Coming to the End of Another Year in the Journey

2010 is drawing to an end. Thanksgiving with family will soon be here. (are you giving thanks already, in preparation for the special day?) Christmas day will be here with all the decorations, family, presents, stories, songs, pumpkin pie, and sweet potato casserole. (Are you telling others about Jesus in preparation for the anniversary of His Birthday?)

This year has had a multitude of stories to add to the praise book! From new family members and in-laws to many people coming to meet my best friend, Jesus. We have seen many healings and freedoms from cancer to some beautiful birds in our back yard. We have the excitement of a young lady going off to train to be an Officer in The Salvation Army to the taking on of a cool young couple as our new Youth Ministers. (and Barista!)

We have also seen some things that make us not so excited. These also challenge me to ask what I can learn or at least what am I supposed to learn from these situations. Death is a big one! Friends and family members passing away never gets easy. The Salvation Army calls it "promoted to Glory." That still doesn't help in the "missing them" part. Not in the time I expected is another. "Am I alone in this?" is another. ... But, if you know me, I ain't one ta focus on the bad fer to long!

So ... with the end in mind and drawing up fast I want to also remind us that the beginning is right around the corner. The new ministries of the Underground Coffee Shop and the Underground Worship; Tim and Stephanie and the new ministries that they will inspire; a new grand daughter and her awesome big sister and wonderful mommy and daddy; My son and his "Cool Beans" wife; a new niece in one of the biggest states in the US; the celebration of being married for 30 years to the most long-suffering, enduring, smoking-hot-gramma and wonderful woman of my dreams whom I just adore!

I love loving people to Jesus and I pray that as this path comes to an end and meets at the fork that will guide me into the new path that I will demonstrate this. I pray that God will use me to be the husband I need to be, the daddy I should be, the best Papa I can be, the shepherd that smells like sheep, and servant that He desires me to be.

There are times when the overwhelming "failure" feeling is there and the tears of the same are hanging out in the corners of my eyes. In those times, when I'm at the point of "I can't do this!" is right there ... That's when Jesus comes and says, "It's about time! If you could do it, then you don't need Me! I AM! Here to help and take over! Let's have a great time, okay? How about some coffee for the journey? (I love that part about Our creating!) Come on, Toolman, let's go on another trek!"

Until next time ... See ya in the woods! ~ The Toolman!

Java Journey

It has been discussed that coffee, java, cup-a-joe, cup-of-mud, and more are a favorite of mine. I will admit, I do enjoy coffee. I enjoy espresso and I enjoy a great cappuccino. I praise the Lord for allowing me to be a part of the ministry of the Underground Coffee shop. I even enjoy roasting my own coffee.

So, what does this all have to do with the Java Journey?

First, I remember that time of being in college and loving the smell of coffee. When you take that lid loose from the top of that can of coffee and that aroma hits you in the ~ WOW! I loved that smell. But the taste ... I think I would have rather licked dirt than drink the stuff. I like the smell of it brewing also. I would brew coffee in the morning so others could enjoy their morning wake up but there was no way I was going to drink any of that muddy brew.

Years later, this underwhelming feeling was ... if I was going to be "grown up" I needed to drink coffee. I joined the US Army - This had to be my turning point - the Army would help me learn to drink coffee. That's not why I joined the Army, but why not 'learn' to drink coffee while I'm at it?

It was a cold day in the winter of 1985 at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. We were on a bivouac. In the morning we had a smattering of snow and it was cold. The cooks had a hot breakfast and hot coffee to warm us. This is definitely my time to learn to drink coffee. I filled the cup, added some cream and sugar (enough to make dessert) and the taste was still that of sweet mud ~ disgusting!

I was willing to live with not being a grown up - coffee was bad and I was not going to be a part of it.

Fast forward to 2004 ~ someone offered to buy me a cup of coffee and I turned them down with an explanation of the previously mentioned. They told me that I hadn't tried a Carmel Macchiato. Correct ~ I hadn't ~ it had coffee in it. The purchase was made and the gift was sliding across the table. I have to admit; it looked good.

That's where it started. I have to tell you ... I don't even remember who it was that introduced me to this strange brew (aye!) but I do know that they changed my way of life. We now have a coffee maker in our kitchen, one in the family room down stairs, one in my office, I own a BMW Serena Espresso machine and "love" coffee in different forms ~ iced, black, espresso, with milk, with foam, but I really like it with caramel.

All of that to get to this ... I want to share a cup of coffee with you some time and share what God's Son is doing in my life and how He can make a difference in yours. I'm buying! Call me. We can trek the Java Journey with Jesus together.

The End of One Man's Journey

As I sit here putting these thoughts down, I'm reminded once again that life is to short! I like to say that Life is to short to be grumpy (but never to short to be Jesus to someone.) It also brings to mind a book by John Piper titled "Don't Waste Your Life." - There's a new one ~ Life is to short to waste it!

I just finished writing a Funeral message to be delivered for the funeral of the father of one of my dear friends. He died early Friday morning. (Thank you for praying for them.) in talking with her and her husband, it made me realize how much we need to draw close together with our friends and family. My folks are older than this man was ... I don't ever expect to get "that" call. My folks will live forever. It seems to be a running thought in the minds of most people that get along and have a deep love and respect for their family. Or ... at least in my head its that way.

As this man's journey of life came to an end on Friday - after dealing with health issues - it brings to my thoughts about what are we doing to show people that regardless of what others believe, there is an after-life. And if they don't believe ... at least play it safe and ask Jesus into your heart and live that life ~ the believing will come as He shows/reveals Himself to you. At the end of life, we have the God of comfort. We have the God of grace. We have the God of peace ~ a peace that most of the time is at least on step past our understanding ~ but its there.

So ... the end of one man's journey has me thinking about who is going to be there when we are hurting and wanting to challenge anyone who reads this or stumbles across this. Here's the challenge: Do your best! Don't give up! God is there for us when we're hurting; when we're lonely; when we need a hug; when we're angry and need someone to yell at. God is there - He is FOREVER FAITHFUL! He is FOREVER STRONG! He is FOREVER WITH US!

For those of us that are still among the living - Enjoy the journey! And remember ... Life's to short to be grumpy! (but never to short to be Jesus to someone!) Live the dream ~ Randy "The Toolman"

Superbly ~ September Begins

Three young boys are getting their school supplies together. They are excited and forlorn all at the same time. Summer-break or summer vacation (whatever it’s called) is over and the new school year is just beginning. The “new frontier” as it could be heralded here in cowboy land. What does this September hold in store that the previous many have not?

I remember those days, living in South Dakota ~ kind of the Little Outhouse on the Prairie thing going on.

This September, of 2010, has come in with a wonderful aura that exudes “Hey, chubby man, get outside and do something!” And with that thought, I have been trying to do just that. After being gone a big chunk of the summer and having someone else keep the yard cut, I have the opportunity to have my yard back and we (Melinda and me) have been putting the manicured look back to the estate here in Godfrey.

Today started out with a little extra sleep then off for a bike ride down toward Grafton. (Or up as the map may show it ~ but my inner compass says “down!”) Getting back from the ride, I commenced with a fun day of ‘lawnicuring’ and it looks so much better. Melinda finished planting around our fountain in the backyard by the patio. It is our little silence and solitude place. The trickle of the fountain and the birds sharing God’s laughter will be a wonderful solace in the mornings when we are fully waiting to hear what God is saying or laughing about.

Okay, so my thought bike just took another path ~
I am in the place, right now as well as for many moments if I need to continue here, where I am waiting on Holy Spirit to show me what messages need to be shared with the people of the congregation God has allowed us to be a part of. I am also waiting for the same thing for the Underground. The excitement is almost overwhelming as we see God’s handiwork moving into place ~ but the waiting is horrific! Hate is pretty close best word for what I feel about waiting. A friend of mine said last week, something to the effect of “God’s timing is usually just one step beyond our logic.” I love the truth in that! It doesn’t make the waiting any easier; however it does make it easier to trust God for the timing.

Well – that’s all for now. I have to finish some projects started earlier so I can rest well tonight. God bless!

P.S. ~ It’s almost Fall Ya’ll!

Enjoy the journey!

The start of a journal in the middle of the journey.

Tonight, I sit here with my thoughts buzzing around like a swarm of mosquitoes around a person sitting by their tent.  The sermon for tomorrow ~ the Underground Coffee Shop and the ministries of that venue ~ Outdoor Ventures ~ my kids and their lives ~ my grandbaby and wishing we were closer ~ loneliness  ~ excitement of seeing God working in the life of the body in Alton ~ and more.
I follow my friends on Face Book and pray for those that seem to be on a journey that leads to a hopeless end.  I see many that are encouraging as they share how being a Christ follower is affecting their lives.  I see friends on journeys of hope and friends on journeys of hopelessness ~ some have been under our ministry and discipleship and it hurts to see those that are on a slippery slope.  While we read and talk to those that are sharing and living Jesus to those around them, the others are a hurt.
I'm in a spot tonight where I'm not sure what I'm feeling and maybe this isn't a good place to start this journal.  I do not want to come across holier-than-thou or judgmental so I'll end this journal entry with these three thoughts:
1.   Enjoy some time with a friend over a cup of coffee and find out what their favorite ice cream topping is.
2.   The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. (Proverbs 27.12)
3.   This prayer ~ Heavenly Father, help me to see trouble coming long before it gets here.  Then grant me the wisdom to know what to do and the courage to do it. ~ Amen