and my favorite
July 22, 2009
I thought things would be different.
When I was a kid I imagined I was born to greatness. I would raise my hands in the air and imagine that if I believed hard enough I would be the boy that could fly. I had vivid daydreams of finding out that I was actually adopted and my parents were royalty in some far off land, or that my dad was really a secret agent and we were somehow living undercover until his mission was finished.
Later, as I realized that my parents were pretty much like everyone else’s parents, I decided that I must be the only human left alive. Anyone else was actually a very lifelike robot and I was the subject of a massive experiment in human behaviour. Not only was I the center of the world’s focus, I was unique, individual and gifted.
Unfortunately, I have discovered that none of this seems to be the case. Well, that’s not to say I don’t have talents or giftings, but there is nothing about me that demands a scientific study or an entry in Wikipedia. I’m still waiting for the President to call me about a vital decision affecting national security, and I’m pretty sure I’m not on anybody’s short list for future NBA draft picks.
Ecclsiastes 3:11 says ” . . . He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” There seems to be a sense in all cultures that our lives are somehow incomplete, that something is missing, we need the spiritual to complete that which is unfinished in the natural.
I believe that my childhood fantasies were a reflection of that sentiment, the need to go beyond what I could see to something more powerful, heroic and good.
As I get older and life seems to become less focused on possibilities and more on realities, I am encouraged to know this isn’t all there is, that as Paul said “For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face.” Life doesn’t usually play out like a blockbuster movie, but underneath the hum-drum and everdayness there is an undercurrent of reality that most of us never get in touch with.
While I’m not in a hurry to leave this world, I find myself longing to have the veil lifted and to see the real living and breathing creation instead of the shadows. I want to break out of this shell that has been created for my spirit and come face to face with my creator.
June 22, 2009
Before I got married I remember one of my friends pulling me aside and warning me cryptically that “everything in your life is about to change.” Well, a few things changed (if you know what I mean, heh heh), but all in all life still puttered along at the same relative pace.
Weekends presented themselves with their myriad of entertainment options. “Let’s see, we can go to the beach, the drive-in, sleep in, or all three!” I could come home from work, take a short nap, go for a walk with my wife and play World of Warcraft until one in the morning.
“Wow! This isn’t so bad!” I thought. That guy wasn’t right at all. Life is grand! Sure, there were a few obligatory married-guy things; going to the in-laws (which I love by the way), meeting all of her friends (which I also love), not being able to eat nachos and beer as an in-bed late night snack (well I needed to stop that anyway, sheeeesh!)
So of course, as many couples do, we thought, “it’s time to have a baby!” Soon after, the second line appeared and we were on our way. ”Having kids is awesome!” our blessed friends would tell us. We of course paid no attention to the slight tremble on the side of their lips, the little shudder as they heard our good news, and the way their smiles seemed a just a little frozen as they pried our valubles from their childrens’ hands and drug them screaming like banshees out the door.
Of course I was again given the ominous warning: “Get ready for your life to be changed forever . . . ” “Oh pish-posh,” I thought, “I’m sure I can miss my favorite shows occasionally and of course we won’t be able to go to the movies or the beach every weekend but things won’t be that different.”
Oops.
Fast-forward to one month after Melody’s birth . . . “Well, OK, sleep is a little overrated, I mean who needs 4 hours a night anyway? Having a baby is awesome! Look how much she loves me. Oh, hmmmm, on second thought she seems to think I’m Satan. Oh well, heh heh heh, I’m sure she’ll get over it.” (3 hours later) “I’m going to die. My daughter hates me! Whose idea was this anyway Bethany? Oh. Well I know it takes two to tango but c’mon, listen to her! I’d rather hear Urkel fight Jar-Jar Binks than this! Ohhh Whhhhhhhhhy Me?”
Needless to say, if getting married is a slight trim in the barbershop of life, having a kid is a chainsaw loud, fear-inducing buzz cut with a slap on the cheek for good measure.
Well, OK, maybe not quite that bad but at any rate I can now truly say that other than meeting and marrying my lovely wife, having my daughter is the best thing that has ever happened to me. There is something about having her run and give me a hug when she hasn’t seen me all day that is somewhere near Heaven. So happy Father’s Day (one day late) to my Father and all of you other fathers out there. Be blessed.
June 9, 2009
Recently my friend Brennan decided to create his own charity bike ride, The Pancake Pedal. It corresponded with the annual Rickreal Fire Department pancake breakfast. Actually, the breakfast was going to happen regardless of Brennan’s plan but it was a good opportunity to put together a couple of events.
The proceeds are for Center Healing for Children(yes I know, it seems grammatically wrong), a program in Dallas, Oregon that works with children with disabilities, giving them chances to be on a farm, ride horses, etc . . .
My Dad and I elected to take the “short stack” ride, a 15 or so mile ride from Rickreal to Independence and back. As someone who rarely rides a bike, I wasn’t really worried about the effort of the ride so much as, how shall we say, certain comfort issues involving a little pointy seat and a not so little guy spending time on top of said seat.
It ended up being not too bad. There wasn’t very much traffic and the weather held up until we got back. Also the pancake breakfast was excellent. Hopefully we will get to do it again next year.
Posing with the Center Healing for Children director
Arriving back from our adventure
Our just reward
May 31, 2009
I had the pleasure of playing at the Dextor Disc Golf Course this weekend. It’s been a long time since I played so I was pretty rusty and was duly smacked by my buddy Matt. I have to say is is probably the best course I have played on. It’s in the woods with a few holes going up or down in elevation. Here are directions.
I think one of the main reasons I liked it is because although there are plenty of tree hazards and difficult holes there isn’t very much overwhelming underbrush in bounds, so you don’t spend have of the time looking for your disk. Another big plus is that none of the courses really seemed to cross one another or areas where people would be, so you don’t have to constantly be worried about hitting someone. Also in case you do lose your disc (or your friend’s disc as I did on hole 17) people are very good about taking your disc to the local chevron station and calling your number if you are diligent enough to write it down.
Melody checking out the course 
A typical hole.
A Matt Forehand
Fortunately in this picture you can’t tell that it hits a tree dead on about 5 feet out of the frame
May 26, 2009
Just a funny video from what is my current favorite worship-based band.
May 26, 2009
Just in case anyone was wondering, I got my test results back and everything was perfectly normal. Bethany and I talked about it and I spoke with the doctor as well and we think that what’s going on is that I’m basically not replenishing nutrients very well when I work out, so I need to mix in a Gatorade and a banana every once in a while.
So there you go.
May 22, 2009
I really liked this video, both in the presentation and the message. I guess if you are a Calvinist you won’t agree but I enjoyed seeing what often are our preconceived notions about God challenged. Plus watching it makes me happy. 
May 19, 2009
Well, I’ve noticed that I’ve been getting less and less visits to this site. That’s what happens when you don’t update often enough. Anyhoo I mostly haven’t been writing because I haven’t been feeling that well lately. It’s something that comes and goes every few months and it seemed to come especially strong this time.
Basically what happens is I start to feel lethargic and extremely thirsty. I’ll end up drinking 150-200 ounces of water a day and getting up all night to drink glasses of water and well, that leads to being up all night for other reasons. So then I end up being tired and grumpy and not wanting to be very productive. Eventually it goes away but it usually makes me feel like I lost a week or two.
I finally went to the doctor yesterday and went to get some tests done today. I kind of hope that nothing turns up because I know this is a big sign of diabetes, but on the other hand it would be nice to start getting some answers. So I have an appointment Friday to discuss the results. I’m actually feeling much better right now but it would be nice if I could get some prayers my way about this.
May 19, 2009
198 lbs and counting . . . down!
