Memorable Moments Knowing Merl Judy

     I was very upset to hear of my friend Merl's passing away this last week. I was out of the loop and didnt know about the whole situation until the last few days and very sad.  I personally heard from my parents about his death  and last day with us here. I also read some comments on his Facebook site as the reality hit that he had passed and services were Saturday.

     I was just reminisching today as I remembered being in high school and my first time getting to know Merl. He was attending a CIY conference with our youth group in Adrian Michigan. Believe it or not I was being a rebel that year and was giving every youth leader including Merl a run for their money. (which I paid for later when I returned home that week). For some reason I still have this picture in my head of a day there on campus when I, another youth groupee and I believe my brother were trying to climb into our dorm window which was on the second floor, with a rope. (just one of the many stupid and crazy events that  I was involved in that week) My brother was half way up and I was coming behind when all I remember is out of the blue, Merl popping his head out of the window and with hands gripped on the window sill and a look of  I mean business written all over his face saying two words......

 "GET DOWN!"

My brother part way up fell and landed on a bush and was hanging there as a branch hung him by his shirt and I let go of the rope and in fear, took off running along with whoever else was with us. Im sure there were many other episodes like this that year but this is the one I clearly remember.

Not too long later I do remember getting to know him better on a more personal, civil level. I not only respected him as our youth leader but also started doing his lawn over the summer. I'd show up weekly. We'd have a chat. Id mow his very hilly yard and have a glass of lemonade and talk some more. This was just the beginning of our simple relationship. I later went on to college, moved away, came back to BCC every so often and would see him there and catch up on life and everything going on.  He was always committed to doing something around the church, praying for me and helping how he could, serving, greeting, finances, youth, you name it. Of the many people Id always try to see while visiting he was definitely one of them. Often the first one as hed be there greeting at the door.

Its obvious he had a heart for people, a passion for God and was dedicated to his family and church. Many are greatful for all the awesome things he was and did. I will miss seeing him at BCC when I get back there but he's just another example of a person with a positive Godly influence on many who were ever around him. Including myself.

The power of Psalm 91

I read this Psalm a couple weeks ago and have been continually amazed by the power in it and reading it every day since. The Message version of this is my favorite. I highlited the key parts in black. Read this for yourself. Pretty incredible.

"God, you're my refuge. I trust in you and I'm safe!"
That's right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards.
His huge outstretched arms protect you under them you're perfectly safe;
his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day.

Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon.
Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you.  You'll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because God's your refuge, the High God your very own home.

Evil can't get close to you, harm can't get through the door.
He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go.
If you stumble, they'll catch you their job is to keep you from falling.
You'll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

"If you'll hold on to me for dear life," says God, "I'll get you out of any trouble.
I'll give you the best of care if you'll only get to know and trust me.
Call me and I'll answer, be at your side in bad times
I'll rescue you, then throw you a party.
I'll give you a long life, give you a long drink of salvation!"


All this is a promise if we "hold on to God for dear life".
He'll get us out of any confusing times.

Rockin at Sunshine Rescue Mission

I ended my day today playing with Mo, Zac and Jackson from the Northpoint worship team down at Sunshine Rescue Mission. I counted well over 50 people hanging out there in the courtyard enjoying a cook out while we rocked out acoustic style on a Cajon the me on the DJembe and a couple acoustic guitars. It was pretty amazing how powerful it was just to play for a couple hours and worship with some great songs. Every now and then you could see some of the guys there at the mission really connecting with the music and listening to the words. In between a few drunks and random break dancers throughout the set.

You never know how many lives you touch in a setting like that... or even how many people you might reach out to through the set in some positive way. People stopped by passing through downtown Flag, riding bikes, tourists, passers by from nearby shops and stores. It was the perfect night, the perfect set and a great evening to jam outside while the sun set over Flag.

We got to eat with the guys, chat and hear some life stories. I love these moments. The guy I sat across time at our table shared some powerful stuff and how he had been inspired by the committment the band had to play music and why we were there sharing these worship songs. We agreed everything in life is for a reason and even the fact that we had crossed paths that night was for a reason. I told him I thought it was to encourage him, even tho 58 and feeling life had let him down. I shared that maybe this time was a way to inspire him to step up his interested in getting involved and doing something out of the ordinary to influence someone else... whatever it may be. It was a great time.

In the middle of our discussion a couple of the guys passing through had joined our worship pastor playing guitar, one rapping, one on harmonica and the other playing percussion. Everyone joined in on a great time of music and meeting new people.

Ironically I didnt get any pics of this night however there was a video taken of the song done the guys there at the shelter that is absolutely hilarious to watch. Im going to post it soon.

Jesus & Nothing = Everything

As I was doing my daily morning excersize routine today I popped on my headset to listen to a message from Pastor Jud at Central Church in Vegas. The series was on satisfaction and about finding complete satisfaction in life through honoring God in everything. He mentioned this quote that I recently heard and have been thinking over.

 "Nothing + Jesus = Everything"

When you find yourself with nothing left, if you have Jesus, you literally have all you need. That's the appetite we all need to have to find complete satisfaction in life. No matter what the case. When we find ourselves with nothing, stripped away from everything, we are given another chance to rebuild, refocus and tune in with God himself. Finding time like that is rare and an opportunity you don't want to miss out on.

Luckily my ultimate daily focus right now and life story is just that. Time alone with God praying, growing and waiting on His plan. Amazingly and ironically, there is nothing like it.

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart, don't try to figure out everything on your own.  Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go. He's the one who will keep you on track."   Proverbs 3:5-6, The Message

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"The Gathering"

I've had the honor to be a part of the music at the Gathering down in Prescott over the past year now on Sundays. Ive been helping out doing the worship there over the past month or so.  Here is a pic of my long time partner in crime Jay Reeder ( the official leader) myself and some of the guys that help out each week. Pretty awesome to see how God does His thing each week and uses a simple message and a coffeehouse church setting to reach lost people right off the streets of downtown Prescott.

Dependence

I got to meet up for lunch today with one of my great friends here in Flagstaff. We had a lot to catch up on and with crazy different situations going on hadnt had the opportunity to meet up in over 3 weeks.  He shared all that he'd been up to and some twists and turns that had happened over the last week. Part of the conversation was about winning over his dad to Christ in a conversation while his dad continues to suffer with cancer. I then updated him on how things were going for me and the crazy journey I've been on.

The question came up later as we ate and hung out there that Ive been thinking through for many weeks.
"Do you really believe God is in control right now in all this?

I didnt really have to hesitate to answer because it had been on my mind and I said "Yes I do. I at least hope he is because no one else seems to be including me."

Whether we want to believe it or not, whether we live it or not, no matter how you look at it, whether you want to accept it or not God is actually in control.  Even when it doesnt seem like it at all. Ive been reminded of this daily for a while now. For me its a time of total dependence on God and going along for the ride no matter where it takes me. Ultimately God's plan is better than anything I could imagine even if it is not an easy way out. I even know as I make this dependence on God my ultimate goal that I will be tested and probably stretched in a way Im not even expecting at this moment. Im ready tho. Ive really got nothing to lose if God is really in control. Thats the absolute truth.

Detour

I noticed the other day I havent blogged in a while and ironically have a lot to share that I should have blogged about for quite some time. I always write when there seems to be major events going on and unique things in life that are worth sharing about. For some reason however this past 3-4 weeks has thrown me off. Well actually I know the reason.... its because the last 3 weeks have led me to and through the biggest detour Ive ever had in my life ever.

Everyone is familiar with life detours. You know how it works. Out of the blue, all of the sudden change occurs and you have to adjust in some major way to what you know as "normal".  It can alter everything and throw off every aspect of everything in every way and that is exactly what happened. Im not going to go into detail about my personal "detour" situation on here. It wouldnt be appropriate or a good positive step right now but I know it was totally unexpected, not all good, dramatized immensely and could have been handled in a 100% different way. The good thing that brings me the most peace through it is that I know the absolute truth and God knows the final outcome. With that I find great comfort. Even tho it took me a while to be reminded of that again, accept it and commit to that fact.

For me its all about taking the time in the detour to learn how to totally depend on God, build a relationship with him and take advantage of the closeness God is wanting in times like these. As pastor David Jeremiah says  its not asking why is this happening? But "I know God You've allowed this in my life and Im going to learn from it".  I picked up a copy of a book just after my new "bend in the road" called "Sun Stand Still". Love this. I had heard about it and knew it would be the perfect fit for me. Its about the prayer prayed in time of need where an army led by Joshua needed more daylight to win their battle and the sun actually stood still in the sky for a whole extra day. Crazy. I also found a new CD I wanted to get by Sanctus Real called "Pieces of a Real Heart". I have been a fan of this band forever but this latest CD with the songs I had already heard from it was hitting home with alot of things I was dealing with. The CD is full of songs that are perfect and a Godsend in this time of change and waiting and its been playing in my car now over and over for weeks.

 Between these things and a lot of great awesome support I have in Flag and friends I have been able to take advantage of this period of time when I know in most cases I  would crack, crash , burn and be angry at the world. I have enjoyed it again more than many other times in my life and its been a huge marker in my life. That's because I have made it that way and made effort to in the midst of what normally is intended for bad. God makes good out of what Evil meant to harm. Do I have confidence that God will handle it and turn it in to a huge blessing? Absolutely! I just have to patiently wait and continue searching and knowing Him better in the meantime.
Not easy in any way but its the only way and definitely worth it.

Please pray.....

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