Awhile back I blogged about Raphael McManus’ book Soul Cravings. It is a quick read and has jumped to the top of my list as favorites. I finished it about two months ago and have recently picked it back up. No good book should ever be considered read [finished]. It is just a process that continues as you realize more meaning.
I don’t think the type of book matters. I’ve read dictionaries (yes, I’m lame), Spirituality/Philosophy books, sci-fi, short story collections, and novels. If they were good, it influenced me. It was able to resonate within me.
The Question
I have more sympathy for a murderer than a self-centered parent.
It was about noon when my wife and I pulled through McDonald’s to get lunch for our two boys.
They were moody. They were hungry.
Erica and I had missed breakfast that morning as it was a rush just to get out of the door.
We were starving.
Sacrifice At McDonald’s
 As we pulled up to order, we counted our cash. There was seven dollars and some change. Our check cards were worthless. We didn’t have anything in our accounts. Its impossible for four hungry people to eat off seven dollars at McDonald’s. The boys got happy meals; we shared a dollar chicken sandwich.
To be a teacher does not mean simply to affirm that such a thing is so, or to deliver a lecture, etc. No, to be a teacher in the right sense is to be a learner. Instruction begins when you, the teacher, learn from the learner, put yourself in his place so that you may understand what he understands and the way he understands it. - Kierkegaard
There he was, a young boy who looked up to me and wanted to learn everything that I knew. He thinks I am a genius with secret knowledge that no one has. Anxiously, he sat in the chair and waited for me to start. I began to talk and try to dispense my information, but the student just gave me a funny look. I knew the information. He knew I was giving it to him, but he couldn’t understand my technical jargon.
Do you know the first thing that Jesus said in the gospel of John?
If you were like me a week ago then you would probably say, “no”. It is not a hobby of mine to collect random facts about the Bible and I don’t think many of us really have the time for it. This factoid is different. I actually came across it on accident and was blown away by it. “What are you looking for?” is Jesus’ first sentence. Not really profound, you think? Read it again.
The Context
A few minutes ago, I was reading Dumb Little Man’s post on 12 Ways to Jumpstart your life. As the title suggests he gives 12 simple things to get you more focused and going in your life. All of the tips are very good, but I really liked his second one. I really cant get passed its application.
It might be because of the word mantra or he got the idea from Guy Kawasaki, but I want to blog on this. I think creating a personal mantra is good. A few catchy words sewn together to help focus your life on possibilities. But, I want to take it to the next step.
I admire my two year old son.
He is fearless.
The other day, I caught him on the arm of a rocking chair. He was leaning forward while standing on his toes to jump into his brother’s crib. He is persistent. He is driven. He is safe?
I suppose he has this confidence because he knows that I will protect him from the hard carpet floor. He trusts me enough to push for a dream.
The Loss Of Childish Bravery
After we’ve been hurt by others and failed ourselves through the years, we lose this childhood trust. We ask ourselves, “Do we trust anyone enough to pursue our dreams?
This morning I bought a book. Erwin McManus’ Soul Cravings, is a Father’s Day present from my wife. Father’s Day was three days ago, but she couldn’t remember any book title that I wanted. I was actually quite frustrated and dissapointed that she didn’t appreciate me enough to get something. We are really tight financially right now, but I 
was expecting something. Something that reassured me that I am an excellent dad whom has done alot for the family. I got nothing. Needless to say, we had ourselves a little marital spat. Yes, I have a horrible marriage.
After writing my post about Darfur yesterday, I came across the website Savedarfur.org . It is a well put together website with practical information for individuals like myself whom want to help, but do not know what can be done. There is so much information the site that I think I’d be doing it harm by quoting bits and pieces of it. I recommend (urge or command a better word?) you to go over there and look through the site. It breaks it all down to something that can be done right now by anyone. Once you are done over there, come back and I want to give my answer to the 
question I posed on yesterday’s post.
Friday, it rained. It poured. I was stuck in my apartment alone with my ten month all day. He stayed home from daycare because he had some virus which made him really sick. I’m in the process of looking for a new job and Erica makes nearly double what I made teaching. You can guess who got to stay home with a sick kid on a rainy day.
Sometimes I do enjoy the rain. On calm and relaxing days when there is nothing to do 
but stare through the window there is nothing as soothing as the rain. It also helps the kids sleep through the night, which is always a gift from God. Yet, the rain is not something that generally makes us happy. Living in the rainforest known as Florida, it becomes something of an annoyance.
There she was standing - Beautiful and almost perfect. Waiting for me to come and save 
her from the rain. All she needed was for someone to rescue her from the frustrations of the day. Listen to her and hold her. She wanted me to be in the present with her.
Why is it so hard to stay in the present? Maybe I am alone in this, but my mind is always on the future or in the past. I dream of strategies and goals. Then I sulk in past mistakes and missed opportunities. My life seems to center around the question, What if. What if I do this? What if this had happened? I suppose it is a good thing to always have a plan. Everyone is always looking for a good strategy, but it is all only fluff if I can’t answer the more important question.
