Christian Living
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE As A Member OR Visitor
Message Writer
Hire Writer
Report Article
“Who are you" ? In 2002, my construction career took me from the small farm community areas of northwestern Illinois where I was raised, to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. A small island that was just 12 miles long and 6 miles wide, connected to the mainland by one - ½ mile long bridge, at the south east corner of South Carolina on the Atlantic Ocean coastline. It had been kept a secret by the wealthy, since the early 1960’s. The history of the island said that it was once where “Indigo plants” had been raised, and harvested, for die, such as is used for blue jeans. And used as somewhat of a refugee camp for freed slaves from the civil war. In the late 1950’s, a gentleman discovered the vast amount of Pine trees on the island, and set up a lumber mill there. When he wanted to pass his lumber business to his Son, the Son had a better idea to use the island as a private resort area. Hilton Head wasn’t incorporated as a town until 1986. When I moved there in 2002, there were private, gated Golf Communities, with 100’s of homes in each, world class Golf courses, and over 400 restaurants on this small island. (Obviously, the secret of the island’s existence got out). When people first bought and built resort homes in the late 1970’s - 80’s in these golf communities. They invested $50,000, and got 4 Ocean Front lots, and up to 5 Interior lots. When I got there in 2002, as a Project Manager / Field Superintendant for a Contractor down there, we were paying up to $3.3 million, for one - 1/3rd acre Ocean front lot, without a house on it. We would develop these empty lots, or tear down one of these older homes on our lots, and then build up to 9 million dollar, 6,500 sq. ft., 6 bedroom luxury, Speculation/ Resort homes, to sell, or be used as short term vacation rental homes, on, or near, the Atlantic Oceanfront. Some of these homes, right on the beach at just 8 feet above sea level, would rent for up to $15,000 a week, (yep, A WEEK), during tourist season. Housing was appreciating in value 27% per year at that time. By 2006, the price of these 1/3rd acre Ocean Front lots on the Island was $ 5.4 million. I handled $87 million dollars of my company’s project assets. And we averaged a $ 2.5 million profit, on each of the 13 resort homes we built and sold in that 4 year period. I personally bought a small, 1,400 sq ft new house on the mainland, just off island, for $159,000. Just 4 years later, it was appraised to be worth $260,000… In late 2006, my Boss “partnered up” with his old college buddy, who bought some lots in Colorado. In 2007, my Boss sent me out there as his Project Manager / Field Superintendant / Company Representative, to build 3 more Luxury Speculation/Resort homes in a new private Golf Community, on the west side of the Rocky Mountains, 60 miles east of Utah’s border. It was only 1-1/2 hours from Utah’s “Arches National Park”, and just 12 hours from Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean. But it was also a 2,400 mile, one way, looooong drive from our east coast family and friends. I drove those 2,400 miles back and forth 3 times, in the nearly 3 years I was there. This new Golf Community was being developed on an old 6,000 acre sheep ranch, between Montrose & Telluride, Colorado. It was situated on a smaller mountain named “Horse Fly”, of the San Juan mountain range, where Ute Indians had once lived and hunted the grounds. The grounds keeper for the development would find Indian artifacts such as “bone chest pieces” hanging from trees on the property. Now there were to be 436 building lots, ranging from 1.5 acre sites – up to 48 acre “Ranchettes”, around an 8,000 yard, pristine Golf course, (one of the longest courses in the country), which was designed by Professional Golfer: Greg Norman. There were 5 & 6 par holes, (that’s really long), on this course, where it was common to see wild Mule Deer, Elk, Bear and Cougars cross the course as you played your round of Golf. This place was starkly rugged, yet amazingly beautiful. One of my jobsites was at 9,000 ft. above sea level, looking down on the valley town of Montrose, just 28 miles away at 5,700 ft. above sea level. And a vista of the snow capped San Juan Range of the Rocky Mountains, rising 11- 12,000 ft + above sea level, just 35 miles away in the opposite direction. Telluride, a snow ski resort area for the elite, was nestled in a secluded box canyon of the San Juan range. Beginning as a mining camp before the turn of the century, and then a “Hippy Compound” in the 1960’s, Telluride was now a place where people like Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey, and Jerry Sienfeld had secluded, resort, “getaway” homes. And a much more private ski resort than the world renowned Aspen or Vail Colorado. Montrose itself only had a population of around 10,000 when I was there between 2007 -2010, which was half of the total population of the surrounding Montrose County. But Montrose had the closest airport that would accommodate the one weekly commercial flight, and private jets of the Elite. People would then drive the 1 ½ hrs to Telluride, or take a smaller plane into the mountaintop airport at Telluride to ski, or just hide from the world for awhile. My Boss and his partner bought one-48 acre Ranchette, a 3 acre, and a 1.5 acre lot, in this new development, all for $ 2.25 million. We built 3 – $ 4.5 million - 6,000 sq. ft. homes in that community, with 23 ft. tall, big ruff timber Cathedral ceilings, and 5-6 bedrooms each. One home had an 18 ft. long x 16 inches thick, stone fireplace mantel. The fireplace itself was big enough for two people to sit in. I completed all 3 homes before the economy caught up with us. Although they were breath taking homes, with their beautiful Rocky Mountain Vista’s, none of them sold. In fact, the whole development went broke. I spoke to one of my Real-estate friends out there in 2013. And discovered that the WHOLE 6,000 acre development – all the unsold lots –the Golf Course – the Pro Shop/Restaurant - Club House – and the 5- 4 bedroom Guest homes they used to entertain prospective clients, was on the market for a total of $3 million dollars – complete. I was back working on Hilton Head Island for a short time in 2013. One of the companies I was working for on the Island. Had just completed their part of a $64 million dollar private home on the Island, built on 4 conjoining Ocean Front lots, for one client. At less than 35 years old, this home was added to his collection of 4 similar homes he owned throughout the world. What has all this got to do with my current series “Who’s your Daddy” here on the God’s Love Illuminates page you might ask?… Well, I’ve just told you about what I’ve done for the last 13 years on the working side of my life. I could write another 5 pages on what I’ve done during this same time in my Christian life and service to our Lord. But none of this is the point of today’s article. The point of today’s article is this; Even after you’ve learned about all I’ve DONE – you still know NOTHING about me PERSONALLY ! What makes me smile – what makes me cry – what breaks my heart – what’s in my heart to accomplish – What’s heavy on my heart to get stopped - What do I hate –etc, etc, etc… From reading these pages so far, you have no idea what I look like – you can’t get an image of me in your mind at all. We have absolutely no relationship with one another --- at --- all…… Oh, you know what I’m gonna say next, don’t you? HOW CAN WE SAY WE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER GOD – IF ALL WE KNOW OF HIM – IS WHAT HE’S DONE??? I was recently reading a book by Dr. Kenneth Ulmer, called “The Anatomy of God”. A statement he wrote within, jumped off of the page, and said to me: “ponder here awhile”. He wrote: “All creation, (what God has done), was made to show man how great God is, so that he would fear Him, (revere Him), and worship Him. But man was created to show God at His most caring and intimate. We were made in His image, and he is love. We are, therefore, pictures of God’s love - (to others)”. [italics are mine]….. What a profound thought to ponder!!! I mentioned in my recent life’s work story above. That I grew up in the Mid West farm communities of Northern Illinois. I watched God supply rain and sunshine to grow our crops. And gentle breezes that would move across the grain fields like ocean waves, as it dried them for harvest. In the beginning of October in 2008, I stood on the Pacific Ocean beach, at Santa Monica, California. And at the end of that same month, I stood on the Atlantic Ocean beach on Hilton Head Island again. As a Mid Western Farm boy, I always marveled at the opportunity to actually stand on the boundaries of the great Oceans, where the God of the Universe commanded them: “This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop”. (Job 38:11). I saw the image of Father God’s Majesty displayed, steadfast, yet always alive and moving, in the Rocky Mountains. And a hint of His mercy in the sparse sprinkling of the wild mountain flowers, on the rocky terrain. I saw His provision in the great “Blue Mesa” reservoir. It was over 600 feet deep, and captured the spring snow melt, from the 8 foot tall snow drifts of their harsh winters, to water three counties of people and animals. I visited the red sandstone Arches National Park in Utah, created when Father God’s forgiveness was displayed when He drained away the great flood of Noah from the surface of the earth. I gazed on the bold and subtle strokes of His paint brush when I visited the beautiful colors of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and “the Garden of the God’s” national park in Colorado Springs, CO. at sunset. I saw several waterfalls hundreds of feet from the canyon floors. That reminded me of Father God’s ability to direct, and gently control the main source of life to all of His creation – water. And much, much more evidence of a loving God, caring for His creation, as I drove from shore to shore, or even in flight among the clouds, across this beautiful country. I could see God’s creative hand, displaying subtle clues of our His nature – in the nature around us. I’ve met thousands of people in my 62 years, but I’ve only had relationships with a few, even fewer close – intimate friends. Few remain in the circle of my life right now – but there is one – he’s been a constant companion, guide, protector, best of the best buddy – he’s been wherever I’ve been – and goes wherever I go - my Father God – Abba: “daddy”… But it seems I still know so little of His personal side, His heart’s desires – His accomplishments He’d like to see finished – What He hates and wants to see stopped. And yet I’m created in His image, created to reflect that image to others. Like the Moon reflects the Sun to a world in the dark… So far, we’ve discussed how God created mankind in His likeness, in His image, so we could be identified as related to Him, His family. Father God Himself shared His own breath with us to give us life, His eternal life. And out of all creation, we are the only creatures capable of reproducing eternal souls. Father God provided, and still provides, a protected, beautiful, garden of pleasure for us to live in, where He can watch over and defend us. His pride as a Father of His children, and love enough to discipline us, helps us to grow strong and be useful to each other. He gives us glimpses of His nature and abilities in the world He’s created around us to enjoy. All of this out of His never ending Love for us… It doesn’t matter what kind of a father image you’ve had in your life – or even if you DIDN’T have a father image in your life – Father God is the perfect example of a father image for us to mimic, to reflect to others. We cannot, nor ever will be able to, do what He can do in our human abilities. I grew up wanting to be a Carpenter like my Grand Father. I’ve succeeded in doing so, maybe even surpassed his abilities. But all the while I was doing so. I was also displaying a reflection of his wit, humor, responsibility, steadfast detail oriented work ethic, and his non Christian level of caring and understanding heart toward others. I believe I’ve surpassed him in that as well over my lifetime. Truthfully, I reflect more of my Father God’s characteristics and nature, than my own biological heritage, as I know of it. I’ve worked at trying to develop a personal, intimate relationship with my Father God. Worked at trying to reflect WHO He is, in actions, words, thoughts and motivation. I know I’ve disappointed Him often throughout the years. But I also know how He’s always loved me anyway, no matter what I’ve done. It’s been said: “there’s nothing you can do to make God love you less – and nothing you can do to make Him love you more either”… Just love Him, and accept and let Him love you as you are. He loved you before you started trying to please Him – how much more do you think He loves you when you do try? He’s watched over and protected you before you even knew he was doing it – Why do you think He’s gonna stop that? He’s provided for you all your life – why do you think you have to talk Him into, or jump through hoops now to keep Him doing so? Did your earthly father ever not feed you, clothe you, kick you out of the family –even when he was made at you? Why do you think Father God would do that? Father God’s word says “even if your earthly parents reject you – I never will”… Father God wants us to know Him so well, that we can display His image to a world in the dark. THAT’S WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR !!!!!!!!
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR
This article has been read 609 times < Previous | Next >
Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.