How do I remain calm?

Some of you have seen me recently. Some of you only know me through this page. My emotions recently are quite high! I am EXCITED! I am trying to stay calm but it is very difficult. We will be adopting a newborn next month. There is a lot that could happen that would hurt our plans of bringing home this child. Currently...we have a commitment from a mother to have the child be raised by us. We have a baby room with crib, baby changing table, dresser, rocker and decorations. So our status is excited but scared or scared but excited! Our emotions are going crazy. We want to remain calm in case there is an incident (like she changes her mind about us, she runs away, medical issues or even death) that hurts our chances of bringing home the newborn.

We have much support (with or with out a child). But part of the excitement are the people that support us. They are anxious as well! They have been through this adoption journey of ups and downs with us! I am anxiuos to be a Father! I am actually looking forward to changing diapers. Cleaning my shirt from drool. Keeping a wandering eye on a climbing infant. Going to the store late at night for more diapers and formula. Basically......I am anxious to share my life with he or she!

“Killing them with Carols” and other thoughts on the Christmas season!

I had a job at a major clothing retail chain where they specifically hired me to work the most unholy day of the year, a.k.a. “Black Friday.” I’ve always found the concept of Black Friday kind of strange. To most, it represents the first shopping day of the Christmas season, but I’ve never been one to celebrate Christmas so early. It’s seems so crazy that we give ourselves one day to reflect on what we’re thankful for, while the very next day we jump start into Christmas by maxing out credit cards and fulfilling someone else’s lust for high def T.V.’s or designer unnecessary needs. However, I wasn’t planning on shopping that day, so I was always available to work.

Working retail on Black Friday isn’t so bad. For one thing, employers always over compensate for the rush, so it’s not like the store is understaffed, and despite the news reports of people being trampled by fellow Black Friday hellions, most shoppers are courteous, friendly people just trying to get some shopping done. The thing that bothered me the most was the amount of Christmas Carols that were pumped into the store throughout the day. I know it makes me sound like Scrooge, but you know there’s at least one Christmas song that you rather never hear again (there’s a good chance it’s The Little Drummer Boy, but there’s an even better chance that it’s Jingle Bells).
My problem with the overplayed Christmas songs played at work isn’t with the songs themselves, (accept for “Santa Baby,” which I think should be renamed “The Anthem of Marilyn Monroe”). I just don’t see the point in trying to play Christmas songs all day when there’s only been 20 of them ever written. Sure you can play a few different versions of the same song, but it’s still the same song we’ve been singing since the virgin birth. How is it that it’s been over 2,000 years since the birth of Christ, but there have only been a handful of Christmas songs written since then? Needless to say, while at work I’ve heard “Winter wonderland” sung by Judy Garland, Dean Martin and Annie Lennox all within the same hour, and frankly, I’m tired of that song.
The overplay of Christmas songs at the mall isn’t the only reason I’ve developed a somewhat negative attitude towards them. It also has to do with the number of holiday themed slapstick comedies coming out every year that use these wholesome songs as background music for elaborate and unrealistic blunders throughout the movie. Think about all your favorite scenes from Jingle All the Way, The Santa Clause, or Home Alone. If I remember correctly, While Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern were being tortured by a resourceful little 8 year old, there was a heavenly chorus of angels (or Bing Crosby) joyously accentuating their plight with a beautiful Christmas song.
Now, I know playing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” while Arnold Schwarzenegger Sumo wrestles Sinbad in the middle of a toy store is supposed to make that scene seem lighthearted and slightly ironic, but now every time I hear that song I’m convinced something really bad is about to happen, and most likely Christmas décor and a comedic actor will be involved. Those movies have brought on a whole new frightful feeling when I hear Christmas songs. When I was working over the weekend, “Jingle Bell Rock” came on, and I was positive that any minute now, Danny Devito was going to crash through the storefront in a red convertible while wearing a Santa suit. At the very least, someone was going to get trampled by a herd of reindeer.

There is one thing I love about Christmas that no retail store or big box office hit can ruin for me: The Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack. No matter how many times I hear the opening song, “Christmas Time is Here,” I instantly feel at peace with the holiday season. It’s jazzy. It’s youthful. It’s perfect, and somehow, it embodies everything I love about Christmas. I must have heard that song 20 times this weekend and never got sick of it. I probably never will.

You know, Charlie Brown is just awesome in general. Sure, he gets stressed during the holidays, but who doesn’t? Plus I like the fact that he’s probably the most self absorbed cartoon character ever made, yet he’s still a cultural icon. if he would’ve written a book chronicalling his social anxiety during “the Christmas tree fiasco,” I definitly would’ve read it.

Before you comment.....I already know that I look a lot like Charlie Brown.....That is a curse that I am willing to live with!

“Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?”, maybe we should be asking, “Why does God allow good things to happen to bad people?”

The biggest question with evil is, "Why doesn't God prevent it from happening?" If God is really an all-good and all-powerful being, why doesn't he do something?
I bring this subject up because I reminded of my human nature to doubt purpose or reasoning. I know of a college student that survived a nearly fatal accident. I have a neice going through a staph infection on her legs that can not be treated with medication. My mother is dealing with more leg problems and a rash that seems to be spreading. Give me time and I am sure I can mention other issues that people I love are going through!

First of all, God does not create evil; he allows it to occur. When he originally created the world, he created all things good. He created people, however, with the freedom to choose. This includes the freedom to make right and wrong choices. Often those wrong choices bring about consequences that end up hurting ourselves or other people, sometimes innocent victims who didn't deserve it.
As a high school student, I went through a series of tests due to an incident that occured because of the choices I made and eventually had a pacemaker installed. God did not do this to me to punish me or necessarily teach me a lesson; I can blame no one but myself.
Of course, God could intervene and control everything about our lives--the good and the bad--but then we would merely be robots and not truly free. Basically a BORG for those Star Trek fans! He could even force us to love him if he wanted, but then forced love isn't true love. He gives us the freedom to choose or not to choose him, the freedom to live and enjoy life, and the freedom to make right and wrong choices. Unfortunately, we are left to deal with the consequences of our own and other people's actions.
Author C. S. Lewis said that 80 percent of suffering comes from the moral evil of mankind. So what about the other 20 percent? There are some things we will never truly understand here on Earth.
There is good news, however. First of all, the God of love is also a God of justice. For all those who make wrong choices, hurt innocent victims, and get off scot-free, a time is coming when they will face the consequences of their actions. God is the Ultimate Judge, and in due season, God will judge everyone for all their deeds. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:13). Please do not send me email proclaiming a God as a judge with anger....I still view God as a compassionate fair and loving judge! This may date me a bit but I loved the old Andy Hardy movies and always pictured Judge Hardy as mimicing what I think represents God as a Judge.

Second, God often uses the trials of life for a greater good, often to develop our character and makes us stronger through the experience. And we are able to help others in similar circumstances ( I could not have dealt with some opportunities without the experience). I have been able to reach out to disabled students (after my character was changed from complacency to compassion!). Trials also force us to see what is important in life, and often drive us to God when nothing else will. We see the importance of faith, of love, of caring, and of family and friends.
Third, God has provided a way out. A time is coming when there will be no more suffering. In heaven, people will enjoy a paradise beyond imagination. God has created a place of eternal glory where there will be no more crying, pain, sickness, or death; a place where people will share his joy forever.
Finally, God does care! He never promised life would be problem-free (how boring would that be?), but he promised to be with people. Jesus himself felt love, compassion, and sorrow, and was drawn like a magnet to those who were hurting. God, in his love, wants a relationship with us. "For God so loved the world, that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Real 911 calls

Dispatcher: 911 What is your emergency? Caller: I heard what sounded like gunshots coming from the brown house on the corner. Dispatcher: Do you have an address? Caller: No, I have on a blouse and slacks, why?

Dispatcher: 911 What is your emergency? Caller: Someone broke into my house and took a bite out of my ham and cheese sandwich. Dispatcher: Excuse me? Caller: I made a ham and cheese sandwich and left it on the kitchen table and when I came back from the bathroom, someone had taken a bite out of it. Dispatcher: Was anything else taken? Caller: No, but this has happened to me before and I'm sick and tired of it!

Dispatcher: 911 Caller: Yeah, I'm having trouble breathing. I'm all out of breath. Darn....I think I'm going to pass out. Dispatcher: Sir, where are you calling from? Caller: I'm at a pay phone. North and Foster. Dispatcher: ! Sir, an ambulance is on the way. Are you an asthmatic? Caller: No Dispatcher: What were you doing before you started having trouble breathing? Caller: Running from the Police.

Dispatcher: 911 What is the nature of your emergency? Caller: I'm trying to reach nine eleven but my phone doesn't have an eleven on it. Dispatcher: This is nine eleven. Caller: I thought you just said it was nine-one-one Dispatcher: Yes, ma'am nine-one-one and nine-eleven are the same thing. Caller: Honey, I may be old, but I'm not stupid.
Dispatcher: 911 What's the nature of your emergency? Caller: My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart Dispatcher: Is this her first child? Caller: No, you idiot! This is her husband!

Party

Once upon a time there lived a woman who had a maddening passion for baked beans. She loved them but unfortunately they had always had a very embarrassing and somewhat lively reaction to her. Then one day she met a guy and fell in love. When it became apparent that they would marry she thought to herself, " He is so sweet and gentlemanly, he would never go for this carrying on." So she made the supreme sacrifice, and gave up the beans. Some months later, her car broke down on the way home from work. Since she lived in the country she called her husband and told him that she would be late because she had to walk home. On her way she passed a small diner and the odor of the baked beans was more than she could stand. Since she still had miles to walk, she figured that she would walk off any ill effects by the time she reached home. So, she stopped at the diner and before she knew it, she had consumed three large orders of baked beans. All the way home she putt-putted. And upon arriving home she felt reasonably sure she could control it. Her husband seemed excited to see her and exclaimed delightedly, "Darling, I have a surprise for dinner tonight." He then blindfolded her and led her to her chair at the table. She seated herself and just as he was about to remove the blindfold from his wife, the telephone rang. He made her promise not to touch the blindfold until he returned. He then went to answer the phone. The baked beans she had consumed were still affecting her and the pressure was becoming almost unbearable, so while her husband was out of the room she seized the opportunity, shifted her weight to one leg and let it go. It was not only loud, but it smelled like a fertilizer truck running over a skunk in front of pulpwood mill. She took her napkin and fanned the air around her vigorously. Then, she shifted to the other cheek and ripped three more, which reminded her of cooked cabbage. Keeping her ears tuned to the conversation in the other room, she went on like this for another ten minutes. When the phone farewells signaled the end of her freedom, she fanned the air a few more times with her napkin, placed it on her lap and folded her hands upon it, smiling contentedly to herself. She was the picture of innocence when her husband returned, apologizing for taking so long, he asked her if she peeked, and she assured him that she had not. At this point, he removed the blindfold, and she was surprised!! There were twelve dinner guests seated around the table to wish her a "Happy Birthday"!!!

What Someone Said Someone Said

I first heard this piece of advice about 10 years ago from a gifted Christian leader. He was speaking at a Bible conference and in the course of his message advised us to “never repeat what someone said someone said.” It only gets you in trouble.

This is especially important advice when you are angry and in the midst of some sort of relational conflict. It could be at work or at church or with a friend or in some professional context or it could be within your extended family. The speaker recounted an occasion when he had been part of a bitter church controversy, the exact details of which he did not share because that didn’t matter. It was evidently about personalities and programs and decisions and power and which way are we going and who will lead us and how will we get there? The usual things Christians fight about. In the midst of the controversy, the speaker said he broke this rule one time and one time only. He repeated something that someone said someone said. Only he didn’t quite get the story right. Perhaps it wasn’t relayed properly or in context. But he passed the quote along as the truth because that’s what he thought it was. And it blew up in his face in a big way. Someone called him on it and he had to go back and apologize and try to make things right.

It was a difficult and embarrassing time for him.

Never repeat what someone said someone said. Why is this such good advice?
–Because you may not have the full story.–You probably don’t have the context of whatever was said.–You weren’t there to observe the body language of what was said.–If you are angry, you will be tempted to put the worst possible context on what was said.–The person relaying the information may have an axe to grind, maybe there in the mood to put those karate lessons to good use.–You may be guilty of passing along a bad report to those who don’t need to hear it.–You may gain a reputation as a talebearer or as a gossip.–If the information is not correct, you may face serious consequences, possibly lose friends and create unrepairable bridges! (Been there, done that and not fun!)
And mostly we shouldn’t do this sort of thing, especially when we are angry or hurt, because it corrodes our own soul & contaminates everything (How can we ask God to use us when we have this poison in our system!).

Guard your heart.Set your mind on things above.Think on those things that are pure and lovely and of good report.
The heart is a fragile thing. Once filled with anger, it is hard to fill it again with love. We can abide in Christ or we can abide in gossip, but we can’t do both at the same time.

I suppose we have all occasionally repeated what someone said someone said (Are you confused yet). But let this be the last word. If you are angry or hurt or in the middle of a conflict, DON'T DO IT! Let those who actually heard what was said repeat it–and let them be held responsible for whatever they say.

When you are angry, hold your tongue

and guard your heart.

And don’t repeat what someone said someone said.

iphone

While riding the web highway, I came across this:
Then I got to thinking about how the new iPhone phenomenon thoroughly depresses me, not because I don’t have one but because everyone seems to want one. But why?

We’ve accumulated laptops, cell phones, personal DVD players, mp3 players and a million other technological gadgets, and now we’re told we should own one that combines everything and costs hundreds of dollars. But why? (let me give you a tip the next big thing is just around the corner-meaning this is a never ending adventure!)

I still have a dinosaur of a phone, and don’t get me wrong, I’ll be more than happy when it’s time for an upgrade. For now though, I’m glad it’s just a piece of metal with a cover because I abuse it to no end. My cell has been through torturous times (everyday clumsiness, water submersions, plummets, drops, throws and even ice cream-don't ask!). Perhaps this emphasizes something about my personality (immaturity?). In the larger scheme of life though, what does it really matter what my cell phone looks like?

I wasn’t going to follow the whole mp3 trend either until someone else bought me one. I listen to it occasionally, but given its hefty price, I don’t put it to use as much as I should. Even though it was a gift, I still feel guilty about it.

And who uses a personal DVD player anyway? Loners? Okay, maybe that’s a bit harsh. And I have to admit, there’s one in our car, but it’s boring to watch movies with myself (try watching Monty Python's Holy Grail - not fun!). I can’t answer my own ridiculous questions in a thought-provoking indie or laugh with myself in a comedy or hold my own hand in a romance, so what’s the point?


So the point is… I don’t have one… an iPhone that is, and I’m completely satisfied in life without owning the new, up-and-coming thingamajig. (By the way, Microsoft Word actually suggests the words thingamajig and thingamabob as synonyms for gadget. Pretty nifty, eh?)

As photo confession says, no matter what your phone looks like, you’re still going to have the same people calling you (or not calling you). If you’re going to waste that much money, you might as well just buy some new friends.

Bear hunting

A man was out hunting. He just happened to be hunting bears. As he trudged through the forest looking for the beasts, he came upon a large and steep hill. Thinking that perhaps there would be bear on the other side of the hill, he climbed up the steep incline and, just as he was pulling himself up over the last outcropping of rocks, a huge bear met him nose to nose.
The bear roared fiercely. The man was so scared that he lost his balance and fell down the hill with the bear not far behind. As he tumbled down the hill, the man lost his gun. When he finally stopped at the bottom, he found that he had a broken leg. Escape was impossible and so the man, who had never been particularly religious (in fact this just happened to be a Sunday morning), prayed, "God, if you will make this bear a Christian I will be happy with whatever lot you give me for the rest of my life."

The bear was no more than three feet away from the man when it stopped dead in its tracks... looked up to the heavens quizzically... and then fell to its knees and prayed in a loud voice, "O Lord, bless this food of which I am about to partake."

Fire Away..........On second thought!

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

—2 Timothy 2:15

Have you ever had one of those golden opportunities in life to share the gospel, and you found that you just weren’t prepared? Or have you had someone fire some really hard questions at you, and you were just speechless?

After I had been a Christian for two weeks (in Oklahomie), I felt I needed to get out and do something with my faith. I was walking down the street and who did I run into but a very close friend from elementary school. I started witnessing to him. He was listening, and he was open. It seemed as though I was making some progress. I was getting excited.

I didn’t notice, however, that someone else was eavesdropping on our conversation. He walked up to me and said, “I have a few questions for you.”

I thought, No problem. I have been a Christian for two weeks. I think I can grapple the most theological issues at this point. Fire away.

So he fired four or five pretty tough questions at me. I can’t even remember today what they were. All I remember is that I was dumbfounded. I didn’t even have a clue. I was ashamed. I was embarrassed. But worst of all, I felt that I had let the Lord down.
I made a commitment that day—a commitment to study the Bible so I would not be caught in that position again. I can’t say that I have the answer to every question now. Nor am I suggesting that I can resolve any difficulty any person has, because I can’t. But I did realize that I needed to equip myself if I was ever to be used by God.

Asleep in the Light

Asleep In The Light



Do you see, do you see, all the people sinking down,

Don't you care, don't you care, are you gonna let them drown,

How can you be so numb, not to care if they come,

You close your eyes and pretend the job's done.


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Oh Bless me Lord, bless me Lord, you know it's all I ever hear,

No one aches, no one hurts, no one even sheds one tear,

But He cries, He weeps, He bleeds, and He cares for your needs,

And you just lay back and keep soaking it in, oh, can't you see it's such sin?


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Cause He brings people to your door,

And you turn them away, as you smile and say,

God bless you, be at peace, and all Heaven just weeps,

Cause Jesus came to your door, you've left Him out on the streets.


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Open up, open up, and give yourself away,

You've seen the need, you hear the cry, so how can you delay,

God's calling and you're the one, but like Jonah you run,

He's told you to speak, but you keep holding it in,

Oh, can't you see it's such sin?


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The world is sleeping in the dark,

That the church can't fight, cause it's asleep in the light,

How can you be so dead, when you've been so well fed,

Jesus rose from the grave, and you, you can't even get out of bed,

Oh, Jesus rose from the dead, come on, get out of your bed.


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How can you be so numb, not to care if they come,

You close your eyes and pretend the job's done,

You close your eyes and pretend the job's done,

Don't close your eyes, don't pretend the job's done.

Come away, come away, come away with Me, My love,

Come away, from this mess, come away with Me, My love.

Beautiful but ashamed!

I think some of the most beautiful words in the Bible are found at the end of Genesis 2 (we were studying this recently for Sunday School) where the author paints the stunning description of humanity during that short pause between creation’s completed wonder and the disastrous Fall: The man and his wife were both naked (as a jaybird-did you ever wonder who first said that and why?) and they felt no shame. (Gen 2.25)

In an age where our body image is god, where we nip and tuck and incessantly pluck and flex, where even the most gorgeous among us refer to themselves as a “fat pig” (as I saw a sex icon refer to herself on a magazine cover this past weekend), where we are forever judged by fashion media as well as by our own mirror, these words seem impossible. This physical exposure was not only in moments when Adam or Eve were prepared to be naked (and most all of us have varying comfort levels for this), but all the time, at every moment. There was no covering, ever.

The Genesis story, however, obviously speaks of more than physical exposure. The narrative vividly describes human relationships as we have never seen them: wide-open, unreserved, entirely unguarded. In this first sacred couple, love was better than you or I have ever known it. There was never a reason to hide a thought or to silence a voice. There was never reason to wonder if the other person was a safe place to pour out our soul. In our relationships, we must constantly battle the urge to hide, to guard ourselves from the harm we suspect might come our way if another truly saw all the grim, shameful places inside us. What would it be like to not play the shame game?

But with Adam and Eve, our first father and mother, their body and their soul were entirely bare, not a stitch of cotton or a speck of emotional scaring. I fear this shorn, unshrouded life because I can’t imagine someone seeing all my ugly spots and not pulling back in disgust. Contrasted to our experience, however, in the Garden, there was “no shame.” Perhaps no more beautiful words have ever been spoken. What would a world be like if shame were completely removed from the mix?

I think I’m pondering along these lines because this summer Sundy and I celebrated our 13th anniversary. Our marriage is quite imperfect, and we certainly do not know the intimacy and emotional safety Adam and Eve enjoyed. However, we want to. We are hoping and moving that direction. Every one of us needs a friend (a spouse, a father, a sister, a soul friend) who sees who we truly are, who helps us see what Jesus is crafting in us, who speaks against the many shaming voices in our life.


I hope you have one. I hope you find one.

Am I listening?

It is amazing how much I can hear when I am still enough to really listen.



I went camping this summer.



Just God and I.

I woke up in the morning and yes, afternoon to the sounds of nature. The mocking birds fighting outside the tent. Owls hooting in the distance. Squirrells running and leaping from limb to limb. Fish splashing at the surface of the lake. I thought about what if we took a time out to listen to the activites around us in our daily life. I have tried to take a intermission from life since that trip to listen. Once you take out the white noise you can hear the kids playing in the neighborhood, the birds flying from my roof to the front yard in a playfull mood, occasionally you can hear a vehicle drive down the road. Then the expected happens. The white noise of radio, media, honking, people yelling at each other in the traffic. Our schedule becomes chaos. Everytime I look around the bend there is more traffic coming my way. And it seems neverending!

What if I stopped in the traffic?

What if parked in the middle of the chaos?

I walk towards the grass and take a time out from life?

Besides the obvious of getting cussed out, possibly get into an accident and questionable gestures thrown my direction that says your #1.
Would it be okay for me to take a time out? Sometimes I feel like the schedule is made to add to the insanity of life instead of to the progress of the function. Is it okay to take a time out? What if we took that time out to listen to what God has to say? We might be amazed with the communication if we would shut up, sit down and just listen!

Recently, I have been having trouble with stress and blood pressure causing the doc to have me take medication, relax and exercise/diet until further instructions. Then one night I recieved a call from Jade, a former student of mine when I was a youth pastor and good friend. He explained that he was forced to make that stop in the middle of traffic. He had went through surgery for brain cancer and will be monitored for the next three years if the cancer will relapse. But instead of getting out of the vehicle, yelling, screaming and kicking the tire in mid traffic. He chose to embrace this time out from the world and communicate with distant friends and family. Make an attempt to build bridges to broken relationships. WOW, The crap I was going through was nothing after recieving this call.....it was truely a blessing. It reminded me of the quiet time I relished with God while camping this summer. I need more quiet times. I too need to use this time to communicate with distant friends and rebuild bridges to broken relationships.

Summer is almost over and my morning ritual of listening has already begun to fade as the sun shows herself later and later each day. Eventually, it will be lost all together, and I have to set my alarm. As summer ends and the demands of a schedule, work and family increase, I can too feel the world is pulling at me again. Pulling me away from the quiet gift of morning. That scares me because I know that in the past that sometimes I’ve been pulled under by the tide. I don’t know if you have ever felt that way, pulled under by the tide of life, but I have—in relationships with friends and family, at work, at church, heck even just getting out of bed in the morning can be difficult. Its like, at times, God has closed his eyes to me, and I wonder, "Where is he? Why does God let this !@#$ happen to me? Then I am reminded that I am at fault for the chaos. I allow the tide to take me down!



I hope this blog can assist you on the journey of hard questions:


What hurts?


What relationships do you struggle with?


What resentments do you carry?


What fears do you face?

Is the tide taking you down?

Are you overwhelmed by the 20 lane traffic of life?

Feel free to slam on the brakes during your traffic jam! Get out and relish God's grace. I am convinced it is not possible to have a relationship without having a quiet time.

Deuteronomy 30:19

I have set before you life and death...Now choose life.

I know there is an obvious meaning behind this verse but I can see another as the continued relationship is LIFE and Death or Darkness is in the lack of relationship.

John 5:40

Come to me to have Life!


Recently, I have allowed the traffic to disrupt my life. I have not been taking advantage of the opportunities I have been given to just listen. I will be camping again very soon and this time it will be with friends. I pray they feel God's peace from this getaway. I pray they will go through a personal revival. I pray that they learn to listen just as I have learned recently.

I know that I can't wait to listen!

Judge and jury!

It takes no advanced degree to find fault with another man — or to show the stupidity of someone else's thinking. It takes much grace to see God at work in a fellow redeemed sinner whose life is marred by sin and marked by grace. It takes grace to see it and strengthen it. It takes grace to encourage them in a way that glorifies God and strengthens faith…

Am I a judge? I have very good standards and others need to measure up. I wake up in the morning and the first thing I see is what has not been done. I see faults all over. I am God's agent to make them excellent (sarcasm)..

A few years ago a friend saw my sin and encouraged me to spend a whole summer doing nothing but encouraging my others. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Every day I would look for grace in them but find faults. I had to bite my tongue all the time. But the fruit on their lives and our relationship was amazing.

So — as I lead my family and visit with friends, do they hear my criticism more than my commendation? Do I see myself as the great and indispensable fault-finder (just picture me in blue tights with a big F on my chest)?

As I relate to fellow-Christians, am I more aware of their sin or of their growth in sanctification?

I am learning this most crucial element of fellowship — and seeing it as the first step. Until I see grace in others I am in no position to help them grow by pointing out their sin.

Deep thoughts!

Just a little visual candy to go with some deep thoughts!

How I cracked my ribs?

So some of you are probably wondering what happened to me Tuesday night.
I was innocently riding my bicycle for some exercise in the Kemah oaks sub when I was approached by a dozen paperboys. Walking hand to hand towards me, forcing me to stop my bike. I asked "Are you playing Red Rover cause I am only one person?". The Paperboy zombies said "Want to buy a Houston Chronicle?" I said "no, I do not like the Houston Chronicle!". The head paperboy said "We did not ask you if you like the paper! We asked you to buy one!!!"
I politely said "No, thank you". Well one of the kids shouted "that is not a good enough answer!" I was a little scared by this situation and attempted to ride away when they overwhelmed me with their numbers. They started throwing papers at me like they were Chinese stars. Some were leaping in the air towards me like it was a scene from Matrix. Just as they were in the progress of beating the very handsome Travis into hamburger meat, 4 girl scouts came out of nowhere to my rescue. Using their martial arts, they came to my rescue swinging their girl scout sashes as a form of nun chucks. There were newspaper boys flying to the ground like clothes on honeymoon night. The girl scouts saw I was a little injured from this altercation and offered to carry me to my house. I said "No thank you, I can walk. Don't worry about it. Thank you for helping with the very dangerous gang of newspaper boys!". The girls with very big biceps and a little facial hair said "Nonsense! We will carry you!" I couldn't do anything about it as they overwhelmed me with there strength and hoisted me and the bike over their heads and proceeded to carry me all 10 miles back home. They dropped me off and I thanked them for their kindness. I said "If there is anything I can do for you, just name it!" and started to return the bike to the garage. They said "well there is one thing! Can you buy some cookies from us?"
I said "No, thank you! I already bought like 5 boxes from the girl scouts!" They responded angrily "Well, YOU DID NOT BUY THEM FROM US!!!!". I said "Yeah, but I am on a diet and so are my friends. I do not wish to anger them by going back on our diet agreement". The head girl scout yelled through her goatee "Sir, you may have been hurt from the Houston Chronicle Biker gang but NOW YOU WILL FEEL PAIN!!!". Three girls grabbed me and held me down against the driveway concrete when the head girl scout jumped in the air (Crouching Tiger-Hidden Dragon style) and did a triple flip then landed a kick in my rib cage. They ran off after doing the damage because a very angry Lucy (our Jack Russell) came to my rescue.
This is my story and I am sticking to it!!!!!!!!!!

The trouble with Church?

One of the huge words being thrown around in Christian circles today is the word Relevant. Are we relevant? Do people who attend our church or live in our surrounding community perceive us to be a relevant church? Trying to be relevant and being relevant are very different things. Take for example a biker. He lives and breathes motorcycles. He uses it everyday. He works on it, and it is his main form of transportation. He is not trying to be a biker...He is one. In contrast take the doctor. He is amazing at what he does. Saving lives, helping to cure the sick and dying. Coming soon is bike week in Daytona Beach, Fl. He grows a short beard, buys some distressed leather and drinks a bottle of ego and attitude. This is far from his doctor persona! One is relevant, the other is trying to be. One is real, and the other one is an imposter. Why do we try as Christians to be relevant? We are relevant in our own right. Everyone of us will be relevant and irrelevant at some point in time. I feel more often, we are becoming pop Christians. We mold and shape ourselves into a fill in the blank Christian. What do you need? Extreme Christian? Hard core rocker Christian? Real Estate investing Christian? Indie Christian? Doctor Christian? Film maker Christian? If we put Christian as a tag on what we do, it seems to make it more appealing in the church. "Hey look! He has dreadlocks, and he is a Christian! Isn't that cool?" Is it cool that he has dreadlocks and just happens to be a Christian? Or is it just cool that a peson with dreadlocks just happens to be at church? We need to get out of this pop Christian, lets make you into a nice testimony or marketing strategy for outsiders.

Lets stop using the title "Christian" like it is a decorating show. Throw paint at the wall. put something here, hang something there. In a attempt to see what works for us.

Being a Christian should NOT mean that we are in a immediate identity crisis.

What type of Christian should I be??? This subject needs to be tackled but it doesn't mean I am not disgusted by these actions. I just want to vomit thinking of the phony, fake, bubble gum Christians (come on- you know what I am talking about.....They park there car in the church parking lot and there behavior inside the car is much different than the behavior of when they enter the building- Are we that dumb that we think that God can not see us until we are in a church building???)!



Can't we just be who we are and be in love with Jesus Christ?

Isn't that being relevant? I want to see people who are the real deal, not an over produced image of something else that will get only man's attention.
God does NOT need a PR man nor a politically correct representative!

Birthday

Just recently I celebrated another birthday! I turned 25!
It was 25 years ago I was born at a camp in Oklahoma. It was when I accepted Christ as my life insurance policy. If you are confused.....I was born again...........
I celebrated by inviting friends over for a birthday party (and no one was to bring gifts). Then I shared with the group my testimony and how important it is for me to celebrate this day. We had cake and ice cream then played games.
I hope you will share your birthday with someone.
Isn't that what it is all about sharing and fellowship......creating relationships!

The Annoying Aspects of Grace

Have you ever talked with a friend, and during a moment the conversation, you are reminded of something that you had done.

Come on, you know you have!

Ever felt guilty?

I am sure we all have at some point. Maybe you said something to a loved one (and I can tell you some stories!), hurt someone you cared about, or did something wrong and got caught. There are times when I look back and still have feeling of guilt over something I did, even when I know I have been forgiven.

But why these feelings of guilt?

Why this sense of still feeling the sense of wrong, when I know I no longer need to hold on to it? I think some of it is found in the annoyance of grace.

We find grace annoying because there is nothing we can do to earn it.

Guilt is that feeling that I still need to do something to PAY for this sin or wrongdoing I have committed. Yet in the beauty of the Cross lies the shadows of grace and forgiveness that extends to us still today. The burden was carried by Christ when he was nailed to a grace, and our freedom from sin was born on the day of his resurrection. Yet we can't shake the feeling that somehow, I must still pay for the sin I have committed. Even though Christ paid it, we continue to hold on to feeling of guilt, because of feeling of unworthiness of the grace received, or feelings that somehow, I should still make restitution for the sin I committed.That's what can be so "annoying" about grace. It releases us from the payment. It cancels the debt. Yet our guilt is found in us not being able to let go of that guilt. Maybe the guilt is in some sense a comfort for us, becoming the "payment" for the sins that we have been forgiven of. Yet Christ desires to release us from that. He desires to not only forgive us of our sins, pay our debt, but also free us from guilt. We are not meant to hold on to that which as been forgotten. We are free from thinking that we still have some from of restitution to pay for sins forgiven.

Comfort

Most of you close to me should know by now that we are having trouble having a child. We paid for a special procedure. Go through the anxiety and positive expectations and to find out out it did not take. We are leaving that option open for possibly doing it again. However, we have come to the point that adoption may be the route to go.

Are we hurt? of course! You pray, ponder and dwell into a world that you can't have (yet) .

How does it feel? Like we lost a child! I know that is hard to understand. I am sure I will get some email that beg to differ.
How am I? I am not sure how I would be without God's Grace! (Definition: God's ability to do through you what you could not do yourself) I am absolutely convinced that my world would be a tragedy without God's Grace.
Guess what? I am in that mood. That horrible unpolitically correct mood! If you don't like what I am writing then don't read it. Take me off your friends list, whatever.

I am saved by God's Grace

Washed by Jesus's blood

And Baptised by the Holy Spirit!

"Sometimes in an effort to remind people of the cost of the cross, we withhold grace until we are sure they understand their sin. But it is in giving of our grace that we remind people that they need to go to Jesus to find their own. People understand their sin without our help. It's grace they need help in understanding."
I am tired of living in this politically correct world! I am tired of keeping to myself what I know to be true! I am tired of fighting with this world with my hands behind my back! I am tired of being force fed fast spiritual food when I want something of substance & nutrition.

I am tired.

I am tired.

I am tired.

I am wrapped in this quilt of Grace.

Kept warm & cozy while this cold & dreary world that our human nature has created revolves around us. His blanket of Grace comforts me.

Do you want some of the blanket?

Colossians 2: 6-8 Read it or give it a chance!

Trading Spaces - The Reveal

Trading Spaces - The Reveal
Come on! Admit it!
You kind of like watching parts or all of the show!
It's a guilty pleasure! To see if someone will be blessed or cursed by the experience! Maybe become neighbors at war because of the new found dislike for each other!
When people see the revealing of "Trading Spaces" show unfold, People see every room that was worked on. The good and the horrifying! Maybe you would be motionless, so shocked that you are unaware how to react!
Your daily adventure you are on (whether with Christ or not) mimicks the show and will reveal to everyone who you are!
*So what exactly happens when others view your house?
*What do the visitors do?
*How do they react?
*Should you care about their opinions?
*Or maybe you are encouraging their wrong perceptions because of the way the house is designed?
As they walk through our "house," the rooms of our relationships, emotions, and actions, do they react with "oohs and awes" or tears and sobs. Do they jump for joy or uncontrollable crying?
Maybe they are so shocked that they do not know how to react!
We've got to understand the biblical importance of the house. In the Old Testament God was in the house. He dwelt in the tabernacle and in the Temple. In the New Testament he was out of the house as God revealed himself through the person of Christ. And now the Bible says we, as Christ-followers, are the house, the dwelling place for the Holy Spirit of God. (I can't stop thinking of a certain Audio Adrenaline song! Aaahhh!)

Allow me to drop a bomb on you!

Go ahead!

Get postured to take a brick to the head!

Brace yourself!

The news might OVERWHELM you!

You have a ministry!!!

Like it or not!
Christian or not!

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own" (1 Cor. 6:19). Since we are the house, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit of God, our life is all about revealing the décor of the Designer.
The question is, What do others see as your life is revealed?
As people tour your life, they are yearning to see what the Designer has done. When people tour homes, they get ideas for their own home or of who you are.
When people tour your life and mine, what kind of ideas do they pick up about marriage, child-rearing, priorities, honesty, character or generosity.
God wants to design a model home out of your life.

So don't conceal God's design...reveal it!, because the ultimate goal in life is to simply reveal the glory of the Designer. So allow the designer to get rid of your clutter. Be submissive and allow him to make the changes that are needed! Submissive is a difficult word for most of us but we need to do this to clean out our house!!!

Hope you enjoy these words of wisdom that came sponsored by my "Trading Spaces" episode!

Remember that:
this generation of believers is responsible for this generation of lost souls!