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Making Sense of it All

In light of the earthquake that happened in Haiti, God is still in control. In Jesus’ day, he was asked a question about a tragedy that happened. His answer was compelling. In Luke 13 Jesus mentioned the tragedy of a tower that fell down and killed 18 people. He asked this question, “Do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem”? He then answered this question of guilt himself by saying, “No.” Jesus went on to say that unless you repent you too will perish.

So let me ask it this way, “Do you think the people in Haiti are more guilty than the people in America”. I think Jesus would say “No” to this question. I also think He would again say that what is truly needed is repentance of heart.

The question is not, “Who is guilty”? The question is, “Have you repented of your sins and given your life to Jesus”? The truth of it all is, we are headed towards a pine box. The real concern of Jesus then and now is where will you spend eternity? Unless we repent of our sins we will perish in our sins. However, if we repent of our sins, turn from our wicked ways and live for Him, we will not perish, but have eternal life with Jesus.

Jesus offers us salvation today, the question is, “Will you repent, turn and receive it”?

Only Jesus can make sense of our existence called life.

Regarding what can be done for Haiti, let’s help by paying, praying and if you can go, then help.

I Did Not Ask For That

Have you ever said, "I did not ask for that"? Normally this saying is associated with "Dining Out" situations when the waiter/waitress brings you the wrong meal, drink or dessert. It is either a blatant mistake made or a slight deviation from what you actually ordered. However big or small the change, you are forced to make a decision of either eating what you did not order or saying, "I did not ask for that."

There are those who go through the meal eating what they did not ask for while others send the meal back to get what they had asked. Either way you choose to dine, you are dinner experience is delayed so that the order comes to you correctly.

I see life as both getting what we asked for and dealing with what has been served to you. How we handle both situations reveals what is truly in our heart.

Just think, you are praying that your car DOESN’T break down while the company AAA (Triple A) makes a living on broken down cars. How does God answer all the prayers fairly?

The Bible says that the rain falls on the just and the unjust (MT 5:45). Nobody asks for storms, unpleasant situations or struggles that are beyond our control, but they come anyways.

I have learned to be thankful to God whether things are going my way or not. I have learned to know Him in suffering and in joy. There is knowledge of God only revealed to His people when they suffer. As a Christian I simply cannot send back unpleasantness, storms or struggles to the great kitchen and tell God that, “I did not ask for that.” This is not my call to send anything back that God Himself has sent to me, because He does not make mistakes.

Everything that comes to me from Jesus, I accept. Will you join me?

Random Thoughts

I have a few thoughts that need to get off of my chest. Here it goes...

Gov. Palin and Dave Letterman have had words through the media. First of all, what Dave Letterman said about Sarah Palin's 14 year old daughter was not funny and totally wrong. His weak apology was terribly done and not sincere. I don't care if he said the words about the 18 year old or the 14 year old. What he said was wrong.

Taxes-Citizens in Alaska get money from the government because of their natural resources. So, instead of paying taxes, they get money.

Baseball-Sammy Sosa is implicated in steroids from 2003. yawn.

The Bible- The prophet Joel said that before the end of time, "let the weak say I am strong." This means that weaker nations will become strong (my interpretation) by arming themselves with nuclear weapons.

The only person that does not change is Jesus Christ. He is a rock, a fortress and a strong deliverer. Oh, by the way, His Kingdom will endure forever!

Parental Snub

It Happened and I was not ready for it. Where have I been? Did I know this day was coming or was I thinking, "This would not happen to me."

Yesterday was the last day at school for Stephen and Rebekah. The school celebrated this day with a family chapel, an awards ceremony and then a family picnic.

Jennifer and I were early for the event so we waited outside the chapel. We saw all the kids walking from their school to the chapel as they reminded me of swarming locust devouring everything in sight. Within minutes, the students were piling into the chapel.

This is where it happened! As Stephen was walking toward the chapel we locked eyes and I said excitedly, "Hey Stephen!" I got nothing. No, "Hi Dad" no high five, no hug.

What I did get was a polite waving of the hand nonchalantly.

I laughed to myself and realized he was with his friends and he is turning 13 in less than a month. I was not ready for this, but it happened. I was the recipient of the parental snub.

My kids are growing up and I feel like I am the last one to get the memo.

The day turned out great, Stephen and I had fun later playing b-ball with his coach and the rest of the kids. But, for a brief moment in time I felt the empty gut feeling every parent has felt at one time or another as their kids mature.

Celebrations

Ordination service went well last night. I cannot really put to words what the Lord has done in my heart, but it truly was a solemn, God moment. The Lord is faithful.

May 13th was Mykayla's 9th birthday! It was a good day.

Dan Betzer was the Ordination Speaker and he really spoke to us on the subject of Faith. He said that "Faith is substance, you can stand on it." He further told stories of how God spoke to him and brought about great victories in his life out of nothing. This was a good night.

I was happy to have my wife by my side, my children present, my parents in attendance, Pastor Brad Whipple, Pastor Rick & Pamela Amendola and Gail (and her two girls) present as I was ordained.

House Hunting

My last post was too long ago!

I have been crazy busy, but that is no excuse to not write a quick post.

Here is the update, Jennifer and I are looking for a home to purchase in Haverhill, MA. We are really believing God to show us His plan regarding our housing situation. For some reason, buying a home in the city has not been an easy task for us.

We have found this task to be very difficult. The choices we are facing are:

1. Buying a house in the city or outside the city.
2. What style of house to purchase, condo/town home or house.
3. And the 800 pound gorilla of wanting something you cannot afford and NOT wanting
what you can afford. We have to work through this one...

My real estate agent is ready to send us to the firing squad for looking at so many houses and not making a decision. She really isn't, but if I were her that is how I would feel.

All that being said, pray for us and I will keep you posted on the house hunting.