Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas!

I have been thinking for weeks now, how I do not want this Christmas time to be filled with empty religious activities, to fly by and leave me wanting more. I want more then presents. More then the rituals that take place year after year after year.


Love entered the world 2000 years ago or so. Think about that, and let it guide you through this Christmas. Don't just be grateful for God's love shown to you, but...

Love others!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Oh Bugger!

One of the people I recently started to follow on twitter asks...

Do you cuss?

Excellent question. Cuss words are cultural. Some words we use everyday in America are quite vulgar in other cultures. Likewise, some cuss words in other cultures are no big deal to us.

That said to point out, it is not the word.

I grew up with an alcoholic dad that used the ‘big’ cuss words all the time. Thus they were ingrained into my vocabulary. I use them often, not out of anger or hate, just as words, adjectives, verbs, what have you.

I lived with many years of shame from the ‘religious’ telling me how evil and bad I was to use such words. I tried with all my might to stop. it never worked.


When I finally realized how much God loves me (yes even After becoming a Christian), that He was in the business of restoring and healing my heart (not washing my mouth out with soap). I was able to let go of the shame, and the effort, and simply rest in Him doing what He does best. (If that makes sense to you.)

Do I still cuss? Yep. But God loves me and is still restoring and healing my heart! (Rom 8)

Rocco
Rohon!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Restore the places long devastated (part II) ...

...So the weekend of October 16th I placed the cornerstone in the foundations of the future.

I went to a Daddy Daughter camp with my two girls. This was a first for me, as a daddy or a son. Let me tell you, we had an awesome time! Crud wars, climbing walls, zip lines, crafts, an awesome time! So, as the last day of the weekend was coming, the enemy really kicked my but. I was up all night with a headache and nausea. I was hearing all morning

"I need to leave, I got a 6 hour drive home. What if I get sicker and end up driving home vomiting all the way? The schedule looks like they are gonna have a 2 hour church service this morning, you definitely don't wanna have to sit through that!"

I knew it was the enemy, I made no agreements. Then as the morning started I found out that the 'service' was a time for each dad to take his daughter up in front and speak a blessing to her, the light came on and then I knew what all the crap hitting me was about. I called Sandy and we prayed through it. I sat there watching every guy go up and bless their daughter(s), still feeling Very Sick. As I went up there with my girls, I shared with the guys about my family history, how important this 'blessing' is, and how extremely sick I felt as Satan opposed this, and asked them to pray for me. I immediately felt good and was able to bless my girls from my heart, without distraction. As I stepped off the stage, I felt as sick as I did before. It was a long drive home. It was a great weekend!

Before the weekend started I received an email from a great friend...

Rocco,

I love verse 4 in Isaiah 61. It’s about you and me. We are rebuilding, restoring and renewing all that has been devastated for generations. That is what you’ll be doing this weekend!

Have a GREAT time and enjoy Father’s smile on YOU as your girls enjoy your smile.

-Evergood

Isaiah 61
The Year of the LORD's Favor

1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners, [a]

2 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.


What devastated places has God restored in your life?

What devastated places do you need Him to restore?

Rocco
Rohon!

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Restore the places long devastated (part I) ...

18.5 years ago I became a Christian.

2.5 years ago I found my heart, resulting in my living in Father's love, and in love with Him. This all thanks to the books 'Wild at Heart' and 'Sacred Romance' by John Eldridge of Ransomed Heart.

This past summer I went on a road trip with the family, and part of that was a stop in Chicago where I got to spend some time with a couple of my Great Aunts. I quizzed them on my ancestry and found that as far back as they can remember, the men in the line of my family have been Emotionally/Mentally (sometimes physically) Abusive Drunks. It was very much my intention to ask, and find out as much as I could about my past. (Yes, I grew up in a home with an alcoholic dad.)

You may have heard of Craig McConnell from Ransomed Heart, about the story of his dad, step dad*, and grandfather. How his dad died in WW2 around the time he was born. Adopted by his step dad, Craig grew up knowing little, if anything, about his real dad and family. It wasn't until he was much older that he found out that his grandfather was the first missionary to a South American country. I wanted that. I was hoping to find out that my great Grandfather or distant relative was a great man. But, alas, no. No men of God, no missionaries, no inventors, politicians, business owners, nothing. ... Bummer.**

But Father came for me in that. Speaking into my life...


"Rocco you are that man! Generations will come, and look back at you with grateful hearts for being their forefather, a man who loves Me and who truly knows how much I love him!!. They will say 'It was my great great grandfather Rocco who first loved God.' Our enemy, Satan, has been working for four generations to take you out Rocco. You are that important, and he fears you!"

Wow.

Wow.

Question for you ... Do you know who you are in God's eyes?

...to be continued...

______________________________________________________

* http://www.ransomedheartblog.com/craig/2009/03/a-moment-in-time.html || Craig also talks about his “New Name” in the Wild at Heart Bootcamp CD series, it’s also told by John in his book, Wild at Heart, on page 21.
** But I did find out that one of my first cousins, whom I have not talked to for years (our dads had a falling out) is a Christian! OohRahh!!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

My Journery...continued...to be continued...

It has been a crazy couple years for me in my journey. As I first realized 2 years ago that I had asked the wrong question "What does the world need?", and asked "What makes me come Alive?". As I started to discover my heart, I started to pursue a career in Law Enforcement. I applied to 3 departments in and around Columbus.

That turned out to be an awesome adventure! I experienced a lot of growth in my masculine journey, physically, mentally, and emotionally through all the different processes I had to prepare for, and go through! As well as some growth as God's Son/Warrior/Beloved! There were some agreements broken and wounds healed. One overwhelming theme has been "You have what it takes." "You can do this." "See, I knew you could do that!" "Well done Son!" I think I blazed through a couple of the stages of the masculine journey in the past two years! I am still on the waiting list for one of the departments, and have been invited back to Columbus for the Oral Boards.

I know Father lead me to pursue that path, as much as I know that I am not on that path anymore by His design. Monday August 24th I officially started classes full time at BGSU/Online. Should take me a little over 2 semesters to finish my BS in Tech. Ed., then on to a Masters. Not sure what yet, knowing Father will tell me when I need to know (but leaning towards something in counseling). He is leading me to finish my BS and beyond into something more geared to my glory, the glory that He has bestowed upon me, and desires me to live in, His Glory shining through me.

I know I am on the right path, I know this because it is opposed. I press on, I have what it takes. I can do this.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Lauren's Dream...

My daughter had a dream last December (I just found this, saved as a draft, and never published.)...

I was having a picnic with Connie and the Hexter kids at a small zoo. A man, the opposite of Jesus[False Messiah], was standing in front of the zoo telling everyone that if they wanted to get into the zoo they had to come talk to him. All the children go to him except the Hexters and me and Connie. He calls to us yelling "get over here". The Hexters try to get pass him with out saying anything. But the man hypnotizes them with a snake like stick with red eyes and a sharp point. All the children now have red eyes and are hypnotized.

A jail falls from the sky and now the whole zoo is in jail. I found some roller skates with bombs[rockets] on them and flew up to a cloud and hid behind it. I looked down and could see the jail[hell]. I rang hells doorbell and when the guard opened the door I sneaked in. I saw that everyone was being hypnotized with the wand and helmets. I popped the helmets off everyone and they aren't hypnotized anymore. I smashed a robot dog that had cameras all over it. I then saw a bright light and satan was there, and everyone was blind, he asked why I broke his dog. Then there was another bright light and God[Jesus] was there, and everyone could see again. Then there was a brighter light then all the others, I hid cause I was scared, but after that no one was blind[hypnotized] anymore. I looked up and saw Jesus and a frog[toad] and asked Jesus what the frog was. He said it was the False Messiah. Then the frog fell through the floor and you could hear it splat when it hit bottom. Then Jesus asked me to come to heaven with him. Then I was in Heaven.


This from the daughter who, while on our family vacation, bought a sling-shot and bow & arrows for souvenirs.

I have quite the Warrior Princess on my hands!!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Knighthood...

My wife's birthday was coming up and I was asking Father what I should do or give her to make it special. (It wasn't a big year like 35 or 40 or anything that we usually make a big deal about, just thirty something. But I wanted to make it special anyway.) When He says,

"Knight her."

Ha ha, uh what? How do you knight a woman? That, that's a guy thing.

"Think about it, you'll figure it out." He said.

So I thought. After a few days I was thinking of the final battle in Lord of the Rings when Eowyn slayed the witch king, when Father shows up...and revealed Sandy’s part in His story and how it fits with my part in His story...

"Remember when you were preparing for the Boot Camp this past spring and were being attacked by the enemy? Remember Sandy showing up and fighting for you in that? Remember when you were struggling with questions of work and how she showed up and pointed out that you are a warrior made for battle, and this is just a time between battles? How that - like Eowyn who stood between the Nazgul and her uncle - Sandy bears her weapons well in the battle? She is a Shieldmaiden in my Kingdom, beautiful and strong in Heart."

-------------------------


At dawn on March 15, the Rohirrim rode into battle on the Pelennor Fields. Eowyn left her place in Elfhelm's eored and rode with the King's company, remaining near Theoden through the charge. Suddenly the Witch-king of Angmar, Lord of the Nazgul, descended onto the field mounted on a Fell Beast. Windfola threw Eowyn and Merry in terror. When she saw that Theoden had been crushed under his own horse, Eowyn wept for she had loved him like a father and she confronted the Witch-king.

"Begone, foul dwimmerlaik, lord of carrion! Leave the dead in peace!"

A cold voice answered: "Come not between the Nazgul and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shrivelled mind be left naked to the Lidless Eye."

A sword rang as it was drawn. "Do what you will; but I will hinder it, if I may."

"Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!"

Then Merry heard of all sounds in that hour the strangest. It seemed that Dernhelm laughed, and the clear voice was like the ring of steel. "But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Eowyn I am, Eomund's daughter. You stand between me and my
lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him." The Return of the King: "The Battle of the Pelennor Fields," p. 116


The Fell Beast shrieked and struck at her, but Eowyn stood her ground and she beheaded the evil creature with one swift and skillful stroke. The Witch-king shattered her shield and her shield-arm with his mace and she fell to her knees. The Witch-king prepared to deliver the death blow, but then Merry pierced the sinew of the his knee with his sword of Westernesse, causing the Witch-king to stumble.

Eowyn summoned her strength and thrust her sword into the space between his crown and mantle, and the Witch-king was vanquished. His robes fell empty to the ground and his spirit passed away with a shrill wail. Thus it was that Eowyn fulfilled a 1,000-year-old prophecy spoken by the Elf-lord Glorfindel that the Witch-king would not fall by the hand of man.

-------------------------


So I gave a little speach at her party and ended it like so...

For Years Sandy has fought hard for the hearts of her family. Especially mine.

She has taken up sword and shield often in the last 2 years as I have found my heart, and starting fighting for the hearts of other men. She has been a powerful ally against our enemy in the battle for God’s kingdom.

I just cannot think of going to battle without her at my side.

So as an Honor to her and a witness to all who came to her party, I presented her with a symbol of her Spiritual bravery, strength and wisdom. A replica of Eowyn's sword.




It was awesome, Sandy was really blessed. People were teary eyed. And men were bummed that I raised the bar so high for them :). And Sandy was reeeeally blessed!

Not many men can give their wife a sword for her birthday and pull it off - But I nailed it!