And then I found a dollar.

The Happiest Baby Ever!!!!

2012-01-03T11:39:00.000-05:00

Have you ever seen "Ghostbusters"? My youngest son, Josiah, makes me think of the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man! Only kidding. He's got the signature Wallace boy baby belly. It will soon disappear as he grows older only to attempt to resurrect many years later. Somehow, by that time, it won't be nearly as cute. I run from that belly, literally. Anyway, this is about Josiah, not me. He is one of the happiest children I have ever seen. He brings joy to everyone he meets. He makes you laugh and want to hold him close. I hope he doesn't lose that aspect of his personality. My main prayer is that I won't mess him up too badly. I can't wait to see all that he is going to become and accomplish in the Lord!

I feel happy......

2011-12-15T21:37:00.000-05:00

Well, my last post was titled, "It's Alive!". Two months later, I am writing another post. It was only mostly dead. Which is partly alive. I wanted to take a second to thank God for my second son Daniel. He is an interesting child! He is very passionate about everything. He is the most caring, servant- hearted kid I have ever seen and because of that caring spirit, when he gets hurt, he gets perturbed!!!!! I love that passion though! I wouldn't change it for anything. I love to hear him pray. He prays for everything. The stuff that we, in all our wisdom, think is too trivial, he knows is perfect fodder for praise! He still from time to time prays for a lady that we were behind in traffic, that was driving erratically. I, ahem, made some comments about her and her lack of transportation skills. I also commented about her many silly bumper stickers mocking God and the Bible. He perked up and I said we should pray for her. We did, and for many nights since, he has prayed that she will meet Christians that point her to Jesus. In his words, "she will listen to the Bible and love God." Thank you God for giving me such a loving, caring, passionate son to show how you love me and this messed up world!

It's Alive!!!!

2011-10-06T12:09:00.000-04:00

The other day, I saw a friend I hadn't seen in quite a while. She told me that she was reading my blog. So you can blame her. I decided that I need to write. I'll be honest, I haven't written much because I didn't think anyone was reading. I enjoy writing tremendously, but, I don't exactly have a lot of time to sit and twiddle my thumbs. So, I try not to spend my time doing things that aren't necessary. Facebook and ESPN excluded. Well, I try to make my time on Facebook useful and let's be honest, on the Eighth Day, the Lord created ESPN. And He did grin.
Anyway, I am realizing a valuable lesson in all of this. I had forgotten that everything we are doing is really for "an audience of One." (Ephesians 6:7; Colossians 3:17) So even if I am literally and figuratively a voice crying out in the desert, I will keep on writing about my Lord and this life He's given. That's essentially what He has called us to do. In whatever you are doing in word or in deed, in blog or in Wal-Mart, do it all for the glory of God! What thank-less task are you struggling with? If we all stop complaining about our lack of rewards and start doing what we can, maybe more people will know about the great God we serve.

My Boys, Part 1

2011-01-31T09:48:00.003-05:00

I am supremely thankful for my boys! I never thought I would be the father of three boys, but I love it. I get frustrated, and tired sometimes, but it is worth it! I want to thank God for my oldest son, Luke. He is an amazing boy. He is really athletic, smart and funny. But what really counts is his heart. He has a strong desire to follow God and a conscience that is impressive. He wants to do what is right and genuinely cares about people and their relationship with God. I can't wait for the day when he is immersed into Christ. He will do great things for the kingdom. In my mind, he already has. He's made me a better person and servant. He has taught me about God's love and passion for His people!

Day One. Catchy, Ain't It?

2011-01-22T15:12:00.002-05:00

I am thankful beyond words for my wife, Shari. I don't understand her patience towards me. She deals with my impatience (ironic, isn't it?), my immaturity, my bouts with discouragement, and my selfishness. I could go on, but this is meant to encourage me! I seldom take her encouragement as well as I would from others. I often vent my frustrations towards her. I don't know how she handles it. Somehow, she keeps a positive outlook on life and still loves me. She takes great care of our kids and keeps the household running. Yet somehow she stays beautiful, inside and out.

Ultimately, she's the reason that I am writing this. She hasn't told me to, but she constantly reminds me, by her actions and her words, that I have so much to be thankful for.

May this be the first of many entries. Thank you, Father, for a wonderful woman in my life.

Moving to the Land Where the Deer and the Antelope Play.

2011-01-22T15:00:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I get focused on the negative. Actually, a lot of the time. I have yet to figure out my personality. I should probably donate my brain to science when I die. I am a person with a lot of ideas. Many of them are good. Most of them are full of hope and big dreams. Yet, at the drop of a hat or another bill, I can become very negative about the state of things in my life. I know as well as anyone, that there is always someone worse off than me and that life is full of blessings. Though, time and time again, I find myself completely distraught at my circumstances or someone else's discouragement or lack of encouragement.

So, I have made my decision! I am going to use my greatly neglected blog to spend a few moments each day giving thanks for the great things in my life. So, if anyone reads this; I hope you gain some perspective and a little encouragement. If no one reads this, I'll take comfort in knowing I have praised my Creator "out loud" for the good things He has given.

Baby You were Born to Run!

2010-02-23T09:32:00.007-05:00

I get asked a lot about running. People ask, "how's the running going?"

Others will ask, "Did you really run 26.2 miles?"

"How do you train for that?"

"Was anyone chasing you?"

"How big were they?"

I enjoy talking about running. Lately when it comes up, I say I'm a runner. But the more I think about it, that's not true. I haven't run in about 3 months or so. I'm not a runner. I am someone who used to run. There's a vast difference.

There was a time in my life and maybe you've had one in yours, when someone asked if I was a Christian. I said yes. Maybe you did too. But truthfully, the answer was no. I wasn't a Christian, I was someone who used to be a Christian. I used to run the race but at that time I was definitely not running.

Maybe you're in that same boat. You used to be "running the race" but now you're just a spectator who can talk about "running". What I had to realize and you have to as well is, to be a runner, you have to run. To be a Christian, you have to live like Christ.

If you find yourself a former Christian who can only talk about your past, today is a new day. There is plenty of new road to run, you just have to lace up your shoes and hit the road.

Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

The Wild Lion

2009-10-19T21:28:00.002-04:00

He is not a tame lion. He is not safe, but he is good. C.S. Lewis penned these words in his book, "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe." This story, and the other parts of the Chronicles of Narnia, are loose parables of God and His dealings with man. Sometimes they are mirror images and other times the mirror is a little more cloudy. Nonetheless, Aslan the Lion is a picture of Jesus Christ.

In the book, one character, upon hearing that the often mentioned Aslan is a lion, asks another, "is he safe?" The reply is the quote at the beginning. "He is not a tame lion. He is not safe, but he is good." That is an excellent description of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah! He is not tame, He is not safe, but He is GOOD!

You can't just casually take Him and leave Him, nor turn your back on Him. You must keep Him as the center of your focus. You must give him your direct attention just as you would a lion in the zoo into whose habitat you stumbled. The overwhelming difference in Jesus and a wild lion is His goodness. He is ferocious, yet loving. He is powerful enough to rip us apart but compassionate enough to be ripped apart for us. He is the prime example of power restrained, but do not take his meekness for weakness.

When He returns to claim His own, we will see Him with fire in His eyes. Where once He breathed His last, He will be breathing a two-edged sword when He returns! So until Jesus splits the sky, lets keep our eyes and heart focused on the Lion. Do not become too relaxed with Him, do not take Him for granted. He is good, but He is not tame.

What more does he need to do?

2009-06-03T22:48:00.003-04:00

I hate hearing bad news. I hate bad news about christians. I hate bad news about myself. Far too often I hear about another brother or sister who has failed miserably and more often than that, I look in the mirror and see how terribly I fail time and again. No matter who the culprit is, I have to ask myself, "What more does he need to do to make you (me) love him?"

Why do we believe urban legends, myths and folklore and yet live like the blood-bought gospel is a fairy tale? My soul cries out because of our unbelief. We know all the answers and say all the right things except NO! We give in to sin and temptation so easily when we have every reason and opportunity to resist. God, you are greater than temptation and your love covers over a multitude of sins. May the sacrifice of the cross become enough to sway my heart to love. Come Lord Jesus.

Jesus: Yay or Yawn?

2009-05-05T11:40:00.003-04:00

Ripping down 6 foot street signs, jumping over fires, climbing trees. All ways to celebrate a national championship. It makes perfect sense. I don't know about you, but when my team wins something I want to rip something down. That was the scene a few weeks ago in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Tarheel faithful, along with yours truly, were celebrating on Franklin St. soon after North Carolina demolished Michigan State for the National Championship. I hadn't planned on being there, but some friends and I were in west Raleigh for a meeting that night and were watching the game. As soon as it ended we said, "Let's go!" That's all it took, 6 guys jumped in a van and took the 20 minute trip to Franklin St. The scene was unbelievable. It was pretty tame compared to the violence that happens at some championship celebrations, but the jubilation was unparalleled. People leaped over fires like Jack jumping over the candle stick. I have to admit, that was one I got in on. People were climbing trees. They were on rooftops, store fronts, and traffic poles. One guy was surfing a six foot Columbia Ave. sign being carried by a stumbling mass of college students.

Everyone was excited, dancing, giving five, cheering and just all out celebrating. Nearly everyone had the same purpose, to let the world know who they loved! As we waded through the sea of people, it hit me like a ton of bricks, "why doesn't the church get this excited about Jesus...ever?" I know it may be a little much to ask that we all stay that excited all the time, but how about every now and then? There are times that call for true quiet reflection and reverence, or even righteous anger, but couldn't every couple of months or so, throw in a little joy and jubilation? I know why the joyous moments are too few and far between for me. Maybe the same reason rings true for you as well. I don't get too excited with the Jesus that we've created. The savior who demands just enough to save us from hell, but not enough to change the world or shake up my daily life. The Jesus that says more in trinkets and t-shirts than from my lips. And I definitely don't get all hot and bothered by the Jesus who is little more than a community organizer and doesn't scream from the cross, "It is Finished!"

Maybe its time that I and maybe even you get reacquainted with the Savior from the Word. Who knows, things might get a little rowdy.

Kablooie!

2009-04-01T08:57:00.004-04:00

It's funny to watch kids try to hide something they are not supposed to have. Even though you've already seen the toy, switchblade or other contraband in their hand, they put it behind their back. They think that they've hidden it from you and magically erased all memory of the object from your psyche. We laugh to ourselves and think, "O, Silly little person." That's not exactly what we think; but you get the picture.

But just how different are we than little kids? There are things in our lives that we try to hide from God and each other and we fail miserably. In theory, most of us know that we can't hide anything from God, but yet we still try.

In I Samuel 15, we find King Saul going to attack the Amalekites as God commanded. Now this might be troubling for you, but God said, "totally destroy everything that belongs to them." God clearly included even the women and children, cattle, sheep, and other animals. You might be asking why. The basic reason, for sake of time, is that these people had known God and rejected Him and were very evil. If they were brought into the Israelite nation, they would have led many astray. God, in His wisdom, knew that they could not withstand an attack from within.

But that's not the point. The point is, Saul destroyed everything. Almost. He destroyed every person and creature except the King, and the best of the livestock. The Bible points out they spared "everything that was good." Saul claimed they spared these things to offer them to the Lord. It seemed like a good reason. God didn't think so. The text says that God was "grieved". His heart was broken that He had appointed Saul as king.

In Saul's mind he had obeyed God, he even said that he had. But Saul came to understand a major point and we would do well to follow. God does not desire 75% obedience. He doesn't want 9/10ths of your life. He doesn't want half of your devotion. He wants it all. Every last drop. When he calls you to purge sin from your life, he means every sin (Hebrews 12:1). He doesn't want you to hold on to that secret sin that no one knows about. He wants it all destroyed. He doesn't want you to spare the best. It all has to be put to death. Why?

Why is God so demanding? He knows that if you leave one small morsel of sin in your life, that it will grow and devastate you. It will soon become your master and run your life. Just like Saul, you won't be able to fellowship with God, you won't be full of God's spirit anymore.

So what do you and I do? We spend time everyday asking for wisdom to see ourselves as we really are. We pray that God will help us to look into the mirror that is God's Word and we'll rejoice over the things that bring him joy and be disgusted by the things that turn his stomach. If we have the goal to utterly destroy sin in our life, we'll be a part of the kingdom...forever.

26.2

2009-03-24T11:25:00.000-04:00

I ran a Marathon! Yes I did it. It seems like forever ago but it was only a year. Just to make it clear, it was 26.2 miles. It was one of the most challenging and fulfilling things I've ever done. And every step closer to the finish line made me understand why Paul compared the Christian life to a race.

I probably took off too fast and didn't replenish enough early on. It's easy for us to take off too fast in the Christian life and not replenish early on. What I mean is, early on we tend to survive on the euphoria of being in the race and don't feed on God's Word. It's easy to burn out quickly.

There were times I wanted to quit. Leading up to my race I ran into all kinds of obstacles (pun intended). I met people who thought I was stupid for running a marathon. You'll meet people who think you're stupid for following Jesus. I met people who doubted I could finish the race. You'll meet people who will question your ability to stay faithful. And you will meet those special people who are thrilled you are getting in the race. They drown out the doubters if you listen.

During my race there were a few times that I wanted to quit! The course was too tough, they weren't enough encouragers, I thought I wasn't strong enough.

Nearly every runner in a marathon hits "the wall". It's usually around 19 miles and it affects every runner differently. Some runners' bodies give up on them, some just get really tired or discouraged. I was really focused on not hitting the wall at 19 miles. When I started to see that wall coming, at just the right time, I made some friends! I caught up to a husband and wife who had tons of experience and a good attitude. The husband had run 25 marathons! His wife had a little more experience with 40! They encouraged me that it could be done and they took my mind off the struggles. When you want to give up in your Christian life, if you're patient, God will send help at just the right time.

Like I said, I avoided the wall at 19 miles! It was great, but then like a ninja the wall jumped out of nowhere and roundhouse kicked me in the spleen at 21 miles! No one was around at the time, no other runners or crowds cheering me on. It was quiet and I was alone and the only voice there was my doubt. I came the closest to quitting at that point.

I know too many people who have quit the race with Jesus with just a few miles to go. A few things kept me in the race and I'm confident the same will keep you in the race with Christ. First, I knew others had gone before me. I knew that people had completed the race. I knew people like me had finished. I knew I had friends and family that were looking for me to finish. I couldn't let them down. I made a decision to start the race and I was going to finish. And finally, I remember thinking, that Jesus went through so much physical pain and didn't quit when he had every right to.

So remember, there is a great cloud of witnesses that has gone before you that is cheering you on. There are others counting on you to finish. A lot of it boils down to making the commitment and sticking to it. And most importantly, there's Jesus. He has won the prize and won the war and gives you and me the privilege to run with him and even receive the winner's crown. I was nowhere near the front of the pack, yet when I got a quarter of a mile from the finish and heard the people cheering, I began to hold my head up higher and felt my legs grow stronger. I began to run like the starting gun had just gone off. And when I crossed that finish line to the cheers of a great cloud of witnesses, I raised my hands in victory. I finished and you can too.

A little thing...Big Difference.

2009-03-17T11:09:00.000-04:00

In 1840, Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis was alarmed by the number of babies and mothers dying in the maternity ward in his Vienna hospital. The fact that was more alarming was that one particular room had a death rate three times higher than another room in the same ward! The room that was so deadly was staffed by medical students whereas the other was staffed by midwives. He struggled over the problem until the cause came to him. The medical students were coming to the delivery rooms straight from dissecting the human bodies in their anatomy classes! They never washed their hands! Once they started washing their hands the death rate in the maternity ward dropped to under one percent!

Dr. Semmelweis was cheered as a hero and promoted among the ranks of his fellow physicians. Oh how I wish that were true! The sad truth is the good doctor was ridiculed by his colleagues. He soon resigned his position because of the shame and even though he repeated his practice in a new hospital with the same great number of saved lives he died in 1865 still ridiculed for his stance on hand washing!

It's amazing how one small act made all the difference in the lives of countless women and children. Doctors took a few moments to wash their hands and lives were saved! It's interesting to me that people are dying all around us; not just outside but inside the church. So many lives could be saved if we would just wash. A few moments in God's Word everyday would help to cleanse our minds and our hands. Ephesians 5:26 reads, "to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,". The Word cleanses us! It definitely cleanses us in the early stages of our relationship with Jesus because Romans 10:17 says, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ." But it doesn't end there! God's word cleanses us daily! Spending just a few moments in God's Word every day can be the difference between life and death. Be washed, be clean and live!

James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

1. Do you see the difference in your life when you don't read God's Word versus when you do?

2. Do you have a set time to read the Bible everyday?

3. Pick a time everyday that will be your time with God and His Word.

4. Tell someone about your commitment.

Loved beyond measure.

2009-03-11T10:05:00.000-04:00

I just heard about a child that was born without a brain. The more unbelievable fact is that the child lived. Even more so, is the fact that the child is two years old! The little boy's brain stem is intact which controls his breathing and the basic activities of life, but he does little else. Sometimes his arm will flail and the family holds out hope that he's learning to wave. The reason they hold out hope is there are some brain cells on the stem, so it's hard to say what he is capable of or not.

Do you want to know something almost as amazing? The child is adopted. His birth parents did not feel that they could handle the stress of raising a child that could not function on the lowest levels and could die at any time. So a family that has a reputation for foster-parenting children like this boy, took him in and eventually adopted him! Amazing, they knew his struggles, knew what lay ahead and still took him in. According to a friend that has met the family, they shower love on him, though often with little response. The boy that was unwanted became wanted and loved beyond measure.

As I listened to this amazing story, I was hit between the eyes by the fact that this child's story is not so different from my own. I seemingly had nothing to offer, was unlovable in the eyes of many and yet still I was loved. Jesus looked at my sin-filled life and in spite of what I had done he looked to who I could be. His child! He adopted me, took me into his family and made me one of his own. He showers love on me though I can never repay Him or truly give back to Him like he's given to me. It's good to know that there is still hope for the unwanted.

Read: Romans 5:8; Galatians 4:4-7

HMMMM?

2008-12-15T10:36:00.001-05:00

If a blog is typed in the wilderness of the WWW and is never read; is it still a blog?

Tangled Up in the Roots.

2008-11-21T23:45:00.000-05:00

Life is all about perspective. I wish I could remember that. To you and me on the ground, a redwood tree is a massive roadblock to get around. To a soaring eagle it's a fine place for a rest stop. I get so caught up in my little problems sometimes that I forget what they really are. They are opportunities to focus on God. All I see, as I belly ache and moan, is this "gigantic" issue in my life. After I'm over it, I realize that it was a chance to grow and make me stronger. I usually get caught up trying to get myself out of some sticky situation, always forgetting that I can't push over a redwood. What I should be recognizing is that maybe it's a time to take a rest and watch what God will do. So instead of whining and crying, getting the vapors, and losing sleep, I will try to step back, rest and see what God can do. Stop kicking the roots and look at the sky.

Alzheimers

2008-11-21T23:44:00.000-05:00

I don't think anything makes me sadder than when someone forgets who they are. Alzheimer patients often forget who they are and who their family is and it's heartbreaking. But at least that is beyond their control. Sometimes we forget who we are on purpose. And that is utterly tragic. With every Christian, there is an intense battle between who we used to be and who we really are. We look in the mirror and see who we used to be, we look at our friends and all they see is who we used to be. Sometimes we look inside our minds and it screams, "you are who you used to be!" But do not misunderstand, you are different! I am different! If you have been washed in baptism by the blood of the Lamb, you are a new person. One of Satan's greatest weapons is to make you forget faith and focus on the physical. He wants you to ignore God and think, "there's no way I'm forgiven." I've seen it in my life and in the lives of others. It usually starts with the influence of others. You spend time around old friends or new friends that don't understand God's will and they challenge you on your faith. Or even still, you think they will challenge you on your faith. That is usually the case. Most people are looking for a genuine Christian. But you anticipate them rejecting you, so you try not to act too "churchy", and you put on your old mask. Then, over time, you forget which is the mask and which is really you. When you finally realize your dilemma, you think it's too late; that you're too far gone, there's no way you can be forgiven.

But I'm here to tell you that you are wrong! How do I know? Because I've been there. I've been in the place of self-imposed spiritual Alzheimer's and then I saw him, Jesus, still standing there, in the same place he always has been. He never leaves, he never changes, the only thing he forgets is your sin! All you have to do is fix your eyes back on Jesus. He will help you remember, He will bring you back to reality. You can look in the mirror again and know who your are!

So Close, Yet so Far.

2008-11-21T23:42:00.000-05:00

Imagine there's a contest. The contest is to find the wonderful village of Chocowinity. You've never been there before (not many have)and you are clueless as to how to pinpoint its location. You're dropped off in the Congo with a Swiss Army knife, some gum and a pack of Swiss Cake rolls (mmmmmm, Swiss cake rolls...oh sorry). After days of stowing away on banana boats and hopping trains you end up in California and finally in Cherokee, North Carolina. You find yourself deliriously debating a cigar store indian, because you were so excited to have Swiss Cake rolls that you ate them all the first day and only had gum for the rest of your journey. Anyway, compared to the Congo and Cali, Cherokee, NC is pretty darn close to Chocowinity, NC. But the contest is to make it to Choco. You're talking 8 hours in a car averaging 65 miles an hour. Do you win? No, close (compared to the Congo), but yet so far. You explain that they are both Native American names and in NC; but it doesn't matter.

Our lives are alot like that. Honestly alot of us spend a lot of time going to church and sometimes talking about God and praying when things are going poorly, but how many of us really make it to Chocowinity? For the person who has realized that God is really the only way to go, our "Chocowinity" is total surrender. I'm not saying that if we're not perfect we are a million miles away from God, but, how often do we even try to put God first and give him everything? If you're like me, there are plenty of things that come before your relationship with your Creator and Savior. I hear people all the time that claim to follow Christ but He and His Church are second choice to any number of activities. Work, school, and definitely sports. But even good stuff like those things and even something as precious as family sometimes gets in front of God and that is wrong! It has been said that "Jesus is either Lord of all or He's Lord of nothing."

It scares me that so many of us are going through life coasting spiritually. Jesus gave us His all and if we give him 5% of our life we think we've done something. I think its time to smash our idols and get our priorities in order.

Who wants to hear, when you meet Jesus, "You were close, but yet so far."

Trains and Dinosaurs. Deep thoughts

2008-11-21T23:38:00.000-05:00

As I sit here in front of the computer, I can hear the sound of a little town being destroyed by a dinosaur. Those kind of things happen when two of a little boy's loves collide. Trains and Dinosaurs. My son really knows how to find time for it all. He can weave a classic tale with Spiderman, Lions, Thomas the Train and Sharp tooth, the green dinosaur. And all is well in his little world. But in my little world, I can seldom seem to balance all of my favorite things. If I am being super dad, maybe I am not working hard enough, or I am working long hours, maybe my spiritual life suffers (imagine that in my line of work). Or yet still,sometimes I forget to show my wife how much she means to me. Why can't I get it all together? I guess that I forget what my son usually remembers. When Dad is near by, everything else falls into place. I don't mean to brag, but I am one of my little boy's favorite people. Somewhere at the top with Mommy and Spiderman. We won't discuss order. And for some reason, when he knows that I am close by, he can just go about his business and not worry at all. He checks in and ask me to watch him sometimes and at just the right time he tells me he loves me or invites me to play with him. I wish I could get my act together like my three year old. I forget to focus on my Father in heaven and stay close by. So when things get a little busy I lose control from time to time. Every now and again (frequently) I need to stop and tell my Father that I love him and spend a little time with him. And always, always, stay close by.

None too familiar.

2008-11-19T21:14:00.000-05:00

Familiarity breeds contempt. If I wanted to make you sick of something, I would talk about it over and over and over and make it a byword. I would tell you all about the benefits of it but never let you experience them. I would create a watered-down version of it and push it on you at every turn. That's a nearly fool-proof plan to breed contempt or better yet, apathy, towards the object of my scorn. How do I know that it's nigh upon fool-proof? The plan has already been carried out with painstaking effort. What was the target? What fiend perpetrated it? The answers are: Jesus and the church.

Over many years we have taken Jesus and talked about Him over and over and over; while too often keeping people from truly experiencing the benefits of Him. We've done this by allowing a watered-down version of Jesus to permeate our lives and the world. Jesus, to many, has become little more than a logo for a knick-knack, shirt of bumper sticker. We have not, for the most part, been ill-intentioned. Most of us have been duped. Satan in all of his wily ways has bought and sold us not by the devil-worshippers or the atheists, but with plain old, grade-A apathy.

We have raised at least two (if not vastly more) generations of weak, skin-deep "Christ Followers". I think that too many "Christ Followers" follow like Peter did on the night of Jesus' arrest, not wanting to be seen with the man.

We have become overwhelmingly a people ignorant of scripture, unwilling to serve, and blind to the need of evangelism. We deem it a chore to study the Word of God with Christians, and feel that only the tasks that meet our needs are worthy. We do not tell the good news of Jesus Christ because it honestly isn't good news for us.

I propose a radical course of action for myself and all those who may read this (thanks mom!). Instead of reading the newest religious self-help book, let's read the Bible! Let's fall in love with the one who made us and redeemed us. I know I've forgotten how amazing He is. Let's serve others instead of ourselves. Let's tell anyone who will listen that Jesus has changed us. Oh but don't forget to let Him first. Allow your decisions to catch up with your soul. If a handful of us actually do what the Lord commands, this world couldn't stand it. I need your help. Because as simple as the prescription is, I have forgotten to do it.

I guarantee that if we get to know the Jesus in the Bible, He won't be contemptible; even if He becomes familiar.

Homesick

2008-10-02T08:38:00.000-04:00

In less than 24 hours, I have read with own eyes, 3 or 4 very disturbing stories. I have been disgusted by an account of an adult male (I won't call him a man) punching a 16 yr. old girl in the face repeatedly over who was first in line at McDonald's. Not long after I read about a 17 yr. old who was contemplating suicide and was then egged on by people in the crowd below to, "Jump" and "get on with it." After he finally plunged to his death, they rushed up and took pictures with their camera phones. Sadly, this is not all. I also read about another "famous" couple marrying in California, except they forgot to invite a groom. And then a few moments later, I read about a "famous" comedienne who implied Sarah Palin would be "gang raped by her big black brothers" when she visited New York. This racist and disgusting comment was brought on because Palin believes in protecting life.
I guess this is a typical news day, but it is just one more reminder that this world is not my home. Come Lord Jesus.

Do we remember?

2008-09-12T09:25:00.000-04:00

Like some of you, I have been thinking about the events of September 11, 2001 quite a bit for the past few days. I have looked at the pictures and memories have come alive again. Most of our nation has made the statement, "We will never forget". But do we really remember? In our Youtube and Video game age with quick cuts and new releases around every corner; do we really remember what happened only 7 years ago? I wonder how quickly the vivid memory of Dec. 7th faded from the minds of Americans. Did I make any of you have to think twice about that date? It' the date of the sneak attacks on Pearl Harbor. I have a hard time believing that we truly remember the 9/11 events when many of us can rail on about an unjust war in Iraq. I think that the problem is few of us can empathize without in depth video clips. So since our media doesn't show us pictures of the torture that Iraqi's endured for so many years, or the quality of life that many citizens of Iraq now enjoy, we think that it wasn't that bad and that we should have kept our noses out of it all. How self-centered are we? Every single on of us wanted action on September 11th, because it hit us at home! One of our greatest fears is that the closest Starbucks to us is on the closing list! We don't have to worry if our child will be killed on the way to school, if they were allowed to go to school. Let's not forget the foundation for what happened on September 11th and the people that experience those types of events regularly if people like us don't step up. I thank God for the men and women fighting to defend our country and those who can't defend themselves! Thanks Nate.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,421282,00.html

Go for the Bronze!

2008-09-03T21:19:00.000-04:00

Everybody loves Michael Phelps. He's a champion. Everybody usually loves the best in the game. How many people start out in life saying, "I hope I have to scrape by for the rest of my life." "I hope I get all C's on my report card," or "man, I really hope I finish third in that race tomorrow. " Why? Because most of us want the best in every part of our life. Of course, there are always the slackers in life. But for the most part we would all like to be the best at our job, in school or whatever we may be doing. We definitely want the best things or more money. Nobody really strives to be mediocre.
But why do we settle for mediocrity or worse in our spiritual lives? I constantly find myself settling for less than what God has planned for me. I look around and the church is constantly reveling in its mediocrity. Why do we demand so much from ourselves and others in work, school, sports and fun and then settle for so much less in our relationship with the almighty creator of the universe? I think we have forgotten who we are dealing with. In Hebrews 10, the Holy Spirit is trying to pound into our heads the idea that we better take seriously our relationship with Jesus Christ. So often, I think many of us are on the verge of trampling on the Son of God.
The only way to wake ourselves up is to remember who we used to be (Hebrews 10) and get back in God's Word. Renew your love for Him, remember what you used to be without Him, and start really living for Him.

I need a Football helmet.

2008-09-03T10:45:00.000-04:00

Oh, the mind of a toddler! I am amazed and puzzled by watching my youngest son. Everything he experiences is new and fresh and full of possibilities. Simple things can be so difficult and yet things that perplex us can be plain and simple for him. A set of steps is a virtual Mt. Everest waiting to be conquered and yet an awkward moment when someone is crying is crystal clear. If they are sad, they need a hug/tackle and a sloppy (open mouth) slobbery kiss.
Sometimes I find myself thinking him silly when he refuses help on a difficult task. I laugh or grow frustrated as he struggles to complete something that seems so easy for me. It's common for me to think how childish and short-sighted he can be. But am I different?
How many times have I struggled through life, refusing assistance from the God who made me and saved me. What was excruciatingly troublesome for me was unbelievably simple for Him. Yet there I was, banging my head against that spiritual wall while my God was there all along trying to help lift me over it.
He is able to see through, over or around any obstacle that comes my way. If only I would just grow up and recognize it. But maybe that's the problem. Maybe I'm too "grown up". Maybe I need that "faith like a child." Because, now that I think about it, my little one is the first to hold up his arms for Daddy to carry him when the journey gets too tough. Hold me Jesus.

AARRRGH!

2008-08-24T19:38:00.000-04:00

No, I'm not a pirate, but I feel 200 years too late. Frustration is overwhelming. Do you ever feel like you're always behind? You should have done something a year ago, or a week ago. I feel like I missed the boat. I feel misplaced, misunderstood and misdemeanored. (forgive me, I needed alliteration) Missed opportunities can plague you forever. I really want to accomplish goals; but sadly, I don't have my goals clearly defined. I apologize to anyone who may read this, as I am nearly free-writing. As I am typing, it is becoming clear to me what my problem is. I'm chasing after the wind, I don't have a clear goal. If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time. Oh, and then I found a dollar.

From humble beginnings to humble endings.

2008-08-22T00:14:00.000-04:00

I have finally entered the world of blogging. I'm not quite sure if I'll tell anyone or not; but from time to time I have ideas worth sharing and so for posterity's sake, I'll add them to the cornucopia of blatherings on the net. And yes, that's how you spell cornucopia. If you're wondering what the name means, well here you go. I was told by someone years ago, that if you ever feel like a story you are telling is bombing (e.g. this one), you just add the phrase, "and then I found a dollar." This makes any story instantly better and snaps the listener back from the edge of the cliffs of boredom and insanity and returns them to your tale. So if you should be one of the unlucky few who stumbles upon this blog, you may from time to time read the phrase, "and then I found a dollar." Ah Ha, you're in my grasp again. Muah, Ha HA HA HA (evil laughter)!