San Diego

We had the opportunity to go to San Diego for a few days.  Brian had a conference Tuesday through Thursday.  We left Sunday, stopped in Yuma for Brian to do a couple of cases. 

 We arrived in San Diego early afternoon and headed to Point Loma. We explored the lighthouse and the tide pools. Because I wasn't paying attention I took a pretty nasty fall - skinned knee, bruises on my left leg and right arm, really sore left arm. Being a trooper (or afraid to admit it hurt!) we continued on to the Naval Cemetery.  Acres of headstones causes one to contemplate what is really important in life.


On Monday we went to Sea World.  We haven't been there in probably 15 years.  It was a blast.  Being a Monday and January there were very few people there.  We were able to really see the exhibits and we rode the roller coaster twice - back to back with no wait!!

We made a new rule - we couldn't eat at any place that was available at home.  So we had some amazing sea food at Blue Water, good Mexican (hey, we live in Arizona and travel to Mexico), wonderful BBQ and delicious pizza.  Needless to say - Brian was in heaven!!

After Brian finished his training each day we explored a bit - heading down to the docks to walk among the boats one evening and to the beach the next. 


We walked along Ocean Beach for about two hours - I played in the water, Brian worried about his pants getting wet!!  We found two sand dollars as the tide was coming in. 

And of course - God showed us some of His most amazing work in the sunset.  There are times I wonder if earth has this much beauty - how will we be able to take in Heaven....

We headed home Thursday evening because I have to work and Sarah was in the hospital.  You can pretty much bet the next post will be about our new granddaughter....

God is so good.

Living in Peace

  This year has been off to a rough start.

Having celebrated my birthday a few weeks ago, I saw life flash before me while traveling, brought into a unjustified lawsuit and now news that my father is in the hospital with multiple internal organs shutting down. Add all the other family events that have taken place and the feuds between family members and you have one messed up family.

The news I received this week about my father got me thinking about how short life really is and that we cannot continue to hold grudges or push family aside. This week Pastor Mark spoke about the agony and brutal death our Lord and Savior went through to save us. Pastor Mark stated in his message that forgiven people forgive and further stated revenge will always destroy, although it may not destroy its intended target someone or something will get destroyed when we hold onto the past.

Sadly I must say my relationship with my father has not been a good one. I have not seen my father for several months and furthermore, I/we have not spoken to each other since last June. When I learned about my father’s condition, it was not from my mother or from my sister; it was from my wife who learned about the problem during the day. Wow, talk about a plank striking you in the face. I was so angry and torn up by the problems of the past and our strained relationships not to mention my mother or sister calling me to tell me about the problem with my father.

I must not place full blame on them as I had written a letter expressing my frustrations this past summer and they were taking this to heart and were also torn up about not calling me. I chose to get up early on Thursday to drive across town to see my father and make peace with him so that we both could feel the peace should my father not pull through this very serious condition. I spent most of the day with my mother, father and sister while hearing various medical professionals come into the room and tell us that on paper my father was a dead man yet he was sitting in the bed talking with us and carrying on a good conversation.

HMMMMM, who do think made all this possible? God....

They drive home was a long one and I was able to speak with my sons and let them know that even I may have failed them in their lifetime however wanted them to know how I love them an want nothing more than to see our family restored before something happens to any of our loved ones.

Life is way too short to hold onto the past and allow revenge to get the victory, we do not know when we might take our last breaths or what roads we might take in the meantime however we must be prepared and I thank god I had this chance with my father yesterday.
I do not think that we often look at the big picture when we say, write or do things to each other. The good news is we can make amends because we have been forgiven. In the Lord's prayer we say forgive us as we forgive those. Is this really what we want our Lord to do to us or do we really want to show His love and forgiveness and say forgive as we forgive?

I do not believe life is full of coincidences. I believe God is placed circumstances in our lives that allow us to reflect on how we respond to others or react to situations. The bottom line is do I want to honor God or honor another person by what I do or say?

Enough is enough and it is time to focus on God and live like he has called me to do.

Saturday evening Vicki and I had dinner with some friends that we have known for a number of years.  In 1988 I was headed home from an off duty assignment when I came upon a horrible accident involving a car versus motorcycle in Phoenix.  I did not realize the motorcycle was a police motorcycle and the Sergeant involved was Gary.

The paramedics had not arrived and the Sergeant was severely injured in fact, I thought he was dead.  As the paramedics arrived they worked very hard to save Gary and rushed him to the local hospital where he was treated and hospitalized.  Gary was told he would never walk or talk or even be able to see again because the accident caused him to receive a severe head injury.  

In 1989 while dating Vicki, I began to visit the church where Vicki was attending and to my surprise I saw Gary and his wife Jan. I was so excited to see that God had allowed this man to walk again and restore his vision and realized what a positive attitude he had toward life.  Through the years we became good friends. Gary retired and moved to Colorado and we continued to maintain the friendship through the years. 

When ever we would talk with Gary and ask him how he was doing he always answered with a long positive saying. Gary would always see the positive in all the things he did or even situations we shared with each other. I learned that Gary had not only been involved in the accident I saw but that was his third accident and God had been working in strong ways through Gary.  After many years and visits, we eventually lost track of each other however we never stopped thinking about our families. 

Fast forward to this Christmas.  We received a card in the mail from Gary and Jan and the card had their contact information.  We were able to reconnect and catch up on the lost time.  Sadly we found out that Gary has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the disease is very aggressive.  Jan told us that Gary would still recognize us however he might not put the name to the face.

Gary and Jan were passing through visiting family and we were able to see each other Saturday evening.  It really hurts seeing someone you have known to know through a tragic accident and consider one you love and care very much for to suffer from such a disease. Gary was very animated as he was in the past however he reminded me of the movie character Rainman. Gary kept saying over and over to me, Vicki and Jan, "So what do you think Jan" and various other little phrases.  Gary was still positive despite the illness and really made me think about the quality of life that he is living and will this be the last time we see Gary?

Why is it we take life for granted and think our friends are disposal or throw our loved ones to the curb while we pursue other avenues at the cost of friendships or saying or doing hurtful things to each other?

Gary taught me a long time ago about being positive and living life as if today is the last breath you might take.  We can not continue to say or do hurtful things to each other and claim to love Jesus or claim that all is well within our soul if we are not loving our neighbor like He commanded. 

I know that Gary recognized us last evening and even though he was struggling, he kept smiling and kept us thinking as we sat with each other.  As we left we shook hands and hugged each other like we always did.  Gary even said "some day I will be better than I ever was".  WOW....what an attitude. 

Thanks Gary and may God be with you and Jan. 
 

Questions

I (Vicki) have been thinking about how short life is. Perhaps because Brian's birthday is this week.  Perhaps because we had dinner with some friends, one who has Altzheimers (Brian will blog more on this later).  Perhaps because I have been deeply wounded by someone I love more than life itself. 

Why do we who profess to love Jesus then hurt each other?  Why do we not realize each breath we take is a gift from God?  Life is short, it could end at any moment.  Do I want to go to Heaven with unresolved issues?

Why do we not cherish each and every moment with those we love?  Why do we use words to hurt the people we love the most?  Why don't we laugh more?  Why don't we love unconditionally?

What can I do to make those around me better people?  How can I show my Jesus' unconditional love?  What can I do to show Jesus to a world in desperate need?

Pretty deep thoughts.  Not sure where God is leading me, but I am quite excited to see how this thought process will bring glory to Him.

God is so amazing!!

New Years Resolutions

Being a mirror to the world


At church this past week we continued to read the story (BIBLE) going into the New Testament.

Dr. Mark Moore spoke about Jesus’s ministry beginning. Dr. Moore also challenged us to be the mirror to the world and not to simply just look in the mirror.

Have you ever looked into the mirror and said wow I really look good today? Or wow how blessed I am to have______________? If so what have you done to further promote the great things he is doing?

In John 3:30 the Bible states “He must increase and I must Decrease” How true this is if we are to be mirrors in the world and fully give God the credit for what is being done, not giving ourselves the credit for what we are or what we have.

As we ring in a new year and say good bye to the old, some of us will make resolutions such as weight loss, working out, financial or whatever it is you choose, remember you can’t do it on your own. You can only accomplish your goals if Christ is at the top.

So rather than continue life with darkness or secretes, how many of us will actually make it a resolution to be the mirror in the world and allow God’s bring light to shine from us?

Last week during the Christmas Eve service, we sang the song This Little Light of Mine. As the words of the song go like this:

This little light of mine I’m going to let it shine. This little light of mine I’m going to let it shine let it shine let it shine let it shine. Hide it under a bushel, No I’m going to let it shine.

In order to let our light shine we can’t allow the bushel (darkness) of whatever it might be from allowing our beacons to shine for Him. So as you make resolutions this year, what is your going to do to keep the darkness off your light to those around you?

Happy New Year Brian

Life is short

Life is way too short to hold grudges.  Perhaps it is the holiday season, perhaps it is the recent suicide, perhaps it is having a grandson. 

I watch people get offended over things that have absolutely no meaning.  People hold on to emotions that may or may not be valid.  Feelings are neither right nor wrong - what we do with our feelings is what matters.  Holding on to anger and bitterness only hurt us.

At work two major projects are wrapping up.  I have watched folks get irate over things that won't matter in two weeks.  Folks have yelled at each other for no reason. 

One never knows when we will take out last breath - I want every word I speak to bring glory to my Jesus.  So I may be a tad quieter!!!

God is amazing!!

Compromise

A few weeks ago at church, a homosexual couple visited. While I did not meet nor chat with them, part of the conversation was relayed to me.

They wanted to know if they would be "accepted".  They were reassured of course they would be accepted BUT their homosexuality remains sin. 

It is fascinating to me how the world has become more accepting of things the Bible clearly defines as sin.  Tonight while reading in Romans 1 it clearly states that homosexuality is wrong.  Yet, much of society, and even many churches are now saying it is "born" in them.

When did the "little white lies" become okay?  When the children were little, the phone rang, I would run jump in the shower so they would not be lying when they said "Mom is in the shower."  Do I carry things to an extreme - maybe.....  but there are reasons God set the boundaries He did. 

Someday when I am sitting at the feet of Jesus and get to ask Him all the questions I have - I will feel comfortable that I have not stretched the truth or compromised His Word.  If I am going to err - it will be on the side of following too closely.

I pray for these women who hear the calling of God and came to our church.  I pray they have the strength to walk away from their sin straight into the arms of Jesus.  He is waiting for them.

God is amazing.