Paint By Numbers Living Won’t Work.

I wonder what Job felt like when everyone offered their opinion as to how he was living when none of them could truly relate.

How often we try to determine the steps of others when in fact we cannot walk in their shoes. We decide how we should live and then put that on those around us. We pray for them, with our limited knowledge, and sometimes I wonder that we don’t actually get in the way of God.

There is no paint by numbers when it comes to really living. Primary colors are replaced by off shades, grays and yes, even purples.

I used to be really smart. I thought I knew what people around me needed and prayed specifically in that direction. I lost my intelligence to cancer, life and freedom. My amazing ability to be right replaced by trust and faith.

My prayers for safety and things are replaced with one prayer “Draw us closer to you.”

I remember as a kid praying that I’d never get cancer. I’d pray that I would have a good day. I prayed that I would have security. Now I find that all those things actually kept me from walking closely with God.

How then do I pray for my kids, for you and for people I run into? It’s really quite simple, “God, show them real freedom, show them how to walk with you, show them what it means to truly be a Follower of Christ.”

Stop Judging you Jerk

Oh, I’m not talking to you guys, unless you feel guilty, I was talking about me.

I’m driving down the street, look over, see someone do something I see as really stupid and my mind works overtime coming up with ways to describe that driver.

I’m swimming at the pool and a heavyset person easily passes me and I think in my mind, how can someone that big swim that fast? My judgment is that heavy people can’t swim fast and that’s wrong.

A friend and I were talking about judgment at the gym this morning. We all do it and I’m not rationalizing or saying it’s okay. It is not okay. Oh, I know its human nature but so are a lot of other things and that does not give me license to keep doing them.

I judge you because you go to church, you judge me because I don’t.

You think I must believe this or that because I’m a Republican. I see someone in a more liberal party and think they are off just a bit, that’s judgment.

We hide behind right and wrong when none of us really holds the proper measuring stick. By me writing that many will judge that I’m saying there is no right or wrong, and now you are wrong because that is not what I’m saying but thanks for judging me.

My favorite is the line we use to judge when we say “I’m not judging you but……” You are so just be honest about it or don’t do it.

There are those who use judgment but call it advice or helping you, no, it’s judgment in a prettier package. Problem is it still smells like crap.

Perhaps if we all assume we know nothing and that God did not make us smarter, better or more amazing than the person or party on the other side, we’d stop.

I know, you think I’m stupid for just suggesting it.

See, you just did it again.

The Secret Trail: Hood River

While visiting Hood River recently, Kathy and I found a book called “Curious Gorge.” In it, dozens and dozens of hikes and swimming holes (even ones for skinny dipping).

We found an easy trail that was really cool just outside of town. You head like you are going highway 35 to Mount Hood but turn right after you cross the bridge near the Chinese food place.

This is the old PP&L site. There used to be a dam upstream and this huge tube that brought water from the dam to town.

The place is abandoned but much of the pipe still has a catwalk on it that is so much fun to explore.

The walk is easy, no hills, and not scary at all. Take a suit (or not) and explore your more adventurous side.

This is a fun, easy hike and goes for a couple of miles. Watch your step there are some dangerous spots but nothing that should scare you away.

Life isn’t some big Test

Lately I find it troubling to believe that trials are designed to teach us something. It just doesn’t sound like God to me it sounds like church doctrine.

So this morning I pull out my Oswald Chambers and here’s what he had to say on the subject.

“It is not true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials: through every cloud He brings, He wants us to unlearn something. His purpose in the cloud (trial) is to simplify our belief.”

In my past I spent so much time trying to figure out what God was “teaching me” and I never could. I guessed and created reasons and most of those failed me. It’s tough to pass the test when you don’t know the teacher and how He operates. We try to make God human when in fact He’s not.

I don’t think my cancer was to teach me anything. I think that cancer cloud was quite simply there to strengthen my belief in Him. He knew what might work and made it happen. He and I, together, worked it out.

We make too much of things and try to over dramatize life to the point, I think, we miss the real reason for those cloudy days and foggy mornings.

Life is not some big pass/fail test we are taking to see if we get to the end. Heaven, to me, isn’t the goal here the goal is simply relationship with God.

If we can start living that way life is much more interesting and rather than trying to make the grade I tend to focus on getting to know the teacher and His pupils.

Columbia Cliff Villas: The place to stay in Hood River.

Trip to Hood River, Oregon

Columbia Cliff Villas-3880 Westcliff Drive, Hood River, OR 97031

We stayed at the Columbia Cliff Villas right next door to Columbia Gorge Hotel. The properties look very similar from the outside, and pretty much share the grounds together. However, that is where the similarities end; Columbia Cliff Villas is a “luxury condominium hotel”, everything about it is fresh and new, all the way down to the linens. You get the best of both worlds staying here, with the Columbia Gorge Hotel right next door you can walk around the beautiful grounds, have a drink on their back deck overlooking the river. There’s also a path leading to a waterfall that overlooks the Columbia River with a white double swing to sit and enjoy the view. Many wandering paths lead you around the property. Our room was a Euro King with small kitchenette. Loved the location, a little west of town but easy access. Definitely recommend this hotel and would return again.

Sheppard Motors: Do It YourSelf