Archive - May, 2011

I remember and am thankful!

May 30, 2011 in Christian Living with 1 Comment

Today throughout our country, people will gather on consecrated ground to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defending the freedom of our country. We not only remember those who died while serving, but we remember and honor all who served. I am deeply grateful for all who have served and who continue to serve.

A few people come to mind as I reflect on Memorial Day. I think of Dick and Craig Munsen. Dick served during World War II and was shot down and evaded capture in Yugoslavia. Craig was a naval aviator serving during peace time. He was killed when his jet exploded over the Atlantic Ocean near Puerto Rico. I have a set of wings that Craig’s wife, Emmanuelle, gave me after the memorial service. He was one of my best friends and I miss him.

I also think of Bill Larson who was a medic  and was part of the D-Day invasion at Normandy. I think of Richard Ness who was injured several times in Korea. I think of those who have served recently, Max Hermanson, our nephew who did a couple tours – one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. I also think of Gabe Yeakel who is currently with the Guard, serving in Afghanistan.  There are several others.

It is neat to see all the flags in the cemeteries commemorating this holiday. Each flag represents a life of someone who served. I thank God for the willingness of these men and women to serve our country.

We attended the service in the Roland Cemetery today. Our son, Josiah, was honored to recite the Gettysburg Address for the service. I include the text of it below.

I hope that if you did not get a chance to attend a service at a cemetery today that you will at least take some time and reflect on the freedoms you have because people were and are willing to fight for them.

“Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”         – Abraham Lincoln

Schools Out for Summer!

May 27, 2011 in Christian Living, Football with 0 Comments

Today is the last day of school for my youngest three kids. What an awesome day for them! I remember like it was yesterday the excitement of the last day of school.

Several things made this day exciting. Summer was a blank canvas with endless possibilities that you were going to produce. Time to spend with friends at the pool, golfing, playing baseball, just goofing around. Lazy days with no concerns other than whose house you were going to have lunch at or where you could play video games uninterrupted for hours. If you picked up a book – which was highly unlikely – it was either because your mom made you or because it was something you wanted to read. No going to bed early because your parents said, “You have school in the morning”! Not having to shower for several days if you so choose – remember, you had the swimming pool to take care of those needs! The biggest reason the last day of school was exciting was that you had almost three months with no school or homework – and that three months seemed like it would be an eternity!

It is fun to think about that excitement that we used to have. As adults, unfortunately, we don’t get to feel that excitement very much anymore. Typically, each day for us is very similar to the day before, which will be similar to tomorrow, etc… you get the point. Unless you teach or work in a school, most of us don’t get to look forward to extended times away from work. Sure, most have vacations they will take, but in many cases these times are even more stressful than our work days.

It is kind of sad to think about the lack of excitement in most of our lives. I know this is one of the reasons I have continued to be involved with football. Coaching football allows those competitive juices to flow in an acceptable manner. Football also allows me to be part of a team working together for an identified goal.

Unfortunately, when I look at the other areas of my life, it’s hard to see much excitement. Sure, there is some, but not the excitement you used to feel when that school bell rang signifying the end of the last day of the school year. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe you all experience this excitement on a regular basis.

I will be attending Donald Miller’s Storyline Conference in Portland, OR June 5-8. The major thrust of this conference is to help people write better stories with their lives and to learn how you can help others do the same. I am excited about this conference – end of the school year excited! I believe God wants each one of us to make the most of our lives, to really utilize the gifts, abilities and passions that He gave us. Not to do dumb things, not to sin, but to really experience life, to live a great story that brings Him glory and honor, and to come alongside others as they live their stories to help them live better stories. I can’t wait!

What excites you right now?

 

Disobedience!

May 25, 2011 in Christian Living with 0 Comments

Sometimes I surprise myself at my lack of obedience.

As I have shared in this blog previously, I am very early into my training for the Des Moines Half-Marathon set for October 16, 2011. I got out three times last week and struggled. I know it will take time and that a little bit each week will pay of big dividends over these next four and a half months. I am planning on slogging four days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday).

What disgusts me is this morning. I went to bed last night and said to God, “If you want me to get up and jog in the morning, you need to get me up by 5:30 a.m. and help me not to feel tired.” A simple request. What happened? I woke up at 5:28 a.m. and really felt pretty good. What did I do? I rolled over and went back to sleep (after laying there for 15 minutes going back and forth, should I just get up or go back to sleep, get up or go back to sleep, etc…).

I amaze myself at my lack of obedience, motivation and discipline.

One thing I am thankful for is that God continues to forgive me when I mess up. When I go back to God, he accepts me and loves me. I am also thankful that just because I mess up in one area, God can and does still use me. Basically God is awesome and I am not! I also need to realize that the path I am on leads to a destination. If the path isn’t leading to the destination I want, then I best get on another path!

Where is your path leading you?

 

Lessons from Sam – Sometimes life can be messy!

May 23, 2011 in Christian Living, Lessons from Sam with 0 Comments

Sometimes life can be just plain old messy!

I took these pictures last Saturday morning. Sam woke up and came down to our bedroom. No big deal. He does this almost every morning. The only difference this day was that he made a pit stop in the kitchen. Lo and behold, it was his lucky day as he found half a double-layer chocolate cake sitting on the counter! Golden! Sam proceeded to eat the whole thing! Truthfully, who wouldn’t if you found this and thought you could eat it and get away with it? As you can see, things got a little messy.

It’s a good picture symbolizing life. Sometimes things get messy. Sometimes I cause the mess, sometimes I don’t. Sometimes the mess is easy to clean up, sometimes it isn’t. The thing is that in all situations, the mess must be dealt with, it must be cleaned up. It is always worth the effort!

What is the biggest mess you have gotten into? How’d you clean it up?

May 21, 2011

May 20, 2011 in Christian Living with 0 Comments

If Harold Camping of FamilyRadio.com is correct, this will be my last blog post. The world as we know it will come to an end tomorrow. May 21, 2011 marks the day of judgment and the beginning of the end that will culminate on October 21, 2011when the earth will be completely destroyed and all its inhabitants.

Admittedly, I struggle a little with this prediction and with those individuals who are so focused on the end of the world. People have been predicting the end date for almost 2000 years now. Mr. Camping insists that the date he is “guaranteeing” could not have even been proposed except for God revealing things in 1988 that helped him to better understand these things. It’s all pretty hard for me to understand. I really don’t want to get into a theological debate here. You can search this topic and find more than you ever care to know.

I go back and forth on this. If Camping and his followers truly believe the date will be tomorrow, then I wholeheartedly support them in living out their convictions in seeking to let the world know so that people are ready. I also realize that picking dates has made Christianity look foolish over the years and that the Bible teaches that we are not to know the day and the hour and that Christ will come like a thief in the night. I am afraid that if tomorrow comes and goes and nothing happens, it will make all Christians look bad.

Regardless what you think about Camping and his prediction about May 21st, one thing each one of us needs to realize is that there will be a day when Christ does return – and that day is getting closer each and every day! The Bible does guarantee that. There will be a day of judgment. There will eventually be a New Heaven and a New Earth.  Each one of us will need to deal with two issues. First and foremost, what decision have you made regarding Christ? Have you chosen to follow Him and recognize Him as Lord in your life or have you not given him this position? I am preaching on John 3:1-21 next Sunday. Read this and reflect on this. Maybe you should do this tonight just in case Camping is correct!

The second question relates to how you have used what God has given you (spiritual gifts, abilities, resources, experiences, etc…). Have you been faithful in how you have lived your life?

Personally, I think tomorrow will come and go just like any other day. If I am wrong and Camping is right, awesome. I am ready. If I am right and nothing happens tomorrow, awesome. I am still ready and will then get another chance to write a blog on Monday – seeking to help people live out their faith!

The big question is, “Are you ready?”

 

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