24/7

The true calling of a Christian is not to do the extraordinary things but to do ordinary things in an extraordinary way. Dean Stanley

Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. Colossians 3:17

A Thoughtful Laugh

A Long Life

The truest lengthening of life is to live while we live, wasting no time but using every hour for the highest ends. So be it this day. - Charles Spurgeon

God's Workmanship

Ephesians 6:1-4

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. Honor your father and mother.’ This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, 'things will go well for you, and you will have long life on the earth.' Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord." – Ephesians 6:1-4(NLT)

Graduation - Milestones

My daughter graduated from High School on 6-12-09. Very exciting day. I asked her how it felt to walk into the large convention center with everyone cheering and standing in honor of the grads and her answer was, "Like a star." She had a good day. So did her parents, brother, Aunt, and friends. I remember her Pre-school grad. We have a pic of her in her cap and gown. Cute as can be. Her pic on this post is beautiful as can be. I remember Ruth, my wife and her mom, helping her accept Jesus Christ. The baptism, the summer camps, the spiritual growth times. I remember her friendships formed. New friends, summer hang time, summer trips to the lake and beach with friends. I remember her 5th grade ceremony. To Middle School, High School, dating privilege's, driving privilege's, staying out late privilege's. I remember her studying hard and late into the night. I remember her soccer days. She was good. Her band days. She was good. Chorus, Dance Team, SCA, Honor society, Homecoming Court, One grade to another and then walking the stage. One guy who walked the stage with he class had been in High School for 7 years. Known as a friendly have fun kind of guys he finally graduated and when his name was called the whole class of over 450 students erupted into huge applause and loud cheering. It was sweet.

Milestones - 1. a stone functioning as a milepost. 2. a significant event or stage in the life, progress, development, or the like of a person, nation, etc.: Her getting the job of supervisor was a milestone in her career. Above are some milestones in my daughters life. They are important to her, her parents, her brother, her relatives, and her friends. Milestones help us remember, rejoice, mourn, and look ahead. They are markers of life. They do not necessarily guide us but they do remind us of where we have been and in what direction we are going. A friend recently said, "Today's decisions become tomorrow's reality." On a boat one time with a friend doing some offshore fishing the Captain showed me some pre-GPS ways of navigating. One of the ways was to look back at the wake of the boat occasionally to be certain the boat was keeping a straight line. It was pretty cool how far we could see back and that the line told us we were on course. Milestones are not where we are going, but they are an indicator of decisions that become reality and where we are headed. In life we all have some milestones whether we note them or not. We are currently living milestones whether we realize it or not.

As a pastor or church leader I like to see people accept Christ, follow through with baptism, begin to worship with others regularly, begin forming new and helpful relationships in small groups, begin Scripture reading, prayer time, note taking, forming new life patterns, helping others accept Christ and walk with God and then one day being able to look back and see the milestones of God's work in their lives. Beautiful Milestones of redemption, grace, righteousness, miracles, friendships, and on and on.

Milestones - 1. Today's decisions become tomorrow's reality.

There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother. Genesis 35:7

Computer Prayer

Dear Lord,
Every single evening
As I'm lying here in bed,
This tiny little prayer
Keeps running through my head:
God bless all my family
Wherever they may be,
Keep them warm
And safe from harm
For they're so close to me.
And God, there is one more thing
I wish that you could do;
Hope you don't mind me asking,
Please bless my computer too..
Now I know that it's unusual
To Bless a motherboard,
But listen just a second
While I explain it to you,
Lord.You see, that little metal box
Holds more than odds and ends;
Inside those small compartments
Rest so many of my friends.
I know so much about them
By the kindness that they give,
And this little scrap of metal
Takes me in to where they live.
By faith is how I know them
Much the same as you.
We share in what life brings us
And from that our friendships grew.
Please take an extra minute
From your duties up above,
To bless those in my address book
That's filled with so much love.
Amen

Graduation - Keep Learning

Always Be A Student

Keep on learning, (graduate's name),
Though your graduation's done;
Your whole life's an education
That has only just begun.

Your diploma is the first big step,
For knowledge is the special key
To winning what you want in life
And being who you want to be.

If you'll always be a student,
You'll find the secrets to success
And travel on the golden road
To peace and happiness.

By Joanna Fuchs

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Provers 19:10

Randy Forbes - USA Judeo-Christian Heritage

The Beach

I went to the beach yesterday afternoon for my first time in '09. My son and a friend of his and mine went with me and we had a good time with other friends in the sand and surf. As I came off of the parking lot and over the dune to see the beautiful blugreenish ocean with nice little swells I felt relief come over my shoulders, mind, and even my soul. It was good to enjoy the sand, surf and sun. It was relaxing and challenging to walk into the water paddle out and start trying to catch the first wave of '09. For a lurfer (a person learning to surf) the water and waves were nice. Good sets, not to mushy and just the right size for an inside lurfer. As I sat in my chair looking over the vast water and as I floated on my board in the water looking to the horizon while watching for swell to form I could not help but think how big God is and how small I am, yet the big God I worship know my name, my weaknesses, my strengths, my concerns, my joys and my hopes. He knows me. That is good news. He is real, personal, and involved. That brings relief. It also makes me desire to invite others to Him just as I often invite others to the beach.

P.S.

At the end of the day my son and I took a few minutes and shared God's message of hope with our new friend. In doing so we found out that he had accepted Christ a few years ago by some others friends sharing with Him the message of Good News, the Gospel. CooliO.

Three

Let the honor of your neighbor be as dear to you as you own.

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. James 2:8

He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " Luke 10:27