Christmas time

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1: 18This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,^[c] because he will save his people from their sins."

22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Yes, He is with us even this day, our Immanuel,

His Grace

In His grace we reflect His goodness and walk in the light of His love (see 1 John 1:7)
When our hearts are pure we will walk in His peace. There will not be striving, but our hearts will be fully released into this peace that passes all understanding. When our lives are found in Him there is no limit to the grace that He gives us.

He has provided His grace. We are saved by His grace and we live by His grace through faith as well. The grace of God is the ability of God placed within us by His Spirit. Every day we have the choice to access His grace.

questioning God

Over the past few days, I have had conversations with about 4 different people who have been very confused about what they believe. They have had some very serious situations in their lives that really caused them to reconsider what they are all about and who God is. It is so difficult to listen and hear the hurts and pain that they have gone through and also the ways that the trust they had in God has been shaken.
It would be so great to just be able to see these situations through God's eyes, but then again it is hard to even imagine that He was actually watching. Why didn't He do something to change the situations or speak to them? Or did He and they just didn't hear? Wow, what a good question to search out. It is important for us to know our God despite what goes on around us. Our God doesn't change...He is always faithful and trust worthy. But, these life shaking issues will certainly get you thinking that maybe He wasn't even nearby.
The main thing I can do is pray for these souls. My words don't convince or bring understanding just more thoughts. But, prayer, does take our needs before the throne for God to do the work and that will bring resolution. On the other hand, I know how nice it is to know that someone cares and listens so I do lend my ear and my heart.
God please help them and help me to know more about you!

summer is over

I just finished a night in my office doing grading. I had to wrap up grading of my two course and 3 internships that I supervised. I also had to write a letter of recommendation for a former student. Now, I just have a few little things to wrap up and then get ready for the fall. It is nice to think I might have a few days that I can actually relax or not be so busy.
The town is getting quiet, but it is going to be very short-lived with the students returning soon. It is like the feeling just before you leave the ocean and try to capture the smell and the sounds before returning home. I am trying to capture the quiet and the peaceful feeling before the storm of students and work. It is something that is exciting for the most part.
I am watching the olympics and all the events on tonight. It is so cool to watch such dedication and strength in the athletes. They train so hard and give it all...what a great way to live.

summer 2008

This summer has been so very full of weddings, showers, and travel. Also it is full of teaching and preparing for presentations.
I just got back from a few days in Atlantic City, NJ. I was there for a conference on the Web. It was good to learn some things and to give my presentation. They actually asked me to do it again since there wasn't enough room the first time I gave it. It was fun to meet many folks there from all over.
Being there made me appreciate where I live so much more. I don't like gambling and all the glitz of the city. I don't understand the lure of sitting in front of a machine and pushing a button for hours and spending money on such things especially all the older people there. It irritated me to think that people are wasting their money and time like that. I know it is a slice of life for some people but not in my heart at all.
Now, I have a few weeks left of my summer class then I need to start preparing for the fall. It will be fun to have the students back.

back from sardinia

Fun times each day were found in my journey to Sardinia. It was a very refreshing place and lots of amazing sights and people. I had a cute little lancia car and we became close friends as I didn't have any person to talk to. But, I did have God to talk to and we did talk a lot.
It was fun to explore the mountains and the sea coast. I did spend more time in the mountains this time. They are so vast and so huge and gave me many moments to pause and stand in awe of God's creation.
The coasts were filled with lovely white sand and blue/green water as well as large empty spaces. Most of all it was really fun to get to know some of the people there this time. Even though I don't speak a lot of Italian we were able to talk and communicate. I love trying to figure out words and meaning that we both attempt to make with our non-verbal signs.
It was a nice break after a long semester and a wonderful time to just immerse myself in the Word and in prayer. Ahhh....

Almost done

It is nearing the end of the semester now. It has been time to catch up on grades and work and finally saying my goodbyes to students. I hate seeing students leave, but that is best for them because that is why we train them...to go out and get jobs.
It has also been time to work in my yard. I have cut my grass twice now and it is very green and enjoying the season. My tulips are in bloom now and my trees are mostly full of leaves.
Soon, I will take off to Sardinia for a nice break in my life. I love going there because of the incredible scenery and the great climate. So, if I don't keep up on this for a couple of weeks, that is why.

spring 2008

It is spring time here and my daffodils are all showing their lovely yellow colors. I think I have about 100 of them in my yard...really.
It is also the last few weeks of classes here so my life is rather busy lately. I am trying to prepare as much as possible for the last week and keep caught up. It sure makes it hard to work when the weather is so sunny and perfect. That is why I always say I like the weather here because it helps me to stay on task.
In May I am venturing back to my island for a bit to explore some new parts. I just love it there because it is truly like paradise. It will just be fun to go away and have some new experiences.
So...that is the latest from happy valley!!

angels, gates and secret places

Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it or some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! (Hebrews 13:2-NIV and the Message)

Is it possible that we just walked past an angel. Yes. We often overlook direct interaction with angels without knowing it. We never really know how they're going to look. We have to be ready, because angelic encounters may bring a test to us. Angels are good at surprising us. Jacob did not expect what was coming when the heavens opened and angels began ascending and descending in Bethel (Gen. 28:10-15). Returning to the place of divine intimacy is the first step toward positioning yourself for encountering the supernatural. God is after our heart, and hungry hearts will constantly search for Him. When we fail to find God because our lives are too busy, we will miss the things that are often right before us. We need to go to the place where we can see Him.

God is calling us back to the place of visitation, back to the place of promise and back to the Secret Place where we last encountered Him. It is a very special place that He has carved out for us. We can’t wait for some sort of a lightning bolt. Each of us can learn to position ourselves for an angelic encounter or a visit from the Lord Himself, by returning to the special place where He moved in your life before. As we learn to go back to the place of visitation, we can learn to have an extended habitation with the Lord. We will encounter dreams, visions and very powerful new places.

"The secret of the Lord is with those who fear him; and he will show them his covenant." Psalm 25:14 What do we understand by the expression "secret!" It something not revealed, nor made known to everybody; something locked up and concealed from the majority, and discovered only to a favored few. Do you want to be one of those favorites? You are if you are staying close to His heart. He has open heavens full of Divine encounters for us.

Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it. How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven. (Gen 28:16-17)

persistence

C.S. Lewis speaks to the difficulty of persistence: “The Enemy has guarded him from you through the first great wave of temptations. But, if only he can be kept alive, you have time itself for you ally. The long, dull monotonous years of middle-aged prosperity or middle-aged adversity are excellent campaigning weather. You see, it is so hard for these creatures to persevere. The routine of adversity, the gradual decay of youthful loves and youthful hopes, the quiet despair (hardly felt as pain) of ever overcoming the chronic temptations with which we have again and again defeated them, the drabness which we create in their lives and inarticulate resentment with which we teach them to respond to it -- all this provides admirable opportunities of wearing out a soul by attrition. If, on the other hand, the middle years from prosperous, our position is even stronger. Prosperity knits a man to the World. He fells that he is ‘finding his place in it’ while really it is finding its place in him. . . . That is why we must often wish long life to our patients; seventy years is not a day too much for the difficult task of unraveling their souls from Heaven and building up a firm attachment to the earth.” (The Screwtape Letters)

Yes, it is the 7th birthday today of Judah. He is one of my buddies.It is always fun to spend time with him and to watch him grow in his understanding of life.
So, it is very cold and windy and snowy here, but I love it. Nothing else to report other than I just read through 30 paper proposals.

Near to us

Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You ? Show us Your mercy, Lord, and grant us Your salvation. I will hear what the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the Lord will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase. –Psalms 85:6-12

2008 rolling along

When I think about this year, I think about the possibilities. It is fun to start new things because they are new(that is deep!). But, the year does seem to start with great ideas and hopes and dreams. It is like a race that you start running and before you know it you are at the finish line and you are asking yourself if there is anything left to finish with. You give it all you have knowing you can stop soon. Then, you recover and do it again. Each year brings certain challenges and opportunities.

Time seems to provide us with many open doors. It is always a question of what door we will open and select to walk through on this journey. I want my life to count and be a blessing to others. I want my time to be released in moments of needs and used with diligence to make it count.

I know my personality is that of a giver so it isn't always easy for me to be selfish with my time, but there are moments when we need to accomplish things that will open doors for others. I think that is part of what God has shown me so far this year that I am to clear paths and make open spaces for others so that they can walk into their destiny.

Well, I can't close my time here without a picture of one that I have been investing in. My nephew. He is 13 months now and walking and imitating much. How fun he is!! So, here is a new picture of him. I was thinking today that he literally changes before my eyes...wow, how fun to watch him grow. And, it made me think...how am I changing? What is God doing in me that is significant and noticeable?

new year

Wow, it is a new year and it is already Jan 13. I spent the last 3 days coaching with a leadership training conference at a local baptist church. It was a lot of fun and also a ton of work. The time was spent in discovering strengths and gifts that each person has and how to use them to advance the Kingdom and to improve communication skills. I worked with a team of college students. They were a blast and full of life.
The semester starts officially on Monday and I start teaching on Tuesday. I am mostly ready at least for the week ahead, but it sure has been nice to have some time off to catch up with things.
So, that is what is new with me in case you are one of the fortunate ones to be reading this.
Go Green Bay...no more Steelers this year.