Patience

Patience......This is what I heard from God this morning. This is what I must have, why? Part of me is not sure while part of me knows exactly what he means.


The past few days have been strange for me spiritually. Starting last week I have been feeling something deep with in, I have felt it before, but it kind of settled after a few years. Now it has happened again and I think this time it is for real. During the worship Sunday morning I had an emotional experience. I am not sure when the last time I have felt that feeling when I was worshiping. Don’t get me wrong I have had awesome feeling worship experiences, but this one was deep and I was not sure why.

Later that afternoon me and Jen was lovingly arguing about the grass being cut. She asked when was I going to cut it and I told her that it would be most likely Thursday because we were so busy Monday- Wednesday . She said I really needed to cut it Monday, but I told her I needed to be at skate church Monday, I wasn’t sure why but I really felt like I needed to be there.

Fast forward to Monday, I kind of had a blah day. It wasn’t bad just blah. My eyes had been itching and watering all day and my sinuses were really giving me fits. My boss was gone for the day, so I did all my work and had my afternoon conference call. So the rest of the day I spent on the internet looking at all kinds of things. I did my normal check email,MySpace, Facebook, ESPN,Fantasy Football, and all my weather sites trying to keep up with Hurricane Edouard . I ran out of my normal stuff and started searching for random things and stuff I had not look at for a while. Because of the feeling I had been having I looked at a couple of web sites that I looked at years ago when I was trying to figure out Gods plan for my life. I thought to myself “Forget about it I got way to much on my plate as is”

So I got off work and went on to skate church. I began feeling a little strange, I thought about what Jen said about the grass and thought I would just go home and cut the grass. But I went on to church. There were a bunch of kids there skating on the new ramps and loving it. It was great to see there excitement and trying tricks on new ramps. After the lesson I thought about going home, but there were so many kids there, I thought it would be better if I just hang around outside since some of them began to migrate outside.

I sat on the tail gate of my truck and talked and joked with some of the kids. After a while they went on back to skate and I just sat there playing with my phone.Mike walked over and sat next to me, we began to catch up on things .It seems like we do this about once every month or so, he will come to skate church and we will sit on the tail gate and catch up on life.After a few minutes he asked me a question. I was some what stunned, I mean I should not have been because I knew it was from God because it made it more clear to me what this deep spiritual stirring I had been having the last few days meant . We were briefly interrupted by someone and then there were a few parents that came to pick up there kids that deserved our attention. Then we sat back on the tail gate and talked some more about it. I shared what I had been feeling the past few days and I believe it had a impact on Mike, he asked if I had been talking with LeAlan , and I told him no and he kind of took a step back , smiled and said “ We need to get together and talk real soon”.


After we left I drove home in silence, I prayed a while and asked God to help me understand more of this.I told him I would drive in silence for the next few days and listen.

This morning we woke up late and I told Jen I would take the girls to moms.After dropping them off I got on the interstate headed for work. I was on I-59 near Hueytown when traffic began to slow down, about 6 18 wheelers in both lanes. I was already late and I was about to get frustrated when in the back of my mind I heard “ PATIENCE” .
There it was, God had spoke to me. In that one word I heard a lot. I heard God telling me that his calling on my life was in motion, not immediate but immanent.

I got to work and settled in. I pulled up Yahoo and typed in patience. The first to come up was the all knowing Wikipedia and here is what it said.

Patience (ˈpā-shənz) is the state of endurance under difficult circumstances. This can mean persevering in the face of delay or provocation without becoming annoyed or upset; or exhibiting forbearance when under strain, especially when faced with longer-term difficulties. It is also used to refer to the character trait of being steadfast. Antonyms include hasty and impetuous.


It also had a section on patience in reference to religon.


Christianity
In the Christian religion, patience is one of the most valuable virtues of life. Increasing patience is viewed as the work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian who has accepted the gift of salvation. While patience is not one of the traditional biblical three theological virtues nor one of the traditional four cardinal virtues, it is one of the seven virtues


Hebrews 6:12

We do not want you to become lazy. Be like those who through faith and patience will receive what God has promised


Patience……..


Grace and Peace

Aheist confuse me

I am confused about atheist......I mean if you don't believe in something, why put so much passion into something you don't believe in. I don't believe in budda,big foot or the tooth fairy and you don't see me with some kind of master plan to over throw those who do believe. I'm not going around makeing websites, t-shirts or writing lyrics to songs about things I don't believe in.



I came across this clothing company called Hexed,(the pic above) and it just amazed me why someone would print up hundreds of shirts that say "God Free Youth",it just doesn't make since. I try to find logic in things like this. I mean I understand the abortion thing, to a degree I understand the racial thing and I kind of understand the take God out of school and goverment thing,(my personal belief is to take God out and put people who are actual Christ followers in and the rest will fall into place. We try to prop God up as being the face of America when the leaders are just doing what ever they want and hiding behind a God mask.....this is a whole seperate blog of its own) But to wage a war on something you don't believe in.....come on don't you have better things to do. I mean, there are other things out there that people don't belive in that needs atteninion. I don't see any "UFO Free America" or "Ghost Free Nation" shirts out there, or how bout a "We Really Did Not Land on the Moon Free World" shirt


I am not sure what it is about me believing in God that bothers people, but it makes me wonder if it is because deep down inside everyone does believe in something, and deep within they are searching for something.Because if you are a true 100% atheist, then what ever anyone says about thier god, Christian,buddist,muslim,jew or hindu, it should not bother you because you don't believe.

Top 5 signs you know your in West Blockton

Ok, so we went to Trevars graduation in West Blockton last night, it was great to see him walk across and get his diploma and walk away as a high school graduate ready to start the next part of his life, but I had a really hard time enjoying the moment because of my surroundings.
Now I have never considered myself a high class snooty richie rich type, and at the same time, even though I am from the south and a proud graduate of McAdory High School, I have never considered my self a red neck. But this day really made me a proud citizen of Guadalahoover. Below I have listed the Top 5 signs you know your in West Blockton.


5) Graduation= Blockton girls night out.

It did not take long for us to spot a girl in her best outfit or as Jen put it “ She is ready to go clubin tonight!”
I know there is not much to do in Blockton and evidently they us nights like this to look their finest. I know I saw at least 6 girls with short tight skirts and some sort of small tiny shirt with no back in it. I have seen women on Bourbon St .dress with more class

4) Rebel flags and trucks.

This doesn’t need that much explanation. Every small town has one or many , and as the night was winding down I was beginning to get a little disappointed because I had not seen one. But then as we were walking back to the truck, there it was, a large Dodge Ram pick up jacked up as far as it could get and a huge, I mean bed sheet huge, rebel flag flying in the wind.

3) Strange Interracial relationship

By all means I am not against interracial relationships, contrary to what some people believe , I am in a interracial relationship, at least half interracial. For some reason people do not look at mine and Jens marriage as being interracial because she is half Chinese, for some reason in this society only black and white couples fit this category . I have even had a friend look at a black/white couple and be like “gross” but when I said “What about me and Jen” they said well…that’s different, not sure how. I digress.
So as I was walking up to the football stadium to take a seat for the graduation, I saw a nice looking black lady.She was dressed pretty much like , what Jen would refer to as a “ hoochie mama” Very very tight short skirt that showed her apple bottom off really well and a really tight shirt that showed her.....upper half very well. She would have easily fit well in any Snoop Dog, Jay Z, or Flo Rider video. But as I walked up to get a look at who she was, not only talking with, but giving that flirty googley eye to , it was a white guy who I am pretty sure has rode a bull or two in his life and I’m pretty sure was the owner of the Dodge Ram with the rebel flag. So I guess in Blockton when the pickin is slim, anything is possible.


2) Granny and a Polaroid

There was this moment I had a flash back to 1988. As they were calling the names for the students to get their diploma, I saw this proud granny rushing down to the fence to take a picture of her grandson as he walked across the 50 yard line to get his diploma, as she turned around with a great big smile on here face, I saw it, it was like seeing a relic from the 15th century. Jen and I immediately looked at one another and smiled, granny was rockin a Polaroid, and not just any Polaroid. This was the large flat one,it kinda looked like a 13 inch Mac Book, it had the button on the side and when you pushed it, it popped up in a wedge with the flash on top. It was an awesome moment, everything around me begin to move slow as she walked up the steps back to her seat fanning it, apparently granny had been listening to Outkast to much and was “Shaking it like a Polaroid picture”, not her butt but the actual picture. I don’t think granny knows it , but your actually not suppose to shake a Polaroid picture.



1) The Streaker

That is really all I need to say, but I will give details.

As the commencement ceremony began to wind down, and all of the students and faculty were leaving the football field, coming from the visiting end zone, from east to west, was a man in nothing but thong ,tennis shoes, and a JFK mask, yes a John Fitzgerald Kennedy mask. He came running from one end zone to the other, out of the gate and in to the woods. It was absolutely the icing on the cake. It happened so fast Jen was not able to get the camera up in time to take a picture. I would love to have had a pic to add to this blog. I believe the funniest part, was the principal in his ceremony gown along with a few other teachers running towards the woods to try and capture the speedy culprit.

Needless to say this was as much an adventure as it was a ceremony celebrating Trevars graduation. But over all it was great to see Travar get his diploma and see all his friends come up and take pictures and give hugs as they all begin the next step in their life. I am a proud uncle. And to top off the night, we went to Logans and had a big steak!!!!

"Shocker Baseball is on the air"

The best time of the year is here, Shockers baseball. The boys of summer are back and better than ever. We started this year off on the same pace as last year, but a bit better. The 3rd annual Jim and Nicks Classic Tournament is the preseason tournament for the BMBL (Birmingham Metro Baseball League) . Just like last year we made it to the championship game. Day one (Saturday) , we had a bye for game 1 so we played the winner of the Mudcats/ Juggernauts game. Both pitchers we strong and we went into extra innings ( we only play 4 innings in the opening tournament) it was 0-0 going into the bottom of the 5th, lead off hitter , Nate Collins was able to get on first. Next pitch was a passed ball and he made it to 2nd base , two pitches later Nate went to steal 3rd base and the catcher over threw the 3rd baseman allowing Nate to score and give the Shockers a 1-0 win over the Juggernaughts and the first win of the ’08 season. Later that after noon we faced the Dodgers in a tough extra inning loss 3-2, the winner of this game went on to the championship game, while the looser played one more game to make it to the championship. So on to Sunday day two. At 1:00 we faced the Bama Bash for the spot in the championship game. We came out on fire scoring early and playing solid defense behind great pitching. Shockers win 4-0 and a chance to be tourney champs. But unfortunately, we did not have the pitching to go 7 innings for the championship game .We ended up losing 12-5, but it was much better than last year when we made it to the championship game and faced a Montgomery team that had all former pro baseball players, and took a 23-2 stomping. So over all I was pleased, we have a great bunch of guys and I am excited about this year. To top my Sunday off, after the game I was asked to speak at Trevar’s graduation dinner. It was a blast, any time I get to get up in front of a crowd and get to act crazy with Trevar is always great. It is hard to believe that Thursday he will have graduated and on his way to collage…….Man I am getting old!

I am a bad blogger

I have not updated this in a month. I always open up my blog and type a little at a time and then never publish it. So today I may not add much, but I will publish it.


My weekend in a nutshell, Friday cut grass and chilled at home with the Fam. Sat. morning NOTHING!!! Sat. afternoon, graduation party at Jarrod and Mollies and then crawfish boil graduation party at church for Andrews birthday/graduation.....Crawfish was great! Sunday church, great service, Sunday afternoon, Iron Man with Jordan and Trevar. Best super hero movie EVER!!!!!!!The secret part at the end of the credits, blew me away. I never saw that coming. Sunday night ate cheeze ravioli and meat balls wit the Fam and helped Jen get ready for her trip to Nashvegas.

I'll miss her :o(


Grace and Peace and Crawfish ;o)

New Orleans, a love hate relationship

New Orleans is a wonderful city. The food is increible, the people are like no other, the history is intriguing and the architecture is simply beautiful. I have all ways had a love for the Cajun and Creole cuisine, the spices they use give it a flavor like no other. The heat from the spices is just enough to give you that feeling deep in your throat, it doesn’t over power the flavor of the main ingredient, and it just gives it that unique flavor that is New Orleans.

The French and Spanish history is felt in the architecture around the French Quarters. With the narrow roads and colorful buildings, it is a great place to take pictures. Jen and I discussed going back by ourselves in the near future so we can take our time and get the shots we want to get at the right time of day with the best lighting.

Like the title says I have a love hate relationship with the Big Easy. I love the food, people, history, and architecture, but I hate the night life .Of course I have never been much of a partier, especially when it comes to clubs and bars, and this town never sleeps. I mean seriously, I woke up at 8 AM Sunday morning to take pictures and while I was walking down Bourbon St, there were at least 3 bars opened and at least a dozen or so people at the bars drinking…..I mean seriously people, come on it is 8 AM on a Sunday morning, do you really need to toss back a cold one that early.

But seriously, this town has an evil side. I mean strip joints all over, girls, bars, girls, clubs, girls and drunk girls on top of that. I am not perfect ,by all means, I strive my best to be the person God wants me to be, but the temptations of this place is way, way strong. So the best thing for me to do at night is, you guessed it, STAY IN THE HOTEL. I did go to Bourbon St for a few hours on Sat. night, but it definitely was as much as I could take. A lot of this stuff I just don’t get, I mean I never understood the whole bead thing, I mean I understand it, but I just don’t understand it. If that makes any sense. I mean if a chick wants to show off her stuff, why not just go around pulling your shirt up for all the guys you are attracted too, I mean do these ladies think that the are a more classier women because the did it for beads? I mean really, and what was up with the whole fascination with the penis, there was this one chick that was caring around an inflatable penis, it was like 5 foot tall. I just don’t understand.

Don’t get me wrong there are a lot of great establishments on Bourbon St; I enjoyed the time we had at Pat O’Brien’s, they had great food and a great atmosphere, but that is where my fun stopped on Bourbon St. that night. After Pat O’s we went to the Cats Meow Karaoke bar, which is the first place I say inflatable penis girl, I spent the entire time watching some chick get up and act like she was some kind of super rock star, singing and dancing provocatively on the stage, while all the guys in the crowd tried to look up her, short, short dress.

The best time, I had on the trip was the time Jen and I spent walking the Quarters and down the Moon Walk by the Mississippi. I missed my girls, but it definitely was relaxing not having to chase a 4 year old all over the Quarters and have a 10 year old complain when she did not want to do want the rest of the family was doing.

Also the other best time was, after we left “Britanny Spears” back at the Cats Meow, we stopped by my new friend Rafael Amandis‘s place La Habana Hemingway Cigars on Toulouse St. And grabbed a few of his house cut cigars, San Gabriel " Smoofh, they are very very Smoofh" and then went back and sat in the court yard and relaxed with a cigar and a Hawaiian Punch.

Also on a side note, I believe New Orleans to be border line communist; there was no where in the entire city that I could get a sweet tea, another item to add to the love hate list.

BIG WEEKEND... Jen is home and Ham radio contest

I haven't had a chance to update my blog this week. Last weekend was busy, Saturday night was fun hanging out with everyone for Jens birthday at The Iguana Grill, even though we did not all get to sit together or at the same time.Thanks for everyones patience and understanding. I know Jen has allot of people who love her and wanted to be a part of the celebration, but I think we were both suprised at how many came out.Thanks a ton ,we really look at all you guys as family and it meant allot to us both.We love you guys.

Saturday was really fun for me as well.Before going to Jens birthday gathering, I went to Dalton Georgia with my uncle and fellow ham radio operator, Kevin, to go to the Dalton Ham Fest.I always love going to these things, you see so much radio equipment and a ton of strange people.I know it seems weird to those of you who do not know about this strange hobby I have, especially since I have never really shared this side of myself with the majority of you who read my blog.The best part about going to the Dalton Ham Fest is getting to go to Sticky Fingers BBQ in Chattanooga. This is by far the best BBQ joint around and I really wish they would bring one to B'ham.

Anyway the rest of the week was BLAH! Sunday we skipped church since Jen had a ton of things to do before she left for Louisiana so we were busy getting laundry done and the girls things ready for the following week.Tuesday was about the only day that I really had a great day. It started in the morning after I dropped the girls off at school, I was driving to work and I turned on my ham radio and started scanning the dial, I head a distant station calling CQ (CQ means "is any station listening" This is waht you say when you are trying to make contact with another ham radio operator)the signal was weak for a minute and then came booming in really loud, the stations call was UA3BS, I am not really familiar with all the prefixes for other stations out side the US. I knew as soon as I heard it it was an international call sign.Anyway we made contact with one another and swapped greatings and locations, thats when I found out he was in Russia.I was like WOW!!!, this is huge. I have spoken to European countries before on my radio at the house, but it was really cool to do it while I was driving to work in my truck.Anyway we spoke a few munutes and then the static covered his signal up so I begin to scan around some more when I heard another station calling CQ, it was a guy from Italy who had a really strong signal and we talked all the way until I got to work.So the rest of the day for me was awesome, just because of the excitment of making those two contacts going to work.I know I am weird,but I love this stuff.Later that night after I got home from work I turned my radio on and begin to make a bunch of contacts all over the mid-west and even a few into California. The girls were at Jens moms house, so I could concentrate on radio time.

The rest of the week was so so, each day me and the girls, including Pam Pam, was missing Jen more and more.

Well today is Friday and Jen is on her way home.And I am very excited.This weekend will be another busy one, we have Shocker practice tomorrow and all weekend there is a International DX contest( another ham radio event.DX is short for long distance communications,don't ask me why it just what the decided on 100's of years ago) During a 48 hour period starting tonight at 6 PM, a ton of amateur radio operators will see how many international contacts they can make. I will not really be participating in the contest since we will so busy, but I do plan on getting on the radio and making a few contacts.And Jen will be home so the girls and my self will be busy making up for the lack of mamah or mahma time.



Have a great weekend!