Me, Myself and Others

I have been rather observant of other people lately and I am starting to really not get excited about what I see. I try very hard not to be a judgmental person because I know I have done things that I’m not proud of, but it’s hard to see what’s going on around me and not feel….well flat out repulsed.

In my younger life I was a drinker. I could drink just about anyone under the table. It wasn’t a rare occurrence to see me with a giant bottle of Jack in one hand and a bottle of Rum in the other. I would go to parties and have a good time and get drunk. I would act like I was 5 years old again without a care in the world. At this point in my life I had completely lost my focus on God. I figured I would go out and do all of this stuff now so I wouldn’t miss out on what I perceived to be anything “fun”. But something happened. I grew up! I met my wife Brooke in the fall of 1999. I was just starting to get out of the drinking scene and trying to be an adult. She was (and still is) the best thing that has ever happened to me. As we dated I started to notice my thinking was changing. I didn’t see going out and getting drunk as a fun thing to do anymore. I was amazed, I didn’t think that could ever happen.

Flash forward a few years to..well…today. I look back at that part of my life and I don’t regret it. It’s amazing how God has used that as a witnessing tool to help show His glory.
But here is what has been getting to me lately. I have been around many people lately who are my age and are still acting like they are 18. I mean the other night I had a beer, I drank it in like 3 seconds and it tasted awesome, but I didn’t go over board. I started thinking this week about what the bible says about being a stumbling block to others and these are the verses that touched me.

1 Corinthians 8:9
9Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

Romans 14:13
13Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.

This really hit me hard, here I am professing to be a Christian and I still act the way I did when I was 17. I know changes need to be made, I do NOT want to be a stumbling block for other Christians or Non-Christians for that matter. I serve in our church, and I don’t want to do anything that would jeopardize that. I believe when you are put in a position of serving the church you should have some humility and be able to conduct yourself in a Christ like manner. So I am going to work on myself. Will I give up having a beer every once in awhile? No! I am just not going to be stupid about it. I will also work on my mouth . I say some pretty crude things sometimes and I’m often baited into it by other people as well. I am working on that to. I’m sorry this is so random but hey..it’s me.

Just how I feel Today

I was sure by now That You would have reached down And wiped our tears away Stepped in and saved the day But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining
As the thunder rolls I barely hear Your whisper through the rain "I'm with you" And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away

I'll praise You in this storm And I will lift my hands For You are who You are No matter where I am Every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand You never left my side And though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind You heard my cry You raised me up again My strength is almost gone How can I carry on If I can't find You
As the thunder rolls I barely hear You whisper through the rain "I'm with you" And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives And takes away
I lift my eyes unto the hills Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord The Maker of Heaven and Earth

ABC's

I stole this from That Guy.

A is for age. I'm 27 going on 13
B is for Burger of Choice. Five Guys double bacon cheeseburger.
C is for Car. 1991 Oldsmobile Ninety-Eight...Pimp this suckas .
D is for daughters. I love my little girl!
E is for essential item you use every day. My liver...I think it is a very under loved organ.
F is for favorite tv show. How I met you mother
G is for groceries. BACON WRAPPED SCALLOPS...YUM
H is for how often you embarrass yourself. Not Much anymore, I don't really care what other people think about me.
I is for ice cream. Moose Tracks.
J is for juice. Does Lemonade count as Juice?
K is for kids. 1 Girl, Glenna.
L is for Lipstick. I find that a deep red really looks good on m...wait never mind .
M is for Mexican food. Jose Peppers is the freakin awesome .
N is for number of piercings. I used to have one but I accidently ripped it out of my ear and haven't gotten another one. .
O is for Optometry. I wear glasses...dang it.
P is for People You Were With Today. Richard and Terry.
Q is for Quiet Time. I just sleep...Ilike sleepy.
R is for Biggest Regret. Meeting Amy....OR 99.9% of the crap I did in high school
S is for sports you play. Football and BaseBall
T is for tattoo. I want one REAL bad
U is for what is unique about you. I give really good advice.
V is for Vegetables you Love. Corn...only because you rent it...
W is for Worst Habit. talking loudly!
X is for number of x rays. To many to count....Stupid football.
Y is for Yummy Food you ate today. Cheez it's and sugar free applesauce!
Z is for Zodiac. Capricorn but I don't belive in all that crap.

Wordless Wednesday: My Angels