Fatherhood

Raising two boys has me thinking a lot about being a father, a provider, a role model. It has also caused me to wonder what kind of father Jesus had? I think Jesus had a very good father. In my image of Joseph he provided for his family, taught Jesus his trade, made sure that they were all at the synagogue at the appropriate times and honored all the feasts and sacrifices. I believe that just as God chose Mary to be the mother of Christ, he chose Joseph to be the father. God had all of history and all of mankind to choose from and He chose these two people to raise His Son, I believe that speaks well for Joseph. It also sets a high benchmark for me to emulate.

I want my sons to love God and serve Him. I want them to respect their parents and those in authority. I want them to have good marriages, wonderful children and be good providers and role models for their families. I want them to be happy and to have them long lives. I want them to have a father like Jesus had.

In Him,

David

Happy New Year

Yesterday we spent the day running around. We went to see Janelle's 94 year old grandfather and then went to Opry Mills and Opryland Hotel. On the way shopping, we stopped at a McDonald's to grab a bite at the drive through.....between the time I ordered and the time we got the food, both boys had fallen asleep. I asked Janelle to pull their two cheeseburgers out of the bag and give them to me. As we were pulling away I passed a homeless man and handed him the cheeseburgers and wished him a happy new year. He put the burgers in his pocket, smiled real big and said thanks. We drove off and continued our errands but we felt better because of our random act of kindness. Start your year off better, do something for someone who cannot give anything in return except a thank you.

By the way, Christopher liked the "jungle" at the Opryland Hotel the best. He had a big grin on his face walking through there and was laughing and singing while daddy sang "In The Jungle."

Happy Birthday Janelle

Yesterday was Janelle's birthday, it was also a day of flexibility. The things we planned on doing we did not do and the things we did not plan on doing we did (but not in the Paul fashion). We planned on coming home for lunch and going to the Cheesecake Factory for her birthday dinner. Instead we went to lunch with our friends the Bells and went to Snappy Tomato with Chris and Micalynn Barker. While it wasn't what we had planned to do, it was better because it was time spent with friends.

We were going to take the Christmas tree down today but I could not stand the thought a wrestling boys, the trees and protecting the ornaments all at the same time....so we took down the tree last night while the boys were sleeping. There is a lot of additional space for the boys to play in now.

I was thinking of the upcoming new year knowing that it will be like every year having its share of dissappointment and sorrow, that is not what I focus on. Instead I look forward to spending time with my wife and boys. Trips to see grandmother, camp, grandparents coming back during the summer and the general promise of a new year. The new year also brings us closer to eternity with the passing of each day, so I need to make every day count.

In closing, again Happy birthday Janelle and Happy New Year to all of you.

In Him,

David

My Family

I have not posted photos before, so let's try this little experiment

Me and my LOVELY wife, yes, I know I married UP.

Grandmother and Christopher





Christopher displays his architectural abilities

Jacob, a true Joy!

And finally, my two boys being sweet!

Holidays and Observations

We traveled to my mother's home for the Christmas holiday. We had a wonderful time and the boys love spending time with their grandmother. It was a busy time with a day at Dollywood, presents to open on Christmas Eve, the visit from Santa on Christmas morning, visiting the congregation that I grew up in on Sunday morning and spending time with family and friends. We are truly blessed!

One of the inconveniences of staying with my mother is her internet connection. It is rather slow and sporadic at times. I think my in-laws in China have better service than she does. But for all that she uses the net, it is perfect for her and that is all that matters. It does make it difficult to post and read other blogs though.

I received the movie that I truly wanted from my wife as a Christmas present. The movie is titled Amazing Grace and it is truly an amazing movie. It is based on the actions of William Wilberforce and his attempts to abolish slavery in the British empire. His mentor / preacher / father figure was John Newton, a former slaveship captain. I will not go into the details, rather I would urge everyone to see this movie. It proves that 1 man can make a difference.

Early on in the movie William is having a conversation with his butler when the butler asks, excuse the paraphrasing please, "you found God sir?" To which William replies: "rather he found me, it is rather inconvenient when one finds God." It is inconvenient to find God. As humans there are things that we WANT to do that as Christians we should NOT do. But on the flip side, it is a grand adventure to walk with God and to know him. Everything good that I have in my life I have because of God. My parents, my wife and my children are all blessings from Him. Happy New Year to all.

In Him,

David

Great Expectations

I wrote in my last post that I have certain expectations when it comes to Christmas, what I did not write is that these expectations are based on my experiences in the past. The kind of Christmas that I had as a child has shaped what I expect Christmas to be as an adult. Unfortunately many of us approach religion in the same manner. Our previous experiences shape what we expect out of a church. Sadly many do not take the time to honestly look for themselves at what the Bible says of what the Church should be.

It is amazing to me in this age of high speed internet, cars, planes, satellite communications, etc.; that the most influential person in the world is a poor carpenter's son who died nearly 2000 years ago. He did not have a tv show, hardly traveled compared to what we do today and yet the world recognizes him both in this holiday season and in how we measure the passing of time.

I want to use the upcoming year to get to know this carpenter's son better. To better understand what the church should be and my role in it. To be the husband, father and role model that I should be.

Happy Holidays, In Him.........

David

Can't Wait

As a small child I always loved Christmas. I could not wait to look under the tree and see what Santa brought me and all the other gifts that I was getting. I also loved picking out gifts for others and wathching their faces as they opened their gifts. I still love Christmas and can't wait to see the boys faces this year.

I always want to pick something that is suitable to the person for which I am buying, although my method of shopping has changed. I used to be a powershopper. I would wait to the last moment and do all my shopping in one frantic day of shopping. I am now more of a bargain shopper. I will shop the doorbusters, Black Friday and anywhere else that I can get a deal. I will carefully comb through all the sales flyers (F.S.I.s in the business) looking for the best deals on what I have chosen to purchase. I always shop with this caveat, if I don't think the person will truly like or can use it, I won't buy it.

I hate buying clothes for my nieces. I don't want to be the clothes uncle, I want to be the cool uncle that gets them cool things, not clothes. I hated getting clothes when I was younger. It wasn't that I was unappreciative, it was that what certain family members picked out for me had nothing to do with style. When I would put on their outfit I would feel like Ralphy wearing the pink bunny costume in "A Christmas Story".

I have certain unwritten rules about Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. It is part of who I am. I try not to always inflict my rules on others but I do have certain expectations. Even if you don't live up to my expectations I do know that I love Christmas and as the song says, it is the most wonderful time of the year. Merry Christmas.

David