periclete

Just an ordinary week

I have been trying to be more regular in my blog, but there are weeks that go by and it doesn't seem that there is much of interest to write about in my blog.   Yet as I have though through my week, I guess there is really plenty.   On Sunday a guy came up to me that has been visiting each Sunday and he told me that last week he prayed to become a Christian as I led in prayer at the end of the service.  I got him hooked up with a friend that will help him with the next step.   I have great hopes for him to really understand and live the Christian life.

Part of my week was organizing the Christmas Eve program.   We have lots of people come to that service that seldom come to church.   It is a great time to celebrate Christmas through music.

I also spent time getting ready for the devotional that is part of the Christmas program with a bunch of the AWANA kids singing and dressing up as angels, shepherds, and wisemen.   The week holds lots of meetings for me, many one-on-one conversations, so many phone calls and just taking care of details.   It seems that the day is over before I know it and there are still so many things on my list to get finished up.

Something unusal this week was working with a small crew of men getting the church building ready for winter.   We were putting flashing up on the north end of the building using Brad Greenwoods lift.   The two of us were in the "bucket" and Brad decided to see how high the lift would go.   I know that there are thrill seekers who would pay money to go that high...I am not sure that I am one of them.   I remember Jesus promise,  "Lo I am with you always" and that is right where I like it the best...Low

busy Sunday

Today was a full day, but I felt like the Lord was working through me as I have been seeking to "listen" to the Lord and being quick to obey.  A guy we had been praying for that has been coming to church for about a month came up to me to tell me that he trusted Christ last week during the message.   He seems really ready to grow in Christ.   There were other things today that reminded me that God is working in people's hearts.  That is my prayer of course, that God would do His work in changing hearts and lives. 

I am so grateful to the Lord for so many things in my life.  Just knowing that He knows me and loves me is wonderful.  I want to know more about practicing His presence.  There are many times I am in the same room as Debby.  I know she is there, but we are just quietly enjoying one anothers company.  We don't have to say anything, but just being together is a good thing.  There are times that I know the Lord is right there.   I am not praying as such, but aware of His presence in my life.  This awareness is something I want to experience in a deeper and more regular way. 

Thanksgiving with the family

We had such a great time with the family in Portland.   Steven flew up from LA.   Bill and Laurie and family came from Boise.   Their older three met us there.   I can't even remember when all of us from both families were together.   Hanging out, playing games, cooking, eating, being thankful, and enjoying each other...sounds great doesn't it.   Our time together was too short in my opinion.  

 

Peter on the left and Steven on the right (my left).   I am blessed to have a great relationship with both of the boys.  Peter turned 29 while we were there.   My how those years have flown by. 

I went to see the surgeon today and he isn't convinced that I will need surgery on my shoulder.   Had a cortazone shot today and physical therapy as soon as possible.  Three weeks will tell if surgery is necessary.

Fighting for life

The story of Paul Posten's fight with a bear finally made the local paper today.  I heard about it the day it happened through my friend Curtis who is his long time friend.  Paul was bear hunting near Salmon Lake not far from Portola.   After shooting the bear, he waited for 15 or so minutes before going into the brush to find the dead bear.   The bear found Paul and came out of the bushes toward him.  He fired in a hurry but may have missed.  Soon he was on his back with the bear mauling his head and face.  He said, "You haven't smelled bad breath until you've had a bear breathing right into your face".  He put his left arm up to protect his neck and the bear severed the tendons in his arm making him unable to move his fingers.   He boxed the bear in the face as fast as he could and at the same time, using his knees and feet he kicked and kicked the bear.   He was being pushed farther into the brush as they fought until the bear backed off about five yards.  Even though he could barely see because of the blood in his eyes, Paul fired three shots into the bear and the bear seemed dead.   After wrapping his wounds with his shirt to slow the bleeding he started hiking out to get help.   He had to pass the bear on his way out and as he was passing the bear stood up again.   Now Paul's rifle was empty but he had bullets in his left pocket.  He couldn't get to his pocket because his left arm no longer worked, so quickly he dropped his pants, spun the pants around to get a bullet with his right hand.  One last shot and the bear finally died.  Paul then hiked back to his truck and drove himself to the hospital.

When I hear stories like these, there is something in me that finds an application for my life.  I was thinking about how seriously he took that life and death struggle.  He was doing everything that he could do to beat that bear.  When the Bible talks about our spiritual battles, we are told to "do everything to stand firm"  Phil. 6:13.  I need to remember to never take the spiritual battle half-hearted.  "You have not shed blood in your battle against sin"  Hebrews. 

How seriously do I take this spiritual battle?   Do I really believe there is a battle?  Have I done everything to stand firm?

perspective

A friend sent me an email referring me to a You Tube video of Nick Vujicic.   Nick was born with no arms and no legs.  He went through a period of his life where he was very depressed and suicidal.   But he learned to have a different perspective on life.  Instead of his focus being what he didn't have and what he couldn't do, he began to focus on what he could do.   It is amazing to watch him get around and to speak to groups.   He has traveled around the world speaking to over a million people inspiring them to move past their limitations.  His positive attitude and love for God are contageous.   I so respect those who are making a difference in other's lives inspite of potentially overwhelming difficulties.  If you are ever feeling like life is tough, watch one of these videos on You Tube.  It would be easy for him to just lay there feeling sorry for himself, but instead he is pouring his life into others.

thankfulness

This morning I was praying for a number of people I know who are looking for work.   With the financial problems in our country I think that we will see more and more people losing their job.  We already see that the church is helping more people with financial crisis.  

 As I was praying, I became very thankful for my job.  Although it is stressful at times, I am so grateful that I have been employed steady since we married in 1975.  I get to live in the mountains, serving people that I love dearly.  I get paid to share on Sundays what God has been teaching me during the week.  And very important to me, my job has significance.  Knowing that God is at work through me in people's lives has always meant a lot to me.  Most days are very busy and the day is gone before I know it. 

I also remember that my security is not in my job, not in the rentals, because I am in the loving hands of God.  I am so blessed...I'm especially blessed having a best friend and wife to share these years together. 

Perspective

Today, with winter on the horizon, I faced a legion of chores around the house including raking the leaves again.   I was out working on the task at hand when Deb came outside on her way to work.   We wished each other a good day and then she commented, "Look at all the pretty leaves".  Her perspective struck me.  My perspective was to get the job done which I was content in doing, but I was missing part of the "joy in the journey".   I have often talked with friends about finding joy in the journey.  There are a lot of times in life when we have to do something, and we can be grouchy, overwhelmed, sad, feeling sorry for ourselves as we accomplish our task or we can be grateful and joyful.  The task may not change, but our mood sure can.  Our perspective plays a big part in our mood while we do what needs to be done.

Today I was content to do the work, but I was just seeing it as work instead of seeing the beauty in the process.  After Deb's comment, I started looking at the individual leaves and they were beautiful.  A simple change in perspective made a task even more enjoyable.  I even took a picture to remember the lesson. 

I get to choose my perspective every day.  It is a choice that will change my outlook on life's circumstances.   I cannot always change my circumstances, but I can change my attitude. 

Was it Frankel that was in a concentration camp?  The Nazis had taken his family, his home, his job, his freedom.   He said something like,   "The last freedom that they cannot take away from me is my freedom to choose my own attitude".

shoulder report

If you have read past blogs, you know that I was near Downieville a couple of months ago.  There was a buried boulder that was level with the ground.  When I stepped on the boulder, it gave way and I tumbled with the boulder into the river.   At the time I knew I hurt my shoulder, but I found out today the results of the MRI.

I have a severe tear and a moderate tear in my rotator cuff, a severe tear in the bicep tendon, a split tear of the biceps labral anchor,  a superior labral tear and injury to some other ligaments.   In other words, my shoulder has problems.  I will go to physical therapy for now and in a month I will know if surgery is in store.

The Dr. said, "your shoulder will never be the same".  I think back to that day in Downieville and realize that it was probably only 2 or 3 seconds that in some ways changed my life.  My prayer is that there will be a day that it is pain free, but if that is not to be, then I pray that I will not allow my shoulder to rob me of joy, or to view life from a negative viewpoint. 

Can I have joy in the middle of pain?   The apostle Paul found the greater purpose in his "thorn in the flesh" and was able to rejoice.  I certainly respect those who have joy in the middle of health issues that make my shoulder injury insignificant.

Paul's conclusion regarding his thorn in the flesh,

"His grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.  Most gladly, therefore I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.   II Cor. 12:9

courage

I stopped in at lunch at the school today to see the GRUB Club.   We had some designated money at the church for a Christian Club and now each week a couple of ladies in the church make a really nice lunch bring it to the school.   Today there was about 45 students there in the Library enjoying a free lunch.   One of the young men read from a devotional before the meal.  I know that there are some that get up in front of a group without any second thoughts, but then there are some of us that get up in front of others only by faith.  As this young man got up infront of his peers, I recognized the courage, the desire to please the Lord in obedience, and the heart of this guy.   I am very proud of the man that he is becoming and believe that God will truly use him in the future.  

We see God's faithfulness when we get way out of our comfort zone and are obedient to what God wants us to do.  Those we look up to as Christian leaders are mostly just normal guys that have been willing to trust God in obedience over the years.   As they were faithful in the small things, God gave them bigger things.  Today there was the possiblility that this young man would do something embarrassing or stupid, but there was also the possibility that he would be used in the life of another to make a difference for the kingdom.

What we think about when we have nothing to think about

I have recently started an indepth study on developing the mind of Christ.   The study (in workbook form) came out at least 10 years ago, I ordered it, but never got around to going through it.  Tonight I am thinking of something that was asked of me many years ago..."what do you think about when you have nothing to think about?"   I believe that the answer of to this question tells me a lot about myself.  The way I would answer changes from day to day and from week to week.  

Sometimes I think of all the things I am grateful for, and other times I think about what needs to be finished on my mental "to do" list.  Other times I am thinking of people who are going through a hard times or I am wondering what my kids are up to at that moment.  (One lives in Portland, the other in LA)  Sometimes I think about the reality of Christ in my life and there are other times that He doesn't enter my mind for many hours.   I imagine I could make a long list of all the things that occupy my mind.  Obviously right now I am thinking about what I think about!

What I think about when there is nothing to think about, is an indicator of what is important to me, what drives me, or what has become a priority.  The real god (small "g") of my life might be that thing that occupies my mind the most.  What I think about when there is nothing to think about, is a window into my soul.  Some of these things that occupy my mind are healthy, others not so healthy. 

Some of the verses that come to mind right now are...

    Set your mind on things above    Col. 3:2

    Gird your mind for action            I Peter 1:13

    The mind set on the flesh is death, the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace    Romans 8:6

    Fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of faith    Hebrews 12:2

    Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, ley your mind dwell on these things.   Phil. 4:8

It would be interesting to think through the priorities of my life based on what I allow my mind to dwell on.  While I have been on vacation I have been dwelling on getting the "grandma cottage" finished for my my mother-in-law and on "what makes a church healthy".