Fast and Furious
Current mood: optimistic

It's been a while since I have bloged, but things have been a wee bit crazy lately. We have had a guest, (an unappreciative one) the past couple of weeks and we have had death in our family. Shasta lost her grandfather a week ago this past Sunday and we stayed a week in Kentucky for the funeral and to be with her grandmother. It wasn't a sudden thing, but none the less, no matter how hard you prepare, it's not easy.

The timing you could say was not the greatest. We had just been in Abingdon the day before (dropping off the unappreciative misleading guest), and had to turn right around and head back the next day. I missed a couple days of work with strep-throat the previous week and now I was looking at missing the majority of that week with all the funeral arrangements. Shas and Ian was tired, even before we left and it was going to be even more exhausting with our trip up there.

But, you could say in our eyes that the timing was bad, that is till Thursday when Shas and I debriefed on the way back home. During our trip we able to stay at Shasta's grandmothers, something we had never done before, and she was able to spend time and enjoy her great-grandson. This seem to be a blessing in disguise for all of us.
A good friend of ours had a nervous break that turned real serious. Luckily, Shasta's cousin and I were near by and was able to stop a bad situation and pray over our friend and encourage them. Along with this situation, I found out that her cousin had recently accepted Christ, and what a blessing that was.
Another good friend of ours who was going through a tuff situation was there and we were able to catch up and spend some time together in prayer. I believe it was encouraging for all of us.
There was more as well, just less notable during our trip. And, to think we thought it was "bad timing"! God has perfect timing and He knows every situation. I am just glad that He used us in such a wonderful way to minister.

Of course, the interest and curiosity is plaguing the read about the "The Guest". I'll make it very short, and most definitely not so sweet. We reached out to some one in, or whom we thought was in need, and was lied to, taken advantage of, and used. It was a very unfortunate event. I know there are a lot of hurt people surrounding this and I am very angry about some one using my wife and my close friends in such a way. But, never the less, I do pray for them and turn them over to God's hand and may His will be done in their life.

As I said, very fast and very furious, and most of all,,,, very blessed even in bad times. 

6:13 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Car shopping blues

ALRIGHT ALREADY!!!

I can't be the first to say that "I hate car shopping". I haven't bought a car in over 4 years. I have been very happy with the ones I have and never felt the need to purchase another until now. I normally would just fix any problem that came up with the vehicles we own, but there is a new catch. For those of you who have children know what I am going to say next,,, "I need a car to haul the kids around!"
I would have never guessed me of all people saying it, but here I am now uttering those infamous words. Shas and I knew it was coming so we have broken down and began the shopping extravaganza. We have talked with salesmen, sales managers, finance managers, ladies that sit up front doing their make-up and answering the phone,(Yes, this did happen, TWICE), and the dreaded financial institution that will be processing the loan.
Dealers want the top dollar for all of their fabulous pieces of crap, and the banks they don't want to lend more than 10% above the taxed amount of the car. That normally is less than half of what the dealer wants. "So, the dealer wants $10,000, well,,, we'll give you $3,000 on it!" "Let's see Mrs. Gragg, here are the vanity mirrors, but oops the lights don't come on." Mr. Gragg this motor purrs like a kitten(Loud chattering from loose valves)" And,,,,,,, the greatest of all BS quotes, "Man, this vehicle is all you!"

I would love to sit down with the guy that came up with and wrote the book "How to sell cars" and just beat the crap out of him! Every time Shas and I would step on the car lot, the salesmen would come straight to me, and ignore Shas. But, that would suddenly change when let them know real quick that this purchase was for her and not me. I am a man here, but come on the car business is way behind times when it comes to women who can and do buy cars. I am embarrassed for the man race when I see this kind of stupidity!

For all of you who are going to be purchasing cars in the future, my prayers are with you and good luck and try not to loose your sanity

1:03 PM - 5 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

heavy loads and weak knees

I don't care who says what, but stress,,,, yeah it can make you sick. I have been under a lot recently with moving, jobs, money, family issues, and the normal stuff. Well the defiant person that I am barries all things. I guess it's in my genes or something. But, it has finally caught up with me, and I have been sick for over a week. It doesn't help matters none to endure any illness in tuff times. It two can add to the stress that a person is enduring.
The thing is, if anyone is dealing with more than their fair share right now, remember this; "That God will not put any more on you that you can handle, and He is strengthing you. When your heavy loads become to much to handle, Christ has broad shoulders. When there is no one to talk to, Jesus hears everything."

This is what carries me through all the tough times. I am in one right now, but I have a wonderful wife, a wonderful son, and the greatest friend of all in Jesus.

12:22 PM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

green grass on the other side
Current mood: stressed

Well, I guess you can't always expect to get what your sold. I believe that old saying of greener pastures are on the other side of the fense aren't always there. But, believe me, no matter how many times I have attempted that crossing, it never pans out to be the idea that was sold to me. You can always believe and have hope in something, and even talk that idea up, but some how, some way it always comes back to bite you square in the area the sun don't often shine.

A good friend of mine, who I love and admire, always picked on me calling me "Sleptrock". That guy off the Flinstones cartoon that always had the bad luck and the loosing number. LOL,,, well sometimes I wonder. Yet, in life, you must trudge on and as my brother says "play hurt". Sometimes I feel I play hurt more than I play at 100%.  Oh well,,, so the pity party story goes LOL!

I guess that I am venting here. I had been promised something way different than I received and have been eating crow in many ways to the one I love. And, if your wondering, I did pray about it. I guess that's my hope and light at the end of the tunnell. Because with my faith no matter what happens I know that God has his purposes. So if you read this, please keep me in your prayers.

5:20 PM - 3 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Junior High Football Game

After 16 years, you would expect me to think things would be different. But with me, I guess I was still in "memory lane" and expected it all to be the same. I returned to my junior high alma mater today as a guest and to assist one of my best friends in his son's football game at the school. It was the first time I had been on campus in over 10 years. The stadium has changed drastically since I played there. The Home side is now on the opposite side of the field and the blechers are almost gone on what was the home side. But, it was great to see it again.
It did bring back a lot of memories. You know the ones that you like to call "your glory days". Yes, the defensive line just didn't look the same without me out there seeking out the Quarterback. But, as we all know, we grow up and change and dreams change.

I pulled the chains for the game with my best friend as he cheered on his son who also plays defense. I was called on twice, because I was day dreaming of the past. The sounds and atmosphere was something I had long forgotten. Football was not my primary sport as most of you probably know. I chose fast cars and racing over everything else. But, this took me back to something I haven't thought about in years.

It also gave me a new perspective of life surrounding sports. The new perspective that in a few years, I may be that screaming dad in the stands if Ian decides he wants to play. Of course his mother is totally against it, but you know how kids are and things go. My mother hated it too, but yet I played on. I hope he doesn't want to play, but it will be his choice to follow his heart. My football days are still with me after a dislocated shoulder, three broken fingers, and a sprained knee that happened too many times to count.

But how can I as a father sit back and watch some other kid knock the crap out of mine? How can I stand back and watch the pain that he faces after a ruff tackle? How can I ease his pain when he looses?
I look at like this, it must be hard for God the Father to sit back and see his children take hits, stepped on, hurt,cheated, and loose. How is it that He was able to contain himself? But, then I stepped back and thought,"He gave us a special "trainer, coach, and encourager" that being Jesus Christ our Lord and the wonderful Holy Spirit!" I guess that is the only way He can sit back now, because He has given us all the tools to get through life's football game.

In close, for all of you who may be wondering, my alma mater lost the game 20 to 18. It was a questionable loss due to a late call that could have tied the game. Of course there were a lot of fireworks from the coach and parents, but to no avail the referees made their call.

6:30 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

trying to apply

I just read a fantastic article by Baxter Kruger called "The Secret". It really hit home with me in a lot of areas of my life. I have sat under many pastors, teachers, professors, and so on in my life and I have learned so many things. But, there has been a lot of things God has taught me and the greatest is His undenying grace.
This article really pin-pointed the blindness we all have when it comes to grace for ourselves and purposes in our lives. It was a really hard to read at some points and brought me to tears several times as I seen my self in the "in between" places of the text. Almost as if it was written to me.

I have studied and learned so much from God and Jesus, but my biggest weakness is APPLICATION. I am a stickler for application and I am probably one of the biggest failures when it comes to applying God's grace in my own life. How can I know so much, but yet be so foolish not to apply it? I have brow beaten myself to death with that question. My own theory of knowledge is, " what good is knowing how to do something, yet never apply it?" Well, here I am preaching to myself!

So, I went and prayed after reading the article, and asked God to help me apply the greatest gift that He has ever given to mankind in my life. After a few minutes of really debriefing myself, I started to look at the big picture. You know, it all comes back to that same thing every time, and that is dependence on Christ.

6:46 PM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

catchin up

We are finally moved, but just not completely unpacked. It's been the normal crazy move. You know that point you reach and you look at the sea of boxes surrounding you and you say to yourself, "We have way too much stuff!" I have never been a big fan of moving anyway, and this time, out of all the others, has to be the ruffest. I never knew moving with a child could be so difficult. Not necessarily the child itself, but man the stuff they have to have!

Anyway, we have been here almost two weeks and I am catching up with all my buds and family. It's amazing how much changes in two years, but I am almost up to speed. It's been tuff trying to get back into the swing of work here as well. It may take me a little longer to get my mind back in the game. (LOL)
I think it will all work out though. Shas and Ian seems to like it here, but most of all the cat "YumYum" loves it here. No dogs, and she has the place all to herself!
Oh well, should be plenty to write about in NC!

Currently listening : Texas Flood By Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble Release date: 23 March, 1999

7:23 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Things you don’t know

Well, here we go getting ready to move, as probably most of you may know. I am not big on the whole moving thing. I guess that may come as a surprise to some of you, especially with all the moving I have done. But, it really isn't something I like to do. At each place I have lived at in my life, I have found wonderful people that become great friends. I have always called Western North Carolina home, but I must say, I have been to many places that feel like home.I did the top 10 things I will miss about Kentucky, but there's a lot more than what I could list. So, if you happened not to make the list, don't worry you will still be missed. I could do another one for NC, but I think I will wait on that one for a bit.

 The greatest thing about moving around though, is find God's presence everywhere. I have traveled a lot over my life. I have been very blessed to have the opprotunities to visit and live many places. But there is one thing they have all had in common, and that is God's presence. You can see him in so many people that you meet, you can see His hand at work in so many things, and you see His love that people possesses inside of them. If you take note and look closely, you can see Him in about everything going on. Even when it all looks bad, He is still there.

It's been kind of awesome to see the responce from friends in NC. I have had an overwhelming amount of e-mail and messages telling me about their excitement of me and my family's return to the area. Some of them have come as somewhat of a shock. I guess I really didn't know how much I would be missed. I have come to realize that of late. Not only e-mails and messages from NC, but also ones from Kentucky saying that they hate to see us go. There is one note that all of us must remember; "even if we must leave one another, we will all come together at the feet of Christ." 

3:36 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Top 10 things I will miss about Kentucky
Current mood: crazy

10.    All my buds at Johnson Industries

9.  Hangin with John Boy

8. All the Worship Extremes

7. All the mountains

6. Hangin with Jerme Burke

5. Playin Canadian Horseshoes with Mike Stewart

4. playin golf at Raven Rock

3. Poker Nights at John&Mable's

2. My Church Family

1. BIG VERNON

9:32 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Success

How do we measure success? Really?..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Looking back on my 30 years of life, I have had my ups and my downs. I have won races and had great success in racing. I have been blessed in playing with some great people in bands and recording a lot over the years. I have traveled and played music and raced cars. I have seen a lot of the ..:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />US and Canada.
It's been great fun doing all the crazy things that go along with it. And, of course, it has given great stories to tell and re-tell again and again.

I have been able to travel the world and visit various countries. I have  spent long nights on buses and airplanes. It's been wonderful to meet so many people over the years. All have been a blessing in one form or another. It really has been a blessing and a lot of fun!

It's been more than a blessing from God when He sacrificed His son Jesus Christ for me, and gave me salvation. The ministry he has given me has been it's own story of ups and downs, but all worth every second of it!

Although through the ups, there have been the downs. I have fought addictions, and been blessed in conquering those with the hand of Christ. Unfortunately, I lost a lot of friends along the way. I have hurt to many to count with my own self-destruction. I could have had wonderful career that could have brought me fame and fortune. But, do to my addictions and my own selfishness that comes with it, I lost it.
I lost a marriage that was not all one sided. We both had our selves to blame, and I myself could not over come the demons that hindered me. Losing a home, and all of my nice cars, was something that tore me down. Finding out how hard it is to live "hand to mouth", sleeping on couches, bumming money, and having to hang my head low.

I have lost many friends to death. I had to see death up close too many times. The greatest loss was of my grandfather in 2005. There are still holes in me from that. I could spend a whole page of names and situations of those friends I lost. But, so many were so young and had so much life to live.

With all of this, I have taken a different look at everything now. My selfish perspectives have changed and are still changing. Because,,, I have found that none of those things before now even mattered. Neither the ups nor the downs could measure success. The success is now in my son Ian Thomas. Success is loving your child, giving it the best you can, and that is all the time you can give them. Teaching them of God and of Christ Jesus is the most important. And,,, always love them like there is no tomorrow!

Now my decisions revolve around him and his best interest. And if, I am blessed with more, which I pray that I am, they too will be the center of there dad's mind set. Success, what is it really?! Other than passing on the greatest gifts of life to your children!

7:03 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment