I began writing here in February 2008.  I had one goal in mind when I began writing: To work on the FOCUS for my life.  And to share with those who may decide to read - hope and inspiration for their lives.

For those of you who have had great vision all of your lives and who are now in their 40’s – probably have experienced some of the changes with your physical vision much like I have.  I picked up my good friend Joel at the airport in December 2008.  I told him (with much pride I must say)  that my vision is not like it once was.  Driving at night is not near as easy as it was back when we were a bit younger.

I have glasses that I wear now to help me when I read.  They need to be a little stronger than what they are now.  But they do help me out when I read a book and the computer screen.

Just like I have needed to put on a pair of glasses to help me with my focus for reading… throughout my life I have always needed to do something to help keep the meaning for my life in focus.

Writing on this blog has helped me tremendously.  I now walk through each day with more focus.  Since February 2008 FOCUS has now transformed into the following four elements:

1. To focus on seeking Jesus.
2. To focus my life to find him.
3. To focus my life on living in him.
4. To find focus on how Jesus wants me to serve him with others.

Seek. Find. Live. Others will follow. has become my new way of communicating focus. 

My prayer to the LORD has become Psalm 86:11-13,

Train me, God, to walk straight;
      then I’ll follow your true path.
   Put me together, one heart and mind;
      then, undivided, I’ll worship in joyful fear.
   From the bottom of my heart I thank you, dear Lord;
      I’ve never kept secret what you’re up to.
   You’ve always been great toward me—what love!
      You snatched me from the brink of disaster!  (The Message)

For those of you who have been following me for the past year – thanks for sticking around on the journey.  I’m excited for those who have begun to follow in the past few months as well.  I know God has a purpose and a plan for each of us.  Knowing this is very exciting.  I can’t seem to capture the words to express my excitement.  I look forward to seeing what God has in store over the next year.

Seek. Find. Live. Others will follow.

I have been challenged by The Ephiphany to intervene in a matter concerning the “cheating” ways of AWIP.

Obviously, AWIP has been convicted.  He has now added the map feature to his blog.  Now the world can follow the map.  It was overheard yesterday at the Harvest Street Fair that AWIP was handing out business cards advertising his blog.  What a competitor!

Walker was telling the She Rambler that he felt sorry for his Pastor.  (Walker was referring to the cancellation of the mission trip to India.)  The She Rambler immediately thought my 6 year old was talking about AWIP’s blog… I think that is giving AWIP a little too much of a glory bone to think a 6 year old would be following his blog.

Focal [foh-kuhl] of or pertaining to a focus.

Giant [jahy-uhnt] a being with human form but superhuman size, strength, etc.

So, why a blog?  Why do I strive to keep up posting something here everyday?  Is it about the “stats”?  My pastor seems to think that blogging is all about the stats.  His wife seems to have her head in the game for the right reasons.  Now, don’t get me wrong I’m addicted to my stats just like the next blogger.  And when the hits aren’t rolling in I may need to seek out my therapist… (Lori is such a wonderful, loving, encourager on the days my blog tanks… She says, “get over it!”)

But why do I do this?

I remember the first several blogs that I posted and the fear I had clicking that “Publish” button for the first time.  It was a commitment to lay my words out there for anyone to read, enjoy, make fun of, be challenged by, and dare I say ‘inspire’.

Still the question remains, “why a blog?” 

My good friend Joel (who doesn’t have a blog and who’s wife limits his blogging time) is the one I credit for getting me hooked on this thing.  He was asking me if I read this blog or that blog… bloggity – blog – blog.  I started reading some – but for the most part those I read were negative, critical, and not edifying to the body of Christ.  I was reading blogs by those who proclaim Jesus in their personal and professional lives.  For the most part, what I had been reading was all about stirring up a bit of controversy thus attracting… “hits”.  Just another way to boost the stats.

I may not have the power of an email data base from a church to propigate my blog with tons of hits.  I don’t have a congregation that I hold hostage for information ONLY to be found on the pastor’s blog.  There are times I would think I may not even have a reader… in fact, the hits I get each day just may be Joel hitting the update button several times per hour.  I know Randy, She-Rambler and others do read…  To validate that others do read from other places I added the map to see just where the hits are coming from.  That’s pretty cool.

So, why a blog?

For me its about being a [foh-kuhl] [jahy-uhnt].  I was reading the comments posted on The Epiphany’s blog where my pastor (AWIP)referred to me as the “Focal Giant”.  It’s not just that I am 3 feet taller than AWIP. (I’m about 2 feet taller than most).  It’s not about my “all seeing eye”.  I know that my eyes have caused night terrors for some.  I hear Joel has done well with overcoming his night terrors. 

Back to the “why a blog?” question:  It’s all about keeping my focus.  I challenge myself each day to pray, read the Bible, devotionals, and live my life for JESUS CHRIST.  He is the lover of my soul.  He is the reason why I blog.  I want to be challenged in all I do.  I want to make the most of every opportunity I have to glean from my experiences in life. 

Back in the day of leading teenagers I would talk about life being a test and trust… today I would add a blog.

In the sight of God, all of our lives are written out in the ultimate blog of all time “The Book of Life”.  I know my name is there.  My life is being written out each day that I live.  What an honor to be found within the pages of God’s Book. 

God’s a great God full of love mercy and grace.  I would bet he even keeps tabs of His hits too.  What do you think?

I apologize to those of you who experienced “night terrors” due to my eyes following you around your living rooms as you tried to read my blog.  There is only one who actually told me that they experienced “night terrors”.  I will not mention his name or anything.  But I will say that he plays the bass.  There was another friend from college (Lyle) who did say that looking into my eyes was rather creepy. 

So I have gone back to the more tranquil vision of the misty river with the bridge by popular demand (which includes my dad).

 Anyone like to guess who has been experiencing night terrors?

 Here’s looking at ya!!