Choices

Written by cycleguy on May 31st, 2012

 Flat out truth:  The choices we make determine the shape and color of our lives. 

I had lunch today (Thursday) with a young man (Ryan) from the church who is now married and attending Seminary in Denver.  I asked him about their future plans so could get a grasp on his desire for ministry.  He shared with me about their plans: financial, ministry, family, etc.  I was stunned that a couple so young (but obviously wise beyond their years) had such a grasp on their (hopeful) future.  They were making choices now that would affect their their later years.

I shared with him my (often) apology to Jo about my big mess-up in our lives.  Up until 2005 when I heard of and read Dave Ramsey, I had absolutely no (emphasis on absolutely) discipline when it came to financial matters.  Never having been taught how to handle money, or the importance of saving and investing and compound interest :) , I spent like there was no tomorrow.  Not that we had that much to begin with, but about every two years I was getting a new car.  We were using credit cards like there was no tomorrow.  I had nothing in retirement.  (I don’t have SS).  I told Ryan I could not count how many times I have apologized to Jo for my failure to plan.  She is now (age withheld) and having to go back to work full-time to help us with insurance.  We should have been at the place where I could be working and she could be relaxing and we could be enjoying our grandson.

IT. AIN’T. HAPPENING…

And unless God pulls one of His miracles (and He could), it would be safe for me to say it will never happen (and you should know how I feel about the word never).   It all comes down to the choices I made when I was younger.  In this case, no discipline = no future planned.

Making Saul king was not God’s or Samuel’s choice; it was the Israelites.  That choice proved to be a bad one.  Saul turned out to be less-than-ideal.   My basis for this week’s message is found in I Samuel 13:14.  Following Saul’s first real big blunder, Samuel tells him, “But now your kingdom shall not continue.  The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart, and the Lord has commended him to be prince over the people.”   My main thought: what kind of man/woman does God look for?  I am so enthralled by this that I plan to share what I believe to be four characteristics in Monday’s post.

Let me ask you: what characteristic would you say is typified by a person after God’s heart?  I’d like to hear your thoughts and will post them in Monday’s post. 

Thanks to Dan for the banner.  He drew the picture of David in minutes.  Told you he was good!  :)   I also thank you for your prayers.

 

Posted in Christian living, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 3 Responses »

CatchUp

Written by cycleguy on May 30th, 2012

No, that is not the condiment you use with fries.  :)  

Of course, that depends on what part of the country you come from.  Spending time with my brother the early part of this week was a session in cultural awareness.  Rob has traveled extensively around the U.S. as a result of his nearly 20 years in a singing/speaking ministry.   He has since gone back to reviving his ministry since getting married a little over two years ago; leaving his church in Louisville; and moving to Belle Vernon, PA.  He entertained us, as well as our friends who were with us.

From Sunday afternoon through late Tuesday afternoon,  Jo and I, and some friends from the church were either going to, in, or coming back from Pittsburgh.  I have come to several conclusions.

1)  I am not as young as I used to be.  Well…duh!  I can remember when marathon trips did not bother me at all.  I can remember twice pulling a 16 hour trip from Terre Haute to Knoxville and back when Tami was in college.  Not this boy!  Not this time, or any other time for that matter!  :)

2)  Catch up is a bear.

From 2000-2005 we lived in a small town called Castalia, OH.  There was a really cool place called Back to the Wild.  Mona, as the link shows, took great pride in rehabilitating animals of all kinds.  There were some though that were unable to be released because they could not survive.  An eagle with one eye missing.  A white fox that was blind from inbreeding.  One of her examples during her presentations was an owl (broken wing).  This dude was big.  One of the features she showed was how the owl can almost literally turn his head completely around.  Sort of like those cartoons you see.

THAT. IS. WHAT. CATCH-UP. IS. LIKE. TO. ME.

The head spins and nobody knows where or when it will stop.   You’ve been there I know that.  So you know exactly what I am talking about.  I had a great time.  No, make that a really great time (made better because the Pirates won).  Sorry Steve and all two of you Reds fans out there.  Wait a second! I’m not sorry!  What am I saying? :P

Since I am an early riser, I did have some good alone time.  It turned out to be me, God, and Chloe (their dog).  But today’s work day brought me back to reality as I tried to…well…catch-up on things.  As I sit here writing this at 4:30 in the afternoon, I am not sure if I accomplished that or not.  Oh well, least I have a head start on Thursday’s work day.

One thing I must do is apologize for not commenting on your blogs.  I opened up my computer to over 70 posts to read.  Ain’t no way I can do that and have a life.  So, I read but did not comment.  Thanks for coming by here and commenting on Adam’s story.   I will try to be more socially conscious now.  :)   Have a great Thursday.

 

Posted in Friendship, Miscellaneous, Uncategorized | 15 Responses »

Adam’sStory

Written by cycleguy on May 29th, 2012

My guest post today is Adam Tucker.  Adam and I “found” each other over two years ago and began commenting on each others’ blogs.  His blogging became somewhat lean as he had some major life changes (one was a major move back to his hometown).  Adam blogs here. Please check his blog for contacting him via Twitter and Facebook.   There is only one bad thing I know about Adam (and it really pains me to say this), he is an Atlanta Braves fan.  :( Enjoy Adam’s story. 

From the time I was a young boy I have always loved baseball. Then, and even to this day, no other sports rivals America’s National Pastime.

However great my love of baseball is my parents always taught me to put God above all else. If I did that everything else would fall into place. I cannot remember a Sunday growing up that my brother and I were not at church; and I greatly thank my parents for never wavering in this.

Sunday afternoon was also a day that my dad would come home and eat lunch and head to the ballpark to hit baseball for hours on end, and I loved it.  When not practicing I was playing whenever possible. I played school ball, American Legion in the summer, and in a local fall league traveling team.

When my senior year arrived, with all the hard work, I received several offers from schools throughout the Southeast to come and play baseball.

One of the coaches was different, which will play a major part in my future. His name was Brian Shoop and at the time he was at Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, Alabama. It was not normal to go on a visit and have the head coach pray over you before you leave. It was at that point that I knew that place, and that coach, was special.

So I started to Birmingham Southern in the fall and was starting as a freshman. I had a pretty good year and could not be happier for the next year to role around. However, three weeks into my sophomore season I started having shoulder problems that resulted in me needing to undergo season ending shoulder surgery.

After months of rehab and getting ready to come back and play my Junior season, I would have a setback that would require another shoulder surgery just six months after the first one. I was overwhelmed and unsure of my future after a visit to the surgeon, and being told that I would probably never play baseball again. My coach, who was one of the Godliest men I have ever had the opportunity to meet, said he did not believe that and asked me if I still wanted to play baseball. My answer was that I did. My coach then asked if I would come to his church on a Wednesday night service and have him and the elders pray over me. I responded that I would, and went and received prayer over my shoulder.

Then about mid way through my Junior year after much prayer and rehab, I was cleared to play, and stepped to the plate for first time after being told that I would never play again. It was during that plate appearance that everyone on that team and everyone that would hear this story know that we still serve a God that heals. It was at that plate appearance that I hit a home run in my first at bat in over a year.

I went on to finish out the season with a great year and could not wait to see what my senior season held.

My senior season would solidify that God is all-powerful and still capable at working miracles through the healing power of prayer.

In my senior season, my first full season in over two years, I would play in every game with no shoulder problems at all. It is in that season that I lead the team in nearly every offensive category, hitting .354 with 52 runs scored, 81 hits, 11 doubles, 25 home runs, 73 RBI, and a .729 slugging percentage. I received numerous accolades including: Second Team All Big South Conference, SEbaseball.com All-Big South, ABCA All-South Region, and NCBWA Second-Team All-American Honors, and was named a Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist.

None of that even compares to the story that I have and can tell for the rest of my life: the story of an awesome God that still performs miracles and heals. A God that heals with enough power that I now eight years later have not had any problems with my shoulder and play church league softball regularly.

God is good and when we believe anything is possible through him the impossible becomes possible; even when a world-renowned surgeon says otherwise.

For a video look at what Adam is writing about check out this YouTube video:

Feel free to comment.  Adam’s work schedule might not allow him to comment immediately, but he will do so.  Thanks Adam for taking the time to give us a vivid picture of the power of prayer. 

 

 

Posted in Christian living, God, Story | 44 Responses »

Almost

Written by cycleguy on May 28th, 2012

“Are we there yet?” 

Four words that strike “fear” in the hearts of every parent. Once it starts it will not stop.   You are just going to the store, but there it comes.  It gets really bad when you are on a long trip.   As you read this, chances are good there will be 3 adults (and at times 4) wondering, “Are we there yet?”  Jo and I, with another couple from the church, will be making our way back from Pittsburgh.  We spent two nights with my brother, Rob, and his wife, Joy, while watching the Pirates (hopefully) beating the Reds on Monday afternoon.

Say a prayer for our safety if you wouldn’t mind it.  Hope you had a nice Memorial Day.  See you, Lord willing, tomorrow with another installment of “Someone’sStory.”

 

Posted in Miscellaneous, Uncategorized | 6 Responses »

Hello

Written by cycleguy on May 27th, 2012

Sorry if you came to Cycleguy’s Spin expecting some

great insight,

moving story,

“old” music,

down-to-earth book review

or

fall-on-your-face-with-side-splitting-laughter.

Not today.  :P   Jo & I, with another couple from the church, took off Sunday after worship to the great state of Pennsylvania, to see the up-and-coming Pittsburgh Pirates.  Well…Jo and I did.  The other couple are Reds fans, but we hang out with all kinds of people, even sinners.

Enjoy your Memorial Day holiday with your family and friends.  Don’t forget to remember those who have fought for the freedom we enjoy (and some want to take away).  Oops did I say that?

I will not be anywhere near a computer Monday or Tuesday, so I have decided, that rather than schedule posts, I would just take a break.  Hope you miss me.  :D   See you, Lord willing, on Wednesday with another “MyStory.”   *Baited breath*  I can hear it from here.

 

Posted in Miscellaneous, Sunday Meanderings, Uncategorized | 6 Responses »

Permanent

Written by cycleguy on May 24th, 2012

 

In his book, A Love Worth Giving,  Max Lucado tells the story of Albert Einstein and his sister, Maja.  After his wife died, Maja moved in to assist with the household affairs. For fourteen years she cared for him, allowing his valuable research to continue.  In 1950 she suffered a stroke and lapsed into a coma.  Thereafter, Einstein spent two hours every afternoon reading aloud to her from Plato.  She gave no sign of understanding his words, but he read anyway.  If she understood anything by his gesture, she understood this-he believed that she was worth his time.

I am not saying anything earth-shattering or new when I say that loving people isn’t always easy.  (Can I hear a big shout out on that one?)  :D   Yesterday’s post by a young man who died at the age of 19 from drowning was a good wake-up call.  It makes us think of the end of our life.  Here are some questions to consider if you knew death was knocking:

Would you hug that college degree and hold it to your chest?

Would you hold that business ledger that tells the story of your success?

Would you pull out all the awards that you tucked away?

Would you run to your car, bicycle (Gulp), or Harley and say, “Thanks for being so close to me, for giving me so many hours of fun”?

Silly questions, I know.   If you ask me, and it is my blog ( :) ), I daresay none of us would do that.  And I would put all the cards on the table with this one thought:  All that matters in the end is our relationship to our Savior AND…drum roll please…how well we loved.

Paul knew that.  Take a gander at his words: “Love never ends.”  Other versions say it differently, but the same.  “Love never dies.” “Love will last forever.”  The word for “fail” is used of a leaf that falls to the ground.  Love never wilts or decays.   I know you have plenty of verses to look up if you read a lot of posts, but for a real challenge read this one slowly and drink it in.   Pay particular attention to verses 7-13 and then verse 18.

So…what kind of “lover” are you?  Any thoughts you can give me to share Sunday with the church? 

 

Posted in Church, Preaching, Scripture look, Sermon Series/Topic | 22 Responses »

Finished

Written by cycleguy on May 23rd, 2012

I don’t forward many emails.  I don’t read many forwarded emails either.  Much of it is “old junk” or “critical junk” or just plain “waste of time junk.”  But recently one of the members of the church I pastor (his  name is Alan) forwarded me a blog post that was just plain…well, how can I say this…good and inspirational.  I would like to ask you to read it, but pay particular attention to the last two paragraphs.

Here is the link

Several things you can do.

Follow Josh’s links on the right and you can see a bit more about him.

Scroll down several posts on Josh’s site or go here and see if the one doesn’t bring to mind something marvelous.

The best thing we can all learn and do is to ask ourselves the question he ponders in the second post: will I die well?  I know this has been asked over and over- here as well as other blogs-but it deserves, no needs, to be asked again: how do you plan to die? What are you/I doing to prepare for eternity?  What if I knew that today would be my last day?  Worth pondering and answering.

Nothing profound from me today (is there ever? :) ) Just a probing post written by someone who is already enjoying the Father’s presence.  What do you think?  How will you are you answering the question?

One housecleaning item: several folks over the past couple of days have emailed me that my posts are appearing in their inbox but not posting.  I know of some where I have posted, but later they are not showing up.  (Jon, if you read this, your “question” post is one).  I am sorry for whatever is happening.  Please let me know if that is happening on your blog.

 

Posted in Christian living, God, Just Wondering, Miscellaneous | 29 Responses »

Jan’sStory

Written by cycleguy on May 22nd, 2012

Last week I put out a call for any who would like to tell their story.  I asked Jan to tell hers.  She graciously said yes.  I met Jan in 1987 and our friendship has developed through the years, even though separated by miles.  It is longer than my normal posts, but her story is worth it.  She is not a blogger so no place to link you to.  If you would like to submit a story, please email me at pastor@ovcf.org.

Hi!  I’m Janann (Jan), a small town girl (pop.1,000) from Illinois.  I always wanted to be a teacher, but college wasn’t for me, so I got married and started having children. We moved to Indiana, where we became involved in church & my husband & I were saved.  Bill later came along & was the preacher at this church.

I have 4 boys & 1 girl.  I was married for 18 turbulent, volatile years.  During this marriage, our 4th son went through a very serious lawnmower accident. While running behind the riding mower my oldest son was using (he was 13), James slipped and his left foot was almost amputated.  He had just turned 7 & was a very happy, rambunctious 1st grader.  Long story short, he was airlifted to a major hospital in Indianapolis, with the blade still in his foot.  When we arrived at the hospital, the Dr. told us that he’d never seen anything like this before, but the major vein that runs through the foot was “kinked”, causing the blood flow to stop. The Dr. told us if that vein hadn’t “kinked” my son would have bled to death.  Praise God!  Someone asked me if I was mad at God.  I replied, “No, He just saved James’ life.”  After 13 surgeries, James foot was saved. He lost his ankle, but can walk and run, something the Drs. told us he would never be able to do.  James is 22 now, and other than having arthritis pain in the winter, he is fine. God has since saved James many times from other serious accidents he’s been involved in.  His healing power, I have witnessed through this child!

I was a stay at home mom, & became very involved in my children’s school as a volunteer & President of the P.T.O.  Children were my priority & I loved being around students.  When my youngest entered Kindergarten, the Principal asked me, “Would you like a job here?”  I jumped for joy with a big “YES!”  Thank you God.  I worked in my kids’ school system from 1996-2011, grades K-12 & special education.  I feel that God placed me in the school system. Imagine, a stay at home mom with just a high school diploma!  I had a good rapport with kids, especially in the High School & many of them just needed someone to care & listen to them. Yes, God can use even a stay at home mom to influence & encourage the lives of young people. While I couldn’t become a teacher, He used me in that capacity in other ways at school.

I went through a very horrible divorce that was quite devastating on my children. I was in an abusive marriage & I thought an affair was my final way out.  I had left my husband several times, but always returned because I was scared I couldn’t make it on my own.  I really thought God had forsaken me for sure.  To say that my children were angry with me is an understatement. They too had suffered physical & emotional abuse, but their loyalty was with their father.  Our divorce went through quickly & the children stayed with my ex.  I remarried. We were both Christians and knew what we had done was sinful & wrong.  I was so afraid God would never bless our marriage and that we would never be a family with my children and his 1 daughter.  I went through a very serious depression and just wanted to die.  I didn’t eat, sleep or care about anything. I was grieving the loss of my children & felt like a total worthless human being, and felt I had let God down in doing my job as a mother.  What kind of mother doesn’t live with her own children?  As a result of this depression, I was hospitalized twice.  Through it all, my husband attended church & had people praying for me. Slowly my children started coming around, and after swearing they would never step foot in my new home, they started to visit me.  This took almost 2 years, but I never once stopped contact with them.  My pain was so deep that I knew God would never forgive me. Praise God, my children forgave me. I know that was God working in them.

In these last 8 years of marriage, we have successfully become a family with 6 children ranging from ages 30 to 20.  The kids all get along & family get-togethers are very entertaining.  God has also blessed us with 2 grandsons, now ages 2 yrs. & 5 mos. God has been revealing His blessings & I feel he honors our marriage now.  I have been learning that God has forgiven me & that Satan likes to use this to weaken my faith.  I have to constantly stay in the Word. My husband & I are strong together, and even stronger with God leading our way.

I would say that my pitfalls were my lack of faith & believing that God would never love me again for my horrible sin, that I was just a nobody with nothing good in me.  I’ve had many perils- the accident, abusive marriage, affair, divorce, separation from my children, & many other hardships that my young adult children have gone through- which have affected me deeply.  I see now that the possibilities are endless with God.  He knows what’s best for me and will never leave, nor forsake me.  I have His promise of unconditional love, forgiveness and an eternal life just waiting for me! 

God has moved us to a city we love & to a beautiful house. I am living about 40 miles from my children, which to me seems like a lot, but since moving God has used my alone time to get me into His Word. I joined a ladies bible study & can actually feel Him transforming my heart & attitude. At first I questioned why I had to be alone here. My husband works a lot of hours & with no kids in & out of my house, I was getting depressed again.  But, I see now that God has used this time for us, Him & me.  And, I know that He is preparing me for something.  I feel the need to become involved in our new church & I just feel that He’s going to place me right where He wants me.  He knows my gifts, I’m not always sure what they are, but I am comforted in knowing He is sovereign over my life & I want to live my life to glorify His name! His grace is sufficient for me!

Thank you for reading my story.  :)

Please feel free to comment.  Jan can respond.

 

Posted in Christian living, Family, God, Story | 43 Responses »

Coop-flying

Written by cycleguy on May 22nd, 2012

I did some serious coop-flying yesterday.  For almost 3 hours I had no interruptions.  No cell phone.  No computer.  No texting.  No blogging of any kind.  I flew the coop and had a whole bunch of fun.  I spent that amount of time with Jo.  And…set your wandering minds aside, we did something we don’t normally do.

WE… WENT… TO… A… MOVIE…

It is only the second movie we have gone to in over a year.  The last one we saw was Titanic 3D about a month ago.  We tend to say, “I’d like to see that movie,” but when the time comes have  trouble pulling the trigger.  One main reason: it costs so stinkin’ much!!  For example, it cost $5 per to get into the movie (matinee and not 3D) and almost $20 for popcorn and 2 drinks.  I snuck in some peanut butter crackers since I hadn’t eaten lunch (yeah I know that is wrong), but come on!! But it was a movie I really wanted to see and Jo went along for the ride.  She loved it!!  I was surprised, but pleased.  Oh, the things you do for love.  When we saw Titanic it was the first time she had ever seen it all the way through.  :)

Anyway…for almost 3 hours I was not interrupted.  It was nice escaping.   Several times they flashed on the screen about disturbing others and to make sure cell phones were off.  I obliged. Besides, reception was almost nil.  The person in front of me didn’t though. She sat with her cell on her knee throughout the movie.  Made me think, “Am I that tied to my phone?  Have I become that much of a slave to something designed to save me time and effort?”  What a sad commentary on me/us when we can’t get rid of the tether than binds us.  Several months ago my phone crashed when updating (yeah go figure) and besides losing all information, I also went a period without a phone.  Talk about eye-opening!!

My life has been a whirlwind lately with all the renovations being done.  It was good to unplug and for 2 hours and 23 minutes to be entertained.  To fly the coop. To be out-of-touch.  When I got to my car and checked my phone, no one had even tried to call or text. Even better. :)

How long has it been since you did nothing…since you flew the coop for a couple hours of nothingness?  Do you take time to unplug? 

Oh yeah…the movie?  THE AVENGERS.  What a thrill ride!  Just what the doctor ordered.  :P Lots of good lessons in the movie but that is for another time. 

 

 

Posted in Family, Little Bit of Fun, Miscellaneous | 27 Responses »

Anticipation

Written by cycleguy on May 21st, 2012

You can hear and see it now I bet.  Carly Simon singing “Anticipation/ Anticipa-ya-ya-tion” as a slow bottle of ketchup eventually lets loose it ingredients.  I have another kind of anticipation this morning.

TODAY.  IS.  THE.  DAY!!

TODAY. IS. THE. DAY. THEY. BEGIN. THE. PROFESSIONAL. CONSTRUCTION. OF. OUR. BUILDING.

Every day for the past three weeks I have come to the office and had to walk through the recently demolished area with only load-bearing walls remaining, dreaming and anticipating the eventual start-up date of May 21st.   The church’s website has pictures of before and after, so to get an idea take a quick gander at them.   Today though…the real work begins.  The contractor will  be here doing what he knows to do.  The man doing our electric work will be here.  The HVAC man will be checking in.  This place will be a beehive of activity over the next several weeks.  I have learned one thing over the years:

The best thing I can do is stay out of the way! 

The man doing our electrical work learned that a couple of weeks ago. Doing some preliminary work, he asked me to turn the breakers off and on.  So I did.  I turned them all off.  He didn’t want me to turn them all off.  He wanted to turn them off one at a time so he could find out what went to what.  :)   He learned his lesson well!  So did I: STAY AWAY!!!  Seriously though, Jerry was good-natured about it.  He took the blame (I let him :) ) that he didn’t explain himself very well.  But…hmmm…he never asked me to help again.  Can’t figure that one out, can you?

I am mechanically challenged. There are some things I can do, but you better explain some things really, really well if you want me to get involved and “help.”  I’m a better gopher and grunt than getting involved in anything that involves precise or life-and-death work.  As the guys were putting up the walls last week in our soon-to-be youth area, I excused myself.  My idea of construction is “that’s close enough.”

Several things stand out to me:

1.  I know my limits.  I know carpentry and any work that requires precise measurements is not my thing.  I once trimmed a house in rough-sawn cedar trim.  I loved it  because it was not a precise science.

2.  I am in awe of those who do their work well.  Watching two perfectionist work on the walls last week was a sight to behold.  And lo, and behold, those walls are fantastic!

3.  I have learned to step out of the way when I am in the way.  ‘Nuff said on that.  When will I learn that when it comes to God?  With people?  Jerry asked for help; I did not volunteer.  Big difference.

4.  I have also learned I cannot make things go faster.  It will get built when it gets built.  *Head slap* “He makes all things beautiful in His time.”   Eccl.3:11

What lessons are you learning?  What are you anticipating for your future that you have to wait on?

 

Posted in Christian living, Just Wondering, Miscellaneous | 29 Responses »

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