Bob's Blog

I know it is a cliche! But, the arrival of spring always makes me think "new beginning." After the cold grays and browns of winter, warm greens and bursts of all kinds of colors emerge. In the midst of these and the fact that today is Easter, the resurrection of Jesus is top of mind. Gospel means "good news." There could be none better. We are sinners and hopelessly condemned to death. But, God, the only one who could represent all of mankind, comes to earth in the form of Jesus. He dies on the cross paying the sin debt that we owe. Then, is raised from the dead. We not only share in His death, but in His resurrection! That truly is the best news ever!

I found one of my journal entries from the beginning of the year today. In it, I was reflecting on 2012 and the challenges it brought. Then, I added these statements... There have been many significant upsides this year as well. I hate how all of the negative things seem to overshadow the positive times. Even if the negative things are only a small subset of all of our experiences for a given time. I think it has to do with how much we relive the negative times, either through worry, unforgiveness, guilt, etc. We let them soak in, rather than shedding them like a windshield that has been treated with Rain-X sheds water. Makes me wonder how much this has to do with unbelief. Was Jesus that way? Did He dwell on the hurt caused by others? Did He self protect or worry?  I don't think so.

From a journal entry during a vacation to the beach a few years ago... I really do prefer the mountains over the beach. I do like the waves and the beautiful sunsets. The stars are impressive as well, assuming the ambient lights are not much of a factor.  But, the mountains feel more like home.  I am sure that sounds strange coming from someone raised in Illinois and now living in Indiana, where the elevation changes could really be measured in inches.  But, I am not talking about it feeling like home because it reminds me of my childhood or teen years.  I am referring to a deeper longing.  A home that is an echo of something from the past.  A past in which I am only vaguely familiar.  A memory that may lie somewhere in my genes. At the beach, I feel like an intruder or at best, a guest.  It is a place at which I am never entirely comfortable. But, a mountain!  I belong there!  I may no...

A few days ago, I pulled this blog up in my browser and looked at some of the posts I have written over the years. I noticed a trend. In 2009, I wrote 23 posts. From 2010 through 2012, I wrote 9, 4 and 1 respectively. Almost all of the posts in 2010 where written the first part of the year. The decline correlates to a particularly difficult time at work. Looking back, I can see that this experience bled over into all areas of my life. To be honest, I think it rocked my world more significantly than it should have. There have been many other challenges besides work. I wish I could say that I have passed all of the trials with flying colors. Not so much. But, I am starting to realize that they have come my way for a purpose. God is continuing to Father me. The past few years have revealed some areas in my heart that still need healing. But, I have felt more whole the last few weeks than I have felt in a long time. I am so grateful for God's unending love! And, for the...

A few years ago, as God was starting to wake me out of my slumber, I attended a "Men's Advance" in southern Indiana.  During that weekend, I had an experience that I believe has changed the course of my life.  If you were there and looking on, you would probably not have recognized it as a life changing moment.  To be honest, neither did I.  But, the number of times I have thought back on that event, as well as the number of times I have told the story, illustrates its significance. One sunny afternoon, many of the men gathered at the base of 3 telephone poles.  Those poles are pictured above.  The shorter pole has climbing pegs that reach to within 4 feet of the top of the pole.  The 2 taller poles have a trapeze-like bar hanging between them.  The goal of this challenge is to climb and stand on the top of the shorter pole and jump to the trapeze on the longer poles....

Today was one of those days that I found myself running from meeting to meeting.  Frantic scurrying from one building to another without even time between meetings to use the restroom.  My mind was occupied with all of the issues of the meeting I was coming from, while trying to transition to the issues of the meeting that I was heading towards. Since it takes a bit of time to make it from one building to the other, I decided to try to make a call while I speed walked.  I popped my bluetooth headset in my ear and used the voice activation feature to tell my phone who I wanted to call.  Seeking to verify my instruction it asked, "Did you say, call Cleo Taylor?" The question stopped me in my tracks.  I paused for a moment and sadly and slowly answered, "No." Cleo Taylor was my grandfather.  Apparently, his contact information has been transferred from one cell phone to the other as I have upgraded to newer phones.  Unfortunately, he has been dead f...

Wow! The Mountain from TSO Photography on Vimeo . - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad