Loving the ABBA moments

This morning, after taking my son Conor to the doctor to find out he has strep throat, I went to work. I decided to take my youngest daughter, Merci, with me. I love all my children and am amazed at how different each of them is from the other. I'm having a lot of fun getting to know my newest daughters, and Merci today surprised me and made me laugh out loud all at the same time.

We were in my little Ford Ranger truck and she was enjoying the fact that she could reach the controls of my radio. This resulted in her rapidly switching from various pre-set Christian music stations to various pre-set sports talk and soft rock stations. She finally landed on 98.1, on an old rock classic, "Dancing Queen" being sung by the infamous ABBA. I thought it strange to say the least. Guess what I found stranger still: She sang along with it... and knew EVERY SINGLE WORD!!!

I knew I'd learn new things about my daughters, but my six year old knowing, singing, and loving ABBA? Really?

This has got me considering something today. I think it was Ralph Waldo Emerson who said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us".

As our family is dealing with some of the scars from our girls past, scars that have created behavioral patterns that are not something that we're used to - and as we look forward to a future that holds unimaginable joys and perhaps some difficulties - we are working hard to enjoy each and every moment in the present.

This might not seem hard, or like that big of a deal. However, as a visionary guy who is constantly thinking about the future, and as a guy who often helps others deal with wounds from the past - It can be extremely strange for me to really focus on the present. I am learning the importance of... pausing... waiting... enjoying.

Gang, there is much to be thankful for and happy about in this life. When we get so caught up in the hurts from the past and the unsureness of the future, we can often miss the subtle joys of the present. May today be a day where wherever we are, we are fully there. May today be a day where we take the time to enjoy all that the Master has blessed us with to the fullest.

Psalm 139:23
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts;"

Your Roots Are Showing

A few have asked for my unique paraphrase of Ephesians 3:17-19 from the weekend message. So here it is. God bless and may we all be rooted and grounded in love with Jesus in our hearts and thoughts 24/7. (As always, if you'd like to hear the message, just go to www.DesperationChurch.org and click 'RESOURCES')

“God help these people to constantly have You in their minds and hearts… because when YOU are making Yourself at home in their lives – then they’ll have LOVE at home in their lives. Never let them be moved from love - Like a tree rooted into the ground, let them be firmly planted in love. A love that is so much bigger and wider and deeper than anything that anyone could ever imagine!”