It's All About Him

Today was the annual "It's All About Him" Sunday at Bethel Church. It's all about Him all the time, but these annual Sundays are a special celebration of the supremacy of Jesus Christ in all things. This message always reminds me of the anthology of Jesus Christ through the entire Bible that the pastor shared a few years ago:


Genesis - He's the Ram at Abraham's altar.
Exodus - He's the Passover Lamb.
Leviticus - He's the faithful High Priest.
Numbers - He's the bronze snake that heals.
Deuteronomy - He's the city of our refuge.
Joshua - He's the scarlet thread in Rahab's window.
Judges - He's our Judge.
Ruth - He's our kinsman Redeemer.
Samuel - He's our trusted prophet.
Kings & Chronicles - He's our reigning King.
Ezra - He's the faithful scribe.
Nehemiah - He's the Rebuilder of everything that's broken.
Esther - He's Mordecal sitting faithful at the gate.
Job - He's our Redeemer that ever lives.
Psalms - He's our Shepherd.
Proverbs & Ecclesiastes - He's our wisdom.
Song of Songs - He's the beautiful Bridegroom.
Isaiah - He's the suffering servant.
Jeremiah & Lamentations - He's the weeping prophet.
Ezekiel - He's the wheel within a wheel.
Daniel - He's the fourth man in the fiery furnace.
Hosea - He's our lover forever faithful.
Joel - He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit.
Amos - He's our burden bearer.
Obadiah - He's our Savior.
Jonah - He's the Missionary to the entire world.
Micah - He's the Messenger with beautiful feet.
Nahum - He's the Avenger.
Habakkuk - He's the watchman praying for revival.
Zephaniah - He's the Lord mighty to save.
Haggai - He's the Restorer of our lost heritage.
Zachariah - He's our fountain.
Malachi - He's the Son of righteousness.
Matthew - He is Christ, Son of the living God.
Mark - He's the Miracle Worker.
Luke - He's the Son of Man.
John - He's the door through which we must enter.
Acts - He's the shining light on Saul.
Romans - He's our Justifier.
1 Corinthians - He's our resurrection.
2 Corinthians - He's our sin bearer.
Galatians - He redeems us from the curse of law.
Ephesians - He's our unsearchable riches.
Philippians - He supplies all of our needs.
Colossians - He's the fullness of Godhead in bodily form.
Thessalonians - He's the soon coming King.
Timothy - He's the mediator between God and Man.
Titus - He's our blessed hope.
Philemon - He's a friend closer than a brother.
Hebrews - He's the blood of the everlasting covenant.
James - He's the Lord who heals the sick.
Peter - He's our chief Shepherd.
John - He's the tenderness of love.
Jude - He's the Lord coming with 10,000 saints.
Revelation - He's the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Back to School

I returned to college today. It's been years since I was in college and so much has changed! I don't usually feel old, but I sure did today . . . especially because most of the students in my classes are half my age. What a dose of humility!

From Hoosiers to Huskers

Yes, it's true, we moved. We're not Hoosiers anymore; we're Huskers now! Nebraska isn't a place a lot of people want to move to, but Kent was from here and it's captured my heart over the last decade.


Compared to NW Indiana, it's less populated and slower paced. It's a great place for me to focus on God and my boys. I like NW Indiana and my house there, but the bittersweet memories of the area and especially the house were a constant reminder that Kent's not here anymore.


A lot of pondering and praying went into this decision. We've wanted to move here for awhile now (even before Kent passed away) and God opened a door for it to happen. I trust God's leading here and believe a fresh start will be very healthy for us.

A New School Year

Today was the boys' first day of school. It's hard to believe they're in 3rd, 1st and kindergarten this year. Time sure does fly!

Lake County Fair

After church today, I took the boys to the county fair for a few hours. They had fun riding the rides, walking through the livestock pavillions and eating corn dogs with lemonade shake-ups. Even though it was hot, we had a good time!

Oregon Coast

When we arrived in Portland, we rented a van and drove two hours to the Oregon Coast where we met family and enjoyed mild temperature, magnificent scenery and attractions along Pacific Coast Highway for the last week.

We learned about marine life at the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

   

We visited Newport's Historic Bayfront and toured Ripley's Believe it or Not!, Wax Works and the Underground Sea Garden at Mariner Square, shopped the quaint shops and, at the pier, watched sea lions and fishermen at work.

We flew kites at a windy Nye Beach.

We climbed the spiral staircase inside of Oregon's tallest lighthouse at Yaquina Head and walked on the nearby black cobble beach.

We visited Oregon's shortest lighthouse and Octopus Tree at Cape Meares.

We patiently waited for the high tide at the mysterious Devil's Punch Bowl.

We walked through the Tillamook Air Museum.

We toured the Tillamook Cheese Factory and enjoyed taste testing cheese and eating ice cream. 

 

We explored the sea life in the tide pools at Cannon Beach's Haystack Rock.

We savored fresh seafood every day and the boys swam in the hotels' pools a few times a day. It was too cold to swim in the ocean!

Aside from not being prepared for such cool weather, we had a great time!   

All aboard!

We left Chicago's Union Station for Portland on Amtrak's Empire Builder two days ago.

We stayed in a superliner bedroom suite in a sleeper car and had access to the snack, sightseer and dining cars.  

Along the way, we enjoyed the views of the Wisconsin Dells, Mississippi River, Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park, Gateway to Mount Rainier, Columbia River Gorge and Mount Hood.

After 2257 miles, 47 hours and three times zones, we finally made it to Portland's Union Station.

What an experience!