Love 2-7-2002
First - Congratulations to the New England Patriots football team.
They had a great season, played a great game, and deserve to be champions.
Second - I recently bought a pick-up truck. I decided that I must at least set one radio button to a country station. I have now found the cure for Road Rage and long waits in traffic. Country music tells some great stories and with a beat. I am particularly moved by some of the testimonials I hear in the music. I enjoy listening to the banter among the three deejays – two women and a man. Today they were discussing how you show your love to the one you love - in anticipation of Valentine's Day.
Since I had some time to think - I decided to list all of the ways I show my love for my wife and she for me. There is the obvious - surprise gifts, fresh flowers on the table, trips, and warm backs for cold feet. Then there are the ways we often take for granted such as respect, speaking well of one another, building each other up, and opening doors. Then there are others - being the best parent possible, putting the other's needs and wants first, and letting her sleep late on Saturdays while I make brunch.
As I started this, I was thinking - isn't that what our Heavenly Father shows to us? He loves us so much that He gave His Son to die for us. Wow! Nothing I could do would come close to the love He shows to us.
Do we then give up? No, we constantly strive to show His love through our words and actions. Thank God He gives us strength to do this.
God bless each of you.
They had a great season, played a great game, and deserve to be champions.
Second - I recently bought a pick-up truck. I decided that I must at least set one radio button to a country station. I have now found the cure for Road Rage and long waits in traffic. Country music tells some great stories and with a beat. I am particularly moved by some of the testimonials I hear in the music. I enjoy listening to the banter among the three deejays – two women and a man. Today they were discussing how you show your love to the one you love - in anticipation of Valentine's Day.
Since I had some time to think - I decided to list all of the ways I show my love for my wife and she for me. There is the obvious - surprise gifts, fresh flowers on the table, trips, and warm backs for cold feet. Then there are the ways we often take for granted such as respect, speaking well of one another, building each other up, and opening doors. Then there are others - being the best parent possible, putting the other's needs and wants first, and letting her sleep late on Saturdays while I make brunch.
As I started this, I was thinking - isn't that what our Heavenly Father shows to us? He loves us so much that He gave His Son to die for us. Wow! Nothing I could do would come close to the love He shows to us.
Do we then give up? No, we constantly strive to show His love through our words and actions. Thank God He gives us strength to do this.
God bless each of you.
What Does This Mean 2-14-2002
“What does this mean?” It is a question we often ask when experiencing a new or difficult situation. Bruce accepted the Call to Texas.
What does this mean?
In my opinion it means that Texas is receiving a very gifted man of God that will do much for the area he serves. Bruce has a love for the Lord that shows through all that he does and all that he is. It has been my privilege to work with him closely these past 5 years. I value him as a co-worker and as a friend.
What does this mean for Parish Media Team trainings?
In my opinion it means that we must step up and continue to serve the congregations to the best of our ability. I promise I will make every attempt to continue to serve your needs and schedule trainings as requested. I believe that our team has a commitment to serve you and that God has blessed us too much to date to allow the project and the program fail because of the lack of one person.
God uses His people in His time in the places He chooses for them. I have often accepted or declined Calls and then thought, “what if?” I believe that we continue on accepting God’s hand in all of our actions. I never thought I would be where I am today, but God has prepared me to assume the duties I have.
I ask for your prayers, first for Bruce and his family, and second for me and the people here. I ask that you would ask for wisdom, courage, strength, and insight so that all we do may glorify God and serve you to help proclaim that Jesus is Lord. I ask also for your patience and understanding as we go through our transition time. We all are learning. I look forward to continuing the Parish Media Team efforts and serving you.
God bless each of you.
What does this mean?
In my opinion it means that Texas is receiving a very gifted man of God that will do much for the area he serves. Bruce has a love for the Lord that shows through all that he does and all that he is. It has been my privilege to work with him closely these past 5 years. I value him as a co-worker and as a friend.
What does this mean for Parish Media Team trainings?
In my opinion it means that we must step up and continue to serve the congregations to the best of our ability. I promise I will make every attempt to continue to serve your needs and schedule trainings as requested. I believe that our team has a commitment to serve you and that God has blessed us too much to date to allow the project and the program fail because of the lack of one person.
God uses His people in His time in the places He chooses for them. I have often accepted or declined Calls and then thought, “what if?” I believe that we continue on accepting God’s hand in all of our actions. I never thought I would be where I am today, but God has prepared me to assume the duties I have.
I ask for your prayers, first for Bruce and his family, and second for me and the people here. I ask that you would ask for wisdom, courage, strength, and insight so that all we do may glorify God and serve you to help proclaim that Jesus is Lord. I ask also for your patience and understanding as we go through our transition time. We all are learning. I look forward to continuing the Parish Media Team efforts and serving you.
God bless each of you.
What is Important? 2-21-2002
Today Bunny goes to have a bone scan. We know that all is in God's hands, but we still have some apprehension. She will find out the results next week at her doctor's appointment. She is still very active in the classroom. Her school has a year-round calendar, 180 days spread over 11 months; hence she is on break this week.
She spent yesterday helping one of her former kindergarteners work on a Science Fair project. There should be a special place in heaven for those who help children with Science Fair projects! She still makes life special for her students. We thank God she can do this.
I learned a valuable lesson last week.
I had hired a bus to transport a group of people and the bus did not show on time. I immediately went into my "this is unacceptable and I am angry" mode. Bunny whispered, "Perhaps he had an accident or broke down, just wait and see." Well, he did have a minor accident that delayed him the hour.
I felt very foolish for not seeing that perhaps this man had a legitimate reason for not being on time. I did make arrangements to continue the day with some minor variations and life went on.
It was then that it dawned on me. I mess up daily. Daily I say, "Today I will do great things for the Lord.” Daily I mess up. I thank God that He treats me much better than I did to the bus driver. I also thank God that He has sent into my life a spouse with the insight to see what is really important. Perhaps that is what Scripture talks about when we read about those who are mature in the faith teaching those who are not.
She spent yesterday helping one of her former kindergarteners work on a Science Fair project. There should be a special place in heaven for those who help children with Science Fair projects! She still makes life special for her students. We thank God she can do this.
I learned a valuable lesson last week.
I had hired a bus to transport a group of people and the bus did not show on time. I immediately went into my "this is unacceptable and I am angry" mode. Bunny whispered, "Perhaps he had an accident or broke down, just wait and see." Well, he did have a minor accident that delayed him the hour.
I felt very foolish for not seeing that perhaps this man had a legitimate reason for not being on time. I did make arrangements to continue the day with some minor variations and life went on.
It was then that it dawned on me. I mess up daily. Daily I say, "Today I will do great things for the Lord.” Daily I mess up. I thank God that He treats me much better than I did to the bus driver. I also thank God that He has sent into my life a spouse with the insight to see what is really important. Perhaps that is what Scripture talks about when we read about those who are mature in the faith teaching those who are not.