Thursday, May 24, 2012    

Markers

Tuesday, February 1st, 2011

We need markers in our life (no, not the kind of markers in the picture). We need them in our family life—birthdays, anniversaries, special holidays. We need them in our work life—your hire date, the annual Christmas party, deadlines, open enrollment. We need them in our spiritual life—??? Oops!

Why do we not seem to celebrate key markers in our spiritual life much anymore (or am I just missing them). We have key holidays such as Easter and Christmas, but those are quickly deteriorating into commercial enterprises. We don’t reflect much or spend much time actually celebrating what we’re supposed to be celebrating (they turn more into family markers than markers of our spiritual journey).

We need markers along our spiritual path to remind us of where we’ve come from and where God is taking us. They’re important. God has used them since the very beginning. This morning I was reading about the Exodus from Egypt and guess what we find? Markers…

This annual festival will be a visible sign to you, like a mark branded on your hand or your forehead. Let it remind you always to recite this teaching of the Lord: “With a strong hand, the Lord rescued you from Egypt.” (Exodus 13:9, NLT)

Passover was “like a mark” to the Israelites. It was established to ensure they would always remember what God did for them…where they had been. God established this particular marker because He knew it was important. For them. For us. But we don’t do this much anymore. We need to.

Several years ago when Anita and I took a spiritual retreat together to pray and talk about going back into full-time ministry. We stole away for Winter Park. We prayed. We talked. God showed up. There was healing. There was an answer. We wanted to remember that weekend so we agreed that we would purchase a marker…some tangible, visible reminder of what God started that weekend. And we did. It’s a little silver angel that sits on the mantle in our bedroom. Whenever I see it I know that we’re doing what God asked us to do. It marks an important event. When times get tough, the marker is there to remind.

We need markers in our spiritual journey. What are the markers along your path? What markers do you need set up?

01.02.2011 Ministry, New Pastor Journal, Spiritual Development, Spiritual Musings No Comments

Parking on a Driveway

Wednesday, September 2nd, 2009

There’s an old joke by Steven Wright that goes something like this: “Why do people drive on a parkway and park on a driveway?” While this is largely a question for English majors, it does beg a question that came up last night as we drove up to some friends’ house for dinner.

Why don’t people park in driveways? Why is it socially “taboo”?

Anita and I got in a little “discussion” about this as she parked on the street while there was a perfectly good parking spot on the driveway. And we have people over all the time…with a huge driveway…and they park on the street about 90% of the time.

Now, I can understand it if your car leaks oil like a sieve, but not many of the people I know anymore have cars that do that (we aren’t driving clunkers like we used to). I know our car doesn’t leak, but there we were parked on the street.

What gives? I don’t get it. Please…shed the light on my perplexity…and for goodness sakes, park on my driveway…

02.09.2009 Humor, Misc Ramblings, Soap Box 8 Comments

So Far, So Good

Sunday, July 19th, 2009

Anita has now officially been gone for three days. I think most betting people had the over/under for me taking care of the kids without losing my mind at about 3 days…so the rest of this week will really tell tale, but so far we’ve managed just fine.

The house is in working order…even managed to vacuum, mop, and do some dishes. The kids haven’ been bored yet, but that’s because I’ve kept them so busy they haven’t had time to think much: The pool, movies (thank Beth!), a car race, fixing my brakes, and hanging out together. Again, next week will be the real test since I will be working from home and not able to do all the “fun stuff”.

They also haven’t missed Anita too badly yet. Skype has helped that a lot…and staying busy. This is one I know will change. The longer  she’s gone the worse it will get. The more bored they get. The more “mean” I get (a.k.a.: The less new I am). I miss her already and wonder how she does this “job” so well. It’s a lot of work…God Bless all those single mom’s out there. They are a miracle!

So…next week here we come…more to report as the week goes on. Pray for me…pray for Anita…but mostly pray for my kids. ;-)

19.07.2009 Family, Misc Ramblings No Comments

In a Little Row Boat to…

Thursday, July 16th, 2009

beijingIf you are truly a child of the 80′s then you will be able to finish the song lyric (hint: “China”). This morning at 5:30 am Anita was picked up by our friends and her travel companions for an 11 day trip to China! Quite an adventure for a woman who has only been outside of the country once (and it hardly counted…Vancouver).

She and five other members of our church Praise Team are heading to China to lead worship for two Sundays at the Beijing International Christian Fellowship, an ex-patriot church of about 6,000 people that is allowed to worship on Chinese soil. They will also be doing some sight-seeing (i.e.: Great Wall and Forbidden City) and visiting a couple of orphanages. It’s a great opportunity for Anita and she is following God’s leading…and what a big step it is! They have an 18 hour flight before hitting the ground running on Saturday and Sunday.

I’m way excited for her. Now…11 days playing “Mr. Mom”? Doesn’t sound too bad…should be a lot of fun…but a lot of people think I’m crazy!  We’re going to have a lot of fun together, but we will all miss mom a lot. Kyle is already saying he misses her…I’ll just have to keep them so busy they don’t have time to think about it.

Anita will have all kinds of pictures and stories when she gets back…so stay tuned…

16.07.2009 Family, Ministry, Outreach No Comments

Happy Birthday Baby!

Friday, May 29th, 2009

My precious wife (see Proverbs 31) is 29 years old again today!! And we are off to spend a quiet weekend together (sans children) to celebrate and just get away. She has earned it more than anyone…putting up with me, three kids, and school over the past 18+ months.

19 years ago she actually said “yes” to a crazy kids who got up the nerve to ask her to marry him. Sometimes you just get lucky!!

I love you Anita…I couldn’t imagine a better wife or mother! Happy Birthday!

My Love!
My Favorite Picture!

29.05.2009 Family 2 Comments

Enjoy It

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

School is drawing to a close (can I get an AMEN?!). One more class. Six more weeks of papers and studying. One more grade. And then I graduate…I can actually see the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s so close I can taste it. And the ride has been fun, but it’s time for it to be over.

But that simply leads to the next question: What’s Next? And God has finally released me to start praying about it…about what’s next. No answers yet—but at least I get to pray about it and start looking toward the future. So that’s what I’ve been doing over the past week. Not in large doses of prayer, but in simple prayers where I just ask God, “What’s next? What do you have in store for us? What should we be preparing for?”

And then I listen…

This morning He gave me an answer I was not expecting: “No matter what happens…enjoy the process.”

Enjoy the process. Hmmm…

Interesting. Not exactly what I was expecting. But I get it.

Don’t worry. Don’t fret. Don’t get your undies in a bunch (I might have added that one myself)…just enjoy the process regardless of the results. During the process…whatever that ends up being…I get to learn about myself. I get to learn about God. I get to connect with God and share thoughts and feelings with Him. I get to walk with God and hear His voice.

I should say…WE get to walk with God and hear His voice. I’m not alone in this process. Anita is in it with me. The kids are in it. I have no idea what’s coming down the road but I will enjoy the process. And I just might end up with exactly what He wants for me in the process. Wouldn’t that be a bonus? :wink:

07.04.2009 Ministry, School 1 Comment

He’s All Boy!

Thursday, February 26th, 2009

Last weekend Anita took Lindsay to the Revolve Tour—a Christian mother/daughter conference. They even spent the night downtown, which meant me and the boys were on our own for Friday night and all day Saturday. I was actually looking forward to it…two days to spend with just the guys.

So on Friday morning I got Logan and Kyle together and asked them what they wanted to do together for the weekend since it was “just the boys”. Kyle did not hesitate for one second in exclaiming: “I know! Let’s take your sword and destroy everything!!!” (And he said it while sweeping his arms in a wide arc to indicate the entire house).

He…is…such…a…boy! And I must admit that the thought does hold some appeal. :wink: 

Although it sounded like fun, we channeled his energy into something slightly less destructive. We ended up going out and getting some movies and a game for the Wii (Ghost Squad) that we played together for hours! A little eating out rounded out the two days together. We had a blast. And yes, Kyle is all boy..through and through…

 Doing what he does best!

 

26.02.2009 Family, Guy Stuff, Misc Ramblings 2 Comments

The Bachelor

Friday, September 26th, 2008

Starting yesterday (Thursday) at about 4:30 pm I became a bachelor (with 3 kids) until Sunday afternoon. Maybe it’s more accurate to say that I became  quasi-single dad (since the kids are having sleep-overs and staying with their grandma at different intervals)? Anita is spending the time with a few of her girlfriends in Breckenridge…time away from the rat race.

What am I going to do with the time? PARTY!!!:roll:

I wish! First on the agenda is to get some sleep since I’m up again tonight (all night) at work.

Next…shuffle the kids around to their various appointments.

Then…spend some time with the kids all together. Might even make it to a movie and some fast food (you know…’cause they like that stuff). :wink:

I am actually looking forward to spending time with the kids and getting some rest. It’s an unusual weekend, but that’s good to have every once in awhile.

BTW, my first hunt of the year is coming up…more to come on that topic…

26.09.2008 Family, Misc Ramblings 1 Comment

My Better Half

Monday, September 8th, 2008

My Love!  

I must preface this post by admitting that what follows is insufficient, incomplete, and inadequate. But it’s true none-the-less.

God has truly blessed me with a wife I do not deserve. How do I know this (aside from her telling me? :smile: Let me count the ways…

  1. She is my best friend in the whole world.
  2. She is a great lover (no details, even if you ask)
  3. She is the best mom to our kids..and it’s no easy job
  4. She has a sense of humor that I envy and get to enjoy every day
  5. She is a Proverbs 31 woman
  6. She loves God with all of her heart, soul, and mind
  7. She thinks she is better at Bible trivia than I am
  8. She is better at poker than I am
  9. She is a Republican (more specifically she is a Libertarian that votes Republican)
  10. She likes funny, goofy movies like Dumb and Dumber
  11. She shares a guilty pleasure for vampire movies
  12. She puts up with all of my &$%#@
  13. She makes a mean Pumpkin Pie
  14. She is a Broncos Fan
  15. She is one sexy gal!
  16. She puts her family ahead of herself on a consistent basis

Here’s what it boils down to…God created her for me and she is more than I could have ever hoped for. God knows what He’s doing (always has). I thank God for giving me such a beautiful, charming, sacrificial, and loving wife. I am the better for it; she truly is my better half!

08.09.2008 Family, Misc Ramblings 2 Comments

Anita Takes the Cyber-Plunge

Friday, July 18th, 2008

My beautiful bride has taken the plunge into cyberspace and the world of blogging with her very own blog site! You can find her at (also linked on my sidebar):

A Girl Needs Accessories

I highly recommend you check it out…she will be sharing funny stories from hers/our life as well as her passions. I must admit that she is much wittier and funnier than I am…it’s a blog sure to be a hit! Stop by and drop her a comment or two (she already is making my jealous for the comments on her first blog). :smile:

18.07.2008 Blogging, Misc Ramblings No Comments

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