"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."

Proverbs 4:23, NLT


As we travel through life, guard your heart but don't let it stop you from moving on to a new course in life as I will on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Ya Never Know

The past few years have been ultimate highs and real lows...


But the last 9 months has brought great joy in seeing my family grow.


Hannah- August
Liam- January
Linnea- February

Not too many times in life will I get to hold 3 babies in 9 months.

God is a great God!

Never Forget

"Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen...And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren." Deuteronomy 4:9, NLT








I don't feel that old but tomorrow will be the 4th grandchild in my family. 3 babies in the past 8 months.

I hope I have the opportunity to pass on the love God has shown me and the love of other people.

Let me never forget what I have seen on the Adventure in Middle Grove... and pass it on.

Reconcillation

God has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

2 Corinthians 5:19


The price has been paid. The ransom is provided. God's judgment was averted, not because of anything I did to appease him, but by his own sacrifice of Jesus for our sins. If God has gone to such great links to reconcile us to himself and adopt us into his family, how can we refuse? We must not! We must offer you our hearts!

I praise you for your grace, thank you for your love, and promise to share your
mercy while on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

All the Days of Your life

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalms 90:12



So often we look up and time has passed us by. The things we promised ourselves we'd accomplish and the deeds we told others we'd do get left undone. Before we know it, days have become weeks, and weeks months, and months years. We find ourselves unable to do
what we once assumed we could do any time we wanted. We must seize the opportunities placed in our path.

Don't wait until it is too late

Please help me see your plans in each of my days and live in a way which not only honors you, but also blesses those you want me to reach on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39


Besides food, relationships are something we desire as humans. Separation is something we fear whether it's separation from a child, a parent, a sibling, a spouse, a friend, or from God. Jesus endured separation from God by becoming a human and by going to the cross. Because of Jesus' sacrifice, we can know we won't have to ever be separated from God's love. He bore the separation so we would never have to fear it!

Separation and lack of relationships on earth can be a painful experience but nothing will seperate me from the love of God on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Continued love

This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. -- 1 John 3:11







As you probably remember, I can get stuck on a topic or in the activity of life something keeps coming to my mine. The path of life leads to many unexpected turns and twists. Unforeseen obstacles and challenges are always on the path we travel. Looking forward beyond the challenges to continue the journey is the only way to go. Looking at the relationships in life and the challenges they present can provide a formidable speed bump on the path of life. When you look at the disappointment and discouragement in life, only take a quick glance.

Focus on the path ahead and fix your eyes on love as I will on the Adventure on Middle Grove.

I'm BAAACCK

"Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good." Romans 12:9, NLT





Hello to all my Adventurers. I really needed a rest to recharge my thoughts. Much has happened in the last 2 years and I needed to take some time to reflect on many elements in my life.


I thought is was was good place to start where I left off after 18 straight months of writing.

LOVE

Having just passed a "man made" holiday, love is really in the forefront of society. But is it really love?

Love is not a day for flowers.

It is a long term commitment to the good and the bad. It is up holding each other through the good times and the times of struggle. It is understanding the soul.

So, as I begin another segment of the adventure, remember this in your relationships...

REALLY LOVE THEM as I will on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

If you would like to be removed from the list, please let me know as I am working on some email maintenance.

A special message....

Wow,

I was without computer access for the past 4 days. I had a few messages published automatically but I lost a few days.

Can't believe how much I depend on technology.

I will be taking a break for a week or so. I have been writing the Adventure in Middle Grove non stop for 18 months, The past few days are the first days I have missed in 18 months.

I need some time to recharge my thoughts and start again in a few weeks.

Stay tuned....

Ya never know what will happen!


Rick

It doesn't have to end

Much of the world celebrates Christmas from a secular point of view and it is a nice day ending at mid-night on the 25th of December.  The best part of Christmas for me is knowing that it never has to end.  Every week should remind me of the great news that God delivered about 2000 years ago.  God sent his Son to minister among his people so I might have my sins forgiven and have fellowship with him.  God gave his Son to make us part of his family, and I share the good news he gave me.  

This is something I need to be reminded of every day.  God gave me the most perfect gift this Christmas and a story that never ends... on this earth.  Thank you Lord for your message of hope on this Christmas day.

  
...This is only the beginning.

A Christmas Message

To all my friends of the Adventure in Middle Grove

Have a Great Christmas!


link

No Room at the Inn

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:9

"No room in the inn!" "Placed him in a manger!" So often we play favorites with the rich, beautiful, powerful, and prestigious. Isn't it interesting that God revealed himself as the defender of the widow, the orphan, and the alien and then entered the world as the child of a Jewish carpenter and a young virgin from a small town? God wants us to notice those in need around us. He wants it to be more than an annual good gesture at Christmas. He wants us to be

advocates for the folks like Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. We're not just told to be fair; we're told to defend and to plead the rights of those in need. When we do, we do it for him (see Matthew 25).

Make me more aware of those around me who need love and grace. Make me your instrument to defend them and to serve them. Open my eyes to see the faces of those in need on the Adventure in Middle Grove

The Reality of the Season

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.And the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:6-9)



The Christmas season is a cacophony of thoughts and emotions in our society!

For some, it's a time of giving and getting, a time to spend more money than should be spent to buy things that nobody really needs. For others, it's a time of quiet religious reflection.

For some, Christmas is a special, family time, sharing precious hours with those that we care about. For others, it's a time of loneliness and hurt.

For some, Christmas is a deeply significant time to remember the birth of Jesus and reflect on the meaning of his coming to earth. For others, it is merely another day, sharing space in the holiday season with Hanukkah and Kwanzaa and New Year's Day.

For some, Christmas is a desperately needed time to sell goods and make one last bit of profit in a difficult year. For others, it's a time to protest the religious misconceptions that abound in this celebration.

It's easy for us to feel more than a bit overwhelmed.

In the mix of emotions during this holiday season, let God surround you with his peace. Place all of your worries on him and focus on the things that will truly bring you peace.

May there be peace on earth during these coming days and months, and may there be peace in your life and on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Hockey Tuesday- From Champ to Chump and Back

Psalm 31:24 (The Message)

24 Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up.
Expect God to get here soon




It's Hockey Tuesday...

Must be a story in that!

Last night the ice was perfect. For my non hockey friends, you probably don't care but for my hockey friends, you know how that feels. I play in the Glens Falls Civic Center, Home of the Adirondack Phantoms of the AHL. It is a great rink to play in as it is a small facility with a big league feel.

Not even close to any league for me !

Playing goal needs a huge belief in your abilities and skill. The one thing in hockey is as a goalie, I will get scored on no matter what. It will eventually happen.

Playing games is fun but I admit, I do make a mistake occasionally. Last night I had a puck get whacked and it wentup in the air and I "lost it in the lights", went over my head and in to the net.

This was a chump time

Later in the game, I stopped a breakaway and the rebound came out front to an open net and jumped back, on my back, and stopped the puck with a swiping motion away from the net.

This was champ time!

It is a good thing God does not look at me by how I make a save in life or let one go by. He is with me whether or not its in the glove or in the back of the net on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Did you have an Uncle Joe?

The Christmas season this year is full of uncertainties. With travel, visiting relatives, cram packed schedules, tight budgets, and unexpected emergencies, most of us will have our share of "You've got to be kidding me!" moments.

Growing up in large family was very interesting. My mom was one of 12 and we regularly got together for Sundays and always for holidays. We are a great time in a small house with lots of people stuffed in to a little house smoking cigars and drinking Spanish wine.

Then there was Uncle Joe, really a 2nd uncle.

He had issues and usually came in to the celebration REALLY drunk after hanging out someplace. Never did figure out where that was. It was hard to kick him out since he lived next door in the 2 family with his mother.


This was one of those"You've got to be kidding moments"


Life's journey's have many of these moments. Some significant and some we care not to remember

And in the middle of our journeys, fraught with challenges and problems, let's remember that our Savior chose to make His journey to us through the same kind of confusion, stress, and uncertainty so that we could know Him as Jesus.

Let's us remember this week the reason for this time of the year and remember the important aspects of life and living on the Adventure in Middle Grove

Light in a Dark World

 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Romans 12:16


I really started to follow what is said about me in relationship to others and how should I be as a person awhile ago . How do I do what is right in the eyes of everybody? How can I truly be someone who is a giver of encouragement and hope.

"Live in Harmony with one another"

...not a term I heard much of today. I believe this is for people who need to really look at themselves  and see who we need to love together as brothers and sisters in this adopted family God has created. This was also written to the Romans who were very independent people and needed to heard what it meant to be a believer in this new faith and how we need to be like a family where we strive to live together in harmony with each other.

I need to also consider people who  "low in position" I think this is all of us! We are all made lower than God therefore I need to be aware that my self- righteousness and view of myself, without God would tend to not be willing to associate with people in low position.  We are all in low position so I guess I am part of the crowd again!

"Don't be conceited!" That's a command for someone else, right? I don't think I've ever met someone who felt he or she was conceited. But, when we're looking for someone with whom we want to associate, we seldom look for someone ignored by the crowd, forgotten by the pretty people, and easily overlooked by others. We want to "hang around with" those who are important, who are superstars, or at least who carry some clout. We believe we deserve to be noticed and valued, too. Oops, guess that's where the commands in this verse come from!

Don't be conceited

Don't be proud

Live in harmony

Please help me to continue to see those who are less fortunate in spirit and position so I might be a light in a dark world where harmony and peace seem like a distance thought never to be approached or attained. Help me to be more like you every day as I continue the Adventure in Middle Grove.

What's faith got to do with it...

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:9-13


What is the definition of sincere?

An earnest devotion without reservation or misgiving.

Many times in live you have to be sincere before you are aware the other person is reciprocating
Being sincere in love of others is also a leap of faith not know if the other person will offer the benefit of returning love.

It takes a bit of faith...

I found this quote awhile back that is a good example of giving in to faith in love.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

Martin Luther King Jr.

Faith in love is something only experienced in the intimacy of great friends and relationships. This is just not romantic love but brotherly love for those people we really care about.

Help me keep the zeal in love on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Good Medicine

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength. "

Proverbs 17:22, NLT


As I have been talking about for the past few weeks, this season can be one of joy and sadness. The joy of past memories and the sadness of past memories. Our emotions are in our control if we wish to take control. Use this time of the year to seek happiness in the din of hollow exceptions and situations.

Dream big and keep a cheerful heart the focus of who you are in life.

Let me be a cheerful heart in a world that is not always so cheerful on the Adventure in Middle Grove.

Got to have FUN!

"So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun."



Ecclesiastes 8:15, NLT

This time of year there are so many pressures and expectations on your personal lives it is hard to remember life can be fun. Thanksgiving and Christmas probably provide the more family stress than any other time of the year. As kids get older and start to have their own families, meeting together is harder and harder as the complexities of life get exponential more complicated.

This Christmas season really take a look at what is important in life.Try to take your eyes off of the superficial extravagances of society and look at what really makes a difference.

Take notice of those special times and relationships in a new way, as I will, on the Adventure in Middle Grove

Asleep at the wheel

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
1 Thessalonians 5:6






Working for government is sometimes interesting. Many people have worked at the same job doing the same thing at the same time for over 25 years. So many sleepwalk through relationships, their jobs and life in general. They never are awake enough to really live and feel the excitement of life and the people in their lives.

But I have made the choice to not to be "dead" in life.

I am alive because of the people in my life and the relationships established to enhance living and not be drawn to the ho hum existence that is easy but not fun or challenging.

Awaken me to dream great dreams and imagine great things as I continue the Adventure in Middle Grove