That song has become an anthem. I realize that the more I forget and can't recall, it's not because I am crazy - just a little unwell.
Don't know about other people. But, I can sit and think about something and before I know it, my mind has wandered on several other subjects instead of the one I started out with. It seems to really happen when I want to pray and talk to God. It happens when I reading or listening to music. For some strange reason, I find it very difficult to stay focused. It's like having adult ADD.
I was driving to cub scouts a couple of weeks ago and I forgot how to get there. I was in the right area and drove past the location 3 times. I had to refocus and get it together so that I could get there.
I went to the therapist the other day and we played some games. For the life of me, I don't know if I remembered the right words or pictures that he showed me. All I know is that I do not have the greatest attention span.
Last night I woke up out of my sleep after feeling my body shake. Like I was having convulsions in my sleep. I shook so hard, it woke me up. Maybe it was my trip to the doctor earlier in the day. Anyway, that is my thought for the day. I need to get some rest, the body needs to lay down now - still sore from the doctor yesterday - can you say spinal injection was not fun.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Your Gifts and Talents
The stress of the trying to find good gifts on a budget can take it's toll on a person. You have to think about what they like, what size to buy, what color will look best, if you should wait till after Christmas to get it because you wont' see them for a while - you know the drill.
I was in my car recently, listening to Coco Brother - Corey Condrey on Praise 100.9FM, and he had a guest on that was speaking to the people about your gifts and your talents. The minister on the radio said something that one of my other friends has said to me several times. "Your gift will make room for you" For so many years, I would repeat that scripture and would be wrong every single time. If you are honest with yourself, you will admit it as well. We have all said it, "your gifts will make room for you"
You see, what I missed was this. The word is "gift" singular, not "gifts" plural. What the minister said next blew me away. Since God said your gift will make room - then we must all have a dominant gift. He instructed us to think about or write down all of your gifts and talents and see which one rises to the top of the list. It's the one you are your absolute best at. It's the gift/talent you are know for.
I got to my desk when I got home and began listing all of things that I know I can do well and that I get compliments on most. Cooking/baking kept coming to the top when I trying to force other things in it's place. Therefore, I recently gave a few people some sample cakes in different flavors to try and asked them to consider letting me bake for them.
One of my friends told me that it would be the gift that make a living for me and my family. I look at it like this, every major business in the world had to start somewhere. I will start at home and work my way into a shop. There isn't a bakery in my town, and we sure could use one. I was given a few business name ideas and the one that sits best with me is: Heavenly Scent with the scripture - taste and see that the Lord is good - as my foundation. The upside of living in the bible belt is that I can post scripture anywhere I want to. It will be on my business cards, bags, boxes, website - everywhere I can get it.
I have made wedding cakes in the past, birthday cakes, anniversary cakes, cookies, I am a full service event planner, and much more. I can do this. With the help and guidance of the Lord and the people He places along the way - I WILL DO THIS. I DECLARE THAT MY GIFT WILL MAKE ROOM FOR ME.
Watch out world - I am filling in the dash!!!!!
I was in my car recently, listening to Coco Brother - Corey Condrey on Praise 100.9FM, and he had a guest on that was speaking to the people about your gifts and your talents. The minister on the radio said something that one of my other friends has said to me several times. "Your gift will make room for you" For so many years, I would repeat that scripture and would be wrong every single time. If you are honest with yourself, you will admit it as well. We have all said it, "your gifts will make room for you"
You see, what I missed was this. The word is "gift" singular, not "gifts" plural. What the minister said next blew me away. Since God said your gift will make room - then we must all have a dominant gift. He instructed us to think about or write down all of your gifts and talents and see which one rises to the top of the list. It's the one you are your absolute best at. It's the gift/talent you are know for.
I got to my desk when I got home and began listing all of things that I know I can do well and that I get compliments on most. Cooking/baking kept coming to the top when I trying to force other things in it's place. Therefore, I recently gave a few people some sample cakes in different flavors to try and asked them to consider letting me bake for them.
One of my friends told me that it would be the gift that make a living for me and my family. I look at it like this, every major business in the world had to start somewhere. I will start at home and work my way into a shop. There isn't a bakery in my town, and we sure could use one. I was given a few business name ideas and the one that sits best with me is: Heavenly Scent with the scripture - taste and see that the Lord is good - as my foundation. The upside of living in the bible belt is that I can post scripture anywhere I want to. It will be on my business cards, bags, boxes, website - everywhere I can get it.
I have made wedding cakes in the past, birthday cakes, anniversary cakes, cookies, I am a full service event planner, and much more. I can do this. With the help and guidance of the Lord and the people He places along the way - I WILL DO THIS. I DECLARE THAT MY GIFT WILL MAKE ROOM FOR ME.
Watch out world - I am filling in the dash!!!!!
Monday, December 13, 2010
What's Up With Dads Who Have Sons Who Rule?
There must be something in the water that has no side effects on "some men" Several times in the past few days, I have witnessed the ruling of fathers by their sons. Now, I am the first to say that I do let my son get away with some things because kids have to grow and stretch their boundaries. But, it's something totally different when you son is going to tell you what he is not going to do, that you can't make him do it, and then ignore you while you are talking to him and he answers you by saying "what"
I know as a child, that all it took was this certain look from the adult in the house. It didn't have to be mom or dad - any adult would do. I grew up when the neighbor beat your behind because of what you did and then you got another whipping when your parents got home.
Some dads today let the boy do WHATEVER they want, say WHATEVER they want - and everything is cool. I heard one man say after his boy kicked my son in the stomach on the first day they met each other - "they are just boys being boys" So, I kindly told my boy in front of this father - "if he kicks, hits, bumps or touches you in any way - beat him up" I then turned to the other father and said - afterall - they're just boys being boys, and walked away.
I can be at church and see boys climbing on things - and everyone says something to the boys except for his father. I can be at scouts and one boy will hit another in front of his parent - and hear the parent say - was that an accident or did you do it on purpose? On purpose my foot!!!! That kid just intentionally swung a stick and hit someone, drew blood, laughed and you ask was it an accident. Who is ruling the coop here - the chicks or the rooster?
Just today - I was in WalMart and a boy who should have been in school, told his father "if you don't get it for me, I will tell mom that you talked to that lady over there. You know she will believe me - you did it before" The man never looked at the woman while I was in the store, but the kid had the upper hand, and idiot man fell for it. I stood there with my mouth wide open. He saw me and said - he will do it. Being bold, I asked if he had a cell phone. He did. I told him to call his wife and tell her what the brat was doing and I would vouch for him and tell her what I witnessed. The call was made and the kid was mad because he didn't get his touch screen mp3 - too bad.
Why is that we allow our children to be so disobedient, disrespectful, deceitful, manipulative and the list goes on? If we are raising and training up our children in the fear of the Lord and to honor and respect us as parents - we wouldn't be raising Chucky, Freddie Crooger, and the seed of satan. We have allowed the fear of a phone call to the police stop up from parenting our children. We have given the right to parent over to the schools instead of partnering with them, and we fear Child Services showing up at the door.
Look, when you have done your best to raise them, and they don't want to do what's right - there's the door. If you want to go through your Prodigal Son experience - be my guest. I will love you, pray for you, encourage you. I am not your friend from the playground, I am not your buddy from down the street - I AM DAD. We can be friends later. I have to raise you to survive in this world.
These reality shows have our children thinking that life is one big check/credit card/ATM/cash in a barrel - they are not entitled to have anything expect to have their needs provided for. All of the rest of the things are bonuses for GOOD behavior and GOOD grades,etc.
These boys have to grow up and become the men who lead this world. If they don't know consequences ( the result of an action - good or bad) they will be lost forever.
I know as a child, that all it took was this certain look from the adult in the house. It didn't have to be mom or dad - any adult would do. I grew up when the neighbor beat your behind because of what you did and then you got another whipping when your parents got home.
Some dads today let the boy do WHATEVER they want, say WHATEVER they want - and everything is cool. I heard one man say after his boy kicked my son in the stomach on the first day they met each other - "they are just boys being boys" So, I kindly told my boy in front of this father - "if he kicks, hits, bumps or touches you in any way - beat him up" I then turned to the other father and said - afterall - they're just boys being boys, and walked away.
I can be at church and see boys climbing on things - and everyone says something to the boys except for his father. I can be at scouts and one boy will hit another in front of his parent - and hear the parent say - was that an accident or did you do it on purpose? On purpose my foot!!!! That kid just intentionally swung a stick and hit someone, drew blood, laughed and you ask was it an accident. Who is ruling the coop here - the chicks or the rooster?
Just today - I was in WalMart and a boy who should have been in school, told his father "if you don't get it for me, I will tell mom that you talked to that lady over there. You know she will believe me - you did it before" The man never looked at the woman while I was in the store, but the kid had the upper hand, and idiot man fell for it. I stood there with my mouth wide open. He saw me and said - he will do it. Being bold, I asked if he had a cell phone. He did. I told him to call his wife and tell her what the brat was doing and I would vouch for him and tell her what I witnessed. The call was made and the kid was mad because he didn't get his touch screen mp3 - too bad.
Why is that we allow our children to be so disobedient, disrespectful, deceitful, manipulative and the list goes on? If we are raising and training up our children in the fear of the Lord and to honor and respect us as parents - we wouldn't be raising Chucky, Freddie Crooger, and the seed of satan. We have allowed the fear of a phone call to the police stop up from parenting our children. We have given the right to parent over to the schools instead of partnering with them, and we fear Child Services showing up at the door.
Look, when you have done your best to raise them, and they don't want to do what's right - there's the door. If you want to go through your Prodigal Son experience - be my guest. I will love you, pray for you, encourage you. I am not your friend from the playground, I am not your buddy from down the street - I AM DAD. We can be friends later. I have to raise you to survive in this world.
These reality shows have our children thinking that life is one big check/credit card/ATM/cash in a barrel - they are not entitled to have anything expect to have their needs provided for. All of the rest of the things are bonuses for GOOD behavior and GOOD grades,etc.
These boys have to grow up and become the men who lead this world. If they don't know consequences ( the result of an action - good or bad) they will be lost forever.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Amazing People
I woke up at 5:50 AM like I do every day, put my son on the bus and sat at my computer to print envelopes for Christmas cards. Then it dawned on me, I don't have enough cards to send out to all of the people that my wife and I love and care about.
Before I knew it, the chat window popped up on my screen. It was a former coworker that I absolutely enjoyed working with. After talking for a while, I realized how much I missed working with the team of people at that job. I ws there for 11 years, and those people became family to me. I mean really like family. We genuinely cared about each other.
I recall once that our friend Carol needed a new wheelchair and when I mentioned it to one person, it spread like wildfire and before she knew what hit her, she had a new wheelchair because of the generosity of our work family. I know it is said that we go to work to make a living - not friends. That couldn't be further from the truth at that job.
Those people held me up when my brother and sister died. The rejoiced with me when I got married and blessed us with gifts and offers of kindness when my kids were born. When I moved on to a new job - they were right there to wish me well. It's funny that over the past 12 years, we still feel the same way about each other.
My heart was blessed this morning when I had my chat. Time and distance didn't cause the lines of friendship to be blurred at all. Yes, we have all gotten 12 years older, our children are mostly young adults and off to college or in high school, but it was like we just pick up like we just saw each other yesteray. That is when you know that you have true friends. Your conversations with them still cause you smile and laugh. Even in an electronic conversation, I can hear their voices, see their body language, and feel their presence. You have no idea how good that feels.
Then I looked back at my a picture of my wife, and I thought to myself - "man you are lucky" Who else would put up with me for the past 20 1/2 years. She blessed me with 4 of the greatest kids in the world - even in the trying times - I love them unconditionaly. She knows all of my strengths and weaknesses. I am a blessed man.
Speaking to my friends from college is the same way. They know just what to say, when to say it and they know that they can say what I need to hear - not what I want to hear. So - thank you for being some of my life long friends. Thank you for making college a rewarding experience for me. Thanks for speaking into my life and saying what needs to be said. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me, and allowing me to know you.
I can't believe I am able to say that I have some friends that have been in my life for over 35 years. God brings us full circle with each other. I can recall being in Honeyhill Elementary, West Rocks Middle and Norwalk High Schools with the same people - and we are friends to this day. Yeah, there were some gaps in speaking, but we are friends - not associates.
In some unique way, God keeps us all connected to be a support system to one another. We are all going through something (un)spoken or not. I've come to the realization that no matter what I am dealing with (and it's a lot) someone else is dealing with more. Yeah, I can vent and complain, but then I listen to my friend - and my issues don't seem that bad afterall.
The people in my life are amazing. Each person that I have the honor to call friend - has impacted my life in ways that I can't begin to describe. Their words, their time, their compassion and their hearts - are all gifts given from above. Never despise the day of small begininngs - you never know when you might need to go back and thank someone for helping you climb to the mountain top.
I am a rich man today because of my great wife and family, my friends, and mostly because God is at the center of it all.
Before I knew it, the chat window popped up on my screen. It was a former coworker that I absolutely enjoyed working with. After talking for a while, I realized how much I missed working with the team of people at that job. I ws there for 11 years, and those people became family to me. I mean really like family. We genuinely cared about each other.
I recall once that our friend Carol needed a new wheelchair and when I mentioned it to one person, it spread like wildfire and before she knew what hit her, she had a new wheelchair because of the generosity of our work family. I know it is said that we go to work to make a living - not friends. That couldn't be further from the truth at that job.
Those people held me up when my brother and sister died. The rejoiced with me when I got married and blessed us with gifts and offers of kindness when my kids were born. When I moved on to a new job - they were right there to wish me well. It's funny that over the past 12 years, we still feel the same way about each other.
My heart was blessed this morning when I had my chat. Time and distance didn't cause the lines of friendship to be blurred at all. Yes, we have all gotten 12 years older, our children are mostly young adults and off to college or in high school, but it was like we just pick up like we just saw each other yesteray. That is when you know that you have true friends. Your conversations with them still cause you smile and laugh. Even in an electronic conversation, I can hear their voices, see their body language, and feel their presence. You have no idea how good that feels.
Then I looked back at my a picture of my wife, and I thought to myself - "man you are lucky" Who else would put up with me for the past 20 1/2 years. She blessed me with 4 of the greatest kids in the world - even in the trying times - I love them unconditionaly. She knows all of my strengths and weaknesses. I am a blessed man.
Speaking to my friends from college is the same way. They know just what to say, when to say it and they know that they can say what I need to hear - not what I want to hear. So - thank you for being some of my life long friends. Thank you for making college a rewarding experience for me. Thanks for speaking into my life and saying what needs to be said. Thank you for taking the time to get to know me, and allowing me to know you.
I can't believe I am able to say that I have some friends that have been in my life for over 35 years. God brings us full circle with each other. I can recall being in Honeyhill Elementary, West Rocks Middle and Norwalk High Schools with the same people - and we are friends to this day. Yeah, there were some gaps in speaking, but we are friends - not associates.
In some unique way, God keeps us all connected to be a support system to one another. We are all going through something (un)spoken or not. I've come to the realization that no matter what I am dealing with (and it's a lot) someone else is dealing with more. Yeah, I can vent and complain, but then I listen to my friend - and my issues don't seem that bad afterall.
The people in my life are amazing. Each person that I have the honor to call friend - has impacted my life in ways that I can't begin to describe. Their words, their time, their compassion and their hearts - are all gifts given from above. Never despise the day of small begininngs - you never know when you might need to go back and thank someone for helping you climb to the mountain top.
I am a rich man today because of my great wife and family, my friends, and mostly because God is at the center of it all.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
I Couldn't Sleep At All Last Night
No, not the song. I literally couldn't sleep last night. Every time I would fall asleep I would hear a scripture:
Matthew 13:14-18.
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might se with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’[a] 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:
I sat down this morning to think about what that means to me, the news shared at last nights leaders meeting at church, and just thinks in general. All of this still has me thinking about the dash. I pray that I am not one of those whose eyes are closed, whose ears don't hear and have hardened hearts. IF I am even close to being one of them- Lord please search me and know me, that I want to know you and desire to be a man after your own heart. On the other hand, I look at it as a blessing. That I have seen, heard and have the heart for Him. That I am tuned in and listening to what He is saying.
I have some serious appointments coming up. I need God to intervene at each and every one of them. Like I said before, I have good and bad days. Today, I have the headache again. I don't know if it's because of the tumor behind my eye or not, but I also have sight - be it impaired - I have sight. As long as I can see the beauty of the world - I am a blessed man.
It is so easy to see the ugliness all around us. But it takes a minute to stand still and look through the filth and see what's underneath all of the grime. When I look at what's going on in the world - it hurts. I listened to a song yesterday - The Question Is - by the Winans. It was written back in the mid 80's and they asked about the problem in Afghanistan and here we are over 20 years later still wondering what's going on over there. The beauty is that women are more free now to be anything they desire.
I thought about what's coming for our youth at church. I thought about the changes to our church staff and how to proceed in praying for them. I almost had a pity party thinking about some things. Then I realized that God will sustain those who lift Him up. He is working all things out for my good and I have to trust Him enough to do it without trying to help Him.
He doesn't require my help - I depend on His. It is only through daily prayer that I am able to keep my head above water as I watch Him walk toward me. Everyday, the vision of Him walking gets more and more clear. I am reaching up and He's standing there reaching down to me. I keep coming up with excuses for why I can't take His hand yet and He patiently stands there waiting.
I am so glad that He has not walked away from me. I couldn't sleep at all last night because I went to bed with too much on my mind when I should have cast all of the days cares on Him. I need to go and see the therapist and talk about what I am dealing with.
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell - love that song.
Matthew 13:14-18.
In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might se with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’[a] 16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:
I sat down this morning to think about what that means to me, the news shared at last nights leaders meeting at church, and just thinks in general. All of this still has me thinking about the dash. I pray that I am not one of those whose eyes are closed, whose ears don't hear and have hardened hearts. IF I am even close to being one of them- Lord please search me and know me, that I want to know you and desire to be a man after your own heart. On the other hand, I look at it as a blessing. That I have seen, heard and have the heart for Him. That I am tuned in and listening to what He is saying.
I have some serious appointments coming up. I need God to intervene at each and every one of them. Like I said before, I have good and bad days. Today, I have the headache again. I don't know if it's because of the tumor behind my eye or not, but I also have sight - be it impaired - I have sight. As long as I can see the beauty of the world - I am a blessed man.
It is so easy to see the ugliness all around us. But it takes a minute to stand still and look through the filth and see what's underneath all of the grime. When I look at what's going on in the world - it hurts. I listened to a song yesterday - The Question Is - by the Winans. It was written back in the mid 80's and they asked about the problem in Afghanistan and here we are over 20 years later still wondering what's going on over there. The beauty is that women are more free now to be anything they desire.
I thought about what's coming for our youth at church. I thought about the changes to our church staff and how to proceed in praying for them. I almost had a pity party thinking about some things. Then I realized that God will sustain those who lift Him up. He is working all things out for my good and I have to trust Him enough to do it without trying to help Him.
He doesn't require my help - I depend on His. It is only through daily prayer that I am able to keep my head above water as I watch Him walk toward me. Everyday, the vision of Him walking gets more and more clear. I am reaching up and He's standing there reaching down to me. I keep coming up with excuses for why I can't take His hand yet and He patiently stands there waiting.
I am so glad that He has not walked away from me. I couldn't sleep at all last night because I went to bed with too much on my mind when I should have cast all of the days cares on Him. I need to go and see the therapist and talk about what I am dealing with.
I'm not crazy, I'm just a little unwell - love that song.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
How Will I Fill In The Dash?
I can hear it now, what the heck is he talking about - the dash? Yes, that hyphen that will be on the program at my funeral that shows the day you were born and the day you went to be with the Lord. No, I am not getting morbid here. I read the blog of a good friend this morning and it made me think along the same lines. What am I going to do with the next 4.5 years before the unrequested AARP card shows up in the mail?
Just like it was yesterday, I remember when my aunt's card came in the mail and thinking she must really be old. Like my good friend - I don't want to repeat the 30's - they were a reality check that kick you square in the mouth. I had a very long discussion with God the other day about all of this.
It's funny, the program gives us a birth and death date with a dash in between the two. It doesn't say anything about who you were as a person. What impact you made on this world. If you made a difference in anyone's life. It doesn't list your accomplishments and then when you open the program - it give a very vague description of your life's journey.
The Message Bible says in Habakkuk 2:2-3 And then God answered: "Write this.write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time.
I have been blessed with so many gifts and talents, yet I am sitting on them. Why? Is it laziness, apathy, procrastination, no zeal, no burning desire? What is it? I have no excuses when God promised in His Word that our gifts would make room for us. He said that He would show us a more excellent way. He said that our barns would be filled to overflowing and our vats would be running over. If He said it, that settles it. It took me a minute to get to this point, but I have finally arrived. I have been on the bus far too long and I have reached my destination. Driver pull over - I need to get off and get busy with the vision. I feel like Sonny in Madea Goes To Jail - it's a clear day - land!!!!
I have been in the holding pattern for too many years trying to fight a battle that I can't win on my own. This battle is not mine, it's the Lord's. I am just hear to fight with Him. If the world isn't going to give me what I need, I need to make my own way. It has been said that necessity is the mother of invention. I live in Smalltown, U.S.A., and there are a lot things that we do not have here. It's time to step up and be a part of the solution and not the problem. I am going to make a trip back to SCORE and see what they can do to help me get started.
Yes, I have my good days and my bad days. I tend to forget some things and my health is what it is. BUT, GOD!!!! When the lupus flairs up - I will say but God - has blessed me to wake up. When the bills are passed due - but God has blessed me with a home. When people get on my last nerve - but God has given me the same grace they deserve. In spite of it all - but God!!!!!
I like the way Mary Mary said it:
I had enough heartache and enough headaches I've had so many ups and downs. Don't know how much more i can take. See i decided that i cried my last tear yesterday. Either i'm going to trust you or i may as well walk away 'cause stressing don't make it better, Don't make it better, no way. See i decided that i cried my last tear yesterday. Yesterday, i decided to put my trust in you. Yesterday, i realized that you will being me through. There ain't nothing to hard for my god, no. Any problems that i have He's greater than them all, so
I decided that i cried my last tear yesterday
So, how will I fill in the dash? By being who I am supposed to be. By being who I was created to be. By having a heart of compassion. I need ears that listen to what I hear. A heart that feels what others are going through. A mind that can stay focused on the task at hand. Living each day to the fullest. Loving God, Loving People and Loving Myself. I will fill in the dash so that people will not have to guess what my life was all about. I will genuinely care about each one of scouts and leaders, the youth at my church. Take time to pray from the heart. I need to finish writing a book that I started about god-parenting. I need to use the gifts and talents God has blessed me with to make a living for my family. I need to walk in my calling and preach in season and out of season.
Watch out world - I am going to take you by storm. This is going to be a long dash. Oh death where is your sting, oh grave you will not get the victory!!!! I will be healed. I will have the victory. I will make my life a song that needs to heard.
Thanks friend of mine. You are a blessing from God.
Just like it was yesterday, I remember when my aunt's card came in the mail and thinking she must really be old. Like my good friend - I don't want to repeat the 30's - they were a reality check that kick you square in the mouth. I had a very long discussion with God the other day about all of this.
It's funny, the program gives us a birth and death date with a dash in between the two. It doesn't say anything about who you were as a person. What impact you made on this world. If you made a difference in anyone's life. It doesn't list your accomplishments and then when you open the program - it give a very vague description of your life's journey.
The Message Bible says in Habakkuk 2:2-3 And then God answered: "Write this.write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on its way. It will come right on time.
I have been blessed with so many gifts and talents, yet I am sitting on them. Why? Is it laziness, apathy, procrastination, no zeal, no burning desire? What is it? I have no excuses when God promised in His Word that our gifts would make room for us. He said that He would show us a more excellent way. He said that our barns would be filled to overflowing and our vats would be running over. If He said it, that settles it. It took me a minute to get to this point, but I have finally arrived. I have been on the bus far too long and I have reached my destination. Driver pull over - I need to get off and get busy with the vision. I feel like Sonny in Madea Goes To Jail - it's a clear day - land!!!!
I have been in the holding pattern for too many years trying to fight a battle that I can't win on my own. This battle is not mine, it's the Lord's. I am just hear to fight with Him. If the world isn't going to give me what I need, I need to make my own way. It has been said that necessity is the mother of invention. I live in Smalltown, U.S.A., and there are a lot things that we do not have here. It's time to step up and be a part of the solution and not the problem. I am going to make a trip back to SCORE and see what they can do to help me get started.
Yes, I have my good days and my bad days. I tend to forget some things and my health is what it is. BUT, GOD!!!! When the lupus flairs up - I will say but God - has blessed me to wake up. When the bills are passed due - but God has blessed me with a home. When people get on my last nerve - but God has given me the same grace they deserve. In spite of it all - but God!!!!!
I like the way Mary Mary said it:
I had enough heartache and enough headaches I've had so many ups and downs. Don't know how much more i can take. See i decided that i cried my last tear yesterday. Either i'm going to trust you or i may as well walk away 'cause stressing don't make it better, Don't make it better, no way. See i decided that i cried my last tear yesterday. Yesterday, i decided to put my trust in you. Yesterday, i realized that you will being me through. There ain't nothing to hard for my god, no. Any problems that i have He's greater than them all, so
I decided that i cried my last tear yesterday
So, how will I fill in the dash? By being who I am supposed to be. By being who I was created to be. By having a heart of compassion. I need ears that listen to what I hear. A heart that feels what others are going through. A mind that can stay focused on the task at hand. Living each day to the fullest. Loving God, Loving People and Loving Myself. I will fill in the dash so that people will not have to guess what my life was all about. I will genuinely care about each one of scouts and leaders, the youth at my church. Take time to pray from the heart. I need to finish writing a book that I started about god-parenting. I need to use the gifts and talents God has blessed me with to make a living for my family. I need to walk in my calling and preach in season and out of season.
Watch out world - I am going to take you by storm. This is going to be a long dash. Oh death where is your sting, oh grave you will not get the victory!!!! I will be healed. I will have the victory. I will make my life a song that needs to heard.
Thanks friend of mine. You are a blessing from God.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Is It Really The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year?
This is supposed to be the most joyful time of year. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus as the Christ. Some people are celebrating Hanukkah, others are celebrating Kwanzaa, and some people just want to celebrate the commercial side of this time of year.
For some people, this is the most wonderful time of the year just because they have life, health and strength. Every day is a day of celebration because they are blessed to wake up and see a brand new day. There are people who will be observing the holidays for the first time after losing a loved one, breaking off a relationship, unemployed, facing illness and a myriad of other life events.
So what is one to do? It is very simple, just be a blessing to someone all year long. Believe it or not, not all people are looking for a hand-out. Someone needs a card that encourages. Someone needs an invite for dinner. Someone needs a smile as you pass them on the street. Someone is looking for ANYONE to just say hello, how are you are doing?
It really isn't hard. Why do the good feelings of the season go away right after the start of the new year? Why can't we smile at each other all year long, send that card all year long, invite someone over all year long? Is it because we are a selfish people? Is it because we ourselves need someone to bless us? Do we have something to hide - hurt, guilt, shame? No, I don't think that's the answer. I would like to offer up this thought: it's too much trouble to sit down and write out an envelope, put a stamp on it and go to the mail box. It's too much trouble to invite that person over because we are afraid they will put a damper on the atmosphere. Is it too hard to pick up a phone and call someone.
To be transparent - I can't stand texting, emailing or attaching a picture when it's someone's birthday, holiday, special event or whatever deserves my time. There is nothing like getting that piece of mail when I walk to the mailbox and realize there is something more than bills inside. My wife thinks I am crazy when I get a card in the mail. I light up like Time Square when something comes in the mail that isn't a bill. Maybe that's why I mail out so many Christmas cards, birthday cards, anniversary cards, etc..
How about this, if you bless someone - you will be blessed in return. It might not be in the same manner, but you will be blessed. I like Jane Seymour's tag line: "if you open you heart, love will find it's way in." That is so true. It's not just about the gift you can go out and purchase - yes that helps, but it's about us giving our time and attention to someone.
People deserve to have a bright spot in their day. I get cards when they go on sale and use them all year long. The bookstores (Christian and secular) are loaded with cards on sale. To answer my own question - is this the most wonderful time of the year? Yes, primarily because of the birth of Jesus, not because of Santa Claus. However, every day should be a day of Thanksgiving. Every time I open my eyes in the morning, I realize that I have new mercies, new grace, new favor, another chance to get it right, one more day closer to feeling great health.
For some people, this is the most wonderful time of the year just because they have life, health and strength. Every day is a day of celebration because they are blessed to wake up and see a brand new day. There are people who will be observing the holidays for the first time after losing a loved one, breaking off a relationship, unemployed, facing illness and a myriad of other life events.
So what is one to do? It is very simple, just be a blessing to someone all year long. Believe it or not, not all people are looking for a hand-out. Someone needs a card that encourages. Someone needs an invite for dinner. Someone needs a smile as you pass them on the street. Someone is looking for ANYONE to just say hello, how are you are doing?
It really isn't hard. Why do the good feelings of the season go away right after the start of the new year? Why can't we smile at each other all year long, send that card all year long, invite someone over all year long? Is it because we are a selfish people? Is it because we ourselves need someone to bless us? Do we have something to hide - hurt, guilt, shame? No, I don't think that's the answer. I would like to offer up this thought: it's too much trouble to sit down and write out an envelope, put a stamp on it and go to the mail box. It's too much trouble to invite that person over because we are afraid they will put a damper on the atmosphere. Is it too hard to pick up a phone and call someone.
To be transparent - I can't stand texting, emailing or attaching a picture when it's someone's birthday, holiday, special event or whatever deserves my time. There is nothing like getting that piece of mail when I walk to the mailbox and realize there is something more than bills inside. My wife thinks I am crazy when I get a card in the mail. I light up like Time Square when something comes in the mail that isn't a bill. Maybe that's why I mail out so many Christmas cards, birthday cards, anniversary cards, etc..
How about this, if you bless someone - you will be blessed in return. It might not be in the same manner, but you will be blessed. I like Jane Seymour's tag line: "if you open you heart, love will find it's way in." That is so true. It's not just about the gift you can go out and purchase - yes that helps, but it's about us giving our time and attention to someone.
People deserve to have a bright spot in their day. I get cards when they go on sale and use them all year long. The bookstores (Christian and secular) are loaded with cards on sale. To answer my own question - is this the most wonderful time of the year? Yes, primarily because of the birth of Jesus, not because of Santa Claus. However, every day should be a day of Thanksgiving. Every time I open my eyes in the morning, I realize that I have new mercies, new grace, new favor, another chance to get it right, one more day closer to feeling great health.
Good Bye Dog
Well, I have the unpleasant task of the breaking the hearts of my kids today. The dog has to go. I am very allergic to the dog. He is only 6 months old and he needs to go. When we told the kids it was me or the dog - two of them had the nerve to point at me - just joking of course (at least I hope they were)
He is an adorable little Boston Terrier/Min. Pincher mix. The one thing I will not miss is the 5:50AM wake up to take him outside for his morning relief. Who knew it could get so cold at that time of the morning. So, he has had his last morning feeding, water, and walk. We leave at 7:45 AM for the drive over to the shelter. They have a pet adoption campaign going on this week, and I am sure he will be snapped up.
I really do hate to give him up, but the itching hands and arms - and the rash right after - are more than I can take. He will be missed, but my health is more important. We told the kids they can try fish next. You know who is going to get stuck cleaning the tank - Dear Old Dad!!!! Let me think twice about the fish tank.
He is an adorable little Boston Terrier/Min. Pincher mix. The one thing I will not miss is the 5:50AM wake up to take him outside for his morning relief. Who knew it could get so cold at that time of the morning. So, he has had his last morning feeding, water, and walk. We leave at 7:45 AM for the drive over to the shelter. They have a pet adoption campaign going on this week, and I am sure he will be snapped up.
I really do hate to give him up, but the itching hands and arms - and the rash right after - are more than I can take. He will be missed, but my health is more important. We told the kids they can try fish next. You know who is going to get stuck cleaning the tank - Dear Old Dad!!!! Let me think twice about the fish tank.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Loving God, Loving People
Today has been a good day for me so far. I woke up very focused for the first time in a long while. I usually have to get up and think about what has to happen during the day and it takes me a while to get it together.
Total opposite of last night. I was on my way to cub scouts and completely forgot where I was going. I drove right past the street I needed to turn on and my son kept asking me where we were going. For the life of me, I couldn't remember. After driving past the street three times, he finally spoke up and said - we are going to be late cub scouts - turn here!!!!!! I couldn't believe I was sitting at the light unaware that it changed and that I couldn't remember what to do. I had the mindset to pull into the gas station and sit for a moment.
These little episodes of forgetfulness are starting to get on my nerves. Thank God one of the scout parents saw me and asked if I was headed to the meeting. He actually told me to follow him. It was like my brain was on pause or something.
I just thank God that I got it together and the cold night air helped me out. Anyway, I made it back home. For some reason I never forget how to get back home. I guess it's true - home is where the heart is. I was supposed to go camping with the scouts, but I have a test in the morning with a doctor that prevents me from going.
Like I said, today has been good to me so far. My joints don't ache too much, my headache is gone after 23 days, my vision is still blurry - but I can see. The diabetes numbers are a bit high - but I am managing. I just glad that the stabbing pains and the pins and needles aren't affecting me today.
I just thank God that His Word is true. When all else fails and seems to be falling apart around me - HE remains the same. I hear about so many people who have been sick, in the hospital, have major issues - and the list goes on. All I know is this: where there is life, there is hope.
All I can do right now is think about the future and continue to believe that my needs will be met. I know that I have not talked about food in a while. Well last night I made fettucini alfredo with broccoli and shrimp. It was really good. I followed that recipe for the sauce to the letter. I think I saw it on food network - Michael Chiarello or Mario Batali - not sure. Either way - it was great. The kids loved it.
Being Friday, it is appetizers and a movie with the kids. Wings, pot. skins, onion rings - homemade of course, fish nuggets and a veggie platter. Sounds like a plan.
By the way - anyone looking for a dog? He is part Boston Terrier and Min Pinscher. I am very allergic to him. If I don't get any takers by Monday - off to the pound he goes. The kids will get a fish tank instead.
Total opposite of last night. I was on my way to cub scouts and completely forgot where I was going. I drove right past the street I needed to turn on and my son kept asking me where we were going. For the life of me, I couldn't remember. After driving past the street three times, he finally spoke up and said - we are going to be late cub scouts - turn here!!!!!! I couldn't believe I was sitting at the light unaware that it changed and that I couldn't remember what to do. I had the mindset to pull into the gas station and sit for a moment.
These little episodes of forgetfulness are starting to get on my nerves. Thank God one of the scout parents saw me and asked if I was headed to the meeting. He actually told me to follow him. It was like my brain was on pause or something.
I just thank God that I got it together and the cold night air helped me out. Anyway, I made it back home. For some reason I never forget how to get back home. I guess it's true - home is where the heart is. I was supposed to go camping with the scouts, but I have a test in the morning with a doctor that prevents me from going.
Like I said, today has been good to me so far. My joints don't ache too much, my headache is gone after 23 days, my vision is still blurry - but I can see. The diabetes numbers are a bit high - but I am managing. I just glad that the stabbing pains and the pins and needles aren't affecting me today.
I just thank God that His Word is true. When all else fails and seems to be falling apart around me - HE remains the same. I hear about so many people who have been sick, in the hospital, have major issues - and the list goes on. All I know is this: where there is life, there is hope.
All I can do right now is think about the future and continue to believe that my needs will be met. I know that I have not talked about food in a while. Well last night I made fettucini alfredo with broccoli and shrimp. It was really good. I followed that recipe for the sauce to the letter. I think I saw it on food network - Michael Chiarello or Mario Batali - not sure. Either way - it was great. The kids loved it.
Being Friday, it is appetizers and a movie with the kids. Wings, pot. skins, onion rings - homemade of course, fish nuggets and a veggie platter. Sounds like a plan.
By the way - anyone looking for a dog? He is part Boston Terrier and Min Pinscher. I am very allergic to him. If I don't get any takers by Monday - off to the pound he goes. The kids will get a fish tank instead.
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