Looks just like me, I think!
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Accolades
I am so proud of my family! Each and every one. I'll start with my wife. Megan is a wonderful photographer as you'll see on her blog where she has posted our latest family pictures. She took all of them herself and...well, I'm just proud. Last week she made the best Eggs Benedict I've ever tasted, even making the hollandaise sauce from scratch. I am indeed a lucky man! Megan does all of this and puts up with me while being 29 weeks pregnant.
Thank you Lord for my wife!
Meyson, the 14 year old, is the oldest. He has a great heart and is probably the best big brother anyone could wish for. Watching his patience and actual joy, in playing with the smaller ones is...well; a great joy. Meyson is becoming a fantastic artist, has a quick (sometimes too quick) wit, and is a classic rock connoisseur. To my great pleasure, he also enjoys reggae.
Brianna is the singer. She left this week to perform with the National OAKE Children's Choir. Brianna was very excited, as she has never before flown in an airplane or stayed in a 5 star hotel. She has worked very hard for this and even earned a substantial scholarship to do it. Brianna, also is an A student.
Cody is the ballerina. She performed in our city's performance of The Nutcracker last Christmas and already has a part next year. She is very attentive to her younger siblings and wants to serve anyone who is sick (especially Mom) breakfast in bed, or at least bring them a snack. Cody may just have the most infectious laugh on the planet.
Carson. Carson is the smartest, sweetest, most exasperating, beautiful 3 year old in the world. She speaks with adult words and phrases and may understand their context better than I do. Her smile and fluttering eyelashes have totally wrapped daddy around her finger. Carson is another musical connoisseur, recognizing many songs within the first 3 notes. She also rapidly notices different versions of the same song, and of course...has preferences.
Memphis, my little boy. He is amazing. Precocious and wild. His eyes and playfulness light up the darkest of my days, inspire many smiles and much incredulous head shaking. He is obsessed with Buzz Lightyear and his "blankie". Memphis loves being outside and wrestling and jumping off of things. He loves to climb things and be thrown in the air. He is Memphis...'nuff said!
We have one more on the way. I'm proud of this one too, even if we have opted not to know if it is a boy or girl until birth. The baby is growing strong, kicking (sorry Megan), and causing great excitement in our home.
I could go on and on and each one of these, deserve their own blog and much much more but for now, I'll just say; I am blessed. And grateful.
Thank you Lord for my wife!
Meyson, the 14 year old, is the oldest. He has a great heart and is probably the best big brother anyone could wish for. Watching his patience and actual joy, in playing with the smaller ones is...well; a great joy. Meyson is becoming a fantastic artist, has a quick (sometimes too quick) wit, and is a classic rock connoisseur. To my great pleasure, he also enjoys reggae.
Brianna is the singer. She left this week to perform with the National OAKE Children's Choir. Brianna was very excited, as she has never before flown in an airplane or stayed in a 5 star hotel. She has worked very hard for this and even earned a substantial scholarship to do it. Brianna, also is an A student.
Cody is the ballerina. She performed in our city's performance of The Nutcracker last Christmas and already has a part next year. She is very attentive to her younger siblings and wants to serve anyone who is sick (especially Mom) breakfast in bed, or at least bring them a snack. Cody may just have the most infectious laugh on the planet.
Carson. Carson is the smartest, sweetest, most exasperating, beautiful 3 year old in the world. She speaks with adult words and phrases and may understand their context better than I do. Her smile and fluttering eyelashes have totally wrapped daddy around her finger. Carson is another musical connoisseur, recognizing many songs within the first 3 notes. She also rapidly notices different versions of the same song, and of course...has preferences.
Memphis, my little boy. He is amazing. Precocious and wild. His eyes and playfulness light up the darkest of my days, inspire many smiles and much incredulous head shaking. He is obsessed with Buzz Lightyear and his "blankie". Memphis loves being outside and wrestling and jumping off of things. He loves to climb things and be thrown in the air. He is Memphis...'nuff said!
We have one more on the way. I'm proud of this one too, even if we have opted not to know if it is a boy or girl until birth. The baby is growing strong, kicking (sorry Megan), and causing great excitement in our home.
I could go on and on and each one of these, deserve their own blog and much much more but for now, I'll just say; I am blessed. And grateful.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
To Learn and Know
Dear friends and loved ones, I am writing this in order to learn myself so please bear with me. Dr. Stephen Covey said in his book “The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People” that ‘To learn and not DO; is not to learn, to know and not DO; is not to know’. That seems right on to me and very indicative of my life thus far. So, having shared this I only invite ya’ll to bear with me trying to learn and perhaps even come to KNOW something.
Before you begin reading I ask that you close your eyes and imagine back to your early years, you know the formative ones, when you first noticed your own interests. When you were 13, 14, 15, or even older, what grabbed your imagination or even now what do you feel drawn to? What fired your passions (please guys we are talking about wholesome and non-destructive here), what did you daydream about doing or being? Is that still a part of who you are today or did you stick it up on a shelf for being too silly, too much work, or too slow at yielding the results we wanted?
Okay, we’re done with the daydream part. let’s see where we can go from here!
When David, son of Jesse, was a young shepherd boy what do you imagine occupied his daydreams? I can see him dreaming of being a warrior like his older brothers, a commander of men, or even a great and mighty king. Around that time in his life something awesome happened.
“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him (king) in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power...” (1 SAMUEL 16:13)
Samuel, the prophet, THE man of God of the time, told a 14 or 15 year old David he was going to be king over all of Israel. Wow! Can you imagine the excitement, the temptation, the magnitude of such an anointing on one so young? How easy would it have been to lord that over one’s brothers. To demand respect and considerations from those around would probably have been most of our first order of business. David did not get that opportunity. The bible tells us David went back out to tend his father’s sheep, not even his (the anointed and future king) sheep.
Next we hear of David as a young man still tending his father’s sheep. We know he is older, probably 19 or 20, as he is referred to as “…a brave man and a warrior.”
(1 SAMUEL 16:18)
The current king, Saul, summoned David to serve him as a harpist and help ease the pain caused by a vexing spirit from the Lord. To serve more? By playing the harp? You’re kidding, right! This is the anointed future king we’re discussing. What a pain, more tedious service, shepherding, playing music to ease headaches; go take a nap Saul, David can take it from here! Oops!
See how easy it is to get impatient with God’s plan. This plan isn’t even for me. Shoot, it already happened and I’m frustrated with the pace. How much of God’s plan for my life have I missed or delayed due to my own impatience?
God used David to slay a giant (1 SAMUEL 17:50) with skills developed by tending sheep! God used David’s harp playing skills, born of many hours of practice I’m sure. Meanwhile the deceiver, Satan was continually trying to thwart, discourage, distract, and otherwise making a complete nuisance of himself. David, God’s anointed one had to overcome the lion and the bear. (1 SAMUEL 17:34-37) He fought and defeated “…in the name of the Lord Almighty…” Goliath. Even Saul, king of Israel tried to kill David as he was playing his harp. (1 SAMUEL 18:10-11) Saul chased David into caves, deserts, and all over Israel. (1 SAMUEL19-26) Personally, based on my own history, I believe I would have given up on my dreams and God’s plans after so much tedium and difficulty.
Not David! David stayed strong and grew stronger, both in the Lord and as a man. How grateful I am that David was a “…man after God’s own heart…” (1 SAMUEL 13:14) that I, or hopefully WE, can learn something about perseverance. Faithfulness to God’s anointing on our own lives and an awareness of that anointing should be our goal. I have fallen short of that aim time and time again, yet God is so patient and loving and forgiving of my rebellion, my impatience, my failings, that it breaks my heart and fills it to overflowing with hope. You see, we’re not finished yet. God isn’t finished yet.
Does that excite you? Does that make your passion flare? It does mine!
Now back to our earlier exercise in remembering the passions of our youth. In David’s time before Christ, God gave the Israelites prophets. Men of God such as Moses, Joshua, and Samuel; were directed by God to lead the people in His will. These men were given the power of anointing to actually tell God’s chosen how and where and when to do certain things. Sometimes I wish for someone like that. You know someone to say in audible words “Brad, just do such and such…” JOHN 14:26 tells us God sent “a counselor, the Holy Spirit…” to teach and guide us.
I haven’t been listening. Things are too difficult, too slow too tedious. I’m so easily distracted, dissuaded, and discouraged too much of the time. That is exactly where the enemy wants us! When we are young and even as we grow God inflames our passions, and gets our hearts a-goin’. We get scared, tired, grow complacent. We just get by. Not wanting to risk anything, many times we risk nothing. Are you excited about your faith! Are you uncomfortable yet? I’m getting there and I am listening to the counselor!
I don’ know where God will lead me next. Of course I’m hoping for the palace with all of its comforts, but maybe God just wants me to tend someone’s sheep or play a harp or practice slinging rocks. Maybe he wants me to run to the desert or even show mercy on my enemies when they are helpless in a cave (1 SAMUEL 26:9). I don’t know where or what exactly lays before me this year, but I am excited. You never know when God will open the door to use that which fires your imagination and ignites your passion. Listen and seek His will, His anointing. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make you paths straight” (PROVERBS 3:5-6)
David’s paths were straight though they were long and varied and took time. Be patient and listen, be diligent with those things that drew you as a youth or even now. Put your passion in God’s capable hands and see where the adventure leads!
Before you begin reading I ask that you close your eyes and imagine back to your early years, you know the formative ones, when you first noticed your own interests. When you were 13, 14, 15, or even older, what grabbed your imagination or even now what do you feel drawn to? What fired your passions (please guys we are talking about wholesome and non-destructive here), what did you daydream about doing or being? Is that still a part of who you are today or did you stick it up on a shelf for being too silly, too much work, or too slow at yielding the results we wanted?
Okay, we’re done with the daydream part. let’s see where we can go from here!
When David, son of Jesse, was a young shepherd boy what do you imagine occupied his daydreams? I can see him dreaming of being a warrior like his older brothers, a commander of men, or even a great and mighty king. Around that time in his life something awesome happened.
“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him (king) in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power...” (1 SAMUEL 16:13)
Samuel, the prophet, THE man of God of the time, told a 14 or 15 year old David he was going to be king over all of Israel. Wow! Can you imagine the excitement, the temptation, the magnitude of such an anointing on one so young? How easy would it have been to lord that over one’s brothers. To demand respect and considerations from those around would probably have been most of our first order of business. David did not get that opportunity. The bible tells us David went back out to tend his father’s sheep, not even his (the anointed and future king) sheep.
Next we hear of David as a young man still tending his father’s sheep. We know he is older, probably 19 or 20, as he is referred to as “…a brave man and a warrior.”
(1 SAMUEL 16:18)
The current king, Saul, summoned David to serve him as a harpist and help ease the pain caused by a vexing spirit from the Lord. To serve more? By playing the harp? You’re kidding, right! This is the anointed future king we’re discussing. What a pain, more tedious service, shepherding, playing music to ease headaches; go take a nap Saul, David can take it from here! Oops!
See how easy it is to get impatient with God’s plan. This plan isn’t even for me. Shoot, it already happened and I’m frustrated with the pace. How much of God’s plan for my life have I missed or delayed due to my own impatience?
God used David to slay a giant (1 SAMUEL 17:50) with skills developed by tending sheep! God used David’s harp playing skills, born of many hours of practice I’m sure. Meanwhile the deceiver, Satan was continually trying to thwart, discourage, distract, and otherwise making a complete nuisance of himself. David, God’s anointed one had to overcome the lion and the bear. (1 SAMUEL 17:34-37) He fought and defeated “…in the name of the Lord Almighty…” Goliath. Even Saul, king of Israel tried to kill David as he was playing his harp. (1 SAMUEL 18:10-11) Saul chased David into caves, deserts, and all over Israel. (1 SAMUEL19-26) Personally, based on my own history, I believe I would have given up on my dreams and God’s plans after so much tedium and difficulty.
Not David! David stayed strong and grew stronger, both in the Lord and as a man. How grateful I am that David was a “…man after God’s own heart…” (1 SAMUEL 13:14) that I, or hopefully WE, can learn something about perseverance. Faithfulness to God’s anointing on our own lives and an awareness of that anointing should be our goal. I have fallen short of that aim time and time again, yet God is so patient and loving and forgiving of my rebellion, my impatience, my failings, that it breaks my heart and fills it to overflowing with hope. You see, we’re not finished yet. God isn’t finished yet.
Does that excite you? Does that make your passion flare? It does mine!
Now back to our earlier exercise in remembering the passions of our youth. In David’s time before Christ, God gave the Israelites prophets. Men of God such as Moses, Joshua, and Samuel; were directed by God to lead the people in His will. These men were given the power of anointing to actually tell God’s chosen how and where and when to do certain things. Sometimes I wish for someone like that. You know someone to say in audible words “Brad, just do such and such…” JOHN 14:26 tells us God sent “a counselor, the Holy Spirit…” to teach and guide us.
I haven’t been listening. Things are too difficult, too slow too tedious. I’m so easily distracted, dissuaded, and discouraged too much of the time. That is exactly where the enemy wants us! When we are young and even as we grow God inflames our passions, and gets our hearts a-goin’. We get scared, tired, grow complacent. We just get by. Not wanting to risk anything, many times we risk nothing. Are you excited about your faith! Are you uncomfortable yet? I’m getting there and I am listening to the counselor!
I don’ know where God will lead me next. Of course I’m hoping for the palace with all of its comforts, but maybe God just wants me to tend someone’s sheep or play a harp or practice slinging rocks. Maybe he wants me to run to the desert or even show mercy on my enemies when they are helpless in a cave (1 SAMUEL 26:9). I don’t know where or what exactly lays before me this year, but I am excited. You never know when God will open the door to use that which fires your imagination and ignites your passion. Listen and seek His will, His anointing. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make you paths straight” (PROVERBS 3:5-6)
David’s paths were straight though they were long and varied and took time. Be patient and listen, be diligent with those things that drew you as a youth or even now. Put your passion in God’s capable hands and see where the adventure leads!
Friday, March 7, 2008
"...But then face to face."
"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then shall we see face to face. Now I know in part; then shall I know fully, even as I am fully known. ( 1 CORINTHIANS 13:12)
My Grandma, Doris Kennington, passed on to be with the Lord; Wednesday, 3-5-2008. She will be greatly missed by our family and all who knew her. Even as I am saddened by her passing, it has been a great blessing to reflect on Grandma's life. Her outlook, attitude, and actions were all rooted in an immovable faith in God's promise and love.
Grandma's positive outlook on life and upbeat attitude had profound effect on everyone around her. She had kind and encouraging words ready at any time and was generous with her time, food, and many other things. Grandma was an excellent cook and always had room for more at her table. She was featured in our local paper as "Cook of the Week" in 1979. In that article, one can catch a glimpse of Grandma's positive attitude as she was quoted:"...keep your sense of humor...people will be more interested in the bright side...never be ashamed to say you are sorry." This was an article on cooking and she encouraged other cooks to "keep trying and tackle anything." At this point I might mention, Grandma was an avid Dallas Cowboys and Texas Tech Red Raider fan.
I was talking with my dear friend, Dr. Chris Sutton, who served as Grandma's pastor for over 13 years, and he told me of a conversation they had that gives insight to her faith and upbeat attitude. After church one day she told him that Christians who are worried and complaining about their tough time in life and are down in the dumps all the time "are living beneath their privilege as children of the Kingdom." He went on to say that, "Doris was a perfect example of that statement as I never saw her 'down' even though I knew she had difficulties, as we all do." Chris told me he would never forget what she said that day. Just one phrase, from who knows when, but it stuck! What an effect great faith and a great attitude has.
Dr. Sutton, in consoling me, mentioned the verse above. (1 CORINTHIANS 13:12) Grandma's faith has paid off as now she is "face to face" with her Lord and no longer does she "see through a glass darkly". The glass, or mirror; is not just clear now, it's gone!
The Bible, Grandma's most cherished book, describes faith as "...being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". (HEBREWS 11:1) Grandma was "certain" of God's promise of eternal life through the salvation of His son Jesus. Now, in our grief as a family at the loss of such a remarkable matriarch, we also celebrate her life and legacy of faith. We can find joy that she is now home with the Father.
In 1935, Blanche Currier, a friend of Grandma's from Southwestern Bible School in Enid, Oklahoma, wrote this to Doris (Grandma) in her 'autograph book'.
My Grandma, Doris Kennington, passed on to be with the Lord; Wednesday, 3-5-2008. She will be greatly missed by our family and all who knew her. Even as I am saddened by her passing, it has been a great blessing to reflect on Grandma's life. Her outlook, attitude, and actions were all rooted in an immovable faith in God's promise and love.
Grandma's positive outlook on life and upbeat attitude had profound effect on everyone around her. She had kind and encouraging words ready at any time and was generous with her time, food, and many other things. Grandma was an excellent cook and always had room for more at her table. She was featured in our local paper as "Cook of the Week" in 1979. In that article, one can catch a glimpse of Grandma's positive attitude as she was quoted:"...keep your sense of humor...people will be more interested in the bright side...never be ashamed to say you are sorry." This was an article on cooking and she encouraged other cooks to "keep trying and tackle anything." At this point I might mention, Grandma was an avid Dallas Cowboys and Texas Tech Red Raider fan.
I was talking with my dear friend, Dr. Chris Sutton, who served as Grandma's pastor for over 13 years, and he told me of a conversation they had that gives insight to her faith and upbeat attitude. After church one day she told him that Christians who are worried and complaining about their tough time in life and are down in the dumps all the time "are living beneath their privilege as children of the Kingdom." He went on to say that, "Doris was a perfect example of that statement as I never saw her 'down' even though I knew she had difficulties, as we all do." Chris told me he would never forget what she said that day. Just one phrase, from who knows when, but it stuck! What an effect great faith and a great attitude has.
Dr. Sutton, in consoling me, mentioned the verse above. (1 CORINTHIANS 13:12) Grandma's faith has paid off as now she is "face to face" with her Lord and no longer does she "see through a glass darkly". The glass, or mirror; is not just clear now, it's gone!
The Bible, Grandma's most cherished book, describes faith as "...being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see". (HEBREWS 11:1) Grandma was "certain" of God's promise of eternal life through the salvation of His son Jesus. Now, in our grief as a family at the loss of such a remarkable matriarch, we also celebrate her life and legacy of faith. We can find joy that she is now home with the Father.
In 1935, Blanche Currier, a friend of Grandma's from Southwestern Bible School in Enid, Oklahoma, wrote this to Doris (Grandma) in her 'autograph book'.
When the golden sun is setting
and this earth no more you trod
May your name in gold be written
in the autograph of God
Doris M. Kennington (age 16)
Blanche, your beautiful thoughts have come to pass and God has brought home a true angel of a person; who walked this earth with us for a while...and left blessings where she trod.
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