Over the last three weeks, I have had the opportunity to learn three valuable lessons from three great teachers at Ada bible church. Once again, these are not new things but timely reminders of how we as Christians should be developing our character as we seek a stronger more vibrant walk with God.

The first was on humility, the second on gratitude, and the third on generosity. All of these are key elements in growing your Read the rest of this entry »

Well, it took us 31 weeks (of actual study – was longer with breaks etc) but we made it through Zondervan’s The Story. I have to admit, I went into the study last year expecting not to get much out of it, but boy was I surprised. Read the rest of this entry »

One thing I do a lot of is look for things that God is teaching me in my everyday world. The last few weeks God has taught me a lot by using my snow blower.

About two and a half weeks ago, we had a winter storm that was larger than the ones we usually get here. We had somewhere between 16 and 18 inches of snow with drifts up to 3 feet. Normally, my monster 2 stage, 33 hp, snow blower can handle these sorts of things but even that was a bit too much (or so I thought).

After struggling for about an hour with a sluggish snow blower, I finally began to wonder if this was God’s way of teaching me patience. I had to go really slow through the foot and a half of white stuff. It really got bad with the large drifts thanks to the blizzard force winds. Needless to say, I learned that I needed to be patience and not get upset. Finally, I gave up and ended up shoveling… even with the help of 4 other people, it still took 6 hours of straight shoveling and snow blowing to get the whole driveway done.

I thought that was what God wanted me to learn from that situation. It turns out that He was setting me up for the next snowstorm that happen yesterday. This time… knowing the storm was coming – I took some simple maintenance steps to get the snowblower running better. So yesterday when we got 6 inches of snow in 4 hours, I was ready to take on the driveway again.

The snow blower worked like a champ and cut right through the snow like there was nothing there. Granted there was about 10 inches less but it performed so much better that we could have easily taken on another foot and a half with no issues…

The moral of the story for me. When you take time to keep up on the maintenance, things just work better. As I continued to dwell on this point, my thoughts drifted towards relationships. Just like the snow blower, relationships work better when you work at them. This is something I know, but God needed to remind me again. I have been lacking across the board on this one.

From immediate and extended family, to friends both near and far, I have been horribly bad about the “maintenance” side of my relationships. I really need to work at that.

What are some tips or tricks that you use to keep in touch with those in your world?

This morning at 10:05am a dear man of God left our temporary earthly home for a better place. Elton Piersma, my wife’s grandfather, lived a life committed to following what God called him to do. I personally have always admired Grandpa’s respect and honor for God and God’s Word. While my wife and I feel a deep sense of loss, we also rejoice in the fact that Grandpa is now with his Heavenly father, a place he has longed for… for many years.

I also truly admire Grandpa Piersma for the way he lived his life as a pastor and friend to many. He taught from a place of wisdom that few can say they have and yet was humble and caring to everyone, no matter what. I look to his joy filled life and pray that someday I can have the joy, peace, and steadfastness in faith that he displayed right up to the end of his time here on earth.

I won’t soon forget the conversation we had just a few days ago. His joy-filled, peaceful voice sharing wisdom and thankful to God for all that he has experienced. This morning he passed away in his sleep with family by his side.

My life has truly been blessed through knowing Grandpa Piersma and I can honestly say that he has greatly impacted who I am because of who he was, how he lived, and how God has used him over the years.

Grandpa we look forward to the day when we can see you again, in Heaven, and worship again our Glorious Risen Savior but this time in His presence…

We love and miss you already!

Dear God, thank you for the times we have shared with Grandpa Piersma and the hope of more in the future as we gather again in Heaven – Our permanent Home…

One of the things I am really trying to do for my kids is to become a better dad. I know over the past couple years I have let them down in more ways then I wish to recall.

But what I am trying to remember is what so many leaders have shared over the years, the difference between success and failure is that the one who succeeds keeps getting up after he falls.

I do want to be the best I can for my kids, I am just concerned that I may have burned too many bridges with some of them and that forgiveness may never come.

A moment of honesty from a parent who really just wants the best for all his kids…

Real joy comes when you make a positive difference in other people’s lives, helping them achieve their goals and dreams. Zig Ziglar