The Confessions Stand

I really am shocked by how many days have rolled by without me stopping to write something on my blog. It has seemed like a massive amount of time since I sat at my computer to hammer out some life thoughts held up inside my feeble brain. So here I am. Time for me to start getting back in the saddle again and write on a more regular basis.

For those of you who have been my blog fans I do have an explanation for my wayward activities and good reasons for ending up missing in action. On September 23rd I finally led the way in launching a new adventure called LifePointe Church. LifePointe had been a compilation of over 9 months of planning and preparation. This new church venture is an out front-- on the edge-- meeting in a movie theater--- and rocking the house ministry. The music is led by front man Dave Lunsford along with band members known as JJay, Seth, and Noah. These guys play with a passion and intensity that defines the word energy. I am so proud to be associated with them. Each week they make me look really good before I deliver my 30 to 45 minute rambling in hopes of inspiring those in attendance.

So to tell you the truth life has not been going on as usual. LifePointe has risen the from drawing board and come alive as a full animated script. We have been about the business we believe we need to be about. Here we are only six weeks into our piloting project and already we have topped the 100 plus mark two times (110-128) since our grand opening. Our average attendance has been 87. Our goal is to be 100 strong by the first of the year and 200 strong before year two rolls around. Our purpose is simple. To provide inspiration for daily living for those who attend LifePointe from all walks of life.

We have a saying around our ministry team-- we never want to do ministry in the norm--we want to do it in the now. Culturally revelant. Simple Church! Love people and love one another. Besides isn't it love that is supposed to make the world go round?

So now that am back, you still won't ever be able to guess what I may be writing about next. If I get a burr I may throw some rocks or beat a pillow. If I am feeling super good I may help someone make it to the top of the world--wherever that may be for them. If I feel serious about a subject I may throw myself in the pathway of every obstacle that tries to get in my way. If I feel like a loser I may drive myself to talk about winning in the midst of defeat. If I feel like a winner I may try not to appear prideful, but throw my personal pom poms in the air for all to see. If I am feeling lonely or in despair, I may try to cry out for some help from someone in the cyber world for a shot in the ole butt to get me upright again.

Well it is really a joyous occasion for me to be back writing another blog. I look forward to the days ahead! So for all you blog fans who have missed me, here is a line from the classic movie Terminator--I'LL BE BACK! You can count on it!

My family and I over the years have had our share of rollercoaster rides, emotional baggage, and what has seemed like tons of difficulties and tragedies. Among family circles there have been divorces, broken homes, accidents, alcohol and drug abuse, critical injuries, and even sudden death. The nightmares of it all are too painful to try to re-live in a short blog. I do have time to remember my brother Wayne a strapping, well built, and God fearing man who died on Tuesday, May 17, 1994.

Wayne was a successful married man with a beautiful wife and two toddlers for daughters. Life was motoring along for he and his family at the ripe age of 32, until an automobile accident changed the entire course of life. Wayne's brain stem was severed, bones crushed, and he was left in a vegatative state for nearly 4 years. It was natural coming from a belief in God that a miracle would take place. But nothing happened! There was no miracle--only family turmoil, sadness, and pain.

Wayne's wife Rita carried the brunt of the weight as she played the role of nurse and caregiver. They lived in Texas while the rest of the family was scattered around the country. Rita, now reduced to a single mom was also now trying to fulfill the role of a father. She became the sole breadwinner as a school teacher. Her days were piled with so much work, effort, and struggle that the ultimate miracle was in how she even survived the ordeal and is still alive to tell about it. Then again does anyone really survive?

Rita remains the hero in my heart! She climbed more emotional mountains and cleaned up more messes then most people have to do in a lifetime. She watched her husband and the father of her children receive no miracle--but rather he faded year after year--until he died a feeble and broken man. His kids were left without a father, a wife without her husband, a sibling gone, a son buried, a brother loved.

Stories like these have invaded my family circle for as long as I can remember. But in my heart I realize that there are millions outside my circle that have stories of their own. They are just as broken, just as hurt, just as teary eyed and emotionally spent. They bleed just like I do. Same pains--just maybe different names, dates and locations.

I admit that my Christian faith has often wavered during the deepest and darkest of times. In all truthfulness there was a time that I came to hate God and hate life. That was until I realized that remaining in the land of the living meant I would have to do it for the better or for the worse. The worse just got old! The inner demons screamed foul! O wreched man that I was. Who would deliver me from this body of death?

Then it dawned on me that in spite of all the "evil" and pain that had found my hearts address-- there was God who was honest enough to remind me that in this world we would have trails and tribulations--but be of good cheer--for through me you can overcome this world. In addition--this world is not my home--I'm only passin through--my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue! The last enemy to be conquered is death. I've now chosen to not remain a living corpse.

I have vowed to help inspire others in their crisis--not as an answer man--but rather a guy who has worn out a few shoes on the road of life. In my travels I keep meeting those who know my name. Those who relate to my past. Those who need to hear my story and those whose stories I need to hear. Together we become one!

Together we can finally share the hidden hurts that no one else sees.

Together we can find hope!

Together we can find that God is still there!

Today is Novemeber 7th, 2007 Today is my Birthday! Today I just turned 40 something. The rest of the something really is none of your business or anyone elses. I have a young wife that keeps reminding about that "something" part all the time. In addition she watches daily my financial assets wrapped up in a hefty life insurance plan that looks extremely good on paper. I am just glad that she believes the longer I stay alive the better my antique value soars. I pray her way of thinking continues as long as it can. I am relieved she is yet to prance around our house singing the here today gone tomorrow song with meaning and enthusiasm.

So let's just get one thing straight--I am old--no let me repharse that--I am older than my wife and a few other people that I know, like my 3 year old and five year old sons, Joshua and Deaven. Outside of that I am not older than dirt and I don't need a Kirby vaccum cleaner to prove my manhood--as in needing help to blow out my candles. And those of you that are out there in Cyber-space who know where I live and who know my real age--well--keep your big mouths shut. No I really mean it. My wife and a few friends have already hurt my feelings enough today.

So here are a few secrets to healthy aging--

1. Keep reminding yourself that there is always somebody else in front of you in the ARP line. Someone already beat you to the senior discounts! So take your time in getting there.

2. If you never grow up (get older) you never know what it will be like to get rid of diapers--of course for some of you I know what you may be thinking--THAT DEPENDS!

3. You get to smirk at those younger than you since you have already obtained knowledge of what is around the corner--things like Preparation H, Rogaine, Geritol, Meals on Wheels, and Bingo night at the old folks home. Never tell someone younger than you what to expect. When they finally experience this stuff--then sit in your rockin chair and laugh your head off.

4. Aging is priceless--wrinkle creme companies pay older folk 2 cents on the dollar to become labatory guinea pigs. Don't bend over for those pennies on the ground--have companies hand them to you. Saves the ole back by the way!

5. During retirement--the option to become a bag boy/girl or smiling greeter at Wal Mart is always available for consideration. If you can't read or fill out the application on your own--take a younger friend with you who can. No one will ever know the difference except you.

So there you have it. My secrets to healthy aging.

I would have shared a few more but I just can't seem to remember any.......

Oh and if you are planning to be a difference maker in this life, in your world, on your job, in your church, and in "your" ministry. I have some old timers news for you. I don't care how good you think you are doing things in the name of God-- now or in the future--none of it will matter if you end up selling your soul in losing your health, your mind or your family. The priorities of a difference maker begin at home and they stay at home. If you think you are growing things for God and the growth of your marriage is stunted shame on you. If you find yourself making a difference in the lives of other families and in the lives of other kids and not your own. Shame on you! Difference making should be home spun and home done. There are no excuses otherwise!

I have seen too many, too often, pour too much, into someone elses world, life, and projects. There are way too many difference makers riding off into the sunset and arriving back home with nothing left to give. And of course this is called godly and necessary--and servanthood. Tell that one to God on judgement day. The difference maker who does not take care of his loved ones becomes worse than an infidel. I read that somewhere in the difference makers handbook--or was it the difference makers Bible. I told you my memory has been slipping gears lately.

I may be getting old--I mean older, but there is one thing I have learned while spending frivilous time on the Christian merry-go-round of being a difference maker. I have gotten off the merry-go-round and have no plans to get back on it. The greatest difference I can be making begins at home and stays at home the majority of the time. I refuse to raise someone elses kids. I refuse to be married to someone elses wife. I refuse to spend more time with the guys and forget the girl. I refuse to listen to someone elses problems more then listening to the voices where I live.
I refuse to give and give and give. I refuse to be a difference maker--unless the my difference making begins and ends at home.

Do I sound like a cranky old man. I promise you that I'm not. They say the older we get the wiser we should get. So if you want some wise advice--as a difference maker--spend more time making a difference in the lives of those closet to you. Save the leftovers for someone else!

Today is the day after my scheduled birthday--which was establised the day I was born. That would be my born on date called yesterday. Well all the activities are over, the celebration has ended and here I am still alive. Of course that is cool with me. I really would like to stay around planet earth a little longer so I get a chance to see our 3 and 5 year old grow up and move out. In time I want some grandkids so I can spoil them and send them back home to torment their parents. Yes, I have a sadistic side for a very good reason. You should visit our house where every day is a wild ride of energy.

Speaking of energy I expended some today in a way I had used to do on a regular basis-- by playing basketball at the Iowa Fieldhouse. I had not participated in a pick-up game since I last watched the twlight zone. What an experience today has provided for me. The wisdom from the rafters kept swinging down and knocking me in the head. It was easy to wonder why I had even agreed to such foolishness. Quite impressive coming from a man who has spent nearly half of his life playing on every basketball surface possible. That would include indoor and outdoor courts, concrete and rubber surfaces, wood floors, tile floors, and get this even carpeted floors.

The hours of playing this manly game are too imeasurable to figure out. But in spite of my historical accomplishments I have come to the edge of one scary personal cliff. Peering over I can only draw from the well of grit and honesty. I no longer am a kid. I am no longer the fit and energetic athlete. I am no longer the bundle of energy that could play the game from sun up to sunset. Something has happened to me. Father time has seemed to erase my credentials of being able to run, shoot, D-up, chase down loose balls, do the white man jump, and drain the rock on a consistent basis. I can't even find the gear to blow by someone, on my way to an easy lay-up. My lay ups have been silenced. It's more like lay downs from here on in.

So I know what you may be wondering. Maybe its time to throw in the towel and make my playing days a spectator sport. That certainly would be the easy way out. But I have never quite been the kind of guy to just roll over and beg for mercy. No that is not my style. I just will have to find a group of guys much older than me and slower than me to hang out with--so I can relive some of my glory days. Just kidding! The truth of the matter is I have to be honest with myself. Most of the guys playing the game at this juncture in my life are younger, quicker, faster, stronger, meaner, and foul mouthed. There motto is if you can't run with the big dogs than you better stay on the porch. But I am not ready for the porch!

So my conclusion to celebrating my birthday yesterday is to get in better shape, take the old guy jokes in stride, and waddle out to play more pick up games until I get lucky enough to score some baskets, block a few shots, score some baskets, and get placed on a good team that beats the pants off all the other pick up team opponents. Hey I am still feelin it!

My advice from today's blog is this. When reality strikes us between the eyes--accept the reality--but never accept that reality has to be the end all of what we like to do. Just reroute a little. Make some changes. Adjust. Travel slower. Take more breaks. Eat your Wheaties 6 times a day. But never just quit for the simple sake of quitting! When reality strikes us between the eyes--then plan to strike back. Don't accept a reality beat down, but find some beat down of your own. It still is inside you at any age. It still can help you overcome issues from life-rather then living as a victim.

Hey I admit I am a little older than I used to be. The reality of playing pick up games hasn't passed me totally by. Until it does I am "game" for anything! And you can be too!

Next time reality strikes you between the eyes--STRIKE BACK!

Recently I read a statistic that slapped me up side the head and made a few bells and whistles go off. There still is a lingering "ringing" inside my ears. The statistic came from the infamous Federal Reserve. If you don't know who the F.R. is I'd suggest you Goggle them. Nowadays you can google anything. The Federal Reserve have nothing but the facts man, nothing but the facts.

Oh you want to know what the facts are don't you? At least that one statistic that made the hair stand up on my neck. Here it is! Over 43% of US families spend more than they earn. To make it even clearer to you, Americans carry, on average, $5,800 in credit card debt from month to month. If one were to make only the minimum payment on that debt every month, it would take 30 years to pay it off-- and include an additional $15,000 in interest. O.K. you do the math and see if this is even possible.

Here are a few other credible debt statistics (FACTS) worth sharing.

* On average the typical credit card purchase is 112% higher than if using cash
* 96% of all Americans will retire financially dependent on the government, family, or charity (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)
* Almost one of of every 100 households in the United States will file for bankruptcy
* Only 2% of homes in America are paid for
* According to the National Association of Realtors the average homeowner stays in their home for 7.1 years. With an 8% mortgage, they will sell their home still owning over 90% on their mortgage. If they were to continue this trend they would NEVER pay off a mortgage in a lifetime!
* On average, Americans can expect to receive just 37% of the annual retirement income they will need to live comfortably
* 92% of U.S. family disposable income is spent on paying debts

George Gallup ( you can Google this guy also cause I just know he has some polls named after him. It is a him isn't it?) reports that 64% of all couples argue over money. It is now the number one cause of divorce. Till debt do us part! 64% argue about it and over 54% of divorces are caused by money. If all this statistic stuff isn't full of that farm animal barnyard stuff-- you know the kind that freshens up our country air--than I can draw up only one real conclusion.

Money Matters! The Way We Spend It Matters More!

Oh and of course I should add that OUT OF CONTROL FINANCES ARE SYMPTOMS OF AN OUT OF CONTROL LIFE! Can anybody hear me out there?

I am reminded of my days living in Florida where the Kennedy Space Center is located. What goes up must come down. In the same way what "goes out" money wise must be able to be replaced at a rapid pace or individuals, families, homes, and other stuff can easily come crashing down--leaving a trail of indebtedness--and a trail of agony and depression.

Fortunately in the days ahead I have some really good news to share for anyone serious enough to go on an adventure with me traveling a road to freedom. Or you can call it climbing your way to financial freedom. Either way if your serious enough to want to get to where you want to go then you can get there, just like I can.

During my next few bIogs I am going to address proven ways for anyone who is drowning in debt and confined to the blackness of some money pit--how to recover and to one day live financially free.

Plan to bring your piggy bank back with you for the next few times we'll be together because you will be surprised by how much financial freedom can make some change.

I am off to get my piggy bank now. See you soon!

Like I promised I am back for another blog to address some of the serious problems surrounding the money pit involving debt. I used to spend so much time in this pit that I could count all my losses frontwards and backwards. Quite frankly I think I had an addiction to debt and financial crisis. I often tell people about one of my most life threatening secrets. I reveal to them that I had a winos billfold with a rich man's mentality. Boy did this help keep spinning my world around. Then I finally woke up and decided that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired of being sick and tired of being in debt and living on fumes, shoestrings, and high interest credit cards.

Being alive has always been a good thing for me, however being alive and broke often made me feel like I was a living corpse. Being alive and feeling dead is never a feel good story. being chased down by creditors and looking for odd jobs to help make up the difference is both wearing and depressing. Being in a padded room without any electricity would have been a far better alternative. But I am here to tell you I have become not only a survivor but I have moved to a new neighborhood where thrivers reside. I have climbed the mountain of debt and overall am standing at the top of my former financial woes with a renewed hope and excitement for living. I cannot lie to you there are prices to be paid and selfish trends to let go of. But if you want to start climbing your way to financial freedom the choice is yours. YOU CAN DO IT!

Did you notice I said the choice is yours. I didn't say that it was anyone elses. It isn't your next door neighbors, a friend, your parents, a co-worker, a pastor or priest, a store clerk, or even one of your bill collectors. Nope! The bullseye is painted on you. You are the uno (number one) reason if you will expereince the freedom of eradicating debt and living in a newfound financial world.

So if you are ready to take on the responsibility, go ahead and take a quick look in the mirror and make sure you are being absolutely honest with yourself, and come back and read my next blog. It is here you will find some great insights and tools you can use to begin your process toward financial freedom.

I just figured you needed to sleep on it! Remember the choice is yours and not anyone elses.