What do you think . . .

You know, I believe religion has given Jesus a bad name. Religion, the way I see it, seeks to chang a person on the outside, and Jesus seeks to transform a person from the inside out. It is sad that many religions say they support and want to point people to the Savior of the world tends to alienate those who need to hear the Truth of the Gospel. The gospel is good news. Jesus is the way for man to come to God and gain a right relationship with the Creator. It is all good. The bad news is that many people are blinded by religion or their frustration with religion to see the Goodness of Gods gift of Jesus. God does care what you believe, he does care what you do, to put it on the bottom line, God cares about you, warts and all. Not only does he care about you. He loves you regardless of weather you love him back. The bible in Romans 5 tells us this truth. I do not know where you are. I want you to know the truth, The truth is - God loves you. The bible is his letter to you. It is for you to learn the best possible way to live. I encourage you to read Proverbs and to read James. I am thinking about you all today. Peace

Just ordinary . . .

I am just a simple man. I am ordinary. What is so special about being ordinary? I often wonder will I ever be extraordinary, or as one person put it "top drawer". I love the people that are top drawer don't get me wrong. But why do we place so much emphasis on the top drawer. I see myself as another drawer. Lets say there is an entire chest of drawers. I am like the third or fourth drawer. I am just average. I am OK with average. I have no problem with who I am. OK, well maybe I have not made full peace with being average. I am a deep person, with many thoughts and concerns. I see value in being the best average person I can be. I want to be extraordinarily average. Would that make me something different? I do not know how to resolve these thoughts in my head. I know "welcome to my head" . I am 42 years old. I am in a tight place in life, but I am at peace. I am thankful to be learning and growing even in this new place. Married 20 years, kids, house, dog, cars. I just do not know. What am I? Who am I? Am I who I am suppose to be? Why am I? I know, too many questions. I am not in a mode of pity or "oh me", I am just - I do not know - not lost but not sure. Does that make sense? The possibility of Peace in the midst of, I just do not know. I long to belong. I long to know why I am me. It is odd. Well, how do you end this type of thing? I love me, I love life, I love God and am thankful that He loves me. I am loved by others. I am blessed. Wow, who knew this is in me? Peace

art from: http://www.copperpress.com/new/features/html/kuttab.html

Connection . . .

You know it is amazing. Really, I mean it. The connection that humans have. The power of words and thoughts that are shared between us. They can build us and make us able to take on the challenges that lie ahead. I am thankful for all my connections to folks around this world and in my world. I love you all. Thank you. Peace

Pressed is good . . .

Life has a way of teaching us things we may not want to learn. I am in one of those times. To be disciplined is a great thing, but the life of non discipline has proven to place me where I am presently. To move from here to there, there will have to be a plan in place, and it will have to be followed. I heard yesterday that "Failing to plan, is planning to fail" . I do not want to continue in the way that I have been. W. L. Bateman said "If you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got." I have got to embrace discipline in my life. Peace (Photo from http://www.sgeier.net/fractals/indexe.php )

Life is Strange sometimes . . .

Is it me, or is it odd how our lives weave a pattern through this world? We move and change as the days come and go. Is there such thing as a Constant in life?? Friend and acquaintances come and go as we enter or leave seasons of our lives. Wow, I sound kinda philosophical. I am 42 years old, or young and I have engaged life on several fronts, maybe not all pleasant, but all good to their respective degrees. I began this world as a child, that did not ask to be brought into this world. My little pond landed me in Detroit in 1966. My parents loved me and worked through life together to make our home awesome. I went to school made friends had fun worked hard and all the stuff that goes along with that. I dated and enjoyed the company of the opposite sex. I attended two colleges. I met my wife. I worked several "JOBS". I have enjoyed the joy and the pressure of having Children (3). I have been a pastor with the desire to point people away from "Bad Religion" and to a wonderful loving "Sweet Jesus". I have struggled as a hypocrite - desiring to be a better person than I know I actually am. I am a love of people exactly where they are hoping to encourage them to explore life and hope as they move on this continuum. I do not see life as a single trip that has a definite beginning and a definite ending. I see life as a continuation into something different. Something beyond death. I see life from a Bibliocentric viewpoint. I see God as a lover of His Creation and the payer of the ultimate price to redeem or buy back His love - Man - lost in the garden. I can not explain it all, nor will I ever in this realm be able to explain it all. I have placed my Faith in what Jesus has done that I could not do for myself. I long to live the way that Jesus lived in my life. Wow, writing . . . I long to be out of debt. I thought slavery was abolished long ago in America. I have made myself slave to others. I do not like this place where I am at in regard to finances. I have been set free by Jesus to love and enjoy life, but often I find myself entangled into the passions of this world. I long for the rest that Jesus talks about in the Gospels. I am looking forward to our fall study at Orchard Grove called REST. I need it. I do not know when this thing called life will end for me, but I do know that I want to finish well. I love my wife, my family, my kids, my friends, I am blessed beyond belief. Thank you. Peace

(art found at: http://www.freakuency.com/2006/10/michal-macku-gallery/ )

Anomaly . . .

Anomaly - I life an anomaly? Is our existence just a series of odd circumstances? Or is it merely our attempt to understand our existence that brings about the Anomalies. I am going to read a book called 13 Things That Don't Make Sense: The Most Baffling Scientific Mysteries of Our Time . I saw it at the book store a few weeks ago. This is where I plunged into this idea of an anomaly. Well. I miss blogging, I miss you. Peace

Just thoughts . . .

Today marks the end of the first week of school. I must say, I have enjoyed being back to school, but I am tired today. I need to get to bed sooner. I need more sleep. It has been fun riding with my daughter to work / school each morning. I am so thankful for my job.

I am beginning to get involved in my church Orchard Grove. I am a greeter at one of the doors of our church at this time. I am meeting with one of the folks that lead our pastoral care ministry in order to work with them. I am excited about this as well. I have to go to work now. I will chat with you all soon. Peace