There's A Lot To Be Learned From 4 Year Olds

Here’s a fun little story:

When I was a kid, probably about 4 years old, my eldest sister was taking a couple classes at a small, local college.  Every now and then, she would take me with her and I would hang out at the Union with her friends while she went to class.  One day while she was in class, her friends decided that it would be a good idea to have a vocabulary lesson with me. 

They thought it would be a good idea to teach me the “F” word. 

Great. 

The Gold Nugget I Brought Back From California

I spent three days at a conference in Southern California learning about small groups.  For a few years now, I've been in a small group.  Actually, I’ve been in several.  I've been told continually that they are important, but could never quite put my finger on “why”.  Why are small groups so important? 

That Time A Celebrity Prayed For Me In A Parking Lot

Opportunities are everywhere, and more often than not, they are where you least expect them. 

As we were exiting the plane in Los Angeles, I leaned over to Kevin and said, “I wonder how many celebrities we’ll see in the airport.”  He laughed and said, “Probably none.”  He was right, but that didn’t keep me from looking anyway. 

I’d never been to Southern California and I knew that if we were going to see a celebrity, it would be at LAX.

Celebrate Your Independence

This past Friday we celebrated America and all of her greatness by cooking meat and blowing stuff up.

I love the 4th of July.  

I love America.  

I love freedom.

About That Weather Yesterday...

These 2 photos were taken 26 minutes apart.

I don’t have a whole lot to say, but here are some observations:

Is There A Saint To Help Find Lost Stuff?

If there is, I need their help.  

Here's my prayer:

Putting Yourself Out There Is Worth Its Weight In Chicken Sandwiches

On Wednesday a week or so ago, I won a radio trivia contest. 

Here are the questions:

1. What Sesame Street characters were developed to show that people with different personalities can coexist?
2. What is the colored part of your eye called?
3. Finish the line from a Dr. Seuss book:  “One fish two fish,                   .”

And with those questions answered correctly, I won free food. 

After Almost 10 Years, It's Time For A Change

I’m getting a new wife.

Jesus Is REALLY Good At Renaming People

Jesus is pretty good at a bunch of stuff, but one thing he’s REALLY good at is renaming people.  Sure, he healed sick people, made the blind see, and even raised a guy from the dead.  That’s all well and good, but what I want is for Jesus to give me a cool new name.

Quick To Listen, Slow To Speak, & Slow To Get Angry...Yeah Right!

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters:  You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”  James 1:19

I think James forgot one part of this statement:  …unless you are married with children.

Let's (Not) Play Pretend!

I posted on Facebook that I received an email from a spammer who wanted some personal information and I could become a secret shopper of sorts.  The email said I would “pretend” to be a normal customer looking for a particular service or product.  After my pretend shopping experience, I would need to fill out a questionnaire and then I would get paid.

After getting over how ridiculous this email was, I began to wonder how much pretending I already do in my day-to-day.

How Do We Endure It All?

After my last post, someone asked how to endure all of the trials and heartaches of the world.  I don’t have all of the answers, but here’s one of the most important parts of my life that helps me stay close to God and endure what life throws at me and my family:

There Is A Way Out

“God will not give you more than you can handle.”

That is a lie.

God’s Plan Is Better Than Mine

I’m pretty forgetful, just ask my wife.  A while back I said I was going to make a list of the most popular excuses contractors give when it comes to them not following a project’s plans and specifications.  I forgot to make the list, but remembered later that I said that I was going to make it.  Don’t judge me, it got done; it just took a couple of months.

Why Did Peter Deny That He Knew Jesus?

While in a class at church, we read through the part of the Gospel where Peter denied three times that he knew Jesus.  I know for a fact that I’ve denied Him way more than that and yet He still loves me. 

But why do we deny that we know Jesus?

I’m not entirely sure, but Peter’s experience on the night Jesus was arrested might give us some insight.

Here’s my take on it:

I Had A Talk With God, But He Didn't Say Much

I read a blog post the other day about how God speaks to us.  The author talked about how sometimes we want long dissertations from God, giving us full details about the next step we should take in our lives.  He pointed out that sometimes, God will say only a few words to us rather than give us detailed instructions.  The point is that God does speak to us, we just don’t always listen.

That’s what happened to me.  I was doing all of the talking and when I did decide to listen; I was listening for the wrong thing.  I finally decided to give up on listening FOR God and start listening TO God.

A Fresh, New Perspective

Back when my wife and I got married, her great uncle gave us an antique table.  That was almost 10 years ago.  To this day, I don’t know if it’s better suited as firewood or if it’s actually worth something more.  What I do know is this:  It’s been broken since day 1.  It’s not so far gone that it needs to be hauled to the end of the driveway, but it can’t remain the way it is either.

Church Invitation

We got invited to church, specifically, a couples group at church.

While we were out having dinner at a classy barbecue restaurant, we were approached by a couple and they gave us a pamphlet about their church.  They eagerly invited us to join them in their couples group that was held at their church.  We of course were polite to them, listened to their invitation, and told them thank you. 

Oceans

Lately, my favorite song has been “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” by Hillsong United.  Even though I really like the song, it scares the crap out of me.

The Other 5 Commandments

A few days ago, I saw a video posted online from the movie “History of the World Part I”.  The clip was of the scene when Moses (Mel Brooks) was carrying what was supposed to be the 15 Commandments down to the people.  In the process of walking down the mountain to deliver the commandments, he dropped the tablet with commandments 11-15.

The clip got me thinking about what those other 5 commandments could possibly be.  So with doing no research whatsoever, but having keen observational skills, here are the other 5 commandments:

We Want To Be Celebrities

When I’m feeling down and I need a boost of self confidence, I go to my daughters’ school.

I feel like a rock star when I walk through those doors.  People screaming your name, giving high-fives, just wanting the chance to talk to you; it’s great!  

The Lent Challenge

Lent started today and so now is the time of year when everyone gives something up or does more of something. 

Lent is very important to me because I see the importance of the time leading up to Easter.  I don’t do New Year’s resolutions, but I will definitely participate in Lent. 

Time, Talent, & Treasure

I often struggle with understanding why I'm here.  

What's God’s plan for me? 

How can I use the knowledge and skills that I have to honor Him?  

Some people have it figured out.  They sing in the choir. They help with the children.  They become missionaries in Africa.

We talk a lot in church about using our time, talent, and treasure to serve and honor God.  This past week we hosted several missionaries at church and Wednesday night we went to listen to some of our mission partners speak.  Even though I am not called to be a missionary and I’ll most likely never go on a mission trip, I still want to help and be a part of God’s work and mission throughout the world.

The question is, how? 

How can I use my time, talent, and treasure to help our mission partners around the world? 

Why I Hate Buffets; Just Kidding, I Love Buffets!

Thankfully, my wife’s grandparents didn’t convince her to break up with me the first time I met them.  If I were in their shoes, the relationship wouldn’t have lasted until the end of our first interaction with each other. 

You Are Not Alone

There’s something you should know about me. 

Ready? 

I Can't Be The Only One That This Happens To

(I posted this on facebook a while back, but thought it was worth posting again here.)

I think I might be crazy.  Not crazy in a good way like, “Dude, that was completely out of the ordinary!  You’re so crazy!”, but, like medically, mentally not normal crazy. 

Lydia’s uncle has been sending her stuffed animals in the mail for a few weeks now and one arrived Friday.  We weren’t in town, so my friend Tim stopped by the house to pick it up for us.  Today at work, he stopped by my office to give it to me.  After he dropped it off, I went to my car to put it in there so that I wouldn’t forget it this afternoon. 

Fine, but here’s the crazy part:

Be A Kid Again

I went back and looked at some old writing assignments I did in college.  Honestly, it was pretty embarrassing how terrible I was.  I still don’t think I’m a very good writer, but I know I’m a lot better now than I was in college.

Be Gracious To Your Neighbors

My neighbor demolished my mailbox. 

The post ended up 30 feet away from the hole that it was formerly in. 

Not The Morning I Planned For

I met Tim today.  Tim is a homeless guy that was hanging out this morning at Dunkin’ Donuts.

I Don't Make New Year's Resolutions, And You Shouldn't Either

Now that it’s not the first week of the New Year anymore, most of you that made New Year’s Resolutions have probably already broken them, and I know why; well, I know why I would have broken mine had I made one.

God DOES Have a Plan for You

Here’s something I’ve noticed about God over the past few months.