So, the next three (including this one) will be related...
You can start a fire, whether it be a match, lighter, magnifying glass, chemical reaction, etc.; you can start a fire.
What gets you fired up?
Go start a fire in your life. Start something up, new, big, and let the flames consume it.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
#637
So, the other day I received a PIX message from my sweet momma informing me that she was the 637th view on my blog... also it had a caption that said, "Put that in your blog and smoke it."
Which I intend to do here...
Susan Jenkins was born January 11, 1960 to Martha Jean and Martin Luther "M.L." Jenkins.
Susan married Forest Parker, Jr. in July 1978.
She gave birth to Jessica Jeanann Parker, March 5, 1981.
On June 10, 1984, she gave birth to Forest "Bo" Parker, III... that's where this blog story begins...
My mom has always been "momma." Not "mama" but "momma." It just makes more sense, due to the sound that the "word" "ma" makes.
Due to size and time restraints, I will give 3 of my favorite memories/stories/whateva' you wanna call it, in this blog...
One of my favorite memories was when Jessica and I would lay on the couch with momma. As the night would go on we would all fall asleep. Jessica would lay her head on the pillow with momma or on her shoulder, and I would lay my head on her hip. Momma would always let us do this until dad got home from the second shift. She would wake us up so we could watch Cheers with dad. Once we finally went to bed, if we weren't sleeping on a pallet in our parents' floor, she would usually tuck us in with a story from our little children's Bible book. Anytime I had a bad dream though... I ran to their bed, hopped-in and would nuzzle between momma and daddy for safety.
Another great memory was the day that I was wrongfully accused for being "disrespectful" to a substitute and was given in school suspension. I was called, personally by the assistant principal who had given me this sentence, and through her tears she explained to me that I did not deserve what was going on. I didn't find out until later that my momma had driven to the school and laid into this woman. She told me later that she had said something along the lines of, "Get real woman! You don't know my son if you think he did that! What?! WHAT DID YOU SAY?! I am about to get mad!" mixed with many other things and words...
Finally, one of my favorite memories was recently momma came down to be at my new house the day that my giant TV was delivered. She came down the night before, so she didn't have to drive down in the morning. That night, my mom played rock band and we read books, played online... and both fell asleep on the couch before 10:00 PM... just like old times.
I love my momma very much. Besides bringing me into the world, trying her best to shelter me from the evils of the world, putting me through college, praying for me, helping me buy a house, giving me tons of advice, loving me and putting up with me... she's my greatest friend, because she loves me in spite of knowing me.
This blog is for the woman who held a dish rag over her head, and spanked me with a wooden spoon, for the woman who will shoot me the bird (usually just it's tail feather) if necessary, who will bless out the Wal Mart vision center, be at every band competition, teach Sunday School, lead the choir, be a secretary at a school and three churches, and still have the time to cook the greatest deer steak and gravy in the world.
LYMI.
Which I intend to do here...
Susan Jenkins was born January 11, 1960 to Martha Jean and Martin Luther "M.L." Jenkins.
Susan married Forest Parker, Jr. in July 1978.
She gave birth to Jessica Jeanann Parker, March 5, 1981.
On June 10, 1984, she gave birth to Forest "Bo" Parker, III... that's where this blog story begins...
My mom has always been "momma." Not "mama" but "momma." It just makes more sense, due to the sound that the "word" "ma" makes.
Due to size and time restraints, I will give 3 of my favorite memories/stories/whateva' you wanna call it, in this blog...
One of my favorite memories was when Jessica and I would lay on the couch with momma. As the night would go on we would all fall asleep. Jessica would lay her head on the pillow with momma or on her shoulder, and I would lay my head on her hip. Momma would always let us do this until dad got home from the second shift. She would wake us up so we could watch Cheers with dad. Once we finally went to bed, if we weren't sleeping on a pallet in our parents' floor, she would usually tuck us in with a story from our little children's Bible book. Anytime I had a bad dream though... I ran to their bed, hopped-in and would nuzzle between momma and daddy for safety.
Another great memory was the day that I was wrongfully accused for being "disrespectful" to a substitute and was given in school suspension. I was called, personally by the assistant principal who had given me this sentence, and through her tears she explained to me that I did not deserve what was going on. I didn't find out until later that my momma had driven to the school and laid into this woman. She told me later that she had said something along the lines of, "Get real woman! You don't know my son if you think he did that! What?! WHAT DID YOU SAY?! I am about to get mad!" mixed with many other things and words...
Finally, one of my favorite memories was recently momma came down to be at my new house the day that my giant TV was delivered. She came down the night before, so she didn't have to drive down in the morning. That night, my mom played rock band and we read books, played online... and both fell asleep on the couch before 10:00 PM... just like old times.
I love my momma very much. Besides bringing me into the world, trying her best to shelter me from the evils of the world, putting me through college, praying for me, helping me buy a house, giving me tons of advice, loving me and putting up with me... she's my greatest friend, because she loves me in spite of knowing me.
This blog is for the woman who held a dish rag over her head, and spanked me with a wooden spoon, for the woman who will shoot me the bird (usually just it's tail feather) if necessary, who will bless out the Wal Mart vision center, be at every band competition, teach Sunday School, lead the choir, be a secretary at a school and three churches, and still have the time to cook the greatest deer steak and gravy in the world.
LYMI.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Sparky #2
Something else I love about fire is it's need... it's need to feed.
Fire can not continue to burn with nothing to burn up... now before you go and think I've lost my mind, I know fire can sit there and burn with "nothing" burning, but it's actually using oxygen; no oxygen, no fire.
Watch videos of a forest fire, the more trees and brush, the bigger the fire gets... or one of those cool fires on top of water, once that oil or other fuel on top of the water burns out... the fire goes out.
If fire does not feed, it will not make it. Fire NEEDS to feed on something else.
Ever seen fire catch on to something "non-flammable?" It doesn't work. The fire can't feed on those things, therefore, the fire dies.
Think about your life. We need people to feed off of, to build us up, to fuel our passions and keep us going. When we get around people who are "fire proof" or "non-flammable" we try all we can to get encouragement, "fuel" from them... and sadly we lose a lot of our spark.
We NEED others to help fuel us.
This is not the same as my "En-Tree" about the trees helping each other grow. What I am saying here is that we need people to fuel our fire; to keep us burning; to give us something to feed off of.
This can be as simple as an "atta boy" as you go or as grand as $500 towards your mission trip. Regardless of who we are, our financial status or lack of desire... everyone needs someone.
The questions now are, "Who are you fueling?" and "Who fuels you?"
Fire can not continue to burn with nothing to burn up... now before you go and think I've lost my mind, I know fire can sit there and burn with "nothing" burning, but it's actually using oxygen; no oxygen, no fire.
Watch videos of a forest fire, the more trees and brush, the bigger the fire gets... or one of those cool fires on top of water, once that oil or other fuel on top of the water burns out... the fire goes out.
If fire does not feed, it will not make it. Fire NEEDS to feed on something else.
Ever seen fire catch on to something "non-flammable?" It doesn't work. The fire can't feed on those things, therefore, the fire dies.
Think about your life. We need people to feed off of, to build us up, to fuel our passions and keep us going. When we get around people who are "fire proof" or "non-flammable" we try all we can to get encouragement, "fuel" from them... and sadly we lose a lot of our spark.
We NEED others to help fuel us.
This is not the same as my "En-Tree" about the trees helping each other grow. What I am saying here is that we need people to fuel our fire; to keep us burning; to give us something to feed off of.
This can be as simple as an "atta boy" as you go or as grand as $500 towards your mission trip. Regardless of who we are, our financial status or lack of desire... everyone needs someone.
The questions now are, "Who are you fueling?" and "Who fuels you?"
Sunday, May 9, 2010
#500
Well, I was surprised the other day by a picture message from Christopher Dunn. The picture was of the counter on this blog, saying that Chris was #500; therefore, this entire blog entry will be 100% dedicated to Chris Dunn.
In the beginning...
I met Chris at Look Up Lodge. I was working full-time and there were these three guys who kept showing-up randomly. Anna Beth explained they were from her church and loved LUL. I could identify, since I was the high school guy who would randomly show-up at Look Up (see what I did there?). He was wearing a T-Shirt that said, "Nate for President" the first time that I talked to him. Later in the summer I spoke with him about working part-time as a wrangler at LUL. What a strange kid...
D-Now Weekend '09...
So, the first thing I ever did with Monaghan was teach at D-Now weekend in Gatlinburg, TN. I noticed something different about Chris, from the beginning. This guy didn't just answer the questions... he answered them well; he didn't just make comments about the lesson... he added insight; he didn't just pick a song on the jukebox... he picked Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'!" This kid seemed to have it together. I had to find-out more about this guy...
Building a relationship...
After random meals, spontaneous trips and playing games on Wednesday nights, I got to know Chris a lot better. I found-out that Chris loves Star Wars; if it's at all related to sports, he's all about it; he's a mean Disc Golf player; Chris loves being called a "ginger;" Chris doesn't let most things get to him... I also learned that Chris's family life wasn't the best growing-up.
Culmination of things...
So, this past March we took the youth guys and 3 college-age guys to Look Up to do a "Warrior Weekend" for D-Now. I watched this red-haired kid transform into an amazing man of God. Chris was on my team (the Kelly Green team); the team in which he came-up with the chant, "WE ARE LIONS!" Chris's natural leadership skills, vulnerability and clear vision for the future revealed to all of us that weekend that he was truly on his way to becoming one amazing man.
The future...
I don't know what the future holds for this guy, but I know, without a shadow of doubt, that it's big! I know that God is planning on doing something huge in and through Chris Dunn. He is an infectious, energetic guy, who gets the crowd going!
Also... he's the Ginga' Ninja!
To Chris: "READ YE' BIBLE!"
P.S. I would like to give a "thank you" to all of you who wished to be #500 for reading my blog. Notable mentions: Samantha Cook, Cindy Goforth, and DeDe Reid. I will have another "contest" for blog reader #637.
In the beginning...
I met Chris at Look Up Lodge. I was working full-time and there were these three guys who kept showing-up randomly. Anna Beth explained they were from her church and loved LUL. I could identify, since I was the high school guy who would randomly show-up at Look Up (see what I did there?). He was wearing a T-Shirt that said, "Nate for President" the first time that I talked to him. Later in the summer I spoke with him about working part-time as a wrangler at LUL. What a strange kid...
D-Now Weekend '09...
So, the first thing I ever did with Monaghan was teach at D-Now weekend in Gatlinburg, TN. I noticed something different about Chris, from the beginning. This guy didn't just answer the questions... he answered them well; he didn't just make comments about the lesson... he added insight; he didn't just pick a song on the jukebox... he picked Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'!" This kid seemed to have it together. I had to find-out more about this guy...
Building a relationship...
After random meals, spontaneous trips and playing games on Wednesday nights, I got to know Chris a lot better. I found-out that Chris loves Star Wars; if it's at all related to sports, he's all about it; he's a mean Disc Golf player; Chris loves being called a "ginger;" Chris doesn't let most things get to him... I also learned that Chris's family life wasn't the best growing-up.
Culmination of things...
So, this past March we took the youth guys and 3 college-age guys to Look Up to do a "Warrior Weekend" for D-Now. I watched this red-haired kid transform into an amazing man of God. Chris was on my team (the Kelly Green team); the team in which he came-up with the chant, "WE ARE LIONS!" Chris's natural leadership skills, vulnerability and clear vision for the future revealed to all of us that weekend that he was truly on his way to becoming one amazing man.
The future...
I don't know what the future holds for this guy, but I know, without a shadow of doubt, that it's big! I know that God is planning on doing something huge in and through Chris Dunn. He is an infectious, energetic guy, who gets the crowd going!
Also... he's the Ginga' Ninja!
To Chris: "READ YE' BIBLE!"
P.S. I would like to give a "thank you" to all of you who wished to be #500 for reading my blog. Notable mentions: Samantha Cook, Cindy Goforth, and DeDe Reid. I will have another "contest" for blog reader #637.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Sparky #1
Sorry, I just couldn't think of anything for these that was as fun as "En-Tree." For some reason, I think Sparky is fun... but, if someone has a better name for this series, feel free to help.
One aspect of fire that I love and can't get over is it's ability to change things.
Nothing is the same after fire touches it, is around it, or comes after it.
Fire effects to air when it burns, it can and does destroy, disfigure or change the thing that is being engulfed in the flames and once soil has been exposed to fire, the pH levels and nutrients that are left behind dictate the quality, type and size of plants that grow there.
Plastic melts, paper disappears, wood is turned to ash, our skin is disfigured, scarred or in some ways healed.
Regardless of the object that is being providing "fuel" for the fire, things are DIFFERENT after fire is present.
Jesus was that way.
No matter where He went, no matter what He did, no matter who He was around... things were different after he showed up; blind people could see, lame people could walk, deaf and mute could hear and speak, and those possessed with multiple demons, became evangelists.
Many other "cult" leaders (I use that word, because to everyone else, Christianity would have appeared as a cult; look up the definition of a cult, if you need) have come and gone, leaving no real stamp on the world. Sure, Charles Manson, Jim Jones, Shoko Asahara, John Smith, David Koresh, (and even Tom Cruise, in his own respect... well, I don't respect him... but maybe you do) etc. are remembered, and may have made a "stamp" on our memories, but none of them have altered history forever. None of them changed EVERYTHING.
I think this begs the question/command: "If we are to be 'Little Christs,' as 'Christians,' should we not be changing things?"
What I mean is, are you leaving the world a different place? Is there a noticeable difference in the places, people and situations you have been a part of?
Go change something; move a rock, drop a dollar somewhere, tell someone you love them for absolutely no reason, buy the guy behind you in the drive-thru line's food, wave at everyone on the road as you drive around, take someone out to eat, call your mom, call your dad, call your sibling, make a paper air plane, give a homeless guy a hug, tell a cop "Thanks!"
Change YOUR world and you change THE world.
One aspect of fire that I love and can't get over is it's ability to change things.
Nothing is the same after fire touches it, is around it, or comes after it.
Fire effects to air when it burns, it can and does destroy, disfigure or change the thing that is being engulfed in the flames and once soil has been exposed to fire, the pH levels and nutrients that are left behind dictate the quality, type and size of plants that grow there.
Plastic melts, paper disappears, wood is turned to ash, our skin is disfigured, scarred or in some ways healed.
Regardless of the object that is being providing "fuel" for the fire, things are DIFFERENT after fire is present.
Jesus was that way.
No matter where He went, no matter what He did, no matter who He was around... things were different after he showed up; blind people could see, lame people could walk, deaf and mute could hear and speak, and those possessed with multiple demons, became evangelists.
Many other "cult" leaders (I use that word, because to everyone else, Christianity would have appeared as a cult; look up the definition of a cult, if you need) have come and gone, leaving no real stamp on the world. Sure, Charles Manson, Jim Jones, Shoko Asahara, John Smith, David Koresh, (and even Tom Cruise, in his own respect... well, I don't respect him... but maybe you do) etc. are remembered, and may have made a "stamp" on our memories, but none of them have altered history forever. None of them changed EVERYTHING.
I think this begs the question/command: "If we are to be 'Little Christs,' as 'Christians,' should we not be changing things?"
What I mean is, are you leaving the world a different place? Is there a noticeable difference in the places, people and situations you have been a part of?
Go change something; move a rock, drop a dollar somewhere, tell someone you love them for absolutely no reason, buy the guy behind you in the drive-thru line's food, wave at everyone on the road as you drive around, take someone out to eat, call your mom, call your dad, call your sibling, make a paper air plane, give a homeless guy a hug, tell a cop "Thanks!"
Change YOUR world and you change THE world.
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