Glen's Blog

NEW SNOWBLOWER???

glengblog — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:19:44 +0000

January in Michigan means frigid weather with lots of snow and ice. Well…..sort of. This year so far we have seen the temps reach 58 and days in the high forties. I am so glad I bought a brand new snow blower guaranteed to send snow to Wisconsin. I decided this year to buy a snowblower that would save my back and blow snow off my drive way. And when it was delivered, I smiled and thought, “bring on the weather.” Well, maybe I should have saved my money and waited for the weather, but, better to be prepared that to think I can just trust no snow this winter.

I should make sure my heart is always prepared for the leading of the Holy Spirit. Always ready to respond, always ready to act. When I was a scout, out motto was “Be Prepared,” maybe it should be our Christian motto, always be prepared for the leading of the Spirit.

So, whether it snows or not, I’m ready….ready for God’s leading!

Tis the season

glengblog — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:04:14 +0000

The presents are all missing from under the tree, the kids have arrived safely back at their homes. One or two more events and the “season” will be over. Ah, the “season”! In a few weeks the baseball season will get underway, but that is a blog for another day.

Curious if the relief is from all the events, then the presents, then returning gifts for something different or that fit or is it an awe of the time. I am not sure if I am getting older or just changing but Christmas is taking on a whole new meaning for me. Being together this year as a family for the first time in 5 years was a wonderful time. Having a new member of the family made everything extra special, that little face with all of it’s grins were priceless. And yet, the wonder of it all, for me, was wrapped up in the story of another baby. I am in awe of Christ coming for me and you! Do you see it or am I in a season of life that is drawing closer and closer to the Christ who came to die for me?

Well, tis the season for me. A season of celebration, a season of family, a season of warmth, a season that proclaims Jesus Christ is born!

loss

glengblog — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 16:34:31 +0000

Nothing stops us in our tracks faster than the loss of a loved one. Yesterday, Dec. 16, I lost my sister, Rita. Rita was a wife, mom, grandma, sister, teacher for 28 years, daughter, friend to many. She was my oldest sister and a close friend. She was married to a minister and so we had many thing in common. We lived so far apart for so long and our schedules hardly ever coincided. She was 10 years older than me and married when I was 7, so our lives were lived apart until she and her husband, Bob, retired. They moved to Bourbonnais, Illinois at retirement. Because of my relationship with Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, I have had the privilege to be around her for the past several years.

She was the sweetest lady. She was always fun and being with her always made me happy. I’ve been trying to figure out how to best express this and am having a difficult time putting this into words. Rita was so much like my dad in personality. One thing about her was her love of people and her love for conversation. I can’t express how much I will miss her. We would talk once a month on the phone and always end with a joke for each other.

For years I called my mom every week and then when she passed Rita became my regular phone call. I will be lost for some time. Going to her home was so much like going to my Uncle and Aunts home. There were always peanuts and chocolate covered raisins (her favorite). You were always welcome in her home, just like my parents.

She struggled physically most of her life. She had lupus disease in her 20′s and they gave her 6 months to live, then God did a wonderful thing in healing her. She struggled with other things physically for years and then she was diagnosed with acute rheumatoid arthritis about 6 years ago. She faithfully did her treatments and went through countless surgeries but she never quit. She was told she had about 3-5 years to live about 5 years ago and Friday, in her sleep, unexpectedly, she made the journey from this world to an eternal one where the God she loved, served and had a relationship with welcomed her home. She is safe and whole. I like to think that maybe, just maybe, our mom and dad welcomed their first born into heaven along with our Savior.

Thank you Rita, for being such a wonderful person in my life. For being my sister, all 4’10 of you. I have loved you as a sister and always will. You’ll always bring a smile to my face when I think of you. I have a great picture of us in my office and will always remember how kind and loving you were to me. Until we meet again.

Does Faith Matter

glengblog — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:18:49 +0000

I don’t know abut you, but as a sports fan, two things have emerged that have challenged me in my faith. The first one was Albert Pujols, former first baseman for the World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals. His decision, over pride and respect to leave St. Louis to move to Anaheim for $254 million over 10 years left many of us shaking our heads. Not about love of city or what St. Louis did for him when everybody else passed on him 12 years ago…..oh well, so much for loyalty.

The story that has my attention is Tim Tebow. Sports writers ridicule him for his faith and his lack of being a true NFL QB. Who is this person who actually lives what he professes and how dare he do this week after week. I have to believe that our sports world loves him or hates him because he lives what he believes. If he was on the sidelines no one would give him the time of day…but every Sunday, he walks out on the field and so far, seems to come up with the “BIG” play at just the right time.

What has gotten my attention has not been his NFL record, Heisman trophy, or his college career or records he set. What got my attention was an interview with his former college coach Urban Meyer, the new coach for The Ohio State University. When asked what was the best thing about coaching with Tim Tebow, I waited for the 2 national championships, all the wins, watching this unbelievable young man blossom under his tutelage, I mean this is a premier college football coach. His answer was astounding, “the best think about coaching Tim Tebow was the influence he had on my family!” WHAT? His influence? You mean he lived then what he believed like he lives now what he believes? Maybe that is what makes everyone so uncomfortable, his character is true.

So here is the question…..not…..is he a true QB nor is he really NFL capable…..but…..do I live like this? Do we live in such a manner that people wonder about our faith? Is our influence so astounding that it impacts the people we are part of? I guess the power of our faith matters!

Ah Christmas

glengblog — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:54:06 +0000

This time of the year is always so exciting. Everything changes for a season of well wishes and exchanging of gifts. I seem to be a bit more nostalgic this year than others. Thinking lots about Christmas’s gone by. Early memories of family moments and how that has changed over time. Last time I was “home” there seemed to be a sense of “otherness” that I didn’t belong there any longer.

Maybe that’s the problem. I am here but designed for an other place. Christ came, not just so we could celebrate his coming but that we could know Him and prepare for an “other” place. Maybe what I am feeling is a sense of “otherness” about another day in eternity. Ah, Christmas, it brings back so many memories and hopes of another day.

The Future

glengblog — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:00:49 +0000

Sunday morning as I stood and watched Jeff and Kelsey’s pastor dedicated Gardner, it was a humbling experience. Knowing I will not live his entire lifetime, I find myself praying for His future in the Kingdom of God.

As bizarre as His world may become I couldn’t help but get excited about how God will use Gardner. He will grow up on the other side of the world. He will speak multiple languages. He will see the world from such a different view than mine. I couldn’t help but wonder how God will use Him in the future of the Kingdom?

Great Quote

glengblog — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:19:33 +0000

You should live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip! – Will Rogers

Who would have thunk it?

glengblog — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:27:09 +0000

For years I heard the expression, “if I would have known grandchildren were so much fun, I’d have had them first!” Well, let me tell you something……IT’S THE TRUTH! It is unbelievable to be around a little guy who has rocked my world. I am amazed how quickly he has become part of my life in an astounding way.

Next summer when Jeff, Kelsey and Gardner board that airplane someone will have to nurse me back to health. Just wanted to blog for a moment and say being a grandparent is one of the greatest feelings in the world!

Wesley

glengblog — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:53:15 +0000

For the past week I have been visiting sites of John Wesley in England. I visited the City Road Chapel, now called Wesley Chapel in London. Often called the mother church of Methodism, is a church that Wesley built in the 1700′s. He also built a house next door where he died in 1791. I then went to Bristol where he preached out-doors to miners as they went to and from the mines where over 1000 men gave their hearts to Christ the first day. I was in Oxford where John and Charles went to college at Christ Church, then John became a Fellow at Lincoln. They were both ordained in the Chapel at Christ Church College. I saw John’s office and stood outside the room he lived in. John preached in just about every Chapel on the Oxford campus. He traveled by horse back over 266,000 miles preaching salvation from sin and Holiness of heart. I am now in Manchester, where John spent time preaching. His foot prints are all over this country. Everyone I mention the name Wesley to, knows of the history of England and how he reshaped the country and saved it from revolution by his preaching and establishment of bands, classes and societies. Ah, England, America needs a John Wesley!

Holding my finger

glengblog — Tue, 24 May 2011 16:07:19 +0000

So many people told me holding my grandson would change my life, I wasn’t skeptical, just sounded unusual. Then I held him, and you know what, they were right! I stare into his face and think how great our God is! He is a creative amazing God. Then on day 3, the little guy wrapped his fingers around my finger and I felt like I was being touched by God. It is amazing this feeling. He has stolen this grandpa’s heart already. Can’t wait to see what he does next!