One of Those Days...

Do you ever have one of those days?

Not one of those days...

I mean one of those days.  One of those days when you are more AWARE.

Aware of all the good in your life.  Aware of the blessings...the love...the goodness...

Almost like you are more awake than usual.  Something deep within has come alive for the moment to remind you - you are blessed...life is good.

Do you have those AWARE days too?

Today is one of those days.

It's hard to explain.

It feels like emotions deep within, like stallions,  running wild from your heart to your head to your heart - over & over again.  You feel it & then you think about it & then you feel it & then you think about it...etc.

It feels like gratitude when it's in your head.  As you take an inventory of your life at that moment.  Not all of your life - a piece of it.  It's like seeing a beautiful piece of art & focusing in on a detail of that same  artwork.  And, for whatever reason, it's that detail that stands out at that moment.  And it causes an emotion...a smile...a warm fuzzy within.  Joy.

And it feels like something just one-millisecond short of tears.  Tears of joy...gladness...happiness...love. Not only tears, it feels like dancing...twirling...running...shouting...laughing...silence.

Being AWARE is a deep thing.

It's like every crowning achievement in your life has bundled itself up & you celebrate them - fresh & new.

It feels like electricity set at an incredibly low setting - just pulsating your skin.  But, it's not your skin - it's the skin that wraps around life itself within.  And today, it's pulsating with more life than normal.  It almost feels like goose bumps - deep within though, not on the surface.

It feels like being in the rain.  But you are not getting wet, instead, you are feeling the rain.  Every drop as it hits you...it's that moment as a kid when you'd go outside to play in the rain & look up into the sky to catch the rain on your tongue.

It feels spiritual.  Like God himself has decided to sit beside you for a few moments to "open your eyes" wider than normal...to restore your vision...to just whisper to you "life is good...enjoy all that I've given you...all that's been given back...all that's right.  And, oh, by the way - I love you."  It's like you are more AWARE of Him & all the blessings He has given into your life.  In an AWARE moment - there is no sadness...no room for grieving loss or the past.

It's like sitting beside a lake - far away from every noise...every distraction...every everything & anything that lessens your abundant life.  For a moment, you are AWARE of nothing but goodness...love...joy...peace...all that is good.  No ripples on the water...nothing to disturb this moment.

It's like being under water - only the water is not water - it's love.  You feel overwhelmingly loved & in love.  Like the suns' rays - you feel love warming you up (or back up)...and like a refection of that same warmth - you feel it being given way to those you love most in your life.  You wife...kids...family...friends.  It's a moment that borders on drowning - but you know you are fully alive in this reality.

It's like a moment that you'd love to stay in - but you know you can't.  You don't even know where you are or how you got here.  You just woke up - there.  And you know, that in some moment, reality will ease back in & this moment will be gone.

But, it's this AWARENESS that makes you live all the others - better than before.

Because you are more AWARE.

YEP.

AWARE.

That's what I'm feeling today.

I am in AWE at this moment.

Thanks God - for all the good that's in my life.

b

Do me a favor & hit the like button below...thx

Pop...

I call my dad Pop.

Not sure where it started, but for as long as I know, I've called him Pop.

Today, February 22, he turns 80!  That puts him being born in 1932.  Wow.

80 sounds like a milestone to me.

80.  It sounds a lot different than 79 did, though that was only 365 days ago.

80.  Not in an old way.  Nothing like that actually.  Rather in a, "wow, you have had a good life if you hit 80" kind of way.  Or, in the proverbial, "wisdom comes with age" saying.  Or, even, the feeling of heightened respect for him at the passage of 80 years old.

You see, to partly understand this, you need to know that my dad had a quadruple bypass surgery when he was 56.  Since then, he also had triple bypass & numerous stints...balloons...carotid arteries situations...on & on & on.  He's been in the hospital numerous times since he was 56.

There were times that me & my sister would talk privately as to whether we thought Pop would make it from some grave situation he was facing physically.   Low & behold, he fooled us all.  because there were times I would call my sister to come into town, because "things didn't look good".

80.

My father has been (& is - now that we are almost 80 1/2 years old...going on 81) a big part of my life.  Not in loud, obtrusive ways.  No, more as in a model of strength.  As a word of encouragement or some type of word that meant something at the time.

That doesn't mean that we didn't do it right all the time, because we didn't.  There were times in my teen years that we were just not real close, for various reasons.  But, today, in looking back at my father's life & mine - it's a great thing.

Memories abound.

Old 8mm movies of my dad, in Ohio, my hometown & his too, shoveling snow & building a snowman, because me or my sister wanted him to.  Or the picture of him in the Navy...sharp.

More recent memories would be growing up fishing with him in the Chesapeake Bay for big Gray trout & flounder.  We had a blast.  We both have a citation plaque, or 2, to show off as well.

Or hunting.  Without a doubt, these would be the most fond memories of me & my dad.  Deer hunting together.  Whether locally or a trip to the mountains for opening week of deer season.

Or building.  My dad owned a construction company at one time.  I can remember working for him as a young teen.  I also will never forget us building a house together for my family.  Side note, we built that house together from clearing the lot to moving in, in 89 days!  Unheard of.  Memories of me & Pop.

Our home has several things Pop built over the years.  Leaving his mark in many ways upon our life.

There are many more...but suffice it to say - I'm proud of my father.

I'm happy to be going over his house in a few minutes to just hang out.

Love ya & I'm proud to call ya "My Pop"


Happy Birthday


G

Share this with people that might know my dad.  Use one of the share buttons below this post.  He's on Face Book (Robert Groves), look him up & tell hm happy birthday.  thanks!

Love is a Decision (Re-post from POTSC) by Ashley Smith

A Repost from People of the Second Chance - written by Ashley Smith:

Love is a decision, liberate it.

Love is art, create it.

Expressing love is art. Love is creative.

When we seek love with new, re-birthed, grace filled eyes, reborn without barriers, we find life. We find second chances. New chances. New creativity. New art. We experience the substance and weight of untamed freedom, true free love.

Be love. Be liberated love.

Not the cliched idea that love is a fleeting feeling or 7 steps to achieve it or 5 ways to show it, liberated love is actionable love. The love that rebirths, gives new chances.

“Most people die before they are fully born. Creativeness means to be born before one dies.” - Erich Fromm

Have you experienced this radical, unconditional love? The type that gives birth to new love? The kind where you can stand in front of the closet, full of the shadows and skeletons and darkness of your life and fully open the door, let it all be released and have someone stand with you, holding your hand - and say, “None of this, nothing will change or shape my love for you. My love is not based on what you do or done or could do- it’s simply because you are YOU.”

I believe this love is possible, I believe this love is what a second chance looks like. I believe that you and I can be this love now, today- that we can receive it and give it freely.

I believe we, together, have the ability to celebrate people for being people. period. That we can liberate love- let it be expressed and lavished freely- even in our DARKEST PLACES, the places where we are most ashamed.

No condition. No guarantee. No judgement. Simply because people matter. WE ALL matter, no matter what.

That we can reinvent and rebirth ourselves in this love daily - that we create art with the palette of radical grace, second chances, acceptance, belonging, purpose and believe in the masterpieces we are.

Be love. Be liberated love.

This is Bob writing now.  I re-posted this for 2 reasons.  1 - Because of it's content.  It is so powerful.  If EACH of us could only learn how to live love out.  What a goal.  2 - Because of the blue paragraph above.  I know someone like that!  My wife - Shawn.  So, this re-post is also to honor her incredible love & to say - yes it can be done...no matter what.

So

Thanks babe.

AND Let's...

Be love.  Be liberated love.

peace

b

A Defining Moment

I'm going to add a new piece to my blog.  It's going to be a weekly entry called "A Defining Moment".

It will take a look back at the week & identify a moment that seemed to be: bigger than the moment itself...special for any number of reasons...a moment to remember - again for any number of reasons.

It will find a moment that stands out as being "defining".  Something that makes the week more alive.

Normally, this will be done on Saturday.  I think.

I woke up early this morning reflecting on a very special moment that I'd like to share with you.

It happened January 16th, last Monday.

The event - reserving the spot for Kyndall & Jorden's wedding.

The place - Cape Charles on the Eastern Shore.  More specifically, a restaurant named Aqua.

Even more specifically - a sanded beach on the Chesapeake Bay.

It was me, Shawn, Kyndall & her very excited younger sister Taylor.  Ashton had school - or he too would have been with us.

The actual meeting was to hand the money over for reserving the spot.  It was pretty non-eventful.

The real event was - what the day stood for.

It was, my "baby" reserving the spot I'll give her away.

WOW.  That hits me just typing it.

As we stood there, outside Aqua, chatting with the Host, I watched my baby walk away from us.

She didn't walk away, to leave us.  No.  She walked over to the spot.  The spot where she will get married.  She took some pictures...sent them to special people in her life.  I watched her (no one knew) as she stood - kind of taking it all in.

The 4 of us then went to lunch together.

We went to an old barn that had been converted into a very nice place.

Again.  Nothing special about the lunch - other than it was really nice.

It was the day.  It was the conversation of the lunch.  It was seeing my baby & knowing deep within...she was smiling...as was I, Shawn & Taylor.

It was special in many ways.

I'll never ever forget the trip we took together...to reserve the place I'll give my baby away.

Proud of you baby & Jorden too.

Life is incredible!

b (aka pops)

Our Dinner Table

Changing gears...

I love our dinner table!

Not the piece of furniture - the events that take place there.

Actually not our dinner table, we really don't eat in the dining room - other than for the annual New Years Family Dinner...Christmas something or another...and if we have some crazy special thing...we don't eat at our dinner table nor do we eat in the dining room.

We eat in the "breakfast nook" at our breakfast nook table.

Almost without fail, we have to bring in an extra chair or 2 to accommodate the number of people eating.  Sometimes it's 3...4...5 or even 6 of us.

But, we eat dinner - as a family together almost every night.

With our 2 oldest kids having college, careers & other things of their own going on, sometimes it's me, Shawn & Taylor - but no matter, we eat dinner together.

People who study "families who eat dinner together", say that it's one of the most important things you can do as a family.

I'm not sure where it is on the "one of the most important things" - but for us it's a really important part of our home.

It always starts with a prayer of thanks...offered by anyone of us...eventually over a few dinners, it will have included each of us.

It always includes catching up on each others day...life...other...

It always includes some humor...something that connects us on a regular basis.

It always includes us - being a family...together.

I love our dinner table.

I love us sitting together...talking...connecting...sharing...

It's something that definitely keeps us closer together.

Whether it's talking to a 10 year old about something pretty easy to solve.

Or, a 19 year old talking about what he's going to do with his life.

Or, a 22 year old figuring out her wedding plans.

Or, talking to Shawn about something in our life.

I love our dinner table.

If you haven't sat down as a family for dinner recently, I sincerely encourage you to slow down...come together...pray...laugh...connect...and even more.

They say it's important.

I agree.

peace

b

Too Much Good to Trip on the Bad

Nothing earth shattering here today....well you decide.

Shawn & I spent last night at the hospital with some dear friends of ours - Brandon & Laura.

They were having their 1st baby (baby Cooper Laine)...although pre-mature (being born at 27 weeks & 2 days)...although he weighed in at 2lb 4 oz...although Laura (the momma) had to deliver early because of the fact that she is the proud owner of a donated kidney - which is struggling a bit to find normal blood levels right now.  And, although it took in-vitro x2 to  get here...last night & early this morning was a beautiful chapter being written in some friends' long story of both triumph & pain.

But that's not why I'm writing.

I'm writing because in the midst of the hospital...& their friends & family...& all the other prayers, worries & concerns...

I was reminded that the world is FULL of LIFE & LOVE.

I mean FULL of it.

No matter, whether it's a person that comes to your side in difficult times.  Or, a phone call from someone far away. Or, some kind of message getting sent to you - saying someone cares.  Or, a loved one crying with you, because they too are touched by your reality.  Or, someone putting their arm on your shoulder, that says, without a word being spoken, "I'm here for you until...".  Or the words, "I'm praying for you...".

The world is FULL of Life & Love.

Goodness is everywhere.

Look around.

Even in the hospital at 2:38 am - it's there.

How much more, is it there in our homes...families...marriages...life...world...

It's ALL around.

It's everywhere.

Do you see it?  Feel it?

SO

Why would we choose to focus on the "anti life" "anti love" campaigns of life?  Why waste so much good energy on the hating side...Or, waste precious time, even worrying about the haters.

All around there is LIFE & LOVE.

So

My friend.

Those tears that came to my eyes somewhere during the night...they were not tears of sadness...fear...or anything like that.  As a matter of fact, no one even knew they were there - other than me.

No, they weren't tears of sadness at all.

Quite the opposite.

They were tears, full of wonderful emotion, that were realizing that all around me - there is LIFE & LOVE.

I sat quietly, taking in the full landscape of my life...marriage...family...friends...all of it...every single piece of it.

AND

Right there - I knew what it felt like to be surrounded by love...AND how to surround someone else with that same love when they needed...

A hug...

An arm around their shoulder...

A prayer...

A word of encouragement...

A smile...

A joke...

Silence...

Life...

Love...

And I knew, that that place last night was full of LIFE & LOVE.

Open your eyes, for your world is exactly like that...FULL of LIFE & LOVE.

peace

b

ps - Lil baby Cooper is doing well...keep him & them in your prayers.

Doing What You Can...Doing What You Can't...

I Like going to the gym.  I've been going for a number of years now.

My take on going to the gym is this:  You do what you can - so you can eventually do what you can't.  IE You lift a certain weight in order to lift a heavier weight down the road.  OR, you run a certain distance in order to run a greater distance...etc etc etc.  You do what you can, so you can do what you can't.

Here's something I have to be intentional about.  There are certain exercises that I have NEVER liked doing...there are certain body parts I don't like to train at all...there are certain ways of training I just do not like at all.

SO

If left to my own exercise program, it will be ONLY those things I do like.  Which, you might say, is ok.  And, I agree, it is, in a very limited way.  The problem with only doing what I want or like is this - there will be areas of weakness that NEVER get challenged at all.  They will remain under-developed...weaker than other areas...lagging...etc.  Ironically, they will become more obvious as other areas strengthen.  AND, they will eventually become a weakness to the other "stronger" areas.

SO

How do I deal with this?  I make myself do programs that I don't design.  I make myself do those exercises & other things, that everything in me is fussing about.  I push myself.  I talk to myself in these "I hate this exercise" moments.

WHY?

I do what I can - so I can do what I can't.

OK

Here's my point.

I have been thinking about this at a higher level.  As in LIFE.  As in SPIRITUAL development.  As in ANY area of life needing developed or matured.

Spiritually.

What if there are certain "disciplines" that I just don't like at all?  Like - praying...giving...kindness...silence...other.  And, like in the gym, I'm not good at them at all either.  And, like in the gym, I'm not going to do them easily or naturally.

What if - I took on a "Develop More Fully Spiritually (or Insert the Area of Life needing developed) Program"?  Where I'd do what I can - so I can do what I can't.

What If - I took on a particular "less than favorite" discipline & made myself work on it.  So that it was not a glaring weakness. And, it wasn't going to lead to an overall weakness - even among the other strengths.

WELL

That's exactly what I think we are meant to do.

Exercise.  Not only those things/area in life we like doing, or that come more naturally.  But also, those areas that we tend to avoid...or struggle with most.  The ones that we are just not going to do, unless we take on a program we didn't design ourselves.

Make sense?

What if we took 1 area a month & made it a more focused area to work on...or strengthen.

Say - like "not talking about people"...or "reaching out to the less fortunate"...or saying "I love you" more often to those in our life...You pick the "weak" area & intentionally work on it.

How much stronger of a person would we be - if we worked on the areas we tend to skip?

Join with me in this effort of - learning to do what I can't by doing what I can.

peace

b

Random Stuff on the 13th...

K...


From time to time I have a lot of mess rambling around in my brain...nothing earth shattering - just stuff that stays on the radar...stuff that makes me pause & think...etc...


Here's some of what's running around in my brain...


The Cosmos.


When I was in grade school - we had 9...no wait 8... planets we had knowledge of.  Well, we now know there are a few more...as in 100 BILLION planets in the Milky Way!  WHAT?  They say that every star has a planet now...what the...


Well - it's not that part that messes with me.  It's the whole theology thing that I have to put in a drawer & leave alone.  Because, this is crazy huge to fathom.  Not like 9 planets & all the cosmos was any easier...it's just that it's tough to believe that we are the only planet with life.  So far - that is what we know...so no harm - no foul.  BUT... hypothetically - they say there has to be other life out there.  If not, it's a crazy waste of creative space.  If so, how does that play into the whole gospel thing?  See - I have to leave it in a drawer titled "Do Not Open".  But, I read every article that catches my attention on CNN...just to see if the drawer has been cracked open by anyone.


The World.


Specifically, the other side of the globe.  Syria...China...Iran...Iraq...Afghanistan...North Korea...and one or more that seem to be less than stable in the big global front.  IMO, the way the world has become so connected & yet so disfranchised at the same time...we have to see a World Leader take the helm one day.  This is the other side of the Cosmos thing.  The Bible speaks of a World Leader eventually coming to the scene.  I think it has to happen...


A side note - not in my life time or my kids (I hope) we will have to stabilize this earth.  We can't keep growing to billions & expect mother earth to sustain us.  How we do it, or how earth does it remains a mystery yet.  But, we see glimpses of this when some crazy storm..wave...earth quake...etc - knocks the population down in some region quickly...


Like I said, stuff running around my brain.


NOW


Let's go somewhere else in this random journey.


Christians.


Why do some of us feel so justified acting so UN Christlike?  I have mentioned this before.  But, I just don't get it.  It's like we feel completely at peace being so ugly...cold...indifferent..etc.  It's like if it's a person or sin we are at odds with - we feel completely right being completely wrong.


Moving ON


Extremes.


I watch too many people live in the extremes of life.  It's like we are either really on our game or really off our game...but seldom just staying in the game.  For example, I get a call from someone who is going to "get their life together".  So, they come of the gate screaming "game on".  Only to run out of breath in the 1st round...quit...go back to exactly where they were before.  Or, I see it with marriages...homes...and in other examples of life.  Why not learn to take steps we can perpetuate, rather than steps that we can't keep up with.  I see it all the time...


Well...


There was more about 3:30 this morning...but it doesn't sound like something to write about now.  Perhaps some clarity has awakened now, that wasn't there at 3:30.


Anyway...


Traveling On...


b


Also, I'm trying to learn how to use the LIKE button below.  If you don't mind hitting it - it would help me see how this thing works (& if it works).  Thanks.

HEY YOU...

At the risk of sounding a bit narcissistic...

I'd like to know who is following this blog...from where & if I do or don't know ya personally.

Really, I just want to know how God is using this blog.

I've chronicled a long journey thus far & will continue to do so...I will continue to share my journey - inclusive of our marriage...home...family...ministry...etc, as deemed helpful in that regard.

AND, by the numbers blogger tracks - it looks like it has become pretty far reaching.

Which, IMO, is part of what this is meant to be anyway...a ministry that lets each of us know that we can get back up...we can recover...we can live again.

So...

If ya don't mind - either on comments below or on fb - reply accordingly...I think it's set up so that you can simply click on "Add/post a comment" below & reply.  That would be great...


I don't need anything real detailed - just a 1st name...city...& how we know each other - if we do or not.  If you'd like to add any further comments - that would be great too.

It would mean a lot for you to reply...


Please & thanks...

bob

Change & the Dreadful New Year's Resolutions

I mentioned this recently in another forum...but it's already January 10th.  That's crazy to me.

What's so crazy about it is this...any planned changes we were going to make 10 days ago - we should be working feverishly on already.

However...

If you are anything like me, getting to the changing part is hard to do.

For me - there are a few specific reasons this is true.

1 - I place way too much stock in the New Year.

It's like the New Year has some gold dust it's going to sprinkle on me or something & make all those changes so easy now that it's a New Year.

Well...NOT.

Putting too much trust in the calendar...and so here I am, waiting for a good day to start.  Somehow allowing myself to forget, I had 2011 to make said changes...

There must be some pretty strong reasons or habits that are holding me back from getting going.

Dang...New Years Resolutions - you have let me down already.  I thought this year it would be easier than it was last year.

2 - Not Making any Small Changes to Allow for the Big Changes.

Again

I keep hoping that it's just going to happen.  I'm going to wake up & for some strange reason - it's going to be so easy that I simply begin.  Problem is - I've woke up 10 days now - it hasn't happened.

I sit here now - tying this out...knowing a day has almost gotten away from me already - no real change.

Somewhere, I have to make the changes to allow me to make the real changes.

This leads me to the 3rd one...

3 - Not Really Being Committed.

If I really want it bad enough - I'm going to make it happen.

So, rather than this being an annual effort that is slowly getting away from me already...I have to commit to making myself better every day.

AND

If I fail to live up to that in a given day...I get up the next & try again.

I will not allow this year to get away from me...for tomorrow I will rise again & start over.

peace

b

PUSH Through

It's January 5th already!

Not only January 5th...the 5th is pretty much over.  So, the 6th is hours away.

Just a few days ago it was Christmas...then New Years.

Out with the Old - in with the New.

Whether you make the claim or not - we all approach the New Year with some goal - stated or not - we all have something we hope we are going to change...possibly many things or area of life.

Resolutions were made by many of us - just 5 or 6 days ago.

So

How are you doing with the changes?  The resolutions?  Out with the Old?  in with the New?

It's humorous - in a bad way - how quickly those "new" things become good ideas instead of new habits or changes.

So

Here we are only days into the New Year...

I simply wanted to encourage you - don't give up...

If it was something you intended on changing - stay with it.  The year is not even warmed up yet - so keep going for it.  PUSH through the difficult spots...

I too have some things I'm working on & haven't done so well myself - yet.

peace...

b

Living "In the Woods"

K...

So, I wrote about feeding the homeless recently.

Well, this past Sunday, when it was warm enough to wear a t-shirt outside, me, Shawn & 3 other couples went out into the woods.  Not just any woods.  We went where the homeless live in Tents...kind of like little Tent Cities - each made up of 2, 3 or more tents...plus a few other "living areas" - depending on the particular "city".

We went - to give them blankets, gloves, chap stick & to feed them a hot spaghetti meal.

So...for a couple hours, we went from one Tent City to another...5 or 6 in all.

Here's a little of what we saw that day.

The 1st Tent City.  There were 2 men there when we got there.  "There" was a place off Military Highway.  A place where we were all trespassing.  We actually had to have the vehicles driven away so we could "sneak" into the woods undetected.  The Tent City was on private property too.

These 2 men had "just finished a game of horseshoes" when we got there.  There was an aroma of bacon in the air - they were cooking "something good".  The one guy said, "everyday he wakes up is a blessing".  Plus that day, he had found "a turkey & 2 chickens...it was a good day".  Of course, found means he had climbed in a dumpster somewhere...he calls it blessed.  On a tree - they had a mirror hanging - not sure what they need that for - but maybe it makes 'em feel a little more normal.  The guy wanted to show us in his tent - he had just installed "wall to wall" carpet...he called it "nice".

As we walked away - I asked "why are they there?"  "Lost his job...don't know about the other guy" was the answer.

The Next City was right beside a Grocery Store.  We didn't actually see anyone there, they were out, most likely looking for some "blessings" in a dumpster somewhere.  The most memorable part of that City was a piece of garland wrapped around a small pine tree.  That was their Christmas decorations.  We left their food under a basket turned upside down, so no animals would get it before they returned.  Blankets & chap stick on top of the upside down basket...

The Next City - was down the tracks.  Literally, we walked about a 1/4 mile or more down some railroad tracks, escorted by the citizens of the City we were going to.  They had 3 dogs chained up to guard their "city".  2 pit bulls & some kind of a mix breed.  Suffice it to say - you will not sneak up on them.  Their city was a bit more elaborate.  They not only had a few tents, they had ropes all across the trees - holding a "roofing" system made of tarps.  It had the most people we ran into - inclusive of a woman, who says she's a mother to twins.  One of the guys there, told me "they were using their military survival skills" to make it.  This place was also right behind a neighborhood...though it was the most elaborate, it was more like a garbage pit as well.  Apparently, they have lived their a long time.  We all stood in a circle, holding hands & had prayer with them before we left.  They walked us back out...thankful we came.

The Next City had no one there...at 1st.  After "talking into the air", the guy somewhere in there (the woods), must have been convinced we were safe.  He came out to see us, but took a little bit of a "sneak up on them route" - just in case we weren't who we claimed to be...?  This city has a little bit of the "tarp" system too.  I was told this City & the last were in some kind of tiff over something.  I found that to be very strange.  Like the others, we gave him food, a blanket & chap stick.  At the empty tent , we left the food, blankets & chap stick just like before...I learned, that the upside down basket trick is common in the Tent City.  Oh, I almost forgot this place was full of cats...they were everywhere.

The Next & Last - was behind some stores...behind some homes...beside railroad tracks.  It was a nothing more than a tent & a mattress.  Someone lived in the tent & someone lived "on the mattress" - with no cover at all.  They weren't "home".  We left the stuff under & on "the basket".  The most memorable, almost eerie, part of this City was the memorial set up.  It was a stick in the ground with a pretty nice flower arrangement attached to it (much like you see on the side of the road where someone died).  It was placed there in memory of someone who had actually lost their life, right there - in the City.  Only what really got me was that we knew the lady who had died there.   Years ago, she had attended the church I used to Pastor.  Now, in a Tent City, there was a stick with some flowers on it - to remember her by.

When it was all done...we each got in our vehicles & drove home.  The drive home was almost surreal...

One thing that got me is - we really don't know (or want to know) that those people are right behind our neighborhoods...right beside the grocery stores...right beside the roads we drive everyday.  That is the reality of the world in which we are a part of & are meant to help in.  Several of them - simply lost their job...now they are living in a Tent City - right near our homes.

So, today, when it's so cold outside, I couldn't help but think about & pray for "those that have none"..."those that live in tents & call it home".

peace

b

Speed = Shallow...

Bill Hybels tells the story of riding on the Autobahn...going extremely fast...actually too fast.

He says that when he first got into the car - the conversation was meaningful...had substance to it.

However, when the driver hit the Autobahn & reached speeds in excess of 120 - the conversation became meaningless...nothing more than him answering in one syllable words, grunts or moans.

Then, when the speed decreased, depth came back to the encounter.

His story is really tied to the pace of our life.

He talks about how we tend to go so fast, that we seldom connect with others, or even ourself, at a meaningful level.

He mentions that our conversations become shallow...superficial.

He teaches from this real story, that we all need to slow down.

For it's when we slow down - we are able to connect with others...even God.

So - how will you slow down this year?  How will you make meaningful time for those that matter most in your life?  For God?  For yourself?

Unless you slow down & connect - you will be living in the shallow parts of your thoughts...dreams...visions...love...conversations...etc.

Downshift...

Connect...

Become significant...

Mean something...

Find yourself...

Discover that which has been lost to the speed of your life...

Rediscover that which you've forgotten all about...

This year - live deeper - not faster.

b


ALSO - check out this link... Reply here...

Chick-Fil-A & 107 People Without Food

So


Yesterday I was at Chick-Fil-A with Shawn, Ashton & Taylor.  And, like usual, we said a prayer before eating.


Only, I got a little messed up in the prayer.  Not as in, messing up the words.  Rather, in giving thanks for "this food".


This food consisting of nothing special...a chicken sandwich & fries.


But, what messed me up was this.  About the time I was going to say "thanks for this food", I remembered where we were going that same evening...to feed the homeless.  IE those without food.


FOOD - the staple of life...they don't have any.  No matter their story - they have NO FOOD.


So.


As I got to the "thanks for this food" part - rather than being the words we always say...it was in the moment of thinking about those that have NONE.  That got to me.


For maybe the 1st time in a long time - I really meant "thanks for this food".  Saying it wasn't a routine...habit...the right thing to do.  No, this time it was really from a place of gratitude.


Then later that same evening...we went to "feed those that have none".


107 of them to be exact on this night.


I'll introduce you to a few of them...


Joe - a guy in his mid 20's.  His hair - not really in dreads, more like crumpled mess.  "Where ya from Joe?"  Norfolk was his answer.  I couldn't help but wonder "what's his story"?  His last words as he walked out the door "I'm just trying to stay warm man.  Thanks for the food".


A Family of 4.  Husband, Wife & 2 sons.  The youngest boy - maybe about 8.  Hardly tall enough to reach the drinks being served.  So to reach out to him the best we could at that time - we gave him TWO (2) cookies instead of the normal ONE (1).  They looked like completely normal people - everyday people...only they have No FOOD to eat.


Dan.  He came up to me & asked could he talk with me.  He's 40.  He's been out of jail for 2 weeks.  Already has a job...trying to recover from "a bad mistake".  He was humbled to the point of being  embarrassed.  He's "looking for a better job...needs a break".


Or the guy who ate extra beans - because they are "the real nutrition for the cold"...


Or the guy who said "they were the best beans he has ever eaten there".


Or the lady who said the same about the potatoes.


Or all the people who said "they had never been served BBQ" there before.  It was "one of the best meals they had in a long time".


Or the man who drank 2 cups of tea - "to keep hydrated".


They came by & thanked us "for the food".


They offered their "bless you's" to US!


So


Today, as I thanked God for my food - I prayed for those that have none.


Realizing - my prayers won't feed them...we have to do that.  We are the answer to the prayers.


I will go back & help feed them again...them being "those without food".


Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do [it] to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me. - Jesus


peace


b

Every Story Has 2 Sides...

I used to be (well, I still am at times) pretty judgmental.  Well, perhaps prejudiced would be a better word?


I don't mean prejudiced in a racial way.  I mean more in, "once I hear a story about someone"...I pre-judge them or it.  I form all the opinions I need & I'm done after that.  I come to my own conclusions...develop my own reactions & responses...decide how I will or will not handle it...etc.


Prejudiced means to pre-judge...or to form an opinion NOT based on reason or experience.


That's what I mean...I'd prejudge the entire deal off of one side of the story...or even part of the story...or sometimes just a rumor that was close to a story.  Actually, it's probably safe to say, the story was, at times, an excuse to validate some personal feelings I already had to start with...now I could use them on someone, because of "the story".


I don't really have an example...but I was good at it - in very certain ways.


It seems like I had certain people that I just needed an excuse to not like anyway...done.  Or, once I had someone "validate" my suspicions...done.  Whether the story was true or not, was secondary to where I ended up on it.  I just needed a story.  Then I would move on...done.


I didn't repeat the story.  No, that would be wrong.  I now, simply had a reason within for my feelings or thoughts.  Of course, since I wouldn't repeat the story, about all I'd say about it or about them would be "I have my reasons"...or, "trust me..." or, something like that.


ANYWAY


I'm not sure you'll get that part of things.  But, I hope you'll get the rest of this.


Every Story has 2 Sides.


Always Has & Always Will.


We all know that from the jump already.


However, I was too quick to accept the 1 side of a story, believe it as the truth...fill in the blanks...done.


Not anymore.  If I can't validate the other side OR if I don't really care about the story - I'm out.  No harm & no foul.


That way I'm not "pre-judging" someone or something before I know about both sides of the story.  And, I'm not wasting my energy on something that really doesn't concern me.


Every Story has a VERY Subjective Side to it.


You've heard it - "that's my story & I'm sticking with it".


We tend to tell it the way we want it heard, rather than telling it honestly &/or objectively.  Our version will almost always have only our thoughts...our emotions...our ideas...our directives...and whatever else we think should become part of the story.  After all, it's our story & our audience as well.


Again, telling the whole truth is almost impossible...for many reasons.  This is not only my opinion - it's scientific truth.  Once we wire our brain in a certain way with the story - we believe that it's the truth - regardless.  So, of course, we then tell it just like that...as being the truth...tone of voice...feelings...emotions...reactions...all validating "the truth".


I love the line in a NeedtoBreathe song.  It says "just because I'm wrong...it don't make you right.  No you ain't right".



So.  I've learned to not take a person's story as being pure.  It's theirs - therefore it can't be without something they've added...for whatever reason.

It's My Story...I'll Cry if I Want To.


It's crazy how "right" we can be...while being totally wrong.  But, once we are set on our story or the story, you'd do better trying to push water uphill than tell someone "there's another side to this" or suggest they might not be seeing it right.


Crazy - You don't even have to be a part of the story.  You can be the person they "wanted to talk to".


I'm sure we've all been there...where you try to suggest "there's 2 sides to this"..."maybe they didn't mean it to sound like that"...or something that tries to normalize their side.


The moment you try to even suggest being more objective - BAMM.  All hell breaks loose.  Why?  Because now, you are choosing "the others' side" or "you are saying what everyone else said" or something that makes them feel like a victim - again.


Most people are more concerned about their point of view than they are about being right.


So, you can't help them...because anything against their story is seen as an attack or something like that.  So, they shut down...shut you out...withdraw...and live in "their story".


Anyway.


I know I have learned to not put a lot of stock in someone's story, when it's: inflamed with emotions...full of feelings...has some cost...covering their tail...about someone not there...against someone else...shared as "don't repeat this"..."you didn't hear this from me"...etc...


Blah blah blah blah...



God said it like this in Deut. 19:15 (the Message)  You cannot convict anyone of a crime or sin on the word of one witness. You need two or three witnesses to make a case.

Not that I have this down completely yet.  Because, there still are times I jump right in the middle of a story...only to be reminded...there's another side to this...

It just seems like we more often want to convict or even "crucify" someone, rather than restore or help them.

peace

b

Shhhhhhhhhhh....

A

Riddle...

Puzzle...

Contemplation...

Challenge...

Thought...

Key...

Secret...

Truth...

Duh...

What if there was a key to it all?  To life I mean.

What if there was some "thing" that if you had it - you were guaranteed to live a BETTER life.

BUT.

What if you were guaranteed to live a LESSER life without it.

Would you want it?

What if your life was MEANINGLESS without it.

BUT.

What if your life had tremendous MEANING with it.

Would you want it?

What if your life was SHALLOW without it.

BUT.

What if your life was SIGNIFICANT with it.

Would you want it?

What if this "stuff" could HEAL your heart if you have it.

BUT.

What if the lack of this "stuff" could eat your soul like a CANCER.

Would you want it - even more?

What if this "stuff" has the power to set you & others FREE when you use it.

BUT.

What if this same "stuff" has the power to ENSLAVE you & them if you don't use it.

Would you want it - even more?

What if, what I'm saying is 100% true.

Would you want it - more?

What if all the lives in your world would BENEFIT from you having it.

BUT.


What if every life in your world would SUFFER from you not having it.


Would you want it - more?


What if I told you that you ALREADY have it.


You not only have it - you have ALL you'll EVER NEED.


What is it?


LOVE

L.O.V.E.

L to the O to the V to the E

LOVE

Here's EXACTLY what the Bible says about LOVE & our life.

It's found in 1 Corinthians 13 (AKA the Love Chapter)

The Greatest Gift

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;  does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;  does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part.  But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.


When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.  For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.


And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

It teaches that love is the greatest gift in our life.

It teaches us that TO LOVE is mature.  To not is childish.

It teaches that, no matter what we do or accomplish in life, if we don't love, every piece of our life, is meaningless.

LOVE

It might be hidden within...it might be behind a hardened heart...it might be struggling for life under the weight of unforgiveness...it might be hard to give because it was never received...or something else might be strangling your love from living...

But.

God, himself being LOVE, has placed love within each of us.


HE will teach us all how to LOVE.

If we allow Him IN.


AND.


If we allow Him to TEACH us.


Do you still want it?


Do you want it - more?


All ya have to do is ask & allow it to live...


Try it...

Merry Christmas to all...

b

No Excuse...

The Power of Focus

I'm not sure if it's focus only that I am speaking of, or the lack of distractions as well.  I think it's both...


When you have this "focus" in your life, it provides incredible energy.


Focus = 


Clarity...


Being sure...


Confidence...


Zeal...


Ambition...


Desire...


Readiness...


Prioritization...


Pruning...


Unavailable for "less"...


Vision...


Dreams...


I don't mean focus provides one, two or three of these things.  No, I mean focus provides each of these things and so much more.


There's a moment in Alice in Wonderland, where Alice asks the Cheshire Cat for direction.  It goes like this:


Alice: Tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?
Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.

Alice: I don't much care where.

Cat: Then it doesn't much matter which way you go.

Alice: …so long as I get somewhere.

Cat: Oh, you're sure to do that, if only you walk long enough.

How often do we do life just like that?  Without direction?

That can't & won't happen when you're focused.  I say can't & won't because, you won't allow it.  Focus screams for purpose & intentionality.

I'm sure some people say there's a formula for focus...and there might be.  I don't know.

Here's what I know.  When you minimize all the "garbage...trash...sins...lesser stuff...mediocrity...whiners...excuses...& whatever else needs to be on this list" - then there's nothing left but focus.

Too often we give our best energy to all the crap that simply steals our best from us.  And, too often we don't even know...other than by this gut feeling that says "is this all there is to life..."?

Here's the other side of the same coin.  God has a plan for each of us.

He has promised to direct us...order our life...show us the plan...help us stay in it...

SO

Though I don't want to rush the Christmas season & all the great moments from now til the end of 2011.

BUT

I cannot wait until 2012.

God has given me an incredible focus & has gotten me/us to where the "less" has been displaced & is in the past.

Feeling the power of focus in many areas of life...it's a great way to see again.

peace...

b