Oreos & Cool Whip

I would like to introduce you to my new love.. Oreos and Cool Whip. Yah I know it's not the most healthy choice of snack/dessert. BUT, do we always have to care about the nutritional value? I say NO!! So next time you find yourself at the market, seek out heaven. Seek out Oreos and Cool Whip! Your life will never be the same...

A "Man's Man" ??

A few days ago I was adding stuff to my Christmas list using Target.com as a reference point. They divided the search up into age, price, gadget guru, etc. The one category that really stuck out however, was called, "Man's Man". I obviously made fun of it and then clicked the link to go to the items that were designated only for the "Man's Man". While going through the list my mind took off to another place and I began to ponder what a "Man's Man" was. Not what society or even Target describes as a "Man's Man", but what came to my mind. So here it goes kids!

A "Man's Man" is...

A man that's ok to admit he's wrong. He's strong yet gentle all at the same time. He loves his wife/kids more than life. He encourages His wife to take the reigns of their spiritual relationship and push him to grow. He's a hard worker as well as dependable yet values every second he has with family and friends. He serves without looking to be served. He loves without expectaion of love in return. He only drinks stout beer and loves Irish rugby! ( OK maybe not ) : )

So those are some of the things that come to my mind. This whole idea of what a man is, is really hard for me to swallow. I have friends that would fit the societal "Man's Man" model. I don't think however, that the societal Man's Man is the same as the Jesus version of a Man's Man. Jesus didn't run around shooting guns and blowing things up. Wasn't oppressive to women or people that were different. He didn't go to sporting events, get hammered, and invite other men out to the parking lot to have a "chat". He didn't shame people into serving Him. He didn't drive a huge truck with giant tires. And no matter how much it hurts, Jesus did not sip down a pint or two while watching Irish Rugby...

Jesus, the ultimate Man's Man, came riding in on a donkey. He shared with everyone that Love was the greatest thing of all. He taught that we are saved through grace. He served man, child, and women and asked nothing in return. He looked beyond what we see with mortal eyes and saw people as cherished pieces of art. He saw value in all things. And, He gave His life so we could live.

Maybe this will spark something in you as a Man. Maybe this will spark something in you as a Woman. Could be a positive or negative spark. Either way, reflect. If you have something to add or a point of view which is different, i invite you to respond to this post. ( Fade in Military-esque marching music here! ) It's time that Men not let themselves be defined by a societal label. It's time for men to explore who they are and where they need to grow. It's time for men to be just that, MEN! ( Fade out the Military-esque marching music here! )

Cute little boxes filled with bombs!

So i have a disease. It's called I don't think before I speak/React. I knew this was something that would plague my relationships, but it became even more real once I got married. I realize that I have this problem and I can come up with a thousand ways to avoid verbal vomit. But then my question is, "How the hell do I just shut my mouth!!". I wish that question had a simple answer. Every situation is different as well as the emotions that run in them. With that in mind, I feel like there are bombs in boxes all around me and I have the choice in every situation to diffuse the bomb, or ignite it. The problem however, is the bomb going off isn't always up to me. Sometimes you have an accomplice that lends a helping hand by pushing the button on the top of the bomb. This person could be my wife, extended family, friends, classmates etc. So sometimes I feel like the bomb going off is inevitable. But is it really? I know that if I were able to find the strength to tear myself away from any situation that I could see an explosion, I would save myself and those around me. Is it possible that there's always one person that regulates the emotional level of the conflict? Is it possible that there's that one person that decides the outcome of the situation before you arrive? I'm starting to think there is. I know that in the heat of the moment when Kate and I are engaged in a "Squabble" that instead of me waiting for her to make the move, I could make the move and control the situation. Now I don't mean control her, I mean control the emotional make up of the discussion. And making the decision to be in control from the very beginning is most important. I'm emotional. When I get excited it's like throwing bombs into a volcano. I can't allow myself to explode and kill everyone in Manhattan (Heroes Refference...Anyone...ANYONE??!). Well I guess I should have a go at this. Maybe it will work, maybe it wont. I'll let ya know how it all plays out!

The Faith Debockle

At our young marrieds bible study group this last Sunday we were discussing 1 John and ideas such as, how do we know the voice we hear is God, and ways we can ensure that we are hearing the voice of god clearly. Topics like these are really hard for me because no matter where the discussion takes us we always land on "Well, you just need to have faith."

Faith... Now there's a fun topic for all partied involved. What does it mean to be a person of faith? Can we ever achieve a level of faith to where we no longer doubt? Those are the questions that invade my mind when I hear the word faith(Well those questions, as well as that awesome song by George Michael... But in any case).

I guess I really struggle with this idea of faith. I have asked people before what they view as faith and of course I get the, "believing in something you can't see." answer almost every time. I'm ready for a new answer to this question. That very answer makes me even more confused about the topic of faith. I feel that in many ways we have lost what faith is. We regurgitate a definition that's been on hundreds of advertisements, in millions of youth group teachings, and sermons. But what is faith and how many of these church voices actually have this faith that they preach about?

I know for me that I lack in the faith department. Maybe it's because of the environment that I was raised in. Maybe society and the culture in this country has handicapped my ability to be a "Faith Filled Man". Who knows what the reason is. All i know is that this idea of faith is, and has been on my mind for quite some time now..

Elegant Violence....Rubgy

I have no SKIN!!!!!

Well I have almost made it through my first week of rugby practice. It's been grand thus far. I'm starting to really pick things up and am able to really run with the lads ( Well Better than I was a week ago anyway). I didn't fully realize how tough this sport was until now but I love every minute of it. Ya see when I was in high school I though football practice sucked. But I'm here to tell ya that high school football practice is patty cake compared to rugby.

So Yesterday I got a brand new pair of rugby boots. In all honesty they are the most obnoxious looking boots in the world, but I love em. There's only one issue with them, during practice last night the boots managed to rip away any flesh that I had on my heels. Now I have had blisters on my feet before but this issue takes the cake. They hurt so bad last night that by the end of practice I couldn't even walk. I woke up this morning and took Kate to work and she was walking behind me and informed me that I was oozing out of my bandages......

I guess the only thing that stick out in my mind about his was a comment made by Alleko, one of my coaches. He informed me that, "Pain is only temporary. But glory lasts forever!" And right there I felt like I was in some Trojan war movie and Brad Pitt was giving an inspirational speech!!

All in all, I love the sport. My heels on the other hand....


Well, cheers for now!

Michael VS. Grandpa Jo

The other day I was in the Safeway parking lot. I was driving through ti find a spot just like I would any other day. This day was different however. I stop at the stop sign, let a pedestrian go by and then began to turn right when all of the sudden a giant ass white Cadillac decides he wanted to park in the handicap lane right next to where I was. Now I turn right and this awesome old man decided he needed to park his car before I was able to pass and he didn't have a signal on. So he stares me down as I essentially cut him off and I looked him in the eye and mouthed these words, "TUUUUUURN SIIIIGNAL YOU CRAZY OLD MAAAN!!!". After I expressed my disgust with Grandpa Jo, I found a spot. I parked my car and looked in my mirror and I saw the man standing in the middle of the lot with cane in hand looking for me. At this point I had come to a fork in the road. Do I get out of the car and unleash hell and fury on Grandpa Jo? Or do I wait in the car untill the Club swinging tyrant goes into the store? Well I thought it would be in the best interest of all parties involved if I waited int he car untill he left. I went in and found my groceries, enjoyed numerous samples of fresh Safeway classics and went on about my day! Here's to you Grandpa JO, CHEERS!!!!

I'm a Rugger???

Yesterday I had my first rugby practice. It was awesome. I'm new to the sport and the lads were very accommodating in helping me figure things out. We will be practicing 3 days a week for the next 2 weeks. I will most likely puke at one point or another due to the level of fitness training. Well It looks like I am a Queen City Ram now! I'm sore.......

Worship is nothing more than music....?

I have discovered over the past week or so that I am a little skeptical about music programs in the Christian Church. Jason Clark's blog "We're not singing anymore...or are we....?"
really struck a chord in my spirit. I was the director of media arts and worship for about 2 years at this church in Northern CO. My time there was brilliant. I learned a lot about ministry, God, people, and most importantly I learned a ton about myself and my relationship with God. In that experience the Music portion of the service took priority over everything else. In our western culture I feel that goes for the Majority of Churches. I don't really understand that mind set anymore. I agree with the idea of community worship and the importance of singing praises to God. However, the one thing I am currently struggling with is why we make the music A priority? The church I attend currently is the most spiritually sound church I have ever been apart of. But for me to say that there is nothing I disagree with, would just be a lie. My church is currently struggling financially (Which church isn't?). The church has had to cut numerous positions to start regaining financial control. Now back to the topic of worship. Our worship band is phenomenal. The band is full of some of the best musicians I think I have ever heard. I found out why they were so good, they are all paid professional musicians. And I can only imagine how much they get paid. One of the positions that was cut was the small group coordinator. Beyond him being an all around stellar guy, his position of coordinator is vital to the health of our church. I personally believe that the small group system is just as important as singing a couple of songs. Beyond that, community through discussion is possibly more worshipful than singing a couple of pop songs anyway. Don't get me wrong, I love my church. But this is my current issue.
I think about priorities within the church. I ponder what I can do to be the change. I have come up with some pretty good ideas but it's hard for me to be apart of something I do not agree with. I was given an opportunity to help out with the music ministry and have decided to decline all offers based on these feelings and emotions. I feel worship is important. But I think we should tone down the production and really worship. Maybe have a Sunday every now and then where it's just a guy/girl and A guitar. I understand that the church needs to do things to make people interested in church, and music is a huge part of that. But I think MTV should stay in NY and cable and out of the church. The days of the Worship Performer rather than Lead Worshiper, are quickly going away....