Kevin Almighty

http://almightykevin.blogspot.com/

The Abyss

When I was in high school I spent a lot of time in the theatre. For us the theatre was a "cafe-torium." In the back of the cafe-torium, above the kitchen, was an area sometimes used for storage we liked to call the Abyss. It was very dark, and kinda scary back there. As kids, we would dare each other to climb back there. I did once.

As an adult I am no longer afraid of scary geographical places, no matter the location. Been there, done that. However, there are still dark and scary places in my life that I don't like to go to very often. Emotional places, personal places. I'm fighting off a journey into the Abyss.

I have wonderful news. A blessing in my life. We are going to have another baby. And at 44 I am actually looking forward to expanding my family and all of the joy that comes with another family member in my life. I really am. That's what is so weird about how I am feeling otherwise.

God is working on me. He is killing off the old man so that he can build a new one. One that will lead his ever-expanding family into the unknown to come, another abyss of sorts. That process of killing off the old is difficult and painful. And while I trust my Father in Heaven, that trust does not make the process any easier to bear.

Of course this is not the first time I've stood upon the precipice of the abyss and looked down. The good news is that I am fighting it less in my mature age, and I know that the results will be worth the trials. God is ever faithful to me, I wish I was able to return His commitment.

Getting My Attention

God got a hold of me this week. He got my attention... big time. Not in a bad way, but in a way I'm not ready to share yet. I am lucky. God loves me enough to pursue me, chase me down if he has to.

I also saw an AMAZING concert Friday night. Josh Garrels, my favorite artist, played at a very cool old theatre in Encinitas. It was also fun to hang out with many of the folks from The Roots Church.

I haven't written in a long time. I have a feeling that is about to change.

Farther Along - Josh Garrels

Still I get hard pressed on every side
Between the rock and a compromise
Like the truth and pack of lies fightin’ for my soul
And I’ve got no place left go
Cause I got changed by what I’ve been shown
More glory than the world has known
Keeps me ramblin’ on

Moving Day(s)

We moved in to our new house yesterday and spent our first night here last night. What an amazing feeling. I am so thankful. I got the call that we had recorded as I was driving the packed moving van over to the new house. Close call. God provided lots of helpers, and lots of prayer yesterday. I wish I could say that we were "all moved in," but there will be more moving of stuff today, and we may not be "moved in" for months. This has been a 3 year process; and we have moved 3 times in those 3 years. But now we are settled, rooted, and I hope that I NEVER have to move again.

Transitions

There is no doubt that making transitions is not just difficult in the classroom, but even more difficult in real life. We are in the last hours of a house purchase that has taken 3 years. The seconds tick away like hours; the hours like weeks. Whereas we should be excited about the changes, my wife, the kids, and I are simply stressed out. Good things are happening, but our anticipation of the happenings is wrecking us. So hard to submit when we're so close to the close. But in a few days, God willing, we will be moving and all the current pressure will be replaced by new pressures. God has blessed us in amazing ways through this process. He has provided for us financially, and given us the time we have required to make this transition appropriately for our family. I want so badly to grab control now and cross the finish line with MY foot on the gas pedal. Relax. Deep cleansing breaths. Ahh....

Summer Update

Summer school ends tomorrow. I'm so thankful that it will be over. Teaching summer school once a decade is enough. Still, it was a good experience in many ways. First, I was forced out of my comfort zone teaching a subject I barely remember to a population of students I rarely see on campus. I was forced to work harder than I have worked in a very long time, and that is a very good thing indeed. I reminded myself that I am a competent and dynamic teacher, but not perfect. It's impossible to meet all the needs of any group of students in 11-12 days; but we made some progress. With any luck a few of the students made some progress towards their goal of passing the CAHSEE.

Teaching summer school also gave me something to do while I waited for the house we are trying to purchase to close escrow (it still hasn't closed as of this writing). Without teaching to occupy my time I can only imagine the trouble I could have created for myself. Now I have three weeks until school starts back up again. Plenty of time to pack and move (I hope.)

But first I drive out to Phoenix tomorrow to pick up my daughter who has been staying with my brother and sister in-law for a few weeks. It was 108 here today, and 116 in Phoenix. Should be a fun car trip.

Summer School

Yes, I am teaching summer school for the first time in a decade. CAHSEE (California High School Exit Exam) ELA (English Language Arts) Review. I have 31 students and 13 IEPs (Individualized Education Plan). The good news is that I also have a full-time aid who is AWESOME (no acronym). I completely underestimated the amount of prep I needed to teach the 4:20 daily course that spans 11 days. So the first few days were rocky. Very rocky. But things are better now. I am enjoying this very different population of students from those who take the multimedia courses. And it's good to be polishing up on my English skills.

Falling On Your Sword – 7 Ways to Mishandle the Word of God

Falling On Your Sword – 7 Ways to Mishandle the Word of God from Oasis Church on Vimeo.

Back to Mexico

I'm heading back to Mexico today on another Hands of Mercy trip. This is my second. Last year's adventure was amazing. This year I am shepherding 20 high school students on the trip. Please pray for us and our safe return. Please also pray for the young single mom and baby boy who are receiving the home.

A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

Elvis Costello is my all-time favorite recording artist. Last year he started a show on Sundance Channel called Spectacle: Elvis Costello with... This season Bono and The Edge from U2 were on as guests. In the course of the interview Bono mentioned Nietzsche's quote about obedience:

"The essential thing ‘in heaven and earth’ is. . . that there should be a long obedience in the same direction; there thereby results, and has always resulted in the long run, something which has made life worth living."

As I was surfing around the web trying to figure out what the heck that was all about, I came across this book by Eugene H. Peterson, "A Long Obedience In The Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society," (ISBN: 0830822577). So I asked my wife to give it to me as a Christmas present.

Mr. Peterson examines Psalms 120-134, The Songs of Ascents, and applies them to our lives today. The book was published during my freshman year in high school, but the message is timely and clear. Bono and the Edge must have read Mr. Peterson's book also, because the rumor is that the next U2 album will be called Songs of Ascent.

The Comforting Hands of God

I am slowly recovering from the emotional wreckage of losing one of my best friends and mentors last month coupled with the sale of my father's house, 10 years after his death. To lose the one and leave the other is just brutal. I am in a funk. Usually at traumatic times like this I can feel the comforting hands of God supporting me. It seems like that feeling should be intensified knowing that my father and my best friend are now with the Lord. God lifts me up everyday, but for the first time in a long time I feel lost. Maybe it's middle age kicking in, maybe it's the lack of any concrete goal in my life right now, or maybe it's the constant barrage of imagery from the devastation all around the world (I was awoken this morning at 4 AM by not 1 but 2 nearby earthquakes). Or maybe this is God's way of building up a desperation inside of me that He will use to achieve his will in my life. I haven't written in a long time either. During the times that I use to write, I now exercise. Exercise is another great outlet and tension reliever. I thought that by the time I reached this plateau in my life that I'd have it all together. But I don't. Sure, I've achieved many of my goals, and I am very proud of that. However, I am still just as broken and messed up as ever. Everyday is a struggle, a battle internally and externally. What scares me is that I now have fewer and fewer mentors and sage guides to go to for clarity and context. Of course I read my bible, and of course I know that I should be celebrating the victory of Christ's death on the cross, and not worried about the day to day struggle. But it's still a struggle, and even with the love of my wife, children, family and friends, I still feel alone in that struggle. So right now I tell myself that I am in that unknowing place between adventures in life. I am waiting for the next mountain to climb. I need to rest and be prepared for whatever the Father brings me next. While I wait I will do my best to rest in the comforting hands of God.

Jeff

SchoolTube

YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE: There's a Party In My City

YO GABBA GABBA! LIVE: There's a Party In My City

My wife and I took our youngest girls to this show recently. What a blast for kids and parents. Some parents were even dressed in costume (no lie). The Aquabats played live as did Biz Markie. The show was at the Shrine (which is a dump) near USC and we happened to go on the Saturday of Homecoming (oops). But my girls LOVED the show, and Pam and I had a great time too.

43

Today is my 43rd birthday. Funny how 43 doesn't feel any different than 33 or even 23. Well, a little different than 23. Some of my advanced students brought me spicy Thai food and cakes for lunch. Very fun. And I've had lots of nice text messages and bulletin posts at Facebook. I am so thankful for being so blessed.

Heart Issues

Three weeks ago I had a bout of high blood pressure. It's down now. I got tested and everything looks fine. My cholesterol is 184. I'm not sure why my blood pressure shot up so high. I've recently lost 20 pounds and I am exercising regularly. I actually feel really, really good.

But I have a friend who is not so lucky. Not only does he suffer from Muscular Dystrophy, he is also diabetic, AND he is currently recovering from Thyroid cancer. This week he had a minor heart attack. I visited him in the hospital yesterday. He's in good spirits.

We talked about the meaning and purpose of his ailments; if there is any meaning and purpose to his ailments. He understands how God has used his ability to overcome his disabilities to help inspire others. But I have to wonder aloud; really God? Really? I pray for mercy.

Losing Dad

My father passed away 10 years ago today, just 9 days past his 62nd birthday. Colon cancer. It was 10 weeks from the day that he was diagnosed to the day he died. No, he had not got checked regularly. My mother and I held his hand as he took his last breath, and then faded away, turning ashen. I like to think that my dad is in heaven, but I'm not sure. Although I felt that I knew my father well, we spent lots of time together, I don't know if he was saved or not.

I miss my dad everyday. I wish that he was here to see his three beautiful granddaughters born after his passing, and to see his older grandchildren mature. I wish I could sit down and talk to him the way we once did; that I could seek his advice and council in the many complex matters of life. I'd love to share one more martini (gin, straight up, extra dry, two olives). I'd love to smell his stinky cigar again.

Losing my dad was traumatic and tragic. However, losing my dad strengthened my faith, my marriage, and my family. Losing my dad made me take my health much more seriously (and yes, I get regular checkups and exams). But the most significant thing about losing my dad was that his passing forced me to look upward towards my Father for guidance and inspiration in my life. For that I am thankful.

The Facts

Here is an article published recently in the local newspaper about my students and our class:
http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/news/ci_13430044

John Fisher's Evidence Art Show

Artwork by my friend and retired Redlands High School Art teacher John Fisher, video shot by students Trevor Stevens, Edited in Final Cut Pro 6 by me.

Wait Quietly

Lamentations 3:21-26

But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."

The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.