Lord Give me Strength

I have found over the last 2 months that the career path I have chosen is much more difficult than I anticipated. I have tried to do it on my own and when I think about my task it is very daunting. I ask myself if I can really do it and if my personality is right, but the One who remains constant is there as an ever present help. I have to say that without my wife, I don't think I could have made it this far...but I know for a fact without God my efforts and my wife's encouragement is futile. That is why I must pray without ceasing..."Lord Give me Strength..."

Tempe bound

I am heading to Tempe, AR tomorrow for some Edward Jones training. I am looking forward to this new career and hoping that I can help people with their finances for the rest of my life. I am very sad however, because I will be away from my wife for the longest I have been since our marriage. If you knew her you would understand...she is so lovely! She is the most beautiful person I have ever met and she is so much fun to be around. She has a great sense of humor and I am going to miss her very much next week because she is my partner and companion. If you read this baby, I love you very much!

Peach Country

My wife, her family, and I just got back from Georgia...which I guess is peach country. I, however, did not see one peach tree...in fact, I have been to Georgia 2 times in my life and I have still seen more peach trees in Stratford, OK. I must say that I have not seen ALL of Georgia so it would not surprise me if there were lots of peaches somewhere out there.
We had a great time! I played more golf consecutively than I have played in at least 8 years! The weather was perfect (it felt good wearing short sleeves everyday in March). I am so blessed to have married into the family I did and to grow up in the family that I did. I've got it good on both ends. My wife's family is so fun to be around...every single one of them have the ability to make other people laugh (an area where I am not quite as gifted)...needless to say we spent lots of time laughing on our 13 hour drive there and back. I grew up in a very close family and was raised with good family values and I am very thankful for my family and how great it is to spend time with them. On the same token, I am very thankful that I married into a family that is also so very close and fun to spend time with. It has been a "win win" situation for me because I was born into and married into the types of families that don't come around very often. My wife and I are blessed...We might not have been blessed with billions of dollars, but I guarantee you there are hundreds upon thousands of billionaires that would trade in their wealth for the opportunity to be a part of a family like ours.
On another note, today is Easter... I wonder when the idea of the Easter bunny came along? We have always celebrated Easter in remembrance of Jesus Christ's Resurrection. Not to knock the Easter bunny, but isn't it funny how the world tries to commercialize the holidays that celebrate our faith. Make no mistake about it, the Christian faith will always be attacked and Satan will entice this world to believe that this life is about temporary things. He will do it in subtle ways...the Bible says that Satan will come as an angel of light...Of the 2 people that read this blog, how many agree that television entertainment is one of those angel's of light? I cannot count how many Christians I know that are so calloused to the fact that the crap that they watch on TV is polluting there lives and destroying their ability to minister to others. Make no mistake when you read this, I too struggle with justifying bad values for the sake of entertainment. I am challenging myself and others who read this to do their best to focus on Christ and the amazing life he offers...to fill our hearts and minds with His word and love....if we truly want to glorify God we will do this with all of our might so that we might help point our lost friends, neighbors, classmates, co-workers, strangers, family members, anybody in our circle of influence to Christ.
Last week in Georgia was great, but I regret so much that I didn't even think to share His name.

Cutting the Grass

I once had a neighbor who came from California and used weird phrases and words like...
"cutting the grass"--instead of mowing the lawn
"going to the market"--instead of the grocery store
"using the clicker"--instead of the remote control...
I once thought this friend was different for using those words and phrases, but now I have grown up and matured only to realize that almost all people are "weird" or different than I am....harsh reality. Back to the cutting/mowing the grass. I recently had my yard sprayed to help distinguish the ever growing population of weeds. As Global Warming continues to rise (HA!!!!!) I am coming to the realization that mowing the lawn is going to be another regular activity for me. I must say that I am not one of those people who enjoy mowing the lawn and the fact that I saw about 10 large spiders every time I mowed last summer does not further motivate me. I would usually consider myself to be "the glass is half full" kind of guy so I am going to try and have an optimistic view on the situation.
Jumping back to the different people in this world... As I think of how can I possibly relate or build relationships with people who are different than I am, one truth comes to mind. My love for others is more important than my desire that they agree with me. Jesus said in Matthew, I believe chapter 20, love God with all your heart and love others as yourself. Basically after running around in circles with this post...I would just like to remind myself and anyone who might read this... Others will be encouraged to look to Christ if you genuinely love them.

Good morning

I've never been a fan of using analogies that we as humans can understand to try to understand the ways of our Father in heaven. He is just infinitely above what the most genius human mind would even like to try and comprehend, however, I thought of one this morning. My dog, Kinley, misbehaved badly today by chewing up a cable that was buried..again I say buried...in our back yard. Unfortunately, I lost my temper not only when I caught her in the act, but also when I noticed (in the process of trying to catch her) 2 new large holes in the yard. I felt rage and I took it out on Kinley with several swats to the booty and shutting her outside while she cried for 10 minutes (She is asleep right now b/c I think it took it out of her). Here is the problem...though I know the cable could have shocked her and that she was doing bad stuff, she had no idea what she was doing and I punished her severely for her ignorance. I feel guilty now about being harsh to her, but who cares? I've already done it and I can't change the fact that I did. The point that I am trying to make is this. Every human messes up every single day, myself included, and I have to say that I am glad God is not like me or better yet does not punish me like I did Kinley today. His grace surpasses our understanding along with everything else about Him. The one thing that I do know about His grace is that it is good, and it is sweet, and it is unbelievably better than anything this world has to offer.

It's time to be a Man

I met with an accountability group comprised of my brother, my dad, and a lifelong friend last night and the little light in my head switched on. I have been married for the last year and 7 months and I hate to say it, but I have failed when it comes to being the "man" of my house. First of all, my wife is wonderful, beautiful, and I love her very much and it hurts me to know that I have not been the best I can be for her. Furthermore, I have never in my life looked at my manhood in the light that I do today. It is exciting to be a man...I learned last night that I should have a clear vision of where I want to lead my family spiritually. I also learned that I need to stop playing the blame game and take responsibility for my faults, my actions, and my shortcomings. It is time to step up to the plate and be the man God has called me to be!!

I'm new at this blogging thing

Hello everyone...or should I say anyone?

This is my first blog post ever. I don't really have alot to say right now because I'm not really feeling the inspiration right now. I will say, however, that I used to not pay attention to politics until now.
I believe this general election is the most important of my lifetime and possibly even the baby boomer's generation. We have a country divided if you will...Unfortunately both sides have began to leave behind their moral convictions of what is right and wrong in order to embrace the new idea that tolerance is a virtue. Let me be the first to say that tolerance has its place, but it is not a virtue...It is not a virtue to have no backbone by not standing up for your beliefs, it is not a virtue to claim that truth is relative and what is wrong for me, may be right for you, it is not a virtue to be afraid to be persecuted because you did the right thing in a tough situation, it is not a virtue to make everybody happy, and I could go on...but I think the point has been clarified.
I am calling on all Christians (maybe just myself) to stand up and do what is right even when we think people will respond negatively. In the long run........................................................................................................................................................................................................................truth always prevails