The Birth

I just experienced the birth of my wife and I's first child.  WOW.  WOW.  Incredible.  I could go on and on and on about our journey and feelings, and perhaps I will at another time, but right now.....this morning.....all I could think about was Jesus.  See, His Mom and Dad Mary and Joseph were a pretty revolutionary young couple......she was young, and a virgin.  Of course, nobody would believe that, but true it was.  I can't imagine the things Mary went through psychologically and physically.......number one, the nature of the conception, but then to be traveling in your third trimester....and we're not talking about the comfort of a Toyota 4-Runner here.....we're talking belly-out-to-here-gotta-use-the-bathroom-every-five-minutes-hot flashes-long-and-hard-enough-for-Joseph-to-wanna-run-away and likely thrown up on the back of a donkey for at least a week.  Also, remember, it wasn't exactly like it looks on Christmas cards.....we don't know the exact time of year Christ was born, but we DO know the shepherds were out watching flocks, which indicates summertime.  That means nice and cold at night, but dry, dusty, and HOT during the day.  It wasn't Bing Crosby and hot cocoa by the mantle place for sure.  When they finally reach Bethlehem, they can't find a single solitary place to stay.  Nowhere.  Mary is flippin' out and ready to do this thing, and they can't find a place to comfort her......finally, they break down and have to camp out in a stable.  Like an animal.  THIS was the situation which the Savior of the world was born into.  There were no nurses, no round-the-clock attention, no pain medications, no comfort at all.  Jesus himself was lain into a MANGER for crying out loud.  All of this got me to thinking about myself and my perspectives on life.  Just who exactly do I think I am, again?  God himself showed up in beautiful humility to show us a better way to be.  He said through words deed and action[and I paraphrase]"I do NOT need treasures of the Earth, though the Earth was beautifully built to be enjoyed, but instead crave, want, desire, and NEED treasures of ETERNAL salvation and of our almighty God".  Well, guess what?  That's what I'M in need of too.  It's easy to forget and to get swept up into the worldly way of being and thinking.  I spend much of my time chasing money and personal dreams and goals.  Is this all I am good for?  Is this what HE did?  The most powerful man to ever walk the Earth was never a man of means, but still always had enough to continue His purpose....God provides.  He never set out to be a rockstar and say "look what I can do!", even though he could have shook the very foundation of the universe with one swipe of His hand.  He instead taught LOVE.  Love for ourselves through the forgiveness of Christ's sacrifice, which leads to the desire and ability to healthfully love our fellow man, which leads to the ability to please our Father God, which ultimately leads to closer relationship and connection with Him.  Yet, I want more money.  Lol.......the longer I live, the dumber I seem sometimes.  I have all the treasures of the world right before me.....a family who loves me, gifts to enjoy, an incomparably wonderful wife, and now a family of our own.  It's all right here.......we just need to keep Jesus at the center of our focus, our purpose, our vision for our Earth days.......just gotta keep remembering that no one is gonna praise me for being an incredible guitar player when I get to Heaven.  However, if I hang on to the promise of my Lord, draw nearer to Him every day, continually make a sacrifice of my own life as my mentor and Savior Jesus did, well.....I just may get to hear the Creator of the Universe whisper in my ear "good job Son.......you've made me proud and I love you".  Can you imagine?!  That would be worth more than every dollar and fine jewel in existence.  Jesus - you deserved a better entrance into this world......we should have known better, and afforded you the reception we now know you should have had.  However, I know when you come back, and it WILL be soon, that you are coming back in grand style with an explosion of wonder not yet seen by the eyes of man.  I wait impatiently, humbled by who You are.

Presence of Mind = Presents Of Mine!

Today, I'm praying for clarity....for peace.....for a thankful heart full of gratitude and awareness in my life. Not just an awareness, but a presence of mind to truly EXPERIENCE the blessings in my life. A consciousness of my surroundings, actions, words, deeds, the wind, the sunshine, the swirl of music, the soft encouragement of a friend....the smile on the face of the store-keeper given freely, the squeals of delight from the mouths of children, the fragrance of fresh flowers showing off in my own back yard. The ability to just stop and APPRECIATE all I've been given. The power to stop always looking ahead.....always waiting for the next thing.....always setting up tomorrows profit......the power to live in THIS moment and enjoy the thoughts on my mind and feelings in my heart. The gift of undertstanding that "presence of mind" will lead me to and allow me to embrace all of these "presents of mine". Glory be to the Father, the giver of every good and perfect gift. 

MARRIAGE

What does marriage mean to me? It means you've found someone that you like SO much, that you want to spend the REST of your life taking on this world by that persons side. It means that out of the billions and billions of people on this planet and the multitude that may be compatible with me, I want YOU and ONLY you. It means I have stopped searching, stopped looking, stopped wondering......I have recognized you are the best I've ever seen, the sweetest I've known, the culmination of all of my desires and dreams. It means I've made a vow - I've made a vow because I am a grown up man with a grip on reality who understands that life can be hard. Really hard. There are certain to be tough times that test what you, I, and we are made of, but my vow and promise mean that regardless of how difficult challenges and trials become, no matter how strong the winds blow and try to knock us down, I will NEVER EVER EVER give up on this sacred union....this covenant. It means you are my backbone and my refuge, my strength and my comfort, my greatest gift and blessing. It means what God has joined together, NO man can separate. It means we are locked in and committed for life - not grudgingly, but trustfully.....beautifully. It means you can lay your head down and rest in peace knowing I will be here when you awaken for each and every day of your life until we awaken no more. And, upon arrival at the large pearly gates of heaven, it means my first question for God[after "what's with dinosaurs?!"] will be "Lord, I'm not sure exactly how it works up here yet, but if it is Your will and You could find a way, I want to remain married to Melissa for eternity".  Marriage is the best decision I've ever made, and the greatest achievement of my life.

S H E

Faith.  She's got it in spades.  Sure-fire, unadulterated, doubtless, unwavering FAITH.  She always has....since the day I met her.  A beautiful creation this one.....so kind in nature....a champion of the underdog......sensitive.....loving.......her own short-comings?  Sure.....of course.  She's not perfect.  But if she has anything, she has FAITH.  The kind that makes God proud and pleased, and it's why He set her aside as one of his own......one of his prized ideas, I'm sure......fruitful in nature, and in spirit.  A true treasure, and a refuge in the darkness for me.  An inspiration.  My motivation.  My muse.  My desire, my perpetual challenge.....the iron that sharpens mine.  Strong and honest.  Beautiful to behold.....velvet to the touch......a rushing of blood and pounding of heart in the depths of night.......a softness and fire in the truth of her eyes.  More than everything, the most I've known.....the only my own heart will ever call it's own.  She has held all titles of worth in my lifetime.....friend, fiance, and finally wife.  This is the woman my child shall call "Mother", and the reason this child will be the most blessed human ever to have been conceived.

LAWN WARS. May my neighbor never find and read this.

Lawn wars.  Lets not pretend like they don't exist.  In my neighborhood[or perhaps just my mind], it's ON.  Spring is here, and my grass has been waiting patiently to dole out a never ending supply of work intended for me and only me.  It knows I am obsessed with certain things[like saving money], and it knows that I have an unfounded fear that no one else will ever do as good a job as I can manicuring my piece of American paradise.  The problem is the neighbor across the street feels the same way.  For the purposes of this blog/rant we will call this neighbor......Cliff.  Cliff is in his late 40s, and his yard is always........perfect.  It has irritated me since the day my bride and I called this house our home.  Green, lush, perfect mow lines.....hedging....trees.....all of it, perfect.  He also talks a perpetual blue streak with such a quick and crowded eloquence that I actually avoid the guy even though he is ridiculously nice[this also annoys me].  Now, as I said, "Cliff" is in his late-40's and lives alone.  He owns two bright WHITE cars - one Toyota Tundra truck, and one white Lexus, both with gold trim.  They are both forever spotless.  He likes to park them side-by-side in his driveway just to let you know they are free from all blemishes, smudges, or scratches that seem to afflict the rest of the population's vehicles.  My mind has oft wandered and wondered about this man who's castle is his own, with no queen to rule the land.......now, I'm not saying he is homosexual nor do I care.  Just because a man irons his bright blue, pink, and yellow patterned shorts and stares at me a little too hard for a little too long does not necessarily mean he is gay.  He is of asian descent[so if he WERE gay, would this make him Gaysian?!  Just wondering.....]with a receding hairline and a wide smile.  Well, friends - THIS IS MY SUMMER.  I find it funny that WE, right across the street, own two BLACK cars.  Kinda like the good cowboy and the bad cowboy of the wild, wild grass.  It has consumed two summers to really get this lawn where I want it, but now everything is juuuuust right.  Our grass has already come in nice and thick and green - all the trees, plants, flowers, and hedges have recently been tended to and trimmed into a virtual Eden, and I just completed the first[and arguably most beautifully executed by the hands of man]mowing of the season.  In short, the SIMS Golf Resort is open for business.  I'd like to give credit where credit is due however, and mention that, in all fairness, I have a secret weapon fertilizer that Cliff does NOT possess.  Her name is Kinley, and she is an oversized female Doberman that owns my heart.  She also owns the backyard, where she has blessed our home with more poop than a Port-A-Potty at a Chili festival.  That's another issue - Kinley's all natural offerings.  While they make our lawn a sight to behold in shades of dense emerald, they are not always picked up on time[love you baby!]and so I encounter them while in the heat of battle through sweat-soaked eyes[man, yesterday's hairspray STINGS!!]with engines roaring and no way I'm going to stop.  This leaves only one option - running  them over.  It's a poor mans mulch.  The terrible part, is that running over week-old excrement that has been aged and dried as a fine wine or butcher-shop beef jerky, leaves a cloud.  A poop cloud.  A poop cloud that I am smart enough to know probably in one way or another finds a sneaky way into the air I breathe.  Ah well.....the beauty of pet ownership.  ANYWAYS, now I know this is gonna be a long and likely hot summer, but I am also aware that life is a marathon - not a sprint.  I am digging in for the long haul, and will settle for no less than victory in this most crucial of summer events - LAWN WARS.  Bring it Cliff.

Wanna Be Happy? Wanna Be Successful?

It's incredible how simply and purposefully the word of God has instructed His people, yet how easily we find ourselves confused or disgruntled with our lives.  God has blatantly instructed us as to how we should react, respond, and execute our decision-making, yet we spin in circles wondering why we are unsuccessful, unfulfilled, and short-changed.  The real problem, is that we just don't listen.  If we did, we would realize our problem is easily identified using a simple hand mirror.  I pray for the fullness of God's will for any who read this.


Proverbs 21
Chapter 21

1 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD;
he guides it wherever he pleases.2 People may be right in their own
eyes,
but the LORD examines their heart.3 The LORD is more pleased when
we do what is right and just
than when we offer him sacrifices.4 Haughty eyes, a proud heart,
and evil actions are all sin.5 Good planning and hard work lead to
prosperity,
but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.6 Wealth created by a lying tongue
is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.t
7 The violence of the wicked
sweeps them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.8 The guilty walk a crooked
path;
the innocent travel a straight road.9 It’s better to live alone in the
corner of an attic
than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.10 Evil people desire
evil;
their neighbors get no mercy from them.11 If you punish a mocker, the
simpleminded become wise;
if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.12 The Righteous One
t knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked;
he will bring disaster on them.13 Those who shut their ears to the cries
of the poor
will be ignored in their own time of need.14 A secret gift calms anger;
a bribe under the table pacifies fury.15 Justice is a joy to the godly,
but it terrifies evildoers.16 The person who strays from common sense
will end up in the company of the dead.17 Those who love pleasure
become poor;
those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.18 The wicked are
punished in place of the godly,
and traitors in place of the honest.19 It’s better to live alone in the
desert
than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.20 The wise have wealth and
luxury,
but fools spend whatever they get.21 Whoever pursues righteousness
and unfailing love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.22 The wise conquer the city of
the strong
and level the fortress in which they trust.23 Watch your tongue and
keep your mouth shut,
and you will stay out of trouble.24 Mockers are proud and haughty;
they act with boundless arrogance.25 Despite their desires, the lazy will
come to ruin,
for their hands refuse to work.26 Some people are always greedy for
more,
but the godly love to give!27 The sacrifice of an evil person is
detestable,
especially when it is offered with wrong motives.28 A false witness will
be cut off,
but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.29 The wicked bluff their
way through,
but the virtuous think before they act.30 No human wisdom or
understanding or plan
can stand against the LORD.31 The horse is prepared for the day of
battle,
but the victory belongs to the LORD.

APPLE-SEED.

Hard to believe but numbers don't lie[or so they say.....I suspect the scale at home is a bit untrustworthy....maybe even pathological...].....it's been nearly two years since my last blog.  Life has been BUSY!!  Let's see....shortly before my last post, I got married to the most incredible girl whom has ever breathed breath.  Life has never been the same.  I'm so happy.  Like, truly truly happy.  I've legitimately discovered myself, and am just comfortable in my own skin.....I've learned to live with the multitude of mistakes I've made[and still make.....hopefully fewer now though!], and I've put my regrets to bed.  I've moved on, towards and into a happier, more.......authentic place.  Now, just a few days ago, I discovered the most incredible news I've received since Melissa agreed to marry me......we have begun our family!!!!!  We are expecting our first child, and I just could NOT be happier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  My life is so full, and I've been so content, and now this.....honestly, a part of me at times feels as if I don't deserve this much.  However, for some reason God has decided I do.  Wow.  My relationship with Him has continually grown deeper and deeper as well, as He has revealed Himself and made clear His plans in and for my life.  I am so grateful to Him, and even though I am very very happy to be here living this incredible life on Earth with all of these amazing blessings, I have also begun to crave more of Him.  I cannot wait to be in his presence in heaven......I don't want to rush anything along, but I am so looking forward to eternity with Him.  Like, for real.  However, before then, there is work to do!  I am embracing my role as husband and father whole-heartedly and with pride.  I plan to use all that is in my power, and all of His favor to accomplish the things He has set before me.  For some reason, with this new gift of life on the way for Melissa and I, it felt like the right time to begin this blog again.

P.S.  Right now our baby is the size of an apple seed.