Love

Oh, for the Love. Mark Love has been a friend for sometime. I first knew his parents when I was young. His father preached at the church I attended in California. Having a father like Mark has, one with a well known name for ministry, I've wondered... How do you get past being just, that "preacher's... KID?" Well, Mark has done it... Not in making a name for self, but a name for God. His love of God and his love for the northwest has given drive to a passion that restores a community that has been called to shine Light to the world. Truly a difficult challenge here in the northwest were it's hard to get even the sun to shine. Being encouraged to remember Gods kingdom, Gods reign and Gods preferred future for the world is a strong statement of his. He has a fight on his hands... a good fight that is well worth it. There are lives at risk. God wants His people back... Mark has heard the call. On top of it all, he loves U2 and plays the guitar. I'm glad to know him and I'm glad to learn from him. peace. johno~

Adam

Adam technically means, "Dirt Man" I have another theory on the meaning however... Grace. It took grace from the Creator to do something of which he knew would cause Him pain. Yet, He did it anyway. God created man... In His own image. My Adam is a reminder to me of God's grace. A friend of ours gave us a drawing of Jesus and a lamb. It hangs on the wall near Adams bed. When he wakes from a nap or is startled and starts to cry, I go into his room and pick him up and hold him close. As I hold my son, I turn to see the drawing on the wall and I'm reminded of a Fathers love for His children. Jesus says, "If you've seen me, then you've seen the Father." As Adam lays his head on my shoulder and I embrace him, I see the image of Jesus embracing the little lamb. It's there I catch a glimpse of grace. God want's to embrace me like I embrace my son. Adam is growing well, although he is still under 20 pounds at 20 Months. He love to call out to his "brodher," (Caleb) "sissy," (Miriam) and "Nannah." (Hannah) Oh, and Tanner our dog, which sounds a lot like "Nannah" We can only tell the difference because of the "woof" that comes at the end. He's good at throwing baby tantrums... Although they come mostly when he's ready for nap time. He has learned the words, "PLEASE!" when he wants something and "MINE!" when he wants something. At the dinner table he bows his head and says "AMEN!" He's not a perfect child, but he's mine. I'm so blessed to have Adam. If he was lost, I would give anything and everything to have him back. An interesting thought (for me) from someone created in the image of God... Because of Adam the Love of a Father looks very different to me today and forever. Isaiah 43 (The Message) But now, God's Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel: "Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end— Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you. "So don't be afraid: I'm with you. I'll round up all your scattered children, pull them in from east and west. I'll send orders north and south: 'Send them back. Return my sons from distant lands, my daughters from faraway places. I want them back, every last one who bears my name, every man, woman, and child Whom I created for my glory, yes, personally formed and made each one.'" I love him peace. johno~

my wife

I couldn't think of any person who deserves the first post more than Dawnette. Mother, Friend, Wife, Lover. What a blessing. I'll never forget the first time I saw her. A blessing then and even more today.