A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The scorpion says, "Because if I do, I will die too."
The frog is satisfied, and they set out. But in mid-stream, the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown, but has just enough time to gasp "Why?"
Replies the scorpion: "I am a scorpion, it’s my nature..."
Regardless of political affiliation we need to realize one thing; politicians do what they do because they are politicians. They will continue to serve their own interests instead of representing the people that elected them because it is their nature.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Kin Folk or Folk Lore?
As I examined my Facebook Friends list, I began to wonder just how often I really had contact with the people on it. I looked at the names and the categories (lists) I had placed each of them into. Some are in a list entitled “Close Friends”. Others are “Farmville Neighbors”, “Old Friends”, and “School Friends”. And finally there is the “Family” category. I would like to be able to say that everyone fit into this last category. But, unfortunately, the times we live in don’t lend themselves to people truly becoming family.
“Family “ is a title that is usually reserved for people that we are related to, either by birth or marriage. For me, however, this title carries with it great meaning and responsibility. Family are not merely people I am related to. They are people that hold an important place in my life and heart. They are people I would drop anything for and go to the ends of the Earth for if they simply asked. And they are people I cannot go even one day without thinking about.
We are commanded to love one another with a Christ-like love; a love that is unconditional, a love that knows no ends. And yet, we treat each other like strangers, except when we meet at church, work, or the local grocery store. We go days, weeks, months, and even years without even a thought for family members. We spend more time, money, and effort getting to know our customers, store clerks, and TV show characters than we do our family.
Growing up I recall family gatherings on a regular basis. When a birthday came along, we got together to celebrate it, as a family. When a holiday would roll around, we gathered. But we did not simply gather with relatives. When a close friend had an occasion to celebrate we gathered with them as well. There are many people in my life that I have called “aunt”, “uncle”, or “cousin” that I don’t share a blood or marriage relation with. And I think about each and every one of them almost on a weekly basis, if not more often.
I believe we have cluttered our lives with so many entertainment distractions that we have forgotten the important things. Our “Kin Folk” of yesterday are becoming “Folk Lore” of tomorrow.
“Family “ is a title that is usually reserved for people that we are related to, either by birth or marriage. For me, however, this title carries with it great meaning and responsibility. Family are not merely people I am related to. They are people that hold an important place in my life and heart. They are people I would drop anything for and go to the ends of the Earth for if they simply asked. And they are people I cannot go even one day without thinking about.
We are commanded to love one another with a Christ-like love; a love that is unconditional, a love that knows no ends. And yet, we treat each other like strangers, except when we meet at church, work, or the local grocery store. We go days, weeks, months, and even years without even a thought for family members. We spend more time, money, and effort getting to know our customers, store clerks, and TV show characters than we do our family.
Growing up I recall family gatherings on a regular basis. When a birthday came along, we got together to celebrate it, as a family. When a holiday would roll around, we gathered. But we did not simply gather with relatives. When a close friend had an occasion to celebrate we gathered with them as well. There are many people in my life that I have called “aunt”, “uncle”, or “cousin” that I don’t share a blood or marriage relation with. And I think about each and every one of them almost on a weekly basis, if not more often.
I believe we have cluttered our lives with so many entertainment distractions that we have forgotten the important things. Our “Kin Folk” of yesterday are becoming “Folk Lore” of tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Choose …….. But Choose Wisely
Every choice you make has an end result.
- Zig Ziglar
As a teacher, on the first day of school, one of the first things I told my students was that they did not have to attend my classes. This was an exciting proposition to a group of pre-teenagers and teenagers. Most of them had the impression that they didn’t have a choice. After announcing this great news, I continued by explaining the conditions of this choice. They had a choice of whether to attend my classes or not. However, their choice would carry certain consequences. By choosing not to attend the classes, they would not get any credit for the classes. This choice would also carry with it certain administrative consequences: demerits, detention, or even expulsion. It might even result in certain disciplinary actions by their parents.
How many times you have heard, or maybe even said, “I didn’t have a choice!” This seems like a logical thing to say, at first glance. However, after further investigation, you realize you always have a choice. You usually see a lack of choice because the consequences of one of the choices are so undesirable that you don’t even consider it to be a viable choice. Life is full of these situations.
I had a conversation with someone concerning his or her financial situation. I should be the last person to give financial advice, considering my own financial ruins. However, we had the conversation anyway. As we discussed their need to find gainful employment I asked a few questions. “Why do you need to work if your spouse works?” “Do you really need the second car if you don’t work?” “Do you really need the extra bedrooms, or could you live in a smaller house?” “Would the choice to work create more of a need for the additional income?” The conversation continued along this line for some time. The end result was that if they were to cut back then the need to find a job was eliminated and they could stay home with their children. Which was their true desire in the first place.
I too have found myself in this situation. We could downsize our household and afford for Sherri not to work. It would be a little tight and we might have to sacrifice a few things, but we could manage. Or, as we chose, we could have a larger house, two newer cars, eat out frequently, and Sherri would continue to work. Funny thing is, we still struggled and ended up living paycheck to paycheck anyway. The ironic reality is that if we had chosen the first option we probably would have a place of our own today. As a result of our thought that we “didn’t have a choice” we have lost pretty much everything.
Luke 14:28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
We are instructed to “count the cost” when making a decision. This is such a simple concept that so many of us fail to catch on to until it is too late. I challenge you to commit to fully evaluating the choices before you, praying earnestly about the choices, and choosing wisely. God will bless when we do it His way.
- Zig Ziglar
As a teacher, on the first day of school, one of the first things I told my students was that they did not have to attend my classes. This was an exciting proposition to a group of pre-teenagers and teenagers. Most of them had the impression that they didn’t have a choice. After announcing this great news, I continued by explaining the conditions of this choice. They had a choice of whether to attend my classes or not. However, their choice would carry certain consequences. By choosing not to attend the classes, they would not get any credit for the classes. This choice would also carry with it certain administrative consequences: demerits, detention, or even expulsion. It might even result in certain disciplinary actions by their parents.
How many times you have heard, or maybe even said, “I didn’t have a choice!” This seems like a logical thing to say, at first glance. However, after further investigation, you realize you always have a choice. You usually see a lack of choice because the consequences of one of the choices are so undesirable that you don’t even consider it to be a viable choice. Life is full of these situations.
I had a conversation with someone concerning his or her financial situation. I should be the last person to give financial advice, considering my own financial ruins. However, we had the conversation anyway. As we discussed their need to find gainful employment I asked a few questions. “Why do you need to work if your spouse works?” “Do you really need the second car if you don’t work?” “Do you really need the extra bedrooms, or could you live in a smaller house?” “Would the choice to work create more of a need for the additional income?” The conversation continued along this line for some time. The end result was that if they were to cut back then the need to find a job was eliminated and they could stay home with their children. Which was their true desire in the first place.
I too have found myself in this situation. We could downsize our household and afford for Sherri not to work. It would be a little tight and we might have to sacrifice a few things, but we could manage. Or, as we chose, we could have a larger house, two newer cars, eat out frequently, and Sherri would continue to work. Funny thing is, we still struggled and ended up living paycheck to paycheck anyway. The ironic reality is that if we had chosen the first option we probably would have a place of our own today. As a result of our thought that we “didn’t have a choice” we have lost pretty much everything.
Luke 14:28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
We are instructed to “count the cost” when making a decision. This is such a simple concept that so many of us fail to catch on to until it is too late. I challenge you to commit to fully evaluating the choices before you, praying earnestly about the choices, and choosing wisely. God will bless when we do it His way.
Facebook: Friend or Foe?
Some of you have noticed that I have not been posting to my blog for quite some time. Some have even taken the time to encourage me, and I appreciate that. While thinking about why I have felt no compulsion to write lately I came across this thought somewhere in the back of my brain.
Is Facebook a good thing or a bad thing? First, what is Facebook? Most people know it to be a web site where a lot of time is spent doing nothing of real value. Some know it as the cleaner version of MySpace. Some are entirely wrapped up in the games that are offered. And some are just happy to check in on occasion to see what their friends might have posted, but it does not consume their lives.
As a long-haul truck driver I am away from home for weeks on end, sometimes as many as 8 at a time. Therefore, Facebook is just one form of communication with my family. As a trainer I spend many hours just sitting while my student gets experience behind the wheel. Most of this time does not require direct supervision, so Facebook is a diversion for me. I have had the opportunity to connect with friends from time gone by all across the Country, even being able to get together for a meal. I have been able to receive encouragement from many of you. Spending long hours on the road either alone or with a stranger can be pretty discouraging. I have even had the honor of being an encouragement to some. To put it simply, I have found Facebook to be a lifeline of sorts.
Some might try to convince you that Facebook is just a waste of time. Others are completely addicted to it, spending countless hours in front of their computer screens. I simply find Facebook to be an outlet for relaxation, similar to TV, and another form of communication, like the telephone.
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know many of you better than ever before. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and especially your prayers while I have been separated from my family (which includes many of you). You mean a great deal to me and are a very vital, special part of my life.
May God bless you richly.
Is Facebook a good thing or a bad thing? First, what is Facebook? Most people know it to be a web site where a lot of time is spent doing nothing of real value. Some know it as the cleaner version of MySpace. Some are entirely wrapped up in the games that are offered. And some are just happy to check in on occasion to see what their friends might have posted, but it does not consume their lives.
As a long-haul truck driver I am away from home for weeks on end, sometimes as many as 8 at a time. Therefore, Facebook is just one form of communication with my family. As a trainer I spend many hours just sitting while my student gets experience behind the wheel. Most of this time does not require direct supervision, so Facebook is a diversion for me. I have had the opportunity to connect with friends from time gone by all across the Country, even being able to get together for a meal. I have been able to receive encouragement from many of you. Spending long hours on the road either alone or with a stranger can be pretty discouraging. I have even had the honor of being an encouragement to some. To put it simply, I have found Facebook to be a lifeline of sorts.
Some might try to convince you that Facebook is just a waste of time. Others are completely addicted to it, spending countless hours in front of their computer screens. I simply find Facebook to be an outlet for relaxation, similar to TV, and another form of communication, like the telephone.
I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know many of you better than ever before. Thank you for your support, encouragement, and especially your prayers while I have been separated from my family (which includes many of you). You mean a great deal to me and are a very vital, special part of my life.
May God bless you richly.
Friday, July 30, 2010
If You Can’t Play With The Big Dogs……..
There was once a time when I had dreams of growing old, retiring, and sitting on the porch with my life-long love. Now it seems that houses aren’t built with porches any more. And those that are go unused. Why have we gotten so busy that we can’t just sit on the porch and watch life happen in the neighborhood?
I spend almost every day of my life traveling down the highways of this great nation. And, since I drive a company owned truck, my speed is limited to a maximum of 62 MPH. There are days I really wish I could go faster. But today I am thankful for being forced to just slow down a little. I need to slow down and enjoy the blessings God has so richly and freely given me more often.
Look all around you. Look at the things you complain about and dread. Cleaning your house, messy kids, lazy co-workers, a flat tire on the way to the grocery store, a snoring spouse, grass that needs to be cut, a noisy neighbor, an imperfect church, etc… Instead of complaining about these things we should be thanking God we have a home, children, a job, a car, money for groceries, a help meet, a lawn, friends, a place to freely worship God, etc…
Life is not always going to be theme parks and cotton candy. Sometimes we have to perform tasks we aren’t thrilled with. Sometimes life is hard. But at the end of the day it is important to just sit back and enjoy the spoils of that life. God tells us that if we don’t work we shouldn’t eat. But even God took a day to rest and enjoy His creation. Why don’t you take a walk with God in His house this Sunday? You just might find a little rest on the porch after a long, hard week of work.
I spend almost every day of my life traveling down the highways of this great nation. And, since I drive a company owned truck, my speed is limited to a maximum of 62 MPH. There are days I really wish I could go faster. But today I am thankful for being forced to just slow down a little. I need to slow down and enjoy the blessings God has so richly and freely given me more often.
Look all around you. Look at the things you complain about and dread. Cleaning your house, messy kids, lazy co-workers, a flat tire on the way to the grocery store, a snoring spouse, grass that needs to be cut, a noisy neighbor, an imperfect church, etc… Instead of complaining about these things we should be thanking God we have a home, children, a job, a car, money for groceries, a help meet, a lawn, friends, a place to freely worship God, etc…
Life is not always going to be theme parks and cotton candy. Sometimes we have to perform tasks we aren’t thrilled with. Sometimes life is hard. But at the end of the day it is important to just sit back and enjoy the spoils of that life. God tells us that if we don’t work we shouldn’t eat. But even God took a day to rest and enjoy His creation. Why don’t you take a walk with God in His house this Sunday? You just might find a little rest on the porch after a long, hard week of work.
Monday, July 26, 2010
The Message Is Simple
The past couple of weeks have been particularly difficult for me. I have been on the road and away from the love of my life, training a student driver, since June 10th. At 43 years of age I am homesick! This has left me dry in the blog area. I just have not felt much like being inspiring or uplifting. But, as usual, in the midst of this valley God began to speak to me last night. Actually He has been trying to speak to me all along but I finally opened my ears and listened.
I would just like to share this simple thought. It isn’t unique or original but, as a friend reminded me of recently, it is a pressing or the reset button.
I began to think of just how deliberate God was in creating us. Look at our body’s design. So many of our parts are duplicates. We have 2 hands, 2 arms, 2 legs, 2 feet, 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils, even 2 lungs……….but only 1 mouth. Very interesting to me that we have so many “input devices” that are duplex, but only one “output device” and it would be singular. Why might this be?
Well, to some, the answer might seems simple. We have heard it before. God would like us to work with our hands twice as hard as we speak. He wants us to listen more than we speak. He wants us to stop and smell the roses instead of speaking. He wants us to drink in His Glory looking at His creation and just be silent while doing it.
But, didn’t He command us to go and tell everyone about Him? Why would our most important command only have one tool to perform it with? I think the answer is simple and here is what He showed me. God’s message is singular. And He never intended it to be muddled up in different interpretations. He intended it to be spread as purely as He gave it to us. He wants the same message to be spread all over the land. He only gave us 1 mouth because His message is NOT duplex.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
I would just like to share this simple thought. It isn’t unique or original but, as a friend reminded me of recently, it is a pressing or the reset button.
I began to think of just how deliberate God was in creating us. Look at our body’s design. So many of our parts are duplicates. We have 2 hands, 2 arms, 2 legs, 2 feet, 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils, even 2 lungs……….but only 1 mouth. Very interesting to me that we have so many “input devices” that are duplex, but only one “output device” and it would be singular. Why might this be?
Well, to some, the answer might seems simple. We have heard it before. God would like us to work with our hands twice as hard as we speak. He wants us to listen more than we speak. He wants us to stop and smell the roses instead of speaking. He wants us to drink in His Glory looking at His creation and just be silent while doing it.
But, didn’t He command us to go and tell everyone about Him? Why would our most important command only have one tool to perform it with? I think the answer is simple and here is what He showed me. God’s message is singular. And He never intended it to be muddled up in different interpretations. He intended it to be spread as purely as He gave it to us. He wants the same message to be spread all over the land. He only gave us 1 mouth because His message is NOT duplex.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Oh What A Difference A Letter Makes
Over the past 2 years I have had a lot of time to think and reflect on my life. God has grown me in many areas. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of those lessons.
While driving down the road a thought came to mind. Have you ever wondered "What's the difference?"? As I began to think about this question a few differences came to mind.
The word "altar" is only different from the word "alter" by one letter. But, oh how different their meanings are. An "altar" is a place we go to for communication with God. A place for reflection. A place to cry. A place to leave an offer. But the operative theme of the "altar" is in the action, not the location. If we go to the "altar" and never "alter" our lives, or allow God to "alter" our lives, then the "altar" is just that, a place. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
As Sherri and I were driving in Louisiana, trying to locate a customer, I noticed another truck. The driver was trying to get himself out of a tight spot. I began to reflect on all of the mental and physical preparation that was necessary to maneuver around a corner with a 65 foot vehicle. It required forethought concerning the size of the lane to be turned into. It required proper positioning within the lane to be turned out of. And it also required looking for objects that might get in the way. Do you think ahead? Do you position yourself to be prepared for bends or turns in your life? Do you look for objects that might get in the way of God's plans for your life?
I noticed the writing on the side of the trailer. It said "lastic". I realized very quickly that a letter was missing. I told Sherri that a couple different letters would fit in the empty space. If the letter was "p" the word would be "plastic". It would describe something rigid and hard to bend, quite like the 53 foot trailer the other driver was pulling.
The other letter that came to mind was "e", making the word "elastic". How much easier would it be for that driver if the trailer would bend or wrap around the corner?
I to think about my life. How, often times, I am rigid and inflexible in my ways. Being firm in your convictions in not a bad thing, but never being willing to bend can cause a lot of heartache. Are we like that with God? What about His people? The Bible describes it as "stiff necked". Oh what a difference a letter makes.
I began to think about other words and 3 more came to mind; "to", "too", and "two". The word "to" denotes direction. The word "too" denotes inclusion. And finally, "two" denotes addition. We may have direction in our life, but without adding new experiences or including new people, then we really aren't going anywhere. If all we do is include everyone, but aren't going anywhere, we become stale, and we add no value to our life. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
And finally I began to think about the Bible. It is a love letter from the One who created us. It is a letter addressed to us personally; "My Beloved". The Bible tells us how to live, how to love, and most importantly, how to spend eternity with our Lord. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
As I posted a teaser in my FB status today, a dear friend pointed out another couple letter differences, so I will share them here as well. Do you have one true "G"od in your life? Or are you controlled by many "g"ods? Do you refer to God as "h"im, or do you show reverence and refer to God as "H"im? To most these differences are subtle. To some they are even insignificant. But to "G"od they are worlds apart. You see, this world has a "g"od, "h"is name is Satan. And "h"e loves to disguise "h"imself to look as much like "G"od as possible. But if you know "H"im personally, you will never be fooled by "h"im. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
While driving down the road a thought came to mind. Have you ever wondered "What's the difference?"? As I began to think about this question a few differences came to mind.
The word "altar" is only different from the word "alter" by one letter. But, oh how different their meanings are. An "altar" is a place we go to for communication with God. A place for reflection. A place to cry. A place to leave an offer. But the operative theme of the "altar" is in the action, not the location. If we go to the "altar" and never "alter" our lives, or allow God to "alter" our lives, then the "altar" is just that, a place. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
As Sherri and I were driving in Louisiana, trying to locate a customer, I noticed another truck. The driver was trying to get himself out of a tight spot. I began to reflect on all of the mental and physical preparation that was necessary to maneuver around a corner with a 65 foot vehicle. It required forethought concerning the size of the lane to be turned into. It required proper positioning within the lane to be turned out of. And it also required looking for objects that might get in the way. Do you think ahead? Do you position yourself to be prepared for bends or turns in your life? Do you look for objects that might get in the way of God's plans for your life?
I noticed the writing on the side of the trailer. It said "lastic". I realized very quickly that a letter was missing. I told Sherri that a couple different letters would fit in the empty space. If the letter was "p" the word would be "plastic". It would describe something rigid and hard to bend, quite like the 53 foot trailer the other driver was pulling.
The other letter that came to mind was "e", making the word "elastic". How much easier would it be for that driver if the trailer would bend or wrap around the corner?
I to think about my life. How, often times, I am rigid and inflexible in my ways. Being firm in your convictions in not a bad thing, but never being willing to bend can cause a lot of heartache. Are we like that with God? What about His people? The Bible describes it as "stiff necked". Oh what a difference a letter makes.
I began to think about other words and 3 more came to mind; "to", "too", and "two". The word "to" denotes direction. The word "too" denotes inclusion. And finally, "two" denotes addition. We may have direction in our life, but without adding new experiences or including new people, then we really aren't going anywhere. If all we do is include everyone, but aren't going anywhere, we become stale, and we add no value to our life. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
And finally I began to think about the Bible. It is a love letter from the One who created us. It is a letter addressed to us personally; "My Beloved". The Bible tells us how to live, how to love, and most importantly, how to spend eternity with our Lord. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
As I posted a teaser in my FB status today, a dear friend pointed out another couple letter differences, so I will share them here as well. Do you have one true "G"od in your life? Or are you controlled by many "g"ods? Do you refer to God as "h"im, or do you show reverence and refer to God as "H"im? To most these differences are subtle. To some they are even insignificant. But to "G"od they are worlds apart. You see, this world has a "g"od, "h"is name is Satan. And "h"e loves to disguise "h"imself to look as much like "G"od as possible. But if you know "H"im personally, you will never be fooled by "h"im. Oh what a difference a letter makes.
Is It Finished?
When Jesus… said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)
When Jesus said "It is finished" on the cross, He was only talking about His part. As Christians we somehow have gotten to the point where we think that the saving part done a long time ago is all there is to it. Jesus took care of that completely at Calvary. We have forgotten that after Salvation comes the real work.....for us. Although we don't work our way to Heaven (Eph 2:8-9), we are commanded to work (Matt 28:18-20). When was the last time we actually worked, with effort, for God? Oh sure, we go to church at the appointed times. We may even go for special services every once in awhile. We might even visit someone in the hospital. But when was the last time we really worked for God? It might surprise you to find out that the word "work" is not just a place we go (noun), but an action we do (verb). God's business was never meant to be taken care of by a paid staff. It was meant to be tended to by His people out of love for Him. It IS our "reasonable service". Be of good cheer; "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Rom 10:13). But be prepared to exercise the love He places in our heart and do a little work.....for Him.
When Jesus said "It is finished" on the cross, He was only talking about His part. As Christians we somehow have gotten to the point where we think that the saving part done a long time ago is all there is to it. Jesus took care of that completely at Calvary. We have forgotten that after Salvation comes the real work.....for us. Although we don't work our way to Heaven (Eph 2:8-9), we are commanded to work (Matt 28:18-20). When was the last time we actually worked, with effort, for God? Oh sure, we go to church at the appointed times. We may even go for special services every once in awhile. We might even visit someone in the hospital. But when was the last time we really worked for God? It might surprise you to find out that the word "work" is not just a place we go (noun), but an action we do (verb). God's business was never meant to be taken care of by a paid staff. It was meant to be tended to by His people out of love for Him. It IS our "reasonable service". Be of good cheer; "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Rom 10:13). But be prepared to exercise the love He places in our heart and do a little work.....for Him.
Who's Your Daddy?
Romans 8:15 - For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
After accepting a job in Alpharetta, GA I packed up my family and moved from Carpentersville, IL. This was a bittersweet move. I was leaving my family behind, but moving closer to my wife’s family. My “hero” here on Earth has, and still is, my brother-in-law, Johnny. I have sought his counsel on many occasions, especially for spiritual matters. I watched his relationship with his daughter and tried to model my relationship with Jenni after it. Without putting him on a pedestal, he is a wonderful role model.
You would have to ask Jenni if I succeeded in being the type of father to be looked up to. But I do think there is evidence of a good relationship. At almost 21 Jenni doesn’t have any trouble talking to me about almost anything. She still says, “I love you”, in public and in front of her friends. She will still hug me and give me a kiss right on the lips. And one of the most precious things to me is that she still calls me Daddy.
Several years ago I heard a message about the above passage. I won’t try to re-preach the message, but I would like to point out one word that has stood out to me: Abba. This word has become very important to me. It is so personal and extremely heart felt. As a matter of fact, it is a word that has changed the way I view God. I believe God should be respected and held in high esteem. But we often forget just how much He loves us.
I grew up in a home where everyone was addressed with a title. It was always “Mister”, “Misses”, “Aunt”, “Uncle”, and so on. I was given a formal name: Phillip. And I insisted my daughter be named in the same fashion: Jennifer. Don’t get me wrong, I feel respect is important and formality has a place. But sometimes we need to get a little closer and more intimate with our family.
This is where the word “Abba” comes in. It denotes a very close, personal, intimate relationship with the Title Holder. It means “Daddy”. Every time I see the word “Daddy” I get an image of Jenni climbing into my lap, curling up, placing her head on my chest, and saying, “I love you Daddy”. It is hard to get much more intimate than that! And when I think of “Abba”, I get the picture of myself climbing into God’s lap, curling up, placing my head on His chest, and saying, “I love you Daddy”. And His response is the same as mine is to Jenni, He wraps His loving arms around me and says, “and I love you my child, more than you can imagine”.
After accepting a job in Alpharetta, GA I packed up my family and moved from Carpentersville, IL. This was a bittersweet move. I was leaving my family behind, but moving closer to my wife’s family. My “hero” here on Earth has, and still is, my brother-in-law, Johnny. I have sought his counsel on many occasions, especially for spiritual matters. I watched his relationship with his daughter and tried to model my relationship with Jenni after it. Without putting him on a pedestal, he is a wonderful role model.
You would have to ask Jenni if I succeeded in being the type of father to be looked up to. But I do think there is evidence of a good relationship. At almost 21 Jenni doesn’t have any trouble talking to me about almost anything. She still says, “I love you”, in public and in front of her friends. She will still hug me and give me a kiss right on the lips. And one of the most precious things to me is that she still calls me Daddy.
Several years ago I heard a message about the above passage. I won’t try to re-preach the message, but I would like to point out one word that has stood out to me: Abba. This word has become very important to me. It is so personal and extremely heart felt. As a matter of fact, it is a word that has changed the way I view God. I believe God should be respected and held in high esteem. But we often forget just how much He loves us.
I grew up in a home where everyone was addressed with a title. It was always “Mister”, “Misses”, “Aunt”, “Uncle”, and so on. I was given a formal name: Phillip. And I insisted my daughter be named in the same fashion: Jennifer. Don’t get me wrong, I feel respect is important and formality has a place. But sometimes we need to get a little closer and more intimate with our family.
This is where the word “Abba” comes in. It denotes a very close, personal, intimate relationship with the Title Holder. It means “Daddy”. Every time I see the word “Daddy” I get an image of Jenni climbing into my lap, curling up, placing her head on my chest, and saying, “I love you Daddy”. It is hard to get much more intimate than that! And when I think of “Abba”, I get the picture of myself climbing into God’s lap, curling up, placing my head on His chest, and saying, “I love you Daddy”. And His response is the same as mine is to Jenni, He wraps His loving arms around me and says, “and I love you my child, more than you can imagine”.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Crossing Over
Immigration is a very hot and controversial topic today. And I am not going to use this forum to discuss the merits or problems with America’s policies in this area. But I do want to use the US-Mexico border as an example.
Last night we picked up a load in Calexico, CA. The shipper was literally on the US-Mexico border. After picking up the load we traveled East on I-8 and I-10. Both of these Interstates pretty much follow the border. So, I have had plenty of time to see Mexico as we traveled today. And I have an observation I would like to share.
As I looked at places like Juarez, Mexico, I began to understand why someone would want to leave their country of birth, leave everything they know and probably love behind, and attempt to get into the United States, at ALL costs. I began to have a better appreciation for the plight of the Mexican people. I still don’t agree with making the move illegally, but I do understand the move.
You see, I was once in a place where I could see a much better place and really wanted to get there. The more I saw it the more questions I would ask about how I could get there. I was told that, although the pathway was narrow, it was open to anyone that was willing to take the proper steps to get there. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t even have to pay any fees to get there. I simply had to accept the invitation and take a step of faith toward my desired destination.
Getting into the United States legally is not really that hard. A person simply has to be willing to take the necessary steps to make it happen. And anything worth having is worth waiting for.
Just like the Mexican people’s desired destination, my desired destination is within reach to anyone that wants it. Simply accept the invitation and wait for the day that you are called in. I was once asked if I believed that there was a pilot in a plane that had flown overhead. I, of course, answered with a very quick “yes”. The follow-up question was pretty simple too. How could I believe so easily that the pilot existed if I could not see him? And once again I answered very quickly “I will just wait for the plane to land, or come down, and I would be able to see the pilot”. These were two simple questions with unintentionally profound answers.
There is really only one way to get into the United States legally and that is to submit the proper paperwork and wait for acceptance. God teaches us that the way to Heaven is for everyone. However, the way is a very narrow one. As a matter of fact, there is only one way, and that is through Jesus Christ. There is no other way. And once you accept that way you simply have to wait to enter. The entrance into Heaven is guaranteed by that simple act of faith. By accepting Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross of Calvary as a complete payment for your sin you are guaranteed entrance into Heaven.
Just like the Mexican people looking across the border into the United States, desiring a better place, I looked into God’s Word at a description of Heaven and my desire grew. It grew to a point of wanting Heaven so much that I was willing to pay any price to get there. Thankfully that price has already been paid in full. Will you accept the free pardon of sin and join me in a much better place than the United States?
Last night we picked up a load in Calexico, CA. The shipper was literally on the US-Mexico border. After picking up the load we traveled East on I-8 and I-10. Both of these Interstates pretty much follow the border. So, I have had plenty of time to see Mexico as we traveled today. And I have an observation I would like to share.
As I looked at places like Juarez, Mexico, I began to understand why someone would want to leave their country of birth, leave everything they know and probably love behind, and attempt to get into the United States, at ALL costs. I began to have a better appreciation for the plight of the Mexican people. I still don’t agree with making the move illegally, but I do understand the move.
You see, I was once in a place where I could see a much better place and really wanted to get there. The more I saw it the more questions I would ask about how I could get there. I was told that, although the pathway was narrow, it was open to anyone that was willing to take the proper steps to get there. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t even have to pay any fees to get there. I simply had to accept the invitation and take a step of faith toward my desired destination.
Getting into the United States legally is not really that hard. A person simply has to be willing to take the necessary steps to make it happen. And anything worth having is worth waiting for.
Just like the Mexican people’s desired destination, my desired destination is within reach to anyone that wants it. Simply accept the invitation and wait for the day that you are called in. I was once asked if I believed that there was a pilot in a plane that had flown overhead. I, of course, answered with a very quick “yes”. The follow-up question was pretty simple too. How could I believe so easily that the pilot existed if I could not see him? And once again I answered very quickly “I will just wait for the plane to land, or come down, and I would be able to see the pilot”. These were two simple questions with unintentionally profound answers.
There is really only one way to get into the United States legally and that is to submit the proper paperwork and wait for acceptance. God teaches us that the way to Heaven is for everyone. However, the way is a very narrow one. As a matter of fact, there is only one way, and that is through Jesus Christ. There is no other way. And once you accept that way you simply have to wait to enter. The entrance into Heaven is guaranteed by that simple act of faith. By accepting Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross of Calvary as a complete payment for your sin you are guaranteed entrance into Heaven.
Just like the Mexican people looking across the border into the United States, desiring a better place, I looked into God’s Word at a description of Heaven and my desire grew. It grew to a point of wanting Heaven so much that I was willing to pay any price to get there. Thankfully that price has already been paid in full. Will you accept the free pardon of sin and join me in a much better place than the United States?
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A Moses Experience
Yesterday brought a new adventure. We got the truck back from the dealership much earlier than expected. Very shortly after checking out of the hotel and getting back in the truck we had a load notification. We were heading to Valdosta, GA! We were getting closer to home and getting some great miles. This was great news for both Nate and I. Maybe, just maybe, we would get close enough to our homes with a little extra time for much needed visits. BUT……everything would have to work out just perfectly in order for this to happen. We still had to get an empty trailer, receive our actual dispatch, drive to California to pick the load up, and drive to the final destination. Unfortunately, things never seem to work out perfectly, and yesterday was no exception.
The beginning of the end started with a very slow response from the planners. It is their job to route us to a place where we can pick up an empty trailer. Unfortunately they took their sweet time. By the time they located an empty trailer time was running short. After connecting to a trailer we then had to wait for the official dispatch of the trailer. We waited for about a half hour before deciding to decline the load, since there was no way to be on time for the pick-up. This meant waiting again for another load.
After being up most of the day we received a load notification with acceptable miles. This one required us to get rid of the empty trailer we had searched for before heading to Calexico, CA, which was about 350 miles away. Fortunately this load was pre-loaded on a trailer and already waiting for us.
US Routes were the only way to “get there from here”. And, since the majority of Nevada seems to be desert, the drive was less than enjoyable. Nate hopped into the bunk for a nap in order to be ready to drive, leaving me to endure the “exciting” scenery all alone. This gave my mind plenty of time to ponder this vast wilderness. I began to think of how Moses must have felt, wandering for 40 years, not sure when the end of the journey would finally arrive. I kept thinking about a child in the back seat repeating that well-known chant of “are we there yet” every 5 minutes. At least I had an idea of how many miles I was supposed to go as well as an odometer to keep track of how far we had already been.
As I continued down these never-ending, winding roads I began to think about my life. How much time had I spent worrying about the destination and completely missed the journey? How many milestones in my children’s lives had I missed, just because I was busy trying to drive the car of life? How many more accomplishments will I fail to recognize because I am too busy doing ________________?
A dear Brother in Christ once spoke of how we live our “dash”. He was referring to the dash between the dates of birth and death on a headstone. Our life’s accomplishments will basically amount to that tiny punctuation when the journey is over. Some of us will have a short dash and others will have a very long one. Some dashes will be in bold type and impossible to miss or forget. Others will be barely noticeable and will very quickly fade with time.
It is not a very profound observation to say that life is short. Nor is it eye opening to say we only have one life to live (physically speaking). But when was the last time you actually took notice of the mark you are leaving as you live yours? One of my favorite quotes is “I teach, I touch eternity”. But you don’t have to be a teacher to touch eternity. Make contact with another life and you will have touched eternity. Don’t waste your dash; completely missing out on all the wonderful things life has to offer just because the scenery doesn’t exactly excite you.
The beginning of the end started with a very slow response from the planners. It is their job to route us to a place where we can pick up an empty trailer. Unfortunately they took their sweet time. By the time they located an empty trailer time was running short. After connecting to a trailer we then had to wait for the official dispatch of the trailer. We waited for about a half hour before deciding to decline the load, since there was no way to be on time for the pick-up. This meant waiting again for another load.
After being up most of the day we received a load notification with acceptable miles. This one required us to get rid of the empty trailer we had searched for before heading to Calexico, CA, which was about 350 miles away. Fortunately this load was pre-loaded on a trailer and already waiting for us.
US Routes were the only way to “get there from here”. And, since the majority of Nevada seems to be desert, the drive was less than enjoyable. Nate hopped into the bunk for a nap in order to be ready to drive, leaving me to endure the “exciting” scenery all alone. This gave my mind plenty of time to ponder this vast wilderness. I began to think of how Moses must have felt, wandering for 40 years, not sure when the end of the journey would finally arrive. I kept thinking about a child in the back seat repeating that well-known chant of “are we there yet” every 5 minutes. At least I had an idea of how many miles I was supposed to go as well as an odometer to keep track of how far we had already been.
As I continued down these never-ending, winding roads I began to think about my life. How much time had I spent worrying about the destination and completely missed the journey? How many milestones in my children’s lives had I missed, just because I was busy trying to drive the car of life? How many more accomplishments will I fail to recognize because I am too busy doing ________________?
A dear Brother in Christ once spoke of how we live our “dash”. He was referring to the dash between the dates of birth and death on a headstone. Our life’s accomplishments will basically amount to that tiny punctuation when the journey is over. Some of us will have a short dash and others will have a very long one. Some dashes will be in bold type and impossible to miss or forget. Others will be barely noticeable and will very quickly fade with time.
It is not a very profound observation to say that life is short. Nor is it eye opening to say we only have one life to live (physically speaking). But when was the last time you actually took notice of the mark you are leaving as you live yours? One of my favorite quotes is “I teach, I touch eternity”. But you don’t have to be a teacher to touch eternity. Make contact with another life and you will have touched eternity. Don’t waste your dash; completely missing out on all the wonderful things life has to offer just because the scenery doesn’t exactly excite you.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Hot-Headed or Cold-Hearted?
Yesterday brought another adventure with my truck’s A/C. As we were traveling across the desert it began blowing warm air again. This time the volume of air was reduced as well. I thought to myself “this is familiar, the filter must be clogged again”. So I pulled over and checked the filter. It was somewhat clogged, but not enough to cause the major problem. I was forced to contact our roadside assistance line to request repairs. The return message said my wait time would be 29 minutes. Well, 2 hours later I still had not received a call so I sent in another request. This time the return message said my wait time would be 73 minutes. Guess I lost my place in line? Anyway, I made a phone call and received an immediate response; we were heading to the dealership in Las Vegas again. Cannery Hotel and Casino here we come!
With all of the unemployment in America, why is it so hard to get good, hard-working employees that appreciate the job they currently have? Has the unemployment situation gotten like 9-11? Have we so quickly forgotten to be thankful for what we have? Am I expecting too much? Should I just shut my mouth and be thankful to have a job, no matter how poorly others around me do theirs? Have I lost all my compassion for people while in the heat of the moment? Am I so “hot-headed” that I’ve become “cold-hearted”? I’m sure most of you are tired of me using the word “incompetence”, but it just seems to fit so often these days. So many questions and so few answers.
Today’s blog does not bring any special words of wisdom. You probably won’t get much entertainment out of it either. But this is a better way to vent than to scream and holler at people that can’t do anything about it. Hope you have a great day! Maybe tomorrow will bring some great realization of the lesson I am missing in today’s trials.
PS: The truck is fixed and we are waiting on another load. Turns out the compressor had to be replaced. I would think they would have checked that last time we were here (only a week and a half ago).
With all of the unemployment in America, why is it so hard to get good, hard-working employees that appreciate the job they currently have? Has the unemployment situation gotten like 9-11? Have we so quickly forgotten to be thankful for what we have? Am I expecting too much? Should I just shut my mouth and be thankful to have a job, no matter how poorly others around me do theirs? Have I lost all my compassion for people while in the heat of the moment? Am I so “hot-headed” that I’ve become “cold-hearted”? I’m sure most of you are tired of me using the word “incompetence”, but it just seems to fit so often these days. So many questions and so few answers.
Today’s blog does not bring any special words of wisdom. You probably won’t get much entertainment out of it either. But this is a better way to vent than to scream and holler at people that can’t do anything about it. Hope you have a great day! Maybe tomorrow will bring some great realization of the lesson I am missing in today’s trials.
PS: The truck is fixed and we are waiting on another load. Turns out the compressor had to be replaced. I would think they would have checked that last time we were here (only a week and a half ago).
Monday, July 12, 2010
Look Kids: Big Ben ...... Parliament
Have you ever seen European Vacation? Where Chevy Chase gets caught in the inside lane of the Centrum in London? And he goes around and around the Centrum multiple times, each time pointing out to his kids where Big Ben and Parliament are? And each time he points them out he gets more and more frustrated? Well, the past few days have felt like that. We have been traveling back and forth on I-70 & I-15 between LA and Denver for the past 3 loads. Don’t get me wrong, the miles are appreciated and the scenery is absolutely breath taking. But, sometimes it seems so repetitive. We know exactly where we are going to stop (since there are limited places along the route) and pretty much what we are going to eat.
Sometimes we begin to treat our relationships like Chevy Chase viewed the Centrum. As he went around he should have looked for something new that he might have missed the previous trip. And we should try to find something new and fresh within our relationships, even if today seems the same as yesterday. Have you looked for something to be in awe about? Have you tried a new greeting? What about sending someone a simple, one line note just to tell them you are thinking about them and praying for them, or that you love them?
So many people say that their marriages begin to get stale at or around the 7-year point. Is it because we have become bored with it? Or is it because we are so busy looking at Big Ben and Parliament that we fail to see Buckingham Palace? My wife is the greatest treasure I have here on Earth. My children are next in line. All of my family and friends are right there too. And I am so thankful to have each and every one of them. But if I fail to see something new and exciting in each of them then it is because I am focusing too much on Big Ben and Parliament.
Try not to spend your day going in circles. Try not to waste your relationships focusing on the same old things. Make an effort to look for fresh and new ways to enjoy the gifts and treasures God has blessed you with.
Thank you for your encouragement through the tough economy. Thank you for keeping in contact with me as I travel, especially when I am away from Sherri. Thank you for being my friends! I love and appreciate each and every one of you!
Sometimes we begin to treat our relationships like Chevy Chase viewed the Centrum. As he went around he should have looked for something new that he might have missed the previous trip. And we should try to find something new and fresh within our relationships, even if today seems the same as yesterday. Have you looked for something to be in awe about? Have you tried a new greeting? What about sending someone a simple, one line note just to tell them you are thinking about them and praying for them, or that you love them?
So many people say that their marriages begin to get stale at or around the 7-year point. Is it because we have become bored with it? Or is it because we are so busy looking at Big Ben and Parliament that we fail to see Buckingham Palace? My wife is the greatest treasure I have here on Earth. My children are next in line. All of my family and friends are right there too. And I am so thankful to have each and every one of them. But if I fail to see something new and exciting in each of them then it is because I am focusing too much on Big Ben and Parliament.
Try not to spend your day going in circles. Try not to waste your relationships focusing on the same old things. Make an effort to look for fresh and new ways to enjoy the gifts and treasures God has blessed you with.
Thank you for your encouragement through the tough economy. Thank you for keeping in contact with me as I travel, especially when I am away from Sherri. Thank you for being my friends! I love and appreciate each and every one of you!
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Common Sense Is Not So Common
These past couples of weeks have been a real challenge. Since Nate has started training, I have had my truck in a shop at least 5 times. Now, to most people this might not seem like a big deal. But to a trucker it is a loss of income. Besides, Nate is married too and wants to complete his training in a minimal amount of time and get home to his family.
Now, the challenge has not been in the shop time. Nor has it been in the training, since Nate has been a great student. The challenge has been in dealing with the “customer service” personnel of the company I work for. Anyone that knows me knows that I don’t have a lot of patience for incompetence. And these experiences have been no exception. I believe strongly in rules and policies. Without them there is complete chaos and inefficiency. But with rules and policies must come some level of common sense. And common sense was lacking in the nth degree.
The first time I took my truck to the shop was in Edwardsville, KS. When we arrived at the terminal I tried to turn my truck in for needed repairs but was told the shop was extremely backed up and would not be able to get to my truck for a couple days. This was good news. (You should sense a great level of sarcasm here.) Since time is money any extra down time can be very detrimental to a trucker’s income. The shop ended up taking 2½ days to complete the repairs on my truck. Then the waiting began for a load to haul. When I did receive a load I met with the 2nd instance of incompetence at this terminal. I was handed paperwork for the load, only to find out that it was over weight by over 3000 pounds. When the load arrives at a terminal company policy states that it will not be accepted if it is not legal to be hauled. Somehow the person at the counter overlooked this policy and they expected me to overlook it as well. NOT gonna happen!
The equipment failure was pretty catastrophic. My A/C went out while we were crossing the mountains and desert of Western Utah. This would not be a big deal except the temperature inside the truck quickly rose to over 107 degrees. This also would not have been a big deal if the person I spoke to about getting it fixed had been wearing their thinking cap and realized that an exception to a company policy should probably be made. He insisted I wait until I drove through a company terminal to have the A/C fixed. The problem was that the nearest terminal was over 800 miles away. And, considering the weather conditions, I wasn’t about to take his answer as a “final answer”. So I proceeded to become the squeakiest wheel he had ever heard. Fortunately cooler heads prevailed and the truck was fixed at a dealership, which was only 8 hours away.
I could probably write a book on the misadventures of our company policies, but I will stop at just two stories for now. What I learned through all of this is that there are people within the company that actually do care about the welfare of the drivers. And I was put in contact with at least two of them. I have had a little faith restored in the common sense of people, but I am not holding my breath just yet.
Now, the challenge has not been in the shop time. Nor has it been in the training, since Nate has been a great student. The challenge has been in dealing with the “customer service” personnel of the company I work for. Anyone that knows me knows that I don’t have a lot of patience for incompetence. And these experiences have been no exception. I believe strongly in rules and policies. Without them there is complete chaos and inefficiency. But with rules and policies must come some level of common sense. And common sense was lacking in the nth degree.
The first time I took my truck to the shop was in Edwardsville, KS. When we arrived at the terminal I tried to turn my truck in for needed repairs but was told the shop was extremely backed up and would not be able to get to my truck for a couple days. This was good news. (You should sense a great level of sarcasm here.) Since time is money any extra down time can be very detrimental to a trucker’s income. The shop ended up taking 2½ days to complete the repairs on my truck. Then the waiting began for a load to haul. When I did receive a load I met with the 2nd instance of incompetence at this terminal. I was handed paperwork for the load, only to find out that it was over weight by over 3000 pounds. When the load arrives at a terminal company policy states that it will not be accepted if it is not legal to be hauled. Somehow the person at the counter overlooked this policy and they expected me to overlook it as well. NOT gonna happen!
The equipment failure was pretty catastrophic. My A/C went out while we were crossing the mountains and desert of Western Utah. This would not be a big deal except the temperature inside the truck quickly rose to over 107 degrees. This also would not have been a big deal if the person I spoke to about getting it fixed had been wearing their thinking cap and realized that an exception to a company policy should probably be made. He insisted I wait until I drove through a company terminal to have the A/C fixed. The problem was that the nearest terminal was over 800 miles away. And, considering the weather conditions, I wasn’t about to take his answer as a “final answer”. So I proceeded to become the squeakiest wheel he had ever heard. Fortunately cooler heads prevailed and the truck was fixed at a dealership, which was only 8 hours away.
I could probably write a book on the misadventures of our company policies, but I will stop at just two stories for now. What I learned through all of this is that there are people within the company that actually do care about the welfare of the drivers. And I was put in contact with at least two of them. I have had a little faith restored in the common sense of people, but I am not holding my breath just yet.
OUCH! That's gonna leave a mark!
As I was thinking about starting this blog I was worried about a couple things. First; “Will anyone really care what I have to say?” And second; “Will I be able to keep up with new and fresh things to say?” Both of these questions are rooted in my own insecurities about myself. God finds funny ways of speaking to us, if we will just open ourselves to hear Him. I received a text message from Casey, the young man that is courting Jenni. The details of the text aren’t important. And I really didn’t hear God speak through the conversation that followed either. It was a statement Sherri made this morning that just hit me square in the forehead. She said that Jenni had chosen (God really did the choosing) a young man that was very much like me!
I have led a life full of adventure, joy, excitement, and even disappointment. Unfortunately I tend to dwell on the disappointment. This is due to a great lack of self-confidence. I worry about what people will think of me and how they might react. Some that know me may not believe it, but I really do care what you think. And I tend to over compensate by being extra boisterous or even cocky. I know what I want, but usually miss out because of fear.
So, how does this fit in with God speaking? Well, it was within the advice I gave Casey, and the reminder from Sherri, that God spoke…….LOUDLY! I have a pride issue. I have a need to be liked, a need to be first, a need to be seen, and a need to be right. No other explanation than pride. Talk about an ear buster!
So, how do I take care of this pride issue? What was this “great” advice? Simple………shut up and let go of my rights, since I don’t really have any rights to begin with, except those given by God. If I would just allow God to give me friends and stop pursuing them I might find myself in a larger circle. And if I would stop worrying about how big or small my circle is, God just might expand what I already have. Most people don’t know the real me. Funny thing is, I’m not sure who the real me is any more. I have spent so much of my life trying to be someone that everyone else would like I have lost myself.
This blog will be filled with my thoughts and observations. It may just be updates on my travels. I hope to share what God shows me as I travel across this great land. To sum it up, this blog will be a window into the real me. Hope you enjoy.
I have led a life full of adventure, joy, excitement, and even disappointment. Unfortunately I tend to dwell on the disappointment. This is due to a great lack of self-confidence. I worry about what people will think of me and how they might react. Some that know me may not believe it, but I really do care what you think. And I tend to over compensate by being extra boisterous or even cocky. I know what I want, but usually miss out because of fear.
So, how does this fit in with God speaking? Well, it was within the advice I gave Casey, and the reminder from Sherri, that God spoke…….LOUDLY! I have a pride issue. I have a need to be liked, a need to be first, a need to be seen, and a need to be right. No other explanation than pride. Talk about an ear buster!
So, how do I take care of this pride issue? What was this “great” advice? Simple………shut up and let go of my rights, since I don’t really have any rights to begin with, except those given by God. If I would just allow God to give me friends and stop pursuing them I might find myself in a larger circle. And if I would stop worrying about how big or small my circle is, God just might expand what I already have. Most people don’t know the real me. Funny thing is, I’m not sure who the real me is any more. I have spent so much of my life trying to be someone that everyone else would like I have lost myself.
This blog will be filled with my thoughts and observations. It may just be updates on my travels. I hope to share what God shows me as I travel across this great land. To sum it up, this blog will be a window into the real me. Hope you enjoy.
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