Rest when your sick?

So the last couple days i've been battling this cold, cough and crazy congestion. Everyone says the thing that needs to be done is get rest and sleep it off. Great idea!!!
So i head home last night to do just that, and that's when the craziness started. It was funny and i thought there had to be a hidden camera watching somewhere.
First i have to make dinner for the girls, while making dinner, i realize there's a leak under the sink. So now i'm trying to entertain the girls, make dinner and cleaning under the sink. We all eat and the girls are occupied so i attempt to clean the kitchen and leak. Then i hear Alanah throwing all her food in the living room, so now I'm cleaning that up. As i carry all that food i drop it all over the kitchen... food, ketchup all over.
Then it's time to get girls ready for bed, one running all over and Janae wants to be rocked and sang to. Finally everyones dressed, Alanah's out, i rock Janae and sing her to sleep. Back down stairs to clean up food, clean dinner and clean under the sink.
I have no idea how to fix anything so i just straighten things up, mop and leave things out to dry. When all is said and done it's finally 10:30pm, time for bed. Where did the opportunity for rest go?
It was funny, especially because i know i wasn't thinking right. Next time I'm sick, maybe i'll rest.

Confession...

I must make an honest confession, after reading an article in "Rolling Stone" I am challenged, moved and insoired to take my calling, life & love for others to the next level.
I really admire and look up to Jamie Tworkowski and what he's doing. He is the heart and passion behind "To Write Love On Her Arms," and really hearing how he interacts and treats people reminds me of what we are called to do.
He is a man loved by thousands of people and yet when he is in the public, at concerts or a booth, he takes the time to interact, observe and give people the proper attention when they are talking to him. He notices the simple, little things when talking to people, never rushed and always smiles.

I believe that's what we're all called to do... "Love Others!" Through our smiles and positive attitudes, we bring a message, a hope that people need. Knowing what Jamie is doing reminds me that we can all do the same thing and have the same kind of impact.

Let us be people that others are drawn to!

Honesty is brutal...

... through that brutality though, is where genuine growth and spiritual development takes place.

I asked a number of questions to students at camp; how many of felt worthless, not valuable, unloved, like a failure... questions like that. Eyes closed, with a stern voice I asked students to be real and honest. Raising hands if that was the case in their hearts.

Hand after hand, up in the air, question after question hearts breaking, feelings and thoughts bringing down the tears.

HONESTY! It was brutal, painful & hard to hear, yet it allowed the human heart to be opened which invited God's love to take place of those old feelings/ lies.

"God didn't have time to make a nobody, only somebody."

Growth isn't always easy, it's uncomfortable, painful but the results of reaching deep inside to be honest with oneself is worth every ache it takes to grow.

A Choir of the Heart

This past weekend was our Winter Camp called 'Elevation' and it was absolutely wonderful. There's nothing better when hundreds of people gather to grow in relationships and grow closer to God.

Looking back, I can't help but smile at what was experienced and what was felt in the depths of my heart. Worship was extraordinary!!! Every session we had the privilege to be blessed by the band, but really looking at the details, I was blessed to be surrounded by people who whole heartedly gave it their all in worship to God. It was a beautiful sight; hands in the air, tears rolling down faces, hearts truly abandoned & crying out.

Every voice, every word came from the heart as we all joined together as one choir singing out, it truly was magical and such a beautiful experience.

Imitate Check

"Imitate me as just as I imitate Christ"

This is a motto & scripture I try to live my life by, something that means a lot and challenges me to live my life right with God because I want my girls to follow after God as well.

Last night as I was getting ready to play with Janae after dinner she asked me to play music. She wanted me to play my ipod and I asked her what she wanted to listen to? She surprised me and shocked me when she had a follow-up answer; 'Jack Johnson.'

"WHAT?" my shocking response.

"Jack Johnson, I want to listen to him!"

She knows his music and has heard me talk about him, so she wanted to hear it also.

After laughing and playing it for her, it made me realize a couple thoughts:

1) She's interested in the things I listen to.

I better keep in mind what is playing when she is around me

2) She's in tune with what I say

I need to check myself; check how I respond to certain situations, how I talk to Amy and friends and just the things I'm talking about period.

3) She is looking up to me and following my lead.

This is what I desire; for her to look up to me as her dad and follow & love God the way I do if not more. Nows my chance to represent that.

I'm challenged to be an imitator, be challenged as well; someone watching you!

Rest & Peace

Think about the place you can go and experience true rest or relaxing peace!
Thr beach, mountains, around some kind of body of water, maybe a coffee shop? Where do you go?
I have always loved the beach and no matter what's going on in life, the sound of waves crashing, sand in my toes and breathing the fresh ocean air... I find true peace.
Today while chilling at the beach, sitting atop a hill on grass, over-looking the water, gazing at the marine layer haze in the distance, I was experiencing true peace and contentment. Lost at the very outer edge of the west coast, my life engulfed by something greater... True peace!

In the arms of a Loved One

The last couple nights Janae my 3yr. old has been coming into our bed about 5, 6ish in the morning. She's obviously not feeling good and I think her coughing wakes her up, so she crusies into our room and bed.

Usually that puts me on the very edge of the bed, half on, half hanging off to give her and the wife room to sleep. Think for a second, how does it make you feel when someone you love puts their arm around you and holds you? A loved one, no matter where you are embraces you and doesn't let you go! Wonderful right?

I felt that excitement, joy & love this morning when she came into our bed. Someone who's not very huggie and snuggles that often rolled over grabbed me and held me in her arms. As she held me she said, "You can fall alseep now daddy."

Inside i melted and smiled as the both of us wandered off to sleep!

What a feeling to be in the arms of a loved one!!!