Amazing Memories

While it's difficult to see from this picture, it's taken from the edge of the North Rim of Grand Canyon. We were on our annual Mountain Bike Trip and this was taken as we ate dinner on the rim. The biking was spectacular and the views were even better. We rode along the rim of the Grand Canyon...YES, WE RODE ON THE RIM. It was one of the most incredible memories I have!

We can do one of two things with memories. 1) We can keep them for ourself or 2) We can share them and take others to see and experience what saw!

That's my commitment! I want to SHARE this life that I have with those around me. What makes this Bike trip even better is Dan, Kerry, Katrina, Brady, Scott, Micki and others!!!! Thanks for living life with me!

A Ticking Timebomb

Prescott, AZ is now home to a brand new McDonald's! The design is cool and I have enjoyed the food over the years without any problems.

The food does not have the same effect on all members of my family! This picture is to "note" the time it takes for the food to upset the stomach and exit two members of the Coyne family.

Normally it only takes an hour, but this time was different. The food did not bother anybody and we loved it. The sweet tea was huge hit for Lori! While this sounds like an endorsement of McDonalds, it's really intended to highlight how sad we are as a family. We are actually timing the bowel movements motivated by McDonald's food. Just writing this sounds stupid, but I am chuckling as I write it.

Have a great day!

Is "Fast" really good?

I am reading "Death By Church" by Mike Erre. In an early chapter he speaks about the McDonalization process found in churches in America. The first characteristic in this process is EFFECIENCY (finding the best means to achieve a particular end so that other consumers can be served). Think about it for moment.

Is Jesus effecient? Is the Church in America called to be effecient? Are we promoting "Fast" as a good thing? Hummm???

In parenting, I know that "fast" is not always good. It takes lots of time to help mold a child and prepare for life in American Culture. Part of our parenting plan is to teach how to do laundry, dishes, shopping, cooking, living in community (keeping your space clean), budgeting, hard work for money, sacrifice and giving. Not one of these lessons are QUICK!

If it takes a long time to teach these types of values to children, then what makes me think that I can follow Jesus in 1-minute/day? I can, but it will be a feeble attempt and the relationship will be as strong as 1-minute can yield.

For David Coyne, I am committed to trying to remove the "effiecient" Jesus from my life and have a relationship with Him and others that is not so Fast. That means I am committing my time and energy to the process of following Jesus. That means I choose to invest time in other people that may or may not choose to live like me, but that's not the point. The point is to BE WITH other people in this life.

Unique Fraternity

Yesterday, I completed my first marathon. P.F. Chang's Rock n Roll Marathon in Phoenix hosted 35,000 runners and over 6,000 of those completed the marathon. So, I was one of 6,000 people to accomplish this task yesterday! Doesn't sound very impressive and honestly, it is a race against yourself more than any other I know!

Later, I was speaking with my mom and she said, "David, I only know 3 people who have done a marathon, and I know lots of people". Perhaps completing a marathon is a significant event!

It makes me wonder what YOU are capable of accomplishing? You may not ever choose to run 26.2 miles, but you CAN CHOOSE something else that's a huge goal and accomplish it. During my race, I was passed by people older and younger, some were very skinny and others you wonder how they made it with their size. All I know is that you can accomplish far more than you might think. Go for it!!!!

Marathon completed: 4 hours 12 minutes 27 seconds!

It's finally here!

After 3 months of specific training and many other days riding and running, I am 1 day away from my first marathon! It has been a great process getting to this event. The mental training has the greatest long term benefits, but learning about what it takes to complete something like this is a real test of determination...perhaps I have enough!

I have learned about having the right shoes. I have learned about nutrition and eating while running instead of running on a empty stomach! I have learned "hot spots" on your feet and other parts that rub (ouch)! I have mostly learned about "finishing" and the power of moving forward!

If you ever undertake something like a marathon, I pray that you will finish strong and gain from the experience. I believe that going through training like this makes you a better person, so take it all in!

Scatter brained

I joke often that I suffer from ADD or something. While it has never been diagnosed it would explain how my brain works.

Take this blog for example. One day I write about taxes or politics, then the next day it's about my kids or something that I have been thinking about my relationship with God! I suppose I am somewhat "normal" in how we respond to various issues we face in a day!

I am so much more than just a person who pays attention to politics or taxes. Most of my thoughts lately have centered around the ability to actually LEAD in America today.

I am more than a guy training for a marathon or trying to be a good husband or father. I am a Christ-follower trying to live as Jesus did, but doing that in 2009! So, that's my life! I hope you have a clear understanding of who you are and where your headed. Along the way, I will enjoy the time we spend together!

My favorite solution to the issues we face as a country!

I read this book early in 2008! It represents proposed legislation that would address many of the difficult issues we face as Americans.

In short, FairTax is a 23% embedded tax. That means it DOES NOT increase taxes on goods as some would argue!

FairTax gets rid of the IRS. That means- your "take home" is your entire paycheck. You have NO WITHHOLDING unless you direct to retirement, etc.

Companies gain things like FICA matching helping them to be more competitive, plus they benefit from no taxes (NO IRS).

The government would increase it's tax base by collecting from 75 million foreign visitors annually who would be paying 23% on items/services purchased in the USA. Illegally gained money would now be taxable on goods and services purchased. (ie, drug dealer buys a new car and pay taxes).

There are some additional penalties to people in the country illegally that would encourage their proper immigration!

Don't take my word for it, read the book! I believe this has the power to be the best legislation passed in our lifetime!