I hate the Denver Broncos. I have been bred to hate them since I was a small child. I have been a Kansas City Chiefs fan my whole life, so I have had no choice. I bleed Chiefs red and yellow. I am passionate about football and my team. I know the Chiefs haven't had the greatest success as of late, but that doesn't matter. They are my team. I am 30 years old and I haven't ever had any other team. I remember when the Chiefs would lose when I was a kid it would ruin my day. I can't pin point it exactly, but I love them. I always have hope for success. I have been over joyous in big wins and almost brought to tears in big losses (AFC Championship game against the Bills inpaticular). I love the Kansas City Chiefs. Always have, always will. I hate the Broncos, I am bred to do so.
I remember when I was a kid watching John Elway do things that I didn't think were possible. When the Chiefs would play the Broncos we would have him in our clutches, so close to a sack you would rise out of your seat, but alas more times than not he would escape. I don't know the percentage of times that the Broncos won and the Chiefs won in that era, but I know when the Chiefs would win I felt like I could take on the world. More times than not though it seems like Elway would provide some sort of magic and end up winning more than not.
Even at the end of Elways career when he had accomplished everything, but a Super Bowl win I didn't have sympathy for him. I didn't want the Broncos to win and I relished at the possibility that Elway would be thought of as, "A great QB that NEVER won a Super Bowl." I thought at least that, the Broncos and Elway would not achieve. At least I could relish in THAT. Then right there at the end of his career Elway lead the Broncos to 2 Super Bowl wins. I wanted to puke. I hate the Denver Broncos.
Elway retired and the Broncos declined. Their decline was glorious. It was a good run. Then before I knew what hit me this year, Tim Tebow got the start. I was not worried at first. The beginning of the Tebow era didn't start well, but that was just one game. They have only lost 1 game since Tebow started taking the snaps. I hate the Denver Broncos, but this time something is different.
I am an avid Chiefs fan through thick and thin, but more than that I am an avid Christian. I try and live my life as an example to others. I try and share my faith and show people Jesus. So does Tim Tebow. Ugh, what dilema. I tried at first at first to say, "Well he is a great guy and I am glad he is using is platform to share Christ while he has it, because he won't be starting soon. His skill set does not translate to the NFL. This ride will be over soon." You can only say that for so many weeks before you don't even believe it yourself, because Tebow keeps winning. I wittnessed one of the wins live against my beloved Chiefs. I have found myself captivated Tebow and have watched Broncos games that I normally wouldn't have. He looks horrible for the first 3 quarters which makes me think my previous statement about him is still right, but before you know it he pulls it out some how in the end.
Tebow has had everyone telling him the same thing I was several weeks ago. "Your skills don't translate to the NFL. You aren't good enough." Through it all he keeps winning and more inspiring through it all he points to Christ. He won't stop talking about Jesus. I can't help it. I'm sorry, but I have started rooting for him. I want him to win. I want to see him succeed. I want him to beat the odds.
Does this mean I am trading my Chiefs red and yellow for Broncos blue and orange? NO. I am a Chiefs fan and will not waiver on that. Never will. But I am inspired by Tim Tebow. I am a fan of Tebow. I hope he gets traded to another team. I hate the Denver Broncos.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
My Lovely
Hopefully we all take time out from our busy schedules to reflect from time to time. I have been doing that a lot lately. I look at my life and think, "Wow." I am not a financially rich man. I am not poor either I suppose, but many would laugh at my salary. What they wouldn't laugh at though is my true wealth. God has blessed me with many things (which includes my dashing good looks). Obviously my salvation through his grace is the most amazing wealth I own. Through his mercy and grace though he has also blessed me with the most amazing wife.
I was very cautious with relationships before Arlie. I saw all these people with unhappy marriages and lives. I didn't want to settle for second best. There were girls that came my way, but I would lose interest quickly because something didn't seem right to me. I refused to settle. Some people thought I was crazy and would never get married because I could always find something wrong with a girl. I was too "picky." I admit I am picky. I wanted the best. I wanted the person that God had carved out just for me. I wouldn't settle for anything less than the best.
When I met Arlie at the Cornerstone Music Fest in Bushnell, IL I knew she was the one very early on. We met just by "chance" at a music festival with 30,000 people there. The problem though is that she lived 1200 miles away in Lebanon, PA. We would talk on the phone and as she spoke, I would listen to the things she said and stand amazed. She was what I was looking for. She is what I wanted. I knew she felt the same way, but she was still in college and I was just going back to college after taking a short sabbatical. How could we make this work? The distance was so difficult. We had some ups and downs as we tried to figure our relationship out. One thing that never changed though is that even though our family and friends thought we were crazy is that we both knew we were meant for each other, but the obstacle of distance, money and finishing our educations were in the way. I would go visit her in PA and she would visit me here in Mo. This went on for over 3 years.
We talked every night on the phone. Sometimes all I had was her voice. We learned how to communicate very well before we were even married. I honestly think that this gave us an advantage to some young couples because we were not with each other physically for most of our "dating" relationship. We knew each other very well because communication is all we had. After Arlie graduated from college we finally got to have more than just the phone. She moved to MO to be with me since I still had some college to finish. We got married, I finished college and now we have a family. Amazing right?
There is more to this story than I could really type right now, but as you can see we met under unique circumstances and also dated in a unique way. That is all amazing that it actually worked. What is more amazing to me still though is how God knew that Arlie was my perfect match. She is my best friend. I never get tired of being around her. Her laugh lights up the room and her smile melts my heart. She is more than I could have ever asked for. She is one of the strongest people I know. She is an incredible mother and wife.
I look at our life together and I continually realize I am rich. Because of her in my life I am wealthy. She is truly My Lovely.
I was very cautious with relationships before Arlie. I saw all these people with unhappy marriages and lives. I didn't want to settle for second best. There were girls that came my way, but I would lose interest quickly because something didn't seem right to me. I refused to settle. Some people thought I was crazy and would never get married because I could always find something wrong with a girl. I was too "picky." I admit I am picky. I wanted the best. I wanted the person that God had carved out just for me. I wouldn't settle for anything less than the best.
When I met Arlie at the Cornerstone Music Fest in Bushnell, IL I knew she was the one very early on. We met just by "chance" at a music festival with 30,000 people there. The problem though is that she lived 1200 miles away in Lebanon, PA. We would talk on the phone and as she spoke, I would listen to the things she said and stand amazed. She was what I was looking for. She is what I wanted. I knew she felt the same way, but she was still in college and I was just going back to college after taking a short sabbatical. How could we make this work? The distance was so difficult. We had some ups and downs as we tried to figure our relationship out. One thing that never changed though is that even though our family and friends thought we were crazy is that we both knew we were meant for each other, but the obstacle of distance, money and finishing our educations were in the way. I would go visit her in PA and she would visit me here in Mo. This went on for over 3 years.
We talked every night on the phone. Sometimes all I had was her voice. We learned how to communicate very well before we were even married. I honestly think that this gave us an advantage to some young couples because we were not with each other physically for most of our "dating" relationship. We knew each other very well because communication is all we had. After Arlie graduated from college we finally got to have more than just the phone. She moved to MO to be with me since I still had some college to finish. We got married, I finished college and now we have a family. Amazing right?
There is more to this story than I could really type right now, but as you can see we met under unique circumstances and also dated in a unique way. That is all amazing that it actually worked. What is more amazing to me still though is how God knew that Arlie was my perfect match. She is my best friend. I never get tired of being around her. Her laugh lights up the room and her smile melts my heart. She is more than I could have ever asked for. She is one of the strongest people I know. She is an incredible mother and wife.
I look at our life together and I continually realize I am rich. Because of her in my life I am wealthy. She is truly My Lovely.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Steady. Focus.
I just turned 30. I am totally fine with being 30, age doesn't really get me down. It has caused me to reflect a lot on my life though. I have made a lot of recent changes. I started eating right and have lost over 20lbs. I have been a lot more active and have worked out more than I have in years. I still need to be a little more consistent, but all in all I've done okay. These changes have been good. I feel good and losing 20lbs has been great. These physical changes were needed. Honestly though the physical changes haven't been that challenging, it's the spiritual changes that are really leaving me sore and beat up.
I feel as if God has been laying a lot on my heart lately. In examining what I feel is on my heart and the desire of my heart, I have learned a lot about myself. Some of the things I have learned about myself I really like and of course there are a lot of other areas in my life that I don't like. This is the same for everyone I expect. The Bible is clear though that we should examine ourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, "Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith." Examining ourselves is a crucial part of our walk. How else can we see our faults and push forward to be better?
In Hebrews 12:1 the author says, "...let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." Run with endurance, what does this mean? To endure means to last or withstand through wear and tear. As we know through life there is a lot of wear and tear. Life is a journey and we never know what is around the next turn. I see life and our spiritual walks like running a marathon. A marathon is long and hard. The runner must stay mental and physically focused. The runner must endure and stay steady. A marathon runner doesn't sprint out of the gate recklessly they stay steady and focused. I have found that many Christians, myself included, don't preform in our spiritual walks like a marathon runner, but we like a sprinter. We run spiritual wind sprints. We run as hard as we can and hit a finish line. We stop. Who knows how long we stop for. Then we at some point get geared up again and want to run with God and we shoot out of the gate as fast as we can. We do a 40 yard dash and we stop. Again.
Our spiritual walk is a marathon. I am learning how to be more patient, stay focused and steady myself. The marathon could feel long and it isn't easy. However, if I steady myself and keep my eyes on the prize, come what may I will win. We will win. We win.
I feel as if God has been laying a lot on my heart lately. In examining what I feel is on my heart and the desire of my heart, I have learned a lot about myself. Some of the things I have learned about myself I really like and of course there are a lot of other areas in my life that I don't like. This is the same for everyone I expect. The Bible is clear though that we should examine ourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, "Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith." Examining ourselves is a crucial part of our walk. How else can we see our faults and push forward to be better?
In Hebrews 12:1 the author says, "...let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." Run with endurance, what does this mean? To endure means to last or withstand through wear and tear. As we know through life there is a lot of wear and tear. Life is a journey and we never know what is around the next turn. I see life and our spiritual walks like running a marathon. A marathon is long and hard. The runner must stay mental and physically focused. The runner must endure and stay steady. A marathon runner doesn't sprint out of the gate recklessly they stay steady and focused. I have found that many Christians, myself included, don't preform in our spiritual walks like a marathon runner, but we like a sprinter. We run spiritual wind sprints. We run as hard as we can and hit a finish line. We stop. Who knows how long we stop for. Then we at some point get geared up again and want to run with God and we shoot out of the gate as fast as we can. We do a 40 yard dash and we stop. Again.
Our spiritual walk is a marathon. I am learning how to be more patient, stay focused and steady myself. The marathon could feel long and it isn't easy. However, if I steady myself and keep my eyes on the prize, come what may I will win. We will win. We win.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Kiddos
It's hard when you have kids not to compare the two. Olive was my first. She is probably the most easy going kids I've ever known. She goes with the flow and is always game for whatever we are doing. Olive is also very petite. When she was an infant she was not an aggressive eater. We felt victorious just to get an ounce down her. She ate about every 3 to 4 hours, and even then we had to make her eat. She still doesn't eat that much. She has good eating days and bad. She also has pretty much slept through the night from the moment she was born. We would wake her up at night for nighttime feedings, but other than that she didn't wake up. Even when she graduated from the crib to a toddler bed it was an easy transition for her. She just went with the flow. Olive has never slept in our bed. She sleeps in her room and doesn't even require a night light. She is small, but she is tough, surprisingly rough and independent. Always has been.
I know Titus is only a few days old, but he doesn't exhibit any of Olive's traits. Well, he may be tough he definitely has shown some toughness. For the most part though they are polar opposites. First of all Titus eats like a horse. In his very first feeding in the hospital he ate 30ml. Since then he constantly drinks 2 to 2 1/2 ounces a feeding. Instead of eating every 3 to 4 hours he wants to eat every 2 hours! This means the night time feedings are double what we were use to with Olive. Also we don't have to wake him up to eat, he wakes us up. At first I wasn't sure if hunger was the reason for him waking up, but alas it is. He weighs more than Olive did, is taller than Olive was and requires more than Olive ever did. So far he doesn't seem very go with the flow. He seems to have his own idea of what he wants. The one thing, as stated before, that he and Olive both seem to have is toughness. Olive never cries when she gets a shot and so far Titus hasn't either. He didn't even cry when the nurse was beating his back trying to make him cry to clear his lungs. He just looked at her like, "Is that all you got?"
With all that said I am not complaining. He is perfect. Olive is perfect too. I am probably the luckiest Dad in the world. Thankful.
I know Titus is only a few days old, but he doesn't exhibit any of Olive's traits. Well, he may be tough he definitely has shown some toughness. For the most part though they are polar opposites. First of all Titus eats like a horse. In his very first feeding in the hospital he ate 30ml. Since then he constantly drinks 2 to 2 1/2 ounces a feeding. Instead of eating every 3 to 4 hours he wants to eat every 2 hours! This means the night time feedings are double what we were use to with Olive. Also we don't have to wake him up to eat, he wakes us up. At first I wasn't sure if hunger was the reason for him waking up, but alas it is. He weighs more than Olive did, is taller than Olive was and requires more than Olive ever did. So far he doesn't seem very go with the flow. He seems to have his own idea of what he wants. The one thing, as stated before, that he and Olive both seem to have is toughness. Olive never cries when she gets a shot and so far Titus hasn't either. He didn't even cry when the nurse was beating his back trying to make him cry to clear his lungs. He just looked at her like, "Is that all you got?"
With all that said I am not complaining. He is perfect. Olive is perfect too. I am probably the luckiest Dad in the world. Thankful.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Titus Roman Templeton
Dear Titus,
We are greatly anticipating your arrival. I haven't even met you yet and I love you deeply. You are my son. I can't believe you are arriving in 5 days. There has been so much preparation for months. Your Mom, sister Olive and I have been talking about you so much. Olive is ready to be a good big sister to you. Mommy and I are ready to see your face.
There is so much I want to teach you. So much I want to share with you that I'm busting. I need to be patient. I don't want to push you into my interests, but of course I will encourage it a bit. I promise not to push you too hard. Whether you play football, basketball or baseball is up to you. You can be into music, art or whatever. I will support you.
The most important thing I want share with you is Jesus Christ. I've been praying since I knew your Mom was pregnant with you that you would know Christ at a young age, follow him all the days of your life, and that he would use you in a mighty way. No matter what occupation you choose to be Christ can use you. The sky is the limit. I believe in you and you can be anything you want to be. It takes hard work and effort, but I will teach you that as well. It won't always be easy, but it's worth it.
I will always be there for you. Even when you mess up, I will love you. Sure, I will get angry at you and you will at me, but what I want to establish is love and respect through discipline. Discipline isn't a bad thing. The Bible is clear that God disciplines his children because he loves them. He wants to ensure they make the right choices that lead them to his will. That's all I want, I want to help you make the right choices. I don't want you to obey me because of fear, but because you love me. So just know even though I will disipline it is because I love you deeply and want the best for you.
Oh Titus, I just am so ready to hold you. I want to pour myself into you and hope that you only get the good things. I pray that you grow to be a better man than me. I can show you so much, but I hope you go further than me. Be a better man than me. I have a lot of flaws, and you will get to know those soon. I will fail you, I will mess up, but I will do my best to correct those failures and mess ups. We are in this together. We are family. I am honored to call you my son.
I love you and I will always be there for you.
Love,
Dad
We are greatly anticipating your arrival. I haven't even met you yet and I love you deeply. You are my son. I can't believe you are arriving in 5 days. There has been so much preparation for months. Your Mom, sister Olive and I have been talking about you so much. Olive is ready to be a good big sister to you. Mommy and I are ready to see your face.
There is so much I want to teach you. So much I want to share with you that I'm busting. I need to be patient. I don't want to push you into my interests, but of course I will encourage it a bit. I promise not to push you too hard. Whether you play football, basketball or baseball is up to you. You can be into music, art or whatever. I will support you.
The most important thing I want share with you is Jesus Christ. I've been praying since I knew your Mom was pregnant with you that you would know Christ at a young age, follow him all the days of your life, and that he would use you in a mighty way. No matter what occupation you choose to be Christ can use you. The sky is the limit. I believe in you and you can be anything you want to be. It takes hard work and effort, but I will teach you that as well. It won't always be easy, but it's worth it.
I will always be there for you. Even when you mess up, I will love you. Sure, I will get angry at you and you will at me, but what I want to establish is love and respect through discipline. Discipline isn't a bad thing. The Bible is clear that God disciplines his children because he loves them. He wants to ensure they make the right choices that lead them to his will. That's all I want, I want to help you make the right choices. I don't want you to obey me because of fear, but because you love me. So just know even though I will disipline it is because I love you deeply and want the best for you.
Oh Titus, I just am so ready to hold you. I want to pour myself into you and hope that you only get the good things. I pray that you grow to be a better man than me. I can show you so much, but I hope you go further than me. Be a better man than me. I have a lot of flaws, and you will get to know those soon. I will fail you, I will mess up, but I will do my best to correct those failures and mess ups. We are in this together. We are family. I am honored to call you my son.
I love you and I will always be there for you.
Love,
Dad
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Forgotten God Part 1
The book "Forgotten God" by Francis Chan is highly recommended. Recommended if you want to be challenged, stretched and changed. I've read it once before and now are small group has decided to read it together. I figured even though I've read it I will go through it again just in case I missed something. Missed something....lol Yeah I definitely missed something. I just finished Chapter 1 and I already feel as if this is a different book than before. I am not sure that I internalized it in my first go round. Reading it with my small group and having group discussions will hopefully help all of us have deeper understanding and walk with the sometimes forgotten person in the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.
At some point in history Christians quit focusing on the Holy Spirit. If you read the book of Acts the Disciples and these first Christians were rich in the Spirit. They didn't have all the knowledge we have now concerning the spirit, they just experienced it without abandonment. Jesus told them that one would come after him that was the same as him, another comforter and counselor. They believed him, they received the Spirit and the walked in the Spirit. As stated before, at some point Christians quit relying and even teaching about the Holy Spirit. Oh sure He is mentioned. But He is mentioned in a flippant way. "We are Spirit filled", "Walk in the Spirit", things like that. But where's the experience? As we quit experiencing the Spirit it seems as everything else got diluted as well.
The Disciples got to experience Jesus physically. Wow. Sometimes I wish I could experience that. Wouldn't that make things easier? Having Jesus as your personal guide, you couldn't make a wrong move right? Well, as we know even having Jesus there physically the Disciples still sinned, made mistakes and sometimes fell into the "I don't get it crowd." However, having Jesus physically there man, what an experience. But the scripture say that the Holy Spirit dwells within us and it is clear that the Holy Spirit is God. So as Christians we need to understand that God lives in us. The same God that empowered the Disciples lives in you. He hasn't changed. He is here, in you and in me. So I am going to try and stop looking at it as Jesus isn't here physically. It doesn't matter. Because if I believe that the Bible is the infallible and flawless word of God, then I must believe Jesus when he said he was going to send a Comforter and a Counselor, one that is the same as he. (Reference of Jesus speaking of the Holy Spirit from John 14).
I believe it. Now I want to experience it. This was just Chapter 1. Whew. Are you ready small group?
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Here we go again..
As you can see I have tried several times to be a "blogger." If that is even what it's called? I started this blog several years ago when a friend was overseas, and then tried to blog again when I was a Youth Leader. It didn't last either time. I really love to write though and I found in the past when I was able to keep a journal and write down some of my thoughts, feelings, prayers and just ramblings, that it was a good outlet. It is the only way I really know how to be creative. I am not an artist. I can't even draw a stick figure. The one thing I have been able to do is write.
With all that said I am going to try this again. Arlie, my wife, is encouraging me to do it as well. I wrote in my profile section that life is a journey. So I guess I am going to try and share my journey with you. If no one reads, it's okay. This is more for my own growth personally, emotionally and spiritually. If you do read then welcome to my life. Maybe we can both learn something.
God bless.
With all that said I am going to try this again. Arlie, my wife, is encouraging me to do it as well. I wrote in my profile section that life is a journey. So I guess I am going to try and share my journey with you. If no one reads, it's okay. This is more for my own growth personally, emotionally and spiritually. If you do read then welcome to my life. Maybe we can both learn something.
God bless.
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