A Very Merry Christmas!!

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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.

It's All About the Upgrade.

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

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

(nAHk'-ER-tane)

"It's Undefinable"






MORE DETAILS TO COME.

The Garden

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

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?

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?

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"

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...

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...

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.

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

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...

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?

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...

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

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

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

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

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

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!!

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

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

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