Where do i start?

[InHisImage]

Hi Family,

 

It's been another month of huge transition, and God

has been so very gracious to me. I moved to within

1.2miles of my kids in a beautiful home. It's only'

.7 miles from the house and i see the kids often.

 

The trial ended poorly, but the kids stayed with me for 3

weeks and we had a wonderful time!!! It was a huge

blessing to see them everyday and love on them. It's

been a month of change and growing and letting go

of hurts.

 

Thanksgiving is giving me a wonderful time to praise

God for all He has done in my life and all the mercy

He has granted to my family...i can say now, that i

have been to the bottom...

 

...and now i am climbing out. the 12 hr days & 60 hr

weeks are nearly done. God's love is healing and

doing a work in my heart. Here's a song that i have

come to find myself singing at all times...it's a

promise and a hope, but it's an understanding. No song

is a perfect telling, but the message is there.

 

Fight the good fight guys...you are stronger than you

can ever imagine and tougher than you have shown yourself

to be...rely on God...resist the devil...and he will

flee from you! Cast down self...lift up the Lord and

honor Him first.

 

Strength and Honor,

 

IHI

 

 

"Come Back To Me"

 

 

You say you gotta go and find yourself

You say that you're becoming someone else

Don't recognize the face in the mirror

Looking back at you

 

You say you're leavin

As you look away

I know theres really nothin left to say

Just know i'm here

Whenever you need me

I'll wait for you

 

So i'll let you go

I'll set you free

And when you see what you need to see

When you find you come back to me

 

Take your time i wont go anywhere

Picture you with the wind in your hair

I'll keep your things right where you left them

I'll be here for you

 

Oh and i'll let you go

I'll set you free

And when you see what you need to see

When you find you come back to me

 

And i hope you find everything that you need

I'll be right here waiting to see

You find you come back to me

 

I can't get close if your not there

I can't get inside if theres no soul to bear

I can't fix you i can't save you

Its something you have to do

 

So i'll let you go

I'll set you free

And when you see what you need to see

When you find you come back to me

Come back to me

So i'll let you go

I'll set you free

And when you see what you need to see

When you find you come back to me

 

And i hope you find everything that you need

I'll be right here waiting to see

You find you come back to me

 

When you find you come back to me

When you find you come back to me

When you find you come back to me

 

 

 

[Looney_Tunes]

Hey Michael! I'm glad you popped in. We miss you when you're not here.

 

What else can I say except God is working? He's doing . . . something . . . in both our lives, and all we can do is trust Him and hang on for the ride. I'm still wishing He'd send me an email and let me know what's going on, but so far that hasn't happened.

 

So I just need to throw this out there - have you ever thought about doing a conference call? God keeps poking at me to ask you, so there, I asked.

 

I'm glad you're healing, and I'm glad you're still here. I think some of these men get tired of listening to girls after awhile.

[InHisImage]

Hey Loo!

 

We are definetly hanging on for the ride...barely! Seems like life is picking up speed and going faster than

imagineable. God is doing something and i'm not sure what, either. S took a big lose this month that has

completely derailed her life plan...and i feel like i'm on the outside looking in.

 

All i can do is get up, go to work, love God, love my kids, and listen to Daily Audio Bible. It's what

keeps me moving ahead. Getting the blues does happen, but i try to focus on what i am blessed with and

move ahead.

 

Never thought of a conference call. Right now the montly expense for the men's call is beyond what i

can do. My hope is that w/ the scheduled increase that is coming, i'll be able to plug back in that

way.

 

God Bless you and the family...i'm 4 going on 44! Finally!

 

In Him,

 

IHI

 

Hey Michael! I'm glad you popped in. We miss you when you're not here.

 

What else can I say except God is working? He's doing . . . something . . . in both our lives, and all we can do is trust Him and hang on for the ride. I'm still wishing He'd send me an email and let me know what's going on, but so far that hasn't happened.

 

So I just need to throw this out there - have you ever thought about doing a conference call? God keeps poking at me to ask you, so there, I asked.

 

I'm glad you're healing, and I'm glad you're still here. I think some of these men get tired of listening to girls after awhile.

[Looney_Tunes]

Never thought of a conference call. Right now the montly expense for the men's call is beyond what i

can do. My hope is that w/ the scheduled increase that is coming, i'll be able to plug back in that

way.

 

Well, I was actually thinking of a couple's call. Ya see, there's this crazy girl who's running Monday nights solo - J&K are coming on later to help out, but I'm sure they'd like the night off. The original plan was to have another of our now single men help out, but then things changed and he wasn't able to do it. Besides, that crazy girl might be going back to work, and she might need some backup. So if you wanted to call in some Monday night and just listen and see how it goes, that would be OK. If God prompts you to say something, that would be OK too. There's no charge for couple's calls. I know it's a crazy idea, but then there's a crazy girl running the call, so what do you expect?

 

i'm 4 going on 44! Finally!

 

Congratulations! When you turn five, we'll let you sleep on the top of the bunk bed!

[InHisImage]

Father...thank you for your son.

 

Create in me a new heart...again, i surrender myself to your will...

Make my heart anew...like yours...so wonderful...so beautiful...so loving...

so strong...so steadfast...so persistent...so solid...so generous...so merciful...

 

thank you for the example of your son...

 

i want to be like Him...

 

I LOve you...michael

 

Never Let Go...The David Crowder Band

 

When clouds veil sun

And disaster comes

Oh, my soul

Oh, my soul

When waters rise

And hope takes flight

Oh, my soul

Oh, my soul

Oh, my soul

 

Ever faithful

Ever true

You I know

You never let go

You never let go

You never let go

You never let go

 

When clouds brought rain

And disaster came

Oh, my soul

Oh, my soul

When waters rose

And hope had flown

Oh, my soul

Oh, my soul

Oh, my soul

 

Oh, my soul

Overflows

Oh, what love, oh, what love

Oh, my soul

Fills hope

Perfect love that never lets go

 

Oh, what love, oh, what love

Oh, what love, oh, what love

In joy and pain

In sun and rain

You?re the same

Oh, You never let go

 

[InHisImage]

Hey Loo!

 

the TOP Bunk!!!! woohoo! Hey, it beats the terrible two's!!! i know...i was there!

 

crazy idea...well, it doesn't sound too crazy! i'll pray about it tonight...Lord knows

if i listen in i will learn a ton!!!

 

And besides, your wacky side is our favorite side!! Beats the side with the cattle prod!! ...I know...i've been there too!

 

God Bless!

 

Michael

 

Well, I was actually thinking of a couple's call. Ya see, there's this crazy girl who's running Monday nights solo - J&K are coming on later to help out, but I'm sure they'd like the night off. The original plan was to have another of our now single men help out, but then things changed and he wasn't able to do it. Besides, that crazy girl might be going back to work, and she might need some backup. So if you wanted to call in some Monday night and just listen and see how it goes, that would be OK. If God prompts you to say something, that would be OK too. There's no charge for couple's calls. I know it's a crazy idea, but then there's a crazy girl running the call, so what do you expect?

 

 

 

Congratulations! When you turn five, we'll let you sleep on the top of the bunk bed!

[InHisImage]

Hi Family,

 

I've spent the Holidays wondering if i'd survive...wondering if the sentiment of the season

would ignite some sort of "feelings" of family and create the opportunity of something...but

you know men, that's not what God had in mind and i'm okay with that.

 

I've had to learn to live a daily life in Christ. I've learned to walk in Christ, and love

in Christ. I've learned to let go...I've learned to find myself in Christ...I've learned to

find my value in Christ. I don't have all the answers...i stumble and fall, and trip and

scrape my knees, but God hasn't let me go. His Word is alive. His love is alive. His hope

is alive. His purpose is alive. His calling is alive.....

 

So, in 2012, it's now. Time to go and get it. Time to live it!

 

God Bless!

 

In His Image

[Looney_Tunes]

Hi there! Glad you got through the holidays OK. I hope you had a blast with the kids.

 

In Christ is really the only place to be, and I'm glad you've found your way there. I'm sorry it was at the expense of your marriage, but God has always been more interested in your character than in your comfort. He wanted your heart, Michael, and now He has it.

 

I'm glad you checked in. I miss you when you're not here. Hugs!

[InHisImage]

Thanks Looney!

 

You're right about that. Not a lot of comfort around here, but God has my attention and my heart.

 

I'm supposed to be packing for DC tonight, but i just can's seem to find the interest or the motivation. I have been eager to share this passage from "Wild at Heart" for nearly two weeks, but the Holidays and the kids...time has flown by!!

 

Miss your cattle prod and witty jokes!

 

In Him,

 

IHI

 

Hi there! Glad you got through the holidays OK. I hope you had a blast with the kids.

 

In Christ is really the only place to be, and I'm glad you've found your way there. I'm sorry it was at the expense of your marriage, but God has always been more interested in your character than in your comfort. He wanted your heart, Michael, and now He has it.

 

I'm glad you checked in. I miss you when you're not here. Hugs!

[InHisImage]

Happy New Year brothers!

 

I feel as if i have been lost in a sea of great books and teachings....and work. In fact, i am supposed to be packing for a one week trip to the east coast, but instead i have been burning to share with you this passage from "Wild at HEart". For those you have read it...enjoy, for those who haven't, this is from John Elderedge's book.

 

This particular passage comes from chapter 8, The Battle to Fight: The Enemy. the passage has a particular sting in it for me as i had a history of selfishness, coupled with episodes of porn/self grat....and frankly, except for the chemical "high", really didn't even understand my reasoning or my escape at all...until now. What part of me was at war with what part; i felt like Paul...i wanted todo good, but i failed. i wanted to be a great husband, but couldn't seem to get ahead of the issues or situations;both internal and external forces were beating me. But this battle...this war within, has components...it has parts and modalities. There are strategies to victory...

 

John Eldredge writes...

" I'd love to be william wallace, leading the charge with a big sword in my hand," signed a friend. "But i feel like i'm the guy back there in the fourth row, with a hoe". That's the lie of the Enemy-that your place is really insignificant, that you aren't really armed for it anyway. In your life you are William Wallace--who else could be? There is no other man who can replace you in your life, in the arena you've been called to. If you leave your place in the line, it will remain empty. No one else can be who you are meant to be. You are the hero in you story. not a bit player, not an extra, but the main man. This is the next leg in the initiation journey, when God calls a man forward to the fornt lines. He want to develop and release in us the qualities every warrior needs- including a keen awareness of the enemies we will face.

 

Above all else, a warrior has a vision. he has a trancendence to his life, a cause greater than self-preservatio. The root of all our wores and our false self was this: We were seeking to save our life and we lost it. Christ calls a man beyond that, "but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it". Again, this isn't just about being willing to die for Christ, it's much more daily than that. For years all my daily energy was spent trying to beat the trial in my life and arrange for a little pleasure. My weeks were wasted away either striving or indulging. I was a mercenary. A mercenary fights for pay, for his own benefit, his life is devoted to himself. "The quality of a true warrior", says Bly, "is a trancendent cause". That is the moving quality in Ballou's letter; that is the secret of the warrior-heart of Jesus.

 

Second, a warrior is cunning. He knows when to fight and when to run; he can sense a trap adn never charges blindly ahead, he knows what weapons to carry and how to use them. Whatever specific terrain you are called to, at home, at work, in the realm of the arts or industry or world politics, you will always encournter three enemies: the world, the flesh, and the devil. They make up a sort of unhold trinity. Because they alwyas conspire together it'as a bit difficult to talk about them individually, in any battle at least two of them are involved, but usually it's all three. Still, they each have their own personality; so, I'll take them one at a time and ten try to show how they collude against us. Let's start with the enemy closest at hand.

 

THE TRAITOR WITHIN

 

However strong a castle may be, if a treacherous party resides instide (ready to betray a the first opportunity possible), the castle cannot be kept safe from the enemy. Traitors occupy our own hearts, ready to side with every temptation and to surrender to them all (John Owen, Sin and Temptation)

 

Ever since that fateful day when Adam gave away the essence of the his strength, men have struggle witha part of themselves that is ready at the drop of a hat to do the same. We don't want to speak up unless we know it will go well, and we don't want to move unless we're guaranteed success. What the Scriptures call the flesh, the old man, or the sinful nature, is that part of fallen Adam in every man that always wants the easiest way out. It's much easier to masturbate than to make love to your wife, especially if things are not well between you and initiating sex with her feels risky. It's much easier to go down to the driving range and attack a bucket of balls than it is to face the people at work who are angry at you. It's much easier to clean the garage, organize your files, cut the grass, or work on the car than it is to talk to your teenage daughter.

 

To put it bluntly, your flesh is a weasel, a poser, and a selfish pig. And you flesh is not you. Did you know that? Your flesh is not the real you. When Paul gives us his famous passage on what it's like tostruggle with sin (Rm 7), he tells a story we are all familiar with: "I decide to do good, but i dont' really do it, I decide not to do bad, but then i do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me everytime. It happens so regulary that it's predictable. The moment i decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but its pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Part of me covertly rebel, and just wihen i leaset expect it, they take charge. (The Message)"

 

Okay, we've all been there many times. But what Paul concludes is just astounding. 'I am not really the one doing it, the sin within me is doing it" (Rom 7:20 NLT) Did you notice the distinction he makes? Paul says, "Hey, i know i struggle with sin. But i also know that my sin is not me. this is not my true heart". You are not your sin; sin is no longer the truest thing about the man who has come into union with Jesus. Your heart is good. "I will give you a new heart adn put a new spirit in you..." (Ezek 36:26). The Big Lie in the church today is that you are nothing more than a sinner saved by grace. You are a lot more than that! You are a new creation in Christ. The New Testament calls you a saint, the holy one, a son of God. In the core of your being you are a good man. yes, there is a war within us, but it is a civil war. The battle is not between us and God, no, there is a traitor within who wars against our true heart fighting alongside the Spirt of God in us: "A new power is in operation. the Spiriti of life in Christ, like a stron wind, has magnificently cleard the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at th hands of sin and death. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Chirst, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells...if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus...When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life (Rom 8:2-3, 9-11, The Message).

 

The real you is on the side of God against the false self. Knowing this makes all the difference in the world. The man who wants to live valiantly will lose heart quickly if he believes that his heart is nothing but sin. Why fight? The battle feels lost before it even begins. No, you flesh is your false self-the poser, manifest in cowardice and self-preservation-and the only way to deal with it is to crucify it. Now follow me very closely here; We are never, ever told to crucify our heart. Wer are never told to kill the true man within us, never told to get rid of those deep desires for battle adn adventure and beauty. We are told to shoot the traitor. How? Choose against him every time you see him raise his ugly head. Walk right into those situations you normally run from . Speak right to those issues you normally remain silent over. IF you want to grow in true masculine strength, then you must stop sabotaging yours!

 

Brothers.....

 

i could keep writing all night but i gotta get packed. Get the book...get the information...get in the battle.

 

You can defeat your flesh and win your wife back!

 

Strength and Honor!

 

God Bless,

 

In His Image

Edited January 24, 2012 by InHisImage

[InHisImage]

Hey brothers,

 

hope you had a chance to read through the previous post; here's part B of the "Traitor Within"

 

Rich is a deeply passionate young man who is really trying to learn what it means to be a man. A few weeks ago he had plans to go out with some friends. They promised to call him before they left adn then come pick him up; they never called. A few days later, when one of them brought it up, rich said, "Oh, that's okay. No big deal." But inside he was furious. That is sabotage.

 

He deliberately chose to push his true strength down and live the false self. do that enough and you won't believe you have any strength. I've noticed when i deny the anger i am feelign, it turns into fear. If we will not allow what Sam Keen calls "fire in the belly", something weaker will take its place. I had a chance a few years back to tell my boss what i really thought of him; not in sinful anger (there's a difference), not to hurt him but ot help him. He actually asked me to, called to see if i was free to chat for a moment. I knew what he was calling for and i ran; I told him i was busy. For days afterward i felt weak; i felt like a poser. I sabotaged my strength by refusing it.

 

Sabotage also happens when we give our strength away. Taking a bribe, letting yourself be bought off, accepting flattery in exchange for some sort of loyalty, is sabotage. Refusing to confront an issue because if you keep quiet, you'll get a promotion or be made an elder or keep your job corrupts you down deep. Masterbation is sabotage. It is an inherently selfish act that tears you down. I've spoken with many men whose addiction to masterbation has eroded their sense of strength. So does sexual involvement with a woman you are not married to. Carl is another young man whom the ladies seem to find especially attractive. I am astounded what young women will offer when they are famished for the love and affirmation they have never had from their fathers. They will throw themselves at a man to get a taste of being wanted, desired. Carl came to me because his sexual activity was out of control. Dozens upon dozens of women offered themselves to him and each and every time he gave in he felt weakened; his resolve to resist was less the next time around.

 

Things began to chang for Carl when he saw the whole sexual struggle not so much as sin but as a battle for his strength. He wants to be strong, wants it desperately, and that began to fuel his choice to resist. As a Kempis said, "A man must strive long and mightily within himself, before he can learn to fully master himself." Carl and I spent hours praying through every one of those relationships, confessing the sin, breaking the bonds sexual liaisons form between two souls, cleansing his strength, asking God to restore him. He did, and i am grateful to say those days are over for Carl. It wasn't easy, but it was rea; he is happily married now.

 

This is a tough message...it's a message that shines the light on the selfishness that us men are capable of. It is also a light that points us to God's grace, unconditional love and mercy. Gentlemen, we need, we must become more like our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Let us live the selfless life.. for our brides sake...for our families, and we'll never be able to imagine the wonderous life we'll live in return.

 

God Bless...battle on!

 

Strength and Honor,

 

IHI

[Rebuilding Trust]

This is good, thanks for sharing!

[AzMike]

Hello Michael!

I peek in every once in a while just to see if certain people post, you are one. It is great to read you are still on "fire" for the Lord.

I just wanted to give you a tip on a study. "How God Longs for You to See Him" by Chip Ingram. He uses parts of AW Tozer's book "Knowledge of the Holy" in his teaching.

That is a must have book!

Just dropped in to say I REALLY am still praying for you.

 

"Let me be the match in the hand of the Master as he lights the way for just one more"

mru

Michael

[InHisImage]

Hello Michael!

 

Thank you for checking in. This past year has been very tough, but God has been my portion and strength. I can't do much, but i can share what i have learned.

 

I'll order the book...thank you for the tip. That quote just breaks my heart for God's purposes. ..

 

Thank you for your continued prayers.

 

In Him,

 

Michael

 

 

I peek in every once in a while just to see if certain people post, you are one. It is great to read you are still on "fire" for the Lord.

I just wanted to give you a tip on a study. "How God Longs for You to See Him" by Chip Ingram. He uses parts of AW Tozer's book "Knowledge of the Holy" in his teaching.

That is a must have book!

Just dropped in to say I REALLY am still praying for you.

 

"Let me be the match in the hand of the Master as he lights the way for just one more"

Michael

[InHisImage]

Good morning Brothers!

 

I have needed to finish off this last part of John Elderedge's passage on the Enemy within, this is called "The Real Thing". This life is so hard and so difficult. And we cannnot succeed without God's help, His blessing our lives, and His protection. Here's the final part of this passage...i hope it helps you.

 

The Real Thing,

Start choosing to ive out your strength and you'll discover that it grows each time. Rich was after some breakes for his car, he called the parts store and they quoted him a price of $50 forht pair. But when he got down there, the guy told him it would be $90. He was taking Rich for a fool and something in Rich was provoked. Normally he would have said, "Oh, that's okay. It's no big deal", and paid the higher price, but not this time. He told the guy that the price was $50 and stood his ground. The guy backed down adn stopped tryign to rip him off. "It felt great!", Rich told me later. "I felt like i was finally acting like a man." now that may seem like a simple story, but this is where you will discover your strength, in the daily details of your life. Begin to taste your true strength adn you'll want more. Something in the center of your chest feels weighty, substantial. We must let our strength show up. It seems so strange, after all this, that a man would not allow his strength to arrive, but many of us are unnerved by our own masculinity. What will happen if we really let it out? In "Healing the Masculine Soul", Godon Dalbey tells a remarkable story about a man who was plagued by arecurring dream, a nightmare "in which a ferocious lion kept chasing the man until he dropped exhausted adn awoke screaming." The man was dismayed, he did not know what the dream meant. Was the lion a symbol of fear? Something in hi life overwhelming him? One day the mans was guided by his paster to revisit the dream in prayer:

 

As they prayed, the pastor, invited the man to recall the dream, even in all its fear. Hesitantly, the man agreed, and soon reported that indeed, the lion was in sight and headed his way. The pastor then instructed the man, "When the lion comes close to you, try not to run away, but instead, steand there and ask him who or what he is, and what he's doing in your life...can you try that? Shifting uneasily in his chair, the man agreed, then reported what was happening: "The lion is snorting and and shaking his head, standing right there in front of me...i ask him who he is...and - Oh, i can't believe what he's saying! He says, "I'm your courage and your strength. Why are you running away from me?"

 

I had a recurring dream similar to this one for many years - especially in adolescence. A great wild stallion was standin on the ridge of a hill; i sensed danger but not an evil danger, just something strong and valiant and greater than me. i tried to sneak away; the stallion always truned in time to see me and came charging down the hill. i would wake just as he was upon me. It seems crazy that a man would sneak away from his strength, fear it to show up, but that is why we sabotage. Our strength is wild and fierce, and we are more than unsettled by what may happen if we let it arrive. One thing we know: Nothing will ever be ther same. One clientsaid to me, "I'm afraid i'll do something bad if I let all this show up." No! The opposite is true. You'll do somethign bad if you don't! Remember, a man's addictions are the result of his refusing his strength.

 

Years ago, Brent gave me a piece of advice that changed my life; "Let people feel the weight of who you are," he said, "and let them deal with it." That brings us into the arena of our next enemy...The World.

 

That's the end of the first enemy; the enemy within. I thought it interesting, the line where JE says, "man's addictions are the result of his refusing his strength"....wow! We refuse our strength...we refuse to stand-up for what is right and just for our own lives and yet we have the strength to do so. And even more, if God is our strength....if He is infact, adding his "super" to our "natural"...for a supernatural result, then by refusing our "natural" strength, and yet begging for His intervention and "miracle power", we are in effect nullifying the power of God in our lives. God puts His Supernatural blessing and favor on our natural efforts and deeds...if we refuse our strength...then God must have very little to work with in our lives...That may explain why it has taken me so long to begin this healing journey...

 

Brothers, i hope this insight from John Elderedge has shed some light into the fabric of your life. We are all men; we are created equal and God shows no favortism to any of us. But He has called us to be men, men after His heart. HE has given us power over sin and we must rise to the challenge and take hold of it.

 

I am praying for you...God's Strength on yours! Your praise, worship, and Honor for who He is!

 

God Bless!

 

Strength and Honor!

 

In His Image

[Looney_Tunes]

Awesome, as usual. Another copy and paste moment that I intend to take full advantage of.

 

So tell me again, WHY aren't you here ten times a day kicking these guys in the butt? Oh yeah, that job thing. Totally messes with your personal life, doesn't it? But we do miss you when you're not here.

[InHisImage]

Brothers...

 

Here's my morning devotion from TD Jakes book, "Strength for every Moment"

 

I Can Do All Things

 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13

 

Deception is a trap and stronghold that ensnares many, especially those not content with their own present state in life. The Bible instructs us that we must learn to be content in whatever state we find ourselves. The apostle Paul learned that lesson well: “…for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” (Phil 4:11 KJV)

This is not to imply that we should be satisfied with being bound by the devil or be content with complacency and mediocrity, thus not fulfilling the call of God on our lives. Not at all. We are to work to improve ourselves while at the same time remaining dependent on God.

Self-sufficiency means to be “sufficient in oneself” and not putting your faith in God’s assistance. Contentment, on the other hand, is to know with certainty and absolute firm conviction that God is able to meet your every need; Jehovah is your all-sufficiency. Contentment means that you are aware that you don’t covet another person’s position, property, possessions, or personality. Why? Because you know and are assured that all you presently have and all that you are today is more than enough in the hands of God. Whatever you need to do to fulfill God’s purpose you can do, not in your own strength, but through the strength and power of Christ that dwells within your innermost being.

The apostle Paul said:

“I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12-13

 

Gentlemen; make a decision...clear the mind of pride and self, and commit to the type of man you are determined to be. We will face giants, we will face fear, we will face the deepest, darkest enemy from our frightening past...but we will succeed!

 

If we faint not...

if we retreat not...

if we cower not...

if we winch not...

if we face the wind and the rain...

if we face the storms and the gail...

if we confront the past and call it done...

if we confess the future and call it in...

if we refuse everything but God's best...

 

Then we will not only hold the laurel of God's given victory, but will we be His sons...in whom He will be well pleased.

 

Strength and Honor brothers...

 

Michael

[InHisImage]

Hey sister!

 

...that thing called life and work...ugh!!!

 

I am coaching two b-ball teams and trying to finish my MBA....and God willing, train and complete 5 - 1/2 marathons this year.

 

So tell me again, WHY aren't you here ten times a day kicking these guys in the butt? Oh yeah, that job thing. Totally messes with your personal life, doesn't it? But we do miss you when you're not here.

 

Not excuses, but i want you to know that you & the family are on my mind and in my prayers....

 

ps...i may have worked out mondays...how's the call?

 

In Him,

 

IHI

[InHisImage]

Brothers,

As I sit down for my morning coffee and time with the Father, I am struck by my weariness’ today. Frankly, I am tired in spirit, and sore in body. I have started gently exercising again and while I am sore in my muscles, I realize I am a bit low in my spirit…I need to plug back in to God’s strength. There may be something to learn from my state…my focus is off a little and my concerns are taking up too much brain-space! So, with that…today’s devotion from TD Jakes was spot on! Enjoy!

 

Day 2

Renew your Strength

 

“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40: 29-31)

When your pity party is over and you are ready for His help, God will say, “Don’t you know? Have you not heard Who I am – the everlasting God? I am the Creator of the universe. I am not a child; I am not a school boy – I am God. Who do you think you’re fooling? I’m God. I hold your breath in My hands. I created your body. I heat your blood just hot enough to keep you alive but not so hot that you die. Who else do you allow to control your life? If it is not Me, then who? I love you. I created you in My image. I am that I am.”

What more does the Lord have to do or say to show you He loves you? Don’t let satan continue to fool you into thinking that God has forsaken you.

Stop doing things that you know you don’t have any business doing. Repent and confess your sins instead of spending time pointing out the sins of everyone else. Admit you have fallen so that your healing my begin.

 

Good stuff! He loves us…He made us. We are here to fulfill our role of our lifetime by being the very best husband and follower of Christ's example we can be...and bring glory to Him…what else is there?

 

Take heart brothers! The battles are many, but the victories are certain.

Strength and Honor,

IHI

[Looney_Tunes]

ps...i may have worked out mondays...how's the call?

 

Been off of them for the past few weeks - doing Tuesday afternoons lately - but since nothing is happening with work I told J&K I'd pick Monday up again. I'd love to have you join me! Bring chocolate.

[InHisImage]

Greetings Brothers...

 

Have you ever heard and old song for the first time???? Really heard it? It happened to me this morning.

 

I have been struggling with wanting to take control of my life again- get in the driver's seat, find a girl, get married, start over! Can anyone relate? Anyhow...dumb, selfish, self-destructice as the idea was it needed to be rooted out. Then it made me sick....everything inside was making me ill. Last week i looked & felt so good...what is this new skin of ugly?

 

Apparently, i had shed another layer of my old self and found more of me that i was unimpressed with. Crucification time!! Repentance moment!! Humbling period!! Encouraged by God...able to sit in His presence...welcomed at His table...given back a ring and a robe...cuz i'm His son.

 

What had happened in the time it took to prepared a gourmet breakfast sandwich was the process of awareness of sin, the confession of sin, the forgiveness of sin, the absolution of sin, and the restoration of Son-ship. I found myself standing, praising, and worshiping Him in His presence in my kitchen...i was on-fire with love for Him. On-fire with gratitude and appreciation...and adoration and joy!

 

Guys, we can't make the change alone. We can't fight the battle victoriously alone. We must admit to our failings, cryout for forgiveness, embrace His strength, and accept His forgiveness. He can change everything inside... Here's the song

 

God Bless,

 

IHI

 

Switchfoot song, "On Fire"...

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pskjyxykBiE (cut and paste this)

 

They tell you where you need to go

They tell you when you need to leave

They tell you what you need to know

They tell you who you need to be

 

But everything inside you

Knows there's more than what you've heard

There's so much more than empty conversations

Filled with empty words

 

And you're on fire when he's near you

You're on fire when he speaks

You're on fire burning at these mysteries

 

Give me one more time around

Give me one more chance to see, yeah

Give me everything you are

Give me one more chance to be near you, yeah

 

When everything inside me

Looks like everything I hate

You are the hope I have for change

You are the only chance I'll take

 

And I'm on fire when you're near me

And I'm on fire when you speak

And I'm on fire burning at these mysteries

 

You're on fire

You're on fire

You're on fire

 

I'm standing on the edge of me

I'm standing on the edge of me

I'm standing on the edge of me

I'm standing on the edge of me

I'm standing on the edge of everything I've never been before

And I've been standing on the edge of me

Standing on the edge

 

And I'm on fire when you're near me

And I'm on fire when you speak, yeah

I'm on fire burning at these mysteries

These mysteries

These mysteries, yeah

You're a mystery, yeah

You're a mystery

 

[InHisImage]

Hey Loo,

 

Been off of them for the past few weeks - doing Tuesday afternoons lately - but since nothing is happening with work I told J&K I'd pick Monday up again. I'd love to have you join me! Bring chocolate.

 

I am usually off work around 5...PST. What time's your call? What's the number?...Dark chocolate covered almonds okay?

 

In Him,

 

Michael

[Looney_Tunes]

The call starts at 9pm eastern, which puts it at 6pm for you. Looks like a good night for a drive through dinner, but if that time frame is a little tight for you it's perfectly OK if you join the call a little later. The number is 512-716-6531 and the passcode is 981128#.

 

I'm not sure how you'll be calling in, but a couple of tips - the "unlimited" long distance from my phone company does NOT cover conference calls, so you might want to check before you get billed at 10 cents a minute! We have a cell plan that allows ten free numbers, so we put the conference call number in as one of the free ones. If that won't work for you, there is a prepay long distance service at http://onesuite.com that is 3 cents a minute - I use that if I'm calling from home since I don't get cell reception at my house. We'd love to have you on the call, but we don't want to put you in the poor house to do it!

 

And yes, dark chocolate almonds are absolutely OK.

[InHisImage]

thx Loo...

 

...i think!

 

i was coerced into buying the bundled services from Comcast when i got internet and cable...and for the past few months i have been paying for phone services, but i have never used it. When i get the chance i'll head to walmart and buy a phone for the house...

 

Hopefully i'll get to it before call!

 

God Bless,

 

IHI

 

The call starts at 9pm eastern, which puts it at 6pm for you. Looks like a good night for a drive through dinner, but if that time frame is a little tight for you it's perfectly OK if you join the call a little later. The number is 512-716-6531 and the passcode is 981128#.

 

I'm not sure how you'll be calling in, but a couple of tips - the "unlimited" long distance from my phone company does NOT cover conference calls, so you might want to check before you get billed at 10 cents a minute! We have a cell plan that allows ten free numbers, so we put the conference call number in as one of the free ones. If that won't work for you, there is a prepay long distance service at http://onesuite.com that is 3 cents a minute - I use that if I'm calling from home since I don't get cell reception at my house. We'd love to have you on the call, but we don't want to put you in the poor house to do it!

 

And yes, dark chocolate almonds are absolutely OK.

[Looney_Tunes]

Good! I won't be running the call because Joel already covered it before he knew I was available, but I'll be on. Speak up when you're on and I'll introduce you to Ed and Tammy, and then you can listen and pop in if you have something to say.