Wednesday, February 25, 2009

I'll Be "Blog Gone"

After several weeks of monitoring hits on my blog, I've decided that it has run it's course, and it's time to sign off. I'm only getting a few views a day, and I have a sneaking suspicion that most of them are my kids checking in once in a while. :)

I have joined the masses on Facebook, and when my muse to write something hits me, I'll be posting them as "notes" on my Facebook page. Those of you who also have a Facebook page can sure check me out once in a while. If I'm not currently your "friend", let me know and I'll be glad to add you to my massive list (yeah, right!).

Anyway, it's been fun, but the time seems right to move on.

God Bless you all, and remember to "keep the main thing the main thing"!!

De Colores

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Happy Valentines Day

Valentines Day, that wonderful day when we attempt to convey to our sweetie how much we love and cherish them is rapidly approaching. Yes, it is a wonderful day, full of love and romance. But, too often, the pursuit of romance with our mate is limited to this one day, and the rest of the year is "the same old same old".

I love Lori. I love her with all my heart. In fact, I can say that my love for her grows stronger every day. But if I don't show her that I love her, how will she know? A truly successful romantic relationship requires a constant effort of "wooing" and "romancing" our spouse or mate. Unfortunately, romance seems to be fast becoming a lost art. If we truly want to have a strong relationship, we need to learn that we have to pursue that relationship daily. After all, isn't one of our deepest desires to feel like we are special in our mate's eyes?

God is wanting to enter into a special relationship with us on a daily basis. He doesn't just show us how much He loves us just once a year, He gives us His love daily. He constantly pursues us. He constantly woos us. He wants us to be His Valentine. He wants us to feel like we are special to Him, BECAUSE WE ARE!! In fact, we are so special to Him that He sent his only son to die for us! 1John 4: 8-10 says "8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

What greater love could there be? Are you ready to accept His love every day, and likewise show it to others?

Happy Valentines Day!!

De Colores

Monday, February 09, 2009

"Indian" Spring??

Record setting highs, thunderstorms, abundant sunshine, warm breezes....wait a minute, aren't we in the middle of winter? Let me check my calendar...yep, it says February 9. Where did winter go? It looks like we're having a dose of "Indian Spring".

I have gotten so used to this nice weather! When winter returns (and it's sure to do so eventually), it's going to be a shock to my system. Nature lulls us into thinking spring is here, and then, POW!! Back to winter. How dare it deceives us like that!

How many times do we go through life thinking everything is good, and then, POW!! Something comes along that jolts us and makes us realize that life isn't easy. Satan loves to take advantage of these opportunities and tries to deceive us into believing that God isn't good. Don't be fooled!! The bible tells us that life isn't like that.

James 1: 12-18 says "12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. 17Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created."


Just as I'm sure winter will return before we see spring actually settle in, I know that I will be tempted by life's trials and failures. I only need to hold fast, and look to God who is ALWAYS GOOD!! By His grace, He will see me through, and I will ultimately see the victory in eternity!!

De Colores

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Of Geese And Eagles

I was out at the Marion County Lake this morning looking at a property, and was astounded at the number of geese out there! There must have been several thousand sitting on the ice.There have been frequent sightings of bald eagles at the lake this winter. Today, the only one I saw was an immature one that didn't have the full bald eagle features. He was still an impressive looking bird. Anyway, I tried to get close to him to photograph him, but he got nervous and took off.As soon as the geese saw him take off, they got nervous and starting flying too. There were geese flying everywhere!!

I'm guessing that they think they are safer in the air than on the ground. Out alone, a goose is easy prey for these eagles. However, banded together in large numbers, it is more difficult for the eagles to single one out. Safety in numbers!!

The bible tells us that there is safety in numbers for Christians. Hebrews 10:25 says "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Matthew 18:20 says "For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them."

These geese have figured it out that there are great benefits to sticking together. We as Christians can learn a valuable lesson from them. Alone, we are vulnerable to the world and its pitfalls. When we meet together in Chriatian fellowship, we can build each other up.

De Colores

Friday, January 23, 2009

MasterCard Fraud

Whew, what a day!! Our bank was informed today by MasterCard that a fairly large number of our customer's debit cards were compromised. Apparently, someone out there was able to launch some sort of virus into one of their vendor's systems, and it downloaded the debit card numbers to them. We have spent the entire day calling our customers who were affected and let them know that we had to shut down their cards. Most people were appreciative that we let them know.

I am amazed how many people almost exclusively use their debit cards instead of writing checks. They are great until something like this happens.

If you use your debit card a lot, be sure and check your account fairly frequently to make sure someone is not using your info to spend your money. At least look at your bank statement once a month!! Better yet, don't use the debit card for any on-line purchases. That seems to be the most common place where security gets breached.

De Colores

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Corrosion

Wow, was it cold last night! Our thermometer showed about 3 degrees at 7:30 this morning. I guess we should be thankful that we don't live up north, they have temperatures that are 20 -30 below zero!!

When we woke up this morning, I thought something didn't feel right with the air temperature inside the house. Sure enough, the thermostat was set on 70 degrees, but the temperature showed 67. The furnace wasn't running, so I knew we had some kind of issue. I called our local repairman, and he came over and quickly diagnosed the problem. He said there is a sensor rod that detects when the burners are lit and tells the system that it's ok to run. If the gas comes on but the sensor does not detect heat, it will shut the system down, so you don't have a problem with gas leaking into your house. Any way, this sensor rod had become dirty and corroded over time, and didn't operate properly. Even though the burners lit, it couldn't tell, and it shut down the furnace. The repairman cleaned the sensor rod, and immediately the furnace fired up, and we had heat again!

That sensor rod reminded me of myself and my walk with God. Sometimes, the "dirt" of life can corrode our spirit. We cease to study, pray and seek God. We aren't sensitive to God's leading. We don't detect the "fire" that God puts in us. We become incapable of functioning like God designed and created us to. Only when we get rid of the dirt and corrosion through repentence and turning back to God can we again get that fire back in us that makes us effective Christians.

I am thankful for furnances, and I am thankful for people who know how to fix them! I am most thankful however, for God and His amazing love and grace that continually cleanses us of our dirt and corrosion in our lives.

De Colores

Friday, January 09, 2009

Blessed Be The Tie That Binds

This coming weekend, all 9 of the Kelsey children (my wife Lori included) will all get together for the first time since their mother Viola Kelsey passed away nearly one year ago. It will be a time for reminiscing, story telling, laughing and I'm sure the shedding of a few tears.

Viola was truly the "glue" that held this family together. It was important to her that the "kids" get together and maintain the family ties. She never was loud or overbearing. Her quiet demeanor and dignity just commanded a certain presence whenever they were together.

I'm glad they are getting together and remembering the "tie that binds". Somewhere up in heaven, I'm sure Viola is smiling her approval also.

De Colores