Saturday

Today started out great. Sunny and warm. Time to wash the car, clean the garage, do some yard work, you know sunny day stuff.

Along comes an invite to the zoo. Sure thing. It'll be crowded but that's okay. To the zoo we go.

The sea lions are swimming, the penguins are shooting through the water, the turles are turtling, the monkey's are playing (and doing other things ;-) if you know what I mean), the birds are chirping, and then comes a cool breeze. The cool breeze it the kiss of death in the weather department in the Northwest. Following the cool breeze are the dark clouds. Guess what comes after the dark clouds... yep, time to go it's starting to rain.

We got out of there just in time. On the drive home the windshield wipers were going and so was the heat. Don't get me wrong, we are not wussy's afraid of a little moisture, we were just unprepared for rain and cold. Yesterday was 85 which gave us the hope that today would follow in its predicessors footsteps.

This guy was watching the zoo go by:


Maybe it was the guy sitting on a bench eating Cheetos, but this ape was very intent watching the crowd go by.

Now it is time for a little work and rainy day stuff. The kids are chillin' in their rooms for a bit and Kathi's out shopping. Got coffee brewing and the laptop warming up. Fun.

Monkeys are funny animals aren't they?

Fear God

In Christendom there are words and phrases that are often confusing or exclusive. We use words like salvation or sanctification and phrases like "fear of the Lord" or "saving grace". To outsiders, newbies, or even some oldies, these words and phrases are heard often but maybe not understood. On Sunday our pastor tackled "Fear of the Lord" using the Psalms as his back drop scripture example.

I want to post the seven statements he used to describe what is involved in acting out this phrase in our daily lives. These will help clarify that we are not to run from God in fear as if he is a lion wanting to devour us.

• Fear of the Lord is about your concern for His glory
• Fear of the Lord is about living your life as a child of God
• Fear of the Lord is about moving beyond "What should I do?" to "How should I do it?" and "Why should I do it?"
• Fear of the Lord is not about studying God but about having reverence for God
• Fear of the Lord is about accepting the mystery of His will in your life
• Fear of the Lord is about realizing that you are always in His presence, and living like it
• Fear of the Lord is about realizing that you are not God, and living like it

It begs the question, am I chasing my own tail in life trying to attain the things of this world? or am I living in Fear of the Lord? Where are my priorities? Are the God's? If not it is time for re-evaluation and prayer.

I will be re-evaluating and praying.

It is a beautiful day in the land of rain and webbed feet. It's about 70° and sunny with a slight breeze from the southwest. It is tough to be stuck in my office writing job descriptions. My wife gets to take the kids to the tulip farms. I do have a laptop with a wireless connect... maybe I'll sit outside for a bit and work.

The DaVinci Code

An urgent message to those that think God will fail... or just a rant...

Brothers and sisters, we gather here today to say that "The DaVinci Code" is a work of FICTION. Please do not worry, we will get through this trying time, we will prevail. We made it through "The Last Temptation of Christ" we can make it though this. The Lord is still Lord, he is still seated at the right hand of his Father, he will still return as promised, he has not changed, please hold fast and squelch the worry in your heart that "The DaVinci Code" will end all of Christendom.

My goodness we Christians are a worrisome crowd. How many books, videos, website, articles, documentaries, sermons, talks, etc. ad nauseum have been produced to dispel this uber-popular book? Don't you think that the selling power of this book was produced by the kneejerk reaction to quickly dispel its premise. Where is your faith? Dan Brown should be, if he isn't already, sending kick-backs to the likes of Hank Hanegraaff or Shawn McDonnell or Amy Welborn or the countless other authors who help to keep this book alive through their own books about his book.

Now that the movie is coming out the hype and hate has revived the fire that was started over Dan Brown's work. I will say this... I enjoyed the book. It was interesting, well paced, had decent characters, and held my interest. Do I believe it's conclusion? ...Hell no. Am I going to see the movie? ...yes I am.

Please look at the way the world is seeing the followers of Jesus react to this work. Please understand that we are being judged by non-believers on how we react to situations like this.

I have a better way to respond. Find a copy of the book and read it. Understand what it is about. It is inevitable that discussion about it will pass your way either at the water cooler, your kids soccer game, the bowling alley, the bus, Starbucks, at home, or at the theater in line waiting for your chance to see Tom Hanks with a bad haircut playing the lead character. Be ready, stand firm in your faith, and allow God to use this opportunity to share the truth about Jesus and who he is. Share what he has done in your life, share his love.

Jesus says it best in John 15:9-13 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Or take Peter's words from 1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

Don't freak out, don't bash or condemn, don't judge, don't be naive, be prepared. Be prepared to love. The youth pastor of our church said on Wednesday night: "The reason most people think that Christians are hypocrites is because we don't love." I agree whole heartedly. We judge, we condemn, we are quick to react and defend, but we are often slow on the love.

The greatest commandment from Matthew 22: 37-39 says: "...'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " Jesus says the "the second is like it"... like it... like loving the Lord your God... like it... that is powerful. Second to it, not equal to, but like it. That puts a pretty high priority on it. I didn't see the word judge, condemn, ignore, stay away from... I see the word love.

Go see the movie, read the book and be prepared with an answer of love. An answer of your story, your life in Christ. Be prepared to love.

Got a flat on my way to work. A nice guy ran up to my window at a stop light to let me know the tire was very low. Thanks mystery man.
I was only a 1/2 mile from the office which means I was only a 1/2 mile from Les Schwab (our local friendly tire guys) so I kicked over to Schwab. They open at eight? Crap. It is 7:00... oh wait a key drop... sweet. No answer at the office so I hoofed it. A nice brisk walk on a cool sunny morning is good for me. I saw the hot air baloons lifting off, a couple drivers tossed cigarette butts my direction, the birds were chirping, the Harley's were rumbling, all in all a nice walk.
Just waiting for a call from Schwab.

Black & Light

Flames lick my feet as
I walk these streets of
Neon glowing desire
Banners and barters call at my
Inherent sense of want
Cackles of voices unseen
Tickle my ears with
Taunts of human fulfillness
Empty unfeeling shallowness
Fills me to the core
I cross the street
To seek a sound calling
From Forevermore
A tree soaked in Blood
Falls on my heart
Killing in me the need
For the things that
Lead to Nevermore
Words of One lead me to Life
Guiding teaching completing
Eternal Love found.

~Me

80's Rock Rules!

Two funny links featuring Jim Breuer...

For you 80's rockers and AC/DC fans.

And for you Metallica fans.

Thanks Kev.

He Is Risen!

Today is Resurrection Day... or Easter if you will. In Christendom there is no more meaning full celebration as it is by this event that we receive our hope.

Isaiah 53:11 says "After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities."

I am hopeful today because I know that Christ bore my iniquities, that he died for me, and that the hope of tomorrow lies in what he did for me on the cross. As I read this story in the gospels I am reflective on what this means to me. I am fully undeserving of his Salvation. I continue to do the things that separate me from God, the things that I hate to do, living in the selfishness of man yet Christ's blood washes me clean.

As Isaiah predicted what Jesus would have to endure, the books of the New Testament make a promise of what is yet to come. Jesus will return and dwell among us.

Revelation 21:3-4 says "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them, and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'"

My hope lies in this. The struggles of today will pass forever.

Thank you Lord for your promises that we can lie our hopes in.

Give. Me. Candy. Now.

This is tougher than I thought. Going sugarless for 30 days that is. What I would give for a taste of that sweet nectar called Coke or a munch on a Milk Dud or a smack on a chewy Starburst or a crunch on a tasty Butterfinger...sssluurp. Sorry I started to salivate.

Why do I do this to myself?

I know where the candy is. I can smell it. It calls to me with its yummy goodness. I can get it in a heart beat with the swipe of my debit card. But I won't. I am stubborn enough to win this one.

Sweet Concert

I’ve paid my dues -

Time after time -

I’ve done my sentence

But committed no crime -

And bad mistakes

I’ve made a few

I’ve had my share of sand kicked in my face -

But I’ve come through

We are the champions - my friends

And we’ll keep on fighting - till the end -

Just got in from seeing Queen with Paul Rodgers at the Rose Garden. My neighbor had an extra ticket. How sweet it was.

Old as they may be they still can play. Brian May hasn't lost a lick, or an inch of hair. Paul Rodgers did an excellent job. They mixed in some Queen with a little Bad Company for a pleasant mix of the classics.

Although they didn't sing one of my favorites, Killer Queen, they did do enough of the good stuff to take me back. Could have used a little Stone Cold Crazy too.

For Bohemian Rhapsody they used Freddie's voice and video footage for 3/4 of the song and then Paul took over for the rest. It was a touching tribute to the man behind the song. We Will Rock You shook the entire building. We Are The Champions closed it out.

It's late and I've got to go to work in the AM. Good night.

...any where the wind blows.

What's In A Name?

That is a tough one to answer.

We can now tell what a name is worth.

Muhammad Ali = $50 million

I wonder what mine would be worth?

Down the Hatch

This just goes to prove that money doesn't buy you everything.

Jack Lives

"24" fans do not fear. Jack will live to see another day.

Jack Bauer's alter ego Kiefer Sutherland lands a sweet deal with Fox.

Sugarless!

Tomorrow I start a new journey. No, I am not going anywhere. It isn't that kind of journey.

I am going on a journey of willpower and health.

Here it is. As long as I can remember I have been a candy junkie. It is always around, always available, and always desired. A few of my weaknesses are Hot Tamales, Milk Duds, and the new sour Twizzlers. In reality anything sweet and made from sugar will do. Well starting tomorrow and for the next 30 days I am cutting out and resisting anything made from processed sugar. Candy, soda, cakes, cookies, brownies, etc.; all out.

My hope is that after 30 days the craving and addiction to sugar is gone or severely lessened.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

My last meal is a Cinnabon... mmm-mmm good.

FYI - I am still caffeine free.

Jonathan's Promotion

Friday afternoon my family and I had the opportunity to attend my brother in-law Jonathan's promotion ceremony in the United States Air Force. He was promoted in rank from Captain to Major. We packed up the family truckster and headed up to McChord AFB near Tacoma, WA for the event.

The ceremony was very nice. It started with the posting of the colors by the color guard and followed up with the singing of the National Anthem. The MC announced the family members and distinguished officers in attendance. Not being knowledgeable in the different insignias that designate rank made it difficult to tell who was who in the order of importance and position. Some wore their dress uniforms and some wore their BDU's. Of course us civilians were in our best street attire.

One of the Colonels took the stage and presented Jonathan's service record, schooling, and career accomplishments. It was all very impressive. Most of it I had not known of. I have never served in the military so like the insignias many of the designations and abbreviations were foreign to me yet they all sounded impressive.

The next step was the pinning on of his brass oak leafs. These are the insignias of a Major. The first step was to remove the two silver bars (aka railroad tracks). This process was done on his dress coat by his parents. The next step was to remove the boards on his dress shirt and replace them with new ones bearing the oak leafs. This was done by my parents, his in-laws. It was a very special time for the family. It is great to know that he respects and loves my folks enough to include them in this special ceremony. However as special as all this was, his 2 1/2 year old daughter stole the show when she couldn't handle sitting still anymore and ran up to stand next to her father as the Colonel presented him as Major. I almost cried... almost... it was after all a military proceeding... not for sissy criers.

Jonathan's father, Lt. Colonel retired, presided over his oath. That was a cool moment. This 72 year old man still fit into his uniform. His uniform was all white and he referred to himself as the ice cream man. All could tell how proud he was of his son. (Don't tell the ACLU but he swore his oath to God.)

When all was said and done there was food, and plenty of it. I got the chance to meet people Jonathan works with and for. They all spoke very highly of him and his work.

I have not spent much time with military personnel until Friday. After speaking with many of them it was clear that they are proud to wear the uniform no matter what their rank is and they are all proud to talk about what they do. I spoke with Airmen, Sergeants, Majors, and Colonels; all of them spoke about what they do with great pride and without hesitation. This room was a reflection of the melting pot that America is; Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Male, and Female.

After the meet and greet we were afforded the opportunity to tour one of the C-17's that calls McChord AFB home. These planes are huge. I spoke with the Airman that was watching the plane about the loading capabilities of the plane and some of the special equipment that is used to load the plane. He lowered and raised the rear loading platform which is the size of my living room. It is very impressive. These planes are called the Globemasters which is very fitting. They travel the world carrying cargo, personnel, equipment, vehicles, etc.

The rest of the time there we spent visiting family and swimming at the hotel. It was a great time and I was proud to have been there to be a part of it.

1 Peter 2:13a says: "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men..." Jonathan and the men and women of the military live this verse every day to defend the freedoms that we have. Thank you all.

Last but not least I want to give a shout out to my sister Jennifer who stands beside Jonathan daily in his service to our country. Jen you are awesome.

Next step... Lt. Colonel.