I’m a runner. It’s amazing to me how many people who don’t run or even exercise, lecture me about how bad running is for me. Usually I just smile politely and let them talk, but I’m working on my comebacks.
Some of these I found on coolrunning and some are my own …
Them: running is bad for your knees.
Me: Having 50 extra pound on your body to carry around everyday is worse for your knees. I wonder how many people have heart attacks trying to save their knees. Besides, that’s why I don’t drive my car … it’s bad for the tires.
Them: Running causes arthritis and some day your going to need hip replacement.
Me: I’d rather have my hip replaced that to have congestive heart failure and need a heart replacement.
Them (to women): Running makes your uterus fall out.
Me: Good thing I’m a guy and don’t have to respond.
Them: Your lungs will freeze if you run in the cold.
Me: Dude, that’s why I live in Texas!
Them: Running detaches your retinas.
Me: Yeah, and chewing gum takes seven years to digest when you swallow it … give me a break.
Okay, those responses all sound a bit angry. Maybe I will just smile politely and let them talk …
I think I'll go out for a run.
Saturday, March 05, 2005
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Simple Purity
And now I'm afraid that exactly as the Snake seduced Eve with his smooth patter, you are being lured away from the simple purity of your love for Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:3
Simple purity
A strong cup of coffee in the morning
Holding my daughter’s hand as I walk her to school
Silence and a good book
A morning run
To just exist in the same room as my wife
A hot cup of green tea in the afternoon
To watch my daughter lead
A bike ride to work
Seeing my son’s pure love of sports
Sunrise when camping
Beef enchiladas
The feel of water surrounding me as I swim
Knowing every breath is a gift from God
2 Corinthians 11:3
Simple purity
A strong cup of coffee in the morning
Holding my daughter’s hand as I walk her to school
Silence and a good book
A morning run
To just exist in the same room as my wife
A hot cup of green tea in the afternoon
To watch my daughter lead
A bike ride to work
Seeing my son’s pure love of sports
Sunrise when camping
Beef enchiladas
The feel of water surrounding me as I swim
Knowing every breath is a gift from God
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Math Homework
Growing up I found I had an extreme dislike for math; especially in jr. high and high school. Math was a subject that seemed so abstract. It was a subject about numbers that had very little connection with my reality.
Then I graduated from high school and after goofing off for a while I went to a technical college. I studied instrumentation with a heavy emphasis on electronics. All of my math classes had a direct correlation to my field of study so most of the math problems I solved related to electronics. This opened an incredible world to me and I started digging math. Math was no longer just numbers on a page but it had a solid relation to something I could observe. After tech school I went to work in my field of study and math was a fun part of my job.
Tonight my son Jakeb brought home a math paper where he had to find the surface area, circumference and volume of different geometrical shapes. I know now that math has relevance but I thought I was finished with math homework when I got out of school. Not only did I have to refresh my memory about how to do geometry (pi d? "no, that's circumference." or pi r-square times length? "Yeah, that's volume of a cylinder." ), I also had to convince Jake I knew what I was talking about.
And when it comes down to it, I really don’t care how many times a lawn roller with a diameter of 9 inches will rotate across a 40-foot lawn.
Then I graduated from high school and after goofing off for a while I went to a technical college. I studied instrumentation with a heavy emphasis on electronics. All of my math classes had a direct correlation to my field of study so most of the math problems I solved related to electronics. This opened an incredible world to me and I started digging math. Math was no longer just numbers on a page but it had a solid relation to something I could observe. After tech school I went to work in my field of study and math was a fun part of my job.
Tonight my son Jakeb brought home a math paper where he had to find the surface area, circumference and volume of different geometrical shapes. I know now that math has relevance but I thought I was finished with math homework when I got out of school. Not only did I have to refresh my memory about how to do geometry (pi d? "no, that's circumference." or pi r-square times length? "Yeah, that's volume of a cylinder." ), I also had to convince Jake I knew what I was talking about.
And when it comes down to it, I really don’t care how many times a lawn roller with a diameter of 9 inches will rotate across a 40-foot lawn.
Les Miz
Last year Andrea read Les Miserables and loved the story. Then for Christmas I bought her the movie – well actually she ordered the movie from Amazon (along with Luther for me) and it found it’s way into her stocking. Imagination is so much more powerful than what a movie maker can do with images. I like to see movies that have been made from the books I’ve read but most of the time I’m not impressed. In Andrea’s case she was disappointed with the film because it didn’t meet up to the standards of the movie her imagination played in her mind as she read the book. Add to that the fact the movie makers took some liberties with the story.
In January we found out that Les Miserables the musical was going to be at the Hobby Center in Houston so I bought tickets for Andrea and me and gave them to her on Valentine’s Day. Last night we attended the performance and before we got there we were worried that the musical would deviate from the story enough to be as disappointing as the movie, but Andrea was pleased because it followed the book as well as a three hour musical can. I was not ready for the fact that they sang almost every word. There were only two or three spoken sentences. I guess that’s why they call it a musical. Overall Andrea and I enjoyed the experience.
During intermission I visited the rest room and on the way out ran into my good friend Scott. He said “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Like he was surprised that I was at an event reserved for people more “cultured” than myself. This from a guy who likes to duck hunt, graduated from Texas A&M and thinks an evening of fine entertainment includes a round of Texas hold em. How random is it that Scott and I would see each other among thousands of other people at the Hobby Center?
Even though I'm giving him a hard time, it was actually Scott who talked about Les Miserables enough to get Andrea interested in buying the book in the first place. I guess there is some culture in us all.
In January we found out that Les Miserables the musical was going to be at the Hobby Center in Houston so I bought tickets for Andrea and me and gave them to her on Valentine’s Day. Last night we attended the performance and before we got there we were worried that the musical would deviate from the story enough to be as disappointing as the movie, but Andrea was pleased because it followed the book as well as a three hour musical can. I was not ready for the fact that they sang almost every word. There were only two or three spoken sentences. I guess that’s why they call it a musical. Overall Andrea and I enjoyed the experience.
During intermission I visited the rest room and on the way out ran into my good friend Scott. He said “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Like he was surprised that I was at an event reserved for people more “cultured” than myself. This from a guy who likes to duck hunt, graduated from Texas A&M and thinks an evening of fine entertainment includes a round of Texas hold em. How random is it that Scott and I would see each other among thousands of other people at the Hobby Center?
Even though I'm giving him a hard time, it was actually Scott who talked about Les Miserables enough to get Andrea interested in buying the book in the first place. I guess there is some culture in us all.
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Spirituality and Celibacy
Since I know my mom reads my blog occasionally – “Mom you can skip this post …”
I was on an information gathering mission today and while surfing for a specific subject for an upcoming Sunday message I found myself here – on a web site devoted to assisting young people as they try to decide if full time vocational ministry in the Catholic Church is right for them.
Besides the fact that I am disqualified, I have no desire to be a priest or monk. But I found the evaluation tools on the web site interesting and I took some of the tests.
Based on one of the test my spirituality type is the PATH OF INTELLECT (Thomistic prayer). The web site says, “People of this prayer type prefer neat, orderly forms of the spiritual life, as opposed to the free-spirit, impulsive attitude of the Franciscan approach.”
I think they nailed me there.
Then I took the “Celibacy Quiz” and I got a pop-up that says “Your answers indicate that you have the capacity to live a celibate life well, but some issues might need to be resolved before making a full commitment”. HA!
I may have the capacity, but for me the dynamics of marriage and learning to exist with another person in life has helped my spiritual growth more than celibacy could. BTW - I believe marriage is the only context in which a person should choose not to be celibate.
Be careful with your comments ... your mom might be reading too.
I was on an information gathering mission today and while surfing for a specific subject for an upcoming Sunday message I found myself here – on a web site devoted to assisting young people as they try to decide if full time vocational ministry in the Catholic Church is right for them.
Besides the fact that I am disqualified, I have no desire to be a priest or monk. But I found the evaluation tools on the web site interesting and I took some of the tests.
Based on one of the test my spirituality type is the PATH OF INTELLECT (Thomistic prayer). The web site says, “People of this prayer type prefer neat, orderly forms of the spiritual life, as opposed to the free-spirit, impulsive attitude of the Franciscan approach.”
I think they nailed me there.
Then I took the “Celibacy Quiz” and I got a pop-up that says “Your answers indicate that you have the capacity to live a celibate life well, but some issues might need to be resolved before making a full commitment”. HA!
I may have the capacity, but for me the dynamics of marriage and learning to exist with another person in life has helped my spiritual growth more than celibacy could. BTW - I believe marriage is the only context in which a person should choose not to be celibate.
Be careful with your comments ... your mom might be reading too.
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Feeding my soul
I am good at feeding my body. I can eat and I do it everyday – sometimes too much. I am good at feeding my mind. I enjoy a good book or a good movie and to engage either is very satisfying.
I know how to satisfy my body and my mind but sometimes I neglect to feed my soul. Yesterday our student minister Mary Margaret went on a one day spiritual retreat. Talking to her today reminded me of my own spiritual retreat a couple of months ago. It is a day set aside to be alone and quiet before God. To some of you it sounds mystical but it’s not. It can become quite normal.
For my day alone with God I went to Ruah retreat center at Villa De Matel. That’s where MM went yesterday too. It is a place that is dedicated to silence and solitude where a person can connect to God. The day I spent there was incredible. To try to describe it is futile. Have you ever tried to describe a spiritual experience you’ve had to someone else and they just stare at you with their head leaning to one side like a puppy that just chewed your mail and is wondering why you’re so worked up?
After I left Ruah I committed to myself and to God to take my experience at Ruah home with me and spend some quality time in the presence of God as a normal part of my everyday life. What’s the difference between this spiritual retreat and a quiet time? Well they are similar, the difference is that my quiet time has become so much about productivity and knowledge gain that it is no longer about building my relationship with God. I feel like God is saying to me, “Tommy rest in me. Be quiet. Stop trying to be productive and really know me in the most intimate way. Feed your soul with me. Stop with the busyness of life and the things you see as “great matters” and be still and quiet your soul.”
I need to add a time of silence and solitude to my days so that I can feed my soul. When you see me next, ask me how I’m doing.
I know how to satisfy my body and my mind but sometimes I neglect to feed my soul. Yesterday our student minister Mary Margaret went on a one day spiritual retreat. Talking to her today reminded me of my own spiritual retreat a couple of months ago. It is a day set aside to be alone and quiet before God. To some of you it sounds mystical but it’s not. It can become quite normal.
For my day alone with God I went to Ruah retreat center at Villa De Matel. That’s where MM went yesterday too. It is a place that is dedicated to silence and solitude where a person can connect to God. The day I spent there was incredible. To try to describe it is futile. Have you ever tried to describe a spiritual experience you’ve had to someone else and they just stare at you with their head leaning to one side like a puppy that just chewed your mail and is wondering why you’re so worked up?
After I left Ruah I committed to myself and to God to take my experience at Ruah home with me and spend some quality time in the presence of God as a normal part of my everyday life. What’s the difference between this spiritual retreat and a quiet time? Well they are similar, the difference is that my quiet time has become so much about productivity and knowledge gain that it is no longer about building my relationship with God. I feel like God is saying to me, “Tommy rest in me. Be quiet. Stop trying to be productive and really know me in the most intimate way. Feed your soul with me. Stop with the busyness of life and the things you see as “great matters” and be still and quiet your soul.”
I need to add a time of silence and solitude to my days so that I can feed my soul. When you see me next, ask me how I’m doing.
A pilgrim song of David
My heart is not proud, O Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 131
My heart is not proud, O Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forevermore.
Psalm 131
Monday, February 14, 2005
Hugs from a guest
Today my favorite human on the face of the earth (my wife Andrea) is taking over my blog. Enjoy ...
- - - - - - - -
I’m hijacking Tommy’s blog for this post. I’ll be setting up a blog for myself soon but I knew more would read this on Tommy’s and I wanted to get it out there today, being Valentine’s Day. So here goes…
In January, I read one of my favorite quiet time guides, Soul Journey. There was an article on January 15, 2005 called “Compassion of Jesus” by Jennifer Farley. She said, when someone we love dies, we miss them but Jesus does not leave us comfortless.
It got me to thinking a lot about hugs. I’m not a big hugger. I didn’t come from a family with a lot of physical affection so hugging doesn’t always come easy for me. Tommy, on the other hand, well, hugging was a part of his everyday life. It comes very easy for him to show love to our kids and me with a hug.
Hugs can be taken or given. I prefer the hugs that are given. I’m well aware of the hug that someone takes and it’s very hard for me to give back when someone is just taking a hug. But, when it’s given… it’s just to show love to me, I kinda dig that kind of hug. (unless it’s Tommy after running a few miles, yuc!!!)
Hugs make an impression on my heart, on my body, on my mind. I know when a hug is real and out of love, I feel the arms make an impression on my physical body and I remember how it feels in my mind to have someone I love hug me.
Make today a day of hugs… Make sure you give enough hugs to your loved ones to last a lifetime and beyond. Make sure you give them more tomorrow and the next and the next so they’ll be able to remember how it feels to have your arms wrapped around them even when you’re not around.
So, if you’re like me and hugs don’t come naturally, take this advice that I got long ago. “If you hug someone 3000 times, it starts becoming more natural.” Just do it! Give hugs, don’t take them. Give them away freely and with lots and lots of love and squeeze so tight the person you are hugging will not ever be able to forget what it feels like.
If you don’t get the privilege of a hug today from a physical person that you love, I pray you can feel God’s arms wrap around you. He hugs us all the time, we just may not notice. In the words of Jennifer Farley, “Jesus said, “I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you” (John 14:18). His heart goes out to us—how comforting that is! Anytime we’re hurting, Jesus has compassion on us. He’ll comfort us, as we reach out to Him.” Reach your arms out to Jesus, and he’ll hug you back!
On the “love day”, Valentine’s Day, I plan on hugging my family so much that they won’t forget what it feels like to get a hug from their mom and wife. Don’t worry, I won’t hug everyone – and I really don’t want everyone to hug me!
Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Tell someone you love them and GIVE them a hug!
- - - - - - - -
I’m hijacking Tommy’s blog for this post. I’ll be setting up a blog for myself soon but I knew more would read this on Tommy’s and I wanted to get it out there today, being Valentine’s Day. So here goes…
In January, I read one of my favorite quiet time guides, Soul Journey. There was an article on January 15, 2005 called “Compassion of Jesus” by Jennifer Farley. She said, when someone we love dies, we miss them but Jesus does not leave us comfortless.
It got me to thinking a lot about hugs. I’m not a big hugger. I didn’t come from a family with a lot of physical affection so hugging doesn’t always come easy for me. Tommy, on the other hand, well, hugging was a part of his everyday life. It comes very easy for him to show love to our kids and me with a hug.
Hugs can be taken or given. I prefer the hugs that are given. I’m well aware of the hug that someone takes and it’s very hard for me to give back when someone is just taking a hug. But, when it’s given… it’s just to show love to me, I kinda dig that kind of hug. (unless it’s Tommy after running a few miles, yuc!!!)
Hugs make an impression on my heart, on my body, on my mind. I know when a hug is real and out of love, I feel the arms make an impression on my physical body and I remember how it feels in my mind to have someone I love hug me.
Make today a day of hugs… Make sure you give enough hugs to your loved ones to last a lifetime and beyond. Make sure you give them more tomorrow and the next and the next so they’ll be able to remember how it feels to have your arms wrapped around them even when you’re not around.
So, if you’re like me and hugs don’t come naturally, take this advice that I got long ago. “If you hug someone 3000 times, it starts becoming more natural.” Just do it! Give hugs, don’t take them. Give them away freely and with lots and lots of love and squeeze so tight the person you are hugging will not ever be able to forget what it feels like.
If you don’t get the privilege of a hug today from a physical person that you love, I pray you can feel God’s arms wrap around you. He hugs us all the time, we just may not notice. In the words of Jennifer Farley, “Jesus said, “I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you” (John 14:18). His heart goes out to us—how comforting that is! Anytime we’re hurting, Jesus has compassion on us. He’ll comfort us, as we reach out to Him.” Reach your arms out to Jesus, and he’ll hug you back!
On the “love day”, Valentine’s Day, I plan on hugging my family so much that they won’t forget what it feels like to get a hug from their mom and wife. Don’t worry, I won’t hug everyone – and I really don’t want everyone to hug me!
Happy Valentine’s Day!!! Tell someone you love them and GIVE them a hug!
Sunday, February 13, 2005
Is your passion hot?
Andrea and I went with some friends to Fellowship of the Woodlands on Saturday night to see if we could gain some insight for Brazos Pointe Fellowship's Saturday Night service that will start on Easter weekend.
After the service Andrea and I wanted something to munch on and a drink. We were standing in line to pay for the stuff we were going to consume and the lady behind the counter asked me, “Is your passion hot?” I paused for a second and told Andrea, “She just asked me if my passion was hot. What nerve.”
Very uncharacteristically, Andrea just laughed and then she turned to her friend Dedee and said, “Hey the lady behind the counter asked Tommy if his passion was hot.” And Dedee laughed too.
Wow. No one cares that the lady was asking me such a question.
It really didn’t matter because we were at Starbucks and I had ordered myself a Zen green tea and I ordered Andrea a Passion tea. Apparently Passion tea comes iced or hot and the lady was asking me if I wanted it cold or hot. Therefore “Is your passion hot?” is a perfectly appropriate question.
Context is everything.
After the service Andrea and I wanted something to munch on and a drink. We were standing in line to pay for the stuff we were going to consume and the lady behind the counter asked me, “Is your passion hot?” I paused for a second and told Andrea, “She just asked me if my passion was hot. What nerve.”
Very uncharacteristically, Andrea just laughed and then she turned to her friend Dedee and said, “Hey the lady behind the counter asked Tommy if his passion was hot.” And Dedee laughed too.
Wow. No one cares that the lady was asking me such a question.
It really didn’t matter because we were at Starbucks and I had ordered myself a Zen green tea and I ordered Andrea a Passion tea. Apparently Passion tea comes iced or hot and the lady was asking me if I wanted it cold or hot. Therefore “Is your passion hot?” is a perfectly appropriate question.
Context is everything.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Believe in yourself
This morning I got a newsletter where Rick Warren said “Each Sunday, church pews are filled with members who are doing nothing with their faith except "keeping" it.” It made me ask myself “Am I just “keeping” my faith or am I doing something with it?”
I believe the reason I don’t take risks and step out into unknown territory is because I believe God is perfectly capable of doing everything that needs to get done in the world without me. Besides why take the risk when I am a nobody? The media tells me I’m too short and I’m too tall, and my hair is the wrong color (blondes have more fun) and I need to go to the hair club for men; I’m too skinny and I’m too fat, and my skin is blemished and my car is a piece of junk and I am not worth anything …
Fear keeps me from being me. God created me and you to be exactly who we are and there is nothing wrong with me and there’s nothing wrong with you. God wants me to be the me He created me to be.
It’s true; God could accomplish everything it takes to make the world everything he wants it to be – the best world possible. But the fact of the matter is God has decided to use me and you to accomplish that purpose - because God believes in me.
So believe in God; and believe in yourself … God does.
If your back is pinned against the wall
And the stress is killing you
And the cross you carry on your back
Makes it hard for you to move
In yourself
Believe, its all right
In yourself
Believe, you're all right
Doug Pinnick, Ty Tabor, Jerry Gaskill
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Cooking for Mickey D's
Tonight Andrea made lettuce wraps ala P.F. Chang’s or a restaurant we like even more Pei Wei. It was good and the kids liked it. Anna our soon to be six year old daughter was eating and Andrea asked her, “Anna do you like it?”
Anna said, “Yeah mom this is really good. You’re a good cook. You should work at McDonalds.”
The ultimate praise a six year old could ever give a cook.
Anna said, “Yeah mom this is really good. You’re a good cook. You should work at McDonalds.”
The ultimate praise a six year old could ever give a cook.
Romance
Read on guys, its not that bad … besides you needed a reminder that Valentine's Day is coming (you can thank me later).
I usually think of romance in terms of the relationship between a man and a woman. Very rarely do I think of romance in a spiritual sense and would not normally combine the ideas of romance and God - except maybe in thinking about the Song of Solomon. I know God created the marriage relationship between a man and a woman and I know to have a good marriage God has to be in the middle of it. But when it comes to romance, I just assumed He said, “Okay now, figure it out because I’m God and romance is a “humanity” thing”.
Today I was reading Epic by John Eldredge and he introduced a thought that made me stop reading and think. Here it is:
Creation unfolds like a great work of art, a masterpiece in the making. And just as you can learn about an author by the stories he tells, you can learn about a great deal about an artist from the works he creates. Surely you see that God is more creative than we can possibly imagine, and romantic to the core.
(pg 46)
Wow … look at creation and see the romance of God. God is "romantic to the core" and my example for how romance fits into life and is shown to Andrea. To be romantic I have to be creative like God is creative. What a concept. Now I know why I’ve sometimes fallen short when it comes to romance. I’ve settled for less than perfect examples of what romance looks like. hmmm …
I usually think of romance in terms of the relationship between a man and a woman. Very rarely do I think of romance in a spiritual sense and would not normally combine the ideas of romance and God - except maybe in thinking about the Song of Solomon. I know God created the marriage relationship between a man and a woman and I know to have a good marriage God has to be in the middle of it. But when it comes to romance, I just assumed He said, “Okay now, figure it out because I’m God and romance is a “humanity” thing”.
Today I was reading Epic by John Eldredge and he introduced a thought that made me stop reading and think. Here it is:
Creation unfolds like a great work of art, a masterpiece in the making. And just as you can learn about an author by the stories he tells, you can learn about a great deal about an artist from the works he creates. Surely you see that God is more creative than we can possibly imagine, and romantic to the core.
(pg 46)
Wow … look at creation and see the romance of God. God is "romantic to the core" and my example for how romance fits into life and is shown to Andrea. To be romantic I have to be creative like God is creative. What a concept. Now I know why I’ve sometimes fallen short when it comes to romance. I’ve settled for less than perfect examples of what romance looks like. hmmm …
Monday, February 07, 2005
Everybody Loves Raymond and good art ... in the same sentence.
Tonight Everybody Loves Raymond made me laugh – uncomfortably. The reason shows like Everybody Loves Raymond are so funny and unsettling at the same time is because I can relate. I see myself in the characters and sometimes I don’t like what I see – so I laugh. And sometimes it's just witty so I laugh.
Good art does to all of us what Everybody Loves Raymond does to me. It causes us to look within ourselves and the world that exists around us. Sometimes I like what I see; sometimes it is quite unsettling; and sometimes it even touches the soul.
Good art does to all of us what Everybody Loves Raymond does to me. It causes us to look within ourselves and the world that exists around us. Sometimes I like what I see; sometimes it is quite unsettling; and sometimes it even touches the soul.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Risk
I don’t mind taking risks … sometimes. Stepping through the tension of change makes me grow so I like the risk associated with change.
But do you know what’s hard? Watching the people around me, who are closest to me, who I love, take a risk. It’s not easy to watch.
This weekend our son Jakeb tried out for baseball. Which would not normally be a big deal, but he’s is about to be twelve years old and he’s never played organized baseball. Everything athletic comes naturally to Jakeb so I shouldn’t have been worried. I was more nervous than he was though. He ended up doing fine.
At the same time Jakeb was trying out for baseball our daughter Tori was at solo and ensemble playing an oboe piece accompanied on the piano by her mom. Because both she and Andrea were stepping out there and taking a risk I was nervous for them both. And they both did fine. Tori got a one (which is excellent).
Tonight our daughter Anna will sing in a talent show for her elementary school. Again I find myself nervous because she is stepping out into the tension of change and taking a risk. I know she’ll do fine too, but as a dad it’s easy to worry.
Way too many times as a parent I want to protect my kids from risk and change because risk comes with two outcomes – success and failure. To think of my kids failing at anything makes my stomach turn. But I know risk, whether there is success or opportunity for improvement, makes my kids better. So kids, step out there and give it a shot – your dad is behind you; supporting you; and trying like crazy not to worry about you; knowing that you will do just fine.
But do you know what’s hard? Watching the people around me, who are closest to me, who I love, take a risk. It’s not easy to watch.
This weekend our son Jakeb tried out for baseball. Which would not normally be a big deal, but he’s is about to be twelve years old and he’s never played organized baseball. Everything athletic comes naturally to Jakeb so I shouldn’t have been worried. I was more nervous than he was though. He ended up doing fine.
At the same time Jakeb was trying out for baseball our daughter Tori was at solo and ensemble playing an oboe piece accompanied on the piano by her mom. Because both she and Andrea were stepping out there and taking a risk I was nervous for them both. And they both did fine. Tori got a one (which is excellent).
Tonight our daughter Anna will sing in a talent show for her elementary school. Again I find myself nervous because she is stepping out into the tension of change and taking a risk. I know she’ll do fine too, but as a dad it’s easy to worry.
Way too many times as a parent I want to protect my kids from risk and change because risk comes with two outcomes – success and failure. To think of my kids failing at anything makes my stomach turn. But I know risk, whether there is success or opportunity for improvement, makes my kids better. So kids, step out there and give it a shot – your dad is behind you; supporting you; and trying like crazy not to worry about you; knowing that you will do just fine.
Sunday, January 30, 2005
News from Asia
Greg, our pastor, is on a mission trip to Asia. It's interesting to read about what's happening while they're there instead of waiting to hear about it when they get back. You can read more here ...> link
Thursday, January 27, 2005
American Idol
I’m not a huge American Idol fan. I think it’s because I can’t stand to watch people fail and each week on American Idol people fail – well at least one of them does. The rest of my family really likes to watch. For them maybe it’s about the success of those who don’t fail and move on in the show. You’ll have to talk to them about their motive for watching.
Last night we watched the very beginning of the American Idol process where thousands of people get in front of the American Idol judges and sing. Some of them know they are bad and they try to be as outrageous as possible just to get on TV. Others are really good and I can see why they feel they have a chance at being on the show. But some who try to sing are truly delusional. Their voices are horrible and they believe they can sing well. Watching them and the judge’s response made me laugh until my stomach hurt.
Something about American Idol bothers me. It makes me take a look at myself and ask, “What am I delusional about? Where am I making a fool of myself? Do I think I do something well that everyone around me thinks I do horribly?” Do people say to each other “can you believe he’s doing that?” Ignorance is bliss so maybe I don’t want to know. Then again maybe I do.
With that said, I’m kinda scared of the comments on this post ….
Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! Proverbs 15:23 (NLT)
Last night we watched the very beginning of the American Idol process where thousands of people get in front of the American Idol judges and sing. Some of them know they are bad and they try to be as outrageous as possible just to get on TV. Others are really good and I can see why they feel they have a chance at being on the show. But some who try to sing are truly delusional. Their voices are horrible and they believe they can sing well. Watching them and the judge’s response made me laugh until my stomach hurt.
Something about American Idol bothers me. It makes me take a look at myself and ask, “What am I delusional about? Where am I making a fool of myself? Do I think I do something well that everyone around me thinks I do horribly?” Do people say to each other “can you believe he’s doing that?” Ignorance is bliss so maybe I don’t want to know. Then again maybe I do.
With that said, I’m kinda scared of the comments on this post ….
Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! Proverbs 15:23 (NLT)
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Fear
I don’t fear many things. It’s just not in me to be scared of stuff. I’m not normally anxious about change or risk. I just feel like God is in control and I should run hard toward life and deal with it as it comes. I don’t worry too much about what other people think of me either.
Notice though that I wrote “I don’t fear many things”. There are some things that make me lay awake at night and stare at the ceiling. One of those is the fear of not being able to provide for my family. Its part of my life I have had a hard time giving to God and saying “Take it, do what you want and I won’t ever ask for it back.” I’m getting better with that one though.
In the last couple of years I’ve developed a new fear. I fear standing up in front of people to preach and not having anything to say. I’m not talking about the fear of public speaking, in fact I feel really comfortable in front of people when I know I’m saying what God wants me to say. It’s just in the process of preparing I shudder at the thought of standing up and mocking God and wasting the time of everyone listening with useless information. I think it is a healthy fear though as long as it doesn’t take over. In fact if I ever get nonchalant about teaching I should probably quit.
My child, don't lose sight of good planning and insight. Hang on to them, for they fill you with life and bring you honor and respect. They keep you safe on your way and keep your feet from stumbling. You can lie down without fear and enjoy pleasant dreams. You need not be afraid of disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
Notice though that I wrote “I don’t fear many things”. There are some things that make me lay awake at night and stare at the ceiling. One of those is the fear of not being able to provide for my family. Its part of my life I have had a hard time giving to God and saying “Take it, do what you want and I won’t ever ask for it back.” I’m getting better with that one though.
In the last couple of years I’ve developed a new fear. I fear standing up in front of people to preach and not having anything to say. I’m not talking about the fear of public speaking, in fact I feel really comfortable in front of people when I know I’m saying what God wants me to say. It’s just in the process of preparing I shudder at the thought of standing up and mocking God and wasting the time of everyone listening with useless information. I think it is a healthy fear though as long as it doesn’t take over. In fact if I ever get nonchalant about teaching I should probably quit.
My child, don't lose sight of good planning and insight. Hang on to them, for they fill you with life and bring you honor and respect. They keep you safe on your way and keep your feet from stumbling. You can lie down without fear and enjoy pleasant dreams. You need not be afraid of disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
Proverbs 3:21-26
What do you fear?
Sunday, January 16, 2005
My First Marathon
Check.
Today I ran a marathon … something I said I wanted to check off of my list of things to do and today I did it. It was a good day start to finish.
At the starting line of the marathon a guy with the words "Woot!Woot!" on the front of his shirt stood next to me. I don't know what the sign on his shirt was all about but he looked over and asked, “What’s your goal time?”
I said, “I’d like to run about 4 hours and 30 minutes but my main goal is to finish. If I do that I’ll be happy.” So I asked him “What’s your goal time.”
He said, “I don’t have a goal time. I trained with a friend to try to help him finish his first marathon and he bailed on me. So I'm running for fun and to finish.”
So I asked, “How many marathons have you run?”
He said, “This will be my third. What about you?”
I said, “This is my first.”
To which he replied, “Once you cross that finish line today your life will never be the same.”
It took me aback that he would say that. I never assumed that finishing a marathon would change my life. Giving my life to God, getting married and having kids have changed my life because they changed my priorities and reoriented the way I live. Somehow I don’t think finishing a marathon will do the same, but I will be able to say that I’ve done something through discipline and effort that few other people would even think to attempt.
A couple of people helped me today. First Andrea went with me and she provided support for me on the course. She met me a couple of places and gave me Power Gel and Ibuprofen when I needed it. It was a boost to my running to see someone who loves me cheer me on and tell me I could make it. I could not do life without Andrea and I would not have wanted to run my first marathon without her either.
Also I saw Edwin and Jenny on the half-marathon course. Both of them said something to the effect of “Go Tommy!” I missed seeing Jenny’s husband Wes but he sent me an email today and said “Way to go.” Wes, Jenny and Jenny's dad finished the half-marathon together which is way cool.
My friend Mark parked his car downtown and ran 6 miles back to the 20 mile mark and “ran me in” from 20. At about the 24 ½ mile mark he saw a friend who was struggling and since I was doing okay he let me go ahead and helped her make it to the finish line.
And then after the marathon was over we got to my parent's house and mom, dad, Tori, Jakeb, and Anna had bought me a cake that said "Congratulations Tommy!" I've got good kids and parents.
I know quite a few of you prayed for me.
Thanks everybody!
I finished in 4:13:12 chip time (from starting line to finish line). I ran 4:16:51 clock time (from starting gun to finish). If you wonder what the difference is you’ll have to ask me sometime.
It was a good day. The results were beyond my expectations. I may just have to try it again sometime.
Today I ran a marathon … something I said I wanted to check off of my list of things to do and today I did it. It was a good day start to finish.
At the starting line of the marathon a guy with the words "Woot!Woot!" on the front of his shirt stood next to me. I don't know what the sign on his shirt was all about but he looked over and asked, “What’s your goal time?”
I said, “I’d like to run about 4 hours and 30 minutes but my main goal is to finish. If I do that I’ll be happy.” So I asked him “What’s your goal time.”
He said, “I don’t have a goal time. I trained with a friend to try to help him finish his first marathon and he bailed on me. So I'm running for fun and to finish.”
So I asked, “How many marathons have you run?”
He said, “This will be my third. What about you?”
I said, “This is my first.”
To which he replied, “Once you cross that finish line today your life will never be the same.”
It took me aback that he would say that. I never assumed that finishing a marathon would change my life. Giving my life to God, getting married and having kids have changed my life because they changed my priorities and reoriented the way I live. Somehow I don’t think finishing a marathon will do the same, but I will be able to say that I’ve done something through discipline and effort that few other people would even think to attempt.
A couple of people helped me today. First Andrea went with me and she provided support for me on the course. She met me a couple of places and gave me Power Gel and Ibuprofen when I needed it. It was a boost to my running to see someone who loves me cheer me on and tell me I could make it. I could not do life without Andrea and I would not have wanted to run my first marathon without her either.
Also I saw Edwin and Jenny on the half-marathon course. Both of them said something to the effect of “Go Tommy!” I missed seeing Jenny’s husband Wes but he sent me an email today and said “Way to go.” Wes, Jenny and Jenny's dad finished the half-marathon together which is way cool.
My friend Mark parked his car downtown and ran 6 miles back to the 20 mile mark and “ran me in” from 20. At about the 24 ½ mile mark he saw a friend who was struggling and since I was doing okay he let me go ahead and helped her make it to the finish line.
And then after the marathon was over we got to my parent's house and mom, dad, Tori, Jakeb, and Anna had bought me a cake that said "Congratulations Tommy!" I've got good kids and parents.
I know quite a few of you prayed for me.
Thanks everybody!
I finished in 4:13:12 chip time (from starting line to finish line). I ran 4:16:51 clock time (from starting gun to finish). If you wonder what the difference is you’ll have to ask me sometime.
It was a good day. The results were beyond my expectations. I may just have to try it again sometime.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
It takes a village
And another thing …
Running a marathon is a family thing. I could not have trained for a marathon without the support of Andrea, Tori, Jakeb and Anna. “Hey, let’s get in bed; I’ve got a 12 miler in the morning.” So thanks y’all.
I also have had a huge amount of encouragement from those who run and know how much work it takes to get to the starting line. So thanks Edwin, Wes, Jenny, Brent, Jim, Mary Margaret, Nathan, and others (I’m sure I forgot to mention 12 people here) who have asked how the training is going, and have encouraged me to run on.
No matter what happens Sunday I appreciate the help!
Running a marathon is a family thing. I could not have trained for a marathon without the support of Andrea, Tori, Jakeb and Anna. “Hey, let’s get in bed; I’ve got a 12 miler in the morning.” So thanks y’all.
I also have had a huge amount of encouragement from those who run and know how much work it takes to get to the starting line. So thanks Edwin, Wes, Jenny, Brent, Jim, Mary Margaret, Nathan, and others (I’m sure I forgot to mention 12 people here) who have asked how the training is going, and have encouraged me to run on.
No matter what happens Sunday I appreciate the help!
Taper week
This has been a weird week. It’s the week before my first marathon so I’m not running as much as normal to allow my body to rest. This morning I ran two miles. I haven’t run as little as two miles since I started marathon training. When the run was over I felt like I was just warming up. I rode my bike to work this morning like I do most days. Even with the two miles and the bike ride I am having trouble sitting still in my chair at work. I have too much nervous energy.
One of the other reasons I enjoy running is that it allows me to eat well and still maintain a reasonable weight. I could never go on a low-carb diet because I LOVE bread, potatoes, rice, cereal and pasta. This week has been heaven because my diet has consisted of those things. People say that you cannot maintain proper weight by eating a high carb diet, but this week I have eaten more carbs than normal to fuel my body, I have run less and I’ve actually dropped a couple of pounds. I think the reason though is because all of the Christmas sweets have disappeared from the house and I’ve pretty much cut out dessert foods all together.
In three days I’m going to attempt to run 26 miles, 385 yards. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. Pray for me when you think about it.
One of the other reasons I enjoy running is that it allows me to eat well and still maintain a reasonable weight. I could never go on a low-carb diet because I LOVE bread, potatoes, rice, cereal and pasta. This week has been heaven because my diet has consisted of those things. People say that you cannot maintain proper weight by eating a high carb diet, but this week I have eaten more carbs than normal to fuel my body, I have run less and I’ve actually dropped a couple of pounds. I think the reason though is because all of the Christmas sweets have disappeared from the house and I’ve pretty much cut out dessert foods all together.
In three days I’m going to attempt to run 26 miles, 385 yards. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. Pray for me when you think about it.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
A Quiet Life
Our small group is studying the book of 1 Thessalonians. As we study it we have been encouraged to read through the book a couple of times to get a good feel for it. I’ve done that and I have only had one verse really stick out to me so far. In fact it puzzles me and I keep asking myself, “What am I supposed to do with this?” It was written to a specific group of people – the Thessalonian church, for a specific purpose.
Here it is:
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
I am a social introvert who is not very good at small talk. I enjoy good conversation with those whom I’m close but have a hard time having surface level conversations with those I barely know. A passage like this from the Bible is easy to use as justification for remaining the person I am and refusing to stretch myself. I don’t think that’s the point.
These verses though, remind me of my parents. They live a quiet life, which is something they enjoy. They mind their own business. I know that it is easy for parents to desire to give their kids unsolicited advice after they’re married, but my parents have always been good about letting Andrea and me work through stuff. My dad is a mechanic and my mom loves to work in the yard so they both work with their hands. Outsiders respect them and they are very independent. I’ve got great parents! They live this verse. By the way, today is my mom’s birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!
Here it is:
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
I am a social introvert who is not very good at small talk. I enjoy good conversation with those whom I’m close but have a hard time having surface level conversations with those I barely know. A passage like this from the Bible is easy to use as justification for remaining the person I am and refusing to stretch myself. I don’t think that’s the point.
These verses though, remind me of my parents. They live a quiet life, which is something they enjoy. They mind their own business. I know that it is easy for parents to desire to give their kids unsolicited advice after they’re married, but my parents have always been good about letting Andrea and me work through stuff. My dad is a mechanic and my mom loves to work in the yard so they both work with their hands. Outsiders respect them and they are very independent. I’ve got great parents! They live this verse. By the way, today is my mom’s birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
