That I May Know Him

Exodus 3 Patience is not always my best virtue.  In fact I have taught my son to be frustrated and impatient as I take him to school every morning.  For the last three years I have driven my son to school and dropped him off out front nearly every day.  And for three years it has been the same thing over and over.  Often there is a line of vehicles waiting to drop off children at the front entrance.  The driveway is a circle that is marked by a yellow line to tell parents how far to pull ahead  so that the maximum number of children can be dropped off at once.  There is even a teacher or two waving vehicles to pull ahead so that more kids can be dropped off and the line can move faster.  Parents have been told to stay inside of their vehicles, to have their children to exit only off to the side of the sidewalk, and if they have a project to bring to school to be sure to park in the parking lot and walk it in.  Letters and emails ha...

Yesterday was a fun day.  I did not get a lot accomplished in the office at all (insert sad face) but I did go to Ethan and Ari's Thanksgiving parties (big smiles)!!!  Ari was a beautiful little Indian maiden in her program.  In it she proudly proclaimed her thankfulness for her big brother all the while collecting food scattered on the floor in front of her to help the pilgrims for their feast.  Following the packed out program we got to sit and talk with some great friends who have at one time or another been apart of our small group. A few hours later we went to Ethan's school for his Thanksgiving program.   My son has a flair for the theatrics!!!  Ari, Kelly, and I watched all of the other boys and girls struggle to read their lines from a paper.  Then Ethan would always bound up to the microphone with a big smile and deliver his lines that he had memorized with as much exuberance as possible.  I was ve...

Leviticus 10:1-2, I Samuel 2:12 - 3:18, 8:1-5 I don't think most guys (not boys) truly appreciate their fathers until they are older.  Unfortunately, some guys never appreciate their fathers.  And some fathers live in such a way they should not be appreciated.  We live in a culture brimming with men who have major Daddy issues.  Part of that problem can be from the immaturity of the guy.  Much of it can be from fathers who choose emotional (and even physical) distance as opposed to loving warmth and guidance.  Perhaps they choose harsh criticism instead of kind support.  Or maybe they live by the closed fist instead of an open embrace.  Men may not fully comprehend the effect or power that they hold on their children (or those who are under their care).  Aaron, Eli, Samuel all had despicable sons.  Let's look briefly at them. Aaron's Sons : Nadab and Abihu On the first day of the priesthood.  ...

Talley's normal position!!! Exodus 1 I love our dog.  Her name is Talley.  She is a beautiful beagle/German shepherd mix.  Her fur is soft and she is very well tempered.  After twelve years of having her in our life I have noticed that she has the gift of napping.   In fact I am pretty confident that 20 hour a day are filled with naps and sleep.  Our children will play with her ears and paws and she won't even budge.  Don't get me wrong she loves walks and to play but that usually brings even longer naps.  Yeah, I totally envy her.  She is a very comfortable and comforting dog. I have been reading through Exodus.  Over the last several years I have spent a lot of time in the New Testament.  So, now I turn to early Israelite history to see myself and my God.  I recently taught through Abraham to Joseph (I am also reading that with my son).   So, now I turn to Moses. When I ready that first chapter I ...

Romans 1:8-17 I will never forget Ruth. I did not know her that well as a child; even though she was a Sunday School teacher. But as I became a young adult we began building a relationship. I am not sure of how we began our relationship. I just remember its effect and impact on my life. You see, everyone needs a Ruth in their life. And everyone needs to be a Ruth in someone elses life. Ruth was quite simply a prayer warrior. She was advanced in years when I began building a relationship with her. She was no longer able to teach the little girls Sunday school class that she taught for decades and that she so deeply loved. She could not get around like she once was able to. Her health problems meant that she was quickly declining. She is the only person that I have ever met that wore out her knees in prayer. She would constantly remind me that she consistantly prayed for me. I felt honored and unworthy at the same time. Paul spoke often on prayer. He told the chu...

Ephesians 2:1-10 Today there is an increasing popularity with anything zombie oriented.  There are a lot of books, movies, and even music.  In fact in most cities there are Zombie Walks held annually.  More and more people put on the gory makeup, the tattered clothing, and shamble down the streets.  Several universities have zombie infection events where students shamble across campus spreading the infection over a multi day period.  The goal is to be one of the last of the living.  I personally get a kick of of the whole zombie subculture.  I take that back.  I look forward to zombie conversations because it is a great vehicle that allows me to share the gospel.  A great description of our state before Christ is the zombie.  The zombie is completely oblivious that it is dead.  It shambles anywhere seeking to fulfill it's insatiable hunger.  Before Christ I was one of the walking dead. ...