The Great Commission

Matthew 28:16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

God wants us all to be with Him in Heaven. Yes that is why Jesus hit the bars instead of being with His brothers (those that already believed in Him). God calls us all to do this. How do we? Very simple...Well it is easy to tell you but hard to do. First you need to accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior. Do you believe that Jesus is the son of God? Next you need to get into His word daily and live by His words in the Bible. Read, Study, and Obey.

The last step can be hard. Ask a friend or ask anyone it doesn't matter. If you are loving to them and take the time to be with them. The hardest part is trying to do what is right, everyone is different. Go to God in prayer and He will let it be known. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. The things you say and do can change there life as well. Live off of the word of God in all you do, and others will come to Him as well.

So what have I been trying to do recently? I have been trying to live for Him. You do this in all things. Give yourself to Him and everything falls into place. Some things are more important than others right? I feel nothing is more important than another. You are saying "whatever nothing is more important than your family." Well actually God is more important. Here is an example of how God is first and everything else falls together. Remember that you can do all things through Christ because He gives you the Power to do them.

I have changed.... I Said... I Have Changed! Hope I have your attention. I had a hard year at putting family, cycling, church, and other things together this year. Had a lot of great races and not so great races. Becky and I could have had a better time, but I would continue to talk about myself. I would complain about cycling or how much I was gaining weight as the season went on. It just was one of those years that I wanted to quit and just get our life back on track. Thanks to simple words from a very good friend telling me "Jeremy you need to have Joy in your life." This friend was telling me about Jesus. I raced in the race and I crashed hard to the pavement. It was the last turn of the Pro race in good position for a top twenty finish. I could have been a good witness to the rider that wrecked me and also to those hundreds of people watching. It made me realize that I didn't have Joy in my life. So I decided to change my life and give it all to Him.

Sept 1st I started reading the Bible day and night. The Bible has transformed my life to give everything I have that is taking away from my time with Him. So I started giving more time to Him. I spent a lot of wasted time doing nothing! I still do it! So after the first 40 days of reading the Bible day and night I decided to give my junk food to Him. Yes you heard me right no more cookies! At least for one year. I do have people betting that I don't do it but they really want me to succeed for they know the real reason why I am doing it. It was hard at first coming home and right in front of you is cookies, my favorite cookies that Becky makes me. God has been changing my life though, and for people that really know me they know how impossible it would be for me not to just grab one of my favorite cookies. The last couple of years I have enjoyed spending the times with my family when we don't talk about cycling. Becky and Caylin have stopped going to races mainly because I don't win Pro races but also I think it is because I don't spend quality time with them on these trips. I have been a downer for them. I always talk about the race before and after. How bad I did or should have done this better or that. So since Sept 1st I have changed and I will start following God where ever He leads me. No more selfish thinking and asking for more. 2010 will be for others and where God leads me. For now that is not clear but I want it to be clear in His timing of things.

I will continue to try and be a better husband, co-worker, cyclist, father, son, friend, but most importantly I need to have Him come first so I will try and be a better student of His word and what He wants me to do. That my friends is not selfish at all. For when you give your self to Him you will have love in all things that are in your life. If love isn't for you than I feel sorry for you. Key verse that has more of meaning to me now.

Philippians 4:13 (New International Version)

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.

Kalahari

We went to Kalahari 2 weeks ago and had so much fun! Caylin got to paint pottery. She painted a surfer girl.

Our Caylin is growing up, this time when we went on the lazy river Caylin had her own raft and didn't have to sit on Mommy's lap. I think we went around about a dozen times. She kept saying, "Lets do it again!" She had fun going down the kiddie slides, riding the waves in the wave pool, and swimming.

My Sweet Caylin

Caylin started swimming lessons this fall. She is doing so well! She can swim an entire lap, she can jump off the platform into the 9 feet, and swim on her back. Caylin loves the water. I am amazed everytime I watch her. Who knows, maybe she will be on swim team one day!

Caylin also has started going to AWANA. She is a Cubbie. It is a program that focuses on biblical teaching to children. She has to learn 1-3 memory verses a week. They play games, hear stories, do puppets, crafts, and have snacks. Caylin wears a vest to Cubbies and as they learn their memory verses they get a patch. She is SO PROUD of her vest. I will post a picture of her in it later.