My Boys, Part 1

I am supremely thankful for my boys! I never thought I would be the father of three boys, but I love it. I get frustrated, and tired sometimes, but it is worth it! I want to thank God for my oldest son, Luke. He is an amazing boy. He is really athletic, smart and funny. But what really counts is his heart. He has a strong desire to follow God and a conscience that is impressive. He wants to do what is right and genuinely cares about people and their relationship with God. I can't wait for the day when he is immersed into Christ. He will do great things for the kingdom. In my mind, he already has. He's made me a better person and servant. He has taught me about God's love and passion for His people!

Day One. Catchy, Ain't It?

I am thankful beyond words for my wife, Shari. I don't understand her patience towards me. She deals with my impatience (ironic, isn't it?), my immaturity, my bouts with discouragement, and my selfishness. I could go on, but this is meant to encourage me! I seldom take her encouragement as well as I would from others. I often vent my frustrations towards her. I don't know how she handles it. Somehow, she keeps a positive outlook on life and still loves me. She takes great care of our kids and keeps the household running. Yet somehow she stays beautiful, inside and out.

Ultimately, she's the reason that I am writing this. She hasn't told me to, but she constantly reminds me, by her actions and her words, that I have so much to be thankful for.

May this be the first of many entries. Thank you, Father, for a wonderful woman in my life.

Moving to the Land Where the Deer and the Antelope Play.

Sometimes I get focused on the negative. Actually, a lot of the time. I have yet to figure out my personality. I should probably donate my brain to science when I die. I am a person with a lot of ideas. Many of them are good. Most of them are full of hope and big dreams. Yet, at the drop of a hat or another bill, I can become very negative about the state of things in my life. I know as well as anyone, that there is always someone worse off than me and that life is full of blessings. Though, time and time again, I find myself completely distraught at my circumstances or someone else's discouragement or lack of encouragement.

So, I have made my decision! I am going to use my greatly neglected blog to spend a few moments each day giving thanks for the great things in my life. So, if anyone reads this; I hope you gain some perspective and a little encouragement. If no one reads this, I'll take comfort in knowing I have praised my Creator "out loud" for the good things He has given.

Baby You were Born to Run!

I get asked a lot about running. People ask, "how's the running going?"

Others will ask, "Did you really run 26.2 miles?"

"How do you train for that?"

"Was anyone chasing you?"

"How big were they?"

I enjoy talking about running. Lately when it comes up, I say I'm a runner. But the more I think about it, that's not true. I haven't run in about 3 months or so. I'm not a runner. I am someone who used to run. There's a vast difference.

There was a time in my life and maybe you've had one in yours, when someone asked if I was a Christian. I said yes. Maybe you did too. But truthfully, the answer was no. I wasn't a Christian, I was someone who used to be a Christian. I used to run the race but at that time I was definitely not running.

Maybe you're in that same boat. You used to be "running the race" but now you're just a spectator who can talk about "running". What I had to realize and you have to as well is, to be a runner, you have to run. To be a Christian, you have to live like Christ.

If you find yourself a former Christian who can only talk about your past, today is a new day. There is plenty of new road to run, you just have to lace up your shoes and hit the road.

Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.