World War Hulk.......

If you know anything about comics, then you've heard of World War Hulk...........oh by the way, yes, I am a comic book geek.... :-)

Almost left behind.......

Last thursday night, Jenny and I went to go see a speaker named Tim Lahaye, he is the author of the "Left Behind" series. Tim Lahaye is also an expert of Bible Prophecy, we were both looking forward to seeing him speak at Calvary Chapel Downey. By the way, thank you to Dennis and Rhonda for giving us the info on this. Anyway, on our way to the chapel.........my wife and I get into an argument........this is how it went.

I stopped at a gas station to get some fuel when my cell phone started to ring. I answered the call and it was an old friend who was in need of a washer n dryer. I start pumping gas and Jen goes into the quick mart to get some cough drops. When she gets back I'm on the phone. I finish pumping a full tank and we start heading to Downey, I'm still on the phone. I get on the freeway, I'm still on the phone. She picks up her phone and loudly says that I'm being rude, and I need to get off the phone. My friend stops talking because he could hear what she said. I give her "the look", you know...the look, I give her "the look".....so then, she gives me "the look". It's getting hot and I don't have the heater on......I let my friend know that I'll call him back later.

We quickly get into the back and forth thing. I shouldn't be on the phone because this is our time together, our date, I'm being rude, not making her the priority....I'm telling her that what she did was rude, unnecessary, untimely, controlling.....and we go back and forth some more. She apologizes and before I apologize, I explain my position and what I wanted her to take from this experience. She doesn't like the fact that I wasn't apologizing, we are tempted to turn around and head back home, the mood is definitely gone....

Then we discover that where we are heading is definitely spiritual and that we are being spiritually attacked.

Just like that, as if for a quick moment the vail was lifted. I asked her to listen.....I think I know why she was so upset at the phone call. It really was my fault...my fault because for the past couple weeks when I was getting home from work, I was still at work. I wasn't doing those little things at the house and with her to make her know for a fact that she is my priority. I wasn't keeping up with those little things around the house and in our relationship for her to know without a doubt that she is so important to me. So all it took was this one phone call to push her feelings over the edge. I told her if I had not failed to do these things during the past week maybe this phone call wouldn't have been such a big deal. And maybe, this was one of those little things, to tell my friend to call me back later because I want to spend time with my wife. So I finally apologized....and meant it. We had a great time just "unpacking" everything and getting closer. Great speaker, great night, man this relationship thing is work!! But I love my wife so much.....none of us are perfect.

Bug a Boo...

What a great night, the kids had a blast. Here are a few pictures of our booth. Special thanks to Jenny, Dennis, Rhonda, Larry, Mitchah, and friend for putting this booth together in my garage the night before. We ran around from store to store trying to put this thing together and with God's help, it came together as if we seemed to know what we were doing. I have to admit I was kind of nervous, I didn't want it to look cheesy. We pulled together and this is what was produced......thank you guys...and gals.

Check this out.....plus a four letter word!!

For those that may not know, I had a back injury that occurred at work back in March. At first, it was just hurting alot and it limited me to do certain things. Eventually, I got a tingly feeling running down my leg that lasted for a couple months. When my back wasn't hurting, the pain in the back of my leg was really bad. During this time I was going to the clinic and getting a ton of therapy. But I was getting the same results, pain! Some days were really bad and some days were just a discomfort. I had to quit the "set up team" to keep myself from possibly getting worse by a mistake in bending over wrong or not being in correct posture or whatever. I'm sure Charlie was thrilled about that....sorry bro.

Well eventually I had an M.R.I. done to see what was going on with me. It's at a point where if I stand for a certain period of time I have a ton of pain shooting down my left leg. I need to sit to stop the pain and bring it down to a more tolerable level. Walking seems to be better than just standing. But anyway, I thought it would be cool to show you guys what the M.R.I. looks like and what it says..

I want to share with you a four letter word that is very offensive to me. DIET. Yup, I need to get on a diet. I am 6 feet tall and weigh............a cool 270lbs. I noticed that when I drop in weight my pain decreases.(yes, I am a genious.....whatever) I know to some people that may be totally obvious but I think I was just avoiding the issue. The issue of me having the drive to avoid bad foods and take care of my body, the right way. In preparation for India, I want to be the best physically as well as spiritually. The planning genious that I am, I choose to lose weight during Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. You guessed it, I need some prayer...

I will keep you updated on my progress....late.

Chris Tomlin singing Enough

September 12th, 2007

Yeah, I know it's been a while.....but back on Sept 12th, my boss Jerry took Aldo and I to the Dodgers vs. the Padres!!! Jerry is my boss and Aldo is my counterpart at work, both are my friends. Jerry called the both of us up and asked if we wanted to go to the game because he had some extra tickets! I was pretty excited due to the fact that it was near the end of the season and there was a tight race to the top of their division. The Padres were a team that they needed to beat and it was going to be a good game. Aldo is a huge Dodger fan and Jerry is a huge Angel fan, but I grew up watching both and came to the conclusion years back that I didn't need to pick.....so I like the Dodgers and the Angels......go ahead....hate me......whatever. HA!

Here is the cool part, Jerry had these amazing tickets, I have never been that close to the field before. But the cool part was that we got to go to some restaurant that I never knew existed right in Dodger stadium. As the three of us walked in I knew immediately that I was a little under dressed to say the least. There was this giant bar, guys in suits, writers from the press, sport agents, the girls dressed to impress. Jerry told us that he would be right back and he would get us a table. As Aldo and I were standing there we are staring at this giant buffet of food..........good food, not food from a 99cent menu. I had my access pass sticking out of my shirt pocket just to prove to people walking by me that I belonged their.....I was trying to stand there and pretend to be cool....I could hear Jenny now........"you're such a dork." Anyway, we got the table, got the buffet, got this amazing food, and the boss got the bill.....you don't want to know how much it cost......whoa. The orange chicken was incredible, I rolled some in a napkin and tried to sneak some out of there........ i got caught......I'm kidding.

The dinner was great, we went to our seats and the game had already started, we sat next to some cool people, enjoyed the rest of the game. My claim to fame is Nomar Garciaparra, I went to high school with him, St John Bosco '91, man I'm old.. Anyway, I always cheer for him whichever team he happens to be on. They won the game and they had a good shot of getting to the post season. Unfortunately, they didn't. Regardless, we had a great night and Jerry really knows how to show his "dates" a great time.....Aldo and I have a cool boss but Jenny knows I never kiss on the first date.

My Church.......

It's been more than 3 and a half years ago, Jenny asked me to come to this "new" church her friend Laura had suggested. Well...... I was not the church going type of guy....but as luck would have it football season was over. But, I was like hmmmmmm.......churches just want our money, people are fake, nobody's perfect, and and and and I have enough friends, I don't want to meet anybody new......whatever.

I remember laughing when we showed up to this giant church(EPCC) and then we had to meet in this tiny room off to the side of the giant church. There wasn't alot of people but I remember feeling like I just didn't belong, nobody really looked or seemed to be.........like me. I wasn't into it, then this scruffy haired surfer guy came up to me with a smile and put his hand out and said "Hey, nice to see you, whats your name?" This guy wasn't like other "religious" guys I had known before, he was.....different/genuine/scruffy. I spent that morning judging the service and the Pastors son, who was this tall skinny....oops, he was the Pastor...jk Anyway, my 1st time was.....fun, the music was great but what I took away with me was "that guy". That guy who for just a moment made me feel like I did belong there. Different.

Different was the word to describe Revolution Church. I can't believe we're going to celebrate 4 years of Revolution next week. Has it gone by that fast.... I can still remember that tiny room, in the past 4 years, life just hasn't gone the way I've wanted or expected it too. Wow, little did I know that what was going on in this tiny room would.....change my life forever...it wasn't instant, but that in this tiny room I would meet some amazing people, make great friendships, strengthen my marriage, become a better father to my kids, and ultimately give my life to Jesus. That the guy who made me feel like I did belong there was named "Jerry" and he is as genuine today as he was the first day I met him.

My Church is incredible.........today we meet at a high school instead of a tiny room, but what makes my church incredible is not the outside.....it's the inside. It's the people. The people who are going through and have gone through so much over the past 4 years......we know that life is tough ...but while it tears us apart, Jesus puts us together a little stronger than before. "...but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom he has given us."Romans 5:3-5NIV

I'll be at Unite celebrating these past 4 years, celebrating what God has done to us, for us, with us, "against" us, and that he gives...........and takes away. I will also celebrate our Pastor, Dave Trotter and his family.....for just opening up his home and teaching the Word in practical ways to apply it today.

Hey, lets face it, we're all jacked one way or another but,.......this is my family......this is my church....

Congrats to Joe and Christy!!!!

New Edition!

Weight: 2pounds 14 ounces

Aiden Bryce Calderon

Joe!! you are a great friend and I wanted you to know that you are very much loved and appreciated for your generosity and for just being you....Christy, keep going and love each other forever!! Jenny and I appreciate the two of you so much..We're looking forward to getting to know another member of our family.

P.S. Joe, just so you know be careful drinking another Coke, somebody might booby trap your straw with ketchup....ritchie!

The Critic

“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
(Paris Sorbonne, 1910)

Just a thought....

Usually on Mondays, I sit at the dinner table and work on "the flow" for Lifegroup. Sundays and Mondays are my time to really study God's Word. I was at the table trying to slow down and concentrate on just what God was trying to communicate. As I started to pray I looked at my wife, Jenny. She was getting dinner ready for us and I was just taking her in. Wow, how long has it been since we first met? As she's getting dinner ready, she's just totally focused on "her mission." I am so thankful to God for her. I can already think back to our 1st date.....The Spike and Mike- Sick and Twisted Animation Festival midnight showing in Long Beach. Man, things were so much easier back then, as you can tell I was pretty smooth in showing a lady a good night....whatever. I can think of other times that were not so easy. Wow, its been a crazy ride, who would ever have guessed back then where we would be. I'm looking at what a woman she's become, and I'm so amazed. I can reluctantly remember on two separate occasions when we held two beautiful baby boys in our arms...............and had to give them back to God. Life can be really tough sometimes.........really tough. As believers in Christ we say God is in control and he has a purpose and a plan, it still sucks sometimes. Regardless, God is with us sustaining us through those times. What a woman he has created in her, I couldn't imagine going through life with anyone else by my side. I am so proud of her.... she catches me staring at her..... She's like "Whats wrong?" I'm like "Um......could you grab me a Coke Zero with ice"..................wow, I am a jerk.

HILARIOUS!

This was the second year for Hilarious and it was well put together. Great night, great people, Carlos Oscar was very funny. It's cool to enjoy an evening with people from our church family. I think these evenings are good to get to know more people, but I still get nervous. It's funny how I can say "hi" to alot of people on Sunday, but never really "talk" to some of them. I know I'm not the only one who feels like this, but I wonder why we do that. I've got to get better at talking to more people, my wife thinks I'm anti-social, and don't like to be around people... I don't think so, I'm very social..........Uh oh I hear footsteps coming down the stairs into the basement, I knew I should've locked the door, I've only been down hear for a few hours...I guess I've got to upstairs and spend some time with the family.

jk

Angels vs. New York Yankees 8/20/07....1 yr ago...

"My first post anniversary, one year ago when I started this blog, these were my first "recorded" thoughts of a baseball game with Matthew.. "

Thanks to Dennis and Rhonda Crawford for the tickets to the game!! Wow, there is something about baseball games that just takes me back.. I am not a huge baseball fan, but being at the game is definitely different than watching it on TV. As soon as Matthew, on my shoulders, and I approached our seating section, I could smell the peanuts, hot dogs, mustard, relish, cotton candy and then something happened to me. Just like that, bam! I was carrying Matthew on my shoulders and he was so much younger, years ago when we were at a Dodger game . It was our first baseball game together. I almost had forgotten that day when I walked out on top deck with him on my shoulders, looking down at the field and feeling........good. Now were getting to our seats and I notice he's growing up so fast. The atmosphere and the conversations around us about stats and players just draws us in. When the game starts he's cheering at the top of his lungs, I'm cheering. We're having a great time enjoying the game, he's asking a ton of questions. I slow down and just can't stop looking at him and how much he's grown. God is so amazing..... stress, life, work, and worries were put on hold tonight for a few hours. What a great night, cool people around us, great game, Angels won 6-5. I'm full of all these emotions for my kids, wife and realizing how grateful I am to God, I get home and Jenny asks me "How was the game?" Instead of telling her everything that happened to me "inside", I'm like, "yeah, it was alright."............I'm such a jerk.

My First Post Ever!!

Alright, you guessed it, I'm going to surprise a few people........