mparrott84

Introducing DiscipleshipGuy

2010-11-24T13:57:00.001-05:00

I have loved SquawkTalk, it's been great! However, after a brief home here we are packing up and moving. I have had another Blog for a while, something that never really took off for me, but I already own the domain name, so we are moving. Don't worry, we haven't forgotten anything and the transition has already be made. When you go to our new place you will see many familiar things, although it will look slightly different, you should be able to find yourself around the place pretty easy. So, weather you started following me all the way back during the Xanga.com days, followed my move to mparrott84.blogspot.com, followed our family on parrottpeople.wordpress.com, or just recently found us on SquawkTalk.DiscipleshipGuy.com (the web address is a hint to our new home...), all content will now be found at...

DiscipleshipGuy.com

Introducing SquawkTalk!

2010-09-10T15:35:00.012-04:00

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce everyone to SquawkTalk! This new site is still a work in progress, it has some work to be done, but I want to introduce everyone so that you have the opportunity to help influence it's design. This new site is the combination of several things. First of all, I don't post here much anymore. This site was started as a progression from Xanga.com, and it has served it's purpose. However, I no longer like to keep everything so separate. So, in an attempt to converge many things into one, I have taken this blog, as well as parrottpeople.wordpress.com and merged them into one new site called SquawkTalk.

I hope you enjoy the new site. After a bit I will probably be deleting this site entirely, however probably not until after the new site has undergone the finishing touches. I want to make sure all of my content is safe, after all, it dates back to early 2001. Without further ado, here is SquawkTalk!

Watching movies...

2009-06-29T04:11:00.006-04:00

A couple of nights ago I watched Bruce Almighty for room night with a bunch of guys from work. It had been a while since the last time I watched it, and I missed a bunch of the movie, but there were some interesting quotes in it. The only one I can remember right now goes something like this:

To paint great pictures you need dark colors.

The point of the quote was that humans have to endure tough times to be all they can be, and fulfill their potential. Cheesy to say the least, but pretty sound none the less.

Towards the beginning of my LeadTime year there was a guest speaker who was talking about prayer. One of the things that stuck out to me was this idea that as Christians we are many times, asking God to relieve the circumstances. Many times, God has placed those very circumstances in your life to bring about change, increase your character, and draw you closer to Him. If we want to grow in Christ we can't have the circumstances taken away, we have to run through them, persevere, and allow ourselves to dictate how we will respond, instead of allowing our circumstances to dictate us.

Those are my thoughts, I am learning how to do what I have written, we will discuss it again in tweenty years ;)

God as my friend...

2009-06-21T01:13:00.008-04:00

Tonight I was on coverage for room night, usually on nights like tonight I would get off around 11. Tonight I stayed back a little while longer because we had been having Internet issues... This is where the story starts. As I left the house and I was walking to my car I started to think about being in Indiana, I was thinking about how I always had someone to call and talk to when I got off work. As I was thinking about that (very quickly) I thought that most of my Indiana friends would be in bed already, due to being on a different time zone. I also thought that it would be nice to have someone in Missouri that I could call right now, but I knew where all those people were already. They are all older, responsible folks who are in bed, or they are young, tired, Bigs on property who are in bed. If the Bigs weren't in bed (there are a couple night owls), then they are un-available and with guy/girl friends.

This paragraph is background info, we will get back to the story in a second... Another thought that went through my head was that I wasn't really all that close to a lot of people back in Indiana. I had a lot of deep friendships in college, but over time most of those people (me included) have moved on to other things in life. We are still close when we call, we just don't call all that often.

Then I heard a voice say that I could talk to Him. He was available 24-7. And as a matter of fact we had some catching up to do, it's been a couple days. Then the verse went through my head that goes something like this,

"...but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

When I heard that it was like, oops, good point. Let's talk. So, I began to pray, but my mind was still racing and scattered from my day, instead of asking God to help bring me into a state of peace within my mind, I turned on the CD Player in my car and drove home. Now I am typing this blog that your reading, but once I am done with this, I have some catching up to do with someone. Just in case your wondering what verse the one above is, I have it, along with the beginning part. Here it is: Proverbs 18:24 (English Standard Version)

"A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother"

So there are a few obvious ways to take this post, I am going to avoid some of those, but I will tell you the few things that stuck out to me.

Conviction. I didn't feel guilty, I felt convicted, like I haven't spent time with someone really important today, and that makes me sad. Also, it makes me want to strive to do better as opposed to be down on myself for letting someone down.
Humbled. How many times do we just go through our day and totally forget about God. Lot's of times we even pray or read our Bibles, yet we still forget about Him and don't spend the time to really get to know Him as our friend. As our friend...what does that even look like? Do we know what that means? Yes, some of us do, many characters in the Bible knew, I would like to think I knew...but do I?
Excited. Even when we are stuck in sin or self consumed we have a God who desires to be with us, who thought it worth dying to spend time with us. And sometimes we don't even remember He is there. I took my daughter shopping with me the other day, she saw so many things she wanted. She kept saying daddy can I get this or can we get that. It seemed like all she thought about was herself. Now she is young, very young, and so I talked to her about being selfish and self-consumed. But how would it have been different if she was so focused on herself that she wasn't even talking to me. I enjoyed the time with her, and I loved the conversations that we had, but what if she didn't even know I was with her? I would be crushed. And yet, sometimes that how I treat God...

This post has turned out much longer than I thought it was going to be. Many times while typing it I thought I might start crying in the middle of it. This is what has been bouncing around in my mind for the last hour or so. So know I am publishing what was in my head.

Home is where the heart is...

2009-06-16T23:10:00.011-04:00

On my way home from a basketball game tonight I began to think about my time in Missouri, and one of the thoughts I was having is about how we have adapted and that where we are, live, travel, shop, etc is becoming normal, it's becoming home. This made me start to ponder about what defines home for us. Until our last trip to Indiana I would have said that Indiana was home, now I think that Missouri is home. Indiana is where I am from, and were friends and family live, but i also have friends and a community that live in Missouri now.

I think that this subtle difference that God has changed internally has freed me in many ways, I think after this experience, being here in Missouri and working for Doulos, that I could live just about anywhere in the states and be OK with it. I think my home can be anywhere (God, if your listening I still don't like snow...) if you notice I said I could be about anywhere in the states...It will take more growing and developing to leave the US. I really do like it here, and I don't ever want to harden my heart to leaving, because that's about the time God will ask me to go...

I like this internal change that's happened, I would be sad to not be around some of the people that we have gotten to know. Their are many that we would leave behind, but I would also look forward to meeting the next group of people that God would have to impact our lives. I think that Autumn would feel differently about this, but I am OK with that.

A final thought, Rich Mullins sang a song about Jesus having no where to call home, Jesus even said in Matthew 8:20

Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

I think to some degree we need to be like Jesus and have our home be in Heaven, our home on earth is where His will is for us at the moment we are there, but when His will for us moves on we need our hearts to allow where we call home to move on also. I guess that's why I was thinking about this, I think that for the first time home isn't a geographical location for me anymore, as much as it is where we are right now.

Comments, Layout, and Other Stuff...

2009-06-13T05:47:00.008-04:00

So, I have done several things to the blog. First off I have installed a Disqus Comments system. It's pretty cool, you can comment on the blog as a guest, log into Disqus and then comment on any site w/Disqus, register w/Disqus, tweet a comment, or I think you can even use OpenId. That is quite a few options. The question is, 'Why did I do this?' and the answer is just because. I wanted to try it. Also, if it works good I could possibly use it on my other blog site (which is Word Press).

Secondly I have obviously changed the layout, pretty dramatically I might add, and it was a pain in places that are generally covered with clothes!!! Lastly, I think it's kinda cool, but overall it doesn't give me butterflys, and it was a lot of work...so I don't know what to do now.

Thirdly, I noticed that someone commented on my Honoring God with your possessions post but I don't know who. In addition since I installed Disqus, it puts their comment system right over the top, no biggie, if no one has posted. The only way to un-install Disqus is to change my template...do you know what will happen if I do that??? Bad things man. So, if you commented, will you comment again for me? Laters everyone.

The right way vs. the wrong way...

2009-06-08T03:11:00.003-04:00

So tonight I was realizing some significant things about myself. At Doulos I am technically a volunteer on the Shelterwood side of things (I guess, that's what I was told tonight) and it's not technically my job. So, while I was thinking about things, rules, consequences, etc., I was thinking about how being a big can be a hard job because there are lots of ways. There isn't always just a right way and a wrong way, there is a hundred ways that are all subjectively right or wrong. That makes my job hard for me because I want to know if what I am doing is right or wrong.

It seems like many times I want to know before I do something if it's right or wrong, if there isn't a definitive answer, or better yet, multiple and equally right choices what should I do? The answer of course is to listen to the Holy Spirit...which gives us freedom and liberty...and just made everything that much harder for an analytical guy like me.

Sad day...kinda, not really...

2009-06-08T03:04:00.003-04:00

So I finished copying and pasting all of my blog posts from my Xanga site...and then I deleted it, never to be retrieved again. It's gone, forever. Oh well, it's not like I was using it, it was just sitting there. I got all the important posts out and I will move on from there.

Honoring God with our Possessions...

2009-06-07T01:25:00.003-04:00

So I was reading in Proverbs the other day and I came across Proverbs 3:9 that says:

(NKJV) 9 Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase

That verse really hit me. I have been thinking about making some big purchases lately, so as I am reading this I was taken back. I thought to myself, 'How can I ask God for new things if I don't honor Him with the possessions I have?' Now this was a rhetorical question, I am not saying I don't honor Him, rather I was thinking that God wouldn't have a reason to give me new possessions if my current possessions were not being used to honor Him, which begs the questions, 'Do I use my current possessions to honor God, and what does it look like to honor God with our possessions?' I was at work when I read this passage, so I brought it up to the group of Littles around me. I was really trying to get them to think about the question but all they wanted to do was answer it. I am going to be mulling over this for a while, so I just wanted to put it out there.

I am back!!!

2009-06-06T23:33:00.001-04:00

Once upon a time there was a renound philosopher, who was only renound to himself...and he had a blog. At the beggining of social networks there arose a site called Xanga.com. Now this site was all the rage at the time, and so he moved his blog to that social network. Now that other newer and better social networks have come about, there is no longer any reason to hang out at Xanga. Now this renound philosopher has currently has others blogs, one on a website and a family blog of sorts, but since the blogging stopped at Xanga there has been nowhere for this young philospher to write his internal mullings.

Thus the young philosopher has returned to his roots. Spending several hours copying and pasting his old blogs from Xanga (the one's he could anyway, some picture posts and short blogs didn't make the cut) back into blogger (due to the shortcommings of modern technology). No promises will be made about the frequencies of posts and the author will not ask for comments to the blog. In the past, posts have been written for responses. When no responses are left a lesson was learned, write from the heart and go from there.

One last thing, this blog may not stay here, if it does then great. If not you will be given info when the time comes as to what you can expect. Welcome back.

The logo has been finalized!!!

2008-02-28T00:28:00.006-05:00

I know I never post on here, and the last time I did it was about Logo's...Since I found my logo I though I should post it, that way I have a logo to show people. Why would I do this instead of showing people my site? Because sometimes the site is down, or sometimes (like now) we may be using a varieation of the logo color due to the template. Once we customize the template color we will be able to put the official logo back up. However, that is not right now, and we like to show people the official logo, so without further ado, here it is!

P.S. You can visit my site by clicking on the link below: myChristianConnection.org

Education vs. College drop-outs...

2008-01-16T01:50:00.000-05:00

I had a discussion a while back with someone (who shall remain nameless) about the importance of education. Actually I have had lots of discussions with pro-education people including teachers and non-teachers. My view is one that education and degree's are worth much less than people value them, and definitely worth much less than people pay for them (both financially and time wise). Since that discussion (Thanksgiving time I believe) I have listen to several other people comment on the subject bothDave Ramsey and Dan Miller (p.s. these are not links to articles, rather just there websites), but I really felt the need to blog about it when I found this article on Entrepreneur.com. I have cut and pasted a small portion of the three page article (mostly because this was the only part relevant to our discussion). Here it is:

What essential characteristics do America's wealthiest entrepreneurs share? More important, how can you, too, develop these qualities? Read on to find out how to think like the entrepreneurial elite.

The wealthiest entrepreneurs share some common characteristics, according to a 2007 study on affluence in the U.S. from American Express Publishing and The Harrison Group. Researchers looked at the top half of the top 1 percent of America's wealthiest individuals--those who have assets of $5 million and above. (The sampling was representative of the top 600,000 households in the U.S., whose mean value of household assets is $30.6 million.) Within this data set, they compared entrepreneurs with non-entrepreneurs. Among the findings:

* Entrepreneurs are less likely to be college graduates than non-entrepreneurs.
* They are more likely to attribute their success to determination, while non-entrepreneurs credit intelligence and education.

You can find the link Here.

Anyway, I thought that this would bring more perspective to the debate. And now I would like to hear your responses.

Things I thought about while watching football today...

2007-11-05T00:17:00.000-05:00

While Tom Brady was being interviewed today it made me think...And here is what I thought.

If you want to be succesful, if you want to be taken seriously, if you want respect you need to see yourself those ways. What is the first thing you thought when you saw the picture of Brady? The thing I thought was 'man it would be cool to look like that and be able to dress like that'. He gets to look like that and dress like that because that is the way he sees himself. He looks like someone that is taken seriously because he sees himself that way. He sees himself as successful so he dresses successfully. I think this applies to all area's of life.

I want to be taken seriously and be professional, so I need to present myself that way. If I do see myself as being professional without first being professional it won't work, I have to act that way also. However, if I see myself as being professional and act professional then others will see me that way also. When that happens, when I change the way I am perceived, then I will walk out my self image. I don't think people esteem themselves highly enough and therefore neither do others. As a result we walk out our lives as underachievers, I don't want to be an underachiever. I plan on being successful so to some extent I need to change how I am perceived by first seeing myself differently and then changing my actions. Anyway, these were my thoughts.

Good Night.

The work puzzle has been figured out...

2007-09-26T20:42:00.000-04:00

So...here is how it all shakes out. My manager is leaving, my Assistant Manager is staying. Me and the other two sales staff people are switching stores, yes I am going back to my old store. The other Store Manager is coming to our store, the other Assistant is being promoted, and that sales staff is coming to our store. I will have two months or so to prove myself and apply for the Assistant Manager position at the new store. There isn't any guarantee or anything that I would get it but my Regional Manager said that we are opening a new store before my current store moves and it is possible that I could end up on that management team. Lot's of changes, little time. Apparently I will be going back to my old store starting either Monday or Tuesday...

So there you have it...The work puzzle has been figured out.

Many of you know, many of you don't...

2007-09-22T13:28:00.000-04:00

This week I had two interviews (one interview per company, so two companies) we will call the job's Job A and Job B. Job A interview was on Monday and Job B interview was today, both were sales positions, Job A was inside, Job B was outside. Both interviews went ok, however, neither one are locks even though they could/should be (Job A more so than Job B).

At the end of the first interview (Job A) the guy was telling me that I hurt myself with not being more flexible. My goal, however, wasn't to get a job with that particular company, my goal was to get a certain job at a certain location with that company (well kind of, I am still not sure if I would actually take the job or not, even if offered). Interesting side note before I go on, I have determined that if this company doesn't offer me a job (that I may not take anyway) that they would be complete morons (which I know isn't very nice, sorry) for this reason: I was actually asking the interviewer what type of numbers I would have to put up in order to go to President's Club. This is a huge sign of confidence as well as a sign of very top interviewing skills that a candidate would even want to know how hard it would be, rather than just being something to aspire to. Without coming out and saying it, I was essentially saying I know I am going to be there, I just want to know how difficult it will be, talk about confidence!!! (This was not done on purpose or because I have mad interviewing skills, but more because I just wanted to know, which after thinking about it, is the most impressive part about my interview).

At the end of the second interview (B) the lady and I never talked about salary, benefits, or really anything else specific. It seemed like she was intrigued with me due to the fact I had been referred to her and that I was interviewing for a position that I had no experience in, as well as no college education in that field (marketing/advertising). Even with that being the case she still wanted to interview me and take me on a tour of the entire building. I really don't know what her fascination was with me unless she was just blown away at my answers to questions and really wants to see if I can hack it. Both people told me that they would get into contact with me within two weeks, both were interviewing candidates all week, at least 7-8 more people, and they would let me know.

To most people those interviews don't sound to inspiring...it's a good thing you don't know the rest of the situation then huh? Job A (the Monday interview) was the result of an ex co-worker calling me and asking me if I would like to work with him at his new company (were he is a manager, but would not be my manager). Job B (today's interview) was the result of me helping a customer out and then finding out where this person worked, that person referring me to her boss (talking to her boss while I helped her in my store as a matter of fact) and sending her boss my resume. The hiring manager for Job B, I found out, is the aunt of another former co-worker, who when I saw him he asked 'Are you applying for a job with Job B?' To which I was completely dumbfounded (since I hadn't seen that person in months and had not told him I had applied). Two very crazy circumstances huh?

Before we go too much farther I need to back up and give more background information and then we will zoom past the interviews for a moment. While I am constantly looking for better opportunities, these are my first interviews in a while and both of them provide very good unique benefits as well as very unique obstacles in actually accepting the positions. I had been very excited for both opportunities for a while, when Tuesday after my phone interview for Job B, I just really felt that it wasn't the right time for a change. Besides the fact that I am looking to move (I am always looking to move) something says to just wait. Instead of canceling my interview for Wednesday I went ahead with it because hey, you always need practice right? And no need to burn bridges and no one ever said I was going to get the position anyways. If I did get it I could tell the interviewer that I appreciate the opportunity but that I had several offers (hopefully) and I am going to go in a different direction. After coming home from the interview (B) and getting on the computer for a bit I found out some very interesting news...My manager put in his two weeks notice yesterday, how crazy is that?

What does this mean? I don't know (besides the fact that in two weeks my current manager will no longer be employed by my company), I really don't know if I want to do management, it would be a title (who cares?) and a higher base pay rate, however, it would probably be a lower commission check due to...lots of factors at our store. I know for a fact my Assistant Manager didn't get a commissions check last month and mine was quite nice (actually kind of low for me) but it is usually double or more of my monthly take home (which is how I actually make money working for Sprint). Let's look at possible scenarios, they promote my Assistant Manager to Manager, thus keeping continuity in the store (and thus assuring that our store never hits our quotas, ever). Then they look for an Assistant, they look to me because of my seniority and abilities. Or they could bring in a new head guy and then leave everyone where they are, and lastly they could promote from another store. I don't think our Assistant is ready for management yet, this is his first Assistant job and he hasn't been on it very long...and he hasn't really proved anything either...either way. This strategy doesn't make a lot of sense to then promote me also, who has no management experience; however, stranger decisions have been made.

What is most likely? They hire an outside manager who then comes in and has to learn everything again, and we are put in a position that could get better or worse. I tell you what, I am not up for another go around of a lazy manager who comes in and does nothing. On the other hand, if they hire a psycho then I am gone as well. If they promote the guy from the other store locally...it is time to move on. I really don't think I am up for management; a lot of things would have to fall into place for that to work, I just can't see it happening. Realistically they would have to bring in a completely new manager, with the current Assistant stepping aside and then for me and the new manager to be absolutely on the same page. Chances of that happening are probably about 1000:1. Things could change, but for the next few weeks/months it will be interesting to see what transpires. I just had a completely random thought, this better not effect vacation time for me in October!!!

Peace

2007-09-06T21:22:00.000-04:00

Today I was listening to a song by Toby Mac and some of the background singers said something about being people of peace. This in and of itself isn't such a big deal, and I don't necessarily think that they meant anything in particular about it other than just having something to sing in the background, but I decided to write a blog about the purposes' and roles of peace in a Christians life. This blog isn't going to be very long though, here goes.

When the Bible or Christ talk about peace they are not talking about peace with nations or the absence of war. They are talking about being at peace with God as a person, and peace between you and me or peace between you and your neighbor. Neither the Bible nor Christ were talking about peace externally (though maintaining peace even amongst chaotic external conditions is important) being at peace emotionally and through Christ is what is necessary.

Bank Robbery

2007-09-03T19:40:00.000-04:00

While I was at work the other day I found out that the bank that we deposit our money at everyday, had been robbed, oh, I would say, about three days prior. Not only that, but my manager had been at the bank a mere 10 minutes prior to the robbery, how crazy is that?!?!?! So, naturally I had to take the deposit to the bank a day later and guess who I saw at the bank? No other than a Mr. South Bend Police Officer (I thought you have to be kidding, what is he doing here? j/k) Anyway, I know some will worry (though there is no need to), I thought that this was an interesting story and I wanted to share it none the less. If I wanted to scare people I would tell them about the death threats I receive over the phone at Sprint!!! But that story is for another time. Be good to your cell phone sales reps folks, see what we have to put up with?

For everyone who didn't know...now you do!

2007-08-28T23:09:00.000-04:00

A while ago I wrote about all of the water problems that happened to our house...now we are getting them fixed. Today we had our contractor over and he will be starting tomorrow. Tonight we went to Lowe's to pick paint colors and carpet color and style as well as flooring for the kitchen. It feels pretty good to have everything finished and to know once we are done then our house will be so much more...well it will be a lot nicer. My sister Dana was with us and my cuz Jeff was with us tonight as well as last night, so...props to them. By then end of the week we could be living in a completely new house. Should be lots of fun. Once it's done we will puts up lots of before and after pictures for ya.

Today was a long time in comming...

2007-08-08T21:49:00.000-04:00

Today I finally sold two rental houses that I have been dealing with for...quite a while!!! There is a really, really, really, really, really (well you get the idea) long blog in there someday about my many experiences with my rentals, but I will save that for a day when I want to humiliate myself and make everyone laugh. Actually I will save it for my book :)

So anyway here is the long and short of it (actually only the short). I listed three of my 6 rental properties for sale (there is a trivia for ya, how many people new I owned rental properties, how many of you knew at one time I owned 7 of them?) and through many obstacles along the way (including our closing date changing at least 3-4 times) and one of my houses apparently selling without me selling it (once, no really) and then getting that worked out, I finally sold them today. I had to work all day, but closing doesn't take long so I had someone cover me for an hour while I would be gone...except it was an hour and a half before we even started. Once we started it took about 20 minutes and then ONLY another 30 minutes for them to make copies of everything. In end the guy who bought them thought he was getting a good deal and I definitely thought I got a good deal. How many time do you hear of someone selling a property for less than they owe on it, not paying closing costs, not paying commission for the realtor, and not bringing money to closing? Plus I got rid of a problem house? I am guessing you don't hear of it to often.

Here is the interesting thing though you know how I said I listed 3 houses? Well I only sold two, bummer huh? But I still have 3 houses for sale, bummer number two huh? Hopefully I will sell the other 3 very soon and then list and sell my personal residence so I can then move to Florida, wouldn't that be great...living in Florida? I know, I can't wait.

Movie Review

2007-07-31T22:02:00.000-04:00

So tonight Autumn and I watched Catch & Release...Which mid-way through people may think that it's depressing (which it definitely could be) and disappointing (the story) and felt as though they had already seen the movie since most of the trailer happens in the first 10 min or so of the movie...But then, it goes down hill from there. Typical guy girl stories, but these ones are more real life than typical movie stories. This story is all about people hurting others by what they say and what they do...Autumn says it was kinda sexual, which I didn't notice because I was busy feeling sorry for the guy that was too good for the girl that was too good for another guy who ultimately was much better than anyone thought (and I must say I kinda predicted it about half way through). By the way (spoiler warning) the girl we all thought was great (but not good enough for the one guy) ends up being with a guy that was not good enough for anyone (not even the girl that was portrayed as scummy, though he was somewhat close to being good enough for her). But here we are thinking we are watching a good movie, the directors thinking they are directing a good movie, and the actors thinking they were acting a good movie, but all were wrong. It was a bad movie, and why? Because it was real life stories all over again, people making Romeo and Juliet mistakes (not the same ones, but the same type of mistakes, namely stupid ones), and because the movie tells us that scummy guy and supposedly good girl that's not good enough for a guy (maybe not dead guy either) get together and we (the audience) are suppose to be happy about it. But we are not happy about it...we are definitely not happy about it. And to show we are not happy about it, we will blog about it. And the movie stinks!

Life...

2007-07-26T23:42:00.000-04:00

This week has been good and bad...David is out and we are spending allot of time together, which is good; I am on a 3 out of 4 days off from work deal, which is good; I am getting a new phone for Autumn and am very excited about that, which is good; I am having my worst sales month in my Sprint history, which is very bad; They are implementing new (read: stupid) rules at work, which is bad; and so the story goes.

This weekend we are going to be spending allot of time in Goshen going to the Elkhart county fair. We are going to the rodeo and the demolition derby...Which definitely makes me sound like a hick! However, I am not into hick things, this is just a family tradition that we grew up doing as a family...Which makes me sound even MORE HICK! Ok, ok, so I grew up in Indiana...I refuse to be a hick by association, which brings me to my next though. It's time to move.

The weekend...

2007-07-15T18:13:00.000-04:00

It has been a nice weekend, first I got off around 5 on Friday and went to a softball game double header (In which I got a hit or walk in every at-bat). Then we headed for the Frey household Friday night late. We spent the night and went to a family get together where we had grilled chicken that was absolutely amazing, then we went back to the Frey house again to spend the night. Today I went to work, got off at 5 and then went home to have taco's...can't get much better than that. The only down side to the weekend (and hence the title of my blog only the weekend instead of good weekend or something similar) is that my phone went out completly, that's right folks, my phone no longer does anything that you would expect a phone to do. This includes things like make calls, text, internet, or voicemail. What can I do? Everything else (my phone is a PDA), which doesn't do me a whole lotta good. I am working on getting it swapped, but it's still a disappointment. Anyway, for a while I will be disconnected from the world...oh well. Moving on I guess. Have a good day.

Watching TV...

2007-07-11T01:41:00.000-04:00

There was a comic on TV last night who said he got dumped on April Fool's Day, he said it was really confusing. He said it's kinda like walking in on your dad wearing a dress, you think it's a joke...but it's not. It's real. And then you cry.

I thought it was really funny, and wanted to share.

myChristianConnection.org

2007-07-08T21:28:00.000-04:00

I can't believe I am doing this, my site is no where near where it needs to be in order to be functional, but I would like people's thoughts on it, I encourage all of you to go check it out. You can find my site at myChristianConnection.org hopefully you like it. Just so everyone knows and understands...there will definitely be errors on the site, probably most of them I know about, some that won't be fixed immediately only because I don't have much time to work on it, and some because I am still new. As it gets better I will let everyone know and then you can all begin sharing it with friends, co-workers, and Church members and then hopefully the site will grow.

I encourage you to go ahead and sign up and register on the site so that you will be able to visit the forums on the site. There is a forum titled site feedback, if there are errors and stuff I encourage you to leave the info in the forum and not on this site or my email box, only in the forum on the site please. Please feel free to disregard the forum thread titles and such and just go ahead and try them out as I am looking forward to seeing how they respond. That's all for now...Later.

P.S. I haven't remembered my funny post yet...I don't know if I will at this point, let's hope so, it would have been super funny.

Funny Work Stories...Part 2

2007-07-05T20:34:00.000-04:00

So today I had these customers, right? The kind that have been hounding me for a long time. They call me on my personal cell phone (like I don't have a life...and the store doesn't have a number) all the time. I even saw them outside of work once and it was the same thing...Why isn't my phone working? So today, after getting to the point that I can take it no longer, I give in. So I make the necessary arrangements and got some phones together to swap their (broken???) phone. So I am suppose to get off at 5pm (the earliest time in weeks, maybe months) and they call me and are like, 'Matt are you still at the store?' So I said yea but I am suppose to be leaving now, how can I help you? And they are like hey, we are just down the street (yea, uh huh...) can you wait on us? So I stand around...forever!...and then when they finally arrive they have no CLUE about what phone they want...At this point I am FREAKING OUT!!! Just decide all really, gosh! So they finally decide and I give them the phone and they are like, 'Aren't you going to transfer our numbers?' And I was like, sure I could but...YOU NEVER ASKED ME TO!!! Again, FREAKING OUT!!! Oh yea, I almost forgot, their kid wouldn't stop running around, pulling all of our stuff off the pegs, and yelling as loud as she could. I was like, 'Can you make her stop there are other customers in the store?', and they are like 'isn't she cute?' to each other, GAG!!! So yea, they finally left around 6PM, SHEESH!!! That's my funny work stories Part 2.

To my sister, brother in law, and niece.
P.S. This post was a joke.

My thoughts on Coincidences...

2007-07-01T23:10:00.002-04:00

My brother is currently doing an internship (in Hawaii) and while he is gone he has been blogging...he is a pretty good writer and seems to lay out his thoughts very well. Recently he blogged about the idea of coincidences...and it seems that in Christian circles many people don't believe that they exist. Anyway I posted a comment on his blog (found here, the Coincidences blog is here), and then he did a follow up blog titled coincidences part 2 (found here)and I really wanted to post a follow up in response to his thoughts, so that's what I am doing. I want to preface this with a statement, I am by no means bashing (or attempting to bash these beliefs or statements, only to respond to them). I may end up posting a couple different posts to thoroughly explain myself, however I haven't decided on that for sure. Here goes...

When I started to really build a relationship with Jesus (not merely religion anymore) things started happening in my life that never before happened. Allot of things sort of fell into place so to speak. But this wasn't just bingo follow Jesus and have a great life, this was a relationship. As a result of my relationship with Him I would daily surrender to Him, I would pray that He would guide my path, and I would trust him. It was during this time that I decided that I no longer believed in coincidences. It was not because it was the 'in' thing to do, it wasn't because I heard of others that I heard had stopped believing in coincidences, and it wasn't because I found it in the Bible. Rather it was because I had found that since I had surrendered my life to Christ it was like someone else was pulling the strings or planning things out (pretty novel since I had surrendered and asked for God's guidance, huh?).

A couple instances that my brother used were from a book by Rob Bell were he was questioning certain things, here is an excerpt from his blog...
    "In the Nooma "Rhythm" Rob Bell is talking about how one of his friendswas pulling into a store parking lot, and someone pulled out of a front row spot just as the friend was pulling in. "This just proves," thefriend said, "that God loves me." Another person was talkingabout two sick people and how one of them was healed and was rid of their sickness and how it just proves the God cares for us. "But," RobBell says, "I'm standing there thinking about, What about the second person. Why didn't God heal them!" A third person needed an item in a store and it just happened to be onsale and the third person says, "This just proves that God really is there for me." "If God is so powerful and loving that he canopen up a parking spot or put an item on sale for us," Rob says, "thenwhy isn't He solving more important things, like earthquakes andhurricanes."

Here are my responses, not to go back and forth but to explain why I believe these could be real examples (since similar things happened to me that I also attributed to God). As far as finding parking spots, this sort of thing would happen to me also, sometimes I would be coming home late from church after praying with some people and I would have had prior appointments that I promised to be at, at a certain time. Pulling in to a parking spot only to find someone backing out to leave, to me was God's grace. The sick person who was healed was part of God's ordained plan, maybe someone was saved as a result or that person became a missionary, and as a college student I didn't have money to throw around. When I went to the store and found the book on sale I had hoped to buy for my friend, only to find out it was now the exact amount I had in my pocket was God's way of saying to me that He was in control of my life.

Rob brings up some points, why wasn't the other person saved, and why can't God find better things to do that save parking spots...unfortunately they are misguided at best. I don't know why God didn't save the other person, and don't find it productive to question God (not to say I don't). However, to suggest that I am not the apple of God's eye or that I am not the most important thing to Him is very offensive. Remember, He would leave the 99 to find the one...besides, hear me clearly, HE IS WORKING ON THE IMPORTANT THINGS AS WELL to suggest God is neglecting the important things in order to save my parking spot is to suggest He lacks the competence to be God!

Moving on from here, because while I have my disagreements with Rob this is not about him, it's about the idea of coincidences, and following up on my brothers posts...I want to respond to the part 2 post...Since Ant (as I affectionately call him) said this 'I believe that thinking that all coincidence is God-ordained is ridiculous.' Maybe we need to look at what a coincidence is, here is what Websters says...
    Websters as Main Entry: co·in·ci·dence
    Pronunciation: kO-'in(t)-s&-d&n(t)s, -s&-"den(t)s
    Function: noun
    1 : the act or condition of coinciding : CORRESPONDENCE
    2 : the occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection; also :     any of these occurrences

Based on this definition I believe it is totally conceivable and probably that all (appearances of ) coincidences are God-ordained!  Why? Glad you asked...if a coincidence is an occurrences of events happening at the same time by accident but seem to have a connection doesn't it beg the question of how? Maybe, just maybe God is up there putting things in place and guiding the life of one who is totally surrendered to Him? Could it be that God is so sovereign that He puts things into motion to accomplish His will in our lives? I mean really, isn't that what we have asked Him to do? Is it so surreal to believe that He would answer our prayers, especially when they align with His will? Now let's respond to points 1-4.

1. I agree as a Christian we need to show people the light...The light of Christ Jesus...as un-biased as we can.
2. Not only is it not illogical to hold to a belief that coincidences do not exist (to the Christian who has surrendered his life to follow Christ) but it is to some, illogical to not to believe it. To believe in the Bible as the sovereign Word of God and to hold that God Himself is all knowing, all powerful and omnipotent, how can we then not believe that He would place in motion, things large and small to accomplish His divine will? To believe anything else would be borderline blasphemous.
3. Agreed.
4. This point I disagree with completely, see my blog so far. But also because the will of the one who is completely surrendered to Christ is one that is laid down at His feet. At this point while we still have free will, we have given that to Christ to do with what He pleases. At this point, He is in control, and at this point He is going to ordain the footsteps of that Christian in order to accomplish His will. This is how it has been done throughout the Bible, all the main characters are examples of people who have given themselves to God (/Christ) and have only accomplished great things through surrendering, not by any talent/gifts of their own. These people tell us that in their stories.
In addition to this, I think part of God's love language to us is/can be the little things done in our life. This could be something small as getting us through a parking lot faster, or it can be something much larger, but to discount the simple coincidence is to discount one way God can show His love to us. To say that coincidences are/can be just that, is to limit God yet again. I find it incredible the way's we limit a limitless God because of the lack of our own understandings. While I was in college I tried to take all my preconceptions about God and throw them out the window. I tried to look at everything and ask myself "Why couldn't that be God? Is there something that conflicts with what I know of the Bible that would lead me to believe otherwise?"  I tell you what, it wouldn't be a bad idea for us to forget who others say God is and to actually find out for ourselves who God is. Not only who He is in the Bible/world today, but to who God is to you! I pray that every person find out who God is to them and don't let anyone take away the things God has told you or shown you about Himself.

The last thing I want to say is this (and this may be why I post more on these thoughts) I think the major problem with discounting the belief that there are no coincidences is this: there is to much emphasis put on free will and not nearly enough emphasis put on God's sovereignty! The reason I have not decided whether to write more on this topic or not is because I for one will admit that I am no expert on His sovereignty, so that topic is quite a bunch to bite off. However I do understand why it trumps/negates the free will argument (and in some instances trumps/negates free will itself...or appears to, see pharoh arguments).

I will end this blog with this, I appreciate the dialogs and love my brother, but on this topic he is wrong  (I say that in good humor Ant)

P.S. Mom, you cannot possibly agree with me whole-heartedley and with him at the same time (since you wrote, and I quote 'Well said, and with passion! I agree whole-heartedly!') so if you agree with me you must go back and modify your comments to him. Otherwise you need to state your disagreements, which will also be wrong

So here is how the BIG NEWS went...

2007-06-26T21:37:00.000-04:00

First of all if you don't know what the big news is then I should probably tell you...We got central air!!!

The story went like this...A weeks back Autumn starting getting on a kick for central air and telling me all the reasons we needed it. Considering the expense I tried to shrug off the suggestion, to no avail. Since I could tell this was not going to go away and it would increase the resale value of our house I thought maybe I should make my wife happy and go with it this time. The next day I emailed my friend (yes that friend, my man Greg) to get a quote on getting it installed. He gave me the quote and asked me if I wanted it, I asked him how soon he could do it and he said he could do it before the end of the month. After him hawing around I finally said do it. Autumn wants to so lets do it. I set it up but decided not to tell her about it. I then talked to my mom and my sister about helping me get Autumn out of the house so it could be a surprise. They agreed and we set up tentative plans...it was all falling into place.

A couple times we had issues come up were I thought Autumn might figure it out but she didn't and the surprise prevailed...until tonight! She got up this morning and I tried franticly to get her out of the house so Greg could show up at 10 and I had to leave the back door unlocked so that he could get in, but she was running behind (as usual!). As soon as I left to go to work (I couldn't stay home forever) I called Greg and told him he would need to arrive 15 min. late and that I hadn't been able to leave a door unlocked and that he would need to close some windows for me, he agreed. He also found his way into our home with a trusty credit card (I guess they are good for something even if you don't use them for debt!). Then he worked tirelessly until he had installed our central air and new water softener (due to the house mess, see below).

It was about the time that Greg called to tell me he was done that Autumn called to ask if I wanted to meet her and the Metzgers for dinner...I agreed as this would help me keep her out of the house until I could go home with her. After dinner I convinced her to go back to the store with me and hang out (to stall once again) and see my beautiful daughter Becka Joy! When Autumn finally couldn't take it anymore I let her take off for home and I was able to leave mere minutes after her in my pursuit to beat her home. TO my good fourtune my little girl Becka was missing me beyond belief and was asking Autumn to wait for daddy. This worked to my advantage since Auutmn called me and asked if I wanted her to slow down so I could catch her and Becka could see me drive next to them...no problem with that I thought, no problem at all!

While I was on the phone with Autumn I told her I would need to pull in the driveway first so I could get things out of the garage (this didn't make any sense to her, however this was only so she wouldn't see the unit in the back). When we arrived I was able to get Becka out, unlock the door and then follow Autumn inside, but she wasn't able to feel the cooler air since it had already cooled down outside. She did however, notice the weird odor coming from the new unit. In order to find the smell we went to the laundry room to see what was going on. I showed her the new water softener that Greg had installed and she noticed the central air pipe coming in from outside but she didn't know what it was. She then asked were our old softener was, so I said probably outside and I opened the door and I pointed to it and she stepped outside...and that's when she saw it! At first she was speechless...then it hit and I thought she would cry, she was going crazy and starting giving what Becka and I like to call 'lots of kisses'. I am pretty sure she liked it, and we didn't stop talking about it for like half an hour. She was ecstatic...

All in all this was great, normally I do a great job of keeping secrets but she is able to figure it out (through no fault of my own) but this time she was clueless to the (expensive) surprise! Anyway, that's how the BIG NEWS went...at least that's how the SHORT version of the BIG NEWS went

Yet another update to our house mess...

2007-06-25T14:14:00.000-04:00

I don't remember if I mentioned this yet or not, I don't believe I did, but our hot water heater hasn't been working for the last week or so...which means 3 very, VERY COLD SHOWERS!!! Let me tell you, those are something you would rather live without. However, today my main man Greg Colvin once again came over to save the day and fix it! He is also heading to our house sometime soon to install a new water softner...let me tell you, I am not digging the hard water. There is now bounce or fullness to my hair, it looks flat and stuff. Anyway I will be looking forward to a return to a (semi) normal house!

An update to our house mess...

2007-06-22T23:08:00.000-04:00

Well after finding the water in our house here is low down on what happened...

The day after we found the water mess I had to go to Grand Rapids for training for a position I am excepting (yes that's right, not many of you new I was taking on a new position did you?) This new position is honestly not worth the title on a business card as all it does is increase my responsibilities and not any new pay. Why take the position? (well now I am off topic because this is suppose to be about our house mess) because I can put it on my resume (and business card) and I can possibly receive more exposure. That's about it.

Anyway, while I was in training my mom (mad props to her) called our insurance to find out what to do about our mess (I probably wouldn't have called, what a mistake that would have been!) and they sent someone to our house in under a hour. The people analyzed our (now big) mess. Anyway, I don't know a ton about the whole situation because it involved me very little. My wife kept up with most of the contacts. So anyway, we found out about 4 days to late that we could have been staying in a hotel (we had been at my sisters...mad props to her and Mateo), so after booking it we had to cancel it, boooo.

Here is the result: Our kitchen, living room, and hall floor has to be replaced. Our carpet has to be replaced due to reoccurring salt stains that would never go away, and part of our walls have to be chopped out and re-done so that they will not harbor moisture, and more importantly fix the damage that has already been done to them. In addition to this we must replace the water softener and we will probably go ahead and repaint our entire house since we will be re doing all the floors and stuff. This is a good thing (a blessing in disguise) and if you don't believe me just ask my sister. I think she will tell you that we live in a pretty hideous house (Don't get me wrong, I like it, it's just...shall we say lacking). Then she will go ahead and tell you that it's a darn shame, darn shame that none of our furniture was damaged (as it's pretty hideous also, according to her). Sometimes one must suffer in one area in order to excel in others, Dana will tell you we suffer in the furniture category.

Anyway, we are a mere months away from normality due to the extended nature of replacing our entire flooring and parts of walls, as well as the rolls of tape that will be wasted that our rep's will have to cut through in order to get all of our expenses approved. Then there is the contractors and purchasing to due, as well as the insulation and prepping that will have to be done. Once everything is accomplished we should be sitting in a pretty good place...And in my opinion it will be time to sell :) We will see. For more info you can visit www.inyourdreamsifyouthinkireallycreatedawebsiteforthis.com however I may post pictures at some point soon. Later.

Home from our weekend away...

2007-06-18T22:20:00.000-04:00

Well we got home tonight from being out of town for the weekend only to return and see 3 inches of water in our laundry room and more in the kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Needless to say we were not exactly thrilled. So not only were we not able to start unpacking for quite some time but we also were not able to do the immediate cleaning that needed to be done. We do have this one friend Greg Colvin (mad props goes to him) that came out and helped us turn off the water softener and show us how to resolve the issue. He is absolutely an amazing guy to know.

On another note I received an email today from Phizer saying that while they were impressed with my past accomplishments and my interview, that I was no longer being considered as a candidate due to their decision to pursue other candidates at this time. They encouraged me to wait a year and then to re-apply with them in the future...maybe I will, I doubt it though. By that time I will be a nationally known entrepreneur! Anyway, I am cool with the decision and look forward to other opportunities....more later.

Up until now we had been doing the South Beach Diet, in which I had lost 10 pounds...however Friday's on Saturday, Pizza Hut on Sunday, and Hacienda on Monday means that while I ate fairly heathy (for restraunt food), if I intend to keep those pounds off then it's time to get serious again...So I will, starting tommorow.

Anyway, I guess you could say that we just had one real big welcome back to reality, after we arrived home from our weekend away

Funny Work Stories...Part 1

2007-06-16T01:46:00.000-04:00

So the Thursday I am at work and a guy comes in who is upset because he claims to have come into my store and made a payment that didn't get applied to his account...I would be upset to, so I sympathize with him and try to help him out, here is how the story goes:

I asked him for his receipt of payment (a natural first question), to which he pulls it out of his wallet (and the paper looks damp from sweat...gross huh?) and there is something odd about the receipt he gives me...There is nothing on it! Nothing, nada, zip zilch...To which I reply, 'Huh, there is nothing on here...You would think there would at least be something, a smear, a partial letter, a black hue on the paper, something'. He says, 'I know, the ink disappeared from the dampness'. Before you go crazy, let me just say that this does happen...to some extent, and what I mean by that is our receipt can fade a little, sometimes I have a hard time reading it...But his receipt he claims in only from the end of May. While it could fade fast, and it could be enhanced by the dampness (reasonable) it would be hard to go to a completely empty paper.

He then tells me he made the payment sometime after May 12th and before June 1st, probably around the 24th. Ok, sounds good...so I ask him 'How much did you pay?' He says '$181 and change plus the five dollar fee, so $186 or $187 because I remember telling the guy to go ahead and put the change on the account'. So I search our computer system for the amounts that he says and I find nothing. There is only one instance of a payment between $186.00 and 187.99 in the date range given and it was on another account. So we pull up that account and the transaction was for purchases NOT paying a bill. So in our entire company no one processed a payment for that amount in his time frame. I asked the guy if he used a check or credit or something were he could prove his payment some other way and he said it was a cash payment. I asked him if he was sure about the amount because I wasn't finding any transactions like that and he said yes. I asked him if he was sure it was our store because there are other Sprint stores in the area whose transactions we can't see, he said yes it was our store.

I really wanted to see anything on the receipt at all because if we posted the transaction to a different account (which happens every great while) then we could pull up the transaction that way. There was nothing it was blank. So I pull up the notes on his account...The only humans to touch his account during the time frame he gave me were customer service reps, no one in our store did (which would be likely if the payment posted to the wrong account). Unfortunately without an account number or the right time frame or the right amount it is impossible to find the transaction.

So I tell the guy, 'Listen, something your telling me is not adding up, you either didn't pay here (hence the amount not showing up in our system), or you have the wrong amount (hence it not showing up in our system) or didn't pay during the time frame you gave me (hence the amount not showing up in our computer) or it wasn't paid, because at this point there is no evidence that it was paid. He then precedes to ask me, 'Are you telling me I made a payment for $186-7 and you aren't going to help me find it?'. To which I respond, 'No sir, that's not what I am saying, I just spent the last 20 minutes trying to find your payment. What I am saying is that if you could show me proof, like a receipt...with writing...or a check or credit statement, or we could find the right amount in the time frame you gave us, then we could correct the mistake, but at this point I have shown you everything, every step of the way and it's not here'. Then I asked him if he was sure on ALL details and he said yes (that WAS his opportunity...oops). Then he begins to change and get very upset, he calls my manger the goofy guy over there in the corner, he precedes to talk about how he had to travel over 30 miles to get here and he works from 6:30 to midnight everyday (Huh, he doesn't eat?) and that we are going to fix it and someone is going to find his money. He also tells me that tomorrow he is coming in and my manager, me and him are all going to sit down in a room and figure out what to do about this (I am? Because he said so?). He also tells me to tell my boss that it needs to be fixed in the morning or we are going to have to call the cops because he is going to go off on someone (can you say PHYSCO?)

So anyway, he didn't come in today...and I think he truly does think he made the payment...But he didn't. Allot of times I think that if someone is trying to pull a fast one they start to get defensive the more you push, but he got more aggressive, since he truly thinks he did. Sometimes though people put money aside for things and think they are going to use it for something and they may even go out to get it but then something will happen and the money is gone but what happened doesn't keep in their memory and they still think they used the money for it's intended use. At some point they are usually bolted back to reality when something happens (much to late to go back to a store and apologize) but it becomes a learning lesson and they move on...and seriously, this guy needs to move on. I think this explains what happened to the guy, I think that he thinks he made the payment, but he didn't. Anyway that was an interesting story. Especially since I would tell him 'If you had a receipt...' and he would say 'I do have a receipt, it's just blank'....It was hard to keep a straight face :)

Moral of the story, when you are out in public be conscious of what you say and do, because you may sound as ridiculous as that guy. More stories to come later.

Good Night.

P.S. A big shout out goes to my bro in law Mateo for helping set up the software that I will build my website with.

Phizer Interview...

2007-06-08T23:15:00.000-04:00

Today I had my Phizer phone interview...and if this was not a pharmaceutical company I am sure I would have nailed it. Since Phizer is a pharmaceutical company I have no idea, but I don't think it looks good. One of the questions Beverly asked me was what research did I do for the phone interview? Needless to say this caught me completely off guard. I think I recovered well by telling her that I spent time at the Phizer website, viewed many other pharmaceutical companies websites and job positions to better understand the industry, and that I spent time talking to as many people as I new or people I knew of who were in the pharmaceutical industry...all of these things I have done, not completely in preparation for the phone interview but still...It's just things like that, you know? Totally unprepared but still a good talker, just not sure if I told her what she wanted to hear.

Like I said, and retail sales, entry level sales, and some mid level sales (assistant manager, manager, etc) these things would have worked on them, but alas, pharmaceutical sales is not entry level sales or middle management, they are usually the best and most professional sales people out there. Anyway, I will hear something in two weeks or less regarding my status with them.

Anyway, part of the reason I am not feeling so confident is that some questions caught me off guard and I would ask her to repeat them so I could come up with an answer (this happened twice), there were also many vague gernaralities designed to enhance my current skill sets but by placing them into a field/industry that I have never worked in, so in effect I was trying to tell her what she wanted to hear without having any idea what that was...Needless to say it leaves you in the dark as to how the interview went, since I was trying to tell her what she wanted to hear and I didn't know if I was spot on or not it would be difficult to determine if I hit the nail on the head...wouldn't you agree?

At the end of the call...this is the thing that makes me most nervous, she asked if I had any questions and I asked if I could follow up with her later and she said no we will contact you, which was just a stupid get comfortable transition phrase, get on your good graces thing that turned out annoying her because she had just said we will contact you. Then I asked her if the position they were still looking to fullfil was in the greater South Bend area since she asked me if I would be willing to relocate...it was after this question that there seemed to be lots of clunks and noises on the other end as if she dropped the phone or something before the phone went silent and the call ended (she was on speaker phone), but I dare not call her back because she had already told me twice they would call me back...

I have never not got invited to a second interview after a phone interview, but I think this will be my first, which is ok because realistically this job is out of my league, sure I can learn on the fly and probably/would become very successfully, but really, I don't have any training for it or anything.

The other thing about this position is that I was thinking about Dan Millers book 48 Days to the Work You Love, and I am not 100% sure it would be the work I love, there are things I would and after today at work I am more ready than ever to leave, but I guess I just want to make sure...

I am at the point about it were I think I won't and if I do...I will be very happy. Lately I have really been trying to ask God everyday what is it that you have for me today? If I do that faithfully then He will guide me and take care of my job and career, it's when I do things on my own that I get in trouble...and this Phizer job I did on my own. So, if I get it, it's by God's grace and He allowed it, but if I don't then great and I will countinue now more than ever to seek God and allow for Him to decide where I turn up next...

It's late and I am sure that this is a more than adequate description of the whole 20 miniute phone interview so... Good Night.

Welcome Home

2007-05-31T10:26:00.000-04:00

Well we are home, finally. Once home life kinda hits you, here is what I did:
-Met with a realtor who is selling our rental properties
-Went to the post office to send out a eBay sale
-Filled my car with gas for the coming week and got a car wash
-Stopped at the store to buy eggs for rivels...yum!
-Stopped at the bank to deposit money in the night deposit box
-Mowed the lawn
-Had supper
-Cleaned the windows and the upholstery in our cars
-Balanced our checkbook
-Checked emails and wrote on my Xanga!

Now, aren't you all glad I told you that? Tomorrow I work...like I said, welcome home, huh?

Vacation

2007-05-29T13:50:00.000-04:00

A couple of nights ago Autumn found out her grandma died while we were gone so that cut our trip in half...we are now back in hoosier land but we won't be home until wednesday night or so. We are still going to spend the rest of the week resting...it will just be in Indiana instead of somewhere else. Later.

Odd's and End's...

2007-05-26T11:16:00.000-04:00

Some news, we found out today that my manager at work has now interviewed a second candidate for assistant manager (after the first one turned down the job...on his first day!). Now after interviewing a second one that guy is now hired, it seems my manager is extremely hard to please when choosing people. Anyway, what can you do?

Also, we are on vacation...what a great and over due thing! We are currently at the Brock's house but tommorrow afternoon we are traveling to see the Klien's and we will be staying at their house until Thursday around lunch time. I have really appreciated seeing the Brock's and spending time with them again, they have been good host's. It's hard not to spend some time checking e-mails, thinking and talking about work, but I find that getting my mind off of work is a very good thing to do. Where we are there is no cell phone service (for Sprint...well most companies actually) so I have had my phone off the entire time...I think that has been good for me. For someone who spends so much time on and around phones not having one has been...pleasant. Don't get me wrong I am not ready to give it up or move out here or anything, I just have enjoyed the break.

I have been interviewing around town, not coming up with much, one that I probably could have had (but wasn't interested in) and one that I was interested in but turned out...it was a horrible match, they wanted me to interview but I decided against it. And a final (for now it looks like) candidate has emerged, not 100% on the fit, although I would like to find out more because, you know, I am adaptable...especially for this company. I have a phone interview coming up next week we will see how it goes. We will keep the company nameless for now, but depending on how things turn out I will tell you later...if I don't forget.

Lastly, we are not going to be getting the house we wanted. A while back I said there was a secret and that secret was putting an offer on a house, which someone trumped big time and took the house out of the range we felt comfortable with. Their offer has not been accepted but it most certainly will be at some point (I imagine). I am ok with it, the house was amazing but I don't think that's where God is leading us to right now so we will be patient.

I have another post on the back burner...I will post it sometime this week it we get a lul and don't have anything to do. Have a good night.

Rather funny...or not. Depends on your point of view.

2007-05-14T22:28:00.000-04:00

Today was to be the day when two new hires were suppose to report to work...one did. One reported long enough to tell our manager that he had accepted another position with a different company for twice his base salary at our store. He accepted that position...This morning! I say it's funny depending on your position because the regional manager asked me and a co-worker to submit a job interest form for the Assistant Manager position. Then they never even interviewed either one of. Instead they hired an outside candidate for the position...someone who reported the first day, only to resign immediately. Do you think an internal candidate would have done that, no they wouldn't, but...you know, depends on your point of view.

It's been a while...

2007-05-02T21:41:00.000-04:00

It has been a while since I posted last...I try to keep up to date but it's hard since I have so many sites to check. I have been keeping a facebook now so you can all check me out over there as well. No assistant manager position but oh well, moving on...I have been busy trying to learn Joomla! so that I can create a website, or start over rather. My site is going to be called myChristianConnection.org but it is currently out of production. Once up and running I want all of you to tell as many people about it as possible and use it as much as you can, I think you will like it. Next on my agenda is ...well that is a secret you may or may not find out soon enough. Until the next time it's been a while, God Bless.

ND Blue Gold Game!!!

2007-04-21T20:33:00.000-04:00

What a wonderful day for a football game, not a cloud in the sky and it's a perfect 72 degrees in South Bend, IN for this Blue Gold game 2007 edition. Lou Holtz has been named honorary coach for the Gold team and Ara Parsegian has been named the coach of the Blue team. Charlie Weis has had a QB dilemma on his hands since the departure of Brady Quinn after last years Fiesta Game loss to LSU. As a result Coach Weis has been giving equal time to all 4 QB's on the roster in an attempt to find the heir apparent to Quinn. Today's starting quarterbacks have been determined by a coin flip and Jimmy Clawson is going to be the starter for the Blue team and Zack Frasier for the Blue team.
...
After what has been a some what uneventful day what have we learned? Well to start off the Gold team won the game by a score of 10-6 in what was mostly a run oriented game. Neither QB really jumped out at you and just wowed you, but seems to be largely by design. Sr running back Junier Jabbey was the offensive player of the game and David Bruton was named the defensive player of the game. Bruton had an interception and run back for a touchdown and Jabbey ran for almost 90 yards on only 13 carries. Today a new record was set for the Notre Dame spring Blue Gold game with 51,852 in attendance and who still felt strongly for Lou Holtz as several times the entire stadium yelled Lou in unison. This spring game, in all reality, probably means very little in the grand scheme of things as far as who ends up lining up where, but you can sense that there is excitement in the air again for Fighting Irish football.

Video Chat-ting...

2007-04-11T21:50:00.000-04:00

The webcam....yep the thing that absolutely exploded about 2 years ago, we are finally catching on. We are using it (when it works) and learning, we are constantly learning. Let me tell you the single most important thing about using the webcam to chat with people, it's to make sure that person is normal. Yep, that's it. It may seem simple but it is often overlooked. If you have ever looked at someone and thought that person is a little abnormal then you don't want to do a webcam with that person. Every person who uses a webcam experiences this uncontrollable urge to do every little immature thing they can think of just because they are on camera, believe me-if we knew you would do what you are doing now we would not have let you have a camera. To those of you who may or may not be reading this, and who find these urges irresistible (you know who you are)...seriously, you need help.

If you want to help people out maybe you can wear a sign that says "Hi, I am too immature to use a webcam, I constantly find myself doing stupid immature stuff. If I ask you to do a webcam with me or you find yourself wanting to do a video-chat with me, don't. You will regret it. I am not capable of being normal in a video-chat setting."

Confrence time...

2007-04-05T10:57:00.000-04:00

Recently we attended a small time conference held locally on spiritual warfare, it came at the right time and was the right message for our family. It's been cool to see the things that God has been doing lately. For a long time it seemed like me personally i was at a stand still or regression but come to find out I was but it was because there was something stopping me up. Kinda like recently when our sink was clogged and we had to eliminate the clog before we could use our sink. Now it seems that things are flowing again and its nice. I tell you what, sometimes we forget but we have a pretty good God.

I have a friend that I met in November when he got a job at my company. He had recently moved up here from Florida (he is a little confused) Two days

2007-03-16T00:10:00.000-04:00

I have a friend that I met in November when he got a job at my company. He had recently moved up here from Florida (he is a little confused) Two days or so into the new job he already didn't like it and was contemplating quiting. One day he told me when I ended up switching stores he didn't know how he would make it. Well the day came and I switched store and a few days later he didn't come-back from lunch, he was done. As he was looking for a new job he said he would probably have to move back to Florida to get his old job back because of the job market in this area.

Then I talked to him later in the day and he said he was going to end up staying...Tonight I talked to him again and it looks official this time, he is moving back to Florida, to witch I say...Can I come to? J/K but I do say this, Goodbye my good friend, goodbye smiller, we could have had a lot of fun making fun of you and your wife for having the same name or for going to wal-mart on your lunch every day to buy juice, or for always going in the back by yourself (i don't think we ever found out what you were really doing back there did we?). It was real, it was fun, but it wasn't long enough. Good bye smiller, good bye.

One of the better scenes you will ever see...

2007-03-01T19:31:00.000-05:00

This scene is from the amazingly famous and heralded movie Zero Effect...which most of you have never heard of.

This scene takes place in an airport in Portland, and in my opinion is one of the funnier scenes you will ever see. Agent Zero is played by Bill Pullman and Steve Arlo is played by Ben Stiller.

Agent Zero (disguised) passes his sidekick Steve Arlo on an escalator and wispers...
Agent Zero: "Wait at the end" (As Steve is waiting at the end of the escalator a phone in a row of phonebooth's nearby begins ringing in the background, he picks it up)
Steve Arlo: "Hello, Steve Arlo.....I really hope your being followed"
Agent Zero: (In a phone booth somewhere) "You can't be to careful.....Because we need to talk now.....First of all......How was your trip"
Steve Arlo: "Fine"
Agent Zero: "Good...Alright, I just left Stark at the gym, some major revelations, the guy is a mess, somebody is holding something really serious over his head, and I don't think it has anything to do with money. First of all he doesn't move like a white collared criminal, you should see the way he walks, his shoulders ride at ear level, also he cut himself shaving three times in the last ten days or so, these are symptoms of a deeply ingrained paranoid fear (takes his glasses off)...a fear of being found out. (Camera goes back to when they were at the gym together) I get on a treadmill next to his and I get it mine going his exact same pace, I eventually ask him what level is he running at, I guess 8 and he said level 7, I am running at the same speed he is...Level 5. He'd sooner lie to a complete stranger than admit running 3 levels below my guess, as soon as I talk to him he runs the other way it's conditioning though, a reflex, he obviously didn't think to connect me to the blackmail business at all, if he would have expected me, he would have remembered my name, which...he didn't. Also, like most Ivy League graduates he drops his alma mater...with almost no prompting whatsoever, I say Celtics he says Cambridge. Oh, yea, the gentleman prefers redheads, he lusts after his red-haired masseuse, you can tell by the way he takes his massage, its more of a fantasized...everyday at the same time with the same woman. Oh, I found an old email message from Clearburg, Kinda cryptic, the note said 'Thorough check finds no boxer with the name K.V.' K.V. are obviously initials so we have to figure out what they stand for...lets see, what else? Ehhh, thats the important stuff."
Steve Arlo: "Daryl"
Agent Zero: "Shh, Sergio, Sergio Night"
Steve Arlo: "Right, whatever, can I ask you a question?"
(Camera pans back to see both men sitting in the same row of phone booths)
Agent Zero: "What's that"
Steve Arlo: "Why are we talking on the phone?"
Agent Zero: "I told you...you can't be to careful" (he puts his glasses back on) "Two guys...in an airport...talking...its a little fishy."
Steve Arlo: "Why are we even in an airport, why don't we just leave?"
Agent Zero: "Ok, I see the confusion, see...I need more research, I need you to go back to L.A. to get in the computer and get some things, and while you are there I need you to break into Clearburg's computer and pull anything pertinent, I have written out elaborate directions , they are in an envelope in the phonebook...in front of you...turn to rentals and I will meet you at the hotel tonight when you get back."
Steve Arlo: "Wait a minute, are you telling me that instead of calling me you had me fly up here (to Portland from L.A.) so you could tell me to go straight back to the computer (in L.A.) and fly back again (to Portland) tonight?"
Agent Zero: "It wasn't an emergency, there was no reason to risk the long distance lines...they listen you know?"
(Steve Arlo very frustrated)
Agent Zero: (in a very weird voice says) "Steve, are you still there?", "Hey, Steve?"
Steve Arlo: "No." (Hangs up the phone and walks away)

Anyway this scene is great and I am about ready to watch this movie for the third time and I have only known about it's existence since Andrew was born, so...that proves that I really like it. And I would encourage everyone else to watch it. You can only find it at a couple of movie places so you may want to call ahead and see if it's available. I know the Hollywood video has it on Michigan and Ireland, but it's out until Tue Midnight :) so you may want to check for it elsewhere.

I hope you have enjoyed this as much as I have (I had to watch the scene almost 3 times to write this...:) )

Christian thoughts...

2007-02-25T18:25:00.001-05:00

Would it matter to your faith (or Biblically) if Jesus had a son? A news article about Kirk Cameron (the left behind movie star) says they have found the cave were they think Jesus was buried...Included in the cave were the remains of several others including Judas the son of Jesus...Link Here

What does that mean to you and me, that someone isn't very good at archeology or should we examine what that would mean to each of us? I don't know, haven't spent much time on it, but someone says that this son could be the 'Lad' that was laying on Jesus at the last supper. Many people seem to think that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, they think the 'Lad' is there kid...How would that effect our faith if Jesus was married, does the Bible say he wasn't? It may also explain why Mary Magdalene was at the cross in John 19:25...

I am not jumping to conclusions but rather asking questions...What types of questions does this create for you?

What do you think?

2007-02-11T21:39:00.000-05:00

So here I am sitting in my chair watching the apprentice (which is a fan favorite at our house) and I started thinking..."Do you think God may ever ask you to do something that would have a negative result, just so He could teach you if you do such and such then blank will happen?" On the surface you may think that God would never do that...so lets dig deeper.

Why may God do that?
He may be trying to teach you something, maybe you will need that experience later on in your life, or maybe we don't need to know why and His ways are higher than ours...

Why wouldn't God do that?
Because as humans we don't think it makes sense, it's not logical, and because as humans we don't think it makes sense. Which is the only reason that I could come up with, so what are your thoughts.

Let's really spark the controversy, ok? I think He would / may...tell me why I am wrong.

More News...

2007-02-08T01:27:00.000-05:00

Web site developement is going very well, I was able to accomplish a lot today. In case some of you might have missed it I am building a web page for Christians to network with each other with in a business context. So, let's say Christian A is looking for a used car. Christian A can access my web site and search for all of the used car sales professionals within a certain zip code or they could search by city, state, church currently attending, or by all other alumni from their school. In this search Christian B pops up and they can email each other, set up a time to do the transaction, and know they are dealing with someone they can trust. At the end of the transaction the buyer has the opertunity (obligation?) to leave feed back on Christian B so others know that they can trust that person. Who knows they may even attend the same church as that person! Hopefully the Body of Christ will find this very useful. The site is called:

myChristianConnection.org

and if you click on the link it should take you there. It is live, meaning if you go there it's up and running and you can take a look around. You won't be able to access a lot of the content because in order to do that you would have to be registered and right now i don't believe you can. If you do...well how bout this, lets all hold off until i give the go ahead because I still need to do some testing and finishing touches on it. I will however like it if everyone signs up once it is available. It is only going to be successful if people use it. Anyway, go ahead and bookmark it now so that once it's up and running you will be also! Good night!

New Computer...

2007-02-07T00:30:00.000-05:00

Very exciting news, we just got a new computer!!! We had been looking at getting a new computer since about October of last year. Then it came to fruition on Friday night. Friday i went to look at Best Buy (I had been searching online for weeks) found a computer i liked, it went on sale on Sunday, and we bought it on Monday! It is a very exciting time! I am writing on it now, and it will be my primary computer for finishing my website...

Anyway, its big news in our family so i thought I would share, have a good day!

A fun, no make that a VERY fun post...Enjoy.

2007-02-03T00:25:00.000-05:00

This post is dedicated to Parrott Family members everywhere, but especially to Anthony and anyone who has married into our family. There truly is no one else like us

Dana Schmana: are you going to buy a laptop

Dana Schmana: or do you mean a spiral notebook

Dana Schmana: lol

Parrott84: a spiral notebook...its very important to but the right one, it effects so many aspects of your life that you can't make it a rush decision

Dana Schmana: I know, its like, "wide-rule" or.... "COLLEGE-rule?!?!!?"

Dana Schmana: and then there's the color. The brand. Recycled or not recycled.

Dana Schmana: it's enough to give me a headache, that's for sure.

Parrott84: blue outside or wacky design, separators or single notebook

Parrott84: it’s a lot of options to consider

Parrott84: I was thinking about getting a college team on the outside but then I was thinking maybe just plan and simple so I can create my own masterpiece

Dana Schmana: maybe you should get some professional input

Parrott84: anyway, autumn and I are praying about it...

Dana Schmana: it's a major financial commitment

Parrott84: there is a good chance this whole discussion is going into my blog...!

Dana Schmana: that way other people can be reminded of the things they need to consider

Parrott84: true

Dana Schmana: I’m all about preventing rash decisions that you might regret later, when you're trying to write in your notebook but somethings not quite right.

Parrott84: and Anthony can point to my blog as an example of what others can/may aspire to

Dana Schmana: exactly. Maybe instead of posting in your blog you should write it down in your shiny new notebook.

Parrott84: then I may be wasting paper and who knows, if I run out I will need to make another notebook decision sooner than I may have anticipated. That would then force Autumn and I to re-evaluate our budget in order to allow for another notebook. I mean maybe I should be looking into notebook insurance in case it gets damaged, wasted paper, or rained on, at what expense can I chance this type of purchase, at some point it's going to be too much.

Dana Schmana: maybe you should stick with loose-leaf.

Dana Schmana: I can see it's really stressing you out.

Parrott84: do I buy a binder for it?

Parrott84: 2 rings or 3 rings?

Dana Schmana: skip the binder

Dana Schmana: are you going to keep your desktop?

Parrott84: If I go with the binder I can get one with plastic on the outside and then put photos on the front or I could print up something with my name and address on it...

I hope everyone enjoyed this, I know Dana and I did...

It's been a while...

2007-02-03T00:24:00.000-05:00

Things have been status quo lately, obviously lots is always going on, right now it's just not that interesting. We did get a new manager at my new store...and my new store did VERY well last month. It's a good thing (about the new manager) because he is very focused and accomplished, i think he will be very good for our store. Apparently it's gonna be cold this weekend, my sister seams quite fond of reminding me of this (oh the torture of living in the Midwest and the pleasures of lake effect!!!) I think it's worse knowing my mom is on a cruise in the Bahamas during the worst of it..she had VERY GOOD timing!

I am looking for a laptop, that would be exciting news, however as of right now i am only looking and that's not so exciting...I am actually looking for lots of stuff, but until i find it you will be left guessing at what those things are (hint: i am not looking for my socks!). Anyway, it's late and i need some sleep soooo....(sweet bahamas cruise dreams)

More Logos...

2007-01-19T23:45:00.000-05:00

What do you think of these Logos? And do you like no.3 better than the previous post's version?

1.

2.

3.

4.

Booo!

2007-01-16T01:46:00.000-05:00

My mom in-law went home last night...makes it tough for a while. She had been here since the day after we came home with Drew. It is amazing, I now know why people pay her to clean their houses, I know i would! However being the son in-law has it's advantages because I DIDN'T have to pay her! However she spent allot of quality time with her baby grandkids and for her that was more than payment enough (though i still would have paid her!).

Anyways...I wanna give MAD PROPS TO THE MOM IN-LAW!!!

She is out there somewhere. She probably won't read this...but if you do, thanks. (If you want to do it again sometime I promise not to stay up to late typing were you are sleeping...again. )

Some things husbands may need...

2007-01-11T20:04:00.000-05:00

Things husbands will need if they have a wife who has a c-section:

Ingredients include:
1 quilt (in a plastic protective bag)
1 towel (for the wife's stomach)
3 decorative bed pillows
3 regular pillows
3 blankets

Then, once you have everything begin to construct as follows:
1. Put the quilt upright (as opposed to flat on the bed) against the headboard.
2. Put 2 of the decorative pillows next to the quilt, also upright.
3. Put the remaining decorative pillow flat on the bed to create a transition.
4. Lay two blankets stacked on top of one another folding the blanket into thirds with one third folded onto one other third, this way you are creating double thickness and thus giving the pillows an upward slant.
5. Lay one pillow at an upward angle from the bottom blanket towards the top of our little hill.
6. Place the final blanket on top of the quilt.
7. Place a pillow on top of the quilt.
8. Place the final pillow on top of part of the first pillow and on top of the second pillow (which is also on top of the quilt).
9. Double check you creation with the picture below to ensure proper construction.
10. Get some sleep, if you wife had a c-section that means you probably have a crying baby.

This should help your wife out in the case that:
A. Your wife really misses the hospital bed, or
B. You forget to pick up the medicine on your way home from the hospital and your wife has to go the first night without it.

Your bed may need to stay this way for as little as one night to as long as one week, BE PREPARED!!!

One last note, yes, you will in fact be looking at a stack of pillows and blankets and not at your wife if you (the husband) roll over to look at her while you are both in bed. This will create the feeling of being at the bottom of a mountain and tou are looking up at the top (a really, really close mountain mind you).

Hope this helps for all those people out there who were wondering how to do this.

New Baby!!!

2007-01-09T00:46:00.000-05:00

1/6/07 will be the birthday of our new baby (don't ask me how i feel about that), we will be arriving at the hospital at about 8:30 Sat. morning and staying there for 3-4 days. Looking forward to it...stay tuned for the name announcement.

Andrew is here...

2007-01-08T13:28:00.000-05:00

Andrew Levi Parrott is his name...i thank all of you who have come to see him and will come to see him. There is nothing greater than celebrating life changing events like this than to be with people you care about.

Here are the details:

He was born at 11:41
He wighed 6.7
He was 20 inches long
He has very dark hair
I will try to post some pics tonight for everyone.

Saddam...

2006-12-31T02:37:00.000-05:00

You can read more about him here, but here are my thoughts.

At a time were the US was shaken to its core from the largest terrorism attack on our soil we were left grasping for meaning, answers, and revenge. President Bush received more support and his approval rating skyrocketed through the roof with his leadership during the crises. Shortly after Americans began to pull themselves together our sights were set on Iraq, and most notably, Saddam. An Iraq invasion that led to him being dragged out of a hole in the middle of nowhere, recently he was hung.

When you think about what goes on emotionally during this process, it confuses logic. Saddam was convicted not even 60 days ago, today he is dead. This had made me think allot about the situation lately. Many times in America prisoners sit in cells for the better parts of their lives waiting to be executed, Saddam had less than two months. Don't get me wrong I am not grieving for him...they described the execution in one article and someone was making fun of him as he was getting ready to be hung and he said 'Go to hell!', as far as we know those are his last words....I think that shows us a little about his character. Can you imagine you are being led up to a platform looking around seeing everyone, you get up to the platform to meet 3-4 guys in black hoods, someone puts a rope around your neck and then blindfolds you. A couple seconds go by and you instantly fall to your death.

What kind of thoughts are going through your head, what kind of fears? What kind of emptiness? In one of the article I was reading they said he had 400 of the top leaders in his nation come to a meeting where he claimed there was a plot to over through him and he read there names out loud and people came in the room and arrested and killed the people as he read their names....What were those people thinking? Later it was found out there was no plot...except for Saddam to be able to execute his top challengers.

I think about the death penalty and question the morality of it and I am very strong in my stance on it right now...I am completely for it in most cases, I think anyone who intentionally kills 5 or more needs to pay for it and it needs to be carrier our quicker than it is, but I am not sure about people who kill fewer than people, I think it depends on the heinousness of the crime. This stance though....does not prevent me from contemplating the tragedy of death and the death penalty and what those people go through.

Anyone who hates, anyone who is so evil as to look at someone begging for mercy and kill them anyway, anyone who murders the defenseless, or who gets a high from killing, those people need to be rid of. This is were my faith makes things hard because the price has already been paid, still I am definitely for the death penalty. The less of these people who are in the world the better...still, does the evil go away or just the person?

This event, this place in time with Saddam being hung will forever be recorded in history and we are experiencing it right now...I guarantee the more you know about Saddam the more you will see his death as justified, but is always think about the mindset of the person dying. Whether its a person who was the killer, like Saddam, or the people he killed and there terror they experienced. I can't handle it long, but I can't not think about it. I feel sorry for Saddam, the emotional turmoil he experienced, but he made choices and those choices have consequences. Did you know this guy was worth approximately 7B when he died? Yes that's a 'B' as in billion. This was a guy who saw himself as untouchable and got his way with what he wanted, he enjoyed playing God. And now he has met Him...and it's to late.

Regular lurks feel free to comment...

January 1st

2006-12-28T23:28:00.000-05:00

January 1st I will be starting my new position at the South Bend Sprint Store location. Basically i will be transfered from my current location at the Mishawaka Store to the South Bend Store. This does come with a promotion and a little bit of a pay raise (very excited), but more importantly....well I guess that's the most important part. The position is the exact same thing I do now but I get a higher hourly pay plus my codes will be able to over-ride more things. I will also be relied on more to open, close, and be involved with some managing of the sales floor. In the new position I am not quite management but more than just a rep, I guess that's good.

I tallked to my regional manager on the way home from Christmas and he will be expecting a lot of things from me that I have no experience in or qualifications and will receive no training (gotta love iPCS). Not only that but I will only be at the new store a week and then i will need to take a week off when we have our baby. On top of that the manager at the new store is leaving around the time I take off to have our baby. This means I will have more responsibility than normal due to extenuating circumstances. Anyway I thought I would let everyone know.

P.S. Is anyone making any temporary new year resolutions? I will be making the normal:
1. Spend more time with God / Family
2. Get my website up and running
3. Loose weight
4. Save up an emergency fund (check daveramsey.com for details)
5. New House
What about you?

Christmas Break...

2006-12-27T22:21:00.000-05:00

Most of us associate breaks as a period of time between two busy normal periods of time. Christmas break was exacly that. I had four days off in a row, but there was no break as i was gone non-stop. Sunday i went in to work for 30 min. to get a phone for my grandma. Then to Goshen...up all night early to rise (ok so we got up at 10 am but we were operating on about 6 hrs. of sleep...and i am not in college anymore so it's not working for me.)

Then Monday, wake up do gifts with family, extended faminly, then off to Angola where we were up all night and early to rise (ok so we got up at 10 am but we were operating on about 6 hrs. of sleep...and i am not in college anymore so it's not working for me.).

Then Tuesday, wake up do gifts with in-law family, and watch movie's all night and early to rise for sweeper evaluations Wensday (ok so we got up at 10 am but we were operating on about 6 hrs. of sleep...and i am not in college anymore so it's not working for me.) Sweeper guy comes, we say let us think about it then pack up and off we go to our home....BUT a detour sends us off couse and to the Essenhaus (which means eating house) for supper before going home, staying up late to update my blog for all you folks and early to rise for work (ok so work starts at 10 am but i will be operating on about 6 hrs. of sleep...and i am not in college anymore so it's not working for me.)

So you see there was no break (i get there were a few gaps in time but when you are not at home you are always kind of 'on' so in that respect there is no break).

I hope you all enjoyed my story, my Christmas was productive in landing me some favorite movies, two new pairs of jeans (get it pairs...ok) and shirts. Some nice candy (unfortunately no new belts ) and some other stuff... I forgot to say it on the 25th so i will say it now and you all will just have to forgive my tardy-ness...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Tonight at the Mishawaka Sprint Store...

2006-12-23T00:30:00.000-05:00

Last night ended with a bang at work. We had a couple guys come into the store some Notre Dame fans may have heard of, so i thought i would list them here:
Munir Prince
Kallen Wade
Barry Gallup
Derrel Hand
Asaph Schwapp
David Grimes
Tom Zbikowski

Some others i have met at work include:
Mark LeVoire & Here (Now plays for the Bears)
Bob Morton
Demetrius Jones
Richard Jackson
Evan Sharpley
Chase Anastasio
Ryan Harris
Mitchell Thomas
Marcus Freeman

And i have also met Justing Upton, #1 draft pick in all of MLB in 2006, cool huh?

Website...

2006-12-21T19:17:00.000-05:00

I am creating a website, i thought everyone would like to know. Please don't start calling me Ant all at the same time

p.s. no offense to Ant, while he may be ok with being in my shoes...i don't want to trade shoes with him, he has stinky feet.

thoughts.....

2006-12-17T02:32:00.000-05:00

While I was walking tonight I was thinking that what I am looking for in a church is a place where people take God home with them after the service instead of leaving Him in their pews with their now discarded bulletins. Anyway just some thoughts.

posting from my treo ;)

2006-12-13T19:42:00.000-05:00

Today I was talking to a friend and while I was talking to him I think I realized the difference between a life totally surrendered to God and a Christian who is still in control. And while I am the latter I think to someone who is completely surrendered it must be sad to see those who aren't. Let me tell you it challenges me to surrender myself.

New Phone...

2006-12-07T22:37:00.000-05:00

I recently got a new phone! It is a Palm Treo 700wx and looks like this. Needless to say I am very happy about this new development and will update you all as much as is necessary.

Basketball...

2006-12-05T11:36:00.000-05:00

Last night I got the opportunity to get back on the basketball court after a 1 year layoff. So sure, I was a little rusty, a little slower than last time, and a little winded. You should have seen me dunk though, it was tight! Anyway, one of the many times I went sky high into the air to block a pass I came down the wrong way on my left leg and severely sprained my knee (so severely I went to MedPoint, so you know it was serious). Before everyone goes crazy, my team will be fine and we should still make the playoffs, however, I will be on injured reserve for about the next 6 weeks so….what can you do? Anyway, I thought you would all want to know. You also may get the urge to laugh at me when you see how much I am limping, but trust me, that wouldn’t be a good idea. You may be the next thing to get dunked when I get back on the court!

Check out a few logo's will you?

2006-11-30T23:01:00.000-05:00

I would like people to tell me what they like or what they would change about the logo's they like. Or if you want to create your own and show me. I need your help. To view the logo's you will have to access a lost website found here. To create your own logo go here. You may need to create an account but it is fun and FREE. Enjoy.

myChristianConnection.org Logo's

2006-11-30T22:30:00.000-05:00

Here are some logos i am trying to decide about, please help.

Logo 1

Logo 2

Logo 3

Logo 4

Logo 5

It's been a while...oops.

2006-11-28T11:10:00.000-05:00

Lately i have been forgetting to post...sorry. I was talking to a friend the other day about making large life decisions and he asked me if i would view the life decision as running to something or running away from something....it's important that we keep a perspective on life that is Godly and humble and we know that whatever it is in life that we are suppose to do, we do for the glory of God. All to many times i take it for granted that this life is not my own and i think i get to make all the choices, which i do but usually i mess them up, when i choose God it's better. Again, when i choose God it's better.

Right now i am at a point in life where i don't know what i want to do, i don't know where or when i want to do it. However if i made the choice last week it would have been different because i was in a different mental state then. I am glad i didn't choose last week. Now i choose God. It is a hard choice to always do the will of God, and i will definitely fail, boy will i fail, but i choose God.

By the way, T-minus 6 weeks and counting for little tyke number 2.

Road trip

2006-11-19T11:25:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow I go on a road trip. About 6 hours to somewhere in PA, then we hang out and come 6 hrs back, should be fun.

Trip details..some at least.

2006-11-17T15:21:00.000-05:00

I am back from Denver, what a trip….it was interesting. We went out and prayed at Columbine High School. We also prayed throughout various parts of the city of Denver. We also visited the Children’s Hospital, that place will really make you think and I will probably post more on that later. Being able to see the mountains and everything really was amazing. I think that it would be a cool place to live. I also met a guy who does exactly what I want to do with a website idea. That was my trip, more later.

Going to Denver...

2006-11-13T00:51:00.000-05:00

I leave in roughly 9 hrs. to go to Denver. What am I going to be doing there? Good question. This trip has been planned for a while now and it's finally here. I may update you all throughout the trip...or I may not. Either way I will update everyone when I am back...that I am, in fact, back. People seriously though, it's ok to post once in a while and I am waiting for someone to write me the first story, from my previous post.

Relational story's.

2006-11-11T00:55:00.000-05:00

I had an idea late one night while I was on a walk and wanted to get everyone’s help on it. It seems that everyone has had a moment in time where Jesus did something for them, maybe you had timing just work out for you, or someone said the right thing at the right time or maybe it was a chapel service, if everyone feels comfortable with it, it would be cool if you would share one of your relational moments with me. If you don’t feel comfortable with it then maybe you can just e-mail it to me via the message me link on my info. I am very interested in reading these and I think it would help others.

New Location...

2006-11-07T21:45:00.000-05:00

Well it looks like i will be working out of a new location so if you want or need Sprint cell phone service you will need to find me at the South Bend location. I will be taking the Sr Rep. position soon. Dates are not finalized as of yet but i have been given the nod by my District Manager so...yea for me!!!

Ted Haggard situation: Part 2

2006-11-07T00:09:00.000-05:00

It seems that lots of people don’t know who Ted Haggard is; this made me think a bit. Ted Haggard was listed by Time Magazine as one of the 25 most influential evangelicals found Here. This is important because if we don’t know who the most influential people of our faith are, or we don’t know what they believe, it leaves us open to deception and makes our faith vulnerable. This is because the people who are fighting for us and telling us what is wrong or right, we know nothing about. Now there is no shame in not knowing who Ted Haggard is because when I looked at the top 25 I only knew of about 5 of them, and I have taken many courses & study on evangelical beliefs and values, but we need to do better at knowing who the Christian leaders are. And, Ted Haggard would have been one of the better known evangelicals on the list.

This does make me think that as Christians we need to be less accepting of what people tell us and spend more time finding out what we believe and why we believe it. Many denominations are based on the beliefs of a single man, including Wesleyans, Lutherans, and others. It is interesting to study there lives and then you begin to find out why you or your church believe the way you do. Ted Haggard had a church of about 14,000 that he founded in his basement. His congregation was utterly shocked by the news of what happened found Here. After seeing what happened to him, it makes you question what he told you, even if only a little bit.

In the end it’s disappointing that someone of Haggard’s influence allowed this to happen, but we are human, and David had his problems with Bathsheba so…Who’s to say what about Ted. As the body of Christ some say we are just sinners that have been saved by grace, I think Ted was shown the grace of God by this situation being brought out into the light. But, let’s all make sure that we don’t have any area’s of darkness left in us, and lets not take shortcuts to God’s will. There is a reason and a plan for everything we do, when we allow our focus to not be on God…our world falls apart and if we fight God on breaking us…the breaking will be greater.

Thoughts brought about by ... the Ted Haggard situation

2006-11-04T00:23:00.000-05:00

Just a thought about the whole Ted Haggard thing…I don’t know if he did everything he was accused of or not…but I think it brings up an interesting thought. In America you can grow up to be anyone and do anything, there are no limits to what you can do it you commit yourself. I think sometimes as Christian’s in America we are the same way, we are able to pastor mega-churches, etc. if we set our mind to it.

Now the problems arise when we move to quickly, questions such as is it God’s will get pushed to the backburner, if we are successful it must be God’s will. This is not to say that Ted Haggard’s church is only successful because of Ted Haggard and not God, but it makes you think.

In America I don’t believe we are forced to sacrifice, to be purified by the fire in order to achieve success or even greatness. In America I believe what we see is that people who aren’t ready, who take shortcuts, end up with things catching up with them. Now please don’t think for one minute that I think Ted Haggard is guilty, a great thing about America is that we are innocent until proven guilty (at least by trial, if not by the media).

If we want to live Holy lives devoted only to God, I believe that not only does God have to purify us (and who knows He may chose to purify us through bringing sin to light as in Ted Haggard’s situation), but we will be called to sacrifice and especially be patient. It’s easy to want the instant gratification, but slow and steady seems to be the course God uses most frequently. This is played out in Paul’s life as well as Jesus’ life. Both incredible men (one incredible Savior) and both spent much time in solitude and training before they were released to ministry.

If anyone gleams anything from these idea’s let it be this…Allow the Lords timing to guide you in your life and don’t rush things…This whole situation, and blog may just be the message God is trying to teach me. So off I go to dream about it, Good Night.

Today vs Yesterday...

2006-10-29T23:47:00.000-05:00

I was recently thinking about church and what it is today verses what it once was….It seems that what it has become is a get together group that you pay for every month, that’s rather expensive (roughly 10% of what you make). What it use to be was a source for legit, life changing relationships…now-a-days we tend to get together to feel good. Unless I am just missing it, I just don’t see people having life changing upside down experiences and where everyone cares more for others than they do themselves, and people going out and really, and I mean really changing the world for Christ (note I am included in these groups)

It seems that I may be negative or gloomy when it comes to things in posts. I guess I just don’t see the value in some things that we as Christians or society tend to value. Maybe my experience has proved to lack value, or it may be that I am just negative…who knows. Whatever the case I always seem to give the church a tuff time huh?

Amazing Game...

2006-10-21T23:25:00.000-04:00

A more dramatic win than any I have seen in a long time...Since Michigan State to be exact. Anyways, that will be a game I will always remember.

WE ARE (stomp, stomp) N D (stomp, stomp)

ND vs UCLA.....Go ND!!!

2006-10-21T00:21:00.000-04:00

Today I go to see ND vs. UCLA....Hip Hip Horary!
What a pass, what a catch, what a game, some will say!

Others will boo, maybe, just maybe, that someone is you...

Others will complain about the traffic and weather,
Most everyone will agree, that the ref’s could have done better!

Fans will be rowdy, they will yell, shout, and scream,
After the game, you will hear the team sing.

You will see student doing push-ups, on top of the crowd,
And a funny little leprechaun, dancing and running around.

There helmets are gold and there jersey will be blue,
Hopefully today, we will have the luck of the Irish too.

You will see old folks and small folks, all at the game,
And some impractical people, as they tailgate in the rain.

Former players and coaches will talk about the Glory Days,
Some confused Buckeye fans will bring up Woody Hayes.

All that I know, and all I can see,
Is 80,000 fans screaming WE ARE (stomp, stomp) N D! (stomp, stomp)

The Bible...Today's Bonus Post

2006-10-18T01:00:00.000-04:00

I think that reading the Bible can be difficult to get into...I know that its Gods love letter to us...but it still doesn't really do it for me even if I think of it like that. I mean I have had 5 yrs of Bible college training on the Bible and the interpretations of it, but when I read it...nothing. I don't know what to do about it....but I think it's just the way I am wired because... I just don't think I am that type of person, you know? (Sometimes I feel guilty that I am not into God's love letter, but it's not directed towards God, since i am not really a romantic letters type of person.) How do you over come this, how do you really solve this, because the Bible is like the spine and glue that holds everything in place and together? I am sure I would have less blog posts, or at least better blog posts if I wasn't always rambling about daily issues...stinky, silly, common, everyday issues. (See post below ) Maybe my posts would encourage people instead of causing more inner conflict...Well folks, what do you do to get into the Bible?

Today...

2006-10-18T00:47:00.000-04:00

Today we took a trip to Chicago...yes THAT Chicago... (Like, which other one was there...right?). Anyway the purpose of the trip was to drop my brother off at O’Hare Airport...yes THAT O’Hare Airport (was it still funny the second time?). Anyway I won't see him again until his wife delivers their first baby....boy that baby is in trouble... We celebrated by eating at Giordano's Pizza, only the best pizza in the world (we didn't celebrate my brother leaving...even though we should have...: we celebrated my almost birthday) Anyway I just wanted everyone to know that I went to Chicago today. A different brother went to Chicago also (though he didn't go with us) and refused to meet up with us, can you believe it, he just flat out refused...!

There has been enough funny posting now so let’s move on...

Has anyone ever been in a situation that was difficult and you believed God was about to move you out of it? Maybe you plan to start something new and exciting in your life and then you realize that maybe the pieces that you thought were going to be moved in your life are now only going to be tweaked? Well now the question becomes complicated and this...Is God truly moving you on (or are those your own plans) or is He leading you to stay (and moving on was your plans)? Interesting question that I will not debate in my post because...ready for it....I have been debating it already and still don't know!

This post seems kind of like a ramble tonight...because I guess that's what it is...feel free to ramble in the comment section.

Good Night.

Family...

2006-10-14T00:39:00.000-04:00

Jesus talks a lot about family in the Bible but much of it seems.......um.......against traditional thought, why is this? Let me explain what i am talking about, leave you father and mother or you have no part of me, a prophet has no honor in his city or family (I am paraphrasing VERY loosely, but you get the idea) I think its because.......your family.......I am trying to figure it out, I am debating internally right now, but your family see's you how they see you, they see you as you were, they compare you to themselves and how you have always compared to them. I was thinking about Charlie Weis the other day because he said something about his brothers and sisters, I remember thinking that I bet they feel lucky, but then I thought, you know, I doubt it. I bet they think they can call better plays and they are being underpaid, they could do what he did given his opportunities, etc. Maybe not everyone is like this, but I think a lot of us are deep down. So.......I think its good to step back and look at what God has created around us in our families and appreciate them for who God has created them to be and then to not compare ourselves to them because who are we to challenge God? If we compare them to us its because we think God created us equal (which I don't think I believe) and if you think that way then you will question God about why did He do what He did, and when we question God we are in essence challenging His divinity be thinking we know more than He does. Dave Ramsey like to use an old saying that people don't want to take advice regarding sex or money once they have powdered your butt and calls it (very originally I might add) the powdered butt syndrome. I think its called pride personally and I think everyone should get off their horses. At least that's my opinion.

EDIT: Can you tell I am bitter?

Refinement

2006-10-10T00:10:00.000-04:00

A while back I had called a friend on the phone and I was talking to him about things that were going on in my life and he said some interesting things...One thing that stood out was this, I told him that I thought there was a double standard at work where I would do something that was totally ok and someone else would do something fraudulent and yet I would get talked to. My friend said that there very well could be a double standard because I have asked God to refine me and maybe He is using others to do this very thing. On the other hand maybe the rest of the store has decided to not walk with God, then He will in effect, hold me to a higher standard. I am totally ok with God refining me I just wish that me and God spoke the same language, you know? Anyway, this is good news, and a very, very painful process. What about you, are you being refined by somebody?

Question of the day, 'Are you getting busy living, or are you getting busy dying?' in your relationship with God, just an interpersonal question to mull over within yourself. (Shawshank Redemption, Morgan Freeman)

Does anyone notice that God seems to teach me most through work? What ways does God speak to you? I just wonder if people get bored with me always writing about work, but hey, that’s were life happens, so...

EDIT: Wifey-head makes a good comment, interpret getting busy living or dying however you read it because you could be correct either way.

Just another day...

2006-10-03T23:13:00.000-04:00

Today was interesting, go in to work...kinda rough...then BAM! I was able to close a major deal. It's interesting the way God works sometimes, it's like 'i am going to allow you to deal with disappointment and ect. and then i will lift you high.' I think it just goes to show God is always in control and it's best to just be along for the ride. Let God handle today and tomorrow and just show up and do your best. Don't try to plan or do too much just allow God to work out you path and things will...work out for the good for those love Him and have been called by His purpose...(somewhere in the Bible it says something like that). Let it be encouragement to know that things will work out as they should if you trust Him.

An Amazing Perspective...

2006-09-28T18:27:00.000-04:00

I was on the way home today listening to the radio and the news came on talking about a shooting that happened in Colorado about 35 miles from Columbine. They were interviewing a pastor of one of the local pastors and he seemed rehearsed, not like he rehearsed his answers or anything, but kinda like he always has the right answers type of thing. He sounded like I am a pastor let me quote some scripture that fits the situation, but he hasn't been in the situation and can't relate to you. Anyway he said, "The entire book of Job is about the Lord gives and the Lord takes away and Blessed be the name of the Lord." The pastor follows this up with another statement saying, "And it's not our job to find out the reason for why something happens, the reason is in the mind of God and we don't need to know why as long as God does." Those two statements have a depth in them that we should all desire to know. The level of revelation contained in those sentences is amazing. If we could only live our lives through those truths, it would make things so much easier on ourselves. Anyway, I thought that I should share this with you. It's been an exhausting day...God bless.

EDIT: This was on a Christian Radio Station.

Some Thoughts on Farming...

2006-09-25T21:48:00.000-04:00

An interesting observation is this: In our Christian walk it seems that there is many times where God puts us in situations that are hard on us, He makes us do things that move us out of comfort zone. Just as we get comfortable its time for a new challenge. It’s interesting because we don’t know what we are doing and we don’t know how it applies to our calling. I think that what god is doing is simple; He is teaching us another farming technique. We may start out digging holes to plant seeds, or pruning the plants or harvesting the fruit, but we start out in one area of farming. The next thing He does is switch us to something totally different; we don’t get it because now we are climbing latter’s and picking fruit or driving a tractor to harvest wheat or corn. It’s important to remember that God has a plan and that even if we can’t see the bigger picture we don’t have to. At one point this was a really profound revelation but now its hard to duplicate…oh well.

The Day After...

2006-09-23T20:43:00.000-04:00

I would like to say that God truly has blessed me these past couple of days. And there is nothing more to say i guess.

Some thoughts on Juggling...

2006-09-23T12:23:00.000-04:00

In our daily lives, as humans, we have many aspects of ourlives that require our time and attention. These areas include school, work, relationships, bills, and our spiritual walk among countless others. Each time we devote time to an area of our life we are juggling. We spend some time paying our bills and then we throw it in theair while we concentrate on work, then we throw that in the air as we devotetime and energy into our relationships before tossing that to the sky aswell. And this is how our life goes, one by one tossing each area of our life into the air and hoping to catch it before we allow things to get out ofcontrol.

It's amazing the messes that we manage to avoid - not without cost though. Every time we loft something into the air that thing, that area of our life now demands some internal memory dedicated to that issue so as to not lose control (we will be using some computer speak here -any techie's that want to contest some of my analogies please let me know). Most of us people seem to come without the required memory available to handle all of the things that we throw into the air. The next thing that happens is that we get memory overload and our life gets blue screened or we get this pop-up that says physical memory dump starting in 59,58, 57, 56, 55, 54, 53...ect. You get the idea. And that's when it all crashes. Our life turns to shambles and we are left in ruins. Hopefully we have our life stored on a backup hard drive with the ability to put everything back into place. For most of us, these crashes only happen once in a while and seem to be 'only' 'some' or 'several' of these areas of our life, as we are able to make several miraculous catches on our way down. Come to think of it we make better wide receivers than we do computers.....

As far as humans go we see varying degrees of skill when itcomes to juggling, sure we can point to CEO'S and other people who seem to have it together, but I assure you, they are dropping things to i.e. HP's CEO. This leads us to one conclusion, we are not capable of handling all areas of our lives, and my best guess says that we weren't intended to. As a matter of fact, my experience tells me that any time I focus to long or to hard on one area of my life, the other areas fall down. My personal experience shows me that as capable as I am as a person, I can truly only handle one thing at a time…and that’s tuff for me because by nature I am a multi-tasker. If I wanted to I could try to show everyone how much I have it together and hold off for as long as possible with dropping the ball, but the truth is, I can’t do it, atsome point I will fail – the question is, “How long will it take me to learn?”

See, this is where Christ comes in, as Christians we have this amazing resource at our disposal. We can set our lives apart, focus truly and solely on this resource and that resource will juggle for us. That resource is Christ. And let me tell you, he is a pretty good juggler. In my personal life, when I am sitting on the ground collecting everything that fell down, that’s when I usually give everything to Christ and things tend to start running smooth again. It’s when we start to take over that the problems start again. Most of us don’t even realize we are juggling again until things start to go wrong.

I am here to tell you folks, it’s a lot easier to juggle onething with two hands than the alternative. This is long, I know, it’s just my life on a screen. Hopefully it means something to someone…Good Night.

How many people...?

2006-09-20T23:13:00.000-04:00

How many of you ever find yourself doing things out of character and at some point in time you realize what you are doing, you look at yourself and don't know why you are doing it, and you know that it can be stopped, and then you stop it??? This has been happening to me a lot lately...it intrigues me, what is God doing in my life? Anyway more later, hopefully with good news to share with all of you.

Very Good Day.

2006-09-20T20:12:00.000-04:00

Well, good news...I passed my Real Estate Exam today so as soon as i send in my application and it's in the mail i am officially licensed to buy and sell real estate for consideration (the technical description). Also, we hung out in Michigan City a bit today and my lovely wife Autumn decided she wanted to play on the McDonalds playground, so being the good husband I am I told her it was ok under one condition...She had to take little Becka with her. Feel free to check out the pictures in my photo blog under McDonald's somewhere in Michigan City. We also hung out with some friends today, whom we lovingly call the Hemker Heads...it was fun, we had Chicken Parmesan. Alas, that was my day, it was a very good day.

Freedom...Yes, it's nice...

2006-09-15T00:15:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was one of those day's that was really high...and really low, but in the reverse order. There were some amazing things that I learned. I would really like to share some of the things, but not really, so I have compromised with myself and will share with you one trinket of new wisdom I gained. Here it is:

Yesterday both of my friends talked with me about seeing our life as a spiritual person having a physical experience, yea, yea we all know the cliché, right? But do we experience the cliché? One comment was made that people view themselves through there physical body but don't realize that if they lose a finger, arm, or leg they have not lost any part of themselves. As spiritual beings we are contained within ourselves, we are not our physical bodies, we are what is within our bodies, if we loose a part of our body that doesn't take away from who we are...it is difficult to write out revelation.

The other part of this whole thing is people. People who shine their lights. My friend also talked about people, Christian who have started off life bad but then had a salvation experience and turned there less than glamorous decisions into amazing ministry opportunities, things like drug clinics, single mother’s supports groups, prison ministry, ect. We don't want to go to prison so we can start a prison ministry, but you know the guy who has one has a heart for the people who he ministers too. Same goes for drug clinics and homeless shelters.

It's amazing to see these people's lights shining in the city one of the friends said. As you look around the city, do you see the lights shining? I was blown away at the thought of those people's little shacks and poorly funded ministries as being lights in a city. Does that do something to your insides? Does it completely change the way you see things? As a spiritual being who walks around the city how many lights are shining? As we allow the Lord to open our eyes in this way, and maintain a spiritual perspective...I think we would see the lights shine brighter and brighter, but those who are evil...are blinded by the light...

I am a physical person who once in a while has a spiritual experience, at least that's how I live. I think about everyone lights shining and I told my wife, it's like we are a bristle on a Christmas tree and all we see are other bristles, then one day God opens our eyes to a light next to us (as my friend did) and then we start to see one a little farther away, then another, and another. And as we grow in the Lord and develop relationships with these believers they open our eyes to others who are lights. As this happens we begin to see an entire network of lights and the string that holds them together. I have a suspicion that if we got the opportunity to get off of the tree and see it from across the room I think we would realize that all of the lights are off in the house except for the ones attached to the Christmas tree. And I think that if we stood outside at night we would be able to see the lights on the tree inside and if we stepped back even further I think we would only see I giant light glowing from inside a house down the road....and I think its a powerful image of what happens as we give up a little bit more of ourselves and begin to live our lives as spiritual people have a physical experience......

One more quick thought, it seems that we think about what it will be like once we get to eternal life, I’ve got news for ya, you received eternal life when you were saved, let’s enjoy the journey.

EDIT: My wife reminded me that in our original conversation I told her that we are also lights on the Christmas tree...this also works very well in the analogy, we just have to make sure that if we are going to be lights we have to make sure we are all the way screwed in (or connected to Christ)

Wow...Crazy Day!

2006-09-13T21:34:00.000-04:00

My day started out with a meeting between the sales reps only at my store...at 8:30. not good... for me. I did get double chocolate pancakes from ihop as part of the deal, so that was good, the meeting on the other hand was not...lets leave it at that. I then talked to a friend for over 45 minutes on the phone and that was one of the best conversations i have had in a long time! Today was my day off in 8 days and originally i was going to work but decided 'no thanks' was a better option. Then it was off to a friends office to drop off some things i promised to give him, that turned out to be the second best conversation i have had in a long time and ended up being about 4-4.5 hours long...oops. Since i had not been planning on this detor it was now time for supper and grilling, which was nice. Then it was an after supper snooze which lasted not nearly long enough before i ultimately had to transfer myself to my bed, at which time i was jumped on constantly by a certain two yr. old someone, at which time i remembered i was expecting an email and that's how i ended up posting a new blog...nice huh?

I know i was listening to Shaded Red on an earlier post but i am still listening to them, they are simply amazing. Everyone reading should go out and buy both of there CD's, they are that good...and they will change your life!

I know most people don't care about the earlier parts of my day, at least in that much detail, but i must say, today has changed my life forever. Talking to those two guys today...it was a real blessing. Both guys actually have the same name, weird huh? But here is the thing, those two guys, i can't thank them enough, it's really cool to know people like them who just took an hour(s) out of their day just to talk. The one guy just let me sit in his office to talk to him in the middle of his work day and accomplished next to nothing...it's astonishing. I really appreciated that.

The mind blowing words of wisdom that these two guys shared will at some point be added in future blogs, but at this time..it's off to bed.

Stand UP!

2006-09-10T18:40:00.000-04:00

In our lives, Christianity, if we truly want it to be special, will be the hardest thing in our life, and marriage will probably be number two. So when you feel as though a Mack truck just ran you over, get up! I think lots of things happen to us all at the same time to see what type of character we have...Lord when this happens to me, give me the strength to stand-up and overcome it.

Slipping...I think.

2006-09-08T23:18:00.000-04:00

I think. I think that in life we like to carry things on our backs, things like financial issues, relationship issues, and spiritual issues. Then we focus on some while letting others slip. Then when we figure it out, when we realize it's not working, then we go to God. If we focus on Him all the time...like truly focus, it seems that all aspects of life are handled and we look good at juggling...until we take our eyes off God...then we look silly, that's right silly! I think it would be better if we always focused on God. I think this is why Jesus says My yoke is easy and My burdens are Light & whoever is weary and burdened come to Me and I will give you rest. This definitely rings true in my life.

Question of the day: What burdens are you carrying that you need to give to Him?

Or

Thoughts to ponder: What other verses ring home to you in your everyday life? What Biblical truth do you rely on?

Slow (un-organized) thoughts week...

2006-09-06T23:37:00.000-04:00

Lately i have been caught up in the humbug of life (don't ask me what that is, i don't know). My mom's B-day was today, she is now officially older than dirt (lol) and...well that's it.

Next thought, i was reading the other day about the Columbine shooting that happened several years ago on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School_massacre, wow, that article is crazy and really makes you think.

Happy thoughts... Not sure if i have any, after that article though we need some, eh? Also, I have been thinking about writing about family thoughts in my blog but it's more of a deep thoughts blog...maybe we can adjust. Let's start with a 'question of the day' or 'thoughts to ponder' in all my writings from now on, ok? I think it's a good idea (lets hope i can come up with some). All comments will now be required to answer the question or ponder their thoughts in writing in order to comment ok? (like i could enforce that)

Question of the day: In the Bible it says that one of the signs that Christ is coming back will be that the moon will be bright red, like blood. Since the first time i heard that it has constantly freaked me out when i look at the moon sometimes. Like tonight, there was a red tint to the moon. This happens pretty frequently, does it freak anyone else out?

or

Thoughts to Ponder: I sometimes wonder if God uses nature to fulfil things that have been prophesied. Science tells us that when the Moon, Mars, and the Earth are all aligned correctly then the Moon will appear red due to Mars illumination. Does anyone else want this to hold off for a while before it happens again?

Now everyone knows the kind of thoughts i deal with on a daily basis, i look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Moving my Blog over to Xanga...

2006-09-04T16:36:00.000-04:00

I am going to start posting on my xanga site and I hope you all continue to comment and follow my blog over there. You can find it at www.xanga.com/mparrott84, please update your bookmark. Thanks.

mparrott84 @ Blogger.com signing off.

Why all cell phones are (not?) Evil.

2006-09-02T00:36:00.000-04:00

When opportunity knock, answer the door...Food for thought. It seems that in life, God will show you something, and then it's like, you know I really need to change that about myself (or rather let God change you since that's why He showed you what He did) and then BAM! It's test time. Like the other day, God showed me that the picture I have of life has a lot of stuff in it, nice house, car, ect. But then He's like, 'Is that what's important? Or should you rather desire Me and the calling I have placed on your life?' Then your like, you know I could give it all up to serve Him because that's what I want...And you meditate on it and begin to dwell on the things of God and not stuff, and then it happens, something pops up that you need (want) and your stuck in a rut. Like for me, here I am giving up everything I ever wanted and BAM! This brand new phone comes out that I really need (want) and I mean I really need it (want it). So I am stuck....Just thought I would let you all know, so you can buy it for me. :)

Another thought, 'Is the fact that we want stuff wrong, or is it the control that the stuff has on us?' Because first we want it, then we think about it, then think about it some more, then we buy it. But, we also have to pay for it, so we go to work to afford it and then the stuff gets us...Sad face :( If we can have stuff and not stuff us, then we are ok. Because when I go out and buy a new phone (cause you know I am really into phones and work at a phone store...Big mistake right?) then I take it home and its like 'wow this phone is really cool....And I still have all the same problems and disappointments in life that I had before...But the phone is cool....But now I have more disappointments in life cause now I have to figure out how to afford it....

Ok people, comment time.....You have been slacking lately. :)

BIG STEPS...

2006-08-30T13:54:00.000-04:00

The other day I was called to take a BIG STEP in my life (as in called on the phone...Or the way that you first though) and I ask everyone to pray that it would be successful. More on that topic later. I have taken BIG STEPS to ensure that I write more frequently, internet access in up in the air though, lets hope it all falls down nicely into place....More to come shortly, I promise.

Not so good Analogy...

2006-08-25T21:59:00.000-04:00

My daughter has this CD that has bible songs and stories on it, and one while thinking about callings and such, one of these stories came on and really perked my curiosity. The story was about Joshua and the conquest of Jericho. As I started tossing around thoughts in my head, I began to get what I thought was some revelation.

In Joshua, when God calls Joshua to conquer Jericho, God only showed Joshua what to do each day. Another words, God told Joshua to travel around the city a certain way, and then that was it. The second day God once again told Joshua to march around the city a second day and then that was it. The same on the third day, fourth, fifth, and sixth day until the seventh day when He told them to take the city. What we can take from this is simple. God only shows us our callings one day at a time, this is done so we continually really on and trust our Lord.

The unfortunate thing is that when I looked up the story about Joshua and the city of Jericho, God outlined everything he wanted Joshua to do before he event went there, yep that's right, God told Joshua go to Jericho and do this day, day two, day three, ect. Oops, that was a not so good analogy I guess.

So I have this analogy about trusting God and doing what He tells you because it will always happen exactly as God says even if we don't believe Him. My example is the story about Joshua and the city of Jericho....

If you would like to be on a mailing list and you want me to e-mail you every time I add a new post to my blog, then let me know, and if there is enough demand I will set something up.

Have a good evening.

Tonight's thoughts....

2006-08-22T00:11:00.000-04:00

Late at night, after I get off work, sometimes I go for a walk with God. These are not what I would call prayer walks, because I am not always praying, but I often do. Mostly this is a time where I get to go over all the thoughts in my head that are troubling me, and seek God for answers. I do not tell you this to brag, but only to set the stage for this post.

Tonight as I was going through all the crises that I am facing, it occurred to me that my daughter Becka was in an enviable position. This is due to the fact that while she is extremely smart, she is oblivious to all of our 'end of the world' issues. I often cry out to God for problems that exist at work, bills coming due, lack of satisfaction with were I am in life, and maybe arguments I am having with my spouse, family, or friends. I also often ask forgiveness for my stupidity and ponder political and global issues that are effecting our nation - all things that my precious Becka doesn't have a clue about. As I pondered this thought I was amazed at her simplicity, and thought to myself that this is how it is to be for us, as God's children.

My jealousy for my daughter is under control, but how do I approach God the way she approaches life? Rebecka Joy gets up with no clue as to what the day holds, but instead experiences the adventures of that particular day. As I continued to ponder these issues I wondered, as children grow, there eyes become open to these things that pressure us all, so how do we as adults approach God. How do grown-up kids go to there parents for answers, after all they are adults.....I don't know that I came to any conclusions to this question, nor have it tried, but instead I just keep thinking about my daughter and how can I be like her? After all, I already know about all the problems and all of the issues that my daughter just lets me handle. How do I let God handle my issues. After all, if I let Him handle my issues, He probably will handle them...But what if I don't like the way He goes about it..? If I could just trust Him enough (not that He isn't worthy, but more-so that I am not capable of trusting enough right now) then I would know that He sees me the way I see my daughter, and that I would do anything for her, and to see her be happy. I don't know, it's just hard I guess.

These are the thoughts that I have to deal with....To walk out my calling and produce a blog for your enjoyment, and conviction...j/k. I don't mind it, I enjoy pondering deep thoughts, but converting them into one's lifestyle is much more difficult. My task is now to be able to implement the little bit of truth that my Father in Heaven has given me tonight...If I were you guys I wouldn't wait up, this is gonna be a long process. It's a good thing we have a life time. In the mean time I guess I should go get some sleep, it's gonna be a long journey, you should too.

Good night, again.

Good enough...Or not?

2006-08-19T20:48:00.000-04:00

So I get home late tonight and I am sitting there eating blueberry buckle, which my wife had made, and she didn't think it turned out quite right. So, there I am sitting there, thinking (not saying anything mind you) that this blueberry buckle is good enough....That's when ideas' started being tossed around in my head...(and we all know what happens when I toss idea's around in my head....They end up on this blog:) ) Anyway, I started thinking about being good enough and what happens in relationship when things become 'good enough'.

I am married so I will start there (single people hang out for a minute, it will all pull together and we will all get something out of it, I promise). I think that as we grow in relationships we begin to cut corners, maybe the cooking and preparing of meals begin to be made good enough and and someone cleans up 'good enough', and that's where I think relationships start dying. At this point though, there is no passion, no love in the preparation or delivery of your actions. As husband and wife we need to do things with love for each other, if for instance my wife would have made the blueberry buckle to be 'good enough' then it would have lacked love in the preparation, however, if she bakes it with love and it only turns out 'good enough' then that is much different. If I were to only tell her how much I appreciate her once a year and I think that's 'good enough' then there is a problem. What I need to do instead, is tell her how much I love her so that she knows she is loved (guys, its pretty important women are told...A lot. About 10-12 times a day is what they need according to studies.) This way I am meeting her needs and I am telling her I love her for her benefit. I am not just simply putting in a random I love you and calling it 'good enough'. Relationships that are 'good enough' don't last.

As a married person you have to do things for your partner, things we may not want to do, and when we do things for them, we need to do it out of an abundance of love. If we do this in all situations (even when we are extremely upset at that person) then we can have a truly GREAT marriage and make an impact to the world around us. The world will know we are Christians by our love, but I guess what I am saying, is that we need to love others by our actions, in the daily, in folding clothes, preparing meals, talking to each other, ect. And that's just for the women...:) the men also need to do the daily (read: nagging) activities, like the trash, lawn, and heavy lifting for the women folk, and we need to do if for them out of love for our spouses.

The way this applies to everyone is simple (its a parallel universe and what we do on earth effects other universes' and galaxies.......) we can apply this principle to our relationship with Christ. In the miniscule daily activities of smiling at people on the street, waiving people in front of us while driving, and generally how we present ourselves. These activities will show our true love of Christ. Are we telling the truth, going to church, reading our Bibles, and in general doing 'good enough'? If you are, then your relationship may be dying. I hope we all strive for excellence, that's how the race is won.

By the way, the blueberry buckle ended up being wonderful, I really did like it. The 'good enough' was just a thought, but it produced this post, so maybe this blog is like, a calling or something. -Hope you enjoyed it d.
p.s. If you think my posts are to long....Get over it. j/k Hope you all don't mind it.

What does your Church Teach You?

2006-08-16T00:14:00.000-04:00

What is the purpose of church...? This is an issue we touched on in the church attendance blog that I wanted to dive a little further into. Why do we go to church? What are we hoping to get out of it? What do we get out of it? What do we learn from attending church? And, how is it suppose to be? (Hint: the last question is not a personal opinion question)
First off lets start with 'why do we go to church?' Most people tend to say fellowship, but reality says most people feel obligated to go to church, or they may as though they will 'backslide' if they don't go. Maybe going to church is how they grow, by going and learning something new (Christian slang = 'to get fed').

How is it that in Church we are always taught how to be good, but seldom how to have a relationship w/Jesus. Does anyone really care about being good? Being good doesn't get you into heaven. Do you walk with the Lord daily? Do you know how to? No cheating everyone close their textbooks, what does your day look like, what does it consist of? Do you dwell on what is good and holy? Do you pray w/o ceasing? Do you experience inner peace? Or do you lay awake at night with things like finances, test's, job situations, or relationship crisis' on your mind? Why doesn't anyone actually teach us how to BE CHRISTIANS.

This topic is on hold because I need to go to church to get my thoughts straight. When I walk out the door I will be upset enough to get all my thoughts in order. Expect this topic to be posted more in-depth on a Sunday or Monday soon.

Edit: This topic was on hold (since 7/20) but is now being taken off the hold position and being released for thoughts and opinions.

This topic will be expanded on a Sunday or Monday soon, but not this Sunday or Monday :) I recently went to church...I know great eh? But I only went to listen to a special speaker and he did not upset me so let me go on a regular Sunday and we can pump out the rest of this topic soon.

Memorable day.

2006-08-12T12:02:00.000-04:00

Today is the day we celebrate my parents walking on the earth for almost 100 years (combined, even though you would think it was apiece!) So that makes it a memorable day, right? Ok on to some thoughts I have been tossing around - in my head- not outside my head.........Ok, never mind (mental images...). The other day I was talking on the phone with my friend and then another - other day I was talking to him again...And he made the comment 'I don't know if you know that what you just said was prophetic or not, but it was just what I needed...' and then he want on to say that God had been showing him some things recently and what I just said ties into the whole thing. He also said that every time I call it seems like I say something that seems to be more than just a coincidence. I personally don't believe in coincidences anymore because as a Christian, if God is orchestrating our lives, then things are going to work out and be said when we need it, because God is going to give you what you need, when you need it. God also knows when to offer confirmation - so anytime you have a 'coincidence, stop and say a little thanks to your God in heaven.

Anyway the really awesome part about my friend saying what he did to me, was that God uses me even when I am not aware, how cool is that! I can be stupid, stupid mparrott84 and God can still choose to use me in spite of myself. This is why I think I am chosen (think back several posts), because God has complete control of me even in spite of myself. This is definitely comforting. Anyway, it also is a part of my calling I believe. For example, part of my wife's calling is praying for healing with the sick and lame. Part of my gifting is in the prophetic, but the cool part is that there is no expectations, as long as I just continue to be myself I will keep on calling my friends at the right time, every time and saying the right thing. And I think that's amazing. The only part I am responsible for is to be myself and to nurture my relationship with the Father up above.

For discussion: do you think of or refer to The Father, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit or something else, when you are thinking, talking, praying, or meditating about the Trinity? I think most of the time I refer to the Father part of the Trinity.

Being ourselves...

2006-08-08T22:51:00.000-04:00

Whenever I talk about personal callings in my writings I am beginning to think that the most important part of your calling is being you. I never love my daughter more than when she looks at me and with all the sincerity of her entire being and tells me whatever she wants to. She just looks at me and there is the look of love and sincerity and it doesn't matter what she is saying, it just matters that she is saying it to me. I don't have it scripted what she should say or do, but ... I think that our lives should be similar, when we are truly ourselves, not thinking about saying, acting, or doing the right thing but just saying, doing, and acting as ourselves, that's when we are most in God's will I think.

So, the question is, 'Who am I?'
I am a person who is very confident in who I am, some people think I am cocky - I am not. I definitely have leadership tendencies, I am a problem solver, analytical, laid back, decisive, easy to get along with, opinionated, and I am a quick thinker. It makes sense that I would have a discipleship calling. But the crazy part is how? How do I walk in the calling that I am. Well, I already gave the answer, by being myself. So if someone wants to step up and show me how you are doing it.........Then maybe I can implement those things in my life also. I was on the phone with a friend tondight for almost an hour, and he said that as children our parents have to let us make mistakes, I don't think I ever maid any mistakes growing up and hence as an adult I have a fear that prevents me from acting. I NEED TO JUST DO SOMETHING SO I CAN MAKE A MISTAKE! Ok, maybe not but, see there is this hindrance that prevents me from being me, more.

The second question is, 'Am I saying, doing and acting as myself?'
I think I am, even if it's a dim image of what I hopefully will one day became. I don't think I shy away from being myself due to anyone, or their thoughts and opinions of me. I think I am doing the cell phone sales thing because I really enjoy cell phones. I don't think I would classify myself as really living my calling though because - ok, I am getting confused now.

What about you? Who are you? Are you saying, doing, and acting as yourself? I hope that my writings can cause each person who reads them to look within your soul and evaluate yourself. In some sort of crazy way this blog may be more my calling than anything I have accomplished selling cell phones for the last 2 years.....It's like a light is turning on and ...Oops it was a light turning on, my wife is turning on the light so I can see what I am typing........(my attempt, pathetically, at humor).

On a more serious note, I think that things, like blogs (ex. mparrott84) can and are parts of people's callings. I think this is what I was getting at a coupled of days back when I said that your hand is in a lot of different stuff. Maybe I write blogs, maybe I sell cell phones, maybe I teach Sunday school and do prayer meetings. And maybe everything I am involved in outside my j.o.b. is my calling, and my job is just that, a job, with no other meaning in tact except to provide for my family. Maybe my job doesn't matter, but maybe it's the most intricate part of my calling because that's where God sharpens and hones my soul so that I can write about it here and annoy all of you. And maybe the post is just way to long and I should save some of it for later.

Good night.