Two years ago today I was about to walk out our front door and head to work when Lindsay came out of our bedroom and told me I might want to stick around for a little bit.
Her words were, “I think something’s happening.”
A couple of hours later, I was holding my son in my arms for the first time.
It’s hard to believe it’s already been two years!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAMERON!
This morning while walking the halls of our Worship Center at Shady Grove Church, I smelled the familiar scent of burnt popcorn coming down the hall from the Relic Federation Studio.
Of course the only thing I could do about it was call our Worship Pastor, Levi Smith out on it publicly on Twitter.
Levi then went on to throw Allyster, one of our missionaries to Belgium, who is currently in the studio working on their ministries new french worship album under the bus.
As I was halfway across the parking lot between our Worship Center and our House of Prayer and staff offices, I received this response from Zach, another of our missionaries who is currently in Belgium with his family… I proceeded to laugh out loud in the parking lot, probably looking pretty foolish to anyone seeing me from their office windows.
Finally, Allyster spoke up in defense of himself placing the blame squarely back on Levi.
Four of my closest friends, spread out around the Globe, goofing off together like we were in the same room.
The Twitter Circle of Life.
Lindsay: Here Babe, dinner.
Me: Two sandwiches? Are you trying to make me fat?
Lindsay: I’m not the one who ate an entire pizza this afternoon.
Me: I didn’t eat a whole pizza…
Lindsay: (long pause… Silent stare)
Me: … You had one piece…. You did! (feelings of shame)
20 minutes later, I had eaten both sandwiches… and they were delicious!
It makes me feel better to tell myself my wife isn’t ALWAYS right… I just happen to be wrong a lot more.
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, from Cantata 147, by Johann Sebastian Bach.
September 28, 2011 in
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This week both Facebook and Instagram, two very popular, very FREE services, updated their systems and made some unpopular changes. And with the way people have reacted to these changes, you would think that the good of the World was at stake, instead of remembering that both of these services are free and people are in no way obligated to use them.
But these changes, and the way some people have responded to them have gotten me thinking about CHANGE…
1) CHANGE HAPPENS
There’s nothing we can do about it. People change, places change, churches change, your favorite restaurants menu is going to Change ect… THINGS CHANGE!
2) CHANGE IS A PART OF GROWING AND GROWING IS HEALTHY.
Above is a screen grab of what the first version of Facebook looked like. At the time, there were only a few features available and you had to be a student at Harvard to join. So, if you went to Harvard, you could communicate with anyone around the world… As long as they also went to Harvard. That’s no longer the case. Facebook changed, they grew, and now I can find out what my friends in Peru are having for lunch by checking my phone.
Here’s another example.
I have a son named Cameron. As I write this he’s almost two years old. Every single day something about him changes. He gets taller, gets bigger, his personality is developing so it’s changing, along with many other things. Needless to say, Cameron’s changing a lot . He’s changing because he’s growing. He’s growing because he’s healthy and healthy things grow. If my son wasn’t growing, wasn’t developing, something would be wrong. And THAT would be bad.
3) EMBRACE CHANGE OR LIVE IN CRISIS.
The truth is, we all have a problem with change. I know I do. I know that Cameron growing up is a good thing, but honestly, he’s my baby boy. Part of me wants him to stay a little boy forever. Sometimes I see how big both my kids are getting and I get a little heartbroken. But it’s supposed to happen, and I can either embrace the changes happening in him and enjoy watching him go from baby to boy and eventually boy to man OR I can get upset, complain, cry, get angry and be miserable. But you know what? No matter what I do, no matter how I respond or react, Cameron’s gonna grow up.
So there’s a choice I have to make. I can live in the past and only dwell on who Cameron WAS, or I can embrace who the change and enjoy watching who Cameron is becoming. I personally would rather enjoy life then be miserable over something I can’t even control.
Now, some of you might be reading this and be thinking how stupid it is for me to even be putting the life of my son on the same level as something like Facebook, that’s basically just a toy. Cameron is so much more important then Facebook… And your right, and that leads me to my last point.
4) QUIT WAISTING YOUR EMOTIONS ON THE INSIGNIFICANT.
Growing up, when ever I would get upset and cry over a toy breaking or getting lost, my mom would ALWAYS answer, “That toys not gonna cry over you, why are you crying over it?”.
There are so many things in this world to be upset about. So much pain and injustice. Don’t you think there is SOMETHING… ANYTHING… Other than a few changes to Facebook to spend your emotions on? The reality is, the only thing that would happen if things like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter ceased to exist, is we would all probably get more work done.
EMBRACE THE CHANGE!
-Niles
Ps. These are just a few thoughts I’ve been having and have about change, but I’d love to hear yours… Any quotes or stories on change that you remember from growing up?
This week both Facebook and Instagram, two very popular, very FREE services, updated their systems and made some unpopular changes. And with the way people have reacted to these changes, you would think that the good of the World was at stake, instead of remembering that both of these services are free and people are in no way obligated to use them.
But these changes, and the way some people have responded to them have gotten me thinking about CHANGE…
Are you a “Christian Hipster”? You’re not? Are you sure?
September 19, 2011 in
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For all you Apple Fanboys & Girls out there…
September 17, 2011 in
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Was on the phone with a buddy of mine yesterday and as he was telling me about some new products/projects his company is in the process of launching, and one of those projects is this little gem: “Raysd Magazine: Christian perspectives on art, movies, music, culture and the world.”
So far I’m a fan… Would love to write some stuff for it!
The other day we were having such great weather here in Dallas that I Twittered that “I needed a Hammock ASAP.”
Later that day, my one of my friends responded back that I should get a “Kammok”. I had no idea what he was talking about, so when I had a chance I checked out their site and I LOVED what I saw.
Now, just so you know, I am in no way affiliated with this company, and I’m pretty sure I don’t actually know anyone who works there, though I’m pretty sure this video was shot in my hometown at the Church on of my best friends is a pastor at but I’m not 100%.
I thought this was a great product and the fact that they are going to share profits with organizations around the world, though not a new concept, I have HUGE respect for any company that would.
When I see products like this I ALWAYS seem to think of the Kingdom impact they could have… imagine this “Kammock” being given out in third world countries or during any kind of disaster relief effort? Huge impact!
Like I said, I just thought it was a great idea and great heart behind it. I’ve never actually seen one in person, but I’d love to get my hands on one. It would be PERFECT for my Sunday “Post-Service” Naps!
(Did I mention that this was one of those “Kickstarter” success stories? I LOVE Kickstarter!)
September 13, 2011 in
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