June, 2018

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MoreVacationThoughts

Tuesday, June 12th, 2018

As I stated in my last post, while on vacation I continued to read and write (journal). The following are from a book called Everyone Always by Bob Goff.

“Those who are becoming love don’t throw people off roofs; they lower people through them instead.”

“Burning down others’ opinions doesn’t make us right. It makes us arsonists.”

“God doesn’t just give us promises; He give us each other.”

“Be. Not. Afraid. These words have exactly as much power as we give them in our lives. People who are becoming love experience the same uncertainties we all do. They just stop letting fear call the shots.”

” ‘Love one another.’ What is simple often isn’t easy; what is easy often doesn’t last.”

I’m not done reading or journaling with Bob’s book. But as you can see there are some good thoughts contained in it. I’ve continued reading; I just need to catch up with my pen.  Bob is the author of Love Does. He is also a lawyer. I would trust him to represent me.  🙂

Heard in a sermon preached on 6/3:

“Why is it we think God can only walk within the bounds of our reason?”

“If God could create water, what’s the big deal about Him walking on it?”

Some food for your thought today. Any  of these strike you?

VacationThoughts

Sunday, June 10th, 2018

While on vacation this past week, I continued reading and writing. I’d like to share some of what I read:

“Passion is a popular word choice among individuals  expressing strong commitment. The reality is ‘passion’ without action is meaningless…God doesn’t call us to big words. He calls us to big actions that point others to Him.”  (Quote from Godspeed-Ride On! #5)

“That’s why the Christian should not fear death. With Jesus, death is not the end. With Jesus and His crucifixion, death, in fact, is dead!” (Quoted from Godspeed– #6)

“‘All circumstances’ doesn’t leave us much room for interpretation. God knows what He is doing and giving thanks in ‘all’ is a practical, meaningful way of handing things over to Him.” (Godspeed-#7)

Back on May 22 a friend and I went to see a movie called “Godspeed.”  It was a true story of two men who did the RAAM (Race Across America) as a two man team.  You can see more about it here. They came out with a devotional book based on their experience and what God taught them as they trained and as they raced. The quotes here come from Days 5-6-7 of that devotion.

The quotes were meaningful to me. Which one did you like?

 

Mulligan

Friday, June 8th, 2018

If you have ever played golf with a “duffer” you will have heard the word “Mulligan” used. There is quite a history behind the term. You can go to GriffGolf.com to learn more. But it is named after a person and is a term used to offer someone a “free pass” on a bad shot.  History says it came as a result of a bad first shot and it was called a “correction shot” by David Mulligan.

The story I will be preaching on Sunday needs a mulligan. The words “sin in the camp” has such an ugly ring but in this case it is true. If you are familiar with the story of Israel’s defeat at the hands of a city named Ai, you are probably also aware of the reason they lost. “Sin in the camp” is a good way to put it.

But there is more. The preparation for going to war against Ai also showed two other things:

  1. The Israelites were too self-confident.
  2. They definitely had a lack of prayer.

The application to our lives is easy to see. I’ll also be spending some time on what led Achan to do what he did.  It definitely was an eye-opener for me, as well as a gut-check on my attitude toward the enemy. I’d appreciate your prayers for all involved-myself and the audience.  Also, our worship leader is on vacation so prayers would be much appreciated for those who are filling in.

Back

Thursday, June 7th, 2018

We are back from vacation. We had a good time away but as always it was too short. Actually, it was a good thing we were coming home yesterday. I was flossing Tuesday night and broke off a cap on my front tooth. The dentist was willing to see me late in the afternoon as his last patient if I could drive to his other office (about 35 minutes away).  Since we were already on our way home I easily made the time but it sort of threw us out of the return plans we had.

We had a good time watching Braden play baseball. He had two regularly scheduled games on Saturday and then had two makeup games on Sunday. We got cooked even though we did our best to stay in the shade.

I had an opportunity to see an old friend I have not seen since the late 70s. David is the pastor of a church in Worthington, OH and since Janna’s church starts late and we would have missed the whole first game, we decided to try a different one with an earlier service. Jo found out David was in Worthington.  My last recollection of him was when he pastored a church in Cincinnati. It was good to see him after 30+ years. And no…he didn’t recognize me. I have a lot less hair now. 🙂 🙂

And eat? Oh man, did I eat! And not all the right stuff either. You can’t visit Sandusky, OH and not eat Toft’s ice cream. Twice. Big helpings. Braden sure liked it.  He went from a Small to a Kids size. I went from a Medium to a Small. Gives you an idea of the amount of ice cream in a cup. I beat him at miniature golf. I beat him by 3 strokes but that is not counting the 8 mulligans his mamaw gave him on one hole. Golf is not his game; baseball is.

I came in for a few hours today since I have a wedding on Saturday. The rest of today and all day tomorrow is going to be spent with Jo as we finish out what is left of our vacation. There is a strong possibility there will be a two or three day bicycle vacation in July with a friend.  Jo will follow and we will ride. That’s MY idea of a vacation. Jo has other ideas. In the long run, I guess she wins. (Least I tell her that).

Hope you kept up on the Scripture reading I left you with each day.

Gone…for a little while longer

Wednesday, June 6th, 2018

Today is Wednesday. Today is also the day, Lord willing, we will be heading back home. To our house. To my bed. Aaaahhhh home sweet home. 🙂 To a yard which I figure needs cut baled.  🙁

If you have been keeping up you know we were in Ohio since last Friday.

I told you about my possible 2019 experiment experience here. I hope you have taken the time to read the Scripture I left with you each day.  Another possible Scripture is this one here. It may be one of the most well-known of all the Psalms.  I hope you will take the time to read it today.

What was most meaningful to you in your reading? How can you apply it?

By the way,  I will check in to approve any comments.

Going…Going…Gone (Still)

Tuesday, June 5th, 2018

Jo and I are still away in Ohio for a few days. Read the previous three posts to find out about it.

My possible 2019 experience is explained here.

Your Scripture reading for today is here.

It is a tough one, but it can’t be skipped.

What part of this passage was most meaningful to you? How can you apply this to your life?

By the way, I’ll check in to approve any comments.

StillGone

Monday, June 4th, 2018

Jo & I are in Ohio for a few days. You can read about it here. You can also read about my possible 2019 experiment experience here.

Your Scripture reading for today is here.

So how does this Scripture apply to your life? What part was most meaningful to you?

By the way, I will check in during the day to approve any comments.

Gone

Sunday, June 3rd, 2018

Jo & I are gone for a few days. You can see what is in the works here.  Rather than try to write a bunch of posts and pre-schedule them, I’m going to try something different.

One of the ideas I am kicking around in my oft-(suspected) empty head for 2019 is taking blocks of Scriptures and preaching multiple weeks on them. Tune in for the next couple of days and you will see what I mean. Anyway, each day I’m gone I’m going to post a passage of Scripture I’d like you to read for that day. Multiple times if you have the time. I already know these will be getting the nod if I decide to use this approach for 2019.

First up: Romans 8. You can read it here if you don’t have a Bible handy. This is quickly becoming one of, if not my favorite chapters in the Bible.

ENJOY!!

What are your thoughts on this passage? What stuck out to you?

By the way:  I will check in to approve any comments.

One more thing!  God has blessed me abundantly. Jo. Tami. Janna. My three greatest blessings.  He added Jason to Janna’s life. Then Braden was added to theirs and ours. And, of course, countless others. Today I celebrate Tami’s ______rd birthday.  She is in Atlanta with some friends being a traitor watching the Braves.