Burn

Andrew Belle

2011-07-12T22:33:00.000-05:00

It's time for a new music update. Lately I have been wearing out my iPod listening to a new artist by the name of Andrew Belle. He is an indie pop singer/songwriter out of Nashville. And he dropped an new album about a year and a half ago and it was phenomenal! I absolutely love his sound. His music just feels right when you listen to it. By that I mean it's fresh, light and free. He has a real chill vibe to his sound...kind of an acoustic 'smart pop'. He has the kind of record that will make you want to roll your car windows down and let the cool summer evening wind blow as you drive down the highway listening to his music.
So quit reading my review and check out his stuff! 'The Ladder' has got to be one my favorites of his. Trust me you will not be disappointed!

C.S. Lewis and my Heart

2011-07-10T23:45:00.000-05:00

I came across a C.S. Lewis quote today that floored me. "When Christ died, He died for you individually just as much as if you had been the only person in the world." You see, I have known this truth but I have to admit I don't think I truly understood its significance.

My understanding of the truth is this. God unconditionally loves each and every person individually. He loves each and everyone one of us so much that he sent and sacrificed his flesh and blood, Jesus, to die for YOU! That thought absolutely blows my mind. You are not just a number to God. You are a person, a soul that He loves dearly and knows intimately!

Faith is important in my life. I have placed my faith in Jesus Christ. It was and continues to be the best decision I have ever made in my entire life. Its a life altering decision to say the least. I have experienced some amazing highs as well as some heartbreakingly lows in my life. And through it all God was there with me because of my decision to follow and love his son Jesus with every single part of my heart. When I was hurting and broken God was there to lift me up and comfort me. And at other times God showed me truly how exceptional he is by blessing me with some unbelievably amazing experiences!

I pray that you make the same decision some day. The decision to follow and love Jesus completely. Its so simple yet such a large decision. Think on it, dwell on it, pray about it and dialogue with me about it. I will be the first to tell you that I don't have all the answers but if you have questions I will give you an honest answer.

journey

2011-06-08T20:22:00.000-05:00

walking, driving, pursuing
travel the grey opaque path
fog, confusion, mist
senses confined and lacking
plodding, stumbling, falling
pain, biting, blood
must go on...must go on
determination and continuation
within reach yet...
out of grasp
must go on...must go on
the journey must continue

-Life as I know it-

2011-03-01T23:18:00.000-06:00

Life. It truly inspires me. All facets of it. The good and the bad. So much growth happens in life. I know I am speaking generally here but it is so true. We grow physically, emotionally and most of all spiritually all through out our life. Growth never ends in my opinion.
Lately I have came to the realization that I have done a lot of growing. Life has thrown me a few curve balls in the past year and I have definitely gone down swinging at some of those curve balls. But I am proud to say that I have learned so much about myself as a result enduring my life's recent trials and struggles. I've been to the point of despair where the only thing that kept me from breaking down was my faith in Christ. He is my rock and has always been and always will be there in all the good and all the bad times. The problem for me is remembering to always turn to him in my good times. For me its easy to turn and cry out to God when you are hurting and suffering. Because I know he is there, I have learned to trust his love for me when I am hurting. But to give Him sincere praise and thanks when life is good is something for me to remember to do. I seem to get lulled into the pattern of life at times and focus on myself and not on God. I need to constantly train myself to focus on God because he created that pattern. He made me, loves me unconditionally and has a great plan for my life.
These are my words. Take them or leave, love them or hate them. But they are me and I will always try to best express who I am and what I feel here in a genuine and honest manner. Peace.

2011-01-12T00:49:00.002-06:00

photo by Jamie C. Emerson

Waiting and Wanting

What is it? I seek it.
I desire it. Am I ready for it?
I prepare, I learn, I grow for it.
I remember it and will never forget it.
Pain and death mark it.
Birth and joy heal it.
I feel it.
I want it.
I wait for it.

photo by Jamie C. Emerson

It is what It is

It is what it is.

There is no change.

It is what it is.

There is no name.

Your name, his name, her name.

Accept it, deny it. Why do you question it?

Trust it, believe it, know it, feel it.

Answers, questions.

Days, night.

Similar, opposite.

Is it wrong? Is it right?

Let it out, keep it in?

Express the feeling.

Express the thought.

Let it begin.

Depression and Love

2010-11-25T21:35:00.002-06:00

I've decided to post some more of my writing/poetry. I am still somewhat apprehensive to post it on my blog. But I am learning to trust that this is a place where I can comfortably express myself and more specifically express the creative side of me. These two pieces were written at different points in my life. One of them is very dark and written many years ago when I was going through a tough time. The other one is short but positive and uplifting. I value your comments and feedback.

Depression.
It is around me.
My heart is sore.
I know not why but I do know... it is on me.
It is in me.
I feel it through my bones.
Through the depths of my skin it caresses me.
Will it leave, I don't know?
It is heavy.
It is omnipresent.
I ask why?
I receive no response.
It is cold.
It is there.
The blackness surrounds but there is hope.
But hope is lost.
It is crushed.
My heart is shattered into thousands of pieces.
They cut my feet and the blood drips.
My feet heel but the blackness is still in me.
It is heavy.
It is here.
It is everywhere.

Love.
It is a magnificent word.
At times it is so overwhelmingly strong.
It is the reason for living.
To love, it is a gift that we were given.
Only the Almighty has the power to grant us that gift.
He alone can give meaning to that word.
He alone is the meaning of the word.
God is love.

'Who I am'

2010-11-16T22:15:00.002-06:00

I just got back from Poetry Night at a local coffee shop named Rocky Shore Coffee Co. and I was impressed and inspired by the talent of our local writers and poets here in Panama City, FL. The fact that they had the courage to get up and share their writing in a public setting amazed me.
It made me think about the writing that I do. I enjoy writing, journaling and blogging. But who do I write for? Why do I write? I've came to the conclusion that I write for me. I write what I want to hear. If I start to write things that I think others want to hear, then I am writing for the wrong reasons. I need to write for me. I don't mean that in a self-centered way. Its just that my writing is for my own mental well being. My writing expresses the emotions, thoughts and ideas that are bouncing around inside my head.
With all that being said I want to share some of my writing with you. This is the very first time I have ever shared anything I wrote. It's short and its probably not very good but I wrote it for me. It doesn't have any special meaning and probably doesn't make too much sense but its what flowed from my brain to pen to paper. And it felt good to write.

'Who I am'

I am here. I am strong. I am weak
I am free. I am released. I am excited.
I am trusting, patient, passionate.

I am searching, yet I am waiting. I have been given another chance.
I am forgiven and I forgive. I give God the control.

I am hurt. I have been broken.
From brokenness comes healing and strength.

Something touches my heart and soul. It is God's love.
I am grateful. I am thankful. I am overwhelmed.

I put this love and passion to a purpose, a focus.
My passion is for God. He is my everything. He has made me who I am.

Why I love Northstar Church

2010-11-14T22:43:00.001-06:00

I've bee thinking lately what has helped me make it through tough times I have had recently? Who has been therefor me in times of need? Where have I experienced powerful and amazing friendships? I've came to the conclusion that it is Northstar Church. I know most of you have no idea what Northstar is all about so let me fill you in.

Northstar is a place where love flows. "It's a place where all are welcome, nobody's perfect and anything is possible." It is a place where lives are changed. It is a body of believers who have faith in Jesus Christ. It is a place that God is using to serve and love our community. It's a place that God is using to reach the rest of the world with his love.

Northstar is a place that has changed me and shaped me into the person I am today. When I was down and hurting, Northstar was there. When I lost a family member to cancer, Northstar was there. When I had questions about God and my faith, Northstar was there. This place has brought great joy to my life and I value every friend I made through Northstar.

There is an amazing group of people here in Panama City, FL who make up a body of believers called Northstar Church. God is using this church for some truly amazing things and I can not wait to see what the future holds. I am eternally grateful for the love, compassion, friendship and honesty shown to me by the many people who attend Northstar. God is God and God is good and I love Northstar Church.

expression through creativity and "art"

2010-11-13T00:28:00.002-06:00

I have been feeling very introspective lately. I have recently gone through some big changes in my life. And these changes have allowed me to really think, ponder, wonder and consider many things about myself. One of those things that I have thought about a lot is the lack of creativity and "art" in my life.
"Art" as defined by me is something that you use as a tool to express your self. Things such as music, photography, writing, painting...etc. I enjoy art. I enjoy great music. I enjoy amazing photography. I enjoy writing. I want these things to be more of a part of my life. More of a part of who Tim McBride is. I have always admired the creative arts but now I have begun to embrace its many forms.
When I start to write it feels good. It feels like it's something I should be doing. Thats why I do it. I encourage you to do something that artfully expresses your self. I will be the first to admit that I am still learning how to do these things. I am teaching my self how to play guitar better. I am reading and learning about photography and constantly learning how to better express my self through the written word. I know that when I do these things it adds depth to who I am and provides a way for me to release my thoughts, passions, ideas and emotions. Thats all I got for now, more to come later.
p.s. credit goes to my friend Sarah Cusick for the amazing floral photography.

"Need Money For Rocket Fuel"

2010-10-31T00:13:00.002-05:00

So it has been over a year since I last updated this blog. I last spoke of a Milwaukee, WI band by the name of 'I'm Not A Pilot' and the release of their EP. Well a year later they have released their first full length album "Need Money For Rocket Fuel". It is an amazingly fresh and organic album that truly inspires.
Charles Nevsimal of Milwaukee's Info Magazine describes I'm Not A Pilot's unique sound better than I ever could..."Their own sound is itself at once both lavish and sparse, infusing an Indie-Pop proclivity perfused with Classical influences."
I am a lover of great music, especially music of the independent record label variety. I have heard a wide assortment of music over the last several years and nothing sounds quite like 'I'm Not A Pilot'. They have something unique and touching. Their new album is both melodic and thought provoking. Mark Glatzel's lead vocals and song writing skills have grown to new heights. But personally what keeps me coming back and wanting more is the inclusion of professional cellist Peter Thomas of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. He provides the unique sound of INAP. They are unique because they lack the traditional instrument of guitar. Peter Thomas more than fills the void with his professionally classical cello skills. I can't speak enough of how their sound moves the emotions of the listener. It provides an aura of contemplativity that rarely shows itself in today's music. They almost have an emotionally atmospheric sound. I have heard INAP compared to Arcade Fire and Ben Folds. But I would like to add one more band to that mix...Sigur Ros. The Icelandic natives Sigur Ros have mastered the musical art form of 'atmospheric pop'. Whether by choice or not, I'm Not A Pilot has thrust themselves into that genre of thought provoking and heart moving musical art. Give them a listen and see what you have been missing. http://www.imnotapilot.com

I'm Not A Pilot

2009-09-15T12:45:00.016-05:00

new music update: wanna hear some great new music? go check out I'm Not A Pilot. u will not be disappointed and if fact i think u will be greatly surprised. i am blown away by their talent and originality!they place themselves in the indie pop/classical description of their sound. to quote a friend they have an 'organic ben folds' sound to their music. INAP is sort of a sufjan stevens/arcade fire/ben folds mix. it's a very original sound and the greatest part is that they are extremely talented. INAP consists of piano, cello, bass and drums. their sound is amazing. what draws me in is the interaction of the cello, piano and lead vocals. it's a very pure sound with authentic song writing. check them out! I'm Not A Pilot

The South and the Bible Belt

2009-09-04T09:52:00.005-05:00

The South and the Bible Belt. What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear those words? Probably something that isn't too positive. Well, this video speaks of the idea behind the upcoming book Megabelt which challenges the negative stigma that most people have of the Bible Belt.

Megabelt by Nick May Available November 1, 2009 from Energion Publications

http://megabelt.info/?p=22

Auto-Tune the News #6

2009-08-10T09:53:00.006-05:00

Once I saw this video I could not resist posting it here. It is absolutely hilarious. Its called "Auto-Tune the News #6." The video is done by The Gregory Brothers. They take politicians' and media figures' comments and statements and put them to music in the form of auto-tune and the resulting songs are amazingly funny. And I have to say that this video/song is the one and only acceptable use of auto-tune! (Sorry Jamie Foxx and every other Top 40 wanna-be musicians who uses auto-tune)

Cap and Trade = Energy Tax

2009-07-06T19:06:00.007-05:00

So the other day I called my congressman. Can't say I ever have done that before. But you know what? We live in a time where if you don't agree with something, you have the ability to take take action. Its one thing to talk about issues on a blog but to act upon those issues is another step. So I decided to call Congressman Allen Boyd, of the 2nd Congressional District of Florida, to politely inform him that I and many other constituents in northwest Florida would like him to vote NO on the Cap and Trade Bill. The response I got from his aid answering the phone?.. "I'll pass it along to the Congressman." I guess the aid forgot to tell Congressman Boyd that I called because Boyd voted in favor of the bill, which ended up passing narrowly. Boyd is a Democrat, albeit a moderate "Blue Dog Democrat", but still a Democrat and thats why he voted for the Cap and Trade Bill.
If you don't know what the Cap and Trade Bill is all about here is the short version as per my understanding, in which I'll be the first to admit is lacking. (Correct me if I am wrong) but, by definition Cap and Trade is basically government regulation of carbon emissions and pollution. Government sets a limit of how much a manufacturer (or anybody for that matter) can pollute. If a manufacturing facility end up under their allowed pollution limit they can sell their allowances to another manufacturer. If a facility goes over their allowed pollution limit, fines are imposed by government regulators or they can buy pollution allowances from other manufacturers.
In reality Cap and Trade ends up being one gigantic energy tax on the average American. In fact the working class will probably be the most affected by the Cap and Trade. When manufacturers are fined for polluting to much or have to buy more allowance for their pollution, who is going to pay for that fine? Not the manufacturer. It is us the average American who will pay for it with higher utility bills, higher food prices and higher gas prices.
The Democrats have tried to disguise Cap and Trade as an environmental bill but that's just not the case. Yes, it may help lower carbon emissions in some parts of the country but other regions of the country are only going to get worse as a result of the Cap and Trade regulations. I heard a report today that the EPA says Cap and Trade regulations will lower the earth's average temp less than half a degree over the next one hundred years. Thats hardly worth the trouble if you ask me. Cap and Trade is a way for the Obama administration to create and tap into a new commodity in which they will have the ability to heavily regulate and tax with out having to actually call it a tax.
There is so much more to this issue that I cannot get into here. If you are liberal in your political leanings I am sure your take on Cap and Trade is vastly different. But love it or hate it thats my take.

Japandroids - "Post-Nothing"

2009-07-05T17:54:00.020-05:00

I found a new band the other day on eMusic and they blew me away. They are the Japandroids and their album is Post-Nothing and they are utterly amazing. They hail from Vancouver Cananda and are garage rock in sound. They are indie, low-fi, edgy and full of distortion. It is a sound that I have been missing lately and longing to hear. It's just straight up rock that only sounds good when you crank them up loud. In fact, playing loud is the one thing that these two dudes do well. They are a 2 piece that sounds like a 5 piece. So go ahead and check them out, crank the volume up and smile cause that feeling you get in the pit of your gut when listening to the Japandroids, is authentic rock 'n' roll with no frills. Love it and enjoy it cause I sure do!

Center to Right

2009-07-02T20:07:00.004-05:00

I have been silent for far to long in the realm of politics. But President Obama has inspired me to speak up in the political blogosphere. But not in support of him as you may think. For I am diametrically opposed to President Obama and his policies for so many reasons that I can not list them all here. He has inspired me to speak up on the behalf of the Conservative.

I used to call my self a moderate or truthfully, a right leaning moderate. But I now proudly call my self a Conservative. Yes I am a believer in Christ and try to live by Christ's teachings. But that is not the sole reason I call my self a Conservative. I am a Conservative because of my views on the many issues such as taxation, health care, entitlements, immigration, the environment, foreign policy, judicial activisim, liberty and individual freedoms. These are all major issues that are worthy of their own posts and I will address them in the future. For now I will leave you with a quote from the late President Reagan. "Freedom is never more that one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

Long time, no blog

2009-06-11T09:56:00.004-05:00

Hi. My name is Tim. I write on this blog. Long time since my last post. Did you miss me? I missed you. I missed putting my thoughts down on this page. I enjoy blogging. I need to blog more. I will blog more. I will write longer sentences. I just like short ones today. Stay tuned. Check back often. Peace.

Jaydiohead

2009-01-03T21:21:00.006-06:00

So who likes Radiohead? Who likes Jay-Z? If so, go checkout www.jaydiohead.com. A New York DJ by the name of Minty Fresh Beats put out a mixtape mash-up of Radiohead and Jay-Z. He took songs from both artists and digitally combined them. It basically combines Jay-Z rapping with Radiohead as the backing audio with the occasional vocals of Thom Yorke. I am a fan of Radiohead and while I don't own any Jay-Z albums I admire the man's talent. And together they make for a pretty interesting listen.

2009-01-01T09:56:00.004-06:00

Happy New Year!!!!

Check out this video from ESPN last night on New Year's Eve. Robbie Maddison jumped his motorcycle 96ft off a ramp onto and off of the replica of the Arc de Triumph in Las Vegas. Pretty awesome footage if you ask me. Messed up his hand pretty bad on the landing on the way down.

God. Life. Progressive Culture.

2008-10-03T10:18:00.017-05:00

So my buddy Jeremy sent me an email that got me thinking about politics and faith. The question I have is why do Christians always vote Republican or conservative? Why can't we be in the middle or politically left for that matter? (if you have read my previous post you would know that I am proudly in the middle.) There are many issues out there that many people hold strong to...abortion, poverty, family values, environment and so on. They are all important and encompass both sides of the political aisle.

Well for my readers who don't know this, there is a newer younger generation of people who profess a faith in Christ that are moving more towards the center of the political spectrum. They are choosing not to affiliate themselves with either political party. They have decided (myself included) that both Democrats and Republicans are not getting the job done.

There is a place where the voice of the moderate believer in Christ is being heard and shared. In my opinion that is "Relevant" magazine. "Relevant" is one of the voices of this new generation of young believers. If you are in any way interested in topics I am talking about or have written about, I strongly suggest you pick-up a copy of "Relevant" at your local book store or check out their website in my links section.

God. Life. Progressive Culture. These four words are on the cover of every magazine and on the top of their web page. These words encompass what they are about. Which is everything. Life, faith in God, social issues, moral issues, music, movies and other media are covered by "Relevant". As you can tell, yes I do enjoy "Relevant" mag and their website and agree with the majority of what they write.

In the latest issue of Relevant and on their website, the founder and publisher Cameron Strang wrote some amazing words that I can't begin to do justice. So here they are.

First Word: Leading the Charge

Cameron Strang |

Reprinted from the Sept./Oct. issue of RELEVANT

"Let’s get this out of the way up front: I’m not a politically motivated person. Which is why I felt a tad out of place meeting with Barack Obama this summer. And talking to John McCain. And doing countless interviews about the faith and shifting political views of our generation.

Yet I have unwittingly found myself thrust into the political arena, a place where people are vehemently passionate about their ideologies and platforms. It’s an entire industry built around being right and proving your opponent wrong, and winning at any cost. It’s a continual power struggle and—from my humble vantage point—seems a bit flawed.

I’m someone who tries to think independently and objectively, rather than simply follow what the pundits tell me to think. Because of that, I’ve realized I cannot fully embrace either political party. Both sides of the aisle have some great ideas and goals. But both also have areas where they simply get it wrong.

I know the power of politics and the importance of the process in our world. But I also know that, historically, real, lasting change has started first at the grassroots level long before it was ever legislated. Cultural mindshifts influence Washington, not the other way around.
Many Christians traditionally have voted Republican because of their justifiable conviction to protect the lives of the unborn. Now, many younger Christians are voting Democrat because of their justifiable desire to see our nation, the most prosperous in the world, address issues of poverty, global aid and the environment.

The problem is, many Christians vote these convictions, but that’s largely where their personal involvement in the issues stops. Are the government leaders we vote for meant to do our job for us?

If God has given you a heart for the poor, or to see a reduction in the number of abortions, or to promote peace, or to help the sick, or to stand for strong moral values, or to be a better steward of the environment, then your personal focus needs to be on that—whether or not the President shares your same values.

The Bible reminds us to pray for our leaders, but it also talks about praying for those who persecute us. Though I can’t foresee any situation where this would be the case, what if one day every value Christians stand for, even religious freedom itself, was legislatively removed? Christians in China and many other parts of the world face this reality every day. Would it change us?

Dare I say, it might actually spur the Body of Christ here into greater action. Could it be that the loss of religious freedoms would ultimately be the best thing for American Christians because it would cause us to stand on our own feet rather than relying on the government to legislate our faith and values for us?

I’ve heard that only 5 percent of people who attend church regularly actually serve in any way. I’ve read that if every Christian in America actually tithed 10 percent of their income, we would have enough financial resources to wipe out global poverty.

There’s more power lying dormant in pews around the nation than any government could hope to provide, and that’s where our focus should be.

Many Christians want to overturn Roe v. Wade, but I don’t hear nearly as many leading the charge on a national adoption movement. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, where are all of those babies going to end up? Christians should be focused on personal action regardless of legislation, not just waiting for the right number of Supreme Court justices to come along.

I’m not saying don’t vote. Do. Vote your convictions and let your voice be heard—that’s one of the perks of living in a democracy. But don’t let politics breed division, or make you see people in a different light.

If you have a passion for an issue, rather than judging someone who doesn’t share that passion or viewpoint, just go do something about it. Give your life to it. Be the change you want to see.

We need to pray for our leaders and our country, but always remember that our leaders and country do not define us. We are the generation that will shape the direction culture, government and social action will take in the next 50 years. It’s not up to Washington, it’s up to us—and I say it’s time we step up and lead the charge.

But that means with our lives, our finances and our actions every day. Not just Nov. 4."

I know this post rambles and bounces from one thought to the next, but that is how my brain works. I agree with Cameron Strang whole heartedly. I want people to know is that politics and the government are not going to fix all of the world's and society's problems. That job is up to us. WE need to be the ones to make a difference. WE need to make the changes. Obama's or McCain's "change" is not the answer or cure all to life's issues. WE need to step up to the bar and love on our neighbors. Don't just talk about the issues. Act on the issues. Act for the issues. Pray, volunteer, stand up, serve, love, and take action for these issues. That is what this generation needs to do. We have shown that we have the heart, but now let your heart be worn on your sleeve for what you believe in.

For me, I wear my heart on my sleeve for Jesus Christ. I love Jesus and I want others to love him as I do. How do I do that? I simply love others and serve others. I hope they see a Jesus that is loving and accepting and not Jesus that is judging and distant. I hope they see the transformation he has had on my life. I hope that causes them to think about faith in Jesus. It is their choice and I completely understand that. I have been there.

I want to be transparent here. I say it is simple to love and serve others but it reality it can be challenging. It is easy to write these words on a blog but it is even harder to get out of my chair and act upon these words and make a difference in love. It is sometimes hard to leave your comfort zone. It is hard to love some one with whom you dislike or do not agree with but you must rise above and love with out conditions. Love unconditionally. Loving God with all your heart, soul and mind is the most important sentence spoken by Christ. Second only to that is loving you neighbor as you would love yourself. We must love and serve others no matter who they are or what they believe. UNCONDITIONAL love is what we all must strive for.

Death and Life: My Mom and Jesus!

2008-09-24T10:49:00.013-05:00

So today is kinda a sad day for me. I lost my mom one year ago today. She lost her battle with breast cancer on Sept. 24th, 2007. She went to be with her Maker one year ago. That is what gives me a smile today. Knowing that she is with Jesus in heaven worshipping God!! For those of you who have had a chance to get to know my mom, you will remember that she was a very spiritual woman and a woman who walked with Christ daily since she was a young woman. She was very open about her faith and encouraged others to evaluate their spiritual lives no matter where they were in life or what they believed. She was not a judging person or close minded bible thumping Christian. She was the opposite of that. What she was, was a woman who loved others unconditionally. I guarantee that anyone who knew my mom would say the same thing. That is why she loved being a school counselor and why she was such an effective counselor. She met people where they were at in life and showed them true unconditional love.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that she is in a far better place. Don't get me wrong, I love life and this earth that we live on; but heaven is going to be a place so incredibly awesome that there are not words to describe the greatness of heaven. And that is where my mom is right now! I miss her. I love her. But I know I will see here some day again. That is what keeps me going on this day.

From a young age my mom taught me about Jesus and the unconditional love that he lived his life by. About 12 years ago I put me faith in Jesus Christ. What that means is that I started to live my life for Christ and not for other things, not for myself. I accepted Jesus into my life because I felt I was missing something and that turned out to be God. Through my

relationship with Christ I can know God. It says so in the bible. John 14:6-7 talks about if you know Jesus than you will know God as well. I challenge you, the readers of this blog, to think about that. I am not trying to "convert" you or "thump you over the head" with my faith or my beliefs. I am just trying to show you how important faith is to me and was to my mother.

I know some of you probably think Christianity and Christians suck. (And unfortunately there are a good number of Christians who do suck and act very judging and unloving.) But I want to let you know that, myself included, there are many loving and open minded people who profess a faith in Christ. Of course I would love for y'all know Jesus as I do but that is not my choice. Of course it is your choice. It is a decision you can make and a decision that you can make on your own time and whether or not you make any decision at all is up to you. I just ask that you think about it. Think about where you stand in your faith in what ever it is that you believe. What does that means to you? If you are missing something and if you want more and want to know Christ, He is there for you. Just ask Him to come into your life and ask him to forgive you for your sins. We are all sinful. I think everybody will admit that. Nobody is perfect. The answer to that is Jesus. He was perfect and he forgave us for our sins when he died on the cross and rose 3 days later. Through Jesus we can know God.

Sorry to ramble and sorry to preach but faith in Jesus is important to me and was important to my mom. I hope I shared this with you in a non-threatening and non-judging manner. And I felt it important to share on the anniversary of my mom's death. I love her and miss her today but I take joy know that she has been with God in heaven for the past year. I hope a great day for everyone reading this and if you feel inspired to leave me a comment (positive or negative) please do so.

Alive and well

2008-09-20T23:10:00.006-05:00

Just writing a post to let you know that I am still here. Just been very busy lately. The kids, out of town friends visiting and some church stuff has keep me pretty busy lately. So I am here, I do have thoughts to share and ideas to explain, just not now. Peace be with ya'll!

Urgent prayer request

2008-09-11T13:36:00.005-05:00

For those of you who are believers is prayer, I would ask of you that you pray for my wife's family and the many people in the path of Hurricane Ike. Abby's parents (Dave and Dori Renneker) and grandparents (Bob and Judi Kruse) live in the Houston metro area and are almost in the direct path of Hurricane Ike, according to the latest weather update. They live far enough inland from the coast that they feel they do not need to evacuate. But there is still plenty of danger headed their way. They are in the NW suburbs of Houston and expect strong cat.1 to weak cat.2 winds (100+ mph) where they live by late Friday night into early Saturday morning. Not catastophic but enough to do damage! Please pray for their safety as well as the many others who are affected by this hurricane. Living here on the Gulf coast of FL, I know exactly how much storms like Ike drastically affect the lives of thousands of people. If you could take just a minute to pray for thier safety, Abby and I would be very grateful.

Also here is a link to a great tropical weather website if you are interested in staying updated on the storm. There is a lot of info on the webpage so just scroll down to get to the latest predicted track. http://www.crownweather.com/ike.html

NFL Opening day is here!

2008-09-07T21:51:00.004-05:00

I know some of my recent posts have been a little political and serious lately. So on a lighter note....All I have to say is God bless the beginning of the NFL season! I have missed you so much for the last 7 months. Here is to many Sunday afternoons together (and Sunday and Monday nights) and continued success for my beloved Green Bay Packers. And I can not complete this post with out giving Mr. Brett Favre his due respect for his first win as a NY Jet. May you have one more glorious year left in the tank ole Grey Beard!

Politics and Palin

2008-09-04T19:55:00.008-05:00

I know most of you have probably seen this speech on TV last night but if not, here it is for your viewing pleasure. I had to post it because I thought it was absolutely phenomenal. While I don't really care for McCain, I do really like Sarah Palin. I have always said that I am a moderate with centrist views but when I vote I tend to lean right. There are policies and issues in both the Democratic and Republican parties that I support. At the same time both parties have issues and policies that disgust me. Where does that leave me? I guess you could say I am stuck in the middle as I previously mentioned. In fact, I am seriously considering registering as a Independent here in FL. The problem with that is I will, in effect, not be able to vote in primary elections because independent politicians are few and far between here in Northwest FL. And in FL you can only vote for your party in the primary elections. To me that is a price I am willing to pay in order to be a registered Independent voter. I can't in good faith be registered with the Republican or Democratic parties.

With all that said about where my political affiliations are, I have to say that I like Sarah Palin as a VP Candidate. I like her reformer credentials. That is a big deal to me because I am absolutely disgusted and literally can't stand the 'good ole boy club' here in Bay County FL. The fact that she took on the good ole boy club in Alaska and won is a definite plus in my book. I also enjoy the down home middle class mom persona that Palin exudes. You feel as if you can relate to her and I know I am not the only one who is saying that.

I know I have readers of this blog (the few of you that there are!) who are going to disagree with my comments and i am glad you do. Everyone needs to have an intelligent opinion as it is your right to have. So I want to hear from you whether you are a Liberal or Conservative or somewhere in the middle like me. Let me know what you think. Leave me a comment!

Any way here is her speech with some interesting excerpts I included below if you don't want to watch the whole thing.

"I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a "community organizer," except that you have actual responsibilities. I might add that in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening. We tend to prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco."

"We've all heard his dramatic speeches before devoted followers.

And there is much to like and admire about our opponent.
But listening to him speak, it's easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform - not even in the state senate.
This is a man who can give an entire speech about the wars America is fighting, and never use the word "victory" except when he's talking about his own campaign. But when the cloud of rhetoric has passed ... when the roar of the crowd fades away ... when the stadium lights go out, and those Styrofoam Greek columns are hauled back to some studio lot - what exactly is our opponent's plan? What does he actually seek to accomplish, after he's done turning back the waters and healing the planet? The answer is to make government bigger ... take more of your money ... give you more orders from Washington ... and to reduce the strength of America in a dangerous world. America needs more energy ... our opponent is against producing it.
Victory in Iraq is finally in sight ... he wants to forfeit.
Terrorist states are seeking new-clear weapons without delay ... he wants to meet them without preconditions.
Al Qaeda terrorists still plot to inflict catastrophic harm on America ... he's worried that someone won't read them their rights? Government is too big ... he wants to grow it.
Congress spends too much ... he promises more.
Taxes are too high ... he wants to raise them. His tax increases are the fine print in his economic plan, and let me be specific.
The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes ... raise payroll taxes ... raise investment income taxes ... raise the death tax ... raise business taxes ... and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars. My sister Heather and her husband have just built a service station that's now opened for business - like millions of others who run small businesses.
How are they going to be any better off if taxes go up? Or maybe you're trying to keep your job at a plant in Michigan or Ohio ... or create jobs with clean coal from Pennsylvania or West Virginia ... or keep a small farm in the family right here in Minnesota.

How are you going to be better off if our opponent adds a massive tax burden to the American economy? Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election."

John Mayer & Martin Sexton :: "Can't Stop Thinking Bout You"

2008-08-29T16:18:00.004-05:00

For all you fans of John Mayer and who appreciate all around great music. Here is a little ditty he did w/ Martin Sexton. This is friggin awesome. So forget about the worries of your day and just kick back and give this song a listen. You won't regret it.

Don Miller at the DNC

2008-08-29T11:01:00.009-05:00

My friend and fellow blogger Dan over at www.jesusandjava.org posted this on his blog. It is so good I have to post it as well. (Sorry for copying your idea Dan, but I have to.) It is a transcript of Don Miller's prayer and the DNC in Denver a couple of days ago. Don Miller is the author of "Blue Like Jazz" which is great book for those who are not familiar with him. Cameron Strang (publisher, founder and editor of Relevant Magazine) was originally invited by the Obama camp to give the opening night prayer but he backed out after accepting the invite. (That will be the subject of a future post.) Anyway he called Don Miller and asked him to do it and here is Miller's prayer.

TRANSCRIPT:

Father God,

This week, as the world looks on, help the leaders in this room create a civil dialogue about our future.

We need you, God, as individuals and also as a nation.

We need you to protect us from our enemies, but also from ourselves, because we are easily tempted toward apathy.

Give us a passion to advance opportunities for the least of these, for widows and orphans, for single moms and children whose fathers have left.

Give us the eyes to see them, and the ears to hear them, and hands willing to serve them.

Help us serve people, not just causes. And stand up to specific injustices rather than vague notions.

Give those in this room who have power, along with those who will meet next week, the courage to work together to finally provide health care to those who don’t have any, and a living wage so families can thrive rather than struggle.

Hep us figure out how to pay teachers what they deserve and give children an equal opportunity to get a college education.

Help us figure out the balance between economic opportunity and corporate gluttony.

We have tried to solve these problems ourselves but they are still there. We need your help.

Father, will you restore our moral standing in the world.

A lot of people don’t like us but that’s because they don’t know the heart of the average American.

Will you give us favor and forgiveness, along with our allies around the world.

Help us be an example of humility and strength once again.

Lastly, father, unify us.

Even in our diversity help us see how much we have in common.

And unify us not just in our ideas and in our sentiments—but in our actions, as we look around and figure out something we can do to help create an America even greater than the one we have come to cherish.

God we know that you are good.

Thank you for blessing us in so many ways as Americans.

I make these requests in the name of your son, Jesus, who gave his own life against the forces of injustice.

Let Him be our example.

Amen.

You can disagree and say what you want about Don Miller and his views on faith and fundamental christianity. But the guy has some relevant insights and thoughts on how our culture impacts our faith in Christ. And his prayer needed to be said whether you are a Democrat, Republican or something else. If interested in more Don Miller, please check out his book "Blue Like Jazz" which nowadays is available almost anywhere.

The Archer wedding, hangin with Miller and just all around great times!

2008-08-27T09:19:00.012-05:00

So my buddy Jim Archer got married this last weekend to Rebekah Reuss, his wonderful girlfriend of the last two years. Why am I telling you this ( all three of you who read my blog)? Because Jim was one of my best friends in college and still is. If you know Jim and frequent blogs and facebook pages of his friends then I am sure you are aware that I am not the first to post

about the Archer wedding. (Infact, I borrowed the picture to the left of Jim, Loren and I; from Loren's blog. Thanks Loren!)

So, it is my turn to tell you all that I had a friggin blast in MN hangin with old friends and attending Jim and Rebekah's wedding. My buddy Loren Miller picked me up at that airport and from then on we pretty much spent the rest of the weekend together, which was awesome because I haven't seen him in quite a while and I consider him one of my best friends along with Jim. He also let me crash at his place which ended up saving me a lot of money by not having to get a hotel or rental car. I was w/o wife and kids because it costs so dang much ($1,500) to fly us all the way to MN from FL. Loren was sans wife for similar reasons. We had a blast seeing old college roommates and fellow Campus Crusade for Chirst friends from college. Jim's wedding was basically one big reunion and I am so glad I went.

I couldn't be happier for Jim. The guy is a real man. And by that I mean, Jim is a man of his word. A man with principles and integrity. He is a guy who doesn't wavier on his principles. He is a guy that will treat Rebekah like gold. Jim is the most honest, trustworthy person I have ever met. Jim wouldn't hesitate to give you the shirt off his back.

As you can tell I admire Jim and consider it an honor to be his friend. Best of luck on your marriage Jim and Rebakah Archer. I will be praying for God to truly bless your marriage.

Another day, another year older

2008-08-20T09:44:00.005-05:00

I just thought I would write a little note telling ya'll that I feel a little old today. Yes, today is my birthday. I hit the big 30 today and it made me realize a few things. First of all, sad as it is, I am not a 20 something anymore. I liked being in the 20 something category. It made me feel like I was still 'with it' or should I say 'hip'. I know that by writing that last sentence, I really am not 'hip or 'with it" but who cares. As my wife would probably tell you, I am just a big dork. But you know what, this dork is a man who has a great wife, great kids, and I love them all dearly, I am grateful for every moment I get share with them. Abby, Sam and Hannah are the best presents I could ever want and I thank God for them.

Brett 'Jett' Favre

2008-08-14T10:43:00.004-05:00

When I told my buddy Dan that I was starting to blog again he said, "let me guess, you wrote about Brett Favre." I told him "actually no, I wrote about parenting." He was surprised and I guess I am too that Mr. Favre had slipped my mind. So here it goes Dan, this is for you.

As most of you know Favre was traded to the NY Jets last week and boy am I relieved. Some might be sad and a few might even be happy but I am just glad the whole dang saga is over with. Don't get me wrong, I love Favre and I love what he has done for the Pack for the last 17 year but I am just glad this soap opera is finished. Now I can get back to cheering for my Packers and letting Aaron Rodgers win me over. As I have told several friends, I am a Packer fan first and then a Favre fan. I think the Green Bay Packer management treated Favre disrespectfully through out this whole retirement/unretirement ordeal. I think the man is entitled to a little indecision. After all, he did win a Superbowl, 3 MVPs and provided almost 17 years of above average QB play for the Packers. And the dude can still chuck the pigskin harder than I will ever be able to. So here it is. I LOVE the Packers, I think the Packers GM and management sucks, and I wish Brett Favre the best of luck with the Jets. And hope the Packers and Jets meet in the Superbowl.

Life and Parenting

2008-08-11T08:52:00.004-05:00

So it has been a little while since my last post...well actually a great while and i doubt anyone will still be reading my blog but oh well.... And the sad thing is that not much has really changed in the McBride household since my last post. I have learned that a two year old and three year old are a handful. It seems like every other day either Sam or Hannah come running to me crying because of something the other child has done to them or taken from them. Oh, the joys of parenting. My goal is trying to keep me cool and not get all worked up at things the kids are doing. In order to help me with my goal, their is a book I am reading that one of our pastors at our church mentioned about parenting from a biblical perspective. It talks about understanding your child's heart and how that relates to his or her actions and feelings. Obviously there is way more to it than that but I am only on the third chapter and it is pretty good. It is called "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Ted Tripp.

2007-09-24T10:24:00.000-05:00

Jeanne Elaine McBride

April 3rd 1951 -- September 24th 2007

Today is a sad day. I lost my mom this morning at 5:30am. She awoke at 5am with some breathing problems and the hospice nurses treated her with a Nebulizer with a narcotic drug that helped calm her breathing and anxiety down. Then she looked over at Jacki, her partner, and died. Even though she died sooner that expected I am relieved that she is not suffering any more. She died peacefully, comfortably, without pain and with the person she loved. Please pray for my family as we deal with the grief of losing her.

Losing my Mom

2007-09-22T20:40:00.000-05:00

My mom and my sister Kelly

So here is the update on my mom. Her name is Jeanne and he has breast cancer for those of you who didn't know that. Any way she is going downhill fast. The cancer is taking over her body and on Friday we made the decision to put her in a hospice facility called Cherry Meadows. That was her wishes when she got to the stage she is at. Right now the cancer is taking over her brain. It is also ravaging her liver, lungs, and bones. She is on a lot of pain meds for the pain and as a result is not feeling much pain but on Friday things took a turn for the worst. Lately she has started forgetting things and losing her short term memory and Friday she started to not be very lucid. She had a breathing issue where she could not get enough oxygen and she started to panic and we had to get the nurses to come to the house and then she started acting very confused and disoriented and that's when the nurse suggested that it was time to send her to the hospice facility.
So according to the hospice nurses, basically it is just a matter of days or week or two until we lose her. Her body is losing the battle against the cancer. Please pray for my mom that she doesn't feel pain and please pray for my family as we deal with my mom's impending death.

my mom's cancer update

2007-08-14T08:14:00.001-05:00

So just the other day I bought plane tickets to go see my mom. Why am I telling you this? Well, for those of you who do not know, my mom has been fighting breast cancer for the last 5 years. And lately things have not been so good for her. She has started to go downhill since I last saw her back in early June. The cancer spread to her liver and that is what is giving her the greatest problems. She has a significant amount of pain from her liver but thankfully is able to control and stay one step ahead of the pain through some pretty strong pain meds. She is also losing her appetite and losing weight and energy as a result of this.
Basically she doesn't have much time left. You never really know exactly how long but she feels she only has a couple months left. This is so hard to hear because I love my mom so much and don't want to lose her. My sisters and my mom's partner, Jacki are also having a pretty tough time dealing with this. So prayers for my mom and our family are much appreciated. The thing that I do find comfort in during this time is that fact that mom loves and knows Jesus Christ. And she is looking forward to the day that she can forever be in the loving presence of God. Amen.
If you want to hear a first person account of dealing with cancer, check out my mom's blog. Its listed on the right side of my page.

The future of our nation?

2007-08-08T08:37:00.002-05:00

Romney, Giuliani, McCain

Edwards, Clinton, Obama

So who is it going to be? I know it is a little early to be talking about who our next president is going to be and I know some of you don't give a crap about politics but I thought I would say a few words.
The biggest thing that I want to say is that I am completely undecided and right in the middle. Well maybe not exactly in the middle, some of you might say that I am conservative, but I would call myself a right leaning moderate. But when it comes to the six pictured above, none of them excite me that much. So my question is who should I vote for? You tell me. There are +'s and -'s about all these candidates and I don't want to get into that here. That is for you to tell me. Here is some info for you...I have voted Republican since being of age to vote BUT if the election were today I am leaning left towards Barack or Edwards. But who knows, I can be swayed one way or another. So open the dialogue and talk to me. If you don't like politics then ignore this. But if you do have an opinion, I want to here it.
I love God and love Jesus Christ but that doesn't mean that the White House is the place for a Christian. Don't get me wrong, I would hope that our President loves Christ as I do but I believe that as f0llowers of Christ we can do far more beneficial things outside of politics (more on this in a future post). I also love the environment and nature but that doesn't mean I am a tree hugging liberal. And so on...there are both liberal and conservative issues that I support. Also I am so sick of the partisan bull sh*! in our nation's capital. I would like to see a president who could bridge that divide.
So thanks for letting me rant...I won't talk politics all the time but sometimes, its whats on my and now let it be on your mind.

The Call

2007-08-06T11:53:00.000-05:00

I thought I would say a little something about my thought pattern lately. I have been constantly wondering what am I supposed to do in life? I don't think raising two kids as a stay at home dad is my calling in life. For this present moment that is probably what is best for my family. But I think a lot about my future, my passions, my possible career choices, my love for God, how to support my family financially and other various important issue that deal with everyday life. The question I have is, what is God calling me to do? That is the question, the BIG question.
I have thought through several options. Maybe it is enrolling at a seminary. For what? Maybe a masters degree in Christian counseling. I have always loved talking, interacting and meeting new people. Maybe that is the avenue for me but another part me is longing for something else.
That something else is sharing Christ's love and the truth of his saving message. I have always loved and supported missions and missionaries. In fact that is where I met Abby, on the missions field in a foreign country where people had no clear idea who Jesus is or how they can know him and love him. I feel that I am willing to serve God in any way. If he wants me over seas on the mission field, then I welcome that with open arms. But I wonder, what country, with what organization, when? I guess if that is my calling God will provide the answers and the leading. So I going to pray and try to be proactive about all this. I am going to open my self up to all possibilities, even ones not mentioned in this rambling blog entry. I will leave you with a thought that Katie S. , a staff member at our church, wrote on her bio on our church's website. "In ministry, if you have a passionate heart, God will equip you in His timing with what He deems is necessary for Him to be give glory through you! 'God does not call the equipped, but He equips the called!' "

Minneapolis bridge collapse

2007-08-02T11:21:00.001-05:00

So I am sure ya'll have heard about the bridge collapse in Minneapolis. If not flip on any cable news channel or go to a news website. When I first saw the news this morning it took my breath away. I couldn't believe a bridge like that could just collapse into the Mississippi river. I can only pray that everyone is ok. What scared me the most is that Abby and I have driven over that bridge hundreds of times while I was in college. That bridge is only a half mile from the University of Minnesota which was my home for six years. In fact a couple of places that I lived at in college are with in spitting distance of the bridge. I can't imagine what everyone up there is going through right now. I have numerous friends in the Twin cities and heard from several of them that they are ok. So simply please pray.

long time, no write

2007-06-03T20:42:00.000-05:00

view from the Appalachian Trail
My buds and I at Charlie's Bunyan
Our 5 star accommodations atop Mt. LeConte
sunset atop of Mt. LeConte
The crew at New Found Gap (the beginning of our 11 mile hike)

As I say every time, it has been along time since my last post. But oh well.
The latest thing going on with me is that I went on a Men's Retreat with my church. About a dozen of us guys drove up to the Smokey Mt's. and hiked in Smokey National Park. It was a blast! I have never been in that part of the country and it is beautiful. We hiked 11 miles to the top of Mt. LeConte (6,500 ft) and stayed in a lodge on the top of the mountain. That was one of the hardest things I have done in a while. Near the end of the hike the grade gets pretty steep and my buddy Ted and I ended up having to rest about every 10 min's because of the thin air and the steepness of the grade. Being out of shape probably had a little to do with it too. It was worth it though. The views were incredible.
We also were able to spend a day white water rafting on the Ocoee River in Tennessee. If you are not familiar with the river, it is one the best rivers there are for white water rafting. It contains some of the best class 3, 4,and 5 rapids in North America. In fact we rafted the Olympic section of the river that was used in the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics for white water Olympic kayaking. It had an entire section of solid class 4 rapids that just about tossed me out of the raft.
All in all the trip was a blast I enjoyed getting out in nature for a while and getting to know some the other guys from my church. If you are ever in that part of the country go check out Smokey Mt. National Park, it is well worth it.

Northstar finally has a new home!

2007-02-07T15:54:00.000-06:00

Today was a great day for the Northstar Church family! Ab and I have been members for the last 3 years of an incredible church called Northstar here in Panama City. Northstar is a modern, contemporary, seeker friendly church which is a rarity down here in the old, traditionally conservative south. The reason it is a great day is because Northstar just closed on a contract to purchase a new facility. The reason that is awesome is because Northstar has never had a permanent home. For the last 6+ years we have been meeting in a middle school. But today begins the new journey of our new home. We have about a 12-18 month remodel ahead of us before we can move into the new facitily, but when we do it will be amazing. The building we just purchased is on one of the busiest corners in Bay county in a very central location in Panama City, which means an unbeleivable amount of exposure for our church! I can't wait to see how God is going to use this new building to reach the people of Bay county for Christ. If any of you like to pray out there, please pray that the remodel process and the transition into our new building will continue with out problems. Also feel free to check out the link to northstar church in my link section to the right. Our new website was recently voted the #6 coolest church website in America and there is a picture of Sam in the photo galleries section where you can view family ministries photos. http://www.northstarpc.org/

Favre

2007-02-06T13:28:00.000-06:00

If you are not from WI and not a football fan than this post is probably going to bore you. The Man, the Myth, the Legend is coming back! So it took me a week to get this post up, but I have other things going on (caring for 2 kids). Anyway I am so stoked that Favre is coming back for another year. I believe that #4 still has some magic left in him. Yeah, he is not in his prime any longer but he is still an above average QB who is better than half the QB's in the league. I do believe that he can take the Pack to the playoffs and maybe futher? Superbowl maybe?! I know that might be dreaming but a mans gotta dream right?

My mom

2007-02-02T23:44:00.000-06:00

So I just talked to my mom and she told me her cancer is progressing to the point where most people at this stage only live for another year. I wish I could tell you how I felt when I heard this but I can't. There are not words to express. It hurts. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 years ago and had a double mastectomy. A couple of years ago we found out the cancer cells returned to her lungs and bones. Just last week she learned that they had spread to her liver and lower spine. She is now going threw her second batch of chemo which after it is all said and done, will help her feel much better. Whats hard for me right now is the though of her not being here. That hurts and makes me want to cry. I love my mom. She is such an incredible woman and I don't want God to take her away from us. She is so strong though. She love God so much and is at peace with what ever He has in store for her. If I had half the unconditional love and strength that my mom has I would be a better man. I don't know what else to say other than please pray for my mom. I don't know who reads this blog anymore but if you do pray. Prayer is powerful. God is miraculous. If he wanted to he could rid her body of cancer in an instant. God's love heals!

B-Day fun

2006-08-21T10:00:00.000-05:00

So yesterday was my birthday but Ab and I decided to celebrate it on Saturday. It was a blast. We got some pizza with all our kids at our local pizza joint and then went back to our place for chocolate cake(that I made from scratch) and drinks. It was a good time being able to hang out with friends and let our kids run around the house and play together. I just wanted to say thanks. Thank you to all the people who made my birthday a good time. Anyway I am truely grateful to have the friends that I do. You all mean a lot to me and I love ya'll.

p.s. I have been trying for the longest time to find a GreenBay Packers khaki baseball hat. If any of you know where I could buy one let me know

Happenings

2006-08-18T15:21:00.000-05:00

I know its been a while but if you read our family blog I explained that laziness plus 2 kids under the age of two = not very many blog entries. Anyway the biggest thing that has happend to me personally is my latest surgery to the family jewels. Thats right I had a vasectomy. No more kids for the McBride's! I love the two we have but no more. I can't believe I actually went through with it but I sucked it up and got it done. It was the least I could do for my wife and probably pales in comparison to giving birth to two kids. I don't know how women do it but I am proud of my wife for having two children! My procedure was not bad really. I know some of you dudes out there are cringing at the thought of a searing hot cauterizing surgical blade cutting one of your most precious places but it didn't hurt much. I even watched the whole thing! With the drugs and numbing shot they give you, I didn't feel a thing and recovery was not bad either. Just a week or so of taking it easy and in a few months I will be sterile. I know this may seem a little too personal for some of you but we are all friends and I really don't care what people think of my nuts anyway.
Other than that life is good. The kids are great. Hannah is growing fast and laughs, coos and smiles all the time and love watching her big brother play. Sam is learing new things everyday it seems like. He almost has his ABC's mastered and he can count from 2-10. For some reason he doesn't like 1. He knows most of his colors, shapes and he is learing to identify musical instruments. I think his favorite is the Sax.
Also one of my friends book tagged me with this book list thing. So if you read books you might find this interesting. I am a pretty frequent reader and I am into the whole political thriller/adventure genre of books.

1. One book that changed your life.
The Bible. I kept thinking about this question but the Bible is the only book that truely fits.
"Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller is a book that has changed my view on life. It is a great read about spirituality and the journey of growing closer to God.

2. One book you've read more than once.
"Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire" By Jim Cymbala.
Awesome book about the power of prayer and the beginnings of the Brooklyn Tabernacle in NYC.

3. One book you'd want on a desert island.
Other than The Bible any book by Vince Flynn or Clive Cussler.

4. One book that made you laugh.
"Trojan Odessey" by Clive Cussler with Dirk Pitt as the main character.

5. One book that made you cry.
"Consent to Kill" by Vince Flynn.
Almost made me cry when I read the final chapter.

6. One book you wish had been written.
"The story of my life" by Tim McBride

7. One book you wish had never been written.
"The DaVinci Code" by Dan Brown
I thought the book was weak and unbelievable. I have read much better in the adventure/thriller genre.

8. One book you're currently reading.
"Blue Like Jazz" by Donald Miller
He is incredible and I highly reccomend it!

9. One book you've been meaning to read.
"Velvet Elvis" by Rob Bell.
One of my good friends keeps telling me I have to read it.

10. Now tag 5 people.
Muzik316, Jeanne M., Nick C., Josh Golackson, Loren M.

I'm back

2006-07-11T09:28:00.000-05:00

I am still alive. I just wanted to let ya'll know that I am still around. It has been a busy last few months with the addition of Hannah to our family. But it has been wonderful having two kids. Sam absolutely loves his little sister and Hannah is just starting to enter the smiling and cooing stage. Today is officially my second day of running daddy day-care. I worked my old job of building houses while Abby was on maternity leave and now I am back to doing the dad thing again. Its a lot different this time around having to care for two instead of one. If you think one kid is a lot of work try having two. I love them both so much though. I also posted some pictures of Hannah trying to smile and an older picture of Sam when he was younger but it is still cute. Thats aboutall I have time for now. Crying children are calling now so I must go. More to come later.

Sam has things to say

2006-04-25T16:43:00.000-05:00

Written by Tim's secretary - (Doshadora) Aunt Kelly has taught me a good noise. I hit my sticks it is fun.

We went to the animal place. The monkeys are funny, like my dad.

I fed the goose, but it liked my fingers better.

Aunt Kelly and Grandma took me to the park. I showed them what a good climber I am. A.K. taught me some holds on the climbing rock.

Dad and I cruised the beach. Mom is nervous and excited. I'm not sure I get this whole baby thing, but grandma says I'll understand tomorrow. Mom and dad are leaving me way before the sun comes up, but I don't mind cause I really like my Aunt Kelly.

life

2006-04-19T10:21:00.000-05:00

So the little boy has pink eye. It has been a tough few days around the McBride household. Sam has nasty snot running off his face and a case of pink eye. And we are less than a week away from the birth of number 2. So as you can guess I have been a little busy, tired and I hate to admit it, crabby. It's so hard to be in a good mood when Sam is whining all day long because he doesn't feel good and Abby is pretty much relegated to the couch when she gets home because working takes a lot out her this far into the pregnancy. It sure is hard to be the servant that Christ has asked us to be. I know that I must put the needs of others before mine but sometimes I just don't do that. I really need to be there for my wife and son and be able to serve them with a joyful heart. I guess that is my prayer, to be able to love my wife and help and serve her in anyway that she needs. I guess I shouldn't complain because the discomfort that she is going through and will go through during the birth far outways my current state of stress. The awesome thing that I can turn to is the Lord Jesus. He is my rock and my salvation and with him anything can be accomplished. That is the thought I will leave you with.

Daughter update and Sam Pictures

2006-04-12T10:28:00.000-05:00

Sam at our Church's Easter Egg Hunt

I already posted this in our family blog but for those of you who only read my blog and not our McBride family blog, I thought I would share the latest news with ya'll. Yesterday we learned that we are going to have our daughter on April 26th or shortly thereafter. Dr. Tilghman, Abby's OB/GYN, wants to induce labor wednesday morning two weeks from today. No real reason other than he likes to have things done on his schedule. And Abby is cool with that because she has been wanting to get this baby out for quite awhile now. Don't get me wrong, Dr. Tilgman is a great and well respected doctor especially when it comes to emergency and high-risk births. I think he just likes being in control of when babies he delivers are born so he won't have to get up in the middle of the night to deliver them. So to make a long story short, we are having our daughter in roughly two weeks and I couldn't be any happier. It is going to be so much fun having a little newborn again. I can't wait! But I am sure I will be singing a different tune in about a month. We just hope Sam does ok with the new baby that will be added to our family. I think he is young enought that it shouldn't take to long for him to adjust. He doesn't seem to like it when Abby holds our friend's newborn but then again at times he doesn't really care. We will just have wait and see and remember that he still needs as much attention and love and the newborn will need. I will put pics up of the baby as soon as we get them. For those of you that are interested, the picture above is Sam at our church's Easter egg hunt. Thats it for now, more to come later.

Employment for Timmy

2006-04-07T14:59:00.000-05:00

I got a job! Prayer answered!! To refresh ya'll, while Abby is on maternity leave I needed to find work in order to make up for the income that we are going to lose by her not being able to work. I'm going to go back to my old job building houses. I gave my old boss a call. He and I had great conversation and to make a long story short he said he would love to have me work for him for the summer. As much as it is going to suck working outside in Florida in the summertime, I am stoked to have gotten my job back so easily. So May 1st, I will be outside with my shirt off getting tan helping to finish up the 14,000 sqft monster of a house they are working on! Amen!

-Foreign Missions- God's plan for my life or not?

2006-04-07T09:58:00.000-05:00

The big thought that is overwhelming me lately is what to do about the future. For the longest time I felt the call to foreign missions. As you all probably know, that is where Abby and I met, on a 7 week mission trip to a very large and extremely populated communist country in East Asia. I think you are all smart enough to figure out what country it is with out me having to say it, for the protection of missionaries that may be there. Anyway Ab and I met when we were serving the Lord and it has always be something that I have wanted to continue to do. The problem is, I don't really know how God wants us to serve him. I wish discerning God's will for our lives was an easy thing. But in my experience it hasn't been. I would still love to be a foreign missionary but I just don't know where or when or for that fact what organization to serve in. I know some of you might be saying that maybe missions is not part of God's plan for us because of all the unanswered questions and the lack of direction that we are feeling. But I truly believe that all of us who are believers in Christ and have a relationship with Jesus Christ are called to serve the Lord. It can't be anymore clear than Matthew28:19 in which Christ commands us to" go and make disciples of all nations". I know there are many ways to serve the Lord. But if there are two people such as Abby and I who are willing to share the love and truth of Christ to those who have not been given the opportunity to hear it, then why would God want us to do anything else. I don't know? That's my question.
What I do know is that personally I don't think at this moment I am ready to be a missionary. There is still alot of work to be done in the heart of Tim McBride. Lately I have been in a lot of thought about this subject and I am trying diligently to become the man God desires for me to be. That means daily investing my time and energy into growing closer and more intimite with God. If you know me well, which I am sure most of you do, you know this has been a struggle for me. But I can't begin to tell you the excitement and passion I have had for the Lord lately. My heart sometimes feels like it going to beat out my chest when I think about all the amazing ways that I can continue to grow closer to God. I just pray that this passion is not short lived and that it is something that will always be with me and a part of my faith in God. Passion for the Lord and passion for the lost. May those be the two things that consume my life!
Anyway, sorry for the long rambling thoughts that I have just shared with you but it's something I needed to get off my heart and into words. Peace.

Future

2006-04-03T13:26:00.000-05:00

Ok, I know its been awhile. Alright I admit it's been along time since I have written here. Life has been a little crazy and, if you know me well, I have been a little lazy. Anyway...right now the thing that is happening in the McBride family is the upcoming birth of our daughter Hannah hopefully in early May. Its been busy but a lot of fun getting ready for her. We have began turning Sam's old room into her nursery. Which involves a lot of painting and stenciling flowers. Thankfully my wife did the flowers and I didn't have to! We have also been trying get the things we need for a newborn girl such as pink clothes and newborn diapers. We also won our first auction on Ebay which was a Baby Bjorn carrier. It's probably the most comfortable and best made infant carrier on the market and will be heavily used by Abby while she chases Sam around the house.
The most pressing issue for right now is trying to find a job while Abby is on maternity leave. I thought I had something lined up but it fell through and now I am on the search for employment. I am really bummed thought because I don't want to have to go through the whole hiring process for just a two or three month job. All the work here in Panama city seems to be labor and entrylevel work which does not pay very much. I guess my biggest issue is pride. I need to understand that I am not above any kind of work and that any job is an honorable job in God's eyes as long as I work hard and portray the characteristis that a Godly man would show. What ever job I get I need to be honest, respectful and hardworking so that I can share Christ's love without contradiction. I guess I just need prayer that God will provide the right job for me and that our needs will be met while Abby is on maternity leave. I am putting my trust in God that we will make it through the times ahead.

On my own

2006-03-03T13:32:00.000-06:00

Hey, its me and I have my own blog now. Abby and I decided that the mcbridefamily blog should be for the family and for family news not just for me to write my thoughts. So here I am with my own blog and freedom to say what I please. I hope to write in this blog frequently and we will write in the family blog probably once or twice a week or so. The picture to the left I stole "borrowed" from my friend Dan's blog. Actually it his picture that he took of a candle. The dude has some talent when it comes to photography. He just starting out but I have seen some of his work and he has an eye for great pictures. I really don't know what else to say right now. Sam is napping and later we are going to go to the park to enjoy the sun and the 75 degree temps that we have here in sunny FL. And tomorrow one of Sam's little buddies, Brandt, is turning two. He's having a party and a local park and it should be a blast. All of us Dads are going to throw the ole pig skin around and act like kids. I can't wait. Anyway thats it for now. More to come later.