and mind every time in rains. In this case they were predicting as much as 2 inches of rain in a few days time. Needless to say I fretted about it for two straight days and didn't sleep for two nights. I must have checked the basement about 10 times each day during the rain. It turns out the basement didn't flood.
All was good...that is until we discovered that our van has some major issues that might cause us to have to get rid of it more than 3 years earlier than we had planned. That is enough to make you sick to your stomach when you have your financial plans working for you and all of a sudden you are unexpectedly looking at having to buy another vehicle. That was weighing heavily on my mind yesterday when we discovered some possible health related issues with someone in our family. I stewed on that until late evening last night. However all is well with that issue too. Then I wake up this morning to 4-6 inches of snow on the ground the day before one of the biggest Sundays 0f the year at church...Easter.
This has been a very stress filled and distracting week. I have felt Satan's tug all week long. He has been trying to pull me off of my game and I believe God is wanting to do something big, really big. I have once again learned a lot about how God provides for us and how my stress and worry does nothing for me. It gets me all worked up and in the end it doesn't do anything. All it does is distract me from the good things God wants to do in me, through me, and around me. How often do we render ourselves ineffective because we are so caught up in our worries and concerns? I believe and experience these testing moments and trials as a chance for my faith to grow in God. Let's face it, without struggles, temptations, stresses, and problems in our life there would be no reason to rely on God. In these moments we really find out what our faith is made of and hopefully in most cases find it growing in the face of adversity.
It was an amazing moment for me when I was struggle with one particular issue this week that would have normally gotten me all worked up. Instead I chose to focus on some recent issues that God had already taken care of. It was this moment of remembering God's prior acts of faithfulness that allowed me in this instance to trust him even more. I figured in my mind that if he showed up last week in my life why wouldn't he show up today. In the end He did and He prevailed as He always does. I am so easily stresses in the presence of a perfect living powerful God. Lord, forgive me for those times I do not trust and thank you for your might power that provides for my every need. Every time the going gets stressful I am looking for something huge from Him. I believe tomorrow morning is one of those powerful moments. I pray you all have an awesome Easter and may God bless your life. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
All was good...that is until we discovered that our van has some major issues that might cause us to have to get rid of it more than 3 years earlier than we had planned. That is enough to make you sick to your stomach when you have your financial plans working for you and all of a sudden you are unexpectedly looking at having to buy another vehicle. That was weighing heavily on my mind yesterday when we discovered some possible health related issues with someone in our family. I stewed on that until late evening last night. However all is well with that issue too. Then I wake up this morning to 4-6 inches of snow on the ground the day before one of the biggest Sundays 0f the year at church...Easter.
This has been a very stress filled and distracting week. I have felt Satan's tug all week long. He has been trying to pull me off of my game and I believe God is wanting to do something big, really big. I have once again learned a lot about how God provides for us and how my stress and worry does nothing for me. It gets me all worked up and in the end it doesn't do anything. All it does is distract me from the good things God wants to do in me, through me, and around me. How often do we render ourselves ineffective because we are so caught up in our worries and concerns? I believe and experience these testing moments and trials as a chance for my faith to grow in God. Let's face it, without struggles, temptations, stresses, and problems in our life there would be no reason to rely on God. In these moments we really find out what our faith is made of and hopefully in most cases find it growing in the face of adversity.
It was an amazing moment for me when I was struggle with one particular issue this week that would have normally gotten me all worked up. Instead I chose to focus on some recent issues that God had already taken care of. It was this moment of remembering God's prior acts of faithfulness that allowed me in this instance to trust him even more. I figured in my mind that if he showed up last week in my life why wouldn't he show up today. In the end He did and He prevailed as He always does. I am so easily stresses in the presence of a perfect living powerful God. Lord, forgive me for those times I do not trust and thank you for your might power that provides for my every need. Every time the going gets stressful I am looking for something huge from Him. I believe tomorrow morning is one of those powerful moments. I pray you all have an awesome Easter and may God bless your life. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Monday, March 17, 2008
That could never happen to me
How many times have we seen disaster or tragedy on the television and feel like we are distanced from those things. That those terrible things could never happen to our family, or enter our church, or come into our schools. My family has recently had one of these moments happen to us. A moment where we were seemingly feeling far removed, protected, and safe from situations that could never happen to us.
Austin had a little boy produce a knife to him on the school bus a few weeks back. It seems that he just wanted to show it to Austin as he had done with several other kids that day. Needless to say Austin was not comfortable with that situation at all. So much so that he told Erin as soon as he got off the bus. Erin called the school immediately and the school called the boys mother and she found it in his bag. It turns out it wasn't even this boys knife. He had gotten it off of another boy that morning at school, who was also showing it to others kids. You can imagine the things that started running through our hearts and our minds. You never think things like this would happen around here, especially not to your kids.
It turns out that both of these boys are good kids who just got caught up in the excitement of showing this knife off to their friends. It does not sound like they had it there at school that day to harm anyone. More than likely the boy just forgot to take it out of his book bag before he went to school that day, a very innocent thing. However, both of the boys have been suspended from school for 2 weeks and have an expulsion hearing tomorrow, in accordance with what I have been told that the law demands. Over the years as we have watched school tragedies play out before our very eyes on TV, we have become less tolerant of children carrying these types of things on their person to school. That is probably a good thing...how can we take these things lightly with the experiences this nation has had in the last ten years in schools? Sadly though, with as concerned as Erin and I are for Austin's safety we would never wish for these boys to be expelled. What a difficult thing for our school administrators to have to deal with. They have handled this whole thing very well and I know it has affected them deeply. Our prayers go with the families of these two boys as I am certain these are tough times. My prayer is that God would guide these leaders in making the best possible decisions.
This whole experience reminds me that knowing God doesn't mean that harm won't come to our life. It doesn't mean we will be pain free, nor does it mean that we are safe from tragedy and difficulty. What we do have with God is someone greater than us that we can lean on for help, and provision through these difficult times. This has been a very stressful time and trial in our lives. I believe it has affected all three of our older kids and has possibly given them a flashback to what they dealt with before they came to live with us through adoption. Through it all we have learned to just place our trust in God because these events are out of our control. We are powerless to do anything. However, God is all powerful and we will lean on Him and I pray that all that are involved in this situation will lean on Him as well. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Austin had a little boy produce a knife to him on the school bus a few weeks back. It seems that he just wanted to show it to Austin as he had done with several other kids that day. Needless to say Austin was not comfortable with that situation at all. So much so that he told Erin as soon as he got off the bus. Erin called the school immediately and the school called the boys mother and she found it in his bag. It turns out it wasn't even this boys knife. He had gotten it off of another boy that morning at school, who was also showing it to others kids. You can imagine the things that started running through our hearts and our minds. You never think things like this would happen around here, especially not to your kids.
It turns out that both of these boys are good kids who just got caught up in the excitement of showing this knife off to their friends. It does not sound like they had it there at school that day to harm anyone. More than likely the boy just forgot to take it out of his book bag before he went to school that day, a very innocent thing. However, both of the boys have been suspended from school for 2 weeks and have an expulsion hearing tomorrow, in accordance with what I have been told that the law demands. Over the years as we have watched school tragedies play out before our very eyes on TV, we have become less tolerant of children carrying these types of things on their person to school. That is probably a good thing...how can we take these things lightly with the experiences this nation has had in the last ten years in schools? Sadly though, with as concerned as Erin and I are for Austin's safety we would never wish for these boys to be expelled. What a difficult thing for our school administrators to have to deal with. They have handled this whole thing very well and I know it has affected them deeply. Our prayers go with the families of these two boys as I am certain these are tough times. My prayer is that God would guide these leaders in making the best possible decisions.
This whole experience reminds me that knowing God doesn't mean that harm won't come to our life. It doesn't mean we will be pain free, nor does it mean that we are safe from tragedy and difficulty. What we do have with God is someone greater than us that we can lean on for help, and provision through these difficult times. This has been a very stressful time and trial in our lives. I believe it has affected all three of our older kids and has possibly given them a flashback to what they dealt with before they came to live with us through adoption. Through it all we have learned to just place our trust in God because these events are out of our control. We are powerless to do anything. However, God is all powerful and we will lean on Him and I pray that all that are involved in this situation will lean on Him as well. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Using the pulpit to make political statements
Wow! I have to confess I was shocked when confronted with the statements Rev. Wright (Barack Obama's Pastor) has been making over his 30 years of leadership in a Southside Church in Chicago. It always amazes me how vastly different pastor's political views, moral views, and social views are. Even pastors in the same denomination carry vast differences of opinion of belief in the spiritual and political arena. As a pastor I tell you that the statements made by Rev. Wright are deplorable at best. Those statements do not represent the greater majority of clergy in this world who are God fearing and trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
I am not sure what disgusts me more the statements themselves or the fact that he uses the pulpit to spew these hateful words. How sad it is when a pastor uses their authority to sway someone politically. Many of you have heard my sermons and experienced my teachings and politics is one area and item that I do not touch. It isn't fair to do so. It isn't even helpful. All those conversations do in the church is serve to divide a people. Can you be a Republican and be a Christian? Yes! Can you be a Democrat and be a Christian? Yes! Are both sides of the political fence welcome at Old Fort Church. You bet they are! That is why you will never hear me discuss politics from the pulpit. My heart feels saddened today for all the work and belief that pastors all over the world put into their sermons that lead and transform so many peoples lives, only to have a pastor destroy the very integrity of the pulpit with which they have been trusted.
This blog entry is not a statement for or against Barack Obama but is targeted at people who call themselves pastors and use their authority to serve their own personal agenda and not the agenda of Jesus. As a pastor I have the distinct responsibility to make sure that everything I say and all that I am leads people closer to Christ and not closer to me. For every moment that I have let myself shine before people Lord instead of letting you shine I ask for your forgiveness. I humbly admit that I have not always served you with a pure heart. I admit to you Father that my motives at times have been my own. Please forgive me for the times I have put myself and my agenda first. I have made mistakes before...but you will never catch me making the mistake of leading an unhealthy political commentary from the pulpit, because it is not my pulpit. It is God's! These past few days have been a reminder of how important and how persuasive a pastor can be. I pray that I persuade people to that which honors God and in the process find myself a humble follower of the very person I lead people to. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
I am not sure what disgusts me more the statements themselves or the fact that he uses the pulpit to spew these hateful words. How sad it is when a pastor uses their authority to sway someone politically. Many of you have heard my sermons and experienced my teachings and politics is one area and item that I do not touch. It isn't fair to do so. It isn't even helpful. All those conversations do in the church is serve to divide a people. Can you be a Republican and be a Christian? Yes! Can you be a Democrat and be a Christian? Yes! Are both sides of the political fence welcome at Old Fort Church. You bet they are! That is why you will never hear me discuss politics from the pulpit. My heart feels saddened today for all the work and belief that pastors all over the world put into their sermons that lead and transform so many peoples lives, only to have a pastor destroy the very integrity of the pulpit with which they have been trusted.
This blog entry is not a statement for or against Barack Obama but is targeted at people who call themselves pastors and use their authority to serve their own personal agenda and not the agenda of Jesus. As a pastor I have the distinct responsibility to make sure that everything I say and all that I am leads people closer to Christ and not closer to me. For every moment that I have let myself shine before people Lord instead of letting you shine I ask for your forgiveness. I humbly admit that I have not always served you with a pure heart. I admit to you Father that my motives at times have been my own. Please forgive me for the times I have put myself and my agenda first. I have made mistakes before...but you will never catch me making the mistake of leading an unhealthy political commentary from the pulpit, because it is not my pulpit. It is God's! These past few days have been a reminder of how important and how persuasive a pastor can be. I pray that I persuade people to that which honors God and in the process find myself a humble follower of the very person I lead people to. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
He cares for even the smallest things
Many of you know, if you have been reading my blog, that I was disappointed that I would be missing Tawna's dance competition this morning. We had our major Easter egg outreach at the church and of course I couldn't be in two places at once. Last week I found out that she was going to have two other competitions in April and in May. That was great news and I felt like God answered my prayers.
However, today our outreach event was winding down and Erin had told me over the phone that Tawna's group hadn't performed yet. I hopped in the car with Austin and Hailey and took the 50 min drive to Toledo and as it turns out they didn't perform until 11:30AM. I was able to see both performances. God you are so good! How amazing is it that God even cares about the smallest desires in our life. I really believe that Tawna's team went later in the morning just so I could be there to see it. Thank you so much for caring for every part of my life God. You are awesome!
Everyday is a reminder to me that there is nothing left up to chance. Our lives are not lived based coincidences. There are no such things as accidents when it comes to Christ's work in us. I experience a Savior that cares for every part of my life; the good and the bad, the hard times and the easy times. He wants what is best for us even if that means helping us with things that may not be life changing but are meaningful to us in our small little ways. Then again maybe me being there for Tawna wasn't a small thing. When I showed up and Tawna saw me she said that all of her nerves left her. It meant so much to her for me to bet there. I am certain, because of God's work, that she will never forget this day that her dad showed up to her competition and cheered her on. Maybe it is a metaphor for how God does what he needs to, to always be there for the important things in our life. Then again everything in our life is important to God. I pray today that God's presence is an encouragement to you. I pray you discover Him in the big things in your life and I pray you see Him in the smaller "less important" instances of your life. His presence in the smaller things is greater proof to me that He does love me. Thanks God for today...you are truly awesome! Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor Oh by the way...Tawna's team took 2nd place!
However, today our outreach event was winding down and Erin had told me over the phone that Tawna's group hadn't performed yet. I hopped in the car with Austin and Hailey and took the 50 min drive to Toledo and as it turns out they didn't perform until 11:30AM. I was able to see both performances. God you are so good! How amazing is it that God even cares about the smallest desires in our life. I really believe that Tawna's team went later in the morning just so I could be there to see it. Thank you so much for caring for every part of my life God. You are awesome!
Everyday is a reminder to me that there is nothing left up to chance. Our lives are not lived based coincidences. There are no such things as accidents when it comes to Christ's work in us. I experience a Savior that cares for every part of my life; the good and the bad, the hard times and the easy times. He wants what is best for us even if that means helping us with things that may not be life changing but are meaningful to us in our small little ways. Then again maybe me being there for Tawna wasn't a small thing. When I showed up and Tawna saw me she said that all of her nerves left her. It meant so much to her for me to bet there. I am certain, because of God's work, that she will never forget this day that her dad showed up to her competition and cheered her on. Maybe it is a metaphor for how God does what he needs to, to always be there for the important things in our life. Then again everything in our life is important to God. I pray today that God's presence is an encouragement to you. I pray you discover Him in the big things in your life and I pray you see Him in the smaller "less important" instances of your life. His presence in the smaller things is greater proof to me that He does love me. Thanks God for today...you are truly awesome! Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor Oh by the way...Tawna's team took 2nd place!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The hardest part of being a pastor
This has been a very difficult week. Many of you know the Kizer family. Bill passed away on Monday and services are tomorrow. I have performed many funerals over the years but most of the time I do not know the person that well or have not gotten all that close with their family. This time it is different. I had gotten to know Bill quite well over the past fews years and his family and ours have connected regularly. Jenna his daughter has pretty much become a fixture around here on Thursdays as she hangs out with our kids and watches them during our small group. I guess that's what makes this so difficult.
As a pastor you are always supposed to be the strong one. The one with the level head. The person who doesn't struggle. For me I have never been able to live up to those lofty standards...but those perceptions are out there none the less. I feel I have thrived with the Old Fort Church congregation because I have been real with them and opened my heart to them. This time it is no different. I will be presiding over a funeral that I would still attend had I not been his pastor. That makes it hard when you are one of those that are mourning and at the same time have to be the one guiding the whole process. I know it will be a powerful time for all as we celebrate Bill's life and as we celebrate that Jesus has conquered death and that Bill is in a better place. However my heart aches for the family and my heart aches for me. I am going to miss Bill. I will miss him lumbering around the church with is oxygen tank in tow. I will miss his deep theological questions that nobody can answer including the pastor. I will miss his stubborn ornery nature and all the conversations we had about the Buckeyes. Most of all I will miss how he cared for my family and the compassion he had for my daughter Isabel. He is one of many people who have lifted her up and believes she is destined for great things. That always meant so much to me. He always had a sparkle in his eye and a smile on his face when we talked about her
I am so glad that I am a pastor. I am so glad that I get to be a significant part of peoples lives. I am glad for being able to spend the day with the family in prayer as Bill passed away. However it never gets any easier when helping people work through the loss of their loved one. It makes it even harder when you yourself loved them too. God, I ask that you be with the Kizer family. Continue to provide for their need and give them the strength and courage they need in this difficult time. God be with us all tomorrow at the celebration of life service for Bill Kizer. A-men. Bill you are already missed. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
As a pastor you are always supposed to be the strong one. The one with the level head. The person who doesn't struggle. For me I have never been able to live up to those lofty standards...but those perceptions are out there none the less. I feel I have thrived with the Old Fort Church congregation because I have been real with them and opened my heart to them. This time it is no different. I will be presiding over a funeral that I would still attend had I not been his pastor. That makes it hard when you are one of those that are mourning and at the same time have to be the one guiding the whole process. I know it will be a powerful time for all as we celebrate Bill's life and as we celebrate that Jesus has conquered death and that Bill is in a better place. However my heart aches for the family and my heart aches for me. I am going to miss Bill. I will miss him lumbering around the church with is oxygen tank in tow. I will miss his deep theological questions that nobody can answer including the pastor. I will miss his stubborn ornery nature and all the conversations we had about the Buckeyes. Most of all I will miss how he cared for my family and the compassion he had for my daughter Isabel. He is one of many people who have lifted her up and believes she is destined for great things. That always meant so much to me. He always had a sparkle in his eye and a smile on his face when we talked about her
I am so glad that I am a pastor. I am so glad that I get to be a significant part of peoples lives. I am glad for being able to spend the day with the family in prayer as Bill passed away. However it never gets any easier when helping people work through the loss of their loved one. It makes it even harder when you yourself loved them too. God, I ask that you be with the Kizer family. Continue to provide for their need and give them the strength and courage they need in this difficult time. God be with us all tomorrow at the celebration of life service for Bill Kizer. A-men. Bill you are already missed. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Sunday, March 9, 2008
There is a first time for everything
Well I have vowed in the 8 plus years that I have been a lead pastor that I would never cancel worship. Well today was the first. The decision was actually made a little easier by the fact that we had a level 3 snow emergency until morning and also knowing there would be additional drifting and that the snow plows were not going to be running very much. I also felt better calling off church early Saturday evening rather than having to do it early Sunday morning. That way in the future no one will question whether or not we are going to have church when they wake up...hopefully.
It was difficult and awkward waking up and not being able to go to church this morning. I can't tell you that last time I missed worship on a Sunday including when on vacation. It has to be several years. Therefor this morning in our house it was Sunday morning and we were going to find a way to worship. So we sang some familiar songs as a family together. We talked about what God was doing in our lives. I read from the book of Matthew and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. We talked about what Jesus sacrifice meant for us and at the same time explained to Hailey my 7 year old how she could personally invite Jesus to be her Lord and Savior and she reminded us that she had done this. So we will be baptizing her very soon.
Let me ask you a question...does your desire to go to worship on Sunday morning burn in you so much that you couldn't think of missing it whether on vacation or not? Did you find a way to have personal worship or family worship this morning. I am sure it was so easy for us to kind of just go about our day like it was any other day. I do pray that some of us were able to spend some time reflecting on God's work. You never know what He is going to do or where He is going to do it. My families time this morning is evidence of that for me. However your day has been I pray that God has filled it with His presence in a way that you have not been able to ignore. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
It was difficult and awkward waking up and not being able to go to church this morning. I can't tell you that last time I missed worship on a Sunday including when on vacation. It has to be several years. Therefor this morning in our house it was Sunday morning and we were going to find a way to worship. So we sang some familiar songs as a family together. We talked about what God was doing in our lives. I read from the book of Matthew and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. We talked about what Jesus sacrifice meant for us and at the same time explained to Hailey my 7 year old how she could personally invite Jesus to be her Lord and Savior and she reminded us that she had done this. So we will be baptizing her very soon.
Let me ask you a question...does your desire to go to worship on Sunday morning burn in you so much that you couldn't think of missing it whether on vacation or not? Did you find a way to have personal worship or family worship this morning. I am sure it was so easy for us to kind of just go about our day like it was any other day. I do pray that some of us were able to spend some time reflecting on God's work. You never know what He is going to do or where He is going to do it. My families time this morning is evidence of that for me. However your day has been I pray that God has filled it with His presence in a way that you have not been able to ignore. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Answered Prayer
Just an update on a blog entry I made a week or so ago. I was trying to figure out how I was going to make my daughters baton performance and also be at our Easter outreach event. Well God answers prayer and I am thankful for that. It turns out that Tawna has several other competitions in April and in May. So I will not be missing her only performance as I thought I might have. I still will regret not being able to make this one but at least there will be others I can go to. It is my experience that God answers even the smallest prayers if we give them up to Him. I thank Him and praise Him and have not forgotten what He has done.
I think for many of us it is easy to forget that we have prayed for something when things actually pan out. Instead of giving God the glory and recognizing Him for His work we just kind of go on life as usual. How many times are we able to truly identify and lift up those moments where we acknowledge that God did in fact answer us and care for us. I want to encourage us all to keep a better eye out for God's answered work in our lives. I know I am going to keep my eyes open more often. I pray you do the same and have God's loving activity in your life revealed more and more each day. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
I think for many of us it is easy to forget that we have prayed for something when things actually pan out. Instead of giving God the glory and recognizing Him for His work we just kind of go on life as usual. How many times are we able to truly identify and lift up those moments where we acknowledge that God did in fact answer us and care for us. I want to encourage us all to keep a better eye out for God's answered work in our lives. I know I am going to keep my eyes open more often. I pray you do the same and have God's loving activity in your life revealed more and more each day. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Another day off of school
Wow this is getting just down right crazy with all of the weather we have had this year. The kids are home yet again today with a level 3 snow emergency going on outside. They already have 2 days to make up in the summer and who is to say there will not be more. These days really try Erin' patience when all the kids are stuck in doors with nothing to do. It doesn't help that Austin has decided to get a little nutty the past two nights and he is now grounded from basically everything and until Jesus comes back. Then Hailey this morning starts in with her attitude. Let me just say these are the moments that parents get paid the big bucks for. Oh, wait...we don't get paid do we. Well we get a payoff in love and nurture with them and that is a great thing.
These moments remind me that life is never a smooth straight line and is rarely predictable. There are so many twists and turns and curve balls out there. Days like these throw our entire schedules out the door and everyone is a little bit more on edge. I guess we just feel blindsided by our kids emotions and attitudes. One minute they are fine and the next minute they are in an all out rage because they have to go to bed 5 minutes early. It is just crazy and kooky at times. Like this weeks weather. One day it is 60 degrees and sunny then it rains, then it snows, then it ices over and now we have a level 3 snow emergency. Well we had a level 3 parenting emergency last night. It is all I can do as a parent to not lose it sometimes and even then it is a losing effort. I pray for and ask God everyday for patience, and humility, and a better way to respond to my kids. I am seeing victory lately but there are still those moments where my buttons get pushed and things get hairy. We are facing some behavioral issues with two of our children that have escalated to the need for counseling and medication. Those things have helped and it has gotten better, but we still have our moments. So pray for the Alice household as we are yet again locked int the house with everyone with no place to go. By the way...you don't have to travel to Toledo to go to the zoo. Just come over to our house and you can have the same experience for free! I pray that God continues to work in your life. I pray that you continually turn your deficiencies over to Him like I am working on doing. Have a great day. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
These moments remind me that life is never a smooth straight line and is rarely predictable. There are so many twists and turns and curve balls out there. Days like these throw our entire schedules out the door and everyone is a little bit more on edge. I guess we just feel blindsided by our kids emotions and attitudes. One minute they are fine and the next minute they are in an all out rage because they have to go to bed 5 minutes early. It is just crazy and kooky at times. Like this weeks weather. One day it is 60 degrees and sunny then it rains, then it snows, then it ices over and now we have a level 3 snow emergency. Well we had a level 3 parenting emergency last night. It is all I can do as a parent to not lose it sometimes and even then it is a losing effort. I pray for and ask God everyday for patience, and humility, and a better way to respond to my kids. I am seeing victory lately but there are still those moments where my buttons get pushed and things get hairy. We are facing some behavioral issues with two of our children that have escalated to the need for counseling and medication. Those things have helped and it has gotten better, but we still have our moments. So pray for the Alice household as we are yet again locked int the house with everyone with no place to go. By the way...you don't have to travel to Toledo to go to the zoo. Just come over to our house and you can have the same experience for free! I pray that God continues to work in your life. I pray that you continually turn your deficiencies over to Him like I am working on doing. Have a great day. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Scary work in our life
Today after our 8:30 AM worship service a gentleman approached me to say thanks for the message and that He knew God was working in his life. I remember him telling me that he felt that for some uncanny reason that God had him here today for a reason and that He was working many things in his life together for the good. This man told me that it was kind of scary how God had him here for this particular message today considering all that was going on in his life. He had been struggling at work with a difficult relationship and was changing jobs and he related that it was a difficult transition. It was evident to him that with today's sermon and the real life issues that were going on that God was working a plan. I kept hearing him say how scary it was that God was bringing everything together the way he did for him. Amazing!
I have always believed that we are all here for a reason and a purpose. That God is working a plan in our life. None of us are perfect, none of us have arrived yet there are times where we can tangibly sense God's immediate presence and work in us. Those moments are a little scary to really stand face to face with an all powerful God who is making a personal touch in our life. Those are moments we never forget and quickly become the foundation for a growing faith...a faith that believes that we are not accidents, that we don't go through life by chance, but that there is a greater power out there looking out for our best interests. When we lean into this and live for Him there is no telling what miracles God might work in our life. When was the last time God's work was so evident in your life that it was scary to you how purposefully He connected the events, circumstances, and words of life? Keep your eyes open because our God is alive, He is risen from the dead, and He is by no mistake at work in this world. I pray that you have a scary experience this week with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
I have always believed that we are all here for a reason and a purpose. That God is working a plan in our life. None of us are perfect, none of us have arrived yet there are times where we can tangibly sense God's immediate presence and work in us. Those moments are a little scary to really stand face to face with an all powerful God who is making a personal touch in our life. Those are moments we never forget and quickly become the foundation for a growing faith...a faith that believes that we are not accidents, that we don't go through life by chance, but that there is a greater power out there looking out for our best interests. When we lean into this and live for Him there is no telling what miracles God might work in our life. When was the last time God's work was so evident in your life that it was scary to you how purposefully He connected the events, circumstances, and words of life? Keep your eyes open because our God is alive, He is risen from the dead, and He is by no mistake at work in this world. I pray that you have a scary experience this week with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Blessings, Your Dreaming Pastor
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