Man Law Tuesday #2

Man Law number 2 is: If Anything is Worth Eating, It's Worth Wrapping in Bacon! Bacon is a MAN food...it's looking life in the face and laughing...HARD!

We've ALL heard of bacon wrapped shrimp...you can't eat shrimp in a more manly way than this!

And of course bacon wrapped chicken...the non-red meat, red meat!

Salmon provides healthy fish oils...bacon provides yummy, smoky flavored FAT! What a taste combo!

Bacon wrapped steaks is a staple for ANY real man!

Here we have the ultimate breakfast...bacon wrapped french toast sticks!!! Come and get it!!!

What an incredible idea! Take in a ballgame and enhance that ballpark frank by bacon wrapping it! Can't get more American than this!!!

Man up those party hor d'ourves, by bacon wrapping them, like these bacon wrapped pickles!

...Or bacon wrapped pineapple chunks!

...and for dessert? How about these chocolate covered bacon strips!!! Can't you just hear Rachel say 'Yumm-o!!'?

And for those who JUST can't get enough bacon, here we have...yes, bacon wrapped BACON!

And of course...what holiday is complete without the traditional bacon wrapped TURKEY? I call the wishbone!!

Just remember...if you can cook it, you can wrap it!

Bacon...it's NOT just for breakfast anymore!

~ V

Man Law Tuesday #1

OK...after much contemplation, I've decided that I've been WAY too serious in my blogging lately. So, I stepped back and thought to myself; 'Self...quit being SO heavy all the time!' Yeah, pivotal, I know...So, from now on, I declare Tuesday's to be....

You've heard of the law of the land, Murphy's Law, Maritime Law and even the Long arm of the Law. But this is MAN LAW. Little known, and never spoken of until now, Man Law's are little rules of life that men...REAL men instinctively know. So, without further ado...

MAN LAW #1: Talking in a Public restroom and other bathroom etiquette

1. Do NOT talk to anyone. If you see someone you know, a quick nod is acceptable, but NOTHING more!
2. A quick glance in the mirror is permissible, but absolutely don't spend a significant time arranging hair, clothing, etc. This is called 'primping' and is done in the restroom across the hall.
3. If you must wait, form a single-file line, and be sure to keep looking around, do not...I repeat DO NOT make eye contact! Read graffiti.
4. All graffiti is anonymous. Signing one's graffiti defeats graffiti's purpose and is not done by any man that has taste.
5. Given a string of unoccupied urinals, you must choose one on the outside. When one outside urinal is occupied, use the other side, then middle. Avoid standing directly next to somebody at all costs.
6. Don't start unzipping until you're protected by the privacy of the urinal. Always keep your eyes forward and look at the wall. Looking down means you're obsessed or don't know what you're doing. Looking at the people next to you is disturbing and in direct violation of ALL Man Laws.
7. Always flush. We're men, not animals in the forest.
8. When you find an unflushed toilet, STOP...quickly back out of the stall and use another.

I'm a man and that's MY law!

~ V

The Great American Pastime

I used to coach my oldest son's (Trevor) baseball team. For the first year, when he was nine, I just helped out as the head coach had to withdraw at the last minute due to personal reasons. The assistant had to step up and I could tell by the look of terror on his face that he was in over his head, so I stepped up and spent the next four years coached baseball. When Trevor reached 13, he tried out and made the Babe Ruth league and so ended my coaching days...or so I thought. Our town needed an 8 and under coach and Lisa's youngest boy, Kyle, would be on that team...so I thought about it, talked about it with Lisa and Kyle was very excited about the possibility of me being his coach (he started calling me Daddy-coach!). Honestly, it wasn't an easy decision as I had to make a choice between coaching and going out for HCO's production of Beauty and the Beast...ultimately Kyle's excitement won out and this would give me a chance to spend more personal time with him as well.

I have to admit that it's had its challenges; trying to hold the attention of 13 eight year olds during an hour and a half practice is NOT an easy task! Not to mention trying to keep 26 plus parents appeased! But the boys are fun and they had the chance to 'show their stuff' last Tuesday as they took their season openner 19 to 3!

So, if you see me at the end of the season and it looks like I have a few more grey hairs...I probably will!

~ V

Trusting in His promises

Mathew 6:25-34 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Whether it’s your kids, finances, your spouse, your job or a million other things, worry is very real and affects every one of us at one time or another. We believe God has redeemed us, broken the shackles of Satan, take us from hell to heaven, placed us into His kingdom, and has given us eternal life, but we have trouble thinking He can get us through the next couple of days. We believe God for the greater gift and then stumble and not believe Him for the lesser one…What does this say about us?!! When we worry we are saying in effect, “God, I just don’t think I can trust You.” Jesus basically said, ‘Hey! Why are you worrying? Look at the birds, or the flowers…do they worry about their needs? No! God supplies their needs every single day and if He will do this for these, the least of His creations, don’t you think He’ll supply that much more for you??’

By worrying, we are choosing to be mastered by our circumstances instead of by the truth and promises of God. Jesus wants us to realize it doesn’t make sense to believe God can save us from eternal hell, but not help us in the practical matters of life!

If you struggle with worry, I have found that studying the Word of God to find out who He really is and how He has supplied the needs of His people in the past can be an effective remedy. Also, studying and meditating on His promises helps to build confidence for the future. Stay fresh in the Word every day so that God is in your mind. In Ephesians 1:18-19, Paul tells us “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.” When you catch yourself worrying, go back to Scripture or start singing a praise song…let God open your eyes (and heart) again.

Understand this…God gives each of us the strength we need just one day at a time. He gives us what we need when we need it and doesn’t weight us down with excess baggage. God gives us His grace in the hour we need it and His timing is ALWAYS perfect.

Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

Do you believe, I mean really believe in His promises?

~ V

The Taste of the Mat

The boxer was pushed back by the referee and told to get to the other side of the ring, but his eyes never left his opponent. His opponent had lowered his guard and the boxer, pressing his advantage, came in with a crushing blow to the right side of his jaw; dropping him to the mat like a sack of potatoes. From across the ring, the boxer was intently watching his opponent as the referee started the 10 count. Watching for any movement, the boxer was calculating his next move, should his opponent regain his feet. His opponent pushed himself up to his feet somewhere around count 5, and after a quick check by the referee, the boxer rushed back in. The opponent barely had enough time to catch his breath before the boxer landed a breath expelling body blow; causing him to stagger back and drop to his knee. The referee rushed back in to separate the two fighters, but with rage in his eyes and a consuming desire to ‘end this’, the boxer shoved the referee aside and as his opponent started to turn his face upward, the boxer pummeled his opponent to the mat…

Have you ever felt like this? You’ve weathered the storm, you’re weary and bruised, but you’ve started to recover and before you know it…BAM! You’re knocked down again. Lisa and I sure have! We are quickly closing in on our first year of marriage and we’ve already experienced things a lot of couples never have or never will face. How do you combine two families and have them blend as one and yet still deal with the individuality that makes each family unique? What do you do/say when the kids still yearn for the way things used to be? For awhile, it seemed like a new issue cropped up almost on a daily basis and while I consider myself a strong person, after awhile it just wears you down! But in the midst of this struggling and stress, something…almost imperceptibly…began to happen, bonding and growth. Sure, Kyle and Hope still drive each other crazy, but at the same time, I see them WANT to play together (at times). Nick and Vinny butt heads at times and like the opposite things, but they love to sit and watch TV together and just talk or ride their bikes to get a soda together. As a family, we’ve already established some of OUR traditions (all of us LOVE to sit around the fire pit on the deck and have S’mores and tell stories). It really is quite amazing!

God has a plan in drawing us together as a family…I have always believed that and Lisa has as well. The issues and ‘bumps’ we have (and most likely will continue to) experienced, draws us closer to each other and continues to show us that we STILL need God to build our house (Psalms 127:1). I believe one of two things is happening; either God is refining us for a purpose He has yet to reveal. Needing Lisa and I to go through and experience certain things to prepare us for His work. Or Satan is attacking us, trying to break us down and to thwart God’s plan for our lives. But I think on this; Satan is one of God’s greatest creations, he’s cunning and devious and possibly one of the greatest stratetitions ever…why would he be wasting his time attacking us if we were ineffective for God’s purposes?

I don’t even pretend to know what God has in store for Lisa and I…it may be grandiose or it may be quite humble in nature, but either way, so be it and may God be glorified! As long as Lisa and I keep our eyes and hearts focused on God, we’ll never let our guard down and we’ll be able to make our stand against the boxer.

~ V

Erosion

It’s starts with a single drop of rain…not long after, a small rivulet is formed and over time, a stream. A large snow melt and some months of heavy rains and soon a river is formed…Deep and quick moving, a river’s constant flow can cut through rock, erode foundations and even change where it flows. That first initial drop of rain was meaningless, but with 5 million more, they can change the landscape. Slowly…over time, almost without notice.

Sin is the same way. While we make all the excuses, ‘No one sees, so no one knows’, ‘they’ve got plenty…they’ll never miss a couple’, ‘I can do this, it doesn’t hurt anyone’, the rain falls and a rivulet forms. Over time, the deep river of compromise has eroded and overflowed our moral banks and sin floods into every aspect of our lives. And just like a real flood…there is devastation and the course of our lives are changed...


Slow Fade – By Casting Crowns

Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade
Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day
Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see.

But we don’t HAVE to stay this way. Our banks can be shored up, our lives restored. Jesus…He calmed the waters…quieted the storm when His own disciples grew fearful and lacked faith. Who better to control the river that has gotten out of control, then the One who created it?

Most of my posts are based on personal experience, but this one was different. I felt God pressing me to write this post and I kept asking what was He trying to show/tell me? He simply told me that not everything He tells me is meant for me…I pray the seed finds fertile soil.

~ V

Meanwhile, back at the League of Justice...

Mom's are superhero's. And just like Superman, Spiderman and Batman, they too have abilities. If you're like me (and who isn't), as a kid, I sat and watched Batman, defeat the villains with a combination of smarts, martial arts moves and his trusty utility belt.

He had everything from shark repellent to smoke grenades packed away in it. Mothers too, have a utility belt of sorts, but they called it a purse (and if it's perfect enough, they take pictures of it and blog about it...but I digress). I've seen mothers pull everything from fishing line and band-aids to happy-meal toys and screwdrivers from their satchels. I would even go so far to say that mother's have super powers that are just as powerful as any superhero; Mother's have the uncanny ability to take a scraped knee, clean it, bandage it and with a single kiss, make it feel SO much better! They also have the uncanny ability to know that when the kids get real quiet, something is usually amiss...They know more, see more and hear far more than any normal human being usually does...

Happy Mother's Day to all of you super mom's out there!

I know my mom was super and I know my wife is an incredibly super mom as well! Thank you...I'm always in awe of how much you do!

~ V