What do you want for Father's Day

I think I have heard that question every year for the past 30 plus years. Oddly enough the first things that ever came to my lips were always something I knew we could not afford or something that was just too far-fetched to even mention. Be that as it may, I was never disappointed by my gift or the card that showed up on Sunday morning. They were all given with thoughtfulness and love.


I do not remember ever asking my Pop this question. Not sure if I can remember the cards or gifts that I gave. I do remember what he gave me. In his own way he told me what most men wanted on Father’s Day. As I listened to his words and looked into his sometimes troubled eyes, I realized what he needed, not necessarily wanted. He needed to somehow be validated as a father by me, his son. Having gone on to glory, I pray that “I gave him” what he needed.
On Father’s Day I want my family to know that up to this point, I have been the best man and father I could be. On those numerous occasions when I was not at my best, it was never because I did not put forth the effort. Those were the times I was learning how to be better. On those occasions when my parenting skills seemed null and void, it was not because I did not read the final volume of one of Dr. Spock’s books. It was because I did not understand Ephesians 6:4, Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Most fathers want the same thing on this day. We need to feel and know that we have made an impact on our children’s lives. Good, bad or indifferent we need to know in order to live our lives with the ultimate training of bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord in mind.
Cards and gifts are great. What he really (needs) wants for Father’s Day is to know how he is impacting your life. He needs a check-up. Some of these conversations may be easy; some may be extremely hard, but necessary to a family’s spiritual health.
My God, My Father. I thank you for being the ultimate example of fatherhood. My prayer is that you provide me with the guidance to be a servant leader in my home. I thank you for the tools you have provided for me to accomplish this and continuously seek your assurance on this journey of manhood that has led to fatherhood. Abide in me every step of the way… Amen

Heirs to the Throne

I watched all three of my heirs enter the world. Each experience had its own “flavor” and experience and were truly memorable all by themselves. The one thing that I found fascinating and eerily present with each birth was the strength and power that emanated throughout the room. Power that my mind cannot fathom. Strength that surpasses any that I can gather within myself. Massive respect for the physical endurance that it takes to carrying an unborn soul within. Most striking is the mental characteristics that must now take hold when breath flows through these little womb dwellers. I suddenly realized that with each breath they took I had to get stronger and more focused. Like any man I wished for a son, but God had a bigger mission for me. “Breath earthly life into my heirs.” My prayer is that each have grown or will grow to know a risen savior. My first ministry begins at home. I'm on that "grind" until he calls me home. The keys to my mansion are in the life I breath into the gifts He’s given.

Sister Tribute

 We have a “pact” to not make a big deal over these birthdays but I have to recognize an extraordinary woman, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt as well as my friend. She is not on Facebook so she won’t see this. This is a "repost" but I don’t think I can express my love for her any better.
When I was an adolescent my sister Stephanie was like the bumpers at a kiddie bowling alley. She let me take my best shot but she would not let me go into the gutter. She gave me enough room to see the finish line and desire the fruits but she would not let me take short cuts. When I began to feel my "oats" as a teenager she was the first person maybe the only person that unequivocally pronounced to me "you ain't grown yet". You see she fully expected me to get there but she also knew the obvious needed to be stated. I was headed in the right direction, but height and a deep voice don't make you a man. But she would not let me settle for being a boy. I love her for taking time to see the man in me even before I could. I would like to think Janet was the beneficiary of this process. I am a better man, husband, father, g-daddy, uncle, and friend because you took time out for me. Happy Birthday Sister Girl (yeah I said it). Be loving you. Glad The tomb is empty.

Lessons of Love

A little slow to post… Celebrated Janet’s birthday.  Took a “staycation” and just hung out together for the weekend at a not so secluded hotel. Hooked up with some friends (more like family) for a minute.  Mostly Janet and I just hung out together.  Sitting in the lobby, restaurant, or walking by the canal, we talked about the past, the present, and planned a little of the future.  I love this woman so much.  There is a silent conversation that our hearts have when we are together.  It is filled with the joys of our past that bind us together but also includes the serenity of knowing the trials of our relationship were no match for God.  Her silent glance and tender touch gives me permission to see what is stored inside her heart and growing in her soul. It is a love for God and a passion to know me better. God is still teaching me not only how to love her but how to let her love me.   I am thanking God for these lessons of love and teaching me how to follow him because that is where I will find her.   

I Find You

I don’t always understand what you need from me or what you want me to do. Sometimes I don’t understand the questions and I’m slow with the answers. Those of are the times I am secretly in fear of being without you. I feel like I might be in trouble of not being able to let you know how I feel about you, how I cherish you, how my life is not a life at all without you. My heart is full but the words flow off my lips slower than I planned. This drives me to get closer to you, to get to know you over and over again. I reach for your heart and find a grown woman with complex thoughts and feelings. I find a woman with the quiet subtle power to draw me in with only her smile. I find a woman that I am still wonderfully and endlessly in love with. With God's compass I find you... Glad the tomb is empty

Make Me Like The Moon

 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matt 5:14-16

I have always had a fascination with the moon (and stars).  The huge bright ball in the midnight sky and the brilliant light that illuminates the earth will always keep me spell bound.  To be honest I never took the time to consider the source of the "moonlight".  Without pondering its true source, I only enjoyed the view and serenity that it brought.  The astrological explanation states that the sun shines on the moon as it rotates around the earth.  The moon has no atmosphere or gravity so the light cannot be contained.  Like a mirror the moon reflects the light to earth.  All by itself the moon is merely a cold rock caught in the earth’s gravitation orbit that could never be seen with the naked eye. The moon orbits the earth as the earth orbits the sun.  That little dusty rock has an opportunity to shine for everybody everywhere in all phases during its 29-and-a-half-day journey around earth.  You have an opportunity to reflect God’s blessing wherever you go. 

Make yourself like the moon.

I may "shine brightly but not on my own. I want to serve humbly and am willing to be used. Just a piece of dust and stone reflecting the sunlight, God's light.  Let me reflect the light of who you are and your light alone. If I shine let them see You... Nothing of myself.  Make me like the moon, only reflecting you." 

Make yourself like the moon.

When I see the moon shining so bright and vivid, my mind is riveted on the source of light that allows me to shine.  It allows me to tell of the new grace and new mercy that is available to all... daily. 

Make me like the moon by Chante Moore

A Part of Me

I watched her pull away from the garage.  My arms were satisfied that they had hugged her with enough care and tenderness to help them remember.  My ears could still hear her speaking to God asking Him to cover me while we were away from each other.  My lips still felt the softness of hers as she promised to see me later.  My mind was immediately missing her physical presence, but my heart smiled at the thought of when I would be with her again. My mind gets locked in logical algorithms that confound my emotions into misunderstanding her absence.  My heart understands and councils me. My gift from God is always with me because she is a part of me and I am apart of her.  In my heart and soul we are one. I love you sweetheart.

When Two Become One
"Long ago in evolutionary history, two cells formed a symbiotic team that, over millions of years, evolved into a single organism. The result of this union was the first eukaryotic cell — the type of cell that makes up the human body."

Glad the tomb is empty...