Blog Surfing or Divine Direction

Just a short post...

I was reading my son's blog today and noted a link on his blog to one of his recommendations. It is a post by Lauren on Britt and Lauren's blog regarding the result of the recent elections. She reminds readers that God has not failed to be in control regardless of the outcome.

I appreciate the fact that there are young people in this country that:
1) Didn't fall into the 'Follow Obama' fad.
2) Still hear the speaking of the Holy Spirit saying I (God) am in control. Don't be swayed by every wind and wave in these stormy times.

The Spirit showed me the outcome of this election long before the votes were counted. I believe that our new president elect is one that God intends to use to attempt to awaken the comfortable, slumbering church. The truth of God's love and His Redemption for man is desperately needed in this increasingly narcissistic society in which we live. Only God can satisfy the longings of hearts and church of God is needed to spread the Good News.

Heavenly Father, pour out your Holy Spirit as you said you would in these last days.

Too, too long

It has been too, too long since I've posted. I've struggled at times thinking, I should go write (blog) something, and then sat down and not really know what to write.
So here I sit to ramble on for a few hopefully coherent moments as I now reflect on a year that is nearly 5/6 past and wondering just where it has gone.
It has been a busy year and a full year. Much has happened. Much continues to be happening.

• My wife is moving into having a career because it is where God is directing her. He has given her a vision for the church that puts her in the place where her employer wants her at the helm of the product development - because it is His vision for the church.

• My son, my oldest "child," has started his senior year of college and now has a wonderful young lady to whom he has recently become engaged. She is a joy and a welcome addition to our family.

• My oldest daughter is in her second year of college - nursing and is having a very good year - A redeeming year for her. Last year was a difficult and trying year for her, but it caused her to grow tremendously in the Lord. I can't say how grateful I am for how she is doing now.

• My youngest daughter is the "busy" one. She always has been and she continues to go at light speed from one activity to another. School musical - to music competition - to mock trial - to spring play - and whatever else she thinks she can squeeze in.

Me - I've had a good year. I've worked a lot. I trained quite a bit. I did a couple major mountain bike races. I got to go to the Interbike convention (the revealing of all the new years bikes and bike toys). I have enjoyed my family. I have missed having the time I would have liked to have had with my parents.
The year has gone by too fast. I consider that it is the middle of October and I look back and wonder how the time has flown by so quickly. I am decided that I am definitely not ready for it to be late fall with snow just around the corner any day.

This is a good life! Thank God for it!
There is much to look forward to in the days ahead. In another post perhaps I'll venture into the things that I see the Lord wanting to work in the hearts of His church, His people, His bride. There may be difficulties, but there will be exceeding joy - heart peace - for those who rest in God and trust in Jesus Christ.

-- Blessings

Racing the Clock Around the Clock

This last weekend I participated in one of the major mountain biking events I've been preparing for this year - 24 Hours in the Sage - a 24 hour race in Gunnison, CO. It is a race to see how many laps can be ridden in a 24 hour period. Some people ride it solo, some as a duo, some as a four man team.
I was part of a four man team that rode 16 laps and I think we did pretty well, even if we did come in last. ;) It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed the experience, including riding at night which I've only done one time prior and not on a difficult trail.

Now both of the major events that I had planned on this year, the Laramie Enduro and the 24 Hours in the Sage are past it is time to just ride and have fun and get some things done around the house that haven't been taken care of yet. I'm sure my wife will be glad of that.

Great Family Picture

I love this picture that was taken while my son was visiting.
Pictured from left-to-right:
Abi, Jaimie (in front), Chris, Beth, Kerry, David

Busy With Life / This and That

I see it has been a little while since I last visited my blog. It has been busy here. Not bad busy, just busy.
Shortly after my last post my son came home over the 4th of July weekend and brought along his sweetheart to meet the family. That was a great weekend and we had a lot of fun and had a short but wonderful time getting to know this amazing (my son's favorite adjective for her) young lady. She is from Texas and had never been to the Rocky Mountains, so my wife and I took them for a drive through the mountains and we had a wonderful day. The next several days were very full and a lot of fun. We've sure missed them both since they went back to Oklahoma/Texas (him/her).

I've been working and trying to be mountain biking quite a bit trying to get ready for some long endurance events coming up, one of which is this weekend. We'll have to see how that turns out.

My wife and I went up to Fraser, Colorado this past weekend for a bike race and to enjoy having some husband/wife companionship time together. It sure seems hard to have time for one another when we're at home and busy with house work and chores and running the daughter to and from work and teaching her to drive.
We're both exhausted!

Our regular worship leader is at a family reunion in South Carolina, so I was blessed to be able to fill in this past Sunday. The Lord really led and anointed the time and many were blessed, so I too was blessed. What really is there that is better on this earth than time worshiping God? Nothing I can think of or have experienced.

All that said, God is so very good to us and we are immensely blessed and we thank Him for His blessings each day.

May you be richly blessed in Christ Jesus the Lord.

Grateful Beyond Words

Yesterday was my wife's and my 23rd wedding anniversary.
I cannot even begin to express the gratefulness in my heart for the blessing of having such a wonderful helpmeet - one whom God has made to be one with me - and my very best friend.

My wife and I went out for a nice dinner Saturday evening to celebrate and I was able to provide a surprise gift for her. That was fun!

All in all, yesterday was not a really eventful day, my wife spent the morning home from church resting, trying to fight a sinus infection which she is going to the doctor about today.
In the afternoon we had some time with my parents and sisters (the youngest of which is up from Phoenix with her kids for a few days), and it was good overall. Yet, it is always harder when my wife is not feeling well. She left early to head home and rest some more because the "gunk" has wiped her out. I struggle when she gets sick, because it seems there is so little I can do to help her, except try to be understanding.

I had a wonderful talk with my son last evening. He hasn't been home since last Christmas and we are all looking forward to being together again. An additionally exciting part is that he is bringing an amazing (his favorite adjective for her) young lady along for us to meet and begin to get to know. We are all looking forward to this event and are praying that she is able to be at peace and comfortable in our home. We know it can be a stressful event to meet your boyfriend/girlfriend's parents and family, but we know God is bigger. ;)

That's all for now.

Father's Day

Thank you Lord God Almighty for being a good and perfect Father!
Thank you Lord Jesus for revealing the Father to us through the Holy Spirit and Your word.

When I consider myself as a father, I see my imperfection. I know the many times I've fallen short of being the father I've wanted to be able to be.

I'm grateful for my wife who has helped and continues to help me be as good of a father as I can be.
I'm thankful for my children (now mostly grown) who have helped teach me how to be a father.

-- Blessings!