DIY - Conquering Concrete

My and my concrete removal contraption and the hole left behind.

No, I didn't pour concrete as part of my most recent Do-It-Yourself project. Someone had apparently done that many, many years ago and now it was holding a cut off pipe and resting directly in the path of a brick border I was putting in under the screen porch. So...it was time to dig it out.

Two days and two feet down later

Nothing like a long battle without the proper tools to bring out the "conquering warrior" feeling. Thrice I feel backwards onto the pile of bricks, once cutting open my elbow. It was hot, I was sweating, and I had to call it because of rain the first night, which added more difficulty the second day as my shoes caked with mud from where I had dug out the hole and it was quite slippery (hence the tumbling into the brick pile) The mud also acted as reverse suction which didn't help when it finally came time to pull out the post. The battle should really go down as a draw, as the post laid down to rest in the back yard, I laid down to rest and am still hurting several days later. But referee raised my hand, so it goes in the books as a victory.

Weds Nights

One of the things about summer is we don't have our usual Wednesday night faith & fellowship time at church. It was nice after two years of teaching Bible study to get a break but I already miss getting together with the Body of Christ and enjoying some fellowship and faith focus time. Can't wait till next month when we get back going again.

Sibling War & Peace

Often times, our two boys resemble the Blue and the Gray, going head-to-head, fighting over every possible thing imaginable


But this weekend after a long weekend of fun and battles, I found them napping and snapped this picture below, need I say more?

Resting on the 4th Day

First, thank you Lord for delivering our family members safely home to South Dakota this evening and protecting them on their long drive today. We really enjoyed having them visit us over the weekend and we tried to pack in as much fun and excitement as we could into their visit, and I know we certainly enjoyed it.

My sister--my bride took a much needed (and deserved) rest today. It was a long week of preps and then a long weekend of fun, and she was quite wore out from it all so I was glad she got a chance to relax today.

Hands On

This weekend we visited a museum and in some of the exhibits, the visitors were actually encouraged to touch the exhibits. Rather than just look at an artifact from behind protective glass, certain items were out in the open and signs actually reinforced the museum's desire for visitors to actually touch the items. It seems as though museums have learned that in order to educate visitors, they need to be more hands on. People need the reinforcement of touching and feeling and experiencing, not just seeing from a distance, behind thick glass, etc.

John 20:24-31 (NIV) states: Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Thomas was a lot like many of us are today. Hearing about Jesus is like looking at an artifact behind a thick piece of glass in a museum. We want the hands-on experience just like Thomas did. So how is it possible. If Jesus appeared to us as he did to Thomas that would mean Judgement day had arrived and that would be too late for many to come to know Jesus and be saved by grace through faith. So how can we as Christians give non-believers a "hands-on" experience with Jesus. It is through our actions, our serving God by serving others. It is up to us to be the experience. So how are we doing in our witness? Hmmmm. Time to tidy up the exhibit I think.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me" (Psalm 51:9 KJV)

I Feel the Need, the Need to Knead

Pizza Dough Poetry, in honor of the homemade pizzas we made for the family tonight (my inlaws and my sister-in-law and her 3 kids are all arrived from South Dakota this afternoon):

The need to knead, three doughs in deed:
A whole lotta pizza, many mouths to feed,

Three doughs rise then they get spread,
But instead of three, four pies instead.

Two thin, two thick, with three different toppings,
Roasted garlic, peppers, and black olive droppings.

Also pepperonis and a large pork-n-pine,
Taste buds will tingle right down to the spine.

And so we eat, and we eat, and eat yet some more,
I'll sleep good tonight, I might even snore.

Ten mouths did do battle on four pizza pies,
Ten bellys did get full, to no one's surprise

Three Things to do with the Boys

1) Going to the Library ~ did that tonight and there is so much to do at our library from checking out puppets or toys, of course there is endless books to enjoy and just getting down to there level (the Children's department furniture is built for them) is a great way to spend quality time with them

2) Lightning Bugs ~ the fascination of catching a bug in the hand and then putting him in a plastic bug case to watch him light up is a free and easy way to enjoy an evening in the midst of God's creation. Just wear mosquito repellent and we always let them go (although my sons' never really want to)

3) Building ~ Legos, blocks, Lincoln logs, Tinkertoys, train sets, sand castles, etc. The boys love to create (something about being made in the Creator's own image) buildings, towns, cities, worlds, although the younger one also likes to "wipe the slate clean" alot...I guess so he can start over again.

Of course there are many more, but I just love spending time doing stuff THEY enjoy and, of course, I really do enjoy it myself. God, thank you for blessing me with a young heart and such wonderful sons to share it with.

Four Forced Fellowship Fanciful Feelings

Ideas for the Church suggestion box:

1) Print less bulletins. First, its good stewardship, second it would force people to...dare I say it...share, and third, sharing means that would have to sit closer together in the pews and maybe even get to know each other a little.

2) Dig up most of the church parking lot and plant veggie gardens. First, limited parking would hopefully force carpooling to church, and second you could organize groups to come on different days to plant, weed, harvest, etc. and of course, finally, you could share the food grown with those in need.

3) A/C up the sanctuary whilst removing heat altogether. First, the added expense of cranking up the A/C would be offset by the savings from no winter heat (at least up here in us northern climes) and second, cold in summer and winter in the sanctuary would hopefully get people closer to together (you know, while they share the limited bulletins and huddle for warmth)

4) Sermon ends when the pastor can call on a random parishoner who is able to immediately stand and name every single person in their pew row (on both sides of the aisle). Does this really require further explanation?

OK, so maybe "forcing" fellowship isn't such a good idea. But sometimes we all need a reminder that keeping to ourselves and minding our own business is forcing just the opposite within the Body of Christ. As they say down under, "Come and say, G'Day!"

Lightning, Thunder, and Rain...Oh My!

Well the storm came a rollin in late on Monday. Wind, rain, even a little hail and lots of close in lighting...you know the kind, lights up the sky and rattles the house with thunder that arrives instantaneously. The boys were in the other room and my wife and I were in ours when suddenly a bolt of lightning may the power surge, dousing the lights and shutting up the boys' video and although the power was right back on...the boys were in our room with tears flowing down faces filled with fear.

So it was that we made room for four on the Queen bed and let the boys settle in while the storm passed before moving the sleepy heads back to their own beds for the night. In the morning we accessed the damage. One tomato plant in the garden got toppled in its cage but didn't break so it went right back up with the cage and is fine. The top of the boys' sandbox got blown off so the pristine white sand is now pristine white mud (and the boys love it although it does get all over their arms, legs, and faces!)

Thank God for keeping us from harm last night.

What a Beautiful Creature You Are

Ah...my sister-my bride, my beloved wife. You truly are a beautiful creature. Even when weary from a long week of VBS, as you lay napping, exhausted, you bring refreshment to my eye. I love you and thank God every day for the blessing you are to me.

Wow, you sure do deserve a break after a great but exhausting VBS week, but...of course with your mom & dad coming, and your sister and our neice and nephews...guess we won't get that break just yet as we get the house ready!

Reality TV Triviality

Ever notice how reality shows often drive the plots along by eliminating cast member as they progress, with the the last one standing getting the big prize. The cast members plot and deceive and ally and betray constantly in hopes of being the final person around when the show ends. Now, they call this "reality" not because the situations are real, they are the fiction, it is the people and how they interact that provides the reality, the sinful reality that we all live out each day, competing instead of comforting, tearing each other down rather than building each other up,

The reality that God intends for us is far from reality television. Instead of starting with many and narrowing down to one, God starts with one, His one and only son Jesus the Messiah. By the grace of God and through our faith in the Christ, Jesus the Savior, we all are saved. We die to our sins as Jesus died for them all upon the cross and rise with him to eternity. Starting with one survivor, and ending with the entire body of believers. Now that is a reality I can tune in to! Tune in to the Good News:

John 3:13-17 (NIV) ~ "No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."

Tow a Trailer to Work Day

Four Miles. Mostly flat with a few inclines. A Schwinn Sierra 21 speed bike with me aboard. A trailer attached to the rear frame with two boys seatbelted and helmeted inside (also a briefcase with my laptop and lunch behind them). Here's how it went:

We roared out of the gate (our long channel road to the network of neighborhood streets that lay ahead) and turned south onto the first two lane of our trip. No traffic and we were making good time until the first incline rose above us like Everest. Hands twisted the grip shifters, cycling down through the gears to one that would allow my leg to actually descend on the pedal and make the bike ascend the mountain slope road before me. I bailed out on the first cross street I came to to catch a breather and build up momentum on its flat surface for the rest of the incline and that slingshot action got us to the peak. The boys cheered and the trailer's safety guidon flapped in the brisk wind that greeted us at the crest as if we had planted our national colors atop the peak. We coasted a little to the next intersection and crossed our first major artery, a long straight two-way loaded with the usual commuter traffic (1 or 2 cars) which we successfully navigated across and down another side street to one of the biggest roads we would cross on the journey, a four-laner which emerged before us like a mighty river at spring thaw. We watched the currents and chose our path and crossed her without incident. Then rode down to our next cross street getting passed by a couple of mini-vans, most likely feeling very guilty for not helping the environment out as much as me and the boys were and undoubtedly not even going as far as us...gas guzzling infidels! Then came the mighty down hill. We roared down the lane past the high school like an olympic bobsled team or the mighty peloton descending the Pyrenees on the Tour. At the bottom we held the sharp 90degree turn despite a lack of embankment at fullspeed as we knew what lay ahead and were greeted with our second ascent. My legs screamed, sweat poured, tears trickled, the boys had simultaneous instant growth spurts and gained 50pounds--EACH--and I couldn't find a low enough gear, so--we cheated. We broke off the ascent midway up and cut through the grocery store parking lot and avoided the crest of the hill on that road altogether. Unashamed and unabashed for having chosen the easier path, we then cruised the sidewalk along the busiest road we travel on, an actual 4-lane numbered route. It was heavy with traffic and we were nearly blown into the cement wall beside us when a semi passed us as we went under a highway bridge. God spared us despite our having chosen the easier way and then He provided us a small seam in the traffic and we crossed onto the campus grounds and enjoyed the silence and beauty of campus before emerging on the east side and up a small incline to the bike path on main street. It would be a long straight sprint to the finish line (church). We built up speed and then throttled back to conserve for the finish. We timed the lights perfectly and never needed to stop and reached the church parking lot and did our victory lap around the building and to the far side where the daycare kids were outside playing already. They roared and cheered as we rode past and we arrived at the finish line (daycare entrance) and set a record (actually it was our first time so whatever time it was would be the record) of 20 minutes door-to-door! I dismounted and disembarked my passengers and signed them in. Then remounted my steed for the short trip back to campus to open the library. The trailer much lighter now and the trip much quieter. No hills, just flat bike path.

Hmmmm. Just how does one get a bike and trailer in the door of the library anyhow?

Puppet Show

Well, rode the bike to work and back today despite the 90+ temps and felt good about. Made my sister--my bride a new recipe, cold sesame noodle salad which we both thoroughly enjoyed and then it was off to the library for a full-size puppet show. The boys had earned tickets to the performance through their summer reading program and my oldest sat on the floor with over a hundred other kids from the community while my younger son sat on my (and mommy's) lap at the back of the room with the hundreds of parents (and a fair mix of dads...way to go fellas!) Both boys thoroughly enjoyed it which we were worried about as the older one hasn't like full-size puppets or mascots in the past. He didn't even have to sit with us and one of the characters was a giant (and quite ugly looking) monster. He laughed and was brave throughout. Seems he learned his lesson at Wednesday's VBS which was themed "Be Brave" and he made his parents proud at how well behaved he was. Sat through an hour without fidgiting! Way to go little man!

Come Together

Well, Sunday was our combined worship at the school gym. Take all 5 services and put them together into 1 in an accoustically challenging environment on steel chairs and worship as a single body of Christ...and of course, the Holy Spirit was at work cause it was a powerful worship experience and great to see so many of our congregation at worship together. We followed up with lunch and then voted on the long range plan which carried by 5:1 ratio of about 300 voters (why did we waste so much time rehashing the discussions that have been ongoing for months, I'll never understand but the blow hards blew hard and the Holy Spirit was unmoved.) It is now time for all of us to continue coming together to get the plan rolling and doing the work that God has set before us with joyful hearts. Amen to that wonderful day the Lord truly made!

AHA! VBS

The boys have started VBS this week, the Power Lab. They are RAVING about it and actually can't wait to go to school tomorrow, can tell me what they learned about beyond their usual pat answer of "God" and are craving more. Good to see those faith fires burning bright in the young-uns! May God continue to bless them as they grow in faith this week and bless and equip all those teachers and volunteers (over 80 of them!) who are helping the over 230 children grow in faith through this VBS program this week.

OK, Break is over

Well, I took a week off work for vacation with the family and decided two weeks off the blog would be a good thing. Back today with a fresh mid-summer's perspective.

So, my sister--my bride has been busy all last week prepping for the VBS program at church and it kicked off today with over 230 kids and about 80 youth & adult volunteers! She'll be busy this week so I ask God to give her the strength and energy to provide all those involved with the best opportunities to grow in their faith this week through the VBS program and interaction with fellow members of the body of Christ of all ages.

Needless to say, we will be taking another vacation at the end of summer cause she will most definetly need a break to reenergize for the fall! God bless you sweetie!