Family pic at company picnic

Fun gift JD got

Lack of thought

I have recently been told that I don't go out of my way to make others feel welcomed when they come over. Also, that it appears I'd rather escape then expose myself to potential correction.

Wow, those are a couple of doozies considering I thought I was being a happy go lucky nice guy. I really don't know what to make of it. Was I different at one time and suddenly am unfriendly or were these epiphanies a long time coming? I don't feel any differently, but that may be old age setting in I guess! ;-)

Is it really sinful to not be super friendly or warm? Where is the line on how far I should take the friendliness? Should I invite everyone I meet to dinner?

Part of my angst with the whole thing is that it seems a bit "man made". Maybe if there were scripture that reinforced how we are to behave all the time it would be easier! :-) I guess the point these 2 are trying to make is that there are some meetings/times that are God ordained and that I am not in tune with it. The fear that my introvertedness (if that's a word) is robbing the Lord of opportunities to bless others and or learn something about myself.

I have to think more on this one.

Fishing fun!

The kids had a blast with grandma and grandpa at a little pond at the RV park on Chaffee.

Z boys jumping jacks

Men's luncheon

Thursdays are pretty special to me. Thursdays are first baptist church lunches where the pastor come put and talks as we eat. He talks about things specific to men for the most part. It's also a time when I get to see friends that I don't work with anymore.

This week the pastor exposed a mindset to me that I don't have. He was talking about how the devil (yes, the devil) tries to win over your conscience. How the devil would have you turn to your own power to make things that you feel guilty about, correct or righted. He further explained how he would entice you to do the wring thing by downplaying it, then when you did, pop questions in your head like, "you call yourself a Christian?" Then convinces you that you've got to make it right before you seek out the Lord.

That kind of thing is NEVER from God. God would have you run to Him everytime. To win the battles in His power. He would never "kick you around the room" as Dale stated so eloquently.

So, go to Him everytime. Yes, with shame fear and trembling. There is nothing in your power that can truly make it right anyway. So go to the one that can!

2 concepts

1. Anger is not a fruit of the spirit
2. The Holy Spirit won't kick you around the room. (kick you when you're down)

Tough everyday

In our house whining over a scraped knee or falling down doesn't get sympathy. It is usually met with someone saying, "be tough!" and, surprisingly it is very effective. The tears quickly subside and life moves on. Z boy is at a stage where he just falls.... A lot. The other day as he's getting up without whining I send a "man, you're tough!" his way. He replied in a kind of frustrated voice, "I'm tough everyday!"

Indeed.

What to do?

It seems that I am at a loss on what to do with my littles. Play time with them typically is just wrestling. I am pretty sure there are other things to do besides that! Any suggestions?

Mike Taggart
x3004

Real fun

I remember being a kid and always wanting a brother. Sisters are good and all, but there was always that something missing without a brother. Now that I have kids of my own that have all the different arrangements as far as that's concerned (except being an only child) I see, in real life, exactly those things that I missed out on without a same sex sibling.

 

For example, taking taekwondo and coming home to try out what was learned. Now, I don't believe I am a sissy but if I had a choice I would prefer NOT to get punched or kicked. I had the same preference as a kid. But, I think that's because I didn't have a brother. Hitting my sister definitely got me in trouble....but a brother? That's expected! I see my boys experiencing some of the pains that I avoided...and smiling about it. No, laughing! They are becoming warriors! They are improving their skills to defend themselves and their families! And having a blast to boot. I think about being punched as a scary thing, full of uncertainty. The same with punching. Will I be effective? Will they just laugh like in the movies? Not my boys, they know it...they will have experienced it and be all the more courageous because if it. I can't help but smile when I see them sparring. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want them starting fights or what have you, but it is a reassuring thought to know that they know what to expect if one does break out.  And that’s just one small and simple aspect of it.

 

The other day I posted a video on facebook – 2 of my boys have been enamored by a video where people depicted towers and then fell….but not only fell…fell in SLOW MOTION!  I have to admit, it was one of the cooler things that I think I have seen in that sort of video. But, while I watched from afar and said, “cool”..they went to their room and worked out how to do it. I came from work one day and there they were. Double decker sons, falling in slow motion with sound effects to boot. Yea…there’s something you don’t do as an only child!

 

My family was at a playground at the park with my wife. My youngest son was on the jungle gym but was stopped from crossing a bridge by the “jungle gym bully”…you know a kid that’s too big to be playing on the stuff to begin with. My 3 year old really didn’t know what to expect….but, as my 7 year old came up behind him and received the same threat. All the times being defeated in wrestling by his older brothers had prepared him for this moment. NO! There wasn’t a punch thrown by anyone. However, there was this boy that was a head shorter than this bully. He had a smile on his face and a finger pointing at the bully…”yea, but do you know taekwondo?” … no fear. To top it all off, the 7 year old didn’t even know that his oldest brother was standing at the ready should things get out of control. But, they didn’t. The bully realized that he didn’t intimidate him…and suddenly, “I have to go”. I am so thankful that it didn’t come to blows. I did have a talk with him about taunting and being a little too adventurous….but the point is. He wasn’t afraid.

 

Yea, I am sure you have your own stories of such things. I am so thankful to be able to watch this. I love my family.

 

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