Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Blessing and a Curse

I believe that each and every one of us have been gifts by the hand of Christ. I beleive that before we were born He knew us, and believe that He gave us gifts that are unique to who He wants us to be. While these gifts are a great blessing that I would not trade they are also a curse! Not that I see them as a constant curse but a curse as in, the inability to detach my feelings, compassion, love, and heart from a circumstance that requires me to be focussed on what the world would say is more important, the job!

You see when I chose to accept a position in Social Work, I saw it as an extension and open door to minister in a relevant way. I saw it opening doors for me to go to places that I would not usually be able to go. And, it has done just that. I have been part of the goods and bads, the ups and downs, in these children's and families lives. My heart breaks for them all.

Because of privacy laws i cannot share the heartbreaking story that is unfolding in my work right now. But, what I can say is, that i feel very uprepared and am completey and utterly without words to consol these children in their loss. How do I be there for them as a Social Worker and hold back the desire to minister to them as a Youth and Children's Pastor? I cannot separate my heart and who God made me because of the "law" of the land. Yet, Christ told us to abide by the law of the land. I know that I can be compassionate, and gentle, and more than anything listen. But, I am helpless and my hands are tied in how to really conduct myself tomorrow on this investigation...

My dream life cry's out when I see or hear about things of this nature. I am tormented and my heart shatters... Why does humanity do the things they do? Why do parents do the things they do to their children and around them? Why do they expose them to the evil of their hearts so freely without regard to what they may create and the dammage they WILL do? What is their consequence? I know they will be judged by a loving God. I know my Jesus loves these children more than I do and more than their parents could ever hope to. It's a good thing that I am not God. I would not be tolerant of these people. I would not offer them chance after chance!

How do you describe the your heart when there seem to be no words? This is causing me to lean more on Christ Jesus than ever. I have not the strength on my own. I need his wisdom and love to flow through me. My knowledge of the scripture is not near what it should be but maybe more than others. I know that acting upon our knowledge is showing wisdom.

"Jesus give me strength. Give me wisdom to say the right things. Let my compassion flow, and allow me to be who you created me to be. Help me to maintain a behavior that would honor you when I interview the perpetrator against these children. Let me approach this case with the love that you would! Let the love you have for them shine through me. Set me apart more than you already have, and give me favor and safety in my travel to this village. I love you Jesus and Praise you for what you have given to me and taken!"

Always Praying and Obedient to the Call




Blessings to you today,

Mike III AKA Big Daddy

Monday, November 29, 2010

Candy Cane

Christmas Candy Cane Poem about Jesus

Look at the Candy Cane
What do you see?
Stripes that are red
Like the blood shed for me
White is for my Savior
Who’s sinless and pure!
“J” is for Jesus My Lord, that’s for sure!
Turn it around
And a staff you will see
Jesus my shepherd
Was born for Me!

Candy Cane

Have you ever wondered about where the candy cane came from? Well here ya go!

"The first historical reference to the familiar cane shape goes back to 1670, when the choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany, bent the sugar-sticks into canes to represent a shepherd's staff. The all-white candy canes were given out to children during the long-winded nativity services.
The clergymen's custom of handing out candy canes during Christmas services spread throughout Europe and later to America. The canes were still white, but sometimes the candy-makers would add sugar-roses to decorate the canes further.
The first historical reference to the candy cane being in America goes back to 1847, when a German immigrant called August Imgard decorated the Christmas tree in his Wooster, Ohio home with candy canes."

I found it interesting that candy canes were designed to have spiritual significance. This past sunday I taught the children not about the origins of this treat that now comes in all sorts of flavors and colors, but the spiritual significance. The red signifying the blood christ shed and the white the clean and holiness of Christ Jesus.

For years as a child i loved eating candy cane's. We had them all over our tree at home and at church. The church tree decorated with candy canes would often be ransacked by many children including myself as a treat to enjoy inbetween services or on the way home. I never gave the meaning behind them a second thought. Now after I have researched and taught the meaning behind the candy cane i have a whole new appreciation for this treat that goes beyond it's ability to satisfy my sweet tooth...


Blessings,

Mike III AKA: Big Daddy

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Reminders of Joy

Sometimes we need a reminder... A reminder that the hollidays are not because of the cute Santa photo like above, but because of the spirit they bring. We need reminders from time to time. I had a co-worker that used to tie string around his fingers for reminders. One day i asked him if he remembered to turn in a paper. He looked at me then down at his right hand. He had multiple strings tied to every finger. While this is funny, it also serves as "the other side of the coin" as it comes to reminders. You can set up reminder bells on your cell phone and a multitude of alarms on your watch. But if you never look at the phone to see why it is dinging annoyingly you will not remember why you set it in the first place.

Do you remember the feeling when you have been late on an assignment in school or forgotten all about it until the day it is due and realize you never even started? Your core temperature immediately goes up and you begin to sweat. You begin to realize what anxiety is.

The Holliday's are suppose to be a time when we don't have to struggle with anxiety and being overwhelmed. But then, you get sucked into the Black Thursday histeria of shopping for Christmas gifts at the day after thanksgiving deals and wading your way through the waves of crouded shopping malls and stores.

Lets put the "spirit" of the Holliday's back wehre it belongs.


Blessings,

Mike III AKA: Big Daddy

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Commercials that tug at the heart

Have you seen the commercial about the lady who stops a man from stepping out into traffic keeping him from getting hit by the passing cars? Someone was watching and did another kind act because of what they saw. It was a ripple effect of kindness to one's fellow man. From time to time there is a heartwarming commercial on TV. Not to often but every now and again we see something that inspires us.
Initially with that particular commercial I just waved it on as another brake in my program. But later I saw it again and was inspired.
As a Youth Pastor there have been more than a few times where I have seen students act in extraordinary ways toward strangers. When you teach Christ's heart to students it is always an emotional moment to see them act out without having to push or prod them in any way.

The following is a short testimony to kindness playing out in front of me and the overwhelming pride and joy that filled me at the sight!

I had been a Youth Pastor for almost six years and we had taken over the project of starting a new program from nothing in Skagway Alaska. Before long we had a small group of kids that were coming around on a regular basis. One family in particular had three kids coming to the weekly meetings. They were all on fire for God and excited about our upcoming trips. The trip we took was to Anchorage driving 17 hours to Youth Convention. This was to be the first Youth Convention in the history of the church in Skagway. We took seven kids on this trip and were able to have a great time. During one of our lunch times at Taco Bell one of our girls noticed a homeless woman sitting by herself trying to get warm from the freezing temperatures outside. My student asked me if she could visit or sit with her. I told her it would be fine with me. I watched as this young lady with a great call of God on her life sat away from the group with this lady eating her meal and sharing her Christ warmth with her. Before we left as the group was throwing away trash and getting their coats on so we would be on time to our next meeting, I saw this girl praying with the homeless woman holding her cold weather warn hands in hers. I was moved to tears as I watched. My wife squeezed my hand so I wouldn't stare. I looked at her with a smile on my face as we quietly waited for our student. When we got in the van and drove away the kids were all talking and having a good time. That student tapped me gently on the shoulder and asked if she could give her gloves to the woman.

I am inspired by people who act selflessly for others. I am touched beyond words when students I have "get it." I believe it truly is a ripple effect and who knows who was watching this girl and did something great for someone else!

Blessings,
Mike III AKA: Big Daddy

"You Can't Handle the Truth"


A few good men... The phrase made infamous by this movie "you can't handle the truth" has been used and re-used in various forms over the years. While the movie was very good it seems that this quote is more famous than the movie itself. Other phrases barely match the value of this as soon as you hear it you can't keep from seeing the snarling face and hearing the tone of Jack Nicholson as the words are spit out of his mouth.

But, for many of us who live a life reflecting our belief in the truth, this phrase holds a lot of value. Often times we cannot handle the truth. In a society where truth is relative, meaning that one can make his or her own truth, contradicts any belief in what truth is. We are taught as children not to lie, cheat, or steal. We grow up hearing about the little white lie. This in itself is false as any lie is BIG, and often has bigger consequences. Scripture tells us that the truth will find us out. Celebrities have been caught in lie after lie and rarely just get a slap on the hand, the same is true from sports figures. Relative truth has taken over and real truth has almost vanished in the fog of the biggest lie of all time. That lie is that there is no real truth. Relative truth has spread our nation as quickly as the current clothing fad, or newest i-phone technology. But, unlike technology which is always changing, relative truth will continue to stay. Why? Because it's the perfect cure for any sort of conviction.

Relative truth takes away any second thoughts. It removes remorse and substitutes it for the perfect justification: "Well if I believe it's true, then who are you to tell me it's not true?" One who sits in a service and listens to a preacher share on sin being sin, and sharing God's word on the topic is less overwhelmed and convicted by their actions, because they justify it any way they can. I am living out of wedlock with another man, I love him and society is OK with it so why not? (Who are you to judge?) I am drinking to intoxication everyone is so what's the problem? I am having multiple partners and cheating on my spouse, but who are you to judge? My truth says it's OK so it must be...

Come on! "You can't handle the truth." Sin is sin. I am not different than the next person. I struggle with sin just as much as anyone. But, I do believe in a profound real truth. Truth in what scripture says. Truth in the values of what our Nation was built on, truth in what I was raised to believe is ideal character and integrity. The mist of popularity can not take away the value to hard truth. Eventually as all falls down, we won't even have relative truth to hide behind.

Can you handle the truth?

Blessings,
Mike III AKA: Big Daddy

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Creating a new "norm"

Greetings from Nome Alaska (on my lunch brake)

So, taking a "working lunch" I decided to not answer the phone and make it a non-working lunch time. I usually use my lunch time as a self-imposed breathing time. Spiritually reflecting and mediating to get my spirit and mind straight after dealing with cases for most of the day...

My family is from all over the lower 48 and enjoying not nearly as cold a winter as we have not to mention far less snow, even though we haven't begun to see the amount of snow that will hit. What is considered a snow storm down south we had hit up here a few weeks ago and it was considered flurries! But hard enough wind and snow to knock out power all over town and phone lines. Computers go black and phones go dead. Not a bad thing for a day in my line of work. :)

Nome is a place that most only know about from the movie "Balto." I remember watching shows where they would mention Nome and it was just a foreign place that I didn't give much thought to. Now, it's a different story. Living here is like living in a different world. Not even spending much time explaining the culture and how to live here, the envioronment it'self is one of a kind. Depending on what you find beautiful, Nome could be considered beautiful, or it could be considered ugly and to most uninhabitable. I love where we live. The people, the winter, the summer, the ocean, and the tundra. All of what Nome has to offer, my family loves. No, we don't have all the conveniences of Wal Mart and fast food restaraunts, but we don't need those. Living where we do makes you realize what is a need and what is a want. The reality is: we think we need most of what we are accustomed to having. This is in no way true. In fact, we don't need half the stuff that fills our lives. We don't need fast food ( and our bodies would thank us for not having it), we don't need Wal Mart (while convenient it takes money that would be better spent somewhere else), we don't need traffic and fast pased life, we don't need to drive for miles and miles using up fuel that is rising in price (in Nome it's over 5$ a gallon). The things we think we need, I believe we would be shocked to find that is not a necessity for survival if it came down to it.

Boy would people be shocked if a time came where the things that make life easier were not available anymore. I think about the Jews prior to and after the Haulocost who lived very differently. They had to learn to live on much less. The clothing, food, and furniture that held value, was no longer a need. A warm coat and some bread and beans meant more than the fasion and expensive foods.

Let's face it, we have created the beast of "keeping up with the Jones's" mentality that palgues us all. I enjoy the releif from all the stress of the outside world. When I have to make a trip to Anchorage or the lower 48 it isn't long before I am tired of the convienence of things. I long to come home to Nome. I long to be where things are slower and I don't have the ability to walk out the door and drive a little bit to fill my body with food that I shouldn't eat to begin with. Call it a matter of will power, or just what it is: The ability to have at the touch of a finger or the press of a pedal enables to get what you want.

So from Nome to you, hey: slow down and get away from Wal Mart, the movie theaters, the fast food restaraunts, the stylish clothing, and video games. Stay in stay warm, and enjoy a board game or music with the family! Turn off the cell phone and TV. Do something that is out of the norm and create a new "norm."

Blessings,

Mike III AKA: Big Daddy

Friday, November 12, 2010

Letter to my Angels

There have been times where in journaling I have sat down and wrote letters for my girls to read when they get older and are given the massive amounts of my thoughts penned over the years. So I figure one day if I take advantage of the offer I see from time to time on here about putting the blog in a book they will have that too.

Dear Gabby and Gracie,

Daddy is on brake at work and decided now is as good a time as any to write you a letter. Now neither of you can read yet so this is for the future, for one day when you are much older and will at that time be able to appreciate the things that Daddy has written.

Both of you are my angels and mommy is my queen. You both are more than I could ask or dream of. Jesus blessed me far beyond my thoughts and dreams when He gave me the two of you. To be a daddy can be a scary thing. Daddy's mess up, and learn along the way. What I want to teach you is more than a lifetime with you would allow. My hope is that I honor Jesus, mommy, and the both of you as your daddy. I want you to know what being loved is and seeing how much mommy and daddy love you and love each other. I want you to have a Godly example of what a husband should be, so when the time comes when you find "the one" God has for you, you will be able to judge by who your daddy was and is.

The both of you are growing up so very fast. Every moment is a moment I charish with you. I love watching your run through the waves on the beach, building sandcastles together, and playing the snow in your parka's that wouldn't fit daddy's hand. I look through the thousands of pictures, smiling knowing many thousands more will follow as you grow. Gabby, mommy won an on line photo contest with a photo of your newborn feet in Dady's big hands when you were just a few weeks old. One day I will find that book that photo is published in and you will have it.

Gracie you are my rough and tough "ice box" linebacker. You have grown to be a daddy's girl and I love you so very much. We spend hours together while daddy puts you to sleep in the confines of my office. You make me laugh when your tummy growls and you look down wondering what that was and back up at daddy and laugh. You are my kindred spirit with stubborness and agression. But I know you will grow loving Jesus...

Gabby, my princess, so petite and loving. From birth you had a bond with daddy. I could pick you up at any point with you in tears and you would stop crying and go into a peaceful sleep. Daddy was scared when you were born not because of you but because of the enormous responsibility I now had and the fear that I wouldn't be a good daddy. You have a love for singing and art. It is evident that you love Jesus and people just like your mommy...

My girls, I love you soo very much. I would give my life in a blink of an eye for you, I would fight for you, and I live for you. I pray over you as you sleep, I cuddle with you like there will not be the next moment to have.

Daddy loves you both with all of who I am!


Always and Forever

Your Daddy



Chalk on the portch

Chalk art by: Adrienne and my girls

Chalk on the Portch

One day I came home for a quick stop in what would turn into another long (very long) day added to the stretch of long days, during a full time Youth Pastorate. When I walked up the first flight of stairs and turned to the main portch before heading up the second flight, something caught my eye. Chalk art!
I was covered in sweat from mowing and weadeating the cemetary on our church property, and just wanted to shower before doing visits and working in the Youth Center. I was tired, overworked, and very much overwhelmed with life. Trying to make ends meet while dealing with people in leadership who were always at my throat was almost to much to bare. But when i saw this wonderful chalk art it made me stop and smile. I could see that my wife and girls were outside playing and having a good time while Daddy was away. Their footprints and the art that was around their names made me realize that they were growing so fast.

I stood there for more than a moment and just looked at their tiny feet. I took in all the detail that was etched into the wood on the portch. I immagined their laughter as momy drew around the outline of their feet to fill in the middle, or rubbing the bottom of their feet with the chalk to make the initial impression of the bottom of their feet, and tickle making them giggle. With sweat pooring down my face and dripping around the drawing I was in a trance. I am sure to anyone that could have been around I would have looked crazy standing there with my head down like a statue, smiling from ear to ear.

Sometimes we need to take more than a moment to tickle the feet and draw with chalk. Time to laugh, and sing. So I went up the second flight of stairs with the humidity draining my energy. I walked in the door to a gust of cool air took off my shoes covered with strands of grass and then my socks so I wouldn't spread the mess knowing my wife had been cleaning. I opened the second door to find my youngest daughter sitting in her diaper and a tank top on the counter smiling and yelling "Da..." I walked over and kissed her, careful not to get grass on her. I looked over and mommy's back was to me making lunch for the girls. Gabby was on the floor in the living room watching a show on the TV and didn't hear or see me. I walked up to mommy as she turned around and smiled at me. I grabbed her and pressed my sweat covered shirt and the smell of fresh cut grass against her. Her efforts to push me away was in vain as she laughed and told me to go and shower.

I cherrish those memories. Even during a hard time in our life and stress filled work, there were a few things that stood out as blessings. My family is a total blessing. Now my girls are a year older than they were then and both their birthdays are coming quickly. They are growing up so fast...
I want every moment to count.

Soo, this is Big Dady saying: Take time to draw on the portch with Chalk!


Blessings,
Mike III, AKA Big Daddy


mommy and the girls (same day as the chalk art on the portch)

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Daddy Hold Me

"Daddy Hold Me" are the words that I hear quite often from my two going on three year old frequently...

Other than "Daddy I love you" there are few things that can stir such feelings of pride and love in a Daddy's heart. I wonder if we take the time to realize that our Heavenly Father is the same way. If He truly loves us far more than we can fathom, then why would He feel any differently about us?

Just a thought for today!

Blessings,

Mike III AKA Big Daddy

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Presidential Screwup

This just in hot off the morning internet news! Obama to meet with Mulsim head for relations...

No matter your beliefs or understanding of politics, this is total stupidity. Knowing that a good percentage of Americans are now Muslim I still have no problem saying, "Dear Mr. President, You are a complete moron." Why would this guy want to build relationsh with Muslims? Let me see, muslims view America as the "Great Satan." They see Christians and the killing of Christians as a way into heaven, their ultimate paradise. It was Muslim extremists behind the terrorist attaks of 911, and they have been behind more American soldier deaths. They freely admit this... I know there is some confusion to the question weather Obama is Muslim. Let me see, well what I know of Muslim is once a Muslim always a Muslim. I know this can be wrong given the heart. I know of some preachers who were raised Muslim but now believe in Christ and preach his love.

Do I think this is what OBAMA is doing... Heck no... Come on Mr. President... Why not open the door completly and say, "Hey come on in. Take our land, our jobs, and set up fractions of operations designed to bring America down in a pool of blood."

Blessings,

Mike III AKA Big Daddy

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow

I had to come in this morning for a few hours to make up some time that I was sick so that I do not have to use my leave time... So I figured while I wait for a client to get back to me I will write about what is rolling around in my mind. What would that be? As the title says "SNOW."

When I got out of court yesterday for work I looked out the window and my attention was drawn to snow falling. Immediately a smile broke across my face and the song came to my mind "Let it snow." Now, I am one of very very few who actually enjoy the snow here in Nome as it stays longer than the summer months. And, I have been told that by the end of the winter I will be so sick of snow that I will be like everyone else! This remains to be seen... (I don't believe that I will be)

You see, to me snow is something beautiful. I don't really enjoy walking on packed snow as the sound and feel under my feet make my teeth grind together. But I do love everything else about it. Snow reminds me of Christmas. Christmas is my favorite holliday for all sorts of reasons and one of which is NOT getting gifts.

Christmas is a time of the year when most everyone has more patience and tolerance than normal. People are more willing to do things for others and act without selfishness. Colored lights go up, songs that remind us of the spirit of the Holliday are playing everywhere, and snow...

Jesus is the reason for the season right?! Well, that is Christmas, and in my house when we get things set up, we keep our tree up year round. Not because we are to lazy to take it down but because it's a reminder of the attitude we should have not only once a year but the whole year round. Giving of ourselves, more tolerance and patience, and LOVE.

Jesus didn't have snow on the day of his birth. Likely he was not born in December, but snow has come in my mind to represent Christas as much as the brightly lit trees, and gift giving.

So it's early, but Merry Christmas! :)

Blessings,

Mike III AKA Big Daddy

Friday, November 5, 2010

To Posess

They say possession is nine tenths of the law, I have no clue what that actually means.. But I have been thinking about the things we possess lately. What do you possess? Do the things you possess really possess you? We put so much infacis on the things we acquire. Even to the point that they end up possessing us. Man, the importance of "things."

Last nigtht as I put Gracie to sleep I watched "Inkheart". There is a scene in this movie where Brenden's aunt is in the library and the "bad guys" come in to take away her and his child to get him to read bringing the words in the books to life in physical form. They begin to rip apart her books. The aunt goes crazy at the loss of what she holds the most value in. They are her possession's, but it is clear that her possession's truly possess her.

Sure thing should have some importance. But given the uncertainty of life I think it's a bit odd to allow our possession's to possess us. Things come and go. "It is what it is!" But thinking about possessing and asking what possess you, brings me to this:

If you are a believer does God possess you more than you possess Him? We have had a week of powerful services here in Nome AK, for CAMP meeting. Bondages have been broken and people got saved. "Praise God." But last night I couldn't help but thinking about what we possess. The things we hold on to can keep us from our further possession of God. These things can get in the way of spending time with him and in fellowship with other believers that is so important.

Does you possess God as much as you possess the other things in your life? Better yet and more importantly, are you allowing God to possess you?

Blessings,

Mike III AKA Big Daddy