Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Proverbs 31:10-31

Most people weren't aware there was a significant event that happened this month. I am not talking about the meteor over Russia, congressional hearings over cabinet appointees, the Grammy's, or even the Oscars. Something much, much more significant than that.

It was on February 11, 2013 as Valerie and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary. We start the celebration by enjoying a wonderful dinner at 'The Capitol Grille' the Saturday prior followed by a relaxing meal on our actual anniversary at 'Macaroni Grille'. I was blessed to be able to purchase a small token of my deep love for my Valerie - a heart necklace and Valerie purchased a beautiful watch (yes 'he went to Jarod's' and so did Valerie) as a small measure of her love for me.

The past few months one of my friends from college and my son's best friend and his wife met Valerie. They all told me that everything I told them about Valerie was true and then some.

The more time goes by, the more thankful I am to our awesome God for her. She truly completes me in every way possible. To beloved by her is the best blessing in this world save that of Christ's love.

"He who finds a wife finds a good thing
And obtains favor from the Lord." Proverbs 18:22


God's word says it best - much better than my feeble attempts:

"Proverbs 31:10-31

New International Version (NIV)

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

10 [a]A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

Thursday, November 1, 2012

My One Vote Matters !

My one vote matters. I was unemployed for 3 years. Applied for over 900 jobs.  Exhausted unemployment benefits, savings, pension, 401K. Throughout this time I never stopped believing that God would bless me with a job. I spent time in prayer and reading God’s word and believing God’s promises. Then the Lord literally landed a job in my lap last July.  It had nothing to do with anything that the Obama did but what my Lord Jesus Christ did. So how did I vote? I voted biblically. My one vote – you may say it’s only one vote. Remember what Jesus did with 5 loaves and two fish – he fed 5,000 !!  Don’t buy into the deception but do the right thing and vote biblically.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

"Supreme Law Of The Land"

One of my friends recently shared he will be applying for citizenship and will need to study for the 'test' that they give. One of the questions is 'What is the supreme law of the land', That's an easy one for me to answer 'Whatever Valerie says' lol !

Monday, July 16, 2012

Birthday Thanks

Thank you God for sending your son Jesus Christ to die for my sins, for your unconditional love, and for another year!

Thank you God for the blessing of being married to and letting me love the most drop dead gorgeous woman in the world with a heart of gold!


Thank you for the blessing of having the best children in the world - Will, Victoria, and Peter and for their love and friendship.

Thank you for the blessing of getting to know the best step daughter in the world Jessica!

Thank you for the loving kindness and the blessing of a Godly mother !

Thank you for the blessing of Valerie’s family – her awesome parents, her siblings and their families and her cousin.

Thank you for my extended family!

Thank you for all whom I call friend and your support, encouragement, and kindness !

Thank you for not just 'a job' but the best job I have ever had with the best Director I have ever had  to provide for my family !

Saturday, July 7, 2012

"Courageous" Speech

 Very inspirational speech from the movie "Courageous".


"As a law-enforcement officer, I’ve seen firsthand the deep hurt and devastation that fatherlessness brings in a child’s life. Our prisons are full of men and women who lived recklessly after being abandoned by their fathers, wounded by the men who should have loved them the most. Many now follow the same pattern of irresponsibility that their fathers did.

While so many mothers have sacrificed to help their children survive, they were never intended to carry the weight alone. We thank God for them.

But research is proving that a child also desperately needs a daddy. There’s no way around this fact. As you know, earlier this year, my family endured the tragic loss of our -year-old daughter, Emily. Her death forced me to realize that not only had I not taken advantage of the priceless time I had with her, but that I did not truly understand how crucial my role was as a father to her and our son, Dylan. Since her passing, I’ve asked God to show me, through his word how to be the father that I need to be.

I now believe that God desires for every father to courageously step up and do whatever it takes to be involved in the lives of his children. But more than just being there or providing for them, he’s to walk with them through their lives and be a visual representation of the character of God, their father in heaven.

A father should love his children and seek to win their hearts. He should protect them, discipline them and teach them about God.
He should model how to walk with integrity and treat others with respect and should call out his children to become responsible men and women who live their lives for what matters in eternity.

Some men will hear this and mock it or ignore it.
But I tell you that as a father, you are accountable to God for the position of influence he has given you.
You can’t fall asleep at the wheel only to wake up one day and realize that your job or your hobbies have no eternal value but the souls of your children do.
Some men will hear this and agree with it but have no resolve to live it out.
lnstead, they will live for themselves and waste the opportunity to leave a godly legacy for the next generation.

But there are some men who, regardless of the mistakes we’ve made in the past, regardless of what our fathers did not do for us, will give the strength of our arms and the rest of our days to loving God with all that we are and to teach our children to do the same, and, whenever possible, to love and mentor others who have no father in their lives but who desperately need help and direction.

We are inviting any man whose heart is willing and courageous to join us in this resolution.
In my home, the decision has already been made.
You don’t have to ask who will guide my family, because by God’s grace, I will.
You don’t have to ask who will teach my son to follow Christ, because l will.
Who will accept the responsibility of providing and protecting my family? I will.
Who will ask God to break the chain of destructive patterns in my family’s history? I will.
Who will pray for and bless my children to boldly pursue whatever God calls them to do?
I am their father. l will.

I accept this responsibility, and it is my privilege to embrace it.
I want the favor of God and his blessing on my home.
Any good man does.
So where are you, men of courage?
Where are you, fathers who fear the Lord?
It’s time to rise up and answer the call that God has given to you and to say, “I will. I will. I will.”"



Monday, May 28, 2012

"Fair Winds And Following Seas"

"Fair Winds And Following Seas" is a traditional way of wishing a sailor well as he sets sail on his voyage and returns back to port safely.

 "Fair Winds And Following Seas" dad....










 

"Mom's In Florida"

We are so blessed to have mom with us in Florida !

The weekend of May 18th we took mom by train from Pittsburgh, PA to Orlando, FL and then drove to Tampa where she will be living with us.  

From Pittsburgh to Philadelphia we had a nice ride with comfortable seats and a great view of the scenery. Unfortunately the nice ride ended in Philadelphia. The station and subsequent trip was reminiscent of a 1940's 'Dr. Who' episode (it still looked like it did back in the 40's) and a 'Twilight Zone' episode from the 1960's (the ride was herky jerky back and forth, numerous 'thunks, and going so fast we through we were going to derail) and no one seemed to notice but us ! Mom did exceptionally well and managed to sleep the night through on the train while Val & I struggled to get a couple hours in.

Jessica (Val's daughter) picked us up in Orlando and had flowers for my mom which was simply awesome !

Mom's been adjusting pretty well. Continue to pray for us in our 'adjustment period' and as we get mom hooked up with a good doctor here, get her insurance taken care of, take care of her house, etc. 

Very special thanks to my beautiful, drop dead gorgeous wife Valerie as she has welcomed mom with open arms and loves on her like I do. You are more beautiful every day !