Yesterday i had one of the most exciting fishing experiences. I caught a 150lb fish. it was so exciting. it took me about 20 minutes to real in. It was awesome!
It makes me wonder though, why i don't do more fishing.
why don't i go after those big ones more often. I think i would like to catch a 200lber next time.
I don't think i would use the same bait. Yesterday i used a salmon head.
I think next time i will use the Word of God.
There are many people that are with out Christ. In my line of work i get to expierence unbelievers everyday. i use the word unbelievers to speak kindly of these people. They are probably, and mostly are, nice. however they are also vulgar beyond mention. i feel gross, just listening to some people's conversations.
While sitting on a coffee break yesterday i listened as one man was explaining to his buddies how him and his wife had gone to a strip club the night before. and how much they both had enjoyed it. WHAT!!
i know, that was my reaction. what can i say to this group of 5 guys going around sharing about their different strip club experiences?
"hey i had a great time at Church on Sunday!"
or
"hey you should come to my Bible study."
i pray that God forgives my ears for hearing and my mouth for not speaking up.
the need is there people. we need to change our perspective. we need to make every opportunity, every conversation a Jesus Christ centered one.
i am going to set a goal for myself and i encourage others to do the same.
take 1 normal everyday conversation and insert Jesus Christ. (yes we should do it in all conversations, but my dad told me don't set unrealistic goals)
so take 1 (one). do it over lunch. supper. at a bar. in a casino. in your office. in your home. hopefully not in a strip club.
the time is now!
i would love love love to hear about some of these conversations. I am going to start a google document. basically a word document on line. anyone can add to it. please help me to document our trials. without it, we won't be able to encourage one another.
please pass the link on to your family and friends. i want this document to be a paper of encouragement!! and also an opportunity for brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for eachother.
Here is the link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19-GfDn2GdAhiraCEVfkObncUWJTGa-GYCsp1ezaM_Sc/edit?hl=en_US#
Heavenly Father, please give me the courage and strength and boldness to reach the nations within the communities you place me. Amen.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
8 Years of Joy!
When I Turned 21 I thought I was happy. I was an adult I was getting married later that year, I had my own place. Life was good.
But it wasn't until I got married that I began to experience real joy.
Adrian and I have now been married 8 years. Which have gone by quickly. And have been great.
Adrian is Godly
Adrian is joy
Adrian is happiness
Adrian is loving
Adrian is caring
Adrian is beautiful
Adrian is patient
Adrian is kind
Adrian is amazing
Adrian is understanding
Adrian is sharing
Adrian is compassionate
Adrian is all this and more.
Adrian is my joy dealer. My joy is in Jesus and Adrian is my sole distributor.
Thank you Adrian for loving me, and bringing me this wonderful joy. Thank you for supporting me in my career, thank you for helping me raise our boys, thank you for being AWESOME!!!
cboom
But it wasn't until I got married that I began to experience real joy.
Adrian and I have now been married 8 years. Which have gone by quickly. And have been great.
Adrian is Godly
Adrian is joy
Adrian is happiness
Adrian is loving
Adrian is caring
Adrian is beautiful
Adrian is patient
Adrian is kind
Adrian is amazing
Adrian is understanding
Adrian is sharing
Adrian is compassionate
Adrian is all this and more.
Adrian is my joy dealer. My joy is in Jesus and Adrian is my sole distributor.
Thank you Adrian for loving me, and bringing me this wonderful joy. Thank you for supporting me in my career, thank you for helping me raise our boys, thank you for being AWESOME!!!
cboom
Thursday, June 2, 2011
missing my sibs
I am currently sitting in a small hotel room in Ft Myers FL. By myself.
How often do you feel lonely? Are you missing anyone?
Let me make something clear early on. I am not lonely.
God has blessed me with the love of my life Adrian, and two wonderful boys, Owen, & Logan.
On top of that, I have incredible family both Adrian's side and my own! Wow I am rich!!!
That said, I do find myself missing people.
I miss Adrian, Owen & Logan of course. But lately (meaning not just this trip) I find my self missing other people.
When I was little I had two sisters, one older super cool. Her name is Nicole. We hung out a lot together, doing normal brother and sister things. Playing with barbies.
We were such play mates as kids, and then she went away to college in GA. where is that? luckily she got home sick and came back after one year, then she went to Dordt. I was happier with her closer.
For a semester; I went to Dordt as well. However; I had never really figured out how to learn and my grandpa was diagnosed with cancer, and past away. Basically all my first semester. I had had enough.
My parents moved to DSM, so I followed.
I also had a younger sister. She was perfect, in all that she did. (not a bad thing, although that is how I saw it when I was younger) Granted she tried immensely hard, and deserved everything she got. But being "perfect" she wasn't as cool as Nicole or I, so I didn't spend many of my school years as her "friend". She was constantly singing, playing piano, and I was sure; doing everything she possibly could to annoy me. Grrr.
So when Libby entered High School I told her that we could now be friends. She was thrilled. I think.
Libby had it rough that first year. I always knew she was picked on by certain people but never knew the extent of it. As an older brother I did what I could to stand up for her. Even got into a couple fights for her, not that I told her about them. After all she is my family.
So after Libbys first year; the year my family moved to DSM she went to Johnston HS. Which ticked me off bad. I had gone to private school in Orange City; small Christian community, and wasn't allowed to go to the public school. But now, in the big city my little sister was going to this huge public school. Grrr.
But she excelled there. Which was expected. And she made some good friends.
The one thing that was missing was my brother.
Oddly I got my brother when I was 23. Even more strange, he was 15. I found it hard to connect with Jesse. He came from such a different place than I had come from. So I failed in that relationship in the early years.
Jesse graduated from Johnston HS, smart athletic with great ambition. Went on to Faith Baptist Bible College; and I found another opportunity to build our relationship. I failed again.
Then about Christmas time I started to make a concentrated effort of building a friendship with him. I began calling from time to time, and talking more deeply than silly superficial conversations.
However; a few weeks ago Jesse enrolled himself in Teen Challenge. Seeking heeling. Now he is gone for 1 year. And I find myself deeply missing him. Jesse; I love you. I pray for you often, and I look forward to becoming great friends with the man you will be when you emerge from this trial.
Nicole; has never been real far away. always willing to talk and be an ear for my words. But now I feel that living only an hour apart our relationship is widening. We seem to be drifting apart. We are each building lives and setting new foundations in our communities. And as great as that is, it burdens our relationship. Nicole; I love you. I am ok with being short distance friends. Enjoy life in Marshaltown, grow your friendships, and grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. I, your little brother will always be available.
Then there is Libby. My little sister. My friend. I love you. I appreciate you more than I can express. I now find myself missing your music which I despised so much growing up. I miss you singing in Church. I miss you playing piano. You married a great Italian man name Michael. who took you away to MASS. (not complaining). You have been gone for not even a year, and I miss you. Your friendly face that always has something encouraging to say. I know you will do well in the NE. your ministry will shine BRIGHT along with Mike's. God bless you!!
I apologize now for rambling. No I don't. you could have stopped after the first paragraph. but you were hooked. HA!
cboom
How often do you feel lonely? Are you missing anyone?
Let me make something clear early on. I am not lonely.
God has blessed me with the love of my life Adrian, and two wonderful boys, Owen, & Logan.
On top of that, I have incredible family both Adrian's side and my own! Wow I am rich!!!
That said, I do find myself missing people.
I miss Adrian, Owen & Logan of course. But lately (meaning not just this trip) I find my self missing other people.
When I was little I had two sisters, one older super cool. Her name is Nicole. We hung out a lot together, doing normal brother and sister things. Playing with barbies.
We were such play mates as kids, and then she went away to college in GA. where is that? luckily she got home sick and came back after one year, then she went to Dordt. I was happier with her closer.
For a semester; I went to Dordt as well. However; I had never really figured out how to learn and my grandpa was diagnosed with cancer, and past away. Basically all my first semester. I had had enough.
My parents moved to DSM, so I followed.
I also had a younger sister. She was perfect, in all that she did. (not a bad thing, although that is how I saw it when I was younger) Granted she tried immensely hard, and deserved everything she got. But being "perfect" she wasn't as cool as Nicole or I, so I didn't spend many of my school years as her "friend". She was constantly singing, playing piano, and I was sure; doing everything she possibly could to annoy me. Grrr.
So when Libby entered High School I told her that we could now be friends. She was thrilled. I think.
Libby had it rough that first year. I always knew she was picked on by certain people but never knew the extent of it. As an older brother I did what I could to stand up for her. Even got into a couple fights for her, not that I told her about them. After all she is my family.
So after Libbys first year; the year my family moved to DSM she went to Johnston HS. Which ticked me off bad. I had gone to private school in Orange City; small Christian community, and wasn't allowed to go to the public school. But now, in the big city my little sister was going to this huge public school. Grrr.
But she excelled there. Which was expected. And she made some good friends.
The one thing that was missing was my brother.
Oddly I got my brother when I was 23. Even more strange, he was 15. I found it hard to connect with Jesse. He came from such a different place than I had come from. So I failed in that relationship in the early years.
Jesse graduated from Johnston HS, smart athletic with great ambition. Went on to Faith Baptist Bible College; and I found another opportunity to build our relationship. I failed again.
Then about Christmas time I started to make a concentrated effort of building a friendship with him. I began calling from time to time, and talking more deeply than silly superficial conversations.
However; a few weeks ago Jesse enrolled himself in Teen Challenge. Seeking heeling. Now he is gone for 1 year. And I find myself deeply missing him. Jesse; I love you. I pray for you often, and I look forward to becoming great friends with the man you will be when you emerge from this trial.
Nicole; has never been real far away. always willing to talk and be an ear for my words. But now I feel that living only an hour apart our relationship is widening. We seem to be drifting apart. We are each building lives and setting new foundations in our communities. And as great as that is, it burdens our relationship. Nicole; I love you. I am ok with being short distance friends. Enjoy life in Marshaltown, grow your friendships, and grow in your relationship with Jesus Christ. I, your little brother will always be available.
Then there is Libby. My little sister. My friend. I love you. I appreciate you more than I can express. I now find myself missing your music which I despised so much growing up. I miss you singing in Church. I miss you playing piano. You married a great Italian man name Michael. who took you away to MASS. (not complaining). You have been gone for not even a year, and I miss you. Your friendly face that always has something encouraging to say. I know you will do well in the NE. your ministry will shine BRIGHT along with Mike's. God bless you!!
I apologize now for rambling. No I don't. you could have stopped after the first paragraph. but you were hooked. HA!
cboom
Friday, March 25, 2011
My Best Friend...
My quarterly blog.
I apologize to my faithful 6 who follow my blog, it has been a long time since my last post.
When was the last time you talked to your best friend?
Did you know you can pray out loud?
Of course. how else would anyone here me? J/K, I know, yes you can pray out loud.
But did you know you can talk to Jesus out loud?
Now you are wondering what i mean. so let me explain.
The other day i was driving. it was late. nothing on the radio, and too late to call anyone.
So I decided to have a talk with Jesus. I turned to the empty passenger seat and said, "whats up?"
nothing....
"how you doing Lord"
again nothing........
I continued to have one of the most beautiful, most meaningful conversations of my life.
And the best part is. it wasn't one sided.
throughout the conversation God would remind me of different scriptures i had read. and of things people had told me.
I asked questions...I confessed sin....I cried....I lauged.....I felt better.
Our God is so great. lets not limit our conversation with him to prayer with meals & bedtime.
Lets remeber that Jesus was human. And lets talk to him. If he is supposed to be our bff. lets treat him like it!
Talk to your best friend. don't hold anything back!
cboom
I apologize to my faithful 6 who follow my blog, it has been a long time since my last post.
When was the last time you talked to your best friend?
Did you know you can pray out loud?
Of course. how else would anyone here me? J/K, I know, yes you can pray out loud.
But did you know you can talk to Jesus out loud?
Now you are wondering what i mean. so let me explain.
The other day i was driving. it was late. nothing on the radio, and too late to call anyone.
So I decided to have a talk with Jesus. I turned to the empty passenger seat and said, "whats up?"
nothing....
"how you doing Lord"
again nothing........
I continued to have one of the most beautiful, most meaningful conversations of my life.
And the best part is. it wasn't one sided.
throughout the conversation God would remind me of different scriptures i had read. and of things people had told me.
I asked questions...I confessed sin....I cried....I lauged.....I felt better.
Our God is so great. lets not limit our conversation with him to prayer with meals & bedtime.
Lets remeber that Jesus was human. And lets talk to him. If he is supposed to be our bff. lets treat him like it!
Talk to your best friend. don't hold anything back!
cboom
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