He's Waiting- Day 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40, 40

As this will be the last post for the fast I have been thinking about what I could say for the last post... In the book I been reading/working through during this particular rendezvous... its been talking about different spiritual exercises/practices to help us grow and to be more Christ like. At the end of these forty days have come to be reminded that I need to make Christ part of everything I do. I must bring him along into my words, thoughts, actions, reactions, work, leisure... everything! Also I must depend on HIS SPIRIT to work HIS transforming grace/miracle on/in me... Then the habits of my heart, spiritual exercises/practices and expressions of love will flow out from my interaction with him! The end of the book says it so well... "Let's fix our eyes on Christ, rendezvous with Him daily, and let Him make us like himself."......... Amen, Praise the Lord!!!!!!
He's waiting..... will you meet up with him daily? I'll try my best... will you?

He's Waiting- Day 39

I hope as I (we) finish out this fast that we will not stop our rendezvous' with Him! Everyday He is WAITING on us its our job/His will that we take what we learn from Him and pass it on... I hope that is what you have doing with this blog. I hope it has touch you in some way... spiritual, funny, questions, random thoughts... anything that has sparked anything in you, that God has taught you something.... I hope you have passed it on to someone else. Because that is what this blog was for me... and it will continue to be so. I will continue for time to time... maybe not everyday... But what I learn from my rendezvous with Jesus I will pass it on to you.... because everyday he is waiting on me... to meet up with him... he don't need me to but I do... He doesn't owe it to me but I do to him....
He's waiting... where have you been???????? I've been waiting for day 40.... AND THAT IS TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He's Waiting-Day 38

I feel like the the Israelites... all I have had is tomato soup (watered down of course)/ramen noodle juice and other liquids (Manna)... and at times I am complaining about it and I hear my provider (God) remind me that is all I need (Manna) he is giving me all I need during these past 38 days and I have survived very well... I haven't last that much weight, sugar levels have been pretty good, mind hasn't been too far off... I think... WHY would I complain? Why would the Israelites??? Because we remember the food/stuff from the former places in life and we focus on the here and now "bad" situation/time/life that we are in.... we need to focus on what GOD is doing in/during our situation/time/life that we are in!!!!! Thank you God for the "Manna" ( your provision) in my journey!!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!
He's Waiting... where have you been???? 3 more days!!!!

He's Waiting- Day 37

4 more days... today was a better day... Thank you Lord! I have come really to miss my lunch dates with my wife... I took those for granted... not the food but the alone time with my lady/girlfriend/best mate/roomy/wife/best friend... you really miss those things when they are gone... thank you Jesus for always being here for me and never being gone! 4 more days and the lunch date will resume!!!!!!! White Castle here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He's waiting... where have you been?

He's Waiting- Day 36

Well today was a frustrating day for me... the longer the day went on the longer and more frustrated I became... it sucks... why? I have no idea? It seems like to me that I should have ended this fast a week or two ago... maybe I am just doing this because I said 40 days... I don't know... maybe its this week I need to be praying more and more... do you think????? I really don't have much to say tonight but complain... so I'll do what I should... pray , put it behind me... and go to bed... "Lord help me to remember and focus on you and not my emotions, attitude, and feelings... let me listen to you and see you when a day in frustrating... thanks for still working on me... thanks for being here for me... sorry if I have let you down today... I feel like I let myself down as well as you. I do love you"
He's waiting... and Ted... where were you today?

He's Waiting- Day 35

I heard a song today that I have heard before but not in the way I heard today... did you follow that???? Ha Ha... Its a country song titled "Letters From Home" by John Michael Montgomery. The video and song talk about soldiers over in Iraq getting letters from home that keep them going... and you what flashed in my mind...... the letters in my bible.. they too keep me going... keeps me alive... keeps my strength up... keeps me blessed... keeps me knowing more about Jesus... keeps me encouraged about life... keeps me humble... keeps me knowing that HE loves me... and keeps me understanding me in him/him in me... keeps reminding me that he doesn't own me anything... keeps me in a rendezvous with him... these letters from my friend are letters from my future home in heaven... and reminds me of the heavenly home I have right here and now called HIS PRESENCE!!!
He's waiting... where have you been?

He's Waiting- Day 34

Another great day in my Jesus' house!!!! Well we are 7 days away, I am going to miss this type of rendezvous with Jesus... even though I will always be rendezvousing with him... this special has been life changing for me... it may not be a change everyone will see but believe me I will never forget this and what it has done for me. Guess what some of you heard this tonight at our evening service gathering... I went from Thursday to Sat at my football clinic, this morning and evening preaching WITHOUT USING MY GLASSES TO HELP ME READ!!!!!!!!!! I really don't know if it was a fluke or if God has touched me or what...I'll go with it as a touch from God and if it was a fluke... then Thank you Jesus for a few days of a blessing.... You didn't have to even do that... I praise you!!!!!!
He's waiting... where have you been?

He's Waiting- Day 33

Well I am a week away... this time next week I'll be 40!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it... I was just talking to my dad today about an event that happened when I was young... let me back up a second and tell you why before I go on... I got a letter today for the butler county courts for jury duty and on the questionnaire it ask if I have ever been sued... when I was young 6th grade I think me and 2 others guys were picking on or I guess you could say harassing this kid and then another friend of mine jumped him and beat the crap out of him. Well we (if I remember right) got sued over it and had to go to court... so I was asked dad about it to see if I can put it down so I could get out of jury duty... anyways as I was thinking about the time in my life and turning 40 next week I realized once again that time flies by!!!!! But you know.... when we reach heaven, when heaven comes to us... time will be NO MORE!!!!! Time will stand still forever and glory will reign for all time or should I say no time????
He's waiting.... where have you been

He's Waiting- Day 32

I had a great day at the the football clinic yesterday and when I got home I did something i should have not done... I had a chocolate milk and then two chocolate milkshakes ( I was treating myself_ well I got sick and about threw up! so I couldn't post last night... sorry...

He's Waiting- Day 31

spent the first part of this day at the doctors office... I noticed last night that my big right toe had a sore by the nail that was infected. Didn't feel it at all (my feet are numb most of the time) Don't know how it happened?????????? I got a shot in the butt and have to take antibiotics. I ask my doctor about me not losing any weight on this fast. She said its probably the diabetes itself or the meds or both. She said we'll hope that when you start eating again that your eating habits will change and you can just maintain your weight where it is...... I pray that!!!!!
The second part of my day and all day and night tomorrow (I guess that would be today since its after 12 mid-night) and most of the day Sat... I'm in Cincinnati at a football coaches clinic learning to be a better coach...
I wish I could just get a shot in the butt to take care of this diabetes and the self-centeredness I have sometimes, the failures in my walk and all the other areas of my life that I fall short or is wrong with me.... but that is not going to happen so I need to go to my daily clinic with my life, spiritual, coach and friend Jesus to learn to be a better person, follower, dad, husband, pastor etc....
He's waiting... where have you been

He's Waiting- Day 30

I have just two words for ya.... nine more! As I look forward to this weekend and recap last week this has/will be one of the busiest 2 weeks I have had in a LONG time... OK enough of that... I want to share with you a few things I am worried/thinking about... what is going to happen to my body when this whole thing is done????????? How is it going to handle food again??? what is going to happen with my sugars????? What is going to happen to my weight???? I am worried about my attitude and moods... my eye sight... my toes and feet... will I miss this closeness... will I feel different or the same????? Just some thoughts that is going through my mind in these last days of this special rendezvous with Jesus....
He's waiting... where have you been?

He's Waiting- Day 29

I just posted my status on my facebook page that... "there is nothing like God really blessing a busy day for you"!!!!! You know when you look at the day ahead of you and see it as a BUSY day and then have God go WITH you in it and it turns out to be a great day.... WHAT A BLESSING!!!!!! Jill and I had our monthly... PT & J's Lunch with the Primetimers or Senior Saints or whatever ( and a few younger saints) you would like to call that age group... its was a great time of fellowship and getting to know our older friends... they are such sweet people... then... took care of some business and he was in that too... then the guys came over for our discipleship gathering... When God had me start this I really didn't know how or what it was going to be like... it is a really neat time. Each meeting I come away with a since of togetherness, presence of holiness because these guys come with God's leadership in what we share. It has been a blessing for me.
And so I sit here thinking back on this "BUSY" day that was filled with God's presence and... oh it felt so good!!!
He's waiting... where have you been..... 10 more

He's Waiting- Day 28

I got a wonderful surprise today when my two girls got home from their Clergy Kids Retreat! My Molly & Mackenzie went to the Mount Vernon University sponsored "Clergy Kids" retreat this past Presidents day weekend. Everyone from the East Central Region of MVNU in grades 7-12 are invited... every worker and MVNU student that helped is also a Clergy Kid. This is their second year going and they just had a great time! But the surprise was... they got Henna Tattoos (they will be gone in 2 weeks... not permanent) Mackenzie got a cross on her foot and Molly got the same cross but above and below the cross she had the words... "He's waiting" put on it! She said it was for you daddy it will be gone in 2 weeks just like your fasting!!!!!!! OOOHHH I melted.. she really touched my heart.... Thank you Jesus for my kids and thank you for allowing them to be some of the few special kids in the world that are called.... PK's or CK's... Pastor's Kids/Clergy Kids!!
He's waiting.... where have you been?

He's Waiting- Day 27

What day in the house of God... there is just something wonderful when we gather together to worship and learn. I have been hearing good reports from others in their rendezvous with Christ. It was good to see people respond to the moving of His Spirit............. but there are still people hurting, wondering, worried, and struggling with sin, self, and the world.......... Lord help us to focus on you and how we can be better at following rather than leading....
He's waiting... where have you been?

He's Waiting- Day 26

15 more days from today... amazingly I still have not lost weight... this scares me in knowing that its probably the new meds the doc has me on. My sugars are good but I KNOW that as soon as I start back eating again all my weight will come back... please help me pray that will not happen. had an awesome day withe my special "valentine" (Jill) and TJ... had some great encounters with some great church family... and not one single hunger pain... does that mean I don't need to pray if I don't have hunger pains while fasting?????? No I prayed and had some good conversation with my friend... Jesus...
He's waiting.... where have you been?

He's Waiting- Day 25

"Give me your eyes so I can see" one of my favorite songs right now (I have many) reminds me everyday to look at people with the eyes of Jesus. This really helps me to get MY eyes off MY problems and puts the focus where it really should be... on God and what he wants me to do for others for him! When we see others in need, those that need our help... ours heart fill with his love and his willingness to be used to help them... even when we don't really want to... but when we say OK I'll do it Lord, it blesses them and blesses your shocks off!!!!! Lord please continue to give me your eyes, heart, ears, hands, feet to be used of you to help others to see like you!
He's waiting... where have you been?

He's Waiting- Day 24

Did you know that prayer actually works?! Praise the Lord my soul is filled with Glory, Praise the Lord, I love to tell the story... about is grace.... Loyd Henry has given his life to Jesus!!!!! What a story!!! from just a week ago with a shotgun in his mouth and pulling the trigger 2 times and it not firing.. to becoming a Christ follower in a life changing way! Man sometimes you just can't believe what you are experiencing while rendezvousing with Jesus.
He's waiting... where have you been?

He's Waiting- Day 23

Well a good day! But last night.. I have to confess... I had two little bites of Jill's amazing butter spaghetti... I am sooooooooo ashamed.... I just couldn't stand it. You know what I didn't do.. I didn't stop walk away and pray. I failed. But God's grace is always with me.. today we got the car fixed (praise the Lord) Thanks Clark... tomorrow we get a free dryer... ours is broke... we are helping Jill's Aunt and Uncle. Her uncle's sister passed away so had to come up from TN and deal with all of the house stuff. We are going to help and get stuff for the clothing pantry and some stuff that we may need. God always provides!!!! He is good
He's waiting... where are you?

He's Waiting- Day 22

What a day... all I did was run, run and run and I am still not done. Just enough time to sit and share with you what my friend Jesus taught me today... as I was out helping others, the church, my wife (bad bad headache)... Jesus was taking care of me. I love it when God puts people in your life when you need them to help you... Clark is that person for me right now. You see Clark is the man who works on my car!!!!! He is a God send!!!! Our car has been a source of stress in our household... $900+ repair and it still needs work. Well Clark and I took a little trip to a Cincinnati junk yard called "You Pull It" what a neat place! You go and all the junked car are up on blocks and you just go in and find the part you need and take out yourself... hints the name... "You Pull It" man it was muddy, raining, but it was fun. I know Am weird... but as I think about it... God uses us in the same way... sometimes we think we are beat up pieces of junk, ready for the scrap yard. But God comes in and uses us. We can still be used if we allow God to come into our lives and take the parts that he needs to use to fix things, help others, or just to keep us going with him and for him... like a good car guy he know what to look for and can take something that we think is broke and turn it into something that runs and is useful... Thank you Jesus for Clark and for taking something that I think is of no use and doing God things with it!!
He's waiting... where are you?

He's Waiting- Day 21

Tonight after a day filled with a funeral, a trip to the county Jail I did something that I have not done in a couple of weeks... I went rabbit hunting. Me and Lil Bit hit the woods for a couple of hours tonight.... as we were hunting I had to sit down for a minute or two to rest. As I watched Lil Bit working hard to find a rabbit, I saw OUR nature in my beagle.... even though she was bred to search, smell, track, run and hunt rabbits, sometimes she will run a squirrel or a deer... even though she is not suppose to do that... its a big NO NO, but she is still young and will sometimes do this... its my job to help, train, correct her from doing this...
Sometimes God has to correct, help, train us because even though we were created to follow, obey him we have freedom to choose and because of this freedom sometimes we disobey him because the URGE is so strong... we go after the squirrel or deer... but just like Lil Bit after a little be of correct here and a little bit of disciple here she will not follow those URGES anymore! Thank you Jesus for your correction, help, training and discipline when I need it... when I go after those URGES....
He's waiting... where are you?

He's Waiting- Day 20

OOOHHHHH day 20!!!!! I am half way there. We had such a good day with Jesus today at Millville Ave Naz. Its sooo funny to see the devil trying to disrupt what God is doing. he has no chance but he keeps trying... well I can say one thing ... he is a persistent little cuss. I am reminded everyday on this rendezvous... "Jesus will be everything that I am not"!
He's waiting... where are you?

He's Waiting- Day 19

A good day today... in the mist of chaos... it was a good day. TJ had a great basketball game. We had a nice trip down to Georgetown to see Jill's sister for her birthday.... the only problem was I could not sit at the restaurant (Olive Garden) and just drink peach tea... I had to leave. But that was OK. The hunger pain are not bad at all... its the mind and body wanting to eat and thinking it should be eating. But God is good and he meets up with me when I call on him.
He's waiting... where are you?

He's Waiting- Day 18

"Service and ministry can often be conducted best with the assistance of a friend"..... "He sent them out two by two" (Mark 6:7) today's lesson and what is going on in my life... the struggles with ministry... trying to help people that are really bad off... and then dealing with the devil attacking me in my personal life... emotionally, physically and materially... car still broke (many things wrong no money to fix) now the dryer is breaking/ kids retreat, kenize's Washington trip funds, .... and on and on and on... this lesson today reminds me that I miss some important people that has come through my life that I no longer have close to me, that have helped me in ministry and or have been in the same boat with me. I feel lonely and remembering the times when I had those people to talk to that knew what I knew and felt. I am blessed and so thankful that the one who has been there from the very start is still here (in the flesh that is) ... Jill... but I know that Christ/ Holy Spirit and God himself is with me too, but sometimes you need flesh and blood....
He's waiting.... where are you?

He's Waiting- Day 17

You know sometimes you don't want to do something but you have too. Then while your doing it you realize your doing something good. Does that make sense? Anyways that is happening to me this week... thank you Jesus for helping me realize that you are using me.... Next item... boy is the devil working over time this week... thank God for prayer... Health wise I am really have a hard time with my memory here lately so if I sound like am rambling well I probably am...
I have learned that McDonald's took their double cheese burgers off the value menu... they are a dollar something now... then they put a burger on the value menu that has two burger patties and one piece of cheese to satisfy those who like the double at the value price.... where am I going with this????? The devil does the same to us... he tells us that this good thing (the double) will cost you more, so here is something just as good at a lesser price.... but the problem is ITS NOT AS GOOD!!!! It has one less piece of cheese!!!!!! He tries to get us to compromise or settle for less in our journey with Christ!!!!!!!! Lets tell him... NO I WANT MY DOUBLE CHEESE BURGER AT THE VALUE PRICE!!!!!!!! I hope you get this...
He's waiting... where are you?

He's Waiting- Day 16

Mark 14:36 "Not what I will, but what you will"... today's study from my rendezvous book talks about submitting to God and to others in our journey... it brings back to my memory what is posted in my office.... "God has the right and my permission to rearrange my life in order to fulfill his purpose" this is a statement made by Amy Porter. Amy was the daughter of our General Superintendent Jerry Porter. She die of cancer in her 20's. She made this statement during that time. What insight!!!! Just think about it.... God does have the right but I must give him permission to do so... yes he can do whatever he wants but his plan is that WE have the choice to obey or not... he may tell us to do this or that but its up to us to say yes or no.. that's our choice and that is how God works. If he is to work in my life to fulfill what he needs done then its up to ME to let him..... Think about that would you... I can control what God does in my life... OMG!!!! Lord I have to decrease and you must increase!!!!! Lord help to help my stupid self!!!! Lord teach me to obey you and get out of your way!!!!!
He's waiting.... where are you?

He's Waiting- Day 15

First off... thank you for those who have emailed me to say they like this blog... secondly... I don't know how its happening but I am GAINING WEIGHT!!!!!!!!!! I know I can't believe it either! Maybe I am taking in too many calories or its my new medicines... Which I hope its not that because when I start eating again that means my weight all 60+ pounds will come back.... THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! OK enough of that...
Here is what God taught me today... he doesn't owe us anything!!!!!! I have been at a hospital with a family that is watching a loved one die (she is already, just the vent is keeping her) the normal questions that everyone asks in a time like this is being asked... why... why doesn't God heal her... even I asked why he let stuff like this happen... you know what God taught me... He doesn't owe us anything! Its true he doesn't have to do anything. We have this mind set as humans that God should do this or that. He doesn't HAVE too. he doesn't even have to listen to us. God set this world/plan/way of life into motion long before the world was even created and things will happen as they happen. But he doesn't have to do anything for us... to us... because of us.
BUT what he does is give us GIFTS! Free and clear gifts of love, salvation, mercy, strength, help, hope... because he loves us and cares for us. And sometimes that love/care/gifts come by him saying no or doing nothing at all... I know it sounds strange... but that is the beauty of it all... he doesn't owe us anything but when he DOES do something for us... its so loving, so good, so wonderful, such a blessing and when we come to realize it that way we will appreciate it and cherish his goodness more and more......
We (I) need to start thinking more this way... thank you Jesus, God, my friend and Savior for LIFE!!!!!!! every breath I take its because of you... what a great gift... forgive me Lord for assuming that you owe me anything, that you ought to do this or that...
He's waiting... where are you?

He's Waiting- Day 14

Yes I missed yesterday and I think last Thursday's post... sorry last night I was just plain tired from a great day in God's house and watching a great Super Bowl with the guys from church. I realized something today as I read through my book am using during this rendezvous... going without eating is easier when you are around other followers of Christ. WE NEED each other... believe it or not... yes I am admitting it! I love being alone, with just my family, I am one of those people that just likes (loves) being alone. Why... I don't know.... but I have come to learn that I do need other people to fellowship with... to help me through my life... I need other people-outside my family... I need Christ followers! I need you... you need me... I know I have taught this over and over again... now I am learning it. I need to figure out how to do both. I still need to be alone, but I still need you (others) I think I better to go look at Jesus a little bit more huh....
He's waiting... where are you?