Today is the that I am getting my new tire in my motorcycle so I have to carry it around until my appointment.
Archive for Random Thoughts
Motorcycle book is moving along
Starting to get back edits from my first round of readers. Now going through and making some needed changes of things they spotted. I have found that I could have finished this a year ago, but it wouldn’t have been even close to as good as it will be now that others are getting involved.
Don’t worry I will give everyone a chance to give their input. Voting on the title will be soon and maybe even two cover options to choose from. Lastly you will be able to vote by buying a copy or not.
MeatLovers Fest
Save the date and pass this on to your friends. Franchising opportunities are open for this year.
My Favorite Coffee Shop
(Here is an article I wrote for our church by bi-monthly newsletter mailer. To my friends on the west coast this is something churches send out in the mail, on paper, with an actual stamp. If you are confuse, I can explain this to you in another post, but for now just know that it is a great way to communicate with people that don’t involve twitter, facebook or other online medium. But I couldn’t resist sharing it with you….online. If you are still confused as to what my favorite spot is, just ask.)
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Well, I have been here six months, and there is something I know you have been waiting for. One of the top questions I get asked is, “What is your favorite local coffee shop.” Coming from Seattle, coffee shops are something that I know a lot about and am well versed to give my opinion on.
This pastor would, on the low side, spend 15-20 hours a week sitting at a coffee table. I did this because life happened there. This was where our community (both those that were followers of Christ and those obviously not) gathered, and I wanted to be in the middle of it. I would go to my church building to get away from people as it was a sanctuary of quiet. So you can see, I have the credentials to give my opinion on coffee shops.
Studies have shown that most people have the capacity to have three places in their life that they base out of. The first place is their home, and the second place is their work (or school if you are a student). The real fight happens over what the third place is. Every organization in your life is vying for that third place. Starbucks, a nationally known coffee shop that has its nearest shop roughly 62.6 miles away, speaks of the third place in their corporate literature and employee training. There is a national push for them to be that place in the majority of American lives.
And it is working. Who wouldn’t want to go to a place where everyone knows your name, you get free wireless internet, refills are never ending, window seats abound as well as a quiet corner nook, and there are endless people to talk to if you so choose? That sounds like heaven to me. They are making inroads to becoming the third place.
Sorry I digress; you want to know what coffee shop (third place) I like the best here in Rhinelander. Well, it is one that is just outside of town on the north side, tucked away in the woods off Hwy 17. I love it, because that is where those in our community come together; and no matter if you are a regular or a newbie coming through the doors, you are treated like family.
Everyone is there. Dads bouncing babies in their laps, and wives assisting their slow moving husbands. There are kids popping from table to table as the elderly try to converse with them. There are some that gladly pay for those that are in need, and they all get free refills. People are so friendly and don’t bury their heads in a book and act like they don’t see others coming. They even let people come in and experience the environment without paying. Almost daily I see groups of people that would not even call this their third place, find a place here to meet and gather. No matter if you are a regular or a newbie coming through the doors, you are treated with dignity.
The beauty of this place is that they actually have the worst coffee in town (it’s really bad), but everything else about it makes it my top pick. But not to offend all the other coffee shops in town, I don’t want to mention the name, but I think you figured it out.
“Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.”
The Message : Hebrews 10:24-25
”That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.” The Message : Acts 2:41-42
Finally home
It has been a couple months but we got the plates to prove we are residents.
Unconditional Love
This summer, I have made an intentional effort to stop and enjoy the moments that fill my day. My days have slowed down considerably since the move. I have been unable to capture in words just what this season has meant. I am keenly aware of the blessings that God has bestowed upon me. I have been pondering these blessings and cherishing them in my heart. Time spent with old friends and family, a lake in which I look out multiple times a day, deer running through my yard, time to write and study God’s Word. Watching my children discover new things about themselves and the world around them. A husband who loves me to pieces.
It strikes me that when I stop to take in all that is around me that God’s faithfulness is so strong in my life. God’s faithfulness is always present yet this summer God has revealed himself to me in places and ways I was not expecting. It has been in a place of rest and peace.
Yesterday, I was in the shower and I heard a knock on the door. It was Samuel. I asked him if he needed something or if it was an emergency. His answer, no not at all Mom, I was just stopping by to say I love you.
Take time today to delight in the blessings that God has bestowed upon you. The surprise moments when you know he is whispering, I love you and just felt like you should know. May you find strength and healing in the still waters of his presence.
Pitiful Prayers, Lack of Faith and Fire
A desperate father had tried all he could do for his son. The son was plagued by physical and emotions disorders, He was harmful to himself and others. Emotional outbursts and seizures restricted his every move. This Dad was worn out. His time consumed with the needs of his son, yet He couldn’t meet those needs. He couldn’t even keep his son safe. He had prayed and asked others to pray yet deliverance escaped them. He was heart broken and weary. Mark 8:14-29.
As a last ditch effort he pleads his case to this man called Jesus. He didn’t ask to be made rich or that all of his dreams would come true. His prayer was actually pretty lame. No fancy dialogue, just what was on his heart. Please keep my son from harming himself. If you would do this, that would be really great. He blurted out his most desperate need, complete with a disclaimer. If, if, if you would do this.
I can absolutely relate to this approach. When I pray, I often give God a disclaimer. It sounds a bit like this, okay, God we have been through this before, you know the story but IF you see fit will you fix this. Sometimes when we pray for things for a long time that sense of expectancy and belief begins to drift. I know that often God does answer our prayers in ways we would rather He not. A closed door is often an answer, but their is more to this story.
Listen to Jesus’ response to the father, “If you can! All things are possible for the one who believes.” It is almost as if the Son of God’s response is DUH, I have this covered. The father responds with, I do believe, I just forgot for a little bit, help me to believe more.
Lately I have been pondering prayer and faith. Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it. Hebrews 11:1 This discipline is a daily act. Forgive my unbelief and help me believe more. You may not have seen the Christ, but still you love him. You can not see him now, but you believe in him. So you are filled with a joy that can not be explained, a joy full of glory. 1 Peter 1:8
The disciples questioned Jesus privately. They were a confused. Look we tried to help this man, but were unsuccessful so what gives? Why couldn’t we make this happen on our own. Jesus answered, “That kind of spirit can only be forced out by prayer.” Faith accompanied by prayer. Jesus knows our needs before we think or ask them and he also understands our doubts and fears.
Maybe today finds you lacking in the faith and your prayers seem rather pitiful. If so be encouraged to pray honestly and with expectancy. Maybe change your prayer from IF to SINCE. Since we know that God you are capable of intervening in this situation we wait expecting your answer.
Move to Wisconsin
As you know we left Washington at the end of June and headed back home to Wisconsin. Christy and the kids took the easy way and flew. My friend Chuck and I took the long, but funner way of traversing the states. Here are few pictures of our journey.
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- This was Chuck happy to be with me
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- Chuck happy not to be with me in the truck
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- I didn’t want to text and drive, but couldn’t pass up photoing and driving.
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- We illegally parked here so that we didn’t have to in the McDonalds parking lot
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- Man Montana is one long state!
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- Was nice to bring a friend to a spot I really love!
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- What we lacked in take off speed we gained in momentum
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- two more to go
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- We got real sick of sitting beside each other so we went tandem on the motorcycle
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- All safe and sound at the lake home having a nice dinner
