Tuesday, May 22, 2012    

Perspective

Friday, August 31st, 2007

Thanks to the generosity of my amazing Pastor (if you haven’t heard Pastor Ray preach and teach you really need to), I was able to take Logan to the Bronco game last night. He could not have been more excited when I told him we were going…he even finished his homework without a single complaint.

To everyone else it was “just a preseason game”, but to him it was an adventure. He’s been asking to go to Invesco field for awhile now…and he has really wanted to go this year since watching the Broncos on T.V. has become more interesting to him. On the way there (we took the Light Rail…which he loved too) I asked him which he was looking forward to the most: seeing the players or seeing the stadium. He couldn’t decide.

So we get to the stadium and the boy was truly in awe. It’s big, it’s shiny, it’s larger than life…especially to an 8year old boy. The seats were great–Club Level about even with the South End Zone (not a bad way to experience your first pro football game). He was so awestruck by the entire scene he couldn’t even eat his $5 hot dog (that’s a whole other blog…how do they sell a $0.25 hot dog for $5 and keep a straight face?)…and hot dogs & ketchup are a major food group for Logan!

I don’t think he watched much of the game. And not because it was mainly third string players, primarily because there was too much else for him to take in. There were roughly 55,000 in attendance, but I doubt anyone paid as much attention to the entire scenery as Logan did…he even noticed the guys standing at the top of the scoreboard (I had to look twice to see them after he pointed them out).

It was fun watching him experience this new atmosphere. For most of the people at the game it was just a game. For Logan it was a little more than that. He may or may  not look back on this as a grand memory in his lifetime, but it was still watching someone experience something larger than life for the first time. Made me appreciate it a little more too.

Thanks again Ray for the opportunity…you made an 8year old’s day!

31.08.2007 Broncos, Family, Misc Ramblings, Sports No Comments

Reconnecting and Reminiscing

Tuesday, August 28th, 2007

This past week I have reconnected with two of my good high school friends. In both cases it’s been a long time since we’ve talked or been connected in any significant way (aside from a few email discussions a few years back…about 18 years since we graduated). I must admit that I am terrible when it comes to staying connected with friends (and sometimes family) that aren’t close to me geographically (my issue not theirs).

So as I’ve been reconnecting with these two friends (who I was very close to in high school), my mind naturally has wandered back to the “good ol’ times”. In just a few short emails we’ve already started reminiscing and telling “remember when” stories. Some of the stories bring back good memories…some bring back not so good memories. But each one of those stories, and each one the people in the stories, has in one way or another shaped who I am today.

In some cases I have had overcome those “shapings”…as I was “mishappen” by those events and decisions that I made. In other cases I can say that the events, decisions, and people that made up my past have shaped me in a positive way (sometimes in ways they will never know).

Reminds me of the passage in Scripture that says ”God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28). God has used my passed (the good and the bad) to shape me into His man for His purposes.

In any event, I look forward to connecting and reminiscing even more with two new/old friends. I’m sure I will even be able to make other connections. I for one love reliving the past…good, bad, or ugly. I generally can find the humor and good side of those experiences. And those experiences are uniquely mine. Even if some of them did involve large amounts of tequila at too young of an age (maybe that’s where those brain cells went!).

28.08.2007 Friends, Misc Ramblings No Comments

Latest Family Photo

Friday, August 24th, 2007

Since our last family photo was about 4 years ago…we finally decided it was time for a new one:

The Baumgartners 2007
The Baumgartners 2007

24.08.2007 Family 1 Comment

Fear and Fire

Thursday, August 23rd, 2007

I just  finished the book of Hebrews as part of my daily devotionals. Looking back on my notes, one verse stands out (at least right now). Hebrews is typically viewed as a book about faith (for good reason), but this particular verse is about something more…

 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed,
let us be thankful and please God
by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 
For our God is a consuming fire.
Hebrews 12:28-29

Two things in particular strike me about this passage (and there’s a lot in there to unpack):

  1. How we please God is by worshiping Him. But not just any kind of worship…we are called to worship Him with “Holy Fear” and “Awe”. I don’t know about you, but I don’t see much in the way of holy fear OR awe…even in Christian circles nowadays. Where has it gone? Am I just not seeing it? I certainly don’t think I live my life that way very often.

  2. So, why should we worship God like this? I love this part…because God is a consuming fire! Our God is dangerous, risky, powerful. He consumes our lives with the fire of His Spirit. This is an image that inspires me…deep down in the depths of my soul.

I’m still on the journey, still learning, but this passage challenges me to look at how I worship God. I certainly shouldn’t be worshiping Him meekly…I am to worship Him with awe and respect. And He is a consuming fire that will inhabit that praise and my life.

Lord, consume my life…every part…with your fire!

23.08.2007 Devotional, Father, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Making a Stand…

Sunday, August 19th, 2007

This has been one of those weeks where God has been trying to get my attention about a specific topic…and it worked this week. It was easy to pick up on this time. It’s not hard when every time I turned around He was speaking to me in one form another. I was getting it from Scripture, from the sermon on Sunday and from two of the books I’m currently reading (I counted and I am currently reading 6 books right now…starting to wonder how I’m keeping them all straight).

Anyway, when God uses that many different resources to speak to me, I usually try to pay pretty close attention. And this is a character issues that the Spirit is prodding me to work on. It’s not a sin issue, just a character development issue that He has chosen now to address. And the issue is about letting go of my own comfort and living my life for Him in the open.

I confess that I place far too much emphasis on being “accepted” by those around me (“the world” for a better term). It’s hard for me to suffer for Christ and live a life that’s truly counter to our culture…I’d much rather try and blend into the background of society…not make too many waves as a Christian.

What’s been clear to me this week is that God is calling me to live my Christian walk more “on the edge”. To be more “counter-culture” versus “culture sensitive”. To stand out instead of blending in. To be God’s man in the open instead of in the background.

That’s no comfortable, but it’s God’s calling for every Christian…and it’s what He’s working on in me right now. It doesn’t mean being obnoxious or rude…it means taking Him into my daily life and sharing Him with others even when that makes me uncomfortable (when I’d rather just keep my mouth shut instead of offending the other person or making them feel uncomfortable).

He asked me this question this morning: “David, have you every truly made a stand for Me?”. Ouch! I can’t honestly say that I’ve done it too much. And when I think about the spiritual giants (Jesus, Paul, Peter, etc) I can’t help but notice that every once in awhile (or more) they ruffled a few feathers. Their intentions were always good, but the Gospel message always seems to have that effect at some time. And I haven’t been sharing that message enough in my daily walk…at work specifically…to ever ruffle anyone’s feathers. I’m too busy making sure “everyone likes me”.

Like I said, I’m working on it with His help. I started this morning by giving Him “permission” (like He really needs it right?) to begin and continue this work in me. To show me the areas in my life where I’m holding back or am not seizing an opportunity for Him because I’m holing back in order to save face. I am yielding this part of my spiritual life to Him. I must admit it’s a little unnerving…but whoever said following Christ was easy? (and if they did say it…what planet were they on?)

19.08.2007 Holy Spirit, Ministry, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings 3 Comments

Fantasy Football Draft

Sunday, August 19th, 2007

This afternoon was our fantasy football draft and we had a great time! Nothing like getting 10 guys together to haggle and trash talk with each other for 3 hours. And it’s one more sign that NFL Football is just around the corner.

For what it’s worth, here’s the team I drafted:

  1. Starting Lineup:
    1. Head Coach: Brian Billick ($1)
    2. QB: Marc Bulger ($17)
    3. RB1: Shaun Alexander ($35)
    4. RB2: Travis Henry (22)
    5. WR1: Larry Fitzgerald ($19)
    6. WR2: Lee Evans ($7)
    7. K: Matt Stover ($1)
    8. DEF: Miami Dolphins ($1)
  2. The Bench:
    1. QB: Brett Favre ($1)
    2. RB: Brandon Jacobs ($11)
    3. RB: Maurice Morris ($1)
    4. WR: Jericho Cotchery ($2)
    5. WR: Greg Jennings ($1)
    6. WR: Santonio Holmes ($1)

    3. Overall I am pleased with the team (more so than some previous years). There are some risks in the lineup (as always), but I think I’ve mitigated them with secondary picks (and I always make changes during the year anyway). Pleased with the core which is the most important thing. Now it’s hoping everyone stays healthy and has a monster year.

    And for the record, I think most of the guys in the league drafted well…gonna be a tough one!

19.08.2007 Hobbies, Sports No Comments

Broncos vs 49ers (Preseason)

Tuesday, August 14th, 2007

Football is finally here!! Yes, I know it’s just the preseason…but when you’ve been “jonesing” for football since January you take what you can get. And while the entire preseason game isn’t very exciting (OK, downright dull)…it wasn’t a total loss. We got to see some of the “new guard” take the field for the first time. Here’s my assessment (for what it’s worth…which is about…well…nothing):

  • The Good: Jay Cutler & Travis Henry. Individually they are very good…together I think they will make a great tandem. Defenses will have trouble focusing on either one. Should make for a fun year watching this offense get better and better…more dangerous each week. On a smaller level, Sauerbrun looked OK.
  • The Bad: The new defense has a ways to go. Denver couldn’t stop the run to save their own jobs (which is the case for some of these guys). And they weren’t even facing Frank Gore! I’m putting on my optimistic hat and hoping that this is a case of a new system that just needs a little more time…let’s just hope it’s no more than 3 more games. But it does make me nervous.
  • The Unknowns: Didn’t see much from Daniel Graham and there are still some question marks surrounding the WR position (aside from Walker of course). I’m also not sure about Special Teams coverage…didn’t see a lot good or bad, but I was hoping for something more spectacular (more games should help clarify this situation a little more).

I’m still optimistic about the Bronco’s chances this year. I think the playoffs are a strong possibility and am still calling for them to lead the West (I still think Norv Turner will screw things up in San Diego somehow).

One final thought…did you see the size of Sam Adams?? The man is a house (and then some)!! Here’s to more football (and it’s nice that the Broncs play again on Saturday)!

14.08.2007 Broncos, Sports 2 Comments

Have A Little Faith

Sunday, August 12th, 2007

Life is starting to get back to “normal” (whatever normal is?). School starts back tomorrow and the wanderings of the summer are coming back home. Hopefully that means a little more time to blog again, as I’ve only managed about once a week for a little while.

My musing for today is about faith. Our sermon in church this morning was about mercy (and it was a great sermon), but sometimes God shows me something else through His word…stuff I wasn’t even looking for. So in addition to hearing about mercy this morning, God gave me a quick lesson on faith (and my lack of it).

The “revelation” came in the form of one of Jesus’ stories. This one is found in Matthew 17:14-20. It’s the story of a father with a boy who is demon possessed. The dad takes the boy to the disciple to have them cast out the demon…but they can’t do it. So the father appeals to a higher power …Jesus (and rats out the disciples in the process).

Frustrated, Jesus has the boy brought to Him and in about half a second casts the demon out…BAM! Just like that…nothing to it. So the disciples ask Jesus the obvious question (I’m sure they waited for a little private moment to spare themselves the embarrassment): “Jesus, why couldn’t we cast out the demon?”

And the answer Jesus gives is as piercing to me today as I’m sure it was to the disciples 2,000 years ago:

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them.
“I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed,
you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move.
Nothing would be impossible.”

What a smack in the face! Jesus tells us it doesn’t take much faith…just a mustard seed amount (and that’s small) and you can move mountains. Apparently the disciples didn’t even have that much…they couldn’t cast out a demon much less move an entire mountain.

Can’t say that I fare much better on most days. But it’s quite a thought to think we have this kind of spiritual power at our finger tips. And all it takes is a little faith in the God of the Universe…who happens to care about us and wants our very best. Just need to have little faith and “nothing would be impossible”. Wow.

12.08.2007 Devotional, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Finding the Joy

Monday, August 6th, 2007

I’ve been challenged over the past few days about “the Joy of the Lord”. I wish I could say I was were i needed to be in this area of my spiritual journey…but I’m not. And I’m both convicted and conflicted about it.

Just seems lately that my spiritual walk is more about

  • Toil than Joy
  • Persevering than Overcoming
  • Hard Work than Effortless Action

I think you get the point. Now I’m not saying our spiritual journey is supposed to be easy or simple…scripture makes it very clear that’s not reality (promises a hard road actually). But underneath it all is supposed to be the idea of joy and hope and the power of God working in our lives.

And it’s there. I just haven’t been living like it much. I tend to make the problem seem like God’s problem (“God, why can’t you just make me happy”) instead of my problem (“God, help me to see the joy and hope in life everyday”).

I tell my kids all the time that their attitude is up to them…they choose their attitude.

Sounds like I should take some of my own advise. God has done so much for me…and has sacrificed everything to give me a future beyond my wildest imagination! I have an amazing wife, great kids, and He has met our every need (and most of our wants).

I am blessed…and finding the joy in my daily walk with my Heavenly Father! How about you? Do live your every day knowing something better is on the horizon?? Do you have the “joy of the Lord”? Or are you still a work in progress like me??

06.08.2007 Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Logan’s Birthday!

Thursday, August 2nd, 2007

Today is Logan’s 8th birthday. Here’s how his special day went:

  • We started off the celebrations by attending Broncos Training Camp (which he quickly tired of…but we made the effort anyway). We left just before the real practices got going and the heat cranked up.
  • Then we came home and made his cake. Logan insisted on baking and decorating the cake himself (with a little help). It was a chocolate cake with white chocolate frosting. We decorated it with a guitar using Twisler’s candy.
  • We had a little party at my mom’s house with her daycare kids (the family get-together is next Friday). We gave him his big present there…a new iPod Shuffle (just what he asked for and he hasn’t taken it off since we got home and loaded it). He also got a Black Spiderman costume, some new Spy Gear, headphones, a wallet, some cash, and a couple of other toys (not a bad haul).
  • Tonight will be fairly quiet and then he’s taking his mom to a movie tomorrow.

I can’t believe he’s already 8 years old! Seems like yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital.

I love every one of my kids…no matter how much I complain about them (which is too much). Logan has a heart of gold…compassion that makes me a little envious. And he’s had such a heavy cross to bear so far in his 8 years. I don’t know what plans God has in store for him, but they must be truly amazing!

02.08.2007 Family No Comments