I started this blog back in January of 2011 as part of a homework assignment from my ISOM class. I didn't think that I could do it. Me blog? Yeah right. What am I going to write about. Once I started, things just started flowing out of me. Things that have happened to me over the course of my life. Things that God has been doing in me and through me. Now that we are closing in on the end of the year, I am going to take a look back.
This has been an up and down year for me and my family. Had a lot of good stuff happen to us, and some not so good stuff. The year started off badly with our car breaking down in Nashville on a trip to see my brother and his family in Birmingham. January also saw me start my ISOM class. I had not been in a classroom in over 25 years so I was a little nervous. Did awesoeme in the class getting an "A" on my test.
My Dad passed away on April 1st. The first of many deaths in my circle of friends and family! We lost three people from our church family over the course of the year. A cousin and another friend passed away also.
I went jobless throughout the whole year. Applied to many places, went on a few interviews, and was only offered one job, but they had to take back that job offer because I didn't 'pass' there physical abilities test. So I leaned on God more so than I ever have during this past year. He is my strength. My encourager.
Good things happened as well. I finished my first year of ISOM. I only signed up for four classes orginally, but God extended me to all eight. So I passed all eight with straight "A's". I have been volunteering at our local hospital during this past year. Doing the Lord's work, helping out those less fortunate. Been selected to be on a special team for our church direction. Volunteered for a day at the radio station WBGL. Also was a part of the volunteers that packed food for Feed My Starving Children event here in Sycamore.
Celebrated another year of life. My wife and I celebrated another year of marriage. God has been so good to me and my family. Even when things didn't look good, or in the roughest of times, God was always there for me! He pulls us through our struggles. I have been told that if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Amen! So I am looking forward to seeing what 2012 has in store for me and my family! I will shake the dust from 2011 off of my sandals as I leave it behind and get ready to pick up the new year. God has big things in store. I believe. I BELIEVE!! GOD Bless!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Running The Race.
Here lately I have found myself weary of running the race that God has set before me. My knees and hands are so badly torn up and bloody from all trips and falls I have had during the race. Yet I still get up and continue on until I fall again. I know we all fall short of the glory of God, but I feel like I am falling shorter than everyone else.
Jeremiah 29:11 New Living Translation (NLT) 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.
I am really struggling with this verse right now. Is it God's way of being good to me by having me out of work for a year and a half? To have enough money for bills, but not enough for food or gas? How is this good? All of my credit cards are maxed out, I owe more money than I am bringing in and I can't even tithe to the church regularly like I am supposed to. This is God's plan for good? All of this kills me. It kills me not to be able to tithe like I am supposed to. It kills me to say all the time, "I'm sorry we don't have the money". Not that I am looking for a boat load of money, just enough to go to the grocery store and not have to count up every item we buy to make sure that we don't over spend. To be able to go to a movie with my family, to do something together as a family. Anything! But alas, God is keeping me unemployed. Now you know why I am weary of running this race!
I am not going to let satan knock me out of the race. I am going to keep moving forward, believing in God's word.
Jeremiah 29:11 New Living Translation (NLT) 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.
I am really struggling with this verse right now. Is it God's way of being good to me by having me out of work for a year and a half? To have enough money for bills, but not enough for food or gas? How is this good? All of my credit cards are maxed out, I owe more money than I am bringing in and I can't even tithe to the church regularly like I am supposed to. This is God's plan for good? All of this kills me. It kills me not to be able to tithe like I am supposed to. It kills me to say all the time, "I'm sorry we don't have the money". Not that I am looking for a boat load of money, just enough to go to the grocery store and not have to count up every item we buy to make sure that we don't over spend. To be able to go to a movie with my family, to do something together as a family. Anything! But alas, God is keeping me unemployed. Now you know why I am weary of running this race!
I am not going to let satan knock me out of the race. I am going to keep moving forward, believing in God's word.
Romans 15:4 New Living Translation (NLT) 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.
I will continue to pick myself up off of the ground, dust myself off and keep going. God is in control. He knows the whole situation and what to do about it! I'll just keep praising Him and glorifying Him! I have a network of great friends and family that build me up and encourage me when I am down. And for that, I am forever gratefull. Praise the Lord!Friday, December 9, 2011
Planting Seeds.
My sister-in-law called me the other night to ask if our church had a large gymnasium or fellowship hall. I told her that we did. Then she asked me if I could maybe help her out with my nieces softball teams fundraiser delivery. She wanted to know if they could use our church to distribute the product to the parents. I told her that we could.
She told me the truck to deliver the product would be at the church around four o'clock Friday afternoon. I arrived at about 3:30, started some Christmas music on our stereo system and opened the doors. I was trying to set a festive atmosphere for people coming in and out. The truck arrived before anyone else did and they started to unload. I showed them where to go with the pallets. They had four total to unload. Shortly after people started showing up in a frenzy of action. From that point on it was non-stop.
My sister-in-law told me that she thought that it would last about an hour and a half. Sure enough, at about 5:30 the last pick up was out the door. Everyone kept thanking me for the use of the church. They told me that if it wasn't for us, they would have to had done this outside in the freezing cold. I told them that it was no problem and that I really enjoyed being able to help them out. I even helped some of the parents load their stuff in the cars or trucks.
So I don't know if anyone of these people here tonight will come back to our church, but the seed was planted that our church is available to help out when needed. We opened our doors for them and welcomed them in. Isn't that what a church is supposed to be all about? Helping out those in need. We are supposed to be Jesus' arms and feet. So hopefully that is what I showed them tonight with this little event. Praise the Lord for being able to do this and hopefully do it again.
She told me the truck to deliver the product would be at the church around four o'clock Friday afternoon. I arrived at about 3:30, started some Christmas music on our stereo system and opened the doors. I was trying to set a festive atmosphere for people coming in and out. The truck arrived before anyone else did and they started to unload. I showed them where to go with the pallets. They had four total to unload. Shortly after people started showing up in a frenzy of action. From that point on it was non-stop.
My sister-in-law told me that she thought that it would last about an hour and a half. Sure enough, at about 5:30 the last pick up was out the door. Everyone kept thanking me for the use of the church. They told me that if it wasn't for us, they would have to had done this outside in the freezing cold. I told them that it was no problem and that I really enjoyed being able to help them out. I even helped some of the parents load their stuff in the cars or trucks.
So I don't know if anyone of these people here tonight will come back to our church, but the seed was planted that our church is available to help out when needed. We opened our doors for them and welcomed them in. Isn't that what a church is supposed to be all about? Helping out those in need. We are supposed to be Jesus' arms and feet. So hopefully that is what I showed them tonight with this little event. Praise the Lord for being able to do this and hopefully do it again.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Counting the Cost!
A little while ago while on one of our trips to ISOM, my friend and I were discussing the cost of following Jesus. We both had differing opinions of it. They were both good, but different. Let me tell you mine.
My explanation of counting the cost is, that once you give your life to Jesus and start to follow Him and His ways, you will lose some people along the way. Family, friends, etc. Your life has changed, you are no longer your old self anymore. Some people have a hard time accepting that. When they ask you to go out and do something that you used to do, but you no longer do it, that annoys people. Come on, let's go have a drink. I'm sorry, I don't drink anymore. Eventually they stop asking you and then you lose them as a friend. They stop coming around, stop calling, just disappear from your life. That's alright, they weren't much of a friend to begin with, if they can't stick by you. I would much rather have Jesus in my life, than someone who is a pretender! Jesus is the truth, the light and the way. My previous life before Jesus, I was headed for destruction! Now I have eternity as my destination. Praise the Lord!
This has happened on facebook to me. I started praising God and post scripture on my wall, next thing I know, "friends" are deleting me left and right, or blocking me. "Friends" whom I have known all of my life. People I have grown up with and would have thought better than this. People I would never thought that it would bother, but apparently it did. I also kind of think that going to school to be a pastor, some "friends" thought that I would start to judge them by the lifestyle that they led. Not my job to judge, that is God's! I just want to be a friend to them, witness to them and tell them what God has been doing in my life! I wasn't given the chance. They dropped me like a hot rock. That is their loss. I am not going to change what I have been doing just becuase some people don't like it. God has me here for a reason, and I want to share Him with everyone that I possibly can! Praise the Lord!
My explanation of counting the cost is, that once you give your life to Jesus and start to follow Him and His ways, you will lose some people along the way. Family, friends, etc. Your life has changed, you are no longer your old self anymore. Some people have a hard time accepting that. When they ask you to go out and do something that you used to do, but you no longer do it, that annoys people. Come on, let's go have a drink. I'm sorry, I don't drink anymore. Eventually they stop asking you and then you lose them as a friend. They stop coming around, stop calling, just disappear from your life. That's alright, they weren't much of a friend to begin with, if they can't stick by you. I would much rather have Jesus in my life, than someone who is a pretender! Jesus is the truth, the light and the way. My previous life before Jesus, I was headed for destruction! Now I have eternity as my destination. Praise the Lord!
This has happened on facebook to me. I started praising God and post scripture on my wall, next thing I know, "friends" are deleting me left and right, or blocking me. "Friends" whom I have known all of my life. People I have grown up with and would have thought better than this. People I would never thought that it would bother, but apparently it did. I also kind of think that going to school to be a pastor, some "friends" thought that I would start to judge them by the lifestyle that they led. Not my job to judge, that is God's! I just want to be a friend to them, witness to them and tell them what God has been doing in my life! I wasn't given the chance. They dropped me like a hot rock. That is their loss. I am not going to change what I have been doing just becuase some people don't like it. God has me here for a reason, and I want to share Him with everyone that I possibly can! Praise the Lord!
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