Thinking on Experience

As we have progressed in to the New Year I have been thinking a lot about life as I have come to experience it. This is not to say I am overly ecstatic or even disappointed. It is just some more of my pondering.

I can say that some of my life choices have not always been the best decisions. That being said, all of life is really a learning process. Hopefully I have learned through my years of living on this earth. Someone has said, “experience is the best teacher,” this could be in many instances.

When we do not get the lesson concept the first time “around the mountain or through the wilderness,” then most likely we will have go around or through it again. The repeated time(s) may be duplication or with slight variations of possible learning scenarios. My problem is remembering, especially if the mountain or wilderness is big.

Maybe it is like learning math, you do it over again if it is wrong so you can get the correct answer. Of course that is a textbook case, and life has so many more variables, including time, persons, events, etc. But maybe you get my meaning.

My stage of life right now is one of seeking inner peace regardless of who it pleases or displeases. By now I have learned quite succinctly that I cannot please everybody that I might desire to please. It is not that I want to bring offense to those around me, but I must have spiritual contentment in my soul. That presence of contentment by the Spirit will allow me to best deal with others I may come in to contact with. I will be pious in this vein of thinking because I do know the importance of my personal relationship with the Savior, Jesus Christ.

I could expound upon portions of Holy Scripture that is given in the Bible. Would this be considered Bible “thumping”? For some, I am sure this would be the conclusion. But if I use reason based on biblical principles and allow the Spirit in me to control my communication processes then I will be more readily received and understood. Conversion to understanding would be by that same Spirit for the receiving individual(s).

Do I have to stand in a pulpit or teach in a church building to minister? No! Again, no! The church is far more than a building or organization. We are to be our brother’s keeper by doing deeds that honor our Creator. I appreciate the facilities that serve as gathering places for those of like faith, but these are not the sole places of worship. Worship must begin in the heart with relationship and progress to the mind and become infectious. The infectious condition brings unity and eternal purpose, pleasing God.

My life has been good. I want to go on improving with right thinking, responsible ministry, and sensing the joy of my salvation. I desire to share through writing and verbalizing with all I may encounter. I admit my imperfections but I, like Paul the Apostle, want to strive towards maturity that will bring me safely to my eternal home.

Resolutions.... ?????

It is not only a new calendar year but I realize it is another decade that fades into the recesses of memory. It has been time of survival and new experiences. Obstacles and issues have often hindered or delayed progress.


It has never been my practice to make New Year’s resolutions because of all the hoopla and failures of others who have done so. But maybe I now step up to the plate and make an exception for this year and see how it plays out. This may be my rebel nature finally surfacing.

Perhaps every decision I made or others made for me weren’t thoroughly thought through but nonetheless they were done. Consequences will follow as it is with anything. Generally all has not been too devastating; some of the worst has turned out to bring benefits as well as new perspectives and new friends. The torture of feeling mistreated and ignored often overwhelmed those things that had been validated in my life. It is time to face a new period of my life.

As I approach this New Year and decade, I resolve to focus on the right stuff. I don’t want to get caught up in any faction that brings division to friendships and destroys livelihoods. Phoniness stinks.

Time has brought a sense of my ability to express feelings and opinions that are strongly supported through the knowledge of God’s Word that I have instilled within me for the majority of my life. I do not always have to be a “yes” man to simply find favor with someone. As God’s child I am highly favored.

I resolve to continue to serve my church and family with renewed spiritual strength that will sustain us in the difficulties of life. I want the joy of the Lord to permeate my being and be my strength.

I resolve to maintain healthy habits in my diet.

I resolve to continue in honesty of expressing my feelings.

I resolve to be as productive and active as my body and health permit.

I resolve to be a better husband and love my wife more, and tell her so.

I resolve to read through the Bible in this year and listen to God speak.

Is blogging revealing?

 I have considered the response to this question after much examination of past postings and current situations. I believe the reader of these posts can possibly read between the lines and discover the authentic individual, the real me, who wrote the blog. It is a discovery that we definitely live in a hurting but healing world. I have found consolation in writing from my heart and disclosing my sentiments.

I have previously described my posts as “therapy”. I continue to have that same point of view. Through the process of composing my soul becomes aligned to a better and more complete view of my life purpose. The intrusion is my disregard to follow-through and be proactive. I must become accountable to the principles set forth “in the lines and between the lines”. Adaptation and change are not always going to be easy, but absolutely necessary.

I, like most others, have my likes and dislikes about changes on the job. For example, I am having a very difficult time with updated programs on my work computer. I find the new computer keyboard is more difficult for me personally to manipulate as well as the mouse for some reason. (It’s probably just me.) However, I must try to adapt and make the best of it.

Life is full of lessons, if only you and I will learn them. My intention in writing these posts is to assist us both in living life as intended. I am a Christian who believes in the fullness of the Good News brought to us through Jesus Christ. If I fail, He forgives me as I ask and offer my true repentance, and likewise He will do for you. Enjoy life and be full of the Joy of the Lord!

UPDATE

Here we are again at the close of another year. It is amusing how everybody is getting older, the kids are growing up, the memory is short-circuiting on the present, but the past is real clear. I just wanted to write a few words to update things happening in our life.


It has been a busy year for us as a family; love was in the air. Micah got married in August to Ashley. That meant much work earlier in the year for family and friends. My wife did an outstanding job with the decorations; I am proud of her and her work. We are thankful for all the support. I was blessed to officiate the wedding and pronounce them husband and wife.

I am still working for the Housing Authority as a Family Service Coordinator, Carolyn works keeping things up at home and one day a week for our dear friends. Micah remains employed at Vie Del and Ashley is working for the largest retailer in America, Wal Mart. They are living with us temporarily until the economy improves (God willing) and they can save enough to get their own place. Titus , our puppy dog is still with us, although a pain sometimes to accommodate we still love him. He will be nine years old in February; is that 63 in dog years? Wow! If so he is almost as old as me. I did become entitled to Medicare in October, oh my!

During the course of the year we have occasioned trips to the “Happiest Place on Earth.” I’m not sure about renewing our annual passes in April. We do plan a few more trips that way after the holidays. Carolyn and I got to go for three days in November and our friends let us use their motor home. We had a wonderful time. Got some shopping done too while there. I am a big fan of Jiminy Cricket and I finally found a limited edition piece that I purchased which is about eight inches in height, a real nice piece for my collection. Carolyn is still into Cinderella and she got a Marie Osmond Cinderella doll. The kids are into their vinylmations and we got them a couple of things, I think they liked them.

I greet all the readers of this post with best wishes for a blessed Christmas season and an improved new year. Keep Christ at the center and acknowledge His grace to all you come into contact with.

Moving On Up

I am not certain of where all the time has escaped since my last post. This blog has obviously become a low priority item on my list. However, maybe now I can move it up a notch or two. Only time will tell.


It has been a very busy era of life for us. Our son is now married and is residing with his bride in our upstairs. He is currently working seven days a week during harvest and is exhausted. His wife is working for a famous retailer. Challenges have been faced and conquerored, but continue to rise but victory is ours.

Work has also submitted its challenge to me with loss of personnel and workload increases. There have been so many changes in such short period of time with many difficult clients to deal with.

The best part of this time has been the culmination of a healing from personal wounds that ran deep. I complied with Matthew 5:23; the response I received was given with obvious bias and guilt sent my direction. I refuse to revisit the pain and misunderstandings of that past event. It is time to move on!

We are stronger now in our faith than before. The church organization is no longer our crutch. There I no need to rely on personalities or nepotism to be successful.

We are now actively involved in an amazing church fellowship. My wife and I have been asked to participate in the elder prayer team at close of services. We are hosting a small group study beginning in February 2011; we are currently in training. There are so many opportunities to serve. We have met some very wonderful maturing Christian people. This is our first time to actively attend such a large church (estimated 1,300 attendees at this time). We experience great teaching and worship each time we attend.

WOW!

Busyness has preoccupied my time to prevent blog posting. Sometimes you just have to set priorities and unfortunately, blogging is low on the list. However, I do feel the need of the therapy it provides and maybe I can soon return to this part of my world to be expressive and creative.

The wedding mentioned in my previous post has taken place. The bride and groom are settling in their new relationship. We are all adjusting to this big change and working on getting things done to bring success to their lives. Hopefully pictures can be soon forthcoming, whenever I get them from my sources.

Work has been very busy too. Makes the days go fast but tires me out. The neurologist has got me on new medication and it may be affecting my tiredness. I do sleep well at night, but my wife says I really snore. What can I say now?

Waggonner Goings On

In case you have an interest in what has happened to us this blog can provide some deeper insight if you want to read past posts.

Currently we are doing quite well in spite of many obstacles thrown our way. We have learned a lot about friendship and betrayal. The paths of darkness that we have traveled lately are no longer stretches of great magnitude. Contentment has fallen upon us that are difficult to explain. Our disassociation from previous affiliations was humanly forced, ugly and improper but turned to good by the God we serve.

My summation of the matter that confronted us smack in the face and removed us from full time ministry is: “sorry for them, good for us”. I am truly disappointed in a vast number who are in leadership in the organization. I do not believe they have fully executed their responsibility in accordance with God’s mandate to train. My eyes have been opened to this deficit. I have asked God to forgive me of my blindness and flawed focus of ministry that I pursued for a time. I was seeking man’s approval and promotion rather than walking in the fullness of my God given ministry.

Currently we remain in our new 2,769 square foot home we purchased in 2007. We have retained possession in spite of the economy and lack of employment for nine months. We are in a very nice quiet neighborhood with kind neighbors. All bills were kept current.

God provided a very good job for me. I am a Family Service Coordinator for a housing authority. Carolyn continues to maintain our home and just recently started working for a friend one day a week to earn a little extra. Micah continues to work and will soon enjoin married life. God has blessed us all with wonderful health for which we are so grateful.

Although I soon will be 65 years old I do not plan on retiring unless I inherit a good fortune. I do not engage in pulpit ministry activities unless called upon. My job serves as a great opportunity to minister to a multitude of searching peoples fallen upon hard times. I do hold credentials as a doctor of divinity and ordained bishop. I am excited about life and what the future holds in spite of all the bad press. I would encourage all to "look up, your redemption is near."