9.30.2005
Here I am.
Here's a word you can take to heart and depend on: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. I'm proof--Public Sinner Number One--
I Timothy 1:15 (the Message Translation)
I Timothy 1:15 (the Message Translation)
9.29.2005
Celebrities.
AGENDA:
Give me a break, OK. I'm so tired of actors and musicians spouting off their opinions of politics, and everything else. What they are doing is exploiting themselves, and using their platform to influence people. It's disgusting to me. Just make your movie, and play your instrument. I don't need to hear about your views from the stage or in your stupid acceptance speech at the National This-Is-My-15-Minutes-of-Fame-Award Show.
MONEY:
So Lebron James made $90 Million before he ever stepped foot on an NBA basketball court. $90 freaking Million. He is 21 years old now, never went to college, but because he can entertain the masses, he deserves a lucrative amount of money. RIDICULOUS! How much does my mom make as a teacher? She has had an impact on well over 1000 children. She teaches them how to read, talk, count, and be nice. But where is her $90 Million contract. Where are the endorsement deals? RIDICULOUS!
MARRIAGE:
Why is it just a normal thing to hear that Jennifer Anniston and Brad Pitt have divorced and that he is dating Angelina Jolie? Magazines plaster Brad and Angelina and their new life all over their covers and celebrate their new love! COME ON! What about commitment and the vows of marriage? Larry King has been married 7 times. SEVEN TIMES!!!!!! But he still draws in the big bucks and everyone pays attention to what he has to say. Why would you trust someone who can't endure a marriage? Yes, not everyday of marriage is perfect and sweet, but neither is life and we can't just escape that without sacrificing our lives. Donald Trump has been married 3 times now, and is expecting his 5th child by a third woman. BUT AMERICA LOVES HIM SO LET'S SHOW HIM SOME RESPECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give me a break.
RELIGION:
What is the newest religion for us to jump on board with? OH...this week its Kabbalah. Last week it was scientology. What will it be next week? I have no respect for celebrities who use their place of influence to throw out their religions (Tom Cruise, I'm talking directly to you here). Let's imagine that your car runs out of gas, so instead of just putting gas in the car, you decide to run around the car and chant, or you think it would be wise to burn the car and get a new one, or maybe we should all buy neat bracelets celebrating the car's decision to "be empty." This is the crap I cannot stand about society. The true answer is right in front of your face, but because it's not cool, or accepted, you want nothing to do with it. Maybe when Jesus becomes "cool" you'll make that decision. Give me a break!
SUMMARY:
Celebrites are for entertainment purposes ONLY. You want a role model, find the man who loves his wife and promises to be with her forever. Find the man who gives his money to the needy even though he makes minimum wage. Look for the person who trusts Jesus implicitly, and NONE OTHER. That is where you'll find direction, and respect.
Give me a break, OK. I'm so tired of actors and musicians spouting off their opinions of politics, and everything else. What they are doing is exploiting themselves, and using their platform to influence people. It's disgusting to me. Just make your movie, and play your instrument. I don't need to hear about your views from the stage or in your stupid acceptance speech at the National This-Is-My-15-Minutes-of-Fame-Award Show.
MONEY:
So Lebron James made $90 Million before he ever stepped foot on an NBA basketball court. $90 freaking Million. He is 21 years old now, never went to college, but because he can entertain the masses, he deserves a lucrative amount of money. RIDICULOUS! How much does my mom make as a teacher? She has had an impact on well over 1000 children. She teaches them how to read, talk, count, and be nice. But where is her $90 Million contract. Where are the endorsement deals? RIDICULOUS!
MARRIAGE:
Why is it just a normal thing to hear that Jennifer Anniston and Brad Pitt have divorced and that he is dating Angelina Jolie? Magazines plaster Brad and Angelina and their new life all over their covers and celebrate their new love! COME ON! What about commitment and the vows of marriage? Larry King has been married 7 times. SEVEN TIMES!!!!!! But he still draws in the big bucks and everyone pays attention to what he has to say. Why would you trust someone who can't endure a marriage? Yes, not everyday of marriage is perfect and sweet, but neither is life and we can't just escape that without sacrificing our lives. Donald Trump has been married 3 times now, and is expecting his 5th child by a third woman. BUT AMERICA LOVES HIM SO LET'S SHOW HIM SOME RESPECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Give me a break.
RELIGION:
What is the newest religion for us to jump on board with? OH...this week its Kabbalah. Last week it was scientology. What will it be next week? I have no respect for celebrities who use their place of influence to throw out their religions (Tom Cruise, I'm talking directly to you here). Let's imagine that your car runs out of gas, so instead of just putting gas in the car, you decide to run around the car and chant, or you think it would be wise to burn the car and get a new one, or maybe we should all buy neat bracelets celebrating the car's decision to "be empty." This is the crap I cannot stand about society. The true answer is right in front of your face, but because it's not cool, or accepted, you want nothing to do with it. Maybe when Jesus becomes "cool" you'll make that decision. Give me a break!
SUMMARY:
Celebrites are for entertainment purposes ONLY. You want a role model, find the man who loves his wife and promises to be with her forever. Find the man who gives his money to the needy even though he makes minimum wage. Look for the person who trusts Jesus implicitly, and NONE OTHER. That is where you'll find direction, and respect.
9.27.2005
Whisper.
When God created everything, I'm sure it was violent. Mountains bursting through the ground, water pouring to low valleys, wind blowing, stars colliding, suns flaming, and planets rumbling. I'm sure when Jesus was born, it wasn't pretty. I'm sure it was exactly like any other birth without the gift of medicine or anesthetics! When Jesus was killed, it was ugly. Blood, sweat, screaming, pain, suffering, agony, and abandonment.
Worship services at many churches these days are LOUD and full of high octane energy. Christian music (like the Friday Night Frenzy) is hard, rough, and loud.
But, I have discovered that sometimes God is gentle and sweet. Sometimes He speaks not in a triumphant voice, but in a gentle reminder of His goodness, and His unmatched love. Sometimes, He whispers, and it's up to me to SHUT MY MOUTH AND JUST LISTEN.
Worship services at many churches these days are LOUD and full of high octane energy. Christian music (like the Friday Night Frenzy) is hard, rough, and loud.
But, I have discovered that sometimes God is gentle and sweet. Sometimes He speaks not in a triumphant voice, but in a gentle reminder of His goodness, and His unmatched love. Sometimes, He whispers, and it's up to me to SHUT MY MOUTH AND JUST LISTEN.
9.23.2005
The Solution...
-This comes directly from the Message translation of the Bible-
With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn't deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that.
The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it. And now what the law code asked for but we couldn't deliver is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us.
Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them--living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored.
But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells--even though you still experience all the limitations of sin--you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!
Romans 8:1-11
-------------------------------------------------
I added all of this because I LOVE the Message translation. This passage provided an answer for me that I didn't know I was looking for. God is good like that!
With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.
God went for the jugular when he sent his own Son. He didn't deal with the problem as something remote and unimportant. In his Son, Jesus, he personally took on the human condition, entered the disordered mess of struggling humanity in order to set it right once and for all. The law code, weakened as it always was by fractured human nature, could never have done that.
The law always ended up being used as a Band-Aid on sin instead of a deep healing of it. And now what the law code asked for but we couldn't deliver is accomplished as we, instead of redoubling our own efforts, simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us.
Those who think they can do it on their own end up obsessed with measuring their own moral muscle but never get around to exercising it in real life. Those who trust God's action in them find that God's Spirit is in them--living and breathing God! Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn't pleased at being ignored.
But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won't know what we're talking about. But for you who welcome him, in whom he dwells--even though you still experience all the limitations of sin--you yourself experience life on God's terms. It stands to reason, doesn't it, that if the alive-and-present God who raised Jesus from the dead moves into your life, he'll do the same thing in you that he did in Jesus, bringing you alive to himself? When God lives and breathes in you (and he does, as surely as he did in Jesus), you are delivered from that dead life. With his Spirit living in you, your body will be as alive as Christ's!
Romans 8:1-11
-------------------------------------------------
I added all of this because I LOVE the Message translation. This passage provided an answer for me that I didn't know I was looking for. God is good like that!
Dirty Van Guy.
My wife and I bought a new car last week, and we love it like its a member of the family. So, because I behaved myself all week and attempted to be a good boy, my lovely wife let me drive the new car to work tonight! On the way, I observed the normal landmarks, terrain, and assortment of cheesy Christian bumper stickers. I rolled the windows down, opened my sunroof (because the car I normally drive doesn't have one), and let my music play so that the rest of Monroe County could enjoy it too! As I sucked in the fresh autumn air, I noticed an old Dodge van about ahead of me. As I approached it, I could tell there was something written on the spare tire holder. Usually, this space is reserved for something like, "The Hendersons", or the Tasmanian Devil. But, as I read it, I felt my heart begin to race, and my blood begin to boil. This moron had the words, "God Hates Fags" on his van.
I pause for you to let that sink in.
"God Hates Fags"????? Of all the things to put out in the view of the public, why that? Even if this guy calls himself a Christian, there are unlimited positive God-Inspired messages to proclaim other than that crap. I sped by him and gave him a, "Hi, please die" look…which wasn't a nice thing to do, but I could've done worse.
As I continued to drive I really began to think what I would say to him if I would've had the chance. Many things came to mind that didn't involve a Christ-like attitude.
Easily summed up, I would remind him that -For God SO loved the world that He gave His one and only son, so that WHOEVER believes in Him will not suffer or die, but have everlasting life-. God loved...LOVES the entire world. His son died for ALL OF US...including homosexuals, drug dealers, child molesters, murderers, abusive husbands, and yes, Osama Bin Ladin.
We have all heard the saying, "God hates the sin but loves the sinner." Ya, OK. But what does that mean? Imagine that the person you love more than anything is separated from you by a brick wall that is about to fall and crush everything around it. This person that you love is choosing to stay on the other side of the wall because that wall is "fun", the wall "feels good", the wall is "just a part of who I am", and the wall is "not my fault." Now imagine how much you would HATE that wall and want to see it torn down.
That is what sin is to God. It’s a GIANT wall that is separating mankind from Him. They think that the wall is comforting and fun, but they have no idea how beautiful life is on the other side.
So, when I see "God Hates Fags", I am cut deep. God does NOT hate homosexuals, He loves them. So much so that He died for them! When Jonathan Edwards preached his famous, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" sermon he wasn’t directing his words to the unsaved and the non-believing, he was aiming it at people like Dirty Van Guy. God is not angry at homosexuals, He is angry at those who CLAIM to love Him, but show no evidence and who write things like "God Hates Fags" on their dirty van.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:2
9.22.2005
Represent.
I made a statement in class today at IU that left my mouth before I really had a chance to internalize it. I said, "I am not represented by Pat Robertson, or even George W. Bush...I am represented by Jesus Christ."
As I walked to my car, I became so ashamed of myself. My intentions were to say that Pat Robertson and George W. Bush don't represent what I believe in, or what I hold dear. But what I said places Jesus in a place where HE represents ME.
I am pathetic.
He does NOT represent ME...I should be representing HIM. I should be living my life day in and day out in a manner that draws people to HIM. My words should honor HIM, and my actions should glorify HIM, my character amidst adversity should reflect HIM.
But, I fail in every category.
WOW. I wear my Christian T-Shirts. I have creative Christian stickers. I read a hip Christian magazine. But, none of these things actually make me a Christian. They make me a part of Christian subculture. WHO CARES? T-Shirts, stickers, and magazines can't heal a broken heart, they can't save a soul, they can't change a life...only Jesus can do that, and today I had the audacity to say that HE represented ME. I am the chief of sinners. I guess Jesus is like an AMWAY agent peddling MY products???? I am ridiculous.
Forgive me, Jesus.
So, I guess the real question is not who represents me...but who best represents that which I hold dear and precious? NOT PAT ROBERTSON! NOT GEORGE W. BUSH! NOT ANY OF THE TBN HOOLIGANS! NOT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY! How sad is it that I can't think of even one person who is in the public eye that genuinely represents the love, the hope, and the truth of Jesus?
Though not in the public eye, there are only a few. Sadly the majority of the world will never know James M. Woods or Dennis Turner.
As I walked to my car, I became so ashamed of myself. My intentions were to say that Pat Robertson and George W. Bush don't represent what I believe in, or what I hold dear. But what I said places Jesus in a place where HE represents ME.
I am pathetic.
He does NOT represent ME...I should be representing HIM. I should be living my life day in and day out in a manner that draws people to HIM. My words should honor HIM, and my actions should glorify HIM, my character amidst adversity should reflect HIM.
But, I fail in every category.
WOW. I wear my Christian T-Shirts. I have creative Christian stickers. I read a hip Christian magazine. But, none of these things actually make me a Christian. They make me a part of Christian subculture. WHO CARES? T-Shirts, stickers, and magazines can't heal a broken heart, they can't save a soul, they can't change a life...only Jesus can do that, and today I had the audacity to say that HE represented ME. I am the chief of sinners. I guess Jesus is like an AMWAY agent peddling MY products???? I am ridiculous.
Forgive me, Jesus.
So, I guess the real question is not who represents me...but who best represents that which I hold dear and precious? NOT PAT ROBERTSON! NOT GEORGE W. BUSH! NOT ANY OF THE TBN HOOLIGANS! NOT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY! How sad is it that I can't think of even one person who is in the public eye that genuinely represents the love, the hope, and the truth of Jesus?
Though not in the public eye, there are only a few. Sadly the majority of the world will never know James M. Woods or Dennis Turner.
9.21.2005
9.20.2005
Evidence.
Yesterday I heard a heartbeat at the doctor's office. Evidence. When I think about Tricia delivering our first child, I convince myself that my new life will begin that moment. But, the little heartbeat I heard sent a warm sensation through my entire body...MY NEW LIFE HAS ALREADY BEGUN! My little baby is alive. Cells have already formed. Fingers and Toes are already developing. I am a Dad!
How am I capable of loving something this much?
Evidence.
How am I capable of loving something this much?
Evidence.
the Mouse.
I admit it. I love Mickey Mouse. I love Walt Disney World. I love all things (mostly) Disney. As a 27-nearly-28-year-old guy, I don't make it too evident that I am a big fan. I don't wear my Mickey Mouse shirt out in public (yes, I have one), I don't flaunt the fact that I have over 61 songs from Walt Disney World on my iPod (I'm talking about area music from Frontier Land, and the "Listen to the Land" song from EPCOT). I don't even let most people know that I've been to Walt Disney World over 4 times since I was 20 and not with anyone under the age of 24. I LOVE Walt Disney World...I love the characters, I love the rides, I love the parades, I love the fireworks, I love feeling like I am 10 years old when I'm there. I just love it!
So, I am about to go again in mid-October, and it got me thinking about the way I feel about my faith. The way I feel about Walt Disney World isn't something I can explain to my friends, or to certain people in my family. I can't convey the wonder, and excitement I feel about getting to go back. But, there is something I hold even more dear than Walt Disney World, something I hold even more dear than my beautiful wife: my relationship with Jesus.
What I feel for Jesus is something that transcends all excitement, trumps all joy, and beats any amount of happiness. And yet, there are people that I love who don't have this in their lives. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO CONVEY THIS LOVE? I would give away all I own for these people to know Jesus the way I do. I would give up my future for these people to love him the way I do.
Which brings me to another point: perhaps the reason is me. Perhaps I don't reflect this love. Perhaps the way I conduct my life doesn't bring people to a crossroads where a decision is made..."do I follow the God that Austin has, or do I live my life the way I want to?"
Honestly, my heart burns sometimes. It hurts. It bleeds. It is filled with pain because I know there is no way for me to genuinely portray Jesus to people. All I can do is talk to the Lord for these people. Most of what people see about Jesus or other forms of Christianity is negative and false. They see hypocrisy. They see fake. They see ministers molesting children. They see ridiculous TV evangelists. HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO COUNTERACT THIS ASSAULT? So, do you see the dilemma?
What I can do is just go on loving Jesus and TRYING to show people how wonderful He is and how much love He has to offer.
Walt Disney World is full of loud, exciting, triumphant music, lights, parades, and rides. So, getting enthused is easy...very easy. But, most of the time, Jesus is calm, gentle and sweet...nothing to yell and scream about, but SO MUCH MORE SATISFYING!
9.19.2005
Hurricanes and Problems at Home
I've begun my teaching experience at a middle school in Lawrence County. Today was like any other day - the kids came in, sat down, appeared to be ready to begin the day as usual...but evidently, today wasn't a usual day. One student came to the desk and asked to go to the office. I asked the student if they were sick and wanted to lay their head down on their desk. The student responded, "No, there are problems at home and my Dad is picking me up."
I wake up every morning to a girl who loves me. I get out of my king-sized bed, and walk through my air conditioned house to my kitchen where food awaits me. I can open my fridge that is full of food and drink. I have enough money to pay for cable, internet, a new car, clothes, movies, food, diet coke, ice cream, college, and my two pets. At any moment, I could pick up the phone and call at least 16 people (that I can think of right now) that would drop everything just to make sure I was OK. I have at least 5 places at my house that I can get fresh, clean water to drink, or bathe in. I live in America where I don't worry about oppression, water, health care, safety, food, or freedom. I grew up knowing that Jesus loves me and wants a relationship with me. Yet, I gripe about everything.
There are people just south of me who are suffering and yet, here I sit in front of my TWO computer monitors watching the NFL, and drinking ice cold water. I am the chief of sinners. I am the lowest of the low. I am the dirtiest of the filthy.
This student came into my class today with something on her heart that I may never have to endure. Her problem won't just go away, it is still there as I type these words and it will still be there tonight, and will probably be there tomorrow. There are hurricanes that do tremendous damage, but there are problems at home that do just as much...perhaps not physically, but maybe emotionally. What can I do? I am a teacher. There are laws against putting my arm around this student. There are regulations that say I can't stop class to make sure this student is OK. There are 30 other students who need me too...what can I do, who am I supposed to take this student to for help?
Jesus.
Help me.
I am weak.
I need you.
I wake up every morning to a girl who loves me. I get out of my king-sized bed, and walk through my air conditioned house to my kitchen where food awaits me. I can open my fridge that is full of food and drink. I have enough money to pay for cable, internet, a new car, clothes, movies, food, diet coke, ice cream, college, and my two pets. At any moment, I could pick up the phone and call at least 16 people (that I can think of right now) that would drop everything just to make sure I was OK. I have at least 5 places at my house that I can get fresh, clean water to drink, or bathe in. I live in America where I don't worry about oppression, water, health care, safety, food, or freedom. I grew up knowing that Jesus loves me and wants a relationship with me. Yet, I gripe about everything.
There are people just south of me who are suffering and yet, here I sit in front of my TWO computer monitors watching the NFL, and drinking ice cold water. I am the chief of sinners. I am the lowest of the low. I am the dirtiest of the filthy.
This student came into my class today with something on her heart that I may never have to endure. Her problem won't just go away, it is still there as I type these words and it will still be there tonight, and will probably be there tomorrow. There are hurricanes that do tremendous damage, but there are problems at home that do just as much...perhaps not physically, but maybe emotionally. What can I do? I am a teacher. There are laws against putting my arm around this student. There are regulations that say I can't stop class to make sure this student is OK. There are 30 other students who need me too...what can I do, who am I supposed to take this student to for help?
Jesus.
Help me.
I am weak.
I need you.
9.17.2005
NASA and Austin
StarDate 91705
My role in the baby process is becoming more and more clear. I am like Mission Control for my wife, the astronaut. She is doing all the dangerous, hard, amazing work, while I keep my feet on the ground just making sure she has what she needs. Instead of hearing her say, "Houston, we have a problem", I am expecting another Texas city..."Austin, we have a problem!"
At the end of this mission, everything will change. Tricia and I will discover another intelligent life and will be responsible for introducing it to the world and to its Creator. But I suppose THAT is when the journey really begins. But the joys that will come with this Mission far outweigh the cost, for outweigh the danger, far outweigh the emtional toil. How can this Mission bring Tricia and I even closer? How can what we have embarked on allow our hearts to fuse together even more tightly? How can my heart be softened even more to the quite heartbeat of a small life in my arms? We'll see.
Malone out.
9.16.2005
Fatherhood and Dadhood
Well, life really prepares you for this right? I mean, isn't it inevitable? Isn't father/dadhood just part of the natural progression of a relationship? No. I believe there is a tremendous difference between WANTING to become a father/dad and assuming this responsibility just because THAT is what is supposed to happen. Not every man should become a father. Not every man should become a dad. There is a difference between dad and father...in my opinion. Naturally, this is totally social, not by scientific definition...these are MY definitions:
Father: provider of the sperm. the man who works hard all day and then comes home to the responsibility of fatherhood without embracing the joys of fatherhhod. the man who insists his children play sports but never offers words of encouragment. the man who looks at his son's A homework and asks, "why didn't you get an A+ ?" the man who considers money-making and lawn-mowing signs of affection. the man who tells his son who just had his heart broken by a girl to "act like a man." the man who makes sure his family is in church every sunday but fails to generate the love and compassion for Jesus throughout the week. the man who tells his children he loves after they have accomplished something...not when they feel like losers.
Dad: provider of the sperm, but also the safety and friendship to the mother. the man who works hard all day, but keeps pictures of his children rolling in the grass with his wife on his desk. the man who insists his children play sports...or whatever else makes them happy. the man who appreciates how his children interact with other students, and do their best...not what grade is received. the man who considers hugs, words, ice cream on Sunday nights, games of late-afternoon basketball, understanding, laughing, and Biblical wisdom signs of affection. the man who cries with his son when a girl has broken his heart. the man who cares more about Jesus being a present force in his home daily, than for just 1 1/2 hours on a Sunday morning. the man who tells his children he loves them after they have broken his heart, wrecked the car, smoked pot, cheated, lied, quit. the man who relies on Jesus, and not himself. the man who prays for his children like they will die without it. the man who walks into his house day after day with a smile on his face because the creator of the universe has trusted that man with His greatest creation: a child.
So, here it is. I'm 27 years old...when I have my first baby, I will be days away from 28. what have I learned in 27 years that makes me think I can be a dad? I don't know...but I'm going to trust in the Lord with all my heart, and not on myself or my own understanding. Because I know that if I trust in Him, He will make me a good Dad.
Why do I think I'll be a good dad? Because I'm one of those guys who have been waiting for this my entire life...so here we go...bust out the ice cream, and the basketball, and get ready for hugs and kisses!
Father: provider of the sperm. the man who works hard all day and then comes home to the responsibility of fatherhood without embracing the joys of fatherhhod. the man who insists his children play sports but never offers words of encouragment. the man who looks at his son's A homework and asks, "why didn't you get an A+ ?" the man who considers money-making and lawn-mowing signs of affection. the man who tells his son who just had his heart broken by a girl to "act like a man." the man who makes sure his family is in church every sunday but fails to generate the love and compassion for Jesus throughout the week. the man who tells his children he loves after they have accomplished something...not when they feel like losers.
Dad: provider of the sperm, but also the safety and friendship to the mother. the man who works hard all day, but keeps pictures of his children rolling in the grass with his wife on his desk. the man who insists his children play sports...or whatever else makes them happy. the man who appreciates how his children interact with other students, and do their best...not what grade is received. the man who considers hugs, words, ice cream on Sunday nights, games of late-afternoon basketball, understanding, laughing, and Biblical wisdom signs of affection. the man who cries with his son when a girl has broken his heart. the man who cares more about Jesus being a present force in his home daily, than for just 1 1/2 hours on a Sunday morning. the man who tells his children he loves them after they have broken his heart, wrecked the car, smoked pot, cheated, lied, quit. the man who relies on Jesus, and not himself. the man who prays for his children like they will die without it. the man who walks into his house day after day with a smile on his face because the creator of the universe has trusted that man with His greatest creation: a child.
So, here it is. I'm 27 years old...when I have my first baby, I will be days away from 28. what have I learned in 27 years that makes me think I can be a dad? I don't know...but I'm going to trust in the Lord with all my heart, and not on myself or my own understanding. Because I know that if I trust in Him, He will make me a good Dad.
Why do I think I'll be a good dad? Because I'm one of those guys who have been waiting for this my entire life...so here we go...bust out the ice cream, and the basketball, and get ready for hugs and kisses!
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