Wonderful

I was thinking this morning about how much I miss singing the Messiah every Christmas season. And, I started thinking about the scripture the Handle used while composing that work.

If you're familiar with the work, you know that it's just a store house of scripture about the qualities of Our Savior. But, the verse that struck me (today) was Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The first name Isaiah was told to give Jesus is Wonderful. Wonderful.

He really is. And, He's coming again. Wonderful!

Worship

We had our regular Wednesday service tonight only it wasn’t all that regular. The Holy Spirit showed up with amazing power. It wasn’t really all that showy a thing, it was just a very heavy, peaceful, resting kind of presence.

It was something. (At times like this, I find English to be a pitiful tool for communicating. There really are no words to describe what the Holy Spirit is like – He’s God. And, somehow, even “God” doesn’t really do Him justice.)

I am awed by David’s question (as I think David was), “What is man that You are mindful of him?” (Psalm 8:4) Why does God care about us? Care enough to see us refreshed?

While I would like a better answer, the one that I am left with is: “Because.” Tonight, as I am still awash in His presence; that answer is enough for me. Tomorrow, I will try to keep “Because” enough.

Happy Birthday, PJ! I love you and I am so blessed that you are my pastor.

Peace -- Andy

Today's Fox ...

is the snooze bar. My job doesn't require me to be at work at any specific hour, it just requires that I get done the things that I need to get done. So, after writing about how I need to go on a "fox hunt" ... today hits and I spend the first several waking moments hitting the snooze bar to get "just 5 more minutes" of sleep.

How can my still-pseudo-sleeping mind believe that "5 more minutes" of sleep would be all that helpful? I have no idea. I am thinking about taking the cover off the clock and breaking the snooze bar so that my options are: start the day, don't start the day.

Grrrrr ... Andy

Busy

PJ was giving his Wednesday night lesson last week. And, he said something along the lines of "if you're too busy to have a daily quiet time, you're too busy". Yes, it hurts when people say things like that. Scott Heine's recent sermon about honor the Sabbath day said essentially the same thing (only -- instead of a daily quiet time, it was a daily quiet time (6 days a week) and an entire day once a week). So, I am being convicted from "all sides".

Yes: I am too busy. As I have started to look for places to cut back my life, I am struck by the way that little things tend to pile up and push me off bigger things (that in turn pile up -- and make a giant pile of things).

Somewhere, there's a verse about "little foxes spoiling the vine" ... but how that applies to my life. Important things get squeezed out: God, sleep, exercise (now check that out: God, Rest, Health. What could be much more important than those three?).

I have a fox problem and I need to figure out just how to get rid of it.

Peace.

Yeah -- Pandora Musical Genes

So, in my life's goal to be more like Scott Heine, I too created my very own Pandora channel.

Pandora is very cool; I think that (long ago) I played around with it. But it has much more music now and way more variety. My station is a mix of Blues, Jazz, Rock and a smattering of Afro-Pop, Funk and Middle-Eastern music. I have spent about two days training it to get the stuff I don't really like out of it. And, I think it now works well.

So -- I invite you to try Radio Free Andy. Thanks for popping over.

Andy

Fried Olives and Rain

Lyn and I took a trip to Atlantic Beach last weekend. We left the boys with my parents and traveled onto the beach. This was the first time we had both been without both boys. And, they did just fine (we did too).

We found ourselves thinking about them often. Usually when we did, we would look at the other and say ... "I miss the boys." the other would nod. But, as much as we missed them -- it was good to have time away from them.

It rained on us for most of our trip and so we didn't have as many walks on the beach as we had wanted. But, we did have a great time together; ate a ton of great fresh seafood (and I had yummy fried olives), shopped in some cheesy beach stores; laughed and (I think) reconnected on some levels where we have been missing each other.

I certainly left with a much greater reminder of why I love my wife as much as I do.

I would be remiss to not mention the places where we had such great food: the Sanitary Restaurant and Fish Market and Cafe Zito

The Sanitary sits right on the Bogue Sound and has a lot of tables that face the water. The entire back wall is windows. I guess you could say that it's plain; but plain and good food and reasonable prices are pretty good mix. I highly recommend the cold boiled shrimp.

Cafe Zito also serves fresh fish as well as mostly local produce and homemade desserts. Zito is one of those places that we can't afford to go to often - but always try and make the most of when we do. Everything about this place adds to its atmosphere: it's in an old house and they have tables outside on the porch; the artwork, music, amazing wait staff (I have never had bad service when one of the owners waits on me) and (of course) the food come together to make a memorable date night. Everything looked so good -- we had a hard time deciding on what to get. I had the catch of the day and it was perfect.

If you find yourself in Eastern North Carolina, you should totally check these places out.

I am very thankful for my long weekend and my wife. I am a very blessed man.

Ten Years

Yesterday was my tenth wedding anniversary. Lyn asked me if it really "felt" like ten years. I'm still rolling that question over in my head. It has (without reservation) been my best ten years (since I am conveniently 41 -- I can easily breakdown my life into my 1-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40...).

Lyn really is my better half, complimenting me where I am weak and allowing me to do the same for her. She allows me to lead our family; even when I am boneheaded. She even makes it easy -- and she so could make it hard. She's smart, strong-willed and right more than she is wrong.

We married later in life than most of our friends; we had kids later (as well). I will be 57 when Mack graduates from High School (barring something odd pushing it up or back). And, while I am blissfully happy with Lyn - I don't think that our marriage would be as good (maybe not intact) had we met and married even a few years earlier. God need to season us both to make us ready for each other.

I marvel at the way God protects me (and Lyn) from myself. He knows me even better than I know myself and proves that everyday. He protects Lyn (and me) from her. He used time to grow us into safer versions of ourselves (even when we're sure we know what we need).

Thank God! He is in control and I am not. Thank God for my beautiful wife!

He who has found a wife has found a good thing!

Indeed!
Andy