As For Me And My Household…

It’s becoming unpopular to be a Christian and that suits me just fine. Who knew one day my defiant personality would one day help me walk and live a better life?

Despite what you may think Christians are under attack around the world. Bring it on, because as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

This has been a great summer for me. I’ve been praying and asking God for wisdom, direction and help. Yes, asking for help. I loathe asking for help from any man or woman; I feel it infringes on my freedom somehow, and strings will attach themselves to me. I like to be free from all encumbrances. I need to learn to accept help from others, but I’ve become dependant on God.

It amazes me how my life changes when I commit to God, and try to walk the path I believe he asks me to walk. I stop disliking people. I work harder. I’m kinder. I’m a better Dad. There is a grace and spirit that is not my own that washes over my life and the peace and comfort it brings is priceless.

I asked a man I respect if he would baptize me at my river property. Just me and him, maybe my kids if they’d like to attend. I told him I was a lone wolf Christian and didn’t have a church I call my own. He stressed repentance to me, and felt I needed to find a church. I haven’t found a church yet, but I’m thinking about his guidance and plan on riding my motorcycle Sundays to countryside churches, see if I feel I belong somewhere. I do like Centre Street church too. The part of me that dislikes being tied to others will need to be worked on.

I chuckle to myself because I think maybe why this man suggests I repent is I recall a very hostile conversation between him and I. I disparaged his church, questioned without any tact or kindness everything he stood for. I was hurting and unloaded on him, both barrels. I can’t remember if I ever apologized, I might send this to him. I am sorry.

I’ve had a lot of loss and pain in my life. Most of the loss has come from pushing those I love away. I need to learn to not do that, and I’m trying.

This summer on top of all my general contracting projects I took on some framing contracts. I wanted to push myself and my crew this summer. I’ve had an energy and strength that I didn’t know I still had, and there have been some really fortunate strokes of luck that have made it amazing. A good example is as me and my two employees with little framing experience got to the large 10/12 roof on the duplex we were building, a top notch crew had time off and asked if they could come get hours with us. 3 amazing men came and we all put the roof up and sheeted in 1.5 days. I couldn’t help but feel God had my back.

This has always been my experience. Essentially I believe we were all molded by a creator who loves us. We are a perfect design in a perfectly designed world. If we align with God, our lives will start to make sense. It won’t be easy but we will literally have God with us. As the verse says, who can be against us?

One of the greatest gifts you receive if you give yourself up to God is the ability to see. Resentment is gone. Jealousy is gone. Guilt is gone. Hate is gone. And you really SEE people. One of the men that helped me on the roof really inspired me. He was quiet, did all the hard stuff, was kind, had no attitude. This is a great man. You stop focusing on yourself and you see the greatness around you. You also see where you could say a kind word, encourage or help out.

I wish I could share better what it is that I know. what I feel. I think many know, but I think many don’t and subsequently feel lost and alone. We look for answers in everything but the source of life. Drugs, therapy, philosophers, politicians, pro athletes, etc. . Can you imagine being God? Loving your creation with all your heart, and being dismissed at every turn?

The other night lightning struck in the small town I live in. It was a single crash. It was so powerful I cannot describe it. It shook me to my core even as I slept. My VERY first thought was of God, and his power. I was later asked if I had heard it, and my answer was it was the kind of thunder that makes you want to get right with God. The person who asked the question said he felt the exact same way. I can’t help but think everyone who heard it thought that. Anyone that knows me knows I have a long history of problems with authority. Tomorrow I’ll go register my vehicle and pay 1000s of dollars in fines. Teachers, employers, etc, could all attest. But I will kneel before, thank, ask, commit to and serve the Lord. It won’t be perfect, far from it, but I’m trying.

If you read this far, thank you.

Tris.