Walking to the Front of the Truck

I had intended to write with a greater frequency, but the loading of trucks at night and the subsequent sleeping during the day changed that plan. I have been able to work extra, so even though I choose to remain part-time, I am working between 40 and 45 hours a week. Then I typically get 1.5-2 hours of sleep on Saturday morning and then it is "family" time for the day. All of this means one thing: Sunday after church is now nap time. (I try to not let nap time happen during church.) Lately, I have been working every other Sunday night as well, so I get one normal night of sleep each week. That said, I will make an effort to write more regularly.

God has been very good to us. As stated, the cap on FedEx Ground hours was lifted and I have been able to work full time hours. Becky's job has been as blessing as she works for Penn State University (Healthcare) for the Hershey Med Center. Justin is home from college, finishing his final two courses and preparing to get a job to pay off his college loans. Brie is serving at Pioneer Bible Camp in Eden, Utah. Josie is being herself, getting into everyone's stuff. She is a blast.

While wait for God to show what is the next step on our path, we have been attending Cedar Hill Baptist Church in Dillsburg, PA. Becky is a substitute teacher for the ladies' Sunday school class. I taught in the auditorium class for six weeks. It has been a true blessing for the family. Josie attended her first Vacation Bible School a few weeks ago and had a ball.

More to come, at some time.

Happy Resurrection Day

Today is perhaps the most joyous day of the year. Other days have their certain charm -- birthdays, Christmas, first day of vacation -- but Easter far and away carries more hope and anticipation to those who truly understand its meaning than any other day. Our savior raised from the grave to conquer sin and give us the victory over sin and death. As I reflect on the goodness of God and His love for us, some simple statements come to mind.

Crucify Him

   It's Still the Cross

It is finished    It Is Finished

He is risen

   The one Who Lives Again

This same Jesus...shall so come
Jesus Is Coming Soon

What a wonderful day to call our hearts and minds to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He is so wonderful and gracious to us.

A Walk in the Park

Continually in American sports (due to different seasons) we are in the middle of the phenomenon known as the "coaching carousel." One of the topics that sometimes impacts the hiring process, perhaps preventing the hiring of a tremendous candidate is the question of power/authority. Many coaches want more power/authority over the operations of the organization. It is normal for man to want a better position; we welcome raises and promotions. Sometimes the promotion brings a better life, sometimes only more trouble. Some days we wish that life could be easier, perhaps a "walk in the park."

Many times the Word of God presents us with a paradox in the Christian life. One of the desires of God is that we live a life of submission. While life is not going to be easy, much of the pressure is relieved when we understand that our responsibility is simply to obey. We must willingly submit to the will of the Father. The paradox in the Christian life is that God also wants us to submit one to another. So, we must surrender our own wishes and desires even as we naturally want everyone to help satisfy our wishes and desires. Though we want what we want, we should seek to help others get what they want. At the same time, God wants us to want what He wants. He has informed us that our way is not His way. In the gospels, Christ stated that the first shall be last, and vice-versa. God wants us to serve others even as we serve Him, indeed, we serve Him through serving others. God expects us to use the skills that He has given us, but to do so by serving. We yield our rights and live as servants of the King. How is it a walk in the park, as He may lead us through times of difficulty and trial? We have the God of all who knows all as our guide through life. We do not need to try to second-guess Him, but rather humbly obey. We need to spend time with Him that we might discern His will, but we simply live each day according to the principles found within His word.

We have dreams and aspirations, but the desire of our heart should be to please God. We should strive to use our skillset to minister to others. Just as a child may go for a walk in the park with his father, holding hands as they walk, so we can go through life with the same sense of peace and confidence. Whatever we face, wherever He leads us, God has promised to be there with us. We can trust Him; we only need submit and obey as we follow Him while walking in the "park."

Walking without a Map (2)

(Guess what I found in the "Draft" folder. I had intended to post it last week.) I have not posted any thoughts for some time from the book I was reading on living life during times of trial.

• Walk in the Spirit
• Daily yield control of your emotions and of your heart to the power of God's Holy Spirit.
• You cannot control events, but you can control responses.

• Wait on God and hope in Him
• His grace is sufficient

• Try your ways
• Try = test, evaluate
• There are reasons that God allows trials
• The anger and judgment of God upon sin
• The natural consequences of sin
• Spiritual warfare or sifting
• Uniquely for His glory
• The chastening of a loving Father
• Trials should be periods of refining

• Be strong and work
• Keep God first and He will keep you
• Do what (little) you can with what (little) you have to glorify God and serve Him. He will make up the difference.
• His strength is made perfect in weakness.

When we face trials, we must try to see what God wants us to learn and to do in the trial and as a result of the trial. 

Walking through the Winter

Some thoughts to consider:

Genesis 18:25
That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

• Just looking at the last statement in the verse, we can know that our God will do what is right. Even in the midst of challenging times, God will do right.
• My life may not always follow the path that I expect, but God will always do right.
• God is definitely trustworthy.
• We may not know what is down the road ir around the corner, but God does. With that foreknowledge, He will always do the right thing.
• God is governed by Biblical principle, not by emotion.

Genesis 24:27
And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.

• Again, looking at just one part of the verse -- "I being in the way, the LORD led me." When we put ourselves in the place to be used, God will indeed guide and direct.
• Often we pray and ask for "guidance and direction." The fact is that God does through the Spirit guide and direct, but we do not always follow His leading.
• I want to place myself in a place where I can be used of God in whatever way He chooses.
• God is worthy of our worship and praise.
• He has not abandoned us, not even in the midst of challenging times.
• I can trust God's leading, even when I do not understand what He is seeking to accomplish.

As we read the Scriptures, it is important that we allow God to give us direction and even encouragement. He is truly a great and wonderful God.

Walking Together for 28 Years

My, how time flies. Of course, birds fly, planes fly, and flies fly. But I digress. Time indeed flies. Just a few days ago (somewhere in the neighborhood of 12,250 days) I saw the most beautiful girl in the world at summer camp. Four and a half years later she became my wife. Now, twenty-eight years since then we celebrate another anniversary. I popped into that bastion of modern American commercialism (Walmart) to pick up some roses and some Hostess DingDongs for the love of my life. I was getting home from work about the time she was preparing to leave for work, so I put the goodies on the table and collapsed into bed in the spare room. Twenty-eight years. My, how time flies.

God has richly blessed me over these years, as we have been on this incredible journey together. We have from WI to FL, TX to PA. Now we wait on God to show what He wants us to do and we do so with confidence that God is in complete control. Many of our family and friends face greater challenges, but none have a greater life partner. Bec has been such a huge blessing from God. The roses will fade and the DingDongs are nasty chocolate, but the roses and snack cakes are simple gestures to show how much I appreciate the one that God has allowed me to spend my life with. Thanks Bec. I love you a ton!

Walking along an Familiar Path

In Genesis 8:1, I find an interesting phrase: "And God remembered Noah..." I find it interesting because God never forgot Noah. He knew where Noah was, what Noah was doing, when Noah would land, and why Noah was in the ark to begin with. God knew every detail about Noah. God did not remember Noah as we understand the concept of remembering; He once again interacted with Noah. Our God delights in being engaged in the lives of His children, but that engagement is to be a two-way street. God wants to engage with us, but He wants us to interact with Him through prayer, reading of the Word, and the practical application of the principles found within His Word.

And now, as we consider our personal situations, how is our relationship with God? Are we engaged with God? Are we in a place where we need God to "remember" us? Are we recognizing the work of God in our lives and practicing the word of God? Do we ever wonder if God cares? Indeed He does!

"And God remembered Noah." I wonder if Noah was concerned whether or not God remembered him. There may be times in the daily struggles of life that we wonder where God has gone, but the truth is that He has not gone anywhere. In Noah's case, God was there all of the time. In our case, He is there all of the time. And God remembered each of us. He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is there all of the time to watch over us and meet our needs. He loves us and cares for us and wants to see us accomplish His will. He did not lose us; He did not forget about us. God was there, is there, and will always be there. The "familiar path" is that place where we find ourselves -- going through life one day at a time. Remember, God is there with us.