Have you ever thought about what a perfect day would look like? I'm not speaking about a perfect day from our perspective, but a perfect day from the perspective of a son wanting to become a Man. I was thinking about what I could do with my son, Rocker this weekend through out the week. I couldn't come up with anything until I was on my way home from work. I was stressed and thought I just need to do something peaceful. My mind ran to a peaceful fishing stream where it was just the sound of water, and questions like: "How do I do this again?" So I decided I would take rocker out fly-fishing on Saturday morning.
I woke up early about 5:30 am and thought he'll never be ready to get up at this time of day. I went to get him out of bed and found to my surprise that he rocketed out of his bed in anticipation for this day to get started. He ran down stairs so fast I thought that he was going to wake up the whole house. After getting down stairs he realized that he left his clothes upstairs. Fortunately, dad was bringing them down to prevent any more rockateers from joining us this morning. He was ready in 5 minutes flat, throwing shoes on and running to the car. You'd think he had done this a million times it was so well rehearsed.
We started off that morning and it was barely daylight. He was so full of hope that he was going to catch the big one. He asked me where we were driving to. I said: "a stream." He said, "What stream?" I said the Yellow Breaches. He said: "Dad I'm glad it's you and me." I said: "Me too! I've looking forward to this all week." And that's how our morning got started. I had no idea how well it was going to turn out. Our conversation quickly turned to the location of where we would catch that big fish. I had to admit to him, I wasn't sure where on the stream I was driving too. So we prayed and I felt the Lord say turn here and here and we found ourselves on a little park off route 114, just under a train trestle near a bridge which overran the Yellow Breaches. It was a beautiful morning. Bright blue sky, the sun was just starting to come up but a chill was still in the air.
We stopped the car and I put on some waders (just in case rocker got his line caught in a bush or a tree) and my fishing vest. We proceeded to put his new fly fishing rod together that he go for his birthday. He was so excited, his eyes were a blaze with anticipation. He wanted to use his own flies which he had also got for his B-day. We were off to the creek and we waded in. It was time for the first cast. I got behind him and guided his small hands how to cast. For the first time I realized how big his hands were getting and my little boy was growing up. He just wanted to be like his daddy. After a few casts I figured it was time to let him try it. Immediately he hooked a tall tree. I waded out to the tree and said it's alright, but then the line broke and I lost the fly. I said it's OK, I'll tie on one of mine. I could see his disappointment about loosing one of his prized flies. But I could also see his relief knowing that if he lost one of daddy's that was OK! We continued fishing for about 45 minutes, but didn't catch the big one. By that time, he was getting cold and I had suggested that we could go get breakfast at McDonald's.
On our way back to the car, Rocker asked: "Do you think we could take a walk on the trails and listen to the birds?" I could tell his heart was set on it and I thought this would be a good time to talk to my little evangelist about the recent report from school that I had earlier this week at a parent teachers conference. We dumped all our gear and headed down a trail looking for animals and birds.
I told him that my heart leaped for joy when I heard his teacher say that he's been evangelizing to his whole class. I told him how much I loved him and how courageous he was. He has such boldness compared to what I had at his age. I gave him a hug which he gladly received and we walked on. He had so many questions about the world, my job, how he enjoyed spending time with me. My heart was just feeling so alive and I wondered how I could forget what this feels like in the midst of everything else in life. It was a gentle reminder for me to refocus my priorities on my boys. After a period of time we headed to McDonald's and ate breakfast and then headed home.
Later that night at Church my two sons (Rocker & Shaggy) were getting water baptized and they wanted me to baptize them. I was filled with joy at the privilege. The service started and the worship music was being sung, I entered the pool and in came Rocker. I told him the old man is going to die and the new man is going to come alive. I told him that I baptize you and the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, and then under the water he went. Shaggy followed Rocker and I said the same thing. I was so proud of them and it was a healing moment for me to. I realized at that very moment that I was getting to do something for my sons that I personally did not receive from my own father. There are only a few moments that I've truly heard the Father say: Well done good and faithful servant, but this was one of those special moments that I'll never forget. To top it off a prophet in the house came to me and told me that she saw my son's as those who would walk in the miraculous and that Signs and Wonders would follow them. How much more awesome of a day can you have than that.
As I laid them down for bed I shared this with each of them and reminded them that as of today, they would never be the same again and neither would I.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Bikes and Bars
What men need is adventure. With out adventure we will not become all that the Lord has intended for us to become. To eliminate further confusion when I say men, I mean boys and men. When I say women, I mean girls and women.
Men learn typically through their surroundings and hands on application. The experience is what we are after and the ability to say: "I've done that." Unfortunately, this is where our culture in the USA is losing ground. This is why typically men do not do as well in school. Have you ever watched boys as they enthusiastically read every word from a book and sit in their chairs drooling, hanging on every word that their teachers say in school? I doubt it, more often than not, boys are bored with school. This is because they were not created to learn in this way. They often lose interest in school because they are not encouraged by their fathers, but also because they'd rather be doing something exciting that they can tell their friends about.
For example, I remember a time growing up on the 300+ acre dairy farm when my brother and I had the best idea. School had just been let out for the summer and my younger brother and I had just got BMX bikes as part of a reward for doing well in school. BMX bikes just started getting to be "in." My brother and I found every magazine we could about racing our bikes in the dirt, doing tricks, and most of all jumps. If you could do a "jump" and land it from a ramp, we both knew that we had arrived as men. Every good man recognizes another man for a smooth and graceful jump. So we brain stormed about how to accomplish and make a jump.
We scouted out all the materials that we had on the farm, made inventory, and then planned how we would accomplish this feat. First and foremost, we needed to make sure that we created a safe environment to test and try this out. This meant we had to wait until mom and dad were not home just in case we made fools of ourselves. We waited until we knew mom and dad had to go to town. Back in those days, we didn't need parents to babysit. My brother and I were old enough (8 & 7). We found this 55 gallon oil drum and propped it up at the bottom of a hill next to our garage, then proceeded to carry a long 15 foot ramp that was pre-made for just such a purpose (NOT). My brother and I knew that to make the jump work we needed a long ramp and therefore propped this ramp up on the oil drum. Now it was time for the test.
My brother said you go first. Now understand, that I was the older brother, so I had to go first or he would call me chicken. Besides, I needed to be able to show him how a professional BMX biker jumped his bike. I peddled as fast as I could down this hill. By the time I realized what I was doing and saw the obstacles on the other side of the jump it was to late. I launched off that ramp like a rocket. There was farm machinery all around, some of which were close to 20+ feet tall. I found myself flying above all of the machinery. My next and most terrifying reality was yet to come. I had to come back down and I did not have a ramp to ease the descent. I fell straight down. I landed so hard that I bent my bike wheels and my feet fell off the pedals. Mama-mia!!!
For those of you that don't know, BMX bikes back in those days: 80's had a metal bar with some small padding around it. Let's just say, their definatley was not enough padding. Now that was adventure!!! I learned something about gravity that day that I'll never forget. Not to mention I get to hear all of the great stories told over and over by my brother and have a fond memory that I'll carry forever. This is how men learn. The HARD way.
See what you have to look forward to with your boys! By the way, I was able to have children and have three of my own strapping young proteges following in my footsteps.
Men learn typically through their surroundings and hands on application. The experience is what we are after and the ability to say: "I've done that." Unfortunately, this is where our culture in the USA is losing ground. This is why typically men do not do as well in school. Have you ever watched boys as they enthusiastically read every word from a book and sit in their chairs drooling, hanging on every word that their teachers say in school? I doubt it, more often than not, boys are bored with school. This is because they were not created to learn in this way. They often lose interest in school because they are not encouraged by their fathers, but also because they'd rather be doing something exciting that they can tell their friends about.
For example, I remember a time growing up on the 300+ acre dairy farm when my brother and I had the best idea. School had just been let out for the summer and my younger brother and I had just got BMX bikes as part of a reward for doing well in school. BMX bikes just started getting to be "in." My brother and I found every magazine we could about racing our bikes in the dirt, doing tricks, and most of all jumps. If you could do a "jump" and land it from a ramp, we both knew that we had arrived as men. Every good man recognizes another man for a smooth and graceful jump. So we brain stormed about how to accomplish and make a jump.
We scouted out all the materials that we had on the farm, made inventory, and then planned how we would accomplish this feat. First and foremost, we needed to make sure that we created a safe environment to test and try this out. This meant we had to wait until mom and dad were not home just in case we made fools of ourselves. We waited until we knew mom and dad had to go to town. Back in those days, we didn't need parents to babysit. My brother and I were old enough (8 & 7). We found this 55 gallon oil drum and propped it up at the bottom of a hill next to our garage, then proceeded to carry a long 15 foot ramp that was pre-made for just such a purpose (NOT). My brother and I knew that to make the jump work we needed a long ramp and therefore propped this ramp up on the oil drum. Now it was time for the test.
My brother said you go first. Now understand, that I was the older brother, so I had to go first or he would call me chicken. Besides, I needed to be able to show him how a professional BMX biker jumped his bike. I peddled as fast as I could down this hill. By the time I realized what I was doing and saw the obstacles on the other side of the jump it was to late. I launched off that ramp like a rocket. There was farm machinery all around, some of which were close to 20+ feet tall. I found myself flying above all of the machinery. My next and most terrifying reality was yet to come. I had to come back down and I did not have a ramp to ease the descent. I fell straight down. I landed so hard that I bent my bike wheels and my feet fell off the pedals. Mama-mia!!!
For those of you that don't know, BMX bikes back in those days: 80's had a metal bar with some small padding around it. Let's just say, their definatley was not enough padding. Now that was adventure!!! I learned something about gravity that day that I'll never forget. Not to mention I get to hear all of the great stories told over and over by my brother and have a fond memory that I'll carry forever. This is how men learn. The HARD way.
See what you have to look forward to with your boys! By the way, I was able to have children and have three of my own strapping young proteges following in my footsteps.
The Cost
Are you willing to pay the cost to go deeper in/with God? I find my self asking this question repeatedly through out my journey with the Lord. It is not an easy question to answer, if you are truly honest with yourself. I find that their are different seasons that we go through that affect the way we answer this question. Ultimately, though it is the Father that draws us onto Himself. He hides himself not from us but for us.
A few months ago I was comtemplating something that I heard spoken at a school that I'm a part of. The statement was made that: "There's a difference between those who come to the Lord and those who come after the Lord!" The inference is that we have one of two reasons for coming to the Lord:
1) We're coming to Him because we need something.
2) We're coming after Him not because of physical/self-serving need, but because we just need Him (His prescense).
This can be clearly displayed in the following examples. The first is the classic example of when a child comes to a father and asks for a new toy. In this example the child comes for the purpose of: "I come to get." The other example would be of a child who searches out the father for no other reason than to just be with him; to spend time with him doing something; and being in his prescence because the child enjoy's their daddy.
I want to be like example number two. I often however, find myself in example number one. Typically, after prayer and reflection I find that I move into the first example after having a lack of time with the Father. When I'm not spending time with Him, I begin to reflect more of the world and less of Him. My desire moves from God focused to me focused. It's been said that whoever you hang out with the most will determine who you look like. Please don't mis-understand me though, I'm not saying that we can not go to the Father for physical, emotional, or other needs. I'm just merely stating that more often than not our relationship with the Lord can be self-serving at times. I'm just suggesting that we look at our motives behind why & when we go to the Lord. The indication of the "when" may serve as a better indicator for the above two reasons than the "why".
At this point your probably wondering what's the next step? How do I move to the next level and breakthrough. I believe the answer is to spend more time with the Father even though our flesh may not always find it conveniant. Pray for His assistance. Pray dangerous prayers that only He can answer and that will require you to make choices that determine how you move forward in your relationship with Him both now in the present and future. The decisions you make today will affect where you end up tomorrow.
A few months ago I was comtemplating something that I heard spoken at a school that I'm a part of. The statement was made that: "There's a difference between those who come to the Lord and those who come after the Lord!" The inference is that we have one of two reasons for coming to the Lord:
1) We're coming to Him because we need something.
2) We're coming after Him not because of physical/self-serving need, but because we just need Him (His prescense).
This can be clearly displayed in the following examples. The first is the classic example of when a child comes to a father and asks for a new toy. In this example the child comes for the purpose of: "I come to get." The other example would be of a child who searches out the father for no other reason than to just be with him; to spend time with him doing something; and being in his prescence because the child enjoy's their daddy.
I want to be like example number two. I often however, find myself in example number one. Typically, after prayer and reflection I find that I move into the first example after having a lack of time with the Father. When I'm not spending time with Him, I begin to reflect more of the world and less of Him. My desire moves from God focused to me focused. It's been said that whoever you hang out with the most will determine who you look like. Please don't mis-understand me though, I'm not saying that we can not go to the Father for physical, emotional, or other needs. I'm just merely stating that more often than not our relationship with the Lord can be self-serving at times. I'm just suggesting that we look at our motives behind why & when we go to the Lord. The indication of the "when" may serve as a better indicator for the above two reasons than the "why".
At this point your probably wondering what's the next step? How do I move to the next level and breakthrough. I believe the answer is to spend more time with the Father even though our flesh may not always find it conveniant. Pray for His assistance. Pray dangerous prayers that only He can answer and that will require you to make choices that determine how you move forward in your relationship with Him both now in the present and future. The decisions you make today will affect where you end up tomorrow.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
The Journey of Life
Have you ever noticed that through out your life, your always looking for the next thing? When I'm old enough I want to be...; I'm going to do...; my dream to fulfill is...? Have you ever wondered what's happened to those declarations and when those things will come into fulfillment? I like many thought that all of these things would just naturally happen in the physical sense, but then I met the Father! Hallelujah!!
The dreams that I thought I had for my life no longer seemed important. I found myself without joy, endlessly seeking what it means to have Life and Life abundantly. Nothing of this world could fulfill the emptiness and sinkhole that seemed to resonate in my heart. I needed something new, something fresh. Something that would consume my life and yet give me True Life. Getting to know the Father through, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, has become the passion of my life. I'm reminded of part of a song: "The more I know Him, the more I need Him!" I'm finding that I can't live with out Him and have no purpose apart from Him. I feel more like a child in the things of the Lord today than ever in my life.
Isn't it funny that in our early years of life that we spend all of our energy trying to become something in the world that's of value, or purpose but ultimately will find nothing but a void. The only exception is when we invite the warm and touching embrace of a Father of Fathers who will never mock or shame, but instead Love unceasingly with compassion, and mercy. Who can love like the Lord? May I learn how! He's invited me on a journey to a pursue Him with my boys, other men, and people of all ages. That we may demonstrate what it means to be the church(His bride), to become to the world what He is for us and to know this love, become this love, and give away this love.
I'm amazed in wonder of the awesomeness of my Lord. Is it still possible to enter into the Fire'n Clouds of old? May I touch the face of God.., may I have influence with the Lord.., will He call my name and tell me to come up to the Mountain? The answer is: "Yes, when you seek me with all of your heart, soul, and mind, you will find me." The biggest decision of your life begins and continues to be with a question: "Will I continue to pursue the journey regardless of the cost it may have for your Life?"
The dreams that I thought I had for my life no longer seemed important. I found myself without joy, endlessly seeking what it means to have Life and Life abundantly. Nothing of this world could fulfill the emptiness and sinkhole that seemed to resonate in my heart. I needed something new, something fresh. Something that would consume my life and yet give me True Life. Getting to know the Father through, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, has become the passion of my life. I'm reminded of part of a song: "The more I know Him, the more I need Him!" I'm finding that I can't live with out Him and have no purpose apart from Him. I feel more like a child in the things of the Lord today than ever in my life.
Isn't it funny that in our early years of life that we spend all of our energy trying to become something in the world that's of value, or purpose but ultimately will find nothing but a void. The only exception is when we invite the warm and touching embrace of a Father of Fathers who will never mock or shame, but instead Love unceasingly with compassion, and mercy. Who can love like the Lord? May I learn how! He's invited me on a journey to a pursue Him with my boys, other men, and people of all ages. That we may demonstrate what it means to be the church(His bride), to become to the world what He is for us and to know this love, become this love, and give away this love.
I'm amazed in wonder of the awesomeness of my Lord. Is it still possible to enter into the Fire'n Clouds of old? May I touch the face of God.., may I have influence with the Lord.., will He call my name and tell me to come up to the Mountain? The answer is: "Yes, when you seek me with all of your heart, soul, and mind, you will find me." The biggest decision of your life begins and continues to be with a question: "Will I continue to pursue the journey regardless of the cost it may have for your Life?"
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
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