Recently

Ever since we had our family photos taken in Newton a few weeks ago. (Thank you Megan…and I highly recommend her…)

I have been getting more and more into photography. (A huge thank you to my sister-in-law for letting me borrow her camera…) It is pretty addicting.

Anyways here are some of the results. (Yes, way too many results…sorry long post, but aren’t these kids cute…oh yeah and one of them this gals kids…)

Difficulties

as in . . .

“ad astra per aspera”

“to the stars through difficulties”

That is the motto of the great state of Kansas. How often have you heard a motto that had an implied negative in it. Why did they not just stop at “to the stars?” Because its Kansas. And that is what makes us great. And dare I say better?

We don’t beat around the bush. We tell it like it is. Yea, you can get the stars, but it is going to be hard work.

And what about companies and ummm, churches now a days. We all leave off anything to do with hardship or reality on our vision statements or company missions. Don’t want to scare anyone off.

I don’t know, I haven’t completely got this idea formed out yet, but something is there. Some thing to add to my anti-conference whenever it happens. This might not be a main session talk, more like a break out . . .

Beauty

We celebrated Heidi’s 35th! birthday the other day at a High School football game.

You would never guess 4 kids . . . isn’t she amazing?

Passion

Great thoughts from Kevin DeYoung over at his blog today…

Reaching the next generation—whether they are outside the church or sitting there bored in your church—is easier and harder than you think.  It’s easier because you don’t have to get a degree in postmodern literary theory or go to a bunch of stupid movies.  You don’t have to say “sweet” or “bling” ” or know what LOL or IMHO means.  You don’t have to listen to…well, whatever people listen to these days.  You don’t have to be on twitter, watchThe Office, or imbibe fancy coffees.  You just have to be like Jesus.  That’s it.  So the easy part is you don’t have to be with it.  The hard part is you have to be with Him.  If you walk with God and walk with people, you’ll reach the next generation.

And then going on in his article he talks about “passion.” I have always loved that word. More than purpose or strategy or drive or other new hip words. I love passion. If you read that article, I think John Piper is an example of that in action. Why does he reach young people? Why do college kids listen to him? Passion.

Now if we could just all agree on what “just having to be like Jesus,” actually means.

Knight

Ethan had a special visitor at his 4th birthday party last month…

And he wasn’t too scared off by the caped crusader…

I was “gone” for that part of the party so I missed our guest…

Safe

I want to be safe.

I don’t take risks.

People can claim all they want that “playing it safe” is somehow a bad thing. That the risky, the edgy, the progressive people–they are getting it done, they are the movers and shakers–and here is the kicker–that they are doing what God wants. Really? God doesn’t want you to be safe?

“The safest place to be is the center of God’s will.” You’ve heard it. Do you not believe it? When God and I are tight, when I feel (I know feeling is an emotion, unreliable, I get it) but work with me. When I feel connected most to Him…I don’t care where I am or what I am doing…I feel safe. In fact I don’t only feel safe…I am safe.

“But it feels risky”…what did I say about feelings.

So what am I getting at here. Do what God wants you to do! Write a book or don’t. Move overseas or don’t. Worship with guitars and lights or don’t. Live on a farm or don’t. It is always safe if it is what God wants. There is only one way I can take a risk in life. That is when I make any move without God.

God doesn’t take risks.

God wants me to be safe.

Pretzels

Why are there pretzels in the chex mix? Does any one like them? Do they serve any purpose other than filler?

Same in Gardetto’s or any type of mix you make. Everyone I have talked to doesn’t like them. But they are cheap and take up space, so they keep showing up.

I mean I like them OK, by themselves or whatever. But, they never take on the flavor of the mix. They don’t absorb the spices. They just taste like dry, blah pretzels.

If there is a big bowl of homemade chex mix I am rummaging around the pretzels to get to every thing else.

Random

“Man Cave” has to be the most overused phrase of 2009. Lets hope there is something new in twenty-ten. And having Charlie Sheen using it in an NFL ad holding a laptop is surely shark jumping (former overused phrase…)

I am fully on the bandwagon and pretty much addicted to fantasy football in just 3 short weeks. My sons don’t understand that “playing” fantasy football means you actually do nothing. They keep wondering when I am going to suit up and “play” football. They obviously don’t know the true work that goes into the “Wild Bohrers.)

I built a homemade antenna of of coat hangars and a 1 x 4 to recieve over the air, hd, digital signal. In the dark, ha. Cable will never have my money.

I am staying up too late most nights. I love the late night. AND I love the early morning. Right now mornings are losing. I wish I had afternoons off.

In my mind I going to give up Mountain Dew each new day. It normally lasts til about 10am. On a good day.

I like Julie and Julia and I liked Taken.

Love

Love God. Love others.

So often now the mantra of Christians. Excuse me, “Christ Followers.” But is it complete? Or completely accurate? Or does it need to be?

I am never commanded to love others with all my heart and soul and strength. Or is it heart and soul and mind? I always forget. But, either way, I think we are in danger of worshiping people. Are we Jesus-centric or people-centric?

Is the focus of the sermons, again excuse me, “messages,” you hear, people (yourself often) or God?

Lynching

JohnPiper: Racism is serious. Abortion is more serious. Racism might lead to lynching. Abortion is lynching.

Does anyone else get this?