Caleb Ryan McHaffie

Life! So simple, yet so complex.

Life! Amazing, yet sometimes disheartening.

Life! Sacred, yet sometimes misunderstood.

I witnessed one of the most remarkable miracles today. It was not turning water into wine, however that would be exciting to see. It was not a one million dollar check in my mailbox, but I would love to experience that as well. It was Life in the purest form. A pregnant mother, laboring to bring life into this world. A pregnant mother with the strength of of team of horses. A pregnant mom with a will stronger than solid steal. I witnessed a miracle.

I, the father, helpless, nervous, anxious, searching, needing/wanting-to-fix-this (but can't). I stood over her and I prayed a selfish prayer, that I would receive the strength of a mother. I knew in my heart that I would never understand this kind of unbridled passion, her strength came from a passion so deep and so strong that it could only come from a strength deep within, a strength that only could be given by her creator.

You would think that after going through this 4 previous times, I would "get use to it." Today, I wept as if I was a dad for the first time. The tears of amazement, joy, hope, love and so many more emotions I just savored the moment. I experienced life in the purest form.

I watched this little guy take his first breath, I cut the cord that tied him to mom, as he latched on to his mommy for his first sip of life. I realized again how precious LIFE really is. It is so amazing! God gave us life. God gave us our first breath. God gave us purpose.

Today I hope you realize that your first breath had purpose, a plan and you were birthed from a passion that is only found in a God given strength. Y9ur life matters. You matter. You!

Have a great day and enjoy every breath God gives you today. Your life is a miracle.

Thanks for reading my ramblings. I am tired, worn out and ready to go to sleep, but fatherhood calls again - as I go to the side of another child who has been throwing up off and on all evening.... Hmmmm.... Life!!!!

I did it!!!

Towards the end of summer, I realized I had a problem and I needed to deal with it. I was a pound or two near 300... Not a good sign of health! I had to admit that I was overweight and deal with it and do something about it. I started going to the YMCA daily for about a month and lost 15 pounds in about 2 weeks. I thought this was going to be easy.

I joined a class at the YMCA called Biggest Loser Bootcamp. I knew all my problems would be over by joining this class. I figured that with my current weight loss, I would lose another 20 to 25 pounds during the 6 week session.

Not the case!!! I lost one pound in 6 weeks. But more importantly I lost 2 inches, and the ability to finish my workouts, and I lost the fear of going into the free weight room. Last night for the first time in 10-15 years I actually ran one mile and finished. (I know for some of you that is no big deal) I finished something I never thought I could do. I, John McHaffie, ran one mile without stopping. It is amazing what you can do if you discipline yourself - mind, body and spirit.

Today, If you have the wrong attitude and say "there is no way I can finish" I believe if you dig deep you will find the strength to finish what you started.

Go for it!!! Run the race - Don't worry about winning, just finish strong!

Giving or Returning???

So many times you here pastors, leaders etc say "Let's take our morning tithes and offering." or we talk about "giving"our tithe to the Lord... I know most people mean well when saying such things. So, this is not a rebuke of the verbs you use... I just want to make a simple point to say...

"Everything belongs to the Lord." "EVERYTHING"

So, if everything belongs to the Lord, then how can I "give" a tithe. It already belongs to him anyway, so I believe it is safe to say that we "return" our tithes to the Lord, not give...

This is not a lesson in semantics, but a matter of the heart. When we "give/return" we give with a grateful heart!

So, however you want to say it... that is fine... but from what spirit are you giving/returning things to the Lord?

Why Women Live Longer

Image is not everything

Here are a group of young college guys, spending the summer in Florida working at youth camp during the week and playing hard on the weekends. Yeah - that's me the 2nd on the right with my bright yellow swimming trunks and my 6 foot board, Dude!!! This is about 1989 in the heat of the Florida summer.

I am not a surfer, but yes I have tried to surf! Yes, I have a surf board in my hand, but I am not or was not a surfer. Yes, I am standing on a beach with other guys who were probably the same skill as me...

I looked the part, had the right equipment, I was at the right place, I had the image, but I did not have the skill.

Many people today are saying they are Christians. They have their Bibles, they go to the right place, they might even have Bible software on their computer... but they don't have the skill..

Discipleship is what Jesus has called us to do... "Go and make disciples!" People are lacking the skill of Christianity because the believers have left it up to the "organized church" to disciple.

My challenge for you today is for you to increase you skill, get into a small group, Wednesday night Bible study, Sunday School, home group... Whatever it takes to increase your skill and then YOU find someone you can disciple!

You will grow daily or die gradually!!!!