Personal

As you all know the nature of this space has been very political over the last several weeks. Today it’s done. I have said all I know to say and now only prayer is left.

I have been praying and engaged in the arena of ideas. Trying to explain why I believe a straight Republican vote is the best thing for this country. I am weary from the fight and if I’m honest I’m  hopeful but a bit discouraged. Regardless of who wins; a number of my friends and acquaintances believe this country is something vastly different than what I believe it is. That saddens me.

As Christians we must always pray. Only in prayer are things really “Changed” and only in prayer is there authentic “Hope”. So now I have done all I know to do. I voted early on Thursday. Stood in line for two hours for the privilege of voting. Thankful I have a voice.

Please do whatever is necessary to get out tomorrow and vote according to what you believe is best for the country and how you believe would please God. Yes He cares and it matters.

I will be back but for now I’m done.

I have been reading the Fat Cyclist blog for a long time. I started reading when he and his friends built a teeter totter for their mountain bikes in the back yard. Eldon Nelson is the author and though I have not met him he is the kind of guy you just want to hang out with. He loves life, doesn’t take himself too seriously, and cares deeply for his family and friends.

A few months ago we found out his wife Susan has cancer. As I read the post I could feel the love he has for his wife and children and my heart went out to them. I felt like a trusted friend as he shared the internal struggle of how much to tell us because, after all, it’s a cycling blog.

A few days ago I rejoiced with him when they received a good report from the Dr. then over the weekend things took a turn for the worse. Eldon is telling us the final chapter of Susan’s life has been written. My heart is crushed today. I don’t know where they stand spiritually Eldon has tried to keep things light and humorous except for a few serious posts. I read a lot of blogs and today Dean Barnett passed away. Dean was a great thinker, light hearted, and gracious. I will lift up the Barnett family as well but the Nelson family is different. I don’t know why.

What I do know is my friends are full of faith and people of prayer. Not the type who are casual in their time with God but passionate and take God at His word. So I’m posting a link to the Fat Cyclist blog so you can read Eldon’s latest post and stand in the gap for this family. I want to do more but I don’t know what to do. I want to fix it but I know that’s out of my hands. No pressure. If something stirs in you go read the post and stand with them in prayer.

Bless you all.

Getting the Ending Right

Last night at about 7:00 PM I was nervous and excited  as I waited for my oldest son to kick off the first song in his first public appearance in the Battle of the Bands competition. Then at 7:20 I was amazed.

Not that I didn’t think he would do a great job I just didn’t expect what I saw. I should have but I didn’t.

He only started playing with these guys a couple of weeks ago. He would come home from practice and tell me how great it was and how great they were going to do. He is an eternal optimist, like me, sometimes to a fault. So I didn’t really know what to expect.

Since he was very young his mother and I could see that he would be a leader. Not because he’s aggressive he is not a type “A” personality. He does however have a very strong personality very charismatic and magnetic. Wherever he goes he draws a crowd. His style is confusing to kids his age and to adults. Part skater, part emo, part hardcore, whatever that means. I’m just going by what I’m told. At his previous school those who didn’t take the time to get to know him looked at him with misgiving. They assumed he was a rebel and not to be trusted. Those who got to know him however immediately fell in love with him. Most people do.

So I shouldn’t have been surprised when he stood center stage encouraged the students to come to the front and engage, not merely observe. Then I stood in amazement and wonder as I watched him confidently start the songs, sing the lead part, and lead the band . I shouldn’t have been but I was.

When it was all said and done I stood full of pride, seeing what I knew was inside him emerge with such confidence and strength. So today my heart is full and yet there is some sorrow at the thought of him growing up and moving on. Hoping I have put into him all I should have as his dad. Hoping I was a good steward and faithful to train him up in the way he should go?

Ultimately I know he belongs to the Lord and He will bring to completion the good work He has begun in him. I pray the good he received from me will bear fruit and the bad will die on the vine.

Thank you God for my sons. As I did when they were babies I give them to you and trust you to do in them what you created them to do and to be. Give me the wisdom to step up when I should and step down when I should.
Amen.

Help a friend in need

My friend Ken Verheecke is a full-time musician who travels to churches all over America playing concerts and selling his CDs. He’s got a huge heart for people and is a fantastic musician.

This past weekend he was driving to a gig in Cody, WY when the engine blew on his car. He drives a Toyota Corolla, nothing fancy. The repair costs are astronomical ($8600 for a new engine from Toyota, and so far the cheapest used engine they’ve been able to find will run $5900).

As you can imagine, that kind of money is hard to come by, especially given the economic circumstances of our time and the high cost of fuel.

That said, I’m inviting you all to check out Ken’s site at http://kvmusic.net and prayerfully consider giving to his ministry. Prayers for this situation are, of course, also needed.

BTW, he doesn’t know I’m posting this around the internet. I believe in his calling and believe God will take care of this need once people are aware.Thanks, friends.

Hat tip: The Journey: Help a friend in need

I know what your thinking… “you promised you would be more diligent in posting to this space and all I get are links to what other people have said and random news stories.

I’m sorry. There’s so much going on right now and frankly I’m a bit resistant to talking about it in this space. One of these days the dust will settle and I will be a big blabbermouth again, but for now, I’ll just post things that interest me (it works for Rush).

I have been thinking about this space for a long time however and thinking I should change it from “Random Thoughts” to “Specific Thoughts” at least in terms of content. I don’t think I would call the Blog “Specific Thoughts” that’s a bit lame.

Just when I’m starting to get somewhat comfortable with this medium I’m told that blogging is not cool anymore. I’m on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, what’s next?

Is there anything I’ve said in the past you find particularly interesting? have I said something that would cause you to come back and see what I have to say on that topic on a regular basis? or do you like the fact that you have no idea what you’ll find when you come here?

If you have thoughts I would love to hear them. Maybe you don’t care and are considering deleting my RSS feed. That’s ok too, just let me know.

Sorry I’ve been gone so long.

It’s been a tough couple of weeks and I’m not out of the woods yet. I’ve been afraid to post anything for fear of letting the cat out of the bag. Well the cats all the way out and were moving on.

Sometimes doing the right thing is painful but if we trust God as the source and the substance of all our needs He will look after us. Josh McDowell in his book “Right from Wrong”  makes the statement that anything with a long term benefit has a short term cost and anything with a short term benefit has a long term cost. Something to keep in mind when making decisions.

I also believe that if we are faithful stewards of what God has put in our hands He will look after His people. We must always remember that they are His people. Our purpose is to establish the kingdom on earth and when we do that with everyone fulfilling their individual and corporate purpose everything works. Sorry I’ve been a bit vague just know I’m trying to work things out and appreciative of all your prayer and encouragement.

I have been riding. I’ll get back to posting rides soon. Last weekend was my 25 year high school reunion. Got in 75 miles over the weekend and this weekend I am meeting the ninja at 10,000 ft for a ride. I’ll let you now how it goes.

Blessings,

I GAINED 6 POUNDS!

How can that be?!?!

On Friday I weighd in at 164.2lbs. Friday night we went to Texas Road House and I had an 11oz sirloin with Broccoli, a Caesar salad, and two small rolls. On Saturday I rode 41 miles and didn’t eat much until the afternoon when I had two bowls of Chicken Tortilla soup, a Caesar salad and, some chips and Salsa. On Sunday we went to Cracker Barrel and I had 2 BBQ chicken breasts, and some potato salad.

Is my scale jacked up? I weighed in last night after a 15 mile ride at 170.4lbs and 19.8% body fat!

I think my scale needs new batteries.

I decided to take the night off and just enjoy the evening.

Drake was the grillmeister tonight and he did a good job. Burgers and Fries very nice.

Tomorrow I will be 43. Brian Houston says the 40’s are the decade of increase and that has certainly been the case for us. After a lot of sewing and trusting and not giving up the blessing of God is flowing through us.

Tomorrow I will go for a ride in the afternoon. I’ll let you know how it goes.

I’m going to sleep now.

The never ending parade of “social media” is starting to hit critical mass. Someone just told me about Flock. the social networking browser.

It’s cool so far. Right now I’m just trying to get everything set up and figured out.

We’ll see if this post shows up and looks right. Normally I like the Windows Live Writer.

I’ll let you know.