Today I stand because of God's grace.
Today I stand because of God's love.
Today I stand because I kneel.
Today I stand because of HIS power.
Today I stand firm.
Today...GRACE wins!
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But HE said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
-1 Corinthians 12:8-9
What about Tomorrow?
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Stillness
10/17/09
The lord is so amazingly wonderful! I'm sitting right now out by the campfire just enjoying Gods gift...enjoying the fresh air, the smell of the trees and rest! It's so amazing that the best things in life are not anything that man has concocted for entertainment, but rather the simple beauty, the simple sounds that God himself made!
This is exactly what I needed...stillness, no worries, just time to ponder, to think about God and all he's done, all he's going to do. To be reminded of his beauty, his majesty, his sovereignty, his perfectness, HIS GRACE to me! I'm forever grateful, forever in love with my savior! Is there any other response possible?? No...I can't think of any!!
Here's some Photo Highlights:
The lord is so amazingly wonderful! I'm sitting right now out by the campfire just enjoying Gods gift...enjoying the fresh air, the smell of the trees and rest! It's so amazing that the best things in life are not anything that man has concocted for entertainment, but rather the simple beauty, the simple sounds that God himself made!
This is exactly what I needed...stillness, no worries, just time to ponder, to think about God and all he's done, all he's going to do. To be reminded of his beauty, his majesty, his sovereignty, his perfectness, HIS GRACE to me! I'm forever grateful, forever in love with my savior! Is there any other response possible?? No...I can't think of any!!
Here's some Photo Highlights:
Peaceful! Amazing!!
R&R...enjoying the view!
Me, Ashley, Haley, & Ethan
The Whole Gang at Big Trees!!
Family Picture!
Me and my silly girls!
All the Boys!!
Picking up our "Growler!"
1 Gal. Grizzly Brown Ale!! Mike and I took care of that just fine!!
BBQ...Beer...good times!!
What a HOT couple!
Campfire Fun!!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Joy
It doesn't seem, lately, that I can think of much to write on this blog. Then again, whenever I do start writng, I end up saying a heck of a lot more than I anticipated! It also seems, lately, that when I have written, it's been somewhat...hmmm ...somber?...heavy?...?? I was thinking about why that is. Bottom line, it's just the place my mind and heart have been. So what about the lighter stuff...the fun...the laughs...? Oh, they're their..I just havn't said much about them!!
So what are some fun, light things that have gone on lately?? Where should I start?
My sister in law got married...we had an awesome bachelor party up in Arnold visiting the Snowshoe Brewery (yum!)!
Took the family to Big Trees and had a blast hiking through the trees and being dinner for a couple mosquitos...always remember to bring your OFF repelant...lesson learned with days of itchin!
Hung out with friends!! Very fun, hilarious moments!!
1) dinner at Texas roadhouse sitting on a saddle, getting happy birthday sung to me, but calling me John, because of a coupon I used!
2) seeing pregnant emily hula-hooping in our garage!
3) exposing our friend bekah to the taste of whiskey...once was enough for her! :-)
4) so many more...!!!
Going on dates with my beautiful wife!! She's the best!!!
And again...so many more!!
Yes, life has had many moments where I've been a bit tired, but the fun times FAR exceed those days!! I thank God for the joy that he gives! I thank God for my wife, for my kids, for family, for incredible friends! God is so good!!
So what are some fun, light things that have gone on lately?? Where should I start?
My sister in law got married...we had an awesome bachelor party up in Arnold visiting the Snowshoe Brewery (yum!)!
Took the family to Big Trees and had a blast hiking through the trees and being dinner for a couple mosquitos...always remember to bring your OFF repelant...lesson learned with days of itchin!
Hung out with friends!! Very fun, hilarious moments!!
1) dinner at Texas roadhouse sitting on a saddle, getting happy birthday sung to me, but calling me John, because of a coupon I used!
2) seeing pregnant emily hula-hooping in our garage!
3) exposing our friend bekah to the taste of whiskey...once was enough for her! :-)
4) so many more...!!!
Going on dates with my beautiful wife!! She's the best!!!
And again...so many more!!
Yes, life has had many moments where I've been a bit tired, but the fun times FAR exceed those days!! I thank God for the joy that he gives! I thank God for my wife, for my kids, for family, for incredible friends! God is so good!!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
SMILE!!
Ok, here's a less "depressing," happy, smiley blog post!!
:-)
That's all I got for now!!! Stay tuned...!! Just Kidding!
The BIGGEST responsibility for a parent is to raise your kids up in the Lord! Teach them about Jesus. SHOW them who He is, being an example to them. Since the girls were born, Melissa and I (mainly Melissa...she's the best mom in the world) have made sure that we read God's Word to the girls every night and pray with them. Now that they're reading pretty good, we talked with the girls about THEM reading God's Word every day on their own...how important it is and how exciting it is to do so! Tonight, Melissa posted the following on her facebook and it was the highlight of my night...actually, the highlight of the last couple weeks...so I had to share!!
Melissa Hamner gave Ashely a big girl Bible yesterday to read everyday for her quiet time. Tonight I walked into Ashleys room to read her the Bible and she was already tucked into bed reading it herself. I sat next to her to see where she had read up to and she was already on page 104! She has been reading it non-stop the past two days. That is biggest blessing I could ever recieve,seeing my girls fall in love with Jesus !
HOW AWESOME!! I'm so proud of my girls!! I can't stop thanking the LORD!!
Psalm 100:5 - "The Lord is GOOD, His love endures forever!"
:-)
That's all I got for now!!! Stay tuned...!! Just Kidding!
The BIGGEST responsibility for a parent is to raise your kids up in the Lord! Teach them about Jesus. SHOW them who He is, being an example to them. Since the girls were born, Melissa and I (mainly Melissa...she's the best mom in the world) have made sure that we read God's Word to the girls every night and pray with them. Now that they're reading pretty good, we talked with the girls about THEM reading God's Word every day on their own...how important it is and how exciting it is to do so! Tonight, Melissa posted the following on her facebook and it was the highlight of my night...actually, the highlight of the last couple weeks...so I had to share!!
Melissa Hamner gave Ashely a big girl Bible yesterday to read everyday for her quiet time. Tonight I walked into Ashleys room to read her the Bible and she was already tucked into bed reading it herself. I sat next to her to see where she had read up to and she was already on page 104! She has been reading it non-stop the past two days. That is biggest blessing I could ever recieve,seeing my girls fall in love with Jesus !
HOW AWESOME!! I'm so proud of my girls!! I can't stop thanking the LORD!!
Psalm 100:5 - "The Lord is GOOD, His love endures forever!"
Monday, June 8, 2009
CRASHIN' AND BURNIN'
Whoa...where does time go?? So much to do, so little time to do it! Sometimes, I wish I could just step out of it all, ya know, just pause. The last few weeks have taken their toll. I'm exausted...not just physically, though I am tired...but mentally and emotionally as well. I can't seem to get a handle on my thoughts. What is God doing?? What does HE want?? WHY?? Why me?? Why now?? Everything the last few weeks has just piled itself up.
The final piece, the piece threatening to topple everything down, crashin' and burnin', was a recent conversation with an old friend. In a brief 10/15 minute time span, my heart was wrenched. Instantly, I felt like someone had reached inside me and tore a piece of my soul out. My heart aches FOR them. I'm afraid. My thoughts consume me...God, what do I do??
Thank you Lord for your GRACE!
The final piece, the piece threatening to topple everything down, crashin' and burnin', was a recent conversation with an old friend. In a brief 10/15 minute time span, my heart was wrenched. Instantly, I felt like someone had reached inside me and tore a piece of my soul out. My heart aches FOR them. I'm afraid. My thoughts consume me...God, what do I do??
Thank you Lord for your GRACE!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
INCREDIBLE!!
It's been a while since I posted anything. Wow, where do I start? Life has been crazy, YET INCREDIBLE! MY GOD IS SO AMAZINGLY AWESOME!! There has been much change in my life and the lives of my family. Through it all I have been reminded of God's faithfulness to us! I've been awestruck at how God moves, how God provides, how God teaches, how God humbles, how God reaches out and lifts me up. I have been challenged to grow deeper in my walk with my Savior. I have been challenged to grow in the depth of knowledge and understanding of WHO my God is and WHAT HIS plan is for my life. I've been challenged to "loose control" and just run forward...run, trusting GOD to guide and carry me.
At times, I've been overwhelmed by God's PRESENCE! Whether it be reading HIS WORD, singing HIS PRAISES, or resting in HIS ARMS...closing my eyes in HIS presence, just me and my Savior, the whole world seems to fade away! I laugh sometimes when I'm up on stage at church, playing worship music and getting caught up in PRAISE...I have to remember to keep playing so I don't screw up the song...that would be embaressing, oops wrong note! YET, how can you help it...how can you help not falling to your knees in worship? In love? In adoration? In humility?!! Words cannot express it!!
I don't know what else to say...I'm at a loss for words. Do you know the same God that I know?? Do you KNOW the God that you claim to serve and love?? Are you consumed with HIM?? Are you PASSIONATE about HIM?? Does the whole world SEE HIM THROUGH YOU?? If not, don't let another day go by without HIM. Don't let another day go by that you don't talk to Him, listen to Him, worship Him, grow in Him, be amazed by Him!!
Ok, so maybe this wasn't what I intended to write when I started typing. BUT, you never know what your going to get. This is who I am!!
At times, I've been overwhelmed by God's PRESENCE! Whether it be reading HIS WORD, singing HIS PRAISES, or resting in HIS ARMS...closing my eyes in HIS presence, just me and my Savior, the whole world seems to fade away! I laugh sometimes when I'm up on stage at church, playing worship music and getting caught up in PRAISE...I have to remember to keep playing so I don't screw up the song...that would be embaressing, oops wrong note! YET, how can you help it...how can you help not falling to your knees in worship? In love? In adoration? In humility?!! Words cannot express it!!
I don't know what else to say...I'm at a loss for words. Do you know the same God that I know?? Do you KNOW the God that you claim to serve and love?? Are you consumed with HIM?? Are you PASSIONATE about HIM?? Does the whole world SEE HIM THROUGH YOU?? If not, don't let another day go by without HIM. Don't let another day go by that you don't talk to Him, listen to Him, worship Him, grow in Him, be amazed by Him!!
Ok, so maybe this wasn't what I intended to write when I started typing. BUT, you never know what your going to get. This is who I am!!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
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