Fastlane Rally

This weekend is very exciting here at Iron Mountain. We are hosting the first Sport Bike Rally for CMA. Here are a few videos that we have put together for this event. (Fastlane Promo) (How Not to Ride a Sport Bike)

Learning from the little

Life has been exactly what we have made it for the past month. Thank God for all the opportunities that He has given to us. We have enjoyed the Changing of the Colors Rally and all the ministry and friends that we have been apart of for the last 6 weeks. But at this point we are all pretty spent.
As I was going through old video that was on the camera I found this little bit of Zoe dancing in the living room. And it taught me something. I won't tell you what it is, but maybe you can guess. Watch it for yourself here.

Video Clips from Fire on Iron Mountain

Here are a few quick video clips from the fire on Iron Mountain.

All Dressed Up and looking for some Candy

Fire on Iron Mountain 133
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

The kids put on their costumes and we hit the Fort Smith Mall and did the store to store trick or treat thing. (It was raining most of the day) We had a great time and of course, came back with lots of candy.

Fire on Iron Mountain

Fire on Iron Mountain 008
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

Yesterday, they burned a huge pile of brush on the other side of the property. This afternoon while we were working, the wind must have picked up some embers and the fire started into the forest on Iron Mountain. Within an hour it had crept up the hill and was threatening the house. The Volunteer Fire Department came to the scene and got to work. It was pretty quickly determined that the house was not in danger and that the fire could be controlled. However, at the time of this post, the fire has been burning for at least 10 hours and is still going. Check out the photo stream for more pictures of the fire near our house.

Worshipping at the Youth Movement Services

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Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

We had the most awesome time at the Colors Rally with the students that came from different places all over the country. There were probably around 160 students plus adult leaders, from the states and a few from CMA Canada and Mexico. God really blessed us with a great week and we couldn't believe all the amazing things that were happening. There were 15 students who committed to follow Jesus for the first time and literally hundreds of opportunities to pray and share with kids. Jen and I did three seminars, one on parenting, one on Youth Ministry and one on motocross outreach.
We are now completely exhausted but very happy with all that has happened.

Brother Andrew at the Colors Rally

Colors 05 246
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

During the recent Colors rally here on Iron Mountain, we were priviledged to have Brother Andrew and Mrs. Vonette Bright visit and greet the kids. It was a real treat to be able to meet, listen, and have one of your heros present at your event. Both Brother Andrew and Mrs. Bright had such a love for young people. We were once again blown away by the possibility of a life lived for Christ might become.

New Friends from South Africa

Colors 05 020
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

For the past 4 weeks we have had guests with us from CMA South Africa. Peter Psaros and his wife Kenau, and Kenau's brother Ramon. Their Father is the president of CMA South Africa and director of CMA International. It has been an absolutely incredible visit and we have had a great time getting to know them and spending time together. It is cool to have so much in common with friends from the other side of the planet. Peter is an accomplished musician, producer and engineer and I have learned tons from him in the short time that we have been together. He jumped into the band that we put together for the Colors Rally and helped us take it to a new level. He and His wife Kenau are just so precious, we have really enjoyed becoming friends. Ramon is a Buell sponsored stunt rider. He is doing a stunt show for the rally and for the Fastlane rally coming up in November. They have hit it off very well with our kids, so everyone is enjoying being together.

Putting on the Make-up

August and September 2005 225
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

As we have with both of our girls, we stumbled across Zoe putting on makeup totally hiding in the bathroom so she wouldn't be found.

I'm So Cool

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Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

Sunday Night we were finishing up shopping at Walmart and I was out in the parking lot goofing around riding a shopping cart. Jennifer came up behind me and gave me a pinch on the booty (much to my surprise!). When I hopped down off the cart I twisted my ankle deluxe. Now it is swollen, hurting and messed up. And I don't even have a cool story to tell about how it happened.

Woodward Iowa

August and September 2005 288
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

Last week we had the opportunity to be at a couple of juvenile facilities in Iowa. The CMA members that arranged the services were awesome and it was an incredible weekend. Jen took this picture of corn fields (which is pretty much all we saw when we were in south Iowa. When we returned the kids had made a welcome home sign and it was great to see them. There are only 2 weeks before our big rally. We have lots to do, but we are, as always, having a great time doing it. We have some guests staying with us from CMA South Africa and it is a lot of fun.

Hello Faithful Friends

So sorry to have not blogged for so long. This week we finally got phone service and the resultant DSL at our new house. This was the first weekend home that we have had since May. I have been so pleased about how some of our friends check out the blog over and over again hoping for some new post. Well, I realize that I have failed in bringing new McPherson news and thoughts over the summer. But we will try to do better. So until the next post...

Kin Thegither

kin thegither arabic looking
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

In February, we began something we are very excited about and that we are enjoying very much. We call it 'Kin Thegither' and it means "Family together". It is basically just a family together weekend. We turn off all the phones, turn off the TV (except for movies or things that we all watch together) put up the video games and computers, and just hang out together. We cook together, play and watch movies. We move all the furniture and 'go to the mattresses' all together in the living room. We are going to try to do it a couple of times a year, so when we told the kids that we were planning to have Kin Thegither this week, they were thrilled. It was a cool weekend. The kids put on a show for us, dancing, singing and human videos. We absolutely loved it. Jen and I tried some new recipes and really had a blast. It is becoming a highlight of our year. Check out some of the photos by clicking the pic to the right

Braves Game

Braves Game
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

From the Kansas Rally we headed over to Atlanta for a little vacation time. As always we had a great time just hanging back and taking it easy. We of course hit a Braves game, and as always hit some of our favorite malls and restaurants. We had a really good time with my parents, had fun with all of the family at a Monroe family get together, and had a real great Labor Day at our lifelong friends, the Monkus' house. (If you ask Joby and I, Clay should open up a rib shack, because his dry rub ribs are unbelievable) Click the pic to see more pics from that week.

Zoe and the Big Oak

Zoe and the Big Oak
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

While at the Kansas State Rally we found this tree that was absolutely huge. It was 15 feet around and went up about 40 feet before the first branches reached out. It was really stunning. Click on the picture to see more pics from that weekend. We really had a great time in Kansas.

Loretta Lynn's '05

Loretta Lynn Pics
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

One of the most exciting events that we get to be involved in is the Air Nautiques AMA Amateur Nationals at Loretta Lynn's. It is the premier event for all of Motocross, and there are lots of opportunity for ministry there. We really enjoyed our week there and made lots of new friends. Best of all Dad came over for a few days and hung out. He took over 500 pics many of which I will be using for promoting the event in the future. It was a really good time. We worked long and hard in the days, and watched movies and slept in the camper at night. Zeke and Joby a ton of prizes at the Honda Hole in one Competition. We prayed for many bikes and racers and even baptized a few teens that week.

Salt Lake City

Christ of Creation
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

We were stranded in Salt Lake City while the van was being fixed (or not being fixed). This Statue was located in one of the welcome centers at the Mormon headquarters in Downtown SLC. The art in the place was simply amazing. We had a great time checking out all of the interesting things there.

Zion National Park

Zion National Park
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

Check out the most recent pics from Zion National Park in Southern Utah. We had a great time checking out some of the most spectacular views we have ever seen. The temperature was around 105 but we still managed to find some shade under a huge tree to relax and have some fun. The pictures are awesome but they don't even begin to describe to majesty of this place.

The Mayan

The Mayan
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

We found the coolest place to eat in Salt Lake City. The Mayan, is a family dining experience in Mayan Ruins in a South American rain forest, complete with Cliff Divers every 30 minutes. You have to see it to believe it. (Check out more photos by clicking on the pic)

Ogden, Utah

Nation West 123
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

This is the view from our Hotel Window in Downtown Ogden, Utah. The CMA Evangelists meetings were held here. Although the van was broken down, we managed to have a great time anyway.

The Door

National West 120
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

This is the door that caused us so much hassle. It seems that while waiting in the Blockbuster parking lot, Ezekiel open his door into a ladies car leaving this mark. It wasn't a dent, and I don't even believe it even scuffed the paint, but none of that mattered to the owner of the vehicle.

Jenny and Zoe

Jenny and Zoe
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful family can be. We are having more fun than ever and making more memories than ever before. Our Van has broken down and we are scrambling around to try to figure out what to do, but Ogden, Utah isn't too bad of a place to be stuck.

National West 028

National West 028
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

Utah is a really beautiful place. Jennifer took this photo around 9:20 (late sunset for we arkansans). The rally was a great success and as always we were very blessed to have been here in Ogden Utah. (Click the photo to see more pics from the rally).

Great Salt Lake

Great Salt Lake
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

We are in Ogden Utah for the CMA National West Rally. Today we got a chance to run out to Antelope Island State Park, in the Great Salt Lake. It was quite an experience, seeing that we headed out there on a whim, we didn't have any shoes for walking the 200 yards or scorching sand to the water. Once there, we waded into the gnat infested water only to learn that there is a good reason no fish live in this lake. At any rate, we have splashed in the Great Salt Lake...(Gimme St. Augustine Beach anyday of the year.)

Divino Nino 88

Divino Nino 88
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

Just returned from a teen Mission Trip to Nicaragua. Will try to blog about some of the experiences in the next few days. It was pretty amazing. Check out the photo stream on Flickr, by clicking on the picture.

in the dressing room

in the dressing room
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

This weekend was Abby's big end of the year Dance Recital. We really had a good time and she was so graceful. Here are a few pics from the weekend. Click the pic to check out my flickr stream

getting closer

getting closer
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

Things are really coming together on the house. This weekend was supposed to be the move in day, but as before, things have been pushed back. We are still very excited and very consumed with getting moved in before the summer. Baseball is in full swing with games and practices and we wonder how it is all going to be done. Click the picture to see some recent pics.

TobyMac in Texas

TobyMac in Texas
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

On Good Friday, Jen and I took the boys to Six Flags to see some of our favs. Hawk Nelson, Toby Mac, KJ 52 and Audio A all rocked and we had an excellent time. On Saturday, it was fun to see our good friends, Daniel and Sharon. We always pick up were the last conversation left off with them. Thank God for good friends. It was a great adventure and although it was alot of driving it was absolutely worth it. (Moral of the story: grab the opportunites that come your way, because life is short.)

McPhersons Easter Pic

Easter Pic
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

After coming home from a 6 week trip through Florida, Georgia and North Carolina we were happy to be in Arkansas for Easter. And yes, that is me in the suit. (One of my friends when He saw this pic asked, "Who is that with Jen and the kids?")

Men's Fraternity House

The House
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

This past weekend I had the chance to hang with guys in a house right outside of Asheville, North Carolina. This was the 11th annual Men's Fraternity weekend for this group of guys. My good friend, Michael Harness, has been participating for the past few years and He invited me in on this years event. It was alot of fun, and I believe that it was beneficial for me to have been there. I feel, as often I do, that when I want to listen, God is always talking to me. This weekend was no exception. I heard God speak through the scriptures, I heard him speak through the stories, I hearn him speak even through 'shop' talk as different ones shared about their jobs. It was a great weekend, and I look forward to hanging with these guys in the future. Check out my photo stream from the event by clicking on the image of the house. Here are a few other pics from the weekend.

Sorry for the delay

For those of you who know us well, you know that we have been doing a little traveling over the last few months. It has been absolutely incredible. We can hardly believe that so much has happened in such a short few months. I will try to blog some of the highlights. Right now we are in the middle of baseball season and getting ready for dance recitals (this is the good life). There is serious work happening on the house on Iron Mountain right now. The concrete stain has been an interesting project and we are anxious to see how it ends. Here are some pics from the stain right now. We still have second coats and clean up to do.

New Progress

Bathroom Tile
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

There has been only a little progress on the house over the past few days, but alot of things are coming together all at once. It is a very exciting time and we can hardly believe it.

I am heading for Michigan and Jen and the Kids are in Camden for the weekend. We are really looking forward to the the weekend of the 25-27, because we have something very special planned for the kids (really for all of us) on that weekend.

Another Hand-written Attempt

This is a song that I wrote for Zoe sometime ago. She has really enjoyed singing it lately.

Official Hand-written Music

I have been working on some songs for the children and on a very crude way to record them. Here is a test run of a recording I made for Abby with the guitar and the laptop. I hope to put down a song we did for Zoe Grace in the near future. One day we will record our own music from the home studio with all the latest toys, until then, I'm singing into the laptop and enjoying every minute of it.

Wake Up Abby - Rough First Cut






She truly is a dancer and brings so much joy to us everyday.

View from front door

View from front door
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

Things are really happening quickly on the house. Today they have been working on the cabinets and tiling the shower. Click on the link under the picture to see more.

Joby's missing teeth

Joby's missing teeth
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

The other day, as the boys will sometimes do, a game was made up involving tossing an old two-liter bottle full of water. (Comic mayhem ensues) Sure enough, the simple game escalated into a two-liter war ending abruptly with Joby getting smacked square in the mouth with a full two-liter bottle that was flying from across the room.

As if the bloody lips and bruised gums weren't enough, His one remaining front baby tooth was hit pretty hard, causing it to sort of twist in its spot. The result was not too pretty to look out, but Joby get working on it until it fell out later that day.

Just goes to show that computers and video games will never take the place of good 'ole living room rambunchiousness. (is that even a word?) You can see more recent pics of the kids by clicking the link under Joby's pic.

Weekend tour of the Roads of Southern Arkansas

This past weekend, we burned up the highways here in Southern Arkansas. Thursday night late we drove from Mena to Camden. Then Friday morning it was over to Texarkana to shop for fans and fixtures for the house on Iron Mountain. Friday night we drove from Texarkana to Camden. Saturday morning we headed back to Texarkana and from there up to DeQueen, where we had a youth event in the evening. Here are some pics from that fun night at First Baptist Dequeen.



After the event, we drove back to Camden from Dequeen. The next morning we were with Judy and Winfield (jennifer's parents) at their church, and then drove from Camden to Mena. Three nights in a row we drove to Camden, all three nights a different route. All in all, a lot of driving, but alot of fun too.

Here are a few pics from the house as well. Things are continuing to move forward. They are painting and tiling bathrooms this week.

Zoe the Fairy

Zoe the Fairy
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

Time seems to be flying. My littlest is growing so fast, I can hardly keep it in perspective.
Her new thing is to ask if we like things. She says, "Dad, you like my hair?" "Dad, you like my dress?" "Dad, you like my eyes?"

Last night while Jen and I played some music, Abby and Zoe were dancing around the living room. Zoe came running up to us and said, "Dad, you like Abby's dance?"

What do you think I said?

Public perception of Christianity

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Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

Time's piece on Evangelicals is very interesting. Some of the recent swirl from this article has also been interesting. For interest to our discussions here on Forerunners, both McLaren and Colson are in the time list. (Although McLaren seems to resent the fact that he is lumped with the rest of them).

Even more worth a scan is the transcript from Larry King Live last night, where Larry had as his guests the LaHayes, Franklin Graham, T.D. Jakes, and McLaren. If I was scoring the participants in the discussion, I, personally, would have to declare Jakes the winner. (McLaren doesn't really fit with that group anyway, and all of his answers evidenced that.) Jakes seemed to be unshakable positive and I for one dig that.
What does all of this mass exposure tell you about the way people in our society see Christianity? Do they people in my neighborhood know the difference between a "conservative evangelical" and a "emergent disciple"? I'll go on record as saying that I think that there it is a good idea getting people like the Lahayes on TV. The more stories CNN and MSNBC can run about "right-wingers" the better. Can you guess why I think so?

Video Gallery of Dr. King

Take the time to take the little quiz about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. After you have go to the link at the bottom of the page called "Video Gallery" and watch a well put together archive of King's life and work.

Free Junk Online

I am always surfing and always checking things out. It amazes me all the things you can get online these days. Free Ipods are the going thing. Apparently, if you sign up for some offers and get some other saps to do the same, you can really get a free ipod. (Anybody want sign up for some offers for me?) You can also get a job at home making up to $250 an hour. I would take that job all except I am afraid of what I might be like if I was a millionaire. I have also learned that you can get an Online Degree for life experience, with no attendance, no studying and no examinations. Best of all there is no waiting and no rejections. For $199 you will receieve a degree from an accredited university.

The marvels of our modern world.

Here is a great little site that helps you work on your writing skills. Everyday it shows you a word and gives you 60 seconds to write something. No time to think, only write. Give it a try. One Word.

The Village

The Village
Originally uploaded by Jerod McPherson.

Everyone lauded M.Night as the successor of Hitch, and I have to admit that I have been on the badnwagon too. I like the way he works the camera and I like the stories that He writes. The Village is a very interesting movie, we enjoyed it and found it a very relevant to parenting and living as a Christian on this planet. I agree with the thought that as much as you try to isolate yourself from pain and heartache, it has a way of finding you. Life cannot be completely struggle-free. You can do everything you can to preserve innocence, but the evils of life in general can inch their way into your existence. When that happens, do you given up on your chosen way of living or do you continue to run after hope? I believe in matters of family and life that "The world moves for love, it stands in awe of it."