Found In Him - Revelation 3:14-22

Many times in the recent past I've pondered all my busyness and wondered if I'm missing the boat. I'm not lazy, though sometimes I think my sense of propriety motivates me to be 'productive' when I'd rather just flop on the couch with a bag of chips and let the acid rain of television comfy-cozy my cares away. Sometimes I do.

My activities consist of many 'good' and noble pursuits. I love my wife and therefore am diligent to apply myself to domestic tasks, since I'm of the opinion that in this age these obligation are not the sole domain of the female half of the species. I apply myself diligently to my IT consulting business so that I can bring in a significant portion of the money necessary to provide for our very comfortable lifestyle. I apply myself to as many service opportunities as I can reasonably manage in order to be a conscientious member of my community. And, lastly but certainly not leastly (I know...not a word), I endeavor to serve God in the areas where I feel like I've been gifted to do so.

But there's the rub as 'they' say. How do I know I'm doing something that's part of God's agenda? How do I know that I'm not just doing my own thing and asking God to bless it? We're told in the Bible that we should do everything as 'unto the Lord' and that 'whatever [our] hand finds to do, [we] should do it with all our might'; but does that hit the mark? In Matthew 7, Jesus tells a parable about a group who are sadly found to be wanting at a point where it's too late to make amends. They were apparently engaged in very spiritual activities: prophesying, casting out demons, working miracles, etc. But it's very interesting what Jesus says to them as the reason they are about to be cast into the outer darkness: "I never knew you!". How can that be? Well, I'm not really sure, but I think the admonishment to the Laodiceans in Revelation chapter 3 sheds some light on this, but only if one takes the time to really ponder the message of this oft misinterpreted passage.

In Revelation 3, verses 14 through 22, Jesus rebukes the Laodiceans for being neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm. The common understanding of this passage is that they had become sort of 'ho-hum' about their Christianity. They were keeping up the appearances of being Christians, but in reality possessed no passion or zeal in their faith. They were just going through the motions. But this doesn't fit the context of this passage. First of all, if 'lukewarm' was an indication of a lack of enthusiasm for the things of God, why would Jesus prefer them to be cold instead of lukewarm? It doesn't make sense. The key to understanding this passage is in knowing a bit about the history and geography of Laodicea and it's citizens at that time. Without going into a lot of detail, I'll just say that it is pretty certain that Jesus was referring to the fact that they lived in an area where they were between two opposite but very desirable water sources: Hierapolis, which had renown for it's mineral hot springs and Colossi which had a source of clear, cold and refreshing water. Laodicea had an aqueduct that brought the mineral spring water to them, but by the time it reached them it was tepid. So Jesus isn't referring to their passion in serving him, but to their disconnection with his Spirit in all of their busyness, prosperity and deluded sense of self-righteousness. They were operating from their own strengths and perceived abundance of resources. It wasn't that they were dispassionate about their Christian walk. They were busy getting rich and probably engaged in all kinds of benevolence programs of which they were very proud. They were probably very excited about all of the good things they were doing and feeling like God's blessing must be really upon them. But they were disconnected from Jesus. Thus, the admonition to repent and the invitation to intimacy by opening the door and sharing a meal with Jesus.

Our relationship with Christ is more important than any 'good' thing that we could do 'for God'. Think of the story of Mary and Martha. Martha got all tweaked because Mary wasn't helping her check of all the tasks on her 'To Do' list. But Mary, rather than Martha, understood what was really important: listening to Jesus. Think of Jesus' words that "apart from me you can do nothing", and "all who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God". We can only possess true love which empowers our work and causes it to bear the kind of fruit that will last if we first make room for God's love to fill us. "We love because he first loved us". As Paul points out in Romans, all my labors amount to nothing if they aren't fueled by God's love working through me. And this can only happen if I make time to draw near to Jesus by his Spirit and let him do his sanctifying work in me. I'm righteous when I let God show me my spiritual poverty and accept Jesus' blood as payment and then let God sit on the throne of my heart. I'm 'wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked' if I rely on my own strength and wisdom for serving God and on my own standard for achieving righteousness. And I run the risk of hearing Jesus say to me on that final day 'I never knew you!' God expects fruit, so I do need to be 'rich towards God'. I do need to be heeding Christ's admonishment to 'be so doing' when he returns. But I need to be 'led by His Spirit' and not just doing my own thing. I need to be allowing his light to shine in my dark heart and be 'walking in the light'. I need to open the door to my heart when I become aware that I can no longer sense the presence of God's Spirit in my life...when I'm just doing the Martha thing and neglecting the Mary thing. I need to be 'found in Him'.

Peace & Grace

Festivus - "I have a problem with you people!"

So...the New Testament book of Hebrews...

I have a question for those of the Dutch Reformed persuasion: What part of "...how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" don't you get?

No Praise for Prez' Prayer Preclusion

Letter to Mr. Barak Obama:

Dear Mr. President,

I believe in prayer. I also believe that the greatness of this nation, and the justness of the greater portion of its causes in the world, is not without reason...it is no accident. If you have read the writings of our founding fathers as well as many of this nation's champions in the first 150 years of our existence, you will have no doubt noticed a frequent and recurring theme: the absolute necessity for this nation's leaders and citizen's to pray to and be guided by our Almighty Creator. Today we need to rediscover that truth more than ever before. The deterioration of our morals, the breakdown of the nuclear family, and the increasing devaluation and contempt for the sanctity of life are a testament to the fact that the one sound and reliable source for wisdom for living and governing has, along with prayer, been thrust out of our institutions of education and government.

Now you are guilty, by your lack of courage in answering the miniscule minority of scoffers who twist 'separation of church and state' into something it was never intended to mean, of removing one of the last acts of humble acknowledgement that "man cannot live by bread alone" - that men cannot govern well without out a reliable compass by which to guide them.

I prayer regularly for you and for your family. I pray for your protection and for your marriage. I pray for your precious daughters. This doesn't make me a better man than you. I'm a sinner in need of God's mercy and grace also. But the Bible says, "When you see your brother sin, go to your brother..."

Please consider, Mr. President what the Bible says and don't be a fool: "Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.
Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that people are made great and given strength." 1 Chron. 29:11,12

Regards,
Wayne Shaddock

A Big Splash (and several 'little splashes')

Dear Friends & Family,

Just a quick note to let you know what’s been up with us lately.

We’re doing well. We went camping at Ruth Lake from the 17^th to the 22^nd and had a great time. We’ve been talking about going camping since we got married 4 ½ years ago and we finally did it. We picked Ruth Lake for 2 reasons. The first is that one of my IT clients raved about the fishing there. He lent me his $800 custom fishing pole (plus another rig) and tackle box to take with us. We rented a boat for 3 hours, but all I caught was my line in the prop and it wasn’t
much fun for either of us. I made Lisa steer the boat and then gave her a bad time about how she was doing it…what a Meany! I did finally hike by myself to a wonderful spot below a peregrine nest and caught a single blue gill. That was it! Not even enough to make a good fish taco! The weather didn’t follow the forecast that I pulled up online – instead of 85-90 it got
partly/mostly cloudy and windy. But it wasn’t too bad and we enjoyed ourselves in spite of it.

We also found out that Gina (our puppy dog) loves the water. We discovered this after we heard a big ‘SPLASH!’ while the guy at the marina was explaining the operation of the rental boat. She had miscalculated the jump from one of the other rental boats back to the dock. Lisa did a scruff-of-the-neck rescue maneuver and all was wet…er ‘well’. Later Gina bounded without hesitation into the lake after I tossed a stone in ‘just
to see’.

We drove from the lake to Hayfork and found my cousin Jack still living in the same house as when we lost contact with him about 10 years ago. He’s not doing well. Hi did end up going to truck driving school and did that for a few years, but said he had to quit due to his rotten teeth making him sick all the time. He’s a hermit living on $250 month in a house that been taken over by spiders and dust. He’s given up on life, but something (Someone) is keeping him alive. There’s a church that has 12 Step meetings 2 doors down from his house now and I’m trying to get in touch with them to have them start praying for him.

We had our Celebrate Recovery 6^th Anniversary Celebration last Friday which was a huge success. Our little renter, Krystle, and her baby moved out while we were on vacation, but now we have a new Christian and 12-Stepper, Danny, living with us. He’s really a blessing and it’s so fun to see a baby Christian learn to walk! Plus he has lots of skills so he’s been very helpful and loves to serve. Our CR is growing and we’ve got new leaders stepping up which is great, even though except for me they’re all women. Nothing against women, but it seems we still struggle to get the men’s side of things growing. (Don't say anything, but DANNY would make a great leader and has just expressed interest! YAY!)

Since our worship leader stepped down some time ago, I’ve been responsible for that part of
our meetings, which I’ve enjoyed. We found a wonderful front man in Captain Phil Smith of the local Salvation Army camp, but the Lord saw fit to reassign him to Santa Barbara. I’ve been leading some with my adequate guitar and vocal skills and the help of Heidi Daniels and her daughter, Silver (and occasionally their friend Kat) who all have golden vocal chords. I really
enjoyed playing the blues harp with Capt. Phil though, and am praying for God to bring me some new ‘musicians in recovery’ so that I can just be a fill in guy again.

We just became new grandparents! Kristine and Douglas brought Jake Douglas Tansy into the world on June 13^th. He’s quite a handsome little chunk (not so little!). We’re also excited about a baby girl that’s working her way into the world through our daughter Corinne and her longtime boyfriend, Jake. She’s due to arrive in mid-November.

I’m doing a new ebay project. Some old friends from Santa Cruz (Lighthouse Christian Fellowship days) got in touch with me about selling all of their stuff from a house that they had to move out of due to the ozone treatment that the fire dept. did after their central vacuum system caught fire. So now my side of the garage is stacked floor to ceiling with about 160 or so boxes of ‘stuff’. I’m getting 60% of the profits and the rest is going to New Life Center (the
recovery program that I graduated from) and Confidence Pregnancy Center.

Besides that, God has been providing work for my IT consulting business without much interference on my part. Just when I start thinking that I need to go drum up some more business, He brings it without my help. I’m grateful. Now I've got my old employer from IT Solutions days, Jody Gaultney, wanting me to come back to work for him, but it would be a full-time gig and I'm not sure I can juggle that and all of the 'Kingdom Stuff' I'm involved in. I'm meeting with him on Monday, July 6th, to talk about it. <-PRAYER REQUEST (clarity, boldness to ask for what I need, willingness with Jody to let me have it, etc.)

My brother Gary was in the neighborhood recently, but I didn’t get to see him as he was busy
coaching a friend in Monterey on selling books on Alibris. He is really anxious to have us come for a visit. I just found out that Cheap Trick will be doing a Sgt. Pepper’s tribute performance in Las Vegas which would be very cool. Maybe we can get out there for that.

That’s it for now. Hope you’re all doing well.

Love,

Wayne & Lisa

Week End Update

...well...more like a 'Mid-Year Update'.

It's been an exciting year so far, and promises to get only better (in spite of the gloomy economic situation).

Last year left us with some major craziness that we embraced cheerfully knowing that God is faithful and his love contstant. First of all, we made a decision to preemptively leave our home in Greenfield when it appeared that we would not be able to refinance nor get any other remedy through the bank to our adjusting mortgage. Yup, we had a part in the current financial dilemma we are all facing. We fully own that and were not happy to make the decision to walk, but we were diligent in trying to find a solution and when the bank finally started talking about how they might help us stay in the house, it was too little - too late.

God provided through some dear friends a beautiful home in North Salinas which they offered to us with an affordable lease and an option to buy. We are happy to be close to our church, family and work again.

'Separation of church & state' ≠ 'Separation of God & country'

Do you know the Preamble for your state?

• Alabama 1901, Preamble: We the people of the State of Alabama, Invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution.
• Alaska 1956, Preamble: We, the people of Alaska, Grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
• Arizona 1911, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Arizona, Grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
• Arkansas 1874, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Arkansas, Grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
• California 1879, Preamble: We, the People of the State of California, Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom...
• Colorado 1876, Preamble: We, the people of Colorado, With profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...
• Connecticut 1818, Preamble: The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
• Delaware 1897, Preamble: Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.
• Florida 1885, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
• Georgia 1777, Preamble: We, the people of Georgia, Relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
• Hawaii 1959, Preamble: We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution.
• Idaho 1889, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
• Illinois 1870, Preamble: We, the people of the state of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
• Indiana 1851, Preamble: We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
• Iowa 1857, Preamble: We, the People of the State of Iowa, Grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.
• Kansas 1859, Preamble: We, the people of Kansas, Grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.
• Kentucky 1891, Preamble: We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
• Louisiana 1921, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
• Maine 1820, Preamble: We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity. And imploring His aid and direction.
• Maryland 1776, Preamble: We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
• Massachusetts 1780, Preamble: We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction.
• Michigan 1908, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Michigan, Grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.
• Minnesota, 1857, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Minnesota, Grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
• Mississippi 1890, Preamble: We, the people of Mississippi In convention assembled, grateful to Al mighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
• Missouri 1845, Preamble: We, the people of Missouri, With profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness. Establish this Constitution...
• Montana 1889, Preamble: We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the Blessings of liberty establish this Constitution.
• Nebraska 1875, Preamble: We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom. Establish this Constitution.
• Nevada 1864, Preamble: We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution...
• New Hampshire Constitution: 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
• New Jersey 1844, Preamble: We, the people of the state of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
• New Mexico 1911, Preamble: We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty.
• New York 1846, Preamble: We, the people of the State of New York, Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
• North Carolina 1868, Preamble: We the people of the state of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those...
• North Dakota 1889, Preamble: We, the people of North Dakota, Grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
• Ohio 1852, Preamble: We the people of the state of Ohio, Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common...
• Oklahoma 1907, Preamble: Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this
• Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights: Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences
• Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble: We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance...
• Rhode Island 1842, Preamble: We the People of the state of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...
• South Carolina, 1778, Preamble: We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
• South Dakota 1889, Preamble: We, the people of South Dakota, Grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties.
• Tennessee State Constitution 1796: Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
• Texas 1845, Preamble: We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
• Utah 1896, Preamble: Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
• Vermont 1777, Preamble: Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man.
• Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights: XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
• Washington 1889, Preamble: We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
• West Virginia 1872, Preamble: Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia Reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
• Wisconsin 1848, Preamble: We, the people of Wisconsin, Grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...
• Wyoming 1890, Preamble: We, the people of the State of Wyoming, Grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution.

'Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.' - William Penn

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Madonna Love

Woah! Dreams can be bizarre! I only remember a snippet of this dream I was having last night, but it was vivid.

I walked into this big open room. It was somewhat rustic, not brightly lit, and had a nice ambiance. There was an 'Upper Room' sort of feel to it. I think it had wooden floors, and there was a dining room sized table on the left as I walked in. It was coffee table height, and there were a number of people seated cross-legged on the floor behind it against the wall. One of them, the one at the far end, was Madonna.

I walked in with a few other people (no idea who), and began to wander to the right of another large table with chairs around it in the middle of the room. Suddenly, Madonna, having become aware of the shift in social dynamics, and of a vague sense of awkwardness, jumped up to greet us. She came around the table in pursuit of one of the newly arrived guests. Unaware of her approach, and apparently preoccupied with something else, they made their unconscious escape. That left me as a more convenient target. She quickly altered her course and headed for me. I think she may have uttered something to reveal to anyone who was in the vicinity the essence of the thought process leading to her change in direction. I don't recall precisely, but, in any event, she was soon upon me and enveloped me in a warm and lingering embrace. In fact, it was so lingering, that as we embraced we began to sway and, leaning over in a gravity-defying fashion, first in her direction, we began a slow, dance-like rotation. I felt an overwhelming feeling of love, peace, acceptance and intimatacy that my soul soaked in like the foam-lipped sheets of ocean tides into the sandy shore.

Somehow out of that moment a melody formed in my head (and may have also found an audible expression...not sure) that was one of those inspired licks, that have in the past, propelled me out of bed to find a recording device. It had a very compelling bit that detoured for one note into a minor key in such a way that it remained harmonic, but nevertheless toyed with one's sense of the expected. It was definitely a keeper. But in the fleeting moment of transition, from the clarity of the dream, to an awareness that another more tangible reality existed in the comfort and warmth of my bed and my loving wife whose body lay snuggled up nearby, the tune evaporated. Lost until eternity, when all the desires of my heart shall be granted, lost memories will be restored (in perfect context), and the bliss of that embrace will be like a dream from which I will never awaken.

Psalm 37

My DSL Speed

To Palo Alto




To San Francisco




To Los Angeles




To Miami

Gettin' Bizy!

Hallelujah! Yesterday I got an ENTHUSIASTIC JOB OFFER from Alvarez Technology Group (http://www.alvareztg.com) for an Operations Center Technician position. I spent a few hours working with Michelle, the woman who will be my mentor (boss?) and she's really nice. So are the Alvarezes (Louis & Ronni) who own the company. I'm really excited about working in such a warm, family-like atmosphere. This is the job I told God that I wanted (subject to his will for me of course). The pay is significantly better than the position with Alisal Union School District that I had previously accepted, but hadn’t been given a start date for yet. It will also afford me greater opportunity to learn cutting edge technology. Their offices are located just a couple of blocks from where Lisa works and our hours will coincide. That means that we can commute together and that we will save at least $300/mo. in gas costs! Woo hoo!! I will probably start on February 1st which is tomorrow.

Wayne Wiffed! A swing and a miss!

I flunked my exam AGAIN! Waaah! Unbelievable...but true. I didn't do much better than the previous time. I'm not sure how to proceed from here, but I need to do something different...that's for sure. Back to the drawing board.

I finished my paperwork, TB test & fingerprinting for Alisal Union School District this week. They should be calling me to start by mid-next week. Mean time I'm waiting for a call from Alvarez. They said they would make a decision this week, but I'm learning that one can't rely on statements of this nature from prospective employers.

Meanwhile, I have another interview coming up this coming week with SSCS, Inc. who write software for, and install and maintain systems for running gas station/convenience stores. They pay better than the school, but significant travel is required. When I was asking God whether I should fork out the money for the TB test and fingerprinting (which we can't really afford right now) I got this verse twice:

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty." Phil 4:11,12a

I'm not sure if that means not to worry about the cost of the 2 pre-requisites, or that I'm not getting the Alvarez job and just need to deal with the fact that the school job is where I'm supposed to be, even though the pay is way under the market rate for this area. More shall be revealed.

I heard an interesting tidbit regarding Alisal Union School District: my boss-to-be has been picketing for better pay! Rock on AG!

Speaking of hearing from God: Lisa and I have been wanting to become better community group leaders. We haven't really had a good spiritual focus to our meetings...more just feasting and fellowship. But I've been reading a book I got from The Word Shop titled: Surprised By The Voice Of God by . Besides the obvious, it deals with being led by the Spirit and leveraging the Gifts of the Spirit. So as I was praying about our community group, it suddenly occurred to me that what might be really cool besides coming up with something to study is to see people really begin to operate in the Spirit so that we are all ministering to each other rather then me feeling like the 'Under-Shepherd' trying to nurture the flock from my own misguided sense of how things aught to be. (as IF!) That's not 'Church'! I've been asking God to speak to me lately (which is something I have fear around...long story), and I don't remember how this realization came to me or how it felt, but I remember vividly that as I stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at my beautiful wife, as soon as I voiced my feeling that we should study the gifts of the Spirit as a group, the Holy Spirit tickled my insides in that (to me) familiar way that tells me: "Hey Wayne...God speaking...this is from me! Thanks for playing. Love, God."

The beat goes on...

=^)Wayne

Happy Old Year!

Well, we're about to wrap up another year. It's been a good one, full of blessings as well as challenges. We are grateful for many things, among which are:

• Through God's provision, we made all of our mortgage payments and none were late!
• The above was accomplished with a significant degree of generosity from family and friends through whom we received financial gifts.
• A fair hunk of change that I was able to generate (with God's blessing of course) through selling stuff (mostly that I got for free) on ebay and doing some IT work as an independent contractor.
• We were able to hold to a consistent level of Biblical giving to support and advance the Kingdom of God.
• We received a reliable 2nd vehicle free of charge. The timing was a real blessing.
• We also received other gifts through friends (Lisa got a huge pile of really nice clothes that we wouldn't have been able to afford from one of her girlfriends) and a website called FreeCycle (I got a push mower and then graduated to a power mower and then to a really nice power mower).
• Our mortgage company covered our property tax through the escrow account even though we hadn't paid in enough, and they didn't up our next statement amounts to make up for it (which we couldn't afford at this time).
• The opportunity to take time off from working to go to school that was created from the unfortunate demise of the IT company I had been working for.
• Our wonderful marriage that testifies to the blessings from working to become a godly, desirable mate, rather than focusing on finding the ideal mate.
• My Dad's successful battle against a malignant tumor.
• Spiritual growth and some healing in key relationships as the result of our 'personal programs' and service in Celebrate Recovery.
• We have also grown spiritually and gained wisdom through our adventures in home-ownership. Even though we submitted our plans to God and asked for his guidance, we didn't really use the common sense that he gave us: We hadn't fully eliminated our other debts. We didn't take advantage of the cheap rent we were paying to save up a down payment. We really didn't consider that the (then) present situation which made the lenders willing to approve us could easily change, putting us in a tough spot. We miscalculated the impact living 35 miles away from our church, work, family and friends would have on our life. In spite of all that, God graciously supplied all of our needs and enabled us to be involved to a sufficient degree in our important relationships and not be overwhelmed with the logistics. This was no small miracle if you consider the following: 3 months after we bought our house, I lost my job. Unemployment has paid me less than 1/2 of what I was making. After we moved to Greenfield, gasoline prices jumped way up causing our gasoline expenses to go to about $400/month! The commute consumed about 1.3 hours a day (I used to walk to work sometimes and Lisa's drive was 10 minutes on a bad day!).
• Finally, (not that this list is complete by any means) we are grateful for all of you, our family members, church family and friends. We are truly blessed more than we can express to have all of you in our lives.
  

So, for this coming year, my goals are to pursue closer relationships with my Savior, my family and my friends; to become more effective in my service to God; and to start using my new certifications in IT to embark on a new career adventure.

Regarding that last goal, the last month or so of this year has been a test of faith which for the most part I think I've been able to give honor to God through. A number of promising opportunities have eluded me for one reason or another. Most recently, I suffered a real disappointment when I was offered a position that would have potentially been both lucrative and interesting working for a IT contractor at the Defense Language Institute. The initial offer came in the afternoon of the day I failed my last exam for my MCSA certification. (I'm scheduled to take it again on January 12th.) The offer was later rescinded when I failed to pass the criminal history portion of the background check. That was a tough blow that made me reel a bit. But I'm so grateful for my wonderful wife who helped me to put things in perspective and remember that in God's economy, true riches are deceptive and the best path is not always the obvious one.

Right now I'm waiting to see if I was selected for an Educational Computer Technician position with the Alisal School District that I passed the practical examination for with flying colors and interviewed for earlier this week in an interesting forum in which 3 interviewers interview 3 candidates in a round-robin session. The practical exam was really interesting. Half way through the series of steps that I was to perform on 2 laptops (a PC and a Mac) I couldn't get the next task to work. After watching me struggle with it for a couple minutes (it was a timed exercise) the IT Director asked me what I was having a problem with and indicated that nothing should have been that difficult. I was thinking that I had gone brain-dead and was forgetting something really obvious. But, as I began to troubleshoot the situation, it became obvious to me that there was a major misconfiguration in their network. Nevertheless, still waivering in my confidence somewhat, I mentioned to him my analysis and turned it over to him to take a look. Sure enough, not by design, the test had been inadvertently sabotaged by an outside contractor that had made some changes while doing some sort of upgrade or something. I made big points by 'going above and beyond' as he put it by troubleshooting their network.

The other position I'm waiting to hear back on is a temp-to-hire gig with the local hospital. I had a telephone interview yesterday and now I'm waiting to hear whether they want to schedule an in person interview after they look at my complete work history (I only included the IT relevant jobs on my resume) and check out my references.

In the mean time an unexpected opportunity arose that could prove to be a real blessing. A IT outsourcing company's recruiter found my resume on the internet and emailed me the day before yesterday. I emailed back and yesterday on the phone she explained the position to me and I was hired on the spot yesterday to do warranty repairs for DELL, Gateway, and Lexmark! http://www.smartech-csi.com/. I have a territory that covers a 30-40 mile radius around Greenfield. They email the work orders to me and I arrange the appointments directly with the clients mostly at my convenience. It's a flat rate of $38 if it's up to 30 miles from home, $42 up to 40 miles, and $50 over that. The most complex task might be a motherboard replacement or repairing a laptop, but none of the work should take more than an hour, not counting travel time. The cool thing is that I can promote my own services as long as it's not work covered under the customer's warranty. My first assignments were already waiting for me when I signed up: one right here in Greenfield, and the other at the Ft. Hunter-Ligget Army base in Jolon. Pretty cool, eh?

OK, I'm burned story telling now. Time to move on to other activities...like studying and job searching!

Love,
Wayne & Lisa

Love Not The World...Love Thy Brother!

"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15

"And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life." 1 John 5:11-12

"The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked." 1 John 2:4-6

"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." John 15:12

These things are not happening in my life to the extent that I would like them to be. This is my quest: "to walk in the same manner as He walked."

In The Beginning...

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day." Genesis 1:1-5 (NKJV - slightly modified by me =^)

So, this is like my life. God had this great idea: Wayne Shaddock! But then something happened. Just like with God's creation, sin entered the picture and all hell broke loose. (You may never figure out why God let it go down like that - but it doesn't hurt to try either.)

So I heard this theory one time that makes a lot of sense to me: verses 1 & 2 of Genesis 1 are not consecutive chronologically. In other words there was a significant passage of time between the original creation and the part where the earth "was void and without form". Makes sense. I don't see any other examples of God doing anything funky or chaotic. Something happened between verse 1 and verse 2 that messed up God's creation. Like the Church Lady says: "Could it be...Satan?!"

So in my life I often feel conflicted, chaotic, "without form and void". But I know the same God who said "Let there be LIGHT!" And there was and it was good. My Father in Heaven knows what's broken in my life and he knows how to fix it. But still I struggle with chaos. I get freaked out when I look at myself and just see a big void. I forget to look with my spiritual eyes. But when I do I see that God doesn't abandon his beloved creation to chaos and purposelessness. I just have to trust him.

His promises are rich and plentiful...and he is faithful!

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. 1 Cor 14:33

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim 1:7

It's cold today and I'm staying home with my doggie, Gina. Tonight is Lisa's company Christmas dinner at The Chop House in Carmel...yummy!

Ssssssssss-naked!

'Snaked' that is.


This is Coz (short for Cosby). I was going to rename him 'Solomon' or 'Methusela', but I guess he'll just remain Coz for now. That's because I have to get rid of him. Lisa thought she could put up with me having it even though she's really not fond of reptiles. But it turns out that she's REALLY not happy REALLY NOT AT ALL happy with them...it's got to go! Anyone want to buy a cool snake? $100.00.
=^)

Born to Goof

Comedy Routine
May 4, 2006


Hi, I’m Wayne. I’m a codependent and a nicotine addict.

(cup ear & motion to crowd to elicit the AA response)

Not many recovering alchys in this bar I guess.

***

I’m involved in 12 Step work…it’s kind of like dancing…

(eyes drift off in thought)

no…it’s nothing like dancing.

But I suck at that too. Could I get a beer?

Oh yeah…I quit drinking.

***

I’m here to support my literary mentor, Alliee. She’s a hoot.

I miss the writer’s group she hosts.

And every time I do they fine me five bucks! Brutal!

***

But really, I like to mess with words. (pause)

You can totally abuse them and they won’t say a thing.

***

But yeah, I like to switch words or letters around so they sound like something else.

Oh hey…ya wanna see my butt…belkel? ‘Butt Belkel’…‘Belt buckle’

(show buckle)

I got this ‘Keep On Truckin’’ one at the flea market.

***
Yeah, I’m an old hippy. That was a bummer too. My parents wouldn’t let me have long hair. Then when I could it all fell out.

***

When I was in high school my step-brother and I dropped acid and came up with a phrase that described how we were both feeling. The truth is we forgot how to talk. Our entire vocabulary leaked out of our heads except for 2 words: ‘ornery biscuit’. That’s all we could say. I think it laced with strychnine.

We were too pasted to really talk anyway…we just leaned against the wall of this church and watched a row of trees turn into a giant paisley dragon.

I guess nobody saw us. The pastor didn’t say anything about it in church that Sunday.

Dawgonnit!

Gina the Wonder Dog! Aint' she sweet!

Tricks is good! I'm currently studying for my MCSE. I got gov't $ to go to school and get to collect unemployment while I'm doing it. I've got 2 certifications under my belt so far and now I'm working on XP Pro.

I've been unemployed since 12/4/05. Having recently purchased a nice home in Greenfield, CA, Lisa and I are navigating some challenging financial waters (what with the gas prices and all). We have been blessed by some wonderful family and friends who have given us a little help and to whom we are eternally grateful.

God is good!

Hmm....Shaven Wayne

still getting the hang of this thing. Late adopter, but here
I am in Blogville!

Testing 1-2-3

This is a test of the emergency face reconfiguration system. Seems to be working; though the upper lip, which hasn't seen the unfiltered light of day in 30-aught years, is a bit testy over having been thus denuded. We'll see how quickly it recovers.

Peace!