Wednesday, February 8, 2012    

Balance, Grasshopper, Balance

Monday, July 30th, 2007

Do you remember that old TV show Kung Fu? My topic for today (I can’t believe it’s been almost a week since I’ve blogged) would fit very nicely in that show…balance.  I can almost see the flashback scene as “Grasshopper” is taught some ancient lesson by the “Master” (I always liked the waking on rice paper challenge myself). Not sure what the object lesson would have been, but the topic has been running through my mind for the past 24 hours.

Particularly finding balance in daily life. In typical American style, we all have too much going on…too many plates spinning if you will. (Hey! Maybe that would have been the object lesson…Grasshopper would have to keep like 500 plates spinning all at once. And they would of course be priceless, irreplaceable artifacts that couldn’t be damaged).  But I digress…

As I was saying, our lives are full of “stuff”. We even wear too many hats. You know the list: spouse, parent, worker, small group leader (or attender), cub scout leader, team coach, chauffeur, <fill in the blank>. Hard to be focused with so many conflicting demands being placed on us. It’s especially difficult when everything we do all seems so important.

That’s been the thing I’ve been struggling with lately…since life is too full, what do i give up doing? Every time I think i’ve got the answer, I think, “But that thing i’m giving up is important too…” and I put it right back on the list. I’m sure i’m not the only one struggling with this wrestling match. Otherwise, the common wish that there where 28 hours in every day wouldn’t exist.

And then I got the real 2×4 over the head this morning listening to the radio this morning. Chuck Swindoll was started “meddling” and brought this passage up:

Be still, and know that I am God!
(Psalm 46:10a)

It’s those first two words that get me in trouble…”be still”. I can’t seem to be still to save my life!! I’ve got too much going on! Doesn’t God know that? Doesn’t He care? The answer of course is: “Yes, He knows” and “Yes, He cares”. That’s why he wants me to be still for a little bit…because that’s when I get to know Him. And that’s when true balance comes into my life.

Balance, Grasshopper, Balance!

30.07.2007 Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings 1 Comment

Double Trouble for Lohan

Tuesday, July 24th, 2007

This is one of those stories you couldn’t make up if you tried. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve heard that Lindsay Lohan has been arrested AGAIN for DUI (in case you have been living under a rock…you can read the story here). What a mess. First she has a major struggle with alcohol and drug abuse and is in rehab multiple times. On top of that she gets busted for DUI and a Hit-and-Run charge (that happened over Memorial Day weekend–just turned herself in last week for that one). And then early this morning she gets busted again for DUI and driving with a suspended license. And the icing on the cake? During a pre-booking search the cops find cocaine on her–add drug possession to the list!

All day long I’ve been listening and reading about this story…and I must say that my first reaction was much the same as most of what I heard: “This girl needs to be put away for a loooong time! She is a mess!”. During my workout this afternoon I heard a conservative TV host rail on about how people are feeling sorry for her when instead they should be throwing the book at her.

I have to be honest…I’m struggling with this one. One the one hand, I certainly think she deserves whatever punishment is coming her way. And I hope she gets everything she deserves…especially if it wakes her up (why do we so often have to hit absolute rock bottom before we turn things around??).

On the other hand…she is a mess. And for some reason my heart goes out to her. She is obviously trapped in a deep cycle of addiction. She is screaming (in her own way) for help…and I’m sure she is scared to death that she won’t be able to conquer this beast that has its grip on her. She is a hurt, scared little girl.

Something our pastor said this week keeps ringing in my head when I think about her situation: “Jesus died for Lindsay Lohan”. It’s so easy for me to pass judgement on her instead of having a heart of compassion. It’s so easy to think I’d never do the things she is doing (that thought lasts for about a nano-second because I know it isn’t true). It’s the old “there but for the grace of God go I” cliche…only this time I’m not sure it’s a cliche.

Call me a “bleeding heart”, but for some reason this story has me being more compassionate than I typically am for celebrities. I think this girl found too much fame and fortune and just flat out wasn’t prepared for it. Mix in the wrong crowd and you’ve got a recipe for disaster…the nightmare she finds herself in right now.

I just pray that she hits bottom and genuinely turns to God for help out of the “miry clay”. And right on the heals of that prayer is that I will learn from her mistakes and keep my nose pointed down the narrow way myself…and maybe even exercise a little more compassion for those closer to me that are waging their own battles.

24.07.2007 Misc Ramblings No Comments

A Little Humility

Monday, July 23rd, 2007

The vacation is over…and I’m back to blogging on other topics besides vacations.

As I’ve mentioned before, my Platoon (Men’s Group) is reading Dream by Kenny Luck. This week the topic is about humility. I know, about as exciting a topic as you can imagine! Almost begs for a cliche “Webster’s Dictionary Definition” (if you really want one you can click here). I must admit that I wasn’t exactly thrilled at the prospects of digging into the concept of humility (insert your own joke about needing some here).

As you might expect, I was pleasantly surprised…and challenged. The Scriptural basis for the chapter is found in Philippians 2:5-11. This is no wimpy passage…this is a “man sized challenge”. And I’ve read the passage many times…even preached on it once. Kenny unpacks the concept of having “Christ-like humility” in a way that was new to me (and no less challenging).

Too often we think about humility as me getting rid of my pride. But how do we do that? Jesus’ recipe was actually pretty simple…we change our perspective from being “self-focused” to “other-focused”. It’s about being so confident in our status with God (the fact that we are important to Him) that we don’t worry about that anymore and instead are free to focus on helping those around us. On page 49 Kenny puts it this way:

The axis of humility is internal. It is an emotional posture that makes people in your presence feel unburdened, light, and connected to you the same time…In a personal encounter, the possessor of humility disappears as an emotional obstacle to the other person and leaves two powerful forces in their place: God’s presence and the other person’s importance.

That’s the kind of man I want to be…but I am so far from it. A man that worries more about how I impact others rather than how they impact me. It’s an area God has been working on with me for some time now. It’s about being a true servant. Looking first to the needs of others. Lightening the burden others are carrying. It’s my heart’s desire…the passion deep within (I often wonder can you want humility and still get it?). 

I want to use my position as Dad, Husband, friend, co-worker, and man to serve others rather than demanding others meet my needs. This just might be one of the toughest callings of all. And I think the start is to admit that I am totally incapable of being humble on my own (now there’s an earth-shattering revelation).

I need to daily give myself to Christ and submit to His power and direction in my life. As I Peter 5:6 says, “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God…”

That’s my prayer for today.

23.07.2007 Band of Brothers, Devotional, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Vacation

Wednesday, July 18th, 2007

As my previous post makes obvious, our family went on a little vacation over the weekend. But that wasn’t the end of my vacation time…I’ve taken this week off as well. The best part? We’ve got nothing big planned! An entire week to do…well…whatever!

And I highly recommend it. Just time away from work and the normal routine of life. Time to recharge and refresh. Time to do stuff I haven’t had the time to do. Time to just hang with the wife and kids. This doesn’t mean we have nothing planned or haven’t done anything fun…just nothing big.

So far, the highlight of this week has been going Indoor Skydiving. Anita got me a certificate for my birthday (my 2006 birthday). I hadn’t gone until now because the weight limit was 250 lbs…and I was right at that limit until I lost my 60 lbs. I held it out as a reward for when I lost the weight and kept it off. Man was it worth it!! One of the coolest experiences I’ve had in a long time. Ready for the real thing now!

Also had a great Platoon meeting last night. God is truly moving among us guys…and I look forward to every week. We even had two new guys show up last night. We’re going through Kenny Luck’s Dream and it has been challenging so far (and we’re only two chapters in). If you’re not involved in a men’s group (and you’re a man) I highly recommend it…you’ll never be the same!

So what’s the plan for the rest of the week? Just finished our Boy Scout website design so I’ll probably put some finishing touches on that. A movie or two? We’re heading to Wyoming to see the In-Laws (no worries, I actually like them…what’s not to like about a Father-in-Law that builds guns for a living?).

I think a few more vacations just like this one are in my future…hopefully yours too.

18.07.2007 Band of Brothers, Misc Ramblings, Recreation No Comments

The Great Sand Dunes

Monday, July 16th, 2007

We are back from 4 fun-filled days at The Great Sand Dunes…and we had a blast!! The dunes are simply impossible to describe. Neither words or pictures do them justice, but since a picture is worth a thousand words…

View from our Campsite
The View From Our Campsite

Walking up the Dunes
Walking up the Dunes

Playing on the Dunes
Logan and Kyle Playing on the Dunes

Surfing
Me Surfing the Dunes
(she missed the crash picture that occurred seconds later)

Lindsay Climbing a Tree
Lindsay Climbing the Tree at our Campsite

The Great Sandcastle
Lindsay and I Built “The Great Sandcastle”
The Perfect Home for My Little Princess!

It took us about 5 hours to drive to The Dunes, but it was so worth it! Driving up to this wonder of God’s creation is truly awesome…seeing 40 square miles of sand (over 750 feet deep) nestled against the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range was nothing short of spectacular. And for me it brought back some great childhood memories.

We spent Thursday checking out the Vistor’s center and getting our campsite set up. Friday was a day for building a sand castle…Lindsay wanted a big one so we spent over 3 hours building the biggest sand castle I’ve ever built. Mom also helped the boys build a pyramid. Saturday we went 4-wheeling up Medano Creek..it was dry by the main area, but a few miles up-stream it was flowing. We played in the water and climbed some huge dunes (the best part is running down). On Sunday, we had breakfast and packed up for home! This is one of those family vacations we’ll treasure forever…can’t wait to go back when everyone is a little older.

The most memorable moment of the trip happened on Saturday after we 4-wheeled up Medano Creek (by the way, I love the Xterra). Lindsay and I climbed to the top of a huge sand dune on the edge of the creek and decided it was time for the real fun…running down the dune! In my haste I forgot to give her a few tips for how to run down a dune safely. So we took off and within seconds Lindsay had the crash of a lifetime! Face planting, barrel rolling….it was truly awesome! She wasn’t hurt (well, at least not physically…her ego was another matter). It was one of those awesome wipe-outs you never seem to capture on video…except we did capture this one. So (with her permission) here is the edited video for your viewing pleasure…

16.07.2007 Family, Recreation, Video 2 Comments

The Promise

Wednesday, July 11th, 2007

Scripture is full of promises. You can even by books that are full of promises from Scripture (I highly recommend them actually).  I’ve started reading the book of Romans this month (good stuff) and hit chapter 8 this week. I think this may be one of my favorite passages of Scripture. And it ends with the be-all-end-all of God’s promises. And it was something I truly needed to hear from God (I think we all do). Here it is:

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:35-39, NLT

Now there’s a promise! In case you read it over quickly, read it again…slowly. Let God’s Spirit speak these words into your soul…God Loves You! Did you get it?

I need this reminder, that no matter what’s going on in my life (good or bad)…God loves me. And nothing will ever be able to separate me from God’s love. And He proved it…by sacrificing Himself.

Not even the powers of hell and all of the enemy’s demons can keep God from loving us. That’s what I call security.

PS: The family is headed off to The Great Sands Dunes for a few days…pictures and more posts when I return!!

11.07.2007 Devotional, Discipleship, Jesus, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Football is Coming!!

Sunday, July 8th, 2007

Even though it’s summer, from a sport’s perspective I hate this time of year. The only sport going on right now is baseball and since the Rockies have pretty much always sucked and there was no professional baseball in Denver until them…I am forced to wait for football season to get here. And it’s almost here!!

Just 21 days…count them…that’s a mere 3 weeks until Broncos’ training camp starts. And the first real game (Preseason still doesn’t count) is only 2 months away. I for one cannot wait!! I love professional football and I bleed Orange & Blue! And I am pretty bullish on the Broncos’ prospects this year. I think they have a better than average shot at winning their division (can anyone guess the last time Norv Turner had a winning season as a head coach?? That would be never!). I think their season hinges on Travis Henry and Jay Cutler…and I like those odds.

And with the start of the NFL season comes half of the reason to watch. Fantasy Football baby! Two months from the draft and I’m already starting to plan. Just can’t help myself. The last two seasons I’ve had LT on my roster (and paid dearly for him too since we run an auction draft). Didn’t win either year (although I was in contention) so this year I may have other plans in mind.

NFL 2007 here we come…can’t get here soon enough!

08.07.2007 Broncos, Sports 9 Comments

One of Those Weeks

Friday, July 6th, 2007

UPDATE: After a proper chastising and reminder from Grant, I need to amend this blog and clarify what I was trying to say (sometimes my writing doesn’t convey my true intentions). Grant reminded me that he and Amy invited us over on July 4th (which we turned down for various reasons). I know…how do you spell hypocrite? “D-A-V-I-D” apparently. So, to clarify…I’m more talking about close friendships. The “no need to clean my house because they’re coming over” friendships. We’ve had them…and are developing a few as we speak. And I’m over my little rant now and feeling better. Like I said, it was just one of those weeks.  ;o)

 I am having “one of those weeks”. They happen to me every now and then…I hope they never happen to you. It’s been one of those weeks when nothing seems to be going right with the world. Now mind you, it’s not true (and I know it’s not true)…but to me that’s how it feels.

Not sure what triggers it. Not sure exactly how to stop it.

Frankly, I’m hoping writing about it helps a little bit since nothing else I’ve tried (aside from time) seems to work. I have just simply been down in the dumps all week. And my poor wife is stuck bearing the brunt of it. I just hope she realizes it’s not her I’m down in the dumps about…not sure what shape I’d be in without her.

This week the cause seems to be friendships (I’m never sure what the main cause will be). At the risk of sounding petty, whiny, and flat out self-centered and immature…it just doesn’t seem like I can develop really good friendships. And sometimes it just depresses me. Maybe I’m too needy? Maybe not needy enough? Maybe not friendly enough? I’m not sure.

It’s not that I don’t have friends…just not close friends. On most weekends and holidays we don’t have anyone ask us to hang out. Can’t actually remember the last time it happened. Makes me wonder what’s wrong with us. Is it our kids? Is it me? Is it us? Kind of frustrating because I hear all the time how lonely society is nowadays. Is that true? If so, why is it so hard?

And I’m actively involved in ministry (maybe too many right now in fact)…but I’m not connecting like I’d like to be. I think my ministry is effective…but is it really building community when I feel so isolated? Or is this just the enemy doing a number on me?

I pray about it, but nothing seems to change. Maybe that’s the problem…maybe I need to change.

Something to think about. Not sure I feel better now…maybe a little stupid and embarrassed for venting like this. But that’s supposed to be the point of this blog…the good, the bad and the ugly along the journey. Thanks for listening to my rant (if you’re still listening). If you’ve ever felt this way before…please share. Misery loves company right??

06.07.2007 Fellowship, Misc Ramblings 8 Comments

The Lighter Side

Wednesday, July 4th, 2007

After reviewing some of my posts over the last month I have noticed a slight trend toward the serious side of life. Anyone who knows me very well knows that I’m not generally serious for very long. Now I know that’s kind of the intent of the blog, but I think it’s time for the lighter side. So, here’s a story that should make you smile (and it’s all true)…

As you know, I’ve been in the process of losing weight over the past 5 months. I hit my target loss of 60 pounds several weeks ago. One of the few downsides to losing that much weight is the change in clothes sizes. Don’t get me wrong, buying a few new clothes is fun…but an entire wardrobe gets expensive after awhile! But my resourceful wife (who loves to shop) has managed to find great bargains on just about every item of clothing I now have.

A couple of weeks ago I came home to find a new package of underwear on my dresser (one of the items I never really thought about needing to replace until they started falling off…too much information??). At the time, the only problem I could find with the new package was that they were “tighty whities”. I don’t do “tighty whities”. Used to…not anymore.

So I mentioned it to Anita. And that’s when the real problem came up. Turns out we couldn’t return the package. Mind you, I hadn’t opened them yet and was certain she still had the receipt. So what could the problem possibly be??

Get this –> She bought them at The Goodwill!!! My wonderful. adoring, beautiful wife bought me underwear from The Goodwill…still boggles my mind!

Who buys underwear for their husband at The Goodwill (in the package or not)!?!? And who in their right mind would wear them?

In case you’re wondering…no, I don’t wear them!

Happy 4th of July!!

04.07.2007 Family, Humor, Misc Ramblings 6 Comments

Are You an Atheist?

Monday, July 2nd, 2007

During the sermon this week, our pastor said something that has stuck with me. It was a short phrase and wasn’t even the main part of the message. But for some reason it continues to resonate with me. Maybe that’s because it’s a truth spoken a little differently. Here’s the phrase:

Worry is just another form of atheism.

When he said it I even cocked my head to the side a little and let it sink in (then I grabbed a pen and wrote it down). He went on to explain that if we are worrying, it’s because we aren’t trusting God…aren’t letting God be God. Instead, we are taking on the problem ourselves because we don’t believe God will come through or that God is able to take care of us (or the situation we’re facing). We figure God must need our help…but then we realize that we aren’t really able to handle it either…so we worry.

Scripture is very clear that we are never to worry. I think we all struggle with worry and anxiety. I know I do!

Maybe that’s because we’ve all got a little atheist in us that just doesn’t really trust God enough to take care of us (even though He promises to do so over and over and over again!!). So today I am trying to turn over a new leaf and let God be God…to let God take care of my problems.

I’ll let you know how it goes…

02.07.2007 Church, Spiritual Musings No Comments