I thought this was great stuff from Tom Brokaw... taken from YSmarko.com..thanks.
addressing the graduating class of emory university, tom brokaw said:
"You have been hearing all of your life that this occasion is a big step into what is called the real world. What, you may ask, is that real world all about? What is this new life? Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 2005 at Emory, real life is not college; real life is not high school. Here is a secret that no one has told you: Real life is junior high."
"The world that you’re about to enter is filled with junior high adolescent pettiness, pubescent rivalries, the insecurities of 13-year-olds, and the false bravado of 14-year-olds. 40 years from now, I guarantee it: You will still make a silly mistake every day. You will have temper tantrums and you’re feelings will be hurt for some trivial sleight. You’ll say something dumb at the wrong time. And you will wonder at least once a week, “Will I ever grow up?” You can change that. In your pursuit of your passions, always be young. In your relationship with others, always be grown-up. Set a standard, and stay faithful to it."
As I reflected on this statement. I realized just how much truth was in all of that. I can look back on the last 20 years and realize that my life has been full of Junior High moments. Most of those moments have been my fault. If you ask my wife, she can tell you I am far from being grown up. I know one day that I will be so old that I can't pull it off any more. My hope is that I can act young, enjoy life like I am young, but find that I am grown up in my relationships. I don't have time for any more of those "Junior High" moments. Junior High was the worst 2 years of my life...lol
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Friday, September 21, 2007
my great friend John.....
Today, was a great day. I got a lot of work accomplished. In the same breath, it was a tough day for me as well. My friend John...well...he is leaving. Today was his last day at work. He is joining the Army. I really did not know what to say to him. I usually have words for every occasion. It is this gift I have, I guess. I can usually say the right thing at the right time. Help people feel comfortable. But today, I did not really know what to say to John. He doesn't leave for another week or so, but it was his last day at work. We have worked together, worshipped together, shot each in Call of Duty and played softball together. He is a great friend. He is probably a much better friend to me than I am to him. He has taught me a lot about creating a piece of software, about becoming a student of the Word, about making decisions about life, giving me advice about missions, and most of all.... John has shown me a person that lives life like Jesus. John has given me a great example to follow.. I thank God for putting John in my life, my fear is that I may never see him again. Until we get to go Home..... I will miss him very much.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
first day of Kindergarten for Caroline...
Today was Caroline's first day of school. Here are a few pictures... I am feeling old, both of my children are in school now and in 13 years Caroline will graduate! Ok..getting ahead of myself...lol.
Shane and Shane...
Last night a group of 14 of us went to see the Pages tour at the Grove City Church of the Nazarene. We had to rush around to get everyone collected in one place and then to the venue in a timely manner. Once there, I was able to relax. We had about 20 minutes to spare and had a moment to socialize with everyone who came. We saw a few of our Scioto Hills friends who had made the trek from Southern Ohio to enjoy an evening of worship.
I have to preface this by saying...Shane and Shane rock my face off. My good friend JD Hortel told me about them a few years ago and I have been hooked ever since. Shane is an amazing guitar player. I am humbled after hearing him play. I love the vocals, the sound and the lyrics blow me away. I just do not know how to write songs like he does. He is gifted from God.
The openers were Monk and Neagle. They played about 40 minutes. They are a great duo. Just the two of them with their voices and their guitars. I highly recommend them. They released an acoustic cd and this is were they shine. I am not as big a fan when they are with a full band. I think this is where they really showcase their talents. Jen and I saw them open up for MercyMe a few years ago and have been fans ever sense.
Bebo Norman was great. I honestly had not heard his new cd. I have only purchased, "I will lift my eyes" from the iTunes Music Store. I love that song! It is quite amazing to sing with our church community, they have really taken ahold of that song and sing it like it is an anthem! Love it! I sang that song at my Grandmother's funeral a few weeks ago, it will always have a special place with me. Bebo shared a powerful moment about how we are called to help the poor. He was talking about a great ministry called Compassion International. It was obvious that he was speaking from his heart.
Last, Shane and Shane took the stage. They opened up with "Vision of You" and "Yearn". Worship was on at that point.... I am going to admit something, it is been really hard for me to worship lately. I am failing at it miserably. Not tonight! I had a raise the hands, deep in my soul kind of worship experience. Shane's lyrics infect me. They weigh on me in a way that I can't describe or explain. Add the harmonies and I am moved. I don't want to even start on the guitar strumming... humbled.
They continued the worship and played some great Shane and Shane songs...Miss you, Psalm 118, and others. One of the last songs was a new one. It was called "Embracing Accusations". Shane explained the fact that he wrote a song thanking Satan.... so I know the feeling...There are songs i always feel like i need to explain, so everyone will be on the same page..know where I am coming from, so not to offend or confuse.
It is an amazing song that describes the battle that we are in with Satan and how he reminds us continually of our failures and faults and that we are cursed (Galations 3). But in that accusation, Satan forgets the next sentence..."Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us," Simply put like the last line of the song..."Jesus saves". At that point of the worship, I may have been crying. How easy it is for us to forget. I was reminded by the words, by the worship to God, by the singing, by the hearts that Jesus's blood was enough. I fight the battle daily and in the struggle I forget about what is most important. I loose sight of the prize. I find in my despair, it is easy for Satan to remind me of my being cursed. I loose focus. Then I hear Shane sing...."Jesus SAVVVVVVVEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS" and it pierces the silence in my heart with joy and redemption!
Fantastic worship! I am sure God was pleased Tuesday night to hear His people singing of His victory!
If you have never heard Shane and Shane...check out a few video's on YouTube. This is one of my Favorite new songs from S&S called "Beg". YOu get to see a little bit of their humor in this one. Great song!
I have to preface this by saying...Shane and Shane rock my face off. My good friend JD Hortel told me about them a few years ago and I have been hooked ever since. Shane is an amazing guitar player. I am humbled after hearing him play. I love the vocals, the sound and the lyrics blow me away. I just do not know how to write songs like he does. He is gifted from God.
The openers were Monk and Neagle. They played about 40 minutes. They are a great duo. Just the two of them with their voices and their guitars. I highly recommend them. They released an acoustic cd and this is were they shine. I am not as big a fan when they are with a full band. I think this is where they really showcase their talents. Jen and I saw them open up for MercyMe a few years ago and have been fans ever sense.
Bebo Norman was great. I honestly had not heard his new cd. I have only purchased, "I will lift my eyes" from the iTunes Music Store. I love that song! It is quite amazing to sing with our church community, they have really taken ahold of that song and sing it like it is an anthem! Love it! I sang that song at my Grandmother's funeral a few weeks ago, it will always have a special place with me. Bebo shared a powerful moment about how we are called to help the poor. He was talking about a great ministry called Compassion International. It was obvious that he was speaking from his heart.
Last, Shane and Shane took the stage. They opened up with "Vision of You" and "Yearn". Worship was on at that point.... I am going to admit something, it is been really hard for me to worship lately. I am failing at it miserably. Not tonight! I had a raise the hands, deep in my soul kind of worship experience. Shane's lyrics infect me. They weigh on me in a way that I can't describe or explain. Add the harmonies and I am moved. I don't want to even start on the guitar strumming... humbled.
They continued the worship and played some great Shane and Shane songs...Miss you, Psalm 118, and others. One of the last songs was a new one. It was called "Embracing Accusations". Shane explained the fact that he wrote a song thanking Satan.... so I know the feeling...There are songs i always feel like i need to explain, so everyone will be on the same page..know where I am coming from, so not to offend or confuse.
It is an amazing song that describes the battle that we are in with Satan and how he reminds us continually of our failures and faults and that we are cursed (Galations 3). But in that accusation, Satan forgets the next sentence..."Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us," Simply put like the last line of the song..."Jesus saves". At that point of the worship, I may have been crying. How easy it is for us to forget. I was reminded by the words, by the worship to God, by the singing, by the hearts that Jesus's blood was enough. I fight the battle daily and in the struggle I forget about what is most important. I loose sight of the prize. I find in my despair, it is easy for Satan to remind me of my being cursed. I loose focus. Then I hear Shane sing...."Jesus SAVVVVVVVEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS" and it pierces the silence in my heart with joy and redemption!
Fantastic worship! I am sure God was pleased Tuesday night to hear His people singing of His victory!
If you have never heard Shane and Shane...check out a few video's on YouTube. This is one of my Favorite new songs from S&S called "Beg". YOu get to see a little bit of their humor in this one. Great song!
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