Thinking Padre

I hate

2008-10-15T17:14:00.002-04:00

I hate hearing political talk. Because, let's face it. If you're a republican you're bent on smearing Obama and if democrat bent on smearing McCain. Not only is your "candidate" perfect but the other is a polar opposite. Then there are the doom and gloom people that say we're screwed no matter what.

It's absurd.

Today at the gym I heard two guys talking about how Obama was going to make the market crash and how he's a socialist. What I'm about to type is true, it really happened. The guy was not joking or trying to prove a point. He started making a point about Obama and accidently called him Bin Laden.

Moving?

2008-10-14T21:40:00.002-04:00

New Blog. I think the thinking padre is moving. Well that's not quite true. This blog will still exist but I need to focus my efforts on this other blog for a while. Some come on over and join the community.

Where? What?

2008-10-13T15:34:00.002-04:00

Where to begin and what to blog about? I don't know, I just don't know. A group of Bridger, seven of us to be exact went down to Atlanta last week to participate in Catalyst. Most would say they went to a conference but can honestly say we participated in this conference. Geared toward next generation leaders the Conference features some of the best in their respective field from church planting to business. I always go with the highest of expectations and of the three times I've been I've never come back home disappointed. I might be exhausted but I'm passionate for the calling God has revived in me.

It's funny that the only reason I ever heard about Catalyst was that I wanted to hear Donald Miller speak after reading one of his books and the only play I saw him speaking was at Catalyst 2005. I've been to 05, 07 and 08. I missed 06 because I was in Russia.

I'm sure I'll have more to add later...

A book you'll actually read

2008-09-26T14:45:00.003-04:00

I stumbled upon these books because Amazon recommended them to me. I'm a little surprised I didn't hear about them sooner because Mark Driscoll is one of my favorite authors and preachers. I'm glad I found them though. The books are marketed as books you'll actually read because of their brevity.

I read the one titled "On who is God". It was brief, 82 pages I think but it was good. Part of it was excerpts from the other book I'm reading Vintage Jesus but it has enough original content to make it worth the purchase.

Great book overall. There are a few quotes in it that I'll highlight in another post.

Right now on Amazon the books qualify for a buy 3 get 1 free deal so you can get all 4 for $30 (free shipping).

ABYAR Website

Benefits

2008-09-24T23:54:00.002-04:00

So like I mentioned earlier today my friend Kristy asked me to compile a list of benefits to losing weight and being health. I can't sleep tonight for some reason so I might as well see what I can churn out.

1. I don't think overweight people ever really view themselves as overweight. I'm mean sure we know/knew we had a few extra pounds we knew we needed to get our diet under control but still when I read those statistics about the majority of Americans being overweight somehow that number didn't include me. I was confused as to why seats were tight. It was weird that all at once manufacturers started making movie theater, roller coaster and airline seats two sizes too small all in the same couple of years. It was also weird that for some reason all clothing manufacturers starting making xxl's so small.

In a way it was good that I never let my weight damage my perceived value or self worth. It was bad that I never was able to see my self for who I really was both in what I really looked like on the outside but also who I was on the inside. It's sort of like those two things were hiding from each other.

2. I think my favorite thing about this process is the energy that I now have. It was a chore to get up and play with Nathan or to take a little walk to the park. Just the little things in life took so much energy. After all it's quite a bit of work lugging around that much weight.

Rarely do I lack the energy to do things now and if I do it generally means I either worked out very hard that day or I didn't get enough sleep the night before. My feet don't get tired, my legs don't get tired and I can literally go all day without a break. It's not uncommon for me to get up and go for a run (5 or so miles), to spend a few hours cutting the grass and other lawn work and still have the energy to spend time with the family. I don't say that to boast but just that I'm still amazed that I don't have the insatiable urge to rest but rather enjoy exerting myself beyond what I have before.

It's all about pushing limits.

3. The final benefit (for now) is health I can be proud of. My resting heart rate is about 54, I have excellent blood pressure and cholesterol. This link is the benefits of running but I believe it would apply to any kind of regular and strenuous exercise. Benefits of Running.

Health

2008-09-24T15:14:00.003-04:00

My friend Kristy asked me about a month or so ago to compile a list of reasons that it's great to lose weight and get healthy. I promised I haven't forgotten but have been too lazy to sit down and write something up. However as I am currently reaching a few new milestones I realized I should write this thought down to share with others.

One of my goals when I started lifting weights was to one day be asked to give someone a spot in the weight room. If you don't know what that means I'll try to explain it. When someone is lifting free weights and attempting to do a weight that they have not done before or a weight that they aren't sure they will be able to do safely and with good form they will often find a random guy or girl in the weight room and ask them to "give them a spot" or be their spotter. The spotter is there in case something goes wrong or if the person lifting can't get the weight back up and on the rack.

Naturally when you look around the weight room you're looking for someone who can handle the weight. After all it might mean your safety. In my 18 months I've been in the weight room I've never been asked to give someone a spot. It doesn't happen that often anyway but it was a goal of mine. Today was my day. No big deal, no big story just a guy that was lifting on the bench press walked past two other guys to ask me if I'd give him a spot. That was a milestone for me.

I'm also approaching a new milestone in that today I weighed 201 lbs. My next major weight milestone is to weigh 199.

So that's what this entry is about. Setting realistic goals for yourself when attempting to live a healthier life. Whether you're just in it to get in better shape or to complete a race or triathalon or if you have lots of weight to lose setting goals, milestones that you'll place in the sand is important. Afterall how will you assess your progress if you don't know how far you've gotten or where you're going to begin with.

When I weighed in at 340 on April 1, 2007 I knew my first milestone. It was to get under 300 lbs. I knew I wouldn't stop there but I didn't allow myself to set my final goal weight. At that point in time it wasn't about weight loss as a collective whole, it was about 40 pounds. It's probably not a coincidence that Weight Watchers sets a 10% goal for their customers. The initial goal is to lose 10% of their current body weight. They are not allowed to set a goal weight until that 10% is lost. I recommend you do the same.

The amazing part was I was in a hurry to lose that weight so I lost it quickly. Then when I hit that goal I realized how attainable 40 lbs was so I decided to set my next goal at 250, 50 more pounds.

But I didn't stop there. I started an exercise goal. I had started walking. Walking is great exercise but one thing is true about walking. It takes a long time. So as a goal I told myself I could start running my miles when I hit 275 lbs. That was a big deal for me. I wasn't really looking forward to running but was looking forward to finishing my miles faster.

When I started running I thought it would be fun to run a 5k. I started running at the end of August 2007 and set a goal to run the Toys for Tots 5k on Thanksgiving day. I wanted to finish it in under 30 minutes. My time was 28:43. I did it.

By the time all of these goals were accomplished I was getting close to my goal weight of 220. So as far as weight loss goes it was time to pursue that goal. But I had one other goal I wanted to accomplish. I wanted to be able to bench press my body weight. I was 235 when I benched pressed my body weight. Today I can't bench 235 and I was only able to do it for that one day, but I did it.

I was also able to add in some running time goals, some race goals, some strength goals, push up goals, all stuff I can work towards. That's the key, keep working, keep pressing, keep achieving. Success generates more success.

Fun with the news

2008-09-24T15:06:00.002-04:00

PETA is nuts I tell you. They have requested Ben and Jerry's consider making breast milk ice cream. That's gonna go over like a lead balloon.

Truth?

2008-09-16T13:36:00.000-04:00

I would like the whole story on this, is this true?

A Nation Divided

2008-09-15T07:31:00.003-04:00

I was reading an article in Smithsonian magazine about previous party conventions. The contributors of the articles painted a picture of party conventions that featured debate, division and rally to certain causes. It made our current conventions seem like high school pep rallies compared to some of the stuff that was happening then. An interesting point was made about the divisions of the republican vs. democrat and their respective differences. Here you go.

Very interesting stuff.

As was pointed out in that article in recent history, my lifetime, there have been few democrat victories for the white house. In fact in my lifetime, if I subtract my toddler years, there has been exactly one democrat president, Bill "Party Boat" Clinton. I point that out to say that it's amazing to see the electoral college map and my memory of the first two presidential elections I've voted in. America is fairly evenly divided and while I know bipartisanship is paid lip service I'm not sure it's happening.

I'm certain it's certain issues that have so sharply divided us; gun control and abortion among others.

I mention this because I've been wondering lately how much I should let the ideologies of the different parties determine my vote. I think this is important because even if a candidate mentions their version of change how much change is really possible. Not only will they need the approval of those on the other side of the aisle of them but also of the ideas of their own party.

I think I'm pretty much decided who my vote will be going to on election day (actually before because I'll be on vacation and will be voting absentee) but there are still some things to be considered.

Ohio State Fans

2008-09-14T15:19:00.002-04:00

You knew it was coming. You were perhaps the most overrated team coming into the season. Or at least a close second to Clemson and USC. At least this year you guys didn't win in an easy big ten all year only to have it handed to you in your bowl game. The heartbreak must be easier to take in September than it is in January.

USC fans... play somebody and then talk trash, which means you might be able to talk trash sometime in 2011.

College football

2008-09-12T10:47:00.002-04:00

Sorry OSU fans (those words go so well together), but USC is going to absolutely destroy you on Saturday. Don't get me wrong I'm not USC fan but I've got USC 35 OSU 14, if you're lucky. And none of this crying about Beanie Wells, he wasn't going to help you out any.

Just to be fair:

So now for my final comments. Wow how about the ACC football? It was better when you guys just tried to stick to basketball. Big East, who?

Remind me again...

2008-09-11T06:45:00.002-04:00

I'm sorry the first is so small, it's my one of my favorites in the book. I can't find the bigger versions online but know that these comics are a 9/11 tribute done by DC comics.

2008-09-10T14:36:00.001-04:00

Polls are stupid (part one)

2008-09-08T12:18:00.003-04:00

A college football team, East Carolina, starts off with a win over #17 ranked Virginia Tech on week one. The week one games most of the time are gimme games, glorified scrimmage, ECU SHOULD have been the team that got beat down in that one, it wasn't it won. Then week two ECU ROMPS West Virginia, a Big East powerhouse ranked #8 in the nation and had as high a ranking as #2 last year (I think VA. Tech did too). So ECU as far as I know is the only team in college football that has played and defeated two top 25 ranked opponents. The rankings game out today for AP top 25 and USA today poll- 14 and 20 respectively. That's a load of crap. They deserve at least a top 10 ranking if not higher.

I'm not a pirate fan, I can't even tell you where ECU is but they deserve better!

:EDIT: it's in Greenville, NC.

Wedding

2008-09-01T12:05:00.003-04:00

I did my first of three weddings I have for this fall yesterday. I've known Audrie for most of her life. I first met her when she was about 4th or 5th grade. I saw her grow up and have seen her have a baby and now get married. It was the most special wedding I've ever been part of. Her and her new husband, Jeremy, really are very genuine and real with one another. They were most emotional about the ceremony and about getting married. It was obvious in many ways how special they are to one another and how special this day was. The vows they shared with one another were incredible.

What's a guy to do?

2008-08-29T16:23:00.002-04:00

McCain/Palin

Obama/Biden

Random thoughts...

2008-08-28T10:40:00.002-04:00

aren't they all?

While grinding out a few miles on the treadmill this morning I saw on one of the wall tv's that Michael Phelps was on the Today Show. I like Phelps and think his 8 golds are amazing so I wanted to hear him talk. I also like to hear him speak because in between phrases he makes this hilarious "aaahhhhh" nasal sound that cracks me up, every time with out fail.

But I really do admire him as an athlete. He mentioned that he got to meet Tiger Woods yesterday. I can't find the picture online but when I do I'll post it. It's a shot of them meeting and then embracing. Michael Phelps said in the interview, quite absent of the nasal ahhhhs, that it was just a regular conversation and then he said something that moved me. Phelps said "He told me I did a good job and that he was proud of me."

Wow.

I don't think I realized until today, or perhaps I forgot and was reminded today how powerful those words are. I'm not sure this statement is true for women but I know for men, at least most men, that these words are incredibly powerful. I'm proud of you.

It's so seldom heard, I think some might even view it as demeaning. We might get recognition through our jobs, from our bosses, from our wives/husbands or our children. But it takes someone that we respect, someone that is more advanced than us or more experienced that us or someone's whose opinion we value. I think it's most powerful from someone that is part of your life but not in the day to day grind with you.

I digress.

I'm proud of you...

Donald Miller and Barack Obama

2008-08-28T07:04:00.003-04:00

As a follow up to the video of Don Miller giving the benediction for the DNC the other night I got an email from Don this morning explaining a little bit more about his ongoing relationship with Barack and how they got to know each other.

You can read about it on Don's blog.

The Bucket List Series

2008-08-27T08:13:00.005-04:00

Donald Miller

2008-08-26T13:25:00.002-04:00

Looks like Don wanted to be like me and lost some weight. I'm guessing his cross country bike trip helped out as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b79m3fJfmuA

Confessions of free spirit

2008-08-14T11:07:00.003-04:00

I thought I should give a little plug for my friend Kristin Garrett. While I'm jealous of her that she has a book published before I do I'm also very proud of her and want to let you know about her book.

Here is the link to the publisher and also where you can buy the book online Confessions of a Free Spirit.

"In Confessions of a Free Spirit: A Girl’s Guide to Finding Herself in an Image-Obsessed Culture, Kristin Garrett tells sincerely of her experience as a self-declared free spirit trying to find her place as a Christian and as her own person in a society that makes girls feel like they must fit a certain type to be worth knowing and loving. Garrett discusses pertinent issues to middle- and high-school girls, speaking honestly about self-confidence, the media, guys, and community. Perhaps most importantly, she moves away from legalism and formulaic answers in favor of the importance of the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit through surrender. Through her unique writing style, she addresses her reader personally, like an older sister or good friend, scattering journal entries throughout and connecting closely with the reader. Teenage girls will connect emotionally and practically with the experiences and insights in Confessions of a Free Spirit, and in doing so, they will come to see themselves and their relationships with Christ as beautiful, active, and healing. "

Olympics

2008-08-14T10:24:00.004-04:00

Wow- so it's been a while. I'm noticing a trend...

Well in case you don't know I love the olympics. I love all the sports that we don't really have here like badminton, or the ones we don't get to see on tv much like kayaking and rowing. I love seeing Michael Phelps win medals and I love hearing him speak. He's the Rocky Balboa of the pool.

I love seeing Team USA (basketball) playing some defense this morning against Greece. I know there are dopers and cheaters and I know the athletes are sponsored and therefore paid but I still believe there is something pure about olympic athletes. I noticed a fire in the eyes of the basketball team this morning as they realized it was a dollar bill they were playing for but the pride of representing their nation.

Baptism Service Pics

2008-07-28T15:29:00.002-04:00

Ryan Hall

2008-07-28T15:05:00.003-04:00

I came across this article on Ryan Hall. In case you don't know Ryan is the #1 marathoner in the US. He is the fastest american born person at the distance of 26.2 miles. He also holds the american record for the fastest half marathon. Ryan is also a first class guy and clearly a follower of Jesus Christ.

Read the article here. It's long so if you don't get to all of it I highlighted a few things. They might not make sense if you don't read the whole article or know a little about Ryan's life and achievements.

There is no dust on Ryan Hall's Bible. It is hardly tattered, but the gilding on the pages is scored and worn. When he opens it to follow the sermon, it falls open easily to reveal well-thumbed page corners and verses underlined in pen. This Bible is not a prop. You can see him turning to it again and again. When racing for Heaven, one must train to the finish.

Everything is extraneous to those legs. You can see them in footage from the homestretch of the Trials, turning over in a pinwheeling lope, each foot meeting the earth right on axis, then looping up and away to fly forward again. The legs are all business right to the finish, even as the arms begin to loosen, even as Hall's head begins to swivel to acknowledge the noise of the crowd. The closer he draws to the line, the more evident it is that this is a finish for the ages. Hall begins to gesticulate, pointing to the sky, raising his arms high, even slapping hands with the people crowding the course. At first it seems uncharacteristic based on what you know of Hall and his mellow Christian demeanor. Then you notice the blazing intensity of his eyes and the inclusiveness of his open arms, and you realize he is not exulting, but exhorting. He is not celebrating triumph over man but rather triumph in the Lord--in short, this is a man in rapture. Hall often refers to running in terms of sanctuary, and here he is now, Brother Lawrence in a singlet, twining work to worship, running 4:55 splits, praising God full tilt right until he breaks across the line and the only thing left to do is bow quietly down, the work all done, the victory won.

Eventually, Susie speaks. "You know, for three days before every one of Ryan's races, Mickey fasts and prays. He prays that it will be a good race and a safe race." Up on the screen Ryan is surging for the finish, strong as a bolting deer, glorifying the Lord with each step. You think of Mickey, on his knees and hungry (so weak one time he fell and wound up in the ER), beseeching that same Lord that He might deliver every runner safe to the finish line. And yet we know full well watching the footage now, that even as Ryan Hall was pointing to the sky and the crowd was making a crazy joyful noise, his friend Ryan Shay was dead. The following night Mickey dined with Shay's father-in-law. "What do you say to someone who's lost their son?" he says, shaking his head. "What do you say?"

Ryan Hall's grandmother is suddenly at my elbow. Her face is troubled. All day she has been a sparkling presence. A petite woman with glittering eyes, her family loves to tease her for her vociferous cheering at Ryan's races. In private company she is quick to laugh and often punctuates her asides with a knowing grin. But now the house is quiet--Mickey has his son paused up there on the screen--and the glitter in her eyes has gone wet.

"I want you to know?" says Madeline, faltering. "I want you to know that this family prays, and prays for many things. That it will be a good race, that it will be a safe race, but they never?they never?" She stops now, holding her hand to her mouth as her eyes fill with tears. It takes her a moment to gather before she can speak again.

"They never pray to win."

Passion

2008-07-25T11:41:00.002-04:00

What’s your passion in life? What burns in your belly? What do you do that excites you? What do you do that gives you a feeling of accomplishment and achievement?

I love to read books. When I’m asked what type of books I like to read I always fumble around for an answer because truth is, I like to read all kinds of books. I like to read books about church growth, books about business and small business success, books about hobbies I enjoy, theology, and probably my favorite types of books are auto-biographies of people’s lives where were passionately lived. Most of the time these lives were passionately lived about one central thing. This genre also encompasses the new style of book that isn’t quite an auto-biography but is a book that is written from the heart from a non-ficitonal person’s life.

So now when I’m asked the question as to what types of books I like to read I’ll have an answer. But more than an answer as to what types of books I like to read I have an answer as to how I want to live my life. Don’t get me wrong this isn’t exactly the newest revelation. What I recalled in my car this morning, with the radio turned down and only the sound of my car driving on the highway with the windows down is nothing new for me. But it is fresh. And a freshness is what I need right now.

What burns in my belly? Well I have to say Jesus Christ. Thing is if I’m honest I’m not sure I have to say Jesus Christ because I know that’s what I’m supposed to say or if I have ot say Jesus Christ because I really believe that. Of course, I’d like to say it’s because I believe it and I’m pretty sure that’s true. I kknow Christ is my chief corner stone and without him life is futile I just hesitate because I often say that if our behavior doesn’t reflect a belief it’s hardly a belief at all.

What else? I think it’s the secondary passions we have that Christ uses to impact the world. As he resides at the center of our lives and as we strive to reside at the center of his will he sparks in us passions that motivate us. This may or may not be our vocation. I think we often mistake passion for vocation. I think its perfectly possible and perfectly healthy for your vocation not to reflect your passion. Because what we do is not who we are, who we are is this. We are always disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

But what burns in my belly? If I had to boil it down and give an answer, which after all is what this post is all about then I would say my passion is to equip people to live their lives on all cylinders. Pardon the car metaphor. My passion is to equip people to live their lives as close to 100% as they can, as close as possible. I absolutely love hearing what God is doing in people’s lives as a result of one of my ideas, messages, or even a class/study of some sort that I initiated. I even get excited when someone else initiates a class that is changing perspectives and in turn will change lives. It motivates me so much, to see people get closer to the life God intended for them, a life closer to 100% than they’ve ever had before.

Suicide

2008-07-24T07:00:00.003-04:00

Every year about 32,500 people commit suicide. In 2004 my little brother was one of those 32,000+. There are some statistics HERE, if you're interested in further reading them. They aren't encouraging but might bring your awareness up to a point where you might be able to help someone that's hurting.

Today, July 24 is my brother's birthday. If you're a reader of my blog you know that last year I also made an entry about my brother, Doug. I'm not a big proponent of causes, I don't normally take part in charity walks, fund raisers and stuff like that. Don't get me wrong I respect those that do and think it's a valuable use of their time but it just doesn't stir my heart like it does some others.

Today, my brother would be turning 22. I often wonder what he would be like as an adult. He really loved children and the elderly. He was very patient and gentle with people that fell in those two categories. He really enjoyed music, I could always count on him to give me the update of what's "indy" and what was up and coming. And for some reason he would get stuck on one type of food and just eat the same thing over and over and over again. I guess he got that from me. I'm sure his love for people and for music would have endured...

But for the rest of my life I will remember Dougie as a 17 year old. Sometimes, with regret, I remember how at times in his life he never quite figured where he fit into the world. I think as a teenager that's a very normal feeling and a great source of frustration. Normally as one grows up and out of those teen years that bring more questions and insecurities than it does answers and reassurances that feeling of "where do I fit" and "how will I make it in this world" fade away. Sadly, one either stops asking those questions and doesn't care any longer or one finds his or her answer and pursues that with her life.

Today you can answer that question for someone suffering from depression. You can show them how they fit into this world. You can be a listening ear. You should ask your depressed friends if they are considering suicide. You can let them know you care about them deeply and would miss them terribly if they were no longer living. Finally, take all mention of suicide seriously, encourage the person to get professional help!

2008-07-22T08:29:00.002-04:00

Moral Code: It doesn't occur to me that there are those in this world that don't share my world view. I know that sounds stupid but for most of the time I surround myself with two types of people; either people that have a christian world view or those that are living in contrast to the christian world view on purpose as rebellion.

I know even within these two view there are many sub views but that's not the point of my post here.

My point is that our world view dictates our moral code. And I've been thinking about moral codes (the rights and wrongs we live by) probably because of the election coming up. I think we often want to vote for the candidate that shares our moral code; we agree and disagree with laws based on how they fit into our lives and our view as to what is right and wrong. So...what's a moral code we can all agree on?

I believe that all believers should live under the grace of the cross of Jesus Christ. I believe we should also work out our salvation as those worthy of the cross of Jesus Christ. Because we are saved we are obligated to behave in a certain way. Now this means there are things we should not do but let's not forget the things we should be doing.

However is it fair to expect those that are not in relationship with Jesus Christ to live under those same expectations? If not, then how does this relate to our laws. Especially how does this relate to the politicians we vote for?

Just some thoughts- do with them what you will!

2008-07-22T08:17:00.002-04:00

As I mentioned before I've been preaching through the book of Philippians for the month of July and it will continue into the August as well. I love the continuing theme that Paul puts out there, Christ. It's all for Christ, Christ is central, Christ is all, Christ, Christ, Christ.

I've quoted before the surveys of "believers" it continues to shock me and baffle me that about 50% of believers claim that they believe there is more than one way to achieve eternal life. Shocking that as I quoted before that american christianity is 3000 miles wide and 1 inch deep. But Jesus doesn't call us to a mild life of mediocre following.

I just saw on the early show that happy people live longer. One of the things they said is that religious people are happier people so there are actual health benefits to going to church- maybe our next advertisement should be at the ymca (sarcasm intended). I don't want to sound jaded though or get off topic. I just want to remember what Paul said. That he considers all of his achievements rubbish next to what he has in Christ Jesus.

A few more pictures

2008-07-11T09:26:00.003-04:00

This is the dinner party we had for Nathan and his friends. The parents were able to make it but as you can see we fine dined on hot dogs anyway.

And this is Nathan being Nathan. He's sitting in a bumpo seat that is made for babies and he's lifting his hands, I think, because that's what we do on the swings at busch gardens.

Put the gospel first

2008-07-09T12:33:00.002-04:00

One remembers what an aging Christian said to John G. Paton in the last century when Paton was planning to go as a missionary to the South Sea Islands. "You will be eaten by Cannibals!" Paton was warned.

Paton replied, "Mr. Dickson, you are advanced in years now, and your own prospect is soon to be laid in the grave, there to be eaten by worms; I confess to you, that if I can but live and die serving and honouring the Lord Jesus, it will make no difference to me whether I am eaten by Cannibals or by worms; and in the Great Day my resurrection body will arise as fair as yours in the likeness as our risen Redeemer." Put the gospel first.

From D.A. Carson's book Basics for Believers (Philippians)

2008-07-08T21:02:00.001-04:00

How bout some pictures?

2008-07-08T20:44:00.003-04:00

So um...:What's been going on lately? I'm doing ok. You've haven't called for a while I thought you were mad at me or something. Nah, I've just been busy. So we're cool then? Yeah, we're cool. Are you mad at me? Nah it's no biggie.

Wow now that we got that awkwardness out of the way...

Philippians: I started a new message series on Sunday called Philippians. Like many of my message series the title is a bit deceptive in leading you to the content of the messages.

I've loved studying and preparing for the messages and from the response I've been getting from those in the church they are enjoying hearing them. It's funny the responses you get to a message sometimes. I don't get this too often because our church is very untraditional and very authentic but sometimes I'll get the typical "nice message today pastor". Which unfortunately I always interpret to mean "I didn't hear a word you said and before you ask me about the message I'll just say this". I hope that doesn't sound too jaded and for the record I never ask people about their thoughts on the message.

But then there are those times that I get feedback from people about a confirmation that my message brought them or how it was in some other way relevant to their life. These are the times I most cherish. You can see the tears in their eyes and they are tears of comfort of them knowing that God cares for them enough to speak to me and to them at two separate times and somehow plan to coincide those conversations at just the perfect moment. It's hard to explain but simply incredible. Those are the times I'm so grateful to do what I do and those times that I hope I always get to do what I'm doing.

2008-06-30T21:27:00.002-04:00

Neighbors: I took this picture last night because I thought it was hilarious that these kids did this by themselves at no prompting. If an adult tried to get 5 kids to sit down and talk it would be a miracle but when it's the kids idea they make it look easy.

Tonight the girls were especially present since I was working outside so I could get some stuff done but still be around for Nathan. At one point the oldest girl (don't want to use their names) asked where Mrs. Heather was? I told them she was at a bible study. They gave me the funniest look and said "what's a bible study?" That thought never occurred to me. I said "they study the bible." She replied "What's a bible?"

It was one of those moments you know doesn't come along often. It's sort of like hearing someone ask "So who's this Jesus guy I keep hearing about."

So I told Nathan to go get his bible books and we'd read them. So there we sat the 5 of us, me reading them Nathan's book Bible stories for kids. It was hard to believe it was the first time they had heard the stories. It was real special for me. They especially like Noah's ark and they learned that whenever they see a rainbow they should know that God loves them. They were looking for rainbows in the sky the rest of the night!

2008-06-24T21:56:00.000-04:00

Article Here

America remains a nation of believers, but a new survey finds most Americans don't feel their religion is the only way to eternal life — even if their faith tradition teaches otherwise.

The findings, revealed Monday in a survey of 35,000 adults, can either be taken as a positive sign of growing religious tolerance, or disturbing evidence that Americans dismiss or don't know fundamental teachings of their own faiths.

Among the more startling numbers in the survey, conducted last year by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life: 57 percent of evangelical church attenders said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life, in conflict with traditional evangelical teaching.

In all, 70 percent of Americans with a religious affiliation shared that view, and 68 percent said there is more than one true way to interpret the teachings of their own religion.

"The survey shows religion in America is, indeed, 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep," said D. Michael Lindsay, a Rice University sociologist of religion.

"There's a growing pluralistic impulse toward tolerance and that is having theological consequences," he said.

Earlier data from the Pew Forum's U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, released in February, highlighted how often Americans switch religious affiliation. The newly released material looks at religious belief and practice as well as the impact of religion on society, including how faith shapes political views.

The report argues that while relatively few people — 14 percent — cite religious beliefs as the main influence on their political thinking, religion still plays a powerful indirect role.

The study confirmed some well-known political dynamics, including stark divisions over abortion and gay marriage, with the more religiously committed taking conservative views on the issues.

But it also showed support across religious lines for greater governmental aid for the poor, even if it means more debt and stricter environmental laws and regulations.

By many measures, Americans are strongly religious: 92 percent believe in God, 74 percent believe in life after death and 63 percent say their respective scriptures are the word of God.

But deeper investigation found that more than one in four Roman Catholics, mainline Protestants and Orthodox Christians expressed some doubts about God's existence, as did six in ten Jews.

Another finding almost defies explanation: 21 percent of self-identified atheists said they believe in God or a universal spirit, with 8 percent "absolutely certain" of it.

"Look, this shows the limits of a survey approach to religion," said Peter Berger, a theology and sociology professor at Boston University. "What do people really mean when they say that many religions lead to eternal life? It might mean they don't believe their particular truth at all. Others might be saying, 'We believe a truth but respect other people, and they are not necessarily going to hell.'"

Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum, said that more research is planned to answer those kinds of questions, but that earlier, smaller surveys found similar results.

Nearly across the board, the majority of religious Americans believe many religions can lead to eternal life: mainline Protestants (83 percent), members of historic black Protestant churches (59 percent), Roman Catholics (79 percent), Jews (82 percent) and Muslims (56 percent).

By similar margins, people in those faith groups believe in multiple interpretations of their own traditions' teachings. Yet 44 percent of the religiously affiliated also said their religion should preserve its traditional beliefs and practices.

"What most people are saying is, 'Hey, we don't have a hammer-lock on God or salvation, and God's bigger than us and we should respect that and respect other people,'" said the Rev. Tom Reese, a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center at Georgetown University.

"Some people are like butterflies that go from flower to flower, going from religion to religion — and frankly they don't get that deep into any of them," he said.

Beliefs about eternal life vary greatly, even within a religious tradition.

Some Christians hold strongly to Jesus' words as described in John 14:6: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Others emphasize the wideness of God's grace.

The Catholic church teaches that the "one church of Christ ... subsists in the Catholic Church" alone and that Protestant churches, while defective, can be "instruments of salvation."

Roger Oldham, a vice president with the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, bristled at using the word "tolerance" in the analysis.

"If by tolerance we mean we're willing to engage or embrace a multitude of ways to salvation, that's no longer evangelical belief," he said. "The word 'evangelical' has been stretched so broadly, it's almost an elastic term."

Others welcomed the findings.

"It shows increased religious security. People are comfortable with other traditions even if they're different," said the Rev. C. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance. "It indicates a level of humility about religion that would be of great benefit to everyone."

More than most groups, Catholics break with their church, and not just on issues like abortion and homosexuality. Only six in 10 Catholics described God as "a person with whom people can have a relationship" — which the church teaches — while three in 10 described God as an "impersonal force."

"The statistics show, more than anything else, that many who describe themselves as Catholics do not know or understand the teachings of their church," said Denver Roman Catholic Archbishop Charles Chaput. "Being Catholic means believing what the Catholic church teaches. It is a communion of faith, not simply of ancestry and family tradition. It also means that the church ought to work harder at evangelizing its own members."

2008-06-24T13:22:00.003-04:00

My Life on the Run by Bart Yasso. I've had this one in my cart at Amazon for a while now and I just planned on buying it when I needed some other books to get the free shipping. Well my opportunity arrived late last week.

Bart works for Runner's World Magazine and some excerpts from his book were in one of the issues a few months back. The book is about some of his exploits encountered while running in places all over the globe. He's run a marathon on every continent and has dozens of cool stories (I'm sure many more that didn't make the book).

It was a great read, quick, easy.

2008-06-19T11:41:00.002-04:00

Tim Russert: I hate going to funerals but I enjoy what people say at other's funerals. I especially like to hear what is said about exceptional people when they die. I have the idea that I want to glean what I can from exceptional people for the purpose that I can also be exceptional.

This morning I watched a few excerpts from Tim Russert's funeral. You can catch them here

I must admit that I never saw him on his tv show but I did read his books. It was a real special book for me because my father gave it to me for father's day. It was an affirmation to me as a father and was a confession of sorts for me from my father. The book expresses the importance of father's not the importance of perfect fathers. It also struck such a cord with me because I believe one of my God-given callings is to equip men to be men and in turn to equip men to be the best father they can be- when or should the time come.

2008-06-18T11:29:00.000-04:00

Oops: 55% of pastors can identify one or more topics on which they would not preach at all or only sparingly, because the sermon could negatively affect their hearers’ willingness to attend church in the future. Among them are politics (38%), homosexuality (23%), abortion (18%), same-sex marriage (17%), war (17%), women’s role in church and home (13%), the doctrine of election (13%), hell (7%) and money (3%).
Your Church 5/6/08

2008-06-17T13:32:00.005-04:00

The Shack by William Young. I'm not really sure how to review this book because I don't read many fiction books that I feel the need to review. I guess I'll try for a brief synopsis first and see where that takes me.

A father and three of his children are camping. At the very end of the incredible weekend tragedy strikes and his youngest daughter goes missing. As all the details unfold it is determined that she was kidnapped and killed by a serial killer. (Uplifting read!). For years the family struggles with this tragic loss and most of all struggles with so many questions unanswered.

Eventually the father is drawn to go to the shack where they assume the daughter was last living and the place where they found her clothing and blood. It is at this shack that he encounters God and for the next several days interacts with the three persons of the trinity in an incredible manner. He learns their personalities, their abilities and their divinity. They each walk him down a separate section of his journey toward wholeness and restoration to the life God wants him to have.

It's a story of forgiveness, redemption, theology and a bunch of other things. Well worth the read. The cover dubs it "The Pilgrims Progress" of our generation...

2008-06-16T12:15:00.001-04:00

On the Radio

I've been thinking about LOVE lately...

No, this is how it works
You peer inside yourself
You take the things you like
And try to love the things you took
And then you take that love you made
And stick it into some
Someone else's heart
Pumping someone else's blood
And walking arm in arm
You hope it don't get harmed
But even if it does
You'll just do it all again

2008-06-09T08:20:00.003-04:00

Grandma: I've blogged about my Grandma before but I'm going to do it again. Yesterday I went over to see her. I knew Granddad would be out shooting pool with my uncle so I figured she could use the company. I usually have Nathan with me and he keeps us entertained and they really enjoy spending time with him. But yesterday I didn't have Nathan so me and Grandma shared some conversation with just us, which doesn't happen very often.

I'm amazed at what she remembers at age 92, almost 93. She'll talk about my uncle, who is at least 56, and how he learned to walk and how he did this and that. She clearly dotes on the boys which is probably why we are so close. Sometimes we talk about church, religion, or politics. Mostly we talk about family. But it's not so much the subject matter that's important to me as is the fact that we're able to share the time.

Happy Birthday!

2008-06-08T22:00:00.002-04:00

Blog,
Yesterday was your 4th birthday. Happy Birthday. You've changed a little over the years. You've gotten some new looks.

Keep up the good work.

2008-06-08T20:32:00.002-04:00

Headstand: I could say in a message that to get to heaven you have to do a headstand and people would try to learn how to do a handstand. But if in a sermon I emphasize the gospel of Jesus Christ and that faith is credited to us as righteousness (Romans) and I denounce others that are preaching a different gospel it rattles people. What is it about our human nature that is so driven to accomplish and in our accomplishments we feel God loves us? It's so absurd that that's our logic but we've all been there and most of us live there in that thought. It's as we have security in our accomplishments rather than safety in God's promise. Baffling.

Bum: While on my run tonight I ran into my first bum. By bum I mean someone bumming money. This bum happened to be a 10 year old kid standing in the driveway of his house, in the background I heard the ice cream truck. It made me laugh and I actually appreciated the kids boldness. I told him I don't carry money when I'm out running. The funny part is when I finished my run I was just walking to cool down and stretch my legs and the kid was riding a bike. He asked me if I lived in his neighborhood and I told him just a few houses down. He thought that was the coolest thing...

2008-06-07T12:42:00.002-04:00

Daddy: I'm running today on the trail and there are two women ahead of me walking towards me. I notice they are walking two dogs both of which are very large. I'm not afraid of dogs at all but I respect big dogs and so I remember noticing them a little bit more than normal. As I'm running past the women one of them says "You must be the daddy?" I wasn't thinking real straight so I just gave her a confused look (not so much on purpose). I'm then thinking, is she calling me ugly? Is she saying I look like a dog or that we look alike? She then interjects he's a pre-adoption he'd be great for your home.

I felt better about my self-esteem at this point so I told her the dog was cute and kept on running.

2008-06-07T11:57:00.001-04:00

Google: Seems like Google knows me. I just googled my name and I'm 6 of 10 hits on the front page. Kind of freaky.

2008-06-04T12:41:00.002-04:00

Funny stuff my kid says.

We were at Busch Gardens on Sunday and I needed to change Nathan's pull up. We head to the bathroom and all of the stalls are gross so we just pick a corner and start changing his diaper. Nathan notices the guys line up at the urinals and says (in his loud 3 year old voice)

Daddy, what are they doing?
They're going pee pee.
(thoughtful look)
Are they pushing their pee pee down?

Let me explain: When Nathan uses the potty if he's not careful he pees all over the place so to prevent this I tell him to push his pee pee down. Turns out he wanted to know if everyone used this technique or just him.

I was putting Nathan to bed the other night and he asked me to read a book. It was an old Sesame Street book so I opened the cover and was looking for the copyright to see how old the book was. Nathan looks at me and then looks at the book and says. Daddy, there, aren't, any, words, coming, out, of, your, mouth. Read the book.

2008-05-21T11:16:00.003-04:00

I love funny news stories so here is one I came across today. Last week I was talking with Nathan and asking him his whole name and asking him what his parent's names are. I thought that might come in handy of he ever got separated from us or was in some other situation that we couldn't speak for him. He did really well and I was real proud of him.

What to do when you're lost.

Turns out I've taught my kid what a parrot can do...I'll be wrapping up my book "Breakthrough Parenting" here in the next few years. Maybe you'll buy it?

2008-05-15T12:02:00.002-04:00

Hi, I'm 28.: As a teenager I remember reading 1 Timothy 4:12 (Paul giving instructions to young pastor Timothy) Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in life, in love, in faith and in purity. I remember is so well because I figured it would come in handy as a young pastor.

If I'm honest I can't say that one time someone's behavior has indicated that they look down on me because of my youth. In fact sometimes I'm uncomfortable with the opposite. I remember as a youth pastor I would get calls from parent's asking me what I thought they should do about their misbehaving teenager. I remember just laughing in the inside. First of all because I was only a few years older than a teenager myself, second because I wasn't the best behaved teenager so I was better equipped to give advice as what not to do rather than what do do and finally because the person asking the question was often older than my parent's. I just remember thinking, what can I offer this 50 year old person who has so much more life experience than me. But then I remember that as long as I didn't trust in my own skin and abilities and allowed God to work through me I did have some stuff to offer.

A good number of people at The Bridge are older than me. In fact many are old enough to be my parents. Sometimes while I'm up there bringing the word God has for that week I just think to myself that they are listening to someone so much younger than me. And often I'm so grateful they hear the words coming through me from God rather than words just coming through me.

I've been a part of my district's Church Health Committee which I find ironic because I have been the pastor of exactly 1 church and while I think we are a increasingly growing and quite healthy church we are also not the poster church for church health. But God in his wisdom let my superiors know that I love the Church as the Bride of Christ and that I enjoy assessing and equipping churches to be more healthy. It's perhaps one of the most humbling experiences I have.

Today I received yet another humbling thing. I've been asked to stand to be nominated to our Districts DEXCOM, which is like the district's governing board. What? I'm honored, but also baffled at this. Yet I learned years ago that God does these things to stretch me.

Finally, I was having a conversation with a man on the phone today that told me he was 57 years old. He's never met me or seen a picture of me so he has no idea how old I am and he didn't. In our conversation he said something to the effect of "Who knows that 27 year old kids are thinking these days?" I wanted to say "I do, I was just one a year ago."

Does this mean age is relative?

2008-05-13T14:13:00.002-04:00

Graduation: My dad graduated on Saturday. As kids he always talked about going to school and getting an education. He worked hard in the Navy for 29 years and retired at the top of his rank. When he left the Navy 7 years ago he started taking classes at the community college and working towards his associate degree. His associate took about 4 years to get. Then after graduating with his associates he started going to ODU for his Bachelors. He finished his bachelors in 2 and a half years. As he likes to say he was pacing himself.

This Saturday all his hard work paid off and I was able to sit and watch my dad graduate. I can't express how proud I am of him. He finally did the one thing he has always wanted to do. So good job POPS! I'm proud of you.

Chris Matthews: While at graduation I got to hear Chris Matthews speak. He has a tv show in MSNBC called Hardball with Chris Matthews. I really enjoyed his speech. I don't often get to hear professional speakers. I liked his style and his brevity. His point was this. Don't expect success to find you but go out and find success. People won't be knocking on your door asking you to take incredible jobs but rather you have to seek them out. He said the secret to success is in the word "ask". The more you ask the better the chance to hear a yes. When people say yes to you they have invested in you and when people invest in someone or something they want to see it succeed. It left me with some motivation.

China: If you haven't seen this month's National Geographic it's worth checking out. The entire thing is about China and provides some great insight into their culture and mentality. It's also casts an outlook in their future, which I must say looks bleak. The culprit seems to be their incredibly large population is providing most of their economic growth at this time and then their new 1 child policy for those of the Han nationality. In just one generation the work force will begin to dwindle because of this policy. Another major concern is the lack of water to drink. The many damns on their major rivers that are used to power industrial plants have reduced the water to a trickle in many places add that to the pollution that those same plants dump into the rivers they are on the verge of an epidemic.

But what I wanted to comment on is the recent earthquake that has so far claimed the lives of 19,000 people. I don't think we americans can grasp 19,000 deaths. I don't think I want to. You can read more here http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,355247,00.html.

2008-05-13T14:08:00.001-04:00

2008-05-09T11:41:00.002-04:00

Some pictures?

Robbie and I breaking it down with the 2008 rendition of "The Sprinkler"

Am I cold? Now I'm doing the "Cold Dance" if you've never heard of it that's because I created it.

Seth

Nathan giving Seth some love

Me and Nathan goofing off with the camera.

I thought this spider web would make a neat picture.

2008-05-09T11:20:00.003-04:00

Mormons: A few weeks ago our local mormon missionaries stopped by the house. I knew the previous set but hadn't met these two yet. I always make sure I make my intentions clear with them and let them know what I do for a living so as not to deceive them in any way. After we talked for a few I asked them a few questions that I had for them about mormonism in general. I asked them about archeological proof for the ancient white race they said inhabited North and South America in the 4th century AD. My logic and knowledge of history tells me that if there was a large nation of people around only 1600 years ago there should be some archeological proof it exists. I also learned that for them Special Revelation is above all in their faith system; special revelation that was given to Joseph Smith and written in his writings. I also questioned them a little about the character of Joseph Smith. They weren't offended and gave me a book of mormon before they left and asked me to read several passages. I told them I would and they said they'd come back to talk about it.

They came back a few nights ago and I'm not sure they were ready for my questions. I didn't intend to but I gave them some pretty serious challenges. I wasn't trying to be aggressive to them but sometimes when talking with them I get so angered because I believe they are being deceived. I'm not angry at them but angry at the evil one and angry at the false prophets that founded the LDS church.

In short we had a circular conversation for about an hour. I commended them on their sacrifice to give up their lives for a 2 year mission. I also commended them on their faith and their willingness to put their faith in action. I believe they have sincere hearts and I made sure they knew that. I also told them that from what I can tell of the Bible that the entire Old Testament points to Jesus Christ. Christ himself makes it pretty clear in the gospels that he is the one that was to come and as he left he made clear he would be the one to come. Jesus never told me to look for another prophet that would make complete the true gospel (this is what the LDS church teaches.) In fact I find in the New Testament that the prophets that are to come will be false prophets and to not trust them.

I also told them that I have some serious problems with the "revelation" given to Joseph Smith. I see how some of these "revelations" were awfully convenient for Joseph Smith and in his life. The first that I find awfully convenient is that Mormons use water in their communion or sacrament service. I found this interesting and started doing some research on this. Turns out that before the prohibition the LDS church used wine just like many protestant churches. However during the time of prohibition their began to be an uproar in the church. Turns out that Joseph Smith has a revelation that it is no longer pleasing to God to use wine but rather they should use non alcoholic grape juice or water. Turns out they selected water because they could all agree on it. Oh yeah, it was also ok to use wine grown in the vineyards that were owned by the Mormon church. Even though today Mormons are forbidden to consume alcohol.

There are two other convenient revelations. Joseph would have mens meetings in his home. The men would smoke on their pipes and then when they were done would chew tobacco. Turns out he didn't clean up after himself very well and his wife must have complained to him about having to clean up the mess. Suddenly Joseph Smith has a revelation that tobacco is wrong.

From wikipedia

According to Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, the Word of Wisdom was received in 1833 as a revelation from God. After Smith's death, Brigham Young claimed that the revelation was given in response to problems encountered while conducting meetings in the Smith family home:
"When they assembled together in this room after breakfast, the first they did was to light their pipes, and, while smoking, talk about the great things of the kingdom, and spit all over the room, and as soon as the pipe was out of their mouths a large chew of tobacco would then be taken. Often when the Prophet [Joseph Smith] entered the room to give the school instructions he would find himself in a cloud of tobacco smoke. This, and the complaints of his wife at having to clean so filthy a floor, made the Prophet think upon the matter, and he inquired of the Lord relating to the conduct of the Elders in using tobacco, and the revelation known as the Word of Wisdom was the result of his inquiry."[2]

The final convenient revelation is that of plural marriage in the mormon church. The LDS men began practicing polygamy in the church. It is revealed that this practice is what God wants. The US gov't catches wind of this practice and makes it illegal to practice. It is again revealed by God that this is not what God wants.

Sound like someone wasn't the most in tune with God...wow!

It absolutely boggles my mind. I thanked them for coming and they went on. I want to emphasize that I wasn't going for victory but that I don't agree with them that special revelation should have more power over them that the scriptures of the Bible. It burdens my heart...

2008-04-29T07:09:00.002-04:00

Tornado: Yesterday our area was hit with a pretty serious tornado. I've lived in this area most of my life and I can't say I ever remember a tornado. I can't even say I ever remember a tornado warning, a watch maybe but not a warning. Well yesterday it happened.

You can read the details here Fox News Story

2008-04-25T21:11:00.003-04:00

Kids: Nathan has a friend that lives two doors down. She's a newer friend, meaning she's just started coming over to play with him and the next door neighbor girls. This little girl's mother is german and she speaks pretty good english but with a heavy german accent. The little girl was talking to me today and every time I talk to her she cracks me up. She makes me laugh because of what language she speaks. First of all she speaks american english, most of the time. Tonight she was telling me "Nathan isn't ------(insert some word". I do pretty good talking with little kids I can figure out what most kids are saying so I ask her to repeat it and she said it again "Nathan isn't ------ (insert some word). I could tell from the context that she was meaning to say "sharing" but she wasn't. She said it again and I realized she was saying a german word. Crazy kid.

Then sometimes when she speaks she speaks with an english accent. The kid has to be confused.

2008-04-22T14:33:00.004-04:00

Quiet Strength by Tony Dungy. My love for reading started in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades with the usual Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary books most of us grew up on. But the first grown up books I started reading were sports biographies and autobiographies. I learned all about major league baseball straight from the words of Willie Mays, Joe Dimaggio, Mickey Mantle and Dave Dravecky. It was weird how I could smell the grass of the ballpark and catch the atmosphere of the dugout from reading a book. I loved it!

So I was thrilled to find an excuse to order Tony Dungy's book Quiet Strength. I knew I would love it. First of all I know that Coach Dungy is a follower of Christ and from what I could tell it wasn't just lip service. I also saw the way he responded to his son's suicide a few years back and I was very impressed by him.

I ate this book up. I think I finished it 3 days, most of it read while holding Seth in one arm and my book in the other. It was easy reading and so much fun to read. I walked away even more impressed. Coach Dungy is a man of principle and he's stuck to those principles through some hard times. The thing I'm most impressed is that he views his life as a platform for the message of the cross of Jesus Christ both in his words but most importantly in his actions.

2008-04-22T14:18:00.002-04:00

My Eldest: Let me tell you about Nathan for a minute. Mostly because he cracks me up almost every day. I know I'm biased but the kid is hilarious, this post is more about the hilarity of having a child.

I check my voice mail on my cell phone. On the other end is Nathan saying LOUDLY "Daddy, I pooh-poohed in the potty." *click*

At his age independence is king. He wants to do it by himself and for himself. Our help is shunned in almost every thing. But sometimes he'll forget he's 3 and he'll walk over to me and crawl in my lap. His long legs will dangle off my lap, he doesn't realize how big he's getting but I notice he takes up more and more of my lap each time this happens.

Record: Much to the chagrin of The Bridge Church's nursery workers I broke a record on Sunday. I preached for more than 50 minutes. It really wasn't planned. However I did forget my watch (forget?) and I noticed the congregation was very engaged in my message on prayer so I preached on.

We were drinking coffee and enjoying conversation after church when an almost 4 year old boy comes up to me and asks "Pastor Nick, what took so long today?" I laughed and could only reply with the truth "I guess I had a lot to say." That seemed to satisfy him.

If you've got an hour of cardio planned today you can catch the marathon message HERE

2008-04-16T12:04:00.002-04:00

April 16, 2007:

Day of Remembrance

2008-04-15T06:54:00.003-04:00

Trinkets: Some times I read about religion in other countries. It's always interesting to see how the rituals and traditions of one faith get mixed with the other. It's sort of as if its adherents want to make sure they are covered on all sides so by committing to the practices of two religions they have better chances that life will be good and when they ask for something in prayer it has a better chance of coming through. The anthropological term for this is syncretism.

I see people do it a good bit with christianity and astrology. For many it's a simple lack of knowledge of the roots and practice of astrology.

A few months ago I was getting my taxes done and my tax person is a Christian woman that goes to a southern baptist church down the road from my house. I got connected with her through one of their pastors. She seems like she leads a good life, always treats me great and from what I can tell walks with Jesus. We were talking and I was telling her about our new son that was to soon be born and she asked me the due date.

She then proceeds to tell me what Seth's personality will be and she bases all of this on the time of year and the date of the month that he was to be born. In my mind I'm wondering where all this voodoo talk is coming from I'm talking to a southern baptist woman. I just sort of walked away with my head shaking, I was confused.

Then yesterday we listed our house to sell. Our realtor goes to a local community church that preaches Jesus. I've talked to the pastor several times and he is well grounded in the scriptures. She came by to drop off some papers and she had this little trinket with her. She said this is St. Joseph and he's the patron saint of selling houses, you're supposed to...blah blah blah. He brings good luck.

Heather said "I'll think we'll trust in Jesus." I thought it was a great reply. I was thinking to myself. Woman, if you are a believer you are a child of the king. Why trust in a $3.95 plastic trinket when you have Jesus?

I have a motto for this trinket: When God says no trust in St. Joe.

2008-04-14T07:43:00.002-04:00

Milestone: Every night the routine is the same. We let Nathan know he'll be going to bed soon and then one of us takes him upstairs to read a book, pray with him and then he goes to sleep. Lately he's been too busy trying to convince us he's not tired to enjoy this process but last night he was all about the routine.

He laid down and I picked out the book. I told him I loved him and that he made me happy. He started by telling me he wasn't happy because he hit Madison, his friend next door, in the face with a wiffle ball bat. I asked him if he told her he was sorry and he said yes so I told him he could be happy because he did that. I told him that Jesus loved him and that he should always follow Jesus. He told me he would.

Then Nathan asked me if his friends were going to sleep too. I told him probably. He asked if they read stories before bed too, I told him I bet they did. He asked if their stories were about Jesus, I told him I wasn't sure but he should ask his friends tomorrow. I told Nathan they would probably have questions if they didn't know about Jesus what could he tell them about Jesus.

He said, I should follow Jesus, Jesus loves me, and Jesus thinks I'm special.

This marks one of the first times Nathan has let out some of the spiritual things we try to teach him. Needless to say I was excited to tell Heather about it later.

---------

I was praying with Nathan the other night and I must have said "Father,..." and after the prayer he asked "God is my father?" I told him yes. He said "you're my father?" I said yes. That made sense to him. I was elated. Then he said Mommy is my Grandma. I said "not quite".

You can't win them all.

2008-04-10T09:23:00.001-04:00

Sunday Preview?

2008-04-09T07:00:00.002-04:00

PRAYER: We kicked off our new and innovative message series called PRAYER on Sunday. I'm sure it will be hard to understand what it's about so I'll just spell it out for you. The new series is about prayer.

I am perhaps more excited about this series than I have been about a series ever. In my study of prayer the past few weeks my excitement has grown and grown. There is much to be understood about prayer and there is much most of us don't know. Really it's simple, not filled with rules as the mortal interacts with the divine. But at the same time I believe we either oversimplify it or over complicate it.

Mostly I think we ignore prayer, which is not only a shame but I believe a tragic mistake. It is through the prayers of godly men and women that God works.

Last Sunday my message was from Luke 11- Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples. Jesus said to them, this is how you are to pray "Our Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come." You can listen to that message by going to www.sermonplayer.com/thebridgechurch

The next 4 weeks are as follows:

April 13: Ask, seek, knock

April 20: Barriers to answered prayer; what to do with unanswered prayers

April 27: Intercession; standing in prayer for those who can't.

May 4: Either prayer Q and A or the immeasurable power of God.

2008-04-04T11:50:00.000-04:00

April 4- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride_in_the_name_of_love

2008-04-01T07:38:00.002-04:00

As a runner this is funny to me. I don't get it too often but sometimes I'll get that look back from another runner that says "is that guy following me?"

2008-03-28T21:25:00.002-04:00

Overheard at the water cooler: By water cooler I mean on back porch while Nathan was playing with his friends from next door. The 3 girls Kennedy, Morgan and Madison have a little sister named Emma that is 7 months old. They got to see Seth this evening on the porch and one of the girls asks with disgust "Nathan, why is your little sister a boy?"

2008-03-28T21:10:00.003-04:00

Prayer 101 Experiencing the Heart of God by Warren W. Wiersbe. Since my new addiction to FPU I cut out my book budget. So this week I wandered down to the library after my run to see what they had that I could read. I found this book by Wiersbe and figured it might be worth a read.

It was the best book I've read on prayer. He has a great writing style that is casual, blunt and yet theologically informative. He was willing to address some hard questions about unanswered prayers, why we should pray, if our prayers change the will of God and other stuff like that.

I took lots of notes and look forward to using this as a resource for my new message series to start on April 6th on prayer. I was telling Heather the other day that I have never been more excited for a message series. I know God is going to use this series to change lives and I look forward to being one of the vessels he uses to do this. I will be well prepared for this message series. I ordered two books on prayer and one of them came in today. I've been studying the scriptures about prayer, man I'm excited!

2008-03-28T20:59:00.002-04:00

Pre: The Story of America's Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine by Tom Jordan. I bought this book to read while in the hospital for the birth of Seth and finished it on Seth's birthday but am just now sitting down to write a brief note about it.

What to say? Steve Prefontaine was the greatest american distance runner of his time and some would say of all time. In fact until recent years few Americans made a splash in the international scene. You can head over to wikipedia.org and google his name to read more about him.

What I admire most about his story and what I thing I would have liked about him is that he had guts. When he raced he ran to win, he left it all out on the track.

2008-03-26T09:36:00.001-04:00

Dead Horse:

The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians says when you discover you’re riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount. However, in professional ministry, because of the relationships and emotional attachments involved, other strategies are often tried with dead horses, including:

Buying a stronger whip.
Changing riders.
Threatening the horse with termination.
Appointing a committee to study the horse.
Arranging to visit other sites to see how they ride dead horses.
Reclassifying the dead horse as “living-impaired.”
Harnessing several dead horses together for increased speed.
Doing a time management study to see if lighter riders would improve productivity.
Declaring a dead horse has lower overhead and therefore performs better.
Promoting the dead horse to a supervisory position.

The KELLYGRAM 12/02/07

2008-03-24T11:40:00.003-04:00

Not Vacation: I'm taking off this week so I can be around the house so Heather doesn't go bonkers taking care of the two boys. So I'm on vacation. But it's NOT vacation because we aren't going anywhere. But don't hear that as a complaint. All ready I'm thinking so much clearer, enjoying life much more and I've felt my stress level decrease a good bit.

So here's to having a good not vacation! I've got some reading and studying I want to get done, I want to spend some time with Heather, Nathan and Seth and I need to get some stuff done around the house to get it ready to put on the market here in a few weeks. So it will be a busy week of not vacation but I'm looking forward to it.

Jacked Up: A couple of times a week Nathan and I have a time where we wrestle usually on the floor sometimes on the couch. Nathan tells me he's going to jack me up and I tell him I'm going to jack him up. I enjoy the threats from my 3 year old.

Last night we're wrestling and Nathan says "Nick is my brother." talking about me. I look at him and ask "What do you call me?" (hoping for either "Dad" or "Boss Man") He said "Pastor Nick."

He's started this thing lately where he finds it funny to call me Pastor Nick. We were at the playground the other day and he starts calling me Pastor Nick. It's always funny when he does it because I feel like suddenly all of the parent's in the playground see me in a different light. I go from wearing jeans and t-shirt to wearing old oversized pleated suit pants and a Mr. Rogers sweater in an instant.

I'm telling you now if he does it again in public he's going to get jacked up.

ps. I really like Mr. Rogers. He was a good man and actually on my short list of people I want to meet in heaven. I just needed the picture as an example.

2008-03-23T06:07:00.002-04:00

Resurrection: I wonder what got them up and out of bed. The Bible tells us it was dawn on Sunday. There is no record that indicates to us that the disciples ever really understood the claim Jesus made that the would raise on the 3rd day. Luke tells us the woman that woke up at dawn on Easter morning were going to the tomb to bring spices to prepare the body for proper burial because of the haste Jesus was buried in on Long Friday. Matthew simply tells us that the women, Mary and the other Mary, went to look at the tomb to see where he lay.

While they were at the tomb there was a great earthquake, and the stone on the tomb was rolled away. Angels came to the women and said "he is not here, he is risen". In their surprise they ran off to tell the disciples that Jesus was risen but they weren't believed because it sounded like nonsense. Peter got up and ran to the tomb where he saw the strips of cloth that had once held the remains of Christ's broken body. He walked away wondering what had happened.

It wasn't until several days later when Jesus began to appear to the disciples (both the 12 as well as others) that they were able to grasp the idea that their Lord lived. They had the facts; the empty tomb, the visit from the angel, the strips of burial shroud but they did not see. The evidence was dependent on the revelation.

In Christ's extreme love for his friends he began to reveal himself to them. In his intense love for us Acts 1 tells us that Jesus showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. Convincing proofs we can still hold to today.

I don't want to miss the point of the resurrected Christ. The relief, the freedom, the shock the disciples must have felt to learn that their Lord truly was the son of God. That even the grave could not hold the man they followed. What Jesus claimed was true! He did it!

HE IS RISEN!

I also don't want to miss the insistence of Christ to reveal himself to men and women today in ways that they will embrace and believe. Christ desires to reveal himself to us; he is drastic about it.

JESUS CHRIST is RISEN!

2008-03-22T07:21:00.002-04:00

Silent Saturday: In a moment it was over. Jesus was dead. I'm not certain the disciples slept much the night of that long friday. I have a feeling that they were feeling such great emotional pain of losing Jesus that their bodies hurt, the hurting continued until they went numb. I'm sure they wrestled with lies and doubts of the evil one. Perhaps their greatest enemy was their own regrets; their own thoughts haunting them, the "what ifs".

I wonder if some of the disciples did eventually fall into a fitful slumber. I wonder if up on waking they though to themselves "oh wait, that was all a dream" then the harsh reality that their Lord was really dead hit them and they had to endure the pain all over again.

The Gospel of Matthew tells us that at noon on the Friday Jesus was crucified that a darkness came over all the land. The light of the world was extinguished, snuffed out.

If I was asked to come up a name for the Saturday of Holy Week I would call it silent Saturday. If only they could hear Jesus' voice again. If only they could sit while he taught them. If only he was just there they would immediately be comforted by his presence. But nothing, the light was out, gone, nothing was there except haunting silence!

EASTER is COMING!
TOMORROW will be a BETTER DAY!

2008-03-21T12:09:00.000-04:00

Good Friday: After the last supper with his disciples Jesus went to one of his favorite spots, a garden, to pray. The entire week before the Jewish officials were looking for a time when they could arrest Jesus but knew that the people loved him so much that they would riot if he were arrested in public. Judas, one of his own disciples told the officials that wanted Jesus dead where he was and they seized the moment to arrest him.

In the dark hours of the morning of that "Good" Friday. Jesus was unfairly accused, unfairly put through trials and found guilty based on lies. He was punished by being beaten; a punishment that took you within inches of your life.

Then after all that he was sentenced to die. GOOD FRIDAY? In some countries today is called Long Friday in China today is the Day of Christ's Suffering.

If you're like me you don't like to think about suffering. It's not pleasant and it stirs up emotions of helplessness, anger and frustration. But today, Long Friday, I believe it's appropriate and worthwhile to consider Christ's sufferings on that long Friday.

EASTER is COMING!

2008-03-21T12:08:00.002-04:00

Passion Week: This week is known on church calendars as Holy Week. It's the week in the Bible that starts with Jesus entering into Jerusalem as a king on Sunday and being executed on the cross on Friday.

On the holy calendar today is Holy Thursday or, if you want to sound more brilliant in front of your friends and coworkers, Maundy Thursday. During Holy Week or Passion week Thursday was the day that Jesus gathered his disciples for what we now know as the Last Supper. He sat around the table with 11 friends and one betrayer and they ate. It was at that meal that Jesus said "this is my body which is broken for you and this is my blood which was spilt for you. When you do this remember."

Maundy is used because it's the english translation of the ceremony that Jesus did of washing the feet of the disciples upon entering the upper room. You can read more about the washing of the feet in John 13.

Jesus said "I have washed your feet even though I am your teacher and master. I am over you but I have chosen to serve you. Because I have served you, in this manner and with my life, I implore you to serve others with your love."

I pray that this act of Jesus of washing of feet is in your thoughts today. I pray that you will reflect on the idea that Christ served you with his life and that your life is meant for service as well.

2008-03-17T20:54:00.000-04:00

2008-03-17T13:39:00.001-04:00

2008-03-17T12:49:00.001-04:00

Easter sermon material?

Leave me a comment with your honest opinion. No really!

2008-03-16T06:36:00.001-04:00

x4: Seth was born on Friday. I've been at the hospital since Friday at 6 AM with Heather and tonight I'm finally at home so I can post some pictures.

Seth Paul was born at 8:20 AM and weighed 8 lbs 6 oz. He's 19.4 inches long.

2008-03-09T15:42:00.002-04:00

Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey. This is the book that comes in the FPU kit but you can also order just the book. The book is an excellent walk through from the program that Dave has designed and claims to use himself.

From reading this book and beginning the application of these principles in our own lives I can tell you that it does bring financial peace. I have the privilege of watching others applying these principles to their lives and I'm seeing hopes of financial peace begin to take root. I've preached on the topic of money a few times from the pulpit but seldom had conversations with people at The Bridge about money. Let's face it. Money is private, personal and we're protective of it. We don't like others to know how we're doing and we want people to know we're doing well even if we aren't. We want the nicest cars and houses and if it means living a credit card lie we'll do it.

I've had more conversations about money in the last six weeks than I have in all my life before. I hear people bragging about their budget, paying off bills and the new financial direction they have in their life. No one has said it's easy but the courage and excitement in their voice tells me it's worth it.

2008-03-09T15:25:00.002-04:00

FPU: FPU meets on Thursday nights but for some reason I always think to post about it on Sunday. In case you're not a follower of DAVE or the FPU lingo let me elaborate. Financial Peace University is a program designed and endorsed by Dave Ramsey. You can read about FPU at www.daveramsey.com or you can take my word for it. FPU is a 13 week program about beating debt and building wealth. It's not a get rich quick scheme or any other type of scam; it's honestly just common sense packaged together. The principles are honestly so simply it's almost insulting but they are principles almost no one is living by these days.

Heather and I decided we didn't want to be normal anymore- normal being carrying a little debt a little debt here, not enough to hurt anyone but enough to keep us from reaching some financial goals we're made and ultimately reaching financial peace. We decided to offer it as a class to our church and we have about 30 people active in FPU. I've seldom been a part of a group that has shown change so quickly. I know that God is working in our hearts due to our discipline regarding money.

2008-03-07T19:16:00.003-05:00

Things that concern me #2:

Danny Norriega from American Idol

Things that restore my hope in America: Todd Beamer and the fact that Danny got voted off last night.

2008-03-03T17:42:00.003-05:00

Running blog: I started a new blog for my running. Didn't want to clutter this one up with something my 3 readers might not care about. If you are interested you can head over to Two Hundred and 12 and read about my running ventures.

2008-03-02T06:52:00.002-05:00

Sunday Blogging: I'm usually all worded out on Sundays after church so I'm not much of a Sunday blogger.

This morning as I was praying the word anticipation came to mind. So I prayed that the people of The Bridge would anticipate entering the presence of God this morning. The image came to mind of people crowded outside a door waiting for the doors to be opened. When the door are finally opened the people rush into the room to see what they've come to see. Maybe a baseball game (spring fever anyone?) or a concert of their favorite band.

I also envisioned a slightly more quiet anticipation. An anticipation that has us sitting down in the throne room of God. Sitting in reverence with our eyes fixed on the object of our worship. We're not discontent but we're looking for something. We're not antsy but we're hoping that God will change something inside of us.

That was my prayer for my church this morning and I hope that you anticipate God as well both in your church on Sunday and in your life the other six days.

2008-03-01T20:27:00.002-05:00

The Boy: Nathan has his birthday party today! He's 3 years old on Monday.

This is pre-party. He's showing us his breakfast bar, actually he's just holding it up to his face for some reason.

Here is Nathan and his buddy Wyatt. Notice Baby Jaguar in Wyatt's hand. (all you Diego fans will know where I'm coming from.) Is my boy giving you the deuce? Not quite, he's holding back a little.

And here is Nathan in his suit of armor.

2008-03-01T16:06:00.003-05:00

Boys: Last night Wyatt came over while his mom was at the ladies meeting. Wyatt is about 10 months older than Nathan and they have a great time together. The lighting is bad but here they are jumping off the couch.

2008-02-29T18:28:00.001-05:00

It must be friday!

2008-02-29T14:51:00.004-05:00

Running Update:
February- 70.3 miles in 11:32:03
9.84 m/mile pace

Year- 123.3 miles in 20:41:33
10.07 m/mile pace

Summary:
I've run almost 1 day in 60.
120 miles is the distance from my house to Rocky Mt., North Carolina or almost from here to Fredericksburg, VA.

2008-02-29T14:43:00.002-05:00

Things that concern me #1: I have no idea how long this list will be but I'm just going to start with #1 and we'll see how long this list goes. Not many things concern me but I'm sure there are more than I'd like to believe. Some might concern you to some you might think I'm silly about- like antiques, they concern me. But I digress.

#1: So I'm sitting down to enjoy my friday afternoon. I turn on the tv and then scan the recorded shows on the dvr. Among some of my favorites like Around the Horn and Monk and some of Nathan's like Backyardigans and Deigo I find...WALKER TEXAS RANGER. Heather has some explaining to do when she gets home... now you know why I'm concerned!

2008-02-26T13:15:00.001-05:00

Full Report: Here is a link to the full report of the cnn article I posted about yesterday. It's interesting to get to the meat of the report. I'm looking for the video clip that I saw on cnn this morning about this article but so far no luck. If you find it let me know.

Full Report

2008-02-25T20:23:00.002-05:00

CNN Reports: I don't think anyone that reads this blog will find this news report shocking but it's worth passing on to you.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/02/25/religion.survey.ap/index.html

Quote: "The American religious economy is like a marketplace -- very dynamic, very competitive," said Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum. "Everyone is losing, everyone is gaining. There are net winners and losers, but no one can stand still. Those groups that are losing significant numbers have to recoup them to stay vibrant."

Quote: One in four adults ages 18 to 29 claim no affiliation with a religious institution.

I think this article speaks more of the lack of commitment of 18 to 29 year olds rather than mass exodus from the faith. Most people I speak to believe in God but fewer want to commit to something that requires sacrifice, commitment and is not self-serving.

2008-02-25T15:56:00.000-05:00

8.3 miles- DONE!

2008-02-20T14:16:00.002-05:00

100 Mile: Well, I did it. One hundred miles so far in 2008.

2008-02-19T10:41:00.002-05:00

No more crying: Nathan was sick from Friday to Monday. We took him to the doctor and she couldn't tell us anything. He complained of a sore throat but didn't have a fever, there was no vomiting; just a grouchy almost 3 year old and lots of stress for his parents. All weekend this went on and the most frustrating thing is knowing your child is hurting but not being able to make him fell better. He would say "make me feel better" or "fix it". And we would just have to tell him we couldn't.

Then this morning hit and I noticed there was something odd about the sound of our house. It took me a few minutes to figure out what it was- Nathan was laughing! He's normally such a happy kid and I'm glad he's back!

8 mile: Yesterday I set a new personal record. I ran 8 miles straight. Actually it was 8.3 miles (math doesn't go so well after about 6 miles hence the extra .3 miles. I found it beneficial to ice down the knees after the run to prevent swelling; it worked and the knees feel great today.

100 mile: Tomorrow I plan to run 5 miles; normally I would only run 4 on wednesday but if I can do five I will have run 100 miles in 2008.

Unconventional: Dear Church! You know lives don't come with handbooks and if they did or if yours did I'm assuming it's wrong in almost every way. I find that the ministry of The Bridge and my pastoring The Bridge doesn't come with a handbook either.

So many times on Sunday or on Monday morning I'll get the desire to contact the church. I don't need to chat with everyone but just relay a little information to them. Sometimes Sunday afternoons or Monday's God will reveal to me what he's doing at the Church and I want to share that with those that make it up. While possibly slightly unconventional this monday I wrote the church an email. Here's what it said.

Dear Church,
I was thinking this morning that sometimes when Sunday is over I wish I had a way to connect with all of you. I'm often reminded during the week that most of what happens in our week DOESN'T happen on Sunday.

Then it dawned on me that I do have a way to connect with you and while semi-impersonal it's better than nothing.

First of all let me give you the words of praise! Going into this new year I had a God-given impression to set goals for us both physically, financially and spiritually. We all came together at B360 and you heard that vision. I felt impressed to articulate these goals to you because we never want to be a church that just exists but we desire to be a church that is going in the direction God has called us. In short we never want to be stagnant but moving.

Praise #1- our attendance is increasing!
Praise #2- for the 2nd time this month we exceeded our weekly bottom line financially. Yesterday's offering was $180 ABOVE what we're trusting God for weekly!
Praise #3- perhaps I'm biased but I know God is working in our hearts as individuals and as a church. He is drawing us closer to himself!

Prayer: With praises comes prayer and with God's working comes trials, tribulations and attacks from the enemy. I want to ask you to pray for my family during this time and I will commit to praying for yours. As I mentioned in the message yesterday Nathan has been feeling bad for most of the weekend. It dawned on me last night that some of his discomfort is likely spiritual attacks and with some dreams Heather has been having that was conformed. It only makes sense that while we are progressing as a church the enemy will attack us where we are weakest- often through our health and our children. I also know that this next month with the birth of our new little boy, Seth, that there will be additional trials.

So please pray for my family and pray for yourselves, pray prayers of protection. What God is doing through us is exciting and what he has planned for us... I can't even imagine!

Blessings and have a great week!

2008-02-14T11:15:00.003-05:00

Thanks: [begin sarcasm] Just wanted to thank all of our elected politicians who are spending so much time on the Baseball Steroids case that is going on right now. I can't think of a more important issue to deal with in the US than steroid use among professional baseball players. What I'm most impressed with is the attention to detail and the passion these representatives are giving toward this important issue.

I should also thank Congressman Specter for investigating the whole "spygate" incident with the Patriots spying on the Jets last season.

Sounds like a good use of taxpayers money if you ask me!

[end sarcasm...for now]

2008-02-10T20:36:00.001-05:00

2008-02-10T19:46:00.000-05:00

And the Place was Shaken by John Franklin. Typically I revolt against books like this. They are against my very being. I should address why first. I hate "how to" guides on things of spiritual discipline. I hate giving advice like that and I hate being given advice like that.

However I know that God is making a movement of prayer happen at The Bridge and frankly I want to be an influential part of this movement. I can feel the winds of revival blowing in our hearts and I know that God is going to use prayer. So I read this book and it's a very good guide of adding creative and important elements to prayer meetings. I know that much of this will look different simply because we're a different sort of church but God is God and we'll pray to him- this book was a great base.

2008-02-10T19:43:00.000-05:00

Runner's World Complete Book of Running by Amby Burfoot. Not much to explain if you're not into running. This book was indeed a complete book of running. But even you have to see the comedic value of the editor of the book being named Amby BurFOOT.

2008-02-10T19:33:00.000-05:00

Mourning: In just a few minutes the last down of NFL football will take place. I know it will return but still it causes sadness in my heart. I've got march madness just around the corner and then...
drought.

Run: Today I had the afternoon and I was feeling pretty good so I thought I'd go out and enjoy the spring like weather while it lasted. I checked the weather and saw that the wind was blowing about 30 mph with gusts of up to 42 mph. Those numbers meant nothing to me before my run. After my 5.2 mile run they mean much more. Running into the wind was like running up hill. Running with the wind to my side was like running and getting pushed every coupe of strides (this is no fun while running beside a road). Running with the wind to my back was equally fun sort of like running with a wind sail.

But I enjoyed myself and I enjoyed the challenge- that's what matters.

2008-02-09T13:53:00.000-05:00

Nathan: I'm sure any parent of a 2 (almost 3 year old) will tell you that their kid makes them laugh all the time and I'm no different. I wanted to write down a few stories before too much time goes by and I miss the opportunity.

In October Heather, Nathan and I were driving down to North Carolina for a family vacation. We made our first gas stop a few hours from home and Heather said she'd like to get something to eat. The closest place was bojangles so we pulled into the drive through. Heather was telling me what she wanted and right as the guy says "can I take your order?" completely out of no where Nathan yells from his car seat in the back to the guy taking orders "I want chicken nuggets".

____________________

Around Christmas time Nathan was sitting at the table coloring and I was in the living room getting some stuff done. I made it very clear to Nathan that crayons were only for paper and not the table or the floor. Suddenly I noticed it had been quiet in the other room, which is never good with a 2 year old. I walk into the room to see him sitting under the table coloring our nice wood floors. I took the crayons from him and said "Nathan I'm going to clean this up and if it comes off the floor you won't be punished but if it doesn't I'm going to have to punish you." I grab the cleaner and I'm scrubbing the floor while Nathan looks at me with hope. Then the starts yelling "Go dad go!"

Children of The Bridge: Our church meets in a bowling alley. We like to call it up scale family bowling center but it's a bowling alley. Perfect for our needs but 6.75 days a week it's a bowling alley, bar, putt putt course and pool hall. It's also a very obvious building that most of the young children in the church pass with their parent's on a regular basis. I've heard stories and can't tell you how many times we'll be driving and Nathan will say "look there's our church. Can we go?" I'll tell him that none of our church friends will be there and that sits ok with him.

Other kids can't understand why there are people at their church and they aren't there. I just find the whole situation humorous. I can see them in kindergarten saying to their friend. Hey that's our church. The other kid replies, no it's not that's a bowling alley. No that's my church. Poor confused kids.

2008-02-06T11:18:00.001-05:00

2008-02-06T10:25:00.000-05:00

Windy: The weather here is about 70 degrees right now and today the high will be a amazing 77. It's an incredible February day. The wind is blowing. I know what that means. The wind means that tomorrow the weather is going to be nothing like it was today. Wind around here means that the weather is changing. If you don't believe me got to weather.com and type in my zip code 23435. See it's going to be 20 degrees cooler tomorrow than it is today. Then go to the 10 day and you'll see that the weather will even out and then on Sunday it's going to be windy again and again the weather is going to change.

The wind means change- at least around here.

There's a wind blowing in the church right now and I know that it means change. Change generally means adversity but adversity means good things. Amazing how that works. I've felt the breeze blowing since the start of this year and I have felt it's effects. Sometimes it's hard to keep moving in the wind but I know it means good things to come. Blow wind blow!

To illustrate my point (we all love pictures don't we?) I attached a picture of wind.

2008-02-05T15:14:00.000-05:00

The Richest Man in Town by V.J. Smith. This book was passed to me by a friend. Books that are recommened to me are one thing; books that are handed to me usually get read. I read this book in about 45 minutes and there while there isn't much mass to it there is much to glean.

I don't even want to describe it. Ok, I'll try. It's about "Marty" a seventy something year old man that works at wal-mart. He changed lives.

The Richest Man in Town

2008-02-04T06:26:00.001-05:00

Wrong!: Ever been wrong before? Happened to me once. See below post for confirmation.