Dancing through the artificially produced rain we litter the neighborhood with laughter and "ha ha's" to rival the French.
Suddenly, amidst wildly shot arrows of water we dip and dodge attempting to avoid and be hit at the same time.
The mood changes, the moon is spotted, the adventure is now moon rocks for Mama.
Tell a story in 55 words. Give it a try or just read more, go see g-man.
My first attempt at 55 details a quick changing summer adventure around a sprinkler with my son. Hopefully a decent account.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Stomp . . . Drag
Stomp . . . Drag
Stomp . . . Drag
Each time his black leather boot jingles as it falls hard to the ground, crashing from what his matching jacket bears. Up and down the sidewalk which parallels a busy road in this city. Maybe it's unclear but he has a message.
I ride by and comment to my friend that I'm not sure what I think about him. My friend is sure and he doesn't like it, as if it gives his belief a bad name. At the time, I am remain unclear.
Stomp . . . Drag
Stomp . . . Drag
He continues to walk, knowing there are detractors, surely thinking about each person in each vehicle whizzing by in the business of life wondering if he's crazy, like one who sits on a corner. Certainly he believes his stance will be seen and his message accepted, I am less confident than he.
Too many years later, this man is brought to mind as I read about the "greatest man born of woman." A man who lived in the desert but was so compelling people came to him. I wonder if he would be accepted by my community, I hope so but I am not as confident as I would like to be.
I leave from this thought knowing it's a fight to be in and not of . . . afraid that I tread this line to closely in attempts to be accepted. So I am careful to hold truth more closely than cool, battle to be called strange in the world, not accepted, and stand with the confidence that this man did, walking with his cross up and down the road.
Stomp . . . Drag
To be a man is to put truth over cool.
Ordinary Warrior
Stomp . . . Drag
Each time his black leather boot jingles as it falls hard to the ground, crashing from what his matching jacket bears. Up and down the sidewalk which parallels a busy road in this city. Maybe it's unclear but he has a message.
I ride by and comment to my friend that I'm not sure what I think about him. My friend is sure and he doesn't like it, as if it gives his belief a bad name. At the time, I am remain unclear.
Stomp . . . Drag
Stomp . . . Drag
He continues to walk, knowing there are detractors, surely thinking about each person in each vehicle whizzing by in the business of life wondering if he's crazy, like one who sits on a corner. Certainly he believes his stance will be seen and his message accepted, I am less confident than he.
Too many years later, this man is brought to mind as I read about the "greatest man born of woman." A man who lived in the desert but was so compelling people came to him. I wonder if he would be accepted by my community, I hope so but I am not as confident as I would like to be.
I leave from this thought knowing it's a fight to be in and not of . . . afraid that I tread this line to closely in attempts to be accepted. So I am careful to hold truth more closely than cool, battle to be called strange in the world, not accepted, and stand with the confidence that this man did, walking with his cross up and down the road.
Stomp . . . Drag
To be a man is to put truth over cool.
Ordinary Warrior
Monday, July 12, 2010
A Picturesque Plant & an Ordinary Warrior
A brilliant drive on a two lane journey into the unknown of the country, just to visit a small piece of grass and battle some ants for a sandwich. Along the way we crest a hill to find, in the distance, a picturesque view of a home with a chimney billowing smoke. Thomas Kincade would be envious of this creation as the mountains shadow attempted to overtake the abode but somehow seemed unable.
Slowly, as we approached through the hillside roads the home grew, revealing additions and a pool. I was amazed at the way so much of this had been hidden. Closer & closer exposed more and more of what was turning out to be a massive estate. The road dipped and curved, taking it out of view completely for a moment.
As it brought me back around my anticipation was heightened, a large smoking stack appeared first, followed by a shallow, cement . . . pool? An aroma hit me like that forced me to second guess my reason for breathing, I had stumbled upon a sewage and water treatment plant.
Yes, I was disappointed, but it helps me to see how Christ should see me sometimes. The pride and indifference that finds its way in too easily if I am not completely engulfed in His Word & His character. The beautiful thing is that He sees me as the painting because He painted it, and washed it clean.
Men, we cannot sit around, going to church, praying for meals and both hoping and pretending that this is leading our families spiritually to Christ. This is trash, this is us showing as a painting but actually just treating our sewage. Unfortunately this is normal.
We are warriors, fighters, and this is ingrained in us, this is ordinary. We change from this mentality because it is difficult, because our nature is to fight but it is also to be lazy. Without discipline and training, ease will defeat action every time.
We have to struggle to fight for His glory in our lives and our families.
Not pretending, not perfection, simply the fight that everything, everything is for His glory. This is what we need to make the new normal. We are warriors, and within the body this needs to be ordinary.
Ordinary Warriors.
I speak to myself here more than any other but I am currently being driven to fight for the Glory of Christ for men and their families
Slowly, as we approached through the hillside roads the home grew, revealing additions and a pool. I was amazed at the way so much of this had been hidden. Closer & closer exposed more and more of what was turning out to be a massive estate. The road dipped and curved, taking it out of view completely for a moment.
As it brought me back around my anticipation was heightened, a large smoking stack appeared first, followed by a shallow, cement . . . pool? An aroma hit me like that forced me to second guess my reason for breathing, I had stumbled upon a sewage and water treatment plant.
Yes, I was disappointed, but it helps me to see how Christ should see me sometimes. The pride and indifference that finds its way in too easily if I am not completely engulfed in His Word & His character. The beautiful thing is that He sees me as the painting because He painted it, and washed it clean.
Men, we cannot sit around, going to church, praying for meals and both hoping and pretending that this is leading our families spiritually to Christ. This is trash, this is us showing as a painting but actually just treating our sewage. Unfortunately this is normal.
We are warriors, fighters, and this is ingrained in us, this is ordinary. We change from this mentality because it is difficult, because our nature is to fight but it is also to be lazy. Without discipline and training, ease will defeat action every time.
We have to struggle to fight for His glory in our lives and our families.
Not pretending, not perfection, simply the fight that everything, everything is for His glory. This is what we need to make the new normal. We are warriors, and within the body this needs to be ordinary.
Ordinary Warriors.
I speak to myself here more than any other but I am currently being driven to fight for the Glory of Christ for men and their families
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
I almost quit
This morning I felt like the child from Seinfeld who renounced his religion. I wanted to stand up, fist raised to the air and scream, "I Quit!!!" The funny thing is, overall I am comfortable at my job, a good place to work with good people.
No, it is completely different.
Last night my almost 3 year old ended up in bed with us around 2:00 because I am a softy. He takes up lots of room to be so small, moving and shifting as I try to keep him closer to me so not to disturb his ma'a's slumber. (everything Linc does is fast, including talking so he leaves letters out - m in this case.)
Apparently he had fiddled with my alarm clock the night before so the 4:15 that was supposed to awake me to some soft, soothing music (usually classic rock of some sort) did not appear. At 5:30 I awake and arise, not in a hurry, but later than I would like to be. Get dressed in the dark, grab the phone & lean over to kiss my beautiful wife goodbye when I hear:
"Daddy can I come?" followed immediately by, "Want daddy to come" in a much whinier voice. I laid back down until he fell asleep, sad that when he awoke I would be fighting the paper mountains instead of making paper airplanes.
I have a good schedule too, I am off around 2 or 3 everyday so I get lots of time with him for us to play punches, light-sabers, soccer, football, running, swimming, cars, spaceships, bobcats . . . the list could go on for miles.
Yet somehow I feel its not right, its seems broken that I have to leave. I have realized that I schedule my time around his naps - if you want me it is a fight to get me when he is awake. But when he gets older I can't bring him to work, or teach him a trade. This is how it was, and how it is no more.
What this does is make it harder for men to be men, real men that are after Christ and their family. Sorry guys, but there is nothing, NOTHING that should be about YOU! I know you need a vacation, or some time alone or to unwind or whatever, so do I, but when it comes right down to it how does Christ love the church?
Unconditionally with no regards for Himself. No matter how great or easy to love your wife is (mine makes this incredibly easy) this is difficult and eye opening when you start to think this way. Start to think with everything you do, how does Christ love His church, then act that way. Be careful though, it could make you less selfish and more like Him.
Start to make the extraordinary seem normal.
No, it is completely different.
Last night my almost 3 year old ended up in bed with us around 2:00 because I am a softy. He takes up lots of room to be so small, moving and shifting as I try to keep him closer to me so not to disturb his ma'a's slumber. (everything Linc does is fast, including talking so he leaves letters out - m in this case.)
Apparently he had fiddled with my alarm clock the night before so the 4:15 that was supposed to awake me to some soft, soothing music (usually classic rock of some sort) did not appear. At 5:30 I awake and arise, not in a hurry, but later than I would like to be. Get dressed in the dark, grab the phone & lean over to kiss my beautiful wife goodbye when I hear:
"Daddy can I come?" followed immediately by, "Want daddy to come" in a much whinier voice. I laid back down until he fell asleep, sad that when he awoke I would be fighting the paper mountains instead of making paper airplanes.
I have a good schedule too, I am off around 2 or 3 everyday so I get lots of time with him for us to play punches, light-sabers, soccer, football, running, swimming, cars, spaceships, bobcats . . . the list could go on for miles.
Yet somehow I feel its not right, its seems broken that I have to leave. I have realized that I schedule my time around his naps - if you want me it is a fight to get me when he is awake. But when he gets older I can't bring him to work, or teach him a trade. This is how it was, and how it is no more.
What this does is make it harder for men to be men, real men that are after Christ and their family. Sorry guys, but there is nothing, NOTHING that should be about YOU! I know you need a vacation, or some time alone or to unwind or whatever, so do I, but when it comes right down to it how does Christ love the church?
Unconditionally with no regards for Himself. No matter how great or easy to love your wife is (mine makes this incredibly easy) this is difficult and eye opening when you start to think this way. Start to think with everything you do, how does Christ love His church, then act that way. Be careful though, it could make you less selfish and more like Him.
Start to make the extraordinary seem normal.
Friday, June 25, 2010
The "For & Against" Defense
A heavy somberness hung in the air, the brightness of the room was all that cut through the silence. Contention & trifling had been laid bare on the table and now there was just thought of whether to pursue this courageously reckless endeavor.
But it was from God, right?
Finally an elder broke the silence, "I say we follow Romans. 8:31 says if God is for us who can be against us!"
Now, I admit as believers there are some strange and crazy things that we believe. And I will agree that there are times, maybe more often than not, that Christ leads us to what seems foolhardy to the world. Drive after these things with all faith and vigor because you are backed by the Word, but not this part. I will not submit to the disregard of the surrounding scripture to push forward with an idiotic idea because "who can be against us."
Have you read this chapter??? Paul makes a point and it is not do what you want because God is on your side. Don't go using this as a tag line for your building campaign. I'm sorry to rant but I am tired of justification through ignorance.
Paul is actually very specific in what this "against" is in the last verses of the chapter. This is about separation from God through the love of Christ for His elect, not your softball "outreach" where your teams actions and attitudes are inevitably worse than those who are against you.
No wonder we sometimes look like morons.
So be careful about what choice verses you use, and watch for others that use the same. And the next time you see a "for and against" defense be sure it references love over action.
But it was from God, right?
Finally an elder broke the silence, "I say we follow Romans. 8:31 says if God is for us who can be against us!"
Now, I admit as believers there are some strange and crazy things that we believe. And I will agree that there are times, maybe more often than not, that Christ leads us to what seems foolhardy to the world. Drive after these things with all faith and vigor because you are backed by the Word, but not this part. I will not submit to the disregard of the surrounding scripture to push forward with an idiotic idea because "who can be against us."
Have you read this chapter??? Paul makes a point and it is not do what you want because God is on your side. Don't go using this as a tag line for your building campaign. I'm sorry to rant but I am tired of justification through ignorance.
Paul is actually very specific in what this "against" is in the last verses of the chapter. This is about separation from God through the love of Christ for His elect, not your softball "outreach" where your teams actions and attitudes are inevitably worse than those who are against you.
No wonder we sometimes look like morons.
So be careful about what choice verses you use, and watch for others that use the same. And the next time you see a "for and against" defense be sure it references love over action.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Notion of . . .
Black storm clouds climb upon each other on the not so distant horizon as I stand in the sun listening "Petrified Heart" by Caedmon's Call, still somewhat surprised from Francis Chan's retirement from Cornerstone Church.
He mentioned these clouds, and the rain they would bring. He mentioned the angst that we have for something more, for something better, for something of greater meaning than ourselves to draw us through the storms.
The sun above me disappears behind a billow that does not seem as perilous, it feels mild, enough to still be outside but be prepared for a quick entry into the safety of shelter. Now "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns rings through the ipod into my ears.
It makes me wonder if my safety & security lie with Him or with the things that He provides. Do I stand on His provision or simply on the fact that He is & He will be glorified? What if He says go . . . would I? What if He says stay . . . do I have to?
"Rain" by Breaking Benjamin now resonates through the earbuds. The temperature dropped since the sun seems hidden, but it is still there - It is, in fact, the reason that I can still see the clouds.
Is it You I want
or just the notion
of A heart to wrap around
so I can find my way around
-"Rain" by Breaking Benjamin
He mentioned these clouds, and the rain they would bring. He mentioned the angst that we have for something more, for something better, for something of greater meaning than ourselves to draw us through the storms.
The sun above me disappears behind a billow that does not seem as perilous, it feels mild, enough to still be outside but be prepared for a quick entry into the safety of shelter. Now "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns rings through the ipod into my ears.
It makes me wonder if my safety & security lie with Him or with the things that He provides. Do I stand on His provision or simply on the fact that He is & He will be glorified? What if He says go . . . would I? What if He says stay . . . do I have to?
"Rain" by Breaking Benjamin now resonates through the earbuds. The temperature dropped since the sun seems hidden, but it is still there - It is, in fact, the reason that I can still see the clouds.
Is it You I want
or just the notion
of A heart to wrap around
so I can find my way around
-"Rain" by Breaking Benjamin
Friday, April 2, 2010
The Untrained Swordsman
A recent conversation hung deeply in the thoughts of a man so steeped in passion and vigor that reality sometimes became clear as a heavy fog on a fall morning. Eyes downcast as he tried to stay visible without being noticed so not to remind his peers of strong words that had of late poured from his lips. Vigilant in heart, trying to discern the words of Man that he had followed for 3 years, a Man whom he truly loved, he stood alone amidst the men who knew him best.
A whisp of wind rustles the leaves, followed by a crack of a dead branch on the ground.
More follow.
Suddenly they are surrounded by armed men, led by one who called himself their brother. The disappointment and dismay instantly retract, pushed aside by a rage bent on establishing his allegiance.
A trained soldier lunges to run a man through or slashes horizontally to decapitate but this fisherman reveals what is effectively a glorified fillet knife and raises it in the moonlight. No one reacts - possibly out of shock but more likely from lack of fear.
This untrained swordsman with his blade held high, swings will all his might downward. The steel glimmers, reflecting the presence light, then melts through the ear of the recipient soldier coming to rest on his shoulder soaking the leather and chain-mail armor in red.
Blades are drawn before the flesh hits ground and calmer heads are not prepared to prevail. The stunned man, only trying to prove his loyalty and protect in the way he thought best stumbles back half his mind saying "Run" and the other half screaming "DO NOT DENY!"
The original accused throws up his hands and yells in a deep raspy voice, "WAIT!" in order to grab attention and stop the impending retaliation. Surprisingly they hold. This man gently takes hold of the lump of blood and flesh on the ground, washes it with water from his cup and approaches the victim.
Movements are slow and deliberate so as not to enrage the already tense situation. The Healer raises hand to the mans head, presses the ear against muscle that pours red and whispers, "I love you" in the flesh He just reattached. He steps back with His arms out, His wrists up and His eyes making contact with any that would dare look at Him.
And they still arrest Him.
A whisp of wind rustles the leaves, followed by a crack of a dead branch on the ground.
More follow.
Suddenly they are surrounded by armed men, led by one who called himself their brother. The disappointment and dismay instantly retract, pushed aside by a rage bent on establishing his allegiance.
A trained soldier lunges to run a man through or slashes horizontally to decapitate but this fisherman reveals what is effectively a glorified fillet knife and raises it in the moonlight. No one reacts - possibly out of shock but more likely from lack of fear.
This untrained swordsman with his blade held high, swings will all his might downward. The steel glimmers, reflecting the presence light, then melts through the ear of the recipient soldier coming to rest on his shoulder soaking the leather and chain-mail armor in red.
Blades are drawn before the flesh hits ground and calmer heads are not prepared to prevail. The stunned man, only trying to prove his loyalty and protect in the way he thought best stumbles back half his mind saying "Run" and the other half screaming "DO NOT DENY!"
The original accused throws up his hands and yells in a deep raspy voice, "WAIT!" in order to grab attention and stop the impending retaliation. Surprisingly they hold. This man gently takes hold of the lump of blood and flesh on the ground, washes it with water from his cup and approaches the victim.
Movements are slow and deliberate so as not to enrage the already tense situation. The Healer raises hand to the mans head, presses the ear against muscle that pours red and whispers, "I love you" in the flesh He just reattached. He steps back with His arms out, His wrists up and His eyes making contact with any that would dare look at Him.
And they still arrest Him.
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