This Sunday - we are looking at the story of Charlie Bucket in the 1971 version of Willy Wonka. He was someone who needed some hope. I'm sure there are times when we all feel that way - that we hope that we can discover hope anew. Hope for a change, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for our eternity.
There is an old story:
One night at dinner a man, who had spent many summers in Maine, fascinated his companions by telling of his experiences in a little town named Flagstaff. The town was to be flooded, as part of a large lake for which a dam was being built. In the months before it was to be flooded, all improvements and repairs in the whole town were stopped. What was the use of painting a house if it were to be covered with water in six months? Why repair anything when the whole village was to be wiped out? So, week by week, the whole town became more and more bedraggled, more gone to seed, more woebegone.
Then he added by way of explanation:
“Where there is no faith in the future, there is no power in the present.”
I'm sure we could all use some more hope in our lives - but it often comes at the expense of trials and tribulations.
Don't forget
1. Our Hope is based on God’s faithfulness
2. Hope comes as we remember all God has done for us
3. Hope grows as we depend on God in difficult times
4. Hope grows as we remember the promises of God
Talk at you soon
Rich
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Enough
Interesting how some words have so many uses - positively, negatively.
As in - enough already - or I've had enough. But there is also - He is more than enough.
We often live within these two tensions, especially in this area in this phase of life.
We feel overburdened(mostly our own doing). We experience the stress of multiple experiences that have deep emotional affects upon us. Joy and pain, sorrow and elation, etc.
During our 24 hours of prayer, one of my prayers was for more understanding of He is more than enough. This Sunday, we will experience something new in our church - we have a guest preacher(but he will be videocast and not live in person) I am looking forward to his message(I've already seen it) and his theme is God is waiting. I think sometimes God is just waiting on us to slow down enough to live our lives the way He intended and not us living our lives the way we intend. There is a quote - God did not create hurry - not necessarily in the bible - but there is a truth there - maybe our too much has nothing to do with His plan - God is waiting on us to receive His grace, to share our gifts with each other, but also to live a balanced life that experiences the abundant life Jesus talked about.
Kinda garbled - but I hope it was enough for you to understand my thoughts -
Talk at you soon.
Rich
PS - I know there is probably no spiritual reason for a Reds win on the 11th, but I "pray" they win tomorrow - going to the game and would love to see my team win.
As in - enough already - or I've had enough. But there is also - He is more than enough.
We often live within these two tensions, especially in this area in this phase of life.
We feel overburdened(mostly our own doing). We experience the stress of multiple experiences that have deep emotional affects upon us. Joy and pain, sorrow and elation, etc.
During our 24 hours of prayer, one of my prayers was for more understanding of He is more than enough. This Sunday, we will experience something new in our church - we have a guest preacher(but he will be videocast and not live in person) I am looking forward to his message(I've already seen it) and his theme is God is waiting. I think sometimes God is just waiting on us to slow down enough to live our lives the way He intended and not us living our lives the way we intend. There is a quote - God did not create hurry - not necessarily in the bible - but there is a truth there - maybe our too much has nothing to do with His plan - God is waiting on us to receive His grace, to share our gifts with each other, but also to live a balanced life that experiences the abundant life Jesus talked about.
Kinda garbled - but I hope it was enough for you to understand my thoughts -
Talk at you soon.
Rich
PS - I know there is probably no spiritual reason for a Reds win on the 11th, but I "pray" they win tomorrow - going to the game and would love to see my team win.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Recipe
Some of you have asked - and now I deliver - here is the recipe for Rich's Bruschetta
Bread(focaccia or ciabatta) cut into slices
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Garlic Cloves(8) for Garlic Confit
Parmesan Reggiano Cheese - Grated
Shallots(2 Large) - for Shallot Mixture
Red Cherry/Grape Tomatoes (some prefer roma instead)- diced or chopped and seeded
Yellow Tomatoes - diced or chopped and seeded
Balsamic Vinegar
Fresh Basil
Salt
Pepper
To make Garlic Confit - placed peeled garlic into small saucepan and put enough olive oil to just cover the cloves. Simmer on low heat over a stove for 15 minutes - make sure the cloves do not overly brown - if so - start over. Remove garlic and press with a fork to make into a paste and allow to cool in a ramekin - reserve the oil for brushing the bread.
To make the Shallot Mixture - place diced shallot in a saute pan over medium heat with 1 tbsp of butter and 1 tbsp of olive oil - as shallot begins to brown - add fine quality PORT - i prefer taylor fladgate - 1o year/20 year - make sure not to burn the shallot - remove to ramekin
For Bruschetta - brush reserved olive oil on bread and add garlic confit, shallot mixture, grated Parmesan reggiano and place in toaster oven or under broiler for a few minutes - making sure not to burn the bread or the topping
Remove from oven and add fresh chopped basil leaves and tomatoes seasoned with salt and pepper to taste and add some fresh grated Parmesan and balsamic to taste
Enjoy
Talk at you soon.
Rich
Bread(focaccia or ciabatta) cut into slices
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Garlic Cloves(8) for Garlic Confit
Parmesan Reggiano Cheese - Grated
Shallots(2 Large) - for Shallot Mixture
Red Cherry/Grape Tomatoes (some prefer roma instead)- diced or chopped and seeded
Yellow Tomatoes - diced or chopped and seeded
Balsamic Vinegar
Fresh Basil
Salt
Pepper
To make Garlic Confit - placed peeled garlic into small saucepan and put enough olive oil to just cover the cloves. Simmer on low heat over a stove for 15 minutes - make sure the cloves do not overly brown - if so - start over. Remove garlic and press with a fork to make into a paste and allow to cool in a ramekin - reserve the oil for brushing the bread.
To make the Shallot Mixture - place diced shallot in a saute pan over medium heat with 1 tbsp of butter and 1 tbsp of olive oil - as shallot begins to brown - add fine quality PORT - i prefer taylor fladgate - 1o year/20 year - make sure not to burn the shallot - remove to ramekin
For Bruschetta - brush reserved olive oil on bread and add garlic confit, shallot mixture, grated Parmesan reggiano and place in toaster oven or under broiler for a few minutes - making sure not to burn the bread or the topping
Remove from oven and add fresh chopped basil leaves and tomatoes seasoned with salt and pepper to taste and add some fresh grated Parmesan and balsamic to taste
Enjoy
Talk at you soon.
Rich
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Relaxed
There are moments recently when I truly feel relaxed. I am enjoying this new reality.
Confession - it's tough when you set a schedule where you go 10-15 hour days and you work 7 days a week and then you try and slow down. Your ego gets in the way, because, and this is messed up, there are alot of workaholics to compete with in this area. Another thing, is that your mind gets used to that pace, and it becomes a challenge to turn that part of your psyche off when you start to slow down.
I see this as another extension of grace in my life. First, that God sustained me during a ridiculous period of my life. Second, that I didn't experience any catastrophic physical issues. Finally, that He is teaching me that it is OK to be more laid back. Work hard, Play Hard, but also rest.
If you are not finding the relaxed place in your life, I encourage you to examine your life and lean into Him and find a way to create some margin in your life.
Updates -
My business is stabilizing and improving and I am grateful
Football is only a 2.5 months away
My Reds are playing decent baseball
My Kids are growing up way to fast- but I love our family times
Paula and I need a date night
I love the volunteers at our church - they are amazing people with huge hearts
Talk at you soon.
Rich
Confession - it's tough when you set a schedule where you go 10-15 hour days and you work 7 days a week and then you try and slow down. Your ego gets in the way, because, and this is messed up, there are alot of workaholics to compete with in this area. Another thing, is that your mind gets used to that pace, and it becomes a challenge to turn that part of your psyche off when you start to slow down.
I see this as another extension of grace in my life. First, that God sustained me during a ridiculous period of my life. Second, that I didn't experience any catastrophic physical issues. Finally, that He is teaching me that it is OK to be more laid back. Work hard, Play Hard, but also rest.
If you are not finding the relaxed place in your life, I encourage you to examine your life and lean into Him and find a way to create some margin in your life.
Updates -
My business is stabilizing and improving and I am grateful
Football is only a 2.5 months away
My Reds are playing decent baseball
My Kids are growing up way to fast- but I love our family times
Paula and I need a date night
I love the volunteers at our church - they are amazing people with huge hearts
Talk at you soon.
Rich
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Garlic
I love garlic - I cook with it frequently - as a matter of fact alot. I'm using garlic as an illustration in my sermon this Sunday. I'm going to make garlic confit which changes the flavor and texture of garlic - makes it less bitter and more pasty.
The thing about garlic is when you get it on your hands, you keep it with you for a few days - I know some folks who were gloves when processing garlic but I like the smell because it reminds me that I got to cook which I love to do but also reminds me of another sermon I preached some years ago and talked about how garlic kind of sticks with you - much like our experiences in life. It also reminds us that we have to get our hands into the garlic to get the aroma on our person(my that sounds snobby), and that we should remember as people who are trying to live for God that we need to get our hands(metaphor here) into God stuff if we are going to carry His aroma into our living.
So this week - we will point out some other stuff about garlic in a sermon. You can always listen to our podcasts at horizonschurch.com
Talk at you soon.
Rich
PS - sorry about last week - said I was going to post again and didn't - more a sin of omission than commission.
The thing about garlic is when you get it on your hands, you keep it with you for a few days - I know some folks who were gloves when processing garlic but I like the smell because it reminds me that I got to cook which I love to do but also reminds me of another sermon I preached some years ago and talked about how garlic kind of sticks with you - much like our experiences in life. It also reminds us that we have to get our hands into the garlic to get the aroma on our person(my that sounds snobby), and that we should remember as people who are trying to live for God that we need to get our hands(metaphor here) into God stuff if we are going to carry His aroma into our living.
So this week - we will point out some other stuff about garlic in a sermon. You can always listen to our podcasts at horizonschurch.com
Talk at you soon.
Rich
PS - sorry about last week - said I was going to post again and didn't - more a sin of omission than commission.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Just add...
We start a new sermon series this week called Just add Jesus. For the next 3 weeks we will look how we are called to have Jesus' mind and heart for life and to be Jesus' hands and feet. I get week 2 - Jay has the other 2 weeks - should be enlightening and fun - Jay and I are both gonna cook - which doesn't sound too good right now because I have a stomach virus - yuch!
Will blog more later this week - back to work for me.
Talk at you soon.
Rich
Will blog more later this week - back to work for me.
Talk at you soon.
Rich
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Things I'm Trying to Do
Here's a brain download of things I'm trying to do right now
read my bible every day
eat healthier
drink more water
read 3 books a month - currently on pace for 2 a month
get under 200 lbs
run a 5K at a 8 min pace
run a half without stopping
finish my last 2 big church projects
start a new business
re-engage with China missions
get home at a decent hour more often
meditate more
be less critical
celebrate the wins more often
get my lawn in better shape
fast more often
get away to pray for a couple of days
I'm sure there is more - but that's the random stuff going through my head.
Unimportant things that I want
for the Reds to make the postseason
for some decent new music to come out
for 24 not to end up jumping the shark
for the office to be funny again
and the spiritual thought of the day - Deut 4:29 - But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.
Talk at you soon.
Rich
read my bible every day
eat healthier
drink more water
read 3 books a month - currently on pace for 2 a month
get under 200 lbs
run a 5K at a 8 min pace
run a half without stopping
finish my last 2 big church projects
start a new business
re-engage with China missions
get home at a decent hour more often
meditate more
be less critical
celebrate the wins more often
get my lawn in better shape
fast more often
get away to pray for a couple of days
I'm sure there is more - but that's the random stuff going through my head.
Unimportant things that I want
for the Reds to make the postseason
for some decent new music to come out
for 24 not to end up jumping the shark
for the office to be funny again
and the spiritual thought of the day - Deut 4:29 - But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.
Talk at you soon.
Rich
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