Powerful storm

Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news. They were completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything he does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.” (Mark 7:36-37 NLT)

It was pretty stormy out last night across the Midwest. We saw tornados in Illinois and we were under weather warnings most of the evening. I watched a video of the tornado in Fairdale, Illinois. It was strangely beautiful but deadly powerful. The person videoing the sight was completely amazed. 

I am constantly amazed by the power of Jesus Christ. It's like watching a powerful storm. To be there as he healed this man would bring you to your knees. I really shouldn't be shocked because I see the day to day power of Jesus in my life. A day doesn't go by at school where I don't look back in amazement. Many times I am amazed how he is using a sinner like me to work with teens. I know who I am. I'm not that great, but with Jesus inside, he is using me. I see it. I feel it. It doesn't make me powerful, awesome, or supernatural. It humbles me to be the tool of the creator of the universe. It humbles me that he sees value in me.  

Lord Jesus I pray for your continued guiding hand in my life. I ask you to watch over my words, thoughts, and actions that they would be pleasing to you. Watch over my family and my only real request is that you reveal yourself to them and that they draw closer to you. Praise God for his 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!

No matter the mess I make, God can fix it!

But when Jesus heard about it he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days. Finally, he said to his disciples, “Let’s go back to Judea.” (John 11:4-7 NLT)

God is still in charge. I made a mess of things. I offended a dear friend and I don't know how to fix it. I pray that God does. How typical of my life. When ever I try to do something on my own, I can really mess things up. When I do not take "everything" to God in prayer, I  can really make some poor decisions. Many of those poor choices are out of impatience on my part. I want answers now. I want solutions to be immediate. I want conflict to be healed before it happens. So, when I get tired of waiting on God and go on my own, disaster is soon to follow.

Teach me patience Lord. Help me to see your plan and wait on you for it to unfold. I love you Lord and my over zealousness can really get things messed up. It interferes with my witness and can destroy relationships. Please heal the relationships I mess up. I beg your forgiveness for my lack of discipline and patience. I deserve nothing and you gave everything despite my sins. Thank you Lord for all your love and grace,Amen!

Pastor Ted - Thank You!

Today is a sad and glorious day. My Pastor, Ted Blosser will be laid to rest. Yes, he has gone to be with Jesus. Too early, for us, but as designed by God.

My life has been filled with wonderful Pastors. I can remember nearly every single name. My first was Robert Hunt at First Methodist Church just outside of Indianapolis. Well, really my first Pastor I remember is my own grandfather, Lawrence Lewis. But Rev. Hunt was the first I remember besides my grandfather. We moved to Muncie and I remember Jack Flockhart. It is while in Muncie, I first gave my heart to Jesus. Then we moved to Fort Wayne and had a series of great pastors at a growing Good Shepherd UMC. It was this church that launched my own fathers ministry and it was this church where I learned how to be a follower of Christ. It started with Bob Sievers and then to Joe Penrod, but the next Pastor changed my entire life, Ted Blosser. This young "John Denver" type pastor was so genuine and besides his clear love of Jesus, he shared his love of music, guitar playing, and outdoors, with me and the youth of that church. We traveled on backpack trips to Canada, and Colorado, we had wonderful church camp and senior High Instute experiences. We performed musicals and led worship. My favorite was our trip to Estes Park, Colorado, where all of us youth were confident that we had "hooked up" our youth pastor with his loving future wife Lynn. Those two were a match designed by God. Together they took this scrawny geek of a guy and gave him confidence and strength in myself through my Lord Jesus Christ. They taught me leadership, they taught me to love music, and they taught me to use all my passions for God. I would not be the Chrisitian  I am today without that wonderful couple.

Ted not only raised me as a spiritual teen, he guided Stephanie and I through our relationship. I was only 17 when I knew I wanted to marry Stephanie. Ted counseled us for months before our wedding and for years after. He became our spiritual mentor. He baptized my daughters, along with my father, and married Stephanie and I. He also married my oldest daughter to her husband. He truly has been a key spiritual leader for my entire family. 

As always happens in the life of a Methodist pastor, they get moved from place to place. As my family has grown into kids and grandkids, we only saw each other occasionally over the last several years. But his impact is still felt even 40 years after our initial meeting. I can't help but think of the song "Grandmas in the cellar" . I know it's not exactly a stalwart in the Methodist hymnal, but it brings a smile to my face as I see Ted singing it and playing it on the guitar. Those were grand times and treasured memories. We laughed, cried, shared, learned and treasured the relationship with this wonderful man of God.

My daughters were close with Danny, Teds son, and they too grew up in the church together. I was fortunate to spend time with Teds mom and dad and get to know his sister. He is blessed with a great family. 

Thank you Ted for letting God use you. The power of the Holy Spirit directed my life through your words, actions, and leadership. I pray that Lynn and the entire Blosser family will feel the great love of Jesus through this entire day and the weeks and years to come. Thank you for being a part of my life and the lives of my family.  Praise God for Pastor Ted!

A great two weeks!

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. (Ezekiel 36:26 NLT)

What a wondeful two weeks.stephanie and I just returned from two glorious weeks with our grandkids. It was a whirlwind from Florida's beaches to camping in Missouri it was a great time. I am a blessed man and praise God for watching over us, protecting us in nearly 4000 miles of road time and countless hours away from home. The memories are well worth the time spent on the road.

Now it's back to school and the rush to finish the end of the school year. We have 36 days of school left and it will definitely be a busy time at school. With CMA Sonrise Riders and with family time. 

Dear Lord, please watch over me and my family as we wind up the school year and head into summer. I don't deserve your wonderful love but you give it freely every day. I praise you for your love. I praise you for the joy you put in my heart. Thank You Lord! Amen!