Filed under: General
Something inside of boys (little or big) desires to be able to look up to someone. As you Read books, rent movies, and watch television you will become ever more aware that this truth is known and exploited by many.
Those viewed as “Heroes” emerge from the ashes of a catastrophe, salute the stands after a game winning goal/basket, they head home heralded by thousands after the conflict. Those described as “Heroes” sacrifice of themselves for those around them, they ask nothing in return, they appear then disappear without saying a word.
Yet, in the midst of it all… even the youngest child realizes that a “Hero” is not without flaw. Sometimes it is the short comings… the defects make the “Hero” even more endearing and enduring.
The masculine heart, no matter the age, clings to these “Heroes.” From the youngest to the oldest they, sometimes unknowingly, begin to emulate the intentions and actions. If you look closely you will spot it in the smile, the laugh, the walk. You will spot it in the moments when he thinks no one else is looking. Though sometimes only present in the small details… it is imitation.
(Case and point: Does anyone else remember the “Be Like Mike” campaign of the early 1990’s?)
I too have a Hero…
When I was younger my Hero had superhuman strength. He used to be able to pick up cars utilizing only his bulging muscles which reached to the moon when he flexed. When we wrestled I didn’t stand a chance… he simply had to pin me down and wrap me in a sheet. It was fun…
He has always given of himself and asked nothing in return. I never once had to ask him to work long days, have short nights of sleep, come to my soccer games… this he did, and more, without ever mouthing one complaint.
Then there were the times that I found myself facing a challenge and on the brink of giving up. Without fail, my Hero would show up. Those are the times that stick in my mind. With hundreds of other things that needed to be done, my Hero would lay them aside and come to me to help and comfort. Then, as quickly as he appeared he would be off again to attend to his everyday tasks.
My Hero would be the first one to tell you that he isn’t perfect. He would do his best to deflect even the simple honor that is given to him in this post. He would bring up the different times he has failed, mention the times he fell short, no doubt apologize for the different times he made mistakes… but, even these things are what makes him my Hero. In the midst of the times that he felt like he made a mistake… He kept going. It is from his life that I learned what it meant to be disciplined, a hard worker, humble, compassionate. It is from his life that I learned what it meant to Never give up, Finish what you started, Give all that you got. The supposed flaws of my Hero emphasized the Character traits he attempted to ingrain in me.
I will never know everything that my Hero has done. He tends to keep his Heroic deeds to himself. I will never be able to thank him enough for all the times he spent on his knees in prayer, all the hours he spent training me, all the tears he shed on my behalf. I will never be able to repay him for the example he has given, the lessons he has taught, and the legacy he has left. All I can do is hope that the chances I have to give honor to my Hero give some hint of my gratitude for his life lived… that… and my attempt to imitate the life I have seen.
My Hero… My Father…
The reason for me coming out to Pennsylvania and sleeping on the floor for the past month has been to prepare for my future Bride. There has been something about it… I feel similar to a pioneer who has just spent the past month of his life heading east west to get established and wait for the coming of his true Love. I have endured intense heat, hunger, rejection, frustration, Indian raids, wild beasts, and other numerous, unnameable challenges. Yet, despite all the set backs and frustrations it has finally come to be – I HAVE A JOB!
This is where I step back from flexing my proverbial muscles and stop with the Caveman-esque ranting of “look what I have done” and place glory in the rightful hands- God’s.
With all the circumstances surrounding the job, the interview process, and others who applied… I shouldn’t have been able to get this job. God took things that seemed like useless experiences and made them appear to be beneficial.
I pray that I will never see myself as the “Provider” in my future marriage. God, our loving Heavenly Father, is the Provider… I am the “Tool” and the “Recipient.”
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” ~ Matthew 6:24-34
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” ~ Matthew 7:7-11
Filed under: General
My earliest memories of Coffee involve my Grandpas. As a little kid I remember visiting them at their respective houses and watching them drink their coffee in the Morning. The smell of the brew was one of the first things that I noticed each morning followed by the distinctive sound of the percolator.
In the evening, both would have a small cup to finish their dinners. I remember having them ask me if I would like some (even though I was not even out of Kindergarten yet) followed by a feigned surprise that I hadn’t acquired a taste for it. What typically followed this exchange I never quite understood- both would assure me that when I did start to drink coffee… it would put hair on my chest. Needless to say, looking around the table and seeing the different “people” who enjoyed coffee certainly caused a great deal of confusion.
It wasn’t until I worked as a Camp Counselor that I even ventured to begin to acquire a taste for coffee (it has to be acquired… I don’t believe anyone is born with it). After weeks of early mornings, late nights, restless sleep, and 105 degree temperatures (I was in Louisiana) I wandered over to the coffee counter and poured my first intentional cup. After that… there was no turning back!
Whatever enjoyment I found in coffee was only ingrained into me more in college. Coffee became not simply a help, but it became a friend. Good Ole’ Joe helped me through the late night projects, supported me during the early morning classes, it even became a companion on those boring Friday nights.
So, why write nearly 300 words on coffee? Um… good question. I suppose it is due to its place in a enjoyable routine- coffee sipped while reading God’s Word.
Almost everyday during this past school year I would have a mug of coffee as I read my Bible in the morning. There was something about it. It kept me focused, relaxed, contemplative. Read a few verses, take a sip, and meditate… it was good. It seems to take away the academia behind the my reading and anchor my reading to the reality of life.
This post has now arrived at around 400 words… perhaps wasted. Oh well…
By the way… for those who have managed to plod through this entire thing there are somethings you should read. Maybe everyone should drink coffee along with their Bible reading.
Reasons:
Filed under: General
Justin Taylor, on his blog Between Two Worlds, has included John Frame’s review of the controversial book by Peter Enns’. Needless to say, it is going to be interesting to see the fallout that follows whatever decision comes about.
Despite what my parents may say or think… I enjoy mowing the lawn. I realize that I often procrastinated, avoided, or flat out neglected this responsibility throughout my years, but around the age of 13 something changed. At the ripe old age of 13 my Dad came to me upset that my Mom had to labor over the yard. It was then that he said to me “Adam, your old enough now that you Mother should never have to mow the lawn again.” Along with this he threw in some odds and ends about being a man and “responsibility” and something on the verge of classic chivalry. Yet… it all stuck with me and despite times of procrastination I began to enjoy the work. Fast forward 7 years (wow… all ready?) and I look forward to it.
Do I simply enjoy the smell of the grass, the sound of the Briggs & Stratton engine, the sweat on my brow? Well… kinda… but it is also a good time to think without distraction. I learned this during the long days of lawn work- I think I do some of my best thinking while I mow.
Well, since I am staying with my Brother In-law and Sister for the time being while looking for a life job and apartment, I have taken to mowing their little postage stamp of a lawn. With the advent of the MP3 player, a book shelf of books, thoughts left over from college, and actual time to think… the possibilities are only limited by the size of the lawn.
So far I have contemplated the controversial topic of music with a possibility of a break through on my part along with other various things. These will appear in future posts (which is an easy way of saying ‘I am avoiding the topic right now’).
The one thing that I am very much enjoying is on my MP3 player. There is a series from a teacher I respect called From Creation to the Cross. This series comes from a Sunday School class that he taught in Northern Wisconsin this past semester. Dr. Farmer’s goal was to give the Christians in his class a better understanding of the overall story of the Bible to better understand the different elements throughout. He accomplishes this goal.
To download these lectures simply follow this link, click on a lecture (start with Part 1 and go in order… it works better that way), and follow the instructions.
Thankfully the grass never stops growing… I am guaranteed more time to think.
A few days ago I posted “Waiting…” in light of the theme that appears to be reoccurring throughout my life. Patience has always been a struggle and something that has consistently caused me to flee to the cross and reevaluate my priorities. It is there at the cross in the presence of the One Who “endured” so much (Hebrews 12:2-3) that I find the grace to be patient in the midst of my minuscule delays.
Well… though I am by no means a die-hard follower of Piper (though due to my links it may appear like I am) I appreciate his wisdom and insight. When a man speaks the Truth… shall we not all welcome it.
Over the past few days my mind has been set on Christmas. It seems to be something that I can’t get a way from.
A few days ago I heard a song by Downhere entitled “How many Kings?” (I realize that this post can cause a few questions depending on who you are… and how you know me. Either way, it doesn’t really matter… I will post on it later.)
Add the song to the movie my Sister and Brother In-law watched last night (The Nativity ) and this post arrives.
You don’t have to agree with me. I don’t ask you to even like it. All I ask is that you listen to the words…
Filed under: General
Over the past week I have gotten on a reading kick. I have always enjoyed reading since I was young, but it seems as though I have an easier time sitting down and devoting time to it than others. Well, last week was one of those times. Let me give you the short list of what I read:
- The Pursuit of God: This classic written by A.W. Tozer is a book that I can always go back and read. It is nothing more than a 100 page challenge for Christians to “pursue hard after God.” Tozer’s passion for God and his desire to be in his presence is contagious. You walk away from the book desiring to know nothing but your God. Yet, it has been somewhat sullied by this article. Tozer was a passionate man, but like all, he had his problems.
- A New Perspective on Jesus: When I first picked up this book I was expecting something slightly different than what I found. This possibly influenced my overall perspective on the book, but… um… oh well. James Dunn, in light of the current desire to “discover” the “Historic Jesus,” examines the traditions and faith that surround the transfer of the information on Jesus. Dunn, in essence, spends a lot of time writing without establishing a new perspective. Oh… but he says that you should read his other book. I hate when authors do that.
- Adam: This is my fiction book for the week. Ever since I read the Circle Trilogy I have loved the way that Tedd Dekker writes. He has a way of building a story through an insane amount of detail without overwhelming the reader. From the first page till the last I was sucked into this psychological thriller. I am looking forward to getting my hands on another.
- Stop Dating the Church!: Joshua Harris is definitely not who I was told he was when all the kids in my church were mocking his book I kissed Dating Good-bye. I really wish I would have given him a chance back then. I have nothing but respect for him and his desire to serve God and others with all that he is while maintaining character and integrity in all his relationships. Harris develops this book based on the well founded truth that too many people are merely “dating” the church instead of being committed to it whole heartedly. The truth in the book pricks and shines light on the flaws of the heart of even those who would see themselves as being committed. This is a simple book everyone should read.
Well… take it or leave it.
Have you ever thought about how much of your life you spend waiting for something? Maybe it is just where I find myself at this point in time or maybe it is just the reality of life, but I am spending a lot of time doing just that – waiting. Let me give you a brief breakdown…
- From September to May I was waiting to graduate…
- After graduation I was going to be able to spend a lot of time with my girlfriendfiancé… so, I was waiting for that.
- I waited for sometime to be able to propose to Amber…
- I now have to wait to marry her.
- For the past three weeks I have been trying to find a job. During this time I have been waiting for my resumes to be looked at…
- Then I was waiting for an Interview.
- I finally was given a chance for an interview… then I had to wait for the results.
- Now I am waiting for the results of the second interview.
- I still need to find an apartment… but should probably wait until I find a job.
- Right now… as I type… I am waiting to call my fiancé…
- Who I have been waiting to talk to since 4 o’clock this morning…
- Who also, until that point, I was waiting to talk to since the moment I woke up…
- After I talk to her… I will have to wait again to talk to her
You know what, I think you get the point and I am getting discouraged. The more I write the more I realize that I have to wait for things.
Patience has never been my gift… Waiting and my lack of patience has always been one of the things that drives me before the cross to seek one of the amazing things I never have to wait for – grace!
Filed under: General
The Red Wings finally clinched the cup. Although there were a few times that I thought that they would allow “Sid the Kid” and the Pens to take it from them, they came through in the end. It was a great end to a good year in Hockey…
