Day 144- A Blow up First

It was late Saturday afternoon and I needed a "first."  Joel asked me about it and so he and I started brainstorming.  One idea led to another.  I mentioned shooting something and Joel liked the idea of blowing up something.  Typical father/son talk about something fun to do.  We came up this idea: we would shake up coke cans (full of course) and shoot them to see how big of an explosion it would make.  I shot shook up cans of coke for my "first."

I invited the family to be a part of this and everyone agreed.  Since everyone wanted to do this but certain members were a bit unsure about the noise and kick of the gun, I let them shoot the .22 rifle. I shot the .22 and a shotgun.  If you are wondering, if you shake up a can of coke real good and then shoot it, there will be a pretty cool explosion.

I went first with the .22.  The family was surprised how big of an explosion that made.  Joel went second since he helped come up with the idea.  He was fun to watch and pretty excited about it. Laura was a bit more excited about this one than I thought she would be.  She nailed it on the first shot.  This was reminiscent of several years ago when she went deer hunting and killed a deer the first time she shot at one.  In fact, it was the first and only time she's ever shot a high-powered rifle.  Hannah Grace went last because she was a bit timid about the noise. Afterwards, she was very happy that she shot one as well. After that, I shot one with the shotgun and it really blew up big. When we were finished, Joel said, "That was awesome." He said it like he meant it.

Guess who took over the photography at this point- I have lots of pictures similar to this one

As Christians, we need to be careful about blowing up.  We can get shook and shook by things like unkind comments, disappointments, stress at work, being misunderstood and if we are not walking in the Spirit, that pressure can build up until we explode.  That can cause a mess that is really hard to clean up.  Those explosions usually happen with words that we say that later we wish we had not said.  Often, we can really damage hearts of the people that are close to us.  Even though we can apologize and receive forgiveness, there is still some residual damage to relationships when that happens.

The key is to not let the pressure build up.  The coke cans were sealed and the pressure was not let off until we shot them. If there had been a hole somewhere, the pressure would not have built up.  As followers of Jesus, we can let the pressure off in healthy ways like praying, talking with a close Christian friend, worshipping, and things like that.  The pressure has to be let off somehow.  I have found that turning to Jesus is the best way to release some of that.  He understands what we are feeling better than anyone. He already knows how we are feeling so we might as well tell Him.  While doing that, we can confess our sins and thank God that He can handle our emotions and whatever turmoil we might be going through.  Also, talking things over with a godly friend is very helpful.  If there is someone that is mature enough to not get drawn into my emotions and also help me see this from God's perspective, that can be so helpful.

So, don't get blown up!  Instead, pray up, confess up, and give up to Jesus.  The Bible says in Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Looking calmly toward the abundant life
Barry

3 things I thank God for today
1. Purple
2. Watching LSU baseball with Joel
3. Hannah Grace is enjoying her swimming

Day 143- A Fire Drill First

Hannah Grace is off having a spend the night party with a church group.  After supper, I suggested to Laura and Joel that we go get a treat.  Off to McDonald's for an ice cream sundae we go.

On the way there, it hit me that I had not done a "first" today. Wow, at 7:30 on a Friday night "firsts" opportunities are not abounding around here. As we were driving to town, I suggested that we might do a Chinese fire drill.  If you don't know what that is, it is where a group of people (typically teenagers) are riding in a car. When you come to a red light and stop, everyone jumps out of the car and runs around switching positions in the car.  It is silly and has no real purpose other than to laugh.  When I suggested this, Laura was all for it and Joel wanted to know why people did that.  We explained that it was just to be silly.  Then he wanted to know why and how it was invented.  I don't know.

When we got to the red light just before McDonald's, it turned red just before we got there.  The fact that I saw it was green and slowed down to 20 miles per hour helped.  You might think that this was aggravating to the people driving behind me.  There was  no one behind me for about as far as I could see. I live in pretty small town.  When we got to the red light, we all jumped out and ran to a different place. We made sure Joel knew he was going to the front seat passenger side; not driver's side.  He requested the driver's side.  I went to the back seat and Laura got the driver's place.  Of course, we were all laughing when we got back in.

Joel asked us if we ran when we did the fire drill.  We both said yes.  He said he walked and tried to act normal.  When we got out at McDonald's, he said he was embarrassed to go inside.  We assured him there was nobody in McDonald's that could have seen us.  It added an element of fun to our night out for a treat.

Things look different when you look at them from a different perspective. It's been a while since I rode in the back seat.  Life is just different depending on how you see it.  It is sure easy to criticize someone else that is not doing so well.  When I see someone struggling, it is very easy to think about what they should do.  If I was in their place, I might find it as hard to do better as they do.   Knowing what the right thing to do is different from doing it. Sometimes doing it can be very hard. This is not an excuse for living poorly, but it is a reminder that we truly don't understand what another person is going through. You've heard the expression "Don't criticize someone until you walk a mile in their shoes."  The comedian said the reason why is that you'll be a mile away and they can't hear you plus you'll have their shoes.

Well, that's not the big idea behind that.  I do need reminding occasionally that some people are going through some massive struggles. I can't imagine how hard being a single parent must be. The idea of losing a spouse to an early death is something I really do not want to have to cope with. Neither is being unemployed, having a desperately sick child, trying to cope with mental illness, among other things something I want to try to do in life. There are some people who are coping with really hard situations.  They need compassion more than criticism. They need understanding more than a pointed finger.  At times, they need acceptance more than "you should."   Of course, we all need to help each other in our struggles to draw close to God and become more Christlike, but let's not forget to be understanding of what someone may be going through.  The first step may be admitting that we don't know what they are going through.  We were not raised the same, we don't have the personality, relationships, or chemical makeup. I want to try to show others the kind of grace I've received from God. It is amazing.

And remember, the next time you see a family jump out of a car and run around, they may just be having fun.

Glad for the abundant life
Barry

3 things I thank God for today
1. Firemen
2. Noodles
3. God is not confused

Day 142- A Help Desk First

A friend of mine updated to a new I-Phone.  So, he gave me his old I-Phone which was an update for me.  The big advantage for me to have this new (to me) I-Phone was that it was 4G and mine was 3G. 

He helped me to transfer data from the old phone to this new phone.  When we (that means he did stuff and I watched) got the phone up and running with all my data on it, the display still read 3G.  So, when I got home I called my phone provider and asked about how to get the phone to go to 4G.

The help desk guy actually helping me did not go well.  He tried to explain to me that this phone that I now have is a 3G phone. I tried explaining to him that my friend was using 4G on this phone yesterday and had been for a while (I found out later that it was actually the day before yesterday, but I was close). His website was telling him 3G and my friend was telling me 4G.  He tried a thing or two to get it to 4G and we never did.  Somehow it seems that this provider has toned down my phone to 3G where with other providers it would be a 4G.

So, the conversation with the help desk guy did not solve my dilemma.  As we were wrapping up the conversation, I asked him if he was stupid or just trying to rip me off.  Actually, I did not say that. I asked him to remind me of his name. It was Sergio.  I told Sergio that I was a Christian and enjoyed praying for people and was there something he would like me to pray for him about. For my "first," I asked the guy from the help desk if I could pray for him.

I can't have 4G?



The preacher

Oh, yea, Jesus is here

This was a cool "first" on two levels.  First, the guy seemed very appreciative that I would ask him if I could pray for him. He said something like, "It is with much gratefulness that I would like for you to pray for me." We never did quite connect on him giving me a specific prayer request.  It seems there is possibility that English was not Sergio's native language. I know that he speaks English better than I speak his native language. In view of this, I was content with simply telling him that I would pray for him.

The other cool thing about this "first" was that it helped me.  Somewhere around the middle of this phone call it occurred to me that this could be a "first."  The phone call was somewhat disappointing. I have a 4G phone that will not do 4G.  It was tempting to get a bit irate and unkind with my man Sergio.  I know it is not his fault. He has nothing to do with my phone capabilities with that company. I'm sure there are times in his day when he does get talked to in something less than a Jesus pleasing tone.  Knowing that I was going to ask him if I could pray for him helped me to treat him in a kind way.  I did ask specific questions and did want to know why this would not work, but that can be done in a way that is honoring to the Lord and treats people with respect.  In addition, it's not a big deal whether I have 3G or 4G.  I was happy with 3G and still am. I don't even know what 4G is.

Even when we are disappointed and things don't go our way, it is helpful to remember that glorifying God is more important that 3 or 4G, or how fast you get your order at the restaurant, or if the person in front of you at Wal-Mart has 372 coupons.  More importantly is that in this situation, will I glorify God?

Looking to Jesus for the abundant life
Barry

3 things I thank God for today
1. Psalm 23
2. Louis Kathman's song "Unconditional Surrender"
3. Our children's last day of school for this year

Day 141- An Art First

Today I went to the Mobile Museum of Art for my "first."

I was in Mobile visiting a friend in the hospital.  On the way down, a big water bird flew over the interstate with a snake in his/her claws.  That was pretty cool.  Being in Mobile offers me more "first" opportunities so I typed museums in my travel app thing and it turned out that I was only 1.4 miles from the Mobile Museum of Art.  So, after I looked at the sun and tried to determine which direction west was  (the lady on the app said "turn west" despite my repeated requests for right or left), I headed to the Mobile Museum of Art.

I'm not really an art guy.  This is definitely something I would not have done if it was not my year of "firsts."  The price was reasonable and I had an hour (which I correctly thought  would be plenty for me) so I went to the museum and looked at some art.

The thing I really liked about the museum was that it was quiet and cool.  If they had books and coffee, I could have stayed all afternoon.  I think that's called a bookstore.  It was a pretty nice place to relax and spend an hour on a hot afternoon.  I don't really know anything about art but they do have some pretty pictures.

 

 

Love some watermelon; really love to eat it more than look at it

This is "lady with a bad haircut"

I believe that's a whip in this girl's hand; is this scary to anyone but me??  What if she grows up to be a teacher? Or a Mom? Or a wife?

Norman Rockwell

Caption said ice chest; it was just a bit larger than the size of a gallon ice cream container. It would not hold many fish

This is called cloisonne art.  We saw them making this kind of art when we were in China-it's made out of copper or something

Here's some real art: the pictures below are what Joel and Hannah Grace painted for Mother's Day this year. You can tell which one is Hannah Grace's 

Looking at art is pretty cool.  It sure beats a bare wall.  As I looked at the pictures and stuff today, I thought about how pretty they were but they could not take the place of the real thing. I have pictures of my family in my office and I love them.  It is much better to have my family in my office than the pictures.  Pictures can't hug, laugh, smile, or talk.  I have pictures of fish I have caught. Catching fish is way more fun than looking at a picture of fish.

I need to make sure that I have a real relationship with God and not just a picture of one.  It is easy to listen to sermons and hear people talk about Jesus and try to look like they do.  Just trying to look like a Christian cannot compare to having a real relationship with God where He is active in my life. Hearing about God is no substitute for having the peace that passes all understanding or joy unspeakable.  Let's make sure our relationship with God is real and not just a picture of what we think it ought to look like.

Wanting the real experience of the abundant life
Barry

3 things I thank God for today
1. Art
2. The kids mother's day gifts this year
3. Birds that kill snakes

Day 140- A Wasp First

Sunday evening we had a cookout at church.  I was informed that one of the children got stung by a wasp while playing outside. Well, we can't have that.  Joel and I went wasp hunting today as a "first."

I've been wasp hunting before.  Joel has never been with me as a participant. He wanted to go and have a go at killing the wasps himself.  This seemed like a good "first" as long as we did not get stung.

Nothing like a brownie to get a fella in the wasp hunting frame of mind

Where could they be?

Joel and I went to the playground to see if could find them. Joel knew about where the young man was when he got stung.  We hunted and hunted and had a hard time finding a nest. Finally, we found one.  It was underneath the playground equipment up in a hole.  Really?  That's playing dirty.  That is really a hard place to get to with wasp spray; our weapon of choice.

We are not real sure how successful we were under there.  We both took a shot or two and then were a little jumpy to get back under there once they were good and stirred up. We left them for another day.

Since we were out, we took a stroll around the church and looked for other wasp nests.  We found a few and Joel got them.  This is all kinds of fun as long as you don't get stung.  Plus, we don't want people stung at church.  The only hurting we want people to have is the conviction of the Holy Spirit at church. That is a good hurting that hopefully leads to repentance.

This is real fun

As we walked around looking for wasp nests I was reminded that Satan likes to hide and attack when we don't expect it.  If you are looking for wasps, you can find them and do away with them pretty easily.  If you are not, you can get zapped in a hurry. I picked up a cardboard box a couple of years ago that had a nest in it.  I was stung several times before I could turn that box loose.  As followers of Jesus, it is pretty easy to think that life is going to go smooth or ought to go smooth.  That is simply not true. There will be temptations, hurts, disappointments along the way.  We need to be prepared for those. Ephesians 6:10 reminds us, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power."  The reason is found in 1 Peter 5:8, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."  Be prepared for the enemy of your soul to try to trip you up, hurt you, steal from you, and destroy you. That is what he's about. 

He fights dirty.  I just did not expect the wasps to be under the plastic playground equipment in a hole. Satan loves to attack and tempt you when you are tired, discouraged, frustrated, and generally down or unsuspecting.  Keep on the alert.

Joel and I had wasp spray.  That helped immensely.  As believers, we have the Holy Spirit, Word of God, prayer, faith, and other spiritual weapons to do battle with.  Don't fight the enemy in your own strength and with mere strength of will.  Keep surrendered to Jesus and let Him fight the battles through you.  Near the end, we ran out of wasp spray and were just spraying air. That was not effective at all. Make sure you are filled with the Spirit.

And no, we did not get stung.

Fighting for the abundant life
Barry

3 things I thank God for today
1. Wasp spray
2. Pens
3. Cards

Day 139- A Shining Christian First

I was at the Lifeway bookstore today in Mobile.  When I went to pay for my purchases, the young lady that was working at the cash register was someone that had waited on me before a few times.  She has a super sweet personality.  I've noticed what seems to be a real Christlikeness in her that is beyond the normal.  Of course, this is just in a few minutes at the cash register which does not tell me a whole lot about her. Still, she just shines.  Today, I asked her what caused her to have such a sweet personality for my "first."

This is not something I would normally do. I normally would just smile back but today I decided to take it a step further because I needed a "first" and this had possibilities.  Here is a  young lady that seems to be shining for Jesus and I wanted to hear her say why she was that way and hopefully be an encouragement to her.  So, I told her that I had been in the store several other times and she had checked out my purchases for me.  I went on to tell her that she has such a sweet personality and asked her why that was.  Her answer was precious.  She said that God had given her that personality and she had always kind of been that way. That's a pretty humble response. I responded by saying that she had received a really nice gift.  She then looked down and shook her head a time or two (I could tell she was about to say something else so I just kept quiet and thought.. wait for it).  She said, "Jesus gives me joy."  Boom, there it is. I knew that was the reason.  At least I was pretty sure.  It was so cool to her her say it.  I then told her that it was obvious and that the joy of Jesus just exuded from her.  Bless her heart, she turned a bright red.  I don't usually notice when people blush, but she turned a bright red.  That may have been a "first" for me as well; embarrassing a check-out clerk.  I said that I could tell that the joy of Jesus combined with her personality was a wonderful gift of the Lord.  I then told her that my wife had a very similar personality and was a lot of fun to be around.  That is very true plus I wanted to take any of the "creep" vibe away that may be there.

I love a bookstore; love this book

Hmm, thinking about buying this one

Love this book; don't tell anyone I read Beth Moore books (they are for ladies)

I love this book

This was a fun "first."  It was encouraging to hear a young lady probably in her 20's say that Jesus gives her joy and to witness that joy shining through her eyes.  I hope it was encouraging to her that others could see Jesus shining in her life.  We live in a tough world that is often brutal.  How refreshing it is to see someone that has kindness and concern oozing out of them. She works in a Christian bookstore but there was that "something" that set her apart.

Seeing her work in there challenges me. Do people truly see Jesus in me?  They won't if He is not truly in control of my life.  My focus is not to be "Can people see Jesus in me?" as much as "Is Jesus controlling my life?"  If Jesus is controlling my life, He can take care of what people see in me.  If I'm simply trying to act in a way that people will say they see Jesus in me, that can be self-centered.

You've probably seen Jesus shining in someone lately. Why not tell them that? It might be very encouraging.

Encouraged to see others living the abundant life
Barry

3 things I thank God for today
1. Joel having fun playing baseball
2. Christlike salespeople
3. The book "Love Does" by Bob Goff

Day 138- A Backpack First

Today, I hid notes in my children's backpacks for my "first."

It occurred to me today that I've never put a note in my children's backpacks before. I have left notes on their beds and on the table for them, but somehow never in their backpacks.  So, I wrote both of them a note and hid them so they will find them at school tomorrow. This is a bit trickier than it seems.  I don't want them to discover the notes before they leave. If they happen to want to put something in there in the morning and discover the notes, the thrill of it sort of leaks out.  If I hide them so well they don't find them at all then it is a bust.  Laura is my accomplice on this one.  She will be watching closely in the morning to make sure they don't go in their backpack for some reason.  We tried to make sure the backpacks are all packed tonight after they went to bed.  In fact, I put Hannah Grace's in her lunch box.  She usually either packs her lunch or we help her, but tomorrow we have it all packed for her.

The notes were not long. I just wrote how proud I am of their school year. The fact that I love them made an appearance in the notes.  I also included Philippians 4:13 which says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Joel's note and backpack

 Hannah Grace's lunch box

 

This was a fun "first."  I am looking forward to the children getting home tomorrow and see what kind of reaction they had to this. Of course, when you do something for your children, you have to do it out of love and trust God for the results because children do not always react like you hope.  The notes may encourage them and brighten their day like I hope. There is always the possibility that the notes will embarrass one or both of them.  Parenthood is not for those who get their feelings hurt easily.

Regardless of their reaction, this is a "first" I'll be glad I did. I want them to know they are loved and to remind them of that often. It's also one of those things that I may not have done without doing the year of "firsts" and one that I'm surprised I've not done before now.  I've thought of it and heard of it and intended to do it.  My year of "firsts" has really been good for helping me to do some things that I want to do but just needed a reason to do.

Maybe there is someone you might want to send a love or thank you note to.  Your family is an easy one. A couple of years ago I sent a thank you note to one of my Sunday School teachers.  He wrote me back and it was truly a high point of that year.  Pray and see if you might want to send a note to someone.

Thanking God for the joys of the abundant life
Barry

3 things I thank God for today
1. Notes I've received through the years.
2. New life in Christ
3. The old man is dead- 2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.