Ho hum

I cannot think of anything to write about today. I had a few ideas over the weekend, but they are gone now. Who knows, maybe they will return later. I am feeling so very drained right now. I've woken up this morning, and yesterday afternoon (I took a nap after mowing the grass) and felt like I had no strength. I feel like I just need to roll into bed and sleep for a few days. Work is pretty slow today so not much to write about there. Tomorrow I am taking the family to Hershey Park. We love that park and look forward to going pretty much every year. But it looks like it's going to be hot! Yuck. So many things going on. I am in need of getting on my knees before the Lord. I just need to seek Him out and ask for His direction in so many ways. I hope this finds all of you well. May you enjoy rest and joy these next two days. Verse for today: Proverbs 3:1-10, esv My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success [1] in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh [2] and refreshment [3] to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Greetings to all on the Lord's day

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, [1] to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. (Mark 3:1-5, esv) Greetings friends. Well, unfortunately I am at work on the day traditionally referred to as the the Lord's day. :( Unfortunately IT is a 24x7 environment, and since most of the "users" do not use the network off-hours (and in this case a Sunday) it is better to make changes during these times. And since it is for a health-care system... I would still rather be off on such days. Since my direct involvement is pretty much limited to monitoring a conference call I am typing while I listen. It could make for some interesting typos. :) Last night my Guard unit participated in the 21st annual Forth of July celebreations at the Antietam National battlefield. We gave the battlefield salute, as well as participated in the 1812th overture performed by the Maryland Symphony Orchestra (or MSO), and then a connonade at the end of the fireworks. This was our first year and there were a few hitches, but I hope that they were undetected by the masses. We had a lot of fun doing it. When the entire battery was letting loose it was quite a site to see. Since they were just blanks the concussion was not all that impressive IMO, but the fireballs coming from the end of the tubes was quite spectacular. but that was not all. Due to the inferiority of the charges, and there was assition smoke there were mini-fire balls coming back out of the breech when they were opened to discharge the previous round and loading the next. That does not happen when a live round is used so the #1 man was suprised to see those flames coming back at them! The result was a half second delay as the loader waitied for the breech to clear, but the crowd loved it. And since Antietam is referred to as "Artillery Hell" how appropriate. :) Side note... I sent an e-mail to a respected friend to encourage him to start his own blog - and he has! :) I've added the link on the left there. He is new to blogging so please be patient, but he has a sharp mind (IMO) in the ways of God. I am never bored discussing things about God with him. Rich always seems on fire for Christ, and if you were ever to meet him in person you can see his eyes light up as he talks about his Savior. As a means of introduction I met Rich about the same time I met my wife. He was a member of the Christian Student Union at the college they both attended. I believe he was one of the group leaders even then. After college he and his bride moved to take a job closer to his wife's family. To abbreviate it some, they have since moved back to the area I live in. They have three wonderful children, and at this time he is a stay at home dad. Well, I need to wrap this up for today. May the Lord bless each and everyone of you this day, and may you each have safe travel for those heading to other destinations. ybiC... Verse for today: Well, I shared it above. I was wondering about my motive, but I felt the Lord put it on my heart to share. In the end the work I am doing is helping patient care... but then there are things that I will be doing later that is not contributing to any form of rest... one area I know I want to work on, and not just for myself - but to instill it in my family - is to honor the day of the rest that the Lord gave us, and to use it as a day of worhip and reflection of God... like Jesus once said, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27, esv) Maybe this is something I can meditate on the rest of today...

The ball is rolling

Well, in some ways I have removed the chock blocks form the 2 'balls' that I feel the Lord has me rolling right not. One is not moving very quickly, and the other seems to have picked up some speed - at least from my perspective. The first one I am involved in a discipleship class and I am enjoying it immensly. There are about nine others and we go to a weekly (3 out of 4 Monday nights a month) class led by the Pastor at my church. He is aware of all the details (which I will not expound upon here) and is encouraging. He has advised me that he will not 'push' for me to progress in this whole process. It is some thing I really need to pursue... and yet that is what I've not been doing - out of fear. The other one is kind of odd. I am really questioning my motives in all off it. It is essentially a business venture. One that I can make money with, but in my mind I am hoping to actually use it to bless others with someday. But with my own self doubts I drag my feet a lot. I do not want to be like the man who decided to build the bigger barns, etc... or like the rich young ruler who knowing that he was talking to one who had all the answers in regards to eternity, walked away because of his possesions. This one however seems to be accelerating. Nothing definete, still in the information gathering mode, but definetly movinf faster out of the gate than I had expected. Well, that is all I have for now. Pretty mundane I know. I hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July. Verse for today: Romans 3:21 - 4:8, esv But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one. He will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. What then shall we say was gained by [1] Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” amen

Rough morning

I had some thoughts this morning about what to blog about... I still have them, it's just my morning has 'exploded'... so I'm afraid there are no random thoughts of randomness today. If I get some breathing room later I'll come up with something. :) I hope and pray that the Lord finds each of you enjoying His unmerited grace and mercy this wonderful day. Verse for today: Mark 6:7-28, esv Jesus Sends Out the Apostles And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. [1] And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. The Death of John the Baptist King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' [2] name had become known. Some [3] said, “John the Baptist [4] has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.” For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.” And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.” And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's [5] head. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.

Fear of… what?

I may have shared once before about something I feel the Lord is showing me (and has been for a very long time). Recently (relatively) I have been feeling like the Lord is showing me something new. Not in lieu of, but in addition to the first. Well, in the past week and a half or so, and especially after reading some more of Grace’s “In His Garden”, it has come to my attention I am struggling with fear. I struggle with the fear of man constantly. I know there are times when I (do not) say or do things because I want to be accepted by those around me. And not just among non-Christians – but around other Christians, and even my family. I struggle with fear of failure. I want to succeed. I enjoy succeeding. I like the affirmation received when I succeed – even when it’s just my own. I struggle with laziness. I just don’t want to make the time and effort. With not knowing the end before the beginning I am reluctant to proceed. All of these are ultimately a lack of trust in God. I am saying that my friends or family are more important to me than God. I am saying that God is not sufficient to take care of me. I am saying that I know what is better for me – that it is all of my effort, and none of God’s grace. Is it a sin to call myself a fool? I have been sort of speaking with friends since returning from my vacation. I need to connect with others within the body of Christ at a biblical level. I want them to know that I need them to speak frankly, to know that I need them to pray with me. And I need to get on my knees more. I need to fellowship with my Savior more. And as I get to know Him, then I will begin to conform to the image of His Son. It is not to earn anything, it is to submit and realize Who truly has and knows what is best for me. Right now I am not even sure how to proceed in either ‘event’ that I feel He is taking me through. I am just trying to gather up the information and then sit at His feet… I would like to invite those who read these words to share with me (via the comments, or e-mail, or however God puts it upon your heart) things that God may have put on your heart. I am in need, and I do not wish to shun any avenue in which He may try to reach out to me. Thank you all for your time… please pray for me – and in turn, I want to pray for you all as well. Heavenly Father, thank You for Your incredible faithfulness. That You would take the time to even consider me. But like those whom You healed during Your earthly ministry – You reach out and You take compassion and touch them and heal them in their need. Lord thank You for what You have been showing me all these years, and especially these past few days. Lord I cry out to You. I am insufficient. I am inadequate. I need Your hand to heal me and to help me change into the image of Your Son – my lord Jesus Christ. Lord I would also like to thank You for those who come across this humble blog. Those that come intentionally – as well as those who ‘stumble’ across it. Lord I would ask that You would reach down upon each of their hearts and minds. Father God touch them upon their point of need. Help them to feel Your hand and Your presence. Lord I would ask that You open up their minds and their hearts to all that You would have. Lord, and I ask this for myself as well, I ask that You peel away all the walls and hesitations that they have to submit to Your desires. Help them to see Your glory, and to increase their trust and faith. Lord I believe that You are capable of all this and so much more – help me with my unbelief. I come and ask this in the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, and for His glory. Amen. Verse for today: Proverbs 15:25-33, esv The Lord tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow's boundaries. The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure. Whoever is greedy for unjust gain troubles his own household, but he who hates bribes will live. The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,and good news refreshes [3] the bones. The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.

Sappy and silly

What is it about romantic comedies? When I was in mlate teens/early-twenties I dispised romatic comedies. I thought they were the worst waste of an hour and a half. But now, after 14 years of marriage (actually this started a while ago), I really like them. Last night I watched "Just like Heaven" with my beloved. When she told me she was going to put it in at 10:30 last night I honestly told myself that I would start to watch it with her and then let myself fall asleep - but no! Within 10 minutes I was all sucked into it and watched the entire movie - and then some of the behind the scenes stuff! It's not just this movie either... "Serendipity", "Overboard", "Fool's Rush In", "Mr. Baseball", "Cheaper by the Dozen", etc. None of these movies ever won any kind of award that I'm aware of and yet I find myself drawn in every time. I know that unrealistic things are going to happen. That the plot does not make sense (usually), but I always want to see the two leads fall hopelessly in love. That no matter what the world has done to try and keep them apart they are going to get together and live happily ever after. What's happened to me! I know what's happened to me. Stalone, Schwarzenegger, Ford - they've all gone and got older! Not me... no, no, no. Seriously though, there has always sort of been a part of me that really liked the sappy and silly movies. The ones with the happy ending. But it's probably not best to take my movie advice since I also like movies like "The Razor's Edge" and "Tron". Well, that is all I have for my ramblings today. Oh, and that I am thoroughly enjoying a Bible overview course. I missed all of Matthew while I was away and I need to catch up on Mark. More on that later... Verse for today: John 1:1-5, esv In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, [1] and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Lasting impressions

Well, we had a wonderful time in Texas - but it was very nice to get home on Saturday. Well it was actually extrememly early Sunday, but I will expound upon that more later. The in-laws (both MIL/FIL, and SIS/BIL) saw too it that we were never bored or for want in something to do. I was able to swim some everyday, and the kids had things to do everyday. On our last night in town my brother-in-law (wife's sister's husband) took us to P.F. Chang's. I will never fully enjoy chinese food again. It just cannot possibly measure up to that wonderful meal. It was just awesome. The lettuce wraps, the red hot dumplings, mongolian beef... and oh so much more. Simply wonderful. The only meal that will be better is the wedding feast in heaven with my Lord. If there is one near you I highly, HIGHLY, recommend taking an evening to enjoy this resteraunt. There were slight tensions - to put it delicately - among the family. I will not expound upon that here, but I am always greatful to get home. And I know that I contribute to the tension as much as the next guy so I am not saying that I am not to blame in any of it. Now to my "lingering memory" to which I referred to above. We flew out of Dallas Saturday evening. We arrived for our flight over 2 hours early to ensure we had time to get through security and get dinner since flights are no longer serving meals, and anyone knows who travel with children - eating is very important. :) We checked the departure gate the night before, and when we checked in - it had not changed. When we finally get out of the resteraunt it had moved, not just one or two gates over, but to literally the otherside of the airport. We made the gate in plenty of time to board though. Then, while we are sitting in our seats the air crew makes an announcement that they would like the passangers to take their seats quickly as they would like to pull away from the gate in order to take off before a local thunderstorm grounded us. I am already preparing myself for the other end of this flight - some of you readers may already suspect what is going to happen. We land in Baltimore - on time I would like to add - and proceed to the baggage claim. It is now about 11 o'clock in the evening. There are 3 flights all vying for the conveyor belt... 15 minutes goes by and luggage is still coming out. 30 minutes later the conveyor belt still has luggage, but the crowd is noticably thinner, and then there is no new pieces of luggage arriving. I watch it go around 3 more times to make sure I am not missing anything... none of our luggage has made it to our destination. And this is where it gets "memorable"... I proceed to the baggage claim to file the lost luggage thing. I inform them that one piece of luggage is my child's car seat - which is required by law that I use when I drive with her in the vehicle. I am offered a booster seat, which she is too small for, and some other type of car seat which I am told "I am not even sure it is legal". Ok, now I am essentially stuck at the airport since I can no longer transport my child. I ask about options - I am given the following: 1) Rent a car seat from somewhere and I will be reimbursed. The only thing in an airport that I could possibly do this is a car rental place - all of which were closed by this time (after midnight). 2) I could buy a new car seat and I would be reimbursed. I have no way to get to a place to buy a car seat since I am at an airport an in order to get to a 24 hour place I would need to drive. 3) Wait until one of the two next flights arrives and see if the luggage is on one of them. I ask about the possibility of being put up in a hotel for the night to which I was told that they would not do this since it was weather related and not mechanical. At one point an airline employee actually told me, "what do you want us to do about it? We don't control the weather." I almost lost it... actually I did start to, but God in His mercy had my cell phone disconnect the call before I really got going. Now from my perspective the following things conspired to cause this issue: 1) Someone - most likely a human - moved the departure gate less than an hour before the flight was scheduled to leave. 2) While loading the plane someone made the decision to leave before it was fully loaded. 3) There was a sticking error in the buggage claim area where they had inadequete car seats. There was more, but I don't want to rant too much more. The long and the short of it, the airline made me feel like they did not care about my plight with having 3 small children in an airport many, many miles form home at 3 AM. I will have severe reservations of flying with this airline in the future. Please do not let this little tirade give the impression of it ruining my vacation. It was merely a speedbump in it all. Overall we had a great time and I am glad to be back to work so that I can try and catch up on some rest. :) Verse for today: Psalm 126, esv When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.