Take

TAKE

What did it take to turn your cheek
When all around pronounced you weak?

What did it take to let them rip
Your back to shreds whip after whip?

What did it take to offer grace
When utter fools spat in your face?

What did it take to love the man
Who pounded nails into your hands?

What did it take to hang there nude
Upon a cross for all to view?

What did it take to offer prayer
Forgiving those who placed you there?

What will it take to make me see
That my sins put you on that tree? 

Who or What Do You Really Worship?

If you are a follower of Jesus, who or what would you say your daily actions show that you worship most?

At Alethia today they talked about how we were made to worship something by design.

I'll be honest and share that I struggle most days to truly worship God by my actions. I'm more gifted at worshiping ME. No, I don't have an altar set up with pictures of me that I bow before - nothing that obvious. But my actions often show I'm focused more on pleasing me than loving God by sacrificing  my free time to serve my wife, my children, or others. When I have free time it often becomes me-time.

That's not always bad as we all need time to ourselves. But God reminded me this morning I need to improve by practicing denying myself. Fore that means the discipline of looking outside myself by giving more of my time and my heart, my energy to my wife and children, loving them better, giving them more of me.

What ways do you need to learn to worship God better by worshiping someone or something less?

What plan will you put into place to improve on the days and weeks to come?

Head Held High

To dream, perchance to sleep
Knowin' what to keep
Is half the battle
I surely can't despise
The eternity found in your eyes
Keep your heart pure
and your head held high
The Man's got a plan
& this ain't goodbye
Its just a matter of time
Before the sunrise finds us again

The Purpose of Your Life on a Starbucks Cup!

Hopeful Fall Approaching

Late night

Summer nears its end

Whispers of fall around the bend

Sense of hope approaching

Changes rising higher

Embers of anticipation spark faith into fire

Heaven Is Taking Its Time

Feels like heaven is taking its time

And some days she just wants it now

She knows ten weeks really isn’t that long

But it feels like forever that you've been gone

Days keep marching and she’s getting by

But each morning she wakes up alone

She starts out each day on her own

Your love’s here and weeping
She’s missing your touch

Her sense of dread creeping

And she wants so much

Just to have you here right by her side

Life keeps spinning

But she wishes the ride was through

Feels like heaven is taking too long

And some days she just wants it now

She wants to be done

With the stress and the strain

Of this senseless tragedy

Its nagging pain

Your love’s here and weeping

She’s missing your touch

Her hope now is sleeping

And she wants so much

Just to have you right here by her side

Life keeps spinning

But she wishes the ride would stop

Feels like an eternity’s taken place here

Since you took your place in eternity

Holding Caden's Hand

My little man! I know you have no idea how Daddy was feeling today. But I have to say, as we walked across the parking lot, it felt so good having your hand in mine as we walked toward the door together. I couldn't help but wonder how much longer you'll be ok with your Daddy holding your hand in public.

As we made our way down the long crowded hallway full of other mommies and daddies with their little ones, you were walking in front of me, and I had my hand on your back, directing you to your classroom. I realize now just how appropriate that was. You walking out front now, me behind you, giving you guidance to where you needed to go. You were a bit hesitant as you walked, but more than anything, son, there was a palpable sense of excitement in you.

I got you settled into your seat and we stowed away your new backpack (loaded with school supplies) and your new Star Wars lunch box. You sat down at your desk. I leaned down to give you a hug and told you that I loved you. And it was clear what had to come next: It was time for me to leave you.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, Caden – whether you’d be nervous and a bit clingy or not...

You weren’t.

And daddy wasn’t so prepared for that. I guess a part of me wanted you to not be ok with me leaving. Because in some ways, Daddy wants you to stay my little guy and not grow up.

That's pretty silly, isn't it Caden? We teach you to be independent, and remind you to be strong and brave and to trust God and that there's no reason to cry. And today, you did just that. You were strong. You were brave. You trusted God. You didn't cry.

But guess what, buddy? I did. At least I made it back to the car before I started.

I am crying still as I write this, Caden. Not because I'm scared for you -but because you're growing up and becoming just who you're supposed to be. You're really doing it! You’re moving on into the future God has for you. It’s wonderful but different to realize that you still need us, but not the same way you did when you were really little! You can do SO much on your own now!

Son, how you handled this moment in your life made me unbelievably proud. But a little sad too.

Proud because I realize this is a new chapter for you, Caden. I know that you're ready for this. Ready to move on and learn what it means to forge your own path, without Mommy and Daddy right beside you.

Sad because whenever a new chapter opens, it means the old one is closing. And that brings with it an element of pain. It's hard for mommy & daddy when we realize just how much you’ve grown, and how quickly it’s come upon us.

The Bible teaches us to "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he's older he won't depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)

That truth becomes more evident in your life every day. It was obvious when we were driving to school this morning and I prayed for your day - for God to guide, protect, and use you. And when I was done, you said you wanted to pray too. You prayed by faith for all the new friends God was going to give you. And amazingly, you even thought to pray that God would bring your daddy a new job today. Wow! That shows character, Caden. You were moving into a new and (somewhat) scary adventure, but in the middle of all that, you thought not only of yourself, but even to pray for your daddy. I wasn’t expecting that.

Caden, your daddy is SO incredibly proud of the little man you’re becoming. I want you to always know that!

Did you know just how ready you were for this new adventure? I suspect you've sensed it for a while but today it really hit me:

Even though Mommy and I don't feel completely ready to let our little guy go out into the world, you are ready!

You’re going to learn some great things, Caden, but you'll also encounter some of the evil in this world. We'll do our best to shield you from it, but we won't be able to forever. Right now you’re innocent and have a genuinely sweet spirit - you love others and it shows. It's part of what makes you who you are, and something we don’t ever want to change.

Mommy and I pray you would continue with your strong, simple faith in Jesus, even as you encounter the tough truth that sometimes people will be cruel and will hurt you.

We trust in our gracious God to not throw things at you too quickly. And to give you (and us) the grace to handle whatever comes your way. And we’ll take everything – the good and the bad – one day at a time.

You are an amazing boy, Caden, and God has incredible plans for your life. Mommy & I will always love you unconditionally–no matter what!

When you make great choices, we’ll be proud of who you are and we’ll love you. And when you

make poor choices, we’ll still be proud of who you are and we’ll love you.

Nothing you do can ever change how we love you – Jesus loves us with unending love and that’s the way we will love you. We promise.

It’s funny - you were here at home with me, being my sidekick, for the last three weeks before your new school started. Some days you got on my nerves a bit and made it tough to focus on getting work done. But this morning, you're not here and the house feels empty. I'm missing you already, and part of me is wishing you were still here, with your silly wild screaming, your Game-Boy playing, and your way-too-much-Star-Wars-watching!

But you can't be here, of course. You need to be exactly where you are - out there, growing up. I know you're going to have a great day full of surprises, find a plethora of new friends ready to be made, and learn many new things.
Still right now I can't help feeling that pickup time at 4:00 feels an eternity away. Caden, know that when that time comes, I'll be right there waiting when you come out. I can’t wait to hear every last detail of how your day went and all the new experiences you had today. I know you won’t be stingy with the details! (Like father, like son!)

But just a warning for ya, buddy – when I get there and walk you back to the car, whether you want me to or not, your daddy’s gonna hold your hand!