Shifts in life seem to be the norm.

This week marks a big shift in the life of our family.  This change will affect the way we do life together. My wife had a surgical procedure that alters the amount of food and drink she can consume.  It is a change that not only has an effect on her, but the whole family as well. This positive change in our family dynamic will force us to consider what we consume, how much, and how others are affected by our consumption.

The point is that others are impacted in some way when one person changes. Whether family life, church life, or culture, change leads to more change.

My wife's positive change will create good ripples of change in our family.

The World Mission Come Home

It was great to worship with Rev. Erick
Oguta in Dinuba this morning.  His message of being a "Normal" Church from Acts 2 was very timely and informative.  Though separated by continents and oceans, we share the same Gospel and preach the same truth.  It is a great thing to partner with God and other brothers in Ministry.

A dream passes away, what will we dream of next?

I am saddened by the end of the 30-year Space Shuttle program with the landing of the Atlantis today. An early goal in my life was to be part of one of those missions as an astronaut. As time went on and I received a greater calling, my goal was to just see the Shuttle launch or take off. The closest I ever came to accomplishing that goal was living just a few hours from Edwards Air Force Base where the Shuttle occasionally landed.

The Shuttle program drove my imagination wild as a kid. It taught me how to imagine and dream of things larger than myself. I cut newspaper clippings of Shuttle news, met Shuttle astronauts, and spent many hours dreaming of building the International Space Station while playing the "Space Shuttle: A Journey Into Space." Those were good times and those little motivators made life worth living.

Change is hard. Change is easier when you have something greater to hope in. When your hopes and dreams pass on, you trust that something will come along to replace that. With the Shuttle program retired, I wonder what will come along to inspire my kids or other 21st century kids now? Are we done reaching into infinite space to dream about the vast and endless possibilities? Do we now just settle for what we have in the inner space of our atmosphere?

Just some random postings from a guy stuck in the middle of yet another paradigm shift.

La Vida Loca en Springville

It's amazing how many people are just a little off their rocker these days. Take for instance my neighbor, who is loved because Jesus says to 'Love your neighbor as yourself'. She chose to alert me of her "RIGHT" to peace and quiet last night because my wife's stray pet, the demon dog, was barking at stray animals and people wandering by our gate at 9:30 p.m. Oh, did I mention she chose to do this by parking in the middle of the road and blarring her horn for over 5 minutes? The irony of it all.

No matter how much you try to reason with people or bring them to the logical end of their thinking, sometimes, they're just not gonna get there. So, what do we do? The only thing I can do is to love them as Christ loves us, and do our best to live in peace around them.

Romans 12:17-21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord.
On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Pray for us and for my neighbor.

Two Years!!

I cannot believe that it has been over two years since I've posted to this account! Two Years!! Blogging and dial-up internet haven't gone together very well here in Springville!

There is much to catch up on in two years on this blogspot! Hopefully I can do this before 2010!

Life in Transition Land

Okay, so we've been in transition land for nearly four months! This really sucks, but I know that we are almost through and I'm sure there are many lessons we have learned. Most notable of course is the fact that living four months with the in-laws was convenient, but not a good move this time.

I hope to get back in the blogging saddle again soon.

Day 14 - January 14, 2006

We'll Get 'Em Next Year, Joe!

The Washington Redskins lost today. They just didn't bring any offense to play the game. Special Teams did great! Defense did great! Offense just wasn't there as in past Redskins' Super Bowl teams. They just weren't there. Long live the days of Joe Theisman, Darrel Green, Dexter Manley, John Riggins, and the countless others that made those teams great!!

This was not one of those teams.

Gotta get a sermon ready.

Day 12-13 - January 12 - 13, 2006

"If you decide that it's a bad thing to worship GOD, then choose a god you'd rather serve--and do it today. Choose one of the gods your ancestors worshiped from the country beyond The River, or one of the gods of the Amorites, on whose land you're now living. As for me and my family, we'll worship GOD."

- Joshua 24:15 (The Message)

My family and I returned to the old house during these last two days. We accomplished a lot and were able to "feel at home" during this in-between time of our life. It was nice to have family time and work time together and not feel as if I had to split the two for time. Not too much longer and we will have this house emptied and ready to sell. Pray that it sells quickly and for the right price.

Day 11 - January 11, 2006

Praise be to God! He always comes through and is generous. Today my mom gave us a generous financial gift not knowing how much we really needed it. She doesn't have much, but she really helped us to pay our mortgage and have some food for this week. I love my mom!

Praise be to God - He saw my mother in law through surgery and she was home within the same day with little pain.

What a great day to see God come through on those prayer requests.

Day 10 - January 10, 2006

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]?

Matthew 6:27

This evening was extremely stressful, as was the day. I am not sure what set things off, but I felt very unproductive. Not only does our lack of money weigh heavy on my mind, I haven't heard anything about a possible new ministry. Put on top of that the work of getting our house ready to sell and the worries compound. I must have faith, though, to trust that we are on the right path. I must have faith that despite present circumstances, we will rise above these challenges. God's purpose and plans will be accomplished.