Abundant Life
It’s fun to learn how to live the abundant life Jesus talked about in John 10. It’s a life of rest, free of worry and only possible through utter dependence upon God for daily needs and direction. God is a wonderful Father, and I’m grateful beyond words for His love, mercy and sovereign plan for my family.
It’s been a very productive and fruitful week in every way. The real estate business is picking up for me and I got two new listings this week. One will go on the market tomorrow and the other on Monday. I continue to learn a lot and am thoroughly enjoying it. Just tonight I stopped to see a “For Sale by Owner” and it looks like I will get that listing, too. It’s invigorating to walk up to someone’s door on a cold call and see what happens!
It was a very fruitful ministry week as well. Last Sunday I had the privilege of speaking in a rural Methodist church and they invited me to come back again in June. The church that meets in our house on Thursdays was greatly encouraged last night by Isaiah 41 and Psalm 91. The prayer time was intense and the power of Christ was experienced by all of us. Two Christians from MI joined us and I believe God is leading them to start a house church ministry in their community. It will be fun to see how God uses them, and God is confirming that the vision for a ministry that reaches beyond BG is actually becoming a reality.
There is much joy in the journey these days. I am blessed with a loving family, dear friends, rewarding work . A 24/7 life in Jesus really is a life of abundance!
Good Visit
My parents arrived last night and we're having a great time. We grilled burgers for dinner last night then went to Seth's baseball practice and on to the Sundae Station for dessert.
I needed to show some houses this morning but it didn't take as long as I thought it would. I got to show mom and dad where I work and they met several of the other agents in our office. Then we grabbed some lunch and worked outside all afternoon. Dad and I built some seats for the kids' sandbox, put mulch around our little decorative pond, and cut, split & stacked some firewood. After a delicous dinner we went fishing and caught a bunch of largemouth bass and bluegill. Seth is eager to go again tomorrow. I really need to teach that boy to put the worm on his own hook so I can get some fishing in, too!
We played a card game called Hand & Foot and mom and dad beat Kim and me pretty badly. I don't like to go to bed without at least being even, but everyone was too tired for a rematch. We'll get them tomorrow or Friday!
I'm pretty tired but it sure has been a good day. I am blessed with amazing parents who love God and love their family. I'm excited that they will get to experience the church that meets in our house tomorrow night.
Today's N-Cite: Work is good and healthy. My parents taught me the value of hard work by simply working hard themselves and expecing us to do the same. I hope that's something Seth & Shani "catch" from us.
Easter
“He is risen!”
“He is risen, indeed!”
I love that greeting and response on Easter Sunday! Today has been a wonderful celebration of Jesus’ resurrection. In fact, this has been a very good weekend all-around.
Friday afternoon I started taking all of Tim’s calls so he can get a much needed and well deserved vacation. He is a busy agent, and within the first hour I was blessed to be doing some significant work. That was a taste of what the weekend would have in store, with a full day Saturday complete with two offers (one accepted, one in process) and a third offer supposed to be coming on Monday. WOW!
Friday afternoon I was blessed to participate in the Community Good Friday service. It was encouraging to be with a wide variety of believers. Friday night (as is becoming our custom) we ate a Q’Doba, a great Mexican restaurant in BG. We’ve been going there with friends for a few weeks. The food is terrific and the owner, Nadia, is always happy to see us. Following the meal, everyone (plus Tom & Shirley, John & Donna) came over to watch Chronicles of Narnia. Kim and I saw it in a theater at Easton in Columbus in December and our kids have watched it several times since we got the DVD. It was really cool to hear the insights people had into the spiritual applications of the movie. It was a great way to spend Good Friday evening, and to be reminded of Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
Saturday was a whirlwind. I showed a home and wrote an offer at 9:00, spent time with the kids at an Easter eggstravaganza at BG Naz, worked all afternoon, mowed the lawn for the first time this year, then went to see “Jesus is Alive” at Dayspring Assembly of God. They have been doing this production for several years and this year was especially powerful. There is a song sung by Peter called, “I Denied Him” that hits me really hard. It made me truly sorry for all of the ways I have sinned. The director is a good friend of mine and I was very happy for the excellent job he did and the impact the production had on everyone who attended one of their multiple performances. I had more work to do after the drama/musical, and got home pretty late.
This morning I woke up at 5:30 praying for my brothers and for myself. I have to admit that I was a little nervous since I haven’t been preaching as often. But Kim reminded me that God is not out of practice and I felt relieved. We worshiped today at a park in BG and the wooded setting was beautiful. As soon as I pulled into the parking lot, God spoke clearly to me and clarified the message. Chris, Mike and I set up the room and then I went to pick up a family from Sri Lanka (Buddhists) and our friend Zakiya (a Muslim from Uzbekistan). This was their first Christian worship experience and it was powerful. Chris & Kim led us in a musical celebration. Mike, who is always led by God’s Spirit, led us in prayer and encouraged others to share. Several people testified, and there was a jubilant atmosphere. I felt great about the sermon and communion and Ryan sharing his mission trip experience. He went to Panama City Beach, FL to share the gospel over spring break. God is doing and will do great things through Ryan’s life.
We had a delicious potluck, Mark & Brenda did a great job with the children (egg hunt and crafts) and it was a wonderful day. Kim and I were talking and agreed that it was the best Easter service we have ever participated in. It was simple. It was highly participatory. It was real. And it was unquestionably led by Jesus, who is the Head of the Church.
He is risen!
He is risen, indeed!
Two Great Days
Yesterday was simply amazing. It was like my life was in perfect alignment – with God, my family, a lifestyle of ministry and even the job! I wrapped up the first transaction (which I thought would be finished three weeks ago), spent a wonderful afternoon with Tim and Chuck, having “church” at Tim’s house, complete with prayer, Scripture, Communion, fellowship, encouragement, and everything church should be. I received the generous gift of borrowing a beautiful Honda Shadow 750, then took Seth & Shani fishing and we caught almost 20 fish!
My relationship with God is strong and vital; my marriage is more fulfilling than ever; my children are a blast; I’m growing more competent with the job, and Jesus truly is Life.
Today was my day off and I met Chad (pastor of a large Assembly of God church in Toledo) for breakfast in Perrysburg. Of course, I got to ride the motorcycle there! He is a true seeker of God’s kingdom and it was a most encouraging time together.
Later, we spent several hours with Mike & Elizabeth Adams. Mike is an evangelist in the Church of the Nazarene and a good friend. It was good to talk about God’s faithfulness and to embrace the mysteries of life together.
All day I was looking forward to the gathering with the church that meets in our house. Ryan bought the lamb and Trevor prepared it. Delicious! It was so good to see Tony after his absence the last couple of weeks and to also have Deb & Shannon join us. We ate, then reviewed the history of Judaism briefly so that we would have a better understanding of Exodus 11 & 12. Then we read and talked about Luke 22 (the last supper) and shared communion. Heartfelt prayer, agreement on allocating the resources God has entrusted to our care, and a warm atmosphere of God’s love characterizes our life together. We are truly blessed.
Today’s N-Cite: The thought struck me tonight during our gathering that most of the world lives as if the story of Jesus ended with Good Friday. I think that is at least a partial explanation for the hopelessness that pervades our world. I pray that the life of Christ in me makes it impossible for people in my influence to live as if Jesus has not risen!
random thoughts
This week I have been missing worshiping with and seeing some old friends. Knowing that all believers will be together for eternity, with no goodbyes, is a comforting thought. So, I sent a few emails and got a couple replies. That was nice.
My friend Mike celebrated the salvation of his father, after praying for him for 35 years! Just a couple days later, Mike's mom went to heaven. It's been good to see God's faithfulness in the highs and lows of life.
We went to a revival service last night and heard an evangelist we really enjoy - Mike Adams. He spoke about forgiveness and it was a powerful message. I think I forgive easily but it was a good reminder of the importance of maintaining an ongoing attitude of mercy and grace since we will always be vulnerable to others hurting us. We look forward to spending some time with Mike & Elizabeth on Thursday.
On Tuesday mornings we have office meetings and then tour new listings. The people I rode with today were very free in expressing their dissatisfaction with co-workers. I want to be a good listener without encouraging gossip and as I listened I prayed. I tried to redirect the conversation a couple of times but mostly I just listened. I am sure that God will direct when I am to speak and reveal exactly what He desires to say through me. There is a time to speak and a time to be silent and I think it's really important to know when to do both.
All in all, my attitude is much improved since Kim and I talked and prayed together for a long time Sunday night. We are still dealing with the newness of this season of our lives, but we're in it together and learning to choose joy and the abundant life that God intends. Good things are happening in the house churches in our little network, and I'm regaining an excitment and joy for preaching at our bi-monthly gatherings. I especially look forward to a great Easter celebration this weekend.
Becoming
Tonight the church that meets at my house was simply beautiful. I saw and heard Jesus through the Word (especially Psalm 121) and the encouraging words of my brothers and sisters. This is an amazing community of faith – a family who shares struggles, victories, frustrations, triumphs, sins and, of course, lots of great food. The honesty and safety to be vulnerable is amazingly refreshing. Nothing to prove to anyone – just a common desire to know Jesus, to share Jesus, and for Him to live His life through us. Simple church.
I am still struggling some to figure out and get a grip on who I am these days. Michael W. Smith's song "Place in This World" says, "This becoming is harder than it seems." He's right. So much has changed: daily routines, dreams, relationships, and what was once a generally predictable rhythm of life. It seems like everything is different. And yet, everything that is most important has not changed: God’s love and sovereignty, my godly wife and adorable children, a desire to see God’s kingdom advance in NW OH and the ongoing longing to make a significant difference in the short time I’m on this spinning planet.
I’m thankful tonight for so many people – for prayer time with Andrew this morning, an uplifting email from Ted, and words of truth from the church. With their help and the ongoing filling of the Holy Spirit, I am certain that I will have more clarity about who I am becoming and exactly what God is up to in our life together. No matter how hard it may seem, I am confident that it's worth it all to be conformed to the image of Jesus.
God or Money
When I was a pastor I used to meet every week with a group of pastors from the area to discuss the sermon texts we were working on. That group has influenced and impacted my life significantly. With the schedule changes of a new career, I haven't been attending often but I got to go today and it was really good.
Today we were talking about the time Jesus cleared the temple (Mark chapter 11). It's not exactly the meek and mild picture of Jesus most people think of. Here is Jesus, throwing people and tables and money all over the place, and literally cracking the whip. And right in the middle of all that action, he taught them. I never saw that before. He didn't just yell and wreak havoc - he created a teachable moment and then he taught them.
I was using a borrowed Bible and it directed me to Jeremiah 7 as a cross reference to Jesus telling them God's house was to be a house of prayer and they had turned it into a den of robbers. Harsh words. Violent actions. And, as usual with Jesus, a powerful lesson. As I met with these old friends, God gave me a new idea - not new as in "never thought of before by anyone else," but new to me.
Jesus had a lot to say about money and how we can't have two masters. We will either serve God or we will serve Money. Then he said that the people in the temple were a bunch of robbers. So it sounds like he is saying that they were serving Money even as they were carrying out their for-profit business in the temple, aka God's house.
So here's the "new to me" idea: When a house of prayer stops being a house of prayer, it will inevitably become a den of robbers. We're all either serving God or serving Money. That's a good challenge no matter how much or how little money one has. When I have the choice (and I do, every day) to either work first (ie make money) or pray first, I know I need to pray first. I don't always do that, but I sure want to. Feel free to ask me if I'm doing it.
Catching Up
Life is good, and I am very blessed. Good friends, a wonderful family, and a great God. Some highlights over the last week are:
Last Sunday – a good open house in the afternoon, then powerful worship with the church that meets at Dilbones. Sara received a call while we were eating and found out her 6 year old cousin had been accidentally run over by her daddy. We prayed with great fervor and were disappointed to hear that she died. Nevertheless, seeing the church experience this fiery trial together was a privilege.
Monday - Upward Awards night at Dayspring. Great event. Excellent leadership by Denny Bowen and Danielle Carrasquillo.
Tuesday – the Business Network International group I am in had a large lunch event at the Stoneridge Clubhouse. I got to meet some new people and it was nice that Bill & Craig were there. Bill is in the church that meets in our house and it is going to be good to see him more often and send more business his way.
Wednesday – another very good day off. I got a chance to work on some PowerHouse stuff, go to lunch with Seth, play games with Shani and go on her preschool’s fieldtrip to the fire station. What a treat!
Thursday – It was a beautiful days so I came home early and took Seth & Shani fishing for the first time this year. Seth caught the first bass, and then I caught one, too. Shani enjoyed playing with the worms. Thursday night has become very special, and the church that meets in my house is always the highlight of my week.
Friday – successfully negotiated my first contract. It’s small but was a great experience.
Saturday – Kiwanis Pancake breakfast, practical jokes at my office for April Fool’s Day, watching Bonanza with the kids, NCAA basketball and delicious ribs with friends.
Today – Sweet time with Jesus, a great run and powerful time of prayer with Kevin (sharing life and sharpening each other happens every time we run), coffee & coffee cake with neighbors, open houses and a very enjoyable evening at BGSU’s International Dinner. This is a wonderful place to live! I hope to post some pictures tomorrow of Zakiya. She danced and was in the fashion show. She was radiant and I’m sure you will enjoy the pictures.
I’m reading Job right now. Powerful book. God is showing me that Job’s three friends meant well. They said some very good, even profound things. But they also said some things that weren’t so good. Even though they were totally convinced that they knew what God was all about and how He works, they were wrong. That’s a good word for me, and for all of us. We probably don’t know as much about God’s character as we like to think we do. I’m glad that Job stayed faithful and his friends didn’t let their theological differences lead them to abandon him. And I’m thankful for all the people in my life with whom I have shared good words, and some not so good words. I’m thankful we are sticking together on this amazing journey with Jesus.
