Wow! It has been a long time since I posted something on this blog. Far longer than I realized. Well, maybe this post can help trigger some further postings on my part. But enough with that lets get on to the purpose of this post and the reason you're hopefully here reading my words.
Those of you who know me are probably aware that I love people. Being around them, working with them, serving them, helping them, having fun and enjoying life with friends and family. You are likely also aware of my love for games. Board games, card games, video games, computer games, etc . . . There are very few games I can think of that I wouldn't play with the right people. And in the last year I have gotten very involved in a game called Dice Masters at Olympic Cards and Comics in Lacey, WA. The community of OCC and Dice Masters has been a joy to be a part of. It is my heart to serve and my appreciation for Dice Masters and the community it provides, that have inspired me to team up with ExtraLife.com.
When I learned about the organization called Extra Life back in August, I was amazed and surprised that I had never heard of it before. It takes these things I am passionate about, people and games, and rolls them up into one wonderful package. Extra Life provides gamers with the opportunity to play AND serve. Every year, gamers from all over the country gather donations, via Extra Life that will be distributed to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals. The coolest part though, is that the gamers get to choose a local hospital for their specific fundraising efforts to go to. This means funds raised could directly effect kids and families of people I know. How cool is that?
So what did I do when I learned about this organization? Well initially I brought the information to some others in the Dice Masters community I have been regularly meeting with. My hope was that they, being the more driven leader types would take it and run with it. But it didn't happen that way. It seemed this was my opportunity to spear head something that I was passionate about.
My first step was to join Extra Life as a member in order to raise money. Then I created a team so that others can join with me in the commitment to raise money. Finally, I created an event at Olympic Cards and Comics, in Lacey, who have graciously allowed us to use their gaming area for a series of Dice Master tournaments on November 7th, 2015, starting at 10 AM and going until 6:30 PM. Each of the tournament events will be included in the WizKids Event System and we will be giving out Promotional Organized Play cards for participation and additional cards for first and second prize winners for each event.
So, if you love to play Dice Masters, or if you have never played but would like to check it out, please come on by. If Dice Masters is not your cup of tea but you would like to donate, please do that as well. I have a personal goal to raise $100 and our group goal is to raise $800. If you like Dice Masters but you are going to be playing somewhere else on Saturday the 7th, feel free to join our fund raising team. Lets show Seattle Children's Hospital how cool the Dice Masters Community is by raising way more than $800 for them on the 7th. I will even take it one step further and say join the team and come play games at OCC even if it is not Dice Masters. OCC has an open playing area with games to demo or bring your own. And If there is not an open table, we will do our best to make room or you can play from home. Anyone can participate from anywhere.
Join me to celebrate life, have fun and support an amazing cause that is helping to bring hope and opportunities to thousands of children and their families. Check out this video for more information about extra life and why it was formed The Birth of Extra Life.
Now, if you can still read after watching that, I'm sure we'll see you soon at an Extra Life event on Saturday, November 7th,
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Believe!
Mark 9:23-24 NLT
23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
To often I found myself at the point where faith and belief hit the road and fall short. I find that like the people in this passage I look at the things around me, the situations and circumstances and let them and my understanding rule my faith. I believe in God and Jesus but find my lack of belief shown to me in how I respond to the things I find needing God to do a miracle.
I believe that God created the universe and everything in it with out a doubt. I have seen God's provision in my life and the lives of others. I have heard of great miracles that have been done in people's lives outside of the bible and biblical times. But like the man in the story I find myself in a struggle of unbelief.
For a long time I thought this unbelief was due to not having faith. That somewhere along the journey of life I had lost the "little pouch of" faith God had given me. But recently I heard a sermon that talked about the fact that we all have faith. The issue is not that it is absent but that it is too small.
So I find myself standing with the man saying I have faith but help my faith. I believe but help me believe. I have hopes and dreams but help me hope and dream.
Lord,
Please help my unbelief. Help me to see you as the God who can and will. Grow my faith to the size of a mustard seed.
I have big dreams that only you can make happen. I want the to come true but until I believe that not only are you capable of accomplishing my dream. You can and will do it through me. That is why you have given it to me as a gift as something to hope for.
I am saying I believe but please help my belief grow bigger and stronger.
Amen
23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
24 The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”
To often I found myself at the point where faith and belief hit the road and fall short. I find that like the people in this passage I look at the things around me, the situations and circumstances and let them and my understanding rule my faith. I believe in God and Jesus but find my lack of belief shown to me in how I respond to the things I find needing God to do a miracle.
I believe that God created the universe and everything in it with out a doubt. I have seen God's provision in my life and the lives of others. I have heard of great miracles that have been done in people's lives outside of the bible and biblical times. But like the man in the story I find myself in a struggle of unbelief.
For a long time I thought this unbelief was due to not having faith. That somewhere along the journey of life I had lost the "little pouch of" faith God had given me. But recently I heard a sermon that talked about the fact that we all have faith. The issue is not that it is absent but that it is too small.
So I find myself standing with the man saying I have faith but help my faith. I believe but help me believe. I have hopes and dreams but help me hope and dream.
Lord,
Please help my unbelief. Help me to see you as the God who can and will. Grow my faith to the size of a mustard seed.
I have big dreams that only you can make happen. I want the to come true but until I believe that not only are you capable of accomplishing my dream. You can and will do it through me. That is why you have given it to me as a gift as something to hope for.
I am saying I believe but please help my belief grow bigger and stronger.
Amen
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
The Process Miracle
I am really intrigued that in this miracle(Mark 8:23-35) there wasn't a miraculous healing instantly. Jesus first spits in the man's eyes and then ask if he can see. The man replies yes but i don't see fully. So Jesus covers his eyes again and then the man can see.
Why? Why did Jesus do it this way? Was this blindness more powerful? Was there more than one illness that was effecting the man's ability to see? There are a lot of questions I could ask about the miracle and the blind man or even Jesus. How many of those questions are a distraction from the miracle? How many of those questions are just me trying to figure out God or come up with a formula I can use?
We have many different ways documented for us of how Jesus accomplished healing miracles. He spit in people's eyes, made mud from his spit, had people bath in water, used his words and even just had people touch him. Again I could get caught up in the questions of why are there so many different ways and processes he chose. Let's not do that. Let us see that if Jesus used different ways and sometimes the process was not an instant touch. Then let us take hope that those areas where we need God's touch if he be healing, deliverance or freedom that there is hope even if it doesn't happen like an instantaneous miracle.
I know that when I read this passage today and meditated on it, it gave me hope. Hope that even when things don't appear perfect, Jesus may just be getting to put his hands over my eyes a second time and the miracle is coming.
Why? Why did Jesus do it this way? Was this blindness more powerful? Was there more than one illness that was effecting the man's ability to see? There are a lot of questions I could ask about the miracle and the blind man or even Jesus. How many of those questions are a distraction from the miracle? How many of those questions are just me trying to figure out God or come up with a formula I can use?
We have many different ways documented for us of how Jesus accomplished healing miracles. He spit in people's eyes, made mud from his spit, had people bath in water, used his words and even just had people touch him. Again I could get caught up in the questions of why are there so many different ways and processes he chose. Let's not do that. Let us see that if Jesus used different ways and sometimes the process was not an instant touch. Then let us take hope that those areas where we need God's touch if he be healing, deliverance or freedom that there is hope even if it doesn't happen like an instantaneous miracle.
I know that when I read this passage today and meditated on it, it gave me hope. Hope that even when things don't appear perfect, Jesus may just be getting to put his hands over my eyes a second time and the miracle is coming.
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Lord Is
Numbers 14:18 NLT
‘The LORD is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.’ (Numbers 14:18 NLT)
When it comes to the truth of God's character there are some I am very thankful he has chosen to have. Numbers 14:18 starts with a list of attributes I and all of us should be thankful for.
Look at how many times the Israelites sin against god in just chapters 14-15. God is ready to destroy them each time. But grace is extended but at the same time punishment is given.
How many times have I walked in disobedience, grumbling, and out right rebellion? Thank God he hasn't nuked me yet. How many times have I let my fear (legitimate and illegitimate) hold me back or stop me from following God's leading? How many times have I allowed the circumstances of life and other people to influence my choices and the way I live my life? The number of times only God can keep track of.
I am thankful for the character of his love and forgiveness. I am thankful that I still am breathing and have the opportunity change my rebellion, grumbling, choices in life. That is what I am standing on. Not perfection but on the ability and opportunity to be better than I was yesterday. Thank God for another day, another chance and the possibility for success despite the past mistakes, choices and failures.
‘The LORD is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. But he does not excuse the guilty. He lays the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.’ (Numbers 14:18 NLT)
When it comes to the truth of God's character there are some I am very thankful he has chosen to have. Numbers 14:18 starts with a list of attributes I and all of us should be thankful for.
Look at how many times the Israelites sin against god in just chapters 14-15. God is ready to destroy them each time. But grace is extended but at the same time punishment is given.
How many times have I walked in disobedience, grumbling, and out right rebellion? Thank God he hasn't nuked me yet. How many times have I let my fear (legitimate and illegitimate) hold me back or stop me from following God's leading? How many times have I allowed the circumstances of life and other people to influence my choices and the way I live my life? The number of times only God can keep track of.
I am thankful for the character of his love and forgiveness. I am thankful that I still am breathing and have the opportunity change my rebellion, grumbling, choices in life. That is what I am standing on. Not perfection but on the ability and opportunity to be better than I was yesterday. Thank God for another day, another chance and the possibility for success despite the past mistakes, choices and failures.
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