Late December back in... 11???

Welp. Happy 20 to the 12 everyone!! I am very disappointed in myself for my lack of blog entries. Lets add that to the list of changes this new year. However, a blog entry on New Year's eve is pretty epic right?? Thought so... It's been one hoot of a year that is for sure, and I'm so jazzed to be able to tell you about it. Best year of this handsome boy's life. BUT... fret not 2012, I've got a pretty good feeling about you...

So... 2011.... let me recap the blog worthy events...

One full calendar year without a cigarette. I'll do a sparkling grape juice toast to that bad mama-jamma of an event. On a down note, I think I'm about 20 pounds up from where I was at in the beginning of the year.... totally sure these two things have no relation to each other. As far as my living situation, I moved on up to some sweet, sweet residential comfort known as my parent's basement so I could afford to start the Vineyard's two year ministry program "VLI" (Vineyard Leadership Institute). I've learned a great deal thus far and cannot wait to see what next year brings in Biblical studies, spiritual formation and ministry training. So much to learn, and the more I do, the more I realize how much I don't know.

I had some pretty sweet road trips and attended some pretty great things this year. The year started off with a trip to Green Bay with the bro to see the Pack beat the Bears to get them into the playoffs (and then continue to win the Super Bowl). That was a once in a lifetime trip... Thank you mom and dad!! I did not make it to Wrigley this year, and honestly... I don't think I missed much :) I think they were okay with a year off of my presence. Music anyone??? well... I saw John Mark McMillan twice... Jars of Clay twice... and David Crowder Band... how many times??? oh yes... it was two times I believe... odd... Great trips, great time... but I think the top show was seeing "Annie" at the playhouse in town with my grandma. I was fighting tears the entire show... it was fantastic... I love a good tear-fight war.

So... the biggest punch in my 2011. I have grown in my relationship with God in ways I never thought possible. God has really slapped me in the face and said "DUDE!! lets like actually hang out... and not just talk about it." No longer was Jesus okay with being a "cool edition" to my life, He wanted to be the main event and I am so blessed to be slapped in the face by the Davidic King. I always knew I would be in ministry someday, and this year being involved in youth ministry has been the most rewarding year of my life. Getting to hang out with them, teach them, learn from them... and just be a part of their lives has brought an overwhelming peace to the desire we all have in our lives to be purposeful. God has a perfect plan for my life and as I let go of the plans that I had made, I find true meaning and a true peace of who I am, where I am going, and what I am doing. I've crossed a line in the sand where one side, you know God rules, but on the other side you let God rule. After you've tasted the sweetness of what blindly following Jesus has to offer, you would never want to return to the other side. My only regret is not crossing that line earlier.

with this, I lost some good friends this past year, but I've gained some great ones. I've shed some tears but I've shared a lot more laughs.  I guess I never thought I would be almost 30, single, living in my parents basement... and honestly say "My life is good and it has never been better!!". Oh so funny, but it so is true. God is using me to do epic things, and I am still going to make a ton of mistakes, but I trust in Him and he will always bring me back on track. My heart yearns for others to have what I have, and come to know what I know, and experience what I've been able to experience. We are all called to live this way and we never actually live until we lay our desires down to follow Jesus with your whole heart. I'm not perfect, we're not perfect, and we never will be...  but we cannot afford to NOT give Jesus our efforts... Luke 9:23... let that be your anthem for 2012...

So... I want to make my New Year's resolutions extremely public... in hopes that millions of people will hold me accountable :) Please... refrain from judging... the fact that I still struggle with some of these things may appall you.

1. texting while driving--- I know, I know... I'm a horrible person... not to mention a law breaker... but this needs to come to an end today!! I will answer my phone, I will read a message... I will look at the clock... but I resolve to not actually type a message while driving my vehicle, your vehicle or any other motorized transportation apparatus. (does Facebook count?---kidding.... or... am I?)

2. swallowing gum--- I'm not 100% sure of the digestive science on this one... but I've just got a bad feeling about the whole deal. I resolve to keep my Wrigley's out of my esophagus.

3. swearing--- I've come leaps and bounds in this department... but unfortunately... with the incredibly in depth potty/sailor mouth I've developed over the years of working with car dealers and listening to the devil's music... it is going to take a few more leaps and bounds to bring this fault to a close.

4. useless Internet time--- man... If I only knew the amount of time I've spent aimlessly watching Youtube videos, Facebook stalking and searching new and far for funny pictures of cats and mullets... Thank God I do not know... but never the less, lets resolve to cut this down a bit.

5. blog--- this needs to be happening, and not just on holidays... Writing helps me to fully grasp how blessed I am and to focus on a bigger picture view of everything God is doing in my life... I enjoy this... and I think the three people that read my blog do too :)

Thank you Jesus for a great year and thank you for even greater years to come!!
I hope you all had as fulfilling of a 2011 as I did, and I hope to see you in 2012!! And I also hope, that maybe you buy me a sandwich and maybe some Starbucks when you see me ;) I sure do love you all!!

Full House

Welp... I am one month into another stint of living with my wonderful parents, and I must admit, this has been the most interesting and amazing stay yet.

For those of you that don't know, I enrolled in the Vineyard Leadership Institute and am residing with moms and pops for a spell to pay for some of the tuition. You with me?? Well try to keep up. I don't have time for lolly-gaggin for life is happening now!!!

A few thoughts that have stuck out over the past month...

I remember a childhood thought "how come mom and dad go to bed early? They are grown-ups... they can do whatever they want!!! When I'm a big person I'm gonna stay up all night!!!" Well... at age 27, I tell my mom goodnight and hit the sack around 9:30.

I was home on my lunch break the other day and got yelled at for DOING the dishes.

My mom and I argue over who gets to mow the lawn.

There is food in the house now. (odd)

I wonder if my parents could possibly spend anymore time watching t.v.

I make my bed... every day.

Pops walk around the house in boxers now (no more whitey-tighteys)

I use a different towel every day, as opposed to one per month.

I have to beg my mom to not touch my laundry

Did I mention there is food in the house now?

My nephew eats green beans as a snack... ummmm...

Sometimes my dad has ice cream for supper.

The living room t.v. is for CSI, NCIS or Law and Order. The back room t.v. is for super-loud movies...

I guess all of this is really amusing. There are so many differences in the relationship I have with my parents now from when I was younger, and I wouldn't change it for the world. I can talk to either of them about any aspect of my life, as an adult would visit with another adult. They still think they're right all of the time, but then again, so do I. Perhaps this aspect will be the "control" in our little ongoing  experiment we call family. :)

Being a single gent for a number of years, I've either lived by myself, or one other person and I am usually in very low-key, low traffic living environments. My brother and I are under the same roof with the old man and Mrs. Smith again, but my nephew Carter is along for the ride and often visits from the bro's old lady. This is quite the commune I have landed in. No complaints however. I am so blessed to have such an awesome family around me, and have enjoyed this last month tremendously. I get to have my little nephew as my roommate and hang out with him before work in the morning. I get to chat with my mom about girls and God. I get to grill with my Dad and listen to his stories of survival in this crazy world. The bro and I get to take late night dips in the pool and quote movies. I had no idea how amazing this would be. I know it won't last, but I am going to enjoy every minute of what will probably be, my last stint with the rents. It is such a blessing to stand back and take a look at what God lets me do.

I've got a couple of really great Dads.

Thanks God! Thanks Pops! Love you Mommy!! Much love bro!! Love you Carter!! Good-night John-Boy!!

ps... Carter would like to say something... "I am saying wee wee... I'm saying I got two flashlights!! Wee wee!! I got two flashlights!! Here is a ruler. There is some lines up here, and there is some lines up there.", says Carter.

"What else would you like to say?" Uncle Boomer asks...

"I wanna say saw-wee... saweeee SAWEEEEEE!!! I got my tape measure," replies Carter, with extreme relish.

A Tribute to the Jack Handey-esque Way of Life

I think that God is always thinking one thought about each and every one of us, at any given moment… and I’m pretty sure that when he is thinking about me he is thinking “Dude, quit playing Angry Birds.”

I think that guy that invented the “high-five” is probably related to the guy that invented the “wave”. But I'm talking about the real ‘Forrest Gump’ style wave, not that Miss America junk. And I think they probably have a cool, hip cousin that invented the “knuckles”, and a skinny, nerdier brother they make fun of because he invented the “pinky-swear”. Loser.

So when you’re single, do you just have to accept the fact that you will not be receiving back rubs ever?? And also, the fact you have dry skin on your back cause of lack of lotion? And also, that it isn’t considered “okay” to watch chick flicks at this juncture in your life?? Man, I need to find a girlfriend…

I wish I was alive when Jesus was around… I would just follow Him and His disciples around, and whenever Jesus called some one out, or showed them their wicked ways, I would have been like “aaaawkward”.

How come whenever you mow the lawn there is a moment when you think to yourself, “I’m gonna mow the world!”… but then you finish your lawn and just go back inside?

Sometimes I pretend to go “#2”, just so I can concentrate on Angry Birds, w/out being bothered.

I hate it when you go to give a guy a hand shake, and he decides he’s going to give you a super-man squeeze, just to show you how manly he is. And then he grips your hand too quick and squeezes the ends of your fingers… that’s just weird feeling… Plus, I still don’t think you’re cool. Nice “Tap-OUT” shirt.

Do you think toll booth operators get déjà vu a lot?

When am I going to stop dreaming that I’m at school and I forgot my locker combination and/or class schedule??

Who decided that guys should stand up when they pee?? And why can’t I use the word tinkle?? I like that word…

I wish the commercial was “Red Bull: It gives you acid indigestion, but the sugar-free one isn't that bad, but you won't like it as much".

Why does Andrew Dice Clay have an eye patch now? Should I be wearing an eye patch too? Does he know something that is going to happen that I’m not aware of?

I'll never get tired of saying "Shawshank Redemption"

I hate it when somebody is all like “hey, did you hear about (huge national event)”, and I am all like “yeah, totally”. Then, I’m all like ‘google search (huge national event)’. And then I’m glad they didn’t ask me any questions about it, cause then they would have known I don’t watch the news…

Where did all my toys go?? You would think at least a few of them would still be laying around. When did I stop playing with them?? Anyone?? Where are my FREAKIN TOYS???

I think next time a potential client tells me to “give him a shout”… I’m like, really gonna do it for real.

Sometimes I’m just going on with a day. Everything is absolutely normal, and I think to myself, “dude, when is the last time you washed these jeans bro?” Meh.

Do you think that sometimes Jesus just flew to places? like when nobody was looking? Or played a ton of tricks on his friends... And if he did, I hope one of his friends said "Jesus, you so crazy", because that is for sure something that would have made me laugh way hard. Also, I would have wanted to try and arm wrestle him.

Why is baseball so great?

As you've probably noticed (since I'm guessing you clicked on my blog-link from Facebook) I enjoy baseball. I love my Cubs, but I flat out enjoy the game of baseball. Why Boomer? Why do you enjoy this game? Well, Boomer's narritive voice, let me tell you...

Unlike most sports, baseball has no "clock". There are no quarters, shot-clocks, time run-outs, ball spiking or periods. The game is played, and the game is played until the game is done. No ties, no shoot-outs. There have been many times I completely blew off other obligations/planned activities because a game blew past the traditional three hour mark (the average most pro-sports hold) and continued to watch a game well into the um-teen innings/5-7 hour mark. A game of baseball, could last forever...

"I enjoy going to games, and watching them at a ball park, but I just can't fatham myself sitting and watching a game start to finish. Sooooo boring". Ummm... whaaaaat?? Obviously you aren't grasping what is happening before your eyes. There's a dude on the mound, and he can bring good stuff all day. With ONE bad pitch, the game has completely changed. Yeah, there may be some throws to first, couple looks to second, maybe a few foul balls. In an instant, the magnitude of what you are seeing can sky rocket to epic (may I say... life changing?) proportions. Don't get me wrong. I've taken my fair share of naps during games, but the fact is even during extreme pitching duels, there is so much you are still seeing. Yes, home runs are cool but they are only a small aspect of the game. The event is hardly bore. Remember, one swing of that bat or one bad pitch can bring so much happiness to your world or completely rip all hope from your pathetic, sad little grasp. Look at the game as you would look at potential engergy. The possibility (potential) of an object or substance (batter/pitcher) to do work. Anything could happen, at any moment, and you have no idea what it is going to be.

"I might follow, if they brought it down to a sixteen game season" Der-da-Der!! "See, I can handle football cause it's once a week and my puney brain can handle once a week". Sorry. I, went a little far there. Is one-hundred and sixty five games a lot of games?? Yep. Does that bother someone that truly grasps the concept of baseball?? Heck no. In its entirety baseball hardly lasts much longer than a complete season of football w/ its camps and pre-season games. What you're not seeing is this. Match-ups, stats, hot-streaks, cold-streaks, and stats and more magnificent stats. As any fantasy baseball expert knows, baseball is a huge numbers game. A season is an all out war between the clubs. A season is bloody struggle and an extreme test of endurance for a ball club (and fan). Who can get hot and stay hot? Who can beat their rivals away? At home? In a dome? (stay in the zone?? hahaha... rhyming here) Who can stay healthy? Who can hit for power? Play with speed? Strik-em out? Hold arm strength? Keep their bullpen consistant? Look cooler when they spit?

I know I'm missing a lot, but there is one last thing that must be mentioned.

The no-hitter.

Hands down, single handedly, the most remarkable achievment in any professional game. Either for a mortal man to compete at such perfection as a no-no; he must bring his "A" game, have his fellow ball players play their positions with perfection and himself, recieve a great deal of luck. Now think of this. If a pitcher is in the middle of a no-no, obviously there is no offense on one side of the ball right?? In most cases there is little offense on the other side as well. So the game may seem a little "slow" to the feeble minded. However, there is nothing I would rather be doing, than be caught up watching a no-hitter un-fold between my own beautiful blue eyes.

So. If you still find yourself being a poopy pants towards all the "baseballers" talking about Opening Day or their fantasy teams or about Pujols going to the Cubs in the fall, just ask yourself this. Am I moron? Have I really taken the time to understand the game of baseball? Do I breathe with my mouth open?? If you are still troubled by this concept, I will answer these questions for you. Yes-No-Yes. Learn the game. Keep your baseball negativity to yourself. Try some breathe right strips or something because your breathe smells like a hobo's pocket and your lips are like super chapped bro.

and...

Go CUBS!

sometimes... you just gotta add a picture of He-Man to your blog post... simple because... it is what he would have wanted.

Trick love Da Kids

Woo!!! what an awesome month thus far... weather is warming up... kinda?? and I'm going to hit some golf balls tomorrow. It is absolutely amazing how things I look forward to have changed over the years....

I want anyone that reads this to know....
When I talk about something I think we should do/do better, I am not preaching, or judging person's actions/lack of actions. Any issue I talk about is definitely something I am trying to work on as well. I want to get that out there in case anyone is thinking "oh Boom... preaching on his high horse again" Unless I am talking about being more awesome, because honestly guys, you've got a lot of work to do to catch up to this bad boy...

I've been thinking a lot lately about very small things that happened to me as a kid that have shaped the way I am today. We've all got insecurities, fears, desires and needs that we feel as adults. If you truly look deep in yourself, you can trace these feelings back to a memory or memories from your childhood. Insecurities might be the biggest one out of the list of nouns I mentioned. Is that not mind blowing how easily we were molded and affected when we were younger? Maybe this is just me. Maybe I'm way off base. In that case, maybe you should get back to your Biggest Loser re-run or looking at pictures of your ex on Facebook and trying not to cry yourself to sleep because you're a pathetic lump of a man that will never be loved because you've got the self-esteem of a "yield" sign ... woa... sorry about that. I don't know what happened.

Okay. There is a method to my madness. I don't have any kids. I am to the age though, where I'm around the smaller humans all the time. Whether it be cousins, friends' kids, nieces/nephews or even your own kids, I'm sure you're around those little fire ants as well. Don't get me wrong, they're awesome! The pure innocence in their personalities is an incredibly beautiful creation even as they get into their teen years. I think that every one of us should really make it a point to review the kind of example we're setting for them. Whether it is our language, manners or actions. Family talks. If you're getting into trouble, the little squirts in your family have over heard the adults speaking of such things. But why not take this all a step further? Instead of just setting a good, or even "neutral" example, why not make a REAL effort to make an extremely positive "ripple" on their life. Let them look at their mannerisms and make-up one day as an adult, and see the positive light you brought to them.

I, personally, think it is vital in a child's life to know Christ's love at an early age. This doesn't just mean getting a kid into a church seat. These kids need love and attention, but most of the time just a friend. I don't know what you're seeing but I sure am not seeing a ton of Grade A parenting, or basic family values in the world today. Kids are lost and lost kids make for very crappy adults. I guarantee you have a friend that had a pretty tough time growing up and I guarantee they're still carrying big ole bag of demons from their childhood. We all need companionship and children are no different. We've got to make time for them and get over ourselves. The children we look at today are going to go through a world of hell someday, in some way or another. The least we can do is show them the kind of love they need to get through the dark times they have in their horizon.

There is nothing more precious that the humbleness and joy in a child. We have got to work hard to keep them feeling special. When I'm an old cranky man (older cranky man) withering away in a rest home, I'd rather my grand kids not be doped up on anti-depressants when they come see me (if they come see me).

Killing me softly with his... blog?

welp... I blog now... teehee!!!

I decided my first entry would be my most important. This should help set the "tone" for what is to come. I figured I should start the ball off right, with a message that will touch the hearts of millions!!! Pretty epic huh?? I thought so...


I worry so much that we are coming/changing into a very dark world. It seems to me the term "do for self" has almost taken over the way we think, work, and carry ourselves throughout our daily grinds. I wouldn't say I disagree with the old saying "work hard, and you can achieve anything", but I feel the perspective of all of this has somewhat been warped over the years. I think it slowly morfed (thats right, I said "morfed") into "work hard and I can HAVE anything", and on into a whole new lifestyle where the basis is "I DESERVE everything"... for the most part, cut out all of the working hard business altogether.

It is our human nature to want, desire and feel we "need" things. Don't get me wrong, I want things as well. As Christians, we yearn to be more like Christ, who showed an epic amount of compassion to others that we will never see in our lifetimes (epic = word of the day) I don't want my blog to be about pushing my beliefs on you. If you aren't a Christian, I want you to be able to read what I write, and take from it with good faith that my advice/thoughts will help you in your life, even if you have not yet taken a leap of faith into a relationship with God. The point I want to make is whether you are a follower of Christ or not, you should want to be a better person and hope and pray for the advancement of your fellow men. Right? (if you are completely destroyed as a human being and have no respect for human life altogether, I fear for my own life, because as you ahve found my blog, you now know who I am)

We are all in a stuggle. We are all dealing with problems. Fighting your own fights and walking over anyone that gets in your way is an extremely dangerous way to live. Imagine a world where we everyone pushed over everyone else. Me first, you.... well... I could care less about you. A world so selfish and is a world in chaos. If enough of us act this way now, and enough of us set a selfish example for our childrens, this could easily be the world people someday live in. A world where the human race not only lives like animals, but we live like the most savage animals that ever walked the earth.

I urge people to remember this when you see someone, anyone, anywhere, at anytime. That person is going through a day. A day in his/her life. That person weeps at times. That person hurts at times. That person has had moments in his/her life where they feel so broken down, that they contimplate whether or not they could ever end it all. You've felt this way. If you say you haven't then you are lieing to yourself. Lie to me all you want. I'm just words on a computer screen. But come on man, don't lie to you. You should be able to trust you. Don't let you down. Now think of this. It would be so incredibly easy for you to do something to help this person out. "But I'm busy" you say... "it won't be easy" you tell me...  I guaruntee it would be. Whether it be opening a door, giving the "what up?" head nod, smiling and saying "how yah doin?", or letting them into your lane on the highway. Shocked aren't you? I said it would be easy. But it doesn't surprise me you are shocked. I knew you would be. Seriously though. These little things affect me. They affect me everyday.

:Look at it like this... say I'm you... I'm stressed about stuff... maybe its work, money, the Cubs... and now here I am... grinding through a day... But wait... now I'm going on with my life... going on with my grind....same as always... but with a small piece of warmth in my heart. Because some else noticed me... They noticed I was working through a day, in my life... and that person decided that they could do something so small, to make my day just a tad bit easier... that person decided that this morning.... I wouldn't have to open the door for myself when I walked into Kwik Star. I take this piece of warmth, and it makes it so much easier to to go out of my way to do something small for another traveler, grinding through a day in the life.