Because of God's Great Mercy

2013-01-09T05:18:00.003-08:00

2013-01-08T22:04:00.001-08:00

And some more...

2007-11-26T01:28:00.001-08:00

This is sweet too!

2007-11-26T01:18:00.001-08:00

You have to watch this

2007-11-25T23:29:00.000-08:00

This is stupid... but so cool at the same time.

http://www.stupidvideos.com/player.swf?sa=1&i=42679&uid

Free Commentaries

2007-09-08T21:27:00.000-07:00

Would you like to win some free commentaries? I would. Click the link below and be entered to win some. If you do, it increases my chances too... so here is an opportunity to show me love as a Christian brother.

It's been too long!

2007-01-05T08:33:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I had the opportunity to redeem a gift certificate my wife gave me for Christmas. If you know me, you are probably thinking it was to a Steak House. But it wasn't, it was to someplace better. The gift certificate was to spend time in a wind tunnel. Wind tunnel? Yes, a wind tunnel.

You see, back in 1991, I joined the Army as an Airborne MP. That is, a military police officer who jumps out of airplanes and parachutes down to the ground. I loved it, but the landings were often very rough (I spent three days in a hospital one time.) It was fun but we were using round canopies that you really couldn't stear. I wanted to have more fun, so in my free time I learned how to skydive and became part of the Green Beret Sport Parachute Club.

Skydiving involves freefall - you jump out of the airplane or helicopter from 13000 to 15000 feet up - freefall for a minute or so - then at 2500 ft you pull a pilot chute which catches air and then pulls/releases your main parachute (kinda the same thing as pulling a rip-cord) - then you enjoy a fun parachute ride for 3-5 minutes - then you land as if you were taking a step off a curb. It is fun!!!!

Being a Paratrooper (jumping out of Army aircraft and using their round canopies) is different. You jump from 900 to 1200 feet - when you exit the aircraft your parachute immediately deploys - you then ride the parachute with virtually no stearing capabilities - you try to avoid the other hundreds of paratroopers (who can't really stear either) - then you prepare to land (prayer, much prayer) - you land by doing a PLF (Parachute Landing Fall) - A PLF has you land kinda like how you would expect a banana to land - it has 5 points of contact that you are suppose to hit in this order: Feet, calf, thigh, buttocks, triceps - when you land you could be going in any direction including backwards - This causes some to perform the unauthorized form of the PLF - They are called FBHs (Feet-Butt-Head) and provide the paratrooper with a nice headache (or a trip to the hospital in my case)

So... Skydiving is much more safe and fun. (Are you reading this April?) Accidents rarely occur. The reason skydiving accidents get so much publicity primarily because of the nature in which it happens. I do not know the actual statistics, but I would guess that I am taking more of a risk with my life just by driving my car on the freeways here in southern california.

But, then again, driving is virtually a necessity in today's world. Skydiving is not. So April gave me the next best thing: Time in a tunnel.

A wind tunnel is a vertical shaft that provides a virtical thrust of wind. People can then ride/hover on it and do what normally you would have to jump out of an airplane to do. It is a very safe and fun activity.

Thank you so much April! I had a blast (pun intended)!

Here are some pictures:

Happy New Year!! Pray for me!!

2007-01-01T20:54:00.000-08:00

I have had a good day. Not thrilling, not productive, but relaxing. My family spent some time with my brother and other friends. It was a good time of relaxation.

I am not one to make New Year's resolutions. But I do see several areas of my life that I would like to change. I have been horrible at reading/studying my bible this past year. I also have failed at being a godly husband and father. I have not guided my family spiritually as I should.

Would you please pray for me? Not that 2007 would be different. But that my life would be both different and consistent, for God's glory!

Happy Anniversary to the LOVE of my life!! (9Years!!)

2006-12-05T22:09:00.000-08:00

This was a wonderful day. I remember having to wipe tears from my eyes just so I could see my beautiful bride walk down the aisle.

Here's my LOVE with me and our first child, Kayla.

Here's a picture of us with Kayla and Carson. We tried to get the bear to pose, but he was too busy (yes, a bear was in our campsite 2 nights in a row).

Here we are just days prior I believe. We had a great time there!

The best thing about all of these pictures is that April is in all of them. I wouldn't be half the man I am without April. She may say more like 75%, but either way... I owe so much to my loving wife.

She is lovely, adorable, caring, and sacrificial. There are many things she is, but thanks be to God, she is mine.

I LOVE YOU APRIL!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so glad you are my wife!!

~ Reid

blogbot - RSS/ATOM Aggregator

2006-11-28T10:30:00.000-08:00

I have been using a Google homepage for quite awhile now. Google allows you to add blogs that you read often to your home page. I have been doing this, but always wanted (being the lazy bum that I am) to have them automatically downloaded to my MS Outlook. I finally checked into some and have been trying blogbot. It has been around awhile and it is open source so I feel confident that it does not contain anything malicious. It does not seem to be slowing things down and I like that I can even be notified (via the little message bubbles) that new posts have been posted.

If anyone knows of a better aggregator for Outlook let me know.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-22T19:33:00.000-08:00

Free number with voicemail

Soccer Saturday!!

2006-11-18T07:22:00.000-08:00

The church I attend plays soccer every other Saturday. I am not an avid soccer player, but I would like to get some more excercise and spend time with my friends from church.

Well, work has prohibited me thus far. It has been a busy season, and although I still have much work to do, I feel that I can actually do something that I would enjoy.

So I will, in about an hour or two, be in an emergency room. That is right, I am quite sure that after just five minutes of running I will be exhausted and will need to be taken off the field and taken by ambulance to the nearest ER.

Better go... break a leg.

3 more

2006-11-13T22:22:00.000-08:00

I only have three more schools that I need to do kick off assemblies for. I still have plenty to do... but I can see the light!!

Below is a picture I scanned in that the principal gave me soon after my performance. I was explaining to the student that he only needed to sell 20 items to be able to go on a limousine lunch ride to Chuck E. Cheese. I had over 90 student s go from this school alone.

Carson is FOUR!!!!

2006-11-08T16:37:00.000-08:00

My son turned four today. He (and the others) bring me such joy. I love to see him smile and come close to me knowing he wants a hug.

Here is a picture of him this past summer while spending time with his extended family in Maryland. He loves cars and was playing a racing game on a hand-held PSP (I think that is what it is called). He is learning to read and doing a great job - much thanks to his wonderful mom and helpful sister. Kayla often reads to him.

Tired of being Sick and Tired

2006-11-07T22:54:00.000-08:00

I have had only 4 hours sleep each of the past 3 nights. You'd think I was back in the Army.

My Laptop crashed on Friday and I have not had much time to get it back up and going until last night and today was plenty of work and catch up (or Ketchup as my wife would say).

I think the lack of good rest has caused me to get sick... so I am sick and tired. I think my wife is getting sick too. AAAUUGHHHHH!

I had a good mini chat with April tonight. I love her... I need to show it more.

I haven't been reading my Bible, and my prayer life has been stinky.

I love my kids. They may go with me tomorrow to the places I need to go to.

I need to go... and spend time with my wonderful wife. Pray for her as she comes to mind. It is hard to be a mom of three and deal with me.... hey that rhymes!

Goodnight.

My wife has motivated me

2006-10-18T08:49:00.000-07:00

I have a wonderful wife!! She has often asked me if I have read my Bible, especially when she knows I am struggling. Well, her new quest in blogging has reminded me of my initial desires of having my blog be a means of public accountability for my Bible reading. So, although I promise nothing, here's an update:

Yesterday I read Phillipians and the day before I read Ephesians. I have also been reading small bit in Piper's book: Desiring God which can be found free online with many of his other books here.

Continue to pray as I continue to press on.

My wife has a BLOG!!!

2006-10-15T23:43:00.000-07:00

Yes folks, my wife is now officially a blogger. She is HIGH-TECH!! She even was working directly with HTML. Don't ask her what HTML means, but she was working with it!!

I dearly love my new nerdy wife. She was just asking me if she should include some java scripts!!

Seriously, take a look at her one and only blog. You can check it out here.

Please keep praying about my Bible reading. It still stinks.

~ Reid

Just another "just checking" entry

2006-07-19T23:39:00.000-07:00

I have been working very hard and blogging is low on the list. But FYI, I do desire to blog again in the future. I need to make the time. My Bible reading, which has severly lacked as of late, needs more attention and is a higher priority. If you are reading this, pray that I would spend more time in His Word and in turn spend more time having family devotions. If you are reading this a long time after I posted it.... please still pray!!

Just to say HI!

2006-04-28T08:28:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd write a quick note to ensure that my blogger was still
working... though I am not.

New email address

2006-04-12T18:17:00.000-07:00

This post has been removed.

Because of God's Great Mercy,

~ Reid

New Job!

2006-01-14T22:17:00.000-08:00

So here is my post for the week. Remember I said I would post once a week, so I am still on track. Ha!

I accepted a new job this past week. The Lord has always provided for us and He has done it again. I will explain more in the future.

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Bible reading: I have really stunk it up.

Maybe this will post... Maybe

2006-01-05T23:25:00.000-08:00

The following blog did not post as it was instructed to:

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I am not a college football fan, but I do enjoy sports. Close games between two good teams is even better. Tonight I watched one such game. Texas Longhorns against the USC Trojans. Vince Young the QB for Texas did an awesome job. He should jump to the pros this year and perhaps even unseat Bush from the No. 1 pick. I had a great time with fellow brothers in Christ.

I even brought my three year old son, Carson who had a great time. On a few occasions he left his blissful life of playing with other kids and came and gave me a hug. What a precious boy he is. At one point he placed his head on my chest while watching the game. I remember doing the same with my dad. I love my family so much!!

I read the first 14 chapters of Matthew today. In fact, I read along as I listened to a set of ESV CD's a friend purchased for my wife and me. I won't do this all the time, but I did enjoy it. I have many questions about the portion I read today. Perhaps as I read it over and over again this year I will get a better overall understanding of the flow of thoughts in each book. Then perhaps, beginning January of 2007, I can spend 27 months better understanding outlining and engaging each book. We'll see. Perhaps I should spend about 2 weeks in each book (2 weeks x 27 books = 54 weeks) all at once so that I can remain in the text rather than jumping around. I may begin that next month. Maybe. I need to get through January and the NT first.

I initially set out to blog weekly. That is still my goal, but at the moment I have the time, and enjoy it.

I was able to share with a co-worker yesterday night. It was one of those, 'got my feet in the door' types, but I see the door opening. He has a religious background and appears open to discussion. Please pray for this co-worker of mine, as well as other opportunities to share Christ.

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January 5th

I'm very tired. I was swamped at both school and work. Excuses... excuses, I know, but I was able to read my Bible. I spent some time reading Philemon. I won't say much more because I am not even sure this will post. I can email my posts in and have been doing that from the beginning, but last night it did not work. Maybe this will post... maybe.

Saved by God's grace!

2006-01-03T16:14:00.000-08:00

Grace has been defined several ways. Two of which are:

1) God giving us what we don't deserve and

2) God's Riches At Christ's Expense.

I like these. Everyone has experienced God's grace to some degree . The flip side of this coin is mercy, that is, God not giving us what we do deserve. I immediately think of Jonathan Edward's famous sermon, "Sinners in the hands of an angry God". Edwards describes the mercy of God towards us. The reality is that, if God would choose to do so, He could punish and condemn us immediately when we sin. The fact that He mercifully allows us to live another day astounds me. We (all mankind) deserve utter immediate destruction, yet he shows mercy and lets us live another day. He then shows even greater mercy (and grace) by redeeming His elect through the redemptive work of Christ on the cross!

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

BTW, I read Ephesians this morning which prompted my thoughts towards God grace.

Day 2, 363 more to go

2006-01-02T15:55:00.000-08:00

I read Galatians today. Galatians was a book that helped me abandon my dispensational beliefs several years back. It was also the first book that I preached through. I loved preaching it. It has a repeating theme that is emphasized repeatedly through the book. This made it difficult for a new pastor to preach without sounding like the previous week's sermon. I don't have much time to write today, so I will just address one point in the book of Galatians.

In all of the commentaries that I have read, they all claim that the beginning of Galatians is Paul's defense of his ministry. What is he really defending? Is he trying to prove he is indeed an Apostle? Is he trying to prove the effectiveness and success of his ministry? I believe that you find his purpose beginning with the fourth word of the letter.

"not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father"

Later, in 1:10 Paul states that he is not a man pleaser - instead he is a servant of God.

The clearest statement is found in 1:11 where Paul says that the good news that he proclaimed was not "according to man".

I could comment quite a bit on this passage but please read it sometime and take note of Paul's defense. The gospel he proclaimed was not from men. He defends this several ways to include chronological points which do not do much for simply defending that he is an Apostle. He is proving that he was not influenced by men. He even had the guts to confront Peter, someone with high reputation.

Ultimately, I am thankful for the truth found here in Galatians. "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us." 3:13

I am not the best writer. Please be patient with me.

Because of God's Great Mercy!

Beginning the Year - 2006

2006-01-01T15:34:00.000-08:00

Well, well, well...

It is Sunday, January 1st, 2006. The beginnings of a new year and many resolutions. I have a couple of friends who are going to attempt to blog each day for the coming year. This desire interests me. I will try and do something similar. But instead, I will try and blog at a minimum of once a week. Please notice the key word in the previous sentence, 'try'. Effort will be made, but time will tell.

I will however attempt with greater effort to read my Bible each and every day. I have read the Bible in its entirety in the past but not in recent years. Last year I began, but goofed up in May or so. My problem is that I am task oriented. When I am pressed for time I speed-read to complete my daily reading. Then I get discouraged when I fall behind. This year I am simply striving for daily reading and sincere prayer time. Over this past year I have not been consistent, so this will be good for me.

Don't hold me to this, but I have thought about reading a NT book each day of the month. I will have to double up on some days to even out books like Titus and Philemon with heftier books like Matthew and Revelation. In addition I have thought about reading 5 or so Psalms each day and a Proverb. I wonder how I would do if I end up with Revelation and Psalm 119 on the same day?

Another thought of mine is in regards to accountability. Perhaps I will publicly (via this blog) discuss how I am doing in key areas. Accountability (the kind where you fill our sheets which show how often or seldom a person read their Bible) often leads me to reading to complete a task, but don't be surprised If I throw one your way once in awhile. And by all means, feel free to ask me.

Well... That's it for this blog. Only 51 more to write!