It's a different feeling when it's someone you grew up with.

Everything was pretty normal for me this morning.  I got up, enjoyed some coffee and toast.  Talked to my wife and kids.  Grabbed my stuff and headed to the office.  Opened up the computer and logged on to Facebook.  Pretty normal. Until...

I looked at a post.  A post from a friend that dropped my jaw.

Growing up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was a highlight of my life.  I had a wonderful childhood and made some pretty special friends.  I've lost track of many of them, but a few have remained intact.  One in particular has remained especially close. 

I met him going into the seventh grade.  My neighbor had invited our family to visit her church across town and mom agreed to bring us kids along.  We weren't your typical church kids but that first visit made a huge impression on me.  It was there I met Tim. 

We became friends instantly.  Hanging out at each other's homes.  Eating lunch together at school. Flirting with girls.  Causing trouble for our parents.  Speaking of parents, I just loved his mom and dad.  They loved God, loved their family and loved us friends too. 

So when I read that post this morning that his dad passed away, my jaw just dropped.  I help people all the time who have lost loved ones but it's a different feeling when it's someone you grew up with.  It's a little closer to home. 

I know he's in heaven and someday I'll see him again.  But until then, there is something to be learned from his life.  Something I take away from this is that life is short.  It doesn't matter how long a person lives, it always feels not long enough.  Also, treasure the moments you have with each other.  I have so many fond memories of Tim's dad.  Say, "I love you," often and take the time to put your arms around each other.

Praise God that life doesn't end in the grave.  Jesus made that possible through His death and resurrection.  We have a home in heaven that is waiting for us and one day we will see our loved ones again!       

Spending the evening with my wife and our favorite author!

I don't know if you like to read much, but you must have some interest since you are reading this blog.  Reading is work me.  I'm slow, I get bored, I lose my place and I can only read one chapter at a time.  Dr. Seuss books are the only stories I can read in one sitting.  I take that back.  I'm the master of picture of books.  My wife on the other hand, loves to read and can devour a book in no time.  Especially a book from Ted Dekker.

Ted Dekker is one of our most favorite authors.  He writes Christian fiction books in such a way, that this guy who finds it difficult to read, actually enjoys reading!  When we found out that he was coming to our area, we had to attend.  He was going to be speaking about his most current book and how that story is his story, which is our story.  We had the chance to meet him and snap this picture. He is a great guy!

 
But that wasn't the most important part of the evening.  I got to spend it with her.  That lovely young lady that Ted appears to be leaning towards is my wife, Tiffany.  To see her excited and happy is important to me.  She pours her heart into her children and that other big guy, that she sometimes doesn't get to enjoy these special treats in life.  I was happy to see her happy.  Then it dawned on me.  Why don't I do things like this for her more often? 

If you are married, when was the last time you did something for your wife to make her happy because you know it would make her happy? 

Too often I'm focused on me and I think that should change.  Perhaps 2014 will be different in that regard. To see that smile on her face more often is worth it! 

It's been 20 years and we are still best of friends!

A few months back, out of the blue, I received a text that said, "It's been suggested that a reunion for the four of us is overdue."  Who are the "four of us"?  Well, we were in High School together.  Once we all graduated, we sort of lost touch since one lives in Arkansas, one in Texas, one in Iowa, and myself in Indiana.  To get together after 20 years was an interesting idea.  That one text started a chain of events that led to the four of us High School friends making arrangements to reconnect in San Antonio, Texas, this past October weekend.

I hate to admit it, but my first thought was apprehension.  We haven't been together in 20 years.  "Will they still like me?  Will I still like them?"  Lots of things change in 20 years and I wondered if we would have anything in common.  This trip could be a huge costly mistake or it had the potential of being something truly amazing.

That first night we stayed up until 4am just catching up on work, family, faith, and stories of the past.  I hadn't laughed like that in years.  My jaw still hurts.  One of us commented, "I know it's been 20 years, but it seems like we've picked back up like we were never apart!"  I agreed.  I listened as each one of them told about their families, their careers, and their challenges they had faced over the past 20 years and I found that I still deeply cared for each one of them.

Over the next 48 hours, we built new memories. New stories to tell the next time we would be together.  Renewed relationships that time apart couldn't prevent.  And to top it off, plans to see each other again soon!

I sat in my seat on the plane thinking about the last 72 hours.  Before the trip my fear was that I was just about to make a huge costly mistake.  But what I found was a heart so full, so incredibly happy, that I couldn't help but smile. It's been 20 years and we are still best of friends!  That was truly an amazing weekend! Thanks guys!

 
 

Finding a moment with my #2

Having four children can be quite a bit of work for my wife and I to handle.  They are all growing up so fast and it feels like I don't know them as well as I'd like.  So I try to make an effort to find special moments with my kids individually.

A year ago, I brought home an old compound bow my dad had sitting on a shelf in his basement.  It looked lonely and I thought, "I could put that thing to work."  So there it sat in my bedroom corner for a year waiting for me to give it some attention.  All it needed was a little TLC and a new string.  So, after visiting a local bow shop, I was in business to start practicing. 

My second daughter has taken up archery so I thought we would do a little target practice together.  Last night we had a blast.  We shot for about an hour and it was the best thing we could have ever done together.  I watched her skip to retrieve the bow that managed to make its way to the bulls eye on a number of occasions.  Mine however, well, let's just leave it to your imagination.

Driving home, it hit me.  She and I have found our special moment together.  Archery is something that will bond our hearts together, forever.  A 39 year old father and a 12 year old daughter.  That moment hit the bulls eye in our relationship.  I can't wait for my arm to stop aching so I can try this again!

     

2 Corinthians 7:6-7

"Then the God who lifts up the downcast lifted our heads and our hearts with the arrival of Titus. We were glad just to see him, but the true reassurance came in what he told us about you: how much you cared, how much you grieved, how concerned you were for me. I went from worry to tranquility in no time!" 2 Corinthians 7:6-7

Life can be really hard and painful. It can seem that there is no way out of this difficulty. You may feel terribly alone. That is what Paul was feeling. But something incredible encouraged him. God had encouraged him which was great. God always encourages us. But someone else encouraged him. It was that other people were thinking of him too!

It's such a wonderful encouragement when someone is thinking of you and caring for you. It can take us from worry to tranquility in no time. So, how can you encourage someone today? Just take a moment and ask someone around you how they are doing. Let them know that you care about them and see God at work!
(Suggested Reading: 2 Corinthians 7)

2 Corinthians 5:9

"Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that's what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions." 2 Corinthians 5:9

It's easy to please God when we want to. It's in the moments that are difficult, tensions are high, stress is insurmountable, temptations are too powerful that we have a challenge in pleasing God. The Apostle Paul is saying in this passage that it doesn't matter the circumstances, we have determined to live a life that cheerfully pleases God.

Could this be said of you? This hasn't always been said of me but I hope the scales tip a little more on the side of pleasing God instead of pleasing me today!
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Have a great day and say to yourself, "Self, today you will do whatever you can to please God. Whatever it takes!" And then pray for God's help to do it.
(Suggested Reading: 2 Corinthians 5)

2 Corinthians 3:18

"And so we are transfigured much like the Messiah, our lives gradually becoming brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him." 2 corinthians 3:18 msg.

I really enjoy watching the Olympics.  I especially enjoy learning more about the Olympians.  I like to know their story of how they first got started and how they've kept themselves motivated to achieve success and then to watch them perform their best. 

But there is something far better than that.  Watching Jesus, the Master, transform a person's life.  Watching the anger they've held onto slip from their tightly fisted fingers.  Watching forgiveness fall off the hardened lips of bitter souls.  Watching people love others instead of remaining distant and cold. Why? Because they've let Jesus in and while they listen to Him, their lives start to change for the better!

Will you let Jesus into your heart and life?  Won't you let Him break through and make your heart His home?  When you do, your life will be a letter written to the world of God's love and rescuing power.
(Suggested reading: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18)