Facing Fear
Fears
We all have them.
Some we know about, others we discover as we go along.
They say that the most common fear is the fear of getting up in front of a group and speaking. Others are afraid of flying. Some are afraid of groups of people; others are afraid of being totally alone. I know some people are afraid of trying to do new things on their computer.
One Year Ago Today
The Real Meaning of Christmas
It’s a New Season
My divorce was final this week. It’s sort of a yipee.
I’m glad that I’m no longer in the seperated-status limbo. I can now get on with my life back as a single. I have started going to singles events like those sponsored by Echo Ministries. They attract a really amazing group of folks looking to grow in their walk and have fun too. I’m also getting more involved in service in other organizations with which I am involved. I’m becoming more active with folks with whom I’m already familiar.
The Christmas Hub-Bub
It’s easy to get tied up into all the activities of Christmas. There are parties, concerts, get togethers, drop ins, etc, etc, etc.
But I think the Charles Shultz character, Linus, does an excellent job of describing the real meaning of Christmas.
The Reason for the Season
With all the activity, it’s easy to forget, Jesus is the real reason for the season. I keep myself grounded in The Word and my prayer and meditation.
What do you do to keep your focus on Jesus?
Using Dreamhost for shared hosting
Dreamhost Offerings
Dreamhost offers shared hosting with unlimited domains, unlimited disk usage, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited e-mail accounts, unlimited FTP accounts, etc; you get the picture. You can read all of their offering on their Hosting:Feature Glossary page. All of this for just about the price point of $10/month. In addition, if you are a non-profit and send them your 501(c)3 IRS determination letter, they will give you free hosting.
For additional fees they will: provide a unique IP address for your domain, sell and install an SSL Certificate, and even provide a Virtual Private Server.
Lessons Learned
Four and a half months in
I would like to tell some of the things I’ve learned over the course of the last few months. These are things I wish I had known about going in and have had to learn the hard way.
Expect Difficulties
In their latest book Love & War: Finding the Marriage You’ve Dreamed Of. John and Stasi Eldredge
Cha, cha, cha, changes!
Three Months In
We have been married three months now. This had been a very stressful time of changes. We have had our work cut out for us adjusting to living with each other.
Selling the houses
We have always planned to sell our houses and buy “our” house together. Since Effie’s house was much more market-ready than mine we put her’s up for sale first. She had a contract on it in less than three weeks. We said it was a God thing for it to happen that fast.
My house is now getting the Effie-makeover. I figured that since she had her house so ready for sale, that I’ll follow her “suggestions” on how to make mine that was too. We started in the basement and have done lots of work there. We’ve brought in a 20 yard dumpster, filled it with junk, and had it emptied and are now working on our second dumpster. When we finish in the basement we will next move to the main floor.
New Family
We are both enjoying each others extended family. I’ve been fully embraced by Effie’s children and grandchildren. I’m enjoying getting to know them and they let me be the photographer at a lot of the functions. I got some great shots at her newest Grandson’s dedication. I was specifically requested by her Granddaughter to take pictures at her Junior Prom gathering. I got some great shots of Savannah and her pals.
Next month, we look forward to spending time with my daughter and Granddaughter when they come to the Mossy Creek Barnyard Festival.
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You
I’m filled with JOY!
This Thanksgiving season, I’m reminded not only how I am thankful but also how filled with JOY I am.
Having Effie in my life has been a blessing, yes. But the majority of my joy this year has been because my relationship with Jesus has deepened to an unbelievable level. I’m enjoying a new closeness that I didn’t know I could have with my Lord.
Don’t get me wrong – it was hard getting here. But it was God who has lead me down the paths He wanted me to follow. He pointed the way and I just “cleaned up & showed up.” There been some tough trails and He has been faithful and has been with me even when I couldn’t see His hand.
How I met Effie
I crawled up into God’s lap and He invited me into His heart. When I got in there I found Effie waiting for me.
The Last Three Years
My wife died of cancer three years ago yesterday (11/22). It was tough. But The Lord doesn’t lead us into anything that He isn’t prepared to walk with us through.
In the last three years, my walk with Him has grown incredibly rich. He has been my support, friend, and help. Doing the grief work and becoming single again at my AARP-eligible age has been an interesting journey. He has also used the time to bring me incredible healing to some very deep wounds.
The past two anniversaries were tough.
Today, I have been filled with JOY!
I’m am so GRATEFUL that I’ve been through this season. I have grown so much closer to Jesus and I really love that. I’ve had so much healing that has been precipitated from all the pain I’ve been through.
I’m so grateful that, it appears, Lord willing, that this season is about to end and a new season will take it’s place.
So, today, I’m grateful for all that has happened and the end result is that I KNOW God IS who he says He is and He IS doing what He says He will do.
