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Category: Life

Two Wolves – One Choice

There is an old Cherokee story that has floated around the e-mail world for a few years and I got it again this week from a relative who has been forwarding me e-mail since 1992. (thanks!) I thought I’d post it here to save it as it is always a good reminder to think about.  TWO WOLVES A Grandfather from the Cherokee Nation was talking with his grandson. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.” “One wolf is evil and ugly: He is anger, envy, war, greed, self-pity, sorrow, regret, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, selfishness and arrogance.” “The other wolf is beautiful and good: He is friendly, joyful, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, justice, fairness, empathy, generosity, true, compassion, gratitude, and deep vision.” “This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other human as well.” The grandson paused in deep reflection because of what his grandfather had just said. Then he finally cried out; “Oyee! Grandfather, which wolf will win?” The elder Cherokee replied, “The wolf that you feed.” Every  day we face new problems or…

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Fall Colors

One of mommy’s ways to have fun is to dress up her husband and little boy in matching outfits. (And only true love would put up with the snickers and smiles I get from all the passer-byers who see me and Luke on these matching days!) But on this day, he looks so adorable, I decided to risk e-snickers or iSmiles by actually posting some pictures of Lukie and Me playing “matchy-matchy” (as we call it) here in Williamsburg, VA. Of all the things I have done or acquired or accomplished in life, nothing has come close to the joy and deep satisfaction of being a father to this little boy. When I walk around with Luke holding my hand, when he curls up in a ball in my lap to sleep, when he runs over to give me a hug and kiss out of the blue, when I pick him up and he rests his head on my shoulder, when he is scared and clings to my leg, when he smiles at me from across the room, when he squeals with delight when I come home, when he brings me a toy and holds it up asking me to…

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4000 in 40!

I’ve made a decision. After several weeks of prayer and reflection I have finally settled on a project / goal that I am calling “4000 in 40!” Yes, I will be doing something 4000 times in the next 40 days. (Officially beginning on Monday, and ending the last day of November) Please pray for me. This won’t be easy, but that’s what goals are for – to push and challenge us to press beyond where we are today. To improve… to grow… to develop… to make life better! “4000 what?” you ask? Sorry, no can tell, not yet… but you are welcome to guess in comments. But I will report on my progress. Those of you gifted in mathmatics didn’t need a calculator to figure out that averages out to 100 a day… something I won’t be able to do in the beginning, but hopefully can make up toward the end. What? you want a hint? O.K., here is a hint… not that it will help you, but I’ll explain the hint at the end. This pictures was taken in high school! It looks like I am levitating in the woods. (You can click on it to enlarge it) However,…

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GO CLIMB A ROCK!

I’m excited to let you know about a very unique opportunity for children’s pastors… it’s called Yosemite Summit. www.yosemitesummit.org May 18-22, 2008 Sunday to Thursday The Unconference for Childrens Pastors No Workshops – Just Worship No Resources – Just Relationships No Networking – Just God Working www.yosemitesummit.org Yosemite Summit is five day personal sabbatical for male children’s pastors located in the heart of one of the most spectacular National Parks in America. This refreshing summit of renewal is limited to only eight men who will be staying at a luxurious lodge inside Yosemite and only ten miles from the famously breathtaking Yosemite Valley. Get away from the office, the church, the phones, the Internet, and the busyness of life and ministry and re-coop with some fellow ministers hiking, worshiping, and enjoying genuinely refreshing fellowship surrounded by vistas that only God could create. This retreat will be a structured time of renewal that will provide both group and personal time of reflection, prayer, reading, and worship in a setting where God can truly be heard and experienced. Day hikes to some of the most stunning vistas in the world and evenings of rest and relaxation. (even a hot tub!) Yosemite Summit…

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Beautiful Dandy Kid Lions

Sunday afternoon we went on a picnic with some family friends we haven’t seen in awhile. Their dad wandered off at one point and returned with a GIANT dandy lion for his daughter. I have never seen one so big! Here is a ‘very dramatic’ girl holding the bundle of seedlings. (taken with my iPhone by the way, and edited in iPhoto) As I had fun do doing some effects to this picture, I couldn’t help thinking how much the dandy lion and my little friend have in common. Both are full of tons of potential that won’t truly be discovered until they are set free to go wherever the Lord blows them. Once blown way, this beautiful puff of seeds will soon give life to many others once it finds its place and begins to grow, though right now, there is no way to know where those plants will be. Likewise, this beautiful girl will also someday produce fruit in ways and places that only God knows right now. I know mom and dad aren’t eager for the day she is ‘grown up’ (neither am I!) but it is comforting to know that when that time comes, wherever God…

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