"Man is like a piece of Cheese"

A New Beginning!

2010-09-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

Today, Sunday September 19th, was my first day as Youth Pastor of Community Bible Church Schertz/Cibolo. After three years outside the traditional role (Church hired) working with Youth I must say I was a little nervous and was scared that I would completely stink at it. But after a few minutes of some of the "Name Game", wow I felt back in my element again. I am so blessed that God has allowed me to have some time off from vocational full-time ministry to listen to His voice and see through His eyes and to learn what I have been called to do. I am enjoying the fact that He, who, put this song in my heart is allowing me again to do the work He has called me to do. I say this because for a long time I was wondering if I have served my purpose and have done what I was called to do and that I had accomplished what He had for me. I now know more than ever that His ways are not my ways! His thoughts are not my thoughts! His plan is not my plan! and His will is way bigger than what I can fathom with my mind!
As I start again in ministry my anthem will be HIM, my focus will be HIM, and no matter how unpopular His word might be that will be the focus for me (oooo nice rhyme). I am excited about this because I am sure that over time as ministry tends to do that programs will come and go and trends will change and things will need to be tweeked, but if the focus is on Him how can we go wrong.

Isaiah 55:8-13

⁸ "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.

⁹ "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
       come down from heaven,
       and do not return to it
       without watering the earth
       and making it bud and flourish,
       so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
       It will not return to me empty,
       but will accomplish what I desire
       and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

¹² You will go out in joy
       and be led forth in peace;
       the mountains and hills
       will burst into song before you,
       and all the trees of the field
       will clap their hands.

¹³ Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
       and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
       This will be for the LORD's renown,
       for an everlasting sign,
       which will not be destroyed."

2010-09-18T15:55:00.000-07:00

What a dude!!!!

Traffic Woe

2010-08-26T19:55:00.000-07:00

As I try to get used to the wonderful world of a traffic filled commute, I find myself stressed out, saying things I don't mean to say, say things I mean to say, and asking God to forgive me a lot. Actually I am laughing at myself right now thinking about this interesting situation of traffic and how it can bring out the best and worst of a person. I more and more look forward to my commute for the simple fact it is time added to my day to focus on quite time (HA!, quiet time.... oh the pun)... really! I am looking forward to my commute tomorrow morning to be able to focus on Him and just talk about everything. My son's devotion tonight was about praying and how you can do it anytime and anywhere. I got to thinking about that aspect of prayer and my now yearning for my commute, and I realized how much time during the day I waste when I could be devoting it to Him. I know there isn't anything concrete or planned out, but at the the same time there is so much I could be doing for Him, myself, and others by taking my free moments throughout the day and devoting to Him and to good conversation.

So from now on I am gonna take my commute and all its fine traffic and create a "Traffic Woe" in my life and remember to take some time and devote to Him for the sake of my relationship with Him and other's relationship's.

Suppose...

2010-08-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

So much to think about...

2010-08-24T19:24:00.001-07:00

There is no stigma attached to recognizing a bad decision in time to install a better one.

Laurence J. Peter

School Starts tomorrow

2010-08-22T19:06:00.000-07:00

UGH!
So we just got the kids to bed... 8:30pm.... We had to start getting them showers and ready for bed at 7pm then start devotions at 7:30pm then the last light off was 8:30pm.....

Have you ever thought that after a long day of work... say 7am to 5pm...
   - You get up at 5am
   - You get the kids off by 6:30am or in our case drop them off by 7am....
   - Then you get home by hopefully 5pm
   - You make dinner - Do homework - Get the kids showered / get ready for bed / devotions 8:30 lights
   out ... then you get yourself ready for bed and then
   - Get up and do it again........

After this day you have basically spent all your time with your Kids (whom you should be investing your life / time / love / nurturing into) getting them out of bed / ready for school / pick them up / get homework done / get them ready fed / ready for bed in all but a matter of 5 hours.... Where have our priorities gone or maybe where has the chance to rearrange our priorities gone. We take kids away everyday in our country because of neglect and lack of focus on them... and then we look at the responsible parent and the day they are dealt (as I just showed) and realize that we are almost forced to neglect our time with our children. I sometimes cry myself to sleep or cry thinking about how someone else get to spend more time with my kids then I do, and how someone else basically gets more of an opportunity to invest ethics and morality into my kids before or if I ever get the chance. Sometimes I feel that the gods of this world dictate to us how much time we get to spend with our children and that our "NEW" role in our children's lives is one of "Get the kid ready for me (god of the world) let me do what is necessary and more important because I know how to do this better, then you get them and do more work with them put them to bed and let me do it again tomorrow, because remember I know better!", oh and "I can parent better than you can, and I can teach them so much more than you can ever teach them!, oh yes and "You need to work more hours to make more money because if you don't I'll just take them away from you because you are not doing near as much as I (god of the world) can do for them!".....

Ok ok the last part might be a bit over the top and dramatic but I am beginning to wonder that Satan has more of a hold on our family structure than we tend to realize. You are the best thing for your family... Not the rules and regulations that are set before you. But we are pulled so far away from them by the knowledge that if we don't do what these rules and regulations require of us then we will loose those most precious to us because "We don't care enough".... My heart breaks because of this... I love my children and want to instill as much as I can into their lives, but it is so difficult in the world we live in with our FIVE hours we get with them during the day! I pray that as we become more and more wiser / smarter / and more efficient as a country that we would realize and make every effort to make a majority of our day to instilling life into our Children, but not through other's time but OUR's.

Not sure if my rambling makes sense... but my prayer will be prayed until we get this time............!

Again with the memories....

2010-08-21T21:05:00.000-07:00

So tonight I was doing some reminiscencing on some of my childhood with my Kids and I must I do humor myself quite a bit while I am doing this. I usually start with my version of "I remember when I used to have to walk to school while it was blizzarding outside and it was uphill both ways!", my version of course isn't so dramatic... It is usually like oh man I miss "Looney Toons" or "Johnny Quest", and of course my kids will say, "What is that?" Well tonight I was singing some old Psalty tunes that popped back in my head all of a sudden, BTW I can be a bit random if you haven't noticed. I was like, "oh man whatever happened to Psalty". Apparently a lot since I last heard of him. Let's I left Psalty knowing of Kid's Praise album 7.... THERE IS LIKE 10 OF THEM! HOLY HOLY HOLY! I'm say HOLY HOLY HOLY! I decided to do a little surfing on the information super highway and see if I could find me a copy of this wonderful / miraculous / stupendously / amazing Psalty.......

Oh by the way who is Psalty?, You might ask? According to one of the children who sang with the guy, "He's a great big blue singing songbook!" Who'd of thought? A Great Big Blue Singing Songbook! Ha, fantastic I tell you, fantastic! Barney wasn't even a thought.... Purple dinosaur... LOOSER... A Great Big Blue Singing Songbook... NOW that's what I'm talking about... Fantastic...!

Oh so, I surfed to a quick Google search and blam, Psalty is the man... He even has a wiki page dedicated to him! I found the complete works of Psalty for only around 99$. Not to shabby considering he teaches kids the holiest of all songs, HYMNS, and the funnest of all songs, PRAISE... Oh and did I mention he and the kids helped write songs with Fanny Crosby and Charles Wesley (Kids Praise 7).. How can you go wrong? Oh and he sang with some church mice... His wife was a Great Big Yellow singing Songbook (Psaltina) , and of course his kids, not a big but big singing songbooks (Melody, Harmony, and Rhythm).
He gave me more of an appreciation for music, such as hymns, than my college course of Hymnody (the study and appreciation of hymns, HA!)... Seriously, I know that when we think of Psalty we think pretty cheezy, but seriously what happened to good entertainment for our kids today. I played a few songs for my kids and they were clearly entertained and were soaking up the message quicker than any modern Sunday School program or modern HD programing could ever do. I wonder sometimes if we would consider the effectiveness of simple and goofy and the application of Psalty, The Great Big Blue Singing Songbook, if we would change our tone or delivery to share the good news of Jesus Christ! Hmmm I wonder?

A Trip down Memory Lane....

2010-08-18T19:50:00.000-07:00

Boy Meets World.... What a show! My wife bought me ever episode for my birthday last year and since we are cable-less right now we started watching them. I remember watching some of the episodes and yet they still are so very entertaining. I feel like I am reliving a part of my childhood through teens years again. I remember when me and the guys used to sit around telling people that Tapanga was the hottest girl alive. Of course now I am totally saying that about my wife, CAUSE SHE IS THE HOTTEST WOMAN ALIVE.... Oh yes Boy Meets World... I remember feeling like Cory lived part of my life and I could watch it unfold in front of me and I could take some notes and see how I needed to take care of things that I would go through or going through. I miss good TV... I mean LOST was fantastic, but a good ole show like Boy Meets World WOW! Each show had a hidden message of "This is my life!". Anyways I am having a blast going down memory lane....!

If you had a memory or two about this amazing show please comment and let me know!

So Cats...

2010-08-17T20:05:00.000-07:00

So I got this cat for my daughter, Rebekkah, and well I thought at the time I got this cat it was a great compromise for not being able to get a dog. Let me explain, so I was doing an installation for Dish Network and I saw this cat wrestling a pretty good sized dog, and thought to myself, "Self, I want a dog, I can't have a dog, but this cat sure is acting like a dog.... hmmmm Should I?".... So I got the cat thinking I could make the story up I got the cat for Rebekkah and all will be great, what a wonderful excuse for getting a cat, RIGHT? Well at least I thought so at the time. It isn't that I hate cats. I just don't see a need or a good use for them. The are selfish, pathetic creatures who want only one thing, WHAT EVER THEY WANT AT THE TIME THEY WANT IT AND WHEN THEY DON'T WANT IT THEY DON'T WANT IT or something like that. So anyways Dexter is his name and I'll get back to the story.......
I got this cat and well I kinda started liking him. He never did really act like a dog after that few minutes I observed him, before I was tricked I mean felt sorry for, ok ok I thought he was cool. But back to the story. So Rebekkah loves this cat and this cat allows her to drag him around by the neck and takes more abuse than anything on God's green earth and it is truly amazing. But I watch him and I get irritated beyond I'll get out because when he looks at me there is a certain plot in his mind that screams at me, "I will make your life as miserable as I can!" Now my wife says I am paranoid and need help, but I am sure there is something in that story that is true. Well lately I am feeling like this cat is out to get me. He walks around the house and whines like crazy and if you walk by his food bowl he does it louder (btw he is fed and fed good too, I might add). He stands by the bathroom door and cries when my wife is getting ready in the morning and I feel like getting my pellet gun and giving him a "WHAT FOR" ummm ok a swift kick in the rear is what I meant. But seriously is this normal and I'm just paranoid, or am I right and CATs are the spawn of Satan! Seriously look at his picture isn't he a cute ball of fur with a mind to make everything in his path a living Heck....
Oh the stories I could tell you... like he has the little play mice, which he throws under the dressers and stove and behind the fridge and sits and cries cause I won't get them for him, and if I do he goes right back over to the same spot and throws them back........ AAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHH!

So I got this cat for my daughter, Rebekkah, and well I thought at the time I got this cat it was a great compromise for not being able to get a dog. What was I thinking???!!!!

Adam Sandler Night...

2010-08-16T19:09:00.000-07:00

So I was on my home tonight and call my wife to let her know I was on my way to which her reply was a most outstanding, "YIPPEE!" and she added a, "Oh I'll wait for you to get here before I start watching Happy Gilmore!" Oh that sweet sweet wife of mine how I love her so much! Well we are about off to bed to which we will fall asleep to BIG DADDY! I know I know that Adam Sandler isn't the most wholesome actor nor director/ writer, but I must admit he sure makes me laugh.
I recently watched the movie Funny People, and I must tell you I had a deep place in my heart for the characters in that movie. Yes, I know there was some not so family values or family viewing in the movie, but what a complete eye opener to the mind of someone without Christ. I was watching this movie and realized that I wasn't watching a movie for the complete entertainment of the movie, but I was watching a movie and being taught an important lesson on the sanctity of life in Christ. Her is a story of a man who makes a living making people laugh and basically living at the expense of other faults and finds out he is dying of cancer. Now of course the movie progresses and he is taking an experimental drug that possible can cure him, and eventually it does. When he is cured he has no one to share this joy with. I find it parallels the Church in more ways than I can count... We get a person into the church by sheer entertainment value.... Offer a great time and show them how much we appreciate them showing up and participating.... We make home visits and extend all the love we can muster with words like, "You blessed us with your presence", or "We would love to have you back again", or "You sure have a lot to offer", and "We care!"... We show them Jesus! The accept Him as their Savior! PRAISE GOD!!!!! Then we head off to find e our next project and leave them behind because we did our job and show them the way and they accepted. We get that Funny People mentality and get our kicks off the who whole I am holier than thou let me show you Jesus and once you accept them see ya sucker attitude.
I wonder how many people we introduced to Jesus that we left hangin.? I think of Paul and his relationship with Timothy and how we was more or less with him until his death from... Hanging out... Talking to him.... Writing him letters... Imparting as much of himself into him...

I wonder how different the church would be if did these things.....

Thanks Adam Sandler for your inspiration....!

Great day...!

2010-08-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

Today my family and I had the privileged to check out a church plant. We saw a posting for a church in need of a Youth Pastor, and decided to check out the church and see what it was all about. After arriving at the YMCA where the church meets, we were immediately greeted by people and there was an excitement in the air that was super contagious. We then were escorted to the areas where they had children's ministry and were walked through registration and there was a definitely love and interest in my children. From there we went into a gymnasium where they held worship services and were again greeted by people who were excited to see us and excite we were there.
First impressions make a massive difference when visiting a church and when you are greeted with love and there is a sincere interest in you and your family there is more than a visiting feeling you feel part of something special. Before the service we had already met the Pastor, the Worship Pastor, the Associate Pastor and over half the congregation. The service was wonderful and the sermon was fitting (I'll touch on in a min), and we felt part of a community and we saw Acts 2:42... come to life. After the service we were invited by pastor to go to lunch and with our 8 year old daughters setting up everything we decided on Red Robin (oh the fries and campfire sauce)... We had a great time of fellowship and enjoying each other's company and what a blessing it was. We talked about family, ministry, commute times, places we've lived, places we've seen, and so on and so on. Did I mention with did all this with glad and sincere hearts. I said I would mention the sermon from this morning's service and it was on Acts 2:42... It was really amazing and miraculous how God took a message thru a messenger then allow us to act on it following...
I am constantly amazed at how we can practice on the lessons from His word and the chance to do His will at anytime, and when we do this we can see His promises come alive...!
What a great day in the community, a part of the Kingdom of God!

2010-08-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

The trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed.

C. S. Lewis

MMMM Tacos.....

2010-08-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

HOMEMADE

So last night we had tacos for supper..... Oh man I love homemade tacos, ya know the where you have take the taco shells out of the box that you paid a whole buck for and arrange them on a cookie sheet and heat them up... Cook your hamburger till nice and brown..... Add seasons to the hamburger until the most wonderful aromas are passing through the whole house and you can almost taste the Mexican goodness coming from that skillet... Then you chop up some tomatoes, lettuce and whatever else you enjoy for veggies on your taco, then you grate some cheese.... Oh and well I had to make some rice and beans to add to the heavenly pleasure of a meal that we were about to take part in (sorry lets focus on the Tacos)... so we are polishing off the meal and the question arises, "How come when you eat a taco from ANY restaurant they never seems to taste like a good Ole homemade taco?"

TACO BELL

Now I am not saying that tacos don't taste good from a restaurant, cause we all know that Taco Bell is about one the greatest places to grab a bite or two to eat. But I do find it interesting that a taco from home has it own taste and what a taste that is......
I am beginning to believe that the taco is basically the food that will make the "Custer's Last Stand" for the family... It is going to stand tall and proud and serve its family for years and years and then one day some restaurateur will realize that it is really that easy to make such a simple wonderful meal that will bring the families in and spend mucho denero. I must admit I will be one of those persons from time to time, but I will allow the taco to remain a strong hold in my family for the years to come.... OH man do those homemade tacos taste good..... MMMMM MMMMM GOOD!

Back Again....

2010-08-12T08:15:00.001-07:00

I have taken a 2 year hiatus from posting to take some time and do some serious soul searching and allow God to do His thing with me. I can say that now after these two years that I am back and feeling pretty darn good.

To give you an update....

1. Moved from San Antonio, TX to Rapid City, SD

2. Did a lot of cool stuff up there... Yes Mt. Rushmore can be scene more than 18 million times

3. Got Married to my now "Smokin Hot Wife" (thank you baby Jesus)

4. Move back to San Antonio, TX

I must say it was a whirlwind experience but at the same time completely worth every second. I am truly amazed at the mercy and grace of God. He has proved to me more and more that He is in control, He is watching out for me, He is smarter than me, and His love for me exceeds anything I could ever fathom.

After being out of full-time ministry for the last 3 years has been tough, but at the same time truly rewarding. I need to explain this amazing experience....

I have had the opportunity to Manage a Burger King, work for a security company, work for a cable company, work for Dish Network, and work for Directv. I also had a stint in a polka band but that is another store for another time, oh yeah and I also was a mercenary for the US government and brought down many cues across the globe (non you'll ever hear about, talk about secret and sly, I know I know....), ok ok I daydream a lot. I also had the amazing opportunity to be a mission staff person for Younglife in Kadoka, SD. Yes there is a Kadoka, SD and there is 3, count them 3, gas stations in the town.

During this period of 3 years God showed me there is more to this life than being the TEACHER or PREACHER, or to put it ever so nicely too "Spiritual" to sit in the pew. I learned that there are REAL hurts and REAL people hurting with those hurts, and there is a God who loves them and who wants to love them. I though I understood all of this while I was too "Spiritual", but I was dead wrong. I was given the opportunity to be a person in the pew, and my eyes are open wider than ever. I, with my degrees / ordination /title, am no different than the ones I was so frustrated with for not listening or volunteering or being too "Spiritual". I decided to pursue God like I had never pursued Him before. I decided to simply seek a relationship and look past my sermons, newsletter articles, counseling sessions, and on and on and on. I thought of the Counsel of Nicaea and the politics that had to dealt with in order to "pursue a relationship with Jesus", and realized that all it took was what's written is Ps 34, "Seek His face, He will hear me, and deliver me", and it says that the poor man cried out and God saved him from all his troubles. I can only picture in my mind this poor man who cried out seeking God, and then He was saved from his troubles and the relationship that was then formed at this moment in time. Then the thought of David, knowing all the junk that man went through and all the Joy in the Lord that was in His heart and the relationship he had with God, even despite the mistakes he made. I realized that in order to have a successful ministry or to be successful while hear on earth, I need to take the time and cultivate my relationship with Him. While I have been developing this relationship with Jesus, everything has been falling into place. From outside eyes it might not look like it is all "silky and smooth", but as I see the hand of God at work, I see miracles happening on a daily basis and I am reassured even in the darkest hour He is guiding / protecting / loving me through it all.

So as we journey together may we develop a relationship with Jesus... Not just go to church, bible study, preach a sermon, do our morning devotions, sing songs of Praise, listen to Christian radio, read Mac Lucado books.... and earnestly seek Him........!

Blessing to you all!

Interesting Quote

2008-03-26T20:51:00.000-07:00

Just in terms of allocation of time resources, religion is not very efficient. There's a lot more I could be doing on a Sunday morning.
- Bill Gates

I thought this was a most interesting observation from a very successful well-known person. Hmmmm..... where do we go from here....?

Easter Easter Easter

2008-03-24T05:00:00.001-07:00

I had a wonderful Easter! Family, Friends, and of course My Savior! It is such a privilege being able to set aside a day, weekend, week to focus in on the life, death, burial, and resurrection of a Prophet, Priest, and King. Life is so worth it knowing that there really was a Jesus, knowing that Jesus really did live here on Earth, knowing that he suffered and died, knowing that he was buried (a sealed tomb none the less), knowing that he was raised from the dead, knowing he didn't die again (still alive), and knowing he did it all for me.

I took a big gamble this year and decided not to hype all of the Easter hoo haa in my home with my children. Yes I did get them their candy and whatnot, but we didn't talk much about the Easter bunny and didn't focus much on the whole idea of the "Easter Festivities". I did however take more than one moment each day and talk to my kids (2,3, and 6 years old), to tell them what was gonna happen on Friday and then Sunday (Easter Sunday). I began to wonder if it really was sinking in, when Sunday afternoon on the way to 6pm service my two year old daughter Bekkah (did I mention she is only two) looked up in the sky and made a innocent comment, "hey dad look at the sun coming through the clouds, is that Jesus coming back?". I asked what she meant. She commented back with the agreement of the other two, "you said Jesus was coming back today."

HOLY HOLY HOLY HOLY HOLY! Are you kidding me, my two year old daughter muttered this, oh my GOD! (literally) How fantastic is that? Tell me Jesus still doesn't make a difference! Did I mention Bekkah is only two, tell me Jesus doesn't make a difference! He is ALIVE! He is Moving! He is still......

A Daughters Reminder

2008-03-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

Last night my beautiful daughter, Halie, who I might add is only 6 years old gave me a glimse into a child's amazing source of wisdom. After we said prayers for bed, which we do every night, she grabbed me around my neck and said, "daddy, I just love Jesus so much!" There was no explaination for this comment, but a there was a gleam in her eye and a since of total satisfaction in her voice. I am so humbled at how a child can remind you of how simple living the Christian life can be.

I spent the day in deep thought of her comment before bed. A few interesting arguements ran through my head: first, a child mimicks those around them; second, a child says things to please their parents. I must say I don't believe either one of these "Well researched" arguements. I have noticed something as I have worked with children and youth over the years that I find very interesting, when they believe in something you can really see that conviction in the way they live life. Take my daughter for instance; Halie loves to pray, I don't have to ask she just takes any opportunity to do it and really enjoys talking to God. Halie is hungry to hear, learn, and tell the words of God any chance she gets. She has a sincre desire to serve others whenever she can. Halie loves to live out what she learns from Christians.

I think my thoughts can be summed up simply reminding you of what my daughter said, "I just love Jesus so much!" What if we "just loved Jesus so much!"

"Once"

2008-03-17T22:25:00.000-07:00

I borrowed a movie from Will called "Once", and finally had the chance to watch it.

I really want to encourage you to check this show out, something just amazing about a love story that doesn't quite end as you are expecting it to. I was watching this movie and was completely blown away at the modern day aspect to a musical, but the way the love between two individuals unfolds between them and how it finally turns out. I think this movie gives a since of Hope for the future to certian life circumstances that I have experienced.

Good movie worth watching!

A Lousiana Prayer

2008-03-10T19:12:00.000-07:00

Today I traveled to Baton Rouge, LA and the weather was amazing outside. I am not speaking of good weather, but the most amazing rain storm I have ever experienced. The moment I left San Antonio it started to pour and it rain all the way until the prayer. I was driving through the thickest rain I have ever seen, and seeing the rain created a non-seeing road. There most more times than I could count that visibilty was about 30 yards. I saw several cars slide into the ditches surounding the interstate. At one point I saw a SUV slide right into the byou below, it was scarey and unbelievable at the same time. As I was driving through some of the heaviest rain I saw a large tow truck pulling out an SUV from the swampy byou below. Not only was the two truck pulling out the SUV, but the search and rescue team was treading around in the water looking for something. I pray that the people were ok. At that point I felt it was a good time to call some prayer warriors (Trevor and Will). I called and talked to Trevor for a few minutes and asked him to pray for safe travel, and once I got ahold of Will I asked him not only for prayer for my travel but for the people driving through the storm too. Will prayed on the phone and when we hung up, no joke, the rain stopped. The RAIN STOPPED! I was like Yahooo for Jesus! The most rain I saw from that point forward was a drizzle. God is a that is to be praised and adored for His mercies endure forever!
God bless you Trevor and Will! Thanks for the prayers and even though the other travelers might not realize it, they thank you too!

Hmmmm.....

2008-03-02T21:45:00.001-08:00

Tonight was one of those nights...

I had a swell time hanging out with friends, doing church, playing guitar during worship, and having an interesting time with some police officers. My brother and I were out in the church parking lot chatting and a cop pulled up (spotlighted us) and asked for our licenses and ran our names. He was almost condeming us with his questions like, "do I need to know anything before I run your names", and then after running our names asking again, "are you sure there isn't anything you need to tell me?" I appreciate the safety that was desplayed but did it really have to go down liek this. It was most uncomfortable when another cop came in and there was some quiet chatting going on between them and the way it seemed as if we were guilty of something we didn't even know about. I appreciate our police officers and have a deep respect for the work they do and how their lives are really on the line each day, but there has to be another way to gain that respect from innocent and avereage citizens just being innocent.

Where does your passion lie?

2008-03-01T23:07:00.000-08:00

Over the past 9 months I have been acking for something and it has been eating me alive. After my wife left me I resigned from the church where I was serving. I did this against counsel from my accountability partners, leadership, and friends blessing. It was a difficult move, but I listened to some wise counsel from family and some friends. I needed time to heal and I needed to be restored to the man God wanted and wants me to be. I have been acking to get back into the ministry full-time and serve in that capacity once again. I know and understand that each and everyone of us has a ministry (full-time) even if you work outside of the church walls, but I remember when God first placed this idea in my mind. Since my sophmore year of high school I have been developing this idea of full-time ministry into a passion that is firey and it burns deep within me. I must say I am scared and I know it will be tough, but I am so ready again. I have learned so much about life and I am even more so passioniate about sharing the love of God and using the talents that God has granted me in a capacity of full-time ministry. I ask for your prayers that this time will come quick and that I will be ready.

Good Times

2008-02-27T20:06:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity tonight to lead worship for the youth of the church I have been attending, Journey Fellowship, and had a wonderful time. This is the first time I have been back to any Youth Group since I resigned from the church I was serving. It is wierd to think it has been almost 9 months. I was so pumped and still am. Thank God for restoration and healing. Thanks to Journey for allowing me to use the gifts God has given me. Bless you and the work your doing!

Addition to last post

2008-02-25T22:18:00.001-08:00

So I found the Obama photo...

if this makes him muslim

it can't because This guy is definantly NOT muslim

oh yeah good times!

Alan Combs Show

2008-02-25T21:39:00.000-08:00

Tonight I called into the Allan Combs radio talk show, oh yeah that's right! I was pretty steamed when I heard the topic for the evening being how the political game has been shifting lately. Before I get to into this, let it be known I LIKE MIKE! I hope you all check him out and see what a fine Christian man he is and how he stands on issues such as; Human Sanctity, Taxes, Marriage, etc... He is a good man who has a passion for people and America. Well back to the political game, today someone released on the Drudge Report, a picture of Barack Obama in a traditional outfit and turban on a trip to Africa a number of years ago. I heard this and laughed cause of the issues along with the picture was how Obama is obviously a Muslim for wearing a turban. But as I listened to this report I became pretty ticked off as it turned into "Obama is a proud African American who was showing respect to a gift from another culture." I can go with the whole respect thing, but I can't stand when we begin to put people and ourselves into bubbles by labeling our American heritage with an adjective. I am a firm believer that when our forefathers signed and sent the Declaration of Independence they weren't going to label themselves as the Colonialist anymore, but Americans. I think that is a reason racism, segregation, and cultural divisions continue is due to simple semantics. If you are an American be proud of it, if you are an American who immigrated into American society then be proud of it, but do yourself a favor be an "American" and don't sell yourself short by labeling and limiting your freedom with an adjective. So anyways I discussed this idea with Alan and was told I don't have the right to understand, because I am not an African American and haven't had the opportunity no will live in their shoes. Funny but doesn't that sound like racism. If you put someone in a box then you have limited them and sold them short, if you do this then racism sets in. Interesting yes, but God bless America, and I am so proud to be an American.

I think this video explains it better than I can...

So I leave you knowing "I am an American!"

Some Men Where Stretchy Pants

2008-02-17T21:05:00.000-08:00

What a good day today! This morning was a great day at church with my children. I am always blown away at how much they enjoy church and learning about how much God can change thier lives. My daughter, Halie, is always so pumped up to tell me about her experiences and what application she has for the lesson from Bible Land, and to see the joy on all their faces just hanging out with people from church is a true example on how Christians can love on each other and transform their lives.

Tonight was a great night of Journey Fellowship 6pm service. It is great to see something new and to know that a new service is allowing for people who can't make a morning service can now have a time with God and to deepen that relationship with Him. I was so excited to see Kristy's mom their tonight and to see the joy upon her face to be in the presence of Christian brothers and sisters. I will continue to pray for her and the healing that God is doing in her life.

After service tonight I had the chance to see "Nacho Libre". I know it is now a movie that is no longer in the new releases at Blockbuster but still a great movie. The movie had a lesson that was so inline with the messages from Church today about humility and hospitality. Here is a man who wants so badly to help orphans, that he is willing to wrestle and basically make a fool of himself to make sure the chldren are happy.

I hope that as we as Christians practice living out our faith we can do as the Christians of the early church. We need to remember that underneath all that we wear throughout the day is our stretchy pants and our identity of being a warrior for Christ.

Jam Session

2008-02-16T23:45:00.000-08:00

Tonight was fun, we sat around and had a jam session at the Bach. Pad (Duece, Trev, Chris' place). I had a swell time listening to others play and sing, then got to do some of my own as well. I also did the fantastic fall off of the couch, awh Good times. But seriously, have you ever noticed how guitar playing has become such a trend. I am almost annoyed at when you break out the guitar some has got to one up you, or the song is motified to the point of see how good I am. I am not saying this was the case tonight, but I sometimes wish I learned how to play the Kazoo instead of guitar. I remember when chicks used to dig the guitar and the fact you could play, now I am sure they are quite annoyed that everyone and their brother's cousin knows how to play (especially "Sweet Home Alabama"). I mean come on I have been playing for almost 12 years now and I think I suck at guitar, I really do wish I was better, but I find myself trying to show off. What's up with That? I am curious if there is a new skill I can learn that can be "cool" that I know if I did know it. I would like some suggestions, seriously, I am gonna do something different and then try to make it a trend and see what happens. Please comment you ideas and I will blog the progress to keep you all informed. This should be fun...

Rock Band

2008-02-15T23:12:00.000-08:00

Tonight was the big show... Well at least in the eyes of Kristy, Duece, Chris, Racheal and myself. We were totally rocking out to "Rock Band" and we became the band. So sorry MTV, but tonight we were the real "Making of the Band". We were the stars, the heroes, we were the real thing. Wow who would have thought that some freinds could create such righteous sounds and become the most amazing rock band ever playing everyones greatest hits.
Again I am amazed at how much fun you can have without all the hype of night clubs, drunkeness, drugs, etc... God is a good God for allowing people to get together and enjoy each others company even when we look so goofy and are doing some really out of the box things. I am sitting here, 1:20am, wondering how much fun Jesus and the disciples had hanging out together just enjoying each others company. Would they have played "Rock Band", I am sure they would have and so much more. If life can be this much fun hanging out with a few Christian brothers and sisters heaven is going to be a blast.
So from this rock star to you... "I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, my mom/dad, my brothers and sisters, and my producers, all my fans for giving me the inspiration to be the Musician I now am!", "I accept this Grammy!"

Upcoming tour dates posted soon....

V-day is for Friends....

2008-02-14T20:34:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day has never really got me that excited even when I had a special someone to share it with, but tonight I had the best Valentine's Day ever. I had the opportunity to hang out with my new community group tonight and to be in their presence was a complete blessing and honor. It is so good to have freinds who you can love and share with and enjoy each other's company. There is something to say when you can relate to people without have to try to hard. I am so thankful for Friends, new and old.

Dear Friends
I choo choo chooseYOU!
Happy Valentine's Day!

For Trevor....

2008-02-13T21:20:00.000-08:00

Trevor I saw this and thought of you.... Enjoy

What is your flavor?

2008-02-11T21:39:00.000-08:00

I have heard the church, as a whole. described as a Baskin Robbins, with 31+ flavors to go around. And you can totally see that in that there are so many churches to choose from, but what happens when churches start severing other flavors. You can see a transformation in the "church" today that is very interesting. It is as if they are trying to have something for everone. I think this is great, and believe we as the church need to meet the needs of people and provide an atomosphere of love and acceptance to help in that effort. But as much as I love going to Baskin Robbins because of all the flavors I get frustrated at all the flavors at the same time not knowing what to choose. I will go there knowing what I am craving and as quick as I entered the store I have become overwelmed with so many choices. And as much as I was hungry for ice cream my taste buds are now confused not knowing the flavor that brought me there to begin with. I know that a hunger for God is a wonderful and amazing thing and it is wonderful to know the church is there to help meet that need in fulfilling that hunger, but are we forgeting what drew us there or what is drawing others to begin with. I love the "church", and I am so excited to see churches meet needs on a massive scale but I wonder if all of the flavor we seem to offer might be confusing the spirit flavor that we need.

Change, "The New Chapter"

2008-02-10T20:16:00.001-08:00

Well tonight I did something that scared me to death. But let me explain. It has been almost ten months since my marriage failed. I won't go into details on why this happened, but I will say it was the most devestating chapter of my life. I still have days when I cry many tears and ask, "why me?" Although healing has been slow there has been healing in my life. I am actually about to cry as I write this. I have been praying constantly for these last ten months that closure would come to this chapter. I think tonight the next chapter started, I got the courage to ask a gal to the movies. I must say I felt like a Jr Higher asking his first girl out. I hope that this next chapter has more healing and will speak to better days for me and my children, but thank God for change. If that gal is reading this, "Thank You, and know God is good, and since we love Him, good is to come!"
Heres to the story of my life and the chapter to come.

Fate or Wishful thinking?

2008-02-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

I just watch a totally swell chick flick staring the one and only John Cusack, "Serendipity". I have always enjoyed a good chick flick; Sleepless in Seatle, You got mail, Breakfast at Tiffany's, etc..., but this movie, Serendipity, was just great. I am sitting here going over tons of "could be fate instances" and I am hoping that maybe just maybe this fateful thinking might be true. Oh, please be true.....
Well heres to good movies that get you motivated to think.

The Good Life

2008-02-07T05:01:00.000-08:00

It is so good to be back to the "Good Life". I have been out of town so much lately, and it can get very lonely. This was my week to be with my kids and I had to be out of town Monday and Tuesday, and I could feel the pieces missing from my life. Last night I picked the kids up from school and daycare and those pieces where clicking back into place. I call this the "Good Life". It is a very different picture than the world paints now a days. Within two hours of picking them up I had spent over $100 and only $4.oo was for me, awh yes the "Good Life". Kids can be so expensive but so worth it. When I don't have my kids I am so lonely and my time is filled with reading books, watching TV, and internet. Freedom don't you think, being able to be alone and do what you want. I don't think that at all. That freedom is often spoke of the "Good Life" being able to live for YOU. Being able to provide for my children, be in their presence, and to recieve their love is the "Good Life". I thank God everyday for the life he gave me, the situations I get to live through, and the "Good Life".

Great Game!

2008-02-03T20:25:00.000-08:00

NICE!

I love a good show of courage. And well this game showed it all. The Giants where a complete underdog in this superbowl match-up, and they came out and showed the Pats how things are done.

PROPS to the Manning boys for doing the coolest back to back Superbowl wins!

Congratulations!

2008-02-02T20:43:00.000-08:00

I am so glad they love each other and may God Bless their unions, but
do you suppose they get the same kick that we do?

LOST

2008-02-01T20:55:00.000-08:00

It's back! And we are as lost as ever!

I love this show it really brings out some great thinking my brain. If you are not a fan I can totally understand, but I still say if you watch long enough then you will to become hooked and you will want more and more of this amazing show. I like to say I love and get so frustrated with this show at the same time. Honestly I don't hate the show I just get frustrated at how much I don't know and how much I want to know and really have a deep desire to know more.

I think that this kinda of thinking can totally be related to a relationship with Jesus. There are so many people who don't like the idea of a relationship with him because they don't take the time to take it all in and well become "hooked". And then people can become frustrated at having a relationship with Jesus because there is so much to know and it can sometimes become frustrating. When things become frustrating and when we tend not to understand everything we don't want much to do with it. When it comes to a relationship with Jesus there is so much to desire and so much to know.

Keep watching Lost it becomes addicting and you will always want more.

Keep seeking and building your relationship with Jesus it will become addicting and you will always want more.

thats all i got to say about that

2008-01-28T21:08:00.001-08:00

So another long day at work... I would say that my rear is permanently attached to a seat in a vinyl wrapped avalanche. I was wondering if anyone thinks like me...

So on my way to no man's land today in south of San Antonio I saw at least 5 highway patrol in speed traps, and as many border patrol hiding in bushes along the way.
And on my way to Dallas shortly after that I saw about triple that many highway patrol.

Can anyone say quota?

I wonder if there really is a quota and if so Why? And if there is a quota why wait until the last couple of days of the month to enforce it? I always am curious if rules where enforced maybe all the time if life would be that much easier (well I have kids and that ideal works fantastic with them)? I am also curious if this type of enforcement just creates a mindset to do "OK" and no "Excellent" in our daily lives.
I listened to the State of the Union address tonight on the way to Dallas and as much as I like George Bush (I respect your opinions), I found it interesting that as a President whinds down his time in office He seems to let his political convictions that much more known and seem to be that much more firm in where He stands on issues. I will give it to Bush that he has remained firm on many issues while in office and has shown a great deal of integrity on his personal beliefs, but it seemed like tonight he was all over congress to get things done.
As political officers seem to do when they know that they don't have an election to win, or if they know their time in office is almost up they step up in making sure the "agenda" gets done. And, well, why do we as Children of God seem to be so la-di-da about our Christian lifestyles until we think, "it doesn't matter what people think cause there is so much at hand now".

What I am trying to say is this. We tend to live life like no one is watching us until the end of the month when people begin to pay attention. Why not stand firm and live life as if we are not trying to fill "God's Quota"? Jesus was pretty simplistic when He said, "hey, I am life, and you can live it so much better in me, and well if you live like this then your loving people like I do and they will know there is something there, and if you live like this then they will know you are different from the world" (Todd's revised version)

So anyway. Forget the Quota. Live life and enjoy it, and well if you obey the posted speed limits you will live so much longer and be able to enjoy life that much better and probably longer!

Taking Time

2008-01-26T21:12:00.000-08:00

I was driving over a newer overpass at a major intersection of two very busy freeways, and I noticed the black marks of tires and scrap marks of bumpers along the guard rails. I don't think I really paid much attention to the guard rails on other over passes, so after seeing this on this particular bridge I decided to make sure I looked while driving on some more overpasses. I was blown away at the amount of marks along every overpass I have driven on in the last four days. After paying attention to these marks I began to wonder about the cars that made these marks. And I really do wonder what condition they were in. After awhile of pondering what the car was looking like, I then turned my thoughts to the person inside the car. Questions ran through my mind; Where they hurt? Where they drunk? Cellphone? Text Message? A child distracting them from back seat? A significant other? What caused them to ver so close to the guard rail that they bumped into it.
Today I was recapping all of these thoughts and it dawned on me how many times in my "Christianity" do I just pass life on by and not notice the crazy marks life makes. And well I took that even farther even if I noticed the marks, I was to busy thinking about the circumstances that caused the marks. And well I had to go farther and I was convicted that even if I was focusing on the circumstances I was missing the persons involved in the circumstances.
Isn't it interesting that the majority of the time we notice the effects of circumstances in life, then we notice the circumstances that caused the effects, and then we notice the person(s) involved. And as we are going through this "routine" we tend to judge and unfortunately we miss the individuals that are effected. I also find it interesting that because of our "routine" and the order of our "routine" we tend to take the circumstance and the effect of the circumstance and we make it almost impossible to reach out and help the person being effected.
If we take time and look for the person before circumstance and find the person before the effects of that circumstance then relationships are formed and I believe we have just lived and loved as Jesus. Take some time...

Well there is a sign!

2008-01-24T20:57:00.000-08:00

Thursday is the day for a good sign!

Wierd Thought

2008-01-23T20:04:00.000-08:00

Yesterday afternoon the news reported that Heath Ledger has passed away.

Before I say anything more about that, I need to say that he was one of my favorite actors. Of course I can't say that I saw "Brokeback Mountain", and as much as I might have disagreement with what I heard and read about the movie, it is my understanding that his performance was fantastic.

Well back to the news of his death...

My first reaction will wait for the last lines of this thought, but it seems that death effects me more than ever. I find it interesting that I hear of so many people near my age that are passing away, it puts my life and what I do in perspective. I hope and pray that my life is a witness of the grace of God, and a message of hope that God can make all things new.

Now after saying all of this, I had to take a serious step back after I heard the news of Heath's death. My first thought and reaction was, "Oh no! Did he finish the new Batman movie, cause I really want to see it". I have asked for forgiveness for this comment, and now I get the great task of reacting and living out the thought of my life being a witness of the grace of God.

2008-01-19T17:13:00.000-08:00

2 Things

1. Convenience
2. Ummmmmm this might just work

America's ingenuity at its best.

This should be fun....

2008-01-17T20:56:00.000-08:00

Well as soon as I get a chance, I will be either wowing you with the most though provoking words, or you will very very confused at what might be going on in my head. To many times I am sitting at home and have a thought go through my mind that is to good to not share so now you will be blessed with a glimpse into my mind.

Thought of the day is the title of my blog page, "Man is like a piece of Cheese". A few years ago there was a spoof movie, Mafia, that totally murdered the "Godfather", and there was a most interesting line used in the movie, "Man is like a piece of Cheese." The line was said at a wedding as a toast, and that is all that was said, "Man is like a piece of Cheese". Actually if you don't think to hard on the words you find that it is so true. Man, humankind, people are like pieces of cheese. We get better as we age (or should), we smell worse when we get older, we can become hard and coarse on the outside, and we can grow hair where hair shouldn't grow.

Now as we age, we should become better and better at what we do. "Why?", because we have made mistakes and learned from them (again, we should have), and well as the old saying goes practice makes us perfect.

Lets face it as we age we tend to stink more and more. Of course that stench comes from the deterioration of our body (right, right?). But honestly our smell might not get worse but it should be more noticeable whether it would be physical smell or a glimpse of our who we are and how far we have come.

As age sets in so does experience in living life. It seems as we get older we become used to taking "it", almost as if we are getting hard and coarse on the outside. Sometimes this change is a good thing because it allows for tolerance and we seem to be able to take life a little easier. Then there is those times when that hard coarseness might not allow for love to penetrate or negative things to be able to get out, then like you would a piece of cheese you get rid of the junk.

Then of coarse as cheese gets older it gets a little moldy, and well to add some pure humor to life why does hair grow in weird places when it isn't supposed to. I am not sure I am looking forward to having hair in weird places but I am sure that it will happen as I will ask What? When? Where? Why? How? and only will there be a medical answer.

Life is like that isn't it? a piece of Cheese. I like cheese (not to much, quantity, oh no bad), but I do enjoy cheese. It makes Queso Queso. A grill cheese sandwich would be a grill sandwich without it. Cheese seems to make things better. So if "Man is like a Piece of Cheese", and we are destined to live with each other then things should be, well, better! What would life be with out you? Not so swell.

- well there you have it my mind works - I think