It’s been a while since I have blogged. In the meantime I have appeased the guilt and nagging about not blogging by convincing myself, if not others, that the delay was an overt attempt to leave the tribute to Tina up a little longer. Tina didn’t buy it, so I guess I’ll give in and blog.
I thought I’d share some seasonal thoughts and memories. There is good news and bad news to this. The bad news is I think a lot, so there is likely to be a scattering of random thoughts throughout the blog. The good news is I can’t remember what my thoughts were five minutes ago, so that should at least limit the volume, if not the randomness.
I took Tate shopping last night for a few last minute items. Every year he has trouble getting his shopping done, as he has neither money nor transportation. At least that’s true for shopping for mom. He can’t really surprise her much if she drives him and accompanies him throughout the store. So each year I take him shopping, sometimes the other kids go with us. Oh, and I’m usually behind on my shopping as well, so it’s not just for Tate. Hey give me a break, it’s not like I have money or wheels either. Well, money anyway. Even though I usually don’t look forward to this, I always enjoy it more than I thought, and this year was no exception. I enjoy seeing everyone busy about their shopping, and spending time with Tate. Tina accompanied us this year, but we dropped her at another store and met up later, so I think the surprise is intact, though my surprises are not always good ones, for instance her birthday, but that’s another story and memory that I’d rather not bring up. Anyway, the only part I didn’t like was the madness of driving, especially in the parking lot. As we were leaving some guy nearly ran over people trying to cut in front of us for a parking space. Made me chuckle a little since we were leaving, and since he didn’t kill anyone. Chill dude.
One of my favorite Christmas memories is the years when I played Jesus as an adult in our church’s Christmas play. Two things about this: 1) This always was very humbling for me (which I need) and made me closer to God, and 2) If you are looking for a good diet plan, I recommend committing to being on a stage in front of a thousand or more of your friends, relatives, coworkers, and strangers wearing what our music minister referred to as a diaper. If you would like pictures of this for blackmail or a good chuckle, I’m sure they are bringing a premium price somewhere on the internet.
This year around our house Christmas has included a few activities. Tad was in the church’s Christmas program. None of us were able to see it live, as we had commitments elsewhere, but I’m sure it was great. He also sang in the choir during our church’s two candlelight services. I attended one of these and it’s always a wonderful event. Teisha is home, and that adds a stronger sense of family to the season. We sure miss her when she’s away. This year her fiancé will be visiting us after Christmas and we are looking forward to that. Also, Tina’s parents will be joining us for a few days around New Year’s Day. Tina was busy toward the last few days of school baking and doing Christmas parties at Tate’s school. I think he really enjoyed having her be a part of that, and Teisha made it home in time to help as well. Teal managed to get caught up on all of her schoolwork before school let out, after missing a week due to illness. It was very hard on her, but she was a trooper and persevered and I think she worked hard enough that her grades didn’t suffer. She also received a driving permit recently, so I’m sure we’ll be taking a few trips while I am off of work to get her some experience.
We played a game of video clue the other night. That is a fun game, but it takes a while. Our kids are getting much better at fooling me. By the end of the game, I think they all had it figured out, and I was more confused than anyone. Also, they were laughing and making jokes through the entire game while I was trying to speed it along. Obviously they were planning on sleeping in the next day while I was getting up to go to work.
Speaking of work, today is Christmas Eve and I will be working. I received an email from our corporate office with a schedule of due dates in January. I replied to the lady who sent it with some housekeeping item. She replied and congratulated me on being the only person on her distribution list working today. Somehow that doesn’t make me feel like a winner. I went back and counted and there were 76 people on her distribution list, in multiple locations across the U.S. Yea me. Anyway, we close at 2 today, and I may slip out early in order to…um…not get locked in. Yeah that’s it, I wouldn’t want to get locked in on Christmas Eve now would I.
Well, I warned you it was going to be random and rambling, and I didn’t let you down. Oh, one last thing. I was reading a blog from “The Truth Project” and they had an interesting comment on the Christmas story. If you get a chance, read Galatians 4:4 and relate it to the Christmas story. I’ll summarize:
4) But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5)in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. 6)And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7)So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.
I like the entire passage, but particularly focus on the first comment this time of year. The birth of Christ was no accident. It was planned and it happened just as planned, when the right time had come. That’s a quick summary, but if you have time, slow down and spend some time thinking and praying about what all that means. It’s incredible, as God’s Word always is.
Merry Christmas to everyone!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
She Is....And So Much More
Happy
adoring, affectionate, alluring, amusing, attractive, bright, caring
charitable, charming, cheerful, clever, comical, considerate,
content, cool, delightful, dependable, devoted, devout, divine
ecstatic, elegant, enchanting, enjoyable, entertaining, exquisite
exultant, faithful, fascinating, fine-looking, fun, funny, generous
glamorous, good-looking, gorgeous, graceful, hilarious, humorous
intelligent, jovial, joyful, lovely, loving, loyal, magnificent, neat
on cloud nine, pleasing, pleasurable, quick, reliable, saintly
sensational, sexy, smart, spiritual, steadfast, steady, stunning
stylish, superb, supportive, thoughtful, thrilling, trendy, trustworthy
trusty, witty, wonderful, beautiful
Birthday
Tina
adoring, affectionate, alluring, amusing, attractive, bright, caring
charitable, charming, cheerful, clever, comical, considerate,
content, cool, delightful, dependable, devoted, devout, divine
ecstatic, elegant, enchanting, enjoyable, entertaining, exquisite
exultant, faithful, fascinating, fine-looking, fun, funny, generous
glamorous, good-looking, gorgeous, graceful, hilarious, humorous
intelligent, jovial, joyful, lovely, loving, loyal, magnificent, neat
on cloud nine, pleasing, pleasurable, quick, reliable, saintly
sensational, sexy, smart, spiritual, steadfast, steady, stunning
stylish, superb, supportive, thoughtful, thrilling, trendy, trustworthy
trusty, witty, wonderful, beautiful
Birthday
Tina
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Weekend Warrior
Weekends at our house in the fall usually involve some kind of football. This past weekend we were treated to NCAA college football, NFL football and PS2 football. Tate and I are the big football fans, the others only have a peripheral interest. The main teams we pull for at the NCAA level are The University of Texas Longhorns, Purdue, Clemson, and for some reason Tate loves to pull for the Oregon Ducks. In the NFL it’s the Cowboys and the Colts, and to a lesser degree the Panthers. I’ve been a Cowboy fan literally longer than I can remember. We became Colts fan during our 3-year stay in Indiana, and since Tate was born there, he’s really adopted them as his team. No illegal rooting going on here (with the exception of the Ducks). I’m not sure Tina knew what she was getting into when she married a Cowboy/football fan, but she’s a good sport and keeps interested and roots for them as well. She does have to bug out during the close games and turn on Desperate Housewife’s or something. She can’t stand the tension.
Oh, and in case you haven’t heard, do you know what Purdue fans do after their team wins the National Championship?
They turn off the PS2 and go outside.
Anyway, mixed in with the Longhorn and Clemson win, and the Purdue loss this weekend, was some quality dining room painting time. Well, I use the word quality loosely. Hopefully I’ll post some pictures so you can check it out. I hate painting, and this was no exception. However, I put on a good attitude, carefully taped off the crown molding, chair rail, columns, windows and doors and began to paint. The trim part I especially hated. However, after 2 coats, and several football games, it was finished. The next morning we removed the tape. AAAGGGHH! It was awful. Some of the paint had seeped behind the tape and ran onto the molding. Some of the paint on the wall peeled off with the tape. So now there’s tons of touchup and cleanup to be done, and I am all out of good painting attitude. I suppose either Tina or I will muster up some “want to” and get it done in the next weeks, but no promises.
The only thing to really perk me up was the Cowboys beating the Redskins Sunday night. The Colts and the Panthers also came away with wins, but the Cowboy win was just what the doctor ordered. I especially like the finish where they were up 4 and got the ball back with 6:23 left. They gave the ball to Marion Barber 9 times straight and said to the Redskins, “this is what we got, what are you going to do about it”? No answer from the skins, Cowboys run out the clock and win.
Oh, and in case you haven’t heard, do you know what Purdue fans do after their team wins the National Championship?
They turn off the PS2 and go outside.
Anyway, mixed in with the Longhorn and Clemson win, and the Purdue loss this weekend, was some quality dining room painting time. Well, I use the word quality loosely. Hopefully I’ll post some pictures so you can check it out. I hate painting, and this was no exception. However, I put on a good attitude, carefully taped off the crown molding, chair rail, columns, windows and doors and began to paint. The trim part I especially hated. However, after 2 coats, and several football games, it was finished. The next morning we removed the tape. AAAGGGHH! It was awful. Some of the paint had seeped behind the tape and ran onto the molding. Some of the paint on the wall peeled off with the tape. So now there’s tons of touchup and cleanup to be done, and I am all out of good painting attitude. I suppose either Tina or I will muster up some “want to” and get it done in the next weeks, but no promises.
The only thing to really perk me up was the Cowboys beating the Redskins Sunday night. The Colts and the Panthers also came away with wins, but the Cowboy win was just what the doctor ordered. I especially like the finish where they were up 4 and got the ball back with 6:23 left. They gave the ball to Marion Barber 9 times straight and said to the Redskins, “this is what we got, what are you going to do about it”? No answer from the skins, Cowboys run out the clock and win.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
My Kids Are All Sick
One is sick and tired of homework
One is sick smart in calculus
One is lovesick
And one has pneumonia.
One is sick smart in calculus
One is lovesick
And one has pneumonia.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
A Life Lesson: A Lesson From A Life
I took a trip down memory lane yesterday. The trip was initiated by an email from Tina about one of our friends and their special needs child. This took me back 15 or 20 years to another special needs child that was in our life. Her name was Kathryn, and she must have been somewhere around 5 years old. I can’t say I knew her well, but we worked with her about once a month during children’s chapel. She required a little extra attention. For instance, if you wanted her to sit down, you had to lead her to her seat. She always insisted on holding on to your hand when moving from one place to another. She was not verbal at all. She could make sounds, and interpreting these sounds into what she wanted became easier the more you got to know her. Kathryn always had a smile and a hug for anyone who was willing to be loved.
Kathryn’s life on earth ended somewhere around that time. She may have been as old as seven years old, I don’t remember exactly. Her earthly body was just not created to last that many years. What I do remember is her funeral. Our pastor, Brother Ken, officiated at her services. For those of you who don’t know Brother Ken, let me give you a brief biography. At the time of this funeral, he had been pastor of this church for somewhere around 35 years (It’s been over 50 now). He is an incredible man. He had served as chaplain of the police department and fire department in this metropolitan area. He had also served as chaplain for the Texas Highway patrol. All this as well as being pastor of this church with somewhere around 500 attending at the time. I mention this to point out that Brother Ken had seen a lot of tragedy. He had stood beside families who had lost loved ones way too early in life, sometimes multiple family members. I’ll let you think through what all kinds of things this man may have experienced in these roles for 35 years.
But I watched him at Kathryn’s funeral. I remember the tears streaming down the cheeks of this man who had always shown strength while showing compassion at the same time. Yet now emotion overtook him. Through the tears, while choking back the nearly uncontrollable sobs, he spoke of how he had learned so much from Kathryn. Kathryn had taught him about love. Specifically, he had learned from her what unconditional love meant, the same love that our God has for us. I am still learning this lesson, as I remember this young girl. I’m not sure what Kathryn’s new heavenly body is like. I’m sure it’s perfect, and I wonder what it might be like. I have seen perfect love, through Jesus, and an example of that through a young girl who touched so many lives simply by having, showing, and giving unconditional love.
Kathryn’s life on earth ended somewhere around that time. She may have been as old as seven years old, I don’t remember exactly. Her earthly body was just not created to last that many years. What I do remember is her funeral. Our pastor, Brother Ken, officiated at her services. For those of you who don’t know Brother Ken, let me give you a brief biography. At the time of this funeral, he had been pastor of this church for somewhere around 35 years (It’s been over 50 now). He is an incredible man. He had served as chaplain of the police department and fire department in this metropolitan area. He had also served as chaplain for the Texas Highway patrol. All this as well as being pastor of this church with somewhere around 500 attending at the time. I mention this to point out that Brother Ken had seen a lot of tragedy. He had stood beside families who had lost loved ones way too early in life, sometimes multiple family members. I’ll let you think through what all kinds of things this man may have experienced in these roles for 35 years.
But I watched him at Kathryn’s funeral. I remember the tears streaming down the cheeks of this man who had always shown strength while showing compassion at the same time. Yet now emotion overtook him. Through the tears, while choking back the nearly uncontrollable sobs, he spoke of how he had learned so much from Kathryn. Kathryn had taught him about love. Specifically, he had learned from her what unconditional love meant, the same love that our God has for us. I am still learning this lesson, as I remember this young girl. I’m not sure what Kathryn’s new heavenly body is like. I’m sure it’s perfect, and I wonder what it might be like. I have seen perfect love, through Jesus, and an example of that through a young girl who touched so many lives simply by having, showing, and giving unconditional love.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Halloween at Our House
Pumpkin Carving
Tate's Costume
Atlanta Braves hat - $14.00
Old Navy Jacket - $35.99
Gap Jeans - $29.99
Getting free candy from a complete stranger - Priceless
Too much sugar!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
This Week, Well some of it anyway
Tate celebrated his birthday with friends
and a movie
We hosted a chili cookoff
good times
Teal is inducted into Beta Club
and a movie
We hosted a chili cookoff
good times
Teal is inducted into Beta Club
Friday, October 10, 2008
Nothing Like A Good Night's Sleep
So last night I nestled down in bed around 10:30 and watched the ending of the Clemson – Wake Forest game. Good game, WF wins. Anyway, I was ready for a good night’s sleep. Then:
10:45 p.m. Turned off the TV and the light.
11:00 p.m. - Dog is still whining. He went out right before bedtime. He must not like the temporary location of his kennel where he sleeps at night. “Gizmo hush”. Finally, 10 minutes later, he seems to have quieted down.
12:00 a.m. - I hear Tina roll over and say, “What’s that” in a very sleepy voice. I wake up and see that my nifty little I-Pod radio alarm is trying to go off. The light comes on, but it’s not on a radio station so there is just low level static. It has two different alarms that can be set, and one of them has accidentally been set to midnight, I think sometime during a power loss. I wish I could figure out how to work this thing. I’ve only had it about 10 months. Tina suggests we give it to Teal.
12:10 a.m. - Finally get the alarm off. I’m not sure which combination of button pushing worked, so I’ll probably get to do this again tomorrow. If you’re up, give me a call.
1:00 a.m. – I hear a deep voice. “Mom”. I wake up to see Tad standing in our doorway. “What’s up Tad”.
“I threw up”
Uh-oh. Visions of cleaning up vomit, and memories of nights doing that when the kids were small and would catch a virus, flashed through my mind.
Tina – “Do I need to clean something up?”
Tad – “No, I made it to the bathroom”.
Whew, that was a close one. That would have been a huge disaster.
“Get some water and go back to bed. Make sure you stay hydrated.”
1:15 a.m - “Gizmo hush”
1:20 a.m. - Finally silence.
1:21 a.m. - Bathroom trip. I’m awake; I might as well pee so I can sleep later tomorrow morning.
1:30: a.m. - “Gizmo hush”
1:35 a.m. - Finally doze off to sleep.
3:00 a.m. - “Mom”
3:01 -3:25 a.m. – Disaster clean up.
3:30 a.m. - Take Gizmo outside and make another bathroom trip. I’m sleeping very late tomorrow.
3:35 a.m.- Move Gizmo’s kennel to another spot.
3:38 a.m. – “Gizmo hush”
4:00 a.m. – I hear Tina rollover and get out of bed. “What’s wrong?”. “Can’t sleep”, she says. I haven’t been asleep either, but I stay in bed and doze off.
6:00 a.m. – The second alarm on my “nifty” Ipod alarm goes off. Crap, I should have remembered to turn that off during the night. This one I can turn off easily, back to sleep.
6:02 a.m. – Tina’s alarm goes off and she gets up. She apparently made it back to bed some time.
6:10 a.m. Tina’s alarm is going off again. She must have shut it off with the snooze.
6:13 a.m. – Finally manage to fumble around with the buttons and get her alarm off. Good, now I can sleep until 8:00, rush around to get ready and still make it to work by nine-oclock.
7:15 a.m. - “Tim, can you take Teal to school”?
“What time do we need to leave”?
7:20 a.m. - Tina and Teal have ended their conversation about what time to leave, so I get out of bed.
7:20 – 7:35 – Not sure exactly what I did during this time.
7:35 a.m. – Leave the house and drive Teal to school, then continue on to work.
Yes, this was nothing like a good night’s sleep.
10:45 p.m. Turned off the TV and the light.
11:00 p.m. - Dog is still whining. He went out right before bedtime. He must not like the temporary location of his kennel where he sleeps at night. “Gizmo hush”. Finally, 10 minutes later, he seems to have quieted down.
12:00 a.m. - I hear Tina roll over and say, “What’s that” in a very sleepy voice. I wake up and see that my nifty little I-Pod radio alarm is trying to go off. The light comes on, but it’s not on a radio station so there is just low level static. It has two different alarms that can be set, and one of them has accidentally been set to midnight, I think sometime during a power loss. I wish I could figure out how to work this thing. I’ve only had it about 10 months. Tina suggests we give it to Teal.
12:10 a.m. - Finally get the alarm off. I’m not sure which combination of button pushing worked, so I’ll probably get to do this again tomorrow. If you’re up, give me a call.
1:00 a.m. – I hear a deep voice. “Mom”. I wake up to see Tad standing in our doorway. “What’s up Tad”.
“I threw up”
Uh-oh. Visions of cleaning up vomit, and memories of nights doing that when the kids were small and would catch a virus, flashed through my mind.
Tina – “Do I need to clean something up?”
Tad – “No, I made it to the bathroom”.
Whew, that was a close one. That would have been a huge disaster.
“Get some water and go back to bed. Make sure you stay hydrated.”
1:15 a.m - “Gizmo hush”
1:20 a.m. - Finally silence.
1:21 a.m. - Bathroom trip. I’m awake; I might as well pee so I can sleep later tomorrow morning.
1:30: a.m. - “Gizmo hush”
1:35 a.m. - Finally doze off to sleep.
3:00 a.m. - “Mom”
3:01 -3:25 a.m. – Disaster clean up.
3:30 a.m. - Take Gizmo outside and make another bathroom trip. I’m sleeping very late tomorrow.
3:35 a.m.- Move Gizmo’s kennel to another spot.
3:38 a.m. – “Gizmo hush”
4:00 a.m. – I hear Tina rollover and get out of bed. “What’s wrong?”. “Can’t sleep”, she says. I haven’t been asleep either, but I stay in bed and doze off.
6:00 a.m. – The second alarm on my “nifty” Ipod alarm goes off. Crap, I should have remembered to turn that off during the night. This one I can turn off easily, back to sleep.
6:02 a.m. – Tina’s alarm goes off and she gets up. She apparently made it back to bed some time.
6:10 a.m. Tina’s alarm is going off again. She must have shut it off with the snooze.
6:13 a.m. – Finally manage to fumble around with the buttons and get her alarm off. Good, now I can sleep until 8:00, rush around to get ready and still make it to work by nine-oclock.
7:15 a.m. - “Tim, can you take Teal to school”?
“What time do we need to leave”?
7:20 a.m. - Tina and Teal have ended their conversation about what time to leave, so I get out of bed.
7:20 – 7:35 – Not sure exactly what I did during this time.
7:35 a.m. – Leave the house and drive Teal to school, then continue on to work.
Yes, this was nothing like a good night’s sleep.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
El Presidente
Yeah, it's been awhile. I have been busy, and have so much to blog about. Some of which will have to wait until I read my company's policy on blogging, as it is work related. Suffice it to say that is part of the busyness. Hopefully having so many of these thoughts and ideas will keep me motivated to post more frequently.
With so many topics to choose from for this blog, I asked Tina to give me a topic, then I basically forced her to ( in a nice way), and she came up with the presidential election. That wasn't really one of the topics I had in mind, but if it takes me this long until my next blog, well it would be to late for this topic. I won't get too political for you here hopefully. According to most polls, whatever I say will not sit well with about half of the people in our country, but oh well, the other half will think I'm cool.
My favorite candidate did not make the final two. Actually, I think there were a couple of candidates I would have wanted to vote for over the final two. I think Huckaby and/or Thompson would have been good choices. I've had trouble getting excited about McCain. So that leaves me with Obama. He seems likeable, is a Christian, and is fairly new to the political arena. I am a little disappointed with the state of the Washington climate, so a new guy sounds like a good idea.
However, after doing more research and listening to the first debate, I can tell you the vote is going to be for McCain unless something happens to change my mind. Obama's policies and ideas are either unrealistic or socialistic. His goal in the debate of trying to link McCain to Bush seemed very political and did not address the issues. His ideas on the economy seem to want to punish the top 5% of income earners. Now, I'm nowhere near that group, but the idea seems to be one that would stifle the ingenuity and creativity that have made this country strong. Also, McCain was correct in saying that Obama's ideas on giving everyone access to free healthcare is turning over our health insurance to the federal government. That is the wrong answer.
McCain's answers on cutting spending were just what I wanted to hear. Yeah, I know, they always tell you what you want to hear. But he has been enough of a maverick for me to believe he will at least attempt to curb spending. When the questions switched to foreign policy, McCain basically delivered the knock-out punch. McCain is head and shoulders above Obama when it comes to being knowledgeable and able to make foreign policy decisions.
As for Vice-Presidents I don't really have a strong feeling between the two choices. Biden has more experience in Washington, but Palin brings experience at an executive position, plus she has dealt with governmental reform, which I think may come in handy in the current economic environment. I will say this, Palin has sure taken tremendous abuse from the media, and is still handling it well. The interviews she has done have been so widely distributed, edited, and misconstrued that many people I think are believing some of the false accusations against her strictly because of the volume of stuff they read about on the internet. Just because a lot of people or media say something false, it's still false.
There are many other thoughts, ideas, and reasons for picking the candidates, but this hits the highlights I suppose. At least the highlights of my thoughts right now. Anyway, I usually stay away from politics, and many people who have made it this far would say I should keep it that way, but hey it's my blog.
With so many topics to choose from for this blog, I asked Tina to give me a topic, then I basically forced her to ( in a nice way), and she came up with the presidential election. That wasn't really one of the topics I had in mind, but if it takes me this long until my next blog, well it would be to late for this topic. I won't get too political for you here hopefully. According to most polls, whatever I say will not sit well with about half of the people in our country, but oh well, the other half will think I'm cool.
My favorite candidate did not make the final two. Actually, I think there were a couple of candidates I would have wanted to vote for over the final two. I think Huckaby and/or Thompson would have been good choices. I've had trouble getting excited about McCain. So that leaves me with Obama. He seems likeable, is a Christian, and is fairly new to the political arena. I am a little disappointed with the state of the Washington climate, so a new guy sounds like a good idea.
However, after doing more research and listening to the first debate, I can tell you the vote is going to be for McCain unless something happens to change my mind. Obama's policies and ideas are either unrealistic or socialistic. His goal in the debate of trying to link McCain to Bush seemed very political and did not address the issues. His ideas on the economy seem to want to punish the top 5% of income earners. Now, I'm nowhere near that group, but the idea seems to be one that would stifle the ingenuity and creativity that have made this country strong. Also, McCain was correct in saying that Obama's ideas on giving everyone access to free healthcare is turning over our health insurance to the federal government. That is the wrong answer.
McCain's answers on cutting spending were just what I wanted to hear. Yeah, I know, they always tell you what you want to hear. But he has been enough of a maverick for me to believe he will at least attempt to curb spending. When the questions switched to foreign policy, McCain basically delivered the knock-out punch. McCain is head and shoulders above Obama when it comes to being knowledgeable and able to make foreign policy decisions.
As for Vice-Presidents I don't really have a strong feeling between the two choices. Biden has more experience in Washington, but Palin brings experience at an executive position, plus she has dealt with governmental reform, which I think may come in handy in the current economic environment. I will say this, Palin has sure taken tremendous abuse from the media, and is still handling it well. The interviews she has done have been so widely distributed, edited, and misconstrued that many people I think are believing some of the false accusations against her strictly because of the volume of stuff they read about on the internet. Just because a lot of people or media say something false, it's still false.
There are many other thoughts, ideas, and reasons for picking the candidates, but this hits the highlights I suppose. At least the highlights of my thoughts right now. Anyway, I usually stay away from politics, and many people who have made it this far would say I should keep it that way, but hey it's my blog.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Fruit Trees
We have a plum tree in our yard. Who knew? Last year a late frost knocked all of the blooms off, so we didn't see any plums. This year there are plums galore. My youngest son and I went out and picked the ripe ones that we could reach Saturday. There were many others higher, and many others very nearly ripe. This morning our neighbor across the street called before I left for work and asked if she could pick the plums for jelly, so I told her yes. The ground below the tree was already covered with plums, I mean covered, so I figured before I could get out there again to pick them they would have fallen. They are so sweet and juicy. I'll attach a picture here later.
We also have a peach tree, but it is very young. It has probably 40 or so peaches on it, but they stopped getting bigger a few weeks ago. They are probably 1/3 of what their mature size should be, but I think there are too many for such a young tree. My dad told me in early spring when there were just blooms that I would probably have to pick a lot of them off. I thought he meant because the limbs wouldn't be able to bear the weight, and they probably wouldn't, but maybe he meant so the few we leave could mature. I think when I get a chance I'll pick 25 or so of them off of there, and hope it isn't too late.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
For Living Out Loud
I was reflecting on the lesson in our Adult Bible Fellowship class this past Sunday and had a few thoughts. The lesson was from Acts, where Saul was traveling on the road to Damascus on his way to persecute and kill Christians there, when he was converted. He made it to Damascus, though blind since his conversion, where a man of God, Ananias, followed God’s leadership and restored Saul’s sight.
As I was thinking about this, I was considering this from the point of view of Ananias and other Christians in the area. I think with the persecution going on there, that these Christians were probably very diligent in their prayers for protection. I believe Saul’s conversion may have been God’s answer to these prayers, though I’m not sure the Christians of the time recognized this. In fact, when Ananias was first instructed by God to go to Saul, he hesitated a little to “make sure” God was providing the protection. As I reflected on this, I considered my own personal experiences with God’s protection.
As I mentioned in a prior blog, the one thing I’ve been fairly good about as a father is to pray for my kids, and as they get older and into high school and college, the prayers for a hedge of protection around them have become even more diligent. God has been very faithful to me to provide this protection for my kids; protection from Satan’s attempts to capture their hearts. I’m sure I don’t always recognize the ways he provides this protection, and most of the times when I realize it, it is long after the fact.
I will give you some examples of ways in which God has specifically answered my prayers for protection. He has placed many Christian men and women in their lives who have provided living examples of living for Christ. This includes teachers, principals, coaches, youth ministers, extended family members; I could list literally dozens of these people by name who have positively impacted the lives of my children, but I won’t, not because of the impossibility of the task, I know everyone says that, but because I fear a humble heart would break should I happen to miss one (some of that is a quote I adopted from a poem I memorized in high school, but true in this case). My wife likes to refer to these people as “living out loud” for Christ. No matter how many times parents tell kids the way they should live, as teens they tend to think their parents are nuts. However, when they see other adults living this life, for some reason they give it more credibility. I am thankful these people allow themselves to be used by God in this way.
Another way he has provided protection is by placing Christian friends in their lives. I cannot tell you how many times I have prayed for strong Christian friendships for my kids, and God has faithfully answered that prayer. In fact, I am very fervently praying that prayer right now, not only for my kids but for the youth of our church as a whole. I’ve seen it with my kids over and over again. They grow closer to the Lord the most, when they have a good strong Christian friend base. This allows them to “live out loud” for Christ, and when they are challenged or tempted, they have a foundation of friends they can rely on to stand beside them and support them.
The protection that Tina prays for probably more than I do, I learned it from her, is that if our kids have slipped into some kind of sinful lifestyle, that they will get caught. There have been times when God has answered this prayer faithfully as well, and though not as uplifting as the others, it is possibly more effective. It is much better for the kids to get caught before the sinful lifestyle gets too far out of control and does permanent damage to their life, and their witness for Christ. God is faithful and just to forgive our sins; sometimes we need to get “caught” in order to confess them.
I believe God has provided protection in so many more ways than I have listed here. Like Ananias in the days of Saul, I don’t recognize these answers to prayers right away. I do recognize the results though; kids who are able to live out loud for Christ without fear.
As I was thinking about this, I was considering this from the point of view of Ananias and other Christians in the area. I think with the persecution going on there, that these Christians were probably very diligent in their prayers for protection. I believe Saul’s conversion may have been God’s answer to these prayers, though I’m not sure the Christians of the time recognized this. In fact, when Ananias was first instructed by God to go to Saul, he hesitated a little to “make sure” God was providing the protection. As I reflected on this, I considered my own personal experiences with God’s protection.
As I mentioned in a prior blog, the one thing I’ve been fairly good about as a father is to pray for my kids, and as they get older and into high school and college, the prayers for a hedge of protection around them have become even more diligent. God has been very faithful to me to provide this protection for my kids; protection from Satan’s attempts to capture their hearts. I’m sure I don’t always recognize the ways he provides this protection, and most of the times when I realize it, it is long after the fact.
I will give you some examples of ways in which God has specifically answered my prayers for protection. He has placed many Christian men and women in their lives who have provided living examples of living for Christ. This includes teachers, principals, coaches, youth ministers, extended family members; I could list literally dozens of these people by name who have positively impacted the lives of my children, but I won’t, not because of the impossibility of the task, I know everyone says that, but because I fear a humble heart would break should I happen to miss one (some of that is a quote I adopted from a poem I memorized in high school, but true in this case). My wife likes to refer to these people as “living out loud” for Christ. No matter how many times parents tell kids the way they should live, as teens they tend to think their parents are nuts. However, when they see other adults living this life, for some reason they give it more credibility. I am thankful these people allow themselves to be used by God in this way.
Another way he has provided protection is by placing Christian friends in their lives. I cannot tell you how many times I have prayed for strong Christian friendships for my kids, and God has faithfully answered that prayer. In fact, I am very fervently praying that prayer right now, not only for my kids but for the youth of our church as a whole. I’ve seen it with my kids over and over again. They grow closer to the Lord the most, when they have a good strong Christian friend base. This allows them to “live out loud” for Christ, and when they are challenged or tempted, they have a foundation of friends they can rely on to stand beside them and support them.
The protection that Tina prays for probably more than I do, I learned it from her, is that if our kids have slipped into some kind of sinful lifestyle, that they will get caught. There have been times when God has answered this prayer faithfully as well, and though not as uplifting as the others, it is possibly more effective. It is much better for the kids to get caught before the sinful lifestyle gets too far out of control and does permanent damage to their life, and their witness for Christ. God is faithful and just to forgive our sins; sometimes we need to get “caught” in order to confess them.
I believe God has provided protection in so many more ways than I have listed here. Like Ananias in the days of Saul, I don’t recognize these answers to prayers right away. I do recognize the results though; kids who are able to live out loud for Christ without fear.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Happy Birthday
My oldest son turned 18 yesterday. He was away, doing a staff camp. Staff camp is where a group goes and actually works at church camp, helping staff the camp. Tough not to be with him on his birthday, but he is doing God’s work. It’s fun to watch him. He does great in school, and does his chores when made to. He enjoys some TV shows and video games. But with all that, he’s never more diligent and excited than when he is serving God. He loves his church and his friends there and always works very hard, whether it be at various camps, mission projects, FCA, or various other things. Later on this year, he will be going to India on a mission trip and serving there. As a father, I can only watch him in awe. I failed in many ways, but the one thing I have done correctly is pray for my kids, and Tad is proof that God is faithful to answer prayers.
Happy Birthday Tad.
Happy Birthday Tad.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Flip-Flops and High-Heels
So, at some point over the last 25 years, I’ve been somewhat emasculated and feminized, unconsciously mind you. So unconsciously in fact, that I am just now realizing it. My wife is partly to blame, but she has found a way to make herself appear blameless in this, by using the covert agents she has created in the form of daughters. Now, I’m still not sure in what or how many ways this has affected me, but the one I most recently became aware of is in the area of fashion.
Being a man, I was not even remotely aware or concerned with any form of fashion. Anyone who has known me over the years can attest to that. In fact, my earliest memories of even having a clue what I was wearing, was the summer between my senior year of high school and my freshmen year of college. My mom (who maybe is not blameless in all of this) suggested I might want to purchase some new clothes for college. I had no clue what was wrong with the clothes I currently had, but she talked to a friend who had a son in college, and somehow I ended up with a couple of “college” IZOD shirts. Yeah, I know you remember when they were the thing. I do believe I may have been wearing one of these when I met Tina (my wife).
Through the years since then, and with use of the covert agents (one is 21, the other is 15), I have gradually become a little more fashion aware. Not near enough to please the powers that be, as evidenced by a statement just yesterday by one of my daughters. I walked out wearing a pair of shorts that I was going to sleep in and she said something like, “Dad, what year in the 80s did you get those shorts”? I took note of that, but I still did not care enough to change. I hope I never get to that point, but I am so much closer than I ever thought I would be.
I realized this the other day when I entered agent number 2’s room, where Tina and agent number 1 were sifting through 2’s closet, packing some things for a trip to Texas. They were looking at dresses, and I’m not sure why this topic came up, but the conversation went something like this:
1: “I wish I had big boobs”.
Me: “Try toilet paper”.
1: “Hey, would that work?”
Me: “Why am I having this conversation with my daughter”?
This was followed by laughter by Tina and 1.
So then Tina pulls out two skirts and a top (notice I didn’t say shirt, that was so me 25 years ago).
Tina: “Does this top go with either of these skirts?”
Me: “No, it’s too busy. You need a solid top, not one with patterns.”
You see, the skirt had patterns, and unless the top had the same patt…..wait, AHHHGGGG.
Anyway, since it wasn’t until later that I realized what had gone on in that room, I didn’t scream. Instead, I continued with various fashion topics of conversation. Finally, the realization of my integration into femininity came when Tina pulled out a pair of 2’s sneakers:
1: “Ooooh…I like those, can she still wear them?”
Tina: “No, she’s outgrown them”
Me: “You don’t wear sneakers; you’re a flip-flop and high heel girl.”
This last statement by me was 100% accurate and scares me that I would even know that. What else have they managed to subconsciously sneak into the unused portions of my brain? Can I make a soufflé” or will I eat quiche? Will I someday find myself soaking in some sweet smelling bathwater with candles all around? Will I someday be picking the winner of the Super Bowl based on the team colors?
One final thought. I could have named this particular blog, thongs and high-heels, and probably received many more hits from the search engines, but my fashion consciousness just wouldn’t let me revert to that 80s terminology.
Being a man, I was not even remotely aware or concerned with any form of fashion. Anyone who has known me over the years can attest to that. In fact, my earliest memories of even having a clue what I was wearing, was the summer between my senior year of high school and my freshmen year of college. My mom (who maybe is not blameless in all of this) suggested I might want to purchase some new clothes for college. I had no clue what was wrong with the clothes I currently had, but she talked to a friend who had a son in college, and somehow I ended up with a couple of “college” IZOD shirts. Yeah, I know you remember when they were the thing. I do believe I may have been wearing one of these when I met Tina (my wife).
Through the years since then, and with use of the covert agents (one is 21, the other is 15), I have gradually become a little more fashion aware. Not near enough to please the powers that be, as evidenced by a statement just yesterday by one of my daughters. I walked out wearing a pair of shorts that I was going to sleep in and she said something like, “Dad, what year in the 80s did you get those shorts”? I took note of that, but I still did not care enough to change. I hope I never get to that point, but I am so much closer than I ever thought I would be.
I realized this the other day when I entered agent number 2’s room, where Tina and agent number 1 were sifting through 2’s closet, packing some things for a trip to Texas. They were looking at dresses, and I’m not sure why this topic came up, but the conversation went something like this:
1: “I wish I had big boobs”.
Me: “Try toilet paper”.
1: “Hey, would that work?”
Me: “Why am I having this conversation with my daughter”?
This was followed by laughter by Tina and 1.
So then Tina pulls out two skirts and a top (notice I didn’t say shirt, that was so me 25 years ago).
Tina: “Does this top go with either of these skirts?”
Me: “No, it’s too busy. You need a solid top, not one with patterns.”
You see, the skirt had patterns, and unless the top had the same patt…..wait, AHHHGGGG.
Anyway, since it wasn’t until later that I realized what had gone on in that room, I didn’t scream. Instead, I continued with various fashion topics of conversation. Finally, the realization of my integration into femininity came when Tina pulled out a pair of 2’s sneakers:
1: “Ooooh…I like those, can she still wear them?”
Tina: “No, she’s outgrown them”
Me: “You don’t wear sneakers; you’re a flip-flop and high heel girl.”
This last statement by me was 100% accurate and scares me that I would even know that. What else have they managed to subconsciously sneak into the unused portions of my brain? Can I make a soufflé” or will I eat quiche? Will I someday find myself soaking in some sweet smelling bathwater with candles all around? Will I someday be picking the winner of the Super Bowl based on the team colors?
One final thought. I could have named this particular blog, thongs and high-heels, and probably received many more hits from the search engines, but my fashion consciousness just wouldn’t let me revert to that 80s terminology.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Storms
Last night I was working in the yard while my son was playing. I heard a little thunder in the distance and looked up at the sky (I was holding a long metal pole). The sky above me was clear. I looked in the direction from which our weather usually comes; all clear there as well. But as I glanced all around, I noticed dark storm clouds nearly everywhere else in the sky. Now, aside from holding a long metal pole, I was also interested because we drastically need rain. The thunder increased, the wind picked up, but the sky really didn't change all that much. I remarked to my son that it felt like it was going to rain, and it sounded like it was going to rain, but it didn't look like it was going to rain. Sure enough, the storm passed us by without a drop of rain.
This morning as I was having some time with God and His Word, I was reading in the book of Mark chapter 6. I had heard this story since I was a child, maybe you have too. The disciples were on a boat at night, Jesus was on the shore. A storm came up, and Jesus could see them being battered, for the wind was against them.
This time as I was reading I noticed something in this story that I had not noticed before. This happens quite often by the way, as the Word is living as the Holy Spirit speaks to us through It. Anyway, the Bible says Jesus began walking toward them on the water and wanted to pass by them. Now I'm not sure why Jesus wanted to pass by them, but as our Pastor said Sunday, the Bible is not provided to answer all our questions, but to be the Truth. However, the disciples saw Jesus and cried out in fear, for they thought they were seeing a ghost. Then Jesus spoke: "Have courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
How often when storms blow up in our lives, do we just let Jesus pass by, instead of crying out to Him. If we were to cry out, he would say: "Have courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Jesus is always there for us, even and especially in the middle of the storms. He sees us, and he wants us to cry out to Him.
After my quiet time, I went back inside and learned of friends of ours who are weathering a storm in the media. He's the high school principal in our town, and is catching some flack because a few people couldn't obey some simple rules at graduation and were arrested. This man took an individual interest in my kid's education and put in extra time and effort to get my son the classes he needed for the best education possible. That was a year or so ago, and since then almost every parent I talk to who has a student there has a similar story about how Mr. Christopher spent extra time and effort for the best interest of their individual child. We need more people in education like him. For him and his family, I would just say, (and I know they already know this) look to Jesus in the storm.
This morning as I was having some time with God and His Word, I was reading in the book of Mark chapter 6. I had heard this story since I was a child, maybe you have too. The disciples were on a boat at night, Jesus was on the shore. A storm came up, and Jesus could see them being battered, for the wind was against them.
This time as I was reading I noticed something in this story that I had not noticed before. This happens quite often by the way, as the Word is living as the Holy Spirit speaks to us through It. Anyway, the Bible says Jesus began walking toward them on the water and wanted to pass by them. Now I'm not sure why Jesus wanted to pass by them, but as our Pastor said Sunday, the Bible is not provided to answer all our questions, but to be the Truth. However, the disciples saw Jesus and cried out in fear, for they thought they were seeing a ghost. Then Jesus spoke: "Have courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
How often when storms blow up in our lives, do we just let Jesus pass by, instead of crying out to Him. If we were to cry out, he would say: "Have courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Jesus is always there for us, even and especially in the middle of the storms. He sees us, and he wants us to cry out to Him.
After my quiet time, I went back inside and learned of friends of ours who are weathering a storm in the media. He's the high school principal in our town, and is catching some flack because a few people couldn't obey some simple rules at graduation and were arrested. This man took an individual interest in my kid's education and put in extra time and effort to get my son the classes he needed for the best education possible. That was a year or so ago, and since then almost every parent I talk to who has a student there has a similar story about how Mr. Christopher spent extra time and effort for the best interest of their individual child. We need more people in education like him. For him and his family, I would just say, (and I know they already know this) look to Jesus in the storm.
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