Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Life is a highway

As November is coming to a close leaving just one month left of finishing out another trip around the sun, a mixture of emotions are swirling in my head. This mixture is creating a vortex of any coherent thought and only erupting with gibberish. I have been reminded how much I have to be thankful for but somewhere in the mix is the frustration that I fall so short.


To continue with the cliches- Life is a highway. On that journey down the highway of life, I am realizing how many potholes, speedbumps, and curves I have made it through. The curves have made for a longer more scenic route... the speed bumps have slowed me down to see what I would have otherwise missed... and the potholes – though small have caused damage to the vehicle that takes time and resources to fix.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

You are an overcomer

Just as in any herd, the weak and young are kept in the middle surrounded by those that are strong and can protect. If one of the young ones goes out alone, he is vulnerable of becoming a predators dinner.

Recently while studying the book of Revelation, the realization of this hit me... John, the revelator, was exiled on the island of Patmos, with no companions by his side to hold him accountable or stand by his side in time of weakness. Yet John stood strong through much persecution and God blessed him with an amazing view of His plan.

In most situations we are not called to go off by ourselves to serve but in this case that is what John was called to. Can you just imagine the spiritual battle that was going on while John was on the island of Patmos? God was wanting to use this man mightily. The enemy's plan is to steal, kill, and destroy. The enemy works in generalizations. The holy spirit works in specifics. If we go through nothing, then we will never be overcomers. Christ allows certain things to happen in our lives to strengthen our spiritual muscles. What are you overcoming today???

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

"I thank my God"

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you. I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:3-6

Some of you reading this have been along for the ride for the past ten years... some of you I have met mid ride... and some of you have just joined... for each of you, I thank my God every time I remember you. You are a blessing to me and the Lord has used you to strengthen and grow me in so many ways.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Blessed beyond belief

It's Thanksgiving week... what are you thankful for? Spent this past weekend celebrating with church family Friday night with dinner and fellowship. Saturday morning met up with Whitney and Risse and went yard-saleing. Was blessed with some awesome deals as well as some new smaller clothes for super cheap. Did so much yard-saleing that we actually had to drive back to the house and drop off stuff before heading out again.

That afternoon I flew out to Oahu with only a few minute delay instead of the 30 minute delay they were saying. Got to Oahu, went to Avis to pick up my rental car and found that it was not a Versa but a Ford Mustang!!! Super fun and sporty! Drove to Starbucks for a peppermint mocha... oh I love the holiday flavors!!! Picked up dinner and then drove to Mililani Walmart with very little traffic. Shopped for Becky's diaper cake stuff and then headed to North Shore to the Pou's house. Nicci and I sat on the new deck and chatted and then sat at the kitchen table and rolled 90+ diapers. Blessed that I didn't have to do that all by myself... even Eli helped. Sat up til 11:30pm and put together the diaper cake.
Sunday started with a trip to Starbucks for a pumpkin spice latte (another favorite flavor)! Then headed to The Mission for a great message based on Philippians 1 and thankfulness. After church they had thanksgiving lunch so go to hang out with some friends from North Shore. Afterwards we left all the boys at home and Nicci and I ran errands... Home Depot... Costco... Walmart... Foodland... Great time of fellowship!

Monday was filled with a Kia board meeting and baby shower for Becky and then a meeting with Terry Locke from the governors office (Dept of Early Learning). Went to Foodland and got 2 14lb turkeys for $4.88 each versus $1.99 a pound on Molokai. Then stopped at Costco and Savers before heading to the airport. Was concerned about the amount of luggage but a guy came over and gave me his trolley... then checked in and both pieces were right at 50#.... (1 was 49.90 and the other was 50.10).

Not that I deserve any of God's blessings because truly salvation is enough but it is overwhelming to see when you have a thankful heart his blessings just overflow!

Friday, November 18, 2011

I just need you now!

There are certain songs that are associated with certain places, times, and people. For whatever reason when certain songs play, memories – both good and bad surface. They are triggers that take you back to a particular moment in time.

Well a while back a certain person came into my life and for whatever reason when the country song “I just need you now!” plays... I automatically think of this person (even though the song really doesn't fit the relationship). Anyway woke up this morning after having a dream about the above mentioned person apologizing for a situation that was probably only an issue in my mind. Woke up having such a peace that all is well and the situation has been taken care of. As I lay here tonight, the country song is still running through my mind but now it is almost like Jesus is saying, 'I want to be all you need right now'. So as I head to bed my heart is singing unto Jesus... “ I just need you now!

Friday, November 11, 2011

On the road again...

Wowsers!  This entire marathon training schedule has definitely given me a lot of time to think while I am walking/jogging.  Here are just a few things that I was pondering, while I was on the road again...

- God made our bodies super strong... here I am walking 18miles at a time but in Bible times Jesus walked everywhere He went... I wonder how many miles he walked on any given day.

- We as American's drive everywhere... and use our vehicles for even the smallest errands.  How much healthier would we be if we walked/biked instead of driving?

- 4 hours allows for a lot of time to think and pray.  What a better time to pray for your community while walking through it and people driving past!

- When the going gets tough... the tough get going!  I am stubborn enough that even though it is painful... I will complete this marathon.