FYI

It is quite humbling to have all your worldly possesions loaded into a 24' truck and rolling down the interstate. It is even more humbling to have someone else driving the truck. Without that person, our move would not have been possible. Thank you Wild Bill.

-------------------------------------

For all those people who will need to update our address:

Ronn and Yvette Oren and Family
9440 West 200 South
Farmland, IN 47340

I will work on the new phone numbers and emails this week! I begin my new position with Christian Service International on July 1st.

Rolling, rolling, rolling.

On our way to Farmland! Thanks to all the people who helped us load our moving truck. I think I pulled something in my back. And my leg. And my arms. Probably my spleen too.

Be back blogging on Monday. I hope. If my fingers are still working!

Biscuits and Gravy

Tiffany just came up to me and asked if we could go to Toast Evans and surprise Tristan and get some toast and bacon. I asked her if she wanted to go to the kitchen and get breakfast or to a restaurant. She rolled her eyes and said (in an annoyed voice), "restaurant."

She then found out that the restaurant is called Bob Evans. Tiffany then said those magic words, in a high tone, every daddy wants to hear from his daughter..."You can get Biscuits and Gravy."

Going to get ready to go to get some B-fast...

As I read yesterday's post, it reminds me that good will triumph. Maybe not today, and maybe not in every area of my life right now, but good will triumph.

It is comforting to know that we serve a good who confidently holds us and keeps us until the day that Good will triumph over evil.

No weapon formed against us shall prosper...

A Resolution

"Walt Disney's greatest gifts to mankind were laughter, his steadfast faith in future generations, and his belief that good will ultimately triumph over evil."

- 1968 joint resolution of Congress of the United States posthumously awarding Walt Disney with the Congressional Gold Medal.

9 Hours!

I slept for 9 hours last night! That is the longest I have slept in a LONG time. How about you? What has been the longest amount of time you have slept? James Pinkerton might come close to winning the award on this one.

I am not sure how long I would have slept if the light didn't come pouring into our bedroom this morning. Light is a very powerful thing.

The Lord is my light and my salvation,

whom shall I fear? - Psalm 27:1

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRIS!

I am dedicating this post to Kris on his birthday. Not much of a present, huh? You are a great brother and friend, blessings to you today.

HAP-P B-DAY 2 POOKY N P-TOWN!

If you (anyone reading this) can figure that out, you have spent way to much time on my blog!

No Peeps on Sunday!

A quick note of thanks to everyone at Trafalgar Christian today. Thanks for your love and support today. I was really overwhelmed by the time I left the sanctuary today. I appreciated the kind words spoken by many and the Christ centered worship service. John Hinant is a godly man full of wisdom and integrity. What a gift John is to the Christian Church.

Thankfully I did not have to experiment with any peeps during the message. I will let Pastor Kris handle the peeps.

Funny Car Driver

This is not funny, but ironic. A NHRA driver by the name of Scott Kalitta died this weekend when his funny car burst into flames and crashed at the end of the drag strip. He was going 300 miles an hour! Life feels that fast sometimes.


I went to the US Nationals last year (NHRA Event) with Ray Quinn. It was a so much fun. When you go to the park and see, in real-time, just how fast these cars, it really is cool. I remember seeing Scott Kalitta and his team, and watching them qualify. Life is fragile.


Reminds me to be ready at any moment. Life is short.


Love life.

Wrapping it up

I guess tomorrow I will wrap it up. My last Sunday at Trafalgar Christian. I have no idea what I am going talk about for the message. I have a couple of topics in mind, but I just don't think that Mickey Mouse, Halo, or little green aliens, are going to quite work. Maybe I should just do a top ten list or something.

My brother-in-law gets a lot of happiness and blessing from peeps. Maybe I should do some experiments with peeps tomorrow during the sermon. THAT would keep me entertained. Check out his blog here.

Have a blessed Sabbath.

Choices, Choices, Choices

I just stopped by my Mom and Dad's coffee shop for a cup of coffee. I could have gotten an Espresso, or a Cafe Americano, a Steamer, Chai, Iced Coffee, Iced Tea, Sweet Tea, Smoothie, Soda, Italian Soda, Cola, Diet Cola, Cafe au lait, Latte', or cappuccino.

That does not even count the 22 different flavors that I could flavor my specialty drink with! (For my fingers sake I won't type all 22. It is amazing about all the different choices to make today. )

We all have choices to make. How we act, what we accomplish, how much we pray.

By the way, I just stuck with a 16 oz cup of regular coffee.

Dirty...

I had a picture of Tegan on the digital camera that I wanted to post. So, I went home and tried to get the picture off of the camera and download it to the computer, but the camera had been dropped and is now permanently out of service. So, this is a picture similar to the one I had taken of Tegan...Only Tegan was not quite this dirty. Or muddy.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psalm 51:7

Dirty...

Dirty, Dirty, Dirty. 2:02 pm

Stay Tuned...

This One's For You.

Yes, you. Don't stop reading now. God has brought you here today to read this. It is short and sweet. Let God speak to you, through it.

Let there be no more resentment, no more anger or temper...no more malicious remarks.

Be kind and understanding to everyone today.

Be ready to forgive as God, in Christ, has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31,32 MRV

Ronn 1, Black Dog 1...

For those who are curious...no need for round three. Molly will now be safe.

All the other animals on the farm were on their best behavior.

Enough said...for today.

MMMM, Coffee.

Starting out today at my Mom and Dad's coffee shop. After 4 hours of sleep, the coffee will taste extra good this morning!

I will be up at Farmland today, and will have Round 2 with the black dog that broke my foot. Time for a second cup of coffee.

Laughter is a good medicine. - Proverbs 17:22 MRV Version

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

The kids worked really hard to decide what I would like most for Fathers Day. So, we spent Fathers day with Grandma and Grandpa at Chuck E. Cheese!

hooray.

Of course, from their perspective I had the greatest time in all the world;-)

What Are You Looking At?

Man looks on the outward appearance,

but the Lord is looking on your heart.

I Samuel 16:7

Don't be so wrapped up in outward things, make sure you are taking care of what matters. How much time have you spent, today, on things that will matter for eternity? Just thinking outloud...or on paper...or on my keyboard. You get the idea.

Watching

Precious. I know I always sleep better when I know that my Father is watching me. Blessings on you tonight, your Father is watching.

Caution: Stupidity on Signs Ahead

I love this one. Especially with the rain and flooding that has inundated us this past week.

“Who created a channel for the torrents of rain?
Who laid out the path for the lightning?"
Job 38:25

God is a pretty awesome God. Lightning is a pretty serious thing. What serious thing are you dealing with today? God is plenty big enough, strong enough, and loving enough to handle it. Quietly trust Him today.

Time for Some Good Pics!

It has been a while since the time machine post and the sidwalk sign post, so I thought it might be time for a few more funny pics, with some spiritual insight. So...HERE...WE...GO!!!

Do you ever go and try something new, or big, or step out in faith, and sense that the bottom falls out? At times, the picture above feels like my life! We can be reminded today that God is there, even when it doesn't feel or look like it. If you look closely at the picutre, you can see that guy on the bike is looking in the direction of the camera.

"I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you.I will carry you along and save you." - Isaiah 46:4

Flood Relief

I am spending today and tomorrow working with families in Johnson and Brown counties who are in need from the recent flooding.

Several local churches and agencies have really responded, making a difference in people's lives.

I spoke with one man today who had several thousand dollars worth of loss, and he said to me, "The Lord is still my Shepherd, that's for sure!"

Hot and Humid!

Whew! It was sure warm in our sanctuary today. The "flood" had taken our our air conditioning, as well as some of our members driveways. It gave me an appreciation for the nice things we do have.

I really love a/c. Love is a strong word and I use it purposefully today.

The Flood

OK, it really isn't Genesis 6, but 10 inches is 10 inches. I hope everybody from my church is alright. I think the only way Paul and Julie Sundstrom can get out from their home is by boat. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Even our subdivision in Franklin had so much water that we could not get cars through either end of our street until 6:30pm this evening.

This makes me think of something spiritual of sorts. When we ask God to come into our lives, and flood our lives with blessings, do we really know what we are asking? Imagine what could have happened if God decided we needed 20 or 30 inches.

I would love your feedback on this one. Have a safe and blessed Sabbath.

Storms

Another storm has just blown over. Are you tired of all the storms that are coming our way this spring? Tiffany was really frightened tonight. It was already an hour past her bedtime, so Yvette recommended I go talk with her and pray with her, in hopes that would calm her down. So, we talked about why she was afraid and then we prayed about it. She was asleep in 5 minutes. Even in the midst of all the thunder and lightning, she fell fast asleep. In the words of my good friend Ray Q, "Prayer works, man. Prayer works."

Getting My Feet Wet

I remember going to Kings Island years ago, and riding the log ride and the rapids ride. I remember getting completely soaked...all before noon. Walking all day at the theme park with those wet socks and shoes. You are probably squirming right now too. You know that feeling.

I remember getting home and taking off my socks and shoes, which were still quite wet. I can still see how my feet looked and felt, as I showered and then went to bed. Squirming yet?

Today we stopped by the in-laws to drop off some stuff. We looked in the neighbors yard, across the street, and saw Steve and Lavonne's canopy (small metal frame gazebo) in pieces. The storm that rushed through just a couple of hours ago, picked it up took it over the house, the front yard, and the street and dropped it so everyone could see it.

What does that have anything to do with wet feet? Well, I picked up the pieces and brought them back to Steve's garage...everyone else is at VBS. I sure am looking forward to going home and getting some dry socks!

Thanks!

A special "Thank You" goes out today to all you TCC people who have been so supportive of my family the last couple of weeks. Thanks for living out what you have told us since we have known you.

A few notes I need to catch everyone up on from the sermon on Sunday.

1. Molly is going to be fine. She will get the stitches out in 2 weeks. I guess I do love that dog.

2. The big black dog is still going down. It just won round #1.

3. My foot has a hairline fracture and a medium sprain. Not bad enough for a cast, praise God! No sports or heavy lifting for 4 weeks and I have to wear a special wrap around my foot and ankle.

4. Good Job on the church sign, Mike. It is awesome!

Radical Demands

What is Jesus demanding from you today? What moment of mission are you going to be a part of, for His kingdom, today?

I know one thing, he is asking something of you today.

Communion Bloopers

Well folks, I gotta tell you about this one. I have never had to keep myself from laughing like today. During our worship service, our deacons were serving communion. After the deacons served the congregation, two elders then served the deacons.

As one deacon was sitting down, an elder turned and BONK, hit the deacon right in the forehead with the communion tray!

It was SO funny. After the elders were seated I began the words of institution. I bit my lip in between the two sacraments so I wouldn't start laughing out loud! There were several who were laughing and trying not to make a sound.

It could have been much worse though. The elder could have spilled the communion tray all over him. It was fun to see our laughing together.

Fun day at church.