Jesus Listens

Romans 8:1-2 KJV — There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Isaiah 30:21 KJV — And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

John 10:27 KJV — My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Psalm 23:1-3 KJV — A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

I wasn’t so sure about this devotional because it doesn’t print the referenced scriptures. I get suspicious when guidance isn’t right next to the Word.

Today’s entry directed me to find scripture that hit directly on my problem.

I’ve been super distracted and today was really bad, I totally forgot my son’s guitar lesson and I am mentally all over the place. I’m letting social media and worldy concerns take my attention.

Freedom from distraction is found in a focus on The Most High. When I focus on Christ and the Love that I have received from God, my path becomes clear and unlittered.

I’m not there yet. I’m here typing on my phone, thinking about jiu-jitsu and soccer tonight and dinner and what’s tomorrow and and and…

Yet in the tumult, I can see the calm waters beyond. They are always there, waiting for me. There is comfort and reset in those waters.

Work and Play

Westen started his training as a jiu-jitsu instructor today. I can’t say I’m surprised, this possibility has been in the ether for years. Still, it was wonderful to watch him take this big step in his journey.

Before his new duties began, we had a lot of play with our home education friends.

Raingutter Regatta

Our friends organize events for the Boy Scouts and we got to be their guinea pigs for an upcoming Raingutter Regatta.

Using simple materials, all the kids in our weekly meetup built sailboats and had a blast racing them.

The Ladder

Genesis 28:12 KJV — And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

John 1:51 KJV — And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

According to Pastor Chuck Smith, Jacob “was sort of stuck between the fear of the past, and the fear of the future.”

I’m fortunate to not experience a lot of fear, but I do feel a tension between the past and the future. On a household level, my past parenting mistakes are manifesting in destructive and selfish behaviors from my younger son. On the subject of the future, my relationship with my girlfriend and the growth of our business look increasingly bright.

All of our building energy is matched by a material crumbling in another realm of our lives.

It is a puzzle, but I can’t help but believe that recent spiritual wins are marking a new dawning of peace for our quiltwork family.

Shootin’ with the Boy

Isaac has rediscovered an interest in marksmanship.

After getting back to Junior Rifle Club yesterday, he wanted to try today’s silouette shoot.

I joined in on the first round and it was a lot of fun. I even beat his score, although he topped me in subsequent rounds.

I love giving him these opportunities and watching him grow.

More Than 11 Minutes

I managed a little more than an hour of reading today.

Kafka’s relationship with his father was intensely dark and complex. This letter illuminates many of his fictional characters.

11 Minutes

I woke up exhausted, but more settled than I have been recently. Somehow, I got myself outside for five rounds of Wim Hof Method breathing. I haven’t done it in months, but I felt I was ready for, yet another, reset.

My busy day started with my older son’s guitar lesson and I took a little time to read some of Kafka’s Letter to the Father, 11 minutes to be precise. Not much, but I haven’t been reserving any time for hardcopy reading.

Life has been wild this year and pushing hard against me with material challenges. I’ve been pushing back and it’s starting to wear me down. I’ve neglected my restful and rejuvenating habits.