When it comes to sharing my salvation story, i am quick to talk about the man who helped me "seal the deal" for Christ. Thing is, there were many others who helped guide me in the path towards knowing my Lord and Saviour. I rarely talk about them. Their role in leading me to Christ was just as integral. It took many people to get me where i am, now. Not just one person.
As a young, confused, troubled, self-loathing kid, my "dysfunctional" family and i had these next door neighbors who were christians. They were schoolteachers. Norman and Donna Whittum. Mr. Whittum was my fourth grade teacher. My sisters and i spent a lot of time over there, since their children were friends of ours. They always invited us to church and vacation Bible school that they led. We always did stuff with them.
I went to these activities, just for something to do, but, my attention span wasn't very long, and i never really gave this Jesus they talked about, much thought. Looking back, the Whittum's poured their love of Christ into us.
Then, my parents divorced. My mom, her crazy, abusive boyfriend, his kids, my sisters, and i, moved to California, never to see our neighbors again!!!
Last week, i helped a lady and her son move. Afterwards, they bought us lunch. In our conversation, unbeknownst to me, this woman knew the Whittum's!! she is great friends with them, currently!! they go to the same church!! they are alive and well!! this is crazy!!!
Today, i drove by their church. I felt the Lord telling me to go seek them out. It was potluck sunday....lol!!! there they were, Mr. and Mrs. Whittum, sitting at a table, eating. I just walked up and sat across from them. Haven't seen these fine people in thirty-three years!! it was surreal!! i could not believe that i was with these folks, who invested so much in me as a youth!!
I did not stay long, but, just to be there with them. To let them know that my life took a few crazy twists, but one day, at twenty-five years old, i came to know jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, the one that they always told me about!!! i could see this touched them!! they have no idea their impact on me!! they'd tell you that they didn't do much!! that is who they are, quiet, humble, unknown, obscure saints. What they did for me has changed my life!! Given me eternal hope!! it's a big deal!!!!
It was emotional for me to thank them from the bottom of my heart, but i did!! it feels great to express to people how much i love and appreciate them!! the difference that they have made!! they MUST know!! i have to tell them!! i barely left there without falling apart!!! i hadn't seen them in thirty-three years!!!
Just remember, you may think that you've never impacted anyone for Christ, but, how would you feel if thirty-plus years from now, a lost soul from long ago, walks back into your life, thanking YOU for being a great example to them?!! my hope and prayer is that this happens to YOU!!!! you really have no clue about the difference that you've made!! you are unaware of your impact!! thing is, you have. What a great day it will be to share this sacred, tender moment with the person that you least expect to come knocking at your door.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Wasting Water
It may seem strange for me to write a blog about water, but, now, more than ever, i am compelled to do so. For no other reason than to awaken and create awareness of those in the world, dying from a lack of clean drinking water. This is something i never ever thought about until i witnessed it firsthand, over in Haiti.
At church, i have the duty of cleaning off the tables where we sit, eat and drink during the service. I found myself becoming inwardly disgusted with the many half-full cups of water that were wasted, on so many of the tables. Am i gonna become anal about chasing people around, lecturing those who waste water? no, definitely not. We as americans, living in the lap of luxury in the United States, are all a part of the problem. Yes, even me, especially me!!
I have looked into the faces of those who if they could, would probably drink every wasted cup of water on every table, if they could get away with it, with no thought of germs or bacteria!! this thought, repulses most of us. We are strangers to real thirst, our wastefulness is evidence of that!!
As i toiled at Du Croix, the Baptist Church camp, while in Haiti, i worked shoulder to shoulder with men in the harshness of the brutal humidity, who if it wasn't for those on on our Missions team, supplying them, worked all day, with a scarce supply of water!!
I had lunch under a palm tree with a man who devoured his food as if he hadn't eaten a decent meal in days!! i had to bite my lip to not cry in the presence of my newfound friend, who was so desperate to stay alive, day to day!! it's heart-breaking, i tell you!!!! the host family that my mission team and i stayed with, provided lunch for us and our haitian co-workers. I couldn't help but wonder if this was the only food and water that these men could count on. What would happen to them after our job here is done? who would feed them and give them water?
Sure, there's water in Haiti, but, if you drink it, you run the risk of dying from cholera or a variety of other diseases or parasites. It is unsafe. Those living in poverty, which is multitudes, have no choice, but, to drink it. They can't afford quality water!! i drink clean water, daily, without ever wondering if it's gonna kill me to consume it!!
One day, in our travels through the countryside, we came across a roadside casket shop!! Sad to say, this place probably gets a lot of business.
This blog may be too sad and melancholy for those who don't wanna wake up from their "Pollyanna-like" lifestyle, who refuse to dwell on anyone who is dying from thirst, hunger, or disease, by the droves, but, this is reality, for so many in this world!! in America, so many have the "me first" attitude. Our selfishness, wastefulness, neglect, and lack of thoughtfulness, compassion, and service to others, makes me ill.
In my own perverse, sick mind, i wanna have visions and nightmares of those in dire straits. The day i don't have the harshness and cruelty of the poor, permeated into my heart and soul, is the day that i will be useless to God and man. We MUST immerse ourselves in the sufferings of those in our midst!!
At church, i have the duty of cleaning off the tables where we sit, eat and drink during the service. I found myself becoming inwardly disgusted with the many half-full cups of water that were wasted, on so many of the tables. Am i gonna become anal about chasing people around, lecturing those who waste water? no, definitely not. We as americans, living in the lap of luxury in the United States, are all a part of the problem. Yes, even me, especially me!!
I have looked into the faces of those who if they could, would probably drink every wasted cup of water on every table, if they could get away with it, with no thought of germs or bacteria!! this thought, repulses most of us. We are strangers to real thirst, our wastefulness is evidence of that!!
As i toiled at Du Croix, the Baptist Church camp, while in Haiti, i worked shoulder to shoulder with men in the harshness of the brutal humidity, who if it wasn't for those on on our Missions team, supplying them, worked all day, with a scarce supply of water!!
I had lunch under a palm tree with a man who devoured his food as if he hadn't eaten a decent meal in days!! i had to bite my lip to not cry in the presence of my newfound friend, who was so desperate to stay alive, day to day!! it's heart-breaking, i tell you!!!! the host family that my mission team and i stayed with, provided lunch for us and our haitian co-workers. I couldn't help but wonder if this was the only food and water that these men could count on. What would happen to them after our job here is done? who would feed them and give them water?
Sure, there's water in Haiti, but, if you drink it, you run the risk of dying from cholera or a variety of other diseases or parasites. It is unsafe. Those living in poverty, which is multitudes, have no choice, but, to drink it. They can't afford quality water!! i drink clean water, daily, without ever wondering if it's gonna kill me to consume it!!
One day, in our travels through the countryside, we came across a roadside casket shop!! Sad to say, this place probably gets a lot of business.
This blog may be too sad and melancholy for those who don't wanna wake up from their "Pollyanna-like" lifestyle, who refuse to dwell on anyone who is dying from thirst, hunger, or disease, by the droves, but, this is reality, for so many in this world!! in America, so many have the "me first" attitude. Our selfishness, wastefulness, neglect, and lack of thoughtfulness, compassion, and service to others, makes me ill.
In my own perverse, sick mind, i wanna have visions and nightmares of those in dire straits. The day i don't have the harshness and cruelty of the poor, permeated into my heart and soul, is the day that i will be useless to God and man. We MUST immerse ourselves in the sufferings of those in our midst!!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Eleven years and counting
It dawned on me this morning, that today, July 17, 2011, is my eleven year anniversary at my workplace, Cadillac Casting!! it sure went by fast!! most of the people that work there, can't stand it. Yes, it's a sweat shop, and if you're afraid of work, that isn't the place to be....lol!!! as tough as it is to work there, with the heat, and the laborious tasks, i am grateful for my job. Being employed there, has given my family, the blessing of a nice house, food, water, two reliable vehicles, and a comfortable lifestyle, if i really think about it.
In Haiti, i worked alongside a young haitian man, at Du Croix, the Baptist church camp, where we worked on the chapel and sanctuary. He's a day labourer who has nothing. Everyday, we picked him up in his Cap Haitien neighborhood, to go to work. Jean T lives with his girlfriend and their three year old daughter.
This man works hard and yet, nobody will give him a real, concrete job. He was being disrespected by his lady, saying he wasn't a good provider. Did she ever see Jean work? this guy does his best, and to her, he's just a loser. Oh, the pain i could see within this man.
My kids eat three square meals a day. His daughter goes to bed hungry!!! oh, it's not fair!!! what can i do to help this man, loved by God, to keep his head above water?!!
Lord, i ache for my beloved brother, so far away!! i sit here, employed, with tons of food in my fridge, with a roof over my head, and he's on the fringe of being homeless and discarded. He doesn't have education to even give him a leg up. Without education over there, you have no fighting chance to thrive!! with you, Lord, he does!! please work on his behalf, so that he can provide for his family. That he will bless you with love and gratitude because of it!! Lord, YOU are his sustainer!!
In Haiti, i worked alongside a young haitian man, at Du Croix, the Baptist church camp, where we worked on the chapel and sanctuary. He's a day labourer who has nothing. Everyday, we picked him up in his Cap Haitien neighborhood, to go to work. Jean T lives with his girlfriend and their three year old daughter.
This man works hard and yet, nobody will give him a real, concrete job. He was being disrespected by his lady, saying he wasn't a good provider. Did she ever see Jean work? this guy does his best, and to her, he's just a loser. Oh, the pain i could see within this man.
My kids eat three square meals a day. His daughter goes to bed hungry!!! oh, it's not fair!!! what can i do to help this man, loved by God, to keep his head above water?!!
Lord, i ache for my beloved brother, so far away!! i sit here, employed, with tons of food in my fridge, with a roof over my head, and he's on the fringe of being homeless and discarded. He doesn't have education to even give him a leg up. Without education over there, you have no fighting chance to thrive!! with you, Lord, he does!! please work on his behalf, so that he can provide for his family. That he will bless you with love and gratitude because of it!! Lord, YOU are his sustainer!!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Big Wake up Call
American christians are soft compared to most of the other Christ followers in the world. This may offend some, but, i am not writing this to make friends. If i get rebuked for writing about the selfishness, gluttony, and immaturity that i see, i'll take it!!! nothing can change my mind!!! tired of always writing scared, not wanting to offend somebody. Gonna put this fear on the backburner for a few minutes.
Yesterday, i got to meet the other members of our Haiti Missions team. There are fourteen of us, from six different churches, most of them in the Detroit area. We all met in Lansing for briefing on our trip. It's intriguing, learning about a new culture. Of a land that is in desperate need of the love of Christ!! life there, is far more chaotic and brutal than anything that i have ever known. As i type this, i am a rookie. A greenhorn. I know that God is gonna blow me away with the harshness that is there, compared to my diamond-lifestyle in Marion, Michigan. I have no clue on the true suffering that goes on there!!!
The only suffering that i know is not being able to buy pizza on a friday night, putting a dent in my newly purchased car, five days after getting it, or having to get up at 3 am to go to a job. I can't relate with the family that got evicted from the "TENT CITY" that they lived in!! I complain about the mild leak in our roof. I have NEVER been without a job. I have had steady employment, since i graduated from highschool, 25 years ago....WOW, that seems like a while ago...lol!!!! how could i ever handle walking around with my loved ones, hungry, with no money to feed, clothe, and shelter them, knowing that as a husband and father, that i couldn't provide?
Last year, we lost our electricity, for a day. We really scrambled, having to use candles or flashlights. We had NO CABLE TELEVISION!!!.....lol!!! In Haiti, this is normal. Lots of people there, don't even have adequate plumbing!! i have no idea what real inconvenience means!!
Churches in America, have state of the art buildings, great sound systems, and no persecution in going to church. We are spoiled in comparison, to so many countries. Over here, we feel that we are entitled to things. We complain if we don't get the best parking spot in church!!! Imagine, if we had to walk miles, to even meet with other believers!! yeah, i said, WALK!! not DRIVE!!
We hear sermon after sermon, year after year, about putting others first, and being our brother's keeper, yet, we are deaf and dumb to these Biblical truths!! most of us will remain spiritual babes, for the remainder of our lives. Our pride and "me first" attitude hold us prisoner!!
As i pen this, i know that i am part of the problem. I am going to Haiti to serve God and the people there, but, sometimes, even more, i think God is taking me there for my big wake up call!!! The Good Lord knows that i NEED IT!!!
Yesterday, i got to meet the other members of our Haiti Missions team. There are fourteen of us, from six different churches, most of them in the Detroit area. We all met in Lansing for briefing on our trip. It's intriguing, learning about a new culture. Of a land that is in desperate need of the love of Christ!! life there, is far more chaotic and brutal than anything that i have ever known. As i type this, i am a rookie. A greenhorn. I know that God is gonna blow me away with the harshness that is there, compared to my diamond-lifestyle in Marion, Michigan. I have no clue on the true suffering that goes on there!!!
The only suffering that i know is not being able to buy pizza on a friday night, putting a dent in my newly purchased car, five days after getting it, or having to get up at 3 am to go to a job. I can't relate with the family that got evicted from the "TENT CITY" that they lived in!! I complain about the mild leak in our roof. I have NEVER been without a job. I have had steady employment, since i graduated from highschool, 25 years ago....WOW, that seems like a while ago...lol!!!! how could i ever handle walking around with my loved ones, hungry, with no money to feed, clothe, and shelter them, knowing that as a husband and father, that i couldn't provide?
Last year, we lost our electricity, for a day. We really scrambled, having to use candles or flashlights. We had NO CABLE TELEVISION!!!.....lol!!! In Haiti, this is normal. Lots of people there, don't even have adequate plumbing!! i have no idea what real inconvenience means!!
Churches in America, have state of the art buildings, great sound systems, and no persecution in going to church. We are spoiled in comparison, to so many countries. Over here, we feel that we are entitled to things. We complain if we don't get the best parking spot in church!!! Imagine, if we had to walk miles, to even meet with other believers!! yeah, i said, WALK!! not DRIVE!!
We hear sermon after sermon, year after year, about putting others first, and being our brother's keeper, yet, we are deaf and dumb to these Biblical truths!! most of us will remain spiritual babes, for the remainder of our lives. Our pride and "me first" attitude hold us prisoner!!
As i pen this, i know that i am part of the problem. I am going to Haiti to serve God and the people there, but, sometimes, even more, i think God is taking me there for my big wake up call!!! The Good Lord knows that i NEED IT!!!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Seven bathroom stalls
Why are so many people, so clueless when it comes to restroom etiquette? yeah, this thought keeps me up at night. I've talked to others who have had this same frustration. Glad that i am not alone in this pet peave of mine....lol!! this may be too much information, but that's me.....i am "The Too much information guy." Okay, let me express it.....
At work, we have seven bathroom stalls, in the men's room. Not that i have counted them, but, i think that is the number....lol!! anyway, who, besides me, cares about how many stalls are in the men's room, at my workplace? man, i wanna drive to work, right now, just to make sure that i am correct in my estimation.....lol!! this is really bugging me now!!!!!
You know what else is bugging me? hopefully, this bugs you, too....lol!! i could be in the "John" with three empty stalls next to me, and somebody will opt to cozy up to me in the VERY NEXT STALL!!!! HEY, WHY NOT USE ONE THAT PUTS A GAP BETWEEN US?.....LOL!! i understand if most of them are full, but, why choose to grunt next to someone else? i would love to ask them this!! i really would!
Hey, if your cellphone rings, while you're "doin the deed," is it necessary to answer at such a time as that??!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!!.....LOL!!! nothing that i'd rather do than listen to somebody discuss with his wife, what they're gonna have for dinner that night.....lol!! for the life of me, i would NEVER want anybody to even know it was me, much less, discuss in a bathroom stall at work, on a cellphone, what i'm gonna do that weekend......PEOPLE ARE CRAZY......LOL!! YES, I LOVE MY LIFE...LOL!!!
At work, we have seven bathroom stalls, in the men's room. Not that i have counted them, but, i think that is the number....lol!! anyway, who, besides me, cares about how many stalls are in the men's room, at my workplace? man, i wanna drive to work, right now, just to make sure that i am correct in my estimation.....lol!! this is really bugging me now!!!!!
You know what else is bugging me? hopefully, this bugs you, too....lol!! i could be in the "John" with three empty stalls next to me, and somebody will opt to cozy up to me in the VERY NEXT STALL!!!! HEY, WHY NOT USE ONE THAT PUTS A GAP BETWEEN US?.....LOL!! i understand if most of them are full, but, why choose to grunt next to someone else? i would love to ask them this!! i really would!
Hey, if your cellphone rings, while you're "doin the deed," is it necessary to answer at such a time as that??!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!!.....LOL!!! nothing that i'd rather do than listen to somebody discuss with his wife, what they're gonna have for dinner that night.....lol!! for the life of me, i would NEVER want anybody to even know it was me, much less, discuss in a bathroom stall at work, on a cellphone, what i'm gonna do that weekend......PEOPLE ARE CRAZY......LOL!! YES, I LOVE MY LIFE...LOL!!!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Missing the jugular vein
I have no idea on how anyone could ever get bored!! I love trying different things. I read an article on being ambidextrous and how it expands and improves the mind. This intrigued me!! i am always up for a new thing that will challenge me, so i decided to work at becoming ambidextrous....lol!!!
Some people shake their head, wondering why i do the things that i do. This is just who i am. My "critics" never try anything new. They are too busy trying to figure me out....lol!! i love to push myself, whether it is spiritually, physically, mentally, or relationally. My continuous striving for personal improvement isn't going to get me to Heaven, but, i figure, since i am here, might as well enjoy life and become better, all the way around....lol!!!
Fun fact for you.....Harry Truman, Michelangelo, Albert Einstein, and Leonardo Da Vinci, were all ambidextrous. They were all giants in their field of expertise.
For those of you who are wondering, "What in the world does "Ambidextrous" mean, let me tell you. It means to be able to use both hands equally well. My son, Aaron told me that i'd NEVER be able to do it. His comment is all the motivation that i need.....lol!!!
I just finished shaving my face with a bic razor, using my left hand. I missed the jugular vein...lol!! Usually, i have more cuts on my face than a boxer in a title fight. I didn't even cut myself. This is rare for me. Normally, with my dominant hand, i have a tendency while shaving to cut myself....LOL!!!
Some people shake their head, wondering why i do the things that i do. This is just who i am. My "critics" never try anything new. They are too busy trying to figure me out....lol!! i love to push myself, whether it is spiritually, physically, mentally, or relationally. My continuous striving for personal improvement isn't going to get me to Heaven, but, i figure, since i am here, might as well enjoy life and become better, all the way around....lol!!!
Fun fact for you.....Harry Truman, Michelangelo, Albert Einstein, and Leonardo Da Vinci, were all ambidextrous. They were all giants in their field of expertise.
For those of you who are wondering, "What in the world does "Ambidextrous" mean, let me tell you. It means to be able to use both hands equally well. My son, Aaron told me that i'd NEVER be able to do it. His comment is all the motivation that i need.....lol!!!
I just finished shaving my face with a bic razor, using my left hand. I missed the jugular vein...lol!! Usually, i have more cuts on my face than a boxer in a title fight. I didn't even cut myself. This is rare for me. Normally, with my dominant hand, i have a tendency while shaving to cut myself....LOL!!!
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