Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Watching what I eat...
More like watching the food enter my mouth and enjoying it too much these days. Unfortunately, this is not what I intended. But intentions don't actually get you were you want to be. Action does. And my actions lately have been infrequent exercise and a lot of eating. I can feel my pants getting tighter and my shirts fitting snugger and I don't like it. 2 years ago I lost 70 pounds over a 11 month period. I kept the weight off for about 6 months, but over the last year, I've gained about 30 of it back. That sucks. I'm mad at myself. I need to change my habits. There, I said it. And you may have read it. But this point, these thoughts are still "good intentions." Will that translate into action? That is yet to be seen.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Happy Veteran's Day?
As someone who has been involved in planning Sunday worship services for many years, national holidays like Veterans Day and Independence Day often present a unique challenge. I have often received requests to sing patriotic songs in church. (The Battle Hymn of the Republic, My Country Tis of Thee, America the Beautiful, God Bless America, etc...) What do we do with that? Is a worship service a place where we should be honoring our country and the men and women who have served in our military? Isn't a worship service intended to be a time of honoring God? When we come to worship, let's offer our allegiance to the King of Kings whose Kingdom is not of this world, rather than a nation that will pass away. Let's honor Jesus, for his name is higher than any other name!
The question still remains though, how does a Christian respond appropriately to a holiday like Veterans Day. This is pretty complex for me, and I don't claim to be an expert. I have friends and family who have served in the military and I recognize the great sacrifice they have made and the difficulties they endured to serve our country. Certainly, it is honorable to sacrifice on the behalf of other people. Yet, I can't ignore the fact war is so horrific, and violent, and contrary to how I believe Jesus taught us to live. I also can't ignore that God is a God of all nations. The USA is not God's chosen nation. God loves people of every nation. We are not "better" than them. So maybe instead of celebrating the greatness of our nation, let's celebrate the greatness of God's Kingdom, and pray for peace. Veteran's day certainly isn't a happy day. It is a solemn day, and a reminder of the brokenness of this world. Many veterans are in desperate need of the peace and redemption of Jesus Christ. Let's pray for their healing.
Here's a short blog from the perspective of a veteran of the Iraq war. Read and Pray.
The question still remains though, how does a Christian respond appropriately to a holiday like Veterans Day. This is pretty complex for me, and I don't claim to be an expert. I have friends and family who have served in the military and I recognize the great sacrifice they have made and the difficulties they endured to serve our country. Certainly, it is honorable to sacrifice on the behalf of other people. Yet, I can't ignore the fact war is so horrific, and violent, and contrary to how I believe Jesus taught us to live. I also can't ignore that God is a God of all nations. The USA is not God's chosen nation. God loves people of every nation. We are not "better" than them. So maybe instead of celebrating the greatness of our nation, let's celebrate the greatness of God's Kingdom, and pray for peace. Veteran's day certainly isn't a happy day. It is a solemn day, and a reminder of the brokenness of this world. Many veterans are in desperate need of the peace and redemption of Jesus Christ. Let's pray for their healing.
Here's a short blog from the perspective of a veteran of the Iraq war. Read and Pray.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Going away party
3 weeks ago, we were packing up the house, loading the truck, canceling utilities, and making arrangements to move 2300 miles away from our home for the last 5 years. We also said goodbye to wonderful friends who had become like family to us. I'm finally getting around to sharing some pictures and thoughts from our going away party at the Unterkofler's.
In a way these pictures remind me of Christmas time with our relatives. Every year we are forced to take family pictures in front of the Christmas tree for Grandpa and Grandma. It might be a little cheesy, but we do it because we're family. I think that description fits these pictures...they might be a little cheesy, but that's ok. We're family. :) These people are the ones who gave us countless rides to the airport, helped us move 3 times, threw us baby showers and birthday parties, invited us over for dinner, were there for us when we were struggling, supported us when Nicole and I were apart for 9 months, prayed for us, celebrated holidays with us, brought us meals when Micah was born, encouraged us when I was unemployed, shared memories of being pregnant and having our first kids together, enjoyed Men's/Women's adventure weekends together, and so much more. Without meaning to sound sappy or cliche', I want to tell you all that I love you, and I am honored to have shared part of my life with you. I will miss you. We will miss you. Thank you for being a part of our family.
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| Emma, Jackson, Kyla, and Micah |
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| Matt, Cheryl, Jackson and Kyla |
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| Ryan and Juile |
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| Matt, Robyn and Emma |
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| Danny and Kaylyn |
In a way these pictures remind me of Christmas time with our relatives. Every year we are forced to take family pictures in front of the Christmas tree for Grandpa and Grandma. It might be a little cheesy, but we do it because we're family. I think that description fits these pictures...they might be a little cheesy, but that's ok. We're family. :) These people are the ones who gave us countless rides to the airport, helped us move 3 times, threw us baby showers and birthday parties, invited us over for dinner, were there for us when we were struggling, supported us when Nicole and I were apart for 9 months, prayed for us, celebrated holidays with us, brought us meals when Micah was born, encouraged us when I was unemployed, shared memories of being pregnant and having our first kids together, enjoyed Men's/Women's adventure weekends together, and so much more. Without meaning to sound sappy or cliche', I want to tell you all that I love you, and I am honored to have shared part of my life with you. I will miss you. We will miss you. Thank you for being a part of our family.
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