Trials

It has been a long time since I blogged. I forgot how therapeutic that it can be. Anyway, I have done all I can do to figure out what I need to be doing in life. While I still haven't found that answer, I have figured out that my main purpose in life is to glorify God in all that I do. I have to praise him when things are good and when things are bad. In the course of a week, we have had some major issues. It started with some medical problems for my wife. She's OK now, but the stress and the finances of it would have been enough alone to make me cry, but combined with having a blow out on the way to the hospital, and needing wiper blades, we didn't think we would make it thru that day. Add the stress of having a wreck 2 days a go and I wanted to curl up into a ball and cry. Then last night, my wife comes home from school, and I meet her at her car. We started talking and I thought I heard something, my suspicions were confirmed when I ran my hand along her front driver tire, and found heavy tire wear, enough to cause air to be leaking, enough to ruin the tire. GOD... how much more can I take? Then I read Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. How can I argue with that... So praise him for my troubles and my trials that I may see what God the Father has in store for me!!!!

Feb 6th, 2009

Off to work for another day. I am blessed to have a job as the jobless rate has hit a 26 year high. Even though I hate my job right now, I am blessed to have one, and I will do my best at it. I will do everything to glorify my Lord and Savior.

Psalm 37:4-5 - 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

Feb 5th 2009

Headed out to work. Yesterdays job interview left me less than hopeful. I am struggling to find my way in this world. It seems that after 40 years I'd have it right huh? Well I do have a couple of other possibilities here in Decatur for jobs. It is all in Gods hands at this point. He will never leave me or forsake me!

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Feb. 4th 2009

I have an interview with Decatur Utilities today. I am extremely hopeful that this will pan out. I am also praying for 2 other jobs. Any one of these three jobs would be a major step in the right direction.

Isaiah 64:4 - Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

God has a plan, for me, for you and for the future! Keep praying!

Another Day

I started working for a family friend yesterday. I have worked for this man before, and for the life of me I don't see why I go back. The thing is, he and I have known each other for about 35 of my 39 years. He is the Websters definition of a grumpy old man, he is a miserable misreable man that cusses and throws things on a regular basis, but I also see a man with a heart of gold. He would help you as much as he could anytime he could, he'd never let you forget it, but he would help!

My prayer is for one of several jobs that I have applied for that have benifits, good pay, and would be more rewarding.

My wife Carla is a loving, caring, hard working, woman of God, and she is really doing what ever she has to do to hold our family together. I want to thank her publicly, so CARLA!!!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE! You have been the example that I have been called to be.

Our most gracious and loving Father,

You have most lovingly and graciously said that You have loved us with and everlasting love. We acknowledge, Lord, that Your love for us is deeper that the ocean and bigger than the biggest need in our heart. Father, all my longings lie open before You and my sighing is not hidden from You. I commit myself as well as the need for a new job into Your most precious and loving hands.

Lord God, fulfil the desire of my heart and bless the work of my hands. The Bible says, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." I am completely trusting in Your merit and Your faithfulness this hour. I am certain that You can make a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. You can open a way where there seems to be no way. O Lord, as I go through the selection procedures, let Your mighty uplifted hand rest upon me and grant me Your supernatural grace and mercies in the eyes of all the concerned officials. Please perfect everything that concerns me.

Father, my ways are not Your ways, neither are my thoughts Your thoughts. Your ways and Your thoughts are higher than the heavens above. Let Your perfect will be done in this matter. Put Your words into my mouth for the interviews and grant me Your wisdom and knowledge. Let Your mighty presence go before me.I render thanks and praises to You alone, Master, because I believe that You have already performed a miracle in my life.

Amen.

Crazy?

Wow... its been a long time since I posted something, and alot has gone on. I got married, changed jobs (several times), watched as my 17 year old son decides that he knows so much more than everyone else.

So to say things have been "crazy" would be a massive understatement. The thing is, while I was serving at my church, and driving a bunch of 9th graders around for the Diciple Now Weekend, a dude named Vince Antonucci spoke. Now this isnt some Joe Peci, Robert DeNiro, or some stereotypical forggetaboutit italian gangster. Vince is a man of God that knows how to teach and pass is message along. In is message, he shared several stories about being "crazy" for Christ, and I must admit, I have enjoyed the security of being a "safe Christian".

My favorite story that he shared was the one about Jesus healing the blind man. Now the Messiah could have spoken the words and restored the sight of the blind man. He could have waived his hand over the guy and "poof" he could see. He could have had him pray, could have do any number of things when he was asked to heal the blind man, but no, Jesus Christ, The Great Healer, spit in the mans face. Thats right, he spit, and the man could see. Now thats CRAZY! (Mark 8: 22-25)

Hearing the various stories of how "crazy" we should be, has made me realize that I need to let go of whatever security blanket that I am holding on to and just be a fool for Christ. So thats my vow. I will, I am a fool for Jesus Christ, and there is nothing or no one that I will not share my faith with.

Good day all!

Alabama Fans: More Forgiving or Blinded by the Tide?

With the recent arrest of Kenny Stabler again, I listened and watched to see what the fallout may be. I was shocked to hear an overwhelming number of Alabama fans calling in and supporting the former QB and current color commentator. Alabama fan have switched the blame from a convicted drunk driver, to the police that have sworn to protect and serve. I listened as Tide fans lifted up Snake and admonished the police department. I listened and wondered what is over the line for Tide fans. If Pat Sullivan (a strong Christian) had done something like this, I am sure Auburn fans would have supported him, but after the 3rd time we would start to wonder if he needed some help. If Bo Jackson had tried to kiss an ESPN sideline reporter, he would have been grilled and served on a platter, but when the beloved Joe Namath did it, he became a hero. I guess this goes right along with the attitude that runs amok in Tuscaloosa. With all the arrests, convictions, and plea deals, The University of Alabama seems to put their athletes on a pedestal and are always looked at with compassionate eyes. Even the great Bear Bryant was a drinking, smoking, cussing, grumpy old man, but one of his disciples, Pat Dye, is routinely called a drunk by Alabama fans. When the Crimson faithful defend Bear Bryant in one breath and tear down Pat Dye in the next, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It makes me wonder what is off limits to Bama fans. If Auburn had suffered thru all the arrests of current players, the Alabama fans would be grilling Auburn. If Auburn had a coach that constantly prodded the media, and walked around with a serious Napoleon complex, he would be grilled, but somehow, Nick Saban has convinced the fans and alumni that it is a part of a process.

If Kenny Stabler had driven under the influence and killed someone in a wreck, I wonder if the same support would be poured out to him. I say that it would. I say that it would be swept under the table, excuses made, and Snake would still come out with only a little hurt pride.

Kenny Stabler has a drinking problem. Kenny Stabler needs help. Kenny Stabler need to be held accountable.