"Take Down"

While coming home after running a errand tonight (and in a great mood) Val and I were having some great back and forth banter when I told her "I can take you down with one kiss ♥"......which she loved !

"The Good Wife"

CBS has "The Good Wife" but I wake up to, come home to, and am married to "The Greatest Wife" - my Valerie ♥

"Alive Again"

I first heard the words to this song as I left church this past Saturday and God laid them on my heart to share with my friends.

Jesus completed the process he began of turning my life around on January 27, 2011 @ 7:08 PM when I first laid eyes on Valerie Geis now Valerie Horosz

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I pry that God's word from Jeremiah and the lyrics from this song will give you the encouragement that you need to "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

"Alive Again by Matt Maher

Verse 1

I woke up in darkness

sounded by silence

oh where, where have I gone?

I woke to reality

losing its grip on me

oh where, where have I gone?

Cause I can see the light

before I see the sunrise

You called and you shouted

broke through my deafness

now I’m breathing in

and breathing out

I’m alive again!

You shattered my darkness

washed away my blindness

now I’m breathing in

and breathing out

I’m alive again!

They never loved you

you waited for me,

I searched for you…

what took me so long?

I was looking outside

as a love would ever want to hide

I’m finding I was wrong

Cause I can feel the wind

before it hits my skin

Cause I want you!

Yes, I want you,

I need you

And I’ll do what ever I have to

Just to get through

cause I love you

Yeah, I love you!"

"Didn't He Shine"

With the blessing of my new job also comes the blessing of a 30 mile commute every day. Most people would dread a long commute - which it is. I use that time to not only get ready for my day but to get ready for my end of the day. It is truly my time with Jesus in the morning to lift up my prayers to Him and thank Him for His innumerable blessings, His ever abundant grace, and His limitless love. In the evening I unwind usually by putting some music on and enjoying the spectacular view of Tampa as I drive across the Howard Franklin Bridge. 

But this week God has laid some particular music on my heart - that from Dallas Holm. To me he is the reason I listen to Christian music today. The two songs that come to mind are "Against The Wind" in the morning on the way to work and "Didn't He Shine" in the afternoon on the way home. These songs help me to focus on Jesus and his immense love for me. I'm including the YouTube links to the songs along with the lyrics to "Didn't He Shine" ("Against The Wind" has the lyrics in the video).

Worship is a never ending circle - we receive life and love from God and give Him back our lives and love when we worship. And I thoroughly enjoy doing that with my beautiful blessing from God my Val <3

"Didn't He Shine" by Dallas Holm

"To a world of fear and darkness
Came a light as bright as day
With a song of love and words of kindness
He came to show the way

Though His face was not recorded
Nor the color of His skin
But His words rolled upon the darkness
And touched the hearts of men

Then the people called Him Jesus
He was a man of all time
Just a simple man called Jesus
But didn't He love, didn't He shine?

Let the light come brightly shinin'
Let it shine for you and me
That it was for all fear and sorrow
And then it set us free

Then the people called Him Jesus
He was a man of all time
Just a simple man called Jesus
But didn't He love, didn't He shine?

Then the people called Him Jesus
He was a man of all time
Just a simple man called Jesus
But didn't He love, didn't He shine?"

Three Crossroads

This morning Val and I heard and excellent message from Dr. Mark Rutland, President of Oral Roberts University regarding Three Crossroads.

The first ‘Crossroad’ comes from Deuteronomy 2: 1-2 as follows:

“1 Then we turned back and set out toward the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea,[a] as the LORD had directed me. For a long time we made our way around the hill country of Seir.

2 Then the LORD said to me, 3 “You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north.”

These are times in our lives when the Lord wants us to completely change our direction in life and follow his leading. Dr. Rutland pointed out, for example, an angry father needing to turn away from his anger that is harming himself and his family. Or, in my case, how God had me do a simple act like drop the dating sites I was on and going to Christian Mingle – this lead me to my beautiful bride Valerie, moving to Florida from Ohio, and a new job. This did carry a price as I do miss Will, Victoria, Peter and seeing mom. God has blessed me with the opportunity to see all of them several times in the past couple of months of which I am grateful for !

The second “Crossroad” comes from Acts 16: 6-10

“6 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. 7 When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. 8 So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

I would say this can best be described by the phrase ‘God has closed the door’. The Holy Spirit directed Paul not to go to Asia – we really don’t know why. But Paul was directed to Macedonia to preach the gospel to them.

The clearest examples I can give are from my own life. I diligently looked for a job for over 2 ½ years having applied to close to 900 times with a multitude of interviews – even flying me out of state. I was faithful and persistent in praying along with my family and friends. During this time I was also looking for a soul mate. So many dates with a lot of nice women - I did find bits and pieces of what I was looking for along the way. But never that ‘Proverbs 31’ woman who I couldn’t live without. God was telling me during this time that my job search and soul mate search were related. But the doors remained shut until January 27th this year when I met Val – we were so perfectly matched by God and knew each other so well we got married February 11th – 15 days latter (which by the grace of Jesus Christ our love grows for each other daily – we have never been happier in our lives !) and a job offer three hours after my interview – to God be the glory !

The third “Crossroad” comes from John 21: 1-13

" 1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.[a] It happened this way: 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus[b]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

4 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

5 He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.

6 He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

7 Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8 The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9 When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11 So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish.”

We all remember Peter telling Jesus that he would never leave him. Jesus told him that he would deny him three times. And Peter did so – twice while warming his hands over a charcoal fire and once even cursing (John 18: 15-18, 25-26). And immediately the rooster crowed. Peter knew exactly what this meant and was so ashamed - he hid missing the crucifixion. But as we read in the scripture above Jesus welcomed him not with condemnation but with open arms – even making breakfast over a charcoal fire. Dr. Rutland pointed out that there are only two places in scripture where it mentions ‘charcoal fire’ – during Peter’s denial and Jesus preparing the fish for them in John 21.

Peter denied Jesus pretty much in person – not once but three times, wasn’t there for the crucifixion, and pretty much felt unforgivable. And Jesus forgave him. Wow. What a grievous sin but what radical forgiveness. And guess what? I have been there as well - just like Peter I felt unworthy of forgiveness. But Jesus practices radical forgiveness ! Amen !

In closing, Dr. Rutland told us that a major magazine conducted a survey of what American’s would like to hear from other people.. In order they were “I love you”, “I forgive you”, and “Supper is ready”. He pointed out that he as a unworthy yet ordained minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ says to his congregation “I love you” , by the authority of Jesus as commanded in scripture “I forgive you”, and distributing the elements of the Lord’s Supper “Supper is ready”.

Thank you Jesus for your blessings to overflowing!

"Revelation" by Third Day

"My life has led me down the road that’s so uncertain
And now I am left alone and I am broken,
Tryin’ to find my way, tryin’ to find the faith that’s gone

This time, I know that you are holding all the answers
I’m tired of losing hope and taking chances,
On roads that never seem,
To be the ones that bring me home

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been tryin’ to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You

My life has led me down this path that’s ever winding
Through every twist and turn I’m always finding,
That I am lost again (I am lost again)
Tell me when this road will ever end
Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been tryin’ to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without

I don’t know where I can turn
Tell me when will I learn
Won’t You show me where I need to go
Oh oh
Let me follow Your lead,
I know that it’s the only way that I can get back home

Give me a revelation,
Show me what to do
Cause I’ve been trying to find my way,
I haven’t got a clue
Tell me should I stay here,
Or do I need to move
Give me a revelation
I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You

Oh, give me a revelation

I’ve got nothing without You
I’ve got nothing without You"

Sermon Humor

Our guest pastor (who happens to be the President of Oral Roberts University) told us this great “icebreaker” before his message: A 22 year old man & woman (who share the same exact birthday) fall in love and get married on their 23rd birthday. On their 40th anniversary, the 63 year old couple are on a tropical island when a bottle washes up on shore. The woman picks up the bottle and takes off the cork. A genie pops out and says that he will grant her any wish in the world. Without hesitation she asks for a diamond ring bigger than Elizabeth Taylors and poof – the genie gives her the largest diamond ever! The genie turns to the man and says “I will also grant you one wish” to which he immediately replied “I want a wife 30 years younger than me” and the genie granted him his wish – he made him 93 years old ! lol

Job 42 & “What Faith Can Do”

“1 Then Job replied to the LORD: 2 “I know that you can do all things;” no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.

12 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part.”

“What Faith Can Do” Kutless

“I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do” “

This song seems to be my theme song for 2011. God, matchless in everything good gave me the blessing of a lifetime in Valerie. The Lord blessed us with someone perfect for each other in every way possible. Every day with her is better than the one before. Having her as my beloved is truly heaven on earth.

Many of you prayed for me regarding finding a Godly mate – and for that my heartfelt thanks. And many of you also were praying for something else…..a job. Two weeks ago I received a call from a recruiter about a position in Clearwater, FL. For a Quality Analyst. I could tell she was much different than any other recruiter I have been in touch with – we talked over 50 minutes on the phone. She helped me re-work my resume and had me review the company. The recruiter submitted my resume and within a few days an interview was scheduled. By the time of the interview, I was a little nervous but ready. The interview went amazingly well and I had an excellent rapport with all three interviewers. I was given a tour and told that the company would be in touch. Well exactly three hours latter I received a call from their HR contact who apologized that she was not able to meet me as ash was in a meeting. Then she told me “Bill we’d like to make you an offer…….” to which I immediately replied a very enthusiastic ‘Yes” !.

God is so perfectly, amazingly awesome. The recruiter contacted me from a resume I had posted on a job site and thought I was a perfect fit for the job. And to receive a job offer within three hours is totally unheard of according to the recruiter – but I know it was all God !

Thank you seems so inadequate to all of you who have been walking this journey with me. There has been heartache & sorrow but the joy that has come from God simply brings me to me knees in awe of of our God – Jehovah Jirah Provider !”

“How Great Is Our God” Chris Tomlin

“Name above all names

Worthy of our praise

My heart will sing

How great is our God”