Prayers...

So...

A few weeks ago, I was asked to do a "dual faith" wedding ceremony...Christian & Jewish were the two faiths being observed.  

I agreed to do the wedding, as long as I could meet with their Rabbi so I could learn about some of the elements I would be using/speaking/observing...etc...

First, let me say that meeting Rabbi Michael Panitz was an incredible blessing.  He is one of those people that the moment you meet him, you know you are meeting someone special with a great inner spirit.  So, if nothing else was gained, that would have been enough.

However, one of the "things" that really got me - was learning about the spoken prayers.  I'm talking about prayers that have long been a pillar of faith...prayers that have been spoken by countless millions of times in faith to God...prayers that are not based on feeling or emotion at the moment - but prayers that have some long honored list of patriarchs & matriarchs of faith behind them...

Anyway, the prayers have somehow deepened something within me...being almost imperceptible but there nonetheless "like some big bolder sitting there - strong...sure...steady...not moved by the storm" kind of way.

So, I have been searching different types of prayers & have been digging into them a little...I've read a few of them at different moments & capacities...

Here's one I'd like you to consider...

Your forgiveness is total, with nothing left to remind you of that moment when...

You take our confession offered with hands outstretched & gently, like the loving Heavenly Father that you are, put it to one side to be forgotten....no grudges, no judgement, no resentment or ill-will.

Not like us who find it easy to say sorry but so hard to forgive absolutely.

Forgive us, Father that we are often more willing to accept forgiveness than to forgive...more willing to accept your love than to share it with those that have hurt us.

Teach us to forgive as you forgive & to love as you love.

Amen

b

It was a Saturday...

25 years ago today was a Saturday.

It was a typical July day in Hampton Roads - hazy, hot & humid.  It rained one of those crazy thunder & lightning afternoon storms that rocks this area from time to time.  Some lost electricity.

I know all this - because 25 years ago today - Shawn & I got married!  wow...

Today, we woke up in love...happy to be together in all ways...it felt special to take a moment this morning to just connect & talk about it.

So, today - after all the 25 years has & hasn't been - we celebrate.

A new deeper love...a new joy...a real happiness...a deeper appreciation for each other...and an anticipation for what the future has in store for us.

And tonight, we will go to dinner with our best friends Jim & Deanna, to celebrate & spend a few moments reflecting, not only the 25th - but the next 25 as well.

Thanks babe, I'm glad you're mine & I love you.

G

Couponers...

So...

I'm sure most of you have either heard about or gotten into the whole couponing deal...and probably have done one or both because of the need or interest to save a few dollars when possible.  Plus, when you see someone buy twenty thousand dollars of toilet paper for seventeen bucks - who can't be enticed into having their garage become a tp storage facility for the never ending threat of an all out end of the world war that will force us into being prepared for whatever might happen...

Anyway, we too have been drawn into the whole buy alot for a lot less than cost deal...tp included.

Now, again, if you are anything like us, though we are drawn in, doesn't mean we are drawn in to the whole "let's sit down & cut coupons & plan our day around the perfect time to go get double coupon status"...so we failed miserably after buying three papers & not saving ONE dollar.

So...i made a deal with Taylor, our 10 year old.  I offered her a "job".  It goes like this - Taylor, cuts all the coupons & organizes them...we then go to the store & buy what we have always bought - only now we go with Taylor leading the charge...she has a list of what we are going to buy...she has them listed according to the department they are in the store...the deal offered...etc...

In other words - we walk around with Taylor, she tells us what we are looking for as we walk & we buy stuff we normally buy - only not as random.

For her efforts, I offered her 33% of anything & everything we save with coupons.

So, how did we do on our 1st trip?  We saved almost exactly $50 dollars on a $200 dollar tab.  Not bad huh!

I paid Taylor $17 dollars & we still saved $33.

That's called a win-win...we save money & she makes money at the same time.

So, tomorrow, we will buy Sunday's paper for the next round of coupons & do it again...

Frugality rules & we now have, not a garage full of tp, but a laundry room with a great start of our tp collection.

Just thought someone needed to know that we have our 10 year old on the entrepreneur trail already.

b

Why?

I'm wondering why...

Why do we think its ok to be so dishonest about how we feel towards people we really care about?

What I mean is probably not what you're thinking right now...here's what I mean...

Specific to the people you care most about in your life...spouse...family...friends...

In mentioning family & friends - I'm not talking about distant family - like the ones you only see 1x every 2 years...or those you don't care to admit you're related to...or friends that are called that just because it sounds better to say "they are my friend" than saying some other lame something or another...I'm talking about the family that you're close to & the friends that are the same - close...the ones you miss when they are not a part of your life...them.

Why are we not so much as dishonest - as just not honest.  I mean why do we lose days...weeks...longer by not dealing with feelings (or whatever needs to be said here) that can be dealt with?  Why do we act as if nothing is wrong - while we simply distance ourselves from one another?  Why do we just fake it - all the time we are really acting as if we are all 5 years old...

Or better yet, just ignore them - hilarious!  They really are still on the earth & they really do feel what you're sending out - with or without words...or actions for that matter.

Why do we answer the question "Is something wrong" with "no"...all the while - there is & we just don't fix it?  or why do we just not talk about it at all...

Why?

From outside looking in - I watch & hear about spouses...family...friends...all allowing stupid stuff to keep each other from being as close as you used to be...

As they say "it takes two".  If only one tries to fix it - it just can't be done...it takes two baby - it takes two.  Whoops - forgive me - I heard the song ringing in my head & therefore had to type it out...

Anyway - if you are allowing something to stand between you AND/OR your spouse...family that matters...OR friends that do - then let's take an honest look at things...ask yourself "why".  "Why am i keeping this between me & them?".  If it ain't worth it - it ain't worth it.  If it is - it is.

Just wondering why...as I watch too many good people keep people they care about out of their life for really lame reasons...

Peace

b

Fruitty

Fruit is an identifier of the life source...ie if you see an apple - you know you are looking at an apple tree...peaches grow on a peach tree...figs on a fig tree...etc.  


From a Biblical perspective, we are told there are fruit of the Spirit in our life.  ie the Spirit of God within us should have proof on the outside.  


Galatians 5 lists the fruit the Spirit should yield.  Here's what it says:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.


The Message paraphrases it like this:

But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.


Thing is - it doesn't say "bear fruit only when its easy...or going our way...or when you feel like it".  It just says - that if our source is God's Spirit - then the proof will be in the fruit, or those things that come to life on both the good & bad days.


So...


Fruit on a perfect day is one thing...fruit on an imperfect day is quite another.  


On the imperfect days, what source of life do we draw from?  Flesh or Spirit? 


You will always know by the fruit that comes to life in those moments.  If it doesn't look like God's Spirit, we are drawing from the wrong source.


Just a thought...


Peace


b

Lovey Does Vegas...

When we went to Vegas, we took Taylor's stuffed animal "Lovey".

Then as we traveled, we took Lovey to different spots & took pictures of her travels.

Well...as you can see Lovey went to the casino.

The short story of it is - if you want to get security's attention REAL FAST - just start taking pictures...

They came over to meet Lovey...

Enough said.

Oh & as you can see - Lovey won over $43,000...not bad for a stuffed bear wearing pink.  

Now that I think of it - they probably came over because of the Richard Simmons dress code violation posted on the wall...it said "No Bears Allowed Wearing Pink Richard Simmons Outfits"!  Dang.

Peace

b

Lately...stuff running around in my head...

Thought I'd go random & throw out a few things running around in my head...

Baptism - we had our 2nd ever baptism this past week - again in a lake...really cool.  We had 14 baptized & then somewhere around 120 or so there to be a part of the day.  So, in our 2 baptisms - we have had 65 people get in the lake...Again - way cool.

Moving from the High School to Regal was tough.  Why?  Well, it's our 3rd move since starting.  When we moved into the school, we didn't know they were going to do a major HVAC overhaul...so when they informed us of having to move - yuk.  For whatever reason, not everyone goes with you...I'm not sure if it's psychological...if it really is about driving a few minutes longer...environment change...or what?  But moves are tough.  However, the real reason I bring it up is the theater has been great!  The people at the theater (each & every employee) have been great to work with...the "fit" is better for our size right now...the sound works better...the set up is easier...on & on...it's just been good. Which leads me to my next thought...

Genesis Sundays - the short version - I think the last couple weeks have been some of our most effective Sundays to date.  IMO - every element was right on time.  I have loved it & the altar response or take away has been "off the chain".  The next few weeks feel like they are going to be equally as strong.  It just seems like we have turned a corner in many ways...

Reconnecting - over the last few weeks God has laid a couple different "people from the past" on my heart...So far, I have made some attempt each time to reach out & just touch base as I felt I should.  So far - so good...thank you God!

Focus - I'm not sure why - but I have a few thoughts on it - it just feels like God has given me an incredible focus for this moment in life...with every hat i wear - i feel like he has graced me in ways that feel like "the way it used to be".  Good stuff.

Friends - Shawn & I have worked hard at becoming friends - not just spouses to each other.  It has been one of the most healed & thriving areas for us.  

Home - I love the amount of laughter that lives in my home.  

Last - I hope to figure out how to reach out to fallen ministers.  I mean really reach out.  The stats are not good for the fallen.  If I have anything to do with it - Genesis will be a place where the fallen - both those in ministry & those "just fallen" will be able to get back up.  IMO - that's one of the ways God really gets the glory amidst the messes...

Anyway 

Peace

b

Yes Virginia - it did snow...

Just a "camouflage" pic from this past winter...

A reminder on a hazy...hot...humid day...it really did snow.

Oh...and our dog thinks he's a reindeer.

peace

b

Wooden Heart...Check it.

if we hold on tight we’ll hold each other together
and not just be some fools rushing to die in our sleep
all these machines will rust I promise, but we'll still be electric
shocking each other back to life
Your hand in mine, my fingers in your veins connected
our bones grown together in time
our hands entwined, my fingers in your veins connected
our spines grown stronger inside
cause i know our church is all made out of shipwrecks
from every hull these rocks have claimed
but we pick ourselves up, and try and grow better through this change
so come on and let’s wash each other with tears of joy and tears of grief
and fold our lives like crashing waves and run up on this beach
come on and sew us together, we're just some tattered rags stained forever
we only have what we remember...

Pictures Tell a Story

Pictures...i have taken a lot of them over the years.  They say a picture is worth a 1000 words & that's true.  Not that I'm a good photographer - but to me - certain pics tell more of a story than others.

So, with that being said, I went through our almost 3000 pics & selected those that are some of my favs.

My plan, is when i don't really have anything i can think of to blog about...I'll post a pic & tell a brief story of why its a fav of mine.

Some, will be about the moment they are taken...the memory captured at the time.  Others will be about the story leading up to the pic...meaning - its not the memory, so much as what lead to that specific moment.  Others will be simply because of an emotion...look...something...Some may have no explanation at all...it will speak on its own.

If you're looking for perfect lighting & all the other jazz that makes great photography, look elsewhere, because I'm not making the claim of all that.  I'm just saying some of pics, with photographic flaw & all, tell some pretty good stories.

Anyway

Here's the pic I choose for the 1st - my family.  It speaks all by itself...but here's the story behind it.

We were actually doing a shoot for Ashton's grad pics.  We were at Sandbridge & since we had the whole family & it was such a nice evening...we took a few family pics.  This is 1 of my favs from  that eve.

Here's why...

The smiles...the feel of the pic is love.  I see happiness & closeness.  I think my family is incredible in many ways...

P.S. - Obviously, I didn't take this one...but it's in the fav file, so there ya go.

Kyndall AKA my "Baby"

Now - as they say - last but not least - is my oldest...Kyndall.

I call her my baby - simply because she was the 1st & obviously was my baby until...just how it works in my brain.

So, where is she in life...crazy - she will be 22 this year!  Dang.

But since high school...she has went on to graduate from Cosmetology school & now has a really cool job at Twist Salon doing the hair thing...I predict she will one day - either run a high end salon or own one...

A couple other points I'm proud or thankful for...

She is on the Worship Team at Genesis as a vocalist.  She didn't get the voice from me - that comes from Shawn for sure.  But she can bring it & is an important part of the vocals & worship.

Also, she recently got engaged...happened right in front of me & Shawn...Jorden (a pretty good guy) dropped to his knee & proposed right there - while we were trying to enjoy the Red Sox on tv...So, the wedding is set for something like 2021 right now...Truth be known - Jorden is a great guy & we are thankful he is in Kyndall's & our lives.

I couldn't be any more proud of my Baby.

Love ya baby...

Dad

Vow Renewal

I've been waiting on a couple pics for this one - but I'll add 'em later.

Back in May, Shawn & I were able to go to Key West with some great friends.

Key West is another story all in & of itself...suffice it to say - it's an incredible place on the globe to wake up to in the morning.  I hope to go back some day & take my kids...it's a place where memories are to be made.

Anyway...

Before we went, unbeknown to the ladies, we had set up a surprise vow (funny I 1st wrote vowel) renewal ceremony.  To appreciate the moment it was something like this...

We went to the beach at sunset...asked our wives to "just walk" with us...As we moved from the walkway to the sand...a lady approached with bouquets of flowers for each of our wives.  As she handed the flowers, she spoke our wives names - as if she had known them for some time...saying "Shawn...your husband, Bob, would like to renew your wedding vows tonight."  Well, as you know Shawn, the tears were then in full stream...

Note - the other wife cried too...

The view...the ocean was in front of us and sun was behind us...the sun was about 30 minutes from disappearing for the day.  The beach had rose petals scattered all over the place as we approached it.  Music was playing (Ill add that too if I can figure out how)...2 torches were lit...something like palms were on the poles of the torches...

It was an incredible moment & an incredible step in our journey.  Not only an incredible step, it was the right time for us to take that step...

So...right there - we said yes to each other with renewed passion...love...healing...hope...vision...knowing that we were also saying goodbye to the past as well.

This time, we kissed longer than we did the 1st time - almost 25 years ago(July 26 will be 25 years for us)...

So...thanks babe for saying yes...again.


I love you!

Creative Space...where's my soul?

Someone taught me several years ago about having "creative space" in your life.  It has proved to be one of the most valuable ideas...principles...i know of regarding - hearing from God & getting out of the superficial realm.

Creative Space is this idea that we live too fast - in all areas of life.  Therefore, we typically live on the surface in all areas of our life.  Meaning, we just go from place to place...when we get to one place - we are aware of the next place...Or while we are talking to one person, we are thinking of where we need to be...etc...I.e. we seldom live in the moment & we seldom come up with any ideas that are unlike the ideas we already have & live by...it becomes this monotonous life - same old same old - over & over.

So, Creative Space is where you intentionally slow down & make space to think/create/hear from God/reflect...etc...Or, creative space is where we slow down & reconnect with others that have kind of gotten lost in the shuffle of life...

Anyway, the way it works for me - is to be highly intentional about creating this time & space in my life to really rethink it all...to really listen for God's voice or promptings that are sometimes lost to the immediate & the mundane (ie the things we do daily & react to rather than the things we should be planning for).

If you find you are living life at a pace that feels like you are running from place to place...meeting to meeting...appointment to appointment...etc...Then slow down & find a place void of all the inputs of life for awhile AND listen to the promptings within...listen to your soul...listen to your heart...for it there you will be lead to the real things of life.

Peace

bob