I’ve been enjoying in my office recently this beautiful hand crafted kaleidoscope. It is on loan for a series at church we are doing called “Life through a Kaleidoscope.” The thought is seeing the beauty of change through God’s perspective. There are many life applications that we are making to help us see the beauty in life. We serve a God who is truly able to make all things beautiful in His time.
I take pleasure in craftsmanship. I don’t know how well you can see the picture; but there are several different types of wood used in the construction (some of them exotic). The gears that turn the kaleidoscope are also made of wood. There is intricate scroll saw detail, and a turned base that holds the kaleidoscope.
Obviously it isn’t a work that was finished in a day. There was a designer who finely engineered every detail. A woodworker carefully followed the plans. I am honored to be in possession of it for a short while through the series. It sits looking out the window of my office and each day I take a peek at the beautiful forms inside. That’s what “kaleidoscope” means – to behold beautiful forms.
We are like that. The design wasn’t imagined in a day. We ask for patience because we know God isn’t finished with us yet. But, no matter your past – if you will submit to the Master Craftsman He can do something beautiful with your life as well. Read Psalm 139 today as see afresh just how much He cares about you.

iTouch

I will confess for her - my wife loves gadgets. Last Christmas my wife's gift (to herself) was an iTouch. How could she not love it - I must confess it is really cool. It holds music, movies, games, and interesting gadgets within the gadget... like a level... which is a tool (that's my love). Do you like popping bubble wrap? You can do that on your iTouch. The Virtual flute is one of the best selling apps for iPhone and iTouch to the tune of $800,000! Oh yea, you can also listen to and read your Bible. The iTouch provides innumerous ways to get in touch with your gadget inclination.
But how does God get in touch with us? If God desires to reveal Himself to man how does He go about the process? I believe that God revealed Himself to us through His Word. During the spring of 2009 I preached a series entitled iTouch. The three messages are titled: Inspiration, Inerrancy, and Illumination. If you missed them and are interested you can find them through our sermon audio site. www.sermonaudio.com/opbt or www.overlandparkbaptist.org
We have been discussing at church the importance of our faith. Faith is important to salvation. Faith helps us through the storm. Faith provides strength for service. Faith helps us to accomplish impossible missions. How do we increase our faith? We increase our faith through God's Word. Romans 10:17 says, "So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." Love for the Word is primary to the Christian walk and relationship. I encourage you to get in the Word and let the Lord reveal Himself to you.

B-Baller

We had a great first season of UpWard Basketball. This is a great program for the kids. Davis had a blast as you can see.

Future Bass Fishermen

One of our favorite things to do at junior camp is fish for small largemouth bass and pan fish. Dalanie caught twelve this year. Davis caught enough he doesn't count; but he did take the fish off the line and throw them back in.

The Roby's are involved in the marathon summer. We are running without stop. Our June began with junior camp, followed by two weeks of swimming lessons, and ending with senior camp in Ohio. July starts with Vacation Bible School and ends with ten days on a missions trip in Quito, Ecuador. We leave for vacation in cool Colorado with the family the first of August, and my hopes are to dive into some fly fishing. All in all things are wonderful in the Roby household. It has been nice to have Lauren home for the summer. Things are transitioning at the church with the retirement of our music minister of thirty years. We have already hired a new music minister who will begin the first of August. Yes, it is a busy summer; but we can't imagine life any other way. Life with our family and the Lord's family is a great adventure.