Facing The Giants

"Facing the Giants" is one of my favorite movies of all time. I love the spiritual encouragement that I receive while watching this movie. We took Trenton to see it while it was still in theaters. Several months later he asked me if we could buy the "with God anything is possible movie." I was so proud that he actually got the point of the movie and we bought it the next time we went to the store. I had a hard time finding the movie to bring with me to OKC so I know that he has watched it several times. I only hope and pray that the storms that we, as parents, are weathering with him currently, will soon blow over and his foundation is still strong on the rock of Jesus.

The point of the movie is dead-on, "praise Him when we win, and praise Him when we lose", although I must say it is a little unreal to expect that God will all of a sudden make everything in my life the way I hope and dream for just because I dedicate myself to Him. It seems that reality is more that if I dedicate myself to Him, then He will change my heart to accept what He has in store. I understand the "feel-good" part of movies are needed to tug at the heart strings, but I know that my God works things to His glory, not mine. I know it, but sometimes it is hard to accept.

The movie is still awesome, and while in OKC for a conference, I was able to share the movie with some colleagues, one of which is a Hindu lady from India. I wonder what kind of conversations we may be able to have now that I have introduced her to God's Word through this movie. It may not make a difference, but she was willing to watch the movie and seemed to enjoy it. I hope and pray that God will move in her life and that His Word manifests and allows her to see the true living God that I serve. Please pray for this seed to grow in her life.

Meanwhile, I keep hearing a lot about the new movie "Fireproof." I am very encouraged by the increasing number of Christian movies that are making it to the big screen as well as the fact that the movies are being sold out. I am hoping to see the movie soon.

No time to post

For those of you who are avid readers of my blog (yes, that means you, Jason), I apologize for not keeping up with my blog. But now, you have to give me three more months before deleting me! I will surely be able to post more by then.

Dumb question

How is it that when we become parents of teenagers, we all of a sudden can no longer communicate like normal people? Case in point...today, Trenton was over at a friend's house in the neighborhood. He called to say that another friend had invited him to come over and swim. I told him that would be alright, but as soon as I hung up the phone, I was asked by my wife if he was coming home to change into his swim trunks. I had admittedly forgotten to ask that question and since he is not currently in possession of a cell phone (which is a COMPLETELY different blog topic) I was unable to call him back.

About an hour later he called to check in. Gena answered the phone and apparently her mind went into one of those ignorant parent-of-a-teenager modes because she asked the boy, "Trenton, what are you swimming in?" Okay, I must admit I had no odd thoughts about this question and considered it a valid one. The child on the other end of the line, however, simply commented, "Ummm...a pool." Drat, he got us again!

Did I really sign up for this?

It has been a while since I posted. Some readers may erroneously think that I have been out enjoying the summer months since I do not have to go to work. However, I have actually taught summer school for two-and-a-half weeks and sat at my computer typing furiously. You see, my comprehensive exams are coming up in a couple of weeks and I have been trying to get materials together so that I CAN study. I believe I am to that point now, and the real fun begins. I didn't know how stressful of a time these major exams can be. I only hope that I forget about these before my doctoral prelims roll around.

Tomorrow I also start my last Master's class. I really like the professor and am not worried about the class at all. It will be a nice break to keep my mind off my studying. However, the professor has already e-mailed asking me to go ahead and do the doctoral level work for the class since I am already accepted into the program. According to her it will help her out with how she wants to manage the class and the assignments. Man, what do you say to that except, "Yes, ma'm...anything to make your life easier." I have discovered that grad school is simply about that, making professors' lives better by doing as much grunt work as possible so they are free to enjoy their summers. All I can say is, my day is coming :-)

Teacheritis

You know the feeling you get...the one when you have only 5 weeks of school left before summer break...when the state assessment is almost over...when you can't tell who is more restless, you or the kids...when the spring weather is bringing warmer days and sunshine...when the rest of the working force begins to hate you because they don't have summers off? Yeah, that feeling....aw, man, it feels good. Sorry to the rest of the working world but as you know teachers have taken a vow of poverty and a vow of endless summer fun. Bring it on!

How do you tell a 14 year old...?

Wednesday evening, following services, my 14 year old son came to tell me that a friend and fellow youth group member was having a seizure out behind the church building. The ambulance was called and he was taken to the ER. Following this, Gena and I made our way to the back to join in the prayer time being held on his behalf. Trenton did not want to be back there, but I made him come and participate. He really wanted to go to the hospital to check on his friend. Gena and I decided that since it was already very late and we had a younger visitor with us, that going to the hospital was not the best thing for us to do at that point. On the way home we discussed with the two boys that Dillon was being cared for and that he had had seizures before. After a few minutes, Trenton was okay with it and asking if we could take him to the hospital the next day to visit with Dillon. I promised to call him after school and let him know how Dillon was doing. When he arrived at his mother's house and she told him that I wanted him to call me, he told her, "Yeah, my friend had a seizure last night at church and he is calling to tell me when we get to go visit him."

The struggle came when I had found out that Dillon had passed away from not a seizure, but a heart condition, and I now had to tell Trenton. I spent the day worrying over how he would take it, whether he would be mad at us for not allowing him to go to the hospital. I couldn't get out of my mind how devastated he would be, not only to lose a peer, but also to have the mental image of him laying on the ground dying. My heart hurt so much for the family, but mostly for Trenton who was going to be dealing with so much in the coming days.

Trenton did not take it too well, but in perfect boy fashion, put up a front saying that he is fine. Gena took him to the church last night to meet with more of the youth group so that they could remember the good times with Dillon. Tonight is the visitation and tomorrow the funeral. Trenton floored me when he asked his mother if he could switch weekends and be with us this weekend because he felt like he needed to be at church on Sunday for Dillon.

Trenton didn't want to talk last night, but this morning said that he had trouble sleeping. We sent him to school today, unmedicated (ADHD) because we are out, and with a math test. I had his mother call and talk to the counselor so she was aware and we told Trenton to go talk to her if he felt he needed to talk. He, of course, says that he is fine and doesn't need to go to the Counselor.

Dillon's life was a miracle, he had a heart condition and was not supposed to live very long. He outlasted that diagnosis and had surgery on his heart several years ago and survived. I have heard that his father commented that they were blessed to have been given 14 years with Dillon. Man, what strength! I find comfort in Duane's profession of faith, but how do you truly communicate that to a 14 year old? I may be hurting more for Trenton's sake than I need to but I never have lost a peer, much less watched it happen. I covet your prayers for the Borden's and our youth group at this time.

Tough Decision

I was recently presented with an opportunity to pursue a direction in my career that I have working toward for several years. The problem comes when considering the financial strains that it will cause with my family. I struggle to try and make it work, the way I want to make it work. The interesting thing is that I am feeling very stressed about it, almost unable to discuss it with God for fear of his answer. I KNOW what I want his answer to be and how I want him to work things out to make the decision easier, but I am afraid that he will not comply. The struggle continues as I try to allow God to take control of this, knowing that he knows the direction he is leading, and I learn to follow him faithfully.
Thoughts, scriptures, and prayers of encouragement will be appreciated.