October 31, 2010
While on a retreat this weekend, we were given time to spend outside alone, quietly, looking for God in our surroundings. I did not walk very far when I came upon a huge pecan tree. This tree was 80 to 100 feet tall and probably 100 feet across its canopy. The trunk of the tree was easily 5 feet in diameter. The area under the canopy had been cleared out and there were several benches placed there for people like me who wanted to reflect on the beauty of this tree. As I sat on a bench, something at the base of the tree caught my eye. A small sprig with maybe 12 leaves on it. It was less than a foot tall and the stem was less than 1/8 inch in diameter. Poison Ivy! This tiniest of plants was certainly not a threat to anyone around and could have been easily removed (by someone not allergic to poison ivy,) yet I could not take my eyes off of it. The majestic pecan tree was thousands of times bigger than the sprig of poison ivy, but I could not focus on it. As I tried to look at the pecan, that poison ivy stubbornly attracted me.
It struck me that we are often like that in our lives. Surrounded by God's glory, we are easily distracted by the tiniest of things which may be harmful to us. Once the evil catches our gaze, no matter how small, we cannot return our focus to the greatness of God. We become fascinated and even obsessed with watching the evil.
Here's hoping that you can look past the small distractions and see the beauty of God.
Russ
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
First Post
October 24, 2010
Dear Friends,
So much is happening in my life that I am having difficulty keeping all of you informed. Thought I might start this open journal as a way to communicate. Not sure how this will work, but here goes...
The anniversary of Vickie's death approaches (Oct. 28.) It is hard to believe that it has only been a year. Seems like ages ago. I still miss her, but through the support of my family and friends, my life continues to be full of blessings. Had breakfast this morning with Tina and Keith and the kids. I took doughnuts to stay in good standing with Peyton and Logan. Last night I had dinner with Diana and her fiancee, Mike. They seem really well-matched and we talked about their upcoming wedding. They are planning the entire event by themselves and are hard at it, hand printing invitations, crafting decorations, etc. While I was there Lisa called and told me to check her facebook site to see new photos of Paige and Tyler, my other two grandkids. Sounds like a busy weekend, but I am so blessed that the girls keep my mind focused on the joys of life.
Last week at work was incredibly busy. While at a conference in Austin, I was advised that I needed to be at a meeting in New Jersey. So it was drive from Austin to Houston for a 6 a.m. flight to Newark, go to the meeting, fly back to Houston, then drive back to Dallas. All that in a day (26 hours actually.) Thank goodness not every day is like that.
I am working on a talk for the St. Jude Men's retreat next weekend. I am talking about the importance of having other Godly men in your life, a talk I first heard a Promise Keepers many years ago. It goes something like this: Every one of us need to have three men in our lives...Paul, Barnabus and Timothy. Paul is someone who can teach and mentor us, someone with experience and a deep faith. Barnabus is someone who can encourage us, keeping us going when we feel like giving up, showing us the value in our lives. Timothy is someone who we can mentor or teach. Timothy gives us purpose, mission, someone who learns from our experience and whom we can help grow in their faith.
I am so thankful for the men who have been my Paul, my Barnabus and my Timothy in the past year.
I think that is all for now, more to follow soon.
God Bless You,
Russ
Dear Friends,
So much is happening in my life that I am having difficulty keeping all of you informed. Thought I might start this open journal as a way to communicate. Not sure how this will work, but here goes...
The anniversary of Vickie's death approaches (Oct. 28.) It is hard to believe that it has only been a year. Seems like ages ago. I still miss her, but through the support of my family and friends, my life continues to be full of blessings. Had breakfast this morning with Tina and Keith and the kids. I took doughnuts to stay in good standing with Peyton and Logan. Last night I had dinner with Diana and her fiancee, Mike. They seem really well-matched and we talked about their upcoming wedding. They are planning the entire event by themselves and are hard at it, hand printing invitations, crafting decorations, etc. While I was there Lisa called and told me to check her facebook site to see new photos of Paige and Tyler, my other two grandkids. Sounds like a busy weekend, but I am so blessed that the girls keep my mind focused on the joys of life.
Last week at work was incredibly busy. While at a conference in Austin, I was advised that I needed to be at a meeting in New Jersey. So it was drive from Austin to Houston for a 6 a.m. flight to Newark, go to the meeting, fly back to Houston, then drive back to Dallas. All that in a day (26 hours actually.) Thank goodness not every day is like that.
I am working on a talk for the St. Jude Men's retreat next weekend. I am talking about the importance of having other Godly men in your life, a talk I first heard a Promise Keepers many years ago. It goes something like this: Every one of us need to have three men in our lives...Paul, Barnabus and Timothy. Paul is someone who can teach and mentor us, someone with experience and a deep faith. Barnabus is someone who can encourage us, keeping us going when we feel like giving up, showing us the value in our lives. Timothy is someone who we can mentor or teach. Timothy gives us purpose, mission, someone who learns from our experience and whom we can help grow in their faith.
I am so thankful for the men who have been my Paul, my Barnabus and my Timothy in the past year.
I think that is all for now, more to follow soon.
God Bless You,
Russ
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