Have you ever felt like everything around you is falling apart? Like everything in your life that you had security in, is all of a sudden in jeopardy? This past week has had that effect on me. Let me explain.
My wife and I have spent the past several years traveling down this path of seeking and filling. We have been seeking God and what His will is for us, and at the same time, filling our lives with things that are considered earthly treasures. All the while, thanking God for such blessings. Was His will for us just to collect stuff? Probably not. But maybe He allowed us to have such things just to show us that we wouldn't need it anyway. Confused yet?
I think that all of us feel as though we need something to make us happy at one point or another in our lives. Maybe it's a house, or furniture, or cars, or electronics, etc....etc.... But in reality, those things don't bring true happiness. I fell for that lie. I thought that the really nice house was a must. Then we had to fill the house with all of the stuff. Then came the cars. Then . . . one day I take a trip to a different country and witness people who have nothing. My world begins to fall apart. I return home and decide that we should sell our house. Well, the house has been on the market for over a year now and still not one offer has come in. We lower the price to less than what we paid for it, and still, nothing. So, we begin to put the stuff up for sale that has been occupying space in the house. This is where it starts to feel like everything is falling apart. We now have empty rooms in the house that were once filled with glamorous items. We took pride in those items. It feels odd to go into those rooms to witness emptiness. The thought goes through my head, "The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away". It makes me sad. I begin to question my thoughts and my faith. Why did I feel led to sell the house only to have the market drop out from underneath us and to put us in a position of financial disaster? Does God want this for us? When is He going to deliver on His word in all of this? These are the questions that ramble through my head every minute of every day.
Then comes the stress that all of this puts our family in. Saying goodbye to things we once had joy in is hard, but knowing that we have to sell it just to replenish our depleted savings account is even harder. The mortgage consumed the savings account months ago, so something had to be done. It is even more depressing thinking that this house could have been our nest egg and then a failed market proved otherwise. There is the stress of deciding what will be sacrificed on the chopping block next. The stress of listing and coordinating everything. The continuous stress of seeing things go, and yet the house remains to be a burden. I begin to wonder if God has to strip us of the stuff inside the house first, in order to prepare us for the move.
There is a story in the Bible about a guy name Job. This guy had it all and lost it all. His children were killed as well as all of his livestock. His possessions were taken. His friends and wife turned against him. Even his health and own life was at stake. His whole world crashed around him, and yet he remained loyal and faithful to God. God allowed satin to commit all of these things on Job (but He did not give satin permission to take Job's life) in order to prove to satin that Job would remain faithful. Job remained and there was victory in God.
Lately, I have been comparing myself to Job. I have been wondering, "what's next"? Will I lose my children, my wife or my friends? Will I have the strength to remain faithful? I hope that I don't have to lose loved ones and that I will have the strength.
Only God knows what my future holds. I know that He has a plan for me/us. I know that He is protecting us from disaster. My job is to just trust Him and let Him lead. I am holding on to His word and His promise that there are greater treasures that He has in store for us, far greater than the ones that we have acquired on this earth on our own.
Peace!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Dunk Fest 2010 (VWS Style)
Once a year, our church has it's annual baptism celebration. It usually kicks off around ten in the morning and stretches into mid afternoon. With live music provided by Jon Price and group, and a cookout after wards, this is a celebration not to be missed. Last year around sixty people publicly gave their lives to Christ and I'm sure that there were probably close to that many this past Sunday as well.
My brother from another mother entered the water this year. Kelly Jackson came into my life just a little over a year ago. We were having a free car-wash at the church when this guy showed up in his minivan, thinking that he was just there to get his vehicle cleaned for free that day. God had other plans! My other brother, Steve Nixon, and I were introduced to Kelly and he told us that he was looking for group of Christian men to connect with. We invited him to our men's group and we prayed for him on the spot that day while bird poop and leaves were being removed from his car. Kelly informed me, just a few days before Sunday, that he was going to get baptized. That morning, he asked Steve and I if we would do the honor of baptizing him. My wife took some incredible pictures of the moment. As we invited the Holy Spirit and prayed over Kelly, our brother poured out his emotions and gave it all to God.
Take a look:
Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptism of Jesus
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
God painted the sky that evening, in a way that only He can create. His love is unfathomable and His mercy is endless. What a glorious day!
Peace!
My brother from another mother entered the water this year. Kelly Jackson came into my life just a little over a year ago. We were having a free car-wash at the church when this guy showed up in his minivan, thinking that he was just there to get his vehicle cleaned for free that day. God had other plans! My other brother, Steve Nixon, and I were introduced to Kelly and he told us that he was looking for group of Christian men to connect with. We invited him to our men's group and we prayed for him on the spot that day while bird poop and leaves were being removed from his car. Kelly informed me, just a few days before Sunday, that he was going to get baptized. That morning, he asked Steve and I if we would do the honor of baptizing him. My wife took some incredible pictures of the moment. As we invited the Holy Spirit and prayed over Kelly, our brother poured out his emotions and gave it all to God.Take a look:
Matthew 3:13-17
The Baptism of Jesus
13Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?"
15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.
16As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."
God painted the sky that evening, in a way that only He can create. His love is unfathomable and His mercy is endless. What a glorious day!Peace!
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
When I Grow Up . . .
For as long as I can remember I wanted to be an Architect. When I was a kid, I would sit and draw for hours. My favorite things to draw were cars and super hero characters, but mostly, I loved to draw floor plans to houses. I even bought magazines with house plan illustrations. I read though Architectural Digest and other books that pertained to the subject. Even my favorite classes in school were wood shop and art class because they allowed me to be creative.
My parents didn't make a lot of money during my childhood. My dad was a roofer and my mom stayed home to raise my brother and I. I remember meal tickets during my middle school years. We weren't poor by today's standards, but we weren't rich either. I didn't do very good in school. I mostly had a "C" average, with the occasional "D" in some subjects. Somehow, I knew when I entered high school, that I wasn't going to go very far after wards. My dad started talking about the military when I was a junior in high school. He and mom just simply couldn't afford to send me to college, and not having any achievements didn't help me much either. I pretty much buried the dream of being an architect when I was a senior. I figured I would just let the world determine my place and I would do my best at what ever I would become.
After high school, I entered the the U.S. Air Force in the Civil Engineering field. My job would be Liquid Fuels Mechanic which is basically a glorified gas station maintenance man. I was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The fuel system there was an out dated mechanical pump station that required a lot of maintenance, but was on the bottom of the funding list because of the base mission. We were a support base with no fighter aircraft, so most of the funding went to more important things. None the less, I still enjoyed my job and was just proud to be serving my country. After about a year of my enlistment, I started making friends in other career fields. One of my closest friends, David Cook, worked as a carpenter. He acknowledged my passion for construction and invited me to assist him in an off base project that he was working on. He was building a log house in the Sandia Mountains for his Pastor. This was no little cabin either. It was a 2,500 square foot home with a two car garage as well. If my memory serves me correctly, it took a little over four months to set all of the logs in place for the exterior walls of the house. This was in the late 80's, so pre-fab kits weren't in use yet. Once the shell of the home was raised, the interior walls were framed and the rest of the house was under roof within a couple of months. I remember how exhausting it was because most of the construction was done in the middle of the winter from sunup to sundown. Between the wind, cold temps and snow, winter's are brutal when you are in the valley of a mountain range. It was worth it though. This project gave me new vision and determination to do what ever it took to be a home builder/designer.
When I separated from active duty in the summer of '93, I transferred into the Air National Guard and enrolled into Cincinnati State's Architectural Engineering Program. Once I received my associates degree, I took a job with an engineering firm designing HVAC systems until I could get my feet in the door with an architectural firm. I spent my spare time studying house construction and designed floor plans of my own with my computer's CAD software. It wasn't long before I interviewed with a prominent architectural firm and was hired a drafter. Some of my accounts were Penn Station Restaurants, BW3's, Skyline Chili Restaurants and various warehouse projects as well. I loved my job at first, but that didn't last long. The company I worked for only had two other employees at the time, both of which were licensed architects. Within a year or two, the company added two more licensed associates. I longed to have some of the accounts that the other employees were given, but just didn't have the experience or the knowledge at the time. I began to grow bitter as I would spend ten or more hours a day at my computer doing design work that became repetitive and mundane to me. I wanted more! I wanted to get out in the field. I wanted to design and create things of my own.
I gave up on my dream of becoming an architect and made a career change into cabinetry construction. I worked for a couple of custom cabinetry shops for a few years before I decided to become a stay-at-home dad and start my own company as a side job. I have been doing my own thing now for the better part of ten years and have been blessed with the opportunity to create some really nice cabinetry for people; not to mention the friendships that I have established with those clients.
As this summer draws near it's end, my stay-at-home days will be over. Time for a new chapter in my life and time for some major career decisions. I am struggling with getting the work that I need to provide an income for my family. I am struggling with the thought of working for someone after being on my own for ten years. I still have a passion for architecture and I love building things with my own hands. I have even been considering going back into the Air Force to become a recruiter as a full time job and possibly doing some side work as a designer or a craftsman. If I did reenlist into the military, I would get all of my benefits back and I could retire in ten years. I feel very conflicted and scared, simply because I don't know what I should do or how to start doing it.
Here is a story I received in a devotion from my good friend, Jody Burgin. This story speaks volumes to my heart and gives me hope:
12 years and 14 operations later, Styer was back on his board - dancing across the tops of the waves with the help of a custom-made alloy brace that supports and strengthens his virtually useless knee. He even realized a lifelong dream and qualified for a professional surfing contest. These days, he relies on a wide array of measures to minimize the pain, including icing the knee, ultrasound, and physical therapy. And while he sleeps each night, he wears a neurostimulator that essentially blocks the electrical impulses that inform the brain of the pain in his knee.
My parents didn't make a lot of money during my childhood. My dad was a roofer and my mom stayed home to raise my brother and I. I remember meal tickets during my middle school years. We weren't poor by today's standards, but we weren't rich either. I didn't do very good in school. I mostly had a "C" average, with the occasional "D" in some subjects. Somehow, I knew when I entered high school, that I wasn't going to go very far after wards. My dad started talking about the military when I was a junior in high school. He and mom just simply couldn't afford to send me to college, and not having any achievements didn't help me much either. I pretty much buried the dream of being an architect when I was a senior. I figured I would just let the world determine my place and I would do my best at what ever I would become.
After high school, I entered the the U.S. Air Force in the Civil Engineering field. My job would be Liquid Fuels Mechanic which is basically a glorified gas station maintenance man. I was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The fuel system there was an out dated mechanical pump station that required a lot of maintenance, but was on the bottom of the funding list because of the base mission. We were a support base with no fighter aircraft, so most of the funding went to more important things. None the less, I still enjoyed my job and was just proud to be serving my country. After about a year of my enlistment, I started making friends in other career fields. One of my closest friends, David Cook, worked as a carpenter. He acknowledged my passion for construction and invited me to assist him in an off base project that he was working on. He was building a log house in the Sandia Mountains for his Pastor. This was no little cabin either. It was a 2,500 square foot home with a two car garage as well. If my memory serves me correctly, it took a little over four months to set all of the logs in place for the exterior walls of the house. This was in the late 80's, so pre-fab kits weren't in use yet. Once the shell of the home was raised, the interior walls were framed and the rest of the house was under roof within a couple of months. I remember how exhausting it was because most of the construction was done in the middle of the winter from sunup to sundown. Between the wind, cold temps and snow, winter's are brutal when you are in the valley of a mountain range. It was worth it though. This project gave me new vision and determination to do what ever it took to be a home builder/designer.
When I separated from active duty in the summer of '93, I transferred into the Air National Guard and enrolled into Cincinnati State's Architectural Engineering Program. Once I received my associates degree, I took a job with an engineering firm designing HVAC systems until I could get my feet in the door with an architectural firm. I spent my spare time studying house construction and designed floor plans of my own with my computer's CAD software. It wasn't long before I interviewed with a prominent architectural firm and was hired a drafter. Some of my accounts were Penn Station Restaurants, BW3's, Skyline Chili Restaurants and various warehouse projects as well. I loved my job at first, but that didn't last long. The company I worked for only had two other employees at the time, both of which were licensed architects. Within a year or two, the company added two more licensed associates. I longed to have some of the accounts that the other employees were given, but just didn't have the experience or the knowledge at the time. I began to grow bitter as I would spend ten or more hours a day at my computer doing design work that became repetitive and mundane to me. I wanted more! I wanted to get out in the field. I wanted to design and create things of my own.
I gave up on my dream of becoming an architect and made a career change into cabinetry construction. I worked for a couple of custom cabinetry shops for a few years before I decided to become a stay-at-home dad and start my own company as a side job. I have been doing my own thing now for the better part of ten years and have been blessed with the opportunity to create some really nice cabinetry for people; not to mention the friendships that I have established with those clients.
As this summer draws near it's end, my stay-at-home days will be over. Time for a new chapter in my life and time for some major career decisions. I am struggling with getting the work that I need to provide an income for my family. I am struggling with the thought of working for someone after being on my own for ten years. I still have a passion for architecture and I love building things with my own hands. I have even been considering going back into the Air Force to become a recruiter as a full time job and possibly doing some side work as a designer or a craftsman. If I did reenlist into the military, I would get all of my benefits back and I could retire in ten years. I feel very conflicted and scared, simply because I don't know what I should do or how to start doing it.
Here is a story I received in a devotion from my good friend, Jody Burgin. This story speaks volumes to my heart and gives me hope:
Brian Styer, wading in the shallow Pacific waters before a surfing session, had a life-altering encounter with a stingray. The stingray, with a wingspan estimated at 17 feet, fired its sharp barb through the surfer's left kneecap and out the back of his leg. For ten days, Styer, then 18, lay partially paralyzed, wondering if he would ever walk again. He did, after doctors removed a portion of the barb, declared him fit and released him.
But a sliver of the stingray's weaponry escaped detection and remained lodged in Styer's knee for more than a year. It caused fierce infection that invaded the surfer's entire leg, eroding muscle and bone. He nearly lost the limb.12 years and 14 operations later, Styer was back on his board - dancing across the tops of the waves with the help of a custom-made alloy brace that supports and strengthens his virtually useless knee. He even realized a lifelong dream and qualified for a professional surfing contest. These days, he relies on a wide array of measures to minimize the pain, including icing the knee, ultrasound, and physical therapy. And while he sleeps each night, he wears a neurostimulator that essentially blocks the electrical impulses that inform the brain of the pain in his knee.
Drawing upon Styer's story, let me ask you a couple of personal questions:
1. What is your "lifelong dream"? Down deep inside your head, what hidden goal do you long to achieve? Think. State it to yourself. Picture it in your mind. Breakthrough living calls for a few dreams that pull us toward them.
2. How is your loyalty to that dream? Be honest. Have you started slacking off? Allowed a few obstacles to weaken your determination?
The surfer story speaks for itself., If that guy will go through all that to accomplish his dream, what can I say? Bring on the stingrays, Lord!
I have had my fair share of stingray attacks and setbacks in life. I have made some good choices and some bad choices, but all in all, I know that everything that I have encountered on my path in life has happened for a reason. I am excavating the dreams that I've once envisioned. I am dreaming again and thinking about what I want to be when I grow up. Whatever the outcome over the next couple of months, I will be grateful for what ever God provides for me and I will accept my purpose for His cause. At only forty years young, who knows, maybe my lifelong dream of becoming an architect or becoming a successful craftsman will come true.
Peace!
I have had my fair share of stingray attacks and setbacks in life. I have made some good choices and some bad choices, but all in all, I know that everything that I have encountered on my path in life has happened for a reason. I am excavating the dreams that I've once envisioned. I am dreaming again and thinking about what I want to be when I grow up. Whatever the outcome over the next couple of months, I will be grateful for what ever God provides for me and I will accept my purpose for His cause. At only forty years young, who knows, maybe my lifelong dream of becoming an architect or becoming a successful craftsman will come true.
Peace!
Kids at VBS Vineyard West Side 2010
Welcome to Vineyard West Side's Vacation Bible School. This year's theme is called SUPER HERO EDITION. This is day one of a five day program that will teach kids about what it takes to be a hero that models the ultimate Super Hero of all - JESUS. I took a few pics of some of the activities that the kids enjoyed last night.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
The Loss Of A Loved One
I have said it before, and I will say it again. To some people, cars are more than just a means of transportation. They are more than just a hunk of metal. They are an extension of us. They are in our blood. They are an art form and also a creation of one's imagination. I get it that we can't take them with us when we die. I get it that they are just material objects. I really don't think God cares that we value or love such things, just as long as we don't value them over Him.
This particular car has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Isn't it God that created us to dream? Isn't it God that created us to Love? I think God has joy for us when we are passionate about something. The only thing that I have loathed during my ownership of this vehicle (or any other for that matter), is people's opinions of what I should or should not do with it. To me, that is pure jealousy. To me, those people are the biggest hypocrites of them all. Why should they say, "Hey Nick, maybe you should get rid of your Mustang. Just think of the freedom that it would bring you". They have cast their negative thoughts at me. Not once did I hear this from God.
I made this car what it is. I had a vision and I created my version of this Saleen Mustang. It has very much become a part of me and it is unique because of me. I am thankful of the people who have helped me to put it together. I am thankful for those with the same passion, who appreciate a beautiful car.
I have set my price, high or not, because that is what it is worth to me. Actually, it is worth a helluva lot more, but I have to be realistic in a shitty economic market. I'm hoping that it doesn't sell, but I will be sincere and follow through if it does.
The last thing that I want to hear is a bunch of church people telling me that it will be alright. I already know that it will be alright, because ultimately I believe that God has a much better plan for me. Instead of telling me how it's going to be, I would much rather be asked, "Hey Nick, I sense that there is something wrong, is there anything that I can do for you"? I would much rather people let me vent without judging me.
This particular car has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. Isn't it God that created us to dream? Isn't it God that created us to Love? I think God has joy for us when we are passionate about something. The only thing that I have loathed during my ownership of this vehicle (or any other for that matter), is people's opinions of what I should or should not do with it. To me, that is pure jealousy. To me, those people are the biggest hypocrites of them all. Why should they say, "Hey Nick, maybe you should get rid of your Mustang. Just think of the freedom that it would bring you". They have cast their negative thoughts at me. Not once did I hear this from God.
I made this car what it is. I had a vision and I created my version of this Saleen Mustang. It has very much become a part of me and it is unique because of me. I am thankful of the people who have helped me to put it together. I am thankful for those with the same passion, who appreciate a beautiful car.
I have set my price, high or not, because that is what it is worth to me. Actually, it is worth a helluva lot more, but I have to be realistic in a shitty economic market. I'm hoping that it doesn't sell, but I will be sincere and follow through if it does.
The last thing that I want to hear is a bunch of church people telling me that it will be alright. I already know that it will be alright, because ultimately I believe that God has a much better plan for me. Instead of telling me how it's going to be, I would much rather be asked, "Hey Nick, I sense that there is something wrong, is there anything that I can do for you"? I would much rather people let me vent without judging me.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The "Bug Guy"
So, we had to have an exterminator come out this morning to take care of a flying ant problem in our basement. As I was walking him down to our basement, he mentioned that he lives here on the west side in the Delhi area. I showed him the problem area and went back upstairs to wait for him to finish.
It took Mike a few minutes to spray the treatment around the perimeter of the basement and then he came back upstairs. I decided to strike up a conversation with him, and what do you know, God decides to show up as well. Let me explain. I told Mike that he looked very familiar to me and then I asked him how long he had lived in Delhi and that's when he opened up. He told me that he rides his Harley around the area every chance that he gets, and I think that's why he looks so familiar to me. I may have seen him out on one of his evening cruises. He then shared that he had just recently been divorced and right at that moment, I thought about the group of guys that I meet with on Tuesday nights. I thought about some of the guys that would like to connect with this fella and how he would be a good fit for the group. I casually mentioned the group to him and he said that he would really like to come check it out. He told me that he believes that God created us all for a purpose and that maybe today was his calling, and that maybe he was destined to meet me.
Mike was also an Air Force man, like myself, and he was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. As most of you know, I was stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico for four years. We talked about the southwest for several minutes and shared our desires to return there someday.
Mike also talked about his job a lot and how much that he has enjoyed doing it, but wished that he had made a career out of the Air Force. He told me that he is on the t.v. commercials for Sure Thing Pest Control and that all of the neighborhood kids know him as, the "Bug Guy".
I think we could have talked for hours but Mike had to report to his next job and I had things to take care of as well. I gave him one of our church's outreach cards and wrote my name and phone number on the back of it. I really hope Mike shows up this Tuesday at The Refuge for some coffee, cigars or even some Godly man connecting time. I for one, would love to hear more of his life's story.
I have to say that I have been blown away by all of the opportunities that God has provided for me to share His Gospel. I guess that's why they say, "Be careful of what you pray (ask) for, you just might get it".
1 Chronicles 4:10
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
Peace!
It took Mike a few minutes to spray the treatment around the perimeter of the basement and then he came back upstairs. I decided to strike up a conversation with him, and what do you know, God decides to show up as well. Let me explain. I told Mike that he looked very familiar to me and then I asked him how long he had lived in Delhi and that's when he opened up. He told me that he rides his Harley around the area every chance that he gets, and I think that's why he looks so familiar to me. I may have seen him out on one of his evening cruises. He then shared that he had just recently been divorced and right at that moment, I thought about the group of guys that I meet with on Tuesday nights. I thought about some of the guys that would like to connect with this fella and how he would be a good fit for the group. I casually mentioned the group to him and he said that he would really like to come check it out. He told me that he believes that God created us all for a purpose and that maybe today was his calling, and that maybe he was destined to meet me.
Mike was also an Air Force man, like myself, and he was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. As most of you know, I was stationed in Albuquerque, New Mexico for four years. We talked about the southwest for several minutes and shared our desires to return there someday.
Mike also talked about his job a lot and how much that he has enjoyed doing it, but wished that he had made a career out of the Air Force. He told me that he is on the t.v. commercials for Sure Thing Pest Control and that all of the neighborhood kids know him as, the "Bug Guy".
I think we could have talked for hours but Mike had to report to his next job and I had things to take care of as well. I gave him one of our church's outreach cards and wrote my name and phone number on the back of it. I really hope Mike shows up this Tuesday at The Refuge for some coffee, cigars or even some Godly man connecting time. I for one, would love to hear more of his life's story.
I have to say that I have been blown away by all of the opportunities that God has provided for me to share His Gospel. I guess that's why they say, "Be careful of what you pray (ask) for, you just might get it".
1 Chronicles 4:10
Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request.
Peace!
Becoming MEN
I believe that there is no better way for a father to spend some quality time with his boys, than being outdoors. There is something about being out in the wild, surrounded by God's beautiful creation, that seems so natural. If you want a better perspective on this, read "Wild at Heart", by John Eldredge.
My daughter was away (at Kings Island - luckeee) with one of her friends this past Monday, so I decided to do something manly with my boys. I took them to Miami Whitewater Forest to do a little hiking. Whitewater covers 4,329 acres and has three separate hiking trails. The trail that we chose was the Badlands Trail, which is a 1.8 mile loop with rugged terrain. As we ventured into the head of the trail, I immediately felt thankful for this opportunity. This is what quality time looks like with my children. I felt God's presence and was thankful for some quality time with Him as well.
Anthony, who is six years old, had the responsibility of controlling our dog's leash for this hike. He was very proud and excited that this was his job on this day. It was entertaining to watch a sixty pound dog pull a fifty pound kid through the woods. Dominick, now eleven, stayed by my side and asked me his normal amount of thousands of questions that run through his mind daily.
At one point in our quest, I noticed how much these guys are growing, and how much they have changed in the past several months. I saw the men that they are morphing into and I felt overwhelmed from the responsibility that I have had as a father to them. I'm not just raising my boys, I'm raising God's boys. I realized how important my role as a Godly man is to these guys. I once read an excerpt from my bible by Dr. Charles Swindoll and he states, "The reality is that God does not give us men - He gives us boys. To us, as parents, He gives us the task of forging these boys into men. And to help equip us for this task, God has provided the book of Proverbs, which is largely the advice of a father to his son". It is our job as men, to raise the Noahs, the Moses, the Abrahams, and the David's. It is our job to set Godly foundations for our sons so that they will recognize their calling from God as the men they were created to be.
Proverbs 2:1-11Moral Benefits of Wisdom
My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding,
and if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom,
and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
He holds victory in store for the upright,
he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless,
for he guards the course of the just
and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just
and fair—every good path.
For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
Discretion will protect you,
and understanding will guard you.
Peace!
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