Pet Fish

This 5 lber was caught over the weekend. She is still swimming so maybe if I feed her a lure occasionally she will be my pet, haha!

Feeling Poetic

This is a repost from an English Teacher friend of mine. Funny stuff and about the level of my poetic ability. Haha!

Bite-Sized!

I witnessed this phenomena five or six times an hour with my nephews over this Thanksgiving week!
Haha!

The Walking Drum

One of my favorite childhood authors is Louis L'Amour. He primarily wrote Westerns before he died, but among his books is one written about the Middle Ages and the touring caravans of nomadic people in  Europe. The Walking Drum   revolves around the key character of Kerbouchard, one of L'Amour's greatest heroes. He is a warrior, lover, scholar, and a "daring seeker of knowledge and fortune bound on a journey of enormous challenge, danger and revenge." The story ranges across Europe and the Russian steppes. To read this one is a near complete get away from the Westerns that L'Amour is famous for. L'amour is a wonderful, if somewhat predictable Western writer and I enjoyed reading over 100 of his books. 

What sticks out about The Walking Drum besides the change in the writing is I have read it at all the major transitions in my life. When I married, when I have moved, when I have made a spiritual leap, and every time I have proceeded to a new ministry position, The Walking Drum has been unpacked and reread. When the trader caravans moved to a new region, the drum beat kept time and gave warning for Kerbouchard and the others who lived by the drum beat.  The walking drum became a heartbeat of the people in the caravan.

As I am unpacking boxes, I look forward to finding that book again. I may read a few pages, but finding it and setting goals for this stop is more important. The book has become a symbol of a new place, a new people, a new time, and new opportunities to reach people. God is sovereign and only He knows how long we will stay in Clarkson. What is important is to serve wholeheartedly and use our gifts for His Kingdom while the time lasts. 

What's your heartbeat? I hope at the base of all you are about your heartbeat is Jesus. KNOW JESUS! There is nothing like the adventure of knowing Christ! Once that relationship is struck, there will always be a heartbeat within us to keep going, to know Him more and make Him known. 

Monday Funny!

One of those Days

Ever had one of those days? I have. Hope you got a laugh out of this.

John

Recovery

After a good nap, our middle daughter was feeling snuggly and in need of some Daddy time. I asked her if she wanted some lunch and she said yes, and then asked if I would hold her while she ate. Of course I agreed.
Upon finishing, she wanted to go ride bikes and asked if I could ride mine too. (almost daily the two oldest girls ask if I can run again, see Tendon Trouble post)
So, I decided to try to ride my bike. I have been released by my doctor to start PT next week but i've done no real resistance training yet except for some thera-band excercises.
It is hard saying no to my daughters time and again over the last twelve weeks. M and I managed 2 laps down the street and back. Success! Recovery is slow but happening.

Rain Out and A Opossum

Last night the Faith & Community Night concert was rained out. There was an electrical storm that lasted three hours, and was totally fascinating to watch - from safely inside.
The Martin Ministerial Alliance worked countless hours to book CCM artists Shane and Shane and newcomer Lydia Walker for the Main Stage acts. It was disappointing to say the least.
However-ministry still happened as the Lord led me to several neat conversations over the course of the night.
AND, In other news there was a 'possum or Opossum on our porch. I love our cat. Really, I love our cat. One of the reasons is because he doesn't play well with rodents - of any size. Tiger faced off with the beast on the porch for several minutes.
The 'possum growled at him most of the time and Tiger was trying to show him around. "hey, here's my food bowl. Here's is my couch that I lounge on.
Growwwl!
"hey, want to see my towel?!"
Growwel! (I poke my head all the way out the door)
"this is my master guy! He scratches under my chin and behind my ears"
Grrrr!
Finally the 'possum gets bored, turns and actually goes after the food, and then Tiger goes off on him. He swats at him and chases the big rat off the porch.
The Moral?
Don't mess with a Fat Cats food!

Mobile Test

Thought I would post an update on my ankle and Achilles repair. Here is a picture of the healing.

I'm doing pretty good and hoping to be starting Physical Therapy this week or next week. This is a long recovery process. Jessica and the girls have been too good to me. I love my wife.!

Tendon Trouble...

       To the left is an anatomy picture of the human lower leg. The extreme lower portion in white is the Achilles Tendon. In Greek mythology, Achilles was a warrior who was nearly invulnerable due to being dipped in the River Styx as a babe, except for the heel that his mother held him by. Achilles was left vulnerable by that heel and in the legend's ending he was struck by a poison arrow in that same vulnerable heel and died of the wound.
     The achilles tendon has a fame now that goes beyond the myth. In fact, to rupture the achilles tendon has been said to be the most common injury to middle-aged men "who think they are still 21". I guess if the shoe fits, I will wear it - in December - after therapy is over. I have a walking boot for the next few weeks. On July 16th, the day I started my Doctorate of Ministry in Expository Preaching, I was playing basketball - a game I rarely play - and was chasing down a loose ball when I felt and heard a POP! and down I went.
     There was no poison arrow in the wound, but the gelatinous feel and the inability to stand made most everyone sure what had happened. It felt like someone hit me in the back of the leg with a bat. I ended up in a UK Blue cast for a week, and then another splint for a second week as I finished my seminars, (taking notes in a pool lounge chair with my foot elevated all week) on crutches. Below are the photos of the post op and beginning of recovery. The surgeon said looking at the first that it was "BEAUTIFUL!" Jessica and I both thought of words like grisly, nasty, gross. You decide. He did a beautiful job in surgery, and I am putting weight on it just days after the surgery. I am walking in the boot without crutches a week after surgery, almost a month after my Achilles heel kicked back at me. Thank God for faithful prayer warriors and the technological, medical world we live in.

Un-Stapled and Un-Stitched

Stapled and Stitched

Wednesday Funny!

To The Brave Parents of Teens - Phil 4:13

A Walk Through Washington...

This blog post has political overtones. I guess that is a warning. But really it is just something i wanted to remember. I found a video commentary on Focus on the Family STOPLIGHT by Stuart Shepard. He does an amazing job with short videos meant to inspire, raise awareness, and motivate Christians to get involved in our countries political processes. So, in reading this - it has a little to do with the present administration, but A LOT to do with what I will do in November. I will vote. Moreover, I will vote my VALUES.

I do not agree with all of the litany from the candidates coming from Washington, but I understand our Country's Election process and know what my values are. I have a voice. My voice, My Vote, has been given to me as a right. I intend to use it. I will vote for the candidate that most closely represents my values. What are my values? My values are stated in Washington - IN STONE. Take a look:

http://www.citizenlink.com/2012/06/27/stoplight-a-walk-for-the-president/



** There are other videos on this site that I hope you will look at and bookmark. They will become more frequent the closer we get to November.

Long Time, No Blog

It has been a long time since i posted anything, and after helping with Service Hours all year, this made me laugh. 

Monday Funny!

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