Quite simply, this is what I have found:

We are all born and arrive here on this Earth to make a single choice. We stand separated from a Holy God, and whether you get a decade, or 7 or 8 of them, life is an opportunity to realize who God is, that we are not Him, and that because we are not God, change our life direction accordingly.

Life is an opportunity to say: “I’m wrong” and “God is right.”
Life is an opportunity to say: “I’ve sinned and have made huge mistakes” but God is perfect and righteous.

I don’t deserve forgiveness.
I can’t earn forgiveness.
I thought I could manage on my own.
I was so filled with pride, stubbornness and rebellion, but I was wrong.

Because I now realize this, I now repent and change directions.

I was wrong. God is right.

Because God is right, I therefore humble myself before Him, throw myself upon His mercy and find forgiveness in Jesus Christ.

That is what life is all about.

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:1-10

Note: I would be amiss if I did not mention that this post was inspired by a sermon entitled “What is Down With Hell” by Dr. James MacDonald

I probably watched too much Star Wars growing up. Actually my era was more like Lost In Space and Star Trek… But I was in high school when the ORIGINAL Star Wars came out in 1977.

So by now my son Russell Jr. (almost age 9) would be correcting me. The original Star Wars is now called “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.” (Yeah… It’s always THE ORIGINAL to me.)

One of my favorite scenes in Star Wars is the part where Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, R2D2 and C3PO go into town on Luke’s desert planet of Tatooine looking to hire transportation to take them to the planet Alderaan.

Obi-Wan and Luke eventually will hire smuggler Han Solo and his Wookiee first mate Chewbacca to transport them on their ship, the Millennium Falcon. Before this happens, however, Luke, Obi-Wan and the droids are spotted by Imperial Stormtroopers who are actually looking for them.

Obi-Wan, a Jedi Master who uses “The Force” handles the situation with poise:

Stormtrooper: Let me see your identification.
Obi-Wan: [with a small wave of his hand] You don’t need to see his identification.
Stormtrooper: We don’t need to see his identification.
Obi-Wan: These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.
Stormtrooper: These aren’t the droids we’re looking for.
Obi-Wan: He can go about his business.
Stormtrooper: You can go about your business.
Obi-Wan: Move along.
Stormtrooper: Move along… move along

It’s really cool to see the old Jedi Master handle the situation with such class and control!

So this morning I was reading in 2 Kings, Chapter 6…

Let me bring you up to speed: From what I can gather in my readings over the last several weeks in 1 and 2 Samuel and then all through 1 Kings, Israel wants a king, and in essence is given one. We see the first king-to-be was a sharp looking, smooth talking, handsome man named Saul. Saul knew NOTHING about being a king, but he looked the part, and was elected.

So the rest of Samuel goes on with Saul being king, and God anointing David as king. Twenty some years pass between this anointing and David actually taking the throne. David is hiding in caves and fearing for his life. David eventually becomes king, lives his life and then dies. David’s son Solomon becomes king. With much wisdom, Solomon builds Israel’s very ornate temple. Solomon goes astray, mostly because of his affection for foreign wives.

By the time we get to 2nd Kings, we start seeing a series of kings that last from a week to several years. Some are good, most have lost touch with who God is. Instead of serving God themselves, the kings call on upon prophet’s when consulting God or seeking God’s will.

Which moves into the story I want to reference today: 2 Kings 6:8-23.

Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.” (That’s king talk for: “I want to set up an ambush for those Israelites.”)

The man of God (The prophet Elisha) sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” (Read that as: “Head’s up, King — Those Aram boys done set up a trap…”)

So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. (Elisha) Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?” (Allright… Who’s ratting me out?)

“None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” (That dude knows EVERYTHING!)

“Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.”

Then he (the Aram king) sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. (Ok so the servant wakes up, looks outside and probably needs to change his shorts!)

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet (Elisha) answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (You just have GOT to love when the Bible says “Do not be afraid…” Wait for it…)

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (I’m thinking the biggest, beefiest angels you could ever imagine surrounded and protecting Elisha… Talk about a a holy posse!)

As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. (So now, the entire Aram army is confused and doesn’t know what to do… and here is the good part…)

Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria. (Bingo! This is the Star Wars part… )

Elisha: “This is not the road you are looking for…” (I can imagine he did this with a wave of his hand, but that’s just my imagination.)
Army: “Hey — This isn’t the road we are looking for!”
Elisha: “This is not the city your looking for…”
Army: “I think we’re in the wrong place!”
Elisha: “This is not the man you are looking for…”
Army: “We have the wrong man!”
Elisha: “Follow me, I’ll take you to him.”
Army: “Follow this guy — He’ll take us where we need to go.”

Come on — this is some of the funniest stuff in the whole Bible!

After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.

Army: “Oh shoot… This can’t be good!”

When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?” (Read that as “Um… What am I gonna do with these guys?”)

“Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” (Let’s party like it’s 832 BC…)

So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master.

So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory. (Ya THINK?)

Obviously because they had such a great time at the party!

I realize I had way too much fun with this story… But in my warped mind, I just have to wonder how this all went down.

Sometimes we pray to be delivered (healed or rescued) from a situation in an instant, setting us free! He can indeed do this, but sometimes God chooses the PROCESS of teaching us to walk with Him DAILY. He gives us just enough strength, just enough peace or just enough providence to make it through the day.

To deliver us all at once we might soon forget, but to teach us that victory is a DAILY process, we learn that victory comes in His greatness and His sufficiency.

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” – Romans 8:26-27 (ESV)

“But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest!’ – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (Amplified)

By the end of that day, life had changed forever for those of us who call The United States of America our home. To even write that thought, I realize the gross understatement of that sentence. Everything changed.

Well — Almost everything.

The way we did business, the way we boarded airplanes, the way we trusted people, the way we looked at government and ultimately the way the government looked at us. I remember that by the end of that week, people were looking to God for the answers they couldn’t make any sense of.

Everywhere you looked was an American flag, and businesses were no longer ashamed to name the name of God, including such statements on their outdoor advertisements like “One nation, under God…”

It was a surreal time. We wandered around in a great shock, not sure how to make sense of all of the events.

But God did not change.

As huge as the events of 9/11 and the aftermath, God did not change. I think it saddened Him that His children would conduct themselves in such a way, but He wasn’t surprised by those events.

God knew the minds of those who were responsible for the acts of 9/11. God saw the desires of what they sought. God saw the temptation and the planning of how those responsible disregarded human life and allowed greed and power to corrupt those thoughts.

It says in God’s word that: “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. When, after that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is
full-grown, gives birth to death.” (James 1:14-15)

God saw it all — The thoughts, the desires, the enticement and the sin.

And what about us?

Despite the actual events of 9/11, life may have changed for each of us in different ways — but it also remains the same.

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14)

Life is short. Life is a vapor. Life is a mist.

I have to think that the majority of those who died that day in September 2001 shared my feelings of how it was just going to be like any other day. They were consumed with all of the things happening in their own lives.

“Am I going to be late?”
“Do I have time to stop for coffee?”
“Hmmm — My daughter has dance at 4:30, and my son has soccer at 6…”

And then in an instant, it all changed.

We are born. We spend an unknown amount of time on this Earth. And we die.

Our next event on that schedule of events is when each of us will stand before God. God will ask one question: “What action did you take with the knowledge of my Son?”

There will be no debate. It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.’” So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. (Romans 14:11-12)

Are you ready?

“I gave to charity!” Not good enough.
“I attended church!” Not good enough.
“I volunteered my time, I helped collect items for the homeless!” Not good enough.
“I was a good person!” Not good enough.
“I helped animals… I feed strays. I helped save the whales! Not good enough.

And God asks: “What did you do with the knowledge of my Son Jesus?”

Because NO ONE on this Earth is good enough! We all stand condemned!

As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” (Romans 3:10-12)

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

But our chance to act upon this is NOW… BEFORE we stand before God. Why do you think that as a soul who in the midst of eternity, we pause here on Earth for an average of some 70 odd years before we depart for the rest of eternity? We are born with nothing, and we leave with nothing — Except a choice and a decision.

And God will ask: “What did you do with the knowledge of my Son Jesus?

Look — So many others have laid it out so much more eloquently. I don’t know everything, I am not perfect, and I don’t claim to be — But I DO KNOW that Jesus IS perfect.

God stepped down from His throne in Heaven, was born of a virgin and became both fully God and fully man and came down to this Earth to die in the place of imperfect, unrighteous men and woman. They buried Him in a tomb, but because He is God, He arose from it!

He is God. He is real — And He loves you enough to have died in your place.

Someday, I too will die. Someday I will stand before God. I’ll fall to my knees, just like it is written. God will ask me that very question:

“What did you do with the knowledge of my Son Jesus?”

I have to believe with all of my heart that Jesus Himself will step forward, help me to my feet, and speak these words on my behalf:

“This one is mine. I died for Him, and all of those just like him. I paid his debt.”

When this will all take place, I don’t know. I would hope I have a few more years to enjoy the life I have presently here on Earth. God has blessed me with a loving wife and two small children that I
selfishly ask God to allow me to be a part of their life a little longer. I am however certain, that I will someday physically die. I am ready.

What I speculate about that day, is that it will pretty much be a day like any other day. Just a typical, beautiful day when my plans here on Earth will be interrupted by destiny.

What about you?

What will you answer that day?

And God will ask: “What did you do with the knowledge of my Son Jesus?”

Are you good enough?

This morning I was reminiscing of things that have happened in my past… Both good times and bad.   Thirty some odd years ago I remembered some good times with friends.  I also received an email that reminded me of a financial loss we endured two years back that culminated in the loss of our home and having to uproot my family and start over.

The Apostle Paul speaks of which of those memories to focus on… (In Philippians 4:8) — But before that he says this:

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8-9)

It is only through the value of knowing Jesus Christ that life is worth living. Memories fade. People will pass away. Trophies will tarnish. Children will grow up. Jobs will come and go… There is no guarantee that everything you have worked for will even be here tomorrow… (Actually, as a State employee we found out this past week that there will no longer be health care for spouses after retirement… Surprise after 28 years!)

But the love of Christ never changes.

He is the same yesterday as today, He will stick closer to you than a brother!

Today if you hear His voice, do not turn away!

Enjoy this video by Keith Green… An anthem to focused Christ centered thinking!

I Pledge My Head To Heaven

My Child…

You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139:1)
I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139:2)
I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139:3)
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10:29-31)
For you were made in my image (Genesis 1:27)
In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28)
For you are my offspring (Acts 17:28)
I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah 1:4-5)
I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1:11-12)
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139:15-16)
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17:26)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13)
And brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71:6)
I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me (John 8:41-44)
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love (1 John 4:16)
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3:1)
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3:1)
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7:11)
For I am the perfect father (Matthew 5:48)
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1:17)
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6:31-33)
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11)
Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalms 139:17-18)
And I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17)
I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32:40)
For you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19:5)
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul (Jeremiah 32:41)
And I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah 33:3)
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4:29)
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4)
For it is I who gave you those desires (Philippians 2:13)
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3:20)
For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34:18)
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40:11)
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21:3-4)
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21:3-4)
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17:23)
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (John 17:26)
He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1:3)
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8:31)
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4:10)
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans 8:31-32)
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2:23)
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8:38-39)
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15:7)
I have always been Father, and will always be Father (Ephesians 3:14-15)
My question is…Will you be my child? (John 1:12-13)
I am waiting for you (Luke 15:11-32)

Love, Your Dad… Almighty God

Author: God
Compiliationist: Unknown

I’m not any kind of theologian, but these were my thoughts on the subject, to which I thought I would repost it here, only because it really made me think and it strengthened my faith. Maybe it will strengthen yours as well.

The Bible speaks of at least three different references to Heaven… And the future place Jesus Himself has been working on for the last 2000 years as well.

One reference is to the Earth’s atmospheric envelope – The Bible calls this heaven “the firmament.” It is the sky.

In Genesis 1:6

And God said, “Let there be an expanse* in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” Expanse can also be known as a canopy.

In Genesis 1:20

And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.”

A second reference to Heaven is known as the Celestial Heavens – The second heaven is what we call “space – the final frontier” where God placed the stars and planets.

In Genesis 1:16

”Then God made two great lights: the greater light (sun) to rule the day, and the lesser light (moon) to rule the night. He made the stars also.”

Probably the Heaven we reference the most when we apeak of Heaven is known as the “Third Heaven.” This is the “Abode of God.” Paul speaks of this place in 2 Corinthians 12:2-4

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.

All of this being said — It doesn’t answer your question, because this is something we are not told. I have a feeling we are NOT told because:

1) I don’t think we can comprehend it.
2) We as humans, being of a sin nature would probably try to go there in our own power, similar to the people of Babel talked about in Genesis 11.

My friend had made reference in his discussion to how Jesus spoke of “going to prepare a place…” I thought he was spot on in his reference of John 14:1-4

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

I always remember Keith Green’s comment on this:

“You know, I look around at the world and I see all the beauty that God made. I see the forest and the trees and all the things. And it says in the Bible that He made them is six days and I don’t know if they’re a literal six days or not. Scientists would say no, some theologians would say yes. But I know that Jesus Christ has been preparing a home for me and for some of you, for two thousand years. And if the world took six days and that home two thousand years, hey man, this is like living in a garbage can compared to what’s going on up there.”

After listening to a 12 CD series on Revelation, The Return of Christ, The Rapture and the Millenium by Dr. David Jeremiah — I’ve also put more of a clear timeline to my faith concerning prophecy and the things yet to come — Which also involves the Heaven that is yet to come AFTER the Rapture of the Church, the 7 years we actually WON’T be here (because we are believers in Christ) and the 1000 years you and I will be here WITH Christ on the Earth until its final demise and we all go home — wherever that is… Maybe that will be HERE, where Earth is NOW — or maybe another place. The Bible DOESN’T say exactly.

John’s Revelation of Christ speaks of a place with streets of Gold, and a huge fortress made of jewels so large that the walls are made of a single stone.

So at this point, I’ve not directly answered the question, but as a Christian I’ve built my faith in Christ thinking of all the things yet to come!

But perhaps this verse will be of some comfort for you, lightly touch on the answer to the question, and give you the comfort it does me:

2 Corinthians 5:6-8

So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

To be absent from this body — We will be present with the Lord — Wherever that is.

My banner over you is victory.   If you will look and if you will spiritually connect with Me you will see you are destined to victory.

No matter what the odds, no matter how intense the war, no matter the level of correction that is necessary, no matter what it might be that you are going through at this time, understand that it is a time of war and the enemy is after you.

Your enemy is chaos, and he will create those situations and those things that will be a deterrent to you.  But, make the determination today to win because I am with you, always leading you in triumph, always bringing you through, and watching over you.

You are not alone in this battle.

I encourage you to continue to fight the good fight of faith.   Rise up and declare your victory into the heavenlies.  Write a decree of victory over your life.

Arise and go forth into the battle.   I am with you.

–The Lord

Amen!

And speaking of age…

On Monday February 27, 2012, I will celebrate my LAST birthday in my “forties.”  My last year to be “Forty-sumthin.”

In this great United States of America, our president gives an annual address called the The State of the Union address.  This is an annual address presented to the United States Congress. The address not only reports on the condition of the nation but also allows the president to outline his legislative agenda (for which he needs the cooperation of Congress) and his national priorities.

So — I got to thinking that perhaps since I am in the transitional stage from being in my last year of my forth decade crossing over next birthday to my fifth decade, I should take a look at the “State of the Man.”

Really — every person should have the opportunity to take a look at one’s life and address the “state of the being.” Honestly — Isn’t this the question we are asked every day?  “How you doin?”  “Fine…”

So let’s take a look, shall we?

A. Fatherhood

In February 2003 I turned 40.  We celebrated by going to visit New Orleans in the first part of March.  We made a stop in Memphis, Tennessee — and I was honored to have my picture taken next to the gates of Graceland.  (I’ve always been a great fan of Elvis Presley.)  Irene was pregnant with our first child, Russell Jr.  Irene discovered her morning sickness while walking on Bourbon Street in NOLA.

I can honestly say that the time of Irene’s pregnancy with Russell was one of the most anticipatory, thrilling, and yet terrifying times of my life.  It ushered me from “Manhood” to prepare the way for “Fatherhood.”

October 2003 brought Russell James Anderson, Jr. into the world.   I can remember this day like it was yesterday — mostly the moment of birth.

In the surgical birthing room lay my wife on one table, and my new son being cleaned up on the other side of the room.  This was probably my first decision I had to make as a new Dad — Who do I attend to?  Should I not be right there holding the hand of my wife?  Should I not go to my new son?  Irene made the decision for me and told me to go make sure our son was fine.   He was crying, he was cold and shaking — and as I reached out my finger, he grabbed it!  Something happened, and I think we made a bond at that moment that I cannot describe.

What is interesting is how the birth of my daughter Allison came at such an extremely different time of my life.  Here’s what I remember about those circumstances:  It was late 2006 and I was off of work with a back injury waiting patiently for disability with $0 savings, a house-payment due, and no idea how to even get food. Irene announced that she was pregnant.  Don’t get me wrong — I was “joyous” — but I was “freaked out of my mind” as well.

And just like that I was going to be a Dad again.  With Russell, we had baby showers.  We had color 3D ultrasounds, we set up the baby’s room.  I assembled the crib.  I installed infrared night time cameras and readied the baby monitor.  He had his own web page.

This is hard to admit, but the entire pregnancy with Allison was a blur.  I can vaguely remember being in the delivery room that July 10, 2007.  I can remember taking a few pictures, but she did not have her own web page, 3D ultrasounds or anything fancy compared to the pomp of the arrival of her brother.  What stands out the most to me was that I was the Dad of a precious baby girl.  How much different was this going to be compared to being the father of a son?

In retrospect — the two different tales of fatherhood are as different as the circumstances of their arrival.  My objective remains the same for both children:  Fatherhood is my highest calling.  It is my purpose to be the Spiritual catalyst in my household, to love and provide for my wife and children.

How has all of this changed the relationship between Irene and myself?

When Irene and I first met and spent that first year together, Irene once told me a story that her mother once told her — A simple definition of love: “Love is like eating a bag of cookies together. When reaching the last cookie, one looks at the other and offers it to the other.  The would be recipient refuses, knowing that the other really wants the cookie — but they instead take that cookie and divide it in two, each sharing the cookie.”   I remember the day she shared this story with me.

With the addition of children, I can best sum up our relationship by changing the story: “You got cookies?”  “Yeah.”  We both take the bag and find the children and offer the cookies to them.  After making sure they are satisfied and have had enough cookies, we then share the crumbs.

It took eight years to arrive at that change of heart.  Sacrifices have been made.  Things that were crucial, must do, must have items/events and choices that have faded into the backdrop of life.

Do you want to know what’s really important?  Seeing the 100% on the paper my son got back from school because he learned how to subtract.  The look on his face when describing to me the relationship of the Star Wars characters.  (Like I wasn’t in High School when Star Wars first came out…)  It’s watching my daughter dance around the living room like a whirling dervish and giggle like little girls giggle.  It’s picking her up and dancing with my princess — and she IS my princess, because I am the king.  Monetarily, we haven’t much — certainly a very meager king, but the blessings we share are blessings beyond description.

B. Health

By now I am sure you see what my last nine years of my life have really been about.  I entered the decade in 2003 on the tale end of a fantastic time of feeling healthy.  I had lost over 100 lbs, I was rollerblading and walking with my treadmill being a daily regimen.

Circumstances and changes have a way of effecting your daily habits, and it is with shame that I admit to losing that priority of health.  One pound led into another with 2005 finding me at 444 lbs.  Yeah, I know — That was my heaviest.  In September of 2005 I found myself having Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery because of the alarming state of my health with complications of my Type II diabetes.  I lost almost 150 lbs and stopped.  I’m sure my surgeon considered me one of his greatest “failures” because I didn’t get down to 150 lbs like some of his other successes.  Honestly, I WOULDN’T WANT to be 150 lbs… It’s just not me.

The last four or five years have just been a train wreck of bad health choices, PAIN, runaway diabetes, PAIN, making less than perfect food choices and PAIN.   Did I mention PAIN?  Oh — AND STRESS.  PAIN and STRESS.

Look — here’s the deal:  My first priorities of life (God and Family) cannot be met if I can’t hardly get out of bed.  It’s time to make some changes.

This “State of the Man” view can realistically realize that the prognosis is grim without changes in the projected trajectory.  In more specific words: Change or Death.

C-C-C-Changes…

God in His infinite guidance has again orchestrated a series of events that has led to my awakening.

The movie Courageous.
http://courageousthemovie.com/themovie

The amount of time we are here on this Earth is limited.  Every moment is a gift.  Even at perfect health, my children are growing up — and FAST.  I need to be on my game to offer them my best, and I don’t want to miss a minute of the time I have with them.  Nobody has ever said they wished they spent more time at work.  My son needs his Dad to be there to help guide him into the man that God intends him to be.  If there is anything I have learned in the past 8.5 years, the relationship a man has with his father is characteristic of the relationship that the father has with God.

As in the movie, the relationship I have with my daughter is PARAMOUNT to how she will look at men in general.  I am to respect her, love her and make sure that she demands that respect and love from her suitors.

Bottom line:  I take my job as Dad seriously.  This movie re-instilled and reiterated my duties as a Dad.

The Power Juicer
http://www.powerjuicer.com

This was one of those things that Irene mentioned that she wanted, and circumstances made it available.  Didn’t think much of it, really until I saw the movie…

Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead
http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/

Here was a guy who quite literally drank nothing but vegetable juice for 60 days.  In the process, he went from being FAT, SICK and NEARLY DEAD to having all of his numbers fall into  place.

So… I tried it.  Well — I’m diabetic, so going from massive caloric amounts to 1000 calories of just vegetable juice is just not a good plan of attack.  I did however substitute my breakfast for fresh juice, and I have one for an afternoon snack.   I found the recipes for these at…

Reboot Your Life
http://www.jointhereboot.com

My favorites are the movie inspired “Mean Green” juice (Calories: 310, Protein: 10 gm, Fiber: 2 gm, Total Fat: 1.5 gm, Carbs: 57 gm) and the “Gazpacho Juice.” (Calories: 215 kcal, Protein: 11 g, Fiber: 0 gm, Total Fat: 2 gm, Carbs: 31 gm)

Yeah — I know what all those number represent, too.  I learned it the first time I undertook this endeavor back in 1999.  Back then I calculated out EVERY LITTLE CALORIE, CARB and FAT gram.   I quit my logging when somebody messed around with the website.  (Remember how I said circumstances can change and next thing you know you get away from things…)

Through another orchestration of God — I was presented with the opportunity to become a member of…

MyFitnessPal
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/

This website reminds me of the website I was a part of way back in 1999.  Here is a place to plug in all those nutritional numbers and get a decent idea of what your really eating.  Actually, I THRIVE on scientific things and get some kind of a weird boost out of figuring and calculating out that if I consume XXXX numbers of calories taking into consideration my present body weight, the caloric burn my body already burns just being alive, and taking into account for additional exercise will create a loss of say 1.5 lbs. a week.  (I know, techy-guy — but it works for me…)  Life is all about cause and effect.  If you eat fat, greasy food — you become a fat greasy person.

I just logged my 18th day, and overall I have lost 8 lbs so far.  More importantly, I FEEL amazing, much less PAIN, increased ENERGY and have that feeling of accomplishment that my science experiment was a success.  It’s all about the DATA.   And speaking of DATA…

Fitbit, Inc.
http://www.fitbit.com

MyFitnesspal has partnered with this little company that makes the FITBIT.   Basically, it’s a sensor.  It clips on your belt or pocket and happily monitors your progress.  It tracks how many STEPS, your CALORIES, How many MILES you’ve walked, how many FLOORS you have climbed… And then you fit the thing into a little  cuff and the device tracks your SLEEP PATTERNS.  Really!  This thing is amazing, and for a DATA junkie like myself, it’s an awesome way to motivate yourself into submission.

Take yesterday for instance.  I watched every calorie I consumed, logged in on MyFitnessPal and logged my dinner.  I was OVER by 200 calories.  You lose your little motivational badges, your friends can see you went over your limit — I mean, your not grounded or anything — but you want to do your best.   Irene suggested we go for a walk as a family, and instead of my usual groaning I think I shocked her:  “Let’s go…”  We went almost 2 miles, and guess what?  Fitbit took the activity and subtracted the caloric burn from MyFitnessPal.  I was now UNDER my goal, burning 220 calories for that little walk.

I realize that perhaps this is not for everybody — but there are little games we play everyday to motivate ourselves into doing all kind of things, and this one works for me.

C. Body, Mind and Spirit

Well — Yes, as I mentioned above, you are what you eat.   That not only includes what you actually EAT but what you consume via your MEDIA OPTIONS.   I’ve been an advocate for folks to pay attention to what your watching on TV and the music your listening to for years.

As a good brother used to say: “Somebody is messing with your head!”  If you consume media (movies, music, TV, video games) that is contrary to your belief system, then don’t be surprised when you get caught off guard by your actions and reactions to it!

I am a Christian.  It’s not a system of “rules” as some would have you believe — but a real life relationship with Jesus Christ.  I’m not perfect in my conduct, but I try to do my best to honor that relationship.  My rule of thumb is this:  If Jesus was sitting right next to me, would I watch it/listen to it?  Jesus is, of course sitting right next to me because He is God and He sees everything.

Ephesians 5:19-20 says: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I found an awesome way to do this…

K-LOVE
http://www.klove.com/

Fortunately I’m around Internet sources enough that I can pull this “mostly Internet” radio station in on the computer, on my iPod iTouch and on my Android smartphone.  (Although my friends in Wadsworth/Medina can pull it in on 91.7 FM and the folks in the Youngstown/Warren area can hear it on 107.1 FM.)  This station has been a real inspiration to me.  It’s billed as “Positive and Encouraging” — and that it is.  You owe it to yourself to check it out!

D. Summary

So that’s it.  Long post, I know — But you only turn 49 once.  Next year everyone will be too preoccupied with getting me black balloons, gifts of Geritol and cans of prunes to take me serious.  If I can stay consistent to my plans and stay the course, God willing I will still be around to celebrate with you — Stronger, more focused, healthier and hopefully a little thinner

The dullness in excitement of the new year is directly proportional the the WONDERFULNESS of the Christmas season that has just passed.  What goes up, must come down.

It was just different this year.  In the past years I have found myself loathing that time between Thanksgiving and New Years day.   I’m guessing that having young children helps one remember the magic of the Christmas season — but this year was different.

In fully embracing the season,  I downloaded and listened to some classic Christmas music that transported me right back to being a child waiting and anticipating the awesomeness of Christmas!  As a Christ follower I also remembered the “reason for the season” and focused on the gift of God in dwelling with us in flesh.

Christmas Eve found me in the best spirits watching the DVD’s Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Ghosts of Christmas Eve”  and “The Polar Express.”  Pure magic!

Christmas was fantastic!

Instead of the usual relief  that Christmas was now over… I found that something had transformed my heart.  It wasn’t about gifts — It was about “The gift.”   God’s absolute love manifested in Christ, and even for a brief time manifested in the “love” of the Christmas season by His people.   If only everyday could be Christmas!

New Years Eve arrived with all the anticipation of a dental appointment.   A Facebook friend must have been feeling very similar with his thoughts about all of the hoopla of New Years Eve expressed simply as: “I don’t get it…” My thoughts?

Thats quite the contrast between the two “Eves.”

Well, yesterday was New Years  Day.  Irene took down the Christmas tree.   (Note: It is not that she wanted to take down the Christmas tree … Irene truly carries a little Christmas in her heart and home decor all year long!)  My thoughts?

“I’m bummed!  I’m just not ready to let go of Christmas yet…  I want to put on another TSO CD on!”   I think I am mourning Christmas!

So — here we are.   Where do we go from here?

Christmas is just an arbitrary date someone long ago chose to focus on the birth of Jesus.  Most historians would tell you that most likely, Jesus was NOT born on December 25.   So it isn’t the day or date that makes Christmas so special.  So what then?

Christmas is synonymous with God’s LOVE… That God would LOVE mankind so much — that despite man’s rejection and disobedience of God,  God’s KINDNESS would not leave man in that separated state.  It is in PEACE that God came to dwell in the GENTLENESS of a baby, born to an almost “homeless” teenage mother…  The JOY of Heaven had come down to this Earth with great celebration and JOY.

During the Christmas celebration,  we wait for the day of Christmas PATIENTLY with great anticipation and SELF-CONTROL.

In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul expresses that these are manifestations of God’s Holy Spirit.  We call them  ”The Fruits of the Spirit.”

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… “

My “resolution” (for lack of a better word) is to try and carry these things forward from my Christmas experience. In doing so, perhaps I can keep “The Spirit of Christmas” going  just a little longer…

If the start of a new year is really a time to focus on what we learned in the past with a resolve to carry the good and change the not-so-good into the future, then 2011 can be summed up as this:

My behavior may look fine in comparison to some.  It may fall short in comparison to others… But compared to God’s perfection, I fall tremendously short of what God expects from me.  No mater how hard I try, there is NOTHING I can do in my own power to make up for that difference.   That “Christmas Baby” that came to dwell amongst sinful man did so in perfection.  Because of His love, He died in place of all of those who have fallen short.  People like me.

I found the following compact, concise statement of grace that I will try to commit to memory for 2012:

“My sin is so bad that nothing short of the death of the son of God could pay for it, and that is exactly what I have.”