BLOWOUT!!

I mentioned Sunday that my oldest son was taking a group of teens to Montana on a youth mission trip. I thought it strange that he was calling me Saturday afternoon because I knew the group couldn't be too far down the road. I answered the phone and he said, "Dad, I need your help. I need the number to Triple A". Sure enough, vehicle problems - just an hour into Colorado. A tire that had just been purchased the previous week had blown. That's bad enough but as you can see, it blew to pieces and one of those pieces caught a radiator hose which meant the van was overheating and could not be driven any further. Unfortunately they were not covered by AAA and ended up calling ahead to Flagler and the van was towed to town and repaired there. He did call later and say they were back on the road but I've not heard from him since so I assume no news is good news.

Life is full of blowouts isn't it? At times they are not too consequential - just a matter of a simple fix ( putting on the spare) and you're back at it. At other times it seems overwhelming - a flat tire, a torn radiator hose, a stranded van full of kids, 100 degree heat, no AAA coverage - one thing after another. One thing for sure, life is always going to have its share of blowouts! The question is, how will we handle them?

If we're honest, there are times when we become overwhelmed and "behave badly". "Why me?" Anger, bitterness, complaining, grumble, grumble, grumble. But what good does that do? How does that fix the tire, repair the hose, encourage the kids, or expedite the process? Or in life, how does being fussy and grouchy build trust with others, repair a relationship, encourage our children, reveal a Christian witness? Sometimes "life" (blowouts) just happens. It's how one responds to the blowouts of life that reveal who we really are in Christ, not to mention how others observe us as those who proclaim to be followers of Jesus.

I am reminded in John 16:33 where Jesus reminds his followers that "In this world you will have trouble (blowouts), but take courage, I have overcome the world". Therefore, knowing that none of us are exempt from "life" happening to us, let us not allow the blowouts of life cause us to "blow up". Look to the One who offers us spiritual roadside service, the One who has overcome the troubles and enables us to overcome as well. Happy traveling!!

MONDAY MEANDERINGS!

Ah yes, another Monday. Most people hate Mondays. Me?? Normally my day off so I kind of like it. It gives me a little breather before jumping back in the saddle and gettin after it for another week. Lots of thoughts floating around in my head but the problem is, they don't seem to want to leave. Ever had that problem? I'm sure they are good thoughts, but for the moment, they are going to have to simmer. In the meantime, here goes:

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  I'm still convinced that humidity is of the devil.


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  3 months from right now til the infamous elk hunt, but who's counting?


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  Sunday was an awesome day in worship! Preached the "dynamite power" of the Holy Spirit and that very Spirit drew many to the altar for prayer. Blaze, Spirit, blaze!!


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  I still love this quote - "He who hears not the music thinks the dancer is mad!" (In Batterson's book 'In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day!'


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  ML and I are attempting the Couch-to-5K Running Plan! (On purpose - how crazy is that?)


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  I know many of you love summer, however...........................


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  Something to ponder - A system produces what it measures, and you get what you pay attention to.


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  Wheat harvest is upon us. I hope to help out next Monday (unless dad and bro are done by then). It always reminds me of what Jesus said - the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Anyone ready to go to work? Nothing like leading someone to Jesus, bringing them into the kingdom.


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  Extremely excited about the staff at our church. Vicky, Tracey, , ML, Brian, Bri and yours truly - A great team! For such a time as this!!


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  Facing some possible change at the church. Still praying for discernment and for God's will that we might focus on reaching the least, the last, and the lost. Gil Rendle said that for change to take place, there are two parents - pain and possibility! ('Journey in the Wilderness'). How true, how true!


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  Grateful for the life of Betty Henderson who passed away last Saturday. Her memorial service will be Friday at 11:00 at MUMC.


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  The NBA championship won by the Mavs over the Heat is proof that you can't buy the ring!


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  Father's Day is Sunday. Don't forget. Most of all, I am thankful to my Heavenly Father for offering me his grace and mercy through Jesus. Amen and amen!

HORSING AROUND!

This past weekend I went to my brother's house for a little country "get-a-way" time. I left Sunday afternoon (after a short nap) and got to Rod's house around 4:00. We lazied around for a little while and then decided it was time to make something to eat. We were the only ones around because the rest of his family was out and about doing other things. So, we fired up the grill, grabbed a couple steaks, a little deer burger, and found some fish and taters. You know, a good red-neck meal of meat and potatos. And yes, it was great.

We then decided to saddle up the horses and go for a ride down by the creek and surrounding area. His dog (which is as fat as a whale) decided to go along. We rode through a brome field and scared up a couple of does (female deer for you city folks). They are beautiful animals and are so graceful in their movement. We galloped the horses back across the field and turned back toward the creek. Of course the dog had to stop for a swim - crazy thing. We were walking along and I turned to Rod, "look over there in the grass". Lying there with his head turned the other way was a nice whitetail buck, its antlers still in the velvet. We slowly walked the horses closer to it until it could take it no longer and it bolted out of sight. I took a picture with my phone but it was too blurry. In the fall that buck may end up in my brother's freezer, we'll see.

We rode the horses a little farther into the trees only to scare up a big ole badger. He scurried off. Good thing the dog didn't see him. The badger would have won that battle. You don't want to make a badger mad.

We rode through the trees and along the ponds, up and down the hills enjoying the ride and the scenery. Other than a few mosquitos, it couldn't have been a better evening. Nothing like riding horses to leave some of the stuff of life behind, if only for a little while.

I don't know about you but life goes by too quickly. Here today, gone tomorrow. If you're not careful the moments to ride a horse, stop and look at deer, go down to the creek, or even grill a steak are gone. Personally I don't want to miss those moments when God meets me in the middle of His creation. For me, those moments are sacramental, meaning God's grace is present. And even though it was only for a few hours in the evening, it was a time for God to renew me and and refresh me. And for that I am grateful - even if it meant a little horsing around.