Best Super Sunday Snacks. EVER!

I saw this yesterday on Holy Taco via Deadspin and I had to share it with you...

Presenting the Awesome Snack-tastic Super Bowl Stadium!!
(I so want this at my house this Sunday!)



Here's the lowdown:

The Field:
1 Pound of Guacamole
15 Oz. Queso Dip For The Steelers End Zone
15 Oz. Salsa For The Cardinals End Zone
2 Oz. Sour Cream for the Field Lines

The Players:
15 Vienna Sausages
Helmets - 3 Oz. Sharp Cheddar Cheese

The Goal Posts:
1 Slim Jim for Each Goal Post
1 Oz. Monterey Jack Cheddar To Anchor (each)

The Stands:
58 Twinkies
1 Pound of Bacon
1 Bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos
1 Bag of Cheetos
1 Bag of Corn Tortilla Chips
1 Bag of Chex Mix

TOTAL CALORIES: 24,375
TOTAL GRAMS OF FAT: 1,285
TOTAL COST: $86.47
TOTAL DELICIOUSNESS: Priceless....until the inevitable heart attack.

And the capper to this Super Snack Stadium?



(The summer sausage blimp, of course...)

Hidden Sin...

"One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand.

The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting. He asked the one in the wrong, “Why are you hitting your fellow Hebrew?” The man said, “Who made you ruler and judge over us? Are you thinking of killing me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “What I did must have become known.”

(Exodus 2:11-14, NIV)

Moses had quite a life: started as a baby that escaped the massacre by floating down the river in a basket of reeds, then goes to leading the Israelites out of slavery and the parting of the Red Sea, and finally leading them to the Promised Land. Pretty cool...but if that's all you think about Moses, you missed probably the defining moment of his life.

Moses grew up in Pharoah's palace as part of the royal family. He had everything he ever would want, and could be content to life a life of luxury. Moses didn't have to do anything. I'm sure that by the color of his skin and features, Moses always knew he was a little different, and as he grew, he learned of his heritage. In a moment of anger, Moses killed a Egyptian foreman for beating a fellow Hebrew. This led to being exposed by other Hebrews, sending Moses into hiding and on the run for years. Without this event, Moses would have never been in the place and frame of mind for God to have spoke to him through the burning bush, and he would have never been the leader God called him to be. His failure led to his greatest moments.

None of us like to admit to sin. It's easy to think that we're the only ones with a problem, and no one else would understand. We feel that if people knew, they would condemn and leave us, and no one would want anything to do with us. Watching Ted Haggard on Oprah this week, I was struck by his comments that he was glad to have been exposed for his sin, as he tried for years to deal with it on his own and failed. Once he was found out, he had no other option to come clean, ask forgiveness, find accountability, and start the long path to rebuild broken relationships and trust. The thing is, now Ted feels more free than he has in years. Even with all the damage and fallout, that hidden sin is no longer holding Ted captive, and that's a great victory.

The enemy is great at using our hidden sin to keep us in bondage. He tells us that if anyone knew, it would all be over. Problem is, the enemy knows the power of confessed sin, forgiveness, and accountability will win every time, so keeping us away from that is the key to keeping us from God.

I think we'd all be lying if we said we've never had hidden sin at some point in our lives, me included. Mine was exposed about 7 years ago and the fallout damaged my relationship with my wife. As part of the restoration, I shared it with my pastor and mentor, and met weekly with an accountability partner to answer the hard questions that needed to be asked of me. It took months to rebuild the trust I had lost with my wife.

Was it easy? No.
Was it worth it? Yes.

That sin no longer has a hold on me. Sure, it's something I always need to be on watch for, but I know there's a way out from under the temptation, and I know that sharing my struggles with those that love me and love God will help me get through anything.

Here's hoping we can take the sin in our "closet" and bring it out to the light today. If you don't have someone you feel you can share confidentially with, find me. I've been there, and I'll be there for you, too.

Now, That's A Serious Fan....

OK....this is one dedicated fan of the St. Louis Cardinals. He waits until the city gets a fresh cover of snow, drives down to Busch Stadium, plots out his walking path precisely, and then find a way to get high enough to take this picture. As a diehard White Sox fan, I stand and salute you, Way Too Intense Cardinals Fan!!



(ht to The Big Lead and the St. Louis Post Dispatch for the image and the story.)

Updates on Keri & Kayla...

It's been a little while since I've updated, so I wanted to let you know the latest on those I've asked you reading this to pray for.

Keri Rohr was released from the hospital, which was a big praise, and we're thankful the tumor is gone. This week, she's started radiation treatments, and it's been hard on her. Here's a bit from Tonya on Keri's CaringBridge page:

Treatments have started and they aren't quite what we expected. Keri has been sick from the radiation! We had our first treatment yesterday afternoon and about 2 hours after the treatment she started vomiting. She got sick again this morning after her treatment...before we even left the facility. They gave her a shot of medicine that would stop the vomiting and then gave me a prescription for it so we will be using that on a regular basis now.

This little issue hasn't made her very accepting of her treatments so please pray for the sick feeling to stop for her! The treatment itself is pain free and fairly quick, it's the "after" effects that we could do without!

Seeing your child hurting has to be about the most difficult thing to deal with ever. Thankfully, I haven't know this personally, but as a dad, my heart aches for those in that situation. From my friend Derry's blog, I found out about Kayla Courtney. Kayla's a student at Wawasee HS and a member of Derry's senior high youth group. She was in a car accident about three weeks ago and suffered major internal injuries. She's been in the hospital in Indianapolis ever since. Her dad updates Kayla's CaringBridge page and this is a bit from his latest:

Today appears to have been a step back again. In the morning, Kayla was ordered once again by the surgeon to stop drinking her sips of water (she had only a small ration permitted each day anyway). Apparently, the JP drain in her abdomen, located below the duodenum and designed to monitor the progress of healing, is increasing in volume while her duodenum drain is decreasing. This indicates that her duodenum is still inflamed and not healing adequately. The surgeon indicated that the small sips of water are stimulating her pancreas to secrete normal juices that we all do when we eat and drink to facilitate digestion. That secretion, along with bile from the liver (both enter through the duodenum) are not permitting the healing that is needed. The worst news (and I don't know if Mom told Kayla yet) is that the surgeon said the leakage has to stop before she can be released from the hospital and that could take days, weeks or even months.

Now, I don't claim to understand the medical talk, but I do understand the helplessness you'd feel watching your daughter in pain, and knowing she's got a long road ahead of her. I've never met Kayla or her family, but I've been praying for them every day. I've also been leaving notes on her CaringBridge page, since I know that even a little note can have a large impact, as I wrote in this post. Maybe the notes don't help at all...but if it impacts them and lets them know they are thought about and prayed for for at least a moment, then it's worth it.

I know many of you reading are far better "prayer warriors" than I am. Please keep on or add Keri and Kayla and their families to your prayer lists. Thanks.

"How Can I Help Someone Who's Hurting?"

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
perseverance, character;
and character, hope.

(Romans 5:1-4, NIV)

"Rejoice in our sufferings."

Yeah, right.

I don't know about you, but in the midst of suffering, rejoicing is the last thing on my mind. When I'm in the midst of a crisis, all I can think about is how bad things are, and how I don't think they're going to get better. I wish I could have great faith and be able to face adversity with a smile every time and just say "God has a plan" and be OK with that. I wish I could, but I don't. It's too easy to blame yourself or to blame God and others, and too easy to feel sorry for yourself.

When you're going through a hard time, people may say "God's trying to teach you something", and they may be right...but that doesn't help either. Let me share about one of my own valleys and what touched me in it.

While going through my separation and divorce in my first marriage, I felt very alone. Many of the people I thought were my friends now avoided me like the plague. Most told me later it was because they didn't know what to say, which I can understand, but didn't appreciate. It got so bad I used to slip into church late and leave early to avoid any personal contact at all. I was a senior high youth sponsor at the time, and co-led a group of freshmen boys in small groups. After finding out what I was doing, the boys, on their own, made a plan. Before service, they covered the entrances looking for me. One found me, and basically dragged me down front to sit with them for the service. I kept a brave face and thanked them, but when I returned to my car, I just cried. Not because I was sad, but that I was overwhelmed that a group of 14 year olds reached out and accepted me, problems and all, with no questions and no judgement. They loved me enough to take me as I was, and just be with me. It was selfless and thoughtful, and it changed the way I deal with people in crisis.

Another was a tiny note left by a freshman girl. Sarah was young, but destined to be a leader. She had a heart for service and for finding people who needed a friend and filling that gap. After my situation became public, Sarah stopped by my office after school. I was out, but Sarah found my stack of Post-It notes and simply wrote this:

"Just wanted to let you know I'm praying for you. Love, Sarah"

I came back later to the office after finding out some particularly crushing information, and I saw this note. It shattered me. Just to know that someone, anyone was praying for me today made all the difference in the world to me. When Sarah took the 5 seconds to write that down, she never knew that the note would go home with me, be taped to my mirror, and be the first thing I looked at every single day for the next 4 months.

I know I've been a little long winded today, but this topic really hits home to me. When we're suffering, we don't need to be told what we did wrong, what God's trying to teach us, or that it will be better on the other side. While some or all of those may be true, it doesn't help. What helps is being a friend to them, unconditionally, just as you were before the crisis, and in praying for them with all you're worth. That's how you and I can help them develop the perseverance, character, and hope that the verses talk about.

Here's hoping we can learn something from those "kids" today.

"Here's What I Really Want From You..."

“Hear, O my people, and I will speak,O Israel, and I will testify against you:

I am God, your God.
I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices
or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,
for every animal of the forest is mine,and the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know every bird in the mountains,and the creatures of the field are mine.

If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
and call upon me in the day of trouble;I will deliver you, and you will
honor me.”

(Psalms 50:7-15, NIV)

David wrote the passage above as a direct quote from God. That's pretty amazing in itself, if you think about it. God not only spoke to David, but basically said, "Hey, I've got something really good! Go get a pen and be sure to get this down exactly as I say it!" So, since this part is basically a direct conversation with "The Big Guy", let's unpack it a little bit.

To me, God's saying this:

"Look, I appreciate all the stuff you try to do for Me: the worship music, the churches, the books, and all the other stuff that you do to show the world you love Me. It's great, and a nice gesture...but I want something more.

I mean, I am God. Don't you understand that? If I wanted something to eat, I could just make it myself (and I do mean MAKE it myself!). If I wanted songs of worship, I've got a million member angelic choir ready to make music whenever I would ask. I have no need for your "stuff", though I know you mean well when doing it. The one or two hours a week you give me in church attendance isn't at all what makes Me pleased.

Here's what I want from you: relationship. You can do all the stuff you want, but without that relationship with Me, it's nothing. It's just stuff. I want your heart. I want you to talk to me. I want to know your fears, your concerns, your love, your thankfulness...I want to know everything about you, and I want to be a bigger part of your personal life. I want your time...that's the one thing you can give me I can't make myself.

When I created you, I gave you free will to choose. That's what I want from you: to choose to be with me, personally without distractions. If we can do that, then I'll blow your mind with what I have in store for you. It may not be the "stuff" you were looking for, but with this relationship, we can change the world, one person at a time."

Here's hoping I give Him less of my "stuff" and more of me today.

25 Random Things About Me...

I got tagged by the lovely and talented Becky to do this list of 25 random facts about me. It seems to be the current thing on Facebook, and I must admit that I've really enjoyed reading the list of others. So without further ado, off we go:

Rules:
Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you.


1. As a child, I was obsessed with "Robin" from Batman & Robin. My neighbor Fred and I used to clothespin towels around our necks and pretend to be superheroes all the time. I'm pretty sure the neighbors thought I was a little off...

2. I love watching sports. I've been to a World Series, NBA Finals, NCAA Basketball Championships, and a BCS Championship game. Before I die, I want to go to a Super Bowl and a Stanley Cup game.

3. I hate spiders....they scare me to death. I know, I'm a big guy...but the sight of a spider turns me into a little girl. If I see one I just don't kill it...if it's in the trash, the bag must be taken outside immediately, lest it come back to life, reassemble itself, and come back to kill me. Seriously.

4. On a date in high school at a miniature golf course, my hands were so sweaty that I lost the driver while swinging at balls on the range and I had to scream at the people on the course to avoid caving someone's head in by the flying club. Needless to say, that date didn't end up being the one.

5. I'm adopted. I was born to a young lady who gave me up through Baptist Children's Home in Valporaiso, IN. I'm very thankful to have not been aborted, but to be placed in a loving, Christian Home. My older sister is also adopted - from Germany.

6. My younger sister was born on my 4th birthday. Not only do I have to share my birthday, she's the one present I can't ever take back.

7. My first kiss didn't come until summer after my freshman year in high school. Her name was Synneve. If you can top that name, go for it. (...and no, she wasn't some exchange student that just didn't know any better...I know how you all think!!)

8. I was led to Christ by my mom at a young age and had frequent periods of following Him, quickly followed by staying as far from Him as possible. I really don't think I got serious about God until after college...and I went to a Christian college.

9. I have an embarrasing habit of singing girly songs out loud while listening to my IPod in public places...the latest two were "Since You've Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson and "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)" by Beyonce....yep, really butch stuff.

10. I'm known in my church for getting emotional when asked to speak in front of the congregation. Last time I did it, I heard the over/under for me to get sniffly was about 90 seconds. One older lady, when introduced to me for the first time, said "Oh, you're the boy that cries, right?" Nice.

11. Though I catch junk for crying, I'm a very passionate person. If you ask me to speak about something I'm passionate about, chances are I'll get emotional. If you don't like that...well...too bad. (Big finish there, Rob!)

12. Although I'm 38, I still love to read comic books. Now, at least I have a 9 year old son to cover my secret: "They aren't mine...they're his!"

13. I had a crush...no -actually an obsession... on Mary Lou Retton in high school. I was sure someday we'd meet and she'd be Mrs. Henschen.

14. My first marriage lasted just over a year. It was a long distance relationship, and we really never got to know each other. The people I care about most warned me that it wasn't a good idea, and I did it anyway. Believe me, the second time, I listened and made sure they approved of this one.

15. When my first wife left and told me she really never wanted to be married in the first place., I was devastated. I won't get into specifics about what happened, but the loneliness is crushing. For the first month, I probably got 2-3 hours of sleep a night. Thank God I had a strong family, good Christian friends, and worthy mentors to help counsel me through it. I put this one in here to warn any of you reading that are struggling with your marriages: work on it and pray on it together...however good you think starting over will be, it's not worth the baggage you'll have for it. If you want some first hand perspective, talk to me.

16. I love to write....can't you tell? I started a blog about 2 years ago as an outlet to do just that. As of today, I've posted 1,301 times on it. If you want to check some of that drivel out, it's www.robsrandomramblings.com.

17. My sister's best friend became my lovely wife today. She started at "Shelly's friend who never speaks" to someone I look forward to talking to every day. She's incredible and loves me despite my faults. I'm thankful that God brought her to me at exactly the right time...His time.

18. I love my in-laws. I know alot of people make jokes about the "in-laws", but mine are great. It's like a second set of parents, and I mean that as a big compliment.

19. I can read freakishly fast. If I'm really into it, I can finish a 400 page book in a day on vacation.

20. I have an incredible memory for useless facts. Ask me what you told me to do 5 minutes ago and I forget...but ask me to sing the theme song from an obscure 80's TV show and I can nail it, pitch perfect.

21. I love my kids incredibly and pray daily that I can teach them the right way to life so they can avoid the mistakes and pain I've had in my life. Seeing them hurting...that tears me to the core, and makes me fear that I won't be a good enough parent for them.

22. I like doing laundry. I don't know if it's the sense of accomplishment, or the order when it done, but I really don't mind it at all....and the clean underwear is a nice bonus.

23. I've coached junior high football at NWMS for 16 years now. This upcoming season will be my last. Little fact: I was so uncoordinated as an 8th grader, I truly considered transferring to a small Christian school to play soccer instead of sticking it out with football. Today? Still not so coordinated....but ended up playing at NW, and then at Taylor University.

24. I'm blessed to have an incredible group of friends that are as willing to kick me in the tail as they are to laugh with me. Everybody needs as least one of them...I'm glad to have a bunch that would stand with me through anything.

25. Everyday, I'm still amazed that God's grace extends to even a messed-up idiot like me...but I'm thankful for it, and accept it gratefully while trying to live another day for Him.

(If you want to see who I tagged, you'll have to see it on my Facebook page. You're supposed to tag 25, and I just don't want to HTML tag each one...)

Having Fun With "My Brothers"....

I went to the Notre Dame game last night. The Irish lost a tough one to Marquette, but the game really had nothing to do with my enjoyment of the night. I went to the game with some really good friends, and we had a great time.

One friend and his wife drove from two hours away to join us. Another lives locally, but I hadn't see him and his wife for a few months. The others I talk to often, but it's just harder and harder to find time to get together as our kids grow older and get busier.

So, what do you think we did when we all got together last night? Did we fix something? Did we solve the world's problems? Did we discuss the economy and unemployment?

No....we just laughed.

We laughed about memories we had together, and laughed at new ones we created last night. For about 3 hours last night, all the pressures and issues of life just floated away while we just lost ourselves in each other's company and had a great time. I could recount some of the funny things that happened, but most you need the backstory to be informed. Suffice it to say my driving skills were called into question more than once.

I share this because I'm thankful. I'm so blessed to have so many good friends, both near and far from me. I'm blessed that God's placed them in my life not only for fun nights like last night, but more so for the valleys they've walked through with me over the years. The say a true friend is born of adversity, and this "band of brothers" I have is very special to me.

I pray each night that my kids find at least one friend that can give them a relationship like that...and give thanks that I've got a bunch.

If you haven't told them in a while, pick up the phone, text, or email a friend today and let them know how much you appreciate them.

What Are You Worshipping?

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator–who is forever praised.

(Romans 1:25, NIV)

Worship.

This, it seems, for years and years has been a hot-button topic in churches. The very denomination I'm a part of started because of a difference of opinion in singing with our without harmony, I believe. There are so many different ways to worship in song, and the emotions that come along with it have caused issues in probably most churches in America. Worship is not just music...if fact, I could argue that it's a very, very small part of worship. I could spend all day on this topic, but I think it would miss the point. If you read the words of Paul again, the type of worshipping used to glorify God isn't the focus...it's those that have traded that incredible gift to strive for things that have no eternal value: a better job, house, car, and all that stuff.

I was talking yesterday with my best friend, John. We were discussing the subject of worship when he said something so profound I thought it bore repeating here:

"If you want to really know what you're worshipping, let me take a look at your calendar and your checkbook."

Anyone else get a little kick in the gut there? We can all come to church, sit, sing, and listen, even participate or teach...but apart from those couple of hours, what are we really worshipping? Would how we spend our time and our money reflect what we claim on Sunday mornings? If Jesus stopped at your house today and asked to see both your checkbook and your calendar what would your reaction be? Pride? Fear? Embarrassment? Shame?

That's a question each of us must answer individually...starting with me. Here's hoping I'm worshipping the right thing today.

Be Still...

"Be still, and know that I am God;I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;the God of Jacob is our fortress.

(Psalms 46:10-11, NIV)

"Be still and know that I am God."

Seems like such an easy request, doesn't it? It doesn't require anything of us more than just not doing anything. It's not hard at all, right? I don't know about you, but for me it's nearly impossible. I fill my time with all kinds of stuff, good and bad: Bible reading, prayer, time with my family, watching TV, reading books, writing, playing video games, working, and many other things. It seems like the only time I slow down is when I'm sleeping. Problem is, with all of the "noise" I fill my life with, it's so hard to hear the whisper of God's voice. He could shout...He could speak in a voice that shakes the stars loose from the sky, but He chooses to whisper, because He wants me to come and find Him. He wants me to seek Him and when He's found, He just wants me to be still in His arms.

When I think about that, it reminds me of the days I wake up my little girl. She's 6 years old now, and getting bigger every day. Usually during the week I'm already at work when they get up, but on Sundays I go to her room wake her for church. Once I nudge her, she sits up and just raises her arms to me to pick her up. As soon as I do, she wraps them around me and squeezes tightly. I carry her downstairs to the couch and there we will sit for a few minutes: just her and I, just being still in the presense of each other. It's an incredible time of bonding, and something I'm sure I'll miss as she gets older. She could talk to me during that time, but the stillness combined with that closeness tells me that I'm loved and wanted by her, and I hope she feels the same way, too.

I think that's what "being still" is all about: getting rid of the distractions and just allowing yourself to focus solely on God. It takes some work...but, boy is it worth it.

I found the following clip on Youtube via another's contribution on Youversion. Take 90 seconds to watch it, and here's hoping we can make some time to be still in His arms today.

It's Not Like I Remembered It...

I took the family to see the Harlem Globetrotters last night at Notre Dame. As a kid, I remember when the Globetrotters would come to the area, it was a night I'd anticipate for weeks. As soon as I started seeing ads for it, I would be hounding Dad to be sure he had tickets. When the day finally arrived, we'd drive over to North Side Gym and take our seats in a packed house. I remember having fun, laughing my head off, and thinking that those were the most amazing athletes I'd ever seen. It was one of the highlights of every year growing up as a kid for me.

So, we got to ND and the game started. The players came out and were introduced while doing their famous "Magic Circle" routine. As they read off the names, I began to feel a little disappointed. I know it's been thirty years, but I didn't hear names of the guys I loved like Curly Neal, Geese Ausbie, and Meadowlark Lemon. Those guys were so big they'd be on Wide World of Sports, too! (If you don't remember that show, you're too young...) So, before the game even started, I was already thinking that it's not like I remembered it, and I was ready to chuck the whole night.

Then I started watching through the eyes of my kids. I watched my son's eyes open wide in amazement at the ball handling skills of Ant Atkinson and Blenda Rodriguez. I saw my daughter nearly jump out of her seat when they pulled the old "confetti in the water bucket" trick. I saw my son laughing so hard he couldn't breathe when Special K Daley pulled down the shorts of a Generals player, then had the trick returned to him, exposing his heart-covered boxers. I saw the Generals' coach engaging my daughter personally to try and turn her to cheering for his team, only to have her boo him with all her little heart. (I'm not sure what that guy's name was, but he played his part great!) I saw my son upset when the Generals tried to cheat to win, and on the edge of his seat in the fourth quarter cheering the Trotters to victory.

Then it hit me...the magic I remembered with the Globetrotters as a kid hadn't left at all...it just stayed with the kids. Watching them was more fun than even watching the game itself. Seeing them experience something that I loved so much as a kid and enjoying it like I did was a very cool experience to be a part of.

It wasn't like I remembered it....it was even better.

It

"Remember Who Your Dad Really Is..."

While working out this morning, I caught part of the Today show. They were reading part of a letter written by Jenna and Barbara Bush, the children of George W. Bush. It's a letter they wrote to Sasha and Malia Obama about growing up in the White House. These twins were able to experience it twice: once with their grandfather, and 8 years later with their dad. If you want to read the entire letter, click here to be taken to the Wall Street Journal site, but I've excerpted parts of it below:

Sasha and Malia, we were seven when our beloved grandfather was sworn in as the 41st President of the United States. We stood proudly on the platform, our tiny hands icicles, as we lived history. We listened intently to the words spoken on Inauguration Day service, duty, honor. But being seven, we didn't quite understand the gravity of the position our Grandfather was committing to. We watched as the bands marched by -- the red, white, and blue streamers welcoming us to a new role: the family members of a President.

We also first saw the White House through the innocent, optimistic eyes of children. We stood on the North Lawn gazing with wonder at her grand portico. Sasha and Malia, here is some advice to you from two sisters who have stood where you will stand and who have lived where you will live:

-- Surround yourself with loyal friends. They'll protect and calm you and join in on some of the fun, and appreciate the history.

-- And, a note on White House puppies--our sweet puppy Spot was nursed on the lawn of the White House. And then of course, there's Barney, who most recently bit a reporter. Cherish your animals because sometimes you'll need the quiet comfort that only animals can provide.

-- Slide down the banister of the solarium, go to T-ball games, have swimming parties, and play Sardines on the White House lawn. Have fun and enjoy your childhood in such a magical place to live and play.

-- When your dad throws out the first pitch for the Yankees, go to the game.

-- In fact, go to anything and everything you possibly can: the Kennedy Center for theater, State Dinners, Christmas parties (the White House staff party is our favorite!), museum openings, arrival ceremonies, and walks around the monuments. Just go. Four years goes by so fast, so absorb it all, enjoy it all!


This Christmas, with the enchanting smell of the holidays encompassing her halls, we will again be saying our good-byes to the White House. Sasha and Malia, it is your turn now to fill the White House with laughter.

And finally, although it's an honor and full of so many extraordinary opportunities, it isn't always easy being a member of the club you are about to join. Our dad, like yours, is a man of great integrity and love; a man who always put us first. We still see him now as we did when we were seven: as our loving daddy. Our Dad, who read to us nightly, taught us how to score tedious baseball games. He is our father, not the sketch in a paper or part of a skit on TV. Many people will think they know him, but they have no idea how he felt the day you were born, the pride he felt on your first day of school, or how much you both love being his daughters. So here is our most important piece of advice: remember who your dad really is.

As cool, classy, and thoughtful a gesture this was by the Bush twins, I think there's something more we can take from it. In this world of instant information we live in, it's so easy to personally criticize our leaders. From the President of the United States down to our own teachers, coaches, and pastors, we go beyond the issues and take personal shots at someone that's just trying to do their job. God bless people like President Obama and Bush that are willing to live life under a microscope in the hopes that America will be a little better place when their term is up. We need to remember that these leaders are people just like us: husbands, fathers, brothers, and friends....thanks, Jenna and Barbara, for reminding me of that today.

Funny Picture Friday...

You know, I think it may be about time to give "Funny Picture Friday" a few weeks off....it's getting tougher to find pics that make me laugh. So, if you don't see it here for a week or two, I haven't forgotten about it, I just didn't have anything funny. So, with that great build-up, here's a few that made me smile a little.

First...a redneck bluetooth...nuff said.



And we wonder why our ecomony is in the toilet...



Click this one to enlarge it and read the question someone sent in to Compaq's FAQ page....what a moron...



Finally, a few LOL Cats from "I Can Has Cheezburger?", a site that always makes me chuckle...

I don't know if any of you will think it's funny...but it's nice to finally know where He's at...



I don't think Febreze is gonna help you, buddy...



And finally, my favorite...



Have a great weekend!!

Thirsty....

As the deer pants for streams of water,so my soul pants for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

(Psalms 42:1-2, NIV)

Thirsty.

Is there any worse feeling that that?

Not just "Boy, I could use a drink".....but "My mouth is so dry that I think my tongue has turned into jerky". According to Encarta, a grown person's body is made up of about 60% water, and we need at least 8 to 10 cups a day to replenish what we lose. Doctors say that you could go without food for up to 8 weeks without dying, as long as you had water. Without water, though, the survival rate is 3 to 5 days at best. No water....no life.

David, without the aid of Google and the facts I have today, knew this in his mind and his heart. As a shepherd, he knew first-hand the effects of dehydration and what it did to his flocks. That's why he chose the metaphor of being thirsty for this passage. He knew we needed water to not only survive, but to thrive. When we are thirsty, we are totally consumed with finding something to drink and won't stop until we get it.

The thing is, we should be just as thirsty for God's word and His presence in our prayer time. When's the last time you said, "Man, I'm thirsty for God. I don't know what I'll do if I can't find time to read my Bible and pray. If I don't do it soon, I think I'll die!!!" Yeah, I haven't ever said that, either...but what a great thing to aspire to say, right?

Just like hydration, spending time with God needs to be part of our daily lives. Spending time reading the Bible on Youversion each day and journaling it, along with some time in prayer, have become a daily habit for me, and is now something I really do miss when I don't do it.

Here's hoping we all get a little more "thirsty" for Him today.

Anyone Else Lost With "Lost"?

I know I sure am....and I hope there's a great payoff for the silly "time is skipping" deal that the island is going through. It just doesn't make any sense right now...but this is one show that's always paid off in the past, so I'll give them a few weeks to start making sense....and they've got to get Hurley out of jail...he's my favorite!

On the other hand, my new favorite show, "Burn Notice", starts a new season tonight on USA at 10 p.m. Put it in your DVR schedule...you'll thank me later.

Lessons From KFC: Popcorn Prayers....

Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

(Matthew 22:34-39, NIV)

The lesson for the KFCers (4th and 5th graders on Wednesday nights) this week was on loving God. We talked about what loving God is, what gets in the way of loving Him, and things we can do to show God we love Him. John taught last night and did a great job. One great point he made was with a cellphone. He put it on the floor and told the kids that Jesus would call soon. He challenged them to think what would they say to Him when he called. After they thought, John told them that prayer was just like talking to someone on the phone...it's just a conversation with God, and how much He loves it when we share with Him, even if it's just a little bit at a time. John closed with a time of prayer, and encouraged the kids to pray aloud little "popcorn prayers"...just a sentence or two of what's on their hearts. As we bowed our heads, I wasn't optimistic. When we try this with adults, we're lucky if anyone prays other than the one who closes, so I didn't have much faith that a bunch of kids would be willing to pray aloud in front of their peers. What I heard in the next few minutes blew me away. From all over the room, prayers shot up from many of the kids there, and I heard nearly all of their voices sharing things like this:

"God, thanks for my family."
"God, thank you for the Bible."
"Thank you for my friends and for helping me when I'm sad."
"Thank you for loving me just the way I am."
"Thank you for saving me."
"Thank you for your love for me."

Then came the one that broke me:

"Hi Jesus....I love you!"

What a simple, yet powerful declaration. As I heard that, I had to wonder if I've ever told God that while praying. I'll ask for things, and I'll praise him for stuff....but I don't think I tell Him I love Him. He's called our Heavenly Father, and I know how much it warms my heart to hear those "I love you"'s from my kids, so why don't I do it? I had no good answer for it. So, starting today, I'm going to try to start telling God I love Him just as much as I tell my wife and kids I love them. I've got to practice what I'm preaching.

That's one of the great things about being a youth leader: Sometimes, the kids teach you.

The "Hole" Truth About God...

“They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let's go to Dothan.’ ” So Joseph went after his brothers and found them near Dothan. But they saw him in the distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what comes of his dreams.”

When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue him from their hands. “Let's not take his life,” he said. “Don't shed any blood. Throw him into this cistern here in the desert, but don't lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this to rescue him from them and take him back to his father.

So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe—the richly ornamented robe he was wearing—and they took him and threw him into the cistern. Now the cistern was empty; there was no water in it.

(Genesis 37:17-24, NIV)

The great story of Joseph: From the coat of many colors to the 2nd in command! Joseph led a pretty interesting life, but the incident above is the one I want to focus on today. Joseph was the "baby" of the family, and Jacob made no bones that this one was his favorite son. Not only did he treat Joseph better, but he gave him that famous coat, too. If this wasn't enough, Joseph bragged about his dreams that he would one day rule over the brothers, which went completely against the birth order hierarchy of that day.

Obviously, the brothers had enough of that little twerp Joseph. They wanted to kill him, but Reuben suggested throwing him into a dry well instead, planning to come back later to get him out. Problem was, when Reuben came back, he was already gone, sold as a slave and on his way to the house of Potiphar, where his journey to fulfill the prophecy of those dreams would continue.

What I focused on was being in that well. For all Joseph knew, he was being left there to die. I'm sure he wondered why he was there, and how he could escape it. The dreams of ruling were far away...survival was the main concern. What do I think he did? The same thing most of us do when we're in a jam: He prayed.

I'm sure Joseph called out to God to get him out of that mess...and when God delivered him, Joseph didn't forget it, and he kept Him front and center as he lived from then on. Could God have gotten Joseph to do what He had planned for him without being in the well? Probably...but in the well, God knew he had Joseph's full attention, and that he had no one else to rely on to get him out of that hole.

That's where I found the truth for me today. Like all of you, I hate getting thrown in the well. I know I've had times in my life where it felt like I was all alone, abandoned by everyone, and left there to suffer through something. In my despair I would cry out to God, and He would be there, to my great surprise and relief.

The thing is, God was there all along...but I never saw him until I was in the hole, where He finally had my full attention. Here's hoping I don't need to be in the hole to remember that He's always with me today.

I Know Where I'll Be Tonight At 8 P.M.....

It's finally here!

My Thoughts On Inauguration Day...

I'm no political pundit, but I have a few things that I can share:

First, I don't think President Bush did that bad of a job. Sure, his approval ratings are historic lows, but I think anyone who was in his position during an economic crisis like this would have equal numbers. I also have appreciated his candidness about his faith, and the true emotion that shone through him in the midst of trouble, especially in how he handled 9/11. I wish him well in his future endeavors, and hope he takes a nice long vacation.

Secondly, as historic as President Obama's day was yesterday, I really hope he can lead well. Though I don't agree with many of his policies, I do appreciate his enthusiam to get things done. I like the way he's reached out not to political cronies, but he's filling his cabinet with who he believes are the best people for the job, regardless of their political views. This type of non-partisanship is critical to any success.

Finally, as others I've read feel, I'm amazed by the peaceful transfer of power in the inauguration ceremony. I've also read that Bush gave Obama's team unprecidented access during the past few months to allow them to truly hit the ground running and tackle the issues facing our country. In this world of dictators and "the strongest gets the crown", I'm thankful to live in a country that not only allows us to choose our leaders, but allows them to take those offices without a fight. That's pretty cool.

Regardless of my political views, I will pray for the new president just like I prayed for the old one. That, and voting, are the two best things I can do to help President Obama.

(If you want real political opinion, watch CNN or FOX News...just remember to come back to me for more useless drivel...)

Step Up By Stepping Down...

The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

(Matthew 23:11-12, NIV)

This verse comes in the middle of a long lesson from Jesus. He talks quite a bit about the Pharisees, who were the religious elite of that time. He spends much of His talk berating them for not really living it, just putting on a public show with their loud prayers and dress code. He challenged them to make a difference, not just enforce a book of rules. He gave them many ideas on how to do this during this speech, but this one stood out to me. When Jesus said those words above, I'm sure it shook those Pharisees to the core. Let me give you another translation from The Message:

“Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty."

These men, I'm sure, held very tightly to their status as leaders. They loved being looked up to as the "spiritual leaders" of the community. Not only was Jesus challenging their belief in the "rules", but now He wanted the to step down, to become equals with the "common folk" again. Obviously, they liked the power more than they wanted relationship with God, so they chose to stay where they were and keep plotting ways to get rid of Jesus.

Do you know why I think there are so many lessons about the Pharisees in the Bible? I think it's because we identify more than we wish we did with those men. We all want to stand out. We want to be known and liked, and we all like the accolades when we do a good job. It's much harder to serve where there's no glory...but that's where God wants us to be.

Volunteering at "The Compass" has taught me this over and over again. It's not a place to serve for the faint of heart...helping 22 kids for 3 hours a day is rough sometimes. No one is going to give a trophy for doing that. I'll admit that some days it's hard to get motivated to go in the house...but I'm always blessed when I do. Realizing that God has called me not to save the whole world at once, but to impact it one young life at a time has been quite freeing for me.

You see, God is able to use me the best there because it can't be all about me. When I'm there, it's all about those kids, and just trying to be "Jesus with skin on" for a few hours. Sometimes I fail miserably, but I hope that sometimes they can see a difference in me because of my relationship with Him.

No matter what church you go to, there are opportunites to serve. Don't ever think you're too old, young, smart, dumb, or any other reason you can think of not to find a place to serve God in. I don't recall those restrictions anywhere in the passage above.

Here's hoping you step up by "stepping down" and serve someone for His glory today.

Chewing On God's Word...

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.
The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip.

(Psalms 37:30-31, NIV)

I was doing my reading this morning, and I had a hard time finding something to take away from it. I read it over again, and still didn't have anything catch my heart. I read the verses above, but it just seemed like a stuffy set of proverbs, not really applicable to me...that is, until I switched to The Message translation:

Righteous chews on wisdom like a dog on a bone,
rolls virtue around on his tongue.

His heart pumps God’s Word like blood through his veins;
his feet are as sure as a cat’s.

Now that's a word picture I can get behind! I have a dog...she's coming up on two years old this spring, and she's a chewer. Fortunately, she doesn't chew shoes or other stuff we don't want her to, she is content to mostly chew on her tennis balls and toy bones. In fact, it's rare you see our dog without something in her mouth. She chews while walking, she chews while resting, sometimes she even drops her toys in her food dish so they don't get away from her while she eats. She also sleeps with something in her mouth...and I still don't get how that's comfortable. She's a pretty mellow dog for the most part...but don't get between her and her chew toy. She's growl and with the kids, she'll occasionally snap at them if she thinks they are going to take it away from her.

Enough about my dog...back to the Word. If you take that translation and compare it to my story, it makes perfect sense. God wants His Word to be as much a part of me as Mimzy's chew toys are to her. He wants me to carry it around in my head and my heart and just continually chew on it all day and night. He wants me to have it when I wake, eat, sleep, and just live. God wants us to keep Him as close to us as a dog keeps a bone. That's a pretty cool analogy if you think it through!

Here's hoping I chew on His Word all day today.

MLK Day...

As most of you know, today is a national holiday celebrating the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I think all of us know of the great things he did to bring racial awareness and equality before his murder in 1968. Dr. King died two years before I was born, so I don't remember him, or what went on that made him such an influential figure other than what I read in history books.

What I can tell you is this: I'm 38, and the color of skin has never seemed like a bit deal to me. I judged the candidates in the latest election on the issues, not on their skin tone. I've never seen segregation, and thankfully, racially motivated crimes are just occasional news stories, not everyday occurances. I've never been to a sporting event where the race of the players was a big deal. I've never been to a restaurant or any public place that discriminated against others. Sure, some people I know have held on to some vestiges of racism, but I really feel like my kids are growing up in a more color-blind society that my parents and grandparents could have ever imagined.

A world where color no longer matters: that is the legacy of Dr. King and all those who fought for equal rights. We're not all the way there yet, but we get closer all the time. Thanks to Dr. King and all those who counted the cost of "having a dream" and fought for it anyway.

"I Just Wanted You To Know..."

As I was doing my reading in Youversion's Bible-In-A-Year program this morning, I decided to switch the version I was reading from NIV to The Message. I was breezing through Psalms, when God grabbed ahold of my heart. When I read this passage this morning, it was like it was straight from God and right to me:

God’s love is meteoric,his loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic.
Yet in his largeness
nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse,
slips through the cracks.

(Psalms 36:5-6, MSG)

It was like God said to me this:

"Rob, I'm big...bigger than you could ever fathom or imagine....but I'm never too big to have time for you. I'm never too big to forget about you, your hopes, your dreams, your fears, and your problems. I'll never be too big for that, and I'm always right here waiting for you whenever you decide to come back to me. I just wanted you to know that today, Rob."

I decided to post this because as God broke my heart with this, I wondered if anyone else ever felt the same way. It's possible...but maybe this one's just for me.

Wrestling With God...

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.

Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

The man asked him, “What is your name?”

“Jacob,” he answered.

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome.”

(Genesis 32:24-28, NIV)

So in this passage, Jacob wrestles with God. Really, take a moment to think about that...Jacob actually, physically wrestled with God. You've got to wonder how that went down. Did God let Jacob hold him down for 2 counts and then always find a way to keep from getting pinned? Did He try the "sleeper hold" on Jacob? Did He give him the "flying suplex"? (Man, I watched WAY too much wrestling on TV when I was younger...)

All kidding aside, it's an amazing thing. Jacob spent a whole night basically wrestling with God. It's not enough that he was already worked up and scared since he knew that his brother Esau was his way (to kill him, he thought), but then Jacob was jumped by a stranger and began to fight for his life. Can you imagine his fear and anxiety at that moment? If I was in Jacob's shoes, I'd be wondering where God was at that moment, leaving me here to wrestle all alone. Once he realized he was wrestling with God, it all became clear. Some people wonder if it was sacrilegious for Jacob to wrestle with God. Some insist that it was a angel, and not "The Big Guy". I think it was God, and I think God loved the fact that Jacob wrestled Him. A post a while ago by Jon Acuff summed up this much better than I can:

"About a year ago, I confessed some frustration I was having with God. I just felt like I was struggling with Him, like we were pushing each other around and battling over a few issues. My counselor listened and then said,

"God loves that."

This is not the answer I was expecting. I thought he would say, "You need to trust the Lord more." Or "You need to let go and let God." But he didn't say that. He said that God loves when I wrestle with Him. I of course asked why.

"Jon, do you know what is true about wrestling? Have you ever stopped to think about the nature of wrestling? God loves to wrestle with us, because you can't wrestle with someone that is far away. They have to be close to you. It's a very intimate, personal activity."

And I think he was right. I think that God wants me close. I think He wants me near to His side, close enough to feel His breath and know His strength. And when I approach to wrestle over an issue with Him, like Jacob wrestling, I don't think He is angry. I think He is happy, because I am close."

I don't know about you, but that just blows me away every time I read it.

Here's hoping we feel close enough to wrestle with God today.

Movie Review: "Marley & Me"

My wife has wanted to see this since it was released on Christmas Day. I'll admit I initially thought it looked like what I like to call a "chick flick", and I resisted her pleas to go and see it. Last night, thanks to my in-laws, we had a date night and went to see "Marley & Me". I've got to say, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked it.

While much of the marketing for the movie revolves around the Labrador in the title, the film really isn't about the "World's Worst Dog". Instead, it's a realistic look and the journey of a couple through life. Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston do a wonderful job playing the main characters of John and Jenny Grogan. Marley was initially bought as a way for John to "slow down" his wife's biological clock, but he ends up being there for all of the ups and downs, miracles and deaths, wins and losses. As a dog owner, I could relate to some of the trials of having a pet, but I identified more with John and Jenny as they fought, cried, lived, and loved each other through all that life threw at them. Their unconditional love for Marley, despite his faults, mirrors what they have for each other. I'll admit that I got a little weepy at a couple of parts, but that should surprise none of you that know me well.

Will it win any Academy Awards? No...but it's a great story that anyone in a marriage can relate to, and it's clean enough I'd recommend it to both my parents and my pastor...and how many films can you say that about?

"Marley & Me" is based on a true story and the columns of John Grogan collected in a book of the same name. If you're looking for a great "date night" movie with your spouse, consider "Marley & Me" highly Rob-approved!!

Funny Picture Friday!!

Brrr...let's see if any of these pics make you laugh...who knows, maybe it will warm you up! (For those of you not in northern Indiana, it's -20 right now...)

Off we go...

I don't know if this is a foul...but it sure looks foul....yick.



Clever advertising...but I'm not sure it makes me want to go to IKEA...actually, it makes me want to do something else...



What Lassie really wanted to say:



And finally, my favorite: I love the useful warning on this ping-pong ball dispenser...but the way the worded it makes me laugh out loud...(If you can't read it, click on the picture to enlarge it...the payoff is worth it!)



Hope you're not crushed today, and have a great weekend!!

A Little "Thank You" Would Be Nice...

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.

(Psalms 33:1-4, NIV)

The Psalms of David and others are very famous for their praises. Many of the poems contained in this book shout the goodness of God, and how He delivered them an blessed them. Really, all throughout the Bible, there are many recorded instances of people giving praise to God for what he's done.

For me? Well, I'll give praise to God in church when we hear that something great happened to someone like healing or other stuff. I'll even praise Him on this blog for things...but in my own prayer life? Sadly, not so much.

It's not that I don't want to do it....honestly, I just don't think about it. I'm too focused on what I'd like Him to change that I often forget to thank Him for what He's given me. It's too easy to look at him like a drive-thru at McDonald's: pull up, place my order, and go. We all enjoy being complimented, right? So if we're made in the image of God, I'd imagine He appreciates it, too. That's what worship means, right? It's not the music or lyrics, really, it's the heart attitude of praise and gratefulness to God.

On a day like today, I could sit and grouse about the -20 temperature outside, the snow, and other things...but I need to focus on my blessings and be thankful for them.

Blessings like:
A warm house to stay in
A job I love
A family I treasure
A church that helps me grow
Friends I can count on
Freedom to study and worship Him

Here's hoping when I take time to pray that I start spending more time thanking and less time asking. (Listening more wouldn't hurt, either.)

Keri's Coming Home!!!!!

Posted this morning by Tonya, Keri's mom:

We get to come home!

Dr. Vorhies was just in and we are released to go home. It's going to take an extra vehicle to get all Keri's new stuff home!

We don't know how long we'll be home but we're excited to get out of the hospital. Dr. Chang will call us when he has our radiation schedule set and then we'll have to come back down to Indy. Once radiation starts we will primarily be down in Indy and come home on the weekends since Keri's treatments will be Monday through Friday.

She's so excited to get out of the hospital that she's talking a mile a minute! (that's normal!)

What awesome news this is!! It's amazing how things can change in just the course of a couple of weeks! Thanks to all of you for praying for Keri, Don, Tonya, Katie, and Trey during this time. Please keep them on your prayer list as she will be beginning chemotherapy soon, but for now please rejoice with them that their little girl is coming back home!!

You've Got To Have Faith...

When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

“O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn't we drive it out?”

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

(Matthew 17:14-20, NIV)

You know, the more I read about the disciples of Jesus, the more I realize that they were just like me....

Imagine being one of the guys...let's say you're Peter. You've been hanging with Jesus for a while now, and you've seen all kinds of miracles. You've been taught daily by the Son of God, and I'd imagine you were "feeling it" a little bit. You are thinking that since you've been around Him so long, and you've seen what He does, that maybe you can do it, too.

They bring you a young boy possessed by a demon. You lay hands on the child...nothing happens. You pray over the boy...still, nothing. You yell and scream to God to take away the demon's power...and yet the boy is still possessed. The boy's parents, filled with hope a moment ago, are now sadly walking away...but the father changes course and quickly runs to Jesus and pleads with Him to save his son.

As Jesus walks over by you, you can tell He's a little perturbed that you couldn't do this yourself. He gives you that "disappointed dad" look and shakes His head a little as He passes. Jesus frees the boy from the demon and sends him home with his grateful family. Once the crowd has gone, you get up the nerve to go up to Jesus and ask why you couldn't deliver the boy. Did you not pray hard enough? Did you not speak the right words? Did you need a sacrifice? You feel like you know all you need to know, but yet His power isn't in you....Why, Jesus, why?

Jesus stops and looks you straight in the eyes and says this:

“Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Faith. That's all it takes to know His power. Such a simple answer, yet so hard to do. Faith is believing in something we cannot see, and that's hard for most of us to do in theory. Problem is, we have faith in many things each day. I have faith that the air outside my home is safe to breathe, even though I can't see it. I have faith that the sun will rise in the morning, even when it's dark. Why, then is it so hard to have faith in God? For me, it's basically that I'd rather do it myself. I'd rather be in control, and just call on Him when my life is a mess.

If you boil it down, faith is simply trust and obedience. We must trust that God has a plan for us to live the best life possible, but we need to be obedient to His lead, even when we can't see where it's taking us.

Here's hoping we all have a little more faith in Him today.

Pray For Kayla...

I know many of you reading this have been praying for Keri Rohr, the little 9 year old that had a brain tumor. In reading her CaringBridge page this morning, it seems that if she continues to progress well, that she could come home for the weekend before starting chemotherapy treatments. Her progress has certainly been a miracle and an answer to prayer.

In reading Derry's blog, my heart's been burdened for another girl and I wanted to share about her with you so you could pray with me. Kayla Courtney is a member of his youth group at NMC and is really hurting right now. Let me share some of the words of her dad:

Kayla was a passenger in the rear of a vehicle that ran off the road into a tree. Seatbelt was worn (and Kayla has the belt bruise impressions around her hips to prove it),but she incurred several internal injuries - duodenum torn in several areas with bleeding, two vertebrae fractures, and some other less serious injuries. Lots of bruising, abrasions, and pain. After an MRI at KCH, she was flown to Parkview Hosp. in Ft. Wayne for a 3-hour trauma surgery. Injuries were deemed to be beyond the ability for Parkview and she was transported to Riley Children's Hosp. in Indy (arrived 1 a.m. Sunday). Kayla promptly underwent the knife again, this time for 4+ hours, to repair the severed portions of her duodenum. Surgery for the spine injuries were scheduled for a later day after XRay, MRI & CAT scan info could be reviewed. The surgery to repair the duodenum was successful and the wonderful surgeons here saved a critical portion of the duodenum along with her pancreas and bile duct. We expected worse based on the Parview surgeon's comments.
Kayla has undergone about 3 hrs. of surgery to fuse her two broken vertebrae and remove some broken bone fragments. Kayla seems to know that the surgery is planned, but she has a fair amount of amnesia from the sedation to remember recent events/decisions after a few minutes.

This all happened about 10 days ago, and as of now she's down at Riley, heavily sedated as her body tries to recover from the massive injuries. Even more heartbreaking, she celebrated her 16th birthday in an ICU room, not even aware of what day it was. This post that Derry wrote last night tore me up as a dad. I can't imagine seeing my child in that much pain.

It seems that Kayla and her family have a long, hard road ahead of them, but they're hanging on tight to Jesus and making it through. I've never met Kayla or her family, but my heart breaks for them, and they're in my prayers daily now. Whether you know them or not, I'd ask you to add them to your list, too. If you want to pray specifically or let them know you're praying, you can click here to visit Kayla's CaringBridge page.

Thanks for praying, and while you are, take a minute to thank God for your own health and the health of those you love.

I Think I'll Pass On The Soup....

The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was a quiet man, staying among the tents.

Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished.

He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.)

Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”

“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?”

But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.

(Genesis 25:27-34, NIV)

Any of us that grew up in church probably are familiar with the story of Jacob and Esau. The twin sons of Isaac, they started fighting in the womb, and never really stopped. They were completely different personalities, but both still jealous of the other. Esau came out first, and therefore as the first-born, he was in line for the "birthright" or the largest portion of the inheritance. It was a right given by birth order and held in very high honor by the Israelites.

Esau came in one day from hunting and smelled what Jacob was cooking. It looked very tasty and he asked for some. Like all brothers, Jacob said no to Esau, unless he gave him his birthright. Esau complained for a few minutes, but eventually gave it up for a bowl of soup and some bread. We don't know if Esau thought he was joking, but Jacob took it very seriously....enough to disguise himself as Esau and take it right before Isaac died.

Now, as a kid, I always loved the story because of the fighting. I always thought Esau seems like he would have picked on and bullied the meeker Jacob, and in taking his birthright, the "little guy" won in the end. In doing so, I completely missed what I think is the real moral of the story.

Esau, in his haste to fulfill his need in the present, gave away his future. For a few minutes of good food and a full stomach, he traded away the blessings and gifts of his father. It seems kind of dumb when I read it...then I have to wonder how often I do the same thing. How often does God show me that if I only wait on Him, He will bless me beyond my comprehension, but instead I take the little bit of something that I can have right now? How often am I unwilling to pay the price to truly serve him and be blessed for it, instead willing to take the peace of not doing anything for Him? I'd imagine God is as disappointed in me not using the gifts He's given me for His kingdom as Isaac was in Esau for giving such a precious gift away for some food that he could have made himself.

Those of you that know me know this is hard for me. I'm not a very patient person. I want it RIGHT NOW. God's been working on me to understand that "good things do come to those who wait upon the Lord", and I'm trying to remember that every day. It's not that God can't do it right now if He chose to, I think he just wants to teach me obedience, grace, and patience by having me wait sometimes.

Here's hoping I can pass on the soup and wait for the feast to come...

A Good Day For Keri...

Here's Tonya's update from last night:

Hard to believe that we've been here at Riley for 10 days! The surgery today went very well. Dr. Boaz decided that Keri didn't need the shunt! When he came in our room in the morning he said that the drainage fluid was down and had gone down three days in a row. He decided to shut the valve off completely to see if she complained about feeling pressure or got a headache. He left the valve off for several hours and she didn't complain at all. When he opened the valve back up none of the fluid came out. He said that was a great sign that her brain was absorbing the fluid.

She went into surgery around 2pm and had her port put in, had a spinal tap, and had the drain removed from her head. We were back up in her room by 5:30 pm.

She has been in a good mood this evening and hasn't complained about anything other than a little discomfort where the port is. She wolfed down a whole bowl of Spaghetti O's, had a few bites of a hamburger and has had two popsicles! I believe we are on the road to recovery!

She had a visit from her Uncle Nate and Aunt Nicki today and they brought a video of her cousins singing for her. It brought a smile to her face and we even got a giggle out of her when we started talking about some of her schoolmates! What a joy to see her laugh and smile!!! :)

I'm sure there will be good days and bad days....today ended up being very GOOD!

After all the hardship of the last 10 days, I'm glad Don & Tonya had a day of just good news...but let's all keep praying!

Good Stuff From "Los"...

Ragamuffin Soul, the blog of Carlos Whitaker, is a daily read of mine. He's real, honest, and straightforward in all he writes. His post today compares a walk with his little boy with our walk with God. It's short, but packed full of amazing truth.

Click here to be challenged and encouraged...

Watch Your Mouth...

‘These people honor me with their lips,but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain;their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”

Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’ ”

Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”

“Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. “Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man ‘unclean’; but eating with unwashed hands does not make him ‘unclean.’ ”

Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

(Matthew 15:8-21, NIV)

Now, to fully understand this passage, you need a little background. The Pharisees were the ruling religious party of the time. As many of you know, their beliefs were based on rules and repetition, not the saving grace of God. One of the things held very vital to the Jewish faith they enforced was their diet. There's a very long list of things they couldn't eat that were considered to be "unclean" animals. I'm not sure exactly how this came about, but it was one of the non-negotiables in this religion.

Now, when Jesus said "It's not what goes into the mouth that makes men unclean", that freaked the Pharisees out. I'm guessing they didn't even listen to the rest of the statement. This guy was going against the law they had in mind for years and years! Who did he think he was?! They were so focused on this part, they completely missed the point...even thought Jesus explained it twice.

See, Jesus wasn't concerned about the food laws. He knew that He was coming to be the sacrifice to save them for their sins. He was more concerned about what was coming out of their mouths. He was concerned about their hearts and minds, not their stomachs. He knew what we say and do tells far more about our relationship with Him than what we ate. Religion was destined to no longer be ruled by the Pharisees, but individually with a personal relationship to God.

This is a call that's tripped me up for years now. As you can read, I profess to be a Christ-Follower and I try to live that out in my words and deeds. Sometimes I do OK...but sometimes I miss the mark terribly. Sometimes I may draw others closer to Him...and sometimes I may drive them away from His saving grace.

Here's hoping I can watch what comes out of my mouth today.

Coach Dungy Will Retire Today...

According to a report on FOX Sports, Tony Dungy will retire from coaching at a press conference today at 5 p.m. Though Dungy has won a Super Bowl and has one of the highest winning percentages of any NFL coach in history, I'll remember him a an individual first that exuded class, dignity, and respect in the way he carried himself. In his sideline demeanor, in his book, and especially in his handling of the sudden death of his son, James, Coach Dungy was a rock. He made no secret of his relationship with Jesus Christ, as evidenced by his post-game interview at the Super Bowl when asked about being the first African-American to win it all:

"I'm proud to be the first African-American coach to win this, but again, more than anything, Lovie Smith and I are not only African-American but also Christian coaches, showing you can do it the Lord's way. We're more proud of that."

He plans to spend more time with his family and with his ministries he's passionate about: All-Pro Dads, a family ministry, and working with the prison ministry system. How many coaches still on top of the game would walk away to do that?

Just one that I know of...

Coach Dungy, you'll be missed by those of us that love the Colts...but your new stage in life will give you the chance to make a difference in people's lives on a personal level, and that's even more exciting.

(Jim Caldwell, you've got some big shoes to fill....)

Keri's Latest....

From a couple of entries on Keri's CaringBridge page:

God is so good! Today has been great. 100% improvement. We were moved out of ICU and are on the 5th floor (cancer floor). Keri has been awake and conversing with people and has even been watching some t.v. She had a few bites of spaghetti o's and a popsicle.

So if you've been reading these journal entries you probably have realized that I speak what's on my mind and heart....pretty much an open book!

I was prepared to share something very sad and heartbreaking with you tonight but I'm sitting here watching Keri eat a french fry and she just smiled! I am so incredibly happy right now that I could cry with joy instead of the tears of pain that I've been having.

She is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow morning at 9:30 am. To say the least, she is not a happy camper!

We've been having this great day with her....she's been watching t.v. and talking to us...she's been awake most of the day. This evening she asked me if she had cancer. I wasn't prepared to answer this question but God gave me the strength to tell her...."The tumor had cancer and the tumor is gone, but you do have to have some treatments to make sure that it doesn't come back." We had lots of tears and she was really concerned about losing her hair and what her friends would say about her when she did. I assured her that her friends would understand and that if she wanted to we could get her a wig. She didn't seem to have any other questions right now but I'm sure there will be many more to come.

So please pray for a successful surgery tomorrow and that she will come to peace with the fact that she has a long road ahead of her but she will grow up to be a wonderful woman some day who will be stronger because of the disease that she is fighting against today.

The emphasis on that last part of Tonya's message is mine to give you something else to add to your prayer list. As we rejoice with them that the cancer is gone, we still understand that a nine year old girl is preparing for chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and that still needs our prayers. Thanks again for praying for Keri, especially those of you reading that have never met them. You've blessed them more than you'll ever know.

Are You Ready To Be Tested?

Vindicate me, O Lord,for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

Test me, O Lord, and try me,examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me,and I walk continually in your truth.

(Psalms 26:1-3, NIV)

David was quite a writer. As you read through his psalms, you'll find all kinds of emotion. Some show great fear, others great joy. Some with anger, and some with despair. What really strikes me about the Psalms is the "realism" in which they're written, if that's the right word.

As you read this book, David just lays his heart right out there when talking to God. He talks to God as a close friend, able to say anything, and he often does. Looking at it this way, the end of this passage takes on whole new meaning to me:

"Test me, O Lord, and try me,examine my heart and my mind."

That's a tough request to make, in my opinion. David's asking God to test him. He's asking God to stretch him, to put him into positions that will truly show where his heart and mind is. He's essentially asking not for a peaceful, quiet life, but a life of trials and temptations, just so he has a chance to show God that he's committed to following Him.

I can't speak for you, but that's the polar opposite of most of my prayers. I'm often praying to God to take the trials and temptations away. I wish for that quiet life, where I can just be comfortable and not have to step out of my comfort zone.

Problem is, that's not the life he calls us to. Being a Christ-Follower means that we will face all kinds of problems and persecution for our beliefs...but as we all know from hard experience, your true character only comes out when you're squeezed. When everything seems to be against you, people will see who you truly are...and hopefully, it will be the same person you were before.

Here's hoping I'll be bold enough to pray David's words someday soon...and be ready for the storm when it comes.

Great News About Keri!!

From yesterday:

Great news! Keri's MRI came back clean!!! The surgeon removed all of the tumor!!! :)

We will be doing a spinal tap next week to check for cancerous cells but even if they show up the radiation and chemo should eliminate them.

God is good!!! :)

I love how Tonya put that first "smiley" in...if you go back in her journal, the doctor told them after her surgery that they had to leave 5% of the tumor behind, as it was too close to her optic nerve center. They actually saw during the procedure that there was some of the tumor left behind, but now 2 different MRIs show no sign of the tumor at all...that's a God thing, my friends, and a great answer to prayer!!

From this morning (EARLY this morning...)

We must have our days and nights mixed up! Keri is getting stronger and doing better at supporting her head when she's up. She just made another successful attempt at getting out of bed. After she got back in she wanted some chicken nuggets! (at 1:00 am)

She ate two nuggets and is now thinking about dozing back off.

We are anxious to see the Dr. tomorrow because her drainage fluid output yesterday was really low! Yeah! If her overnight results are also low then we have a possibility of being moved out of ICU tomorrow and into another room....PLUS, that could mean that she won't need a shunt!

For all the prayer warriors out there please focus on that shunt and ask God to keep providing strength to Keri that her body will continue to deal with those spinal fluids the way it's supposed to. I believe that the doctors are giving her until Monday before they make their final decision on the shunt.

God continues to bless us with lots of visitors and well wishes! We appreciate you all!!

So, you've got your information, now let's get to praying for Keri to not have to get that shunt put in. Thanks again for your prayers and support...at my last look, over 11.000 people had visited her CaringBridge site to check in and let them know they're being prayed for. Thanks!

More On Keri...

For those of you praying for Keri and her family, here's a few updates from Tonya via her CaringBridge update page:

Met with the Oncologist today and have a better grasp on what our future holds. Once we get out of here (whenever that will be!) we are looking at 6 weeks of radiation, then 4 weeks of rest, and then 9 months of chemo. (3 weeks on and 3 weeks off)

We haven't shared this news yet with Keri. We are trying to figure out how to tell her exactly what's going on without putting her under a lot more stress. She's been doing really well today considering that they've really put her "through the mill".

We are still uncertain about whether or not Keri will need a shunt. There is still too much fluid draining but I think that they are giving her until Monday before they make that decision.

There will be one more surgery next week that will entail a shunt (if needed), a spinal tap, and a port (for her chemo treatments). That's another hurdle that we aren't ready to take on. Keri will not be happy to find out that she's going in for more surgery.

We'll be praying for an answer as to how to tell her that she will need one more surgery and how to tell her about what's in store for her within the next year. She knows that she had a tumor but we haven't talked to her about cancer yet. She has a special friend now (Lauren) that I'm pretty sure will make a huge difference in how Keri handles the next couple of months.

So now we know what we're dealing with and we just have to figure out the healing process and get Keri back on her feet. It's very stressful here and we all want to be home so badly. Don't take us off your prayer list yet!!

That was from yesterday afternoon...this following one was early this morning:

As I'm sitting here in the dark reading the newest entries on the guestbook I've been brought to tears again. The support that Keri and my family are receiving is just so overwhelming and awesome!

We had a good night. Keri wanted the catheter out last night so I wasn't sure how things would go. She got up at 3:30 am and the nurses helped her get out of bed so that she could use the restroom and then she sat in a chair until a little after 4:00 am. After we got her all back in bed she decided that she was hungry so she ate a ho ho! :)

I see improvements in her daily now and that is such a blessing because a few days ago I couldn't imagine her even sitting up yet alone getting out of bed.

I think that we may have a lot of visitors today and tomorrow so I hope that it doesn't get too overwhelming for her. Maybe she'll be so worn out that she'll sleep for longer periods of time at night. (at least I hope!)

She's anxious to see Trey and Katie. She has asked about them everyday since they left Indy. It will be nice to have the whole family together again for a few days.

Tonya

For those of you that took the time to leave a note on the CaringBridge site for the Rohrs...thank you.

For those of you that have prayed for Keri and the whole family...thank you.

Thanks.