Just a quick post tonight. We had a couple of unexpected furry guests take up residence in the backyard today. A couple of stray dogs found their way into the neighborhood and my daughter decided to take them in, while my wife and I were at work. Not cool.
The humane society was closed, animal control was closed and no one was responding to the flyers we hung up today. So, bedtime was a little more stressful than normal. After the dogs settled down in the makeshift kennel in the back yard, my family settled in for the night.
Suddenly, the dogs started barking loudly and I bolted downstairs to quiet them down. A man's voice came across the yard, asking me to take my dogs inside; it was the Salem police department. They had a K9 unit and were the cause of the barking. Here I was, trying to explain that these weren't my dogs and that I couldn't take them inside because of my own pets. I had nowhere else to take them, and no way to "shut them up" at 10:00 at night. Surely, my neighbors hated me, we were in violation of the noise ordinances and we were helpless.
It turns out that the police apprehended someone who was running around our neighborhood about a half an hour after our initial encounter. They were there with their dogs looking for someone specific, while our "guests" barked endlessly.
Did they help track the location of the criminal? I have no idea, but I can tell you this; I'll be VERY happy when they make their way [to another] home.
Good Night
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Happy Labor Day (School's In)!
I hope that you've all had a safe and happy holiday weekend.
As for us, it was pretty negative. Our family reached critical mass and everyone pretty well had it out. Lots of anger, tears and hurt- not good. My wife had a migraine and it seemed that the enemy was running rampant in our house and with our personal relationships.
Things perked up a bit during a family BBQ this afternoon. We were able to step outside of our daily lives for a few hours, hit the pause on the issues we're facing and enjoy good food and great company. It was refreshing. Finally, a good belly laugh was had by almost everyone just before bedtime, as we thumbed through some old pictures of the kids on my computer. Hearing laughter and seeing smiles was such a great experience this evening. The kids are back in school tomorrow, and I wanted their last remnant of Summer to be positive.
Thank you Lord, for these reminders about what life's all about. It's not about money, bills or stress. It's not about tyranny because the house is messy or gripping control based on fear and uncertainty of what "might happen". It is all about love, and I often forget this fact. Please help me to "walk the walk" of faith. Please help me let go and trust you for once in my life. Please affect an everlasting heart change in me and my family. Amen.
Good Night
As for us, it was pretty negative. Our family reached critical mass and everyone pretty well had it out. Lots of anger, tears and hurt- not good. My wife had a migraine and it seemed that the enemy was running rampant in our house and with our personal relationships.
Things perked up a bit during a family BBQ this afternoon. We were able to step outside of our daily lives for a few hours, hit the pause on the issues we're facing and enjoy good food and great company. It was refreshing. Finally, a good belly laugh was had by almost everyone just before bedtime, as we thumbed through some old pictures of the kids on my computer. Hearing laughter and seeing smiles was such a great experience this evening. The kids are back in school tomorrow, and I wanted their last remnant of Summer to be positive.
Thank you Lord, for these reminders about what life's all about. It's not about money, bills or stress. It's not about tyranny because the house is messy or gripping control based on fear and uncertainty of what "might happen". It is all about love, and I often forget this fact. Please help me to "walk the walk" of faith. Please help me let go and trust you for once in my life. Please affect an everlasting heart change in me and my family. Amen.
Good Night
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Wrecked, or Refined?
I'm exhausted. Today's been full of ups and downs- but far more downs than ups. The sermon about Philip and the Ethiopian from Acts chapter 8 (verses 26-40) was a clear example of two men; one who loved the Lord and was quick in obedience to make a journey, and another man who wasn't clear on what the Bible was saying, made the ultimate outward expression of baptism. Neither man waited- they acted quickly.
As I understand it, the story can be broken down into the following points:
1. God sent an angel to speak to Philip, indicating he was supposed to go on a trip.
2. Philip didn't know what was going to happen on his trip, but he was obedient and immediately jumped into action anyway.
3. Philip met up with another man, and counseled him in the scriptures, sharing the story of Jesus Christ. This fellowship helped the Ethiopian grow in spirit and understanding.
4. The Ethiopian man immediately seized the opportunity for baptism. Philip was willing and the eunuch didn't delay.
Obedience, obedience, obedience.
Prior to the sermon, we ran a clip of a couple I know in our congregation. It was their testimony of going "all in" and trusting in the Lord with their tithing. It was amazing to hear about the struggles that these two have over come, and that the Lord has wholly restored them. They started their obedience to the Lord when the chips were down and He came through for them time and again. I was moved to tears.
If you've been following my blog for more than a week, you know that we'd signed up for "all in" as well. However, we removed our card for the program when it came time to write the check. It was payday and the bills were due, the cabinets were bare, the kids needed new clothes and shoes and it was already financially tight. Although it was something my spirit was screaming to do, we bailed on the program because by the numbers, tithing looked like complete and utter foolishness- it was hysterical on my spreasheet. We could tithe, but then we would literally have a couple of unpaid bills and less than our norm for food this month.
Instead of jumping in faith, I did what I've historically always done; clam up, become a grumpy, resentful and miserable miser. I was so close to carrying out my belief, but I couldn't let go and trust. Then things came apart.
Out Internet connection died. It was our wireless router, it simply gave up the ghost. Then, the expenses of food, house, car, utilities, kids' clothes and shoes took their toll. Then came the worry and stress over how to pay my son's "new" orthodontics bill, as well as a nice "thank you" gift we'd like to give our neighbor, who selflessly came and removed an unwanted tree from our front yard. Finally, our truck's rear window regulator broke, leaving the window stuck in the down position. It seems like no matter what we want to do (tithe), waves of financial problems keep beating us into the rocks.
It was simply more than I could handle today. I broke down and lost it. I SMS texted a friend of mine, asking for his help in "talking me down" from the ledge. I didn't expected him to call, but I'd hoped that he would. A few minutes later, the phone rang; it was the friend I'd contacted. He said he'd been reading his Bible, and the Lord placed it on his heart to call me. He didn't even look at my SMS text messages!
After a couple of phone calls spanning well over an hour, I have a little more insight into the reality of taking the step of faith and going all in. Even if it doesn't make sense, I need to obey. My friend also helped arm me with some things to assist in keeping from hurting my families' feelings when I'm feeling overwhelmed and under stress. (Recently my family shared that they were afraid of telling me about spending money on anything, as they fear I'll be angry with them.) I never want to hurt my family- all I want is to be obedient to the Lord, and a great husband and father. I've blown it over and over again. I'm so tired of this merry-go-round.
This story was hard to admit. Only a week ago, we were "gung ho" and ready to go all in. However, the stakes were piled high this week- and a financial wasteland presented itself as I turned and imploded. That was not the correct choice to make.
I'm still watching this mess unfold. Feelings between my wife and I are still extremely raw; she's very upset with me and we're not on the best of speaking terms. My children know that I want to trust God for his protection, but they're seeing the bills stack up and their father come undone, instead of practicing what he preaches. I'm the world's greatest Christian hypocrite. This spiritual roller coaster ride is taking its toll. Jesus, please forgive me.
Psalm 126:5 (English Standard Version)
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
Good Night
As I understand it, the story can be broken down into the following points:
1. God sent an angel to speak to Philip, indicating he was supposed to go on a trip.
2. Philip didn't know what was going to happen on his trip, but he was obedient and immediately jumped into action anyway.
3. Philip met up with another man, and counseled him in the scriptures, sharing the story of Jesus Christ. This fellowship helped the Ethiopian grow in spirit and understanding.
4. The Ethiopian man immediately seized the opportunity for baptism. Philip was willing and the eunuch didn't delay.
Obedience, obedience, obedience.
Prior to the sermon, we ran a clip of a couple I know in our congregation. It was their testimony of going "all in" and trusting in the Lord with their tithing. It was amazing to hear about the struggles that these two have over come, and that the Lord has wholly restored them. They started their obedience to the Lord when the chips were down and He came through for them time and again. I was moved to tears.
If you've been following my blog for more than a week, you know that we'd signed up for "all in" as well. However, we removed our card for the program when it came time to write the check. It was payday and the bills were due, the cabinets were bare, the kids needed new clothes and shoes and it was already financially tight. Although it was something my spirit was screaming to do, we bailed on the program because by the numbers, tithing looked like complete and utter foolishness- it was hysterical on my spreasheet. We could tithe, but then we would literally have a couple of unpaid bills and less than our norm for food this month.
Instead of jumping in faith, I did what I've historically always done; clam up, become a grumpy, resentful and miserable miser. I was so close to carrying out my belief, but I couldn't let go and trust. Then things came apart.
Out Internet connection died. It was our wireless router, it simply gave up the ghost. Then, the expenses of food, house, car, utilities, kids' clothes and shoes took their toll. Then came the worry and stress over how to pay my son's "new" orthodontics bill, as well as a nice "thank you" gift we'd like to give our neighbor, who selflessly came and removed an unwanted tree from our front yard. Finally, our truck's rear window regulator broke, leaving the window stuck in the down position. It seems like no matter what we want to do (tithe), waves of financial problems keep beating us into the rocks.
It was simply more than I could handle today. I broke down and lost it. I SMS texted a friend of mine, asking for his help in "talking me down" from the ledge. I didn't expected him to call, but I'd hoped that he would. A few minutes later, the phone rang; it was the friend I'd contacted. He said he'd been reading his Bible, and the Lord placed it on his heart to call me. He didn't even look at my SMS text messages!
After a couple of phone calls spanning well over an hour, I have a little more insight into the reality of taking the step of faith and going all in. Even if it doesn't make sense, I need to obey. My friend also helped arm me with some things to assist in keeping from hurting my families' feelings when I'm feeling overwhelmed and under stress. (Recently my family shared that they were afraid of telling me about spending money on anything, as they fear I'll be angry with them.) I never want to hurt my family- all I want is to be obedient to the Lord, and a great husband and father. I've blown it over and over again. I'm so tired of this merry-go-round.
This story was hard to admit. Only a week ago, we were "gung ho" and ready to go all in. However, the stakes were piled high this week- and a financial wasteland presented itself as I turned and imploded. That was not the correct choice to make.
I'm still watching this mess unfold. Feelings between my wife and I are still extremely raw; she's very upset with me and we're not on the best of speaking terms. My children know that I want to trust God for his protection, but they're seeing the bills stack up and their father come undone, instead of practicing what he preaches. I'm the world's greatest Christian hypocrite. This spiritual roller coaster ride is taking its toll. Jesus, please forgive me.
Psalm 126:5 (English Standard Version)
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
Good Night
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Bummer
After church tonight, my wife and I swung by Quizno's for dinner. We were going to go out with some friends tonight, but after a full day of school clothes shopping, my wife needed to come home and relax. Honestly, it turned out to be a wise decision.
It seemed that our car's rear passenger window was not able to roll up. When it rolled down, grinding noises and a wobble of the glass were the telltale sign of yet another regulator or cable system failing. Great. Another car repair we get to figure out. We just went through this process with another window a few months ago and it isn't a cheap fix.
My wife indicated that while she was out today, someone had placed two hand prints on our window, so it's unknown whether or not that person was trying to break into our car or not. Either way, I'm depending on the Lord to help us out of this jam.
Philippians 4:19 (English Standard Version)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Good Night
It seemed that our car's rear passenger window was not able to roll up. When it rolled down, grinding noises and a wobble of the glass were the telltale sign of yet another regulator or cable system failing. Great. Another car repair we get to figure out. We just went through this process with another window a few months ago and it isn't a cheap fix.
My wife indicated that while she was out today, someone had placed two hand prints on our window, so it's unknown whether or not that person was trying to break into our car or not. Either way, I'm depending on the Lord to help us out of this jam.
Philippians 4:19 (English Standard Version)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Good Night
Friday, September 3, 2010
Take A Good, Hard Look In The Mirror
This passage struck a nerve this morning. How many times have I asked the Lord for forgiveness of my sins, while I was secretly hard-hearted towards another person? What about the times I've taken communion or offered up songs of worship, and my mind drifted away from the Lord mid-process?
How often would I look negatively upon someone because of a personal situation, or something they've said, only to find myself making the same types of poor choices in similar circumstances? My point? I'm a dirty dog; just as guilty and sin-riddled as the next guy.
Thankfully, Jesus is my Lord and Savior.
It's important to honestly check over our lives each day and assess the "problem areas" we discover. Let's repent of our sins and make sure that we're living for Jesus, inside and out.
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (English Standard Version)
17But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
23For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
33So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
Good Night
How often would I look negatively upon someone because of a personal situation, or something they've said, only to find myself making the same types of poor choices in similar circumstances? My point? I'm a dirty dog; just as guilty and sin-riddled as the next guy.
Thankfully, Jesus is my Lord and Savior.
It's important to honestly check over our lives each day and assess the "problem areas" we discover. Let's repent of our sins and make sure that we're living for Jesus, inside and out.
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (English Standard Version)
17But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.
23For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. 32But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
33So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.
Good Night
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Grumbling on a Thursday Evening
I'm disturbed. I was checking the CNN website for the latest news, when I spotted an article front-and-center on the home page. The title? "Stephen Hawking: Gog didn't create universe". Out of morbid curiosity, I read the spread.
I don't know how one of the most brilliant human beings on the planet can miss the forest for the trees.
If, just if he were right, it would seriously alter my outlook on life, the lives of our family and whether or not morals would even be required. If God didn't exist, nor had he planted a conscience deep inside each of us, I have no doubt that we'd be even more deeply trapped by sin. If there was really no God, I'd have to side with others in the notion that belief in God (or any higher power) was lunacy. Maybe this is what Paul meant:
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (English Standard Version)
18For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Good Night
I don't know how one of the most brilliant human beings on the planet can miss the forest for the trees.
If, just if he were right, it would seriously alter my outlook on life, the lives of our family and whether or not morals would even be required. If God didn't exist, nor had he planted a conscience deep inside each of us, I have no doubt that we'd be even more deeply trapped by sin. If there was really no God, I'd have to side with others in the notion that belief in God (or any higher power) was lunacy. Maybe this is what Paul meant:
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (English Standard Version)
18For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Good Night
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
I Love Apple
No other consumer electronics company (I can't very well say "computer company" anymore, now can I?) get my pulse rising and adrenaline flowing like Apple. A few times per year, bloggers, journalists and geeks alike light up like Christmas trees when the notoriously tight-lipped tech giant releases "the next new thing".
If you've owned an Apple product within the last decade, you'll know what I mean. From the iMac to the Macbook Pro, these systems are engineered and assembled by a fanatical Industrial design team and showcased by a very talented and passionate marketing force. This same attention to detail and "my goodness, this thing is beautiful" factor isn't spared from the portable iPod and iPhone juggernauts. Apple products simply exude quality and class and ignite gadget lust in millions of loyal customers. (Remember not to allow your precious iPad to take residence as an idol in your life...)
Today, Apple released a whole iPod line refresh, with some pretty cool technologies. The iPod touch is now equipped with forward and rear facing cameras, as well as the legendary iPhone retina display. The result? FaceTime! The iPod touch is about as cool a device you can get, without a data plan.
The iPod nano now features a touch screen as well. Gone are the click-wheel controls- every function is commanded by the multi-touch interface. Screen size is comparable to the older nano, however the lack of analog controls allows the overall size of this little wonder to shrink to roughly half it's previous size. It's very small, but really cute (yeah, I said cute- you got a problem with that?) and a perfect step up from the iPod shuffle (although video support and an accelerometer from the previous generation were conspicuously missing).
Speaking of the shuffle, the smallest member of the iPod family looks surprisingly like the same namesake from 2 generations ago. VoiceOver is still a key feature of the new shuffle, however analog buttons have returned to the front fascia. (Between you and me, the previous non-button shuffle was never appealing.) At $49, I cannot imagine a smaller, more sophisticated music player.
My heart was stolen by the Apple TV. This black (finally!) pint-sized box provides noise free (no cooling fans) streaming of content from your Macintosh and the Internet. I gravitated toward the inclusion of NetFlix as a supported service, in addition to the iTunes store. Although I'm currently a Blockbuster member, I'm seriously rethinking what I'm willing to pay each month for entertainment. At $99, I could put one in each room of the house and rent a load of content for what we're paying for a year's worth of DirecTV.
At any rate, it's an exciting time for Apple. This Christmas season should prove interesting. No other consumer electronics manufacturer that I know of, is releasing a new game console, music player, or "got-to-have-it" widget. Aside from the big-ticket 3D capable Blu-Ray players and HDTV's, Apple's gadgets are likely to adorn the lists of many.
Good Night
If you've owned an Apple product within the last decade, you'll know what I mean. From the iMac to the Macbook Pro, these systems are engineered and assembled by a fanatical Industrial design team and showcased by a very talented and passionate marketing force. This same attention to detail and "my goodness, this thing is beautiful" factor isn't spared from the portable iPod and iPhone juggernauts. Apple products simply exude quality and class and ignite gadget lust in millions of loyal customers. (Remember not to allow your precious iPad to take residence as an idol in your life...)
Today, Apple released a whole iPod line refresh, with some pretty cool technologies. The iPod touch is now equipped with forward and rear facing cameras, as well as the legendary iPhone retina display. The result? FaceTime! The iPod touch is about as cool a device you can get, without a data plan.
The iPod nano now features a touch screen as well. Gone are the click-wheel controls- every function is commanded by the multi-touch interface. Screen size is comparable to the older nano, however the lack of analog controls allows the overall size of this little wonder to shrink to roughly half it's previous size. It's very small, but really cute (yeah, I said cute- you got a problem with that?) and a perfect step up from the iPod shuffle (although video support and an accelerometer from the previous generation were conspicuously missing).
Speaking of the shuffle, the smallest member of the iPod family looks surprisingly like the same namesake from 2 generations ago. VoiceOver is still a key feature of the new shuffle, however analog buttons have returned to the front fascia. (Between you and me, the previous non-button shuffle was never appealing.) At $49, I cannot imagine a smaller, more sophisticated music player.
My heart was stolen by the Apple TV. This black (finally!) pint-sized box provides noise free (no cooling fans) streaming of content from your Macintosh and the Internet. I gravitated toward the inclusion of NetFlix as a supported service, in addition to the iTunes store. Although I'm currently a Blockbuster member, I'm seriously rethinking what I'm willing to pay each month for entertainment. At $99, I could put one in each room of the house and rent a load of content for what we're paying for a year's worth of DirecTV.
At any rate, it's an exciting time for Apple. This Christmas season should prove interesting. No other consumer electronics manufacturer that I know of, is releasing a new game console, music player, or "got-to-have-it" widget. Aside from the big-ticket 3D capable Blu-Ray players and HDTV's, Apple's gadgets are likely to adorn the lists of many.
Good Night
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