Snow and Sand

As I sit here in British Columbia looking out our window as the snow falls on ski slopes that are calling my name...I am reminded that in a few hours I will be boarding a plane to return to Long Beach, CA...where I will look out our window and watch as the waves fall upon the sand in 75 degree weather. The best of both worlds.

I have to ask the question...Am I spoiled or blessed? I know God alone has put me in such a wonderful situation in life. A series of miracles have allowed me to enjoy such privileges that I never imagined. My own ingenuity or power have not created such earthly enjoyment.

Yes I have made financial decisions that have been wise instead of stupid...but I have made enough dumb ones that I could have sabotaged the good ones. So God gave us these blessings, and God has safeguarded these blessings. I believe the PRIMARY reason I am blessed, is to be a blessing....

So I believe that the question of is SPOILED or BLESSED depends on how I leverage these blessings for the blessing of OTHERS and the BUILDING of the KINGDOM OF GOD.

If I consume these blessings primarily for my own benefit...these blessings will in the end be curses...but if I invest these blessings for the Kingdom...these blessings will bless me now and forever. I will ONLY keep what I GIVE and SHARE with others.

So I will enjoy without guilt what God gives but I will stay keenly aware of the priority to GIVE away what I have been given. So LET IT SNOW!

How Much of a Man Am I?

I like quiche.

I am emotional.

I like romantic comedies.

I can’t build anything.

I can’t even change my own oil.

I get lost easily and my wife gives directions.

I like candles, dark chocolates, and like roses on my desk.

I listen to love songs on the KOST sometimes.

I love to make Rice Krispy treats.

I cry easily.

I love giving and getting hugs.

I like making babies laugh.

I get scared when I hear strange noises in the night.

I have never tasted beer.

I don’t like being home alone.

I don’t like facial hair.

I like writing poetry.

I don’t like confrontation.

I have never punched anyone.

I drive a 8 year old Sebring Convertible.

I rent but don’t own my house.

I gave my wife a power drill for Christmas, she gave me a Kenny G CD.

I call my mommy every week.

How much of a man am I?

WAIT....!!!

I had a college football scholarship.

I have ridden in rodeos.

I have run marathons.

I have motorcrossed.

I have climbed Mt. Rainer with crampons and ice axes.

I have skydived.

I have been places where no white person has ever gone.

I made out with 3 different girls on one New Years Eve, my Sr. year.

I snow ski and can do double black diamonds.

I water ski and have my own ski boat.

I have traveled with armed guards on dangerous mission trips.

I have stood in front of hundreds of hecklers to confront them.

I own a home on a ski slope in a foreign country.

I lift weights every week.

I have slept on the dirt in the middle of jungles.

I also drive a Grand Cherokee Jeep.

I married the Homecoming Queen of my college.

I have a doctorate,

I have written a book.

I like Action Movies…Mission Impossible and Die Hard

I have swam with the largest sharks in the world.

How much of a man am I?

The truth is I have not really told you one thing about my true masculinity.

What I have done is spew off a bunch of cultural stereotypes about what a real man is or is not.

Real Masculinity is determined by being a man of godly character courageously living the mission God created me for! I HOPE I am living like a REAL MAN!