A Soccerdad’s Love

Monday, January 28, 2007

I had a very nice time this weekend with Joel. He and I went to a movie together on Saturday nite. . . and then had breakfast together Sunday morning. I regret with all of my heart that we are not living together. I miss being in the same room or house with him and Felicia, and just the comfort one’s presence can bring.

I hope we can live together in an apartment or home for his senior year of h.s. I am thankful that we have the opportunity to ride together to school each morning so we have some time to enjoy each other’s company. Listening to the Steve Harvey morning show together has become a special joy and treat.

Joel and I have talked about going to church together on Sunday mornings. The dad of one of his teammates named Jarrod Bookins is pastor of a church in the area. It would be very nice to attend church together for spiritual input a few times a month.

Joel has matured so much as a young man.. and some because of circumstances. I feel badly that he and mom are living with the Martins.. and that within a short span we no longer live under the same roof and both Jonah and Josh are away at college. I hope that he and the boys realize how much I deeply love each of them and want the best for them.

My hope is that Joel can go to a good school. Going to college is the best opportunity for the boys to have a new life and be free the issues we have faced.

Wednesday, January 23, 2007

I have immensely enjoyed driving Joel to school each morning. We have both come to enjoy “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” with comedian Steve Harvey… and particularly the ‘Strawberry Letter’ where folks write in about the personal relationships and both Steve and Shirley Stawberry, a co-anchor, reply to the letter. Shirley’s response is intended to be sound advice from the heart. Steve’s advice is both from the heart with an incredible comedic slant that brings joy to the heart.

That show also features the best R & B music which, as Steve often shares, are love stories with words pregnant with meaning. It has brought back so many old memories. I also find myself identifying and relating to the words shared by the artist as he (or she) pours out her heart in song. I love the “Freedom Friday” show where on Fridays Steven’s nephew, Nephew Tommy, and Shirley, try to outdo each other with memorable love songs from the past.

This morning, I had planned to skip my traditional quiet time but as the morning progressed, I realized that I missed that time of reflection. My quiet time before the Lord provides food for my heart and soul perhaps more than I realize.

One reason that I had considered skipping my quiet time is that I want to address other events of my life and the world around me. In one respect, I want to do this through a separate blog as a vehicle to earn $ from writing and blogging. From this standpoint, I wonder if I should just have a separate blog that can be ‘monetized’. From a different standpoint, I think to myself that regardless of whether I monetize the blog, the overall purpose is to provide a spiritual outlet for myself and for the boys, and Jonah, Josh and Joel to have a permanent record to read about dad and the things that he thought about and were meaningful to him.

Time and awkwardness make it difficult to talk about some issues. Sometimes, a letter or blog can do that for someone. Well, most of all, I hope the boys and Felicia realize how much I deeply love them. I wish I could have been a better dad, and provide them more financially. Yet, I accept the ups and downs that life brings.

One of my hopes for 2008 is to set aside ten (10%) of my earnings on a regular basis for spiritual or charitable purposes. I have started sending my tithe to a Paypal account called “TheStewartTithe@gmail.com. The heading on each message is the same, “A Tithe of Thanks”.

I am so thankful that directly, or through the caring hearts of others, God has met our basic needs. I once recall Max Lucado sharing in his book, 3:16 . . . The Numbers of Hope that we often overlook the manna from heaven where God provides for our basic needs in a manner just as real and just as concrete as when He provided manna for the children of Israel. Yes, there is much in life to be thankful for; I will be forever thankful and grateful for the opportunity to be a dad and the wonderful times I have shared with the boys.

Dad

p.s. As a reminder, remember to spend 30 min a day at one of the sites in the Marketing Pond reading emails, ads or webistes. You will eventually generate $40 or $50 a month in extra spending money.

As you share this with a friend here and a friend there, you will one day have ten (10) or fifteen (15) folks who also like the idea of earning free money as they learn about ways of earning $ online. When that happens, you will find yourself earning a few hundred a month, and you will begin to realize you have a small business started.

These ‘get paid to’ (GPT) sites share the advertising revenue they receive from companies which want to exposes their business to potential customers like you and me. You really do get get paid just to read and review ads and websites.

The GPT sites get paid by these companies simply for making you aware of their opportunity, regardless of whether you join. The advertising company also wins because a customer like you may decide he is interested in using the company’s services. The first site we will work together is called Hits4Pay which deposits $10 into our Paypal account just for getting started.

Monday, January 21, 2007 - ” A Great Man Shares A Great Conviction”

This morning was a time to reflect more on the Great Conversation that was initiated by a leader of a religious group in Biblical times called the Pharisees. The leader of course is a man named Nicodemus. As I reflected on the initial comments of Nicodemus to Jesus, I tried to place myself in the shoes of those present who themselves must have reflected on the conversation when they saw Nicodemus performing in his public role as a leader of the Pharisees which later played a significant role in the persecution and crucifixion of Christ.

I also thought about Mr. Lucado’s book, 3:16 . . . The Numbers of Hope itself. The book has been a wonderful devotion for my inner soul. My hope and prayer is that the boys.. . Jonah, Josh and Joel will come across similar books that speak to their heart and affect their personal lives, decisions, and values.

Even as I reflect again on Nicodemus and Jesus, it is who these great men were, and the roles they played in the lives of others at this time, that give such great meaning to this Great Conversation. The Pharisees would one day crucify Christ. They already took issue with the claims and actions of Christ.. from claiming to be the son of God, to telling folks their sins were forgiven when only God can forgive sins, to healing people, to performing ministry on the Sabbath. . and most of all to publicly denouncing the Pharisees as hypocrites.

Yes, there was tremendous tension in the air that nite as the ruler of the Pharisees began to speak. There was clearly curiosity as well… because the scriptures leave the clear impression that Nicodemus was not your ordinary Pharisee but was one who genuinely tried to live out his convictions.

So that nite, in the presence of others, this respected public leader, visits Jesus in private, and opens the Great Conversation with words that must have shocked and touched every person present, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher of God and that you come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” (John 3:2).

Thus, the Great Conversation begins with a ruler from the group that would one day crucify Christ sharing his personal conviction about Jesus. There is little question about the impact that the life of Christ had on Nicodemus. Nor is there question about the great courage and great humility displayed by Nicodemus as he shared these opening words in the presence of others in one of the Great Conversations (and there are many) that have take place.

Later, the verse of John 3:16 would be shared and of course it is repeated, rightfully so, as one of the great verses of scripture. My hope is that each time you (Jonah, Josh & Joel) hear, think about, or remember the words of John 3:16 that you will think about this Great Conversation where Christ would eventually say to Nicodemus, “For God so Loved the World, that He gave His one and only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but shall have everlasting life.” (John 3:16).

Dad

p.s. I know each of you guys have expressed an interest in learning how to make money online. I will start leaving a short post-script on some of the best sites that pay you to read emails, ads and websites. Doing well in school of course is the top priority for each of you. If you are consistent in spending 30 min a day, you can generate $40 or $50 a month in extra spending money.. and in these short post-scripts, I will share a little each day.

We will begin with a site called the Marketing Pond which collects the tops ‘get paid’ to sites under one umbrella. These ‘get paid to’ (GPT) sites share the advertising revenue they receive from companies which want to exposes their business to customers such as you. You get paid just to read and review ads and websites. The GPT sites get paid for making you aware of the opportunity. The advertising company also wins because a customer like you may decide he is interested in using the company’s services. The first site we will work together is called Hits4Pay which deposits $10 into our Paypal account just for getting started.

I could never express enough how much I enjoyed Jonah, Josh & Joel over the Xmas break. For these special times together, I am incredibly grateful to the Lord.

Yesterday, we all went to the ‘Golden Corral’ together for breakfast. My heart was filled with joy watching all three guys in line together, one behind the other, and the jostling back and forth between them taking place. I cannot remember when I have last seen them side by side. For the first time, I really appreciated Joel’s size and growth… and it made me think of the days when Joel was much smaller and younger than his brothers. Now, he is just as tall as Jonah and a tad taller than Josh.

We also had Josh’s girlfriend, Mary Nicholson, with us. She and Josh appeared so relaxed together. It was nice to have Mary with us.

Josh returned to the Univ of So Carolina yesterday (Sat) so this was a nice time together. It made me realize that I hope the boys can spend the summer together in Nashville playing soccer with the Metros and the PDL team. Joel’s personality and inner joy really come out when he is around his brothers. It is clear that the boys have a great love for one another.. and for that I am very thankful.

My hope is that Joel and I can spend more time together this spring, now that his club soccer team’s season is over for the fall. Hopefully, we can eat together more, go to a few movies together and just enjoy each other’s company. Jonah and Josh have both matured. Jonah will never realize how much I appreciate the leadership he shows and the time he takes to spend with Josh and Joel.

I also enjoyed sharing with him about the freebie industry and learning to make money online. My hope is to teach each of the boys that they can earn pocket money by spending 30 minutes a day reviewing emails and ads at a website like the Marketing Pond which has brought some of the top ‘get paid to read’ sites together under one roof.

God has used Max Lucado’s book, 3:16 Words of Hope in my life lately. I gave Jonah, Josh & Joel a separate copy of the book. One of my hopes with my remaining years is to share my quiet time thoughts with them so they can appreciate the thoughts and sentiments God places on one’s heart during a time of reading the Bible and devotional books like 3:16.

Sundays have become a day to relax and reflect on the issues of life that God has brought my way. I have learned to appreciate more and more, the value of a ‘day of rest’ to refresh and rejuvenate the spirit. I look forward to exercising outside today and enjoying the fresh clean air.

Dad