Joel Stiff's Adventure

 

This is Nicole with Ginger a few years ago.

We just built a new pen for the goats. We have nine of them. Four are for sale. Let me know if you want one.

Their new pen is around 700 square feet of waist high grass. It is a goat paradise.

They have already trampled a path around the perimeter of the fence.

Today I watched as all of them were trying to reach their lips through the fence to eat the grass on the outside.

It is no different than the grass inside the fence…700 square feet of delicious waist high grass.

But they want the grass outside of the fence.

And so do you. And so do I.

For some reason, we believe that what we do not have is better than what we do have.

It’s not.

In most cases, it’s the same.

 

One-third of high school graduates never read another book for the rest of their lives. 

Forty-two percent of college graduates never read another book after college. 

Eighty percent of U.S. families did not buy or read a book last year.

Read.

 

When I was younger, I would come home from school and catch a cartoon called, “Thundercats”.

It was about a group of futuristic cats with different powers that fought evildoers.

One particular episode I remember was of a tunnel. At the end of the tunnel was an object the Thundercats needed to defeat evil. The trouble was that once you entered the tunnel, you began to age. The further you went into the tunnel, the more you would age. 

None of the Thundercats stood a chance at reaching the object, except for one, Cheetara. Cheetara, as her name demonstrates, had the speed of a cheetah. The theory was that because Cheetara was so fast, she could run into the tunnel, reach the object and return with it before the aging would catch up with her. She would run faster than the tunnel could age her.

But even Cheetara was affected by the tunnel. She ran fast, but still aged rapidly.

The episode was quite intense as I sat on the floor eating some Pringles, wondering if she would make it. Her speed slowed to that of a crawl. She retrieved the object, but was she so old now, it seemed that she wouldn’t make it out alive.

Of course she does and the evil forces are defeated.

That’s a lot of backstory to say that recently I have felt like I am in this tunnel. I am not sure what happened, but when I turned forty, I began to slow down.

We have been busy preparing things for a big party at our house this Saturday. I am trying to remodel our bathroom, build a new goat pen, get the yard ready and still keep up with all of my day to day work and responsibilities.

It’s wearing me out.

I used to manage so much better, never feel fatigue and accomplish much.

Now, I accomplish much, but I feel it a lot more.

I’m not done though. I’m taking a lesson from my friend Cheetara.

Run.

When you can’t run, walk.

When you can’t walk, crawl.

But whatever you do, don’t stop moving.

 

 

Today is my mom’s birthday.

I owe her a lot.

I came into her life at a time that was difficult for her. Many women would have made a different choice. Several choices were made available to her. Instead she chose me.

She’s a tough chick.

My dad was a second shift worker so she was responsible to manage my brother and I through the week. I would like to think that we were angels, submissive to the instruction and correction of our mom, but I may be slightly off base. Some would argue that I possess a stubborn streak that I can also attribute to her. I remember a few times where she sat me down for a strong lecture to make sure I didn’t blow it in the big areas of life. She cared.

She’s intelligent and smart. She has common sense. She cares deeply.

If she drank coffee, I’d buy her one of those “world’s greatest mom” mugs.

I love you, mom. Happy birthday to you.

I have a hoveround in the garage with your name on it.

 

Holidays like Father’s Day and Mother’s Day are important.

We take time to express words and love more deeply than we ordinarily do.

Love unexpressed can never be appreciated.

Love unexpressed dies.

 

Those who look to you may not be able to keep up.

It is reported that JFK told his wife as they were in the middle of a public appearance, “Walk slowly through the crowd.”

There is someone who needs you who you may rush right past.

 

The Bible tells of four men who carried their friend, who was unable to walk, to Jesus.

When they arrived, the house was filled with and surrounded by people.

In order for their friend to get to Jesus, they had to carry him to the roof, tear it away and lower him down.

Jesus saw their faith, forgave the man his sins and healed him.

They cared.

A lot.

Who do you care about?

How much do you care?

How do you show it?

 

 

Jacob is my least favorite Bible personality.

In Genesis thirty-four, we find another reason to dislike him.

His daughter is raped and kidnapped. His sons come up with an incredible scheme to bring her back.

Their plan resulted in the death of all the men of the nation responsible for the atrocity.

At the end of the chapter, Jacob rebukes his sons for putting his reputation and life in danger because of their actions.

Their response is quite appropriate:

Genesis 34:31: And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot?

Jacob.

Deplorable.

 

Today, Shannon and I celebrate our twentieth anniversary.

She is one of the sweetest and most gentle ladies you will ever meet.

But today, that is not what sticks out to me.

Her distinguishing characteristic is her strength. She is one of the most enduring, courageous women I know.

Early in our relationship, some tried to dissuade her from marrying me and she stood up to them.

When I suggested a business opportunity while in college, she jumped in with both feet.

When I was a busy youth director, she held down the fort, cared for our children and spent many lonely nights while I was away helping others with their children.

Upon informing her of my vision to plant a church, she wholeheartedly lent her support. It meant moving away from her family to the most dangerous city in America. It also meant a lot of very difficult things we never knew it meant.

I do not know of a better pastor’s wife. I have known many. They are great ladies. I do not know of one better than she.

She has stood beside me. She has defended me. She has walked tall into a room when there has been fear in her heart.

She is an amazing lady.

I love my beautiful wife, Shannon, and thank the Lord every day for her.

Proverbs 31:29: Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

 

We are taught as little kids to share.

When it comes to something we possess, we don’t always like to share.

We see it as ours. It’s mine. You can’t have it.

I once saw a tv show where a man said of a chocolate bar, “Just because it’s divided up into segments doesn’t mean it was intended to share.”

I can relate.

One thing that we do share freely though is ideas.

If we have a way we think we can help someone, we are eager to share it.

If we have a good meal at a a restaurant or a good experience at a store, we share it.

If gas prices are low at a particular station we share it.

This is the idea behind Christian witnessing.

Jesus has changed our lives and so we want to share Him and our story with others.

The reason Christianity is so widely propagated two-thousand years later is because we share the good news.

It’s why I blog every day. It’s my way of sharing thoughts that have helped me with other people.

Maybe if what I’ve written has encouraged you, share it with someone or on your facebook wall.