Maddi and Sam with buddy Sara
Maddi
Here is Hannah and her best bud Claudia after church today.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Goofballs
Maddi and Sam with buddy Sara
Maddi
Here is Hannah and her best bud Claudia after church today.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Commercial
This commercial left me numb and in stunned silence.
How could 4 coaching legends come to this? Must be some HUGE bucks involved.
How could 4 coaching legends come to this? Must be some HUGE bucks involved.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Mind Purge
This might be the longest post ever. I got a lot of junk in my head that I need to purge. Some might be meaningful but most probably not. This is the nature of my thought life.
First. I miss Chicago. During our trip there we were immersed in a neighborhood and in meaningful ministry. I am a country boy at heart, but I think the dangers of suburban life which might not appear as dangerous as the city, might actually be more insidious. Our growing need to be secure I believe can hamper our souls and truncate growth. The edge of the city reminded me of my dependence on God. I guess I am aware for the first time that maybe this insulated and often solitary life we live in the burbs might not be helpful to our souls. That was a tough realization. Not sure how to respond to that yet. Praying about it.
Second. Call is everything. If you aren't called to do something vocationally then get out for goodness sake do something else. If you have been called stop fooling around worrying about "losing your secure life" or whatever and live the adventure of being in the will of God. Why does God have to try so hard with us? We are all called to something. My devotion this morning had this quote from Ecclesiastes 9:10. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your heart." We all long (I think) to do something with all our heart and pursue something with passion with the realization that that is why God made us this way. I pray that we Will wake up to that reality.
Third. I like UK's new basketball coach. I have always liked John Calipari. In his intro speech he said he was a "gatherer". I knew exactly what he meant by that. It is a model I have used in ministry for a long time. Get the right folks (Called?) in the right ministry positions and provide some structure and get the heck out of the way. John I like you, but you still ain't worth the money. I still think academics is more important than what happens on the hardwood, but I do love me some crisp passing and and motion offense...
Fourth. Clean house is overrated. I think Hannah Grace had a previous life as a packrat. She is determined to fill empty space with junk. Her mother and I cannot keep up so we are going with the 100 year plan. "Will this matter in a 100 years?"
Twentieth. I know, I made a leap there. But this is my 20th year working with young people. I have come to a couple of conclusions. 1. Just when you are getting a good grasp on this unique ministry your body needs more naps! 2. "Energy" is overrated. Vision is often underappreciated. I am thankful to be at a church that "gets" it. 3. Kids are recycled! I see new kids come into the ministry and I think, "I know you!" I don't really, but I recognize family systems quickly and can identify if Jr. is going to do well or struggle in our ministry. I can recognize if they are EGR (extra grace required) or if they are going to thrive. 4. Before kids show up I can predict within 4 slices how many pizzas we need on any given night at youth. Weird.
Fifth. Love. I rediscovered this book recently. I think The Five Love Languages should be required reading for parents or anyone working with youth. I am beginning to understand how my kids (and Debbi) crave love. Here are some examples of love made tangible in my family:
Words of Affirmation-Me
Quality Time-Sam, Hannah,Me
Gifts-Madison
Acts of Service-Debbi (working on the garden and flowers)Madison (Cleaning her room for her)
Physical Touch-Debbi (foot rubs and head scratching) Sam
You can see why parenting (and being a spouse) is so difficult. At any one time multiple people aren't receiving the love they best relate to. Yikes!
Sixth. My garage. Scary. I need a sunny day to clean that sucker out.
Seventh. Drought. I assume we are out of drought conditions by now. The flint river is almost to the bridge. Way too high to canoe this weekend.
Eighth. AT. I was supposed to be hiking on the Appalachian Trail this weekend. We didn't have enough guys to go and boy am I thankful with this weather. It would have been soggy. I think my new tent would have held up though. It is a good one (Kelty). Looks like we will be going this fall.
Ninth. Dad. Dad retired from coaching basketball this year. I think he has been at it for 30 years or so coaching 7th-Jr.Varsity teams. My favorite coaching story about Dad was a freshman team he coached that had never won a game since they started playing in the 4th grade. He turned the team around and through fundamentals and perseverance they found themselves on the verge of winning a game. One boy, Troy Casey, looked at Dad and said, "What do we do now coach?" My dad said, "What do you mean?" Troy said, "I don't know what to do" Dad said, "What do you mean, Troy I don't understand?" Troy, "Coach, I have never won a game, I don't know what to do!" My other favorite story is when Rick Hurst "cut one" (Had gas) in the huddle during a timeout and the entire huddle had to move to the end of the bench to continue talking strategy. Wow, good times...
I think that is all for now.
First. I miss Chicago. During our trip there we were immersed in a neighborhood and in meaningful ministry. I am a country boy at heart, but I think the dangers of suburban life which might not appear as dangerous as the city, might actually be more insidious. Our growing need to be secure I believe can hamper our souls and truncate growth. The edge of the city reminded me of my dependence on God. I guess I am aware for the first time that maybe this insulated and often solitary life we live in the burbs might not be helpful to our souls. That was a tough realization. Not sure how to respond to that yet. Praying about it.
Second. Call is everything. If you aren't called to do something vocationally then get out for goodness sake do something else. If you have been called stop fooling around worrying about "losing your secure life" or whatever and live the adventure of being in the will of God. Why does God have to try so hard with us? We are all called to something. My devotion this morning had this quote from Ecclesiastes 9:10. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your heart." We all long (I think) to do something with all our heart and pursue something with passion with the realization that that is why God made us this way. I pray that we Will wake up to that reality.
Third. I like UK's new basketball coach. I have always liked John Calipari. In his intro speech he said he was a "gatherer". I knew exactly what he meant by that. It is a model I have used in ministry for a long time. Get the right folks (Called?) in the right ministry positions and provide some structure and get the heck out of the way. John I like you, but you still ain't worth the money. I still think academics is more important than what happens on the hardwood, but I do love me some crisp passing and and motion offense...
Fourth. Clean house is overrated. I think Hannah Grace had a previous life as a packrat. She is determined to fill empty space with junk. Her mother and I cannot keep up so we are going with the 100 year plan. "Will this matter in a 100 years?"
Twentieth. I know, I made a leap there. But this is my 20th year working with young people. I have come to a couple of conclusions. 1. Just when you are getting a good grasp on this unique ministry your body needs more naps! 2. "Energy" is overrated. Vision is often underappreciated. I am thankful to be at a church that "gets" it. 3. Kids are recycled! I see new kids come into the ministry and I think, "I know you!" I don't really, but I recognize family systems quickly and can identify if Jr. is going to do well or struggle in our ministry. I can recognize if they are EGR (extra grace required) or if they are going to thrive. 4. Before kids show up I can predict within 4 slices how many pizzas we need on any given night at youth. Weird.
Fifth. Love. I rediscovered this book recently. I think The Five Love Languages should be required reading for parents or anyone working with youth. I am beginning to understand how my kids (and Debbi) crave love. Here are some examples of love made tangible in my family:
Words of Affirmation-Me
Quality Time-Sam, Hannah,Me
Gifts-Madison
Acts of Service-Debbi (working on the garden and flowers)Madison (Cleaning her room for her)
Physical Touch-Debbi (foot rubs and head scratching) Sam
You can see why parenting (and being a spouse) is so difficult. At any one time multiple people aren't receiving the love they best relate to. Yikes!
Sixth. My garage. Scary. I need a sunny day to clean that sucker out.
Seventh. Drought. I assume we are out of drought conditions by now. The flint river is almost to the bridge. Way too high to canoe this weekend.
Eighth. AT. I was supposed to be hiking on the Appalachian Trail this weekend. We didn't have enough guys to go and boy am I thankful with this weather. It would have been soggy. I think my new tent would have held up though. It is a good one (Kelty). Looks like we will be going this fall.
Ninth. Dad. Dad retired from coaching basketball this year. I think he has been at it for 30 years or so coaching 7th-Jr.Varsity teams. My favorite coaching story about Dad was a freshman team he coached that had never won a game since they started playing in the 4th grade. He turned the team around and through fundamentals and perseverance they found themselves on the verge of winning a game. One boy, Troy Casey, looked at Dad and said, "What do we do now coach?" My dad said, "What do you mean?" Troy said, "I don't know what to do" Dad said, "What do you mean, Troy I don't understand?" Troy, "Coach, I have never won a game, I don't know what to do!" My other favorite story is when Rick Hurst "cut one" (Had gas) in the huddle during a timeout and the entire huddle had to move to the end of the bench to continue talking strategy. Wow, good times...
I think that is all for now.
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