Signs

 

Signs ....Driving across the USA we have been really aided by all the signs placed along the roadway . Signs that told us where to turn , signs that told us how many miles to our next destination , signs that advertised food , lodging and gas.

Its possible we could have eventually made it to California without the benefit of any signs ..but it would have been much more difficult , and certainly would have taken us much longer .

The first explorers of the continent were aided by the local people they encountered ..they were told were the mountain passes were where water could be found ...

The signs we follow today ..are signs left by people of yesterday .

As Christians we are on a Journey to Seek the Kingdom of God . Our road map is the Bible , and reading the bible on a daily basis will help you note the signs for your Christian Journey .

God does not leave us alone on our Journey , We are assisted by His word , His Servants , His Church. Encourage one another , read the bible , pray to Father and seek the fellowships of the Saints

Hold on to the moment

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

  Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is for one to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in all the labor in which he labors under the sun all the days which God gives him—for this is his [allotted] part. Also, every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, and the power to enjoy them and to accept his appointed lot and to rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God [to him].

  For he shall not much remember [seriously] the days of his life, because God [Himself] answers and corresponds to the joy of his heart [the tranquillity of God is mirrored in him].

The family reunion is ending today . Lori's younger sister , husband and new baby left us on Thursday. Today Lori's middle sister , husband and 7 children head out , followed by Lori and I and Her parents . The week has gone by very fast . IT was a good time .balanced by communal meals and discussions , and individual groups learning about each other and sharing with each other .

I spent most of my time enjoying my in laws reactions and delight in their Family. Both Becky and Jim spent a lot of time in service to us ..meal preparation , watching over the children , picking things up and moving things from one area to another ...Both of Lori's parents have servant hearts ..and that seed has been passed onto the Daughters , and you can see it in the children as well .

There were times when both Becky and Jim just watched and enjoyed the presence of the family . On Friday night each of us gave testimony of what We were thankful for , and what we believed God was teaching us . Jim's comment really stuck with me , that God was teaching him to enjoy and reflect on the joy of a smile. We often take the simple joys for granted ...

Jim and Becky had prepared some photo Albums for people to view , photos from their past . On several occasion some of the children and some of the Adults would gather around Jim as He shared his past through the assembled photos . What precious memories were created there !

Over the years , poets, lyricists and novelists have tried to comment on the rush of time ...Some of us are obsessed with How fast our lives go by and often how " poorly " we hold unto each day each moment in our eagerness to see what is the next moment .

One day you are marrying your child hood sweetheart , your children are racing around the dinning room table , and you look up to see eight grand children laughing and smiling at each other .

This was a special time . It may be a while before it is repeated ....as it has been a long time since the last Family gathering ..As human beings we often get distracted by the unnecessary ..and ignore the truly important stuff of life . The joy of family , the gentle murmur of conversations and those wonderful smiles of delight.

I think of my own family , and realize that what I miss the most is not the stuff my father was able to provide me with , not the cupcakes my mother baked , what I Miss more than anything else is their presence . And yet I know if I were to be able to have my own "Emily " moment and relive even one day of life with my family I would squander that day , Very few of us live in the moment. The Poet may see infinity in aq grain of sand , can we see Gods grace in the moment that we have in our embrace ?

The Geometry of Faith

Unity , its a process

 

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV

 

There is one subject I try to avoid at our Family reunions. Politics. Politically I am very much on the left hand side of the Aisle . Everyone else in the Family leans to the right. One left winger and about 14 right wingers . The potential for acrimonious discussion is a real possibility. I wonder how much of a hurdle that would have been a few decades ago ? Probably not much some pokes and prods

, A few jokes ...but in today's climate ...it is a challenge. I don't care for the divisive and mean spirited vibe of today's political landscape. The only place I venture into the fray is in the chat rooms . there I can "mute " those who are incapable of having a civil conversation. But in the real land of nitty gritty especially at a Family reunion it seems inappropriate to be divisive ..and difficult to mute your relatives as well. Fortunately as a family we do have one thing in common .We are all Believers . And it is this commonality and good role models that offer the best solution to diverse political beliefs .

The best model for behavior in this case for me is the Church that Lori and I go to..  one of the most compelling attributes of our church is its membership is really seeking God ...Lori and I have never been in a church that " walked the walk " the way this church does . One of the best examples of this for me is the " Gate " . The Gate is a Gathering of men from our church .we meet at 6:30 am on Tuesdays . The men who come to the Gate want to be there , and they come because they want to draw closer to Christ.

Part of the success of the Gate is its structure . We begin by a few minutes of early morning conversation ( fellowship ) then a few minutes of welcoming God into our hearts and lives . Then Pastor Ronnie brings us a brief devotion , We embrace each other and then usually one of our group will give a personal testimony. In steps we learn more about each other . over the years we have become more transparent with each other ..and it is out of this process we learn what a diverse group we are , and the one thing we all share is a desire to move closer to the Lord .

Our focus shifts away from our differences to Him the one who draws us and the closer we are drawn to Him in the Geometry of faith the closer we come together . You see no matter how far apart we are , or how diverse we are if we are each seeking the Lord and moving toward Him , it is inevitable that we draw closer to each other .

I have been really blessed to be included in a extended family of strong faith and convictions ...So while my Father in Law and I may disagree on the National Leadership , we both agree that God is on His Throne and He is in charge . My Brother In Law may differ on economics but we can agree on Gods Economy .

When held up to the foundation of His love and Grace , political discussion seems to be very insignificant . I am learning we are not Democrat or Republican , Capitalist or Socialist , we are not Liberal or Conservative. We are people ..not labels . There is no Earthly institution that will ever improve on God. Only the Kingdom , His Kingdom will rule Justly.

Ultimately I am learning that I am not a bumper sticker , nor do lapel buttons or lawn signs define me . They do not define anyone ...they may provide a mask , or a facade to hide behind , but our own reality is the life that was purposed in us by a Just and Loving God.

Scripture teaches me , it is indeed useful to begin to grasp Gods Sovereignty. And understand His commands to us ..move us closer to Unity in Christ .

Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?”

Micah 6:8

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Family goes on forever

 

 

The Oregon Coast is still about 3000 miles away . The family time here in Arkansas has been delightful . This house is so large it can swallow us up when needed , and then bring us back together in a few moments . Our meals have been communal , Evenings have given themselves over to playing games and sharing Photograph albums that Jim and Becky have prepared of their lifetime .

Most of the sounds are laughter and joyful interaction . I have taken a lot of family photos , mostly candid's. hopefully adding more memories for the Family to treasure . Been thinking a lot about the pleasant places that the Lord has prepared for us , and how much family means to us . I think most of us will go to our graves thinking not about things and stuff , but thinking about the people that walked with us as we took life's journey .

Some of the children here ( there are 7 today ) will probably remember this week , some won't , each will have different memories , and some time in the distant future these children will have children of their won and they will be gathered around a sofa or kitchen table trying to remember that week in the Ozarks .

Life is both linear and circular ...The constant in life is life itself . Life repeating itself ...sharing itself , embracing itself . Stuff and things go away , fences fall down , corrode or decay ...But His love endures forever ....

The Science of Packing

Norfolk Ark:

Leaving Tennessee was a whirlwind of activity . the week before we left was filled with a lot of wonderful memories . Men at the gate ( the speaker was amazing ) . Head shot with Nathan Owens , and getting a chance to spend some time with him . Our Men's group on Thursday where they presented me with a photo book and testimonies from so many of my friends at the Church. It was really cool ...like being able to listen in at your Funeral .

Thanks to all for Your Kind words : Ronnie , Wayne , Bryan , Mike , Jim , Chris , Sandy , Tina , Lori , Sarah

Golf on Friday with Ronnie and Charlie ....Leaving an indelible mark on the Cold and brittle fairways of Cedar Crest Golf course

Saturday a special day with Jim and a great time of fellowship ,followed by a photo shoot we teamed up on . Home to pack ....And off on Sunday morning ....The car is fully loaded ....and with the canvas Bubble oin the roof it is as Gracefull as a 300 Lb NFL Lineman in a tutu . Heading West on 40 we ran into a storm front heading East ....the car strained to keep up speed to a blistering 65 MPH . But as we turned North at Jackson we seemed topick up a tail wind that pushed us nicely along . Another turn and we hit the full force of the storm and heavy winds ,and rain pelted the car , the side winds pushed the car around and the car tote on top of the car strained against the restraints ....but we made it safely to the Family reunion destination. The house here is amazing . Perfect place for a large family get together . The house has six bedrooms each with its own bath , Two kitchens ,, two great rooms , and a sun room . Hot tub and Suana , and based on all the literature around some really good trout fishing a few feet from the patio doors . The internet was out till late Monday afternoon.

The sun is just easing out of the East , there is a light frost on the ground but the temperature is expected to shoot past 50 today ....Most of the family has arrived and yesterday a lot of " digital " film was exposed . I suspect more so today ....Its been such a joy to watch Jim and Becky watching over the grandchildren ...

 Such a delightful inheritance ..such a blessing and to be able to bless the family with this retreat .  

The house is starting to come alive . Children breaking the morning silence and adults quieting with their louder voices ...coffee is on ...sun is streaming through the windows and now the clatter of pots an pans ..Breakfast ....

Its Good to be in the House of the Lord ..Parting with Family

 

 

 

 

Today was our last day in our Home Church until sometime in September . IT was an amazing day ! Lori and I " greet " people at our Church the first Sunday of each month . Lori and I had made up little postcards that had our information on it so our friends could keep in touch as we are gone . I was able to hand out quite a few , as people came to the First Service . Hugs , handshakes , well wishes were the norm of the day . Lori is stationed at the Welcome desk and I am sure her morning was very similar . Wen we are greeting we usually stay at our posts until fifteen minutes into the Church service , I slipped away just a few minutes early so I could get some last minute photos of the Worship Team . The Morning service crowd is usually a little light , but there were plenty of voices uplifted in song and the Dance Ministry was on the floor , This was familiar ground to me .

Lori had saved our seats and I had just taken a few photos when she joined me . IN a few minutes the Lord began to shake up the familiar . I began to have very selective hearing . Ad we entered into a Song called the Stand . Suddenly the room went dim and ll I could hear was the sweet beautiful voice of my wife . Lori has an amazing voice . We have been in new church's and within moments people are straining to hear her voice above the Church Choir . Once the Pastor of the Church sat besides us and asked if Lori could do an on the spot Hymn for the Church , and she obliged . But here it was as if all the other singers were muted and all I could hear was Loris sweet voice ...Then in the distance as other voices including Loris were muted I could hear the Voice of Pastor Ronnie Then there comes a moment in the song when the Dancers walk up the aisles , singing in Declaration " I'll stand With arms high and heart abandoned In awe of the one who gave it all. I'll stand My soul Lord to you surrendered All I am is yours" And suddenly the only voice I could hear was that of our dear friend Tina who had walked up the stairs as part of the dance group and was a few feet above me and to my right . Then I heard her , Tina has a sweet and gentle voice , but she was past sweet and gently He voice cracked as she poured everything in her into the Song ,,,So was singing with abandoned and passion , with full surrender Her arms High and her spirit higher ...

 

 

Through the last worship Song I keep finding myself focused on one or in one case two people , either Singing or dancing to the right of me to the left of me I was of me I was seeing our Church family as individuals brought as individuals to the party ...

We moved into the regular flow of our Worship Service , into our offerings which for us is a part of worship , then into Communion . Pastor Barbie took the pulpit , but before she began her sermon she surprised Lori and I by announcing to the congregation that Lori and I were leaving for a season and she exhorted the Church to pray over us . Friends gatehred near , and the rest of the Body stretched out its hands ot us . Pastor ronnie walked up in fron tof us and said Iam going to pray He doesn't let you go with a fmailiar twinlle in his eye , and then for several minutes the entire Church body prayed of us and then though ccasionaly aI could hear Pastor Barbies voice abve the tumult , what I Mostly heard was the commorting sound of Prayer , as powerful as the crashing surf . Then Pastor Barbie brought an eloquent message of what it meant to surrender to God . Contrasting Surrender with Submssion in a way that I understood all too easily . As she spoke of a path bordering a rushing river , with the path being Submission and the river being surrender I remembered a time in my youth when my Friend Lee and I were floating down the Clakamas river in Inner tubes on a un remarkable summer day in Oregon. We had floated through a particular enthusiastic stretch of water and decided it would be fun to swim through it with out the Inner tubes . We left the tubes on a rocky shelf and hiked back t the head of the rapids , Lee went first and I could see the current pushing and shoving him sometime His head visible then swallowed by the water ..then I Saw him glide into the rocky shelf where our tubes were resting. Not to be outdone I dove further into the water deeper into the current and allowed it to take me fully in its decent . The river had me and I did not want to let go I was bounced and thrown , Swimming was more like bobbing . and soon I found myself under water bouncing on the bottom I came up startled and frightened , I was in a whirlpool near the end of run . I flailed wildly trying to escape the river , Then above the roar of the water as if the waves had been muted I heard Lee Yell " relax " " take it easy " and I stopped my strokes and the river floated me free . At that last moment i knew I had lost the river had won but I was stubbornly still trying to do my thing ...but by surrendering to the flow I became a part of the river whose natural inclination was to flow downstream and past the rocky ledge . A few weeks later in revisiting the scene I made the discovery that the place I had almost drown was less than 4 feet deep . I could have even put my feet down ..and touched the bottom , but in my stubbornness I had simply failed to surrender . All this Barbie's Sermon Brought back to me.

The sermon ended ..with Pastors Barbie's blessing . Lori and I returned to our Greeting station. Again I was able to leave early as another Church brother had unexpectedly arrived to help greet so I spent he time between series handing out a few more cards , saying a few more goodbyes . Lori and I decided to stay for the Sermon again ...This time we paused for three Baptism . Our Youth group had returned from a retreat and there was a vibe in the house . We have been having a lot of baptism lately our church is really growing and our Youth in many ways are leading us . My good friend Jim's Daughter was baptized this morning , another youth as well , and in a few minutes one more ...a special story ..He was the youngest of an entire family at our Church who has come to Christ over the past few months ,,and then it struck me as I grabbed a shot of the Entire body , arms outstretched , involved and invested in all of these Baptism ..we entered the faith as individuals , god collected our individual talents , voices and personalities and placed them in Family with a body of believers . With the Body we have our differences and our own identity but the greater identity is the Bride , the Church of Christ . As we closed the second Service Pastor Barbie exhorted those who felt that they would like to come forward and place their submission their , Surrender at the alter to come She asked  that the Eldersa and Leaders of the Church come out and pray for them and hold them up in prayer , I saw a couple who I know are going tohrough stuff adn felt led to stand with them and as we were standing ther the Congregratin once again singing the Chourse from I':: Stand again I heard the voice of Pastor Ronnie a rich baritone reaching out , and then like before his voice faded I heard another voice another Baritone byt  different and looke around to see Alan singing a powerful anthem of praise , and then again all the voices were united . Ultimately the day ended as it began Lori and I leaving as one flesh ..Leaving family for a season ..but knowing we are covered by prayers and love we are so blessed to be a part of something so amazing ...

 

we are Family ! 

On the road again !

 

 

 

Many of you know Lori and I are going to return to the Oregon for several Months . We have been planning this trip for almost a year . Last year when we spent a month in Oregon I had thought to myself before we went that might be the last time I would visit my Home State . I thought I was prepared to make that decision , but only a few days into our trip it was evident that we would be back , God willing .

We leave Tennessee next Sunday ..from this point there are going to be a lot of goodbyes . We begin tomorrow at Church . We are so blessed , we have a Church family that genuinely loves us in spite of me . Its not hard for people to love Lori , I am more of an acquired taste . There will be hopefully a time to hug our friends , Tina , Dayemeon , Nathen , Anna , Fred , Paula , Mike , Ray, Tony , Arwen , Jeremy , RODNEY , Wayne , Ronnie , Margaret , Fiona , Jennifer , Claudia , Brad , Jessica , Justin , Tammy , Chris, Barbie , Hal , Tika , Michelle , Joel , Anita , Gabby , Haydin , Micah , Kevin , David , Dee ,Sheri, Sandi , Bryan , Kathrine , Keith , Sue ,   ..and so many more . Tuesday will be my last day for some time at the Gate , the men's group at Church that has meant so much to me and been such an important part of my life for the past several years . Charlie , Mark , Mike , Alan , Jim , Rodger , Ray, Bruce , Shane , Joshua , John , Ken, Wade , Steve , Ronnie , Wayne   and so many more .

Thursday I will meet with some very good friends who have been meeting together with me for about a year discussing scripture and Growing up Christian in the USA . Jim , Chris , Michael and Scott .

Sometime before Sunday I want to have some time to chat with my very good friend Jim Caldwell .

A lot of friends , a lot of names so many pleasant faces . For the past few years my boundaries have definitely fallen in pleasant places .

We will be gone for 6 months . A lot is going to happen in those months our friends here will have Joy and some will have troubles , we will be praying for them . We we return there will be new Babies to greet , and hopefully new faces and new friends to meet at Church.

Lori and I will be wired into our Social Media , Emails , Facebook and Blogs ..we want to know what is going on in your lives and how we can pray for you.

Lori and I are Driving back to Oregon. Our first stop will be in Arkansas where we join all of Loris Sisters , their families   and Becky and Jim for a week long reunion . We will then leave Jim and Becky who we will miss immensely they have been such an important part of our daily lives here in Tennessee and head west , along the way we are visiting with a few friends and seeing my Daughter . For a short period we will be in St Paul Oregon . Then we will be looking for housing on the Oregon Coast .

We will be walking this trip out one day at a time . We have some safe spots , some anchors if you will to hold onto n times of trouble . But mostly on this trip we will have us . A lot of people have been asking us why Oregon and why so long ..The why Oregon is going to be very evident in the Photos and prose I post over the next six months , The why so long is more difficult , we want to escape the heat and the Pollens . Apart from that ..I Have kept looking for Gods direction in this venture and I do believe as I have yielded more to Him His direction is becoming more evident ..Yesterday one of our friends sent us a Parting message on face book I would like to share with you :

"I can't believe it is already time to release you guys for a season...there is some sadness that walks hand in hand with joy at your departure. The sadness is obvious. Your precious spirits and wonderful, loving presence will be missed from our body and we will not be complete without your smiles, encouraging words and physical presence in the house. But the joy comes in seeing how the journey you're about to embark on will increase your faith, strengthen the bond and relationship between you both, and the God ordained moments along the way which you get to discover and share together. Renee and I love you both and what each of you have brought and continue to bring to our lives. We pray the Lord's blessing over your travels in safety, provision, health and spiritual growth...we love you and will miss you and look forward to your safe return....Godspeed, Go well, be well.
Alan & Renee"

Over the years Lori and I have grown apart ..not out of animosity , or indifference , or lack of caring , we have just been so busy with others and other things we have neglected that first Joy that brought us together . It seems to me through so many steps as He does God has pushed us together ..compressed us into time and space and said this time is for you ... IN the regard of drawing away I have been the worst offender here ...sometimes aloof , sometimes preoccupied , often busy I have failed to really enjoy the person that God has placed in my life to be my wife and comforter . So if this makes sense in the next few days as I hug so many dear friends goodbye " for a season " I realize I am in doing so I am Hugging my wife even more .

There will be lots of time for Sunsets and Sunrises , for crashing waves and Fishing boats , for exploration and discovery , but the focus seems much more clear ...This trip is for Us to be Us .