Happy Birthday Christien!!

Another year. Another birthday. Another missed opportunity. I went up north this past summer for my 20 year high school reunion and to get to watch Liverpool FC play in Fenway. I had purchased 3 tickets because I wanted to take my two sons for that special occasion. It was a fun time and I know Christien would have enjoyed it if he had been allowed to come.

It is now coming up on eight years since I last saw or held you my son. I want you to do good in school Christien. Be the protective big brother your sisters are going to need. Hold true to the respect & discipline they're teaching you in ROTC. And take no prisoners on the football field.

God has a plan for us. I don't know what it is yet, but I have to believe it will be for the best because He does all things for good. I love you, mi hijo. Keep me in your heart same as I keep you in mine.

Behave yourself for your mother. Be strong. Be brave. Be you. Que Dios te bendiga Christien, y Feliz Cumpleaños!!!

Shay's Picks: Lessons in Leadership from Bill Shankly

Shay's Picks: Lessons in Leadership from Bill Shankly: The following is an exercise I completed for the Leadership class this Spring at Dalton State College . A big thank you goes out to my Live...

Amendment One

My personal opinion about Amendment One: Jesus would be disgusted with this. Those who know me know how serious I take that statement. For those considering voting for it: I've read the amendment. Have you? Or are you just following marching orders? Has the person who is giving you those orders read it? I have been blessed to have some awesome religious leaders in my life, but I have also known some who lost their way, which is why I no longer take their words at face value. I research & I base my opinions on my findings. 

I am reminded of the saying "The Road to Perdition is paved with good intentions". The USA, which I have heard MANY pastors & religious leaders say is supposed to be a beacon of Christianity in this world, is supposed to be a tolerant and respectful society. This amendment changes that. If the bible is supposed to be the truth, which I know it is, show me where Jesus- not the Old Testament prophets nor Paul- talks about hating any one group or restricting another. You can't, because what Jesus preached about was love and respect. "Do unto others". 

Reread the beatitudes and tell me if the people this amendment affects aren't the same people He's talking about. This amendment is all about legalizing bigotry, hate, and intolerance regardless of whatever collateral damage it may cause. 

I am vociferously voting NO on Amendment One & if that upsets any of my Christian friends, there is a button on all the social media sites to remove me as a friend. However, read it all carefully, & don't just pay attention to what it does say, but also what it does not, then ask yourself deep down in your heart and soul- Is this really what Jesus would want? I did. & now you know my answer.

Amendment One

My personal opinion about Amendment One: Jesus would be disgusted with this. Those who know me know how serious I take that statement. For those considering voting for it: I've read the amendment. Have you? Or are you just following marching orders? Has the person who is giving you those orders read it? I have been nlessed to have some awesome religious leaders in my, but I have also known some who lost their way, which is why I no longer take their words at face value. I research & I base my opinions on my findings.

I am reminded of the saying "The Road to Perdition is paved with good intentions". The USA, which I have heard MANY pastors & religious leaders say is supposed to be a beacon of Christianity in this world, is supposed to be a tolerant and respectful society. This amendment changes that. If the bible is supposed to be the truth, which I know it is, show me where Jesus- not the Old Testament prophets nor Paul- talks about hating any one group or restricting another. You can't, because what Jesus preached about was love and respect. "Do unto others".

Reread the beatitudes and tell me if the people this amendment affects aren't the same people He's talking about. This amendment is all about legalizing bigotry, hate, and intolerance regardless of whatever collateral damage it may cause.

I am vociferously voting NO on Amendment One & if that upsets any of my Christian friends, there is a button there to remove me as a friend. However, read it all carefully, & don't just pay attention to what it does say, but also what it does not, then ask yourself deep down in your heart and soul- Is this really what Jesus would want? I did. & now you know my answer.

Christien, daddy loves you & misses you. Que Dios te bendiga

Tecumseh's Prayer

So, I went to a sneak preview of "Act of Valor" last week- the movie with the real Navy Seals. I don't want to give too much of the movie away, but, suffice it to say, it is an awesome movie that you must go see. Anyways, I wanted to be sure to post about this one particular part of the movie before it came out and everybody else started talking about it.

One of the main characters had a special message for his son. It was a poem by the Shawnee chief Tecumseh. Given the story line of the movie, and the time where it was presented, the prayer provided particular impact. Generally speaking, though, its message is so deep and profound that I felt the need to share it. It is also going to be going up on my cubicle wall:

"So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.

Trouble no one about their religion;

respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours.

Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.

Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,

even a stranger, when in a lonely place.

Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.

If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.

Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools

and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled

with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep

and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.

Sing your death song and die like a hero going home."

Chief Tecumseh (Crouching Tiger) Shawnee Nation 1768-1813

Every father should want to give this poem to their son. Every man should want to live up to its edicts. Its words both comfort and embolden at the same time.

Christien, I can only pray that you are reading this. There is a reason why I speak to you in every post, It is the only way I am allowed to do so. When I tell you You'll Never Walk Alone, it's because I am always carrying you in my heart. Behave for your mother and help her in any way you can. God only gives one mother in this world, and she is to always be cherised. Que Dios te bendiga, mi hijo. Cuidate, and never doubt that I love you, son.

Happy Birthday Aaron

Well, I officially became the father of an adult today. While I'm proud of my son & love him as only a father can, I still have to say: I don't feel old enough to have an adult son!! Compounding matters is the fact that my youngest, Christien, is a freshman in high school & Aaron graduates this year. Old age will not take me without a fight, I promise that.

Aaron, now that you are an adult, always remember your father loves you & though I haven't been perfect all these years, I still tried to be the best I could be. No father could be prouder of the person you have become. You've had to work harder than others just to achieve the same results, but you never back ed down. Keep that attitude. It will serve you well as you continue on in your life. At the same time though, don't ever let go of your child like heart. It is one of your best attributes.

Happy birthday son. I love you, & You'll Never Walk Alone.