yes, God can handle the truth even though most times we can't.

Either we can't handle hearing the truth -- or we can't handle being truthful for fear the other person can't handle the truth.

Fortunately God doesn't hold grudges nor does he judge. He listens and guides us. No matter how angry we may get at him - he doesn't leave us. Since he created us he knows our every emotion. He definitely knows me better than I know myself.

I have found God to be very responsive in the past to my complaints and frustrations and I never do believe I'll drive him away. But, I do know sometimes I take his grace for granted.

I wish I could be more like God when I've wronged. I think we all crave that unconditional love. It's so easy to want it; but, so hard to give it.

When the world seems dark -- light enters in. This is when God does his best work. In my life -- like many others - sometimes the storm hits hard.

I am grateful that last night my family and I did get to spend a few minutes before bedtime praying together. I want this to be a routine that our boys grow to love and expect.

I know many of us remember things our parents did for us when we grew up. This I want to be one of those things. If our children don't see us praying to God for guidance how are they going to learn to do so?

We are going to continue to have storms; but, if we seek shelter by sharing with God he'll get us through the storm.

Right now it's stormy out -- and I look forward to balmy weather.

Verse of the day...Psalm 97:1-12

Like many men I tend to compartmentalize things. I'm working really hard to stop doing that.

Many of us tend to build our lives around this type of pie:



We carve out chunks of our life for him. Usually the smallest chunk -- an hour on Sunday and a few minutes each day (if we are good Christians).

But, what we really should be looking for is a pie that looks like this:




Pastor Loveless at Discovery Church demonstrated this really well last weekend. I strive to put God in the center of my life.

My prayer is that he takes charge of my struggles. That he helps me get our family praying together.

That he helps me get our family on a budget spending less than I make. :-)

I know it can be done; but, not if I continue to only look to humans for help.

Back in 1990 or so I was in the military and was part of Operation Desert Sandblast/Storm/Shield and a host of other names it was given during that time. When station in Southwest Asia and seeing first hand the realities of war, I found myself, like many others growing closer to God. I found myself reading Revelations and finding many similarities all around me.

Then the war was over and I came home and reverted back to my normal routines.

In 2003 I had a near fatal crash on my 1966 vespa. Ironic somewhat considering I was born in 1966 and the vehicle that I nearly lost my life on was also born in 1966.

Fortunately the only thing that died that day was the scooter. But, it did result in a very long hospital stay and again a period that brought me closer to God. He spared my life for a reason -- but, what reason was that?

My point is -- I had many foxhole relationships with God. I am in the process of bringing my relationship with him out of the Foxhole.

I have a lot of growing and maturing to do; but, I will get there.

I need to make God a priority in my life. He needs to be the center of my life -- not just a percentage of my life.

I updated my avatar. That's my 9 month old son Noah taken when he was probably 8 months old.

I hope he grows up smarter than his dad.

This morning at my bible study the subject of temptation was brought up. Pastor Barry said "Temptation is not evil -- the next step is".

I never really thought about it like that. I've always considered temptation in and of itself bad. But, Jesus was tempted. It's what we do with the temptation that's bad.

But, having them is normal. We just have to choose to fight the temptation or flee from the temptation. I usually flee.

But, I also usually feel guilty for having been tempted at all.