Joe Blogs

What Would She Tell Me If She Could?

2012-01-31T19:24:00.000-05:00

One of the things I wonder about a lot is what goes through Emily's mind. I would give anything to know what she's thinking when I'm holding her and looking in her eyes. No amount of money would stop me if I could pay to listen to her thoughts.

Sometimes I imagine what Emily would tell me if she could...

"Don't worry daddy, I'm okay. It might look yucky to you but I'm really okay."

"I love you daddy. You and mommy are the bestest parents in the whole world!"

"Daddy, what's a touchdown?"

"Do we really have to go back to the hospital again daddy?"

"Daddy, I dreamed about playing with you and mommy at the park last night. Can we go there and play today!?"

"My best friend Ava told me that we will be friends forever daddy!"

"That medicine makes me feel funny daddy, do I have to take it?"

"Will you read me a bedtime story daddy?"

"Daddy, will you tell me some more about Jesus?"

"Can we go and visit gwandma and gwandpa soon daddy?"

"When I have my seizures, I don't want you to be scared. Will you be brave like me daddy?"

"I think I need my diaper changed daddy! he he he"

"What are you getting ready to feed me daddy?"

"Daddy, that's NOT how mommy does it."

"You're my hero daddy, I love you!"

Emily,

I know you can't tell me what you're thinking but believe me, you've already said so much without saying a single word!

I love you baby.

Love,
Daddy

Our Unselfish Temples

2012-01-25T09:59:00.000-05:00

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself. - 1 Corinthians 6:19 (NLT)

I've heard this scripture numerous times before. I've heard it quoted from people who have decided to stop smoking, drinking, doing drugs and those who have wanted to start eating healthier and start exercising. It fits all those motivations rather nicely wouldn't you say?

Even if you don't have a bad habit or you are already eating healthy and exercising this scripture STILL speaks to you. How?

Because EVERYONE is still selfish.

That's not easy to hear is it? I know for me, I immediately want to defend that claim and show example after example of how I'm NOT selfish. But just like those bad habits I mentioned above, all of us share a habit of being selfish. We have this same thing in common even though it might look different from me to you.

Some people are selfish because they want to smoke.

Some people are selfish because they want to drink.

Some people are selfish because they, like me, want to eat whatever they want.

Our habits look different but the commonality that we share is that we are full of our selves. And I didn't really get this scripture until I read the paraphrased version of it from The Message...

Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body! (emphasis mine)

WOW!!

Let people see GOD in and through your body!

When I read that I had a crazy thought.

What if one day I had to give blood for some kind of testing and the lab technician was looking at my blood cells through a microscope and actually seen that God was coursing through my bloodstream!!!

I know that is a pretty far-fetched idea but what if we actually were meant to be that dedicated to God and unselfish?

What if one day you you had to get an x-ray and all of a sudden you heard a commotion in the back of the building because the x-ray technician was able to see that God and His word was buried deep in your bones!!!

Though these examples aren't likely to happen, I still can't help but think that this is how we are supposed to look at this scripture. This is how dedicated and unselfish we are to be to God through our physical bodies.

Imagine what it would be like to be that unselfish!

Circumstanial Revelation

2012-01-21T18:07:00.000-05:00

"Circumstances do not make a man, they reveal him."

- James Lane Allen

I read this quote just a few minutes ago as I'm sitting in the hospital with my beautiful daughter Emily. Our hospital visits are usually seizure related but this time we are here because she has pneumonia. We hate being in the hospital, who wouldn't? But we are thankful that we have almost gone a year (11 months) since our last visit. Not only that, but we are here because of something other than seizures!

That being said, I found it very appropriate that I should just happen across the quote at the top of this post. Most of the time we hear about how someone learned a lot because of a specific circumstance or a sequence of circumstances they were in. But never had I thought about it in this particular way. I never considered that circumstances actually reveal who we are.

Ever heard the old saying, "I wouldn't want to go through that again, but now that it's over with, I'm glad I did because I'm a stronger person because of it"? I know for me, I've said it a bunch of times. I've been through a lot of circumstances that have truly grown my faith and made me a stronger person. Circumstances that not only helped me but helped me help others too.

While it's true that circumstances will always have the potential to help us grow stronger it is also true our circumstances can be the best tool to actually show us WHO we are. Next time your circumstances aren't so pleasant and you find yourself becoming frustrated, take a minute to think about this opportunity for revelation. Let your circumstances reveal who you are!

Out Of The Same Mouth...

2011-09-11T20:05:00.000-04:00

I was reading my Bible devotion the other day and for that day I was prompted to read 1 Samuel 20:30-34.

I really didn't think much of it as I was flipping back to the Old Testament and trying to find where 1 Samuel was among all the other O.T. books. When I found my place I started reading...

³⁰ Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman!...

OK, hold on a minute. TIME OUT!

What did that just say???

Now maybe I'm at fault for being the type of person who would have "those kind of thoughts" or maybe I'm not but I could have sworn when I first started reading that it was going to say "You son of a (word that rhymes with witch)."

Am I at fault for thinking this? Maybe so.

But maybe not either. I honestly couldn't help but think that maybe in that day and time to say "You son of a perverse and rebellious woman" would be just as insulting as the same expression we would think of today.

The more I thought about it the more I wondered...

I just couldn't shake it that THAT expression, (one that sounds very similar to a kind of expression we hear a lot today) was in the Old Testament!

I guess I just thought that because I was turning to the O.T. I wouldn't find too much that was relevant to what I was going through today. Boy was I wrong!

I learned that for a very long time man has struggled with watching what is said in frustration. It seems the more frustrated a person gets the harder it becomes to contain the tongue and that even in the O.T. we can see a very real and life applicable example of this in 1 Samuel.

For that to be true then and now, it must also mean that watching what we say is a bigger battle than we probably realize!

In fact James says it like this...

James 3:9-10

⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be!

James (in the New Testament) is addressing believers for something we just seen in the Old Testament, a battle with controlling the tongue.

I realized while reading 1 Samuel that I've been ignoring something very important. Taming the tongue is a good indication of how much progress we've made in our spiritual walk. Because Matthew 15:18 says...

the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart

If this is true, then it is a great indication of what kind of "heart condition" we are in. Next time you find yourself saying something that sounds like what Saul said to Jonathan use that as an opportunity to examine your "heart condition".

Like James says, "out of the same mouth come praise and cursing" and my brothers and sisters, this should not be!

Let's be honest...

2011-08-21T15:39:00.002-04:00

Lately I've been really frustrated.

If having a daughter who fights a daily battle with seizures isn't enough, add all the financial struggles we've been having and you would think it would surely be more than enough for one person to have to tackle.

Dare I say there's more?

There is.

As bad as the first two struggles seem to be (and believe me those are some hard beasts to tackle in and of themselves) this new thing has really been kicking my butt!

What could it be you might be wondering?

Well the only way I can describe it is this... UNFULFILLED!

I feel extremely unfulfilled lately.

I HATE my job! Not necessarily because of the work or the people I work with but because I KNOW WITH EVERYTHING IN ME IT'S NOT WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO BE DOING WITH MY LIFE!!

And to make things even worse is that I don't know what/how/when/where to make the necessary changes needed to try and find the place/job where I feel I'm supposed to be.

Maybe it's fear that's holding me back. That seems like a logical reason to keep form taking a risk and trying something new. I mean just being fortunate enough to have a job in this kind of economy should make me happy shouldn't it?

Sure it should.

But I'm not looking to just be happy...

I'm looking to be FULFILLED!!

I'm looking for the place where I KNOW I'M MEANT TO BE!

Let's be honest here, if at the end of my life I'm laying on my death bed and I think I can be satisfied at just being happy to have a job then I'll rest my case. But I know with every fiber of my being that if I were looking death in the face right now I would be disappointed. Disappointed that I didn't seek that thing that gave me purpose.

I KNOW I'm supposed to be in ministry. I KNOW I have that calling on my life.

But how do you take such a risk in such insecure times?

Maybe I'm unfulfilled because I'm too afraid to take that risk.

I want to drop risk and not care enough about it that it stops me from following my dreams. It's really been kicking my butt lately!

Use Me

2011-08-20T17:18:00.000-04:00

"Use Me".

I didn't know, at that moment, how powerful those two words would prove to be. Those two simple words were my prayer a few years ago.

I was at a life changing event called Catalyst, and miles from home in Atlanta Georgia. The challenge to pray this simple (but difficult) prayer came from a pastor that I look up to and is recognized all over the world - Rick Warren.

Maybe a little bit of me was caught up in the fact that I was hearing all these wonderful servants of God preach. People I look up to. People like; Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, Dave Ramsey, Francis Chan and as was already mentioned, Rick Warren.

Or maybe (and this is what I really believe it was) I was just REALLY in tune with the Holy Spirit.

Rick Warren was preaching a great message and then BAM! Out of nowhere he challenges us to pray with him. Just all of a sudden like that. And as we bowed our heads to pray I found myself really wanting to tune everyone else out (tens of thousands of people) and just speak to God. One-on-one.

As pastor Warren was leading the prayer the only thing I knew were the words he was praying. Everything else faded away. Not long into the prayer he got down to business and said, (and I'm paraphrasing here to the best of my memory) "God, we come before you right now in this moment and want to pray a simple prayer. This prayer is so simple that it only consists of two words. But God, if we really mean this with all our hearts this prayer will be the most life-changing and "dangerous" prayer we could ever pray. But only if we really mean it. God, that prayer is "use me". Use me Lord to do your will whatever that may be. Use me Lord to be your hands and feet. USE ME!"

And almost as soon as the two words were spoken in that prayer I felt overwhelmed with desire. I meant for that to be my prayer in that moment. I really meant it to be my own. Not only that, but those two words would become my mantra many times after that day too and even now I find I'm praying it from time to time.

In the moment I said that prayer I thought I understood how a prayer like that could be simple and yet difficult at the same time. At least then I thought I did. BUT I told myself if I really mean for that to be my prayer I would have to be willing to go WHEREVER and DO WHATEVER God would lead me to. Still, I was determined. "Use me" was my new prayer and I wasn't going to let go of it.

Now, as I'm typing this and looking back at what's happened in my life between then and now, I can see just how "dangerous" that prayer really was. You see, not long after Catalyst was over a prayer was answered. A prayer that my wife and I had been praying over and over. We finally conceived the child that infertility kept us from having for so long. We were so excited! With that prayer answered still I prayed, "use me".

The day came for Emily to be born and with a few complications Erica gave birth to a dream we'd been holding on to for so long. Through a miscarriage and infertility God delivered us an angel. We fought those battles with God's help, and Emily finally in our arms, we realized how faithful our God is.

Still I prayed, "use me".

A few months after her birth we found out that Emily had Infantile Spasms. (You can read more about our journey with I.S. at my wife's blog here.)

Devastated and depressed the next few months was a true testing of my faith. There were many weeks spent in the hospital and many nights I questioned my beliefs. I fought with God, tried to bargain with God and almost gave up on God. If God wasn't going to "fix" Emily then I didn't need him anymore.

I went a while in this funk until one night (when praying of all things) I heard God gently remind me of something I had seemed to forget about. In a still, small voice, God said, "use me". Only it was me hearing myself when I prayed that prayer years before! God reminded me of what I MEANT with all my heart. And almost instantly the fog cleared and I realized that God had answered yet ANOTHER prayer and gave me the opportunity of a lifetime - the chance to be the daddy and hero of an amazing little girl who requires a little more attention, time and patience than most kids do. A child who struggles with I.S.

Now don't misunderstand. I was still hurt that Emily would have to battle I.S. but I did feel a little bit better about it. I wasn't as depressed as I was before but it was still a hard thing to deal with.

You see, when I went to Catalyst I knew there was a calling on my life to go into ministry. I knew that I would have a ministry of some sort. But I didn't realize that the kind of ministry God had in mind would be mostly to one individual. I didn't realize that God would "use me" to be a minister who was also a daddy.

Looking back on things now I'm so thankful that I was at Catalyst that day and prayed that life-changing, "dangerous" prayer. I still pray for God to "use me".

And every time I hold my precious girl in my arms I'm reminded of two simple, life-changing words - "USE ME!"

Thank you Jesus!

Turning The Tide

2011-07-07T12:20:00.003-04:00

I'm excited about Dr. Stanley's newest book and I pray it reaches everyone and has a huge impact towards restoring our nation for Godly principles once again.

Check out the videos below for more information.

Book Trailer

Interview

The Sermon

Christians and Hammers

2011-07-06T12:59:00.000-04:00

I had to use the hammer today to take something down. As I was pulling out each nail I was careful not to damage the wall in our living room. It's easy to do when you're pulling out a nail in drywall. I learned that lesson the hard way when I was still a brand new homeowner.

Sometimes my mind wonders as I'm doing simple little chores like that. Lately I've been thinking about a trial that has gotten a lot of national media attention. It seems the outcome that everyone had been expecting ended up going the other way, and everyone I've talked to has reacted with a lot of shock and disappointment. I was shocked myself to be honest. I thought for sure I knew what the outcome would be. I even found myself participating in some "hateful" conversations with some people I work with about what "should have happened" with the trial.

That being said, I want to get back to my epiphany if I may.

I think Christians are like hammers.

Let me explain. Most standard hammers have two sides. The Head (used to drive nails with) and the Claw (used to pull nails out with). If you asked any "man on the street" what hammers are mostly used for I would be willing to bet that the most common answer would be, "to drive nails with of course."

But what about the other side?

What about the side used to PULL OUT the nails?

Isn't it just as useful?

And that's where I want to go with this and what I realized as I was pulling out the nails in my living room.

I think, sadly, that too many Christians have become known for and recognized as being the HEAD of the hammer and not the CLAW of it. Too many Christians are spending their time DRIVING current topics into the ground.

Instead of being the Claw and PULLING OUT a hurting persons wounds or mistakes we tend to focus on how we can tell them more and more how they are wrong or how they shouldn't do what they do. DRIVING the nail deeper and deeper instead of helping to heal and leading them to the one who can PULL OUT that area of their life.

Lately I've been the Head more than the Claw. I think it's time to focus a little more on the other side of the hammer and see what "nails" I can help pull out of someone elses life.

I pray you can do the same thing too if, like me, you've been DRIVING more lately than PULLING.

Thank you Jesus for being the original "other side of the hammer". Thank you for PULLING OUT all our mistakes on the cross!!

Lessons From A Car Wash

2011-06-29T00:30:00.001-04:00

I stopped at the gas station this evening to get some gas. The gas light was screaming at me again. Like most people, I think, I try to ignore the gauge for as long as I can. But once the little gas pump makes an appearance on the dashboard I know I have to take things more seriously.

Usually when I get gas it's the same old routine. Push the button to release the little door where the gas cap hides. Unscrew the cap and let it freely hang off the side, turn around, swipe the debit card, and make my selection. Same old song and dance.

But this time I was at a place where there was more to be had than gas. There was also a car wash available. And when I swiped my card to make my gas selection I was first prompted to make a decision. Did I want a car wash as well?

After trying to remember when the last time my ride had a nice clean bath I felt ashamed that I couldn't recall it, so I decided to quit putting that off as well and selected the cheapest car wash available.

After I filled up the gas tank my receipt printed off, and at the bottom I found a code that would give me access to the car wash.

I pulled up, punched my digits, and off I went. One cheap, much needed car wash coming up.

Once inside I found myself lost in thought. The radio provided some background noise but my mind was concentrating on how the "touch free" car wash could actually get a car "clean". I had never used this particular car wash before and I was eager to see how good a job it did when all was said and done.

If you're like me you usually find yourself disappointed after you leave a car wash when you realize what all it DIDN'T clean. Even though I always choose the "cheap" wash, I still fill like my car should come out VERY clean. I guess you get what you pay for.

Eventually a green light in the car shower told me to pull forward. The wash was over. As I was pulling into the sunlight the inspection would begin. And once again, I was disappointed. There were still things left behind that didn't come clean. You can always tell it best when you look through the windshield and into the sunlight. You see the spots that still remain.

The inspection failed but my mind was still turning. That's when I realized how similar our spiritual walk is to a car wash.

You see, I think many of us go to church just to get "clean". Or to at least fill like we've gotten ourselves clean for that particular week anyway. I'll be the first to admit that I really have felt this way before. But every time I walked away, if I would have truly looked at myself as if trying to pass an inspection I would have seen that there was still many things, many spots, that were left behind.

I was fooling myself. Thinking that (me + just going to church = good), like (car + car wash = clean car) was a mistake.

You can't think like that. You'll fail the inspection every time.

You have to get down to the nitty gritty. You have to put lots of effort into it and maybe even shed some sweat and tears to get the kind of clean your soul really needs.

And that kind of clean isn't "touch free" or even "soft touch". That kind of clean can only come from the nail scarred hands of a saviour's touch. The touch of one who died to clean ALL our spots. Even the ones that are easy to hide but hard to clean.

Thank you Jesus for teaching me something at the car wash. You really are EVERYWHERE!

Who Am I?

2011-04-01T06:04:00.000-04:00

I am your constant companion,
I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden.

I will push you onward or drag you down to failure.

I am at your command.

Half of the tasks that you do you might just as well

turn over to me and I will do them quickly

and correctly.

I am easily managed,

you must merely be firm with me.

Show me exactly how you want something done;

after a few lessons I will do it automatically.

I am the servant of all great people and

alas of all failures as well.

Those who are great I have made great,

those who are failures I have made failures.

I am not a machine, but I work with all the precision

of a machine, plus the intelligence of a person.

Now you may run me for profit or

you may run me for ruin.

It makes no difference to me.

Take me, train me, be firm with me,

and I will lay the world at your feet.

Be easy with me and I will destroy you.

Who am I? I am called Habit.

~ Author Unknown

How To Grow Chest Hair

2011-03-31T17:04:00.000-04:00

1.) Eat meat with every meal. (Preferably cow meat) or BACON if you really want fast results!
2.) Shoot guns
3.) Zone out on sports
4.) Drink Beer
5.) Watch Sons of Anarchy
6.) Mistreat your wife or girlfriend
7.) Neglect your children
8.) Never attempt anything great
9.) Waste your money
10.) Did I mention eat a lot of cow meat?

Men, is this really what we’ve become? Are we really setting the bar this low? Do we call ourselves men because we do “such and such” and “this and that”? Do we call ourselves men because we focus on ourselves and no one else? I hate to think that is truly what we’ve become.

A man is more than chest hair, associations and eating habits. A man is more than certain hobbies, skills and coveted status. REAL men are defined with words like…

Honest, Noble, Faithful, Humble, Determined, Disciplined, Blameless and Wise

I’m tired of all the stereotypes men have gotten over the last few decades. Since when did we settle for trading Jack Arnold (Kevin’s dad on the Wonder Years) for Homer Simpson? Why did we allow Dr. Huxtable (the Cosby Show) to be replaced by Peter Griffin? If our culture is any indication of what kind of role men play in today’s society then we are in big trouble.

Men, it’s time to step up and reclaim what once was sacred, what once was respected.

We need to step up to the plate and show the world what it looks like to be a Godly man, father, and husband. It’s not going to be easy to right this ship but how much longer can we allow this to go on?

Just because you might have chest hair (or think you know how to grow it) doesn’t make you a REAL man!

Pilate's Surprise

2011-03-29T20:03:00.000-04:00

Mark 15:44

⁴⁴ Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died.

The "he" that the Bible is referring to here is Jesus of course.

I never noticed the now glaring word in this passage before. Pilate was surprised. Surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead. Not only was he surprised but he also confirmed the surprise with the centurion and the surprise proved true - Jesus had already died.

When I read this verse at first it didn't speak to me but when I read it a second time the word "surprised" spoke so loud to me that I couldn't ignore it any longer. So I had to think about it for a minute. I'm glad I did.

What I think Pilate was surprised about was not that Jesus had indeed already passed away but that maybe Pilate was secretly hoping that Jesus would save himself. I think maybe Pilate had a lot of guilt for not doing more to keep Jesus from going to the cross and deep down inside he was holding out for just a little hope that maybe Jesus would somehow save himself and Pilate's decision would not be so bad.

I don't think the surprise was in Jesus dying but that maybe Pilate's hope wasn't going to come true. Jesus would not be saving himself from what God had already planned. Pilate would have to deal with his decision.

The reason I think this is because I think of all the times when something happened to me that I would hold out hope that something would happen and change the circumstances that I was in. Haven't you? Have you been in a situation where you "held your breathe" for something to come along and change a bad decision you just made?

I think Pilate was surprised to know that what he did would not be changed. Maybe a secret wish to change a mistake would not come true and a "second chance" would not be given. Surprised Pilate received the news of Jesus' death.

Happy Purple Day!

2011-03-26T19:01:00.000-04:00

Just wanted to show the picture of all of us wearing our purple for Epilepsy Awareness Day.

WE LOVE YOU EMILY!

Purple Day

2011-03-25T14:47:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is Purple Day.

What is Purple Day?

Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On March 26th annually, people in countries around the world are invited to wear purple and host events in support of epilepsy awareness. In 2010, people in dozens of countries on all continents except Antarctica worldwide participated in Purple Day. With your help, Purple Day 2011 will be even bigger!

If you go to the website (by clicking the link above) you can see many ways you can help.

If you choose to wear purple don't stop there, talk about it! Tell people why you are wearing purple, tell them Epilepsy affects over 50 million people worldwide or approximately 1 in 100 people. That's more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's disease combined! Tell them epilepsy keeps getting research funding cut.

Look up your local epilepsy foundation and see what you can do to help. Do a fundraiser, involve your kids, co-workers, family or school. Educate yourself on what you do if you witness a seizure. epilepsy.com is a great site for more information.

As you already know, we wear purple for Emily and all the friends she's made who also wear purple!

Resuscitation

2011-03-24T14:28:00.000-04:00

If you look at the date on my last blog post you will notice that its been a long time since I've blogged. I've missed blogging and I feel like my blog needed some major resuscitation. (Notice the changes?) I don't want my love for blogging to die because I still feel like it can be a huge tool for ministry. It's just that over the last several months the creative juices have been, well, absent.

Today the desire to revive my blog was just too overwhelming. I couldn't ignore it any longer so here I am. I pray you haven't given up on me by now.

I would like to start by saying how much I feel I've grown since the last time I blogged. Spiritually, I feel like I've spent a lifetime with a Holy "Mr. Miague" or something. I thank God daily for everything He teaches me, even if some things are learned the hard way because of my own stubbornness.

If I had to describe the "downtime" I've taken from my blog as a season I would definitely call it Winter. This resuscitation I feel the desire for would be my "spiritual spring time" if you will. I've learned and trained with Mr. Miague for a season and now it's time to put what I've learned into action!

Spring is here and its good to be back!

Dear Emily #1

2010-11-03T08:43:00.003-04:00

Dear Emily,

I heard a song on the radio this morning that really struck me and reminded me so much of you and how much you've taught me. Yes I mean that. You have taught me and mommy so much! And you are only still so young! I can't imagine the day when we can have full conversations and I can teach you about some of the things you've taught me.

Emily, you are the best thing that's ever happened to me and I really mean that. From the day you were born you changed who I was. I thought I knew most everything until you showed me different. You awakened me to a world that I never knew existed. Thank you!

This song I heard on the radio this morning reminded me of how much me and mommy have been through with you. All the hospital visits, tests and sleepless days and nights. All the times we worried about you and just held on to each other because that's all we really had left. You showed me a side of God that I never knew before. You've allowed me to experience the real, living, merciful and mighty God of the universe! In our worried sleepless nights we have felt God holding us together. As we lean over your bed/couch and look in your eyes and see that smile you sometimes give us we always see one of God's PERFECT angels and know that even though it might look bad everything is still so perfect.

Emily, you have taught me to see beyond just what's in front of my face. You have taught daddy what is most important in life. I used to think that having enough money to live comfortably and being able to do whatever I wanted without fear was everything. I used to think that my real friends were the ones who told me what I wanted to hear. But you Emily, you've shown me who my real friends are. The ones who call to check on you, not me. Those are the real friends in life.

Again, this song is still stuck in my head at this very moment! I think it could be our theme song! I can't wait until you get bigger and I can play this for you and you can help me decide if it will be our song!

I held you in our chair and rocked you last night. You love when I do that! But you are growing up so fast and getting so big it's getting harder to do. I love the way you look up at me when I rock you. I love that you try to talk to me! And deep down inside I think I know what you're trying to say to me so it's just the same as if you were really saying it. I know in your heart you are.

You brighten my day Emily. You make all things right again when daddy is stressed out at the end of the day. All I have to do is hold you or play with you. I get lost in loving you so much. I think about the things we are going to do when you grow up to be a big girl. There's so many things I want to teach you and tell you about. So many times I've thought about how it will be. How it will be when we kick that old seizure monsters butt and kiss Infantile Spasms goodbye forever!! IT WILL HAPPEN!!!

Until then though Emily, daddy is going to keep learning from you. You are the best teacher daddy has ever had. I'm loving you more and more each and every day. Daddy thanks God for you each and every night. Daddy thanks Jesus for watching over you and I thank all the angels that surround you and keep you safe. You have a bunch of people surrounding you and watching over you Emily!! YOU ARE SO LOVED!!!

Ok Emily, here is the song that daddy heard this morning and the one that I just can't get out of my head. I will play it for you so you can hear it with me.

It's times like these (with you) I learn to live again!

It's times like these (with you) I learn to give again!

It's times like these (with you) I learn to love again!

It's times like these time and time again Emily.

I LOVE YOU!!

Love,
Daddy

Election Day: Who Are We Listening To?

2010-11-02T09:22:00.001-04:00

I love election day!

Why?

Because it serves as a reminder.

It's a reminder to me of who is really in charge and who I'm trusting in my life, People or God?

How fitting is it that I would run across a scripture this morning that captures the essence of who we should really be listening to?

These days our candidates smear each other with attack ads and campaigns that would make our grandparents' candidates cringe at the thought of being so ugly and vicious. Back then a candidate would spend most of their time telling the people what they were going to do for them should they be elected. These days it's more like a barrage of mean-spirited attacks focusing on the challenger rather than the candidate making the argument.

It's easier now to point fingers across the podium rather than to focus on where we need to go.

Much easier now to attack the other candidate rather than attack the issues at hand.

It's gotten very redundant when you drive half a mile down the road and see all the money spent on signs that will be recycled (hopefully) after midnight tonight. Money that could have been spent reducing the deficit and earning them voters instead of littering your name up and down the highway.

You can't even turn on the TV for five minutes without hearing an attack ad.

In the midst of all the negative talk and candidates tarnished records and past history, how are we ever to decide who to trust and listen to?

It's much harder these days if you want to do it right. You need to do more research and make more of an effort than you used to have to. If you really care, that is. Of course you could buy into whatever the flavor of the day is and just vote according to your party affiliation or whatever the talking heads are saying on the TV and radio stations. But is that educated and honest?

Again, we are faced with a dilemma. Who do we listen to?

Would you believe me if I was so bold in saying that we've gotten it all wrong?

Could you find it possible to believe that elections these days have gotten so off course and ugly because we aren't listening to the one we are supposed to be listening to the most?

We find ourselves listening more to the created rather than the creator!

Jeremiah 12:16-17 (NIV)

16 And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’—even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among my people. 17 But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it,” declares the LORD.

Are we listening to God anymore?

Do you see the evidence in these smear campaigns of a nation that is literally being "uprooted and destroyed" right before our very eyes?

Who are we really listening to?

I love Election Day. It serves as a great and much needed reminder.

Happy Voting!

Be Blessed!
Joe

How Valuable Is Jesus?

2010-11-01T11:56:00.000-04:00

I ran across this quote this morning...
"Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all." ~ Augustine

It really shook me up reading this.

WHY?

Why when it's something I already knew?

Perhaps it's because I thought I knew it already. I thought I understood how valuable Jesus is in my life but I think I was wrong. At least that's how I'm feeling now.

You see it's easy to see this quote make sense when it comes to comparing him to people or respected positions in our lives. That parts easy. To be a Christian you have to place Jesus above your parents, your wife, and even your children. I get that.

BUT

Have we forgotten to put Jesus above our things?

Ahh, I see.

Did I strike a nerve?

Did I make you stop and think for a minute?

Can you be honest with yourself (like I am now doing) and ask what position Jesus holds on the scale of things in your life?

Where does He rank on a list of the following?

Facebook
Twitter
Blogger
TV shows
Sports
Hunting
Shopping
Knitting
Fantasy Football
Reading
Politics
Video Games
Music
Education
Work

This list of things isn't a bad list. It isn't wrong to do or participate in any of these things.

Unless of course, you put them above Jesus.

That's where I've been messing up lately. That's where I've been missing the mark. I've been looking at Facebook while watching a game on TV all before I even spoke one word to the God of the universe!

Have you?

Do you get so caught up in any of these things that they take up more of your time than your relationship with Christ does?

I had this conviction the other day..

I refuse to pay my cable bill again before I tithe my 10% to the Lord from now on!!!

How messed up is that?

I was paying the cable bill before I gave 10% to the Lord? What does that say about me? What does that say about the position Jesus holds in my life?

And then when I read that quote this morning it all made sense to me. I knew what I was doing wrong. Satan has been fooling me long enough. It's time to put Jesus in His rightful place again. Not only among all the people in my life, but also among all the things as well!

I pray this speaks to you in some way or another today.

"Jesus Christ is not valued at all until He is valued above all." ~ Augustine

Be Blessed!
Joe

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-31T09:16:00.000-04:00

It's a happy Halloween for us not because of all the candy, ghouls and goblins and non-stop scary movies, but because it was the very first holiday for me and Erica!

I still remember it as if it was just yesterday. I went to her apartment and we carved our first ever pumpkins. We had to get two (one for each of us) because we wanted to see who had the artistic talent between the two of us (since we was still finding out about each other). Turns out she did the best job (although she would tell you otherwise) and we lit the candles inside and stepped back to enjoy our first "big event".

At that time we had no idea we would be sitting here on this Halloween with a 16 month old baby girl reminiscing and thinking about those early days. We fell head-over-heels in love for each other and as we think about it today we realize we had no idea how deep our love would really grow from then until now. It is truly amazing when I stop to think about it.

Halloween is a special holiday for us because it was our first holiday together and each year that Halloween comes from that first day on, we get excited just thinking about it.

So even though Halloween is mostly about scary movies, candy and trick-or-treaters it is totally more than that to us. For us, Halloween marks the beginning of something great, something "magical".

Happy Halloween Erica. I LOVE YOU!!

And Happy 2nd Halloween to you Emily!!

Be Blessed,
Joe

Fraggy Friday

2010-10-29T09:23:00.000-04:00

No need to wait any longer, LET'S GET FRAGGY WITH IT!!!

*****

I love this time of year. Why? Because the phone rings off the hook with political surveys and volunteers who try to sway my vote one way or another. I know most people are already sick of the ads and phone calls by now but for me I like to take full advantage of the opportunity. Whenever I get a phone call I love to actually talk to the person on the other end and argue (in a friendly way) their points and the positions their candidate takes on the issues. Last night I received 2 phone calls in less than 1 hour!! It made my day! I guess I'm just weird but what can I say? I just like to make lemonade out of lemons. I will say however that I am sick to death of all the attack ads on BOTH sides of the aisle. Whatever happened to just saying what you're going to do instead of attacking your opponent? Since when did elections become about who can win the best T.V. ad or who got the last word? That part of it makes me sick but just being able to participate in one of the most important things our country ever does is an honor. How do you feel about this years ads and campaign tactics? Oh, and one more thing, GET OUT AND VOTE!

*****
I'm Just Sayin'

Did the Texas Rangers even show up to play ball or are the Giants that good? I'm just sayin'

*****

Quote of the week:

"Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck leads the flock to fly and follow." ~ Chinese Proverb

It's one thing to "talk the talk" but it's when you "walk the walk" that people will really follow your leadership. Sadly, we have more "talkers" these days than "walkers". Leaders lead, it's what they do. It's all they know. It's in their DNA. And when you've been called to lead you convert your words into action and as we all know, "actions speak louder than words". Perhaps we can learn something from the leadership of the wild duck.

*****

I don't like the fact that we are losing more daylight now! I do like the colors and weather at this time of year but I would just like to keep the sun out a little longer. It's crazy to look out the window and see darkness where there used to be sunshine at the same time just weeks ago. It's just hard to get used to at first but I will eventually grow accustomed to it. (Even though I don't really want to.)

*****

ABC is doing an "Extreme Makeover" across the river for a couple in Louisville KY. This will be the second couple that has been blessed with this really generous gift from ABC in the Louisville area. Yesterday the bus was moved and the family got to see their brand new house for the first time. The looks on their faces was priceless (as always). The interesting thing about it and what I really want to see when they finally air it on ABC in December is how they were able to overcome the storms we had while they were building it. On Tuesday we had severe storms where 3 tornado's actually touched down and did some damage in our area. It's gonna be neat to see how they managed to work through a storm like that and still make their deadline. These people are amazing!

*****

Until next week have a Happy Halloween and keep it FRAGGY!!

Be Blessed!
Joe

Stormtroopers Are Everywhere!!

2010-10-25T14:06:00.000-04:00

I just recently noticed that Star Wars fans are really fascinated with Stormtroopers. Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury I present to you all the evidence you will need to reach the same conclusion I have...

I rest my case!

Be Blessed!
Joe

Fraggy Friday

2010-10-22T10:52:00.000-04:00

Friday's are coming much sooner now that I am trying to do the Friday fragment thing every week. I can't believe it is seriously Friday again already!

Well, that leaves only one thing left to do. So, LET'S GET FRAGGY WITH IT!!!!

I think I have an addiction to social media. I check facebook and twitter constantly for new updates or to see if anyone has commented on my "witty" updates. I even have my cell phone set to text me when a new comment is posted on one of my status updates. Could there really be a diagnosis for something like this? I don't see why not, what do you think? Are you like this or am I just really weird?

I don't think I'm as bad as this picture indicates but I would definitely have to say that I got it bad!

*****

Quote of the week:

"Straight tress have crooked roots." ~ Chinese Proverb

This quote was used in my lesson for our Wednesday night youth group at GCC. I seen many students writing this down and posting it on their facebook status. It really does make a lot of sense and especially in the way I used it to tie up parts of my lesson.

The context I used it in (to make a long lesson short) was that we all have past mistakes, shame and guilt that we regret. Once we give our lives to Jesus our past is forgiven and our sins and regrets are cleaned up. We are like trees. We have a past that no one can see and it is a mess. Much like the roots of a tree. And though we really regret our past and sometimes allow it to hold us down we need to worry about the fruit that we produce rather than the roots of our past. In other words, what kind of fruit are people picking from your branches?

Straight trees have crooked roots. Let's not get so caught up in the past (the roots), but let's focus on if we are doing good works (producing fruit) like Ephesians 2:10 calls us to do!

*****

There is a brand new website that I stumbled upon on another persons blog. If you are a big music lover like me and like a wide variety of different types of music then http://stereomood.com/ is for you! They have everything on there! You can just click on whatever type of mood you are in and it plays songs that fit nothing but that particular mood. I highly recommend you check it out. I bet you will like it if you do!

*****

Another thing that you might find interesting is finding your family "Coat of Arms". I don't know why in the world I thought to do this but I am so glad I did. I was really impressed with the way our C.O.A. looks and what made it even better was the motto inscribed on it which reads...

Know thyself, and learn to suffer.

If you know our history with Emily's battle in I.S. then that motto fits us perfectly! We are having to learn how to deal with suffering on a daily basis. How crazy is it that I "stumbled" upon that motto and how neat is it that it really fits my family today! I was really shocked and amazed!

And hear is what our C.O.A. looks like. I really like it!

The Motto is usually placed right above the top of the picture. I couldn't find a picture on the net that displayed that so I thought I should tell you.

*****

And to bring Fraggy Friday to an end for this week I would like to leave you with some amazing pumpkin artwork to help get you in the mood for this Halloween season. Some of these are truly amazing!

Enjoy and have a great weekend!!

Be Blessed!

Joe

Fraggy Friday

2010-10-15T09:32:00.000-04:00

It's Friday already?

Well then, LET'S GET FRAGGY WITH IT!!!

*****

This time last year, on this very day, America was captivated by an unbelievable story about a little boy and a balloon. (No, we aren't talking about Christopher Robin). It turned out that the story really was unbelievable because it was, well, FAKE!

Now do you remember the story?

Remember how America sat glued to their TV's in total shock that a little kid could climb into a "balloon" and just "fly away"? I remember how scared I was for that family since I was then just a new daddy myself. And then when it turned out that the family totally made it all up and confessed I was SO mad.

Why in the world would a family want to create a story like that? Did that bother you too when you found out it was all fabricated?

*****

Speaking of being glued to the TV, I already blogged about it this week but how are you feeling now that ALL 33 of the Chilean miners have been rescued?

Isn't it just an amazing story? This is no doubt something that will be remembered for years to come. Just the fact that ALL of these men lived to tell this story is amazing and it truly is a miracle. How much do you want to bet that church's all over the world will be using this story in their sermons on Sunday? I would make a bet that at least 85% of them will be using it one way or another!

*****

Are you crazy about Monopoly at McDonald's? I love it! And I know a few other people who are even more crazy about it than I am! Isn't it something how these big corporations can find ways to draw people in?

Controversy is swirling lately about how McDonald's is "wrong" for putting toys in happy meals. I don't agree with that myself. I think the happy meal is incomplete without the toy but health nuts everywhere are protesting it.

But I think the Monopoly game brings an interesting question... How do you propose to keep the adults away from McDonald's while Monopoly is going on? Solve that one health nuts!

*****

Quote of the week:

"The first step to drowning is isolation. The first step to rescue is being heard. Tell your story." ~ Eric Samuel Timm

DANG!!!

When I fist read this quote on facebook I was floored. Isn't it soo true how when we find ourselves in isolation is when we are tempted and face trials the most? Drowning is way more likely to happen to us when we are alone. It is important to surround ourselves with fellow believers who we can trust and rely on. And we have to take it a step further. We have to tell our stories! We have to be heard to be rescued and to rescue others. Tell your story!

*****

I ran across a tweet this week by pastor Mark Driscoll. He tweeted the top 5 pastors in America who had the largest congregations and I was shocked with the results.

1.) Joel Osteen (like you didn't already know that one) LOL
2.) Andy Stanley
3.) Ed Young
4.) Bill Hybels
5.) Dave Stone

What shocked me was #5 because if you are from the Southern Indiana / Louisville Ky area then you know why. Dave Stone is the pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville Ky and yes it is a HUGE church. I just didn't realize that it was THAT huge! Maybe it comes as a shock to you too but praise God that people are being ministered to in all these places! Congratulations Southeast for being in the top 5!!

*****

Have a great Weekend!

Be Blessed!
Joe

Rescued: The Chilean Miners And A Fresh Perspective

2010-10-13T11:17:00.001-04:00

As I've been watching the rescue of 33 Chilean miners I find myself overjoyed. Overjoyed that one-by-one these miners have been pulled out of a pit of despair and into a life they once knew. For 69+ days these miners have waited on a miracle. That miracle has arrived, and as I watch the 15th miner emerge into the light and see the eruption of cheers and joy, I have this thought...

This is exactly what it was like in Heaven when I was rescued!!!

You might not understand that sentence at first so let me show you what I'm talking about. Luke 15:10 clearly states that the angels in heaven rejoice over a sinner who repents and gives their life to Jesus. All the host of heaven erupts in cheers of joy when they see that one lonely soul has finally trusted in Jesus as Lord and Savior of their life.

It's so easy as a Christian to forget sometimes just how big of a deal our rescue day was when we decided to trust in Jesus and make Him the Lord of our lives. We often don't realize that it was such a big deal that all of Heaven rejoiced about it. And now that we have been wrapped up in the joy and celebration of these miners we can use this as an example of what it must have been like in Heaven.

We too were trapped in a pit of despair. We too were pulled from darkness and into the light. And we were also pulled from a life of loneliness to a loving embrace by our Lord. And as this was happening we were being watched and cheered on by the angels in Heaven!

I thank God for the rescue of these miners. I pray that as you continue to watch and hear about their stories you use this historical event to be reminded of how you were received and cheered for as you accepted Jesus into your life and were rescued yourself.

I will keep cheering for all the remaining miners as I know the angels in Heaven will keep cheering for each and every new person who gives their life to the Lord. Today is the perfect day to reflect upon your rescue and see it from a fresh perspective!

Be Blessed!
Joe

Bottle

2010-10-11T16:48:00.000-04:00

Ever since I was a little boy watching Gumby I have loved stop-motion videos. I ran across this one through a friends facebook post and thought I would share it with you. It really is a good video and shows off someones really talented stop-motion skills. Plus it kind of pulls at the heart-strings a little too.

Enjoy!

Bottle from Kirsten Lepore on Vimeo.

Be Blessed!
Joe

"I Like You For Being My Daddy"

2010-10-10T07:30:00.002-04:00

I had another dream last night.

This one was more vivid and detailed than any I've had in a long time. I woke up in tears of joy and came running out of the bedroom to tell Erica. She couldn't believe it either but knew how much it had meant to me as I sat in the chair telling her while the tears were falling from my eyes.

Here goes...

I dreamed we were at my house and in our living room was Erica, myself, dad, mom, George (my brother), Cayla (my sister) and Emily. This is kind of weird if you know my family because my parents are divorced, but dreams have no rules I'm told so back to the dream...

I was sitting in the rocking chair and dad, mom and Erica were on the couch. Emily was being held by Erica and was perfectly content.

We were just sitting around laughing and joking (typical us) when I asked, "What are we going to eat?" (Again, typical us)

We couldn't think of something right away and got lost in conversation and jokes once again when out of the blue I blurted out, "How about chicken nuggets?" Dad chimed in and said, "yeah, KFC does sound good, let's do chicken from KFC."

With that he took a box of, I think it was Spree candy, and poured a handful of purple and green candies (yeah, my dream was THAT detailed!) in his hand. If you know my dad you know that he likes to show off in a playful way sometimes. When he eats ice or candy he can crunch it so hard and loud sometimes that it can be annoying if you allow it to be, but we mostly just laugh when he does it. Well when he put the candy in his mouth in my dream he started crunching it very loudly trying to playfully show off.

Mom turned around and looked at him and said, "you're going to break another tooth and have to go back to the dentist if you don't quit that!'

Now here's where the dream takes an awesome turn...

Emily, like I said, was sitting content in Erica's lap. In my dream she was still the same age and size as she is now. But in my dream she had the ability to talk "baby talk". You know, gibberish or whatever it is that babies do at that age when trying to learn to talk.

Emily in my dream, after mom said that to dad, turned around and looked at my dad and unloaded a long line of "gibberish" at him for being so careless with his teeth! It was a long line too. It was something that really sounded as though she was scolding him and letting him have it!

We were all amazed that she'd done this! So I jumped up out of the rocking chair and came over in front of her and sat on the floor and reached out my hands to her hoping she would know that I wanted to hold her.

Pause

(This would be the moment for a Kleenex if you are like me and get emotional. Sorry, but at least you've been warned!) Now back to the dream...

I reached out my hands hoping Emily would take the hint and let me hold her and love on her for her amazing new accomplishment. When all of a sudden...

She looked at me and she clearly said to me...

"I LIKE YOU FOR BEING MY DADDY"!!!

What?!?!

My heart was overjoyed! I couldn't believe she said that! I looked around to see if the others had heard what she just said and they indicated that they too had heard it! I instantly started crying.

I woke up from my dream and real tears were streaming down my face. I was crying in my dream AND I was really crying in reality as well. I just laid there in bed for a minute or two thinking about it over and over again wanting so badly for it to have been real. Oh how I would have given anything for that moment to have been reality, but I THANK GOD that he allowed me to have this dream where my daughter looked at me and said those words that now mean so much to me, "I LIKE YOU FOR BEING MY DADDY."

I stumbled out of bed and walked out into the living room where Erica was holding Emily and I told her all about the dream. She couldn't believe it either. And I noticed she was holding back tears of joy as well. She also said she couldn't believe how detailed and vivid this dream was.

I still can't believe it. I still can't believe that for a small minute I got to hear my daughter tell me that she "LIKED" me.

I don't know what it is about this gift I have with dreams. I don't know what it is that makes them so vivid and detail oriented that it really seems like reality. Sometimes when I dream I think of it as a curse when it's a bad dream. It's dreams like this one though that I know it is a gift. And right now I'm thanking God for one of the best gifts I've been given in a long time. I'm thanking God that he allows my daughter to talk to me in my dreams!

Be Blessed!
Joe

Fraggy Friday

2010-10-08T10:01:00.000-04:00

It's Friday once again and another week has quickly passed us by. So, without further delay, LETS GET FRAGGY WITH IT!!

*** Most everyone who knows me knows that I am a commercial junkie. I'm the weirdo who likes to WATCH the commercials rather than skipping over them. Yeah, weird huh? And yeah, the Super Bowl is a blast for me as you can imagine. With that being said, does anyone remember this commercial?

MILKA WHAT??

How can you not like that?

*** One of the most INSANE shows I've ever seen is IRT: Deadliest Roads on the History Channel. It comes on Sunday nights @ 9:00 pm. Let me tell you, this show takes the cake for some of the bravest (or craziest) people you will ever see. Here is a preview of why it's so insane...

Who in their right mind would even attempt to drive on roads like that? Are these people just asking for death? But you have to admit, it does make for good entertainment!

*** One of our good friends, Lynn, on facebook asked, "what is your favorite movie that you can just pull out anytime and watch"? I had to think for only a second and instantly thought of The Green Mile. That is one of my favorite movies of all time! Not only is it Stephen Kings best work ever, but King said that he based the movies main character (John Coffey) off of Jesus! And when you think of it from that perspective it really is that much better! (I just wish it didn't have so much cussing but that's typical Stephen King for you).

One of my favorite lines from the movie is...

"I know you hurtin' and worryin', I can feel it on you, but you oughta quit on it now. Because I want it over and done. I do. I'm tired, boss. Tired of bein' on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. Tired of not ever having me a buddy to be with, or tell me where we's coming from or going to, or why. Mostly I'm tired of people being ugly to each other. I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world everyday. There's too much of it. It's like pieces of glass in my head all the time. Can you understand?" ~ John Coffey

John Coffey

Be Blessed!

Joe

You Decide: Man vs. Food

2010-10-05T09:00:00.001-04:00

If you like food shows and you like a good competition then you've probably seen the travel channel's Man vs. Food. I've seen it several times and I have to admit I like watching it. I like seeing the small mom and pop stores receive national attention and I like to see what kind of creative challenges each of these places can come up with.

If you haven't seen the show (where have you been??) let me take a minute to explain. The shows host, Adam Richman, travels around the country looking for food challenges from small food business's. The challenges are typically ones in which you have to eat a huge amount of food in a limited amount of time. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. You've probably seen them yourself. Maybe you've gone into a steakhouse or something and seen where contestants have eaten a huge steak in a certain amount of time and won a t-shirt and their photo on the coveted "wall of fame". Well Adam makes it his mission to seek and find these challenges and take them on. Usually "Man" wins the challenge but I have seen a few episodes where "Food" got the best of man and he just couldn't finish the challenge.

Adam Richman

These challenges are meant to be difficult. Therefore a huge amount of food is usually prepared for the challenger to face. The food always varies depending on the type of restaurant he is visiting on that particular episode. I've seen challenges from huge pizzas to huge doughnuts, 54 oz steaks to towering hamburgers. I've been watching the show for a while so I've about seen it all. Here are some examples of what the usual challenges look like...

Would you even attempt any of those?

The reason I bring this up is because just recently (Sept. 29) Food Network host Alton Brown spoke out against Adam Richman and Man vs. Food calling it, "disgusting" and an "embarrassment". He went on to say, "That show is about gluttony, and gluttony is wrong. It's wasteful. Think about people that are starving to death and think about that show," Brown, in an interview with Zap2It, via the Huffington Post. "I think it's an embarrassment."

Richman didn't hesitate to respond. On Twitter he said, "Alton Brown: MvF is about indulgence - NOT gluttony - & has brought loads of biz to Mom-n-Pop places. You were my hero, sir. No more."

He went on to say, "My previous Tweet is not to start some foolish Twitter feud," Richman tweeted. "Merely my hurt response to insults hurled my way from the man who inspired me."

So, now that you've seen a closer look at what Man vs. Food is all about and what's being said about it, what do you think?

You decide. Is Man vs. Food just an innocent show about a man taking on food challenges? Or is Alton Brown correct in saying that it is a disgusting act of gluttony?

In your opinion, who wins the battle between Adam vs. Alton?

On The Palms Of His Hands!

2010-10-04T13:45:00.002-04:00

In any given situation where you are going through something difficult it's easy to begin to feel far from God and maybe you even start thinking that God has forgotten about you completely. The longer you are stuck in that situation the more prone you become to attacks from the enemy who would want more than anything for you to change your thoughts on God.

Doubt creeps in.

Fear gets the best of you and eventually replaces faith.

And before you know it you start wondering if God is even with you anymore.

You start questioning everything and hope to find an answer but when none comes quickly enough you come to the conclusion that yep, God has abandoned you. And when that happens the enemy has won!!

The father of lies (Satan) wants us to think that God is not with us. He wants us to believe that we are all alone and we are stuck trying to figure things out all by ourselves. If he can get us to believe this lie and if we come to the conclusion that we do have to figure things out on our own then it will then eliminate our need to turn to the Bible. That is his ultimate goal. He wants us to do away with one of the greatest instruments we have to hear from God. Reading the Bible leads to hearing from God and hearing from God means He is right there with us in our difficult situation. Satan knows this and therefore attacks us and tries to make us believe the lie that will take away our proof that God is with us.

I think I first started believing that God was with us when I heard the song "He's got the whole world in his hands" for the first time. That song made me really start questioning things and eventually I became more and more interested in trying to learn about God.

Many years later I look back and realize that through many difficult situations where my faith has been rocked hard I can see where Satan has tried to bait me into believing that God is not with me. If I said that Satan lost every battle I would be lying. The truth is there have been many times where I took the bait and believed the lie for a season. I thank God that I always came running back to Him though. And He embraced me in his arms every single time! He never once turned me away. My faith is stronger and I believe He is truly with me more than ever now.

With all this being said I wanted to share a picture I found just recently...

Isaiah 49:16 says that he has "engraved us on the palms of His hands"!!!

God wants us to know that He is with us so much that he actually sent His son Jesus to die for us and prove that He is indeed right here with us. He has engraved us on the palms of His hands!!!

I pray that we never forget that we are not alone. That we are indeed engraved on the palms of his hands. Whatever situation you might be going through right now you are not alone!! Afterall, "He's got the whole world in His hands" and Isaiah 49:16 proves it!!

Fraggy Friday

2010-10-01T08:55:00.000-04:00

Friday on my blog is reserved for Fraggy Friday's. It's a compilation of some random thoughts I have on any given subjects or comments on things that have happened this week.

So without further delay, let's get fraggy with it!

*** First off let me just say that the picture above brings back many great memories! We use to play Mario Kart to death. And I literally mean we couldn't put it down! Even dad would get in on the action and play with us kids. It became a family staple for a while and we would always look forward to getting home from school so we could get our Mario Kart on! It's funny how a video game like this could cause riffs and heated tempers one minute and then the next minute it would bring you together with your brother or sister or even your dad. We had some great times with Mario Kart, good times indeed.

*** THE REDS ARE BACK IN THE PLAYOFFS!!!

The last time the Cincinnati Reds were in the playoffs (yes just the playoffs, not the World Series. It is THAT big a deal!) was in 1995. I was in the 7th grade!!

This past Tuesday, September 28 the Reds beat Houston 3-2 when Outfielder Jay Bruce hit a game winning home run to send the Reds to the playoffs by clinching the NL Central division. The game was tied at 2 in the ninth inning when Bruce knocked the ball into the bleachers, erasing the Reds (previous) 15 year streak of bad luck!

Speaking of bad luck...

Looking at the picture above it looks like the Cubbies are still in a slump. Poor Cubs fans, my heart truly goes out to you guys!

Good luck to the Reds on their journey to the World Series!!

*** I just picked up a book at our local library by Billy Graham. It's called Storm Warning. I opened it up and looked at the chapter layout and read what each chapter was titled. The one that caught my attention the most was called The Cult of Self. Intrigued I paged through the book until I arrived at that chapter and this one sentence alone is probably what prompted me to go ahead and check out the book...Me, Myself and I has come to be known as the trendy trinity. DANG!! This is going to be a page turner. I can already tell.

*** A subject on the local sports radio talk show was discussing Kentucky basketball fans yesterday. Apparently fans have been camping out and waiting in line since early Tuesday morning for - get this - a CHANCE to buy some vouchers for UK's upcoming Midnight Madness basketball practice game. The question on the radio was, in your opinion, are these people FANS or FREAKS? My vote goes in the direction of FREAK. But let me ask you this - is there anything you would be willing to wait in line that long for? If so what?

*** On Fraggy Friday's I'm going to also do a thing called This Day In History. I always like seeing all the interesting things that have happened on this day years ago. Maybe this way we can learn something together. }:~)

1903 - 1st baseball World Series, Pitts Pirates vs Boston Pilgrims (Red Sox)
1908 - Henry Ford introduces Model T car (costs $825) I wish it was still that same price today!
1910 - Berkshire Cattle Fair held in Pittsfield Mass (1st state fair)
1942 - Little Golden Books (children books) begins publishing
1952 - 1st ultra high frequency (UHF) television station, Portland Or
1958 - Inauguration of NASA
1962 - Johnny Carson hosts his 1st Tonight Show, Joan Crawford guests
1967 - Pink Floyd's 1st US tour (arrives in NYC)
1968 - "Night of the Living Dead" premieres in Pittsburgh
1970 - 63 arrest in riot to buy Rolling Stone tickets in Milano, Italy
1971 - Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida opens
1974 - Watergate cover-up trial opens in Wash DC
1977 - Elton John honored by MSG Hall of Fame
1982 - EPCOT Center opens in Orlando Florida
1989 - Dallas Cowboy, Ed "Too Tall" Jones records his 1,000th NFL tackle. Anyone seen the recent Geico commercial featuring Ed?
1995 - Indians set record of 30 game lead over 2nd place team

Now is anyone willing to admit if they remember any of these events??

Have a GREAT Friday!!!

Be Blessed!
Joe

A Loaf Of Bread

2010-09-30T09:45:00.000-04:00

I'm the type of person that has all sorts of dreams.

Some of them have been very crazy and irrelevant and some of them have been very spiritual. My dreams almost always tend to be on the spiritual side.

My mom named me Joseph. Yeah THAT Joseph, the one in the Bible who could interpret dreams. Ironic huh? (At least I didn't have a bunch of brothers that could try and throw me in a pit and sell me off.)

Anyway, as I stated, I have lots of spiritual dreams and if you are close to me I might have shared some of them with you already. I had one last night. A very vivid and detailed dream.

Here goes...

I dreamed I was preaching again back at a church I used to go to in eastern Kentucky. The small church wasn't packed with people, I'd say it was about half full.

I was about to start preaching when all of a sudden I noticed a loaf of bread that was sitting on the table just below the pulpit. I stepped down and onto the floor where the front seats were and noticed my dad was in one of the seats. I sat down next to him and as soon as I did he started reaching out to try and touch the loaf of bread. He tried and tried and just couldn't seem to reach it enough to touch it.

I then tried to help him reach it I guess by trying to reach it myself but I just couldn't seem to help him get it. He was sad and I was sad but then I stood back up and started preaching the most passionate sermon I could have ever preached! I was soo into it too. I was sweating and emphasizing certain points and really putting all of my heart into it. For some reason I was on fire for God and I was determined to preach a message that would stick with the people. But for some reason they all looked confused. They looked at me like I was speaking a totally different language! And that just set me on fire that much more! I was more determined to try and reach those people than ever before.

I suddenly woke up. And when I did the dream seemed so real I thought I was sweating and eventually realized I wasn't. Once I figured out where I was and that it was just a dream I had this thought; Why in the world was there a loaf of bread in the middle of church? And secondly, why was my dad trying to touch it?

I finally fell back asleep until it was time for me to get up and get ready for work.

On my way in to work this morning I kept thinking about that dream and why in the world there was a loaf of bread in the middle of church? I was almost at my desk when all of a sudden it struck me...

Jesus said, "I am the bread of life"!!!

And just as soon as that thought occurred to me my stomach fell and I had cold chills all over my body. My dad was trying to touch Jesus!! But more importantly my dad was trying to touch Jesus and I couldn't help him. For some reason I just couldn't help him reach the loaf of bread. I tried my hardest, I really tried hard to help him touch it but it just wouldn't work.

And when I seen that he was trying to touch the loaf of bread (Jesus) then that gave me a passion to preach the word of God that I'd never had before! I put my heart and soul into trying to preach to those lost people but they still didn't get it. They still looked at me like I wasn't speaking their language.

Although I figured out that the loaf of bread symbolized Jesus I still can't figure out exactly what it means. I haven't been able to shake it all morning. But I do know this, usually when I have those dreams I don't know what they mean right away. I will sometimes be driving down the road a few days later and then all of a sudden the answer hits me and the meaning is clear. For now I have to hold on to the fact that it will come to me later.

So see what I mean? I almost always have spiritual dreams like this. And now that I am making my blog more personal I look forward to sharing more and more of these dreams with you. Maybe you can tell me what you think about it. I would like that.

Just don't go knitting me a coat of many colors. }:~)

Be Blessed!
Joe

More Personal

2010-09-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

I've been trying for a while to figure out what exactly is wrong with my blog. I've thought of things like...

Does the layout and design catch anyone's eye?

or

Do I just have writers block?

to

Has everything I say already been said?

I've asked lots of questions like this and couldn't think of any answers. Until now.

My blog isn't personal enough.

It's true. It's been true for a while. I don't know why I didn't see it before but now that I've noticed and figured it out it screams at me like a huge neon sign flashing in my eyes at 1:00 in the morning.

So, with that being said, this blog is going to shift gears a little. Hopefully for the better. But I'll let you be the judge of that.

It's still going to be Christ centered and I'm still going to do things the way I feel need to be done, only now we are going to add a little more "Joe" to the recipe.

I should have known this is what's been missing. I should have seen that for post after post each of my entries lacked more personal investment. It was like anyone could have read what I wrote and claimed it as their own. The words were there but Joe wasn't. I've been M.I.A. for too long.

So now that that's off my chest let me say that I'm looking forward to revealing more and more me. I have too much to talk about and too much to share for my blog not to be used more often. Having a daughter with disabilities leads to lots of discussions and topics. (Hopefully it will also lead to lots of help and insight to someone else out there too). If nothing else I hope to accomplish that.

I started this entry at 5:00 am. Not because I'm bored on a weekend ( I wish ), but because last night has been probably one of the worst nights for our family. Emily (my daughter) has had over 130 seizures and the only reason things have "calmed down" is because she has been medicated to the point of sedation. It's the only thing that stops the seizures. And 9 times out of 10 when the medicine wears off and she comes back around the seizures start right back up where they left off. We call her seizures "the monster".

Emily was diagnosed with Infantile Spasms but the doctors call her a "mystery". This is because there is no medical reason for Emily's condition. Round upon round of genetic testing has come back clear. It's not genetic. Test upon test has been performed and there is no medical or physical reason that Emily should have these seizures. There was no traumatic birth, she wasn't premature and she has not suffered any kind of injury. She's a "mystery" to many people.

As a result of this seizure disorder Emily has undergone many things to try and help control them. The list is long and needs to be shared but I will do that in another post. We literally have journals filled with all the things she's gone through and she's only been with us for almost 16 months now. She's been through a lot in her short little life. I get a lot of inspiration from her, she's the strongest person I know besides perhaps her mommy.

There's not a whole lot of people who know much about Infantile Spasms. It's still something that is little heard of but we've noticed and made friends with other parents who deal with the same thing or same kinds of things. I'm glad it's not as rampant as cancer or aids or something like that but it does get frustrating that the same kind of attention doesn't go to making more people aware of this condition too.

Lot's of mommies blog about I.S. but you don't see many daddies doing it. I think that's a new direction God wants me to go with this blog. It's part of the process of making it more personal that I'm talking about. Daddies need resources too and hopefully this will inspire more and more men to step out and share their lives with this disability as well.

I like to remind myself when things get really hard and out of control like last night (or this morning) that I am still "in the grip of grace". God always holds us in His hands, even when it doesn't feel like it. It's in the grip of grace that we are even blessed with a daughter and it's in the grip of grace that we are able to enjoy her. She's an angel sent from Heaven. I don't doubt that one bit. So even in the bad times, the ones that make you want to scream and question everything, we find more and more that we are still in the grip of grace. And that, believe it or not, is not a bad place to be.

I'm looking forward to being more personal with this blog. I hope it blesses you in some way or another. And may God get all the glory now and forever!

Be Blessed,
Joe

Not Afraid

2010-08-28T09:26:00.000-04:00

I found this video off of the POTSC (People of the Second Chance) blog, one of many that I follow.

I couldn't help but bring it over and repost it on my blog as well.

The beat is great, the story is real and the inspiration undeniable.

This guy took the beat and hook from Eminem's "Not Afraid" and laid down his own lyrics to tell his own personal story.

I have a feeling it will be stuck in your head after you hear it.

All for the glory of God!!!

Be Blessed!
Joe

How Soft Is Your Pillow?

2010-08-25T10:00:00.001-04:00

There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience. ~ French Proverb

Seems like some good food for thought doesn't it? It also sounds like something you would hear your grandma tell you. Good ol' grandma, she always had something smart to say.

But perhaps this isn't just some great, witty french proverb or just good grandmotherly advice. Could it be that this is also Biblical?

Psalm 4:4
4 In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Selah

Here we find some godly advice on how to improve your quality of sleep. I knew the Bible covered most of everything but sleep habits as well?!

What this scripture is trying to tell us is very similar to the french proverb. That laying on your bed at the end of the day is the perfect time to search your heart and see how you did.

Did you sin in your anger?

How about when that co-worker stole your idea and you lost that much needed promotion?

Or how about when that person cut you off in traffic on the way home?

Psalm 4:4 reminds us that we need to be thinking more often about how we act and react in our daily lives. It reminds us that we need to search our hearts and be silent, thinking about how we can improve our witness as well as our quality of sleep!

Be Blessed!
Joe

How To Walk Wisely

2010-08-24T10:18:00.000-04:00

Here are some notes I took from a sermon that Charles Stanley did recently.

How To Walk Wisely

1.) Determination - We must first be determined to walk in wisdom.

2.) Meditation - Meditate on God's word. Read it, think about it and ask questions. Joshua 1:5-8

3.) Sensitivity - Learn to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

                                             - Learn by failing!!

4.) Believe - We must believe that God is ALL wise. We have to trust Him.

                                             - He knows present, past and future all the same!!!

5.) Courage - We must have courage to do what he tells us.

                                             - Don't neglect God because you fear failure more!!!

                                             - It's better to fail in front of people than to disobey God!!!

6.) Perseverance - We must persevere no matter what the conditions are.

God told Joshua 3 times, "Be strong and of good courage." He is always with us!

Be Blessed,
Joe

Your Strength (The Missing Piece Part 2)

2010-08-23T14:41:00.000-04:00

The enemy is after your joy because he is also after YOUR STRENGTH!

Nehemiah 8:10

10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

If you have no Joy in your walk with Jesus. You really need to examine how you got there. How did you all of a sudden end up with no joy? Chances are, it didn't just happen over night.

Our enemy is on his game. He knows what he is doing. He knows what support system needs to be taken out to cause our entire faith to collapse on it's face and believe me he is always on his job. If you are meeting opposition from the enemy in regards to your joy then take that as a red flag to stand back and make some observations. Really examine your walk for any clues that might give away how you've really been feeling lately.

One of the best ways to tell if something is wrong with your joy is how you act when you are alone and how you act when you are around others. Is there a difference? If you find you've been "acting fake" because you are around someone else then take warning, you are probably losing your joy. If you find you've just left an event where other believers are and you all of a sudden find yourself in a "funk" then know that too could be a warning sign.

Our joy should be constant. It doesn't matter what situation we find ourselves in we should always have our joy in the Lord. It's our strength. It's also what Satan wants to attack the most.

It's been so easy for me to feel like I've lost my joy lately because of all the personal struggles my family and I have gone through with Emily's battle with Infantile Spasms and her seizure disorder. Believe me, I know what it feels like to feel attacked and I know how awful it feels to have to come to the place where you are really questioning if you've lost your joy or not. It's not easy.

But if you allow Satan to steal, kill and destroy your joy then you lose your strength. And when you lose that you start to lose it all.

Here are some ways to maintain and build your joy.

1.) Read The Word.

2.) Pray.

3.) Learn from Biblical messages.

4.) Spend time with godly friends who will encourage you.

I pray that you find your joy renewed each and every day.

Be Blessed,

Joe

The Missing Piece

2010-08-19T09:00:00.001-04:00

I've really noticed lately that Christians seem to be missing something. Something that, when it is used to it's fullest potential, acts like a magnet and draws people in. This missing piece seems to get lost over time. Through many hardships, trials, tests, and disappointments the missing piece eventually detaches itself from the whole and gets lost, sometimes forever.

The missing piece I'm talking about is our JOY.

You see, I can see it most everywhere I go. People I know who claim Christ as Lord of their lives live as though they've never had that life changing moment happen to them. They are hateful, hurtful and cynical. They sometimes go out of their way to show their disappointment in something and making sure you truly understand their position on a subject.

Perhaps the place I see it the most is in my own bathroom mirror. I am not innocent of this charge, but I do understand that the first step in fixing the problem is recognizing that there is one to begin with. That's why I have hope in getting my missing piece back but it's almost like it's now my mission to shed light on this growing problem in the Christian community.

Shouldn't we be the happiest people on earth? Shouldn't we be filled with more joy than most other people? And yet we're not. We have a one-on-one relationship with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and yet our attitudes and outlooks say something else.

Could that be why so many people who don't know our Lord don't have the motivation to get to know Him?

Could that be what Satan knew would send the loudest message? That if these Christians would just live with sour and disappointing attitudes it would act as a type of repellent and keep people from wanting anything to do with that?

I hope you stop to think about this observation. Do you also see that over the course of time and through the storms of this life your joy has slipped away entirely?

Will you fight to get it back?

Will you turn your "magnet" back on once again?

Psalm 51:12

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit...

To be continued...

What Are Your Talents?

2010-08-18T07:07:00.000-04:00

Romans 12:6 (NLT)

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.

- What talent has God blessed you with?
- Are you using your talents or wasting them?

If you don't know what your talent is then maybe you should take some time to think about it and figure it out. You've been given a gift in something and one of the easiest ways to figure it out most of the time is to realize what it is you do easily. In other words, what is it that comes to you naturally? Or what do you pick up on rather quickly?

Some talents require a lot more work or practice than others. But if that is indeed your given talent that work isn't like work at all, it is usually something you enjoy doing.

But perhaps the bigger question is this - Are you using your talents for yourself or are you using them for the glory of God?

God (in His grace) has blessed us with the gift of doing certain things well. Whatever your talent or gift is, don't overlook the power and potential that is possible when you do it for His glory!

Here is a very moving example of what talent looks like. And believe me, this kind of talent can only be given by a mighty and powerful God like ours.

Rename My Blog!

2010-08-16T09:00:00.001-04:00

As you can see, I've made some changes to my blog. I still may not be all the way done with it yet either. I seem to be pretty satisfied with this new look but something else might change my mind a little later. That being said, I think it is time to rename my blog as well. And this is the part that I'm struggling with the most. I can't think of a name for my blog at all. I know it's probably because the perfect name hasn't come along just yet but I thought it might be a little bit fun to open it up to my readers and see if you guys can come up with something creative for me to use.

I know a lot of you are very creative and might enjoy the possibility of getting to name someone elses blog. Throw a few suggestions out to me and see if I use yours. Or if your suggestion gives me an idea for a name that is similar to the one you suggested I will give you credit for that too. Either way I think this could be a lot of fun!

Which one of you will be the person that gets the credit for helping me?

"The Carlton"

2010-08-12T12:55:00.003-04:00

I grew up watching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and one of my favorite characters was for sure Carlton Banks. I bet you can guess why...

Because of his dance!!

He was too funny when he would break out that "Carlton" dance. Whenever that happened you knew you was in for a treat. I would watch every episode hoping that it would happen but not every episode featured his one-of-a-kind dance.

Here is an example of "the Carlton" as he gets excited over just the theme music to the Oprah Winfrey Show.

But it wasn't until recently that I stumbled on this little known fact about Carlton Banks, he was also featured in a Pepsi commercial with the one and only King of Pop, Michael Jackson!!

Did you know that?

Carlton can be seen as the little boy in the red jacket in the video below. He is portrayed as a young Michael Jackson who eventually bumps into the older (real) Michael.

How neat is that?

I guess Carlton had those skills for a long time.

Okay, now it's time for you to go and do the Carlton and just enjoy life.

Be Blessed!
Joe

How To Distinguish Good From Evil

2010-08-05T06:49:00.002-04:00

As Christians, one of the things we must learn how to do is to be able to distinguish good from evil.

Luckily for us, God gave us the perfect plan for us to learn how to do this.

Hebrews 5:12-14

12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

This scripture should jump out of the pages at us. Because in order for us to be able to distinguish good from evil we need to be CONSTANTLY in the word!!

Makes sense huh? Seems like it's such a simple concept that we should have guessed that one on our own even. But, most of the time I would say that we get distracted and make excuses to not be in God's word as much as we should be.

Perhaps the enemy knows this scripture better than we do. Perhaps he knows that this scripture carries a lot of power and he sets out to do whatever it takes to distract us and keep us constantly OUT of God's word!!!

So where do we find we are at? Are we more often IN the word or OUT of it?

Perhaps one of the best ways for you to answer the question is with another one - How well can you distinguish Good from Evil?

Random Picture

2010-07-23T16:35:00.000-04:00

How Much Are You Worth?

2010-06-30T06:40:00.000-04:00

How much is your body worth?

A: According to http://soundmedicine.iu.edu/archive/2003/quiz/humanWorth.html
How much is a human body worth? When broken down into fluids, tissues and germ fighting our bodies are worth more than $45 million.

This price tag on the human body is based on a survey published in Wired magazine. It found that vital organs are no longer the most valuable body parts. Rather, bone marrow heads the list…priced at $23 million, based on 1,000 grams at $23,000 per gram.

DNA can fetch $9.7 million, while extracting antibodies can bring $7.3 million. A lung is worth $116,400, a kidney $91,400 and a heart $57,000.

Women's eggs are costlier than men's sperm. The survey found that a fertile woman could sell 32 egg cells over eight years for $224,000; however, for a man to earn the same amount, he would have to make 12 sperm donations a month for 20 years.

The prices are based on cost estimates taken from hospitals and insurance companies, and are based on projected prices only in the United States. Of course, the prices also assume that all these substances can be extracted from living tissue for sale.

Although this break down is illegal, unethical and also impossible, you should not feel like a million dollars any more. You can feel like $45 million, instead!

But according to this website:

http://www.coolquiz.com/trivia/explain/docs/worth.asp

We are only worth $4.50!

But from this website,

http://yedda.com/questions/Cost_Human_Body_Price_Organs_health_5187178519066/

the price ranges from $23.49 to priceless.

So it really depends on how you measure it and if it is allowed to be ethical or not.

My ANSWER:

depends how good you look............... jk

.....................

This article might be funny if it wasn't real.

How sad is it that we really need to do all these studies to see what we are worth just to try to assign some sort of value to ourselves when God is screaming, "YOU ARE MORE VALUABLE THAN YOU COULD EVER REALIZE!! YOU ARE WORTH MY SON DYING ON THE CROSS FOR YOU! THAT IS HOW MUCH YOU ARE REALLY WORTH!!!"

Jesus dying on the cross for us is priceless. You can't put a price on that.

And when you really think about it, it makes 45 million dollars look like a drop in the bucket!!

Thank you Jesus for making me more valuable than money could ever buy!

What do you think about this article??

What If...

2010-06-29T15:46:00.005-04:00

I can't wait to see this movie coming to theaters Aug. 20!

How many of us would want to reexamine our lives if we could? Would you?

And I bet a bunch of you haven't even heard of it yet! Make plans now to go and see it, as Christians we've got to support these kinds of films to advance the much needed (and seldom promoted) gospel message!!

Here is a link to the official website for more information...
http://thewhatifmovie.com/

Learning Is Humbling

2010-06-28T06:47:00.000-04:00

I feel like I've been in a crash course lately. I've been learning a lot of things - mostly about who I really am.

Isn't it funny how that happens? Just when you think you understand and you finally get it you learn that you only just begun.

I always hated math in school. I remember when my math teachers would introduce us to new ways of solving problems and how frustrated I would get. Just as I was finally figuring out how to do something and getting the hang of it - BAM - something new would be introduced for us to have to learn. I didn't like math all that much needless to say.

But recently I've been feeling the same way in my spiritual walk. Just as I think I have it all figured out then - BAM - out of the blue something new is introduced to me. Don't get me wrong, unlike the math classes this time I really like learning all the new things. The only thing is, it's been teaching me that I DON'T KNOW HALF OF WHAT I THOUGHT I KNEW!!!

I guess I thought that scripture that says, "The half has never been told," didn't apply to me for some reason.

And that is another lesson in itself. How when we hear about or experience something through other people we foolishly automatically think, "well that doesn't apply to me." But I'm learning the opposite is true. You would be surprised just how much things that other people are experiencing applies to you too - if you only think about it.

I'm loving all the learning I've been doing, but let me just say it's also the most humbling thing for me as well.

How's class going for you lately?

Happy Father's Day!

2010-06-20T01:49:00.000-04:00

Malachi 4:6

He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.

May God bless all our father's and may this be our prayer on this special day.

I Still Sin...

2010-06-15T06:40:00.001-04:00

I still ~~sin~~ need Jesus!

How To Stay Positive!

2010-06-09T06:24:00.004-04:00

If you're having a hard time trying to stay motivated lately then here is a great example of how to get back on the right path.

Go ahead, give it a try!

The Healing Hand Of God

2010-06-04T06:40:00.001-04:00

As I write this post it has now been over one FULL week that Emily has been seizure and spasm free!!!

We are so excited and feel so blessed. All of the prayers and new meds have helped for sure but most of all it is the healing hand of God that has blessed us so well.

And just as a small token of my appreciation I wanted to post this video to give honor and thanks to our great and mighty God.

Always remember, the healing hand of God!

Quote Of The Week

2010-05-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

"Soldiers in the barracks will bicker and fight with one another. But soldiers on the battlefield stand united because they need each other. One of the reasons Christians often bicker among themselves is that there is no challenging goal that binds them together. A church that is arguing over traditions has forgotten its vision. But a challenging purpose can help people put differences aside and join forces for the advancement of Christ's kingdom."

- Bob Russell

Christ's Letters

2010-05-21T07:43:00.001-04:00

2 Corinthians 3:3 (NLT)

3 Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This “letter” is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts.

Funny how you often hear of someones "life story" when they pass away or when you are at a funeral. That person is remembered by the things and events that made up their personal story. It's an easy way to honor and describe that particular loved one that was called away. Sometimes you see this on the news when it's a celebrity or public figure. Pictures and videos will be shown to give the viewer a better understanding of what that persons story consisted of.

In 2 Corinthians 3:3 Paul is writing to the church in Corinth and telling them that their lives are not just "life stories." In fact, Paul tells us that as Christians, we are more than just some story, but instead we are actual letters from Christ!

How we live our lives in this world while in a relationship with Christ sends a message. A personal message from Christ to the lost that is not just some story but instead a letter from the very son of God.

It's true that even though you may go your whole life without knowing Christ you will still end up with some kind of story at your death. But how powerful and wonderful is it to know that if you live your life for Christ you end up being His personal letter to those around you?!?!

What is Christ saying through you and your story?

Is your personal "Christ letter" getting delivered or is it getting lost in the mail?

Never Give Up and Don't Lose Focus!

2010-05-20T07:26:00.002-04:00

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NLT)
16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Why should we never give up?

2 Corinthians 4:15 (NLT)
15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

Our spirits are being renewed every day even though our bodies are dying. Have you ever stopped to think about that statement?

What else in this world can you think of where as one thing is dying it also has something that is renewing at the same time?

It's funny how we can so easily recognize our "bodies that are dying everyday" and not even notice that our spirits are being renewed at the same time. Could that be because of our culture? And if so does it mean we are allowing our culture or this world to have a greater influence on us than we should?

Verse 15 says that all of this is "for our benefit" and then later it also says that "God will receive more and more glory" from it. Never giving up is a win win situation!! We win and God also receives the glory for it.

So never give up! No matter what you are going through. Focus on the part of you that is being renewed daily and quit focusing on the part of you that is only temporary and dying! This is for your benefit and it also brings God glory!

Now which will you choose to focus on?

Happy Mother's Day!!!!

2010-05-08T20:56:00.001-04:00

This song is dedicated to you mom. Thanks for all you do and for always being there. You always were the perfect fan!

I would also like to dedicate this song to all the other mother's that I know in my life. Thank you for being there in your own special ways as well!

I love you all!!!

In My Arms

2010-05-03T06:40:00.002-04:00

I heard this song on the satellite a few days ago and it has captivated me for several days now. When I hear it I think of Jesus holding Emily or holding me telling us it will be okay. What a great song Plumb sings!

And what a great feeling it is just knowing that God will ALWAYS hold us in His arms!!

The Rainbow

2010-04-25T08:05:00.003-04:00

How great is our God?

VERY!!!

We came home from the hospital yesterday with Emily and just a couple of hours after being home we look out the back window and this is what we see...

Beautiful huh?

I think there are many times in our walk with Christ that God likes to show up in a big way. I even believe that there are times that God likes to, well, show off! :^)

God showing off has been needed in our little family recently. We've just been through so much with Emily's battle with Infantile Spasms. Many hospital stays and just a really hard time. We have been caught in a hurricane lately it seems with all that we've gone through but God has always been there.

Only God can provide a rainbow in the middle of a Hurricane!!!!

And that is exactly what He did for us, LITERALLY!!

I think back to the flood in the Old Testament. How after all the destruction and devastation was over with God made a promise to man that He would never flood the earth again and to sort of "seal the deal" he put a rainbow in the sky as a reminder that He would always keep His promise. And centuries later we see that God has upheld that promise. The earth hasn't been totally flooded and we still sometimes see rainbows afer the storms.

So whatever you are going through today, whatever storm you find yourself in the middle of, take comfort in knowing that God is still providing the rainbows. He is still on the throne and He is still keeping His promise. He is always with you!

"I will never leave you nor forsake you" - Joshua 1:5

How Big Is God?

2010-04-14T09:41:00.001-04:00

Maybe you can hear it right now. A little girl asks her daddy unexpectedly, "Daddy, how big is God?"

The father, caught off guard by such a surprising question takes a few minutes to gather his thoughts and then tries to explain to his daughter how big he thinks God is.

After he gives his best answer the daughter, now satisfied, squeezes the grip she holds with her father. Her tiny hand interlocked with his is all he thinks about for the rest of their walk.

It's an innocent enough question isn't it? One we might have asked already once or maybe even on several occasions. One can't help but wonder just how big God really is. Think of all the ways you can answer that question. Then think of how many of those answers would be correct. I'm pretty sure all of them would be correct in some way or another. But how DO you answer this question really?

The answer is easy. In fact you might not have even considered it if you hadn't been thinking about it.

The answer is this; God is as big as you are close to Him.

Do you understand?

Maybe this will help; Your relationship with God determines how big He is!! How good is your realtionship with Him? In other words, how close to Him are you?

You see, I've heard it said that God is like a mountain in the distance. The closer I get to Him the bigger he becomes. And the more I walk with Him in my life the more I realize this saying is true.

God is big enough to handle EVERYTHING!

He is big enough to be with me in the smallest of places!

He is big enough to love me when I'm unlovable.

He is big enough to provide for me when I don't deserve it.

And he is big enough to let me figure out on my own just how big He really is.

I think that alone is a testamet to how big God is. The fact that he subtly let's us figure that out on our own, but only if we really want to know...

Fraggy Friday

2010-04-09T12:39:00.002-04:00

I wanted to do something on my blog that I could update weekly so after seeing that a few of my blogger friends were already doing this I decided to jump on the wagon myself...

* Baseball Season Is Here!!! - I'm so happy that baseball season is now back in full swing. I think I've watched a total of about 5 games so far this week and looking forward to some weekend games too. What is it about the game of baseball that just seems to say AMERICAN?? Maybe I get it from my grandpa because dad isn't the biggest fan of the game. Dad told me that grandpa ( I never met him because he died before I was born ) was always watching or listening to baseball games. I'm sure I have to take it after him because when the season starts I'm all about it. I consider that one of my best connections and tributes to him. Sometimes I just wish I could have spent a full day with him. I'm sure we would have spent a lot of our time talking about the game.

* My Allergies Are Going Nuts! - Seriously! And the strangest thing about it all is I NEVER had allergy problems until just last year. What's up with that?? How can you go your whole life with no allergy problems and then all of a sudden it hits you like a brick wall? Yesterday I felt like just getting a garden rake and scratching my eyes with it. That's how much they were itching! I love warmer weather but could do without the allergy season.

* Can We Learn Something From Tiger Woods and Jesse James? - The short answer of course is yes but if you want the longer one then consider just how many things we can learn from them. I believe in giving people a second chance because that's what Christ did for us - to give us a second chance. BUT once you've been given a second, third, fourth or 16th chance then maybe you need to pause and ask what it is you really want. If these men really wanted to devote themselves to their respective wives then they wouldn't have messed up in the first place - or especially after the numerous other chances they were given. Perhaps the biggest thing we can learn from them is Satan comes to "steal, kill and destroy" NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE!!! John 10:10

* Minute To Win It IS AWESOME!!! - Erica and I have started watching NBC's new game show and we are HOOKED!! Have you seen it? It is seriously some of the most challenging and funny looking stunts I've seen someone have to do. Our good friend Lynn has suggested that we take on the challenge of trying some of these things at our next game night and I am waiting with bated breathe for this to happen. Especially with all the good friends we have. There is bound to be some "kodak moments" when we get together for this.

* Do We Really Need To See Kate Gosselin In TWO MORE SHOWS??? - I about had a cow this morning when I was looking at the updates on my Yahoo homepage and seen what it said: "Kate Gosselin, kids to star in new TV shows. The reality star announces two shows, one involving her fans and the other her eight kids." Are you serious?? Enough with Kate already!!!

* Say A Prayer For The Miners - I grew up in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with many miners in my family. The news about the recent tragedy at the West Virginia coal mine has kept me in prayer all week. I can't imagine what those families are going through right now. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as you use the electricity they work and sacrifice so hard for us to enjoy.

Happy Friday everyone. Enjoy your weekend and as always, BE BLESSED!!!

How To Make Your Faith Real!

2010-03-31T06:45:00.001-04:00

Did anyone see the story on Lifetime Movie Network about the tragic Amish shootings that happened not too long ago??

WOW!

That movie was very inspirational and helped me gain a lot of perspective.

But perhaps the thing that stuck with me the most was what Gideon said when he was describing faith...

"The Lord does not set us on an easy path, but this I know, faith when everything is as you want it to be is not true faith. It is only when our lives are falling apart that we have the chance to make our faith real"!!!

DANG!

This is honestly the best way to describe what kind of "faith roller-coaster" I've been on the last few months with Emily being sick. And this is truly the best way to describe what real faith looks like in the midst of any storm.

When Gideon said that on the movie I had to rewind it and write it down in my journal. It speaks volumes!

And if you get the chance to watch Amish Grace I highly recommend it. But first make sure you have a some kleenex with you!

Hallelujah Square

2010-03-29T18:21:00.001-04:00

I just remembered this song we used to sing at the old time baptist church I used to attend back in Eastern Kentucky. I used to LOVE this song and every time I heard it I would tear up and rejoice.

But now that we've been going through all that we have with Emily this song means even more to me. And now it strikes the heart strings much harder than ever before!

If you've heard it sung before then I'm sure you will sing it as you read the lyrics. In fact, I invite you to.

If it's new to you, then take in every word and really let it sink in.

This is what I look forward to. This is what Hallelujah Square is.

What a wonderful time we'll all have up there!!

Hallelujah Square

Lyrics

Verse:

I saw a blind man tapping along, losing his way, as he passed through the throng

Tears filled my eyes, I said, "Friend you can't see," but, with a smile on his face, he replied to me

Chorus:

I'll see all my friends in Hallelujah Square, what a wonderful time we'll all have up there

We'll sing and praise Jesus, His glory to share, and you'll not see one blind man in Hallelujah Square

(key change)

Verse:

Now, I saw a cripple dragging his feet, he couldn't walk like we do down the street

I said, "My friend, I feel sorry for you," but he said, "Up in Heaven, I'm gonna walk just like you."

Chorus:

I'll see all my friends in Hallelujah Square, what a wonderful time we'll all have up there

We'll sing and praise Jesus, His glory to share, and you'll not see one cripple in Hallelujah Square

(key change)

Verse:

And I saw an old man, gasping for breath, soon he'd be gone, as his eyes closed in death

He looked at me and said, "Friend don't look so blue, for I'm going up to Heaven, now how about you?"

Chorus:

I'll see all my friends in Hallelujah Square, what a wonderful time we'll all have up there

We'll sing and praise Jesus, His glory to share, and we'll all live forever in Hallelujah Square!

Quote Of The Week

2010-03-06T11:17:00.001-05:00

My joy is not determined by what happens to me, but what Christ is doing in me and through me!!!

Butt Drugs

2010-03-05T16:45:00.002-05:00

I ran across this funny commercial about a local drug store close to us. I never knew that this tiny store just down the road in Corydon IN would end up on youtube!

Note To Self,

2010-03-05T11:12:00.001-05:00

Pursuing faithfulness is more important than pursuing success!

I Don't Understand

2010-03-04T12:00:00.000-05:00

I don't understand Infantile Spasms.

I don't understand how things can be good one minute, several minutes, several hours, several days and then in an instant it's back to square one.

I don't understand how all these medicines work fine for a while (long enough to get our hopes up) and then they become ineffective.

I don't understand why my precious little girl has to go through this.

I don't understand why a cure for this hasn't been discovered yet when we've been on this earth for so long.

I don't understand how our world seems to have paused while everyone else's continues to spin.

I don't understand how I'm supposed to just keep "going through the motions" when what I really want to do is scream!

I don't understand how Job did it!!

I don't understand why Jesus would want to do it.

And I really don't understand why it exists.

I don't understand suffering.

Fear Of The Dark?

2010-03-03T08:00:00.002-05:00

A light in the black,

just a fear of the dark?

It's crazy but sometimes when I'm really frustrated or just needing to unload I listen to some hard rock. It's my tool for self-therapy. I was listening to Iron Maiden recently (yeah, I know, that's pretty hard hard rock) when the song fear of the dark came on.

The first two lines of the song are written above. And as soon as I heard those lines spoken it got me thinking...

As Christians, are we really in it to be a light in the black OR do we have just a fear of the dark???

That floored me!!

Immediately I felt guilty for listening to something as hard or "unchristian" as Iron Maiden, but yet at the same time I was thankful because I felt like God was teaching me something in this. I'm a person who believes that God can use anything to teach us lessons so I let the guilty feelings melt away. After all, doesn't the Bible say something about Satan being the "accuser".

I wasn't going to let this teachable moment get lost in feelings of guilt.

Sometimes I've found myself wondering if I'm fully devoted to the Lord or do I do it because I'm afraid of the consequences. And if you're honest I bet you've wondered the same thing to.

Maybe you've thought of it and instantly let it slide. My hope in this post is that you think of it a little more because I really do think it is a legit question. I by no means want to "accuse" or bring guilt to anyone reading this I just think our Lord deserves for us to be honest with ourselves.

Those two lines really got my attention, do they do the same for you?

And do you learn things from unusual places too? If so, I would love to hear about it.

- Joe

Hospitals

2010-02-28T08:57:00.001-05:00

I hate hospitals.

I hate them even more when someone I love is in one.

But I can't even begin to describe how much I hate them while my daughter is in one.

My daughter has a rare disorder called Infantile Spasms. It is one of the most rare and devastating types of epilepsy anyone can have. She was diagnosed with this disorder back in December and we've been battling it ever since. My wife does a much better job blogging about our journey with I.S. so please visit her blog here for more about that. I want to talk about hospitals.

Who in their right mind would actually like a hospital? Maybe you like that there is healing and help in a hospital but I'm not talking about the good things about a hospital. I'm talking about all the bad things that a hospital represents.

But does facing all the bad things a hospital represents turn into good things?

Does being FORCED into staying in a hospital for weeks at a time make you think about things you never would have thought about before?

Like how lucky we truly have it here in America and how awesome it is to know that proper help is being provided to you when you need it most. And what about all the other people you encounter in the hallways of a hospital? You can't help it when you pass by a stranger but to wonder what their issue is, what their reason for being in the hospital could be.

One of the crazy things about being in a hospital is the fact that you tend to run into unselfish instances.

For example, I was on the elevator going back to our room yesterday when an army vet (revealed by his hat) jumped on with me. He was an emotional wreck and cursing about his car breaking down on the way to see his baby. He didn't know his way around, perhaps it was because he was so distraught, so I asked him where his room was and what room number he was trying to find. He appreciated my help and it turns out that he was only two doors away from our room. Maybe he's going through the same thing. His child is on the neuro unit like mine. But for a few minutes I wasn't thinking about what my family was going through, instead I was focused on helping the army vet find his way to his precious family whom I'm sure cares about just as much as I care about mine.

Unselfish moments like these help you deal with the pain you are facing when you are in the hospital.

Why is it that it seems to help the most to pour out to someone else when we are so emotionally "empty" ourselves? I get that it would make sense if we were at our strongest but how does it make sense when we are at our weakest??

It's like saying, "empty yourself so you can give more!"

It baffles the mind.

I hate hospitals. Probably because I am forced to face the facts. And the fact of the matter is that LIFE IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN I REALIZE AND IT'S NOT ABOUT ME!!!!!!

Hospitals are the perfect place to learn all about "unselfish moments". It's crazy how that works isn't it??

Jeremiah's Prayer

2010-02-25T08:11:00.000-05:00

In my daily devotional this morning I was reading Jeremiah's Prayer and it really got my attention. Maybe it's because of all that I've been going through lately but I honestly feel like God is trying to tell me something with this scripture.

Jeremiah 10:23-24

23 I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own;
it is not for man to direct his steps.

24 Correct me, LORD, but only with justice—
not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.

I know, O Lord, that my life is not my own; it is not for me to direct my own steps.

Correct me, LORD, but only with your good and perfect will - don't be angry with me because you are all I have left. If I were to make you angry with me I would have nothing left to hold on to.

Amen

Note To Self,

2010-02-24T12:27:00.001-05:00

Don't deny your true emotions.

Don't ever let the opinions of others decide what you know you must do!

Especially if listening to them would mean ignoring God!!

Book Notes

2010-02-12T07:43:00.003-05:00

I would like to start something new on my blog. I think it would be interesting to post some "book notes" from books that I finish reading. These will be the notes that I write in my journal that spoke to me or just moved me in a powerful way. My hope in this is to share the wealth of knowledge I gain so we can sharpen our minds together. I pray you enjoy this new feature on Reflect The Son!!

So I just finished reading Love & War by John and Stasi Eldredge. It was honestly really good. Click here to read my review.

Here are just a few notes from the book I wrote in my journal while reading...

Satan is respected in the Bible as a very active threat, but few people actually live like it!!
Satan is the "accuser" (Rev. 12:10)
Satan is a liar, "the father of lies" (John 8:44), so utterly convincing he deceived a glorious man and woman to betray God, whom they walked with every day.
The kingdom teeters on the hundred small choices we make every day.
Over the centuries Satan has gotten the church to turn against itself, while he seizes the world by the back of the neck and drags it to hell!!
In this world you will have trouble - Jesus
You would not ask someone with a broken arm to swim the English Channel, so you can't demand the broken to live as if they were whole!!!
Although he (Jesus) was a son he learned obedience from what he suffered!! (Hebrews 5:8)
The secret to life is this - we are here in order to learn how to love.
I want to blame the enemy - "it's all his fault!" Oh dear. I am sounding just like Eve. Lord have mercy.

These were just a few of the notes I thought might speak to you today. I pray they speak to you as much as they did for me.

Check back in for more "book notes" in the future!

Note To Self,

2010-02-05T10:53:00.000-05:00

The only applause I am meant to seek is that of nail-scarred hands!!

Where's Rob??

2010-02-03T09:37:00.001-05:00

I totally want to do this at Believe next week!

Anyone want to help me pull this off?

Rest Area's

2010-01-14T08:11:00.002-05:00

I used to HATE these signs on the side of the road!

Now they give me a new perspective.

If you are anything like me, when you are going somewhere far away you want to get there as quick as possible. Many times (before I was married) I made four hour trips to my dad's without ever stopping and resting. I had a place to go and I wanted to get their ASAP!

When I got married those four hour trips became a little longer because we would stop at least once at the area's the friendly blue sign invites us to. And now that we have a 7 month old angel the stops have become even more fequent!

Do you know what that does to a person who is always in such a hurry to just "get there"?

My hate for rest area's was so crazy at one point I would hold my breathe and pray that my wife didn't see the blue sign when we would pass one because I just knew she would say that we should stop.

Why did they have to put these rest area's so close together? Couldn't one stop within four hours be enough?

Now though, since the birth of my daughter, I'm starting to outgrow my hate for the rest area.

One day I had this thought as I was recently passing one on the Interstate:

God longs for us to use Rest Area's!!!

Now think about it for a minute. Have you ever noticed how busy your life is? How you are always in such a hurry to "just get things done."

It's like you are on a trip and all you want to do is "just get there."

That's how, if we're not careful, our lives end up becoming.

You have deadlines, commitments and expectations to meet. You promised so-and-so that you would be there. You prioritized that other need before your own needs.

See, if we allow ourselves to get so busy that we don't have time to rest then we quickly wear ourselves out. Even if we think we can handle it just fine!!

God wants us to make room for Him. He wants us to know that we can find rest in Him. Even when we think we are doing just fine without it.

Rest area's along the Interstate are good for many things: Changing baby's diapers, stretching your legs, checking the pressure in your tires or just grabbing a snack. These rest area's allow room for you to check on your car to see if it will make it the rest of the trip.

Rest area's with the God of this universe are even better for many reasons: Self-evaluation, spiritual growth, prayer, reading God's word, and simply laying your yoke and many burdens on the ground at Jesus' feet!

God doesn't want us to take for granted the huge impact that making time for Him can play in our spiritual walk. If you've become too "busy" to rest in Him you need to recheck yourself. This trip wasn't meant to be over with ASAP!!

Make time for rest area's in your life. Don't be like the 18-wheeler that zooms by without a second glance. You were made to ENJOY this ride called life! And besides, wouldn't you want to stop long enough to make sure you were even going in the right direction?

Psalm 62:5

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

Watch Out For Snakes!!

2010-01-13T07:11:00.000-05:00

Perfect place to let your kids play huh?

At least they give you a warning!

But as I was thinking about how stupid you would have to be to let your kids play in that playground back there and just totally ignore the warning sign, it made me realize what we do all the time.

As sinners, we might find ourselves playing in sin. Even though we know we shouldn't and even though we know that God tells us that it is bad for us we still, like small children, find ourselves enticed by the lure of a good time.

The temptation is just too great for us to overcome sometimes. We must make our way to that playground and have a "good time". And all the while the warning sign stands and serves the purpose of letting us know what really might happen to us.

Isn't it so funny that while looking at this picture your first thought might have been, "okay we are out of here"! But why is it so hard for us to listen to God's warnings when sin is just so darn tempting?

God tells us to "watch out for snakes" and yet all we can think about is getting to play in that "playground" so we can have a "good time".

Thank God that Jesus died for our sins. Thank you God for all the warnings and thank you Jesus for rescuing us in our unsafe "playgrounds."

If 99.9% Is Good Enough, Then...

2010-01-12T07:14:00.001-05:00

If 99.9% is good enough, then...

12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily.

114,500 mismatched pairs of shoes will be shipped per year.

18,322 pieces of mail will be mishandled per hour.

2,000,000 documents will be lost by the IRS this year.

2.5 million books will be shipped with the wrong covers.

Two planes landing at Chicago's O'Hare airport will be unsafe every day.

315 entries in Webster's dictionary will be misspelled.

20,000 incorrect drug prescriptions will be written this year.

880,000 credit cards in circulation will turn out to have incorrect cardholder information on their magnetic strips.

103,260 income tax returns will be processed incorrectly during the year.

5.5 million cases of soft drinks produced will be flat.

291 pacemaker operations will be performed incorrectly.

3,056 copies of tomorrow's Wall Street Journal will be missing one of the three sections.

__________________

Never underestimate the power that lies behind how much effort you put into something. You never know what the result might be if you just put your trust in God and give it your very best!

Proverbs 16:3

3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.

I Want To Be The Biggest Loser!

2010-01-06T07:17:00.001-05:00

Finally, one of my favorite shows is back for another season and just in time to inspire those of us who were brave enough (or crazy enough) to make any New Year's Resolution's!

I must confess, I've already broken one of my resolutions (to give up soda) but watching this show reminds me how I can honestly do anything I want to do if only I put my mind to it and am serious enough about it. So now I'm kicking myself for giving up so easily on the soda. But hey, I still have some other things I'm resolving to do for this year. And I'm excited that I now have a weekly reminder that I can do whatever I put my mind to.

Being an "average Joe" I don't have any real health issues and I'm not overweight by any means but I do have some things going on in my spiritual walk that are "unhealthy". And that is my biggest focus this year!

I WANT TO BE THE BIGGEST LOSER and lose the things that are prohibiting my walk with Jesus.

I want to shed the weight that holding out on Jesus adds!

I want to identify and disconnect from the Idols that I worship (knowingly and unknowingly) that slowly kill my quality of life in the Lord!

I want to work out my Salvation! (Not work FOR but WORK IT OUT)!!!!

I want to be as healthy as I can be, so I can reach as far as I can reach! People don't know Jesus and that's something I can change!!!!

I want to inspire those around me so we can make the name of Jesus more famous!!

I WILL DO THESE THINGS!

I WILL BE THE BIGGEST LOSER!!!!

I'm so ready Lord to lose the man that loves this world, and be the man you are calling me to be!!

Care to join me??

Were You There?

2009-12-30T10:28:00.001-05:00

GOD'S HANDWRITING

2009-12-29T06:53:00.001-05:00

He writes in characters too grand

For our short sight to understand;

We catch but broken strokes, and try

To fathom all the mystery

Of withered hopes, of death, of life,

The endless war, the useless strife,-

But there, with larger, clearer sight,

We shall see this - His way was right.

John Oxenham, 1913

This speaks volumes to what my family has been going through lately. More to come on that later...

Dear Santa

2009-12-02T15:40:00.002-05:00

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is for Jesus to increase and for you to decrease.

God Bless,
Joe

Youth MiniSTARS

2009-11-19T10:32:00.001-05:00

This is for all you youth ministers out there that get no respect! 8-D

Global Warming vs. Eternal Burning

2009-11-13T08:05:00.000-05:00

If I seen this t-shirt somewhere I'd probably buy it.

I'd be willing to bet that just about anyone you might encounter would be able to describe what Global Warming is, but I don't think they could (or would be willing) to describe what Eternal Burning means.

Our culture has made Global Warming a "Hot Topic" :-) as of late, but as Christians, are we making a priority in talking about Eternity?

What if we made as big a deal out of people's final destination as we did about global warming and other environmental issues?

What if God has given us a greater opportunity to make a bigger impact in the world by talking to people about eternity?

Yes, there are some things we can do to impact global warming, but in my opinion, that pales in comparison to all the lost that don't know Jesus.

In my opinion, when Global Warming vs. Eternal Burning in matters of importance, Eternal Burning wins every time!

Thank You!

2009-11-11T08:05:00.003-05:00

To all of you who are actively serving and to all of you who have already served I just want to say from the bottom of my heart....

THANK YOU!!!

I salute all of you for being so willing to stand in the gap and defend our freedom. You truly are America's Hero's!

I pay tribute to you through this video...

A Public Spectacle

2009-11-04T07:26:00.000-05:00

At first glance you probably didn't think the image above represents victory - BUT IT DOES.

At first glance you probably didn't think about odds being overcome in that very moment - BUT THEY WERE.

At first glance maybe you thought this man deserved what was happening to him - BUT HE DIDN'T.

But just maybe perhaps you thought of something else...

Instead of thinking these things were happening to Him, maybe you thought - He was happening to them!

Maybe you thought Jesus was making a "Public Spectacle"!!

Colossians 2:13-15

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

I never even considered this until this morning.

Thank you Lord for showing this to me!

How great is the God who makes a "public spectacle" of things?!?!

Feeling Tested?

2009-10-30T07:59:00.000-04:00

I read this verse this morning and can't shake it....

Proverbs 27:21

21 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,

but man is tested by the praise he receives.

The crucible purifies silver and the furnace purifies gold. So does that mean man is purified by the praise he receives??

In other words, does praise test our purity?

Does how we handle praise show our level of maturity?

This scripture has really got me thinking this morning.

What do you think about it?

Where's The Easy Button?

2009-10-28T07:19:00.000-04:00

Sometimes as Christians we get it wrong.

We wake up every morning starting the day with a sense that we can conquer the world for Christ and make Jesus' name more famous. But as the day unfolds and challenges or unexpected issues come our way, we find ourselves at the end of the day wishing for one of the popular Staples "Easy" Buttons.

Sometimes we wish we could just hit that button and make everything "right" again.

As if making things "right" made them easier.

But what about the fact that most of the things that were done "right" in the Bible were done the hard way?

What would have happened if David when facing Goliath had an "easy" button?

What would have happened if Jonah when trying to dodge Ninevah pushed an "easy" button?

What woud have happened if Stephen when being stoned to death had an "easy" button?

How might our lives be different if Jesus pushed an "easy" button?

As Christians we tend to associate things that are hard as being unfair or not right. When in reality some of the most difficult things we'll ever do are the right things.

Sure it would be nice to hit an "easy" button when temptations came our way but where would we get our character development from if we didn't conquer our temptations with the help of Christ?

I would so love to hit the "easy" button when a loved one passed away in my life, but in doing so, would I be losing a greater understanding and appreciation for the true value and meaning of life?

It's easy to wish and want an "easy" button as a Christian. But didn't God make things easy enough when He sent His son to die on a cross for us?

All we have to do is believe in and follow Him. What Christ did for us was by no means easy, but if you really want to look at it and examine things, God sent us an "easy" button in Christ.

It's just that we tend to forget that.

Who You Hangin' With?

2009-10-27T07:38:00.001-04:00

One of the things that simply rocked my world when I first discovered Jesus and His time on earth was the fact that he spent more time with sinners and outcasts than religious leaders.

And for doing so he faced all kinds of ridicule and criticism from those same religious leaders.

But Jesus knew exactly who needed his presence the most.

Mark 2:17

17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Jesus puts the religious leaders in their place and opens their eyes when he says this in verse 17. He didn't come for the healthy but for the sick.

So when I read this and think about who Jesus spent most of his time with I have to ask myself,

Who Am I Hangin' With?

I'll confess to you that you won't see me hanging around a bar or some night club seeking sinners. But what if I did?

How would I be judged?

I imagine the judgment would be much like the same kind of judgment Jesus received.

People don't want to get dirty or go to the uncomfortable places to reach someone but that's exactly what my Lord did for me.

If Jesus wasn't found in those ugly places where would I be now?

"Represent Christ Today!!"

2009-10-26T12:42:00.003-04:00

I'm a HUGE football fan. Be it the NFL, College Football or High School Football I'm luvin' it!

I love the atmosphere, I love the game and I love the shear thought of just being around it.

I love me some football!

So as you might guess I was watching College Gameday on ESPN Saturday when they did a story on all the motivating traditions different schools did before they took the field.

Needless to say it was very interesting. I didn't realize that so many schools did such a variety of things before taking the field. Now, I'm not a huge Notre Dame fan, but I do like to catch a game or two when I can. And I've always known about their "Play Like A Champion Today" sign that each player touches in their own special way before taking the field.

I just didn't know so many other schools did such a variety of other things and I was very interested in the way CGD covered this story. As I watched about seven minutes of the story they eventually came to the Notre Dame sign pictured above and just as soon as I seen that sign this thought occured to me...

"Why don't Christians go out into the world with some kind of motivational tradition like this? Instead of "Play Like A Champion Today why don't we Christians have a sign or something that says, "Represent Christ Today!"??

I don't know what triggered that thought.

Maybe there is just something spiritual about football 8-) but as I was taking in all the different things each school did before going to do battle on the field I wondered why Christians aren't this motivated to go out everyday and do battle in the world?

Maybe if we adopted this same kind of mindset we could make a little bigger impact in the world. Seems to me that a lot of Christians forget that Christ already won the victory. Now we just gotta go out and RUN UP THE SCORE!!!!

"Represent Christ Today!"

What?? That Word Is Plural??

2009-10-23T08:28:00.000-04:00

I was reading from the book of 1 John this morning when something immediately grabbed my attention...

It was a Heading in Chapter 2 over verses 18-27. Here's what it says in the NIV translation...

Warning Against Antichrists

Yeah, the word Antichrist is PLURAL not SINGULAR!!

For the longest time I always thought that we need to be careful and keep an eye out for THE Antichrist when in fact it says here that there are MANY Antichrists.

Look at verse 26...

26 I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.

Those who are trying to lead you astray. Again PLURAL.

Who are they in your life?

Identify them and take note. This scripture serves as fair warning that we have to be on our guard.

What are your thoughts on Antichrist being PLURAL instead of SINGULAR??

Where Is Your Faith?

2009-10-22T07:02:00.003-04:00

Luke 8:22-25

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.

In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."
______________________________________
There's something huge we can learn from reading this scripture...

It often takes the storms and trials in our lives for us to see where our faith is.

In other words, the best way to measure where you are in your faith walk is in difficult times.

Faith growth is measured and revealed in times that require faith. Sure it's easy to say you have a lot of faith when things are going great but if you really want to know what you're made of watch how you handle difficult situations such as the one in this story.

Jesus had to remind the disciples to call upon their faith. Not because they didn't have any, but because they simply forgot to tap into it.

The storms we face now simply remind us to tap into the faith resevoir that Jesus has been building into us from day one.

He didn't let the disciples down then and He won't let you down now when you call upon Him. Sometimes though He just wants you to see and examine your faith level. He wants you to see where your faith is.

Sermon Preview

2009-10-21T07:33:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I'm super-stoked about my sermon this Sunday. This has been one of the most difficult sermons I've ever prepared and God has stretched me big time in the process of putting this together.

I believe this will also be one of the most rewarding sermons I've ever done too.

I just wanted to share with you the title and graphic we will be using.

If you want to know more, you'll have to show up on Sunday!

My New Title Is This...

2009-10-20T07:13:00.000-04:00

Okay it's time for some real honesty here.

I used to have a problem with wanting to have the best title next to my name. (e.g. Youth Minister, Senior Minister etc.)

But God changed that for me yesterday.

I can't explain it really. It's just one of those things where you know you just had a "God-Moment" and you learn something huge and life-changing.

I've been too stuck on obtaining the right "title". And it's been getting in the way.

NOT ANYMORE!!!

God set me free from those chains yesterday. The chains of thinking that a title next to my name makes me somebody will no longer hold me captive!

God gave me a new title. One that He prefers much better.

And it is simply this.....

"CALLED".

nuff said!

I Have This Thing For Old Bibles...

2009-10-19T06:44:00.001-04:00

So I have this thing for old Bibles. Always have really. From the time I was a little boy going to church in my early years to this very moment. When I was little I used to look around the congregation to see if I could spot the person who had the oldest Bible. To me that person was a hero and looked upon as the person I needed to try and imitate.

I'll be honest with you. I only wanted my first Bible solely for the purpose of just beginning the process of making it old! That seems funny now when I look back and think about it but my love for older Bibles is still very much as strong now as it was in those younger years.

When my parents divorced I took on the responsibility of keeping the family Bible. Not just because it had precious memories filled with crayon marks and torn pages from our youth but because it too was old.

I found a Bible from the 1800's one time when we moved to a new house. That, needless to say, was a very big treasure that I found.

There's just something about a Bible that has been well worn and used for years or maybe even centuries that I just absolutely love! I think about the history that lies within that Bible. I think about the hands that turned the pages, the hours spent in God's word and occasionally I'll wonder if maybe a little one sat in someone's lap and heard one of the many great stories for the very first time.

It's crazy I know, but I just have this thing for Old Bibles....

If You Really Want To Move,You Got To Get Movin'!!

2009-10-16T07:50:00.001-04:00

If that title sounds familiar to you then it's probably because you've heard it in a song. It's Movin' by Group 1 Crew.

This title is so true in my life right now.

I've always been the type of person to trust in God to lead me where He wants me to be. As much as I want to be obedient to God and do only what he wants me to do with my life I've made the mistake of just sitting back and waiting....and waiting....and waiting.

I'm not saying that to wait upon the Lord is wrong. In fact it's what's usually most healthy for your walk.

But waiting on the Lord doesn't mean you sit around idle and not working towards where you think the Lord is calling you.

It's like when the Lord called Abraham to just pack up and "Go". He didn't tell him right away where he was going but God did tell him to get movin'!

I think part of it too is just having the faith and trust to know that God has the end result already laid out for you. The biggest reason to not get movin' is a battle against the logical sense of things.

We've been conformed to believe that we have to know where we are going or what the end result will be before we set forth on an endeavor.

And I think that's the biggest hinderence we face today when it comes to really seeing God move in our lives!!

We have "faith" that God will provide and supply us with our needs and put us in places and positions that He wants us in but can we say we have the faith of Abraham??

To just heed the Lord's calling and just pack up and get movin'?

It's something to think about.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot....

The journey there is usually where you will find the most adventure and memories.

If You Really Want To Move, You Got To Get Movin'!!

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!!!!!

2009-10-15T07:36:00.004-04:00

If not you, then WHO?

If not now, then WHEN?

The time is now for Christians to take a stand against Human Trafficking.

You might recall my blog post several months ago (BAHT) describing my heart for taking a stand against human trafficking. If so, I want you to know I was serious --- I meant what I said.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING!!!!

Why?

Because...

roughly 27 MILLION people are held in slavery worldwide today
every 2 MINUTES a child is being prepared for sexual exploitation
the average age of a trafficked victim is 14
victims are forced to have sex up to 40 TIMES A DAY
in Greece, someone is sold into slavery every 47 SECONDS
the overwhelming majority of those trafficked are WOMEN AND CHILDREN
by 2010 human trafficking will be the NUMBER ONE crime worldwide

As Christians we have the loudest voice for change in the world, (if we stand together). If all Christians came together around the globe on a common issue there is no doubt in my mind we could make a difference.

So here's the plan....

I ran across this new organization called the A21 campaign and they are dedicated to spreading the word and getting people on board for world change.

Go to their website and see what you can do to make a difference.

Pray for this organization and all the people working to make a difference. Pray for the people who find themselves slaves to this evil injustice. Even if all you do is make a post with links to the A21 campaign on your blog or webpage, spreading the word to as many people as possible, will do more than you realize.

Use the videos below to spread the word.

THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW!!!

10 Life and Leadership Lessons from Chuck Swindoll

2009-10-14T07:16:00.001-04:00

It's lonely to lead.
It's dangerous to succeed.
It's hardest at home.
It's essential to be real.
It's painful to obey.
Brokenness and failure are necessary.
My attitude is more important than my actions.
Integrity eclipse image.
God's way is always better than my way.
Christlikeness begins and ends with humility.

(Borrowed from Mark Batterson's blog)

...snatch others from the fire

2009-10-13T07:06:00.004-04:00

The book of Jude is only one chapter but for some reason latey I've been spending a lot of time studying in it. There is one set of verses that have held my attention the most...

Jude 1:17-23

A call to persevere

17 But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. 18 They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 19 These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

22 Be merciful to those who doubt; 23 snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Wow!

Verse 23 puts it so plain by saying to literally "snatch others from the fire."

Have you ever thought about that?

That sharing the gospel and taking the time to invest in someone could eventually lead to a literal fire rescue?

One of our good friends and fellow leader in the youth ministry just graduated from the fire academy in Louisville. (Click on fire academy to see the story done by the Courier Journal). Congratulations Ryan!!! I just can't help but think of a fire fighter when I look at this verse.

Maybe it's time we pay attention to the urgency that this verse is written with and suit up to snatch those around us from the fire.

23 snatch others from the fire and save them.

Literally!!

...the books that would be written.

2009-10-12T07:07:00.002-04:00

I stumbled across a very interesting thing this morning.

The book of John is the only gospel that ends with this statement...

John 21:25

25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

WOW!!!

Okay, first of all we already know that Jesus did many many things. But when you see this is the very last statement in the last book of the gospels it's so encouraging to think you can use your own imagination and think of other things that Jesus did. The fact that it's placed in the last book of the gospels is kind of like an opening for the story to be continued.

Don't you just love it when a movie you really like does that for you? The way it might end in a way for it to be continued?

How excited do you get?

Of course we love to hear the familiar stories of Jesus healing the lepers, restoring sight to the blind and raising the dead, but to think of the simple fact that "the half has never been told" is simply so encouraging.

What do you imagine Jesus did that didn't get recorded?

This simple discovery has really got me wondering and thinking about how great our Saviour truly is!!

...I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written!

God > Your Problems

2009-10-09T10:08:00.002-04:00

God is greater than your problems!

So many times (especially lately), I've been more focused on the problems that surround me rather than God.

It's so easy to do isn't it?

A bad day at work, a flat tire or just simply a lot of stress in life can very easily throw our focus off of how great our God is.

It's like the alligator mouth. (This is what my math teacher use to call the greater than - less than sign to help us remember which way it was suppose to face in a math problem).When the alligator mouth turns from God and faces our problems instead, we end up with the wrong results every single time!

So let me ask you this....

Which direction is the alligator mouth pointing in your life right now?

Take a minute to see what you are focusing on the most.

Is it God or your problems?

If you are hungry for God during a stressful or difficult situation the alligator mouth should obviously be pointing towards God.

God is so much greater than your problems!

Don't Let The Beanbag Get You!!

2009-10-02T08:44:00.001-04:00

If you've ever read the book Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris then you know how much integrity they have and how counter-culture their way of thinking is. But did you know that their brother Joshua was a youth pastor?

I didn't either until I found this video on the Rebelution (Alex and Brett's blog).

Don't know if I get a lot of youth visitors on my blog, but even if you aren't this message is very powerful!

Trojan Horses and Price Tags

2009-09-18T08:21:00.002-04:00

Pastor Michael's sermon was spot on Sunday when he said,

"There are a lot of Trojan horses out there, things that look like gifts."

That is so true. But we seldom ever look at it that way.

Isn't it funny how some of Satan's biggest temptations often come in the form or disguise of a gift?

But perhaps what really made this message sink in and come full circle was when I read a post from Mark Batterson yesterday. It reads...

Switch the Price Tags

Soren Kierkegaard once told a parable about two thieves who broke into a jewelry store, but instead of stealing the jewels they simply switched the price tags. They put high-priced tags on cheap jewelry and low-priced tags on valuable gems. For several weeks no one noticed. People bought cheap jewelry for exorbitant prices and rare jewels for spare change. Kierkegaard's point is pretty obvious: sometimes we have difficulty discerning between what is valuable and what is worthless.

John 10:10 says, "The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy." But here's how he steals. Very rarely is it overt. He uses covert means. He switches the price tags. He wants us to place supreme value on worthless things and no value on things that are invaluable.

A relationship with Jesus Christ is of infinite value. To settle for anything less is literally robbing from yourself.
______________________________________________

Perhaps the Lord is trying to tell me something here. Maybe I've seen so many "Trojan Horses" that my vision has become somewhat blurred. Maybe I've allowed the thief to come and change my priority list, rearranging the things that are supposed to have the most value in my life and causing me to give attention to those that seem like good things but in reality they hold no value.

Maybe you need to examine your walk for Trojan Horses or maybe you need to look for a switch of price tags. Whatever the case may be, John 10:10 should be a warning that the enemy is literally "within the walls" just waiting for the chance to attack!!

Redeemed

2009-09-16T08:03:00.000-04:00

I needed this this morning.

Thought maybe someone else out there might need it too...

Praise be to God that he loved us so much that He sent His only son to be OUR Redeemer!!!!

You Took My Place!

2009-09-02T07:01:00.001-04:00

One day, a man went to visit a church. He got there early, parked his car and got out. Another car pulled up near the driver got out and said, 'I always park there! You took my place!'

The visitor went inside for Sunday school, found an empty seat and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, 'That's my seat! You took my place!' The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing. After Sunday school, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, 'That's where I always sit! You took my place!'

The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing. Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, 'What happened to you?' The visitor replied , as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye,

'I took your place.'