I promise this week won’t be like last (least for the whole week), but after some events of this past weekend, I could help but post this video.
This was a weekend of milestones for me. I hope you don’t mind me reminiscing a little.
April 13, 1932. Betty Lou Bowers was born to Press & Irene Bowers in Pennsylvania. Other than vacations, she never left Pennsylvania. Along the way she had 2 siblings (brothers) and one adopted brother (whom she treated as her own flesh and blood). She dreamed of being a missionary, but marriage got in the way. She became a missionary, only not in the traditional way. She had 4 boys. That ought to be considered a mission field of its own!! One of those was named Bill. Yeah, that’s me. See what I mean by mission field? Along the way, she endured the death of her marriage, and the death of her parents. My grandfather was the greatest spiritual influence in my life. In March of 2004, she received her ultimate reward. Mom was called home after a short bout with a rare form of lung cancer (which struck mostly woman who were non-smokers). She would have been 81 this past Saturday.
April 13, 1975. That same aforementioned Bill was to celebrate a big day in his life. Married. Check. First child. Check. It was to be the date he chose to be ordained into the Christian ministry (and to honor his mom). Sunday night. Lakeview Church in Akron, OH. If my math is right, I celebrated my 38th “official” year of licensed ministry this past Saturday (although I began preaching in 1972 at a little country church in KY). I consider it an honor to be chosen by God to fulfill this part of His work.
April 13, 2013. I finish a book that has the ooomph to significantly alter my life…Altar Ego by Craig Groeschel. There is so much to say about this book. As I read it, and as I got closer and closer to the end, one thought kept going through my mind: “Craig has had a shot of something that “juiced” him.” While I have read all of Craig’s book but one, this one had something extra. I will go on record as saying this is his best one yet! Let me give you just one quote from it:
One of my mentors told me,’Craig, you’ll very likely overestimate what God wants to do through you in the short run. But you will very likely underestimate what God wants to do through you in the long run.’
Why was I not told that when I was young? I plan to give a more detailed review later this week, so I’ll stop there. Thanks for listening in to my milestone weekend. Hope I didn’t bore you. How was your weekend? Any milestones for you?
One more thing: I rode in 22 mph winds on Saturday. Who was the fool who thought a ride would be a good idea? 🙂
Doesn’t it go by in a breath… I’ve a few milestones too, not near as impressive sounding. But that quote I wish I would have heard a long time ago too. Isn’t that how God works? He does His best work once we come to the end of ourselves in the flesh.
Thanks for the history lesson and the trip back in time… Remember when…
Seems like a short breath doesn’t it? Totally agree about the best work when we come to the end of ourselves.
No milestones, but I did receive a nice blessing that I can only attribute to the Lord. I was actually expecting the opposite and then, boom, good things instead.
That’s great larry. I would say you had a milestone weekend then.
No milestones- but this post made me realize just how much I miss Grandma (and Mamaw and Papaw).
Yeah, me too. But I do have you. And for that I am blessed. 🙂
That’s a great quote by Craig. As for milestones, I made it through the weekend and went hiking in gale-force winds along the Columbia River. I need to get my bike tuned up.
Glad you like the quote Dan. I was silly enough to ride again yesterday in what I thought was non-existent wind until I got out and in the open. Easily in the 15-20 mph range again. Ugh! Good training but tiring.
I love the difference between long run and short run. My perspective is so …narrow. And God sees the big picture.
Love the tribute to your mom. Mine too made me the man I am today (at least the good parts)
Good moms are a good thing to have. 🙂 I’m glad God sees the big picture.
No milestone. It was just a quiet, peaceful Sunday afternoon in the Ocala National Forest. Until the weather warming popped up on my computer. It was a harsh storm, but no free rides to Oz as had been predicted.
You could have gone to see the movie, but can’t say I recommend it since I don’t care for Oz. 🙂 Glad you didn’t experience it in real life.
I can sense the excitement in your words of milestone. I think that it is such a blessing that you still have so many things that bring you joy and stoke you up. It gives me hope that I am not “dead” yet even though I have been cruising in a valley for a bit now.
As for milestones, I beat my daughter handily in Scrabble this weekend 6 games to 0. She kept asking me, “Daddy are you sure that your word is a real word?” (smiles)
I am convinced Daniel that as long as there is life, “death” does not have to happen. congrats on beating your daughter. My girls won’t play Scrabble with me and Jo says I cheat cuz I use words she doesn’t know. Parent Power!!
It’s amazing to look back and see how God has worked in our lives.
Thank you for reminding us to look back on occasion and thank God for the work He has done!
We need to never stop looking back to remember what God has done. Glad I could remind you.
Awesome milestones to celebrate, Bill! And that is a powerful quote. I’ve heard similar things recently and it’s such an important reminder. We’re not in this for ourselves or by ourselves. We build on generations and generations will build upon us. That’s exciting! I may not see all the things God’s promised fulfilled in this life, but I will stand and hopefully encourage others to see every last one completed in Him. Thanks Bill.
Good point jason. We are in this for generation after generation. We often hear of bad stuff passed down. Let’s hand down some good stuff. Thanks for the comment.
Milestone – I helped my daughter file her first tax return. She’s on the grid now! Kind of made me sad that she is now burdened with this responsibility FOREVER! But I’m also proud of her for getting her first job and keeping it.
Great milestones to celebrate Bill. Since I like Groeschel too, it sounds like I will need to read this book.
I rode on Saturday too but in very little wind for once. It felt good.
Oh poor Jenna. 🙂 Hopefully it wasn’t too bad for her.
I am going to do a review of the book later this week. I think it is his best so far.
I am jealous. 🙂 It has been several rides since I can say very little wind.
The only milestone that comes to mind was on April 8th – my 5th anniversary of working at the Chamber. Officially I started working on May 5, but unofficially I started on April 8 for a bit of “preparation” in a way (I had a trip planned and there were long May holidays, so we agreed that official date would be May 5)… It has certainly been quite a ride!
I admire what you have done and how you have “stuck it out” with the Chamber. Your work is important Zee.
bravo for a road well traveled, and thank God for what’s ahead!
Thanks Ben and I agree. Can’t wait to see. 🙂
Love the sharing, Bill. 🙂 I can’t listen to Remember When without crying. I’m going to get Craig’s book. Sounds excellent. I spent the weekend helping my husband sell books to hundreds of librarians. And I also read some excellent books on blogging and time management that have inspired me. Glad you got to ride!
Glad I could “entertain” with the sharing Melanie. Sounds like you had a busy but informative weekend. Hope you will be sharing some of what you read.
Thanks for sharing your milestones with us! And for sharing about the book. You keep pointing us to good ones.
God bless you and yours today and in the days ahead!
Glad I can help others know some good books to read Deb. There is a need for that all across the board.
That’s a powerful quote from Groeschel!
April 13 is a milestone for me as well – it’s my oldest child’s birthday. He just turned five and is intent on reminding us. all. the. time. 🙂
had. to. chuckle. Loren.