I'm taking a break from deep thoughts today because, well, just because I can. But here are a few things I want you all to know.
Most importantly, thank you all for the calls, cards, text messages, comments, and e-mails regarding what I will call "Black Thursday." You know what I mean. Death's sickle swings a little closer today. I'm now a virile and rambunctious thirty-seven years old. But in my mind, and many of you can confirm this, I will always be twenty-four.
Seriously though, I have never felt so loved in my life. Simple birthday wishes may seem like small things to you but I have never felt so blessed. I couldn't imagine a day that would be any better than getting to hear from each of you. So thanks for the love. All that is missing is Pumpkin Spice cake and Key Lime pie (Juri and Nikki, there's always next year. Or any random day hereafter). :)
Next, I must say that Jason "Cus D'Amato" Reagan is a brutal, wicked taskmaster. I just returned from working out with Jason, Benji, and Ryan and I can barely lift my hands to this keyboard. We did a boxing workout and, like I told J-Ray, "if I ever get strong, fast and accurate, I'll be deadly."
Do you have any idea how awesome Tupperware is? I doubt you do. I just received a box full of it that I ordered from Juli and I am having a blast with it. I have no logical explanation for this condition but I am loving it!
A point of interest that might cause premature heart failure to some of you (someone make sure there's a defibrillator handy). I now own a tobyMac CD, and I bought it of my own freewill. In the past, when I was being a putz, I ran him down pretty hard just to get on people's nerves. Truth is, I dig it. I think that flushing noise you hear is the last vestige of my stubborn pride. The transformation is complete.
And finally (I knew I couldn't avoid prayer), Benji and I were talking today about our up-coming focus on prayer and we hit on the term "breaching containment." We both gave each other that look we get when something clicks. He had said that he's almost scared, in a good way, about what this focus will bring. When we get our praying right, and by right I mean steady, focused, obedient, and humble, the death of our selfishness and control will allow the Holy Spirit to burst out, assume command, and God is free to do all the amazing work He wants to do. But it's going to take surrender. The final surrender of the things we are clinging to; our plans and dreams, our wishes, and our presumptions of what we think should be His will. That's what real prayer will do. It will give Him the line of communication He desires between ourselves and Him.
Being real must begin with God. When we get real with Him, it changes everything.
Happy weekend, y'all.
