It has been awhile

It has been awhile since I have written. The nature of being fallen has chained me. Today I was reminded that I am Free! Jesus died so that I may experience freedom and so you may experience freedom.

I admit I struggle. I really struggle. I struggle to be a nice guy. I struggle to be positive. I struggle to let go. I    struggle to forgive. I could keep writing about the things I struggle with but it might bore you. Actually, this blog helps me and is public so that those who have the same struggles can also find freedom in Jesus.

So, why the public journal. I am a Christian and have been for over 10 years and have heard a lot about how the world views Christianity and Christians. Some think we are hypocrites and if we truly believe and follow Jesus that we would be different. Well, I don't know what different means. What I do know is that I still struggle with the same things that non-Christians and Christians alike struggle with. For example, I still struggle with my boss at work. I don't know one person who doesn't struggle with their boss at one time or another. Sometimes, ok, maybe a lot, I believe I know more than some other people. Or, that my way of doing something is better or the only way. Sometimes I don't know when to shut my mouth. Sometimes I don't know when to not say something and listen. Yes, even I hurt my wife's feelings.

Following Jesus hasn't made me perfect but pointed out how fallen I am and how similar I am to everyone else Christian and Non-Christian. The only difference I see is that I have hope. I have hope that  I will one day meet my perfect Father who created this awesome universe.

So, I am fallen but today I am reminded that I have freedom in Jesus Christ.

Sunday with Celeste

It isn't often I get to spend a lot of time with my daughter Celeste but this weekend was an exception. The weekend ended up with her drawing a bath for Claudia (with bubbles), helping me with a school project and her coaching me through a workout. She is an awesome girl.  She spent her morning working on the new lego set she got Saturday. I never thought she would so into legos. Celeste went to church with us then came home completed her homework and played with her toys. She is growing up so fast!

I learn so much from her. The one thing I learn from her is that I am so inadequate to raise her. Thank God I have Claudia to help guide me through this parenting thing. I would never get it right. Claudia is an awesome Mom. She is the kind of Mom you wished you had when you were growing up. She is kind, gentle and patient. Most importantly she is very forgiving, doesn't get tied down with all the crap of the world and looks forward with a Christ centered focus. I have said many times that I would love to be more like Jesus, that's a tall task that I will never be able to complete. If only I could be more loving, more kind and more patient. If only I could be more like my wife. If I could be more like Jesus.  If only!

So, how to be more like Jesus. Develop Jesus habits.

• Habit 1: Read His word, know His truth and be a living example of His word.
• Habit 2: Pray and Pray a lot. Pray in all things. Pray through the good, the bad and the ugly. Pray always.
• Habit 3: Serve the Church and see the work Jesus is doing. Be transformed by the miracles that happen daily around you.
• Habit 4: Forgive: Who are we to not to forgive others when God allowed his only Son to be killed for us, so that you and I could be restored to a right standing before God. Jesus forgives.
• Habit 5: Restore.  Jesus restored people, relationships and hearts. Start restoring a broken relationship.

Just a few habits. I am sure we could add a lot more. These are the big ones. Read them, think about them and pray about them. Try doing one of them for a week. Let me know what happens.

Oh yeah, the workout...

100 squat thrust
30 pushups
30 sit ups
Peace