Biking

Got up early to go for a 25 mile bike ride while it was sprinkling. After that the family went for a  bike ride in the sunshine. 

It was a great day. I love getting out and riding but the coolest part of my morning ride was who I got to ride with. I am getting to know a neighbor who lives down the street. Riding was a great way to spend about an and a half talking and getting to know each other better. 

The family bike ride was beneficial for many reasons. The whole family was together, we were doing something as a family, it was physical activity instead of sitting in front of a tv and it made memories. 

My point: it really doesn't matter what ur doing, what matters is enjoying the journey. Make intentional efforts to have conversations. Invite people u don't know well and use it as an opportunity to get to know them better. 

I want people to be able to trust me and spending time together really helps allow that to happen. 

Sign of happiness

Few things make me happier than these faces. 

Today @C3 we talked about passing things down to our children. If we don't deal with our insecurities we will no doubt pass them down. 

I have heard it said what we do in moderation, our kids will do in excess. This is very exciting when it comes to things like being generous, praying, helping others and all the good things but there is another side to this statement. What about worry, fear, pride, poor decisions...ouch. 

The greatest thing we can do for our children is to model what we want them to be. They will probably not remember the countless lectures we have spent hours preparing. They will not see all the thought that goes into a decision but what they will see if you. Everyday in every situation and circumstance - they will see you. 

My point: be what you want your children to be. Ask yourself "what do I want my children to be?" - then go be that. 

Today Hannah (7yrs) came to wake mommy up and snuggled up while she was still in bed. Hannah decided to toot (pass gas, break wind, fart...choose ur word). Hannah followed the noise with a statement: "in some cultures that is a sign of happiness". If that's true, this house is HAPPY!!!

What a better way to start the day. Happy Mother's Day! 

Honor

This is a great of woman. This great woman is mourning the loss of a great man who served our great country.

The viewing and the funeral were absolutely incredible. The outpouring of love and support to honor Tim's life was nothing short of amazing.

Tim was honored by the US military and his wife was presented with a gift she will always cherish. Tim was honored by friends and family by attending his funeral and showing his girls love. Tim was honored by people sharing memories of how his life made theirs better. Many many people honored Tim.

One great thing was Tim was around long enough to hear people honor him so he could appreciate it.

My point: we need to honor people when they are alive to hear it as well as when they are no longer with us. Life is way to short to wait until a "better time" to show love and honor to those who deserve it. Show honor as you can because you are not guaranteed another opportunity.

It's times like these that make you wonder what you will be remembered for and how will you be honored.

Our friend Tim Caudill died way before his time and we will miss him dearly.

See, I told you

I remember when we moved to Pickerington and we were taking a family walk in a neighborhood when a couple kids ride by and one yelled "O-H" to which we responded "I-O".

After we completed our part, the one who yelled OH turned to the other kid and said "see, I told you". He was proving to the other one that no matter where you yell it, someone will complete it.

It's great to take such pride in our state that you can always count on the pride being returned.

That's how it felt today at the C3 EGGstravaganza. We put it on as a gift to the community. Lots of people showed up as if to say - see, I told you.

When we started C3 our goal was to be a positive influence in this community. I think many families have started bringing people to this event to show them its possible to have fun for free and we don't try to convince anyone to attend our church. It's a gift.

We have done this event every year we have been a church. I love people expect this event. We have positively influenced this community and many people can trust us to say - see, I told you it wouldn't be weird.

My point: do things you are proud of. We are proud to be part of a great church in a great city in a great state.

When people look at you and say to someone else "see I told you" - what so they mean???

Happy birthday?

Today is another birthday. I am truly a blessed man.

I have no health issues to speak of, great job, beautiful home, reliable vehicles & an amazing family. What more could I ask for?

Hannah and Rae hand made me a card and Shayna brought me a polar pop and butterfinger bites - after she ran over a tree and wiped out a mailbox.

She was trying to be nice and surprise me and she was very successful. She burst into my office crying and told me she wrecked her car.

We dealt with the accident report and talked about how it could've been much worse. No one was hurt.

My point: All the consequences of this are inconveniences. It's gonna cost her money to get car repaired, insurance is going to go up, she has to go to court and they may suspend her license for a little bit. I will take inconvenience over injury any day.

While this feels like a cruddy thing to happen on ur birthday, I can't help thank God it wasn't worse.

My family is healthy and safe. Happy birthday to me.

That's what matters

Deni and I just witnessed one of the most precious things ever. Hannah (7) and Raegan (5) just said bed time prayers with each other.

Deni and I were making up Raegan's bed and I told them to get in Hannah's bed until we were done. I said go ahead and pray for each other. Hannah immediately started praying for Rae and it was the most precious thing u could hear.

Deni says bed time prayers with them and so do I and I have seen Shayna (16) kneeling by their beds praying for them before she goes to bed.

I am sure Hannah's prayers were a combination of all the prayers she has heard. It was great. Then it was Raegan's turn. She started with telling Hannah she didn't know how. Hannah told her to just talk to God. The 7yr old was teaching the 5yr old how to pray. Rae did her best and it was adorable. Rae decided she was done and squeezed her "prayer bear" to finish off the prayer time.

The girls had no idea that we were listening. I hugged my wife and we talked about how even tho life can get busy, stressful and chaotic - we are doing something right. We pray with our children and they are hearing us.

When they were done, we ran in there and encouraged their behavior and affirmed them.

My point: my job as a parent is to help my children have a personal relationship with their creator. Not to make sure they have the most toys, newest iPod, cutest clothes... I want them to know what truly matters - family #ThatsWhatMatters

I wish I would've recorded it but I am confident it will not be the last time I hear them pray for each other.

Finally

Our new student pastor Tony is staying with us until he finds a house to buy. We are really enjoying him being here - but we have different reasons.

My younger girls love clinging to his legs and being pulled across the floor. They like being chased and they enjoy being his weights when he does a triceps workout.

Shayna likes having her friends over to talk about how they can have an impact in their schools for Jesus. She also enjoys dreaming about what the student ministry will become at C3.

I, on the other hand, like having some testosterone up in this joint. Tony appreciates the finer things in life. By the finer things, I mean my stupid humor, laughing at my old jokes, remembering stories from when I was a youth pastor and he takes naps while watching football.

My point: We knew it was going to be an adjustment to have someone stay with us but this is a very pleasant adjustment. He is only staying with us until he finds a house of his own but when he finally finds one I hope he is ready for lots of company.

C3 finally has a student pastor and I FINALLY have some testosterone in this house to attempt to level out the estrogen.

Even if its only temporary, it's nice.

My girls

Not much brings more joy to my heart than seeing my girls play together.

I guess it doesn't matter what they are doing - I just love seeing them together.

With Shayna now working on top of all her other activities, it is sometimes hard to get em all together but she has been putting "play with the girls" in her calendar.

Reminded me if the principle that if we just want to do it - it may or may not get done. If we put it on our calendar - it will get done.

My point: we make time for what's important. My family is important to me and u love that they are important to each other. I am a blessed man.

What have u been putting off by not scheduling it - go schedule it or it probably won't get done.

yo momma

Well it had to be done - a shout out to all the mom's.

Without you, none of us would be here.

I am so thankful for my mom. She is an amazing woman and I continue to learn lessons from years of being around her. I see the selflessness, sacrifice, wisdom, heart, kindness... I could go on but you would just agree. (Hopefully you can say the same about yo momma)

My mom is amazing and there is nothing in this world I can do to thank her enough for all she has done and continues to do. I am so grateful that my children get to be around her and absorb some of the qualities she has to offer.

My point: I love my mom - period!

Now if you didn't already do it, go tell yo momma Happy Mother's Day!

a hero comes along...

Every week Hannah goes to ballet and if I take her I usually sit out in the room with Raegan and play angry birds or read Rae a book.  The other parents crowd around a small window to watch the kids fall all over each other.

Tonight the teachers said we can come in and watch so I figured - this oughta be good & got out the droid to video it. I didn't really know what to expect from a bunch of 5 year olds but I absolutely loved it.

They did a dance to the song "hero" and I couldn't stop myself from getting all teary eyed! I thought - this moment is not gonna last very long. This beautiful little red headed ballerina princess is gonna be graduating college before I know it and I hope to be seen as her hero.

Hannah hero video

My point: I can only hope that my kids love me half as much as I love and respect my parents. These moments won't last forever so I need to cherish them and live a life worthy to be her hero.

Being a dad is the best!

always room for RaeRae

Hannah used to have a problem sharing with Raegan (RaeRae). We saw this and decided to do something about it from very early on.

Anytime RaeRae would be on my lap or would try to play with something of Hannah's, Hannah would try to move her away or take the toy. Hannah didn't want anything to do with me or the toy until RaeRae did. We decided to come up with little sayings to help our children remember things. In this case, anytime RaeRae would want to be held, sit on my lap or even - Lord forbid - stand on Hannah's stool, we would say "Hannah, there is ALWAYS room for RaeRae"...

It didn't take long for this little phrase to sink in. One day we were upstairs and heard the girls playing. I looked down and saw Hannah sitting in a little chair and here comes RaeRae. I watched as I figured I would have to intervene and correct some behaviors. To my surprise, Hannah saw RaeRae coming towards her and Hannah (by some miraculous move of the almighty God), shifted over and made room for RaeRae to sit down. She said "there's always room for RaeRae" and allowed her to sit with her and began reading the book to her little sister. Who saw that one coming? I ran downstairs and started to cheer for Hannah. I grabbed her and we all began dancing and celebrating. It was quite a scene.

Hannah and RaeRae now even share this tiny little stool in the bathroom. Granted, they will soon be to big for them to share but that will be fun to watch them try.

My point: we have to teach and encourage the behavior we want repeated. We want our children to know that no matter what - we MAKE time and room for each other.

There will never be a time when a family member or friend is not welcome to be around me (other than the obvious times that involve the bathroom). If you see me talking to someone, you don't need to be an insecure little man / woman and think you can't approach me. If you assume I am talking about you, you should assume I am talking good... That's just how I roll ya'll