Love my cyber friends!

Got to read a few blog posts from some of my cyber friends. Hard to believe I get a mention in so many blogs. Chatted with Missy and John tonight. I get so much from them! Missy gives me insight into the brain of my daughter. John challenges me and points me to the Word. I know where you were going tonight with the "So - how are things", John. I was a little distracted with work and couldn't get into "that" kind of conversation. Maybe next time.

Lots to pray about. Gonna go read Psalm 51 (again).

Thanks to my friends at the SCC messageboards!

Today's entry comes from a conversation I had on the Steven Curtis Chapman messageboards. You can read the whole thread here if you want.

Thanks for pointing me to the Word, Jeremy. That's truly where I need to be spending more of my time. I'll read Psalm 51 with my lunch today.
As far as the rearranging goes... I'm afraid that my wife has the lion's share of the organising to do. A lot of the papers and toy items are needing sorting and filing and throwing out and those are decisions that I am not allowed to make. I do the grunt work and move all the furniture and build the walls, etc.
I have moved my office down stairs, set up (and used) the weight machine, rearranged the den, reorganised and rearranged the schoolroom (where my wife's office is and the kids do their homework). The schoolroom project was a major undertaking. The kids just didn't have any place to work on homework, so I set the desk up differently and moved some other items around. Now four can study in there at the same time and not be on top of each other.
The upstairs bathroom is officially totally finished now. I plan to start on the powder room next.
The bedroom in the basement will be progressing as soon as I buy an entertainment center to put the stereo equipment and tv in. That stuff is all spread out in the basement (where the bedroom is supposed to go).
I still struggle with being a pharisee some. It goes along with that selfish additude. I think the Lord is opening my eyes more to it, though. Or maybe I'm just a little more sensitive to Him shoving me on the shoulder when He wants my attention.
I have been working a little more with my son concerning the anger issues. He is doing a little better. I think some of the problem stems from him feeling that he isn't getting enough attention. I think that when I spend time helping him with his schoolwork and having one on one time in conversation, he feels more in control and better able to deal with everything.
Well, that's another chapter in my book.

Getting Back On Track

Well, finally, I am responding to the Lord's gentle tugging.

I went to church on Sunday (my old church). It's been a LOOOOOONG time since I went there. When I last attended, I was so bruised that I didn't know when I would ever fellowship again. I was amazed (shouldn't have been) at how many of the men literally embraced me. Bear hugs abounded. *where were all these men while I was in the desert?!?*

I really feel that the Lord would have me back at Bible Fellowship Church of Newark. There is so much that needs to be changed in me and in the way they look at ministering to the local Body. Maybe that is why I feel called back there. Is it possible that the Lord wants me (of all people) to assist in the growth of a church body? I feel so under-equipted to handle anything in this area.

I went to the Thursday morning men's prayer breakfast at Arner's yesterday. I shared a little about how Steven Curtis Chapman's book "Speechless" has been affecting me as I am reading it (six years after it was published). I think it was something that a few of the men needed to hear as well. Mostly about how "it is in that wilderness where we learn that we do not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God, that His word is not only the most natural food for our soul but the most necessary." (Ken Gire, Windows of the Soul)

I have been dry for so long. It is only through the ministry of the SCC messageboards, and a few random (and a few purposeful - thanks John) Believers that I have felt the presence of the Lord in my life in recent months. God, however has been faithfully at my side throughout my journey. I know this with all my heart and soul. It is as though I have received nourishing bread and water in my very veins without seeking that nourishment.

Another topic...

I moved three file cabinets down into my basement office today. Not only will this enable me to better sort an file my piles of papers and assorted "stuff", but also it freed up some space in the garage so that I can better organise in there. I also got an inspiration for some shelves near the ceiling in the garage. These will allow for a lot of the clutter on the floor to be raised up out of the way.

We are making progress in the de-clutterization of our lives!!

Enjoying my week off

What day is it anyway?! I think it's Wednesday. I have been the total slug this week. It's nice to lay around in bed while the kids are all in school.

The only problems is that I have so much to do and am just not feeling like doing it... I'd be so good in retirement! I did actually work on Saturday, though. 10 hours in fact. So that at least gives me some production for the week off.

Planning to watch West Wing tonight to see what's up there. It's been interesting so far this season. Wondering where they plan to go. I'm not into reading spoilers, so I will have to wait to see.

Now I need to get off this infernal machine and get to work on the honey-do list.

Plodding Along

Well, we got through the Holidays with minimal pain. Although, I will have to work quite a few extra shifts to pay off the bills...
I felt like Scrooge most of the time, though. Where is my joy at the celebration of the Savior's birth?! Why do I have such a hard time rejoicing and enjoying Christmas? My wife think's I'm a killjoy. I just can't seem to get past the commercialism of what is supposed to be a righteous celebration. Maybe that is just a reflection of my heart lately.

I feel like a terrible father to my children. I have time to give them. At least more that I used to. But I seem to be irritated at them more often than not. They're just acting like kids. It's not their fault that I have low noise tolerance. Some of them have been acting very angry lately. I think that's my fault as well. My short fuse is setting a poor example for them.

I don't know what I need (other than a refreshing of the spirit by the One who created me). I guess that's it in a nutshell. I am spiritually dry and that has starved my soul to the point of perishing. I need a drink from the fountain of Life. Jesus, forgive me of this sin that I have confessed here on the internet. Help me to seek Your face and strive to mirror Your love to my children. I know that is the only way they will see any good in me.

I need to come here and spill more often. I must have the most boring blog out there...