"When I Grow Up"

I suppose we have all said that at one time or another? Maybe even more recent than we would like to admit! My first recollection was in the 8th grade. I wrote a career report on being a mechanic. My parents and grand parents were both asking me if I was crazy? You are smarter than that, dream bigger.

I am happy to say that 35 years later I still enjoy being a mechanic! Sometimes it sucks and is dirty, smelly, and just plain gross! Most of the time though I get satisfaction knowing I am repairing so many different things. That is the glory of it all, the diversity is huge. Boredom is not an option.

God made me and everyone else what we all are. My wife likes helping and fixing peoples insurance issues. We are alike in that same satisfaction of fixing things! Thank you God, for making us exactly what we are!

Verses: 2 Peter 3: 14-18 Phil 4: 10-20 Prov 1: 1-7

"Minister, Ministering"

What is the definition of a minister?? Do we all have some part in that? Just the simple act of feeding the homeless is a ministry. Listening to a friends struggle provides them with comfort and warmth. Helping with personal tasks and projects are also good ways to minister to others.

We all must be some form of minister if we have a heart and love for God. No one that has felt Gods' love can refrain from helping and loving others. This world could use a whole lot more of Gods' ministers. Everyone would benefit from a more loving and giving world.

There has to be an abundance of possibilities for all of us. Each is given our own talents and gifts. What we do with our talents and gifts is our choice. If we want our lives to be significant and impactful then we need to be involved. Praise God for his son and the church. Life is to short not to live and act on Gods' grace!

Verses: 1 Cor 12: 1-11 Acts 6: 1-7 1 Peter 4: 1-11

"Travel at 15mph"

My favorite speed to observe this awesome planet happens to be around 15 mph. Fast enough to cover some ground, slow enough to see lots. Plus there is no better place to be than outside in the open air!

Most of my favorite days have been on these two wheeled wonders. There is a certain satisfaction for days spent that way.

We all see so very little of the whole picture at faster speeds. Walking is wonderful, but hard to cover a lot of ground. Biking can cover an enormous amount of places. On any given day I can be at 5000 ft and climb to 9000+ and see 50-100 miles of Gods' great beauty.

Bicycles are 90%+ efficient and nearly noise and pollution free. What a great way to honor and explore Gods' awesome creation, Earth. Praise God for all we are blessed to have and do and see!! Verses: John 8: 12 John 17: 20-26 Isaiah 42: 5-9

"Act 1 or 2 or 3 or -----"

I remember at age 18 I thought I had it all figured out. I had a plan for how life would go and if I stuck to it, it would work out. At age 21 it became apparent that it might have shifted somewhat!

No reason to panic, just a good time to rethink the plan. God after all had his master plan in place. I was just too blind to see what Gods' plan was. God has this amazing ability to work out all the details.

I suppose if we all had the outline we could do a better job of following the plan. The path we take to get to his final destination is often far from Gods' path he would have us take. Every step along the way does have some benefit to God and to us. The overall picture is as perfect as it can be.

Praise God for our lives and all that our lives have in them. From spouses, to children,family, friends and the like, our lives are wholly and infinitely fulfilled by God!!

Verses: Psalm 20(all) Psalm 33: 1-11 Prov 20: 18

"Opening Day"

Be it a play, a ball game, or a start of a new era, opening day is quite exciting. Anticipating a fantastic and awesome experience gives us fuel and hope.

The players are all set and ready to perform their various tasks. Some have practiced for years for a day like this. All want to do their best to have it all succeed

We can take credit for the outcome or we can also praise God for the outcome. Good or bad we can thank God for his presence. The bible says that if we ask for something in petition and prayer God will provide it for us if it is his will.

The curtain opens and the first pitch is thrown. The bride enters the church and all sit in awe of the event in front of them.

Life is full of many milestones and we are blessed to have them all! God fills our hearts and minds with so much to be thankful for. Verses: 1Chr 29: 10-13 1 Thess 5: 16-24 Luke 2: 8-14

"The Rehearsal"

How much prep work does an event take? Isn't there a saying" The best made plans of mice and Men"...... Planning any event can seem overwhelming at times. The details are hard to determine based on so many factors. Any glitches seem to be tests of our faith and determination.

Maybe a rehearsal is in order to insure success? Or maybe we just need to wing it and and hope and pray for the best? It is an amazing thing to watch while all of the pieces fall into place. Do we take the credit or do we give the credit to God? Seems as though the best made plans always come from God, the originator of planning.

Now with all the details covered we can move on to the actual event. Our hopes and dreams are that it is all we had hoped for!! Trust God that it will be a success!

Verses Psalm 33: 1-11 Isaiah 46: 8-11 Eph 1: 11-14

Today " Right Now"

This is the moment any of us are in. Could be night, morning, day, evening, or the weekend or any combination. Where we are at right now in location, spirit and mind is different for all of us.

Where we may be later is our choice and based on a lot of options. Right now though is an awesome place to be. Alive and able to enjoy the moment we are in is a great gift from God. Some may be in pain or feeling down, the bible says in all things give praise to God.

For me personally, "Right Now" I am getting ready to go to Phoenix. I will be there for the next week, and my blog will be on hold. I am marrying the greatest woman I have ever known!! She and I have known each other for many years and want to live life as one.

"Right Now" is a great place to be! I am excited and so glad that God brought us together. Life for us is about to take on a whole new and Christ filled existence, Praise God!

Verses: 1Peter 3: 1-7 1Peter 4: 12-19 2Thess 3: 6-15 1Thess 5: 16-18

Today " Morning"

Wake up and face the day! Or do we wake up and enjoy the warmth of our covers and the peace we feel? Some will kiss the one they love and feel all is right with them. Others can hit the floor ready to go or get a few more winks first.

The sun pops up and fills the sky with a beautiful sunrise! The birds and animals start to stir. A dog welcomes the day with a bark. The grass is covered in dew or maybe even snow.

Families start their daily routine and get ready for the day. Some of us are cheerful, some of us are even a little grumpy in the morning. Starbucks probably banks on a lot of us that desire a morning boost!!

God paints the morning sky and fills our hearts with anticipation for a new day. God unveils a different day everyday of the year. All of them are gifts from God and the potential for us to live, love, and be alive!!! Verses: Deut 28: 1-14 Gen 1: 3-5 Psalm 5: 3

Today " Night"

Nighttime has its own magical and special qualities. The dark changes everything about us. We can't see as far or as clearly. We get a whole mew perspective of depth and design.

The night draws us together and we spend more time with each other. We may also spend more time reading, reflecting, praying, and soul searching. I like the quiet and peacefulness of night. I also like the mystery and suspense of the dark!! Our vision is limited so our minds are able to conjure up lots of possibilities.

The story of Jesus involves nighttime and the Star in the sky. All of us have to be fascinated by the moon , stars and planets. On that night, the star of our savior must have been quite spectacular!

Laying our heads down and slumbering off to sleep we can all appreciate nighttime and the importance of it in our lives. Verses: Daniel 12: 1-4 Joshua 1: 6-9 Matt 2: 1-12

"Today, Day"

Everyday we awake and face the day. Everyday is a new potential for experience and adventure. Work days are filled with tasks and goals. Weekend days can be task driven or fun filled.

Sometimes our days are just lazy and a day to relax, rewind, and rejuvenate. Sometimes we get a lot accomplished and feel we are caught up on gotta-do's. Sometimes we just enjoy the company and love of family.

Days off can be filled with new sights and sounds. Unexplored places can explored. Unknown music can be experienced. A new favorite spot can be discovered.

God gives us so many senses to draw from. We are designed to be inspired and awestruck. God is the creator are part of the created. There is no limit to what our days can be filled up with. Everyday has the potential to be a great day!!!!! Praise God!!

Verses Psalm 23: (all) Psalm 118: 23-24 Eccl 12: 1

"Goals"

All my goals are usually set without a strict time table. Sometimes though, I have to be on a more stricter time frame. Goals to get healthier are be more involved in community take time and patience.

Goals in my career sometimes require a little more strict time frame. Goals in my personal are left to my available time and resources. Goals to grow in faith and connection to God are ongoing and hard to define.I have felt I was completely on track as well as completely off track!!

My major goal at this junction in life is to live life to it's fullest and with great passion ans excitement. Not to jump out of airplanes or climb sheer cliff walls at all. More of a desire to see and do all I can with those I love and share in the experience. To live and love life as my body is capable is my present goal in life. Praise God for inspiring us with our goals.

Verses: 2 Cor 5: 6-10 Phil 3: 12-21 Phil 4: 1-9

"Beliefs"

I suppose this is a large part of all of our lives. My beliefs have determined what I do and don't do. Less than a decade ago I met Jesus. My life and beliefs were forever changed.

Some of my beliefs have been constant throughout my life. I believe that my children need me in their lives as much as possible. I believe they need their parent(s), more than money, technology, or societies promises that tries to draw them.

I believe God and Jesus are one and the same and through Jesus death I have been forever saved. I believe that sin is a human condition but not a license to sin. I believe that through love and respect for God we can treat others with the same love and respect. I believe that our lives are gifts from God to each of us. I believe we should live to honor and glorify God in all we say and do.

Praise God for the greatest gift of all that we have (LIFE) and the ability to live a life for God!!

Verses: 1 Thes 4: 13-18 1 John 5: 1-5 John 4 39-42 Hebrews 13: 9-10

"Experience"

Here I believe is the answer to life's many trials and successes. Everything we experience has some long term value to us all. Every time we fail or succeed we gain new insight into ourselves.

One of my favorite experiences was to spend a winter of months learning how to bend ebony around a guitar body I was building. I think I have written about this before? I broke more pieces of wood than I care to count.But through perseverance and trial and error I was eventually successful! The lesson here was that all things are possible if we have faith!!

From climbing mountains, to holding babies, to falling in love we all are changed by our experiences. Appreciation for all these experiences in life is where we grow and mature. I am so looking forward to all the wonderful experiences God has planned for me. I am also excited that God has blessed me with a partner to do that with!!! Praise God for the vastness of life!!

Verses: Prov 16: 9 Eze 34: 25-31 Prov 15: 22

"Motivation"

If you have ever had a parent that could encourage you to do something you will have experienced motivation. It can be done in a loving and supporting way. It also can be done in a more power and manipulative way. Either way we are motivated. I prefer the loving and encouraging way.

My motivation to write or express God and his essence is from God. I don't believe I am coerced or manipulated in any way. From my love for God and his love for me I am inspired and encouraged. My success is wholly dependant on the reference point of the scale used. My thinking is that I am hugely successful because it draws me and others closer to God.

There is no greater motivation for me than to feel I am honoring and glorifying God in all I say and do. Pray : God, help all of us to live lives that lift up your name in honor and praise!!

Verses: 1Cor 4: 1-21 1Thes 2: 1-9

"Personal"

Lately I have been putting quite a bit of personal information on my blog. I guess it just seems appropriate for anyone reading to know more about me. I would also think that our personal lives would spill over into our social lives quite well.

My days and weeks are filled with some of the greatest gifts from God!! From awesome scenery to awesome tender moments. Every turn in the road leads to some new and exciting adventure! Living life to the fullest and with great passion and intent honors God. Appreciating the splendor of this world for all that's in it glorifies God!

I know of no greater way to express that than through my own personal experience. God gives us all certain gifts and traits we can pull from. I am an adventure seeker. I like the thrill of accomplishment. I like challenging my mind and body. I also am thrilled that others have their own individual and awesome gifts! Praise God for making us all unique! Verses Gal 2: 6-10 Acts 9: 1-19 Job 12(all)