Friday, December 28, 2007

I Wouldn't Have Missed It For the World

They got married yesterday and I wouldn't have missed it for the world... but we almost did!

I posted The Announcement back in September about a young couple's engagement and forthcoming wedding.
- God had some things for me to learn along the way... especially in regard to casting my cares and burdens upon Him. I had to learn more about letting go and trusting the Lord with the lives of those that are precious to me. -

Their wedding, you see, was in a city 130 miles to the North of where we live -- about 2-1/2 hours drive in good weather -- and yesterday was a snowy, borderline blizzard-like day here in Colorado. It took us over three hours to drive up to where the wedding was. There was blowing snow, very icy roads, and several accidents along the way up and back. We got tied up in traffic about 20 miles from our destination and moved about two miles in half an hour... needless to say, we started getting a tad nervous about making it on time. We have other friends that had planned on going, but decided not to go because of the bad weather. I can't say that I blame them since it was less than an enjoyable drive, but for us it was well worth it.

My previous post is about a group of four young men that have been together all of their lives. The groom was the second born of those young men. He and my son have been best friends pretty much all their lives. The bride was a close friend of my son's through high school and his date for the senior prom. This young couple is very special and important to us. Our son was the best man and our oldest daughter was a bridesmaid.

So this is a rambling post to say that we spent about six to seven hours driving yesterday to be able to spend about six hours celebrating (wedding and reception) with a precious young couple as they joined their lives together.

Thanks and all praise be to God Who made it possible for us to be there with them and to get us home safely.

Four Boys Became Four Young Men

Last evening four men gathered together to remember a time 11 or 12 years ago when we got together to pray over four boys. These are our boys: all within two years of age, that have grown up together from birth and have been friends all along the way.

This is not so common in these mobile days where families move from place to place and state to state for jobs and such. We've been extremely blessed that we've all been able to stay in one place and have our church family for the entirety of our children's growing up years, and so have our children.

These four boys played together, fought thousands of imaginary battles together, fought amongst themselves a time or two (more than once over a stick imagined to be a light saber), and played countless hours of XBox together. Most importantly they have prayed together and encouraged one another.

Now all four have left home and gone off to college.

Yesterday one got married.

Last evening we remembered these little boys that we prayed over. When we prayed for them, prayed that they would be Godly brothers for one another. That their friendships would endure. That they would be there to encourage one another. That as they were growing up there would always be the place to love one another, be able to bring correction to each other, that they would rally to each other and be there to help each other. God, in His amazing faithfulness, answered this prayer.

And last night at a wedding reception, we remembered.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to take a minute and wish by blog-world friends

Merry Christmas!

May the Lord our God richly and abundantly bless you all.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Grieving

I have not much to say besides my heart is stirred with anguish and grief.

Two shootings today here in Colorado. Both at places of committed to serving and loving others; places committed to sharing and spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ come to earth that we might be forgiven from our sin and that we might inherit eternal life.

As of the most recent report, four people are dead, many others wounded.
Two of the staff at a Youth With a Mission (YWAM) ministry center in Arvada.
Two people at the campus of New Life Church. One an attendee and the other the shooter.

I have wept and my heart continues to grieve.

Come forth Holy Spirit, Comforter, to these many here who need you. Be poured out I pray on this generation.

Oh God, unless you guard the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Remembrance

The sermon our pastor brought last Sunday (11/25) was about being a remembrancer.
It was a reminder that we are to remember that which God has given us and that we have a testimony in establishing that which He has done in us and for us.

I spent a good amount of time this week thinking back over much that He has brought me (us) through in these years that I've known Him. (I use the term known very loosely, because I know that I still have much to learn to know my God.) That He knows me, I have no question. How well I know the Living God, well I must take from His word to answer that:
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)

I remembered back to when I was a 16 year-old in my room asking God for a sign to show me He was real. That evening He provided for me a sign that was specifically what He knew I needed. Oh how God knows us and our individual needs (I consider how Jesus appeared to Thomas). God revealed Himself to me the way I needed in that moment at that time. He had His hand on me before I came to know what a wonderful savior He is; He has lead me and guided me since.
Many more things I remembered and all those things point to His absolute faithfulness to bring me through. There are so many times that I didn't understand and I wasn't able to see how His hand was at work. He has delivered me from my ugly and utterly detestable failures; from the sin I could not deserve to be delivered from. He has healed hurts. He has spared my life, my marriage, and my family and allowed me to be called his child, a son of the living God.

As King David said:
I sought the LORD, and He answered me, and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
For You have delivered my soul from death,Indeed my feet from stumbling,So that I may walk before God in the light of the living. Psalm 56:13
Deliver me from the mire and do not let me sink;May I be delivered from my foes and from the deep waters. Psalm 69:14
For Your lovingkindness toward me is great,And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol. Psalm 86:13
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble;He delivered them out of their distresses. Psalm 107:6
He sent His word and healed them,And delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:20
(All scriptures from the New American Standard Bible)

Lord, to You I give all glory, all honor, and all praise. You alone are worthy.