Living Like There's No Tomorrow...

Okay... so, yesterday I posted the question, "What would you do - or stop doing - if you knew you had only weeks to live?" I think it's a good question! (didn't originate with me anyway, lol) But I only got a couple of comments... so, maybe you all are still thinking about how you'd answer (hmmm?) SO, I figure maybe if I post my answer, more will follow. We'll see. ;-) Here goes:

If I knew I had only weeks to live, here's what I think I'd do (or die trying):

1. I'd take my family to Hawaii for a week... send the kids back home to one of their grandmother's, and then spend another week there... just ME and KEE. ;-)
2. I'd still preach every Sunday... but I'd spend less time "preparing", and more time praying!
3. I'd make it to one Cowboys game (glad it wasn't the last one...)
as I can...
4. I'd hug my family zillions of times more than my middle son, Shawn, hugs me now (which is 1,345,926 times a day).
5. Everyday, I'd set new "records" for myself in seeing how many people I could share Christ's love with... no, not as a competition, but as a passion.
5. I'd sing the National Anthem for somebody's game (I wouldn't care who, at that point!)
7. I would try to spend one full day each with this guy, this guy, and this guy (the last dude seems to be just bananas for Jesus, and I would wanna feed off that passion if I had only days to live!)

Okay. You don't have to give seven, just a couple. But let 'er rip! ;-)

Tonight... and Tomorrow

... was great! Spoke to about 60 students at the Inter-Varsity Fellowship at University of Maryland. I LOVE speaking to college students... and, having gone to UMD, it's always special when I get a chance to speak there. Cheryl Molinatto, their campus director, is doing an awesome job... it's great to see the student leaders taking their roles seriously and connecting the students to "the big picture." Can't wait to get back there with those guys!

Tomorrow, seven of us head out to Indiana for the Innovate Conference... which is going to be simply incredible... I can feel it! :-) Can't wait to hear three of my favorite speakers... Mark Beeson, Craig Groeschel, and Steven Furtick - three distinct styles, three awesome ministries, three mighty men of God! Plus, I get to hook up with my brotha from anutha mutha!! It's going to be an awesome 2 1/2 days! ;-)

I'll be away from my internet-deprived-by-Verizon home for a couple of days, so my blogging should pick up. :-) Hopefully, I'll live-blog from the conference... we'll see. Gonna miss my bride and boys BIGTIME... AUGH!! Pray for me...

D-PLUM

First Day of School!

"The chicks are gonna love my braids! :-)"

Today was the first day of school for the boys... and it was also a day of transitions: DJ ("Diesel") started middle school (7th gr) and Seth started Kindergarten. DJ was looking forward to starting and was totally excited this morning, while Seth didn't crack a smile at all! Shawn is in 5th grade now, and definitely wanted more summer vacation!

Of course, the day wouldn't be right without any drama, right? Keda and I were waiting at the bus stop for Shawn and Seth to get home... anxious to see how Seth's first day was. When the bus arrived, Shawn yells out of his window, "Seth got on the wrong bus!" WHA--??? You can imagine how far our hearts dropped!!! "What are you saying, Shawn?? Where is Seth?! And why aren't you with him????"

Without going into a lot of detail, there was some bus confusion at the school and Seth was placed on the wrong bus... going to a totally different neighborhood! Thankfully (God is so good), there was a lady waiting outside for that bus to arrive, who noticed that little Seth looked lost. She checked his backpack, and found my wife's cell # and called us... it turned out that Keda knew the lady from selling girl scout cookies. She only lives 5 minutes away, so that was good... could've been MUCH worse, but God worked it out!!! :-)

(sure was crazy while it lasted, tho...)

Rollin', Rollin'!!

She finally got it... ... the motorcyle ride she's been waiting for for TWO MONTHS! One of my best friends, Shawn, had been promising Keda a ride on his bike... and, this past weekend, she finally got her wish!

About two years ago... right next door to where we live... a Harley-Davidson shop was built... and a "secret love affair" was born, haha! I didn't know it then, but Kee started really becoming interested in bikes, and has been longing to take a ride on one for a while (no, I don't DO motorcycles, thank you very much). So, I'm glad she got her wish...

Doesn't she look cute? :-)

Mr. Five!!

Seth turned FIVE today... and he doesn't want us to forget it. He has declared this "Seth's Day." :-) His favorite gift is what he's been asking for since Christmas: web fluid for his Spiderman Web Blaster (he loves Spidey).

Of course, his "Seth-isms" continue... here's one from last night, right before I prayed with him at bedtime:

Seth: "Daddy... will Jesus be mad if I shoot Him with my webs?"
Me: "Haha... I don't think so, buddy. Jesus loves kids... He'll probably shoot you back!"
Seth: "But... He's God, Daddy! If He shoots me back, will it hurt???"

Seth-isms

My 4-year old, Seth, and I have quite the conversation sometimes. :-) Young children are extremely inquisitive, and he's by no means different! I love my little guy. I try to include at least monthly one of our little sound bytes... here's one from just a few minutes ago:

Seth: "Daddy... why does the wind and sea obey Jesus?"

Me: "Because Jesus has all power, son... He made the wind and the seas."

(I think that was a good answer, don't you?? Think again...)

Seth: "Daddy... Jesus has all power?"

Me: "Yes, Seth, He does."

Seth: "Does Jesus have web power, Daddy?"

Before and After Pics of Seth...

Here are some before and after pics of our 4 yr old, Seth Jonathan, and his many faces. :-) As you can see, he was a clown with hair... and is just as much a clown without it!

This was his first barbershop cut... we'd always cut his hair with scissors. But I think the "low cut" makes him look older, don't you?

BAM!!!

Whoops, there it is!!! Here is the pic of Keda's tattoo! I LOVE IT!! :-) Now, maybe she'll let me get that diamond-studded earring I've always wanted... just kidding.

Uhh... not about wanting it, just about getting it. ;-)

Steppin' Out!...

Keda's getting a tattoo today... in fact, she just called and said she's about to "go under." Honestly, I wasn't too crazy about the idea at first, when she talked to me about it a few weeks ago. But there was a time when I wanted an earring (shut up), so hey... I probably wouldn't get one (tattoo) myself, but I think it's cool that she wants to "step out of the box." She's been pretty ultra-conservative most of her life, so this shakes things up a little. :-) I still like certain earrings, but I'll be 40 in a month and I might've missed that "window" a few years ago... haha.

Her tattoo will be one of the nicknames I have for her... can't wait to see it later this afternoon! ;-)

Got "Snucked!"

A buddy of mine emailed me this morning, and asked me a MAJOR question:

"How are your wife and kids doing? Are you balancing your time, leaning more towards them? The Lord laid it on my heart to ask... just checking!"

Ouch. He really "snuck" one in on me! Unfortunately, sometimes, that's a question that pastors/leaders don't want to hear (much less answer)... because we're often so driven that the things (rather, people) we should prioritize get neglected. Not usually on purpose... but the effect is still the same.

I'm being transparent here... but this is definitely an area I struggle with... and could use your prayers. I often say I'm going to do better... but I end up doing the same ol' things. My sons are growing up fast... I don't want these years to go by and I miss out on them. These are prime years for Keda and I... I want us to be able to enjoy them in their fullness.

I know... I'm probably by myself on this, right? :-) Well then, some of you guys who have it all together can maybe share some of your wisdom with those of us who seem to keep bumbling along on this! What have you learned over the years? If you are doing it right now, what changed?

Inquiring minds... DESPERATE MINDS wanna know! ;-)

If I Hear My Name ONE MORE TIME....!!!!!

Now, I can understand what my wife goes through when she's by herself with the boys all the time...

I thought I'd be able to get some work done from home while she's out working this week. I've blogged before about how blessed we are for Keda to have the job she does. The pay is adequate for admin work, but the biggest thing is that she's basically a stay-at-home mom... who's job allows her to go in whenever she's free. And, that's great...

But, of course, when she works... then I'm at home with our sons. But being with them and trying to get work done... THAT IS SOME CRAZY STUFF!!

And my 4-yr old, Seth, has officially called my name today for the 113,982,828th time!!!!!

Keda, babe... YOU ARE THE QUEEN OF QUEENS!!!

Sunday Nite Speak!

* Good night... started out kinda light, but attendance picked up... not too bad a gathering, seeing that it's the Sunday before Christmas!

* The band TORE IT UP!!! The worship set was LIKE THAT!! Thanks guys, for all your service!

* Finished up the OPEN BEFORE CHRISTMAS series tonight... I always feel a sense of accomplishment when a series is done! I had a pastor friend tell me once that the pastor he had previously served under hardly ever finished a series. WHA--?????????

* I LOVE IT when new people return and bring their friends!

* I'll be preaching next week on baptism... can't wait! Our first baptism service will be January 6, the first Sunday of the new year. Very appropriate! ;-)

* I think I'm going to do a series of posts this week, entitled Things I Learned in 2007...

* My COWBOYS have HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE throughout the NFC Playoffs!!! Not sure how the Bears crushed the Packers the way they did... but I'm glad they did!!!

* My oldest son, Darren, Jr... aka Diesel... aka Bean... aka Deeski... turned 11 years old today! Wow... seems like just yesterday that this big, bruiser, built-like-a-linebacker 9 1/2 pound baby boy was born!

* Saw I AM LEGEND today with Diesel... scared the poop outta him! Haha! I didn't know it was such a "jumpy" movie, or we woud've seen something else... The movie itself was okay... not bad, but not great. Worth seeing, though...

* Seems like there are some folk who appreciate my humor! :-) Go here to check it out...

* Here's the first of WHAT I LEARNED IN '07: I learned to never, ever argue with an old school, traditional preacher about whether he has religion or relationship. Just let the old coot be religious. Durn.

Hangin...

Hangin out at home with my son, Seth, today... you know, 4-yr olds really have a lot to say... whew! :-)

Dads 'n Donuts

Had a chance to chill with my two older sons, Darren and Shawn, at their school today... for Dads 'n Donuts Day! I love seeing their proud, smiling faces whenever I walk into their classrooms. They just beam, as if to say, "Hey, everybody... look - it's my Dad! And he is the best dad in the whole world!"

Well, that IS true, you know. ;-)

I love it, because I didn't grow up with a Dad who took time out to come to my school... or ball games... or band concerts, piano recitals, drum corp parades... even high school graduation. I vowed that my relationship with my sons would be different.

I don't get it right all the time... but those little smiling faces let me know that I'm doing okay. :-)

Like Father, Like Son

My oldest son, Darren, is reading THIS BOOK that he picked up from the library.

He is 10!!!!!!

What have I done to this boy?!

... but you know I'm lovin' every minute of it. :-)

The Hush of God

Great day at the beach! Relaxing and rowdy at the same time... ha! Actually, it wasn't as crowded at Ocean City as it normally is... which was surprising. I really don't mind the hustle and bustle of the beach environment... I'm such a people person that I'm pretty much at home even in a crowd. But there's something to be said for slowing down, and taking it easy... getting away from the fast-pace environment and kicking up your heels a little bit.

Another thing that's different about our beach trip is the weather: usually August is STEAMY hot, but today there was a steady breeze, reminding us that our days of summer will be soon drawing to an end.

As I reflect on those things, I'm reminded of this passage: often, we look for God to show up among the excitement... I mean, He's a God of ACTION, isn't He? So, we look for Him in the windstorm... or the earthquake... or the fire... those places of radical activity, where God shows up and shakes things up... but often he shows up in a gentle breeze. Now, don't get it twisted: many times, God does speak with power (see this verse), and that's an awesome thing! Sometimes, that's what we need... but there are times when God speaks in the hush... and it's no less powerful... and - like Elijah - it's what we need at that moment.

Some of us are moving along at a snail's pace... wasting precious time, and not taking serious the call of God to radical, missional action. And God is getting ready to shake some things up in our lives... and remind us of His power.

But there are some of us who are frantically working... and praying... and laboring... and sacrificing... and we're wondering where God is in all of this.

He's there.

We just may have been looking for Him in the wrong places...

We need to get quiet... and listen for the hush.

Shhh... listen. What's He saying to you?

Still Hanging' with the Fam!

We got through the zoo yesterday... didn't kill us! Haha! But we did have one, murderous, breath-taking hill towards the end of our visit. Whew! That was a rough one... We didn't see the pandas, but we did see a lion and 5 tigers (that was a first!) We also saw a baby meerkat... you know what a meerkat is, right? Of Timon fame... from The Lion King... acuna matata??

Today, we went to the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. That was TOO cool! The kids really liked all the planes, battleships, rockets, and such... Well, actually, Seth... our 4 year old... didn't seem to be too impressed. He was happier at McDonald's... :-)

Tomorrow, we head to Ocean City for two days... it's one of our favorite places to go... and I can use the rest and relaxation!

Headed Out...

I'm taking some much-needed time off this morning, to head to the zoo with the fam! This is one of my favorite things to do around town with them.

I love the Nat'l Zoo... because it's free!! There may be better zoos around, but - in my opinion - our zoo is great. I hate those hills, though... in fact, we all do, but getting to see all those animals makes the long, tiring, mountain-climbing walk worth it. :-)

Hopefully, that lion will come out of his cave today...

Reconnected!

Got a chance to hang out with an old friend "from around the way", Marco, and his lovely wife, Jill. We had an awesome time! I'd seen Jill a couple of times over the last several years, but it was great getting to know her better. This was only the 3rd time in the last 15 years that I'd seen Marco D, and I loved every minute of it!

Marco and I were best of friends... along with our buddy, Earnest (Eazy) who died last year... back in our teens and early 20's. We were, me and Marco, the Collegians (at least we called ourselves that), because we were the only ones from our crew that went to college... I went to Univ. of MD, and Marco went to the Maryland College of Art and Design. We were cool, we were unseparable... we were best friends... and last night brought back some great memories.

Marco and Jill, I LOVE YOU GUYS... and look forward to hanging more regularly!! ;-)

Can't Touch This!

Dad................ 50

DJ.................. 28

He was in trouble from the start... I jumped out to a 14-0 1st quarter lead, but he came back to tie the score before too long. But my 4-6 defense proved too formidable for him... I picked him off 3 times, and sacked him once... Never, never tell me you're gonna "whup" me. ;-)

p.s. Umm... when you stop to think that DJ is only 10 years old, I really haven't accomplished much of anything, have I? HA!!