Wandering a little

Since June 8th, we have attended a Sunday morning church 3 times. We have been out of town a lot, but that's more of an excuse than anything. So, yesterday we went to Heights Church in Prescott. I like the kids programs and the corporate singing is great. The teaching was good, but I struggle with "how did I get to this place".

I find that I am not overly critical or overly impressed. It's odd for me to not have movement that endears me to a place or drives me away. I seem to be in "neutrel" not being able to decide what to do.

So, I continue with my family navigating forward trying to be more responsible for my kids spiritual development and continuing to find Jesus daily.

Pizza anyone??

In June we made a trip to CA. While there we ate at one of our favorite places...Haus of Pizza.

Located in Costa Mesa on the corner of Harbor Blvd & Adams, it is worth a visit. If you make it there, try the antipasti salad.

Funny Game

It's called "ladder ball" and it's a game like horseshoes, but you could play it drunk without hurting anyone.

The best part is the "color" of the balls. Can I say that in print??

Little boys at camp

I went to camp as a counselor with Austin and 4 other 4th grade boys on Sunday. While it was only a one day commitment until the other male leader could come to camp, it was still fun. Here is what I learned about 9 year old boys.

1. They act like men...sort of!
2. They are easily distracted, like me!
3. They have lots of energy.
4. They don't mind swimming in pouring rain.
5. They don't mind singing and jumping around to celebrate Jesus!

Thanks boys for allowing me to run with you for a day. I loved it!

Acts 10:2-4

His name is Cornelius and his story is amazing.

He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!"

Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked.

The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.

If an angel showed up at my house, that would be amazing enough, but if the report from this angel included reports that God has taken notice of "my prayers" and "my gifts to the poor", that would be too amazing for words.

While I do not worship angels, I recognize that if they show up it's something incredible. The reason this caught my eye is because Cornelius is being recognized for things that most followers of Christ would/should have been doing.

The woman of my dreams

Life is fun, especially with a woman like Lori. This picture says it all. Thanks God for giving me a woman to share life with like her!!!!

Great friend

Yesterday I had lunch with an amazing friend. We met at camp a few years ago and he is the youth pastor at a large church in Phoenix. The purpose of lunch was to discuss a recent camp experience and he did just what I had hoped he would do. He spoke honestly and clearly about all that happened for himself and the students from the church...very cool.

Before we discussed camp we just talked about our lives up till that day and what God was doing in us. I am still searching the "Church" and practically trying to find a local church to connect with. He asked some of those "good friend questions" that only someone who knows you can ask. I trust him and his relationship the Christ to speak clearly and honestly to me.

We all need friends like Craig who will speak clearly to us. They bring clarity to our thinking and help us evaluate times in our lives that need direction. Praise God for Craig Beyer!

Thanks Craig for being my friend. I need you in my life.

3 men, 2 much mud and 1 great ride!

Early on Friday morning Matt, Greg and myself met for an early morning Mtn. Bike ride! It has rained for hours the day before, but it was a great morning and we did not care about some water & a little mud.

We were rolling along perfectly and laughing and talking. Suddenly the mud began to cake up on my tires and I suddenly stopped without warning! Over the next 3/4 mile we carried the bikes with mud caked everywhere and our shoes were a mess as well. Finally we were able to put the bikes down, clean the tires a little and our shoes.

The best part of riding like this is the flying mud as you begin to ride again. Luckily we all were glasses so our eyes are protected, but you couldn't risk smiling or you would get mouth full of mud.

Chalk this one up to another "adventure" in riding.

Old friends

I was able to meet an old friend for lunch yesterday. Back in the day, he attended Ozark Christian College and made a trip to my hometown during a concert at my church. A few years later, I made it to So. Cal. and attended Pacific Christian College and who did I see??? Jon, the same guy I met during my senior year. Wow!!!!

Our paths have continued to cross over the years in California and Missouri and we continue to share the state of Arizona. It's cool to have a long term friendship with another man who is trying to follow Jesus. I have known Jon Taylor for more 23 years!

Today, Jon inspires because he is leading in a local Phoenix church and doing a great job. God is good and sees us through whatever comes. For Jon, God is doing some of His best work, creating a great leader of people. Jon is trying to help people find Jesus and follow Him....

Great job Jon! Thanks for being my friend.

Father's Day

Father's Day 2008! Lori took pictures of the the boys in my clothes and shoes! The picture frame also included words like, "We want to be just like you Dad".

Wow! I cried as I thought about these little men wanting to be like ME??? I love them and Maddie so much, but it's difficult to think they would want to be like me.

Perhaps they see more in me and than I can see in myself. Isn't that true of all of us? We see ourselves as less than we are, when those around us see us for what WE REALLY ARE. I know that's how Jesus sees us as His children. And He is the best Dad we could ever know.

Thanks children and Lori for making this day very special and my life as a father...amazing!

July 4th celebration

Friday evening we spent some time with friends at their home and the kids got to enjoy a few small fireworks. This is Jordan watching a "screamer". What a blast!!!!

Easy 10k

Four of us from camp decided to race in a 4th of July 10k. It would be 6.2 miles of slight rolling hills or SO WE THOUGHT! As we were listening to the race description by the starter he said, "This is the hardest 10k course in the city of Prescott". What????

At this point it doesn't matter. The information we just gathered only hurts our feelings because we where paid up and dressed up for the run. So, what's a little mental agony...right!

The course was very hard and really took a lot out of me! We all survived and I came in last place, but the race was completed.

I am sure there is a lesson to be learned here, but I am too tired to figure it out!

One bad mother

While I look a little "possessed" I am trying to man-up. This picture was taken outside the Melting Pot restaurant in Scottsdale, AZ.

I am driving my "bad ass" Toyota Camry Wagon and felt like a complete stud next to this Ferrari!

Lori and I thought it was a funny picture, your thoughts????

Books, books everywhere

I have been on a reading terror over the last few months. Here are some of my favorites!

So you don't want to go to church anymore.
The shack.
He loves me.
Unchristian.
Master plan of evangelism.
The book of Acts- the Bible.

Currently, I am completely intrigued about the love that God has for us and how invested he wants to be in our lives. In fact, the Holy Spirit wants to be God IN us! I am trying to figure out how to get David out of the Holy Spirit's way inside me and my thick skull. Can you relate???

Feeling like MEN!

Yesterday the camp rented a "chipper" for getting rid of some tree limbs that we had around the property. It was capable of consuming a 6 inch piece of wood. In other words, it was powerful! So the morning began with me and a few young men from our summer staff. As the morning continued the numbers grew of those willing to get a little dirty.

I found myself yelling when a huge piece went in the machine and came out like nothing. The other boys were having a great time like me, acting like kids but doing work at the same time. In the end here is what we have to show for our efforts.

Deaf in my left ear (should have used ear plugs), right wrist scratched up badly. Some cuts on my left left leg, lots of splinters in my hands and tree sap everywhere. While these were my battle wounds they are representative of each person working the chipper.

It was SO MUCH FUN! I love being a man!!!!