Monday, January 27, 2014

If I had a daughter...

If I had a daughter, I'd buy her dresses and shower her with attention. I'd hope to maker her feel like she is special and give her my love and affection. I'd carry her home from the hospital and I'd watch her sleep. I lay down my life without so much as a peep.
If I had a daughter I'd pray for her every single day. That she'd remember the wisdom that I'd attempt to live on display. That she'd grow up wise, not just smart as some people do. She'd see most mistakes before she made them or carried them through.  I'd teach her to be careful when carrying thing, and each day let her know the joy that her smile brings.  I tickle her to hear her uproarious laughter and stand between her and disaster. I would safeguard her innocence and teach her of integrity, teach her to grow in the ways of God and what it means to truly be free. I'd teach her of sin, and what it means to be right. That the way to defeat shadows is to remain in the light. I'd teach her what Peace means to the soul, at the same breakfast table lined with cereal bowls. I'd teach her that women are warriors and the ways they wage war. How to fight, what to fight, and what is worth fighting for.
If I had a daughter I would teach her about boys. The things that make them stupid, and how they can consider girls as toys. I'd tell her of her worth, about honor and praise. Teach her not to succumb to the temptations flesh craves. I would educate her about finding an honest and true man. Not a boy that breaks a heart just because he can.  I'd teach her that some days will be lonely waiting for some worthy guy. That there are many brands of poison appealing to the eye. I'd teach her that the body is a temple to not be given away, and to not listen to the words that any snakes may say. I'd tell her that love has the power to heal a soul or devastatingly destroy, and is a sacred thing that should not be shared with just any old boy.
If I had a daughter I'd evaluate the man of her choice. His style, his dress, do I hear godliness in his voice?
Is he a pansy, a thinker, a bruiser looking for a fight? I'd teach her that discernment isn't right and wrong, its right and almost right.
If I had a daughter I'd want to trust that I'd raised funny and sweet, and that these types of features would attract the man I'd meet. She'd grow to have opinions and she'd argue with me, and i'd cave when I'm wrong eventually.  I'd weep when I held her, all the days of her life this wonderful product of love I'd made with my wife. She'd teach me about God by the way of the Father's hand, and it would break and re-enforce me in ways I do not yet understand.  From the moment she'd be announced, to the moment I'm dead, love, laughter, peace, dread,terror, and hope would forever swirl in my head.

Yet every time I am reclined and she'd come lay on my chest, I would thank God for my child and count myself a man blessed.

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Auto Trader.

When I was younger I remember buying my first car. I didn't go to a dealer or craigslist or any sort of used car lot. No, I turned to my brother who at the time, I was sharing an apartment with. I paid him $500 bucks, and in return, I received the title to a 4 door 1975 Plymouth Valiant. It was parked in our apartment complex for a while because my brother wanted to impress girls so he bought an Acura Integra. The car was smurf blue, the paint was faded and missing in some places. The interior was ripped and torn and was held together with safety pins.  There was a dent in the back bumper from being hit with a backhoe.

I looked at the car, and I saw both what it was currently and then I saw what it was created as and, could be again. I took it to the mechanic and he told me the reason it wasn't starting was that the distributor had issues. Once I got that fixed I started her up and she would roar. She may not have looked like much but she had a slant 6 engine in it that roared like a lion. I once raced my brother all the way home from his work, against his Acura flying down the freeway maneuvering this tank with precision and admittedly a hair of youthful recklessness. It resulted in a tie as we both reached the driveway about the same time.
Some of my absolute best memories were had with this car.

I had another car/truck/thing that I purchased years later. It was an Izusu Amigo that was missing the back that I purchased from an impound lot. It had this nasty carpet that was in the back that someone had laid in there, and zip tied it to the seat backs. I pulled all that out of there and kinda converted the thing into a small truck with the help of my old roommate. I bought some roll bars and some high beams, because when I saw the car/truck/thing I didn't see what it was, I saw what I could make it into. It ran well and I had so much fun with my friend Matt as we gave a seriously custom paintjob for about $3.95, in our best attempt at cammo.

I ended up selling the Amigo and getting the 1965 ford galaxy 500. This thing was a glutton. I was spending $78.00 to fill up the gas tank, and this was years ago when gas was cheaper.

Earlier I was talking to a man about a pickup truck that has a LOT of miles on it and it has a dent in the back passengers side, and one of the two gas tanks has a burned out fuel pump.... but this truck is for sale.
I told him I am interested.  He got in and he started the engine up and it roared a mighty roar.  He looked at me kind of confused at my interest and he told me that it was a piece of crap. I told him, that it has its flaws but it has character.  The scratches tell stories, and though it may have some issues to work out, it has much value.

... and I said all of that to get to the heart of the this post.

Some of us people, need our carburetors cleaned, and others may need their engines overhauled...
... and though most of us have had accidents that have totaled us...
Or have been blindsided by circumstances in life that were beyond our control...
... though some of us may be missing parts....
In the eyes of our Creator, we are never without value, purpose or worth. We are never so far beyond His restoration.

HE is the only one with the parts to do it. HE is the only one with owners manual.


Jeremiah 30:17
‘For I will restore you to health
And I will heal you of your wounds,’ declares the Lord,
‘Because they have called you an outcast, saying:
“It is Zion; no one cares for her.”’


Isaiah 61:7,
Instead of your shame you will have a double portion,
And instead of humiliation they will shout for joy over their portion.
Therefore they will possess a double portion in their land,
Everlasting joy will be theirs.

Psalm 51:10,12
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.

Acts 3:19-21
Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.


Your value and worth as a person is not dined by someone who has used you when you are shinny and new only to toss you aside for a newer model. Your worth isn't stated in a social consensus. The only person that can tell you/ show you your worth is God. Less kelly blue book and more Lambs book. The only fulfillment to be found is with the mechanic Christ.


Smurfette kinda looked like this:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Plymouth_Valiant_1970.jpg

This was the Isuzu.

 photo Camotruck1.jpg

The Ford Galaxy 500
 photo SL380025.jpg

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