Tuesday, May 22, 2012    

Lunch with a 5 Year Old

Wednesday, October 31st, 2007

Yesterday Anita was at a Worship Conference in Colorado Springs. I stayed home to work so that I could pick up the kids from school. Tuesday is a half-day for Kyle, my 5 year old, so I picked him up earlier than the other two. Since I had him to myself I decided to take him out to lunch–just the two of us.

I let him pick the place. This decision turned into a 10 minute tennis match between McDonalds and Village Inn. It’s a good thing they are close to each other or I would have had to turn the car around no fewer than 10 times as he changed his mind…it’s a tough decision for a 5 year old brain. At one point he even said, “Let’s go to both!”

He finally settled on Village Inn (thank goodness…can’t stand much at McD). So there we sat, Dad and son. He is so much fun–especially when he’s by himself and doesn’t have to compete for attention with his siblings. He, of course, order the Funny Face meal drenched in more syrup than should be legally allowed.

While we waited for the food we played Tic-Tac-Toe. I tried teaching him about “the block”, but he’s just to aggressive. He goes for the win instead of keeping his opponent from winning…a good trait until he loses one turn too soon. At least he’s not a sore loser and he actually started to pick it up around the 10th game–and he even won one game (which is sad because I didn’t let him win–DOH!).

It was one of the best lunches I’ve had in a long time. Spending time with my little guy, having fun together…what could be better? My favorite moment? When Kyle asked me, “So Dad, how was your day?” And he actually wanted to know–he wasn’t just repeating a question he’d heard before.

Thanks for a great afternoon Kyle!

Frustration

Sunday, October 28th, 2007

This is a blog post just to get some stuff off my chest–nothing more.

I hate that raising kids is so frustrating sometimes (or is that often times?).

I know that there will be a day in the not too distant future that I’ll wish for thee days again…but that’s not today. 

I know that my frustration probably makes things worse…but in the heat of the moment that doesn’t help.

I know that I’m probably not doing some basic things I should be doing…but what those things are I’m not sure.

I know kids are kids and that they aren’t any more perfect than I am (and they are learning)…but it’s painful going through the process.

I know that nobody else (except for maybe my wife) even really cares…but ranting sure feels better.

I know that this is also probably how my Father feels about me sometimes…”why won’t David just grow up and do what he knows to do? He just never listens and always seems to do what I don’t want him to do”.

I know I love my family more than anything else in the world…the ranting has already worked a little bit (at least until they start fighting again).  ;o)

The Taser

Monday, October 22nd, 2007

I don’t often pass along email chains, but I can’t help it with this one. I was almost in tears while reading this (and only a guy would even think of doing something like this):

A guy who purchased his lovely wife a pocket Taser for their anniversary submitted this:

Last weekend at Larry’s Pistol & Pawn Shop I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Toni. What I came across was a 100,000-volt pocket/purse- sized taser.
 
The effects of the taser were supposed to be short lived, with no  long-term adverse affect on an assailant. The idea is to allow my wife — who would never consider a gun — adequate time to retreat to safety.  WAY TOO COOL!!
 
Long story short,  I bought the device and brought it home. I loaded in two triple-a  batteries and pushed the button. Nothing!

I was disappointed. But then I read (yes, ‘read’) that if I pushed the button AND pressed it against a metal surface at the same time; I’d get the blue arch of  electricity darting back and forth between the prongs and I’d know it was working.
 
Awesome!!! (Actually, I have yet to explain to Toni what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave).

Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn’t be all that bad with only two triple-A batteries, right?!!

There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh and blood moving target. I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and thought better of it. She is such a  sweet cat. But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect  herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work  as advertised. Am I wrong??

So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading  glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, and taser in another.

The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; a three-second burst would  purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water. Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries.

So, I’m sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side as if to say, “don’t do it,” reasoning that a one-second burst from such a tiny little ole thing couldn’t hurt all that bad.I decided to give myself a one-second burst just for the heck of it.
 
I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and HOLY MOTHER OF &*#, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION @!@$$!%!@*!! I’m pretty sure Jessie Ventura ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, and body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs.

You should know, if you ever feel compelled to “mug” yourself with a taser, that there is no such thing as a one-second burst when you zap yourself.  You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor. SON-OF-A-BLEEP… that hurt like heck!!!
 
A minute or so later (I can’t be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), I collected what little wits I had left, sat up and surveyed the landscape. My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace. How did they up get there???  My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching. My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs.

I’m still looking for my testicles!! I’m offering a significant reward for their safe return.

Still in shock,
 
Earl

I don’t care who you are–that’s funny (true or not)!!

Back to School

Saturday, October 20th, 2007

For those of you who are not aware, I started back to school this past week. Yep…round 2 (or is that round 3, can’t keep track any more). That’s right…and this time I’m doing it all online.

The plan is to have my Bachelors Degree completed within 2 or 3 years (really planning on 2, but sandbagging by throwing in the extra year). If all goes according to plan I will have a major in Christian Education in the Local Church with a minor in Pastoral Ministry (the minor I basically get for free because of the classes I’ve already taken).

Like I said, this is all online and will be taken through Nazarene Bible College–the same college I started with (and just never quite finished). I started my first “class” this week, if you call it that: Online Orientation. I’ve actually learned a lot about the online college experience and it wraps up after this next week.

After that, I will be taking 2 classes per 14 week semester (one at a time, 7 weeks each). First up is Youth Ministry followed by Multiple Staff Ministries. Already have my books (3 for each class…yes, that’s a total of 6 books…all of which must be read within the next 14 weeks). Good thing I like to read!

Keep me and the family in your prayers. It’s not going to be easy balancing everything, but God has a master plan and we’re following it. I have a strange feeling school will be the easy part. Making the transition from well-paid professional to not-so-well-paid associate minister will be tough–but again, it’s God’s plan and we’re following it. The ultimate plan is to be in full-time (I think) Discipleship Ministry (or Family Pastor, or Small Group Pastor, or ???) in about 3 years.

Like I said…be praying for us…

How Much Does a Penny Cost?

Wednesday, October 17th, 2007

This is a follow-up to a previous blog entry about my belief that pennies being outlawed.

Today I had a discussion with a co-worker about my little “penny soap box” and he asked me how much I thought it cost to make a penny. I wasn’t sure, but we both agreed that we were sure it cost more than $0.01 to make the dumb things (which only helps fuel my disdiain for pennies).

So tonight I goggled it and here’s the answer…according to the U.S. Mint, it cost $0.0123 to make a penny. Can you believe that?? It costs more to make a penny (and a nickle for that matter) than its worth. So they are truly worthless! Only in America would we continue to make something nobody really cares about and that isn’t worth the energy it takes to create.

Gives new meaning to the old saying that people just do things because that’s the way they’ve always done them. I for one think it’s time to stop the madness and get rid of the penny!

 BTW, Justin and I are heading back up to Wyoming this week to hopefully fill our second Antelope tags, so more stories and pictures to come…

The Click Heard Round the World

Saturday, October 13th, 2007

As mentioned in previous blogs, last weekend was my first hunt of the season: Antelope just south of Casper Wyoming (see the pics here). There were a total of 7 guys that went on the trip–6 of use were hunting. It was a crazy weekend with 3 of us getting our first taste at the hunting gig (myself included). We had just about every kind of weather you can imagine in 3 days: Sun, wind, rain, snow (3 inches of it), and fog (hard to hunt in that stuff man)–and the temperature swings to go with it. But it was still a blast! Nothing like hanging out with the guys and doing something truly manly (keep the jokes to yourself)!

So, here’s my first hunting story…

Justin, Alex and I went out on the hunt right after getting camp set up on Friday afternoon. We spotted a couple of herds of antelope and began what has now become known as “The Death Stalk”. I’m guessing it was about a 3 mile hike in total. We work around one ridge only to find the antelope had beaten us to the next ridge…but we kept trudging on. It’s what we had expected and hoped for (we weren’t looking for the easy shot–at least not this early).

Finally we had a small herd in our sights. We crested a ridge and had several antelope ahead of us–about 200 yards away in the valley. We had decided that Justin would be the primary shooter, but he couldn’t get the 3 antelope he was tracking to stand still long enough. While we were waiting I got the angle on a nice doe–she was dead to rights. Alex told me to take the shot as Jsutin’s groups still hadn’t settled down and we were going to lose them soon.

So I lined up for the shot…got her in the cross-hairs…took a deep breath…and squeezed the trigger…

That’s when I heard the worst sound ever…”CLICK”!!!

The hammer came down just like it’s supposed to, but the gun didn’t fire! I was in complete shock! We’ve been to range numerous times and I’ve shot off over 80 rounds in preparation for this hunt–all with no issues. My first game is in my sights, I pull the trigger and get rewarded with…”CLICK”.

I couldn’t believe it! And by the time I regained my composure and was ready for the next shot the antelope were gone. Un-freaking-believable.

But at least I have a good hunting story now. And the next day both Justin and I got our first antelope (or any game for that matter)…and those shots where better than we could have planned (no more deafening “clicks” this time). Two shots on the same herd and two antelope safely in our refrigerators.

And we are heading back up next weekend to fill our second tags…here’s to more memories!

Bronco’s Prediction Updated

Friday, October 12th, 2007

OK, so I was WAY too optimistic with my W-L predictions for the Broncos (I had them going 11-6 on Sept 16th). Here is my updated prediction (I’m afraid even this might be a reach unless the Defense make significant strides)…  

   Opponent     Prediction
at Buffalo            W
Oakland              W
Jacksonville        L
at Indianapolis    L
San_Diego           L
BYE 
Pittsburgh          L
Green_Bay         W
at Detroit            L
at Kansas City   L
Tennessee          W
at Chicago           L
at Oakland         L
Kansas_City      W
at Houston        W
at San_Diego     L
Minnesota          W

Season Prediction: 7 and 9

It’s not Just for Pastors…

Friday, October 12th, 2007

I start my first on-line college class on Monday…but it’s not a “real” class, it’s on-line orientation. But it’s a start.

My first real class starts November 5th–Youth Ministry. I ordered all of the books for the course and they came earlier this week. I figured I’d get a jump start on the reading and one of the books has already captured my attention: The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry. This book is about more than youth ministry…the principles apply to all ministry.

I’m only 2 chapters in, but it’s been a good reminder that ministry is not about programs…it’s about people. And ministry isn’t just about getting to know people (although that’s important)…”youth ministry sets out to introduce teenagers to a particular relationship–namely, a relationship with Jesus Christ” (p. 27). I would argue that’s not just a goal for youth ministry.

And I would argue it’s not just for pastors! 

The Great Commandment and the Great Commission weren’t spoken for pastors only. Far from it! God wants us all in the business of introducing Him to others. No doubt pastors and teachers have an important role to play (that’s for another blog)…but we can’t abdicate our responsibility to them. We need to all be in the business of pastoring, discipling, and evangelizing each other. It’s why we are called “the Body of Christ”.

As I go about my daily life I’m trying to stay focused on what really matters–relationships not programs. I need to get involved in the lives of others–my wife, my kids, the men in my men’s group, Life Group, co-workers, and on and on…

Hunting Photos

Monday, October 8th, 2007

More to come on the entire trip, but here are the two photos that matter:

My First Kill
My First Kill

Justin's First

My Buddy Justin’s First

Both Antelope came on the same hill. I shot mine first and Justin shot his about 2 seconds later. More to come with the details.

Sunday Crusaders Update

Thursday, October 4th, 2007

We are now 4 games into the fantasy football season and things are not what I had hoped. I am currently 1-3 heading into the dreaded “Bye Week Gauntlet”. The good news is that I could have won 2 of the games I lost had I played the right players (who knew I should play Ronnie Brown over Travis Henry 2 weeks ago??). Can’t seem to get all of my players to fire at the same time (like I have anything to do with it). Hopefully things work themselves out over the year as I’m still fairly happy with my team. Time will tell…

 BTW, I obviously missed one of the games for the Broncos (I thought they’d be 3-1 right now…never saw that loss to Jacksonville coming!). I’m also not all that confident about my predicted win this Sunday to the Chargers. I think the only way the Broncos can win is to 9 guys in the box, shadow LT with 2 guys, and dare Rivers to beat Champ or Bly. Otherwise LT just might run for 400 yards and 17 touchdowns against “The Predominantly Orange Sieve Defense”.

Go Rockies!!