Hidden Treasure

Mary Lou and I have been doing a lot of cleaning in the garage as we anticipate buying a home soon.  I didn’t think it would be particularly a lot of fun going through piles of boxes in the garage, but I have been pleasantly surprised to some old baseball memorabilia which is very valuable.  For instance, I found a 1963 Lou Gehrig Bazooka card in Near Mint condition in one box, and a 1966 Mickey Mantle Topps Rub-Off in another box.  The Gehrig card is worth $250 and the Mantle insert is worth $400.   Along with these two items, I have found several hundred others, of which I’ve not had time to check out the price of each yet.  It is encouraging to have those times when you find hidden treasure in your garage!

Mary Lou, Jon, and I went to Hacienda today for lunch.  It was a relaxing time for us and a good time just to be together and visit.  We have nothing on tap for the evening and will stay at home and hang out.  Tomorrow we serve Communion in our worship service and that should be very special.  I am looking forward to the message in the morning, “Heroes: The Gift.”   We will be talking about the gifting we have because of our relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is that gifting that keeps us steady when life goes ‘topsy-turvy’.  I am so thankful for my daily walk with Jesus!

“Christ in you is the hope of glory.”   Colossians 1:27 

Coffee On the Porch

Mary Lou and I began the morning by sitting out on the front porch having coffee together.  It was such a beautiful morning, with clear blue skies, and the birds singing out loudly.  We enjoyed sharing our morning coffee together and soaking in all the beauty of God’s wonderful creation where we live.  God always seems so close on days like today.  It’s so nice having those times to be with your spouse when you can just share about life and enjoy each other’s company.

Tomorrow the hectic pace of the week begins…so it was really nice to have this morning to be quiet, and share some time together, and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee.  This is one of the simple things of life I really enjoy!

“Be still and know that I am God…”    Psalm 46:10 

“Celebrate Ministry”

Yesterday was an absolutely gorgeous day!   Our morning worship service was awesome and God’s presence was so evident.  Sunday evening our Discipleship TEAM and our Fellowship TEAM hosted a “Celebrate Ministry” cookout and gave special appreciation to all of the ministries going on in our church and to all of our workers who give of themselves so tirelessly in serving Christ.  It was a nice time to tell people how much we care about them, and how valuable they are!

Today, I head to the bank to make sure that all of our loan information is updated and ready to go, so that Mary Lou and I can put an offer on a home this week.  We are very excited about that.  Our son, Jon, flies back to Arizona this Sunday afternoon to pack up everything and move back to Evansville with his wife, Michelle.  It is so unbelievable how the Lord has directed our paths together!  We look forward to many years of ministry together!

This coming Sunday afternoon, Mary Lou and I will be driving to Anderson to spend the evening with our youngest son, Matt.  We always enjoy those trips and getting to spend time with him and get caught up on all that is going on in his life.  If it works out, we may have lunch with Mary Lou’s brother’s family and her mom and dad on Monday.  It would be nice to have everyone together for a meal.  We’ll see if that can work out.

I am learning the value of celebration!   We all need more ‘celebration’ and ‘joy’ in our lives.  Life can become so pressured and stressful at times, that we can easily lose the ‘joy and appreciation’ for things around us.  I am learning more each day how to trust the Lord for every detail of what happens in my life.  He promised to guide my steps…I am learning more each day what it means to ‘walk by faith’, and not by sight!   I want my walk with the Lord to bring joy and music to my life.   Maybe today, someone who is deeply discouraged or depressed with life, will come to experience the Lord of Life and the Lord of Joy who can make a difference in their life!  I pray that I can become a vessel of blessing to someone today!

“Thank you, Lord, that there is JOY in our lives when you are at the CENTER…”

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Mother’s Day

Moms, we love you!!!  You are so awesome!

Happy Mother’s Day!

Suns vs. Spurs

We’ve had a great day today.  The weather has just been gorgeous!  We went out today and looked at homes.  We also spent some time in the garage doing some cleaning, and consolidating what we have.

Tonight we are watching the Phoenix Suns and the San Antonio Spurs play in the NBA playoffs.  The series is tied at 1-1.  The score is tied right now at 56-56.  It will be a great game!

Looking forward to Mother’s Day tomorrow!   Give your Mom a kiss!

Words of Healing

Proverbs 16:24 says, "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones."  Our words carry so much weight!  God wants us to watch over our words, because they carry such a huge impact in people’s lives.  This passage of scripture in Proverbs tells us that words spoken at just the right time, and with a heart of love, will bring "sweetness" and "healing" to the souls of those we are speaking to.  Isn’t it great to know that your words can bring blessing and edification to those you are speaking to!  You never know when the words you speak are really WHAT GOD IS WANTING TO SAY to that person [through you]!  Those words may make an eternal difference in that other person’s life.

We must be careful with our words.  Some people don’t give a rip about what they say, or who they may hurt because of what they say.  God wants us to watch over our mouths so that our words can "build up", not "tear down".  Even as I write these things, I realize the need for God’s grace in my heart and in my mouth as a relate to others on a day-to-day basis.  I want my speech to reflect Christ in my life!

"Lord, use my words to bring joy and healing to others…"

Harvest Time!

Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Pray, therefore, that the Lord of the harvest will send forth more laborers into the harvest."   I am challenged by these words to be more active in sharing my faith with others.  I want to be more aware of how I can give myself to God, so that He can use my life to reach others with the Good News of His salvation [in Jesus Christ].  Everyday there are many people looking for meaning, purpose, forgiveness, mercy, and hope in their lives.  I want to be part of God’s redemptive purposes in our world! 

"Lord, here am I.  Send me!"