Leaning Into FUN!

My department was invited to an open house of a hangar at the City of Delaware on Thursday. It was built by an employer with whom we have a relationship. This employer hired some of our residents to help build the hangar. It's quite big and houses about seven small planes and one helicopter. The investors in the project are wealthy and happened to have three Segways parked between two planes. The Segways were being taken for a spin and one even had a golf bag attached to it. I had the opportunity to ride one.

My director also took a ride. Or a stroll. Which ever is most appropriate. It was amazing. I, of course want one, but I know the cost too much.

It was very sensitive to my balance and would move according to which way I was leaning. If you were to step off of the platform, it would roll about ten feet and fall over. The platform is balanced by some type of countering mechanism which allows it to stay upright on only two wheels. It was fast and more personal than a bicycle because it moved to your body motion. It also had a handle on the left that you rotate according to which direction you want to turn which gives you great control.

Although, I couldn't justify buying one, I do understand why those guys have these toys.

They are FUN. I can see why they are the rage in Japan.

The Family Truckster

On Saturday six Ohioans and one Michigani went up to Detroit in the Snook Family Truckster. We gluttoned ourselves on Bob Evans and Bennigans(great meatloaf) and had an awesome time. We even walked out of a movie that was nothing short of filth.(Ice Harvest - Don't see it!!!)

Also, We went to the mall at Royal Oaks and looked at things far too expensive, and gave each other massages at Brookstone. My wife and I also just had a great time going out as ourselves.

We had a good long talk on the way home after dropping our native off in his homeland about our experiences in our church. Most of us go to the same church, yet our experiences were very different. My wife and I got to see a different perspective and also understand how some things worked.

This was also good because it confirmed that we need to press on and keep learning how to work with the people we go to church, because that is what makes relationship. I also looked at how I don't find it easy to work out my issues with people. Instead of coming to them in truth and love, my wife and I usually "duck and run" from the problem. This has alienated us from being a core family in the church.

I went up front for Ministry on Sunday to receive prayer for this issue.

I replaced Dave as the driver on the way home because he was getting tired. He drove us around all day long and was feeling the pain of trying to stay alert. Later, he woke up with a gasp, thinking he was still driving. His chest was pounding and he was breathing heavy. We all felt so bad for him because we know how it feels. Thank You, God, everything was OK.

Thank You also for getting to talk with our friends. It's been a while since we had a good(God) talk. Thank You for Kelly, who is always understanding and willing to help. Thank You for everyone that went to Detroit with us. I commented to my wife how everybody was a part of things and everybody had a good time. It was very much needed for us. We need to feel like we belong.

I really missed going on trips in the Family Truckster.

A Stirring Romance

Today I have had revelation!

It's nothing shocking or new. It just makes sense.

Right now!

It's a little hard to explain, but I have been striving for things and trying to fill the void in my heart with things that are fleeting. This is why I am never satisfied.

"Everything is vanity!"

How true! I have an amazing life right now that is not being appreciated because I don't think it's quite where I want it. I'm not this....... or I haven't done that....... or God hasn't called me to this....... Who cares!!!! God doesn't want any of that bull for me. My revelation was this...

God wants me to follow Him. Pursue Him. Strive for Him. Be more like Him.

Why is this a revelation? Because I can now lay down those things that I have been wasting time on and spend more time on Him. What if I pray instead of trying to draw? What if I read the Bible instead of trying to write lyrics? What if my family actually sat down and read the Bible together?

My wife and I were talking last night about doing Advent this year. It will be the first time we attempted this, so I'm excited. We are also having worship at our house this weekend. It's time for me to take spiritual leadership of my family and make the time for us to learn and grow in Him.

The Lord is wooing my heart!

I'm in pursuit!!!

Weekend Fun

Saturday, we got together with our home group to watch the Ohio State vs. Michigan game. We ate a Thanksgiving dinner and it was great! The kids made cookies and the parents ate a lot.

Later, we went to the Columbus Zoo. They were open late for their Christmas lights. Caden loved the lights so much he didn't want to leave. He was walking up to every display and trying to take the lights apart. We joked about Caden pulling out a bulb and making the whole place shut down. How funny would that be? Any, we had a great time. We drank hot chocolate and strolled through the zoo. It was peaceful and relaxing. And it was free!!!

Sunday was awesome. The worship set was strong and refreshing. The message was just what I needed to hear. It was about disagreements and letting grumblings or murmurs take hold of you to the point that you lose joy. If you read my blog two entries ago, I was saying I needed help with losing my joy. In short, the service was a blessing.

I received a lot of compliments for singing "Holy Heart" by Charlie Hall, which made me feel weird. I didn't know what to say to some people because I don't think it was me. I give the Lord all credit. He touched the congregation with that song. I was wanting to throw up my hands and deflect the compliments because it seemed out of place to me. I praise God that He reached them through the song. It made me tremble as I sang it. I put my arm up in praise to Him and my hand started shaking uncontrollably and I almost felt like I was going to pass out. The service was draining, but peacefully satisfying and I give Him all the glory!

Superman Vs. Spider-Man

I am a Superman fan!!! I love everything.... er well....not everything, but I do love most things about his mythos. I am very excited about the new movie coming out and the official trailer is now up for our viewing pleasure. Click here to see it!

I had an interesting argument with a friend about how Superman is not realistic and does not relate to humanity because he can't be beaten and is too powerful. He argued that Spider-Man was his favorite because he is the everyman superhero.

I argued, because it's fun, that although Spider-Man is the average guy getting superpowers and down on his luck, Superman is who every superhero is measured. He is the be-all, end-all in the comic world!

This is not to say he doesn't have weakness. He is the weakest when it comes to matters of the heart and this is his connection to humanity. He loves deeply and fights to save a world that desperately needs love. He has integrity and is not deterred by political agenda nor does he obscure the lines of justice. He is moved by humanity and connects to them with love and faithfulness. He is always there when you need him.

I could also go into how he parallels Jesus, but that would take too long. I just love how you can take the most powerful character and make him vulnerable by having him love and receive love.
We have become so used to our heroes being vulnerable and giving in to their weakness, that when we see someone with integrity, we don't think they are realistic. It's refreshing to watch the first two Superman movies just to see how pure Clark Kent is and how Superman is immovable in his spirit.
I still love spider-Man, don't get me wrong.

I just wanna see more Superman!!!!

Reclaiming My Joy

Today, I pray for joy!

Joy for you, joy for me!

Today we take back stolen ground!

This is a call out to all my friends to pray for me. I have been letting my everyday joy get stolen away and I have been allowing frustration and dissatisfaction to rule my life. They have become part of my language to the point that I don't realize I have unleashed them on my friends.

I felt this when I was talking with Swanger at Famous Dave's. We were talking about our churches and how it's been hard to make relationships and nothing has been easy. He said, "It sounds like I'm not satisfied." I think I have been. I have been pushing myself to rotate my perspective. Now I look at things a little differently. I love my church. I just need to keep building relationships.

One thing I've learned recently is that you have to maintain relationships. You can't expect them to stay strong when they lie stagnant. Mike Bickle says, "You must take new ground or you will lose the ground you already have taken." This is becoming more true the more I chew on it. I know that I need to contribute and not withdraw from everything that makes me unhappy. I need to engage and work on loving and being loved. We have to keep pushing forward if we ever want to increasingly become like Jesus. It is so easy to throw in the chips and walk away. I've done this many times.

Pray that my joy will increase. Pray that I will catch myself when I give power to negativity. Call me out when you hear me spewing venom my mouth.

I apologize for that.

Brought To You By the Letter "D" (Detroit, Donatos, Donnelly, Dave's, Dog, Donovan, Djembe, Discs, Dill

I have to start off by saying I had a great weekend! A@ron, Scott, Kelly, Dave, Shawna, Donovan, and Ruchita came to our house for some worship, fun, food, and laughs. Aaron led us on guitar, Donovan on bass, and I played my djembe. Kelly, Shawna, Ruchita, and Casey played various percussion and we were off to harp and bowl land.

We played some traditional modern worship and then moved into the Misty Edwards song, "Worthy Is The Lamb". This song was deep and moving. Everyone closed their eyes and we just started singing whatever was on our hearts. Scott even jumped in and sang even though he didn't know us very well. Awesome!

After a couple of hours, Aaron broke a string on his guitar. So, we ordered Donatos and watched Courage the Insult Comedy Dog. If you haven't seen the Star Wars sketch, you have missed out.

Finally everyone was tired and started falling asleep. The party was over at my house. Upon saying goodbye to everyone, Aaron said he wanted to stay longer. I offered to take him home on Saturday evening. Scott was overjoyed and left for Detroit around 10am without much sleep.

We left around 6:30pm on Saturday, after watching Alien with Kelly's son Eric(first timer). We made it Scott's house around 9:30PM and talked with him. He gave me Mike Bickle's series on getting to know the Holy Spirit (6 CDs) and a case to go with them. Thank You Scott. This is going to be a new study for my wife and I on Monday nights. Scott and Aaron introduced me to a guy named Todd Bentley who made some CDs of his teachings. His message was good, but I couldn't get over phrases like: "Marinate me"; "Pickle me"; "I want to go in a cucumber and come out a dill". We enjoyed a good laugh.

After a nice visit with Scott, his wife, and his dog Bailey, Aaron and I went to His parents' house. We stayed up and talked about music with his dad, Neil. I love Aaron's parents. They make their home yours and they are always interested in talking with you. It's very comforting.

The next morning we got up and went to Aaron's church and listened to the Worship Team practice for the service. We prayed with a few people for the service and talked with some of Aaron's friends. The service was good. The worship was strong. I liked it a lot and praised God. I also was able to talk with Rich who plays drums on the team. He is a good drummer and is going through some of the frustration I've had to go through playing electronic drums. He also told me about his family and his wife's devotion to her Jewish culture. I think it's the most we have talked and I loved it. Rich is a very cool guy.

Aaron and I then went to his Worship Team's long practice and ate pizza. So the morning was filled with praise and worship. It was a good time.

Aaron wanted to take me to his favorite Thai restaurant, but it was closed until 4pm. So walked around downtown Plymouth. If you can imagine the town in "Back To The Future", you have just seen Plymouth. It is kind of artsy and cultural. We then walked back to the car and left. The real eating began when we got to Famous Dave's. It's the best Barbeque ever. I brought some wings back for Casey.

I departed for Ohio after a hearty meal and made it home by 6:45pm. I had some great new CDs to listen to. I really enjoyed just having good conversation with a dear friend and meeting new people. Thanks Aaron for making me feel at home and comfortable. I will be back. Love ya bro.

Sharing The Love

I feel I need to share this. You know?
The first Sunday morning worship service was very strong. Our Pastor talked about profit and loss in the spiritual realm. Paul talks about it in Phillipians 3. Everything is a loss when compared to Jesus. Jesus is our gain and our righteousness is measured by Him.

I want to preface this by saying I am still trying to get a grip on this because I am trying not to be religious myself. I sometimes find myself putting on a gameface, but not being into the game. I want and need more intimacy with Jesus. This is why I am sharing.

Our Pastor talked about how some believe being a good person is enough. Enough to get them to heaven, enough to save them. No other committment or action has to be taken. They might say the occasional prayer when they want something or when things get bad enough.

Jesus calls us to more. He wants us to believe in Him, trust in Him, love Him, praise Him, worship Him, talk to Him, cry to Him, hide in Him, etc... There's a sermon in each of those, but the point is, He wants more from us than selfishness and small faith.

He wants us to share Him.

During ministry time our Pastor said he felt a nudge from the Lord, telling him that He wants His church to be more bold. To step out in boldness and proclaim Jesus with others. There are people in our lives who, not by accident, we are making relationships. They need to hear the truth.

The truth is this: We can't do this thing called "life" on our own. Jesus wants to be our partner in the journey. He wants to build us a house in Heaven. He wants us to know His love for us and to share it with others. Not to recruit or assimilate you. It's just that when you get good love you want people you love to get it too.

Come get some!!!!!!!

Falling Forward

Instead of falling back, I have been falling forward. Not the way to stay on top of things, but every since we changed the clocks, things are very slow and different.

The days seem longer even though the sunlight is shorter and my body has been hit hard. I would wake up around 6:30am and be ready for bed by 9:00pm. I actually fell asleep in my sons room whle putting him to bed two days in a row. I put him to bed at 9:30pm and woke up on the floor at 3:00am.

I was off from work three days due to some kind of cold. Which I am slowly (and surely)getting over. This was a good thing because I had the chance to spend some time with my family. They were happy I was home and we had fun.

We even had the chance to shop for Christmas. This was a great feeling because we haven't had the money to spend on Christmas the last couple of years. I found some cool shades that I had to admit looked really good on me. They were 24 dollars so I couldn't justify the purchase.

I wanted to buy some stogies to have when A@ron and Scott show up next week. It would be a cool send off for their trip back home. So I hope to have them ready by that time. My heart and prayers are with them as they make their way back across the U.S.

I have to get those sunglasses!!!!!

Anyway, things are slowly getting back to normal as my body adjusts to the time change. The cool thing is, I only had to work 2 days this week. Now it's Friday and the weekend is here again. Hooray for sick days.