Who's in your flock?

“Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, for riches don’t last forever, and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.”

Proverbs 27:23-24 NLT. (http://bible.com/116/pro.27.23-24.nlt)

Who is a part of your flock? How far is your prayer reach? Both these questions are key to your spiritual life. It's kind of like Facebook or Twitter. How many people can you have as friends or follow on Twitter? If you have too many friends or followers on social media you can't really keep up with all of them, it's easy to miss key posts or tweets. It waters down your presence in their lives. The same thing holds true for prayer. In order to pray for someone you need to get to know them. You need to know the state of your flock. When you know what's going on in their lives you can put your heart into caring for them. Obviously you can pray for someone without knowing the details. God knows. But, to petition for someone it is best to know what they are going through. 

Your flock is your family, close friends and coworkers that you are with every day. Your flock consists of those you can pray for without them asking you. You know what to pray for because you know their struggles. These people are a part of your daily prayers and you  are sincerely concerned about them because of your relationship. I have a very specific group of people, my flock, that I pray for nearly every day, they are more important to me than praying for riches or asking for things.

Dear Lord, I pray for my flock. I love them and ask you to protect them in their daily walk. I ask that you make your or presence known in their lives. I pray that protection on my direct family, my CMA family, my coworkers, my school, my community and this nation. I love you Lord because you first loved me and sacrificed your own son for me, a member of your flock. I am humbled by that wonderful love. Amen!

Iron sharpens iron

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17 NLT)

I've always heard this verse used to talk about men and their friendships. I have had men in my life that do challenge me and sharpen me through holding me accountable, but I have other friends that also sharpen me. The best friend I've ever had is my wife. She knows me. She complements me and is truly a part of me. She is honest with me and is not intimidated by me. She loves me so much that she speaks up when my plans don't seem right. She is not about to let me mess up. She is always there to pick me up or knock me down when I need it.

So, when I read these verses I think of Stephanie. She is what sharpens me! She makes me better. I praise God for this lifetime friendship and wonderful love. I am saddened by people that do not have someone they can call best friend. I am saddened that many freindships don't go more than a status on facebook. 

We need people in our lives that "sharpen" us. That sharpening is for a lifetime.mits not just a one time experience. Lord I thank you for sending Stephanie into my life. I thank you for sending those in my life that sharpen me and make me better, a better servant for you. I praise you for your love. I praise you for my life and the joy of serving you. Amen!

Framily!

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 NIV)

How many friends do you have? I'm not talking Facebook friends, I'm talking about friends that you would do anything for and friends you would do anything for. I have a lot of people in my life that I consider friends. My CMA friends, my coworkers, my neighbors, and my friends from years past. But, My best friend is my wife and next comes my daughters, their husbands, and my grandkids. Yes, that's right! My family is my FRAMILY! Here is the definition of a friend:

1. 1.

   a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations.

   synonyms:

   companion, soul mate, intimate, confidante, confidant, familiar, alter ego, second self,playmate, playfellow, classmate, schoolmate, workmate;

The definition of a friend excludes family members. I hate to disagree with Webster, but I couldn't disagree more. Look at the synonyms, companion, soul mate, intimate, confidant, are those NOT great descriptors of our families? They specifically describe my wonderful wife.

I love my CMA friends and biker buddies. We spend a lot of time together, but the bulk of my time outside work is spent with my family. We share common interests and we all love The Lord. I am a better friend to those outside my family because of the friendships I have developed within my family. I praise God for the friendship I have with my wife. I praise God for the wonderful gift of my wife and family. I praise God for my wonderful daughters and their families. We have been together through so much in our lives. I enjoy the time we spend together not because we are family but because we are friends. We have made it through life together and I can't imagine a life without you! I love you!

Grace to you!

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (Colossians 3:16 KJV)

Let the word of Christ dwell in you in an elaborate, generous, and plentiful way. That's what "richly"  means. We need to let Christ dwell within us in a very powerful way. The best way to do that is relinquish all control to our Savior. If we remove our sinful thoughts, words, and actions, to leave room for Christ, a great work will begin to grow from within. 

I am so thankful I have people to encourage me when I'm down. I hope I reciprocate when they need the same thing. I often talk about the wonderful grace of God. We need to share that same grace to each other. We need to love each other and bring joy to our family, friends, and coworkers. We need to offer a pass to those not having a good day, the grumpy, the depressed, and those that just don't feel loved. Our presence I their lives should offer extreme grace and love that only comes from Christ living within us.

Praise God for my grace filled family, friends, and fellow teachers. I am forever thankful for your support and kindness when I am less than the person I want to be. May I be there for you in the same situation! Amen!

Who is that?

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29 NIV)

You're walking down the street. A man walks toward you. The man is Jesus. Would you recognize him? You would never walk down the street and pass a friend without recognizing them. You would probably even know them from a great distance. 

You say, "How could I recognize someone I've never seen?" John knew Jesus because of God. John's relationship with God is so strong he knew Jesus like he had been with him his entire life. How well do you know Jesus? Do you speak with him every day? Do you study his life? 

I act like the people I hang out with and they act like me. This phenomenon occurs in all relationships. The longer I'm married the closer my wife and I think alike. The friends I spend time with influence my thinking, my speaking, and my actions. It seems to make sense to spend time with Jesus and his Father so that I can act the way they do. Building a relationship with Jesus is critical to your life here on this planet and your future in eternity. You need to get to know Jesus as you would your best friend. You need to know him so well, you would recognize him anywhere and anytime. You will change by getting closer to him. 

 If you really want to change your life, make it better, get closer to Jesus!

Encourage a friend, "Hang in there!"

Ephesians 4

^1-3In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.^4-6You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness.

Throughout my life I have had some great friends. I have always had someone to get me through the tough times. My wife Stephanie has been one of those people, longer than anyone else. I have had others. There are so many, if I try to name them all, I might miss someone. More important than the friends I've had, what kind of friend have I been? I'm not sure I've been as good a friend as the friends I've had. It saddens me to think about it. It's never too late!

This past fall I was going through a really tough stretch and I needed someone to talk to. A very dear friend was there for me. Now that friend is having a tough time. What do you do for a friend who needs you? When I have gone through rough times, all I really want is someone to listen. Most of the time they can't do anything EXCEPT listen. It is so important to just be there. You probably can't solve anything. You can't make the problems go away. The most important thing is to help them realize they aren't going through it alone. As we say at GHS, "We are ONE!" I will be there for this friend no matter what. I trust them. I love them. I believe in them and I am praying for them. I want nothing more than the problems to go away. Until they do, I will be in your corner. "Hang in there!"

One Big Happy Family!

1 Timothy 5

Widows, Elders and Slaves

 1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
 

I love these verses. This is the simplest description of how we should treat each other.but, before I get started, I need to clarify something. I know not all families are like mine. We really love each other. My family is the best. We would die for each other if we needed to. When we laugh apart, we laugh together. When we cry, we all cry. It is so sad to me that all families aren't like this. If you have a great family like mine, these verses make sense. We need to treat each other like we're family.these verses don't say just treat your friends as family. We are supposed to treat EVERYONE like family. Friends, coworkers, aquaintances, strangers,black, white, Asian, Greek Jew, all need to be treated like your brother, sister, mom, or dad.

If we could all do that, myself included, this world would be a wonderful place.

1 Corinthians 6

 1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? 5 I say this to shame you.

I have been reading this scripture for the last three days trying to let it speak to me. It hasn't until now. Even now, it is off base from the point Paul is trying to make. But, the spirit moves in mysterious ways.

Who do you have to confide in? Do you have someone you go to for WISE counsel? I used to go to my Dad. He was a great Pastor and wise father. I have had close friends over the years that I have been able to open up to and seek counsel. But, at this point in my life I really don't have anyone. I'm not talking about a spouse, that's a different kind of counsel. A husband and wife are so close to each other, (or should be), that they start thinking exactly the same. It's like going to yourself for advice. You need someone else. You need someone more objective and separated from the circumstances. It is important to have a close CHRISTIAN friend to go to for wisdom. You can't just pick anyone. They have to be filled with the spirit and centered on the Lord. They need to be studyers of the word and open to Gods leading. Almost sounds impossible to find doesn't it. Makes me miss my Dad even more than ever.

Lord send me someone to counsel with. All Christians need that someone. But wait! Thank YOU for being there for me in lieu of a human counselor. You are the great counselor. Why would I need anyone else but you? I thank you for being the great listener. Thank you for prompting me to follow the wise path. Thank you for never giving up on me and not giving me what I deserve. Praise God for your wisdom, power, love and WISE COUNSEL!

Please just Listen to me!

Psalm 142

    A maskil^[b] of David. When he was in the cave. A prayer.

 ¹ I cry aloud to the LORD;
   I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.
² I pour out before him my complaint;
   before him I tell my trouble.

 ³ When my spirit grows faint within me,
   it is you who watch over my way.
In the path where I walk
   people have hidden a snare for me.
⁴ Look and see, there is no one at my right hand;
   no one is concerned for me.
I have no refuge;
   no one cares for my life.

If you don't know the story, David wrote this when he was hiding in a cave. He was hiding from Saul who was out to kill him. He was alone and miserable. Stephanie and I went to Wind Cave National Park on vacation and took a tour of the cave. As caves go, this one was uneventful. It didn't have the great stalagmites or stalactites like Carlsbad Caverns. It was pretty, but not awe inspiring. Most caves are dreary and depressing. When we were at the deepest part of the cave tour, the ranger shut off all the lights. I have never witnessed such complete darkness. I put my hand inches from my face and couldn't see it. It was weird having lost the sense of sight. But, I became much more aware of the sounds of those around me.  I could hear everything.

Thinking about David in this cave made me think about a conversation I had on Thursday with a good friend. I hadn't had a very good week. I wasn't being hunted down like David, but I certainly felt alone, miserable and tired. My friend sat with me and just LISTENED. He hardly said a word. He occasionally acknowledged his support and once in awhile spoke some words of reassurance. But, he didn't solve my problems. (He can't!) All he did was listen. His listening meant more to me than he could ever imagine.

Sometimes all we want is to be heard. Sometimes all people need is a good friend who is there to listen and by listening they lend their support and comfort. Oh, that I could learn to listen like my friend. Praise God he sent this great man into my life at the right moment in time. 

What a friend!

Psalm 88 (New International Version, ©2011)^] 

⁸ You have taken from me my closest friends
   and have made me repulsive to them. 
I am confined and cannot escape;
 .........
 ¹⁵ From my youth I have suffered and been close to death;
   I have borne your terrors and am in despair.
¹⁶ Your wrath has swept over me;
   your terrors have destroyed me.
¹⁷ All day long they surround me like a flood;
   they have completely engulfed me.
¹⁸ You have taken from me friend and neighbor—
   darkness is my closest friend.


In our fast paced mobile society, we don't have close friends like we used to. When I was growing up, I had two of the best friends anyone could have. Jeff Cisney and Tim DeWolfe, were my best friends. We did everything together. We were in each others weddings. Or families were close, our wives were good friends. What happened? Well, we all moved separate ways and just drifted apart. When I was AD at South Adams High School, I got to know Jeff's kids. They were in Berne. But, we weren't close like we had been in the past.

I have had so many good friends over the years where ever I've lived or worked. But, the friend I've known the longest is my wife. I'm not sure everyone can say that. We have gone through so much. She enjoys doing the things I do and I enjoy doing the things she wants. We really spend so much time together. I wouldn't want it any other way. We have been married for almost 33 years and have been close ever since High School. We Love each other. but we also love being with each other. The great thing about having your wife as your best friend, you don't have to worry about moving away from each other. We will be with each other now and forever.

I don't think Jesus minds me being best friend with my wife. Stephanie may be my best friend here on Earth, but Jesus is truly my best friend. We have been together forever, not just 33 years. He is with me all day. He enjoys the things I do and I enjoy his blessings immensely. He has shown me love when I don't deserve it and when all my other friends have moved on, he is permanent. It reminds me of one of my favorite hymns:

What a friend we have in Jesus, 
 all our sins and griefs to bear! 
 What a privilege to carry 
 everything to God in prayer! 
 O what peace we often forfeit,
 O what needless pain we bear, 
 all because we do not carry 
 everything to God in prayer. 

2. Have we trials and temptations? 
 Is there trouble anywhere? 
 We should never be discouraged; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 
 Can we find a friend so faithful 
 who will all our sorrows share? 
 Jesus knows our every weakness; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 

3. Are we weak and heavy laden, 
 cumbered with a load of care? 
 Precious Savior, still our refuge; 
 take it to the Lord in prayer. 
 Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? 
 Take it to the Lord in prayer! 
 In his arms he'll take and shield thee; 
 thou wilt find a solace there.

What a great Hymn! We never have to worry about our friendship with the Lord. He loves us beyond any Earthly friend. Praise God! Praise God the creator of the universe wants to be my friend. Praise God, he has sent me such great Earthly friends. Praise God he has sent my Best Friend, Stephanie! Thank You Lord!

Do a favor for Christ!

Philemon 1 (The Message)

 ^17-20......Do me this big favor, friend. You'll be doing it for Christ, but it will also do my heart good.^21-22I know you well enough to know you will. You'll probably go far beyond what I've written. 


The past two weekends (Saturdays) I have had to ask a couple of co-workers to do me a favor. Last weekend we had the Christian Motorcycle Association State Rally and I had a Soccer game that needed to be covered. This past weekend I was asked to help out at a Ride for Recovery event and had another soccer game.  Because they were willing to take time out of their schedule, I was able to work for a couple of great organizations in Christian Service. They may not know it, but they were doing a favor for Christ.
I have such a great group of people to work with. I can't remember a time when asked, a fellow coach or co-worker didn't help out where they could.  More often than not, they go way beyond what was asked. It really does my heart good to know that people in this world still care.  When someone does a favor for you, how do you react? Doesn't it make you feel like you need to do something nice for them? That's exactly how it makes me feel. Wouldn't this be a wonderful place to live if we all started doing favors for each other. Serving each other, "Loving your neighbor", is one of the great commandments. Loving your neighbor starts with selfless sacrifice.  It starts with doing a simple favor. It might be just watering the flowers while they are on vacation. It may be taking meals when they are sick or in the hospital. It may be working for them so they can serve at church. If we all put our neighbors and friends first in our lives, If we are willing to give a helping hand, this world would be a much better place. It would do our heart good and Christ would love it! Do someone a favor this week! Commit some act of selfless sacrifice for a co-worker! Love your Neighbor! You'll be doing it for them, but you'll also be doing it for Christ!

Thanks Bob and Bob for helping me these past two weekends. I appreciate it and so does Christ!

Dear Lord, Thank you for great friends and co-workers. Thank you for people who still care enough they are willing to sacrifice to help. Open our hearts and our minds to serving others.  Help us to not just say we love our neighbor, but to act on that Love! Amen!

BFF's!

Philippians 2 (The Message)

 ^19-24 .....I have no one quite like Timothy. He is loyal, and genuinely concerned for you. Most people around here are looking out for themselves, with little concern for the things of Jesus. But you know yourselves that Timothy's the real thing. He's been a devoted son to me as together we've delivered the Message. As soon as I see how things are going to fall out for me here, I plan to send him off. And then I'm hoping and praying to be right on his heels.

Do you have a best friend? I have had several people throughout my life that I consider to be best friends.  It started when I was in High School, Tim DeWolfe and Jeff Cisney.  Wow! did we have fun.  We did everything together from Back-Packing in Colorado and Canada, too just hanging out together.  They were in my wedding and I have the fondest memories of them.  When  my Dad went into ministry as a Senior, I lived with Tim and his family. When Stephanie and my young family lived in Goshen, Indiana, we had great friends in Ron and Linda Mabry. Our young families spent countless hours, playing cards, golfing, and just having fun.  One of my best friends of all time was Jim Rousseau.  We worked together as youth directors, in Fort Wayne. We played a lot of basketball together and had conversations about all sorts of family issues.  What a great friend. Certainly my best friend of all time is my wife, Stephanie.  We have spent a wonderful 32 years together and have generated a lifetime of memories. 

Paul's best friend after his life changing encounter would have to be Timothy. Everybody has to have a friend like Timothy.  you need someone to be able to confide in.  You need someone to share with your Great moments and life's valleys.  You need someone to talk to, argue with, be honest with, share your private feelings and your personal trials.  I know you have heard it before and it sounds kind of cliche' but Jesus wants to be that special friend.  He wants to spend time with you.  He wants you to share all your joys, sorrows, and fears.  No one will be more loyal than him.  How many of your friends would give their life for you,  He would.  He did!  He is the true meaning of a best friend forever!

Lord, Thank you for being my best friend.  I treasure our time together.  I can't even think about my life without you. It is great to have someone to really open up to and who will Love me know matter what kind of dumb things I will do or have done. Thank you for the people you have put in my life.  It's great to have friends. Amen!