A Simple I'm Sorry

"In your anger do not sin" Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
~Ephesians 4:26

My Strength & Shield

The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
-Psalm 28:7

Tug-of-War

Last night I attended a class at Southland Christian Church and they shared a story with us about the tug-of-war in life and how great our father's love is for us. It was an amazing story that hit home, so I thought I would share it with you as well. Enjoy!

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in South Florida , a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. The newspaper reporter, who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go." You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.

Now I have to ask, Which scars do you show?

Broken

Words? Where are you? I've tried writing about so much. The KY Horse Park, Alaskan Cruise, Berry Picking, 4th of July Celebration, Horseback riding, and even sleeping under the stars, but nothing seemed important. Life the last month has been some what of a roller coaster. Everything important in my life, that keeps me stable has been wiped out from under me. The last blow come yesterday, and to be honest I was not surprised. As I sat there taking it in I not only cried but laughed. I started laughing at my life, at God... Why? I found myself thinking, really God is this all you got. I throw up my arms in anger and said "take it." I'm tired of it all anyways. Just take every single thing it my life while you are at it. I know you will come back for it anyways. Just take it! Frustration overwhelmed me at that moment but for some reason I began to feel at peace.

In so many areas of my life I have settled for less. I've been fearful of what might happen. This summer I followed Jesus to KY because I felt him wanting to do big things in my life. He has and so far it has been horrible, to be honest! With change I am learning you MUST become broken first, and I sure have been broken. This 'Dream Big' theme is my theme for the year. Jesus reminded me of this on the 4th of July as we drove down the street. On a fence someone had spray painted the words, 'DREAM BIG.' It was a great reminder.

So here is to Jesus picking up the pieces, and to the dreams in the making...

Memorial Day - Bike Lexington

On a mission to enjoy everything Lexington has to offer!

After searching for bike routes around town we came across 'Bike Lexington' which is a 10 mile family fun bike ride around downtown Lexington and UK's campus. We really didn't know what the day would have to offer but soon enough we would. Over 1000 bike riders came out to enjoy the ride. People of all ages, look at this little guy. He just kept peddling. How cute :D

The weather started out beautiful but the Lord had other plans. Just at around mile 8 it started to down pour. At first I wasn't to fond of the idea of getting wet but after a little while I started to enjoy it. Some times in life you just need to dance in the rain and laugh, we well just danced with bikes!


This was Lara's first long distance ride and she did great finishing 16 miles with no problem! The rain didn't even get in her way at all!

What a ride and what a way to enjoy Memorial Day. The Lord is truly blessing us with health and the ability to explore his creation. May the Lord continue to strengthen us and allow our bodies to be his temples.

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. ~1 Corinthian 6:19

Taiwanese BBQ - Bible Study

My journey has been full of trusting the Lord and walking arm in arm with him. Making the decision to moved to KY for the summer was not easy. There was a lot of uncertainty with the decision. However the Lord continued to comfort and support the move. I knew he had things planned for me but what they were I had no idea. Going into this summer I knew he wanted me to focus on my relationship with him. Learning to completely rely on him and build my life completely around him. One thing the Lord has continued to lead me to is interacting with internationals. Shortly after arriving the Lord opened an opportunity to share his word with Chia-Hung. From this conversation he invited Lara and I to attend a Taiwanese BBQ - Bible Study. You would never image the food that they have at these type of events. I'm not sure where they got all the food but they kept bring out more and more. We had hamburgers, chicken, shrimp, steak, pork, broccoli, watermelon, and ... This meal continue for well over four hours. After filling ourselves past full we were blessed with hearing praise music in Chinese. This was an amazing evening trusting the Lord and watching his love shine in different languages. His love truly moves the mountains and crosses the oceans. The night ended with our new friend Chia-Hung receiving a bible. This is his first bible ever and I am looking forward to watching the Lord reveal himself to him. Please keep Chia-Hung in your prayers as he begins to learn who Jesus is and what he did for us.
Revelation 3:20 - Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

The Great Adventure 2009: Begins

Along the road of life we will set out on adventures. Adventures to find our self, to discover the world, explore the unknown, and any other reasons to get away. I set out on the adventure of faith. To follow the Lord and to walk by faith instead of by sight. As I look out my window I quickly see the distance fading out behind me. Wondering what the future holds, I am unsure but I look back on what brought me here to this very point. And that is to trust the Lord, to walk by faith, and to live for the moment. I am embark on a journey many will
dream but few will travel.

I begin my journey with a hungry heart. A desire to grow in faith and to build a foundation on Christ. A desire to live each day and to fully trust in the Lord. To not just go through the motions but to experience life, to embrace the lows, absorb the highs, and to truly experience the love of Christ.

I offer this time to the Lord. The adventure is in his hands. Over the next three months the Lord will be in the driver seat directing the adventure, the path, and the plans. What seemed like another one of my crazy ideas was indeed sparked by the Lord himself. So come along as I share my adventures, struggles, and joys.

However on this adventure I leave my thoughts, desires, and my path behind because the Lord has said:

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 55:8-9

I leave you with this final thought because if there is one thing I have learned, it is that my path takes me through many valleys, so: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6