tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84673508662903272872024-02-08T13:50:21.679-05:00Reflections on Life 2013Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.comBlogger701125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-71327520455109120512013-01-08T23:34:00.003-05:002013-01-08T23:34:32.145-05:00Three Years LaterSo, here I am sitting by a fire with a glass of wine listening to Simon and Garfunkel while I am writing my blog. That is about the only thing in my life that is still the same as it was this time three years ago. No, I am wrong! One thing remains constant in my life: God is still good!! He was good on that night of great sadness, and He is just as good during this night of joy and blessing. So much has changed. If I had any idea, I would not have believed it.
First, I have always known that Julia was in a better place, even when we were trying to call her back. I can certainly understand why she wouldn’t come home. It was never about her missing out on us, no it was about us missing out on her. I look back on that night and the weeks to follow. I don’t remember a lot, mostly what I read in my blog. But I do know that I had to be numb and in shock for a while. It is definitely true about the “Footprints in the Sand”. Truly He carried me through those times. I can remember dreading every Friday, and especially when the 8th of the month came up. I can remember the nights curled up in Papa’s arms with Jesus and Holy Spirit. He kept me when I was so cold and lonely. I thought that I would never be able to have an 8th of the month pass without dread, especially a yearly anniversary pass. The grief was so intense, yet the love was so strong. I know that I missed some of the steps of grief, or at least short cut many of them. Holy Spirit is the best grief counselor that anyone could have. He kept me safe and flying through the turbulence safely.
I remember thinking that I could never love again. My heart was too full of pain and loss to love. It is amazing how Papa allowed that pain and loss to slowly slip away. It’s amazing how He allowed a space for love to open in the fields of grief. It’s even more amazing that He would save a woman like Sheryl to fill that place where love was needed. I remember when I was wrestling over whether to date her or not. Part of me wasn’t sure, while I think Holy Spirit was quietly pushing us together. I do know that there were many people praying that we would get together, many powerful intercessors.
I am amazed that I can feel so much love and so much life. I know that Julia is pleased. It’s been three years tonight that she went to be with Papa. I know that she is smiling down as I write this tonight. I look back at all of my friends and how they kept watch on me to make sure I was not drifting off to a dark place. I don’t know what I would have done with out you guys.
So, at this three-year point, how am I? I am just so blessed. My life is filled to overflowing with love and adventure. Every day is different. Sheryl is a treasure and truly a gift from God. I don’t think there is another man alive that is loved more than I am, and I truly love her dearly. For a person that thought there was no love left in him, I surprise myself sometimes by how much I am able to love. It’s like we are on a never-ending honeymoon filled with adventure and romance. Life is so good. Sure it is very busy as we run after our dreams together. I look forward to all the years that we have left together. I pray that there are many, but I don’t take any of them for granted. One thing I have learned is we only have the day we are in, and we need to make the most of that day.
I am blessed to have all of my children and grandchildren as well as her children and grandchildren. Together we have four children and ten grand children. We both love them all. If only they were all closer. I know that I am seeing Divine Justice at it’s finest. I have seen a woman healed from her deathbed who had the same thing that Julia had. I have Sheryl and all the kids to bless me with love and life. God loves me because I am His favorite, but guess what? You are His favorite too!!
So here at the three-year point, I really am healed both spiritually and emotionally. Do I still miss Julia? Of course I do, but He has given me Sheryl and a new life with new dreams to follow. Life moves on and so must we. Yes, I treasure the past. But I gladly embrace the future and all that it holds. My prayer for my daughters and granddaughters and all for my friends is that you all are able to do the same. Life is exciting and is meant to be lived to the fullest!
Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-21077859155919109352013-01-03T23:20:00.001-05:002013-01-03T23:20:08.195-05:00DreamingIt has been a few years since I first read “Dreaming with God” by Bill Johnson. I don’t think that I had ever even considered any thought that my dreams might be from God. I had always considered God only wanted me to do religious things. I prayed for things and I saw dreams fulfilled, but I didn’t realize that my dreams could have possibly come from Him.
Now I know differently. I realize that He has uniquely placed me on this earth to fulfill a mission. That mission is defined by my dreams. I’m not saying that you can’t have dreams that aren’t from Him. Sure, you can. But if you are a believer and if you are walking with Him and love Him, then I would venture to bet that most, if not all of your dreams are from Him. He has a destiny for each of us. That is the theme that I continue to tell my first year students at our school of Supernatural ministry. The sooner they realize this, the sooner they can begin to cooperate with Holy Spirit in their lives.
Here it is at the beginning of the year. I used to make New Year’s resolutions. I don’t anymore. I never kept them anyway. What I am trying to do this year is to spend some time by myself and with Sheryl and see if there are any new dreams that we are to go after this year. As the years progress, many of our dreams are fulfilled. Sometimes they end after they are fulfilled, other times they morph into something new. That is why we need to spend some of our time evaluating where we are, what we are doing and most of all, what we should be doing for 2013.
A lot of time we continue to do things just because we have done them in the past. That is not a good reason. I don’t mean we stop doing everything, but I do mean that we should hold things loosely and allow Holy Spirit to lead us. Too many times we as believers keep doing things only because of our position or need. We need to look at our dreams, evaluate what He wants in our lives and then be willing to do whatever we sense His pleasure is. Only in this way will we see the Kingdom manifest in our area. So, my goal is to spend some time this week with Papa and with Sheryl and really seek out what new dreams we have before us.
Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-41850113423603643702013-01-02T22:47:00.000-05:002013-01-02T22:47:34.128-05:00What do You do When Dreams End?Dreams can end in many different ways. We all have dreams. Some come true, and some don’t. Sometimes we chase a dream all of our lives and never see it fulfilled. Sometimes they come true. I have had dreams come true before. I dreamed of being a pilot when I was a child, and then I became one after I graduated from Tech. I dreamed of becoming an airline pilot and flying for Delta Airlines, and in 1978 that came true too. I lived that dream for 25 years. I dreamed of having a wonderful wife and children. That dream came true also. A good dream comes to pass, and you can live it. You ride the wave of that dream for years. Sometimes it continues even for a lifetime. If you are blessed and fortunate you can ride the dreams all your life. Right now just think of your dreams. What dreams have you had that you are still going after. What about the ones that have come true? Are you still living it out, or has it ended?
Yes, dreams can end. Sometimes the dreams are for a season in your life. When that season is over, the dream ends. I dreamed of being a Vineyard pastor, and I was for a time, but that ended. That dream lasted only for a season, yet I think God gave me that dream along with the answer. There are dreams that are only for a short season, but they still help make you who you are. But then, there are dreams that are dreams that are supposed to last a lifetime. I know that He gave me Julia as well as my daughters. That dream was supposed to last a lifetime. I had Julia for 38 and a half years and then the dream was ripped out from under me when we were in full stride. Her death ended the dream of us as a couple doing all the things that we did. I still had my daughters and granddaughters, but the original dream ended on Jan 8, 2010. I never realized how much things would change. Even during that first year writing my blog, I had no clue as to the impact that her death would actually have on everything I did. Yes, dreams can end. Then what?
It doesn’t matter what your dream is, or how it ends. When it ends we all have a choice. We can live in the past and remember how it used to be, or we can choose to go after new dreams. When I retired from Delta, it was pretty traumatic. I took early retirement before I was ready because of their financial situation. I wasn’t mentally prepared and it took me a while to come to grips with everything that happened. I had a choice: I could live in the past, and just think of how good it used to be, and all that I was missing now, or I could choose to move on and focus on new adventures. New adventures mean new risks but they also mean new possibilities. I chose to go after new adventures. When Julia died, I could have just stayed Tom Roan, Julia’s husband. It was a great life, and I was very comfortable being who I was. Things were safe and life was predictable. Sure, I could do things to shake things up. Things like learning to ride a Harley, but still I was walking in the shadow of the past, still living in a dream that had ended.
For a long time, I chose to stay where I was; not wanting to ever share myself deeply with another. But as time progressed I had to open up. I began to realize that there were new dreams to go after, new worlds to explore. When I began to see Sheryl, I found it very hard to open up. I would find myself being two different people. I would want to see her and spend time with her, but then I would be with her and act like I didn’t want to be there. It drove her nuts, I know because she has told me. But over time, I think that I knew that to live again I had to be willing to trust someone else; someone new. As I opened up to her, I realized how much I was still capable to love, and how much I still needed love. Spending time with her made me dream again. We all need dreams, and we all need someone to dream with. I have been doubly blessed that I have had both Julia and Sheryl in my life. Yes, my dream with Julia has ended. We have many good memories and shared much love. But My dream with Sheryl is just beginning.
It is a dream in the making. It has passion and even though we aren’t young, I believe this dream will be years in the fulfilling as well. Yes, dreams do end. The key is to go after new dreams. Never stop searching and seeking out what is next. Papa God loves to give His children surprises.
Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-73042739396708618262013-01-01T12:04:00.000-05:002013-01-01T12:13:14.462-05:00Happy New Year 2013It's a gray and rainy day today, but that doesn't dampen the excitement of a New Year. What is it about a New Year anyway? Why does this day bring more excitement than the day before? It's hard to say, but it does. Maybe it's about the possibilities that a new year brings. Maybe it's about closure. Something old has ended and something new begins. Today it's about finishing up old business and the beginning of new things.
I haven't posted a blog since last February. 2012 was a season of growth and change. It was important that I focused on my new life down "south" in Peachtree City. I was busy with the School of Ministry and our Sozo team. But more important, it was a year to focus on my relationship with Sheryl. 2012 was a bonding year for both of us. Don't get me wrong, 2013 will continue to be another bonding year, but now I feel it is time not only to look forward, but it is time to look backward as well.
I don't know how long or how frequently I will post this year, but I know that for the month of January I want to take time to look at what has transpired in my life for the past three years since Julia's death. It is time to make a book out of all that I have written, all that God has given me. As part of that book, I have to get my feelings down on paper. My feelings now. They are just as important, no maybe more important than those feelings of the past.
Healing comes through process. I know that because I have lived through that process. I now know that you don't have to grieve the way others tell you to. You don't have to necessarily go through all the "7 steps of grief". Maybe I did, but I don't' think so. Instead you have to allow yourself to be swept along by Holy Spirit in the river of His love. That river stops in different places for different people. We are all different, and this book won't tell everyone how they should grieve. Yes, it will be about loss and about grief, but it will be much more. It will be about the Goodness of God, and about His love and ability to meet us wherever we are. It will be about Divine Justice as He takes everything that the enemy meant for evil and turns it into good.
I know, I am living in it right now. He is so good, my life is just an example of walking in His goodness. Yes, 2013 is here, and it is going to be a very good year. I can't wait to see what it holds.Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-64890787229897486902012-02-07T00:02:00.001-05:002012-02-07T00:02:59.202-05:00Warriors<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">Warriors – the dictionary has this definition:<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Arial Unicode MS'; font-size: 18pt;">war·ri·or</span><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;"> <a <b="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.do">wawr-ee-er, <b>wawr</b>-yer, <b>wor</b>-ee-er, <b>wor</b>-yer] </a></span><a <b="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.do"><u style="text-underline: #878787;"><span style="color: #878787; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11pt;">Show IPA</span></u><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></a></div><a <b="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.do"> </a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><a <b="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.do"><b><i><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;">noun</span></i></b><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><a <b="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.do"><b><span style="color: #686868; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;">1.<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><a <b="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.do"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;">a person engaged or experienced in warfare; soldier.<o:p></o:p></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><a <b="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.do"><b><span style="color: #686868; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;">2.<o:p></o:p></span></b></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><a <b="" href="http://www.blogger.com/post-create.do"><span style="color: #262626; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13pt;">a person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness, as in </span></a><a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/politics"><span style="color: #262626;">politics</span></a> or athletics.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So are you a warrior? I know that I am. No, I am not at war physically. I have been in the past, but not now. But as a believer, and a son of the King, I am at war spiritually. Our enemy came to steal, kill and destroy. I make war through my love. That’s totally different, and almost impossible to do without the love of Christ in your heart. But I am still a warrior. Warriors don’t’ rum from trouble, they embrace it. Warriors don’t hide from conflict, they engage in it. Warriors don’t’ try to escape the situation. No, they use the situation to mold them into better and stronger warriors.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tonight we saw a presentation by Graham Cooke. He talked about us being warriors, and I realized that I have become one. Baby Christians worry about having their needs met, mature Christians move into their inheritance. There is a big difference. We have to learn to embrace whatever situation we are in. God might not have put us in that situation, but He will use it. That doesn’t mean we need to stop praying for healing. Quite the contrary: He wants to give us victory over it, and to get it we have to contend for our victory. When we first get into a situation, obviously we try to get out of it. But if we find ourselves in it for a long while, then we have to begin looking at what we can learn abd how we can grow, while at the same time contending for change. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the midst of our greatest challenges, will come our greatest victories. Yes, we contend and contend again. We have to learn to relish the fight and continue to press into all that He is doing. We are all called to the fight, all called to be warriors. Wheter we engage or not, that is totally up to us. The problem is that if we choose not to engage this time, there will always be a next time. So we may as well learn to fight and stand for something that is worth fighting for.<o:p></o:p></div>Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-6968893432462143832012-01-27T23:31:00.002-05:002012-01-27T23:31:32.471-05:00Coming Alive<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">It’s been over two years since Julia’s death, and I have been healed in so many ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much of my life is back to normal, or at least a “new” normal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is so good, and I can’t thank Him enough for carrying me through the hard times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so blessed to have Sheryl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never thought that I could love again, but I can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t ever seeing myself being happy again, but I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knows what life will bring to each of us, but this I do know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does make all things new, and He does work all things for good to those who love Him, even the pain and grief of losing your lover and best friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Sometimes I just find myself sitting back like I am out of my body and I am looking at myself watching all that is happening. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am totally amazed by what I see and feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish my girls could have what I have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray that they will get it in time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been healed in almost all areas, and now I find myself coming alive in probably the last area that was left numb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am exercising with a passion again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before Julia’s death, I was running with a passion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had completed the “Goofey” Marathon and half marathon race in 2008 and that burned me out on long distance, but I was still enjoying running and staying in shape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But after her death, it seemed like running was just something I did out of duty, not for fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t care about my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I look back, I realize it was because I really didn’t care how long I lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though God was there, it seemed like it was just as easy to not be here as it was to be here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t suicidal or anything, I was just numb.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I could tell it in my eating and in my exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even after I married Sheryl, I still wasn’t the same in that area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a numbness that had taken over that part of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t put my finger on when it changed, when the numbness left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it was as I grew even closer to Sheryl, but I found myself really wanting to live again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had had dreams before, but now those dreams meant even more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found myself looking at what I was doing, and not being happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that I need to exercise and I needed to eat properly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again I wanted divine health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to live a long time, and I need to be in shape and in good health to enjoy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The numbness was lifting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew it was lifting when I had the urge to train for a marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know what a commitment it would take to train; yet I started at the end of January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wednesday I completed a 17-mile run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll do 18 next week and work my way up to 20 miles before the marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means I am running anywhere from 25 – 30 miles a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Things are great; I am alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The training is kicking in, and the weight is slowly beginning to come off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sheryl and I are going to the gym three days a week to work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like a layer of cellophane that had me bound up has been cut away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It truly feels good to be alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know whether it is just being married, or moving down here to Peachtree City, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>but things are changing for the better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that I will be fine in all areas now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is full and exciting, and I am so blessed to have a part to play in all that God has in store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I think that this is the last area to come alive, and for a long while, I didn’t even realize it was dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-84685144411861928502012-01-19T23:43:00.000-05:002012-01-19T23:43:05.106-05:00Goodbye to an Old Friend<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Today I said goodbye to an old friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know cars are inanimate objects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They really are not fun to buy because the minute you drive them off the showroom floor, they loose value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why I will never buy another new car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From now on, when I buy a new car, it will be new to me, but used by someone else first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 1999 I bought a new Mazda Miata right off the show room floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a beauty, state of the art.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Miata had just changed body styles, and it was beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had always loved the Miata, and had leased a 96 model, thinking I would get it out of my blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it only made me want one more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">So, when the lease was up. I went and bought the ’99 Miata.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I figured that I would drive it until I retired and then I would get something sensible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a fun car to drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put 191,455 miles on it, and I enjoyed every one of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was always dependable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that in over 12 years, I broke down only twice and had only one flat tire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has had minimal maintenance and was very easy to drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The power wasn’t great, but it was so much fun to take around corners and to shift the short throw gear shift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I really did enjoy that car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But over the last year, she has been getting very tired.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">The speakers and sound system were going bad, and there was a constant hiss in the background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The leather seats has long since worn out and covered with sheepskin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now the power windows would barely work, and it seemed that more and more things were going wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With over 190k miles; the engine was on borrowed time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one time I thought of rebuilding the engine, but I was really looking at rebuilding the whole car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would cost too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, today I sold the car to CarMax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t bring myself to sell it to an individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was too much wrong with it for me to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt like CarMax gave me a good and fair price and so I drove it to the dealership with the top down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun was shining, but it was cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was still fun, and as I drove I remembered some of the trips and good times that I had with this car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I lost an old friend today and I was sad to see her go, yet I knew that it was time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">So, what did I replace her with?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad you asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now have a 2006 copper red Mazda Miata.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has 50,000 miles on it, so it is barely broken in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am excited because this is the new model that started in ‘06 and it is totally different, yet very similar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I’m still not old enough for practicality when it comes to cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess that I just like to have the sun shining down on my head and feel the wind blowing through my hair (lol).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Will I become as attached to this car as my last one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It probably depends on how she runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she is dependable and stays fun to drive; I foresee a wonderful long lasting relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope I am still able to get in and out of this one in 12 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We shall see.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-46977236200835166192012-01-14T00:00:00.001-05:002012-01-14T00:02:12.551-05:00Infected and Contagious<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I was running the other day, and I had a long time to think and meditate on things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was asking Father God about my life and my dreams, and how come they are so much different than my peers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me that “I was infected.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought OK, so what does that mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then He told me that I was contagious too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That really got my attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Infected? What with?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can understand being infected with strep throat, and being contagious with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to stay isolated until you are not contagious anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well He told me “I would always be contagious.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But I still wasn’t sure what He was talking about, and then He began to have my life flash back before my eyes as I ran.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was saved when I was nine, but it wasn’t until 1981 that I was filled with the Spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next thing that happened was that I got connected with the Vineyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was being drawn into a kingdom mindset and began to seek more after the things of the Holy Spirit, you know, the way out things that we don’t’ necessarily think about in traditional denominations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That began to draw me in, but I still wasn’t infected.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I became infected in 1994 when the renewal broke out in Toronto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can trace the infection that has impacted my life back to that one visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was summer of 94 and the revival had been going on every night since early January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it’s still going on up there right now, 18 years later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was there that I first felt the Holy Spirit move in a tangible way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean moving corporately, not just on one person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what infected me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to be in that environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I couldn’t live without it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Once you have tasted and partaken of it, that is all you want in a service, and you are never satisfied if you don’t have it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normal services don’t work for you anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are always looking, hunting for His presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know that you are infected when you will drive 50 miles and bypass hundreds of churches just to be at one where He occasionally shows up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wind up surrounding yourself with other people who are infected also.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s fun, but you have no choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the only thing that satisfies you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But there is a big difference between being infected and being contagious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are infected, you could be safe to be around other’s who are not infected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What you have won’t hurt them; it might not spread to them, you are no risk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, on the other hand, if you are contagious, you are dangerous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can be dangerous to those who are not infected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being contagious means that we are able to spread the infection to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am contagious because I carry His presence in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything that I do, I do to spread His Kingdom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As such, I know that His presence goes with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about His presence, It always has been about that, we just lost our focus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I am focused, and others like me are as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I know that I have His presence with me, and I know that if I carry His presence, then I can change the atmosphere wherever I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why I am contagious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m dangerous to those who aren’t yet infected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they hang around me long enough, they will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad that I am contagious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I am glad I am infected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life would certainly be dull if we weren’t releasing the Kingdom and changing the atmosphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a new day, and I am so glad to be a part of it.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-16619100691041501152012-01-10T23:25:00.002-05:002012-01-10T23:25:10.411-05:00Post Number 693<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s been two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years since I started this blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the past two years I have made 693 posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means that I have written all but 37 days in the past two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blog has almost 32000 hits on the internet from many different countries over the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think that I have that much to say, but I have been blessed with more people reading it than I ever thought possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t really start to have people read it, but I have enjoyed it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But, change is inevitable and this is a good time to make the change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After two years the thought of doing a nightly post is really tiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My life has changed dramatically and there is too much going on to keep the quality high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I am doing away with the daily posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried to do that last year, but I probably wasn’t ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still plan on writing, just not as often.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully that way, my thoughts will be clearer and there will be greater insight and revelation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, for those of you who still want to follow this blog, I suggest the following.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check the blog twice a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan to try and post by Wednesday and Saturday each week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It might vary, but it should be around there, and twice a week should keep you caught up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is about what I plan on writing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes if things come up I might write more, but probably not less.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I want to thank each of you who have walked with me through this journey and prayed for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your support has been invaluable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not leaving, I enjoy writing too much, but there are many other things that are taking a lot of my time now, and I its time for a course correction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two years has brought a lot of healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is good, and He is in a good mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goodnight.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-32243266110197331742012-01-08T23:59:00.004-05:002012-01-09T00:04:59.205-05:00God is so Good<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Tonight I want to reflect back some on the last two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to believe that Julia died two years ago tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That night was the lowest valley I think that I have ever been in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes I look back and I just don’t believe how I got through it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The utter shock of seeing someone who was so full of life and so vibrant, gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, hone in what seemed like an instant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That night I had a choice to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was I going to do, was I going to blame God for this tragedy. Or was I going to choose to run into His arms and let Him carry me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thank Him that I had been learning and studying about His true nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so thankful that I knew that He wasn’t responsible and that I know of His goodness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had experienced it in a small measure, but I had no idea that He was as good as He is.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That first year, especially that first six months, I basically went to sleep with Him every night. He was always in my thoughts, and it was always about His love and His goodness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I missed Julia so much, but His love and His comfort were there with me constantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t want to be with anyone, but He was there, holding me and watching over me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was if His Spirit was there, as a salve covering my deep wounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a choice, do I hold onto the past and try to keep things the way they were, or do I begin to try and heal, try to live again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The school played a big part in my healing, as did my friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But really it was my learning to release Julia to Father God that really began my healing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We can hold onto things and to people long after it is safe and healthy to keep them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could grab onto Julia’s memory, my memory of the way things were and live there, or I could release her and allow Father God to shift my memories and remove the pain from them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, if I held onto her memory from that moment, then every memory would be filled with the pain of loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But by releasing Her to Father God, I released all the pain, and over time, He gave me memories back, but without the pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is so good, we just have to allow Him to work with freedom in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His goodness to me is so overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never thought that I could love again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly thought that I would never be able to find room in my heart for anyone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But H had other plans.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">He expanded my heart to make room for more love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe because He has plans for me that needed a place for more love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, He then connected me in ministry to a wonderful woman that Julia and I had met in November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest is history, Sheryl has come into my live, a gift from my Father to be with me in this next phase of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I loved meeting Him every night that first year, He knew that I needed more of His love while I was here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So He sent her to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My love for her is so great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s something that I never thought I could experience again. I know that if I hadn’t given my memories of Julia to Him, He couldn’t have prepared me for this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s all about His goodness, but we play a part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to choose to move forward and mot to stay locked in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still miss Julia, and tonight I do honor her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I see her all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see her especially in my girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They carry so much of her inside them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even my granddaughters carry some of her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now, I can see her and still love Sheryl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is as it should be, and I know that Julia is happy with this. Today at church, we sang “Love Came Down”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was my song that I listened to for a year as I wrote this blog about her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But today it was sung is an upbeat fast arrangement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like it was being performed just for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted me to celebrate her life and His love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could do this, because He taught me about His goodness. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Never be afraid to release something to Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will only give it back to you in a better way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what He did with my memories and pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is what He will do for you if you will let Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, He is really that good!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-45580183648527326462012-01-06T22:07:00.000-05:002012-01-06T22:07:33.285-05:00Tempest in a Teapot<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Today I wanted to take a ride on my Harley, but I guess we have been traveling too much, because the battery was dead when I went to start it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, the battery is hidden behind a cover that is almost impossible to get off, so I guess I will have to either find someone who knows what they are doing or take it on a trailer to the dealer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I didn’t get to ride today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did get a workout in at the gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>That was OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I go back to work tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am blessed to have a job that gives me so much flexibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an interesting week though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got a letter giving us a 2 percent raise, but canceling our usual bonus of 6%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know math, and this doesn’t seem like a raise to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I have never seen such an uprising in the ranks of the DGS instructors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really it wasn’t about the money, we get paid pretty well for what we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had more to do with respect and honor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The instructor group as a whole felt dishonored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way it was handled by management was not good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Management said that it was because of the economy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really it’s because they felt they could do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are professionals and it doesn’t change the way we train or teach, it really doesn’t affect our paycheck all that much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But once again a company loses its goodwill and trust by going after a few dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bill Johnson said something a few days I go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said that there was nothing wrong with Capitalism except Capitalists .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also said that there was nothing wrong with Socialism except Socialists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, there will always be those who try to take advantage of any system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greed is what will ruin any system, and greed is rampant in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, the question for me is how do I react, and how can I bring the Kingdom of God into this situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, my source is not Delta Airlines or this job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank God I finally learned that lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it doesn’t matter what they pay me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I work for the King, and I am His representative here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I will continue to give my best and do all that I can do to provide Delta with quality pilots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I feel dishonored?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, but once I put my eyes back on my source, it was like water running off a ducks back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, I think that I have learned over the past few years not to let things shake me; especially things where I have no input.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It will be interesting to watch how all this plays out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it’s like everything else, it will be liked a tempest in a teapot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I have an A period in the morning, and I really am glad that I have this job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a gift from God, and I will never take it for granted. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-34803974925401073842012-01-06T00:24:00.001-05:002012-01-06T00:24:24.119-05:00Getting the House in Order<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Christmas decorations are all packed up in the basement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got it all done yesterday, and it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got the tree boxed up and all the wreaths down and packed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sheryl packed up all the small things and I loaded all the boxes to the basement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finished right before supper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next step was to bring back all of the furniture back into our sunroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were both excited to have our sunroom back so we can have our morning coffee there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a great place to read and pray as well as have coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the house is in order now, and we can begin to really settle in.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">January is a time of reflection and implementation of new ideas and new strategies for the New Year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So there is really more to “getting the house in order”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s time to look at changes that need to be made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I have said, one of the changes I want to make is in my diet and exercise regime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I completed my long run for the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran 12 miles, but it was way too slow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that the weight will come off as long as I keep running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it needs to come off so I can pick up my speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there are other things that I want to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really need to make some time to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a pile of books that I wanted to read last year, but never got around to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to make it a point to read at least one book a month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that I will make that one of my goals as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we are moved in, I hope that we will be able to spend more time meeting with people and doing some entertaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure how that looks yet, but I know that it will begin to happen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was good to see the kids, but now we are about to enter a time where we will be doing a lot of traveling; especially in February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So this month we need to take care of things around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of those things is our Sozo team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have about five new people to train and a couple of seconds to train as first, so it will be a busy time doing tht, but we are catching up on Sozos and I can see the team beginning to form like we want it to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is so good and I know that He has a plan for this team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, the house is being put in order, in most every area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t like to feel that I have to run just to catch up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to run, but run ahead of problems and keep them from occurring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s funny, but I have found that I like an orderly house too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Years ago I thought it was just Julia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Sheryl started talking about wanting to get things in order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it was a woman thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, maybe I have been around women too long because I have found that I work better and feel more refreshed when the house, including my “house” is in order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, this is going to be an exciting and productive month because we are getting things in order, in all areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is a good thing, and I believe it’s a God thing too.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-57237403895020502602012-01-04T12:00:00.000-05:002012-01-04T12:00:25.381-05:00Taking Down Christmas Decorations<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We got back home yesterday afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard leaving 78 degree weather and coming back to temperatures in the low 40’s for a high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But at least it was sunny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess the wind blew all the clouds away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I was able to get to the gym for a quick run in the tread mill and then had to go to school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I missed Monday night, but Sheryl and I were teaching a Sozo AMT during the last part of last night’s school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have three more Tuesday nights to teach and it has been fun working with a small group.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When we came home yesterday, Sheryl immediately started taking down the Christmas decorations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I came back from my run at the gym, I could tell she was getting serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tree was in pieces on the floor and all the decorations were stacked up on the chairs around the tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, the die is cast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is the day to pack up all the decorations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess that I will start bring up boxes after I finish this post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We did manage to get to the gym for a workout this morning, and we have a couple of other places to go, but for the most part, it’s time to get the house back in order.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I hate taking down Christmas decorations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t mind putting them up, but there is something very depressing about taking them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s sort of like losing recess when I was in school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas decorations just mean fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you take them down, it’s like saying the fun is over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why I usually am very hard to pin down when it comes to doing this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, they are already piled up now, so I really have no choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I guess we will get it done today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good news is that it will be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess it’s like taking medicine that taste bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know that you have to do it, but you try to avoid it for as long as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But when it’s over, you don’t have to deal with it for a while.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I have to stay positive, that is why I am working out, running and looking at my goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>January can be a very depressing month if you are not careful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the end of Christmas and winter really sits in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to look for things that are uplifting and positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, then there are a few Christmas bills that have to be paid as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>School starts a very long stretch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, it’s hard to stay positive, but I know that I will be able to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I look at all the things that I have to be thankful for, and that brings me back to the reality that I am a very blessed man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a sunny day outside, and even though I have to put the decorations away, Christmas still lives in my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, I can carry that with me into this month of January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is good, and I am glad to be involved in so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, to the boxes…</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-55565916553034604142012-01-02T09:16:00.001-05:002012-01-02T09:16:32.227-05:00Last Day in the Sun<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Well, all good things must eventually come to an end, and it looks like we will be leaving the nice sunny 70 degree weather for the frigid 20’s tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were going to leave tomorrow, but there are three bowl games in Florida this afternoon, and I think that the traffic going north tomorrow afternoon will be terrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I guess we will leave after dinner tonight and drive up as far as we feel like it, at least to Lake City, Fl before we stop to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, tomorrow morning we should be ahead of most of the traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not really looking forward to the drive back, but there is so much less stress compared with trying to get on an airplane this time of year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It has been a great time with Jennifer, Sean and the girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have really enjoyed it and I hope the girls have had a good time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that they will enjoy getting their room back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yesterday we had our first swim of the New Year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got in the pool for a few minutes before sitting out in the sun for an hour or so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also got in a 7 mile run through some very beautiful neighborhoods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last night we watched “The Help”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had seen it before, but it was just as good the second time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The diet starts in earnest when we get home, this has been like a vacation, no time to diet when you are visiting family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the workouts and training really begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve done well on the aerobics, and I am where I should be this week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the weights have to pick up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goal is to lose two pounds per week average.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that some weeks will be more and some less, but I am really committed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to if I expect to be able to run 26 miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What I have seen and experienced these past few weeks with all the kids is the love and sense of belonging that family gives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I received that in Alaska, in Atlanta and here in Ft Lauderdale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Family gives you a sense of belonging, a place where you know that you are loved and accepted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least it should. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we move into this new year, I can see why Bethel Atlanta is seeking to have a supernatural family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In your family you should feel safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Safe to share even when you disagree because you know that you love each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Safe to know that your dreams are encouraged and you get positive feedback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, God’s plan is for us to thrive in families filled with love, joy and hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The enemy’s main tactic is to break up families and isolate individuals; once isolated we make easy targets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like in the wild where the buffalo who strays from the herd is the one that gets picked off by the mountain lion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have families for protection and it’s our job to nurture and love them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s too easy today to allow them to drift apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never thought that my family would be so scattered, but it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to find ways to stay connected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why I think that “Facetime” is so important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to use all the technical advantages that we have to keep connected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Well, it’s been a good time of connection here, but it must end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be sad to leave, at the same time life calls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Families are important, but we all have lives too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The key is still to live life in balance and harmony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only through God can we achieve these both.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-52789888010991571212012-01-01T10:40:00.003-05:002012-01-01T10:55:15.349-05:00Happy New Year!!!I'm sitting here at Starbucks in Ft Lauderdale. It is a beautiful day, and the coffee is very good as always. Yesterday was filled with fun and excitement. We spent most of the day discovering Ft Lauderdale by boat. We bought day passes on the water taxi system and spent most of the day looking at the houses of the rich and famous. It is so beautiful to see this city from the intercostal waterway. You get a whole new perspective on it. Then we watched Tech lose again. That was the worst part of the day. While we were out and about, we ate a delicious meal at Coconuts. It's a waterside diner. The food was excellent and the view was breathtaking. At night, we grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, facetimed with Lisa and the girls and then watched a movie. We watched the ball drop from New York and went outside to see some fireworks.<br />
<br />
Last night I read my post from New Years 2011. I was amazed at how accurate it was and how much has happened to me this past year. 2011 really was a year of change. There were more changes than I could ever imagine. Everything from falling in love with a wonderful woman and getting married to changing churches. It continued with moving out of the Marietta area down to Peachtree City. There were changes in my ministry as I took on helping to lead first year at BASSM. Then, Sheryl and I were asked to lead the Sozo team at Bethel Atlanta. Lisa and Hernan moved to Juneau with the girls. I added new family when I married Sheryl and that is another blessing in my life, but also another change. Yes, 2011 was a year of change and a year of entering in. <br />
<br />
So, here we are, Jan 1 2012. What does this year hold in store for us? I sense that I have not entered into everything in the fullness that God wants me too. It's like the door to the house has been opened, but the house still has to be occupied. So, there will be more of an occupying and settling in as this year progresses. In some ways, it might not be as exciting, but it is maybe the most important time. It is a year of seeing promises fulfilled, and deferred hope made complete. I declare this over myself and my family. <br />
<br />
2012 will also be a year of fresh revelation as to how our destiny is fulfilled. There are so many open doors. None of them will be closed, but our path will narrow and certain doors will become more obvious as the ones we should choose. It is about choice, you know. I believe that our Papa gives us endless possibilities, but He also puts within us certain desires. When we follow His heart within our heart. Those endless possibilities narrow to those that will propel us into the destiny that He has for us. It is about running our own race, not someone else's.<br />
<br />
So, this year I want to focus on my race. It's not a coincidence that I feel compelled to train for another marathon. I believe the pace is picking up. There is much I want to do but the time is short. All of life is spiritual, you can't separate it out into parts. Whether it is running, travel or ministering in the school. If I stay connected to Him, He will give me balance. Balance for the race that I am called to run. My race looks different than your race. I can't judge another's race, because I don't know what God has in store for them. I just bless everyone who is in the race. May 2012 be a year of hopes fulfilled and destiny realized. Happy New Year.Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-282720862627957272011-12-30T22:51:00.001-05:002011-12-30T22:51:56.729-05:00Nice Day at the BeachI can certainly understand why so many people from Canada, New York or anywhere it is cold and snowing love to come down here and spend the winter. Today's weather was absolutely perfect. It started in the low 60's and ended in the upper 70's with hardly a cloud in the sky. We went to Starbucks early in the morning and then had lunch. After lunch I ran for an hour. It was great weather to run in, and running down las olas blvd looking at all the yachts and then along the beach was a lot of fun. <br />
<br />
Then this afternoon we all went to the beach for an hour or so. It was very warm and the water wasn't real cold. No, I didn't swim, but I did walk down in it for a little while. But just sitting on the beach, relaxing and talking with all the kids was a lot of fun. Then we came back and went out for a good dinner at J Alexander's. It's one of my favorite spots here and I always enjoy dinner there.<br />
<br />
We had an interesting conversation about how each of us has different callings on our lives, and we work in different mission fields. I know that Sheryl and my calling at this stage in our lives is sitting people free to move into their destiny. We do that all the time in Sozo, and it's our main focus in the school of ministry also. Sean's calling right now is in the professional world. Jennifer's mission field is in the hospital. None of these are more spiritual than the other. What is right for me would be completely wrong for Jennifer or Sean. <br />
<br />
It's all about releasing the Presence of God wherever we may be. It's about bring the Kingdom of heaven into the hospital, or a business meeting. It's about bringing freedom wherever you happen to be. No one will see the true Jesus unless they see Him through us. Religion won't cut it any more. Instead we have to be real. Real love from real people who know and reflect the real God. That's what the world needs and is looking for.<br />
<br />
I wish we could undo the years and years of "This job is spiritual, and this one isn't." I want everything that I do to be spiritual; and nothing that I do to be religious. Religion continues to kill Christians. Religion had to be an invention of The enemy's to keep believers working so hard that they would miss the real reason they are here. I know that I really just want to live life and let ministry happen. I'm not sure that I am there yet. But I know that I am closer to doing it right than I have ever been before. This year I want to get even closer.Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-5192634359264573192011-12-29T23:36:00.000-05:002011-12-29T23:36:37.290-05:00Sunny South Florida<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">When we left Peachtree City this morning, the temperature showing outside was 29.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This afternoon in Ft Lauderdale it was 78.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a difference a 11 hour drive makes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, it only took us 11 hours to get here, and that was with three stops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an easy drive, just a long one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully it won’t be any harder going back next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so god to be able to see Jennifer, Sean, Adair and Meleah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now feel that Christmas is complete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year we were all together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year Sheryl and I had to travel about 9,000 miles to see them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a difference a year makes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are looking forward to spending time with them these next few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have great weather for the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks like plenty of sun and high 70’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That and all the family should make for a great few days.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Sheryl and I did get to talk and do some planning for the New Year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We looked at different areas of our lives, and talked about the focus for 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t make “resolutions”, but we did set some measurable and achievable goals in many areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe that this will help us as we prioritize things during the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really is hard to believe that there are only two more days in 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2012, I never even dreamed of living in this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems that my earlier dreams in life stopped in 2007, when I was scheduled to retire with Delta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then came early retirement in 2003 and 2007 really meant nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have dreams, lots of them, but I realize that even as I have them, I am living them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you are my age, you don’t have time to let them sit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to think and act, almost simultaneously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is hard for some people, but I find it rather easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess it is from all my training as a pilot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You make decisions in life, act on them, and move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You really don’t have time to stop and stay in one place, even if you are young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is just too short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">We will make mistakes; sometimes they are very costly and might hurt others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The key is to always try to be aware of unintended consequences to our actions, and learn for our mistakes and the mistakes of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we make them, as we all will, we have to be ready to quickly move on as if we hadn’t made them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we try to put others in the forefront, then we will minimize the mistakes we make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that I have made many mistakes over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some were my fault, and some weren’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I have to keep living life going forward, and take the consequences when they come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, God’s grace is sufficient to carry me through the hard times, and to lead me into the good times.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Anyway, I digress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2012 is going to be a year of great change in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have to be prophetic to see this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t stand on the things of this world for our security.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of these will shake, crumble and fail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have to be the answer for many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our love, faith and fearlessness will draw others into our sphere of influence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we can help them understand where their true security lies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a great time to be alive, and I truly believe that this next year will see revival begin to break out in small pockets through out the United States. It’s already started and those who are looking, like Simeon and Anna of old, can see it already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My advice to you who are reading: get ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few years ago, we were told by the prophets to position ourselves for the next move of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully we are positioned where God wants us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we are we can be used most effectively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s my real goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s yours?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-41085453081071096652011-12-27T23:58:00.002-05:002011-12-27T23:58:25.489-05:00Nine Mile Run<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As I look back on the past two years, especially since Julia’s death, I realize that probably one of the biggest things that has taken a hit in my life even after my marriage to Sheryl has been my physical fitness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of it can be attributed to my busy schedule and the fact that I really didn’t have time, but I always made time before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of it could be attributed to the grief that I was going through, but that has been almost two years, and in every other area, I have received great healing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even after my marriage, it has been hard to get motivated to really go out and run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve tried a number of times, and it hasn’t really worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like I have been in a dead zone as far as training and fitness went,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Because of that, I have continued to have trouble maintaining or losing weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have slowly gained weight over time and that makes it even harder to get motivated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I think that I am finally turning the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have decided to train for another marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be my 15<sup>th</sup> if I finish it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan to finish it and I have finished everyone that I have run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I have to seriously get into the grove, and quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The marathon is the Georgia Marathon here in Atlanta.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It runs on Sunday March 18, 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have about 12 weeks to complete my training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That should be enough based on what I did today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last week I ran a 10K course for my long run and felt good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today I ran probably the longest run that I have run in over two years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I completed 9 miles and I felt pretty good doing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, it was slower than I liked, but I am carrying some extra weight right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the weight comes of, the time will increase, running should help the weight to come off faster.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I am not one for New Year’s Resolutions, but at the same time I believe that the week between Christmas and New Year is a great time to evaluate where you are in all phases of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I spend time this week, I really want to look at a few things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sheryl and I have basically just been living on the go, trying to stay ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want us to be ahead of our schedule and be proactive about what we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, maybe during our drive down to Ft Lauderdale we can come up with some ideas about how to do that.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">There is so much that we want to do, but in order to do it all, we have to prioritize all the things we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That takes time and thought; hopefully we can put the thought in during the time we have before things really get started up again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drive will be a good time to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to be able to focus on the kids once we get down there. The weather looks great, and it is going to be great to be able to run and walk in the nice south Florida weather.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, I guess the question is really how to begin to “train” in all phases of life the way that I started training for the Marathon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all about dreams and goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dreams will never be realized if you don’t match them with some measurable and achievable goals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have fun as you begin to visualize all you can do in the next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no limit to what we as believers can accomplish if we prioritize and focus on the main things.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-51793913501423278032011-12-27T00:04:00.002-05:002011-12-27T00:04:44.419-05:00It Was a Great Christmas!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">What makes a good Christmas?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was little, I thought it depended on whether or not I got what I wanted from Santa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then as I got older I knew it was a good Christmas when I was able to spend time with my friends and I got the presents I wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later, I just wanted money, to buy my own presents, and I wanted to be able to spend time with my girlfriend or my friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure, I love seeing my family, but that wasn’t my focus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I think it was after I got out of college and was in pilot training when Christmas with the family began to be important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess you don’t realize the importance of something until it’s taken away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I look back on all the Christmas’s past, and I can’t remember many specific toys of gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I remember most are the faces and smiles of my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember Grandmother Roan who for ten years said this would be her last Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember Nena and Van along with Mae, throwing a party and trying to dance with all the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember Mom and Dad keeping us from coming down to early on Christmas morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember all my sisters waking up and sitting at the top of the stairs until we could all run down to check what we had gotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember Aunt Jean and Uncle Charlie, who actually paid for many of our presents in the early years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember so much more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You see, it’s not really about the gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not about whether you give or get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really about love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His love is the key that unlocks hearts at Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might not be a believer, but it’s still His love that opens the door to let your love out at Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do people get happy and smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that they want to believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a hole in their heart needing to believe in something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas allows them to fill that hole temporarily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it is God’s way of drawing us into loving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we open ourselves to love, it begins to bring a crack in our armor so that we might receive His love.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, yes this was a good Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was able to spend it with Sheryl and Scott and Lacey and the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got to see Jennifer, Sean and the kids on face time as well as Lisa, Hernan and the kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that’s still not the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would have been a great Christmas if we all could have been together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, that’s really not fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We might never all be able to be together at Christmas time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means I would never have a great Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I am declaring that I did have a great Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really did enjoy every part of it, and seeing Lisa and her family last week and now about to go see Jennifer and her family will make it complete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s great, just different.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Christmas is about love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also about remembering, and I do remember all the Christmas’s past with fond memories, especially those with Julia when the kids were little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as good as every Christmas is, it’s always about the next one, and the anticipation of life and love that it brings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So as I say goodbye to Christmas 2011, I look with great anticipation to next year and Christmas 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What joy we will have because of His love flowing through us all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Making memories is a lot of fun too!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-56361425411728382302011-12-25T00:54:00.002-05:002011-12-25T00:54:55.248-05:00Merry Christmas<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Well, it’s after midnight, so it is officially Christmas here in Atlanta and in Ft Lauderdale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It won’t be Christmas in Juneau for another three and a half hours, but it’s close enough to wish everyone of you a Merry Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I think about Christmas, I am reminded that it is not about presents, but about His presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, I so enjoy watching kids open gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love to see the expression of surprise on their face when they pull back the paper and realize that the gift they are getting is something that they have really been wanting for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I got to see that expression on Anna’s face when we were in Juneau. And I saw it tonight on Ava’s and Judah’s face as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oren, well, he is a little old for this expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But to see “the look” and know that they feel good about themselves and they know that someone cares about their wants and needs, which is what it is all about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I think that is how Father God sees us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loves to see the expression of surprise and joy on our face when He surprises us with His goodness and His grace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing is, He wants us to see it all year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sure we celebrate His goodness over Christmas and the fact that He sent His son to bring us into the everlasting light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But He shows us His grace and His goodness all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our problem is that we miss seeing it most of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is in constant communication with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our problem is that we aren’t listening on the channel He is speaking on most of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s true that His still small voice is what we need to listen for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as we listen, we need to be obedient to what we hear, no matter what the cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more we obey, the more we hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of our lack of hearing comes because of our lack of obedience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But don’t worry, He loves us so much that when we turn and ask for forgiveness and another chance, He is quick and just to begin speaking where we can hear Him again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">So, Christmas can be about renewing our relationship with Father God, and learning to hear Him all over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants that, but we have to make the first move.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not willing to invade our space if He is not welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s like the picture in Revelations of Jesus standing at the door, knocking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He won’t open it himself; He wants you to open it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I guess the real question for all of us this Christmas is this: Am I hearing Him like I should?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If not, what do I need to do to improve my relationship with Him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I being disobedient?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If so, what do I need to do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, if we are not hearing Him, the problem is on our end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that for me, I want every day to be like Christmas next year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want Him to know how much I love Him, and I want to really appreciate His goodness and love just like I do at Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So to all of you, my friends, may each day of the New Year be like a very Merry Christmas to you as you receive all that Papa has for you each day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-85419017159809858702011-12-24T00:00:00.000-05:002011-12-24T00:00:48.949-05:00Christmas Eve, Eve<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was almost 70 degrees in Atlanta today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Way to warm for Christmas unless you are in Hawaii, Florida or Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I am not in any of those places, it could be a little colder for Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not really complaining, I was able to get out and take a six-mile run this afternoon without dressing up for winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was really nice and it was the longest run that I have had in a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are getting ready for Christmas Eve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will have church tomorrow at 5 and then Scott, Lacey and the kids over for Christmas dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sheryl has been cooking most of the afternoon and evening, and I know that it will be a good dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s still hard to believe that we are down here in Peachtree City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s good, but everything seems so different.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One of the good things about being down here is that we can see Dad and Allene.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are taking them to brunch tomorrow morning and that will be fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still find myself thinking about Christmas last year in Hilton Head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could have used some of this year’s weather there last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well, you have to enjoy what you have when you have it, and that’s what I intend to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had fun in Juneau, we will have fun here and then fun in Ft Lauderdale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three very different locations, but all filled with families and memories to be made and enjoyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are some of your favorite memories?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">If you are like me, you probably have so many that it is hard to answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as I think back on Christmas past, I have a hard time thinking of a bad memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the ones when we were so poor that we hardly had any gifts were very special because we had each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so fortunate that I had a home that was loving and joyful, especially around Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that is the type of home that we tried to give our girls growing up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gifts are nice, but the greatest gift you can give is yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Giving yourself and your love to those who love you is so important.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">I guess that’s why I still get so much pleasure listening to all the old Christmas songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m doing that now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listening to “Here Comes Santa Clause” reminds me of my aunt and uncle “Sister and JB”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think most of these memories were when I was around three and staying with them during Christmas time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was where I began to hear Bing Crosby, Perry Como and Gene Autry sing all the old Christmas songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The show that we saw about the Andrews Sisters stirred up these memories too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s amazing that I can remember something that long ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, Christmas is about memories, so as I get older, it’s my responsibility to help make memories for my grandchildren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw a card today at the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It said that Christmas was a great way to end one year and begin another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly embrace that in reality, 2011 ends on Christmas Eve, and 2012 begins Christmas Morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It begins full of hope, joy and peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I pray that it will stay that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it’s about to be Christmas Eve, and this is a special time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy it!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-74402613557127142722011-12-23T01:21:00.001-05:002011-12-23T01:21:27.866-05:00Home From Juneau<div class="MsoNormal">It’s always good to be home again. We got home last night about midnight. It was a little over 24 hours from the time that we left Lisa’s in Juneau. We had to get creative to get home, which is not surprising for the holiday travel. We went from Seattle to Memphis to Atlanta. Then we had to search for our bags in Atlanta. Praise God, they were there, and after about 30 minutes we found them. But we were, and are still on Juneau time. We came home and had something to eat and didn’t get to bed until after one in the morning. Then getting up was another chore. We finally got up around 10:30. It will probably be the same tomorrow since it is already after one now.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Anyway, I’m sitting here listening to Bing Crosby singing White Christmas. The tree is beautiful and we spent a wonderful night at the Steeds with friends from RiverStone. It’s important to keep connections and tonight was a lot of fun. Tomorrow is for running, going to the store and cooking. I’ll do the running and probably go to the store. Sheryl will do the cooking. Anyway it will be a full day and I don’t think we have the time to sleep as long in the morning.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Christmas is so special. It’s about giving and blessing the ones you love, and some people that you might not even know. Father God set the example by giving us His Son. We all need to learn to give. I think one of the first signs of maturity is when you begin to understand that giving is really more fun than getting. Sure, I still love to get gifts because it makes me feel special and loved. But I really do love to give much more. I love to see the look of surprise and shock on someone’s face when they receive a gift that they were totally not expecting. That makes it so worth every thing.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So tomorrow starts the weekend of Christmas. I will miss those that I love that are not here, and enjoy being with those that I love that are here. If I had my way, we would all be together, but that is a perfect world, and we don’t live in a perfect world yet. But no matter where we are, love still flows, and we will be in contact with each other. Life moves on and decisions that we have to make take us apart physically, but nothing can separate us spiritually. Memories are the glue that keeps us together and makes our love even stronger when we are apart.<o:p></o:p><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Well it is late here in Atlanta, even though it’s only a little after 9 in Juneau. I have to begin to transition back to Eastern time, so I guess it’s time for bed, even though I’m not sleepy. <o:p></o:p></div>Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-56687827971718368682011-12-21T10:45:00.003-05:002011-12-21T10:50:22.702-05:00Sitting in AirportsIn some ways it seems like I have spent most of my life sitting in airports. I guess being in aviation for over 40 years would give anyone that perspective. I do know that it is much more fun waiting in an airport knowing that you have a seat. When I was flying and on a trip, I still hated the sit around, but at least I knew that I had a seat. Right now Sheryl and I are sitting I the Seattle airport. We have already missed one flight, well really two, since the second is about to leave without us. I am already looking at other options beside the direct flights to Atlanta. We will try going to Minneapolis and then to Atlanta next. We might have a chance with that one.<br />
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Of course, no longtime traveler nonrev's the week before Christmas. That is unless they want to see their grandchildren then they lose all their senses. We left Juneau at 8pm last night and then got a hotel in Seattle at midnight. We got up at four and here we are. Yesterday we had "Christmas" with the kids and it was a lot of fun. It was a great visit with the whole family, but it was hard to say goodby knowing it will probably be summer before we can get back. <br />
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But now, back to reality and trying to get back to Atlanta for Christmas. We are looking forward to that too. We will have Scott, Lacey and the kids over for Christmas eve dinner. Then after Christmas the drive to Ft Lauderdale. It will be 12 hours, but at least we have control of our own destiny. Well, this is an unusual early morning post, hopefully I can update it tonight from our home.Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-27978389736214089592011-12-20T03:52:00.002-05:002011-12-20T03:52:34.372-05:00Closed on MondaysA number of years ago, we had some friends from England staying with us. They were only with us for a couple of days and we wanted to show them some of the local sights. It was a Monday, and we started driving around. Well, everywhere we went the establishment had a sign saying "Closed on Monday". It was before we had smart phones and could look up addresses and phone numbers. We just drove around from place to place reading "Closed on Monday". We spent all day doing that and it got to be very funny. <br />
<br />
Today wasn't nearly that bad. We were able to "Let our fingers do the walking". We saved a lot of gas and time by not driving to all the places that we wanted to go that we're closed. It seems that most of Juneau, restaurants and all were "Closed on Monday". So we spent most of the day deciding where we weren't going to go instead of actually going anywhere. It was 40 degrees and everything was melting. I couldn't run outside because it was very icy and slick on the sidewalks. <br />
<br />
We did get to go to "The Hanger". It's my favorite restaurant in Juneau. It sits on the water with the mountains in the background. The food is great too. I had a bowl of Halibut and Clam Chowder that was outstanding. Then we wound up at the best food store in Juneau, Fred Meyers, for a Starbucks. So the day was still a lot of fun. Salmon for dinner topped the day off.<br />
<br />
Lisa had to work from 6:30 to 6:30 today, so we were without her presence all day. For the most part, Anna and Julia did just great. It has been so much fun keeping up with them this week, although I have to admit that my back is a little sore from holding them so much. The bad news is that the flights are filling up fast, and we are going to leave tomorrow night at 8pm. That will allow us to standby for all the flights to Atlanta on Wed and if need be, on Thursday as well. Hopefully we will be able to get home sometime<br />
on Wed. We really do hate to leave a little early, but we don't want to spend Christmas eve in the Seattle airport. So it looks like this time tomorrow night we will be still flying toward Seattle. I'll try to get a hotel room close to the airport. That way we can get a few hours of sleep before we have to start standing by. So I don't know if I will post until I'm back in Georgia.<br />
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Christmas is all about family, and I am so glad that we got to spend this time with Hernan, Lisa, Anna and Julia. It really has been a great week.Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8467350866290327287.post-829871289358807262011-12-19T03:49:00.002-05:002011-12-19T03:49:45.077-05:00A Rainy SundayYesterday it was snowing again. It wasn't snowing all day, but it snowed lightly most of the day. I was able to run, the snow helped give traction on the ice. It was more slippery than the other day, but an hour run was very fun and beautiful. Of course it was slower because it was more slippery, but it was still fun. I have decided that I like the snow better than the rain. Today it rained all day and it would have been impossible to go out running. So snow, in limited amounts, is definitely better than rain. A having said that, it rained so hard that if it had been snow we probably would have had at least a foot. <br />
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We did get to church, Juneau Christian Center. It was a very good service. I am so glad that Lisa and Hernan have found a good church. It had good worship, and the message was very good as well. It would definitely be where I would go if I lived here. After church we went to lunch and to see Santa at the mall. Anna had a cute picture taken with Santa. It's the first time she has ever sat in his lap. Julia would have nothing to do with him, even with Lisa sitting next to him. I guess that she will be just like her sister. <br />
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It's been so good being here. I really miss my girls, both are so far away. It's hard to get to see them as much as I would like. It's just hard to believe we have been gone 5 days. Of course to get here you have to add at least a day of travel on each end. I've got to start watching the flights. It's going to get harder and harder to get home as we get closer to Christmas. <br />
<br />
I'm sitting here, probably the only one still awake. Lisa has duty tomorrow from 6:30am until 6:30pm. It's the only day she has to work while we are here. We will have fun with the kids, and hopefully I will get a run in outside. I did get to the gym this afternoon with Lisa. I grot a good workout, so the rain didn't totally stop me from doing what I needed to do. Tomorrow will be fun, no matter what we are able to do. I am excited to see what the day brings. Hopefully it will be a day filled with light snow showers and very little rain. Yes, that would be very good indeed.Tom Roanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16679918704991536398noreply@blogger.com0