It's the little things...

That statement makes me think of two different things:

1) A great Robert Earl Keen song

and

2) Relationships.  I came out of my volleyball game tonight and found a card and new bookmark that had been snuck into my car before I left the house.  It is not the first time that has happened.  In fact, when I had come home a few weeks back from having been gone for four days, I came home to 19 sticky notes, two cards, apartment vaccuumed, apartment dusted, laundry folded, dishes cleaned, fridge cleaned, and a love note written in lipstick on my bathroom mirror (that still resides there :) ).  Again, it's the little things.

How can I not want to wake up and want to do special little things for or constantly think about a person that loves me and thinks of me like that?  Did she HAVE to do ANY of that?  Heck no!  But she did anyway. 

Selflessness.  Thoughtfulness.  Generous.  Loving.  Caring.  Servant hearted.  Good communication.  Respect.  Friendship.  Trust.  Being a partner.  Investment in the bigger picture.  THOSE are the things that make relationships grow and strengthen.  I am very lucky that God has sent me someone that views relationships the same way that I do---and not only view them that way, but also acts on it daily!!!

So tonight, I ask you, are you doing YOUR part in your relationship?  Are you just expecting and not giving?  Are you giving all that you can?  How important is your relationship to you in the first place?

If things can be better, I hope you will consider ways that you can take the initiative to do more, and then following through by doing it!

I love you, Kelly...you're a blessing...

Be a blessing out there everybody!

My current facebook status...

There are a few things in my life that I try my hardest to consistently live by that have brought me the greatest peace ever, and have made my relationships stronger and life quite fruitful:

1- God is bigger than everything, and can handle anything
2- Life is NOT all about me
3- Control ONLY what I can control
4- Attitude is everything....and I decide what mine is...nobody else does
5- Life is about constantly choosing one thing over another...alot can be told about us just by the things we    are choosing between

I hope that EVERYONE has the opportunity to live a peaceful and blessed life---and if yours isn't, then I encourage you to ponder these truths and open the Bible :)

UPDATE: 
The other thing I should have added is this: We assure others of failure in our eyes when we hold them to standards that are unfair and unattainable---so see the good in people no matter who they are, and don't judge them by their past, as everyone is capable of change, and there is only ONE judger, and it is not ANY of us! Set people up for success, and hope they take advantage!  But if they don't, that's a "them" problem, not a "you" problem...

The Law of the Lid...

I started reading a new book on leadership today.  It is by John Maxwell, and the first chapter deals with the "Law of the Lid".  Basically, it says that you are only as effective as your leadership potential.  If your leadership ability is limited, so too will be your ceiling.  Pretty interesting and true stuff there!

On a different note, I got to meet some more of my future family this weekend, and THEY ROCK!  I had such a blast, and look forward to seeing them all again...

I am just one blessed dude!

Self-check...

What is your life about?  Is it about "self"?  If so, did Christ live life that way?

Just a little something to think about this weekend...

What changes can you make in your life NOW so that you have the best possible future?  Selfishness is NOT the path that leads to God's best...

A great find...

You never know if something you might have laying around that means nothing to you might just be a great treasure to to someone else.  Look around---are there things you have in a closet or in a cabinet that you don't need?  Why go through the hassle of a garage sale?  There have been a ton of wild fires, plus, there are just other people out there that might be in a bit of need. 

Just a REALLY easy way to impact someone else's life out of your giving heart...think about it!

NOW, GO DO IT!

A tip of the cap...

I just want to stop and tip my cap to all of the guys out there who are step-dads that are actively loving on their step-children.  I know that to this group of individuals this is just how it should be, and you take great joy in your role---but the truth is, all too often, most guys don't take this role seriously.

Keep up the great work dudes!

Buckle up and grab a snack...

...because this might be a long one!!!

The latest in what's going on in my mind and my world:

-I HAVE to start with my long week of inner turmoil.  That durn Tony Romo ripped my heart out AGAIN!  I was absolutely done with him after last week, but I think he still has alot to give for the year, and choose to have atleast the tiniest bit of faith.  But he BETTER get his crap together!!!

-I hope Texas goes to the ACC, Texas A&M to the SEC, and Oklahoma to the Pac-however-many-they-end-up-with.  I think A&M will not be as good as they think.  I like them, so don't take that as me drinking the UT kool-aid.  I just think that there is more to lose than to gain, and they will be going into the SEC with a new QB, and if things don't look good quickly, they could be in for a long road to get there.  Just my opinion.  I also think that as much as I love Texas, they are a little too big for their britches.  Greed and money is the whole thing behind all of this anyway, so it only stands to bring more bad than good!  I just can't stand Oklahoma, and I hope they go and do good and keep blowing it in BCS games on a national stage!

-I am getting married FOUR weeks from today.  I am SO lucky to have a woman that loves me and puts effort DAILY into our relationship and family.  God has blessed me beyond measure with Kelly.  I just don't have the words to fully describe how I feel about her.  I love you, and I can't wait for you to be my wife and get to wake up next to you each and every day!

-When we were in DFW last weekend, we went with Kelly's mom to see her first car and also get her late father's dog tags from his military days.  There ended up being a write-up in the Star Telegram about it, and the thing that stood most out to me of the whole thing was the heart and choice of a man named Emerico Perez.  He has had this car since the late 1970's and just recently decided to have it fixed up.  During this process, they found a rear fender that needed to be replaced, and found the dog tags upon cutting that fender out.  Well, what ensued from there was Emerico searching out this man's family to get the dog tags back to them.  Emerico said himself that he used to not give much thought to the military, etc, but now that he has his own son in the Marines and stationed in San Diego, he has a whole new appreciation for the dedication and sacrifice that our troops give, and he was intent on making sure those dog tags got back to where they needed to be.  Again, life is about attitude and choices.  His attitude and choice impacted a woman, her family, and everyone else that got to sit around and hear and be a part of a story that involved a car, a good man, and some dog tags of a former soldier.  It is good to know that there are still some really good people out there.

You're a good man, Emerico Perez.  I pray you and your family are blessed as you go on in life.

-I am getting a vasectomy next Friday.  That's about all I have to say about that right now. 

-Our Friday morning mens group is starting a study on Ephesians this week, and will continue in it for a long while I'm sure!  I am very excited to dig deeper into the Bible than I ever have, and can't wait to see what all God teaches me through this.

-I love meeting new people and learning about their hearts.  I had a roommate for my work meetings this week.  We had the chance to spend alot of time together and just sit and talk life, work, etc.  I loved hearing about the things he does to make a difference in people's lives in his community, and also learning that he has a heart to do so much more.  Again, it is just great to see that there are people out there that put self last and make a positive impact in the lives of those they come across. 

-I am STOKED about my new bike that I got from Landry Gibbs!  YOU ARE A BLESSING MY BROTHER!  I can't wait to get out and enjoy riding again!


Ok, I think that is enough for this morning.  All I know is that God is good, I am blessed, and I am thankful for a life that is more fulfilled and simpler than anything I have ever had the chance to live!!!

Have an AWESOME weekend out there!

Back from the dead...

Seems like forever since I last blogged!  Man, life has been hectic, but AWESOME!

This last weekend was a great one.  I got to meet my future mother-in-law in person, and I can definitely see where Kelly gets alot of her awesome qualities!  She is a sweet, generous, thoughtful, and classy lady. 

Now I am at meetings for work until Thursday sometime, so my free time is scarce!

Today is going to be a short one, but I wanted to stop in and mention a few things I will be writing on soon:
-Tony Romo and my Cowboys
-College football
-Texas Rangers and playoffs
-GOP challengers
-Emerico Perez and a reminder of how life is a game of inches sometimes
-Pursuing your dreams
-and ALOT more!!!

I thank God for giving me a mind that he puts thoughts in all of the time!  I love sharing the things I think and learn, and look forward to getting these out to you so that maybe they can impact your life, too!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE OUT THERE!!!! 

Faithful again...

I love when I am sitting at my keyboard and thinking that I have nothing I think is blog-worthy.  It doesn't surprise me anymore when God then does something like remind me of a friend that I have been playing phone-tag with, who I then call, and we have a long talk that brings each of us encouragement and God some glory. 

God, you rock!

ALWAYS faithful is my God.  ALWAYS!

I loved catching up with Mike.  He is a guy I went to high school with and hung out with some.  Most of that consisted of having mutual friends and being in the same places at the same times.  Either way, our friendship didn't have God at the center of it then.  That is why it is so awesome to see God put us back in touch at this point of our lives where our conversations are built around what God is doing in our lives, or how we are working towards being even Godlier men in our relationships, and providing encouragement for each other in our individual endeavors, etc.  The kinds of things that I know brings a smile to the Lord's face. 

So Mike, I wish you success as God wants it for you, and know that God used you to provide me much encouragement and a great big smile tonight.  Keep plugging away growing as a man.  Keep focusing those eyes only on the Lord and seeking wisdom from above.  Keep being a Godly example for your children, both at home and the 8th graders that you impact.  Keep having your convictions and daily decisions challenged only to provide further growth.  You're a good man, Mike Farco.  A good and Godly man!

I look forward to more frequent visits brother!  You bless me!

Thanks again, God!

Winning while losing...

I'm in a battle I know I'm not gonna win!  The deck is stacked VERY MUCH against me!  Yet at the same time, I couldn't be more excited about what will come from it.

I guess you'd like an explanation after something like that---so here goes:

I am praying about some things and putting efforts into exploring that will be revolutionary for me and my life if they come to fruition.  They might not---and that is ok.  The battle is one of faith at this point.  Even as I type this, I know the human in me will lose.  I can't be reading the Word, reading books on stepping out on faith, have Hebrews 11:1 in my heart ALL the time, or be surrounded by a loving and believing support system and fiance and not expect God to be getting me ready for something.  Whatever it is, I'm looking forward to it!

My prayer for my life is that God will keep me selfless and let me focus on Him and my family first, then be available for whatever he wants me to do on top of that to always be making a difference in some form or fashion.  I want to live by faith first and foremost, and trust God with every detail of every day.  He has shown me over and over that my life has more peace and more joy when he is in the front taking the lead.

So today God, again, I give it to you.  I trust you.  I WANT you to do something amazing through me if that is your will.  I EXPECT awesome things from you.  I TRUST you fully.  ANYTHING is possible with you.  ANYTHING!!! 

Enjoy your holiday out there!

I'm a sponge...

What a great day!  I loved spending time with Kelly and all of our kids.  Not only that, but my parents came in and hung out for awhile, which is always a blast! 

The thing God most impressed on my heart today is that I never stop having opportunities to learn.  I am so lucky that I have the people and resources around me to help me always be in a state of growth.  I desire that because I want God's best for myself, my relationship, and my family. 

God NEVER stops teaching us.  He can and will use ANYTHING around us for his good purpose in our lives.  It is TOTALLY up to US to be receptive to instruction and receiving wisdom.

I hope your weekend is going great!!!

Current playlist...

Here is what I am listening to these days in my car.  It is always so hard to decide what goes on which cd, but God helps me make the final decision! 

I HIGHLY recommend you download these off of itunes if you don't have them.  They have given me an awesome week of worship in my car out on the road during my work week.  Thanks God.

Here it is:

All Of Creation - Mercy Me
Cry Out To Jesus - Third Day
Everything - Tim Hughes
From The Inside Out - Hillsong
Glorious Day - Casting Crowns
Healing Is in Your Hands - Christy Nockels (I turn this one up LOUD and REPEAT it OFTEN!)
Hold Us Together - Matt Maher
I Can Only Imagine - Mercy Me
If I Stand - Rich Mullins
It Is Well With My Soul - Jars Of Clay (Beatles style!)
Love Of God - Mercy Me
Mountain Of God - Third Day
None But Jesus - Hillsong
Promised Land - Fee
Rescued - Goesls Parade (Haven't checked for availability on itunes---MUST youtube it if it isn't there!)
Sweetly Broken - Jeremy Riddle
This Is The Life - Pocket Full Of Rocks

So again---check these out if you don't know them...I know there are a ton of great songs, but since this is MY blog, I figured I'd give you what God's been giving me!

Have an awesome holiday weekend!