Max's First Post...

Hi Max!

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To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. How about the winking smiley at the end of the first sentence? ;-]

I dedicate this song to my son...

Hi Max!

Just had to tell you about something that happened on Facebook today. To the left is a picture of some friends and clients of ours - Jeff, Jenny, and little Josh Sopha. Jeff and Jenny love Josh like your mommy and I love you. I express this through this blog and Jeff has expressed his love through a song - a talent I wish I had. I really expected - knowing Jeff's rock and roll background - to be thumpin' and loud - instead I got a ballad to his baby boy. This song truly what happened to your daddy as well as Jeff. Like in the Biblical verse of the last post - A Father's Treasure, my love for you and my feelings for you have made all the other formerly important "things" in my life to get put in their proper place. It's a matter of perspective and my perspective has firmly placed my love and focus on you and taken the edge off the other "battles" of the day. The other day was a day, like many, when I had negotiated several offers, discussed selling with some troubled sellers, and calmed down an anxious buyer. Previously, I would have carried that stress for some time, but that day I went upstairs and there you were, happy to see your daddy and stretching your arms up to me for me to hold you. PRECIOUS. PRICELESS. AWESOME! All other issues - gone. :)

So I dedicate "The Little Things" to you tonight. http://bit.ly/LittleThingsSongByJeffSopha. Enjoy.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. This is why you will be taking piano and guitar classes! =0) Love you. +m2

A Father's Treasure...

Hi Max!

This bit of scripture has been echoing in my head over the last 14 months.

A Father's Treasure "Don't you see that children are God's best gift, the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children! Your enemies don't stand a chance against you; you'll sweep them right off your doorstep." (Psalm 127:3-5, MSG)

I didn't see that children were God's best gift. I thought your mom was God's greatest masterpiece. =0) But what a powerful paragraph this is! You are God's best gift. You are our legacy - and WHAT generosity from God! Like a warrior's fistful of arrows - your enemies won't stand a chance against you - you'll sweep them right off your doorstep. Powerful words.

I don't know the formal application or interpretation of this verse, but my interpretation is that compared with all the other battles we face on a daily basis, none matter when compared to the love of a child. I know that after a tough day of being the Prime Defender of my client's equity that seeing you reach your arms up asking for a hug - those other things don't have a chance. You've firmly planted my focus and perspective exactly where it needs to be. So of all the lessons you may learn from me, I learned the most valuable lesson from you.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

The Father's Love Letter

My Child

See the original at http://www.fathersloveletter.com

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in My image. Genesis 1:27
In Me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28
For you are My offspring. Acts 17:28
I knew you before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, all your days are written in My book. Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know Me. John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father. 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from My hand. James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts of you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Ps 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40
For you are My treasured possession. Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all My heart and all My soul. Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find Me. Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart. Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father and I love you even as I love My son, Jesus. John 17:23
For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed. John 17:26
He is the exact representation of My being. Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you. 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of My son Jesus, you receive Me. 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from My love again. Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is - Will you be my child? John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad,

Almighty God

Hi Max!

I ran across this when I was doing some research for a meeting with James Nellis, Kristan Cole, and a few other CyberStars in Phoenix. I miss you tremendously - you're now in the 1-year old (BIG BOY) room at day care, you are learning sign language (milk and more), and this was a big week for you. Also, when I kissed you goodbye at the airport, you leaned over and reached to me with both your arms - AWW! It crushed me, tugged at my heart. Tough to leave when I have to be away from you. I love you with all my heart.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Max's One-Year Pics...

Hi Max!

Here are a few of your photos from your one-year shoot!

With Max, every day is a Holiday...

Hi Max!

We watch Joel Osteen every Sunday morning at 9 a.m. He is such a magnificent speaker with powerful words. I know you aren't understanding it at this point, but I do know that you know down deep inside you that your daddy likes it and feels better for watching it. You watch the screen and smile. Today, you clapped when the others clapped. You're starting to get it... and no wonder...

Today, Joel talked about speaking your blessings. There are people who need your blessing - they need to know how much you love them, like them, respect them, etc. It's more than words. I know you know I love you. You know I expect great things for you in this life and you will do great things. I see you influencing millions with your character, competence, and communication. I see you being an inspiration for others motivating them to live life better. I don't know what realm of life that will be within, that is your choice of course, but I know your life will be bigger than your own. You are going to impact the whole world. You are wonderful. Your demeanor is so positive and happy. You are so smart. I am so proud that you are my son.

On Christmas Day, you will be 14 months old. Christmas has not had the same affect on me the last two years that it did the first 38. The gifts aren't as special. It's not the gift. It's the gifting. It is WHO gave the gift and the THOUGHTFULNESS of the giver. It's not the gift. It's the giver. You are the best son a father could ever ask for and I've found that all the material things in the world don't matter. You, your love, your progress and growth, and your health are everything. This has translated to my feeling about other people. I see beyond the material to the character, the love, the importance, the soul. You have taught me much about Christmas. Max, every day is a Holiday with you. Every day is Christmas, New Years, Easter, Independence Day, etc. with you.

Max, I love you. You are special. You will achieve greatness. You are greatness. You embody excellence. You aren't interested in judgment or discrimination. You love unconditionally and are loved unconditionally. You are forever curious. You seek to understand before being understood. You are a great listener. You are Buzz Lightyear, Speedy McQueen, and Superman. You are my superhero now and forever. I know I hug you and kiss you and at times that is interrupting your play time, but just know it is because I love you.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Love my boy...

Hi Max (eating a puff and throwing the Hook'em Blazers sign - gotta love it)!

Can't believe it's been over a month since I've posted. You've turned 1 and you've had your second Halloween and your second Thanksgiving. It's not that I'm busy. It's that I would rather just speak to you in person. =0).

I thank God before I go to sleep each night for 1) bringing you into my life, 2) that you are 100% healthy, and 3) that you sleep at night. =0).

It is so funny to watch you play ball with Lucky now. You are just so close to "getting it". You throw ball, Lucky gets it and rolls it back to you. You hang on to the ball a little long right now and Lucky gets impatient. Can't wait to watch you two play and play and play.

You're out of the Jimmy Jumper and the swing. No more of those two. Now, you are big on toys - truck, car, and blocks, tupperware - you have your own drawer of plastic things to play with!, and cans (Maxwell House of course! =0).

The bottom line is that I love you. I love you with all my heart and soul. Every molecule in my body loves you. You can cry, you can whine, you can tip over Lucky's water bowl, and you can get messy, and I'll still love you. We'll work on things, but I still love you. =0). You're a gift from God and a miracle (Maher-icle?).

Just wanted to say I love you and that I was thinking about you. Can't talk to you now, because you are a sleeping angel (please see #3 above). Can't wait to wake up with you in the morning.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)