Adam's Journal

A Wonderful Week of Music

2008-10-16T10:13:00.013-06:00

Well, this has been a great week in my music life...and none of it really centered around me...(wow, I can't believe the musician in me actually said that!). Anyway, Sunday we are having our Baby Dedication ceremony at church and so I wrote a song for the occasion. I was at home working on it and Danielle came in with Emma and started helping me with it. I then got to play the piano with my daughter for the first time. (Man, I hope she grows up to love music.) Danielle took some photos of us, but the best one I had to pull from one of the videos she shot (which is why the picture quality's so bad.) I thought the lighting was great and the look of wonderment on her face was breath-taking...at least for Daddy it was. Hopefully, this will be the first of many Daddy/Daughter Duets.

And then this morning, I experienced what could possibly be the apex of my song-writing career. Honestly, I'm not sure what else could top having a children's choir (small at it might be) praise our Lord, Jesus Christ through a song that He inspired in me. I didn't want to make the kids nervous so I shot in secret from the back of the room. Plus you have to picture me behind the camera...I don't think I stopped grinning from ear to ear the ENTIRE time.

Thank you so much to Mrs. Jackson's choir at Wichita Christian School for letting me come and listen to you practice and worship God with you.

It's Official...

2008-05-16T14:23:00.004-06:00

Well, it's official...I'm IN my 30's. No longer on the outskirts, but IN my 30's. Today I turned 31 and, well, I'm older. Danielle and I celebrated by going to the movies and then out to dinner with some friends. The evening culminated by me getting my tail kicked at the new Mario Cart on the Nintendo Wii....yeah, and I mean KICKED!!! But hey, it was just as fun as the original Nintendo64 (ahhh..... back when I was 26, when times were simpler).

Anyway, it was so much fun hanging out with our friends. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. Speaking of wonderful family....here's a preemptive "Happy Birthday" sung by my nephew Luke while Danielle and I were home for a baby shower last weekend. Pretty good, huh? If I can just get a guitar in front of him, we could hit the road. : )

Thanks everyone, especially my wonderful wife, for making this past year spectacular. On to my thirties.

This Evening's Adventure

2008-03-24T18:18:00.008-06:00

It all started when I took the trash out when I got home from work today. After putting the bag in the dumpster, I looked around and decided to pull some of the thousands of weeds from my yard (this is another story altogether....for another time). I pulled them for a few minutes and worked my way down the fence...when I noticed a clicking noise. Not thinking anything of it...I continued on. Pretty soon, I heard the clicking noise again. As I looked up and gave my eyes time to focus on what was before me, I realized that the mound of fuzz sitting behind a leafless bush was not a pile of leaves and trash, but was a ......

are you ready for this....

an owl. That's right...an OWL!!!! About two feet from my face. And I'm not talking about a four or five inch little tree owl. I'm talking it was an over a foot tall BIRD OF PREY!!! That looked like it wanted to reach out and touch someone....ME in particular!!! So naturally, I kept my cool and assessed the situation, before doing the right thing.....wait....nevermind....the truth is I ran. That's right, I ran like a little girl away from a bullying 6th grader. And I'm not ashamed. Don't you judge me.

Anyway, come to find out, we have had a baby great horned owl sitting in our yard/alleyway since this morning. Looking back to this morning, it started with a bunch of loud bluejay's yakking on our fence at the crack of dawn...I guess they weren't too happy to have the bird that was 15 times their size in their neighborhood. Not knowing what the bluejays were upset about, our day continued.

We have since, contacted wildlife rescue services, and they have picked the owl up to take care of it until it can later be released back into the wild. The funny thing no longer than two minutes after the owl had been removed, the bluejays were back in force. There were at least seven male bluejays, three blackbirds, one male cardinal, and a little 'ole wren chirping it up on our fence and the powerlines behind our house.

Well, anyway that was our excitement for the evening. Danielle and I actually miss it. It was like a little pet...for twenty minutes. We named her Alley....cause we found her in the alley. Creative...huh?

Everyone....meet Alley. :)

It's A Girl!!!

2008-01-30T15:46:00.000-06:00

Well, here we are four months into this thing, and we just found out that we are having a GIRL!!! We were wanting to have a girl so bad...and today we finally got the news.

Of course, we trusted that God would bless us with what was best for our family, but we REALLY hoped for a girl. It was so amazing to watch our little girl move around inside the womb during the sonagram. She's only five or six inches long, but it seemed like a world of growth from the little pea we saw the last time we were there. Wow...they grow up so fast.

God's goodness and sovereignty never ceases to amaze me. How He shapes and forms little fingers and little toes and sets into motion a little heart no bigger than the tip of a Sharpie marker. I stand in awe of His wonderous ways.

More to come.....much...much...more.

Four Weeks Ago...

2007-11-01T19:56:00.000-06:00

My thoughts four weeks ago...

Well, today was what you would call a life changing day. After a busy week at the church, I took this afternoon off to veg out on the sofa watching a little TV. Danielle just so happened to take the rest of the day off too, so there we were.

As we sat on our respective sofas, she said, "Oh, I made you something at work today. I forgot to give it to you." I opened the small white envelope she gave me. Inside was a small, red construction paper heart similar to the one I keep in my wallet that she gave me over nine years ago. But with one small difference. On this one was written, "For Daddy."

I'M GOING TO BE DAD!!! I AM A DAD!!!! Even now God has pulled out His sovereign and creative loom and has commenced His masterpiece. He is creating our child in the womb of my wife...my child's mother. He is creating His child in the womb of my wife. This speck, no larger than the tip of a pen, will continue to be shaped, molded, fitted, and perfected. Perfected in His eyes. Every vessel in place. Full of blood, life, and purpose.

The first stroke has been laid on the canvas. A masterpiece awaits.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

The House...Finally

2007-10-23T19:15:00.000-06:00

Well, 1 year...4 months...and 20 days, and we finally bought a house. That's right...you heard correctly...we bought a house. God has proved Himself faithful once again. It's a wonderful 4 bedroom home on a quiet cul-de-sac in a quaint little neighborhood a couple of miles from the church.

We are so excited about about being able get our stuff out of storage, and finally settling down into a home. There are a few updates we are wanting to do, but the "bones" of the house are great. It has a cozy little covered patio that will be a great place to enjoy the afternoon shade....what little shade there is here in Texas. : )

If you want to check it out in more detail...click here.

Sacrificial Worship

2007-09-21T19:10:00.001-06:00

What a year. It has been just a little over a year since Danielle and I arrived here in Wichita Falls…and what a wonderful one it has been. Very few days go by when I don’t feel extremely privileged to serve as the Worship Pastor for Fairway Baptist Church. This church is filled with people with a servant’s heart. A heart that is beating in rhythm with the song of our Savior.

Earlier in the year, I was reading through 1 and 2 Samuel, and I read a verse at the end of the 2^nd book that has stuck with me ever since. King David was told through the prophet Gad, to go build an altar on someone else’s threshing floor, in order to stop the plague that was reeking havoc on Israel at the time. Upon arrival, King David inquired about the cost of the threshing floor. The gentleman, in turn, offered to give whatever he had to the king for free. But the king persisted, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24

What an amazing truth about sacrifice. It’s easy for us to give away something that we attained for free. But to give something away that we earned…we fought for…we went to great lengths for…now that’s a different story. Why? Because it means more to us. It has greater value to us because we put our own blood, sweat, and tears into it. Therefore, if you choose to give it away, the sacrifice takes on an even greater value to the one who is making it. And this is what King David was after. He wanted his sacrifice to his God to be of value…he wanted it to cost him. His desired was to show God that He was worth the sacrifice.

Romans 12:1 says that we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices…a life that is surrendered to Him in every way…a life lived in sacrificial obedience to our Father. It goes on to say that this is our spiritual act of worship. It’s not just music, or the Sunday morning service, but it’s a 24-7 sacrificial gift to Jesus Christ.

Other translations say it is our reasonable act of worship. When we think of the depth of His mercy, the extent of His blessing, the vastness of His love, a sacrificial life of worship is the only reasonable response. Our offering should gush forth as an overwhelming reaction to knowing His greatness. We should desire to not only offer our life as a sacrifice to God, but offer it as a joyful sacrifice to Him…just as David did. Like Paul of the New Testament, David’s heart “considered everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing his Lord.” Philippians 3:8.

It shows itself in the smile of a greeter on Sunday morning. The grunts of someone helping another load a moving truck. The soft whispers of the Fairway Family praying for each other. The patience our nursery workers. The laughter of ministry teams setting up after hours for an event. The aroma of a savory Wednesday night meal. And many, many more. They are around every corner. And for that, I am thankful…and honored to be part of the Fairway family.

God has called us to be living sacrifice…this is our reasonable act of worship.

My DNA

2007-08-16T14:44:00.000-06:00

Free-Wheeling Architect

I came across this site. What do you think? Is it me?

Goodbye Relationships - A Devotion for Lent

2007-03-30T12:49:00.000-06:00

I have this philosophy which I like to call "goodbye relationships." You'll find it anywhere you find people. More specifically, people leaving other people. I've noticed it every time I have moved towns. I've noticed it in hospitals. I've noticed it on planes. You may not have realized it, but goodbye relationships are all around you. You've probably even been a part of them.

When we, as relational beings, find ourselves in a relationship that is coming to a close, something changes. Something shifts us into relationship survival mode. We begin to shake free from whatever fears or uncertainties may have hindered that relationship in some way. Every time, my wife and I have moved towns, an urgency has come upon us and we found ourselves wanting to spend more and more time with the friends we would be leaving behind. Regrets of not taking more time with friends…sooner. Goodbye relationships are found around every corner in hospitals and nursing homes. Loved ones clinging on to loved ones and desiring just one more moment from someone they've taken for granted in the past.

Here we are…a few days away from Holy Week. This is the time during which we remember the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem as he begins his last week of earthly ministry. It was his final week and he knew it. This was his last opportunity to physically be with the people he loved, and he took advantage of it. As we read scripture, we find the urgency in Jesus' actions and his words as he teaches in the temple. His intimacy with his closest friends as they share one last meal together. His intensity as he prayed at Gethsemane. "And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." Luke 22:44

Jesus knew the time was drawing near when he would no longer be with his disciples. He knew there would be a time when he would not be able to go to the temple to teach and answer questions. This was it--His last week. He shifted into goodbye relationship survival mode. Only this wasn't for his survival, it was for ours. He knew what was to come at the end of the week, and he knew we wouldn't understand it. His concern and intensity was birthed from his love for us. He knew we would need some help in order to survive the coming storm. "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:7, 33

Jesus understood that, though he would die and no longer walk the earth as a man, the relationship wouldn't end there. He knew he would send a Counselor (John 16:7) that would come to dwell with man forever. His urgency and intensity was for our benefit. He would and did do all that he could to assure his eternal relationship with his creation. His urgency took him to a cross and then to a grave. But death could not conquer him. Through his sacrifice, we can rest in knowing that there is no goodbye relationship with Jesus, our Savior. If we trust in the Word that he left us and in the love and forgiveness he offers, he will dwell with us forever and we will dwell with him.

The Example - A Devotion for Lent

2007-03-08T13:42:00.000-06:00

First there was the monocle. That small piece of glass held in with a squint of the eye.

Could there be more than this? Could we be missing something? Let's add ear pieces to hold them on for us.

Then there were spectacles. Those frames of metal and springs resting on the bridge of our noses.

But these aren't working. They hurt the back of my ears and keep sliding off my nose. Could we find something more convenient? Maybe there's something else we could try.

Contact Lenses. They fit tightly on your eyes. No need to worry about them hurting your ears.

But now I have to spend extra time every morning rinsing with saline solution and keeping them disinfected. Oh, the turmoil. Why can't we just not wear anything?

Ahhh, the wonders of LASIK!!

Let's shine lasers in our eyes. This should take care our problem...for now.

We live in a world of amazing technology, convenience, and comfort. A society that caters to our every whim. If we can dream it up, it's probably available somewhere…or at least it will be tomorrow. Everything from microwaves, TIVO’s, and iPods contribute to our me mind set. We even have 24-hour shopping centers to fit into my time schedule. And when I don’t have any extra time in my schedule, I can just pay my bills over the internet without leaving the comfort of my own home. It’s all about convenience. It’s all about me!!!

We are hard pressed to find examples in our culture that go against the grain and emphasize sacrifice and humility. Very little directs our focus onto what really matters. We do, however, have the example of Jesus Christ. His life and ministry focused, not on His own agenda, but the will of His Father. Even as His earthly ministry was coming to an end, praying at Gethsemane, He knew what was ahead of Him, and still He relinquished His own wants and desires, for the desire of His Father.

“Then He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, ‘Abba, Father! All things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.’” Mark 14:35-36. HCSB

We are bombarded by so many things throughout our day that try to make us comfortable...easy...tranquil, we miss what’s really going on. Satan tries to distract us with these empty substitutes that the world calls good; however, he can’t offer us the best. That is left up to God. God knew there was only one way to redeem the world. He had to make a sacrifice—His Son (Ephesians 5:2). He made a choice to send His Son, and His Son made a choice to carry it through. It wasn’t the most convenient. It wasn’t the most comfortable. But it was the best. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have Life, and we have it abundantly. Today, we, too, have a choice to make. It’s not easy. But it is worth it.

This week, allow yourselves to evaluate your day. What is holding your attention? Now, don’t get me wrong, comfort and convenience are not bad things...UNLESS...it is keeping you from something greater...the Best.

And before I go any further, let me clarify my opening statement, I am not opposed to LASIK (I may even have it done one day). After all, it helps us see more clearly. I pray your vision would, indeed, be clear this week and during this season of Lent. May you fix your eyes upon Jesus Christ and see Him as He truly is...the Savior...the Sacrifice...the Example.

Additional Scripture to meditate on:
Romans 12:1; Luke 9:23; Matthew 20:26-28; Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 10:11-14; Daniel 3:28

2006-07-19T12:27:00.000-06:00

Wow, how time flies! I always have good intentions to post regularly and then . . . BOOM!!! . . . life happens and weeks fly by.

Well the road was long and the road was flat, but we finally made it to Texas. We rolled into town at 1:00am after driving straight through without any major glitches in our plans. We made great time--aside from the hour stuck in Memphis traffic after a truck pulling a backhoe decided he wanted to ignore the clearance height of an overpass slamming into it, sending the backhoe flying off the trailer and spreading concrete from the overpass across almost every lane. This did make me me feel much better about my truck driving skills.

Anyway, let’s rewind a little bit. We finally got everything packed up and loaded on to the trucks . . . and yes, I said “trucks” . . . we had two of them. Luckily, the children’s minister for Fairway and her husband flew to Nashville to help us drive the trucks back. What a blessing! We set out early that morning expecting to stop and finish up the next day; however, after 10 or 11 hours, we all still felt really well, so we pushed on arriving in Wichita Falls at not-so wide-eyed 1:00am.

The next day we unloaded the bare essentials into our apartment and then met with a crew (and when I say “crew,” I mean “crew!” About 20 or so) to unload the trucks into our storage unit. Let me tell you, that was impressive! They unloaded BOTH 24 foot trucks into the storage unit in under an hour. WOW!! Under an hours!!! We thought it would probably take, at least three.

My first day on staff was the June 4th, and along with it came excitement, anticipation, nervousness, joy, and peace about how God had led us here. That night, the church held a homemade ice cream social (which, by the way, was scrumptious) and were planning on “pounding” us while we were there. We weren’t quite sure what a “pounding” was, but from the sound of it, we thought we would probably be sore the next day. But, luckily for us, there was no beating involved. It’s actually a tradition of inviting someone into the neighborhood by giving gifts of food and essential “life” items (e.g. flour, sugar, vegetables, paper towels, toilet paper). What an overwhelming gesture!! Danielle and I were both blown away by the outpouring of generosity by the church members.

We are trying to get settled into the groove of things. Danielle is focusing on looking for us a house and taking care of the details of life—getting insurance set up, bank accounts, groceries, etc. And I’m working (it has yet to feel like “work”) on worship sets, websites, etc. I still can’t get over the difference between working and doing something you were created to do.

Anyway, we are getting used to Texas. We love the area, the weather (although hot, very little humidity), and mostly, the people of Fairway. In just over a month being here, we already feel at home. It feels like we’ve been here for years. It’s just another affirmation of God calling us here.

Let The Chaos Begin!!

2006-05-24T07:15:00.000-06:00

Well today is my last day at work. For those of you who don’t know, Danielle and I will be moving to Wichita Falls, Texas, where I have accepted a position with Fairway Baptist Church as their Worship Pastor. After almost four months of emails, phone calls, flights, interviews, and stress, the church officially voted on May 7th to ask us to come join their family. And without hesitation, we said, “YES!!!!”

After today, the chaos begins. I’m not a big fan of “the move.” No matter how many lists I write, rewrite, merge together, and write again. I always have this small voice chatting in my head, “Adam, there’s something missing.” “You forgot something.” “What could it be?” “What could it be?” “What could it be?”

Everything from storage units and apartments, to utilities and moving trucks, there are WAY too many details when it comes to moving, especially when trying to do so in less than three weeks. Luckily, I’m married to a woman who obsesses over details just as much as I do...maybe even a little bit more. (Love you, honey) Together we can make bulleted menus of “to-dos,” enter excel spreadsheets, and drain hi-liters with each task completed. It seems to work.....for now.

We plan on loading up the storage unit this weekend and the apartment early next week. We hit the open road on Wednesday and hopefully arrive in our new home on Thursday. And just as we are finishing up the frenzied furry of “the move”, the real chaos begins—ministry.

My first official date on staff is June 4th. This is a date that has been in my mind and on my heart for almost ten years. When I was a freshman in college and began traveling around leading worship at revivals, retreats, and conferences, I knew one day God would call me to a specific church to start full-time ministry. That day is finally here!!!

It is an exciting time for me. Looking back I can see His sovereignty in bringing both Danielle and me to this point. It is so refreshing to feel His presence and realize that during those times of doubt and struggle, He was still moving and molding us for this place in time.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

What a peace-giver. When I’m screaming at the top of my lungs, “What are You doing? You’ve got it all wrong!!” He sits and waits for me to calm down and then whispers, “Trust me. I know what I’m doing. I’ve got a plan.”

For ten years, He has been sculpting me into “Adam” and fashioning Danielle into “Danielle.” He gave us certain gifts at birth He knew we would later use for His glory. For me, a knack for computers and a bent for music. As for Danielle, the gift of art, a passion for animals, and a listening ear…an ear that truly hears God’s people. And during life, He shaped and tweaked those gifts with life experience, people around us, and with dry times of waiting.

What an encouragement it is to know that the Creator of all things waits for me—waiting for us. Honestly, He patiently waits for you and for me. When we are running around trying to figure things out on our own (and usually messing things up in the process), He waits for us. Why? Because when He thinks of us, He doesn’t see the mess we’ve got ourselves into, He sees the end result—we will be like Jesus. No matter how trivial a situation may seem or how long a dry spell may last, He has planned for it and prepared you for it. And then, that situation will prepare you for another situation in the future, and so on and so on, until our heart and our spirit are like His Son’s. Did you hear that? We are to be like His Son—Jesus Christ.

So through all of the anxiety, stress, worry, waiting, and wondering, there emerges JOY. Joy in knowing that you have become closer to who you were created to be—YOU!!!

So after ten years of waiting, God has said, “Now, Adam. Now is the time. Six years ago you weren’t ready. Not even last year. Last week you were close, but no cigar. But now, now is the time. GO!!!” How exciting!!!......Oh man, now is the time....what am I thinking? I’m not ready!! What if He’s wrong?? What if He read the schedule wrong??

Well, there I go again. I guess I’ll just have to trust and see what happens. How exciting!! Let the chaos begin.

I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.

Department of the Redundancy Department

2006-04-21T10:04:00.000-06:00

“Department of the Redundancy Department, can I help you?”

There I lay on my side, in bed, half asleep. A million thoughts going on inside my mind. Nothing really important…just thoughts. Then something grabs my attention. You know, one of those things that once you start thinking about it, you can’t really stop until it all makes sense. Well, there I was, head smashed halfway into my pillow, and I couldn’t get it out of my mind. My breath.

Last weekend, Danielle was sick with sinus, flu, bug, congestion stuff and on Friday night she laid there in bed not being able to breathe out of either nostril, and it hurt breathing out of her mouth. It wrecked her whole body. I didn’t get whatever Danielle had (knock on wood). And tonight, I’m feeling just fine, but for some reason, I’m only breathing out of one nostril. I know what you’re thinking…“You can’t be serious? Is he really talking about nostrils?” Anyway, humor me for a moment. I’m pretty sure the other one wasn’t blocked, but for some reason, my breath preferred my left nostril last night.

Anyway, so I started thinking…which always seems to lead into dangerous territory. If we only need one nostril to breathe well, then why do we have two? Well, the longer I lay there, I figured it out. Redundancy. Why do we have two nostrils? Because they occasionally get clogged. They get gooped up with junk from who knows where. And when one nostril ceases to function for a time, well, the other is there to step up. (Unless you’re my wife who has an uncanny ability to get them both stopped up at once.)

This is when God began to cultivate my thoughts. How amazing it is that God’s truth permeates every aspect of life—everything from human physiology to practical application for His people.

“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

“Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits.” Mark 6:7

“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.” Luke 10:1

Jesus sent his disciples and his followers out two by two. Why? Because he knew what would happen eventually. He knew, somewhere along the way, one of them would get gooped up from life’s junk. One would cease to function for a time. “If one falls down his friend can help him up. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.” Ecclesiastes 4:10,12 Jesus knew we would need backup. We would need someone in our life to help us along our journey.

I’ve always heard the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians, “[The God] who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” Isn't that awesome!! God provides backup when we need it, and then when we have the opportunity, we get to be someone’s backup in return. What an amazing privilege!!

Why do we have two ears, two eyes, two kidneys, two lungs, or four chambers in our heart? Two ears? We can hear just fine with one, but with two we can sense the direction from which the sound comes. God knew that when we have true friends around, we, too, can sense the direction of the softest sounds. How about His whisper? Ever have trouble hearing it? Ask your closest of friends and listen. It’s there. We can see fine with one eye. But with two, we gain perspective. With true friends around, we no longer see in just two dimensions. We’ve gained perspective. Life in 3D!! Depth of field. Isn’t it a lot easier to see when something’s going to smack you in the face, when you have both eyes open? I know there have been numerous times a friend has kept me from getting knocked off my feet, just because they were there with me. Can you think of a time? Probably. Maybe even two or three.

What a wonderful feeling to be able to rest in the comfort of a backup. Doesn’t it put your mind at ease, knowing if you mess up, there’s someone there? Furthermore, what a privilege it is to be a backup. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 God knew we would mess up, forget, tear down, doubt, fall, fall again, and get gooped up. God knew we should have a backup. He knew we would need it.

The world is full of backups. Do you know the world’s largest manufacturer of backups? The Church. It’s how God designed it. He placed it on this earth to seek the lost and to love each other. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

Have you been a backup lately? Someone to be leaned on in time of trouble? Have you needed a backup? Has someone comforted you with the same comfort they received from God? Have you thanked them? Maybe you should. Maybe I should. Maybe we should rest in the peace and comfort of knowing we’re not doing this alone.

Maybe, tonight, I’ll let my right nostril take the reins, and give my left one a break.

It's Official...I'm a Junkie. : (

2006-01-04T10:57:00.000-06:00

My wonderful wife gave me the most amazing gift for Christmas--IT'S TIVO!!! I'm not sure how familiar you are with this wonderful wonder of freedom that releases us all from the timetable of the tube, but let me share...it's MAGNANOMOUS!!! It has a feature that allows the user to program in, not just one episode, but an entire season, including all episodes at any time on any channel. Now, I'll never miss an episode. HOW EXCITING!!!!

After getting comfortable with the other basic features of this machine from God, I began the task of setting up the various shows my wife and I watch. One after another, I entered show after show. My joy escalated as I felt the shackles of network television fall from remote. And just as quickly as my bonds were gone, another thought filled my mind, "Holy Cow!!! Could it be true?"

As I gazed at the list of my "have-to-watch" TV shows, I could only admit one thing: I'm a TV junkie. I'm not proud of it. But hey, admitting it is the first step, right?

For your viewing pleasure, here is the list that now consumes my TIVO.

24
Amazing Race
American Idol
The Apprentice (The Donald, not Martha)
The Bachelor(ette)
Big Brother
Biggest Loser
Boston Legal
Celebrity Fit Club
CSI (not Miami or NY)
Desperate Housewives
E.R.
Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
Grey's Anatomy
How I Met Your Mother
Kenny vs. Spenny
LOST
My Name Is Earl
MythBusters
The OC (I know.....shut up!)
RockStar
Survivor

A Very Merry Christmas!!

2005-12-22T08:04:00.000-06:00

Over the past month we have looked at a few traditions that many of us embrace during the holidays. Everything from Santa, himself, to why those random branches are setting on the mantle. But why? What does it matter why we have these customs? Well, it’s the same reason we should want to know about any tradition. With understanding comes appreciation.

In the spirit of that same appreciation, I would like to sincerely thank all the readers of this journal for your time and especially your feedback. A special thanks to Crystal, who has been the greatest editor anyone could ask for. I mean, come on, who wouldn’t want someone to point out every single flaw in your writing! Seriously, this journal wouldn’t be nearly as enjoyable without her making sense out of all of my ramblings.

I pray that this holiday season, you will look past not only the traditions of your own holiday, but past all of the traditions in your life. Seek to know why you do the things you do. Seek to understand the importance of traditions in your life today.

The apostles of Jesus Christ had a hard time with this. But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. Mark 9:23 They were afraid. May this not be our heart. For Jesus has promised, “Seek and you will find.” More importantly, seek Him and you will find Him.

I wish everyone a very, merry Christmas. May we truly understand, appreciate, and experience Christ this season and the upcoming year. Thanks again for reading.

Traditions of Christmas. Part 4

2005-12-19T07:45:00.002-06:00

“Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!!!” bellows the man in red donning the bag of goodies. Making his list and checking it twice, this bearer of the endless sack of treasures is the central figure in what many consider the most important part of Christmas…GIFTS. For some gift giving is what makes the holiday season feel like Christmas. For others (probably too many), gift receiving is their focus. But when and where did this tradition begin? Who started this annual ritual of braving the treacherous shopping mall to find the last Xbox 360?

Many equate this custom with the Biblical account of Jesus’ birth. In the book of Matthew, the Magi came bearing gifts from the King Herod of Judea—gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, most associate it with Santa Claus himself.

Nicholas was born in Lycia, Turkey, in the mid-3rd century and would later become bishop of Myra. Centuries after his death and burial at his church at Myra, Nicholas’ reputation for generosity and compassion led to the rise of legends in which he gave to the poor, protected the weak, and even restored life to deceased children. These legends persisted until after the Protestant Reformation of the 1500's. All stories eventually subsided in Europe except for the tale of Sinterklaas (a Dutch version of the name Saint Nicholas) in Holland. Dutch colonists brought this tradition to America where it fused with the Nordic tale of a magician who punished the naughty children and rewarded the nice.

The legend continued to escalate in 1822 with Clement Moore’s The Night Before Christmas, in which Santa Claus was given his sleigh and bag of toys. From the 1860’s through the 1880’s , Thomas Nast illustrated Santa Claus in Harper’s Magazine which gave birth to his famous checklist and his wonderful workshop at the North Pole.

And here we are…2005. Presents under the tree are now, not just anticipated, but expected. It seems that every year that goes by, there are more and more presents to buy. This holiday season as we notice the presents under the tree, let them remind us of the greatest Present ever—Jesus. A Gift given—to not one person—but to humanity. A Gift wrapped—not in beautifully adorned paper and ribbon—but in a lowly, disgusting, common trough. A Gift—not of joy—but of Joy!! It seems the only characteristic this Gift has in common with the millions of other gifts given world wide is that this One didn’t stay wrapped for long. Jesus was placed in a modest manger at His birth, but He didn’t stay there, for He was purposed for a cross. Upon taking our sins to the cross with Him, Jesus was placed in yet another common holder—a tomb.

“Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.” Luke 23:50-53

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Christmas morning, I don’t recall gifts placed neatly under the tree. Mine are more like visions of shredded wrapping paper scattered across the floor. The sorry remains of what used to be boxes. And a multitude of large garbage bags strategically placed throughout the room. It didn't take us long to tear into the presents that were set aside just for us. These gifts were wrapped for just a moment. Likewise, Jesus was only in the tomb for just a moment. The grave, for everyone else, is an eternal dwelling place physically. But Jesus conquered it—after only three days. Praise God, the Almighty Sovereign and the Omnipotent Savior.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you." 1 Peter 1:3-4

This Christmas morning, as you receive that scarce moment of peace just following the hectic aftermath of chaos, look around. See those empty boxes? See the joy on the their faces? Isn’t the empty box a lot nicer than before? The mystery of what was inside has now been revealed. Gifts are nice…but only when they are opened. Jesus’ crucifixion was amazing, but His resurrection was essential. If He had stayed in the tomb…His death would have been pointless. This was His ministry. He gave His life for it. And it all started with a manger.

I wish each and every one of you a very merry Christmas and may Jesus Christ bless your heart this holiday season.

Traditions of Christmas. Part 3

2005-12-12T08:10:00.000-06:00

The holiday season is time for memories. Hot chocolate by a fire watching it snow outside. Gathering with family and listening to the chatter of long-overdue “catching up.” Singing Christmas carols with the pleasant…sometimes unpleasant...voices of friends and neighbors. Many of our fondest memories are focused around the pinnacle of our Christmas decorations—the Christmas tree. Pulling out the ornaments and reminiscing as each memory is hung. Sitting in front of the illuminated tree and reading the Christmas story of the New Testament. Watching children tear into presents with eyes as wide as the saucer of milk and cookies set out the night before. Following your dad after cutting down your first Christmas tree with “Dad’s Hatchet” and accidentally attempting to chop down your own knee with that same hatchet on the walk back to Dad’s truck.......WHAT?!?!?.....well, that’s another story for another time. Nevertheless, the Christmas tree is a staple in many homes world wide, and yet many know very little about its beginning.

Last week we touched on the holly branch and its role in ancient cultures celebrating the hope of the upcoming spring. Many of these societies believed that winter came as a result of their sun god becoming ill. Egypt worshipped Ra. The Vikings revered Balder. And the Romans deified Saturn, their god of agriculture. December 21 or December 22—the beginning of the winter solstice—would normally mark the beginning of these festivities, and the evergreen plants—trees in particular—became a fundamental part of these celebrations. Evergreens would soon become associated with paganism because of these customs.

16th century Germany is recognized with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it. When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania in the 1600’s, they brought these traditions along with them; however, the strict conduct of the New England Puritans denounced these “pagan” ways. William Bradford governed against it. Oliver Cromwell preached against it. The General Court of Massachusetts ruled against it stating any observance of December 25 was a penal offense. This legacy continued until the royal English family of Queen Victoria, including her husband Prince Albert of Germany, were illustrated in the London News standing around their Christmas tree; thus, popularizing the tradition in England and East Coast America.

I don’t know about you, but Christmas just wouldn’t seem like Christmas without a tree. It could be the sparkle of the lights, the beauty of having nature (or the imitation of nature, in my case) indoors, or the challenge of keeping our cats from climbing the tree or pulling the ribbon off the branches. Nevertheless, it is an vital element in the feeling of Christmas. This symbol of Christmas joy reminds us of another tree that also brought about celebration—the cross of the Savior of the world.

The story of Christmas in completed with the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus. His name was to be IMMANUEL—God With Us. On that December night, God was with us. Jesus came.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus...” Matthew 1:21a HCSB

“For the Son of Man came..." Luke 19:10a NIV

“…the Son of Man came...” Matthew 20:28a KJV

Yes, Jesus came. God, the Father, sent His Son to dwell in His creation on this December night. And this is the focus of Christian’s home during this holiday season. ......BUT....even though it was the ended of the Christmas story, the STORY was just beginning.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 HCSB
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Luke 19:10 NIV
“…the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

Yes, Jesus came. But He came to save His people. You cannot have one without the other. Jesus came with passion, with purpose, and with one priority—to save His dying creation. Jesus’ birth was a means to His ministry. To save mankind, He had to become man. When you think about His birth, you have to think about His purpose. When you think about His purpose, you have to think about His cross.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24 NIV

As you gaze upon the multitude of Christmas trees this season, enjoy the beauty of their ornaments, the warmth of their lights, and the cozy memories of Christmases past. And let them serve as a reminder to revel in the joy of the REAL Christmas tree—the cross.

P.S. In light of the ancient pagan history associated with the celebrations of the winter solstice, how odd that God chose to deliver our Redeemer during this specific time of year. I guess it should come as no surprise once we see the focus of Jesus’ ministry (Matthew 9:12).

Traditions of Christmas. Part 2

2005-12-05T09:02:00.000-06:00

We’ve all heard the Christmas carol, “Deck the halls with boughs of holly. Fa La La La La La La La La." But what exactly is it…and more importantly, why is it on my mantel? Hmmm? As we continue our look at various Christmas traditions, the holly branch is one that many know little about.

The root of holly’s history (no pun intended) dates back to several different eras. The ancient druids deemed holly as sacred, probably due to the fact it was an evergreen and lived year round. Having this sacred status meant being inhabited by spirits; therefore, the ancient druids would bring the holly branches indoors the protect the spirits for the harsh winters. And when tied to bedposts, they were believed to ward off hostile ghosts and demons, whose voices could be heard screeching in the winter winds and storms.

Another tale reaches back to the Christian Church during the Middle Ages. Holly was offered as a substitution for mistletoe. Mistletoe had been used for decoration for thousands of years, as well as being used in many pagan rituals. Being mindful of this past, the Church forbade the use of mistletoe in any form. Instead, holly branches were given the thumbs up. Their pointed leaves characterized the thorns in the Christ’s crown and the red berries symbolized the blood shed by our Savior.

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in [his Son], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV)

Every drop needed to wash clean the filth of our sin. Every drop necessary to adopt us as His children. Every drop purposed—with your name on it. And mine. Even the person down the street that chooses to reject Him. It’s their choice. But every drop was shed with love. And every drop was permanent.

This Christmas season, when you see the boughs of holly decking the halls….or at least sitting on a mantle or winding up a staircase banister, think of His unselfishness to give His life for ours. Think of His sacrifice. Think of His promise. His promise that by His blood we are saved.

Traditions of Christmas. Part 1

2005-12-01T08:06:00.000-06:00

As we enter this time of December, we are surrounded by the hustle and bustle of shopping, decorating, planning, driving, giving and receiving. We are consumed with making this time of year feel like Christmas. We bake cookies. We light a fire. We buy airline tickets. We purchase gift cards. We hang stockings by the chimney with care. Well, you know how it goes. We are engulfed by traditions of long ago. Why? They provide stability. They provide nostalgia. And they place a sense of Christmas in the air. But can they also remind us of the real reason for Christmas?

The wreath is found in homes year round; however, during the holidays, they become more prominent. Decorative wreaths find their way onto front doors, and advent wreaths become the centerpiece on many tables around the world. The wreath dates back to the ancient Persian Empire. They were originally called “diadems” and were used to crown the victors of the Olympic Games. The diadems were initially made from laurel leaves, but once the Olympics began to move to different towns, they would be made from the branches of local trees. These crowns were then hung on walls in remembrance of their victory won.

The origin of the Advent wreath dates back to the pre-Christian Germanic people who would gather evergreen branches and light fires during the cold winters of Eastern Europe as a symbol of their hope for the coming spring. Christians maintained this tradition, and by the 16th century, both Catholics and Protestants alike, used this custom to celebrate their true Hope in Christ Jesus—the eternal Light.

This ringed symbol reminds us of another emblem of hope. However, this one wasn’t given after the victory; it was worn during the battle. It wasn’t meant for glory, but for shame. It wasn’t donned by an Olympic champion, but by a King—the Eternal King—during His darkest hour. It was a symbol of agony, embarrassment, torture, and ridicule.

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” Matthew 27:28-29 NIV
While they mocked Him, He persisted. While Satan delighted in his potential conquest over “the Christ,” Jesus endured. While He was being crowned as a powerless king, Jesus showed them exactly what a King should do. A king rules. A king triumphs. But most importantly, a king protects his kingdom. This King did just that. He knew the only way to win was if He fought the battle. Satan handed Him death, and the Creator of the universe, created life once again—eternal Life.

This holiday season, as you scamper from mall to mall and visit home after home, notice the wreaths hanging on the doors. Acknowledge their beauty. Remember the victory and hope this decoration originally symbolizes. And be empowered by the victory and the hope we have today given to us by our King. Not a king to be mocked, but a King to be worshipped and loved.

Purpose

2005-09-23T13:12:00.000-06:00

Well, it has been awhile since my last post (sorry, to all my dedicated fans out there. :) ). I guess you could say I haven’t been that inspired lately. However, today is different.

Today is the birthday of a dear friend of mine who lives in Colorado (Happy Birthday, Ethan!!) In keeping with the age of text messages, g-mail, and e-vites, I decided to him an e-card. As I was eagerly looking through the vast array of e-cards, I stumbled upon one that, from the picture, looked as if it would be perfect for Ethan. When I previewed my selection, I found it to be more fitting than I had originally hoped.

Purpose to seek Him
He will be your reward
Purpose to know Him
He will reveal Himself to you
Purpose to follow Him
He will lead the way
Purpose to enjoy Him
He will be your closest friend
Purpose to praise Him
He will be your song
Purpose to trust Him
He will be your provider

On your birthday, may your heart rejoice in all He has done for you.
The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me… Psalm 138:8

This e-card proved to serve in me as a reminder. A reminder of who I am, what I am, and whose I am. Who am I? I’m Adam Haynes. Husband of Danielle. Son of James & Kaye. Brother of Amanda. I am me. No one else is me. I am the only me there has ever been or ever will be (hey...no comments out there). Whose am I? I am my Creator’s. My life is His who created it. I am my Savior’s. My life is His who saved it. What am I? Fallen. Fallen from the place God intended me to be. Created by God in perfection. Born by man in sin. Fallen.

God designed our hearts, our minds, our emotions, our thoughts, everything that we are to be aligned with His. And yet, in our pride and arrogance—in our sin, we destroyed the divine order of our very being. We as citizens of the human race can no longer naturally seek Him, enjoy Him, or trust Him. Instead, our inner most desires yield selfishness, contempt, anxiety, deception, doubt, etc.

BUT…

Then came grace. Through God’s grace and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our souls have been restored. We can begin anew. Our hearts can again sing praises to Him. Our lives can again be a sweet aroma to Him. We have been lifted from the fallen state in which we’d wallowed, and in His strength, we have been raised into a relationship that is right.

It’s not easy though—as the old adage says, “Old habits die hard.” We must now work for that relationship that was intended to come so easily. We must be diligent in seeking God. We must be attentive to hear from God. We must purpose to follow Him.

purpose
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): pur•posed; pur•pos•ing
: to propose as an aim to oneself

Merriam Webster used the verb "aim" to define purpose. On the flip side, sin is defined as “missing the mark.” We must set our hearts to know Him. We must aim—purpose—to enjoy Him. And in this, God will fulfill His purpose for us.

Now back to my birthday wishes. For those of you that may not know Ethan Moore, he is one of the truest people I know. And by that I mean, he knows who he is and whose he is. He seeks the Lord genuinely and, in that, finds his purpose. Ethan has purposed in his heart to know God. And faithfully, God has revealed Himself to him and is working through Ethan and his ministry. Happy birthday, brother!

A Week of Confusion

2005-09-02T07:10:00.000-06:00

Well, almost a week has passed since the devastating tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. Unless you have been keeping residence in your own personal cave, you have witnessed the shocking videos and images of the destruction that has, and is still taking place. “How did this happen?” and “Could it have been prevented?” have all run through our minds as of late.

I must admit, this catastrophe has been somewhat of a paradox for me. Every night as I get a glimpse of the ruin that used to be New Orleans, I am overcome with grief and sorrow for the faces that embrace my television—the one being relocated from one shelter to the next, the one laying on the side of the road beside their departed spouse, the face of an 8 year old child clinging to her mother’s side scared and bewildered with no comprehension of how severe the situation actually is. My heart breaks.

However, I, too, sit in bewilderment. Here is an entire city that has grown and has been developed, not only around water, but actually on the soggy marshes of the bayou, located on the Gulf of Mexico—a gulf known for attracting tropical storms and nurturing them to hurricane status. With their location, coupled with their “lack” of elevation, were the people prepared for what might happen? Or was their mentality much like ours in everyday life, “It won’t happen to us. Those things only happen to other people.”

I can’t help but think, “You had to have known this could happen. At any given moment, your house and all your belongings, could be sitting under 10 feet of water.” It’s only logical. When you hear about the “bowl effect” of New Orleans, you realize it is an obvious threat to the way of life of those who live there.

My wife and I used to live in the high Rocky Mountains of Colorado. We have seen a multitude of homes built literally feet away from the edges of cliffs which, in an instant, could crumble into nothing. Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas possess the New Madrid Fault which could shift and destroy thousands of homes. California has the San Andreas Fault. Texas, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma have “Tornado Alley.” Washington even sits on active Mt. St. Helens. All who live in areas such as these, have to understand, accept, and especially prepare for what could and probably will happen eventually. Don’t they?

And so I sit, mourning the loss that has overtaken us—the loss of spirit, belongings, and life; and yet I am so appreciative for what I have been blessed with. Then there are the muddled up emotions of confusions of how this could have happened and how it caught them so off guard. I sit in awe.

Times like these truly bring out the truths of God’s Word. Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” No matter what we may “have,” it is only ours for a moment. The only thing God blesses us with that is eternal is the word of God—which is life in His Son, Jesus Christ.

To all those who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina, you are in our prayers.

An Anniversary Story

2005-08-26T07:07:00.000-06:00

Well, today is a monumental day!! Five years ago, my wonderful bride . . . well, became my bride (little did she know what she was getting herself into).

Over the last five years, Danielle and I have had a tough time figuring out this institution call Marriage. We have found ourselves asking “Why is this thing so hard?” “Is anyone else having this tough of a time?” We couldn’t understand how other couples actually made their marriage work. If this was all marriage was, then we didn’t want any part of it.

Gradually, as we spoke with other married couples, we began to realize, “YES!! Other couples also have a hard time!!” Why? Because marriage is hard, grueling, and sometimes just plain nasty work. It’s a situation that comes at you every day of your life. Everyday is different, and every day is a challenge. There were days when both Danielle and I declared, “I won’t do this!” “I can’t do this!” And you know what, we were right.

For the majority of our first five years, we weren’t a we, but two I’s trying to work on our marriage individually. An I can't do it alone. An I can't communicate effectively. An I can't make it work. Only in the last year or so, have we truly become a we, and now we work on our marriage together. One person can’t make a marriage work—husband or wife-it, of course, takes two. Our marriage has been tremendously tough, and still is at times. But only through the fire can the silver be refined. Only when the metal is heated to its boiling point can the impurities be scraped away. And that is precisely what God had intended. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

We have a good friend, Jake, that now lives in Wisconsin (Go Packers :) ). He and his wife lived in Vail the same time Danielle and I did, and Jake was the one I would always go to when I needed to spill my guts or get advice. He would always sit there and nod his head as if he somehow knew exactly what I was going through, and then once I was finished, He would say, “The first year is always the worst. The second year will be much better.” Then after the second year, he claimed, “The second year is always an adjustment time. Year #3 is when it starts getting nice.” And then came, “Third years are doozies. Your fourth is always much better.” Well, he continued to encourage me, and now I think I finally get it.

It doesn’t matter what the situation is, whether good or bad, every year gets better. Even though marriage is hard or grueling or even nasty, the fruit of you labor is returned ten fold by way of understanding your spouse. How? Well, when things are good, you love. And when things are bad, you learn to love. I’ve heard it said that you can’t truly value what you have, unless you have had to work for it.

Danielle and I have only been married for five years, which, over the course of a lifetime, isn’t that much. But it’s long enough to be grateful for how far we’ve come, and long enough to get excited about the next five years, that’s for sure. I cannot even begin to depict in words the appreciation I have for this woman. We have unearthed the buried riches of what marriage really is . . . commitment. We can rest in the security of that same commitment, knowing no matter what we may go through, we will go through it together and stick by each other no matter what.

I love you so much, Danielle. Happy Anniversary!!

It's All About the Upgrade.

2005-08-25T07:10:00.000-06:00

So lately I've been looking into upgrading my computer at home, and even considering purchasing a used laptop computer (just for mobility's sake). I'm sure everyone has thought at one point or another, it doesn't matter what you have, it's never enough. We live in a world of constant upgrades. Everywhere you look, there is someone there attempting to sell, promote, or endorse the latest upgrade. Even when you buy something new, there's someone waiting at the door to talk you into the next version. I thought to myself, it would be a lot cheaper if I just invented a magic "Upgrade" wand. Here are a few of the things I would upgrade in my life (in no particular order).

My Computer - Step 1.) Gripe. Obviously, it's doesn't have enough GB, RAM, or MHz. It's too loud, too big, too slow, and too cream. The monitor's not flat enough. Step 2.) Upgrade computer. 3.) Repeat Step 1. Then Step 2. Repeat.

My TV - Apparently the kind of TV that I have been perfectly happy with watching for 28 years, just won't cut it. What was I thinking? I can't believe this world fooled me into enjoying a picture that was slightly curved. Give me the flat screen!!! Give it to me now!!! And while you're at it, hang it on the wall, too!!!

My Work Cubicle - Two Words: Deluxe Model. No more teal or puce for me. I want black walls and a wooden desktop made of genuine cherry. My chair: a La-Z-Boy. But sitting at work in a La-Z-Boy can be hard on the back, so just to be on the ergonomic safe side, I'll need to add a large flat screen monitor and a cordless keyboard and mouse. My cubicle will have its own "ultra-quiet" sound system (so as not to disturb my neighbors) and its own thermostat. Maybe now I will be able to feel my fingers and my toes at work.

The Interstates - This one's my favorite. I would upgrade the interstate system to accommodate the new "Adam-Only Lane" Ahhhhh!!! Freedom!!!!

Now the next two are for my wife. You know I would have to upgrade some stuff for her if I had a magic "Upgrade" wand.

Buy A Cat - Now this, at first, may not seem like an upgrade. Well, it's not. The upgrade comes when I upgrade the cat to a Tiger. Then I would buy an ant farm and upgrade it to be the sanctuary and the staff to take care of the tiger. It's been a life long dream of my wife's to be able to pet a tiger. Now she can. YEAH!!!

The Litter Box - When we got our first cat, my wife made the commitment to clean the litter box. So for her, we would upgrade to the LitterBox DX 2006. All....ahem!!...."stuff" disappears without a trace. No odor. No cleaning. No refilling. It also bathes, dries, and grooms the cat automatically every other week. Your welcome, Danielle. : )

Well, I hope you've enjoyed getting inside the mind of Adam. I know, it's a little scary. I would love to hear what you would upgrade to, if you had a magic "Upgrade" wand.

A Walk With Words

2005-08-23T07:46:00.000-06:00

NEW. Complete. Breathing. Beautiful. Pleasing. Alive. Fruitful. FREE. Naive. Unaware. Fallible. Foolish. Oblivious. Gullible. Tempted. Charmed. Seduced. Coaxed. Tested. Conceded. DEFILED. Apprehensive. Watchful. Cowardly. Timid. Mortified. Worried. Ashamed. Regretful. Judged. Guilty. Bound. ENSLAVED. Expelled. Cast out. Removed. Banished. Displaced. EXILED.

Then Jesus came.

Miraculous. Simple. Youthful. Growing. YIELDING. Eager. Teaching. Maturing. Purposeful. LOVING. Leading. Brazen. Veracious. Ridiculed. Scoffed. Mocked. Denied. Excluded. BETRAYED. Rejected. Beaten. Determined. Faithful. Selfless. SACRIFICED. Brittle. Frail. Lifeless. Omnipotent. Persistent. Powerful. Prevailing. Victorious. Restored. RESURRECTED. Forgiving. Embraced. Accepted. Fulfilled. Healing. Whole. Pleasing. Beautiful. Complete. NEW.

NOCURTAIN

2005-08-22T14:09:00.000-06:00

(nAHk'-ER-tane)

"It's Undefinable"

MORE DETAILS TO COME.

The Garden

2005-08-18T07:15:00.000-06:00

The other day, I was reading in Genesis about the creation and fall of mankind. I can't even begin to wonder the number of times I've read these verses, heard them in church, or sang about them in a song, but this time was different. One verse . . . ONE VERSE . . . knocked me back in my seat and made me sit there and think.

"The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." Genesis 3:21

Now, this verse by itself, isn't that shocking, and normally it wouldn't catch someone's eye. But this verse, when read in its proper context, is the essence of God's nature and His unwavering persistence. If we back up just seven verses, we find the true magnitude of this verse. Verses 3:14-19 immediately follow Adam & Eve eating the fruit of the forbidden tree. God then finds them in the Garden of Eden, and thus it begins--the first official reaming in history.

To the serpent: "Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."

To the woman: "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you."

And to Adam: "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."

And then . . . after being ignored by His own children . . . after watching His creation break the only rule in eternity . . . after finding Adam & Eve among the trees of the garden naked and ashamed . . . and finally, after disciplining them as only a Father can do . . . God pauses . . . and did what any good Father would do. He met their need. "The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them." He personally made the garment Himself and clothed His children.

Does this hit you like it does me? Only a loving, faithful, and persistent God--desperately wanting a relationship with His children--could do this after being so carelessly rejected by those same children. How many rules have I broken? How about you? Have you ever found yourself naked and ashamed, alone and afraid after doing what you KNOW was wrong? I don't think I even want to start counting? Too many, that's for sure.

And then, to stay in character and prove His love for us, He did it again two thousand years ago. Only this time it wasn't a couple--it was the world. It wasn't a rule that was broken--it was a life. And it wasn't a garment--but His pure, forgiving righteousness that was draped over His entire creation. And this time we get to remain in the Garden . . . for eternity.

Automated Phone Systems

2005-08-17T07:47:00.000-06:00

Okay, so the other day, I found the one thing worse than a normal automated phone system. As if having to punch 2, 4, 1, 1, 1, 1, 6, 9, 4, 3, 6, 4, 9, 0 just to speak with a human being isn't bad enough, they have come up with something worse.

My wife and I are in the process of scheduling a trip to the west coast. We are planning on flying into San Francisco and working our way up to Oregon. Since we would be flying, I pulled out the trusty ol' list of phone numbers for the different airline companies and began to make the rounds. During this time, I obviously encountered numerous automated phone systems, . . .but then there was the One. This one took the cake.

As I dialed the number to this carrier who shall remain nameless (solely because I called so many stupid airlines I can't remember which one it was. You got lucky this time, Mr. AirLine), it seemed to be just another routine call. Then SHE picked up. "Who?" you asked. Ms. APS (Automated Phone System). She spoke to me like we knew each other--like we were long lost college friends or something. She uttered phrases like, "Sure, I'll be glad to help you with that." and "Oh, I'm sorry I must have misunderstood you."

At one point during the call, I tried to check flights into Oakland, and when asked my destination city, I said "Oakland,"

Ms. Aps responded, "I heard you say 'St. Louis,' is that correct?"

"Nope!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Could you please repeat your destination city?"

"Oakland"

"I heard you say 'Phoenix,' is that correct?" questioned Ms. Aps.

"Still NO!!!!" I said, and then she came to the revelation of all revelations.

"Well, it seems I am unable to help you," she said, "let me transfer you to a representative that can assist you further." Hmmm . . . imagine that.

Now let me clarify, it wasn't necessarily the fact I was talking to a machine, but moreso the fact that this system insisted on insulting my intelligence. Not only are you not important enough to speak with a human being, but let me see if I can trick you into believing that they actually ARE talking to a human being. Why don't they just paint a face on a brick wall for us to talk to. That would be okay . . . right?

Case in point, if you want me to talk to a machine, just let it sound like a machine. That's all I ask.

Need A Pet?

2005-08-16T07:45:00.000-06:00

My wife and I like to visit the local Humane Society from time to time. She is a full-blooded 100% cat person and loves to go there and show each of the animals (especially the cats) a little love and attention. I tend to become a cat person the longer I'm around them. I know . . . being a dog-person is probably the "manly" way to go, but hey, sue me.

Anyway, this past weekend we stopped by and as we walked in, we were shocked. They were almost at capacity. There were two or three spaces that didn't have cats in them and out of the 35 or 36 cats there, about 30 of them were kittens. Likewise, the dogs had just a few open cages. It absolutely broke our hearts. (Well, it always does, but this time more than usual.)

If you live in the Nashville area and are looking into getting a pet, please visit the Humane Society. They are a great organization and have a large variety of animals that desparately need a place to call home.

Nashville Humane Society

Email Imitating Life?

2005-08-15T07:44:00.000-06:00

Recently I made the conversion over to the great and mighty GOOGLE EMAIL--cleverly called G-Mail. The frustration with receiving hundreds of SPAM a day on my Hotmail account was just too overwhelming for my DELETE button . . . (plus Hotmail only gave me 125 megabytes of space). Anyway, I made the jump. I sent out the all too common "I'm changing my email" mass email, saved my address book, forwarded a few key emails, and started setting up my folders. This is where it got weird.

After making the switch to a new email service, the folder making process is one of the most important steps for me. Due to limited amounts of space, only the "chosen" are given the privilege of residing in my cozy world of folders. The others . . . well . . . DELETED. Then comes the grueling process of finding which emails are worthy of this invitation. Will I need this later? Put in the "Might Need to Remember" folder. Is this forward funny enough? Put this one in my "Made Me Chuckle" folder. What if I need to remember it AND it's funny? Which one then? Do I need to save this one because the sender is a close friend? Or do I save that one because I haven't talked to this person for a long time? What if it's a close friend that I haven't seen in a long time? Ahhhh . . . the list. Well, G-mail hugged me with its 2.4 gigabytes of free space (that's almost 2000% more than Hotmail), it comforted me with it's nice email search feature, and then . . . it sent me into the absolute chaos with . . . (are you ready? you might want to sit down for this.) . . . NO FOLDERS!!!! Quickly, g-mail grabbed my shoulders and said, "Hey, it's alright. We have "labels" instead." Whew!!! That was a close one.

Instead of categorizing an email in just one folder, they give you the option of placing numerous labels on any given email. So if it needs to have a "Something From My Buddies" label AND a "Something I Shouldn't Buy, But Probably Will" label, then I can put both on them. WHAT A CONCEPT!!!! It seems only logical to have labels. Finally, email imitating life.

We, as humans, have a multitude of labels placed on us each day . . . husband, co-worker, sister, boss, tenent, mother. Some are more objective . . . joyful, iffy, the funny guy, reliable, hoo-hum, depressed, lazy. Whatever labels we are tagged with, these are the ways we handle different situations. We cannot be placed into just one folder. We are not one dimensional beings. These labels give us our personality. They make us react the way we do to any given situation.

As Christians, Jesus Christ, himself, has given us labels of his own such as care-givers, disciples, teachers, humbled, listeners, joyous, dedicated, empowered, sharers, patient, and the list goes on and on and on. One of the greatest labels Jesus gave to us is found in John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." "Disciples that love." What a label!!

What are you doing today to make sure these labels are the labels the world sees? If you walked into a room which label would people see?

"Quotations"

2005-08-12T09:40:00.000-06:00

I don't know about you, but it seems to me that everytime I turn around, someone is saying something. We are bombarded, in this world of jabber, with a poor mirage of intellectual communication.

Today, I thought we could dedicate this blog to the best of the best in verbal quips. I keep a list of quotable notes . . . or notable quotes . . . or whatever you want to call them in my palm pilot, and these are ten of my favorites. Some are pensive. Some are sarcastic. But ALL, of course, are quotable. Let me know what you think of these or share one or two of your own favorites. Just click the comments link below. Happy Friday!

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see. –Mark Twain

Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. –John Watson

Some of life's biggest disappointments come from getting what we insisted on having! -Anonymous

Don't be afraid to try something new. An amateur built the ark. Professionals built the titanic. -Anonymous

Sympathy sees & says "I'm sorry." Compassion feels & whispers "I'll help." -Anonymous

Never ruin an apology with an excuse. -Ben Franklin

You wouldn't worry about what people thought of you, if you truly realized how little they actually thought of you. -Anonymous

Our opinion of people depends less upon what we see in them, than upon what they make us see in ourselves. -Sarah Grand

I believe in Christ like I believe in the sun, not just because I see it but because by it I can see everything else. -C.S. Lewis

Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. -Terry Pratchett

I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; I will not refuse to do the something I can do. -Helen Keller

Valiant Effort...

2005-08-11T07:17:00.000-06:00

Hey guys & gals!! Valiant effort during the "SHLOG" contest yesterday. We rallied the troops, called in the cavalry, and sounded the horns of battle. Before I knew it, my friends' friends' friends were clicking on the link and aiding adamhaynes.com in it's time of need. Unfortunately, we were overcome by a mightier competitor. But that's okay. I'll just have to make due with the t-shirts currently in my wardrobe of the spectacularly average.

However . . . during the pandemonium of yesterday's event, adamhaynes.com had it's highest hit day in history. WooHoo!!! I truly appreciate the time of everyone who stopped by to click through my site to get to Shaun's site, and a special thanks to you that passed on the challenge to co-workers, friends, and family. Please feel free to stop by anytime and browse around or utilize the various links.

GREAT JOB & THANKS AGAIN!!!

Too Much Time...

2005-08-09T07:34:00.000-06:00

Okay . . . for those of you who do not know, my wife and I have two cats, Mallie (a long hair calico) and Ava (a short hair tabby). A couple of times a year, usually around holidays, my wife likes to find items for our cats to wear. For example, she gets a kick out of putting a Santa's hat on the cats for Christmas; and when Halloween rolls around, she has a witch's hat she likes to put on them. Now these ocassions are excusable. They are, of course, brought about in the midst of holiday excitement. Honestly, who doesn't get caught up in a holiday every once in awhile? But this--this was different.

This is what happens when my wife has a camera, a shirt, and too much time on her hands. Sorry, Mallie and Ava, I could have stopped her. I'll try harder next time.

Ava

Mallie

Promises. Promises.

2005-08-08T07:52:00.000-06:00

Lately, thoughts of direction, promises and oaths have been on my mind. I have been pondering what it takes to truly be a hearer of the Lord and then follow without question.

About a month ago, I began to study the book of Joshua, which if filled with episode after episode of God literally handing the kingdoms and countries of Canaan over to the Israelite nation under the new leadership of Joshua. They were given the land of Canaan for one reason: they were promised it. So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. Joshua 21:43-45

Throughout the book of Joshua, the Israelites were faced with battle after battle opposing overwhelming armies; and yet they still fought. Why?? Because they trusted in the promise given to them by their God. Joshua--thought to be one of history's greatest military leaders--lead the Israelites with a two-fold methodology. 1.) He listened to the Lord, and 2.) he acted upon what the Lord commanded. It's as simple as that. He encouraged God's people with sure victory solely because of God's promise. He faithfully trusted God to deliver them, just as God had done so many times in the past.

The Israelites' reality was of a foreign land that was given to them. They were constantly claiming the unfamiliar land God was providing to them. I don't know about you, but this is the feeling that wreaks havoc on the pit of my stomach. Every day I feel as if I am called into uncharted territory. I am living in a world that has been given to me--my home, my family, my freedom, my job. What are we to do with these precious gifts? How are we to exist in a "world of reception?" What right do I have to take this inheritance and make it my own? Because it is just that. It's an inheritance and it has been given to us...freely.

God is waiting for His children to step up empowered and take this "land"--this life--He has already granted to us. So Joshua said to the Israelites: "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?" Joshua 18:3 How long will it take us to do the same?

As joint heirs to the Kingdom of God, we will attain our heavenly treasure at some point in the future; however, we are NOW being given daily a share of our inheritance here on earth. Jesus called out repeatedly, "He who has ears, let them hear!" Our inheritance consists of having our eternal God reveal Himself to us--this is what Joshua understood. He knew this promise and listened up, and as a result, God was revealed to Him and the "land was given over to them." And then, even more land was given to them. "Whoever can be trusted with little can also be trusted with much" Luke 16:10a.

As the tribes of Israel, returned from war to their new homes, Joshua encourages them with one last instruction. But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul." Joshua 22:5

As we take hold of the promises God has set before us, we would be wise to do the same.

A Little "Clean" Experiment

2005-08-02T10:51:00.000-06:00

Over the last year or so in the corporate world, I have noticed something. Something disturbing. Something that speaks loudly about the character of man . . . . well . . . men. Ladies, you'll have to get your own experiment.

I noticed, given a specific situation, a particular behavior occurs time and time again. I began to notice it about four or five months ago and started collect my scientific data shortly thereafter. Most days, at some point, I excuse myself from my luxurious and wonderful cubicle to . . . well, take care of some digestive business . . . and I make my way to the nearby lavatory. Once there, my experiment begins.

While in the restroom, I have noticed the number of gentlemen who take the time to wash their hands before returning to work. This is where it gets scary. When the test subjects are aware of a second person present, the percent of those who wash their hands is 99.2% (136 out of 137). HOWEVER . . . when they are think they are alone, the percentage DROPS to a staggering 12.9% (8 out of 62).

Come on guys! STEP UP! Have some integrity!!! WASH THOSE HANDS!! (and you know who you are!)

Three Times A Wedding...

2005-08-01T07:40:00.000-06:00

Well, it was my third wedding attended this summer, and now it is my third wedding blogged. And still, it was amazing.

This wedding was unlike the two previously attended. This one was not attended by hundreds of guests nor was it followed by a huge reception with a live band or the release of doves. In fact, this wedding had very little of the "glitter" that most people assume you have to have at a wedding.

There were roughly 50 or 60 people who came to this small ceremony held in a beautiful courtyard, and it was followed by a small reception with cake and hors d'oeuvres (or as I say "or-derves") where the Bride and Groom were able to fellowship with their closest friends. However, one thing remained the same--the wonderment.

It never ceases to amaze me--the look in each other's eyes, as they stand there with their entire future ahead of them. Large or small wedding, young or old, first marriage, second marriage, third marriage, it doesn't matter one bit. It never changes. It's a stare that proclaims that the earth around them could literally crumble into pieces, and yet they have assurance the ground on which they stand would remain. It is a look of Joy--I have finally found you. Desparation--I never want to lose you. Passion--I want only you. Gratitude--I need only you. It's the look of wonderment that is always present at a wedding. And it was definitely there this weekend.

HOWEVER...things change. In almost every marriage the look disappears either in a matter of months or it could take years. But why?!?! Is it pressures of work? Day-to-day reality? Does the novelty wears off? Who knows. The fact remains--the wonderment disappears

It's inevitable. YES. But luckily it's not permanent. This disease of our heart and mind is reversible. THERE IS A CURE!!! It's a little medicine called SELF-LESS-NESS. Romans 2:8 shares, "But for those who are self seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there weill be wrath and anger." (And if your a husband out there that has been selfseeking at some point in your marriage--and we ALL have--you can attest to what is referred to as "wrath and anger.") But it doesn't matter if you the husband or the wife. If you make a choice today--each day--to be truly selfless, the look in your spouse's eye will return and vice versa. But remember, as with everything in this world, it's a choice. We chose to be selfish, and likewise, we can choose to be selfless. "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8

Congratulations Donnie & Barbara. You have a lot of people praying for you.

And to my wife, Danielle . . . . I love you and I pray my love will always be selfless.

What am I waiting for?

2005-07-29T09:19:00.000-06:00

Last night, as I was lying in bed, I began to think. (I know, I know, me? thinking? doesn't happen that often...nevertheless, I did.) I began to think about all the things I wish I would do in life. "Like what?" you ask. Well, I'm glad you did.

There are things in life I wish I did regularly. Things that I would love to say were are part of my "routine." For one, I wish I read alot. I have hundreds upon hundreds of books on everything from spiritual matters to classic novels to your general "Everything You Need To Know..." do-it-yourself books. I wish I exercised more. Wait...what am I saying...let me rephrase...I wish I exercised. I don't know anyone who could refute the benefit of exercise. I wish I journaled more. I wish I spent more time doing more creative things. I would love to spend more time away from the "All-Consuming Drainer of Brain-Cells"--the television.

However, I find myself knowing these things and yet, never placing them into practice. Instead I find myself bewildered, just as Paul did when speaking with the early Roman Church, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." (7:14) I know what I would like to do...in my head, but there is a large jump from my head to actually fleshing out these feelings. And because I know this, it makes it that much worse. I always hear people say, "You have to keep doing it enough until it becomes a habit." Well, I reject that thought.

Last night, as I was thinking, this, too, crossed my mind. The things I desire, I don't want to become habits. I want them to be disciplines. There is a world of difference between a habit and a discipline, coming from someone with a world of habits. Habits are useless. Habits are for the weak. Habits are something we pick up without even realizing it. They are the athlete's foot when it comes to our actions. Habits are easy, quick, and realitively easy to acquire. Disciplines are whole different ballgame. Booker T. Washington is quoted as saying "Nothing ever comes to one, that is worth having, except as a result of hard work." Disciplines are what results in hard work and persistance. It is something that onced earned, is appreciated. They enhance one's way of life.

Through persistance, a discipline is obtained. By your disciplines, an individual is defined. Your human definition gives purpose. With purpose ignited passion. And with passion, one truly lives.

Fortunately for us, Paul does not stop with Chapter 7--with this struggle we all face, but he escorts us into God's saving grace in Chapter 8. The very first verse declares, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Jesus Christ." Though we are weak, though we are frail, we have been set free. We have been made powerful through His righteousness. We have been given the courage to overcome "habits" and been given the strength to establish disciplines. We have been given the freedom to LIVE LIFE and ENJOY it abundantly. It may not be easy. But it will be worth it.

What are you waiting for?... What am I waiting for?... I think I'll go read.

Wealthy or not, here I come...

2005-07-28T08:56:00.000-06:00

Wow, this puts it in perspective.(Click Here)

I saw this on another blog and felt I needed to post it here as well. I know many times I find myself in the situation of comparing my life, my wealth, my "toys," to those who have more than I. Why do we do this? Very rarely do we look the other direction. What do the Scriptures say concerning wealth? Here are a few verses:

"Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." Proverbs 3:9 NIV

"Better a little with the fear of the Lord than great wealth with turmoil."
Proverbs 15:16 NIV

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is doshonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" Luke 16:10 NIV
Hmmm . . . . . there you have it.

Another Friday Here

2005-07-22T08:24:00.000-06:00

Well, another Friday is here and only 7 hours to go before the wondrous reality of the weekend. My wife and I had plans to be out of town; however, they have been cancelled. And what, do you ask, will we fill this void in our two day hiatus from the world . . . . well, let me share. NOTHING!! My plan is to go to work Monday morning, and if someone asks, "Hey Adam, what did you do this weekend?" I will proclaim the wise and immortal words of Peter Gibbons from Office Space, "I did nothing. I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything I thought it could be." It's going to be nice to be able to actually relax on a weekend . . . not having to drive somewhere or have somewhere we have to be at.

I have begun to truly appreciate the time away from what this world calls life. Life that my mind intreprets as stress, busyness, anxiety, useless. Hope you have a great weekend.

By the way, this morning in our weekly chapel service at work, Shaun Groves shared from his heart about the Beatitudes, which was/is the biblical inspiration of his new album White Flag. It was a wonderful way to start a Friday. Great job, Shaun.

Big Brother Faith

2005-07-15T07:32:00.000-06:00

Well, I don't know about any of you, but my wife and I are reality TV junkies. Survivor, Amazing Race, American Idol . . . you name it, we watch it. One of our favorites just came on last week--Big Brother.

For those of you who are not as "reality savvy" as some of us, Big Brother is a show where 16 or so contestants live in a house all summer long, and one person gets voted off each week until only one is left. This season has been deemed "A Summer of Secrets." Throughout the summer, the show will present the guests numerous secrets, along with the normal drama that occurs when 16 people live together . . . . . (ahh, takes me back to my college days). One of the major "secrets" they have already revealed three episodes into the season, is that each player is "secretly" playing the game with another friend in the house. Everyone has a partner, but nobody knows. They think they are the only ones with the advantage.

Anyway, on with my thought... One of the "pairs" in the house is secretly dating. They have decided to, of course, keep their relationship a secret and play the game as individuals. When they can, they shoot hidden signals across the room or whisper a quick "I love you." when no one else is in the room. However, for the most part, they are just ignoring each other, for sake of the game. They walk past each other with no more than a passing glance, or one of them may leave the room if the other one enters. The couple shared a little bit last night with the viewing audience (my wife and I included) concerning the struggle it has been keeping their relationship a secret. The expressed how unnatural it was. And I started thinking....that's right. I started thinking.

Am I playing Big Brother in my own life? Not necessarily with a just a friend or even with my wife, but with an even more important relationship--my relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. How often do I go through my day and coldly pass Him by. Do I communicate my affection only in moments of convenience? Am I causing the decay of our relationship, just for the sake of this “game” called LIFE? What am I doing? What are we doing as a Christian culture? Here we are stuck in a “house” with billions of housemates, and we are scared to let on who our “Teammate” is because it may hurt our “game.” We may be “evicted” by society. Luckily, our God is above this. He permeates the “house.” He goes from housemate to housemate, “Want to know my ‘secret?’” As we overlook Him, He patiently waits and longs for some form of acknowledgement from us.

I wonder if after Big Brother is over, will the “secret” couple think it was worth it? Will the time of avoidance and neglect be worth it? What will the relationship be like after the game is over? How deep will scars go?

I wonder what it will be like after our “game” is over. Hmmm?

Just a Bump on a Blog

2005-07-14T12:41:00.000-06:00

I was talking with a friend today about blogs. And in the back of my mind, I began to think about how funny the "word" blog actually is. It's not a particularly eloquent word that deserves respect or reverence. Nor is it a word that leaves us in scientific amazement. It's just...well....BLOG!!! Two years ago, if you had asked almost anyone on the street what a blog was, they probably would have looked at you funny and said, "A what?!?!?!" And now here we are in 2005, and there are blogs about anything and everything....from the lastest tech gadget to the weirdest hairstyle...and now they even have blogs about blogs. Isn't it amazing how the world changes. There--there's my epiphony of the day. Enjoy.

Silver Screen Debut

2005-07-12T09:50:00.000-06:00

My wife and I made our cinematic debut this past weekend. It was in an independent film directed by up-and-coming Director, Shayne Pulley. The title is still undecided: however, it still looks to be a fall blockbuster hit.

It portrays an off-the-wall grounds-keeper named Luther, who is slightly off kilter when it comes to things of a social nature. Danielle and I play the role of Picnicer #1 and Picnicer #2, both of which, I hear, are "key" roles.

It tooks months of preparation (or at least a couple of days) for us to adust to such different roles than what we were used to playing. We had to reach deep down inside and tap into personal experiences of picnics in the past. It was a matter of placing ourselves in another time and place and allowing those emotions to dictate our words and our action. The pinnacle of our experience came as I responded to Luther's "nice day?" inquiry. As I pondered why this stranger would dare interupt our picnic, I delivered a powerful, and yet sensitive, "It sure is."

The rest of the plot you will just have to wait to find out.

The Appendix

2005-06-30T10:13:00.000-06:00

Well, a funny thing happened to me over the weekend. It all started with what I thought was a stomach cramp and before I knew it, I was in the E.R. and getting prepped for surgery. A few "groggy" moments later, I was in a recovery room with three holes in my stomach. Now if that doesn't put life in perspective, I don't know what will...anyway, I'm about 2 ounces lighter these days. Well, there you have it.

And one more thing...ENJOY!!

2005-06-21T13:58:00.000-06:00

Well, my wife and I attended yet another wedding this past weekend. We woke up Saturday morning at 4:45 in order to leave for Missouri at 5:30. Let me just add, there is NO legitimate reason for anything to ever be going on at 4:45 in the morning. It should become law that days CANNOT begin until 7:30....if that early. Anyway, once we arrived at the church, we were seated and awaited the beginning of the ceremony.

The wedding was eventful to say the least. It started off with the blessings from a neighborhood cat who decided to grace us with his presence about 3 minutes before the ceremony began. The awkward silences were filled with a rather annoying static coming from one of the stage mics. Not to mention, half way through the ceremony, my wife realizes that the best man is a guy that had had a crush on her a few years earlier after they had shared one dance. (Danielle had gone with her cousin to a school dance back when we were just dating....but I ended up with her. : ) )

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the priest proclaimed, "I now pronounce you husband and wife!". . . . . . [silence] . . . . . . . . . . [chirp chirp said the cricket] . . . . . . . . . . . . [what was that? a tumbleweed?] . . . . . . . And in the awkward seconds that followed, eyes widened, eyebrows lowered, heads turned, and the bride quietly whispered something to the priest. With a face the shade of sun burnt tomato, the priest back tracked and added, "Sarah, you may now kiss your.....wait, I mean, Chad, you may now kiss your bride." As the standing ovation erupted, we applauded the new couple as they left the church.

In my last post, I shared about how we each have our "wedding" and daily we are called into our "marriage" with Jesus Christ. And though, daily, we take up our cross, we are to love life...daily...for He has given it to us. "I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance" John 10:10 The couple had been united in marriage; but the most joyous moment of the ceremony had almost been left out . . . the first kiss!!

As we go through these days of seemingly endless work, worries, bills, and pressure, we must not forget the most important thing of all...ENJOY!!! Kiss your bride daily...or let your Groom kiss you daily...literally and figuratively. Allow God to lavish upon you the exquisite treasures of His love...and in return, love Him with your very being...daily.

And then we commenced the drive back home and arrived at 2:00am. Once again...should be illegal. By the way.....CONGRATS, Chad & Sarah!!!!

The Wedding & The Marriage

2005-05-20T14:32:00.000-06:00

This past weekend I was in my college roommate's wedding. He's the last of our "group" to get hitched and it was truly an amazing event. As the big day arrived, we all gathered to celebrate these two wonderful people as they promised their lives to one another and to God. Everyone's excitement had peaked as we waited for the ceremony to begin. THIRTY minutes later...it was over. The ceremony had come to an end and everyone shuffled out of the church. I began to think..."What now?" "What will they do next?"

Participating in this wedding, made me look back at my own wedding. The memories and thoughts take me back to a wonderful day of joy, happiness, laughter, love, celebration, etc. It was the day we had dreamed of. We had planned, decorated, invited, and then planned some more. We planned every aspect of the ceremony; and though the planning took eight months, our wedding also took less than an hour. What now? Is that all there is? The vows only took four minutes to say...and yet they impact the rest of our lives...daily. Just because you have a ceremony doesn't mean you are truly married--legally...yes--truly...no.

I think you would agree there is a multitude of couples out there that are far from having a true marriage. Each day is filled with selfish ambition with little thought of the daily sacrifice needed for a marriage. For many, the ceremony was just an opportunity for a "get-together." In and of itself, it is just merely a symbol; but the marriage is found in the vows spoken, if you had blinked, you may have missed them during the ceremony. The marriage is the choice to fulfill those simple vows. If you find a couple who has been married for fifty years, chances are pretty good they would tell you it really is a daily choice.

Our Christian walk is much the same. Many believe that once we are baptized, the rest of life is a free-for-all. However Luke 9:23 says, "The he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.' " Once again, it's a choice. Every morning as we stir from our slumber (or maybe for some after your first cup of coffee...), we have a choice. Do we follow him or do we remain seated on the throne of our own lives. Luckily for us, His forgiveness never runs out and every morning we have that choice to make with a clean slate. "Through the LORD s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning." (Lamentations 3:22-23a).

We may all have "the wedding", but we are called daily into "the marriage." So after the ceremony is over, you may ask, "What now?" The answer is simple....EVERYTHING.

By the way....CONGRATULATIONS, Tom & Jackie. We had a BLAST!!!

Hope, Belief & Curling Iron

2005-03-12T11:21:00.000-06:00

There was a lady I came to know back in Colorado, who shopped at my store every once in awhile. I never knew her name, but I knew her face. And I'll never forget the day I learned her story.

From the day I met her, she was alway wearing a do-rag, which was not uncommon in Vail. She would arrive, shop around, and maybe purchase a few items--she would always smile. A rare refreshment in my day. One day as she approached the counter, I realized the do-rag was not just a way to keep her hair out of her eyes as she exercised, nor was it a just a fashion statement. She wore it to feel normal. Under that do-rag were the frail remains of once flowing locks of hair. I assume she recognized the curiousness on my face, and my pause was probably something she was used to experiencing. She smiled and shared her story with me.

She had been diagnosed with cancer some time back and was now undergoing chemo-therapy treatments, and it truly had taken it's toll. Eight months prior, her hair had begun to thin, people had begun to stare, and she had begun wearing the do-rag in which I was so accustomed to seeing her. In addition to the pain of losing what many would consider her "outer beauty," her doctors shared that they were all skeptical of the cancer going into remission.

Despite what the "professionals" thought, she felt that sometime down the road, her health would return, as well as her hair. The hope and belief in her eventual recovery prompted her to do something many people would not have the strength or courage to do. As she finished her story, she placed a curling iron on the counter to purchase. And as she looked at me, she smiled once again and said, "Someday."

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Part 5

2004-12-10T09:31:00.000-06:00

This week we have looked at four crucial moments in the life of Jesus: his birth, baptism, crucifixion, and his resurrection. Today, we will examine one more event; however, this one is slightly different than the previous four. At His birth, His baptism, His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus was truly Immanuel, God With Us. He was physically on this earth as our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-15). But today we will look at His glorious ascension into Heaven as He entrusts our lives to the work of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:14-20 Then after speaking to them, the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. Mark 16:19 HCSB

John 14:15-20 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor
to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17 HCSB

Today’s devotion is going to be a little different. It’s not going to be a “feel good article.” It’s not going set you on a “spiritual high.” In fact, it may just stress you out a little bit. I know what you’re all thinking, “Great, that’s all I need this time of year—more stress.” Regardless, before this week is over, let me put forth to you just one question...

“WHAT NOW?”

What does tomorrow bring? What do I do with this faith in my heart? Faith is ALWAYS expressed as an action. So what does that “action” mean to you? What will you do tomorrow as a result of your faith today?

As we learned yesterday, with each choice we make comes an opportunity for us to choose the extraordinary. With each decision of indifference, we elect to cast aside the exceptional. At Jesus’ ascension, He left His disciples (and us) a challenge...we like to call it the Great Commission...“go into the world”. During the previous three years, He taught them. He encouraged them. He allowed them to make mistakes. (I can identify with that one.) And as His earthly ministry came to a close, He left them with a choice...“go into the world.”

Jesus had been among His disciples for three years. He knew these men better than they knew themselves. He knew they would be frightened, confused, and that they would make mistakes...again and again. But like I said, He knew these men better than they knew themselves. He knew their hearts. He didn’t want to abandon them to their own strengths...to their own words...to their own abilities. If He did, He knew they would fail. We all would. We all do. And so Jesus comforted them. He provided for them. He provides for us. He provides a Counselor. A Guide. Seek Him. He will direct you. He will pick you up when you fall. He will dust you off and prepare you to walk again.

Jesus has ascended. He no longer lives among us in the physical body. But He has not left us alone. His Spirit dwells within us (Vs. 17). Jesus didn’t say He would leave us a tyrant—someone to make the decision for us—but a Counselor. The disciples were instructed to listen to the Counselor; however, they were left with the choice. We have that same choice today and this holiday season.

This Christmas, ask yourself, “WHAT NOW?” What choice are you making? Are you choosing the extraordinary? Seek Him. He WILL guide you.

Father, God, this Christmas season, our gift to You, is our life...each moment...each choice. As we seek the Wonderful Counselor You have given us, guide us so we may glorify You in every choice we make. We praise You for the work You completed on the cross and thank You for continuing Your good work in us until it too is completed. In Your Son’s name we pray. Amen.

Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Part 4

2004-12-09T09:17:00.000-06:00

Today we will continue our glimpse into the wonderful world of Christmas by looking at the most pivotal moment in history—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There have been many people throughout the history books who have given their lives over to death for a worthy cause. BUT…today we will learn from the One who lived a sinless life and defeated death by raising Himself from the grave.

Matthew 28:1-10 “He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.” Matthew 28:6 HCSB
Chocolate is a great thing!! Wait…on behalf of my wife, let me rephrase that. Chocolate is the most extraordinary, tremendous, incredible, amazing thing ever. There…that’s more like it. Especially during the holiday season. You visit people’s homes and they’ve got it laid out everywhere. During a past holiday weekend, I was visiting my parents, and one evening was sitting around the den. As usual, chocolate was lying around everywhere. I, subconsciously, began stuffing my face with these tiny morsels of heaven. (I know none of you can relate.) Now, some of you may be thinking, “What’s wrong with that?” Well, I’ll tell you. Later on that evening, we all decided to go out for dinner to celebrate the holiday. When we got to the restaurant, I ordered a savory prime rib steak with a baked potato and soup. I awaited anxiously for my meal to arrive (ohh, it was going to be good) and when it did…...I ate four bites. I had filled my belly with so much good candy; I didn’t have enough room for my incredible meal. I sacrificed the best just to settle for something good!

Here’s the trouble most of us get into these days, especially around the holidays. We spend so much time on all the “good” things Christmas has to offer, and we never tap into the “best” thing. Christmas provides us a time to reflect upon the “greatest” gift of all time. Emmanuel, God With Us, immortal Deity, made human flesh, walking this earth. Born of a virgin. Son of a carpenter. Sacrificed with the tools of His trade. Sacrificed by the sins of His creation. And by that sacrifice, we are made alive…I repeat…WE ARE MADE ALIVE!!!! John 11:25-26 says, “I am the resurrection and the life...Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever.” John 4:14 proclaims, “Whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again—ever!” WHAT A PROMISE!!

When was the last time you reflected…CORRECTION…acted upon the meaning of Christmas? When was the last time you refused to accept something “good”, in order to obtain the “best?” Sacrificed decorating the tree until a time when the entire family could join in? Forfeited attending “another” Christmas dinner party to maybe serve those who have no dinner parties to go to? Or maybe just take the time to send a Christmas card to someone who’s NOT on your Christmas card list and ask them for forgiveness for something in your past. More importantly, have you sacrificed your time during this hectic season to rest at the feet of Jesus? (I believe the Bible refers to this as “abiding in His love.”) Have you abided lately?

This Christmas season, we all have more choices to make than we can count. And, not to put too much pressure on us, but with each choice comes an overall choice to be made. Do we settle for the ordinary, mundane, routine, habitual, everyday run around that comes with the season? Or do we choose the extravagant? The exceptional? The astonishing? The wonderful things Jesus has to offer us? This is truly a wonderful time of the year. But this world wants you to believe that it has the best there is. Little does it know that there is something better. There is a wonderful “steak dinner” that offers a wonderful life…TRUE LIFE. And it is only found in Him…with a capital “H.”

Father, God, You make the ultimate choice in order to give us TRUE LIFE! You purposed that nothing would keep us from having the BEST. During this holiday season and this upcoming year, grant us discernment so we may seek the best You have to offer. Let us not get bogged down with what this world says is okay, but look to You with every choice we make. We praise You and thank You. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Part 3

2004-12-08T08:56:00.000-06:00

Throughout this week, we have been looking at what makes this time of year so “wonderful.” We’ve looked at the freedom that we have here in this wonderful country; and yesterday, we looked at the wonderful relationships we have with our family and friends. Today, we will touch on one aspect of Christmas that everyone is aware of...and more than likely…stressing out over. GIVING!!

And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.” Saying this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46-47 HCSB
YOU’RE A TOOL!!! Now the real question is are you a useful tool or not. WAIT!!! I guess the better question is are you a usable tool or not? Or are you sitting there like a rusty pair of pliers trying to look like a hammer? WHAT IS THIS GUY TALKING ABOUT???? Well, let me try to explain myself. God has blessed everyone...I repeat...EVERYONE...with gifts, talents, traits, abilities that are to be used during our brief stay on this planet. A tool can only be a tool if it is used. If it’s not being used, it’s just a “thing.” The Christmas season provides many, many opportunities to take your “tools” and use them. It is a wonderful time of year to start using those abilities, or for some, continue using them. We just have to be willing to give.

Every moment of every day (especially during the holiday season), we have an opportunity to give. One of the wonderful things about this time of year is that giving is on the forefront of every mind. The sad part is that for most people, so is receiving. Before coming to LifeWay, I worked with a non-profit benevolence organization in Colorado (similar to the Salvation Army). One afternoon, I was speaking with a gentleman who had just recently made a very significant contribution. The tax write-off on the contribution alone would have been a great deal of money. However, when I asked him if he needed a receipt for tax purposes, he replied, “No thanks. If I got something in return, it would be trading. It wouldn’t be giving.” What a profound thought. In this day and age, so many of us (myself included) confuse giving and receiving with true giving. Giving is not giving unless there is less of you afterward, and in return, you will receive more than you can imagine.…..okay……let me say that one more time. Giving is not giving unless there is less of you afterward, and in return, you will receive more than you can imagine.

Some opportunities may take the shape of giving monetarily to a favorite organization, or giving a gift to that special someone, or most significantly offering your time. Money can be earned again later. Gifts can be exchanged. But your time is the one thing you can give that you will never get back. Jesus took it one step further. He gave us His LIFE!!! And in turn, gave time to us…eternal time. In Luke 23:46, Jesus paid off this gift of salvation with His life. And the odd part about it is that He asks nothing in return...well, almost nothing. He asks only to accept the gift He so freely offers.

Over the next few weeks, I urge you to take the advice of the One who offers such an extravagant gift. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39 When you love, you give. When you give, you receive spiritually. When you receive spiritually, you are blessed. And when you are blessed, love. So this holiday season...GIVE!!!

Father, God, may we never forget the wondrous act of love You showed by offering Your one and only Son to be the gift of salvation to humanity. During this season of giving gifts and holiday celebrations, may we remember Your Gift with every gift we give and celebrate that Gift with every moment. Give us the strength and compassion to love those around us. May we look to Your Son as THE example. Father, it is in His name we pray. Amen.

Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Part 2

2004-12-07T08:44:00.000-06:00

As we continue our look at the “wonderful” things of the Christmas season, we take a glance at the importance of family and friends to Jesus’ ministry.

Matthew 3:13-17 Jesus answered him, “Allow it for now, because this is the way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him [to be baptized]. Matthew 3:15 HCSB

FAMILY & FRIENDS. I don’t know about the rest of you, but during this time of year, there is one thing I absolutely hate to do...TRAVEL. And yet, I travel...year after year after year. (I can see the odometer climbing as I type.) “Why?” you ask, “do I travel, if I hate it so much?” The same reason as you...FAMILY & FRIENDS. This year my wife and I will be driving to my father-in-law’s family gathering, then that night driving to my mother’s house for Christmas morning, then back to my mother-in-law’s for her family gathering then I am going to visit some college buddies...well, you get the picture. I do this...we all do this...because we love and are loved.

During this time of hectic schedules and empty gas tanks, we are rejuvenated by love. As we look to God’s holy scripture, we find that Jesus’ family and friends rejuvenated Him and played an irreplaceable part of His ministry. He surrounded Himself with twelve men that He poured his heart into for three years. He was moved to tears when He lost one of His closest friends. On the day of His death, He chose His most beloved disciple, to be the “son” for His mother. Time after time, we come across Jesus being encircled with loved ones. Yes, He did find time alone to spend with His Father, but during most of His life, He was busy with loving and being loved.

In Matthew, as we look at Jesus’ baptism, we notice that when He began His ministry, He did not go to one of the Jewish leaders of the day, or a church official, or any other religious head to be baptized; instead, He went to one of His friends since birth—John the Baptist. When He arrived, John declared, “I should be baptized by you!” But Jesus, persisted, not only in Him being baptized, but specifically, by John. Why do you think Jesus sought after John to perform the baptism? To shun the “political” world? Probably not. To make John feel like part of the “club” Nah, that either. It was because John was His friend. And during the most important times in His life, Jesus wanted those nearest and dearest to His heart with Him. His Father was even there for the post-baptismal toast (verse 17).

During the holiday season, one of the greatest opportunities we have is to spend the time with those we love...the parents, the kids, the husband or wife, dearest friends, and even pets (in my case, two furry little cats). Some of us even have memories of loved ones gone before us, and this time of year allows us moments to reminisce on what they mean to us, even now. We must be certain to take advantage of those times to appreciate special recollections and realize why they were so extraordinary...because of the people we shared them with. And now we must go from here; and as we remember Christmases past, we must make the most of “now”, and ensure those memories for years to come.

John Burroughs, an American essayist, once said, “I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.” Let us make the most of each breath we are given. For we are just a vapor.

Father, God, we praise You for being our eternal loving Father. We praise You for Your Son, whom, by His death and resurrection, enabled You to adopt us into Your family. During this holiday season, may we always remember that You alone bless us with the people in our lives. We are grateful for what they mean to us. We pray You keep them safe during this upcoming year and allow us to share another year’s worth of memories with them. In Your blessed Son’s name, we pray. Amen.

Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Part 1

2004-12-06T08:06:00.000-06:00

This week as we celebrate this time of the year, we will be focusing our hearts on just a few of the many things that make the holiday season “the most wonderful time of the year.” As we look at the different aspects of the season, we will be relating them to four key moments of Jesus’ life; His birth, baptism, crucifixion, and finally His “wonderful” resurrection. During these next few days, I encourage each of you to ponder in your hearts, what in your life makes this time of year “wonderful” for you.

Matthew 1:18-25 “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21 HCSB

Luke 2:1-20 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” Luke 2:10 HCSB

FREEDOM. A concept most of us never think about until we are left without it. Today I woke up and got out of bed. I kissed my wife and started to get ready for work. While we got ready, I listened to the radio to the news of the day. Before I left, I settled in for a quiet moment with my Savior where I read His letter to me and prayed to our Father. As I thought about the freedom we have in Christ, I began to think about the freedom we have in the United States, not only during this time of year, but year-round.

When I woke up this morning, I was free from the fear that terrorists would break into my apartment and attack my family. As I listened to the news on the radio, I subconsciously rested in the freedom of the press provided by the First Amendment of our Constitution. Likewise, during my time alone reading scripture and praying, the freedom to exercise my religion assured me that I would not be stopped by anyone for expressing my faith.

We live in a country where the only qualification for attaining this freedom is existing. If you are breathing and have a pulse, you are blessed with freedoms unmatched in this world. During the Christmas holidays, we have the opportunity to gather together as families...as friends...as co-workers to celebrate the birth of our Savior. We are free to shop at unlimited stores and purchase anything you can imagine...or at least anything you can afford. You are free to sing, free to travel, and free to celebrate. All without fear.

We are blessed to have the mightiest Armed Forces in the world who have purposed in their hearts to protect those precious freedoms that many of us instinctively enjoy. Every day they are willing to place their lives above our own so that we can be secure and enjoy the freedoms given to us. They rescue us daily from those who desire to put us in harm’s way.

This Christmas season, we have a different type of freedom that we, too, can celebrate. Matthew 1:28 expresses, “...you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Two thousand years ago, the birth of God in the flesh set in motion a chain of events that changed humanity. His birth led to His ministry and His ministry, to His death. He relinquished His will, His life, His absolute freedom to not only take sin upon himself, but to actually become sin for us (2 Cor 5:21). And in His death...and ultimately in His life, we are absolutely free. Free from our past. Free from expectations of today. Free from what this world holds for us tomorrow. Oscar Wilde once said, “Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” We, as sinners, have a future. A future of freedom.

As we celebrate this holiday season, may we cherish the freedom that we have in this wonderful country as well as the true freedom that Jesus bestowed upon us upon his resurrection. May we never take either of them for granted.

Father, God, as we worship You this Christmas season, may we learn to appreciate the true and absolute freedom that you have given to us. May we rest in You in our times of “slavery” so we can live in that wonderful gift. Bless this time of renewed faith and peace and bless our brave Armed Forces who sacrifice their time and lives so we can live in a country of freedom. We praise and honor You. In the beautiful name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Two Roads

2004-11-29T13:29:00.000-06:00

I've always been a big fan of the poem The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost. I guess the more I experience life, I find it really is all about the choices we make. As believers, we have an intimate relationship with the sovereign God of eternity. This same God has the amazing characteristic of being omniscient--all knowing. He sees through all time and space, which enables Him to have the only true perspective on life and choices.

During the past few years, I have been faced with numerous life changing events: the death of my father, moving back closer to my hometown, looking into buying a house, etc.--not to mention all of the "littler" decisions to be made. There is a point at which it can become very overwhelming. Makes me want to throw up my hands and say, "Whatever!" That's when I'm faced with the real choice.

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are faced with the choice that supercedes all other decisions. This one, although simple, is much harder to flesh out. Every day, with every decision, we have a choice to worry about it, or allow God to be God and let Him handle it (which, by the way, is what we like to call worship). When we worry, we remove Jesus as our focus with whatever we may be worrying about at the time; and realistically, we still can't do anything about it. But when we worship, He remains as our focus, and we can lift the situation up to the ONLY One who CAN do something about it.

Jeremiah 6:16 says, "This is what the Lord says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.' "

If we trust and worship...we can rest. We can rest in another promise from Jeremiah:

" 'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek man and find me when you seek me with all your heart.' " (29:11)

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
-Robert Frost

A Father's Presence

2004-10-03T10:35:00.000-06:00

A year ago today, my father passed away. I remember when he was still alive there were days when I would think about him and then there were days when I wouldn't...sadly to say. However, since his death, there has not been a day he has not crossed my mind. Granted, during his life, he made some serious mistakes, but he was always my father. I guess the reason I think of him more often is that the opportunity is gone. Before, I could always call him "tomorrow." The difference is his presence is no longer here. Thankfully, we have a heavenly Father and a Savior who has left with us their Presence--The Holy Spirit. The opportunity to talk with Jesus is no longer an option for us on this earth. However, His Presence is there to be with us throughout all things.

"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever." John 14:16

The Navigator

2004-09-21T08:15:00.000-06:00

My wife and I visited some old friends a few weekends ago. It was refreshing. We were able to reminisce on days gone by and catch up on our lives today. We watched some movies, played cards, and relaxed in each other's company. One night we decided to go out to dinner, and we decided to follow behind them in our vehicle. There was no discussion involving me "taking the lead" on the drive to the restaurant, nor did we feel we should both take different routes to the same location. I guess it was assumed that I had no idea where we were going and that our friends would lead the way. I didn't think much about that evening, until this past weekend.

My wife and I found ourselves in that same city. Only this time, there was no "friend." I had no idea where I was going. I was trying to figure out which lane should I be in? Am I turning onto a one way street? Thankfully, my wife was able to share, ever so subtly, "Honey, you need to stop. It's a redlight." I thought to myself, "Man, I wish we had someone in front of us who knew where they were going." The moment was stressful and intense. If only I could have gone back to a few weeks ago, when I had a personal guide through the town, this day would be so much better. That's when epiphany struck.

I do this day after day after day. I go through life, looking every which way, trying to figure out which way is north. When do I need to turn? Have I gone to far? Should I double back and find a new route? I hope for a guide to take me through the gridlock. The funny thing is...I have one. Jesus says in the gospel of John, "I am the Way...No one comes to the Father except through me." (14:6) He is the WAY!! He is our GUIDE!!

The problem is with all the traffic around, it's all too easy to lose him in the chaos. It doesn't mean he's not there. Many times, I try to find a better "route," and I look down different streets. When I look ahead again, I can't see him and I have to slam on the brakes because I almost ran another redlight. I get panicked. As I slowly go through the intersection, looking intensely for my guide, I see a vehicle slowly merge into traffic ahead of me and I realize that it is Him--patiently waiting for me focus my attention back to him. At the next intersection, he rolls down the window and sticks his head out and says, "Hey, Adam, trust me. I know where we're going and I know how to get there. Enjoy the ride."

Cheeto Cheese Puff

2004-06-17T10:29:00.000-06:00

"though the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of the Lord stands forever." 1 Peter 1:24-25

I guess everyone has eaten a cheeto sometime in their lifetime. They're the type of chip that you could eat just one, but what's the point. I mean, once you eat that first one, you already have that powdery cheese "stuff" on your fingers, so you might as well have a few more. Before you know it, half the bags gone. You reluctantly close the other half of the bag and commence the "de-cheez-a-fying" of your fingers, which, for most of us, involves licking, sucking, and scraping that "goo" off with your teeth (gross?. . .yes. . .enjoyable?. . . . .even more so). . . . . . . . . . . hours later. . . . . .you're still working at it. Even days may go by and still IT remains...that strange yellow "cheeto fungus" that accumulates around the nail of your fingers. No matter how hard you try...IT remains. The Word of the Lord is just like this wonderful morsel of cheese. . . . .sort of. You can read His word and it will be enjoyable at the time, but it goes much further than that. It continues to work in your heart, your mind, your very being, long after you put it back on the shelf. IT lingers. IT stays. IT remains. IT stands....forever. With you, for hours, day, even years. If you let it. If you allow this "Bible fungus" to grow in your hearts, it WILL change your life. Guaranteed.

A True Expression

2004-06-08T09:28:00.000-06:00

As I was flipping the channels the other day, I ran across a televised worship service. I heard the worship leader say "Let these songs be our worship to You today, Lord." I began to think. My favorite scripture (Romans 12:1) commands us to offer our lives as our spiritual act of worship. It struck me that so often in my life, even though Romans is my favorite verse, I place so much emphasis on the things of my life being given to God in worship, instead of my actual life being given to Him. When I sing a song, in the back of my mind, I'm thinking, "I hope He enjoys this song." When I should be focused on, "I hope He enjoys my life." and then let the song be an overflow from my life. Even though many churches call their music section of the service the "worship" segment, it can be so far from true "worship." When we realize we are not in control of our time here on earth and offer each moment to Him who is in control, then we are able to truly "offer [our] lives" as our "spirtual act of worship." Then, and only then, are the songs we sing, the prayers we pray, the smiles we give, an act of worship. But remember, they are only expressions of worship. They, in and of themselves, are nothing. May our songs be a true expression of the true joy we have in our Lord and Savior as we offer our lives in true worship.

Never Needed. Always Wanted!

2004-05-26T10:20:00.000-06:00

Well, I'm in the middle of reading a book and a certain statement struck me. "Because God requires nothing outside Himself, we can know that He freely chose whether to create [or not] and what to create." (Life Answers. Hemphill. pg68) What a wonderful thought. The Sovereign God of the universe, who needs nothing to be made complete, still wanted us. He had the option to not create (and remain complete) or create us knowing, all too well, what was in store. What an amazing display of love!!

I know many times in my life, the things I do are skewed and tainted by underlying motives for what I think I need. Can you imagine how nice would it be to be able to love someone and know that it is a pure love--free from all selfish wants or needs? Moreover, how nice would it be to be loved in that same way? well....WE ARE!!! What security!!

To know His love for us will never change according to mood swings, attitudes, or ulterior motives. This statement really made me think. Someone who doesn't need anything from me and still wants me enough to offer His own Son to be with us, is someone who REALLY wants me alot. I hope and pray my relationship with Him--your relationship with Him--will be just the same....out of love...not just out of need. I pray our worldly relationships will exude those same traits. What a world this could be!

Birthday Wishes

2004-05-17T13:04:00.000-06:00

Well, today is my birthday. I turned 27 today. I know I'm not that old in the whole grand scheme of things, but I do feel like it has passed by in an instant. It seems like just a few years ago that I was in high school and then college and now here I am...to Colorado and back...married working in Nashville. I guess it's true, "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:14 Looking back there are so many things that I've done that has molded me into who I am and then there are things that I've done that I wish I hadn't done (watching too much TV for one). But you know, realistically speaking, I'm probably going to go home and watch TV tonight. What makes a person do what he does? Priorities? Environment? Habits? All three, I guess. Tim McGraw has a song called My Next 30 Years where at age 30 he's making some changes in life. Are you at a point in your life where you need to make some changes? Am I? More time with the family or friends? More time to take care of your self? What about more time with the Father? What will make us change? Why not let God move in you (and me) and allow Him to make these changes within us. May we live today for today and take advantage of every moment. "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matt 6:34

Settling In

2004-05-12T11:02:00.000-06:00

My wife and I are finally getting settled into our new jobs and our new "routine" here in Nashville. The move from Colorado and the West seemed like a longer move that it actually was. After four months on "vacation," I finally got a job about the same time Danielle got her new job (of which she is enjoying). That same week, we also bought a new car (or at least new to us) and receive a new addition to the family (no...not a child...another cat.). God has been so faithful in His sovereignty to meet our needs when we need them. It hasn't been easy waiting for Him to meet those needs; however, it has been great seeing Him fulfill His promises and reemphasizing His love for Danielle and me. "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:19

New Journal!!

2004-05-10T14:41:00.000-06:00

Well, I am setting up a journal for me to post my thoughts on. Hopefully, as time goes on, this will be a place of reflection for me and a time of growth for those who may read these posts.