It amazes me those who blog at ease. I am seriously impressed not only with their writing but the time they take to blog. It seems I am surrounded by a host of closet English teachers or wannabe newspaper columnists. I like to write but it seems when I blog my mind gets foggy and my fingers misspell. It truly has nothing to do with the fact that I was class clown growing up.
Blogging is a way to share life experiences with one another and to keep in touch with those you respect and enjoy. Lately, my blog has been more bust than blog due to life stuff and priorities. If you are one who checks regularly to see if I have blogged, I apologize for the days and even weeks of waiting. What is interesting to me is that every morning I am blogging to God about all kinds of life stuff as I write in my prayer journal. These journals date all the way back to 1992 and contain expressions of every aspect of my life. I have that routine of blogging with God and hopefully someday I will get down my routine of blogging with you. So hopefully in the near future you will be seeing more blogging than bust! I guess even this is part of the great adventure called "life."
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Out of Control
When we hear someone is "out of control" it usually means they have lost it, have went nuts or need physical restraint. When we review our lives many of us if not all would never put ourselves in this category. We are reserved, mature and in control, but let me challenge the fact that any of us are in control! We may not be "out of control" as defined above but we are "out of control" with what can happen in our lives.
Two weeks ago I was driving home early from work in hopes of sneaking in for a quick hair cut. I am not a "wait for a hair cut kind a guy." As I was stopped waiting for traffic a car behind me rear ended my truck and sent me to the side of the road. I wasn't expecting this! Along with this mini crash came a sore neck and back and three days before I was to run the Twin Cities Marathon. When I went to the starting line of the marathon it was the hottest start ever with the highest humidity. I fried and died that day at the marathon. As Cherie and I headed south after the race we pulled into McDonald's to eat and when we came out our van wouldn't start. Fortunately, there was an auto parts store behind McDonald's and we got a replacement battery. Later that night I watched the worst ten minutes of the Bears-Packers game as the Bears won. All these scenarios reminded me that I am not in control!
I received a hard email today from a friend. One week ago my wife and I were rejoicing with them in the anticipation of another child. It was great to be around them as they talked of their excitement and I could see the anticipation of another child reflected in their eyes. Today, their expectant baby died in the womb and they are now waiting for the miscarriage to take place. It is times like these that bring me to the reality that I/We are "out of control."
God is the creator and owner of the universe and all that is in it. David states in Psalm 24:1, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Isaiah 48:17 says, "This is what the Lord says-your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." The more I ponder life the more I realize we are all "out of control," and God is the only one "in control." Hopefully there will come a day when I will not fight this but fully realize it, rest in it and rejoice in it for our God is a Great God and His love is sufficient to control our lives. Lamentations 3:22-24 says, "Because of the Lord's great love for us we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'" The more I think about it, I am grateful for being "out of control" for my God is "in control."
Two weeks ago I was driving home early from work in hopes of sneaking in for a quick hair cut. I am not a "wait for a hair cut kind a guy." As I was stopped waiting for traffic a car behind me rear ended my truck and sent me to the side of the road. I wasn't expecting this! Along with this mini crash came a sore neck and back and three days before I was to run the Twin Cities Marathon. When I went to the starting line of the marathon it was the hottest start ever with the highest humidity. I fried and died that day at the marathon. As Cherie and I headed south after the race we pulled into McDonald's to eat and when we came out our van wouldn't start. Fortunately, there was an auto parts store behind McDonald's and we got a replacement battery. Later that night I watched the worst ten minutes of the Bears-Packers game as the Bears won. All these scenarios reminded me that I am not in control!
I received a hard email today from a friend. One week ago my wife and I were rejoicing with them in the anticipation of another child. It was great to be around them as they talked of their excitement and I could see the anticipation of another child reflected in their eyes. Today, their expectant baby died in the womb and they are now waiting for the miscarriage to take place. It is times like these that bring me to the reality that I/We are "out of control."
God is the creator and owner of the universe and all that is in it. David states in Psalm 24:1, "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Isaiah 48:17 says, "This is what the Lord says-your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." The more I ponder life the more I realize we are all "out of control," and God is the only one "in control." Hopefully there will come a day when I will not fight this but fully realize it, rest in it and rejoice in it for our God is a Great God and His love is sufficient to control our lives. Lamentations 3:22-24 says, "Because of the Lord's great love for us we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'" The more I think about it, I am grateful for being "out of control" for my God is "in control."
Friday, October 12, 2007
The Speed of Life
It's amazing how life can be cruising along at "cruise control" pace and with little warning feel like it's "pedal to the metal." Over the last year and a half my wife and I have been going through the adoption process. Prior to this we had a sense from God that He desired us to utilize His blessings in our life for another life. We have three children already but still have space in our home, plenty of food, smiles, laughter and love. Recently we just finished our adoption process and the waiting and searching for another child had begun. In our minds we were buckled in for a long back roads ride as we were warned it could be a year or so.
Well, just as we were out of the city and pulling onto the country road to put our search into cruise we received a call. Within a week of the initial call we were given the go ahead to begin the adoption process of a precious four year old girl. We received the call on a Monday, interviewed on a Wednesday, received the okay on a Thursday and will now meet our new daughter on the following Monday. The cruise control is off and it is "pedal to the metal" in preparing our home and life for a four year old girl. It's been eight years since we last experienced this age in our home (on a live in basis). This sometimes is the speed of life and part of the great adventure God calls us to! If you see me pulled over, you'll know why!
Well, just as we were out of the city and pulling onto the country road to put our search into cruise we received a call. Within a week of the initial call we were given the go ahead to begin the adoption process of a precious four year old girl. We received the call on a Monday, interviewed on a Wednesday, received the okay on a Thursday and will now meet our new daughter on the following Monday. The cruise control is off and it is "pedal to the metal" in preparing our home and life for a four year old girl. It's been eight years since we last experienced this age in our home (on a live in basis). This sometimes is the speed of life and part of the great adventure God calls us to! If you see me pulled over, you'll know why!
Monday, September 17, 2007
A Love Story
Today I did an amazing funeral. I celebrated with others the life and death of a 26 year old woman. The funeral was amazing because of the love reflected by the women's husband. You see, a few months back I was called to perform a wedding. The wedding took place with no music, no guests, flowers or candles. The setting was at the hospital, in room 315 of the ICU.
The woman who's life we celebrated had a rare lung disease and was very ill and unexpected to live. Her boyfriend and her desired to marry, but realized their chances were diminishing. One of their good friends knew me and asked if I would perform the ceremony in the ICU! What a privilege I thought.
The love and commitment these two showed for one another, especially the groom, made it tough to get through the vows. I couldn't help it, but in my mind I kept wondering why this guy was sticking around. Most guys would have been long gone with the first sign of a terminal illness. Some guys would stick it out and maintain the friendship, but how many guys would marry a girl knowing that death was certain?
That wedding day reflected to me the amazing depth of love people can have for one another and was reiterated again by a broken husband during the funeral celebration. There are not to many incidences that allow you a glimpse of what the love of God looks like for us, but the wedding and this funeral provided me a peek. Paul prays for us in Ephesians 3:17-19, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Today, I believe I have grasped a little deeper understanding of how wide, long, high and deep God's love is for us! I am glad love is a part of this great adventure called life.
The woman who's life we celebrated had a rare lung disease and was very ill and unexpected to live. Her boyfriend and her desired to marry, but realized their chances were diminishing. One of their good friends knew me and asked if I would perform the ceremony in the ICU! What a privilege I thought.
The love and commitment these two showed for one another, especially the groom, made it tough to get through the vows. I couldn't help it, but in my mind I kept wondering why this guy was sticking around. Most guys would have been long gone with the first sign of a terminal illness. Some guys would stick it out and maintain the friendship, but how many guys would marry a girl knowing that death was certain?
That wedding day reflected to me the amazing depth of love people can have for one another and was reiterated again by a broken husband during the funeral celebration. There are not to many incidences that allow you a glimpse of what the love of God looks like for us, but the wedding and this funeral provided me a peek. Paul prays for us in Ephesians 3:17-19, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Today, I believe I have grasped a little deeper understanding of how wide, long, high and deep God's love is for us! I am glad love is a part of this great adventure called life.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Give it a Rest
Do you ever have a day where it's challenging to think of anything creative. You want to get some details in life and job done but the mental capacity to think it through and be excited about the outcome never comes! There are times when I need to just give something a rest and pick it up later in hopes a new idea springs forth.
I question sometimes if this is procrastination from pushing through a tough moment. This is an important question, since many of us, me included dislike hard moments. But I don't see laying something down and picking it up within 24 hours as procrastination. At times it's being productive. I can sit and stare at the computer for a long time and not have anything happen. I could be getting some manual labor done which refreshes my mind and come back to the computer with rested and creative thinking.
In the great adventure called life there are times we need to "give something a rest" and pick it up later. For me this describes this day, so I am leaving the task of being creative and replacing it for now with manual labor...picking up props for senior high games! By doing this I expect new inspiration for carrying on and completing the creative part of my life.
I question sometimes if this is procrastination from pushing through a tough moment. This is an important question, since many of us, me included dislike hard moments. But I don't see laying something down and picking it up within 24 hours as procrastination. At times it's being productive. I can sit and stare at the computer for a long time and not have anything happen. I could be getting some manual labor done which refreshes my mind and come back to the computer with rested and creative thinking.
In the great adventure called life there are times we need to "give something a rest" and pick it up later. For me this describes this day, so I am leaving the task of being creative and replacing it for now with manual labor...picking up props for senior high games! By doing this I expect new inspiration for carrying on and completing the creative part of my life.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Growing Pains
Psychologists state that by their mid-thirties most people stop growing in every area of their life! Looking down at my waist line I can't agree with this statement 100% but I understand fully what they mean. We are creatures of comfort. Anything that is going to stretch us or take us out of our "worked hard to establish" comfort zones is likely going to be by-passed.
I deal with this in my own life as well. I have convinced myself of my weaknesses that I stay comfortably in them, and never try to raise the bar. Deep down I want to raise the bar but I have this psychological battle going on in my mind of whether I want to go through the pain or potential failure just to move a weakness towards a strength. Why not just highlight my strengths? I wish I could, but what I realize is my weaknesses affect my performance and affects the team around me. It's the old saying, "You can run but you can't hide." So with this truth I have set out on a continual mission to be open to growing in areas of weaknesses while still growing my strengths. Paul said in Philippians 1:6, "God who began a good work in me will bring it to completion in the day of Christ Jesus." I assume this work and the completion has to do with both my strengths and weaknesses. So bring on the growing pains, it's all part of the great adventure.
I deal with this in my own life as well. I have convinced myself of my weaknesses that I stay comfortably in them, and never try to raise the bar. Deep down I want to raise the bar but I have this psychological battle going on in my mind of whether I want to go through the pain or potential failure just to move a weakness towards a strength. Why not just highlight my strengths? I wish I could, but what I realize is my weaknesses affect my performance and affects the team around me. It's the old saying, "You can run but you can't hide." So with this truth I have set out on a continual mission to be open to growing in areas of weaknesses while still growing my strengths. Paul said in Philippians 1:6, "God who began a good work in me will bring it to completion in the day of Christ Jesus." I assume this work and the completion has to do with both my strengths and weaknesses. So bring on the growing pains, it's all part of the great adventure.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Three Services: Life is Never Static
Whenever we think we've arrived, something changes. I have traveled enough to know that once you arrive at a flight gate you are not guaranteed the flight will leave on time. When transferring flights it is always a guessing game if your flight has arrived yet, is waiting, or has left. Recently, I went school shopping with my girls. Throughout the great day together they kept telling me I needed this particular shirt and those shoes and these jeans. In my mind I thought I had already arrived along with the new fashions, but then remembered that I was wearing last year's clothes! Still, to me I looked cool.
When it comes to church life, it seems "static" can be applied. Research shows that the church is typically 20-40 years behind the current culture and has a very hard time with change. Honestly, the church does have a hard time with change but it's more because we as individuals have a hard time with change! You get a bunch of us together to make up a church and right away the church becomes "static." Because of this known challenge, it is critical for churches to keep the word "change" in daily conversations, reports, meetings, and mentioned behind the pulpit. It's more important to apply change. The slaying of sacred cows, the big "X" over the phrase "we always did it this way," needs to become a part of church culture.
Here at New Hope, we have gone through a lot of change and are heading towards more. Starting September 9th, 2007 we are going to three service options on Sunday morning. We believe God wants to keep expanding our territory and we are excited to see all He will do. Will it be easy, hard to tell, but it will be a great adventure and that is what life with Jesus is all about! "Carpe Diem"!
When it comes to church life, it seems "static" can be applied. Research shows that the church is typically 20-40 years behind the current culture and has a very hard time with change. Honestly, the church does have a hard time with change but it's more because we as individuals have a hard time with change! You get a bunch of us together to make up a church and right away the church becomes "static." Because of this known challenge, it is critical for churches to keep the word "change" in daily conversations, reports, meetings, and mentioned behind the pulpit. It's more important to apply change. The slaying of sacred cows, the big "X" over the phrase "we always did it this way," needs to become a part of church culture.
Here at New Hope, we have gone through a lot of change and are heading towards more. Starting September 9th, 2007 we are going to three service options on Sunday morning. We believe God wants to keep expanding our territory and we are excited to see all He will do. Will it be easy, hard to tell, but it will be a great adventure and that is what life with Jesus is all about! "Carpe Diem"!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
My First Drivers Test in 36 Years
Today I relived my drivers test through my sixteen year old daughter. Today she passed her test test. By doing so she moved herself into the next phase of independence. When she arrived back with a big smile on her face and thumbs up I knew that I too was moved to another phase, the next phase of letting go.
As I look back on my life as a parent I can picture in my mind the times when I had to let my daughters "go" in order for them to develop the independence they would need to be a healthy toddler, tween, teen and adult. The simple acts of letting go by letting them walk on their own, releasing your hand from the back of the bike seat, the first day of school, having them sleep over at a friends, and learning to drive, are all mile markers to their independence. As a parent I realize this has been happening, but the realities of my daughter's drivers license reveals to me there are only three mile markers left until complete independence. I see these as graduation, college and career.
Her drivers licence test today has put a test before me. Am I going to continue to release my arm of control in her life or will I attempt to hold on? Today she took the test on her own, passed and became a driver. She's done well and I am proud of her. As she continues to drive forward toward independence, may I continue to pass the test of releasing my control. This is all part of the "great adventure" of life and parenting. One that I have passed through and one that my parents have tested out of! In the end, may I pass as well.
As I look back on my life as a parent I can picture in my mind the times when I had to let my daughters "go" in order for them to develop the independence they would need to be a healthy toddler, tween, teen and adult. The simple acts of letting go by letting them walk on their own, releasing your hand from the back of the bike seat, the first day of school, having them sleep over at a friends, and learning to drive, are all mile markers to their independence. As a parent I realize this has been happening, but the realities of my daughter's drivers license reveals to me there are only three mile markers left until complete independence. I see these as graduation, college and career.
Her drivers licence test today has put a test before me. Am I going to continue to release my arm of control in her life or will I attempt to hold on? Today she took the test on her own, passed and became a driver. She's done well and I am proud of her. As she continues to drive forward toward independence, may I continue to pass the test of releasing my control. This is all part of the "great adventure" of life and parenting. One that I have passed through and one that my parents have tested out of! In the end, may I pass as well.
Monday, August 27, 2007
"Drafting" is Illegal for Triathlons, but Not for Life
Last night I picked up my newest Triathlon Magazine for some light reading before bed. Psychologist say that there is greater probability of dreaming of the topics you just read, when read before bed. If this is the case, I figured if I dreamed about being in a triathlon I could count it toward my yearly goal. No such luck. As I flipped through the magazine I came across an article on the illegal practice of "drafting" in a triathlon. Drafting by triathlon definition is, "To move, ride, or drive close behind a fast-moving object so as to take advantage of the slipstream." When another biker or runner are in front of you they disturb the air flow and provide less resistance which saves you energy. Obviously, this is an advantage!
A couple weeks back I rode in a local bike tour with a few other friends. As we cranked through about 40 miles of the 60 mile tour some of us were starting to feel the fatigue. Okay, I was. To save my legs for another 20 miles of cranking we took turns leading. The farther I was back in the pack the more slipstreamed it was. There were times when the rest of the line was pedaling like mad and I was just coasting, having a snack, checking my voicemail and taking in fluids. In a triathlon race this is illegal. The goal of a triathlon is to perform with your own ability without the aid of others or any outside influence. It's you against the swim, bike, run, weather and course.
In life as well, we often get it in our head that we have to perform alone against the daily elements of marriage, parenting, job, health, finances, and faith. We develop the mindset that the goal of life is to perform it on our own with little help from outsiders to slipstream areas where we feel resistence. It's illegal to get help.
When pedaling through this great adventure called "life," we need to remind ourselves that God did not intend for us to ride alone but to draft off each other so as to stay fresh for the journey. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 states this drafting truth, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man or woman who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
I agree that in a triathlon race it should be a solo effort by the athlete to run the race, but in the race of life it is good practice to surround ourselves with others. By doing so, the resistance of day-to-day life stuff is streamlined and we will have continued strength to enjoy life to the full as Jesus intended in John 10:10. So if it's not a triathlon, draft away!
A couple weeks back I rode in a local bike tour with a few other friends. As we cranked through about 40 miles of the 60 mile tour some of us were starting to feel the fatigue. Okay, I was. To save my legs for another 20 miles of cranking we took turns leading. The farther I was back in the pack the more slipstreamed it was. There were times when the rest of the line was pedaling like mad and I was just coasting, having a snack, checking my voicemail and taking in fluids. In a triathlon race this is illegal. The goal of a triathlon is to perform with your own ability without the aid of others or any outside influence. It's you against the swim, bike, run, weather and course.
In life as well, we often get it in our head that we have to perform alone against the daily elements of marriage, parenting, job, health, finances, and faith. We develop the mindset that the goal of life is to perform it on our own with little help from outsiders to slipstream areas where we feel resistence. It's illegal to get help.
When pedaling through this great adventure called "life," we need to remind ourselves that God did not intend for us to ride alone but to draft off each other so as to stay fresh for the journey. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 states this drafting truth, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man or woman who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
I agree that in a triathlon race it should be a solo effort by the athlete to run the race, but in the race of life it is good practice to surround ourselves with others. By doing so, the resistance of day-to-day life stuff is streamlined and we will have continued strength to enjoy life to the full as Jesus intended in John 10:10. So if it's not a triathlon, draft away!
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