1000.
they say it's worth that many words... i just enjoy kids smiling.
11.25.2007
11.24.2007
Saturday 11.24.07
time.
as we spent 24 hours on the road this weekend, for a 72 hour visit...
nothing is better than the mathematics of love!
we will miss our beloved parents as they leave for india next month, and probably won't see them for another 18 months. robert now is also teaching in africa. at least the paroubek clan is around. i hope you had a good turkey weekend.
go packers. go cowboys.
as we spent 24 hours on the road this weekend, for a 72 hour visit...
nothing is better than the mathematics of love!
we will miss our beloved parents as they leave for india next month, and probably won't see them for another 18 months. robert now is also teaching in africa. at least the paroubek clan is around. i hope you had a good turkey weekend.
go packers. go cowboys.
11.19.2007
Monday 11.19.07
out.
my nickname is the doctor. and this week the doctor, is out. vacation. rest. sabbath. much needed. i had 48 hours of it last month. this month i get 96 hours. and i need it. really. seriously. i need it.
i hope your thanksgiving is good. i am planning on a great time with mine. revived to get back to work when i return.
"All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
my nickname is the doctor. and this week the doctor, is out. vacation. rest. sabbath. much needed. i had 48 hours of it last month. this month i get 96 hours. and i need it. really. seriously. i need it.
i hope your thanksgiving is good. i am planning on a great time with mine. revived to get back to work when i return.
"All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
11.18.2007
Sunday 11.18.07
laugh.
we were reminded today to laugh during this life. laugh at the possibilities when GOD is working for you. ah, yes... grace (GOD being for us, for our best, working on our behalf)... what a beautiful word.
i hope you find time to laugh at life this week.
and chuckle at the audacious claims and promises of your life in CHRIST JESUS.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." II Peter 1:3-4
we were reminded today to laugh during this life. laugh at the possibilities when GOD is working for you. ah, yes... grace (GOD being for us, for our best, working on our behalf)... what a beautiful word.
i hope you find time to laugh at life this week.
and chuckle at the audacious claims and promises of your life in CHRIST JESUS.
"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." II Peter 1:3-4
11.17.2007
Saturday 11.17.07
sick.
i am sick of being sick after 2 days.
funny though... here i am at church because 9am doesn't take a break tomorrow. sometimes, "he makes me lie down" is our body's ability to have the wisdom to just shut down when we are not listening to it. i think i will listen next time.
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you." Psalm 51:12-13
i am sick of being sick after 2 days.
funny though... here i am at church because 9am doesn't take a break tomorrow. sometimes, "he makes me lie down" is our body's ability to have the wisdom to just shut down when we are not listening to it. i think i will listen next time.
"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you." Psalm 51:12-13
11.15.2007
thursday 11.15.07
happYness.
not so much that we can do anything as long as we work hard at it. but "the pursuit of happyness" was a pretty inspiring movie to watch this morning. it is better to go 100% and fail then to take it easy and never risk, and... never really know if you really failed. there is a lot that i have not been able to do here in the last 18 months. but i have the hope of focusing in and doing that at 100%. then i will know (the doubt that plagues me at times....)
new priorities.
new motivation.
new results?
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" Colossians 3:23-24
not so much that we can do anything as long as we work hard at it. but "the pursuit of happyness" was a pretty inspiring movie to watch this morning. it is better to go 100% and fail then to take it easy and never risk, and... never really know if you really failed. there is a lot that i have not been able to do here in the last 18 months. but i have the hope of focusing in and doing that at 100%. then i will know (the doubt that plagues me at times....)
new priorities.
new motivation.
new results?
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving" Colossians 3:23-24
11.14.2007
Wednesday 11.14.07
empty.
i related living out a life for JESUS to being spent for GOD's kingdom, this last sunday. it's an interesting questions to ask ourselves each day--am i really being used for GOD's kingdom. i am being spent...or am i spent? not so much am i busy all the time. charles wesley mapped his day planner out according to each 15 minute time slot.
no.
not this kind of spent.
could you look back and say that you became empty for JESUS today. that all GOD gave to you, to give to others (time, money, encouragement, etc) has been used up? i wonder if we can be come a sort-of "manna" for humanity. hum-manna-ty?
can we arrive on the scene as christians. early in the morning, when the dew is evaporating. can we provide the words, the actions and the deeds that JESUS would be doing if he was still on earth? carrying out his ministry?
or will we keep it to ourselves, and not trust that GOD will supply more for us to give to those around us tomorrow? will we receive the manna from GOD to give to a waiting world...
i related living out a life for JESUS to being spent for GOD's kingdom, this last sunday. it's an interesting questions to ask ourselves each day--am i really being used for GOD's kingdom. i am being spent...or am i spent? not so much am i busy all the time. charles wesley mapped his day planner out according to each 15 minute time slot.
no.
not this kind of spent.
could you look back and say that you became empty for JESUS today. that all GOD gave to you, to give to others (time, money, encouragement, etc) has been used up? i wonder if we can be come a sort-of "manna" for humanity. hum-manna-ty?
can we arrive on the scene as christians. early in the morning, when the dew is evaporating. can we provide the words, the actions and the deeds that JESUS would be doing if he was still on earth? carrying out his ministry?
or will we keep it to ourselves, and not trust that GOD will supply more for us to give to those around us tomorrow? will we receive the manna from GOD to give to a waiting world...
11.13.2007
Tuesday 11.13.07
one.
it is interesting that the "oneness" of GOD has many facets. however we are clearly called to be one, and even JESUS prayed that we would be one in him, and he was one with the father. how can we be united? by truth. GOD's truth, revelation, provide the platform for us to stand together on. we must allow something outside ourselves to be what we are drawn to. far too many times have christians settled for the lowest common denominator to agree on. and this even leads to churches like the "church of canada" whom don't preach an actual resurrection of CHRIST any longer. we must discover what GOD has made and unite on this. we can be one. JESUS prayed for it.
"There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:4-6
There is one Faith, one Family, one Hope in Christ alone
There is one Lord, one Holy Spirit, one Father over all
Keep on holding on my friends we'll be together
Keep on holding on my friends
(we'll be together... in the dreams of God)
"Together" Enter the Worship Circle: Third Circle
it is interesting that the "oneness" of GOD has many facets. however we are clearly called to be one, and even JESUS prayed that we would be one in him, and he was one with the father. how can we be united? by truth. GOD's truth, revelation, provide the platform for us to stand together on. we must allow something outside ourselves to be what we are drawn to. far too many times have christians settled for the lowest common denominator to agree on. and this even leads to churches like the "church of canada" whom don't preach an actual resurrection of CHRIST any longer. we must discover what GOD has made and unite on this. we can be one. JESUS prayed for it.
"There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Ephesians 4:4-6
There is one Faith, one Family, one Hope in Christ alone
There is one Lord, one Holy Spirit, one Father over all
Keep on holding on my friends we'll be together
Keep on holding on my friends
(we'll be together... in the dreams of God)
"Together" Enter the Worship Circle: Third Circle
11.11.2007
Sunday 11.11.07
quite please.
it is amazing how we can shut our mouths... but not our lives. we are great at zipping the lip for a period of time. but we are pathetic at shutting down--even for 2 hours on a sunday--to listen to GOD. today i wasn't distracted during dave's sermon (which you can find all of our sermons at www.valleycc.org resources, sermons, etc). i like that version of a sermon better than the distracted one.
"Then Moses and the priests, who are Levites, said to all Israel, "Be silent, O Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the LORD your God." Deuteronomy 27:9
it is amazing how we can shut our mouths... but not our lives. we are great at zipping the lip for a period of time. but we are pathetic at shutting down--even for 2 hours on a sunday--to listen to GOD. today i wasn't distracted during dave's sermon (which you can find all of our sermons at www.valleycc.org resources, sermons, etc). i like that version of a sermon better than the distracted one.
"Then Moses and the priests, who are Levites, said to all Israel, "Be silent, O Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the LORD your God." Deuteronomy 27:9
11.10.2007
Saturday 11.10.07
4 hands.
it is true that we can accomplish many things alone.
it is true that two people often accomplish less together than they could alone.
it is true that serving another means putting your agenda on hold.
but somedays it just isn't about productivity and agendas. today it was good to spend 3 hours with a friend and to eat, fish and help put a door in his chicken coop. ab early afternoon well spent.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" Mark 10:45
it is true that we can accomplish many things alone.
it is true that two people often accomplish less together than they could alone.
it is true that serving another means putting your agenda on hold.
but somedays it just isn't about productivity and agendas. today it was good to spend 3 hours with a friend and to eat, fish and help put a door in his chicken coop. ab early afternoon well spent.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" Mark 10:45
11.09.2007
Friday 11.09.07
valley.
like a bridge, our faith is only sure when we test it. or rather, when GOD tests us i suppose. our tendency in american christianity is to attempt to divide faith and life so that we are sure without sacrifice, without testing. consider if your relationship with GOD is worth anything to you if it doesn't hold up when you don't get your way, or you find you are in a valley of life. "dark night of the sould" as it has been called. not discipline--testing. not belief -- but faith. will the promises of GOD and the hope of heaven be your anchor in the storms of life? are will you be drifting?
" So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him." II Corinthians 5:6-9
like a bridge, our faith is only sure when we test it. or rather, when GOD tests us i suppose. our tendency in american christianity is to attempt to divide faith and life so that we are sure without sacrifice, without testing. consider if your relationship with GOD is worth anything to you if it doesn't hold up when you don't get your way, or you find you are in a valley of life. "dark night of the sould" as it has been called. not discipline--testing. not belief -- but faith. will the promises of GOD and the hope of heaven be your anchor in the storms of life? are will you be drifting?
" So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him." II Corinthians 5:6-9
11.08.2007
Thursday 11.08.07
listening.
usually people will tell you exactly what they need if you only take the time to listen. it is amazing. and as soon as you understand what they are looking for, give twice as much time to that specific thing (even at the cost of missing your lunch) and you will gain more than you can imagine.
"Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people." Titus 3:1-2
usually people will tell you exactly what they need if you only take the time to listen. it is amazing. and as soon as you understand what they are looking for, give twice as much time to that specific thing (even at the cost of missing your lunch) and you will gain more than you can imagine.
"Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people." Titus 3:1-2
11.07.2007
Wednesday 11.07.07
wisdom.
i discovered today that "words of encouragement" and the ability to be completely honest and truly transparent with a friend is worth more than a million dollars. i know many men in my life who have never found such trust, peace and grace through friends.
i hope that the reader can also find true friendship where you can say anything that is on your mind and know that grace fills the room in which you speak. meaning: there is nothing you can say to make the person across from you love you more, and nothing you can say to make the person across from you love you less.
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future" Proverbs 19:20
i discovered today that "words of encouragement" and the ability to be completely honest and truly transparent with a friend is worth more than a million dollars. i know many men in my life who have never found such trust, peace and grace through friends.
i hope that the reader can also find true friendship where you can say anything that is on your mind and know that grace fills the room in which you speak. meaning: there is nothing you can say to make the person across from you love you more, and nothing you can say to make the person across from you love you less.
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future" Proverbs 19:20
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