Traveling Thoughts
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6
Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
We took a long trip to Florida a few years ago. It was nearly three days of driving for us. All six of us climbed into the van and agreed that this was an adventure. An adventure to visit family, an adventure to visit the beach and an adventure to spend a few days at Disney World.
Matthew got sick. We were stuck in traffic near Atlanta. Dad got lost a few times (just once). There were some long boring hours across Illinois. There were complaints. And the words, "Are we there yet?". We rode some rides and enjoyed the warm Florida sun. We were the only ones in the pool in Florida (it was 65). It was an adventure! We all have memories (some good, some less good) of our trip together.
Goodness, mercy and grace were there with us on our trip. Just as goodness, mercy and grace are renewed each day for God's people. We share a time of grace, that I think is similar to taking a long road trip together. We have times when we may disagree on which turn to take. The turns some times lead to discussions and hurt feelings. Such is the world of darkness and sin we share.
But we remember to look up and remember, surely goodness and mercy shall follow each of us.
As we prepare for the celebration of Christmas, please take a few minutes to pray for those who have not found their savior Jesus. Ask God to show His mercy so that they come to know Him as the source of all good things. And we can thank God that we are not there yet. There is time yet for others to come to know His love.
J
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Friday, December 14, 2007
God's House
Today's entry based on reading 1 Chronicles 15-19.
King David is alive and well. Nathan his prophet has a revelation that David is not to build a temple. "This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in."
David gives thanks to God for all that has been given him. And then he went out and won a few battles. In process capturing many riches that were later used to build the temple.
As King, David has the resources of Israel at his feet. He realized that God's purpose was far greater than his small ambitions. David listened to the revelation, "Here I am Lord". And he turned his energies and the engergies of the nation to defending the land God gave them.
David listened to God's advice and deferred so that his son Solomon would have the responsibility of building the temple.
What does God tell me here?
Wisdom comes to those who listen to others and realize there are limits to be obeyed. The world of God's creation is abundant and full of opportunities to give praise.
What do I want to pray for?
The pain of losing a home is all to real for people these days. The experts say the housing market is due for even more changes. Also, the war in Iraq continues to take it's hard toll on families. May God's grace fill these families with peace.
Joey
Tomorrow's verses: Psalm 102-104.
King David is alive and well. Nathan his prophet has a revelation that David is not to build a temple. "This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in."
David gives thanks to God for all that has been given him. And then he went out and won a few battles. In process capturing many riches that were later used to build the temple.
As King, David has the resources of Israel at his feet. He realized that God's purpose was far greater than his small ambitions. David listened to the revelation, "Here I am Lord". And he turned his energies and the engergies of the nation to defending the land God gave them.
David listened to God's advice and deferred so that his son Solomon would have the responsibility of building the temple.
What does God tell me here?
Wisdom comes to those who listen to others and realize there are limits to be obeyed. The world of God's creation is abundant and full of opportunities to give praise.
What do I want to pray for?
The pain of losing a home is all to real for people these days. The experts say the housing market is due for even more changes. Also, the war in Iraq continues to take it's hard toll on families. May God's grace fill these families with peace.
Joey
Tomorrow's verses: Psalm 102-104.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Looking forward to celebrating
Celebration is coming soon! How will I choose to celebrate another year, a gift of redemption and the blessings of 2007?
For us family and celebration are like peas in a pod. Christmas this year means get togethers in Duluth, Buffalo and another here.
This week I'm on week 35 of reading my NIV bible. Each week brings me to seven different sections of the bible. Today is Numbers 9, tomorrow will be 1 Chronicles, the end of the week brings second Timothy. The plan was to finish all of the books in 52 weeks. The reality is going to be more like 156 weeks (3 years). But so life goes.
"The Lord spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they came out of Egypt. He said, "Have the Israelites celebrate the Passover at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with all its rules and regulations." Number 9:1-3
The wonder of how God brought them out of Egypt was to be celebrated. Every year at the appointed time in the appointed way. The appointed way means eating lamb and telling the passover story to the next generation.
Fast forward a few thousand years and find that we Christians celebrate and remember also. Bethlehem, a manger and a special day when God fulfilled his plan to free each of us. For me that day is worth remembering and celebrating. My private celebration will be one of prayerful thanks when I sit down on Christmas eve to hear that message from the voices of children.
Police departments report that Christmas time means a rise in drinking and dwi arrests. The police work hard to keep us safe from the celebrations of others. I say celebration but realize that what can be a joyful time is sometimes full of regret and sorrow. My prayer each day is that God's saving grace will fill those who are hurting.
Celebration! a wonderful way to take time to slow down and remind each other that life is precious.
Joey
For us family and celebration are like peas in a pod. Christmas this year means get togethers in Duluth, Buffalo and another here.
This week I'm on week 35 of reading my NIV bible. Each week brings me to seven different sections of the bible. Today is Numbers 9, tomorrow will be 1 Chronicles, the end of the week brings second Timothy. The plan was to finish all of the books in 52 weeks. The reality is going to be more like 156 weeks (3 years). But so life goes.
"The Lord spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they came out of Egypt. He said, "Have the Israelites celebrate the Passover at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteenth day of this month, in accordance with all its rules and regulations." Number 9:1-3
The wonder of how God brought them out of Egypt was to be celebrated. Every year at the appointed time in the appointed way. The appointed way means eating lamb and telling the passover story to the next generation.
Fast forward a few thousand years and find that we Christians celebrate and remember also. Bethlehem, a manger and a special day when God fulfilled his plan to free each of us. For me that day is worth remembering and celebrating. My private celebration will be one of prayerful thanks when I sit down on Christmas eve to hear that message from the voices of children.
Police departments report that Christmas time means a rise in drinking and dwi arrests. The police work hard to keep us safe from the celebrations of others. I say celebration but realize that what can be a joyful time is sometimes full of regret and sorrow. My prayer each day is that God's saving grace will fill those who are hurting.
Celebration! a wonderful way to take time to slow down and remind each other that life is precious.
Joey
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Memorial Day
Memorial day
What is memorial day to me?
For me, its a day off from work to take time to pay honor and respect to all those men, women, families that have given part of their lives for the freedoms I enjoy. Without those thousands of people who went before, my world would not be. Al Gore's internet may not exist.
For those families who sacrificed a loved one, memorial day comes every day.
Memorial day is wondering if my contributions are enough. For the past 5 years, I've spent Memorial day with my local American Legion. Using my talent for trumpet by playing taps at several small memorial services. My small contribution.
Memorial day is watching some of the services at our capital on pbs tv. Looking at the faces of people who have lost loved ones. Listening to their stories of hurt, sorrow and love. Watching them share a personal sorrow, and marveling at their courage. Thanking them for having the courage to help us all remember that freedom is costly.
Memorial day for my children is sleeping in and a family barbecue. How can I help them realize what's been done?
Memorial day is tears of sadness, tears of joy all rolled up in one day. Tears of joy at the knowledge of faith that every one of those warriors put their life on the line.
May God bless the USA.
What is memorial day to me?
For me, its a day off from work to take time to pay honor and respect to all those men, women, families that have given part of their lives for the freedoms I enjoy. Without those thousands of people who went before, my world would not be. Al Gore's internet may not exist.
For those families who sacrificed a loved one, memorial day comes every day.
Memorial day is wondering if my contributions are enough. For the past 5 years, I've spent Memorial day with my local American Legion. Using my talent for trumpet by playing taps at several small memorial services. My small contribution.
Memorial day is watching some of the services at our capital on pbs tv. Looking at the faces of people who have lost loved ones. Listening to their stories of hurt, sorrow and love. Watching them share a personal sorrow, and marveling at their courage. Thanking them for having the courage to help us all remember that freedom is costly.
Memorial day for my children is sleeping in and a family barbecue. How can I help them realize what's been done?
Memorial day is tears of sadness, tears of joy all rolled up in one day. Tears of joy at the knowledge of faith that every one of those warriors put their life on the line.
May God bless the USA.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
Minnesota District
In a few weeks I'll be attending a district conference. The conference is made up of Pastors, teachers and delegates from Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Canada. For almost 3 days we will share God's word, food and discussions on the resources God has given us to use.
I've never been to a Minnesota district meeting. But have attended various workshops for educating church council members.
Will I be bored to tears? Will I be unable to sleep in the heat? Will the food be ok? What do the members of Salem church expect from me when I get back? Will I know any one there?
I'm attending as a lay delegate, representing my church council. I took 3 days vacation to be able to make the trip to MLC. Part of me is looking forward to the time away. Part of me wonders how I'll get all of the reading done.
Jesus words will bring us together. Men from varied walks of life, backgrounds, expectations. A common purpose brings us together. Go out and teach the wonderful gospel message to all. The business of a church is not unlike other businesses. Our product, is to some, an unsought product. Our product carries no price tag, but the benefits definitely out weigh its cost.
Joey
I've never been to a Minnesota district meeting. But have attended various workshops for educating church council members.
Will I be bored to tears? Will I be unable to sleep in the heat? Will the food be ok? What do the members of Salem church expect from me when I get back? Will I know any one there?
I'm attending as a lay delegate, representing my church council. I took 3 days vacation to be able to make the trip to MLC. Part of me is looking forward to the time away. Part of me wonders how I'll get all of the reading done.
Jesus words will bring us together. Men from varied walks of life, backgrounds, expectations. A common purpose brings us together. Go out and teach the wonderful gospel message to all. The business of a church is not unlike other businesses. Our product, is to some, an unsought product. Our product carries no price tag, but the benefits definitely out weigh its cost.
Joey
Saturday, September 25, 2004
We the government
I was rummaging through my bookshelves this morning. And ran across a book by Deborah Tannen, "Talking 9 to 5". I recall reading with joy many of her insites into the way we speak to each other. Men and women of course but also men and men, women and women.
Google showed me that Ms. Tannen now has her own website. And that she is a professor of linguistics at Georgetown. She also wrote an excellent essay on the words that our leaders choose to tell us their stance.
I find that her words ring true for me. As a voter its easy to get into a mind set of its the me against the government. I look at my paycheck each week and see the price government has set. As I sit in traffic waiting to get to work I get angry at all the time wasted just sitting on the freeway.
Government made that freeway possible. The freeway has done so well that many thousands of people rely on it to make their daily living. And now the freeway is overloaded. Government will eventually make the freeway wider. And my commuter life will once again be easier. But I must wait.
This week a hurricane went through Haiti. It killed more than a thousand. When I read the descriptions of the situation it seems like many more will die because of disease and lack of food. The citizens of Haiti lack so many of the things we Americans have come to expect. We expect them because we have grown used to what our government makes possible.
Thank you Ms. Tannen for pointing out how our speech reflects our state of mind. Our political leaders need to tell us, and show us that the political system they lead is not 'on our backs'. But is an extension of our own efforts to make a living.
Here's a link in case you want to pursue it:
http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=8144
Google showed me that Ms. Tannen now has her own website. And that she is a professor of linguistics at Georgetown. She also wrote an excellent essay on the words that our leaders choose to tell us their stance.
I find that her words ring true for me. As a voter its easy to get into a mind set of its the me against the government. I look at my paycheck each week and see the price government has set. As I sit in traffic waiting to get to work I get angry at all the time wasted just sitting on the freeway.
Government made that freeway possible. The freeway has done so well that many thousands of people rely on it to make their daily living. And now the freeway is overloaded. Government will eventually make the freeway wider. And my commuter life will once again be easier. But I must wait.
This week a hurricane went through Haiti. It killed more than a thousand. When I read the descriptions of the situation it seems like many more will die because of disease and lack of food. The citizens of Haiti lack so many of the things we Americans have come to expect. We expect them because we have grown used to what our government makes possible.
Thank you Ms. Tannen for pointing out how our speech reflects our state of mind. Our political leaders need to tell us, and show us that the political system they lead is not 'on our backs'. But is an extension of our own efforts to make a living.
Here's a link in case you want to pursue it:
http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=8144
Monday, September 06, 2004
Labor Day
Some how I ended up with a MSN account.
As I logged in this morning, MSN in all its wisdom asked me "Labor day, what are we celebrating?"
For a lot people in Minnesota, labor day means the last days of summer. If you've been through a Minnesota winter you would understand why we celebrate. It also means the last few days at your cabin by the lake. In 2 months or so the lake will be frozen over.
Since I don't have a cabin, I'm not at the lake this weekend.
Instead, I'm working on my first speech for the college course I'm taking. At 45, I decided I'd like to finish a bachelor's degree. I'm 2 years into the adventure. With what looks like at least 2 more years to go. Well, it might be 5 too. Its hard to say.
This weeks chapter is John 7. Yes, the New Testament book of John. Read along with me if you like.
Joe
As I logged in this morning, MSN in all its wisdom asked me "Labor day, what are we celebrating?"
For a lot people in Minnesota, labor day means the last days of summer. If you've been through a Minnesota winter you would understand why we celebrate. It also means the last few days at your cabin by the lake. In 2 months or so the lake will be frozen over.
Since I don't have a cabin, I'm not at the lake this weekend.
Instead, I'm working on my first speech for the college course I'm taking. At 45, I decided I'd like to finish a bachelor's degree. I'm 2 years into the adventure. With what looks like at least 2 more years to go. Well, it might be 5 too. Its hard to say.
This weeks chapter is John 7. Yes, the New Testament book of John. Read along with me if you like.
Joe
Saturday, September 04, 2004
Sept 4,2004
A blog ? Who would want to read the trail of words that comes from my hands?
A start on a new adventure. A place to try out some things. Who knows what may come of this trail?
A start on a new adventure. A place to try out some things. Who knows what may come of this trail?
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