Friday, April 27, 2012

kindness



"kindness...
            don't ask for much, but an open mind"
                                                                                                                                  Ryan Adams


"and whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward" Jesus Christ




TRY IT!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

evolution


Evolving is a what we are all doing, yet I always seem to be taking steps backwards and not forwards. The more I believe and accept my faults, I do believe, I slowly but surely progress forward. evolving into a better man. 


At least in God's eyes I know I do.


Oh, the errors I make over and over, at times never ceasing. 


The beauty of God overtakes me his grace washing over me and never ceasing in how many times He forgives me. Over and over and over.


I continue to err, I continue to be human, I am not happy about my imperfections, but I am happy that He grants me grace for He is good. 


May all of our hearts show love, may we embrace each other and not push away. May we begin to truly have and know humility for He is good. 


May we evolve into God fearing, God loving people who pray for wisdom and understanding and may that understanding become a part of our very fabric for He is good. 


God we cry out to you, with our hearts open to your love - - grant us understanding that we may see others as you see them. May not our own judgement cloud our vision, but may the clouds be lifted to see others as you do. Please Father help us to see as we are. 

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

vanity

Wow, what a day, what a week, what an hour. 


Yes, my psyche is like a bicycle wheel...sometimes the spokes point up and sometimes down, but whatever the case they keep going round and round. 


Do I begin by telling you how every time I listen to Tom Waits it is like discovering a new exotic faraway land, do I tell you how Rodrigo y Gabrielle last Sat were some of the passionate people I have ever met and that seeing Taylor's picture with Gabby was a special moment for me or how about that Jim's cheesesteak I had this weekend, or an incredible guitar lesson yesterday or, or, or, or, or, or, isn't all of this nonsense,  vanity?


Of course it is. The past two weeks have included lavish days and nights filled with, in my opinion with lavish meals and yet....it is naught but vanity. 


Solomon says it is a striving after the wind, vanity. 


 " I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool?  Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. " Solomon


The word of God so inspires my very life. When I drift from it, I am lost and then when I am in it....I am safe and sound and content. 


I really love the following words of Solomon's  - "There is nothing better for a person then that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?" 


excerpts taken from Ecclesiastes ESV


This past Sunday a young man gave up his life for true life, being baptized in the name of Jesus and of this I was witness and if I should boast let me boast in Christ for He is good. 





Thursday, April 12, 2012

Boy's Town


Most would think that Boy's Town is a fictitious place, but it is not. This is Boy's Town @Camp Manatawny where as an adult I have done a lot of growing up. 


My home for many years was one week a year at Boy's 5 right smack in the middle of 80+ budding boys growing into men. 


I am struck with so much emotion right now. I am remembering a friend who passed at 26 years of age; Alex. What words can I use to tell you about Alex? Authentic, honest, warm, loving, peaceful, STRONG and Jesus. 


There are many whom we come to know and Alex showed the love of Christ as well as any I have known. Alex's heart was like the heart of God, made in His image and truly a heart that was guarded and attractive. 


It is in the this I do think there is a key to life. The attractiveness of Alex's heart. You see Alex showed God by His heart, yes God's very heart living in him and this was attractive. It was attractive to me. 


One can only pray to have a heart like His. 


Alex, I know with all of my heart, mind and soul that I will one day be with you in spirit. This is true for God has told me this. Much love. Tate


((it is in Boy's Town where I came to know Alex. What time I spent with him will be remembered))

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

truth


Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith.
Grace be with you all.

(Titus 3 ESV)


Gosh, is this powerful. Peace.

Saturday, April 07, 2012

learning from my children



Watching my children grow up was always amazing. They were like sponges and I read and read to them. Read to them all and I  could read to them again right now. I hope they remember me reading to them...come to think of it, it's always funny what each of us remembers. I remember reading to them most every night and they will remember me working late and that is what this post is about. 


My children teach me so much. They are each adults now, but as I listen to them and watch them I learn so much. 


Sean teaches me patience and to to not be judgmental of others and how to see others from their shoes. Thank you Seaner. 


Aryn teaches me how smart I can be and how productive I can be and that dreams can come true. Thank you Aryn A. 


And Taylor, the baby, so precious....he teaches me so much. He teaches me to listen and accept and to be the man that God has always called me to be. Love you Bub. 


God has blessed me. 




Friday, April 06, 2012

be light



It's 7:46 AM and the sun is as powerful as it's ever been. Bright and shinning lighting up the world for all to see.


And tonight, yes tonight the moon will be 100% full, it never goes above 100% btw,  and it will light up the darkness and the darkness will have no where to hide


And this day - - Good Friday, is the day that the world recognizes as the day that Jesus Christ was crucified and died. He died for all, so that we may live. 


The light of God is strong today, be it the sun or the moon or even you reflecting God's love. Darkness will also be strong today, but it cannot hide, it will be exposed. 


Just be light today....shinning and positive and all encompassing. Nothing else really matters. 



Thursday, April 05, 2012

conformed



This world is continually trying to mold me to what IT wants me to be and I refuse to give in.
 It wants me to spend my money and dream of riches, it wants me to be someone I am not and it wants me to love life on earth more then what I've been promised. It wants me to want, want, want want!!!


In order to NOT be molded into shapes the world loves and recognizes I must conform to be transformed. 


I must be submissive....I must serve. 


Imagine....truly imagine serving together. It makes me smile. 

Tuesday, April 03, 2012

l v d



.....clouds orange with light as the awe of the beauty of the sunset overwhelms those who attempt to understand it. 

darkness slowly creeps in to cover the sky. 


the light never fades, it never disappears, it circles the people lighting them up as it goes around as they choose to either bask in it soaking it up, or not. 

LIGHT vs. DARK
(it is real)








Sunday, April 01, 2012

facing the truth

 There is so much to learn and experience. 

"Who is my neighbor?" asked an expert in the field of law. *

A story was told, and if you should read the story, the outcome is, that everyone is your neighbor.

I awoke this morning with the lyrics of a song coursing through my brain, the lyrics were touching my heart...but I could not grasp them, what was this song, what was it telling me how, who, what, where, when?!?!?!?

further down the road i saw a man
and i asked that man, 'are you my brother now?'
he never spoke a word he just held out a hand
and i knew that i had done unto the least of these
when the Spirit spoke it said, 'come on, come on, come on, walk into your darkness my friend!' **

This morning I read from John 13 - “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Our neighbors are who we come into contact with. We should show them love, for this is how they will know. 
There really is nothing else.  


* Luke 10 
** Along the Road lyrics - Geology