My attempt at a short story...

The son asked, in his four year old voice, “Daddy, what do you want for Christmas?” The dad answered by saying, “An iPOD, tools, and happiness”. The dad was just answering the question, not really meaning anything particular by his answer. The son was always asking questions, so the dad just answered to appease him.
That following Sunday, the son was in Sunday School learning about the special gift that was given at Christmas. In class they talked about what God did by sending his son Jesus to earth as a gift for us. So to mark this occasion, each child made (with a little help from the teacher) a little paper heart that they were to give to someone special to them.
Time and love was spent on their proud offering. They were so excited they could make their own. One of them chattered, “Mine looks better than my sister’s.” Another one said, “Grandma is going to be so proud of me. I did this all by myself.” But the son was very meticulous in his work. He took the rest of class to get it just right.
After church, the son and his family went home and had their Sunday lunch, and then the son and his younger brother went to take their naps. Just before the son laid down, he wanted to give Dad a present; he couldn’t wait till Christmas day. So with excitement in his voice he instructed Dad, “I have a surprise for you, close your eyes.” So in the same manner that Dad answered his questions, he appeased his son’s request. “Open them!” hollered the son, and so Dad responded.
Before him in his son’s little hands, laid a small wrapped present that was the size of a jewelry box. There was paper all over and a half roll of tape was used to hold this all in place. “This is a neat present, did you do this wrap this?” asked Dad. “Yes, and I did it all my self, too” answered the son. Pretending to be excited, the Dad opened the gift.
Inside this box was a little blue paper heart. When the Dad lifted the heart out of the box, the son stated in his most cheerful voice, “I wanted to give you my heart! It will make you happy!” The Dad stood there in silence with tears welling in his eyes. Little did Dad know, but the son was listening. Not with his ears, but his heart. Dad never loved his son more than that moment.

Broken...

I was listening to another Paul Washer sermon...This one was on Isaiah 50. I took from it this..."May God break you down so bad that only he could put the pieces back together".

Have you ever said that? Does this fit our seeker-friendly society? I would like to think that if I ever preached a sermon, it would be this short and only utter those words. What would the response of the crowd be then? This should be the topic of more sermons than God loves you, now pray this prayer and (poof) you are now a christian; go and sin no more.

The more I experiance God, the less of a man I am.

Dreams...

Most of the time, if I dream, I don't let it bother me too much. Saturday night/Sunday morning I had a dream that I will not soon forget. I was in a place that looked like a bi-level house with a large swamp in the back yard. I have no idea why I was at the house, but I entered it by a large spiral staircase on the side. I went to the basement first. My Grandma and Grandpa Lyon, Shirley Zimmerman, and Grandma Haskins were in a banquet room at the head table with large white walls behind them. I immediately thought "this isn't real, 3 of the 4 of them are dead and they can't all be together". But I was more than excited to see my grandparents and Shirley. When I asked any questions or tried to dialoge with them, they just looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders and didn't respond. This only lasted a few seconds but I did charish the moment.

Sunday in church, we sang a few hymns that came from the WOW Hymns. The service started a little slower than the norm and so my mind began to wander and all kinds of thoughts ran around lose. I remembered our discussion on worship so I put that to use. I chose not to listen to the thougths (as I am learning in my counseling sessions) and see what I had to offer for worship. I had probably one of the biggest smiles on my face!!! I had a bonding experience with my grandparents. I enjoyed those songs more than I ever had before, and I give credit to the dream I had the prior night.

It was a reminder that no matter how old/young we are, we are never, NEVER to not praise and worship our maker. I have been very deliberate lately with Ryan and getting him to understand what prayer is and we are never too old or young to pray. And there is no correct way to do it...just that we are.