I've always struggled wtih maintenance in the long haul

Yes, it's been a VERY long time since I posted to this blog. That's typical for me. Start fast, hopefully finish.

Our staff read from Phillipians 3 this morning during our prayer time. Paul says in verse 14, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

It seems as though that is a daily choice. Today, I choose to press on. Some days I just don't have it in me. I think that's where we begin to grasp this mystery of really knowing God, however. When we finally give up and let Him take the wheel. There's nothing in my own power that will ever out last, out think, out love, out DO anything that God offers.

So, as I continue to struggle with finishing things I start, I release that back to God and ask that HE finishes through me.

A new leader and a battle for Unity

Wow, election day! Who will it be?

I'm constantly reminding myself that regardless of who wins, God (and God alone) remains high and exalted on His throne. My trust is in the Lord alone, not any man here on earth.

Unity seems to be a theme in my life as of late. Unity is that special bond between and husband and wife, parent and child, working team within an organization, and possibly even a professional football team. (Unfortunately, my team does not show ANY sign of unity at the moment).

Unity is worth fighting for, especially in those relationships closest to us. I noted just yesterday to some friends of mine that some of the most apparent things that destroy unity are: Pride, Selfishness, Laziness, lacking a Servant nature, and the absence of prayer and intake of God's Word.

Fight for Unity in your relationships! It's certain to cause a swift blow the enemy.

WAAG - Weekend Almost Alone With God

Just returned home from a WAAG. Facilitated through Caleb's Heart Ministries and, for this particular weekend, led by Rob Cupp.
I had much apprehension prior to leaving, know that the schedule for the weekend was to be alone (most of the weekend) in the woods with God. Would He show up? Would He speak to ME? I don't particularly love being alone, would I be able to handle it?
Arriving Friday afternoon at the main camp, I was issued a tent, sleeping pad, and folding camp chair along with my own camping site approximately 200 yards away from the main camp. The instructions were contained in a notebook that I also received and basically outlined that I would be with the other men (2 cooks, the leader, and five other WAAG'ing men) for dinners and campfire, breakfast Saturday morning, and that the remaining hours I was on my own. There was also some very helpful information that helped "guide" me towards a readiness to be with and hear from the Father.
I must admit that Friday afternoon was a little long and I was anxious for dinner so that I could be reunited with the others.
Saturday, however, went surprisingly fast. I even felt at one point an urgency that I was not going to have enough time with the Lord. I spent the day reading in the book of Acts, sitting without words, hoping the Father would speak, stoking my little campfire, and listening to some worship music on my wife's Ipod. I had about an hour of GOOD worship time that afternoon just singing aloud and prasing God for who He is. This may have been my highlight.
After the weekend was over I knew what God is asking from me is quite simple in nature; He simply wants me to make time for Him. It took me awhile to decompress from life, work, family, bills etc. so I know that I'll have to be intentional about this. It will require adequate time and adequate space.
Fortunately, where I work provides me a certain number of days per year, called DAWG's (Day Alone With God). Until this weekend, I've never taken advantage of that.
Now that I know I can do it, have a greater "feel" for what's it's like, and hearing my God ask me to do it, that's what I fully intend to do.
Thank you God for pursuing me!

The Bronco Season Has Begun!

I'm so excited to see the start of Denver Broncos Football season. Today was the first day of training camp that saw the players take the field. Unfortunately, we've already lost one our draft picks for the season due to injury and another suffered a broken hand (not sure of the long term prognosis for him). I'm only praying that "injury" does not become the theme for the team this year. I may not be able to take another season like last.
I'm proud to be a fan of a team that had a player like Rod Smith for so many years. He announced his retirement and did it with class and emotion. I've never read anything that bashed Rod. People in general, and especially the fans of the Broncos absolutely loved this guy. Personally, aside from his amazing football talent, I think it's because he's got that good old fashioned strong work ethic, integrity, character, and humility. He's a stud for sure! There's a great video of his farewell speach over at my favorite Broncols Blog site - BroncoTalk. You can link to it from here.
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!

A Jam packed July!

Wow, July feels like a tornado and just as fast as it rolled in, it's almost over.

Cheryl spent several days on the road with a group of teenagers travelling from Denver to Seattle with several missions and recreational stops along the way. This was part of Kingdom Building Ministries "16 Days" program. I know it was a challenge for her, especially from a physical exhaustion standpoint. God stretched her in many ways, however, and I know she added a great deal to the program. She was able to connect well with the students, especially the four girls. I know God did great things in each persons life that was on that trip and I'm so thankful she was able to be a part of it. Here's a couple of photos:

In addition to that, Jonah spent a week at church camp, Id Ra Ha Je (I'd Rather Have Jesus). It was his first week "doing camp" and he handled it like a champ. He had an awesome counselor named Drew, loved riding horses, swimming, playing carpet ball (kind of like shuffle board on a table with pool balls), going to chapel, and he even took another kid under his wing that was struggling with missing his mom. What a stud!

Finally, we had the annual Hayes family camping trip. This year it was four days above 10,000 feet at Turquoise Lake near Leadville, CO. The weather was perfect, we all had a great time, caught three fish, four wheeled up Hagerman Pass to 11,725 feet, rode bikes and just enjoyed being together again.

(This picture is of Jonah and myself at the summit of Hagerman Pass looking to the west towards Basalt, CO.)

Now we're trying to adjust to what "normal" used to be like. The summer interns that were living with us have gone home, there are no more trips planned, Jonah's baseball season has only one game left, and school will be starting before you know it. Where does the time go?

Reflections

Many things to consider and reflect on as the 4th of July is upon me.
Last night I was once again inspired by the president of Kingdom Building Ministries, Dwight Robertson, to live a Plan A life. It's what Jesus did....stopping to pay attention to people who's lives intersect with yours, even if for only a brief moment, because every life counts. When God created you, he had a plan for you. In fact, "I am the plan". God wants to use ME to be His hands and feet to the people and places I intersect with. I've heard Dwight deliver that message many times and still it inspires me to push forward and not become comfortable in my faith. It seems like the forces of the enemy are continually pulling me towards complacency and being comfortable. I must fight against it! I must follow my saviors lead to places of discomfort, challenge, and complete reliance upon His strength and not my own. I must fight for the Kingdom which will not be taken by complacent, comfortable people who are satisfied with occupying a pew for one hour a week and checking "being a Christian" off the list until next week. God's plan is to us ME and YOU to carry His truth with us wherever we go! God help us all to be in the game and not comfortable on the sidelines!
On that note, with tomorrow being Independence Day, I'm reminded of those past and present who served our country in the military. Were the freedoms of this country taken laying down? I think not! Things that are good and noble have to be fought for. I tip my hat to our service men and women; past, present, and future who've dedicated themselves to fighting for freedoms that I enjoy every day. God Bless America!

My Wife

I'm so blessed to be married to my bride of 15 years! She's beautiful, smart, funny (especially her facial expressions- how does she do that with her mouth? - see pic). Most of all, my wife "gets it". It's one of the most attractive things about her. She truly "gets it!"
What I mean by this is that she understands what living for Jesus Christ really means. I'm not saying she's got it all figured out, no human really does. She does, however, understand that continually going back to God, surrendering, confessing, again and again, is what a transformed life looks like.
We've got our issues, individually, and as a family. Accepting them and then looking to God for restoration and healing is how you "get it". God asks us for everything and He gave everything. It's worth the struggle to give it all. My wife is the most beautiful when I see her fighting with everything she's got to give herself back completely to the King!