I like to read blogs. I like to spend hours on Facebook and I love reading Design Sponge.

Each of these mediums provide me a small peak into the lives of people that you might not otherwise see. How often do we get to look into the homes of perfects strangers? (If you watch HGTV then yeah, you see it all the time) But… what I love about Design Sponge is that you see real people who designed their homes in these crafty and beautiful ways.

Sure, I see most of these homes and the style is rarely similar to my own, but that’s what makes them so cool. It allows me to expand my imagination and creativity and I love doing that. I think creativity is like a muscle and you have to exercise it and rest it like any other muscle.

So have you been to Design Sponge lately? Have you exercised your creativity? Well then what are you waiting for! Go check it out!

No tags

After working with Route 56 for the past 7 weeks I realize that the age of 11 and 12 is the end of that sweet and innocent era and the first buds of adolescent complexity. I’ve also come to find that there is a limited amount of information that is targeted toward this age group when it comes to Bible Studies and Bible Teaching in general.

So I’m asking you this question seriously, what exactly is targeted toward 5th and 6th grade boys and girls? Hannah Montana? High School Musical? Or are they already over that? It seems that these students are in that age where they are still wholly kids and at the same time smart enough that you can’t be too silly with them. So I’m learning the ropes and it can be quite frightening.

Every Sunday when I prepare my talk I’m humbled by how little I know. I have these great ideas and the more I dig for answers the more questions I find myself asking. Like who are the “Nephilim” mentioned in Genesis 6? And why are we teased with this supernatural nugget and then denied the dipping sauce? Can I get some more info please?

So what are my current needs? Prayer. Wisdom. Leaders. In that order.

I know God has me in this role for a reason and I’m almost always terrified for the first 6 months after starting a new job because I like to be supremely confident in my abilities, but thankfully I know the verse:

2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version)

⁹But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

So yeah, I’m weak, and God is going to rock it out.

No tags

I’m still oscillating between moments of elation followed by intense moments of self-doubt and intestine rumbling apprehension.

I just left Elevate, which is the name of the high school Wednesday night ministry, and it was a blast. Chris did a really amazing job teaching on sin and I was actually inspired to do better in my walk. He brought up this amazing point about how Christ went through so much for us and he never asked us to earn what he did, but we should earn it. Every day we should wake up being thankful that we didn’t have to go through being whipped, beaten, persecuted and then crucified on a cross. I thank God that he sent his son to die on the cross for my sins. God is awesome. Jesus Rocks. And I’m loving being part of such a great ministry.

Word.

No tags

I’m really happy with how my house is looking, check out the pictures: http://www.Obeo.com/585718

Call me partial, but I have to say I think I have one of the coolest houses on the block, if not in all of Plano for it’s price range. Listed at 165,000 my home is a great first-time buyer property and the furniture, minus the green chair and the artwork, can be included with the property. I’m down-sizing dramatically and simplifying my life and I hope that this house sells quickly so I can get moved back to Denton. Am I a bit apprehensive? Yes. I’ve gotten used to having my own place with a garage and lots of space, but the trade-off is that you have more to take care of and the costs are really astronomical.

When you buy a house they don’t tell you that your mortgage can go up even if your rate is fixed due to increases in taxes and home owners insurance. My mortgage went from $1167 a month to $1451 after living there for 1.5 years. I asked why and they said, “Your taxes went up by 1000 dollars a year” and my response was that they increase the money they were taking from me by $3000.

Anyway, long story short, having a house is awesome, but as a single guy I don’t think the investment is worth it. I would have done better if I had just saved all the money I invested in this property… but on the upside, I got to live in a really great house in a really great location.

No tags

I’m not sure of the spelling, but I did my best to reproduce it phonetically. “Hoopo Maino” was taught to us on a retreat probably 10 years ago. I don’t really remember the sermon, but the jist was that we sometimes have to bear up under pressure and that we are being squeezed like grapes in a wine press.

Right now I’m being squeezed, but only mildly. I’m under pressure with putting my house on the market and trying to get it ready all while being financially strapped. I’ve mixed paint colors to make them stretch and I’ve spent money that I didn’t have to get things done so my house will sell.

The house looks great, but my checkbook looks like a nightmare. I feel the weight of change bearing down on me and although times are hard now, it’s really nothing in the grand scheme of things.  When it comes right down to it, money problems aren’t so bad, I’ve got my health and good friends and the electricity is still running for now.

But the point of this Posted Note is not to talk about me, but to talk about Caden Miller. Cody and Amy Miller’s son is being tested for Cystic Fibrosis on Tuesday March 9, 2010 at 1 p.m.  I can’t imagine the kind of stress that would put on parents. I don’t have kids, but from what I’ve heard when you have a child of your own it opens up a new capacity for love that you didn’t know could exist.

Life is funny like that. It has a singular way of balancing things out. The greater the love, the greater the loss. The bigger the joy, the bigger the pain.

My heart hurts for Cody and Amy and for all parents who have to deal with sick children. I don’t know what it would be like not being able to fix something for them that is broken. Not to be able to take away their pain and to make their lives easy and blissful. But I don’t think God put us on this Earth to have easy lives. Easy would get boring after a while.

I’d like to think that I would have the courage to bear up under the pressure of a great adversity, but I don’t know what it would do to me. So far my biggest challenges in life have been to deal with personal struggles that really don’t amount to much more than me feeling sorry for myself at times and envious at others. Perspective can really make you feel ashamed of yourself.

If you have a moment, pray for Caden and the Miller family. I know that Cody is strong enough to face any adversity, but I’d rather he didn’t have to. Nope. I’d prefer that Caden be healthy and strong and happy for many years to come and I believe in healing and that God can make him healthy no matter what the outcome on Tuesday.

With Love,

Eddo

No tags

When I imagine us together I see your face staring back at me from your pillow. Your hair is tousled, your smile crooked, your breathing content.

I see you in the kitchen drying your hands. I hear your laugh while you play with the kids.

When I think of you, I remember the way you smell and the way you make me feel. Like soap and flowers and home and then guilt for being so happy and knowing that no one should feel this much joy.

I see you scratching the dogs head. I listen for your voice while you talk on the phone. I hear your breathing when your lying on my shoulder, I feel your heartbeat when your in my arms.

I’ve been picturing your face for years now. I’ve been searching for you every day like treasure and each day I keep hoping to see your eyes staring back at me.

I keep looking for your smile. I keep listening for your voice. With eyes wide open I keep looking for your eyes and hoping one day, I see the eyes that were seaching just as hard for me.

No tags

But Words will never hurt me.

I’m not sure that there has ever been a more untrue children’s mantra. I think bones heal long before wounds created by words.

While at Boyd High School in McKinney I saw this circle of flowers right in the middle of the hall area where students enter. I asked this student, “What is with those flowers?”

“A Student Died, a freshman…”

“Was it suicide?”

“Yes, he was picked on a lot.”

This type of things makes me sick to my stomach. As someone who was bullied incessantly all throughout school I know what it is like to wake up every single day and dread going to class and facing cruel peers. Toss in hormonal imbalance and pressures at home and you have a recipe for disaster – especially if you feel like you have no place to turn or no one in your corner.

My mom was always there for me when I was hurt by words, but it took years for that pain to heal.

The student I was mentoring today brought up the subject of using false confidence as a way to push back the negativity. He said that he was picked on in 6th grade and that he became good at defending himself by insulting students back. I did the same thing. It wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I really started to understand that when I tear someone down it is really just me trying to make myself feel better about me.

Eventually I gained self-confidence and I stopped insulting others or comparing myself to others. It’s a lesson in futility – there is always someone in the world that is better than you at something or has something better than yours. It is so much better to just be content with what you have and to find peace in the Lord. It’s really so freeing when you’ve finally taken a hold of that concept.

If you have young students, please remind them that words do hurt and that if they are being picked on that they can come to you and talk about it. Then do something to help them in their situation. If nothing else, just be there to listen and to love on them – a little love can go a long way to healing a broken spirit.

No tags

Hi Gang, I’m posting a quick link to an iPod Raffle for Senator Barnes who is going to be a Missionary in China. I don’t know why anyone would want to pack up their wife and 3 kids and move to China… wait, I do know why, to SHARE JESUS CHRIST!

And you can help by buying some raffle tickets. Just $2 per ticket and the raffle ends February 14th. Go now and help the Barnes family. http://tinyurl.com/ipodraffleinfo and check out their cool website http://www.onelesspizza.com You know you wanna.

No tags

Wrapped in warm shades of brown with hints of orange and subtle undertones of cream, Village Tea is an inviting sensory experience that is pleasing to the eyes and the palette.

Gnutella filled crepes served hot with fresh whipped cream and hot ginger lemon tea was one of the many highlights of the Blogher networking event planned by Jessica Ferris.  When I was first invited to this soiree I thought I’d be eating finger sandwiches and sipping tea in frilly china cushioned by lace doilies. Could I have been more wrong?

Almost immediately a waitress named Carla started asking me what I’d like to drink and made the suggestion of a Chai Tea Latte sweetened with Agave Nectar. Talk about a mouthgasm. Deliciously spiced tea with just the right amount of foam made for one of the best hot drinks I’ve had in recent memory. And if the service and drinks and decor weren’t enough to keep me captivated, the owners brought out plates of sliced scones and real spinach salads and sandwiches with a variety of cheeses.

Even though I’m not a “Her” the ladies of Blogher always seem to welcome one or two men and I always appreciate their allowing me to be part of this unique culture. Hi Jenny!

Overall, Village Tea at Park and Preston in Dallas impressed me not only with their great products and AMAZING staff, but with their desire to comfort and educate their customers. Almost instantly I felt at home their despite it’s trendy and upscale location. And with free Wi-Fi and a place for kids to play in a colorful corner it is sure to be a hit with mom’s and businessmen alike.

A special thanks to the beautiful Bryce Gruber for hosting us and keeping us entertained, if you see her, tell her Eddie sent you.

No tags

i like to turn on the red light
an instant dark room.
fully exposed I step into the shower
a negative I slip beneath the water.

pose, pose, pose
i hang there on the shower rod
developing completely
becoming more than just
an ephemeral ghost
on a plastic sheet.

drip, drip, drip,

dry.

No tags

This has to be one of my favorite things. The soft horse nose which is smoother than velvet and has some little whiskers that seem unnecessary but are as useful as eyebrows. God doesn’t miss a thing.

I remember when I worked at a horse ranch in Sanger, Texas. I was 12 and big for my age, but the horses were bigger. “Spring” was a twelve year old Appaloosa that had the most gentle spirit. She was a brood mare and had conceived multiple champion stallions. Even in her huge frame she seemed graceful and motherly.  While many horses are skittish and they will look at you with a wide-eye filled with fear whenever you approach, Spring would only stand there and act as if you were insignificant. She had a quiet strength that seemed to calm the air around her and I enjoyed being near her for this very reason.

Not all the horses at the Bar-B Ranch were like Spring. Actually, the majority of them weren’t. Some horses are arrogant or expectant. Some are fearful or mean, but at the Bar-B, all of them were beautiful.

What I love about Appaloosas is that it looks as if God had some extra white paint lying around and decided to splash it on the rear end of these great creatures.  A splish here, a splash there and when the horses tried to run away gleefully from their creator they kicked up some of the paint and sprinkled their feet and the rest of their body.

If you have never had the chance to stand quietly in the open near a bunch of horses then you might not understand that in this single animal there are signs of God. How could something be so graceful on four strange hooves? How could so much muscle and flesh be carved so exquisitely beautiful?

As I stroked Springs nose I couldn’t resist but to nuzzle it against my face. I would look her in the eyes and she would stare back seeming to understand that I didn’t expect anything from her, I just needed to be near her.  Looking back I now realize that the comfort I drew from Spring was similar to the strength I draw from God. Understanding his strength is superior and yet still knowing that he is gentle and kind and graceful.

I don’t understand people who don’t believe in God, perhaps, they’ve never felt the softness of a horses’ nose.

No tags

Well, this year has been WILD. After getting laid-off in January from Texas Instruments I have been staying afloat by being self-employed as a DJ and IT Entrepreneur. My businesses: eddierenz.com and soundandshow.com didn’t generate a ton of revenue, but hey, I haven’t missed any meals and I’ve learned so much about having my own business. Here are some of the most important.

1. Never count on your clients to pay on time.
2. Operating cash is a necessity so scale back on all unnecessary spending so you have more to invest in your business.
3. Social Networking is good for business, but perhaps not as impactful as you are often led to believe.
4. Competition is a mean bitch.
5. There is never a time that you can coast and there is no such thing as a holiday or a day off when you are self-employed.
6. Word-of-Mouth referrals are still the best way to get new business.
7. Never underestimate the power of a good website, but don’t overestimate it either. Just because you have a brilliant website doesn’t mean customers are going to start flocking to you.
8. In all areas of business you will have to work with people you don’t like.
9. You must always be looking for ways to improve and to gain market share on your competition, but remember, they are doing the same. So improving your services and finding your niche early on is important.
10. There is nothing more rewarding than making it as your own boss, but there is nothing more frightening than having bills due and having no idea where the money is going to come from the next month.

I’ve got lots of great ideas for 2010. I sure hope to see them come to fruition.

Happy New Year!

No tags