the new Milky Way "Simply Carmel" is simply out of line

On a lighter note...I had a new candy bar yesterday.

To me, there were always three candy bars that were the backbone to all other candy bars.  They are as follows, in this order:

Three Musketeers















Milky Way















Snickers

 The Three Musketeers bar was the most basic, aside from just chocolate, having a nice creamy nougat center surrounded in delicious milk chocolate.  The Milky Way bar is basically a Three Musketeers upgrade with the addition of caramel.  And finally, the Snickers Bar brings it to another level by throwing in some nutritious peanuts.  So, as you can see, there is a lineage.

So where does this new Milky Way bar fit in?  It has the simplicity of a Three Musketeers with the glorious caramel of the Milky Way.  It surely doesn't fit into the traditional candy bar lineage.  For now, I will put it on par with the Three Musketeers since there are only two elements.

What's next, a Snickers Bar called "Simply Peanuts"?

a prayer for today

Lord Jesus, please take this burden from me.  I know your ears are always open and you are attentive to my cries.  Give me the joy that's mine as a sheep in your fold.  Cause my face to turn to you and be radiant.  Let my mourning be turned to rejoicing, for that is far better.  Give me grace to not worry about tomorrow, but trust in you for today.  Renew my soul, lift my countenance, save the soul of your servant.  Help me to be a confident father who trusts in you, and inspires confidence in my family.  Send your peace over me like a title wave and enrapture my soul with your benevolence.  Only in you, Jesus, is there any consolation for sorrow, and all the reason in the world for rejoicing and satisfaction.  Keep my mind fixed on you and rule in my heart.  Take it Lord Jesus, you are entirely trustworthy and good.  Amen.

encouagement from Scott

I received this email yesterday, and it blessed me to tears.

I also know what it's like to have emotions function as the engine of your train.  There are three cars to everybody's train: the mind, emotions, and will.  When we take our eyes off of our heavenly Father and the truths of his word we often start to let our emotions become the engine of the train.  Fight to keep you mind and intellect and the truths you know from Scripture as the driving force of your life.  Keep your emotions in check as the second car.

But this analogy breaks down in that our emotions ALWAYS follow what we're thinking.  It is NEVER the other way around.  If we're depressed it's because we can't see beyond the hurdle and trial in front of us, and thus we think things are hopeless.  If we're joyful, it's because we remember that God loves us (as you talked about loving Corban) and seeks to give us exactly what we need most at every given moment.  (Or we are just stupid and choose not to see any hurdles or trials before us.)

But you're not stupid and you do see the trials in front of you.  The difficulty you seem to be having is remembering the love God has for you and his promise to provide.  (Matt 6:25-34)  And don't forget Rom 8:32!!!  "He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"  God already did the greater thing, how will he now not do the lesser for those he loves.

So brother, these days look often at Corban and Emily.  Meditate on and FEEL the love you have for them, and then transpose that into the love that God has for his children and that Jesus has for the church.  Let these truths lead your emotions.  "Set your mind on things above, not on things that are on the earth."

glorious scripture truth

"And you, who were once alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven..." Colossians 1:21-23

my prayer that the LORD heard and answered

Oh Lord Jesus, overwhelm my heart with peace today.  Cause me to wait on you, and put on the courage you have for me.  Give me a trust in you that surpasses human logic, and give me eyes to see beyond this momentary, light affliction.  You are good and faithful, ever extending your constant care over me.  Bring my countenance from fear and sorrow to that of joy and contentment.  You own the cattle on a thousand hills.  You clothe the lilies of the field.  You feed the sparrows.  You didn’t spare your own Son, but gave him up for me.  How will you not give me all I need?!  Oh God cause me to seek your kingdom and your righteousness.  You are gracious, good, and always faithful.  Thank you for loving me.  You are the great Provider, and you care for my soul.  I praise you Lord for the perfect peace found in you.  Give my soul rest in you.  I love you Lord.  Amen

Christmas day 4-wheeler ride

Corban absolutely loves riding the four wheeler...for about two minutes until he starts screaming.

giant Christmas snowman

The snow was perfect on Christmas day, what else would a 30 year old and his 28 year old sisters do?

sweet truth for today

"He has transfered us from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom there is redemption and forgiveness of sins."

From the book of Colossians

A prayer request

Hello,

We are spending the week up in Grand Marais for a time of prayer and planning.  Many of you know, mid October I was laid off.  Unfortunately Piper Construction had only enough work to keep one person busy.  I have been staying busy where I can, and the Lord has been faithful.

With much prayer and consultation, I decided to start a business!  It's called "Phil Carlson Custom Wood Craft."  I am registered with the state and have been working on logos and websites and all the other 100 things I have to think about during this time.  In the next couple days here I will be hopefully be launching the website, I will send you a link when it's ready.

Please pray:

that I would be wise with my time up here.  That I would devote much time to prayer and fasting, as well as getting on the computer and making things happen.

that I would get a clear vision and mission for the company, and that the Lord would use us to serve people.  Pray that the Lord would lead us to the people who need our help.


that I would have peace.  I have been very overwhelmed and worried lately, and that's not what the Lord wants for me.  Pray I would trust the Lord, and lean on him in all things and that he would continue to be perfectly faithful in our lives.


that the van would be sold.  I just listed a van on craigslist and I would very much like it to sell, its a big burden on me right now.

that our other vehicles would make it through the winter with out any major repairs.

that the bathroom remodel I'm starting on Jan 4th would go smooth and I would be prepared. 

This scripture has been very sweet and prophet to me lately.  Please also pray this text over me.

"Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!" Psalm 27:14

Thank you so much!

I love my son

I do, I really do. I love everything about him. I love also that he loves me. We have such good times together. No, he's not perfect and neither am I, but we absolutely hanging out together. I love that he tells me to sit down on the couch and then proceeds to hand me a book, climb up on my lap and say, "daddy read". I love that he asks me everyday to watch "big trucks" on Youtube. I love that he loves his jammies and will stay in them all day. I love that he gives hugs and kisses, and says sorry when he does something hurtful. I love that he colors me pictures, and how proud he is of them. I love how excited he is to see me when I get home from work, and how he can't wait to do something together. I love that he holds our hands when we pray, and will often ask to pray multiple times during a meal. I love that he wants to do what I'm doing, especially projects around the house. I love how excited he gets when we do new things. I love the way he talks, and love hearing him sing. I love holding him when he's hurt and comforting him.

I love him!

I can't help but be reminded of the fact that I am God's son. If I love my son this much, and I'm a sinful, earthly father, how much more must my heavenly Father love me?! It is good to be in the fold of God. May I, by His good grace, teach my son through word, deed, spirit, and truth about the love of the heavenly Father.

He loves us!

the only way to have a salad

great morning conversation

So here's the backdrop. Phil and Corban are in the kitchen making French toast and Emily comes in after having just woke up.

Phil: Good Morning!

Emily: That was the worst night of sleep ever!

Phil: Do you see what I'm making?

Emily: This is the best morning of life!

We then hugged and laughed together before we enjoyed an epic French toast breakfast!

Gamble Family Christmas

Check out this link, and seriously consider coming to the concert! We would love to have you.

http://www.gamblefamilychristmas.com/