Thursday, June 30, 2011

Sun burns and Krabby Pattys

I'm trying real hard to be thankful for having a sun burn. Yeah, that's right. Trying to be hard being thankful for a sun burn. Why, you ask? I really don't know. It's 9pm at night while I write this and it's 85 out right now. I spent a wonderful, fun filled day yesterday with our church's youth group at a water park. I came home tired, smelling like chlorine and redder than Sponge Bob's boss at the Krusty Krab.

What I don't get about sun burns is that people look at you in all your red lobsterness (an yes, I know Mr. Krabs is acrab) and ask "You have a sun burn, huh?" Maybe it's just the body rushing blood away from my brain to heal the skin but the first thing I want to usually say is "What was your first clue, Captain Obvious?" ...which I don't say but sometimes I really really really do.

Being the nerd that I am, I went on WebMd today to look up sun burns (which was better than my first choice, Wikipedia, but Wikipedia had cooler pictures). Apparently I even chagned my DNA with the sun or something like that. Cool. Sadly, I won't be able to climb walls like spider man or shoot beams out of my eyes like Cyclops. But still, cool, my skin had a chemical reaction of red awesome yesterday.

But it still hurts. Like ouch hurts.

Maybe I can be thankful that I can peel the skin next week...or did I just gross you out. Sorry.. I think it's a guy thing.

I could be thankful that now I can get out of mowing the lawn tomorrow like I said I would...wait, no, because I can wear a long sleeve shirt and quit my belly aching.

When I was a kid and we'd get wicked bad burns, we'd slather on aloe vera gel and lay in front of a fan and fall asleep. That sounds nice. An excuse to take a nap. Wish I thought of that earlier today.

Well, so far I haven't thought of anything to be thankful for in regards to having a sun burn. I'm gonna go read my manga now and rest.

How're ways you can be thankful for something like a sun burn that might be hard to be thankful for. Share it and let me know, I'd like to try it for my sun burn.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Stepping into the River

A pastor one time told me that you can't step into the same river twice. The river keeps moving and is constantly changing. This is something I've been able to witness first hand.

The Missouri River bisects the state of South Dakota. So much so that the state is unofficially divided into what is called East River and West River. There is a different topography, landscape, culture and worldview on either side of the bank. And the mighty Missouri runs between it. The river ebbs and flows. It rises and shrinks. Right now it is rising and flowing. The banks are disappearing as sand bags appear. Just a few weeks ago, it looked gorgeous. Now it is flowing and flooding different areas. Last year in August the water was so high there was almost no shore line by the Snake River campground. By September, the shoreline was huge. Places we had once swam in deep water were now covered by the once unseen rocks we stepped on.

You truly cannot step into the same river twice. And this is what I muttered to myself coming out of the gym yesterday afternoon trying hard to keep my lunch in my stomach.

It had been a week and a half since I had lifted before leaving for a two week vacation. I stayed active. I did a lot of walking and hiking. I watched what I ate. Yet I hadn't lifted for almost a month. And when I cam back to the gym yesterday, I had every full intention on taking it slowly and stepping back into my routine. I had a plan. Cut back on the number in my routine and use lighter weights. But then the lighter weight I was using felt too light. So I added more. And I increased the reps. I was flying. I was doing great. And then, on bicep curl #11 my gut told me to stop. I've learned from experience that if I don't, my next step of reps will be over the porcelain idol.

I couldn't go back to where I left. The river had changed.

But how many times do we do that in life? We come back home from college and feel like we're forced to step right back into things. We've changed and now so has the river. Or even with churches. We ;change a church and it's different. The river has changed. We can't go into a new church expecting it to be the old one.

And what about faith itself. I've known people who've wandered away from their faith in Jesus Christ to come back years later. Things have changed. It's not what it used to be.

What I've learned is that when we try to force it, when we try to make things the way the used to be, we feel like we're going to puke (could have used "vomit" but "puke" just sounds cooler and not as childish as "blow chunks.")

Seriously, sometimes we truly feel like we want to emotionally or even spiritually puke. When you work out until you puke, that's not good. It's not good to your body. When you haven't lifted in a while and then puke, that's even worse. I've learned the hard way that it takes even longer to get back into the routine.

moral of the visceral story? Don't try to step back in at the same place but instead come back and a new pace. And don't puke.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Yoda, Picard and that other guy

In my office, I have a number of items. I have books. I have a laptop, I have pens and highlighters. I have mementos from mission trips and gifts from friends and family members. I have a pair of wooden shoes in size 15 sitting on the top of a bookcase. I also have figurines of Hahn and Chewbaca, a Yoda figurine, an Optimus Prime figurine and other items.

Why do I have these last few items in my office at church? Because not only do they rock the Casbah, but they also have meaning to me.

They are the epitome of manliness. To which, you might be asking yourself: "Huh?" Hahn many people get but Yoda and Optimus Prime? And why is Picard's name in the title if he's not one of those in my office?

Good questions all of them (and not because I asked them myself). I've been reading Wild at Heart by John Elridge. It was suggested to me on the post Scratch and Spit. The book is about being a man of God and what it means to be a man of God.

One of the things I've realized in the last few years is that our role models for men is sparse. No offense...or maybe there should be some. Because instead of looking towards men who could truly show what it means to be a man, I've turned to Sci-Fi for assistance. Now, don't get me wrong. I've had some amazing mentors over the years who've been there for me and have walked me through some important chapters in my life.

But why these guys? Well, Yoda is wise and is a teacher and mentor to Luke. Picard is a thoughtful and determined leader who takes time to teach, instruct and even admit when he is wrong. The same is true with Optimus Prime. And Hahn and Chewy? Well, they just rock.

It takes more than one person to raise a child. It takes more than one man to teach a boy how to be a man. It takes more than one man of God to teach young men what it means to be a man of God.

Luckily I had 5 men when I was in high school and my first few years of college who did just that. But there are others who don't and didn't have what I did. Many don't even look to Yoda, Picard or some other guy. Instead, they turn to celebrities who's lives are screwed up just as much as their own.

So, my charge, my request...heck, my frakin challenge to you men who are reading this: DO SOMETHING! It takes more than one man of God to teach a young man what it means to be a follower of Christ. Come along side these young men who need mentors. Be a spiritual mentor. It's not as tough as you think. Be yourself in Christ with them and teach them to do the same. But do it. As Yoda would say "There is do or do not. There is no try." Or Picard: "Engage."

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Dead buffalo and the life hear after

While journeying through Yellowstone today, we came across the remains of a buffalo and the tell tale evidence of a bear being nearby. I also taught my son a new word--scat. Yeah. I'm cool like that.

This actually hit my 5 year-old son somewhat hard. We had just seen (and I mean like 15-20 minutes ago) live buffalo roaming the park. And now, as we're walking a trail around a hot spring, we see the bones, fur, uneaten hooves and what-nots of a buffalo on the ground near the trail. He had a hard time trying to understand death. He felt so bad for the deceased buffalo that he almost wanted to cry.

My wife and I tried to explain to him the circle of life (which I at first called The Law of Equivalent Exchange but that might be for a Spiritual Sci-Fi Friday post). That seemed to work. And we started walking down the trail again. Then my son stopped and said "Let's pray for the buffalo" and with no prompting started "Dear God, thank you for the buffalo, please bring him back to life. I really like buffalo. Amen."

Where could I go with this? Faith like a child? This is how he is psychologically processing his new understanding of a paradigm? (yeah, I said it..paradigm... just don't pronounce it pair-a-dig 'em).

He was processing what he had heard in church and Sunday school and spoke what he heard. His idea of heaven is one of feasted upon buffalo fully alive. (For me, it'd be a an amazing southern Californian beach..maybe with a buffalo too). But he took what he had heard about death and life and applied it in the best way a five year-old could.

This was a moment of pure spiritual health at work. He was trying to take what he had learned and put it into practice. I think this is being healthy in everything we do--spiritually, emotionally and even physically (I say this as I finish up a piece of amazing peanut butter fudge from the KOA here).

Part of being healthy is not staying where you're at but allowing information you've learned from church, from spiritual mentors, from life coaches from friends and even (gasp!) parents and putting it into practice in real life situations. And seeing the results regardless of success or failure.

Wow.. I'm a bit too serious this late at night. But honestly, look for ways to have those moments where you can take what you've learned and truly apply it in your life.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Traveling Mercies... and some grace too, please

As of the writing of this post, I am typing this blog on my laptop, flashlight tucked under my chin, a battery operated lantern hanging from the top of the tent and yes, I am in a tent. I am camping. For a better sense of the word. I'm in a tent at a camp site. Yes, it is a KOA but it is still a campsite. I haven't gone camping in years and so this is a good way to get my feet wet again.

It's been an interesting adventure this last week or so. Driving from South Dakota, with a detour through the Bad Lands and also, more importantly, a stop at Wall Drug, we made our way to California. From southern California to northern California and then the long trek east to go camping near Yellowstone.

And the whole time my wife and I have had my two year-old daughter and 5 year-old son in tow. That is where the grace and mercy request comes in. As I read Tom's post on grace while I was on the road (thank you iPhone) I pondered the need for giving grace to ourselves and also to our loved ones.

There's something about being stuck in a car for hours on end, grabbing bits of sleep here and there, spending some time sleeping at rest stops, in hotels and on floors of family members that makes you appreciate having grace towards others and giving mercy where needed.

It was early Saturday morning, I had pushed through the night, driving straight through Colorado (I had every reason not to be stuck there AGAIN). The very first rest stop in Utah I stopped... at 4am. Very tired and sleepy, with everyone else in the car zonked out on whatever surface they could rest their heads, I parked, leaned my seat back and tried to sleep. My daughter woke me up an hour later. In my fatherly wisdom, I took her outside to walk around and burn off some energy. In the rest stop there were large hills with trails to walk, so my daughter and I walked up one. And beheld an amazing gift of beauty. This was worth it.

We climbed down the hill and then up to the next. Again, pure beauty. My daughter, filled with energy, was jumping up and down and running around and took a spill. Did a total faceplant on the ground. Cut her lip. Was crying and upset. I took her down, cleaned her up and she looked at me through her tears and said "I wanna go up the mountain again."

Ahhh.. grace. Love. And the mercy given to my by a small child.

We have a week to go on our vacation and road trip. And a week to go to experience more traveling mercies and grace.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

That's how this grace thing works...

Recently, I was in a car accident. Nothing too major and certainly not as scary as the accident Josh's wife went through.

No, this was just an example of my own carelessness. My mom told me to go get the oil changed in the car and gave me a coupon that marked down the cost to $22.99. As I was driving to the dealership, I thought "Wait a minute, do I still have that coupon?"

So I glanced around in the front of the car for it...right as the light turned red. I didn't see it in time to slow down and rear-ended the woman in front of me.

When I heard her taillight crack, I thought "Ohhhhhhh no. I'm dead! I am so dead!"

I left the car and, while we waited for the police to show up, I apologized a thousand times over to the other driver. Then, after the cops had pulled us off the road so as not to obstruct traffic, my dad arrived and I felt even worse. I apologized to him over and over again, saying "I'm never going to drive again. Never, never, never."

"Of course you are," he said. He then called my mom, told her how upset I was, and had her talk to me.

"I'm just glad you're OK!" she said. "I can replace a car--I can't replace you."

That floored me for the rest of the night. Even after calling up my good friend, who, after I told him what had happened, said the same sentiment, it still floored me. Even the woman I rear-ended came over after talking to the cops and said, "It's all right; these things happen." Astonishing, just astonishing.

The title of this post comes from the song "Roll Away Your Stone" by the British band Mumford & Sons. I bought their album not too long after the accident and that song, coupled with my circumstances, has really gotten to me thinking about grace and mercy.

A lot of Christian songs tend to focus on that. Y'know, "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound/That saved a wretch like me" and all the rest of it. But it seems to me when ministering to people, we don't seem to do that.

As Christians, we believe that God's grace extends to everyone through the death and resurrection of Jesus. He sees all we have done, all we do, and all we will do and He loves us in spite of our misgivings.

My parents still love me even though I cost us some money in car repairs. That kind of love, mercy and grace is truly amazing.

Monday, June 13, 2011

I Choose to Win, I Choose to Fight

One of my all-time favorite songs is "Weathered" by Creed. Yes, you might be chuckling right about now because it's Creed (I don't know how many people I know remind me of their not so glorious past), but the lyrics are something to really pay attention to -- the title of this post comes from that song.

When I first started reading Pastor Josh's blog, the use of imagery through various war heroes and power lifters really set the tone for the idea of a "Spiritual Muscle Head." I can just imagine this insanely buff dude who carries around a Cherokee tomahawk, a double-edged sword, and look on his face that screams "I will tear you into millions of tiny pieces." 

But that's not what the look of someone spiritually healthy really is -- in other words, don't be looking towards Arnold Schwarzenegger as a model of being a Spiritual Muscle Head. Look toward that puny guy sitting in the pew with a Bible in his hands; odds are, he's the real deal. In a world of glamour and hotshots, the guy who faces the daily battle with The Word is the real hero.

What battle could you possibly be talking about? The daily war we wage against sin, against Satan, against the fallen state that we're in. The daily battle we wage with the person we see in the mirror and the heart tucked inside said person. That battle, the one within our hearts. 

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. -- Ephesians 6:11-12

The only true way to being spiritually healthy is showing up not just to fight, but fight with the armor of God. Take it on each and every single day -- the battle is only won with Him by your side. We already know who's going to win the final war, why not take up arms with Him?

I wouldn't want to meet this guy in an open field.
But life is a struggle. It's very easy to get caught up in life, and we need to be reminded daily (hourly, minute by minute, you get the picture) that we are His. We aren't talking about a quick and easy war here -- this has been going on for centuries, and doesn't plan on slowing down anytime soon. The thing is, you must choose not just right now, but daily, to start fighting. I tend to think of Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) from The Patriot when I need a reminder. He loses some of the people he loves most dearly in waging the war against the British, but he still chooses to fight. And do remember, he chose victory. 

What is keeping you then? If God is with us, who could be against us? Take up the armor of God -- choose to fight, choose to win.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

In the Colorado Wilderness (redux)

(This is a repost from my old The Harbor blog. This was written during a time of distress and frustration. We went on a family vacation only to have our minivan die on the side of the road in eastern Colorado [which, incidentally looks like Tattoinne.. saw a jawa at Starbucks there]. Now that we're going on our first vacation since this incident, I thought I'd repost it for fun...and hoping it never happens again. Please to enjoy)


When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior
Isaiah 42:2-3


These words ring oh so much truer for me now. It’s been a hard couple of days. We were looking forward to some rest, relaxation, fun, and visiting family. And then it happened. Our car died. I mean, it’s beaten up beyond repair. It’s more dead than the career of that kid who played Screech on Saved by the Bell.

Now we’ve been stranded, stuck, in beautiful eastern Colorado. I can see the snow capped mountains in the background. I can see the fir trees turning slightly brown due to lack of water. It’s gorgeous…but not where we wanted to be.

I will admit it, I’m frustrated. This isn’t what I wanted our first family vacation to be like.
These words from the book of Isaiah are words given to the Children of Israel during times of trouble. “When you pass through waters, I will be with you” God tells them. Waters was a way of describing chaos..which I feel like we’re living in right now. And then he says “When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep you over.” Rivers were natural borders between countries and a lot of these rivers were fierce and formable during the rainy season when they were at their peak. When trouble is surrounding us as we pass into a new time in our lives, God says he will be with us. And then he says “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Basically, to borrow from Battlestar Galatctica, when everthing’s fraked up beyond repair, God will not let us be consumed by it; it won’t take over our lives.

This is supposed to be good news for me, right? “Yes, yes it is” I keep telling myself. “God has a plan and this is part of it” I keep telling myself. And these answers are true and real. I know God is in control, but right now, it feels like everything’s fraked up and not going according to plan.
So this is what I’m doing right now. I’m trusting, I praying and I’m walking forward.

I’m trusting that God will provide. God says that he takes care of us. He will be there. In fact, not a hair can fall from my head without Him knowing or being somehow involved (I spotted a gray hair yesterday…from the trip, I don’t know…but if God’s involved somehow, we’re going to have words). Everything is out of my control. I am at the mercy of others. I can’t have a say right now, because other people will determine what will happen. So I need to trust that God will use these people to get us through this mess we’re in and that it will be a great story to tell later on how great God truly is.

I’m also praying. I’m praying so much that I’ve even set the timer on my cell phone to go off once an hour so I can pray. But part of prayer is also listening. So I’m asking God for help, pleading with him for help, but I’m also listening to his direction and guidance.

And I'm walking forward. This is the toughest part. But I know that God is there. He is speaking, he is active. I remember the verse right before the ones I quoted above where he says “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” I am His. He has summoned me by name. He is mine. I am His. The God of all the universe knows my name and I am His.

I wish I could end on that note. God is here. He answers my prayers. But the answer isn’t always what I want it to be. Right now, it’s “wait.” It s wait.

And so I wait…..

(epilogue--we did finally leave eastern Colorado and made it safely back to Chicago, sans vacation in California. Two years later, we are once again attempting a trip back to California. I might have a blog post or two when I come back. In the mean time, there will be some good guest bloggers on here to keep the blog a goin')

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

My Deere, John letter

Back in January, I blogged (okay, maybe complained a bit too) about the snow blower. One thing about the snow blower is that it forced me to be a better Christian, to be a better example of Jesus to others. Why? Because the blasted thing really...breathe..breathe...

In short, using the snow blower in plain sight of my kids and of the community around me forced me to make sure I behaved myself and was Christ like even to the blasted...to the snow blower.

And so, summer seems to be upon us. And the lawn needs to be mowed. To tell the truth, I haven't mowed a lawn really since 1993 (It was an electric mower on wet grass...I'll let you do the math on that one).

So why am I once again writing a post on all of this? Because, I'm mowing the lawn with a John Deere mower. Last year when we first moved out here. I mowed the lawn once or twice. Why? Because I just don't don't think to mow it. That, and, well, the first time I tried mowing the grass, it took almost two hours to mow the front yard alone. And so, I kinda stopped doing it.

With spring being sprung and then summer hitting full force, the lawn needs to be mowed. My in-laws were out here over Memorial Day weekend and they helped with yard work. That's when I learned somethings.

1) That I was doing the whole mowing thing all wrong and thus making it harder and more time consuming

2)and that blasted mower is a power motor with two speeds (leisurely pace and Tim Allen's more power fast..cue the grunt).

So, once again I went to mow the lawn. First it didn't start. Then it didn't start. and then it didn't start. My son watched me from a distance. I could see what was going on in his mind "Will daddy blow a gasket again like he did with the snow blower?"

Thank you Jesus, because the thing finally did start, I put it into Tim Allen's more power super speed and did the grunt. I cranked up the tunage and mowed the lawn.

Thank you John Deere for making power mowers!

Friday, June 3, 2011

Vs

Two of my favorite comic book characters have always been Hulk and Wolverine. There's just something about them. Maybe it's the brute strength of the Hulk, or the cunning and fearlessness of Wolverine. The Hulk is gigantic and huge, muscles upon muscles. Wolverine is short but swift, smart, and doesn't back down. I remember one comic panel of X-Men where Wolverine put a cigar out on his tongue! (Tried that in high school one time with a cigarette...trust me, not a good idea). Maybe it was the brute strength of the Hulk that drew me to him. Maybe it was the awesomeness of the adamantium claws of Wolverine that could cut through anything. I was drawn to these characters and was fascinated with them.

And then, when Hulk and Wolverine would fight...boo-yah! Epic classic knock down drawn out fights of pure awesome would erupt. Perfect for any boy to glory in.

Of course, every boy grows up...for the most part I guess...and moves on. But there was still something about these characters that stuck with me. Why did I feel drawn to them, why did they mean something to me.

It wasn't until I started studying some developmental psychology that I began to put the pieces together (what? Psychology and comic books? Really? Yes).

The Hulk is pure unadulterated anger. That is how he is created. The classic line from the 70's TV show is "Don't make me angry. You won't like me when I'm angry." In the original story and again in the TV series, when Bruce Banner would become angry, he would turn into the Hulk. The story of the Hulk truly is a monster born out of fear. The Hulk story was created during the Cold War, during a time of worry and fear about science. It is science that made the Hulk what he is today. And it is the fear of the unknown, the fear of what we can't control that leads to the anger of the Hulk.

We try to hold in this anger, we really do, but it's hard. And instead of dealing with it correctly, we try to suppress it, hold it back. And that ain't good. You can't suppress the Hulk.

And Wolverine? He's an animal. In all the versions of Wolverine I've seen (Ultimate, the classic 90's cartoon, the recent Angels and Demons and Second Coming story arcs) he knows he is an animal. But he sees himself as a killer. He sees himself as one worthy of scorn and pain and for others to be shun. He expects it. He has issues to say the least.

And then when Hulk and Wolverine fight it is a battle of epic proportions! Both have extremely high healing factors, both are vicious, both will do what it takes to stay alive.

Wolverine and the Hulk are the elements of our soul we don't want to show others. We don't want to show our Hulks or Wolverines to people, yet they boil there under the surface of the deep.

Paul talks about this struggle with the Hulk and Wolverine

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing. Romans 7:15-19

Hulk and Wolverine are just fictional characters reflecting what is deep in our psyche and in our souls. It is the struggle of the control of our lives. One thing the Hulk and Wolverine will never know is peace. And that, we are told we may have freely in abundance.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

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. Philippians 4:6-7

There will always be that struggle against the Hulk and Wolverine but we don't need to allow that struggle to overtake us in the process.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

The Adult ADD prayer


Our Father who art in heaven…
…why is he “who art” in heaven. That’s a funny word, “art” it sounds like a seal barking…that would be funny: a seal barking.. art! art! art! …

Sorry, God…ah, hem… who art in heaven…
…I wonder if heaven’s purple?
I wonder if it’ll be fun there…will they play rock n’ roll or some of that old time Gospel music I heard once at that barber shop.
He really cut my hair short that day…
…man I hate it when you wear that shirt you wore the next day…
…that shirt you wear when you get your hair cut and then put it on the next day and it’s all itchy. ….

Sorry God…ah, hem…sorry sorry…hallowed be thy name…
Is it hollowed? … Or Howard?
Why hallowed? Is it up? Is it down?
Would hallowed be polka dotted or more of a valor feeling to it.
I think my grandma had something that was valor once. I should call her.
She sent me a birthday card last week. …
…no…
…I was supposed to send her a birthday card last week

FOCUS.
FOCUS.
FOCUS.


Oh yeah…hallowed by thy name…I’m sorry, God, I keep getting off track
…your kingdom come…
I was always told that I wouldn’t actually do what I was told until kingdom come…is that what I’m praying for?
If it’s kingdom come why shouldn’t I do what I was told…

…did I feed the cat this morning?


I am so sorry, God…your will be done…

… …
What in the world does that mean?
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…
I really have to wonder if heaven’s purple? Seriously God, heaven just seems like it’d be purple to me

focus
focus
FO CUS.

Give me this day my daily bread…
Or pizza…why do they call it pizza? What’s with that ‘tsza’ sound…
…why can’t they spell it phonetically….
…why isn’t phonetic spelled phonetically…
…how would you phonetically spell pizza…
…would it be peetzsa?
What about give me this day my daily peetzsa…would it be okay to also pray for help with my check book…did I pay the car payment?

…did I feed the cat

FOCUS

Dear lord, I was trying to pray for someone…not I can’t remember. I was told to pray that you forgive others as you’ve forgiven me…but …wait…no, that’s why I was praying…

You know what Lord just please help me to focus on you. Forgive me from wandering. Help me not get distracted by shinny objects when I try to look to you.

...help me to focus on praying to you
… help me focus living for you
… Help me focus serving you
… keep me from wandering

...

…oh yeah, and Amen.