Happy 2009!!!

Time flies when you are living life. Seems that I tried to initiate this blog as a place to keep up with life, journal on occasion and so forth, but I find that I hop around with work, family and message boards...not to mention facebook.

Anyway, it's 2009 and my life is getting ready for a new chapter. This year is the year that my son's will graduate High-School and head off to college or adult life in general.

As a dad, I couldn't be any prouder of what my son's have accomplished in life so far. They have put themselves in a position to have many options to choose from as they enter adulthood. That is the basis of what I want for my sons. They get to choose what they want to do, simply because they want to do it.

As opposed to when I became an adult...I had made some pretty bad choices growing up and when I finished Highschool, I had some limited options...thus I chose to go into the military, back in 1986!!! Turned out to be one of the best decisions that I have ever made...if for no other reason than to hold down a steady job for 3 years. It also provided me a place to make mistakes, learn and essentially develop as a person.

Now, I find that my parenting has been a success thus far thanks to making one positive choice to join the military when I did. Of course nothing the boys have today could not be true if not for the greatest choice I've made...that of my wife!!! What a woman!!!

We have balanced each out as Mom & Dad...as this year unfolds, we will get to rediscover who we are as individuals and as husband and wife!!!

This transition will be a challenge, but one that I am willing to take and willing to be humble and allow the guiding hand of our creator to take me through.

As a part of 2009, I will also transition into a stronger role in my career with opportunities at new deals, but also a challenge to be a confident me and the ability I have to communicate as a salesperson.

Happy 2009 my friends...may we all prosper as this year unfolds.

Catching up

Today is October 7th, a Tuesday the year 2008.

A ton of things have taken place since my last post...what back in 2006.

To help get us current, today we will have the 2nd of the Presidential debates. This is to be a townhall meeting type of format.

Based on my views the election is not going so well. I am a conservative at heart and I fear that we are seeing this country drift into a dark liberal hole. I am certain that our leftist friends would just assume that people like me went away.

We are seeing a society that is drifting further and further away from God and the foundations associated with God. Rather I see people appeasing those of us of faith, but in reality this has turned into a self-gratification culture.

Where is this generations Jonah? Would anyone listen?

I know that I have to develop as an individual and further strengthen my faith, but I struggle as I fear the world that my sons and future generations will be living with. This weighs heavy on me, yet I have no control over any of it.

To get other updates...life is clicking away.

My sons are both HS Seniors this year, and we are just now going through some major college searches. I have one son who is pretty well undecided as to what he wants to do. I am hoping to encourage him to pick one or two possible directions and work towards those goals, then if he becomes convicted with another path, he is welcome to change. But I fear the wandering mentality...I struggled with this for many years and it is a rather difficult life.

My other son, is pretty set on what he wants to do...soccer and journalism (Sports). Now he is searching for the right school that can offer him the opportunity to pursue both.

My wife is living life to its fullest and is enjoying her path as well as the adventures she is experiencing through her vocation as a "Life Coach"

As for me, I went through a transition as in 2007 I was laid off from my old company. I miss those days and that company. Namely due to the company being based out of France. My trips to France have virtually stopped, short of an upcoming family vacation we will take to Paris in March of 2009. If I could, I would love to live in France...there is a part of that country that speaks volumes to me and makes me feel as though I am home.

But in terms of work I have moved on. I tried to set up my own business, while I interviewed with other companies...I hooked up with one company for about 3 months, but I had a bad feeling that this company was getting ready to struggle and I didn't want to pass up a 2nd opportunity, which is the company I am with today.

I still long to write, and mostly to write about sports. My hope is to re-kindle this desire using this blog as a tool. Perhaps writing a bit on my local pro teams (Dallas Stars, Cowboys, etc...) Only to see if there may be some interest from others in my perspective as an outsider.

Of course, I could twist things and start writing about movies and TV shows, as this has become a pretty good hobby of mine as well. Perhaps on my next blog, I can write a little about a movie I recently watched called "Reign Over Me" - a great dramatic movie from Adam Sandler about two friends who stumble across eacho ther after a period of time has passed. One person in desparate need of a friend, the other in desparate need of learning what it means to be a friend.

There's my update for now...may you all be blessed and enjoy living life to its fullest.

What a week

Recently I sent an e-mail to a dear friend and stated that I am torn between doing what I want to do and doing what I am responsible for.

This is the dilema between vocation and passion. I work in order to provide for my family. All the honorable and obedient, this is sometimes a trial. In an effort to stay sane, I also serve in various ministries and at times I taste the sheer joy and fulfillment of doing what my heart desires and what I believe is somewhat of a calling. Yet I know that through the perservearance of following through on my vocation that God is molding me and shaping me into his will.

I am reminded of this when I see the little things such as car repairs, utility bills and other payments that are due on a regular basis. Yet I am also reminded every time I see my Bride take on a new challenge because she feels safe and provided for. I see it in the joy that my sons show as they take on life and relationships as they continue to grow.

As much as I long to change the world through my grandious thinking, I am reminded that my priority is as a dad and a husband.

Jesus changed the world by changing the lives of his disciples. Then as I learn and respond the call of shepperding my family, I too can change the world by taking care of home.

The time will come when I will be called into other locations, but it is not today, this much I know. Yes, through the trials of this week, I am reminded that this is the season of being a dad.

Recently I have read the following: "Obstacles are those frighful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals."

I have learned that not all obstacles are clearly black/white evil things. Once they are recognized they can be put in their proper place.

Life Goes on

Life goes on

Well folks, life goes on. Things are happening fast and furious and today, I am trying to simply catch my breath.

Please pray for a dear friend, who battling hard in the hospital after catching Malaria while on a mission trip to Uganda. Being a friend and not a family member, I am reluctant to post any additional information, but please pray.

Also pray as their are spiritual attacks occuring and I am seeking God's wisdom on how to address things that our outside of my control.

On the positive side, Pray for France!!! There is a team preparing to travel to France for a short term support. Our friends and long term team members based in Southern France are getting ready to have their first public service. Pray that all team members will be blessed and that their sacrifice will be well received by the people they are all seeking to reach. Pray that each team member will get to see an early return and some of the fruit of the work and service they are providing.

Also a note, my sons will be receiving some type of Academic Award this month. We received a letter regarding an upcoing awards ceremony and that both Eric and Ryan would receive an award, however they have not shared what the award is. Regardless, I am so proud of both of them as they have made the transition from Homeschool to High School absolutely amazing. Seeing them turning into great young men, does my heart wonders and I am thrilled to have the honor of being their dad and play a small part in the Men that they will become!!!

Baseball's latest issue

I will admit that I am not a Bonds fan, however I don't like the GUILTY verdict being placed on the guy without a full investigation and official hearing (Court).

On that note, I don't see any racism and I feel sorry for those who choose to play the race card.

I do believe the press and the fans need to calm down and simply enjoy the game. Watch and have fun. Meanwhile, there appears to be enough of a smoking gun, that MLB should do a very detailed investigation and either prove the alegations false or true.

If they are False, MLB and Bonds should take clear legal actions against those who have placed these false stories out there. If they are true, then Baseball should take some very clear and decisive actions against Bonds and anyone knowingly associated with the deeds at hand. (Trainers, Coaches, Agents, Players, etc...)

Either way, there appears to be too much so-called credible information that has leaked out and deserves to be checked out.

My fear, not with Bonds, but with MLB is that this is too little too late. Had MLB done something back in the 80's/90's, then perhaps they would have saved face and the names of some of the best players of all-time.Instead they buried their heads in the dirt and now we don't know who to believe.

I'm a baseball fan, but I find the whole Steroid development the saddest thing in all of sports. Barry Bonds is simply caught in the middle and none of us know the truth, nor do we know who to believe so we are all stuck between a rock and a hard place.

At this point, I am Praying for the Truth to come out on Bonds and on everything associated with Steroids. "The Truth Shall Set You Free!!!"

Not to mention, I have two Teen Age sons who are a bit jaded towards baseball and pro-athletes at this point. It would be nice to see this get cleaned up by the time they themselves are in my shoes and have kids of their own. I would love to see them enjoy a ballgame and not have to talk about Steroids!!!

Miracles of news!!!

Recently I have had some fairly deep struggles and yesterday was filled with the emotion of feeling sorry for myself. Stress of everyday life couples with sharp words that have been directed at me and I reacted with an emotional depression. However some hope arose from this depression.

The news of the Good News!!!

Recently I ran into an old friend. Actually we were the best of friends back in High School. A ton of memories to be shared from my days prior to Christ. Perhaps some other time. He later stood in as the Best Man at my wedding to the most wonderful bride a man could have. I am so fortunate, some would say lucky, but I would say blessed!!!

Life happened and we lost touch with each other. I have often though of my friend and prayed for him, however my own inadaquacy didn't have the confidence of getting in touch, mainly out of fear that I would fall back into some old life patterns. But yet again, a different story.

However God is AWESOME!!! By chance we ran into each other and made a commitment to get in touch with each other. At the time I was preparing to go out of town, so I indicated that I would contact him when I returned.

So yesterday, I sent him a quick e-mail just to say Hi and to set up a time to get a hold of each other. I get a reply e-mail, late in the afternoon when I was at my worst place of the day, emotionally and in his message he let's me know that two years ago he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

WOW!!! That message did more to lift my spirits than anything had in a long time. This message restored my hope!!!

Thank you God for believing in me and my friends. Thank for never giving up on us.

Prayer, it's not just given...but also requested

Filled with ups and downs, that is what makes life so dynamic.

Unfortunately, lately the bumps have been pretty harsh...consequences of choices and decisions that were simple to see the good, but easy to choose the bad. Caught up in the vision of tomorrow with some slips from the daily focus to succeed towards that destination. Financial and Purity choices have been a difficult struggle.

Pardon me for not sharing the gritty details, but suffice it to say that family and marital strain have entered into teh dynamic of life. No longer is it safe to say that only with God's grace can we perservere, but it is a matter of choice in obedience to experience God's grace and redemptive powers.

Dicsipline has been a very difficult thing for me to accomplish in my life. Should I say, sustained discipline? It's amazing the lessons that I try to teach my own sons in perservearence, seem lost in my own walk as I cling to the latest thing that feels good. Be it an eclair of any variety...or is addiction circles something called a "Magic Pill"

Yet, in this moment of despair, there is a strong hope. The meeting of new people who seek help for the first time!!! The sharing of visions, not quite long term vision, but rather short term with a site of a plan and some actions to take. I've heard this called, "Taking Baby Steps"

So today I Pray, I Pray for a rekindling of Love, I Pray for my own strengthening in my faith and for the sight to see where I should place my next step, I Pray for God's Grace and Forgiveness, but more importantly that I will accept it and do something with it.

As I sit and ponder, I Pray that decisions will become simple as I sort through the busy-ness of life. Work, Marriage, Parenthood, Friend, Church, Missions, Sports, Coaching, Finances, Sobriety, Faith and Self. All of these things are a part of my life, all of them are a part of the other, yet all of them deserve their own delicate attention. Pray that I become willing to make Faith my top priority and that I allow Faith to support me in the other areas of my life.