Toby's 1st Birthday Party!

Toby is Josh & Michelle's son from Solomon's Porch and 2-26 was his first birthday party. You should have been there! Toby is starting to take steps and I've already dubbed him "t-mobile" once he starts walking. Some kids just get the best of the gene pool. This is one of them...

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What I've Learned About Winter in MN

1. Ice is not your friend -- remote car starters are.

2. The words snow and emergency together = life threatening situation.

3. Skull caps are like underwear -- you need to wear them everywhere.

4. If the apostle Peter struggled to walk on water -- then I can apply that knowledge to frozen lakes .

5. Ice fishing should be left to professionals and those with lots of life insurance.

6. Expect Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) and medicate appropriately.

7. Never allow yourself to run low on toilet tissue, beer, or gas for your car. These are necessities.

8. Brisk, refreshing, and invigorating are just euphemisms for butt cold.

9. Enjoy warm days to their fullest, knowing that colder days are coming.

10. As a matter of mental health, book your warm weather vacations early and post them in a prominent place to "keep hope alive".

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A Living History Lesson

Since we are in Black History month recognizing influential African Americans, I thought that I would introduce you to my Granny Ruth. She is probably the strongest Christian that I've ever met.

Granny raised 5 children by herself after Grandaddy Wakefield was killed in a train accident when he was 39. She worked as a house-keeper and with the help of her generous employer was able to put all her children through graduate school. Then, at age 65, she returned to school for her GED!

She helped raise me until my Mom finished school and prayed for me daily until I became a believer at age 19. Her favorite saying when you ask her a tough question is "baby the Scripture says..."

Most amazing, growing up in the Deep South during segregation, you would expect that she would have legitmate reasons for racial hatred. She was not like that. My Granny spoke about stories of giving up her seat on the bus when she was 9 months pregnant due to the law at that time. She also explained how she was expected to enter through the back door of some establishments and drink from different water fountains. Her peace came from knowing that God gave her an identity in Christ that superceeded the world's injustice.

Today, we can't even imagine that type of country. I can't... She says that we have made progress but we have such a "long ways to go". Her example is very simple: she trust God completely and asks him for even the mundane things in life. Her intimacy with Him is frankly beyond my ability to comprehend.

Unfortunately, in the last couple of years she has fallen prey to Alzheimers and at age 86 has become a different person that requires nursing home and now hospice care. She probably won't be here much longer, but she has made an incredible difference in my life. Her favorite Bible verse - what else: Psalm 23.

You may not see her before she leaves this Earth, but I'll introduce you to her in heaven!


Granny Ruth
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Meet My Black Female Roommate...

Victor & Maggie


She wakes me up every morning, is happy to see me come home, thinks that I am the center of her universe, and can't stop kissing me.

For me, I get a great example of submission, obedience, and loyalty. She even runs after my bad Frisbee tosses. What else can a guy ask for from a black lab?

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Who Are You Becoming?

Questions that I am pondering...

Do you know how to be what you were created to be?

To walk in that truth with integrity?

Can you accept your limitations and constraints?

Knowing that God considers you a saint?

Rest -- in knowing that you are the "apple of His eye"!

(Psalm 17:5-8)

Lifting Up the Hood

Tonight at my church I was asked to share a little bit about my spiritual journey. It was very helpful primarily because it caused me to have to think about it in order to tell others. In case you missed it, listed below are the cliff notes...

Major Themes of My Life

• God's Protection / Provision
• God's Grace & Mercy
• God's Faithfulness

Some of My Biggest Challenges in my Spiritual Journey

• Living in "community" with other Christians beyond greetings on Sunday evenings and superficial conversation.
• Integrating my faith in all aspects of my life (work, family, friends).
• Having more patience with people that are in different stages of life than I am.

Meaningful Passage

God's relentless pursuit of intimacy with us: Romans 8:35-39

As my friends, you know me well. If I'm blowing BS, call me on it. This blog is just my viewpoint. I'd love to hear yours...

2005 Goals -- NOT Resolutions

Since I am so adamant about NOT setting new year resolutions (due to my track record of breaking them) this year I have come up with a few goals. I rationalize that the word "goal" is "kinder and gentler" while challenging me to improve.
Here's my list -- in no particular order...

1. Continue to pursue consistencies of character in all areas of my life.
2. Create a budget for 2005 that allows me to save more.
3. Take a trip during the winter months so that I remember what sunlight feels like.
4. Schedule a trip for my family to visit MN.
5. Get involved in my local church beyond weekly attendance.
6. Get to know my staff and employees and pray for them regularly.
7. Work with Maggie (my black lab) on Frisbee catching and retrieval.
8. Embrace the climate by trying recreational activities that I've never attempted.
9. Schedule a visit to see my family outside of the holidays so that we are both less stressed.
10. Make some period of time everyday to relax and give thanks.