Greetings, all!

Well, it's Easter weekend. Easter comes so early this year, it's kind of hard to get into the swing of things. Sunrise service when it's still below freezing? I remember a friend of mine invited me to a sunrise service when I was 11 or 12. It was very cold that morning, probably mid 20's. And you dress up for church on Easter, right? So there I am in my best polyester suit that doesn't fit quite right on the lawn of the church. Everyone else is in jeans and sneakers and winter parkas and hats and gloves. I was freezing my Deuteronomy off! I made it. The pancake breakfast after was a treat, too!

I wanted to clarify the picture a little as far as the content on the blog. Yes, the author is a committed born-again, fundementalist, evangelical, pentecostal, jump-around Jesus freak. And the title, "True Heart Times", as we've discussed, refers to living in all God made us to live in - being able to know and walk in the fruit of the Spirit and to somehow, incredibly, become who God designed us to be.

But that doesn't mean we won't have fun here. I laugh. A lot. I play golf and I love sports. Baseball, football, basketball - it doesn't matter. That's why ESPN is one of the links on the right side of the page. Music is a big time passion. I play drums and guitar. I'm always humming a tune or tapping a rhythm. I try to write songs but they're not that great. I was a part of writing my church's Christmas play this past year. I'm currently writing a monologue for Father's Day. I'm finding I love to travel! My wife and I went on a 7 day Caribbean cruise earlier this year. WOW! I'm going with a "band of brothers" to Colorado in two weeks (two weeks?!?) to the Wild at Heart Boot Camp. I drive by the airport whenever I get the chance, just to see what I can see - planes, people. I love my wife. I love my three beautiful girls. I love my job! Well, I'm glad I'm not a ditch digger, let's put it that way!

Living from your true heart in this context doesn't mean being a monk or a nun. People who love Jesus are everyday, normal people. Have you ever known the "Christian robot people"? They always look so perfect, hair always right in place. Clothes never wrinkled. They show up at all the church functions, smiling and laughing. When you talk to them, there is no 'regular conversation'. It's just an eerie sort of "Ha Ha! How are you, praise God? Hallelujah! God is on the move, amen?" You walk away either thinking, "Wow, they've got it all together". Or what I think - "Wow, I wonder how long can they keep that up?"

We just get this image that Christians wouldn't do certain things, as if Moses handed down a new list of "Thou shalt nots". Thou shalt not enjoy a day at the stadium watching baseball. Thou shalt not go to a sports bar after work if the guys invite you. Thou shalt not miss church on a Sunday, even if it means not playing golf with a neighbor who really could use your love, not your religion. The list goes on and on. Basically, this is anything that would make you say, "Oh, I couldn't do ____________. Christians don't do that. What would people think?" I don't know. Maybe that you have a pulse? Obviously, I'm not advocating blatant sin. Thou shalt not go to the adult bookstore and rent porn. I quote the Fonz, "Correct-a-mundo!" But there are tons of things Christians never try for fear of being struck by lightning for being 'unholy'. When in reality, God is the one who's begging you to do that stuff. It's the devil who's telling you to stay away. Because by doing what you have a passion for, you'll draw closer to God. And that's the last thing your enemy wants.

Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go
do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

What makes you come alive? Sometimes it isn't religious stuff, is it? Fishing, painting, long walks in the woods, building things, computers, that six foot putt on the last hole to win a five dollar bet with your best friend? All of these things are good! If you have a desire to do any of them, that's not just your "list of hobbies". God put it there! It's part of what makes you, well, YOU! Tapping into the things you love allows God another avenue to speak to your heart. To make you come alive. To live an abundant life here and now. Not just abundant with church meetings and Bible studies, as important (and boring) as they can be. But abundant with joy, peace, excitement. Do you consider your life exciting? You can't wait for the alarm to ring so you can get out of bed and start TODAY? Most people dread the day so much, they wish it were over before it begins. You sing "Sixteen Tons" as you march of to the 'coal mine' every day. Tuesday April 7 is exactly the same as Friday September 25. I'm being lulled to sleep by the drone just thinking about it. And I'm talking CHRISTIANS here! Why? What are we missing? Where's the abundant life!

I hope through this blog that we can explore it together. Not that I've got it all figured out. But about a year ago, I found myself hating my life. I was hog-tied to the American dream with no hope of survival. It was going to eat me alive. Then I figured out that my work was sucking out all my energy, my passion, my LIFE! Contrary to what some may advise, I didn't quit my job (My wife thanks me for that). But I did quit putting it in first place. I stopped thinking about it at home. I told my boss, "This place is my job. It's not my life. I won't let it be." I started writing. Spent more time with my hyper girls. Started taking my dog for longer walks. Bought books and read.

Life is short. If you don't slow down, you might miss it. -- Ferris Beuller

Don't miss it. Figure out what makes you come alive, then go do it. And don't be ashamed. Remember, God put it there. He wants you to live! Get to it!

As always, your comments are welcome. I hope to hear from many of you soon.