Mind Emissions from Nor-Cal...

Ok, so today was the big day. Charlotte and I were supposed to find out what we're having: a boy or a girl. I've been amped all day. I was looking forward to it all day.

So, I get there (a few minutes late, but no biggie) and there's Charlotte on the table with the nurse starting to use the monitor. My mom and her mom were there too. They did the normal routine checking (heart, bone sizes, growth assessment, etc.). Then came the big moment. Time to take a 'peek' to see whether it's a boy or a girl.

Well, after several attempts, including some abdominal juggling by the nurse, the baby never let us know!!! That kid had its legs crossed over the 'show zone' THE WHOLE TIME. No matter what the nurse tried to do, the baby just wouldn't let us see. To my chagrin, it decided to play 'Ultimate Fig Leaf' with its feet.

Dang. DDAAAAAAAAANG!!!!

Guess we'll be 'waiting for the surprise' after all. I'm so trying to have a good attitude about it. Pray for me.

Driven by Eternity: Making Your Life Count Today & Forever

John Bevere

I was thinking about an except from the book "Driven by Eternity", where the author describes their interpretation of Heaven.  As I was thinking about that, a picture/thought of heaven came to mind:  In heaven, are all God's people still active in contributing to the society of heaven?  After all, we are citizens of heaven according to the New Testament.  Why would God have his people still actively contributing in Heaven?  Wouldn't everything be 'automatically' taken care of?  Perhaps this assumption is a product of our finite ability to imagine all that God has in store for his Children.  

Part of my previously contrived view of Heaven is God sitting on his throne and simply being there for all of us to adore him and worship him.  My worldly concept of a ruler on his seat of power tends to be of one who has everything else being done for him while he sits like a fat-cat enjoying the pleasures his country can afford him.  So, how does this relate to us all being productive in Heaven while He sits there?  Let me throw this disclaimer out:  these thoughts aren't a attempt to show contempt at an inactive God that makes His people 'work' in Heaven after we'd been given the perception that we'd be in Paradise, because I know Him better than that.  But, what if God isn't JUST sitting there?  

I remember hearing from a friend who heard a preached message from a widely-known pastor (can't remember his name right now) who had actually received a vision of Heaven and had been caught up in the spirit to see Heaven.  One of the things he reported was that he saw the throne of Heaven with God the Father and God the son, Jesus... but not the Holy Spirit.  When he asked "Where's the Holy Spirit?" the answer he received was, "On EARTH of course!"  Of course!  The Holy Spirit is actively at work every moment on behalf of God's Children who were bought by his own Blood through Jesus's sacrifice on the Cross.  Even Jesus is still at work to this day... interceding on our behalf to God the Father.  

So... it would seem to me that if we are in fact destined to be productive contributors in Heaven, then it is consistent with God's character:  Taking the initiative.  He is NOT, nor has He EVER been idle!  He created the earth and the heavens through His own power, and holds it all together for our sake.  Not to mention His involvement with mankind through all these years.  Jesus came and preached a hard message to some hard-headed people, then accepted the betrayal, scorn, sentence, torture, and execution of a criminal (completely undeserved), all for our sake.  The Holy Spirit is actively working on our behalf each and every day and moves in incredible ways, few of which we are even aware of, all for our sake.  The Holy Trinity of God is at all times actively concerned with our well-being.  He gives us the example of being others-minded and being productive for the sake of others.  

God is ALWAYS working.  What case could we ever build that He would sit idle in Heaven and watch us "work in paradise".  And... I would guess that whatever 'work' we have to do in heaven is more fulfilling than any vacation we could ever hope to have here on Earth.  If God takes pleasure in all that He has created, then I'm sure that our contributions will be unimaginably  fulfilling.  Our earthly 'work' could never compare to this reality.  

And here's another thought to tack onto that... most of God's work in the regard of helping Mankind has been a response to the crisis of sin.  He loves us too much to let us perish with no hope of rescue.  But, ultimately It's just an emergency response, like a city's fire department, police department, etc.  In contrast, think of the wonderful things a society produces when they're not having to simply respond to an emergency.  Think of all of our impressive buildings and master-planned parks and natural resource conservation efforts.  Imagine all of the beautiful classical architecture in Europe.  All of those 'works' are for the sake of enriching earthly society.  

Now... imagine what goes on in Heaven for the sake of enriching Heaven!!!  

I'm excited now!

Hi Eveyone. I was at the family Barber Shop that is run by my Mom and my Father-in-law, Glenn. I figured out how to download Vox Mobile directly to my pda phone (Sprint Mogul) and decided to give it a shot. Guess how much I pay for haircuts!

My mom, the barber.

Hello Everyone (who still cares to read my blog)...

I've been quite busy lately, and have had very little time to think, let alone write up anything of good value.  This has been an incredibly busy season for my wife and I.  Good things, just a lot and very fast for now.

I have had some great thoughts, but they're usually in the car as I'm driving home through the foothills (very scenic and inspiring for prayer and mediation), but alas, I'm told that typing and driving at the same time is not a good combination.. I'm told, anyway. 

Hopefully, I'll have some time, soon where I can sit down and write some thoughts.  Love you all, and hope you're having a wonderful day.

Ok, so I would hope that many of us DO have friends like this!  Afterall, Christians are referred to as a "peculiar people."  I just LOVE this video

Thanks to my friend Agent Adam... this guy never ceases to amaze me.  I got a copy of this off of his blog. 

He he... I just had to try this, as I was influenced to do so by my sister-in-law's blog. 

Yep, that's right... I've officially lost 25 lbs. Since the end of January.  And the cool thing is, the weight is staying off.  I think I've still got about 10 lbs to go, or so, but I'm VERY pleased with the progress so far!  As you can see with the photos below, I have a good reason to feel good about the change!

Mike Close Up (Fall 2006)

Here's a photo of me in the Fall of 2006...

Mike Web Close Up July 2007

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And here's a photo of me today...

Mike's Piercing up close

Well, I finally did something today that my wife has been trying to get me to do since we got married....

I got my ear pierced. 

Now, some of you might think, "What's the big deal... you're an adult," or "So what?  I've got 4!"  But this was a big deal for me.  I've always felt that getting my ear pierced would be something totally outside of my character, and I've never really had much of a desire to get it done.  Up until this last year, I've never even considered it.  But it is something my wife has asked me to do for some time now (nicely, and few and far between) and she's always thought it would be sexy for me to have one.  Now that it's done, she's really excited!  And honestly, so am I.  :-)

Just Pierced (smile)

So, I thought, with all the weight loss, and feeling and looking better than I ever have, why not walk on the wild side a little?  I opted for a titanium hoop, which I guess is up there with 14K gold in the way of low-risk for infection (as opposed to surgical steel, etc.).  I'm just glad I found something that didn't feel girly. 

When I first walked up to the counter at Piercing Pagoda (Westfield Mall, Galleria, Roseville, CA) all I saw were shiny gold looking girly stuff, and I was thinking... "uh... maybe not!"  But I wanted to go through with it.  Luckily, I chanced upon a small section of titanium earrings.  I LIKE Titanium!  I knew it would work out once I saw the Titanium ones!  Whew!  No girly stuff in MY head!

So, I did the normal 'fill out the paper work' stuff, talked to the sales girl (she was so nice...) and then Charlotte had Caleb & Marcus sit up on the counter while they watched Daddy get his ear stabbed pierced.  They thought it was pretty cool.  I just hope Micah (our one year old) doesn't decide to yank on it the next time I'm carrying I'm on my left side. 

Speaking of which... the whole time, I kept having little panic attacks that I might accidentally have it done on the right side.  THAT would NOT have been a good idea.  My Exodus/HIS ministry pals know what I'm talking about!  Even right after it was done, I thought, "OHMYGOSH!!! Did I get it on the right side???"  But then I quickly did a mental review of which is the left side and which is the right side, and calmed back down.  Talk about nervous. 

Like I said, I got a Titanium hoop, but I also bought a titanium stud with a black jewel in it.  Real manly looking (Can I get a Tool-Time "Arf!"?).  That way, when it's done healing, I can switch it out and change the look a little bit here and there.  I'm pretty excited about it, and feel like I've been "initiated", although not by any of my buddies, but by my WIFE!  Who'd-a-thunk-it?  Thanks for making me walk the wild side a little bit, Charlotte.  :)

Just Pierced (silly)

This song totally says just that... I love this song.  It reminds me of times when we feel we've COMLETELY blown it before God and the world, and yet Jesus is right there, holding us, loving us, desiring us, and longing for us to know we are already restored to Him.  His love is so deep and so forgiving... so passionate.  Through His sacrifice, nothing could separate us from the Love of God.

06 Pieces

Red

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Audio: Share a song you can't help but sing along to.

"Hymn to Elbereth"  I know, most of you will think I'm crazy for 'singing along' with this... it's in Elvish, and it's from a MOVIE!  But.. it's beautiful.  I think it puts me in a trance or something.  I can't help  but want to sing along.

I suppose it doesn't help that I actually MEMORIZIED the lyrics (which are in Sindarin Elvish).  Ok, I guess I'm a certified Middle-earth geek.  But... I bet YOU wish you could sing in Elvish, huh?

The Passing of the Elves "Hymn to Elbereth"

Janet Roddick

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