Grass Greener?

Recently, we re-established ourselves in a place that we thought we would not find ourselves.  We have moved to a place oh so familiar. The state is Oregon. The place where I grew up and a place where my wife was born, but only lived for a short time as a child. A place where everybody gets tired of rain, well almost everybody.

But when visited by out of towners they almost inevitably say, "wow" this is the most beautiful place!  Of course they vacation during a dry spell and because it rains a lot in OR, it stays green. You know that phrase:  "The grass is greener on the other side?"  It really could mean:  "Where I am is not where I want to be and I believe there is something better." 

I understand this feeling because i have been there!  I have run into many dear people who I am convinced are struggling with that very same phrase or idea.  Thinking there is something better on the other side of the fence.  Well,  what if God has green grass in store for you!  But it is not on the other side of the fence, and it is not in another city, state, or even country.  Perhaps it is right there in front of you.  Maybe you are sitting on that green grass and don't even know it. 

I want to tell you Oregon is beautiful!  But God's will for you is more beautiful than anything else.  Amen

Why I Celebrate Christmas

Why I Celebrate Christmas

I need Jesus. Could you imagine if Christ never came? I'm a Gentile living thousands of miles away from Israel. The likelihood of me hearing about a coming Messiah would be slim. I would still be lost, trying to do this life in my own strength and making a big mess of it. I need Jesus.

But the truth is, He did come. In the humble state of a baby, relying on us humans to care for him! He came. Emmanuel, God with us. Because he came, news of His birth, death and resurrection have continued to spread over 2000 years over thousands of miles of land and seas, and I was privileged to hear this news! Whoa. Little ole' me. He came. And has changed me. I am still a work in progress, but he has changed me. He has filled me with peace. I have been forgiven things I thought were unforgiveable. I have hope that no matter what life throws at me, He will be with me.

I need Jesus. That is why I celebrate Christmas. There are some who choose not to celebrate Christmas for a number of different reasons, boycotting commercialism, greed, or the fact that we know Jesus was not born on December 25th. But I will celebrate. I will find ways to bring glory to His name in the ways I celebrate. Hey, I figured, if God can redeemed my sorry self, He can redeem a day on the calendar.

I celebrate Christmas because Jesus was and is the best gift I have ever received. That is why I will give gifts to those around me and to those in need, not just physical need, but also spiritual need. I do not need any gifts in return, because His presence is my present. I need Jesus.

I need Jesus.

Web album of Madi

Easter Picture Tradition

We are so blessed! Three wonderful kids and one on the way. 

God is good! Always!

Blessed

Today was beautiful. The sky was blue, the flowers blooming and my boy (6) came and helped me mow the lawn. He sat on my lap and steered the riding mower. We had a good time. He is really ticklish and I would mess him up while he drove by tickling him. :) It was wonderful.

What is beauty?

Today I witnessed a beautiful sight. As Jesus followers, we are to be like Him in our actions demonstrated through love and humility. I have recently joined a community of people who have seen many tough times. Many have physical limitations, physical pains, many have been through such difficulties in life, that I can not pretend to begin to understand. Years ago, one man in particular, was helping a stranded motorist change their tire when another driver hit the man and kept going. This man of God almost lost his life and has limitations to this day. He is not bitter at God nor at the driver who injured him. On the contrary, he is a strong, kind, considerate man. Today I could not hold back the tears as I watched this man, struggle to his feet, cross the aisle at church and help an elderly woman to her feet and walk with her to the communion table. He then helped her to her seat again, went back and joined his wife at the table. Humility, love, compassion exhibited in the midst of a broken body, but not a broken soul. Beauty defined through deeds.

Anna's Bday

Anna's Bday was last weekend. We surprised her with a basketball hoop, dinner with Grandma & Grandpa, the high school football game & cake & ice cream back at our house. It was fun.

Jesus introduced by Steve Harvey

Life

Life is different down here. It is quieter, colder, more beautiful, & different. We are getting use to it. We love the space of 3 acres for the kids to run around. We love the view. There are good people here. We pray for God's hand on our lives and this church.

Sweet Home . . . no really it is called Sweet Home!!

We know God knows the future. We just never imagined we would end up back in our home state serving in the small community of Sweet Home, Oregon. We were preparing to move to France . . . we are now living in the heart of small town America. Life is an adventure.

Well, our kids and Edmund, our dog, are sure enjoying it here! Lots of room to run, lots of grass and such sweet, kind people at the church.

Between remodeling the parsonage, entertaining company & VBS, we have kept pretty busy during these last 5 weeks. For 2 of those weeks we had Susan's family staying with us - 22 people under one roof - it was a ton of fun!!! We were all gathered for Susan's Grandpa's 85th birthday.

We also had some cuties join our family, the girls talked us into accepting 2 8-week old kittens from Susan's cousin. They are brother & sister and Edmund seems to be adjusting to them quite well.

So if any of you would like to come visit - let us know we would love to have you!
Take a look at our view from our living room.

The kids & the pets
Swimming in the pool someone gave us!
Hiking near our home
Hiking again!
God's beautiful creation everywhere!

New Adventures

Thomas Boyd from the Oregonian took this picture

We know transition. We know limbo. We know uncertainty. We also Know the Creator of all things, the Alpha and the Omega. He has set us on a new course, one we would not have thought of on our own. He is directing our lives to a new place. We know it is Him who is directing us and we trust Him completely.