We arrived home safely from Cannon Beach today (the weather was snowy, but roads were mostly wet -- not icy). All the way home, however, I knew I wanted to write about what took place last night just before dinner.
Spurred by Jessica's haul of nearly a dozen in-tact sand dollars the day before, our family decided to strike out for Haystack Rock at the lowest tide of the day to look for more of these treasures. We all hunted diligently as we walked, but found very few complete sand dollars. Clay and Will had run ahead of the rest of us and apparently had found two great ones. Reminded of the graciousness of a woman to us a few days before (who had given us a whole sand dollar when we had found none), Will gave one of the two sand dollars he and Clay had found to another person who had none. This warmed my heart to see Will's generosity.
Then I found out Clay was crying because Will had given away the sand dollar HE had found (for the record, I don't believe Will intentionally did this to hurt Clay). Moved by what I assume was the Spirit, I asked Clay if he had forgiven Will (he had) and we prayed and told the Lord that while we wanted to be content with not finding any more, Clay would like to find another whole sand dollar himself.
We started walking back and I was hoping against hope that Clay would be able to find a sand dollar. Hoping and praying during the walk home, it was thrilling to me that Clay found 7 or 8 wholly in-tact sand dollars on the return trip (Joe who was with us also found 1 or 2). What a tremendous blessing to talk with Clay about how the Lord is kind to us and in this case showed Clay and me His power and love through sand dollars. Tomorrow I'll try to post a pic of Clay holding them!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Back to Blogging
It is crazy that it has been 3 weeks since I last updated this blog. I hope to write more in the coming days. The past week has been spent in Cannon Beach, OR teaching at Ecola Bible School and it has been a tremendous blessing in several ways:
1. Our whole family is housed in a great little beach cottage and we have many opportunities for family bonding (basketball in the gym, hiking, beach combing, carpet balling, reading books together). I love my family. These family vacation days are never guaranteed, so it is all the more of a blessing when they happen.
2. The weather has been AMAZING here at the beach. No rain, few clouds, and fairly mild temperatures. The high yesterday was only 50, but that was the coldest day so far. I am convinced that there is a big plot among beach residents to fabricate stories of bad coastal weather to keep the year-round population here very small.
3. The students and interns here at Ecola have been eager to learn and very gracious to me and my family this week. I've had several really encouraging conversations with people and just finished one prior to this writing. I love hearing the stories of people.
4. I LOVE teaching. I am built to communicate truth and it blesses and humbles me to have this opportunity this week. I don't know what the future holds, but I am grateful for the present. God's word is so rich and I'm eager to share more about that today.
James 1 says that every good and perfect gift is from above -- originating from the Father of Lights in Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. I testify that the blessings above are from Him and today I recognize that and celebrate His kindness to me. I live a blessed life.
1. Our whole family is housed in a great little beach cottage and we have many opportunities for family bonding (basketball in the gym, hiking, beach combing, carpet balling, reading books together). I love my family. These family vacation days are never guaranteed, so it is all the more of a blessing when they happen.
2. The weather has been AMAZING here at the beach. No rain, few clouds, and fairly mild temperatures. The high yesterday was only 50, but that was the coldest day so far. I am convinced that there is a big plot among beach residents to fabricate stories of bad coastal weather to keep the year-round population here very small.
3. The students and interns here at Ecola have been eager to learn and very gracious to me and my family this week. I've had several really encouraging conversations with people and just finished one prior to this writing. I love hearing the stories of people.
4. I LOVE teaching. I am built to communicate truth and it blesses and humbles me to have this opportunity this week. I don't know what the future holds, but I am grateful for the present. God's word is so rich and I'm eager to share more about that today.
James 1 says that every good and perfect gift is from above -- originating from the Father of Lights in Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. I testify that the blessings above are from Him and today I recognize that and celebrate His kindness to me. I live a blessed life.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Chalk another up to God and not John
So last night we pulled into Albequerque without a reservation at a hotel (our priceline bids failed and we had the travel coupons you can get at truck stops). We were hoping for a good deal at a good place for little money. I realize the adage that "you get what you pay for," but frankly I have so often seen that disproved that I am more surprised when it pans out.
Consider me surprised by our hotel stay last night. It was cheap. In just about every way. The redeeming characteristic might have been that the hotel is located on the Historic Route 66, and was favorably reviewed on the travel sites we visited.
The neighborhood was fairly sketchy and there were many "quirks" associated with the hotel. The first indicator was the complete glass enclosure that the desk clerk was behind while we completed the transaction. The room had several funny parts, and the pool provided a comical incident.
Will was moving around the wall when he suddenly cried out in pain. Being the ever-merciful father I told him to quit exaggerating. He told me that there were jets that shot water out into the pool, but he had come up against a nozzle that sucked water into it and the skin on his back was pulled into it. Sure enough I put my hand over the nozzle and it was pretty strong. I cautioned the other boys to stay away from it, and everything was fine until I got too close. Will was not exaggerating the pain.
So we left Albequerque, but not before pricelining (and failing) to get hotel rooms in Flagstaff or Williams, AZ (near the Grand Canyon). We figured we'd drive on and walk in like we've done so many times. However, when we arrived in Flagstaff there was snow all over and I was getting a little concerned about ice on the side roads. We decided to hop back on the Interstate and get a hotel in Williams where we could stay in a hotel just off the highway (little side-street driving on ice).
25 minutes later we arrive in Williams and go to the hotel that we have the cheap coupon for. There is NO VACANCY (I've never actually seen a hotel completely full). They suggested another hotel in town (NO VACANCY). We went to at least one or two others that both were also completely full. At this point I'm getting really irritated and thinking I've dragged my family all the way out here and we're going to pay through the nose to get a room (if there is even one to be had in this town).
This is when we stopped to pray and ask God to help us find a place to stay for the night. The next place we went into -- rooms available and at a very discount rate! Turns out the room is very nice, the location is really good, and our family realizes we were very blessed by God to give us this place to stay tonight. Chalk up another one that God provided when I was completely unable to come up with anything. He is really kind.
Consider me surprised by our hotel stay last night. It was cheap. In just about every way. The redeeming characteristic might have been that the hotel is located on the Historic Route 66, and was favorably reviewed on the travel sites we visited.
The neighborhood was fairly sketchy and there were many "quirks" associated with the hotel. The first indicator was the complete glass enclosure that the desk clerk was behind while we completed the transaction. The room had several funny parts, and the pool provided a comical incident.
Will was moving around the wall when he suddenly cried out in pain. Being the ever-merciful father I told him to quit exaggerating. He told me that there were jets that shot water out into the pool, but he had come up against a nozzle that sucked water into it and the skin on his back was pulled into it. Sure enough I put my hand over the nozzle and it was pretty strong. I cautioned the other boys to stay away from it, and everything was fine until I got too close. Will was not exaggerating the pain.
So we left Albequerque, but not before pricelining (and failing) to get hotel rooms in Flagstaff or Williams, AZ (near the Grand Canyon). We figured we'd drive on and walk in like we've done so many times. However, when we arrived in Flagstaff there was snow all over and I was getting a little concerned about ice on the side roads. We decided to hop back on the Interstate and get a hotel in Williams where we could stay in a hotel just off the highway (little side-street driving on ice).
25 minutes later we arrive in Williams and go to the hotel that we have the cheap coupon for. There is NO VACANCY (I've never actually seen a hotel completely full). They suggested another hotel in town (NO VACANCY). We went to at least one or two others that both were also completely full. At this point I'm getting really irritated and thinking I've dragged my family all the way out here and we're going to pay through the nose to get a room (if there is even one to be had in this town).
This is when we stopped to pray and ask God to help us find a place to stay for the night. The next place we went into -- rooms available and at a very discount rate! Turns out the room is very nice, the location is really good, and our family realizes we were very blessed by God to give us this place to stay tonight. Chalk up another one that God provided when I was completely unable to come up with anything. He is really kind.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Another opportunity
Jessica and I have had so many great stories of things that God has provided for us when we needed them. Don't get me wrong, we have plenty of resources to pay for things, but we learned from Randy Alcorn's, "The Treasure Principle" that great test of needing something is asking the Lord to provide it for you. If He does, then you have a great story about God's faithfulness. If not, then you can question whether you need it.
"But wait!" you might wonder. Isn't that kind of weird to have the money to buy something and then ask God to give it to you when He has already provided the money? Not at all -- you now have more money to give to Kingdom purposes! Invite Jessica and I over for hot chocolate sometime and we'll regale you with stories about things we've received from God's hand -- tables, furniture, portable dvd player, carS, clothing, and so much more.
So when Jessica and I were together at church last Sunday and a woman came up and introduced us to her husband as the woman (Jessica) who taught her about praying for God to provide things BEFORE going out and purchasing them, and Jessica's husband (no real title) it didn't really surprise me.
I can recall the Spirit talking to me and pointing out the irony of her statement because I knew that I had just made a fairly (for us) major purchase of a new digital camera (without much prayer).
We used to have a very serviceable camera that was handled by someone under the age of 18 in our family and accidentally dropped at Whit's End soda shoppe. Thanks to some handiness by a Denver friend, the camera was fixed and up and running again good as new. It made it through most of our time in Memphis, but recently started acting up again (especially while in DC). We felt that since we're hoping to go to the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest and see friends while driving home, we should have a camera.
So, being the head of my prayerful wife, I immediately did what came naturally to me.
I researched. I scoured the ads for the best deals and checked online specials and coupon codes as well as local camera store options. Then, after much looking and miles of driving, I (having hardly prayed) purchased a camera (including one free all-in-one printer that was part of a great deal). However, when I got it home, I was shocked to learn that my meticulous research had failed to alert me to the GLARING problem that the camera was a different memory format than the cards we currently have (nobody ever introduces us as "Jessica -- the lady who prays about purchases before making them, and her equally amazing husband John -- the fantastic researcher").
Realizing my error, I did the obvious. I went to another store and bought a second camera. So I now have two cameras in my midst and Jessica isn't sure we should have either. I put on my best face and try to explain that #2 really is great. The only problem is that cameras and our family don't always take to one another (we've had several meet untimely demises). I realized that if we bought a camera from a local Memphis store we might have a harder time with the warranty if something happened.
With that in mind, I went to a local store that we also have in Tri-Cities and purchased a third camera (identical to #2). The good news about that purchase is that the Discover Card Fraud Network proved their worthiness when they called our home in Richland to check on several "out of character" purchases at electronic stores. That was heartening.
Along with the camera, I purchased the extended service agreement (often I skip these, but with our history with cameras...). I then took the first two cameras back and we came to feel that our new camera (a slick little Nikon) was a good deal. Perhaps not given by the Lord, but a good find, nonetheless.
Until today when it was dropped and now has a cute little screen that says, "Lens error" when you try to turn it 0n.
So I started looking at the paperwork for our warranty and I realized that we may have to send it off to Nikon for them to look at it before they might send us a new one. If so, that means we have no camera to take on our trip home.
Which means I get a second chance! Pretty cool. I'll try to remember to let you know how it turns out.
"But wait!" you might wonder. Isn't that kind of weird to have the money to buy something and then ask God to give it to you when He has already provided the money? Not at all -- you now have more money to give to Kingdom purposes! Invite Jessica and I over for hot chocolate sometime and we'll regale you with stories about things we've received from God's hand -- tables, furniture, portable dvd player, carS, clothing, and so much more.
So when Jessica and I were together at church last Sunday and a woman came up and introduced us to her husband as the woman (Jessica) who taught her about praying for God to provide things BEFORE going out and purchasing them, and Jessica's husband (no real title) it didn't really surprise me.
I can recall the Spirit talking to me and pointing out the irony of her statement because I knew that I had just made a fairly (for us) major purchase of a new digital camera (without much prayer).
We used to have a very serviceable camera that was handled by someone under the age of 18 in our family and accidentally dropped at Whit's End soda shoppe. Thanks to some handiness by a Denver friend, the camera was fixed and up and running again good as new. It made it through most of our time in Memphis, but recently started acting up again (especially while in DC). We felt that since we're hoping to go to the Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest and see friends while driving home, we should have a camera.
So, being the head of my prayerful wife, I immediately did what came naturally to me.
I researched. I scoured the ads for the best deals and checked online specials and coupon codes as well as local camera store options. Then, after much looking and miles of driving, I (having hardly prayed) purchased a camera (including one free all-in-one printer that was part of a great deal). However, when I got it home, I was shocked to learn that my meticulous research had failed to alert me to the GLARING problem that the camera was a different memory format than the cards we currently have (nobody ever introduces us as "Jessica -- the lady who prays about purchases before making them, and her equally amazing husband John -- the fantastic researcher").
Realizing my error, I did the obvious. I went to another store and bought a second camera. So I now have two cameras in my midst and Jessica isn't sure we should have either. I put on my best face and try to explain that #2 really is great. The only problem is that cameras and our family don't always take to one another (we've had several meet untimely demises). I realized that if we bought a camera from a local Memphis store we might have a harder time with the warranty if something happened.
With that in mind, I went to a local store that we also have in Tri-Cities and purchased a third camera (identical to #2). The good news about that purchase is that the Discover Card Fraud Network proved their worthiness when they called our home in Richland to check on several "out of character" purchases at electronic stores. That was heartening.
Along with the camera, I purchased the extended service agreement (often I skip these, but with our history with cameras...). I then took the first two cameras back and we came to feel that our new camera (a slick little Nikon) was a good deal. Perhaps not given by the Lord, but a good find, nonetheless.
Until today when it was dropped and now has a cute little screen that says, "Lens error" when you try to turn it 0n.
So I started looking at the paperwork for our warranty and I realized that we may have to send it off to Nikon for them to look at it before they might send us a new one. If so, that means we have no camera to take on our trip home.
Which means I get a second chance! Pretty cool. I'll try to remember to let you know how it turns out.
Christmas Thoughts
One of the highlights for me was sitting down with our boys early this morning and asking them to draw a picture of the present they wanted to give Jesus through their actions/attitudes. Joe drew a picture containing himself and his brother being cheerful. Clay drew a picture of himself praying saying he wanted to follow Jesus, and Will wrote the word kind and drew pictures of the family inside the bubbled letters.
I drew a picture of myself stopping to patiently pray rather than yell at my sons when they were arguing or whining.
It was a really good reminder for us this morning and while the truth for little boys is that they are thinking about presents (I was too at their age), we were able to refer back to our "presents for Jesus" throughout the day.
A verse that kept popping into my mind today (it was quoted by someone at our gathering) was, "Every good and perfect gift comes from above -- from the Father of Lights in whom there is no variation or shifting shadow" (James 1:17). On a day when thoughts of gifts received are likely in your mind, may you remember the Source of all good gifts.
I drew a picture of myself stopping to patiently pray rather than yell at my sons when they were arguing or whining.
It was a really good reminder for us this morning and while the truth for little boys is that they are thinking about presents (I was too at their age), we were able to refer back to our "presents for Jesus" throughout the day.
A verse that kept popping into my mind today (it was quoted by someone at our gathering) was, "Every good and perfect gift comes from above -- from the Father of Lights in whom there is no variation or shifting shadow" (James 1:17). On a day when thoughts of gifts received are likely in your mind, may you remember the Source of all good gifts.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Unexpected Delight
Tonight we went to a Christmas Eve service at a church here in Memphis and there was a moment that just really blessed me. At one point in about the middle of the service, there was a portion titled "Kids Carols," and the MC of the evening invited all elementary aged kids to come forward and sing the songs which were printed in the bulletin (Away in a Manger and Go Tell it on the Mountain). Will immediately was game to go up and we were all gung ho to have him join in the other kids who were singing.
He jumped out of his seat, walked down to the front of the building, and stood there a bit awkwardly waiting to be placed in this impromptu choir. As we watched this, it suddenly dawned on us that perhaps this wasn't an impromptu event, but a group of kids who had been practicing for these songs. So there was Will, up front, and aware that he might not be in the right place. I honestly was brainstorming ways that I could inconspicuously walk past several hundred people and relieve him of his situation. My creativity was stymied on this one.
"What will happen?" I wondered. Will he melt down from embarrassment (my likely response at that age)? Will he be angry at us for encouraging him to go? Will he stand there woodenly and distract from the choir? What will this situation bring? I kept surveying the doors of the room in case I needed to attempt a save of my son's dignity.
So what happened? I got to watch Will enthusiastically sing the two songs and was blessed at the unexpected delight that he understood what was happening and sang well anyway. I believe this speaks of some good character formation and strength that is inside of him. I was delighted to see this.
After the service, we talked a bit and I told him how proud I was of him. He kind of laughed and that was the end of it. I asked his permission to blog about it, and he gave it. Tomorrow I'll see if he'd like to read this. I'm very proud of all three of my sons, but was unexpectedly delighted by my oldest tonight. What a great early Christmas gift! Thank you Will, and thank you God for what You're doing in him.
He jumped out of his seat, walked down to the front of the building, and stood there a bit awkwardly waiting to be placed in this impromptu choir. As we watched this, it suddenly dawned on us that perhaps this wasn't an impromptu event, but a group of kids who had been practicing for these songs. So there was Will, up front, and aware that he might not be in the right place. I honestly was brainstorming ways that I could inconspicuously walk past several hundred people and relieve him of his situation. My creativity was stymied on this one.
"What will happen?" I wondered. Will he melt down from embarrassment (my likely response at that age)? Will he be angry at us for encouraging him to go? Will he stand there woodenly and distract from the choir? What will this situation bring? I kept surveying the doors of the room in case I needed to attempt a save of my son's dignity.
So what happened? I got to watch Will enthusiastically sing the two songs and was blessed at the unexpected delight that he understood what was happening and sang well anyway. I believe this speaks of some good character formation and strength that is inside of him. I was delighted to see this.
After the service, we talked a bit and I told him how proud I was of him. He kind of laughed and that was the end of it. I asked his permission to blog about it, and he gave it. Tomorrow I'll see if he'd like to read this. I'm very proud of all three of my sons, but was unexpectedly delighted by my oldest tonight. What a great early Christmas gift! Thank you Will, and thank you God for what You're doing in him.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Waiting...6 weeks later
In early November I raised the question of what does it mean to wait on the Lord and decided to study this somewhat. The other day I received an email asking what I had discovered at this point. It was good for me to put into words what I've been learning and thinking about the past 6 weeks. Here are the two thoughts I wrote in that email:
1. While waiting, I cannot ignore the counsel around me, but those voices are NOT the determining factor of what God has for me. This is a tightrope to walk, because all of my life I have been taught to listen to the counsel of the wise and that is right (it is all over Proverbs). However, in listening so intently for that counsel, I have often neglected to listen for God Himself. The wise are indeed that, and hear from God, but their input is a component of the decision -- not the deciding factor. When a person I respect says something for me, I cannot assume that is God talking. In the past I think I've circumvented waiting by assuming that something someone tells me is the definitive word from God rather than seeking a confirmation from Him personally (through personal peace, the Word, unity with my wife, etc.)
2. Though I'm not far enough into it to say definitively, initially I thought the end of my waiting would come strongly and obviously (e.g. a job offer, a really clear leading). I hoped that the waiting would conclude at a point in time and then I would be able to move on. At this point, I don't think that God typically works that way. Jesus often talks about the Kingdom starting small and imperceptibly -- I think God delights to move that way (I think it takes more faith on our part to keep walking consistently). I would love to have a powerful ending to my story by human standards (great job, personal satisfaction, pleasant situation), but I am expecting at this point that the ending of this story will be much more like a blooming rose than a bee sting. One day I will look back and realize the power of God throughout rather than see it in one fell swoop. I don't think this constitutes any lack of faith on my part -- on the contrary, faith unrewarded in this life is proved all the more significant (see Heb. 11).
1. While waiting, I cannot ignore the counsel around me, but those voices are NOT the determining factor of what God has for me. This is a tightrope to walk, because all of my life I have been taught to listen to the counsel of the wise and that is right (it is all over Proverbs). However, in listening so intently for that counsel, I have often neglected to listen for God Himself. The wise are indeed that, and hear from God, but their input is a component of the decision -- not the deciding factor. When a person I respect says something for me, I cannot assume that is God talking. In the past I think I've circumvented waiting by assuming that something someone tells me is the definitive word from God rather than seeking a confirmation from Him personally (through personal peace, the Word, unity with my wife, etc.)
2. Though I'm not far enough into it to say definitively, initially I thought the end of my waiting would come strongly and obviously (e.g. a job offer, a really clear leading). I hoped that the waiting would conclude at a point in time and then I would be able to move on. At this point, I don't think that God typically works that way. Jesus often talks about the Kingdom starting small and imperceptibly -- I think God delights to move that way (I think it takes more faith on our part to keep walking consistently). I would love to have a powerful ending to my story by human standards (great job, personal satisfaction, pleasant situation), but I am expecting at this point that the ending of this story will be much more like a blooming rose than a bee sting. One day I will look back and realize the power of God throughout rather than see it in one fell swoop. I don't think this constitutes any lack of faith on my part -- on the contrary, faith unrewarded in this life is proved all the more significant (see Heb. 11).
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