What? Me Worry????

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Psalm 32:3 - When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

Ask yourself two questions:
Is there any unconfessed sin in my life? Confession is admitting to God that you did something that He saw you do. He really doesn’t need to hear it as much as WE need to say it. Whether it’s too small to be mentioned or too big to be forgiven isn’t ours to decide. Our task is to be honest and sincere…

1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteiousness

Are there any unsurrendered worries in my heart? Yeah, that’s a tough one for me; it’s not that I don’t trust God, I do. It’s more giving up the control. The German word for worry means ‘to strangle’. The Greek word means ‘to divide the mind’. Both are accurate. Worry is a noose around the neck and a distraction of the mind.

Romans 14:23b – …everything that does not come from faith is sin.

If you think about it, worry is in direct conflict with faith, how can you exercise faith when you’re worried about a situation? You simply can not have faith that God will take care of a situation and harbor worry about it as well (remember what God tells us about being lukewarm!). Now, being concerned about something is not necessarily the same as worry, but "concern" becomes "worry" when we fail to relate the situation that confronts us to our source of sufficiency in God. To worry is to assume a responsibility that is not necessarily ours to assume; failing to recognize that God is bigger than any problem we might have, and loves us enough to seek our highest good in the midst of every situation, effectively takes God out of the equation and taking God out of our lives shows disobedience.

So…what are we to do? How do we escape the trap that is worry? The energy that we spend worrying can be put to much better use by turning to God in prayer. Remember this: Worry replaced by Prayer equals Trust.

1 Peter 5:7 – Give all your worries to Him, because He cares about you.

Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

Matthew 6:31-33 – So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

When we keep our eyes focused on God, remember his love for us and know that He ultimately has our best interest at heart, we realize we truly have nothing to worry about. God has a wonderful plan for our lives, and part of that plan includes taking care of us. Even in the difficult times, when it seems like God doesn't care, we can put our trust in the Lord and focus on his kingdom. God will take care of our every need.

~ Vince

And it Rained...

Lisa and the boys came for a visit this weekend and while it rained almost the entire time, we still had fun. Previous to them coming, we had talked about taking the kids miniature golfing and I had planned on taking Lisa on a romantic walk to one of Baraboo’s most scenic places, Parfrey’s Glen. Parfrey's Glen (a Scottish word for a narrow, rocky ravine), is a beautiful gorge deeply incised into the sandstone that is typical of the Baraboo Hills. The sandstone walls of the glen are embedded with pebbles and boulders of quartzite. The moss-covered walls are moist from seepage, cool and shaded and a fast, cold, hardwater stream flows through the center of it. The rain kept us from enjoying most outdoor activities like miniature golf or going on that walk (I’ll save that for another time), so we decided to take everyone bowling…and so did everyone else in Baraboo! When we got there, they only had one open lane, so we packed everyone up and headed to the Dell’s to one of their bowling alleys…They had an hour and a half wait! So…you got it, we went all the way back to the bowling alley we originally tried, hoping beyond hope that they still had the one lane open, but they didn’t! It was obvious that the rain had driven everyone indoors and faced with the fact that every indoor activity, here in Baraboo or in the Dell’s was going to be jam packed with locals or vacationers seeking a dry place to entertain the kids. We decided to just go back to my house, pop a movie in for the kids and just have a low-key afternoon.

The real excitement came late Sunday afternoon when Lisa and the boys were preparing to leave. We had attended church earlier in the day and Lisa had put her cell phone on silent during the service and had forgotten to switch it back. She checked her phone just before leaving and she noticed she had a number of messages, upon calling she found out that Winona and several surrounding towns had flooded and many of the roads leading to and away from Winona were closed. Unknown to us at the time, many of the phone lines were down, making it difficult for Lisa to get a hold of anyone to obtain solid information. While she was trying to find out if her town had flooded, I hopped online to see what I could find out. Several smaller towns had been evacuated, 4 people had died and many people had to be rescued from their homes by boat. Travel to and from the area was not an option. As Lisa started getting in contact with people, she started to worry for her own home and her dog Kirby. She got word that 4 families from her church were displaced because the water had flooded their homes. She finally heard that her house was alright and that there wasn’t any flooding in her town…Whew!

Please keep these people in your prayers as they face cleaning up and expenses that many can not afford. Prayers for God's goodness, peace too.

~ Vince

The Bridge...

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When you’re weary, feeling small,
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all;
I’m on your side.
When times get rough, and friends just cant be found,
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.

When you’re down and out,When you’re on the street,
When evening falls so hard, I will comfort you.
I’ll take your part.
When darkness comes, and pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will lay me down.

Sail on silvergirl, Sail on by.
Your time has come to shine. All your dreams are on their way.
See how they shine. If you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind.
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind.
Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind.


He is there for us…even when we think we’re alone.
He is faithful…even when we have lost ours.
He is patient…even when we have had the last straw.
He is strong…even when we are exhausted and feel we can not go on.
He provides…even when we feel we have nothing.
He rescues…even when we feel all is lost.

Psalm 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.

2 Corinthians 4: 8-9
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

...So, who's your bridge?

~ Vince

Busy? or Too Busy?

We have all heard or possibly even experienced vacations that are SO tightly scheduled, so full of activity, that when you return to ‘normal’ life, you need a vacation from the vacation! Even our day to day lives get that way. We get up early, go to the gym, work out, run home to shower and get ready for work, rush out the door, drop the kids off to the sitters, school or one of a 1000 activities that we schedule to keep THEM busy, run to Starbucks or Java Joe’s to get our morning ‘go juice’ and run into work. While at work we weed through 100 emails, 10 voice mails and attend a day full of meetings or planning sessions. You have to stay late to get at least SOME work done, so you leave work at 6pm, run through and get some carry-out to take home to the family. Once home you realize the civic organization that you’re involved in to keep yourself ‘well rounded’ has it’s monthly meeting at 6:30pm, so you dash back out to attend the meeting and finally…after a long day…you get home. The kids are in bed…you haven’t seen them except for the 5 minutes you were home between work and the meeting. Your spouse is getting ready for bed too, unless of course they are already there…never seems to be enough time in the day…when will it be time for your family? Society teaches us that we’re doing this for the betterment of our families that we should work harder…longer…more intensely so that we can provide a better life. When faced with a choice, do you think that little Jimmy would prefer cathedral ceilings or mom reading a book to him? Does sally care more for her own bathroom with a vanity or time spent cuddling with daddy? When will we realize that our kids don’t care about the BMW or the hardwood floors? What they want…what they NEED is our time…our un-filtered, un-divided time & love! It’s something SO simple and it requires so little effort on our part…and yet, ALL of us miss that message at times.

This past weekend wasn’t even in the same league as the above scenario, but it was busy! I had the pleasure of taking Lisa down to Iowa to introduce her to my family. After all of the initial introductions, we sat and chatted, shared stories and laughed! Everyone was kind and extended Lisa a very warm welcome! You have to realize how significant that is, as I’m the youngest and my three older sisters have ALWAYS taken it upon them selves to be my protectors (yeah…I’m 44 and they STILL feel like I need to be protected!). I jest, but I am truly thankful for my family and the love and support they have shown my kids, I and now Lisa! The next morning, Donna and my step-mother Dee planned a brunch and my brother John even drove up from Cedar Rapids to attend and meet Lisa! Again, we talked and laughed and Lisa even played the piano while we sang praise songs.

Now, this is where love separates from true love and just regular love…you see, I and the kids had another event to attend. We had plans to go to Cedar Rapids, meet Amy’s family for supper, a baseball game and to spend the night at Sara and Dennis’s new home in Marion! Lisa was a real trooper and stayed behind with my family…boy is SHE brave! Actually, I know she really hit it off with my sisters and I’m sure they shared some of my secrets with her! When we got down to Cedar Rapids, we met everyone at Buffalo Wild Wings for supper. I think we had close to 22 or 23 people in all and it was nice to see everyone again! The Cedar Rapids Kernels lost, but it was a close game and the fireworks afterwards were very nice. By the time we got back to their house, it was after 11pm and time to get my kids to bed. We had kids and adults spread all over the floors up and downstairs and everyone brought an inflatable mattress to sleep on. In the morning, Sara prepared a wonderful breakfast of fruit, muffins, lil’ smokies, and French toast (yum!). We left right after breakfast as I still had a long day ahead of me with going back to Cedar Falls, dropping off Vinny and Hope (for a couple of days with my family), picking up Lisa and traveling back to Baraboo. Once back in Baraboo, I dropped off Brittany and Trevor and took Lisa back up to Sparta where she left her vehicle for the weekend. I finally rolled back home around 8:30pm…a VERY long day

~ Vince

Summers end...

We’re getting ready to start another school year. The older two have already started their sports practices and I’ve started to gather some of the supplies each will need and even have bought some clothes awhile back. This year will be different, not just because their mother wont be here to see them off on the first day, but this year I have a senior in the house. I swear she was just 6 or 10 last year, or it seems that way at least. I find it utterly amazing that in the blink of an eye children, go from building blocks to building career’s. It seems TOO soon…I haven’t had enough time…imparted enough knowledge…given enough guidance to her. She has a strength and a tenacity…those of you who know her, know this quite well! She’s smart and funny and WAY too critical of herself…she was forced to leave her childhood behind way too soon and while that’s not fair, she has never once complained. From first day of kindergarten to senior in high school, time waits for no one.

My pretty Britti girl, remember these things as you approach your senior year:
1) Be kind. Kindness will earn you respect and will draw people to you.
2) Be your own person. Don’t let others shape who YOU want to be.
3) Have fun! Cut loose, step out of your comfort zone and enjoy yourself.
4) Let NOTHING stand in front of your goals! (except God’s leading!)
5) Most importantly, hold onto your faith! Let God draw you close to Him. No one can out comfort the comforter!

WHO IS SHE?

She's a soft cool rain on a hot summer’s day.

She makes me laugh with the funny things she has to say.

She's the beat of my heart, and the air that I breathe.

She's the sun and the wind, and autumn’s golden leaves.

She's the pride that I feel when I know she's done what’s right.

She's that warm feeling I get, when I remember tucking her in at night.

She is homework and sports, and a busy social life.

She has this beautiful smile that could light the darkest night.

She is the scared feeling I have when she stays out late.

Or the feeling that I am losing her, when she wants to date.

She's the mixed emotions I have, as I watch her mature and grow.

I tell myself she will never leave, but, I know in my heart that someday she will go.

I hope the man that steals her heart, will treat her like a queen.

Because she deserves so much more, than a man that treats her mean.

I will always cherish the wonderful times we have had.

The best part of my life was being her dad.

So now you know who she is, she's my little girl.

I love her with all my heart and I always will.

~ Vince

Growing

I was reading in 2 Peter today when I read the 18th verse of chapter 3. But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. I’ve read the passage before and have heard sermons on it over the years, but it struck me today as something very foundational to the Christian faith. Our human bodies, without proper nourishment, won’t grow…in fact they grow weaker and weaker until they eventually stop functioning. Why would our spiritual bodies be any different? Growth is the goal of a Christian. Growth produces maturity and maturity confidence. If your child stopped growing and ceased to develop, you as the parent would be concerned right? When a Christian stops growing, help is needed. If you are the same Christian you were a few months ago, be careful. You might be wise to get a check up. Not on your body…but on your heart. Not a physical, but instead, a spiritual…do a check up on these four areas: Prayer, Study, Giving and Fellowship.

~ Vince

Back From the Edge...

No, I didn’t fall off the face of the Earth, nor was I abducted or anything else quite so dramatic. It’s been almost 3 months since I’ve posted anything here and I think it’s past time to bring everyone up to speed. So…where have I been? What have we been doing? What has God done in my life…in OUR lives? This summer has presented it’s challenges, fun, education and the occurrence of something I wasn’t sure would ever happen to me again.

Trevor, Vinny and Hope were all involved in baseball this year. Trevor made the 14 yr olds traveling team and was kept busy with practices and games about twice a week. This was Vinny’s first year participating in baseball where the kids do the pitching. He had practice once a week and games either once or twice a week. This was Hope’s second year in T-Ball. The problem was this; I was able to go to very few of any of the games and none of Hopes. Vinny and Trevor’s baseball games were almost always at the same time or Trevor’s games started at 4:30 or were out of town and Hope’s games were always in the morning. I’ve missed the majority of my kids’ games and this makes me feel like I’ve let them down. Dads are supposed to go and cheer their kids on…support them and encourage them as they play and dream of becoming a sports icon when they grow up.

In July, we went to Iowa for the 4th. I wasn’t able to stay because I had to work the next day, but Trevor, Vinny and Hope stayed behind with Amy’s family through the rest of the week. On Sunday, Amy’s sister Kelly brought them back to Baraboo (Thank you Kelly!). July 12th through the 15th, I took Trevor and Brittany on a little vacation to Lifest in Oshkosh. Lifest is a 5 day Christian rock festival. We saw Casting Crowns, Jeremy Camp, Barlow Girl, Superchick, Third Day and many other bands, but the group who took the crowd by storm was the Newsboys! They were incredible! There was one part in their show when the drummer’s stand raised about 20 feet in the air…then turned sideways…and then SPUN! Good music…GREAT fun…even GREATER message!

Have you ever found yourself living life, working, eating…just doing the very mundane things of everyday? Found yourself on auto-pilot and just going through the motions of living…less for yourself and more for your children? Not that there is no purpose in these things, but the color has drained out of life…the excitement…the joy…gone. Then something happens…something you didn’t expect and takes you completely by surprise. Someone comes into you life who completely turns your world around. You can tell them things that you've never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments, sorrows and heartaches life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can't wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Colors seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life again where before it was infrequent or didn't exist at all. A phone call or a series of text messages during the day helps to get you through a long day's work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, you find yourself talking about nothing in particular, just to hear their voice. Things like certain forms of music that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there's a chance it could be broken and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you thought was gone forever.
On January 16th of this year, I wrote (in my previous blog) about how the devastation of a hurricane compares to the devastation of losing a loved one. How there are those who will come in…help clean up the mess…at least that which is visible and just as quickly as they descend on ones life, like so much mist…they are gone. Only one person commented on that entry and her name was Lisa. She introduced herself as a friend of Kari Marley’s (a close friend of Amy’s. Kari and Amy got to know each other through the Parent’s Support Group at the elementary school). Kari’s older sister Chris and Lisa have been best friends since childhood and went to school together. Lisa went on to say that she’s been reading the BLOG and that she hoped I didn’t mind. She also said that she’s been praying for the kids and me. I emailed her back thanking her for the note and telling her she’s more than welcome to make comments. Over the next several months Lisa would comment from time to time on something I wrote, but that was it. Until five months later on May 17th…Lisa wrote to me again commenting on my entry for mother’s day and how it touched her and caused her to think of the many children who, like my kids, also didn’t have a mother to celebrate with. She also asked how I was doing with everything. That she noticed how I continue to write about the kids and related how they are doing and what they’re involved in, but really hadn’t talked about how I was doing through all of this. We traded several more emails and over the next couple of weeks moved from chatting online to talking on the phone. Over the past few months that we’ve been seeing each other, we have grown very close and our budding love has blossomed into a genuinely deep, rich, fully mature love! When I’m apart from her, my thoughts and heart never stray far from her. When we’re together, we laugh and we talk like we’ve known each other for years. Through her, God has brought joy and happiness back into my life! Many of you maybe wondering…’wow! Isn’t this too soon?...he’s just replacing Amy.’ Philippians 4:7 says this, 'And the peace of God, which trancends ALL understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Jesus Christ'. I know Gods finger prints are all over our relationship. His divine hand, guidance and healing have touched and lead both Lisa and I to each other. If you think that I’m just out to ‘fill the void’ or replace Amy, then you don’t know the healing peace that God can give those who have asked. I loved Amy and will ALWAYS hold dear the memories of our life together. In my eyes, Lisa stands fully on her own and I love her for what she brings out in me, for the love she shows my children and for the love she has for God. Jeremiah 29:11 says this: 'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'. Through the pain and sorrow of last year, God's promise held true...He DOES have a future for us and I quite often find that God's timing isn't necessarily our own...no, His timing is perfect.
So here I sit, watching His plan unfurl before my very eyes! I praise the Lord for bringing Lisa into my life and as we both keep our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus, we ask for your prayers and yes…if we may be so bold, your happiness, as we wait upon the Lord for His leading…His timing…His plan. For He is faithful and will see that the good work He started in Lisa and I is completed!

I love you Lisa!

~ Vince