Overcoming

Today I sit at this computer stunned, encouraged, and overcome that God is speaking a fresh word to me in a new way. I have talked with many friends, many family members, and colleagues concerning life. Let me give you perspective. Christa's parents live in Baytown, Texas near Houston. Their house was damaged, and they have been living in the church that they pastor for over a week. Power is still out in many areas. I have friends that I have not heard from in that area as of yet.

Others that I speak with , not hurricane victims, but fighting the fight. The struggle, the reality of the harshness of life. Today news of a bailout by the government to avoid an even greater financial crisis than what we are in.

People in the church, hardships relationally, hardships financially. Yet despite all this, there is a Hope. Why am I stunned? In this barrage of activity, morning drive, talk, email check, facebook messages, I have been getting a message. Through scripture reading, through worship songs sent via FB and listening to them in the car, to even an email I received this morning I am invaded with encouragement. I didn't seek it but it found me.

Thanks to all of you that are praying this week. I am so blessed to know that Horizons is a praying church. Persistent prayer will prevail. Let's keep praying, be encouraged we will overcome - God is with us, He today is with me. Thanks Jesus for hanging out with me.

Jay

So far so good.

This week like so many others has moved along quite quickly. I find myself staring at the calendar and trying to recount the previous eight months. This was the first week of school. My son Landon is up and out the door with barely an exchange of words. Hopefully a grunt of acknowledgement that all is well, he needs nothing and "loves" school.

Kaitlyn has a French language class at the high school. So to avoid bus rides with an all high school crowd, I am driving her. I have to leave at precisely 7:25 to ensure that we are not to early and forced to stand around an intimidating high school, or to late and thus tardy. I have to say it is really weird to watch my petite eight grade girl marching into that building every morning.

Chloe has the system down. After that first day of thinking "oh no there goes my baby" has been replaced with "daddy you are supposed to drive here, and do this". She jumps out of the van likes she has done it all her life, waves her hand, and zoom gone. Is there anyway that we can keep her five forever? I would love to know any secrets that you may have out there.

I am 40 and loving every minute of it. Football is in full swing and yes I am crashing the diet this weekend. Bring on the brats the burgers, the chips and dip. We got wall to wall games everywhere.

J

Better days

Today is tough for me. Tougher than I thought it would be. As this is the first day of school, I find that I now have one at each level of pre college education. Lan - High School, Kate - Jr High, and Chloe - elementary. As we dropped off Chloe, Christa and I were cut off at the front door, and watched our baby go off with someone we didn't know (Stranger Danger) down an unfamiliar hallway to her new classroom. I know, I know, they are trying to cut the separation anxiety at the knees, but I still don't like it.

We first did this first day of school some 10 year ago with Landon. I will never forget the lump in my throat as I watched my then little boy (close to 6 ft now) march into his school. A part of me ached, and I fought back the tears to see that. I sure did not think that would happen today, I mean I am 40 now, mature, experienced. Ouch, same lump and same feelings. Things have changed, a part of growing up is a loss of childlike wonder and innocence.

So I love the fall, I love school starting, but today was harder than I remembered. Better days are ahead. Yes everyone it is time for football, seasons change, and football. Yes I said football twice. Great days ahead, for so many of us.

Treasure the moments you have with your children. Time passes so fast.

Jay

I lied

In today's world we can put out a blog, make a comment on Facebook, IM, Text, Twitter. I made the comment that I would no longer feel guilty about stopping and resting. I still do. This week has been a bit overwhelming. I can seem to get ahead. I am collapsing at 8pm. I feel guilty for watching a soccer practice, and still trying to remember what all I need to do. Checking text messages, emails etc. So I lied about not feeling guilty. I will try harder next week.

It is a back in the saddle and catch up week after being out for a few days. It is catch up with all the back to school goings on. It is dance classes and soccer practices. It is budgeting, planning and preparing for the fall.

In the midst of all that I am enjoying the Olympics. Truthfully not all that interested in the olympics in the past. Now I find myself watching swimming, volleyball, track and field and getting into it. I actually jumped off the couch and high fived my wife when Phelps won his seven and eighth medals.

Life is smacking me around. My son turned 16 last week. Kate turned 13 earlier this year. The big 4 0 is staring at me at the end of the month. My youngest will start Kindergarten this year (time for that emotional day of recognizing they are not so small anymore). I am a wreck.

We lost one of our beloved saints in Jean Roland a few days ago. Congratulations to her on the graduation into heaven, no more pain, no more sorrow, time to party. The loss is for us, and specifically for her family. Pray for them.

I need the fall. I need the schedule, the football, the air, the leaves, I need it. Only one more week until I get a little fun.

PS - I plan to dominate in Fantasy Football this year. I have a bad draft position, don't care. Get ready for pain.

J

Testing in the resting

Okay you speak about something and boom you get hit with it. Has that ever happened to you? I have received a considerable amount of feedback from this past Sunday. I was blessed to share this idea of "taking a rest stop". This was an easy message to speak on for this part of the country. Life will chew you up and spit you out. If you don't manage your time, it will pass you by, and make you pay dearly for it. So yes friends, we all, we all, all of us, you and me, everyone needs to take some time to think.

So today I get this email from one of the devotional sites I am associated with. It takes some excerpts from a book called practicing greatness by Reggie McNeal. It asks abaout seven areas in our lives... Adequate Sleep..Proper Diet..Moderate Caffeine..Adequate Exercise..Positive human contact..Mental Recreation..Think Time. I scored okay on some and not so okay on others. I am crossing a big hurdle that says it is okay to stop to think, and to enjoy life. Seriously we are all working hard, and we should. But we should also rest well. I am not going to feel bad when I stop. I can't even begin to tell you how many people have echoed this idea, "When I stop I feel like I am doing something wrong". Why? It is because we are in a workaholic society. This week the message is tough..."Lean not on what you Understand...but Trust the Lord" Wow - once again the simple and profound. I don't want to just speak about it I want to live... Lord help me today to be a doer of your word.

I am now going to get my work out in before running off to more chauffeuring, appointments, and meetings, and calls.

J

Capt Fun

My kids have called me Capt Fun in the past. However as we all get older, I have moved into Sgt Fun. My overall fun factor has diminished with busyness, schedule, and life. I think mainly because I have changed due to all that. I am pretty serious most of the time. Life has gotten more demanding and serious. My kids have changed. My kids need someone to help direct and encourage them - and discipline is tough. No one revels in that. So I guess it is the natural progression of maturity and growth. I have always said, that you have to learn that there is a time and place for everything.

I am learning the value of relaxation. When Christa and I were first married, I had to be going somewhere all the time. A trip to the beach and I wanted to boogie board, play volleyball, swim, surf, anything but relax. That has changed as well. Maybe I can learn a new moniker - Capt relaxation.

Maybe this weekend our independence day celebration I can get a message ready, get the van tires fixed, clean the house, encourage the kids, and have a few moments to reflect and relax. Listen everyone we need to enjoy life, not just do life. Take time to spend with those you love and remember that relationships are the only thing we take to heaven.

Shalom

J

It's getting hot in here

Hello all

It is getting hot out there, in here, and everywhere. I am knocking on the door of 40 and I seriously can't seem to get cool. Every time I work out, go out in the hot sun, or get in some cramped space I start sweating. This is new to me. It takes me over a half hour to cool down after a work out.

Things are incredibly busy right now. Church is growing, new folks every week. People are making decision for Christ. We are looking to get more and more people integrated into the church and more importantly growing them in the family of God. This weekend is large. Last weekend was large. Next weekend we get to relax, July 4th. It shouldn't be crowded around here right.? So if you are reading this on June 26, 27th - pray as we have some important events this weekend: Fit meeting, Membership BBQ, Sunday two service, and a 101 on Sunday evening.

I have had many inquiries into what is happening with the rest of the fam, so here goes.

Christa is part time at Zales and looking to make a nice transition into something closer and more fitting to kids and school. Landon is going to turn 16 this August, we have started the driving lessons, so stay away from abandoned parking lots on Saturday afternoon. He is in no hurry to drive, and neither are Christa and I.

A quick snapshot of Kaitlyn. Goes to a birthday party on Tuesday at noon, calls Wednesday to let us know that they are running a late from their trip and wants to spend the night. Spends Wednesday night out, picked up on Thursday when she announces I got a text message for another sleepover party on Friday. That is a typical schedule for social girl extraordinaire.

Chloe - she is loving the summer and having parties with stuffed animals all over the house. She is learning to read, and becoming proficient in computer games like Barbie and Webkinz. Smile if you know what Webkinz is.

Best movies so far this summer...Get Smart, Kung Fu Panda (pleasantly surprised) and Iron Man. I have not seen Hulk, Indiana Jones, or Caspian. I was given to much info to spend the 10 bucks, gas, and 40 dollars at concession stand to go to them. I will wait for DVD. However, Wall-E is just around the corner, and yes my most anticipated... The Dark Knight.

Have a great summer, keep smiling, keep living, keep loving, attitude is everything.

Blessings

Jay