Rested, Relaxed and Robbed!

We had a wonderfully restful and relaxing vacation in the Texas Hill Country. It was warm enough to swim and layout at the pool... we had an absolutely wonderful time. That is until the drive home.

We stopped in Oklahoma City to spend the night, and since our car was so fully packed from our trip we packed a small overnight bag for the hotel stay.

At 3:00 am I got a call from the hotel front desk: "We're sorry to call you so early, sir, but the Oklahoma City police need your assistance with your vehicle... it's been burglarized." Am I dreaming... or did I just hear what I thought I just heard. We've been robbed?!

I stumbled out of bed and strained to quickly find something to throw on so I could go outside. By this time my wife and daughter were awake. "What's going on honey?" "Dad, why are you getting dressed?"

"Somebody broke into the car," I tried to say without sounding alarmed. They both burst into tears instantly. I tried to reassure them that all was fine as I rushed out the door to assess the damage.

They had broken in through the rear passenger window. Glass was everywhere inside the Escalade. The first thing I noticed missing was the brand new DVD system we had bought for the kids to have for this trip. Then I noticed all the DVD's were gone, too. I checked the console between the two front seat and discovered our entire cd collection (all Christian music) was missing, too. I was in shock... and exhausted. I had a hard time really focusing on what else was missing. I learned later, that EVERYTHING was missing-- including our kids Easter baskets. We have estimated $5,000 worth of stuff-- including all our clothes, luggage and even some late Christmas gifts were gone.

The police explained to me that we were targeted because we were driving "an expensive, large vehicle with out-of-state plates." Apparently, this has been happening for some time now, and they were routinely patrolling the hotel parking lots looking for broken windows. I filled out the police report, and they gave me a number to call in case we discovered other things were missing. They suggested I pull my car around to the front of the hotel, directly under the drive-though carport.

When I returned to the room, my wife and daughter were still crying, clinging to each other. It was scary to see them both so frightened. At first I assumed my daughter was upset about the loss of property-- her new DVD system was gone. But I learned she was crying because she felt violated and so disappointed in the sad state of this broken world.

"I can't believe there are people out there that would do this to us," she said in disbelief. Wow, I thought... my little girl is really growing up. "That's right, honey... this world is full of broken, evil people." I replied. This is a good, safe way to learn a very valuable lesson-- the reality of evil, sin and crime. "It's out there everyday... it's more than just headlines and news stories... it really does happen."

It was a very sad moment. The protective bubble my wife and I had so carefully built around our precious children had been violently burst.

Father, thank you for your protection. Please forgive the people who have done this to us. Help us to learn from this that things are just things. This place is NOT our home... and we belong to You! Amen.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

The countdown is finally over... today we load up the Escalade and head south for the family ranch in the Hill Country of Texas. The ranch is about one hour outside of San Antonio in a little town appropriately named Hunt. I can't wait to get there.

While at the ranch we'll do a whole lot of nothing! Swimming in the pool, taking out the paddle boats, exploring in the 4-wheelers, fishing in the creek, and rocking on the back porch. I hope to catch up on my reading and napping. The kids will be spoiled by their Grandma and will have a blast hanging out with their cousins.

So, blog family, I'll probably be off the radar screen for the next 10 days or so. Please pray for our safe travels and that God will bless our time together and give us the rest and refreshing we need.

Father, thank you for time off and rest. Thank you for time that can be spent focused on family. Please bless us with a safe and fun trip. Surround us with your love. Amen.

Joy Sightings

As I explained in my previous post, we were challenged Sunday to track our "joy sightings" this week. The thought is to emphasize the joy in our lives by paying closer attention to it, rather than the negatives surrounding us.

Here are a few of my joy sightings so far:

- My son when he was allowed to have ice cream before bed time.
- My wife as she opened and read her birthday cards from various friends and family members.
- Me as my new financial planner asked if he could close out our phone conversation with a prayer.
- Me as I read encouraging words from my blog family.
- My wife as I arrived ON TIME (a first) for our standing Tuesday lunch date.
- My daughter when she declared to me that she had absolutely no homework since she finished it all in study hall.
- Me when my cell phone rang last night with an exciting and unexpected phone call (it was an answer to prayer).
- My son last night when I made him macaroni and cheese for dinner (it was boys night-- the girls were at a "purse party").

This has been fun, and it has really helped me to be looking for the positives instead of the negatives. Also, it has helped me focus on my role in bringing or "making' joy for others. It is amazing how God will use to be a joy maker, if we are a willing participant. But it does require some discipline on our part, too.

Father, thank you for being our ultimate source of joy. Thank you for allowing us to have joy that transcends our circumstances. Continue to use me to be a joy maker for you! Amen.

Joy Maker or Taker?

Sunday was an incredible day of worship, fellowship, teaching and challenge.

We were continuing our study in Philippians, this week in chapter 3:1-11. The topic of joy and the source of joy... as well as the source of joy being taken away ("the dogs"). It was a great and challenging study. At the conclusion of his lesson our minister, as he always does, challenged us for the week.

He challenged us to go out and have a week of JOY... to track our "joy sightings" and to be sure and look out for the pitfalls out there that rob us of our joy. Then came the major challenge... he asked us to evaluate if we were ever the pitfalls! Am I a joy taker! He challenged us to be joy makers and NOT joy takers.

I've been thinking about all the times I KNOW I've robbed people-- my wife, my kids, my friends, my coworkers, waiters, store clerks-- of their joy. And those are the times I KNOW of... how often have I been a joy taker without even knowing it?

Well, I'm not going to rob myself of my joy by beating myself up about that one... but instead I'l move on to joy-making fun.

My prayer for you, blog family, is that you will have a week FULL of joy! May you find it in all the usual places... and this week in particular, in places you've never even thought about finding joy!

Father, thank you for being THE source of joy in our lives. Transform me into a joy MAKER! Put joy-making opportunities into my life this week, Father. Thank you for your grace and mercy. Amen.

Shoeless, Like Moses

Yesterday, I felt a little like Moses. No, I didn't see a burning bush. But, I did feel like I was on Holy ground.

The Lord was just working in my life yesterday so intensely... so overtly that I wasn't sure if I should cover my face or remove my shoes-- or both. One thing I do know, it was powerful and I was moved to tears-- humbled in the presence of His divine intervention.

I won't go into all the personal details and circumstances surrounding these events, except to say that it brought together several very important and previously unclear areas of my life that will greatly impact my future walk with Him as well. They are areas of my life that I've been praying about significantly-- and that I know others have been praying about for me, too. And yesterday He brought together people, opportunities and circumstances in the grandest orchestration I've ever seen.

I just felt like I had to share this and give Him ALL the praise and glory for what He's doing in, through and despite of me.

Thank you, Lord. Thank you. Amen.

100 Things About Me

OK, I've given in to all the blogging peer pressure and now it's my turn to do the 100 Things List. I'm going to take a page from my friend and fellow blogger "Fireguy" (http://fireguy.blogspot.com) and divide mine up into some specific categories. So here it goes...

100 Things About Me:

Skip 101: The Basics
1. I am a Christian. God is the number one thing in my life and I TRY to live a Christ-centered life.
2. I am married to a wonderful woman who is a stay-at-home Mom by choice.
3. I have a beautiful daughter who is a baptized follower, too. She's also a typical pre-teen! : )
4. I have a handsome, red-headed son who is the ultimate athlete. He's a gold belt, soon-to-be yellow belt in Karate.
5. I am President of an Ad Agency and love what I do. There are those days, though...
6. I graduated from Abilene Christian University with a degree in Communications-- that's where I met my wife.
7. I grew up primarily in Florida, just north of Panama City Beach.
8. I got my nickname "Skip" in college-- it's a long story but it has to do with being preppy in West Texas.
9. I am one of five kids-- the middle child, to be exact.
10. I am a Republican.

All Things Spiritual
11. I've been on a real spiritual journey for the past 5 or so years and have dramatically changed my views on a number of topics. Most people would consider me a "liberal"... at least in CoC circles! : )
12. I credit Zoe Group and BST for planting the seed in my heart to want and desire more in my spiritual life
13. I am excited about the things the Spirit has been doing in and through my life.
14. I am part of a "house church" that has been meeting for several years now. We have grown very close and have gone through some pretty major stuff together. I love this kind of close-knit community. Something you can't find in "corporate" church-- especially the big ones.
15. I have been reading a number of terrific books that have helped shaped who I am becoming spiritually. Purpose Driven Life, Purpose Driven Church, Seizing Your Divine Moment, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Next Door Savior are a few of my favorites.
16. About five years ago, my wife and I made a decision to "focus" our family on Christian music and avoid most secular music. It is amazing how this has blessed our lives, and help us avoid trouble we see others going through with their children! (Although we still listen to jazz)
17. In spite of all the growth, I still feel grossly inadequate in my spiritual walk.
18. I love my current church family! We drive one hour each way to be at this new church!
19. Blogging has helped my spiritual growth and formation.
20. I love the Psalms-- all of them! The praises and the laments!

My Side of the Family
21. My father was a CoC preacher while I was growing up and as a result I lived all over the place when I was younger.
22. My oldest sister is a psychiatrist in N. Alabama
23. My second sister is a stay at home mom also in N. Alabama and has four boys and one princess! (2 of them are adopted--she's crazy!)
22. My younger brother is a VP of Marketing for a logistics technology company in Austin, TX
23. My youngest sister is a social worker in Sarasota
24. My father became disenchanted with the "politics" of preaching and became a school teacher- he's now retired.
25. My mother is a middle school teacher in Florida. This is her last year before retirement.
26. My parents do lots of mission work and have travelled all over the world including Africa and Europe.
27. My father is an elder.
28. My sister is an elder in the Presbyterian church.
29. My mom grew up in NYC and finished high school in one year.
30. My parents met at Harding... my mom was only 15!!!

My Wife's side of the Family
31. I have THE best mother-in-law in the UNIVERSE-- really!!!
32. My father-in-law passed away the summer before I met my wife-- so I never knew him.
33. My father-in-law "invented" the Whopper!
34. My wife has two sisters-- both of them and their husbands all went to ACU, too.
35. All of my wife's family live in Texas
36. My wife's family owns a beautiful ranch in the Texas Hill Country
37. My wife's family worships at Oak Hills where Max Lucado preaches
38. Max wrote many of his books at my mother-in-laws lake house.
39. Max eventually bought the lake house from my mother-in-law.
40. My kids have four cousins on this side of the family... they're all very close!

Our Little Family
41. Our children attend a private Christian school that is FANTASTIC!!
42. Our daughter is a cheerleader.
43. Our daughter just placed first place in her school science fair
44. Our son is a jock and plays every sport known to man!
45. We spend lots of family time attending our kids events (band concerts, plays, games, etc.)
46. We try to eat EVERY evening meal together... even if it's just a simple meal.
47. We eat out EVERY Sunday... the kitchen is closed! (I grew up eating every Sunday meal at home-- it was always my Mom's biggest and best meal).
48. We have a soft coated wheaten terrier named Bailey.
49. Because we live so far away from all our extended family, "our little family" is very close.
50. We have lots of fun family traditions that would probably be odd to others.

Stuff I Love
51. I love to eat! Especially ethnic food-- Thai is my favorite, with Italian a close second.
52. I love to sing! I've been singing and performing since I was a kid. My wife and I are on our church's praise team.
53. "Trading Spaces", "Designed to Sell" and "Sell this House" I'm addicted to these shows.
54. I love my wife! She's so much better than what I deserve! No question I "married up"!
55. I love jazz-- especially old stuff like Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. If it's live, all the better!
56. I love to dress well. (I was voted "Best Dressed" in high school). My wife just shredded my Banana Republic card!
57. I love good red wine. Yes, I am a snob.
58. I love having a couple of really, really good friends with whom you can share everything and completely depend on.
59. I love to entertain. We love having people over to our house and showing them an amazing time.
60. I love blogging! It has blessed me in so many ways I could have never imagined.

Stuff I Loathe
61. Closed minded people... especially when it comes to spiritual matters.
62. Legalism-- in any area of life, but especially loathsome in spiritual matters.
63. Tele-marketers-- OK I'm in this business (marketing NOT telemarketing) and there are so many better and more effective ways to connect with potential customers!
64. Laziness-- OK I admit it... I'm a driven person and I expect everyone else to be.
65. Anything done withOUT excellence-- this applies to everything--- work, church, food, service. If you're going to do something, do it with excellence!
66. Slow drivers. Yes, I'm usually late and I hate being late... so get out of my way!
67. Being late. Me or anyone else.
68. People who tear down others instead of building them up! Yes, I have done this and I hated myself for it, too!
69. Rap and heavy metal music. I'm glad it works for somebody, but I've never understood it. Sorry!
70. Guilt! I grew up with and I'm having trouble shaking it!!

I've Never...
71. I've never been to Australia... but I'd like to.
72. I've never been a big baseball fan. My son on the other hand is a MAJOR Cubs fan!
73. I've never eaten snake, alligator or chocolate covered ants.
74. I've never won the lottery.
75. I've never dated more than one girl at a time.
76. I've never jumped out of an airplane
77. I've never understood NASCAR.
78. I've never been to a high school reunion.
79. I've never been to Hawaii or Alaska.
80. I've never wanted to kill myself... maybe others, but never myself! : )

I Wish I Could...
81. Spend more time with my kids.
82. Move my church to my hometown-- driving gets old!
83. Ask God a few questions instead of waiting until later.
84. Be bolder about my Christianity.
85. Play golf-- not better-- at all.
86. Go back to Europe for another 3 weeks with my wife.
87. Take my family to Disney World.
88. Spend the summers at the beach in Florida.
89. Stop anyone from ever hurting my children.
90. Be more like Christ.

Can you believe I...
91. Paid my own way through private college.
92. Get my hair highlighted every 3 months.
93. Have never wanted to wear contacts... Lasik maybe.
94. Went to Argentina on a mission trip for three weeks.
95. Worked in Canada for a month on a TV commercial
96. Have never been on a horse. (... and you call yourself a rancher!)
97. Am a "Mac person" not a "PC person".
98. Serve on three different community Boards
99. Love to garden and didn't mention it before now?
100. Actually did this? Wow... even I'm impressed.