Wow...the Sweetness Continues

22 years ago at this moment, Beth and I were just finishing our vows standing at the alter of a church in Kansas City. Tom Ryan and Richard Beach had helped officiate our covenant of marriage. It was fun. It was serious. It was holy. It was....well, what we had dreamed it would be...the perfect day.

Two of my favorite memories continue to make me smile when I think back to that historic event. The first is that we were married at 11am on a Saturday morning. Why in the world would anyone get married in the morning? My bride reminds me that my only input into our wedding plans was that I just wanted to wake up, brush my teeth, and then get married. She humbly complied with my request. I have to laugh. It did make things easy.

The second thing I remember was Richard Beach encouraged us that day to never loose the sense wonder and "Wow!" that we were feeling as we nervously stood in front of friends and family. Let me assure you, it was a "wow" experience that day and it has continued to be "wow" year after year. I wish I had time to tell all of the stories.

There are a couple of things I am particular thankful for when I mull over our marriage and all that has happened. Primarily I am grateful that the Lord has been the center and the foundation of our friendship. We have had joy, trials, great times, and tough times and in it all, the Lord has carried us every step of the way.

The other is my wife's unselfishness. I may be guilty of being a "glass is half full" guy at times, but I am married to a friend whose glass is "always full" which is how she views all of life.

Wow...22 years and counting. All I can say is thank you Lord and thank you Beth. By the grace of those two, we will never stop being amazed and experiencing "Wow!"

Feeling Renewed!

Feeling down? Loosing Sleep? Is your balance off and your muscles a little weak? I have just what you need!

I keep seeing advertising for this miracle band that you slip on your wrist and you get instant results that literally change things about your physical health, balance, and even your sleep. Pretty amazing if you ask me especially since it's only $19.95...and that's for two of them! Trust me...I will never trust those claims.

This fall, I have had a couple of things happen to me that literally have made me feel "renewed." One was at the end of kamp when I was given a new bike by the Kwest staff for my birthday. I was blown away. I have ridden bikes for quite some time, but never a bike like this one. In the past month or so, I have logged around 500 miles. I feel like I have new energy every time I get on the bike. I am so thankful. Not just for the bike, but friends like Allen who made it all happen.

A second event that happened a few weeks ago that lit my fire on a Friday afternoon at a neighborhood home. Some of the directors had agreed to gather and help out a mom that was hurting and needed all kinds of assistance with yard work, electrical, plumbing, and hosts of other little "honey dos." I felt more energized and full of life after serving and helping for the afternoon than I have in years. It was such a blessing.

Stopping to be thankful for friends can be renewing for all of us. Getting our I'M THIRD apron on and serving others in the name of Christ can lift us to levels we never dreamed. It's what Christ calls us to do and I know ultimately that's the best.

Do you want to feel renewed? Ask God to show you how you can serve someone today or this week.

This miracle band's website does have a disclaimer. It says "MAY promote strength...MAY promote balance...MAY increase endurance." Finding strength, listening for balance, and asking for help to persevere with my hope in Christ will ALWAYS leave me feeling renewed. I think I will skip buying the band and stick to the Word.

Stan the Man

Every once in a while, you run into someone who makes such a profound impact on you that you walk away different. That happened to me yesterday.

I got a last second call from an old friend that he needed help in a city league basketball game. I reluctantly agreed, thinking that I was too old, too injured, or too busy to exercise with a bunch of guys younger than me. Why would an old man like me try to keep up with guys just half my age?

That was until I met Stan.

He was on the other team we played. Double Zero in the program, but quickly rocketed to number one in my book. With a smile a wide as the state of Texas, and a twinkle in his eye that made you wonder what he had been up to, Stan's way of playing just made you "want" to be out there with him.

After the game, he shared his story with me. "Moved to the Ozarks a few years ago from Connecticut. Should have done it sooner" he said as he described how much he appreciated basketball players around here.

"They actually pass the ball to me" he continued.

"Basketball is the greatest sport in the world because EVERYONE can do something special" (it was obvious to me that he was a "pickup game junkie" who traveled from gym to gym finding open doors and early morning or late night games). His words were convincing and motivating.

A pinch of pride squeaked out when he commented on a move he made at the end of the game that involved posting another player up in the lane and executing a pretty sweet "old school" hook shot. "I can shoot a lot better than that" he chuckled, with a tone in his voice that just told you he couldn't wait till the next game to lace up again.

"About a year ago, I had a heart attack, but I did everything the doctor told me to do and I feel better than ever" he said as he finished a power bar and wiped the chocolate from his face.

I reluctantly asked, "How old are you Stan?"

"70...and I feel great" he humbly shared. "Just keep playing and you will never lose it."

As I walked away, I realized a couple of things: first, Stan is the man. Secondly, I hope that I am still playing when I am 70 and guys will pass me the ball for an old school hook shot.

When my own son came down the lane at kwest and dunked on me a few years ago, I won't lie when I say that took some wind out of my sails. I thought about hanging up my Chuck Taylor's.

After meeting Stan, I guess I will give it a go again this summer.

Bring on the stallions at the stable.