Astounded by God once again...October 7, 2008

Today is an important anniversary between God and me. I didn't even think of it when I first got up. Sometimes "waking" is a process with me. I had just been lamenting the fact that I wasn't writing poetry anymore, after reading some poetry sites, when a poem began to come to me concerning this anniversary. I thought it was really cool how the poem was my gift to God and His gift to me. His faithfulness and love, His multifacetedness, His very being: All continue to astound, delight and mystify me. I am so thankful! KDR

News Update

Hey Everybody!

This is basically just a news update. We don't like to wait so long before updating the blog. We've just been busy and tired. Jose' has been working long hours to meet a deadline on a job. I have been trying to plan my parents 50th anniversary party. My sister and her family helped. My sister-in-law and brother helped. But since I'm unemployed right now and they are busy and/or live out-of-town, I was responsible for a lot of the details. I'm not good at stuff like that. I was so glad to see my sister and her family drive up as I was attempting to decorate. They just started setting out vases and spreading tablecloths and made it seem so easy! It was this past Sunday even though today is their actual anniversary. They seemed to enjoy it and I'm very thankful for all the family and friends who came.

Recently I've noticed that a lot of friends and family members are experiencing change of some sort. It's like we're being stretched. But while changes like these are usually for the best, they can still be painful to some degree. Fenelon says"...God wants you to grow a little at a time and not burst into instant maturity. You must endure the painful process of change. There is much more at work here than your instant maturity. God wants to build a relationship with you that is based on faith and trust and not on glamorous miracles..." Jesus says "...take up your cross daily..." I'm so glad that God is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in each of us.

KDR

OUR YARD

Greetings! Today was such a nice day. I can tell that Fall is coming. The nice thing is....days are a bit cooler and the landscape is still nice and green.

It seems as though we have a regular visitor to our bird feeders and bird bath. One day Denise and I were leaving to go somewhere and she noticed the squirrel on the tree. He didn't move. Maybe he thought that we couldn't see him. So I went in and got the camera. For a while there he would come up on our porch.....that's where we keep the bird food. Then Denise put out food for him on the porch. Now she puts out food at the base of the tree (you see in the picture) for the squirrel and some doves that also frequent the feeders. For some reason the doves like to eat off the ground. As of now we have 1 bird house, 2 feeders and a bird bath. It's nice having the visitors.

I don't know if you remember the sunflowers we grew this year. I put some pics on a previous post. Anyways.......once they got so big and started to buckle over....I cut the heads off and the seeds became food. That was nice to be able to do that. We'll probably grow them now for that purpose.

Here are our Cuban Oregano and Garlic plants we got earlier this year when we went to Daytona Florida. As you can see they never made it into the ground or a planter. They are tough plants to thrive where they have. I tried to move them one day and discovered that roots had passed from the pot into the ground. We just left them there. Hope they make it through the winter.

We found a pretty rose bush at Marvin's several months ago. I thought it was the coolest color. It's been slow this year. But when it puts out a bloom.....it's beautiful. This (above photo) is my version of an artistic shot.

Here's another photo of the rose in the bird bath. As you can see we have another vine at the base that has never made it into the ground. It's a sweet potato vine. Nice green and purple colors.
Of course.....our Alabama bird feeder. We love to see the little Nuthatches sitting amid the food.
That's our little yard in a nutshell.

AN UPDATE

Cleo is doing well. She's adjusting to life with the other animals. I have noticed a difference in her than the other goats. She's been a loner. Unlike the other goats.....she spends most of her time grazing by herself. I have seen her a time or two with the horses. We hope to get a couple more pygmy goats. I'd like to find a male and another female.

I really enjoy Cleo. She finds me when I walk down to the barn. While I feed the other animals she'll help herself to the horse feed or corn (that I drop on purpose). We hope to have her a place fenced in really soon. I've already prepared a small building for her to use as a shelter. All that is left is to put up a new fence and an entrance gate. Hopefully that will happen soon.

The other day Aaron (Denise's dad) and I went to Steele Alabama to set some head stones (grave markers) on some of his relatives graves. On our way back we stopped at the feed store and someone gave me a goat. They said he was a pygmy goat. George (the goat) does look like a pygmy, but he's much bigger (atleast 3 times bigger than Cleo). By the way....the name George was given by the family I got him from. He's pretty feisty and likable. I've noticed that he's a loner as well. The only bad thing about George is that he's been cut (neutered). Why? I don't know. The previous owner chose to do so. We'll see how George works out.

I know it's a bit overwhelming for Cleo and George. I don't know where Cleo came from but I do George. He was an only goat amidst 2 horses. A childhood pet for 2 grandchildren who had no interest in him anymore. He's smart enough to know who feeds him. He'll come up to me as well. Of course I'll have to keep an eye on him........I've averted many attempt to 'butt' me by George. I'll get a photo of him soon. -JGR

I Tim. 3:1-7

I Tim. 3:1-7 "But mark this; There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. Have nothing to do with them. They are the kind who worm their ways into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. ...so also these men oppose the truth..."

It is easy to read these verses and think how awful people like this are or even that we know of someone like this. But the revealing thing for me was how easy it would be to become someone like this. I've had hard truths revealed to me through the conviction of the Holy Spirit. And by hard words from a friend. I wrestled with them at times but, finally, the grace of God working in me allowed me to acknowledge these hard truths and repent. But if we don't acknowledge the truth, or if we do but continue in a sin, then I think we would be in danger of becoming just like the people described. I believe that one way we have a form of godliness but deny the power is by claiming to be a Christian and doing all the outward things a Christian should do, but also cling to a pet sin. We have the form but we're denying God's power to deliver us when we confess and repent. Or if God tells us to do something and we don't. We're denying God's power to take care of us. I say "we" but at some point in my life, I've had the form but denied the power in both these ways.

Oh, and about hard words from others, maybe these ones aren't speaking in love when they really should be; but maybe sometimes we require a harsh word to penetrate a hard head or hard heart. John the Baptist called the religious leaders a brood of vipers, maybe it took that for some of them to acknowledge the truth and believe in Jesus. Because some of them did. I think I required a hard word when I received one and I'm very thankful for it and for the people who had the guts or the tough love to deliver it. But even when the Holy Spirit gently reveals something to me it is still just as painful as a hard word from a person. It is my hope and prayer that "through the pain will our spirits gain."

KDR

Isaiah 49:24-25

"Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered? But thus saith the Lord, 'Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contends with you, and I will save your children.' "

I chose this version of these verses because of the term "lawful captive", which my other version did not include. "Prey taken from the mighty" , brings to mind those who did not choose their circumstances, like young children sold into brothels; while "the lawful captive delivered" brings to mind those who chose to sin and so brought themselves into captivity, such as addicts. Either way deliverance is possible! What an encouraging word from the Lord! I am so thankful.

KDR

"The Undefeated"

Jose' and I have been watching John Wayne movies lately. Don't ask me why. I think it began when we caught "Rio Bravo" on a movie channel one evening. Though I have to admit that the highlight of the movie for me is Dean Martin's singing. Rick Nelson joins him and sings one verse while Dean whistles in the background. Rick has a good voice, but still, Dean can even whistle better than Rick sings. I stole that comment from Jose'.

Anyway, we recently watched "The Undefeated" starring John Wayne and Rock Hudson. Until then I wasn't a Rock Hudson fan. I liked it because both men were strong-willed, yet very gracious. (I'm rereading this, does it sound as hokey as I fear it does?) I really don't want an answer to that.

But the best scene by far is the opening scene. John Wayne is Col. Thomas fighting with the Union. They are bombarding a small band of Confederates with cannon balls. The Col. rides onto the battleground to survey the damage. A courier rides up with the news that the war's been over for three days.

Col. Thomas rides up to the surviving Confederates under a flag of truce and asks who's in charge. An unknown major responds. The conversation goes something like this:

Col.: "The war is over."
Maj. "yes, sir."
Col.: "You mean you knew?"
Maj.: "Yes sir, we got news two days ago."
Col.: "You mean you knew and you're still gonna fight?"
Maj.: "Haven't we just proven it?"
Col.: "But why?"
Maj.: "Because it's our land, and you're on it."
Col.: "But we're all Americans!"
Maj.: "Yes sir, thats always been the saddest part..."

The guy acting as the major says his lines with such humility and such resolve. We think he should've won an award. Maybe he did.

On a lighter note, Jose' thinks Rock Hudson's looks and mannerisms in this movie resemble Bruce Campbell's. When he said this to me, I was appalled! I only know Bruce Campbell from the "Army of Darkness". I thought he was comparing the character of the two roles. He explained that He's seen Bruce in other things and was simply comparing looks and mannerisms. He thinks theirs are similar. Well, that's better, I guess...I'm definitely NOT a Bruce Campbell fan. And he is definitely NOT gracious in "Army of Darkness" ...I think he's a jerk!

KDR

The Cul-de-Sac

For some time it seemed that my life was in a negative cycle. I mean, certain negative things would happen that I had no control over.

Some dear friends of mine referred to this cycle as a cul-de-sac. Theirs was an accurate analogy. I would go down a road, thinking I was making progress, only to find that I was once again going around that same circle.

I determined to seek God diligently. I wanted out of this cycle! And at first, I was alarmed as one such event happened again. But, because of my time spent seeking God, I found myself responding differently! How wonderful to know that I don't have to be a slave to circumstances.

"...and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

KDR

Everyone born on Earth has sinned
Our hearts have harbored pride
Everyone would be doomed to hell
But Jesus suffered on the cross and died
For all sin He was crucified.

He felt the horror of the whip
He tasted the bitterness pressed to His lips
But He didn't beg for mercy or cry out to them for help
He listened to the crowds' cruel cries
With a gentle look of love in His eyes.
He didn't say "I hate all of you"
But..."Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."

...then the depth of His pain while on that tree...
"Why have You forsaken me?"

He could have called on angels to take him away
But to please His Father, He chose to stay.
He is truly God's own obedient Son
"Not my will but Yours be done."

We are under a curse because of the Fall
This second Adam can redeem us all
His death set us free from the penalty
His love fulfilled the Law.

His resurrection, Death's defeat
Our redemption, now complete.

TRADE DAY

WHAT A DAY!

I've been wanting to go to Trade Day for a while now. Denise has been wanting to get a couple of ducks to accompany the duck that we have at the barn (at Denise's dad's house). Today seemed like a good day to go.


So this morning we get up and head out to Collinsville Alabama. It was a nice drive...the weather was so wonderful......an excellent morning. To make a long story short.....we left Trade Day with no less than 3 baby ducks, a kitten for Carolina, a saddle for Rosie, an owl call, a Bama bird feeder for Denise and a Pygmy goat. Her name is Cleopatra.....Cleo for short.

She is so small. We fell in love with her when we first saw her. Denise saw her first.

Collinsville is so cool. You can buy just about any kind of livestock there. Llamas, horses, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, quail, rabbits, geese, pigeons and the list goes on. It's a regular flea market......with so much more.

Cleo is pretty close to being full grown. We thought she was small, but it wasn't until we got her down to the barn that she looked so tiny in comparison to the other goats. She's smaller than the baby goats currently down at the barn. The guy who sold her to us said that she might even be pregnant......we hope so!

We decided to get 3 ducks hoping that one of them would be a male and would provide some companionship for Dixie, our duck of 2 years at the barn. Originally we bought 2 ducks. Carolina named them Winn Dixie and Opal (you'd have to watch the movie Because of Winn Dixie to understand). It just so happened that Denise picked out a boy and a girl. The girl stayed around.....the boy left. So now Dixie is down at the barn......among the chickens, goats and horses. Denise felt strongly that she needed more of her kind. It works for me.



Carolina ended up with a kitten. At first we weren't going to get her one because her Memaw said that she couldn't have one. Denise had called to check. As they were walking around Carolina came across a couple giving away kittens.......and they had one left. This time Carolina called herself and well........she now has a kitten. Plus the couple gave her $2 dollars to boot! The $2 bucks were for cat food. Now that's smart! I'll have to remember that.



I bought Denise the bird feeder and the owl call because we love all the birds that come in and out of our yard. We love owls too. Right now we only have one bird feeder and a bird bath in the front yard.......and they get action! At one point.....we'd fill up the bird feeder and within a few hours it would be empty. Finally we caught a squirrel who was basically hogging the bird feeder all to himself. That cool with us.....we like squirrels. Anyways......I thought it would be nice to have another bird feeder in the yard. The owl call is cool. It's carved out of wood in the shape of an owl.......and it sounds awesome!

Denise and I both agreed not to go to Trade Day again at least until next summer. We couldn't believe that stuff that we bought. I got a good deal on the saddle. I've been wanting one for a while to start training Rosie with. It's a small saddle (13 inches) mainly for children and small teenagers.

So this was our exciting morning at Trade Day. The rest of the day was spent with Cleo. It took her a while to calm down and get comfortable being around us. I guess it was a bit traumatic being hauled up to the flea market and being around all those people. Then being carried to a truck and transported 30 minutes away and tied up in the front yard only to have a neighborhood dog scare you.......running loose in the neighbor's yard and having Denise and myself chase her down. It was quite a day. Cleo got better once we got her down the barn and fed.
This photo is in our front yard.....after the altercation with the dog. Cleo is resting.......enjoying the safety of my beautiful wife. Today was a good day.

A LONG WEEKEND

Coming off of several days of rest and relaxation.......I'm now looking at a busy work day ahead of me. But I know I'm not the only one.

Carolina starts back to school today. All summer long she wasn't looking forward to going back to school......then all of the sudden.......last week......she's all about school. Some new clothes.....a new back pack.....new lunch box......she's excited. She's looking forward to seeing her friends again. A new teacher and a new class of kids to be with. She's really a 'social-bug'. She's going into the 2nd grade.

Today my works basically consists of finishing up an estimate for a remodel and doing some work on a rental property. I don't expect to finish the rental property work. One thing about rental properties....the work never ends. As long as people keep moving in and out......things are going to be broke and in need of repair. It's a good thing I enjoy this work......

I've finished up the latest book that I've been reading, PAGAN CHRISTIANITY, by Frank Viola and George Barna. It was an interesting read. Denise read the book as well. There's so much to talk about. Mostly right now I'm just 'chewing' on some stuff. Denise and I talked about the title of the book....we think it's more of a shock factor than anything. We are not church bashers or do we condone any of that. The book is about where the traditions of the average church service come from. The origin of what most people have grown accustomed to seeing every Sunday. The book talks about a biblical view of the Church and what it's supposed to look like. Of course....there are a few topics that I am not so sure of. But overall the book is a good book.

Right now I'm starting on a book called, THINK LIKE JESUS, by George Barna. I'm just in the beginning. I'll post about the book once I finish reading it.

HOME SWEET HOME.....

What pops into my mind initially is the adage 'Home is where the heart is'. And you know....I believe that. For me (and I preface my comments often) home is where life happens. I go out and work (some days longer than others) and most of it is a blur. I vaguely remember the specifics of any given work day, which is why I try to keep a work journal. When I get home, it's like I'm apart of something bigger than myself. And I am.



Denise and I have been reading two books for a while now. One of them is 100 DAYS IN THE SECRET PLACE, a compilation of writings arranged by GENE EDWARDS. I was really slow to start on this book. Denise had been telling me how great it was and how God had been using it to change her. Gene Edwards compiled the writings of seventeenth century writers Molinos, Fenelon and Guyon. It's amazing how relevant it is to me (today!). It's not hard to read at all. The book could be treated as a daily devotional. One thing that I've gotten out of this book is we (as Jesus followers) all experience the same feeling and emotions. I can relate to all 3 writers in this book. Their situations and discussions have really helped me 'walk' out my life. We all know that God is eternal....and I guess that's why the book is so relevant to me today.....these guys have been there and done that. Glad that they wrote it down!



The other book that has really helped Denise and I is called DECISIONS BY THE BOOK, written my JOHN DEAL. I met John Deal several months
ago at a conference that Bobby Sparks invited me to. He was a speaker. I was really taken by what he had to say.......hard truth....but truth none the less! You can treat this book like a daily devotional as well. It's packed full of wisdom (practical and spiritual). Everything from being a Christian businessman to treating your wife right. Good stuff.



Denise and I have been reading both books together. There is some kind of synergy between 100 DAYS and the DECISIONS book. Both books encourage the reader to seek God deeper and deeper.......focus on what's truly important and to love like Christ loved. I can really only scratch the surface here.....and I know that I'm no wizard when it comes to writing......but the synergy that was created between the study of these two book with my bible reading has been life changing. It's almost as if God flipped the light switch on in my head and my heart. It's not a method or a formula.......it's a life change! -JGR

First Friday

Every first Friday of the month, the city of Gadsden blocks off parts of Broad Street downtown. They call it "First Friday". I think it begins at 6:oo pm, but maybe earlier. Jose' and I went last night around 7:30. The weather had cooled from lava hot to sauna hot and the sun was no longer blazing so it was really nice. We enjoyed walking, looking at older model cars, listening to various musicians and just relaxing together. And the smell of food! We both forgot to bring the camera. Jose' bought me a few cheap books at the bookstore. They were fictional but historically accurate books. One is "Sitting Bull" and one is "Jedediah Smith." I don't remember the name of the other, but it's about the real-life guy who was called "Uncle Remus".

It doesn't appear that I will be teaching at Donehoo this year. I was grieved about it for awhile, but now I am joyfully anticipating God's next step for me. I always wanted adventure. Finally, it occurred to me that true adventure is not just celebrations and fun, but also includes pain and hardships. My life is an adventure right now! I am so thankful that God is good. " I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:13-14. KDR

Should I have put a period after "14"? Did I spell "occurred" correctly? Why is the "h" in "he" sometimes capitalized in the Bible and sometimes not? (when referring to God) Because of different writers? Does it matter? (these are just things going thru my mind as I blog, I usually don't include them and probably won't again.)

"...the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." That just sounds good. Isn't it part of a Waterdeep song?

Love to all...KDR


"...the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."

Thank you, Lord.

I Corinthians 5:9-11

In the past few years, I have encountered 3 similar situations involving married couples. The information given to me was unsolicited. The cases differ in detail but are basically alike. The cases all involved women who were separated from their husbands and /or divorcing due to sexual immorality of their husbands. One woman continues to go but is somewhat uncomfortable, one woman was kicked off the praise team, then asked to leave the church. The third left the church of her own volition. All 3 men continue in their immorality and in the church and seem to think it's okay. I call it the Solomon complex, gifted and wise to a degree, but blinded in their lust. I read this:

"I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people- not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat," I Cor. 5:9-11.

It is my understanding that this is done to help the immoral one and that such a one should be restored in love upon genuine repentance. Maybe I have this out of context. Has it gone the way of women covering their heads and not speaking in church? I am glad those things were for that particular time and place.

To avoid confusion, I will end my entries with KDR.(Karen Denise Rodriguez)

JOURNEY TO THE MOVIES

Today we went to the movies.


Journey to the Center of the Earth was a good movie. I didn't see it coming. I was totally surprised. One thing I really liked about the movie was that it got right to the story......did use any fillers. The action was good........there were a lot of those 'edge of your seat' moments. GO SEE IT!

JY-NORMOUS SUNFLOWERS

A few months ago Denise and I planted some sunflowers in our yard. They were supposed to grow to 12 to 15 feet tall. Well....didn't quite happen. In their defense I did plant them in a place where very few things have grown (other than weeds and yucca). I watered them pretty often hoping for a towering cluster of seeds.....
A little over five feet ain't too bad. I'm still looking forward to the clusters.....but they'll be eye level. I hope they survive our bird population. We have a bird feeder in our front yard.....they've been known to wipe that feeder out in a matter of hours. We do have a lot of pretty birds in our neighborhood. We enjoy watching them.

THE WEEK IN REVIEW

This evening I attended a seminar hosted by the ADOR (Alabama Dept of Revenue). I'll leave it at that. It was an information overload. They said it would be. And it was. I did learn that I can't do my Contractor taxes like I do my Auto Sales taxes. Oki-dokey!

Anyways.......the past few weeks have been good. I've enjoyed spending time with my wife. I have not enjoyed the recent heat wave. Luckily I've not have to do much work outside. Right now I'm working on a few estimates and trying to find someone to do a decent paint job on a classic car. That's work in a nutshell.

This past weekend Denise's family had a family reunion. It was fun. I did enjoy making a DVD slide show of old and new photos for the reunion. That's always fun.

I'm realizing that I need to get more organized. I've got my business information in folders, boxes and even a cigar box or two. Not good. I guess I'll end up getting a filing cabinet. I've never liked the way they look. Too 'office' for me.....I mean to have in my home. Although they do make cabinets out of wood.

That's pretty much it for now........till next time.

Fenelon: A Holy Mind

Recently, a friend had written about how she and her group of friends enjoy making one another laugh and how key phrases develop as they spend time together. Things that would not have meaning or be understood by others without explanation. There is nothing wrong with that kind of fellowship. But it reminded me of times when I was a part of a close-knit group like that and we were also good at fencing with words and matching wits with each other. We were so incedibly clever! But God has me in a different place right now, not much fellowship, but lots of seeking and meditating on Him. I had to repent of envying my friend and her group and of contemplating forming my own or becoming a part of someone else's. I am enjoying where God has me, but for an evening that longing for belonging and memories of past times became so intense...

The following morning I picked up my devotional book of Fenelon's writings. I was on chapter eight. This is part of what I read: "There is a great difference between a clever mind, a great mind and a holy mind. The clever mind is pleasing because of its charm. The great mind excites our admiration because of its depth. But only a right spirit can save and make us happy through its constancy and uprightness..."

Another Tolkien Quote

Gandalf to Denethor, Steward of Gondor:

" '...Unless the king should come again?' said Gandalf. 'Well, my lord Steward, it is your task to keep some kingdom still against that event, which few now look to see. In that task you shall have all the aid that you are pleased to ask for. But I will say this: the rule of no realm is mine, neither of Gondor nor any other, great or small. But all worthy things that are in peril as the world now stands, those are my care. And for my part, I shall not wholly fail of my task, though Gondor should perish, if anything passes through this night that can still grow fair or bear fruit and flower again in days to come. For I also am a steward. Did you not know?' "

Sometimes it seems that few today still look to the event of the coming of our King. But we, as Christians, are a part of His kingdom. We are called to be salt and light and love in a sometimes grim and loveless world. For we also are stewards. "Did you not know?"

A favorite quote from Tolkien

Elrond to Council:

"It is perilous to study the arts of the enemy too deeply, for good or for ill."

2 Cor.3:18 "But we all with unveiled faces beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of theLord."

Phil. 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things.(fix your mind on them)."