I took some time this morning to get alone and get some quiet time - some fresh air. I have been thinking and praying the last few days about Walt hanging in there and fighting. What is it that keeps him here - can he hear me? -Does he know we are there with him?
I realized something this morning that if Walt would have waited one more day, his salvation would have never had happened. At least for us to know he was saved or have someone lead him in prayer. A man who spent 73 years fighting and turning away from religion that on his last awake day - was lead to Jesus by a 10 year old who could not bare the fact that he might not ever see his grandpa again. I am thankful and so blessed to just be a part of this.
I am going to be 41 or something this year and I don't see myself slowing down any. My past years I have given some thought about retiring and doing the good life, taking up golf and really learning how to fish. I hear folks who I work with talk about it all the time. 9 more years and I am out of here they say ....
Yes, I value my work and my job and I am blessed and thankful for it. It puts food on the table, it provides for my family and it helps me be the generous person and family that we are. But there is more than that - there is more to walking with the folks at work, opportunities for folks to come into my office and tell me their struggles and pray with them. I have experienced many things over the last few years and I take that part of my job more serious than I do the actual work! Because it is Gods work ... and that is what He has placed on me to do at this time.
It occured to me this morning that a life with vision - is a life! A life with no vision, you are just going through the motions and not engaging or investing in anything. Just waiting on the next thing, the new car, or jewelry or whatever it is the infomercials are selling. I want my family to have not my vision, or the vision of Hollywood or the latest fad - but Gods vision. I want all the folks who I am serving with and have influence with and doing life with -to have Gods vision. I want 'My Kids" to know that God has a vision for them. They can remain pure and grow into that very person that God created them to be. Imagine a life with vision and purpose. I may not be changing a generation but I am going to serve and work hard for God with whom all I have contact with. If I live to be as old as Walt - that gives me 32 or something years left and I want to serve the Lord for each and every moment until that time comes.
I want to see folks serving in our church, I want to see every Project 252 kid (our middle/high school kids) serving and getting the vision of God. I want to see our k-5 kids bugging their parents to take them to church so that they can see their friends, hear the band play and build Godly and lasting relationships all while learning about Christ. I want us to hold each other accountable for where they are, our choices and decisions, I want us to extend a hand to help those around us who are hurting, who need a hand, who are divorced or widowed.... I want to see folks serving each other! These past few weeks after moving Walt here in the home with us, I have seen this serving thing first hand and it is amazing. Last night part of our Rock Group went and built bears to give to a family who is hurting... they have the vision of serving one another. A few weeks ago we had a group of folks go and serve at the nursing home where Walt spent 5 months at - they have the vision!
I do believe with all the things my family and I have done over the last few years - Walt got to see that vision - he didnt experience it but he got to see it. He was afraid to step further into it because he reminded us all the time - he was too old to change. I do believe that he thought God could not use him - but he is now. God is using Walt to pull people together and give an opportunity to serve each other.
I challenge you loved ones, to serve one another - to plug yourself into a church and get Gods vision for your life. Retirement for me is when I take my last breath on this earth - I will rest then for all eternity. Until that time comes, I will carry out God's vision for my life and continue to be the best example I can be to those in my life.
Let me share this, I visit lots of k-5 kids in the community and have lunch with them at school. Its an investment in them that is far greater than the sometimes inconvenience of leaving work, driving and being time consuming. Its more than going into work early to cover that extra time I spend at lunch with them - its more than that vacation time I take from work so that I can invest in that special day at school - like space camp. If I was any other parent having lunch only with my child and the school busting me what seems like every day at my sons school, I would not go back. But I am determined to let the kids I have influence with to share with them a vision that God loves them, they too can be used by God and their lives do matter - no matter what their situation is or if their family is struggling or if there is divorce in their life.
My son at 10 years old has done so many just incredible things in his young tenure - he has endured the loss of 3 grandparents. He serves in our church and doesn't complain at all about going for sometimes 7-8 hours each Sunday. He busts his friends when they miss 4-5 weeks or promise to come and they dont. He loves everything about church and the reasons why he is there. I tell him that God has a vision and a purpose for his life and I will continue to tell him that - even if he stops me and says, "I know daddy".
A few months ago I wrote my Chazown 2008 -I mentioned in there that one of the things I wanted to do this year was to hand off one of the ministries I current lead at church. The Strategic Volunteer Ministry is the ministry that plugs all volunteers into areas of service in our church. My vision is to not step down as leader of that ministry because I do feel passionate about it and a want in my heart for others to come to know Jesus like I have through serving. I want to partner with someone who can lead this ministry beyond my capabilities - I dont just want to spike the ball or sit on it to wait till the clock runs down. I want to still be in the game and doing my part. All of us can partner with each other to accomplish Gods vision in our lives. I can't change a generation but together we can. We can have a lasting impact on a generation that seems to care more about Hollywood than about God. Ever notice that Hollywood gives themselves a lot of awards? They give themselves so much credit, make so much money and still have messed up lives? I would rather have Gods blessings than Hollywood anyday!
People tore the roof off buildings to get to Jesus, they carried their family members and friends for miles to just get a touch from Jesus. Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, made blind folks see who had NEVER seen before. He did things in peoples lives that can only be said - It was a God thing - there are no other answers or conclusions. The disciples were young men, late teens or early 20 somethings - by todays standards maybe too young to lead and have vision. I think we all sell ourselves short sometimes. My Uncle Buster sings at church every Sunday and while on the phone with him the other night - he sang me his new song. There is meaning in those words, passion in his voice and a love of God that just pours out of him. These are folks retired from work but serving their butts off for the Lord.
Abraham was 100 years old and God told him he was going to father a child and that child will lead a great nation. The Lord can do the same for you and your family........
Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to tear the roof off so you can get close to Jesus? Our children should not sleep in on Sundays - You need to lead your families so that their vision is not from anyone or anything else except from God.
What then in your life would change? And imagine how it would change with that vision from God......
Love you all,
Lonnie~
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The day that drags on ...
just q quick update to everyone on what has been happening here in the household. Walt is still with us but is unresponsive - has been since Saturday. I am just not sure why he is holding on - I keep thinking that the Lord has something to show us through all this. There is something to learn here and it may be well after all this over that we learn what that is. Everything happens for a reason and I know deep in my heart that there is something to learn here.
I keep telling myself that this is Walts story - not mine. It doesn't matter how hard this is or how much pain that Carol, Kyle and I are walking in right now - and Carol's brother Bob and his family because they too have now experienced it as this drags on. But this is Walt's story and his ending. I am thankful that his end is just a passover to the next beginning with Walt accepting Jesus last friday night. I am thankful this is not as hard as it could be if Walt had not given his heart to the Lord.
Last night our extended families from our Rock group got Kyle after school and took him to the Build a Bear place at the mall. There is a family that we know through a dear family that has a little boy who is in the hospital taking chemo this week. This family has 3 children, 6,3, and 1. We built the bears for the kids and hopefully they will enjoy them half as much as "My Kids" enjoyed making them. They knew why they were making them and that is part of the lesson. Later this week the rest of our extended families in our Rock Group will build some more for other children that our friend knows in the hospital.
Life is all about those train tracks with 2 rails .... one for good in our lives and one for the tough things in life. Last night I got a chance to sit with Walt and pray with him. I read Romans 8 to him last night ~ Carol got some MUCH needed sleep and for that I am very thankful. Thanks to everyone for their calls, emails, suppers each night - my waste is busting my belt now!
Continued prayers~
Lonnie~
I keep telling myself that this is Walts story - not mine. It doesn't matter how hard this is or how much pain that Carol, Kyle and I are walking in right now - and Carol's brother Bob and his family because they too have now experienced it as this drags on. But this is Walt's story and his ending. I am thankful that his end is just a passover to the next beginning with Walt accepting Jesus last friday night. I am thankful this is not as hard as it could be if Walt had not given his heart to the Lord.
Last night our extended families from our Rock group got Kyle after school and took him to the Build a Bear place at the mall. There is a family that we know through a dear family that has a little boy who is in the hospital taking chemo this week. This family has 3 children, 6,3, and 1. We built the bears for the kids and hopefully they will enjoy them half as much as "My Kids" enjoyed making them. They knew why they were making them and that is part of the lesson. Later this week the rest of our extended families in our Rock Group will build some more for other children that our friend knows in the hospital.
Life is all about those train tracks with 2 rails .... one for good in our lives and one for the tough things in life. Last night I got a chance to sit with Walt and pray with him. I read Romans 8 to him last night ~ Carol got some MUCH needed sleep and for that I am very thankful. Thanks to everyone for their calls, emails, suppers each night - my waste is busting my belt now!
Continued prayers~
Lonnie~
Monday, February 25, 2008
I want to share this today - Please read along~
Acts 8:
The Ethiopian Eunuch
26-28Later God's angel spoke to Philip: "At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza." He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah.
29-30The Spirit told Philip, "Climb into the chariot." Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, "Do you understand what you're reading?"
31-33He answered, "How can I without some help?" and invited Philip into the chariot with him. The passage he was reading was this: As a sheep led to slaughter, and quiet as a lamb being sheared, He was silent, saying nothing. He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial. But who now can count his kin since he's been taken from the earth?
34-35The eunuch said, "Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?" Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.
36-39As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, "Here's water. Why can't I be baptized?" He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn't mind. He had what he'd come for and went on down the road as happy as he could be.
40Philip showed up in Azotus and continued north, preaching the Message in all the villages along that route until he arrived at Caesarea.
I wanted to share this morning that accepting Jesus has nothing to do with what your friends or family may say or think, it has nothing to do with a membership class or if you really like the church you are attending. Accepting Christ is a personal decision and a decision that only you can make. Just because you are attending church does not mean you are saved. God does not care about how many times you went to church on Sundays, how many Sundays you missed or how much you helped those around you. God cares about your heart and your walk with Him. Accepting Jesus personally and with your whole heart is something to be shared. You cannot grow in your faith if you do not share your faith with others. Its not something you hide and keep to yourself. Yes God wants you serving Him, He wants you attending church and part of His family. What is it going to be like when our time comes and God asks you - why didn't you go to church? Why didn't you get plugged in, serving, attending a Small Group or Bible Study? Jesus loved the church and if that is something He was that passionate about ~ How can you sit on the sidelines? God has given you gifts, talents and passions in life - get busy and don't waste another day. There are only a few things we can do with our days on this earth. We can waste them, watch them or we can INVEST them.
Opportunities like the story above come along in life - make the most of them and follow what God is telling you to do.
Salvation is reason to celebrate ....
Lonnie~
Acts 8:
The Ethiopian Eunuch
26-28Later God's angel spoke to Philip: "At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza." He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah.
29-30The Spirit told Philip, "Climb into the chariot." Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, "Do you understand what you're reading?"
31-33He answered, "How can I without some help?" and invited Philip into the chariot with him. The passage he was reading was this: As a sheep led to slaughter, and quiet as a lamb being sheared, He was silent, saying nothing. He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial. But who now can count his kin since he's been taken from the earth?
34-35The eunuch said, "Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?" Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.
36-39As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, "Here's water. Why can't I be baptized?" He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn't mind. He had what he'd come for and went on down the road as happy as he could be.
40Philip showed up in Azotus and continued north, preaching the Message in all the villages along that route until he arrived at Caesarea.
I wanted to share this morning that accepting Jesus has nothing to do with what your friends or family may say or think, it has nothing to do with a membership class or if you really like the church you are attending. Accepting Christ is a personal decision and a decision that only you can make. Just because you are attending church does not mean you are saved. God does not care about how many times you went to church on Sundays, how many Sundays you missed or how much you helped those around you. God cares about your heart and your walk with Him. Accepting Jesus personally and with your whole heart is something to be shared. You cannot grow in your faith if you do not share your faith with others. Its not something you hide and keep to yourself. Yes God wants you serving Him, He wants you attending church and part of His family. What is it going to be like when our time comes and God asks you - why didn't you go to church? Why didn't you get plugged in, serving, attending a Small Group or Bible Study? Jesus loved the church and if that is something He was that passionate about ~ How can you sit on the sidelines? God has given you gifts, talents and passions in life - get busy and don't waste another day. There are only a few things we can do with our days on this earth. We can waste them, watch them or we can INVEST them.
Opportunities like the story above come along in life - make the most of them and follow what God is telling you to do.
Salvation is reason to celebrate ....
Lonnie~
Sunday, February 24, 2008
We are never to young or too old ....
What an emotional church service we had today! I did not get into church this morning to serve - Carol, Bob and I sat up till 2AM or so talking about the last 48 hours and the events leading up to Walt being saved - his long illness and some good memories in life... it was a much needed time to bring some closure to all that is going on here. Friday night after Walt accepted Jesus, we gave him permission to go - to say hello to my mom and Carols mom - we talked about heaven and just hours of intense uplifting stuff taking place - Looking back - it was the crash course- Heaven 101 but instead of a lifetime or a semester at the college level, it was the fastest and quickest hour ever!!!
A few months ago I shared with my Rock Group kids that they are not too young to serve God. That even at their age, God has a plan of service for Him. He can have them leading their lives for Jesus now - example in their school and praying at lunch time - they can be a good example by being a good Christian friend to their friends, inviting their friends @school to church .... there is much that they can do. Walt struggled for 73 years on this decision - and it took a 10 year old to pray with Walt to lead him to Jesus. Like Pastor Jimmy told us, it was probably many many things that brought Walt to that moment but it was my son Kyle who lead him. It is a moment I will never forget and a moment that I know Kyle will never forget.
Loved ones, encourage your children, encourage the young ones you have influence with and let them know they can do big things for Jesus - Sometimes, even more so than us adults. Our kids have a great understanding of things and they put things into a simple little voice so they can understand it. Jesus spoke to folks in simple terms so that we can understand it - that is why He spoke in Parables ..... life lessons and examples.
Luke 18:
The Little Children and Jesus
15People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
I am so blessed to have so many children and young adults in my life - I love them all and I look forward to serving them, praying with them, encouraging them, and honoring them in everything I do. "My Kids" ~ but they are Christ's kids before mine :)
love you all,
Lonnie~
A few months ago I shared with my Rock Group kids that they are not too young to serve God. That even at their age, God has a plan of service for Him. He can have them leading their lives for Jesus now - example in their school and praying at lunch time - they can be a good example by being a good Christian friend to their friends, inviting their friends @school to church .... there is much that they can do. Walt struggled for 73 years on this decision - and it took a 10 year old to pray with Walt to lead him to Jesus. Like Pastor Jimmy told us, it was probably many many things that brought Walt to that moment but it was my son Kyle who lead him. It is a moment I will never forget and a moment that I know Kyle will never forget.
Loved ones, encourage your children, encourage the young ones you have influence with and let them know they can do big things for Jesus - Sometimes, even more so than us adults. Our kids have a great understanding of things and they put things into a simple little voice so they can understand it. Jesus spoke to folks in simple terms so that we can understand it - that is why He spoke in Parables ..... life lessons and examples.
Luke 18:
The Little Children and Jesus
15People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
I am so blessed to have so many children and young adults in my life - I love them all and I look forward to serving them, praying with them, encouraging them, and honoring them in everything I do. "My Kids" ~ but they are Christ's kids before mine :)
love you all,
Lonnie~
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Salvation is here ...
These words are from Hillsong -
God above all the world in motion
God above all my hopes and fears And I don't care what the world throws at me now
I'm gonna be alright
Hear the sound of the generations
Making loud our freedom song
All in all that the world would know Your name
It's gonna be alright
Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here Salvation is here Salvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here Salvation that died just to set me free
Salvation is hereSalvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here Cause You are alive and You live in me
Last night we had such a joyous evening - Carol, Kyle, Bob, Kaity and I sang songs from Walts Ipod, talked about vacations and the good ol days all while gathered around his bed. Kyle told grandpa that he wanted to see him again and that would only happen in heaven. Kyle asked him to accept Jesus and Walt said no - Kyle had a book mark that he got from somewhere - Written in it is John3:16 which Kyle read to him and again Kyles asked grandpa to accept Jesus and he said Yes. Carol and Bob asked him are you sure? He said yes and nodded ...... we spoke for the next 2 hours to him about heaven, letting go and saying hello to my mom, Carol and Bobs mom MaryLou - tell them how much we miss them and that they would be waiting on him looking all the more beautiful - more so than you ever remember.
It was such an awesome evening - hard losing a loved one as they lay near death - but now it is not death at all - it is just a stopover to better things ahead.
The entire house now has a different feel to it. The mood is joyous and has laughter. To think my son helped his grandpa to accept Jesus and lead him. It will be an important moment in his life forever!! I do believe with all my heart that Kyle was the only one to lead Walt to Christ - I know I could not do it or anyone else except Kyle.
I called Pastor Jimmy and gave him the news - a few of Rock Group families last night and my Aunt Sharon and Uncle Buster.......
It is reason to celebrate! Mom - 2 years ago today you left to be with the Lord. I have not forgotten this day but its a day to celebrate and maybe today - You will get to see Walt again. I told him to be looking for you because I know how much you loved Walt. What a great reunion this is going to be.
Love and miss you~
Randy~
God above all the world in motion
God above all my hopes and fears And I don't care what the world throws at me now
I'm gonna be alright
Hear the sound of the generations
Making loud our freedom song
All in all that the world would know Your name
It's gonna be alright
Cause I know my God saved the day
And I know His word never fails
And I know my God made a way for me
Salvation is here Salvation is here Salvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here Salvation that died just to set me free
Salvation is hereSalvation is here and He lives in me
Salvation is here Cause You are alive and You live in me
Last night we had such a joyous evening - Carol, Kyle, Bob, Kaity and I sang songs from Walts Ipod, talked about vacations and the good ol days all while gathered around his bed. Kyle told grandpa that he wanted to see him again and that would only happen in heaven. Kyle asked him to accept Jesus and Walt said no - Kyle had a book mark that he got from somewhere - Written in it is John3:16 which Kyle read to him and again Kyles asked grandpa to accept Jesus and he said Yes. Carol and Bob asked him are you sure? He said yes and nodded ...... we spoke for the next 2 hours to him about heaven, letting go and saying hello to my mom, Carol and Bobs mom MaryLou - tell them how much we miss them and that they would be waiting on him looking all the more beautiful - more so than you ever remember.
It was such an awesome evening - hard losing a loved one as they lay near death - but now it is not death at all - it is just a stopover to better things ahead.
The entire house now has a different feel to it. The mood is joyous and has laughter. To think my son helped his grandpa to accept Jesus and lead him. It will be an important moment in his life forever!! I do believe with all my heart that Kyle was the only one to lead Walt to Christ - I know I could not do it or anyone else except Kyle.
I called Pastor Jimmy and gave him the news - a few of Rock Group families last night and my Aunt Sharon and Uncle Buster.......
It is reason to celebrate! Mom - 2 years ago today you left to be with the Lord. I have not forgotten this day but its a day to celebrate and maybe today - You will get to see Walt again. I told him to be looking for you because I know how much you loved Walt. What a great reunion this is going to be.
Love and miss you~
Randy~
Thursday, February 21, 2008
A Biblical Friend~
As I look around my circle - I am amazed with the true friends Carol, Kyle and I have. I know I blogged this point yesterday, but let me say it one more time :)
I know that if my family and I were not in church, serving in church and being in the places God has called us to - we would be doing this life on our own. It would be just the 3 of us and that really scares me to think that we would be having to go through all we are going through right now alone.
Proverbs 17:17
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
I take my friends very seriously. I want to be there for them when they need someone to walk in close when others pull away. As a Christian, I want to be in there battling, encouraging and praying with them.
Proverbs 18:24
24 Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.
As I look around right now and the struggles my family and I are facing - there are those who are moving in close and jumping right in there with us. I can't tell you how that is so uplifting!
Are you a good friend to someone? Are you taking the steps forward for someone who needs a friend? So many folks come up with excuses and back off when someone they know is in need. It might be a family member or a neighbor - it might be a friend you know from church or work. It takes courage to step forward and to go to the place where its a little scary and it might get a little ugly and it for sure will get hard. But that is what friends do - Maybe you are not choosing your friends well or maybe you don't even know how you got the friends you do have but they are no good and a bad influence. Maybe they are the reason why you cannot grow in Christ or make the changes in your life for the better because they are dragging you down and are keeping you in the place where you are today.
1 Corinthians 15:33
33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”
You might be one of the nicest folks around but if you are sourrounded by folks that are not encouraging you, uplifting you, walking life with you, praying for you - then you need to walk away - you need to take the steps and get out!
I think about someone who is close to me this morning and his place is at the bar. He has his seat - its like being Norm on Cheers - he has his spot in the place and his name is on the bar stool. He thinks these people are his friends, he goes through his day just ho-hum until he gets there and he is smiles, he is happy and he is in his comfort zone. Its all lies and I got to see it first hand not long ago. It was sad to watch really knowing that his life could be different and it could be so much better!
It does not matter how old you are or if you are a freshman in HS or college - retired, 10 years old or whatever - Choose your friends wisely. For they will make up your character and hold you accountable for your actions when we screw up - or praise us when we are doing good!
We were not made to do this life alone - we were made to have friends and people around us! I am not talking just opposite sex but I am talking friends... I am talking about family - I am talking about people who will spend quality time with! Find them and then love them - walk with them and do life with them.
Choose friends who are going in the direction you are wanting to go ~
So where are you going? Is this the path you want to be on?
I am thankful for the friends in my life - Our Rock Group families, our church, the PTA families who are stopping everyday - my family - Its the direction I want to go in - its the direction that God is leading my family and I in and we are so blessed to find this narrow road. I am so glad that our friends include the word of God and that is the basis and center of these friendships.
I am not afraid to have this cross on my neck - it lets everyone know where I am in life and my direction. My actions and my words should reflect that cross ... its something I take seriously and I take my friends seriously.
Sometimes your closest friend is not your sister in Cleveland but your friend you meet at the coffee shop - the one you cry with and laugh with.
I have this printed on my wall here at work:
Mark 3:31-35
The True Family of Jesus
31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers[a] are outside asking for you.”
33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
love you all -
In Christ,
Lonnie~
I know that if my family and I were not in church, serving in church and being in the places God has called us to - we would be doing this life on our own. It would be just the 3 of us and that really scares me to think that we would be having to go through all we are going through right now alone.
Proverbs 17:17
17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
I take my friends very seriously. I want to be there for them when they need someone to walk in close when others pull away. As a Christian, I want to be in there battling, encouraging and praying with them.
Proverbs 18:24
24 Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.
As I look around right now and the struggles my family and I are facing - there are those who are moving in close and jumping right in there with us. I can't tell you how that is so uplifting!
Are you a good friend to someone? Are you taking the steps forward for someone who needs a friend? So many folks come up with excuses and back off when someone they know is in need. It might be a family member or a neighbor - it might be a friend you know from church or work. It takes courage to step forward and to go to the place where its a little scary and it might get a little ugly and it for sure will get hard. But that is what friends do - Maybe you are not choosing your friends well or maybe you don't even know how you got the friends you do have but they are no good and a bad influence. Maybe they are the reason why you cannot grow in Christ or make the changes in your life for the better because they are dragging you down and are keeping you in the place where you are today.
1 Corinthians 15:33
33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”
You might be one of the nicest folks around but if you are sourrounded by folks that are not encouraging you, uplifting you, walking life with you, praying for you - then you need to walk away - you need to take the steps and get out!
I think about someone who is close to me this morning and his place is at the bar. He has his seat - its like being Norm on Cheers - he has his spot in the place and his name is on the bar stool. He thinks these people are his friends, he goes through his day just ho-hum until he gets there and he is smiles, he is happy and he is in his comfort zone. Its all lies and I got to see it first hand not long ago. It was sad to watch really knowing that his life could be different and it could be so much better!
It does not matter how old you are or if you are a freshman in HS or college - retired, 10 years old or whatever - Choose your friends wisely. For they will make up your character and hold you accountable for your actions when we screw up - or praise us when we are doing good!
We were not made to do this life alone - we were made to have friends and people around us! I am not talking just opposite sex but I am talking friends... I am talking about family - I am talking about people who will spend quality time with! Find them and then love them - walk with them and do life with them.
Choose friends who are going in the direction you are wanting to go ~
So where are you going? Is this the path you want to be on?
I am thankful for the friends in my life - Our Rock Group families, our church, the PTA families who are stopping everyday - my family - Its the direction I want to go in - its the direction that God is leading my family and I in and we are so blessed to find this narrow road. I am so glad that our friends include the word of God and that is the basis and center of these friendships.
I am not afraid to have this cross on my neck - it lets everyone know where I am in life and my direction. My actions and my words should reflect that cross ... its something I take seriously and I take my friends seriously.
Sometimes your closest friend is not your sister in Cleveland but your friend you meet at the coffee shop - the one you cry with and laugh with.
I have this printed on my wall here at work:
Mark 3:31-35
The True Family of Jesus
31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers[a] are outside asking for you.”
33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
love you all -
In Christ,
Lonnie~
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
What a day a difference makes....
I have to tell ya that I am just blown away by the kindess of the folks in my life - the folks in Carols life - Neither of us have family in the area but we have an extended family that is just unreal. Yesterday I spoke with one of our friends who was out of town over the weekend and her daughter just loves Kyle - they are in the same class together and she called to check on us, to check on Walt and wanted an update on everything - she has made arrangements for meals starting this Saturday till whenever next week. The PTA who serves with Carol at school has provided meals and smiles all this week, along with the comfort of knowing we are not alone - the hugs that tells us that we will make it through because people care. Our Rock Group families are providing meals, offers to watch Kyle, to come to the house and clean, to come over and get Carol out of the house for an hour or so - plus hugs, prayers, tears, people that are willing to stand right along side of us. Our church families are doing their part by seeing us on Sundays, talking with us, praying with us, calling and emailing - along with everything else I just listed above - I mean folks - I am blown away by the love and compassion that God has placed in our lives through our extended family.
Carol was telling Walt yesterday about all that is going on -and he said - you guys have some awesome friends to be doing all this for you and for him! I shared with him that is what the church is supposed to do - to bring community to the community through the power and Word of God. Our struggles and issues are not just our own because we have an extended family who loves and cares about us. It is so humbling - and we are so thankful that God has placed all this together.
I know without a doubt that if we were not in church -not walking with Jesus - not serving and leading at church - staying self centered and focused only on ourselves - coming to church on Sunday and leaving till next week (unchanged for the most part - absorbing Gods light instead of reflecting it) we would not be receiving the blessings that are all around us today!!!
This opens me up to share with you something this morning on a different subject - something that I am very passionate about. Serving - serving others and more importantly - serving in your church and serving God.
This past week we plugged in 3 new folks into our setup ministry at church. It has been awhile since that has happened. I can tell they were a little nervous, not sure of what they were getting into but as time went on - they found their groove and they met all kinds of new people that otherwise they would have never met by just coming to church and leaving. They have walked through the doors of serving and experiencing more of Gods blessings by serving Him - giving others the chance to experience God and life change because of their faith and wanting to be involved. I too, was that person who had excuses for not serving. I too put life and what I wanted to do ahead of serving and that obligation. But now - I see the benefit and am enjoying my time serving - I take ownership of being part of something so much bigger than myself.
See it here when we are serving that God uses us, He teaches us and He focuses us on bigger things. Serving puts you in line with others who also struggle with life and who are looking for something more - something bigger and something with meaning and purpose. I want to plug in every person at our church to serve in some capacity. I know not everyone can sing in the band - but God has given us each talents and gifts that some of us don't even know we have! Not everyone can stand in front of a crowd and lead - but God needs folks to set up chairs - to work in the band behind the scenes - to work on the sound productions teams - to work with our kids in K-5 and Middle/High school ministries. Some folks have amazing personalities and smiles that are magnets to others - we need you to greet folks and use your talents to welcome folks and make them feel easy. So many folks feel uneasy coming to a new church - but why? They dont feel that way going to a store in the mall that they have never stepped foot in.
God wants to use you - He wants you to be grounded in Him before those times in life that You need Him! We can't come to God during those times when things are falling apart - we need Him before then! So during those hard times, it will be easier and you will learn something that God has to teach you.
Friends, I am encouraged this morning because of what God is doing all around us. He is even using Walt today because Carol's brother and his daughter are coming down. We are going to hook Kaity up to one of "my kids" on Saturday and on Sunday they are going to the Middle/High school Ministry together - Kaity has not spent much time in church or getting to know God at all - I just can't wait to see what God does with all that this weekend.
Come out of your comfort zones - get in the game and get involved - Jesus did not ask to come aboard the fishing boats when his disciples were fishing - He walked out on the water and got in -
Jesus said "Come follow me" and they did.
Lonnie~
Carol was telling Walt yesterday about all that is going on -and he said - you guys have some awesome friends to be doing all this for you and for him! I shared with him that is what the church is supposed to do - to bring community to the community through the power and Word of God. Our struggles and issues are not just our own because we have an extended family who loves and cares about us. It is so humbling - and we are so thankful that God has placed all this together.
I know without a doubt that if we were not in church -not walking with Jesus - not serving and leading at church - staying self centered and focused only on ourselves - coming to church on Sunday and leaving till next week (unchanged for the most part - absorbing Gods light instead of reflecting it) we would not be receiving the blessings that are all around us today!!!
This opens me up to share with you something this morning on a different subject - something that I am very passionate about. Serving - serving others and more importantly - serving in your church and serving God.
This past week we plugged in 3 new folks into our setup ministry at church. It has been awhile since that has happened. I can tell they were a little nervous, not sure of what they were getting into but as time went on - they found their groove and they met all kinds of new people that otherwise they would have never met by just coming to church and leaving. They have walked through the doors of serving and experiencing more of Gods blessings by serving Him - giving others the chance to experience God and life change because of their faith and wanting to be involved. I too, was that person who had excuses for not serving. I too put life and what I wanted to do ahead of serving and that obligation. But now - I see the benefit and am enjoying my time serving - I take ownership of being part of something so much bigger than myself.
See it here when we are serving that God uses us, He teaches us and He focuses us on bigger things. Serving puts you in line with others who also struggle with life and who are looking for something more - something bigger and something with meaning and purpose. I want to plug in every person at our church to serve in some capacity. I know not everyone can sing in the band - but God has given us each talents and gifts that some of us don't even know we have! Not everyone can stand in front of a crowd and lead - but God needs folks to set up chairs - to work in the band behind the scenes - to work on the sound productions teams - to work with our kids in K-5 and Middle/High school ministries. Some folks have amazing personalities and smiles that are magnets to others - we need you to greet folks and use your talents to welcome folks and make them feel easy. So many folks feel uneasy coming to a new church - but why? They dont feel that way going to a store in the mall that they have never stepped foot in.
God wants to use you - He wants you to be grounded in Him before those times in life that You need Him! We can't come to God during those times when things are falling apart - we need Him before then! So during those hard times, it will be easier and you will learn something that God has to teach you.
Friends, I am encouraged this morning because of what God is doing all around us. He is even using Walt today because Carol's brother and his daughter are coming down. We are going to hook Kaity up to one of "my kids" on Saturday and on Sunday they are going to the Middle/High school Ministry together - Kaity has not spent much time in church or getting to know God at all - I just can't wait to see what God does with all that this weekend.
Come out of your comfort zones - get in the game and get involved - Jesus did not ask to come aboard the fishing boats when his disciples were fishing - He walked out on the water and got in -
Jesus said "Come follow me" and they did.
Lonnie~
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
My prayer today .....
I am reminded today of something very important -
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Gods will should be your will in life. No matter what we are going through and what we are facing today - Give thanks to the Lord.
Randy~
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Gods will should be your will in life. No matter what we are going through and what we are facing today - Give thanks to the Lord.
Randy~
A new day.....
It is a new day today. A day that I woke up this morning and thanked God for before I even got out of bed. I look forward to what the day may bring and in my abilities in what the Lord has given me. I pray that God will use me in a special way today for Him.
I want to tell everyone that yesterday I was so proud of Carol. Not only is she having to be the main caregiver for her dad during all this, but she is still running the household. I mean like every single detail as usual. Yesterday our son Kyle asked if he could go out to eat with his friend and his family. Carol asked where they were going and Kyles friend said they were going to hooters. Carol thought for a minute and said that hooters was a not a place that we want our son to be going to because of what it represents. Kyles friend said, but we go there for the wings! Yea ok .... do you believe that? So once the word got back to the family that Kyle was not going with them and the reason why - a new place was chosen for them to eat at. Kyle had a good time but my point I wanted to share this morning with this story is - that Carol took a stand for what was right and did not bend - even if it meant Kyle didn't get to go out with his friend and his family. The point was made clear of where we stand as a family and where we stand in Christ and His values to his friend and his family. I am proud of you Carol!
Accepting Christ means that your life will change. The tv shows you watch on tv change - the computer time will change and where you surf the internet- even if it is on UTube - the magazines, the talk shows, the places you eat, your language - it all changes. If God has truely come into your heart, you will take a stand for God and for what is right - no matter what. Yes we all fail at times with all this but we always come back and we always ask God for forgiveness. I know lots of folks who go to church, call themselves a christian and seem to do all the right things - but is Christ being used as just a check mark? Is church a place where you meet friends, a check mark checked until the next Sunday and you go back into your life for the rest of the week? That is such a sad place to be in life. You are missing out on the best and biggest of the blessings God has for you. When we come before God on Sundays, the Word should sink in, it should challenge you and change you and convict you - it should give you a new look on life and your daily walk - it should change your week! Church is not a check mark in life - you have to have a personal relationship with Jesus - He has to be the main focus and at the center of all you do, your relationships, your marriage, your work, your children - in your leadership and decisions. Otherwise you are just setting yourself up for failure. I heard someone say yesterday that selfish people have such an easy life because everything revolves around them. What they want to do - when, where and how - its all about them. Once we open our hearts to Christ - we open ourselves up to others - we are about doing Gods work in serving others. It no longer becomes about you - it becomes - about others. Your heart opens up to others and its their problems and struggles before your own. The circle increases and expands. There is such meaning and purpose in that - yes relationships are complicated - people are complicated - people that are selfish are only looking out for what they can get and their hearts are not in the truth and for standing for what is right. Their worlds are small because it only revolves around them.
Carol - I am proud of you for standing strong - for not just giving in but for leading and passing along an important lesson to our son and for an important message to another family of what is acceptable and what is not. What if we all imagine our living rooms with Jesus in the room - would you put that tv show on? Would you visit that web site? Would you let your child do this or that? What if I said - the each morning Jesus is sitting in your living room waiting on your couch for you to come and share a story, a lesson and a conversation with him? Would you hit that snooze button or just walk out of the house headed to work? I think not - Your life would be different and you would be sitting on your couch in the morning having some quiet time focused on God - preparing your day ahead and then leaving for work or starting your day.
Change can happen, loneliness can be overcome, hurtful things in your past can be taken away, life can take a new path, today could be a new beginning to something amazing - a relationship with Jesus and a life centered around serving others - it means dying to yourself and living for others.
My heart is heavy for those this morning who don't have a personal relationship with Jesus.... and it might just be you.
Remember what 1 Corinthians 1:18 says? "Preaching about the cross sounds foolish to those who are dying in sin. But it is the power of God to those of us who are being saved from the punishment of sin."
Randy~
I want to tell everyone that yesterday I was so proud of Carol. Not only is she having to be the main caregiver for her dad during all this, but she is still running the household. I mean like every single detail as usual. Yesterday our son Kyle asked if he could go out to eat with his friend and his family. Carol asked where they were going and Kyles friend said they were going to hooters. Carol thought for a minute and said that hooters was a not a place that we want our son to be going to because of what it represents. Kyles friend said, but we go there for the wings! Yea ok .... do you believe that? So once the word got back to the family that Kyle was not going with them and the reason why - a new place was chosen for them to eat at. Kyle had a good time but my point I wanted to share this morning with this story is - that Carol took a stand for what was right and did not bend - even if it meant Kyle didn't get to go out with his friend and his family. The point was made clear of where we stand as a family and where we stand in Christ and His values to his friend and his family. I am proud of you Carol!
Accepting Christ means that your life will change. The tv shows you watch on tv change - the computer time will change and where you surf the internet- even if it is on UTube - the magazines, the talk shows, the places you eat, your language - it all changes. If God has truely come into your heart, you will take a stand for God and for what is right - no matter what. Yes we all fail at times with all this but we always come back and we always ask God for forgiveness. I know lots of folks who go to church, call themselves a christian and seem to do all the right things - but is Christ being used as just a check mark? Is church a place where you meet friends, a check mark checked until the next Sunday and you go back into your life for the rest of the week? That is such a sad place to be in life. You are missing out on the best and biggest of the blessings God has for you. When we come before God on Sundays, the Word should sink in, it should challenge you and change you and convict you - it should give you a new look on life and your daily walk - it should change your week! Church is not a check mark in life - you have to have a personal relationship with Jesus - He has to be the main focus and at the center of all you do, your relationships, your marriage, your work, your children - in your leadership and decisions. Otherwise you are just setting yourself up for failure. I heard someone say yesterday that selfish people have such an easy life because everything revolves around them. What they want to do - when, where and how - its all about them. Once we open our hearts to Christ - we open ourselves up to others - we are about doing Gods work in serving others. It no longer becomes about you - it becomes - about others. Your heart opens up to others and its their problems and struggles before your own. The circle increases and expands. There is such meaning and purpose in that - yes relationships are complicated - people are complicated - people that are selfish are only looking out for what they can get and their hearts are not in the truth and for standing for what is right. Their worlds are small because it only revolves around them.
Carol - I am proud of you for standing strong - for not just giving in but for leading and passing along an important lesson to our son and for an important message to another family of what is acceptable and what is not. What if we all imagine our living rooms with Jesus in the room - would you put that tv show on? Would you visit that web site? Would you let your child do this or that? What if I said - the each morning Jesus is sitting in your living room waiting on your couch for you to come and share a story, a lesson and a conversation with him? Would you hit that snooze button or just walk out of the house headed to work? I think not - Your life would be different and you would be sitting on your couch in the morning having some quiet time focused on God - preparing your day ahead and then leaving for work or starting your day.
Change can happen, loneliness can be overcome, hurtful things in your past can be taken away, life can take a new path, today could be a new beginning to something amazing - a relationship with Jesus and a life centered around serving others - it means dying to yourself and living for others.
My heart is heavy for those this morning who don't have a personal relationship with Jesus.... and it might just be you.
Remember what 1 Corinthians 1:18 says? "Preaching about the cross sounds foolish to those who are dying in sin. But it is the power of God to those of us who are being saved from the punishment of sin."
Randy~
Monday, February 18, 2008
Not just another day ...
I have to be honest - I am struggling today. I know I did not hide it too well this afternoon when I went home for lunch and my dad, Aunt Sharon and Uncle Buster where there visiting with Walt. His Hospice nurse was in with him and just changed some bandages and cleaned him up some. She had some reassuring things to say and they are just a top notch company all the way through. But I want to talk today about God being quiet. I know God is there and is walking with us during this time. I know that He is in control and all this has meaning and purpose - not only for our lives and all those around us during this but also for Walt. I almost feel like I am in a fog - maybe its the fact that later this week is that day of passing for my mom 2 years ago. I try and tell my dad to not think of that day like that but I find myself thinking about it and not even taking my own advise. I mean what is my advise anyways? I do know that even during this time as God is quiet - I am focusing on Him and doing my best to lead, to encourage and stay engaged with what is important to me - my family, my church family, my Rock Group and "My Kids" - I know Walts salvation is not done with until God says it is. I know that at some point, that special moment will just happen. I know that God is watching me right now and looking to see if I have grown any, if I have spread my faith wings out any further, if I am capable of loving unconditionally no matter what.
I am sorry to my dad, Aunt Sharon and Uncle Buster for not hiding my heart better today when I came home at lunch time. I am thankful for them and their visit with Walt. I do know they love him bigtime. I am thankful for the many meals being sent to our house, the emails, phone calls and hugs from so many people. Carol and I are thankful for Kyle's school and the PTA ladies, Kyle's teacher and his new teacher that is taking personal time to talk with Kyle once again concerning grief and the passing of a loved one. I am thankful for a Pastor who emails Kyle back after Kyle sent him an email last week concerning his grandpa and not know Jesus. My son Kyle is an amazing little man - 10 years old having lost both grandma's, standing by his grandpa's side and helping him now. He is amazing and I know God has big plans for his life and to use him for His kingdom. I am excited to see how God uses him. He has such clear understanding of so many things and is mature beyond his 10 year old frame. I think about that and it becomes clear that my son Kyle, has a better understanding of all this than I do.
Let me share that thought -
Trusting God means that we look beyond what we see and seeing what God sees.
Thanks Kyle - I love you more than I have words for buddy. If I am proud of you, imagine how God feels. Big smiles.....
Daddy
I am sorry to my dad, Aunt Sharon and Uncle Buster for not hiding my heart better today when I came home at lunch time. I am thankful for them and their visit with Walt. I do know they love him bigtime. I am thankful for the many meals being sent to our house, the emails, phone calls and hugs from so many people. Carol and I are thankful for Kyle's school and the PTA ladies, Kyle's teacher and his new teacher that is taking personal time to talk with Kyle once again concerning grief and the passing of a loved one. I am thankful for a Pastor who emails Kyle back after Kyle sent him an email last week concerning his grandpa and not know Jesus. My son Kyle is an amazing little man - 10 years old having lost both grandma's, standing by his grandpa's side and helping him now. He is amazing and I know God has big plans for his life and to use him for His kingdom. I am excited to see how God uses him. He has such clear understanding of so many things and is mature beyond his 10 year old frame. I think about that and it becomes clear that my son Kyle, has a better understanding of all this than I do.
Let me share that thought -
Trusting God means that we look beyond what we see and seeing what God sees.
Thanks Kyle - I love you more than I have words for buddy. If I am proud of you, imagine how God feels. Big smiles.....
Daddy
Friday, February 15, 2008
A moment to be thankful
My dad had his biopsy this week because his prostate levels were up. Scared that the word would come back as the "C" word - he asked for prayers and thought about his options if he it did come back as the "C" word or not. I asked many around me to pray about this test - woke the other morning in prayer even if it was 4 in the morning - and my dad called me this afternoon with relief in his voice. All is ok and tests came back with normal results.
Just this week my buddy and Rock Group member Mike - asked for prayers for his mom because of a test on her breast that did not look right. All tests came back ok and again - God provided some good during a bad time. I have said many times before that my thoughts are not mountains - with peaks and valleys - good and bad - but more of a train track. Things going on in life that are bad and good taking place at the same time. God does not bring us to the mountain peak and then bring us through a valley. Life comes good and bad - and with Him - we manage to make the best of both rails.
I am thankful for my dads tests - for Mike's moms test - we still need good news for Walt and for my buddy Joe Bagley - life on the tracks goes both ways ..... Let God keep us in perspective and move us to a place of thankfulness!
Randy
Just this week my buddy and Rock Group member Mike - asked for prayers for his mom because of a test on her breast that did not look right. All tests came back ok and again - God provided some good during a bad time. I have said many times before that my thoughts are not mountains - with peaks and valleys - good and bad - but more of a train track. Things going on in life that are bad and good taking place at the same time. God does not bring us to the mountain peak and then bring us through a valley. Life comes good and bad - and with Him - we manage to make the best of both rails.
I am thankful for my dads tests - for Mike's moms test - we still need good news for Walt and for my buddy Joe Bagley - life on the tracks goes both ways ..... Let God keep us in perspective and move us to a place of thankfulness!
Randy
Quick Update and then some
Its been an evenful few days! Walt is now in our home and under Hospice care. Carol and I are waiting on his nurse to come this morning so she can evaluate him and give him the best care they can. Yesterday was a tearful exit from the nursing home. Everyone was coming down to say goodbye and best of luck - other patients came down, nurses, CNA's and admin folks. Carol, Kyle and I have promised to continue to go back to the nursing home and visit with the many awesome folks there. God has placed these people in our lives and we intend on fulfilling that promise.
I remember back to a conversation that I had with my little brother sitting at my mom and dad dining room table - it was a conversation that was about my brother not being able to go into my moms room and see her the way she was. The cancer had taken so much from my mom in her apprearance and in her looks. I explained to my little brother that mom was still the same, loving and caring person on the inside. I told him he needed to go in there and sit with her, to talk with her and to walk out with no regrets - nothing left unsaid. He came back about an hour later with tears in his eyes and a hug of thankfulness for our conversation. It will be something that I am sure, he will never forget. It was that conversation that my little brother was told that mom was proud of him. Something my little brother does not get enough of with those words in life. Encouragement goes a long way in how we value what we are doing and pressing through those hard places in life. Even as my mom was preparing to leave this world for a better place, she encouraged others and had much to share with them. My mom was beautiful on the inside because of what God had done for her. We can go to church each and every Sunday - we can listen to the preacher preach until we are blue in the face - it wont make any difference to your life or the inside of you- unless you apply it - unless you let the Word change you - unless you give your heart to God and let Him make the changes in your life.
As Carol, Kyle and I pray for Walt and his salvation - we know that his time is short here - but I know God is still longing for Walts heart - for His child to come to Him - for the chance even in the last moments of this life - to change the inside. Doesn't matter about the outside, our looks or if we have hair or not ... God is interested in our hearts. He is building character in each of us to be more like His. If character alone got you to heaven - Walt would be a sure in. I have learned many great things about being a man, honesty, character, communicating and being a father and husband over the last 25 years with him - we are just one step short of completion and that is with God. We have had many conversations concering church, heaven and God over the years - some good and some not so good but all in all - Jesus is the only way to heaven.
So I ask you today, loved ones, where is your heart this morning? Are you leading a lasting life for God? Are you serving others before yourself? Are you only doing things in this life to find your happiness?
What is your story line for the next chapter of your life?
Would it be something like - "Making a difference" - "Starting over" - "Going for it" - "living the dream" - "Restoring brokeness" - "Close to God" ??
Start today and vision ahead in your life with purpose and meaning that only God can do for you. There is more than what you are searching and finding today- Write your next chapter of your life - it begins with a title and some change on the inside. Life is but a mist and the width of your hand.
Randy
I remember back to a conversation that I had with my little brother sitting at my mom and dad dining room table - it was a conversation that was about my brother not being able to go into my moms room and see her the way she was. The cancer had taken so much from my mom in her apprearance and in her looks. I explained to my little brother that mom was still the same, loving and caring person on the inside. I told him he needed to go in there and sit with her, to talk with her and to walk out with no regrets - nothing left unsaid. He came back about an hour later with tears in his eyes and a hug of thankfulness for our conversation. It will be something that I am sure, he will never forget. It was that conversation that my little brother was told that mom was proud of him. Something my little brother does not get enough of with those words in life. Encouragement goes a long way in how we value what we are doing and pressing through those hard places in life. Even as my mom was preparing to leave this world for a better place, she encouraged others and had much to share with them. My mom was beautiful on the inside because of what God had done for her. We can go to church each and every Sunday - we can listen to the preacher preach until we are blue in the face - it wont make any difference to your life or the inside of you- unless you apply it - unless you let the Word change you - unless you give your heart to God and let Him make the changes in your life.
As Carol, Kyle and I pray for Walt and his salvation - we know that his time is short here - but I know God is still longing for Walts heart - for His child to come to Him - for the chance even in the last moments of this life - to change the inside. Doesn't matter about the outside, our looks or if we have hair or not ... God is interested in our hearts. He is building character in each of us to be more like His. If character alone got you to heaven - Walt would be a sure in. I have learned many great things about being a man, honesty, character, communicating and being a father and husband over the last 25 years with him - we are just one step short of completion and that is with God. We have had many conversations concering church, heaven and God over the years - some good and some not so good but all in all - Jesus is the only way to heaven.
So I ask you today, loved ones, where is your heart this morning? Are you leading a lasting life for God? Are you serving others before yourself? Are you only doing things in this life to find your happiness?
What is your story line for the next chapter of your life?
Would it be something like - "Making a difference" - "Starting over" - "Going for it" - "living the dream" - "Restoring brokeness" - "Close to God" ??
Start today and vision ahead in your life with purpose and meaning that only God can do for you. There is more than what you are searching and finding today- Write your next chapter of your life - it begins with a title and some change on the inside. Life is but a mist and the width of your hand.
Randy
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
A Quiet Moment
I have said many times over the last few months concerning spending time with God. A few weeks back I asked my Rock Group where they were in their walk with Christ. Meaning where are they, what chapter, what page were they on in learning about God and being in His word. As our days are filled with stuff to do, places to go and people to meet, work, kids, supper, appointments - its no wonder that by the time the day ends - many of us barely remember our heads hitting the pillows. So many of us have good intentions to pray before bed - to have 5 minutes with God at the end of our day but so often - we run out of gas, we forget, we have excuses, American Idol is on or CSI - and it just does not happen.
My walk with Christ took a big step forward the morning that I opened His word and made Him a part of my routine. I spend time with God almost every morning as I have my coffee and breakfast and before Kyle gets up, dogs are let out, Carol comes out to the kitchen. I place my day before God - I place the day of my family before God - I place "My Kids" and my Rock Group every morning before God - I place Pastor Jimmy and his family, our church leaders, my family and coworkers before God.
I start each morning by placing the Bible - Gods word- in my heart and I use that all day long. My day is focused and centered on God before I even start my day. Many times I am in prayer even before I am fully awake - before I put my glasses on and hit the shower or start the coffee. I have even awoke in the middle of the night right in the middle of prayer!
Jesus often times went and hid from others in the mornings to have time with His heavenly Father. He focused His day even before it had started.
Are you currently in a dry spell? Are you currently waiting to hear from God on something in your life? Start your day in Gods word, connect with God each morning before you even leave home and see if God does not answer you.
People do what they want to do - people make time for the things they want to do. You can make time for God and get into His word each day if you choose so. 5 minutes - I am asking you to spend 5 minutes each morning before you start your day to spend those quick minutes reading Gods word and in prayer. Don't know where to start - don't think you can understand it - they make all kinds of Bibles now in different translations - get one that you can understand.
Your prayer time - don't get caught up in the amount of time or how to pray - just spend it with Him. Everyone prays differently and God knows your heart. Be real and be honest with Him and do it in your style~
Mark 1:35
35-37While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed.
Prayer is crucial to your spiritual growth - and prayers last all day - it is not a to do list. Soon you will experience answered prayers and that will be a wonderful experience looking back for you.
God has answered many prayers for me ... I feel God closer and more centered than any other time in my life. I am thankful for His walk with me and for what He has done in my life. I am thankful for the people he has placed around me, for putting "My Kids" on my heart and enabling me to be a part of their lives.
Prayers to start our days begins with "I can't - but God Can" -
Psalm 31:
21 Praise the Lord, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.
My walk with Christ took a big step forward the morning that I opened His word and made Him a part of my routine. I spend time with God almost every morning as I have my coffee and breakfast and before Kyle gets up, dogs are let out, Carol comes out to the kitchen. I place my day before God - I place the day of my family before God - I place "My Kids" and my Rock Group every morning before God - I place Pastor Jimmy and his family, our church leaders, my family and coworkers before God.
I start each morning by placing the Bible - Gods word- in my heart and I use that all day long. My day is focused and centered on God before I even start my day. Many times I am in prayer even before I am fully awake - before I put my glasses on and hit the shower or start the coffee. I have even awoke in the middle of the night right in the middle of prayer!
Jesus often times went and hid from others in the mornings to have time with His heavenly Father. He focused His day even before it had started.
Are you currently in a dry spell? Are you currently waiting to hear from God on something in your life? Start your day in Gods word, connect with God each morning before you even leave home and see if God does not answer you.
People do what they want to do - people make time for the things they want to do. You can make time for God and get into His word each day if you choose so. 5 minutes - I am asking you to spend 5 minutes each morning before you start your day to spend those quick minutes reading Gods word and in prayer. Don't know where to start - don't think you can understand it - they make all kinds of Bibles now in different translations - get one that you can understand.
Your prayer time - don't get caught up in the amount of time or how to pray - just spend it with Him. Everyone prays differently and God knows your heart. Be real and be honest with Him and do it in your style~
Mark 1:35
35-37While it was still night, way before dawn, he got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed.
Prayer is crucial to your spiritual growth - and prayers last all day - it is not a to do list. Soon you will experience answered prayers and that will be a wonderful experience looking back for you.
God has answered many prayers for me ... I feel God closer and more centered than any other time in my life. I am thankful for His walk with me and for what He has done in my life. I am thankful for the people he has placed around me, for putting "My Kids" on my heart and enabling me to be a part of their lives.
Prayers to start our days begins with "I can't - but God Can" -
Psalm 31:
21 Praise the Lord, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.
Passing along.....
Did I need this this morning. I will post a little later more details but for now - read this and take heart because it is not only meant for me - but for you as well. What are you struggling with today? Don't give up - keep asking and raising it to the Lord.......
Keep Asking
“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:8).
Is there something you are believing God for? Does it seem like it’s taking a long time to come to pass? Be encouraged today! The Bible says that through faith and patience you will inherit the promise. You can trust that God’s Word is true. Submit your prayers to the Lord, and keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking on the door, and it will be opened to you. It may seem like it’s taking a long time, but know this: God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. He is orchestrating things in your favor. He is perfecting whatever concerns you. Don’t give up! Start thanking God for His faithfulness in your life. As you stay faithful in your prayers and thanksgiving, the Lord will move mightily on your behalf. He’ll take you places that you’ve never dreamed, and you will live the life of victory He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today Father in heaven, thank You for giving me a diligent spirit. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Give me strength to stand until I see Your promises fulfilled. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Keep Asking
“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:8).
Is there something you are believing God for? Does it seem like it’s taking a long time to come to pass? Be encouraged today! The Bible says that through faith and patience you will inherit the promise. You can trust that God’s Word is true. Submit your prayers to the Lord, and keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking on the door, and it will be opened to you. It may seem like it’s taking a long time, but know this: God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. He is orchestrating things in your favor. He is perfecting whatever concerns you. Don’t give up! Start thanking God for His faithfulness in your life. As you stay faithful in your prayers and thanksgiving, the Lord will move mightily on your behalf. He’ll take you places that you’ve never dreamed, and you will live the life of victory He has in store for you!
A Prayer for Today Father in heaven, thank You for giving me a diligent spirit. Thank You for Your faithfulness. Give me strength to stand until I see Your promises fulfilled. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Morning Thoughts
John 5:30
“I can do nothing on My own …"
I am sitting here at work this morning - wondering what on earth am I doing? There is a place for me to be at - a more important place than here. How can Walt ask questions or have that conversation about God if someone is not there with him? Am I that person or does God have someone else in mind to do that? Will that even take place? All this I am doing here at work today wont last in terms but I guess I have to keep it in perspective and know that its a job and just maybe someone today will walk in my office looking for prayers or need to share a struggle they are going through. Am I where I am supposed to be today?
My mind is running in a thousand directions. My heart is hurting not because of Walts condition or his prognosis but because his prognosis is without Christ. He still believes he can save himself. He still is clinging to his hope.
I do believe this would all be easier if he had his salvation in order. Maybe now with his decision to install a feeding tube give him more time to accept Jesus - more time for us, more time for Kyle to talk with his grandpa about Heaven .... Our lives are on hold until this comes full circle.
Carol and I are blessed and thankful for the many prayers, folks who are walking with us, our friends and families, we are blessed to have a God holding us close through all this.
"We can't do this all on our own ..... but with God - we can.
My prayer this morning is that you and I will no longer slow the progress of God's pursuit of us.
~If there is an area of your life where you still think 'I can,' then it means you are also saying, 'God can't.' This is not a statement of condemnation; rather it is a message of relief. You don't have to do it on your own; your fellowship with God will provide the grace and strength you need for anything. God wants a deep, intimate fellowship with you. In what ways does your independence keep that from happening? Isn't it time to get out of God's way and let him transform your heart? I pray it happens right before our eyes......
“I can do nothing on My own …"
I am sitting here at work this morning - wondering what on earth am I doing? There is a place for me to be at - a more important place than here. How can Walt ask questions or have that conversation about God if someone is not there with him? Am I that person or does God have someone else in mind to do that? Will that even take place? All this I am doing here at work today wont last in terms but I guess I have to keep it in perspective and know that its a job and just maybe someone today will walk in my office looking for prayers or need to share a struggle they are going through. Am I where I am supposed to be today?
My mind is running in a thousand directions. My heart is hurting not because of Walts condition or his prognosis but because his prognosis is without Christ. He still believes he can save himself. He still is clinging to his hope.
I do believe this would all be easier if he had his salvation in order. Maybe now with his decision to install a feeding tube give him more time to accept Jesus - more time for us, more time for Kyle to talk with his grandpa about Heaven .... Our lives are on hold until this comes full circle.
Carol and I are blessed and thankful for the many prayers, folks who are walking with us, our friends and families, we are blessed to have a God holding us close through all this.
"We can't do this all on our own ..... but with God - we can.
My prayer this morning is that you and I will no longer slow the progress of God's pursuit of us.
~If there is an area of your life where you still think 'I can,' then it means you are also saying, 'God can't.' This is not a statement of condemnation; rather it is a message of relief. You don't have to do it on your own; your fellowship with God will provide the grace and strength you need for anything. God wants a deep, intimate fellowship with you. In what ways does your independence keep that from happening? Isn't it time to get out of God's way and let him transform your heart? I pray it happens right before our eyes......
Sunday, February 10, 2008
A Whirlwind....
It has been a few days since I last had a post ... it has been pretty busy the last few days. Friday my uncle had a heart attack and passed away - 43 years old. The family is doing well and I spent the day in Mt Airy NC yesterday attending the family wake and the wake last night. I am thankful for my trip being safe and no traffic. Going to - accident had 85 closed and down to one lane in the other direction and last night coming home - an accident closed 77 - the cars even turned their lights off as they SAT on the highway - stuck with no where to go. I am thankful for not being stuck for many hours on the road. I was pretty tired last night coming home - I even rolled the window down a few times to get some cold air on me to wake me up.
One of the things that I have come to know about hard times and I mean some really hard things are taking place in my life right now - in my families life - is that by serving God during those times at church - serving those around us and continuing to smil, be positive, and to love those around us has such comfort for me. God seems to pull me closer to Him when I am hurting and focused on Him during these struggles and hard things. We all have to pull God closer and into the center when we need Him the most in our lives and not push Him away, maybe thinking we can get whatever it is we are struggling with figured out or maybe to come up with a plan ourselves. Let me tell you, Gods plan is much better than any plan we could come up with.
Once again hearing a childs laugh, spending some time in the schools with one of "my kids", going in early to setup for church and be with those who love God and are serving also - for many who come over and give me or my family a hug letting us know they are praying for us..... there is nothing better. Nothing better than being at the funeral home 100 miles away and see a flower arrangement come in from my Rock Group - man that just lifts me up like no other!
So even during these hard times - there is MUCH to be thankful for. I am missing my Rock Group tonight - the folks we are doing life with and seeing smiling faces, telling "my kids" I love them - its all special - but I do plan on relaxing for a few hours tonight and just chillin.
May the Lord fill that loneliness in your heart with the one thing you need most. HIM
Love you all,
Lonnie
One of the things that I have come to know about hard times and I mean some really hard things are taking place in my life right now - in my families life - is that by serving God during those times at church - serving those around us and continuing to smil, be positive, and to love those around us has such comfort for me. God seems to pull me closer to Him when I am hurting and focused on Him during these struggles and hard things. We all have to pull God closer and into the center when we need Him the most in our lives and not push Him away, maybe thinking we can get whatever it is we are struggling with figured out or maybe to come up with a plan ourselves. Let me tell you, Gods plan is much better than any plan we could come up with.
Once again hearing a childs laugh, spending some time in the schools with one of "my kids", going in early to setup for church and be with those who love God and are serving also - for many who come over and give me or my family a hug letting us know they are praying for us..... there is nothing better. Nothing better than being at the funeral home 100 miles away and see a flower arrangement come in from my Rock Group - man that just lifts me up like no other!
So even during these hard times - there is MUCH to be thankful for. I am missing my Rock Group tonight - the folks we are doing life with and seeing smiling faces, telling "my kids" I love them - its all special - but I do plan on relaxing for a few hours tonight and just chillin.
May the Lord fill that loneliness in your heart with the one thing you need most. HIM
Love you all,
Lonnie
Thursday, February 7, 2008
As promised.....
I am feeling a bit better today even with the fire alarm in the house going off this morning @12:30 AM - Carol and I jumped out of bed and ran into the living room only to be met byKyle running to our room. It would have been like a cartoon if we all ran into each other and knocked each other down! - Anyways - seems a fresh battery blew up in one of the smoke detectors and thus setting all of them off. Scary to be awakened in the middle of the night like that. Dogs were freaked out and I ended up on the couch for the rest of the night because I am coughing and keeping Carol up but also both dogs... seems Adger hates me coughing and when I do he just stands up. Whew..... never a dull moment.
Anyways, - As promised ... I am sharing a piece of Scripture this morning that for me, really stands out and I look forward to opportunity to read this to Walt - its a little long but read it anyways and let the words sink in.
Romans 8
The Solution Is Life on God's Terms
1-2With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
3-4God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn't deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that.
The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it. And now what the law code asked for but we couldn't deliver is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us.
5-8Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored.
9-11But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!
12-14So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!
15-17This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!
18-21That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.
22-25All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.
26-28Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
29-30God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.
31-39So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
If that doesn't fire you up than I don't know what will!!
Peace,
Randy
Anyways, - As promised ... I am sharing a piece of Scripture this morning that for me, really stands out and I look forward to opportunity to read this to Walt - its a little long but read it anyways and let the words sink in.
Romans 8
The Solution Is Life on God's Terms
1-2With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
3-4God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn't deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that.
The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it. And now what the law code asked for but we couldn't deliver is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us.
5-8Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them—living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored.
9-11But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells—even though you still experience all the limitations of sin—you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!
12-14So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!
15-17This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!
18-21That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.
22-25All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.
26-28Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.
29-30God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun.
31-39So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture: They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.
If that doesn't fire you up than I don't know what will!!
Peace,
Randy
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Wednesday ~
I think things are catching up to me. I am feeling puny today and not worth much as is. I am still at work though because my parents have instilled in me some work toughness. Crazy I know but I don't have time right now to slow down any with all that is going on.
1 Timothy 4:8-10 NLT
Where is the focus of your life?
"Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true, and everyone should accept it. We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe.
In many ways I do feel like my family and I are suffering becasue of so many are choosing to ignore the truth. My hope is that all will be saved and come to know Jesus - to experience his grace and love in this life but many continue to walk down a path of destruction. I took some time today at lunch and read my bible looking for the verse that would be the one I would use if that opportunity comes to talk with Walt about God and his salvation. I know his views are strong and his stance is firm but why does sharing what God has done for me and what He has done for my family have to be so hard? Why is it that we can't just skip right to the point and blast it out there - each person is different. One might be a book scholar and have so much in memory - that person can quote to bible verse to this and that but NEVER have anyone they know come to know Jesus. Others, don't know scripture or that perfect Bible passage for certain situation or struggles but they show the "Love of Jesus" and they are the fruit that Jesus talks about in the New Testament. They have lots of folks around them come to know Jesus not by what they know and how smart they are but how they treat others, what they say and do and what they stand for. Living their lives by example - Jesus's example.
We all have a personal ministry to bring other to know Christ. I think many times I am falling short and wonder why am I investing so much time into people that are just so hard hearted that they may never come to know Jesus now matter what trials or struggles they have in their lives or how much folks pray for them. Some are just ripe for the picking and ready to hear Gods word and then "BLAM" - off they are totally committed and in head over heals.
I want my life to reflect what God has done for me, for saving me and or me to show others this life change. I think sometimes family members are the hardest because we know each others baggage, we know each other hangups and struggles - but then again it should be easier right? There is nothing better than bringing someone you love into Gods family. We can rejoice for all of eternity!
Tomorrow I will share the passage that God woke me up with the other morning - this has been heavy on my heart the last few days - especially since Walt has been at his lowest point this past weekend during his entire battle with his illness. I look back at my mom and see the fight she had in her and wonder where in the world did all that fight come from?? - from such a small framed woman! I think their fight is given to them so that God can either give them more time or give someone around them the chance to see Him and experience Him~ for Him to show them something important. Pain is a good avenue that God uses and if you are not seeking the good and proper things in this life - loved ones your pain will increase. Priorities on God and your family should come above all else.
What can I do for you today? - How can I help make the situation better? and - I will do this....or that and be a part of the solution.
WHAT - HOW and I - some important words to live by. If you are not, just keep your head in the sand because you are drowning following this life chasing everything that is revolved around you being happy and everything about being YOU.
Happiness is found through serving others and serving our Lord. Everything else is foolishness. How much foolishness do we have in the world today? TOO MUCH~
Someone asked me the other day - "How come you dont know any of these Hollywood people?" - like this actress or that actor or this person in that movie - or the latest on Brittany Spears - its because its all about them! Its all about what they are all about..... I am just no where close to even being like that at all ........ Imagine what they could do for God and His kingdom if Hollywood had some folks serving Him instead of the buck, the fans, or status!
Randy
1 Timothy 4:8-10 NLT
Where is the focus of your life?
"Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. This is true, and everyone should accept it. We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and particularly of those who believe.
In many ways I do feel like my family and I are suffering becasue of so many are choosing to ignore the truth. My hope is that all will be saved and come to know Jesus - to experience his grace and love in this life but many continue to walk down a path of destruction. I took some time today at lunch and read my bible looking for the verse that would be the one I would use if that opportunity comes to talk with Walt about God and his salvation. I know his views are strong and his stance is firm but why does sharing what God has done for me and what He has done for my family have to be so hard? Why is it that we can't just skip right to the point and blast it out there - each person is different. One might be a book scholar and have so much in memory - that person can quote to bible verse to this and that but NEVER have anyone they know come to know Jesus. Others, don't know scripture or that perfect Bible passage for certain situation or struggles but they show the "Love of Jesus" and they are the fruit that Jesus talks about in the New Testament. They have lots of folks around them come to know Jesus not by what they know and how smart they are but how they treat others, what they say and do and what they stand for. Living their lives by example - Jesus's example.
We all have a personal ministry to bring other to know Christ. I think many times I am falling short and wonder why am I investing so much time into people that are just so hard hearted that they may never come to know Jesus now matter what trials or struggles they have in their lives or how much folks pray for them. Some are just ripe for the picking and ready to hear Gods word and then "BLAM" - off they are totally committed and in head over heals.
I want my life to reflect what God has done for me, for saving me and or me to show others this life change. I think sometimes family members are the hardest because we know each others baggage, we know each other hangups and struggles - but then again it should be easier right? There is nothing better than bringing someone you love into Gods family. We can rejoice for all of eternity!
Tomorrow I will share the passage that God woke me up with the other morning - this has been heavy on my heart the last few days - especially since Walt has been at his lowest point this past weekend during his entire battle with his illness. I look back at my mom and see the fight she had in her and wonder where in the world did all that fight come from?? - from such a small framed woman! I think their fight is given to them so that God can either give them more time or give someone around them the chance to see Him and experience Him~ for Him to show them something important. Pain is a good avenue that God uses and if you are not seeking the good and proper things in this life - loved ones your pain will increase. Priorities on God and your family should come above all else.
What can I do for you today? - How can I help make the situation better? and - I will do this....or that and be a part of the solution.
WHAT - HOW and I - some important words to live by. If you are not, just keep your head in the sand because you are drowning following this life chasing everything that is revolved around you being happy and everything about being YOU.
Happiness is found through serving others and serving our Lord. Everything else is foolishness. How much foolishness do we have in the world today? TOO MUCH~
Someone asked me the other day - "How come you dont know any of these Hollywood people?" - like this actress or that actor or this person in that movie - or the latest on Brittany Spears - its because its all about them! Its all about what they are all about..... I am just no where close to even being like that at all ........ Imagine what they could do for God and His kingdom if Hollywood had some folks serving Him instead of the buck, the fans, or status!
Randy
Monday, February 4, 2008
Lets talk.....
I just want to talk for a few this morning. Nothing specific but something that is important. The last 2 days where pretty tough going with my father in law - Walt. His pnemonia seems to be getting the best of him and his strength is slowly faiding. Having Carol's brother Bob here the last 4 days has been pretty cool as he has seen and felt the emotional roller coaster that Carol and I have been on since August. We are at another low - a place where it just does not seem possible that Walt can pull himself out of. I want so bad for Walt to know God - I want so much for him to know that this fight - there will be victory in the end.
Yesterday - Bob was nervous. He was nervous about going to church - he was nervous about meeting most of the peeps from our Rock Group - even if we were having a superbowl party! Which was great!!! - even the commercials were great and the game was great.
As everything wrapped up last night and everyone left to go home - game was long over and interviews went off the air - Carol, Bob and I sat and talked - not about the ball game but about church and about the support system of awesome friends we have and about what theshort term future might look like as a family. We made some decisions and Bob shared some of his emotions and fears - but the bottom line he kept commenting on was the family that Carol and I are surrounded with. He seemed to be sad that his support system is - nothing. Carol and I explained to him how we got to the point we find ourselves today - How God is using us and keeping raised up by the people all around us. God is providing even during these hard times.
There are 2 things that will happen - Bob will go back home today and go back into his routine and life - as it was before - OR - he will go home with a heart that is a little different because he experienced something he had never seen or felt before. He got to see, share and experience what God can do to people - how God can pull and put people together and how God shares his love with His children.
Please continue to keep Walt in your prayers and prayers for Bob - to remember this past weekend - to rearrange his life priorities and to know God just a little bit more with each passing day. Sometimes things happen - bad things happen but God uses those experiences to get our attention. Sometimes God has to use painful things to bring us to Him. My walk with Jesus - my families walk with Jesus all falls on the shoulders because of my mom. I am forever grateful for that - I miss my mom and look forward to seeing her again one day.
One day at a time .... tomorrow is not promised. Got something on your heart to tell someone today? - Don't wait another second .........
God changes lives - if you are willing to let Him.
Lonnie
Yesterday - Bob was nervous. He was nervous about going to church - he was nervous about meeting most of the peeps from our Rock Group - even if we were having a superbowl party! Which was great!!! - even the commercials were great and the game was great.
As everything wrapped up last night and everyone left to go home - game was long over and interviews went off the air - Carol, Bob and I sat and talked - not about the ball game but about church and about the support system of awesome friends we have and about what theshort term future might look like as a family. We made some decisions and Bob shared some of his emotions and fears - but the bottom line he kept commenting on was the family that Carol and I are surrounded with. He seemed to be sad that his support system is - nothing. Carol and I explained to him how we got to the point we find ourselves today - How God is using us and keeping raised up by the people all around us. God is providing even during these hard times.
There are 2 things that will happen - Bob will go back home today and go back into his routine and life - as it was before - OR - he will go home with a heart that is a little different because he experienced something he had never seen or felt before. He got to see, share and experience what God can do to people - how God can pull and put people together and how God shares his love with His children.
Please continue to keep Walt in your prayers and prayers for Bob - to remember this past weekend - to rearrange his life priorities and to know God just a little bit more with each passing day. Sometimes things happen - bad things happen but God uses those experiences to get our attention. Sometimes God has to use painful things to bring us to Him. My walk with Jesus - my families walk with Jesus all falls on the shoulders because of my mom. I am forever grateful for that - I miss my mom and look forward to seeing her again one day.
One day at a time .... tomorrow is not promised. Got something on your heart to tell someone today? - Don't wait another second .........
God changes lives - if you are willing to let Him.
Lonnie
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Saturday!
Just letting everyone know all is well here in NC. I have not posted in a few days so don't worry - all is ok. Enjoying some time with Carol's brother Bob. He is missing the 0 degree days and the ice storm of the year in NJ/NY/Penn area. Walt is doing ok and his oncology appointment went well on Thursday. Numbers are more in line to where they should be and this time for a change - no talk of an ER visit. We are all going to the Charlotte 49er Mens BB game this afternoon and then over to 5 guys for burgers! Church is something we are all looking forward to in the morning. I have some folks lined up so I wont even have to go in early to serve -pretty excited about that and hoping for a packed house. Bob has never been to a church like ours so we are excited to have him with us and to see what we are pouring our hearts and souls into - Gods Kingdom. Superbowl party with our Rock Group family tomorrow - Mike is making his famous wings and Donna/Dawn making their killer chile. Should be a great time of fellowship also.
Will get back to blogging in a bit - Do have some things to share ....
Congrats to my Aunt Sharon for selling her house she has been working on so hard the few months - sold in 2 hours. Had to be a GOD THING! :)
Lonnie
Will get back to blogging in a bit - Do have some things to share ....
Congrats to my Aunt Sharon for selling her house she has been working on so hard the few months - sold in 2 hours. Had to be a GOD THING! :)
Lonnie
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