Thanksgiving Praises - Day 7

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Mark 5:18-20
Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed Man

 

¹⁸ As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. ¹⁹ Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” ²⁰ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Thanksgiving Praises - Day 6

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

James 1:2-8
Trials and Temptations

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Thankgiving Praises - Day 5

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Mark 4:35-41
Jesus Calms the Storm

³⁵ That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” ³⁶ Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. ³⁷ A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. ³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Thankgiving Praises - Day 4

Monday, November 4, 2013

Mark 3:13-19
Jesus Appoints the Twelve

¹³ Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. ¹⁴ He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach ¹⁵ and to have authority to drive out demons. ¹⁶ These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), ¹⁷ James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), ¹⁸ Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot ¹⁹ and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Thankgiving Praises - Day 3

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Mark 2:13-17
Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners

¹³ Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. ¹⁴ As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.
¹⁵ While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. ¹⁶ When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
¹⁷ On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Thankgiving Praises - Day 2

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Mark 2:1-5
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man

1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. ² They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. ³ Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. ⁴ Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. ⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

 

Thankgiving Praises - Day 1

Friday, November 1, 2013

Mark 1:1-3 

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, ² as it is written in Isaiah the prophet:

“I will send my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way”—
³ “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”

Lenten Confessions 2013 #24

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

I was contacted by a friend yesterday asking if Trudy and I were going to attend our 30 year high school reunion. He didn't want to make the long trip across the country from East to West coast if his friends were not going to be there. I can't say that I blame him. He sparked a thought in my mind, to which God and I discussed on our Team POSSIBLE! Walk this morning.  Thirty years since I left high school, where and who am I now? 

Those are actually two very powerful questions, Where and Who. I'll start with the where. I am on a journey to make myself a better person, both mentally and physically. I am building and restructuring my faith in God  and myself. I have made many mistakes in my life but I have completed just as many successful achievements. I have surrounded myself with the people I want to be with, although not everyone can not be physically with me. I have not reached my destination but I'm still moving in the right direction. 

Who I am is more difficult. I am no longer the person I hated. My lows were very low and it inflicted a lot of pain, anguish and disappointment on the people important to me. I am someone willing to give of myself to others for their purpose and not my own. I am someone who cares. I am someone evolving.  

As I mentioned before I have had successful achievements in my life. The 5 most important to me are:

• I have been placed in positions that help others, both professionally and personally.
• I have been afforded the opportunities to work, provide for my family, and ensure their well being.
• I have been given a family to love and nurture. I am someone they can lean upon, seek support and comfort.
• I have a gift, although I feel unworthy to have received, of a wife that has become my life and sole existence. Without her all other previous achievements would not have been possible.
• And lastly, I am a child of God. 

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #23

Monday, March 11, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

I was unable to do my walk this morning so God and I didn't get to have our usual talk. I was so busy at work I didn't get to have an afternoon talk either. I'm hoping that quiet time tonight will be spent reflecting on the day's events and encouragement for tomorrow. I sure am glad that God allows me some "me time" but is always there when I need guidance.  

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #22

Saturday, March 9, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

   "How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?" 

   "A wood chuck would chuck as much as a wood chuck could chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood."  

That is a lot of work to be done. But the work is never done. God's work is never done. Today about two dozen people were at the church helping prepare for the "All Church" Annual Chicken Dinner. This event does more than raise money for the church. It provides a venue for fellowship for several days. It invites the community to share in our blessings from God. It affords us an opportunity to show others God's love and compassion. The money raised is put into funds to do more of God's work.  

I am proud of my church and its mission. I am thankful for the people of the church, for their commitment to one another and God is great. I am a member if the Church and grateful that God has chosen me to help do God's work.  

If you are able please join us for dinner.

St. Paul United Church of Christ

123 Dee Street (corner of Dee and Rt 4)

Lebanon, IL 

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #21

Friday, March 8, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

We are officially half way through Lent. For my Lenten Journey I chose to add something to my life and I started exercising again. In the last 30 days I have exercise for over 12 hours, walked over 64,000 steps which equates to ~35 miles. But I'm not done. My journey is not complete and therefore neither is the work God has asked me to do. I always stop at this point in my Lenten Journey to reflect on what Jesus was doing and thinking as his "Last 30 Days" begins. There is so much to do and so little time. The disciples don't seem to be getting the big picture still. Will his journey be complete? 

When I started working at The Maschhoffs, we were asked to read "The First 90 Days", a motivational, business philosophy book which deals with setting goals, meeting achievements, guarantying accomplishments, and how to deal with people you work with when starting a new position or employment. It quite easily relates to any task you are starting and how to approach it. We have made jokes that when we make a mistake at work, like cause a server to crash, that we are directed to start reading "The Last 30 Days Minutes", a book about how you get fired and start looking for a new career. So is Jesus in his last 30 days or the first 90? 

This is the period of time that I want to know more about Jesus.  I often look at this time with sadness in that his earthly journey is ending; ending in death. But then I'm joyful that it is only through death, and conquering it, that we are saved. So the sad must come before the good, there is always light beyond the darkest hour. I believe that though it looks like this is Jesus' last 30 days it is in fact the first 90. It's the beginning of stories to be told, lives to be saved, and hearts to be healed. Jesus has a lot on his plate right now. His current projects must reach a completion point before the next ones can begin. There are many followers that don't want the projects to end, and those that don't want the projects to succeed or even start. This small startup not for profit company is just getting off the ground but it's business plan is setting into motion a grow spurt that will include billions of people, last for centuries, and only have one CEO...ever! There is very little pay but the benefits are unmatched by anything else. Though we look at Lent as a time for reflection, Jesus is using this same time to build a workforce willing to commit to God, to do God's work, to save us from our sins. 

Take some time at this halfway point to see where you have been. Look to the past, not to change it but to learn from it. Look to the future for the new opportunities prepared for you. Choose a path in your journey that you can follow. I pray that path is with God.  

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #20

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

So I'm out for my walk with Team POSSIBLE! and God says to me, "Blake my son, you need more 'pep in your step'". I said "Oh, really, what do you have in mind?" God replied, "I'll put some extra tunes in our Pandora Workout Radio that I know you will like, but you have to dance to them." I emphatically responded, "You Go Daddy!!" And so we did. In less than 1 hour we dance about two of our three mile adventure. We danced samba, disco, hip-hop and just some crazy antics. The only dance I didn't do was break dance. It really put a smile on my face. The last dance near the end of the third mile dance-walk was a tap dance. It was God's way of telling me something important. The song was Phillip Phillips "Home". I have been dancing the familiar tap dance of doubting my faithfulness, do I falter, do I disappoint God, am I worthy, and things like that. God steps in as the lead dancer and says, I love you. God doesn't directly answer my questions but simply says "I LOVE YOU" and the dance is complete. As I read back though my confessions I see them relived in the lyrics to the song.

    Settle down, it'll all be clear

    Don't pay no mind to the demons

    They fill you with fear

    The trouble it might drag you down

    If you get lost, you can always be found 

God is a great dancer. God will teach you every step, every move, every wiggle and shuffle. My dance card is filled with God's name. Come join us in the dance-walk. God will provide physical and spiritual strength and refreshment. There are only rewards when you are with God. 

As a side note, to top everything off, God reminded me that Team POSSIBLE! is always at work. The last block, an uphill climb to the top of my street, the last steps to completion of today's exercise were  to the song Gandam Style. Try keeping up to that tempo after three miles, two of which were dance-walking. God pushes us because God knows we can do it. Team POSSIBLE! 

Home 

Hold on, to me as we go

As we roll down this unfamiliar road

And although this wave is stringing us along

Just know you’re not alone

Cause I’m going to make this place your home 

Settle down, it'll all be clear

Don't pay no mind to the demons

They fill you with fear

The trouble it might drag you down

If you get lost, you can always be found 

Just know you’re not alone

Cause I’m going to make this place your home 

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #19

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

This week I've been traveling daily to St. Louis for training. I've made the trips to the other side of the river many times. The majority of my IT career since I moved to Illinois has been commuting to Missouri. This week has been different. Since I started working at The Maschhoffs my commute has been easy going, unrushed, peaceful. This week it is hectic, hurried, full of anxiety. I feel that things are moving so fast, so out of my control that I lose focus on what is important in my life. Traveling in Illinois makes me feel full of content, in tune with God's plan, spiritual. I love it when I'm busy if I am the one that made things busy. When I'm forced into an uncontrolled environment I feel insecure. Obviously, I have a control issue. God has known this about me for a long time. When I'm in control I feel God is in control of me. When I'm not in control I don't know if God is driving me or other influences are at work. When I'm not in control I act different. I say or do things that I question or sometimes regret later. I don't like that feeling. I hate that behavior.

Lord, help me remember what is important in my life. Remind me to slow down and think. Encourage me to accept that I am not always in control of things around me but I am always in control of myself. God, I long for our quiet time together traveling the country roads. I desire the comfort in knowing you're near me. Help me remember that you are always there for me, I just need to recognize it.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #18

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

Have you ever wondered if Jesus were able to sit down and talk with you, without jeopardizing the end of time of course, where you would go, what would you do, what you would say, what questions you would ask? I'm not sure about a lot of those questions but I know I would not ask the "when" questions, when is the end of time, when (and if) I will go to heaven, when will I win the lottery? I know the answers to those questions...in God's time. I suppose Jesus and I would just sit on the bank of a lake fishing drinking water. Of course he would change his to wine because he's just that kind of guy. And that's OK. My BFF is free to feel comfortable around me, and I around him. I would ask questions to know more about him like how hard was it to know your destiny and complete it? I would ask him how he feels that since his rising, there are so many believers and non-believers, so many different religions interpreting his teachings in so many ways, does he feel that he failed in his purpose? Or is his work not finished yet? Does he believe that we "the believers" get it yet? Do we really understand his purpose on earth and in heaven? I would tell my BFF my worst fears and seek comfort in his friendship. I would ask his advice on life changing decisions. We would tell each other jokes like the one about the disciple that went into a bar. We would have a good time, create a cherished memory, and be thankful we have each other.

So if you would ask these types of questions when face to face with Jesus, why not ask them now? You're willing you use his name in prayer, so why not talk to him now? Don't you think that you owe it to your friend to know what your are thinking, needing, wanting, before you use his name when ask these things from our mutual Heavenly Father? Not to do so would be rude and unbecoming a BFF. Don't disrespect your friends by going behind their back. Be upfront and forthcoming. Talk to Jesus, he's waiting to talk to you.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #17

Monday, March 4, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

I remember an old I Love Lucy episode (Season 3, Episode 3, aired October 19, 1953) when Lucy and Ethel were to perform in a production for their Ladies Group.  They were going to sing "Friendship". As with all episodes of this timeless classic show, things good haywire, the ladies buy the same dress and that starts a fight. Lucy and Ethel, the Best of Friends, the initiators of Best Friends Forever (BFF) tear the dresses apart while singing the song. As predictable as any of the episodes in the series, it all ends with hugs for everyone and Lucy and Ethel are BFFs once again.

Friendship….what does friendship mean to you? Who is your BFF? Do you have a BFF? My answers to the questions are not what you may think. Friendship is very important to me.  My personality type depends on surrounding and pleasing my friends. But sad to say I do not have a BFF. Now before you get all huffy on me please hear me out. I've gotten into trouble trying to explain this before. Trudy is my wife, she is my sole existence. To me she is so far above a BFF status it's not even funny. We are one. We know when the other is hurting, we know when the other one is laughing or crying. We finish each other's thoughts and sentences. Without her I would not be a person, let alone alive. Trudy is more than my BFF! To me my BFF is someone I call at a moments notice to ask for help, go to a sporting event, sit on the porch and drink a beer. This person would be male because having a female friend that close doesn't fit well in a marriage and I would never jeopardize my marriage.

So as I said, I do not have a BFF. I have friends but not in the category of BFF. Not reaching that level is no ones fault or not within their capabilities, its where I have placed them because of my past transgressions. There was a time in my life when I had BFFs . My childhood BFFs were the best, it was me that faulted the relationship. I failed them as a friend. To this day I deeply regret my actions. Although I an still friends with them, I will never earn the status of being their BFF again and rightfully so. As I got older and wiser I joined the military and started my BFF quest again. I quickly found out that one thing the military can do with the utmost proficiency is break friendships. As soon as you get comfortable enough to trust someone, one of you will receive orders and move away. So now I have placed a psychological barrier to my BFF quest. I can't take the loss anymore. I don't even have close friends at work. Since I left the Navy I haven't lived in the same county to which I work. So if you don't live by me I've mentally wiped you from consideration for BFF status.

For my Lenten Journey maybe I'll try to mend my ways. I should make my first BFF Jesus. He will probably keep me on the right path. He will let me know when I stray and always welcome me back. He won't move away and he won't reject me for my misbehaviors. This is the friend I need.  This is the friend I want to be. This can be the Best Friendship Forever.

FRIENDSHIP

If you're ever in a jam, here I am

If you're ever in a mess, S-O-S

If you ever feel so happy, you land in jail; I'm your bail.

It's friendship, friendship, just a perfect blendship.

When other friendships have been forgot,

Ours will still be hot. 

If you're ever up a tree, phone to me.

If you're ever down a well, ring my bell.

If you ever lose your teeth, and you're out to dine... borrow mine.

It's friendship, friendship, just a perfect blendship.

When other friendships have been forgate,

Ours will still be great. 

If they ever black your eyes, put me wise.

If they ever cook your goose, turn me loose.

If they ever put a bullet through your brain... I'll complain.

It's friendship, friendship, just a perfect blendship.

When other friendships have been forgit,

Ours will still be it. 

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #16

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

"To love, honor and cherish". How many times have we heard this phrase in one way or another? Have you been fortunate enough to have been able to say these words to the person you love? Of all the versions of vows that I've heard, out of all the rephrasing, these words are conveyed each time in some fashion. It's these words that I remember as the basis of my vows. Forget the "for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health...". Those conditional additives are not the foundation of the vow.  The foundation is LOVE, HONOR, CHERISH. No matter what the circumstances, these verbs, full of power and emotion, will lead you along the path of God. They do not however end with your death. If they did then we would not have the love of Jesus, honor his teachings and cherishing memories.

In some religious communities nuns were rings to signify their commitment to Christ.  They "marry" Jesus. A wedding ring is a very important symbol of our lives shown to us in a simplistic form. A ring is an imperfect circle. Through time, wear and tear mold the ring to include divots, bends, warps. Each one of these manipulations is representative of our trials and tribulations of our commitment to the person to whom we married. Yet the ring is still a never ending circle. The circle is a closed curve, ever folding inward upon itself. A hug is a circle in theory, arms stretched to envelope someone and draw them toward the center, close to your heart. A ring signifies the evolutionary cycle of ups and downs. Often viewed as top and bottom, a ring rotated reverses the top  to the bottom and the bottom to the top without changing form and often unnoticed. Our commitment to others is a circle, with ups and downs, and when viewed from different angles, the ups are downs and the downs are ups.

On August 20, 1983 I gave a ring to the person that I love, honor, and cherish. I had met this person less than three years earlier but knew within the first 2 from that meeting I knew that this was the person to whom I would be committed. Almost 30 years later that commitment still exists. Like a ring, we have had our ups and downs, but each time we complete the circle to love, honor and cherish. I am proud to have Trudy become, not a part of, but my whole life. It is by the Grace of God that we are reminded of our commitment to one another.

God LOVES us. God HONORS us. God CHERISHES us and so should we in return. We should love, honor and cherish God. For it is only by God that we are able to participate in these actions. These actions follow, as Jesus has taught us, the greatest commandment, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." To quote an old cliché, "Love makes the world go round". Let there be love around the world. Learn to honor and cherish that love. Reach out to God as God has always been reaching to you, with a hug, completing the circle, drawing one another closer to our hearts.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #15

Friday, March 1, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

"What is your name and who is your daddy?" Well Mr. Kimble (Arnold), that is a good question. Before I answer that question I have one for you, what is a "Daddy"? Can it be defined as only male? Is it a biological relationship? Is there something else needed to truly define a Daddy? In my experiences there are three roles, Father, Dad and Daddy. I believe that a Father is a biological relationship. My mother often refers to my father as "the sperm donor". The role of Dad is not limited to biologics but rather someone that has helped raise you. This person may have been a positive or negative influence in your life. I never had a Dad. My father abandoned me before I was 4 yrs. old and I never found a replacement. Now the Daddy is a role fulfilled by someone to whom you have and emotional and positive bonding. This is the person that will protect you at all costs. This person views their life as insignificant to yours. This person truly loves you. Jesus understood these distinctions. He even goes as far as calling God "Abba" in the scriptures, which is loosely translated as "Daddy" in Aramaic. Jesus knew who was and is his Daddy. There is no one that loves you more than Jesus's Daddy.

So now I ask you, "What is your name and who is your daddy?" Is God your Daddy? Are you not letting God be your Daddy? For the longest time I never realized I had a Daddy. I am proud to say I now know that I do and my Daddy has always been there because he loves me. I guess I have a lot of Father's Day cards to send out to make up for the lost years. Do you think it is OK to edit the Lord's Prayer by changing the words to "Abba, who art in Heaven, hollowed be thy name"?

If you remember, Team ParrotHeads is walking the Relay for Life on Father's Day Weekend. We will be walking with Team POSSIBLE! Please join us physically, emotionally and monetarily. Cancer will never have a Daddy.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #14

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

I've been aggravated and mentally put off by events in and around my ego bubble. I am tired about hearing about gun control because I don't own a gun, and do not wish to control those that do. I am upset about the choice the judges made on American Idol because it affects the quality of my entertainment for the next few months. I am angry about the sequester. I view a sequester as the event in which a jury is locked up, secluded from outside contact and influences until a resolution to the problem is unanimously agreed upon. I would love to see all of Congress and the President locked up until they stop their childish behavior and do their jobs correctly.

But alas, this things are important only to my ego and not my relationship with God. God has a plan for us all. Our freewill is always changing or readjusting that plan, but God none the less has a plan. God knows who is the best for American Idol. God knows what is safe for us. God knows what we need versus what we want and God will provide. We just need to let God complete the plan.

Thirty-five years ago when I was a mere replica of the stud I am today I was running cross-country in Jr. High. Coach McCory told me that the key to my success in running was not how fast I think I can go or how fast I think I can move my legs, but working on the coordination of my arms with my mind and my feet. When running, or walking, if you concentrate on moving your arms your feet will follow at the same pace. The faster you move your arms the faster your feet will move. The further you stretch your arms out in the movement, the longer the stride in your steps and the move ground you will cover. I can prove this to you with a simple test, instead of walking with your arms moving in opposite directions as your legs, move them in the same direction at the same time.  Move your left arm and your left leg forward, then back. Repeat the same process on your right side. Every step forward with your left leg will be joined with a move forward of your left arm, not your right. It feels awkward and makes you lose your sense of balance. So why do we let ourselves be out of sync with God? Why are out minds and mouths not conveying the same ideas and actions? How can we expect God's plan to work if we are walking uncoordinated and outside of the path of our journey with God?

Oh Heavenly Father, I commit my mind, my heart, my body to do your will. I move my arms, not back and forth but raise them up to you. May my mind, heart and body follow my arms in your direction to do your work. Lord, I'm a stud, 35 years in the making (48 total but I started late) . Thank you for the time and opportunity to make myself better. May I have many more years of studliness to do your work.  AMEN.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #13

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

Last Sunday the First Testament scripture was Genesis and the story of Abram. It was about how God had told him the number of his offspring would be as many as the stars if you could count them. I find it hard to understand that concept since I live in an area where there aren't a lot of stars to be seen because of the city lights. But as I was on my walk this morning in the gentle falling snow I likened a snowflake to a star. Could we not see the snowflake and see the relationship to Abram's descendants and all of God's children? For those of you who live in snow barren areas think of raindrops. If you still live in a inclement weather barren area then think of the bubbles in your glass of champagne because you are in a place like no other.

A snowflake is said to be unique, never are there two alike, so too are God's children (even identical twins are not truly identical because their finger prints are different). A snowflake can be found all over the world at one time or another, so too are God's children (in July 1992 I made a house hunting trip to Hawaii. It snowed on the Big Island my first day there. It was the only place in the northern hemisphere that received snow that day). A snowflake comes in many shapes and sizes, so too are God's children. Whether the child is black, white, red, brown, yellow, green, blue, rainbow, plaid, or paisley, they are God's children. As I walked I must have seen a hundred million small snowflakes, thousands of which touched me on their fall to Earth. It reminded me of the Holy Spirit falling to God's children. As each snowflake fell it took it's own individual path. Some were blown left or right, up or down, but all fell to Earth seeking the right place to land to do its work. The Holy Spirit falls around us, and hopefully within us, to do God's work. I encourage everyone you go dance and sing in the rain, lay down on the white fluff and make snow angels, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you, embrace the Holy Spirit which is filled with God's love as it is meant to be. Show God that you accept your role as God's child, be one of the snowflakes, as unique and distinct as your are, but always a part of the family, God's and mine.

I remind you to pray today and support Team POSSIBLE!

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #12

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

Have you asked God to use you today or any day? How did you feel when God use the talents given you to help someone else?

Today was a good day. I felt the Holy Spirit at work today. I felt God using me just like I've ask God to do. I feel mentally exhausted but my heart is filled with joy and happiness. I wish every day was like this.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #11

Monday, February 25, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

On my way to work I was listening to the local morning radio talkshow. The news tidbit was about things that annoy your coworkers. They listed about a dozen items that are considered to be the most common annoyances. I found myself being a perpetrator of most items at some time or another. Sometimes I'm aware of my actions either during or shortly after the fact. Other times I'm clueless. I'm an imperfect person in an imperfect world who happens to stray from the path on my journey with God.

So today I prayed for guidance. I asked God to help me be a better person, to lead me on the straight path. I need to be aware of my actions before they annoy or offend. And today, by the grace of God, my prayers were answered. Today was a good day, but tomorrow is another challenge. God is not testing me but rather trusting me to use my freewill to do things right. Remember to pray everyday. You might be surprised by the outcome.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #10

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

Many of us have provided assistance to someone at some point in our lives. To whom have you provided care? Did someone ask you for that help or did you volunteer your support?

I have been fortunate enough to have provided aid that truly helped someone. It's not fortunate that someone needs help, but being able to offer them help is good. I feel blessed to have done God's work. I want God to use me to answer prayers. The help that is given may be as simple as holding open a door or as difficult as saving a life. I have helped in both extremes. God has used me many times and I keep asking God to use me again (Go Team POSSIBLE!). Without people willing to help I would not be here myself. Many people have helped me on the simpler tasks and many have helped me in the life threatening events too. I constantly thank God for all the help I have received.

I pray that when you pray, that you will ask God to use you as well. We can all make a difference in someone's life, even if but for a short moment or a life long event.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #9

Friday, February 22, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

So I learned an aspect of my life to which I must improve, Procrastination or a lack thereof. Once again I have missed my promised goal to post a daily confession. This is Friday's confession with a Saturday twist.

What does it mean to care for someone? Is it just sending prayers on their behalf or is it waiting on them hand and foot? It has to be "Black and White" because a "Gray-Area" could be interpreted by either party to one extreme or the other. Today two types of caregiving where a topic of my thoughts and actions. The first was the quantity and quality of care I have or have not given my wife with her disabilities. I often thought I was giving the best care, but later realize that I could have done more. The second was in dealing with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. As a caregiver for a cancer survivor I clearly did not provide the quality care needed. I did not understand what being a caregiver meant. I failed to use the resources at my disposal to help the person in need. I know my faults now but I cannot go back and fix what I did wrong. I can only try not to make that mistake again.

Do you feel our caregiver is doing a good job? Are you lacking some attention or action that your feel is vital to your well being? Are you just mislabeling wants for needs, desires for requirements? I believe our Heavenly Father has been a wonderful caregiver. Every need, every requirement has been granted to me just by asking. It's my asking of desires and wants that are questionable and often left unattended. I wish there was a simple checklist to review when asking God for things, but there isn't. I wish there was an immediate answer of yes or no to those things to which I have asked, but there isn't. But at least we are given the opportunity to ask. Make sure you ask our caregiver for love and compassion and I truly believe you will always receive and immediate YES. God wants to be your caregiver. Are you willing to let God care for you?

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #8

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

Since the start of Lent I've been asking for a Workout Buddy, either physically or virtually. Well, due to my self-centered, self-involved thinking I failed to notice that I've always had a Workout Buddy. My Buddy starts each workout when I do. My Buddy stops the workout when I do. My Buddy walks with me step for step without missing a beat. God has always been and will always be my Workout Buddy.

During our workouts we walk, God is a great pacesetter. We talk to each other, we listen to each other, but I need to learn to do more of the later and less of the former. We laugh and make jokes. We listen to music and even sing and dance. God has a great singing voice, better than the Angels on High. God's dancing is phenomenal, God has Super Happy Feet.

God is a very motivating Workout buddy.

    • When you've walked as far as you think you can walk, God can walk farther, for God all things are possible.
    • When you've run as far as you think you can run, God can run farther, for God all things are possible.
    • When you've done all the sit-ups you think you can do, God can do more, for God all things are possible.
    • When you think you have done all you can do, God can do more, for God all things are possible.

 Just because can do more doesn't mean God wants to do more, not if you are not with God. God wants to do it with you, not out do you. For WITH God All things are POSSIBLE!

Stop what you are doing right now and join me in saying aloud six simple but powerful words: WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

God is like a Super Rocky, willing to do what others believe are impossible. However, unlike Rocky, God does not run up the steps of the museum in Philly, raising God's arms in triumph and victory at the top. No, God stops at the first step, holds out a hand and waits for you. Together you traverse the steps, some more difficult that others until you both reach the top. At that point God raises your arms so you may celebrate the triumph. What an awesome Workout Buddy is that? I raise my arm arms to God in praise and God raises mine in triumph.

God, I'm going to sign us up for a 5K this Spring and a 10K this Summer. I know we won't win the races but we will complete them. For with God all things are POSSIBLE! I'll get us T-shirts with a Team logo. I have some ideas for a team name:

Team Blake and God….No

Team Blod….No
Team God…..No
Team Possible!....YES, for with God all things are POSSIBLE! Maybe I can get some help from my FB artist friends to help design the t-shirts.

I'm also inviting you to be with me and Team ParrotHeads at the Relay for Life Father's Day Weekend. How ironic, inviting our Heavenly Father to a Father's Day event. It's an all night event that many find difficult to complete. Last year I walked 15 miles. This year I want us to do 15 miles plus one more step. I know we can do it for with God all things are Possible!

Team ParrotHeads Support Team Possible!

Because Team Possible! Supports Everyone.

If you want to join Team Possible! on our workouts, let us know, everyone is welcome and no one is turned away.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #7

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

Am I hindering or am I helpful? I often wonder on which side my words and actions place me. Unfortunately, my contemplation is after the fact instead of before or during, but I'm working on that. As I hear my pastor say, "May the words from my mouth be pleasing in thy sight O'Lord". I hope I got that quote right but I think I'm getting the point across. My words and my actions are a direct reflection of who I am and how I represent and follow God. If I'm hurtful, abrasive, mean, then I am not truely following the teachings of Jesus. If I am helpful, gentle, and pleasing then I am practicing my faith and living the Lord's Prayer. By the way, did you pray today? I did. Remember, if you pray the Lord's Prayer you are promising God you will do right and are asking for guidance. If you find yourself not living the promise it's not God's failure to answer your prayer but rather you exercising your freewill and breaking your covenant. But God is a forgiving God. You can repent and get back on the path of your journey with the Lord. Praise be to God for God's grace and understanding.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #6

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

 Sometimes I understand God's plan. Tonight Trudy Farrell and I attended the Relay for Life Kickoff Meeting. This is our second year as co-captains for our team. Thanks to many of you we raised over $1,100 last year in just a little over two weeks before Relay Day.

In 2007 Trudy was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. She has been cancer free for almost 6 years. I know it was God's plan that put us together. I'm not saying God gave her cancer, but God put us together to face all hardships and triumphs as one. We love and support each other no matter what.

So today starts another journey we travel together. Hopefully our battle against cancer is over for good. Maybe our efforts will help someone else. Maybe we can make a difference in someone's life. I ask that you help us help others in any way you can. Let's make this world full of survivors.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #5

Monday, February 18, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

God's Plan: What is it and where do I fit in?

God always has a plan. God knows what we want and what we need and sometimes the two are not the same. When I left the military in 1998 I started working for a company in Missouri. I loved that job. The work was.exciting, it had travel and adventure. I thought I would retire from there. God's plan always includes free will, an awe inspiring responsibility for us to choose as we wish whether it agrees or disagrees with God's overall plan. My free will got me fired from that job. My decisions and my actions were definitely not in line with God's plan. I bear no hard feelings towards that company because it was surely my fault.

Somehow God was able to continue with a plan for me. Two employers later and I'm happy again. Was this the plan all along? Did God know I would screw up and it was my destiny to be where I am now? Was God's plan just rearranged to incorporate the next adventure? I no long wonder what God has planned for me. I accept that God makes better decisions and I have to trust God. My life is in better hands when God is in charge.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #4

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

It may be too early to be thinking of Easter but I have, and this is why. As we have been told, and I believe, that Jesus knew of his impending fate. He knew that he was going to die on the cross long before it happened. Because he knew what was to happen, and why, he was prepared to do as God had asked. Praise be to our Lord and Savior for his love and courage in the name of our sins.

Whether fortunate or unfortunately, we don't know the answers to what and when. Death is a scary event if you are not prepared. It is painful in the hearts of the ones that love you. I was close to experiencing that event not long ago.

In late September and early October I was hospitalized with a very preventable condition. My triglycerides were not <200 A's recommended by the medical profession, but rather 2,200. This caused issues with my pancrease. It was the start of an unhealthy condition that could lead to death. In January, I was in the hospital again for the same condition but my triglycerides this time were at a record high of 6,720. I was literally at Death's door.

The events in my life that lead to both incidents is an ongoing occurance. I simply could not afford the medication I needed to take. I believe, and will always believe, that the reason I am here today is not the medicine directly, but rather the love and prayers of my family. You are all my family. People typically don't care for friends like they do for a family member. Your collective prayers were heard by God. And for some reason God answered your prayers in God's time and fashion. I thank you all for saving my life.

Remember: Lent is 40 days not including Sunday. I will not have a confession on Sundays for those days belong to God.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #3

Friday, February 15, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

 So this morning I saw the sun starting to rise when I was exercising. This afternoon I saw the sun setting as I drove home from work. I asked myself, "What did you accomplish today? Where did the day go?". In the morning before I leave for work, I sit in the car as it warms up and say the Lord's Prayer aloud. I ask God to forgive my debts and I promise to forgive others. So I ask myself on my drive home, "Did you do what you said you would do?" If the answer is yes I thank God for sharing a great day. If the answer is no I ask God if I deserved God's forgiveness. I feel that this relationship with God is necessary to keep me in line with my thoughts and actions. It helps me remain accountable for my words and actions. I'm not always proud of my behavior but I know I can change and make it right. I'm a sinner and I make mistakes but God has always shown me love and compassion. That doesn't mean I can continue to break my promises with God, but I'm not condemned to hell for all eternity for periodic stumbles in my imperfect life. Its comforting to know God will always be there for me.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #2

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

 Forty days of Lent (excluding Sundays) is not a bad thing. It's not as harsh as 40 days in the wilderness Jesus endured. It's not 40 days and nights of rain and floods Noah and his family endured when God wiped the earth clean. And its definitely not 40 yrs God's choosen wandered in the desert before entering the promise land. It's 40 days you get to reflect on the relationship you have with God. How great it that? So this is not a punishment. It's a blessing revealed in a way only you can experience individually with God. I pray your journey during Lent reveals to you that God the father is also your best friend.

May the grace of God be received by all.

 

Lenten Confessions 2013 #1

Ash Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Lenten Confessions:

Today marks the start of Lent. Normally I do not set aside things to show my commitment to God but rather add to my personal goals, to make me a better me. Last year was an exception when I stopped drinking regular sodas and lost 40lbs. I also do not advertise what I have changed until after Lent.

I offer you a suggestion to help improve your life. I ask that you take just 10 minutes a day to say the Lord's Prayer and reflect on how God has been in your life. You must really think about this. Start thinking about what happened yesterday, last week, last year, even to your earliest childhood memories. I'm sure you will find God in your life at one point or another.

May the grace of God be received by all.