I usually don't do this - especially on my blog site but it is worth sharing!
Enjoy the quick read....
Billy Graham is now 86 years old with Parkinson's disease.
In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte , North Carolina ,
invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in
his honor.
Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he
struggles with Parkinson's disease. But the Charlotte
leaders said, 'We don't expect a major address. Just
come and let us honor you.'
So he agreed.
After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham
stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said,
'I'm reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who
this month has been honored by Time magazine as the
Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling from
Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the
aisle, punching the tickets of every passenger. When he
came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He
couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouser pockets.
It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it.
Then he looked in the seat beside him.
He still couldn't find it.
The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you are.
We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket.
Don't worry about it.'
Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued
down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to
move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great
physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his
seat for his ticket.
The conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein,
Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know who you are. No problem.
You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one.'
Einstein looked at him and said, 'Young man, I too, know who I am.
What I don't know is where I'm going.''
Having said that Billy Graham continued,
'See the suit I'm wearing? It's a brand new suit.
My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me
I've gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit
more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this
luncheon and one more occasion.
You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which
I'll be buried. But when you hear I'm dead, I don't want
you to immediately remember the suit I'm wearing.
I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am . I also know where I'm going.'
Do YOU know where you're going?
Friday, March 14, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Looking through which eyes?
Trusting God meanes looking beyond what we see & seeing what God sees.
Tomorrow Carol and I are headed to Anderson SC to attend the Unleash Conference at NewSpring church. Their web site is: http://www.newspring.cc/ - they have their messages online and have a rocking band to go with it. With 6000 people a weekend coming through their doors it is an amazing thing to see what God is doing through that church. (Anderson is not that big!) Carol, Kyle and I attended a Sunday service last fall and were blown away by everything - not just size - but everything.
So tomorrow, Carol and I will be attending with our Pastors and other church ministry leaders and I know it will get our creative juices pumped up and flowing. I will post some notes Friday on this sold out conference. Pastors and Ministry leaders from across the country! Over 350 Volunteers ready to serve ... it's going to be amazing.
Today I got to step forward and get back to having lunch with "my kids". I was a little slow coming out of the gate, still not feeling up to par but pressing foward nonetheless. It was good seeing the smiles and even got to have a little "pep" talk with one about being mad at a friend. Sometimes even as adults we let the little things get inbetween friendships and then things slip away all over something silly. Friendships should be in place to raise each other up, to hold each other accountable and to walk with no matter what we are going through. If that friendship isn't going to a place you want to go then you need to move it aside ... invest in your true friends and be honest with yourself. Sometimes we have to take a stand for something even if you are the only one still standing. God wants us to stand for integrity and honesty and above all else to honor Him. You do those things and God will bless those relationships.
Last night Kyle and I visited the place where Walt stayed at the nursing home. So many new faces and so many missing faces from even a month ago. We got to see a few folks who my family and I have grown fond of and it was great seeing them, talking with them and kneeling next to them. I look up to these folks because of their wisdom and things they have been through. Mary is one of these ladies. She is 93 and cannot walk anymore and she can only see out of one eye. She lost her husband over 50 years ago to a heart attack at age 44. She has been alone since and I asked her - "Mary, did you never date anyone afterwards or did you even want to?" She said honey, "I just could never find anyone else as good as my husband." That pretty much left me speechless. She smiles and pauses before she speaks - you can tell when she has something important to say and I just can't wait for what she has to share. She just loves her little man - Kyle. They shared some chocolate together last night, Mary has a sectret stash of goodies :)
It has been a good couple of days trying to see not with my eyes but through the eyes of the Lord. He does have a different vision on things and on people than we do. He sees us all the same and He loves us all the same. The book of Acts does a great job in describing that the word of God is for everyone. That still rings true today ... it is for everyone.
Whos eyes are you looking through? Yours or our Heavenly Fathers?
Lonnie~
Tomorrow Carol and I are headed to Anderson SC to attend the Unleash Conference at NewSpring church. Their web site is: http://www.newspring.cc/ - they have their messages online and have a rocking band to go with it. With 6000 people a weekend coming through their doors it is an amazing thing to see what God is doing through that church. (Anderson is not that big!) Carol, Kyle and I attended a Sunday service last fall and were blown away by everything - not just size - but everything.
So tomorrow, Carol and I will be attending with our Pastors and other church ministry leaders and I know it will get our creative juices pumped up and flowing. I will post some notes Friday on this sold out conference. Pastors and Ministry leaders from across the country! Over 350 Volunteers ready to serve ... it's going to be amazing.
Today I got to step forward and get back to having lunch with "my kids". I was a little slow coming out of the gate, still not feeling up to par but pressing foward nonetheless. It was good seeing the smiles and even got to have a little "pep" talk with one about being mad at a friend. Sometimes even as adults we let the little things get inbetween friendships and then things slip away all over something silly. Friendships should be in place to raise each other up, to hold each other accountable and to walk with no matter what we are going through. If that friendship isn't going to a place you want to go then you need to move it aside ... invest in your true friends and be honest with yourself. Sometimes we have to take a stand for something even if you are the only one still standing. God wants us to stand for integrity and honesty and above all else to honor Him. You do those things and God will bless those relationships.
Last night Kyle and I visited the place where Walt stayed at the nursing home. So many new faces and so many missing faces from even a month ago. We got to see a few folks who my family and I have grown fond of and it was great seeing them, talking with them and kneeling next to them. I look up to these folks because of their wisdom and things they have been through. Mary is one of these ladies. She is 93 and cannot walk anymore and she can only see out of one eye. She lost her husband over 50 years ago to a heart attack at age 44. She has been alone since and I asked her - "Mary, did you never date anyone afterwards or did you even want to?" She said honey, "I just could never find anyone else as good as my husband." That pretty much left me speechless. She smiles and pauses before she speaks - you can tell when she has something important to say and I just can't wait for what she has to share. She just loves her little man - Kyle. They shared some chocolate together last night, Mary has a sectret stash of goodies :)
It has been a good couple of days trying to see not with my eyes but through the eyes of the Lord. He does have a different vision on things and on people than we do. He sees us all the same and He loves us all the same. The book of Acts does a great job in describing that the word of God is for everyone. That still rings true today ... it is for everyone.
Whos eyes are you looking through? Yours or our Heavenly Fathers?
Lonnie~
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
3rd quarter ~
At 41 years old and if life could be looked at like a football game - I would say that my life just got out of half time and I am ready for the 3rd quarter. I am tired of dancing around with life and feeling this life out - It is time to make a change and to have a new strategy in this game of life. Most games are won in the third quarter with being the quarter most points are scored but just like the New England Patriots - it doesnt matter what you have done in your life (game) its finishing it that counts the most - its the ending that people remember. The Patriots will go down as the best team ever to be put on a field 18-0 but they fell short of winning it all.
Being in the early 40's now - I guess so many men have their mid-life crisis. Well what exactly is that anyways? Its more than getting sports car, a golf membership at the country club, getting the Harley or having an affair with a young woman who is probably uglier than your wife - why do men go through this? I think for many, they look back and see where they have been and notice that there is not that much time left - Life is at Half-Time - There are things I want to do over again.
My 20's and 30's were about making me, making money, my job and making something of myself.
My 40's and beyond - my 3rd quarter is about bringing glory to God and making this a team effort and not a ME effort. I can't do this alone or with just a few folks - I need teamwork and teamates to get the job done.
Folks in their 40's and beyond and looking a little further and seeing retirement and thinking 401k and investments portfolio's - when in turn they have let society raise their children - they have let the job control their time away from their families. Imagine what Bill Gates or Tiger Woods could do for the kingdom of God with all the power, spotlight and influence they have? I don't want to get to the point in my life where its time to spike the ball and run out the clock or take a knee and change sides. I don't want to stand on the sideline watching my son's generation looking up to Britney Spears and wanting a life like hers. No matter what stage you are in in your life, God can use you and God has a purpose for you. You can do something for God for the generation behind you and the one in front of you and the one you are currently in. So many are afraid and want to know the details and never take the leap of faith and extend a hand out for God. We have people in churches that come and go each Sunday unchanged and go back to their lives, only to come back the next Sunday - Still not engaging and getting involved in what is going on around them.
A few years ago my family and I put a good sum of money on a home - I designed it and contracted with a fella who could build it - His wife was a realitor and she was going to sell our current home. It was a great project building that home that we designed and put together. There were many extra's in that home that we wanted. We soon had a buyer for our old home and we began to move in some stuff even before it was complete. Our buyers failed to get a mortgage - the deal went south and I had to let go of this new home along with a good sum of money. I remember asking God "Why?" "God if this is the way it is, then ok - You know the plan for me better than I do, show me what to do next." It hurts to just flush a ton of cash down the drain with nothing to show for it. We sat a month and licked our wounds and let our hearts heal - Carol and I were really upset and we lived in boxes for months until I felt like God said it was time to get going again. We did and we found a new home, a better location, and our old home sold with no problems. This new home brought us to look for a new church and a great church at that! It was during these next few weeks, Easter Sunday that we took our fancy pants and dress shirts to the first service and felt out of place but felt like - this is cool and we knew our search for a new church home was over.
God had better plans for us but we did not see it at the time. That money I lost has long been made up in appreciation (and Taxes!) but we are much happier, have deep and meaning relationships and all because we trusted God.
God has taken me to this point in my life and it is time to give back to God. It is time that my family and I serve Him, Honor Him and glorify His name. He helped up this side of the mountain and why wouldn't I walk down the other side with Him?
Our Pastor told the congregation Sunday that we are moving forward in our church building process. It has been a long road, so many others even longer than my family and I - It is a road built on Faith and a road that we have come through in our own way. I look forward to the coming months as the plans move forward, excitment builds in the community and my roles in my church change to something else. Like above, God has better plans for our lives and with FAITH - we can move forward and not stay stuck in the past or defeated and have to take a knee to wind the clock out.
For more information about our church home - visit - http://www.aplacethatmatters.org/
With God we can do all things that seem impossible....... I am going to love the 3rd quarter.....
Lonnie~
Being in the early 40's now - I guess so many men have their mid-life crisis. Well what exactly is that anyways? Its more than getting sports car, a golf membership at the country club, getting the Harley or having an affair with a young woman who is probably uglier than your wife - why do men go through this? I think for many, they look back and see where they have been and notice that there is not that much time left - Life is at Half-Time - There are things I want to do over again.
My 20's and 30's were about making me, making money, my job and making something of myself.
My 40's and beyond - my 3rd quarter is about bringing glory to God and making this a team effort and not a ME effort. I can't do this alone or with just a few folks - I need teamwork and teamates to get the job done.
Folks in their 40's and beyond and looking a little further and seeing retirement and thinking 401k and investments portfolio's - when in turn they have let society raise their children - they have let the job control their time away from their families. Imagine what Bill Gates or Tiger Woods could do for the kingdom of God with all the power, spotlight and influence they have? I don't want to get to the point in my life where its time to spike the ball and run out the clock or take a knee and change sides. I don't want to stand on the sideline watching my son's generation looking up to Britney Spears and wanting a life like hers. No matter what stage you are in in your life, God can use you and God has a purpose for you. You can do something for God for the generation behind you and the one in front of you and the one you are currently in. So many are afraid and want to know the details and never take the leap of faith and extend a hand out for God. We have people in churches that come and go each Sunday unchanged and go back to their lives, only to come back the next Sunday - Still not engaging and getting involved in what is going on around them.
A few years ago my family and I put a good sum of money on a home - I designed it and contracted with a fella who could build it - His wife was a realitor and she was going to sell our current home. It was a great project building that home that we designed and put together. There were many extra's in that home that we wanted. We soon had a buyer for our old home and we began to move in some stuff even before it was complete. Our buyers failed to get a mortgage - the deal went south and I had to let go of this new home along with a good sum of money. I remember asking God "Why?" "God if this is the way it is, then ok - You know the plan for me better than I do, show me what to do next." It hurts to just flush a ton of cash down the drain with nothing to show for it. We sat a month and licked our wounds and let our hearts heal - Carol and I were really upset and we lived in boxes for months until I felt like God said it was time to get going again. We did and we found a new home, a better location, and our old home sold with no problems. This new home brought us to look for a new church and a great church at that! It was during these next few weeks, Easter Sunday that we took our fancy pants and dress shirts to the first service and felt out of place but felt like - this is cool and we knew our search for a new church home was over.
God had better plans for us but we did not see it at the time. That money I lost has long been made up in appreciation (and Taxes!) but we are much happier, have deep and meaning relationships and all because we trusted God.
God has taken me to this point in my life and it is time to give back to God. It is time that my family and I serve Him, Honor Him and glorify His name. He helped up this side of the mountain and why wouldn't I walk down the other side with Him?
Our Pastor told the congregation Sunday that we are moving forward in our church building process. It has been a long road, so many others even longer than my family and I - It is a road built on Faith and a road that we have come through in our own way. I look forward to the coming months as the plans move forward, excitment builds in the community and my roles in my church change to something else. Like above, God has better plans for our lives and with FAITH - we can move forward and not stay stuck in the past or defeated and have to take a knee to wind the clock out.
For more information about our church home - visit - http://www.aplacethatmatters.org/
With God we can do all things that seem impossible....... I am going to love the 3rd quarter.....
Lonnie~
Monday, March 10, 2008
I did a stupid thing last night. Yea I said it - no I didn't put my foot in my mouth (something I am always afraid of - hurting someone close to me with my big trap) but I tried to take a bone away from my big dog Adger. He is a gentle and beautiful dog but just not on the plus side with brains. I do my best to be the pack leader and the alpha male - pack terms in dog language but even still the pack leader gets hurt sometimes. As I approached Adger last night with a dog treat, I could tell he was ready and growling as I approached - most dogs protect what is theirs and sometimes whatever that item is needs to be taken away to show them authority and who is the Top Dog.
Well, I lost last night and Adger got me on the hand - 2 good tooth holes in my knuckle and in my muscle between my thumb and pointer finger. Well, there was blood for sure and I pinned Adger down by the neck and told him bad dog - but it was I who was bad. Just needed to be smarter about things and choose better when it comes to confratation like that. I will get another chance, not to worry - but for now - I am one handed for the most part.
I do want to share that yesterday serving at church took a lot out of me. I had major stress going on when only a few folks showed for setup Sunday Morning. With the few hands I had yesterday and with help from our Youth Pastor, Band and AV guys - we got it done. Reason why I am sharing this is, it goes to show us that it does take all kinds of people with different passions and talents to get things done sometimes. When serving the Lord it takes teamwork and no job is yours or this job is mine mindset to get things accomplished. It's hard work and serving is something I feel called to do - I feel blessed and honored to serve God and to do my part in making a place for God to change people, like He has changed me.
I have been thinking today as last night I finished up leading our Rock Group in a lesson - 30 days to live. It has been a tough series for me with the passing of Walt and my mom 2 years ago. I do believe that no amount of time ever washes away that pain we still feel during those times that we miss our loved ones. I think about how both my mom and Walt suffered and God placed on my heart today that there are MANY ways to leave this earth - but only ONE way into Heaven. We all have an EXIT STORY right? We each will have our own story, unique in every way. I remember my Aunt Sharon and Uncle Buster praying for my mom and Walt for healing - My dad screaming in the hospital room asking God why? I do think in some way he is still mad at God today for what has happened to mom. I do know early on in my moms sickness that God spoke to my heart and assured me that mom would be healed but just not in the way that I wanted. Not in this life and that she would be healed in Heaven for all of eternity. I know Walt is rejoicing exactly that today. I think they both are looking now and saying - that suffering was worth it.
Sickness is still healed today by God. Some sickness is caused by our own sins. Some are used by God for His purposes. Look at all that God accomplished through the sickness in my mom and with Walt! We had people gathering together, praying, sharing their stories as folks dropped off meals, Just this past week my Rock Group dropped off 3 Build A Bears to a family with a very sick 3 year old - Good is coming from all this..... We have to see not with our own eyes but through the eyes of God and focus in on what He sees.
James 5 tells us this story:
Prayer to Be Reckoned With
13-15Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven—healed inside and out.
16-18Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.
19-20My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.
My good friend Joe from church is headed back this week to Duke - his cancer has come back and this will be the 3rd operation on his brain in the last 5 or 6 years now. God is using this sickness for His purposes - I love Joe and his family and I know God is in control of all this but its God's purposes above our own. As we all deal with sickness in a world full of disease - we can only turn to God and ask in FULL FAITH that He will heal us if its according to His will. Doesn't matter how you pray or how articulate you are in your prayers - it just matter if you have trust and faith in Jesus - no matter what - You will be healed - Inside and Out.
Just what is on my heart today -
Lonnie~
Well, I lost last night and Adger got me on the hand - 2 good tooth holes in my knuckle and in my muscle between my thumb and pointer finger. Well, there was blood for sure and I pinned Adger down by the neck and told him bad dog - but it was I who was bad. Just needed to be smarter about things and choose better when it comes to confratation like that. I will get another chance, not to worry - but for now - I am one handed for the most part.
I do want to share that yesterday serving at church took a lot out of me. I had major stress going on when only a few folks showed for setup Sunday Morning. With the few hands I had yesterday and with help from our Youth Pastor, Band and AV guys - we got it done. Reason why I am sharing this is, it goes to show us that it does take all kinds of people with different passions and talents to get things done sometimes. When serving the Lord it takes teamwork and no job is yours or this job is mine mindset to get things accomplished. It's hard work and serving is something I feel called to do - I feel blessed and honored to serve God and to do my part in making a place for God to change people, like He has changed me.
I have been thinking today as last night I finished up leading our Rock Group in a lesson - 30 days to live. It has been a tough series for me with the passing of Walt and my mom 2 years ago. I do believe that no amount of time ever washes away that pain we still feel during those times that we miss our loved ones. I think about how both my mom and Walt suffered and God placed on my heart today that there are MANY ways to leave this earth - but only ONE way into Heaven. We all have an EXIT STORY right? We each will have our own story, unique in every way. I remember my Aunt Sharon and Uncle Buster praying for my mom and Walt for healing - My dad screaming in the hospital room asking God why? I do think in some way he is still mad at God today for what has happened to mom. I do know early on in my moms sickness that God spoke to my heart and assured me that mom would be healed but just not in the way that I wanted. Not in this life and that she would be healed in Heaven for all of eternity. I know Walt is rejoicing exactly that today. I think they both are looking now and saying - that suffering was worth it.
Sickness is still healed today by God. Some sickness is caused by our own sins. Some are used by God for His purposes. Look at all that God accomplished through the sickness in my mom and with Walt! We had people gathering together, praying, sharing their stories as folks dropped off meals, Just this past week my Rock Group dropped off 3 Build A Bears to a family with a very sick 3 year old - Good is coming from all this..... We have to see not with our own eyes but through the eyes of God and focus in on what He sees.
James 5 tells us this story:
Prayer to Be Reckoned With
13-15Are you hurting? Pray. Do you feel great? Sing. Are you sick? Call the church leaders together to pray and anoint you with oil in the name of the Master. Believing-prayer will heal you, and Jesus will put you on your feet. And if you've sinned, you'll be forgiven—healed inside and out.
16-18Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. Elijah, for instance, human just like us, prayed hard that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't—not a drop for three and a half years. Then he prayed that it would rain, and it did. The showers came and everything started growing again.
19-20My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.
My good friend Joe from church is headed back this week to Duke - his cancer has come back and this will be the 3rd operation on his brain in the last 5 or 6 years now. God is using this sickness for His purposes - I love Joe and his family and I know God is in control of all this but its God's purposes above our own. As we all deal with sickness in a world full of disease - we can only turn to God and ask in FULL FAITH that He will heal us if its according to His will. Doesn't matter how you pray or how articulate you are in your prayers - it just matter if you have trust and faith in Jesus - no matter what - You will be healed - Inside and Out.
Just what is on my heart today -
Lonnie~
Friday, March 7, 2008
Friday thoughts...
Well - first few days back at work. Glad to be back and glad to be learning, reading and thinking about other things again. I have been in Acts the last day or so and while reading chapter 9 this morning, I want to share something this morning that is new to me. Now I have read this chapter before and I am sure you have been there as well - but funny how we learn something new even if we have read something many times before. The Gospel works that way ...
Acts 9:
The Blinding of Saul
1-2 All this time Saul was breathing down the necks of the Master's disciples, out for the kill. He went to the Chief Priest and got arrest warrants to take to the meeting places in Damascus so that if he found anyone there belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he could arrest them and bring them to Jerusalem.
3-4He set off. When he got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light. As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: "Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?"
5-6He said, "Who are you, Master?"
"I am Jesus, the One you're hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you'll be told what to do next."
7-9His companions stood there dumbstruck—they could hear the sound, but couldn't see anyone—while Saul, picking himself up off the ground, found himself stone-blind. They had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus. He continued blind for three days. He ate nothing, drank nothing.
10There was a disciple in Damascus by the name of Ananias. The Master spoke to him in a vision: "Ananias."
"Yes, Master?" he answered.
11-12"Get up and go over to Straight Avenue. Ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus. His name is Saul. He's there praying. He has just had a dream in which he saw a man named Ananias enter the house and lay hands on him so he could see again."
13-14Ananias protested, "Master, you can't be serious. Everybody's talking about this man and the terrible things he's been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he's shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us."
15-16But the Master said, "Don't argue. Go! I have picked him as my personal representative to non-Jews and kings and Jews. And now I'm about to show him what he's in for—the hard suffering that goes with this job."
17-19So Ananias went and found the house, placed his hands on blind Saul, and said, "Brother Saul, the Master sent me, the same Jesus you saw on your way here. He sent me so you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." No sooner were the words out of his mouth than something like scales fell from Saul's eyes—he could see again! He got to his feet, was baptized, and sat down with them to a hearty meal.
Why do I find this passage so amazing? If you know anything about Saul - he is really the Apostle Paul - before this passage took place - Paul (Saul) was a murderer, killing Christians just for the fun of it, putting them in jail and getting special privileges to go to other places looking for them so that he could bring them back and have them placed in jail or killed. God forgave him and used him - Paul is one of the greatest men that God used to spread the Gospel. Think about all the things you have done in your life. I am sure you were not as bad as Paul - you probably have not killed anyone or made it your life mission to put people in jail because of what they believe in. No matter what you have done, no matter what others have done to you, no matter where you have been - God has a purpose for your life and you are not too far away that God cannot save you. Your heart is not hard enough for God to penetrate it. If God can use Paul - He can surely use you. If God can save Paul - God can surely save you.
I think about my father n law, Walt, this morning. All his life he walked away from anything that was religious. He made it very clear he was not interested. But the last months, I sat with him many evenings talking about "Stuff" - some of which those conversation did not end on a good note. But he would always bring them back up a few days later - ask questions and really test me in my answers and my beliefs. It took many folks around him to show him the practical love of Jesus and what we are supposed to do for each other when times are hard. It took the prayers of a child - a simple message and a simple prayer to bring Walt to Christ - along with everyone aroung him showing him the practical love of Jesus.
God can do the same for you~
I am looking forward to this weekend. A little down time, the Harrisburg Daddy/Daughter dance tomorrow evening - serving on Sunday and church Sunday and getting back with Rock Group Sunday night. There are many things to be excited about in life - Life is for the living - are you really living right now? Are you just floating by in life with no purpose, held down by guilt, worry and other things? Are you stuck in the material things of this life - the very things that won't matter 10 years from now?
Christ can show you how.........
Love you all,
Lonnie~
Acts 9:
The Blinding of Saul
1-2 All this time Saul was breathing down the necks of the Master's disciples, out for the kill. He went to the Chief Priest and got arrest warrants to take to the meeting places in Damascus so that if he found anyone there belonging to the Way, whether men or women, he could arrest them and bring them to Jerusalem.
3-4He set off. When he got to the outskirts of Damascus, he was suddenly dazed by a blinding flash of light. As he fell to the ground, he heard a voice: "Saul, Saul, why are you out to get me?"
5-6He said, "Who are you, Master?"
"I am Jesus, the One you're hunting down. I want you to get up and enter the city. In the city you'll be told what to do next."
7-9His companions stood there dumbstruck—they could hear the sound, but couldn't see anyone—while Saul, picking himself up off the ground, found himself stone-blind. They had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus. He continued blind for three days. He ate nothing, drank nothing.
10There was a disciple in Damascus by the name of Ananias. The Master spoke to him in a vision: "Ananias."
"Yes, Master?" he answered.
11-12"Get up and go over to Straight Avenue. Ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus. His name is Saul. He's there praying. He has just had a dream in which he saw a man named Ananias enter the house and lay hands on him so he could see again."
13-14Ananias protested, "Master, you can't be serious. Everybody's talking about this man and the terrible things he's been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he's shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us."
15-16But the Master said, "Don't argue. Go! I have picked him as my personal representative to non-Jews and kings and Jews. And now I'm about to show him what he's in for—the hard suffering that goes with this job."
17-19So Ananias went and found the house, placed his hands on blind Saul, and said, "Brother Saul, the Master sent me, the same Jesus you saw on your way here. He sent me so you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." No sooner were the words out of his mouth than something like scales fell from Saul's eyes—he could see again! He got to his feet, was baptized, and sat down with them to a hearty meal.
Why do I find this passage so amazing? If you know anything about Saul - he is really the Apostle Paul - before this passage took place - Paul (Saul) was a murderer, killing Christians just for the fun of it, putting them in jail and getting special privileges to go to other places looking for them so that he could bring them back and have them placed in jail or killed. God forgave him and used him - Paul is one of the greatest men that God used to spread the Gospel. Think about all the things you have done in your life. I am sure you were not as bad as Paul - you probably have not killed anyone or made it your life mission to put people in jail because of what they believe in. No matter what you have done, no matter what others have done to you, no matter where you have been - God has a purpose for your life and you are not too far away that God cannot save you. Your heart is not hard enough for God to penetrate it. If God can use Paul - He can surely use you. If God can save Paul - God can surely save you.
I think about my father n law, Walt, this morning. All his life he walked away from anything that was religious. He made it very clear he was not interested. But the last months, I sat with him many evenings talking about "Stuff" - some of which those conversation did not end on a good note. But he would always bring them back up a few days later - ask questions and really test me in my answers and my beliefs. It took many folks around him to show him the practical love of Jesus and what we are supposed to do for each other when times are hard. It took the prayers of a child - a simple message and a simple prayer to bring Walt to Christ - along with everyone aroung him showing him the practical love of Jesus.
God can do the same for you~
I am looking forward to this weekend. A little down time, the Harrisburg Daddy/Daughter dance tomorrow evening - serving on Sunday and church Sunday and getting back with Rock Group Sunday night. There are many things to be excited about in life - Life is for the living - are you really living right now? Are you just floating by in life with no purpose, held down by guilt, worry and other things? Are you stuck in the material things of this life - the very things that won't matter 10 years from now?
Christ can show you how.........
Love you all,
Lonnie~
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Finding the groove~
It is good to be back at work. Hard getting up this morning but glad I am here. It is spring break week and there are not many folks around. Got a chance this morning to go around and talk with some folks and enjoyed catching up with them. Thanking many of them for all their prayers, meals and emails over the last month.
I do look forward to getting back in the groove though and also working some of the weight off my gut - as I have eaten way out of control the last month or so with all the great food showing up. I don't think Carol remembers how to cook anymore!!
Anyways, Bob flight was delayed this morning as their are storms in the NYC area. They were here last night and me, Kyle and Bob went from window to window watching the storm - and then check on radar for the complete update. It was fun having Carols brother around the last month on and off. He is a good guy and my family and I enjoyed having him with us. Next get together will be on different terms though. We will have to plan our trip up to Tupper Lake NY soon and get the house dealt with. Have to wait till May or so before you can get through the snow! I know Kyle wont mind it but I am not working much with it -5 out.
Well - many thanks again for everything. The memorial service Monday night was awesome. Jimmy preached a great little message and Brandon did an awesome job with "Amazing Grace" - we even applauded afterwards! When was the last time you got to hear applause at a funeral or wake? Its just our style -
Walt there is no reasons for tears man - we will miss you and the next time we see you, we will be going to you this time...... our place in heaven and I am proud of you. What a memorial service it would have been if you did not place your life in the hands of Jesus before you left us. Holy bleep I am proud of you. Does it ever seem that the folks who seem to be the furthest from God are actually the closest? This time it was .........
Going to find my groove back now - with a cup of coffee :)
Hey Caffeine always helps !
Love you all,
Lonnie~
I do look forward to getting back in the groove though and also working some of the weight off my gut - as I have eaten way out of control the last month or so with all the great food showing up. I don't think Carol remembers how to cook anymore!!
Anyways, Bob flight was delayed this morning as their are storms in the NYC area. They were here last night and me, Kyle and Bob went from window to window watching the storm - and then check on radar for the complete update. It was fun having Carols brother around the last month on and off. He is a good guy and my family and I enjoyed having him with us. Next get together will be on different terms though. We will have to plan our trip up to Tupper Lake NY soon and get the house dealt with. Have to wait till May or so before you can get through the snow! I know Kyle wont mind it but I am not working much with it -5 out.
Well - many thanks again for everything. The memorial service Monday night was awesome. Jimmy preached a great little message and Brandon did an awesome job with "Amazing Grace" - we even applauded afterwards! When was the last time you got to hear applause at a funeral or wake? Its just our style -
Walt there is no reasons for tears man - we will miss you and the next time we see you, we will be going to you this time...... our place in heaven and I am proud of you. What a memorial service it would have been if you did not place your life in the hands of Jesus before you left us. Holy bleep I am proud of you. Does it ever seem that the folks who seem to be the furthest from God are actually the closest? This time it was .........
Going to find my groove back now - with a cup of coffee :)
Hey Caffeine always helps !
Love you all,
Lonnie~
Monday, March 3, 2008
Its been a few days~
It has been a few days since I posted anything. I have been taking some time away from things, getting some extra sleep and rest, taking care of some things that I have not been able to for the last month or so.... but I look forward to getting back in the game again. Carol, Kyle, Bob and I will be wrapping up somethings at the funeral home today and then getting to the funeral home early tonight for Walts service. We are all looking to get through this and to thank everyone for everything. Jimmy has a powerful message and I really look forward to getting some energy from that message.
Yesterday, church was a little crazy, it was good to get back serving and greeting everyone. There were no tears, unlike last week! - and Rock group last night was even a little weird. Weird in a way that, well, some folks were missing, and I guess I was out of routine - I let the kids show everyone the Build a Bears they made for Adam and his family, and eggs were being stuffed and Bob was in charge. His face was so red and has never been in a position to handle a house full of kids before. LOL - he did very good and Carol only told him he was too loud 2 times...... I can't imagine how out of control that would have been if he was not in there!
Anyways, since there is some good material in that DVD - I am thinking about combining the 3 and 4 week message together and then planning together our next series. I do know that I want to learn something from the message each week. I want to know how to apply what I am learning and what I am trying to teach to my life as well as the lives of those in my rock group. I get really excited and pumped knowing that there is some change in the lives of the folks in our rock group. It is changing me ... and that is something I would love to see happen with everyone.
I want my single folks in the group to be able to feel comfortable knowing that when they are tired, hurting or struggling with something - that they can call or email anyone in the group for help - no matter the time of day. Even if its just for a few hours to watch the kids so they can take a shower in peace, take a nap, get away for some "Me" time - I know that folks have a hard time asking for help - I am the same way. Maybe I need to work through the process of teaming folks up and helping each other. A few months ago, I asked folks to pick a name out of a hat and that being their prayer buddy - Maybe we need another one of those so we can have a "Me" buddy - where we give each other the evening off - or an afternoon of free time - a recharge on the batteries!
Well - looking forward to thanking everyone this evening and rejoicing that Walt is in heaven. Our next meeting will be us going to see him. Life is short loved ones, make each moment count. God has a purpose for you and He has a vision for your life - do you know what that vision is?
No matter how old or how young you are - God is looking to use you for His purposes......
Love you and thank you all for everything,
Lonnie~
Yesterday, church was a little crazy, it was good to get back serving and greeting everyone. There were no tears, unlike last week! - and Rock group last night was even a little weird. Weird in a way that, well, some folks were missing, and I guess I was out of routine - I let the kids show everyone the Build a Bears they made for Adam and his family, and eggs were being stuffed and Bob was in charge. His face was so red and has never been in a position to handle a house full of kids before. LOL - he did very good and Carol only told him he was too loud 2 times...... I can't imagine how out of control that would have been if he was not in there!
Anyways, since there is some good material in that DVD - I am thinking about combining the 3 and 4 week message together and then planning together our next series. I do know that I want to learn something from the message each week. I want to know how to apply what I am learning and what I am trying to teach to my life as well as the lives of those in my rock group. I get really excited and pumped knowing that there is some change in the lives of the folks in our rock group. It is changing me ... and that is something I would love to see happen with everyone.
I want my single folks in the group to be able to feel comfortable knowing that when they are tired, hurting or struggling with something - that they can call or email anyone in the group for help - no matter the time of day. Even if its just for a few hours to watch the kids so they can take a shower in peace, take a nap, get away for some "Me" time - I know that folks have a hard time asking for help - I am the same way. Maybe I need to work through the process of teaming folks up and helping each other. A few months ago, I asked folks to pick a name out of a hat and that being their prayer buddy - Maybe we need another one of those so we can have a "Me" buddy - where we give each other the evening off - or an afternoon of free time - a recharge on the batteries!
Well - looking forward to thanking everyone this evening and rejoicing that Walt is in heaven. Our next meeting will be us going to see him. Life is short loved ones, make each moment count. God has a purpose for you and He has a vision for your life - do you know what that vision is?
No matter how old or how young you are - God is looking to use you for His purposes......
Love you and thank you all for everything,
Lonnie~
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