Mercies New

Lam. 3 ...Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD....

Mercies New, N. Nordeman

Is it fair to say I was lured away?
By endless distractions and lovelier attractions then
Or fairer still, my own free will
Is the better one to blame
For this familiar mess I've made again

So I would understand, if you were out of patience
And I would understand, if I was out of chances

(Chorus)
Your mercies are new every morning
So let me wake with the dawn
When the music is through or so it seems to be
Let me sing a new song, old things gone
Every day it's true, You make all Your mercies new

The distance left between East and West
Is how far You would go to forget the debt I owe
And thrown into the sea, the wicked ways in me
Will never have a chance to wash back on the sand

So I would understand, if you would make me pay
I would understand, lying in the bed I made again

(Chorus)

Up comes the sun on every one of us
Gone, gone, gone the guilt and shame that knew your name

I had to let one of my staff go this week; I didn't say "You're Fired", like D. Trump does, but it was still a good reminder to me of chances running out and also of debt I owe and it it sweet to know that God doesn't "fire" us or let us go; He is so patient with me.

The reason I put the Lam. passage in like it I did id the entire 3rd chapter is so good.

R U Really Living?

There's more to this life than living and dying, and with Wally's home going I am once again reminded of that fact. These is a Steven Curtis Chapman song about this, but As you know I'm wearing out the Nicole Nordeman artistry right now.

Live,

Did you come that we might just survive?
Did you come so we could just get by?
Did you walk among us
So we might merely limp along beside?

I was bound, I have been set free
But I have settled for apathy
Did you come to make me new
And know I'd crawl right back into the skin you found me in?

It's where I am, not where I've been

You make me want to live
You make me want to live
You came to shake us
And to wake us up to something more
Than we'd always settled for
And you make me want to live

We've all been up on the mountain top
A golden glow that's bound to soon wear off
Then it's back to the mundane telling tales of glory days
When we were hopeful that this change was here to stay

So why would a young man
Live in a waste land
When the castle of his dreams is standing by?
Why would a princess
Put on an old dress
To dance with her beloved and a chance to catch his eye?

OH for the constant vision of what is really important, w/o loosing the joy of living in the here and now. I fall into the trap so quickly of "trappings".

God is Good to remind us and bless us when we stay focused.

What Kind of Hole are you going to Leave?

My friend Wally is close to going home to be with His Savior. I think he's around 50, and his earthly tent has Pancreatic cancer, which at this stage is causing him to starve to death.
This is man who will leave a "Jesus-shaped" hole in the world. He has been an example to me of what a Christian business man should look like. He's not a perfect man, today, but will be in just a few days.
My heart rejoices with Wally in his completion of the race and aches with his family, as they remember what a great dad and husband they were blessed to have for this short time here on earth.
Ps. 112 is men's directive as Prov. 31 is to women.

Psalm 112

1 Praise the LORD.
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
who finds great delight in his commands.

2 His children will be mighty in the land;
the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches are in his house,
and his righteousness endures forever.

4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.

5 Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.

6 Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.

7 He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.

9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor.

I have been listening to Nicole Nordeman lately and this song makes me think of Wally and also what Legacy will I leave when my days here are complete. I hope you are encouraged.

Legacy

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me
And I enjoy an accolade like the rest
You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery
Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best
At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights
We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'
But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides
The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy
How will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough
To make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who
blessed your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile
To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy
It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile
Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred
Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

When people remember us, what will they remember most?
Pray for the Carruthers family for continued peace and for their faith to remain strong in a very difficult time.

Shocking News :)

Grant is fine and he just has a little more experience than he did yesterday morning.

We knew it would happen sometime, and yesterday was the day. When you have a device implanted, your expectation is that that device will work when it is needed, work towards the intended result and hopefully continue to remain dormant until the next event.

Grant was playing soccer with the team, though not doing all the running drills, he said that he had some discomfort in his abdominal area, put his hands on his knees and then his defibrillator went off. He said it fell like someone kicked him in the back, but told Teresa, "It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be". What a trooper.

When Teresa tried to call me 3 times in one minute, as I was talking to an architect that I had just hung up on, I knew it must have been somewhat serious.

Teresa was of course more shaken than Grant was, but she's supposed to be since she's the mom, and she isn't interested in partaking in any more heart related excitement. She is fine now.

Thanks for all your prayers for her comfort and trusting the Lord.

I guess Grant has decided to stick more closely to golf, rather than soccer.

God is good to remind us how precious every heart be really is.

I went to the Tri-Cities yesterday, so had some time to listen to sermons on the ipod and a little music as well. I was listening to Nicole Nordeman's song "I am" and was reminded how fast he time goes and of the nearness of God. I hope you're encouraged by the lyrics.

Pencil marks on a wall, I wasn't always this tall
You scattered some monsters from beneath my bed
You watched my team win
You watched my team lose
Watched when my bicycle went down again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said, Elbow Healer, Superhero
Come if You can
You said, I Am

Only sixteen, life is so mean
What kind of curfew is at 10pm?
You saw my mistakes
And watched my heart break
Heard when I swore I'd never love again
And when I was weak, unable to speak
Still I could call You by name
And I said Heartache Healer, Secret Keeper
Be my best friend
And you said, I Am

You saw me wear white by pale candlelight
I said forever to what lies ahead
Two kids and a dream, with kids that can scream
Too much it might seem when it is 2am
And when I am weak, unable to speak
Still I will call You by name
Shepherd, Savior, Pasture Maker
Hold onto my hand
You say, I Am

The winds of change and circumstance blow in and all around us
So we find a foothold that's familiar
And bless the moments that we feel You nearer

When life had begun, I was woven and spun
You let the angels dance around the throne
And who can say when, but they'll dance again
When I am free and finally headed home
I will be weak, unable to speak
Still I will call You by name
Creator, Maker, Life Sustainer
Comforter, Healer, my Redeemer
Lord and King, Beginning and the End

I Am
Yes, I Am

It's about time

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Refrain

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Refrain

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Well, it's been a long time since I have posted, and to me it seems crazy, but people ask me all the time when I am going to post, so here you go.

Summer is almost in the bag, school's about to start and it's already been 5 months since the event that has changed our lives from top to bottom.

We have been prayed for, served, loved and taken care of by so many of you, and we love your care for our family.

Grant is doing well. He and Garrett both worked at PG most of the summer. The guys in the shop love having them, as they work hard and are generally fun to be around. Grant is putting on some weight, he looks great and his arms are getting big. He's a man now. It seems so strange to have him be taller than me. For the first time in my life it was fun for me to lose at golf, as Grant beat me a couple of weeks ago. He really has a nice swing and is getting to be quite a good shot-maker. Good stuff:)

Kimmy spent a month in Berlin with the Green family. She got to stay with the youngest 5 kids while the parents went to Israel with the older 5 for 2 weeks. She loved it, even though the kids were sick with flu like symptoms for a few days.

Garrett is as funny as ever and has been working hard at PG, soccer training, shooting baskets and just being an all around great kid.

God has blessed us, so much more than we deserve, with 3 great kids who love Him. Life is good.

Teresa is working hard around the house, being a great mom, weeding like a machine, cleaning and being a friend to many ladies. She is still very funny, but is more emotional than previous. I think that's ok considering what she's been through.
We did get some AED's, Automatic External Defibrillator, but haven't tried them out yet. We need some instruction, and will get it from a family whom we have met, from Grant's event. They lost their 16 year old son/brother 4 years ago on the 16th of Sept.

We have met so many people and have shared God's love and care because of Grant's event. We try to make the most of every opportunity to share His faithfulness, as many wouldn't see this kind of a thing as a blessing, though we certainly do.
I don't want to go on too long.

God is Good. He is Faithful, even when we aren't. He doesn't give us more than we can handle and gives us exactly what we need to strengthen our faith.
Hallelujah, what a Savior.

Under His Care

Ps 95:6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.
Today, if you hear his voice,

8 do not harden your hearts,

Well it's been a while since I last posted. It's been a little crazy in my world.

Last week I was in Dallas for part of the week with some of the GA staff and volunteers to do some fund raising training there. That was both fun and profitable for the school and personally for PG. It's always fun to listen to people that are really good at what they do.

This week I am currently finishing a trip to Georgia, visiting one of my friends in the stone business and looking at some of the systems they use to be more efficient. Again, it's fun to learn from those who do something very well.

The warm weather in both areas has been all the warmth I need, though when it's in the 50's at home it's nice to warm up.
Traveling it is difficult to eat really well, but I have tried to behave myself, as I know how long it will take to get the pounds off I put on while traveling.

Some family stuff.
Both Grant and Garrett have been working at PG this summer, though Garrett is helping with some of the sports camps for GA, so he doesn't get as many hours as Grant does.

Grant is feeling pretty well, and is designing his tattoo so he can get exactly what he wants. I think he is leaning towards Eph. 2:8 "Saved By Grace" which is why I am very ok with him wearing a witness on himself. It is Gd's grace alone that is the reason why he is still with us, as is evident as we visit with many people who have not been so blessed in situations like ours.

Garrett, on the other hand, is not feeling as well as we would like. He is starting to have chest pains, while just relaxing, so we are taking him to the cardiologist on Monday for another EKG. This is not something to take lightly, and Teresa, especially, is very concerned. I think this is the mother's heart and the fact that she already has had to perform CPR on one child and she is not excited to test her skill on a second. I can certainly understand that. She asked if we could get an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator)for the house. I think that is high on the list of purchases. They are actually becoming more affordable as they are getting more widely used, so that is good.

Kimmy is still in Berlin with the Green family. She is caring for the youngest 5 kids while Cary and Lois are in Israel. Unfortunately it sounds as if most of the kids have had, or do have, the flu. That will be tough on her. She is well equipped for this kind of thing, as she is a great "mom" already, but it's hard when the kids need more attention individually and she is getting little sleep. God has her right where He wants her.

God is good in everything He brings into our lives, and we are wise to grow when He gives us "special" events to prune us with those events.
We're about to get onto a plane, so I'll sign out.
Thanks for your encouragement of reading the blog.
Playing for Keeps.

At the "BIG" table

Thank you Jesus, Sovereign Grace.

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend
The agonies of Calvary
You the perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son
Who drank the bitter cup reserved for me

Your blood has washed away my sin
Jesus, thank You
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied
Jesus, thank You
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table
Jesus, thank You

By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near
Your enemy You’ve made Your friend
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace
Your mercy and Your kindness know no end

Lover of my soul
I want to live for You

I know it's been quite a while since I posted, sorry about that. It's been pretty good crazy at work, which means I'm busy with lots of stuff. So here you go.

Have you ever been to a formal banquet? Maybe this is a place where not really sure what to wear, or who might be there. Questions come to my mind such as; Will I know anyone, is what I'm wearing appropriate (I really like to be dressed correctly, no I'm not a girl), am I going to have any idea what they are speaking about...

I was thinking this morning of this song we sing at GBC and the line in the song that says, "once your enemy, now seated at your table". I was once an enemy of Christ, working as hard as I could to thwart the things He loves, and now He has seated me at His table. That's crazy. Crazy Good.

So now think about the same banquet and you have all those same questions when you walk in the door, BUT, previously you have been an enemy of the host. This looks a little different now, doesn't it? You very hesitantly walk in the door and the Host eagerly greets you and ushers you to His table. He is excited to have you at His table as His guest. We get to sit at the "big" table; the special table. This night just got a lot more special. It doesn't matter what we may be wearing, we're at the big table. It doesn't matter if we know anyone else, we know the Host; we know the King. We're with Him. WOW, why would He do this for me? It's only because of His love for us that He would choose any. If He has chosen us to sit at His table, we had better be thankful.

What was the cost of the invitation? Jesus' blood shed on the cross for me and you was the highest cost we can possibly imagine.


Tonight is graduation at GA. Congratulations to all who are seniors. "Good job" to Chris McAuliffe and Sung Lee. These are 2 seniors from my small group. Also another "good job" to Marty and David for being the male Sr. and Jr. high "IMPACT" students of the year at GA. In my opinion that is the highest honor. Also, our friend Jessica was the Sr. high girls "IMPACT" student of the year. These kids have been through a lot of struggles and testing and have shown spiritual leadership throughout. GREAT JOB!

Remember where you're sitting.