Came home and got my reading done.  As that has turned into my reading time.  Didn't get much out of today's reading.  But more to the point that I've read the section I read today many times before. 

Then headed off to church to have a meeting with the leadership team of the men's ministry.  Lots of good stuff on the horizon there.

Said my prayers.

Overall a good day.

So my local school district had a levy up for vote today.  It failed 38% to 62% (though that's not final as there are provisional ballots... including mine... that don't get counted for two weeks).

This kind of ticks me off.  There were several 'facts' thrown out by the vote no crowd that were just wrong.  Not even close to being accurate. 

We have two more tries for a yes vote.  I think I'm going to volunteer my time for a 'vote yes' web site that gets the facts out. 

Vote no because you don't have the money for the extra taxes.

Vote no because you think spending is wasteful.

Don't vote no based on lies and misinformation.

How a person can look at the elementary school and STILL vote no is beyond me.

Yeah a bit angry.

I enjoyed my reading for today.  1 Timothy 1 - 6.

One of my absolute favorite books in the Bible.  And highly relevant to my church situation today.  We are in the midst of trying to adopt new bylaws and the sections in question dealt with Elders and deacons.  1 Timothy highly deals with both.

Even spurred me to send some thoughts about this to the Elders of LifeStream Christian Church.

Said my prayers, but also had a bit of a re-awakening about how I pray.  I've been praying for a friends job situation.  I've specifically been praying for him to get a new contract. But the thought occurred, is that what God wants? What if by giving him this job would rob him of greater victories in life?  The ways of God sometimes are unexplainable by man.  So I'm thinking my prayer would be better in line with the will of God to pray that he guides him in this journey.  In the end he will end up where God wants him. Now I know the person I'm talking about would likely have the same selfish reaction I had to this.... PRAY FOR HIM TO KEEP HIS JOB!  Because at some level its OK to pray for something selfish and God can be moved by such prayers.

Ten days left.

Day 29 in the books.

Got all my goals done.  Even did a review of my prayer list and sent a few emails out to several folks on the list to see what's up.

When I started this I KNEW satan would attack and take advantage of things that are easy to take advantage of.  I just, for once ;-), would love to be wrong.  Got off work and had to immediately go to a friends house and help some dear friends work through some family issues.  Hopefully today is day one of some REAL healing.

One thing I do love about this though, is that it was/is great to see this family rely on LifeStream Christian Church for the support they need.

I said that my last post would be my last from the weekend, but after the past few hours I just HAVE to post.

At 6PM we went to church to have a meeting recapping the mission trip that my wife and two oldest children went on a few weeks back.

As I sat there and listened to the stories I got emotional about it all.  For such a broken man to have such a wonderful family is beyond my comprehension. Knowing what could have been for my older two had our life not taken the turn it took 11 years ago makes what is my reality that much better.

However what floored me the most about tonight is my wife.  Shy as can be... she was put in a position where she HAD to speak in front of everybody and I was floored.  Like she was born to speak publicly.  Eloquent with words, cracking well timed jokes, and getting her point across.  Was very cool to see.

The mission trip was a great time for the 15 people that got to go and was great to see them bring that impact back home.

OK, so this will be the last of a slew of weekend post.  Sorry for loading you up with things to read.  But READ THIS!  Especially the last part.

Today was the wrap of a 'Summer of Surrender' sermon series at church.  Its been an interesting group of sermons as today was the first time the minister has preached in a month. 

He was sporting a black eye, says it was from moving furniture.... I have my doubts as his wife seemed awful happy about it.

Then the end of the sermon came, in our church setting the end of the sermon is always the invitation.  An invitation to come forward for prayer. An invitation to come forward for salvation. And an invitation to come forward for membership.  Saw all three today.

First some friends from our first church came forward to place membership.  Can't say I expected that to happen just two weeks ago.  Though I was tipped off that it was going to happen during our Saturday morning breakfast with the guys.

Next the youth ministers son came forward to be baptized.  The dad cried like a little girl ;-)  But I know he was proud of his boy, as I will be when that day comes.

Finally came the truly inspiring part.

There is a man in my church that needs a kidney transplant.  A lady in the church (and also a long time friend of this mans daughter) is giving him a kidney.  I've actually debated this before... would I be willing to give a kidney to somebody else?  Would I have the faith in God to allow one of my perfectly functioning kidneys to be given to somebody else?

But here she is, giving her kidney to help another man (not a young man either) live a better life.  THAT is an inspiring faith.  It is things like this that separate the church from the world.  Its days like this that make staying faithful EASY.

Oh, about forgot the new name of the church is official.  It passed 68 to 17.  Many more no votes than I anticipated, but a pass is a pass.  So now I officially attend LifeStream Christian Church.  The Batavia Church of Christ is no more.

I've read my scripture for the day.  And said my prayers.

Its interesting as I go through these prayers to see how I've watched God move in several of them, and how several more of them may come to conclusion soon.

I am really enjoying these 40 days of focus, and WILL be doing this again in the near future.

Recently read a story about how a young lady is in danger of being deported.  I could go into the details, but you can read those here.

But PLEASE take the time to email your senator and the two senators of Pennsylvania to have this dealt with.

There is NO reason why this should be an issue.

I've just spent a few minutes of my time emailing folks, will you do the same?

OK, a rare non 40 Days of Focus post.

Josh Hamilton played for the Reds last year.  He is an unbelievable story, from the pits of drug addiction to competing for the MVP this year... for the Texas Rangers.

Why did they trade him?  Apparently because there was some issues with Red's players being jealous of the attention Josh Hamilton was getting.

This is the leadership of Ken Griffey in action.  As I said just a few days ago, good riddance!  When a man like this (and he was a fan's dream) can't get support from his teammates, its the problem of the team not the player.

Welp, after Tuesday this week went to the pits.  That's two weeks in a row where I've let work consume me.

Training two new folks and trying to get busy on a major project.  Needless to say when I get home I am tired and in no mood to read.

Saying some basic prayers.  Just tough.

Last night went over to Matt K's house and hung out with his family.  If one thing has happened during this 40 days is that I have gotten to know him and his family so much better. 

Today I started all of my reading and am caught up, so I am finished with the almost 75% of the New Testament (Philippians 3 to be specific).  Its been a good time in life to go through the word of God in mass quantity.  Some of it I am encouraged with.  Some of it I am convicted with.  Some of it I am conflicted with.

Just 13 days left.