If I were to write a post everytime I thought about writing one, I would have a highly active blog. As it is, I have done a poor job of keeping up with everything. The blame goes to my lack of discipline which does not reflect too highly on me. However, recently, I have been reading through the book The Call to Spiritual Reformation by D. A. Carson with other men in my church.  The book focuses on developing a successful prayer life by examining the prayers of Paul. Already, I have been rebuked and encouraged regarding my communion with God through prayer.

In the initial chapter of this book, Carson suggests journaling as a discipline to help build an effective prayer life. I remember back when I was blogging regularly that I profitted greatly from the meditation that came with writing posts. It helped me to think through much of what God was doing in my life and put thought into a solid form. The absract took on form, if you will. Although I doubt no one cares to know the details of the cares of my mind and heart, I hope to write here general thoughts and ideas that are currently shaping my life. Due to the extended absence of my presence here, I am banking on the fact the few, if any, will be reading anyway. However, for those who may accidently stumble back here, I would appreciate your encouragement and accountability.

As for now, I am learning more and more of my dependence on God. He continually moves me into the realm of uncertainty where I find Him to be all that I have. Even the physical things that I trust are benefits which He has given to me. Some days where I find that I am trusting God much. Then, other days I am anxious and sinfully independent. This I am learning and is increasing my prayer life. I would much rather be here, humanly vulnerable and divinely dependent, than the contrary. God is working this in me.

So it goes, once again I am back – hopefully to stay. And as usual…

this is “grace at work”

One would think that by the amount of posts that I have made in the last 9 months that my life has either been boring or busy – very busy. Well, as you can guess, it is the latter. So much has happened in this time that it would be unfair to my readers (all two of you – if you are still there) to try to sum up everything that has taken place. However, by no means have the events in my life been insignificant. On the contrary, some of the greatest moments of my life have occurred in these 9 months changing my life forever. So, in an attempt to be thorough, yet concise, I sum up.

On June 29, 2008, I turned 30.

On  October 4, 2008, I gained my very first sister-in-law. My brother was married.

On October 18, 2008, I entered the covenant of marriage with my wonderful wife Karlyn Tipmore Blaha. The ceremony was beautiful and wonderful. It took place in Fremont, MI, among the gorgeous autumn colors. We spent our honeymoon in a cabin in Colorado. We flew into Albuquerque, NM, drove to Pagosa Springs (where we spent the week), and finally drove to Denver where we flew home. It was amazing!

In November, Karlyn and I spent our first Thanksgiving holiday in Madison, WI, with Karlyn’s best friend. What a wonderful vacation.

In December, Karlyn and I spent our first Christmas together in our own apartment. Karlyn gave me a watch and a few other cool gifts.

In January, Karlyn and I went to  Maryland where we ministered at a teen retreat. The theme was “Shaped by the cross.”

Then, there was our first Valentine’s Day married. We celebrated Karlyn’s  birthday in March – she turned 24. And, of course, there have been so many other small blessings that have shaped the last 9 months of my life. Although I have not been able to blog these memories here, they have been logged into my mind and life and will continue to shape my life.

My desire is to begin to blog regularly once again. This has been a good discipline for me in the past, and I am always encouraged to go back and read what God has done in my life over the years. I have been encouraged by the response that I have received from you as you have commented. Please continue. I hope to encourage you and provoke you to find grace and truth in life. The most complete message of grace and truth comes through Jesus; but, as a follower of Jesus, I want to reflect His message through my life communicated in this blog. Just as the last 9 months have taught me much about God and His will, I pray that the next 9 months and following will teach me so much more.

This is “grace at work.”

“Look at the characteristics of our Lord’s attitude towards his bride, the church. He loves her: ‘even as Christ loved the church’. What an eloquent expression! He loved her in spite of her unworthiness, He loved her in spite of her deficiencies. Notice what He has to do for her. She needs to be washed, she needs to be cleansed. He saw her in her rags, in her wildness; but he loved her. That is the height of the doctrine of salvation. He loved us, not because of anything in us; He loved us in spite of what was in us, ‘while we were yet sinners’. He loved the ungodly, ‘while we were yet enemies’. In all our unworthiness and vileness He loved us. He loved the church, not because she was glorious and beautiful – no, but that He might make her such. Take note of the doctrine, and see what it has to say to husbands. A husband comes up against deficiencies, difficulties, things he feels he can criticize in his wife, but he is to love her ‘as Christ loved the church’. That is the kind of love he must show.”

-D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Life in the Spirit in Marriage, Home & Work)

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Life in the Spirit in Marriage, Home and Work: An Exposition of Ephesians 5:18-6:9, pg 139. Baker Books: Grand Rapids, MI. October 2003.

I have not said anything yet, but I cannot refrain any longer. God gave our local body a lead under-shepherd. Grace Bible Church in Moore, SC, voted in Andrew Franseen unanimously to be our main pastor. God has brought our church through some rough waters over that last year and a half and I am sure that the rough waters will continue. However, he has been faithfully completing the Gospel work that He has started in each of us. We are truly His workmanship, His children, and His sheep. May God be praised.

Andrew’s recent sermons are posted on our churches website. They are worth the time and effort it takes to download and listen to them. Check them out.

this is “grace at work”

It has been almost a month since I last posted and, as you can imagine, much has taken place. Karlyn and I are taking gradual steps toward preparing for the wedding. Yesterday we registered at our first store. It has been quite the experience. We took about three scouting trips to Bed, Bath and Beyond before we actually registered. I have to admit that I was both excited and apprehensive. I was excited because it truly was invigorating thinking of all the cool new toys that we might get for our new home. However, I was a bit apprehensive for the same reason. It is our desire to not live pursuing the things in this world, so creating a wish list of things that we want stretches that tension a little more. By God’s grace, we will enjoy the things that He gives us but not cling to them.

In addition to registering, we are making steady headway toward completing the rigorous but necessary checklist of wedding preparations. However, we are steadily making marriage preparations as well.

About four weeks ago Karlyn and I attended an all day premarital boot camp held by Jim and Sandra Binney. God has given the Binneys the opportunity to counsel hundreds of couples throughout the many years that they have been serving. The information that we received in this boot camp was compiled from the years of Biblical counseling and practical applications of Biblical truths. We talked about personalities and spiritual gifts, the theology of marriage and sex, and financial budgeting and investments. It truly was a benefit to us to receive this kind of Biblically practical and experiential wisdom for our marriage.

Another thing that God has been using to encourage and prepare me for marriage are the words of Godly saints. One book that has been highly recommended to me by a number of people regarding marriage and love is D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ commentary on Ephesians 5. Although it is merely a compilations of Jones’ sermons, he communicates clearly the Biblical truth concerning the role and the responsibilities of both the husband and wife in a Godly marriage. But, perhaps the most effective truths that Lloyd-Jones communicates are those which marriage is designed to illustrate – primarily Christ relationship to the church. I have been so encouraged by this book that I would like to post some excerpts from these chapters that have been an encouragement to me. I would also like to post some other quotes from other men in church history that have meant a lot to me.

I praise God for His constant care and provision for my life. He does all things well for and for His own glory. Thankfully, I get to be a part of it.

this is truly “grace at work”

I am going to start a series of posts that deal with the process that Karlyn and I are following in preparing for our wedding and marriage. Already we have experienced a number of things that hopefully I can catch up on. But, for now, I would just like to post a link to a web page that we have set up with information about us and our wedding. Please visit it and sign our guest book. We would be so encouraged to know that you have visited.

Ricky and Karlyn’s Wedding Wire

Are you reading this post because you happened to read the title and were interested in reading what I was going to say about rock music? Perhaps you got all bent out of shape because I would dare make a statement like this, this post is for you. Keep reading. You have fallen victim to hearing and using the sloppy use of the English language used everyday all around us. You see, this post is not addressing music; rather, it is addressing an observation that I made in a conversation that I had today. You may finish this post and think, “He has too much time on his hands.” Well, go ahead and think that, but hear me out.

When we use the statement, “I believe in…,” is it really what we are trying to say. For example, if I say, “I believe in God” or “I believe in magic,” what I am saying is I believe that God exists; or I believe that magic exists. However, I don’t think that what a person means when they say, “I don’t believe in rock music” is that they do not believe that rock music exists. If they really believe that, they need to get out more or get a better grip on reality. It does exist. As a matter of fact, it is very prevalent. On the other hand, I think that what they really mean is, “I don’t believe that we should listen to rock music,” or, “I believe that rock music is wrong.” If this is what people think, then why don’t they just say it?

My friend and I were talking today, and he told me that he had a headache. I offered him Advil, but he replied, “No, I don’t believe in Advil.” After talking for a few seconds, I found out that what he really meant was, “I don’t believe that Advil works for me.” I knew that he had enough understanding to know that Advil exists.

“Picky Ricky” you call me? Maybe, but I think that if more people actually thought more about the statements they make, there would be fewer misunderstandings and more common sense in this world. So, do what your mom told you when you were a kid, “Think before you speak.”

A quick disclaimer: I thought that I might mention that I have discovered most of these sloppy speech patterns in myself. So, don’t be surprised if you find any sloppiness here. I am working on it too.

this is “grace at work”

It has been almost five months since I have had a computer. Josh and I moved out in December and my computers, both of them, have been in accessible. Last weekend, I bought a laptop from a friend in my church. It is in really good condition, and he sold it to me for a great price. I am thrilled. Honestly, it has been a good time away from the ole’ cyber world. But now, I hope to find that balance. Now, hopefully, I will be able to catch up in my blog.

this is “grace at work”

Ok, what a beautiful day! The sky is clear. The temperature is moderate. There cannot be a better spring day for a cookout. My brother, Josh, today, bought a new grill. It was not one of those big fancy grills. Rather, it is just one of those simple, low-to-the-ground inexpensive gas grills. It is very appropriate for our apartment situation.

According to our apartment policies, we must grill at least 15 feet away from the apartment building. I guess that is to prevent any accidental smoke or fire damage. Right outside our porch area is a small island of grass between the sidewalk and the parking lot. There are parking spaces on the other two sides of the island. Beside the grass, there are two small trees with pine needles at the base for landscaping. Stupidly, I thought that this would be a great place to grill out.

I had only place the burgers and brats on the grill for a couple minutes when I thought that I would run inside really quick to grab something. Just as I walked into the apartment door, I looked out the sliding door to see flaming grease falling from the bottom of the grill into the dry grass. Oops! Not good!

I shout and ran out the door of the apartment and rounded the corner in time to see the grass ablaze. It was quickly spreading in all directions because of the wind. I rushed to it and began to stomp it out with my bare feet. There was too much fire. My brother brought me a pitcher of water. It might as well have been a small toy squirt gun. The small amount of water was no match for the blazing fire. My brother, Josh, too, began to help me stomp out the flames. But we needed more. The flames had already ignited the dry pine needles and were climbing the small tree in the center. On the other side, they had reached the curb and were licking at the bottom of the brand new car parked there.

I began to stomp those flames out by the car, when I remembered that I had not moved the grill. It was engulfed in flames. The gas container was covered with fire. I grabbed the grill and moved it to the sidewalk. The thermometer read almost 600 degrees. (I think that it was then that my head hair, eyebrows and arm hairs were singed.) The fire was still spreading rapidly.

Suddenly, Josh came leaping over our porch rail from the apartment with the fire extinguisher which I had forgotten was in the apartment. Hope filled my heart. “We might actually have a chance.” Josh emptied the extinguisher putting out most of the major portion of the fire. However, there was still a lot of fire that still needed to be put out. I continued to stamp out the fire as Josh grabbed the other extinguisher, which was expired but had not yet been removed from our apartment, and put out the rest of the flames. Once the flames were extinguished, Josh and I poured water (provided by our fabulous fiancées) on the smoldering areas that still remained.

While we stood there exhausted, we heard the sound of fire trucks approaching. Two and later three trucks pulled up to put out the reported fire. Other residents who had been gathering curiously, went back to there apartments. One man with a fire extinguisher in his hand from across the parking lot stopped and returned to his apartment. All was well.

I am thankful to the Lord for protection and safety. Other than grass and pine needles, nothing of any importance was burned or scorched by the flame. However, I am sure that a new rule will be added to the apartment’s policies with our name on it. Thankfully, this is better than a memorial on an ash heap with our name on it.

This is “grace at work”

First, let me say to those of you who have been faithful friends and readers of my blog, I am sorry that I have left you hanging. I am pretty sure that no one has lost sleep over how I have been – did I make it to Trinidad? did I make it back? how was my time? am I even alive? I apologize for not keeping you posted. But, I do so much appreciate your prayers and will write a post soon telling about my trip. But first, I have a wonderful story that is bursting at the seams waiting to be written. I want to tell you about my proposal.

For almost a year now I have been talking with a wonderful girl named Karlyn. We met last March. Over the course of this last year, our relationship has been gradually growing closer and very enjoyable. It was becoming undeniably apparent that she and I would one day get married. God was transforming our lives into His image, and He was using Karlyn in my life to change me.

A short while ago I decided that it was about time that I act according to the knowledge and feelings that were in my heart. I knew that I needed to propose to Karlyn. I have never been one who does things like this half-heartedly. I wanted my proposal to her to be everything that she imagined in her life-long fantasies. I didn’t think that a bizarre, unrelated, spectacular event would be the kind of setting for a proposal that either one of us would want. It works for some people, but I have never been a huge fan. Instead, I felt that a moment utilizing the elements of surprise, romance and nostalgia would be more meaningful and memorable. For us, this would take place in Watertown, WI, at a park called Tivoli Island.

You see, I was born in Watertown, WI, and I lived there until I was nine years old. Although I was very young, I have a lot of fond memories of Watertown – especially Tivoli Island. It is kind of like a very small natural park where I used to feed the ducks or go fishing. Very nice! So, before I get ahead of myself, I should go ahead and tell the story since the obvious question is, “How did both of us, who now live in South Carolina, end up in Wisconsin?” Well, let me tell you.

Not too long ago, Karlyn’s best friend Jess had her first baby. Ever since before the baby was born Karlyn had wanted to go visit Jess and the baby once the baby had come. It just so happens that Jess and her husband live in Wisconsin, only about a half an hour from Watertown. Karlyn and Jess worked out the details so that Karlyn would go visit the first full week of March. Little did Karlyn know that Jess and I had been planning for me to go up, as well, long before Karlyn had ever purchased her airline ticket.

Since Karlyn was already going to Wisconsin to see the baby, and since I had “so much work to do while she was gone,” I thought that it would work out well for me to plan my proposal without her suspecting anything. And I was right!

Karlyn arrived in Wisconsin on Wednesday night, March 5; and she was staying there until Monday, March 10. I was scheduled to fly up to Milwaukee on Friday night, March 7; and I was going to propose to her at 4:00pm on Saturday, March 8. However, due to the big Midwestern/Northeastern snow storm on Friday, my flight was canceled and rescheduled for Saturday at 6:00am. I was due to land by 9:30am in Milwaukee. But because of an airliner that had skidded off the runway in Milwaukee, the airport was temporarily shut down. Meanwhile, I circled the airport in my plane for almost 45min. until we were in need of fuel. The pilot decided to divert to Madison to refuel and to wait for further instructions from the Milwaukee airport. We sat on the Madison runway waiting and refueling. About an hour later we received permission to return to Milwaukee and land. We ended up arriving in Milwaukee a little after noon which still gave me enough time to get everything ready.

Meanwhile, during my snowstorm dodging, Karlyn and Jess were getting pampered. I had planned with Jess that she would take Karlyn out Saturday morning “for her birthday” to do girly stuff – getting facials and going shopping. Jess was getting her ready for the big moment which Karlyn knew nothing about.

Before Karlyn left on Wednesday, I wrote a letter to her and mentioned to her in it that since she was going to be near Watertown, I would really like for her to see the town where I was born and spent the early childhood years of my life. I specifically suggested to her to stop by Tivoli Island, “the park,” so that she could see it and take pictures of it. Jess and I worked it out so that Karlyn thought that it was her own idea to go to the park.

I arrived at the park a half an hour early to prepare for the big moment. The old iron and wood plank bridge was covered with a thin layer of snow. I sprinkled red rose petals on the snow over the bridge. Tommie scattered the ducks that were gathered. Moments before she arrived I took my place just inside the woods on a bench. Tommie assumed the role of a nature photographer just across the bridge. It was time.

Karlyn announced her arrival with a scream and a laugh after slipping on the ice and falling to the ground. After gaining her feet she posed for a few pictures before approaching the bridge. As she came to the bridge she noticed the rose petals on the snow but assumed that they were left over from another romantic event earlier that afternoon. When I saw her walk toward the bridge, I left my bench in the woods and began to walk toward the bridge as well. We both arrived at opposite sides of the bridge at the same time. When she first saw me, she was shocked in disbelief. However, joyful reality very quickly dispelled her disbelief.

I came close to her and offered her a single red rose. I had given her a single rose for Valentine’s Day and another for her birthday, February 27. I reminded her that the three red roses symbolize the love which I have for her. Due to remaining shock, she failed to hear all that I told her. However, I confessed to her that I believed that God had given her to me to be my wife. I knelt down, took out the ring and asked, “Will you marry me?” Her overwhelming “yes” demonstrated to me that she had at least heard my question, but further that she accepted my love.

This was truly one of the most magical moments of my life. Everything went better than I had imagined. And even more, I had become engaged!

This is “grace at work”