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........