November 2012

Nov 2 - Thankful for my best friend, Nicole who, in spite of my many flaws, chooses to love me anyway. At times I know it could only be the Holy Spirit that allows her to do that. So I am grateful for a wife who loves God most and allows Him to love through her. She has the most compassionate heart and is obsessed with our children (in the best possible way). I have so much respect for her. She has given up on so many dreams so that I can fulfill my calling in life, there were countless hours of single-parenting, many days of doing all the housework all by herself. It is my heart's desire that God would honor her well for her sacrifices and that all those lost hours and dates and dreams would be realized. I love you Nicole.....I love you more!

Nov 3 - Thankful for my little man. His heart is already so in-tune with spiritual things. He loves with abandon, cares deeply for people and wants them all to love and be loved. He is just one part of my heart that gets to walk around outside of my chest. I am honored to be called Dad!

Nov. 4 - So thankful for the other part of my heart that gets to walk around outside of my chest. Especially when my sweet daughter wears "clip clop" shoes, or ballet slippers, pretty dresses or chases her brother around the house with screams of delight... And when she smiles..no brighter light. I am often stunned by her beauty, and each time it's because I see her mother's eyes mixed in with a love for life and all things pink and purple. She is my sugar monkey and I love her.

Nov. 4 - The man I voted for was not elected last night. However, the people have spoken. Christians stand up and vote for what they believe to be true all the time. As a Christian, too often I am saddened by the double standard that exists from our brothers and sisters.
We want our freedom of religion and to be able to exercise our free will to serve and worship and live as we see fit based on our beliefs and yet too often, we see that as a one way street and we are surprised and offended when others who don't share our beliefs and ideals are simply exercising their ability to do the same.
Please here me, this is not a post about being pro-life or pro-choice, or pro- homosexual or not, or pro- Obama, or pro- Romney, or Christian, or Catholic, or Muslim or Baptist or Mormon, or whichever one of those you or I feel is the right way or wrong way to think.....it is about our responsibility to take these issues close to our heart to the One who can truly make the difference in people's lives. Legislation, laws, and lawmakers are not the hope of the world....but I know Who is!
As Christians let's begin to love people as Christ would have loved them. Speaking truthfully to people with compassion and understanding and allowing The Holy Spirit to change a man's heart so that they may see the things that are perhaps not God's best for their lives. We do not condemn the homosexual, or the woman who chose to have an abortion, the republican, or the democrat, or the libertarian, or the unwed mother, the alcoholic, or the drug user or __________________ (fill in the blank with anyone who thinks or acts different from you).
No, we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ and to share the HOPE that we have...not just to live eternally with God but more so, to be able to live victoriously over the temptations that we ALL face every single day that keep us tied to something or someone that can offer no hope, or peace, or fulfillment.
My heart breaks, not because of who is or isn't in the White House, but because we have a nation divided and when that happens it is not long before we see hatred find its way into our hearts, speech and action.
Christian or not, that is a day that no one should be comfortable with. I am praying for my president, Barack Hussein Obama, our nation, my brothers and sisters and those who don't hold the same views as I do. I implore us all to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.

Nov.5 - I am finding it really hard to sum up in a short post my love for God and exactly how grateful and humbled I am that God would choose to love me the way that He has and allow me to lead others to Him by the way that I live. I love how as we walk with Him and seek Him, He allows us to grow in our knowledge of Him and He moves from this story-book character from some long-ago place to a living, breathing, skin-on, hands dirty, feet filthy man who was the living example and perfect blend of compassion, truth, justice, mercy, exhortation, chastisement, grace, forgiveness, friendship, etc. More and more I am coming to love Him even deeper because if we can follow His example of holy living within humanity, we may be able to dispel the unfortunate negative stereotype that "the church" has been labeled with. If we all can, by the Holy Spirit, live, love, and serve like Christ, we won’t need to spend so much of our time and resources on legislating morality (which I do not believe can be done). We can be the hands, heart and feet of Christ and let the Holy Spirit do His work in the lives of people; drawing them as well to a holy life of devotion. Well, apparently I have quite a bit to say about my Savior, I am sure there is a book-load more. But I just knew that a simple "I am thankful for post" was not enough. Jesus may you be glorified in all that I do and say!

Nov 11  - Today I am thankful for people who listen intently to the Holy Spirit in their life and respond with humble obedience. May God continue to whisper in your ear and impart wisdom from beyond this world. By the way....we could all be these people. Just start seeking God, soaking in His presence and then be obedient to spread His light! And trust me, He will always replenish the fuel to keep that light burning.

Nov. 21 - You know those people that come into your life for a season and for varying reasons you no longer get to see them every day, every month, or really ever, but throughout your time apart they are always entering your thoughts? And the thoughts are always nostalgic and warm and wonderful? Well today I am thankful for those "forever family" at least that is what i call them. Because when you do see or talk to or hear from them it's as if no time has passed and you just pick up where you left off. It's a blessing. Although there are more, here are a few i am thinking of right now. Ben & Wendy Bruce, Andrea and Scott Marshall, Adam & Christy Foldenauer, Melody Eidson, Deb Stickley, Cheryl & Neil Ingram, Jimmy & Nancy Janosik, Jason & Melinda Priest, Jody & Debbe Tingen, Danny & Lori Ball, and so many, many more.

Nov. 26 - I am grateful for the story..you know, the one that shapes us and molds us into the people we are. The one whose author is God. The one with all the supporting characters (good, bad, and otherwise). I love the story because no matter how twisted or dark a tale it may have been, it's all redeemable...it's all usable by God to create a testimony of His faithfulness, or His hand of correction, or protection. The great thing is that even if you feel the book is written on your life and it was so messed up there is no way it could end good...I know the One who can turn it all around and instead of leaving you with a tragedy of a tail; if you allow Him to, He can pull a massive twist on it that will leave you astounded and amazed at the depth of His love for you. What's your story?