I looked out the window and could not believe what I saw
It was Christmas eve and I was exhausted from shoveling snow the past four hours
Was the sun playing games with my mind?
It looked like my porch, the beloved sanctuary, was leaning over
The weight of 20 plus inches of snow three days before had literally pulled the porch off the bolts that had connected it to the house
Panic mode set in
I grabbed my shovel and jumped out our second floor bathroom window and carefully began to push snow off the roof
While I worked harder, my wife worked smarter
She called my friends
As I pushed off snow by the pound, one by one my buddies showed up
On Christmas Eve
While one started the snow blower, another strategized about getting the porch re-bolted
While one ran to Home Depot, another found two by fours and built a brace
While one shoveled, another moved furniture
Tools and machinery arrived by the truck load
Four hours passed before I could blink
The porch was fixed and reattached the house
There was a feeling of exhausted satisfaction
There were nods and knowing we got it done...together
There were few words
but I thought...
something needed to be said more than just thanks
I asked the guys to gather round
I was sure a blessing would come out of my mouth
I bowed my head to pray
Emotion overtook me
I thanked God through the tears for real friends who loved me and my family this day
Christmas Eve
My hallowed ground-the porch
My real gift was real friends
Loving me in more than words can describe
They were the real gift
Merry Christmas to me
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thursday, June 4, 2009
A Rainy night
Last night me and a few bro's hung out on the porch
It's been a while since I posted but last night there was a moment
Most of the evening it rained and rained
We talked about communion with God
Two questions
What do we want/need from Jesus at the deepest level?
What Name of His means the most to us this day?
We paused and reflected
Then we combined the two thoughts to form a prayer
We took time and listened
The rain was...perfect, constant
It was easy to think and hear
The prayer came
Sometimes the rain brings me into that moment of hearing Him
It's been a while since I posted but last night there was a moment
Most of the evening it rained and rained
We talked about communion with God
Two questions
What do we want/need from Jesus at the deepest level?
What Name of His means the most to us this day?
We paused and reflected
Then we combined the two thoughts to form a prayer
We took time and listened
The rain was...perfect, constant
It was easy to think and hear
The prayer came
Sometimes the rain brings me into that moment of hearing Him
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Deep Breath
Today a deep breath took me by surprise
I was sitting outside reading a book
Closed my eyes and let the sun rest on my face
Quiet
Peaceful
Birds were chirping
I took a breath and then...
it happened
One of those kind if triple deep breaths you see a little kid have after they have have fought and cried and just gave in to total exhaustion
the "huhh, huhh, huhh" kind of breath
then it happened again
May sound funny, but...
It's been a while for me
Maybe years, not sure
What pace have I been on?
It felt really good
I let the sun take me some more
This is a good place for me
I was sitting outside reading a book
Closed my eyes and let the sun rest on my face
Quiet
Peaceful
Birds were chirping
I took a breath and then...
it happened
One of those kind if triple deep breaths you see a little kid have after they have have fought and cried and just gave in to total exhaustion
the "huhh, huhh, huhh" kind of breath
then it happened again
May sound funny, but...
It's been a while for me
Maybe years, not sure
What pace have I been on?
It felt really good
I let the sun take me some more
This is a good place for me
Monday, March 2, 2009
No words
Yesterday I had one of those moments
There were no words available
See, one of my friends and his wife were entrusted by God with a baby boy 7 months ago
This little guy of theirs was born with a rare skin disease only 56 children per year are born with
He needs to be bandaged up and re wrapped over and over every day
Every time his skin is rubbed (at all) it blisters
Two weeks ago things got worse for this little trooper
He got a mucus clot and lost his breathing for a while
Today they find out what that lapse might mean for him
You feeling the situation?
These are good friends
Who have been through a lot
Yesterday I drove over to be with them
As I did, I prayed for words to speak
But nothing came
I waited
Nothing
Finally, I got there and went up to ICU to meet this little guy for the first time
The parents had gone out to lunch
It was me and him
Alone
There was no need for words
Know what I mean?
I thank God for this special moment with him
He, Jesus, was there
He knows
He understands
He intercedes
He comforts
He is Sovereign
I don't understand all this for sure
I don't have "the words"
It was time to listen
A time to sit with a family
A time to be together
This little guy is so beautiful
Part of my heart is still in that room
There were no words available
See, one of my friends and his wife were entrusted by God with a baby boy 7 months ago
This little guy of theirs was born with a rare skin disease only 56 children per year are born with
He needs to be bandaged up and re wrapped over and over every day
Every time his skin is rubbed (at all) it blisters
Two weeks ago things got worse for this little trooper
He got a mucus clot and lost his breathing for a while
Today they find out what that lapse might mean for him
You feeling the situation?
These are good friends
Who have been through a lot
Yesterday I drove over to be with them
As I did, I prayed for words to speak
But nothing came
I waited
Nothing
Finally, I got there and went up to ICU to meet this little guy for the first time
The parents had gone out to lunch
It was me and him
Alone
There was no need for words
Know what I mean?
I thank God for this special moment with him
He, Jesus, was there
He knows
He understands
He intercedes
He comforts
He is Sovereign
I don't understand all this for sure
I don't have "the words"
It was time to listen
A time to sit with a family
A time to be together
This little guy is so beautiful
Part of my heart is still in that room
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Conditioner
After 20 years of marriage, today I finally understood why one would use conditioner on their hair-it makes getting the tangles so much easier to get out!
The last time I needed to use shampoo, part 2, was back in college when my sister would give me a permanent and add the curls to give some style to my mop
My JMU ID card reminds me of those years past
My mop is back and the conditioner really helped today
I will never again question the money we spend on hair products...well, maybe
When friends see me and the long(er) hair two reactions seem to follow
The first is non verbal and basically carries with it the "what is up/what is wrong with you?" sense.
Maybe I should use the words "friends" more carefully
The other reaction is a bit of surprise but the "hey, what's the story?" feeling
These are my friends
They want to know the story
Ask more, judge less
To quell your curiosity, it might be interesting to know I do not like long hair
It is a royal pain every morning
Every night
During the day
This long hair is forcing me to remember every day a few things that are very important to me right now-and it forces them to be part of my daily life discussions
That is why I have trimmed my hair only once in the last 6 months
To remember-the spiritual oppression of those families we love in Sudan
To remember-my buddy who will be sitting in prison the next 10 years
To remember-to engage fully in the world God has placed me, to have courage, to listen to Him, to remember Him
It may sound stupid, but I need ways to remember these things daily
Maybe you do too?
FYI-I have always known why others use conditioner
The last time I needed to use shampoo, part 2, was back in college when my sister would give me a permanent and add the curls to give some style to my mop
My JMU ID card reminds me of those years past
My mop is back and the conditioner really helped today
I will never again question the money we spend on hair products...well, maybe
When friends see me and the long(er) hair two reactions seem to follow
The first is non verbal and basically carries with it the "what is up/what is wrong with you?" sense.
Maybe I should use the words "friends" more carefully
The other reaction is a bit of surprise but the "hey, what's the story?" feeling
These are my friends
They want to know the story
Ask more, judge less
To quell your curiosity, it might be interesting to know I do not like long hair
It is a royal pain every morning
Every night
During the day
This long hair is forcing me to remember every day a few things that are very important to me right now-and it forces them to be part of my daily life discussions
That is why I have trimmed my hair only once in the last 6 months
To remember-the spiritual oppression of those families we love in Sudan
To remember-my buddy who will be sitting in prison the next 10 years
To remember-to engage fully in the world God has placed me, to have courage, to listen to Him, to remember Him
It may sound stupid, but I need ways to remember these things daily
Maybe you do too?
FYI-I have always known why others use conditioner
Monday, February 23, 2009
caffeine
Been 54 days so i will talk about it
If you've been reading this blog or in discussion with me the past 6 months, you know that I have been concerned about developing a sustainable pace for (the rest of my) life
Never really thought of it as an issue until...
I tried to stop
Headaches...at least 40 so far this year
Think I am free of it
This is from a guy who loves coffee and diet coke
Loved it with caffeine
loved it daily
What would a day be like without a pick-me-up in the afternoon?
It wasn't pretty
The reason was not quitting caffeine, whatever your opinion is about the substance
It's a quest for personal sustainability in life
To what level has it to do with caffeine or other factors I am not sure
This is just one area of my life that needs to be addressed and monitored I am sharing out loud to remind myself of my dependency upon God for everything
Less of me, more of Him
Less caffeine, more water
If you've been reading this blog or in discussion with me the past 6 months, you know that I have been concerned about developing a sustainable pace for (the rest of my) life
"Know thyself" one ancient philosopher said
The search has led me to:
tough discussions in relationships
my family to some time alone
to wrestle with God
to some interesting areas of my own behaviors, one of which is caffeineNever really thought of it as an issue until...
I tried to stop
Headaches...at least 40 so far this year
Think I am free of it
This is from a guy who loves coffee and diet coke
Loved it with caffeine
loved it daily
What would a day be like without a pick-me-up in the afternoon?
It wasn't pretty
I found something like rehab that first week with all the headaches and shakes
When i was younger, I had quit some other addictive habits, but I guess the difference was age and duration...been pounding those diet cokes, ice tea's and coffees for lots of years nowThe reason was not quitting caffeine, whatever your opinion is about the substance
It's a quest for personal sustainability in life
A quest for understanding myself and an appropriate pace without unnecessary influences
What am I capable of without manipulation?
What i am finding is more peace, better sleeping, waking up more alert and my thinking seems to have improvedTo what level has it to do with caffeine or other factors I am not sure
This is just one area of my life that needs to be addressed and monitored I am sharing out loud to remind myself of my dependency upon God for everything
Less of me, more of Him
Less caffeine, more water
Sunday, February 22, 2009
One Speed Bike
A couple days ago I forked over $45 for a used beach cruiser bicycle to get back and forth to the library where I study
With only one car, and a limited budget, $50 was max spending. I put the last $5 toward some handle grips. I am still trying to wedge them on the bike
Yesterday was the maiden voyage. I rode to the library one mile, two more to the beach and another two back to the condo. If you are quick, that totals five. Guess I am getting in shape also
If you’ve ever had a beach cruiser, you are glad to be in flat area. With no gears, and only one speed, you pretty much are forced to go at a leisurely pace. Slow might be the best word to describe the pace
It’s interesting to go slow
Most of my life the last 20+ years have been in the fast lane
Going 100 MPH it seems
Yesterday, I noticed
A lot
I said hello to people at the bus stop, many of whom looked pretty hurting.
I noticed the smell of cars, even though this sense of mine rarely seems to work
I saw all these little shops for varieties of food and services
I stopped at the top of a drawbridge and just looked at the water and the boats for a while. I was able to breath in the moment
I stopped at a little cigar shop and watched a guy roll a few. Pretty cool
This simple one speed bike
Taking me on a different pace
One I remember from a distant time
In touch
Aware
I am downshifting even without gears
With only one car, and a limited budget, $50 was max spending. I put the last $5 toward some handle grips. I am still trying to wedge them on the bike
Yesterday was the maiden voyage. I rode to the library one mile, two more to the beach and another two back to the condo. If you are quick, that totals five. Guess I am getting in shape also
If you’ve ever had a beach cruiser, you are glad to be in flat area. With no gears, and only one speed, you pretty much are forced to go at a leisurely pace. Slow might be the best word to describe the pace
It’s interesting to go slow
Most of my life the last 20+ years have been in the fast lane
Going 100 MPH it seems
Yesterday, I noticed
A lot
I said hello to people at the bus stop, many of whom looked pretty hurting.
I noticed the smell of cars, even though this sense of mine rarely seems to work
I saw all these little shops for varieties of food and services
I stopped at the top of a drawbridge and just looked at the water and the boats for a while. I was able to breath in the moment
I stopped at a little cigar shop and watched a guy roll a few. Pretty cool
This simple one speed bike
Taking me on a different pace
One I remember from a distant time
In touch
Aware
I am downshifting even without gears
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