Rob Umphress

The joy is Back

2009-11-08T09:33:00.000-08:00

Last time I wrote ,I wrote about overflowing joy. I have had time to think about that since then. I decided that joy is an active choice we make moment to moment. We can choose to have joy or choose to be morose and unhappy.

Having asked God to forgive me of my sins and come into my life, was a turning point in my life. I realized I had forgotten that or let that hope go. I have let the worries of the economy and the daily life struggle over come me the joy didn’t go away. I put it down to take up the burden of life. Well I’ve picked up the joy of life and I am choosing to carry that, not the burden of worry and angst.

I have hope in my salvation join me in that hope. Thank you God for forgiving my sins and giving me the joy in my life.

Overflowing Joy

2009-10-05T21:34:00.000-07:00

I heard a pastor speak of a woman he saw two or three days before she died. She said to him "my cup is running over with joy. I so full of joy my heart cannot contain it". She died a few days later. He was struck with how happy she was knowing full well she didn't have long to live.

I have been thinking about that. And I asked myself do I have that kind of joy. I have to admit no I don’t. I’m not completely sure how to have that kind of joy to be quite honest with you. God and I have been talking about that these last few days. I will write more about this I’m sure.

What I would like though is to hear from you. My e mail is overflowingjoy1@gmail.com. Or you can write a comment to this post. Please write me and tell me what over flowing joy means to you.

Eyes that see

2009-09-15T05:14:00.001-07:00

I was playing golf last week and one of the guys hit a ball that was a little off, don’t worry mine were worse usually. Well we were watching his ball so we could find it when we went looking for it. I lost it after it started to come back down against some low clouds. Luckily one of the other guys was able to pick it back up. John made a comment that at his age he didn’t have the eyes to track the ball like he did when he was younger. He said he played with his nephew earlier this summer, and he could see way out there and hardly ever lost sight of the ball. He could track it until it stopped rolling. Wow to have those young eyes again. We got up to where the ball was and it was in a good spot and there was a clear path to the green. He hit it on and pared the hole, that’s the goal when we play golf par or better.

That started me to start thinking about my walk with Christ, and how as things are happening in my life and I don’t have the eyes to see what goes on all the time. Just like the shot that was what we thought was a little off was ok when we got up to it. It wasn’t in the middle of the fairway away from all trouble sitting up just waiting for us to come up a hit it again. We want our life to be down the middle of the fairway and ALWAYS out of trouble. How many of us know that doesn’t happen?

We grow through trouble, we are stretched and gain strength through perseverance while we are in trouble. God is not a puppet master who says to himself what trouble can I make this guy go through so I can laugh at him as he struggles and sometimes fail. Rather he has eyes that see all, which guide us through because we don’t see the end result. And one of the most amazing things happen also, the end result is usually better than we could do on our own. While my eyes don’t always work the best and I can’t see all. God’s eyes work perfectly.

Join Me

2009-06-28T22:02:00.000-07:00

It’s Sunday morning and we’re going to church. There was a time not so long ago that going to church on Sunday morning was just done. My wife and I are looking for a new church, we’ve narrowed it down to two. This has been a curious experience for us. We have not gone through the looking for a church experience. When we moved to a new town we went to the same denomination church in that town as we had in the town we just moved from. Anyway getting back to looking for a new church, through this process we found ourselves making excuses of why we didn’t go to church that week. We were talking this week and both of us agreed that we can’t let the various and sound good at the time excuses stop us from going to church.
So we are off this morning, some of you reading this may or have been in the same boat as my bride and I find ourselves in. My advice is just go until you find a home. The road can be long and arduous . You will be rewarded in the end and the effort will be worth it. Church’s can and are a rewarding experience, you get challenges, support to help you through tough times. And sometimes you are able to help others and give back to someone what someone has given you. We also get to hear the word of God (Bible) taught and I know for myself I can use all the help I can get. Join me in going to church. Maybe I will see you there, I hope so.

My Secret's are Safe

2009-06-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

A friend of mines brother died. Although he knew not everything was right with him, he had no idea of what life was really like for his brother. From what he told me his brother had issues. My heart was broken for my friend. He not only had lost his brother, he had to pick up the pieces of his brother’s life. My friend said something to the effect of you never know what kind of life a person has until it’s too late. I thought about that we all put on a front to the world even to our closest friends, but we keep some things hid. And to a point we are successful we did a great job of hiding our secrets from everyone.
At least we think we are successful, but you know what God see’s and knows everything we not only do, but all we think about. The bible tells us that we will have to give an account of what we did in this life. You see God knows it all, not so he can embarrass us, but so we can be forgiven. Did this only happen to me when I was a kid. Someone found something out about me and the word spread like wildfire. My life was miserable, I was teased and taunted. God doesn’t do that he forgives us. All we have to do is ask him. I am so glad that my trust is put in God. I do have those things that I am not proud of. I also know that those same things are in God’s hands and as the song goes “He has the whole world in his hands” and I am safe in his hands.

Moving Day

2009-06-06T08:29:00.001-07:00

Today we move the 3rd of our four children, they are going away to college. I have very mixed feelings about this. I watch them as they go through life. Celebrating with them and cringing when they make decisions that I don’t agree with. I want them to grow and experience life, I can’t keep them as little children all their lives. I worry about how they will do and when they have trouble I won’t be around the corner to dash over and fix things. I knew this day was coming , our child has been talking about and planning for a almost a year. This child is the most like me, we call them pea pod. They have so many of my characteristics both good and bad. I told this child one day that they were so much like me, it scares me. I was worried that they would make the same mistakes and blunders that I have made.
I have ask God to watch over them and to guide and protect them and I know he will. I thought of God as he watches us make our mistakes and think we can do it better and we don’t need his help. We make mistakes and blunders and like our children call us, we call on God. HELP ME. When my child calls I will do everything in my power to help them. God is ready and waiting for us to call him for his help and forgiveness. We just need to call on him, all of us do.

Everything is Possible

2009-05-23T21:35:00.001-07:00

Well it was bound to happen, most likely later than sooner. I listened to my wife today, and did what she suggested. My wife is the most precious thing I am associated on this earth. I have a habit of not listening to her enough.Well back to my thoughts. I was working in the yard and I needed to spray some weed killer. I was mixing it up and my wife came home from the store. She saw what I was doing, and asked me if I had looked at the sky lately. I replied yes. She asked me if I had noticed the clouds, you know the kind that are dark and ominous. The kind that is going to throw rain down on your head until it hurts. I said yes I had seen them, but I don’t think it will rain. She kindly advised me to wait and spray tomorrow. I looked at the clouds and thought to myself those babies don’t look good. I had better take her advice. So I went and started to weed some flower beds.
As I was weeding I started to replay the conversation with my wife again and I complemented myself on listening to my wife. I don’t know what more amazing that I listened to my wife and didn’t blaze full speed ahead, doing what I thought was right. Or that I wasn’t laying on the ground in total shock that I had listened to her. About that time God spoke to me and said “you do the same thing to me Rob. I talk to you and try to help you and you just go a do what you want to do, without regard for what I am trying to tell or help you with”. Wow I was humbled and ashamed. I have the creator of the universe trying to help me. I sometimes wonder why God keeps trying, but I am grateful that he does. In the bible a man brought his son to Jesus and asked for Jesus to heal his boy. He said to Jesus “if you can”. Jesus replied and said “everything is possible if you believe”. The man replied back a said “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief”. You see when I do what I think is best what I am really saying is I don’t trust God to do it so I had better do it myself. Like I listened to my wife and took her advice. I asked God to help me overcome my unbelief, and listen and obey his voice.
And yes it did rain like my wife said it would about 30 minutes later

I don't want to get Spewed Out

2009-03-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

I had lunch with a client last week. I went to lunch to get to know Rick better and see where I could get more business. Did that ever not happen, as we talked I lost all thought of getting more business and started to focus and think about God. My relationship with Christ. Rick talked about listening to a message from a pastor that talked about having all our focus on attaining and getting more and more wealth. Rick sent the link to me of the sermon and I watched it a few days later. WOW I was shook, the guys talked about our security being in the things of this world. One example he used we wanted a bigger house, bigger income, bigger retirement, more, more , and more. But when it comes to God I have enough, I don’t need anymore. Nothing could be farther from the truth, the inverse is true. I need more and more and more of God and less and less and less of things. I had a hard time even writing the work less three times like I did the word more.
In case you are wondering this has been me of late. I have been focused on the wrong things. I have been felling the tug from Christ to spend more time with him in both prayer and in his word the bible. I just ignored it, in my quest for more and more. In the bible the book of revelation tells us that if you are lukewarm, God says I will spew you out of my mouth. Have you ever taken a big drink straight from the carton of milk (it’s a guy thing) and the milk was sour. You can’t evacuate that milk fast enough. You spew it out with all the vigor and force you can muster. That’s the picture I got. I don’t want to be the one that God spews out because I was lukewarm or worse spoiled and apathetic. Join me on the journey of being a fired up on fire person for God.

A Funny Thing Happened

2009-03-05T10:24:00.000-08:00

I walked out my front door yesterday morning and the sun was shining and it was snowing very lightly. I stood there for the moment and just took in the experience. It was glorious to stand there and soak in the sun, and snow at one time. As all good things are I needed to get going and the time came to an end. I got in my truck and started my work day, and off I go to see my clients. As I drove I noticed while it continued to snow, the sun was fast giving way to clouds and overcast sky. I looked in my mirror and the sun was still there where I left it, shining away waiting for me to come back and soak it up again. I didn’t I keep driving to my appointment.

As I drove I recalled during a period of my life when I was young that I walked away from God and kept going farther, and farther away. My life like that sky that was now above me increasingly was gloomier and gloomier. I remember thinking I was living the high life, Life doesn’t get any better than this does it I would tell myself. Early one morning finishing an evening and night of revelry I stood outside the bar I was at and reflected on my life. I confess even though I had been telling myself it doesn’t get any better than this. I was spinning a yarn to myself that just wasn’t true. When you lie to yourself that’s the worst. And I had been lying to myself big time.

I said to myself “Is this all there is to life” God spoke to me and said “no Rob it isn’t I’m here waiting for you” You see all the time I was living what I thought was the high life God had been waiting for me to come back to him. God hadn’t moved away from me, I had moved away from him. Like the lost son in the bible (Read Luke 15:11-31). I told God that if he would take me back, I would serve him the rest of my life. And to the best of my ability I have. A funny thing happened though, God didn’t make me pay the price of walking away. He wasn’t keeping a scorecard. He welcomed me back with open arms and no conditions, and loved me like I had never left. He will you as well. Just ask God

Thanks for Paying the Price

2009-03-01T17:54:00.001-08:00

My two youngest children are applying for financial help with college. One if them has to write a paper on the humanitarian effects and the conflicts in Darfur. We were discussing different directions they could go in writing the paper. I asked them why you suppose that marauding armies and guerrilla’s rape the women of the country they are conquering. They had some ideas and we tossed a few of them around.

My thoughts turned to Christ on the cross, all the sins of the world were heaped on Christ when he died for our sins. I wondered what his thoughts were at the time. I speculated how his heart broke with that burden. On that cross Christ paid the price for mine and your sins. I haven’t raped and pillaged, but my sins were no less or greater in the eyes of God. I was and still am a sinner. I am only saved by the shed blood of Christ on that cross. You may think this may be a little dramatic, but every day I want to remember the price that was paid for MY sins. I never want to for, and I give thanks to God daily for his forgiveness of my sins, and Christ paying the price for my sins.

I Was Finally Quiet Enough to LISTEN !!!!!

2009-02-25T15:25:00.000-08:00

Guess what I rode my bike this weekend, like that a revelation for thise who know me. As I was getting ready to ride, I went to get my MP3 player to listen to as I rode. I started back into the house, and felt like God was telling me to forget the noise, and listen to the quiet of the ride.

As I rode I could hear my bike the different sounds that I don’t hear on most rides because I’m talking to someone. You were thinking because I’m huffing and puffing to much to hear anything else weren’t you. Most times you would be right, not this time though. I heard my chain rubbing because the derailleur wasn’t in the right position. I fixed that. Then I heard my brake pad rubbing on the wheel as well as other things.

I said to myself I wonder how many times those noises are there, but I’m to busy or not paying attention to hear them. As soon I said that, the verse in the bible Psalms 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God” exploded in my head. I have been in a funk these last few weeks; I tried to get out of it by lots of activity, and saying the catchy motivational sayings to myself. Then I tried to pray my way out of it, still trying the frenzied activity route. The worst part about that was I didn’t realize it until later. I discovered again (like it worked so well I quit doing it) God has been speaking to me all along. I just hadn’t slowed down to listen. God was and is there talking to me all the time .I just don’t listen or go still long enough to hear. I said to God you have my attention I’m her ready to listen to what you want to say to me. And he talked to a dumb, impatient, oblivious, person me. What a concept, God cares enough about me not only to talk to me, but he’s ready and willing to wait for me to listen to him.

Can you believe it, I can

Am I a Crab?

2009-02-19T08:47:00.000-08:00

I was at Starbucks today, while I was there I watched an older gentleman and was reminded of a statement one of the guys that I meet with every week made. He said “that as men get older they get crankier. It usually happens when they get close to 50”. That bothered me, I’m 51 and to a certain extent I’ve been kind of cranky all my life. Ask my wife and children.

That comment started me thinking am I getting to be more of a crank. I hope not. On my journey with Christ I’ve seen direct result of God softening my heart. I want to show the love of God more, not less by being an old crab. I guess you might know what parts of my prayers are going to be for the near future. God please soften my heart and make me more soft able to show your love, and not be a CRAB. From experience I know God hears and listens to my prayers and he will answer mine and yours as well. Ask Him

I Jerry McQuire'd it

2009-02-16T07:47:00.000-08:00

I rode my bike on the road two weeks ago for the first time since my knee surgery. It’s been 5 ½ months. I was released about a month before, and then the weather turned and I didn’t want to ride in the snow and ice. After that was gone, I found a myriad of reasons why I couldn’t or shouldn’t ride. Well I finally got on the bike, and after a mile or so asked myself, why. Why did I wait so long, why did I let all the excuses stop me, why didn’t I remember how great it feels to get on my bike and ride. I came to the conclusion that I was afraid, that I wouldn’t be able to, I would fall and hurt myself again. Or that I had just gotten to out of shape to ride. The last part was certainly true, at least to the extent that a small ride last summer is a day to remember and accomplishment today.

As I rode and looked at the surrounding countryside, my thoughts turned to my walk with Christ. During my younger years I didn’t have a relationship with Christ, I had turned my back on him. I had been raised in church, but decided it wasn’t for me church was for weak people and I wasn’t weak. Has that happened to you? I remembered during that time all the excuses that I had. Arguments that at the time seemed viable and true, they totally made sense at the time. Kind of like when Jerry McGuire wrote his manifesto in the middle of the night, and when the light of morning came, he realized he was a moron and tried to get it back. Unlike Jerry McGuire it isn’t not to late for us. We have the hope of salvation. In the bible John 3:16 tells us that “For God so loved the world that he gave his on e and only son and who so ever believed on him would have everlasting life”. Don’t be a Jerry McGuire, In the light of day. Believe in Jesus Christ and ask him to come into your life and forgive you of your sins. I did it and I don’t regret it. What I do regret is not asking sooner and losing that time with Christ. Ask him.

Join Charlie & I

2009-01-23T16:28:00.000-08:00

It’s overcast and gloomy here in Bend. One of the main reasons I like Bend is that it’s sunny most of the time. Sometimes it’s downright cold, but sunny. With the weather and the great economic news (that’s irony in case you didn’t get it) it’s been a struggle to stay at a high positive level of enthusiasm. I told my wife I’m going to stop watching the first 10 minutes of the news, because nothing is good in the first 10 minutes. Confirming the old adage of “If it bleeds, it leads” in the news game

I went to see a friend of mine who I’m lucky to do business with. His name is Charlie. I told my wife later in the day that my spirit was uplifted after spending time with Charlie. He did my heart a world of good. Thanks Charlie.

I drive a lot in my job, so I have time to think and wonder about things if I take the time and not get consumed with the challenges and troubles that could consume me. As I drove this afternoon I was reminded of Peter in the bible in Matthew 14: 28-31 (you can read for yourself at the site listed below. Cut and paste in your browser) Anyway Peter walked on the water, until he took his eyes of Jesus. Then you guessed it he sank like a rock until Jesus grabbed his hand and rescued him. When I take my eyes and trust off of God and try and do it myself. I sink as well. Those of you that wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat and can’t go back to sleep or you can hardly breathe because of the stress and pressure we feel. Sound familiar. You’re not alone, we all forget.

One of my resolutions this year is to keep my eyes on God more and not lean to my own understanding, but lean on God for his understanding. Join Charlie and I.

Read for yourself
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=14&version=31&context=chapter

Poems & Prayer

2009-01-18T08:33:00.000-08:00

Almost every Sunday morning I get up and watch the TV same show. I set my alarm on purpose so I won’t miss it. This morning I was watching and a person was on talking about the inauguration that is coming up. They were discussing the writing and reading of a poem that will be read during the inauguration. While I am not a poet, poetry has always fascinated me. The prose that is written, and the deep reflection and ideas that go into writing a poem. I very much admire poets, they have a very special God given gift. The guest who was on the show said and I quote “the reading of the poem is more important than the prayer”.

In case you were wondering or have guessed that bothered me very much. Prayer has and is a very important part of my life. I believe it was Charles Swindall who said “I can do all things through Christ, but I do nothing without praying first”. I looked up prayer in my concordance in the back of my bible and there were I think 79 -80 references (I counted 4 times and kept losing count it was a lot) where prayer is the topic. Jesus thought prayer was so important that he taught his disciples to pray, we call it the Lords Prayer. Its recited innumerable times each day and year.

To conclude I felt that statement couldn’t go by without a comment. My friend Allen Ruggles has said to me many times “I need God everyday. Hour by hour, minute by minute”. I’m reminded of that many times though out my day , and prayer is a very integral part of looking to God all day. As for me and my house we will continue to keep prayer of the forefront of our belief and continue to pray daily if not minute by minute if it’s needed.

Waiting for Chloe

2009-01-17T16:46:00.000-08:00

I was on Face book yesterday talking to a friend Melissa, I just discovered the online friend portion. Have patience with me please. Anyway I noticed on her dad’s Facebook site he was waiting for her and her son to come and see him. I asked her then commented to her what a treat it must be for Grandpa Jim to see the little man. I have a grand daughter on the way her name is Chloe. I told Melissa that I already have a picture of her on my phone, one of the ultrasound pictures. I made the comment that when I was able to hold her in person it would be a day that would be added to my top 10 days. After marrying my bride, asking Christ to forgive me of my sins, and the birth of my four children.

I instantly thought of when Christ comes back for us, and I wondered how much more God’s joy would be to welcome us into heaven. I thought to myself I love this little girl and I haven’t seen, held or talked to her. I’m almost in tears thinking about the joy of Chloe coming into this earth, and how much more Gods joy will be when we come home to be with him. It gives me pause and wonderment to just try and wrap my thoughts around the concept of how much God loves ALL of us.

I can’t see my granddaughter or God yet, so I for now will be content to wait for Chloe and the day I can see God face to face. WOW

The Bento Box

2008-10-19T22:44:00.000-07:00

I went to a movie with my wife and one of my children, and afterward we went for a lite meal. We had one of my favorite foods sushi. My wife and child had bento boxes. I’ve been intrigued with them since I first saw one. Whoever thought them up was good. I know your probably saying to yourself “get a life, it’s just a box”. I know it is, I saw a segment on a TV show where there was an auction and very old bento boxes like over 300 years old were being sold for a lot of money. If memory serves me correct over a $ 1,000,000.00.

Back to reality, what impresses me was that everything has its place. The little compartments and how it kept the different food separate from each other. I looked at them and asked myself “Do I do that with my heart with God”. Do I keep things in little compartments in my heart and not let Gods love and his influence affect those areas in my heart and my life?

We have a tendency to compartmentalize things in our life and try not to have them spill over to other areas. We or I don’t want things to get messy. When God works in my life and I’m trying to hide things from him (as if that can happen) it can get messy. I don’t know why I do that experience has taught me that if I just let God into my whole heart, it ALWAYS works for the best and I grow from it.

God and I have been talking about me trying to compartmentalize my heart and not letting him have access to my whole heart. When I accepted Christ into my heart and asked him to forgive me of my sins. I opened all of my heart to him, not just part of it. This was a good reminder that if I have areas in my heart I’m compartmentalizing, I’m taking the walls out and letting it all mix together in one big heart. Thank you God for the reminder.

It Worked So Well We Quit Doing It

2008-10-01T23:33:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I was driving down the road and I thought I saw a motorcycle that had a training wheel on it. I saw it at the last moment and turned to look after I passed him to get another look, but I couldn’t see anything more. I pondered that as I kept driving to my destination. It reminded me of when my wife’s niece was in town and came to have dinner with us along with her 2 boys. After dinner they were boys and wanted to get out and run and ride their bikes, not sit at the table with Mom and talk. So I took them out side to ride their bikes. It was a duty I’ll do anytime they come. I really enjoy those boys. The oldest one was proud to show me how good of a bike rider since I saw him last year. Last year you see he had training wheels just like his little brother. This year he’s a man riding on 2 wheels, going fast and jumping off the curb when his Mom wasn’t looking. He made sure I know he was a 2 wheeler MAN.

A week or two later I was out riding my bike, it was the next day after a long hard ride and my legs were tired and sore. I just wanted to get out and get my legs moving, so I wasn’t pushing it. I hade taken my MP3 with me to listen to the radio while I rode. There was this guy whose complete career had he had been the piano tuner for Steinway pianos. He just wasn’t just any tuner, he was the tuner for the concert maestros and did all the concerts in Carnegie Hall and places like that. He said something that really struck me and made me think. He said “like the tuning fork is to the piano, so is God to us” he went on to say that the tuning fork has the note that the tuner uses to bring the piano back into tune, you can’t tune a piano without a tuning fork. And we can’t live our lives without God being in our lives.

What that humble man had said rattled around in my head for a couple of days. When we first ask God into our lives and ask him to forgive our sins we look to God for everything and we think we can’t live without his input in our life. After we’ve gone along for awhile we get this false sense of self confidence and think “I can do this I don’t need to bother God with this small thing” that starts the process of making more decisions on our own and after a time we forget to ask God first Then one day we’re in a situation, and we may even say out loud “How did I get into this situation”?

Yea we forgot to involve God in a little decision and decided to do what we thought was right. Walking with God and having his input, not domination in our lives worked so well we quit doing it.

You know what God is waiting right beside us waiting for us to ask his help. Just ask him.

It Doesn't Make Sense Does it? But it Does

2008-08-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

I was on an airplane last week coming back to Bend from Chicago. The only way they could have packed more seats on that plane was to hang the seats from the ceiling. It was packed, I had an intense couple of days and spending time on a cramped and stuffed plane was not as my neighbor Mike says “pure joy”. I wanted to relax catch up on some work and have a little down time. As soon as the fasten seatbelt sign went off, the guy on front of me leaned his seat back to relax. You know what that does to the guy behind, yea ten pounds in a five pound bag.

I decided to make the best of things; I’ll watch the movie, remember how stuffed the plane was. For a guy like me that’s not a pencil neck. OK some might call me fat, I’m really robust. Just like I don’t snore I purr. You get the picture the seats were very very cramped. I couldn’t find the jack to plug my headset in. I had to get out of the seat, and while doing that I stepped on this poor ladies foot. After profusely and sincerely saying how sorry I was (she was very gracious thank you) I found the jack and hallelujah I had sound to go along with the picture. I watched the movie and enjoyed every minute of it.

After the movie was over I took my headset out of the jack because I thought everything was over. Can you tell I’m an inexperienced flyer? Well it wasn’t shows kept being shown. I wanted to listen, but I was afraid and didn’t want to go through the process of getting up stepping on the nice ladies foot. Sticking by rear end in the guy across from me face to find the jack again.

As I set there I realized this could be like that for people that haven’t asked Christ into their life. They see what’s going on, but they can’t hear anything. It doesn’t make sense to them. This asking Christ into your life and being a Christian thing. It just doesn’t make sense to them, so the question is most likely asked why should I do anything about becoming a Christian? As strange as it seems asking God to come into your life and asking God to forgive you of your sins. It works as time goes on and you start to understand. If you have question you can e mail me and we can discuss it further.

It Doesn’t Make Sense Does It? But it Does

Move Closer

2008-07-30T23:26:00.000-07:00

I love to play golf. When I was younger I was pretty good, not PGA, or even club champion but I had some game. A couple of years ago a friend of mine helped me with my set up and pre shot routine to help me get started right. Things went well for a while. But lately I’ve been having some consistency problems. OK when I stand over the ball I have no idea where it’s going. About a month ago I was standing over the ball, and the thought crossed my mind. I’m standing to far away, I ignored that thought and swung away and promptly forgot everything that just crossed my mind. Yea you guessed it my problems kept on. Two weeks ago I was hitting some balls on the range, and we had a little contest to see who could hit the ball farther. I stepped up to the ball and totally creamed the ball it went a country mile, not true it went about 100 yards and took a hard left. Oh yea it stayed about 2 feet of the ground, instead of coming off the club and rising to a beautiful height then falling back to earth about 300 yards from where I hit it. One of the guys there said to me you’re standing to far away move closed to the ball. I instantly remembered that thought form a month ago and knew he was right.

As I thought of that later I was reminded of the times that God had said something to me and I ignored him. I knew that God was talking to me, and didn’t pay attention. In the bible John 10:27 says My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I didn’t pay attention and paid the price, I kept making the same mistakes over and over again. As I’ve gotten older I keep learning from my mistakes and try not to make the same mistakes. The man who wrote the song Amazing Grace was a captain of a slave ship and the story goes that as he was passing a church service he heard the music went in and asked God to forgive him of his sins and to come into his heart. His name was John Newton, he said one time “I am a horrible sinner, fortunately my God is a greater savior”. He forgave me of my sin and he will for you to.

You Got to Finish

2008-07-14T07:28:00.000-07:00

You Got to Finish

July in Tour De France month for me, I am inspirited when I see the effort and commitment from the riders. The price they are willing to pay for success. We have a multi day stage race here in Bend. A friend of mine invited me to ride in one of the team cars on Saturday for a local team that has riders in the race. My job was to give the team bottles of water and gatorade type drinks when the bottles they were carrying were empty. I saw performances all across the spectrum from less than a mile out from the start line quitting and saying I don’t have it. To three of the riders from the team finishing in the top 30 out of about 75 starters. Right before the end of the race there was this hill, that was so steep and it went forever it seemed like. The grade was 7 – 8 percent and I believe it was about 2 miles long. In the car you could hear the engine working, it was so steep. My friend kept saying before we got to the hill “I hate the hill coming up” He said it over and over and over. You could hear in his voice him recalling the pain and frustration of when he had ridden the hill. The pain and agony it had caused him.

When we got the finish line we were congratulating the riders on the great job they did. Terry the rider that had finished in the top ten (I believe) was talking about how much she liked that hill, the very one my friend had been saying over and over how much he hated. My friend is a very good rider and is on the team but he is injured, other wise he would have been riding in the race. So he’s no wimp when it comes to riding and racing bikes. Terry had made the transition from pain and effort to knowing when they rode that hill and gave it all they had. They were better off than before they rode the hill. They had faith that the effort had been worth it. And had kept her eyes on the prize.

We can make that same conclusion in life. In the bible Paul writes in Hebrews chapter 11 about faith. He recounts some of the great men and woman in the bible that had faith, and how God rewarded their faith. In verse 40 Paul writes “For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can’t receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race. The key to me here, we have to finish the race we can’t quit.There have been some things I have been worrying about, I haven’t been exercising my faith/ When I’ve been looking at the hills in my life, all I’ve been seeing is the agony and effort it will take, not seeing the prize In the next two verses Hebrews 12:1-2 Paul writes “therefore let us run the race with endurance, the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus on whom our faith depends from start to finish”

I was able to see an example of the kind of faith this week end, Terry kept her eyes on the prize, the finish line. It encourages me to keep my eyes on the prize, a better and stronger relationship with Christ. You Got to Finish

The Vision

2008-07-06T13:54:00.000-07:00

My wife went with a few of her friends to spend the day going to garage sales. You might be saying to yourself uh oh. But not me, she doesn’t go crazy and get caught up in the deal fever. She called me later and asked me to come to one of the sales she had bought something for our backyard. I asked her what she needed picked up; she told me she bought a trundle bed us to sit on in our backyard. I wondered about it, but didn’t say anything I said I would be there in a bit. She thanked me and said she would be on her way to another sale.

I pulled up to the sale and told them I was her to pickup the bed my wife bought. I was escorted to the purchase .And my unspoken thought and fears were realized. It was an old frame with the built in springs. I asked myself what was she thinking when she say this ugly old bed. I looked at it for a bit and decided to trust her judgment and wait to see what she was going to do with it. I will admit I was skeptical.

I was cutting the grass today and looked over and saw the bed sitting in our backyard, it is still in the shape it was when bought it. My bride has been to busy to work on it, we’ve talked a couple times of how to proceed. Well the truth is my wife has talked and I’ve listened. As I looked at the bed today I was reminded of my first thoughts when I saw it. And started to get upset. That was the exact moment that God spoke to me. He reminded me of the vision my wife has. She see’s the potential of good in things and does her best to bring that out. Part of the man I’m today is a result of her vision and love for me. Thank you honey.

God does the same thing, he doesn’t look at our ugliness from the things we’ve done or said. He see’s the potential in us. God looks at and says to himself “I see them and I know how great they are and I’m going to help them become the person they were created to be. In Jeremiah 29:11-13 it says 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. God see’s the goodness and potential in myself and he see’s it in you. I’ve tried to do it myself and didn’t such a good job. God has, and he will and can do the same for you.

It's Summertime

2008-06-23T21:32:00.000-07:00

Its summer and I started to think about children going to camps. Of course I reminisced about my going to camp. I only went for 1 week at a time. A friend of mine grew up in New York, and his parents shipped he and his sister off to camp for the whole summer. When I heard that I wondered who had more fun. He and his sister at camp, or mom and dad at home without children for the summer? Anyway back to my train of thought.

The camp I went to most was the camp the foursquare denomination put on for the district that we were part of. The camp director was named Roy Hicks Jr. During mail call after dinner Roy called out your name if you had mail. You wanted to get mail, but it was a two edge sword. You see Roy was a complete nut bag during this time. He was a wild and crazy. You were laughing so hard, your sides hurt. At the same time even though you wanted to get mail, a part of you was praying to God please don’t let this be the day I get mail. Some kids prayed more and harder there than they did in chapel.

When I think back to those events. (Oh yea I never got mail thank you God). I remember the fun times. And I remember the times that I learned about God more. That was the start of me on my own deciding to follow God. I thought if a nut bag like Roy Hicks can serve God and have that much fun and be cool. I want that for me. I found out later that he was following another camp director. And some of my friends (those who got embarrassed at mail call) said he was copying the guy before him.

If he did that’s OK. You see we as Christians are called to copy Christ. He’s the guy we follow and imitate. The meaning of Christian means “to be like Christ”. The first thought I had after I wrote that was “be like Mike” from the Nike commercials and that’s not it. Sorry I wondered I do that if you’ve noticed. Any way I’m back, there is a verse in the bible Psalms 51:12 it says “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you”. I asked God to do that in me and he is.

Thanks Dad

2008-06-15T18:01:00.000-07:00

Today is Fathers day 2 of my children that are still living with us made me breakfast and gave me my gifts and the other 2 called and wished me well. Now that my father isn’t living Fathers day mean a lot more to me. I reflect the joys my children have brought me and the happy times we’ve had together.

My wife was out of town with 1 of our children helping them move into their first apartment, and my 2 left at home had to work. I’ve wanted to visit a church right by our neighborhood, so this seemed like a good Sunday to do it. I went and enjoyed it. The youth pastor gave the message and one of the verses he read struck a cord with me. It was Exodus 15:2 say “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my victory. He is my God, and I will praise him; he is my fathers God and I will exalt him!” The second part of the verse that says he is my fathers God keep ringing in my head.

I was raised in church and have gone all my life except for high school and a short time after. I started going because my parents went and so did I. Then I went because my parents made me. About the time of high school, I told my parents I wasn’t going anymore. We quarreled for a while, eventually my parents relented and I quit going. I don’t know if I wore them down, or they said to themselves “he’s old enough to decide for himself on whether he’s going to follow God or not. I was on my own with that decision.

After living life for myself for a spell, I realized my parents weren’t a stupid as I thought they were. I remembered the lesson I had learned in Sunday school. I told God if you will have me I want to ask you back into my heart. And 29 years later I know now more than ever I made the best decision of my life.

You see my father had showed me who God is not by harping on me, but by living his life as he felt God wanted him to. I started out knowing God as my fathers God, and he has become my God and I do praise him.

Thanks Dad

Truth is Inconvertible

2008-05-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

I went for a bike ride yesterday. Lately when I ride, my bike helmet has been irritating my forehead and rubbing it raw. I looked inside my helmet and noticed that 2 of the pads in front had fallen off and the Velcro that held them on was coming in direct contact with my skin. I guess I found the problem. I put some new pads in and went on my ride.

I still had some soreness up there so after I got out of the shower I looked in the mirror to see if forehead was OK. It was but while I was looking I got the haunting impression that my forehead looked bigger. Confession time here. I’ve always thanked God that I’ve kept my hair and hadn’t lost it. Well it’s starting not bad but my hairline is rising, I won’t be parting my hair from the back of my neck anytime soon though.

I worry what I will look like without hair. I’m not ugly, but I need all the help I can get. Fortunately I was reminded that God looks at the inside of us our hearts and not the outside. That started me thinking about things. I have some friends that are exploring God right now. They aren’t sure if God is for them. They’re still checking God out that’s OK. I ride with 2 other guys we call ourselves the 3 amigos. I really enjoy these guys, and have grown to appreciate and look forward to riding with and seeing them. One of the guys told me that his son was questioning is God real and am I wasting my time worshiping God? His son is intellectual and wanted concrete answers. He couldn’t give them to him so he had one of the youth pastors meet with him. He couldn’t answer all his questions either, most but not all of them. So he put him in touch with another pastor and they got his questions answered.

I realized after thinking about that question that my relationship with God is a heart thing. I don’t have all the intellectual answers either. But I do know that I tried to run my life without God in it and it was a disaster. Winston Churchill once said something to the effect “people can argue with you, but ” (I had to look up that word to make sure I spelled it right). At church we sang a song that had this line in it “Lord I’m amazed by you, how you love me”. But God still does love me and in spite of myself will continue to love me and you as well.
I went for a bike ride yesterday. Lately when I ride, my bike helmet has been irritating my forehead and rubbing it raw. I looked inside my helmet and noticed that 2 of the pads in front had fallen off and the Velcro that held them on was coming in direct contact with my skin. I guess I found the problem. I put some new pads in and went on my ride.

I still had some soreness up there so after I got out of the shower I looked in the mirror to see if forehead was OK. It was but while I was looking I got the haunting impression that my forehead looked bigger. Confession time here. I’ve always thanked God that I’ve kept my hair and hadn’t lost it. Well it’s starting not bad but my hairline is rising, I won’t be parting my hair from the back of my neck anytime soon though.

I worry what I will look like without hair. I’m not ugly, but I need all the help I can get. Fortunately I was reminded that God looks at the inside of us our hearts and not the outside. That started me thinking about things. I have some friends that are exploring God right now. They aren’t sure if God is for them. They’re still checking God out that’s OK. I ride with 2 other guys we call ourselves the 3 amigos. I really enjoy these guys, and have grown to appreciate and look forward to riding with and seeing them. One of the guys told me that his son was questioning is God real and am I wasting my time worshiping God? His son is intellectual and wanted concrete answers. He couldn’t give them to him so he had one of the youth pastors meet with him. He couldn’t answer all his questions either, most but not all of them. So he put him in touch with another pastor and they got his questions answered.

I realized after thinking about that question that my relationship with God is a heart thing. I don’t have all the intellectual answers either. But I do know that I tried to run my life without God in it and it was a disaster. Winston Churchill once said something to the effect “people can argue with you, but truth is inconvertible” (I had to look up that word to make sure I spelled it right). At church we sang a song that had this line in it “Lord I’m amazed by you, how you love me”. But God still does love me and in spite of myself will continue to love me and you as well.