What a Ride

We arrived home last night from a whirlwind trip to Colorado Springs and back. It was really a good trip. Not only did the meeting go very well, (We met with Hiram and Sharon, the CMA Southwest Regional Evangelists and with all the State Coordinators from that part of the country) we also had a great time together as a family. The meeting was enjoyable and I think will prove to be very valuable for the future of the CMA Youth Movement.

As a family we saw some things around Colorado Springs and spent some time at Focus on the Family, where the kids enjoyed themselves. We also got a chance to hit the indoor pool a couple of times. They always love that! Here are a few pics from the trip.

On the Road

Yesterday we left for Colorado Springs. We had a great lunch with Jennifer's brother Jason in Tulsa. It was really good to talk with him. From there we drove up to Wichita, Kansas where we spent the night in a hotel with an indoor pool. The kids had a blast splashing and swimming for a few minutes. Today we drove up to Colorado Springs. The kids watched movies and played gamecube and Jennifer finished reading the last few pages of The Brothers Kramazov to me. I have been trying to finish that book for a few months. It was really a nice day. We got checked into the hotel and hit a local Walmart. Tomorrow we are expecting to see some of the sites, Pike's Peak, stuff like that.

God Chose Me

Think about this great story from the gospel of John, chapter 1, beginning in verse 43.

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Phillip and said to him, “Come, be my disciple.” Phillip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.
Phillip went off to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”
“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from there?”
“Just come and see for yourself,” Phillip said.
As they approached, Jesus said, “Here comes and honest man- a true son of Israel.”
“How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.
And Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Phillip found you.”
Nathanael replied, “Teacher, you are the son of God – the King of Israel!”
Jesus asked him, “Do you believe all this just because I told you I has seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.” Then he said, “The truth is you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down upon the Son of Man.”

Here is an awesome demonstration from the Bible about how God chooses people. Earlier in this chapter you can read about how Jesus called the fishermen, Andrew, Peter, James and John. And here you read how he chose two more disciples Phillip and Nathanael. Think about the purposeful choice of Jesus. You see to Phillip and Nathanael, and to all of us reading this story it might seem very casual, how Nathanael, came into contact with Jesus. A friend told him about Jesus, he came to see for himself. But when Jesus reveals that he was aware of him sitting under a fig tree before Phillip ever came by, Nathanael sees that Jesus had planned to pick him all along.

And this is specifically what I need to remember. When was Nathanael picked and singled out to be one of Christ’s disciples? Long before Nathanael knew about it. I am the same, Jesus chose me: long before I made the decision to follow him. Before I ever made up my mind to come and follow Christ, He was watching me just like he was watching Nathanael. He has had his eye on me from the beginning, and he chose me. I some times forget that. God chose me!

The other night Zoe was chattering.

I caught a little of it on my pocket PC.

Listen to this

I mentioned earlier that we had a great time watching football this weekend. Those four games were probably the best collection on a playoff weekend in a long time. The Eagles win was the least impressive I thought, even though at this point it doesn't matter how pretty it is, as long as you get it done. I also am wondering if the real Payton Manning has been switched with some cyborg facsimile. Does he make mistakes any longer? And what if you are the punter on that Indianapolis team, do you sit on the sideline heater so you can break a sweat and look like you have been busy? The colts truly looked good, as did the patriots, however, the titans fought valiantly. I also really liked what Carolina did Saturday when their star back Stephen Davis was sidelined, very impressive.

Yet, after watching for weeks and seeing a lot of football and having my favorites, I won't climb to far out on a limb predict Philadelphia and New England for the Super bowl. Please comment and tell me why I have completely lost my mind.

The Good Life

It seems that we have had another great weekend. Aside from Zoe having some fever most of the weekend, we really had some good times. Friday evening some friends came over and we hung out and watched a movie. Saturday, we went over to Iron Mountain and put out some flags for the site work to be done on the new house (talk about exciting!). Later that afternoon we watched Playoff Football and played with Mighty Beanz. Yes, I did say Mighty Beanz. These beans must be the absolutely most low tech toy I have seen in years, and yet, we have already logged in more than a few hours playing with them. We had a good service Sunday Morning and then had lunch afterward with some friends. Sunday afternoon, zoe was feeling low, Zeke and I watched football and Abby and Joby played outside. All in all, a very relaxing weekend. We are spending the next few days getting ready for a CMA trip to Colorado Springs. Zeke has to have some dental work done today, and Abby's dance class is tomorrow. Other than that we are ready to head west!

Wishing for snow

The kids want it to snow. I guess if I am honest, Jen and I both want it to snow. Living in Georgia, Arkansas and Florida, I haven't seen just a huge amount of snow in my life. We are planning a trip to Colorado Springs next week. We all want to see lots of snow! Here is an interesting comment on snow.

The Whiteness of Snow
Molly Kelly

It has been snowing all day, and it’s supposed to go at least until tomorrow…

When I was a kid, I loved snow. Snow meant a day off from school; a day to go out and play. As an adult, I had to travel a lot for my job, and I liked it less. Snow meant plans had to be canceled or changed, and if they couldn’t be, it often meant treacherous driving. Snow also made me sad. My husband, Jim, died in a sledding accident, and for years afterward, I thought of his death whenever I saw snow.

Now that I am in the twilight of my life, however, I find that I once again appreciate snow. Seeing trees, bushes, roads, and roofs all covered in white makes me think of what our souls must look like after confession, when God’s grace has washed away the grime of our sins and left them unstained and pure. It also makes me think of heaven, and how pristine and beautiful life will be there…

What a great time of year for watching football. The playoffs are running and wildcard weekend has produced two smash-mouth games and two blow-outs. Unfortunately the Cowboys were on the short end of one of the blow-outs. Oh, well, maybe next year, the jags and the boys will make the playoffs. Check out this poll, and this story about former Jacksonville coach Coughlin.

Who do you like this year in the playoffs?

Will the real NCAA National Champion please stand up?

Nothing is more frustrating than this split National Championship thing. Which do you think deserve to be No. 1?



Oh, and not to complain, but you call that a Heisman trophy winner?

Is Pete Rose sorry?

The news is buzzing again and many people are expressing their opinions about the baseball legend. He says that he has lied for 14 years and concealed, at least publicly, the fact that he indeed had bet on baseball during his years as player and player/manager. Most of the opinions that I am hearing about Rose aren't very favorable, but the online polls are pretty much split. Do you think that his admissions in themselves equal an apology? Is an apology necessary for Pete to be eligible for the Hall of Fame? Have you ever been in a spot where you feel guilty about something you have done and simply to admit it is agony? Maybe Bud Selig, the commissioner of Baseball will act with mercy toward Rose...How likely do you think that is?