Go tell it on the mountain

My mom recently shared an interesting story with me. Reporting to work after having a few days off, one of my mom’s co-workers mentioned that she had received a letter in the mail. Now receiving mail at work is not odd for most folks, but for my mom it’s rather odd because she typically doesn’t get mail at work. Mom opened the letter (it was addressed to her) and found a small greeting-type card with a picture of a lamb on the front. When she opened the card she found a crisp $100 bill inside. The card contained no handwriting or any printed type of any sort, just the c- note. What was really strange about the letter was that it was postmarked August 20th – the day my brother, mother, and I said our goodbyes (after a 10-year reunion – see this post). Mom quickly shared this surprising story with some of her friends. A few of her friends (followers of Christ) responded, “Oh, Ms. Gerri, that’s the Lord blessing you. He wants you to go and tell others of the blessings He’s bestowing upon you.” Well, when mom told me this story, I couldn’t help but think that I needed to share it with all of you. You see, God loves to bless His people. And many times we take His blessings for granted; we never thank Him for every good thing He provides. Over the past week, I couldn’t stop thinking about that card. Every time I’d read a Bible passage I’d think about how the Lord blesses me. Then I read the following New Testament passage:

Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. (Luke 8:38-39, NKJV, emphasis mine)

Sometimes, God wants us to proclaim what great things He has done for us. When was the last time you told someone what God has done for you? Or better yet, how about how He's working in your life right now?

God's blessings in my life makes me want to shout for joy. I can't help but think of that wonderful song we typically sing at Christmas time:

Go, tell it on the mountain
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born.

Go tell it on the mountain – Christ is King!

Amen.

If you are a music lover...

If you truly enjoy listening to a variety of great music (regardless of your personal preferences), then I suggest you checkout Pandora. Simply visit the Pandora Website and search for one of your favorite artists. Then it's simply a matter of creating your own "station".

Trust me. Try it. Like it.

Later,
Jeff

P.S. I'm listening to Nora Jones Radio

The Three Amigos

Today I had a brief phone call with my buddy Doug, aka Duke. I’ve known Doug since we were little tikes. I don’t get a chance to see him often, but when we do it’s as if time has stood still. Tomorrow I’ll have the chance to see Duke, along with some old familiar faces; we’ll be getting gathering this weekend to celebrate our twentieth reunion of Madison High School’s Class of 1988. I can’t wait to see some old friends. OK, if you are reading this post and are jealous because I have not mentioned you here, please don’t be jealous, you all have a special place in my heart!

Zapper & Bailes - the early days

One of my other buddies Jerry, aka George, whom I miss dearly and have not seen in a while, will not be around this weekend. George did not attend our high school, but along with Duke and me, we all became great friends while attending college almost 20 years ago. Doug, Jerry, and I are like the “Three Amigos”. Although time and distance separate us, the memories and laughter always bring us together. George &Duke – enjoy the memories in viewing the pics below…I know I surely did.

Rusty, Duke, George...The Three Amigos

What, no goatee for Zapper?

Go figure?

Peace brothers,
Jeff – aka “Rusty”

My brother, my friend (continued)

After 10 years, I had the wonderful privilege of spending some quality time together with my mom and brother. If you saw my post from the other day, you may recall that I had not seen my brother in over 3 ½ years. Well, in an interesting turn of events - that I can only describe as being “arranged by God” - David, mom, and I laughed, shared stories, cried, and reminisced of times passed. And now, as quickly as it started, the time together has gone. David is headed back to his family, half-way around the world, and soon I will be headed back north to join my family too. If you are blessed to have family nearby, cherish the time you have together. To my own family, I can’t wait until we are all together - once again!

August 1997

My brother, my friend

I haven’t seen my brother in over 3 ½ years. It’s not been easy. You see, my brother and I are very fortunate to share in a wonderful brother-to-brother relationship. I love him dearly. He’s my best buddy. He’s my big brother (literally – he’s big and I’m small). In fact, I can’t even describe our relationship in words. Ever since I can remember, I’ve always gotten along with my big brother. Oh sure, we’ve had our moments – but we’ve never been in a situation where we didn’t talk or had a fight that lasted any length of time. My brother and I shared a pact at an early age to stick by each other, through thick and thin, no matter what came our way. And to this day, when he needs me, I’m there & vice versa. So, here’s to you, bud. Although time and distance separate us, I’m looking forward to the next time we get to see one another.

Then

Now

Father and Son

Today was a wonderful day. It had its fair share of ups and downs. For example, I lost one of my largest sales opportunities of the year. That really hurts – in more ways than one. But, on the other hand, I learned that another large opportunity took a turn for the better. (If any of you are in sales, or have been, you can certainly appreciate the anticipation of “closing” the deal, only to see it evaporate in front of you.) Throughout the entire day, I couldn’t stop thinking about how gracious and good God is to me. I have it so much better than I deserve. The God who spoke the world into existence invites me (and you too) into a personal relationship with Him. He accepts me because His only Son, Jesus, paid my sin debt in full at Calvary. This really hit me on the way home from the movies tonight. Joey and I had just spent some father & son time together; I took off a little early from work and we caught a matinee – The Clone Wars. The movie was ok (I am a big Star Wars fan, but it just did not measure up to any of the six original George Lucas films), but what I really enjoyed was a little quality time with my son. As I was driving home, through the back roads, I smelled that pre-dusk, fresh-cut grass, end-of-summer fast approaching smell, and my soul was just overwhelmed with the joy of our father & son relationship. It’s in these moments (of love for family & friends, having intimate relationships) that I think about how deep the Father’s love for us and that He desires to have the same relationship with us.The more time I spend time with my son, the more I think about the eternal love the Father has for Jesus. I can't imagine sending my only son to die on a cross. Thankfully I don't have to, because God already did it himself. Thank you, Jesus.

Amen.

I saw God today

I've been to church
I've read the book
I know He's here, but I don't look
near as often as I should
Yeah, I know I should
His fingerprints are everywhere
I'd just slow down to stop and stare
opened my eyes and man I swear
I saw God today

- “I Saw God Today”, by George Strait

I missed church today…for too many weeks in a row now. Okay, some of you might suffer from legalism like me and can appreciate the “guilts” for not attending church, or tithing (enough?), or reading the Bible, or praying, or whatever activity that makes you feel worthy of God’s love, mercy, and grace [Reminder to self: you can’t earn what you don’t deserve – that’s why it’s called GRACE!].

Honestly, I’ve only been walking with the Master for about 5 1/2 years now and He has to keep reminding me that it’s all about a personal relationship with Him, and not necessarily about all those other religious activities. Now please don’t miss understand me. I do really believe in being involved in the local church and doing all of the activities I mentioned above, but lately I’ve been experiencing so much more of God through personal time with Him (relationship), and it’s been the most wonderful thing. In fact, the rejuvenation came when I read the book I plugged the other day, “The Shack”, by William P. Young. You have to read this book. It will (should) cause a deep stirring within your soul – it did for me.

So, I chose the chorus line of the song above from George Strait (ok, so maybe I do like country a little – maybe I’m just afraid to admit it? I’ve always been a Parrot head, though, and still listen to Mr. Jimmy Buffett!), because it reminds me of how important it is to see God’s fingerprint in all of creation. Oh, believe me, if you take time to stop and look at nature you’ll see God’s handiwork. (I’m not saying God is “in” creation, rather He is the One who created everything we see.)

The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky above proclaims his handiwork - Psalm 19:1, ESV

And,

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse

- Romans 1:20, ESV

OK, so what’s my point? Well, although we missed church today, we took the kids to the Cleveland Zoo and saw up close some of God’s handiwork. The exquisite details of His design, the variety of His creativity is simply breathtaking. I mean, have you ever stopped and looked at a Hippo? Or maybe a 500 pound Gorilla? (And no, the primates are not my distant relatives, thank you. And for those who follow Mr. Darwin’s theory, we did not evolve through random mutations as a result of an iterative process of time, plus matter, plus chance.) It was a fun day…and the kids rode a camel!

Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses…and thank the One who created them.

Blessings,

Jeff