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.