JD and his upcoming birthday.

It's about 3 months out but the guy is making plans. He has handed me his birthday gift list that has his meals and things he'd like to do as well. It's written in typical 6 yo spelling. Sometimes I forget he's only 6...this is a pleasanstly nice reminder.

He lists his gifts:
Airsoft gun - snipr rifuJ - fulle aotomatec
Tete bear
Bic with horn
Slushe
Remot cuntrol

His meals:
Bacin
Cow stace
Cece nuges
Piy with shobres

Activity:
Sweming

We talked about swimming in a public pool and how there would be yucky stuff in the water...like boogers, other kids pee, but he just says, "its ok...I saw some kids swimming in it, it's fine". That really makes me wonder if he's related to me!??! ;-P

His taste is extremely high these days...he picked one of the more expensive bike in walmart...and he wants a "real" airsoft gun...none of those 80 dollar plastic jobs. Ain't he fun! The teddy bear is what reminded me that he's 6. He wants the snuggly kind to help him stay warm!

I'll try to scan the actual letter in and post it if I can.

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Nurture

I have been listening to Chuck Swindoll this morning. He was discussing Proverbs 22:6 - He pointed out some things that I never knew. I can't believe that. It's 1 sentence long but is packed with such meaning.

Proverbs 22:6 (New American Standard Bible)

    ^6(A)Train up a child in the way he should go,
         Even when he is old he will not depart from it.

He defined what 'Train' meant in the original text. It relates to what a midwife does when the baby is newly born and she dips her finger in crushed dates or grapes and entices the baby to suck.  Essentially, meaning to "create and cultivate a thirst".

 

Sheesh - I have to retrain myself. He further continued to explain about nurturing. I am a horrible nurturer. I need to work on that. How does one nurture? How do you break the spell of the habits learned by your parents to be a better nurturer?

 

It's a great podcast. Check it out.

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Heavy white noise

As I was sitting here in the office reading information regarding a product that may fix a particular issue that we are trying to resolve. I try to quiet things down by throwing on my headphones and playing music that I don't know very well so I don't sing along and get distracted...yet have it provide enough "white" noise to drown out passersby and other cubicle buddies. I really like the music from "This Beautiful Republic" but haven't had time to listen to them much. They've got a great sound...terrific vocals...throw in a scream now and then with a wailing guitar. They are becoming a fave.

 

I stopped for a second as I heard some words that I really liked. I don't recall what they were..so, I looked up lyrics to their songs...very good. I encourage you to do the same!

I sing because I don't know what to do

It's taken me a long time, to find that life is passing by

 

I lift my hands, I'm so desperate to feel Him

So let's be honest, without Him life just passes by

 

Slow down, we're slowly dying

But we can live again

Be lifted up in Him

 

I'm dead because I want to live in Jesus

But one day I will rise up

I'll try to show you who He is

 

His blood flows down to cause my innocence

It comes from innocence, and it carries on to me

And it flows down to cause my innocence

Because He's innocent, He gave himself for me, for me...

 

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Arkansas Happenings

It's been refreshing being back in Arkansas. That feeling of having been away from home for a long time and pulling back in your driveway after a long drive. I know that the mundane will return. I am thankful for this time of refreshment though.

 

Looking for a church is more difficult than I would have guessed. The second Sunday here we went to Oakcliff. I don't think I have been said hello to that many times than all my other church visits combined. It wasn't ONLY hello but comments on our kids and how the "real" pastor was in such and such a place and they wished we would come back then. I felt like a partially eaten fish dropped into a shark tank. They were only trying to be friendly. But, there's a fine line between friendly and prey to some extent! ;-) The search continues...my good friend invited me to his church next week. I am excited to get to worship with him.

 

The job is exciting. It's fun to be back in the "bigness" of it. Having input and listening to others input. Ahhhhhh, synergy. However, as always, when you look back you see the good that you left. Being a small shop has its advantages too.

 

The kids have been extremely flexible and have adjusted well.  I am so proud of them.

 

The wife has arrived. She really shines when things are difficult. She encourages when there is despair. She is patient when mine runs out...a good woman!!

 

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Experience is NOT the best teacher...GUIDED experience is the best teacher.

⁵Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
"God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble."^{[a] 6}Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

"To find satisfying success in life is to submit yourself to those who are wise instead of flaunting your own authority. James says, you will have a greater grace and that is certainly what the successful need...a greater measure of grace." Chuck Swindoll on the scripture aforementioned.

Here's to 21!

What a wonderful woman God gave me. I am so spectacularly blessed. I know she thinks that she is high maintenance ;-)...and she surely would be if she didn't think that!! ;-)

I am amazed by what she can get done in a day. I am stunned at her thoughtfulness. I am convicted by her Godly relationship. I am silenced by her patience. I laugh at her sense of humor. I want to take action when she's not happy. She's my better, calm, sensible, firm, sturdy, sweet half. I don't deserve her at all.

Thank you sweetheart for 21 great years. I am so glad that you are so niave and love me!

Back in the big AR

We're baaaaccccckk.

Ok, so we arrived and it was about 11:00pm local time. It was also about 93 degrees with 96% humidity. My first thought....what in the world were we thinking. We were invaded with help from friends. So much so that it was actually frustrating for me. I couldn't see what was even happening. But, they were so very helpful! They were terrific helpers. I was just tired and HOT.

Thank God that the cool weather and rain followed us. The past few days have barely peeked into the 90's. I am sure it won't last long, but I love it!

I got invited to play basketball upon my arrival. Something I haven't really done for 2 years and boy did it show. I played poorly, but, exercise!! I am thankful to have been asked and had the time to get out and actually move around. Even though the temp was about 93ish...I was feeling it. Man, I am glad it wasn't hotter!

Today was my first day on the new job. It was thoroughly refreshing to feel the pressure of big business again. I loved hearing the open dialogue and free speaking that I haven't heard in a couple of years. Those are some passionate people very concerned about doing the best for the business. AND, when the discussions were over, everyone was still friends and the end product was excellence. I couldn't help but reflect on where I had just come though. I worked with some exceptional folks....

Church this weekend - This may take a minute. I don't really understand something and it has to do with what my pastor in Colorado and I used to talk about. Here's the scenario. During worship, everyone is merely singing. Nobody really knows the hymn but sings along. I was wondering how to worship to this... While I think that everyone was doing the thing, it wasn't doin' the thang....if you know what I mean. Oh well, here we go again! ;-)

The house we are renting is not finished....not even close. I am so thankful that God spared me from having to work on it...cuz it needs like an ARMY to get it done. There is so much to do. But, I am thankful we are in a dry place that even has a great air conditioner. I hope it makes for some wonderful memories for the kids.

When I sit at the front of the house, I can get internet connectivity from our neighbors. Yes, we've been given permission for the time we're here...it's a sweet luxury to have right now.

Mortality continued..

More ramblings on this subject!

As I continue my thoughts on encouragement through mortality, I stumble across a thought from my wife’s blog. She stated that she wishes that she could have the “blessing” of Ezekiel and have her mouth sealed shut only to speak God’s words. This kind of ties into what I have been saying in a way. See, here’s what I think…may not be what you think (you are free to be wrong) but, I don’t believe that there are many that REALLY want to do what God wants them to or that really want to listen to His words. Here’s an example from Sundays sermon that is pretty frustrating: Kids are expelled from school or punished for praying since others observed them and it was considered against the rules. What are the parents thinking here? What do any parents think about this? Throw my child on the battlefront while both husband and wife go to work, then just discuss it with the child at home? Actually, I think in this particular example the child was punished by having them sit in an elevated part of the cafeteria by themselves facing the wall for all to see. Are we such cowards that we have our children bear the sacrifice of belief and parents do nothing? Why do Christians continue to send their kids to public schools at all?

"I am much afraid that schools will prove to be the great gates of hell unless they diligently labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures, engraving them in the hearts of youth. I advise no one to place his child where the Scriptures do not reign paramount."Martin Luther, German Monk, Theologian, and Church Reformer (1483-1546)

Interesting, eh? I would wholeheartedly agree (lol, not that my agreement give it more weight or anything) . Isn’t it true that we say our kids are important, but so many of us say (without words) that they aren’t as important as being able to pay for our car, cable, vacation,  etc. We often claim untruths, fear and doubt as our alibis. Many say that they aren’t qualified to teach their own kids. They don’t know what to do, where to acquire resources, etc. They worry about the stupidest things like, socialization, children’s happiness, activities, unique experiences, etc. over things like persecution, teen pregnancy, peer influence, authority over their children’s lives stating that Jesus and religion is stupid and something that is wrong to have and do. Seriously? Some that I know want their kids to be in the battlefield….alone so, that they may be a good influence to others and witness to others. We don’t even throw soldiers into the battlefield without intense training, mock exercises, studying, rehearsals….boot camp. Sorry, AWANAS ain’t boot camp. They need to see it alive in their parents every day, in every decision, in every circumstance…that’s boot camp. It’s more than just Sunday school, Awanas, and worldly church camp. It’s more than fun time. It’s LIFE. That’s what I mean by not just going through the motions that I referred to in part 1 of this ridiculous post! ;-)

 

All these things make me wonder what they think about the scripture that states, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.”?  Many that I know use a single scripture (inappropriately I may add) that states, “Be in the world and not of it”.  I encourage you to research these 2 scriptures and see what the Lord would say to you regarding them.

 

In any case, back to my “case”. Do we really fear the Lord? Are we afraid of His wrath? Do we fear the judgement? Is eternity just a word to us? Is there an overall feeling that since we’ve accepted Jesus, that’s good enough? If so, what does He mean and who is He referring to when he stated there would be some that He never knew? Those that THOUGHT they were His but weren’t! How can someone make that mistake? Could it be that we go through the motions? That we consider ourselves more important than others (a direct contradiction to the Lords words). Is it possible that we have been so deceived that we have bought into the worlds view regarding the things we need, where we need to put our kids, what we have, how we live over what scripture says?

 

The enlightenment regarding mortality is that I take Gods word seriously. That they make a difference to me in life and how I live, act and make decisions. Henry Blackaby stated regarding the Bible that “This is your life!”. There is no other that knows what you will need for the day besides God. I believe He wants me prepared. I believe that He wants me fully His. Now, I must act. I must. Death is at my door and there is work to be done before I go! As the old soap opera opening narrative states, “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives”

 

… let’s rock and roll.

 

 

My Wifes BIRTHDAY!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET LOVE!

Things about my wife that are simply awesome….

1. She loves our God!

2. Patience…wow.

3. B-E-A utiful

4. Amazing smile

5. Wonderful heart toward others (especially me!)

6. Her countenance is typically always pleasant

7. I wouldn’t rather sleep on the roof

8. Just read Proverbs 31 – the WHOLE thing – Yep, my wife.

9. Frugal – she has become the coupon queen

10. She squeezes out good kiddos

11. Focused

12. Selfless

13. Smart

14. Attentive

Since she is my completer…it shows extremely well that I was VERY deficient!!

Happy birthday honey!

Mortality...

I was staring at my facebook prompt "what's on your mind?" it asks. Oh...so many things. But, I guess as this season of my life develops, mortality has begun to tickle my fancy. Not necessarily in a negative way, but in an enlightening way. Sometimes though, enlightenment can bring a bit of sadness, regret and even excitement about tomorrow. It gives me the education and information to try to do better than I did yesterday for God's glory, for God's purpose. As we said our goodbye's to our church in preparation for our departure from this beautiful state, it kind of struck me. I noticed that my oldest daughter is looking more like a woman, for that matter, my second oldest daughter is too. My ageless wife is stuck with a widening, balding guy that acts more like a kid than a responsible person. So, at this time, I think of all the things that I am in the process of regretting...in other words, the things that I am doing right now that if left unchecked would cause regret in the future. My dadness...As I look at the little women in our family I notice that they are well trained, groomed, friendly, sociable and well liked. I realize that I can take none of the credit. My God and my wife have done a simply amazing job. There are literally 4 women in my house that can take care of EVERYTHING that goes on in the home. Well done wife! As I pan over to the boys and reflect on what I have been training them in, I definitely feel blessed. See, I have done zero training in anything besides: soccer, playing, airsoft, America's army, FIFA xbox games, baseball, wiffle ball, football....not a very good list. I mean, this is what every dad that's NOT a Christian does. I feel like I am failing in so many areas with them. By God's grace I notice that they are the same as their sisters though. They appear well trained, well liked, polite, almost chivalrous...None of that has come from me. I long for those things in MY life. Looking around the church lunchroom was a fantastic glimpse into God's mercy and grace. As some folks approached me to wish me well they identify my family as a part of me. They are my extension...is that healthy? I don't really care. I love that they are my family and they ARE part of me as I am part of them. I guess that's why it's called a family! ;-) I am so impressed with them myself and as they spill out compliments of my wife and children, I can only agree with them. How the heck did that happen? Who's kids are those anyway??? God has been an integral part of their lives and He spills out of them frequently...God's grace. Hold on, I am starting to drift here...let me get back on track. Every struggle that occurs in my house is generated by me, my selfishness that has rubbed off and been picked up by my precious sons and sweet, beautiful daughters. Frustrations that they get the brunt of...Reactions to situations handled in ungodly ways. Regret....simply. The encouragement that I feel is that I have been informed...now, I must act. The musician Matthew West wrote: I don't wanna go through the motions I don't wanna go one more day Without your all consuming passion inside of me I don't wanna spend my whole life asking What if I had given everything Instead of going through the motions My emotions are running wild....you might be asking what does this have to do with mortality. Well, simply, if I died tomorrow what legacy would I leave behind. How would I be remembered? Would my kids remember anything that I taught them? Is what I taught them important at all? Am I doing my Godly duty as a father and husband? You know everyone dies...without exception. Big deal, right? But, the things that are important are what you did while you were alive and what you left behind. Not in the form of a statue or famous accomplishment....but, how you trained the next generation. How you made a difference in how they would live, serve and love others. Did you do your best to "raise a Godly seed"? Did you drop the responsibility elsewhere as you worried about your own goals and initiatives? While I don't put much stock into this movie I am about to quote, there is a great awakening moment that seems apropos...The movie is "Dead poets society"; Keating: "Seize the day. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may." Why does the writer use these lines? Charlie: Because he's in a hurry. Keating: No. Ding! Thank you for playing anyway. Because we are food for worms, lads. Because, believe it or not, each and every one of us in this room is one day going to stop breathing, turn cold and die. It was Keatings way of trying to awaken his students into "ceasing the day"...and living this life the most and best they could. Do you ever have days where you don't recall that you actually did anything? Maybe you spent a few hours watching TV or a movie. Maybe spent it doing "something"...but, nothing of consequence? Funny, the definition of spent: 1. to pay out, disburse, or expend; dispose of (money, wealth, resources, etc.): resisting the temptation to spend one's money. 2. to employ (labor, thought, words, time, etc.), as on some object or in some proceeding: Don't spend much time on it. 3. to pass (time) in a particular manner, place, etc.: We spent a few days in Baltimore. 4. to use up, consume, or exhaust: The storm had spent its fury. 5. to give (one's blood, life, etc.) for some cause. I guess I am rambling. I feel like I can continue on in this for some time. But, I'll stop for now. I guess the principle point I am trying to make is this: Do not regret. Don't do something and wish you hadn't. Don't NOT do something and wish you had. Give an effort, give your all. These are the things that I am trying to apply in my life. I want to give my all. If I have a death bed, I don't want any regrets...because it's too late to do anything about it then. There are a ton of good and bad anecdotes regarding death bed sayings...my favorite is "You'll never hear someone say on their deathbed, if I could have only spent more time in the office" Have you had any thoughts on this subject?

2Bcontinued....

Have times changed??

Does anyone else feel a bit skiddish about giving their social security number out over the phone? I was talking with my future mortgage loan holder and they asked for it...I was like, uh, er, it's... I found that I was trying to be confusing with the numbers and stuff.

I am getting paranoid!