FCA

Last Thursday was the end of FCA for this school year. I really enjoy meeting with these high schoolers. They are very diverse bunch. Some of them are always adding to the conversation and some sit and listen. One thing that I've never seen, is one of them not paying attention to what is going on. I'm sure it's because they have the option of attending and if they're not interested, they don't show up. Linda Zimmerman (The Group Leader) and I have talked about some of this bunch being very reluctant at the beginning of the year and now they are comfortable participating and praying out loud. That's very encouraging. One thing that I've noticed is that some of them wear Christian themed shirts.
Here are a few of my favorites

Sometimes T-shirts and bumper stickers can be misleading. Here is an example.

Driving along a busy street, a man became aware of an impatient woman who was tailgating him. She was so close that when he had to brake to allow some children to use a pedestrian crossing, she almost crashed into him. 

Furious at being delayed, she sounded her horn and began waving her fists in a disgraceful exhibition of a road rage. 

Before she could move off, she felt a tap on her window. It was a police officer who ordered her to step out of the car. 

He then asked her to come down to the station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and put in a cell. 

A couple of hours later, after vehicle checks had been carried out, she was told that she could collect her valuables and that she was being released without charge. 

The woman was extremely indignant at her arrest and demanded an apology. 

The officer responsible explained the reason for the mistake. "You see, madam, I pulled up behind your car while you're sounding your horn and loudly cursing the driver in front of you. Then I noticed the 'Follow Jesus, Not Me' sticker on the rear window, the 'God Is Love' sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the boot. Naturally, I assumed that you had stolen the car..."

Much Love, Dennis

EIGHT YEARS

Today is the eighth anniversary of my accident. I thought about it several weeks ago, but had forgotten until Cheri posted about it on her blog   http://cheri-scicaregiving.blogspot.com/ 
I remember everything from that morning up until the time that I landed awkwardly on my head. Many times I thought that so unfair because I was traveling only about 5-6 mph.

I look back now with a different attitude. There were so many situations in my life prior to that accident that could have turned out tragic but didn't. I don't believe that God was responsible, it was my decision to ride that day. I do believe that it was God who kept me alive throughout the five months that it took for me to be well enough to return home. It was God who allowed my mother to accompany Cheri and I to the TIRR (Texas Institute for Research and Rehabilitation) center in Houston for 60 days.
It was God who arranged for my mother-in-law (Darla) to move in with us while continuing to work from home. It was God who touched the hearts of all the people that prepared my house to be wheelchair accessible and create a second master bedroom for my in-laws. It was God who sent a Chrysler Entervan to TIRR two weeks before my release. He touched the hearts of my friends to purchase that van. He has been with me for much more than eight years. My hindsight is much better today. I can say that what happened to me was a mess that God has turned into a message. He has opened doors and closed doors. I know that all things work together for good to those of us who love Him and are called according to His purpose. I'm doing things today that I would never have done if I had not been through this trial.

My Outlook on life is now: Live your life as if every day were the last one here on earth, it very well could be.

Today I am sitting in a room specifically designed for me. Utilizing a brand-new computer while watching the birds and a squirrel hanging out in the shade of my backyard. I have an opportunity to soon have a part-time job. A beautiful wife who loves me and has stuck with me in "Sickness and Health".
I have friends who do things for me and would never even think of receiving anything in return.

I've done more thinking about this anniversary in the last hour then I have in the last two years. I am blessed beyond all I could ever imagine.
Today is the day that the Lord has made, I will be glad and rejoice in it  :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

Much love, Dennis

New Computer

I'm getting pretty excited. A new computer is in my near future. I've been taking online classes for quite a while. The laptop that I use will not handle the amount of information required for the CAD program that I'm working on. One of the people that have been helping me with computer training, Sterling Krysler, commented that this new system is a monster compared to my old equipment.

 I am learning how to do simulated 3-D landscaping and swimming pool design. It is amazing what can be accomplished with this software. The only drawback is that you cannot purchase the software, you must lease it on a monthly basis.

I believe that God orchestrates circumstances and situations, such as what he says in Romans 8:28 

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

I have this opportunity and I believe that if it is God's will, then I will be successful through hard work and diligence, and making sure to give credit where credit is due: "Jesus Christ".

Speaking of computers, here are a couple of silly renderings.

Here is some information about a computer virus. I really don't think we have too much to worry about on this occasion. :-)

VARNING: MinnySoda Compewtr Virus

Ve haf just sent you da NORVEGIAN VIRUS. Since ve do not haf any programming experience and do not know how to actually demage your computir, dis Virus verks on da honor system. Please forward dis Virus to eferyvone on your mailing list and den manually delete all of da files on your hard drive.
Tank you for your cooperation, Sven and Ole

Much love, Dennis

Worry-Fear-Anxiety

Worry........ what is it good for?........ Absolutely nuthin.
That almost sounds like a song from 1969.
http://youtu.be/01-2pNCZiNk

Worrying about anything that cannot be changed is a recipe for failure. Worry is assuming that something is going to turn out badly. The world presents plenty of opportunities to be anxious: jobs, kids, finances, health, terrorism, climate change, and an assortment of other things. Worry or fear is the opposite of "Faith in God". There are plenty of Scriptures about "Worry-Fear-Anxiety" and how to deal with WFA.

Philippians 4:4-8
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

When we start to think about God, our brains are swamped with "other things", often things we want such as: A meeting to go well, the new car we’ve been shopping for, vacation plans to fall into place, the new smartphone that’s coming out, the big event you've planned for Saturday. 

It’s not that these things are bad in and of themselves. But they ‘choke the word’ in us. Jesus is the Word. The Word lives in and through us, but when stuff distracts us, when the thorns get our first attention, Jesus gets shoved to the back of our minds and we’re not fruitful. We’re no longer living a life that attracts the curious "outsider" toward the Jesus in us because He’s not evident outwardly. The Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control are replaced by worry, greed, frustration, confusion, impatience, anger, envy and exhaustion.

Luke 12: 22-31 22
Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 

25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you-you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

These are not things that I have mastered, but things that I'm working on.
Much Love, Dennis

The Jesus House

Debbie and Max Carlisle along with Cheri and I managed the junior high youth program at our church for many years. More accurately, Debbie and Cheri did most of the preparation and teaching while Max and I rode shotgun over the rambunctious boys. We made several trips to Branson, Six Flags, Frontier City and other destinations. The Branson trips were in conjunction with an annual Christian youth rally. Frontier City was a day for young Christians and they called it "St.Youts Day". I was told the name came from a line in the movie (My Cousin Vinny), I've never checked on the accuracy of that.

On one occasion we took a group to Oklahoma City. Debbie had scheduled for about three hours of helping at the Jesus house, then lunch and laser tag. None of us had ever volunteered at the Jesus house, so we didn't know what to expect. We took our junior high group of about 20 and headed for OKC. We were escorted to a warehouse that contained lots of shelves, many large containers and a huge dumpster for trash. At one end of the building was a huge pile of  DONATIONS. I use that term loosely.

This was about 25% of the original pile.
Our job was to sort through the pile and place the DONATIONS in the correct bin, shelf, or dumpster. We should have all been wearing gloves because the DONATIONS sometimes contained leftover food, mice, and other unidentifiable items. The first thing that everybody noticed was the odor. Not wanting to set a bad example, our sponsors waded in first and encouraged the Youts to follow suit. I would estimate that 30% of the DONATIONS ended up in the trash dumpster. Some people will abuse anything. Plastic plates with silverware and dried on food seemed to be a popular donation. I remember seeing a couple of lingerie items and many articles of clothing that were put into a bin marked rags. Occasionally someone would scream after disturbing a mouse. We all learned from that experience and I admire those kids for sticking with it as long as they did. I don't think we made it the entire three hours, but we pretty much cleaned up the pile that was on the floor.

I look back at that trip with a different perspective towards those who live their lives helping at the Jesus House. They definitely have a calling to help those in need. I know they are laying up for themselves treasurers in heaven.


Fortunately, we were able to wash up pretty good and eat lunch.

Laser tag was a blast.

Much Love, Dennis 

Max Lucado

Most of you know that I participate in the Fairview High School chapter of the Fellowship of Christian athletes. Being involved with this group of young people is very rewarding for me and I really think that it is the place that God wants me in right now.
I read a lot of things written by Max Lucado. This is something that I read many years ago but I remember it well because of the message it contained.

Once there was an old man who lived in a tiny village. Although poor, he was envied by all, for he owned a beautiful white horse. Even the king coveted his treasure. A horse like this had never been seen before—such was its splendor, its majesty, its strength.

One morning he found that the horse was not in the stable. All the village came to see him. “You old fool,” they scoffed, “we told you that someone would steal your horse. We warned you that you would be robbed. You are so poor. How could you ever hope to protect such a valuable animal? It would have been better to have sold him. You could have gotten whatever price you wanted. No amount would have been too high. Now the horse is gone, and you’ve been cursed with misfortune.”

The old man responded, “Don’t speak too quickly. Say only that the horse is not in the stable. That is all we know; the rest is judgment.  If I’ve been cursed or not, how can you know? How can you judge?”


The people of the village laughed. They thought that the man was crazy. They had always thought he was a fool; if he wasn’t, he would have sold the horse and lived off the money. 

After fifteen days, the horse returned. He hadn’t been stolen; he had run away into the forest. Not only had he returned, he had brought a dozen wild horses with him. Once again the village people gathered around the woodcutter and spoke. “Old man, you were right and we were wrong. What we thought was a curse was a blessing. Please forgive us.”

“Life is so vast, yet you judge all of life with one page or one word. All you have is a fragment! Don’t say that this is a blessing. No one knows. I am content with what I know. I am not perturbed by what I don’t.”

“Maybe the old man is right,” they said to one another. So they said little. But down deep, they knew he was wrong. They knew it was a blessing. Twelve wild horses had returned with one horse. With a little bit of work, the animals could be broken and trained and sold for much money.

The old man had a son, an only son. The young man began to break the wild horses. After a few days, he fell from one of the horses and broke both legs. Once again the villagers gathered around the old man and cast their judgments.

“You were right,” they said. “You proved you were right. The dozen horses were not a blessing. They were a curse. Your only son has broken his legs, and now in your old age you have no one to help you. Now you are poorer than ever.”

The old man spoke again. “You people are obsessed with judging. Don’t go so far. Say only that my son broke his legs. Who knows if it is a blessing or a curse? No one knows. We only have a fragment. Life comes in fragments.”

It so happened that a few weeks later the country engaged in war against a neighboring country. All the young men of the village were required to join the army. Only the son of the old man was excluded, because he was injured. Once again the people gathered around the old man, crying and screaming because their sons had been taken. There was little chance that they would return. The enemy was strong, and the war would be a losing struggle. They would never see their sons again.

“You were right, old man,” they wept. “God knows you were right. This proves it. Yours son’s accident was a blessing. His legs may be broken, but at least he is with you. Our sons are gone forever.”

The old man spoke again. “It is impossible to talk with you. You always draw conclusions. No one knows. Say only this: Your sons had to go to war, and mine did not. No one knows if it is a blessing or a curse. No one is wise enough to know. Only God knows.”

The old man was right. We only have a fragment. Life’s mishaps and horrors are only a page out of a grand book. We must be slow about drawing conclusions. We must reserve judgment on life’s storms until we know the whole story.

I don’t know where the woodcutter learned his patience. Perhaps from another woodcutter in Galilee. For it was the Carpenter who said it best:

“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”

He should know. He is the author of our story. And he has already written the final chapter.

1.  Ecclesiastes 7:8   Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

2.  Romans 12:12   Better is the end of a thing than the beginning of it, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.


3.  Matthew 6:34   So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.

I know this is longer than most of my posts, but I couldn't resist "a blast from the past". Monty Python is a little bit edgy at times, but they've been making me laugh for many years. I hope you enjoy this.
http://youtu.be/mL7n5mEmXJo

Much love, Dennis

Rooster Puzzle

A little silver-haired lady calls her neighbor and says, "Please come over here and help me. I have a killer jigsaw puzzle, and I can't figure out how to get started." 

Her neighbor asks, "What is it supposed to be when it's finished?" 

The little silver haired lady says, "According to the picture on the box, it's a rooster." 

Her neighbor decides to go over and help with the puzzle. 

She lets him in and shows him where she has the puzzle spread all over the table. 

He studies the pieces for a moment, then looks at the box, then turns to her and says, 

"First of all, no matter what we do, we're not going to be able to assemble these pieces into anything resembling a rooster." 

He takes her hand and says, "Secondly, I want you to relax. Let's have a nice cup of tea, and then," he said with a deep sigh ............ 


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"Let's put all the Corn Flakes back in the box."

Much Love, Dennis