Authentic Life Thoughts A FATHER'S DAY MEDITATION! Yesterday was Father’s day. I woke up longing for some Shulammite-tic action, but instead was greeted with Happy father’s day from my two daughters. Having kids definitely changes things. I get Song of Solomon props much less than when I didn’t have kids, of course, age may have something to do with that. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy my share of love, well- you get the point. I guess Mick Jagger was right- “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometime, you just might find you get what you need!” As I was saluted as a most (in fact I believe the words my eldest daughter used were- “You are the most wonderful dad ever!”- I agreeJ ) excellent father, my mind was thinking of all the awesome times I have with my children. They really are a blessing and reward from God. Yesterday I jimmy whipped (as they would say) both my sons in some James Bond action on PS2- which is quite a fete for me. I am not very good on PS2, give me a joy stick and some paddle ball tennis (or hockey, soccer, ping pong, and the other 52 games on the Olympic cartridge) on Atari 5200. If you don’t know what that is, then I am officially old enough to be your daddy! (Who’s your daddy?) But, it was cool not just because of the fine jimmy whipping and sweet tongue lashing from my much mastered trash talking, rather because I love my sons, and they are two of the most precious people in the world to me. In addition to that, I took a swim in our not so Olympic size pool (it is a 10 X 6 blow up pool from SUPER WALMART) with my two daughters while my preggo’ wife looked on. We took turns dunking each other under the water and seeing who could hold their breath the longest. My two year old insists that she won, although I know that I stayed under way longerJ. My wife gave me some not so sincere props for my incessant smack in the pool with the girls. My 11 year old and I reminisced about how Hosanna (my two year old) acts just like she did at that age. Oh what joy they all bring me. So, as I sat in the frazin’ (as my two girls call it- I am sure the younger longs to be like the older) pool, I realized that I am living my dream. I am married to a beautiful (from the neck up-our inside joke about being pregnant-my wife is cool with this joke) lady. I have 4.5 kids (number 5 is still ripening) that are a tremendous joy in my life. I never saw myself as a five kid guy (probably because I grew up in a family of five), but I can’t imagine life any other way. I live in a modest house. I make a modest income. I love preaching the word of God for my life calling. What more could a guy want? Grand Kids? Maybe if the Lord waits and doesn’t call me home. But I am okay with Him returning. Until then- I love my life because it is God’s gift to me through His Son Jesus Christ. I love it because of my bride (The man who gets a wife gains a great gift and has the Lord’s favor), my children (Children are a reward from the Lord), and my calling (The gifts and calling of the Lord are irrevocable)> So, those are my Father’s day thoughts! I’m OUT S

WHY AM I BLOGGING? From the little bit of research I have done, there are millions of bloggers, especially among the people younger than 36 (I am 35, so I had to include myself in the stat). With all the various forms of communication available it seems this is a better way of gettin' the word out then flashing on the street corner holding my KJV 1911 (not really a 1611) . I was reading in the word Jesus spoke a story of faithful servents. One servent was put in charge over the other servents. The lead servent began to flex and jacked up the other servents, both men and women. (WOW- He's the man). Then he begins to pound a few 40's and gets straight up folded. When the master came and found him jacked up= he flogs him like a single-wide in a hurricane tearing him a new one. All this because the servent knew his duty but failed to do it. Jesus closes the story by saying-" whoever gets the hook up in this life, then there will be a lot required of that person." I can't get past this. With all the technology and modern advancements we have today, I must take advantage of them to the best of my ability. I feel like Peter and John (in the bible in the book of Acts chapter 4) when they were told to stop speaking of Jesus Christ, they said- "We cannot stop sharing our story of the wonderful things God has done for us". this is my 2 cents on blogging. My story points to HIS-STORY, so I want to tell it! Lord willing, I want to get into some topical discussions and current affairs for NW Florida. Until then- I'm out. S

THE GENESIS OF A BLOG JOURNEY:

Well, my best friend started a blog several months ago. Admittedly, at first I thought he was quite nerdy for this new donnish (he has always been a book nerd)adventure. Then I realized that it wasn't the blogging that made him nerdy, he just was:)! So, I checked more into blogging. I find that it is a great way to get your thoughts out. To speak to a community. Whatever the community maybe. I want to begin my own journey here to engage in conversation (I hope that others will converse) with friends, family, and especially those in the area of our new church. I wish to engage in meaningful banter about real life issues, current affairs, and sometimes apparently insignificant subjects that are just simply enjoyable to discuss.

I am hopeful that this will be a great avenue for some incredible cyber-space fellowship!

spacing out with you, Sam