The One Year Bible Reading Plan

January 5, 2009 | Uncategorized

So, I’m trying to read through the bible this year.  I did this about 10 years ago and it was really rewarding.  I have wanted to do it again…in fact I have set out to do it at least 2x in past years.  But I really desire to do it this year.  What fun is it attempt it alone?  I’ve invited everyone in our church to read along with the same plan. (which I passed out last Sunday).  So, right now I’m reading parts of Genisis, Psalms, Matthew, and Acts.  If you would like to get a one year reading plan, email me, gary@riverwalkchurch.net or go to discipleshipjournal.com. 

Happy Reading! 

P.S.  If you read the bible for 15 minutes each day, you can read the whole bible in one year. 

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More New Year’s Thoughts…

December 30, 2008 | Uncategorized

I’m trying to take some time before 1/1/09 to sense what God wants me to start or stop in 2009.  So hard to carve out uninterupted time to simply be still and listen.  More time with Jesus is always a longing.  But finding partners to cheer you on is hard too.  Oh well, I’m going to keep searching for time to set goals and find ways to be more alive than ever.Â

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New Year’s Resolutions…

December 29, 2008 | Uncategorized

It’s that time again…to make some resolutions.  I actually like to make them…it’s the keeping them that becomes a little bit of a problem.  So do you have any resolutions?  If so, tell them please, gary@riverwalkchurch.net.

I have been thinking of making resolutions with Mark 12:28-29 as a map.  These verses tell us to Love God with our heart (emotional) , soul (spiritual) , mind (psychological), strength (physical) , and to love our neighbors as ourselves (socialogical).   So, a few things come to mind.  One is I’d like to read through the bible in one year again.  It has been years since I did it and it was so rewarding.  Also, I’d like to renew a date night with my bride and get back some of those bliss feelings we had time for before we had two wonderful boys to chase.  And it has been a passion of mine to love my neighbor so I want to continue finding ways to connect with my neighbors and express love to them.  I need to workout…and I actually like to do it.  But it is hard to find the time…as it is for everyone.  But based on my family history and existing heart issues…I need to exercise.  Anybody in the Glenpark area looking for a work-out buddy?  Email me!  So there’s a few of my resolution thoughts….add to the discussion and help us all!  Â

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Merry Christmas

December 26, 2008 | Uncategorized

Yes, I know it is December 26th.  I can never fit all the celebration into one day.  I love Christmas music.  It took me a while to get in the spirit this year…but I finally got there.  Now, I don’t want to move on too fast.  As believers we are too guilty of fast forwarding past significant days and seasons in our lives. 

So for a moment, savor the Christmas story again…the wonder of it all.  And as I put train tracks together, look for lost toy parts, and pack up toys that have to be returned…I’m going to thank God for all the gifts he has given me.  We are too blessed.  Merry Day After Christmas! 

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Christmas thoughts…

December 17, 2008 | Uncategorized

Wow!  This season has been so busy.   The RCC Christmas Party is tonight!  I hope it will be a warm time of good food, holiday cheer, and a little outreach to the businesses around us.  I have had a hard time getting in the Christmas spirit this year…so much stress and many things to do.  But today I am trying to focus on Christ and all that He has the power to do in the midst of my schedule.  Spending time with Jesus is always rewarding and encouraging…not to mention the prayers of my friends.  Merry Christmas!Â

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Christmas Time

December 15, 2008 | Uncategorized

Christmas time is so much fun.  Yesterday at RCC we enjoyed some great music from our guest leader Nathan Decker and an old friend Marty Hight.  It was great to sit and worship rather than leading the whole service.  We also talked about how Simeon became a fool for God by worshiping the baby Jesus in the temple.  Then, an ice storm came yesterday….lots of white stuff every where.  Now, I’m officially in the Christmas spirit.  Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la.Â

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Answers to Prayer

November 25, 2008 | Uncategorized

So today I called a friend to ask about his outreach project on Halloween…I know I’m a little behind.  But he and I share ideas and stive to express love to our neighbors in similiar ways.  During the conversation I shared with him an idea that Angela and I had to impact our neighbors at Christmas time.  We are wanting to buy a gift book for all 150 homes and include a Christmas card with a link to a website that shares our faith story.  I asked him to pray with me that God would provide the money, since we were paying for it ourselves.  He interupted me and said, “God just provided”.  I said, “What?” And said, “God just provided, how much is it?”  I was speechless.  I had been praying that God would provide a way for us to do it and thinking about the timing and bam!  I ordered the books today and for about $200.00 we will be able to touch the people in each home of our neighborhood…and once again we will take a step toward “loving our neighbors as ourselves.”  I’m set for Christmas…I can’t wait to give the books to our neighbors.  But first….thanksgiving…join me in thanking God for his provision and pray that some of my neighbors will discover Christ through this simple gift.Â

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Thanksgiving

November 25, 2008 | Uncategorized

Wow!  Long time no blog.  I have had a job transition during this month which has left me a little out of sorts.  I work at a hospice and the company was bought during the month.  So, new owners, policies, procedures, and roles for me.  While at the same time, I still serve as pastor of RCC. 

I’m so thankful I have two jobs!  With the economy and the panic, I am grateful to have two jobs.  But I’m really trying to get my balance.  Ready for Thanksgiving…turkey, gravy, and the annual Davis Cup football game.  We have lunch at my Mom and Step-dad’s home, play football for an hour, and then we hit the road for Kansas.  In Kansas we have dinner with Angela’s grandparents and relatives.  We play games, (I love this about Angela’s family) and head back home late at night, so my bride can shop on Friday morning. 

Happy T-Day!  Although I’m not sure most of our nation sees the pilgrims as heroes…as a believer I am so moved by thier journey and dream of our nation.Â

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A Hard Weekend

November 10, 2008 | Uncategorized

Wow!  It was a hard weekend.  Our family traveled to Kansas to celebrate Micah’s b-day.  We do a party in OK and in KS.  As we took off on Friday, Graham got sick…like stop the car sick.  We got an RX called in just in time that had him better in no time.  Then on Saturday morning I woke up…and I was sick…like someone just knock me out sick.  It was a long day and very long ride home.  I gave up any hope of preaching on Sunday and called in my good friend Chad.  Unfortunately we had no back up for music.  Maybe next time. 

By Sunday night I had slept so much that I could not sleep any more.  I got up and ended up watching a PBS movie called “GOD ON TRIAL”.  It is an incredible movie about prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp who in their despair and facing certain death, decide to put God on trial.  After being so physically and emotionally drained it was a grueling watch.  But it is worth the watch for anyone.  The agony displayed and the theological questions are thought provoking and provide an even greater picture of the horror of the holocaust.  You can watch it online at pbs.org for a limited time.Â

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Comebacks

November 3, 2008 | Uncategorized

Wow!  Time passed fast when I stopped blogging.  So much going on it is hard to catch my breath.  Still, enjoying all the God has given me.  I’m so ready for the elections to be over with.  I never thought I would say that.  I have always been a news and politics junkie.  But, during this season of life, I am so tired and disillusioned by whole political process that I just have to turn it off.  I am ready to vote tomorrow…and thankful for the privilege and responsibility to vote.  But I am also, hopeful for new day when Americans take seriously the “we the people” part of our constitution and we tell our government no more waste or days off.Â

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