The booby trap.

As our tradition goes, Sabbath evening found me and the family at the farm with the in-laws. Awesome people, still dealing with the loss of their first son. I sat with dad and talked for quite some time. Our conversation sparked the memory of a poem dad had memorized as a child. So on to Google.com we went to see if we could find it. Sure enough there it was. Dad read the poem aloud. All was well till the last verse, where the tears surfaced. As dad finished the last words of the poem, he commented, through the tears, "That was a booby trap."

With a loss so deep in the family, there are many booby traps. The tears of another become a booby trap. Well meaning people calling on the phone asking how you're getting along in dealing with the loss. The visitors who continue to bring up the subject of the death. The hymns at church, just to name a few. Dad often says to me, "I wish they would just stop calling. Just let us heal a bit."

I wish there were signs along the way that said, "Beware! Emotional Booby Trap Ahead!" "OK, we'll steer clear of that one." But no such luck. The memories are like little computer viruses. They seek up on you when you least expect them. Sometimes even during a happy moment. I guess it just boils down to choice. Choosing to savour the precious memories, and choosing to keep the good memories always at the ready. And, when you step into one, choosing to appreciate the feelings even if they are a booby trap. Feelings mean you are alive, and feelings prove we all are part of the human family.

So, read on dear reader. Enjoy the poem. Hopefully for you it is not a booby trap, but an encouragement and a reminder of just how precious the time is that we have with our young ones.

The Children's Hour
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Between the dark and the daylight,
When the night is beginning to lower,
Comes a pause in the day's occupations,
That is known as the Children's Hour.

I hear in the chamber above me
The patter of little feet,
The sound of a door that is opened,
And voices soft and sweet.

From my study I see in the lamplight,
Descending the broad hall stair,
Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra,
And Edith with golden hair.

A whisper, and then a silence:
Yet I know by their merry eyes
They are plotting and planning together
To take me by surprise.

A sudden rush from the stairway,
A sudden raid from the hall!
By three doors left unguarded
They enter my castle wall!

They climb up into my turret
O'er the arms and back of my chair;
If I try to escape, they surround me;
They seem to be everywhere.

They almost devour me with kisses,
Their arms about me entwine,
Till I think of the Bishop of Bingen
In his Mouse-Tower on the Rhine!

Do you think, o blue-eyed banditti,
Because you have scaled the wall,
Such an old mustache as I am
Is not a match for you all!

I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,
But put you down into the dungeon
In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will I keep you forever,
Yes, forever and a day,
Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,
And moulder in dust away!

Lunch was fun...

Today was a paid holiday for employees of SolarBee, Inc. So I stayed home. Lunch was so much fun. The boys and I talked and bantered and generally had so much fun.
It has been quite some time since I've had lunch at home. Usually lunch consists of inhaling the food as quickly as possible while creating two days play lists at the radio station.

I seem to be missing my children's growing up. Zach has started telling stories. Recounting what happened when... Alex seems to feel the need to correct every little detail of Zach's stories. Maybe I'll be able to be home more often after the company move. Oh that will be awesome.

So for desert, Tiff brought out the vanilla oreos and whipped topping. We played pass the cream. One person dipped their oreo, then passed the cream to the next person. We did this while the boys talked and bantered back and forth. We even played what rhymes with...

So, eat lunch with the family. It is so much fun.

Blogging again...

Ok, so I've been on a long break from blogging. I was never real consistent or good at doing it. Maybe it is because I never had a purpose for it.

Well, maybe now that I've integrated my blog with FaceBook, it will be a real method of communication. We'll see how it goes.

Daddy Long Legs

Ok, so tonight's fun time with the boys was interesting. We've been playing, daddy long legs which consists of daddy holding on to as many arms and legs as he can get ahold of, and the owners of the appendages attempting to extract their parts from the daddy long legs. Things are further complicated by the daddy long legs attempting to tickle each victim.

We devised a way to level the playing field for the smaller victims. It consists of a small spritzer bottle that the victim can use to "get" the daddy long legs. Oh, how much fun it is.

So, tonight we just morphed the game into an all out water fight. We had three spray bottles going, and some very wet boys. The game ended with Daddy running to hid, but since one boy is rigt brained, and the other is left, they don't just go the same direction. They will always go the opposite directions around things. I ran to hide behind the rocking chair, and one went left, the other went right and there I was trapped behind the chair.

I headed for the kitchen, Alex followed me, Zach went towards the right, and once again there I was trapped in the kitchen. I ended up laughing so hard I needed a strong dose of morphine to stop the cheek and stomach burn.

Oh it is good to laugh.

For Sale $2.8 million...

Ok, so I just got confirmation that it is for real. Clear Channel is selling off some of their local markets. I could purchase our local market with two others for just about $2.8 million. WOW! what a lot of money. However, that would include about 8 radio stations including the largest station in my state. So, why post about it? Well, if God wants some radio stations, here's an opportunity. After all, the Bible says that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and that the whole earth is His. So, what's $2.8 million to God? I suppose, that is just about nothing for Him.

So, send your donations to me I'll collect them together and we'll help God out. -grin-

Firmware upgraded need...

By comparison, we're smaller than a but to God. It would be so easy for him to swat us out of existence. I'm thankful that God doesn't do things that way. We all are in the middle of a cosmic battle between God and satan. The problem is that someone has sabotaged us. Our very first inclinations are not good. So it has become increasingly plain to me that we each need what computer geeks call, "A firmware upgrade". It doesn't matter how smart the computer is, they still can't apply the firmware upgrades themselves. They require outside help.
So, don't despair, God has promised that he will remake our human nature into what it was originally. You know, the one he created Adam and Eve with.
Frankly, I can't wait for that day. So, choose today to do things God's way. You don't have to know how, you just need to choose. God will provide the how.

Got needs? Got riches?

Well, do you have needs? What are they? Take out a pen and paper and list them.
While you're doing that, I'll be over here, remembering a bible verse that seems to play in here. "My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus." (Phillippians 4:19)
So, to sum it all up, God says he'll take care of all our financial needs. This is what I've always believed. How about you?
Let me ask you now, take a look at your list of needs? Does that include emotional closeness? How about the need to get through today without forgetting something for someone? How about the need for patience?

Today I was puzzling again over my inability to see through the trees at the local christian radio station to where the new broadcast tower is located. So, I climbed the tower, and looking through the binaculars and just a little to the left and down from a landmark, there plain as could be was the roof of the building in which is the studio. I started smiling, and thanking God for showing me what I needed to see. I told him to look and see what I was seeing. There, right there in front of me was the answer I have been puzzling over for a week now.

So, now what needs to you have? Name them one by one. Each is an opportunity to see just what God can do when we're just waiting for him to provide for all your needs. Ok, are there needs in your marriage? Do you have needs in your spiritual life? Maybe like, you would like to see God's hand at work for you? Just ask. Do you need to see a bit of spare time to accomplish something for God? Just ask.
JUST ASK! That's all it takes. Do you need wisdom? Just ask. Do you need?????
J U S T A S K ! God says he WILL supply.
Go on, just ask.

Ok, one more. Yesterday, my God given car (literally) started making this rattling noise when it was idling. Strange, and just a bit disconcerting. I told God today on the way in to work that His car had a problem, and that I'd be more than willing to fix it if He's provide the wisdom and resources to fix it. Today as I turned into the parking lot where the radio station studio is located, there was an object shaped like an L. As soon as I saw it, I knew what the problem on the car was, and I knew that God had kept that muffler bracket right there for 24 hours just so that He could prove once again that he can provide for ALL our needs.
Got needs? God's got all the providing you need. Just ask him to provide any way he wants, and whenever he wants. Then all you need do is sit back, and watch God be GOD!
Go on... ASK!

Inspired by Jeff's Blog...

Found the following on the blog of a friend of my wife's friend. (hows that for relationsip) I don't know this guy from Adam, but since he'll be in heaven, I will get to meet him then.

IDEA: Innovation.
Tom Peters says that innovation is the key.

Here's a quote from the CNN.com article:

"The only way we're going to survive is to innovate our way out of the box," he told a recent conference audience. "We're down to one idea, which is innovation."


According to Peters, sitting at the very heart of this tumultuous change is the individual. Only by encouraging original thought and "nurturing the freaks" will companies have the skills and drive needed to grow.

He points out that history is made, not by normal people, but by the "freaks" who dare to think differently and stand out from the herd. The companies who encourage individual thinking and endeavor will be the ones that succeed.

For Peters, one of the worst crimes an individual can commit is to sit on the sidelines and watch. "You have to be involved to make a difference in the world," he says.

Now that you have read the post, my thoughts are that the worst thing that you can do spiritually speaking is to sit on the sidelines and watch. When it comes to things spiritual, we can't be waiting and hoping something happens. We do need to be communicating with God and tieing ourselves in with Him.

Yes, you will seem like a spiritual freek, but thats not bad. We need to be a bit different than the croud. We know that the croud isn't saved because they are a croud, it is the individual that is saved.

So, to all the spiritual freeks who love God with all their hearts and have the overwhealming desire to do everything God asks of them, more of God's power to you.

Of black and blue and pain too...

Monday past I was asked by a friend to come and help catch up with spring work. Because I inherited the helping gene, the only answer that came out was yes. So, I found myself riding horse and holding calves while my friend did the cowboy things that he does. After lunch with him, his wife and their oldest son, it was back to work. This time it was sorting yearlings.

For those of you who are not ranchers, here is the definition of a yearling. Teenager left alone with their friends and no parents. Got the picture? These 1 year old calves were to be run through the shut to receive their shots, then sorted into two groups. We were on the last group of calves. These were the black ones. I was warned that they can kick, so I was being careful. I didn't actually get into the chute with them, I was standing on the side panel at about tail hight so that they couldn't get me. I was wrong, these 4 1/2 foot tall, 500 or 600 foot pound teenagers can kick higher than they stand. They also have pretty good aim. I have a black and blue foot to prove it.

Hobbling to work the next two days has made me do some thinking. The bible warns us to be careful that the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion. Translate that verse into todays rancher language would say it like this. Be careful of the devil. He's waiting to get you like a black calf in the chute. He's trying to find someone to kick. I wonder how many of us have been kicked just once by the black devil and now are hobbling around on black and blue spiritual feet. Oh, yes, did I mention pain? This foot hurts. So does a spiritual foot when you've been kicked around.

However, unlike my real foot, we have a spiritual doctor who can speak one word and our spiritual hurt will be all gone. While Jesus is doing the healing, it is our jobs to find the spiritually hurt and help as much as we can. For bruises, Lavender oil works wonders, so does spiritual lavender oil. Some understanding, some empathy, and a whole lot of love will help heal the wounds.

Todays challenge? Find the wounded, and help heal them. It's awesome work, and the rewards last forever.

All my mothers...

Since Mothers' day is always so busy, I'm bloggin about it today. I'm one of the few privileged people to have all my mothers yet.

I can hear you ask, "All your mothers?" Yes, I still have my mom. My dad is still married to her, but I have my Grand mother on my mom's side, and my Grand mother on my dad's side. However, that's not all.

Since getting married some 8 years ago, I have my favorite mother-in-law, and her mother too. That's all the mothers one needs I dare say, but there are some who have more. Take a wild guess, and you'll see what I mean.

However, I am closer to the women in my family than I am to the men. That is due to a great degree to the love, care and tenderness my mom shows me. I can remember growing up with awful diseases that one can't spell or pronounce, but my mom took us to Africa because God asked her to go with my dad. Somehow she didn't let any of us in on any stress that she was feeling. However, one incident still makes me smile and laugh to this day.

Imagine having to live with just what you can pack into your suitecases. Imagine having to do that for 8 months while you wait for the rest of your stuff to arrive. I remember the day the big ocean going container arrived infront of our house. I remember the hugh smile on my mom's face along with all the tears. I couldn't figure out then why mom would cry when this was an awesome event. I guess that was just one little expression of her feelings.

That's my mom! Never complaining, always looking to Jesus, and always staying hand in hand with her husband. She's been the ultimate example of faithfulness, even when she stumbles. She's had sickness, and she's had health. She's had good times and bad. But through it all, she keeps looking forward to heaven. That's my inspiration.

That would be thee end of this little story if I didn't have a mother-in-law (mil). My mother-in-law is proof that God knows best when left to his own devices. Had he given me any other MIL. If I had been picking, I certainly wouldn't have done a better job. She is another woman who leaves an example of love and concern for her children. She has the energy of 3 dozen of them pink bunnies (I think they're called energizer bunnies), and yet she always finds time for her grand children. She's always sharing, always helping, always being faithful as she knows how to God's calling in her life. She is proof that a man needs a women in his life. She's precious, and the best mother-in-law in the whole world.

I can't finish without putting in something for the mother whom I'm closes to. She's my wife. Out of all the women in this world, God picked her for me, and she's just perfect. Her skills as a mother are unmatched. Her attention to detail, her self-sacrificing spirit, and her desire to see her children grow up to be responsible God-fearing adults is so awesome to watch. I appreciate her more than any other. My love for her is forever.

God, you know how to give good gifts, especially when it comes to mothers.

And there's another one...

Think you're alone in your walk with God? Do you wish for others who share your intense desire for God? You're not alone. Today I had a marvelous conversation with another who is excited about God, but has given up on some of the cultural views of God the older generation has painted. I was making a purely technical call, and somehow found a fellow believer who shares a passion for connecting with Christ.
Since I live where cows outnumber people, it is easy to think that I'm alone in my walk with God. I sometimes wonder if I'm developing some crazy strain of an extreme religion which could be labeled "radical" or "Strange". But then, God puts in my path, people who encourage, people who share the same views, and the same passion for getting ready for heaven.
So, to all those out there who see God like I do, come on, lets infect others with this awesome God who loves and cares for us more than words can ever say. Keep your chin up, and unlike Peter, KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS. He's your only hope to get through this maze we call life.

Here's a testimony

The Alphabet Prayer

A little shepherd boy was watching his sheep one Sunday morning and he heard the bells of the church ringing. As he watched the people walk along the pasture where he was, he happened to think to himself, "I would like to communicate with God! But, what can I say to God?" He had never learned a prayer.

So, on bended knee, he began to recite the alphabet. Repeating this prayer several times, a man passing by, heard the boy's voice and peaked through the bushes. He saw the young boy kneeling with folded hands, eyes closed, repeating the alphabet.

He interrupted the boy. "What are you doing, my little one?" he asked.

The boy replied, "I was praying sir." The man seemed surprised and said, "But why are you reciting the alphabet?" The boy explained, "I don't know any prayers, sir. But I want God to take care of me, and to help me care for my sheep. And so I thought, if I said all I knew, He could put the letters together into words, and He would know all that I want and should say!"

The man smiled and said, "Bless your heart, God will!" And he went on to church knowing full well that he had heard the finest sermon he could possibly hear that day.

Author Unknown

Source: The Inspired Buffalo,
mailto:the-inspired-buffalo-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

I enjoy praying the following "A,B,C" prayer. I start my prayer with the letter "A". I think of all the people I know who have a name starting with that letter. As I think of each name I ask God to bless them and pray for any of their needs that come to mind. When I run out of "A" names I move on to "B" and so on. I have found this to work well while I have nothing else to do such as: waiting, driving, while going to sleep, etc. - Richard Wimer :o)

Taken from WITandWISDOM(tm) which is available free by e-mail Monday through Friday. Visit http://witandwisdom.org for more information.

Today: Get run over...

Something you'll never have on your schedule. It will surprise you every time, and even give you a bit if an adrenaline rush.
It happened today, and true to form, it totally surprised me. After lunch I was leaving a building after fixing a printer. I stepped from behind the 6ft retaining wall along side the stairs and saw this thing coming at me. My mind identified the object as a bicycle with curly haired brown rider. I started stepping back, but it was moving too fast. Kaboom, it hit, knocking me backwards onto my hands and then right elbow.
My first thought was "Is the rider all right?". My second thought was am I alright.
As I got back into the car, I started thanking God for keeping me safe. I am thankful that I was not seriously injured.

I've been thinking about the incident and wondering if anyone in my church might have been run over lately. You know what I mean. A well-meaning church member "corrects" some outward "imperfection" of a younger member or even a visitor. Kaboom, the person gets run over. It was not intentional, and probably was true. However, it was not what should have been done at that moment, and probably could have been done a bit more tactfully.
I challenge you to find the "run-over" in your circle of influence and try to mend the wounds. Perhaps, you'll be able to keep another child of God from giving up on Him.

Screen-saver...

My 5 year old was watching my computer and saw my screen-saver come on. It's the typical Windows XP Pro screen-saver; makes my mac look like windows to the casual glance.

"Daddy, do you know what a screen-saver does?" He asked.
"What?" I ask wanting to know what's inside his head.
"It keeps the screen from getting board." he says with all the authority of his less than 5 years of knowledge.

Do you have a spiritual screen-saver? You know, something that keeps your spirit from getting board? Something that keeps your soul alive and well?

What would this spiritual screen-saver be like? Here are some things I've heard over the years.
"I study the bible for 2 hours every day."
"I pray for at least 1 hour in the morning before my day starts."
"I pray 3 times each day."

While I applaud such vigilant and pious people, I'm not capable of doing any of these. It's hard for me to sit and read a very interesting story for more than 15 minutes. To pray for an hour in the morning would be awesome. I'd probably spend about 5 minutes praying and 55 minutes dozing. Although praying 3 times a day is commendable, I'd probably miss quite a few times due to some unexpected customer demands on my time.

So, there goes the screen-saver for me. To most, I appear as a liberal christian, not very strict in my "Practice" of christianity. I read things that I shouldn't read, I question the status quo, and challenge the traditional thinking of my church. So, it would appear that this is my spiritual screen-saver.

Everyday you are faced with choices. Everyday you choose this or that, buy it or not, believe that or not. Everyday, you have a unique opportunity to choose God's way or your way. In fact, I'd be bold enough to say, that is the only thing you can do. I mean the choosing. We already know that you can't earn your salvation or the favor of God, so your sole responsibility is to make choices. Joshua in the bible said it so nicely, "Choose today whom you will serve. As for me and my family, we will serve God."

So, today, when your blood pressure starts to climb, and you feel the boiling anger; when you feel the pull of a beautiful person and you know it's not right, just tell God you choose his way, and that He will have to help you DO HIS WAY.

Happy spiritual screen-saving...

Home alone 2

Got a few more thoughts now that I've passed the 12 hour mark.

Pretty much missing Tiff. They say that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but that is only true after you've been together for quite some time.

I can see why Tiff is tired by the end of the day. Just being around high energy makes me tired. And to think I used to have that much energy.

Supper was a hugh success. Tiff's copious notes said "Improvise". So I gave them everything in the house. No, I didn't we had a smorgasboard of chips, banana chips, dip, fried rice and some fun.

Does God think of us all the time? I find my thoughts continually turning to Tiff. I miss her so much. The things that frustrate me, I wish for them just to be near her. Does God have feelings like that for us?

Home Alone 1

So, today I'm home alone with the boys. Here's a brief description of how it is going. (Through lunch and into Clifford the Dog on PBS)
Wake up at 5:30: Yea! I can do it.
6:30: Get going, so this day can happen.
8:00: Get breakfast on so Tiff an go.
8:30: Not sure this was such a good idea. I head seeing her go.
9:00: Well, Breakfast is finally over. I'm doing great!
10:00: Whining and fussing from Bugzy
11:00: Finally go outside to jump on the Tramp.
11:30: Quick trip to the farm to get a Miter Saw. More Whining and fussing from Bugzy.
11:40: Wondering just why I thought this day was a good idea.
11:45: Wondering how Tiff gets through all the whining, fussing and constant talking.
12:00: Tiff phones. Probably wondering how lunch is. We're still at the farm.
12:30: Getting lunch. Just about to panic. Should have started this 1 hour earlier. Time sure goes quickly.
12:45: Thinking I'm pretty good at this Mr. Mom stuff.
1:00: Sure miss Tiff. She makes it much more enjoyable to be home.
1:30: Finally get Peanut down for a nap. Start Clifford for Bugzy.
1:45: Get to sit down for a bit and rest.

Conclusion: Tiff is a real home maker. I'm just the imitation. She has a hard time leaving, I think I'm better at leaving each day. yes, its hard, but somebody has to do it.

Question: I wonder what emotions God has while waiting for us to be ready to come home to him.

Random Accuracy

Putting up a coat rack in the basement. Tapped out all along the wall, and couldn't find any stud near the middle of the proposed spot. Picked out where to put the molly screws, and drilled the holes. What are the odds that one could land dead-center on the hidden stud?

With God guiding your hand, nothing is impossible. No, nothing; not even finding the invisible stud in the wall.

The coat rack is up, two screws into the studs, and one molly. Isn't god awesome?

Ask and it shall be given

Yesterday was an average day that contained an amazing encounter with the hand of my God. I prayed yesterday morning during my 40 minute commute to work that God would line up the day so I could be home before sundown. Here's how it happened.

The morning was slow, but about 11:30 the boss asked me if I would go with him after lunch to connect a computer to a wireless network. Sure, no problem! Let me know when. After lunch, I had a service call to a clinic. That was short, quick and easy. About 2:00, my alarm sounded for the next service call. I checked with the boss. He was busy, better get my service call out of the way. So off I went. 45 minutes later I'm back at the store. I checked with the boss again. Still busy. I went to my desk, and puttered with some web stuff. Somewhere about 3:30 I started talking with God a bit. It would take about 15 minutes to go, 15 minutes to come, and the work could take an hour if things went badly. I needed to leave for home by, oh, 4:50 at the latest. We're pushing for time now. I told God that I was still counting on Him. 3:45 I checked with the boss again. He looked at me, then at his watch and said the following. "I can't go today. I just don't have the time." Ok, no problem.

I ended up leaving on another service call just a few minutes later. It hit me as I was driving down the road, God just did his GOD thing again. You know, that thing he does when he keeps his promises and fulfills one of our requests? He had done it again. I was going to be able to be home before sundown. It is so inspiring to see the hand of the greatest being in the universe. It is humbling to know that he notices even me, and even more humbling He is willing to re-arrange the boss's schedule for me.

Incidentally, I checked out of work at 4:50 and was home by 5:35.

Teach my wonderin' feet...

"Teach my wonderin' feet to walk beside you. Steady on!" The song is by Point Of Grace, and the album is their 24 Disk 2. Awesome song. How many times we've wandered from what we know to be right and truth.

My prayer this early morning is just those words. "Teach my wonderin' feet to walk beside you." God so help me.

I heard the angles sing...

Tonight I heard the angels sing. Both boys, the wife and myself. we sang, and it sounded awesome. The song was "Into My Heart". For the first time, all of us were singing. Usually, its just daddy and mommy with one of the boys off and on. Just makes me love having kids.
I wonder if God sings with us when we sing? You think He might?