Before meeting with a friend for a cup of coffee and scone you catch that glimpse of your reflection and your mind jumps almost causing you to stumble. You glance again and you barely recognize your mirrored self. You take in the feeling of uneasiness as your eyes are portraying a version of you that isn’t the same you that waits in the mirror at home every morning. This you has morphed into all of your promises you shared as a child that have fallen astray. Your friend, the one you are about to meet, knew these promises and now they are written in black ink all over your dreamless face.

Life catches up to us. We run, we play, we push on, but in certain moments life is there with its stop sign and yellow sash to remind us that we once had dreams, we once had a plan, and we once felt ambitious.

These moments are never planned. In fact they can’t be. They rush onto our beings like a wave turning over rocks piled by the shore. I had one of these moments recently and I didn’t even have to pass by a window or stop in a mirror. All I did was sit up in bed.

The morning is never a time of deep reflection or mental concentration for me. It is usually filled with a small moan, turn of the body and burying my face in yet another pillow. But this morning I was awaken from my usual gaze into nothing with the thought of the fleeting intimacy I have with God.

You know what I am talking about. In the summer months it’s a beautiful sunny day, the trees are glowing green and you find yourself walking down a path with the wonderful noise of birds and creatures in the distance. Its calm, it peaceful, and its got a bit of awe mixed in. In the winter it is a warm blanket, hot cup of tea and a good book as you sit by the fire. Easily known as the moments in life when the “moment” is truly appreciated. The Christian in me calls out in these moments and points to my Father who created all that is drawing me close. The trees, the calm, and the peace. It’s a moment of beauty when life can be breathed in and taste as sweet as the honey that was slowly stirred into the warm tea in your right hand.

If only those moments could last forever. Better yet, if only I intentionally chased after those moments looking for the next time I can sit next to my Father or take a walk with him through the trees.

But on this morning I realized the gap between “moments” in my life was too wide to remember. Maybe even as far as the distance between the snow of winter and the warmth of summer. I have often known that my heart has been prone to wonder. As a child I dreamed of adventure and exploration as I tucked away in my room to read the next Boxcar Children’s Book. Later as a young teen I aspired to be a professional athlete and travel the continent playing the games I loved. With an adventurous spirit, my heart runs from mountain to mountain looking for the cause of its next passionate beat. Having such anticipation pumping through my veins has caused me to wonder from “the mountain” my Father resides on. Not by actions or by disastrous decisions but by leaking out the love that has been freely given to me. My life has never strayed too far from the path God has set before me thanks to my parents and the role the church has played in my life. Both have set a tune that rhythmically has me dancing toward my Father in heaven. But with the constant presence of faith in my life, it has sometimes taken the beautiful tune and turned it into a methodical drum. With each monotone beat i am reminded of living life through the lenses of my faith but often the flow of intimacy sneaks right on by.

The blanket has been left to cool and the trees whisper in the gentle breeze but I am not there to hear them. You see I go through life with my faith at the wheel but often it is knowledge and commitment that press the gas pedal instead of intimacy and love. The reflection I saw this morning was of a man who thirsted for a moment of awe once again. A moment in which my Father blows me away with the presence of his Spirit and perfection. These moments might not be able to be planned or achieved by my own efforts, but God desires to have them with me. He desires to wrap up in the blanket with me or take the stroll. I just need to leave space in my life for these moments.

As I took in the small glimpse I was awarded that unannounced morning, I exhaled with the conclusion of my need for more intimacy. God is my Father and as his son I need to remember the joy and passion I had as a child in my faith to just be in his presence. Nowadays its books, conversations, and service, but then it was love songs, prayers, and silent hugs. All of which enrich my relationship with my Father but need to be brought into right balance with each other.

So I need to grab my favorite drink from the cafe (caramel macchiato) and venture down that green path and reclaim the intimacy I once had with my Father. The love, the passion, and the overwhelming joy of just being near his glorious presence. To have just a moment with my Father in the cool of the day. Only to return holding hands and admiring my Dad once again.

I pray we all might value friendships and people in this way!

The Movie Trailer

Deeper Look into the Movie

It is hitting Theatres this January and for leaders of teenagers in any capacity in the Alliance, Canton, Ravenna, Akron, Carrollton, Louisville, Sebring, Damascus, Beloit or anywhere else close in Ohio there will be a free screening of the movie at my church. We are trying to guarantee 1000 tickets from this area for the movie to come to Canton, OHIO.

Contact me, we need your help!

Marketing Jesus

So often we do not hear those two words in the same sentence and i will be honest, the thought makes me want to throw up! Yeah, lets take the maker of the whole universe who created everything and everyone and try to find some way to make him look cool to others. A sweet logo with a cross or two nails overlapping, or throw a tat on Jesus or something. LAME.

But then i was challenged. Or shall i say then i learned the truth. We do need marketing. I heard a message about this and there were some tough questions thrown at me. Like, who do others say your youth is? What kind? Jocks? Band kids? The ones without many friends? The Emo kids? Is it a place that everyone outside your walls knows about? Are you associated with fun? What are you? What do people say?

I came up with this for us: No one knows about us. Which is worse than above. Not only that but it’s not a place that is easy to invite people to, that has very little if any visual appeal, and probably isn’t a great reflection of what this area needs.

You see, marketing for a church is no different then marketing Starbucks, Mt Dew, or energy drinks. If you believe in what you are trying to sell then sell it for all its worth.

So who are we? What do we like? What is cool? Who can we be? Anyone…

I don’t remember all that was said because the Spirit was leading, but i remember deep prayer for the people of Hartville, OH. God seems to be moving here and i want in. Lord, open my eyes to this movement and where i can reach out. I also remember prayer about rebuking comfort and fear from our lives and inviting in suffering and true faith. Prayers against materialism, false teachings we have, luke warm faiths and our own selfishness and greed.  And asking for God’s will to be done not our own, for a heart for the lost, for the ability to speak in truth and love and so much more.

Christ was there, and you should be there too.

Tuesdays at Noon at Hartville Kitchen Banquet Room.

So what do the two of those things have in common?

Well the lesson I subjected the teens to was about how God is here in the midst of all we do. Often times we fail to notice his everyday miracles and wonderment and get so wrapped up in looking for God that we miss him right next to us. You see God calls us to be like little children and look for the joy in all and love the simplicity of life. Like the junior high teens that moved on from the planned fun I had and instantly created fun on their own. And in my conversation with the pastors wife I stopped and thought about how God loves her and wants to listen to her share about anything and I should do the same. Like a child who just wants to sit next to mom or dad and help no matter what the parent is doing bc flat out they just enjoy being with mom or dad!

We all need that childlike joy and playfulness in our lives. We need to stop planning fun and looking for it but instead just have it. Laugh, sing, play, be goofy! We also need to enjoy others like God enjoys them. Saved or not, Jesus died to spend time with us all.

May we all learn to play like children. And may we all learn how to enjoy the presence of God and his children daily! And then we will all experience more pleasure and fulfillment out of life and our faith journeys!

unfortunately i now play
softball. too much
anticipation as i age a
year while i wait for the
ball to come to me.
boring. but its
competitive.

anyways, here is the reason for my blog:

The Indians, man they have everyone playing everywhere. I just want to list by position our possibilities (with just main players)

Catcher: Martinez and Shoppach
First Base: Garko, Martinez
Second base: Cabrera, Carroll, DeRosa, Barefield
Shortstop: Peralta, Carroll, Cabrera
Third Base: DeRosa, Carroll, Peralta
Left Field: Francisco, Garko, Barfield, Dellucci, Carroll
Center Field: Sizemore, Barfield, Francisco
Right Field: Choo, Garko, Barfield, Carroll
DH: Hafner, Martinez, Garko, Shoppach

That is an average of 3 people at every position. But that is only 12 players. Old Wedge has some versatility on the team. Good to see.

I heard recently we have as much young talent now as we did in the early 90′s-mid 90′s. Awesome but i think we lack in the power house and add in the base hitters.

I am a fan, but i am generally excited. I think this year depends on two things. Solid pitching in the 3-5 starters, and the young bats coming through like they did at the end of both years. After that we are a solid team!

Let’s Go Tribe!

Here it is:

We went to copperhill TN. July 27 thru August 2.

While there we stayed at a camp and had worship services every night. During the day we would drive into town and work on this lady and her boyfriends house. We built a ramp to her front door, a retaining wall because she live on a hill right next to the street, and we painted the outside of their whole house. We also did some landscaping work and ripped out some old tree stumps. In the late afternoons before dinner and after we enjoyed high ropes obstacles and their climbing wall. On our one free day we also enjoyed the high ropes but we engaged in paintball.

I thought that we achieved almost everything I had hoped we would. As a group we grew closer. Friendships were stronger and also made. The youth did great on our work site as we did everything they asked and did more than expected. We had two kids dedicate or re-dedicate their lives to the lord! On the last day we got to establish a relationship with the people we worked for but they did not want much interaction untill then. Overall I can say I was blessed to go and God blessed me with incredible kids to take! No problems, all laughter and enjoyment.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Sit Em' Down!!

I have been reading recently about our wonderful Tribe and i have been paying attention to their off-season moves. I like what Shapiro is doing and most the time i love wedge to. My only fault with him is that he has a month or so every season when the Indians suck. Lets get one consistent year Eric.

But here is what i would like to see out of the tribe:
(although i think the positions in the infield will be different)

Batting order (with positions)

1. Grady Sizemore – CF
2. Ben Fransisco – LF
3. Johnny Peralta – 3B
4. Victor Martinez – 1B
5. Travis Hafner – DH
6. Shin Soo Choo – RF
7. Kelly Shoppach – C
8. Mark DeRosa – 2B
9. Asdrubal Cabrera – SS
**** number one man off bench Ryan Garko – 1B, DH, RF
Biggest lineup Concerns:
Hafner’s return (hoping for .280 30 HR 100RBI’s and 40 doubles)
Choo, Fransisco, and Cabrera need to hit consistenly.
What excites me the most:
Grady always. Garko is a work horse at plate. Victor hitting .320.

Now unto the Pitching Rotation:

1. Cliff Lee
2. Fausto Carmona
3. Carl Pavano
4. Anthony Reyes
5. Aaron Laffey

Changes that will happen:
I think Scott Lewis will find himself a spot eventually.
Concerns:
Pavano needs a good year. Another Paul Byrd possibly. But I believe people’s numbers are higher when they don’t play for the Yankees.
I also am worried about Westbrooks arm. If healthy him at number 3 makes us tough.
What excites me:
Cliff Lee. Not because the CY but because he has always won 10+ for us. No fluke. Fausto being healthy. I think he can be CC plus have that dominate, passion to sit people down. CC was inconsistent with his dominance.

Bullpen:

I can sum it up in this. Please dont get hurt Wood.
We have five different set-up man. One will always be throwing well.
So our needs are in the 5-7 innings. Get through those and Wood stays healthy, then we will be fine.

Most exciting this for the whole season:
We finally have a closer than can hit atleast 90 on the radar.
PRASIE THE LORD!!!!

Unstoppable!

I think i have become desensitized. I really do appreciate great basketball but as a Cavs fan watching Lebron since his first game as a rookie till last night with his 52, 10, 11 performance in the Garden, i think i have lost my factor to be amazed.

When LBJ plays games like that i am not amazed and i actually think to myself that he is playing to his potential. I think he still settled for too many jumpers but should have drove and scored or dished it off more and then he probably would have still had 50+ and 10 boards but more like 15 assists.

I definitely would say that his game has matured ALOT of these years but there is only one thing about this year that amazes me. His defense. That is why he IS the MVP this year.

I think if you don’t watch the Cavs night in and night out, last nights performance blows your mind. But if you see James play like that in spurts all the time then you loss the luster a bit. Granted not often does he play like that for 4 quarters but i have seen that greatness from him.

Great game ‘Bron! i don’t want to down play it. I will remember that game for a long time and it is a top performance in his career but it was against a 21-27 team. The Garden is still amazing but the team is not.

Hands down Lebron dropping 48 (i think) on the Pistons in the playoffs is his best performance ever. Unfortunately i had to listen to it on that radio that night instead of watching it but it was still unforgettable and the replays are numerous.

Keep it rolling Cavs! Come back soon Red and lets finally beat the wrap that Cleveland sucks at everything. Bring one home!