What can you learn from a child?

I had to do something yesterday that I hate doing. If you have children you understand this. I don't know of anything harder than disciplining your kids. The girls were playing "marriage" and one of them had a small stick with leaves on it as her "bouquet". One of her sisters decided that she would like the bouquet, but did not want to wait for the toss after the dance. She grabbed the stick and started running.

It became obvious that she was not going to be able to keep the bouquet when she noticed her sister hot on her heels yelling for the return of her flowers. Rather than admit defeat and surrender the stick, she began to pull the leaves from the stick and tear them into little bits. Adopting the "if I can't have it, nobody can" plan.

I sent the offending daughter to bed without a snack (a big deal in her world).

Later on, when we brought the other girls up to bed, I went into her room to pray with her. Our normal routine is to pray and then we tell secrets and give hugs and kisses. I was not expecting much from the routine this night because she was still blaming me for catching her, rather than feeling remorse over her own actions.

We talked and I gave her a big hug as I told her that I still loved her and that nothing could ever change that. Our "secrets" are us telling each other something that we like. I said, "I like it when you girls don't fight." (I know, but you take whatever chance you get to make your point)

Her reply came between sniffles and sobs, and in the smallest little voice she whispered, "I like you."

I pulled her a little tighter and gave her a big, long hug. As we sat together I understood that this is like what God feels when we accept his discipline. When we understand that he loves us and his correction is a blessing on us. And when we can respond to Him with love and repentence, his heart must swell something like mine did last night.

My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
Proverbs 3:11-12

Thank you Lord for loving us enough.

It's not vacation 'til someone throws up

I have spent this last week with my family. There is no place I would rather be. I love my job and enjoy the ministry that God enables me to do. But there is nothing like spending time with my wife and kids.

Our original plan was to travel down south and spend time with my mom in the mountains of Tennessee. For reasons beyond our control, and not all of them gas prices, that did not pan out. So we decided that we would spend some time around our own backyard.

Our week began with a trip to the lake. Some good friends of ours had rented a cabin at a nearby lake. Thier teenage daughter was celebrating her 17th birthday, so we went to join in the festivities. We pitched a tent in the grass, unfolded our lawn chairs, and slipped into our swimming suits. I love the lake!

Seriously, some of my best memories as a kid involve a lake, a boat, and skis. This week was no different. We spent most of our time being drug around the lake on a three-man innertube. Despite the bumps and bruises, and a broken blood vessel in the eye, it was fantastic! Thanks Joel!

We came home for a day, switched out our dirty clothes for clean, and headed out again. This time for the city. We took the kids to the family fun center - putt putt golf, video games, and sugary snacks! And of course there is the "ticket toys" that fall apart in the van on the way back to the hotel. Well worth ten bucks though. Then it was swimming at the hotel and a trip to the zoo before heading home again.

After we got back we took the kids to the car show here in own little burg. I like to look at old cars. I have never understood the desire to restore an old car - until yesterday. I saw the most beautiful car I have ever laid eyes on. A 1950 Oldsmobile 88 convertable. I looked online at some pictures when I got home and they did nothing to complement this car. They just looked like fixed up old cars. The one I saw was different, better somehow. It didn't look like an old car, just a great looking car, period. I'm going to have to check into that someday. Maybe when the kids are gone, and I can get one of those and a boat to pull behind it!

So today I was in the shower getting ready for church and I was thanking God for our week together. I even thought back to our vacations of recent years and considered the experiences we have had. Most involving puking children. No, really. Everytime we have traveled - anywhere - one of children gets sick. I can't explain it, it's just our reality. We are either pulling off to the side of the road, holding a child over a trash can in the airport, or passing a tupperware bowl to the back of the van.

This week was different. We went the whole week without any vomit. Well almost...we got to church this morning and my 5 year old said she felt car sick. She looked a little pale, but I really thought it would pass, now that we were out of the car and at the church. (visiting a friend's church even, not in the comfort of our own) Nope, I got her to the bathroom just in time for her to hurl into the trash can.

All in all a pretty clean experience compared to what we usually endure. Oh well, it's just not a vacation until...

Thanks God, for a week of rest and connection with family and friends.

They're pants, they just shrunk to my knees!

I spent some time this week in Tennessee. I lived for three years in New Mexico, so I've been south, but this was SOUTH. This was everyone talking with a drawl, grits served with your breakfast, Bo and Luke Duke south.

Maybe you have experience some of the finer points of the south, but for me this was quite an eye opener. I would like to share just one experience from my week and you can see for yourself.
On Wednesday afternoon my mom and I were sitting on the porch, because that's what people do in the south, I guess. It's hot in the summer and activity just seems risky. We had already determined that we would go to church later on that evening.

We had enjoyed a few moments of quiet when mom asks me, "Did you pack any long pants?" I really didn't think much of the comment. Most who know me will understand my dress code. If I am not working and it is warm out, I'm wearing shorts. So at first I didn't think anything of the question.

Then, in the silence that followed, I started to get it. (I can be a little slow sometimes) I am swinging on the porch watching all of the campers walk by. These campers are all in high school, but no one is wearing shorts. They all have jeans (boys) or ankle length skirts (girls).

I turned to my mom and said, "I'm going to have to wear pants to church aren't I?"

Mom replied that it would probably be a good idea. I stiffled my rebellious tendency and told her that I do not have any shirts other than t-shirts. Although, I pointed out, the one I was wearing did say God on it! (a concert t-shirt from Chris Tomlin) She said she didn't think that would be a problem. As it turned out I was the only guy in service without a button down shirt.

So after I changed we went to church. Since this was mom's last time at the church, at the end of the service the pastor invited her up front. They talked together in muted tones as they gestured my way and, sure enough, I was introduced and invited to join her in front of the congregation.

The men were called forward and they proceeded to pray for her and her transition back to Minnesota. This really was cool - it always is when people come together in your support. Deffinately one of the best experiences of the week.

So after the service all the rest of the congregation is coming up front to greet us and say goodbye to mom. About that time the pastor's wife comes around and looks me right in the eye and tells me, "it's okay, I like Chris Tomlin too."

It's good to know that for all their conservative tendencies, they still have their manners.

Not like it used to be

When I was a kid we lived a neighborhood that was full of young families. There were about 15 kids within a two block radius. We had bike races aroung the cul-de-sac, played air guitar in the garage, and fought many a crab-apple battle. It seemed like everything we did was outside. Pong obviously did not hold the attention in the same way as PS3!

We lived near the edge of town and if we walked for about 15 minutes we were in a secluded wooded area. I don't know how many hours we spent climbing over fallen trees, wading through hip-high grass, and seeing who could jump the creek. We never really had a purpose, other than just hanging out and being kids - life was good!

Fast forward a few years. On Fridays I get out of the office in the mornings to study for my upcoming ordination interview. You see, actually I'm not a reverend - I really don't like that title by the way. I am a liscenced pastor and I am scheduled to have my interview in December. (I am sure those of you who really love me will be leaving comments about some day being a real pastor, thanks I love you too)

So yesterday I thought I would go out to a place on the south end of town that is secluded, wooded and has a creek winding through. I was walking along one of the paths and I noticed an area on the creek bank that had a log down and some stones that formed a "beach". I figured this would be a good spot to sit and read and pray.

I looked over the edge and tried to find a spot to descend. Most of the area was pretty steep. There was one spot where the rains from this spring had washed out part of the bank and it was not as steep. I summed up this option, noticed there was only one branch to duck under and decided it was doable. So I began to inch my way down.

Have you ever noticed how pliable 12 year olds are? They can run, jump, bounce, spring, tumble, and twist and never feel the worse for wear. They can even contort themselves in midair to avoid a disasterous fall. I am not 12 anymore.

I took about three steps down the slope - which was a little slippery, as packed mud tends to be. I ducked under the branch, took one more step and the next thing I knew, I was resting not so comfortably on the rocky shore of the creek below, safely on my backside.

The first thing I noticed was that I still had my coffee mug in one hand and my Bible in the other. Neither the worse for wear. So I picked myself up, made use of the creek to wash myself off, and found a place on the log to settle in; all the while thanking the Lord that I was in a secluded spot so that I didn't have to share this moment with anyone else.

I sat down and began to read. One thing you may not realize about me is that I am a little ADD. I am reading quietly until I hear the bird, and another bird, and a squirrel, oooh look a racoon track, and there's a dragon fly, I wonder if there are fish in this creek...and on it goes. I did get some reading done. But after about an hour of sitting on the log, I began to notice how uncomfortable logs really are.

So after the blood came back to my legs I decided to walk some more. Yes, I made it back up the bank without any trouble. But I would be lying if I didn't tell you that the thought of someone finding my skeleton clutching my mug and Bible did cross my mind.

As I walked I made an interesting discovery. As a boy I would run through the woods unhindered. But now as a grown up I realized that spiders string their webs across the paths at the exact height of my head. I was relieved as I came to a clearing and left the sticky arachnid strands behind. The bent grass from deer bedding down, the singing of the birds, and the fluttering butterflies almost redeemed the experience for me.

I say almost because at that moment I noticed a bee collecting pollen. I watched as he hovered from flower to flower - they really are quite graceful. That would have been fine, but the buzzing I was hearing seemed too loud for one bee. That's when I noticed another, and another, and another, and....well you get the point. I had obviously wandered too close to the bee's home. And while I did not get stung, I have a much better understanding of the fight or flight mentality.

I don't remember the outdoors being like this when I was 12, it seemed much easier then.