Hands

In January I'll be married 25 years to my first wife.

Tonight, I held her hand and realized there's a possibility that that someday I might not be able to hold her hand or feel her soft skin next to mine.

I closed my eyes and felt her hand in mine so I could always remember how good it felt.

It felt good.

Elfing

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9625834974

Happy Thanksgiving

I have a lot to be thankful for
I am thankful for...
my family
my life
my relationships
my business
my church
God's grace
A warm, dry, comfortable house

I used to be poor and now I'm not
I used to worry and now I don't
I used to fret and now I laugh
I used to be sick and now I'm healthy
I lost my Dad to cancer, but I gained insight to my life and purpose
I made the best with what I had, and I learned to appreciate what I have instead of being mad about what I don't
I used to be closed, cynical, and shut off, but I've learned to love, accept, and like people
I used to be mean, but even little kids like me now
I used to hate, but I learned compassion
I used to think I was better than others, but I know myself well enough now to know I'm not
I'm thankful I learned I can't control what people think, do, or say - but I can control how I react
I'm glad I don't have to be perfect to be happy

A Thanksgiving poem

Eat well
Love your family
And if it's anything you pass
Make sure it's the gravy
And not the gas

Happy Thanksgiving!

Birthday Cards

I got some great birthday cards this year. Some of them funny, a couple of serious ones... I'm so thankful for those that either sent me a card or wrote me an email. Even the people at my office gave me a card, and decorated my office with pink and white streamers. Made me feel special.

But the greatest timing and most coveted card I got was...............................(and I have been waiting for this)......................

My AARP Membership Card!!!

They don't miss a beat... I guess I can finally say I've arrived. WOOOO HOOOO!!!

I can hardly wait to start asking for the discounts.

I Made It!

I made it to half-time....the half-time of life. 50 years old today, and I feel great. I also accomplished a major goal today - I rode 51 miles on my bike! My odometer said 51.8 miles, but the map said slightly under... (see below. )


At any rate, riding 50 miles on my 50th birthday was what I was hoping to do, so what's a few tenths of a mile between us anyway??? My first phone call this morning was from my all-time favorite little girl, Isabella. She called me right as I was getting ready to leave, so it made my day. I took some pics:

(If you click on the pictures, you get the full-size view)




Here I am about 6 miles out, thinking this was a BAD mistake - maybe I'll delay this til tomorrow - I had a 20-25 mph wind in my face all the way to Moody (24 miles) -
(This is my "Oh shit, what am I doing?" look...)










I watched the trains switch tracks in Pendleton














It was cold - it only warmed up to about 61 by the time I finished












Getting closer to Moody - I took a break around 20 miles















Moody - the half-way point. After I made the turn, I made it home in half the time it took me to get there.











So that's my big adventure - time for a hot bath and a cold beer. Here's my ride:

Easy does it

I've been sick for the last 3 weeks, since the 100 hole golf marathon I did on Oct 15th. I guess that's what I get for killing that poor water moccasin with a mouse in its mouth. Beat him with a 3 wood.
Today was the first ride I have taken since before then, so I decided to take it easy. I am hoping tomorrow I can fulfill my goal of 50 miles on my 50th birthday - but it will have to be a slow ride, and I'll need to prepare for some wicked weather. I'm not sure when the cold front is supposed to blow in; either tonight or tomorrow morning. The wind will shift from the south to the north, bringing 20-30 mph winds. That makes for a tough ride. I am planning a northerly trek to begin, so I'll have the wind to my back when I make my turn. I'll update tomorrow.
This morning was a beautiful fall morning, and I enjoyed getting back in the saddle. Even more, I didn't ride hard so I was able to enjoy some quiet time in prayer, and reflect a little on my life. I am finally at half-time. I wonder what the rest of my life has in store. Sometimes I feel I haven't accomplished that much, but I realize I am only comparing myself to others instead of being glad for what God has done with me so far. When I think of all the miraculous things I have seen, done, and allowed to happen, I am overwhelmed with the magnitude of God's grace. I wonder how He has brought me this far.
I'll write more, because these past few weeks I have been introspective - and it has yielded some deep thoughts. I promise to share more soon. Here's my easy ride this morning:

Today's ride

Here's the bike. I haven't given it a name yet, but I sure am enjoying riding it. Today's ride was slightly over 21 miles. This week I added the rear rack so I can carry stuff when I get ready to take some longer trips, or if I want to ride to the grocery store and pick something up. Right now it's mainly for convenience.
Here's today's ride:


I'm hoping next week I can get back to the gym a couple of days a week for a little racquetball. Now that the weather is changing, cooler weather might keep me off the streets.

New sport for me

I've had to stop playing racquetball - sadly...I love the game and competition - but I have taken up bike riding to keep my weight down. besides that, I love riding. The only thing that would make it better is if I had 2 or 3 others to ride with every day.
I hope all this road time can help me lose the 40 lbs. I need to shed... I startes about 8 weeks ago, riding 8 miles, then 10, then 12. This week I started with a 15 miler on a new bike! I'll post pics of my bike in another post. Here was my ride today:

Happy Father's Day

Faithful – Therefore, know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations for those who love Him and keep His commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9

Approved – Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 1Timothy 2:15

Teacher – And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way , when you lie down, and when you rise up. Deuteronomy 6:7

Heart – Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 11:19

Endures – Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

Righteous - The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10

************************************************************************************
We recently began to share our worship and "church" time with a group in a "bad" part of Temple. My friends, Bobby and Sheridan, opened "Humble House" in an area of Temple known for crack houses, prostitution, drug dealing, and high crime. Humble house is a place for former addicts to come, seek refuge, and get cleaned up; while learning how to be overcomers in Christ, and become givers and producers.
They currently house about 8-10 guys who are committed to changing their lives for the better. These guys have really blessed me, and this morning was no exception. I made some Father's Day card for them, which included the above acrostic. More than likely, it's the only Father's Day card they'll get, as they are in the process of restoring relationships - not just with their children, but relationships in general. Thank God for grace.
This morning's service encouraged us to put the past behind us and move on to the goal God has given us, and that is restoration. I am so blessed to be part of this ministry, and those guys touch my heart every week. Ain't that what church is all about anyway?

Robot Chicken - Giraffe

Have you ever been down this road?

Thought for the day

Great things are not done by great people; they are done by ordinary people who have great expectations, and who are open to what the Lord wants to do through them.

Everyday choices

Reposted - prompted by From the Morning

"There are some things that just don't make a lot of sense. I was taking a back way to school today and ran across this intersection. Blew my mind. But I got to thinking....aren't I faced with this dilemma every day? "There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof leads to death." Prov. 14:12, and "I set before you today life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore, choose life, that both you and your descendants may live." Deut. 30:19. Sometimes the clear choice really isn't that clear. The signs say to go left, and another says to go right. Without all the information and discernment, the obvious choice may be clouded or confused by different signs. If we take the time to examine all of the information and ask God for direction, we can be sure He will tell us which way to go."

The original post was in March of 2005. Here it is almost 2 years later, and I realize how prophetic and what a profound thing God showed me back then. I had no idea what He had in store for me, and how gracefully He would guide me through such turbulent times.

There have been many signs, signals, opportunities, and warnings along the way. I'd like to be real spiritual and say that each time I got on my knees, prayed, and listened to what God told me to do, which way to turn, or what to avoid. I'd like to tell you that each time God spoke, I obediently listened and followed His every direction.

I can't tell you that.

I can only tell you that God loves me - and you - so much that He guides us, nudges us, encourages us, and steers us....just because He loves us so much. He puts us in the right places, introduces us to the right people, and shows us the right way. We still get to make the decisions.
There are a few scriptures that come to mind right now -

" A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps."
Proverbs 16:9

"The steps of a righteous man are ordered by God, and He delights in his way."
Psalms 37:23

" For this God is our God forever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death."
Psalms 48:14

" If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall your hand lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."
Psalm 139:9