Scrambled Eggs & Corn Flakes

Growing up in the 1980's was great. I think every person will say that the time period they grew up in was the most wonderful time. We tend to look back at our formative years with a whiff of nostalgia - focusing on all the good and perhaps overlooking the bad moments. Nothing wrong with that - it is better to focus on the good times rather than wallowing in unhappy moments. So, for each of us thinking back on our past can bring back good memories. And, there were pretty good memories back in the 1980's. We saw the beginnings of MTV (they actually played music videos back then, and not whatever they are showing now). We spent our days from sun-up till sundown being outside and having fun. Our curfew was nightfall (or more appropriately our parents yelling for us from the porch). People also looked out for each other and their kids in our neighborhoods. I sometimes got in trouble because one of our neighbors saw us doing something dumb and our parents took them at their word. I...

When I made my vows to my wife on October 25, 2008 I meant them. I promised to love, honor, and cherish her all the days of my life. More than five years later, I have striven to live up to those promises I made with God's help. Some days are more successful than others. Like most couples, we have our differences and our fights. Luckily, none of them involve yelling much (she doesn't yell and I yell occasionally). Even when we have our arguments, we made a vow to discuss it before we go to bed. It doesn't do us any good to sleep when angry - you tend not to sleep anyways. Plus, it keeps us from dwelling on the situation and to allow it to snowball into something bigger. We may not come to an agreement always, but we make a point to try and deal with it. We try not to point a finger at the other, but relate how the situation makes us feel. Sleep tends to be a little better afterwards. That being said, I recently feel that I have hurt my wife deeply and in such a way it may...

In honor of the 7th Anniversary of our first date: It has been 7 years since my first date with my wife. You may wonder when it was I decided to marry Susan and spend the rest of my life with her. My friends might say when she said yes to our first date or when I first laid my eyes on her. Even possibly when she didn't say no to a second date. These are all valid answers knowing how I am. However, I knew I wanted to marry her the day she gave me a serious rebuking. But, I get ahead of myself. I had just started going to the Vineyard Church in Brecksville when a friend of mine, Angela, told me there were some nice single ladies going to our church. This being the second service I had been to, I didn't immediately want to get into any trouble right away. I figured let me be there for a little bit, before I cause something bad to happen. The first time I laid eyes on her she was coming out of the classroom where she had been teaching the children. Susan, being four foot ten, b...

"And observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go" 1 Kings 2:3 "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord. "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11 What is success? How would you define it? Is it the same for all people? How do you know if you were successful? On the flip side - what would you consider failure? Both of these questions depend on the environment and scenario you find yourself in. There are also situations which can be perceived as failures from the outside when in reality there was success. Sometimes we overlook the successes as we deem the overall situation a failure. It all depends on what our standards are. In the middle of 2006, I joined a church, Vineyard Brecksville, which had just been plan...

There are many experiences that still have an impact on my life today. Several happened during my formative years in college. I discussed earlier how I came to Christ while in college. It wasn't that I didn't know God or Christ before then, but I had just a superficial understanding of what that relationship looked like. I went to church, I believed the Bible - but there was something lacking in my heart. Things that kept me from fully accepting in my heart. So, I was starting to take my first real steps in my walk with the Lord. It's an equally exciting and daunting time. You see things differently - you see what is done right and how things are done wrongly. If you are lucky, you are surrounded by people who are encouraging, comforting, and help as you begin to grow. Growing always reminds me of spring. Especially springtime at Ohio State. Springtime at Ohio State was always a wonderful time. The sun and warmth, flowers blooming, Brother Jed and Sister Cindy screeching...