Father Fan Man

Kinkade, Tebow and Mile High

2011-02-09T20:15:00.000-05:00

It's the perfect collision of faith, sports and art...I guess.

C'mon Dads! Humor your kids.

2011-02-03T10:30:00.000-05:00

Came across this VW commercial today, which will apparently be airing during the Super Bowl, and I had to share it.

Dads, humor your kids. Play along with them. Encourage their imagination. Just don't run them over with your car.

Tell me...
What are your kids into?
Do you share a hobby or fascination with them?

Book Review: Radical by David Platt

2011-02-02T23:16:00.002-05:00

Radical is a difficult book to read. David Platt sets out in this book to turn the hearts of American's from their selfish pursuits to the needs of the hurting and lost people groups around the world. Along the way he makes a host of excellent points, but they are overshadowed by his selective use of scripture and poor logic.

I was tracking with the author until about Chapter 4. Up to that point I thought he was doing a good job of bringing me along side of him, taking me step by step to the point where his heart is today. I applaud him for that. The tone was not preachy and the prose were engaging. But it's his response to the question, "What about the needs here?" that lost me (pages 75 and following).

Here he makes the point, with exceedingly poor logic, that if we only have a heart for the United States (and seek to serve the people in our own back yard and within our borders) then we only share 5% of God's heart. God has a heart for the entire world. (I'll agree with that. John 3:16 makes that plainly clear.) But Platt's explanation for why we can't stop in the United States is terribly weak.

He goes on to give examples from members of his congregation ("faith family") who are embracing "a greater dream." Each of them is doing consistent, gospel-centered service in their communities, oh and they spend a week or two a year in another country serving. The impression he gives is that each of them have a heart for a people group overseas, but isn't that the same as having a heart for people in the poor neighborhoods of your hometown? Are we to give more importance to the people of Sri Lanka simply because they live in another country? Don't the gang bangers of the United States need Jesus as much as the orphans of Nigeria? Are the single mom's of our communities in less need of a savior than the single mom's of third world countries?

Platt bangs the drum of "all nations" (Matthew 28:19), but never mentions Acts 1:8 where Jesus tells his disciples they will share the good news beginning in Jerusalem and spreading out from there.

Some positives
He does make some good points about discipleship in Chapter 5. And the closing chapters have some practical thoughts on how we can turn our hearts towards the needs of others. When is challenging people to read their bibles, prayer for others and make sacrifices for greater needs ever a bad thing?

Some other negatives
Platt takes a few pot shots in this book. He calls out video venue churches as being shallow. And takes an indirect jab at Joel Osteen (while it's well deserved it didn't seem necessary). So in this respect I think he painted with too broad a brush at times.

His thoughts seemed rather scattered to me. One chapter didn't necessarily follow another. Again, I think he offered some good points in the book, but they were too varied to try to follow his line of thinking from one chapter to the next.

One annoying aspect was how scripture was quoted throughout the book. Most often references to scripture were directed to footnotes which were tucked away at the back of the book. I quickly lost interest in flipping to the back to see which passages he was alluding to.

Closing thoughts
In the end I feel like Platt wrote this book before he had given time for all of his thoughts to come together. It seems like he's simply struggling to minister to an affluent congregation while maintaining a proper perspective on the needs of others around the world. It sounds like some things are taking root with his congregation, but I don't know that it necessarily translates to a larger audience just yet.

To me, Radical is simply over-hyped.

Father Fan Man Review Disclosure: The featured product for this review was provided to me, at no cost, by WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for the sole purpose of product testing. I do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. All opinions expressed are my own.

Family Discipleship

2011-02-02T07:37:00.000-05:00

My Lil' Man is studying Genesis. We're going through Beginning with God: Book 1, which is a great companion to The Beginner's Bible. He has memorized Genesis 1:1 and this week he's learning Genesis 1:27.

I'm so proud of him. He loves to pray and loves reciting his memory verse. It's fun for my wife and I to plan these little devotions and listen to Lil' Man respond to our questions. He's starting to get some of the big ideas of the Bible.

Tell me..

What are you doing with your children to disciple them?

Do you do a family devotion or do you do something specific for your children?

Do you do memory verses with your kids? How do you pick age-appropriate verses?

A Proper Perspective and Two Brothers with Swords

2011-02-01T07:45:00.000-05:00

Trying to get back in the swing of things here. Had a busier than usual past week or so, but let's get back to it.

An interesting point was made a few weeks back at the men's bible study I attend. We're studying men of the Old Testament. The teacher began his examination of Adam by saying that none of the men we will study are perfect. Only one man in the whole of human history was perfect and that man is the Savior of all mankind–Jesus Christ. He said each of these men are regular guys. They are flawed just as we are flawed. They made mistakes just as we make mistakes. But we have hindsight's perspective and hindsight is always 20/20, so in this bible study we are seeking to learn from the strengths and weaknesses, successes and failures of each man we study.

It's a valid point to remember as we read through the Bible. None of these men are to be put on a pedestal. Yes, God chose them as servants and some did great things, but he's also called us to be his servants. He's called you and me to follow the example of Christ and to submit our will to his. We are capable, just as Abraham and Moses, of doing great things for God.

So as we read on let's just consider the men we encounter like the guys at the office. Let's think of the women as our wive's girlfriends. Regular people, but people who were called by God to do extraordinary things in his name and for his name sake.

Genesis 34
So Dinah, Jacob's only daughter, decides to pack a lunch, venture out and make some friends. So apparently she is by herself and the prince over the area took notice of her and raped her. But instead of being casted aside he loves her and longs for her.

News of this makes makes way to her eleven brothers who become enraged. They weren't going to have anything to do with the people of Shechem, nor their offer to marry each other's daughters.

Strangely Jacob is silent during this exchange. He doesn't respond when an offer is made and he doesn't step in when his sons seem to be negotiating with Shechem and Hamor. Surely the right thing to do would have been to refuse any offer made for Dinah and possibly even ask for a price in return for defiling her. But Jacob does neither. He let's his sons do the talking.

They call for the circumcision of all of Hamor's men in exchange for their women and when they men were sore from their "procedure" and vulnerable two of the brothers take out all of the men of the city.

Jacob is none to pleased with the actions of his sons Simeon and Levi. Realizing he doesn't have the man power to withstand Hamor's possible vengeance he scolds them. To which his son's respond, "What were we supposed to do Dad!?!? They defiled our only sister and you weren't going to do anything!"

Once again Jacob fails to take the reins of leadership over his family. He doesn't take proper precautions to guard his only daughters chastity. He doesn't stand up for her when she is taken advantage of. And he doesn't direct his sons in a proper response.

I don't have a daughter. Maybe some day God will bless my wife and I with one. And if he did she would be my responsibility. Not my sons'. I would be responsible for ensuring her purity. It would be up to me to set boundaries for her to protect her. And if something happened to her I would be the one who would determine the proper response.

Jacob in this case shows no leadership over his children and seems to show more anger to his sons for their retaliation than to Shechem for his misdeeds. It's rather disheartening, but again Jacob is a regular guy so let's consider what lessons we fathers can learn from him.

Tell me...
What boundaries have you set in your household for your sons and daughters?
When someone mistreats a member of your family does your children know what the proper response will be? Do they know who will/should respond? Do they know how you will respond?

Jerry, Jerry, Jerry

2011-01-25T07:22:00.000-05:00

This is the kind of storyline Jerry Springer would love to get a hold of...

Genesis 29
Laban pulls a fast one and gives his oldest daughter to Jacob. They must have kept it dark in that honeymoon suite. Seven years he worked for Laban and the old boy tricks him into "marrying" the lesser of his two daughters. Jacob, upset but not fazed, agrees to work another seven years for the girl he thought he was marrying, Rachel. Laban agrees and gives Rachel to Jacob. But Jacob favored Rachel (no kidding) and hated Leah, so God decides to give Leah children and make Rachel barren.

Genesis 30
This is where it gets ugly. Leah is having kids left and right, but it doesn't endear Jacob to her. Rachel is tired of waiting so she gives her maidservant (Bilhah) to Jacob so she can be a mother through her. Meanwhile Leah becomes barren and gives her maidservant (Zilpah) to Jacob. Then some mandrakes exchange hands and Leah is able to have children again. Then God remembers Rachel and she is able to have children of her own.

I need a flow chart. That's four mothers and 12 kids.

Rachel gives birth to Joseph, one of the great figures of the Old Testament. You know, the kid with the fancy coat who is sold into slavery by his conniving older brothers. Is it any wonder they didn't get along?

What can we learn from our friend Jacob? I think the main take away her is that having kids doesn't solve your marital troubles. As if it wasn't complicated enough being married to sisters, neither wife is happy. Leah because she is not loved by her husband and Rachel because she can't have children. I think a lot of people believe having kids will cement their relationship with their spouse, but a home where mom and dad don't get along and don't really love each other is never healthy for raising children.

Jacob's passivity is showing again here. He seems to be the pawn in this game of chess between these sisters. Surely he knows what is going on. Why doesn't he do something about it?

Tell me...
How has fatherhood changed your relationship to your wife?
Do you wish you had done anything differently before having kids? That is, was your marriage solid enough before you added the stress of raising children?

Brotherly Love

2011-01-19T07:02:00.060-05:00

Genesis 25
This sibling rivalry runs deeps.

The story starts with Isaac praying his barren wife will conceive and God comes through, blessing them with twins. Great! Twins! Thank you Lord!

Well...these twins are different. Literally, they are both different. One likes to hunt, the other likes to contemplate. Esau spent his time in the fields. Jacob spent his under the shade of a tent. Twins? Yes. Kindred spirits? Not so much.

Photo courtesy of sxc.hu/profile/kaleff

Jacob must have made a mean pot of stew.

These differences wouldn't be much of an issue, but the parents seem to have split their affections. Isaac favors Esau because Esau enjoyed eating his father's kills. Rebekah favors Jacob because (we can assume) he likes to hang back with the ladies and cook. It's telling that the only interact we see between Jacob and Esau is the infamous exchange whereby a birthright is exchanged for some Campbell's Chunky. This can't be healthy for this family of four. From the beginning these brothers fought, but their division was amplified when mom and dad chose sides.

I can't really relate to this story. I have an older brother, but our parents didn't seem to pick favorites. Sure my mom wanted a daughter when I was born and yes I did go see Sleeping Beauty with her one Sunday afternoon while my brother and dad watched football, but that was a long time ago. I was 5! But my brother and I were no rivals. As for my little family today. We have one child. No sibling rivalries yet. But I feel like this story is a warning to parents.

I can't think of any good that would come from parents taking sides. Will one child tend to follow the footsteps of one parent over the other? Sure, but why let that be a dividing line?

Genesis 26
As the story continues we see that Isaac is blessed because of his father (v 5, 24). God keeps his word. He always does. He makes it clear that Isaac is being blessed because of the actions of Abraham.

It's a bit of a theme in God's word. The actions of fathers, positive or negative, are returned on their offspring for generations. The conclusions for today's fathers are obvious.

Genesis 27
The rivalry continues as Rebekah lies to her husband.

Jacob follows his mothers advice and deceives his father. Isaac finds out but the blessing sticks.

I just don't understand this. What power did those words hold that made them irreversible? Isaac didn't intend to give the birthright to Jacob. Why couldn't he have hit Edit > Undo?

Words have power. I don't know how else to look at it. I'm sure some bible scholar has it all figured out, but it doesn't add up to me. It's clear that the words Isaac spoke carried a lot of power.

Tell me...
How do you handle sibling rivalries in your household?
Do you engage with each of your child's interests and encourage them?

Trust Me

2011-01-17T07:00:00.063-05:00

Genesis 22
What a picture of obedience Genesis 22 portrays–Abraham obedient to God, Isaac obedient to his father.

This is one of those passages of scripture that's just hard to believe. I'll accept Jesus' miracles. I'll believe in crossing the Red Sea. I can even buy a talking donkey. But to believe that a man would willingly sacrifice his son without another word...that's hard to swallow.

Here's what God is telling me through this passage.

1. Abraham was listening for God's direction.
The chapter opens with God calling Abraham and the reply shot back is, "Here am I." No delay is found in Abraham's response. You get the sense that he was always ready to hear from God. But maybe, even more importantly...

Photo courtesy of sxc.hu/profile/januszek

2. Abraham doesn't delay in responding to God's instruction.
In verse two God is instructing Abraham on what he wants him to do. By verse 3 Abraham is packed and well on his way to follow through with what God told him to do. Did you notice he "rose early in the morning." Abraham did not take God's instruction lightly.

I find this strange though. If you recall this is the same Abraham who bargained for Sodom, trying to save as many lives as he could, yet when it comes to saving the life of his son he utters not a word. How is that? How could he just blindly follow along with God's plan this time considering the great personal cost?

3. Isaac trusts his father.
Isaac is innocently following his father and doing just as he instructs, but soon realizes they have no lamb for the offering. When he asks his father the response is basically, "Trust me as I trust God." And Isaac does. Abraham has obviously taught Isaac who God is and what he is capable of. I sense that Abraham has passed along a healthy fear of God. Abraham has modeled the way for his beloved son.

In the end God rewards Abraham for his obedience and trust. He sees that Abraham has acted selflessly and knows that he has found his man, the father of his chosen nation.

I know every father who has ever read this passage has put himself in Abraham's shoes. I for one would probably have questioned my choice to follow God if he asked me to do such a thing–to take my only son's life. Thankfully he hasn't asked me to do such a thing and I don't think he will. But the example that Abraham set definitely stretches me as a father.

Tell me...
How do you listen for God's guidance and instruction?
What are you doing to teach your children to trust your leadership?
How about teaching them to trust God?

Lot's Choice

2011-01-13T09:03:00.001-05:00

Those first few chapters of Genesis were packed with wisdom for dads. Much more than I ever noticed. Having started this journey of reading through the scriptures with this singular focus, I've realized how much more I get from reading God's word when I'm looking for something. I'm careful not to read into anything. I don't want to put something there that isn't, but so far I've found that God's instruction manual is not lacking when it comes to truth for fathers.

Genesis 19
Just how vile are the people of Sodom?

This passage of scripture has always disgusted me to no end. I'm sure that's the case for most readers.

Photo courtesy of sxc.hu/profile/ChanMuk

I shutter to think what happened inside

those city walls before its destruction.

Here God has chosen to take a scalpel to the city of Sodom and extract what few righteous people remain, Lot and his family. It seems that an ax to the city was His preferred method, but because of Abraham's righteousness God sends two angels in after Lot's household before ridding the world of Sodom and Gomorrah.

The reaction the angels receive from the men of the city is (searching thesaurus for stronger word than 'disgusting') vomitous, (one word won't do) detestable, horrifying... They can't control their lust towards these two strangers. They smell fresh blood.

And Lot, fearing for their wellbeing, offers his two virgin daughters to these wolves in place of the angels from God. WHAT!?!?! Whoa, whoa, whoa.

I feel like jumping into the story, pulling Lot a side and saying, "You know these are angels, right? They can hold their own. They came out of the sky from the almighty God. Don't sacrifice your daughters to these dogs!" But alas, I can't. I'm just a neutral observer from the distant future.

So what can be gained from this story? What can we learn from Lot's choice and what that means about his leadership as a father?

It's evident to me that Lot had his priorities straight. Lot loved his daughters very much. After all, he lived in the most infamously sinful town in all of human history and his daughters were still virgins. He loved them and protected them. But Lot loved God more. Lot's loyalties were to God first and to his family second.

I struggle with this as a dad. When it comes down to it, if I must choose between time with family and time with God I choose family. Prayer time isn't a priority, but eating breakfast with my son is. Going deeper in Bible study isn't a priority, but watching a TV show my wife and I enjoy together is. I love the family God has given me, but He's my father. Just as I want to spend time with my son He wants to spend time with me.

My take away is this. I need to look at areas of my life where God has not been put first, because someday I will have to choose between Him and something else. And without a doubt that "something else" will be the lesser option.

Tell me...
What was your reaction to Lot's choice?
What things do you do to put God first in your day-to-day?

Repopulation

2011-01-12T07:05:00.044-05:00

Genesis 9
It feels a bit like a public awareness campaign, doesn't it?

Noah and company step off the ark with this command from God, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth." (vs 1). His command was the same just a moment before. "...be fruitful and multiply on the earth." (Gen 8:17) After all, who else was going to do it?

Only you can be fruitful and multiply!

So what does this command mean for us now? Is it still relevant?

I should think so. Who better to populate the earth than followers of God? Who better to raise up the next generation than followers of God?

God has only blessed my wife and I with one child, but whether we have one child or one hundred children we are still called to demonstrate Christ to them and show them the kind of love our heavenly Father shows us.

Tell me...
What does this command to be fruitful and multiply mean to your family?
Do you think it has any relevancy today?

Hard Verses: Part 1

2011-01-11T07:05:00.007-05:00

Genesis 8
Every once and a while you read something that you just wish wasn't true.

"And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done." Genesis 8:21 ESV

Did you catch that? Sandwiched between God's pleasure in Noah's burnt offering and a promise to never again wipe out all living things is the most difficult verse thus far in the Bible's first book. It's only 11 words but it hits like a ton of bricks.

"...for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth."

Now, I've read this verse more times than I can recall. The rainbows and promises are what I've always taken away. I get the sense that God is both pleased with his choice of Noah to carry on the human race and possibly sad that he had to go to such an extreme measure to cleanse the earth. That's what I've always taken from this verse.

But fatherhood has a way of changing one's perspective.

What is God saying here? Could he really be implying even a child has evil intentions? From his youth? Surely he means from young adulthood, right? A teenager? Definitely. But not a child. Not my child.

If we are going to accept some of scripture we must accept all of scripture. Dads, we have to come to grips with the fact that our kids do not have good intentions. The NIV says "every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood." Their hearts are inclined toward wrong doing. They are inclined to sin.

I may or may not have met your child, but I know one thing about each and every one of them–they are sinners. That's right. Your sweet, precious child is a sinner.

I don't like to believe this. My son is innocent. He's barely three years old. He's not had a chance to become jaded by this world and willfully sin. My son has so much joy. My wife and I can't get enough of him. But then there are days when we've had enough of him. He can make us laugh so hard and he can push our buttons even harder.

When you accept the fact that your child is a sinner and his disobedience, occasional tantrums and outbursts are sin you begin to approach parenting in a whole new way.

My wife and I have just begun this journey. We are reading Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. The idea that your child's heart is inclined towards evil is central to Tripp's approach to parenting. He suggests your child's heart needs shepherding. Every act of disobedience must be addressed by examining the heart. It's not easy. It takes time, but it's helping us understand our son and more effectively correct him and point him in the way he should go.

Through our reading of the scriptures we'll come across verses that are hard to swallow. They are easier to ignore than to explore. But I hope we can avoid the temptation to conform to culture and let God transform our thinking.

Tell me...
What are the implications of a heart inclined towards evil?
When do you introduce your child to the concept of sin?
How do you explain the idea of sin to a child?

More Than a Boat Builder

2011-01-10T07:05:00.003-05:00

Genesis 7
What does God think of my family when he sees me?

Chapter 7 opens with God instructing Noah and his entire household to enter the ark because his righteousness set him apart from the crowd. God is not only saving Noah, he's also extending grace to his entire family. Verse 1 stands out to me for this reason–Noah led his family.

All around Noah is wickedness. So much so that God regrets making man. REGRETS! My translation says he was "sorry that he had made man." I'm not touching that one–an all knowing God who regrets...but you understand the seriousness of the matter. Somehow Noah was able to navigate his family through these dark times, steering them away from evil and towards their Creator.

So God looks down on Noah's family–he, his wife, his three strapping sons and their brides–and a contented curl of his lips forms. He finds favor in him (Gen 6:8). Despite his disappointment with the rest of mankind, God saw Noah and his household and was pleased. He saw in Noah what he had intended for all mankind. Noah was a man that walked with God (Gen 6:9) and he had taught his wife and sons to do the same.

Could there be any greater affirmation for a husband and father that God would choose your family to repopulate the earth? I think not.

So I wonder, when God looks at me what does he think of my family? After all, they are entrusted to me. I am the head of the household. Does he find favor? Am I teaching my family to walk with God as Noah did his? For that matter, do I walk with God?

Tell me...
Who inspires you to be the spiritual leader of your household?
Is there a figure to whom you look up? Are you encouraged by your wife and children to lead?

NFL Playoffs--Who do you like?

2011-01-08T16:59:00.018-05:00

The Chin could be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy once again. Boo.

I've got the Patriots and Falcons squaring off for the title of World Champs. I know it's a real stretch, but these have been the two most consistent teams all season. Is it just me or have the Patriots been quietly dominating all season?

As for who I would like to see in the big game...I'm pulling for the Bears in the NFC. I'm a Bear's fan by marriage and I'm all about keeping the peace. If you put a gun to my head and made me pick an AFC team to pull for I guess it would be the Ravens. My Broncos are years away from the playoffs and I have reasons to despise all the AFC team, but I like the style of football the Ravens play.

Tell me...
Who do you like to win it all?
When your team is down and out who do you pull for?

And we shall name him...Emilio?

2011-01-08T11:51:00.001-05:00

Genesis 5
My tendency is to breeze through the so-and-so-begat-so-and-so sections and get back to the stories, but like I said I want to slow down a bit and see what nuggets God has left for us. So is there anything to be learned from the genealogy in chapter 5?

Martin Sheen with a young Martin Sheen

Two things I noticed...

When Adam fathered Seth the scriptures say "he fathered a son in his own likeness" (v 3). The same was not said of Cain or Abel. It's the same language used when God created Adam, but instead of man taking on the likeness of deity it's a man taking on the likeness of another man, his earthly father. What is the significance of making this distinction? Maybe it's nothing, but I found it interesting.

The other thing that jumps out is when the pattern in the recording of the genealogy is broken. Notice verse 29. Here we learn more than just birthdays and life spans. We see that Lamech, Noah's father, knew that his son was something special. So he named him accordingly. My bible tells me Noah sounds like the Hebrew for rest. Do you suppose Lamech knew what his son would do?

When my wife and I were preparing for the arrival of our son we scoured through a couple baby name books. I wanted a name that sounded good with our last name. Names that ended with 'n' seemed to work best. I know, silly, but that was a part of the criteria. We also liked a few biblical names and the story behind the men who made them famous. We hadn't settled on one until he was born. We figured we had to give him a good once over before we gave him his name for life.

Tell me...
Do your kids look like you? How does that change your perception of them?
How much thought went into naming your child? Was it a family name or did you choose a name based on the characteristics or personality you want your child to possess?

Behind Closed Doors

2011-01-06T13:13:00.009-05:00

Genesis 4
I find it strange that our all knowing, all powerful God would ask Cain the questions, "Where is Abel your brother?" and "What have you done?"(v 9, 10). Surely he knows, right? He's God. Why not just call Cain out? Why not say "I saw what you did and you're in big trouble mister!"?

Photo courtesy of sxc.hu/profile/vla

I've caught my son in the act. Occasionally at the end of his room time I'll go back there and quietly peak in on him before going in. Sometimes I'll catch him dancing around on his bed. He knows he's not to stand on his bed. The simple thing is to go in, yank him off his bed and put him in time out or at the very least give him a good scolding.

But I want to know that he knows right and wrong, so lately when I've seen him doing something like this I'll go in and ask him what he's doing. It's and educational experience for me as a dad. I discover if he knows he was doing anything wrong to begin with, what mommy and daddy have told him about that behavior, and what the consequences are. He knows what's up and he knows he can't get away with it. (Well, most of the time. I'm a bit lenient at times and it's come back to bit me. Just ask my wife.)

So I guess that's what God is doing here. He seems to want us to give an account of what we've done. He did the same with Adam and Eve (Gen 3:9, 11). It's an opportunity for us to do the right thing and confess.

Tell me...
How do you approach your kids when you know they've done something wrong?
Is there a stricter punishment/consequence when they don't tell you the truth or is the disobedience treated the same whether or not they confess?

Bad Produce

2011-01-05T12:43:00.002-05:00

Genesis 3
How many times have you told him not to? And how many times did he do it anyway?

I don't give my son enough credit sometimes. My expectations of him can often be too low, but I've learned of late to raise my standards for him.

God, in his infinite wisdom, left room for choice within his created universe. But the choice did not come without warning. Here he tells Adam once to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Gen 2:17). One time he told him. Do you think it stuck? Did Adam get the point?

You bet he did and Eve, who we can assume knew of God's command through Adam, took it a step further and said that they were told not even to touch the tree (v 3). They heard God and they knew what he meant. But the temptation was too great.

As some point we will all let our children loose. They will hold fast to their chosen mate as God instructed (Gen 2:24). Our job is to prepare them for the freedom their future holds. They must understand the choices before them and realize the consequences, good or bad, of each decision.

The temptation is to shelter our kids from the evil of the world. But notice God does not hide this forbidden tree from man. It's in the garden. It's in their backyard! Rather, he educates them about the tree, offers his trust and leaves them alone.

This will be something difficult to wrestle with as my son grows older. Temptation is all around us. In our culture we find knew ways of sinning everyday. What do I allow him to be exposed to, what do I simply tell him about without showing him, and from what do I shelter him completely?

Tell me...
How do you tell your kids about the sinful things of the world?
What do you prepare them for and what do you allow them to experience on their own?
How will you know when they are ready?

A Chip off the Old Block

2011-01-04T09:36:00.001-05:00

The story begins with the creation of the world and of man. We've all read it a million times. So let's try to take it slow to see if there's something we missed that has implications for fathers.

Genesis 1
God makes man in his image and finally finds his handwork, not just good, but now very good (v 31). God took joy in his children–Adam and Eve. They were created to look like him.

My son looks like me (although he is looking more like his mother every day). He has since the second he entered this world and everyone reminds us of that. I find myself looking at him at times and seeing myself, innocent and oblivious. It's a feeling only a father knows. But it's easy to miss those moments. We can so easily become preoccupied with our work, our hobbies even, that we rob ourselves of the joy our kids bring.

Genesis 2
God had a purpose for man and that was to work and tend to his creation (v 15). Earlier God ordered man to "be fruitful and multiply" and to "have dominion over" all the created things (Gen 1:28). The multiplying is the fun part, the having dominion bit takes some sweat. Are we instilling in our children, even from a young age, the value of hard work?

I have a 3-year-old son. He has his own room. We've given him toys and books and clothes. In a sense he has dominion over those things. He is the caretaker for the things we have placed in his room. It is his job to keep it clean and to care for his toys, otherwise Mom and Dad will find a more appreciative child to give his toys to. It's happened before.

Tell me...
What do you do to appreciate your kids and take joy in them?
How do you teach your children the value of hard work?

BCS minus the C

2011-01-03T21:14:00.000-05:00

I know two things: I like Rick Reilly and I think the BCS is a joke.

I like what Rick had to say in his latest column. Here's an excerpt:

What a lie this BCS era is. They say a playoff would take too much time away from school, yet Oregon's players will have had 37 days off when they play again.

They say with this system, "every game counts." Except of course, TCU's epic win over Wisconsin to stay undefeated Saturday. Counts exactly as much as a rainbow to Stevie Wonder.

I couldn't have said it better myself, so I won't try.

So how 'bout you?

BCS? Thumbs up? Thumbs down?

Postpartum Depression for Dads? Com'n Man!

2009-04-15T08:57:00.002-04:00

Heard about this article in Newsweek on talk radio the other day. Just had to look it up and read it for myself.

It's written by Joel Schwartzberg, a columnist and PBS producer. He writes of his struggles as a new dad. Please, read it for yourself then see if you share the same reaction.

Basically he takes about 800 words to say he's selfish.

"When a child was added to my life, it was as if something enormous and coveted was subtracted in return, and the transaction left me reeling, like someone who'd just gambled away his soul."

"...not 48 hours after we returned home with our boy, a truth dawned on me with shocking force: my life was gone. Movies, sleeping, long showers—all gone. We became slaves to this tiny new thing living in our home, and there was no going back."

You learn that a few visits to a psychotherapist helped him discover that what he was actually dealing with was male postpartum depression. SERIOUSLY?!?!? Since when did men experience hormonal and physiological changes after NOT carrying a baby in their bodies for 40 weeks that led to uncontrollable depression as Schwartzberg describes?

As you read further you learn that his wife calls him out.

"My wife seemed to consider me selfish and irresponsible. She was tired, she'd say, of parenting both of us. Even when the bickering ended, the wounds never healed. Our marriage took a fatal hit."

Okay, timeout here. Your wife takes priority over everything. If you can't get your marriage straight, you ain't gonna get parenting straight. That's the struggle any new dad can attest to. Your family is growing and the newest member requires constant attention, so how do you maintain your relationship with your wife? Being just as needy as the newborn yourself won't do it.

In the end the writer comes around and realizes his son needed him all along. Took him nine years to realize it! But the sad part is he just dismisses the whole affair by claiming to simply have been a "lost" father.

Now, as a father to a 16-month-old son, I can relate to some of the writers feelings. Late night feedings and sleep deprivation, the constantly dirty and wet diapers, spit up covering every horizontal surface, a house that isn't always as tidy as it once was, etc. These things can wear on you and cause frustration and fatigue, but there's a name for it. It's called parenthood. It's not postpartum depression! It's called fatherhood, which means you now have a responsibility not only to your wife, but also to your son.

So, as you can see I'm a bit fired up by this article. What are your thoughts? Can you relate to the writer? How did you handle the transition to fatherhood?

How bizarre

2009-03-19T16:53:00.002-04:00

An excess of Guinness and time equals...

The Scariest Sight I've Ever Seen

2009-03-09T16:14:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I witnessed an image that will not soon be erased from my memory.

I was home alone with my 15-month old son. My wife was performing at church and would not be home for another couple hours. I fed my son his lunch and put him down for his nap. It was exactly noon.

Here's where things got ugly. I, in my very ambitious go get 'em parenting style, was hoping to begin to break my son of his pacifier addiction this weekend, so I put him to bed without it. Naturally he threw quite the fit, but I told myself, "Self, let him fuss for 10 minutes. If he's still fussing, go in his room, remind him it's nap time, give him a kiss and leave him be."

12:03 p.m. - I began to make myself a man-sized lunch. Fried pork chops and oven-baked fries. Yum.

12:06 p.m. - My son was still fussy, rather vigorously, but nothing out of the norm.

12:10 p.m. - I went to check on my son who was still crying, but not as loudly. I opened his door to find him covered in blood. His entire face smeared with blood. Blood on his hands, arms, pants, sheets, blanket, crib. Blood everywhere. It was the scariest sight I'd ever seen.

12:10 and 3 seconds p.m. - I snatch him up and whisked him off to the bathroom, apologizing profusely for letting him cry all that entire time. "I'm sorry buddy. I didn't know you were hurt. Oh, I'm sorry. How long have you been bleeding? Come here. Daddy's got you. I'm sorry."

12:10 and 42 seconds p.m. - I grab a wash cloth and immediately begin cleaning him up and searching for the source of the bleeding. My first guess was a bloody nose, but that wasn't it. He had blood in his mouth. Did he knock a tooth loose somehow? No.

12:12 p.m. - Finally I discover the source of the bleeding. He'd split that thin, little piece of skin that attaches your upper lip to your gums.

My guess is he was throwing a fit in his crib and banged his mouth on the rail. The bleeding had slowed, but didn't stop. So I decided to have the pros take a look. I took him to the nearest immediate care center.

The doctor there was very reassuring. By the time she saw him the bleeding had completely stopped. She told me several times I did the right thing, which was all I needed to hear.

No need for stitches, it will heal on its own.

Mommy arrived home shortly after us at which point we found a pacifier and put our son to bed with a heaping helping of hugs and kisses.

We can wait until another day to break the pacifier habit, whadda say?

Somedays It's Hard to Be a Fan

2009-03-02T08:56:00.004-05:00

When your team does something like this:

Cutler thinks he is still on trading block

and this

Marshall arrested for disorderly conduct

As you probably know I'm a die hard Broncos fan. Loved 'em since my youth. Will love them 'til I die. But this has been an unusual off season. So far the head coach of 14 years (who also won two Super Bowls) was fired and a new coach (with no head coaching experience) was hired. Two pairs of the GM trio were fired and the new GM and head coach are shopping the franchise, pro bowl quarterback. So now he's upset and hurt and not interested in talking to the team brass. To add insult to injury our young, pro bowl wide receiver has been arrested again which will probably result in a lengthy suspension (my guess is 8 games).

It's times like this that it's hard to be a fan. I'll support my team through thick and thin, but if they loose their talented young QB, the leader of the team, because a new head coach and GM screwed up than what am I cheering for? A mascot? A city?

It's times like this you realize you're cheering for the players and the coaches. I'll pull for whatever team Mike Shannahan goes to next year and if Cutler leaves I'll pull for his team too, but I'd much rather they just stay put. The new young coach will grow on me and he was rather quickly as of late, but these lastest shenanigans are two big steps back.

The Credit Crisis for Dummies

2009-02-27T11:56:00.002-05:00

Found this little gem today. Explains in simple terms why banks are failing and how it really does all go back to credit.

The Crisis of Credit Visualized from Jonathan Jarvis on Vimeo.

I like to think I'm a pretty bright guy, but I've not been able to follow this whole mess. This helped me clear it up and also reassure me that not owning a home at this point in life is probably the best thing imaginable.

Ear Worms Anyone?

2009-02-25T13:05:00.003-05:00

I don't follow music as ferociously as I used to. That is, unless I stumble across it I'm probably not gonna hear it. That said, the one band I anticipate new things from is Mute Math. They released an new EP this month.

I'm listening to it for the first time on lala.com (also something new I stumbled across). Good stuff. Worth a quick listen.

"...create or save jobs..." O-BINGO!!!!

2009-02-24T15:59:00.003-05:00

Looking for something to do tonight during Obama's quasi-State of the Union address? I am, but instead of turning the TV off, I'll be playing along at home. It's O-BINGO Time!

The American's for Tax Reform have taken the otherwise politically mundane and turned it into family fun. Pretty sad though when you've regurgitated the same lines over and over enough for some outfit to create a game based on your empty phrases.

The best part is they have 4 different cards so you really can play along at home.

Enjoy!

What kind of survivor are you?

2009-02-24T08:54:00.002-05:00

I've quickly become hooked on The Glenn Beck Show on Fox News. I've set my DVR to record it everyday. He's on at 5:00 p.m. here. If you haven't seen him yet, check him out. He's honest, sometimes blunt, and often times funny. I think if I had a news/political commentary show it'd be just like The Glenn Beck Show.

Anyway, enough of that. Last Friday he had Ben Sherwood on who wrote "The Survivors Club: The Secrets and Science that Could Save Your Life." Beck was considering some worst case scenario possibilities with all the strife that is developing in our country. He took a what if approach rather than the Chicken Little angle. Very interesting.

Sherwood has a quiz you can take to determine what kind of survivor you are. Everyone will fit into one of his five categories. Check it out. I'm a realist. What are you?

I've got no complaints

2009-02-20T09:17:00.004-05:00

Here's a video from Kanye West. Not a fan, but found this on a church + media blog I read. Wanted to share it.

Seems like everyone wants a piece of the rock star life, whether it's the fame, the money, the travel, the comfortable lifestyle, but maybe it's not all it's cracked up to be...

KANYE WEST "Welcome To Heartbreak" Directed by Nabil from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

I've got no complaints, no regrets. I love my family and I love my life.

Where's the missing page?

2009-02-19T09:01:00.003-05:00

I read the story of God testing Abraham today (Genesis 22). You know, the one where God sent Abraham off to sacrifice his son, but just before he goes through with it God stops him and blesses him for being so faithful.

I gotta believe there's a page missing somewhere. I mean, here you have Abraham, his son and a couple of servants heading out into the wilderness. Abraham leaves the servants and goes with his son to build an altar and offer a sacrifice to God. Isaac astutely notices that they have everything they need for their act of "worship" (I love that) except the sheep.

I can picture the scene... Isaac is walking along side his father, carrying as many branches has his little arms will hold. Abraham clutches the flint and the blade as his hands begin to sweat. He takes long, deliberate strides, staring into the distance as he considers the deed at hand. Isaac is doing all he can to keep up.

They walk silently. Abraham asking, "Do you have it son? We're almost there. You're doing good." Isaac calls back, "Yes, Dad. I'm alright."

A few paces more. Reluctantly Isaac speaks up. "Dad?" "Yes, son." "We have everything we need for the sacrifice, but where's the sheep?" Abraham, mouth dry and heart sinking, replies, "God will provide one, don't you worry." He's proud of his son, both for his quiet obedience and his keen observation.

They come to the place where God directed them. Abraham gathers a few large stones, rolling them into place. Isaac follows suit with smaller rocks. The altar is completed and Isaac passes the wood to his father, still curious about the sheep.

At this point I realize, something is missing. Clearly a page was left out of the original manuscript, because what follows next is Isaac being tied up and placed on the altar. Where's the dialogue? Where's the explanation? Surely Abraham had to explain to his son what was going on. Surely he told him what God said--how God instructed him. What child would, without explanation, let his father bind him and prepare him for sacrifice? Something is missing from the text.

As a father to a son I want to know what Abraham said. How did he convince his son to be the sacrifice? What did he say?!?!

But God in his infinite wisdom left those details out. It's not for us to know. I could be that Abraham had raised such a faithful and obedient son that he didn't have to explain anything. That's what I like to think. And that's the most challenging part of this entire story.

How can I, like Abraham, raise such an obedient son that the only explanation required of me is, "It's the Father's will"?

My Post Election Prayer

2008-11-05T09:39:00.002-05:00

Dear God,

I woke up today with a strange feeling. I felt disappointed in America, but reassured by my Creator. While the outcome of yesterday's election was not what I was hoping and praying for, I know that ultimately it was in your plan.

My head is somewhat fearful of what Barack Obama will do as president and where he will lead this country, but my heart is content, knowing that you are a big God. As my wife was so quick to put out, Paul told us in Romans 13, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."

So today my prayer is for Barack Obama, that you will guide him as he leads this country. Qualifications, policies and speeches aside, he will be my president. So help me to remember him in prayer.

Thank you, Father, for the democractic process. I pray that we as citizens remained engaged and informed, holding the government responsible for the actions it takes and decisions it makes.

Keep our country safe in the next year. It is my belief and fear that we will be targeted, as we have been in the first year of past president's terms. Protect me and my family. I want only to fear you, God, not man.

In Jesus Name, Amen

2008 Elections P & F: Day 4

2008-11-04T07:39:00.000-05:00

Dear God,

After months and months of campaigning election day is finally here. Millions of dollars have been spent and countless speeches have been delivered. We've heard every candidates take in every election. Now it's up to us to decide our countries future. Help us to choose wisely.

Father, I pray for calm weather across the country so every voter is able to safely get out and vote. I pray for short lines so no one is turned away at the end of the day. I pray that supporters from all parties follow the law and respect voters from other parties. I pray that in the end the election results will come quickly and be indisputable.

God, you know our hearts. All we ask for in this final day is the best for our country. You know the outcome and you know what befalls our country. My prayer is that we elect John McCain. Though I will continue to lean on you and I admittedly haven't always done that as I should, I am fearful of the prospects of an Obama presidency. I am fearful that we would elect someone with such a sketchy past, with such out-of-touch views and proposals, with such radically unAmerican friends. It truly would be a new day in American history--one I'd rather not have to live through.

So again, we give it all up to you. You are our strength and our sole source of hope. You have instilled in us the wisdom to look for your Son's return and not the coming of some transformative political figure. Thank you for hearing our prayers.

God, give me strength in these final hours of fasting.

In Jesus Name, Amen

2008 Elections P & F: Day 3

2008-11-03T09:01:00.004-05:00

Dear God,

Give me patience as I anticipate Election Night. I know that you are in control, but I want to know our country's future.

God, thank you for the circle of friends and family who have joined me in these days of prayer and fasting. What was a simple suggestion in an e-mail to my brother has become a crowd of Christians lifting our country up in prayer. That surely was not me, that was you. Continue to encourage us to pray and finish strong.

Father, give safety to those campaigning, hopping from one stop to another. Protect those working the polls as the potential for record numbers of voters is great. Keep our cities safe as election results come in.

Though the campaigns have been negative, God, I pray that the candidates are able to put their differences aside work together to bring about the most good for America and her allies. Grant the candidates patience that only you can give.

God, help us now as we live with a volatile economy, with prices soaring and confidence waning, that we are wise with the resources you've given us. Direct our governing officials as they attempt to correct the course while staying true to America's foundation as a free market.

God, in all things we thank you for the breath of life you gave us and for the chance to be called your children.

In Jesus Name, Amen

2008 Elections P & F: Day 2

2008-11-02T09:07:00.002-05:00

Dear God,

Give us strength as we enter the second day of our fast. Help us to always remember to pray, putting you and our country first in these final days before the election.

God, I pray for those citizens who may be approaching this election with apathy. I pray that you will instill in them a desire to act, to do their part by voting. I pray also that they not only vote, but that they consider the stakes, do their research, and vote for God-fearing city council representatives, congressmen and women, senators, judges, and most of all a God-honoring president.

While some may say it's over dramatic to state this, but we know that lives are at stake. The lives of countless unborn children depend on our vote, the lives of our soldiers fighting on foreign soil depend on our vote, the lives of our allied citizens depend on our vote.

Again, we put this election in your hands, knowing that ultimately you are in control and that someday we will all answer to you.

God, I pray for the days between November 4 and January 20, that our newly elected president will choose his cabinet and advisers wisely, that he will seek your council and the council of other honorable men and women. We know that the president alone does not and cannot have all the answers, so we pray for those who will serve along side of him, that they would work hard to ensure that America's best interests are served.

I pray for unity in this country. We acknowledge that, while we have come along way in recognizing that minorities and women can and should contribute as leaders of our country, we still have a long way to go. Candidates on both sides of the spectrum have proven to be divisive individuals for their race or gender. Some citizens can't look beyond Obama's race, while others criticize Gov. Palin for being a working mother. I pray that whoever wins America continues to grow in this area.

God, forgive us for not relying on you as we should. Forgive our arrogance as we try to do it all ourselves. Forgive us for not seeking your direction first. If this election and the next four years serve as a way to bring us back to you, as our desert wandering to remind us who is in control, then so be it. But know that Godly men and women are seeking your face and we are not willing to give up on the people of this country.

God, you are too big and too great for our comprehension. We thank you for considering us and hearing our prayers.

In Jesus Name, Amen

2008 Elections P & F: Day 1

2008-11-01T14:36:00.003-04:00

Dear God,

Thank you for the freedoms we enjoy in this country. Thank you for those who came before us who fought for the right to worship God in whatever manner we choose.

Today my prayer is that your will be done in this year's elections. We acknowledge that you know what is best for your children and that often our will for us is not the same. Please help us to always remember that you are in control in working everything out for our good.

God, I pray that this nation will seek your will before going to the polls. I pray that this nation understands the importance of this years election unlike any election in the past. Guide us as we choose our leaders. I pray also that those leaders will seek out your will for them, understanding that they have no power outside of the authority you have given them.

I pray God that as people are already voting and continue to vote through Nov 4 that the process goes smoothly and that no party, organization or person attempts to tamper with the results. Our country cannot afford a disputed election. I pray that you will grant safety and wisdom to all the election officials.

God, grant strength to those fasting during this time and hear our prayers even when we don't know what to pray.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Prayer and Fasting for the Elections

2008-10-31T12:21:00.002-04:00

I am going to devote the final four days of this campaign season to prayer and fasting. Beginning Saturday, November 1, and continuing through Election Night I am committing to lifting this nation and our leaders in prayer. For those of you who know me well, you know that prayer is not my strength and that I never pass up a meal, so this may be difficult, but again considering what is at stake it is a small sacrifice.

Here is what I'm praying for:

That the next president will seek the will of God and humble himself to it.
That voters will turn out in force to support their chosen candidate. Our input, through voting, is the bedrock of democracy.
That the voting process goes smoothly and is in the end credible.
That America will recognize and respect our new chosen leader.
That parties not pleased with the results of the elections will communicate their disappointment civilly.
That those newly elected to office, whether to city, county, state, or national positions, would use their influence to act responsibly and in the best interest of their constituents.
That God's will be done.
Strength for those participating in this fast.

Check back tomorrow for my prayer for the day. Feel free to post your prayer in the comment section if you like.

Football, my old friend

2008-09-14T11:45:00.002-04:00

It's been a long, long summer. The Braves have been out of the playoff hunt for some time now and I quickly found myself looking forward to football season.

I don't think there is anything more uniquely American than our love of football. For many it consumes our entire weekend--high school on Friday nights, college on Saturdays (or Fridays, or Thursdasy, and sometimes even Wednesdays) and NFL on Sundays and Monday nights. I love just chillin' at home on Sundays watching whatever game is on and watching my fantasy teams rack up the points. I might be inspired enough to do a load of laundry or clean up the kitchen with one eye on the game, but whatever the circumstance football is on my mind. I find myself looking forward to it on Fridays at work, or on Saturday mornings while doing a chore or two.

I'm not sure why it is we love football so much. Maybe is the spectacle of the game. The physical demand on the players is so great that they can only play once a week, so the build up is half the fun. Maybe it's the strategy. Coaches spend countless hours studying their opponents, developing game plans, drawing up plays and meeting with their players. Maybe it's the athleticism. Players spend countless hours studying playbooks, practicing plays, lifting weights, conditioning their bodies, selling their endorsed products... oh, wait, that's got nothing to do with football. Maybe it's the pagentry. Grand stadiums are built, fans adorn their bodies with their teams colors, parking lots are packed with tailgaters, fireworks and giant helmets welcome players onto the field.

I don't know what excitely attracts us to this game. I suppose it's different for everyone. I for one love to watch a well excecuted gameplan by my favorite team, or gasp as the quarterback the sends a bomb down the field. Whatever it is, I'm ready for some football.

My Bucket List

2008-07-03T09:08:00.003-04:00

My wife and I recently rented the movie The Bucket List. It's worth a watch if you haven't seen it yet. Pretty simple plot: two guys meet in a hospital, both are only given a few months to live, so they try to accomplish a few things together in their final days.

It gets you thinking about your life and what you want to accomplish before God calls you home. So here is my bucket list. I'm sure it will see several revisions in the years to come, but here's the first draft.

My Bucket List
In no particular order

Baptize my son.
Take my wife on a vacation around Europe.
Take my wife to New York City. See a show, stroll through Central Park, etc.
See the Grand Canyon (from the ground, I've seen it from an airplane).
See the Giant Sequoias.
Go deep sea fishing.
Buy a home for my family.
Drive across the country in an RV with my family.
Teach my son one thing he will never forget.
Buy my grand kids an ice cream cone.
See the Cubs play at Wrigley Field.
See the Braves play at Turner Field.
See the Broncos play at Mile High.
Do something totally unexpected for someone I love.
Build something that will outlive me.
...

What's on your bucket list?

Worthless Sporting News of the Day

2008-06-26T22:13:00.004-04:00

The NBA Draft -- I probably should care because a Kansas State Wildcat was selected as the No. 2 overall pick, but even as an alumni of that fine institute of academic and athletic dominance (don't snicker) I just really don't care. Plus, he would have never played college ball if not for the NBA's ridiculous rules.

The NBA to me is hardly more than a showcase of filthy-rich athletes playing a style of basketball slightly more organized than a driveway pick up game. The difference between college and professional basketball is unmatched by any other sport. I speak mostly out of ignorance of the finer points of the game, but I've heard the same sentiment from many other sports fans and commentators, so I'm sticking with it.

Share a Smile

2008-06-25T14:29:00.003-04:00

I'm continually amazed at my son's ability to elicit a smile from even the most random of strangers. A couple weeks ago I took him for a walk around our neighborhood in his stroller. We came across an older couple (retirement age) who were absolutely smitten with my son. They caught sight of him and stopped to say hello. My son immediately gave them his patented toothless smile. They both chuckled and smiled back.

At any store it's the same story. We'll go through checkout line and the clerk will take a moment to say hello. My son will grin wide enough for them to see through his ever present pacifier. Often the clerk will say something like "What a cute baby," or "He's so happy." Today in the airport he exchanged smiles with a lady for several minutes while we waited to get his stroller tagged. She was standing 20 feet away, but that didn't stop him from engaging with her.

It makes my wife and I feel good that our baby can bring joy into people's lives. There is something about the innocence of a child that attracts people and breaks down barriers. Sometimes so much so that people even touch your baby without an invitation. But it doesn't bother you because they are just enjoying a pleasant moment with another human being.

I'm confident that we as adults still have the same ability to break down barriers with a simple smile, but we are all too jaded to let our guards down enough to allow someone else to elicit any kind of emotional response. It's sad really. Sure we trade a passing smile from time to time, but when do we ever take genuine interest in the life of a total stranger. I'm not talking about making funny noises and tickling each other's feet like you would to a baby. I'm just talking about some good, old fashioned Mayberry kindness. It's a shame what we've become...

But I can't leave you on that note. Instead, watch this video clip. I'm sure you've seen it before, but it never gets old. Enjoy and remember to share a smile with someone today.

Father's Day: Part I - The Adventure Begins

2008-06-15T19:35:00.004-04:00

Act I
Scene 1 - We find our hero lazily sleeping in bed. His wife is feeding their child breakfast and sprucing up the house a bit. Our hero, Kevin, wakes up with thoughts of how much he has looked forward to this day. More so than even his own birthday. Thoughts of spending the day with his family, his two favorite people, run through his head.

Scene 2 - Kevin and his family eat breakfast and get ready for church.

Scene 3 - The family goes to church. Childcare is full so they take their son into service with them.

Scene 4 - The congregation sings "It Is Well." Kevin finds the song fitting since he is familiar with the story behind the hymn. The preaches deliver the message in the style of SportsCenter/PTI while his son grows restless.

Scene 5 - The family heads home before the end of service resigned to catch the message on the internet at a later time.

Act II
Scene 1 - Kevin opens his Father's Day gifts. He already knows what they are, but is excited nonetheless. He fells a bit like a kid in that way.

Scene 2 - It's nap time for everyone and the boy is pretty fussy. His wife puts him in bed between both of them figuring that will help put the boy at ease. Our hero quietly watches as his family naps peacefully beside him. He thinks to himself, there isn't much he rather be watching more.

Act III
Scene 1 - The family heads to Target to pick out a kiddie pool. Kevin wanted to get the boy out for a little splash time.

Scene 2 - They all head to WW Cousins for greasy hamburgers and onion rings. It's dad's day after all.

Act IV
Scene 1 - Kevin prepares the kiddie pool while his wife makes a few plans for their impending trip to California.

Scene 2 - The water in the pool was a bit too cool for his son so in order to comfort him, Kevin had to cram his man-sized frame into a three-and-a-half-feet wide pool. He thinks to himself, there is no where else he'd rather be.

Act V
Scene 1 - The day winds down on the couch as our hero watches the drama of the US Open play out on television. He thinks to himself, what a great day.

The End

Utter Disappointment

2008-06-14T21:16:00.004-04:00

My wife and I are big M. Night Shyamalan fans. Sure everyone liked The Sixth Sense, but not many were fond of Lady in the Water. We like 'em all. Signs is in my top three movies of all time. So you can imagine our excitement leading up to The Happening.

Not at all what we were expecting to say the least. I guess because there are things we have come to expect of Shyamalan's movies. We love the plot twists and the how his characters struggle with faith and their purpose in life. The Happening didn't have either of these elements. It was a dark, disturbing, somewhat predictable, creepy movie.

I don't fault they guy for wanting to make something different. It's obvious he's not trying to make the same movie over and over and I can appreciate that, but give me something to work with. The real disappointment is that Night's next movie will be a live-action adaptation of a children's TV show on Nickelodeon. Come on, seriously? That said, I'll probably become the biggest Avatar: The Last Airbender fan over the age of 11.

Who are these people?

2008-05-28T14:13:00.003-04:00

There is something about hanging out with family that I find comforting. Something I think we all find comforting. Even when it's family that you don't know or aren't directly related to.

This past weekend my wife and I headed up to the Chicago area to see some of her family. (Of course, they are now my family through marriage, but to keep the connections straight I'll refer to them as 'her family.') We arrived at her grandmother's house late Friday night. Her aunt and uncle were there as well. They were staying with my wife's grandma for the week. This is only the third time I have seen my wife's grandmother. We visited her once when we were engaged and then she came to the wedding. Even though I could easily classify her as an acquaintance, it was comforting being in her home, sleeping on her pull-out couch, eating at her kitchen table.

I spent an hour or so visiting with my wife's uncle while the girl's were at the store. He is even more of a stranger to me, having only met him briefly after our wedding. But I felt so relaxed just chatting with him for that short little while. I didn't recognize some of the names in the conversation, but that didn't really matter much to me. We were talking about family.

It's funny how we humans seem to feel the need to classify our relationships. We have our friends, acquaintances, close friends, work friends, old friends from school, neighbors, family, immediate family, distant relatives, and the list goes on. But for me, the moniker of 'family' is enough to make me feel right at home, no matter how far back our history goes.

More of a man than most...

2008-05-16T22:02:00.004-04:00

... and more of a man than me.

It's not often that one will find inspiration on American Gladiators, but tonight was just one of those occasions. Season Two of the all-new American Gladiators premiered Monday night. I happened to catch the rerun tonight and I'm glad I did.

John Siciliano is an Olympic gold medalist, an American Gladiator contender and an amputee. That's right, he has one leg. The other was amputated five inches above the knee. John went against an "able-bodied" contender and hung tough through three competitions. But watching him compete in the Eliminator, Gladiators end-of-show obstacle course, was one of the most amazing displays of athletic determination I've ever seen.

Click this link to watch the full-length show. John doesn't show up until the second half, so skip ahead.

To put it simply, the Eliminator is not design for someone wearing a prosthetic leg, but that didn't seem to slow John Siciliano. It begins with about a 15-yard, underwater swim. John handled that with ease. But the swim ends when you get to 10-foot tall cargo net. That was all John's competition needed to separate him from his amputee opponent, but that didn't seem to slow John Siciliano. You see, several times John had to stop, grab his prosthetic and pull it free before continuing. Next came the tight rope, which is two ropes suspended across a span, one above the other. Since his prosthetic foot is not designed to grip, John has to hang on to the top rope for dear life while slowly shuffling his feet. But that didn't seem to slow John Siciliano. He handled the hand bike as well as any others. His trip down the rolling barrel ended with a crash but he jumped right up and bounded up the pyramid. After taking the zip line down he had to figure out how to handle the teeter totter. He chose to crawl across it. While the other contenders run across the teeter totter, John's only option was to tackle in a manner you would expect from a four year old, but that didn't seem to slow John Siciliano. Finally, he came to the the Travelator, a treadmill style ramp. It eats most contenders for lunch, requiring sometimes five attempts. John handled it in three. Nothing could slow down John Siciliano.

My words don't do it justice. You have to see it for yourself.

It's human nature to take the easy road. John could have decided 15 years ago, after losing his leg, that he would not compete in an athletic competition again. That would have been the easy choice and no one would have blamed him for making it. But he didn't and he went on to win a gold medal in the Para-Olympics.

John Siciliano, I don't hold a candle to your determination.

86 days to go...

2008-05-13T13:40:00.006-04:00

To quote a not-so-famous athlete, "I am feeling very Olympic today."

(Bonus points to anyone who can name the movie and character.)

I had a random thought today about the Olympics. The Bejing summer games are 86 days away, which means...

It now time for everyone to pick the obscure sport you are going to follow, rain or shine, for 17 or so days late this summer. Now, don't get too worked up and anxious about it, you do have 86 days to decide, but the excitement is palpable. Isn't it?

Think about. Individuals, across the global, dedicate their entire lives to competing in sports that most of us consider backyard, once-or-twice-a-summer, activities. Take badminton for example. Grown men and women stand across from each other on a court, divided by a flimsy net, holding a three ounce "racket" in one hand and a "shuttle cock" in the other, posed and ready to send said shuttle cock hurling through the air at unimaginable speeds. By "unimaginable" I mean a somewhere between 8 mph and the rate at which a hippopotamus evades... well anything.

But you will watch.

Ninety-eight pound Chinese men will amaze you with their table tennis prowess. Three hundred, ninety-eight pound Germans will shock you with their inhuman strength as they lift weights the rest of the world has determined was better suited for fork lifts and other heavy machinery. And the US will laugh as other countries dare to challenge us to a game of basketball. At least, that's how it used to be.

But you will watch.

You'll watch because some of this stuff you won't see for another four years. That is unless you challenge your neighbors to an archery duel. By duel, I don't mean the walk ten paces, turn, and shoot variety. I think they use targets these days.

So the clock is ticking and before you know it the summer games will have come and gone. So you've been warned. Don't miss 'em. If you need me, I'll be memorizing the names of the Latvian taekwondo team members.

What are you so happy about?

2008-05-07T21:48:00.000-04:00

My role as a dad most days includes dropping off and picking up my son from daycare. Somedays the the picking up part is the highlight of my day.

As another busy day at work comes to a close I begin to think about the evening's activities--what will we do for dinner, do I have time to mow the yard, is there a show on TV I want to watch, etc. But before all that nonsense I pack up my things, head to my car and drive to my son's daycare.

Usually when I get there he is sitting in a swing as his teachers are getting other kids ready to go home. Some days I don't announce my presence and just sort of sneak up on him. When he sees my face we make eye contact and he gives me a big, toothless smile. That is, unless he is trying to consume his right arm, starting with his fingers. Most days he's halfway through his palm by the time I get there.

But every so often he's just sitting there quietly, knowing I'll come through that door any minute to snatch him up and take him home to his mama. And when he sees me he gives me what I've been waiting for all day--that wide, handsome smile. It's a smile you can see through the biggest pacifier. You need only to see his eyes, to see the little curl at their corners, to know he is excited to see you.

I live for that smile. I love that smile.

How much time to you have to give?

2008-05-01T14:34:00.001-04:00

I had one of those days yesterday. You know, one of those days where you feel like you could be doing so much more. Not that you don't work hard at what you do or that your job is holding you back, but that you should be accomplishing more with your time here on earth.

Yesterday was one of those days.

I work at a church and churches are about saving souls. That's what we do, or should do. My job is a behind-the-scenes kind of role, which doesn't bother me a bit. But it means that at times I feel like I'm not actively doing my part to fulfill the Great Commission.

I was reading a publication produced by my church's fellowship. It gave a report of how we (meaning all the large churches in our fellowship) were doing. You know, the ratio of baptisms for every 100 members, rate of attendance increase, that sort of stuff. My church is doing a good job, but others are doing better. I was encouraged and challenge at the same time.

"We have to step up our game," I thought. "I have to step up my game."

Then I watched an awkward little videocast on the web of Rick Warren talking to a meeting room full of people. That guy knows his stuff when it comes to what a church needs to be about. He was talking about how churches need to move people from "Come and see Jesus" to "Go and be Jesus." Warren said he wants to help bring about the second reformation of the Church. It will take 50 years he said. He figures he has 20 years left to give to that reformation. I was encouraged and challenge at the same time.

"We have to step up our game," I thought. "I have to step up my game."

So I'm a bit fired up and contemplating what I can do in my role at my church to move the needle on those numbers and to help move people towards "being Jesus."

I have 50 years left to give.

Super Bowl XLII.5

2008-04-26T20:39:00.006-04:00

I crossed paths with a coworker this past week who apparently had the NFL Draft on his mind. He had one question for me. He wanted to know if I would watch both days of the NFL Draft. The question came out of nowhere, but in contemplating my reply I realized there are two types of people in this world--those people who watch the first day of the draft and those who watch the first and second day of the draft.

Notice my choice of words. I said people, not fan. There are two types of people.

People who love Neil Diamond and people who don't.
People who eat sushi and people who don't.
People who shave their toes and people who don't.
And people who watch the first and second day of the draft and people who just watch the first.

Seriously. It's understood that everyone watches the draft. It's like Super Bowl XLII.5. It's the day, make that weekend, when every team gets to start over. Everyone is undefeated (except for the Raiders, it's a given that they'll loose at least 12 games every year). Everyone gets to restock their team with fresh (all be it unproven) talent. There is hope for even the worst teams.

So what type of person am I? Am I a first day only kinda guy or a first and second day guy? Does recording it on DVR count?

Is it hot in here or...?

2008-04-22T20:56:00.007-04:00

Watched my first episode (half episode actually) of American Idol in a long time. Just a few observations: Randy's still hearing "pitchy things", Paula's still giving everyone standing ovations and Simon still hasn't heard his "favorite performance." Guess I haven't missed much.

In other TV news, Hell's Kitchen has my wife and me drawn in for some unknown reason. We've watched every episode this season and have yet to see any of the potential executive chefs prepare anything to Chef Ramsey's liking. Why do we continue to tune it? Every other word out of Ramsey's mouth is bleeped and blurred. Do we enjoy watching failure? I know it's not for the culinary inspiration. I think I know why we watch. It's for the good, old fashioned, Englishman meltdowns. I think watching everything go so wrong for one man makes our lives look so very orderly and optimistic. Maybe we're cheering against Chef Ramsey. Who knows. See you next week in Hell's Kitchen.

Is Everybody Okay?

2008-04-17T23:05:00.000-04:00

Earthquakes rocked Louisville today!

At 5:37 a.m. an earthquake ripped through the Midwest leaving the area riddled with gaping chasms and crumbled structures. Homes were split in two, children were separated from their parents, beloved pets were separated from their chew toys. And no one saw it coming.

The quake registered 5.2 on the Richter Scale. 5.2! That's like twice as bad as a 2.6!

And I, being the protector of my family, guided them through the disaster by reassuring them of their safety. How did I do this, you ask? By remaining sound asleep through the whole ordeal.

My wife, the California native, woke up, realized we must have just had an earthquake, listened to see if Ethan was crying and quickly returned fast asleep. Thanks for your concern, honey.

Honey, have you seen my raincoat?

2008-04-16T19:07:00.003-04:00

The boy blew chunks on me. Twice. Today.

He woke up last night after throwing up all over himself and his bed. So the wife and I gave him a quick bath and it was back to bed. This morning I got him up and fed him first thing as I always do. Eight ounces of Similac's finest. My wife was a bit troubled by some green stuff on his pajamas, but I dismissed it as snot. Sounded like a good explanation as I was burping my now fully loaded four-month-old.

**BURRRPPP!**

"Oh, good one!"

**YAACCKK!**

There's nothing like a warm shower of half-digested formula to wake you up in the morning. The poor kid lost his breakfast all over his dad and the couch we were seated on.

After a quick consult with the doctor we decided he should stay home. "If he gets diarrhea you'll want to make sure he stays hydrated," she warned. Check.

So I stayed home with the boy to help him ride this thing out. We proceeded with his next feeding as planned. I noticed as we sat there that Ethan was expelling some rather loose waste from his hind parts. I thought to myself, "We might have a problem on our hands." Four ounces later...

**YAACCKK!**

He did it again. With his back to my belly he threw up everything he just consumed. I promptly cleaned him up and turned him around to have a look at his face. And wouldn't you know it... all smiles. The kid was has happy as could be. Probably 'cause he knew he wouldn't be the one who had to change his diaper.

It's amazing how quickly you become comfortable dealing with bodily fluids when you're a dad. I haven't worn the hazmat suit in months.