God's blessings go round and round

When Ruth chose to not return to Moab and go with Naomi, she gave up the opportunity to reconnect with friends and family not seen for many years. After all she had lost her husband, her brother-in-law and father-in-law. But instead of going after the easier road of more comfort, she chose to go to Bethlehem with Naomi out of dedication in her heart. She did not wait for something to happen, she went into the harvest fields and picked up the leftovers the harvesters left behind. As she was doing this, Boaz took notice of her and not only gave her what she harvested but also had his workers let some heads of grain fall so Ruth could collect those as well. When Ruth returned to Naomi that evening she not only brought to her the harvest she collected but the roasted grain she received from the meal given to her by Boaz.

Ruth received the blessing from the family redeemer and passed that blessing on to Naomi. Naomi encouraged Ruth to go back and even make her self available for Boaz to redeem the family and Ruth eventually became his wife. They had a child and Ruth gave this child to Naomi to raise. Naomi was able to once again to enjoy a family. This child would be the grand father of King David and eventually lead to our Savior Jesus Christ.

God's blessings go round and round!

Change

Most of my life I saw change occur from summer to fall as the leaves fall from trees. It seemed normal and expected. Not in Arizona. Change comes differently. Should I be surprised?


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Restorational gathering

God is gathering the hurting and broken leaders across America to bring restoration to their lives and to restore the dreams and vision He gave them. For such a time as this. Some may not submit to his process but for those who do they will not believe thier eyes what God will show them.


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Family

Family

I can't think of anything more precious short of God's grace than family. I am thankful for my wife of twenty years and all of my children. I am also glad for my mom and dad and siblings I grew up with. Through it all I can see a tapestry of life woven into me..through the joys and pains, disappontments and sorrows I am still blessed to belong. My own kids challenging me everyday but I would not trade them for anything. Each one of them is so unique in there own way and that's the way it should be. I hope to encourage them to become all they can be. That is Gods plan for their lives realized. That will be so different for each of them and that is good. Janine make my life a shared journey and a partner in life. I am blessed to not be alone but to live with my best friend. I am also thankful for the RLC church family who has blessed me beyond measure. What a privelage to serve these amazing people! Not being perfect we are discovering what God is doing to us and in us all to give praise to Jesus. I am also so thankful for Teen Challenge Girls Home in Kansas City including director Doug Anderson. The difference you have made in my own daughter and family leaves me without words. I love this ministry and thank God for it! Finally I am so blessed to have a God, Jesus Christ who just does not give up on me but walks me into healing with my own hurts, hang-ups and habits. A recovery church was His idea and we are recipients!!

What is the Box?

The way you stop sinning is by getting God-sized vision that consumes all your time and energy.

Wow. What a thought to consider. If I only would have read that thirty years ago! Yet I've always felt that in my heart. I have been accuses many times for being so intense and told to mellow out. But I am a big dreamer and I can't help but think hard questions that wander outside of the box. Ever wonder what "the box" is anyway? It is the status quo. It's excepting that things are the way they are supposed to be becuase that is what everyone has been taught. So to be busy about the vision must look like something you can't find in the box because the box keeps us inward focused or bored with things. I have to ask... Where do we go from here? What would happen if we actually did what we preached or learned about? Why is it this way and is that what God meant for us to do with it? Etc. On the other hand, when I am bored I rather say, "this is the way it is so I may as well get some pleasure now. Afterall, what else is there?" huh? There is so much more! Turn up the intensity and let's carry the vision!

I am sitting here on my lounge chair...that in itself is a good thing! I am on the back deck in our new house watching the waterfall. Very peaceful. My son Judah is is with me eating a popsicle. (After eating his spoonful of peanut butter). Little Sweetie is sick and in bed and the others are at TC and school. Janine is at work. Dishes are being cleaned in the dishwasher and some of the bills are paid. Moving caused a lot of extra expenses and our RV trip ended up going over. So many in my life going through things. Because of FB I have knowledge of many peoples situations and it is a lot! I am praying for them. With the burdens and the concerns even still I know that I am blessed. There is always more up then downs and the light outshines the dark every time. It may be impossible to articulate all of this in a weblog yet in my heart I tell it to be joyful, thankful and peaceful. Truly I can in Christ!

Janine's 20 Year Class Reunion

Janine's Reunion - so I am here at the 20 year reunion with Janine. She is reconnecting with her classmates from days gone by. Is this "analog facebook"? Now I am the spouse that comes along and feels akward. So what do I do? What any guy would do...I sit on the lounge and blog about it. So this brings some questions to mind. Why do we enjoy rennecting with those we rarely see? Why do we dress up and get nervous about our appearance? Why do we want to impress and feel insecure? My favorite is: did we ever imagine this day and what it would be like 20 years ago? Now since this is her reunion and not mine I can sit here and ask questions no one is asking. Meanwhile she is out having a good time with old friends. Ok guess I should get up now and stop blogging :)