For what it's worth...

2008-03-20T11:07:00.005-04:00

I have moved...

Thank you for visiting me at "For What it's Worth". I appreciate your visit and would like to invite you to visit my new website and blog. You can find it at jjriley.net. Please feel free to check out the new site and tell me what you think. I look forward to hearing from you there.

Have a great day...

Once again the site is jjriley.net...come on over!

2008-03-18T22:54:00.005-04:00

Where do you run when life turns upside - down?

Proverbs:18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you— the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Are you in trouble? Is your life out of your control? There’s only one you can run to who can see you through…He’ll be your Strong Tower. Run to him…he’s trustworthy.

2008-03-05T23:42:00.006-05:00

Thank God for little children!

During worship this past Sunday – my daughter Kendall – age six – held up and waved a piece of paper that she had drawn several hearts on. As the congregation is singing, and Kendall is waving this piece of paper with the hearts – my wife inquires as to what, exactly she is doing.

Her reply – “I’m showing God how much I love him!”

I may be a little slow... but I didn't miss this one.

2008-02-28T22:17:00.004-05:00

My Thoughts on Winter ...

This may sound a little strange – but I really enjoy winter. It’s not just the winter… I love all four seasons. I especially enjoy them in Southern Ohio. Don’t get me wrong… winter, to me, is forth on a short list of four seasons – but it’s still amazing. I believe God reveals a little of himself to us through every season, and winter is no different, just a little colder. The night skies are so clear in the winter that it seems you can just reach up and touch the stars – and snow covered pine trees display a beauty that can only be born out of God's awesome creativity.

Spring and fall are my favorites by far – but summer and winter are amazing.

There are a few details that when present make the winter much more pleasant. One detail would be snow – lots of it and often. Along with the snow comes sleigh riding, snowman (snow people) building with Kristin and Kendall, and snow ball fights… you can’t go wrong there. A second detail would be warm enough temperatures on occasion – 40 to 45 degrees – to play just enough golf to keep what game I have from getting too rusty.

The only problem I can see with winter is that after the National Championship Game and the Super Bowl – the college and pro football seasons are over and baseball season is still a few months away. Sport fans are left with little more on ESPN than basketball and hockey. College basketball is pretty cool, but still leaves us a little sports starved during the coldest months of the year. I’m thankful that Golf starts in February, at least we can watch Tiger, Ernie, Phil, Rich, and the others between hockey fights and missed traveling calls in pro basketball.

By the way… I went to a fight one time – and three hockey games broke out! (Sorry)

Which season is your favorite – winter, spring, summer, or fall?

2008-02-10T01:17:00.000-05:00

My Music...

Here is a small list of the music CDs I’ve been enjoying lately – and would highly recommend to you as well.

Toby Mac: Portable Sounds
Newsboys: Go
Jars of Clay: Good Monsters
Relient K: 5 Score and Seven Years Ago
David Crowder Band: Remedy

All of these CDs contain songs that are very powerful and relevant. The groups share great lyrics with great music – focused on God… what more could you want in the music you listen to.

Here are the lyrics to one of the songs on the Go CD by Newsboys…

Secret Kingdom/Newsboys

This here comes breakin' in
Like brick to glass

Like grace to sin
Gonna kick down walls like West Berlin
Shout an amen

Hug it out, then
This here's gonna light a fire
Gonna pink slip preaching to the choir
Gonna send us hobbits outta the shire
Here's the theme song
Get your ring on
That there's still propagating, waiting on a rooftop
Our journey's just begun...

COME HERE, A LITTLE BIT CLOSER
I WANNA TAKE YOU TO A SECRET KINGDOM
IT'S HERE SPINNING OUR WORLD AROUND
TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN
THIS HERE IS BIGGER THAN SHOW BIZ
IT'S GONNA SHOW US WHAT THE GOOD NEWS REALLY IS
THIS HERE IS SPINNING OUR WORLD AROUND
'TIL WE'VE GOT NO FEAR

This here won't be contained
By culture, wars and trendy names
Been there, done that, wore out the t-shirts
Don't need free perks
Don't need knee jerks
This here still wakes the dead
Still gets God's people Spirit-led
Gonna put in action all we've read
Not all enraged, just all engaged
'Cause that there's still fabricating kingdoms out of boxes
We're gonna leave that slum

This here wants faithfulness, not easy fixes
This here won't shrink to fit no politics, yeah
This here knows whistles make for better mixes

COME HERE, A LITTLE BIT CLOSER
I WANNA TAKE YOU TO A SECRET KINGDOM
IT'S HERE SPINNING OUR WORLD AROUND
TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN
THIS HERE IS BIGGER THAN SHOW BIZ
IT'S GONNA SHOW US WHAT THE GOOD NEWS REALLY IS
THIS HERE IS SPINNING OUR WORLD AROUND'TIL WE'VE GOT NO FEAR

The lyrics to this song are great – but it’s even better when put to music.

So… who is your favorite group – and what are you listening to on your ipod – CD player -- or radio right now?

2008-02-07T11:29:00.000-05:00

Shooting in Portsmouth

A few hours ago a man entered Notre Dame Elementary School where he shot and stabbed one of the teachers who authorities believe to be his wife. The town is pretty much in shock… everywhere I’ve been today in Portsmouth the people want to talk about it hoping somehow to make sense of the whole thing. Obviously the most concerned are the parents of children in the Portsmouth area schools.

It’s a bizarre and sad day in Portsmouth… as you may know Innermission Campus Ministry is about 4 blocks from Notre Dame Elementary – and approximately 8 blocks from where the Portsmouth Police – Scioto Co. Sheriff’s Department – and the Ohio State Patrol have a block of Argonne Road shut down as the gunman is holdup in a house there.

The students here at Innermisson are anxious and hopeful for how all of this will turn out. We are all concerned for the victim of the shooting – the children at the Notre Dame Elementary School who knew the teacher well…and saw all of this happen – and for the man who is responsible for the shooting.

There are helicopters flying all around Portsmouth, and one is pretty much hovering right over Shawnee State University, and Innermission. As I said before… there is a lot of anxiety in this town today. Please pray for everyone who this tragedy has and will touch.

2008-02-04T22:15:00.000-05:00

You and Me - Unity

I think amazing is the word I’m looking for…I think.

As I read the story of The “Tower of Babel” it seems to me that our God finds unity amazing. I want to say impressive – but I don’t think God finds us all that impressive. I know he loves us with a love we can’t comprehend – and that he’s relentless in his loving pursuit of us – but I don’t think he’s really all that impressed with us. So at least for now I’ll use the word amazing – I think it fits. If you follow the link to Genesis 11:1-9 you can read the story of the “Tower of Babel” and decide for yourself.

Genesis 11:1-9

When I read this story I think it’s clear that their unity is more than just interesting to God. And I believe they did more than “get his attention.” The result of their unity – both in what they we able to accomplish and the steps God took to bring it to a halt, point to something amazing – and unity is amazing.

For a more insight into unity follow this link…

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

There are so many directions we could go from here, but just let me say this…

If they could accomplish so much by working together on their own… can you imagine what we could accomplish if we allowed God to unite us – to make us one in him? There would be no end to the amazing things he could accomplish through us.

But the most amazing thing our unity in him would accomplish can be found by clicking on the scripture link below…

John 17:20-23

If you have any thoughts on unity – please feel free to share…

2008-01-22T12:44:00.000-05:00

Take a Hike...

Hocking Hills hosted their annual Winter Hike this past Saturday the 19th. The weather forecast called for temps in the mid 20s – and for snow flurries and showers. Despite the cold temps, there was an estimated 5,000 hikers that took part in the hike, and I’m proud to say that our group of Innermission students as well as a few from Sunshine made up 18 of those 5,000 hikers.

The Winter Hike is always a great time, and the scenery is spectacular -- it's like a small part of God's amazing art gallery. We have participated in the hike for several years now, and always look forward to it with great anticipation.

Here are a few pics from the hike this year...

Click on any pic to enlarge it.

God is amazing, and it's always a blessing to see his handiwork. Not only in the things he created, but especially in people, his most magnificient creation of all.

BTW -- Please remember to pray for the 7 members of Sunshine who are on day 4 of their week long mission trip in Haiti.

2008-01-17T14:55:00.000-05:00

Haiti Mission Trip

In approximately 17 hours and 15 minutes 7 members of Sunshine - Brandy Gampp, Scott Gampp, Aaron Kallner, Matthew Gampp, Mike Dixon, Jason Coriell and Karen Griffith – will be departing from Port Columbus Airport in Columbus, Ohio. They will be embarking – with many prayers and much love – on a mission trip for 1 week to Haiti to work together with "Hope for Haiti’s Children." We appreciate their hearts and honor them for their desire to serve the Lord by ministering to the needs of the people of Haiti.

Please remember to pray for the team and their families – that all will go well and that God will use them for his purpose and will.

The following is an excerpt from a prayer of Saint Patrick taken from “My Sacrifice His Fire,” by Anne Ortlund.

I establish myself today in:
The power of God to guide me,
The might of God to uphold me,
The wisdom of God to teach me,
The eye of God to watch over me,
The ear of God to hear me,
The word of God to speak to me,
The hand of God to protect me,
The way of God to lie before me,
The shield of God to shelter me,
The hosts of God to defend me,
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in breadth, Christ in length,
Christ in Height, Christ in the heart
of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who
speaks to me,
Christ in the ear of every man who
hears me.
Confident in Christ.

Serve well in His strength guys, we’re praying for you, and we love you.

2008-01-14T21:17:00.000-05:00

Adventure Kingdom – Adventure for His Kingdom…

Kendall and I went to Adventure Kingdom for a while Thursday evening.. She loves to play in their Jungle Gym and I get a kick out of watching her have fun.

I thought there would be a huge crowd to deal with, but to my surprise the place was basically empty, except for a dad who had brought his three sons for an evening of fun and games. Other than that we had the joint all to ourselves.

You know the scene… parents pass one another, smile and nod, while chasing their child from one place to next. From time to time your kids are actually at the same place at the same time and you make small talk...

“How are you? It looks like your sons are a lot of fun.” I remarked.

He replied, “Thanks, your little girl is pretty.” To his sons, “Guys be a little careful around her,” Then turning to me, “You know how boys can be.”

Anyway, after a few of these 20 second visits I introduced myself, “I’m Jamie Riley,” to which he replied “I’m Steve (last name omitted),” and then he added “Things have been pretty hard lately, my wife just served me with divorce papers and I didn’t see it coming…”

I have to admit -- I didn’t see this coming at all either. I want to be available for God, and he gives me wonderful opportunities. But for some reason I thought the only thing God was using me for at this time was to love his little girl/my daughter Kendall, by allowing her to do one of her favorite winter things…play at Adventure Kingdom. But by this time I’m fully aware that he has more than one thing in mind for me.

I told Steve I was very sorry for what he was going through, and asked if there was anything I could do. He simply said “Please pray.” I said I would and told him I would ask some of my friends to pray as well. After offering to listen anytime, I gave him my cell number, and told him about Sunshine, a place where God is working in the lives of his people, and that he would be very welcome with us.

We shared a little more about our lives and as we left I assured him that I and others would be praying for him and his family. So please remember Steve, his wife, and their three sons as you spend time with God, I trust he will do something great for them.

2007-12-19T17:29:00.000-05:00

"THE BIG MANLY"

"Play the last song Daddy... just slide it over to the last one, it's called "The Big Manly."" That was the request of my 5 year old daughter Kendall as we drove to visit my Mom a few days ago.

So, I pressed the forward control on the cd player until we came to the last song on the Veggie Tales, "A Very Veggie Christmas" cd. I was wondering how I had missed a song called "The Big Manly" all this time -- and just what that song was.

As the music began I recognized the very familiar "Joy to the World," followed immediately by "Oh Little Town of Bethlehem," followed immediately by "Oh Come All Ye Faithful," and it finished with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."

After the second song began I asked Kendall... what is the name of this song honey? She said "The Big Manly daddy..."

As one song ran into the next I quickly realized the name of the song was "The Big Medley," not "The Big Manly," but that's ok; she's only 5 years old. As we drove I listened to her sweet little voice singing every word to each song of "The Big Manly/Medley -- each song of hope, clearly about Jesus, and I couldn't help feeling very blessed. My daughter loves Jesus, and loves to sing to/about him. And as for the name of the song... I think it should be called "The Big Manly!" It makes total sense to me...

2007-11-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

A Few More Thoughts on Being Thankful…

I know it’s time to start counting the days until Christmas – time to put up the tree, the lights, and all the other great Christmas decorations. It’s time to go shopping, wrap gifts, and watch those favorite Christmas movies – as well as listen to favorite CDs or play lists – all the while reading and re-reading the story of Jesus’ birth.

It’s time …

And what a great time it is!

It’s time for the world to focus on Jesus, and when he came to earth as a human baby and changed our lives forever. And though it should be our focus daily, he’s on our minds more – much more this time of year.

But in thinking about this, my mind goes back to Thanksgiving… I mean, shouldn’t it go there anyway? But since our Thanksgiving holiday has just passed, and Christmas is quickly approaching, I just want to look back at a few things, and just a few, that I’m thankful for in 2007.

1. I’m thankful for a blessed 2007 for Kristin, Kendall, and me.
2. I’m thankful for a blessed 2007 for the Sunshine family.
3. I’m thankful that Intermission has been blessed in so many ways in 2007.
4. I’m thankful that my family had two great vacations in 07… Florida and Holden Beach, N.C.
5. I’m thankful that my arm healed so quickly (thanks to God and your prayers) after
breaking it in the cycling accident – I shot my best golf scores ever after it healed, weird
huh?!?
6. I’m thankful for a great Vacation Bible School.
7. I’m thankful that our week of camp was awesome, again.
8. I’m thankful for our mission trip to Honduras, everyone we met, and all God taught us
through the experience.
9. I’m thankful for all the simple, yet great opportunities we are blessed with on a daily basis,
as a family at Sunshine.
10. I’m thankful that God is my God, my Father, and friend – and for his patience in teaching
me that I have a lot to be thankful for.

2007-11-22T12:08:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2007-11-20T11:51:00.000-05:00

Cumberland Falls, Crazy Teens, and a weekend with Jesus...

I was blessed again with the opportunity to teach at SpiritFest this past weekend, it’s an annual event that takes place at the Cumberland Falls State Park in Corbin, Ky. SpiritFest is always a great, spiritual event for teens and adults alike, and I enjoy participating in it.

The theme for the weekend was "Escape," a very relevant subject for Christians and non-Christians alike, and God blessed us with a wonderful atmosphere and clear focus for our time together.

The teens that attend SpiritFest are some of the most respectful and enjoyable you will meet -- and the Adults that God uses to make it all happen are fabulous. Special mention goes out to Mike Anderson, and Mike Lewis (Mike & Mike) -- God uses you guys in wonderful ways together -- thanks for being available for him and us.

My family and I were very spoiled again this year – Kristin and Kendall deserve it, but you're going the extra mile in spoiling me, and I'm thankful for all the love and kindness.

Here are a few pics taken during free time, God is amazing!

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

2007-11-14T23:27:00.000-05:00

“Shine Baby Shine”

Tonight in our bedtime devo we read Matthew 5:13-16.

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

As some of you know, my daughter Kendall is 5 years old. She has a great heart, is lots of fun – and she’s a “pill” just like her mom. I never thought it possible to be in love with two ladies at the same time, but I am… my wife and my daughter.

Anyway, back to the story… after I finished reading the verses above I asked Kendall if she knew what the verses mean. Without taking a breath she said “it means that when you’re good it’s like a light that helps people see God.” I was so proud of her – like always – all I could do is smile and say you’re so right sweetie. After that we prayed, hugged, told a “made up” story, hugged some more, kissed goodnight several times – and then she went to sleep.

Now here I am winding down after another day “blown up” with blessing after blessing from God. It seems I can’t keep my mind off that sweet little girl in the other room, and as I think of her the words that keep coming to mind are the same as the title of this post…
SHINE BABY SHINE!

2007-11-07T16:06:00.000-05:00

One Thing

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Matthew 5:8

This verse is one of the most if not the most passion inspiring verses for me in the Bible.
Just relax for a moment, close your eyes and block out everything that is going on around you and hear it again...

"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God."

I said hear it, not read it again -- you're supposed to have your eyes closed! Anyway I think we get the point, this really is a very powerful, passion inspiring verse -- and I really do want to be pure in heart. But I'm not... not for the most part.

Pure means to be one thing and one thing only. If there is anything else in the mix there is more than one thing and that's not pure, and scripture says "the pure in heart will see God." (I have the song "One Thing" by Rich Mullins running through my head as I write this)

So how do I become pure in heart? Well... I don't become it, there is only one way I will ever be pure in heart and that is to allow God to make me that way. David prays in Psalm 51... "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." I know we like the comfort of trying to convince ourselves that we are going to try harder to be pure -- but our lives will NEVER EVER be pure as a result of our trying harder. When we try harder we are already failing -- that's the thing -- when I try harder it's me trying and not him doing, so now I'm tainted and not pure before I even get started on this thing. Only by allowing God to create a clean, pure heart in me will I ever be pure in heart.

How does that happen? That question is not easily answered...

We have all heard the illustrations of how we get pure gold or silver, or pure anything for that matter. It has to be seperated, and sometimes this is a painful process. That's one of the reasons we can't do it on our own -- we like things painless -- but it can't always be that way.
To get pure metals such as gold it takes fire to melt away the impurities -- when that process is complete what's left is pure gold. In the same way if we want to be seperated from the impurities that have taken root in our lives we have to give ourselves over to God and allow him to seperate them or melt them away from us. In doing so he is making us pure in heart.

How God purifies is not always so obvious but one thing is sure, only God can purify, and he will if you allow it.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:7

2007-10-25T17:12:00.000-04:00

Life and godliness...

2 Peter 1:3-8
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I love what these 5 verses have to say to us… Through the power of God we have everything we need for life and godliness! We don’t have to manufacture anything, or try to figure it out on our own, it’s his to give, and he will give it!
Of course tied with that promise is our coming to “know him,” but that’s to our benefit even if it wasn’t tied to this particular promise – just check out John 17:3 “Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”

It’s pretty obvious that knowing God is definitely good for life – now and eternal.
There is so much more to this passage than that though…
Verse 4 tells me how to participate in the divine nature of God himself.
And verses 5 – 7 tell me the characteristics I need to allow God to develope in my life, and there is a promise that comes with these as well…
Verse 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Delivered from being Ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ… wouldn’t it be great if we would allow Him to get us there??!!

2007-10-15T15:22:00.000-04:00

Humility

In Guideposts, Ronald Pinkerton describes a near accident he had while hang gliding. He had launched his hang glider and been forcefully lifted 4200 feet into the air. As he was descending, he was suddenly hit by a powerful new blast that sent his hang glider plummeting toward the ground.

“I was falling at an alarming rate, Trapped in an airborne riptide. I was going to crash! Then I saw him – a red-tailed hawk. He was six feet off my right wingtip, fighting the same gust I was….

I looked down to the ground: 300 feet from the ground and still falling. The trees below seemed like menacing pikes.

I looked at the hawk again. Suddenly he banked and flew straight downwind. Downwind! If the right air is anywhere, it’s upwind! The hawk was committing suicide.

Two hundred feet. From nowhere the thought entered my mind: Follow the hawk. It went against everything I knew about flying. But now all my knowledge was useless. I was at the mercy of the wind. I followed the hawk.

One hundred feet. Suddenly the hawk gained altitude. For a split second I seemed to be suspended motionless in space. Then a warm surge of air started pushing the glider upward. I was stunned. Nothing I know as a pilot could explain the phenomenon. But it was true: I was rising.”

On occasion we all have similar “downdrafts” in our lives, reversals of fortunes, humiliating experiences. We want to lift ourselves up, but God’s word, like the red-tailed hawk, tells us to do just the opposite. God’s word tells us to DIVE – to humble ourselves under the hand of God. If we humble ourselves, God will send a thermal wind that will lift us up.

- taken from 750 Engaging Illustrations.

2007-10-10T16:09:00.000-04:00

A dear friend and brother - Dewey Cordle - sent me an email with a link to this video. It is amazing and very powerful. If you take the time to watch it I'm sure you'll be blessed.

Special thanks to ScottyG of "ScottyGs Place" for his help in making this possible. Your efforts on our behalf haven't gone unnoticed. (Ok so it sounds a little over the top, but I really do appreciate your help Scott.)

2007-10-09T16:07:00.000-04:00

What Are You Thinking?

…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8

Our thoughts are very powerful and have a big impact on our lives. If our thoughts are negative, hopeless and sinful, our lives will tend to be negative, hopeless and sinful.
On the other hand, if our thoughts are positive, hopeful and focused on God, then our lives will tend to be positive, hopeful, and focused on God.
This verse gives me comfort and hope that I can get past all the noise, junk and just plain messiness in my head that seems to dance around in there so often, and allow him to develop a heart in me that is truly focused on him.

2006-12-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

I Can Do Everything through Him...

Philippians 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Today several college students and I are going Christmas Shopping and to the Clifton Mill Christmas Light display... check it out www.cliftonmill.com, and click on Christmas lights.

Some would think I have a wish for punishment. I just believe in what was written in Phil.4:13.

I'm joking -- we're going to have a blast... but please keep us in your prayers.

In Him,
Jamie

2006-12-04T13:04:00.000-05:00

Desiring God and His Word…

There are passages in scripture that ignite passion in me, and I’m sure it’s the same with you. I know it’s all inspired and that it should all be very important to me – and it is very important to me. I believe and know that the Bible is the inspired Word of God, and that it’s of utmost importance to seek him in his word. All I’m saying is that some of the passages are more passion igniting to me than others.

In one of the passages Jeremiah says – “When your words came, I ate them…” Now that’s passion for God and his word – and Jeremiah’s passion for God and his word fires me up spiritually! God takes the words he inspires in Jeremiah and gives me a fire for him and his word – and for doing his will in my life. I know there has to be more than just the “feeling it” – and there is! God gives faith and passion, and desires us to live it out… to allow him to use us to ignite passion for him and his word in others, and that they would live it out. And so on and on it goes.

I’m not saying that my passion for God and his word is what it should be, but we’re working on it together, and I hope you’re allowing him to work the same in your life.

Jeremiah 15:16
When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name,

Psalm 119:103 - 104
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.

1 Peter 2:2-3
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

2006-12-03T00:02:00.000-05:00

If you’ve visited here in the last 9 or 10 days only to find nothing new posted, I want to first thank you for your patience, and second apologize for my absence.

Thanksgiving and the weekend following is a very busy time for most – my family included. Also during the last week – a good friend and member of Sunshine was diagnosed with a potential brain tumor. Needless to say we were all very concerned and spent a lot of time asking God to bless and intervene in the situation.

God did what he has done so many times in the lives of his children… he delivered him! The surgery took place (brain surgery that is) and it turned out to be an infection which can be treated. I’m happy to say that – thanks to God – tonight he is home recovering with his wife and 2 young children. God is really, really, Good!

Please remember to pray for Matt Cram to have a quick and speedy recovery.

2006-11-22T23:14:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving…

Thanksgiving is here! It’s the time of year that is set aside to do what we’re called by God to do continually – be thankful for all he’s done in our lives. And it’s not so much that he’s called us to walk around saying – thank you for this and thank you for that. No, what he’s called us to -- is to have a thankful heart. Don’t get me wrong, if we have a thankful heart we will express appreciation to him – but the words can be said and have no meaning. So God has called us to have a thankful heart.

With that being said I just want to say that I’m so thankful to God for counting me worthy to be his son. There’s nothing I’ve done to deserve this great honor – it’s simply because of his great love for me. I’m also very thankful for my wife and daughter, and for family and friends who love me. The list goes on and on – job, health, and that he is developing in me a heart that is growing in it’s thankfulness to him.

Psalm 95:1-5
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD? let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

1 Chronicles 16:8-10
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name;

2 Chronicles 20:21
After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever.”

Psalm 35:18
I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Thessalonians 6:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

So – what are you thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-21T23:40:00.000-05:00

Value…

Value is determined by the price someone is willing to pay for something. If I own something such as an antique -- or a great baseball card collection that has been appraised and found to be worth a large amount of money, but no one will pay me for it, it is really not worth all that much after all.

The same seems to be true when it comes to how people are viewed in the world today. If you have a little you’re only worth a little. But if you have a lot – nice home, great financial portfolio, live in the right part of town, run in the right circles – then you’re worth a lot. According to the world’s terms I would have to say that I clearly fit in the – I have a little – therefore I’m only worth a little category… according to the world’s terms that is…

Fortunately for me that’s not the last word when it comes to how valuable I am. You see the Bible says…

Romans 5:6-8
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16-17
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

If value is determined by the price someone is willing to pay for something – and it is! Then there is amazing news – not just for me but for all of us. The best of heaven was given on our behalf to buy us back for God. When we were lost and the price of sin was on our head – Jesus found us so valuable that he bought us back with his very life.

You are truly valuable to God – and Jesus paid the price to prove it!

2006-11-20T16:09:00.000-05:00

Our Trip to Cumberland Falls...

I want to thank everyone for remembering the prayer requests I mentioned on Thursday. This post is intended as an update to those requests.

The students are getting through finals very well - and that as you know is a really good thing - and I believe a result of prayer.

Dave's surgery went very well -- he still has to go through a recovery time, so please continue to remember him in prayer.

Our trip to Cumberland Falls in Corbin, Ky. was great! As you know I was blessed with the opportunity to teach at a retreat called "Spirit - Fest." The retreat was very spiritual - all those who participated were great to be with - and God blessed my family for being part of it -- thanks for lifting us up to the Lord.

I met some wonderful people - teen and adult - who left their imprint on my heart simply by the way they showed the love of God to my family and me. To be honest I was treated far better than I deserve. I think they thought I was royalty or something.

Now, don't get me wrong, I think my wife and daughter deserve the best - and they are royalty! But everyone at the retreat were better to me than I deserve, and that's a great way to live because that's how God in his son Jesus has treated - and treats - all of us.

So, between God, Sunshine and all the folks at Spirit-Fest, I've found myself the recipient of wonderful kindness -- thanks to God and all!

Now, I'm going to end this post with a few pics of the weekend. The first is from inside Fort Boonesborough -- the rest are of Cumberland Falls... I hope you enjoy them -- God is the Great Creator!

2006-11-18T00:06:00.000-05:00

Blessed are Those Who Mourn…

Last Friday I said I would be doing a series of posts on the beatitudes. My goal is to take one beatitude per Friday -- and in eight weeks this worthwhile task should be complete. But, as you may have noticed -- I just missed the Friday mid-night deadline, sorry about that! I'm sure there are folks all over blog-world not sleeping tonight over this. (I'm joking of course)

Last week we looked at the first beatitude… "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."(Matthew 5:3)

The first beatitude is the foundation on which the rest of the beatitudes are built. So, if you're interested in brushing up a bit on what it means to be "poor in spirit" – please click the link on the right side column that says blessed are the poor in spirit…

Otherwise we'll press on with the next beatitude.

Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

This is a very convicting passage. As we established last week – the first part of each beatitude would capture the intended meaning better if they were stated more in this way… Oh the bliss of those who…

Now for the second part… Oh the Bliss, of those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

When Jesus spoke of mourning here, he was not actually speaking of the type of mourning that leaves us broken over someone else’s loss. To be broken over such a loss is right and good – it’s just not what Jesus was really getting at here.

When Jesus spoke this beatitude, he was building on the first one (“blessed are the poor in spirit.") He was making the point that – when we finally realize just how destitute we are before God, it should break our hearts and drive us to our knees in mourning – Or another way to say it is… when I realize just how bankrupt I am before God – it should crush me, and cause me great agony in my spirit to realize how great a distance there is from his pure heart, to my distracted heart.

Psalm 51:17
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Oh the bliss of those whose hearts are broken over their sin and distance from God. For they shall find themselves being comforted by him.

2006-11-16T15:04:00.000-05:00

Thank You & Prayer Requests...

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for stopping in from day to day -- I know that in the blog world there are thousands of interesting, encouraging, and entertaining places to go. I also know there are just as many places out there that aren't fit to visit. I hope you find “For What It’s Worth” a worthwhile place to hang out.

There’s another blog I participate in… it’s called Sunshine Church. You can find it at Sunshine-Church.blogspot.com. The Sunshine Church blog is where several friends and church family hang out, post, comment, and pretty much just goof off. Stop in sometime, I think you’ll like it.

Anyway, again I just wanted to say thanks – your visits and comments are really encouraging and appreciated.

While I’m posting I have a few prayer requests I’d like to pass on to all of you…

1. The students here at Innermission Campus Ministry to Shawnee State University are just starting Fall Quarter Finals Week. So please remember them in your prayers. We’ve had an amazing quarter – we’re all growing in relationship with the Lord, and in relationship with one another. God has blessed us with spiritual growth and numerical growth as well – it’s really great!

2. Tomorrow (Friday) morning Kristin, Kendall, and I will be traveling to Cumberland Falls State Park in Williamsburg Kentucky. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to participate in teaching at a Christian Retreat called Spiritfest. There will be lots of hearts there -- hungry to know the Lord better.
The theme is "Breakdown" it is refering to Paul talking of how Jesus' power is made perfect in our weakness -- "when I am weak, then I am strong." Sounds pretty great doesn’t it!!?? Please pray for the retreat and for my family as we travel – your prayers are appreciated.

3. One of my dear friends and brothers in the Lord -- David Gampp -- had surgery for a herniated disc today. David has been in a lot of pain for the last few months, I’m asking you to pray thanking the Lord that the surgery was successful -- and that he has a complete healing.

Anyway – it’s great to know there are hearts out there listening and praying on our behalf! If you have any prayer requests you would like us to share with the Lord, please feel free to comment on them and you can count on us to take your request before our Great God.

In Him,
Jamie

Or should I use the name some of the students are trying to hang on me…?
J-RIZZ

I’m Out!

2006-11-15T23:29:00.000-05:00

The Choice...

The Fruit of The Spirit is one of my favorite passage of scripture (Galatians 5:22-23). If the Spirit is alive in my life -- fruit will be seen... convicting, challenging, and yet very encouraging. Anyway... in his book "The Applause of Heaven," Max Lucado has a chapter called "The Choice." I would like to share it with you here. I don't do much of this, but it's worth it.

The Choice by Max Lucado

It's quiet. It's early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming. In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising of the sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning, will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met. For the next twelve hours I will be exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I'm free to choose. And so I choose.

I choose love ...
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I choose joy...
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical... the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I choose peace...
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I choose patience...
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I choose kindness...
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I choose goodness...
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I choose faithfulness...
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their father will not come home.

I choose gentleness...
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I use my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.

I choose self-control...
I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek his grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

I hope you enjoyed the story and I pray God blesses you today.

2006-11-14T17:27:00.000-05:00

Here's Hope...

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

This scripture is written to all the Israelites who were in exile in Babylon. The scripture was meant to give hope, hope that God still had a plan for their lives. And it also was to remind them that they could once again be near God.

If you need hope today, or just need reminded that God has a plan and purpose for your life... read the verse again and remember...

Hebrews 13:8
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

2006-11-13T16:40:00.000-05:00

You cannot go unnoticed…

Have you ever felt as though no one really cared about you or the struggles you’re going through? Maybe you feel completely insignificant, as though you could go through life and never be noticed.
If you feel this way – and I know there are lots of you out there who do, there are several stories in the Bible that can build your faith, and help you understand that you are never alone, God is always there… watching over you… and looking to bring great blessing into your life.

In Genesis 16, there is the story of Abram, Sarai, and Hagar. To make the long story short, God has promised to make Abram into a great nation. He told Abram that his decedents would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. But up to this point Sarai is barren. So Sarai devises a plan that will allow Hagar, Sarai’s maidservant to have children for her. She allows and encourages Abram to sleep with Hagar – and when he does Hagar becomes pregnant. When this happens Sarai starts to despise and mistreat Hagar. In fact she mistreated her so badly that she ran away with nothing to sustain herself.
This is where God comes to the rescue…
The scripture says that the “Angel of the Lord” found Hagar near a spring in the desert – and he said “Hagar, where have you come from and where are you going?” Hagar answered by telling the angel about Sarai. After telling her what was going to happen in her life, and the life of the child she was carrying, the angel then told Hagar to “go and submit herself to Sarai…”
Hagar then said of the angel “you are the God who sees me.” For she said “I have now seen the one who sees me.”

I know that Hagar must have felt all alone in the desert, just her, and her unborn child. But the truth of the matter is that she was not alone – God was with her, he noticed her.

In Mark 5 there is a story of a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. The scripture says she had spent all her money on doctors, but only grew worse. One day as Jesus was on his way to Jairus’ house to heal Jairus’ daughter -- Jesus stopped and asked “who touched me,” those with him said “Master there are so many people around you that we’re about to be crushed – and you ask who touched me??!!” Jesus then said – “I felt power go out of me…” when the woman realized that she could not go unnoticed (that’s right – read it for yourself) she walked over to Jesus, fell at his feet and told him the whole truth of what had happened. At that, Jesus said to her, “daughter your faith has healed you, go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Two stories of people who thought they were alone in their suffering – they thought they had become the unnoticed ones. But they were wrong. God is the great lover and rescuer of his children. And if you’re struggling with feeling insignificant or inadequate I just want to remind you to think about Haggar’s words to the angel of the Lord… you are the God who sees me! And be comforted.

David said in Psalm 139… Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

HAVE A GREAT DAY!

2006-11-10T18:04:00.000-05:00

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit...

There is so much life to be found in the word of God…

Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

The writer of Hebrews through inspiration of the Holy Spirit said “the word of God is living and active.” IT’S ALIVE! IT’S POWERFUL! IT’S AMAZING!

With these thoughts in mind, on Fridays over the next several weeks I want to look at Matthew 5:3-12. It’s the beginning of the part of scripture we call “The Sermon on The Mount,” and these 10 verses are called “The Beatitudes.” There are eight beatitudes in all, and I hope to look at one a week for the next eight Fridays.

So – here we go…

When we see the word blessed in the Beatitudes (and each beatitude starts with the word blessed) we need to think along the lines of Bliss. The “blessed” he is talking about here is not found in material possessions, or physical blessings. It’s more of a deep spiritual blessing. Its joy in dire circumstances, its hope when there seems to be no way out. Blessed, is the wonderful state of knowing you have found favor with God. And yet, all I’ve said still doesn’t capture the full essence of what it means to be blessed.

Oh the blessedness of… is probably a better way of capturing what is meant here.

Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

What this means...

Blessed are you who are spiritually bankrupt, destitute, broke and unable to make spiritual ends meet -- when you don’t have so much as two spiritual pennies to rub together.

We often find this a very hard thing to swallow… we say things like “are you saying Jesus wants me to become spiritually poor??!!”

NO, Jesus doesn’t want us to become spiritually poor -- we're already spiritually poor! We are beggars at the door of Jesus, and he only wants us to accept it. He wants us to realize it, and to come to grips with it, so we will let down our guard and embrace the fact that -- on our own -- we are spiritually starving and looking for crumbs at the table of Jesus. When we can come to grips with this, we will stop trying to make it on our own merit – and realize we’re just not that impressive compared to him.

I once heard it said like this…

Nothing in my hands I bring – simply to your cross I cling.

When I finally admit that I’m spiritually broke… only then will I open my heart to his rescue. The verse finishes by saying ...“for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” If I accept that I'm too spiritually poor to "pay my own way", and turn to him and accept his gracious offer to pay my way for me, scripture says then I'm part of the Kingdom of Heaven.

“Blessed are the bankrupt and destitute in spirit, for they have a place in the kingdom of heaven.”

Have a blessed weekend!

2006-11-09T18:25:00.000-05:00

Fellowship...

Spending time in fellowship together is very important to the spiritual health of the individual Christian, and to the body of Christ as a whole. Maybe in some other post we'll discuss this in greater detail -- or if you desire you can do so in the comments. As for now I would like to share a few pictures from a golf scramble some of the members of Sunshine participated in reciently.

You may notice in the pictures that it's a little cold for golfing (approx. 43 deg. F) and very windy. We lost several golfers --who intended to play -- because the day before the scramble we had lots of rain. The weather cleared up though -- just enough for us to have a blast in the Lord together.

By the way... these pictures were borrowed -- and I use the term loosely -- from Zoe's blog. Thanks...

Mark Coriell,

Emerson Coriell

and Josh Coriell

Zach Coriell,

Jason Coriell,

Aaron McCray,

Scott Gampp of

ScottyG's place

Tim Gampp,

Dewey Cordle,

and me...

Looks like a lot of

fun doesn't it?!!

2006-11-08T16:15:00.000-05:00

Hearing God…

So you think you’re hearing things do you??! (Sorry I just thought that would be a cool and weird way to start a post titled “Hearing God.”)

This morning as I was going through my morning routine of getting ready for the day, something very encouraging happened. It’s not like it hasn’t happened before, and it’s not like I’m the only one it’s ever happened to. It’s just that I don’t let it happen nearly enough… I actually slowed down in my head long enough to hear God! You know what I mean. No clouds parted, no deep voice from Heaven – just a clear press somewhere deep inside, allowing me to know he heard me and that he has things under control. I know he does, but it’s always nice to be reminded.

The interesting thing about it is how it happened…

As I was getting ready, I was praying for the day -- not out loud -- just silently praying for my wife, my daughter, friends, church, the election, that kind of stuff. As I was praying for Kendall (our beautiful daughter) I was praying for her life, health, friends, future husband, and things along those lines. What you need to know about her is that Kendall has a beautiful heart. She has the kind of heart that is easily touched -- and sometimes easily hurt. So I was praying for her heart. I was asking God to keep it soft, but to make her strong in him. At that very moment my wife walked through the room I was in, and said “don’t worry” -- in a teasing way -- and then continued about her business. I cracked up, she had no idea I was praying, and I certainly didn’t look worried to her, she just walked through and said “don’t worry” at the very moment I was asking God to bless our little girl.

Well, I couldn’t leave it alone – so I enquired as to why she said it? It turns out that she and Kendall were watching a cartoon in the family room together. In the cartoon one of the characters was in trouble and needed to be rescued. It was at that moment she left the room Kendall was in and teasingly told me not to worry… she said “I was just being silly with you, so I said ‘don’t worry’ -- referring to the cartoon.” I went back to my prayer and I simply said, I hear you God. And I did!

Now, I know this could open up a bit of controversy on hearing God, and how exactly we do that. Well, I don’t really know what to say to that. I don’t know any recipe for hearing him except that one actually listens. We need to learn to listen to him when reading the word, in prayer, or in quiet moments of meditating on the word. I also believe it’s important as we go through life – to stay close enough to him that if he chose to move or press us to get our attention… he could do so, and we would know it was him.

2006-11-07T15:17:00.000-05:00

The Desires of Your Heart…

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

This is one of those verses that drive me. The thought that God would be my delight is beyond me, yet I find it to be true. I know that sounds confusing, but the relationship with God this verse is talking about is a gift, and it only comes from him.

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart…he will give himself to you…

2006-11-06T14:18:00.000-05:00

Be Kind to One Another

Sarcasm and cynicism are running rampant in society today. Along with that are those who seem to never be at a loss for an opinion, and who never miss an opportunity to express those opinions – whether correct or incorrect – that they have it and it has been made audible gives some sense of gratification… apparently.

I don’t want to get too deep in this thought, nor do I want to sound overly negative or heavy about it. In fact, at this point I need to say that being able to form our own opinion about something is a good thing. The problem comes when our opinion becomes the only thing that matters, or when it leads one to gossip or put another person down.

We do great harm to others because we have no control over our hearts, our minds, and because of that our tongues as well. The opening lines of the song “If you can’t say something good – don’t say nothin’ at all” by Third Day, go like this… “On, and on, and on, and on, and on she goes and where she stops no one really knows. Everybody’s got a problem -- so it seems -- and she aint afraid of telling me…” I think these lines say very clearly what is happening in our society today.

God has called us to a life that is so different than this! He has called us to a life of encouragement, support, and of serving him and others. In fact through Paul the Apostle, God says…

Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

I find this verse and others like it, very convicting. I’m convicted because sometimes I’m one of those who form opinions and then speak them… right or wrong.

Anyway, I said all of that to say this… what would happen if we really took seriously the command of God, to “let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths?" What if we only said things that built up, and encourage others? What if we started to “think of others more highly than ourselves,” wouldn’t life be so much fuller and richer?!

I know one thing – it would really shock the world! It might even shock them into believing Jesus has the power to change the world… and sometimes our lives prove that we don’t even believe that.

2006-11-03T18:32:00.000-05:00

About being righteous...

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

This verse has always been very comforting to me -- because I know me -- and all the times I fall far short of what God desires in my life. Scripture says "there is no one rightous, not even one." But God demands righteousness -- so what are we to do?

Believe what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 5:21... on the cross Jesus took my place. In doing that he took the blame, shame, pain and death I so deserved -- and when he did, he gave me his righteousness! Amazing Grace how sweet the sound...

What an amazing Savior we have!

2006-11-02T14:34:00.000-05:00

How do you connect with God?

It seems I’ve been asked that question or at least a variation of it a lot lately. “How do you connect -- you know -- with God?” Some say when they pray, “it seems as though I’m just saying things out loud," and others say the same things about worship (singing). When it comes to reading the Bible some have said they struggle with having the desire to read because of the struggle in the other parts of their spiritual walk.

It makes it pretty much impossible to grow as a Christian if you’re not connecting with God on a regular basis, and those who ask this question ask it because they know this is true. So with broken hearts and feeling very inadequate in their relationship with God they search for answers.

I’m far from a “worship or spiritual growth specialist,” (in fact I’ve never heard of such a thing) and my approach to worship and connecting with God is not very impressive -- in fact it’s pretty simple. But God has blessed me with it – and if you’re struggling in connecting with him perhaps He’ll bless you as well.

My relationship with God starts with remembering that very thing – its relationship – not duty, service, or anything else. I know this because of the many passages in his word -- passages where he has called me son, friend, child, or used some other relational greeting, or told of his love for me that endures forever – that’s relationship. So it’s in this context that I pray, worship, and read his word.

In order to connect with him in prayer – I remember that there is life on the other side of my prayer -- and it’s him! Instead of just saying a bunch of words, I remember that I’m sharing my heart with someone who loves me and is deeply interested in me. Not because I’m a great catch, but because he is amazing, and he told me he would be there.

Connecting with God in worship is pretty much the same – I remember there is life on the other side of this song – and it’s him! And he is worth all of this and so much more. In fact when in worship it’s really important to remember that it’s all for him – not for those around me – they may be encouraged by it -- but it’s for him. If I can approach worship with this heart then connecting with him is so much easier.

Connecting with God while reading his word is along the same lines, but a little different. When reading his word I remember that in the word is a wonderful revealing of God’s heart. It’s here that he reveals his heart to me. The Bible is God’s story of love for us – his love letter to us. So when I read the word, I read it like that – a letter revealing God’s heart to me. There is life on the other side of the words on the page, and that life is him!

Ok, so now that I said all of this I need to tell you that I don’t pray, worship, or read the word as much as I should – in fact, I’m not even close. I also don’t want to leave the impression that there is some type of equation we have to figure out in order to approach God. All God asks for is that we approach him in faith. What I’m sharing here is how God through faith has helped me grow in connecting with him.

Thanks for stopping by…

2006-10-31T13:38:00.000-05:00

How Big is Your Imagination?

Ephesians 3:21-22
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

The first thing I want to do after reading these verses is to try and say something great or profound. But the truth of the matter is, God already said it all when he inspired Paul to jot down this amazing truth for us to breathe into our lives.

I have an amazing imagination, and I enjoy dreaming big dreams – both I know are gifts from God. But these verses inspire me because they tell me that when I reach the end of my imagination or greatest dream – I have only reached the starting point of the amazing power that God has, and wants to use in my life today.

Trust Him with your life and dreams -- He’ll blow you away.

Faith Comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of God.

Romans 10:17

2006-10-25T14:57:00.000-04:00

Night Vision...

Our home group is going very well, as always. It really doesn’t matter which group you’re in—if you’re in one you’re being blessed. Kristin, Kendall and I are in Rich and June Book’s home group this time, and it’s a blast.

This past Sunday, after our Bible Study was completed, and the great food devoured, Tim Gampp, Rich and I went to the basement to the toy area. Jacob and Jordan have lots of cool toys like, Darth Vader, Light Sabers, Lizards, and Kendall thinks their crocodile is the best. But the toy we adults (I use the term very loosely) enjoyed the most was the Spy Kids Night Vision set – I’m not joking, it’s awesome! You put them on and push these buttons on both sides and these lights light up the lens and reflect out so you can see -- a little anyway. Ok, so they don’t work well, certain not like Army or Marine issue. Actually they don’t really work as well as a bad flashlight, but they’re really cool, and that counts for something.

Anyway, we finished the evening of great fellowship and everyone went home. Shortly after arriving home our phone rang. Kristin said that June called to tell her that she left her purse at their house. The plan they made was that I was to meet Rich at the Mule Town Mini Mart (for those of you not familiar, yes Mule Town really exists, and no I don’t live there.) and we would do the swap.

Now to make a long post even longer, I arrived at the Mule Town Mini Mart about 5 minutes later and as I drove up to Rich’s truck and got close enough to see past his headlights, I could clearly see that he was wearing the Night Vision glasses, and I just exploded into laughter. There’s just something about seeing a grown man, (a great man at that) wearing Spy Kids Night Vision Glasses – it’s was hilarious! Rich and I had a great visit, he is always spiritual, encouraging, happy, and a blessing to be around, even in his son’s Spy Kid’s Night Vision Glasses.

I want to leave you with this question… who needs night vision when we have such a mighty God leading and loving us?!!

- The LORD is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear?

Psalm 27:1

- You are my lamp, O LORD? The LORD turns my darkness into light.

2 Samuel 22:29

- Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

- If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. ( for a great blessing read the whole chapter) Psalm 139:11-12

- But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD??!!

2006-10-18T16:33:00.000-04:00

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year...

Ok, so I know the title of this post is usually used to describe Christmas, but have you looked outside lately? Fall is here and in beautiful and breathtaking form! I mean, it's almost like God is showing off or something. It's like he would do most anything to get our attention. And when he had it he would say -- all of this and so much more just to watch you smile and believe.

What an AWESOME God we serve!!!

So in honor of God's handiwork...

Now, if you're able, get outside and take a hike, walk, drive, or just sit on a swing or bench or something. And while your there look around at the Fall colors and be blessed.

2006-10-17T13:41:00.000-04:00

Testing 1-2-3, is anyone there?

I know it's been a very long time since my last blog post, and for that I'm sorry. But I love the outdoors, (as you may have noticed in my profile) and it's especially difficult when the weather is warmer, and the days are longer - spring, summer, fall - to pull myself away from outdoor activities to sit and stare at a computer screen. But the seasons are changing and Fall is here --and in beautiful form I might add. So maybe I'll have more opportunity to blog again soon.

Now, with all of that being said, I posted this at the Sunshine Blog and thought I would share it here...

I just wanted to fill everyone in on an opportunity we have to serve one of our families at Sunshine.

Don and Cathy Ramey, and Dolly VanDyne (parents and grandma of Kerri Davis) are moving to the Wheelersburg area from Ashland Kentucky. We are blessed as a family in several ways by this move. Here are just two of the many ways God has blessed us by moving them to our area...

1. They have joined us as part of the Sunshine Church of Christ family.
2. We have been given the oppoptunity to help them move from Ashland to Wheelersburg.

The date we are shooting for is Saturday, November 4th.

Don is also planning to do some moving before that, if you are interested, and we know you are... please let Don Remey, Jason Coriell, or me know--your service will be a blessing and greatly appreciated.

2006-04-08T22:53:00.000-04:00

God’s word - what an incredible gift!

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Psalms 119:18

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
Psalms 42:1-2

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 5:6

I share these with you because they are some of my favorite scripture. These verses drive me; they fire me up and ignite my passion for God. They also convict me to my core.
It’s my desire and prayer to have a heart like the heart God used to record these verses for us.
I confess my heart is not even close to that, but God is able, and willing.
Thanks for reading and have a blessed weekend.

2006-04-05T16:46:00.000-04:00

Just In Time!

How about Maryland’s lady basketball team??!! Down by 13 points at one point in the game, they fought all the way back, and with around 20 seconds left in regulation they had cut Duke’s lead to a slim three points. That’s when Maryland’s freshman guard Kristi Toliver took over. She took the inbounds and drove down the court and with 3.8 seconds left she buried a three with a Duke hand in her face to tie the game and send it to overtime. Then in overtime she hit two clutch free throws to put the game away, and to give Maryland the National Championship. The girl has ice in her veins! By the way – that’s a compliment. It means she can take the pressure and remain calm.

I really enjoyed watching the end of that game a lot more than the guy’s National Championship game. And why not – it’s our story. Only our story was more than winning and losing – it was/is life and death.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8

What’s my story? When I was dying in my sin, with no way to save myself, Jesus died in my place. I went from death to life because He stepped up (under great pressure and pain) and took my place, at just the right time.
He did the same for you!

2006-04-01T15:47:00.000-05:00

Ouch! That Hurts...

This morning as I was shaving I heard Kristin talking to me from the other room. I turned to leave the bathroom to ask what she had said, but when I turned, I walked into the corner of the bathroom door with my forehead. OUCH! I really dislike hitting my head on things, this particular time it was the kind of impact that made your teeth hurt.

Like I said, I really dislike hitting my head on things – but I’m 6’5”, so I have to tell you I’ve done it a lot, and often. A few hours later Kristin, Kendall and I were at the church building. Kristin and I were doing some cleaning, and Kendall was playing and having fun. As I was mopping the back hallway I bumped my head on the corner of this big grey metal alarm box thing that is mounted about six feet off the floor, and sticks out from the wall about 10 inches. (Who puts these things right in the way of guys like me?) In case you didn’t know, it almost always hurts when you bump your head – but especially when you bump the back of your head on the pointy corner of a big grey metal alarm box thing. This time it was the kind of pain that causes you to immediately grab and hold the place where it hurts, while every muscle in you body tightens because of the pain. I know – I really need to be more careful.

Does your head ever get in the way? We are surrounded every day by people who are hurting, and too often we are people who think with our head instead of responding with our hearts. We wonder if they are really in need or just want a pity party. We entertain the thought that if we help we may get taken advantage of. Or if I give these few bucks to them, they may buy cigarettes with it. We plan planning meetings so we can get organized to help those with needs -- yet our hearts seldom get us engaged in helping

We even think too much when it comes to our church family. “I wish they didn’t sing that song. Why do they raise their hands during worship? Should I give them a hug or just shake hands? If I go forward to request prayer, what will they think?” We are way too sensitive to what others think! I know that what others think is important. But not nearly as important as what God thinks. And sometimes – I think we can all confess – we listen to what our head is telling us about a situation, instead of following the Spirit of God as He is prompting our hearts.

Golfers have a saying – “he’s thinking too much.” You’ll usually hear this said about a golfer who has plenty of golf knowledge, but instead of putting the knowledge to proper and practical use, the golfer instead -- while trying to play – thinks so much about all the options of each opportunity he has, that his mind actually deters him from playing well. He is distracted from his objective because of over thinking. What he really needs to be doing is just getting out there and doing what he knows in his heart is right to do.

Well it’s been a few hours since my head got in my way. How about you, does your head ever get your way?

FYI – this is my second post in three days. Please hold the applause, I would like to tell you to get used to it, but you probably shouldn’t. Anyway, thanks for visiting and have a great day.

2006-03-30T17:16:00.000-05:00

God is so Good!!!!

I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

Matthew 17:20-21

So, we left Tulsa, Oklahoma around 4:30 on Saturday evening to return home. By we, I mean Scott Gampp, Sam Mcdonie, Eddie Mcdonie, and myself, I know -- I know, I must have been nuts. (Kidding guys) As soon as we were out of town on I-44 the temperature gauge on my truck began to rise. It moved to about ¾ of the way to overheating really fast. We stopped and checked the engine coolant, but it was fine – so the other consideration was the thermostat. Since we were pretty much in the middle of nowhere, and if we could’ve found a garage it probably would’ve been closed – we traveled on. But not without praying! I couldn’t imagine traveling and not praying – let alone traveling, having car trouble and not praying.

I believe God should be involved in every part of life, I’m not saying I do that well – but I know it’s true. So the next several hours and the next several hundred miles were spent having a blast with the guys, listening to great Christian music, and staying in constant prayer asking God to bless our trip home, and that He not allow us or my truck to be damaged on the way.

The temperature gauge stayed about ¾ of the way to really hot, though it fluctuated from time to time, going a little higher, then a little lower. It was a really good thing that Scott knew the trick of turning the heater on full blast to take some heat off of the engine – it really worked! We were really hot – but it helped keep things in-check a little. Yeah, I know, I don’t know too much about the workings of cars/trucks. I know a little, but not much.

Anyway – on we traveled through Springfield, Cuba, and St. Louis, Missouri. Then we plowed through the great state of Illinois, not much to see there – especially at night. After that we headed to and through Indianapolis, Indiana. (Sorry Colts fans -- from a Steeler fan.) Several hours and several hundred miles and all is going well – the gauge has raised a little but it’s still not spiked yet. After Indianapolis we drove to Columbus, Ohio to pick up Scott’s car – then a few hours south to Minford/home. Approximately 920 miles and around 14 ½ or 15 hours later and we’re home safe. What a God! I’ve had times when car trouble means you are stranded immediately . But by His power that thermostat worked well enough, or He just kept the engine cool enough to go that great distance without being stranded and without any damage to the truck. The next day I took it to the garage to see just what the problem was. The mechanic checked it out, replaced the thermostat, and said all was fine. We serve and are loved by and amazing God!

So, what do you expect when you pray? Do you really believe that God will work in your life as you have asked Him to, or do you struggle with doubt? Maybe you think you are of little importance so why would God listen and answer your prayer. You may even think you’ve lived in such a way that God doesn’t care, and therefore doesn’t hear you, and if He did hear you then He wouldn’t answer your prayer just to punish you. No matter the case – if you struggle with doubt, think that you’re not important to God, or think God doesn’t hear you for other reasons; I have some really good news. There is great hope. God really is trustworthy, you are important to Him, and there is nothing you could do that could make God not care for or love you. Maybe that’s hard to believe, trusting is pretty hard for most people, especially when ask to trust even when you cannot see who you’re trusting in.

If you struggle with faith, you’re not alone… God knew we would struggle with our faith in Him. I believe that’s why He gave us His word, and packed it with rich stories of Him working in powerful ways in the lives of people who were also struggling in their faith. And it’s in his word you find that faith in Him is of utmost importance. If you’ve never read the Bible I want to encourage you to read it, it will change your life. If you are reading it please continue -- you’ll be blessed.

So, where does this faith in God come from? Faith in God is a reward or gift given to us as we come to know Him through His word, in prayer, and watching Him in the lives of His children. But ultimately faith is a product of being in His word. That’s where you come to know the heart of God. It’s the same in life, if you believe in someone, it’s because you’ve grown to trust them through time spent, and the relationship that developed through that. Faith in God is the same; we grow to trust Him by spending time with Him.

2006-02-23T17:30:00.000-05:00

Go On… Jump!

Kendall was waiting for me at the top of the stairs yesterday, and when I was about 4 steps from the top she jumped…and trusted that I would catch her. Now just freeze this picture in your mind for a moment -- there a lot of things that can happen at this point.
Here are a few of them…

1. I may not have been paying attention to her, and if so, then I wouldn’t have known she jumped. (Yeah right – I love that girl, you think she doesn’t always have my attention?!)
2. I may trip and fall on the steps, if so, then it would be almost impossible to catch her. (There is a possibility of this – I’m kind of clumsy.)
3. I may accidentally drop her. (Don’t think so – but it’s possible.)

The list could go on and on of the possibilities that could happen from her leap – of faith. Hold on, is that what that was – Kendall’s leap of faith – in me? We all know that’s exactly what it was.
I was climbing the stairs and Kendall wanted to jump, and she KNEW that if she jumped to me -- I would catch her. It wasn’t thought out or planned; she thought it and did it! But how could she be so brave at the drop of a hat? That’s the easy part -- she knows me… She knows her daddy loves her, wants the best for her, and can be trusted to take care of her – to catch her when she jumps.
We have been together for four years and 1 day now, and we know each other very well. She knows how I’ll respond to most things without her thinking about it…most things. Sometimes we have to work on confidence – like jumping to daddy when he is in the swimming pool. It took a little time, but she knew it was daddy, and that I could be trusted to catch her when she jumped – so she did.

God has called us to have faith in Him…the kind of faith that just jumps! I know that in order for us to have that kind of faith, 1. We need to know Him, and 2. We need to have experience with Him. But that’s not the end of the lesson – we also need to apply the knowing and experience to our day to day lives, and when things get a little shaky – just jump – His arms are strong, and your rescue is sure.

Unfreeze the picture -- of course I caught Kendall, with not even so much as a stumble. We both had a great laugh, and I was so blessed to know my daughter has faith that her daddy is more than happy to catch her when she jumps -- in fact I’m thrilled that she trusts me that much.
I believe God is thrilled when we trust Him as well!

Go on…Jump!

2006-02-22T17:31:00.000-05:00

I’M BA-A-ACK

I find it hard to believe that it’s been almost 2 weeks since my last post. It’s not that I’ve had nothing to share – I've actually had plenty to share, having time to share it is another story.

OK – it’s official – it has now been two weeks since my last post – the first paragraph of this post was typed about 24 hours ago – then the pace picked up a little.

So here is my attempt at getting everything up to speed…

Today – February, 22nd is a great day… its Kendall’s 4th Birthday. I’m so thankful to God that she has been in our lives for four years – or 1460 days now. What an amazing blessing!
The three greatest blessings in my life – are just that – blessings. I had nothing to do with deserving, acquiring, or earning them, I was blessed with them…as gifts from God.
They are --

1. Salvation – Jesus on the cross to save me, now that’s a gift! Not only that, but because of His sacrifice I am blessed with the opportunity to be in relationship with Him. It’s like Paul said…
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:15

2. My Wife Kristin – If you know us, then you know very well that only God’s hand could have brought us together. I am blessed to have married way out of my league. My wife is a beautiful, wonderful, godly wife and mother, and I’m thankful for the gift of her in my life.

3. My daughter Kendall – the Birthday girl! She’s beautiful, (like her mother) amazing, and lots of fun. I couldn’t begin to state all the ways that our relationship has shed light on my relationship with God. It is my belief that I have been blessed with the most wonderful little girl that God ever created. Now look guys, I know that you think you have the most wonderful little girl ever -- and I’ll let you think that -- but I know the truth.
Well there they are – my three greatest blessings! If you weren’t mentioned – don’t panic – I just can’t list more than three today, but that doesn’t mean you’re not on the list.

February 17th -19th -- We took several teens and college students to Winterfest in Gatlinburg, TN. The trip was Great! We enjoyed great worship, encouraging keynotes, wonderful fellowship, and the bus ride was fun as well. It’s always a spiritual blast to experience the presence of God at mass gatherings such as Winterfest, Tulsa, or Sunday morning worship at Sunshine. (I know Sunshine is only about 240 -250 on Sunday mornings vs Winterfest and Tulsa’s 14,000. But God is still there.)
Back to Winterfest – I’ve been taking teens and college students since 1996 and it’s always been an incredible blessing to be a part of this weekend. In 1999 0r 2000 my friend/bro in Christ, Shaun McCray joined me in this effort, and he has been a huge blessing to me and everyone who makes the venture with us. Thanks Shaun! God has blessed us in a wonderful way for our part in this.

Tuesday, February 14th – Valentines Day – I took my wife and daughter to Chili’s for supper, after that we went shopping and then back home. We really had a great time together, I love spending time with Kristin and Kendall, they’re great dates!
After we returned home from our evening out, I received a call at 2:40 am -- the alarm at Innermission was ringing. So I got dressed and drove into town to check it out. The drive to Innermission was beautiful. The moon was full, and it had snowed a few days earlier, the combination of those two things, and a drive over Ft. Hill road was worth getting up in the middle of the night for. Even the darkness is as light to God. The alarm turned out to be no big deal, so I enjoyed the beautiful drive home and arrived around 3:45am, and went right back to bed.

Monday, February 13th -- Kristin and I went to the Boston Beanery for a Pre-Valentines Day date, she's great! God is good to me.

Ok – so I know there are some gaps in this record of the happenings of my life over the past few weeks. But some things are supposed to stay on the down-low, others are to long to mention, and some I’ve probably forgotten. But I really feel compelled to tell you – though my blog posts have been few lately, God’s blessings on me have not. He has showered me with blessing upon blessing; maybe we’ll get to sit-down sometime and talk about it.

2006-02-08T14:56:00.000-05:00

Faith...

Faith – as defined in dictionary.com. (I only used the definitions pertaining to my post.)
1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
3. The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God’s will.
I’ve heard many lectures on faith, studied many scriptures on faith, I’ve even been blessed to be involved in the lives of Christians who we would consider to have “great faith” in God -- Here are a few -- not all -- but a few things I’ve learned from all of this…

1. Just because I talk about faith, doesn’t mean I have it, even if I'm a Bible teacher, minister, preacher, or serve in any other role in His family.
2. Faith in God is the only faith with POWER.
3. Sometimes the words we say indicate that we merely have faith in faith, instead of faith in God. Let this one sink in.
4. One life with true faith in God, impacts so many other lives in a wonderful way.
5. Faith is caught not taught. (Kind of like a cold. If you want it just keep hanging around those who have it, but you still have to want it.)
6. Faith in God is Life giving.
7. Faith in God opens your life to His all creating POWER.
8. A little faith in God is awesome to behold or experience, how awesome would great faith be to experience?!
9. I regret to admit it, but I have a really small faith in a really BIG GOD – but He’s working on it.

Here are a few scripture to wrestle with…

Hebrews 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
James 2:14-26 - Read it…
Mark 6: 5-6 - He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Romans 10:17 - Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

This post is not meant to, nor is it even possible to attempt to explain all the amazing facets, as well as the blessings of faith in God. Faith is born by experiencing God at work… through His word, through prayer, in your life or the life of someone else, by watching His creation, or (and probably) all of these together. The blessing of faith is the most incredible place to live, and we can only get there by His invitation… and He has extended it to everyone.

How about you? What are your thoughts or stories of faith in God? You're welcome to share them here, if not then I encourage you to meditate on them with Him in prayer.

2006-01-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

The Hike...

On Saturday the 21st, some of the students from Innermission Campus Ministry and I participated in the 6 mile Winter Hike hosted by Hocking Hills State Park, as mentioned in my previous post.

The hike started at Old Man’s Cave – wound through the hills to Cedar Falls, (where we were served bean soup, corn bread and hot chocolate) then continued through the hills to Ash Cave. We had a great time and the views were spectacular – if you like walking along the edge of 300 – 400 foot vertical drops, seeing huge trees, and great waterfalls that is.

I made a few interesting observations about the hike that I would like to share…

1. There were lots of hikers, but not all of them enjoyed the hike.
2. There were lots of hikers, but not all were properly prepared for the hike.
3. Some of the hikers finished the hike only because of leaning on others for help and encouragement, and some children old enough to hike – needed to be carried.
4. I mentioned that the views were beautiful, but not all of them… sometimes the trail was really muddy, steep, dangerous, and at times it was hard to know just how close to the end we were.
5. Some hikers hiked alone.
6. I noticed several hiking the wrong way.
7. Some turned back.
8. When we finished the hike and loaded into our vehicles, most of those traveling with me sighed when they were seated in my truck and said they were glad it was over because they needed to rest – then they fell asleep – at least until we stopped at Pizza Hut.
9. After a short nap and pizza, everyone in my group was in total agreement – the hike was worth taking.

I think there are similar observations when we consider our walk through this life as Christians…

1. All who have given their life to God are hikers, but not all of us enjoy the hike.
2. All who have given their life to God are hikers, but not all of us have allowed Him to properly prepare us for the hike.
3. All who finish this hike will do so having always leaned on God -- and others -- for help and encouragement, and at times we will be carried by Him and them.
4. The views of this hiking trip are breathtakingly beautiful… but not all of them. Sometimes the trail is really hard, muddy, steep, dangerous, and no one knows just how close to the end of the trail we are.
5. Because of these and many other reasons – some will become discouraged and turn back.
6. When given an easier option, some hikers will choose the easier trail – and go the wrong way.
7. Some hikers will try to go it alone… and that’s just not possible.
8. All who finish this hike will be blessed eternally with sweet rest and a feast at the table of the Father.
9. When this hike is finished, we will all agree – the hike was worth taking.

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Jude 24-25

Keep Hiking!! Jamie

2006-01-25T17:44:00.000-05:00

Catching Up...

I apologize to those of you who may have been spending precious time clicking over here the last few days, only to find that I haven’t posted in a week. (Especially if you use dial-up) My schedule has been really full – But it’s also been really blessed.

A Few Highlights…

Friday the 20th
I blocked a few hours off for a college student who needed to spend a little time together. He and I walked and talked about important things while we swung at a little white ball with an odd looking stick thing, I call it therapy if you know what I mean… Friday night I had the honor of taking my beautiful wife Kristin on a date to Tumbleweed, one of our favorite restaurants. We had a great time together and the food was great as well. Kendall played with Abbie and Ellie while we were out, thanks to Jodi and Aaron.

Saturday the 21st…
I took students from Innermission to Hocking Hills for their annual Winter Hike. The hike is six miles and takes place in some beautiful and dangerous scenery. During the hike you experience beautiful Cedar Falls waterfall, jagged cliffs, 300-400 foot drops along the paths, Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave. And of course I can’t forget God’s crown creation – people! There were approximately 5,600 hikers who participated last year, not sure the number of participants this year. Oh yeah – they also served bean soup and corn bread at the half way point -- we had a great time!

Sunday the 22nd
Kristin, Kendall and I visited mom, she is in a rehab facility in the Four Winds Nursing Home. She is doing remarkably well and her spirits are up as always. Thanks for all your prayers on her behalf, I know God heard – He always does. Please continue to remember mom when you spend time with Him.
After our visit we returned home and I watched the Pittsburgh Steelers win their AFC Championship Game with the Denver Broncos. Now on to the Super Bowl! Don’t forget to support your favorite football team -- the Steelers -- in the Super Bowl.

Monday the 23rd
Had a blessed day at Innermission and went to the viewing of Edna Gampp. All of you who know her, know that she is a neat godly lady.

Tuesday the 24th
I was honored and blessed to take part in Edna’s Funeral. The day was beautiful, her family and friends paid due respect and love to a wonderful child of God now blessed with her reward. After the Funeral meal I went to Innermission to spend the rest of the day with the college students.
We also had the teens at Innermission at 6:30pm for their weekly devo... the Lord blessed us with an encouraging Bible study together, and the evening was a blast.

Wednesday the 25th (today)
Today has been uneventful but busy, and really good. Aside from being abused by Jennifer for not posting lately – sorry Jennifer – but I couldn’t help myself. Anyway, I’m looking forward to our mid-week Bible Study tonight at Sunshine. It’s always a blessing to spend time with God’s family.

Well that’s pretty much it for my last 4 or 5 days. I may have left out a few details – but aside from all the great things Kristin, Kendall and I spend time doing – I covered most of it. Thanks for stopping in and reading, I’ll try to keep up a little better from now on… I said “try”. You’re in my prayers…

2006-01-18T17:25:00.000-05:00

Hope...

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD... Jeremiah 29:11-14a

Encouraging words from a loving God, to a distracted and wayward people -- still giving peace and hope to us today.

God is good, and my life has always been blessed and hope filled for His presence in it... Jamie

2006-01-15T00:26:00.000-05:00

Totally Dependant...

For some time now Kendall has been going to Joan’s for day care. Kristin teaches a one hour aerobics class twice a week -- and Kendall goes to Joan’s during those times.
From the beginning Kristin and I have taken turns taking her there, and I admit it has been pretty hard for me to drop her off, spend a few minutes and then leave. Every time I would start to leave – Kendall would say “but daddy, would you stay and play with me? Or daddy, I want to go with you,” and big tears would fill her eyes. (That’s a heartbreaker)
So, for me to be able to leave without her getting upset, we had to distract her. Joan says Kendall has me wrapped around her little finger, I say she’s right. (But isn’t that how dads are supposed to be with their daughters?)
Here’s the problem…
Lately when I take her to Joan’s -- we hang out a few minutes -- and then she starts playing with the other children. I usually hang around a little longer, and then say “bye Kendall – daddy loves you! She says I love you too daddy! And then I leave. And as I drive away I think about how good it is for her to be comfortable staying there without mommy or daddy with her. I thank God that a godly woman like Joan is in Kendall’s life… and then I pout a little as I think about how easy it was for me to leave, she didn’t even put up a little fight. Ultimately I know that as Kendall grows – she will become less dependant on us to look out for, and take care of her -- but I don’t have to like it. I love the thought of my little girl being mature and strong, but I’m not so crazy about her getting there without mommy and daddy any time soon – after all – she’s my little girl.

Isn’t it interesting that things are just the opposite when it comes to our relationship with God? With our children, we are called to help them develop independence, at lease to a large degree. But when it comes to our relationship with God – he calls us to a life of total dependence on him. Instead of growing up and maturing to the point that we can make it on our own – as it is with children and their parents -- God tells us that growing up and maturing as a Christian – is to be totally dependant on him, to look to him in everything, and for everything. Can you imagine how blessed our lives would be if we allowed ourselves to become totally dependent on him?!
The truth is… we already are.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil. 4:13
…apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

2006-01-10T17:00:00.000-05:00

Another Great Day!!!

Once again the Lord has blessed us with another great day at Innermission. Several students have visited to talk, do homework, encourage someone, play ping-pong, foosball, pool, air hockey, or just hang out and watch christian videos. The students are great and we have been blessed to have a wonderful godly atmosphere. Please continue to pray for this ministry, it's a blessing to all of us.

My mom has been transfered to Grant Hospital in Columbus again. They've been running tests on the blood clot in her heart trying to determine what to do with it. Her sister's (my aunt) funeral is tomorrow at 11:00am. That has been weighing on her a little... thank you for continuing to remember mom when you spend time with the Father.

This past Sunday as I said last post, I had the opportunity to watch the Steelers and Bengals play in Cincinnati. The Steelers won -- you gotta love those Steelers -- and it was great to be there to watch it live-- especially with the great friends I was with. (I think I can convert them to become Steeler fans)

Anyway -- I just thought I would post a few pictures for your enjoymnent...

Thank you for visiting my blog, and for your prayers on behalf of my family, and Church family; the Sunshine Church of Christ and the ministries the Lord has us involved in. Oh yeah -- and keep cheering for those Pittsburgh Steelers!!!!!!!!

2006-01-07T22:13:00.000-05:00

The Gift of Faith!

As I write this I’m sitting with mom and my brother in her hospital room -- she is resting at the time. Once again I would like to thank everyone for praying for her; the doctors say she’s doing a little better. The good thing in all of this is -- she knows who is in control -- and she has great faith in Him.
The faith of a parent is a gift in so many ways. We all know how important it is to have a real life-changing faith, in the real Jesus…and to live that faith in full view of our children and the world. Now that’s a gift! But just as important as living that faith daily – is living it when it’s put to the ultimate test…the end of life here. As the doctors seem to be saying that mom’s days are limited – she is as bright eyed and cheerful as ever --because she knows what all this really means. It really is a gift to have parents who know and trust the Lord.
Again, thank you so much for praying for my family.

On a different note…

My favorite college football team The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl by the score of …34 - 21!

My 2nd Favorite -- Penn State defeated Florida State in triple overtime 26 – 23!

And the great news is -- my favorite NFL team the Pittsburgh Steelers made the playoffs and are playing the Cincinnati Bengals tomorrow at 4:30pm. And I, along with some friends and brothers (I use those terms loosely – they’re Bengal fans) from church get to go to the game. I’m sure it’s going to be a blast!

And just a little FYI – with the unseasonably warm temperatures lately, I’ve had the opportunity to golf a few times since mid-November…three times to be exact. I played 7 holes the day before Thanksgiving- it snowed 1-1/2 inches while I was playing -- it was fun, 4 holes a few days before Christmas, (it got really cold) and 7 holes on the 29th of December, 18 in all, and it only took 3 trips to the course. Golf is a great game, and I consider it a blessing to be able to enjoy it, especially with friends -- or my wife and daughter-friends too, of course!

One last note – God is good!

2006-01-04T17:05:00.000-05:00

Thank You!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

This is one of my many favorite verses in the Bible… I’m sure you feel the same as I do – with all the incredible encouragement God gives through the word; it’s hard to pick just one. But if I had to pick just one… this would be one of them! You see I still can’t narrow it down.

Anyway – I just wanted to say thank you several times to those who have been so encouraging – first to God who knows what we need before we ask – yet still longs for us to share our hearts with him in prayer. Then to all of you -- who have shared your hearts with him concerning the requests listed in my last blog post.

I’ve been blessed to witness God working in wonderful ways concerning the requests in my last post, and I know that your prayers were heard by him. Isn’t it amazing to have the honor and privilege of God getting involved in your life?!
We're blessed beyond what we will ever know… to state the obvious.

Now a few updates…

My daughter is well and back to her spunky – cute little self. That’s wonderful!

Winter Quarter has started very well for us at Innermission Campus Ministry to Shawnee State University.

Deny, Leigh and the Family arrived home safely. Please continue to pray for the church he serves as a minister.

My mom was released on Friday from Grant Medical Center – was home for a few days – then was admitted to the Holzer Hospital in Jackson, Ohio -- with what they believe to be heart failure.

I spent a long time with mom and my sister last night. We talked, prayed, and read several different passages from the Bible… It was really encouraging to watch God nourish their spirits as we read several of the Psalms, Ephesians 3:20-21, 2Peter 1:3-9.

We had been reading for about 45 minutes when I paused and my mom said – I just love the verse that says “Jesus Wept”. (What you don’t know is that I had been asking God to give the opportunity to talk to mom about death – I wanted to ask her if she was ok, or scared, and if I could do anything to help her.) So taking the opportunity God provided me with, I turned to John 11 and we shared together the story of the death of Lazarus. The story had all three of us so moved -- we talked of how Jesus must have loved them for him to weap over their pain. Then we came to verses 25-26, where Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” I looked at mom – and she said “yes I do honey”… and I just had to smile. It’s so amazing to watch God work in such a wonderful way?!

I finished the story, and then we talked about faith, and about her confidence in Him to see her through. We prayed together, hugged and I left for home, reminded of what I already knew – God has all this totally under control – and she is safe in his care. He also reminded me again of how blessed I have always been to have the great spiritual parents He gave to me.

Again – thanks for praying… “With God all things are possible.”

Also to Scott and Terry thanks for the timely visit… you helped set a great atmosphere and helped her laugh – she loves that.

2005-12-31T00:33:00.000-05:00

Blest In Him!

When I posted on Monday, I had no idea that I wouldn’t be back here until today. The last few days have been a little crazy – blest – but a little crazy just the same. It’s comforting – even though the word comforting can’t truly express it – to know that God is ever present, and working on our behalf. OK – that sounds a little stiff, it’s true… but it sounds stiff. I would rather say that God knows me, and knows what’s going on in my life because He’s involved in it -- and that I know all is well because where the presence of the Lord is – there you have incredible hope, peace, power, and life. God and I have a good thing going – I know… it’s all because of Him – but I’m good with that.

As I said, the last few days have been a little busy. I want to say more about it later – but for now I have a few prayer requests I would appreciate you remembering when you spend time with Him – thank you…
1. I want to express my appreciation to God for making this a week full of wonderful blessings. Days are so much better because he is a part of them.
2. My mom is in Grant Medical Center in Columbus – her blood pressure was 80 over 58 yesterday, about mid-night it improved to 102 over 48. I was able to stay with her a while -- then returned home around 3:20 this morning. Thanks Deny for going along, and helping encourage her, and for all of you who have been praying already – thanks.
3. My good friend and bro in Christ, Deny Lemaster and his wife Leigh and family have been visiting his parents in Waverly for Christmas. Their plans are to return home to Missouri in the next few days – pray for their trip and the church that he is blessed to minister to there.
4. Innermission Campus Ministry – Sunshine’s ministry to Shawnee State University will be starting back up on Tuesday the 3rd. Pray for God’s leading and blessing on the students this quarter. Pray for me also, and all who help with this ministry.
5. My daughter has been sick for a few days (coughing, congestion) she’s a sweetheart, but she’s also a pretty sick little girl -- please pray that God will help her be well soon -- or as she would say "Dear God, thank you for my class, thank you for my snack, please make my cough go away...

I want you to know that I appreciate your prayers, and you’re always welcome to leave prayer requests in the comments and I’ll pray for you as well. As I’ve said before – my life and family have been so blest – we just have a few things going on right now and want to keep them before the Lord. Thanks for reading – and especially for praying.

By the way…There are so many good things that have happened in the last few days as well – God has definitely been at work in a wonderful way… as always! ...more on that later.

2005-12-26T17:28:00.000-05:00

Tooting God’s Horn…

When we received word on Friday morning that Alex Cram was worse -- collapsed lung -- we decided that we needed to go to the hospital and visit him. While we were getting ready, Kristin said, “I wish we had a gift we could wrap and take to him.” Then she remembered… while Christmas shopping she purchased a “just-in-case” gift. You know what I mean… someone is left out at Christmas and you wish you had something tucked away to give them. Well, my wife is really good at thinking ahead, and good at thinking of others as well, so she had a “just-in-case” gift. (Now don’t confuse this with re-gifting -- the ancient art of taking a gift given to you and storing it until the opportune time, then giving it to another for their special occasion. This is altogether different. The “just-in case” gift is a considerate gift from the heart, to whom ever it may end up with)

The gift my wife purchased was an M&M’s candy dispenser, with a large bag of plain M&M’s included. (I know, everyone who didn’t receive a gift from us for Christmas is now disappointed) As Kristin was wrapping the gift, I called Aaron and Kim (Alex’s Uncle and Aunt) to ask if he was allergic to anything in M&M’s as he has several allergies. Kim told me that he was allergic to peanut M&M’s, but that Kendra (Alex’s mom) had called and said he was asking for plain M&M’s, and asked her to bring a bag when she came to visit. (Now, whose idea was it really to buy a “just-in-case” gift? I’m really glad my wife is sensitive to God nudging her)

Anyway, this is where it gets good…

Kristin, Kendall and I walked into Alex’s room at SOMC, and Kendall is carrying Alex’s gift. He looked up, and was so excited… the I.V. in his hand could hardly hold him back. He is very sick, but was so excited to be playing with his cousins and to be visited by a friend (Kendall). A lot of things come to mind when I think of a 4 year old being in the hospital Christmas Eve -- or anytime for that matter -- crying, whining, pouting, sleeping, or just being upset in general. And that’s not even mentioning the parent’s heartbreak.

Not Alex… When opening the gift -- as soon as he could tell what it was he said in an excited voice “I love this!” Then he proceeded to share M&M’s, and the toys he had with the children that were there with him.
As we were leaving, we all paused for a few minutes to pray for God to heal and bless little Alex and his family. When the prayer was finished Alex said “I want to pray,” and he then thanked God for pretty much everything. He thanked Him for his mom and dad, the adults and children that were there, and he named names. Then he said…”thanks God for my Batman Mogile, (pronounced like mobile, but with a “g”) and for Santa Clause.”

When he was finished one of the adults pointed out that we – the adults that prayed -- asked God for things in prayer (heal Alex, bless the family) while Alex only thanked God. I was reminded of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:7-8

"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

Wouldn’t it be great to have the heart of a child, happy in most any circumstance – glad to share what you’ve been blessed with – with those around you, treating those around you with love, and just simply saying “thank you God for…” because you know He already knows what you need before you ask.

Sometimes God teaches Big lessons through little children with Big hearts.
Thanks…

2005-12-24T23:09:00.000-05:00

Isaiah 9:1-7

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by the way of the sea, along the Jordan—
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Merry Christmas...

2005-12-23T16:59:00.000-05:00

Christmas Sale – Revisited…

Almost everywhere you turn this time of year, you see signs promoting great savings… 40% off sweaters -- 50% off belts -- 60% off socks – the savings are tremendous.

You don’t have to be a veteran shopper to understand that even though some stores have a 60% off sale – you’re still unable to pay the price for the item that is marked for sale.

In Matthew 5:3 Jesus says…“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

This passage is very clear about my standing before God – a poor, bankrupt beggar – with not so much as two spiritual pennies to rub together. But it gets worse for me…the object of my desire is priceless -- not costly, or expensive, but priceless!

So here I am -- suddenly with greater knowledge of just how poor I really am -- because I now know that even if I had all the money in the world, I couldn’t afford the price of forgiveness, or righteousness before God.

So as I’m standing there at the checkout counter embarrassed and broken, trying to figure out just what I can and can’t afford, Jesus walks up and says – he’s with me – just put his with mine and I’ll pay for all of it together.

How do you pay for something that’s freely given??? You can’t! That’s just it -- and to think -- it all began in Bethlehem, with a baby in a manger…

O Holy Night!

2005-12-20T17:03:00.000-05:00

Christmas Sale – Save up to 60%...

Almost everywhere you turn this time of year, you see signs promoting great savings… 40% off sweaters -- 50% off belts -- 60% off socks – the savings are tremendous.

You don’t have to be a shopping fanatic to appreciate paying a sale price for something you thought you were going to have to pay full price for. And then there are those who won’t even make a purchase unless it’s on sale -- We just like getting a good deal. It makes us feel like we’re good shoppers, or that we out smarted the merchants.

The thing that’s been running through my mind lately is this…

God didn’t find a great Christmas sale that night in Bethlehem. Jesus coming in the form of a baby -- was just that -- Jesus “coming” here, which means he left there… God gave the most precious thing he had -- his son. Why? So we could be back in right relationship with him.

Jesus didn’t find great Christmas sales that night in Bethlehem either. In Order for Jesus to come to us as a precious baby he had to leave the presence of his father, that’s priceless. But Bethlehem was only the beginning of a journey that would eventually cost him the greatest price -- his life. Sin is not over priced (for the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23). Sin has always been very costly --and cannot be discounted -- and it cost Jesus everything. First his place at home with the Father -- then it cost him his very life.

Even though Satan offered Jesus a short-cut -- a sale price -- I’m thankful that Jesus isn’t a bargain shopper. If he wasn’t willing to pay full price -- Bethlehem and the Cross -- I’d still be standing at the check-out counter embarrassed and broken because I have no means to pay for the baggage I’m carrying.

2005-12-17T16:58:00.000-05:00

Acappella --
And growing to love the word…

How did it happen for you?

How did what happen? You ask.

How did you grow to love the Lord?
What drew you to him?

How did it happen for me? You ask.

I’d be happy to tell you!

First let me start by saying – I’m not as close to God as I need to be, nor do I love him as I should. But, I’m still growing, and he’s still drawing me closer and closer to him… thankfully.

There are a lot of things that played a part in my growing to love the word of God -- and his son as well. I was blessed to have godly parents, and my dad was the preacher for a small Church of Christ in southern Ohio. I say “was” because he passed away, in 2001. I was blessed to do his funeral on my birthday. He was an incredible man, a spiritual man -- who loved the God of the word -- and my mom is just as amazing.
It was common –- when I was growing up -- to wake up in the middle of the night and find my dad in the family room, or at the dining room table reading the word. I know that was very important in my developing a love for the word of God.
There are many other people and situations that have impacted my love for God and his word, but there is one group of people I would like to point out specifically…

The music group Acappella has played a major role in helping me develop a love for the word of God, and because of that -- love for God.
It has been such a blessing to grow up listening to scripture put to music. Don’t get me wrong, I love Contemporary Christian Music – just look at my profile and you can see that. But Keith Lancaster and Acappella have been such a blessing to me by putting scripture to song, and putting the word on my heart. Several of the scripture I have in my memory, I have because they sung it to me over and over through my car stereo.
One more thing, www.hosanna.org has a program called “Faith Comes By Hearing.” Several years ago I ordered their dramatized version of the Bible, it has a lifetime warranty against pretty much anything -- they really want to make sure you have the word with you. They even replaced the set I had worn out; they challenge you to do that…Cool huh.

So there you have it -- my growing to love the word story! Or at least most of it.

Thank you to everyone (dad, mom, my wife, daughter, friends, Acappella, Hosanna, preachers, teachers, children) who have played a role in my life by teaching me to love the word of God, and because of that, you helped me grow to love God himself.

And to you Father... thank you for showing yourself to me through your Son, your children, creation, and your Spirit. I know my very ability to love you -- comes from you... THANKS...

What's your story???

Faith comes by hearing…

2005-12-15T16:17:00.000-05:00

The Rest of the Story…

OK, so there’s more to yesterday’s blog post than I told you.
I may have been holding out on you a little, but I’m coming clean now…
We all know that God’s timing is amazing, and his sense of humor…well… is out of this world. (ok that’s weak, but it will work for now) But for him to do this is bordering on ornery…

If you haven’t read yesterday’s post, “Nice Chair,” you may want to do that before reading this, (but I’m sure that if you can operate a computer, your mind functions pretty well, and you have already done that.)

…Before knocking on Vic and Arlene’s door I put my cell phone on vibrate (it’s the considerate thing to do before any visit) and then put it in my left front pocket, like always.

So I’m sitting in Vic’s chair -- Vic is on the Sofa -- and Arlene is sitting in her “new” chair. It’s important, if you are going to understand our conversation, to note that this is a farm family.

Vic, Arlene, and I talked about family and how blessed our families are. We shared with each other about how much we love Sunshine, and how we enjoy being part of such a wonderful church family.
Then our conversation changed, and we started talking about snakes… not people that are considered snakes that
would be gossip…
We started talking about the real snakes, and how many they’ve seen on the farm, and they’ve seen a lot.
Arlene said “I always see snakes between the house and the garage, and I get a little concerned that one day I’m going to find one in the house.” Ok, I don’t care if you’re “weak” or a “manly–man” that just makes your skin crawl a little, not much, but a little. It’s not like they live in a snake infested shack, they have a beautiful farm house. but now the thought is planted, “snakes”! (What’s that rubbing against your foot while you’re reading this? Just kidding.)

Our conversation about snakes went on for about ten or fifteen minutes -- and they are sharing some pretty creepy stories. Then Arlene begins to tell a story about a snake that she saw in the barn that had gotten down in the big tracks that the barn doors open and close on. She said “it looked like it had just eaten something because it had a big bulge in its stomach.” Then she went on to say that “it was really big and all curled around the tracks of the door.” Right then my phone began to vibrate in my pocket! I jumped, grabbed my leg, and for a split-second I thought a snake was in my pocket. We got a pretty good laugh out of that, and then we changed the subject, thankfully.

My God has incredible timing, and a great sense of humor! I hope you know him like that as well. I openly admit that he is so much more to me that humorous; He is Life, and the only reason worth living! But he is pretty funny from time to time as well.
So, do you want to know who the phone call was from that scared me half-to-death? Get over it…

2005-12-14T08:18:00.000-05:00

Nice Chair...

I love my job! I know I’m clearly unworthy to have it, but I’m so thankful to God for it. There are so many blessings he showers on me everyday from the family of God, as he blesses me with the opportunity to serve, in various ways, his family as a minister.
For instance…
While shaking hands with me at the back of the building, Vic Knore said, “Stop and see me sometime.” So I did! Most of you know Vic and Arlene Knore. For those of you who may not; they’re a wonderful couple and members at Sunshine. They are in their early to mid-eighties, and full of life and love for God and his family. Vic and Arlene are the kind of folks (I like that word.) you love to spend time with. You just feel better about yourself for having been with them.
Anyway, when I arrived at their house I was greeted just like the other times I’ve visited them, as though I was their favorite person in the world. After he invited me in, Vic grabbed my arm and lead me straight to his new leather recliner, (Arlene has one too.) The recliners were their gifts to each other for their Fifty-first wedding anniversary, incredible isn’t it??!! The chair was really nice - and comfortable too. (Vic made me sit there the entire visit.)
But the great thing about this visit was the company not the furniture. We spent about an hour together that morning, and they shared wonderful stories with me about their life together. They also shared how proud they are of their two sons, Dennis and Donald. When the visit was over and I was walking to the door, Vic and Arlene made it sound as if they were the ones who received the blessing, and as if it were important to them that I had stopped by. As I was leaving Arlene said, “thanks for listening to all of our stories, sorry for having so many.” I expressed my appreciation to her and Vic for sharing, and that I was blessed for having been there. Then I thanked God for an incredible visit, and also for the people in my life that make me a better person because they open their homes for me to visit them from time to time.

BTW- If I were to leave you with a scripture that best captured Vic and Arlene’s attitude and heart it would have to be …

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

A great goal for Sunshine, and a fresh glimpse of Heaven…

2005-12-09T15:39:00.000-05:00

Donna K, more than just a waitress...

As soon as I walked in the door I knew I was being pulled into their conversation, like it or not...

Twenty minutes earlier I ordered cheese sticks from Pizza Hut on the Trail in Portsmouth, and now I was there to pick them up. The door had not even closed behind me and I noticed two women in a discussion at the counter. The tone of the conversation wasn't one of anger - more like disbelief, and misunderstanding. As I walked in Donna K. (clearly the best waitress Scioto County has ever known) greeted me with a "hi sweety", her usual greeting. She didnt greet me in this way because I'm such a great guy in her eyes, but because she's such a nice lady. She greets most everyone she waits on in a warm way. (she also brings me Mt. Dew before I even sit down - if I'm dining in. I told you she was a great waitress!)

Anyway... I said " hi Donna how are you today?" "Fine," she responds, and then goes right into ...

"I know you will think this is a great lesson opportunity, tell her it is."
She motions to the lady she had been talking to, and then began her story.

"My daughter (12 yrs. old) and I were working on the Christmas needs list (Donna is involved with Big Brothers, Big Sisters) for the kids who are in need, when she ran across the wish of a little girl who only asked for a hat - that's it! A hat. 'My daughter then asked, Mom, is this for real?' I said yes it is honey... she then went into the bathroom and cried, came back out and again asked, 'Mom, is this really for real?' I said yes honey it is, there are lots of children less fortunate than you. She then went back into the bathroom and cried again. Then she came out and said; 'instead of buying me anything for Christmas, I want us to spend that money on gifts for the children on the Big Brothers, Big Sisters list.'"

Then Donna looked me right in the eyes and said, "that's exactly what I'm going to do."

That's when the other lady, the lady she was in the discussion with when I walked in, spoke up... "But you're not getting your daughter anything for Christmas, she's not getting anything?!" She asked/stated this in disbelief. To which Donna said "that's right, tell her," she said to me, "that this is a great opportunity to teach something important to my daughter."

My turn...
Isn't it great to know that Jesus didn't expect the disciples to always know exactly what to say, so he informed them that the Spirit would give them the words. I know it's not the same situation, but I know the Spirit still leads his people today, and I need all the help he gives.

So I said... (with a convicted heart because of this wonderful story)

"The best times I've had at Christmas were the times when we couldn't, or chose not to have any or few gifts. Instead we focused on God and one another. Others have told me of the blessing thier family recieved when they chose not to buy gifts for each other, but instead bought for the less fortunate. Because the recieving doesn't get in the way, you can better understand giving, and of course that's what Christmas is, us celebrating God giving a gift, his son for us"

Then I looked at Donna and said, "The greatest thing about giving is that it's such a great part of Gods nature, and when we give we are participating in his incredible nature, now that's huge."

At that both ladies look at me and smiled, not that smile that says I wish he'd go away, But it was a moment - a God moving our lives closer to him moment. You've had those before.

Then Donna looked at me and said, "I'm really not getting her anything. They keep telling me I should get her at least one gift, but I don't think she would learn what she is supposed to learn from this."
At that point I was reminded of the words of David in 2 Samuel 18, when Araunah tries to give him everything needed for the sacrifice, David simply says "no I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing. "

I said, "it's not a sacrifice if it doesn't cost you anything."She smiled and said, "that's right, this is going to be great!"

2005-12-07T19:06:00.000-05:00

Kendall, Flu shots, and a glimpse of God...

Here’s a heartbreaker for you…

So, my daughter has been a little under the weather, she’s 3 ½ years old. My wife makes an appointment with Dr. Hudson to see exactly what’s going on with her. Turns out that it’s an ear infection. A little medication and she’ll be back to normal. All is well, so far…

But here is where the excitement begins…

Before I left for Campus Ministry (Innermission) that morning, my wife and I decided that it would probably be a wise idea to get her a Flu shot while the doctor is examining her. (We all know how much children love shots, right?!) Well her appointment is at 10:30 so I decide to go to the Doctors office to meet them and help out with this process. The appointment went well; she laughed with, and at the doctor, and was in a great mood, for the most part. But then the moment of truth; we had been preparing her for the shot by talking and laughing about it, and she was laughing too. But then the nurse walked in with the syringe…
Immediately she crossed her arms and put her little hands over each arm at the place where shots are normally given. (This was really cute) But then the nurse begin rubbing her thigh with the alcohol prep pad, so she moved her little hand from covering her arms to her thigh while repeating “no shot”, “no shot”, “no shot”. Well, I can’t just watch my little girl get a shot without holding her and telling her it will be ok soon, but there is one more thing that I’ve always had to do with her that breaks my heart. I have to hold her little arms while it happens so she doesn’t get up or just interfere with the process.

So here is where we are at this point…

I’m leaning across her at her little belly area while holding both of her arms down. It is crushing to look into the eyes of your daughter while this is going on, because you know that she is thinking - daddy help me, save me from this. But you’re the one holding her down. Does she know that this is really good for her? Does she know that daddy would take any pain from her except for the kind of pain that can potentially save her life? I love and adore my little girl, and trust her to know it, and she does.

God trusts us to know He loves us so much more than I could ever love my daughter. I can’t even grasp that thought, but I think it’s really cool. And to think of the times that His heart has broken while he has had to lay across me and hold my hands while I look at him and say God/daddy help me, save me from this. I’m sure that even though he knows its best, the thought of my pain and disappointment has to break his heart.

I can’t imagine all the things God has saved me from in my life. I know that at times my heart was broken at the events that were taking place, and in prayer I asked God to save me or deliver me from them. I know at times he did exactly what I asked him for, and at others he held me and trusted me to know that he would, and has taken all my pain away, except for the pain that would lead me closer to him.

By the way, she cried so hard during and for just a few minutes after the shot. My wife and I took turns holding her and calming her down. I carried her to the car, put her in her car seat, kissed her and my wife and said see you this evening. And started for my truck…
As my wife was driving away she stopped, lowered her window and said with a big smile, she (our daughter) just said “mommy it was really nice of daddy to come and help me get my shot wasn’t it? " What a moment, for once I had a small glimpse of how God must feel when our hearts express gratitude to him, even when going through a painful time.

Nothing will come my way that hasn’t passed through his hand first. His hand and heart can be trusted totally.

2005-12-06T10:24:00.000-05:00

I just want to say up front, that because I have a blog doesn't mean I think I have all that much to say. Nor do I think that the things I have to share are earth moving or profound. But I do know one thing, God has blessed my life in ways I never could have imagined or deserved. With that being said, I would like to use this space to share thoughts, insights, meditations, or whatever is on my heart, especially if it comes from Him. After all, that's the only thing worth sharing anyway.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is... you never know what you'll find here. Maybe a scripture for the day, or just me thinking out loud. If you can use it, thank God. If not, that's cool, leave a comment saying hi, or just keep blogging and be blessed.