10 Random Thoughts:

1. I really like putting a warm pair of socks on when it is cold outside.  At the same time, I hate going to sleep with socks on.
2. I've been consistently watching Conan on TBS.  I was expecting a little more "outside of the box" actions to change up late night.  Still, Conan's delivery and humor crack me up.
3. I'd be okay if Winter Formals and Prom became a thing of the past by the time my daughter is in High School.
4. I'm baffled by how quickly we want to lament on how busy we are, when in reality the majority of our busyness comes down to our own choice to be busy.
5. Hearing Katylynn try to say "ornament" is a hoot... it usually comes out "Ormanent".
6. I would really like to be putting my son in bed tonight.  Instead, tonight it will be midday where he is, and he has no idea who I am.
7. I wonder how you would fill in this blank today? God is ____________.
8. Following Jesus is the best decision I ever made.
9. Marrying Janelle was the next best decision I ever made.
10. I'm excited to start up the 60 Days of Beauty Project tomorrow.  It's been fun doing practice runs over the past 4 days trying to decide, if I were to post a thing of beauty from the day, what it would be.  There have been some that make me laugh, some that move me, and some that just make me stop and think.  Tomorrow will be the first post, and it will be the moment of beauty I encountered today.

Adoption Update: A Unique Type of Grant

We're at a pivotal point in our international adoption of our son.  We've been informed that the Ugandan offices have received our Dossier (international adoption legal paper work) and are working to set up hearing dates. When those are set, we will receive our travel dates.  At this point, the plan is to make 2 trips with two months in between.  He would return to the states with us on the second trip.  To say we are ready to get him home would be an understatement, yet we continue to wait on the Lord and trust that he is taking care of every need that is present in his life right now.

We are also in the process of hearing back about various grants we have applied to help cover the costs.  We're excited about a unique grant we have received through the organization Lifesong.  It's a $2000 matching grant that only happens through the assistance of friends and families.  If you are interested in knowing more about it or helping us out, you can check out more information on it over on Janelle's blog HERE.

Pop Quiz, Hotshot.

I didn't go "Black Friday" Shopping because:

a. I like shopping about as much as I like going to funerals.
b. I refuse to give into the evil beast that is consumerism.
c. I need to be rested up for the 1015 p.m. Boise State Football game.
d. All of the above.

Coming December through January: 60 Days of Beauty Project

A few thoughts:

• I sense, more than ever a deep level of negativity, frustration, anger, and criticism around me.
• I sense, more than ever a deep level of negativity, frustration, anger, and criticism inside me.
• Although the Holiday season has its bright and warm moments, the winter months can tend to press in with feelings of depression and hopelessness.
• I have been wrestling on finding something "fresh" to do on the blog.

These thoughts have come together for me to come up with an unprecedented series on the blog.  I am going to look for at least one time where I am able to say, "That is a thing of beauty" for 60 straight days starting December 1 (running through January 29).  It may come in the form of a story, a picture, a video, a scripture, a quote, a principle, or whatever.
Some may be sappy.
Some may be humorous.
Some may be skin deep.
Some may be much deeper.
Some you may identify with the beauty.
Some may be far from beautiful to you.

My hope is to put up a post daily on my previous day's encounter.  Reality tells me I may not do this 100% of the time.  I will, however seek to identify at least one thing of beauty for every one of 60 days.

Why am I doing this?

1. I need it.  I need to stop and smell the flowers.  I need to break out of my "stinkin' thinkin'" I have found myself in.
2. I think along the way as you read, you may be able to find some inspiration or fresh perspective on the amazing beauty of God's creation and the actions of his created where we may, at times, overlook.

Beauty, more than bitterness, makes the heart break.

-Sara Teasdale (America Lyrical Poet) 

10 Strong Opinions

1. Thanksgiving is a fantastic holiday for stopping to remember all the blessings God has bestowed.  Christmas is a fantastic holiday for remembering God Incarnate, creating the way for a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  I find it unfortunate that the uber-commercialization of Christmas  has seemingly hindered the heart of both holidays.
2. The Indianapolis Colts still have a very good chance at a Super Bowl run.
3. Sexual sin is causing more damage in the current teen generation than any other sin. It is not easy to explain to students the importance of abstaining from even a "hint of sexual immorality" with so much compromise around them (finger pointed at myself here as well).  It's also a tricky balance to continue to push those staying on the path of purity to remain pure while explaining forgiveness and grace to those who have walked the road of sexual impurity.  The best I can say is that forgiveness is immediate, but healing for sexual sin is a long and brutal path.
4. As much as I love ESPN, the overexposure and conjecture on sports-related stories (Vikings Locker Room Drama, Lebron James to Miami, Tiger Woods personal life) is not healthy.  Furthermore, as a follower of Christ, I would do well to desire integrity out of athletes yet balance grace toward those in the spotlight.
5. The church is a divine institution that has been entrusted to cracked/flawed vessels.  There is beauty in all this mess, and those Christian detractors from the American Church setup would do well to remember.  I have a feeling house churches, disciple making movements, missional churches, attractional churches, liturgical churches, denominational churches, and community churches all will face failures, ineffectiveness and irrelevance. Last I checked, the changing work of Jesus Christ on the Cross and the work of the Holy Spirit is the key, not the model.
6. My opinions on immigration law would likely be contrary or offensive 80% of the readers of this blog.
7. Facebook is not the problem (story here).  Let's quit going after the symptons and start focusing on the disease.
8. Christians should stop looking to Glen Beck for spiritual direction.
9. I underestimate the role that Satan and the demonic play in my everyday life, and I even more underestimate the power and authority I have over it all through Jesus Christ.
10. McDonald's Diet Coke is the best tasting Diet Coke around.

Trafficking and a Confirmation

While gone on Vacation, I began reading the book Not For Sale: The Return of the Global Slave Trade and How we Can Fight It by David Batstone.  By opening and reading through the Table of Contents, I noticed there was a chapter decicated to Uganda and the Child Soldier Crisis.  This chapter and the details outlined simply served as confirmation that God has led us specifically to Uganda and why our boy is to join our family!

The book is a great primer on the reality of the modern day Global Slave Trade that is taking place. 

Sleeping Beauty

And I'm spent at EPCOT.

Friends!

"I'm giving Pooh biiiig hug!"

Anticipating Some Movies

Aron Ralston's story is one I was absolutely gripped by the first time I heard it in 2003 when it happened. I often use as an illustration of the heart behind Matthew 5:29-30.  If you don't know the full story, hold off on learning all about it and check out the movie (Heads up.  It is Rated R for language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images).

In 2007 I read all the books in a matter of 3 months. All indications by the trailer and the fact that they chose to split the final Harry Potter book into 2 movies tells me they are going to do all they can to honor Rawling's writings.

Change and Values...

I started this blog in March, 2006.  In that time I have made 2,440 posts (this is 2,441).  The journey over that time has been crazy.  Since starting this blog...

• I have seen the Student Ministries Staff change drastically.  I am now the only member still present in the office wing that was there at that time.  Chris Lehane joined the team in May, 2006 and Kristy Mikel had not made her move over to our wing yet.  Since that time, Jeremiah moved to California.  Janelle became a full-time stay-at-home mom, and Terry & Jason moved over to the dark side (a.k.a. the adult wing).
• Furthermore, my role has changed quite a bit.  I have moved from a focused role as a Senior High Pastor with very little responsibilities outside the walls of those things that happen in the NMC Fieldhouse to a Captain over Student Ministires at NMC, a member of the platform team for Sunday mornings at NMC, and some roles and responsibilities in  some of NMC's Global Initiatives.
• I've become a dad.  It happened in some pretty amazing ways.  My little girl is an amazing blessing and responsibility.  I'm actually a dad 2 times over at this point.  Our little will be with us soon.
• I lost my dad. It was the toughest thing I've ever walked through.  It's still tough.

I could go on and on with the changes.  Most of these changes found me, I didn't go looking for them.  As change happens, it becomes tough knowing if you should be embracing it or resisting it.

I went through  a recent exercise in an effort to seek out some of the core values that define who I am and what I'm about.  As a part of that process, 10 values rose to the top for me.

1. Optimism.
2. Exhortation.
3. Multiplication.
4. Relationship.
5. Empathy.
6. Justice.
7. Inspiration.
8. Transparency.
9. Humor.
10. Creativity.

These are 10 values I believe God has branded on me as well as developed me in over time. As I seek his will for my life, these values have to be present.

11 Days...

85 Degrees. Sunny. No agenda.  Boo Ya.