The Face of an Angel~

I have lots of things on my mind today. Nothing huge but lots of little things. It's election day and the schools are closed so this morning I got up and had the breakfast table, coffee and my bible to myself. It is nice to start the day focused on Gods word and to have a quiet minute to pray before getting to work and being pulled in 1000 directions. I have been in the book of Acts the last few weeks - its a long book but one that is packed with lots of invaluable information. In Acts 6 - the Apostles are preaching to the people and taking Gods word to the streets. Their numbers growing everyday and people being healed and saved everywhere they went.

Acts 6: 7-15
7The Word of God prospered. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased dramatically. Not least, a great many priests submitted themselves to the faith.
8-10Stephen, brimming with God's grace and energy, was doing wonderful things among the people, unmistakable signs that God was among them. But then some men from the meeting place whose membership was made up of freed slaves, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and some others from Cilicia and Asia, went up against him trying to argue him down. But they were no match for his wisdom and spirit when he spoke.
11So in secret they bribed men to lie: "We heard him cursing Moses and God."
12-14That stirred up the people, the religious leaders, and religion scholars. They grabbed Stephen and took him before the High Council. They put forward their bribed witnesses to testify: "This man talks nonstop against this Holy Place and God's Law. We even heard him say that Jesus of Nazareth would tear this place down and throw out all the customs Moses gave us."
15As all those who sat on the High Council looked at Stephen, they found they couldn't take their eyes off him—his face was like the face of an angel!

These passages really spoke to me this morning because Stephan was taking the message to the people and really putting his faith behind his actions. Even as many folks tried to come against him and lie about what he was doing - He was filled with the Holy Spirit and he had a glow about him that everyone could see. Do you know someone who has this glow? Just something about this person that sets them apart in ways that others don't have? Maybe a peace about them or some other aspect?
Last week the gentleman in the bed next to Walt passed away just before Kyle and I got there to visit with Walt. Mr. Brown was just a shell of the man he used to be but his family loved and cared for him regardless. His wife of 62 years, Mrs. Brown, was there when Kyle and I walked in and you could tell that something had happened. We did not know at that moment that Mr. Brown had just passed away. I told her I was glad to see her because I wanted to pray for her and Mr. Brown but I had not seen them in 4-5 days. She hugged me and told me Mr. Brown had just passed away. Kyle reached out his hand and grabbed hers and said to her, "Don't be sad Mrs. Brown, you will see him again because he is in heaven". Her eyes lite up, the tears stopped flowing and a giant smile came across her face. She said, "That is so true - Mr. Brown served the Lord for so many faithful years" - "He is finally home". I told Mrs. Brown to look up when she was feeling down and told her we would be praying for her and her family.

Stephens face in the passage above reminded me of Mrs. Brown this morning. She may not be an angel but her face showed that she was filled with the Lord and it was so clear and so bright.

Another teachable moment that would have been missed if we are not tuned in to what God is showing us and teaching us. I pray that He reveals himself to you today in a new and exciting way~ Even if you have not felt His presense in many years or ever at all. Today could be the start of something new and something different.

Randy~

Another one rolls in........

This picture is from my Cousin Angie. They live in Va and up above Ararat Va where our family is from. The girls look cute don't they? It was good to see them this past Sunday. We are so far apart that it has been hard to keep in touch over the years but the internet and this blog has pulled our families a little closer. My cousin Angie is a great mom and is a nurse. I learned a few months ago that she is in not only part of my family but also in the family of Gods. For that, I am very thankful! Love you cuz!

Randy~

The Faith of Works...

All is quiet here today. After such a busy weekend, I usually need time to recover and get some rest but I am feeling good today. I should have hit the 2 miles at lunch today but I worked on a project this afternoon that will put such a great CAP on my Rock Group when we end the current series of ParentHood. Does it seem that every church now is doing a series on ParentHood? I just can't believe it when I check out my usually surfing spots. Anyways - we had a rocking church service yesterday - both services were packed out and Carol and I had such a great time with the kids in Sunday School. I also went to Ararat, VA for my family reunion. It was a nice ride up and I fully enjoyed being with the family - many of which I have not seen since last year at this time. My Dad's uncle Homer had the opening remarks like he always does. He is a retired Pastor but he still has such a big heart for the Lord and for people. He shared many things yesterday, spoke about my mom and how blessed we are as a family - but more importantly how we need to be a family of God. His heart poured out in those opening moments and I hung on every single word. During the blessing of the meal he prayed for each of his brothers and sisters who are getting really up there in age - for our family, with no mention of him or asking the Lord for anything on his behalf - I thought that was a great leadership and humbled thing to do. The meal was awesome as usual and I left with telling everyone I loved them. I want to share a passage from James with you today ~

James 2:14,17
“Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can't save anyone. … So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith. Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all—it is dead and useless.”

Uncle Homer is a man of faith and he has proven it by his action over his life time. Even though he is blind now and continues to love people, to care for so many and to speak truth and lead our family today. I pray that we all will accept Gods family and really understand what Uncle Homer was saying. To not wait one more minute living this life for yourself but to see others in a new way, to love others in a new way and to live this life the way God has had planned all along. It does break my heart knowing that if our time comes, we would be separate for all eternity. Its a free gift and Jesus has paid for your sins and mine. Even during the days that Jesus walked this earth - there were those who saw with their own eyes, heard with their own ears and witnessed so much and still refused Gods love and salvation- unwilling to believe. It still rings true today ...

Thanks Uncle Homer for your prayers and opening remarks. You are a true man of God - "Good and Faithful Servant."

Randy~

One more.... keep 'em coming!

Now we have some scary stuff going on here! 3 Gouls and an angel. Amanda - you look pretty! The boys almost left ya when you were taking too long to pick your shoes out! No- not that pair ... the other white pair!!! I told the boys to relax and get used to it ... girls take their time getting ready! Ya'll started off slow until after the first 2 houses... then it was wild! Can you guess who is who here? These are some awesome neighborhood kids - missing Madison in the picture!

Almost too scary to post - Halloween Costume~

This is McKenzie - she is a fan of Kyles and just adores him. She is the sister of Kyles buddy Tyler. I am just now starting to break through with M - I am starting to get hugs and sugar when I see her - FINALLY! Pretty scary that little Hanah Montana to be..... You look cute M!

Just one of the Scary Halloween Costumes to share...

Just some of "My Kids" - on Halloween. Man I love this picture... Hope to share more as they come in. SCARY Aint they????

How cute and adorable are they?

Project ARK....

What a day! So much taking place and so many things going on. Today was an exciting day because I got to step forward in Project ARK.

Today I got to share lunch with a friend from church and who I have started visiting at school each week. Hailey did not have money for lunch and when I went last week to have lunch with her, I just figured that she would get the school lunch and I would enjoy my time spending this time with them. I usually don't eat until I get back to work or on my way back to work. But this was different because Hailey was expecting me to bring lunch. So, I purchased lunch for her last week and learned many things I did not know about school lunches, how the money works and the kids accounts. So, with much prayer and family decisions - we decided that our Project Ark would pay for a childs lunch for the year.

So today, I walked into school and signed in. I waited for her outside the lunch room -expecting her to come from the classroom area just like last week but her class came in from the front - they were on the playground. So again, she got me from behind. Her teacher smiled and thanked me for coming to lunch. I got to walk Hailey in and hold the door for all the kids - we then sat at the parent table. Yes they make me do this there too! She looked in my bag that I had for lunch and she looked disappointed. I said, Come - lets go and get in line. She said, you have money? I said, I will show you... come and get whatever it is you want. So we got in line and I met all her classmates - We got 2 milks, 6 chicken nuggets, grapes, and a cookie. We then went and waited a few minutes in line to pay and I asked the lunch lady how much was on the tray.... she said 4.00 but she owed about $15 - so I said I would pay for lunch - pay for the red amount and then add the rest on for future lunches and that she can get whatever she wanted - even the fancy area where they have the COOL snacks. I think I really shocked the lunch lady - and I KNOW I shocked miss Hailey. Miss Hailey said REALLY? Gave me a big hug and told me she loved me right there in the cafeteria. It was a special moment - a moment to give and to bless a child who needs to know that people care and that as a follower of Jesus - this is what people are supposed to do. There is a church and a Rock Group that loves her and her family.
We then walked back to the table and shared lunch - she ate everything on her plate - and I even brought some halloween candy for her, 3 pencils and an apple for the teacher.
Lunch went quick - and it was over so fast..... I cleaned her lunch up - her teacher told her it was time to go and she smiled with that thankful smile when you know you are doing something positive in a childs life - and we all KNOW that teachers know more about their kids than people realize. Spending some time with these children - you really do get to know them even without asking questions. How things are at home, what life is really like ... and so much more. We owe a lot to teachers and all they do for our children!!! I know if it was not for Kyles great teacher last year .... Donna~ I don't think I would have ever made it into the classroom - never had discovered the love I have for children and the burning desire to make a difference in their lives - even if all I can do is sit with them and listen. Sometimes thats all a child really needs....

I could never thank you enough Donna - for opening your classroom last year and letting me experience what YOU ALREADY KNEW! Dawn, that goes for you too!!!

It was a great day today - Project ARK - Acts of Random Kindness - I can't wait to hear everyones story and the blessings they have passed on. Imagine just what can be done....


Prayers tonight for Walter - his roomate Mr. Brown passed away this evening just before we got there. Please pray for Mr. Brown's family - Kyle and I got to share with them their pain and grief tonight - it was ok because they all know Mr. Brown is in heaven and he served the Lord for many years. Tough days are ahead for them...but they know the comfort and peace that only the Lord can give them at this time. He will be with them through this.
Thanks.