First I want to say thanks to everyone for praying for me. Truth be told, I don't do sick well. Really, I get so bored of doing nothing that I can't stand it. Finally today, I felt good enough to help take down Christmas. We had miles of shedding red tinsel, hundreds of pine needles, cookies, fudge and stuff everywhere after we dismantled the villages and put away the stockings. Michelle had to take the girls to voice lessons and being like all good husbands, I wanted to clean up the Christmas remnants. The problem is the more I cleaned, the more remnants I could see. We had red garland wrapped on the railing of our stairway and it looked so good, until it got taken off. As Katie unwrapped it, it came apart like a New Years explosion. The more I vaccumed, the more I realized something about Christmas. I always love it, then when it is over I become the Clean up nazi trying to get everything back in its place within 72 hours. Tree removed, Decorations and boxes packed up, lights wrapped up, fudge thrown out and presents to their rightful places in each of our bedrooms. This year, it just seemed like the more I cleaned, the more I felt how maybe their ought to be Christmas remnants all year long. Maybe family ought to get together more than a couple times a year? Maybe cards could be sent to people every month, just to encourage them, just because? Maybe we could give to others in July because they need it? Maybe we could leave a bit of tinsel in the corners of the carpet and it could remind me that family dinners ought to happen every week? Maybe dads could spend time with their kids more and maybe just maybe we could have Christmas parties in June. I suggest we keep Christmas where it needs to be, in our hearts. God invaded earth, we will never be the same, shouldn't it change everything?
I left a few remnants, just because I forget what matters the most so quickly.
He is with us! What else matters?
John
I can't believe Michelle and I have been married 22 years. I am old. She is making lunch, I am in bed...still. I so despise being sick. After our Christmas services, I came home Saturday night and continued to get sicker and sicker with a flu/cold mixture. I need chicken noodle soup and saltine crackers, help!
This is the stupidest blog ever! I am so bored. I really have nothing to say except I am coughing like my grandpa and am not much into celebrating 22 years. I hate being sick.
The sick guy
John
We are just finishing opening the last Christmas presents. Michelle is making lunch and the kids are just talking and laughing. It is such a different Christmas for me. I feel so alive, so humbled to be the father of three amazing kids. I want to say thanks to each of you. I am so grateful for each person who takes time to read this blog. Who in the world would care about my thoughts? Thanks for all your support and prayers.
I got home from finishing 17 services and even though I was a little bit sick, I sat down, and started getting emotional as I remembered each of the hundred or so people who stood up, saying that this Christmas is different and that their heart was hurting. I so totally understand and am sorry for the pain in your life. You matter so much to God and to me. Promise.
Michelle and I agreed not to "buy" anything for each other this year. We decided to help other people as God has so blessed our lives. I kept my promise, but decided to fulfill a different promise to my bride. She loves dancing, I am like Forest Gump on the dance floor. We have taken lessons on and off for almost 3 years (way more off than on). This Christmas I had a banner made that said promise to take dance lessons for one year. I kept two promises. First, officially I didn't spend any money (yet), and Secondly, it is the one thing Michelle wants to do more than anything else, so I want to help her see this dream become reality. The jury is still out in regards to how we (I) do, but we will see.
Well, Merry Christmas everyone. I am so looking forward to all that God has for us in 2006.
Peace in your homes
John
I am writing this during the song "God of Wonders" at the 7:00 pm service. We are in the second of our 17 Christmas services and I am amazed. What God did in this building through the lives of hundreds of people amazes me.
Before I pray and get ready to go speak, I just want to say thanks to EVERYONE. There are simply too many people to thank. Linda and the cast, musicians, choir, you are all amazing. Really. To all the First Impressions team (ushers, parking, etc) You continue to create wow experiences. To Missy, Joe and everyone who stayed in this building until 4:00 AM, painting, and preparing the three new rooms for Kidsworld. Thanks for believing. To our prayer team, worship team, pastors, please never give up. To Teresa, Trinette and our programming team, I just can't get over what God does every weekend through your faithfulness. To all the hundreds of volunteers. When you get tired, remember the people God keeps saving. It is so worth it. To people who read this blog, thank you for your continuous encouraging words. They matter alot. To Michelle, David, Katie, Hannah I am the most blessed husband and daddy in the world, promise.
Finally, To the Baby, who grew up, lived a perfect life, got beaten, crucified and who died for us. You are the God of Wonders. It is so all about you. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your plan. I have been saved 17 years. You rescued me, you know me and love me more than anyone else. I have few words.
ONLY GOD!
John
OK, I just spent a whole bunch of time saying what I thought was good stuff, and as I went to post the entry I hit the wrong key and deleted every single God honoring word I typed in. Where's God in that????
It's good to be home. I missed everyone, but had an amazing time with my family and friends. I didn't blog, but I rested and reflected alot about God, my family, Living Hope, and how blessed we all are. I have so many thoughts, but if I don't quit now, I may lose my mind.
Dying to live!
John
