By Gods grace
So I caught myself doing something the other day that I found to be pretty shocking.
You know how the bible commands us to be humble. Humble before God, and humble before men. I think I am pretty good at being humble before God, I understand that he is my keeper and my caretaker. Humble before men, I am ok at this in some areas and in others I struggle but do the best I can. Here is the deal I have found an area in my life where a humble heart has never set foot.
Ask your self this question, “Am I humble before the mirror”?
The other day I left a message for my brother on his birthday singing, telling him I love him and whishing him a happy birthday. When I hung up from the call I was so happy with myself, and remember thinking that even God would be proud of me.
For some reason that just doesn’t sit right with me, did I leave that message for my brother to bless him, or did I leave it so that I can receive the Lords blessing?
I am sad to say that I can’t honestly answer that question, because I don’t know.
I do know that God is a merciful God and there is nothing on this earth that I can do to deserve this blessing, but by his grace I am blessed anyway.
I pray that my brother was blessed by my silliness on his birthday.
Thank you Lord God for your unending grace in my life.
Movie Reviews…
What is it with all these old movies rolling around with new releases lately? Did the star wars trilogy break new ground for filmmakers to be able to produce mediocre content and yet generate millions of dollars by tugging at the heart strings of the adult children of 70’s and 80’s sci-fi addiction. Granted, in this writers opinion there have been very few films since that generation that carry the same depth of character, and stamina of those movies. Even with today’s additions to the old standbys they look pretty on the surface but lack any real depth.
Here are a few that I have recently seen and my short review
Rocky – I couldn’t even make it through this movie; fell asleep before he even started training. I can’t imagine this movie would draw any interest to the original series.
Rambo – Just saw this last night, and must say was mostly what I expected considering where the original chain left off. Nothing has ever stood up to the original in this series.
Indiana Jones – This was a good movie that held onto most of what worked in the original. The story line was a little out there, but I can see where this will capture kid’s attention and draw them back into the original movies.
All in all I enjoy the idea of these movies making the rounds again. And I feel somewhat committed to seeing them in the theater just for the fact that they were such a huge factor in my life as a kid. The sad fact is most of the time Hollywood does make a movie to tell a story anymore but rather they make a movie to turn a buck.
I am just waiting to see Jason, Freddie and Michael make their come back. That would be worth a laugh.
Seeing God in the small things
As some of you may know, I am on the countdown for my few hours with my current employer. I am starting a new position with a new company on Friday.
Here’s the funny thing a couple weeks ago, before receiving an offer for this new position I thought I was supposed to be going to Florida with a few people from CatG, but wasn’t sure how that was going to work out so I requested Thursday, Friday and Tuesday off for an extended holiday weekend at the very least. Well the trip to Florida didn’t work out for me, but I will still looking forward to the LONG weekend. Thursday morning I woke up feeling fine, started a road trip to Aberdeen SD to see my brand new little cousin. Well about 35 miles out of town I start to not feel so well. 10 miles later I knew things were getting bad so we turned around want stopped at the first truck stop we saw. All I saw for the next 12 hours or so was my bed or the restroom. The next 2 days were spent recovering from all that heaving. Sore ribs and back really took its toll on me.
Sunday wasn’t to bad. Monday started out with a head cold that progressed as the day went on. Tuesday was a pretty down day again, but with drugs I was able to function.
That brings me to today, I am not 100% by any means, but I am here at work, able to fulfill my commitment to work through the 29th.
Not that it’s a big deal to most people, but how understanding do you think any company would be to an employee taking 3 sick days around a holiday weekend in their final 2 weeks.
So, I say God gets the glory for know what was to come, and prompting me to take action before hand.
Matthew 7:13-14
When I was a kid living on the farm I remember crawling up onto an old wooden fence and doing the tight rope walk on the top board from one fence post to the next. I also remember that somewhere in the middle that old board would start to wobble back and forth and I would end up falling or jumping to the ground. Once or twice the board would be so old that it would break under my weight, and I would be left with no where to stand.
In the years since I have often felt like I was back on top of that old wooden fence, performing a balancing act between friends, family, coworkers, cars, hunting, fishing, drugs and alcohol to name just a few. Many, many times I found myself reaching too far in the direction of one of these things and all of the sudden finding myself laying face down in the dirt wondering what happened. The funning things are most of these things are very common “every day” parts of life.
Matthew 7:13-14 says
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Since asking Jesus to come into my life I have done my best to stay on the narrow patch. I am human and do wonder off the patch from time to time, but as a Christian I am always trying to find my way back onto it. Now here is my point with this whole story. Even though the path is narrow, sometimes uncomfortably narrow but it is solid ground, and never so narrow that we can not firmly plant our feet on the path and keep moving forward.
I spent many years walking on the “Wide Road” and spent most of those days feeling like I was going to fall off the face of the earth.
On the narrow road I can honestly say I have never felt out of balance, or as if I was on unstable ground.
Thank you Lord for building the narrow patch on the rock.
Spots and Stipes
Were the Tigers stripes painted with Mud?
The Leopard’s spots created the rain drops?
For those who are hunters or observers of wild animals may understand what I am about to talk about, in particular the way animals are colored and / or patterned.
While out in the wilds of South Dakota I have watched hay bails stand up and walk away, I have watched cat-tails turn and run, I have seen ghosts appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. I am talking about white tail dear, but I have also watched this type of thing happen with peasants, rabbits, turtles almost any animal that lives in it’s native habitat.
So again, do you think the tigers stripes, and the leopards stripes were created by a random act of nature, or were they created by intelligent design?
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
I will admit right now that I went into this move kind of half heartedly. I wasn’t really expecting much. I had read part of the book, but didn’t know how things would end.
I am very happy to say that this is one of the best movies I have seen, period.
The biblical foundation is undeniable, and very well delivered.
Thus far The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian has my vote for Movie of the year.
At the very least it’s a must see.
Something New – Update
So, a while back I posted on that fact that I needed something new.
I am pleased to say that I was able to turn in my notice today. I will be starting a new position in a couple weeks.
God does watch over us.
My prayer for the day, from Psalms 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Today In History
I get a kick out of this stuff so here goes…
In 1917, three children near Fatima, Portugal, reported seeing a vision of the Virgin Mary
In 1940, inhis first speach as prime minister of Britain, Winston Churchill told the House of Commons, “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.”
5 years ago: a Judge ruled that Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols should stand trial in state court on 160 counts of first-degree murder . Nichols was later found guilty on 161 counts, the 161st count was for the fetus of a pregnant victim.
Growing Up
So, as a dad I have a bit of a heavy heart lately. My son, Zander is 5 years old and a new change in him. Well really there have been a lot of changes recently with him in personality, in way he talks with other people in a whole lot of way really but one thing in particular has really struck me as him stepping into the next level of his life.
The feel of his skin has changed. I would say matured. His hands are harder and rougher like a boy who climbs trees and plays in the dirt. He doesn’t have that baby skin any more.
I am overjoyed that he is the boy that he is. He is a child of God he is all boy and he is perfect in every way I can image, yet I am a little sad that he isn’t the “Little Boy” I knew a month or two ago.
It feels like yesterday that Niki told me she was pregnant with him, life is so fast.
I thanked my mom this weekend for reminding me that every breath is life this weekend and it’s so true.
It’s my prayer today that not one single breath be wasted.
