THE MEN WHO FAILED ME

My wife does not think I have a blog. Actually, I have no followers at this moment. I appreciate the blogs of many others and only have time late at night to discuss my ideas or thoughts, so I think for a while, this will be my secret.

For now, I will have to pass on blogging....and actually see my wife before we go to sleep. BR

HONEST THOUGHTS 2010

After I flew to Florida to help with my Grandfather's funeral and to be with family I more and more seriously think about my last days, and the last days of my father. I don't want to be sorry I missed certain things. I surely do not want to have missed the love of my life and the joy we should share together. The truth is, I have her in my life now, I just want to be very careful to appreciate her and to have fun with her.

I want to spend time on the beach together. I want to travel to great locations around the country and abroad. I want to cruise the oceans, taste foods I've never eaten, climb mountains I've never seen and fall in love all over again at each experience. The truth is, we, my "good thing" and I, are getting older. We already hear our bodies talking back to us and see signs of "maturity". Does this mean we should slow down or stop dreaming together, no way. It means, to me at least, that we should not listen to the news, our friends, family or whomever would discourage us from staying young and doing all the things we dream of.

When I add the thought of my kids to the mix and even extended family, I think they also need the blessing of being more than mediocre. I believe they need to see us struggle with live, even when it feels like too much and to see us make each other a priority. And, not just the boring everyday version of each other, but the exciting and adventurous side of each other. The version that we fell in love with those first few months together.

For Shanna and myself, we have talked about going to other cities and other countries. I'm not sure HOW to do this, but I am sure we would love it. We value sharing the experience together, so to go and work all the time or to go and be alone, that is not the plan. To go and have the amazing blessing to experience the new adventure with the person we love most, that is what we are after.

I am getting too tired to continue, so maybe tomorrow. Meanwhile, Shanna if you read this, know that it is my hearts desire to share my everyday and every experience with you and to see you smile. I love you, Happy Valentines Day....

WHY THIS BLOG, WHY NOW.....????

There are many reasons a person may journal or blog. I am beginning this personal blog to help me chronicle thoughts, feelings and events that are significant to me and to do it so that my kids, family and friend might read and understand. I DO NOT believe that my experiences or ideas should be followed by all, however, at this point I would rather leave my thoughts behind for others to glean from than to trap them in my mind or to forget them all together.

Why "The Father's House" -- Because when I think of a safe place to rest, grow and gain wisdom, I think of a home, my Father's home. For me, that really applies to my Heavenly Father, who accepts me in and gives me a home, even though I am a spiritual orphan with a wicked heart. To me, "The Father's House" represents the place God meets with me and brings me life and success. In Christian scripture, the idea of God's House of the Father's House comes with many benefits that are not understood by most.

If my thoughts can be a contemporary picture of life for someone and can help to navigate readers away from trouble and toward success, then the time invested is well worth it. For now, the time is late and my eyes are falling to sleep.

2010 - Seriously!

WHAT GREAT FRIENDS WILL DO - Tonight, on my couch, in my house, with my wife and kids nearby, I experienced something rare. I experienced the powerful love of a friend who offered to pray for me. With no regard for time or tiredness, my dear friends and mentors from Alabama prayed over my family and I, spoke words of encouragement and insight and did more than give their opinions. While others pray for us and encourage us, like my Mother and Stepfather, who also support us in our parenting, activities and financial challenges, most do not. We recognize how difficult life can be for us all, so to have great friends to show this support is rare and frankly, an undeserved blessing that I am deeply thankful for.

NO MEDIOCRE LIFE - One author wrote: "Excelling at being who you are, where you are, with what you have, is to do in now, while you can. Here you will commit to being ruthless with time, patient with the process, and determined to finish well." I like this quote because it does not say I must "do something" to be more than mediocre. Rather, it points out that I begin by just "being". When I have learned the art of excellence in my "being" who God has created me to be, then the potential in my "doing" will be much greater.

2010 - Seriously?

BR - Last year my wife and girls began blogging. I'm not sure if this will be good for me or not, but here I am in a new year, giving it a shot. My "reason" is to express thoughts and impressions about the life around me and in me with the thought that others may benefit from my experiences. Also, I would like to be disciplined to keep a life journal of sorts to help process each step of the way. Lastly, I hope to be an encouragement to many, by making parts of my life experience available to others, with the thinking and ideas that go with it. I don't pretend to possess great wisdom, just great hunger for wisdom. I am up late tonight and would like to get to sleep now, so till next time, peace. - BR