Landon Laughs Some More

It All Boils Down to Love

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"

"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31

Will and I have talked about the "most important" passage in all of scripture and the above is in my opinion one of those critical passages we need to grasp. In addition to making Jesus Christ our Lord, we need to love above all else. When we are loving God and our neighbors, as the passage states, how can anyone walk around NOT excited about life.

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth." Psalm 100:1

First and foremost we should love God. I think if many of us lived this on a daily basis, our world would look a lot different. Jesus' love should be pouring out of us to God, praising Him for our lives, creation and all the many blessings He showers down upon us. Each day is a day granted by God and rightly so, we should shout for joy to the Lord. Colossians 3:17 states, "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

What does this look like? I think if and when we are loving the Lord are God and our neighbors: someone is excited about life with a smile on their face and encouraging one another; lending a helping hand to those in need; someone who looks past: race, creeds and economic status, but sees another creation by God; talking and praise the Lord throughout the day. These are just a few ways I think the world would look if we allowed God's love to flow in and through us on a daily, minute by minute basis.

God love you. In Psalm 66:20, the writer gives praise to God, "...who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!" God's love is indesirably huge and amazing and yet, we are loved by God. ("We love because he first loved us," 1 John 4:19.)

Be encouraged today to let love in, as the Goo Goo Dolls song goes, it all boils down to God's love. God loves you. Spread and share His love today with someone you know; a friend, neighbor, a stranger or anyone I might not have mentioned; just take the many opportunities God has ordained for you and love on someone.

God Bless.

Landon Eats His Toes

Landon's great-Mama (pronounced Maw maw) was putting his toes in his mouth for the first time and laughing so hard about it. Kari filmed this in Bastrop earlier this afternoon and uploaded it. Enjoy.

Landon has a Giggling Fit

I am pretty sure this was filmed @ 7:20pm, but I could not figure out how to change the time...I really did try. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this little clip.

He sure is a happy little baby.

God Bless.

Memories to Share

Recent family moments that will be hard to forget:

Feeding Landon at 4am. He closes his eyes to fall asleep, but giggles and than smiles. It was such a precious moment.

The first time he giggled. We went over to my Mama's house (pronounced Maw maw) and my mother (Landon's Big Momma) was showing him a new toy. He threw himself back in my mom's arms and started giggling, to the point he choked himself up.

Running to H.E.B. with just my wife. My Mama insisted she take care of him. Kari and I strolled around H.E.B. getting a few items, but rushed back to see our son. It is one of the first and few times we have left him alone.

Sleeping away from Mom & Dad. Landon currently shares a room with us. We went to visit Grammy, Kari's mom, and we put him down in his baby bed in a completely different room. He slept almost 9 hours each night over the weekend. Kari thinks my snoring is keeping him up, but we can't prove it yet (I don't think I snore).

There are so many more, but these are just a few that I thought I would share. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. God Bless.

Quoteable Moment

Ira: "I took you some work."

Mr. Clyde: "What did you bring me?"

Ira: "A piano bench."

Mr. Clyde: "A can of beer?"

Mr. Clyde is one of our resident volunteers who is 86. He is a cabinet builder and does amazing work. He is a little hard of hearing, hence the hilarious reply...I thought I would share.

God Bless.

Rainbow Over Highland Lakes Camp

Insert Title Here...Time for a Title Change?

When I started my blog, Insert Title Here, on Sunday, August 14, 2005, I wasn't sure what my blog was going to be about, but it has become a writing exercise, an outlet for some of my theological thoughts, sharing family news and some political rants. I am uncertain if Insert Title Here still fits my blog, so I need your help.

I am going to start a poll, but also want your comments. Should the title of my blog remain Insert Title Here, or should I explore a new title? I am not even sure if I could come up with a new title, but I think I will open the discussion.

Positive: Insert Title Here works because I have a different title for each blog, so you could insert that "new" title each time.

Negative: When people ask me about my blog, Insert Title Here and they ask me how to get to it, I have to respond, "www.jhellums.blogspot.com" instead of www.inserttitlehere.blogspot.com because someone already has it, but never post.

Drop me a comment and maybe a vote on my poll. Thanks for reading, if it is Insert Title Here, or if it isn't!

God Bless.

Psalm 125:1-2

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forevermore.

Must See Pictures

Random Thoughts...(That Will Do)

Cash for Clunkers...almost 750,000 new vehicles were sold, so now 750,000 Americans are further in debt; thanks Cash for Clunkers (I know this maybe a little late, but that's why the title is Random Thoughts).

A couple of days off sure does heal the old body.

The Dallas Cowboys didn't look half bad; Romo did better in the second half, but I guess this is only Week 1. How 'bout them Cowboys!

Sadly, the Astros will not be making the post-season, go figure. Who shall I root for...I thought Texas had a chance, but it doesn't look like that will happen either. Go Colorado!

The Men Who Stare at Goats is on my "to see in the theater" list.

I am reading Lone Survivor: The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and the Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10 by Marcus Luttrell with Patrick Robinson on a recommendation by my boss; I can't put it down.

The Miles dedication went off well. Dennis Swanberg is a funny guy and does an amazing Billy Graham impression. A highlight (paraphrased):

Dennis' mother - "I just paid $2.37 for gas. Did you hear that son, I paid $2.37 for gas today. How much do you pay Dennis?"

Dennis' reply - "I don't know, Momma. We just pull up to the pump and fill up weather its $2.37 or $4.47; we still need gas."

Dennis' mother - "You don't know how much you pay?"

Dennis' reply - "No Momma, I don't."

Dennis' mother - "Well, that why you don't have nothing, you don't even know how much gas is."

I am sure that went off better when Swanberg told it, but I had to share (maybe if you read it out loud and talk like an old lady for his mothers parts it will be funny).

Ok. Randomness is coming to a close. The back story on the video of The Ira & Jeremy Show next time, stay tuned. Have a great evening.

The Ira & Jeremy Show

Back to Work

After a refreshing five days off, a birthday celebration and Landon's two month milestone, I am back to work. Saturday, September 12th is the dedication ceremony of Miles Auditorium at Highland Lakes Camp. Our featured guest and comedian will be Dennis Swanberg. It should be a pretty neat dedication ceremony (Kari and I met in the old Miles Auditorium). I believe God is going use this new auditorium to touch thousands of lives; young and old and I look forward to God using me at Highland Lakes Camp.

Landon continues to grow. I am not sure exactly when this growing is happening, maybe it happens while I am at work or while he sleeps, but I cannot be for certain. It seems like I get to see him so much and I would be able to see the "growing" happen right before my eyes, but I guess it doesn't work that way; he just keeps getting bigger! He is now smiling and laughing at just about anyone. I was lucky enough to capture one of these moments on film Monday morning (on my new video camera, thanks Mom); it is such a precious moment. At some point I hope to share a few of these videos with you (like Landon Makes Faces).

My birthday celebration was amazing. The Lord has blessed me with such an amazing wife. She went all out to make it one of the best birthday celebrations. She made arrangements to have my mom there, a few gifts and wonderful food. We ate homemade chicken and dumplings, chocolate cheese cake with cherries on top (yummy!) and rice crispy treats. She knows how to take care of her husband and treat him like a king. I love you, Kari.

That's about all the time I have. Back to the family. God Bless...until next time.

Ring the Bell Promo

"Ring the Bell" is a fundraising campaign by Highland Lakes Camp aimed at raising money for Miles Auditorium. After the fire in Nov. 2006, the camp had a vision to build a new building and office complex in place of Miles Auditorium. Currently the auditorium and office is complete, but we are asking for your gifts and support to help pay for the new building. To donate check out www.highlandlakescamp.org or call 1-888-222-3482

Baby Landon Getting Bigger

Landon weights about 12 pounds and is about 23 inches long (according to Mama's measuring tape). This coming Friday he will be two months old and getting his first shot.

Some things I have been enjoying:

Late night feeding times. About 3 or 4am he has his first morning snack and he and I get to hang out. The best part is, after his belly is full he falls right back to sleep.

Baby noises are precious. It is hard to describe for a blog, but baby noises are amazing.

Changing a diaper is tricky. You have to be very careful when opening a little boys diaper; I am happy to report he has only shot me twice (Whew!).

Dressing someone else (Landon) is hard. Maybe it is because I am trying to be careful with him, but I move to slow when it comes to putting clothes on him.

When Landon smiles he melts his daddy's heart.

I hope everyone is doing well. God Bless and keep it tuned to Insert Title Here.