Hurricane Relief

Hurricane Katrina has really hit New Orleans and Alabama hard. If you are interested in donating to the cause I put a link to the American Red Cross in my links section.

Sweet Angel

I am not sure what it is about having a daughter, but it's amazing and strange to me how down right cool it is. I think of the movie with Steve Martin who's daughter is getting married, I forget the name of the movie, but the one where he can't believe his daughter is old enough to get married. As he remembers her younger years he freaks out because he is not ready to let go. I feel the same way sometimes and have been freaking out already and little Charlie is only two and a half. What a beautiful sweet angel she is. So, you can probably tell I'm home alone; dad pines away again. The clan comes home for good tomorrow. Dom, Charlie and Simon flew in to spend the weekend with me then returned to play in the wilderness for one last hurrah. We are gearing up for September, which means back to a somewhat usual routine. I can't wait. For the first time in many years I can say, I'm ready for the fall... let the craziness begin.

Go Idaho

Big happenings out of the great state of Idaho. This is a picture of Air Force One sitting on the tarmack in Boise, Idaho. Last week our Commander and Chief flew in for a few days for R&R and some time with the military troops and families. For those of you who have forgotten, next to Alaska the only other state to live and breath in is Idaho. For those of you in the lower 48 sorry, but you know it's true, the two best red states = Alaska and Idaho. Go ahead and throw your tomatoes, it'll be no match against our potatoes and salmon. A big thanks to my brother for this pic of the president's luxury liner.

Rite of Passage

I'm not sure what it means when I walk into our local DMV and the ladies behind the counter remember who I am. I have become quite aquainted with the two state workers with the same first name, as their name tags indicate, over the last couple of years and months. I have never understood why DMV's don't just invest in couches and recliners for those of us who are fully prepared with official paperwork in hand, yet have to wait for the young ruffians who don't know what a title is. Now, before I really go off on this rant I must admit that I was once that young man fumbling with my papers and words.

But I think it is just one of those univeral experiences that all humans have, waiting at the DMV. It is almost a rite of passage kind of thing. If you go to the DMV and don't have to wait around then you havn't experienced what you were suppose to. Your shear will has not been tested as it must; and those wonderful character qualities we all love called patience, perseverence and determination do not get fully developed without the help of the DMV. Ah, the beauty of the local DMV.

In a very sick way I have come to enjoy my local DMV, especially when I finally have all the right paperwork... with all the right signatures... at just the right time of day; only then do I thank the good Lord above for my fully registered vehicle.

Leading and Breathing

Had a pretty good weekend...considering. My boss was in town this weekend to hangout with us and see how things are going, which seems to always be a bit nerve-racking. It was incredibly refreshing to be around those who have gone before me, both professionally and spiritually. I highly value input and advice from the generation of pastors and teachers that have blazed the trail. There is such wisdom in experience and wisdom in remaining faithful in the calling. You know I have heard just outragous heartbreaking statistics about pastors and spiritual leaders that don't finish well. To the ones that are I say "bravo my friends, may God continue to bless you". Just being in the presence of those that are still breaking trial is motivating and inspiring. And I was definitely encouraged this weekend.

On a similar note, I went to a conference this summer and one of the seminars I went to was about soul care. How do we, as leaders who are caring for the souls of others, take care of our own souls? The lady teaching had some great illustrations and analogies comparing long distance swimming to that of spiritual leadership. Being able to breath throughout the swim. She was encouraging us to think of ourselves as long distance swimmers (leaders) instead of those that swim the sprints. If I want to someday be that silver-haired, genuine, wise, pastor of pastors, developing long distance soul care will be a life sustaining endeavor that will be critical to my success and longevity.

All this to say, it was nice to spend this weekend with a couple who have endured and lead well, over the long haul. And who are still setting the pace for young punks like me. Lead on!

Back in the day

I have often been asked the question "what was your first memory". Two memories stand out as being pretty early. The first one, the good one, was watching my older brother blow out candles on a birthday cake that had been baked with money inside. My mom baked a cake full of dimes, quarters, and nickels as I remember, at least I think my mom was the one who baked it. I don't remember how old I was or how old my brother was turning at the time, but I do remember wondering how on earth I was going to chew up a quarter. The second memory, the more difficult one, was me breaking out of my pre-school class; do you remember back in the day when nurseries/pre-schools built baby cages along one wall of the room? Well I wasn't having any of that so I busted free and ran down the halls of the church/school yelling for mom. Everytime I walk in a nursery now I look for those cages. Yeah, you might consider that being an issue for me. But you know what? I also chew slowly when I eat cake just incase I come upon a little silver treasure. I wonder what my kids will say when they all get older as to their first memories, should be interesting. Here is Simon having fun in the sun. Hopefully, this will be his first memory.

About Simon, he is now able to rock up on his hands and knees, and scoot backwards. This is bitter sweet for me. Our last is finally getting mobile on his own. How wonderful "YAHOO", yet how sad "BOOHOO". I think I have crossed over into a new realm, being excited for his success, and at the same time knowing this will be my last time cheering a little one on to crawl, role over, and to do everythink else for the first time. Such is life I guess. Oh well, enough daddy droll. Crawl on my little guy.

Who's Will?

“The starting point of living by faith is recognizing that God has revealed so much of his will that we have plenty to live by without ever hearing another word. Some things you simply do not need to pray about. When God has spoken and commanded his people, praying sometimes becomes a way of resisting God’s will rather than a way of responding to it.”

- Erwin McManus in The Unstopple Force -

Sweet Dreams

In looking for the real thing, creation has a way of showing us true reality and at the same time helping us dream bigger and bolder dreams. My prayer for Noah and the inscription to this image should read...

"Young man, dream big!"

The Real Thing

"In my evangelistic conversations and in my visits to a variety of churches, I am becoming more and more sure that, both for our current church attenders and for the unchurched we wish to reach, one question is increasingly paamount: Can your church help me experience God and experience personal transformation? By this question, they're telling us they don't just want to learn about.

They want transformation. They want to learn Christ."

- Brian McLaren -

Four!

The inspiration for even attempting this blog comes from an old and dear friend, Jeff. He and his awesome family are livin' large at rustyhinges.com. Props to you Jeff, thanks for the thought provoking insights. Oh yeah, left arm straight, head down, and power through.

Fly Back Home Little Birdy

It doesn't take very long before being away from all those little noses, fingers, ears, cheeks, and feet wears on a guy. I have figured it out, it takes about 1.5 hours before I am ready to have all my little rascals back in my hair. Just long enough to watch the first half of Monday night football; after that the silence and calm are just too much. I pine away for quiet, then when it is all around me, it isn't what I hoped. I then begin pulling out pictures like this to see that little nose and ear again. This is Charlie chillin' with her Lay's on the beach this summer. One of my favorites. I just found out the crew will be back Friday, thank goodness. This home alone thing is for the birds.

Because He Can

You know, living in Alaska ain't so bad sometimes. My buddy Glen took these pictures this summer here in Southeast Alaska. There are times I firmly believe that this really is God's country... then it rains... and rains some more... and then I remember that God likes rain too, at least I hope He does.

If it weren't for the rain then we wouldn't enjoy such beautiful pictures as these that Glen took, because these scenes would be all too normal, run-of-the-mill, been-there-done-that kinds of views. What I realized though is that God doesn't do normal and isn't run-of-the-mill. I need to remind myself of that. God is in the abnormal business. He does things the way things shouldn't be done (or at least the way we think), just for kicks, just to prove that He can... and to show us how big He really is. First the rain, then the awe. What a cool God.

Tool Man

We have been hard at work this summer remodeling all kinds of things. We were finally able to put in new windows in our living room, ones that keep us dry and warm (what a concept huh?) Our little buddy Brock was there every step of the way. He's got the nack; he's our little tool man. He helped RJ and I with most of the heavy lifting...my feeling is since I am over 30 I need to let the younger guys take care of the heavy stuff right? Right. Even though he is only 4, he is a good little worker. His favor tool? The HAMMER!

Pockets

Dominique and the kids took off for another Great Alaskan Adventure yesterday after church. I get to stay home and start shortening the honey-do list. It was quite an uneasy feeling to watch my entire family fly away in a helicopter as I stood there with my hands in my pockets. An amazing feeling of love and worry all mixed into one. I guess I know that I am alive now. I mean I know that I am alive and all; it's just when your kids wave good-bye, even if it is just for a few days you really understand what they mean to you.

Facing the Music.

You see, now I am in big trouble. I have stayed up late to work on this blog so I will have to face my kids early tomorrow morning.

The Test Run

Without getting too philosophical yet, this is just the beginning of something fun.