As you read this please remember, we are only promised right now, this minute. If you knew you wouldn't be here in one minute, what would you say? Who would you say it to?

Quite a few times I've sat and wondered why we seem to have trouble telling those closest to us how much they mean to us in our life. You hear people say it all the time, that they should tell their husband/wife that they love them more. So why do we wait? I am extremely guilty of this myself. My wife tells me that I am the type of person that tends to show her in other ways (things I try to do for her or for our kids), but should that just be good enough? I am just realizing that if I posed that question to myself, I could not get out everything I would want her to know in 1 minute.

Death is a very hard concept for us to accept. It pains me deep down in my soul when it crosses my mind of losing my wife or my kids. But the honest truth of the matter is that eventually one of those will happen, or they will lose me. There is no way around it, so I wonder why we act like we have all the time in the world? I have no answer for this question, but I will tell you what first brought it in my mind.

A few months ago, my baby brother, for whatever reason decided to jump from a vehicle traveling about 50 mph. When I finally got to the hospital (it was 12 hours from my home), they told me to go in without any expectations. They didn't know if he'd wake up, how much of his memory he'd have or if he'd even make through the night. While my family and I sat there holding his hand, taking turns talking to him, it hit me like a ton of bricks, I wish I could tell him I loved him, how I wouldn't have traded anybody else in this world for him as a brother.

When he finally came to, he knew everyone else except me, he could not tell me my name. I was crushed, I knew he would live, but he might not ever remember me again, would I ever be able to tell him? The day before I was to leave I went in and asked him if he knew who I was, his reply was, "yes, you are my buddy" (a nickname we used to call each other) and he squeezed my hand. I broke down, and with all my strength I had left I was able to whisper what I wanted him to know.

You see, we will hardly ever have that second chance like God had given me. So why don't we take advantage of the time right now?
I still struggle with words for my wife, but I know she'll be reading this post, so let me just say, "I love you with all my being, I am so incredibly blessed (and extremely lucky) that you chose to stick with me. Thank you so much for putting up with me, I know it's not easy sometimes (I have a hard time dealing with myself sometimes too (lol) ) I love you".

So as I end this post, who is on your mind? A loved one? A friend? whoever it is, let them know. IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I promise.

Change will only come after it's first done in our own homes.

Till next time,
Rev

Kids are so wonderful! I sometimes just sit and watch my two daughters as they interact with the world. I have to admit though, it scares me to death sometimes to think of what they have to go through and learn as they grow up. I think every parent alive has those same fears. I often wonder if I am giving them everything they need (emotionally and physically), if I am providing enough for my family. Sound familiar?

We live in such a fast-paced world. It's all about what one can get, how quick they can get it and how much of it they get. But what are we teaching our kids? That our happiness depends on the amount of money or possessions we own? My 3 year old daughter has taught me a serious lesson in this matter.

I admit it, we have spoiled our kids, my daughters have so many toys they don't know what to play with minute to minute. A while back, we gave my oldest a gift, I can't remember what it was, I just remember the box it came in. Somehow my little girl ended up in the box and I ended up on my knees with my belt looped through it, making horse sounds, pulling her all through the house. We played with that box for almost 2 hours that night. It was a house, a carriage, a sled, a fort, a table for tea-time, etc.. But what changed me was my daughter never put a hand on this expensive toy we just gave her. An empty box was more important to her.

You see often-times we tell ourselves that we need to give our kids a certain lifestyle or they won't be happy. We end up killing ourselves trying to give them the world. I'm not saying that it's wrong to want those things for them, but we tend to forget to teach them how to slow-down and enjoy an empty box. That usually an empty box can be more fulfilling than the object inside. That it's always better to have quality over quantity.

Thats what they really need, someone to let them know they have 2 hours to give to them, not that they'll work 2 more hours to give them something expensive. Let's start slowing down a little and give them the attention that they crave so bad....

I promise they or you will NEVER regret it.......

until next post,
Rev

As you read this one, keep in mind, it's not just the homeless that we do this with, and as with all stereotypes, they are usually wrong.

We have all seen it, your stopped at a stoplight and there is a (wo)man standing there with some sort of sign asking for help or work. I think most of our responses are to think alcoholic, drug addict, psycho, etc.
I know I was good at it, just sit there and stare straight ahead, and try to ignore them like it wasn't my problem, or perhaps I am too busy, I have somewhere I have to be.......

I can't remember or explain when or where my thoughts changed, but the first time I stopped, I had just bought some lunch and I opened my window and handed him my food and told him to hang in there. His reply was, "It can't get any worse." He thanked me again and again until the light turned. The feeling I got from this guy was overwhelming, he was thrilled I had given him my $4 lunch. I wanted to try and do this more, at first for my own pride and joy, to think I was really doing something for somebody.

Once I had done this awhile, I got to be curious about each person's situation, how had it come to this? As I brought them food (I never carry my wallet with me or give them money), I began to ask them how they got to this point, and I admit some were drunks and addicts but some of their responses shocked me. This one guy, (we'll call him Frank) was a family man, not wealthy, but not hurting for money either. He said he had a beautiful wife and 3 amazing kids. One week before Christmas they went out to buy their Husband and Daddy a Christmas gift and never made it back home. Someone had crossed the yellow line and killed them. Frank could not recover in time to make it back to work and with no close family left, he had nowhere to go.

That conversation changed my life, and I have to ask you, what would happen if that was you? Often times we are just one wrong move from being in trouble(they say that the average American is in debt of 7 thousand or more). Please understand, I'm not saying that we need to help EVERYONE, but isn't it worth a shot?

As I bring this session to a close, I propose a challenge to you.
For every person living in your household, give one dollar to an honorable charity. They say the 300th million baby was born this year, what could be done in this world with 300 million given to help causes like that? Wouldn't you be thankful if it was you?

Please be careful if you decide to do the same as I. Never go up to people at night and always be on guard, there are a few out there who need serious help and medicine to make them right.

signing off for now,
Rev

As you read, think about this, You will affect everyone you come in contact with, either good or bad for the rest of that persons day(sometimes life). To spread good, give good........

Not too long ago I made a visit to a man with terminal cancer (It wasn't someone I knew very well, which made this visit more special). As we sat and talked, it was apparent to me how much pain he was in, (he died the next day). We talked about life, death, looking forward to Heaven, and anything else that kept his mind off the pain. One comment he made has stuck with me though, he said, "Rev, I wonder what kind of mark I left to people on this world. I guess I could have done more." He fell asleep after saying that so I never got to ask him more, but this is what I've come up with.

Often we live in our own little worlds, only taking time to help those closest to us(friends and family), and striving toward that goal of what we think happiness is, and will often step on someone to get there. Then there are times when we are confused and scared about life and will go to steppin' to try and get away. I was extremely guilty of that in my teenage years and into young adulthood, only concerned about me and what I could get. (quick note: For those reading that I may be talking about, I'm sorry, I was wrong) I have since tried to locate and apologize to the people I hurt.

We do wonderful when tragedy hits, like 9/11 or when Katrina hit, but we forget that the most powerful way to leave our mark is right in our own neibhorhoods. First to make a decision that you will change, then try to make ammends for people you've hurt. Then talk to the waitress where your eating, tell her what a great job she is doing(or trying to do), thank the grocery clerk, smile and tell the lady with the screaming child, "it's ok, it doesn't bother me. Stop and talk with the homeless guy/girl holding the sign (that story will be my next entry), let them know you care.

That's how we can start to change the world and leave a mark for generations to enjoy!!!

Till next time,
Rev