Wes, Kari, Grace, and Abby came to visit this weekend. It was so much fun. They arrived on Friday and we were able to see some small parts of the town. We ate and listened to music on the green at the Promenade, visited Charlotte’s children’s library, ImagineOn, at at Pikes, went to Elevation Church, ate at the Penguin, the Roasting Company, and enjoyed our last meal together this morning at Krispy Kreme.

The girls are so wonderful to be around. They are always so happy, cheerful, and incredibly endearing. (more…)

As the Charlotte Observer reported on his passing this past week, I couldn’t help but be drawn to his story. It’s a story that those with family members battling demons and drug and/or alcoholic addictions fear the most. After years riddled with extreme highs and frustrating lows, Curtis finally lost everything, moved to the desert in near isolation away from friends and family, and then ultimately died alone.

The story is really heartbreaking.

I wish I could accurately articulate all of my thoughts, and say something worthwhile. But, in the end, I believe the news story published today by the Observer says it all. It’s amazing the grip that addictions and emotions have on people. Personally, I don’t think anybody really knows the pains that the addict is going thru and must overcome. I’m sure it’s deep, it’s personal, and I’m convinced that it’s only something that the love of God can cure.

I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
– Psalm 121:1-2

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that
suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and
character, hope.
– Romans 5:3-4

(more…)

I think each of these I thought of as amusement rides. I would come home and use it once (the first time I saw it) and thought “wierd…”. Especially because none of these devices were every really used.

A few years ago I was turning 30 years old. Six months prior, I freaked out and told myself I needed to be in shape when I turned 30. So, out I went and purchased this lovely home gym. It’s been four years, and I think I’ve used the thing maybe 20 times total. That’s not a good ratio.

This past weekend, while visiting my parents, I hopped onto the Total Gym. I don’t know what it was about this tryout. But, I really got into it. I love the versatility. I loved the continuous workout. And the up and down motion somehow makes you feel like you aren’t working out. It really is a good system.

So, today I posted my home gym for sale on Craigslist, and am actively looking for a Total Gym. I can’t wait!

If you are interested in the fine piece of equipment pictured above, please feel free to contact me. If you contact me via this blog, I’ll give it away for free.

“…you either accept it, or reject it.”

You make it easier to be
Easier to be me
It’s hard to believe
You make it easy

I went to see Lifehouse in concert earlier this month, and really enjoyed the show. Before the concert, I never really got into Lifehouse much. I do like the song they have out now, “Whatever It Takes”. But, before that song, a few of their songs have been overplayed in my mind, and thus I kinda tuned them out.

But, I gotta say, after the concert I went out and purchased both their old and new album. The new album is really great, and substantially better than the first IMHO.

But Lifehouse is not really the point of this post. The other night at CharlotteOne Dave turned on the house lights and asked people in attendance to stand up and speak about what CharlotteOne has meant to them. I’m not a good public speaker, and I’m definitely not good at speaking on my feet, so I didn’t volunteer to speak. But, after thinking about it for a moment, I realize what this year has done for me.

About 9 months ago I was introduced to a group of Christian friends. Christian friends are ones that I never had much of in the past. I always seemed to have one foot in church life and one foot out. But, these past 9 months have been different. I now have more christian friends than I know what to do with. At first I found this so overwhelming. Being the new kid in the group, I was constantly getting questions about myself, my personal life, my friends, my struggles, and daily life issues. I didn’t know how to adjust to all of this genuine interest. But, over time I did, thankfully.

Looking back over the past years of my life and comparing them to the past few months, I must say that living a better christian life is an EASIER life than before. The support group, the community, the friendships, the mutual desires and aspirations, and the diversity among my new friends are all things that really make a life full. Never having this, you really are unaware of what you are missing. But, now having it, I can’t imagine living without it. It truly is an easier life. The stress is less. The frustrations are less. Your friends, your community, and your confidants are there to support you and most importanly are there to reinforce the great promises and blessing of our God. Thanks be to Him!

Lifehouse - Storm
[See post to listen to audio]

how long have I
been in this storm
so overwhelmed by the ocean’s shapeless form
water’s getting harder to tread
with these waves crashing over my head

if I could just see you
everything will be alright
if I’d see you
the storminess will turn to light

and I will walk on water
and you will catch me if I fall
and I will get lost into your eyes
and everything will be alright
and everything will be alright

I wondered if I would be able to limit mine to six words. So, I took 10 minutes and came up with a few. All are good contenders.

1. Clarity found, partially at age thirty-three.
2. Hope is for those without grace.
3. Grace erases guilt for fresh starts.
4. God’s love will be there always.
5. Loved, lost, will try again soon.
6. Tried it my way, didn’t work.
7. Finding peace with Christ, my blessing.
8. Love is a verb. Give selflessly.
9. To love unabashedly is the goal.

I like the first one a lot. There’s some good imagery in that one. The second one I stole from a TV show. The third is for a brother who asked me once, “what if there are no second chances?”. Four is a reminder to me, family and friends. Five sums up the last 10 years for me. Six is my current realization, and a difficult one to accept. Seven brings me comfort. Eight reminds me to stay humble. Nine remains a question, for now.

Editors Note: (whoa, this was deep. time to go out and have some fun now. TGI FRIDAY!!!)

My King. He’s the key of knowledge, wellspring of wisdom, doorway of deliverance, pathway of peace, roadway of righteousness, highway of holiness, gateway of glory, master of the mighty, captain of the conquerers, head of the heros, leader of the legislators, overseer of the overcomers, governor of governors, prince or princes, king of kings, and the Lord of lords!

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Blue Merle - Places
[See post to listen to audio]

And this bartender is selling a lie
That all of these travelers are buying
Cause everyone’s looking for something to find
But bars, they ain’t nothing but places you hide
They ain’t nothing but places to hide

Blue Merle - Part of Your History
[See post to listen to audio]

I always knew that you do great things
I didn’t ever want to slow you down
I was there when you learned to use your wings
And I saw you leave the ground
The time spent in your sweet arms
Was the best time that I’ve known
Maybe the reason I was here at all was to see you carry on

This does not characterize me. I’m more than this. I am a new creation! I don’t want to pursue my purpose, for it is the Lord’s purpose which prevails.

- Pastor prays to God: Let me feel you, carry you higher
- God says to Pastor: Watch your words spread hope like fire
- What happens when God inspires: Secret crowds rise up and gather
- What the Pastor should hope for his congregation: Hear your voices sing back louder