hangin out

Was there ever anyone you really wanted to just hang out with? Somebody you really wanted to be around and just be there? Someone you respected or thought was ultra cool and that it would be a really cool thing if you could spend the day with them? Okay, say there was someone famous, or in a band that everyone knows, and you had the opportunity to just hang out for the day. They met you and after a little while thought you were pretty cool so they offered to let you tag along with them for the day. Would you go? We get like that when we meet someone famous, or at least I do. We meet them and think we will suddenly strike up such a wonderful conversation that it will somehow hit them that we are someone they should have a good daily dose of, and BOOM, we're in. And then we think, "I can't wait to tell everyone about this!" Then years later we will casually mention to strangers at parties how we are good friends with them.

I have a 19 month old, and if you have kids, you know they won't leave you alone in the bathroom. Especially if you are the only other person in the house. They just don't know the bathroom code of conduct and all they know is that you are in there, they aren't, and therefore there is something they are missing. Today it hit me. My daughter just really likes me that much. She wants to be around me, even if it means hangin out in the bathroom. She wants me to read her a book while I'm watching tv, or sit in my lap as I type this. She just knows that I am someone she wants to be around. I take this for granted or even miss the point many times. I think to myself or even tell her, "I'm busy doing something right now, you'll have to wait. Yes I know, I love you to." Just now, when she realized I am not going to pick her up and put her in my lap, she leans in and kisses my arm. I chuckle at first and then I sit back in amazement. She really likes me that much. She loves me and loves to be with me.

I'm so glad God isn't like me. But He really likes me that much. He loves me and loves to be with me. I was going to put this in the context of we should want to be with Him like we want to be with that famous person, but I just realized, to Him, we are that famous person that He wants to be around and then tell everyone about it later at parties.

I simply sit amazed and lost for words.

He really likes us that much.

Huck

I am giving ol' Huckabee a second look. Perhaps I discounted him too early. Let's watch...

I guess its my fault

when you are as inconsistent as I am about updating your blog, I guess no one takes the time to vote on the poll you have on the left of this screen. Oh well. I will prolly just wait until the last minute to reveal the answer anyway. for now though, its T.J., and I like it. ;)

just when

I thought I had it all figured out, I realize I don't. Over the past month or so, my mind has been a whirlwind and I can't seem to even get my thoughts organized. I find that I am busy, but I don't even know with what. So I started reading again. And I also pulled some close friends even closer and was really authentic with them. I just finished a book called True Faced. Maybe you've got this grace thing all figured out. If you think you do, give this book a read. It may stir you.

Bach-in It

Well, I don't know if any of you keep up with much TV, but my wife has been watching The Bachelor recently. Now, I currently despise these types of shows and even told her a few weeks ago while I joined her in watching an episode, that if my daughter was ever on a show like this, I will have failed as a father. The whole idea that after a couple of months, or however long the show takes, you are ready to marry someone because you have whittled away all of the other choices to me seems absurd. And most of them fail; big surprise. Even the premise of meeting someone among the perfect and dream-like atmosphere and carefully planned dream dates and that relationship surviving in the less than par real world seems to set this couple up for failure. Needless to say, I am not impressed with the whole lot of reality shows these days. Whatever happened to the one about the fiancee guy that was an actor and the girl thought it was real and had to introduce him to her parents so she could win a lot of money? He was really obnoxious and it was really funny. But you knew it was totally fake.

Anyway, one of the coolest things happened last week. It was down to the last two girls and the duke picked out a ring and he was expected to propose to one of them. Which meant that one would go home broken hearted. The guy turned both of them down. Both. You wanna know why? He wasn't in love with either. Good for you dude. I don't even know his name, but he chose not to go with either girl. He was and probably is still waiting for a real relationship. I applaud him. Hold out for the real thing and don't you dare compromise.

What's in a name?

So if you haven't read Freakonomics, I suggest it. It's intriguing reading. I just read the chapters last night on what makes a perfect parent. They don't claim to know, just put down some facts and statistics. Pretty interesting. Part of the chapter though contemplated whether or not the name you give a child affects them in life, or if it is a deciding factor on their outcome. I won't tell you how it goes, because I want you to read it (and it is rather exhaustive), but I will pose this to you:

My wife cannot decide on a name for our un-born daughter that is due late February. She has come up with a top three and left the decision up to me. Now, we wanted a "T" name for her first name and we have already decided her middle name will be "Joy". So I now put them out there for you to vote on and have the presumption that you will somehow sway my decision by how you vote. Enjoy!

(in no particular order)
1. Tatum
2. Toni
3. Tennille

India

So I was praying last night and through a long conversation with the Lord, felt impressed to sell my beloved comic book collection. After all, none of its mine, its His. So I was researching online last night at midnight to find a place to sell them, I felt He spoke to me to give the money away. Okay, where? Then I remembered we are raising money this month for Champions for India. So I found a place online where I can sell the comics for free, meaning there is no charge to me to put them up for sale on this website, unlike ebay where you get hit with hidden fees. So, go to comicsforsale.com and look for the comics for sale by konsumer. Buy them. You'll actually be giving monies to families in India. Its a no-brainer.