I dont know how to pray anymore.

Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger". Now, while I don't agree with much of what Nietzsche said, I will agree with this statement. I've always used this statement when counseling with someone who is going through a rough time, "You'll never be the same by going through this. You'll either be worse or better but you will not be the same." There are more quotes that basically mean the same. Another good one is, "Adversity builds character". I think you get the point. Whenever faced with great adversity and the odds seem stacked against you, its very hard to stay positive or, "keep a stiff upper lip", as it were. While it does seem hard, that's exactly what we need to do when walking with the Lord. When you asked Jesus into your heart you did not sign up for easy times did you? I sure hope not. That's not what Christianity is. The Bible is full of scripture that gives us insight into a walk with Christ. They all say about the same thing: "get ready for the ride of your life. It wont be any easier than before but now you will have Me (Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit) to walk with you." We will all go through hard times in our life. The only difference between a Christian and non-Christian is that we have the Lord to lean on and the Holy Spirit to guide us into the way of truth. It is this fact that gives us our resolve to "run the race with patience" (Hebrews 12:1). Albeit daunting sometimes, we must continue with steadfastness because we are running for a prize far greater than anything we can imagine. If you've ever gone through a long and tiring battle, like the one I'm in, you know exactly what I'm talking about. There are times when I have prayed a million times and it seems like God is not listening. If He is listening, He isn't answering me. Listen, I know that sometimes the Heavens can seem like brass and the prayers you offer up seem to go no higher than the ceiling, but it is then that we must remember that Christ is offering intercessory prayer for us all day, every day. That's what He does. Constantly putting our face and our prayer in front of the Father asking for His will to be done. This is what we must remember. We want the Fathers will to be done, not ours. In this, we will find true peace and joy in this life. Rest in the Lords will and be content to ride out the storm until He tells the wind and rain to subside.

Just in time...

As some you know, and for those of you who don't, I have listened to Christian music since 1983. I listened to secular and Christian music before that, but I decided to listen to Christian music exclusively at the tender young age of 13. I am very glad I made this decision. It has made many of my battles in this world a lot easier. Music is my life and the music of the Lord is like the Bible set in motion. One of my very first cassettes that I ever listened to was Gordon Jensen "Just In Time". There are a lot of great songs on this CD. If you get a chance to purchase it, you really should. Its a hard find since it was first published in 1983 but its well worth the search. The title track talks about how we can feel overwhelmed with the world and what we have to fight day in and day out. The chorus though says this, "Just in time, just in time, once again the water turns to wine. And just about the time I couldn't need it anymore, I get a little glimpse of Heaven just in time." We've been needing rain here. My grass crunches when I walk on it. I woke up this morning thinking, "Lord, it sure would be nice to get some rain today." No sooner did I say it but we were the beneficiaries of a refreshing rain. The Lord knows exactly what we need and when we need it. Don't give up. Don't feel forsaken. Don't think that He's not listening. The Heavens may seem like brass but I assure you, they are not. He's just waiting for the right time...His time. Fight the good fight. Until next time...

LW

Rock 'n' Roll

Where did the term "Rock 'n' Roll" come from? While many of us, if not all of us, have heard and used this phrase numerous times, do we really know what it means? I kind of doubt it. According to many sources the term was first coined by a disc jockey and concert producer named Alan Freed in 1951. He came up with the term after listening to a group called "The Dominoes" who used it in their hit song, "Sixty Minute Man". The suggestive lyrics of the song made an impression on Freed who began to refer to the music as "Rock 'n' Roll" on the air. So good to know that music that is so far from Christ has a name that gets it origins from one of the very things that the music is known for, "SEX, drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll." Now, if you didn't know this, don't beat yourself up over it. A lot of people don't know this. Its not something that is really talked about alot. Either because its just not important to people or because people don't want to know the truth. Sometimes the truth makes you aware of things that you would just as soon not know. We don't want to be convicted of anything in our lives. "What I don't know wont hurt me", we might say. The thing that really irritates me about this whole "Rock 'n' Roll" thing is that, not only is the music filled with lyrics and suggestions and undertones of evil, but now Christians have gotten into the mix. Instead of running in the opposite direction of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22 "Abstain from all appearance of evil), the Christian community has embraced it. We now have "Christian Rock 'n' Roll". I know, this is where I alienate some of you and you stop reading. I'm sorry, but this needs to be said. Why in the world would we want to call ourselves, or take up the name of something so diametrically opposed to Christ? If the very term itself originated from sexual lyrics in a secular song, why would we take up the same mantra and use it in our songs? When Christ was on earth, can you in your wildest imagination think of Himself referring to His ministry as "Christian Witchcraft"? Do you think He would have attached something ungodly or unholy to that which was Holy? Would He have tried to win the masses by snuggling up to what had the people so bound in the first place? I think you know the answer to that. I wont even continue with that thought. Its too obvious. If in fact we believe that Christ would not do that, why then are we so quick to do it ourselves? Hey, I'm not going to tell you what you can and cannot listen to. The Holy Spirit and Christ has done, and continues to do, that work in my life. You should have the same privilege. You and Christ need to hammer this out in your spiritual walk. Some of the music I listen to probably has this label attached to it. I will not use the term. I prefer to call it contemporary or progressive. Even this term has its pitfalls so I must be careful. We must all be very careful. James 3:11 says, "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?" Can something be Holy and unholy at the same time. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! In case you didn't hear that, let me repeat it...ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! There is no way that the Lord Jesus Christ can be found in something so unholy as Rock music. Why would we call ourselves Christian Rock musicians? There is no way Christ can be found in something so unholy as Country music. With all of the alcohol, infidelity and rebelliousness that is found in Country music lyrics, how in the world can Christ be in that? Why then would we listen to it? What about the television? What about our places of entertainment? It all goes hand in hand. We need to be very careful in all that we put in our minds. Philppians 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." That doesn't sound like Rock music or Country music to me. It doesn't sound like most of the "Christian Rock" that I have ever heard. I'm not going to judge them or you. That is not my right nor my privilege nor do I want it to be. I am simply trying to get us to think about things. We are in a day and age when evil is called good and good is called evil. We must be diligent to know the difference (Romans 12). Nope, I'm not your judge. You're not mine. We must though, help each other out. If we know something we must share the truth and try to make sure everyone has knowledge of what the devil is trying to do to us. He would love for us to fill our minds with everything unholy. It makes his job much, much easier. If we are not armed with the knowledge of the Word of God then Satan has very little work to do to get us where he wants us. Certainly you can understand that, cant you? Sure you can. Pray for me. I will pray for you. I will pray that Gods Spirit will convict us and show us every truth that we need to walk in. It is the only way we will make it to Heaven. And remember, not everyone who says they are Christians are really Christians (Matthew 7:21). I love you. I'm working on it too. The Lord has already started convicting me so don't think I'm throwing off on you. I think that we are in a world that needs to see THE TRUE CHRIST, not an artificial form. Lets ask God to make us what He NEEDS us to be to a lost and dying world. In love...

LW

Hello? Are you there? Can I be done now?

C.S. Lewis once said, "God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain."

My mind has been going crazy the last 3 days. I have not been questioning God but rather, inquiring of Him. I don't want to know, "why me", but I have been asking, "how long?" The "why me" is easy. For reasons known only to God, He has allowed me to face this huge mountain in my life. There is something that He wants me to see or needs me to see if I am to accomplish His will in my life. I have never really struggled with that. Plus, He sees a strength in me that I didn't even know I had. A strength that He knew would allow me to handle the weight of this burden. Remember, God will never allow us to go through any temptation, but will with that temptation, make a way for our escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). No, my battle has never been as to why He chose to let me go through this storm in my life. I will have to admit though, that I have been a little curious as to "how long will this storm last"? I mean, come on. Enough already. Have I not proven myself yet? Its easy to have these thoughts. If you never have then bless you, but I have to believe that just about everyone who has ever walked through the valley has had this thought (or one like it) at some time or another. We don't mind going through the valleys. We know that this is where the most growth happens between us and Christ. We cannot survive on the mountain. The air is thin. The vegetation is scarce and the dangers and pitfalls are numerous. The valley is where all of the vegetation is. The water flows freely (from the top of the mountain I might add), and there are places where we can find shelter from the storm and the scorching hot sun. The valley is quite a place. The view from the top of the mountain is gorgeous and breathtaking but it must be short lived. We have to get back down to the valley to get what we need for our body. We must renew our strength in the valley and be prepared for the next storm. We must get prepared for the climb up the next mountain for surely it will come. We cannot, nor will not, get there if we don't prepare for it while we are in the valley. Its just hard sometimes to keep walking in the valley when you want so badly to see the mountain top view. We even find ourselves asking God to move the mountain. "God, if you will but move the mountain from in front of me, then I will know victory." Okay, but what if the mountain that you want God to move is the mountain that He wants you to get to the top of? If in fact, He does move that mountain, you may be in the valley even longer. Maybe not, but its something to think about. We must not get caught up in the thought of God coming to the rescue for us. He already has. He just has a very unique way of letting us see the end result. We will still experience the pain of the battle. We will still experience set backs. We will even find ourselves retreating in some of the battles that we fight but the victory is ours. When we retreat, we retreat into the valley and find ourselves being refreshed. We feed ourselves, rest a little while, then start climbing again, fighting all the way. God has already won the war, we just need to follow His strategy and His plan. We will experience pain but we will not experience defeat...unless we get out of His will. That is the only way we will ever lose anything in this war with Satan. He cannot take what we don't give him. So remember the next time you are in a battle that seems to knock you off of your feet, its only going to last as long as God wants it to. The mountain top is coming. Don't ask God to move the mountain. It may be that very mountain that you will be resting on top of tomorrow. Keep fighting the good fight.

LW

All is vanity

I've watched over the last few weeks as some very high profile people have gone out of this world to meet their creator. David Carradine, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Billy Mays, to name a few. Since I am a huge sports fan and music nut, I would like to just focus on two others who, up until now, have not been mentioned.

First, Michael Jackson. Unless you've been living under a rock or are just too young to remember (in which case you wont be able to read this anyway), you will know who Michael Jackson was. A brilliant talent whose career spanned 40 years. Responsible for hits such as Thriller, Billy Jean, Beat it and Black and White, the very smooth and lanky Michael also perfected the "Moon Walk" and was idol to countless millions of people throughout the world. Jackson's records, money, and personality made him a virtual "who's who" of the music industry. Whether you liked him or not, whether you liked his music or not, you have to agree that Michael Jackson is, and will forever be, one of the most easily recognizable faces of world history.

Secondly, Steve McNair. While not as recognizable as Michael Jackson, to those of us who follow football, McNair will always hold a very special place in our hearts. McNair stole our hearts in 1994 while playing college football for Division 1-AA Alcorn State. He won the Walter Payton award in 1994 as the top player in Division 1-AA. He was drafted by the Houston Oilers, who later moved to Tennessee and became the Titans. He was the NFL Co-MVP in 2003 and was selected to multiple Pro Bowls and played in Super Bowl XXXIV. A man who had many friends. Until his untimely murder he was thought to have few enemies. Another face who, at least in the world of sports, will never be forgotten.

I thought of these men, and many like them, because I have recently been told something that surprised even me. I have been very open about my father and what he meant to me. He was a sterling example of Christ and is the single biggest reason I am who I am today. I always looked at my dad as a "pillar" of the Church. His example and righteousness before the Lord made everyone around him better. I always hoped I could live up to the same praise. I was recently approached after church by someone who said, "you know you are a pillar of this church don't you?" My knees buckled and I couldn't speak. What a high, high praise and wonderful compliment. I still have not been able to completely wrap my mind around this honor being bestowed upon me. What have I done to deserve such honor? If I never do another thing in this life, I believe that I have made my father proud. "Well then," you may ask, "how does this make you think of the famous deceased?" That's a fair question. While pondering what these people did to leave their mark on the world, I wondered what mark they made on this world for the Lord? All of the work that they did to get to where they were was truly something to be proud of. Don't get me wrong. We should always be proud when our hard work finally pays off but what did they really accomplish? Ecclesiastes 12:8 says, "vanities of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity." The loose translation is, "worthless, useless; all is worthless." Everything done in this life is worthless if it is not done unto the Lord. I loved the deceased. Every one of them. It is very sad when someone goes out of this life. I only hope that they made their peace with God before it was too late. Only God knows. Their eternity is in His hands. I just cant stop to think, "what good did all of their accomplishments and riches do them? What good did it do any of us?" My father wasn't rich. Not by a long shot, but he left a legacy that still lives on. His youngest son is a pillar of the church. That's worth far more than silver and gold. His children and grandchildren know how to get to heaven because of a Godly example left by their grandfather. Strive to be the best you can be in this world. There's nothing wrong with that. Just remember to be the best for God that you can be because whats left behind when you're gone will be worth far more if its done for the Lord.
In love:

LW

I dont wanna!

GOD KNOWS MY HEART

Have you ever heard anyone say this? I've heard this numerous times in my lifetime. Its usually a statement made for one of two reasons: 1) A person is steadfastly holding onto something that they don't want to give up. Therefore, by someone trying to point out to them the error of their ways, the following statement is made, "Don't judge me. Just because you wouldn't do the things I do, and just because God has told you not to do certain things, it certainly doesn't mean he wants me to abstain from those things too. God knows my heart." 2) A person has been found out by God and the Lord himself is pricking their heart and He wants them to make sacrifice to attain a closer walk with Him. Thus, the person is then forced to do one of two things; either make the sacrifice God has called them to do or force a half-hearted confirmation to anyone who will hear, hoping they might fool God..."God knows my heart". If you have ever been in this position, or if you are in this very position right now, rest assured, God does know your heart. You would do well to give some serious thought to what you are saying before you utter these words that are sure to doom your soul. Jeremiah 17:9 says, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Only God can know the heart. He knows the thoughts and devices which we imagine against him (Job 21:27). You cannot fool God. You may be able to talk yourself into being in right standing with God. You may even be able to fool man with your "God knows my heart" routine but you will not, nor cannot, fool God. He will always be able to see through your facade. You're so right. God does know your heart. For that, you should be very worried if you are not in the place where He wants you.

YOU WANT ME TO GIVE YOU WHAT?!

I was recently reminded of a story that I heard a couple years ago. It made an impact on me that I will never forget. A father, who was very wealthy, decided that he wanted to give his only daughter a very special gift for her fifth birthday. He purchased a very valuable necklace. A pearl necklace. This wasn't a gift you would normally give a small child but he wanted to make an indelible impression on the girl. She meant the world to the father so he just couldn't help himself. The little girls birthday came and the father couldn't wait for his daughter to open the gift. She was overjoyed and elated. She showered her father with hugs and kisses and the father knew that the necklace was a hit. Exactly what he was hoping for. The father decided to test the girl and her love. Not only for the necklace, but for him. Every night the father would go into pray with the little girl. When they were finished praying, the father would ask, "sweetheart, do you love me?" The little girl would answer, "yes daddy. You know I do." "Then give me the necklace", the father would say. The little girl, quite surprised at the father would say, "no daddy. Its my necklace. You gave it to me for my birthday." The father would kiss her and then say goodnight and the girl would fall asleep. This went on for a number of nights. Every night the father would ask for the necklace and every night the little girl would say no. Finally, one night, the father finished praying with the little girl. Just like he had done for so many nights before, he asked her for the necklace. This time though, the little girl, with huge tears streaming down her face, took her prized little birthday present and gave it to her father. The fathers eyes welled up with tears and he was bursting out with pride at what his daughter had done. He could barely speak but he mustered up just enough strength to say, "my sweet little baby. Daddy doesn't really want your necklace, I just wanted to see if you would give it to me." You see, God may not want us to give up our prized possessions. He only wants to know that we would if He asked us to. We cant be tied to any one thing. We must hold loosely to the fleeting things of this life. It is the only way God will ever be able to truly use us the way He sees fit. God knows your heart. He knows if you are truly ready to let go at a moments notice, or if you are gripping tightly the very things that He wants you to give Him. I hope we are all ready to give God the pearl necklace if He asks us for it. God bless you this July 4th weekend. Stay safe.

LW

Praise the Lord!

I have loved this song since the first time I heard it. Today, it is getting me through. No matter what you're going through, just praise the Lord. He is doing something wonderful even if you don't see it with your own eyes. "Lean not on your own understanding".



LW

Top 10 list

With apologies to David Letterman, here is my own stab at a "Top 10 List" (a little hobby of mine):

Top 10 things your pet may say to you if he/she could talk:

10. Hey! Light a match for crying out loud!
9. You going out looking like that?
8. Don't bark, don't chew, don't jump, don't get on the furniture, don't eat that, don't go in there...tell me again, why do you have me?
7. Hey slim! Maybe I should take you for a walk?
6. Could you please cut your toenails? You're starting to gross me out down here.
5. If I had elbows and thumbs, I'd use toilet paper. Until that happens, I'm using your carpet. Deal with it!
4. You left me alone for 8 hours. What did you think was going to happen?
3. I did you a favor by chewing up those ratty old shoes. They stunk to high heavens!
2. Fetch?! Do you realize how hot it is outside? I'll tell you what, you fetch. Come on! Fetch! That's what I thought...lazy.
And finally...
1. You let him up in the bed but you wont let me? Please!!

LW

The best laid plans...

I was checking my e-mail last night. Sounds exciting right? Well, its something that has to be done so I was checking as I do every night. One particular e-mail caught my attention. It was an e-mail by a company that I had recently applied to for a position. I got very excited. Who wouldn't? After all, I have been without work now for almost 7 months. My heart started racing and my palms got sweaty. I almost didn't want to open it. I took a deep breath and clicked on the e-mail. "Thank you for your interest in the position but we have decided to go with someone else." Rats! How come I knew that's what it was going to say? I was very, very disappointed. I didn't start crying but I came pretty close. I just knew that the end of my trial was coming. I found myself, once again, trying to encourage myself. "God has a plan. This just wasn't the one He wanted for you right now." My wife did her best to pick me up. She's great. It just wasn't a good time. I didn't want to hear the same old words that I hear all the time. I just wanted to sit in the quiet and stare into nothingness. I needed time to think. I just kept saying, "God has a plan. God has a plan. God has a plan." Then I started thinking about the Israelites. 40 years they wandered in the wilderness. I'm sure some of them kept saying, "God has a plan." Noah built his ark for almost 100 years. I'm pretty sure he said more than once, "God has a plan." When Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers he probably had to tell himself a couple of times, "God has a plan." Do you think anyone who was involved with the marching around the walls of Jericho ever said, "God has a plan"? Countless hundreds of thousands of saints down through the years have been in long, hard trials. Many of them, if not all of them, probably had to say, once in a while, "God has a plan." I don't want sympathy. If you know me, then you know that is the last thing in the world I want. Please don't sympathize. I'm fine. Just pray for me. I simply want to remind you that when the darkness is so dark that there seems to be no end in sight, "God has a plan." Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." This trial may seem like it has no end, just remember, it does. When the devil keeps lying to you and saying that you will never see the light of day, just say "God has a plan." In the words of "Remedy Drive", "Hold on, daylight is coming to break the dawn." Go to the bottom of the page for this and other videos. They will all be an encouragement to you. Be still children, "God has a plan."

LW

Summer "blews"

I really hate to hear people complain about the rain. I know it messes up our plans. It keeps us inside we want to go outside. It spoils vacations, parades, baseball games, picnics and play dates. It never comes when we want it to but instead it rains when its the last thing in the world we want. When we see the storm clouds approaching we almost get a sense of irritation. Why is that? The storm comes and it rains and rains and rains. All we can do is watch from inside. "Stupid rain! I wanted to play basketball." "Oh man, its raining again! I was gonna take the kids to the park." "Great! I guess I'll be mowing the lawn Saturday." What an inconvenience the Lord has put upon us with this horrible thing called rain. I wish it would never rain again. So we sit and complain and try to figure out what we will do while its raining and try to figure out when we can do whatever it was that the rain made us put off. We hate the rain. Its doesn't make anything easy. We have to juggle our schedules, re-route everything that we had planned, make phone calls to people to try to re plan the events that were rained out. Oh how we hate the rain. What a dreary day. They say that people who suffer from depression are far more depressed when the sun isn't shining. We certainly understand that. After all, we don't suffer from depression and we feel very "blah" when its raining. We hate the rain. All it creates is problems. Everything gets wet and muddy. People drag mud and filth into the house when it rains. It ruins our hair. We have to run into the store and run back out of the store. It soaks our clothes. It soaks our shoes. We often have to change clothes, especially if we get caught in a heavy rain. We hate the rain. What good is it? You cant play outside. You cant eat outside. You cant enjoy the sunshine. You cant wash your car. You cant, you cant, you cant. WAH, WAH, WAH!!!! You see, I've come to realize something. When the rain is ruining our day and nothing good seems to come out of it, it is then that God is doing his most beautiful work. It is while the rain is coming down that the Lord is feeding his most beautiful flowers. Without the rain, the flowers die. Without the rain, the grass dies. Without the rain, everything dies. Without the rain, we too, would eventually die. God has a reason for every storm and every rain drop that falls in our lives. We would do well to remember that. If God doesn't let the rain fall, we will never see all of His beauty after the storms have passed. I love the rain. It may be an inconvenience while its happening but how much beauty and growth is experienced after the rain stops. The next time you feel like complaining about the rain, remember one thing, God is making something beautiful. Will you let Him?


LW

Nothing in particular

The danger of being on the "slightly goofy" side is that you're always looking for an opportunity to share a laugh. Combine that with a digital camera and you're sure to find new and exciting ways to impress your friends. Here are a couple of things that caught my attention the last few days.

1. My Michigan coffee mug: This one of a kind Michigan coffee mug is one of my most prized possessions. Being in these down economic times that we are, I am now willing to part with it if the price is right. Starting today, I will be taking bids for this item. Please contact me at the "contact me" button on the left of this blog if you would like to bid. I am starting the price at $500.00. :)


2. One of my twin girls: She was in the dining room playing at the time this picture was taken. I paused for a second and thought: "hmmm, there's no question whose kid she is." Can you say, "plumbah in the house!"


3. Mushroom monster: I was looking out the kitchen window when I saw what I thought to be a piece of trash. I even thought maybe it was a ball in the grass. I put on my shoes and went out to inspect. What I found was the biggest mushroom I have ever seen in my life. But it didn't look like a regular mushroom. It was round and funny looking. I snapped a picture because I couldn't believe it. I also took the picture because it looks exactly like my nephews big toe. Yeah, we make fun of it all the time. Wow!


Well, thanks for letting me share these things with you. I hope you all have a spectacular day. If I'm around, make sure I'm not taking pictures.

LW

My Dad

This is a little later than I wanted to do it. Extenuating circumstances made it impossible to post yesterday so I am doing it today. I wanted to talk a little about my father on Fathers Day. My father was a great, great man. I know, who doesn't think the same about their father right? For those who will read this and remember my father, they will surely agree. My father wasn't a rich man. He didn't own a lot of stock. As a matter of fact, when he retired, we moved to a trailer. Not that there is anything wrong with trailers, but you usually don't picture them as a model of retirement wealth. In his later years, he and my mother ended up living in an unassisted living community. Very modest to say the least. No, he didn't have a lot as far as the world is concerned. My father didn't care about worldly things. He wanted to make sure that his family was taken care of spiritually. That's all that really mattered to him. He stored up his treasure in Heaven. He worked his whole life to build a foundation that would stand up to the storms that life would bring. His Bible, his church, and his God were the most important things in his life. That being said, his wife and family were put at a very high place in his life too. He knew how to treat mom and us kids. My dad never hit us. He did spank us as often as he needed to, but it didn't warp us as so many in this generation think it does. We turned out okay. Dad was a veteran. He loved his country and was very proud of it. He saluted the flag every chance he got and many times he would talk about his service. How proud he was to have been able to serve his country. Dad loved his children very much. He was a wonderful father. His father was an alcoholic and his mother died when he was very young. This made him extremely determined to be a great father. He would not let his upbringing be an excuse for the way he would father his children. He loved my mother. He treated her well. He taught us that love and affection are very important in a family. Outward affection was okay. A man could show emotion and still be a man. Dad was fiscally responsible. He wasn't a cheap-skate. He only spent money on things that we needed and we still had vacations and toys. He just didn't get us everything we wanted. He said no a lot. It didn't hurt us. When we graduated high school he made us pay rent. That wasn't to be mean. He wanted to teach us responsibility. He gave me $200.00 for my first car. I paid him back $50.00 dollars a paycheck until it was paid off. I am glad he did. Because of his teaching, I am also fiscally responsible. I don't live my life in debt. He taught us how to pray. He taught us to live by the words of the Bible. He taught us how to live according to Gods word and to make wise decisions based on our biblical knowledge. He taught me how to be a man, a friend, a husband, and most importantly, a father. No, he didn't leave us a lot of money. He left us something far more valuable. He left us the legacy of a Godly father. For that I am thankful. I will never be able to repay what he taught me. I can only hope to live as he did. To be an example for my children that they can follow. I hope my children can say the same thing about me when I am gone. Thanks Dad. I miss you. I love you.



LW

Questions???

I was sitting on my porch swing today and enjoying the rain. I began to pose questions to the Lord. It went something like this:

Me: "Lord, what are you doing with me through this dark trial?"

Lord: no response

Me: "Lord, what are you showing people through me while I'm in this dark place?"

Lord: no response

Me: "Lord, what will your Kingdom look like when I come to the end of this long, dark journey?"

Lord: no response

It's not like I was really expecting a response, or even fishing for one, but I waited in between each question I posed, just in case He wanted to speak back. Finally, my last question came and I posed it with an answer of my own. It was as follows:

Me: "Lord, what will I look like at the end of this long, dark journey? I don't know exactly what I'll be but I'm beginning to see a glimpse of what I will look like and I like it."

The Lord is doing such a work in me. In all of us really. If we would just stop focusing on the negative. I know its not human nature to be in the foxhole in the middle of the battlefield and look around and say, "man, I will be so much better off when this is over." Its hard but that's exactly what we should be doing. My daughter asked me today, "why is it raining so much?" I said, "because in August we will be wishing it would rain again." She asked, "but why do we need the rain?" I said, "because without the rain, nothing grows." AMEN! That's good, even if I do say so myself. Without the rain in our lives, we cannot grow in Christ. All of these "battles" and hard times that come into our lives, only serve to make us better. I don't know when the end of this trial will come. I am finally beginning to catch a vision of the end. That doesn't mean I'll find a job next week or even next month. It may not even mean that we keep our home. We may end up losing everything and I have to work for minimum wage. I don't know. I only know that I told the Lord a long time ago that no matter what happens, I am not quitting or going back. Though he slay me, yet will I serve him. Whatever happens in the end, as long as I am what God makes me, everything will be okay. I'll leave it all up to him. I have to focus on what He is teaching me. I must be resilient to absorb every lesson He is wanting me to learn. Once this is accomplished, He can use me any way He sees fit in His Kingdom. Does that make sense? It does to me. Stay focused. Keep trusting IN Him and learning FROM Him and leaning ON Him. I don't know when it will happen but the end of my trial may be closer than I know. Yours may be too. It is of the utmost importance that He use us through our trials. Keep running the race.

LW

I'm trying!

"Trying is just a noisy way of failing." I wish I knew who said that. I would like to give them credit. The truth is, I remember the pastor using this quote in a message a few years ago and it really stuck with me. I used to say the same thing. I even gave people a free pass as long as they were "trying". "I'm trying", "I'm doing my best but I just cant", give me a break, at least I'm trying". Have you ever heard any of these? Have you ever been guilty of saying any of these? Come on, face it. If your kids used these excuses you would say "you're not trying hard enough", or you might say, "well try harder because I know you can do it". We've all been at work and either been involved in helping train someone or we've been in management and were responsible for everything running smoothly. During those times, did you ever accept the mediocrity of "I'm trying"? No way! We never have and probably never will. Its just not in our genetic make up. We know we can do better. We know others around us can do better. We're only held back by our own limitations. The truth of the matter is, we can do anything we set our minds to. Figuring out the computer, trouble shooting whats wrong with the car, passing the exam at school, quitting a habit, losing weight, being kinder to others and the list goes on and on. We are always able to do whatever is really important to us. We train ourselves to be better and do better. Anything less is simply unacceptable. We will tolerate no less from those around us. Why is it that when God expects more from us, the first thing to come out of our mouths is "I'm trying Lord!" Don't be too quick to say you've never done this. Think carefully before you proclaim your innocence. Look, I'll be the first, again, to admit that I have been there. There have been times when the Holy Spirit has nailed me more than once about something in my life. I decide that I'm going to do exactly what God has told me to do but then in month or two the Holy Spirit comes back. He gently chides us and says, "you know better". We, in our most timid and humble voice speak back, "yes Lord, pleas help me. I'm trying." As my father used to say, "bologna!" Do you honestly think the Lord in Heaven believes that? If we don't accept that in our lives, why do we think the Lord does? I know, I know, the Lord is understanding and very long suffering. He's willing that none should perish. I get all that. I've heard that all my life too. Does long suffering mean willing to let us live under our privilege because we are too lazy to do better? The definition of long suffering is "slow to wrath". That doesn't sound like God is willing to let us live mediocre lives. That only means that he wont punish us harshly when we do. He doesn't like it but His patience far out shines ours. We may not spank our child every time they lie or break something but it doesn't mean that we are overlooking it. We tell them that we expect better from them and then we move on. Gods the same way. We may not feel the punishment of God every time we "mis-behave" but He is there gently chiding us with His spirit saying "you know better. I expect better." Eventually our patience runs out with our children and we must punish them to teach them a lesson. God does the same thing. Its not that He doesn't love us, He just cant accept "trying". I would like to see every one of us who claims to be a child of God, stop "trying". It does no good and it doesn't get us anywhere. If we would put the same level of expectations on our spiritual man as we put on our physical man, we would see great joy in our spirit and growth in Christ that we've never been able to achieve before. We wake up sick in the morning but we get up and go to work because we need the money. We wake up sick on Sunday morning and we stay in bed because we just don't feel good. Someone at work uses Gods name in vain. We stiffen up and say, "please don't use that language around me." We sit in front of the television or go to the movies and relax in front of people using the same kind of language. We stand up for our family or our loved ones and defend them with honor. We shrink in timidity when someone verbally abuses our Lord. I don't know why I said all that. I just think that our "trying" is so much less than what we could and should be doing for the Lord. Stop "trying" and start "doing". You would never let your children get away with less, quit asking the Lord to. I love you all. I'm working on it too. I don't want to "try" any more. I'm going to "do". Have a great week.

LW

He covers me

THE SET UP:

I'm amazed at how much the Lord continues to teach me as I walk this wilderness journey that I am currently on. No matter where I'm at and no matter what I'm doing, He is constantly showing me new and wondrous things to keep me encouraged and to show me that He is still there on this arduous and treacherous trek. My wife and I are on a brief get away. This is something that doesn't happen much since the lay off, so when the opportunity came to go see her parents, we took full advantage. We decided, well, her and her dad, decided to go to the zoo. Not "the" zoo, but the petting zoo. A place where children can interact with animals such as goats, sheep and ducks. Included with the admission was a wagon ride. A tractor pulled a covered wagon on a trail that winded through a field of zebras, llamas, camels, ostrich, antelope and other assorted animals you usually only see on television. The driver slowly pulled up to a pair of bison. He got off of the tractor and explained to us that these particular buffalo were only 7 months old and weighed one thousand pounds. He told us they will eventually grow to be about three thousand pounds at adulthood. I weigh about twenty eight hundred so I feel pretty good about myself, comparatively speaking. We looked at the hill above the buffalo and saw the antelope. He told us that one of the mothers just gave birth to a baby about thirty minutes before. He said if we keep our eyes open, we will possibly see the mother and baby. Immediately, everyone on the wagon started looking for the spectacle.

THE LESSON:

As we topped the first hill we came around a bend in the trail. Sure enough, on the left hand side of the wagon was the little baby. The mother was on the ground while the baby wobbled and wiggled to try to get its balance. What a sweet little sight it was. Only thirty minutes old and already trying to find its legs in this world. It was really something to see. I just enjoyed the ride and the time with my family. I was really loving watching my children and their reaction to the animals. Any one who has children knows exactly what I'm talking about. We were moving along waiting for the next group of animals to catch our sight when the tractor started to slow down. It eventually came to a stop. I wondered why we were stopping. I didn't see anything but a rock in the grass. At least that's what I thought it was. The driver pointed to the rock and asked, "do you see that?" He told us that it was also a baby deer. The mother put the baby there to protect it from danger. Because the baby was too little to keep up with the herd, she placed it in the safest place possible to ensure that it would be hid from predators. She would come back every couple of hours to check on the baby and feed it. After a couple of weeks, the baby would be able to run as fast as the rest of the herd and it would be virtually on its own. Wow! That is awesome how God put that in the mother to take care of her baby like that. Here comes the sappy part. I began to realize that is exactly what our Heavenly Father does to us. Once we are born, that is saved, or born again in a new relationship with Christ, He hides us in a safe place to make sure nothing harms us. I'm not talking physically. He makes sure that nothing can harm us spiritually. As long as we stay where He puts us and do exactly what He says, no harm will come to us. Once we are "big enough" He lets us go and run with the herd and find our own way. As long as we do exactly what we have learned and stay within the safety that He has provided for us, we will not be harmed spiritually. It is only if we stray from that safety will we find danger. Only if we do what we know is right will we be saved from the "roaring lion seeking whom he may devour". Father thank you for the safety that you have provided. Thank you for your teachings that keep us on the straight and narrow way. Help us to never leave the safe place where you have put us to keep us from danger. Again, it only took two little animals to show me the providential care of a loving, Heavenly Father. Take care little ones.

LW

Catch me, I'm falling

After a long hard day of stringing together16 hours its so good to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. After the body aches and the joints are stiff its so good to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. The sun has been hot and the elements have won, but its so good to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. The children have cried and we have played now its time to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. The wife has been good and we have grown even closer, but now its time to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. The world and all its follies have drained the life out of my spirit once more, but now its time to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. My mind has been racing and doing more than its fair share today, but now its time to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. Satan has battled and tried his best to no avail, its so good to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. The worries and cares of this life have garnered my attention all day, but now its time to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. What does tomorrow hold, and did I do all that I could have done today? These thoughts are all behind me now, its time to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. Victories, defeats, wars and games, they're all a distant memory now because its time to fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. I turn my attention to others and their needs and I fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. I ask the Father above to meet all of his children's needs as I fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. I want Him to know how much He means to me and I fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. Watch over each of us and never let us lose sight of You and I fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. I never say all I want to say as I fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. I'm so thankful He knows my heart and hears the intent of it too as I fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. If I die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take as I fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. Oh the peace that passes all understanding as I fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. When the sun comes up and a new day dawns and all that awaits me is there, I will remember how I felt as I fell asleep in the arms of Jesus. When this day is over and 16 more hours have passed I will fall asleep in the arms of Jesus. The one who holds me in the morning, noon, and night will hold me again as I fall asleep in the arms of Jesus.

LW

If sock puppets could talk:

I doubt anyone out there has quite the imagination that I have. If you do, I am very sorry. I thought God only gave me that disability. I was thinking the other night about sock puppets. Who doesn't? Anyway, I thought, "I wonder what sock puppets would say if they could have a conversation with each other?" The following is what I came up with. I'm so stupid.

SP1: "Whats up sock?"
SP2: "Not a lot sock, whats up with you?"
SP1: "Oh, not much. Is it hot? I'm hot."
SP2: "Yeah, it is hot. I'm sweating like a pig."
SP1: "Hey, speaking of pigs, how are your five little piggies?"
SP2: "Well, one went to the market, one stayed home, one had roast beef, the other had none, and the other little piggy went wee-wee-wee all the way home."
SP1: "You don't say?"
SP2: "Whats new with your piggies?"
SP1: "Well, I don't know how they're doing but I overheard them talking about corn and toe cheese. I don't know what that means for me but its starting to stink around the piggies, you know what I'm sayin?"
SP2: "I do, I do. I hate to hear that. Anything else new since we talked last?"
SP1: "Um lets see. Actually yes. I noticed a hole in me the other day. I was like, man its getting drafty in here! I'm really hoping no one notices. You remember Socky?"
SP2: "Yeah"
SP1: "Haven't seen him since he got a hole. Disappeared just like that."
SP2: "No way!"
SP1: "Yep!"
SP2: "Now that you mention it, I'm getting a little thin on the nose. Dude needs to trim the nails. I don't wanna get a hole and then disappear like Socky."
SP1: "Oh man, I really hope he gets off his back side and cuts the nails then."
SP2: "I'm sure he will. Hey have you seen that new movie about that homeless guy in Washington?"
SP1: "No, whats it called?"
SP2: "Sock-less in Seattle."

Like I said, if you have the same problem as me, I feel very sorry for you. I'll pray that you find healing for this imagination and you pray for me as well. I hope you all have a great weekend.

LW

Life goes on

As you all know by now, I am still unemployed. Its a lot of fun. Not really but I didn't want to drag everyone down so I'm putting a positive spin on it. This has given me the opportunity to spend precious time with my girls that I likely would not have if I were working. Here are a few of photos of what we have been up to lately...


at the duck pond:


at the ice cream parlor:

in the back yard on a hot day:

and finally, putting the babies in their big beds. No more crib. We're big girls now!:
I'm not taking any of this for granted. I may never get this much time with them ever again so we're taking full advantage of it. The only bad thing is, now the summer heat is upon us. Their may be pictures on here soon of me stroking out. I hope not. I'll try to take it easy. Fun, fun, fun! The Lord blesses us even in the midst of the storm. This just backs up everything I've been trying to tell you. Hold on. The 31st day is coming but take time to enjoy the trip. The scenery is beautiful.

LW

Gods unchanging hand

Not a whole lot here today. I'm a little down and I would appreciate all of your prayers. I know that you come here for encouragement but I'm not afraid to admit when I just don't feel it. I just don't have it in me today. In the spirit of which this blog is constructed though, never fear. I do have something for you. Its just not my own personal thoughts. Its a song. I was in my car today and was listening to "Russ Taff - Under Their Influence". The song came on, "Gods Unchanging Hand". Its a hymn originally written by Jennie Wilson. Its a great song. If you don't know the tune, that's okay. Just read the words slowly, and prayerfully. I think it will speak to you. Hold to His hand. I am. Its all I can do right now.

Hold To God's Unchanging Hand

V1 Time is filled with swift transition Naught of earth unmoved can stand Build your hopes on things eternal Hold to God's unchanging hand Chorus Hold to God's unchanging hand Hold to God's unchanging hand Build your hopes on things eternal Hold to God's unchanging hand V2 Trust in Him who will not leave you What so ever years may bring If by earthly friends forsaken Still, more closely to Him cling V3 When your journey is completed When the valley you pass through Fair and bright the home in glory Your enraptured soul will view I hope this helps you. Don't worry about me. I'll be back with plenty of uplifting and encouraging thoughts. I just needed to let someone else do it today. Thanks for your support and prayers. In love, LW

At what cost?

If any of you are at all like my wife, you have been following the "Jon and Kate plus 8" fiasco. To tell you the truth, I have never been a big fan of the show. My wife has always found it a little fascinating to see how a couple raises 8 children. I always felt like it was very unrealistic. After all, how many other couples in the world have a full time camera crew, nannies, paid vacations, huge free birthday parties at wonderful places, and yet still do not have to work. It just didn't strike me as a "true read" on the parenting thing. We are raising 4 children under 5 and we don't get any of those advantages. Our birthday parties are usually held at home or at the church fellowship hall. We haven't been on vacation since May of 2001 (our honeymoon). We have no camera crew or nanny to help when its bedtime. Nope. Its all on us. That's okay. We chose this life. We chose to have the children. I'm not complaining one bit. I just think the t.v. show isn't realistic. All that being said though, my wife and I have come to 2 conclusions:

#1 We will not watch the show anymore. This will hurt me a lot because, as I have already stated, I am a huge fan (wink, wink). We cannot, with a good conscience, sit and watch as a family self-destructs right before our eyes. No matter the reason. Whether it is his indiscretions or hers matters little to us. Infidelity is no laughing matter and I don't think God is pleased that we be any part of it. Also, it is very hard to see 8 innocent little children have to be dragged through all of this. They had no choice. They were thrown onto the "big screen" from day 1. They did not choose this lifestyle. Now they have to be part of the "side show" which is their parents destroying everything that they have worked so hard to build. It is very sad. Whether the marriage ends in divorce or not. Whether the show stays on television or not. There has been major damage done to this relationship and a family ( families are something that Satan hates more than anything) is going to have to fight, and fight hard, to save it.

#2 As we were watching this unfold over the last couple of weeks and last night, we realized something very important. Its not like we didn't already know this but it became even more clear to us: at what cost do we put our eternal souls in peril in the name of success? Remember when the show first started? They were so happy. They were just like any couple. So excited. So naive. So full of hopes and dreams for their futures and the futures of their children. They already had twins and now she was getting ready to have 6 more. Oh my! But they didn't care. They were loving parents. They loved each other and they knew that they would be able to handle this no matter what. Then the money started flowing. Television cameras. Fame. Books. 50 to 75 thousand dollars an episode. They moved from a modest home in Pennsylvania to a 1.1 million dollar home. They had everything in the world they could have hoped for...except happiness. Now, in the middle of all of the fame and fortune that they so desperately wanted, the one thing that they did have, happiness, is the one thing that is eluding them. I wonder if they wish they could go back to the way it used to be? I wonder what they would give up now to be the happy family they were 4 or 5 years ago? I wonder if the price they paid for all of this was worth the cost?

Its very sad. I truly hope that they can put this back together and save this family. This scenario is played out all over the world thousands and thousands of times every day. I hope that we can see, no, I hope the world will see, that the devil is out seeking whom he may devour. He always paints a pretty picture. Once we get into the beautiful grassy field on the other side of the fence though, we find out that the grass really wasn't as green as we thought it was. The price the devil exacts from us is always higher than what we first bargained. Sad, sad, sad. I hope the world can learn from this. I hope that Jon and Kate can save their marriage. I hope they get saved then the marriage will be saved. Stay strong and stay prayed up. Until next time...

LW

Why birds...

...should wear diapers.

Child-like

My two oldest daughters and I were afforded the opportunity to go to a baseball game last night. It was great.

Wow! What a great lesson I learned once again. And it only took two little girls to teach me.



They had never been to a baseball game. They trusted their father. They had never been to a big baseball stadium but they trusted their father.


They had never been around the noise and big crowd of a baseball game. There were many rules that they had to follow for their own safety to ensure a wonderful time...but still, they trusted their father.


They had no idea what they were going to see. From the beginning of the journey to the end of the journey, they were totally blind. Didn't have a clue what they were in for but THEY TRUSTED THEIR FATHER!


After all was said and done, a great time was had by all and they are glad they trusted their father. As I'm pounding my forehead with the butt of my palm screaming "STUPID! STUPID! STUPID!" Why do I never remember this? If I could just have the same "child-like" faith that my daughters had. Trusting their father the whole time knowing that he was going to take care of them and he had it all under control. Thanks for the lesson girls. Daddy loves you.

LW

Finding hidden flowers

My wife and I were sitting on the porch swing the other day. The girls were down for an afternoon nap so the short retreat border lined wonderful! The sun was out. There was a soft breeze. We were looking at the trees in our back yard. I began to look at one particular tree. Don't ask me what kind of tree it is. If I'm certain of one thing in my life it is that I do not have a green thumb. I killed a bush by giving it Miracle Grow! Anyway, as I was looking at this tree I began to notice something that I had never noticed before. In the midst of all of the leaves on the tree, there were the most beautiful flowers. How did I miss these all of this time? This tree that I have passed, mowed around, sat under, and looked at, hundreds of times, has beautiful little flowers. Wow! I cant believe I missed that. You know me. Always ready to learn a lesson from the Lord, I began to think how this was just like something that recently happened to me in my life. There is an acquaintance of mine that I have seen hundreds of times. I really thought this person was just there. No real feelings either way. As a matter of fact, probably more negative feelings than positive feelings for this person. No real reason. Don't ask why. That's not the point. The point is, I had seen this person many, many times and all I saw was the outside. The leaves and the bark as it were. All the times I had seen this person and been around this person, all I ever saw was the "tree". One day though, as I viewed this person for the hundred and first time, I realized something. This "tree" has beautiful flowers. When I let the Lord actually open my eyes to see the inner beauty of this person instead of just viewing the outer "tree", He let me see something that I had never seen before. I was so thankful for that. Then I was very ashamed. This person had done nothing to me to make me miss the flowers. They were there all the time. I missed them because I wasn't looking for them. Oh how terribly sorry I felt. How many blessings from the Lord did I miss because when I was around this person, all I let myself see was the "tree". What could the Lord have done for me if I would have been looking for the "flowers"? Thankfully now I see those flowers and I see this person in a whole new light. I am gaining a new found respect and love for their beauty. Because of this the Lord has blessed me more than once through this person. I am the one who missed the beauty. Shame on me. Thank you Lord for this lesson. Never again will I just look at the "tree" but I will try my hardest to find the "flower" that is your spirit. Help us all to look inside of the heart as you do. Forgive me for not seeing this sooner. To all of you "trees" out there: I promise to do my best to see the hidden "flowers" in all of you. Please do the same to me.

In love:
LW

Some thoughts to ponder

My throat is killing me. I've never had strep throat before so I don't think that is what it is, but in any case, Becky is headed to CVS to get me something for it. I don't want to spread whatever it is. Thankfully, this cannot keep my sense of humor down. I seen the following somewhere the other day: "Corduroy pillows-They're making head lines". I thought that was very funny. It got me thinking. So, without further adieu, here are some of my own original thoughts. Just some humble musings about life from me. Enjoy.

Toe cheese-who needs cheddar?

Shaving in the dark may cause drowsiness

Standing under a tree in a thunderstorm-a "flash" of brilliance!

Kids only do what they are told when they're not told

If you see a dead cat in the road, call me, I could use some good news (kidding. Lighten up)

A good car and a good man-always full of gas

When in doubt, ask your wife

Volume on the remote control is for people without little children

How do you look in Levis? It's all in the genes.

A lot of time could be saved if we spent less time in the waiting room and more time in the "weight"ing room

Stop complaining about paying taxes, it could be worse...aaah! Who am I kidding? No it couldn't!

Message to all women-if you have size 10 feet, don't wear size 7 sandals. Gross!

Message to all men-if you wear sandals, cut your toe nails. Yuk!

Q-tips are great! Can ya dig it?

Pickled pigs feet=guys who wear shoes without socks. Whew! Can you say VINEGAR?

Obesity means never having to tie your shoes ever again

Heartburn is your body's way of saying "hey tubs, step away from the table!"

And finally, with the summer heat fastly approaching:

Love your neighbor, take a shower

I'll see you soon.

LW

Asking is overrated.

I am as guilty as anyone else. I always approach God in an "o.k. God, here's what I need today" mode. I'm always very ready to ask Him for what I need. After all, doesn't it say in Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:"? Doesn't it say in James 4:2, "ye have not because ye ask not"? So I truly believe that God wants us to come to Him for our needs. It just comes naturally for us to ask. In my experience though, it is much harder to say "thank you". This doesn't come quite as naturally. Today I would like to say "thank you" to the Lord. If you would, please join me. Lets just thank Him for all that He does. I'm not going to ask for anything. Just "thank you". Thank you Lord for life. Thank you for letting me wake up to see the beautiful sunshine one more time. Thank you for the strength to get out of bed. Thank you for my beautiful wife. Thank you for my beautiful children. Thank you for our home and the breakfast that we enjoyed together. Thank you for coffee. Thank you for the rain. Thank you for the birds chirping and singing "good morning" just for me. Thank you for a nice warm shower to get clean. Thank you for a toothbrush and toothpaste so my teeth and breath don't offend. Thank you for deodorant and cologne. Thank you for clothes to wear. Thank you for shoes on our feet. Thank you for automobiles. Thank you for my porch swing. Thank you for the swing set for the kids. Thank you for a lawn mower to cut the grass so my yard doesn't look like a jungle. Thank you for health and strength that you give us every day. Thank you for the mountains and valleys that we see every day, both on this earth and in our spiritual walk. Thank you for Your word. It feeds us and sustains us through all that we will encounter. Thank you for the perfect gift of Salvation. Without it, there is no life. Thank you for our church and our good brothers and sisters. Thank you for our family. Thank you for parents that taught us about God and are now awaiting our arrival into that place called Heaven. Thank you for the promise of eternity with you after this battle of life is over. Thank you for a right mind to be able to distinguish between truth and a lie. Thank you for the ability to put pen to paper and put thoughts together to help others. Thank you for all that You have done, are doing, will do in the future, and all the things that You don't do because You know what is best for us. Thank you for everything in between. All the things that I may have missed. Thank you for all the people reading this. Keep blessing them and forever help them be thankful too. Help us never take anything for granted. May we always remember where the blessings come from and may we always be mindful to give thanks to THE ONE who makes all things possible. We love you Lord. Thank you.

LW

Something I bet you didnt know...

I've been trying to think of a way that I could make millions, or least make something. This unemployment thing is really getting old. I decided that I could start training for Summer 'X' Games 15 in LA this July and August. I'm well on my way.

First I had to get the Barbie 4 wheeler from my 4 year old...


Then I had to fight her off for the rights to ride...


Then as soon as I had the opportunity I made sure she wouldn't bother me while I was practicing...


Then I was able to do my thing...


Then I realized that this probably wasn't going to work...



Oh well. It was fun while it lasted. I guess I'll just keep writing and looking for a job. Happy Memorial Day weekend everyone!

LW

Fear Factor

Fear is a very powerful emotion. It can make us avoid certain areas because we are afraid. It can make us sick. It can cause us to lose sleep. It can even make us see things that aren't really there. I don't know if fear is the most powerful emotion we have, but it has to rank in the top 3. Its the one emotion that we must control if we ever want to do anything for God or for ourselves. It can keep us from making a big decision that will benefit us. Fear of the unknown will cause us to stop just before taking that last big leap. It will also have the same effect on us being used in Gods kingdom. He may be calling us to do a great thing but our fear can cause us to miss out on or delay His blessing. He may move on to someone else and we will never know what He wanted to do with us. Fear is on my mind today because Satan uses fear on us to keep us from trusting in God. Anxiety and worry are brothers to fear and they are all very useful tools in the hands of the wrong person. The devil knows this and he will use it every chance he gets. We must resist the temptation to fear what we don't know or don't see. The future is always dark to us. We cannot begin to know what the future holds for us. That can cause even the bravest of men (and women) to be a little anxious. Thankfully though, 2 Timothy 2:7 says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power." When we are walking in the light of the Holy Spirit and living a holy life that God has called us to, we do not have to be afraid. In these hard economic times the devil tries to make me be afraid. "What if I don't find a job? What if we lose our home? What if we have to move? What if I have to work 2 or even 3 jobs to feed my family?" God doesn't want us to worry. He doesn't want us to fear. Perfect love casteth out fear (1 John 4:18). Our perfect love for Christ, made perfect through his death and resurrection and our acceptance of His wonderful gift of salvation. Why fear? Its an old saying but it bares repeating now, "we have nothing to fear but fear itself." Let God have the future and the present circumstances. Don't be afraid. He will take care of everything. He's only promised that in his word time and time again.

Take care
LW

P.S. This has nothing to do with the post, but I thought this was hi-larious! Its a great spoof of a horrible song. A song I dont like for a number of reasons that I wont get into. I hope you like this as much as I did.

Do I have a bullseye on my chest?

I think its only human nature to ask this question when something bad happens to us. At least partly. I think its partly Satan trying to discourage us. I also think that, in part, some of us use this to make ourselves feel better. Its kind of weird, but when we don't get sympathy from others, we feel sorry for ourselves and in some weird sort of psychological disorder way, it makes us feel better. I've heard all my life that bad things happen to good people. In turn, I've realized that good things happen to bad people. That's just the way it is. "for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:45. I'm no different than any of you. I have my battles with why I am in the middle of what I am. We get caught up in the circumstances surrounding our lives and all of the responsibilities we have and we think, "this couldn't be happening at a worse time." I got a good dose of God smacking me in the head yesterday and telling me "It could be worse my son. It could always be worse." I was taking my oldest daughter to the doctor to get her ears checked out. She had recently had tubes taken out. This was going to be the last follow up appointment for her. He would tell us whether she should keep wearing earplugs in the bathtub or if she could resume life without the earplugs from now on. She does not have to wear the earplugs anymore. That is not the story though. Let me continue. We were driving along and she asked, "daddy, what are those people over there doing?" They were smoking cigarettes under a bridge. She has not been exposed to that at all, thank God. No one we know or associate with smokes. This started a discussion on cigarettes and why God doesn't want us to smoke them. The conversation ultimately led to us talking about dying. In the sweetest most innocent voice I have ever heard she said, "daddy, I don't wanna die like when grandma died." I assured her that she would live a long time. Grandma died because she was old. My daughter said "I'm gonna be 100 when I die." I said "I sure hope so baby." All of this got me thinking about the prayer requests at church this last weekend. Two separate prayer requests about an 8 year old girl and a 13 year old girl that are going to die if God doesn't choose to heal the horrible diseases that are ravaging their little bodies. How could I have been so selfish to think that what I am going through is so bad? I felt horrible. I have my health. I have a beautiful and loving wife. I have 5 wonderful, healthy children. I have a church to go to that teaches the truth and allows me to live a life worthy of Heaven. What else can I ask for. All of my needs are met. We have vehicles, a home, food, clothes and electricity. There is nothing I can complain about. My little battles that I have to go through are nothing compared to what some people have to face on a daily basis. I feel ashamed to think that God should spend any time on me when there are so many who need his touch far more than I do. Thankfully, we serve a Heavenly Father who has the ability to take care of all of the needs of his children at the same time. He hears our prayers, our tears, our thoughts, and he is omnisciently directing all circumstances to his choosing to ultimately make His will unfold. Whether we agree with, understand, or want any of His will to be. I am so thankful that he sees the future, knows the present and can identify all things that will make my life be what He wants it to be. If your anything like me, that bullseye you thought you had on your chest just disappeared. I don't have any problems. Everything is exactly what God wants it to be right now. I thank Him for that. I just need to remember that tomorrow when I wake up and my circumstances are the same as they are today. He's watching. He knows. He is directing traffic. All I have to do is faithfully follow. I love Him for that. It takes so much off of my mind to know that He is in control and not me. It'll be okay. Nothing is happening that he isn't letting happen for a reason. Just sit back and wait. It will be okay. I promise. I love all of you and hope that God is in control of your lives.

LW