Trustworthy Sayings for people like us.

Today I made a major revision on my blog. I now have a new heading and a passage of scripture God laid upon my heart.

I think about the people who read this blog. People like you. Normal. Everyday. Coffee drinking/Diet Coke sipping kind of people who are just trying to deal with life. Maybe just trying to deal with the day.From the outside, some of us appear to be people who are whole. That is, we appear to have it together. Others of us appear to be struggling. Still others of us may appear to be a mess.

The truth? What you see on the outside can be deceiving. Regardless of the way we may appear on the outside, on the inside, we all are lacking. We have fears and inadequacies that many of us go to great lengths to mask. At the core of our being is a great need for God. Yet, we often try our best to make it on our own.So I want you to know that when I post each day (about four to five days a week), I am thinking about people just like you. In fact, I sometimes picture people just like you, turning on their computer and finding this blog.

You may be single.

You may be a young father or mother.

You may be a widow.

You may be a church leader.

You may not see yourself as very "religious."

You may feel very connected with some special people in your life.

You may feel very alone.

Regardless, we have much in common.

What we have in common, however, may not be what you see on the outside. What we have in common is what is real and what may be lacking on the inside.

Some days you might read this blog and come away encouraged or helped in some way. Some days--well, it just didn't do much for you. Regardless, I really pray that in some way God would bless you and provide just what you need. Please feel free to comment at any time.
Portions of this were adapted from a 1996 blog by jimmartin.

ASKING - SEEKING - KNOCKING

We are enjoying our time with family in Charlotte, NC ( actually Indian Trail, NC) My daughter Stephanie is really helping me with my blog. She will be pleased that I did not "steal" anything from her blog page. She told me that I needed a new picture for my resume. As she said it " Dad, one that looks like you now!" Thus - my new picture - taken today by Stephanie. Thanks Stephanie...

As Sharron and I joined our family and attended Elevation Church on Sunday we enjoyed the wonderful worship and the message from Pastor Steven Furtick. (Click on Elevation Church and you can hear the message for yourself.) On the way home from church Sharron and I discussed what the message meant to us. We always ask for the practical application of what we receive from church each Sunday.

Sharron spoke from her heart that God had given her a peace that it was time for her to not worry or be afraid, but to pray with confidence and ask God where we are to minister in the days ahead, seek God with assurance that we will know God’s will and especially, begin to knock on the door we feel God’s direction toward. Sharron’s fear was based on the idea that she did not have the right to ask God for specifics about our employment or where we should live. She has great confidence that God has a plan and purpose for us and will take care of us. She firmly believes that God has not abandoned us but will meet our needs in according to His will. Today, God gave Sharron a new confidence and peace within her heart. This peace came from the passage of scripture below:

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 NIV

We do not believe that God is a vending machine that we simply ask and God, without care or concern gives us anything and everything we ask for. We also do not believe that we should never ask God because the Bible is clear that God is concerned for us and wants us to seek Him and ask of Him in accordance to His will.

On Sunday afternoon we enjoyed a time away with our close friend Joyce Ford doing two things we love. Walking through a store at the mall and then going to the Cheesecake Factory Restaurant for a great meal and time of conversation. As we arrived at the store my cell phone rang. The call brought tears to my eyes and great anticipation to my heart. It was from the secretary of a church board at a great church in North Carolina. The leadership board had discussed my resume and have invited Sharron and I to interview with them this coming Saturday. I admit, I had difficulty going to sleep on Sunday evening as I tried to settle my heart filled with praise and anticipation. Each passing moment since that time, has been filled with prayers about this possible opportunity. As Sharron and I prayed Sunday evening she shared with me again about the impact of the Matthew 7 passage that God laid upon her heart.

Sharron and I both, have come to the assurance of heart that God is pleased with our decision in trying to relocate near North Carolina. Early in our ministry together we committed to each other that we would hold simple priorities in our life. When are began our marriage we decided that our priorities would be as follows:

1. 
   
   God first


2. 
   
   Family second


3. 
   
   Church / Ministry third

These priorities have never been more challenged than this time in our life. We are crying our to God to help us delight in Him that He might give to us the desires of our heart. As we delight in Him, we believe God places the right desires in our heart.

The desire to serve God in ministry and be near to our family is paramount in life right now.

Can you hear me now?

This afternoon my wife and daughter, Stephanie, (with Alyse) took me to the Presbyterian Medical Clinic due to my ears being stopped up. With great embarrassment, I met with the doctor, who informed me that I had "cement" in my ears. Apparently, I am not alone. He said he sees several cases per week of men who have "ear wax" filling their ear canals. Mine is caused due to the "heartbreak of psoriasis" I suffer with. A simple process performed by the doctor always leaves my ears nice and clean, and my hearing greatly improved (though my wife still accuses me of "selective hearing".) Thanks to Dr. Jim and his staff !

Here is a picture of my granddaughter, Alyse, when she heard about my visit to the clinic :

Today brought a reminder that I need to be still and listen to the Lord - for He is speaking. I want nothing in my life to hinder the voice of God as he calls out to my heart. The desire of my heart is to respond to God as the prophet Samuel of the Old Testament ( 1 Samuel 3:10) "Speak, for your servant is listening."

As I have recently prepared my resume for review I have taken the opportunity to revisit my personal mission statement. It goes like this:

My Life Purpose is to live and maintain a life of integrity, trust and faith in Jesus Christ, and participate in the Great Commission by using the gifts entrusted to me by God and personal experiences to enable people to become faithful and effective disciples of Jesus Christ. I want my wife to know that her husband loves and cherishes her. I want my children to have a legacy that reflects a father of credibility. I want the people that are the closest to me to sense they are loved by God and that I am a person who can be trusted. I want to be able to laugh each day. I deeply desire to be part of a team that is effective for Jesus Christ. I want my life experiences to display the confidence I have that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is relevant and life changing. Each day I start over in a new journey. I want to stay close to the heart of Jesus, which in turn will keep my heart stirred for the Lord.


Thanks for your prayers as Sharron and I face one of the greatest times of transition in our 29 years of marriage. We truly want to hear the clear voice of God, to know with clarity what God's direction is in our life, and choose to follow God's will.

- Rick

What in the world is God doing?

Today is another day in our journey of transition. Early in March I withdrew my name from consideration to continue as District Superintendent of the Kansas District of the Wesleyan Church. I sensed a clear leading of God that it was time for a change. Sharron and I love our close friends and ministry partners in Kansas. There are many good memories established in our hearts and minds. Concluding six years of ministry in Kansas brought a time of decision. At that time my heart yearned to return to my family ties in North Carolina. My six years in Kansas brought forth a fruitful ministry and I feel God is pleased with our service there. Several personal times of heartache accompanied our time there. The death of my closest and best friend - Larry Ford - as he succumbed to cancer took place within hours of me beginning this time of service in Kansas. The void left in my heart was deep.

God granted a new friend - Pastor Rich McLean - to meet the immediate need for close friendship and comrade. With the unexpected death of Pastor Rich I wondered if I could continue in ministry in Kansas. Within nine months my mother passed away and I discovered a deep desire to return to North Carolina.


Our precious daughters, Danielle and Stephanie (along with our son-in-law Josh) had all followed the call back to Charlotte, NC. On March 1, 2007 - everything changed! The birth of our first grandchild - Alyse Nicole - pretty well sealed the deal. All it took was a slight tug - and I began this journey. It feels like taking a GIANT step of faith - off the cliff - with no safety net in sight.


You ask - "Why would you just abandon your job and security without a prospect of employment?" Well - a picture is better than words. Please note the smile on my face as I hold my tiny granddaughter Alyse on her 3 month birthday.


I thought God was clearly opening a door of opportunity - only to see it close. Then the cycle repeated itself - again - and - again. At this point my resume is under consideration at two opportunities in North Carolina - and today a call from a Wesleyan DS created a possible open door at a great church searching for a new
pastor. This church is ten hours away from Charlotte. I am on my knees and asking God for the direction I need. I seek the favor of God as never before. I want to be found in the very center of God's will! Today, I pray for God's desire - not mine - to rule the direction of my life and ministry. My heart was greatly blessed today when I received an email for an unlikely source as a person I did not have on my prayer list contacted Sharron and me to let us know we were being prayed for. It brought tears to my wife's eyes.



I want to be very careful as I linger in "God's waiting room". I am reminded of the doctors telling Stephanie that Alyse would be born in mid-February. Each week they indicated it was "any time now". Alyse did not arrive until late evening on March 1. I know that God is NEVER late - yet seldom early. God's timing is not mine - I must wait upon the Lord. In my heart I ask: "What in the world is God doing?" My trust is in Him. The verse that has encouraged me often - a favorite of my daughter Stephanie:


Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:5-8

I look forward to reading your comments.

Celebrated Father's Day as a Grandfather!

I was honored on Father's Day by my daughters. The cards they gave me brought tears to my eyes - because I was laughing! I love being in NC with my family. This was my first Father's Day being a Grandfather. It is always wonderful to look into the face and smiles of my granddaughter Alyse. I was especially honored by my daughter Stephanie when I read the following on her blog:

I love my Daddy. Growing up, I was always a Daddy's Girl, and I guess I still am. My dad has always done whatever he could for me. He is so giving! I could never say thank you enough. Right now he is going through a kinda hard time, so I want to remind him that I love you, I am praying for you, and I will be here for you, just like you have always been there for me. "It's your heart for God that guides your steps and leaves a path of wisdom to follow."

Soon Sharron and I will depart NC to return to Kansas. Please pray for us as we follow God's direction. We truly feel God's favor upon us!

My first blog posting - the journey begins

My daughter Stephanie assisted me today to establish this Blog. I am looking forward to posting comments about the faithfulness of God to me and my family. Today is a warm and beautiful day in Charlotte, NC. I am looking forward to Father's Day and celebrating with my children and granddaughter. I encourage you to check here for future postings filled with book reviews, thoughts from God's Word, points of laughter, and other good stuff. Thanks for stopping by - see you later.... PR