This Consuming Fire

Summer

2009-07-30T09:18:00.001-07:00

Well I guess it's been a bit since my last post so I thought I might muse a bit. Let's see, I went camping with the fam and our friends from church so that was a good time. We had some rain but not a complete wash out. (plus it gave the kids something to do...what's better than stomping mud puddles right?) I started on a bookshelf for a guy at work and it's going pretty smooth so I'm happy with that. Other than that I've changed the oil and rotated the tires on both the cars. I'm no super mecanic by any means but it's fun to get your hands dirty turning a wrench now and then. Oh, and when I was under my truck I found that the pan on my trans was leaking because it is rotting out from rust (way to go with some high quality metal DODGE!) anyway after a $100 deductible we were back in biz. Our garden is doing well CodyJean and I pulled some weeds and spread compost so all is good. We have gotten some snap peas witch have been very good. Egan seems to enjoy them a lot (MORE PEAS PWEES!) we do seem to have two or three vollenteer squash plants of some kind so we will see what we get there. All in all it's been a good summer with a couple caseville trips already and cheeseburger coming up (woohoo!). Well that's all I've got for now. Peace.

I'm posting from my iPod!

2009-06-23T19:12:00.001-07:00

So I have been trying to find a way to blog from my iPod for a while now and I FINALLY got it set up all for free! So this is the test run to see if it really is going to work, so if you are reading this then all is well in blogsville.

Some things I like to do

2009-06-14T05:56:00.000-07:00

So i thought I might share some of the things that I like to do with my time. I like to make things out of wood. I have made a lot of different things in my little shop. I made a set of night stands for our bedroom, many smallish boxes for my former boss Link to display/store sculptures he has made for his clients. I also made built in bookcases for our home office, which was the biggest thing I have made, if you don't count the play structure that I had a ton of help from Keith and Phil on. I have also made a couple pairs of wood cuff links.

I really like Arts and Crafts style furniture. Some day I would like to make things with a little more design to them, but all in good time. I am starting to work on a entertainment center that Cody requested. It is going to be a big undertaking, but I think it will be a really nice piece when all is done. It will be in the mission/arts and crafts style, so that is a step in the right direction. Following are a few of the things I have made.

Cherry box w/padauk lid and sliding walnut tray.

Oak trellace thing part of a sculpture for Link.

The book case.

This was really my first project, there is a set of three I made from the ash tree that was in Cody's parents back yard.

Cherry w/blood wood lid box I made for my dad.

No, I didn't make this, it is the coolest

lamp ever. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

I will make this lamp one day, mark my words.

Cherry box w/ pain in the butt 1/4 doors.

Ebony w/silver inlay cuff links.

Men's Retreat

2009-05-30T05:06:00.000-07:00

So, about two and a half weeks I had the great pleasure of going to Camp Barakel north of Mio Michigan. It was a great time being with all the men folk. We had a sweet time doing archery, riflery, mountain biking and a crazy fun soft ball game. We also drank lots of coffee, ate very well and just were guys. I met some new people and got to know others a little alot better. That trip was some of the most fun I have ever had.

Our mountainbike guide

The site of the worst snoring ever heard.EVER

Me John P

Lance Dennis Roger

Gary Mark

The Dining Hall

Chapel

Thats going to leave a mark.

2009-05-04T10:54:00.000-07:00

This is my left thumb after a run in with my table saw. Yes, it is all my fault. I suppose I was not being careful enough. DUH! Surprisingly it did not hurt very much, the bleeding stopped easily as well. The cut is about a 1/4 inch wide and a 1/8 inch deep sort of on a angle.

Yes a table saw removes material and not just a slice like a knife. Yes I do think I have learned my lesson and will pay closer attention to where the blade is. The funny thing is that things were coming together quite well up to that point.

I was making a oak box with a lift lid and a drawer on the front. The mishap occurred while I was cutting the miters for the base. (by the way, the miters didn't come out square any way...I hate miters!) I thank God that it wasn't any worse, and I know Cody is going the yell at me about safety guards and how I need my hands to work and all that. So, sorry babe, I'll be more careful. Well, I hope the picture didn't gross anyone out. It isn't real clear any way.

Slow Times

2009-03-14T04:21:00.000-07:00

Yeah, so you know how the Friday afternoon is the slowest time of the week? Well, when work is scarce and everyone is sick of the crazies at work its even worse. I thought I was going to DIE this Friday ! There were times right after Christmas that I would work on a wax or something and not look up for 2 hours. The days would fly by! Now even working just four days seems to take longer than five ever did. Any way I had to complain, truth is, I'm very glad to still have a job and a decent place to work. I enjoy working with my hands and sometimes there is something that's fun to make and creates a challenge for me or I learn something new. Speaking of something new, my sister Kate has asked me to shoot some weddings with her this summer so that will be pretty fun and a little more income. I might have to polish up on my photo-man skills before then.

Are we not men?

2009-03-08T12:27:00.000-07:00

I want to share some things on my mind. If you have not noticed, boys and girls are different. Yes that means men and women are also. Last night we had our bi-weekly get together with our group of friends from church. We spent most of the night with the men in the basement and the women upstairs, all the while the kids were wandering up and down.

We fellows talked about politics, work, kids and such. But, the best was the stories we shared of our past run-ins with the law or dealings with other motorists. The object was not judging what we did was right or wrong but just telling of our more exciting experiences. Now I would be lying if I said there wasn't just a little bit of a feeling of outdoing one another. It was great fun. I'm sure that if any of the women had been down there, more than a few smacks or glares would have been shared. Thus the difference in men and women. The women just don't appreciate a good story like that.

Now another difference is this we men are willing to die for these women and children. I know that pretty much every man out there would in the situation of saving women and children first would have no problem banding together and saying, with a fist in the air, "We are men! WE shall DIE!" it is just what is in the inner heart of every man. And I must say its good to be a man.

One great time was when I was in my teen years, one of our family goats died, the fact that the goat died was not that great but, when it was up to my dad and myself to load it up in the wagon and haul it to the back of the property to bury it (oh, and it was rainy and cold) I remember a feeling of "Yes we are men. We shall bury the dead goat"! I don't remember anything that was said, if we said anything at all. It was just us doing what had to be done. I know every man has a list of these experiences that I would love to hear, leave it in a comment so we can all hear it.

Trust

2009-03-02T04:26:00.000-08:00

Pr 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
Pr 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Well, I have always thought that I trusted God but, it seems now I will have to "put up or shut up" as they say. As you may know already my hours have been cut at work so my income will probably be some where between 20 to 30 percent less than it has been. Which in my own understanding I don't see how that will be enough to pay our bills since we always seem to have just enough as it is. I know God says he will provide for our needs (I guess we'll find out how much of this stuff we actually need !)

2Co 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart.... For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

I know how easy it is to get caught up in what we have what we want to have.Every day I think of or see something that oh, I gotta have that! I don't need that! Look at all I have, and yet I totally take it for granted. We all struggle with this. I don't have to look very far to realize how truly blessed I am with all that I have. Yet, why is it never enough? See, just there, I got up from my comfy couch and poured myself a hot cup of coffee without even thinking twice about it. Who says I deserve any of this? Did I work for it? Sure, but who gives me life, who sustains me?There is a man in my church that always begins his prayers with this... Thank you Father for giving me another day that was not promised me. Wow! when I noticed this it really hit me. It says this right in the bible...

James 4:13 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that."

That's me! How often I don't truly seek Gods plan, and just make up my own like it is really up to me in the first place. But, I know God is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Ps 31:23 Love the LORD, all his saints!
The LORD preserves the faithful,
but the proud he pays back in full.

So know I know I must rely on Him. Thanks for listening. Please pray that I will be proved faithful.

I'm Still Here

2009-02-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

Well I guess that seeing I'm on the very bottom of Cody's blog list I should probably write a new post. So the one reason I am blogging now is be cause i am home from work with my son who has the flu yet again.

I haven't been blogging for a while because I really didn't know what i wanted to write about.
Cody and I have been going to a small group at church (When I say small I mean small there are only two other men in it). So Cody is the only woman, I am very proud of her for sticking it out she is the youngest spiritually speaking also, but she still gives her comments and I think she is learning a lot.

The two others are our pastor Don and a guy Justin who is currently going to bible collage and plans on going into the ministry. The study is a discussion based meeting about the christian life.
we have gone over topics like "What must I do to be saved"and "our position in Christ". There has been great discussion on all the topics. A lot of the stuff has been things I've been understanding on my own so it has been really cool to hear other insight and confirmation of what I've been learning.

One foundation of the study and obviously the christian walk is GRACE. I had just been finishing the book "Whats so amazing about grace" by Phillip Yancey . The whole idea of God's grace to us is really absurd when you get down to it, I mean we, these tiny little evil people who think they have so much control over the world and our own lives were saved by a all knowing, all powerful God who always has been and always will be. We can't even really grasp that idea of eternity let alone the idea that this God who formed the entire universe and every thing we know from nothing became one of us. He lived in the dirt and stink of this life was falsely accused, beaten and nailed to a cross so that he who knew no sin would become sin to save all those who would believe in him. This is not because of anything we did or can ever do as it says in Romans...

Ro 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Ro 5:7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
Ro 5:8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

One of the things we talked about is that we sometimes separate God the father and Jesus.
But, as you think about what the bible says, the fact is, Jesus is God in human flesh. He was fully human and at the same time was fully God. That same being that created all that is seen got dirty, sweaty, sick, stubbed toes, and had to eat, sleep and breathe just like us. I take great comfort in this fact as it says in Hebrews 4:15 ...

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

God knows what we are going through! He has unfathomable love and compassion for us. I try to remember this when I get tired and crabby about all I go through in life. God is next to me supporting me the whole way.

Ro 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Ro 8:36 As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
Ro 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

Not mere conquerors but, MORE than conquerors! We shall prevail! WooHoo! Keep fighting the good fight my friends.

Insideout

2008-12-11T09:35:00.000-08:00

Well how long has it been? Oh well. So, where am I now? I am currently re-reading Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster. This book has helped me understand what the journey God has called me on truly is.
This book has opened the door to spiritual transformation for me. It spells out some of the common disciplines of the spiritual life.
The point I see is through the training of fasting, prayer, meditation, study, solitude, silence, service, worship, guidance, and confession we can open ourselves to allow the Spirit of God to speak to us and create change within us. Foster uses the passage:

Gal.6:8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

The disciplines are the tools we us to let God do his work in us. Just as a farmer plants a seed then waters and weeds, he does all that he can to help the plant but, has no power to actually make the plant grow. So it is with our spiritual growth. It is only by God’s grace we are changed. But we need to create the best possible environment for God to do His work.

Eph. 2:8,9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

The thing about the disciplines is that they are only good when used for the change of our inner self and being. We can easily fall into the trap of the ways of the Pharisees of Jesus’ time and turn the disciplines in to laws of external righteousness. Where they become sin themselves.

Foster explains that we cannot by willpower do the things we ought to do but need to be changed in spirit to become the person who automatically does what Jesus would do.

Matt. 12:34,35 For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

I am finding it is difficult to move from knowing what I need to work at and actually making the change in my habits. Foster suggests to begin by praying for the desire to seek God and we know God will give us the desire:

Lk 11:9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

I Just Wanna be Left Alone

2008-09-15T03:17:00.000-07:00

Mk 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Mt 14:23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

Wow, is life noisy. Jesus knew that, he knew that the best place to get close to God was to get
alone with him. Now, this is really just common sense. We all know that God hears us where ever we are but, think about it this way, you see a very dear friend you never seem to get to see enough, would you rather yell back and forth across a busy restaurant or would a nice quiet park bench away from everybody be better?

It's the same way with Jesus. I know I spend little enough time with Him as it is, that when I do, I don't want to have to try to scream over all the noise. Also I do sometimes have a bit of the ADD so for me the less distractions the better.

Take note of the first phrase in the second passage: "after he had dismissed them". We can't just wait for a quiet time (cause' we all know, that will never come ) we have to dismiss other things so we can fully seek him. Yeah, I know that TV show is really good and the dishes need to be done but nothing is going to lift you up like time with Jesus.

Ps 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen

All Creation Sings His Praises

2008-09-08T03:36:00.000-07:00

So I really love to be outside, but due to work, life, busyness I don't seem to get out enough.
One thing I do find every time I am out of doors is that the Lord of heaven and earth is one amazingly creative dude! I mean, with all this "the world is one big accident" stuff I just don't buy it. Now I don't have a degree in biology or earth science but, what I do understand about this world is it is way to complex and perfect to have come from a"big bang". For instance just look at the seasons (living my whole life in the great state of Michigan I do consider myself some what of a expert on this issue) in the exact same place, you can get a sun tan and swim then wait a few months and you're raking leaves (if you've never had that experience come on over to my place this fall, I got four words for you "nut tree from hell"). Then, after a little while, you're out skiing and shoveling your way out of a foot of snow! AMAZING! Lets think a minute about that nut tree from hell, it is really a beautiful huge tree that changes with all those seasons and still makes all those big stinkin' nuts every fall. And think about all the bugs, birds and squirrels that live in that tree. Oh, and don't forget about all the micro organisms in there too. God had it all worked out and we think we're so smart just because we figure a few things out.

Ps 148:3 Praise him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars.
Ps 148:4 Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
Ps 148:5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
for he commanded and they were created.
Ps 148:6 He set them in place for ever and ever;
he gave a decree that will never pass away.
Ps 148:7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
Ps 148:8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do his bidding,
Ps 148:9 you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
Ps 148:10 wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
Ps 148:11 kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
Ps 148:12 young men and maidens,
old men and children.

Our God is truly an awesome God.

Who do I think I am?

2008-09-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

I am a saved sinner. I know in my deep down heart that the only thing that has saved me from death is God's completely unconditional love for me. I can not do anything that even comes close to deserving it. So why do I seem to separate my self from anyone else as higher/lower on the "good" list? I look at other people for their outward appearance, race, style, political affiliation, monetary status, anything I can use to make my own feeble attempts at living "the Christian life" look better. I don't know them, I can't see their hearts. God's Word is very clear:

Jas 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?

Mt 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Mt 7:3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Ouch. One back of the hand smack for Tim. God is trying to fix us all. We are all on the road to pefection and let me tell you what, I've got a long way to go, so I really should focus on what he is trying to change in my life and just love and encourage others the way he has told me to.

1 John 4:11,12
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Hebrews 10:24,25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Lord, make this change in me. Amen

About the Title

2008-09-01T16:59:00.000-07:00

So, about the title. The thought is the consuming fire of the Holy Spirit. Now this is the funny thing I say CONSUMING FIRE but some times I find that I have a way of beating it back down into a little bitty flicker. Although, through God's CRAZY love He stokes it right back up.(After of course I realize what a foolish little man I am. I love the verse

Ro 8:10 But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.
Ro 8:11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

Life to this dirty, stinky, sinful body... sweetness. What can I say? God is awesome! Paul elaborates in Galations...

Gal 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

Pastor Don has shared the story of the two dogs fighting inside us, which one is winning ? The one I feed the most. Right on.

Drop a comment

2008-08-28T18:38:00.000-07:00

I would love for any of you who made read this to leave a comment just to share your thoughts or insight you might have. Thanks a bunch!

Hard to Believe

2008-08-28T17:50:00.000-07:00

Ro 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
Ro 8:39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So, can I really say anything that could explain why God in his right mind would love me a vain, selfish, slow, man? I try to live for him, yet I never seem to make it long before I find myself on my knees asking the Lords forgivness for I suppose for the one gazillianth time. Yet, He accepts me back with arms open wide every time. All through His Word He shows us how much he loves us. Just look at the people of Isreal, time after time they rebelled against the Lord but, He still loved them and saved them from whatever mess they had gotten them selves into. Hmmm, sounds like someone I know, I don't want to say any names but it rhymes with Tim Mattila.
All I can say is in the words of my sister Erin "Yay God!"