People, Places and Praises...Day 3

People, Places and Praises 2013...

At 'Craters of the Moon'

June 7 - Day 3...After a lovely visit with Cornwalls, I headed toward Mountain Home, Idaho and then ventured onto Hwy 20. The next seven hours (remember one of yesterdays words... 'no hurry') was spent in frequent amazement at the continued and variety of beauty which I beheld. So beautiful that I found myself singing 'America the Beautiful' at least three times. I was grateful that this had been my selected route even from the earliest of planning. An added bonus was two hours spent enjoying the sites of Craters of the Moon National Park. So I encourage you to make Hwy 20 in Idaho a route to use verses I-84. You'll be glad that you did. 

Driving towards Wyoming

From Craters, I continued east stopping as suggested by National Park folks, to eat at 'Pickles' in the town of Arco. Great 'Atomic' burger and fried pickles. Oh baby!

The ride into and through Idaho Falls provided an awesome mini wrestle with a 35-40 mph cross wind. Oh yeah, lovin the Yamahaug. She barely felt it. Regarding the bike...I'm am lovin my throttle lock, the highway bar and pegs, my windshield bag, the giant saddle bags, my new GPS, the refurbished seats and with these the amazing comfort. Kenny, you were absolutely correct in saying that the bigger bike would be the better fit. Dude, you were so right!

A lovely campsite by myself...

I concluded this third day (man I love that group...Oh that was a 'squirrel' moment) meeting Wayne and his wife (in their mid 60's) who were "riding around the block", a 100 mile loop starting from their home in Jackson, Wyoming. They led me toward a Forest Service campground. It wasn't quite the fit so I continued through one of my namesakes (long story), the town of Victor. A suggestion led me to free campground called 'Mike Harris'. Took the camp site at the end (about half mile from the highway...quiet) 10 feet from the tiny but fully flowing creek. At camp, read from Galatians, enjoy the stars and off to sleep.

Love ya Karen. Goodnight!

People, Places ans Praises...Day 2

Are we havin fun yet?

Tonight I am sleeping at some friends who now live in Boise. Great conversation, food and a game of Bocce Ball. I lost:)

Rick, Scott, Katie and girls

Today's ride was on most new territory for me. Driving east out of Burn's became very beautiful. For such, the song below is attached. How can one even begin to think 'big bang'? Such the touch of The Creators hand is painted across our state, our coumtry and the globe.

Words for today are: no hurry...relax...listen.

People, Places and Praises Tour 2013

Who will be the People that the Lord will place in my path? What Places will I be privileged to see?

Sites blessed by our Creator and to experience the amazing creativity that He has so given those who bless us with their gift. And all done to give Praise to our great God.

I hope to frequently add pearls along this journey. A journey from Silverton, Oregon to Red Oak, Iowa.

Day one...time to sleep at the Burns RV park. Good night.

Pleasing, Power and Passion...

The soccer game was over, I'm guessing his team won, as he drove around the neighborhood honking his horn in celebration. Five minutes, that...would be understandable, 15 to 20 minutes...maybe. But for over an hour? Early on he had the neighbors joining in his passion, but they too showed exhaustion, as eventually they ignored his celebration.

The night before it was a loud and extremely obnoxious party. A brief note, I am in Puerta Vallarta Mexico, where noise is seldom lacking. Saturday nights the dosimeter climbs to painful proportions. But this Saturday...ouch! Somehow I was able to get to sleep around 11pm, but then as the volume of the music, and of the screaming arose I found myself awakened at 1am. By 3:30 I determined that this has to be a holiday. Turning on my new tablet and googling 'May 25th holidays' I found that it is a day of celebration for the 1810 Argentinean revolution. That must be it! Have you ever prayed for a power outage? Me Neither...but I did that morning.

What does this have to do with the title? Both, the individual and the party goers were all about pleasing themselves...and they had the power to do so. The one with his car and his obnoxious horn, the other with their alcohol, electricity and their screaming. And both found themselves wanting all to join in their passion.

Before going further let me say that this is not about horns...I've found mine handy on numerous occasions, such as the time when the skinny pre-teen decided that the stop sign wasn't meant for him as he enjoyed the 8 degree hill...and almost the bumper of my 8 cylinder pickup truck. And it's surely not about parties...I have loved many celebrations, such as the 1993 Oregon State championship of my Silverton Red Sox. Wow twenty years ago, dude I'm old! And no it's not even about screaming, three kids and six grandkids...yeah, I know screaming! And yes, not even about alcohol, nor about Mexico. So what is this about?

Paul in the letter to the Romans, in chapter 15, says that we the strong, the 'ones of power' are NOT to please ourselves, but are obligated to please those without power. The ultimate purpose that both groups, those with power and without power is that they might have the same passion and with one one voice to glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

So I ask, are you one of power? Is it in your faith (most likely Paul's main thought), or are you more powerful economically, socially or intellectually? Are you about pleasing yourself or do recognize your obligation to bear the burden of those without strength. No, Paul wasn't looking to enable. And yes, sometimes the roles are switched when we, when I'm the one without power.

Oh, and let us not miss verse three..."Even Christ did not please Himself". He, one of immense power, who could have called 12 legions of angels (that is 60 to 70,000 angels), but He was not in it to please Himself. No, He took on our reproaches, our insults, bearing our sin in such a horrific manner. The purpose...that our passion might be...with one voice to glorify God. And notice verse five as well, that when both those of power and those without power work in such harmony that we enjoy the endurance and the encouragement of our Creator God.

So, let's give up the power of pleasing ourselves. I know the world would be better place. Don't you think?

With A View Into Their Playground…

The poles are used to release the mango's above

A backyard, whether a manicured lawn; a dirt hill with debris; or a rooftop that makes for storage, laundry, and a game of jump rope…they all have one thing in common…a playground for children.

Their playground

In this town which sports few parks of which we have grown accustomed to in the States, does not lack opportunity to act child-like…to enjoy the simple things of life of which we, adults, can make oh so complex. From late afternoon, when the heat of the day begins to cool and sometimes nearly toward midnight, or beyond, they find themselves enjoying life with such vitality. To hear their laughter, their shrieks of joy (translated by some as noise), and their imagination of how to play demonstrates nothing of their assumed poverty, only the thrill of life and of living. 

Their playground...

Our time here on Calle Jacarandas with a magnificent view of the Banderas Bay and the city life below, has not been short of assorted sounds. The dogs and the roosters; the motors of cars and trucks giving their every bit of power to top this great hill; bells of the churches and…more bells of more churches; fireworks, firecrackers and perhaps even a stick of dynamite or two; a donkey, geckos and the screech of a large bird that makes that of a baby seem slight; street conversations that continue into the late hours of the night; music from cars, radios, the band at the restaurant, sometimes pleasant, but often…not; oh…and did I mention dogs?

Our view...spectacular

Yet, with all their sounds, it is that of children playing which reminds me of the importance of a playground and the ever need to enjoy life with the same vitality of which children everywhere under all circumstances so amazingly display. Let’s join them in the playground! 

Let the 'Moment' Begin

Morning one...so what does 'vacation' look like this side of ReFirement? The Lord has impressed upon me that what 'now' is, is to take life moment by moment. Of course how true that is through all of life and for each and every day, but life pre-ReFirement...I always had a 'plan'. Perhaps one day the Lord will direct 'a plan', but for now...'moment by moment'. So, let the moment begin.

First, the word 'vacation'. If you were to 'Google' the word you would find the following. For me, what it's not...solely a period of time devoted to pleasure; a period of suspension of work, study, or or activity; freedom or release from duty. What it is...a respite or a time of respite from something; an act or an instance of vacating. 

So as we 'respite' from and 'vacate' some areas of life, I begin so with two books. One, 'One-Minute Prayers for Men', given by my friend Lance. A second, 'Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart', found here in our home for the next five weeks. A prayer...and a chapter per day to ponder. Perhaps some pearls that will refresh this soul. Perhaps thoughts that will find themselves upon this blog.

I also begin to vacate from the ordinary life of Silverton and move toward working on my Divemaster certification. Partly I'm concerned for this...first, will it require to much time away from Karen and will she become bored? Second, is this really the direction that I should pursue? With that said, I begin Monday. Oh yeah... 'Moment by moment'!

Lastly I hope to delve some into the meaning of the 'Kingdom of God'. Oh, that should be an easy one:)

And then there is La Cucaracha. Yes, that is 'the cockroach'. Oh...he's dead (maybe she, I didn't evaluate the sex of the critter). He got into 'my moment'. And now... 'his moment' is over. Have I a story to tell from 2010. Definitely a blog for another 'moment'.

If I may I would like to leave you with a repeat song from my last FD Shift blog. The lyrics of Plumb's song 'I Need You Now'...wow! May this song take you into 'your moment'.

Who...or What do you Pursue?

Wow...so it's been a month since ReFirement, a month to reflect on this new journey of life. And though I would love to write about that today, something more pressing holds for this particular blog.

 

Today, is Easter Sunday. Many things could be said about its origin, but what literally STANDS out for me is the Resurrection of our redeemer. "Up from the grave He arose, with a mighty triumph o'er His foes, He arose a victor from the dark domain, and He lives forever with His saints to reign, He arose, He arose, hallelujah Christ arose". 

Keith Getty and Stuart Townend have as well so beautifully penned the following, "There in the ground His body lay, light of the world by darkness slain. Then bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave he rose again! And as He stands in victory, sin's curse has lost its grip on me. For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ."

July 1976

Our personal demonstration of the life that Christ has given is manifested in many ways, but one such beautiful way is through baptism. Today, a very dear friend and brother has asked that I participate in his baptism. What an honor! As I reflect on this day and on his friendship, the following is what was brought to mind...

"One word continues to emerge when I think of Craig Rawie, that is pursue. We've been blessed to know the Rawie family for nearly 20 years, enough to be confident when I say that his pursuit is our Lord Christ. Paul uses this word twice in chapter three of his letter to the Philippians. "I pursue that I may lay hold of that for which I have been laid hold of by Christ Jesus". Craig, God has blessed me these years to call you friend, brother and fellow worshiper of Christ...to witness your pursuit of Jesus and how that is so evident in your relationship with Nyla, with Cole, Austin and Anika, with friends and with strangers. As you have in the past, might you continue to pursue the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. And might this baptism today always stand as a reminder of your continued pursuit of the resurrected Christ."

Craig with his children on Elk Lake...

Blessings on each who might stumble upon this blog today. Regardless of your color, your national origin, the beliefs that you hold...know that the One who created the beauty that our eyes lay hold of, is the very same One who loves each such that He has dealt with the ugliness that we so unfortunately see and often live ourselves. How? Through Christ Jesus who shed His blood for our sins, dying upon a wicked cross and yet...we have hope, glorious hope in the resurrected Christ. Death no longer is master over Him. Might that hope be yours today.

HE IS RISEN...HE IS RISEN INDEED!