Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Dealing with Doubt
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Work and Home Life
Work and home life balance is generally a struggle and difficult to define. Our home partners can feel unappreciated if there are not constant reminders of just how appreciated they are while our work partners want a sense of approval through recommendations and achievements. While some partners may feel he or she is meeting the expectations of the other parties, there remains conflicts and disappointments regardless of how much time you spend at home versus time at work. Work partners are generally less emotionally distraught when we show up late or forget an appointment.
My role as an enabler with the power to delegate is exactly where I want to be at both work and home. I am learning, more now than I ever have, being a devoted husband is very demanding. The elusive balance can be achieved in imaginations, whether or not we ever actually achieve this ideal is highly subjective. Currently, if I was to time myself at home vs work and compare the quality of my life on those measurements there would be some evidence in favor of my home life. However if you asked my wife she would probably ask for more attention.
The thought of becoming obsolete becomes quite a frustrating issue for many newly minted fathers and businessmen. Eventually an individual resolves to behave and base his image on the manner of livelihood he actually lives versus how he wants to view himself or wishes to be represented. The results can be quite different, hence maturity is always quite elusive with aggressive entrepreneurial men. Mature too quickly and you risk losing your creative drive and ambition, while your team members carry on like drunken frat boys enjoying the fruits of their labor in appropriate, and inappropriate manners.
With the assistance of the wonderful individuals God has placed by my side we can achieve what millions of Americans and billions of others only dream about. A good balanced home and work life.
God Bless
Sunday, November 9, 2014
How to Navigate
Sometimes we rely on GPS enabled navigation in our hi-tech world. Before GPS humans relied on hand made maps and the constellations for direction. The term "navigator" was used to describe a person educated in the science of directions and telemetry used to formulate routes to destinations. If a navigator was dishonest concerning his experiences or expertise the life of the traveler and his family could be put in considerable risk. Consider Jesus Christ as our heavenly navigator, the Word (Bible) or Holy Ghost our heavenly map or GPS. John 1:14 "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth."
Saturday, October 18, 2014
The Refinery
Amen, we must be refined!
Monday, October 13, 2014
Family Time
Good day
I am blessed to have been raised by a wonderful and loving family. I am always reminded of how blessed I have been to be born into this family. We have a plethora of challenges, many would categorize as dilemmas. I see it this way myself sometimes and need some reminding of just how fallen of a creation we are no matter how much we like ourselves.
My mother attended an all girl catholic school in El Paso, she was raised by an Irishman from Brooklyn and a teacher from Aguas Calientes, MX along with her brother and 2 sisters. Her childhood was challenging but she was extremely intelligent and graduated high school early and registered for college at only 16 years old. My mom currently spends much of her time raising my nephew, hopefully he will turn out like a better version of me. My mother has acquired an undying devotion to God and his son Jesus, through the impartation of studying the Word and the anointing of the Holy Ghost.
My father has so many stories to tell, I wish there was a way to document them all, somebody really should do a biography on the man. His early years of "sheep camp" sound like the most miserable existence one could imagine especially for a child of his young age. Those years consisted of spending summers in the northern New Mexico wilderness, along with a random immigrant charged with shepherding several heads of sheep. They would stay out at "camp" for a few months or until the sheep were fat enough to be sold, sheered or slaughtered. My father was just a child and this could be considered neglect in todays climate.
Later in life, my father experienced a series of life changing events that would challenge anyone to question the direction his life was headed, thank God, he came out a new man in Jesus. He was always talented and capable, and has long been a born-agian Christian. Now he is a well known expert in construction consultation in southern New Mexico. He is remarried now, he and Cathy compliment each other very well. He was contracted by Ted Turner (TNT, Braves, Hawks) to manage the Ladder Ranch renovation project for the homes and cabins on the billionaires property.
My siblings are both interesting and talented, each in their own right. The eldest, half-sister, Laura is the most technically accomplished individual in our family. Laura is a practicing doctor of family medicine in southern New Mexico. Her daughter Jade is a beautiful and intelligent. Sean is my eldest half-brother. Sean is busy in Denver creating a name for himself in music, art and metal fabrication. I whole -heartedly hope and pray for Sean to come back into the fold of the faith in our father God.
Myself along with my half-brother Brendan make up the middle segment of siblings. Brendan is who I aspired to be as a teenager, he was 4 years older, skateboarded, surfed and lived in Santa Barbara California for much of his adolescence. Brendan is a much cooler, better looking version of me. He chooses to live on the island of Kauai, HI with his girlfriend. Earlier this year, along with my dad, I went to Kauai to see Brendan. We had a great time, obviously, but we were also able to pray with Brendan and help him commit his life to our savior, Jesus
The 2 younger sisters are Bonnie and Christian. On a side-note; Brendan, myself, Bonnie and Christian were each born within a 4 year sequence of the previous. Bonnie is the most head-strong and confident of the 2. Bonnie is the mother of Michael. Christian is an independent free-spirit looking for success in Seattle. Bonnie is climbing the social ladder in El Paso. Both Chrissy and Bonnie are exceedingly capable individuals with glowing personalities and beautiful features. I consistently pray for both; for the redemption of their souls and for loving relationships with our savior, Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, it is a rarity to have the entire family completely assembled for any events or gatherings. Mostly, we do our best to keep in touch and keep each other up to date on any family drama. I hope and pray; In the future my family is able to congregate and enjoy family time with increased inclusion, regularity and happiness.
God Bless
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Weird Week
What a weird week, it started off normal enough, but quickly descended into controversy. Thank God my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is by my side and through him I am more than a conqueror.
Since quitting drinking my social life has suffered immeasurably. There is a documented socio-economic link between socially active alcoholics and success in business, especially sales. I find it very difficult to strike up friendships with strangers without a drink in my hand and I'm sure there are many others who experience this frustration. I just pray that God directs my steps and introduces me to the correct people.
Just yesterday, my professional character was attacked by a person whom shall remain nameless. Thank God I have supernatural favor and grace because the enemy was setting me up to be fired. The enemy will use every weapon against us, even our own confidence. My spirit man has been pushing me to be bold. I've been hearing Proverbs 28 over and over "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion."
I will continue to fight the good fight and pursue my heavenly and earthly responsibilities, God has blessed me, I am aware of how blessed I am, God practically spoils me like I am one of his favorite children, at least that's how I feel. When others attack me I must remember to love my enemies and forgive them.
Just this morning I read about the passing of Jason Rabedeux; Jason was the UTEP basketball coach who took over for Don Haskins. He was responsible for kicking me off of the UTEP practice squad and firing G Ray Johnson (the family friend who had assisted me in my foray into college hoops as a young athlete). He was only 49, his wife left him 2 years after he got the job at UTEP and he was replaced at Utep after 4 unsuccessful years. Later he was forced to migrate to Asia in order to coach, where he died. I am deeply saddened by this news, I remember meeting with Jason in his office he seemed like a depressed man, he had no love, life or light in his eyes. He dismissed me without a second thought, I hope and pray God forgives him and accepts him into his kingdom.
God Bless
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Work Day
Thank God for giving me such an enviable life of leisure, I work hard at everything I set my hand to. Thank you Father, for allowing me the enjoyment of reaping the rewards of a good harvest. I believe, God gives his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2 "It is vain for you to rise up early , to sit up late , to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep."
A good work ethic was part of my upbringing, I respect men and women who lead difficult lives and struggle through rigorous labor to provide for their family. I don't enjoy being in a situation where my life is a daily struggle, however I know what it feels like to be stranded in a foreign land without money and having to rely on Jesus for your safety and survival. I am blessed to have been able to avoid having to endure extended difficult circumstances, God has shown me financial reward. I pray for Gods direction on how to use the tools he provides for Jesus's glory.
I feel God has equipped me with certain talents that I have yet to fully realize. If God directed me to go work on a farm or heard sheep I would be honored but I may not be excited. I was drawn to athletics, money and success as a child, I honestly felt I was capable of achieving success on a massive level. By the age of 9 I had fully realized my dream of owning my own corporation (Berger Industries) including limos, skyscrapers, super cars and jets, all designed and drawn up in detailed precision by me during arts and crafts time. Although the skyscrapers, jets and the corporation have so far eluded me, I am confident, Lord willing, they will eventually come.
God gives me an intuitive mind, able to search out and recognize opportunities and discern falseness by discernment and good judgment.
Thank you Jesus for your forgiveness, through the atoning blood of your sacrifice on the cross. His forgiveness is much more than just another chance when we make a mistake. His forgiveness was the sanctifying act of sacrifice to end all sanctifying acts. We no longer need to carry the guilt, he took that guilt on the cross and gave us forgiveness. He took every bad thought, every evil look, every time you say something and you wish you could take it back, he took it back for us! He just wants us to walk with him. He just wants us to walk like he did.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Sunday
Good Day
Thank God for his wonderful mercies, for this creation, his patience and the care he takes with each of us. This brings me to one of my favorite Bible verses in recent memory Matthew 6:25-34
"25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29 and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
You can't really expound beyond the authors statements. This is a defining statement representing all that God is in one of the most minimal explanations possible. This is our guiding statement to heavenly reward, this is the Magnum opus of Christianity. It is an awe inducing spectacle of words carefully designed by the Father to bring forth joy from the inner springs of our spirit. Jesus shows the varying degrees of relationships between God and his creation and confirms the Godhead's devotion to humans as his children. There is no doubt left in the readers mind of the individuals own self worth through the value placed on human life by God. There is a clear, distinct, family like connection to our God.
We had a great day yesterday; Michael is a very good spirited child, I have given over the responsibility of the care for him to Jesus, his mom hasn't been a good example for him. Since his dad is not around he looks to me for direction and I want to be a good role model, Erika gets frustrated and jealous and sometimes unnecessarily accuses Michael of misbehaving. He's a good looking kid and real athletic, he has a good chance at being something special. I will do whatever God leads me to do to help him.
My rottweiler is a joy, she loves to play around with her toys and bothers me to play along. Jesus miraculously healed Eva from bone growth plate damage that developed after she fell off a chair as tiny puppy, she had been limping for months and I was worried about her, my wife and I prayed for her and took her to the vet. Vet didn't have any easy options so we decided we'd let God handle her. Last month we were on vacation for a week and left the dogs with a Kennel service. To make a long story short when we had returned, Eva was miraculously healed! She no longer limps at all and she has twice the strength and endurance when she runs. Thank God for his wonderful promises to us his children!
Our chihuahua became ill while she was at the Kennel service. First we prayed for her, then we took her to the vet to get blood tests done because she had been vomiting. Thank God the tests came back negative, Amen. After a few vet suggested treatments the tiny little furball is back in perfect health! Our God is an awesome God, I am sure God gave us these wonderful pets to care for and nurture just as he cares for and nurtures us.
Friday, September 12, 2014
The Day After
Things have calmed today, my wife offered to cook me breakfast. I declined not out of anger or un-forgiveness but rather, she has unsuccessfully made breakfast a few times this week and I can't stomach the idea of another less than appetizing experience. Very peculiar that she is able to cook a delicious feast for lunch or dinner but breakfast always evades her. I am very comfortable in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
I read a few passages from the Bible (1611 KJV) this morning about kind David. What an amazing life David lived, the rich experiences, the closeness with which he walked with God. Amazing he was so well liked by God and held in such esteem, someone who had strong faith but he was overwhelmed by his flesh and lust, a very sobering realization. Like many youths in Bible school I imagined myself to be like King David, a conqueror defeating giants for God. I pray to never endure the same temptation that King David endured.
We must thank God for the wonderful gifts he has bestowed upon us, every morning when I wake up I should thank God for giving me another day to learn and experience his creation. Many days, however, an appointment or a phone call or a business deal distracts us from our relationship with Jesus and Father God. I find some of the most spiritually invigorating moments are experienced while showering alone. I begin to pray and thank God for his works in my life, this leads to soft singing of his praise and worship and eventually speaking in tongues. Talk about feeling clean after a shower!
The individual pursuits each of us hold dear to our hearts should not interrupt our relationship with Jesus. My personal favorite pursuit is auto's, I have always loved cars, trucks, SUV's, ATV's, boats, airplanes etc. Jesus allows for us to have the things we want, John 16 23:24 "23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."