Back to Walking

Sorry all you readers out there. I am back to walking for an undetermined time, thanks for reading!

"Success at Last"

Every time we are trying to reach a goal and then do, we feel we have succeeded. New accomplishments may also feel like a point we need to set new goals. The question is What's Next? The reality may very well be nothing in particular is next. The task we had before us is finished and we are good to go or not to go!

I guess the consensus could be that we always face issues and life is full of goals and tasks we get to do. Our praise to God should be that we actually have the means to be successful. I sense that as we get older the life's' accomplishments are broader and broader. There is still many more though to look forward to.

Having good health and finances to do so much is definitely a blessing from God. We will live and experience all that God has in store for us through a life lived well and with passion. Our notches on our bedpost will remind of us of all the various successes and even some failures. Praise God above for allowing us each day we live and play!

Verses: Joshua 1: 6-9 2 Chron 20: 20-21

"Free"

Free breakfast, free burger, free beer! I was pretty fortunate yesterday to receive so many free gifts. It was "Bike to Work Day" and our city provided a free breakfast station. My oldest daughter and I were able to share in that and then enjoyed a rare early morning bike ride.

My son and I at work were facing an environmental inspection and an Colorado State Emissions inspection. We had been preparing for both all week. Before the State Rep was to be there we had lunch and my son bought me a burger! Yay!

My wife and I were once again shopping houses. That is sort of our new hobby! We know more about the housing market than we care too! Maybe this will be the one?? At any rate God has it worked out and we are doing the leg work. We ended up at our local brew pub who were giving pints to all the bikers this day. My wife jumped on her cruiser and I on my trusty steed and went over there to get our free draught. All in all I'd say we had a wonderful free day to share. Praise God! Verses: Psalm 56: 3-4 1Tim 6: 11-21

"Appreciate the Now"

We all can take our lives for granted. The comforts of a warm bed and a safe house are norms for most of us. The morning birds and dew on the grass remind of us God and his awesome vision. There is no finer moment than when those we love make us laugh. We are reminded of their importance in our lives. Tomorrow comes and we expect all of that to continue.

There is no way to know what tomorrow will bring. Today is here and we get to share it with others we love and care for. The daily routine may seem bland at times but is filled with so many cool experiences. The very simple occasion of discovering a turtle or frog or? in our backyard is always memorable. The wind may be blowing fiercely today and seem a nuisance but the plants benefit in their spreading of seeds.

God is the one who started it all and we are his children who get to live and play here! What a cool and glorious place to be. Praise God and all that we have for our lives are being lived each and every day on Earth! Verses Psalm 111 Isaiah 25: 1-8

"Rescue At Sea !"

If you have ever been in a canoe or kayak you probably have figured out not to rock the boat too much or you just may capsize! If you are fourteen and a boy you may not quite realize that. Or maybe at fourteen you might prefer to be dumped into the lake!! Hopefully the boat doesn't sink to the bottom. Also it would be best to be rescued and brought safely to shore.

It also comes to mind that at fourteen most of us didn't really consider all the consequences of our actions? Rocking boats as it were was kind of a way of life at that age. What we also didn't realize was that we may need rescuing. That is where our older wiser family members often stepped in.

Reminds me of God and his love for each of us. We get ourselves stranded on the edge of the overturned boat and then cry out for help! God is and always will be there. Not necessarily to yank us out out of the water we got ourselves into. More likely to just drag us safely back to shore! Verse: Jonah 2(all)

Ahh! Friday!

Here we are, Friday again, welcome to the weekend! I guess this is the part we all look forward to. The break from our normal routines is a nice change and welcome relief. I suppose some of us may actually be busier with our own gotta do's than our work week was. The difference being the type and demands of what's to come.

The pessimists could point out that Monday follows the weekend. But the optimists would forgo that thought and enjoy two days on a different speed and level. My personal work week has me up at 430am and not home till 5-530 pm. I like the change the weekend brings and I like the less strict schedule it allows.

There is no end to options we could consider this weekend. As it is also Fathers Day, I have plans with my children and look forward to that time with them. I also look forward to time with God and worship and prayer. I guess we all need a break and refueled and revived on a regular basis!

"90 Hours"

One of my co-workers from the the city was at my shop yesterday. I only see him a few times a year. He asked the question, Are you guys working 90 hours yet? I replied "Why"? Why would anyone work that many hours? If he is I pity his family as that can't leave any time for them.

I am sure he was joking and works less than that. Last December he allowed two weeks of vacation to go because he wanted the overtime. I can't imagine being that concerned about money that all that matters is making more. He is not alone in his quest for riches I am sure.

I also read an article yesterday in the newspaper about the difference between Americans and Europeans work and vacation schedules. The Europeans are more defined as "work to live" and Americans are" Live to work" I see where there is potential to be in excess of either. I don't have an answer but I do know 90 hours at work a week is ridiculous!

Verses: Ex 23: 12 Matt 6: 25-34

"Full Moon"

I awoke to the full glory of the moon shining through my bedroom window. I thought it odd that it was exactly in the sky where it was? Apparently it was there to catch my eye and maybe even enlighten me. I have always been fond of it's glory and presence. What would this Earth be without the constant kinship with the moon?

I remember many a times where the moon was full and the children seemed a little more restless! I guess the women have come to know it's cycles to correspond with theirs. It never goes away even if the clouds obscure it. It diminishes only in viewable size and then returns to Full Moon glory time and time again. I think it reminds us of the beauty and majesty of all that is around us. Gods' creation is so vast and beyond any ones grasp.

I am sure glad that the moon was there to awaken me. I look forward to many more visits we will share. It is just one of many spectacular sights to behold and appreciate!

Verses: 1Cor 15; 35-41 Psalm 121(all)

"Court"

I guess we have to have a court system to protect ourselves. I also guess that it does a good job of doing that. It would seem that if everyone involved lived up to their end of the agreement than court wouldn't be necessary. Some just fall short of that or take advantage of others and off to court they go.
My vision is that it would be easier to live a God fearing, God loving, God like attitude. If we all had no intention of harming or one upping our fellow man then we would be free from needing courts. Reality is a much different story. Unfortunately this world is broken. Humans are their own worst enemy. Will it ever change? I think probably not.
Some of us can strive to live with an attitude of decency and respect. Maybe others will see the merits and change their ways? Eventually we all die and our lives and their impact are laid before us. I for one, want to meet my maker with a clean (for the most part) slate!
Verses:Job 31(all) Romans 12: 9-13

"Happy Birthday"

We all get one of these each year. They are like free gifts from God. We don't earn them or necessarily deserve them but they come anyway. I pray and hope all of everyone else's are happy ones!

Today is my wife's special day. She gets to celebrate her day that she first entered this world a few years back. I am glad we can all spend this day with her. The gifts and cards are just a cool token of our love for her. I am sure we will also celebrate with some kind of food and sweet treat for her to enjoy!

So my thanks goes out to God for bringing us together. My love goes out to her for being her. My prayer is that she have many more of them. My hope is that she enjoys it and shares it with all those she loves and cares for.

"Teamwork"

Reminds me of the old horse and wagon days. If a strong and trained team of horses were to be harnessed together they could do powerful things. In our modern world of sports it's the team that work well together that more often wins.

All of life's' issues seem a lot less difficult when we work together as a team. History has proven time and time again that through teamwork anything is possible. Man can and has accomplished much through our combined efforts.

I believe God made man and mans' ability to increase in number as a way to be more effective. Our stumbling block is trying to get everyone working on and for the same goals! Hopefully we will all strive to accomplish and provide all that God would have us do. The potential has always been there the trick is using it!

"Seeing the Real Beauty"

The most attractive of us are not always the most beautiful. On the flip side of that, the most beautiful of us are not always the most attractive!

Beauty is so interpretative. each person has their definition in what truly is and isn't beautiful. Even simple colors are preferred by some and not by others. When it comes to people we all judge and determine what we like and don't like.

There are though some areas where it seems impossible to differ on beauty. Mere acts of kindness and love have a very real and tangible beauty to them. Our natural world is full of beauty that is so hard to deny.

When you love someone they surpass all levels of beauty and shine like no other. God has blessed us with the ability to see and to recognize beauty in all things in our lives. Praise God for "Beauty" Verses: Ecc 11: 7-10 Isaiah 52: 7-9 Ester 1: 1-8

"Priorities in Life"

I guess we all daydream about being rich and/or famous. I also guess that most of us will never be either! If rich is an endless supply of money, it's improbable and unlikely for most of us. The pursuit of money and fame can be all to attractive.

Essentials in our lives would seem to be shelter, food, and finances for our expenses. Shelter can be quite simple or very elaborate. Functional and practical shelter may suit us best. If we think back to earlier times a one room cabin would have sufficed. Today we think we want a more modern multiple room house.

Food used to be grown and raised as a life style. Most of us today rely on others to do the growing and our incomes to buy what we want and need. Everything else is really our choices we make. God would just have us respect and know what he gave us and live a life well within our means.

Verses: Psalm 103 1-5 1 Tim 6: 17 Matt 6: 8-13

"Finding Joy In The Simple"

Given today's advanced technology we are all influenced by it's temptations. The Internet itself is a vast and endless supply of information both good and not so good. There is still a lot of joy to be found in the simple act of reading a book or magazine.

Not to dwell on my passion(bicycles), but there is an enormous potential for joy in the simple act of riding a bike. I suppose those that love and ride horses feel the same way.

I pray and hope that we all can dig deep into what really satisfies us, and what really enlightens and builds character in us all. The picture of an elderly couple sitting on a porch swing, holding hands and sharing in a sunset tells it all.

My conclusion is that the important things are: Know God, Trust God, Follow God, treat others as God would, Love as God does,and live for the simple yet complete pleasure only God can provide! Verses: 2 Peter 3: 11-13 1 John 4: 7-21

"Taking Life for Granted"

My blind bicycle group and I had our first June ride last Saturday Here is a group of people that live for this day to ride and feel a freedom it brings. Most of us could choose to ride or drive any day of the year. For these people they have to rely on others to enjoy that past time.

I can only imagine what they are feeling and experiencing each time. Once the tandem bikes roll they will feel the wind and smell the summer in a whole new way.

How many of us ever give it a second thought? The many pleasures that God gives us in life can so easily be taken for granted. Everywhere from our jobs to our homes, our spouses, and families we are all so blessed. God has gifted us with so much and we could all do well thank God and appreciate everything.

Verses: Philip 4: 10-13 Heb 13: 5

"Deepening Our Relationships"

If we could survive in life without a specific job what would we do? I think I know the answer! On Monday I would visit my friends that have small children and spend the 8-10 hours with them in their world!

On Tuesday I could meet with my hiking buddies and we could explore miles and miles of trail all day long. On Wednesday my wife and I could go for a bike ride, a walk, a kayak tour or visit the museum together hand in hand.

On Thursday my children and I could roll up our sleeves and change another families lives. We could fix things up for someone else and make their lives better. On Friday I could bike to Denver and back and meet many wonderful and interesting people along the way.

Oh darn I am out of work days and only begun to deepen my relationships with others. I suppose it is a good thing that God blesses us with so many weeks in our lives!!

"Exploring Gods' Green Earth"

I am a huge proponent of this planet we live on. Not a day goes by that I don't experience some sort or other of how great the Earth is. Our God has designed and created a beautiful and phenomenal paradise for us to experience and discover.

Living here is such a joy and has no limits to it's potential for all of us. I look forward to each new and amazing discovery yet to come. My wife is excited to one day design, plant and nurture her own garden. She has a vision of both edible and colorful plants to grow. The varieties that are available to choose from seem endless.

In Gods' untouched and natural environment there is a great wealth of plants and rocks and things to admire and photograph. The picture that God paints is ever changing and always differs from place to place. How cool is that!!

Verses: Rev 10: 5-6 1 Tim 4: 4 Isaiah 6: 1-3

"Impactful Living"

Having a goal and purpose in life seems like a good plan. Having raised two kids and raising two more I hope I have been somewhat successful in life. Their individual potential in this world is quite substantial.

I can't hardly remember a time where I haven't been involved in some sort of group or other. Particularly in various churches I have tried to serve well. Experiences go from nursery, to greeting, to set-up, clean-up, worship music help, and social group organizing.

As in our families quest for a permanent house, I am also prayerfully waiting for an impactful community endeavour. It's a difficult place to be, for no apparent answer is presently available. Faith and trust in God that our lives will be in a certain place, doing a certain ministry will some day be a reality for us. Until that all happens we can only pray and trust God!

Verses: Romans 8: 28-39 Romans 12: 9-13 Prov 19 20-21