I Surrender

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20



Christianity is all about dying to ourselves. Many people see this as weak. "Why give up my desires, wants, and longings for something someone else mandates?" they wonder. "That sounds like slavery!" they charge. However, they fail to realize that surrendering our wills to Christ is like a bird
surrendering to air currents or a fish to the water.


When we surrender to the Lord, he gives me the power to be what I was made to be:



I want to be enabled to be useful in ways that are eternal, empowered so my my life is not limited my mortal boundaries, and blessed by unity with the Creator as my Father. What is lost in this surrender to Christ's living in me? Only my selfishness and my self-damage caused by rebellion.


Father, I thank you for your work in my life through Jesus. As you remake me to be more like your Son and my Savior, I trust that you will use me in ways far grander than I can imagine. Please take my heart and cleanse it thoroughly. Please take my life and use it mightily. Please expand my thoughts and help me dream more majestically. May all of this be empowered by your Son's life in
me, and may all I do, dream, and desire be for your glory on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Volunteer Fire Company

⁶So seek God and live! You don't want to end up
with nothing to show for your life
But a pile of ashes, a house burned to the ground.
For God will send just such a fire,
and the firefighters will show up too late.

Amos 5: 6



When living in a a rural area like I do, there are constant reminders about fire protection and the ability for a fire company to get to the house if there was a fire.

Most of the companies in my area are volunteer companies. Men and women who are trained to fight fires and have all the proper equipment. The only difference is they come to the fire if they are available. If they work too far away, they are not available during the day. It is a best effort basis when a fire occurs.

No one is told to come.

This is why I have a real understanding of the verse in Amos.

You don't want to end up with nothing to show for your life
But a pile of ashes, a house burned to the ground.

Here is a case where not relying on God and his wisdom would result in a day when all the volunteers who need to put out the fire decide they are not going out today and may get to the fire.

This reference in Amos is quite an analogy since many have seen the recent devastation of the California wild fires. When the people are allowed to go back and see what happened, there is nothing left but a few pieces of metal from their appliances.

NOTHING LEFT

but a pile of ashes.

So seek God and live! is God's answer


I am to look at each day as a new day to look to God and seek him in a new way every day.

The results of not seeking God are as devastating as the house burned to the ground. He will send the fire and all the firemen will be on vacation.

It will be too late.

Nothing but a pile of ashes.

Nothing else living.

So on this day, Lord, show me your wisdom, guide me with your spirit, touch me with your hand of grace and mercy. Today, I desire to seek you for a fuller life. Not a life of opulence or wealth but a life continually seeking you on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Don't Tell Me Any More!

¹⁰ They tell the seers,
“Stop seeing visions!”
They tell the prophets,
“Don’t tell us what is right.
Tell us nice things.
Tell us lies.
¹¹ Forget all this gloom.
Get off your narrow path.
Stop telling us about your
‘Holy One of Israel.’”

Isaiah 30:10-11 (New Living Translation)

Wow!

Sometimes scripture comes right out and rips out my heart. Not the Godly heart but the human heart that wants to do things my own way and not God's way.

In Isaiah's time this was a problem too.

They so did not want to hear about the bad things in their life they said "tell us lies"

They were so caught up in themselves they did not want to hear any more of what God was doing but wanted to hear only things that made them feel good and not reach to the depths of their souls.

"Stop telling us what is right" was their plea. We don't want to hear it anymore.

Get us off this path leading to the Holy One. We do not want to hear it!

This can be ME!

People around me who are Godly friends who can see me from the inside out and offer advice and counsel are the ones I can tell," Don't tell me any more. Tell me lies" Get me off this path to God. It hurts too much. Let me hear things that make me feel good.

Much of our society is a "feel good" nation. I don't want to hear about all the crap in my life. I want to go to church and have a good feeling. Don't tell me I am not living a Godly life, I don't want to hear it. My friends help me from being a part of the "feel good nation." I can say don't tell me that but they do any way. My friends understand how the feel good can get between me and God. They understand the distance it can create and the widening gap it causes.


Stop telling me about the Holy one of Israel.

They don't ...They will not...

They help me and guide me along the right path. The path of righteousness.

The Godly path.

Lord, continue to provide friends who care about me but more importantly care about you and the love you have for me. Keep me on the path of righteousness as I keep my eyes on you along the path on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Rejoice?

"We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. "

Romans 5:3, NLT |


I think this is a very amusing translation!

...When we run into problems and trials.

So I am not alone in being stupid!

One would think that as a follower of Christ I would have a verse that would say

"...when we avoid and dodge problems"

So I guess God already figured out that I was going to have a few issues in life.

But...

He provided a solution for me to follow.

avoid problems ?

run away from problems ?

Try to figure them out ?

NOPE

REJOICE,

when we have trials and challenges.



I should be rejoicing 24 x 7!

Lord help me to rejoice today and every day as you develop endurance in me while you challenge me on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Give me a Ring

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

Jeremiah 33:3




God has a great to talk about with me!

Just think of all the great and unsearchable things I do not know. I don't even know what I don't know. It must be tremendous.


This was originally spoken to Jeremiah about the fate of Jerusalem. However, this promise is true in definite ways for me as well. God wants me to call to him. God often waits for me to ask
before he blesses me with what he longs to give me.


Yet....

I lack the ability to comprehend and receive all the great truth about God. He is simply too big for my simple mind and too great for me to fully comprehend him and his grace.



Almighty God, you are breath-taking and beyond my ability to comprehend.


Dear Father, please amaze the world by coming on a day everyone least expects it. I do long to know you better, dear Father as you take me along the path on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

All My Heart

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.


Jeremiah 29:13



God wants me to seek him. In fact, he made me to seek him! Unfortunately, I often seek God along with the other things that draw my eyes for a moment or two. I must never let
anything distract me from God having first choice of my heart. Only God is worthy of my full devotion. I need to remove all the distractions and seek God with an unbridled heart as I allow God to work in me.

Lord, please bless me with an undivided heart, one that seeks you as the first and ordering priority of my life. Forgive me, dear Lord, for letting other things distract my focus from you and interfere with my service to your Kingdom. Fill me with a holy passion for the things that really matter above all other concerns and interests on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

It doesn't make sense.

³⁰When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

John 19:30 (New International Version)

Jesus hangs on a cross.

It doesn't make sense.

His enemy apparently defeated Him.

It doesn't make sense.

There they stand before Him, mocking Him and challenging Him to come down.

It doesn't make sense.

And He does not! Apparently cannot.

It doesn't make sense.


That is their view. Look at what preceded this.

The disciples were bitter.

They probably were angry.

At least they were disappointed.

The Lord Jesus Christ does not do what they want Him to do.

In a confused state of mind, wondering why Jesus does not let them take the sword, they flee while Jesus allows Himself to be taken by the enemy and without resistance went to the death.

Apparently this is not the cry of a victor.

It doesn't make sense.

Many times my life does not make sense...

I can be bitter.

I can be angry.

I can be disappointed.

The Lord Jesus Christ does not do what I want Him to do.

That is Wrong, Totally Wrong.

It is the Start, not the end. It is life, not death.

I can sit at peace tonight.

I can be in absolute peace now, because the Lord said: "It is finished for me. I've done it for you."

It is cry of victory, not defeat on the Adventure of Middle Grove.

Discipline

He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray

Proverbs 10:17



My behavior is influenced and changed by instruction and practice.

Discipline is not only important to me, but also to those who are influenced by my actions. I am not so great at it! So often I undervalue the impact of my personal decisions on others. But God has placed each of us in a circle of influence to be a blessing and a redemptive influence for those around us. To choose what is foolish, to ignore godly correction, not only jeopardizes my own future, but also the future of others.

Father, humble and correct me gently. I know I am weak and not where I want to be spiritually. Mature me with your Spirit and correct me with your Word and your discipline.
Make my influence a blessing to those you have placed around me on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Finally

"I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord. "

Hosea 2:20, NLT

Today as we all rest for our first major holiday in warm weather, it is time for me to continue to reflect on what is important and critical for success in life.

Not much is needed and everything is needed. God is faithful each day as he continues to work in my life. He is clear on his objective and goal.

I am your child and know you as Lord this day on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

The REAL Memorial Day

 [T]hose who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

  Romans 8:14

   

 Over the past few months I have been blessed to read a number of Scriptures that speak of the Spirit's work in my life.  This weekend we celebrate "Memorial Day" Not only will I celebrate it in a tradition sense but will celebrate it for what God has done in the lives of all the people before me who allow me to keep my faith in this country.


I  am God's "son," his child with full inheritance rights. I have not only been given grace, but I live as his child and enjoy the blessings of his eternal family.



Lord, may your name be recognized as holy in my life as your child. May your will and your reign be known in my life. Father, I am confident that you will give me today, the food that I need and I thank you.

Please forgive me of my sin as I commit to be forgiving to those who sin against me. You are glorious, dear Father. Your Kingdom is eternal and is the goal of my heart. Your power is my source of strength. I love you, dear Father this day as I remember what was done long before, for me, on this Adventure in Middle Grove

The Longest Summer

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him."

1 Corinthians 2:9



It is about this time of year kids, and teachers, look forward to summer vacation and the long days of potentially doing nothing! They imagine how great those things could be. As a Christian I look forward to summer and to "the longest summer", heaven.

I look forward to seeing the Lord face to face

I look forward to being reunited with those I love who have gone home to the Lord before me

I look forward sharing in the glory of Jesus and his angels.

But I can't even begin to imagine the great things that God has prepared for me. They are far more glorious than anything I can dream or imagine. So let me anticipate being surprised and live with passion for the cause of the Kingdom knowing that any loss, any wound, any trouble, will "not be worth comparing to the glory to be revealed in us" (Rom. 8:18).


Thank you, Father, for preparing a place of glory for me with you in heaven. I believe it is far greater than anything I could ever imagine. Thank you, Jesus, for going back to heaven to prepare
that place for me. I look forward to the day I stand in your presence and praise you with the angels on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

What else is left?

"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you."

Psalm 39:7


When I look at what is happening around me. Left is right an right is left...up is down and down is up.

The only constant is the hope I have in Christ on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Surrounded

"Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live. For your instructions are my delight. " Psalm 119:77


Many times I feel I am surrounded by many things not mentioned in Psalm 119.


Fear

Doubt

Insecurity

Anxious

Alone

Confused

Ashamed

Scripture comes to the rescue again. God shows me here that I am surrounded by his tender mercies.


What are the tender mercies?


I frequently look at what was written by 16th and 17th century Christians.


I found this little "gem" that talks about the "tender mercies" of God


(Thomas Brooks, "A Cabinet of Choice Jewels" 1669)


"His tender mercies." Psalm 145:9


"The multitude of His mercies." Psalm 106:45


It is God's free mercy which every day


keeps hell and my soul asunder.

It is God's free mercy which daily pardons my sins.

It is God's free mercy which supplies all my inward
and outward needs.

It is God's free mercy which preserves, and feeds,
and clothes my outward man.

It is God's free mercy which renews, strengthens,
and prospers my inward man.

It is God's free mercy which has kept me many
times from committing such and such sins.


It is God's free mercy which has kept me many a
time from falling before such and such temptations.


It is God's free mercy which has many a time
preserved me from being swallowed up by
such and such inward and outward afflictions.


" Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD." Psalm 119:156


"I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations!"While you continue to minister to me on "The Adventure in Middle Grove" Psalm 89:1

You can Learn Much From Dogs

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.

James 4:7





If you have dogs, you know they can have an independent streak that can be frustrating.

Not these guys!

If you read about training a dog, laying on their back is the ultimate in submission. From this position they are helpless to defend themselves and to even get up quickly.

Japanese Chins are hardly attack dogs but they love to roll over on their back so I can scratch their belly.

They are in total submission. They do get a little satisfaction from a quick belly rub but they are also helpless on their backs.


This is the position I want to be in before God. Put me on my back so I may only look up towards the heavens and your wisdom.

Let me lie as I patiently wait for you, submitting to your will as we continue our Adventure in Middle Grove

Built to last

Here’s the last solution for you to test out in the days, weeks, months, and years to come: Trust God to give you the wisdom, the patience, and the vision to look beyond the clutter of the moment to that Rock on which you built your house. Then it will stand through any storm (Matthew 7:24-27)



This is a great translation of this popular verse.

In the churn of life, I have been caught up many times in the present of the situation without looking beyond the circumstances of the event.

Looking beyond the moment means taking my sight off myself and looking in to the gaze of God.

Looking beyond the moment means my thoughts and actions reflect what God has done for me in the past so I can focus on the grace and mercy he has shown me.

Looking beyond the moment means to pick my eyes up from the view of the ground and to lift my eyes to the heavenly realms so I might be wrapped in the spirit of God.



Jesus is where my sight needs to be focused. Sometimes my view of Jesus is like the eye chart in the doctor's office. If I keep backing up, I will see there are letters but I will not be able to identify them. If I move closer so they are in my focal range, I see not only the letters, but I can identify them. As I grow older, as we all do every day, I see my need to inch closer to the eye chart just as I see my need to move closer for a more intimate relationship with God.

My relationship needs to be continually built on Jesus who is the rock of my salvation and my key to fellowship with God.

I know my sight needs to be on you as my situation will stand any storm on any day on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

True Confessions

“Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone”

(Psalm 32:5).



During the past few weeks, I have been really looking at the face of forgiveness and have learned a great deal of how God works in me and with me as forgiveness is the key element to my life as a Christian.

True confession also involves a commitment not to continue in sin. I am not genuinely confessing my sins before God if I plan to commit the sin again and just want temporary forgiveness. I must pray for strength to defeat the temptation the next time it appears.

I can always be forgiven, but I cannot always escape the consequences.

To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because the inexcusable has been forgiven in me.

Forgiveness is an act of love. And to love deeply is to forgive someone no matter what. This is what I'm called to do...

1) Forgive,

2) Reconcile,

and 3) Love.

They are all choices and actions.

Although I am continually sinning, God is continually forgiving me.

I need to take the initiative to love and forgive others.

After forgiveness, relationships are often much stronger as this is my desire, today, on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Getting it together

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline




My job as Director of Technology involves supporting 39 departments. As one could imagine, there is great diversity in my job as each group has specific technology requirements to assist them in serving the public.

The Job Center is busy these days as many people are out of work and are down and out with no place to turn to provide for their families. I am sure there is a story behind every story as all the people who come in tell "their" story about how they got to this place in life.

Most of the time all the conversations are white noise as I walk through the building concentrating on something that needs attention.

On Thursday, I was walking around the corner and a 20 something woman was talking to one of the counselors.

As I walked past her all I could hear her say was" I really got to get myself together" It was like walking in a subway station and out of the noise of the chaos a particular word or statement is heard above the din of the moment in the clutter of life.

As a Christian, I have the tools to "get myself together" as God has given me the wisdom and His Spirit. It is easy to dwell in the the swill of the messes we create for ourselves. God gives me a


Spirit of POWER

Spirit of LOVE

Spirit of SELF-DISCIPLINE

He does not give me a spirit of fear and timidity. I really should not have get myself together since I should have never come apart. But, as a human, I am going to fall apart at times. This is the time when God's Spirit of Power, Love and Self-discipline is critical to get me out of the funk of life. God provides me the wisdom needed to get on with life not as a "woe is me" proposition but a special place on earth where God cares and loves me. It is the best proposition I can have in life. A proposition of Power, Love, and Self-discipline all looking towards God and away from me as you are my guide on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Thorny Venture

Forgiveness is a process but one that can only work through the saving grace of Christ on the cross.

Because God has forgiven all my sins, I should not withhold forgiveness from others. Realizing how completely Christ has forgiven me should produce a free and generous attitude of forgiveness toward others. When I don't forgive others, I am setting myself outside and above Christ's law of love.

If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14 (NRSV)

My landscaping adventures this spring provided many cuts, bumps and bruises, I was working on one of the large flowing bushes in the front of the house and I came away with a thorn buried deep in my index finger. It was tiny and almost invisible; but each time I grasped something in my left hand, I was painfully reminded of its presence.

Removing it took time. The procedure was painful, but what a relief it was for the finger to heal! Soon I forgot about the thorn and looked forward to the first fragrant flowers.

Holding a grudge can be like having a thorn in my heart. After a while, I may think it does not matter; but like an invisible barb, the grudge will cause me intermittent pain. I wouldn't think of leaving a thorn in my finger, but I may harbor bitterness and anger associated with a past hurt for years.

To forgive can be a great relief, but it takes conscious effort on my part. Praying for those who have hurt me and asking God to change my heart can free me from the pain of negative feelings and memories. Forgiveness brings peace and allows me to enjoy the blessings of everyday life.

Forgiveness brings peace to my heart.

The Lord promises to do these things with my sins:

Forgive them all (I John 1:9)

Cast them into the sea (Micah 7:9)

Take them away (Isaiah 6:7)

Cover them up (Psalm 32:1)

Blot them out (Acts 3:19)

Put them away (Hebrews 9:26)

Remember them no more (Hebrews 8:12)

The last reference to forgiveness is in 1 John 1:9. (Read the verse)

Confession is supposed to free me to enjoy fellowship with Christ. It should ease my consciences and lighten my cares.

But some Christians do not understand how it works. They feel so guilty that they confess the same sins over and over, and then wonder if they might have forgotten something. Other Christians believe God forgives them when they confess, but if they died with unconfessed sins, they would be forever lost. These Christians do not understand that God wants to forgive us.

When I come to Christ, He forgives all the sins I have committed or will ever commit. I don't need to confess the same exact sins all over again, and I don't need to fear that He will cast me out if I don't keep my slate perfectly clean at all moments. Of course, I want to continue to confess my sins, but not because I think failure to do so will make me lose our salvation.

My hope in Christ is secure so I can enjoy maximum fellowship and joy with Him on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Spring Cleaning

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.



10Psalm 51:10 (New International Version)



Ok, I am weird but what else is new! I woke up in the middle of the night last night and had the words of the Keith Green song in my head as I rolled over in bed.

I have no idea why except that God was working on me while I was still sleeping. Scripture talks about keeping me safe when when I slumber.






What is created in a steadfast heart.



"a resolute and unshakeable faith"

Create in me a clean heart oh God

And renew a right spirit within me

Create in me a clean heart oh God

And renew a right spirit within me


Cast me not away

From thy presence oh Lord

Take not thy Holy Spirit from me

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation

And renew a right spirit within me




Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and renew a right spirit within me as you are with me even in my sleep on the Adventure in Middle Grove

A New Look For Spring

12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.


Colossians 3:12-14 (New International Version)


Ok, not this look!

This was the look for winter! To go to fancy parties, a tux is a requirement so I bought a tux online this winter for a few parties I went to this winter. Probably will use it this summer too!

The look for spring is a little more challenging. My designer tux was made by a famous designer and made in one of the finest tailor shops in the world.

China!

They really sew well!

It is really well made, really.

When my new spring wardrobe has a far more famous designer.

The creator and designer of the universe!


Let's look at the new line for Spring 09.

First, I will put on a little compassion. Newly designed for this year. Compassion may be a bit hit as the year progresses. It might not be the flashiest thing for 09 but wait until you see what it does this year.


The next item to help fill out the design of 09 is humility. Humility really does not stand out and be noticed but wait until you see the power of this little addition to the completly decked out duds for this year.


If you thought humility was not seen, wait until you see what we have for Gentleness. Gentleness always takes a back seat to the aggressive designs that are hard to miss but this year gentleness will sneak up on you and knock you out with the power of this little and obscure part of the complete look.

Wait until you see what we have


next......................................................................................

Patience is something we have been waiting for. I can't believe it is finally ready for the look of 09. You won't be disappointed by the wait.


Now

What you really have been waiting for!


A wardrobe is not complete until you figure out how are you going to wrap this all up in a nice neat package. Before you go out in the new look of 09, finish it off with with the coat of Love. You will not believe how this finishes out the perfect look for what needs to take place as the new line is introduced this spring.


As you clothe me in you spirit bind me all together in perfect unity as the Adventure in Middle Grove sports a new look.


( no, I haven't lost it )

Navigation for Life

"Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called."

1 Timothy 6:12

I recently bought a new car, nothing fancy but something economical and fun and has good gas mileage.

It is a Suzuki X4. It has many features including it will fit both my kayaks on the roof.

One of the features I like the best is the Garmin navigation included as a component to the car. It is very helpful as the navigation system lets me know I am approaching a road before I get to the road.



Wouldn't it be nice if I had one of these for the navigation of life.


I DO

It is the Bible.

I am shown the direction before I get there. It is the eternal life I will have with God. The navigation device is pointing to the direction of God. It does not tell me when to go but what I need to do to get there.

Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a device that says,


"no, Rick, you better not do that,"

or

"DEAD end, please turn around,"

or

"Danger Ahead"


Well, I do. It is the daily reliance on God's direction and his will as he guides me with His "navigation system"

Lord, Direct my paths and keep me from danger and loss of direction as your navigation device is always pointing in the right direction...

Towards YOU,

As we travel on the Adventure on in Middle Grove.

Hot Stuff

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.

Proverbs 17:3, New International Version




The engineer in me was intrigued by this verse as I was reading a few weeks ago and finally got back to taking a closer look. As I go through life's adventures, God desires that I seek him more clearly to develop a closer relationship with him. This verse is a picture of what God will do for me and how hard it is for me to follow His lead.

The melting point of silver is 1,762 degrees F.

The melting point of Gold is 1,946 degrees F.

Metals are melted in a crucible to get the heat concentration to maintain the very hot temperatures needed to turn the metal from a solid to a liquid so it can be formed in to something else. As the solid begins to melt the impurities embedded with the metal begin to separate as the temperature rises.

These impurities are call dross. A found a great definition of dross and what it means to get to the purest of metals as the impurities are separated from the valuable elements.


Dross- the scum formed on the surfaces of molten metals.

Nice picture...

To get to the purest of metals the heat separates the valuable metal from the impurities and forms the scum on the surface of the molten metal to be separated and thrown away in most case. In any event, the scum is taken away to reveal the metal in it's most precious form.

Ok, now my logic, which is not always logical!

If Silver is melted at 1762 degrees F. and Gold is melted at 1946 degrees F., What temperature does it take for God to test and melt my heart in the crucible of life?

Must be pretty hot!


I guess that is why I feel the heat some days. It is God melting away the dross so he can skim off the scum in my life. As he turns up the heat, the soul of my heart begins to purify and be more like him as I approach the day where I will be that pure unadulterated precious metal without the dross of this life. God sees me precious in his sight while on this side of eternity but desires to purify me and remove the scum that surrounds the real precious metal on the underside of the scum of life. The layer of dross in a crucible is very thin but it obscures the view of the prize. It is only when the scum is removed that the prize is revealed in full.

Lord,

Continue to refine me in the crucible of life.

Continue to turn up the heat to separate the dross from the preciousness of you

Continue to melt and test my heart


so what is seen when the scum is removed is my soul melted and reformed to follow you as the crucible of life gets ever more interesting on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

DAY 1

...as a man he struggled with God...


But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always.

HOS 12


Waiting is something I have talked about many times and waiting is still something I struggle with as I continue to look to God for his wisdom, grace and mercy. This verse comes after a struggle with God.

The Lord commanded Jacob to return to him but he still did not listen!

This is me at times.

Hearing God, asking me, to return to him.

My response...

Hold on God, wait a minute, can't you see I am busy. I'll get to you in a minute...

Can't YOU wait?

OK, I am asking God to wait for me.

Wow,

That is messed up.

How the small nuances of my humanness end up heading me in the wrong direction.

MY direction, not God's direction.

God, clearly "commands" after a struggle that I return to him and wait for him.

I have talked many times about friends and their impact on my life. I want to thank one very special friend for their conversation of the soul. We talked about "DAY 1" and Much Advice Was shared which was needed in great measures.

As I searched scripture, there was no better place to look as God clearly says that after a struggle with him, I need to return to him.

Simple principle...just dumb me.

Every day is DAY 1 if I clearly head in the direction of wisdom and return to God EVERY DAY,

HIS WAY

Lord, I return to you on DAY 1 and wait for you as I wait on you on the Adventure in Middle Grove

In My Own Eyes

Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.

Proverbs 3:7


Keep it Simple Stupid

First, I need to admit that with the complexities and perplexities of life that even in my smartest moment, I am not all that brilliant. Second, the LORD our God is awesome in holiness, majesty, power, wisdom, and grace; he is far beyond me and all I can truly grasp of him is the smallest of glimpses of glory. It is like a speck of dust in the universe. Finally, let me stay away from anything that leads to evil knowing that evil infects and confuses me, as well as separates me from God.

The line between knowledge of God and evil is a small thin line.


Heavenly Father,

your wisdom is matchless,

your grace unfathomable,

your holiness incomparable,

and your love beyond comprehension.

Thank you for all of your many blessings and gifts, but most of all I thank you for your gift of accessibility for me as I have no right in your presence but am invited by your loving mercy. Please strengthen my will to withstand temptation and deepen my wisdom to see evil for what it is. Please empower me in my desire to stay far away from evil and its influence while continuing the Adventure in Middle Grove.

No FEAR

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

³ he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

⁴ Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Yesterday I went to a healing service at a retreat center for a time of prayer and healing. This is a great place for reflection and fellowship and for sitting before God and to put everything at his feet away from the chaos of life. The message for the day was fear and what fear can do to me, even as a believer.


God has taken everything away, stripped me of all the things I used to earn people's admiration. I knew what he was up to. He put me in a place where my heart's deepest wounds and arrows-and came out. As I was weeping I saw all the pictures of what I wanted to be, not what God wanted me to be.


What came from my heart was surprising- incredible



FEAR.


From the place of my woundedness I created a false self. I found a few gifts that suited me and lived off them for a long time! I used them to invent a new self that everyone admired and nobody knew. It is like frosted glass. It has a great view from the inside-out but not from the outside-in.


So God took it all away. This often happens at the start of our initiation journey but continues as God continues to refine my Christian walk. He thwarts MY plan for salvation.

He starts a new plan for a journey not of my own doing and continually brings me back for a sharper focus.

"Until you have given yourself to him, you cannot be your real self"

CS Lewis

I will fear no evil, for you are with me as I dwell in the house of the Lord on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Lacking Wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5

Today wisdom is going to be needed in extra measures as well as prayer and grace. So often, I act out of ignorance or indifference and face consequences for my actions. God longs to grant me spiritual wisdom that not only helps me make wise choices, but also gives me the ability to act and react with grace and wisdom.

Before I face each day,

before I face challenging situations,

before I make challenging decisions,


let me seek God's face and ask for his gift of wisdom.


Father, I need your wisdom to help me make the right decisions in the challenges and situations that will confront me today and every day. Please pour your wisdom into my heart and head so that my actions, words, and choices will not only be pleasing to you, but also a blessing to those around me as we pray together on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

An Orphan in this World

James

¹⁸I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

This past weekend I was in Oswego for some work and some play with Issac and Jenna. I did get to go to church and see something that was a powerful testimony of God's grace and mercy.

The church was performing baptisms. The had a dunk tank on the stage and each person walked up and got in to the tank and then talked about what God had done in their life. All testimonies were compelling but one was beyond what one would expect from such a young woman.

I think what made her testimony more compelling was she did not know she was doing it

The woman was from Latvia and her father died when she was 2 and her mother put her and 2 siblings in an orphanage and left them. She talked about getting dressed up each Mother's day and waiting for her mother to come.

She never did

She talked about times she was brought in to families to live

She never did

She talk about people talking to her about Christ and how she could believe in him

She never did.

Then, she talked about a family who invited her in to their home for a summer visit and the subsequent call to be adopted in to this family.

She mentioned arriving in Atlanta and standing in the airport and no family was there to greet her and the feeling she was going to be an orphan again. The family was there and was delayed. They did find her and you can imagine the home coming she received.

She talked about being in the orphanage and being the only one who believed in God after that first summer visit and the ridicule she received for believing in Christ. She also talked about her faith in God and knew God would not leave her and he had a plan for her. She talked about doubt and would God would forget her.

He never did!

Alenna is 18 years old and gave a testimony about being an orphan in this world and an orphan without Christ. She now had her earthly family and her spiritual family as she was no longer an orphan, without Christ.

What a powerful example of God's grace and how far we are away from God as orphans in this world and how God picks us up to be in his family. I could feel her pain as she talked about the lonely days in the orphanage but I could hear her joy now that she was accepted in to a family that would not leave her ever again.

She was back home!

Lord, let me remember that I was an orphan before you called me in to your family. I was alone and without hope or direction. Thank you for your grace and mercy EVERY day has I am no longer an orphan since you called me many years ago on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Stirring up the Pot

Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.

Proverbs 10:12



My absolute worst tendency is to want to repay evil with evil, spite for spite, pettiness with pettiness, and hatred with hatred. I know this is wrong! I have rarely done this. But the thought of it is not pure in the eyes of God. He has always wanted his people to be the redemptive influence in their world, society, and relationships. Paul reminded the Christians in Rome to "not repay evil with evil" (Rom. 12:17). God's teaches me a similar truth.

What I found out the other night is love removes the teeth out of difficult situations, while hatred only turns up the flames of bitterness and hate. It may not solve the problem but it will defuse the it even if the other person does not desire love. I'm called to be a different kind of person that leaves the world a better place.

I am called to love just as God loves me.

I am called to gentleness just as God is gentle to me

I am called to grace and mercy just as God has shown me.


It isn't always easy, but it is always powerful.

Father, I confess that when I'm wronged it makes me angry and I'm tempted to strike back in kind. Please, continue to remove the ugly side of my character through the cleansing and redeeming influence of your Holy Spirit. Inspire me today as your spirit is with me on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Watching over me

The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:8



The other day I was drawn to scripture about how God takes care of me even while I sleep! So, I looked to what he has to say about watching over me while I am awake. Someone needs to keep me out of trouble since I do not always do a good job of it! Does it matter to anyone that I'm here? Does anyone notice when I'm gone? Does anybody care if I make it home or never leave the house?


YES


The LORD,


the Savior of Israel,


and the Father of Jesus knows all about me and my adventures. He will watch over me, now and forevermore.

Father, thank you that when I rise up, you are not only there, but even more than that you are watching over me. Lord, thank you that when I return home at the end of my day, you are there, guiding me home and welcoming me. I thank you most of all, dear Father, that when I leave this life and go to the next, you are there to escort me out of this life and welcome me home to life with you, forever! Until then, we are together as you watch over me on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

The Inverse of the Verse

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Philippians 4:8


Last night I had a very personal experience that should have driven me to the inverse of the verse mentioned in today's rambling.

Here are the antonyms for the great wisdom in today's thought.



True---------- false

Noble ------- unprincipled

Right--------- wrong

Pure---------- tainted

Lovely-------- ugly

Admirable--- unworthy

Excellent----- poor

Praiseworthy- blameworthy


I was close to the antonyms last night....pretty bad stuff;

I was close to the evil that lurks right around the corner of my soul;

I was close to words that would have not honored my commitment to LOVE;


I WAS CLOSE TO GOD

He grabbed my heart and and rapidly drew me to his words and his wisdom.

He got my mind out of the gutter of humanity and turned my heart towards His glory.

Righteous and Holy God, you are marvelous and glorious, perfect in every way and beyond my comprehension. Please awaken the character of your holiness within me by your Holy Spirit. Please help me see and focus upon the good and glorious things you place in my path today and each day that you give me life on the Adventure in Middle Grove.