1…

I’ve allowed myself one year of mourning. That’s over now. Sort of like Jack counting to 5 to let the fear in. But only to 5. Everyone needs their time, but at some point you have to get back to work and do what you are meant to do, no excuses.

…2…

It’s not as difficult as I thought it would be to leave it behind. I’m thankful for what seems to be a fairly clean cut. But it’s still a cut.

…3…

A few months ago Noah asked to be baptized. I told him we’d talk about it. In some regards I want him to understand what he is doing when he’s baptized, but in the end it’s beyond even my comprehension. So expecting him to understand is a bit much when I can barely explain it. During our talks I didn’t interview him. I didn’t quiz him on Bible knowledge, and when the time came I didn’t ask for a answer to the question “do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God”, to which even the evil one would answer in the affirmative. He’s confessed his love for Jesus already in more ways than I ever have.

…4…

Instead we talked about being a disciple and committing life to following a man who was here from day one. Because he will undoubtedly run into numerous opinions as to exactly what baptism is for we talked about the reason to be baptized. The main reason I gave Noah is if you want to be like someone you do what they do, follow them, hang out with them a lot. We want to be like Jesus. He was baptized. So we are baptized, as well.

On Saturday, May 21, 2011, Kristi, Elijah and I walked into the water with Noah and baptized him together, surrounded by many friends and family. It was exactly one year after Dad died. The metaphors for resurrection and restoration are too numerous and a bit overwhelming.

It’s good to be on…5…this side again.

A long time ago there was a young man who was working away from home. He was loved by his family and, like a good son, communicated with home as much as possible.

Then one day he was kidnapped. Men he did not know took him to a new land against his will. The journey was long and his destination would have him sold for a profit and forced to work in fields for years.

In the Bible there is a story in the book of Genesis about a young man named Joseph. But this story isn’t about Joseph. It’s about a relative of mine, Charles Springer of Sweden.
Continue Reading »

There seems to be a long journey ahead. The one without Dad, I mean. I notice things that I didn’t notice before, wonder at things that didn’t matter to me three months ago. At the end of the thoughts I wonder if it will ever amount to anything or if they’re just there for me to notice.

I really like movies and books that tell good stories (if you haven’t figured that out already). One of my favorites is The Lion King. The scene with Simba and Mufasa at the end is crazy good, especially if you view Mufasa as God in the story. He sacrifices himself for his son. He dies. He returns (even if it is in a big Mufasa cloud). He tells his child to remember who he is and that he, the father, lives in the son. He even sent his counselor and guide (ie, Holy Spirit), Rafiki. Yes, I just said that the Holy Spirit is a baboon. Continue Reading »

This isn’t a contest but it’s a way to give a little attention to God through art and creativity and maybe explore for ourselves the meanings and purposes of grace (which should take a lifetime but we’ll settle for a few weeks).

Two things up front:

1. You are creative. You may not be an artist, but you are creative. Anyone designed by God has creativity in their soul. You have no choice. It’s there. How you are creative is what makes us all different (and amazing).

2. Here’s a quote from one of my favorite books, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield:

Creative work is not a selfish act or a bid for attention on the part of the actor. It’s a gift to the world and every being in it. Don’t cheat us of your contribution. Give us what you’ve got.

So here’s the idea. First read Romans 8. If you want a fuller picture read Romans 6-8, but at least read chapter 8 (in various versions). Then in your own way show me what it means to you. Write a poem, rewrite the chapter in your own words, sketch, paint, sing…whatever. Use all or part of the chapter. You have freedom in Christ and in this.

I’ll put a out a deadline of August 1 but if you need more time let me know. To submit an “entry” just send an email to b@holaway.com. If you wish to be anonymous be sure to tell me. If I get anything from anyone I’ll post them for the world to see. God will have already seen the work.

Let’s see what you can do!

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“I don’t know how to fight.”

That’s what one of my friends said to me as he was attempting to explain why he had left his wife and marriage for another woman.

I didn’t challenge it. I had promised only to listen and ask questions so that, while I may have disagreed, I could better understand why he was doing what he was doing. “I don’t know how to fight” was about the only statement from him that I believed. The rest I either knew or suspected to be a lie.

Our 12th anniversary is August 1, 2010. I love God more than Kristi, but he’s the only one above her. I don’t have all the answers and I’m only hoping to ask more questions so that when we have been married 50 years and are asked to stand up to be recognized, we can be that old couple who actually love each other more than life and still hold hands.

- I will learn how to fight.
- I refuse to get to my 20th anniversary and only be able to describe my marriage as “happy”.
- I refuse to let my closest friends go through life without hearing “how is your marriage” from me, and I will learn to kindly encourage them to be more than fine.
- I refuse to settle for mediocrity.

Will you join me?