helping a friend

My friend CJ is trying to win a contest. Take a look at his video.

What's Normal

I reading something and the phrase "the normal person" came up. Just what is normal? It isn't the same today as it was a few years ago. According to the US Census a household made up of a married couple , male and female, now makeup less than 50% of all US households. When our oldest son went to college, a Christian college, I remember him calling home and telling us he was in the minority because his parents had never been divorced and he didn't have any step-brothers or step-sisters. So what is normal, isn't it the way things commonly are or even should be. Obliviously what is God's normal is not the same as Satan's normal. From God's perspective the norm would be how things were in Gen 2. God created humans to have a relationship with him and be apart of a community with other humans taking care of the world God created. I think that should be the norm, but it wasn't for thousands of years. But God's norm is back because of Jesus. We can now have union with God and be apart of a community for the good of each other and God's world. This is good news, God's normalcy is again available.

Sun Shine

Winter cold has finally hit Wyoming. Last week and thru the weekend it was down to -17 with wind chill about -30, but below 0 it really doesn't matter. Over the weekend the daytime highs rose up to a balmy +10 and the sun was shining, so I was able to walk some everyday. I noticed when I was out and a cloud came over the sun, the cold quickly became oppressive even if the temperature was the same.

This is very similar to how I feel when I let worry, self-pity, or some other similar emotion shield me from God. He is still there, but like that sun, shielded from me. I don't feel cold when shielded from the Father but depressed and helpless.

I can't make the clouds go away, but I am learning how to bring God back into view with the warmth of His Grace and comfort. How this happens I am not quite sure, but a thought comes through and says, "It doesn't have to be like this, remember you are a child of God," or something like that. Must be the Spirit, don't you think. Thank you God.

UPSET MANIA - YOU GOTTA LUV IT

This last week or so there have been numerous upsets in both football and basketball. No college game is ever a foregone conclusion, just ask Oklahoma or Ohio State or UCLA or Duke. Those that think they only have to show up to win usually end up in the loss column. This is why I like college sports so much, there really is the "thrill of victory and the agony of defeat." Bring on the hoops and the March to the Final Four, which has now been moved to April - oh well it is still fun.

Patience, How much do I need?

Patience. I sometimes wonder if it is really necessary? But then I see the results of having patience and understand a little bit better. I know I have more time to read and think than most people and this allows me to come to conclusions, before others hardly get started. The problem arises when I want them to come the same conclusions (assuming I am right) I have without giving them the time to study and think it out. Patience I am learning to tell myself, give them some time.
Forcing myself to have some patience, has given me the time to stop and look at what is happening and see that God really is answering our prayers, because rushing around seems to limit my point of view to a narrow strip and I miss what is happening round about me. But then another part of me says slowing to a crawl won’t get you anywhere. I need to find the right mixture, which I believe can happen with the help of the Spirit. I pray for the faith to let it happen.