May 25, 2010 Stormy night

Psalm 57:1
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. 


Sitting here watching the rain and lightening. The thunder rolls in the background. I remember as a little boy of about 5 years of age sitting (hiding) in the closet with my sister as the thunder and lightening surrounded our house. Everything seemed to light up as the flash of lightening and then the clap of thunder echoed through our little house. I was afraid but not sure of what. When the calm would come it was such a relief. The storm had past and we were ok.

Life has its storms. What we do in the storm is as important as the storm. Fear or faith? Where will I go?

Pray the prayer of Psalm 57:1...

"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
 for in you my soul takes refuge; 

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, 
till the storms of destruction pass by."

May 19, 2010 Mom's 92 today!

My mother is celebrating 92 years today and going strong. She is headed for the nursing home to visit my father who will be 99 in August. What a blessing to have good health and be able to get around as she does. We visited this morning for some time and it was upbeat and positive. Age is more about attitude than chronology. You can be "old" before your time if you choose too be. My folks have always been "young at heart" and ready to go with the slightest invitation. That's my kind of "old". Bring it on!

"Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live..." Deuteronomy 30:19b

My Mom in her wedding dress this past November...still fits!
A "kid at heart"...

Monday May 17, 2010 Lindsay Ostrem Roach Scholarship

This is the Hyacinth that Lindsay planted the summer of 2003. It keeps coming up each spring as a reminder of the hope of "new life" we have in Jesus.

Tonight we had the privilege once again to award two scholarships to Roseville Area High School Seniors who are a part of the Connections program at RAHS. Mary Hanula and Jan Johnson are their instructors. They were mentors and partners on the Connections Team that Lindsay was a teacher for several years before her death.

Ironically tonight at 7pm as we were preparing to present the scholarships it was six and a half years to the hour of her death. Hard to believe yet true. In the giving of the scholarship Lindsay's legacy continues to bear fruit. She loved to teach and believed strongly in the Connections program that help 9-12th grade students overcome educational hardship and personal challenges to become successful graduating seniors of RAHS. One of the mother's of one of the students award the scholarship said that they have four children and this was the first one to receive an award. We are very proud of the students who have received the scholarships. They will be graduating with strong 3.+ GPA's. Some of the highest in the time we have been awarding the scholarship. To us that means the Connections program works and we are proud to be able to help some of the Connection students pursue further education in their areas of interest. Both of the young women recipients are setting their educational goals on teaching. Lindsay could not ask for more. We are blessed this night by the memory and life of our daughter, Lindsay.

May 16, 2010

We had grandson Haakon for the weekend. I stayed over Thursday night and was there to get him up and spent Friday with him until Grandma Lois could join us. Haakon and Grandpa went out to see Junior at the stable...Haakon was thrilled over "all the neigh-neighs". It was a blast. He is at the age where he carries on simple conversations of innocence. They are precious and not to be missed. Lois and I are so blessed to be able to enjoy these days with our family. We are a little weary too :-) but worth every minute!

May 13, 2010

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.  Hebrews 11:1-3 ESV


Dark and dank days are upon us. For some of us these are long days. I remind myself that God's incredible creative hand continues to give us days to serve and love others. My eyes are to be on those around me that I may serve, care for or pray for. God lifts the heaviness of the day with the joy of touching others lives with hope. Our faith in Jesus Christ births hope. Hope that will not fail us.

We cling to Romans 5:1-5 ESV...
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice  in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

May 11, 2010

One of the best reasons to be happy today! 

Haakon has my red cheeks.

He has "my heart" too!!

Love you Haakon...

May 10, 2010

I was invited to share my journey with a group tonight. Sometimes your story seems insignificant but never underestimate the power of your story to connect with others. As I looked at the folks gathered I wondered what they would glean from my story. Again the Holy Spirit worked a work that only the Spirit can do. I continue to be amazed at the Spirit's ongoing "Acts 2" work in this world and His Church. Thank you Jesus for your calling and leading.

We spent the weekend with our family and had a blast. I had a lot of Haakon time and loved every minute of it. He's my buddy!

May 6, 2010

Lois thinks I am a little "OCD"...could be :-)

I have accepted my "current calling" in serving my wife in needs around house and help her as I am able.
One of the roles that I have assumed is that of "laundry"...I can "spot" with the best of them!
This morning "my dryer" died...a piece of the siding blew off the front of the house...the two ceiling lights in the hallway went on the fritz...and the garage door cables flew off. Not a bad day :-)

Sometimes one wonders if there is a "cloud" hanging overhead but it is just the way it goes.
Random junk happens in our lives and how we handle them is important. It happens; how will we react?

I will fix what I can and call on my wonderful son-in-law, Brian to help me figure out the rest. Brian has a gift of restoration and creativity. He thinks in creative ways to make things work. I am blessed to have Brian.

I may stay up until 1am worrying (thinking) about what needs to be done but it won't get it done. Last night I finally prayed..."Jesus, quiet my mind and spirit so I may rest."  Rest came and we bought a new dryer tonight! One down!!!

May 2, 2010

I had a call from my Mother and Sister today from the nursing home where my Father stays. He was having a "5 star day" according to my Mother. We visited for a few minutes and then she gave the phone to my Father. He said, "Hello"...and after telling him we would see him next week he said, "That would be nice." It was so good to hear my Father convey a thought so clearly. It is becoming more infrequent still always a gift.

I've thought of questions I wish I had asked of him but never did. He has always been a man of very few words yet great kindness. How is it we miss the opportunities before us for whatever reason? No regrets; yet questions of his life remain a mystery.

Our Father in Heaven left no questions of who He is...revealing himself in the form of Jesus, the Christ.
If we have questions of God's love or justice we need only look to Jesus, the Word of God's love and justice for all.