Walking (running) through the Calendar

Well, it is once again Christmas day and I have again been slack in writing on this wonderful page. But, today is a new day and I shall type.

Think of all of the reasons that people celebrate Christmas and all of the "reasons" for Christmas that are given:.

• It is a time for family.
• It is a time of giving.
• It is a time of new movies (if Hallmark or Lifetime are to be believed).
• It is a time to "believe" -- though I seldom, if ever see an object of belief with that statement.

So, Christmas is once again upon us and it is indeed a great time of year, The decorations, the chill in the air, the sales, the special Christmas Eve and Christmas church services...it is indeed a wonderful time. But what exactly is it that makes Christmas special? 

John 3:16 tells us clearly that God gave and that He gave a gift so far beyond what we could have ever dreamed of. He gave us the means to have our sins forgiven and the means for us to have eternal life with him. We were condemned by our sins and sentenced to hell and He saw our need and provided the way for our salvation.

Now we celebrate Christmas and set aside this time to remember the birth of the Savior and also to recall that the reason He came was not to make life better, but to die that the price of our sins might be paid. He paid an incredibly high price, a price that His love made acceptable.

We also have many other gifts from the Father: health, family, church, and so much more. If we took the time to enumerate and to give full description, we could have a post that would take quite some time to read and even more to actually digest. He has blessed us so greatlly and yet often we do not take time to give Him the thanks that He so greatly deserves.

And so again, why do we celebrate? Because God sent His son to be born and later to die for us. Thanks be to our Father for His blessings to us.

Walking in the Dark

For so many people, the day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday, a day devoted to crowds, sales, and associated mayhem. Then there is my version of Black Friday:

After working the overnight, it is dark room, eyes closed, time for sleep. I am a bit partial to my black Friday these days.

Walking with Gratitude

O give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

1 Chronicles 16:34

As I reflect on Thanksgiving Day, there are so many directions that I could go. First and most obviously, thanks are due to the Father for all that He has done for us, especially for the gift of salvation. There are so many elements: my sin, God's standard, the Savior's blood, and more. 

Then there are all of the blessings He has given.

     1. Family

          • My wonderful wife

          • My three great kids

          • My fantastic parents

          • My siblings

          • My super in-laws

     2. Home and stuff

     3. Health and safety

     4. Provision: job and the means to work

     5. Church fellowship and worship

If I were to take the time to elaborateon each if these, I could write paragraphs. And so, I end this too short post by saying that I indeed have much to be thankful for. God has richly blessed me and my family and He continues to do so.

Walking with Dad

Father's Day 2019. I have been richly blessed of God and given an incredible father, though not just one. First, I have my Heavenly Father who so richly loves me. John 3:16 says that God greatly loved the world,so much so that he gave His son to die in our place.

Next, I have my own dad. When I look back over the years of my life, I see so vividly the many blessings that I was the beneficiary of. Whether opportunities in the woods of Upper Michigan, family trips, or church/school events and trips, I had so many privileges growing up. We never realized what we didn't have because we had so much.

Finally, in 1989 I gained another father when I married Bec. My father-in-law has been a great blessing over these thirty years.  He has offered support and advice, as well as oil changes, tire rotations, engine rebuilds, etc.

Here are a few thoughts on fathers, focused on some characteristics of the Heavenly Father. (key thought courtesy of Focus on the Family)

• He is the source of life. No father = no life. That is especially true of spiritual life. But even physically, life would no't exist without our Creator Father.

• He lovingly corrects us. God's discipline and correction are always done out of love (Hebrews 12:3-11). God's Spirit corrects us in our everyday decisions and interactions with others. Sometimes that correction is subtle, sometimes harsh. We need to sense Him prodding us toward decisions that reflect His love and truth, and we should be convicted when we choose to disobey.

• He provides for our needs. We have so much for which to be thankful. The poorest among us are incredibly wealthy when we pause to meditate on all that we have. How much joy the true Father must receive when we enjoy all the good gifts that He has provided through creation (Matthew 7:11). All that we have comes from the Father above. He provides for a daily necessities, plus so much more.

• He gives us His wisdom. Dads are to help teach their children and if they do not, who will? We help our kids learn life skills and encourage them in their gifts and talents. One thing that we much teach children is that true wisdom comes from our heavenly Father. His inspired Word is the ultimate source of wisdom and truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17d).

• He always welcomes us back. We forgive our children when they mess up, and we try to help them make better choices in the future. Help your kids recognize that this is just a glimpse of God's role in our lives. He is the ultimate model of forgiveness. We all mess up, but our true Father is constantly on watch for our return, running to us with joy when we turn back to His family (Luke 15:11-32). God doesn't expect perfection. as seen in the fact that he taught about confession and forgiveness. So fathers should teach about forgiving and forgetting. So many of the tragedies that dominate the news these days stem from simmering bitterness over relational issues. If we would practice Biblical forgiveness, so much could be avoided.

There is obviously more that could be written, but here I cease. Thanks Dad(s) for everything.

Walking for 21 Years

My daughter turns 21 today. As most parents can say, "where have the years gone?" Things have not always been easy and we have seen many significant changes to life and life's plans, but through these years we have seen God bless day after day. We made the move from Texas as Brianna was preparing to enter sixth grade. Josie joined us while Brie was in high school. Now Brianna has completed three years at Bob Jones University. Through these and so many other instances of plans changing have we seen God bless, and not in minor ways. It is my hope that my children see for themselves that God can be trusted every day in every circumstance. He desires to be their God, to have a personal, intimate relationship with them. I hope that they can see in me what that is, but that they realize that it is something that they need to cultivate on their own. I want them to understand that we do not need to take a vow of poverty, but also that "stuff" is not the measure of a man (or woman). In fact, most people have far too much stuff. And yet, our God who loves us so dearly and gives so much is treated so lightly by so many. Over 21 years Brianna has been able to be involved is church and school activities, she has attended summer camp, she has worked at camp. She has been involved in sports, as a player, as a team manager, as a statistician, and as a fan. She has been the recipient of ministry and been one who ministers. For 21 years she has been developing into the young lady she is today. It is my prayer that she continues to use the opportunities of life to become a wonderful example of a Christian lady. I trust that she knows how much her parents love her and how much her God loves her. Have a great birthday, Brianna.

Walking in a Strange Land

I receive emails daily from a Christian blogger, Tim Challies. While he differs somewhat from my viewpoint in theology (he is of Reformed theology) and practice, what he writes is really good and with much of it I can agree.  {www.challies.com}

Here are some of his recent thoughts:

When it comes to the Bible, we’ve all got a choice to make. We can take the Bible on our terms, or on its terms. We can choose to follow it some of the way, or we can choose to follow it all the way. We can dabble in it, or we can dive deep into it. At some point we have to choose.

Many people choose to relate to the Bible like a map that offers a route, but not the route to their destination. They’ll follow it some of the way, but for at least part of the journey take what looks like an easier path. Many people choose to relate to the Bible like one item at a buffet. They’ll put a bit of Bible on their plate, then also a bit of this and a bit of that. But as time goes by and I continue to live out my little life in this world, I become more and more convinced that there’s nothing better than to go all-in with the Bible. I’ve come to realize I’m so all-in that if the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong. In fact, if the Bible is wrong, I’m so wrong, completely wrong, shamefully wrong, devastatingly wrong, and wrong about all that really matters in life and death.

If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about the origins of this world. The Bible tells me that it was created by God over the course of six days and not nearly as long ago as the millions of billions of years other people claim. This world, this universe, was made by God and for God, an incredible ex nihilo act of creative superiority.

If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about the origins of humanity. The Bible tells me that the first two human beings were created by God and placed on this earth as complete, grown human beings, not that they evolved slowly from lesser organisms. They were created in the image of God as the crown of God’s creation.

If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about the purpose of humanity. The Bible tells me that mankind was put on this earth to bring glory to God. We exist to do good for others which in turn shines a spotlight on our ultimately good God. This stands in the face of a mission of personal empowerment or human achievement.

If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about the purpose of family. The Bible tells me that marriage exists to serve as a miniature of the relationship of God to his people through the complementarity of husband and wife. It tells me that marriage exists as the context in which we have the responsibility to create more people who bear the image of God. Marriage is the founding of a new family and family is the building block of society.
If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about the great problem and the great need of human beings. The Bible tells me our great problem is that we’ve sinned against a holy God, become rebels against him, and desperately need reconciliation. We are not good people who make the occasional poor choice, not innocent people who sometimes act ignorantly, but evil people who hate God and our fellow man. Our great need is not self-esteem or tolerance or new forms of politics or economics, but the forgiveness that comes by grace through faith in Christ Jesus.

If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about the future. The Bible tells me that history will culminate in the return of Jesus Christ who will come to judge the living and the dead. The world will not end with ecological catastrophe or nuclear holocaust, but with the re-appearance of the glorious Christ. He will come as victorious King, as righteous Judge, to bring some to eternal glory and condemn others to eternal condemnation.

If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about today’s most pressing cultural issues: homosexuality, gay marriage, transgenderism, abortion, climate change. If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong about today’s most pressing theological issues: the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the nature of same-sex attraction, the authority and sufficiency of scripture. If the Bible is wrong, I’m wrong in how I relate to money, how I honor my body, how I use my time. I’m wrong over and over, again and again, through and through. I’m poor, pathetic, pitiable, and blind.

But I’ve made my choice. I’ve examined the evidence and have chosen to believe it’s not wrong, but right. I’ve chosen to believe it’s good and pure and true, infallible and inerrant and sufficient. I’ve chosen to take it on its own terms, to believe it all the way, to live by its every word. I’ve chosen to be in—all-in.

Walking to the Farm

I have been able to take some time off to spend with Josie recently to watch (guard) her on days that she was off school. Twice in a two week period she had a day off and the weather has been decent, so we needed to find something to do besides sit around the house.

On Tuesday, we went toward Lancaster to visit Roots Market and to Kitchen Kettle Village. (see pics here)

On the following Monday we visited Paulus' Farm and Market. They have the normal market, but also petting areas and play places. (see pics here)

We had a great time both days spending time together, getting outside, seeing the wonderful produce, seeing the animals, and tasting the treats at Kitchen Kettle.

Working as a manager now, I have the opportunity to take some days off (with pay) to spend with the family. It feels odd, but I get over that feeling soon enough. Josie and I have been to Hershey Chocolate World probably three times in the last month. We really like free or cheap activities.

God has blessed by allowing us the time to do things together and to have a lot of things to do within a fairly close distance. For this and so many other things we are thankful.

Walking Again

It has been a long while since I was here, but I do want to make mention of today. It is Easter, or Resurrection Sunday 2019. We have so much to be thankful for as we contemplate the meaning of this wonderful day and the events that took place 2000+/- years ago. (Take a moment or two to read and reflect on I Corinthians 15.)

The resurrection was unexpected by the disciples and rejected by the scorners and unbelievers of the day. That sounds a lot like today. Believers make mental ascent to the resurrection and unbelievers reject it as impossible. Truth be told, it was and is impossible, save for one significant detail: the power of an almighty God who was working His plan for the redemption of mankind. That empty tomb carried then and still carries today such great value and tremendous meaning. Christian apologists have for centuries explained the resurrection and provided logical, rational proof and evidence, but one will only believe in the Christ who raised from the dead if he is willing to accept it as impossibly possible. From eyewitness accounts to the writings of 21st century apologists, it becomes apparent that one rejects the resurrection because he chooses to do so. So, what does the resurrection mean to the Christian?

First, the resurrection differentiates Christianity from all other religions. Christians often comment on the empty tomb, but do we (they) really grasp and fully comprehend it? The founders and leaders of ALL other religions died and remain dead (physically), but Jesus Christ rose from the dead and in so doing, conquered sin. What He offers is not a good way to live, but the only way to eternal life. We serve a risen Lord.

Not only do we serve a risen savior, but a savior that has defeated sin. In rising from the tomb, Jesus Christ, the son of God, conquered sin and defeated the enemy (Satan). To this day and beyond, Satan yet tries to win in his battle against God. To use a phrase that is not new, he  has already lost and doesn't know it. Our great, almighty, omnipotent God defeated sin and death and offers to mankind the victory if we will but accept it. To those who have, we can live in victory if we live in His grace and allocate His power to fight the battle. The resurrection is the evidence that we already have the victory.

In conclusion, in the resurrection we have the offer of life eternal in the next life and the promise of victory over sin in this life. We have a God that reigns on high and is concerned with us as individuals. He makes His grace and power available to us that we might live in Him, not merely survive the difficulties and challenges of life. It is His resurrection that empowers the believer and offers us a hope for the future, a future for Him and with Him. He are a couple of resources on the resurrection for your reading/watching pleasure.

John Ankerberg

John MacArthur

Charles Stanley

Alistair Begg

Enjoy!

Walking Out, Walking In

Well, we are leaving 2018 and entering 2019 and it again gives one time to pause and reflect. Often we do that via the annual Christmas letter, but I want to take another moment as we enter the new year.

• God has richly blessed my family. We have had all of our needs met and have experienced health and safety, for the most part. There have been the occasional sniffles and colds, but no serious issues.

• We have jobs that have met each need. Even my "part-time" package handler job at FedEx Ground had PLENTY of hours through the summer, so needs were covered. In November, I finally accepted a managerial position at FedEx. Even more hours now. 

• The kids had a good year. Josie began kindergarten and is doing well and enjoying school. Brianna began her junior year of college as she continues her pursuit of her degree. Justin continued in his IT job and continued his hobby of climbing. He mostly goes to an indoor climbing facility. 

• Bec continues in her job for Penn State University. She drives to Hershey and back each day, but enjoys her job. She also gets to see her mom each day, for at least a couple of minutes and sometimes more.

There is so much more that I could recount. God has blessed in so many ways. I often pray for His blessing on the family mentally, physically, spiritually, socially, and financially. God has indeed richly blessed and provided. He continues to show Himself to be faithful. 2018 was a good year; may 2019 be equally blessed.