No posts for a few days. I am off to Colorado. In an effort to see more friends, I tried to fly standby on a 6:30am flight with Frontier this morning. When I called to check on seating for this flight, the nice lady said it was "wide open". Unfortunately when I got there at 5:30, their computer system was down, and they weren't taking any standby passengers. I am working on my anger, since my temper sometimes gets the best of me on occasions. In light of alot of real problems (ie: Chris and the other kids) my emotions can be better suited for something positive. So for now, I'll sit at the iMAC to figure out how to use this thing.

Apple Woes

I am frustrated. As a PC user for years, I broke down and bought an iMAC G5 last night. So far this "easy" setup process as explained by the salesman is turning into frustration. Right now I am typing this from my old Dell piece o' junk laptop. I simply needed the mental break.

When I bought the Dell, there were several ISP's pre-loaded for me to choose from. There doesn't seem to be this option with the new computer. Feel free to leave a comment if you know which icon or button to press for me to be able to connect to Netzero. No complaints though. It's hard to complain about a new computer if I just look around for more issues to be concerned with.

Supersize Me

Oh boy...after a very unhealthful breakfast yesterday, I was very tired. Never eat at McDonalds if you want to feel full of vim and vigor. This is painfully evident if you have seen "Super Size Me". Rent it if you can, as it is eye-opening. I am determined that once we have our baby, fast food will be a very rare treat, and not a dietary staple.

In someways our spirituality is akin to our diet. You can choose to fill your life and belly with junk, or with goodness. Are you treating your spirit with fast food, or True Nourishment. I stumble and struggle with this every day, and often shortchange Gods grace

Life is a growing process

It is amazing. After 14 months in Missouri, my subconscious still thinks that "home" is Colorado. For most of my life, Colorado was simply an obsession. In this obsessiveness I had to be there to ski, camp or fish, or plan trips out there. There was no purpose, and it was a waste of my mental energy. Actually moving out there proved to be a great learning experience, and I felt it ultimately had a purpose.

My wife and I started out as newlyweds in Denver, I had the fortune of meeting many good people throughout the state (when I was a mutual fund wholesaler), but most importantly we managed to develop lifetime friendships like the Stewarts, Lawlesses, Crabbs, Shaffers, O'Dells, Goldens, Yarnells....the list goes on.............I am growing and my perspective has changed. When I think of this beautiful state, I dwell on these relationships, and don't just think of the mountains.

I can't wait to get there on Wednesday to hug 'em all....but I'll manage to make a few turns on the slopes.

Great News

The great news of the day is that Chase-the college kid who plays bball with us-was baptized last night. He seems to have a great heart, and a girlfriend that cares about him. What else can you ask for while being in college.

I am still reading Soul Surviver by Phillip Yancey. I am interested on his takes on MLK, Jr. To my discredit, I typically pay attention to his moral shortcomings without taking into account the good he really did for this country. I am finding that Yancey writes with incredible clarity, while being very truthful and personable in his accounts. It makes me wonder what other authors can I still "discover".

I hope everyone had a great Valentines Day. As Geri and I were eating our meal, we were discussing the most romantic place we have eaten. We both agreed on the plaza at Florence, Italy. It is a fun place to eat and watch the people stroll by.

Where are your favorite places?

Coach Carter

Geri and I had a date on Saturday. After a romantic trip to the local Souper Salad (in our quest to eat healthy), we meandered over to AMC Theatres to see Coach Carter. While this depicted inner-city realities, I thought there were some great points made. Life is full of decisions-choose wisely. Life is also full of consequences.

I appreciated the relationship to Coach and the gangbanger kid. To a degree I think everyone can relate to his internal questions and struggles. Do we always do what's right? What are we afraid of in this life...Failure or Success? Where or who do we learn from? This movie points directly at a problem many kids face when they aren't influenced by their fathers. The more I put Wild At Heart into real-life applications-the more I know Eldredge is onto something.

I have been honored by being asked to be on the board of directors of the adoption agency ran by our congregation (and others). I have not given them an official answer, but how can you say no to this. What else can you say when a passion for children burns in your heart.

Last night I finished my latest WWII book: Recon Scout. The more I read about war, the reality of it's cruelness and harshness hits me. I appreciate the men that have been through this type of hell (ie: Hershel Luck and others). Next time you see an old guy with a veterans ballcap on--thank him.

A Battle To Fight
An Adventure To Live
A Beauty To Rescue

Last night I finished John Eldredge's DVD, Band Of Brothers. What a powerful lesson from seeing 5 guys, 8 days, and no scripts. I am still convinced of the need for us men to create our own Band Of Brothers. This task cannot end with coffee at 6:30 with an accountability group, but must include some outside experiences-with purpose, in order to grow closer to each other (and our wives). In a few weeks, I am excited to spend time with a good friend to do just that. Typically we get together to ski and have fun, but my heart is pushing me to surpass the surface, and come back to our wives as refreshed men of God who have a clear purpose for God's will. Growth comes from sharing.

Pop and Drop

Of note from last night:

The basketball night is a fertile ground to reach others. We have a student, Chase who is starting to study the Bible after our basketball games. AJ is going through Mere Christianity with his as well. I am realizing that my life is not being used to it's potential to spread salvation. My charge today is to look for opportunities for God.

I am quite sore this morning. Last night I made a cut to the basket and heard a "pop" coming from my ankle. Needless to say, I am out for a few weeks. I haven't sprained an ankle since jumping out of the Mimosa tree as a kid. I was "parachuting" at the time, and sprained both ankles. Oh well, if TO can come back from a quick rehab, I can to.

My challenge to anyone reading this is to mention God in your conversations today.

small planes with Big Wings

For the past few months, a few select guys have been meeting at Einstein Bagels each week to get into the Word, listen, pray, and permit ourselves to be accountable to each other. Today is the last day that Chris will be physically part of this group. In the short time we have known each other, he has amazed me. His (and his wife's) dedication to others has certainly inspired me. I hope he will use his time in ATL to full advantage. Some day he will be flying the big jets, but for now-he'll have to settle for smaller planes and a big set of angel wings. God speed. Over and Out...

Moonlight Serenade

This morning I ventured into new territory. Since June, I have been trying to build my business. An additional business idea came while in Germany this fall, where Geri and I saw some incredible lighting devices designed to mimick the moon on a beautiful, moonlit night.

Today I wired 342 Euro to Germany to purchase a product for review. If all goes to plan, I will start making these to market here in the US. Here's to good ol' Capitalism!

Basketball Diaries

Many of my friends are passionate about basketball. I am not. In college they played in "The barn", or on Kappa's A Team . It is not that I don't like to play hoops, but am more a fan of individualized pursuits like skiing or hiking. My oncourt strategy was usually to run around and tire out the unfortunate guy guarding me (ie: being paired up with Travis at North MacArthur in the 90's).

After years of playing marginal at best, I decided to try and elevate my "game" on Monday nights at the church building. I did two things:
1. Watch ESPN to see what the players do.
and
2. Keep reciting in my mind the words of John Wooden as I am playing (Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming).

Admittedly my game still stinks, but I am having a great time (which is unique when playing hoops) because I am trying to do my best in my capabilities.