There's a reason for 'jimtwin'

I thought it would be fun to post a picture of my twin brother, Jerry, and me when we were very young. (Don't know the exact age, but looks like we're between 2 and 4 months.) Now you know where "Jimtwin" comes from. That would make this photo from the winter of '37-'38.

Don't ask which is which, as I never did find out. Our mother could have told you in a flash, but she has been with the Lord since 1949. And my dad, well, you know how dads are - he'd look at the picture and say, "That's the twins." Yes he'd still say it to this day. He's still alive and kicking and just going on 90 years young.

He still is trying to get a handle on these new gadgets: the internet, blogs, cell phones, remote controls, etc. But what he does know about he's very sharp on.

Been fun reminiscing. God bless . . . . .

New Blogger

This week I helped wife Marlys to set up her blog (http://marleesjournal.blogspot.com) and I am super-excited since I know how passionate she is about writing. She has been writing her Bible studies and prayers for years and now any of you who choose to follow her will see what I mean.

Marlys has just blogged on the word "occupy" and what it means to us (church) and for us. It is a word that invokes active participation in this thing we call 'kingdom-building.' Read it and be encouraged to jump in with both feet. You will feel the rewards immediately. God bless . . . .

Things that were great in 2008

In response to Pastor Jeff's blog, here is my list of the best ten things in 2008 in my and Marlys' lives (not necessarily in order of importance, that would be difficult):

1. Our daughter and son-in-law (Yakima) have gone full-out in their service to the body of Christ since his accepting Jesus and her re-committment in November '07.
2. We have been able to assist a granddaughter who is going through some rough life experiences. We're praying for her re-committment to Jesus.
3. I made sales goals that earned us a wonderful 6-day trip to Florida in October.
4. We added many new members to the Guest Services team this year and set in place 1st and 2nd service team captains.
5. A granddaughter moved back to Tacoma from NY and is preparing for a mission trip to Romania.
6. One of our grandsons has re-established a relationship with us and we are excited about his questions about spiritual things.
7. We were able to make two trips to Alaska to spend time with my parents who are both still going strong, in fairly good health, and live alone and above all, love the Lord.
8. Our church leadership selected us as part of a team to go to the C3 conference at Fellowship Church in Texas in February.
9. Our church was given an established church site about 10 miles west of TRC and we have participated in cleaning, painting and remodelling. This will be a second church campus for TRC. We are excited about this opportunity to expand the TRC-style ministry.
10. Marlys and I are in our 52nd year of experiencing life together. We will celebrate our 52nd anniversary on June 22nd.

This is only a start, really. . . (Where's yours, Cliff?)

Old Year Out, New Year In

I went on my blog site and found out it's been over a month since I last updated. The holidays have a way of interferring with the non-essentials - like blogging! No excuses for not 'Tweeting' more often since that is quick and easy.

We have finished a fantastic year at The Rock Church (TRC) in Monroe WA. We have had good growth in the church body, many new volunteers came into the Guest Services Team and we (TRC) were given a church building and site in Lake Stevens, mortgage-free and clear, about 10 miles west of Monroe where we plan to have our first services at 10:30am Sunday, January 11th. Before that first service, though, we have much cleaning, sprucing-up and re-configuration of some of the building rooms, including a make-over of the worship center. So God is good and His mercy endures forever.

Now we are looking for a break-out in this year of new beginnings, 2009. I am determined to have a listening ear to God's direction for my life, both spiritual and secular. Yes God is God no matter what part of my life I am involved in. I want to learn how to be consistant in my worship in all facets of life.

Prayers for 2009: God's protection for my entire family; a hedge about the children; a desire to press into the kingdom by the adults (including Gr'pa & Gr'ma); continued growth at the TRC campuses; financial commitment by the church body to fund these locations; people to be moved to attend the new LS campus; and finally, many salvations and re-commitments to the Lord in the worldwide church. There are many more prayers, including those of thanksgiving, praise and worship to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

See you in the new year.