Respect

I just can't understand it! But yet I know exactly what is going on! To many people upset they didn't get what they wanted! Instead of being Adults accepting they lost, they want to throw a fit, expecting to change things! It is okay to have different views, I don't expect everyone to see things the way I see them. However there  is a way to communicate your views, and thoughts without acting like a spoiled little brat, or a bully on a playground, yet is exactly what we are witnessing across this nation! People are upset on many issues and have been for years, I believe they are just using President Trump as an excuse to act in this radically behavior!   We have a generation that never was told No, they never experienced the consequences for their actions, they never experienced true lose where they walked away with only respect for the winning team. They learned at an early age if they threw a fit, acted up they got what they wanted, they never got the butt whooping they so rightly deserved! 
  R.E.S.P.E.C.T. goes a long way! It will take you further, you will achieve more if you show it! You don't have to accept the results, the solution, the answer, or decision. But you need to show respect for those in authority.  I bet these people bringing disgrace acting out in a toddler mindset never showed respect or honor to their own parents, teachers, or those over them growing up!
It doesn't matter rather we are Republicans or Democrats, Conservatives or Lliberals, Right wing or Left wing, Moderate or Progressive we can all agree to disagree, discuss the issues our thoughts our beliefs and show respect to one anouther. We are divided and have been for many many years. No one person is to blame!  If we would show restraint, not acting out in a degrading manner, but act as a rational, respectful, grown adult more people may listen to what you have to say, however people are seeing your disrespectful behavior and not hearing your words! 
I encourage you to exhibit your rights, let your voice be heard! That's how we bring change, but do so in such a way that it shows respect and honors God!

The day our lives changed

When we went to bed on this night 3 years ago we had no idea or dream what laid in stored  for us the following day. The life and memories of a family of 18 years hung on the wall and through out rooms in the house. A family who had been through many ups and downs a marriage made strong through the trials of life. Saturday morning we went about our day expecting things to be the same that afternoon, little did we know that things would be dramatically different! 
  God was with us this day no doubt! It was no surprise to Him what was about to happen, Him in our lives gave us strength to make it through the great trial that awaited us.
I had went to a leadership conference that day it was suppose to have lasted to about 4pm, but we finished early. Lisa was with Alyssa at a friend's birthday party at Crawford's Bounce house in Pryor. Taylor and Brittany where at home doing what ever teenage girls do. I had stopped by the birthday party to see Lisa and Alyssa, before I went on home. I told Lisa I was heading home and I would see her when she got home. She wondered why I was in such a hurry? I told her I didn't know, just a feeling that I needed to go home and check on the girls. She said okay told me to be careful as we kissed each other goodbye.
   When I arrived home it was about 3:15 pm the girls where getting dressed had their straighteners plugged and doing their hair. After a few minutes I smelt something burning I asked them if they had left a skillet on or something. They told me no I probably was smelling their straighteners. Unsatisfied with that I begin to look around the house. When I opened up the utility room door, Terror and fright overwhelmed me all at once as I witnessed flames shooting out of our dryer engolfing our utility room. I hollered at the girls to bring me the bucket of water from outside as I shut the door back shattering the glass in the door. By the time they got back in the fire had spread. I left the bucket of water sitting in the kitchen as I told them get out of house, that the house was on fire!  I'm trying to remain calm as the girls are crying profusely! I called 9-1-1, explaining to them what was going on. Then over the next hour and half I tried to get a hold of my wife. On her way home, seesaw all the emergency vehicles, following them to our house.  Alyssa when she realizes what is going on becomes extremely upset. I took her into my arms attempting to comfort her. Taylor and Brittany visibly upset, with the lose of their pets and other things.  Our lives have just been turned upside down and inside out. Being the Father the husband the leader of this family, I was left with questioning on what was we to do. I hit my knees with tears in my eyes wanting to say why God? Why did you allow this to happen? But instead the words that came out was, This is not about us, this is about your kingdom and the enlargement of it. Thank you Lord for keeping my family safe and watching over us! I walked away not knowing what was ahead but we were trusting in God.  I had all that mattered God and my family, this was all we needed to start over again. 
  Following the fire the love of Christ was poured out on us by the church, the community, friends and total strangers. Through their generous giving and sacrifice, we were able to start again.  The road ahead still is tough, still have mountains to climb and valleys to cross, we are not quite to where we want to be, but we know for sure the love we share with each other and the God that provides our every need through Christ Jesus we will get to the place He wishes us to be. 

God's Provision

I will not be shaken, I will not be moved! The Lord is my foundation, He is my strong tower, my very present help in my time of need! 
   This is the year of the Lords favor! Blessings will pour out, to those who trust in Him!  Doors will be opened to those who are seeking!
   3 years ago we lost everything to a fire!
At that time the love of God was poured out, and we were blessed beyond our dreams! We were able to get some land and a older trailer, furniture and appliances were all provided by loving people. Since this time we have had many ups and downs road block, after road block as we have sought to better our living conditions. I have tried to better myself in many diffrent venues of employment with no results, the only doors that opened were doors within the field I'm in.  It is no secret I stepped down from a management position, that was because I valued a friendship more than the position.  I had lost my passion that I had when I got into this field because of the stress that I was feeling. Since then I have been blessed with the opportunity to bless others with serving them. This is not just a job, but a ministry that I am able to provide for my family. Granted it doesn't pay very much and I have had to gain other employment to compensate for what it doesn't provide, but that is not a problem.  God provides, but we must be willing to move in the direction He is calling us, He often uses practical things to provide not things out of thin air.  I have taken on a third job to get the funds we need for a huge down payment and closing cost. Our goal is to have a low monthly payment on a very nice house.  With us going after this in a aggressive manner this dream will be fulfilled in just a few months instead of several.  So God does provide but you must do your part!  I praise God for the opportunities He has given me. For God truly does answer prayers!

Dreams and Opened Doors

What are you willing to do to get to where you want to be? Noone ever got ahead by setting around idly waiting for handouts.  You want something bad enough you will find a way to obtain that dream. Doors present themselves all the time the question is are you willing to go through that door.  Without sacrifice, without dedication, without perseverance, and the willingness to get ahead you will never make it far. Everyone has gifts and talents that God has given them, use them to benefit your family and others. I've tried to get away from the field from which I am in, however I was drawn back to it, and no matter where I applied since that time door after door has closed. The only doors that have opened are those doors with in the field I'm called to work in.
   You will know if where you are is where God wants you by those you work for, or around, by those in the same field as you and by how they see you. I love what I do and that is very evident by those who know me.  So with that, I use my desire, my gifts not only to help others but also to obtain the dreams that my family has.       
   If you think that what you do doesn't affect your kids you are mistaken! Our 3 daughters have been brought up in the field of helping those you can't help themselves. With that said I want to share whats on there hearts at this time. They all three want to go into some type of service work. One wants to be a teacher for  Early Childhood special needs minoring in Ministry, one wants to be a flight paramedic possibly going through the military to obtain it and on to  college, one has the desire at this time to be a police officer. What you do with your life and what your kids see in you and your life and what you do in it has an effect on what they choose to do rather good or bad.  So how are you influencing your children?
So what you see as a sacrifice at this time to bring about change or to benefit your family when you look back on it it will not seem such a sacrifice. I know I kind of rambled here and hit on a few different things. I'm just saying use the gifts that God has given you, and He will open the doors that only He  can open, don't force things wait on His timing and the blessings will beyond anything you can comprehend.  But first you must endure the trial period trusting in Him.  In whatever you do know that your children or watching they are learning they are being inspired so do things that glorify God in whatever it may be.