Thoughts and Reflections

2003-12-20T15:21:00.000-09:00

"I walked by the field of a lazy person, the vineyard of one lacking sense. I saw that it was overgrown with thorns. It was covered with weeds, and its walls were broken down. Then, as I looked and thought about it. I looked upon it and received instruction” (Proverbs 24:30-32).

Many people pass through life looking for a ‘burning bush experience’ or a ‘Damascus road encounter’. But the memories of our lives are made up of all the events that surround and constitute the routines of our daily existence. Have you been pressurised lately to ‘perform’? From the above passage we will notice the sequence of events to gaining wisdom from happenings around us. Firstly, he saw what apparently had no relevance to his pursuit, secondly, he gave it a good consideration, and then looked upon it critically and in the process he gained understanding- a valuable lesson for life. Don’t miss the nuggets that God is dropping your way to assist you in the journey of life.

One of the commonest and also the most easily missed ways that God reached out to His own, is when He speaks through events that are acted out in front of us. Nothing happens by accident. Sometimes God allow in His wisdom what He could prevent in His power to bring us to that position that we become partakers of the divine nature of God. As Apostle Paul puts it, so we become “diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of God” 2 Timothy 2: 15.

Most events and circumstances are so divinely orchestrated, not only to speak to us but also to leave a lasting melody in our conscience long after the orchestrated events have ended.

Picture speaks volumes and so do creation all around us. As the pressure mounts in our life-pursuits, let us avoid destination consciousness so that we do not fail to notice the events on the side of the road. “For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse” Romans 1:20.

Remember Moses interrupted his routines, paid attention to the event on the side of the road and was called by God to his destiny in the process. “So Moses said, ‘I must turn aside now and see this marvellous sight, why the bush is not burnt up” Exodus 3:3.

When last did you turn aside to look, ponder and gain instruction from the happenings around you? Even though it may bears no apparent relevance to your pursuit. “For God does speak – now one way, now another – though man may not perceive it” Job 33:14.

Don’t be in hurry to finish and miss some valuable wisdom-keys of life. It is what happens by the side of the road that makes the journey worthwhile. The memories of our lives are made up of the events and circumstances on the pages of the journey of life.

Joe Ibojie
Nov 15, 2003

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the Truth of Your Word that leaders us. May we learn not to rely solely on what others say and think, but on what Your Word says. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, AMEN!

Re-arranging my life for Christ, Michael

2003-10-31T20:39:00.000-09:00

Religion is the most dangerous energy source known to humankind. The moment a person (or government or religion or organization) is convinced that God is either ordering or sanctioning a cause or project, anything goes. The history, worldwide, of religion-fueled hate, killing, and oppression is staggering. —Eugene Peterson (from the introduction to the book of Amos in the Bible paraphrase The Message)

2003-10-25T06:13:00.000-08:00

Please pray for Kris (Mark's secretary) & her family. We recieved word that their home caught on fire friday sometime. No One was hurt and at this time we do not know to what extent of damage the fire has done to their home.

2003-10-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

Holiness is a much-patched cloth, a smooth–worn tool at least as much as it is a blaze of new light; because it must be finally a state we can live with and in, the hand fitted to the wood forgetful of the join.
© Rowan Williams 2003

When we open the Gospel, each of us can say, "These words of Jesus are rather like a very ancient letter written in an unknown language. But since it is written to me by someone who loves me, I am going to try to understand its meaning, and to put into practice right away the little I have grasped."…
Extensive knowledge is not important at the outset. In time that will be of great value. But it is through the heart, in the depths of themselves, that human beings begin to grasp the Mystery of Faith. Everything is not granted at once. An inner life is developed step by step. Today, more than in the past, we enter into the faith by going forward in stages.

Right at the depth of the human condition, lies the longing for a presence, the silent desire for a communion. Let us never forget that this simple desire for God is already the beginning of faith.

Moreover, no one is able to understand the entire Gospel in isolation from others. Each person has to say, "In this unique communion that is the Church, what I do not understand of the faith is understood by others who are living from it. I do not rely on my faith alone but on the faith of Christians of all times, those who have gone before us, from the time of Mary and the apostles to those of today. And day after day I prepare inwardly to put my trust in the Mystery of Faith."

So it becomes clear that faith – trusting in God – is a very simple reality, so simple that everyone could receive it. It is like surging upwards again and again, a thousand times, throughout our life, and until our very last breath.

Brother Roger

© Copyright Ateliers et Presses de Taizé, 1998
71250 The Taizé Community, France

2003-10-11T06:46:00.000-08:00

Brittany has been released from the hospital !!!
Her enzyme count returned to the normal range on wednesday Oct 8th.
She will have to have lab work done for the next 3-6 months on a weekly basis, to ensure that there is no permanant damage to her liver. Other than that she sounds great and is very optimistic.
Again, thank you for all your thoughts and prayers.

A pastor is an unusual person, indeed!
He gets his assignments from a voice no one else can hear.
He works for a bonus check that is only legal and tender in heaven.
He starts his day in the prayer closet instead of the wardrobe closet.
He climbs the ladder of success by taking the lowly place.
He receives nourishment by feeding sheep.
His greatest gains come by what he gives away.
He is more attracted to what people look like inwardly than outwardly.
He lives for God's approval rather than following the opinions of others.
He speaks from the depths of his heart rather than from the top of his head.
His richest treasures come from the investments he makes in the lives of others.

-Roy Lessin

2003-10-06T20:23:00.000-08:00

Talked with brittany today, she slept well and the enzyme count came back lower. Will know more Tuesday morning.
Thank you for your continued prayers.

2003-10-05T18:43:00.000-08:00

If you are reading this post, please pray for our precious daughter Brittany. We were just notified by her mother in Virginia that Brittany was taken to the emergency room for a tylenol overdose. Brittany had her tonsils removed on Friday Oct 3 and was given a prescription for tylenol w/ codeine. Apparently the dosage amount was written down wrong or transferred to her medicine bottle wrong, either way her enzyme count is currently @ 70n which we understand can possibly cause liver damage and we have been told if it climbs to 100 or above a liver transplant may be needed.

Heavenly father, Lord and redeemer we give you our daughter Brittany, we ask that you would be with her as she sleeps tonight, we petition that your healing will be upon brittany's body, more specifically Father, her liver. We petition that you surround her with your love, comfort and peace. Father we ask that the test results in the morning will be miraculous. Thank you for the grace that you have given us to allow us to go through this.

2003-09-26T20:22:00.000-08:00

JESUS LOVES ME, this I KNOW, for the BIBLE tells me so, little one's to HIM belong, I AM WEAK, but HE is STRONG.
Thank you LORD for all the beautiful people you surround us with daily, please help us, to help them so they may continue to be a blessing to others.

2003-09-24T19:23:00.000-08:00

So much time has past since my last blog , i am not exactly sure where to start. So many things have and are taking place. It seems to overwhelming where to begin......So for now, stay tuned.

2003-03-01T10:34:00.000-09:00

The last we heard concerning Joy Lyn is that she is doing well. Today i am hanging out with my daugher Michaela Joy, were blogging right now and then we are going to Mickey "d's" for food and fun( i guess it qualifies as food) then it's off to the store, chris's b-ball game @ 5:00 then after the game they are having a party. Last but not least off to visit with the community in eagle Whew what a day for Dad.
Love every minute of it. Gotta go baby wants burgers.......Shhhh, so does dad.

2003-02-28T05:41:00.000-09:00

The latest we have heard concerning Joy Lyn Dingledein is that the cat scan went well, No Broken bones (Thank You LORD). She does have bruising to her lung and kidney. If you are reading this blog please continue to lift them up in prayer. Were off to Juvenile court this morning for our son, Michael's sentencing hearing, we'll post later regarding the outcome.Remembering that God and his justice is Supreme. Having to deal with the legal system has been at times very frustrating, yet we believe that all these events serve a divine purpose in the creation and development of not only our character as parents but Michael's more importantly. Recently he has met Jail House Jesus and is begining to ask questions about Love & Life. Welcome to this Beautiful Story Son, i hope as your father i can help you find your place. Our Father who art in heaven, Hollowed be thy name. Thy KINGDOM come, Thy WILL be done...on earth our already/but not yet heaven

2003-02-26T20:15:00.001-09:00

Oh by the way today was another great day :)

2003-02-26T20:15:00.000-09:00

I have been sitting here for 20 minutes thinking, wanting to post some radical new fandango way of ...blah blah blah, Instead i'm going to go talk with my wife & tell her how beautiful of a wife and mother she is and that all her hard work is greatly appreciated. I love my wife so much. So to whom it may concern, goodnight and God Bless. Till the next blog.......

2003-02-16T19:14:00.000-09:00

Ready set GO...Thanx to Mr. D for all his help in getting us up and going with this blog thing. We'll take it one day at a time. Quality not Quantity....