As I was driving my daughter to daycare this morning, something about it (whether it was the road itself, or maybe trees, or the sunrise, or whatever) gave me this overwhelming feeling of being back in Meru. For those who are actually interested in my blog and read it from time to time but still don’t know – I recently returned from a mission trip to Meru, Kenya (that’s East Africa, just South of the “Horn”). Amidst all the political riots and ethnic cleansing, we were called over there to build a chicken house and hatchery for the Kaaga Methodist Church in Meru. It really was an amazing trip (side note: I plan on typing up my daily journal entries from the trip and posting them on the blog to let everyone see everything that happened to us while over there – they’ll have to be done in segments - so, be on the look-out for those in the coming weeks).
Anyway, this morning’s drive reminded me of one particular day in Meru where we visited the Kaaga School for the Deaf. I don’t know if it was the particular circumstances some of these children or if it was the fact that, as a father, I have been changed. I mean, first and foremost, I was already in awe of simply being in Africa. The scenery in and of itself was just unbelievable – not to mention completely different from what I had anticipated. Going into it, I thought the environment would be like that of Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls - grass huts and desert, with everyone walking around in loincloths. It was not at all like that! There was a lot of poverty – don’t get me wrong – and it was grossly stricken with HIV/AIDS…..but for the most part, Kenya has one of the most stable economies and governments on the whole continent of Africa…..at least until this last election, which saw a ton of bloodshed and almost killed our mission – but God is much, much bigger than political turmoil. But, back to the environment – Meru is located just East of the Congo. So, when I say vibrant and rich with soil and fruit trees, mountains, rain and green, green, green…..it is plush……I’m saying it was night and day different from what I expected Africa to look like - it is absolutely beautiful!
But this particular school was, like I said, a school for the deaf. Now, the schools in Meru go everyday for like three months and then they have a month off, go for three months, and so on. The deaf school, however, was shut-in for the three months the children were there. So, at school, these children thrive – they can communicate with each other and their teachers…most don’t want to go home when school is out. It makes sense why they wouldn’t…….I mean, when they go home – they can’t communicate with their parents or anyone. Their parents can’t understand them and just sort of leave them out of everything and try to just put up with them for the time they are home. And so they are just starved for affection. It was said by the Head Mistress that, the parents of these deaf children are so uneducated about the hearing impaired that they honestly believe if they can hit their child hard enough in the head, they will get their hearing back. So, not only do children have hearing impairments, a lot of them have physical impairments, as well.
Now, walking into the school already knowing that fact just seemed to make the experience that much more powerful. These children were so vibrant and full of life – they loved us and wanted to touch us….they were so awesome. The kids bum-rushed us as soon as we entered and one child specifically, Nicklaz, would not let go of me. He pushed the other kids away from me when they tried to get close to me. He was my special friend and not a day goes by when I don’t pray for him and think of him.
But, this morning for some reason, I was just reminded of that experience and the fact that I was completely broken-hearted for those children. I remember, as we left, I told one of the ladies we were with to tell the children that “In America, we hug to say “I love you.’” And I knelt down and was immediately trampled by children who wanted hugs. I hugged as many as I could and as we were leaving, every child was giving us the sign language symbol for “I love you.” I just broke down – and I’m not a crier. But, I bawled like a little thirteen year-old girl who just got dumped by her first boyfriend. It was brutal.
Why I was struck by that memory (and whatever sparked it this morning), I don’t know. I just know how affected I was that particular day. I don’t know those children like I know my son and daughter – I don’t even know their names (except Nicklaz). But, I know I wanted to play with them like I play with Eli until we all puked and passed out from exhaustion.
I guess the key take-away from that day in Meru (and I remember writing this in my journal) was the fact that I never wanted a day to go by where Eli and Addy didn’t fully know how much they were loved by their daddy. I wanted them to know, without doubt, EVERYDAY that they are my entire life and that I love both of them so much. I wanted to come home and roll around in the back yard with Eli and smother him with kisses and hugs. I wanted to hold Addy in my arms and fall asleep in the recliner with her and kiss her little heart-shaped baby lips. It’s amazing how much we take for granted – or at least, how much I took for granted. I had to go to Africa to understand the needs of my own children – that, in and of itself – is heart-breaking for me.
Be blessed,
-Moad!
Our kiddos
Eli and Addy
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
You want me to do what.....?
The most fundamental element of worship begins and ends with obedience. If there is one thing the Lord wants from us it is for us to obey Him. So many times, we come into a church building or a concert hall and sing songs about Him and even to Him without ever really being obedient to Him. We spend time listening to pastors preach the Word……we sometimes nod and say the occasional “Amen!” But do we really apply it to our lives?
We all get ourselves into situations where we are faced with a trying decision. On the one hand, we can choose what we know is the right thing to do (although, chances are, it’s going to be a bit of a struggle) or we can choose an alternate path that seems to be the easiest solution (but, for some reason, doesn’t really feel right). All the while, somewhere in the back of our minds, that spark of Truth comes out and hits us like a ton of bricks. We can see the right thing to do but still we choose the alternate path that inevitably leads to our destruction. It happens every single day. There are millions of people going through this very situation as we speak.
See, we can play church all we want to. We can show up on Sunday mornings expecting to possibly encounter God on some level......but don’t…..and when we don’t it’s because we aren’t being obedient to Him. There are also times we come into a worship service not having any expectations of anything at all but end up truly experiencing Him in a way we've never done before.......just to eventually leave the service (or bible study or what have you) and feel that fire slowly start to dwindle. We all know what generally happens next, right? We inevitably revert back to our "old selves" and live lives in direct opposition and disobedience.
Honestly, I see it all the time. I see it with adults. I see it with youth. I see it in lay leaders. I even see it with staff members at times. I've experienced it myself at times. But, in all honesty, one thing we have to understand whole-heartedly is that being Christian DOES NOT mean things are peachy 24/7. That’s hardly ever the case! It's a fairly well-known fact that we, as believers, have occasional seasons of drought and despair where we cannot sense the Holy Spirit in our lives. The droughts I speak of are the "peaks and valleys" we’ve all heard about a hundred times from the pews our whole lives. Therefore, it should be no surprise whatsoever to figure out that being a Christian (especially in this day and age) is difficult. It’s difficult at any age, young or old.
But the most important thing to remember is that when we are in this valley……when we are at our lowest…… that is the most critical time to put into practice the single-most fundamental element of praise and worship – obedience! It's easy to say we are obedient - but do our lives reflect that? I mean.....honestly? When the Lord tells us to get on our faces and worship – then we need to get on our faces and worship. When the Lord is asking us to sing – we need to sing praises to Him at the top of our lungs. If God says dance – we, first and foremost need to consider ourselves blessed, and then we need to dance in joyful victory because of the triumph in our future. When we feel the need to pray – we absolutely must pray and pray fervently to our Heavenly Father, our Creator, and our best Friend, declaring in the Name of Jesus the power and authority we have been given to overcome the wiles of “old red legs!” That is worship! That is power! Use it....and be used by it......that's obedience at its finest!
Thoughts?
Manifest Blessings,
-Moad!
We all get ourselves into situations where we are faced with a trying decision. On the one hand, we can choose what we know is the right thing to do (although, chances are, it’s going to be a bit of a struggle) or we can choose an alternate path that seems to be the easiest solution (but, for some reason, doesn’t really feel right). All the while, somewhere in the back of our minds, that spark of Truth comes out and hits us like a ton of bricks. We can see the right thing to do but still we choose the alternate path that inevitably leads to our destruction. It happens every single day. There are millions of people going through this very situation as we speak.
See, we can play church all we want to. We can show up on Sunday mornings expecting to possibly encounter God on some level......but don’t…..and when we don’t it’s because we aren’t being obedient to Him. There are also times we come into a worship service not having any expectations of anything at all but end up truly experiencing Him in a way we've never done before.......just to eventually leave the service (or bible study or what have you) and feel that fire slowly start to dwindle. We all know what generally happens next, right? We inevitably revert back to our "old selves" and live lives in direct opposition and disobedience.
Honestly, I see it all the time. I see it with adults. I see it with youth. I see it in lay leaders. I even see it with staff members at times. I've experienced it myself at times. But, in all honesty, one thing we have to understand whole-heartedly is that being Christian DOES NOT mean things are peachy 24/7. That’s hardly ever the case! It's a fairly well-known fact that we, as believers, have occasional seasons of drought and despair where we cannot sense the Holy Spirit in our lives. The droughts I speak of are the "peaks and valleys" we’ve all heard about a hundred times from the pews our whole lives. Therefore, it should be no surprise whatsoever to figure out that being a Christian (especially in this day and age) is difficult. It’s difficult at any age, young or old.
But the most important thing to remember is that when we are in this valley……when we are at our lowest…… that is the most critical time to put into practice the single-most fundamental element of praise and worship – obedience! It's easy to say we are obedient - but do our lives reflect that? I mean.....honestly? When the Lord tells us to get on our faces and worship – then we need to get on our faces and worship. When the Lord is asking us to sing – we need to sing praises to Him at the top of our lungs. If God says dance – we, first and foremost need to consider ourselves blessed, and then we need to dance in joyful victory because of the triumph in our future. When we feel the need to pray – we absolutely must pray and pray fervently to our Heavenly Father, our Creator, and our best Friend, declaring in the Name of Jesus the power and authority we have been given to overcome the wiles of “old red legs!” That is worship! That is power! Use it....and be used by it......that's obedience at its finest!
Thoughts?
Manifest Blessings,
-Moad!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Who does that.....I mean, really?
So, of course it never fails when something huge happens in my life I have to wait four or five months to give any sort of update or write about it because my work blocks my blog. Who does that anyway, I mean, really? It's a bunch of pooh!
I've obviously added a picture of Addy.......my little baby girl.......so everyone can see how pretty she is. Hopefully you're able to view the pics (Sandy, Ginger told me you've been reading my blogs and wondering where I've been.......I haven't died or anything - just blocked! - So, hello, and enjoy and I think it's funny that you're actually interested in my twisted and ridiculoulsy stupid thoughts about the dumbest things ever! But, hey, I have to live with them).
Anyway, my wife and I are ecstatic about our newest addition and Eli loves her madly. You should see her face when he speaks to her - it's absolutely the coolest thing in the world.....her little mouth opens with the biggest, widest, and most precious little smile you can imagine. She simply adores her big brother. She's getting big and it's quite depressing, I must say. The wife is already talking about wanting to try and have another. Honestly, in my mind, I'm thinking, "Holy crap......we've got a five-year-old boy who's always into something and has a mouth on him like mine in my teenage years. Not to mention a five-month-old with a double ear infection who's currently ticked at the world and taking it out on mom and dad.......but, hey, why not try for another - at least the practice will be fun." To be truthful, though, I wouldn't mind having another kiddo - they're awesome! But, I think my wife is a bit disillusioned at the fact she now has a little girl she can put bows on and dresses on and paint toe nails and all the girlie stuff. Which I'm all for....at least until she gets to be about fourteen and wearing stuff that shows her butt and stomach - and then it's on! NO dating, NO telephone, NO leaving the house dressed like that!!!! Absolutely NO possible way! Then she'll probably give me her little pouty lip and puppy-dog eyes and I'm sure I'll melt and give in - just like her mother does to me now! It hasn't happened yet, but when it does, I'm pretty sure it's gonna suck something fierce!
But, that's the thing with kids, right? They're supposed to play their parents. I did it......honestly, I still do! My mom loves me way more than the rest of her children - because I didn't get caught playing her. Do I regret it? Sometimes. But the fact that she knew I was getting into trouble didn't seem to stop her from letting me learn for myself. When I messed up (and I messed up a lot) my mom and I talked about the fact that she let me hang myself........and it still didn't stop me from trying to manipulate the system the very next time I could. If I wanted something, I'd pout and give the puppy-dog eyes, and she would give in. At least, I thought she gave in - see, now, as a parent, I really think she knew what she was doing all along. So, really, it was a bit of reverse psychology on her part. Which, that's okay, I ain't mad at her! I'm learning about it so that when that day comes, and Eli and Addy start trying to play me and Ashley, I'll know all about it - and prayerfully be smarter about it - so that they can't figure out that I know what they're up to. But, then again - it could completely backfire on me. Let's hope it doesn't!
Anyway, these are just my thoughts - what are yours?
Have a good'n,
-Moad!
I've obviously added a picture of Addy.......my little baby girl.......so everyone can see how pretty she is. Hopefully you're able to view the pics (Sandy, Ginger told me you've been reading my blogs and wondering where I've been.......I haven't died or anything - just blocked! - So, hello, and enjoy and I think it's funny that you're actually interested in my twisted and ridiculoulsy stupid thoughts about the dumbest things ever! But, hey, I have to live with them).
Anyway, my wife and I are ecstatic about our newest addition and Eli loves her madly. You should see her face when he speaks to her - it's absolutely the coolest thing in the world.....her little mouth opens with the biggest, widest, and most precious little smile you can imagine. She simply adores her big brother. She's getting big and it's quite depressing, I must say. The wife is already talking about wanting to try and have another. Honestly, in my mind, I'm thinking, "Holy crap......we've got a five-year-old boy who's always into something and has a mouth on him like mine in my teenage years. Not to mention a five-month-old with a double ear infection who's currently ticked at the world and taking it out on mom and dad.......but, hey, why not try for another - at least the practice will be fun." To be truthful, though, I wouldn't mind having another kiddo - they're awesome! But, I think my wife is a bit disillusioned at the fact she now has a little girl she can put bows on and dresses on and paint toe nails and all the girlie stuff. Which I'm all for....at least until she gets to be about fourteen and wearing stuff that shows her butt and stomach - and then it's on! NO dating, NO telephone, NO leaving the house dressed like that!!!! Absolutely NO possible way! Then she'll probably give me her little pouty lip and puppy-dog eyes and I'm sure I'll melt and give in - just like her mother does to me now! It hasn't happened yet, but when it does, I'm pretty sure it's gonna suck something fierce!
But, that's the thing with kids, right? They're supposed to play their parents. I did it......honestly, I still do! My mom loves me way more than the rest of her children - because I didn't get caught playing her. Do I regret it? Sometimes. But the fact that she knew I was getting into trouble didn't seem to stop her from letting me learn for myself. When I messed up (and I messed up a lot) my mom and I talked about the fact that she let me hang myself........and it still didn't stop me from trying to manipulate the system the very next time I could. If I wanted something, I'd pout and give the puppy-dog eyes, and she would give in. At least, I thought she gave in - see, now, as a parent, I really think she knew what she was doing all along. So, really, it was a bit of reverse psychology on her part. Which, that's okay, I ain't mad at her! I'm learning about it so that when that day comes, and Eli and Addy start trying to play me and Ashley, I'll know all about it - and prayerfully be smarter about it - so that they can't figure out that I know what they're up to. But, then again - it could completely backfire on me. Let's hope it doesn't!
Anyway, these are just my thoughts - what are yours?
Have a good'n,
-Moad!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Updates....
Hello, all....
I have not been able to blog for the last few months due to some untimely issues with our server at work (my work blocked the site). For the time being, anyhow, I am able to write a little (or at least until they find out and block me again).
The last few months have proven to once again be the work of our Heavenly Father in every aspect and area of life. My wife and I had a beautiful baby girl, Addyson Grayce Moad, born November 10, 2007. She weighed almost eight lbs., 21 inches long, and an afro the size of Texas. It was awesome! Seriously, a jet-black fro! My wife loves it because she gets to do all kinds of girly things like put bows in her hair and stuff. Truth be told, I think it's pretty cool, too......but if my wife asks, I think it's the dumbest thing ever.
I also recently returned to the U.S. after a 16-day stint in Meru, Kenya (which I will write more in depth about later....complete with photos, as I plan on copying a journal I kept throughout the trip). Our mission completely ruined me to the life I previously lead and gave me a significantly different outlook on material possessions and life in general. But, again, I will post journal entries as time allows.
For now, I must go. So, for those of you who actually read any of my previous blogs, I'm not dead....just blocked for a while. Keep an eye out for new updates.
In Him,
-Stephen!
I have not been able to blog for the last few months due to some untimely issues with our server at work (my work blocked the site). For the time being, anyhow, I am able to write a little (or at least until they find out and block me again).
The last few months have proven to once again be the work of our Heavenly Father in every aspect and area of life. My wife and I had a beautiful baby girl, Addyson Grayce Moad, born November 10, 2007. She weighed almost eight lbs., 21 inches long, and an afro the size of Texas. It was awesome! Seriously, a jet-black fro! My wife loves it because she gets to do all kinds of girly things like put bows in her hair and stuff. Truth be told, I think it's pretty cool, too......but if my wife asks, I think it's the dumbest thing ever.
I also recently returned to the U.S. after a 16-day stint in Meru, Kenya (which I will write more in depth about later....complete with photos, as I plan on copying a journal I kept throughout the trip). Our mission completely ruined me to the life I previously lead and gave me a significantly different outlook on material possessions and life in general. But, again, I will post journal entries as time allows.
For now, I must go. So, for those of you who actually read any of my previous blogs, I'm not dead....just blocked for a while. Keep an eye out for new updates.
In Him,
-Stephen!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Socrates Would Be Happy
We may not always understand the way things go or the way things work. In fact, there are a lot of times I want to know why I am being asked to do certain things at work or the reason behind the request and what function it serves. Then there are times when I don't care one way or the other why I'm being asked to do this or that or especially the reasoning behind it....I just need to do it and get it over with. After talking with about 15 people about this, I noticed that it's somewhat of a common thread among those questioned. But, why? Why are some people like that and others not?
The Socratic method of argument (not in the form of emotional arguing or fighting - so, understand that by argument, I mean debate) is made up of this particular question, "why?". He believed that one could get to the bottom of any situation and find the root cause or intention in any argument by asking, "why?". It sort of makes me think about my son. "Son, put your dishes in the sink, please." "Why?" "Because when you're finished eating, you put your dishes in the sink so mommy and daddy can clean them." "Why?" "They need to be cleaned so that we can re-use them." "Why?" ......and so on and so forth. Eventually you get to the point to where it's like: "Son, just put the flippin' dishes in the sink before I pinch your little head off." It sounds crazy, but IT'S TRUE. We are consumed with the question, "why." In all actuality, if you can stand the monotony of it all, asking why for every question will eventually either drive you insane or answer the root question. Socrates was a genius (and quite possibly very devilish).
Think about it.....
Too many times we ask why when it really doesn't matter at all. We ask why for selfish reasons. It's almost like self-pity. You get hit in the head with a golf ball and you think, "why do things like this always happen to me? Why can't they just happen to someone else for a change?" Granted - nobody wants to get hit in the head with a golf ball. But, seriously.....too many hits in the head will eventually lead you to the question, "WHY?"
I find myself somtimes questioning the reason things happen to me. For example, when things don't go my way or when I feel overwhelmed or stressed, the first thing that comes to mind is, "Why does this always happen to me?" The point of this whole blog is that......things happen for a reason, yes; but the reason isn't always supposed to be revealed when you want an answer. There's not always an answer to the "why" question here and now. Things happen because they happen - - why doesn't matter. They've happened - now deal with it. Eventually, you will either be told why or you will figure it out on your own. I know that sounds sort of cruel....but, come on....the world in which we live is a "here and now" culture, based on instant gratification. My question is "WHY - do I feel like I have know everything all the time? WHY - can't I just sit back and take everything in stride? WHY - am I so focused on the here and now?" I need to sit back and relax - look to the future - and focus on the tasks at hand. Forget all the junk that's happened and stop asking "WHY" all the stinkin' time.
Socrates was a smart man - there's no doubt. But his methods don't equate with my Heavenly Papa's. I need to "be still and know that He is God."
Peace, Love, and Parliament (P-Funk All-Stars)
The Socratic method of argument (not in the form of emotional arguing or fighting - so, understand that by argument, I mean debate) is made up of this particular question, "why?". He believed that one could get to the bottom of any situation and find the root cause or intention in any argument by asking, "why?". It sort of makes me think about my son. "Son, put your dishes in the sink, please." "Why?" "Because when you're finished eating, you put your dishes in the sink so mommy and daddy can clean them." "Why?" "They need to be cleaned so that we can re-use them." "Why?" ......and so on and so forth. Eventually you get to the point to where it's like: "Son, just put the flippin' dishes in the sink before I pinch your little head off." It sounds crazy, but IT'S TRUE. We are consumed with the question, "why." In all actuality, if you can stand the monotony of it all, asking why for every question will eventually either drive you insane or answer the root question. Socrates was a genius (and quite possibly very devilish).
Think about it.....
Too many times we ask why when it really doesn't matter at all. We ask why for selfish reasons. It's almost like self-pity. You get hit in the head with a golf ball and you think, "why do things like this always happen to me? Why can't they just happen to someone else for a change?" Granted - nobody wants to get hit in the head with a golf ball. But, seriously.....too many hits in the head will eventually lead you to the question, "WHY?"
I find myself somtimes questioning the reason things happen to me. For example, when things don't go my way or when I feel overwhelmed or stressed, the first thing that comes to mind is, "Why does this always happen to me?" The point of this whole blog is that......things happen for a reason, yes; but the reason isn't always supposed to be revealed when you want an answer. There's not always an answer to the "why" question here and now. Things happen because they happen - - why doesn't matter. They've happened - now deal with it. Eventually, you will either be told why or you will figure it out on your own. I know that sounds sort of cruel....but, come on....the world in which we live is a "here and now" culture, based on instant gratification. My question is "WHY - do I feel like I have know everything all the time? WHY - can't I just sit back and take everything in stride? WHY - am I so focused on the here and now?" I need to sit back and relax - look to the future - and focus on the tasks at hand. Forget all the junk that's happened and stop asking "WHY" all the stinkin' time.
Socrates was a smart man - there's no doubt. But his methods don't equate with my Heavenly Papa's. I need to "be still and know that He is God."
Peace, Love, and Parliament (P-Funk All-Stars)
Monday, August 27, 2007
"Throw Up" Your Rawkfist
So, I evidently have way too much time on my hands because I caught myself pondering the meaning of life yet again. Only this time, I wasn't thinking about it in terms of some significant destiny I have yet to fulfill. It was more like the complexity and construction of the human body. The amazing way that the human body works.....it really is the trademark signature of our Heavenly Papa.
Last week, I came down with this wicked-nasty stomach virus. It was so bad that I literally could not stand up straight. Without going into too much detail....there was a lot of nastiness involved with this wretched thing.
My wife is seven months pregnant and we have a four-year-old little man, so I was quarantined from my house for two and a half days for fear that I would make everyone else sick. Needless to say, I was hurting. I was sick, I was away from my wife, away from my son, away from my bed, my dog wouldn't play with me, I was throwing up everywhere, I looked like the hunchback of Notre Dame 'cause I couldn't stand up straight........and I had nowhere to go................. So, I went to the only place that has to take you in........I went to my mom's and she made me chicken noodle soup and it was good.
So, I'm on my way to my mom's where my dad was supposed to have left the front door unlocked, as I have no key. I get there and slowly crawl to the front door only to find that the door is locked.........pooh! So, I decided I would lay down in the driveway and wait for him to get there. As I was laying there, I remember thinking......."I'm about to yak." Now, in my youth, I would've been terrified. I hated throwing up. In this case, I hurriedly crawled to the grass and started the process of preparing to vomit. In the midst of releasing my dinner from the night before I was struck with the reality that this is how the human body works. It stinks sometimes - no pun intended - but in all reality, when we have a virus, our body is built to defend itself. Vomitting is a defense mechanism for our body - it gets rid of all the "yuckie's" (as my son would say).
As a child, I used to despise throwing up. I would cry and pray for God to keep me from "being sick." As an adult, however, I'm able to look at things differently. Now it's like, "Look, if we're gonna do this, let's get it on so I can get back to bed." Don't ask me why it hit me when it did - but now I look at it in a very different light.
It really is crazy-wack-funky if you think about the way we, as humans, are able to perform certain tasks. Look at our hands with fingers that just happen to wrap around things enabling us to grab hold and grip. Look at the way our muscles are constructed. The way our lungs work - the fact that we use oxygen. Take the human eye for example......what an amazing mechanism that can only be accomplished by an inventor like my God. Look at pregnancy or child birth....you cannot tell me there's no God.
So, the next time you get sick......don't look at it like it's the worst thing ever.....look at it as a refining process. Your body is refining itself and defending itself from all the "yuckies."
I hate to ask.....but, any thoughts?
Last week, I came down with this wicked-nasty stomach virus. It was so bad that I literally could not stand up straight. Without going into too much detail....there was a lot of nastiness involved with this wretched thing.
My wife is seven months pregnant and we have a four-year-old little man, so I was quarantined from my house for two and a half days for fear that I would make everyone else sick. Needless to say, I was hurting. I was sick, I was away from my wife, away from my son, away from my bed, my dog wouldn't play with me, I was throwing up everywhere, I looked like the hunchback of Notre Dame 'cause I couldn't stand up straight........and I had nowhere to go................. So, I went to the only place that has to take you in........I went to my mom's and she made me chicken noodle soup and it was good.
So, I'm on my way to my mom's where my dad was supposed to have left the front door unlocked, as I have no key. I get there and slowly crawl to the front door only to find that the door is locked.........pooh! So, I decided I would lay down in the driveway and wait for him to get there. As I was laying there, I remember thinking......."I'm about to yak." Now, in my youth, I would've been terrified. I hated throwing up. In this case, I hurriedly crawled to the grass and started the process of preparing to vomit. In the midst of releasing my dinner from the night before I was struck with the reality that this is how the human body works. It stinks sometimes - no pun intended - but in all reality, when we have a virus, our body is built to defend itself. Vomitting is a defense mechanism for our body - it gets rid of all the "yuckie's" (as my son would say).
As a child, I used to despise throwing up. I would cry and pray for God to keep me from "being sick." As an adult, however, I'm able to look at things differently. Now it's like, "Look, if we're gonna do this, let's get it on so I can get back to bed." Don't ask me why it hit me when it did - but now I look at it in a very different light.
It really is crazy-wack-funky if you think about the way we, as humans, are able to perform certain tasks. Look at our hands with fingers that just happen to wrap around things enabling us to grab hold and grip. Look at the way our muscles are constructed. The way our lungs work - the fact that we use oxygen. Take the human eye for example......what an amazing mechanism that can only be accomplished by an inventor like my God. Look at pregnancy or child birth....you cannot tell me there's no God.
So, the next time you get sick......don't look at it like it's the worst thing ever.....look at it as a refining process. Your body is refining itself and defending itself from all the "yuckies."
I hate to ask.....but, any thoughts?
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Holy Cow, I'm Stuffed.....
I may not be a smart man....but, I'm pretty sure I'm not a complete idiot. Although, I could be wrong. I'm learning more and more each day how stupid I can be. Maybe it's age....perhaps the loss of hair.....or possibly even a pregnant wife. But, regardless, I can tell something is about to give and I'm not sure how it's all going to go down.
It's exciting, I must admit, that I feel in my inner-most being a movement of some sort....I don't think it's gas. It feels more like a time of training. If you've ever played a sport perhaps you'll recognize this feeling. It's like right before a football game and your the quaterback. In pre-game warm-ups, the adrenaline is pumping so much that you have this axious feeling....a prompt to just scream out at the top of your lungs....not out of anger, but out of sheer adrenaline. It's sort of like butterflies but in no way like a nervous feeling! Your self-confidence isn't being tested. If anything it's complete confidence in what you can bring to the table.....but more like a readiness just to get out there and start cracking some heads. It's actually really exciting. There's no pride or self-service involved - it's simply a willingness to put it all out there for the world to see what you've been gifted with. Now, once you're on the field - it's time to rely on instincts and training to pull you through to victory. But, just before the game, that feeling of anxiety races through your veins pushing your very limits to exhaustion.
That's currently where I find myself.
Over the last few months, I have been consumed with a few "missions" I feel God is calling me to be a part of. One is a mission trip to Meru, Kenya in January of '08. The other is a ministry that is still in the praying and planning stages. But, there is a readiness just to be used by God to minister to the needs of people. I've been spending a lot of time just reading scripture and taking note as to what God is speaking into my life. I feel full. I feel stuffed. I feel like I've just spent four hours at a buffet and have eaten everything I can. It's a great feeling.....but then there has to be time to lay back and let it all soak in.
I realize I am probably rambling - it's difficult to keep up with my thoughts on all this. but, as I was reading a few weeks ago, I was struck with a passage out of the Psalms. I've read it a million times and have taken quite a liking to it. But, as I was reading over some notes I had written, this same verse hit me like a ton of bricks. The passage goes as follows: (forgive me, I don't have my Bible in front of me as I am at work, furiously trying to type and keep up with my thoughts)
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn; the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." - Psalm 37:3-6
This just seems to speak to me in such a way that leads me to the pre-game feeling of a battle between two rival teams, warfare on the football field - in this situation; spiritual warfare against the darkest team you've ever seen. The epic battle between good and evil.
I guess where I am going with this is that, in order to do your absolute best on the football field of life, you have to work out (read, study, fast, pray). As I look back at my football days, I remember many times working out to the point of collapsing - being so physically tired that I couldn't take another step. Only to go back out the next day and be pushed further past my previous limits. It's the same on the spiritual football field; soaking in as much of the Lord as you can until you have to take a step back - regroup - then hit it hard again - pushing yourself further and further until your spiritual muscles have been trained to the point of being able to act instinctively. When you reach exhaustion it means that you're almost where you need to be - KEEP GOING! Man, there's no feeling quite like pre-game "jitters." Regardless of the final score on a physical football field, you're a winner because you trained like a winner. On the spiritual football field - you're already victorious because, not only did you train like a champ, you have a coach with a phenomenal winning record (having never lost a game), and a winning team behind you, rooting for you, praying for you, and wanting you to accept the authority the coach has given you.
Train hard and win big.....
Thoughts?
It's exciting, I must admit, that I feel in my inner-most being a movement of some sort....I don't think it's gas. It feels more like a time of training. If you've ever played a sport perhaps you'll recognize this feeling. It's like right before a football game and your the quaterback. In pre-game warm-ups, the adrenaline is pumping so much that you have this axious feeling....a prompt to just scream out at the top of your lungs....not out of anger, but out of sheer adrenaline. It's sort of like butterflies but in no way like a nervous feeling! Your self-confidence isn't being tested. If anything it's complete confidence in what you can bring to the table.....but more like a readiness just to get out there and start cracking some heads. It's actually really exciting. There's no pride or self-service involved - it's simply a willingness to put it all out there for the world to see what you've been gifted with. Now, once you're on the field - it's time to rely on instincts and training to pull you through to victory. But, just before the game, that feeling of anxiety races through your veins pushing your very limits to exhaustion.
That's currently where I find myself.
Over the last few months, I have been consumed with a few "missions" I feel God is calling me to be a part of. One is a mission trip to Meru, Kenya in January of '08. The other is a ministry that is still in the praying and planning stages. But, there is a readiness just to be used by God to minister to the needs of people. I've been spending a lot of time just reading scripture and taking note as to what God is speaking into my life. I feel full. I feel stuffed. I feel like I've just spent four hours at a buffet and have eaten everything I can. It's a great feeling.....but then there has to be time to lay back and let it all soak in.
I realize I am probably rambling - it's difficult to keep up with my thoughts on all this. but, as I was reading a few weeks ago, I was struck with a passage out of the Psalms. I've read it a million times and have taken quite a liking to it. But, as I was reading over some notes I had written, this same verse hit me like a ton of bricks. The passage goes as follows: (forgive me, I don't have my Bible in front of me as I am at work, furiously trying to type and keep up with my thoughts)
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn; the justice of your cause like the noonday sun." - Psalm 37:3-6
This just seems to speak to me in such a way that leads me to the pre-game feeling of a battle between two rival teams, warfare on the football field - in this situation; spiritual warfare against the darkest team you've ever seen. The epic battle between good and evil.
I guess where I am going with this is that, in order to do your absolute best on the football field of life, you have to work out (read, study, fast, pray). As I look back at my football days, I remember many times working out to the point of collapsing - being so physically tired that I couldn't take another step. Only to go back out the next day and be pushed further past my previous limits. It's the same on the spiritual football field; soaking in as much of the Lord as you can until you have to take a step back - regroup - then hit it hard again - pushing yourself further and further until your spiritual muscles have been trained to the point of being able to act instinctively. When you reach exhaustion it means that you're almost where you need to be - KEEP GOING! Man, there's no feeling quite like pre-game "jitters." Regardless of the final score on a physical football field, you're a winner because you trained like a winner. On the spiritual football field - you're already victorious because, not only did you train like a champ, you have a coach with a phenomenal winning record (having never lost a game), and a winning team behind you, rooting for you, praying for you, and wanting you to accept the authority the coach has given you.
Train hard and win big.....
Thoughts?
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