Road Trips Revisited

Today, as I drove 13 hours from South Dakota back home, I'm inspired to refer back to an older devotion about Road Trips:

Road Trips blog post

Note that our DVD player gave out long before the end of the trip, and much of the last few hours were spent exchanging knock-knock jokes...and even the nonsensical ones from our 4 and 5 year olds were funny and a great way to connect as a family.

Thank you Lord for bringing us back home safely from our long trip.

Dakota

Well, here we are on our annual excursion to the Dakotas, heading just inside the Northern version today. This weekend its full of pheasant hunters out to bag some birds. Hopefully we won't be hit by any stray shot. Here's my Dakota's poem, in honor of being here:

Dakota oh so big, Dakota oh so flat,
Dakota oh so cold, I'm glad I wore my hat.

Dakota oh so brown, Dakota oh so dreary,
Dakota oh so wintry, it's hard to feel cheery.

Dakota oh so spacious, Dakota oh so wide,
Dakota oh so boring, thank God for the water slide!

Dakota oh so spread out, Dakota oh so sparse,
Dakota oh don't be angry, at this poetic farce.

Turkey, Football, and Pizza?

Thanksgiving at the in-laws went well, we were well fed yet, we were hungry again in the evening so it was a pizza chaser tonight. Could the NFL games have been any more boring?

Road Warriors

Well, we made it. 13 hours and 52 minutes after our 2:30AM departure, we arrived some 800 miles away from home to spend Thanksgiving weekend with my sister--my bride's family. Exhausting trip. I have to say though, that the roads were great (not a single bit of construction the entire way!) and the traffic was mild and everyone on the road was cooperating great.

David & Goliath

I took on the task of teaching the Kindergarten and younger Sunday school class this week (both of my sons making up 1/3 the class). The topic was appropriately David and Goliath as the big guy (me) all 6 foot plus of him was quickly and easily dispatched and conquered by the little ones. They didn't even need the stone to fell the giant, their teacher, and when all was said and done, they knew full well the little guy can easily defeat the mighty big one, no matter how loud he can yell and boast! I don't think I'll foray into that age group teaching again anytime soon.

In-Laws-A-Go-Go

Well, it's over the river (the Mississippi and a few smaller ones) and through the woods (actually several of these) for a fourteen hour drive to South Dakota to spend Thanksgiving with my sister--my bride's family this week. We depart at Zero Dark (2 or 3AM-ish) on Wednesday and do the 14 hour return on Sunday. We'll enjoy a few days there, including a short foray into North Dakota to see her sister's family up there. Its my wife's one chance a year to go "back home" and despite the long ride (and it is even longer when she is pregnant) and the usual lousy cold weather this time of year, we gladly make the journey (and actually wish we could afford to do it more often than just once a year).

Universal Symbol of Hope and Love

Have you seen the commercials with a certain celeb touting her new jewelry design based on her artwork as a new "universal symbol of hope and love?" It looks like a #2 and is two very sharp, open hearts, almost yin-yan like, atop each other. She is quoted as saying "If your heart is open, love will always find its way in."

Do we really need a new symbol for this?

Romans 5:1-8 (NIV) ~ "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

I don't need a new symbol, I don't need "an open heart" ready to be filled. It's not about MY Kingdom, my hope is in THINE Kingdom, the eternal kingdom of God. You can't find that at a Jewelry store or in celebrity artwork. It is by grace through faith in Jesus the Messiah offered to us all.

Improper Dress

A poem about retrieving the morning paper in the cold without proper attire.

Oh the weather outside is chilly,
And I find it rather silly,
That I don a robe so frilly,
To reach outside for the paper,
And get attacked by the frozen vapor,
As my neighbor uses his scraper,
On his car windows covered in frost,
But my paper not properly tossed,
Has some how gotten lost,
In the bushes near the door,
Making it quite the chore,
And my fingers, toes, and more,
Are chilled right down to the bone,
My skin turning to stone,
If only the paper had been thrown,
Right up on the porch,
I wouldn't need a torch,
To thaw what now is scorched,
By frozen and bitter chill,
That became the bitter pill,
I took without a thrill,
As I braved winter's cold,
In scant clothing oh so bold,
That my neighbor had to scold,
On such a chilly day,
Why the paper couldn't make its way,
To where it normally lay,
Right there on the stoop,
Where I could simply scoop,
It up with barely a droop,
Alas, I must confess,
That I have caused this stress,
By my improper dress.

Chili Dogs

The Chili dog is near perfection on the male-meal-o-ometer. Separately both rate pretty high but combined, they nearly blow out the top of the scale. Perhaps the only thing keeping them from blowing out the top of the scale is that they often lead to the eater blowing out the bottom of his tail, and though that might bring precious relief, it isn't a very enjoyable atmosphere in which to be relieved.

Group Efforts ~ So Simple

Ever get a task that is actually really simple, but it requires a coordinated effort of a group of people? Today I had the task of going to a storage area to retreive an old book someone needed. Simple. However, when going there, one needs to return any volumes that had previously been removed so there was too many of those to carry myself. In addition, we don't have a key to the storage area, so we can only go when there is someone there to let us in. I found someone willing to join me on my quest but it took an hour to finally track down someone with a key to let us in the place. Coordinated effort to accomplish a simple task. Some would argue that "there's got to be an easier way," or wonder why I just don't have a key myself. But really, this allowed for controlled access to valuable items, and by my bringing someone along, that person now knows how to go about getting one of the old volumes, in case I'm not around.

That is how the Body of Christ works at times too. It might seem "simpler" to just do it ourselves, but we can't be everywhere at once, and sometimes a coordinated effort is just what God intends, so that more people get involved in both sharing and hearing THE Message.

Four years ago last night

Four years ago last night, at 11:30pm precisely, our second son was born. It was a long day of labor for my sister--my bride and though I tried to be supportive, I myself was down with a 24-hour virus at the worst possible moment, and spent much of that day curled up on a recliner in the delivery suite. But I got over my illness and our second son is now four years old. I remember what a struggle it was to get our first son to breast feed and yet the second one had already had his first meal before midnight on that November night before he was even an hour old. What a blessing he has been and is to our family (and more importantly to God's family). Thanks be to God.

Dinner Out

Enjoying a good meal out at a restaurant is one of my sister--my bride's favorite things to do and we did so tonight to celebrate our younger son's 4th birthday. That meant the boys were along and enjoying a dinner out themselves, and part of that enjoyment was to not behave very well. Thankfully, it was a Monday night and NO-ONE else was having dinner out so we had almost the entire restaurant to ourselves and were not to worried about disturbing other diners.

It's funny though that much of our conversation, when not directed at the boys or figuring out what we were ordering, was geared toward, we should get a baby-sitter and do this without them here. Yes we should. Not because we don't love spending every possible minute with our beloved sons but precisely because we love spending precious minutes on dates with each other, and those minutes are increasingly rare. I sense another "Dinner Out" in our near future.

Joy from Anxiety

These are anxious times. There is worry, doubt, and fear thick in the air. Uncertainty is contagious and spreading. We are slipping.

Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV) ~ "When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul."

There is no uncertainty when it comes to our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. By grave, through faith you and I have been saved. Praise God we are RESCUED.

Summer has gone away

Summer has gone away, and fall is rapidly fleeting,
The skies begin to grey, a chill is winter's greeting.

Blankets come out of closets, as cocoa warms on the stove,
Trees make leafy deposits, rakes gather quite a trove.

Frost coats the ground, as breath can now be seen,
The grass now has browned, gone is the luscious green.

Heavy coats, hats, and gloves, are donned to venture out,
Where are the Mourning Doves, which used to roam about?

Summer has gone away, and fall is rapidly fleeting,
Time to get out the sleigh, and ignite the indoor heating.

Birthdays

Today is my sister--my bride's birthday. A nice, simple dinner cooked by me was the order of the day (the boys and I surprised her last night with her gift and a homemade card) and will finish off with a lunch date tomorrow.

This weekend we celebrate our younger son's (soon to be the middle one) 4th birthday with some family coming down. It's root beer pulled pork & homemade pizza for the feast!

Phone Calls From Old Friends

There is nothing like hearing a voice out of the past and picking up a conversation where it left off 20 years ago! Yesterday at lunch I was pretty stressed, pretty beat up from the stress and missing my sister--my bride who was away. I was in dire need of a pick-me-up. I chose to work through lunch to get more done and yet, I needed the break both mentally and physically, just wasn't willing to allow myself the chance and then the phone rang.

A voice on the other end all the way from Texas was one I hadn't heard since the late 1980s when I was still in the Marines and somewhere between Hawaii and Korea. After nearly an hour of catching up with 20 years of our lives, I was rejuvinated, made fresh and ready for the long hours of work that lay ahead. Old friends who call you out of the blue make for a wonderful tonic. Thanks God, I needed that and you moved a heart to make them need to talk to me too. As always, perfect timing!

Survived

Just me and the boys the past two days and nights and we made it through without mom again...this time noone even got sick! Feels good to have her home with us, we survived. Speaking of surviving, today is Veterans Day, and the 90th Anniversary of Armistice Day. In honor of all those veteran's who have served, I offer this pictorial of my visit to Veteran's Point at Weldon Springs State Park in Clinton. The boys and I checked it out back in May and I never shared the pictures, today seems an appropriate day to share them.

Bachelor Dad again

Well, the boys and I survived a day and night without mommy (my sister--my bride) and we've got one more to go! We miss her A LOT!

Semper Fidelis

Tomorrow marks the 233rd birthday of the US Marine Corps, and the 525th anniversary of Martin Luther's birth. As Lutheran and former Marine, it is thus a date of dual importance to me. The Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis means "Always Faithful," and Martin Luther restored the Biblical truth of by faith alone, both again core philosophies for my being.

I thank God today for His servant Martin Luther and for the US Marine Corps and how He has used both to shape who I am so that I might serve Him by serving others.

In-Advertently

If Hardees is right that men don't bake, just who is it that bakes most of the frozen pizzas in this country?

If the side effects will kill you, why on earth would you want to take a prescription medicine that would only slightly reduce a symptom of your ailment?

If Axe is so "attractive" to women, why don't you find any in the store aisle where it is sold?

If germs are all over every surface in the house, why wouldn't they also be on the disinfectant bottle and the rag you use to wipe it up with?

Raking, and Raking Again

I've raked the yard clean twice this past week. In both cases, the yard was completely filled with new leaves by the time I'd finished bagging those I'd just raked up. Thankfully, the high winds today and hopefully the rest of the weekend will clean out most of the remaining leaves from the branches so I'll only have one or two more big cleanups to do yet.

How it works

Yesterday, we had to make a midday trip to St.Louis to visit with a pediatric neurosurgeon about our hydrochepalic son in the womb. That meant figuring out the logistics of getting the boys to their schools and arranging for them to be picked up if necessary if we didn't make it home in time, etc. Wednesday is also a very busy day for my sister--my bride as she usually has a lot of prepwork to get ready for our Wednesday evening F3 nights and the meal that his served each week. All that had to be picked up by others for the day and night.

That is how it works. We had to make the 2-1/2 hour drive there and then the same on the return on that day. We had plenty of members of the Body of Christ, that is the family of God (our family), who assured us all would be fine and it was. That is how it works. When we needed assistance, when we needed friends to take some time and do some things for us, we had no shortage of volunteers. I like how it works. Thank God for how it works, and God bless all those who stepped up and helped us when we needed it.

My Son Voted

Our 5 year old voted in his Kindergarten class yesterday. Though he can correctly pronounce and identify a picture of Barack Obama, he said he voted for "McLean." hmmm. Maybe I shouldn't watch so much M*A*S*H on Hallmark channel.

I will go to the polls today and cast my votes in the various local, state, and federal elections. I pray that all eligible also do so and also pray that whatever the outcomes may be, those who gain or retain power tomorrow will think of my three son's futures before they exercise the powers WE THE PEOPLE have granted them by electing them to their offices to serve US.

Half Way Home

My sister--my bride, my very pregnant wife marked a milestone in our current pregnancy as we hit the 20week half way point. She marked the occassion by getting an fetal MRI done today and put up the confined space and very loud noise (that our son in the womb I guess didn't like much either) to get some good images of the little guy to take to St. Louis on Wednesday. She's doing well, though has now to transition into not only slightly bigger maternity wear but also into fall/winter season stuff at the same time. Hang in there sweetie!

Lord Please Make Us One

How fitting that the 70th Anniversary of the famed War of the Worlds broadcast fell this final week of 2008 election season. For close to two years now we the people have been bombarded, invaded, and devastated by endless bickering, distortions, and paper promises. We are battered, we are tired, we just want it to end. Tuesday, barring another 2000 fiasco, it should all come to an end. And then it will be up to us again, we the people, to rebuild the nation torn apart by political rhetoric, pompous political punditry, and perceptions of mistaken political mandates. So how does a nation torn apart, a people in opposition come together?

Ephesians 2:11-22 (NIV):

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)— remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

This is what we the people need, in order to form a more perfect union. Come Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and beyond, I pray that God will help us all find it.