They say that women lose significant brain cells when a child is born, which has spawned many jokes and given my wife an excuse when she "forgets something."
Men don't seem to obtain this particular problem...or do they?
This morning, after taking a shower, I realized that I had forgotten to bring my underwear in the bathroom with me. I asked my wife to check the bag I had brought with me to the hospital. She and her mother quickly discovered that I has forgotten to pack any underwear at all!
Within moments I found out that I also failed to pack socks and my pair of shorts were missing the button. (Luckily I had a belt to hold them together!)
Cursing myself, I reached down to grab my deodorant and instead sprayed under my arms with cologne!
I don't remember being this "out of it" when the other kids were born. I think men must lose their brain cells after the THIRD child is born!!!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Do-It-Yourself
Finally, I am coming to the realization that you just can't do it yourself in youth ministry.
This was the first year I had two interns. Do I regret it? No way!
But I would be lying if I told you that I wasn't a little worried. Worried that the interns would slack off on the job? Worried that they would be insufficient?
NO! I was worried that they would SUCCEED!
And succeed they did.
I witnessed them in action. Their classes were fantastic. They were funnier than me. They were up on all the latest trends! And above all, I watched them have some deep spiritual conversations with teens...without me!
This disturbed me at first. It made me think that I was losing touch and declining in effectiveness. It really made me wrestle with my ego.
So what's my conclusion?
The teens ought to thank God that I'm not their only hope, their only contact, and their only adult friend! God knew what He was doing when he sent those interns our way!
Why should God only do His work through me? It makes WAY more sense to use a lot of people!
More interns, more contacts for lost and hurting teenagers, more godly people, more God...and less of me. Thank you for teaching me, Father!
This was the first year I had two interns. Do I regret it? No way!
But I would be lying if I told you that I wasn't a little worried. Worried that the interns would slack off on the job? Worried that they would be insufficient?
NO! I was worried that they would SUCCEED!
And succeed they did.
I witnessed them in action. Their classes were fantastic. They were funnier than me. They were up on all the latest trends! And above all, I watched them have some deep spiritual conversations with teens...without me!
This disturbed me at first. It made me think that I was losing touch and declining in effectiveness. It really made me wrestle with my ego.
So what's my conclusion?
The teens ought to thank God that I'm not their only hope, their only contact, and their only adult friend! God knew what He was doing when he sent those interns our way!
Why should God only do His work through me? It makes WAY more sense to use a lot of people!
More interns, more contacts for lost and hurting teenagers, more godly people, more God...and less of me. Thank you for teaching me, Father!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Next Wood Baby...
My wife is due September 19th.
She went in for an ultrasound and doctor visit today. Our son is already like 6 and 1/2 pounds!!!
The doctor told my wife he thinks we will be spending some time in the NICU. Her blood sugars have been high (gestational diabetes) which means her body does not break down sugars very well, and so she has been sharing a high sugar blood concoction with our son. That must be why he is so huge!
Because of this, he will probably be born and then tank as far as blood sugars are concerned. Until his body straightens itself out. Doctor also says we will probably need to have him early. So instead of September 19th, it will probably be in between September 5th and 12th.
Great.
I've had enough of NICU. I hate it. Especially when I'm watching my own kids in there.
I told my wife we're done. I know she would love to have a baby girl. I would too!
I just don't know if my heart can take another tough pregnancy and possibly another baby in NICU.
She went in for an ultrasound and doctor visit today. Our son is already like 6 and 1/2 pounds!!!
The doctor told my wife he thinks we will be spending some time in the NICU. Her blood sugars have been high (gestational diabetes) which means her body does not break down sugars very well, and so she has been sharing a high sugar blood concoction with our son. That must be why he is so huge!
Because of this, he will probably be born and then tank as far as blood sugars are concerned. Until his body straightens itself out. Doctor also says we will probably need to have him early. So instead of September 19th, it will probably be in between September 5th and 12th.
Great.
I've had enough of NICU. I hate it. Especially when I'm watching my own kids in there.
I told my wife we're done. I know she would love to have a baby girl. I would too!
I just don't know if my heart can take another tough pregnancy and possibly another baby in NICU.
Friday, July 02, 2010
Is That Your Final Answer?
Have you ever been asked a question, and later regretted your answer?
Perhaps you regretted it because you told the truth...but the truth hurt someone. Or maybe you regretted your answer because it highlighted a weakness in your life.
Take a moment to answer these two questions... (and DO NOT read further down until you have answered!!!!!)
1. What made you into the person you are today?
2. Who are/were your favorite teachers?
If you are anything like me, here is how you may have answered:
1. My parents, my family, my experiences, my travels, my friends, my wife and kids.
2. Mrs. Perkins, Mrs. Moonga, Mr. Mwanza, my dad, Stafford North, Jim Baird.
Those are not bad answers. However, could my answers be better?
I have been challenged recently to rethink my answers to a lot of questions.
In the Bible, Paul answered the first question by saying, "By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace on me was not without effect..." (1 Corinthians 15:10.)
How come "the grace of God" was not in my answer? Seems like God's grace ought to be a changing, driving force in my life! My wish now is to answer more questions with God in mind. I hope He becomes more and more a part of my everyday answers! (Thank you, Jim, for sharing this insight!)
As far as the second question, this was one I asked in a recent class to the teens. Then I made the point that Jesus was referred to as "teacher," and that if the teens were anything like me, they probably would not list him in their top list of teachers. This, too, needs to change! I hope in the future I would say, "Jesus is one of my favorite teachers...I could listen to Him all day!"
My prayer is that you will find "God" appearing in more of your answers when people ask about your life.
Perhaps you regretted it because you told the truth...but the truth hurt someone. Or maybe you regretted your answer because it highlighted a weakness in your life.
Take a moment to answer these two questions... (and DO NOT read further down until you have answered!!!!!)
1. What made you into the person you are today?
2. Who are/were your favorite teachers?
If you are anything like me, here is how you may have answered:
1. My parents, my family, my experiences, my travels, my friends, my wife and kids.
2. Mrs. Perkins, Mrs. Moonga, Mr. Mwanza, my dad, Stafford North, Jim Baird.
Those are not bad answers. However, could my answers be better?
I have been challenged recently to rethink my answers to a lot of questions.
In the Bible, Paul answered the first question by saying, "By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace on me was not without effect..." (1 Corinthians 15:10.)
How come "the grace of God" was not in my answer? Seems like God's grace ought to be a changing, driving force in my life! My wish now is to answer more questions with God in mind. I hope He becomes more and more a part of my everyday answers! (Thank you, Jim, for sharing this insight!)
As far as the second question, this was one I asked in a recent class to the teens. Then I made the point that Jesus was referred to as "teacher," and that if the teens were anything like me, they probably would not list him in their top list of teachers. This, too, needs to change! I hope in the future I would say, "Jesus is one of my favorite teachers...I could listen to Him all day!"
My prayer is that you will find "God" appearing in more of your answers when people ask about your life.
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