4th of July

We had a long over due visit with our friends Andy and Diane Richardson in Fairfax for the 4th of July weekend. It was a great long weekend of hanging out, good conversation, meeting their friends, and participating in their life, so to speak. Andy is the teaching pastor at Barcroft Bible Church (and was my youth pastor years and years and billion of light years ago). We also got to hang out with their kids, and oldest son Glen and his wife Lidia.

I also got to see Kristy and her hubby Mateo Rumbaugh while Danny had some good father-son time with Michael. We visited Immanuel that Sunday morning and it was a slightly strange experience because for the first time in my life, I felt like Immanuel was a "small" church. WEIRD! Speaking of Immanuel, Tuesday morning before we left we had breakfast with Joel and Cindy Benson. Again, good fellowship.

I tell you what. You can spend all the money you want on a fancy schmancy vacation -- and you will have a good time, no doubt. But nothing, nothing trumps the quality time you have with good lifelong friends. People who know your history -- who have been part of your history. People who care about what your future looks like. People who want to share their lives with you. No vacation package can buy those conversations and that kind of fellowship. No vacation package can give you the experience of spending time with people who live the Gospel out and challenge you to do the same.

Here are pictures of the cook-out at Andy and Diane's on the 4th. Danny and Glen were the piro-techs. Andy was the Orkin man purchasing many items to ensure we would not be eaten by gnats and mosquitoes.

Action vs. Waiting

Which season are you in? Should you be "doing" but you are actually just sitting on your rear and wasting time? Or are you raring to go, but God is calling you to wait? It all seems so contradictory. But God graciously uses both to teach us about Himself.

As you might suspect, the Dulins are "rearing to go" kinda people.......

From another Fresh Start by Andy Richardson from June 30, 2011:

Sometimes we want to give up too soon.  We don’t see results and discouragement has set in.  The disciples felt this way too: “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything” (Luke 5:5).  Nevertheless, they obeyed and let down their nets at the command of Jesus.  It doesn’t matter that you are tired.  What matters is whether or not you will continue to wait on the Lord faithfully. 

• Ask for the patience you need to continue in faith today.

The temptation during waiting times is to forget the good things God has done and to focus on the lack of action.  He wants to turn your waiting into worship.  Worship magnifies His greatness, not His indifference.  God put it this way to His people: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).  Maybe God has you waiting right now, because He wants you to get to know Him better.  He will tell you when to let your nets down into the waters... the fish are there.  Meanwhile, use this delay to worship the Lord.  Learn to be still.

The Dulin Fathers

Here are pics from Father's Day (after the baptism).

Was a good time of Dulins and of course, Lauren :)