An Interesting Year 2012

Well, as anyone following this post might realize, my last post about the activity and actions of CCF Men were registered at the end of 2011. I retired from my job as an international pilot for American Airlines October 1st of that year, a few years early by normal standards, to begin the next chapter by faith, and with the Lord's leading.

My mother died, somewhat unexpectedly, the same day at MD Anderson in Houston, surrounded by family, including a host of adoring grand children. I felt impressed of the Lord to take a year off, regrouping, seeking Him, keeping the kingdom commitments I already had, but taking on no other, re-establishing relationships with family and old friends; the Lord impressing me He'd lead in the next chapter when the time was right.

In fact I told my friends and family I had rediscovered Psalms 23, and I was in that chapter of my life: "The LORD is my Shepherd, He leads...." I still am. While it's been disorienting at times, it's been exciting and rewarding too. 

That said, I'm not going to try to give a summary of 2012 here, or even comment on it at all. :) I don't have the leading. It would take many, many blog articles. And there's life to live bursting all about me, including kingdom warfare, conflict, and opportunities; opportunities to live with and for the King!

I may add one more blog article about the beginning of 2013? But then I'm off on a new path. It's a path of discovery and adventure with the Lord, with His leading and empowering. I'm still very much interested in men's ministry and consider it a foundational call on my life, but have really found no place for it in my local church; even though surrounded by some good, faithful men. We're just complacent, apathetic and asleep. I suppose that's how I would describe us. Leaderless. Asleep. Even though I remain committed, praying, and hopeful of an awakening, soon.

I've turned to God. And I've turned to prayer. :) And I've gone to scouting other kingdom outposts; as well as the enemy positions and movements. It's about to get interesting in our part of the kingdom! :) And perhaps for the whole world. :) May the LORD have mercy on us, awaken us, and lead us all into this 2013 chapter of relationships and life. Life in and with Him first and foremost; and then with His community, the sheep of His pasture. 

May we all remember the King's last words to one of his best friends and disciples, Peter. "If you love Me, feed my sheep." That's the sign of love, and a good outcome. But this love is for the King, and expresses the worship of the Same. One Who Is worthy of worship, whether He ever did the things He's done and is doing to redeem and help the earthbound or not! Know Him! Worship Him! Good day, and good year! Shalom. שלום

   ““Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people.” And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.”” (Exodus 33:13–14, NASB95)

Read the Word Daily

Those of you at our last men's meeting were treated to Randy Allen sharing the amazing story of the recent shooting at the Crawford County Courthouse first hand, a story that gave testimony to the Hand of God being in and around the events of the day. Hopefully we'll soon have his account up on the web for those who missed it, or buy him lunch and get him to recount the highlights for you. Thank you so much Randy for taking the time to share the intimate details from a law enforcement point of view, and a brother point of view, as a primary participant.

One important thing I challenged the men with is reading through the Word of God regularly and habitually. I mentioned I had started a plan in October, that my wife is wrapping up four years in a row of reading the Bible through, and Bobby mentioned his experience and the importance of it! Please do it! Pick a plan and get started today! It's healthy for all your relationships, and imperative for the days ahead. Godspeed as you read....

"If you continue in my word . . . you will know
the truth, and the truth will make you free."
-- Jesus (John 8:31-32 RSV)

Here are some links I've found on Goggle for Bible reading plans... There are many! Find one and read. If you'd like help or suggestions ask me.

Link 1 Link 2 Link3 Link4 Link5 Link6 Link7 Link8

Reporting from Ukraine

It's 7:11, Sunday morning. I'm up reading, texting my son in NYC, and just hearing of a son, husband, and father in Ukraine, where it is snowing, sitting in his hotel room, waiting to adopt a little girl, and bring her back to her home in Fayetteville AR to meet her three year old, and one year old sister and brother. Life is strange. Life is small. Life is more and more bizarre it seems, as the world grows smaller and seemingly colder.

Yet, "life is in the blood." That's what Leviticus tells us. The passion, the ability, the divine spark--it's in our blood, mysterious as it seems, and is.

How are you doing with your life? Given by someone else, and purchased anew by Someone else. I'm hoping these thoughts from Ukraine make your world seem again bigger than it does right now, or smaller than it does right now--that you might ponder your way, and your life--be purposeful with your paths and your prayers.

Shalom, Dwayne

Seek Him... Seek His Face

“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they entered the holy city and appeared to many.” (Matthew 27:50–53)

“Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”” (Matthew 27:54)

IS that what it's going to take for you? Will it be too late then? Important questions!

“He shall receive a blessing from the Lord And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face—even Jacob.Selah.” (Psalm 24:5–6)

“Lift up your heads, O gates, And be lifted up, O ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.” (Psalm 24:7–8)

Christmas 2011 "Wise Men Still Seek Him...." [Great Family Christmas Gift!]

He Is Willing to Lead

Who directs your way?

We give mental ascent to Psalm 23, “The LORD is my Shepherd, He leads...” and Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...He will direct your paths”, but practically? Everyday? What’s our training and paradigm v.s. the Word of the Lord and reality of God? Who directs your paths? You or the LORD?

The bridge between these two ways of thinking and acting -- your control or His control of your path -- is TRUST.

It goes like this: [1] Hearing [2] Trust [3] Action. But central to 1 and 3 is 2 ... Trust is the catalyst to life in God. You must trust Him, listen and follow. More to come...

“For throughout all their journeys, the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.” (Exodus 40:38)

Kingdom Opportunity

““But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the sons of Israel went astray from Me, shall come near to Me to minister to Me; and they shall stand before Me ...,” declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 44:15)

““Moreover, they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.” (Ezekiel 44:23)

There is kingdom opportunity to stay the course when your culture is going astray... teaching God's people the difference between the holy and profane... -=db=-

The Sheep and the Goats

Sheep & Goats? Scary story to those of us familiar with the Bible, isn't it? Seems like at the final judgment, He Who is Able to judge the thoughts and intent of the heart is able to divide his true followers and sons and daughters from those who thought they were, looked like it in many familiar ways, but were not. "I don't know you," are the last words to and for these deceived ones.

We hear it again, do we not, in the Matthew 24 story of the "Ten Virgins?" This story is told by Jesus in connection with their question about signs for the end times, by the way. Five, it seems, were surprised, made a half hearted attempt to do the right thing and be with Jesus in the end, but came up short. The trumpet sounded and their lack of preparation exposed, they went quickly to correct their shortcomings, but were late, not allowed into the presence of the King, with Him declaring, "I don't know you."

Dr. Stan in his excellent message at Brother Bill's home going service, made the plain but oft ignored distinction, "How many of your know He wasn't talking about sheep and goats?"

May your name be found in the Book; and you in eternity with Mr. Bill, the sheep, and the KING.