Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Be Thankful

I want to live a life of thankfulness.  Not lip-service thankfulness.  Genuine thankfulness.

But my thankfulness is pretty shallow.  I've fallen victim to being thankful for things because I compare myself with those that don't have things I have.  As its been snowing/sleeting/snotting ice the past few days, I've been thankful for a warm house and a roof over my head.  Probably because I talked on the phone to a homeless person a few days ago that didn't have those things.

Dallas will do that to you.  There are some truly wealthy people here - but there are a lot more people pretending to be wealthy.  Dallas causes you to always be looking for the next thing.  What's the next rung on the ladder?  Newer car, bigger house, latest clothes...  Without really knowing it, you start to adopt this daily comparison lifestyle - constantly comparing yourself to others.  It lives right beneath the surface, but shapes my decisions and feeds my desires.  And it's even snuck into the way I perceive my position with God.  

“We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.” 
― H.A. Ironside

So here's to true thankfulness!  Thankful to God for all the things I cannot earn.  The intangible things that are more costly than any earthly possession.  Grace.  Salvation.  Peace.  Health.  2nd Chances.  Unmerited Favor.  Reconciled Relationships...

The list could go on and on...let these things always be on the tip of my tongue.  

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Perspective Shift: Battles w/ 2 year olds and such

Mornings these days are a little crazy.  My 5 1/2 year girl old bouncing around the house, needing to get her hair fixed in some way that doesn't look like she's getting neglected by her parents.  (She's got some really curly hair - it has a mind of its own - but if we don't tame it, I think someone might turn us in to CPS.)  We've also got an infant needing to be fed.  He's almost 2 months old.

And then there's my 2 1/2 year old son.  Today he decided to have a stand-off of David Koresh proportions.  Over a banana. Actually, 1/3 of a banana.  He was ready to get on with his day (without any breakfast).  He was even coming up with a list of demands during the situation (turn on the TV, give me my bite-a-min (vitamin), yada ya).  But Elaine wouldn't let him down from the table without eating this little measly bite of fruit.

I was on my way out when I thought it was probably best for me to hunker down in the trenches with my wife and lend some support.  The kid is sliding around in the chair - bringing the drama - fake crying (loudly) - you know, the whole nine yards.  I don't even remember what all was said/done, but he finally ate the dang banana.

I left.  Got a text from my wife that he then proceeded to ask for another banana and ate that one too.
He's a turd.  I love him.  But - he's got his moments.

I was a little ticked that I was late for prayer at church today.  Just generally feeling annoyed.  And feeling for my wife as this time seems out of control and she's overwhelmed trying to wrangle the 3 kids.  Mix in a little 'woe is me' with some 'is life ever going to be fun again' - and there you have me driving in my car.

Finally arrived to prayer with my peeve-ish attitude.

We read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
   "So we do not lose heart.  Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Then we listened to "Though You Slay Me" by Shane and Shane.  Great song - pulls from the book of Job.

We were asked if anyone wanted to share their 'momentary afflictions' that God was allowing them to go through.

A guy I barely knew said he'd share.

And it was like God smacked His 'hands' together in front of my face.  He got my attention.

This guy starts telling of his family.  Married - 4 kids.  The youngest of which is 4 months old and has some pretty serious health issues.  There's some anger - there's some resentment.  And the family is just going through some hard, hard stuff.  I honestly can't even begin to relate to the reality they are living right now.  We prayed - the best we knew how.  Made my struggle look piddly.

And my perspective immediately shifted.  But hear me out - I was undone.  In a couple of ways.  I was undone for what his family was going through.  And I was undone because God shined a light on my selfishness and lack of gratitude.  And honestly, I was a little disappointed in myself.

That's the story.  Not really sure what the moral is.  (It all started with that dumb banana).  But my desire is to live more in that spot of thankfulness for the HUGE blessings God has allowed in my life.  My desire is to be more ready to love on those that are going through the rough places - and to spend less time looking at my life under a self-serving microscope.  My desire is to worship Him anyways.  Even when I don't feel like it - to constantly have a story of His goodness ready to share.




Sunday, June 20, 2010

Back At It

Dang. It's hotter in Dallas than it is in Cabo. And didn't summer just officially start?

Maybe we'll discuss the weird Mexican disease I got while I was there later. But, for the time being, I'm bummed that real life has to resume.

Elaine and I went (minus Cana) to Cabo San Lucas last week and had a great time....doing mostly nothing. It's been 8 years since our honeymoon, and it was nice to get away and drop everything for awhile. I would even say it was better than the honeymoon...'cause let's face it....honeymoon's are 75 % awesome and 25 % awkward.

I got my first Father's Day present 'made' by my daughter today. I'm a sap. Even though its just a footprint on a piece of construction paper, I'm kinda proud.

In musical news : kinda disappointed in the Christina album. There's a couple of good ballads on there and a couple of dancy tracks - - but there's also a lot of...uh....don't know what to call it.
On the better side of things is the Taio Cruz album. It's ain't deep...but it is fun.

Peace.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The time has come....

I will be playing Jesus in the Passion Play at Davis Boulevard Baptist Church April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. It's free & starts at 7:00 each evening. Childcare is provided as well. If you don't want to miss me rockin' out a mullet, you should come out.
Visit www.dbbaptist.org for directions.

More stories about the experience to follow...

Friday, January 08, 2010

House of Blues

Between Green Walls will be performing next Sunday (the 17th) @ the House of Blues Restaurant Stage @ 6:30. We'll be doing songs from our new EP...come check it out.


Tuesday, December 29, 2009

New Songs

Just released a 6 song Acoustic EP. Between Green Walls = Me & Andrew Key. We've been writing some shamelessly bubbly-pop love songs and have the album out on Itunes, Amazon, and pretty much anywhere else you might download music.

Check it out on Itunes : http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/between-green-walls-ep/id341370772

Feedback is much appreciated....

Hope to get this blog bumpin' again in 2010.

J


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

New Songs

Check out some of the new tunes tonight @ Urban Dog Coffee
2720 # A Oak Lawn Ave
Dallas TX 75219