Friday, February 25, 2005
Another Late Night
Well at least this time I had an excuse for being up late. My younger son was plugged up and could not stay asleep. We gave him some medicine, but it did not take effect right away so until after 2:00 am he was half awake and so was I.
He seems to be doing better this morning, he is up much earlier than I expected. He did say his ear is not working right now, but it does not hurt.
Next week I begin preaching again. My passage is one of the simple straightforward kind - John 11 - Lazarus is resurrected from the dead.
There are many resurrection stories throughout the Bible, Old Testament and New. Jesus raises a couple different people from the dead. What is special about this one? Resurrection is not an everyday occurance, but what was special about this that John wanted to have it in such close proximity to the resurrection of Jesus? Some ideas I need to figure out.
He seems to be doing better this morning, he is up much earlier than I expected. He did say his ear is not working right now, but it does not hurt.
Next week I begin preaching again. My passage is one of the simple straightforward kind - John 11 - Lazarus is resurrected from the dead.
There are many resurrection stories throughout the Bible, Old Testament and New. Jesus raises a couple different people from the dead. What is special about this one? Resurrection is not an everyday occurance, but what was special about this that John wanted to have it in such close proximity to the resurrection of Jesus? Some ideas I need to figure out.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
A Time For All Things
Well, I am actually heading off to bed. Not for the night, just for a nap. I am tired after coming home at midnight and then doing dishes and whatever else I could find (Erica and the boys did a lot of straightening up while I was out) till I could find myself sleepy enough to go to bed. The problem was simply that I had played football and still had a lot of energy.
As far as the game went, I played centre this week instead of my usual position of wide-reciever, and I still caught one of the touchdowns (giving me a total of 11 in 7 games). We won our 5th game of the season to finish second in our division. Most of our wins were very convincing. Our defense played great, our offense has also played well. I am feeling good about this because I just heard that I was player of the game for this game (making that three times in this season I won that honour), and our team MVP for this year. I am not positive that it is official yet, but I appreciate being recognized. The recognition came with a warning though. Each of our past years our MVP has gotten injured (except last year outdoor where the MVP from the indoor before had to leave town for a job). My health may be in danger.
Life is seeming to go better. We have an individual learning contract in place for my older son. It is basically just a recognition of what the teacher is already doing with him (have I mentioned that this teacher has been great with him?). He is enjoying his class and is thriving in that environment. It is begining to sound like there are a couple of kids in the class who either don't get my son or just don't have the patience to try to understand him, but I don't think it is anything like last year when the kids actually were mean to each other.
My other son is doing okay in school, he seems to understand things for a while, but he does not have a grasp of letters that I expect from him. I enjoy hearing him talk about playing hockey or football when he gets older, I think that he kind of likes sports and would enjoy more opportunity to get involved. I have to remember to keep my eyes open when registration for soccer happens this year. He really wanted to play a couple years ago when he saw his older brother playing, and he seemed to understand the game. I would like to encourage this side of him, an area that he can achieve. Also if he has talent and drive he could pay some of the bills later in life :).
There are days when I am so facinated by them that I wonder what they will accomplish in life. "When I was just a little boy, I ask my mother what will I be..."
As far as the game went, I played centre this week instead of my usual position of wide-reciever, and I still caught one of the touchdowns (giving me a total of 11 in 7 games). We won our 5th game of the season to finish second in our division. Most of our wins were very convincing. Our defense played great, our offense has also played well. I am feeling good about this because I just heard that I was player of the game for this game (making that three times in this season I won that honour), and our team MVP for this year. I am not positive that it is official yet, but I appreciate being recognized. The recognition came with a warning though. Each of our past years our MVP has gotten injured (except last year outdoor where the MVP from the indoor before had to leave town for a job). My health may be in danger.
Life is seeming to go better. We have an individual learning contract in place for my older son. It is basically just a recognition of what the teacher is already doing with him (have I mentioned that this teacher has been great with him?). He is enjoying his class and is thriving in that environment. It is begining to sound like there are a couple of kids in the class who either don't get my son or just don't have the patience to try to understand him, but I don't think it is anything like last year when the kids actually were mean to each other.
My other son is doing okay in school, he seems to understand things for a while, but he does not have a grasp of letters that I expect from him. I enjoy hearing him talk about playing hockey or football when he gets older, I think that he kind of likes sports and would enjoy more opportunity to get involved. I have to remember to keep my eyes open when registration for soccer happens this year. He really wanted to play a couple years ago when he saw his older brother playing, and he seemed to understand the game. I would like to encourage this side of him, an area that he can achieve. Also if he has talent and drive he could pay some of the bills later in life :).
There are days when I am so facinated by them that I wonder what they will accomplish in life. "When I was just a little boy, I ask my mother what will I be..."
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
First some more football news (especially when news from the world of hockey sounds so grim). Yesterday we played our sixth game of the season and we won for the fourth time. Our record of 4-2-0 is enough to put us in second place right now and gives us an opportunity to move into the middle group for playoffs. Based on how we have handled the teams below us (except for the one) if we fail to get into the next level, I am not sure how much fun it would be for those teams. Three of the five teams below us we beat soundly (including last nights 39-6), the other two - one beat us (37-7 but we have always beaten this team and we played them the first game of the indoor season), the other we beat 20-13 - a close game. Next week we play our last regular season game and we play the team we are competing against for the final spot to move onto the next level.
On a more personal and selfish level, I had three more touchdowns and actually threw one myself. While I had a lot of good stats this game and may even earn player of the game for it (people on my team were impressed) one of our lesser recognized players had a really good game where he did not drop balls that he would have in the past. He is also the guy who with great consentration caught my pass while keeping his feet in bounds. This game puts me at 10 touchdowns and 3 converts on the season (leading the team in scoring). The funny thing is that most of them have been the easy longbomb, but it still impresses people. Maybe I just don't look quite so fast but somehow I get there. Sammy Steroid is playin' (if you don't know the story of Sammy Steroid, you need to track down my brother Neil who still calls me Sammy - he'll tell the story).
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After sleeping in on Monday, the boys have been up and ready earlier than normal the past two days. I guess my oldest is taking more responsibility for getting up and ready on time now. He still needs permission to get changed in the morning and to get his winter clothes on.
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My wife has found a conference in town for me to attend. The add says that it will teach you how to find your desk and organize your day. As I look at my desk I wonder, "Do I really need that kind of help? I can see the desk here at home quite plainly (underneath the books and papers and toys, letters and a few other odds and ends." It is not very expensive so I will see if I am up to it (I do have to pre-register). I suspect that their true market is not really people who would pre-register or be inclined to do anything in advance of the course. Hopefully I will remember to register and especially where to find the information when that time comes. If I forget, then I guess I really did need the course.
On a more personal and selfish level, I had three more touchdowns and actually threw one myself. While I had a lot of good stats this game and may even earn player of the game for it (people on my team were impressed) one of our lesser recognized players had a really good game where he did not drop balls that he would have in the past. He is also the guy who with great consentration caught my pass while keeping his feet in bounds. This game puts me at 10 touchdowns and 3 converts on the season (leading the team in scoring). The funny thing is that most of them have been the easy longbomb, but it still impresses people. Maybe I just don't look quite so fast but somehow I get there. Sammy Steroid is playin' (if you don't know the story of Sammy Steroid, you need to track down my brother Neil who still calls me Sammy - he'll tell the story).
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After sleeping in on Monday, the boys have been up and ready earlier than normal the past two days. I guess my oldest is taking more responsibility for getting up and ready on time now. He still needs permission to get changed in the morning and to get his winter clothes on.
--------
My wife has found a conference in town for me to attend. The add says that it will teach you how to find your desk and organize your day. As I look at my desk I wonder, "Do I really need that kind of help? I can see the desk here at home quite plainly (underneath the books and papers and toys, letters and a few other odds and ends." It is not very expensive so I will see if I am up to it (I do have to pre-register). I suspect that their true market is not really people who would pre-register or be inclined to do anything in advance of the course. Hopefully I will remember to register and especially where to find the information when that time comes. If I forget, then I guess I really did need the course.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Rough Morning
There is one thing that can make the morning difficult. If we sleep in. Being tired is okay, but if we sleep in and the boys don't make the bus then there is trouble. My oldest son does not handle change very well and he could not get over the fact that we missed the bus. He has decided that we need to move closer to school so that he will not be late. I bothered him that he missed "O Cananda" and the rest of the opening sequence at school. I hope that he will eventually settle down and get into the activities of the day.
Last night (part of the reason we slept in) we watched some movies (after putting the boys to bed). My wife had to rent one movie just to show a scene that she was convinced was there. I was interested in what it was she saw, but it was hard to believe that she actually saw what she claimed. The movie, "The Italian Job" - there is a scene (13 on DVD) where they blow up the street around an armoured car to drop the car out of sight. Panic ensues with the pedestrians that are around the vehicle and they scatter. If you watch very carefully you will see one of the people running is actually wearing a spiderman costume. I'm not kidding. It is really there. The mask for the costume matches the mask that my son wore for halloween. The person is in the full costume, mask, gloves, boots all there. Crazy isn't it. Just one little scene that is so fast I never saw it till my wife slowed the scene down on DVD.
Last night (part of the reason we slept in) we watched some movies (after putting the boys to bed). My wife had to rent one movie just to show a scene that she was convinced was there. I was interested in what it was she saw, but it was hard to believe that she actually saw what she claimed. The movie, "The Italian Job" - there is a scene (13 on DVD) where they blow up the street around an armoured car to drop the car out of sight. Panic ensues with the pedestrians that are around the vehicle and they scatter. If you watch very carefully you will see one of the people running is actually wearing a spiderman costume. I'm not kidding. It is really there. The mask for the costume matches the mask that my son wore for halloween. The person is in the full costume, mask, gloves, boots all there. Crazy isn't it. Just one little scene that is so fast I never saw it till my wife slowed the scene down on DVD.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Who is living on the outskirts?
I read a blog by Mike Cope today and in it he said kind things about the kind of work and dedication it must be to be a single parent. That made me start thinking, who are the people living on the outskirts, who are the people not included in mainstream society, even in the churches? We see people with addiction problems like the alcoholic (the more severe cases), there are the single moms (usually) struggling to survive, the mentally handicapped, and physically handicapped. I am sure that there are many other groups I have not listed or don't have the words to express their situation, yet these are the outskirts, the people in need with no one to turn to.
I have been dwelling on this concept of outskirts in my own thinking (sharing it with a few people), and my wife added a word that helps us recognize ministry and give it meaning - sacrifice. To do ministry on the outskirts, to reach these people with the love of Jesus it going to call for us to serve, and sacrifice to people who need, and will use without getting payback. They may not say "thank you", they may not even be greatful, but our call is to give.
This is still a work in progress, but I guess so am I.
I have been dwelling on this concept of outskirts in my own thinking (sharing it with a few people), and my wife added a word that helps us recognize ministry and give it meaning - sacrifice. To do ministry on the outskirts, to reach these people with the love of Jesus it going to call for us to serve, and sacrifice to people who need, and will use without getting payback. They may not say "thank you", they may not even be greatful, but our call is to give.
This is still a work in progress, but I guess so am I.
Don't Worrry...
It is easy to be happy when your football team is winning. We just won 39-6, and I had two of the touchdowns. There is a lot of othere things going on in my life, but when we win at football it provides relief from other stresses. Besides that I just like scoring touchdowns (only seven this season).
On a different note, I have been thinking more about vision and trying to make clear what we are looking for when we are looking at this thing called vision.
Here is a piece of what I wrote. I need to do more, but this is what came to me today.
When I am talking about vision, I am talking about a focusing of our purpose. This is not meant to be a broad paint brush that will serve us for many generations, but a direction that may only serve us for a couple of years, but will be a definite leading to definite action.
Vision then is an image, a picture of the future. Not a statement defining our goals, but a drawing of how we reach them. Robert Frost:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And I am sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
...
Two roads diverged in a wood and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
There are different direction, all equally good, all that would be doing God’s work, but what path makes all the difference for us as a group right now? We can only travel one, and that one will take us to places we have never been before (though some of the scenery may look familiar and similar to other places we have traveled, it will still be new).
Our work then for this vision process is to find a way to express that focus, that direction, the path that we will be traveling down, which is not just a good thing to do, but God’s best will for us at this time. We are not defining ourselves for all time since as we assimilate new people we will change even as we change them. We are talking about God’s will for us at this time.
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My mind is working constantly on defining and refining this idea while trying hoping to suddenly know what we must do. I am not alone in trying to figure this out, but it is my job to keep the focus of this vision steady and not to drift into areas we should not be defining. If anyone has thoughts or visions or even the old people who dream dream I would love to hear of it.
On a different note, I have been thinking more about vision and trying to make clear what we are looking for when we are looking at this thing called vision.
Here is a piece of what I wrote. I need to do more, but this is what came to me today.
When I am talking about vision, I am talking about a focusing of our purpose. This is not meant to be a broad paint brush that will serve us for many generations, but a direction that may only serve us for a couple of years, but will be a definite leading to definite action.
Vision then is an image, a picture of the future. Not a statement defining our goals, but a drawing of how we reach them. Robert Frost:
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And I am sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
...
Two roads diverged in a wood and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
There are different direction, all equally good, all that would be doing God’s work, but what path makes all the difference for us as a group right now? We can only travel one, and that one will take us to places we have never been before (though some of the scenery may look familiar and similar to other places we have traveled, it will still be new).
Our work then for this vision process is to find a way to express that focus, that direction, the path that we will be traveling down, which is not just a good thing to do, but God’s best will for us at this time. We are not defining ourselves for all time since as we assimilate new people we will change even as we change them. We are talking about God’s will for us at this time.
---------
My mind is working constantly on defining and refining this idea while trying hoping to suddenly know what we must do. I am not alone in trying to figure this out, but it is my job to keep the focus of this vision steady and not to drift into areas we should not be defining. If anyone has thoughts or visions or even the old people who dream dream I would love to hear of it.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Mondays with my wife
Well the past couple of Mondays have been very nice. I have spent the day with my wife, going to the gym, going shopping, going out for dinner (It is today that is my oldest son's birthday). All that said, I did not get a lot of the housework done. I have barely started laundry, I have been trying to load the dishwasher so I can run it tonight.
So I have had a bit of a relaxing day after a difficult ending to yesterday. What a good way to lead into telling about the birthday party yesterday at the laser tag place. It was my oldest son's party and he had some friends show up (which we were concerned about since we received no replies about who was coming until we started asking those that we could ask). I waited at the video game place while the kids played laser tag, and then I played various video and other games with the kids (trying to help them win as many tickets as possible). I figured that I should play since the kids wanted my help. It's not like I wanted to play any of these games, the kids just pleaded and begged and needed help! The kids all seemed to have enjoyed themselves and we spent somewhere around 50 bucks on it. Not to bad a trade (I hope).
My younger son went to play laser tag with the group, but he came out early. It seems that a dark room with lasers and people trying to shoot each other is a bit scary for a young boy. Who'd a thought? He and I had fun playing some games waiting for the rest of the crew to catch up with us.
I was impressed with the young man who helped the kids get started with the laser tag. At the end of the day when all the kids are picking out their prizes with the tickets they won, he seemed to enjoy helping the kids pick out their prizes. Another person who impressed me was a young man who was there just to play games. My oldest wanted to play a game I had never seen before, a dance game, and this teenager helped us set up the game and gave a little instruction before we began. He even helped us choose one of the easier songs for dancing (and one that an adult my age would approve of - We Will Rock You). No, I did not dance, just my oldest son. Then one of his friends tried it too.
I like video games, and I enjoyed the day, but I was reminded that I do not play these games enough to really be good at them, and I just have never felt like committing the time to get better at them. I guess I just have different priorities. Even when I was young and had a paper route, I just did not want to waste my money learning how to play the games. Now comics and D&D books and figures are a whole different issue. This is probably best left till I blog again some time. For now I leave with good memories of a party and a good day after.
So I have had a bit of a relaxing day after a difficult ending to yesterday. What a good way to lead into telling about the birthday party yesterday at the laser tag place. It was my oldest son's party and he had some friends show up (which we were concerned about since we received no replies about who was coming until we started asking those that we could ask). I waited at the video game place while the kids played laser tag, and then I played various video and other games with the kids (trying to help them win as many tickets as possible). I figured that I should play since the kids wanted my help. It's not like I wanted to play any of these games, the kids just pleaded and begged and needed help! The kids all seemed to have enjoyed themselves and we spent somewhere around 50 bucks on it. Not to bad a trade (I hope).
My younger son went to play laser tag with the group, but he came out early. It seems that a dark room with lasers and people trying to shoot each other is a bit scary for a young boy. Who'd a thought? He and I had fun playing some games waiting for the rest of the crew to catch up with us.
I was impressed with the young man who helped the kids get started with the laser tag. At the end of the day when all the kids are picking out their prizes with the tickets they won, he seemed to enjoy helping the kids pick out their prizes. Another person who impressed me was a young man who was there just to play games. My oldest wanted to play a game I had never seen before, a dance game, and this teenager helped us set up the game and gave a little instruction before we began. He even helped us choose one of the easier songs for dancing (and one that an adult my age would approve of - We Will Rock You). No, I did not dance, just my oldest son. Then one of his friends tried it too.
I like video games, and I enjoyed the day, but I was reminded that I do not play these games enough to really be good at them, and I just have never felt like committing the time to get better at them. I guess I just have different priorities. Even when I was young and had a paper route, I just did not want to waste my money learning how to play the games. Now comics and D&D books and figures are a whole different issue. This is probably best left till I blog again some time. For now I leave with good memories of a party and a good day after.
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Birthday Time
February is a busy month. It starts the birthday rush in my family with my two sons celebratign their birthdays just a couple days apart. While we are preparing for the one, we are already planning the other.
I just finished playing hockey and I know I will be up for a while, but I am not yet ready to do the dishes or tidy up the living room more so I thought I should update my blog. I did not score a great goal to brag about this week (other weeks I have). The most fun is probably the coffee conversations after hockey at the local Robbin's. The conversations kept swinging from one strange extreme to another. The amusing thing was that a lady was sitting at a table near by reading her book, and she was enjoying our conversations. At one point when one guy made a totally bizzare and unprovable point and we all called him on it, the lady had to break her silence and give some plausable sounding information to back him up on his "scientific" reading about the change in male-female ratios over the years. It was too funny and I can remember being in that kind of situation myself. We all enjoyed the input and enjoyed another great time visiting together.
Some of our best sharing and conversation comes from those times. Not necessarily our deepest and most soul searching, but great sharing non the less.
Mom and Dad are in town and I am enjoying visiting with them. Trading stories, listening to what is happening in their lives and thinking about their plans for the move out to Victoria (whenever the house sells). I hope things go well for that and I think that they will enjoy being with my older brother and his family. At times I would like to move out there too. Longing for our fantasy of what life could be is much easier than living in the reality of what life really is. You know I don't think that the grass is always greener saying works for me, cause whatever grass is greener, it still has to be mowed and that will make me sick!
I just finished playing hockey and I know I will be up for a while, but I am not yet ready to do the dishes or tidy up the living room more so I thought I should update my blog. I did not score a great goal to brag about this week (other weeks I have). The most fun is probably the coffee conversations after hockey at the local Robbin's. The conversations kept swinging from one strange extreme to another. The amusing thing was that a lady was sitting at a table near by reading her book, and she was enjoying our conversations. At one point when one guy made a totally bizzare and unprovable point and we all called him on it, the lady had to break her silence and give some plausable sounding information to back him up on his "scientific" reading about the change in male-female ratios over the years. It was too funny and I can remember being in that kind of situation myself. We all enjoyed the input and enjoyed another great time visiting together.
Some of our best sharing and conversation comes from those times. Not necessarily our deepest and most soul searching, but great sharing non the less.
Mom and Dad are in town and I am enjoying visiting with them. Trading stories, listening to what is happening in their lives and thinking about their plans for the move out to Victoria (whenever the house sells). I hope things go well for that and I think that they will enjoy being with my older brother and his family. At times I would like to move out there too. Longing for our fantasy of what life could be is much easier than living in the reality of what life really is. You know I don't think that the grass is always greener saying works for me, cause whatever grass is greener, it still has to be mowed and that will make me sick!
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
@#$%^&%$ Snow
The temperature has finally reached quite a nice range - promising to be above 0 today. I was definitely warm yesterday. The only problem is now my driveway is melting. It seems that this nice high driveway I had was mostly snow, and now I can get stuck in my driveway again (just like I could after the last big snow fall).
Everytime I come home, I get out the shovel and move some more snow and hope that I will be done soon. I was at the gym yesterday, but I did not do weights to work on my upperbody, just the cardio which also works on my legs. Oddly enough it is my arms, my back and my shoulder which hurts.
Today my parents arrive for thier visit. They like to come (and we like it that they come) for the boys birthdays. Both birthdays being so close together is kind of convinient for my parents, they come spend a week and they are here for both birthdays.
Everytime I come home, I get out the shovel and move some more snow and hope that I will be done soon. I was at the gym yesterday, but I did not do weights to work on my upperbody, just the cardio which also works on my legs. Oddly enough it is my arms, my back and my shoulder which hurts.
Today my parents arrive for thier visit. They like to come (and we like it that they come) for the boys birthdays. Both birthdays being so close together is kind of convinient for my parents, they come spend a week and they are here for both birthdays.
