What I Did Over Summer Break- August

On August 15, 2018August 15, 2018 By roberthansen1317In Christian life2 Comments

We took a two day trip to Chicago. We went to Firehouse 51 where they film parts of Chicago Fire. It is one of Kylie’s favorite shows and a total surprise for her.

The main reason we went was to see the Cubs play at Wrigley Field. The Cubs Are Kylie’s favorite team and I have always wanted to go to Wrigley. Of course, you have to have a Chicago dog.

It was an exciting game. The Cubs were winning 5-2 in the 8th inning. A lot of the fans left and Kylie and I snuck up to the field seats. We watched the last inning from nine rows from the field. The Padres came back in the top of the ninth and made it 5-4. Baez had to throw out a runner at the plate to keep it from being tied and the Cubs won.

Kylie wanted to go see “the bean.” I think she was almost as excited to see it as she was the Cubs.

Oh by the way, Kim rode the train with us from our hotel to Wrigley then she ran down Addison Street to Lakefront Trail and ran all the way to the Navy Pier and back to our hotel while we were at the game. Almost ten miles. She enjoyed running someplace new and enjoyed the time alone until we got back from the game.

That evening we went to the Navy Pier. The next day we took a bike ride down the Lakefront Trail before we headed back to Ohio.

Kylie started her cross country season and ran a race supporting the team. She finished four minutes faster this year than last year for this same 5k.

She starts her last year of middle school tomorrow and turned 13 yesterday so big things in store for her.

Enjoy the pics.

Go Cubs Go-

Summer Water by Michael Ray –

Wasted Time by Keith Urban –

What I Did Over Summer- July

On August 14, 2018August 14, 2018 By roberthansen1317In Christian life4 Comments

July really started off at the end of June I guess you could say. Kim’s brother lives in a community that has their own firework show. They live on the 18th green and that is where they let the fireworks off so we had an up close look at them. Kylie took pictures for me. I love the ones with the firefighters in them with the tree.

Kim’s family were in from all over so we had a family reunion of sorts.

I also started writing a novel. I think I have a good story line and characters but I only about five thousand words in so have at least fifty five thousand more to go. There is the problem. I am not good in real life with filler words and small talk and dialogue but now I have to figure out how to do that in a novel. I am much better at short, to the point conversations, not in depth, long, descriptive conversations so wish me luck.

We went to Botkins, Ohio, and saw Jeremy Camp in concert with Matthew West, Rend Collective, and Koryn Hawthorne. It was my second time seeing Rend Collective, they are full of energy. It was my first time seeing Matthew West and he was really good. Jeremy put on a great show as always.

We talked to Leif and Kim had Jeremy sign her second Boston Marathon medal.

Word Of Life by Jeremy Camp –

Beautiful Things We Miss by Matthew West –

Counting Every Blessing by Rend Collective –

Won’t He Do It by Koryn Hawthorne –

What I Did Over Summer- June

On August 14, 2018August 14, 2018 By roberthansen1317In Christian life4 Comments

I feel like I have not written in a long time, probably because I haven’t. I haven’t even really done anything but busy summer things. I feel like I have missed out on a lot of good writing, stories, lessons, poems etc. from all of you and for that, I must apologize.

June started off hot and sunny for the most part. Basically, we spent a lot of time outdoors and at the pool.

The big hit of June was going to Cincinnati and seeing Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Jon Pardi, and Morgan Wallen in concert. We stopped in the way there and picked up Kayhla and saw the improvements they have done to their house.

And of course, I had a birthday.

June seemed to fly by and was over before I knew it.

Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset Repeat by Luke Bryan –

Downtown’s Dead by Sam Hunt-

She Ain’t In It by Jon Pardi-

Up Down by Morgan Wallen –

I Do Not Fight Alone

On June 21, 2018June 21, 2018 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, God is there, Short story7 Comments

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Society wants me to conform. I will not conform.

I have had enough. I could not take It anymore. I had tried and tried but no one would go with me. If no one will go with me, I will do it alone.

I don’t see things any differently than anyone else. They all see the world is falling apart. The difference is I couldn’t sit still and watch it get worse. I couldn’t stay quiet and let the evil keep talking.

You know what they say, there is no God, he isnt here, he doesnt care. If there was a God then why….If there was a God then where was he when….

Well, didn’t we ask him to leave? We took him out of schools, court, any kind of gathering. We let the minority rule. If one person doesn’t like it then no one can enjoy it. It’s no wonder suicides have increased, opioid epidemic, mass shootings, over the counter meds for anxiety, divorce.

Nothing is sacred anymore.

I left to face the demons on my own. It wasn’t long before they had gathered to defeat me.

I drew my sword and drew a line in the sand.

I said, “If you are not a believer, you can not cross this line.”

The demons smiled at me as they approached the line. “My dearest friend, do you not know, even we demons believe.”

The demons crossed the line and I took a step back. The demons drooled and laughed. “So, friend , you do fear us.”

To their surprise, I then took a step forward with a smile on my face.

“I am not your friend.”

I knew what they did not. The demons hesitated for a second but that’s all I needed.

I drew my sword but it was only for a diversion. The demons attacked.

The demons were so consumed with me that they didn’t notice the warrior angels that had surrounded them.

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Walk On Water by 30 Seconds To Mars-

What It Comes Down To Me Is Me by Mark Bishop-

Fight Forever by Anthem Lights –

Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) by Chris Tomlin –

Fighting For Us by Michael Farren –

Finish Your Story

On June 14, 2018June 14, 2018 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God can change your life, God's plan, God's time, poems, Poetry, With God anything is possibleLeave a comment

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I read through the pages of your book

I get to know you and your every look

I’ve stumbled upon a terrible chapter

One that’s full of hurt and disasters

Some have chosen not to continue to read

They closed the book in your time of need

But I read each and every word

My eyes teared up and the pages blurred

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With each page I prayed you would make it through

Even at your darkest I knew there was a light in you

Another word, another sentence, another paragraph, another page

I couldn’t stop reading because I knew you would find your faith

I was at the end of the chapter and started the next

You made it through the worst but still weren’t at your best

But as I promised I continued to read

I will hold your hand when you are in need

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You are not alone and the next chapter could be amazing

Thanking God for the trials, his name we will be praising

Right now, I need you to keep writing

This world needs you to keep fighting

Don’t give up, don’t let the dark win

Through the wounds, let the light in

Because I know when I close your book after I read the last page

That after all the ups and downs you didn’t give up and you found your way

I know at the end of your story

We will give God all the glory

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Carry You by Ruelle –

Beautifully Broken by Plumb –

Turn It Around by Lincoln Brewster-

Deep Down (Walk Through The Fire) by Lincoln Brewster –

Fighting For You by Tenth Avenue North –

In Four Minutes Or Less

On June 8, 2018June 8, 2018 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, God can change your life, poems, Poetry4 Comments

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In less than four minutes

I share my life and everything in it

I’ve got one shot to get it right

So you better hold on tight

I’ve got demons bouncing around in my head

Trying to fight the ones telling me I’d be better off dead

I’ve got scars on top of scars

Been to Venus, should’ve stayed on Mars

Fell into holes so deep I couldn’t claw my way out

My voice has been silenced when I would scream or shout

Buried alive beneath my pain

The sun would shine but I felt only rain

That’s my story so far when I went to hell

That’s only the beginning, so much more to tell

Days when I didn’t think I could stand

He was always there holding out his hand

When I could see in the darkest of nights

It was because he was always there shining a light

When I gave up and hope and joy were nowhere to be found

The seas would part, the mountains would move and shake the ground

When I chose to believe in what I couldn’t see

I could see he was there fighting right beside me

I can’t say I have walked in your shoes

Maybe I don’t know what you are going through

You can’t say you have walked in mine

But I know we have crossed paths from time to time

So there’s my story and I pray it can help you

Life is better when you realize it’s not about you

It’s not about what’s wrong and what’s right

It’s about God’s mercy and grace and living Christ-like

So in less than four minutes I told you how I rose and how I fell

But there is so much more, way too much more to tell

I used to live in the dark

Until one day He changed my heart

Yes, I still worry from time to time

But I let God have my life

Whatever problems come, let them come

Let God’s will be done

It doesn’t matter what the circumstance

It doesn’t change who I am

The peace I found when I fell to my knees and started to pray

It changed my life, not just that day

The peace I found when from my knees I chose to rise

In four minutes or less you know how God has changed my life

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Changed by Sanctus Real –

You Can by Building 429 –

Inside Out by Bonray –

I Got Saved by Corey Voss –

Oh, Shooting Star

On June 6, 2018June 6, 2018 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, poems, Poetry2 Comments

Oh, shooting star why did you fall from the sky?

I guess you felt it was your time to fly

I wonder, did the other stars tell you goodbye?

Did you ever wish to see the light of day?

Will anyone miss you while you are away?

I wonder, did any other star ask you to stay?

Is there a reason you decided to leave?

Did you think you had nothing left to achieve

I wonder, when did you no longer believe?

The night skies will never look the same

You were one in a billion but I knew you by name

I wonder, could I have said, done anything? Am I to blame?

I wish I may, I wish I might

Have this wish I wish tonight

Oh shooting star, I wish that you were still alive

The Room

On June 5, 2018June 5, 2018 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, God heals, God is there, Miracles, Short story, With God anything is possible8 Comments

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image credit: willomailley.com

For the last fifty nine days, every day has been the same for me. I didn’t expect day sixty to be any different.

I wake up, look in the mirror and tell myself today is the day. Today will be the day that I can do it. I am stronger than I think I am. I can do this.

I then walk out of my room and go exactly five feet three inches and stop in front of the room. I reach for the door knob then pull my hand away. I stare at the door for what seems like hours but it is only minutes, maybe seconds. I then take a deep breath and walk away.

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image credit: The Sabbath Recorder

I go about my day like a robot. Doing without thinking. Lost in my guilt. Lost in the what if’s. Everyone looks at me the same. Fake smiles. I fake smile back. They say everything will be alright. I want to scream at them that it will not be, but I don’t. I only want to hit something. I have so much anger and hurt and it’s all my fault. They say it is not but I know it is.

I go home. I hesitate as I turn the key to unlock the door. Do I really want to go back inside? I don’t know what else to do so I turn the key.

I make dinner and set two plates out of habit. I know you won’t be joining me. I eat in silence.

I go upstairs to go to bed and I once again stop at the door. I reach for the door knob and pull my hand away. I take a deep breath and walk away. I go into my room and yell at myself in the mirror. Why are you so weak? Why can’t you turn the knob?

God help me! Where are you? I need you. She needs you. Why won’t you make her wake up? I need a miracle.

I fall asleep listening to the hissing and popping of the machines that keep her alive.

I have the same nightmare, but it’s not a nightmare. It’s a reality. You fell down the stairs and couldn’t move. Ten minutes. That’s what the doctor said. If I could’ve gotten you to the hospital ten minutes earlier you would’ve made it. If I would’ve came straight home that night you would’ve been okay.

But I didn’t.

We were fighting and I took the long way home to clear my head.

Ten minutes.

I wish I would’ve driven straight home. That’s why it’s all my fault. That’s why I can’t go in there. I know I did that to you.

I wake with a startle. The house is silent.

It shouldn’t be silent!

The machines have stopped. I jump out of bed and run to the door. I reach my hand out and pull it away. Maybe it’s for the best.

She needs you.

I look around. No one is there.

She needs you. She is still alive. Appreciate the living while they are here. One day she will be gone and you won’t be able to tell her anything.

Tears pour out of my eyes and before I know it my hand turns the door knob. I slowly walk to your bed and reach out to hold your hand. I am so sorry. Please wake up, please. I love you. I need you. I am sorry I haven’t been here. I will always be there for you from now. Wake up! Please God, wake her up.

I feel her hand squeeze mine. It had to be my imagination. I look up through the tears and see her eyes open.

I didn’t expect day sixty to be any different. God knew it would be.

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