Thursday Thinkback

Here are a few thoughts looking back over the weekend experience and looking forward into the next weekend:

• We finished up the Summer of Love series this last Sunday. This has been a great series!
• We have a new series coming up this Sunday.
  
• Hmm...new series means new stage design, new logo, new videos, new bumpers.
• I have really enjoyed the change-up of Worship this last month.
  
• I love being a part of our church.
• I have a Welcome Team meeting coming up in a few weeks.
• I have a lot of planning to get ready for the Welcome Team meeting.
• My new "assistant(friend)" has been a great help with preparing stuff for the Welcome Team. I wouldn't be able to do it with out her.
• As I type this, I am looking at Autumn surfing the web, reading news sites.
• Did I mention I have a really HOT wife and I am way lucky to be married to her.
• I clearly married up!
• Did you know that dogs shed their hair the worst when it is hot outside? Why did we have to get an "inside" dog?
• Look out New Lifers...this new series coming is going to rock your world!
• See ya on Sunday!
  

Coffee with a friend

Almost every Monday, my friend and I meet for coffee after dinner at the local St. Arbucks! In fact, this Monday was no different.

We both have very busy lives (OK mine is busy, he is just always gone) and this gives us a chance to get caught up on the prior week. Share any prayer requests and the like.

We have both come to appreciate this "man time", especially on Monday which can be a very hectic day for both of us.

Tonight my friend asked me to give him a hand picking up a new desk and in exchange he bought me a cup of coffee from our favorite place...St. Arbucks!

That was just enough time to share with him about my blog post from this morning and to share some of the things God was showing to me.

I am blessed to have my friend and I appreciate his friendship very much. I wanted to share that with you for a very important reason.

You can be married, have children at home, be connected in a great church, be involved in activities at the church and in your community and feel completely alone. I know, because I did. There is something about having a friend (secondary to your spouse of course...and of the same sex as you) that you can hang with, talk about meaningful or meaningless stuff , or not talk at all. That is what a friend is about.

Let me encourage you if you are in a spot right now where you don't have that person, then begin praying that God would reveal that person to you. Every one needs a friend!

I feel good this evening...partly because of God's presence today and partly because of my friend! I hope you feel good too!

Confused and Frustrated

I am usually pretty cautious when posting about how horrible my life may be going, or the problems that I am going through. This is not meant to give a false impression that I am perfect or anywhere near there. It is usually because I don't want to sound like someone complaining, because in the big picture of Life, I know there are people in a much worse position and going through a lot harder issues.

At the encouragement of my wife, I am changing that today. I have discovered some amazing things today about me and about God that I want to share over the next couple of weeks. However, to do that effectively you need to understand where I have been. So here is a brief synopsis!

The last month I have been heading downward in many areas. My time with God all but dried up. I have become very confused about God's call on my life and very frustrated on everything else that I can't seem to get right in life...finances, car problems, house maintenance. Heck, I can't even mow my lawn...I think we lost one of our kids in the back lawn, not sure though!

As I am sure you can imagine, when we go through times likes these, we typically don't sleep, eat or take care of ourselves very well. In some ways you could compare it to mild depression.

Last night as I laid in bed during yet another restless night, I decided I have had enough! I can't take it anymore and I needed to decide how I can change this. Not knowing what to do, I turned to God for answers. You know what I found? God, waiting patiently for me to come to him for the answers.

I spent 2 hours this morning in quiet time with God seeking answers from His word and from Him. God was there AND He showed me answers. Is this a surprise. No.

However, sometimes we get so wrapped up in self pity that we forget (or lose sight) on where the real answers are. I looked back over the past couple of years at the times when I have gone through this kind of struggle and I found a common similarity. The further from God I am, the more chaotic my life becomes. The closer I am to God the clearer life becomes. Pretty simple I know....why has it taken this long for me to figure it out? This has become my new thermometer and I have given permission to those who push into my life to hold me accountable to that thermometer.

So, on this beautiful Wednesday let me encourage you, if you are going through something and don't know what to do to change, pull out the word and read through of the Bible and just ask God to give you direction in your life.

Paint Town

We are in the midst of a children relocation program. Currently, our two boys are sharing a room. We are in the process of separating them into separate rooms.

Why? Our boys play together very well for the most part. However, with homeschooling the boys, we felt that as they grow, it would be good for them to have their own space since they spend so much time together.

So, the last couple of weeks we have been clearing out the office and converting it back into a bedroom. We cleared out the room they are sharing and completely went through all toys, clothes, etc. to determine what they needed and didn't need. This way we were able to put back into the rooms only the things they want or needed.

We painted this last week, and this weekend the boys slept in their own rooms!

The boys are excited about the new adventure that is before them. Autumn and I are excited about the fact that the 2 days they have been separated they have wanted to keep their rooms clean. We will see how long this lasts!

As we finish up the boys rooms, Autumn and I are noticing the amount of "stuff" that we have accumulated and stored in the office. We have a lot of school supplies, I have a lot of "office stuff" (what ever that means) and generally the office became a collection point for things that couldn't fit anywhere else in the house; now this stuff is stacked throughout the house as we begin to find homes for it all (or get rid of some of it).

I got to thinking about this stuff and our lives as Christians. Everyday we accumulate stuff in our lives; some of it good (like memories with our family, promotions, worship time with God) and some of it bad (being offended [see this blog and this blog for more on this], loss of a family member, loss of job, feeling distant from God). Just like my office, if we don't do something with this stuff it will accumulate to a point that we don't know what to do with it (a feeling of being overwhelmed).

Had I not allowed that stuff to accumulate in our office, then I wouldn't have to worry about where to put it today. The same is true with our lives. If we keep from storing all the stuff in our lives, by giving it up to God each day, then we continually purge out the stuff we don't need to keep, which gives us room for the things we want (or need) to store from our lives.

So, now that we have finished purging out our office (and working on our lives)...what do you need to give to God? (I won't even ask about your office!)

Funny Friday Fun

Every Friday I post a video that is funny or fun or just plain enjoyable to watch. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This is meant to be something enjoyable, if you don't find it funny or enjoyable, then please turn it off.
I didn't make them, I simply shared them. Chill out a bit will ya!

Pool Noodle Jedi Knight

The other night we went to a friends house for dinner. After dinner, the kids were all playing in the front yard with some pool noodles they had bought. The kids were pretending they were Jedi Knights and the noodles were the light sabers. It was pretty funny to watch them play.

One of the things I noticed is that their youngest daughter and my youngest son were the most aggressive players. They were not afraid to go in for the attack or take a hit, in order to get a hit in. I don't know if they weren't scared or just determined.

The two older kids would sneak around and try to get in a quick hit and then run out of fear of being hit.

It really kind of got me thinking. When I first became a Christian, I was on fire. I wasn't afraid to take a "hit" because I saw it as something necessary for the greater good of the Kingdom. As my Christian walk matures, for some reason I become more afraid of offending people, or being beat up and so we switch from aggressive attacks where we might get hit to carefully planned out quick hits and then retreat.

Why?

I don't want to be that way any more. Doesn't the Bible say we should be more child-like? Well, that is one of the things I am going to focus on with my Walk. God what ever it is, I want to be willing to take a hit, if that is what needs to happen for the greater goal of winning people to Christ.

How about you?

Bonus Saturday

As I was reviewing videos for my Funny Friday blog, I came across this video. It was just too funny to save for an upcoming Friday. Therefore, I decided to give you a bonus video this week. Enjoy!

Funny Friday Fun

Every Friday I post a video that is funny or fun or just plain enjoyable to watch. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This is meant to be something enjoyable, if you don't find it funny or enjoyable, then please turn it off.
I didn't make them, I simply shared them. Chill out a bit will ya!

Thursday Thinkback

Here are some thoughts on this last week and the upcoming service:

• That took amazing courage to share what the speakers shared on Sunday.
• I respect the speakers so much for sharing their lives with the rest of us.
• I am glad to be a part of a church that is made up of real people with real problems just like me, so that we can Love each other through the tough times.
• I had an older gentleman who has been at the church a long time give me an amazing compliment on Sunday. Wow! I was not prepared for that, but God knew I needed it.
• Worship was amazing. Those songs spoke to me so deeply on Sunday.
  
• Sunday was an emotional day!
• Did I mention I twitter? What a simple way to stay connected during the week.
• Ok...Yes, sometimes my twittering is a distraction.
• As we wrap up the Summer of Love series over the next couple of weeks, I know God is going to do some amazing things!
• I don't want to miss a Sunday!

It's a Beth Moore Night

Every Wednesday night for 7 weeks, Autumn is participating in a Beth Moore Bible Study at the church. Of course, anyone who know what a Beth Moore study is like, knows that the work is all week long.

Every Wednesday, Autumn loads up and heads off to the church around 5:45pm. During this time, I am tasked with some minimal chores: clean up from dinner, get boys bathed and into pajamas.

Then the real fun begins. Of course, each week varies, but once the chores are done...bring on the fun!

One week, the boys and I loaded up and snuck out for some Ice Cream. There was another time, when we went and did some running around to pick up a few things.

Most of the time, we occupy our time with rewarding tasks like, playing Wii, or playing board games. The boys are really enjoying Thomas the Train Uno and To Bethlehem.

The best part about it...one on one time with them. I have been blogging a lot lately about priorities, and the importance of time with your family. This is one great way for me to get a few hours of time with them and me.

We talk about a lot of things while we are playing games. It is usually silly stuff, or questions that I will never be able to answer...Daddy, why did God make dogs? Daddy, why was my brother born first? But here is the importance of this. With quantities of time spent with them, I increase the chances of that special quality time. Where we discuss the deeper questions of life as they grow up.

Let me encourage you, if you have kids. Spend as much times as possible with them! It will pay off in the end.

Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day!

Here are some thoughts I had through out the last day:

• New Blog Post: Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day! tinyurl.com/5ggpc8
• Hectic morning...hopefully this afternoon will be better.

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Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day!

Here are some thoughts I had through out the last day:

• New Blog Post: Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day! tinyurl.com/5tuu8c
• Playing Mr. Mom tonight. Doing some blogging during my quiet time.
• Oh Yeah! Shhh...everyone is in bed.
• New Blog Post: My Year Through the Bible...Meaningless tinyurl.com/6ptm6q
• New Blog Post: Mr. Mom tinyurl.com/5bd687
• Home playing Mr.Mom today. Right now at swim lessons...havin' fun with my boys.
• autumn is feeling better...hangin with the boys...it is a good day!
• Nice quiet evening at home...looking forward to it.

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Mr. Mom

Do any of you remember the Michael Keaton movie, Mr. Mom? This came out in 1983!

I got to fullfill that role last night and today. Autumn has been sick...I'm not sure what it is, maybe overtired or maybe a touch of the flu...nonetheless, the last thing she feels up to doing is running a house and two boys.

When I got home last night, I did all the laundry and made dinner, got the boys bathed and in pajamas. I then got everyone comfortable on the couch with an episode of Star Wars.

After that, I got the boys to bed, Autumn to bed and then spent some quiet time to myself. I took this morning off from work to care for her and to spend time with the boys, take them to swim lessons, and all the fun things I usually miss out while at work.

Why do I bring this up? Why is this so significant? Well, I am happy. I am enjoying this time and am having fun doing it. Frankly, that has not always been the case in the past. I think I mentioned in a post early on in my blog that a lot of the time, I used to feel like Autumn getting sick was an inconvenience to my schedule. It just doesn't fit in with what I have planned.

As I mentioned in recent posts and also in yesterday's post, one of the greatest things I have been learning this year has been the simple Joy of following Christ. I have found great joy in just doing the things that used to be an "inconvenience".

Financially, we are in a really horrible spot right now. Not because of the housing market, or employment problems...but simply because of stupid mistakes that I have made for this family. However, I have never felt more joy with the things the Lord has blessed us with than I do right now. I am not worried or stressed about meeting our financial needs. I know (finally) that no matter what, God is there to meet my needs, to help me up when I stumble. He has shown that too me.

It is this excitement and joy in following Him, that has made taking care of Autumn so much fun. I am excited, and can't wait for what the Lord has for me next!

Pray for Autumn that she would regain her health and strength!

My Year Through the Bible...Meaningless

As I continue my year through the Bible, I have been reading in Ecclesiastes. Today I was reading through the first few chapters. I specifically liked Chapter 2 and so I wanted to share a bit about that today.

Ecclesiastes 2: 1-11
1 I thought in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 “Laughter,” I said, “is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?”

3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives. 4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well—the delights of the heart of man.

9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.

10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work,
and this was the reward for all my labor.

11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had doneand what I had toiled to achieve,
everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind;
nothing was gained under the sun.

Then to add to this, the writer continues in verse 26 with the following:

26 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

As I read these verses today I really sat back and reread them as I thought about the service yesterday. Some really courageous people stood up before everyone and shared the joy they have found in God, because of the Love that was shown to them.

These were people who had tried the "things of this world", and realized that they are meaningless. That it wasn't until they say back and looked at all their hands had done, did they realize what really mattered in their lives. I respect those people so much for their willingness to share from their hearts and show how our church is filled real people with real problems, and through Christ's Love anything is possible.

It is so easy for all of us to get caught up in this world. It could be money, careers, physical appearance, status in the church...and on and on. It is all meaningless.

What is really convicting is what I read in vs. 26. That for the sinners, they will gather the wealth to give to those who please the Lord. Wow! Can I be one of those who please the Lord?

There is so much stress and worry in our Country today. I had coffee with a friend tonight and we talked about the number of people we know that have had heart attacks or strokes that are related to work or financial stress. It is scary...we as a country are losing sight of what is important and we are focusing on the things that are meaningless.

One of the greatest things I have been learning through My Year Through The Bible is simply this:

Being a Christian is far more than knowing the Bible and serving at Church. Being a Christian means surrendering everything of this World, everything in our lives and giving it ALL to God so that we can serve Him completely doing the things that are pleasing to Him!

Will you join me in this step of faith and surrender to Him so that we, too, can find Joy in serving Him for His glory?

Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day!

Here are some thoughts I had through out the last day:

• New Blog Post: Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day! tinyurl.com/6gzbuy
• Small group potluck + cool evening = good sleepin'...I hope!
• Its Monday morning. I'm at work...and I am in shorts...TRAINING DAY!
• ok...the excitement of training was just overtaken by boredom...
• Quiet lunch...family at swim lesssons. Back to training...
• Training after lunch is tough...I could really use a nap.

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Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day!

Here are some thoughts I had through out the last day:

• New Blog Post: Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day! tinyurl.com/6gkjvm
• Today was an amazing service! Real people sharing God's love in a real way..
• Picking up the house for small group...hmm then maybe a nap...we'll see.
• ok. No nap, but I did work on my blog...which is almost as relaxing...
• Small group Potluck tonight...i love potlucks...
• Service rocked! + Each week gets better = Can't wait for next week!
• twitpic.com/3zmf - Multimedia message

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Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day!

Here are some thoughts I had through out the last day:

• New Blog Post: Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day! tinyurl.com/6a8ved
• getting ready to disassemble my office. Making room for growing boys
• Did I mention I hate moving furniture!
• New Blog Post: Sluggish Saturday tinyurl.com/5djgk9
• man...I just had a great nap. Now off to some friends for some swimming...

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Sluggish Saturday

For many people, Saturdays are the day to accomplish much. They have their task list of to-do's and begin first thing in the morning.

As I posted here the other day, God has been turning my life upside down...each night! By Friday I was so exhausted, that I stayed home from work and slept in. I then proceeded to get caught up on some computer work and other small tasks. It was great. I feel like I am completely caught up on paperwork.

With that, I planned a great day of work for today in cleaning out the office to get ready to split up the boys, who are currently sharing a room.

Yet, here I sit at 9:50 in the morning surfing my blogs, and I felt like I would drop my blog readers a line. I wanted to share a thought I had after reading Gena's Blog this morning. You can go hear to read it if you want.

One of the things that Autumn and I have had to learn over the past couple of years, the hard way, is that we are who we are. God made us with the quirks, personalities, minds and passions that we have right now. For so long, Autumn and I were told by Christians and by ourselves, that we need to change who we are so that we can fit in to the Christian mold. I even had an elder of a former church that said I could not be in leadership because I am to rough around the edges, and too offensive.

We lived our lives for a long time trying to keep who we are behind a wall so we didn't "offend" someone. What we have realized, is that we truly needed friends. We needed friends who saw us for the Christ followers that we were. Imperfect, not-all-together, but with a heart to follow and serve Christ and those around us.

This realization has allowed us to be free and to be ourselves. Don't misunderstand...this isn't a free ticket to behave how ever we want.

We don't need to walk on eggshells. This is a problem throughout the church. I dream of a church where we are accepted for who we are, and not who we are supposed to be. I believe we have found that in New Life. We have found some wonderful friends that appreciate and love us right where we are.

We are realizing, like Gena said, that people who are easily offended, are focused more on themselves and less on others and the Kingdom. We are realizing that maybe it isn't ourselves that are offending others, but rather the offended are not focused on the right things.

We still focus on sharing the love of Christ with others, but we now realize that we need to focus on Christ and allow the rest to be handled by Him! Thank you God for freeing us to follow You, no matter what!

Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day!

Here are some thoughts I had through out the last day:

• New Blog Post: Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day! tinyurl.com/6rd85n
• New Blog Post: Funny Friday Fun tinyurl.com/6h2vrv
• Twitter world. R U there?
• Hangin' with the family for movie night. Haven't done this n a while. Shame on me.

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Funny Friday Fun

Every Friday I post a video that is funny or fun or just plain enjoyable to watch. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This is meant to be something enjoyable, if you don't find it funny or enjoyable, then please turn it off.
I didn't make them, I simply shared them. Chill out a bit will ya!

Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day!

Here are some thoughts I had through out the last day:

• New Blog Post: Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day! tinyurl.com/6eszez
• New Blog Post: Thursday Thinkback tinyurl.com/5ooa9a

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Thursday Thinkback

Here are my thoughts on the weekend and the preparation for the upcoming weekend:

• The 3 day weekend came just in time to get caught up on stuff around the house.
• 3 days with my family was great.
• I am sad for so many that couldn't be with their family this last weekend.
• I had a great conversation with someone who just got back from a missions trip to Mexico...I realized I truly enjoy missions trips and miss being able to go.
• Maybe I should prioritize some time/resources for a missions trip for next year.
• How about that guest worship leader...not bad for an old guy! (ok...older than me...after all he is bald)
• Jon preached a pretty darn good message.
• I spent a couple of hours Saturday on the computer listening to worship music. That felt great.
• I cancelled a trip so I could be at church this last Sunday. I missed going on the trip but glad I stayed.
• We have some great things in the works for this fall. It is going to change the way we do church and how we look at church. I am excited.
• I am listening to Casting Crowns right now...Who am I. In it he says "Who shall I fear, because I am yours?" If God is my strength than what do I need to fear? Anything?
• I love my Church. I am so glad God brought us to this place!
• I miss Pastor Dave's blogging. (hint..hint)
  

Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day!

Here are some thoughts I had through out the last day:

• New Blog Post: Restless Sleeper tinyurl.com/59o8xk
• Twitter is quiet today...that's good. I am getting a lot of work done.

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Restless Sleeper

I have been talking a lot lately about being busy and trying to slow things down. It has been working pretty good. I think, though, sometimes God has to smack you upside the head (figuratively speaking) and remind you of what is important.

God has been doing that to me lately in the form of restless sleep. I typically am slow to fall asleep. It will take me an hour or so for my mind to shut down...kinda like Windows Vista...but that's another story. The last couple of nights, I haven't been able to shutdown. I have been wide awake for 3 or 4 hours, before exhaustion sets in and I fall asleep.

I am not sure why? I do know that God is really challenging me in some areas. I am not sure that I like it, but I did ask for it. I have asked for some guidance in a number of areas...career, family, friends, etc. The typical stuff.

God decided the last two nights to really open my eyes up and push me into a deeper thinking process....all after midnight.

There are many people who think that God isn't there...I think He is, He is just waiting for the right time to get your attention. For me, that is when I let my crazy life go at the end of the day.

A friend said to me yesterday that every time they see my I am going "a million miles an hour". The fact is, I am. During the day, I try and maximize my time and accomplish as much as possible, so when I get home, I can try and focus on the family (I assure you that doesn't always work). Unfortunately, it has reduced my "free time" to late at night and early in the mornings.

God took advantage of that. I think I need to make more time during the day for God.

I would love to give you a deeper more meaningful blog, but really...I am tired and dragging today. I will try and give you something more meaningful later. Thanks for hanging with me today!

Headlines matter

• Anne Hathaway's boyfriend jailed for swindling millions...
• Greg Norman and Chris Evert wed in the Bahamas
• Madonna and Guy's wedding over?
• Matt Damon and wife, Luciana, are expecting a child.
• One of Nicole Richie's favorite tops can be purchased from Nation Ltd. for $97

These are just some of the news headlines in my most recent issue of People magazine. I am not a subscriber, but I do pick up a magazine such as this on an occasion.

Do these headlines matter? Well, to me not really. I have never been to concerned about the things going on in the lives of those famous, popular, etc. More and more, I am becoming interested in understanding what is happening in the entertainment industry.

What actors/actresses are doing. Who has the hottest new album. Who is dating who. Who wears what. These things, and many more are becoming more and more a priority for me to understand.

Why?

If we want to meet those who don't know Christ right where they are, then we need to understand their world. Some of you already do this very well, and I am sure I could be learning from you.

How can I begin to talk with someone about the things that matter to them, if I shelter myself from the World and what is happening in it? How can I understand someone's struggle to be like someone famous, when I don't know who it is they are talking about.

All to often, the church (as a whole, because some do a really good job of staying focused on the World when reaching people) creates for itself an inner world that creates two problems:

First, if we create our own inner world, it is hard for people to join it. Second, when we create the walls, then we can't see out of our inner world to see what the rest of the world is doing.

Each of these have there own problems that I don't want to address today. I want to simply say that, like Jesus, if we want to reach people we have to truly meet them where they are at. That means that we need to understand what is happening in their World.

There are many ways of doing this. We can immerse ourselves in this World, being a light. We can read/watch and learn about what is happening in this World. We can listen to those around us so that we can have a better understanding.

So, yes these headlines matter....because people matter.

We need to...

"Welcome Others, Just As Christ Welcomed Us!"

Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day!

Here are some thoughts I had through out the last day:

• my son just bankrupted me at Monopoly....darn that Boardwalk!
• ok...I feel better now. I love family game night.
• This I definitely a monday morning.
• New Blog Post: I'm Back! The wave is over! tinyurl.com/6q5hrh
• New Blog Post: Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day! tinyurl.com/6yw6sp

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I'm Back! The wave is over!

It feels so good to be back to regular blogging again. I took last week off as I had some very big deadlines at work, and had to put my energy into completing those projects. I am proud to say, I met them all and have gotten my workload under control.

Have you ever noticed how our workload in life is very cyclical, like a wave. It seems that when we are very slow, with not a lot to do we love to take on new things...sure I can help in that ministry...sure, I can help with that party...sure, I can help...sure, I can serve on that team...sure, I can lead that project....sure...sure...sure.

The next thing you know, you are overwhelmed with things, and you are trying to figure out what you can get out of. I know this first hand, as I have done this on more than one occassion.

However, I have found a solution. It has worked very well, and I encourage you to consider it if this is still something that you find yourself doing.

The solution: learn to say no.

It sounds simple, but yet it can be so hard to do, especially in the "Christian" circles. We don't want to offend, we don't want to create striff, etc. Granted, at work or at home there are going to be things we can't say no to...but there are a lot of things in life that you can say no to.

Now, that I have let out my secret...let me tell you something else. I haven't mastered it yet! I have a servants heart and so my tendency is to serve people. So, I created a part two to my masterful plan: Ask my spouse for permission to commit to something BEFORE I say yes.

Autumn has permission to ask me the tough questions, such as, do I want to be away from my family another night? How long will it REALLY take? and many more.

Lastly, lots and lots of prayer! I have never been a strong prayer warrior. It is something that I have always struggled with. As I have made an effort to reduce my commitments and focus on that 1 or 2 things that God has truly gifted me with, I have found that prayer has helped me to stay focused on those things.

It isn't easy, and it is something that requires daily self evaluation. The best advice I can give you:

• Maintain a set of task lists (get organized)
• Determine your gifting (serve in 1 or 2 areas at most that you are truly passionate about)
• Maintain your priorities no matter what (God, Spouse, Family, Church/Friends, Work)
• Stay prayed up (the hardest of the four for me!)

I learned through a few close friends this year that saying "No" won't ruin a friendship...if anything they will respect you more because of the boundaries you have set. (Besides, maybe they are jealous because they didn't have the strength to say "No" as well).

Let's try and remove the wave and search for calm steady streams!

Happy Saturday to you!

It is day 2 of a three day weekend. I love three day weekends...do you?

I have great plans of doing some paperwork, cleaning out the office, and anything else that I can think of that will fit into my day.

How about tomorrow? What are your plans? Are you joining us at New Life this week? I am excited about what God is doing at our church. I was talking with one of the Youth Pastors who was telling me about their trip to Mexico.

I don't want to give the details away, as we will get to here more in the coming weeks, however, I will mention this: The last night as they were saying their goodbyes to the children in the orphanage, there was not a dry eye in the house...including the boys! God moved through the Youth group this last week and he is doing the same throughout the whole church!

It is an exciting time that you don't want to miss! Do what ever it takes to make it to church...I don't want you to miss out!

See ya there!

Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day!

Here are some thoughts I had through out the last day:

• New Blog Post: Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day! tinyurl.com/5bgf5e
• New Blog Post: Funny Friday Fun - **4th of July Addition** tinyurl.com/5ck47z
• 4th of July...college fireworks show from
• My front yard....yeah
• yard is done...time to shower and relax.
• New Blog Post: Happy 4th! tinyurl.com/5sljst
• New Blog Post: Go here and read! tinyurl.com/558jys

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Go here and read!

I am not a big advertiser of other blog posts. However, after posting my 4th of July post, I read this post from Mark Batterson (Author of In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day).

If you want an amazing perspective on the history of the signors of the Declaration of Independence then you need to go here and read his post.

Did I mention you need to go here and read this post?

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July to all my friends and family. Enjoy this time off (for those that get some) with your family and friends. Remember what this day represents and pray for all those that are serving our country so that we can have a day of celebration.

A little bit of History:

When was the Declaration of Independence, the copy we know and have seen, signed?




Although independence was voted by congress on July 2, the copy we have seen was not signed until sometime after August 19th of 1776. Here is what wikipedia.org had to say about it:

The United States Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, announcing that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were no longer a part of the British Empire. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration was a formal explanation of why Congress had voted on July 2 to declare independence from Great Britain, more than a year after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War. The birthday of the United States of America—Independence Day—is celebrated on July 4, the day the wording of the Declaration was approved by Congress.

Contrary to a once-common misconception, Congress did not sign the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The Declaration was first published as a printed broadside; the famous handwritten version was created after July 19, and was signed by most Congressional delegates on August 2. This copy, usually regarded as the Declaration of Independence, is now on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Although celebrated upon publication, the Declaration was initially neglected following the American Revolution. Its symbolic stature grew over the years, most notably through the influence of Abraham Lincoln, who viewed the Declaration as an ideal for which the nation should strive...

To learn more about our Declaration of Independence, you can go here.

Funny Friday Fun - **4th of July Addition**

In honor of the 4th of July, I have found this special musical song that celebrates peace. Reflect on the our freedom and independence during this time.

Every Friday I post a video that is funny or fun or just plain enjoyable to watch. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: This is meant to be something enjoyable, if you don't find it funny or enjoyable, then please turn it off.
I didn't make them, I simply shared them. Chill out a bit will ya!

Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day!

Here are some thoughts I had through out the last day:

• New Blog Post: Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day! tinyurl.com/4n49ce
• Klove and locked office door...man I got a lot done!
• today is thursday...oh wait, its my friday, tomorrow is a holiday! Yeah!

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Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day!

Here are some thoughts I had through out the last day:

• New Blog Post: Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day! tinyurl.com/4h3fn4
• locked myself in my office, cranked the Klove...trying to get some work done!
• Autumn has women's group, boys r misbehaving, I am tired...gunna b a fun evening!

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Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day!

Here are some thoughts I had through out the last day:

• New Blog Post: Ridiculous Random thoughts of the day! tinyurl.com/5km75y
• man...i woke right up today...hit the floor runnin and movin at wrk alrdy....going to b a great day!
• Do you ever feel like you have no idea what to do when a friend is going through a horrible time in their lives or am I alone?
• I have 1000 unread blogposts in y bloglines....hhhmmm. I think my bloglines rebooted. Well, I better start reading.

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