Little big voice

This is my second monthly installment of Link Love. You can check out the first one if you like. The basic premise is this: I highlight the top 5 referrers to my blog. I don’t count websites, only people. So, without further ado, here’s the top 5 for June.

 Timm Collins. Same spot as last month. RPC’s pastor. Noah’s dad. Miranda’s husband.

Travis Thompson. Same spot as well. If I gave double points for linking from a post, he would be in first. I don’t think Travis fully appreciated the humor in last month’s post.

Emily Monts De Oca. Same spot - I see a trend. Word on the street is she owns a woobie and will kill anyone who touches it. Kinda like a voodoo blankie. Plus, she’s like reverse Houdini - getting locked in places.

Justin Whidden. RPC’s worship pastor. Dude is super-gifted. Like the Artist Formerly Known As Prince, without the phallic-shaped guitar. New to the top 5. Welcome. He’s actually tied for fourth place with the next two people.

Melissa Loop. AKA pinky68. AKA Satchmo’s momma. Mel’s new to the top 5 AND new to the blog-world. Go check her out. She’s got some pretty deep thoughts. Kinda like Jack Handey, without the satire. Mel’s the sleeper for this month.

Mike Monts De Oca. Same spot as last month, but with some company. Be careful what you leave behind or you may see a ransom blog or a listing on e-bay.

Honorable mention: Bobby McCue. No doubt Bobby would be on this list. If he only had a blog. Why is that, again?

That’s it for this month. Be sure to check out each of those represented here, and tell them Michael sent you. BTW, stop trying to click Bobby’s name. He’s not interactive. I just changed the font color.

This morning I read Matthew Chapter 10. It’s a great chapter about Jesus empowering and sending out the 12 disciples. It even includes the verse that people use to guilt you into forwarding religious e-mails or Myspace bulletins. You know, the one about “Whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.”

Those are not the reasons for this post. The purpose lies in verses 29-31. Paraphrased, they say: Can’t you buy two sparrows pretty cheap? Yet not one falls to the ground outside of God’s will. He has gone so far as to count and number every hair on our head. Don’t worry, you’re worth more to God than many sparrows.

 I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel worthless. Useless. Purposeless. Unappreciated. Misunderstood. Then I read these verses and I see that I am valued by God. I am important enough that he has cataloged every hair on my head. Not only am I important, but every part of me is important. If God cares enough about the life of a sparrow, how much more does he care for me?

So the next time you feel worthless, remember: You are worth more than many sparrows.

I did a post like this a while back entitled “You Got Here How?” showing some of the weird searches that brought people to my site. Well, I’ve gathered a few more and couldn’t wait to share them with you.

holier than thou-stop - Makes me wanna collaborate and listen.

what are words to song “i love you a bus - I don’t know, but I bet they’re just swell. And it’s probably better than loving someone a moped.

glitter - I imagine someone trying to find Mariah Carey’s blog and reaching me.

michael matthews work at home - This is the sign from God that I have been looking for. BTW, God, there’s only one “t” in Mathews.

“1/4 japanese” - Represent’in.

andy stanley - Imagine the disappointment (or surprise) when they searched for Andy Stanley and found me.

how to change mike and marry voice - #1 I’m not changing. #2 Who’s this “voice” fellow?

emily thompson flowers - They weren’t from me. I promise.

emily intervention update - Really?

intervention emily update - Wow.

intervention update on emily - Again?

emily 26, intervention update - I see a trend here.

emily update from intervention - Sorry about Emily and her problems, but I appreciate the traffic.

problem he wants me but not my kids - This is strangely random.

two different shoes fashion shows - Josh has found his calling! Little Mr. Two Shoes, here we come.

Which one is your favorite?

This has been the busiest weekend on record!

On Saturday, I had the privilege of officiating at the wedding of two of the kids from my youth group. They’re adults now, but it was an honor to be there with them on their wedding day. And, the reception was a BLAST! We danced so much my legs hurt. BTW, Josh is a dancing MACHINE! And since the wedding was Saturday, Friday was spent doing pre-wedding chores. (pick up tux, get haircut, etc.) Not to mention rehearsal.

Today was jam-packed, as well. We continued our Judgement Call series at RPC. This week was when to judge. The idea was when you become a Christian, you place yourself under a whole other level of judgement. I got to pray with Marcus, who chose to give his life to Christ. (he was a first-time visitor, BTW) Did I mention that first service I swear EVERYONE was singing? It was awesome. Oh yeah, and my friend with the drug problem, he came to the second service. What a great day, and we haven’t even been to Family Group, yet. If every Sunday is like this, I won’t be able to contain myself. I almost forgot to mention that it rained like 28 inches during the last service, but the power held out until the very end.

So, how great was your weekend? Did I miss anything?

….are happening at RPC. We’re facing some huge decisions. God-sized decisions. It’s exciting. Pray for Timm, the leadership and the people. That’s about all I can say right now, but you’ll know soon enough.

PS. One big step starts tonight. Pray for us to stay focused on God, and to make Godly decisions.

My son, Joshua, has turned into a bit of a fashion rebel. It started a few months ago when he started popping his collar. (that would be turning it up, Elvis-style, for those less cool than I) I don’t know where he got this from, since I only tried it twice before I received a citation from the cool police. And, if you turn them back down, he will revolt and pop them again.

Well, that phase has passed right now, as he is on a new trend. One that I haven’t seen for as long as I can remember (which is about 12 minutes). Now Josh is wearing two different shoes. This is what he wore last week:

A note: Josh’s fashion sense changes quickly. It’s very possible that by the time this posts the concept of wearing two different shoes will be stale. He may have moved on, leaving the rest of us to either catch up or scratch our heads.

I posted a month ago about my friend who was arrested for possession of cocaine. I’ve been meaning to post an update, but there really hasn’t been much to update. Until now.

Two weeks after his arrest, I stopped by to see him. I asked him what was going on, and he denied everything. In the nicest way I could, I told him I would love to believe him but that I didn’t. I told him I loved him and nothing he has done or could do would change that. Then, last week, I stopped by again. He didn’t answer the door. As I drove off, I saw him standing in the doorway. That should catch you up, now enter Sunday morning.

3AM to be exact. I received a text message that read: I am out of control and I need you right now!!!  What do you do with that? I don’t know what you do, but I got dressed and got in the truck. If 3AM is when he wants to come clean and get help, then 3AM it is.

So my friend came clean. It appears it took getting punched in the mouth by another friend to finally come to terms with his problem, but whatever it takes. He wants help, and I want to help him.

Honestly, I don’t need this. I’ve got plenty of other things going on in my life, and I don’t need the added drama. I hate drama. But, it’s not about me right now, it’s about my friend in need. I don’t necessarily need him right now, but he needs me.

It makes me think of my relationship with God. He doesn’t need me, with my sin and my messes. God is perfectly fine without me. But I need Him. Desperately. I need His truth, His love, His grace and mercy. I have nothing to offer Him that He doesn’t already have. But God is there for me. Every time I need Him, He’s there.

My friend is no different. What he needs isn’t me, it’s God. But he’s reaching out to me, so I need to be Jesus to him and show him love, and compassion and forgiveness. It may be through our relationship that he begins a relationship with God. The way I see it, I have no choice but to reach out to my friend and love him. Nothing he has done or will do can make me love him any more or any less. I have to remember that, because that is how Jesus loves me. Unconditionally.

The way I see it, we are at step one right now. This is where we begin. Thank you for your prayers.

…..is a bittersweet time for me. First of all, I love being a dad. Ten years ago I would have punched you if you told me that I would feel that way. But it’s true. My kids are the greatest. I don’t remember what life was like without them, and I don’t want to.

Also, I love my dad. He is a great guy, and I know he loves me, too. (even though he’s too macho to show it) He’s always been there for me, and he’s always supported me.

However, it also stirs up memories for Ginny of her dad who passed away 6 months ago. I would like to say time heals all wounds, but that hasn’t been the case so far. Every day is a struggle, and there’s not much I can do to change that. The best I can do is love her, tell her, and show her. It kills me not to be able to repair the hurt she is feeling, or fill the emptiness she has right now. I can’t bring her dad back, and I can’t take his place. All I can do is try to love her like Christ loves the church, and I fail miserably every day.

Kids, give your dad a hug and tell him you love him. Even if it feels awkward. And dads, hug your kids and tell them you love them. Happy Father’s Day.

I was 1/2 the way through my day before I realized that today was Friday the 13th. And that was only because someone brought it to my attention. To me, the day holds no real significance, just another day. If anything, it is positive, since it is a Friday. And it’s not just because I am a Christian, and good Christians don’t celebrate Halloween, the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. <mild sarcasm> I just don’t get too spooked over superstition.

How do you feel about Friday the 13th, good or bad? 

BTW - I’m surprised Hallmark hasn’t monopolized this day.

Hey, everybody! Guess what?

I’m guest-blogging in the Blue Room today while Travis is on vacation.

Click over there and check it out.