Half Past Jack

Who are you?

"He was in control and I never was. He was cool, and I was truly a nerd. I just played him out of affection."  Henry Winkler on playing the Fonz in the 70's TV series Happy Days, reported in the Washington Post.

Actors get the chance to pretend to be other people and so do we. We all put on faces every day of who we are, who we were, and who we want to be.  We hide ourselves from some and with others we reveal too much. I grew up watching Happy Days and wanted to be cool like the Fonz.  I did not necessarily want to live out on the streets in a gang without knowing my father.  So how do you know who people are or who you are?  Jesus gave a big key:

Matthew 6:22 "The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

It is often said that the "eyes are the window to the soul".    Jesus said "the eye is the lamp of the body".  A lamp is not a window.  HOW someone sees the world will tell you a lot about a person or yourself.    What kind of light do you cast? 

Coming Home

"Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."
John Howard Payne(1791 - 1852) (Quotes)

I've been away for a few weeks on business in Central America.  Though it was a little tough on the family, I do think it brought us closer together.  I learned that writing is a communication we should use not only when we are away from the ones we love.  There is something special about communicating thoughts and longings with the written word. Writing is intrinsic in nature and is an invitation to read someone's heart or mind--especially letters(emails).  The quote above may seem not to have anything to do with writing, but it does. It captures a necessary ingredient --desire.

What's Important?

"I don't want this to be the biggest thing that ever happens in their lives. It may be the best sporting event in your life, and for some of them it will be for sure. But I want this to help them carry confidence later in life." Mack Brown after winning the college footbal national championship.

see the stats

It was a story book year in Texas.  Vince Young rose to national prominence this past week as he bested a team with two Heisman trophy winners.  Mack Brown and the Longhorns are currently the closest thing Texans have in football comparable to the highly respected Landry and Cowboys era.  Yet amongst these great achievements and individuals using the gifts that God gave them, Mack Brown puts the win in perspective. 

Matthew 6:21
For where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.

God and Wisdom

"Before there was light, God and Wisdom bumped into each other."  my son, 2005

If we can not see the answer before us, we can ask God for wisdom.  My son was making a joke, but he brought out a good point.

Proverbs 8:22-23
²²  “ The LORD possessed me at the beginning of His way,   
      Before His works of old. 
       ²³  I have been established from everlasting,   
      From the beginning, before there was ever an earth. 

   

Back to the (Half)Past

"I'm your density.  I mean... your destiny" George McFly, Back to the Future, 1985

Have you ever meant one thing and said another?  Have you ever wanted to do right, but did wrong?  The head and the heart don't always connect and the tongue will sometimes say things the mind or the heart never intended.  What's up with that? It's my tongue, my mind, and my heart?

James 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence,   
      For out of it spring the issues of life.

Collosians 3:2
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

James 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,   
      And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Buckaroo Banzai

Quote of the Week:
"No matter where you go, that's where you are.", Buckaroo Banzai, 1984;(other origins)

Often times we spend time looking at the past and wondering how we ended up where we are in life.  Sometimes its a good place and other times not so good. We reap what we sow--both good and bad.  Usually it is a mix of both, but there is always opportunity with the future.   

Proverbs 22:8
He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow,   
And the rod of his anger will fail.

2 Corinthians 9:6
But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

HPJ Quote of the Week

"All that shimmers in this world will surely fade away", Shimmer by Fuel

I first heard this song while working out in the company gym.  It sounded like an alternative Boston.  Many years later I would add it to my first Starbucks burned CD.  I like lyrics that have what I call the journeyman component that depict a man's struggle with something he is unable to solve.  The line above I like, because it represents a realization of the passing nature of our experiences.  So many of the things we search after and find, are corruptible and fade away. 

Matthew 24:35  Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

The Good Wife

I just want everyone to know that I have a really cool, beautiful wife whom I adore and love very much.  She opened the door to blogging, homeschools our kids, loves basketball and football, and U2 is one of her favorite bands(that's just a few things).  Oh and thanks to her I'm a Longhorn by marriage, but the Bobcats are doing well this year in football. We met in church--it was your typical bass player meets Sunday school teacher romance.  We even met by her asking me if I needed prayer, which I probably did.  Here is her blog Lexical Light.  She so inspires me.

Ephesians 5:25

Slip n Slide

Yes, it is the middle of November.  Yes, we should be eating a hot cup of soup and enjoying the fall weather. (of course, I'll have a cappuccino breve no matter what the weather)  Well, not today Zerg.  My daughter asked me to break out the slip n slide in our wonderful Texas 80 degree weather.  I admit I tried to think of an excuse not to, but could not come up with one.  So in the middle of November, my girls and a neighbor are out back in swim suits playing on the slip n slide.  Now there is a new winter sport.  It is supposed to be colder this week, maybe in the 70's.  I'm pure Texan, below 70's and I'm wearing a jacket.  I can't take cold weather and I have a high metabolism--I think that's related....  Anyway, it has to be in the 90's for me to go swimming, but it does not seem to bother my kids.  I'll keep reading my paper and maybe make one more cappuccino.

Arrived???

I was talking to a friend the other day and he asked me how I was doing and I said "really well."  It's the truth, life is going really well. I can check the boxes:
God                yes
Christ            yes
Holy Spirit     yes
Marriage        yes
Kids                yes
Career            yes
Ministry        yes
Friends          yes
Thankful        yes

This was not a haughty reply, just an honest assessment. The following morning I turned to Psalm 17 and read the following:

Psalm 17:13-15

¹³ Arise, O LORD,
         Confront him, cast him down; 
         Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
¹⁴ With Your hand from men, O LORD,
         From men of the world who have their portion in this life, 
         And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure. 
         They are satisfied with children, 
         And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.          
¹⁵ As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness;
         I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.

Verse 15 was far above me, my desire, my intellect, and my capacity.  I am satisfied with earthly gain.  Even God has ushered in these blessings, yet they themselves are not God.  I prayed v.15 aloud and deposited it in my heart for I think Dad corrected me very gently.  "Hey son, let ME be your satisfaction, seek MY face." I'm listening Dad, I'm listening.