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
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
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...
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!!!!!!!!
Saturday, January 07, 2006
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!
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!
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
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.
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.
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