Waking (Walking), While Going Nowhere

It is amazing how sometimes God forces you to stop and taste the coffee.  According to Robert Burns, “The best laid schemes of mice and men go often askew.” To that I say, “Amen, and amen.” 

The last few days (weeks actually) have been choreographed commotion. Spirit Week & Homecoming, house prep and then moving, planning and prep for the BJU Teacher Recruitment Conference. It has been absolutely non-stop, but all of the pieces were fitting together nicely. NOTICE: “were.” 

We moved to the new casa on Saturday, I taught Sunday School on Sunday morning and let immediately for Baltimore to fly to Greenville. HA HA HA! I made it to BWI, the first leg went fine and I was in Philly. Then came the wonderful news that the Philly-Greenville flight was cancelled due to maintenance. After examining the options, I decided to fly early Monday to Charlotte, NC, take a car from there to BJU and still have plenty of time to get set up w/o being rushed. An airline that shall remain unnamed (US Airways) put me up in a hotel, I arranged a 3:30 wakeup call and proceeded to rearrange all of my arrangements (housing, rental cars, etc.). 

I awoke on time, got to the airport, got my flight and completed a rather uneventful flight to Charlotte. Upon landing, I hustled to baggage claim only to see much nothing happening. Finally, the belt began to move and my suitcase was the first bag off. Things were looking great. All I needed was the tabletop display for the school and I would be on my way. Then the belt stopped. And stayed stopped. One bag. The airplane carried one bag?! I went to the baggage office to check and sure enough, my display was on the next flight in from Philly (cue 3:30 wakeup call here). Remember, I am in Charlotte only because I could arrive, get a car, drive the 100+ miles to Greenville before a flight with room for me would arrive in Greenville. The unnamed airlines (US Airways) is willing to fly the bag to Greenville (arriving sometime before the turn of the century) and deliver it to BJU (when they get around to it), so here I sit in Charlotte waiting for a display because I still think I am faster than a plane (at least faster than some unnamed airlines [US Airways]). So back to the coffee. At least Starbucks was on the correct side of the security checkpoint.

I guess if I regularly tell folks that God is sovereign over everything, I must allow Him to control travel details. He knows what is best and does all things for His glory, even when I do not understand. I must simply trust His ability to govern the affairs of man. So here I sit, coffee cup in hand. Enjoy!

Walking in Fellowship

I have lately been listening/reading to the book of Leviticus. It is interesting to me that so much of what God has told Israel in the book is not about them, but about Him. The various commands and laws are not necessarily intended to limit them, but to cause the people of Israel to know that God is separate and different -- He is holy. He wants the best; nothing less shall be in His presence. Then we see that He has made a way that allows us to stand in His presence. I love reading in Hebrews (especially ch.4) that we have the right to go before Him and enter boldly into His presence. He can even ask of Him to have needs meet.

• He is a holy God, far above man.
• He cannot allow sin in His presence.
• We have little/nothing to offer. We are sinners.
• He made THE way that allows our sin to be forgiven.
• He allows imperfect, sinful man into His presence that we might have the forgiveness of sin.
• He seeks regular fellowship with us.

At first glance, one would think that we had no hope, yet He has chosen to love us and we reap the benefits of that relationship. Sometimes we think that everything is about us -- how does the "guideline" impact me? Really, the question should be what does the "guideline" reveal of my God? When I go to someone's home, if they ask that shoes come off, I probably comply. If a holy, yet loving God, asks me to do something I would not usually do, why should I not comply? The only reason would be if I place too great a value on myself and too little value on my God. Otherwise, obedience is such a little matter. There is no inconvenience when I value the fellowship that obedience makes available.

In Colossians, and elsewhere in His letters, Paul makes a statement similar to this: If you have received Christ, walk like you have. My daily life should reflect the God I claim to love and follow. If I truly value Him, I will seek to love and serve Him. Simple enough, yet difficult indeed. So today, I shall seek to live in a way that reflects a love for my God. Life is not about me; it is about Him.

Walking Around the House

For the last few weeks, every possible moment has been spent at the new casa. We have had quite the work crew there, especially on Saturdays. Pictures maybe seen here. God has geatly blessed by allowing family members to have the talents and skills to assist in the renovation project. Almost feels like an Extreme Home Makeover. In the last two weeks we have turned a great corner:

• Painting is mostly done -- touch-up is left
• HVAC unit has been installed
• Carpet was installed
• Hardwood floors are being finished

It seems as if the place is getting close to move-in ready. That is probably good, as we plan to move next weekend. I intend to post pictures and perhaps even a video tour this next week. Life has been fairly busy lately, so I have not kept up with that part of life. I think I have two weeks worth of pics to upload yet; maybe tomorrow afternoon I can get to that, providing I finish a HUGE project I am working on. Oh well,we shall see.

Walking Around The Walls

https://plus.google.com/photos/109656897877397331311/albums/5697983902965179809?authkey=CKycyv37qvyr_gE

Well, guess what we have been up to lately! We are currently practicing Extreme Home Makeover, Walker Edition. We are also learning magic -- we made wall unit air conditioners disappear. It amazing how much has been done so far, and yet to think how much work is left. I think the best part is sitting back and watching Becky work. JUST KIDDING! God has given us great weather for the work so far, but winter is actually arriving, at least in regards to temperature. Mucho worko to do-o. Painting starts soon. Can't wait!

Walking with a Purpose

As I was reading in the early chapters of Genesis this week, one thought that struck me was that Abraham wandered aimlessly and yet with a purpose. He did not know where he was going, only that God was directing. He did not have a GPS, not even a roadmap. He could not Google his location and his itinerary was TBA. Yet, he was right where God wanted him. There are times in life that I all of the information and any possible explanation, yet those may very well be the times that God says, "Just trust me." Even if I do not know where I am headed, I can still go forward with the understanding that He knows where I am, where I am going, and and what I am to do as I travel and when I arrive. It is said that "Hindsight is 20-20"; God's foresight is even better than 20-20. When I look back and see the brilliance of His plan, God is able to look forward and see the plan. Abraham lived in a different age, so we cannot view everything through 21st century eyes and understand it, but we can see his ability to enter any situation and try to take control. Sound quite a bit like us today.

Then today I read of God's gift of a son, Lot and Sodom, and Abraham and Isaac's visit to Moriah for a sacrifice. In each case, Abraham HAD to trust God. Abraham had to completely relinquish control and trust God that He would do right. Genesis 18:25 provides a great statement: "Shall not the Judge of the all the earth do right?" I need to trust that God is in control and knows exactly what He is doing.

Another guiding thought for the year, along with the need to be involved in intercessory prayer is this: allow God to be God. He is in control; let Him have control.

Walking on Air

Yesterday was absolutely incredible. Here are the pictures that show some of the work done -- https://picasaweb.google.com/109656897877397331311/HouseOnCambridge02?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCM_04tizk4DcxwE&feat=directlink . We got so much done around the new house. Many thanks to those who gave of their time and energy to aid us in the renovation. God has been so wonderful to us and has given us such wonderful friends and family. I must sit in amazement at His wonderful grace and blessing to me and to my family.


Today is New Year's Eve. As I think of the new year that is now upon us, I think of goals for the coming year. One that keeps coming to mind is from Philippians 3 where Paul declares, "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death...." That first clause, "That I may know him," reaches off the page and grabs me every time I read or think of the passage. One of my great desires for the coming year is to really get to know my God. That knowledge comes from reading about Him and through fellowship with Him. Too often I try to fit God into my mold or box, seeking to make Him fit my notions and ideas. As I read in the scriptures, I need to be willing to get beyond the black words on a white page and dig into the meaning and application of the truths found within the pages of the Bible. As I enter 2012, my great desire is to get to know my God and to properly reflect Him to those around me.


And now I get ready to head back over to the new home site and continue the renovation work. It shall be another busy, exhausting, yet very profitable day. Adios.

Walking through the Door

Well, this is a big day; today we closed on a house. We were looking, yet taking our time and God dropped a nice house right in front of us. Now we have a lot of work to do to get ready to move in. Over the next couple of weeks we will be removing carpet, fixing the hardwood floors, painting, and whatever else comes along. Yippee! It is amazing how good God has been through the process. The house is only about 3 miles from the school, so it does not take long to get to work. It is only about 4, maybe 5 miles from Bec's workplace.

I must give all thanks to God for His continuing goodness, care, and provision. His plan is perfect and the means that He uses to accomplish that means is always for our good and His glory. May we now glorify Him as we transition to a new home. Even now we sense that central PA is becoming more like home. The task is to make home feel like home.