Balancing Ministry N' Work

A New Year Has Begun! I want to start the year off with some words on faith. Matthew 13:58 “and He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.” HCSB In this modern world we live in there is not much that we want for. Most of us do not worry if we are going to have clean water to drink, will the rain come to feed our crops, or do we have enough to eat. Chances are if you are reading this blog you have not missed a meal in a while and you have no concern about where you are going to sleep tonight. We do not count on God to supply the basic necessities each day. I am not saying we are not thankful for the ways He has blessed us, just that we do not need to ask God to provide for dinner tonight. I think for most of us, there is very little that we HAVE to ask God for to survive. While that is a very good thing, and I for one make sure I thank God for the blessings He has bestowed on me on a daily basis, I think it has hurt our faith. If we do not need...

2014 was challenging and rewarding. Medically - 4 hospitals, 11 doctors, and Zero answers. Work - My work family had more than our share of people pass on. Family - Have seen my kids continue to grow and excel at whatever they put their minds to. Church - We have seen our small church grow. While 2014 was not horrible, I am glad it is behind me and am looking forward to what 2015 brings. I don't know if I will get any answers from the doctors or if I will be able to get back on my road bike. Not sure what new challenges or blessings will come, but I do know that I am not alone. My wonderful wife will be by my side every step of the way, and our Lord Jesus Christ will be with us! As I was thinking about 2015 here are some of the things I will be remembering and focusing on. “’For I know the plans I have for you’ this is the Lord’s declaration ‘plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” - Jeremiah 29:11 I do not kno...

As we leave 2011 behind and begin 2012 it is a time of reflection, a time to be thankful, and a time to look to the future! 2011 was a year full of challenges but was also full of some amazing things. Medically I hit my 1 year anniversary from having my Acoustic Neuroma brain tumor removed and Alexis had reconstructive knee surgery. Through both of this things we have seen God working in our lives. My recovery, has been nothing short of miraculous and the timing for Alexis' surgery was perfect. While these have been challenges in our lives, we are forever thankful for all that God has done. While I still have balance issues, get tired easily, and of course am partially deaf it could have been much much worse. I am able to live a normal life, I can do pretty much everything I want to, God has been good! While we wish Alexis did not have to have surgery, she has recovered completely and was ahead of schedule with every step! In 2011 with all the challenges at work God still ope...

I am sitting here on New Years Eve reflecting on 2010 and thinking on how good God has been to me! This year has been an amazing year filled with dreams being fulfilled, lives changed, and interesting challenges. I started this blog on Dec 26, 2009 (roughly 1 year ago) not knowing what 2010 had in store for me. I believe God guided me that night to start this blog so that I would have a way to communicate the ups and downs and record His blessings. This blog has allowed me to share these things with family, friends, and many people I have never met. I started this blog as a way to journal what was going on in my life mostly for my benefit, but I have received comments about how this blog has encouraged others as they go through difficult times. I am glad this tool has allowed my story and my faith in Jesus Christ to touch people in need. Thank you Jesus for expanding my sphere of influence! Someone has recently told me that I am 'Always looking at the bright side'. With this po...

2009 has been a challenging year in some ways and a blessing in others. Work has been really hard with every salary person required to take a week off without pay. This hurt the pocket book personally; but also meant that roughly half the weeks this year my department was short handed. This made it difficult for us to meet our goals. Thankfully my team pulled together and stepped up to the challenge and was succesful. Kudos to all of them for what they did. As 2008 came to a close, my family had not found a church we were comfortable with. Early in 2009 we found New Hope and have attended ever since. New Hope is a good church where people who want to, can get involved. Both Alexis and I have been involved from the very begining. Alexis sings with the praise team and helps with the children's ministry. I have been leading the prayer time and doing anouncements, atleast 1/2 the time. It has been good for both of us, and helped us get to where we are today. We are ready to take it to ...