In My Life

Don't dwell here. Learn what you must and then close that door for good. Looking back is like gleaning. Harvest good memories, lessons learned and inspiring moments. Burn regrets, past sins, and mistakes made. Don't tally your "pluses" and your "minuses" and keep score. You'll either be overly inflated with ego, or overly deflated with thoughts of failure. In all of this, look for those places where God has intersected your life. Be thankful for his provision, his love, his mercy, and his grace. Look back only long enough to find the Wisdom that guided you and be thankful.

Looking at Today?

Be here. Live here. Be thankful for each breath, each step, and each bite. This is your moment. Relish it as it may be your best and it may be your last. Don't assume tomorrow for it may never come. Yet live with fervent purpose and joy as if your tomorrows may never end. Make today count. Make today count forever.

Looking at Tomorrow?

Don't dwell here, either. Yet dream. Dream BIG! Dream with a purpose. But always hold on loosely. Place your trust in a God who cares and is bigger than you could ever dare to imagine. Allow him to direct your paths. If you trust in him, nothing that tomorrow brings will overwhelm you. If you trust in him, your tomorrows will be your best!

Building home in Kentucky: New Home

2009-07-30T14:02:00.002-05:00

Posted via email from Patrick's posterous

Building Home in Kentucky: Old home

2009-07-30T13:57:00.002-05:00

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Heart in Concert

2009-07-02T20:41:00.002-05:00

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Heart performed at Naperville’s RibFest. They were absolutely fantastic! The song selection was great and they performed the tunes with strict adherence to studio cuts. Hard to find any diminishing talents after 30+ years of rock.

Guilty!

2009-06-24T10:01:00.010-05:00

Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval." - Jn 6:26-27

Guity! I admit this. I have sought the Lord for the bread of earth rather than the Bread of life and eternity ... loaves rather than life. If my hope is only for this world I am to be pitied most.

Jesus said man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. He told his disciples that "he has food they know nothing about".

Shamefully, I have, too often, sought him more for bread that molds than I have for bread that gives, sustains, and inspires life. I have sought his hand (provision) far more than I have sought his face (relationship). If I truly believe in his love for me, than I need not worry for provision because true love is most expressed in what it gives (not what it takes). If he loves me (which he does) then I can rest easy that he will care for me just as I am anxious to care for my children.

Getting ready for a ride!

2009-06-21T11:39:00.002-05:00

Posted via email from Patrick's posterous

Pool side at Candlewick

2009-06-20T15:42:00.003-05:00

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A beautiful morning on the Lake

2009-06-20T08:29:00.002-05:00

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White Sox at Cubs (pic)

2009-06-17T15:06:00.003-05:00

Posted via email from Patrick's posterous

I can't imagine Favre playing here

2009-05-29T15:18:00.002-05:00

Posted via email from Patrick's posterous

Jessi - Memorial Day Parade

2009-05-25T11:38:00.002-05:00

Posted via email from Patrick's posterous

Memorial Day, 2009. Good to be an American

2009-05-25T11:00:00.002-05:00

Posted via email from Patrick's posterous

This week, it's my sons Prom

2009-05-23T17:53:00.003-05:00

Posted via email from Patrick's posterous

A beautiful night for my daughters Graduation Ceremony. Waiting for the grads to march in.

2009-05-20T18:31:00.002-05:00

Posted via email from Patrick's posterous

Believe in the unseen

2009-05-20T09:47:00.003-05:00

I ran across this quote which resonated with me:

"I read about a note scratched into a basement in Paris during World War II: 'I believe in the sun even when it's not shining. I believe in love even when I can't feel it. I believe in God even when he is silent.'"

—Wayne Brouwer

Chapter and verse

2009-05-11T13:16:00.002-05:00

It's not chapter and verse that counts,
rather it's the truth contained therein ...

A Prayer

2009-05-11T13:07:00.003-05:00

Lord -

Grant me the strength to stand firm (never retreat)...

the power to carry on (advance and never grow idle) ...

the endurance to finish the race (never give-up).

Waterfall Glen, Mothers Day 2009

2009-05-10T21:34:00.003-05:00

We had a dreary day turn to a very warm and sunny day in the Chicago area. We enjoy being outdoors and hiking so we went to a preserve in the southern suburbs and found this little but beautiful waterfall.

You can see a few more pictures here: http://ow.ly/6s0d

Posted via email from Patrick's posterous

Rain

2009-05-06T09:55:00.003-05:00

Excerpt from the book "The First Drop of Rain" ~ by Leslie Parrott

Rain, with its dark skies, gray days, and dreariness, is liquid disappointment. Rain is a symbol of ruin, a catalyst for corrosion, a creator of rust. We steel ourselves, stockpiling resources for a rainy day. Discouragement dampens our spirit, and no one likes to hang around a wet blanket. Rain is a pain, a bother. Our children sing, "Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day."

Yet this is not the whole story. In the forty-fifth year of my rain-drenched life, I have come to see rain as compelling proof of God's gracious, giving nature. An absence of rain turns a place into a desert, a wasteland. If you've ever been parched and felt faint and studied the horizon for the smallest sign of hope, then you know the feeling. You know the feeling of hope at a softly darkening sky, the sharp-sweet scent of wet air, and the transparent but tangible first drop of rain. That first drop of rain begins a transformation from hunger to fruitfulness.

For more information on this book: http://ow.ly/5pDw

Is it or Isn't it?

2009-05-05T07:22:00.006-05:00

From the breaking of the Swine Flu news, I've had friends who were
highly suspicious of the severity of the actual situation. I was more
ambivalent, choosing a "wait and see" posture.

So, on Facebook yesterday, a friend posted the question "Is it a real pandemic or is it a governmental rouse to take attention off the economy?"

My take is both: I believe it's worthy of serious attention (not necessarily the overly zealous precautions that are being taken) but not truly pandemic in the sense of it causing widespread (and high probability) mortal danger. But, I do believe the government leveraged the situation to its advantage.

It's scary to think what a bona fide widespread plague would do to our planet - not just in the severity of the plague itself, but in the reaction people will take to it. I fear that we will see an "every man for himself" attitude emerge from the hearts of many people.

The Power of a Sincere Thank You

2009-04-29T09:26:00.004-05:00

Excerpt from the book "Sticks and Stones: Using your words as a Positive Force" ~ by Ace Collins

"As children we may have grumbled when we were forced to write thank-you notes. But through this discipline, our parents taught us that thank-yous can be one of the most powerful ways you can use words. A thank-you speaks volumes about your character, humbleness, and values. It points out that you realize that those who reach out to others mean a great deal to you. Your thank-you will inspire them to continue to reach out. Your actions will also put into focus the value of all those who have touched and who will continue to touch your life. Your thank-yous will also remind them of the value of their actions."

"Who knows what kind of power your sincere words will have. They might well renew an old bond, inspire someone who is down, change the direction of a life, or remind a person that their life has really mattered."

Click here to learn more about this book: http://bit.ly/14ep7p

Jarron Gilbert jumping OUT of a pool!

2009-04-27T14:22:00.002-05:00

Bears 2nd Round daraft pick showing-off his athleticism!

OBCC Youth Choir

2009-04-26T21:55:00.006-05:00

This speaks for itself. I'm so proud of each one of these young people!

What (Who) is it?

2009-04-26T21:43:00.001-05:00

When reading this recently, it occurred to me how truly surprising the Manna must have been to the Israelites.

Moses told them that they would be "filled with bread". I wonder if as they walked out of their tents that next morning, they expected to see baskets of Jewish Pita-like bread. Rolls and loafs of one of their best staples. Instead, there was a white substance on the ground that came with the morning dew. Their response? "What is it"? (Which is the literal translation of Manna)

Jesus is the Bread of Life - He is our Manna. People didn't recognize him for who he was (and they still don't) But my simple thought here is: How often do we miss the subtle (and sometimes overt) intersections in our daily lives with God because we force our personal expectations on Him? Expectations that arise from familiarity, past experiences and religious prejudice? Do we expect a "loaf" only to get something beyond our imaginations? Worse yet, are we sometimes so blind that we even curse what was intended to be a blessing? Who is it you are looking for and what is it you expect?

Amazing Kids!

2009-04-25T16:10:00.004-05:00

I'm at a Youth Fine Arts competition in Decatur, Illinois. Teens from all over the state compete in areas of drama, music, and art. I'm blown away at the talent, passion, and skill level these young people have! Some of it truly approaches professional levels.

The best I could muster at 17 was a weak cover of Led Zeppelin tunes. These kids have their own voice, their own vision, and their own unique destinies. Pretty impressive stuff.

Stop talking and start doing!

2009-04-20T08:12:00.004-05:00

Weekend takeaways:

"They have heard the lingo, now they need to see a demonstration of our love"

"It's the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge, and my job to love" - Billy Graham

Growing up, my dad always told me that "talk is cheap". It's easy to say something and it usually costs nothing to boast. The real effort and a sign of true investment in a belief is the action behind the words. How does that old saying go - "The road to hell is paved with good intentions". What is it all really about? It's to become what we say we believe. Chesterton said "I did not make the Gospel, it is making me". If we allow the love we profess to believe to define us, then we will bear the fruit of love as naturally as a tree bears its fruit.

Stop talking and start doing!

The greatness of the Servant

2009-04-15T09:03:00.003-05:00

Mark 10:43-44

"Jesus said, "... whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many."

If Jesus didn't come to be served, then why do we feel so entitled? Work not for what you can GET, but for what you can GIVE.

Calling trumps strength

2009-04-13T08:05:00.000-05:00

I was reading the story of Gideon (Ju 6:11-16) Gideon was complaining how he felt that God had abandoned his nation in light of the oppression they were facing. A couple observations:

1 - Gideon saw himself as a weak "nobody", yet God addressed him as "Mighty warrior". God sees us for who we can be, not for who we are. We should do the same with ourselves and with other people

2 - Sometimes we complain to God about a situation and don't realize that God has actually chosen us to be part of the solution. When we feel like complaining, ask God what he might be calling you to do (no matter how small a task) to be part of a solution.

3 - Calling trumps strength. God told Gideon "Go in the strength you have ..." None of us are as strong as we think we are (or usually as weak as we think we are). But if God has appointed us to a task, then we go with the strength we have (be it strength of mind, character, or faith) and we allow God to manage the results. Better to go into something with God and a little strength than to have much strength and go without God.

(See also Jer 17:5-8 for a cool encouragement along these lines)

Sunset from Silver Mine Trail

2009-04-11T22:03:00.000-05:00

As we were traveling back to the house we were staying at, I caught the sun just moments before it set behind the San Cayetano's. I jumped out of the car, set-up the tripod and caught this pic. (For more see: http://tinyurl.com/cev5zl)

Santa Rita Mt. - Arizona

2009-04-11T21:53:00.000-05:00

We caught this view as the sun was setting behind us and splashing warm tones over the Grosvenor Hills and the St. Rita Mountains in the distance. You can see the shadows from the San Caytano mountains (which were behind us) in the middle of the picture. Such a beautiful area, even in the winter. (For more see: http://tinyurl.com/cev5zl)

El Gato - Tumacacori Mission

2009-04-11T21:50:00.001-05:00

What can I say? This cat followed us through the entire Historic Site. It was as if he was giving us a tour. He also seem accustomed to getting his picture taken. (For more see: http://tinyurl.com/d393y8)

Doorway - Tumacacori Mission

2009-04-11T21:32:00.001-05:00

This is an HDR photo at a 17th centry mission just outside of Tubac, AR, in Tumacacori (Tooma-cok-ory). I loved the detail in the door (to the left) and the charater and historic feel of the structures. (For more see: http://tinyurl.com/d393y8)

Living life to the full

2009-04-11T20:11:00.000-05:00

I heard a cool quote from attributed to the author, Erwin McManus: Live a life that is full of self, and live and empty life. Live a life empty of self, and live life to the fullest. I really liked this and know that it is true.

Blog Creation

2009-04-10T12:05:00.000-05:00

Just getting started, so I guess you can say this is "Under construction"