Rod & Rose

Jesus stripped Himself of the insignia of majesty, humbling Himself by dying on the cross…so that we can have LIFE, now and eternally!

All He asks in return is that we strip ourselves of our self-reliant arrogance…and humbly bow before Him…receiving Him as Savior and serving Him as Lord, setting aside our flesh-stained perspective of things in exchange for His perspective…moment by moment throughout our chaotic day.

Now…how difficult could THAT be?!

Blessings to all my family and friends around the country and throughout the world who are seeking God’s Way with all their heart (or ‘desiring’ to seek His way with all their heart)  ~ may we live beyond our spiritual means…equipped and enabled to live by the flow of God’s Spirit within us…for our good and His GLORY!

I remind myself often that God is the One who will finish the work He began in us. May we keep our eyes riveted on our Commander-in-Chief. He never promised us a calm passage through life…but we are ensured a safe and joyful landing!

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” ~Philippians 1:6

“Love keeps no record of wrong. Bitterness keeps a detailed record.” (From the Christian Atheist by Craig Groeschel)

The Christian Atheist is a book about people who claim to believe in God but live as if they don’t. If we are flying by the seat of our emotions, being critical of others in a demeaning and derogatory way (including our President Obama…ouch!), can we truly claim we are being sourced by the Spirit of God?

There is a vast difference between being judgmental toward a person and being discerning about his or her ways. We must be discerning, but at the final judgment, neither you nor I will be wearing the robe.

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” ~ Colossians 4.6

But this is for Christians…not those who do not claim to have a relationship with God. If it’s not by our actions and the words we speak, how can others know where our allegiance belongs? How will people know how grateful we are for the amazing grace of God in our lives if we’re not living as “Christian” Christians?

Are we who we claim to be? Or are we Christian atheists? I think it’s a question we must be prepared to answer.

I suppose to some folks, the way Rose and I spent our time together this past weekend might seem a bit strange. After we set up our 5^th wheel in the Jemez Mountains, we did absolutely nothing. Nothing, that is, except read and write.

We all have things we enjoy doing…things we gravitate toward when we find some time that has not been committed elsewhere. “Free time,” as we like to call it. Rose and I head for the mountains. Some of you can relate when I tell you the mountains were calling us, and we were excited to answer. The first time Rose brought me to the mountains to hike, a part of me felt as if I had come home. The splendor and majesty is difficult to explain to someone who has not experienced it firsthand.

So as I sit here in the shade of the canopy, writing my thoughts, Rose is sitting next to me clicking away on her laptop too. We pause every now and then to talk about some of the things we’re thinking, and the things we’re writing. And we like to pause just to thank God for the opportunity to enjoy each other—and him—in this way. Times such as these recharge our spirits, enabling us to continue on with the assignments we’ve been given.

I hope you have an opportunity sometime soon to find a special place where you can spend some quiet time, where God can speak to you, and you can hear his voice. And possibly you will want to take a moment to write about the things he’s showing you and teaching you. Rose and I always look forward to hearing about the things God is doing in your life. Thank you for sharing in this journey with us.

There’s a remarkable guy who lives on a 120 acre farm in the country near Otisville, Michigan. He’s a rare kind of guy, for several reasons.

He was born premature in 1927, weighing just a little over two and a half pounds. His mom kept him warm near the wood burning stove they had in the living quarters in the back of the little grocery store they owned and operated. He got polio when he was a young adult, before the days of vaccines.

Even though he was the baby of the family, he grew up quickly, working hard on his father’s farm from the time he was a kid. He learned to hitch the horses and work the fields at an age when most kids these days are watching cartoons and playing video games.

Since I didn’t know him when he was in high school, I can only make assumptions about what he was like back then…but I assume he was quite the ladies’ man. My assumption is based on the nickname he was given ~ Romeo. Of all the girls that caught his eye, there was a gal by the name of Ruth that captured his heart. Romeo chose Ruth to be his life mate, and to be the mother of his children.

He was eventually hired by Buick to protect the manufacturing plant, and he bought his dad’s 90 acre farm in 1954. When he finished his shift at Buick, he would rush home and change into his other work clothes. There was always lots to do on the farm: 3,000 chickens, 80 sheep, horses and ponies, and acres and acres of strawberries that all needed attention.

But even as remarkable as all his accomplishments are, more impressive is the man behind the accomplishments. I’ve never personally known a man with greater character, or a more consistent walk with God. I’ve never known a man who is more eager to lend a hand to a person in need, with a heart of compassion as big as they come. And no one I know is more eager to set out on a new adventure than this man.

I’ve never known him to lose his cool, or curse, or drink or smoke, or chase other women. He’s never carried a grudge because he’s a peace maker and a problem solver. He’s always looking at the positive side of things. And he encourages others to do the same.

Our world would be a better place if there were more men like this man. Wives would know they are secure in the love of their husband. Children would know their dad has got their back, and there’s nothing they can do that’s too foolish to be forgiven. And his friends would know they can always count on him to pitch in and help with their needs…no matter what.

So, I guess this is a good place to say, “I love you for the man you are, and for being a servant of God. You make me proud to be your son. And you’ve provided an example that keeps me pressing forward in my own journey to become a man of God, and a better husband and father, just like you. I love you Dad…happy Father’s Day!”