O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
-Psalm 8:1-4
The Newman family is visiting relatives that live about 20 minutes outside San Diego. These relatives (Tiffany’s Aunt and Uncle), have a beautiful home that is located in a small mountain range. Though this housing development has all the newest technological bells and whistles, you are still able to hear coyotes howling at the moon at night.
We are having a great time swimming, relaxing, and hanging out.
Today we did something really cool. Early this morning (at exactly 4 am!), we all woke up to look at the stars. Because of the elevation and the lack of artificial light, the clarity in which you can see the stars from this place is truly breath-taking. They shined so bright it scarcely seems real.
Gazing at this cosmic masterpiece, I thought about the God that made it. Falling stars, meteors spinning through the sky, lights sparkling like Christmas right before my eyes.
Wow.
I shuddered while considering the expanse of the countless galaxies, innummerable planets, and ever increasing span of space itself.
I serve a God that did all this?
And more?
It kinda scared me to think about how awesome and amazing God really is.
It also humbled me to think about how easy it is for me to doubt Him. To worry about the details of my day-to-day life.
But I think a God that can hang the sun on its hook, is a God that can take care of me.
If I can trust Him to keep gravity working on planet earth, I think I can trust Him with my future.
The NBA Draft is scheduled next Thursday, June 24th. It is the annual selection process of basketball prospects orginating from the United States and the rest of the world. Over the many decades of the NBA Draft, there have been incredible finds (Manu Ginobli 57th pick, 1999), and colossal busts (Michael Olowokandi 1st pick, 1998).
But the greatest pick ever made, happened in December 1991 in Arden Faire Mall.
No, the NBA Draft was not held in December that year. The NFL or MLB drafts weren’t either.
It was the pick made by a dashing young gentleman (yes, it was me!), to introduce myself to the most amazing woman in the world (and yes, I was smooth!).
Tiffany used to work at Kinder-Care when we were dating.
At the end of the day she and the workers would sing a song to the children, “Clean up, Clean up, everybody everywhere…Clean up, Clean up, everybody do their share!”
We have used this little jingle in our house over the years.
Our girls can’t stand it.
But Mom and Dad love to sing it.
But I can relate to my children’s plight.
Cleaning up is not easy to do.
It isn’t fun.
We don’t like it.
We don’t look forward to it.
So we put it off.
Will take care of it later.
Then what could have cleaned up quickly gets bigger.
When it comes to our inner life, we can be the worst.
Putting things off.
Stuffing junk in the cloest.
Jamming trash under the bed.
We will do anything and everything to avoid cleaning up.
Because to clean up we must allow God to address the ugly issues of our hearts.
Just like our daughter’s dislike the “Clean-Up” song, when God wants to sing it we would rather just tune Him out too.
But deep within us, we know that things must change.
And God knows it too.
Though He directs the operation, and does the heavy lifting (forgiveness, transformation, a new heart, etc), God requires us to play an important role on the clean-up crew.
We must obey God.
We must take responsibility.
We must get to work.
Because it is clean up time.
Today’s the day.
“Clean up, Clean up, everybody everywhere…Clean up, Clean up, everybody do their share!”
Had a great time yesterday (except for getting lost a few times!).
Our Thursday night speaker was Austin Boyd. Five years ago he attended this conference as a participant, and now he is a published and accomplished author with multiples titles to his credit.
He spoke to us in a session called, “How to Pitch your Project”.
We learned about speaking to editors, how to work on tightening your work, how to “Give a Pitch”, and how to refine your “Elevator Speech”.
He had volunteers offer to “pitch” their idea. I volunteered. Great experience.
Wonderful feedback and encouragement from Austin Boyd and other writers.
What was really funny to me was the fact that I was really nervous about pitching my idea. I speak to large groups almost every week with confidence, but I got in front of these writers and cold feel my voice getting shaky.
Not only was it a different forum (which contributed to my nerves), but there is a certain vulnerability that hits you when you are sharing your ideas with a crowd of people you have never met before.
This is an inspiring atmosphere that stirs you to hone your craft and allow the Lord to draw His greatness out of you. For me, this weekend is really about worship. Worshipping Him by growing in the gift that he placed inside of me.
(P.S. -The picture above is a shot of me with 3 of my “Inspirations”!)
Above are three signs that were recently afixed to the three bedroom doors of my three daughters.
All three signs have very clear directions on how visitors are to enter into their bedroom domains.
Last night, I walked through the open door of Kirah’s room without obeying the posted instructions. In mock frustration, she explained to me the grave importance of following the rules.
Then I explained to her (with a smile), that I don’t have to follow any of her rules.
In fact, she doesn’t have the authority to declare “house rules“ at all. She can suggest, but she can’t impose. Because (as I explained to her), she doesn’t pay anything. She doesn’t pay for the electricity, the food, the lodging, or anything. She eats, sleeps, and lodges for free.
She and her sisters are tenants. Unpaying tenants, but tenants nevertheless.
All the benefits she enjoys are financed by Mom and Dad.
And because Mom and Dad foot the bill, Mom and Dad make the rules.
Because tenants don’t make the rules. Only owners do.
But I don’t think my little girls are the only ones that misunderstand this arrangement between owners and tenants.
I can’t help but wonder if God sometimes shakes His head at some of our signs.
The signs where we make unwavering demands.
Make bold declarations.
Create stringent rules of engagement.
But we aren’t the Owner.
He is.
We are just tenants.
God sets the rules, standards, and terms of engagement.
And just like Kirah’s Daddy last night, upon occassion He will step in and remind us who really owns the place.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
-1 Cor. 6:19-20
Thanks to everyone at Renaissance Church for such an amazing day celebrating our 3 year anniversary! The Newman family (mom & dad, girls & all!) are very blessed. Great, great, day.
Last week I tweeted the following sentence on my Twitter page: Be careful 2 give ur best no matter small the opportunity or assignment. Small doors walked through faithfully, often lead 2 gr8 rooms.
The next day I received this message:
Julian,
I loved what you wrote today about doing your best. My 20 year-old daughter started her first job in a brand new day care center about 3 years ago. In the beginning, because she is so willing and very helpful always, *I* felt as if the owner was taking advantage of her. Since it was her first job I often would say, “honey, they shouldn’t ask you to work when you’re not going to get paid”. Or, “it’s not your job to drop off the owners daughter somewhere and use the gas from your own car.” There were SEVERAL things like that and it seemed they went on often. You know, I thought I needed to teach her to NOT get taken advantage of. I’m her mom you know, it’s my job right???
After several of my “lessons” on not getting taken advantage of, she finally said to me, “mom, I just pretend that Jesus is my boss. I don’t worry about getting taken advantage of, I don’t worry about anything I’m asked to do. I just do it as if Jesus asked me to do it, and do it with a happy heart. Isn’t that what you’ve taught me?” GULP! Ummm, yea….
Anyway, 3 years later, she is still employed at that day care center. She goes to school full time and the owner of the center works her hours around her school EVERY semester because the owner thinks my daughter is so great. When the owner took a vacation last year, she left my daughter in charge because they knew she could handle it.
So, you’re right, always do you best, in the little stuff, and even the stuff that you don’t think you should have to do.
Wow. When we recognize that Jesus is our boss, then everything else falls into place.
Someone got my oldest daughter a pink hat for Christmas. Yes, you read that right. A pink hat. They didn’t ask for my permission. They didn’t ask me what I thought. In fact, I didn’t have any idea the pink hat existed until one day before the Newman family left for a day of adventure, Diara was wearing it.
On her head.
Yes, she was wearing a pink hat. Had it tilted just right, and added a special strut to go along with her special hat.
I stopped what I was doing. Everything froze as I stared at the pink hat.
“What is that?”
“What is what?”
“What is that on your head?”
“It’s a hat Dad.”
“Well I can see that (The question is, if I could see that it was a hat, then why did I ask? Only reason I can give is, that is what parents do! We question the obvious.). Where did you get it?”
“I got it for Christmas. From Pauline (her cousin).”
“Oh.”
“You are going to wear it?”
“Yes.”
“Outside? In public?”
She nodded again that she would wear it, but this time she didn’t seem as sure. After looking at the pink hat with a critical eye one last time, I turned to resume my previous activity. It wasn’t until later while we were out did I realize Diara wasn’t wearing her pink hat.
She left it at home. Maybe she had forgotten it.
Days later it dawned on me.
She hadn’t forgotten her beloved pink hat. She hadn’t fallen out of love with her pink Christmas hat. She had simply lost the courage to wear it.
And the worst part of it was, I had taken that courage from her.
Mr. Creativity, Innovation, and Uniqueness had scared his daughter from her“pinkness” into something far less.
I felt horrible about it.
I went up to her room (it was bedtime now), and spoke softly into the darkness.
“Diara? Are you awake?”
“Yes, Dad.”
“I need to talk to you.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“Well Dad has come here to apologize.”
“For what?”
“For the pink hat.”
“The pink hat?”
“Yes, the pink hat. Not too long ago, you came downstairs wearing a pink hat. And you were really excited about it and proud to wear it.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I remember that night you left it at home. And I haven’t seen you wear it since. It just sits here on your dresser drawer.”
“Yes.”
“Well I know why you didn’t wear it. And that is why I want to apologize. You didn’t wear your pink hat because I made you embarrassed because of your pink hat. You were trying to do something different, orginal, and exciting. But all I did was make you feel small. That was wrong. And I am sorry. Please forgive me.”
I leaned over, giving her a hug and a tender kiss.
“Really Dad?”
“Really.”
“Can you find enough strength, to forgive your Dad?”
“Yes.”
“And one more thing, little girl.”
“Yeah?”
“You’ve GOTTA wear the pink hat. I can’t wait to see it.”
May all of us, despite the critics and naysayers, have the courage to wear our pink hats.
O LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise
because of your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?
-Psalm 8:1-4
The Newman family is visiting relatives that live about 20 minutes outside San Diego. These relatives (Tiffany’s Aunt and Uncle), have a beautiful home that is located in a small mountain range. Though this housing development has all the newest technological bells and whistles, you are still able to hear coyotes howling at the moon at night.
We are having a great time swimming, relaxing, and hanging out.
Today we did something really cool. Early this morning (at exactly 4 am!), we all woke up to look at the stars. Because of the elevation and the lack of artificial light, the clarity in which you can see the stars from this place is truly breath-taking. They shined so bright it scarcely seems real.
Gazing at this cosmic masterpiece, I thought about the God that made it. Falling stars, meteors spinning through the sky, lights sparkling like Christmas right before my eyes.
Wow.
I shuddered while considering the expanse of the countless galaxies, innummerable planets, and ever increasing span of space itself.
I serve a God that did all this?
And more?
It kinda scared me to think about how awesome and amazing God really is.
It also humbled me to think about how easy it is for me to doubt Him. To worry about the details of my day-to-day life.
But I think a God that can hang the sun on its hook, is a God that can take care of me.
If I can trust Him to keep gravity working on planet earth, I think I can trust Him with my future.
Whoa.
Our God is an amazing God.
Posted in Creativity/Innovation, Family, Worship | No Comments »
15 years ago today I was married 2 an amazing, incredible, once in a lifetime woman by the name of Tiffany Douglas.
What began with a providential meeting in the mall 19 years ago, has culminated in 3 children and a 5479 day journey.
Wow.
Can’t wait for the next 5479.
Tiffany, I love you.
“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.”
-Prov. 18:22
Posted in Relationships, Family | No Comments »
The NBA Draft is scheduled next Thursday, June 24th. It is the annual selection process of basketball prospects orginating from the United States and the rest of the world. Over the many decades of the NBA Draft, there have been incredible finds (Manu Ginobli 57th pick, 1999), and colossal busts (Michael Olowokandi 1st pick, 1998).
But the greatest pick ever made, happened in December 1991 in Arden Faire Mall.
No, the NBA Draft was not held in December that year. The NFL or MLB drafts weren’t either.
It was the pick made by a dashing young gentleman (yes, it was me!), to introduce myself to the most amazing woman in the world (and yes, I was smooth!).
We were married 4 years later.
It is her birthday today.
And yes, she is better than ever.
And yes, I made the pick.
What a pick it was.
Posted in Family | 1 Comment »
Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!
I love you.
Posted in Family | No Comments »
Tiffany used to work at Kinder-Care when we were dating.
At the end of the day she and the workers would sing a song to the children, “Clean up, Clean up, everybody everywhere…Clean up, Clean up, everybody do their share!”
We have used this little jingle in our house over the years.
Our girls can’t stand it.
But Mom and Dad love to sing it.
But I can relate to my children’s plight.
Cleaning up is not easy to do.
It isn’t fun.
We don’t like it.
We don’t look forward to it.
So we put it off.
Will take care of it later.
Then what could have cleaned up quickly gets bigger.
And bigger.
It grows.
And grows.
Like Shel Silversteins poem where the little girl wouldn’t take the garbage out, we find ourselves neck deep in trash and clutter.
When it comes to our inner life, we can be the worst.
Putting things off.
Stuffing junk in the cloest.
Jamming trash under the bed.
We will do anything and everything to avoid cleaning up.
Because to clean up we must allow God to address the ugly issues of our hearts.
Just like our daughter’s dislike the “Clean-Up” song, when God wants to sing it we would rather just tune Him out too.
But deep within us, we know that things must change.
And God knows it too.
Though He directs the operation, and does the heavy lifting (forgiveness, transformation, a new heart, etc), God requires us to play an important role on the clean-up crew.
We must obey God.
We must take responsibility.
We must get to work.
Because it is clean up time.
Today’s the day.
“Clean up, Clean up, everybody everywhere…Clean up, Clean up, everybody do their share!”
Posted in Family, Discipleship | No Comments »
Had a great time yesterday (except for getting lost a few times!).
Our Thursday night speaker was Austin Boyd. Five years ago he attended this conference as a participant, and now he is a published and accomplished author with multiples titles to his credit.
He spoke to us in a session called, “How to Pitch your Project”.
We learned about speaking to editors, how to work on tightening your work, how to “Give a Pitch”, and how to refine your “Elevator Speech”.
He had volunteers offer to “pitch” their idea. I volunteered. Great experience.
Wonderful feedback and encouragement from Austin Boyd and other writers.
What was really funny to me was the fact that I was really nervous about pitching my idea. I speak to large groups almost every week with confidence, but I got in front of these writers and cold feel my voice getting shaky.
Not only was it a different forum (which contributed to my nerves), but there is a certain vulnerability that hits you when you are sharing your ideas with a crowd of people you have never met before.
This is an inspiring atmosphere that stirs you to hone your craft and allow the Lord to draw His greatness out of you. For me, this weekend is really about worship. Worshipping Him by growing in the gift that he placed inside of me.
(P.S. -The picture above is a shot of me with 3 of my “Inspirations”!)
Posted in Creativity/Innovation, Dream Awake, Family | No Comments »
Above are three signs that were recently afixed to the three bedroom doors of my three daughters.
All three signs have very clear directions on how visitors are to enter into their bedroom domains.
Last night, I walked through the open door of Kirah’s room without obeying the posted instructions. In mock frustration, she explained to me the grave importance of following the rules.
Then I explained to her (with a smile), that I don’t have to follow any of her rules.
In fact, she doesn’t have the authority to declare “house rules“ at all. She can suggest, but she can’t impose. Because (as I explained to her), she doesn’t pay anything. She doesn’t pay for the electricity, the food, the lodging, or anything. She eats, sleeps, and lodges for free.
She and her sisters are tenants. Unpaying tenants, but tenants nevertheless.
All the benefits she enjoys are financed by Mom and Dad.
And because Mom and Dad foot the bill, Mom and Dad make the rules.
Because tenants don’t make the rules. Only owners do.
But I don’t think my little girls are the only ones that misunderstand this arrangement between owners and tenants.
I can’t help but wonder if God sometimes shakes His head at some of our signs.
The signs where we make unwavering demands.
Make bold declarations.
Create stringent rules of engagement.
But we aren’t the Owner.
He is.
We are just tenants.
God sets the rules, standards, and terms of engagement.
And just like Kirah’s Daddy last night, upon occassion He will step in and remind us who really owns the place.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
-1 Cor. 6:19-20
Posted in Transformation, Family, Discipleship | 2 Comments »
Thanks to everyone at Renaissance Church for such an amazing day celebrating our 3 year anniversary! The Newman family (mom & dad, girls & all!) are very blessed. Great, great, day.
Posted in The Church, Family | No Comments »
My youngest daughter is SEVEN today.
I know that there is a term called “Lucky” Seven. But I don’t believe in luck.
I believe in blessing.
On February 23rd, 2003 a little blessing named Raina came into our lives.
She was so beautiful, even on the first day.
Since that time this little bundle of energy, joy, and laughter has captured our hearts ever since.
She is a singer, athlete, reader, and leader.
There doesn’t seem like there is anything she can’t do.
The sky is the limit.
And aside from all of her talents, she truly loves Jesus.
We appreciate the vivacious splash of color that your life brings to the world.
Happy Birthday Raina.
We love you.
Posted in Family | 1 Comment »
Last week I tweeted the following sentence on my Twitter page: Be careful 2 give ur best no matter small the opportunity or assignment. Small doors walked through faithfully, often lead 2 gr8 rooms.
The next day I received this message:
Julian,
I loved what you wrote today about doing your best. My 20 year-old daughter started her first job in a brand new day care center about 3 years ago. In the beginning, because she is so willing and very helpful always, *I* felt as if the owner was taking advantage of her. Since it was her first job I often would say, “honey, they shouldn’t ask you to work when you’re not going to get paid”. Or, “it’s not your job to drop off the owners daughter somewhere and use the gas from your own car.” There were SEVERAL things like that and it seemed they went on often. You know, I thought I needed to teach her to NOT get taken advantage of. I’m her mom you know, it’s my job right???
After several of my “lessons” on not getting taken advantage of, she finally said to me, “mom, I just pretend that Jesus is my boss. I don’t worry about getting taken advantage of, I don’t worry about anything I’m asked to do. I just do it as if Jesus asked me to do it, and do it with a happy heart. Isn’t that what you’ve taught me?” GULP! Ummm, yea….
Anyway, 3 years later, she is still employed at that day care center. She goes to school full time and the owner of the center works her hours around her school EVERY semester because the owner thinks my daughter is so great. When the owner took a vacation last year, she left my daughter in charge because they knew she could handle it.
So, you’re right, always do you best, in the little stuff, and even the stuff that you don’t think you should have to do.
Wow. When we recognize that Jesus is our boss, then everything else falls into place.
No need to add anything more than that.
Posted in Leadership, Family, Discipleship | No Comments »
Someone got my oldest daughter a pink hat for Christmas. Yes, you read that right. A pink hat. They didn’t ask for my permission. They didn’t ask me what I thought. In fact, I didn’t have any idea the pink hat existed until one day before the Newman family left for a day of adventure, Diara was wearing it.
On her head.
Yes, she was wearing a pink hat. Had it tilted just right, and added a special strut to go along with her special hat.
I stopped what I was doing. Everything froze as I stared at the pink hat.
“What is that?”
“What is what?”
“What is that on your head?”
“It’s a hat Dad.”
“Well I can see that (The question is, if I could see that it was a hat, then why did I ask? Only reason I can give is, that is what parents do! We question the obvious.). Where did you get it?”
“I got it for Christmas. From Pauline (her cousin).”
“Oh.”
“You are going to wear it?”
“Yes.”
“Outside? In public?”
She nodded again that she would wear it, but this time she didn’t seem as sure. After looking at the pink hat with a critical eye one last time, I turned to resume my previous activity. It wasn’t until later while we were out did I realize Diara wasn’t wearing her pink hat.
She left it at home. Maybe she had forgotten it.
Days later it dawned on me.
She hadn’t forgotten her beloved pink hat. She hadn’t fallen out of love with her pink Christmas hat. She had simply lost the courage to wear it.
And the worst part of it was, I had taken that courage from her.
Mr. Creativity, Innovation, and Uniqueness had scared his daughter from her“pinkness” into something far less.
I felt horrible about it.
I went up to her room (it was bedtime now), and spoke softly into the darkness.
“Diara? Are you awake?”
“Yes, Dad.”
“I need to talk to you.”
“Yes, Dad.”
“Well Dad has come here to apologize.”
“For what?”
“For the pink hat.”
“The pink hat?”
“Yes, the pink hat. Not too long ago, you came downstairs wearing a pink hat. And you were really excited about it and proud to wear it.”
“Yeah.”
“Well, I remember that night you left it at home. And I haven’t seen you wear it since. It just sits here on your dresser drawer.”
“Yes.”
“Well I know why you didn’t wear it. And that is why I want to apologize. You didn’t wear your pink hat because I made you embarrassed because of your pink hat. You were trying to do something different, orginal, and exciting. But all I did was make you feel small. That was wrong. And I am sorry. Please forgive me.”
I leaned over, giving her a hug and a tender kiss.
“Really Dad?”
“Really.”
“Can you find enough strength, to forgive your Dad?”
“Yes.”
“And one more thing, little girl.”
“Yeah?”
“You’ve GOTTA wear the pink hat. I can’t wait to see it.”
May all of us, despite the critics and naysayers, have the courage to wear our pink hats.
Posted in The Future, Creativity/Innovation, Family | 2 Comments »