Weekend Inspiration Vol. 3

From Unto the Hills by Billy Graham.

"I have found that the casual Christian has little or no influence upon others. I am finding that it is only the Christian who refuses to compromise in matters of honesty, integrity and morality who is bearing an effective witness for Christ. The worldly Christian is prepared to do as the world does and will condone practices which are dishonest and unethical because he is affraid of the world's displeasure. Only by a life of obedience to the voice of the Spirit, by daily dying to self, by full dedication to Christ and constant fellowship with Him, are we able to live a godly life and have a positive influence in this present ungodly world."

Energizer Bunny

Just an example of my current, crazy life of being an employee, husband, father, and student. My schedule the past two days:

Wednesday:

a) 6:30-3:00 at work
b) 3:15-4:00 barely see Meg and Kayley
c) 4:00-4:35 drive to Akron
d) 4:50-7:00 night class
e) 7:05-7:40 drive home from Akron
f) eat, check my e-mail and in bed by 9:30

Thursday:

a) 6:30-3:15 school day
b) 3:15-4:30 busy work
c) 4:30-8:00 parent/teacher conferences
d) 8:15-9:30 barely see Meg and Kayley, check e-mail and off to bed



Maybe one day I'll feel "home" again :(

Look Dad...Ummm Hands?

During feeding time Kayley decided to take care of business herself (well, kind of...Dad helped a little).

Kayley has been enjoying more and more "Tummy Time." Here she is watching Everybody Loves Raymond with us. She really liked the development of the plot in this particular episode ;)

Kayley is setting her sights on the 2008 Summer Boogie Board Championships :-)

The Four Horsemen

Before clicking on the above title (which will take you to the essay Weaknesses of New Atheism by David Aikman), please read the brief commentary below...

I do not usually post other people's work, but as a Christian, I see it extremely important to "educate" the masses when it comes to those ideologies that pose a threat to the Christian way of life.

Unfortunately, in 2006 and 2007, four best-selling atheist books were published with an American audience in mind (the authors have been recognized as The Four Horsemen by David Aikman).

Those books are:

Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon by Daniel Dennett

The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins

Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris

God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything by Christopher Hitchens

This growing "trend" has come to be known as "The New Atheism." However, the essay by Aikman does a great job of providing the reader with many inaccuracies and weaknesses of this so-called "New Atheist." Please read the essay provided so that we as Christians can "defend" our views without offending the non-believer.

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Weekend Inspiration Vol. 2

From Who Speaks for God by Charles Colson:

"Where is our sense of moral outrage? Perhaps our moral sensibilities have been dulled because of today's dazzling instant communications. We sit mesmerized in front of our TV's, unable to turn the set off, so we turn our minds off instead.

Over time, so much trash is heaped upon us that we come to expect and accept it; the bizarre becomes commonplace. Morally exhausted, we lose our capacity to discern good from evil.

The brilliant essayist Charles Krauthammer, citing economist Thomas Sowell, sums up our predicament beautifully: "The inability to make moral distinctions is the AIDS of the intellectuals: an acquired immune deficiency syndrome...moral blindness of this caliber requires practice. It has to be learned."

In a culture with moral AIDS, words lose all meaning; or they are manipulated to obscure meaning...But when words lose their meaning, it is nearly impossible for the Word of God to be received. If sin and repentance mean nothing, then God's grace is irrelevant. Our preaching falls on deaf ears.

This moral deafness leads to disaster. The Scriptures tell us it was when people accepted King Ahab's gross evils as "trivial" that fearsome judgement befell ancient Israel.

Certainly evil is to be expected in a fallen world. What is not expected is for a holy people to accept it. If Christ is Lord of all, Christians must recapture their sense of moral outrage."

Some Thoughts On Barack Obama

Let me add a little note here because I believe some people have taken my position as a radical one:

I am against the hype of Barack Obama for many reasons. I would love to talk with anybody on any issue. My viewpoints are not intended to be negative in tone, but my support for the candidate is. Please understand, just because I am a Christian does not mean I shouldn't stand up for the ideals I believe this country (and world) should strive for. I am all for unity, unity in Christ and not in a candidate. If Barack wins the election, I live with the decision. But, at least I made a stand on the issues and positions I feel are important to the well-being of my God, my family, and my country. I do not appologize for that.

Taken from a previous conversation:

In my eyes, and the eyes of many others, Barack Obama preaches being a Dream Maker. When people give reasons for supporting him, I think to myself, is there even one ounce of reality buried in any of his positions?

Barack Obama is full of cliche remarks that "get Americans going." This is evident by the debates I have watched throughout this political season. One can only take him for his word, because he has absolutely nothing to back it up. He has been a Senator for just about three years. In those three years he has missed 40% of his legislative votes. Which brings me to another point. A Senator, although impactive, is nothing more than a legislature pulled by different opositions to express their agendas. It is the way of Washington.

Then there is the issue of Barack being touted as unpolarizing. They're kidding right? Barack Obama was rated as the 6th most liberal Senator in Congress. He also voted with his party (when he did vote) 100% of the time. Both of these facts shows that although he preaches "unity," he has shown no evidence of it during his infant career. Actions speak louder than words.

Brack Obama also pushes the ideology of universal healthcare. First, Universal healthcare is a political myth used to pull in votes. I can tell you right here, even if Obama gets elected for 2 terms (God help us), he will never provide the United States with universal health care. The philosophical thought is genious. The outcome is chaos (i.e. Canada, Europe). What he should be focusing on is fixing medical malpractice lawsuits and change regulations for medical insurance companies (he can start right in his own home for that).

Then their is Obama's foreign policy. The policy that will save the world. His foreign policy might sound great. But, what experience does he have? Out of anyone in this campaign, Huckabee and Romney were by far the most qualified when it comes to government authority. Legislatures make laws based on political agendas. Governors have all of the same political agencies available to the president (obviously on a smaller scale. They have state military, trade, education, taxes, legislative powers, balancing a budget, etc. Obama has 10 years of politcal experience, 8 of which was spent in the Illinois senate under one of the most corupt democrats in the Midwest.

I would guess a majority of Americans vote without really knowing much at all. Have you witnessed the post poll forums or political news blogs/interviews? A majority of Americans DID select a candidate based on trivial bias. It is/was truly sickening.

I wasted a vote last year on John Kerry (ugh). I voted because I wanted change. John Kerry symbolized that. I see the very same thing happening with Obama. It is very, very similar.

Hopefully, this year, people do not waste a vote on another candidate who has little experience, a vague platform, and runs on nothing but hope.

We NEED more than that...

Zzzzz...

At 2 months, 1 week and 6 days old...Kayley Morgan slept through the night! Yes, that's right, Kayley slept from 10:30pm to 6:00am.

About a week ago, a colleague of mine at work had recommended Johnson & Johnson's Bedtime Lotion. We thought we'd give it a try. What could it hurt? Best decision thus far! Kayley went from sleeping 3 1/2-4 hours to 4-5 hours at a time. Then last evening, after her bath, she slept ALL night long!

I woke up to my alarm at 5:40 rather than a cry at 3:00am. I woke up confused. Did I get up? Did you get up? What happened? Is she still breathing...better go check!

She was, and she got a Big smooch for her Big accomplishment!

Life is Like a...Swing?

When I was a kid, I had very few friends that lived in the same neighborhood as me. Therefore, I spent a lot of time with me (that guy was pretty sweet by the way).

One of my favorite things to do was swing on our swingset. I could do it for hours. I was a swinging fool. My Mom has said that everytime she looked outside to check on me, I would be swinging on that swing. Pumping those legs. Letting the wind blow through my awesome bowlcut. I think it usually involved talking to myself, but that was OK to do then. Right Ryan?

Anywho, when we think about analogies, isn't life a lot like that swing? Better yet, isn't our relationship with God a lot like that swing? If we just sat on the swing, and didn't move our legs, we wouldn't go anywhere. We wouldn't have much fun (unless you're an anti-swinging fool, but who likes them?). In order to move, to accomplish anything, we have to pump our legs and make an effort. The harder you pumped, the more you'd get out of it (did anyone else ever fear going completely over the swingset bar?).

How many of us just sit on the swing and expect to get somewhere without pumping our legs? Without doing the labor. Do we do this with God? Do we expect to get anywhere with him if we do not put in the effort?

On the swing, you can go fast or slow. Swing high or low. It can be a smooth ride or a bumpy one (cherry bombs anyone?). And, how many times did you jump off that swing? Risking injury with every jump (or setting the Backyard Olympic record in Swing Jumping in my case).

Sounds a lot like our daily lives doesn't it? However, in your life, do you swing the right way? Do you speed through life on a bumpy ride where you risk injury to yourselves and others while never feeling good about who or what you are in the eyes of God? Or, do you slow down, take the safe, smooth route, and appreciate the person that God made you. Imperfections and all.

Let's go swinging <><

Rebirth

I read a book in two days.

If you know me, I'm sure you are standing in ovation at the previous statement. For those who do not know me, I'm not the biggest reader. Usually, my reading consists of sports magazines and anything that makes its way into the bathroom.

The book I just finished reading is called I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt. The author, Vince Antonucci, is a pastor in Virginia Beach at a church called Forefront. If you haven't read it, get in your car and head to the nearest bookstore. It is that good.

I have been in a "Christian funk" since the end of this past summer. I was flying high in my faith before that, but then I got out of sync and never regained that "glow." This book changed that.

Lousy T-Shirt is innovative, refreshing, funny, and thought provoking. But, most importantly, it gets the reader motivated to truly LIVE the life of Jesus. 200 pages may not seem like much to many people, but I, the guy that never reads, burned through those pages like it was Britney Spears' diary.

I titled this blog post "Rebirth" because this book made me want to do more, be more, and love more for Jesus. As I was reading, I was constantly thinking of ways to spread God's Word. Isn't that what all books should do? When I closed the book after I read the last word, I felt disappointed. Disappointed in the fact that it was over.

If you feel burned out in your faith, pick up this book. Even if you think you are walking on the right path with God, pick up this book. It may just change your outlook for the better.

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Weekend Inspiration Vol. 1

From When Christ Comes by Max Lucado

"You are in your car driving home. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air. The sound is high above you. A trumpet? A choir? A choir of trumpets? You don't know, but you want to know. So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store. The Little League Baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching the clouds.

And what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen.

As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills to the earth. There are no shadows. None. From whence came the light begins to tumble a river of color - spiking crystals of every hue ever seen and a million more never seen. Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of sky. North. South. East. West. Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, "Holy, holy, holy."

The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship. Presently the movement stops and the trumpets are silent, leaving only the triumphant triplet: "Holy, holy, holy." Between each word is a pause. With each word, a profound reverence. You hear your voice join in the chorus. You don't know why you say the words, but you know you must.

Suddenly the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns - and there He is. Jesus. Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens His mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration: "I am the Alpha and the Omega."

The angels bow their heads. The elders remove their crowns. And before you is a figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know: Nothing else matters. Forget stock markets and school reports. Sales meetings and footbal games. Nothing is newsworthy. All that mattered, matters no more, for Christ has come..."

Inspired by Revelations <><

Happy (early) Valentine's Day

Tomorrow will be a busy day, so I thought I would throw out my Valentine wishes today (especially since I have the time with this being my 3rd snow day in a row!!!) Anyways, happy Valentine's Day to all of those who read this blog. I am so glad that I decided to create this site last April. It has been an awesome experience! Thanks to family, friends, and new readers that have become friends. May you spend the day with those you love and build memories to remember throughout the years.



The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying:
“I have loved you with an everlasting love;
I have drawn you with lovingkindness.”
~Jeremiah 31:3~

A special Valentine's Day wish to Megan and Kayley...I love you with all my heart. You guys are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Love me.

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Living Kumpfortably

When Megan and I were looking for our first house, we made the decision that we wouldn't live beyond our means. Our house needed to be practical and affordable. People tend to fall into the mindset of saying "it may be tough for a few years, but then we should be able to live comfortably when I'm making a little more money." Problem is, we do not ever know what the future has in store for us.

Meg and I are only paying a little over a hundred more dollars to live in a house rather than an apartment (thanks in part to my grandparents). Only 100 more bucks for over 800 more square feet and this money actually goes towards our equity. In other words, it's ours!



Living below our means allows us to do the things we want to do. We have the freedom to save money, pay off some debts, give money to church, have an emergency fund, etc. Instead of having to dig ourselves out from underneath a mortgage payment, we will HOPEFULLY (with increased yearly salaries) be able to do more and more of what I stated above.

After listening to several financial sermons, I hope that we are living lives that are pleasing in God's eyes and no one else's. As we become more "financially fit," I hope we can do even more things to expand God's Kingdom.

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In Your Opinion...

Is there a lesser of two evils? Of the two, who would you vote for and why?

(I am a Huckabee supporter)

Hamster Wheel

Once upon a time, I had a hamster. His name was Little Rascal. He was an agressive little bugger, so he wasn't the lovable pet I envisioned. I just kind of starred at him through a plastic cage for 3+ years. Good times.

If you have ever owned a hamster, you will know that they are most active at night. I remember laying in my bed at night listening to the constant squeak of his hamster wheel. Where was the WD40 when you needed it? He would go for hours. Hours of running in the same place with no end in sight. Hours of squeaking.

You have to give him credit.

Currently, my own life feels like one big hamster wheel. Teaching, grad school, church stuff, Kayley, house work, family stuff, friends, etc. My hands are in so many different things that, at times, it seems as though I am running and running with no end in sight. Just like Rascal in the wee hours of the night. What does God have in store for me? Will this feeling of being over-extended ever cease? It is in these times, unfortunately, that we tend to lose focus on God's presence in our lives. Everything else seems to come first even though we know that God always puts us first. Why can we not return that type of love and grace?

In your own lives, what have you placed in front of God and how can you work on fixing your priorities?

Take a break from that wheel ;)

Happy Two Month Birthday Kayley!

Reflections. When you look in the mirror, are you everything you thought you would be? Do you still look at yourself through infant eyes? What does God have in store for you?

North American Union?

I was watching the State of the Union address this past Monday (like many others hopefully), and something caught my attention. President Bush mention a Summit that would be held this April in New Orleans that included the U.S., Mexico and Canada. I did some digging around, and found some pretty disturbing information. Please view this video.



"A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within."
~William Durant~

Ice Day

This morning I woke up at 5:00 to feed Kayley since Megan was starting back to work today. As I fed and rocked Kayley back to sleep, one of my favorite things happened...a SNOW/ICE DAY! My school district was the last school in our county to call school off. I even got my morning shower in! With that said, Kayley and I would be spending the whole day together :) Here are some highlights from our day...

The day with Dad? Seriously?


YaY!


Off on some errands...


We ate lunch together (I know, I know...I hardly ever eat fast food, but I have this little tradition of eating KFC on snow days)



Here is a little conversation we had(yes, I know it's 2008..oops)...