Eleven months ago I went hiking at Starved Rock. I went to one of the canyons there and watched something unfold before me that I thought was a message from GOD. I watched some of the falling leaves block a stream of water from the waterfall. I watched as the water finally built up enough pressure to breakthrough the pile of leaves, and start flowing again. I watched this happen twice at two different locations. I thought that GOD was revealing to me that I was going to have a breakthrough of my own. I didn't know what or how, I just felt like I was going to.
I feel like I am on the verge of that breakthrough now. I have had a second interview with a compnay here in town. I have been out of work for over a year and some change now. So that is promising. I am one class away from the possibility of being a certified pastor. That is also promising. See now you know why I feel like I am on the verge of this breakthrough. I knew when I went hiking that I was going to take the ministry classes. What I didn't know, was that GOD was going to double "my" plan. I had originally signed up for just four classes. GOD increased me to the full eight. See I had "my" plan, but GOD had other plans for me.
So I don't know if He is going to call me into full time ministry, or get a job and work part time in ministry. I'll leave that up to GOD to decide. The job that I am interviewing for is only a seasonal job. Maybe this is GOD's way of saying work for a short amount of time while I get you ready for the next step.
I'll just praise and worship GOD while I am waiting. It is hard to be patient. We all want things done in our own time. Have to learn and to let go and let GOD.
Galatians 6:9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Movie Extra
They are filming an independent movie here in DeKalb county. It stars Dennis Quaid and Zac Efron. There is no title for the movie, yet.
About three weeks ago, they ran an ad in the Daily Chronicle for extra's being cast for the movie. They were having an open casting call. It was on a Sunday and it was raining. We had a family re-union to go to first. After we left the re-union, we drove by the theater were they were having the casting call. People were lined up around the building, a really long line. My wife just said to go home and we'll think about coming back later. The casting call went until 6:00pm. We decided to go back and see what was happening. We arrived at 5:45, there was no line and we were able to go right in. They took our info and took a picture of us. Off we went, not thinking to much more about it.
A week and a half later, I get a call from the casting agent asking me if I would be interested in being in a scene. I said sure, I would be interested. She told me that it would be a church scene, being shot in DeKalb at the Lutheran church. She told me to be there by 1:00pm. So I arrive and fill out my release, get all signed in and wait. We finally saw some action around 3:15 for some of the extra's to be used. Finally they come and get my table. I thought that we were being called into the sanctuary, but we went outside instead.
About three weeks ago, they ran an ad in the Daily Chronicle for extra's being cast for the movie. They were having an open casting call. It was on a Sunday and it was raining. We had a family re-union to go to first. After we left the re-union, we drove by the theater were they were having the casting call. People were lined up around the building, a really long line. My wife just said to go home and we'll think about coming back later. The casting call went until 6:00pm. We decided to go back and see what was happening. We arrived at 5:45, there was no line and we were able to go right in. They took our info and took a picture of us. Off we went, not thinking to much more about it.
A week and a half later, I get a call from the casting agent asking me if I would be interested in being in a scene. I said sure, I would be interested. She told me that it would be a church scene, being shot in DeKalb at the Lutheran church. She told me to be there by 1:00pm. So I arrive and fill out my release, get all signed in and wait. We finally saw some action around 3:15 for some of the extra's to be used. Finally they come and get my table. I thought that we were being called into the sanctuary, but we went outside instead.
I was matched up with some people and were supposed to be a "family". I was standing on kind of a hill and the director asked me to step down onto the sidewalk because I was too tall. I am standing on the sidewalk and the director moves me again to a different location. So I move and take my new position. Once again I am too tall. So the director moves me again. He asks me to stand next to this guy and I am like ok. I am so focused on listening and paying attention that I don't even notice that the person who he has moved me next to is Dennis Quaid. I mean I am standing right up against him. Shoulder against shoulder. Standing about three feet away from us, is Zac Efron. WOW! So we are supposed to be having a conversation with Dennis and the woman who plays his wife in the movie. We wrap that scene and then we move into the church. Shoot some stuff inside and then they release us. I kind of hang around for a little bit, talking with some of the movie's production people. I am standing there and lo and behold Zac Efron comes walking down the stairs right in front of me. I ask one of the crew if he would mind taking a picture of us. He said that sure he would. So I ask Zac if he would take a picture with me. He said sure, so we had a picture taken together. All in all a good day.
Friday, September 23, 2011
One More Class.
I am one class away from finishing my first year of ISOM (Illinois School of Ministry). If you would have told me last year at this time I would be were I am at, I would not have believed you. Ministry was never a part of my plan. But GOD's plan is much different than mine. I am glad that I am obidient and went to school. It has been very fullfilling, to say the least. The fellowship with other people going through the same thing is an amazing thing. Being able to bounce ideas and thoughts off of each other. Love it.
I need to be clear about something. Just because I take these classes and pass all the tests, doesn't mean I'll be a pastor. I still have an interview process to go through. They want to make sure that this is a call from GOD for my life. So I have the oppurtunity to get certified to be a pastor. I really feel like I am called to this. I feel that if I wasn't it, GOD would have put a stop to it, long ago. I don't think that He would have kept me going, if He didn't plan on using me. We shall see. Like I said, GOD's plan is different than mine.
We recently had a family reunion, and each of the leaders of the families got up to tell what has been happening in thier lives and thier childrens lives. My Mom went through everyone in our family, but she forgot to mention about my schooling. I was like it's no big deal. Then she stood up and asked me to tell everyone what I am doing, by going to ISOM. It made feel really good that she remembered, because it is very important to me. I am not trying to brag about what I am doing, I just wanted to share what GOD was doing in my life! So I praise GOD for my family. My immediate and extended family. I love them all. May I show the love of Jesus to them when they look at me or talk with me!
I need to be clear about something. Just because I take these classes and pass all the tests, doesn't mean I'll be a pastor. I still have an interview process to go through. They want to make sure that this is a call from GOD for my life. So I have the oppurtunity to get certified to be a pastor. I really feel like I am called to this. I feel that if I wasn't it, GOD would have put a stop to it, long ago. I don't think that He would have kept me going, if He didn't plan on using me. We shall see. Like I said, GOD's plan is different than mine.
We recently had a family reunion, and each of the leaders of the families got up to tell what has been happening in thier lives and thier childrens lives. My Mom went through everyone in our family, but she forgot to mention about my schooling. I was like it's no big deal. Then she stood up and asked me to tell everyone what I am doing, by going to ISOM. It made feel really good that she remembered, because it is very important to me. I am not trying to brag about what I am doing, I just wanted to share what GOD was doing in my life! So I praise GOD for my family. My immediate and extended family. I love them all. May I show the love of Jesus to them when they look at me or talk with me!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Prayer
I have been volunteering at our local hospital since November 2010. During this time, I have come to meet and get to know some of the "regulars". People I see everyday or every other day. Especially the ones that need rides up to cardiac rehab. If I see them come through the front door and I recognize them, I jump right up and head over and get them a wheel chair.
For the past several months there has been an older couple that I have been assisting to cardiac rehab. I push the wife in the wheel chair and her husband walks behind. They are a very nice couple and I really enjoy helping them out. I love when I see them come through the door, because I know that they are going to make my day a bit brighter.
Last Wednesday (August 24) I noticed the wife come through the door, but she was without her husband. I asked her where he was, and she told me that his back had been hurting and he couldn't make it today. She told me that he was a bricklayer when he was younger and now he was suffering the consequences of that proffession. I told her that I would pray for him and his back, to get better. She sat upright and asked, "you would do that for him"? I told her of course I would. I told her we could all use a little more prayer couldn't we.
So for the past week, I have prayed for her and her husband. For God to heal his back.
So this past Wednesday (August 31) I saw the wife coming through the door and I walked over to get her a wheel chair, and guess what? Lo and behold here came her husband. I asked him how his back was feeling and he told me not the best, but he was going to give a shot at working out. I told him that I had been praying for him. He thanked me and he appreciated it, and off they went.
I guess the point of this story is, to be persistent in your prayers. If God doesn't answer right away, he will. All in His time, not ours. I thank God for this couple and for the ability to be able to pray for anyone that wants it. Praise GOD!
For the past several months there has been an older couple that I have been assisting to cardiac rehab. I push the wife in the wheel chair and her husband walks behind. They are a very nice couple and I really enjoy helping them out. I love when I see them come through the door, because I know that they are going to make my day a bit brighter.
Last Wednesday (August 24) I noticed the wife come through the door, but she was without her husband. I asked her where he was, and she told me that his back had been hurting and he couldn't make it today. She told me that he was a bricklayer when he was younger and now he was suffering the consequences of that proffession. I told her that I would pray for him and his back, to get better. She sat upright and asked, "you would do that for him"? I told her of course I would. I told her we could all use a little more prayer couldn't we.
So for the past week, I have prayed for her and her husband. For God to heal his back.
So this past Wednesday (August 31) I saw the wife coming through the door and I walked over to get her a wheel chair, and guess what? Lo and behold here came her husband. I asked him how his back was feeling and he told me not the best, but he was going to give a shot at working out. I told him that I had been praying for him. He thanked me and he appreciated it, and off they went.
I guess the point of this story is, to be persistent in your prayers. If God doesn't answer right away, he will. All in His time, not ours. I thank God for this couple and for the ability to be able to pray for anyone that wants it. Praise GOD!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Two More Classes
I have two more classes to complete, then I'll be a liscenced minister/pastor. If you would have told me a year ago that I would be where I'm at now, I would not have believed it. Me a pastor? Yeah right. Good joke right?
It was gently expressed to me about this time last year that I look into taking some classes to further along my study of the Bible. I thought, hmmmmmm, that would be interesting, so I signed up to take four classes originally. After my first class was finished, I thought to myself "I could see myself doing even more than the original four". So after my fourth class, I asked the regestration person if I could continue to come even though I had only signed up for the four classes. She told me that I could and I didn't have to re-register. Awesome!
So now I am starting my seventh class out of eight. It has been a real blast so far. The fellowship with all of the other people doing the same thing that I am doing is incredible. We only meet once a month with a three and a half hour overview of the material on Friday night, and then on Saturday morning, we take our test and then have classroom application.
I never ever in my life thought that I could ever attend a college class. I really didn't like high school to much, so the thought of doing more classes didn't really excite me to much. After the first one, I thought "I can do this". And I have. Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ,c who gives me strength.
God has something big instore for me. I just have to be patient. I believe this is the first step in his plan for me. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope
So I continue on. I believe that God has called me to this. I shall wait and see where it goes from here. Praise GOD!!
It was gently expressed to me about this time last year that I look into taking some classes to further along my study of the Bible. I thought, hmmmmmm, that would be interesting, so I signed up to take four classes originally. After my first class was finished, I thought to myself "I could see myself doing even more than the original four". So after my fourth class, I asked the regestration person if I could continue to come even though I had only signed up for the four classes. She told me that I could and I didn't have to re-register. Awesome!
So now I am starting my seventh class out of eight. It has been a real blast so far. The fellowship with all of the other people doing the same thing that I am doing is incredible. We only meet once a month with a three and a half hour overview of the material on Friday night, and then on Saturday morning, we take our test and then have classroom application.
I never ever in my life thought that I could ever attend a college class. I really didn't like high school to much, so the thought of doing more classes didn't really excite me to much. After the first one, I thought "I can do this". And I have. Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ,c who gives me strength.
God has something big instore for me. I just have to be patient. I believe this is the first step in his plan for me. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope
So I continue on. I believe that God has called me to this. I shall wait and see where it goes from here. Praise GOD!!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Salvation
As some of you may or may not know, my Dad passed away last April. It was very difficult to go through, but GOD helped me through it. The thing that made it a little easier was the fact that I knew that he was saved. I knew where my Dad was going when he passed. I knew that I would see him again someday in heaven. I knew all of this because I had some family members tell me. Then I recieved a box of photos when he passed. Inside the box were two pictures of him being baptized. Full immersion. That solidified it for me!
I would like to have that same feeling when other members of my family come to the end of their lives. I would love to think that they are all saved and are going to see Jesus in Heaven, but I am not so sure of this. It saddens me to think of eternity without all of my family there with me. So how do I have this conversation with them to make my concerns known? Not to pressure them or try to force them into a relationship with God. I don't want to push my beliefs down their throat but I want them to know Jesus.
My pastor asked a question at church the other day. He asked if it is harder to talk with a family member or a stranger about Jesus? The obvious answer is a stranger! They don't have any idea of who you are or where you have come from. Whereas your family remembers where you have been and how you used to be in your BC (before Christ) days! Maybe I am afraid of being judged. Maybe I am afraid that they will not think that my new life is for real. All I can do for proof is to live out my faith. Show them by the way that I live.
So my prayer is that all of my family will come to know Jesus. Commit their lives to him and be saved. Live by faith and believe that Jesus died for their sins! Look forward to a lifetime in eternity! How awesome would that be?!? Praise the Lord!
I would like to have that same feeling when other members of my family come to the end of their lives. I would love to think that they are all saved and are going to see Jesus in Heaven, but I am not so sure of this. It saddens me to think of eternity without all of my family there with me. So how do I have this conversation with them to make my concerns known? Not to pressure them or try to force them into a relationship with God. I don't want to push my beliefs down their throat but I want them to know Jesus.
My pastor asked a question at church the other day. He asked if it is harder to talk with a family member or a stranger about Jesus? The obvious answer is a stranger! They don't have any idea of who you are or where you have come from. Whereas your family remembers where you have been and how you used to be in your BC (before Christ) days! Maybe I am afraid of being judged. Maybe I am afraid that they will not think that my new life is for real. All I can do for proof is to live out my faith. Show them by the way that I live.
So my prayer is that all of my family will come to know Jesus. Commit their lives to him and be saved. Live by faith and believe that Jesus died for their sins! Look forward to a lifetime in eternity! How awesome would that be?!? Praise the Lord!
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Done!!
I am done with Facebook. At least for a while anyway! It was a great tool to use to get back in touch with some family and friends that I haven't seen in awhile. It was a great tool for when my Dad passed away. To get the word out, and get things situated with long distance family! It also has been a good tool to use to witness for Jesus! But now it feels more like an idol to me. I feel like I have to check in every couple of hours to see what the latest buzz is. I am constantly thinking about signing in and browsing around! Seeing what's up with this person, or that person. It has gotten to be to much.
I am going to start putting my efforts into being a much better husband! A much better father! A much better student! Less time on the computer checking on everyone else, and start spending more quality time with my family and my studies.
For those of you who do not know, I am going to school to be a pastor. Yes you heard me correctly, a pastor. I felt this call of God late last summer, early fall. I started classes last January and all I need are three more to get my license. One more year of eight classes and I can be a certifed pastor. Another year to take ordained classes. Then you have to be invited to be ordained.
I am surprised at the lack of support for my decision to take these classes. Oh my wife is on board 100%. It's just other people whom I thought would be very excited for me, but seem not to be. Unfortunately I have had to lose some *friends* along this new path. Friends who seem to be stuck in the past. I have moved on in my life, to a much better place. The unwillingness to believe is unreal! I don't make fun of them for still sitting in a bar 25 years after graduating high school, so don't make fun of me for the direction I am taking.
For forty years I was a huge sinner. I was a drinker, a party'r, a fornicator, a liar, looking out for myself and didn't care who got hurt along the way.
Three months after my 40th birthday, God came a calling and pulled me out of all that junk. Praise the Lord! I am saved and living for Jesus everyday now. Some people just can't grasp this. I pray for them. That they can have what I have. Everyone needs Jesus! He is the answer to every problem, every situation. Praise GOD!!
I am going to start putting my efforts into being a much better husband! A much better father! A much better student! Less time on the computer checking on everyone else, and start spending more quality time with my family and my studies.
For those of you who do not know, I am going to school to be a pastor. Yes you heard me correctly, a pastor. I felt this call of God late last summer, early fall. I started classes last January and all I need are three more to get my license. One more year of eight classes and I can be a certifed pastor. Another year to take ordained classes. Then you have to be invited to be ordained.
I am surprised at the lack of support for my decision to take these classes. Oh my wife is on board 100%. It's just other people whom I thought would be very excited for me, but seem not to be. Unfortunately I have had to lose some *friends* along this new path. Friends who seem to be stuck in the past. I have moved on in my life, to a much better place. The unwillingness to believe is unreal! I don't make fun of them for still sitting in a bar 25 years after graduating high school, so don't make fun of me for the direction I am taking.
For forty years I was a huge sinner. I was a drinker, a party'r, a fornicator, a liar, looking out for myself and didn't care who got hurt along the way.
Three months after my 40th birthday, God came a calling and pulled me out of all that junk. Praise the Lord! I am saved and living for Jesus everyday now. Some people just can't grasp this. I pray for them. That they can have what I have. Everyone needs Jesus! He is the answer to every problem, every situation. Praise GOD!!
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