Here are a bunch of one sentence thoughts:
1) My entire political philosophy can be summarized in this excellent article by Stephen Moore in the Wall Street Journal last week. Yes, I read all 1100 pages of Atlas Shrugged last year.
2) While its great that we have a new President who has made history and has obviously captured the hearts of a lot of people, I believe that the treatment of President George W. Bush by many in our country is reprehensible. President Bush will be vindicated, now its only a matter of time.
3) Rick Warren's prayer was awesome.
4) Next month I'm running the IMS Marathon next month, my first ever marathon. Anyone else?
5) I've been blogging a lot less and Facebooking a lot more.
6) In a few weeks Pastor Jack and I will be attending the Desiring God Pastor's Conference in Minneapolis. I was told to get a "winter coat" because its supposed to be something like -186 degrees. I'll try to find one on Craigslist.
7) Yesterday I hung out with a guy who had a ton of questions about marriage. Here's a few thoughts that I shared:
a) Marriage (including sex) gets better over time. Nobody believes this but its true.
b) Our culture often is afraid of marriage because its afraid of commitment
c) The best way to be a "one woman man" is just sheer discipline in everyday life. The enemy wants to destroy what God has made beautiful, and its our job to be aware of that and always be on our guard.
8) Finally, this Sunday is "Vision Sunday" at Compass and its going to be awesome!
See ya!
Wednesday, January 21
Tuesday, January 6
Happy New Year!
How is your 2009 so far? While I think New Year's Eve is the most useless holiday (even more than Groundhog Day, because at least then something happens!) I absolutely love New Year's Day. Life is meant to be lived with milestones and landmarks along the way. The power of New Year's Day is proven at the gym, which is always packed until about April!
Anyway, about a year ago the elders challenged me to get a hobby. You know, an "avocation." I have a wide variety of interests but have always been one of those guys who would rather "live to work" than "work to live." The former can't wait for Friday night, the latter can't wait for Monday morning (or in my case, Sunday morning.)
I've always been that way. Before I got married, I used to dread the "day off" that my boss at my former church (two churches ago) used to make me take. I'd get up in my awful but affordable rental house, (which is here, by the way) and I would not know what to do with myself.
Time to get refreshed, I would think. But I'd always end up in some semi-depressed, introspective funk counting down the moments until Tuesday.
Now I love my day off. It used to be Mondays, where I would walk around in a adrenaline-deprived stupor until about 4:00 p.m. because Sunday just killed me. Now it's Fridays which allows me to get a jump on the week and have more days in the office with the other staff. The problem with Fridays, however, is that it's so close to Sunday, and if it ain't all done for Sunday, well, you know.
But about a month ago Judi told me that I needed to go running with the running club at the gym we belong to. I've always loved running (as mentioned earlier) but I injured myself about a year ago and, like many wishful-thinking runners, it has been hit and miss ever since.
However, I think I'm finally getting into a groove here, and if all goes well next month I will accomplish a "Life Goal" I've had for many years. But I've never been one to be presumptuous, so I will refrain from being too specific at this point.
In general, however, its important to say "Yes" to things that challenge and stretch us. To lean into what is different, maybe even uncomfortable, if it is something that could be ultimately good for us.
I think, for a variety of reasons, that I have found my hobby (at least for now) in running and what is associated with that. So the challenge the elders laid before me has been met. My biggest struggle now is the subtle guilt that comes from diverting some attention away from that which is the great Passion of my life, Compass Church.
However, I'm feeling better than ever and I cannot remember a time in life where I've sensed more peace. There's been a lot of angst over the years, trying to figure out where I fit and why. But all my life I've felt drawn to the desert. I can't explain it, I'm not sure I understand it - I've just always felt a longing, strangely enough, for where I am right now.
That's a first. Happy New Year.
Anyway, about a year ago the elders challenged me to get a hobby. You know, an "avocation." I have a wide variety of interests but have always been one of those guys who would rather "live to work" than "work to live." The former can't wait for Friday night, the latter can't wait for Monday morning (or in my case, Sunday morning.)
I've always been that way. Before I got married, I used to dread the "day off" that my boss at my former church (two churches ago) used to make me take. I'd get up in my awful but affordable rental house, (which is here, by the way) and I would not know what to do with myself.
Time to get refreshed, I would think. But I'd always end up in some semi-depressed, introspective funk counting down the moments until Tuesday.
Now I love my day off. It used to be Mondays, where I would walk around in a adrenaline-deprived stupor until about 4:00 p.m. because Sunday just killed me. Now it's Fridays which allows me to get a jump on the week and have more days in the office with the other staff. The problem with Fridays, however, is that it's so close to Sunday, and if it ain't all done for Sunday, well, you know.
But about a month ago Judi told me that I needed to go running with the running club at the gym we belong to. I've always loved running (as mentioned earlier) but I injured myself about a year ago and, like many wishful-thinking runners, it has been hit and miss ever since.
However, I think I'm finally getting into a groove here, and if all goes well next month I will accomplish a "Life Goal" I've had for many years. But I've never been one to be presumptuous, so I will refrain from being too specific at this point.
In general, however, its important to say "Yes" to things that challenge and stretch us. To lean into what is different, maybe even uncomfortable, if it is something that could be ultimately good for us.
I think, for a variety of reasons, that I have found my hobby (at least for now) in running and what is associated with that. So the challenge the elders laid before me has been met. My biggest struggle now is the subtle guilt that comes from diverting some attention away from that which is the great Passion of my life, Compass Church.
However, I'm feeling better than ever and I cannot remember a time in life where I've sensed more peace. There's been a lot of angst over the years, trying to figure out where I fit and why. But all my life I've felt drawn to the desert. I can't explain it, I'm not sure I understand it - I've just always felt a longing, strangely enough, for where I am right now.
That's a first. Happy New Year.
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