CLIMBING AROUND

Some things can drive you up a wall... others drive you up the door.
Today I was planning on going rock climbing at an indoor gym, but a few things didn't work out and so I had to settle for climbing around my house. The shorts in this picture remind me that I went "yard sale-ing" last week. I can't remember if I have ever done that before. But I was helping with one so I thought I would shop. I made out pretty well - for $7 I got these shorts, a mountain backpack, snow pants, and a casual jacket. Nice.

Here's what has been running through my head this week - this list of who we are.
Read them one after another, I know at least one will be just for you.

I am God's child (John 1:12)

I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)

I am free forever from condemnation (Rom. 8:1-2)

I am a citizen of Heaven (Phil. 3:20)

I am free from any charbe against me (Rom. 8:31-34)

I cannot be separated from the love of God (Rom. 8:35-39)

I may appraoch God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3:12)

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

I am God's workmanship (Eph 2:10)

I have been adopted as God's child (Eph. 1:5)

I am complete in Christ (Col. 2:10)

You are the most loved child of God.

HIS HANDS

In the middle of one afternoon this weekend I grabbed the book the Desire of Ages and retreated to sitting on my bed (don't mind the Teddybear, it is from my mommy). I was having an inner struggle and I needed to spend time with Jesus. The message that came was both difficult and full of peace. I read the story of the two disciples how they were returning to there home after the crucifixion weekend their hearts being full of questions (Anybody relate?) And then Jesus joined them but Desire of Ages recounts how Jesus did not give them a miracle but took their attention back to the Word of God because this is the only ground strong enough to hold their (our) faith. Jesus allowed them to continue with their questions and he gave them no sign of his directing only as long as it took for them to trust the Bible. Once that took place and they were at home he stretched out his hands and they recognized him because that was "exactly the same way as their Master used to do." The message: Jesus walks with us right now even while we can't recognize his leading and he is taking our faith and grounding it in his promises written in the Bible. If we (I) allow this to happen Jesus will stretch his hands out giving direction and I will clearly recognize them because that is how the Master always stretched his hands out. God will not hide his will from us, but first we must walk that road to Emmaus allowing our faith to be grounded in nothing more than the Bible.

This is little Miss Savannah-who is cute enough I thought she deserved a spot on the blog.

TUNES IN THE SHOWER

My mom periodically puts up devotionals or scripture texts in a ziplock bag in the shower. So we here in our house (Kyle and I) have followed the tradition. I have found it "refreshing" many a tired evening to read a thought or verse from God's Word. Well a friend caught wind of it and so for a belated birthday gifted I received:

An AM/FM shower CD radio! I had no idea that they made such a thing. I haven't inserted into my shower yet but it is super idea. Now I have been thinking about the music. I think the 1812 Overture would be quite the experience. It probably would not be good for Kyle who takes his showers in the morning, right before he wakes up. But listening to some kids praise songs including I'm in the Lord's Army and Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho might be the key to a fun morning. Of course Showers of Blessings would always be apropos.

The wild west came to town to celebrate a birthday...and yes we had to cut up a table cloth for this one.
I was listening today to Dr. Emerson Eggerichs speak on Ephesians 5:33 - husbands loving your wives and wives respecting your husbands (a very interesting difference between the two of which I might ponder more in the future). He made an interesting point: Paul compares this relationship to Jesus and the church. This becomes powerful when you think about what a man is willing and even wants to do for a woman. Two things specifically men have build in: Are desire to serve women - this is why men often see the fact that they provide for their family and very significant. And the second is that men see protecting their family or even dying for their family as their right. A woman will hear a strange noise and ask her husband to check it out... it usually doesn't go the other direction. We count serving and protecting as our privilege. So Christ did for the church: He took on the role of serving and protecting - yes even dying so that the church (us) would be safe and taken care of. By the way His death is still very important and he is yet serving us. So ladies, I know we are not perfect, and we gentlemen still have much to grow in loving you like you deserve. But be patient with us because we do want to use our God given characteristics to serve and protect you.

BOG BLOGGING

I went to a real bog, they are pretty neat. I think this is a first for me. It is a perserve that biologist from around the state of Michigan come and study. They built boardwalks that ride on floatation devices so one like me can enjoy the critters and plants in the bog.

In the bog were wild blueberries...it took a stretch and the support of Adam but I got some.

The bogsters.

Freedom.

I was on the beach to celebrate independence day by watching the fireworks. But before it got dark God had his own statement to make. He set the sun over Lake Michigan painting a picture like an artist. And then His inaudible voice declared: "Micheal, if I can do this... I can do anthing." As good as the firework celebration was, it just can't compete with God's celebration of His power and ability to give freedom.

48 HOURS WITH GOD
Last week I had 2 days with no obligations, so on the suggestion of a friend I packed a tent, food, water, the Bible and the book Desire of Ages. Here are a few entries from my experience. I took several long walks in the late afternoon. Wednesday evening I was walking down this country lane with the phrase "road of faith" running through my mind. I wanted to walk to the end but I didn't know how far it was. After I had been walking for well over an hour I debated turning back. Deciding to press on I crested a small hill, and there it was - a lone stop sign. Immediately the thought raced through my mind, while I walk this road called faith (the present situation) and can't see very far, God sees the end and it may be much closer than you or I think... so walk on!
Although I stayed in a tent the owners of the property opened a nearby cabin for me in the event that I was rained out. Inside the cabin was this picture with the title: "Will you trust me?" The look on the womans face is a free smile, and you know she is enjoying the ride.

Psalms 19 states that the day along with the night speak of God. So while "alone" in the woods I listened for their speech. Over and over I heard them declare Gods love for me, just as if He had scratched it in the back of a bench for all to know- God loves Micheal... and....and....

One evening I took my chair to a hill where these 3 crosses stood. And from the foot of that center cross I read the story of Jesus' crucifixion in the Desire of Ages. It culminates with the declaration that because of the victory over death and sin that Jesus won on the cross it is "His royal right to save unto the uttermost all who come unto God by Him." After I finished I bowed on the earth in front of the cross, feeling very small and very big at the same time. I stayed right there at the base of that cross giving to Jesus all of my family and many of my friends.

I must not be old enough to remember, but this was in the outhouse there in the woods. I had no emergencies but I was reminded to be thankful for the little things, including 2-ply.