Friday, February 29, 2008

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Family Time

Shortly after my oldest son was born, my wife Dana, took voluntary layoff from the company where she worked to be a stay-at-home-mom. For the next 16 years, she worked at home--being a stay-at-home-mom IS WORK! I've seen it, and let me tell you, it ain't sitting around the house, watching soap operas and eating bon-bons all day.

During that period, we got into the routine of eating dinner (or supper depending on what you call the evening meal in your neck of the woods) together as a family. We still do. Dana began teaching at a private school in our town after our youngest son started junior high, but to this day, we still eat our evening meal together. Me, Dana AND the two boys (the oldest is now 20) still sit down to a home-cooked meal most every evening except Wednesdays; that's church night and there's really no time to cook and clean up and still make it to church. That night, it's every man--or woman--for themselves. But, every other evening, including weekends, we eat together.

I look forward to that time. We catch up on each other's day, rehash the news, share funny stories or jokes, etc. We have some serious discussions from time to time as well. It's nice having the whole family together at the end of the day. I get the feeling that lots of families don't have or make the time to eat dinner together and that's too bad. They're missing out.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Almost Here

I leave for the Shepherds' Conference in a little over a week. Looking forward to a great time of preaching, fellowship and refreshing...also, lots of BOOKS!

2008 speakers (l to r): John MacArthur, Albert Mohler, Steven Lawson, Rick Holland, Phil Johnson, Tom Pennington.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Change



"Does anyone actually believe Kennedy would back a candidate who had any real intention to change how things are done?" (Quote by The Underminer)

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Thank You for This Day

"Thank you for this day." That's how I begin my morning prayer--every day. Some days, I'm in my truck; some days I'm at my desk or at the kitchen table, but I always begin the same way. I need to remind myself each and every day that I am totally depending on God for everything...EVERYTHING in my life.

God graciously allowed me to get a night's rest and then wake up to begin another day. A new day...unspoiled by work's frustrations, cutting words, angry thoughts, and failed expectations. A new day to revel in the crispness of morning air; a new day to wake up EARLY and enjoy the quiet; a new day to stop and ponder: "What does THIS day hold?"

Another day to live my life, trusting in God to keep me safe, to help me speak kindly to my family and co-workers, to be the very best husband, dad, and employee I can be. Another day filled with opportunities to tell others about His goodness. Another day to be encouraged by words like:

...but he who trusts in the Lord, lovingkindness shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart. (Psalm 32:10-11)

Another day to know that even when I fall, He is there to pick me up, to strengthen and encourage me. Another day to bask in His forgiveness, to know that He knows my heart...and still loves me. And at the end of the day, to be able to go home to my family, seeing them all safe.

Thank You for my wife, our sons, our jobs, our friends, our church, the food on our table, our warm beds...and rest.

Thank You for this day.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Why God? Why?!


Why did I marry her? Why didn't I just put a loaded gun in my mouth? Why God, Why?"

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Valentines Day

Friday Photo

I realize I'm a day late with the "Friday Photo", but I couldn't resist posting this one. These are the flowers I sent my wife for Valentines Day.


flickr: Friday Photo Group

Friday, February 08, 2008

Hands On

In an interview on the Today Show this morning, former President Clinton was asked what his role would be in the White House should his wife become President. "I won't be on the Cabinet, but I will be hands on."

He didn't mention "who" his hands would be on.

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Hillary Taketh Away

Just in case you missed this one:

Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday she might be willing to garnish the wages of workers who refuse to buy health insurance to achieve coverage for all Americans. The New York senator has criticized presidential rival Barack Obama for pushing a health plan that would not require universal coverage. Clinton has not always specified the enforcement measures she would embrace, but when pressed on ABC's "This Week," she said: "I think there are a number of mechanisms" that are possible, including "going after people's wages, automatic enrollment (Source)

Saturday, February 02, 2008

Is God Really That Dumb?

I've never fully understood the whole "Mardi Gras" thing. What I've been able to put together:

  • Mardi Gras is kinda the "last hurray" before Lent.
  • "Fat Tuesday" is the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
  • Lent runs from Ash Wednesday to Easter (40 days) and is a time of refraining or fasting from a bad habit or vice. Some people I know give up drinking or smoking or cursing during Lent.
  • Lent is pretty much a Catholic thing, but lots of people that aren't Catholics like to participate...well, they like to participate in the Mardi Gras part, but not so much the Lent part.
  • Mardi Gras apparently is Latin for "pull up your shirt." This obviously applies only to women.
  • Mardi Gras is really big in New Orleans. Probably because there seems to be a lot of women that enjoy pulling up their shirts. Mardi Gras is all about beads, drinking, pulling up your shirt, drinking, and more beads. Did I mention pulling up your shirt? (You have to get all of this out of your system because the next day is the start of Lent.)
  • After Lent is over, you can go back to drinking, smoking, and/or cursing.
  • The only time God pays attention is during Lent, so He thinks everyone acts nice all the time...like they do for Lent. How you act/live the other 325 days of the year is irrelevant. God's not watching...and He apparently falls for that Lent thing every year.

Friday, February 01, 2008

Friday Photos

It's been a while since I posted Friday Photos. To be honest, I haven't taken that many pics since the ice storm a couple of months ago. Anyway, the bird pic was shot through our patio door--Dana made a "bird feeder" from a pine cone. The bird apparently thought it was delicious. The second pic was taken this week during a snow storm that was supposed to dump 6 to 8 inches on us...we got 1.5 inches. It was still pretty.


small_bird 
 
feb08_snow_02


flickr: Friday Photo Group