Consider this the scratchpad of a simple man who aspires to live a meaningful life and to be of some use to others. To maybe even inspire and influence people to consider what's possible by achievement, faith, and by the life of a regular guy who happens to take some risks.
Here at this website, Exavius.com, you'll come upon numerous wilderness adventures and stories that might come of use to you, but they're mostly for me, family and friends. A sort of reference and a scratchpad to look back on as life happens.
So, if you're inclined to come back and join in by comments or posts, please do that. You're invited.
As a requirement for Ryan to earn his Webelo rank, he had to complete a community citizenship project. He would in turn speak with a city official to describe his project and thereafter mark this task as complete. This is one more additional requirement accomplished to earn that rank and progress. It so happens, he pointed out various signs of blight among traffic signs in the city that were defaced with graffiti. While in his scout uniform, photos were taken of him pointing to those signs to turn in and inform. Good turn done.
Our personal war on Autism continues.
In other news, between Girl Scouts and Karate, Miranda is heading for Karate advancement. Decision made.
Now on the treadmill moving at about 2.6mph with a 5% incline. Figured post to this journal while on the go to redeem the time. Posting from the phone.
Here are some highlights or productivity points of the day:
- Completed daily to-do list.
- Quiet Time and Prayer.
- Medicine Run for Better Half.
- Time with kids to check their day and school performance.
- Reviewed Shema on index cards.
- Set appointment and schedule for kids swimming lessons in May.
- Went shopping for 45 cal handgun.
- Picked out firearm self defense course for home and family. Probably attend in February. Have to apply and register.
- Went to get replacement printer and some home bulbs.
- Answered some office emails from home.
- Coming up on 2 miles on this treadmill. Crunches and stepper with weights are next up.
- Maybe some music and quiet worship time before early to bed.
Just spent too much cash on Scout material, uniforms and project stuff for Ryan. But there’s a return on that investment. No question.
He’s still first year in Webelos with the recent transfer to another pack. However, we’re active and doing activities together at home. Yesterday we reviewed the Scout Oath, Motto, and Scout Law and Scout Slogan. Just to get a test of what’s ahead with Scouts. Yes, he’s still a cub.
We have an excellent pack that deserves our highest gratitude for a well developed and managed program. Any opportunity I can find to give back, I’m going to.
Status with Ryan’s accomplishments and year over year rank:
“The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You.” –Is. 26:3
GREAT prayer time today. About coming back to basics and a softening of the heart. So, I’ve reordered a TMS (Topical Memory System) again to start fresh. You might want to consider the same.
Memorized these over and over some while ago and they brought such life and renewal. And clarity and promise. So for today I’m rifling some of them off from memory and I’m so pleased and grateful they came back. Hidden deep within to resurface.
I very much miss them, so I’m getting back to it just to review and build upon what’s there. This Spirit is going to grow within because something is stirring inside much like my passion for wilderness and music, only much more and this is everlasting. Day by day heaven nears and even if this is just a single day at a time, that is enough because thereispeace.
TMS: Familiar ground and roots revisited:
LIVE THE NEW LIFE
Christ the Center
2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20
Obedience to Christ
Romans 12:1; John 14:21
The Word
2 Timothy 3:16; Joshua 1:8
Prayer
John 15:7; Philippians 4:6,7
Fellowship
Matthew 18:20; Hebrews 10:24,25
Witnessing
Matthew 4:19; Romans 1:16
PROCLAIM CHRIST
All Have Sinned
Romans 3:23; Isaiah 53:6
Sin’s Penalty
Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27
Christ Paid the Penalty
Romans 5:8 1; Peter 3:18
Salvation is not by Works
Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5
Must Receive Christ
John 1:12; Revelation 3:20
Assurance of Salvation
1 John 5:13; John 5:24
RELY ON GOD’S RESOURCES
His Spirit
1 Corinthians 3:16; 1 Corinthians 2:12
His Strength
Isaiah 41:10; Philippians 4:13
His Faithfulness
Lamentations 3:22,23; Numbers 23:19
His Peace
Isaiah 26:3; 1 Peter 5:7
His Provision
Romans 8:32; Philippians 4:19
His Help in Temptation
Hebrews 2:18; Psalms 119:9,11
BE CHRIST’S DISCIPLE
Put Christ First
Matthew 6:33, Luke 9:23
Separate From the World
1 John 2:15,16; Romans 12:2
Be Steadfast
1 Corinthians 15:58; Hebrews 12:3
Serve Others
Mark 10:45; 2 Corinthians 4:5
Give Generously
Proverbs 3:9,10; 2 Corinthians 9:6,7
Develop World Vision
Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19,20
GROW IN CHRISTLIKENESS
Love
John 13:34,35; 1 John 3:18
Just spent some funds on hardware for family time and personal use that are about symbols of interest that have meaning.
A plumb line bob and circle compass as unconventional symbols to carry and keep about the home. Simple pieces that serve as instruments to explain to the children what they are, what they do and why they exist. Physical reminders for the pocket, on the desk, or on the go to hold, feel and see. Story pieces for the kids and a visual explanation of what they represent.
Tangible reminders of significance to serve a purpose other than what is intended. That the children will learn about what these are to see truth and integrity. Less than common articles of faith that have meaning about how decisions are made, how time is spent, how we behave and how resources get applied. What these symbolically mean in life.
Here’s a video segment of a topic entitled “The Church at War.” This is the same church where ‘fellowship’ is a spoke within the wheel illustration I learned quite some while ago. The wheel is an expression of the productive life of a believer. That a person who chooses to live a life of faith, puts into practice these areas of discipline that balance a follower’s life. What to do when one chooses to pursue God.
Personally, I believe there ought to be additional spokes, but these are the essential ones to gain traction, get distance and grow. That without these four, if a spoke is missing or underdeveloped, the wheel can become lopsided and just doesn’t travel or gain distance quite as well. Or to survive and thrive during a life where there’s unending conflict inside.
The message here goes well beyond that with four principles about how to fight. And not to win every time, but to win enough to win the war.
For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch.
Sign me up. I’m on this side of the covenant with Elohim’s beautiful people. So, just for more to hide in my heart, I’ve endeavored to memorize the Shema. שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָ But I want to go further and memorize what Yeshua said to Nicodemus about it when he quoted that when they were together. Both in Hebrew and in English.
When the heart cries
only God hears
The pain rises out of the soul
A man falls down before he sinks down
With a little prayer (he) cuts the silence
Shma (Hear) Israel my God,
you’re the omnipotent
You gave me my life,
you gave me everything
In my eyes a tear,
the heart cries quietly
And when the heart is quiet,
the soul screams
Shma (Hear) Israel my God,
now I am alone
Make me strong my God;
make it that I won’t be afraid
The pain is big,
and there’s no where to run away
End it because I can’t take it anymore
When the heart cries,
Time stands still
All of a sudden, the man sees his entire life
He doesn’t want to go to the unknown
He cries to his God right before a big fall
Here’s a piece of devotional music that’s of use to bring you closer to our Father while reading Colossians 3:1-17. It’s a 6 minute melody of prayer and appeal to His Spirit.
Something New; REVEAL. Colossians 3:1-17
I wanna live real life,
I wanna leave the world of emptiness behind.
I wanna live real life,
I wanna flee from all the darkness I’ve desired.
I won’t hold, I won’t hide,
Your forever-given love inside.
Whatever it takes, God, show me your ways
I’m willing to waste what this world has to offer
For infinite grace. God, you bore my shame,
Won’t make the mistake of living like I’m my own.
I wanna live real life,
I wanna walk beneath the Everlasting Light.
I wanna live real life,
I wanna breathe the fullness of my true design.
Take me, break me, mold me, make me Into something new.
Wake me, shake me, pull me, change me I will live for you.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
New words appear today within my little black scratchpad notebook I carry with me. An effort to see and think these words to carry them through. To repeat them in writing in simple pencil in small letters carefully and legibly. They appear as an effort to somehow feel them as if they would have more meaning. And they did because I know where they come from.
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” –Rom. 8:26-27
Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. –Js. 4:14
Spent a short two-days this weekend in our borrowed land of the Ahwahneechee. Exploration with time together most of all in very beautiful place. Just lunch together in such a place had its reward overflowing.
January 2012 and we’re just getting started with the new year. Renewed the unlimited visitation pass and we have plenty of spots picked out through the calendar for our return, Lord willing.
Time continues its march. It is unforgiving and puts upon us this thing called age. With what happens during that time is a return on our effort. The measure of our results finds its way before our Father. A life-time statement of faith, loyalty and endurance.
My prayer is that our children become a light that points to our Father and His kingdom.
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.” So God granted him what he requested. 1 Chr. 4:10
For every action of force there’s an equal and opposite reaction. That’s a physics principle I’ve learned in college some while ago.
So, much more accomplished today. From quiet time in personal reading and prayer, my mind and heart is at peace much of the morning. Thereafter, task after task accomplished. Later in the day, reservations for Yosemite this weekend, a few long lasting financial decisions made and completed, plus several menial tasks on the long held to-do list finally behind me. Check off, check off, check off. Done with far more to go.
Then, contemplating registration at Resolved 2012. I’ll probably go.
Then, there was verse review and memorization. Among them,
Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is Lord’s purpose that prevails. –Pr. 19:21
Productive day today getting work done. Great family time today as well, more meaningful without question.
Actually starting to entertain the notion of adopting a child in need. I’ve prayed about it a bit today and asked if that makes sense to us or our family, but mostly just to be available to our Father. If it makes sense or suits His purposes, the leading or circumstances will come. Mostly though, the highlight of the day was with Psalm 16.
Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.”
As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.
The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I bless the LORD who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the LORD always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
(Psalm 16 ESV)
Yesterday I happened to be reading through my crumpled, folded and frayed ESV. Exodus 24:9 came into crisp focus while God is showing how He goes before his people. And I just haven’t stopped thinking about that since. Read it over and over fresh.
“Then Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel went up, and they saw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank. ”
They saw and experienced God. “There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.” They survived the incredible and overwhelming presence and glory of Him who sustains us. This was really exciting to read that and to see and know that he let people come close to him. That he chose to dwell with them even for that time.
Then I come upon this today. In 1 Timothy 6:16, I search and search for meaning. Just having to somehow see it as a form of renewal. I’m beside myself in fear and wonder because I’m utterly certain this his true somehow and that this is where I belong. It just makes sense just as a source of life and purpose.
“I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion.”
What unapproachable light does our Lord dwell within? The God of heaven is the source of that light and this is the same God our Father who was with the 74 people who saw him standing upon a likeness of sapphire stone pavement in a ‘very heaven of clearness’.
Then what comes to mind, according to the angels of Isaiah 6, they call out to one another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
Heavenly Father, I am amazed by you, who you are and what you’ve done. I honor you and trust you. You have my life and you’re my everlasting Peace and Truth.
Follow Me!