Pride & Submission

Our culture is rife with Pride. 

Rife def- Prevalent to an increasing degree. Abundant. Abounding. Unchecked or widespread, teeming, full.

 Pride CAN be good. But it can also lead us to where we don't need God. Or where we think we don't need Him. We can do it on our own.

 "Work hard, don't cry, get it done, be tough." I think the toughest thing we can do as men is cry... Ever done it? It hurts. It's tough. It ain't easy fer a man to cry. It ain't what were taught. If God didn't want men crying why'd He give us tears???   

   You can bury it, hide it, store it, but at some point your bucket is gunna get full. Are ya giving it to God? Are you coming to the feet of the cross and humbly saying, "I can't do it all without you." Cause you CAN do it. But at what cost? Your health? Your marriage? Your relationships? Your work product? 40-60-80hrs a week. Laying it at His feet can take away all the hurt, all the pain. Cast your cares upon Him (1Peter 5 6-8) He can/will lift you up and help you get it done.  

But our culture, our pride tells us, I did it, we did it... Did you??? Ever look back after and wonder how'd we do it??? I do... Every time I think of my marriage... You see I shouldn't be married to Ryan. She should have left me long ago.  

In my view she was a terrible wife. A good friend, an ok roommate, but not a great wife. But what were my expectations? Did I make them known? Were they unreasonable? IDK I never talked to her about um. Was I this incredible man, the most amazing husband without flaw? No. Who am I? Then my Pride came before the fall.  

Submission- we want our wives to be submissive to us (as the bible says). Are we submissive to Him?!? Are we loving her the way she needs to be loved (as the Bible commands?)

Give it UP! 👆🏽- Man o man when I began to give up, I began to give UP... He took me under His arm and held me in His hand and guided me. And I followed

Who am I? A leader? A follower? An American, A Montanan, A Rancher, A Cowboy, an Executive, a Man's man, an Operator, a Marine, soldier, sailor or Airman?

It wasn't until I followed that I could be able to lead. He wanted/He needed me to be less so HE could be more.

1 Peter 5:6-8

Ephesians 5:22-25

John 3:30

James 4:6

James 4:10

Proverbs 11:2 

Proverbs 13:10 

Proverbs 16:18

Montana

2020 brought so many life changes to our family.  The mysterious Pandemic COVID-19, shut down our entire country.  We got pregnant, later in life and three months later found out the baby was had not progressed.  We lost a baby.  The injury to my back resulted in me getting medically disabled from my profession.  We decoded to sell the house and rent for a year to see where God wanted to place us.  California had changed so much we could not fathom living there any longer.  The house sold in 5 days.

The country had been so divided through the election season.  It is my belief the election was stolen and cheated to not have Trump reelected.  The country is in turmoil. So many want to make our nation a socialist nation, the others want to reclaim our freedoms and be the Patriots our forefathers were.

God brought us to Montana.  He made it incredibly clear that this was where He wanted us to be.  It has been hard on Ryan, leaving her family. But, I believe she knows in her heart, this is right.  We are renting at an Airbnb for a few months while the former owners (we close escrow tomorrow), rent back from us and look for the Bison ranch they are searching for.  We will be permanent in May.

God has a purpose for me here, though I'm not completely sure what that is yet.  I feel I am being pulled toward ministry. But in time not now.  IDK.  We are all here for a purpose.  God has made such a clear path for us.  We've been here 10 days. Jake has already been to three batting practices.  We have been to a new church, met some new families. I have began to met with two fellas and am leading a men's group.  Charlie plugged in with the youth group at the church Sunday night.  I am glad she has found God again before we left CA and is still pursuing Him here.

The former owners of the house we bought are putting down one of the Bison.  Jake is going there in the a.m. to help harvest the animal for the meat and hide.  I'm sorry I will miss it. We are signing closing docs at the same time. Should be a great experience for Jake. He's really turning into a countdy boy.  He will live a life I always dreamed of.  I hope and pray he is fulfilled.  

We are all doing good.  All wishing we could get into our home quicker than May.  Ready to move forward instead of feeling like we are in Limbo.  All in all, I know God is with us. I have never felt more at home, more at peace, more comfortable and at ease.  I believe only God can provide that level of peace.