P.R.s Reflections

2008-08-16T18:45:00.000-07:00

Over 20 churches coming together to "bring application" to our faith. How could we feed, care for, love on, meet practical needs of over 2000 people. It wasn't that hard as we laid aside our differences and focused on our sameness. We loved Jesus, so he could give us love for those he loves.

Let's not wait a year to carry the torch to the next mountain that needs to be taken in Green Bay. What is it? What can we do about things like 600 homeless kids, or so many people in need?

2008-08-10T21:16:00.000-07:00

2008-07-23T21:04:00.000-07:00

This was a little camp ground in Three forks MT.
The head waters of the Missouri River... There's a sign that says if you got on an inner-tube, it would take you 3 monthes to float to the mouth of the Mississippi, River in NEW ORLEANS.
This makes me think about what it must have been like for Lewis and Clark to use poles to push their barges up the Mississippi, then up the Missouri to this point! The point where I slept on the same ground they splet on when they thought that mighty Missouri River would take them to the Pacific Ocean. Ever have an experience like that? You think what you're doing will take you to a certain place, but you end up in something far smaller than you thought? What then? Well Lewis and Clark got Sacajawea (an indian squaw) to show them the way throuh the mountains. It must have taken a ton of will power to keep going... not to mention the amount of time it took. And I freak out when the internet connection is slow.
anyway... some of the things that God is wanting to do in us take time. They will be worth it.
...and we know that in due season we will reap a harvest IF YOU FAINT NOT... 9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

2008-07-05T21:30:00.000-07:00

It's amazing how much junk you can fit in this car! We are on the road in Bismark ND with Deb, myself, and two of our boys. maybe after 25 years of being married we should be past taking vacation in a subaru and camping at a KOA... but we've made choices that have favoured other people. Right now I can think of dozzens of people whose lives are better off because of the time and focus we've shared with others, rather than always focusing on ourselves. This simplicity is the essence of true satisfaction. Not that Idon't wish to function at a higher level at times... I guess it wouldn't be any more eternal than what we are doing now!

2008-06-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

26 years with this woman It doesn't seem possible, and it doesn't seem like any man should be allowed that much blessing First of all she doesn't even seem 26 year old... I still see the woman that I fell for nearly 30 years ago, chased for several years of college and am married to today basically because I wouldn't give up I would say not giving up is one of my best qualities... and THIS is the earthy crown on my head. Someday, I'll have a spiritual crown... untill then a beautiful, golden, created by God for me crown, my delight... Debbie.

Thanks for 26 years Deb

2008-05-27T09:22:00.000-07:00

When many hands worktogether, the world can see the light.

2008-05-22T20:43:00.000-07:00

How do you make friends in a country that your country has made every effort to keep poor. You offer them what they want more than anything else they can think of... food! that's right... even though the sign on the gate of the Fire Department says "No Pase" I was invited in immediately as I displayed a plate of food, namely Flan from the Flan Queen of the Universe Isabelle. (Flan is a wonderful blended concaction of cane sugar, egg whites, and carmel)

Spiritually, people have been supressed from having anything more than the minimal.

Just like with food rations, (that I'm told you can hardly stay alive on) people have been suppresed spiritually. Imagine Cubans finding out that there is actually unlimited amounts of God, unlimited amounts of grace, mercy, Joy, forgiveness, ects.

Just like with the firemen, you become welcome, when you bring food, and the knowledge of how to get more!

2008-04-15T21:57:00.000-07:00

Headed to Cuba on May 12-19
speaking / teaching at a pastors conference.

Praying, "My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus" as many decide to help me go on this mission and deliver $800 for the conference.

2008-03-17T11:18:00.001-07:00

Click here to get your own player.

2008-03-12T20:36:00.000-07:00

You have to pick the right bait...
Until you have the right bait, you're just throwing line!

"Follow me and I will make you Fishers of men"

2008-02-18T15:43:00.000-08:00

2008-02-18T15:29:00.000-08:00

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:9-13

2008-01-20T17:09:00.000-08:00

A few years ago this pastor would have been ignoring a chance to connect with the whole world, as I prepared for something "spiritual"... a Sunday night service.

I'm glad that the day of paying attention to what is going on in the world is no longer thought of as unspiritual.

What Did Jesus say? In Matthew 10 and 15 Jesus says to go to the lost sheep of Israel. We need to know where they are and go to them.

"in the world... but not of it"

2008-01-15T09:40:00.000-08:00

If you drive to work on a regular basis, you mostlikely select a normal route. It is the route thats best. You pick it from your experience from the past.

The problem with this, is that you never find out that a new highway has been built that may save you 15 minutes in getting to work... or better yet that you can take an exit from the highway you use and get to go by a new StarBucks that has sprung up three blocks from your work.
Ron Ross

but inspired by teaching I got from Earl Creps
church planter from Berkley, California USA

2007-12-25T21:03:00.000-08:00

The Ross House for Chrsitmas Eve '07

2007-12-22T21:36:00.000-08:00

The Lights of the new year are in sight!

We live in the future and in the past,
the present is a fleeing moment.

Sometimes I regret to live as such,
realizing this focus will not allow me to touch.

Our minds must bring our bodies into the full moment that is now
In order to benefit those around us
bringing help, Joy, or just awareness,
that they are precious...

enough to shelter a moment of present
as a gift to the loved ones around our table
in this blessed yuletide week.

2007-12-22T21:17:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-12T20:41:00.000-08:00

What shape does Jesus come in today? Actually I think He can even come in the shape of a cookie! 14 wonderful NEW Freedom People would probably agree. How hard is it to give three hours of time to make others Christmas better?

Now 64 Business' over 500 workers on our block in Howard are enjoying your (our) cookies! Thanks for your love in the shape of cookies!

Whether it's cookies, toys for tots, or bringing food to someone shut in during the holiday... When you give, no questions asked, and then enjoy the smiles and warmed hearts. When you give as unto the Lord, God comes to man (woman)

I love giving to you...
but more than that I love giving "with" you!

2007-11-16T19:22:00.000-08:00

Seven years of co-labouring, hanging out, eating together, training, team teaching, oh, and eating together... and still friends forever!

God bless the Byrd family as they move to Colorado... may part of their hearts stay here!

2007-11-09T19:46:00.000-08:00

It's easy to feel alone.
If you do, or ever have it would be a very normal thing.
Everywhere you look in every direction you see noone giving your reflection back to you. All you see is the reflection of that which is different.
You wonder where is the familiar? How did I get here? Did everyone get off the bus when I wasn't looking or have I moved forward when everyone else was standing still?

Being alone is usually not the true perspective. It's not the one others would see. They see misplaced, or displaced... Maybe they see what could befrom a different field, leaving a dissatisifaction with the way things were.

Leaders are often alone.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Simon and his companions went to look for him,
and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!"
Mark 1:35-37

2007-10-25T20:43:00.000-07:00

Private Justin Ross graduates from Basic training tomorrow morning.

It hit us today at the family day welcome... We are a military family! We support our soldier and he helps to make sure that the defending of our country's freedom happens at the sourse of the conflicts, not on our soil. His commanding officer LTC Charles Samaris was very clear in helping us see that is why we deploy our soldiers to other continents. The other choice would be setting up sandbags at our borders and defending out nations at the edge of our cities.

Thank God for those who will make the sacrifice. We make it to stand strong for Justin and He makes it to stand strong for us! and for you!

2007-10-21T19:22:00.000-07:00

What is the value of anything on earth?
What effort should we invest in something that doesn't last forever?

Solomon by the direction of his father, David invested a huge amount into the temple.
This temple that was so magnificent that the Queen of Sheba came to see it.

1 Kings 10:1 When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relation to the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions.
2 Arriving at Jerusalem with a very great caravan-- with camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones-- she came to Solomon and talked with him about all that she had on her mind.
3 Solomon answered all her questions; nothing was too hard for the king to explain to her.
4 When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built,
5 the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at {5 Or the ascent by which he went up to} the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.
6 She said to the king, "The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true.
7 But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.
8 How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!
9 Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD's eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness."

2007-09-13T19:29:00.000-07:00

Debbie and i are at a Great Marraige conference Sept 13-15 in Rome Georgia.

Here's great tidbit!

Think about the setting of Genesis 2:18

Adam was walking and talking with God on a daily basis and there was no sin in the world and yet in that "perfect intimate situation" God said it was, "Not Good"
This means our relationship with God is not enough... He wants us to have a relationship with others!

Of course women would like to think that according to God, it was "not good" until there was woman! :-)

Check out www.GreatCommandment.net

See where we are staying in 100 year old milking cow barns.... fixed up pretty nice though

Also you have to check out the link to the Berry College Campus... it will increase your vision when you learn it was begun by a Sunday school teacher who wanted to find a way to educate poor mountain children.

http://www.berry.edu/

2007-09-09T08:54:00.000-07:00

How does God provide?
Here are some of the ways HE's provided in my life this summer.

Finances from laying 8000 bricks in a wonderful friends backyard...

Letters from my (our) son, Justin, from Basic training in Missouri...

hearing others be strong helps you be strong... GOOD JOB JUSTIN

realizing my lack of faith and character, but willing to enter into a new level of strength and character by being willing to simply stand.

Huge comprehension of the present culture through a funeral done for a young friend (go to www.newfreedomchurch.podomatic.com) He drew the picture here...

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18

2007-07-27T21:33:00.000-07:00

I find great encouragement from The Word of God, God's Presence (like feeling him nearby) and by others who do what I do