music and thoughts

So...one of my favorite parts of Christmas is the music. Classic songs, parodies, and of course, songs of Christ's birth. I listened to probably my favorite song about just that tonight on the way home from OKC. It is called, 'A Strange Way to Save the World'. That song is one of the songs in my life that can bring me to my knees in thankfulness. But, the message of it is so simple...so real. Joseph thinking, "Why me? Why Him? Why her?" It just seems such a strange way...to save the world. It always get me thinking...
If you have never heard the song, look at up. I remember my old pastor, Chris Philbeck, singing the song. But, probably my favorite version is Michael Crawford. Good stuff.

Another song that Michael Crawford has on his Christmas CD that I love (and that touches me no matter who sings it because of the lyrics, but wow, can Mr. Crawford belt it out!) is 'O Holy Night'. "Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!" Man. Chills.

Christmas time is a time of reflection too...well, and New Year's. The end of the year process, I guess. It's funny in a way, sometimes I think I reflect too much...not living in the present enough. I think a lot...and I like to be alone to think. It seems the more I get older, the more I want to be alone with my thoughts...but, my thoughts tell me I should be more relational. It sure is hard.

To be honest, I have never let myself grow close to people I love...and that is no way to live. It is the safe way, sure, but did Christ want us to live safely? I am sorry for my family and my friends for the way I am. I should be more open, more transparent...less selfish and less closed. It is hard for me. The closer I get to people I love, the more anxious I get about anything that could hurt me or them. If I am not close, when something happens, I won't hurt...much. Losing my mom hurt. A lot. Losing Nicole's mom hurt a lot. I know it is part of life, but I don't like it. But. I have to change. I need to live my life involved, invested in my relationships. Hurt when those around me hurt...laugh when those around me laugh. Live. Life.

I have been failing miserably. And I ask your forgiveness. I will try to change. Again, it is hard, but I will try. Change my focus. Look for happiness where it needs to be looked for...look for love where it needs to be looked for...live life for whom it needs to be lived.

And that...is not me.

days

Ever have one of those days when everything just comes to a head? And then you lose it? And then you are embarrassed that you lost it? Yesterday was the day for me, I guess.

I'm tired, I'm fed up with everything...and I know I am the one that has to do something about it and don't seem to want to do anything about it. Familiarity breeds complacency, right? I have been complacent in a lot of things and that has to change...tomorrow. Heh, heh. Had to throw that in. :)

One of the areas I have been complacent is in relationships. I thought I had some at one point, some pretty good friends...ones that you would think would be there for you, would take a stand for you. But then...something comes up. Oh well, no need to beat a dead horse.

Well...last night started a new small group. Everything went well. Of course, I think I will always have that little bit of trepidation going into the relationships because of the past, but hope to move on. We had a great night of fellowship, learned some new things and the kids all seemed to get along good with each other which is always a plus.

A new day has dawned and things are looking a little better...time to make an effort to keep them that way. :)

Until next time.

-r

The Revolutionary Paul Revere, by Joel Miller

A timely addition to the various books on men who helped lay the foundation of our country, The Revolutionary Paul Revere has great insight to the life of Paul Revere. The book starts with a little family history and the paths to Boston. The young Paul learns a trade and is shaped into the man the country needed in a time of need.

The book was a little slow in the beginning, but was necessary background information of how Paul became involved with key people in our nation's formation. His skills as a craftsman put him in position to meet various people in different levels of society. The book also delves into his entry and ascension into the Masons and friendships formed.

The book quickly speeds up as England begins to try and force taxes and importation laws on the colonies. As the incidents heat up, Paul becomes more involved with the business of espionage and delivering information to other colonies, including the famous ride to warn of plans to destroy ammunitions in Concord and the arrest of Hancock and Adams. The rest of the book flows nicely during the war and after, where Paul expands his business, always learning new skills for wages and to help the fledgling nation.

The book seemed very well researched and meticulously noted in almost 30 pages of references. This book is a great comprehensive look into the life of Paul Revere.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

man

Yesterday I went to a funeral of a great man.

His life was well remembered.

If my life can be lived half as great as his, I will be successful.

Thanks Phil...for who you were.

-R

Living Life in the Zone by Kyle Rote, Jr. and Dr. Joe Pettigrew

Living Life in the Zone by Kyle Rote, Jr. and Dr. Joe Pettigrew

Handling scenarios and everyday occurrences in a Godly manner and being a better man of God is the theme of this daily devotional book. The book is written by men, for men and using 'Playmakers' as examples of how men deal with life situations. It is set up as a 40-day spiritual game plan and easily relates to men's lives.

The book is broken down into different sections or ‘zones’ in your life with which men deal on a daily basis: God, family, friends, jobs and your future. I enjoyed reading stories of famous people, such as James Brown from CBS to the not-so- positive examples of Michael Vick and Coach Bobby Knight. The book helped me look at my daily situations in a less selfish manner and more focused on God and what my priorities should be.

Even if you are a man that does not normally read books, you will look forward to reading the short daily devotionals in this book. The ‘thought of the day’ can help you remember the subject throughout the day and live your life ‘in the zone’.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

God speaks

So...if you follow me on Twitter, you know I have had some questions. The one most recent though is the fact that God is speaking to me and I am trying to figure out exactly what He wants me to get out of what He is saying. Does that make sense? :)

Within the last couple of weeks or so, in different scenarios, a scripture has been coming up in conversations, in devotionals and even a website I visited today. Coincidence? No.

But, as I was telling Nicole, I just wish He would yank me up to Heaven and tell me point blank like Isaiah...or write it on the wall like He did to King Belshazzar or just appearing to Abraham during the day for a spot to eat before he took out Sodom and Gomorrah. She replied that it was like the song by Todd Agnew...Written on the Wall, we think is the one. Talks about the same thing.

Anyway, I mentioned that I am thankful He is trying to tell me something even when I am dense and cannot figure out exactly what (or I am just blocking out anything that I think in the back of my mind I don't want to deal with). I also told her that the last time something like this happened to me was a period of time before my mom died. He kept reminding me that He loves me more than I could ever understand...and that His compassion is new every morning. I couldn't understand why He kept telling me this, kept reminding me in ways that were too obvious to ignore. Then, my mom died. All of that came flooding to me at that time. I could never understand how much He loves me...how much He loves my mom. I was able to go through that time, I am sure, so much easier than had He not kept bringing to my attention that He loves me...He cares for me...He is with me in the weeks leading up to her death. No doubt about it.

So, that brings me to present day. He is reminding me that I need to trust Him. Why? It makes me nervous. And then, as I told Nicole, I feel bad for feeling nervous. :) Just because He is reminding me of something doesn't mean something bad is going to happen. I should be grateful He is talking to me so obviously.

What about you...do you ever get nervous about what God has in store?

-R

thoughts

Have you ever had one of those days where there are so many thoughts going on in your head that you think you probably should write them down at that moment or you are going to forget all of these random thoughts? That was my morning. :) And I did not get them all written down, but here are some thoughts on a couple...

I got to enjoy some time with the boys this morning as they came in and interrupted my time on the computer. :) I was going through messages and getting ready to update the books when Ethan pops his head in. He sounded like Isabella from Phineas and Ferb...'Whatcha doooin'?' I think he heard my music playing first and that is what drew him in. I was listening to Switchfoot's Hello Hurricane CD and he loves that CD. Of course, he demanded that we listen to 'Mess of Me' right then. Then Evan walks in...he wants to listen too. So, instead, I pulled up the video for 'Mess of Me' on You Tube. They love it. Then they want to watch Project 86 videos. We ended up watching videos from Switchfoot, Project 86, Skillet, Disciple...good times. :)

While watching the video for 'This is Home' from Switchfoot, I got wrapped up in the lyrics. Great song, and if you watch the video, Jon explains a little about the song. But, the line - 'Created for a place I've never known.' - great stuff...especially if you have read C.S. Lewis material. It is truly like we are living in the Shadowlands and we are longing for the place we were created for. Love that song. Also, while watching that and 'Mess of Me', I started thinking of how cool it would be to be that band member (in this case, Jon) singing to the crowd and walking through them, grabbing their hands, entering their lives. I know a lot of people daydream about being a rock star for the travel, the fun, the frivolity. But, watching this video...what stands out to me is he gets to see all of these people, relate to them. They are telling him, 'I know what you mean...I feel the same way.' Music is a very powerful medium...and Switchfoot pulls it off. Which brings me to another idea that was rolling around in my head....

Relationships. We need them. Sure, we get some sort of community from Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites, but they never can take the place of true human interaction. I need someone to talk to when things are getting rough. I can talk to my wife, but not about everything. There are some things that men need to talk to another man about. Get things off his chest, bounce things and ideas off of each other, have a camaraderie with someone else that relates, that gets it. I need to get that back, a friend to turn to when I need some advice on things. I have lost that...and I miss it.

Do the same sort of thoughts roll through your head time to time? Hit me up on Twitter sometime...make your thoughts known. :)

-R

book review

I received my new book yesterday from Thomas Nelson to review through BookSneeze. Looking forward to digging in. They sent me the book, Living Life in the Zone. It's a 40-Day Spiritual game plan for men. I am going to start digging in tomorrow...look for a review, well, in 40 days or so. :)

I got that big hunk of a cast off of my leg today! Woo hoo! But, let me tell you, it sure hurts to walk on it now. It has been in a cast for 6 weeks and not had any pressure on it at all, so now that I am trying to put pressure on it, it is understandably not happy about it. But, I shall prevail! No more cast baby! I don't want to break that again!

Hopefully wrapping up a network install tomorrow. It has gone on longer than I thought it would, but they should be screamin' along down the road with new Cisco phones and new workstations and laptops running Windows 7. Love new networks...good, clean installs as opposed to existing networks after months/years of WinRot. :)

Off to do some exercises with the foot!

Until next time...

musings

I read in Genesis today about Dinah and Shechem and the revenge Dinah's brothers (Jacob's sons) inflicted on Shechem, his dad...and well...every male in the town. Brutal. Good tactic though...get them to agree to circumcision and then come in and kill them while they are so sore they can barely move. Then take their stuff, wives and kids for good measure...I would say that'll teach 'em...but they didn't live to learn the lesson!

Looking forward to receiving my new book from Thomas Nelson Publishers so I can get started on it. Then look for my review here on my blog when I am done.

I shouldn't have started this blog...had some things to discuss, but need to go to take some food to some friends and see the new baby boy! Watch out Cody...here we come!

Until next time...

-R

books...and more

I am wanting to read more books this year. Who would have thought? :) I signed up with Thomas Nelson to read books and blog about them, but have not heard back from them yet...hoping to get something from them soon since it involves free books. Who could ask for anything more?

I have started reading the Bible through this year...I have done it before, but this time a different translation. I am not going to be so legalistic as to get bummed out when I miss a day or two...it isn't like I cannot catch up to the so-called 'reading plan'. It is just about reading the book that has changed countless lives throughout the years...including mine. This isn't a study either...that is in addition to.

Going through the book of James with other guys at The Assembly at the moment on Wednesday nights, but even that leaves me wanting. Have you ever noticed that you want to read the Bible, enjoy reading the Bible, love to study the Bible and the things that can change your life and yet...you find yourself not accomplishing it as much as you want? I think that is a challenge we all face...it's constant. Fighting the battle of busyness and distraction.

Speaking of which...even though I am reading the Bible through, I obviously am wanting to and reading other books...and trying not to let that get in the way of me doing other things. I just bought the book, The Lightning Thief, which is also coming out in theaters soon. I have always had a thing for Greek mythology and the stories. Looking forward to reading the series....yes, I know...more of a young adult series, but that is ok...still looking forward to it. I mean, one of the best series out there is young adult, The Chronicles of Narnia, by one of the best authors out there..hello!

I am also reading other things...a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives book (love that show!), The Pocket Guide to the Bible, and Can We Trust the Gospels. It is hard for me to put any book down, but I need to work on focusing on one book at a time this year...especially since I would like to share my thoughts on them.

Anyway, gotta run. I need to go build a 'Cars' car track with the boys. A late Christmas present from Erika!

-R

Twitter - Death of Blogs?

Can Twitter be the death of blogs?

On one hand I enjoy being able to dispense information quickly in less than 140 characters and provide a link if needed. Quick. Easy. Accessible. Not to mention, if you have Windows 7, load the Twitter gadget, Twitter Explorer found here.

Then there are the topics that need a little more explanation. A little more detail. That is where the blog fits. I will be updating this blog more often this year with tidbits of information, the goings on of everyday life, the questions...hopefully, the answers. And, of course, more links to others' useful information and dispensary of wisdom.

I also hope to review some books, as well as music. There have been some great books I have read lately and I should probably share my thoughts on those as I have in the past with Donald Miller's musings. Good stuff.

Anyway...just a quick update to say, no, I have not forgotten you. If you need more of me, follow me on Twitter, that is usually updated several times a day. Just click on the Twitter icon on the right side of my blog in my profile section. Happy Twittering.

-R