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“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

“You are going to feel like hell if you never write the stuff that is tugging on the sleeves of your heart — your stories, visions, memories, visions and songs. Your truth, your version of things, your own voice. That is really all you have to offer us. And that’s also why you were born.”
Anne Lamott

Telling Our Story

George

All of these lines across my face,
Tell you the story of who I am;
So many stories of where I’ve been,
And how I got to where I am.
But these stories don’t mean anything
When you’ve got no one to tell them to.
It’s true – I was made for you.
THE STORY

This morning I attended a class led by Marilyn Elliott. She opened the class with a recording of the song above. She shared deeply the experiences of her life over the last year. I was amazed at the depth and meaning of her words. The presence of God was pervasive. Here are some insights from her experience that were shared:

  • God is the redeemer of everything. 
  • Formation happens continually.
  • God’s redemption is a long haul.
  • People we share our mess with will become our treasure.
  • You will not find friends in the Christian community if you just have a smile on your face.
  • It is not important that you feel God is there if you are sure that he is.
  • Do not push against the pace of grace.

I consider this morning’s experience as a highlight of my journey.

A Look In the Mirror

George

Occasionally I have the opportunity to see myself as though I am looking in a mirror. This morning I was listening to a speaker from Mosaic taking about the importance of discipline. Not being very discipline himself, he was describing disciplined people. One trait many disciplined people have is that they live by To Do Lists. They religiously write down everything they plan to do and check it off when it completed. They get energized by checking off their To Do items. For some discipline freaks they even write down things that they do that were not on their list and then check them off. OUCH!

Project Update

George

Yesterday was a busy day. With Jerod’s help, I installed the laminate flooring in Blake and Grayson’s bedroom. Last evening we set up their beds. I was pleased with the results and the boys were happy with their new room. There are a few details to be done but it is finished for all practical purposes. Blake and Grayson each have their own desks and space to put their special things.

Catching Up

George

I have not posted for a few days. It is Monday morning and I’m in my usual spot on the front porch. The week is shaping up to be somewhat busy. Today I’m going to install some laminate flooring in Grayson and Blake’s bedroom. This is a first, so I will be learning a lot. I’ve got two windows to prepare and paint on the recently painted side of our house. I will clean the remaining unpainted section of our house and, hopefully, get the last of the painting done this week. I’m working on a ventilation system for our basement/cellar to help reduce the moisture. It is a home grown solution so I’m anxious to see if it works.

Last week was eventful in a good way. On Tuesday’s, my friend Vladimir and I meet to talk and share our experience’s with each other. He is an interesting person and our discussions are lively and far ranging. We had one of the shepherding elders and his wife from First Alliance Church to visit us Tuesday evening. It was a very enjoyable occasion. I spent several hours completing the bed project for Blake and Grayson. It is waiting for the flooring to get set up.

We had two, as has become our custom, great worship experiences over the week-end. On Saturday evening’s we regularly attend Southland Christian Church. Jon Weese’s lesson on worship was very good as well as the worship experience. It has been a while since I have prostrated myself in prayer in a church assembly. It needs to become more of a normal experience. Sunday morning’s we usually attend First Alliance Church. Pastor Steve Elliott had a thoughtful and challenging lesson on promises, both God and ours. Here are two quotes that I noted from the lesson:

“If you have promises that you keep, then you are like God! NOT “you are God” but you are like God.”

“The promises we make form the future.”

The highlight of the weekend came when we drove to Elizabethtown, KY to attend an open house for Andrew Verble. Andrew is the young man who was in a serious car accident over a year ago. He sustained devastating head injuries and was not expected to survive and if he did, would not be functional. He did survive and has been in a miraculous process of recovery. He is currently in rehab in Texas and was given a pass to come home for a week. Yesterday was a great celebration of prayer and thanksgiving for his progress and continued recovery. God was honored.

If you haven’t noticed, I added a Library page to my blog. If you are interested in what I’m reading, check it out. The website I’m using is pretty good.

Sunrise

George

This morning was a special experience. Out for an early run, as I made my way around the path at Centennial Park, I looked to the east and the sun was breaking over the horizon and flooding the rolling hills with warm sunlight. I could only stop and worship.