Change Of Days...

I put yesterday as a cool day...but that is going to need to change to today! Because today started out and finished "Super Crazy Cool"! I know you are totally wondering what it is that has transpired and I will be willing to pass on the info in a day or two but not now...lets just say that God is faithful BIG TIME!!!

and no Kelly and I are not having more children...!

then again maybe?

Thursday...a really cool day!

The Twin Cities gets to return to a little more normal driving...the 35W bridge opens tomorrow at 5:00AM.

Wow that is impressive...what a quick turn around!

Man he looks good...

The Colty man sporting the tux...and looking gooooood I might add.

Yeah I know it is a picture from awhile ago but I love the way he looks!

Nightly Rituals...

Letting the kidos sit on the bed and read...aahh ya got to love it!

Dave and Kat Hitchcock 9.12.08

Had the privilege of being apart of Dave and Kats wedding on Friday. Talk about two people who love and care for one another...man I am so proud of them and there walk with God.


It was a fun day!

Wook Dad I Jump...

Yep we found a puddle and it NEEDED to be jumped in! So we gave that puddle all the jumping it could handle!
Big fun

Got to Play Bass Tonight

Got to play bass tonight for a few of the services this weekend in Driven Jr High I have to say I really like playing this bass...Peavey Cirrus 5! Gota love that low "B"...




Kelly and I got to see one of our favorite persons in the whole world...Susan Fletcher! The crazy dude in the picture with her is Kevin we have no idea why she hangs out with him...hehehe!


Then I got to eat some hamburgers with the folks I truly love working with the FSM crew...thanks to everyone who participated!

So all in all it has been a busy and fun day!

BLT'S and FIRE ALARMS

Kelly is making BLTs tonight for dinner and apparently needed to run to the store (didn't even know she left the house) till this little fella and all his friends in the house started chirping. Yep the bacon started burning and set off the fire alarms.

I can honestly say we are safe if we ever have a fire there is no way I could sleep threw that barrage of noise!

and you ask how was the bacon...perfect not even burnt...

Interesting day so far...

Took the boys to the park before lunch to hang out and have some fun...
Connor climbing up to the slide...














Colton climbing the rock wall...yeah I know this park has a little rock wall for the kids...Amazing!














Then I got to thinking about how much fun we where having and how much I missed my hunting buddy Sandie...she was a ton of fun to have around. The boys loved her and Chayse always played with her. She was one of the best dogs I have know when it came to "being around kids".

Then I get a call from a young person that has had a tragedy and I mean a big one happen a few months ago...watching the person you care about die. As my two boys played in the park we talked on the phone about how much this person is missed and how a birthday of the person who is still alive is not much to celebrate...and we cried together!

In the next few days we will sit down and talk some more...and I am happy for that...and I thank God that I do not have to pull from my wisdom but from His.

I know that this could be a downer of a post but I don't want it to be that way. I realized on the bike ride home with the boys how unable I was to describe how thankful I am of what God has blessed me with. First and foremost the empty cross...i am redeemed because of Jesus! Next my wife, children, and family (yes even the in-laws). Then my friends and leaders who have spoken into my life over the years. After that my job and my church they are one in the same i guess...because I love what I do!

Funny how you can go from playing to crying to overwhelmingly thankful in the matter of an hour!

To cool

Chayse is my daughter (one and only daughter) she really loves people and always wants to help...sometimes to a fault. However this morning was different, Grandma (my mom) who lives with us comes up stairs and is really not looking good because of the pain she has in her leg. Chayse knows that Grandma had surgery a few weeks ago to get rid of the pain. However there has been some residual effects of the surgery (she goes to the Dr. tomorrow....thank God) which they say are normal and should pass.

Chayse being moved with compassion leans over and says "lets go pray for Grandma"! Of which I try to compose myself and not break into tears and reply "okay, get up and go pray for her". She does...Grandma cries...Grandpa cries...and yes I cry!

I love my little girls heart...she is so loving and she gets it from one place her Father (and no not me). We see all thru the word of God where Jesus was moved with compassion for someone in pain or trouble.

I believe that little girl has great faith...and I am so happy at how God has shown her his love for her...that she would reach out to those around her.

First day of school

The skooch is off to her first day of school for the year...my guess is we will ride the bike.

I doubt we will do any camping on the way there but who knows. I have one big thought for the day...man it is fun to watch people grow up!

Jake Is The MAN...

Jake thanks for editing my header...

Chillin with the Connor...

Connor and I got to spend a little time chilling reading "How Dinosaurs Learn There Colors"!

Man I tell ya it is intriguing and invigorating...definitely kept our attention the whole time. We then commented on how "deep" and moving the book is, it made us laugh it made us cry!

Definitely a good book to read I highly recommend it to the post modern emerging grace filled generation that is looking for a change in the everyday routine of life and love...


Yes i had fun sitting with my boy learing how dinosaurs obtain the ability to see and know colors...he just likes the pictures!

aww so do I!

Ahhh the wonder of sleep...

All of my kidos have amazed me with the ways they sleep and Connor is no different...this is how I caught him waking up from his nap. Almost looks like it hurts but he woke up in a good mood so who's to argue with what works. Worked for an old rancher in Arkansas growing up and he always said "if it aint broke dont fix it!" and that motto seems to work here as well.

Same child sleeping under his pillow...oohh well he is happy and asleep!

VICTORY...

I will post pictures later...but for now let me say "I can park my vehicles in the garage"! Wooot for me, since we moved in I have been unable to park in the garage because of "junk" I mean "stuff" still in the garage from the move! But after all the work done yesterday (thanks to Kelly helping me move a BIG item in) it is clean and organized.

pics will follow later...

Here is the main part of the garage and when we first moved in it was PACKED with stuff...

Here is the far right side, at the begining the bike barley even fit now I have enough room for a couple more ;) !!! (God Bless you Kelly)

And here we are looking at the hole I punched in the ceiling to store all the "stuff" that doesnt need to be accessed all the time...and yes I will put the ladder thingy in at some point!

Camp...what a week!

Camp was amazing as always John Tasch came again and did the first 3 nights with all the kids...we got the idea to do camp with everyone at once (2nd grade - 12th grade). We (Pastor Jeff and Sunday, Pastor Mark and Debbie, and Kelly and I) really felt that God wanted to create a flow of influence in the children's and youth of LWCC and we have seen it work...it was a powerful week!

Elementary kids left us on Wednesday morning and the last two nights where Pastor Jim from LWCC and he did an amazing job of tying the whole week up and getting the kids thinking of how they can take what they posses and distribute it to the world.

The crew at Lake Geneva Christian Center are a some awesome people ready to serve and always willing to give...thanks for all your help!

Camp...

Starts on Sunday and all I have to say is...BRING IT ON! Looking forward to what God is going to do through John Tasch and Jim Hammond. Really excited to hear, see, feel, and be apart of the worship. And just all around ready to have some fun!

Mom is home and the funeral for grandma is over...thank you Father for your strength and peace!

And thanks to all who prayed, said, and did all the nice things for us...it is appreciated!

Here is one big on...Sunday Burquest hunted us down like a crazed stalker on wednesday she said "she had something to drop off"...she dropped off an entire meal! What a blessing I know my wife was hugely blessed cause she had no time to make a meal and this hit the spot!

Wasnt smart enough to take before pics...but here is the damage!


cannot get the pic to sit right...but you get the idea. Great food...and as you can tell the cupcakes had no chance of survival!

and a home coming...

Tomorrow is a fun day...a day that I am excited for and here is why.

First my mom gets to come home from the hospital. I am totally excited for this home coming because of what God has done...what a quick healing! She had surgery on Tuesday at 4:00pm and by 7:00pm she was up and walking around (not running a race) but moving to the bathroom and back. Today we went for a walk around the hospital and what God has done is totally amazing in seeing what He has done in her! WOOHOO for God. So tomorrow we get to celebrate her home coming.

Next we have a funeral to go to for Kelly's grandmother "Marion E. (Schrupp) Almquist". What an amazing woman...I knew her briefly and was blessed by her. Today I read thru her obituary and one point stood out to me "11 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren" man what a legacy this lady left behind...and tomorrow we get to celebrate her homecoming as well.

that is her holding my youngest sons hand...she is an awesome person! We are blessed to know her!

a passing away...

Kelly's grandma passed away tonight...wow what a way to start a post! Sorry about that but hey with my mom in the hospital getting ready to have surgery on her back, camp with 390 some odd people in a few days (we start on sunday), and the real possibility of Kelly not being at camp because she needs to help my parents at home...cause mom is having surgery. I guess I could say thank God that He is in control!

ohh yeah we do thank you for your prayers of strength and healing, strength for our families and us as we walk thru another death, and healing for my mom!

I know its short...not funny...not aww forget it I am tired and all I care to know is God is in control!

really thankful for an understanding wife

Today has been a really busy day...man it started early 5:00 came a call from mom (mom and dad live downstairs) and she needed help. So the day started off with a run down to the hospital and I ended up spending most of the day there with her.

She is doing okay but gets to spend the night in the hospital...but all is good with her! So where does the beautiful wife fall into all this? She takes the kids and my dad and runs with the day and here it is:
- makes dad his lunch cause he will be staying at home.
- makes 3 kids there breakfast and gets them out the door to church to make sure 2 Jr High Youth Services get up and running.
- then part way thru the day gets the news her grandma is not doing well and is on her way home.
- calls me cries her eyes out and then picks herself up and finishes the last service.
- goes and sees her grandma then picks up the 2 boys from being watched and heads home

This woman amazes me...cause then she goes to the supermarket and pick up some food. Steaks for us and hotdogs for the boys (chayse is at wessies and natos...thanks guys) and man that steak was good!

Thank you God for what you have blessed me with...

He said it...and I can relate.

Los put up a post about something that is really close to my heart...where I work. I grew up in a small church in Arkansas (nothing against it at all) who had a big vision and a small force to get it done. Where as now I am at a mega church that has a big vision and a large force to get it done.

So before I dig any further I will let him say it cause he did a better job...Los.

Give it a read and remember we are all on the same team!

Fred

Off the Reservation...

Man it has been a while since a post...a week ago Tuesday we moved into a new house in St. Michael and have been busy ever since unpacking and organizing and we are still not done! So thus the reason for the "drought" of info but I am back!

Got to run down to Dulonos Pizza in uptown for the bike night and WOW was there alot of bikes. Saw some cool one-off stuff and a few choppers and bobbers that where very inspiring. However there where a few cafe racer styles that really caught my attention. Really want to put one of those together.

However this bike was too dang cool to pass up...

you have to love that springer front end...

YOU HAVE TO...

Get your hands on the DVD from the Fifth Service...thats all I have to say!

Had a TON of fun...

Chayse and I left on Thursday to head to La Crosse WI. 45 minutes into the trip it starts raining and it rained the whole way down...the awesome part is Chayse did not complain at all! She is the best!!

Thursday night we camped and had a great time hanging out with the other riders and with each other. Friday we went fishing, watched a movie (Kung Fu Panda) hung out at the campground and had some fun. We did get to have a bonfire at the campsite (chayse's first) so we grilled some marshmellows and the hit the hay.

Saturday it was my goal to go for a ride with the crew and make sure we had a room for the evening for a change of pace. She figured out that the hotel had a pool and that was the end of my dream of going for a ride...i did have fun swimming i will have to admit. We went to a bike show and got to see a ton of awesome bikes.

Sunday morning we got up and made the ride home...I love spending time with my kidos (really missed my wife..alot) and all I could think about was what will Colton and I be able to do?




and one bad bike...the dude that did the mods was one cool cat!

Totally Excited!

The Skooch (Chayse my oldest and only daughter) get to go on a bike trip! Woohoo for us...we leave in a few hours and will be back on Sunday or Saturday (depending on how she feels). Camping is the order of the day...sorry really hate staying in hotels...with some fishing, playing around and yes some riding!

Should be fun...see ya in a few days!

The Rest of The List....

9 - SAFE HAVENS
A seldom used bathroom somewhere in the building where you can least expect visitors. Try floors that are predominantly of the opposite sex. This will reduce the odds of a pooper of your sex entering the bathroom.

10 - TURD BURGLAR
Someone who does not realize that you are in the stall and tries to force the door open. This is one of the most shocking and vulnerable moments that can occur when taking a poop at work. If this occurs, remain in the stall until the Turd Burglar leaves. This way you will avoid all uncomfortable eye contact.

11 - CAMO-COUGH
A phony cough that alerts all new entrants into the bathroom that you are in a stall. This can be used to cover-up a WATERMELON, or to alert potential Turd Burglars. Very effective when used in conjunction with an ASTAIRE.

12 - ASTAIRE
A subtle toe-tap that is used to alert potential Turd Burglars that you are occupying a stall. This will remove all doubt that the stall is occupied. If you hear an Astaire; leave the bathroom immediately so the pooper can poop in peace.

13 - WATERMELON
A poop that creates a loud splash when hitting the toilet water. This is also an embarrassing incident. If you feel a Watermelon coming on, create a diversion. See CAMO-COUGH.

14 - HAVANAOMELET
A case of diarrhea that creates a series of loud splashes in the toilet water. Often accompanied by an Escapee. Try using a Camo-Cough with an Astaire.

15 - AUNT LINDA
A bathroom user who seems to linger around forever. Could spend extended lengths of time in front of the mirror or sitting on the pot. An Aunt Linda makes it difficult to relax while on the crapper, as you should always wait to poop when the bathroom is empty. This benefits you as well as the other bathroom attendees.

I really hope i have not offended anyone...if I have I sure am sorry. But hey God likes a good joke...I mean come on he made me!




and you!

Saw This Movie...

All i can say is support this movie...if it is not in your area you can get it there. I will admit I thought the movie was a little long but a very, very, very good message!

Wow what a thought.

Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it. [Eph. 6:4; II Tim. 3:15.]

The idea of working with your kid and not frustrating them...what a novel concept! Sorry i was reading this morning (yes on the throne) and this verse really hit me. But mainly this part [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent]...now I am trying to figure exactly what that would look like? I have an idea...but give me some more.

More on How to Poop at Work...

6 - WALK OF SHAME

Walking from the stall, to the sink, to the door after you have just stunk up the bathroom. This can be a very uncomfortable moment if someone walks in and busts you. As with farts, it is best to pretend that the smell does not exist. Can be avoided with the use of the COURTESY FLUSH.

7 - OUT OF THE CLOSET POOPER

A colleague who poops at work and is damn proud of it. You will often see an out Of The Closet Pooper enter the bathroom with a newspaper or magazine under their arm. Always look around the office for the Out Of The Closet Pooper before entering the bathroom.

8 - THE POOPING FRIENDS NETWORK (P.F.N)

A group of co-workers who band together to ensure emergency pooping goes off without incident. This group can help you to monitor the whereabouts of Out Of The Closet Poopers, and identify SAFE HAVENS.

Complete

Opened the bulletin for this weekend and saw this scripture then got a daily devotional email from Joseph Prince and...well...lets just say it went off in me!

Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

Wow if this don’t say a lot to you then I don’t know what will…you are complete in Him! Not half or a 3rd but full and complete. Not waiting to be complete…but complete now...in Him...not later but NOW! Not someday in the by and by or when you get your confession right or get the sin from your life…but NOW are YOU COMPLETE in HIM!

Complete:

1 a: having all necessary parts, elements, or steps (a complete diet)

2: brought to an end : concluded (a complete period of time)

3: highly proficient (a complete artist)

4 a: fully carried out : thorough (a complete renovation) b: total, absolute (complete silence) a football pass : legally caught

5: of insect metamorphosis : characterized by the occurrence of a pupal stage between the motile immature stages and the adult.

So what about you is complete? Anything you need…healing, peace, love, joy, life, wisdom, understanding, knowledge, mercy, hope, vision, power, strength, courage, guidance…lets just say it in one word – blessing! Realize no matter how you feel this is who you are in Him...this has been bought and paid for, for you! You don't need to get healed...you are healed because you are complete!

"I used to think that I had to ask God to make me more patient, until I realised one day that Jesus is my patience. Since then, I no longer ask God to make me wiser either, because Jesus is my wisdom. (1 Corinthians 1:30) I am not waiting to receive more healing because Jesus is my complete healing at this moment. And I am not yearning for peace and rest one day because Jesus is my peace and rest today. Right now, I have everything because I stand complete in Christ!" …Joseph Prince

Spend sometime meditating on this let the Holy Ghost show you how “complete” you are because you are “in Him”!

All you need to do is be in Him...Jesus said that anyone who calls on Him he will answer!

Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

And It Continues...

4 - JAILBREAK

When forcing a poop, several farts slip out at a machine gun pace. This is usually a side effect of diarrhea or a hangover. If this should happen, do not panic. Remain in the stall until everyone has left the bathroom to spare everyone the awkwardness of what just occurred.

5 - COURTESY FLUSH

The act of flushing the toilet the instant the poop hits the water. This reduces the amount of air time the poop has to stink up the bathroom. This can help you avoid being caught doing the WALK OF SHAME.

Part 2...

2 - FLY BY

The act of scouting out a bathroom before pooping. Walk in and check for other poopers. If there are others in the bathroom, leave and come back again. Be careful not to become a FREQUENT FLYER. People may become suspicious if hey catch you constantly going into the bathroom.

3 - ESCAPEE

A fart that slips out while taking a leak at the urinal or forcing a poop in a stall. This is usually accompanied by a sudden wave of embarrassment. If you release an escapee, do not acknowledge it. Pretend it did not happen. If you are standing next to the farter in the urinal, pretend you did not hear it. No one likes an escapee. It is uncomfortable for all involved. Making a joke or laughing makes both parties feel uneasy.

HOW TO POOP AT WORK

Those of you who are apart of the PFN will use this as a refresher...those who are new welcome please consider this part of your schooling.

We've all been there but don't like to admit it. We've all kicked back in our cubicles and suddenly felt something brewing down below. As much as we try to convince ourselves otherwise, the WORK POOP is inevitable. For those who hate pooping at work, following is the Survival Guide for taking a dump at work.

1 - CROP DUSTING

When farting, you walk really fast around the office so the smell is not in your area and everyone else gets a whiff but doesn't know where it came from. Be careful when you do this. Do not stop until the full fart has been expelled. Walk an extra 30 feet to make sure the smell has left your pants.

Dont worry more is to follow...get it...more to follow...hehehe!

For Me To POOOP On! or the parable of The Barren Fig Tree!

Barren fig tree

Luke 13:6-9

Luk 13:6 And He told them this parable: A certain man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it, but did not find [any].

Luk 13:7 So he said to the vinedresser, See here! For these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and I find none. Cut it down! Why should it continue also to use up the ground [to deplete the soil, intercept the sun, and take up room]?

Luk 13:8 But he replied to him, Leave it alone, sir, [just] this one more year, till I dig around it and put manure [on the soil].

Luk 13:9 Then perhaps it will bear fruit after this; but if not, you can cut it down and out.

Vs 6 – God is looking for fruit in our lives.

Vs 7 – Mans answer to someone who is not producing fruit is to get rid of it and start over. It is the Bill Cosby idea of parenting “I will get rid of you and make another just like you!” Sometimes we even approach our selves the same way, we feel as though we are not growing enough or don’t love God enough and we think of ourselves as needing to be “cut down” because we are “Taking up room” and “why should we (it) take up the good ground from others”.

I love Gods reply to us, to the Devil (he is the one who brings those thoughts) and what God says to others!

Vs 8 – “Leave it alone” then he says “Give it more time”. You know we get frustrated and want to give up long before God ever does! But notice what he wants to do “till I dig around it and put manure [on the soil]”. I know the manure idea doesn’t sound nice but really it is a great thing. Manure is used to cause things to grow and that is what God is looking to do for you.

He wants to take the time to bring people in your life to put manure on you (LOL man I love the mental image) so that you can grow and mature! Who has God brought into your life to help you to grow, if there is no one in your life to “manure you” (no one to speak into and challenge you spiritually) then ask God to bring people, the right people to help you!

Who can you spread some manure on? LOL man I still love the mental image of this…sorry I know I am a little demented but this is what you get! It is awesome how much God cares about you and I…enough to never give up on us!

Boy Did I Have Some Fun....

Go and check this bike out!

Help I Cant Read...

I am stealing this post from someone else...Is Google Making Us Stupid?


Here is my take on it:

1. I as a Pastor rarely ever use a bible...WHAT!...yep cause all my bibles (8 different versions) are in my laptop and phone.

2. Every sermon i have ever written is in my phone and laptop.

3. ideas for sermons are in my phone and laptop.

4. notes from the last 6 years of listening to Mac, Lynne, or any other preacher are in my phone and laptop. I still have notes from the prior years laying around and have plans of scanning them into the puter!

I do all this because it makes my study time much easier...however i have found that i have a hard time reading books...i can sit down and make myself do it but i have found myself thinking "man if i just scan this thing into my computer..."

Have we all become to reliant on tech to make it thru the day?

Not to sure what to think of this...

I usually am a pretty reserved person when it comes to new stuff I tend to be of the mindset that I am going to sit back and watch it for awhile to see the fruit of it...and this is one of those "not to sure things".

Three Gooooooobers

My three goobers...wow do i love them. I have a love hate relationship with going to open houses and here is why. I love seeing all the kidos that Kelly and I have known thru church all grown up and ready to move on in life. We talk about how we remember them being gangly and awkward in Jr. High and are now having children of there own!

Then it hits me that these three will be doing the same thing at some point in the mere future.

I am excited for the three of them and yet sad for me...cause i will miss them the way they are right now.

Ohhh well!

SOOOO THANKFUL...

Really thankful for the folks in this picture. Steve you are the man and I am very thankful for you being in my life. Gwen thank you for all you do for me!

Mom and Dad you are the best...I am so thankful for all that you put in my life!

A Week With My Wife...

Got to spend a week in Florida with my wife and I think we had fun. Swam at the pool, and tried to do allot of nothing.



We did get to feed these little fellas...which was fun!


I love my kidos...let me just say that to start off. However i married my wife and in about 16 years all the kidos will be gone (connor is 2 and by 18 or so will be out of the house). I really don't want to look across the table and wonder who this person is sharing my house!

So Kelly and I made the decision a while ago...as hard as it may be...to leave the kids every few years and go do something just the two of us. It has been a blast I am continually reminded why I married her.



As you can tell however she is not the best influance on me...she did some sort of pirate thing and got us throw in the stocks!















And Kelly proved just how salty she is by catching this bad boy!

Parrot Time...so sorry but i just want to repeat this one!

This is from Joseph Prince...

The Strength To ‘Go And Sin No More’

John 8:11

11… “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Imagine you were there at the temple when the woman caught in adultery was brought before Jesus by the scribes and Pharisees. Would you have expected Jesus to condemn her for her sin? Maybe you would have been surprised to hear Him say, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8:7) After all, she was caught in the very act of adultery.

Jesus, the only one in the crowd who truly had the power to condemn her would not. If you had eavesdropped on their conversation after the crowd had left, you would have heard Him ask her, “Woman… Has no one condemned you?” (John 8:10)

He spoke such words of grace to her because He loved her. Also, by asking her the question, He was giving her a chance to speak words of no condemnation to herself — “No one [condemns me], Lord.” (John 8:11)

Jesus not only spoke words of grace to her, He also gave her the gift of no condemnation — “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”

Could He do that? She did commit a serious sin. Had God gone soft on sin and compromised His holy standards? Of course not! Jesus could say that to her because He knew that He would be punished for her sins on the cross. He was therefore able to give her the gift of no condemnation.

Today, you have the gift of no condemnation because the Son of God was condemned for all your sins. (Romans 8:1) God cannot condemn you when you sin because He is faithful and just to what His Son has done.

But we still find people saying, “Go and sin no more first, and then I won’t condemn you.” But God says, “I don’t condemn you. Go and sin no more.” God gives you the gift of no condemnation, so that you will have the strength to go and sin no more!

Where i wanna go...

I found this picture on the AeroStich website...and my only thought is man i wanna ride there on my bike...on a missions trip

and yes I am pretty sure I know what the three names say:
From left to right...
Yekaterinburg
Moscow
Saint-Petersburg

Looks like fun :)

Had a great ride down to Arkansas with a couple of friends Caps (lance), Chef (paul), and Sassage (Josh). As well as the crew we met at the HUB in Dog Patch...yes there is a place with such a name. Took Thursday 5.15.08 to ride to KC and the boys went out for Blues and Bar-b-Que and i went to my sisters house and hung out with the girls...good times!

Friday 5.14.08 we took our time getting into AR and went on some fun rodes (the stuff I grew up on)...then went to Crawdad Days in Harrison.

Sat. 5.15.08 great day riding around the Ozarks

Sun. 5.16.08 busted it home...Josh left us in KC and we made the rest of the trip home!

1869 miles round trip, used 49 gallons of gas (cost 175.74 not to shabby for that many miles!) which comes out to 38 miles to the gallon...not bad for an overall average!

Spent 32 hours and 1 minute moving...yes i am a dork but that is some of the info the GPS gives you i will resist the urge to post the rest.

For more pics go here

5.12.2008 How Do You See Jesus?

I am being a parrot...I did not write this Joseph Prince did and there is no reason for me to try to rewrite it so here it is...

Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard these things, He marvelled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith…

The way you see Jesus, the revelation that you have of Him, will not affect God’s acceptance of you. But it will affect your acceptance of what God has for you. It will affect how you receive from Him.

Consider the Roman centurion who told Jesus, “You don’t have to come to my house. Just speak the word and my servant at home will be healed.” (Luke 7:6–7) Compare him with Jairus, the ruler of a synagogue, who told Jesus, “My daughter is dying. Please come to my house and lay Your hands on her, and she shall live.” (Mark 5:22–23)

Do you know that Jesus does not have to go to your house to heal you? So why did Jesus follow Jairus to his house? He had to come down to Jairus' level of faith. Jairus believed that his daughter could be healed, but only if Jesus came and laid His hands on her.

The centurion was different. He said, “Lord, You don’t have to come to my house. I know who You are.” This centurion believed that Jesus didn’t have to come to his house for his servant to be healed. He believed that Jesus only needed to speak the word. He said to Jesus, “Just speak the word and my servant at home will be healed.”

Do you know who Jesus is? The centurion had a greater understanding of who Jesus was than Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, and he wasn’t even a Jew!

Jesus asked his disciples, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” (Mark 4:40) He even remarked, “O you of little faith.” (Matthew 6:30) But to the woman with the issue of blood, He said, “O woman, great is your faith!” (Matthew 15:28) And to the centurion, He declared, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (Luke 7:9)

My desire is for you to have an accurate understanding of who Jesus is because when your revelation of Jesus is big, you will know what has been freely given to you. And when you know what is yours in Christ Jesus, you will be rich in all things!

useless info...

Alaska- Based on an Aleut word "alaxsxaq" literally meaning

"object toward which the action of the sea is directed" or

more simply "the mainland".

***

Nebraska- Name based on an Oto Indian word that means

"flat water," referring to the Platte River.

***

Kansas- From the Sioux Indian for "south wind people"

Betcha don't know who this is...

Quote...

"Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice."
Henry Ford

Marks of a True Winner

Hot or Cold, But Not Lukewarm

by Mac Hammond

When it comes to winning in life, are you hot, cold, or somewhere in between? A famous preacher was known for saying, "I've come to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable." What's so wrong with being comfortable? Revelation, chapter three says, "I wish you were either cold or hot, but you are neither, you are lukewarm."

When you're cold, you at least are aware that you need heat. But when you're only lukewarm, you're in danger of becoming satisfied with the status quo. Check your temperature today. If you're lukewarm and comfortable, start heating up your passion for winning God's way.

Born again to serve 3.31.2008

Here is a quote from Kathryn Kuhlman “The goal of every Christian, every born-again man and woman, should be helping. God’s children are born to serve. That’s what Jesus did.” This statement really hit me and got me to thinking. One of the big things I have been praying for is revival, not only for me but for the church as a whole. And in that I really am looking for a move of the spirit…seeing the nine gifts of the Holy Ghost in operation. People coming out of wheelchairs, deaf and dumb being released and made whole, blind eyes opening and the likes…this has been at the heart of my prayer for revival.

This is the reason I made the point to pick up her book and go thru it. Here is a wonderful woman who was used by God to introduce a generation to the Holy Ghost. And when he shows up…so do his works. So my thought was “if you want to hit like Joe DiMaggio then study up on how he hit”. I really do want to see the move of the Holy Ghost in these last days and I will leave it at that.

The first chapter I read hits me with the above mentioned quote and I get to thinking. There is a rule in scripture and it is the law of first mention. What it basically gets at is that when we see God interact with someone or do something for the first time it sets a precedent for what is to come. What happens the first time Jesus performs a miracle? Who gets healed? What great thing does he do?

John 2:1-11 He makes water into wine…he serves at a wedding? No one is healed, set free, delivered, and made whole. No one receives their sight, no missing limbs come back, no one told to pick up his bed and walk! His first miracle was to serve people. We want to be used by God and then we he comes and asks us to move chairs or love the unlovely we walk away and complain that someone “used” us. He did what others where asking of Him, seems like good prep because He always said that He did His Fathers work and not His own.

I want to see the power of God in operation however tonight I was gently reminded that it is not about me and seeing revival. It is about them…us who need the help, the help that only the Holy Ghost can offer! So my purpose is to keep on serving and giving because I am born-again and I was born for a greater purpose…to be poured out of!

Remember giving leads to compassion and compassion is what Jesus was moved by. Mat 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. Giving leads to and opens the door of love which is what the Holy Ghost flows thru…a vessel of love!

Just a Few More....what is going on outside

Well my just a few more days and i can ride seems to be held off by the falling white stuff...i feel as though the chicken was right...it is the end of the world!

Not really just want the snow to go!

Looking for more of this sort of thing to be in the future.

Just a Few More Days...

Wooohooo just a few more days of nice weather and...its time to ride!

Oh What A Day....

This little fella is Connor of the Shirley clan...he is the last child of three that Kelly and I have had the privalege of calling our own!

As you can imagine being the last one he tries to keep up with everyone else. So to my story of today...I start by going into his room this morning to find a naked connor (he did go to bed clothed) with a poopy diaper sitting there. Aparently he did not like the diaper being on and decided he would take care of it himself.

Next for the day Kelly took Colton and my mom and dad to the store with her and Connor and I stayed home so he could take a nap...yes he did wake up half naked but thank God diaper was still on. I proceeded to get him ready to head out with me to meet the others for lunch. Went out and started the Suburban and moved it out into the driveway and tried to come back in the house to grab the young one only to find to my horror he had locked the door on me!!

I have gone thru alot of crazy scary stuff in my time like being shot at hunting, to being shot with a blow gun in the face by a friend and bleeding like there is no tomorrow, to dislocating my shoulders. But this takes the cake on the level of crazy stuff...I was ready to kick in the door after 10 minutes of trying to get in when in one last effort i felt lead to try the handle one more time...and clunk! she popped open.

needless to say there are now a set of keys hiding outside ;)

Time for Change

I am tired of the snow...i will be honest i have ridden in below freezing weather (last year thru chief Joes pass) but when there is ice on the road...not good for the two wheels.

I want it to warm up...so i can ride!

Wow this is too true!

God uses ordinary people who are obedient to Him to do
extraordinary things.
--John Maxwell

This Joke Is A Waste Of Time

Walter was sitting in the doctor's office for his annual
physical going over a few fine points about his health
with his doctor.

The doctor said, "Your blood pressure is a little high,
you know Walter, you need to watch your diet and lose a
little weight."

"But doc, I'm losing weight more and more each day."

"Oh really? How are you doing it?" asked the doctor.

"Well, just six weeks ago, I'd eat lunch at 12:00 and have
a snack around 3:00. Just today I had breakfast at 7:30,
waited 2 hours, had a snack at 9:30 then I waited an hour
and a half and ate lunch at 11:00, then I waited 45 minutes
and had a snack before coming here"

"And with this regiment you're losing weight?" asked the
doctor.

"Yeah," Walter said excitedly. "More meals and less wait!"

awhile ago...

I said i would post a little more on this site and have not done what i set out to do...so we will see how this goes.

i just noticed how unfaithful i have been to this blog...and do whole heartly apologize to the the blog gods for not posting as i should...i humbly ask for your forgiveness

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