"Starting at guard...", TCU and Today

The announcing that I did at the varsity basketball game went great. It was a blast, but I did not realize that until the end of the game. I was sweating like I was actually playing in the game before tipoff. Of course, the gym was completely packed which added to my stress and perspiration. The team we played beat us soundly last time and we needed a victory to have an opportunity at a district championship. The boys played great, won, and I did not make a fool of myself or my family. Maybe I need to hang up my principal dress shoes?

I am reading THE BROKER by John Grisham. Another fun book of his to let me get lost into a world unlike mine. I would recommend it to this point.

Riley and I went to the TCU basketball game Saturday night. We watched Memphis (my old hometown team) beat the Frogs. Riley had fun eating popcorn, drinking Gatorade, going to the restroom (it was downstairs which I guess was exciting and he had to tinkle a lot), and keeping track of the mascot, Super Frog. He did not care that there was a game going on, that was pretty entertaining, but he did want to be able to tell his mom all about his "adventure" when he got home. We had fun. It is always an adventure.

Today I am absolutely dreading a meeting I have this afternoon. I have not been able to stop thinking about this meeting all weekend. I hate it when Satan gets me where he knows I am weak. I know my God is in control, but I still worry about events like this. Why? This is an area in my life that I am working on. Please pray for the meeting to go well.

Have a great day.

"Da Da"

It is just a couple of simple syllables. "Da Da". When they come at the right time, in the right context, and with the right excitement, it can just make your heart sing. "Da Da". Some might think it is just babble. A father knows that it is more than that. "Da Da". I had the boys last night. We were eating dinner, playing and then getting ready for bed. Our one-year-old, Owen, and I are playing while Riley is in the tub. We stopped in front of a mirror and with such excitement in his voice, arms flailing in happiness and a huge smile on his face, he looked at me in the mirror and proudly stated, "Da Da". He got excited and did it again and again. Owen has said "Da Da" for a while now but it connected in a new way for him and me last night. "Da Da", so simple yet so meaningful. Owen thanks for making me smile.

This weekend I am being the announcer at our varsity boys basketball game on Saturday. I don't know why this makes me so nervous but it does.

Time to go be the principal. (Which means I need to do a joke of the day and announcements).

Expect the unexpected

Wednesdays can be a challenge, trying to get everything done to then be able to get to church. Yesterday was definitely that way. Beth Ann had to get dinner to some friends, drop the boys to my dad so she could go to the doctor and meet me to inhale a quick dinner before 7:00. I was wrapping up a busy day of meetings and trying to get to the other side of town. We got everything done that we needed to and made it to Richland Hills ready for The Summit.

We were prepared and excited for Rick's sermon on fasting. He was going to teach and share some insights on how to apply this particular discipline to our lives. We dropped the boys off to their classes and settled in prepared to listen and learn. Then the announcement came: Rick is at home with the flu and will not be here tonight to teach on fasting. I have to admit, I was disappointed. We rushed to get everything done and now we were not getting what we wanted and expected.

So the alternative plan was explained. We were going to spend most of the time in praise but we were going to do some different things during that praise time. We were encouraged to write letters to fellow members and go share it with them during the service. There were stations set up for us to go and write praises to our Savior, our Redeemer, our God. A cross was there for us to go write any burden and lay it at the foot of the cross.

This was a bit different for the C of C. People milling around encouraging one another. People getting up and writing to our God on the wall. People going to the cross to pray and lay their burdens down in front of each other. It was a powerful night. It was a blessing to have the freedom to spend time celebrating in God while listening to our praise team. It felt right.

God truly brought a great evening to our church when I thought we would be focused on what sermon we wanted to hear. We expected a great evening and unexpectedly it ended up being even better than we ever thought it could be. Don't you love God's surprises?

Have a blessed day.

I want to be a "Fred"

I recently read a book called The Fred Factor. There are many books that claim to help bring passion to your work and life and help you turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Sometimes books like that are true their billing. This one was for me. It was a simple read but one that made me think and challenged me to become a "Fred". Fred Shea was the author's postman. The book was written to inspire readers to become like Fred. He went the extra mile and did the little things that impacted the lives of those on his route. Fred developed relationships with those he delivered mail to, he took care of their mail and their homes while they were away from home, he patroled his route on his days off to make sure that everything was alright.

This book and "Fred" encouraged me to find the little things in my job that will invigorate passion for me and those at Southwest Christian. There are "Fred" things I can do at home as well, with Beth Ann and the boys.

Look for a way to be a "Fred" to others. Share the experience and encourage others to be "Fred-like" as well. We need to think, What kind of difference is each of us making?

"Whatever you are, be a good one". -Abraham Lincoln

Have a great day!

Craig

Here we go?

Well, I want to give this a try. After keeping up with some blogs (I feel so adult in saying that) I am enticed to try this myself. I realize that only 4 people may periodically read this, my wife and three college roommates, but that is enough. This may be an avenue to share what is happening with my family and maybe God will bless someone through that.
My life is truly consumed by fatherhood and work, and that does give me many things to write about. God has richly blessed me with a wife I don't deserve. Beth Ann is the rock in my life. My two boys, Riley and Owen, are such blessings to me and put smiles on my face each day. These two red-headed little men provide momentum for me each day. I see God at work in their lives and I am so thankful. My best friends: Chris Doggett, Brandon Scott Thomas (where I received the inspiration to blog along with Danny Sims) and Stephen Bailey, besides being the only people beside my wife to possibly read this blog thing, are true friends that will be 100% a part of my life for ever. My loving parents and in-laws have a provided a heritage for my family that is unmatched.
My job is to serve as principal at Southwest Christian School in Ft. Worth, Texas. I have been there almost 5 years now. What a great place to call work. How lucky I am to be able to work with Christians each day and to spend many hours with Godly families.

As my good friend Steve Hawkins says.."You just gotta smile"
Smile through it today and take delight in the Lord!

Craig