As I continue to think about what may happen in this economy, I am becoming less hopeless. I am not becoming more optimistic, just less hopeless. I realize there is hope. There is hope in God, and what more do I need. It is possible for PES to grow and thrive in this awful recession-filled economy. It may be a miracle, but who is to say it CANNOT happen.
Is it OK to hope for the best?
I am not going to parade around saying it's all just going to be fine and nothing will change and it will all be easy, but is it OK to hope? Am i worried if I get my hopes up that I am setting myself up for disappointment?
Wow, God just brought Psalm 20 to mind. That is what Amy had engraved in my first wedding band. It says...
1 May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
Selah
4 May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.
5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the LORD grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.
9 O LORD, save the king!
Answer us when we call!
That is awesome. Those are fighting words.
Thanks God for your word that brings comfort. Help me.
23 October 2008
Great quote from Amy
My wife who sees the world through eyes more like that way Jesus sees things told me the following when I was freaking out about the economy and what I should do about this...
"take it, absorb it, live in the sweet melancholy of the situation for a couple of moments, then give it up, and let God handle the situation he put you in"
That's some good stuff...
Thanks, baby!
"take it, absorb it, live in the sweet melancholy of the situation for a couple of moments, then give it up, and let God handle the situation he put you in"
That's some good stuff...
Thanks, baby!
dark days ahead...?
Wow, you just wonder how bad the economy and all that goes with it will be. I am hearing things like this could last until June 2010. That's pretty inconceivable (I don't think that word means what you think that word means).
It's really scary to think about all this stuff. It's also really sad.
You worry about your job and those jobs all around you, at your work and your friends and family. You think about all the time and hours you have invested to make your company what it is and then to see it struggle and not thrive really hurts. You have poured so much blood and sweat and tears into this place and you really love what you have helped create. You don't want this to happen.
I am dying for good news. I want to hear how it is possible this thing turns around in 2 months after the election, I want to hear about some large source of revenue that will come into our office and float us for the next 9 months until the storm has passed.
You just feel so helpless. You fight and work against this onslaught of bad news and dismal outlook, but to be honest, there is nothing you can do. nothing...
I wanted to try and kick this thing in the butt and go out and do all I can to stave off what I think now may be inevitable. You know, that is the wrong attitude.
In the book of Daniel God says he gives the kingdoms of men to whomever He pleases and for some reason he has given me this kingdom or at least a part of it. I need to do everything I can for this kingdom, everything He has asked me to do. He has called me and maybe given me the skills to do what I can and fight against the tide of this recession.
Yes there will be setbacks and difficult moments, but that should not diminish my passion and desire to please God in every way and serve him by trying and not giving up.
No one knows that will happen and how things can change. There is work out there. There is hope. God will give me what I need.
God is on His Throne
He is still crazy about me
I am going to be OK.
OK, let's kick this thing in the butt or at least go down fighting. God, give me the wisdom, direction, and strength to build your kingdom in the kingdom of man that you have given me. May my efforts honor you and I leave the results in your hands.
It's really scary to think about all this stuff. It's also really sad.
You worry about your job and those jobs all around you, at your work and your friends and family. You think about all the time and hours you have invested to make your company what it is and then to see it struggle and not thrive really hurts. You have poured so much blood and sweat and tears into this place and you really love what you have helped create. You don't want this to happen.
I am dying for good news. I want to hear how it is possible this thing turns around in 2 months after the election, I want to hear about some large source of revenue that will come into our office and float us for the next 9 months until the storm has passed.
You just feel so helpless. You fight and work against this onslaught of bad news and dismal outlook, but to be honest, there is nothing you can do. nothing...
I wanted to try and kick this thing in the butt and go out and do all I can to stave off what I think now may be inevitable. You know, that is the wrong attitude.
In the book of Daniel God says he gives the kingdoms of men to whomever He pleases and for some reason he has given me this kingdom or at least a part of it. I need to do everything I can for this kingdom, everything He has asked me to do. He has called me and maybe given me the skills to do what I can and fight against the tide of this recession.
Yes there will be setbacks and difficult moments, but that should not diminish my passion and desire to please God in every way and serve him by trying and not giving up.
No one knows that will happen and how things can change. There is work out there. There is hope. God will give me what I need.
God is on His Throne
He is still crazy about me
I am going to be OK.
OK, let's kick this thing in the butt or at least go down fighting. God, give me the wisdom, direction, and strength to build your kingdom in the kingdom of man that you have given me. May my efforts honor you and I leave the results in your hands.
22 October 2008
Fun with Facebook
Let me share with you something that is an absolute blast. Go on someone's facebook page that you know pretty well and recount some very specific details of a fictional time you two were hanging out.
For instance, I put this on my sister's Facebook wall...
Yeah, Jess, that was crazy you going downtown and meeting that guy who sold burritos. Who would have ever thought paper could smell like that. I mean for REAL. I can't believe it when we saw that dog who wore that hat with those things on it's feet that reminded you of that time you spent 3 months in Utah. That was CRAZY...
Ahh, good times...
I am hoping she gets response from her friends asking her when did she spend 3 months in Utah. It is almost like the more random the facts, the more believeable it is.
I now have a new hobby.
For instance, I put this on my sister's Facebook wall...
Yeah, Jess, that was crazy you going downtown and meeting that guy who sold burritos. Who would have ever thought paper could smell like that. I mean for REAL. I can't believe it when we saw that dog who wore that hat with those things on it's feet that reminded you of that time you spent 3 months in Utah. That was CRAZY...
Ahh, good times...
I am hoping she gets response from her friends asking her when did she spend 3 months in Utah. It is almost like the more random the facts, the more believeable it is.
I now have a new hobby.
21 October 2008
Fans in the cold
Oh yeah, I started the last post about how both my wife and I are insane and got a little sidetracked...
One of the things that we enjoy most, besides wild nights of Star Wars movie nights where she dresses up like Princess Leia and I do my typical Jabba the Hutt impersonation, is to sleep in the coldest bedroom we can.
The temperature has dropped now and it gets down into the low 40's. As a result, we have opened our windows even more, kept the ceiling fan on, and even turned on a small fan that blows more air toward the bed.
We have taken out the most heavy comforters and we bunker down under the covers and get ready for the cold. It's wonderful. If I ever question God's love for me, just remind me that He gave me a wife who loves this as much as I do.
Here are a few tips if you want to try this at home...
1- Open 2 windows for good circulation
2- Turn the ceiling fan on medium and never turn it off
3- Make the second fan blow toward your feet. It will circulate the cold better and not freeze your face.
4- Get your own blanket. You cannot handle any unexpected cold-air-inlets from created by your spouse.
5- My wife says use as many blankets as possible without the weight of them pushing your feet down when you are laying on your back. She uses like 4 blankets.
6- Turn your pillow over every time you wake up. It's amazingly cool.
7- Set an alarm clock. You will sleep until 10 am.
8- Give you kids electric blankets so they won't die of the flu or freezing to death.
Give it a try. It's amazing!
One of the things that we enjoy most, besides wild nights of Star Wars movie nights where she dresses up like Princess Leia and I do my typical Jabba the Hutt impersonation, is to sleep in the coldest bedroom we can.
The temperature has dropped now and it gets down into the low 40's. As a result, we have opened our windows even more, kept the ceiling fan on, and even turned on a small fan that blows more air toward the bed.
We have taken out the most heavy comforters and we bunker down under the covers and get ready for the cold. It's wonderful. If I ever question God's love for me, just remind me that He gave me a wife who loves this as much as I do.
Here are a few tips if you want to try this at home...
1- Open 2 windows for good circulation
2- Turn the ceiling fan on medium and never turn it off
3- Make the second fan blow toward your feet. It will circulate the cold better and not freeze your face.
4- Get your own blanket. You cannot handle any unexpected cold-air-inlets from created by your spouse.
5- My wife says use as many blankets as possible without the weight of them pushing your feet down when you are laying on your back. She uses like 4 blankets.
6- Turn your pillow over every time you wake up. It's amazingly cool.
7- Set an alarm clock. You will sleep until 10 am.
8- Give you kids electric blankets so they won't die of the flu or freezing to death.
Give it a try. It's amazing!
A little insanity is not a bad thing.
My wife and I are insane. While it may not come to a shock to most that I am a bit off my rocker, my wife is also a bit loopy in the noggin, and not just because she married me.
You know, that's a pretty awesome thought. My wife is a looker. She has got it going on like Donkey Kong. And ever when we were dating there were more than a few guys trying to get her attention. It's hard to see whatever the hell she saw way back then to look at all those guys who were going after her and pick me. That really blows me away. In all honesty, and in no attempt to be funny, I almost question her sanity or at the least her judgment skills. She is smart enough, I guess, but when it comes to making critical life-altering decisions, I hope she gets a second opinion.
Even now, when I catch her getting dressed or playing with the kids or even bringing in the groceries, I can't help but wonder if she lost her mind way back then when she blew off all those other guys and picked the big goofy one with the burgandy Honda Civic DX with a tape player that worked most of the time and with a stick shift that was not driven very well by its owner. Trust me, my first car was no babe magnet, unless that babe likes very small practical cars with good gas miledge and wanted to get her arms in shape by using the hand crank windows.
Now even when she makes an honest mistake, it is almost like another piece of evidence that my wonderful may suffer from slight retardation in some areas of her life. Now when she forgets to pick up my laundry or when she asks me what I need from the store and suggests she pick up saline solution for the contacts I have not worn in 10 months since Lasik, it is another check mark in the "My Wife May Not Have It All Together Upstairs" column.
While I know she is not crazy or lost her mind, when I see her or hear her laugh or just feel her presence, I am blown away at how damn lucky I am and I have so little to offer back to such a wonderful woman.
But she picked me.
I have no idea why, but I am not going to complain.
You know, that's a pretty awesome thought. My wife is a looker. She has got it going on like Donkey Kong. And ever when we were dating there were more than a few guys trying to get her attention. It's hard to see whatever the hell she saw way back then to look at all those guys who were going after her and pick me. That really blows me away. In all honesty, and in no attempt to be funny, I almost question her sanity or at the least her judgment skills. She is smart enough, I guess, but when it comes to making critical life-altering decisions, I hope she gets a second opinion.
Even now, when I catch her getting dressed or playing with the kids or even bringing in the groceries, I can't help but wonder if she lost her mind way back then when she blew off all those other guys and picked the big goofy one with the burgandy Honda Civic DX with a tape player that worked most of the time and with a stick shift that was not driven very well by its owner. Trust me, my first car was no babe magnet, unless that babe likes very small practical cars with good gas miledge and wanted to get her arms in shape by using the hand crank windows.
Now even when she makes an honest mistake, it is almost like another piece of evidence that my wonderful may suffer from slight retardation in some areas of her life. Now when she forgets to pick up my laundry or when she asks me what I need from the store and suggests she pick up saline solution for the contacts I have not worn in 10 months since Lasik, it is another check mark in the "My Wife May Not Have It All Together Upstairs" column.
While I know she is not crazy or lost her mind, when I see her or hear her laugh or just feel her presence, I am blown away at how damn lucky I am and I have so little to offer back to such a wonderful woman.
But she picked me.
I have no idea why, but I am not going to complain.
19 October 2008
Beauty and 5+5=10
My family and I just spent the weekend at my uncle's mountain house in Sky Valley Georgia. We went with Matt and Rachel who are very dear friends.
The weekend started out horribly. We were planning on leaving Friday afternoon around 2 pm. Those plans were shot when my wife began vomiting Thursday night at 3 am. I stayed at home Friday to take care of her. We hoped we could leave Saturday morning. Luckily Matt and Rachel decided to go ahead and go up there on Friday so at least they were able to enjoy an evening up there by themselves.
Saturday morning, we hoped to get up early and arrive by 9 am. We left around 10 and got up there around noon. Also, my wife lost my iPod. My son asked to watch Star Wars Clone Wars TV show on the iPod going up there. So I synced my iPod and gave it to Amy. After being on the road for 10 minutes, we could not find it. So we went home and could not find it there. Even now after getting back home on Sunday, we still can't find it. We have no idea what she did with it.
I was feeling really cranky getting up there. We were late, I felt like we let Jonathan down by me telling him he could watch his favorite show, I was exhausted from lack of sleep, and we still had the stress of Amy's sickness hanging over us.
About halfway up the mountain, I started talking to God and asking Him why we were so late and why did all this stuff happened. I began to laugh as I remembered the interaction of Frodo to Gandalf when he first enters the shire...
Frodo: You're late.
Gandalf: A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
That is what I felt like God was telling me. We weren't late by His time frame. We were going to arrive precisely when He wants us to. It was then I felt the stress sink away and felt like I could enjoy my weekend.
It was a great weekend. The fall colors were absolutely beautiful. We were probably one week away from peak color, but some parts north of Sky Valley, toward Highlands were at peak color. My wife and I totally enjoyed our time together, and with our kids, and with our dear friends.
To cap off the weekend, we had to take a quick detour on the way home and go back to Highlands to get my daughter a replacement mood ring since she lost the one she got on Saturday from rolling down the grass hill in the back yard. We found another ring and this one even fit better than the first one. On the way back home, we passed a closed down ski resort that obviously did not have snow but did have a large slide that kids could use to ride innertubes down the mountain. It had Jonathan's name all over it.
For a mere $15 Jonathan had 2 hours to ride a pulley up to the top of the mountain and then shoot down the hill on an innertube that slid along white astro-turf. There were hills and valleys and it looked like a blast. We could barely see him at the top of the hill.
It was hard to know which one was Jonathan, but we heard his laugh before we recognized his smile. He is just a sampling of things Jonathan yelled or later told us he wanted to yell next time he rode down the hill.
Cowabunga!
I am going to California!
"Wolf-sounds"
5 plus 5 equals 10!
4 plus 4 equals 8!
Screaming like a girl
California here I come!
I don't know why he felt the need to yell math equations. Maybe he thought that given the intelligence level of people in rural north Georgia, they could use a little brush up on their math skills. I don't know.
It's hard to go back to work to an awful economy, bad news everywhere, uncertainty, harsh political landscape, and just dismal feelings when you spend a weekend surround my people you love in one of the most beautiful environments spending time there laughing and just enjoying the company and scenery.
Maybe I should take solace in the fact that there are pockets in this difficult state of affairs in which I can feel the touch of God and see His awesome handiwork. That should be reason to rejoice rather that a reason to dread going back to the "real world". It's all the real world. The vacations, the beauty, the office drama, the scary economy,...it's all part of the same world. The same world that God has in the palm of His hand. The same God that created all that beauty and blessed me with such wonderful family and friends is the same God that is with me at work this week.
"... and that is a comforting thought." - Gandalf
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