Holy Spirit (the power of a song) (Click Youtube link below to hear the song)

  I remember this worship song Corey sang all the time last summer 2015. It was his favorite at the time and he sang it so regularly around here at home that it was permanently stuck in my head. Its a very powerful song and also one of my faves.
" Holy Spirit You are welcome here. Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere."

     This song also was one of the several  I loved playing with Corey and Ethan at home as we had our jam sessions and #earnstlivingroomsessions in the past few years. It was one of the last we sang before he left for Mountain Mission School in Virginia. Id have to say that song left a mark on me because it was one of those tunes that took me to the moment of playing together.

  About two months after he left I was attending the Heights church in Prescott and we had come in a few minutes late and sat in the back corner. The were just starting into the second song of the set which... yep , sure enough that same song. I knew it as soon as I heard the first two chords. I broke down and found myself crying as it hit me hard. The song was a reminder of Corey moving on and also of my need for more of God's presence in my life. It was another huge turning point for me.


I always say that "singing is a sign of a happy heart". I can literally say that I had not sang much since our time playing together and had not been involved in worship either for quite some time. After alot of praying and thinking about it later that fall I decided to try out for the Heights Worship team.  I've had the honor of playing now there for about a year.

I  have enjoyed playing and singing and during this time I've found more opportunities to be a part of worship, from my home town in Michigan to Phoenix and my music teaching opportunities online. Although I need to make more time to play on my own everyday its been good to be a part of a worship team again. It a blessing not only for others when you use your gifts but it can also be a great way to be blessed.

This summer I had a week I was playing on the team at the Heights when Corey was home and I invited him and Cathryn to come check the place out. Luckily they were able to make it and joined us on a Sunday morning this past June.  I was thrilled about the set list and glad to be singing that weekend and more surprised that this song, Holy Spirit, was put in our list and I was asked to lead and sing it. I wasn't sure if I could make it through singing it but somehow did and I was told by several people there that day that they could sense the Holy Spirit during this song in a very powerful way.

 This same song my son Corey sang so many times at home with us, months later performed in a worship set at the Heights that moved me to tears and spoke to me while feeling so empty there in the back corner, was now one I was joyfully singing from the stage in that same room full of people worshiping, including Corey who was standing in the back (with Cathryn and Susan) singing with lifted hands.

That's the power of a song used by the Holy Spirit.

That's how God works in unique ways

That moment was a great moment in worship and memory of a full and happy heart through the power of music.

"Your glory God is what our hearts long for

To be overcome by your presence Lord"

Guitar time with Corey B (Aint No Rock)

The Proposal on Mackinaw Island

Memories of 308 Moccasin- My Grandparents and mothers old Home

     I got the chance when in Buchanan last summer to visit my grandparents old home from many years ago. This was my "second home" growing up while in my home town. Lots of memories  and moments that I still think of often happened here. Especially this time of year during the holidays as I remember great Thanksgiving dinners with the family and Christmas events with alot of people passing through. The basement where we all ate and played and my grandfather and I built and worked on projects from wood as he was a great carpenter. ( My bed stand we built together when I was just in high school). 
     The whole house is full of memories all the way through my college years. Even the window in the front that I never could see through as a kid. I had to capture the moment of this place and post it as I hadnt been there in several years... maybe about 15-20. But I still remember it all as it was yesterday. 
     On this Thanksgiving I'm thankful for family but also for this home and my grandparents who were family people and always celebrating that every holiday and all year round. Im grateul for this family history and the family history we make still everyday. 

Stepping out, changes, transition, risks-A new Chapter of Life

This is by far one of my favorite pics of this summer. Its a great memory of a day at Grasshopper Point In Sedona and to me a symbolic moment of big changes and transition in our home. It seems like yesterday Corey was in grade school and moving up to jr high. But the story is Corey has graduated high school now , turned 18 and has taken a new ministry opportunity in Virginia at Mountain Mission School. Its time for him to step out from the norm he's known and been raised in and jump full heartedly into his next adventure in life. Whether or not we all are ready for this it's obvious God has set aside this opportunity for him to take and pursue as he learns more about the plan in store for his life and serves children in need every day. A lot of prayer went into this from several people. 

It's been officially over a month now and I'm still adapting to this and still wondering how how so much time flew by so fast. Its different and challenging as a parent/father but its a great to know he is doing something that's bigger than my fears and worries. Worshipping and playing in the band with new people there ar MM, connecting with children from around the world and serving in an environment that changes lives and helps shape even  himself into something new. 

Thank God for text and FaceTime. 

Miss you here Corey B. 

Every day I'm more excited to see what God has planned for you. 

A Decade in AZ!

Today July 9th marks a decade, ..yes ten years that we have lived in Arizona! Its been quick and in some ways really long. Its been a time of amazing life events and challenges I never expected. Its been a time of adventure and struggle. But overall its been filled with blessings and lessons of family, Life and God. Uniquely enough in this strange state of deserts and snow, pine trees and cactus we continue to live each day celebrating new opportunities in this journey of life in AZ!

Transportation

   

      Car problems seem to always be a constant issue for everyone no matter what kind of  vehicle you have. I'm sure you can relate as most likely you at one time or another have dealt with car problems at one time or another yourself.  I personally always feel I have a curse of car problems as Ive been through more vehicles and vehicle problems over the past few years than I've ever wanted or needed. After my rough patch of "Car crisis situations" in the past few years, I actually tried to step up my "car management" skills and worked hard on taking great care of my new vehicle. I have a Toyota and have loved it. Its gotten me where I need to go. No problems. Until a couple weeks ago....

      Supposedly I "hit a rock" on the highway or something big enough to damage the radiator causing the coolant to leak out and when the temp gauged started going up and down I realized there was a problem, stopped and got a tow. Needless to say it caused engine problems  . Really? A freak accident.  My immediate attention did not seem to pay off. Go figure. Now I have a several thousand $ problem on a car I still own on. Good times, good times.

     I'm grateful for my car. I actually pray a lot while driving and thank God for many different things including my car quite regularly. I do the maintenance and vehicle care and make effort to take care of it. I feel blessed to have transportation. Right now I'm even more grateful for vehicles after biking to work daily and bumming rides when needed.  (As the saying goes..You don't really know how good you have it until its gone.)  Having any means of transportation is a good thing. Being able to transport yourself in any way is a great convenience. Amazingly I still find myself grateful for my transportation even though it presently sits in a lot waiting to be repaired.

     I've felt a little anxious, stressed and lost in this situation. Ive biked alot , busted a tire and walked. I have not enjoyed the change , however I  have realized one thing. This scenario has helped me , yet again, to step up my praying and trusting in God's good nature. That's a very, very  good thing. Ive prayed over it continually and have been searching on my own and leaning on God to send some options, resources or a simple miracle my way. This massive expense and set back has really changed a lot in a short time.  Regardless of the heartache not having a car has caused, I've recently found myself being "Transported" to a new place in my faith and trust and maybe yes maybe even a bit deeper with God. I've used this time to focus on just that.  Everyday it keeps me from the crazy bitter attitude or negativity that could replace all that.

      My deal is I always try to find as much positive as I can in every bit of madness. So presently I have no car but.... I'm getting more exercise I've wanted, I've had more time to pray, I'm learning to trust and yes, more patience. For that I am grateful.

(P.S.  Dear God, please don't read this message full of gratefulness in my time of no transportation and figure I need another few weeks of being carless, biking to work  and waiting. I'm good. Bring on the answered prayer.)