Father's Day

Fathers Day... a time to honor parents, much like Mothers day, but with a major difference, besides the different roles Mothers and Fathers play, is that Fathers day is a time to be thankful for the teaching, raising, wisdom, insight, and love while Mothers day is ususally a time to remember, celebrate, and honor the caring, relationship, that mothers are so often associated with.

It is funny to recieve goofy ties, golf accessories, and other items that usually tend to be practical like tools when even though those things make me as a Father laugh, it is the smile on my daughters face and the warmth in my wife's eyes that positively shake me to the very foundation of my core and stir me to praise God for the gift of Fatherhood.

I lift up in prayer all those that are unable or just are not fathers and request your love and intercession for any pain that these wonderful people experience.

I am a father of a three year old daughter, Pearl, her and my wife mean more to me then words can express, but as long as I don't digress:

I am not sure I can even remember what I thought John 3:16 meant before I became a Father. If anyone reads this and does not know John 3:16 look it up. The Gideon's place bibles in Hospitals, hotals, and many other places and I hope you can find a place to read it, but worse case you can look online at sites like http://www.biblegateway.com/

I have a feeling that Mothers may even understand the sacrifice, love, grace, compassion, and caring that involves John 3:16 even better, but no matter what I am thankful...

Thank you God for making me a Father.

Father

Happy Birthday Dad

Tuesday was my Dad's Birthday. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner cooked by my mom with the family, and pie and icecream. Pearl also enjoyed haveing a swim in Pap Pap's pool. I value my dad's opinion and all that he has taught me through the years. I also value all of the support and advise he gives to us while we contiune on this journy of being a family in full time ministry. I am looking forward to many more years of his wise advice and love.

Speed Racer

We took Pearl to see Speed Racer with her cousin Jared and her PapPap Russell. She started to have a hard time paying attention after awhile and even asked to leave. I thought, 'this is not like Pearl' because she usually does so well at the movies. Then I realized she didn't start acting up until an hour and fourty minutes had passed into the movie. It was a good time and Pearl did great for the movie being over two hours and twenty minutes.

Here is a clip from the first seven minutes of the movie compliments of Yahoo and Speed Racer:



From: http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/speedracer.html?showVideo=1

Praising God

It is so amazing to see Pearl, my daughter, praise God.

We were driving down the road, just me and her, and I look back to make sure she is doing good and I see her lifting her hands and pointing her fingers to the heavens as our radio played a praise and worship song. It was uplifting for me to see her excited for her Jesus and then while pointing up she started singing the words, at least I think she was singing the words. No matter what it was it was music to my ears.

Yet again I am reminded we have much to learn from children... possibly more then we teach them, at least spiritually.

Getting back to the heart of worship

{ Picture from http://images.parable.com/ProdImage/87/7474018187.jpg }

I remember hearing about the story that surrounds the song "Heart Of Worship' by Matt Redman and thinking about what it means to have an innocent, pure, simple, and humble heart that seeks after Jesus, that continually connects and remains in Love with Jesus, Our Lord and Savior.

Two days ago I was amazed again as God reminded me of this same thing. I was getting my daughter ready to leave the house and you have to remember she is only 3 years old. We were all ready except she did not want to come down stairs, put on her shoes, and actually leave. So I run upstairs get the phone I left up there, but more importantly to remind her it is time to go and as I approach her at the top of the stairs I hear in a sweet, soft, and beautiful voice, "I am sorry, My Jesus". Pearl reminded me of how my relationship with Jesus needs to be.

What did my three year old do, say, or think that she wanted to tell her Jesus she was sorry I may never know, but what I do know is that I want to encourage her to continue this and maybe I need to set aside the busyness of life and like the song get back to the heart of worship. Worship is not just at the Sunday service or on Saturdays or Sundays alone, but every single day and should be during everything we do no matter what.

We could all be so blessed as to say today, "I am sorry, My Jesus" and get back to the heart of worship.

Sometimes it is easy to talk or preach about the greatest commandment, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." from Matthew 22:37 the NIV which references Deuteronomy 6:5. I mention this because it is not always easy to point the way for people to walk more deeply with Jesus, to love Him more deeply, to fill our minds completely, or have all of being focused on Jesus, but maybe, just maybe it is the things we consider little like coming before Jesus and being sorry, your Jesus, my Jesus, the Jesus that died so that all who believe may have everlasting life as John 3:16 proclaims moves us along the journey of better loving the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.




{ Picture from http://www.nhim.org/Lessons/Lesson%20Files/ChildrenPraying.jpg }

Is your glass half-full or half-empty?

When life hands you lemons do you make lemonade?



Then of course there are varying degrees:
Bitter
Semi-sweet
Extra-sweet
And just plain amazing with the perfect blend

Maybe life has seemingly left you bitter?
If so there is someone who can help. His name is Jesus
And His birthday is celebrated every year at Christmas
And His death and ressurection is celebrated every year at Easter.

This last Sunday I preached on 1st Peter 1:1-9 and I invite
All who read this Blog to take 5 minutes and read the passage
Especially if you have read it before.

Now the questions are:
Do you rejoice like the passage describes?
Do you experience great joy even while suffering under trials?
Do you see the brighter side while being refined through fire so
that your faith strengthens?

Please take a few minutes to look up Isaiah 48:10.

The good news, the great news is that not only are we giving glory,
Honor, and praise to God as He so rightly deserves when we suffer,
But we are pointing the way to Christ as the 1st Peter passage reminds us.

I leave you with this question:

When you look in the



and see your reflection who does it point to?

Happy Birthday Mom

In the picture Richard Aegan, Quina Price, Bobby Aegan, and Pearl Russell

Today is my Mom's birthday. She has taught me many lessons throughout the years and I look forward to having dinner with her tonight and learning many more things from her for many more years.

Fun at High School Musical on Ice

I got the opportunity to be able to go to High School Musical on Ice which is a combination of High School Musical one and two. I was able to go with Brenda and Pearl. I never knew it, but opening night can offer some more reasonable priced tickets. It was a wonderful time especially as I watched Pearl with her eyes glued to the Ice Rink as the musical ensued. I looked over and saw Brenda watching and not only watching the musical, but also watching Pearl to make sure she did not hit or spill anything on the person sitting in front of Pearl and I was struck by the wonders of family. Sometimes family life is difficult, it wasn't meant to be easy, but it is worth it and when I have moments like these the difficulties melt away faster then snow on a warm sunny day. The picture below is my momento of another wonderful moment that God used to make up for those stressful, even though not always frequent, days of hair pulling, biting, hitting, and overall fits that all three year olds go through.

What is today

Some people call today Holy Thursday, some say Maundy Thursday, some say Pass over, some say last supper, some say agape meal, some say first day of spring, and to some it is just Thursday, March 20. Well for us here in the Russell household it has been a day of preparation. We have been preparing for tonight's service at the church. Pearl was supposed to be in pre-school today but it was canceled so she to has been helping. At first I thought oh no, but to be honest with you it has been a blessing in disguise. Pearl has been a great little helper and I can not wait to experience tonight's service with her. So as our day of preparations is starting to wind down it will turn into a night of remembrance and learning. We will learn what some of the things were that took place so many years ago the night Jesus was betrayed, and remember in closing with communion what Jesus did for us on the cross tomorrow.
A short story about our preparations
We actually started our preparations last night by setting up the tables and chairs in the shape of a cross. Pearl was there and helped us, but we never really explained to her why we were moving the tables and we never mentioned to her the fact that they were in the shape of a cross. So today she has been for the most part busy playing while I've been getting the food ready. So when my mom stopped by for a surprise visit while we were just getting ready for lunch, and was happily surprised that Pearl meet her at the door. Grandma thought she was in school. I was not expecting Pearl to say much about tonight. However during the midst of eating lunch and talking about tonight and what I had done and still had to do my Mom asked if there was anything she could do to help. I said she could help me fill cups with grape juice if she wanted to over at the church. So that is when it happened Pearl perked up at asked with much excitment if Grandma wanted to go and see the cross at the church. So we did, we went to the church and Pearl very proudly showed the cross to her Grandma.

Picture Update

Visit to a game farm in West Virginia

Visit to a game farm in West Virginia

High School Musical on ice

Mommy's little helper

Second year in a row we spent V-Day in the snow

Wow what a cute little girl

Santa came and Pearl's goods are awaiting her in the morning

Pearl and Aunt Dottie waiting to go to Christmas Eve service at Bridgewater UMC

Pearl went to visit the pymatumming the place where ducks walk on the back of fish with her Grandma, Grandpap, Aunt Dottie and of course us this fall

Pearl ready to go Trick-or-treating, but missing her Justin

Justin Update

Well I wanted to update everyone and thank you for praying for my cousin Justin as he went through all of his training for the US Navy. He graduated from "boot camp" the Friday before Labour Day. Than he went to Texas for A-School for further training. While in Texas he met a girl who stole his heart. Her name is Heather and she is awesome. While he was home on leave Corben had the pleasure of performing their wedding. Justin than reported to Washington state where he will be stationed for the next two years. He than spent until the begining of March in classes training him even further for his job in the US Navy as a Master at Arms. He did however hurt his knee and is on light duty. So for the next two weeks his job is driving people around the base. He works 6 hours than has off 6 hours and so it goes for the next two weeks. Pearl can find Washington state on a map and tells us "Washington, Justin lives there". She also enjoys talking to both Justin and Heather via X-Box Live.

The moments we share...

The moments we share…

The moments we share can be positive or negative.
The moments we share can be happy or sad.
The moments we share can help us grow or tear us down,
But most importantly the moments share are together.

Through thick and thin, in High and low tide, rain or shine I am thankful we have each other.




There is a devotional book Brenda and I reflect on called Moments with You by Dennis and Barbara Rainey. Everyday I appreciate what I learn, ways to come closer to God, and opportunities to receive advice as we end the parenting day and Pearl lays in her bed falling asleep.

What I never expect, but find invaluable is the precious moments of listening, speaking, sharing, and being together as we read, discuss, reflect, and pray for each other, our family, and our relationship with Christ.

A passage for reflection:

NIV (New International Version) Colossians 13:12-15
"12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

Dr. Phil's personality test

I scored 49 on Dr. Phil's personality test
Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who will always cheer them up and help them out.

http://psychcentral.com/personquiz.htm

Happy Valentine's Day!@!

Picture extracted on Thursday, February 14th, 2008 at 8:00P.M. from:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jobradford/110062695/

Happy Valentine's Day


To the wonderful blessing that God has graced me with:


The light of my life,

who is with me through strife.

I want you to know

That my expressions can’t show

How I love you so.

But even though words can’t convey

I must say without delay,

I love you

and

thank you

for being such a great blessing God has graced me with.

Today's Prayer based on Joel 2:1-17

Photo extracted from: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cdm/37007291/
on February 6th, 2008 at 10:50A.M.

Dear Lord, today is a special day in that it is a day to remember we are of dust and to dust we will return, to remain faithful in you. For us to have pure hearts and give them to you, to Love you with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind as the greatest commandment exclaimed in the New Testament in Matthew chapter 22. We thank you that you give us specific ways for us to do this and to return to you, to be focused on you through fasting, weeping and mourning.

We can not thank you enough Jesus for the wonderful sacrifice you made, dying on the cross, so that all who believe may have everlasting life, that your blood fulfilled the New Covenant for the forgiveness of sins.

As we remember today that we are made from ground and to ground we return please help us to rejoice in you, dwell in you, and see in this passage what you want us to see, to have hearts after you, in your precious name, Jesus, we pray Amen!

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Psalm 121

I am participateing in a Beth Moore Bible study called Stepping Up. Pearl and I accompanied Corben to Kentucky last week for his second of three classes that he was taking this month at Asbury. So I was unable to attend the first week. Therefore this week I am trying to play catch up. So yesterday during the day I was working on days three and four of week one which focused on Psalm 121. What a reminder for me at this time. Where does my help come from? My help comes from God. I now know that I needed that reminder more than I knew. Sometimes we try to make it look to others like we have it all together and if we do that too much we than start to believe that we do have it all together and think we can handle it all on our own and not let others in, including God.

God please forgive me for not accepting the help that you give me and for trying to handle things on my own.

Then last night as we were putting Pearl to bed I opened up our bedtime book to read her the next Bible story and it was...yes your right Psalm 121. God wanted to remind me just one more time where my help comes from.

Wow Pearl you have been many places

Look at our little traveler.

This is where Corben has been

This is pretty cool.

The places I've been

This is sooooo cool. Where have you been?