Prayer of the Weak

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let's Go Pens!

I really am loving hockey more and more as the years go on. Thanks to my bro-in-law, Don, and his passion for hockey and Jim Rome and his radio show for getting the word out about the game. There may be no greater playoff run then the one 16 teams make in the NHL playoffs.

With that being said, the Pittsburgh Penguins are playing against the Detroit Red Wings for the right to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup. My heart hopes the Pens can win this in 7 games, but my head says that it will be the Red Wings in 5 or 6.

Here's to Fluery standing on his head and Malkin and Crosby and Co. playing like hockey gods!

Let's Go Pens!

Sorry I'm Late

This makes me happy. It's a little video that combines two things I really enjoy: film/video and photography.

mmm...mullets

Those of you that know me know that dig mullets. I love everything about the mullet. I even sported a soccer mullet in high school. Every fantasy sports team I tinker with from football to basketball has a mullet theme. It's weird, I know, but it's me. It's deep. It's life.

In light of that, my friend Graham, sent me the most amazing menu snapshot ever. I may have to road trip to Cambodia to get me a taste of some good mullet.

Memorial Day 2009

To those that have and continue to serve their family, friends, and fellow countrymen, know that we are grateful for your service and sacrifice. May you know today, May 25, 2009, that your country is proud of you and grateful for you. We pray for you strength, courage, wisdom, and honor as you give your life to keep us free, home and brave.

Where Love Is

I am not sure how I got thinking about it. Kelly and I were sitting on the couch watching either Lost or American Idol. It was probably something in one of the shows we were watching or it might have been a commercial, but something got me thinking about three amazing words/one amazing truth in the Bible: God is love (1 John 4:8).

Now this thought has been brewing for a few days now. I must admit, I'm not sure I have thought it out fully to it's logical extent, but I think what I'm about to share makes sense. Also, other, more intelligent, godly, thoughtful people before me have probably discussed, written, and spoken about this very topic long before I stumbled upon it (if you know of someone/some book, let me know).

But here it is...if God is love then where ever/whenever an act of love is performed in the world, God is there. Any act of love done by any person, God is there at work: moving, caring, loving, and sharing of Himself with those loving and being loved. Sure that logic works for Mother Theresa, Billy Graham, or your grandmother, but what about Hitler? Osama Bin-Laden? The bully that picks on you, your friends, and even his own dog? When they truly engage in an act of love, is God there?

Now this does not mean that everyone who does an act of love is a knower of God and follower of His son, Jesus. This line of logic does not speak so much about us as people, but all about God who is an interactive, initiative taking divine being who uses all sorts of means and ways to share with people His love for them. That's a big, awesome, and amazing God.

What a great encouragement for followers of Jesus who think that God can't/won't/doesn't use them to make an impact for the Kingdom. What a great spring board to talk with those who don't know, love and follow Jesus to say something like, "Can we have a conversation about this love that share with others and where it comes from?"

Does this make sense? Does the logic/truth breakdown somewhere that I am missing? Does this impact you like it did me? How can you and I use this to encourage other followers of Jesus? How can you and I use this to engage people with the reality of the Gospel?

Prayer of the Weak

O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of the Weak

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Third Time's a Charm?

We'll just have to wait and see if the old adage is true.

I had a third interview today with Dublin City Schools for the school counseling position that is open at Jerome High School. Overall the interview went well. Good dialog. Good connection. Good questions. Hopefully good answers.

I was interviewed by the building principal, asst. principal, and one of the school counselors. We met for about 45-50 minutes where I answered the usual questions dealing with strengths/weaknesses, strengths I bring to the team, good counseling experiences/bad ones, handling team conflict, etc. I got a change to ask questions at the end: what do they love about working at Jerome, what is difficult about working at Jerome, current state of the counseling dept., and leadership style/expectations of the building principal.

Now we wait. I think they should call by the end of next week. The team that I met with will send their recommendation to the central office where the person they send will meet with people at the central office (one last time...what the?! more interviews? formality?) where they finally(?) make a final decision. They are looking to have the position filled by June 1.

As I drove home, I had the usual regrets about missing a couple of opportunities to share about the strengths and experience I have been given that qualify me to be - hopefully - a good school counselor. But those second guesses/missed opps are what they are...missed. I can't do anything about it. And I'm ok with that. I'll learn from the experience and use it in the next interview process if Dublin does not work out.

Thanks for listening. Thanks for praying. Thanks for joining me (and Kelly and the kids) on this ride God has us on.

I wonder where it will stop? Hhhmmm.

P.S. I didn't get the job. Got a call a week or so ago letting me know I didn't make it to the final two. They told me I did a great job and interviewed very well, but they advanced two candidates with more education/school counseling experience. It's all good. God is faithful and I will keep pluggin' along by applying and working my networks and contacts. Thanks for praying with me on this one!

Prayer of the Weak

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Parker is One Hand Old Today

It's been a quiet week for me on the blog front. Lots going on with internship, finishing up grad school, finding a job, and, oh yeah, family, spiritual life, and mowing my lawn. I'm not crying. It's just a full plate. That's all.

Besides life being full, life is also crazy. My son, Parker, is 5 today. Five freaking years old. Wow.

What an amazing little boy full of life, love, and character. I am so proud to be his daddy. My prayer for him today is that he would continue to grow big and strong: physically, intellectually, and spiritually. But I'm adding to that prayer today. I'm adding...brave.

May, God, in His infinite grace, wisdom, and might, fill your life with bravery, Parker. Bravery to stand up for what is right when everything screams do wrong. Bravery to love no matter what. Bravery to hate sin more than anything else. Bravery to pursue purity and holiness. Bravery to be godly, spend time with godly people, and walk with God Himself.

I love you, Wild Man. Always and forever. No matter what. I am forever grateful that you are my boy.

Prayer of the Weak

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Gangsta Rap: Bert and Ernie Style

In light of the last post being uplifting and full of hope, this music video is full of hilarity and nasty...nasty in the form of parody: Bert and Ernie doing gangsta rap. Awesome! Not sure what these guys are rapping about but the fact that someone put it Sesame Street characters cracks me up!



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