Hello Everyone,
As you may have noticed I have no posted in two days, I spend Sunday's with my family and I did not want to leave them for an hour to read and post. As for Monday, I spent the day hanging out with a close friend, so I am sorry for skipping a day, but it was much needed.
Moving on, Today was in our fourth section of our reading which is; Mark Chapter Nine, A day in the Life of Jesus.
This is kind of a short chapter, but I did find some small things to talk about. In this chapter, Jesus takes Peter, James and John to the top of a mountain. At the top of the mountain Moses and Elijah show up, and Jesus' clothes turn to pure white, and then a loud voice comes from the clouds and say's "This is my son, Listen to him."
When they left the mountain, Jesus told Peter, James and John to not tell anyone of what they saw, until the son of man rose from the dead. Peter, James and John, agreed but they had no idea what Jesus was talking about, but they were scared to ask.
I find that a interesting part of the story, That Peter, James and John where to scared to ask Jesus what he was talking about. I mean, out of all the things they see Jesus do, They are to scared to ask him, but I guess when you think about it, Jesus is talking about a man rising from the dead, I would have to admit, if someone started to me about that I would give them that look like "Do you need help?" It just sticks out to me, I thought they would be ready for anything.
I am going to leave you with a question today:
In mark Nine, The stories includes both high and lows in the disciples experience. What would a graph of your spiritual journey look like?
Mine would start at age 10. A giant spike in the chart at age 10, then it would slowly drop until age 13, when I gave my life over to him again, then it would spike up again. Between age 14 and 17.5 in would be dropping to almost zero. At age 17.5 I began to go to church because my wonderful girl friend (now wife) really wanted me to come. And ever since then I have been walking faster and faster to find Christ.
Explain your to me in the comments below, I'd love to hear about your journey.
God Bless,
Eric
A place to learn and discuss better ways to life live for God...
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
A Guided Tour; Wk 1 Part 3
Brief introductory credits flash on the screen, Then the camera pans across an expanse of bleached sand, inhabited mostly by scorpions, lizards and tarantulas. At last, through the shimmering heat a tone figure appears: an eccentric wearing camel's hair and crying somthing in the think desert air. So begins Mark.
I think Mark, to be like a action movie, He is very direct with his stories, very little dialogue but tones of action. I love it. Mark spills out four maraicles in the first chapter and covers the important parts and leaves out small details. Not saying the small details are not important, just not for Mark. I think of his as a modern, reading a book on the go kind of guy.
In this chapter, we hear about John preparing the way for the coming on the Lord, Short and sweet from Mark, moves onto "The Calling of the First Disciples" We get a small short story on how Jesus found his crew. I think it is so cool, that he is just walking down the road, call's out to these guys and is like, Hey! Leave you stuff, Come hang with me. I'll make you fishers of men. To cool, talk about any awesome way to pick friends. After this we read about Jesus driving out an evil spirit, He was in Capernaum and on Sunday he went into the synagogue and begin to teach. (DAD NOTE; Notice, Jesus was always teaching, not preaching. Think about that.) The bible says he would teach with authority, not of law. That was different to the people and it stuck out to them. A man, possessed by an evil spirit, then cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - The Holy One of God!" (Mark 1:24) Jesus, replied "Be quiet!" "Come out of him!" (Mark 1:25) The evil spirit shook the man violently and then came out of him with a shriek. Mark then says the people were all so amazed that they asked each, "What is This? A new teaching and wit authority!"
Once again, I feel that emotions are let out, I do not know what your beliefs are, but I believe that there are people right now today who God has chosen to do those type of things. If you have ever seen anything like this, Amazed is not the right word at all! I saw some thing just like this, once, and I'll never forget it. I was speechless for about an hour, I could not believe what I just saw, actually I did not really believe it till about 2 years later.
Jesus then heals Mary, Not his mother, but Simon's mother in law. She was in bed with a fever, his crew informed him about her. Jesus then went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. After that, the town came to the door and brought the sick and demon possessed. Mark states in verse 34 that Jesus held many, and cast out many demons, not letting them speak.
This scene reminds me of the transporter movie, when he is in the garage fighting off like 25 "evil" guys sliding threw the oil with the peddle bike peddles on his feet. It's an awesome fight scene, that last's a total of 50 seconds. Much like this story. Mark, leaves out all details of Jesus' work in this story except for what he did for Simon's mother-in-law. I find it odd, but yet it is still practiced today with famous writers and movie makers, the "hero" does so much cool stuff in the movie or book, they can not explain everything, or else the movie would be 3 days long, and the book would make the dictionary look like a child's bedtime story.
My favorite story in this chapter is when Jesus goes to pray in a solitary place, first off, I love solitary places. I am blessed right now to have a lot of free time, and time for me to reflect on my life, and become closer with God. But yet, I still find myself leaving my house and going to a quite place. Even though I bring my puppy with me, There is just some thing about getting out, and going some where to be with God. In this story, Jesus leaves his crew and heads off to his place to pray to God. After some time, his crew started to worry so they went looking for him, and when they found him they stated; "Everyone is looking for you!" Jesus did not answer him, instead he said, Lets go to other towns so I can do this everywhere.
I find it very awesome that he did not feel the need to explain himself to anyone. I think back to Luke, when his parents found him after 3 days of looking, and he stated; Well, where else did you think I would be. Again same case, Well, where else did you think I would be. I think that is so cool.
I was upstairs in my bedroom a few days ago, and my oldest son was playing in his room across the hall, He plays with his toys cars and calls them Mommy and Daddy and Braiden, and Papa and Caleb and so on. Well one evening, I kept hearing him yell, "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" So of course I come running into his room yelling "What! What! What's wrong, Are you O.K." and he looked right at me, with eyes wide open and a shocked look on his face, then he looks behind him, see's no one then points to his chest and says "Me? I not talking to you Daddy, I talking to him (pointing to Doc, his toy car) Daddy!" I think of that when I think of Jesus' crew, or his parents, coming to find him. I can see the reaction in my son's face to be the same.
In reading this chapter, I learned some more information about Jesus but I was thinking today of how I could take some thing from this chapter and apply it to my life, and I think one of the biggest points in this chapter is that Jesus, was always teaching his followers, he was not commanding laws and rules, he was offering a way to God through him, but only if you wanted it. I want to have that skill in begin a father, I want to be able to show my kids everything they need to know, but yet give them the choice no matter which way they will go. I am finding that is the hardest thing to do, even though I know, pulling the dogs tail will make her bark, I still have to still here and watch Bam get scared when it happens. I feel the sooner I start to teach rather than rule the better.
May God bless you this weekend,
Eric
Find me on:
I think Mark, to be like a action movie, He is very direct with his stories, very little dialogue but tones of action. I love it. Mark spills out four maraicles in the first chapter and covers the important parts and leaves out small details. Not saying the small details are not important, just not for Mark. I think of his as a modern, reading a book on the go kind of guy.
In this chapter, we hear about John preparing the way for the coming on the Lord, Short and sweet from Mark, moves onto "The Calling of the First Disciples" We get a small short story on how Jesus found his crew. I think it is so cool, that he is just walking down the road, call's out to these guys and is like, Hey! Leave you stuff, Come hang with me. I'll make you fishers of men. To cool, talk about any awesome way to pick friends. After this we read about Jesus driving out an evil spirit, He was in Capernaum and on Sunday he went into the synagogue and begin to teach. (DAD NOTE; Notice, Jesus was always teaching, not preaching. Think about that.) The bible says he would teach with authority, not of law. That was different to the people and it stuck out to them. A man, possessed by an evil spirit, then cried out, "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - The Holy One of God!" (Mark 1:24) Jesus, replied "Be quiet!" "Come out of him!" (Mark 1:25) The evil spirit shook the man violently and then came out of him with a shriek. Mark then says the people were all so amazed that they asked each, "What is This? A new teaching and wit authority!"
Once again, I feel that emotions are let out, I do not know what your beliefs are, but I believe that there are people right now today who God has chosen to do those type of things. If you have ever seen anything like this, Amazed is not the right word at all! I saw some thing just like this, once, and I'll never forget it. I was speechless for about an hour, I could not believe what I just saw, actually I did not really believe it till about 2 years later.
Jesus then heals Mary, Not his mother, but Simon's mother in law. She was in bed with a fever, his crew informed him about her. Jesus then went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. After that, the town came to the door and brought the sick and demon possessed. Mark states in verse 34 that Jesus held many, and cast out many demons, not letting them speak.
This scene reminds me of the transporter movie, when he is in the garage fighting off like 25 "evil" guys sliding threw the oil with the peddle bike peddles on his feet. It's an awesome fight scene, that last's a total of 50 seconds. Much like this story. Mark, leaves out all details of Jesus' work in this story except for what he did for Simon's mother-in-law. I find it odd, but yet it is still practiced today with famous writers and movie makers, the "hero" does so much cool stuff in the movie or book, they can not explain everything, or else the movie would be 3 days long, and the book would make the dictionary look like a child's bedtime story.
My favorite story in this chapter is when Jesus goes to pray in a solitary place, first off, I love solitary places. I am blessed right now to have a lot of free time, and time for me to reflect on my life, and become closer with God. But yet, I still find myself leaving my house and going to a quite place. Even though I bring my puppy with me, There is just some thing about getting out, and going some where to be with God. In this story, Jesus leaves his crew and heads off to his place to pray to God. After some time, his crew started to worry so they went looking for him, and when they found him they stated; "Everyone is looking for you!" Jesus did not answer him, instead he said, Lets go to other towns so I can do this everywhere.
I find it very awesome that he did not feel the need to explain himself to anyone. I think back to Luke, when his parents found him after 3 days of looking, and he stated; Well, where else did you think I would be. Again same case, Well, where else did you think I would be. I think that is so cool.
I was upstairs in my bedroom a few days ago, and my oldest son was playing in his room across the hall, He plays with his toys cars and calls them Mommy and Daddy and Braiden, and Papa and Caleb and so on. Well one evening, I kept hearing him yell, "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" So of course I come running into his room yelling "What! What! What's wrong, Are you O.K." and he looked right at me, with eyes wide open and a shocked look on his face, then he looks behind him, see's no one then points to his chest and says "Me? I not talking to you Daddy, I talking to him (pointing to Doc, his toy car) Daddy!" I think of that when I think of Jesus' crew, or his parents, coming to find him. I can see the reaction in my son's face to be the same.
In reading this chapter, I learned some more information about Jesus but I was thinking today of how I could take some thing from this chapter and apply it to my life, and I think one of the biggest points in this chapter is that Jesus, was always teaching his followers, he was not commanding laws and rules, he was offering a way to God through him, but only if you wanted it. I want to have that skill in begin a father, I want to be able to show my kids everything they need to know, but yet give them the choice no matter which way they will go. I am finding that is the hardest thing to do, even though I know, pulling the dogs tail will make her bark, I still have to still here and watch Bam get scared when it happens. I feel the sooner I start to teach rather than rule the better.
May God bless you this weekend,
Eric
Find me on:
Facebook; TheEric Milliron
Twitter: @TheEricMilliron
Email: TheEricMilliron@ymail.com
Jeremiah 29:11
Friday, December 10, 2010
A Guided Tour; Wk 1 Part 2
Welcome back, I hope you enjoyed yesterdays reading. Today we will be continuing in Luke, Chapter 2. The Birth of Jesus. The introduction, is fit for this time of the year, We all know the Christmas Story, Mary and Joesph had to go to Bethlehem for a census and Mary gave birth to her firstborn son, Jesus. Since we all know this story so well I am going to move onto the next, which is Jesus begin presented in the Temple.
On the Eight day, it was time to circumcise Jesus, So Mary and Joesph took Jesus to the Temple, there at the Temple they were informed by two people, That their son would do great works. First was a man named, Simeon, The Bible states that he had been revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts, He took Jesus into his arms and said: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people. A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. " (Luke 2:29-32)
Ok lets think about this, So you just have your child, you take him to Church 8 days later, and a old and wise man comes into Church and picks up your child and tells you he is a the Lord's salvation, and He is going to save the world. Umm, ok, If I some one told me that when Troy or Braiden was born, I would be freaking out, but no, Mary and Joesph are marveled at what is send about there son. Marveled? Marveled? I think that may be a understatement. Although, from the get go they have been told that he is the son of God, so maybe that has something to do with how they reacted, but I try to put myself in place of Joesph, I would be scared to death, or I would be so excited jumping up and down. Maybe Luke did not want to take up 30 pages with how the parents felt, but I think he could of used a better word choice than marveled. Moving on.
The next time we hear about Jesus' childhood from Luke is in verse 41. Every year they went to Temple to celebrate Passover, one year was different. Jesus is now 12 years old, and they go to celebrate, and when they are leaving, Jesus stays at the temple without his parents knowing. A full day later, they realize that Jesus is no longer with them and they return to the Temple. 3 days later, they get back to the Temple to find their son, a 12 year old, sitting among older men talking and asking questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding.
I have been to discussions with my Dad at younger ages like that, and I can think of how I felt. I was bored to tears, I did not understand half of the things they where talking about. But yet, Jesus is holding conversations with men in the Temple, and not your average 12 year old conversations, no the Bible says everyone was amazed at his understanding. Meaning he was holding amazing conversations and asking questions that made people turn heads and listen themselves. That is pretty amazing. I have conversations with my 3 year old sometimes where I'm like, "Where did you learn that?"
Mary and Joesph, finally got back to the Temple 3 days later, and asked Jesus, why he did that to them, they were worried sick, and all he had to say was "Why where you searching for me?" "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"
Take a second and read that again. Now think about this, You are in Walmart, and your child runs off to the toy section without you knowing. If that has ever happened to you, you know that first feeling that hits you like a Mac Truck. Image, not begin able to find your child for three days. Ok so know you know how Mary and Joesph felt, then put in his remark to them asking why he did it. Think of your child saying, "Well why where you searching all over, you should of know I would be with the Toys." Yeah O.K. My son would be in a world of trouble. A world. That just sounds like a smart remark to me, but there is nothing to support that his parents where upset, What it does say is that Mary treasured all of these things in her heart.
What do you think that means? She treasured all of these things in her heart. Leave your comments below. :)
God Bless,
Eric
On the Eight day, it was time to circumcise Jesus, So Mary and Joesph took Jesus to the Temple, there at the Temple they were informed by two people, That their son would do great works. First was a man named, Simeon, The Bible states that he had been revealed to him that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts, He took Jesus into his arms and said: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people. A light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. " (Luke 2:29-32)
Ok lets think about this, So you just have your child, you take him to Church 8 days later, and a old and wise man comes into Church and picks up your child and tells you he is a the Lord's salvation, and He is going to save the world. Umm, ok, If I some one told me that when Troy or Braiden was born, I would be freaking out, but no, Mary and Joesph are marveled at what is send about there son. Marveled? Marveled? I think that may be a understatement. Although, from the get go they have been told that he is the son of God, so maybe that has something to do with how they reacted, but I try to put myself in place of Joesph, I would be scared to death, or I would be so excited jumping up and down. Maybe Luke did not want to take up 30 pages with how the parents felt, but I think he could of used a better word choice than marveled. Moving on.
The next time we hear about Jesus' childhood from Luke is in verse 41. Every year they went to Temple to celebrate Passover, one year was different. Jesus is now 12 years old, and they go to celebrate, and when they are leaving, Jesus stays at the temple without his parents knowing. A full day later, they realize that Jesus is no longer with them and they return to the Temple. 3 days later, they get back to the Temple to find their son, a 12 year old, sitting among older men talking and asking questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding.
I have been to discussions with my Dad at younger ages like that, and I can think of how I felt. I was bored to tears, I did not understand half of the things they where talking about. But yet, Jesus is holding conversations with men in the Temple, and not your average 12 year old conversations, no the Bible says everyone was amazed at his understanding. Meaning he was holding amazing conversations and asking questions that made people turn heads and listen themselves. That is pretty amazing. I have conversations with my 3 year old sometimes where I'm like, "Where did you learn that?"
Mary and Joesph, finally got back to the Temple 3 days later, and asked Jesus, why he did that to them, they were worried sick, and all he had to say was "Why where you searching for me?" "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?"
Take a second and read that again. Now think about this, You are in Walmart, and your child runs off to the toy section without you knowing. If that has ever happened to you, you know that first feeling that hits you like a Mac Truck. Image, not begin able to find your child for three days. Ok so know you know how Mary and Joesph felt, then put in his remark to them asking why he did it. Think of your child saying, "Well why where you searching all over, you should of know I would be with the Toys." Yeah O.K. My son would be in a world of trouble. A world. That just sounds like a smart remark to me, but there is nothing to support that his parents where upset, What it does say is that Mary treasured all of these things in her heart.
What do you think that means? She treasured all of these things in her heart. Leave your comments below. :)
God Bless,
Eric
Thursday, December 9, 2010
A Guided Tour
Today, December, 09 2010 I started a tour of the bible. The tour is 20 weeks long, broken down into two week sections. I start in Luke 1, chapter 1. I am reading a NIV Student Bible, and todays reading is on Preparing for Jesus's arrival.
If you have never read Luke before, it is a interesting book of the Bible, Luke decided to go around and talk to eye witness' about what they saw and hear. He compiled all of his research into these chapters for us to know in great detail. I personally enjoy reading Luke, simply because I am a history buff, and I love to know how the little details.
Well I want to inform you all, that as most of you know, I am not a pastor, and what I discuss after reading the Bible is my own thoughts, I do not want to lead anyone in the wrong direction. Also, all this discussed, are a discussion, please feel free to post replies in the comments below of your thoughts. Moving on.
Luke 1 Chapter starts off with the birth of John The Baptist (foretold). Herod was the king of Judea and there was a priest name Zechariah, He was married to Elizabeth (who is Mary's sister), they wanted to have children, but Elizabeth was barren, and both where in there old age. Zechariah had been praying for a son, and God had answered his prayer. When Zechariah went into the temple, God sent the angel Gabriel down to tell Zech, that he would have a son. Zech did not believe the angel, which made the angel upset. Gabriel then made it so Zech could not speak until his son was born.
Hold the phone, Ok. Guys think about when you found out that you where going to have a child. What did you do? Who did you talk to? I can remember when I found out. I talked with my best friend for 6 hours at deans dinner, let alone all the talking you do with your wife. Informing friends and family, talking about how you are going to raise him, this and that. Zechariah could not speak, for 6 months. That is crazy! Moving on.
Later in the chapter, We find out that Elizabeth's sister Mary has been blessed with a baby as well. She will be giving birth to a son as well, whom she will name Jesus. Although bought Zech and Mary where scared when the angel came and spoke to them, Mary did not argue with the angel, instead she said that she is the servent of the Lord.
So think about this for a second, A women does all the work in giving birth, she carries the baby, deals with the pains of growing the baby, and Mary just says, I am the Lords servant. But yet Zechariah, does not believe the angel? Wouldn't you think it would be the other way around, Mary's should be been, Wait! Hold on a min. I'm going what? You are who again? Are you sure? Why me? Nope. Not a single thing, just Ok. Sure. No problem. WOW. Ok, that is awesome in it self. Moving on.
We do not learn to much more in the chapter, other than Mary goes visit Elizabeth and that John grows to be a strong man who lives in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.
So I have been thinking about this, and trying to think how I could take anything from this passage. I think one of the biggest things pointed out in this chapter is listening. Listen to Giod, or in this case his angels, but Listening is a hard thing to do. These days it is even harder, With everything that we have going on, but everything that we want to do, it is very hard to listen to God. I met with a small group this pass Tuesday, and we spoke about Peace, and how to get inner peace. One of the biggest points made, was prayer, and that is the same here. The more you pray and talk to God, the more youyou will be able to hear what God is saying, and sometimes showing.
This chapter was a short one, and not full of a whole lot of discussion points, but You have to start some hwere, so I hope you choose to read and follow along with my tour that I am on. Tomorrow, we will be reading Luke 2; The stor of Jesus' Birth.
God's Blessings,
Eric
If you have never read Luke before, it is a interesting book of the Bible, Luke decided to go around and talk to eye witness' about what they saw and hear. He compiled all of his research into these chapters for us to know in great detail. I personally enjoy reading Luke, simply because I am a history buff, and I love to know how the little details.
Well I want to inform you all, that as most of you know, I am not a pastor, and what I discuss after reading the Bible is my own thoughts, I do not want to lead anyone in the wrong direction. Also, all this discussed, are a discussion, please feel free to post replies in the comments below of your thoughts. Moving on.
Luke 1 Chapter starts off with the birth of John The Baptist (foretold). Herod was the king of Judea and there was a priest name Zechariah, He was married to Elizabeth (who is Mary's sister), they wanted to have children, but Elizabeth was barren, and both where in there old age. Zechariah had been praying for a son, and God had answered his prayer. When Zechariah went into the temple, God sent the angel Gabriel down to tell Zech, that he would have a son. Zech did not believe the angel, which made the angel upset. Gabriel then made it so Zech could not speak until his son was born.
Hold the phone, Ok. Guys think about when you found out that you where going to have a child. What did you do? Who did you talk to? I can remember when I found out. I talked with my best friend for 6 hours at deans dinner, let alone all the talking you do with your wife. Informing friends and family, talking about how you are going to raise him, this and that. Zechariah could not speak, for 6 months. That is crazy! Moving on.
Later in the chapter, We find out that Elizabeth's sister Mary has been blessed with a baby as well. She will be giving birth to a son as well, whom she will name Jesus. Although bought Zech and Mary where scared when the angel came and spoke to them, Mary did not argue with the angel, instead she said that she is the servent of the Lord.
So think about this for a second, A women does all the work in giving birth, she carries the baby, deals with the pains of growing the baby, and Mary just says, I am the Lords servant. But yet Zechariah, does not believe the angel? Wouldn't you think it would be the other way around, Mary's should be been, Wait! Hold on a min. I'm going what? You are who again? Are you sure? Why me? Nope. Not a single thing, just Ok. Sure. No problem. WOW. Ok, that is awesome in it self. Moving on.
We do not learn to much more in the chapter, other than Mary goes visit Elizabeth and that John grows to be a strong man who lives in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.
So I have been thinking about this, and trying to think how I could take anything from this passage. I think one of the biggest things pointed out in this chapter is listening. Listen to Giod, or in this case his angels, but Listening is a hard thing to do. These days it is even harder, With everything that we have going on, but everything that we want to do, it is very hard to listen to God. I met with a small group this pass Tuesday, and we spoke about Peace, and how to get inner peace. One of the biggest points made, was prayer, and that is the same here. The more you pray and talk to God, the more youyou will be able to hear what God is saying, and sometimes showing.
This chapter was a short one, and not full of a whole lot of discussion points, but You have to start some hwere, so I hope you choose to read and follow along with my tour that I am on. Tomorrow, we will be reading Luke 2; The stor of Jesus' Birth.
God's Blessings,
Eric
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
My Best Friend
If you would of told me ten years ago that my best friend would be a three foot tall, four year old. I would of thought you where nuts. But turns out you would of been right, if you where the one to say it.
Today, I kept Troy home from daycare and spent the day with him, we made waffles for breakfast, ran to the store to pick up some stuff, we watched "Merry Madagascar" and played with his toys, had lunch together and had such a good time together. While we where sitting together eating lunch, I looked over at my son, and started to remember when he was born, and how I would sit and feed him baby food, and he is eating chicken nuggets all his own and spooning pudding in after every nugget. Gross I know, but still he grew up so fast under my eyes. Everyday he comes home knowing how to say more things, and to watch him play with his toys, and talk to him, you can tell he just loves to make believe.
I began to think about God this afternoon while I am patting Troy's back to put him to sleep, how awesome it must be to be him. Each one of us are his children, I think of all the stuff I missed while I was at work that Troy and Braiden have done, but God, he has never missed a single thing. I think to myself, it would be so cool that when I get to heaven, God has a video camera for me that he recorded things that I have missed from my children's lives. It is times like this that I really think it would be cool to be God. I wish there was some thing more that we as parents could do, but I think it is just a way of life. Every person, I have ever met that has had children, has told me, "Do not take this time for granted, they grow up fast." I can say that I did not believe a single person that told me that until today. I was always looking at it like, "yeah, it will be so cool when he sleeps through the night." "yeah, I can't wait till he talks, crawls, walks, runs,..." next thing I know, he has all of those things done, and I am stilling here looking back going, wait wait wait, I wasn't ready, Start over, I missed that, I missed this, wait... but it's done, he has grown up passed those points. The only thing that I can do now, is spend as much time as I can with my children, and stop wishing for them to complete this stage and move on. It goes fast enough, just enjoy it, even though you hate getting up in the middle of the night, you love the fact that they rest their head into your chest and are comforted, and they fall to sleep in your arms. I miss holding Troy like that, Thankfully I have Braiden to hold, but do not wish things went fast, because I did, and even though it did not make time go after faster, it did make me wish and look passed what he was doing to what he could be doing, and I missed so much.
I did not give much advice today, but I just figured it out for myself a few hours ago, so I'm sorry if it is not that much help. I hope you listen to me when I say, "Do not time this time for granted, they grow up quickly." Because I did not listen to the ones who told me, and I wish I did.
With God's Love,
Eric
Today, I kept Troy home from daycare and spent the day with him, we made waffles for breakfast, ran to the store to pick up some stuff, we watched "Merry Madagascar" and played with his toys, had lunch together and had such a good time together. While we where sitting together eating lunch, I looked over at my son, and started to remember when he was born, and how I would sit and feed him baby food, and he is eating chicken nuggets all his own and spooning pudding in after every nugget. Gross I know, but still he grew up so fast under my eyes. Everyday he comes home knowing how to say more things, and to watch him play with his toys, and talk to him, you can tell he just loves to make believe.
I began to think about God this afternoon while I am patting Troy's back to put him to sleep, how awesome it must be to be him. Each one of us are his children, I think of all the stuff I missed while I was at work that Troy and Braiden have done, but God, he has never missed a single thing. I think to myself, it would be so cool that when I get to heaven, God has a video camera for me that he recorded things that I have missed from my children's lives. It is times like this that I really think it would be cool to be God. I wish there was some thing more that we as parents could do, but I think it is just a way of life. Every person, I have ever met that has had children, has told me, "Do not take this time for granted, they grow up fast." I can say that I did not believe a single person that told me that until today. I was always looking at it like, "yeah, it will be so cool when he sleeps through the night." "yeah, I can't wait till he talks, crawls, walks, runs,..." next thing I know, he has all of those things done, and I am stilling here looking back going, wait wait wait, I wasn't ready, Start over, I missed that, I missed this, wait... but it's done, he has grown up passed those points. The only thing that I can do now, is spend as much time as I can with my children, and stop wishing for them to complete this stage and move on. It goes fast enough, just enjoy it, even though you hate getting up in the middle of the night, you love the fact that they rest their head into your chest and are comforted, and they fall to sleep in your arms. I miss holding Troy like that, Thankfully I have Braiden to hold, but do not wish things went fast, because I did, and even though it did not make time go after faster, it did make me wish and look passed what he was doing to what he could be doing, and I missed so much.
I did not give much advice today, but I just figured it out for myself a few hours ago, so I'm sorry if it is not that much help. I hope you listen to me when I say, "Do not time this time for granted, they grow up quickly." Because I did not listen to the ones who told me, and I wish I did.
With God's Love,
Eric
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Managing
(November 18th, 2010)
At times we as Dad's ( Mom's) find it very hard to complete everything that we need to do. Between the simple task's of waking up the kids, getting lunch's ready for everyone, taking the dog out, going to work, coming home making dinner, playing with the kids & dog, the list goes on. We get caught up in everything, but the worst part of that whole list is that there was no YOU time, let alone God time. I am at a point in my life where I am home all day and Katie is at work with the boys. I have plenty of me time, and even with all of this me time, I am finding myself still going no time to God. I wish I had an answer for everyone out there looking for a way to make the days & nights longer, but I do not. What I do know, is that God can help in so many ways. He can do more than heal a broken heart or give you that raise you have been working so hard for. God can help you with the stress of everyday life. Go to the Lord, in time of need, He will answer your prayer. If you need just five minutes to yourself without the dog barking, or the kids wanting a freeze pop or to watch one more movie. Pray to God in the middle of all the rush, Just say "Lord, Help me, Please, Give me five minutes." You will be surprised as to what will happen, The Lord will answer your prayer.
As for all the other times, non-rush hour, I suggest you find five minutes of your day to speak to God by your self. When I was working I used the time that I would walk from my lunch room to my car to speak to him about my day and to pray for different things going on in my life. I found myself finding all kinds of five minutes gaps in my day, Let alone the 30 minute drive home. The more I talk with God, the move I understand and feel like I am in right with him. I try to talk to him now, when I am on walks with Sophie, and while I am doing work around the house. (since it is very quite with no one hear)
I have a challenge for all of you; I challenge you to put down the computer, that means put down the blog, put down the facebook, put down youtube, put down myspace, for 10 minutes of time that you would normally be on the computer. If your using a laptop and your sitting on your couch, sit down close the laptop put in our your lap just as if you where going to be on the net, and pray. If you use a desktop, sit down turn off the monitor and pray. Pray for 10 minutes, if you thinking, well I don't have anything to pray about, well first off you wrong, but second, talk to God like a friend, Tell him about your day, Tell him about your problems, your joys, your thoughts, your dreams. Talk to him like a very close friend. Ok so here is the rest of the challenge, 10 minutes, for 10 days. After each 10 minute prayer, Open you laptop, or turn on your monitor, go to my facebook page and post, I just spoke to God for 10 minutes. Do that for 10 days in a row. Post it whenever, 7am or 7pm, whenever you can find time. Everyone that completes the challenge will be listed here on my blog as winners. I know it's not much of a prize, but hopefully you will get more from this challenge than that.
God Bless you all, and remember 10 for 10 on my page, starts today!!!
-Eric
At times we as Dad's ( Mom's) find it very hard to complete everything that we need to do. Between the simple task's of waking up the kids, getting lunch's ready for everyone, taking the dog out, going to work, coming home making dinner, playing with the kids & dog, the list goes on. We get caught up in everything, but the worst part of that whole list is that there was no YOU time, let alone God time. I am at a point in my life where I am home all day and Katie is at work with the boys. I have plenty of me time, and even with all of this me time, I am finding myself still going no time to God. I wish I had an answer for everyone out there looking for a way to make the days & nights longer, but I do not. What I do know, is that God can help in so many ways. He can do more than heal a broken heart or give you that raise you have been working so hard for. God can help you with the stress of everyday life. Go to the Lord, in time of need, He will answer your prayer. If you need just five minutes to yourself without the dog barking, or the kids wanting a freeze pop or to watch one more movie. Pray to God in the middle of all the rush, Just say "Lord, Help me, Please, Give me five minutes." You will be surprised as to what will happen, The Lord will answer your prayer.
As for all the other times, non-rush hour, I suggest you find five minutes of your day to speak to God by your self. When I was working I used the time that I would walk from my lunch room to my car to speak to him about my day and to pray for different things going on in my life. I found myself finding all kinds of five minutes gaps in my day, Let alone the 30 minute drive home. The more I talk with God, the move I understand and feel like I am in right with him. I try to talk to him now, when I am on walks with Sophie, and while I am doing work around the house. (since it is very quite with no one hear)
I have a challenge for all of you; I challenge you to put down the computer, that means put down the blog, put down the facebook, put down youtube, put down myspace, for 10 minutes of time that you would normally be on the computer. If your using a laptop and your sitting on your couch, sit down close the laptop put in our your lap just as if you where going to be on the net, and pray. If you use a desktop, sit down turn off the monitor and pray. Pray for 10 minutes, if you thinking, well I don't have anything to pray about, well first off you wrong, but second, talk to God like a friend, Tell him about your day, Tell him about your problems, your joys, your thoughts, your dreams. Talk to him like a very close friend. Ok so here is the rest of the challenge, 10 minutes, for 10 days. After each 10 minute prayer, Open you laptop, or turn on your monitor, go to my facebook page and post, I just spoke to God for 10 minutes. Do that for 10 days in a row. Post it whenever, 7am or 7pm, whenever you can find time. Everyone that completes the challenge will be listed here on my blog as winners. I know it's not much of a prize, but hopefully you will get more from this challenge than that.
God Bless you all, and remember 10 for 10 on my page, starts today!!!
-Eric
Saturday, November 13, 2010
New Ways....
My sister reminded me about my blog, I actually had forgotten all about it. I have tons of time now to write about different things that have been going on in my life and what I have learned. But first I will give you a update to everything that has happened.
First off, Katie and I bought our home that we where in the process of doing last time I wrote, It is a beautiful and wonderful older home here in Blairsville, We both love it so much, We are still unpacking some boxes but we are pretty much moved it, and living happily. I got hurt at work, I twisted my knee and torn my ACL, I had to get surgery, and that went well, But now I am recovering from that. I can walk some what on my own, not very well unless I have my Iron Man brace on. ( lol ) If you where able to see this thing you would call it the same thing, it weigh's about 15 lbs and it goes from my hip to my foot. Any way, so we closed on our home on a Wednesday evening, On Saturday we had family and friends come help us move, which we got done in one day thanks to everyone who came and helped, we could not of done it without you. Then Tuesday came around and I went into surgery, and after that it's pretty much just been me trying to get better between PT and working on it at home, and putting some boxes away and normal life.
Everyone knows packing is stressful, and moving is stressful, and unpacking is stressful, Everyone knows this. But when you through into it, A three year old, someone who can not walk, and cold weather, it get's even worse. But thankfully God was with Katie and I through the whole process of picking the house, buying the house, moving into the house, and living in the house. It took me a long time to understand God's timing for what happened to me with my knee. I could not understand why God would let some thing like this happen to me 20 days before we bought our home. I was mad at him for a many days, and during those days things just kept getting worse, it seemed like my whole world was falling apart, so I chose to pray to God, even though I was still pretty mad at him. When I prayed to him that day, I was told why everything had happened, and then everything made so much sense. Here I am blaming God for letting me get hurt at work, and causing all of these problems, but when he showed me everything that had happened from a different point of view, it made so much sense. God showed it to me so clean, I can actually explain how it worked. Lets say that I did not twist the wrong way at work and cause all of this damage to myself, lets say everything went fine for the next 20 days and we buy our house and start to move. I pick up a box and twist the wrong way, I tear my ACL, I need to have surgery, it happened at home on my own time, 4 days before my health insurance kicked in. Now I am going to be off work, without pay, no health insurance to cover the surgery or the PT, we could not afford that, so I would op out of everything and live with it for the rest of my life. When God showed me that, I understood his timing, he made me think of how he knows the different out comes, and he is watching my life but he has the power to fast forward, and know what is coming, so he can prepare me for it. Our God is a awesome God who cares about us, Yes it sucks that I had to have knee surgery, but it could of been so much worse for us if it wasn't for God's timing and planning ahead.
What I am saying in this story, is when something does not make sense in your life and you turn to God and say "Why God?! Why Now!!!?? How could you let some thing like this happen?!" There is most likely a very good reason for all of it. It is hard not to get upset because things are not going as You planned. But trust me, if you have given your life to God, fear not, Because he has the best TiVo on the market. Trust is the Lord God, and he will guide you in the right direction.
God Bless my friends,
Eric
Ps: You can now follow me on twitter for mini blogs daily @ TheEricMilliron
First off, Katie and I bought our home that we where in the process of doing last time I wrote, It is a beautiful and wonderful older home here in Blairsville, We both love it so much, We are still unpacking some boxes but we are pretty much moved it, and living happily. I got hurt at work, I twisted my knee and torn my ACL, I had to get surgery, and that went well, But now I am recovering from that. I can walk some what on my own, not very well unless I have my Iron Man brace on. ( lol ) If you where able to see this thing you would call it the same thing, it weigh's about 15 lbs and it goes from my hip to my foot. Any way, so we closed on our home on a Wednesday evening, On Saturday we had family and friends come help us move, which we got done in one day thanks to everyone who came and helped, we could not of done it without you. Then Tuesday came around and I went into surgery, and after that it's pretty much just been me trying to get better between PT and working on it at home, and putting some boxes away and normal life.
Everyone knows packing is stressful, and moving is stressful, and unpacking is stressful, Everyone knows this. But when you through into it, A three year old, someone who can not walk, and cold weather, it get's even worse. But thankfully God was with Katie and I through the whole process of picking the house, buying the house, moving into the house, and living in the house. It took me a long time to understand God's timing for what happened to me with my knee. I could not understand why God would let some thing like this happen to me 20 days before we bought our home. I was mad at him for a many days, and during those days things just kept getting worse, it seemed like my whole world was falling apart, so I chose to pray to God, even though I was still pretty mad at him. When I prayed to him that day, I was told why everything had happened, and then everything made so much sense. Here I am blaming God for letting me get hurt at work, and causing all of these problems, but when he showed me everything that had happened from a different point of view, it made so much sense. God showed it to me so clean, I can actually explain how it worked. Lets say that I did not twist the wrong way at work and cause all of this damage to myself, lets say everything went fine for the next 20 days and we buy our house and start to move. I pick up a box and twist the wrong way, I tear my ACL, I need to have surgery, it happened at home on my own time, 4 days before my health insurance kicked in. Now I am going to be off work, without pay, no health insurance to cover the surgery or the PT, we could not afford that, so I would op out of everything and live with it for the rest of my life. When God showed me that, I understood his timing, he made me think of how he knows the different out comes, and he is watching my life but he has the power to fast forward, and know what is coming, so he can prepare me for it. Our God is a awesome God who cares about us, Yes it sucks that I had to have knee surgery, but it could of been so much worse for us if it wasn't for God's timing and planning ahead.
What I am saying in this story, is when something does not make sense in your life and you turn to God and say "Why God?! Why Now!!!?? How could you let some thing like this happen?!" There is most likely a very good reason for all of it. It is hard not to get upset because things are not going as You planned. But trust me, if you have given your life to God, fear not, Because he has the best TiVo on the market. Trust is the Lord God, and he will guide you in the right direction.
God Bless my friends,
Eric
Ps: You can now follow me on twitter for mini blogs daily @ TheEricMilliron
Thursday, September 16, 2010
??Asking??
Hello all, so sorry for the huge 11 day delay. Life is good, Life is great, God is great!!!!! Katie and I have been making deals with the sellers of the house that we like, and I am happy to say, As long as all the paper work go through from the bank, we will be getting the house!! I am very happy and without God involved I would so much more stressed out, but thankfully with him here by my side everything when great.
Today I wanted to talk about asking for help from God. It is in our nature to ask for help when we need it, God made us that way. First off, Never feel bad for asking for help from God, and second never refuse help from anyone, You never know who God sent to help you. There is a story out there, that I have heard from a speaker once. There was a boat out sailing on the ocean, and a storm came about and tipped over his boat and he was left floating on his life vest. The man prayed to God, Please God help me, Help me Lord. save me Lord.... Well the night passed and in the morning a young lady was out in her boat and she pulled up to the man and said "get in" the man replied, "No, I am waiting on God." Another whole day passed, and then the next morning a fisherman came by and said "get in my boat eh." The man replied, "No, I am waiting on God." That night the man was praying to God, asking why he has not saved him yet. "Do you not love me?!?!?" the man said, Finally God replied, "I sent a young women, and a fisherman your way!!" "What more do you want from me!"
I never gave that story much thought before, but now that I am a little more wiser, I have been thinking about it. When I ask God for help, which is daily, I have found myself looking for him, or for some great magical thing. But looking back over time, I see why this person came into my life at this time, or why did I quit this job at this time, or why didn't I buy that car.... so many things are laid out in my life so perfectly, there is no way God has not been with me. Not saying my life was completely easier or anything, just looking back I can see God's hand through everything. Which is a awesome feeling. But in doing all of this I have been thinking about how I asking him things. God wants us to come to him to when we need help, but he wants us to trust in him that we can fix the problem. You know when you take your family on a car trip and someone is always bugging you while your driving, "Are we there yet?", "Can we stop at a rest stop?", "I have to pee...." How upset do you get? How many times are they asking you the same question? Or how about this, Your at work and you have a employee who is new, but not completely new, but every time he gets involved in some thing he is still coming to you asking you for help on the same thing he asking how to do yesterday. Think how God feels when we ask him to help us with a problem, and then keep going back to him asking him for the same thing over and over. I do not know about you, but I HATE begin asked the same question over and over!!!! The way I see it God dislikes it just as much, I know when someone is asking me the same question over and over I can not handle it and a lot of times I blow up, but God does not blow up, but I wonder if he makes us wait just a little bit longer for asking.... You know, kinda like when your kid is in time out and he sneaks that toe off of the couch, and you have to put in for a few more minutes... Kinda like that.
In closing guys/girls I would like to say I am sorry for not posting so often, but Life is great! and so is God!. But I would like to put it out there.... If you feel like you have something to say and would like to put on my blog, please click the comment section and right your own little bit on life.... Of course keep it clean.
Have a great Thursday everyone!
God Bless,
E
Today I wanted to talk about asking for help from God. It is in our nature to ask for help when we need it, God made us that way. First off, Never feel bad for asking for help from God, and second never refuse help from anyone, You never know who God sent to help you. There is a story out there, that I have heard from a speaker once. There was a boat out sailing on the ocean, and a storm came about and tipped over his boat and he was left floating on his life vest. The man prayed to God, Please God help me, Help me Lord. save me Lord.... Well the night passed and in the morning a young lady was out in her boat and she pulled up to the man and said "get in" the man replied, "No, I am waiting on God." Another whole day passed, and then the next morning a fisherman came by and said "get in my boat eh." The man replied, "No, I am waiting on God." That night the man was praying to God, asking why he has not saved him yet. "Do you not love me?!?!?" the man said, Finally God replied, "I sent a young women, and a fisherman your way!!" "What more do you want from me!"
I never gave that story much thought before, but now that I am a little more wiser, I have been thinking about it. When I ask God for help, which is daily, I have found myself looking for him, or for some great magical thing. But looking back over time, I see why this person came into my life at this time, or why did I quit this job at this time, or why didn't I buy that car.... so many things are laid out in my life so perfectly, there is no way God has not been with me. Not saying my life was completely easier or anything, just looking back I can see God's hand through everything. Which is a awesome feeling. But in doing all of this I have been thinking about how I asking him things. God wants us to come to him to when we need help, but he wants us to trust in him that we can fix the problem. You know when you take your family on a car trip and someone is always bugging you while your driving, "Are we there yet?", "Can we stop at a rest stop?", "I have to pee...." How upset do you get? How many times are they asking you the same question? Or how about this, Your at work and you have a employee who is new, but not completely new, but every time he gets involved in some thing he is still coming to you asking you for help on the same thing he asking how to do yesterday. Think how God feels when we ask him to help us with a problem, and then keep going back to him asking him for the same thing over and over. I do not know about you, but I HATE begin asked the same question over and over!!!! The way I see it God dislikes it just as much, I know when someone is asking me the same question over and over I can not handle it and a lot of times I blow up, but God does not blow up, but I wonder if he makes us wait just a little bit longer for asking.... You know, kinda like when your kid is in time out and he sneaks that toe off of the couch, and you have to put in for a few more minutes... Kinda like that.
In closing guys/girls I would like to say I am sorry for not posting so often, but Life is great! and so is God!. But I would like to put it out there.... If you feel like you have something to say and would like to put on my blog, please click the comment section and right your own little bit on life.... Of course keep it clean.
Have a great Thursday everyone!
God Bless,
E
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Ubiquitous
This week has been a very busy,stressful week for me. I have been trying to reach out to a co-worker of mine this week who without a doubt needs God in his life. In doing this, it has put a lot of stress on me during the time when I am at work, and I have found that even after I come home I am still very stressful. Today my pastor spoke about the battle that we face outside of church. About keeping our faith when we leave, and go to work. I find it pretty interesting that he spoke about that this week, since I have been trying to live my life that way at work. While I am trying to reach out to my co-worker I feel it is a affecting my home life, I have been feeling more and more stressful each time I come home. Until today I did not know what was going on, I would come home and it seemed I could not help but to get angry at Katie and the boys. I did not understand why I was so short with them, I found myself wanting to just go to bed and not deal with anything. All week I have felt like a bad husband, and father, and I did not know why until today. This afternoon while everyone was taking a Sunday afternoon nap, I decided to take some time to work on what I was going to post about. As I sat here, I could not come up with anything to talk about, Every time I tried, my mind would fill with other things that have been stressing me this week. Between closing on this new house, and working with my co-worker, and every day issues, I could not focus on a simple thing. My mind was racing so fast I could barely put the creamer into my cup of coffee. Finally I shut the laptop, set my coffee down and stared at the yellow walls in my kitchen and said "Lord, HELP!" I sat here for a few seconds and I realized that not once this week have I gone to God for help. I starting running through my week in my head, not once have I prayed to him asking for advice, or help on anything. I was acting all on my own, then I realized why I was so stressed and confused, and dazed, and short with everyone. Because God was teaching me a lesson, He showed me how life could be without him. A week full of stress and feeling as if I was in a dark room with no one to help, the feeling as if my family was falling apart, everything. I was so worried about helping my co-worker, and making sure all the paper work was signed and to the right person, and that I was at work on time, and that.... you get where I'm going, I simply forgot to turn to him and say, Lord, I need to help today, the tasks of the day are to much, I can not go on without you today. Please be by my side as I walk through the world. The second I turned my eyes to him today, my stress was gone, the directions where loaded, and I had God right back at my side once again to make the trip. Brett was right, we need to be prepared for what we walk into each day, but thankfully, we do not have to do it alone.
I hope this lesson that I learned will help you out as well, just remember to keep God close, and the nothing will ever seem like it impossible.
I'm going to go join my family in the Sunday afternoon nap,
God Bless,
Eric
I hope this lesson that I learned will help you out as well, just remember to keep God close, and the nothing will ever seem like it impossible.
I'm going to go join my family in the Sunday afternoon nap,
God Bless,
Eric
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Daddy Time
It has been a very busy five days let me tell you. Well my past five days was pretty busy, I was blessed very much, I got to spend a of time with my family this week. Katie's job shuts down for a week, and she was able to stay home with the boys and just enjoy life. I on the other hand still had to go to work, but the weekend was nice. We spent Saturday at Kennywood and today we went to the county fair, had a wonderful time as a family.
I would like to talk about the saying "Daddy Time" begin a dad to two boys, I do not hear that term a lot, I'm sure I will later when they can both talk. This weekend begin going to Kennywood and the fair, I over heard a lot of young children asking their dad's to put them on their back, or race them down the walk way, or just push me in the stroller, or hold me in line. A lot of those lines came from my son as well, but he was not the only child saying those things, It made me think of "Daddy Time." Which then made me think, well what is "Daddy Time"? So through out the weekend I was thinking of the times that my son ask's just for me, or when he wants me to do some thing with him. A very big habit of my sons is to watch the movie cars and play with his toys "Cars" on my chair. Instead of watching the movie, he listens to it and has his toys live out the movie. He loves playing on my chair so much, it's hard some times to be able to sit down, but I found that instead of taking his playing area away, if I played with him, he was much happier. Just sitting there having him play on my lap, makes his day some times, it almost makes me feel like I am not around enough, but I realized thats not the case at all, he just loves begin able to play with me when ever, it's not that I am not there enough. This weekend also opened my eyes to other things that are small, but mean a lot to him. While troy and I were standing in line for the "Lil Phantom" ride in kiddie land there were acorns on the ground and like most three year olds, he got the bright idea to throw them at the kids on the ride as it past him. Of course, he got yelled at, but what I learned was, He was doing that out of boredom while waiting in line, and it's not like I was talking with anyone, I was just standing there, so instead of yelling at him countless times like other parents, I pick a few up and starting rolling them like dice on the ground in a small area, he had so much fun, not because of the rolling of acorns, but because I was playing with him. I wish more parents would of caught on, but maybe in time they will, I was able to go through the 40 min line, with only having to tell my child once to stop throwing acorns, not because he is better behaved than any other kid, but because I took the time and sat down next to him and played with him. Today as we were leaving the fair, Troy was pretty tired and in turn starting to cry, along with him baby brother. He wanted to race me to the car, but I was pretty tired and so was Katie and we really didn't feel like running all the way to the car, but whenever we got about 5 cars away I said go and we raced, he had so much fun racing to the car, until he didnt win, but all it took was Katie and I to take a few seconds to be a kid again. Everything is a game to Troy, if I ease up and relax I think begin a dad will be a lot more fun than it already is.
If you have kids I want you to try some thing for me, instead of trying to correct them on everything, try playing with them just for a few seconds while your trying to have that conversation with some one you ran into at the fair, or in the car ride home when it's dark try singing along with the radio, even if you don't know the words, maybe "dance" a little in your seat, as Troy likes to say. Just have fun, family outings are stressful, everyone knows that, between meeting up times and waiting in line times, and potty breaks, and so on and so on, you know what I am talking about. Take the time to play and enjoy your family. Nothing needs to be done, (except for potty breaks), just enjoy the time you have, ask them how their day is going while your in line, try talking to them more, you would be surprised what they talk to you about. In closing, I pray that all of you get the time this year to spend time with your family, and enjoy it all, as stress free as possible.
May God bless you in all that you do today,
Eric
I would like to talk about the saying "Daddy Time" begin a dad to two boys, I do not hear that term a lot, I'm sure I will later when they can both talk. This weekend begin going to Kennywood and the fair, I over heard a lot of young children asking their dad's to put them on their back, or race them down the walk way, or just push me in the stroller, or hold me in line. A lot of those lines came from my son as well, but he was not the only child saying those things, It made me think of "Daddy Time." Which then made me think, well what is "Daddy Time"? So through out the weekend I was thinking of the times that my son ask's just for me, or when he wants me to do some thing with him. A very big habit of my sons is to watch the movie cars and play with his toys "Cars" on my chair. Instead of watching the movie, he listens to it and has his toys live out the movie. He loves playing on my chair so much, it's hard some times to be able to sit down, but I found that instead of taking his playing area away, if I played with him, he was much happier. Just sitting there having him play on my lap, makes his day some times, it almost makes me feel like I am not around enough, but I realized thats not the case at all, he just loves begin able to play with me when ever, it's not that I am not there enough. This weekend also opened my eyes to other things that are small, but mean a lot to him. While troy and I were standing in line for the "Lil Phantom" ride in kiddie land there were acorns on the ground and like most three year olds, he got the bright idea to throw them at the kids on the ride as it past him. Of course, he got yelled at, but what I learned was, He was doing that out of boredom while waiting in line, and it's not like I was talking with anyone, I was just standing there, so instead of yelling at him countless times like other parents, I pick a few up and starting rolling them like dice on the ground in a small area, he had so much fun, not because of the rolling of acorns, but because I was playing with him. I wish more parents would of caught on, but maybe in time they will, I was able to go through the 40 min line, with only having to tell my child once to stop throwing acorns, not because he is better behaved than any other kid, but because I took the time and sat down next to him and played with him. Today as we were leaving the fair, Troy was pretty tired and in turn starting to cry, along with him baby brother. He wanted to race me to the car, but I was pretty tired and so was Katie and we really didn't feel like running all the way to the car, but whenever we got about 5 cars away I said go and we raced, he had so much fun racing to the car, until he didnt win, but all it took was Katie and I to take a few seconds to be a kid again. Everything is a game to Troy, if I ease up and relax I think begin a dad will be a lot more fun than it already is.
If you have kids I want you to try some thing for me, instead of trying to correct them on everything, try playing with them just for a few seconds while your trying to have that conversation with some one you ran into at the fair, or in the car ride home when it's dark try singing along with the radio, even if you don't know the words, maybe "dance" a little in your seat, as Troy likes to say. Just have fun, family outings are stressful, everyone knows that, between meeting up times and waiting in line times, and potty breaks, and so on and so on, you know what I am talking about. Take the time to play and enjoy your family. Nothing needs to be done, (except for potty breaks), just enjoy the time you have, ask them how their day is going while your in line, try talking to them more, you would be surprised what they talk to you about. In closing, I pray that all of you get the time this year to spend time with your family, and enjoy it all, as stress free as possible.
May God bless you in all that you do today,
Eric
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Marriage
I have not posted anything for a few days, and with good reason. I have been praying for God to lead me in the right direction, I found that posting every day is not what he wants, He wants my full heart into every post. Today I will be talking about marriage, about what it means to be married, and what it means to God to be married. If you are able I ask that you get your bible, I will be giving some verses to backup what I am speaking about.
When it all started, God made the earth, animals, birds, and man. In Genesis 2:21 Moses writes; "But for Adam no suitable helper was found. The Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh (22) Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and h brought her to the man. (23) The man said, ""This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called woman for she was taken out of man" (24) For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will be one flesh."
I would like to point out a few things from this passage. First off, man and woman were made for each other, Not man for man, and not woman for woman. Now I do not want to start a debate on the subject, but that is how God started the world, moving on. I noticed when reading this that God made a point to take a rib from man to create woman. Why did God do things this way? I asked myself that, the same God that made the earth, the sky, the animals, the birds, why didn't he just make a woman, why did he take the rib of the man he had already created and create woman. I mean it's not like he did not know how to create a human, he had just done it. Well I think I understand why, As you can see it was the first marriage, of the first humans of the earth. Pretty big deal, they started the fad of marriage, Gods way. Not to say I do not like Gods way of marriage, but I liked my wedding cake much more than I would of liked getting a rib pulled from my body. God thinks so far ahead it's some times hard to keep up, moving on. We see that God intended for man and woman to be ONE, to be married to be one flesh. We have gotten away from that, We have moved onto many different things than what God started. We live with our girlfriends before we are married, we start families before a marriage has taken place, we do not ever get married for what ever reason, we are doing this differently that what he had planned and I think that is why we see a lo of divorces and relationships without marriage.
I chose a old testament verse to show how God intended everything to be, but as we known, God sent Jesus to save our sins, meaning the end of the old and start of the new. Turn with me please to the new testament, the book of Matthew, chapter 19.
(3)Pharisees came to him (Jesus) to test him. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?" (What they are asking him were the current laws, those laws are listed through Deuteronomy) (4)Haven't you read, "he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female, and said, For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? They are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate"
I have be reading about marriage and praying about marriage, not because my wife and I have had problems, but because I feel, that what I have done in my life God has plans for. The sins that I have done, God is going to use for good. One of the things that God has laid on my heart for me to share is the love that I have for my wife. We have been married for 3 years 5 months and 6 days, and I love that I am married to her I would not change it for anything. I feel that I need to share that marriage is not a old testament thing, or law that we do not believe in anymore. Marriage is more than saying your vows in front of your family and having cake and going on a honeymoon, it is a commitment to the one you love that you will be with her, and love her, and care and provide for her. Without a commitment of marriage it is nothing more than some thing that works and is easy, living together and sleeping together and doing everything you would do like you were married, is not O.K. unless you are married. It is hard for anyone in this day, the way the world has turned away from God, to continue to live the way he wants us to. It is not easy to obey his laws and do what is good and right. It is so much easier to go through the motions of good and right, than to actually do them. I love that I am married, and yes at times it is hard, but 90% of the time it is not. I know many young couples just like Katie and I that are not married, that live together and act as if they were, but you can always see the difference. The Lord is involved in our life's, our marriage, when God is not involved, who do you think is? Who do you think is telling you that marriage is a old testament believe and that no one does that kind of thing anymore, and that it is O.K. to go and sleep our of wedlock with your girlfriend, not God, and trust me I have heard both voices, I have been where you are. I have been standing there thinking is this right and hearing two voices tell me different answers and I have felt that push to go in the wrong direction, but I need to tell you, that one of those voices is not on your side, one of those voices is trying to send you the wrong direction. I want you to take the time to listen to both sides and hear both sides. I can tell you how many times I have fought with my wife, I can count them, there are that few of times, and that is not because of us but it is because of the Lord. I ask you to think about marriage, think about the commitment, think about the one you love and if you love her enough to go through the motions, then go for the real thing, it is so much better. It's like having making a Toyota Prius look like it has a 400 big block, instead of really having one, it makes a world of difference. I want to show you that marriage is an awesome thing and if your having fights, or not getting along, or feel that some thing is not right, that God can take care of you, and he loves you, but you have to follow for him to show you the way.....
Pray about marriage, Pray about love, Pray for the right direction,
Eric
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Thursday
Well as most of you known, today is Thursday. Well Thursdays are my day off from my job, and usually these days are spent helping Katie by cleaning up the house since we have both been at work all week, and spending the day with Troy, my oldest. Needless to say I look forward to Thursdays very much, in my line of work having a Saturday off is pretty much impossible, so Thursdays become my Saturday. Well today I did not get to spend the day with Troy, I did clean up the house a little bit which Katie is thankful for, but today I was helping my mother by working on her van so it can pass inspection this month. I went to a friends garage to work on the van and thankfully, he was able to share his garage bay, tools, and workers with me to help me out. It made me think about friendship and how important it is. Matt and I have been friends for a long time, and I have helped him, and he has helped me. It is hard for me to think about my life without having a good friend to help me through so many different things in life.
Our friendship reminds me of my friendship with God, I go to God when I need help with different issues in my life, just like I go to Matt when I need help with a car, or advice on begin a dad, or just when I need someone to talk to about anything. Matt and God, to me, are very much the same. I need God to help me and show me the right direction to take, but many times God has spoken through Matt directly to me. Matt has been a direct line to God for me before, even though I do not think he knows it, he has been.
In my line of work, many guys seen me day after day working on their cars, seeking me for advice, or just working with me. But I only have one true friend that I feel is a close friend. I hope that you have that one true friend, but the great news is that I have one humanly close friend, and one heavenly one. Jesus is my Lord, my savor, my forgiver, and my best friend. I pray that you feel that same way, It is not hard, just like making friends in grade school.
I pray that the Lord God is with you all tonight,
God Bless you and your friends,
Eric
Our friendship reminds me of my friendship with God, I go to God when I need help with different issues in my life, just like I go to Matt when I need help with a car, or advice on begin a dad, or just when I need someone to talk to about anything. Matt and God, to me, are very much the same. I need God to help me and show me the right direction to take, but many times God has spoken through Matt directly to me. Matt has been a direct line to God for me before, even though I do not think he knows it, he has been.
In my line of work, many guys seen me day after day working on their cars, seeking me for advice, or just working with me. But I only have one true friend that I feel is a close friend. I hope that you have that one true friend, but the great news is that I have one humanly close friend, and one heavenly one. Jesus is my Lord, my savor, my forgiver, and my best friend. I pray that you feel that same way, It is not hard, just like making friends in grade school.
I pray that the Lord God is with you all tonight,
God Bless you and your friends,
Eric
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Purpose
I wrote yesterday about how I was not waiting on the Lord for his help, about how I would pray and then just jump into the right direction that I thought would be right. From time to time we do that, we think everything through and go with what we think the best direction is. Well it took me a long time to figure out that, our "best direction" is not always the right direction. I have always had a hard time waiting for some thing, weather it be Christmas morning, or waiting for Katie to finish getting ready to go some where. God does not run on our time clock, he knows how everything is planned out and how it is going to go down. When we asked Jesus for help, we do not know how he is going to help us. We do not know if he is getting a person that we care about or love to call us, or meet us for lunch to help us. We tend to think that when we ask, He, Himself is going to wave his hand and BOOM, it is done, it is fixed, it is taken care of. I mean yeah, he can do that, he said let there be light and BOOM it was light, but that is not how he solves our problems. I have learned that some times, when we ask him for help, he says o.k., I'll help, and he sends a co-worker over just to ask, "hey hows your day going?" or "hey, lets go have lunch, you seem like you want to talk about some thing." Thats God working through people, working through Christians, friends, co-workers. I have learned to open my eyes and my heart, wait for his answer and be prepared for anything.
A while back I was working in a factory, and I hated my job so bad. There was not a thing that I did right, not a single thing person talked to me. On top of it all, I was brand new to fatherhood, and I was working swing shift and we were told to move out of our apartment, that we had just got done painting, and moving into and I needed to find a new house, so on and so on. The stress was just so much, on top of hating my job, I was at the end of my rope. One night I was working midnight shift, and a huge order had come in, I had already been there my eight hours, had already worked well over 40 hours that week. My boss came to me and said "Eric, I need you to stay, John is going home because he did not want to stay. so your staying" I had to no choice, I needed to stay or I knew they would fire me, and I could not lose my job. But I was tired, and God knows Katie was, she was taking care of Troy by her self, but I had to stay. The small piece of rope that was holding me together broke right then and there, and I told myself, thats it I cant do this anymore, I can't work here, I can't handle the stress of finding a new place, or moving, and not having enough money, and not having a life.....you get the idea. On my way home that night, I could not clam down and I decided to take my truck off a bridge on my way home. Now I was about 2 miles away from that bridge, when I came up with that idea, and for those of you that know how I drive, that means God had about a one minute and ten seconds before I came to that bridge. When I was about 500 feet from the bridge I down shifted into third gear and aimed for the guard rail and put my foot to the floor. In that second, my truck went for 80 mph to dead stop. I had not touched the brake pedal, actually my foot was still on the gas, the truck did not shut off, nothing happened. It just stopped. At the same time, I heard a voice, and everything went dark, I thought I was dreaming that the truck stopped and I had already hit the bottom of the river, but I wasn't. The voice spoke to me and said "I have a plan for you, a purpose, I will care for you, and your family. I will provide" The light had come back, and I was sitting safely on the side of the road crying. That was a very dark day for me, even after the light came back, I went home that morning to find Katie and Troy sleeping in my bed waiting for me to come home to wake them like I always did, and that night Katie had left me a note saying, "we had a good night daddy, we missed you, wake us when you come home, Love Katie" I broke down right then and there, I could not believe I almost was not there, never to be there again. The Lord saved my life, end of story.
I have never told anyone about that night except Katie, and I am not proud of the fact that I felt that was the only way to fix my problems, and how selfish I was, to leave Katie by herself. But the Lord had been pushing the issue, for me to share this part of my life, even though I did not want to, I have learned that he is right and I am not always right. I pray that whom ever needed to read that understands that leaving this world on your own directions is not the right way. Jesus has laid down a map for us to follow, and he has given us better directions than a map quest. Jesus has a plan for you, and he will guide your better than a tom tom, if you let him. I know it, it sounds corny, the weekend warrior in me tells me, that it is not true, but believe me, It is. I would not be here if it was not for Jesus, and his plan. Even a weekend warrior can be a part in God's plan. I ask you to talk to him, pray to him, seek his map, seek his direction. You will never wish you had not.
I pray that the Lord blesses you this day,
Eric
A while back I was working in a factory, and I hated my job so bad. There was not a thing that I did right, not a single thing person talked to me. On top of it all, I was brand new to fatherhood, and I was working swing shift and we were told to move out of our apartment, that we had just got done painting, and moving into and I needed to find a new house, so on and so on. The stress was just so much, on top of hating my job, I was at the end of my rope. One night I was working midnight shift, and a huge order had come in, I had already been there my eight hours, had already worked well over 40 hours that week. My boss came to me and said "Eric, I need you to stay, John is going home because he did not want to stay. so your staying" I had to no choice, I needed to stay or I knew they would fire me, and I could not lose my job. But I was tired, and God knows Katie was, she was taking care of Troy by her self, but I had to stay. The small piece of rope that was holding me together broke right then and there, and I told myself, thats it I cant do this anymore, I can't work here, I can't handle the stress of finding a new place, or moving, and not having enough money, and not having a life.....you get the idea. On my way home that night, I could not clam down and I decided to take my truck off a bridge on my way home. Now I was about 2 miles away from that bridge, when I came up with that idea, and for those of you that know how I drive, that means God had about a one minute and ten seconds before I came to that bridge. When I was about 500 feet from the bridge I down shifted into third gear and aimed for the guard rail and put my foot to the floor. In that second, my truck went for 80 mph to dead stop. I had not touched the brake pedal, actually my foot was still on the gas, the truck did not shut off, nothing happened. It just stopped. At the same time, I heard a voice, and everything went dark, I thought I was dreaming that the truck stopped and I had already hit the bottom of the river, but I wasn't. The voice spoke to me and said "I have a plan for you, a purpose, I will care for you, and your family. I will provide" The light had come back, and I was sitting safely on the side of the road crying. That was a very dark day for me, even after the light came back, I went home that morning to find Katie and Troy sleeping in my bed waiting for me to come home to wake them like I always did, and that night Katie had left me a note saying, "we had a good night daddy, we missed you, wake us when you come home, Love Katie" I broke down right then and there, I could not believe I almost was not there, never to be there again. The Lord saved my life, end of story.
I have never told anyone about that night except Katie, and I am not proud of the fact that I felt that was the only way to fix my problems, and how selfish I was, to leave Katie by herself. But the Lord had been pushing the issue, for me to share this part of my life, even though I did not want to, I have learned that he is right and I am not always right. I pray that whom ever needed to read that understands that leaving this world on your own directions is not the right way. Jesus has laid down a map for us to follow, and he has given us better directions than a map quest. Jesus has a plan for you, and he will guide your better than a tom tom, if you let him. I know it, it sounds corny, the weekend warrior in me tells me, that it is not true, but believe me, It is. I would not be here if it was not for Jesus, and his plan. Even a weekend warrior can be a part in God's plan. I ask you to talk to him, pray to him, seek his map, seek his direction. You will never wish you had not.
I pray that the Lord blesses you this day,
Eric
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Listening
Earlier I left off without completely finishing my story, but do not worry over time you will catch on. The Lord is amazing, the things he can do for you, the things you can do through him. Completely amazing. I have had many hard times in my life, not as hard and others but if me it was hard and unknown terrain. After Troy was born, I was still no stronger of a Christian, I was just a young weekend warrior. My wife actually was the strong one, and how she did things and still does there is no way that God is not working in her life. From a non Christian point of view, you would think she was wonder woman. I have always felt like I was stronger than normal, but it was until I got a taste of "the real world" till I understood that it was not me, it was Jesus. After I finished college I figured that everyone would hire me because I went to this great tech school and that is all I would need. Well turns out, the world does not work that way. I went to many interviews trying to find a job that would be able to support my new family without having to move away from our families. Well it did not work that way, and I was crushed. I could not understand why I was not getting the dream 9 to 5, white collar, drive a BMW job. I looked to God and asked him "why!?!?!?" Why Lord, why am I not getting what I want. But before he could of even answered I would jump onto the next train and not even wait for him to answer. Weekend warrior, yep that means I had no idea on how to wait before I jumped, and it made me fall pretty far, and hit bottom even harder. I jumped from factory to factory working 12-15 hour days trying to make it work. Katie was home with Troy and everything was ok. I rushed us into this loft apartment so we would be out of section 8, I did not seek God, I did not ask, I should have. Right after we unpacked the last box, We were told that we had to move, The apartment was no longer going to be rented out. I was so mad, at everyone, the bank, myself, I was even mad at Katie and she has nothing to do with it. I was just mad at everything that had a pulse, including God. But I did not break down and run to him, nope I was bull headed, and I knew inside that I could do this on my own without God, without help from anyone.
Boy was I wrong.....
May God Bless you today,
Eric
In the Beginning
Hello and welcome to my Blog. I am completely new to this, so to start things off I am going to tell you about myself, and my life. Not a complete run down, but a highlight reel of.
I am 23 years old, I have been married since 2007 and I have two little boys, Troy he is three, and Braiden he is 7months. My life completely changed when I was in college in Nov. of 2006. Before I was married to my wife, We were both in college and she was home for Thanksgiving break, thats when I was informed that my life was going to change forever. Katie was going to be having our first son, Troy. I was completely scared and did not know what to do. Now here is a little about me, that most do not know. At that point in my life, I was not a strong Christian, I was what I like to call a weekend warrior. I went to Church on the Sunday, and by Monday I had completely forget everything I heard. To continue on, Katie had Troy and he was a beautiful little boy. Katie dropped out of college, and I finished up the few months I had left, I went to a tech school. I was working for a pizza shop while I was in college and we were living in a section 8 housing. For those of you who do not know what that is, section 8 housing is a housing complex that the government pays for some or all of your rent based upon you income status. Well to make it a shorter story I'll just say that I hated it, it hurt me inside, my pride, everything I did not want to raise my son in a government housing. I worked as hard as I could to get out of there, and I did. We are now living in a nice house renting, and actually looking to buy a house here very soon. BUT I did not do this. It was not me, I may of gone to work, and I may of worked 18 hour days some days. But I did not put my family here, and it took me a long time to figure that out. Well that is your high light reel of my life, One last thing I want to say is that I am not doing this for myself, actually I am trying to figure out when I'll have the time for this, but God has told me that this is some thing he wants me to do. I have learned now, that I need to listen.
May God Bless you today in all that you do,
Eric
I am 23 years old, I have been married since 2007 and I have two little boys, Troy he is three, and Braiden he is 7months. My life completely changed when I was in college in Nov. of 2006. Before I was married to my wife, We were both in college and she was home for Thanksgiving break, thats when I was informed that my life was going to change forever. Katie was going to be having our first son, Troy. I was completely scared and did not know what to do. Now here is a little about me, that most do not know. At that point in my life, I was not a strong Christian, I was what I like to call a weekend warrior. I went to Church on the Sunday, and by Monday I had completely forget everything I heard. To continue on, Katie had Troy and he was a beautiful little boy. Katie dropped out of college, and I finished up the few months I had left, I went to a tech school. I was working for a pizza shop while I was in college and we were living in a section 8 housing. For those of you who do not know what that is, section 8 housing is a housing complex that the government pays for some or all of your rent based upon you income status. Well to make it a shorter story I'll just say that I hated it, it hurt me inside, my pride, everything I did not want to raise my son in a government housing. I worked as hard as I could to get out of there, and I did. We are now living in a nice house renting, and actually looking to buy a house here very soon. BUT I did not do this. It was not me, I may of gone to work, and I may of worked 18 hour days some days. But I did not put my family here, and it took me a long time to figure that out. Well that is your high light reel of my life, One last thing I want to say is that I am not doing this for myself, actually I am trying to figure out when I'll have the time for this, but God has told me that this is some thing he wants me to do. I have learned now, that I need to listen.
May God Bless you today in all that you do,
Eric
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