Sitting on the Fireplace

Sammy is learning self control...slowly. When he is just in a bad mood and being contrary, I give him one chance to "control himself". I get down on his lever and make eye contact. Then I tell him in a calm but firm voice, "Samuel Isaac, go sit on the fireplace until you're done crying." It usually takes about 15 - 30 seconds as he crys it out and then comes back to me and whispers, "Daddy, baby done crying." Then we celebrate his victory.
You know, my heavenly Father does the same thing with me. I've spent months "sitting on the fireplace" as it were. Pouting & fussing because I'm not getting my way. It still amazes me how long I tend to spend on the "fireplace". Finally, I figure out that God is bigger than me and that sitting on his lap, in intimate fellowship with him is far better than sitting, estranged from him, on the hard hearth. Finally I "come to my senses", the Bible defines this as Repentance, and I go to him and say, "Daddy, I'm done crying". Then we celebrate His victory in me. How great is my God!

Jesus' ipod?

What Would Jesus do? My big gift for my 40th from my wife & children was an ipod video. I enjoy it but I have a lot to learn. One of the negatives that dawned on me is how that this medium so highlights the individual and separates him/her from even those who are sitting next to him. I don't thing Jesus would have an ipod for several reasons:
1: He knows everything - why would he want to listen to a sermon or a song - he is the author of everything?
2: He lived in & for community with God the Father & with man. An ipod would have gotten in the way of that
3: Those ear buds hurt! But I guess compared to a rock for a pillow, they're not bad
4: He had an intimate relationship with the Father. A direct line...he had a Godpod!
If you read John 17, you will soon realize that we, chosen children of God have a Godpod too. Ipods are great for what they are but they can't hold a candle to a Godpod.
Don't settle for "good" when you've been given the "best".

Entrepeneur Days

Do you know who the #1 employer in the nation is? You guessed it - the government. The unstated goal of government education is to produce a new crop of employees. Funny thing is that this country was founded by entrepreneurs not employees. I desire for my sons to do much better financially than I have. That is why I am investing in their education this August by taking them to an event called "Entrepreneur Days" in Atlanta Georgia. Its a whole new world out there and I want my sons to take advantage of the opportunities that are available to them now. There are 15 year olds making upwards of $20,000 a month on the Internet. I also am interested in seeing just what God may be moving me to do by way of example to my boys. College in not the guarantee to financial stability that it once was. In the past two days I have read two articles on the woes of college grads. One was entitled, "College Grads join the ranks of the uninsured" and the other was a story about college grads unable to find work and turning to technical schools to learn a trade - usually in one fourth of the time and cost.
It is time for God's people to fund the kingdom by being wise and working smart. I'd like you to check out this amazing opportunity for yourself. Copy the following link and it will take you to a site that will explain the conference to you. I hope to see you there.
http://www.entrepreneurdays.com/cmd.php?af=599060

Forgiveness & Healing

Today we celebrated communion with our church family. It was one of those beautiful services that far exceeded its planning. During the passing of the bread, we were instructed to exchange our element with someone else as a way of saying that I am praising God to be in relationship with you. My dear deacon friend and I about bumped into each other as we turned to head down the aisle to find someone to exchange our bread with. He then extended his bread to me and embraced me in a bear hug. I don't ever recall sensing such a deep emotion of brotherly agape love as I did this morning. As we then took the bread together I was keenly aware that my brother & I were only in relationship because of Jesus Christ's death for us. Deep gratitude. When it came time for the cup we were instructed to go to someone who we had offended and to exchange our cups and seek forgiveness. I have to stop here & confess that I had really let both of my older sons have it earlier that morning and we were NOT in fellowship. I was right but I was wrong too. I immediately found my son Zack, exchanged cups and hugged his neck and wept. I told him that I loved him through my tears. I then headed to the balcony where Paul Jr. was manning the sound system. There was a crowd of people in that narrow side aisle. When I finally navigated the sea of folks without spilling my cup I looked up to see my boy coming to me! He made his way down the stairs to make things right with his dad. The tears just kept on falling as forgiveness was exchanged and relationships mended. The amazing thing is that this was taking place all over the sanctuary! We wrapped it up by singing, "I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God..." Because of Jesus Christ's atoning death, the Church of the Wildwood experienced first hand forgiveness and healing. I've never been so thankful.

God's Veto

This past winter, I took my semi-annual study break for a week. One of my deacons and dear friends gave me the keys to his mountain home. I was all set for a week of fasting, prayer, & solitude. The day before I was to leave, my wife came to me with a request. She almost never asks anything of me so I was excited to grant her wish...until she asked. She expressed concern for my son Zack. We didn't have his heart, I didn't have his heart. Beth wasn't sure she could handle him alone for a week. 14 and full of hormones and savage mood swings - not unlike his father at that age. Well that pretty much canned my idea for all of the above except prayer. I didn't figure Zack could go five hours without eating much less five days. I knew this was the will of God but I was disappointed. I was going away to make sure that God had my heart but God needed me to go to make sure that I had my son's heart. We laughed, shopped for food, played rummy till 3am. We did life together for 5 days. I learned how much I loved my son and he learned that too. No, I didn't have the mountain top experience with the Lord directly as I was planning. But Zack and I had a blast just doing life together. The change in Zack since that week has been astounding. He is respectful and is really trying to be honoring. His work ethic has sky rocketed. A contractor friend of mine hired him for two days of hard labor. The man told me later that he never met a young man that could keep up with him until he worked with Zack.

Thank you Father God for my son Zack in whom I am well pleased. Thank you for using your veto power over my plans only to exchange them for your blessings. May all the glory be reflected to your throne!

Sammy Boy in his "Hunting Hat"