Hopeful in 2012
“There is always hope,” is something I like to say especially when it has to do with my Washington State University Cougars football team and their ability to play from behind. Other hopeful sayings I have often said are, “Hope I do/did well on my test today.” “I sure hope it doesn’t snow when I go to work in Grangeville,” “I hope my kids are safe.” I could mention many more. I have given a lot of thought to what I am going to be hopeful in the New Year of 2012. Here are five of them in reverse order.
5. I will be hopeful that the economy will be better in 2012 than it has been for the past five or six years. Its tough to be out and about doing my job and seeing the discouragement on the faces of people as they shop. It’s tough to read the newspaper or read on the internet about job closures, interest rates going up, and price gouging. So here’s to a better economy in 2012.
4. I am hopeful that my family will have a healthy year in 2012. With the rising costs of medical services, being healthy will be financially beneficial. I pray all of you will be healthy in 2012. I am finishing 2012 having lost 11 pounds, so far. I plan on staying on the diet plan for as long as I can lose weight. I know that my son gets braces the day after he turns 12, but after that, I simply hope we are all doing well health-wise.
3. I am hopeful that people will be kinder in 2012. I am making kindness my mantra. I have grown tired of unkind attitudes. I want us to do more than “just get along.” I want to see people taking care of other people, regardless of our faith, or lack thereof. Treating others the way I want to be treated is something I’ve been teaching my children for several years. I want to see it taking place in and out of my household.
2. I am hopeful that many others will become followers of Christ. As a life-long follower of Christ, I want to see more friends and family come to a relationship with Jesus Christ. The past two years hve been a wonderful testimony of hearing about some old friends, classmates, and others who have come to the Lord. It’s refreshing to hear about and wonderful to encourage others to find faith and hope in Jesus Christ.
1. I am hopeful that this could be the year of the return of Christ. No one knows the day or hour, not even the Mayans, the preacher sitting behind his desk, the man yelling from the street corner, or the religious magazine editor. We do know that the Bible say’s Christ will return. May He find us faithful.
My prayer for all of you is that we find time to develop relationships with those around us. We aren’t here by accident. We don’t wander through life aimlessly. Rather, we are here on purpose and with a purpose. To all my friends and family, and those who I do not know but somehow you’ve found yourself reading this, May God be with you and may 2012 be an outstanding year for you and yours.
2011 Highlighted
As 2011 winds down with only a mere 30 minutes left, I think back on the kind of year my family and I had. Here are a few highlights.
In January we all participated in a 21 day fast at the request of our pastor and that opened the door for us to hear great things at our church’s Holy Spirit conference in February.
The Green Bay Packers won the Super Bowl and that made my wife and me very happy and we are hoping for a repeat in 2012.
I got terribly sick with the flu in February which I seldom get the flu but it was so bad, I can’t forget about how awful I felt.
In the spring, my son Isaac played on a soccer team for the first time and he loved it. Our daughter Anika joined the local swim team and she was way better at swimming than I thought she could be.
In June we took our first family vacation in four years and went to Yellowstone National Park. It was the first time Myleen and the kids had been to Montana and Wyoming and it had been 47 years since I was last at YNP.
We spent most of the summer shopping around for a new house, visited some great friends in Seattle on Myleen’s business trip.
The kids and I got to golf, A LOT during the summer. I think I got in 13 rounds of golf. That is great considering I averaged 1 and a half rounds of golf the previous 11 years.
In October we made an offer on a 3300 square foot house and moved in on November 22nd.
Also in October Anika started piano lessons and she is doing very well with it.
Myleen has been battling different ailments this past year and the Lord has brought her through each of them.
As I look back on this past year, I’ve been blessed by my growing kids and how well they’ve been doing in school. I’ve enjoyed working with the little people (ages 3-5) at our church, Valley Christian Center, and now that we’ve bought a home, I’ve enjoyed setting up our nest and looking forward to spring when we can sit out on our gigantor deck.
As we move to a new year, I look forward to seeing what God has in store for us as a family and being able to be used by God in whatever capacity he has for my family and myself.
I pray God’s best for all of you and May you have a very Happy and Blessed New Year.
Jeff Foxworthy and Idahoans
I was born in Idaho, and recently moved back to Idaho, therefore I am Idahoan. FORGET REDNECKS; THIS IS WHAT JEFF FOXWORTHY HAD TO SAY ABOUT IDAHOANS!(via my niece Camille) 1. If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don’t work there, you live in Idaho 2. If you’ve worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in Idaho 3. If you’ve had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who diale…d the wrong number, you live in Idaho 4. If ‘vacation’ means going anywhere s………outh of Salt Lake City for the weekend, you live in Idaho 5. If you measure distance in hours, you live in Idaho 6. If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you live in Idaho 7. If you have switched from ‘heat’ to ‘A/C’ and back again in the same day, you live in Idaho 8. If you install security lights on your house and garage but leave both unlocked, you live in Idaho 9. If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging blizzard without flinching, you live in Idaho 10. If you design your kid’s Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you live in Idaho 11. If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph –you’re going 80, and everyone is still passing you, you live in Idaho 12. If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled with snow, you live in Idaho 13. If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter, and road construction, you live in Idaho 14. If you find 10 degrees ‘a little chilly’ you live in Idaho 15. If you actually understand these jokes and forward them to all your IDAHO friends, you live in Idaho. (Original source unknown).
Moving Day turns in to Three Days of Moving
We started moving on Tuesday when we got a surprise by getting the keys to the new house a couple hours after closing. It was supposed to be the following day, but we took it. We have been packing for over a week now and today we get to move our stuff into our new home. Moving, as most of you know, isn’t a fun chore, unless you make it fun. One day turned into three days and I think I lost about four pounds just from moving. I am pretty sure that at the age of 51, I am hoping this could be my last move. I counted at least forty moves in my lifetime and this one was the hardest. Too much heavy and big stuff to move out. Our new house has a garage/shop/storage area so much of our “stuff” gets to live their days in there.
The unpacking is almost complete and arrange the house to be our lifestyle has been fun. The kids have their rooms all set up to their liking and mommy has her kitchen arranged. Our life in our new house has commenced and other than going back to our former home to clean it, we are moving on. I will try not to use the word “move” any more. Except when my kids need to move. Then I will hire movers. Well, except for when they go off to college and then I will gladly help them with that. But that’s a long, long, long way away. Right?
We’ve Bought a New House!
On Tuesday we signed papers on our new house.( I wanted to post this on that day, but our internet service got cut off and Century Link hasn’t done their end of the deal and hooked us up at our new house). A house that was actually born in 1927. We are excited to move in and start a new life in a new place. This will be about my 40-something move, but only the fourth for my daughter Anika. We are moving from a three bedroom, one bath rental home to a four bedroom, 2 and 3/4 bath, so essentially we all get our own bathroom. Yay!!! It doesn’t have much yard (to mow) but it has a cute swing in the backyard and a huge deck running along the side of the house. We actually have underground parking as one of the former owners added a huge addition and built the garage under the house. We also have a carport where we can get to and from the car without getting wet, should we not park in the garage.
Our new house is within walking distance of my two children’s elementary school and next year Isaac only has to walk two blocks to junior high and maybe five blocks to high school. We are looking forward to getting moved and we will be able to celebrate the holidays in our new home.
Yesterday I did a final walk through with our agent to make sure the work we requested got finished. Weird to see the house empty. Looks way bigger than the 3300 square feet that it already is. 820 feet of that footage is our underground garage.
Now the packing and moving begins.
Buying a Piece of Idaho History
In just a few days my wife and I will be signing papers on the purchase of a piece of Idaho History. We are buying a home built in 1927. I am sure there have been many families who have lived in this house. Many people have come in-and-out its front door. Many dreams were dreamt in its rooms, and in this house’s case, many renovations. The most recent renovation came 80 years later when they added a huge addition to the back of the house. This house has been through a lot of changes. For my family it brings a change that marks a new chapter in our lives.
Six years ago we bought a brand new house. In the Bothell, Washington area. We watched it being built from the ground up. Picked out the many options that we wanted to see in our house, and enjoyed having the interior painted in “our colors.” We enjoyed a few Christmas’s there and even had a lot of snow in the few years we lived in it. But change would come and we uprooted our family and moved to Idaho.
With the economy being in the tubes like it was and still is, we felt we just needed to rent for a while and wait and see if God would open doors to homeownership in the future. Earlier this year, we visited a local bank and found out good news and delayed news. The good news was that they could definitely get us a loan, the delayed news was that it wouldn’t be able to happen until October of this year. So we put buying a house on the backburner and started attending several open houses, waiting until the day we could offer on it.
We had chosen three homes during that six month span, only to watch two of the three become sold and the other was still out of our price range and it’s owners pulled it off the market for a while. That left us with searching for a house that we would like.
There were some really good things that happened for us while we waited. One was that we were able to know exactly what we wanted in a house. Like how many rooms we really needed and since we are not fixer-upper people, we needed a house that was basically done for us. The second really good thing that happened for us was that the interest rate had fallen a full percentage point and that made our house a lot more affordable.
What we’ve learned through these past few years is to “trust God no matter what.” To really depend on Him to comfort us, provide for us, and direct our steps.
Good Neighbors
In the back of our house that we are renting are two very large walnut trees. So large, that earlier this summer, one branch came crashing down on our minivan. The heaviest part of the branch fortunately hit the ground and spared us any repairs to the van. These large walnuts overproduced this year and the many squirrels had many nuts to harvest.
But you got to know that with large walnut trees comes thousands of leaves. Today as I look out the window and see these two trees, they are all bare of leaves. Those leaves have all fallen to the ground. We’ve spent a bit of time raking them up and bagging them, and the yard waste guys have been good picking the bags up and hauling them away.
One recent day my next-door-neighbor was using his gas powered blower to blow leaves away and while I was gone, he blew even blew ours into a big pile. I had told him that when we got back from our trip to Spokane, we’d be picking them up and bagging them. Well when we got back from Spokane, “someone” had already bagged and disposed of eighty percent of our walnut tree leaves.
You gotta love good neighbors.
Happy Birthday to My Son
11 years ago on January 24th, 2000, at 9:58 a.m. I became a dad. That’s when my son Isaac was born. Happy Birthday Isaac. I was almost 40 years old when he was born. An age many dad’s are soon welcoming grandkids. Being a dad is the greatest thing for me. I love it. I have two children whom I cherish deeply and I am challenged to raise them in a fashion where they not only pursue their own personal dreams but pursue God just like I did as a child. I’ve spent at least six years teaching Isaac and his sister Anika, three important things: 1) To trust God no matter what. 2) Make wise choices, and 3) treat others the way they want to be treated. I am relentless with this and I am seeing the fruit of their own personal applications to these truths. (Okay, maybe they still need to learn how to be nicer to each other = ) ).
At any rate, Isaac is a great kid who is currently in the fifth grade and is unfortunately learning to love my high school enemy, the Lewiston Bengals. We have been attending my high school’s (Clarkston Bantams) basketball games lately, and he refuses to root for anything in Scarlett and Black. I thought I had done a better job raising him. Funny how I taught him to dislike (actually worked on getting him to “hate” the purple and gold of the University of Washington, since I’ve been a lifelong Washington State Cougars fan, and then for us to move back here to the valley and live on the wrong side of the river when it comes to school districts. You see, the Lewiston Bengals colors are purple and gold. He booed them when we first moved here, not knowing that if we continue to live in Lewiston, he will be wearing those colors. But since we’ve now lived here for three years, he has grown accustom to Lewiston being purple and gold but still dislikes the Huskies. Kudos to him. It’s a dad’s dilemma to have his son rooting for the other team.
This Friday night is the Lewiston-Clarkston Golden Throne basketball games and I will find myself sitting by myself on the Clarkston side of LCSC’s activity center, (my daughter will be busy going back-and-forth between sitting with me on one side, her mom and brotheron the other side, and being a concession stand queen), while my son, who just last year joined me in laughing when the LHS faculty couldn’t even put up a descent “L” in the stands whenever their team was at the free throw line, sits on the other side. What’s a dad to do?
To my son Isaac, I always say this to him every single day, “I love you. I love you a lot. I love you all the time.” Happy 11th birthday and Go Bantams. ( I wonder if there any good homes for sale in Clarkston?)
Getting busy living
It’s a famous line in the movie The Shawshank Redemption. “Get busy living or get busy dying.” I was flipping channels tonight and came across the ending to the movie Unforgiven, with Clint Eastwood. Just as Gene Hackman’s character is about to die by being shot by Clint Eastwood, he yells, “See you in Hell.” I am pretty sure he was saying he was getting busy dying. Sure enough, the guy with no heart in this movie, Eastwood, shoots him dead.
Most of us reading this I am pretty sure are busy living. What we are living for is relative to each person. Some will say they live for their families, others will say they live to get wealthy, and others will simply say they live for others.
In my house are many ants. I am pretty sure they must be Australian ants because the Bible say’s that the ant stores up in summer so that they will have plenty when it’s, well, not summer. (Its currently summertime in Australia).These ants either did a terrible job this past summer finding food to store up or maybe they were just plain lazy. At any rate, they now own my basement I am getting busy helping them die.
So, what’s your take, are you busy living or busy dying? What gets you up and out of bed each morning and gets you through the day, and allows you to call it a day and crawl into bed at nighttime? Food? Money? Family?
So just as Red said in the Shawshank Redemption movie, “Get busy living or get busy dying,” I say likewise. I say, in all you do, give thanks to God above, be kind to those who are put around you, and get busy living.
Buying Another Car Experience
I think most people dread doing their taxes, going to the dentist, going to the doctor, and you can put your own “dread” in here. One thing I’ve always dreaded in the past was buying a new car or another car. I enjoy the thoughts of getting a new car, but I don’t like the whole process of finding one and then meeting the car salesman and going through the purchasing of it. Yesterday we bought another car. It is considered “a second car,” as we didn’t use our current car as a trade in. Three weeks ago we found a minivan on the internet that we liked. We drove to the sales lot and looked at it without driving it. We talked to a very good and professional salesman named Aaron and we convinced him we were just looking. It’s probably the first time I’ve ever walked away from a potential purchase and felt really good about it.
I needed more time to think about it and since it was the first one we saw, we wanted to continue looking around. Well our internet search didn’t turn up another acceptable minivan within 125 miles. So we started looking at other options. Maybe a smaller car would work for us. Three weeks later we had some finances in place and we decided to pursue the minivan again. When we checked on it on the internet they had lowered the price by $1300.00
We did the drive around thing, talked to Aaron the salesman and then started the negotiation. We had a ceiling on what we wanted our monthly payments to be and we had the backing of our credit union. A credit union this particular dealership did good business with. Their first offer back to us was to lower it another $500.00. We liked that but wanted a lower monthly payment. We were determined to get the lower one and it paid off. They got it down to what we thought was acceptable and the interest rate was even lowered by by .5%.
Once we agreed on a price for the car, it went to the financial guy who proceeded to try and sell us on warranties and loan protection. We declined both. Some of you reading this might be asking why we would decline a warranty, well here is why. Eight years ago when we bought “Fred” the Xterra, we paid $2,400.00 for an extended warranty and nothing happened to the Xterra. A couple of years after the warranty expired, Fred broke down three times and we paid out $3,000.00 on expenses. Money that we actually had in our pockets. We didn’t want to pay any more than we had to for the new car. Yes, we are risking breakdowns, but that’s a given with cars. I’ve seen brand new cars broken down on the side of the road and they probably had the warranty to get it fixed, but experience with warranties on our side tells us we are willing to risk it and do our best to afford to pay for anthing that breaks down, hopefully in about five or six years.
Whereas in the past we’ve struggled with the car buying experience, this time, we had a great experience. Now its time for a Sunday cruise somewhere.
Growing Relationships – communication and community
There is an aspect in everyone’s life that tells you what you need. Most of the time it goes unnoticed, but eventually we get a glimpse of it. Like in the following incidents. Your stomach growls which means your body is telling you to eat something. The weight scales weirdly goes over the acceptable weight. It’s telling you to “cut back man before we both get killed.” Your driving down the road and your car sputters a bit and you glance down and notice your running on empty. Time to get some gasoline. You glance at your watch or the clock in your car or on your cell phone and your heart seems to skip a beat because your mind engages you and say’s your late for something important. No need to explain that further, right? Or how about this one. You go through the whole day, getting up, going to work or to school or to play and you come home and you feel empty. Something is missing. If your a woman, you may not have used up enough of your built in vocabulary. You know, women speak about 50,000 words a day or have the need to speak that many words. Guys, you have about 20,000 words to use at your disposal. But on this day, it seems tilted or out of kilter. Maybe your body, your mind, your lifestyle, your need is saying, “I need relationship.” Not just any relationship, but a growing relationship. Something is missing and I want to talk about it or be about it or pursue it.
In any growing relationship, we need interaction. Communication. In the three things I talked about before in having a growing relationship with God, it has three important components. Intimacy with God, Community with Believers, and Influence with those far from God.
It’s intimacy with God that we have to have as our foundation or the other two components don’t carry much weight. We can have horizontal relationships with those we associate with and those we only come in contact with occasionally, but if we have a great vertical relationship with God, wow, it can make a huge difference in everything we do.
I always find it funny, as in funny/weird when people blog or comment regarding athlete’s who share their faith on TV following competitive games. I heard it a lot recently when Tim Tebow made it very clear who he worships, serves, and loves. Other athletes have just given God thanks for helping them in games. Here is what critics often say, “I am so sure God could care less about who wins the game.” “I mean what god would pick sides.” “I sure couldn’t worship a god who is for one team over the other.” “So I think athletes are stupid for saying they thank God for helping them win the game.” Many people would find it easy to answer such critics. “God doesn’t concern himself with who wins the game, but is very concern with who plays in the game. And that includes both sides of the field. Since God relishes in worship from those he created, he is really honored when honor is given to him, even those who lose games have been known to thank God for helping them give their best efforts.
Community and communication make for a growing relationship. There is more to it then just these two components, but if your seeking relationships that are going somewhere and not dead-ending, work on these two and see if you can’t see improvement. I am working on these with my wife, my kids and with God.
Apple Cup 2008 – COUGS WIN!!!
“This one hurts real hard,” said Huskies running back Willie Griffin. “No disrespect to them [the Cougs], but we went up against a team that everybody is saying is the worst in the nation, and you can’t pull out a win. I mean, you’ve got to look at yourself and ask yourself, ‘What are we?’ “–quoted in the Seattle Times. My answer? Worse than the worst.
My beloved Washington State University Cougars defeated the University of Washington Huskies 16-13 in double over time in the Apple Cup, in Pullman, Washington and I am a very happy camper.
I had thought the Cougs were going to lose. With two minutes left, I went outside to put up more Christmas lights and when I came back in, they were in the first overtime.
Now I find it pure fun to hear the Husky faithful whine, complain and even criticize Pullman, the Cougs, and their fans, in defeat. Weird. When my Cougars lose, we lick our wounds and hope for a better game next time.
Now that the Cougars have beaten the Huskies two straight years and four of the past five years, we stand as the best in the State of Washington and that’s with a 2-10 record.
So Congrats to the Cougs and let’s do it again next year!
Creating Community
John Fischer in his blog “Catch of the Day,” said,
“Your mission today (should you choose to accept it) is to get yourself up out of bed and throw yourself out into the world. That’s right: Get up and get out.
My, how daring we are! Well, yes, when you consider how dangerous a place the world is, and how inadequate we feel when we try to make a difference in it. But just read this:
“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?” (2 Corinthians 2:15-16 NIV)”
Yesterday in our church, we were given a challenge stated above without the Pastor knowing John Fischer would say what he said. We were given $20.00 from the church, during the worship service, to go out and do a “Act of Random Kindness,” or ARK. We are to find someone with a need and use the $20.00 to help fulfill the need. Pretty rare that a church would give money to people who attended church and go do something with that money to show kindness to the community that they live in. We have accepted the challenge and are now praying about where we should give it.
So, in light of what John Fischer said to me this morning, “Smell on.” What possible Act of Random Kindness could you do this week?
Christmas time
I am honestly not a winter person. I love the snow but not enough to drive in it every day. I don’t like dead things so seeing trees without leaves is, well, kind of depressing. But I know that it has to happen so that I can enjoy one of my favorite things, seeing buds forming on trees knowing that the leaves are on their way back.
It reminds me of the whole idea of Christmas. It had to happen or we wouldn’t be able to celebrate Easter time and more importantly have the opportunity to receive eternal life. If Jesus Christ had never been born, we don’t know what other alternative God would have given mankind to find their way to Him. So Christmas to me is something I look forward to. Not only do I get to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, it helps me get through winter.
I don’t despise snow as I used to snow ski regularly. Its just the cold, dreary days that I dread. With Christmas only a few days away, and my first Christmas back in my birthplace in several years, and with a spectacular view from my back deck of the Snake River flowing between Idaho and Washington, I am pretty excited about Christmas this year.
After Christmas? Well Spring is on its way!
Going to Church
It’s something I’ve done for many, many years. Go to church. I don’t remember ever not going to church, just like I have no concept of never not knowing God. I’ve always felt like I’ve known God. I don’t have any periods in my life where this either an absence of God or of not knowing God. I asked God to come into my life at age seven, so before that time it could be said that I didn’t know God but I don’t remember, “not-knowing God.” I simply don’t. Just like I don’t know what its like to not go to church. I’ve always gone to church as far as I know. You’d have to ask my mom if there was ever a time I didn’t go to church.
Here’s what I know about church and I will keep it simple. There are thousands of church buildings all over America and the World. People pass by them every day. Some pass many churches every single day. Some of those people who pass churches have never been inside one and have no idea what happens inside. To them, its just a “church” building. Nothing about them make them wonder, “I wonder what happens in there?” They just don’t think about them. They have “other things” to think about, especially on a Sunday when most churches and their parking lots are full of people and cars. In the town that I grew up in, at the west end of town, there used to be a big billboard that read, “Welcome to Clarkston, the town of churches.” It’s still a town of churches, its just that a lot more people live here now and less go through any of their doors. What’s your take on “churches?”
A Journal and a Snow Globe
All my daughter asked for Christmas this year was a journal and a snow globe. I can’t imagine asking for a couple of things so simple. Simple to me. Wanted to and by her. She saw one at the Dollar store a couple of weeks ago and said that’s what she wanted. That was easy to buy for her. A dollar and a trip to the store while she was at school. I always wonder what my kids think as they grow up. Now that they are living in the same place that I grew up in, life takes on a totally different perspective. But I now get to relive my childhood life through the eyes of my kids. I can’t even think of something simple to get for Christmas. My list includes things like WSU Cougars wear, LCSC, the local college wear, a couple of shirts, a Wii, money, a gift card to Applebees. No, these are not hints. Those are things I honestly think about at Christmas time. But not for my daughter. She just wants a journal and a snow globe. Little does she know she’s getting one thing bigger than she asked for, but I can’t say it in this post because Christmas isn’t here yet and I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise.
A New Year — 2009
The end of a year is a time to remember what happened, (or try and forget what happened), and a time to look forward to a new year. I won’t take time to look at what happened, but to look forward to what 2009 might bring me and my family. This time of year is a great time to think about do-overs. Maybe I didn’t do as well on the job as I would have liked. Maybe I wasn’t as good to my children as I wanted to be. Maybe I short-sighted myself on my dreams and goals. Going into another year gives me a “pass” and now I have a chance to do better than I did in the previous year. I am not good at resolutions.
I remember one year a long time ago when I decided I wouldn’t drink any soda pop for a whole month. That was hard for me to do. I loved Pepsi products, A&W Root Beer, and other sodas. I would find out years later that my stomach couldn’t digest them very well and would have to stop drinking soda pop anyway. But in 1982 or1983, I decided to stop for a month. I was very successful. Didn’t drink even one sip of a soda. But I’ll tell you what, when that month was over, I drank soda like it was going out of style. I didn’t do anything to help me cut back on soda. I just gave my stomach a 30 day break.
That’s been pretty typical of most resolutions I’ve ever made. So I don’t make resolutions, per say. I am not sure what word or words I use. But I know that I like to think about what I would like to do in the next year. And I definitely like to do it before the year starts. Seems kind of weird to me to say in the middle of January, “This year I promise to golf more.” Just doesn’t seem right. But maybe that isn’t a good example to use.
So… going into 2009, I have a short list of things I want to accomplish, say, think about, or whatever word fits here.
10. Golf more in 2009. I’ve averaged 2 times in the past year and since I love to golf, I want to golf more and since one of my top three golf courses is right here in the valley, “Fore!”
9. Take a family vacation. We haven’t taken a vacation in two years.
8. Work more. I hardly worked in the later part of 2008.
7. Love my wife and kids more.
6. Go to more baseball games in the valley.
5. Spend more time with my dad.
4. Develop a leadershp training paradigm that I’ve been working on for two years.
3. Write better blogs.
2. Fish a lot. For fish and for people.
1. Serve God better.
That’s what comes to my mind as I get ready to close out 2008.
Have a great New Year in 2009. See you on the other side.
Why You Should Visit the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley
In 1960 I got my “born on date.” That would be February 20th, 1960. I am an original from Lewiston, Idaho. I grew up across the river in Clarkston, Washington and would be a 12 year student in the Clarkston School District. I graduated from Clarkston High School in 1978. May 25th, to be exact. All three of my brothers, and my sister, graduated from CHS. The Grogan name used to be popular in Clarkston. None of us live there now except my parents still live in the Clarkston Heights.
I say all that to say, that I pretty much know everything there is to do here and I know every reason to come visit here and a few reasons why you might not want to come visit here. But since I am into the positives, I will give you some reasons why you should come visit the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. We are located at the very Southeastern part of the State of Washington and the lower edge of Idaho that they commonly call, “The Panhandle.” You would know this if you looked at the state of Idaho and saw its shape. It looks like a skillet with an handle.
Here are my ten reasons Why You Should Visit the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley
10. It’s a quiet get-away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. We only have a very small mall, if you can call it that, so shopping will be relegated to a few locally themes shops, like the basement of Wasem’s Drug store in Clarkston, and some downtown Lewiston shops. We do however have a Walmart, and soon-to-be-built, Super Walmart coming to Clarkston (Fall 2009), a Shopko, Kmart, and Bi-Mart.
9. We are the Gateway to Hells Canyon. The deepest canyon in the U.S. I guess it competes with the Grand Canyon. You can take jet boat rides up the Snake River to Hells Canyon. I’ve never gone on it, but they run daily past my house on the river and I’ve been told its a great trip.
8. The weather outside is mild. Right now our snow is melting, and its about 35 degrees, but during the spring and late fall, you can enjoy mid-seventies weather. Summer weather hovers around 87 to 95 degrees. Strolling along the dike on either side of the Snake River is a great pasttime here in the valley. Lots of bicyclists, joggers, and walkers are seen daily on the dike.
7. The Asotin County Aquatic Center. Our families greatest place to go to beat the summer heat. My kids take swimming lessons there, and they have three water tubes. A giant wave machine, a lazy river and indoor pool with hot tubs. Great place to hang out and its never really busy. Its a miniature Wild Waves in Federal Way, without the amusement rides.
6. You are only 2 hours away from Spokane, Washington and only 40 minutes away from Pullman, Washington and Moscow, Idaho, in case you really can’t stand the “slowness,” that the valley provides.
5. Good dining. My favorites are Roosters Landing, along the Snake River in Clarkston. Applebees. Zany’s, which is a fifties style dining place. Main St. Grill which has awesome bite size steaks. They serve bowls of peanuts in the shell to keep you occupied while they cook your food. Rusty’s restaurant in North Lewiston for a great breakfast. Other local favorites are IHOP, which recently opened, Tomato Brothers in Clarkston, Dining at the Quality Inn in Clarkston and Meriweathers at the Red Lion Inn in Lewiston.
4. Nice places to stay. Two really good RV parks in Clarkston, both on the Snake River. The Quality Inn in Clarkston, and the Red Lion in Lewiston. Hells Gate State Park only a mile south of Lewiston for camping.
3. Fishing. The Snake River meets the Clearwater River right at Lewiston. Lots of steelhead, salmon, and sturgeon fishing. And its year around. Also some nearby lakes like Winchester Lake, Soldiers Meadow Lake and Manns Lake provide some good fishing for trout.
2. Golf anyone? We have four great courses here in the valley. Two are country clubs and my favorite, Quail Ridge is a great course to learn your game on. The other one is Bryden Canyon which holds my career best score of 80.
1. The number one reason you should visit the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley is because you know deep inside you, you need a change of pace. So come visit our little nook in this great big world. You’ll be surprised and you’ll wish you had visited sooner.
Happy Birthday to my wife, Myleen!
Wow, its her birthday today! She is only thirty-something. We’ve been married almost 12 years and she’s been a great mother to our two children. We are having a small party for her today and we need a birthday gift from Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts today, Myleen’s favorite NFL football team. So Happy Birthday, Mahal and hope you had a great day.
Picture gallery January 09
Just some photos from Christmas 2008, Snow in December 2008 and Myleen’s birthday. I am learning how to do this photo gallery thing. Enjoy.
How’s Your Walking Across the Room?
I read Bill Hybel’s book, “Just Walk Across the Room,” and I’ve had opportunities to connect with people in my community. Even before we moved here to Lewiston. When I was working at Fred Meyer in Bothell, I met a guy who actually walked across the room to meet me. He had heard I was a pastor and wanted to talk to me. His name was Pat and he declared he was a Druid or something like that. He explained that he had basically sold his soul to Satan and it was his job to get others to join him to “save” others from eternal life. Quite the contradiction to what I believe. First thing to note. I wasn’t intimidated by him or afraid of him. Nor was he of me. He seemed to be quite pleased with what he believed and had convinced himself that he was “reaching” me. I, of course, knew otherwise. Second thing to note. I learned somethings about what it must be like to live under control of demonic forces, to live under control of something that had mind controlling emphasis, and I learned that people like him are truly lost in their belief that they can’t get out of the situation they are in. If you are from the Christ-Follower persuasion, as I am, you would know the passage in the Bible where it say’s, “Greater is he that is in me, than he that is in the world.” So I am convinced he could have been set free had he been willing to do so. I felt sorry for him because it was obvious he was under duress and even in his so called desire to die for the cause of the devil, he wanted to be set free.
I learned that same year that all I had to do to engage people in the matters of following Christ was to go down to my kids bus stop and talk to parents and grandparents of kids riding their buses to school. I had several engaging opportunities and found them to be interesting and at times inspiring.
The problem most people have in crossing a room, street, hall, or coffee shop, is they can get there, and they can discuss spiritual matters, they just often time, can’t close the deal. I have one simple solution to it. Invite them to your church. Really. Just invite them. If they say no, no big deal. You will likely be able to engage them some more, especially if you don’t cram it down their throats or make them feel guilty about turning down your invite. Just invite them again when the opportunity arises.
So, how’s your walking across the room? Do you have a story to tell. I will share another one soon regarding “holy water.” Its pretty amusing yet eye-opening too.
Happy Everything
There is Happy Birthday, Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Day, Happy Feet, Happy Halloween, Happy friends, and then there is Happy Everything. On my paper route, I deliver every day to a house that has this sign hanging on the side of their house that reads, “Happy Everything.” I thought how nice is that?! How many days could I possibly go through where at the end of the day I could honestly say “Happy Everything,” or “Everything was worth being happy about?” I could honestly, probably not many. And you? What are you happy about today?
Happy Birthday Isaac!
Happy Birthday to my son Isaac who turns nine years old today. Hope you have a great day and an awesome year. Its fun being nine. Yesterday we went to Moscow and a place called Bumpers where we got to play lots of games and win tickets for prizes. Today we get to just jell at the house and hope to take in a dollar movie. Well Isaac, have a great time. And Happy Birthday Superhero!!! Love, Mom and Dad.
Today's My Birthday!!!
Invest and Invite
Friday night we had a movie night at our church. We showed Kung-fu Panda on the big screens. Our kids at our church were encouraged to invite someone or someones to the movie. My kids passed out “ticket” invites to their friends at the bus stop and at school. When it came time for the movie, two of my son’s friends showed up. The children’s director at our church rewarded those who brought friends, as a way to make the idea of inviting someone to church for a movie, stick.
After the movie my wife and I met the mother of one of Isaac’s friends who came to the movie. Here’s where this idea of inviting someone to church, sticks! (works). She said she had never been to our church before but her son was adament about coming to the movie. When she got into the main sanctuary where we showed the movie, she was really impressed with how our church looked and asked us if this is where we attended church. We said yes then filled her in with service times on Sundays and Wednesdays and invited her back.
A few years ago I heard a sermon by Andy Stanley called Invest and Invite. I have actually preached the same sermon, making it relative to the areas that I preached it in. (checkout www.northpoint.org for information on how to get your own copy of the sermon).
So here’s my invite to you to come visit our church. You can check it out at www.vcclc.org. I am just fascinated that an invite is so simple yet there are many of us church-going, Christ-following, people who can’t make ourselves do just that. Invite someone to church. Try it. Right now. Go. Invite someone to attend church with you. Get up, go do it.
Top Ten Favorite Pasttimes
We all have a list of things we have loved doing over the years. Whether it be going skiing once a year with friends, snow and water skiing, or barbequing in the shade of a summer eve, or visiting some historic site that brings back fond memories. Or it could be something you still do, that originated a long time ago. Here is my short list of favorite pasttimes, some that I still love to do.
10. Sipping ice tea under a large shade tree in someone else’s or my own backyard.
9. Playing catch with my dad, and now my son, Isaac.
8. Sunday drives in the country.
7. Sleeping outside in the summer time. Especially in August when we can see meteor showers.
6. Picking blackberries and/or huckleberries with family and friends.
5. Taking a driving vacation.
4. Starbucks coffee, sitting in the store, or on the go.
3. Watching my children open up gifts
2. Watching NFL football games with my wife.
1. Golfing. I love to golf. I only get to golf once or twice a year, but its by far one of my most favorite pasttimes.
Super Bowl
It came and and now it is gone. The Super Bowl. I had nothing at stake this year, so even in picking the Arizona Cardinals to win, I could walk away not feeling like my team had been defeated. I am a Seattle Seahawks fan so it was fun to just be able to watch Super Bowl. I missed last years Super Bowl because I had to work. So this year I threw a SB party and invited my family over to watch.
It was a great game. It had that feel it wasn’t going to be a great game. Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Rothlisberger again, didn’t have a great Super Bowl, but was able to keep his team going. His best moment was the winning drive at the end of the game. The drive that drove nail into my enthusiasm because it sure looked like Arizona was going to “shock the world.”
Kurt Warner played like a Super Bowl quarterback and I figured had Arizona won, there would have been c0-MVP’s. Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald. But it didn’t end that way.
For the record, I loved the Super Bowl commercials, minus one or two “stupid” ones. GoDaddy.com needs to clean it up. Sex might still sell some things, but sell it with some good humor and not stupidity and dullness. I don’t have any real favorites because they come at you so fast, I sometimes didn’t even remember who did the commercial.
Well now comes the bummer part. My wife is a huge NFL football fan and really that’s the only sport she will sit and watch. So now we have zero football for several months and even though I will move onto watching golf and eventually baseball games, there is nothing like watching football, watching football with my wife, and watching a really good Super Bowl. One side note: If Pittsburgh gets into another Super Bowl, I’m going golfing instead.
Until next year, good luck Seahawks and let’s get back to the play-offs!
Recognition
I was driving down the road yesterday, coming home from a long day at work where I had to work in Colfax, Washington and Pullman, Washington. As I neared my home, I saw a young blonde kid walking on the side of the road, coming towards me. I recognized him as Victor, one of the kids who rides the bus to school with my kids. When I saw him and he looked my direction, I waved to him. The look on his face when he saw that I recognized him was almost priceless. He looked surprised, then smiled, then waved back.
It got me to thinking about whether-or-not I make a concerted effort to recognized people. Do I look around or do I just go about my business? Do I try not to make eye-contact for fear of having to indulge myself into a conversation, that quite honestly, I would prefer not having to do? Are you relating to what I am writing about?
One day last summer I stopped in at a Zip Trip convenience store near my house and saw someone from church. But that person never looked around and we never made eye contact. I watched as he got his stuff and left the store and got into his truck and drove away. Not a chance of having a conversation of even just saying, “hi.”
My job as a merchandiser demands that I make contact with people in respective stores. I either have to talk to the lead cashier, the assistant manager, the price-changer, the order clerk, or the store director. If I entered the store wth my head tilted downward, trying not to be noticed, eventually my company is going to notice me for all the wrong reasons and soon I wouldn’t be recognized by them at all. I would be out of a job.
My challenge to myself and to those of you reading this, practice recognizing people. Don’t avoid them. Connect with them. Then watch how they connect with others or start connecting with others. Make it a habit to recognize people. To my pastor friends out there, you know to recognize people in your church. Greeting them as they walk through your church’s halls and sanctuarys rather than sitting down front with your back to the people. Right?
Show Yourself Friendly
I just read a great article regarding on how we are suppose to connect with outsiders. The outsider I am talking about is those who don’t call any church their home. Studies have shown that most Christians are far more comfortable hanging out with those already going to Heaven than those who are destined for eternal darkness. I find that pretty sad, but I do understand the tangibles involved in sharing one’s faith. I think we find ourselves predestined to just not say anything regarding one’s faith, first convincing ourselves that they aren’t interested. Second to the fact we convince ourselves we don’t know what to say. Too bad too because if we only engaged someone, I am sure they will have an answer to where they are in their faith or non-faith living.
The Bible say’s in Colossians 4:5
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” This is a great verse and I pray more would take it to heart. We all work with those “not of the faith,” yet with our ticket punched, we watch them live on the edge of eternal lostness. Some would ask, “what will it take for you to share your faith?” Others would say, “They’re in God’s hands because I prayed for them,” then ignore the greatest responsibility we have as Christ-followers and invest in them with our time in order to lead them to eternal life in Jesus Christ.
Just as Paul exhorts the church in Colossia, we are to “make the most of every opportunity.” Can we do that? Or do we want to complicate by saying things like, “If only my church offered a class on evangelism, then I’d be more prepared to share.” Or “I am just waiting for the right opportunity, then surely I will be ready.” But here’s my rebuttal. Verse three in the same verse say’s, “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message.” Pray for the opportunity first, then trust God to give you wisdom on what to say when the opportunity arises.
Just today an elderly gentleman walked by my house. It is his custom (habit) to walk by my house. Usually he is carrying a camera on a tripod and headed down to the river that runs behind my house to take pictures. Today I was jumping into my car and since I’ve never been outside when he’s walked by, I took the opportunity to start a connection. As he walked by my car, I waved, rolled down my window and asked him if I thought springtime would ever come. He smiled, we chatted, and he said, “Let’s get through February and I am sure spring will show itself in March.” Then he headed on his way. A “created community” has just begun.
It all begins with showing ourselves friendly. Be friendly with someone today. Pray. Then ask God to open an opportunity to engage them on the topic faith walking.
Leaving the 99
I want to continue my storyline in regards to showing myself friendly to the elderly guy who walks daily by my house. (See previous http://charliereport.wordpress.com/2009/02/11/show-yourself-friendly/). I was walking through my paper route one morning and on occasion, I asked myself a “what if…” question. Like what if I had gone to Taiwan instead of Cambodia? Or what if I had never moved away from the Lewiston-Clarkston valley? As in never had moved. Or what if I had gotten married right out of high school? Or what if I had never stopped working at Fred Meyer? (That would be 30 years instead of 20 years experience with Fred Meyer). I know its not healthy to asked that question too many times but I usually go with the safe ones when asking myself “what if I could do so and so?” This morning my “what if” took me to a dream that I have. Its a ministry dream.
In this ministry dream I am a senior pastor at a growing church. Now a disclaimer needs to be put in here and that disclaimer is that I actually know that I don’t really believe I would want to be a senior pastor at any church. My dna say’s I am a good team player and a facilitator of someone else’s vision. I have way more experience being an associate pastor and have absolutely no experience being a senior pastor and really have no desire to be one. That said, I occasionally think about being one and I think that puts me in a “safe mode.” Meaning I am free to dream because I really don’t seem myself in that role. I think you get the picture.
So… in my “what if” moment this morning I am the lead pastor at a growing church in, say, Vancouver, Washington, the place I want to die in if Jesus doesn’t come before I die. I tell the congregants that Jesus tells the story about how a shepherd sees one sheep is gone and he does what most church people would not appreciate from their pastor, he left the 99 other sheep who were safe (on their way to Heaven) and went to find the lost one. I tell the congregants they are the 99 and I feel led by God to go find lost sheep. And then get in my car and go connect with people in the community in search of people far from God. On my way out of the church doors, I grab a board member because if he can be an eye-witness to this “finding the one,” he might want to do the same thing.
Its a long story to reach this conclusion, but if I truly believe that Jesus Christ came to “seek and save the lost,” and that the ninety-nine (the “save” people) are safe, I should lead the way in reaching lost people. Agree? or Disagree?
Wiser, Safer, Friendlier
It’s been 31 years since I last lived here in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. Moving away May 27, 1978 and returning May 24, 2008. My family and I are considering moving across the Snake River to the Clarkston side of the valley. I was born in Lewiston but lived in Clarkston until I was 18. I am considered a 12 year student meaning I went to the same school district for all my school education, graduating from Clarkston High School in 1978. I went to three different elementary schools and a middle school that moved to a brand new middle school in the middle of my sixth grade year. Now that we are thinking about moving there, I am wondering if the city of Clarkston is wiser, safer, and friendlier today than 31 years ago.
It will take me a while to find check the crime reports from 1978 and compare them to 2008, but that would be one way I could find out if its safer. How about wiser? It seems the city and Asotin County have done some fine things to make it a better place to live. The best instance is the Asotin County Aquatic Center. Check it out here. http://www.co.asotin.wa.us/aquatic_about.htm. My kids and I love it there. It doesn’t cost that much compared to doing the same thing in Seattle. It more personal because its smaller and it is easily the best place to go to cool off. You can spend the day or part of a day there. So I would say that was a wise thing to do. They have had financial difficulties funding it, but its still alive and kicking. Another thing the County and City of Clarkston has been wise in is to approve the building of a Super Walmart, scheduled to open this fall. That will bring lots of jobs into Clarkston as well as great, affordable place to shop.
As for friendlier, well I haven’t lived there, since we did move to Lewiston, so I won’t be able to prove its friendlier since I lived there 30 years ago until I do make the move across the river.
But for economic reasons, like not paying Idaho State income tax and finding a cheaper place to live, I think we will take our chances on the fact that yes, indeed, Clarkston will, at the very least be as friendly if not friendlier today.
Love God
Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39 (New International Version)
When you can’t pay your bills, can’t decide which one should pay today, when you get your hours cut at work, when you fight over things that you will later laugh about, when your kid comes home with bad report card, or a black eye, or your neighbor runs over your garbage can, when your cat dies, your teeth rot, your head aches, your alarm clock doesn’t go off, your team loses, you strike out, your wife ignores you, you ignore your wife, you yell at your kids to stop yelling, you cancel your dream vacation because you know you can’t afford it, your credit card company cancels your credit card, you default on your home loan, car loan, boat loan, race car loan, when you kick the can but feel like kicking the bucket, when your kid throws up in the back seat, when you throw up because your kid throws up, when your laughing at something that is absolutely not funny, when your brakes go out, your windshield cracks, your air-conditioning goes out, you decide to tithe, decide not to tithe, decide to go to church, then decide not to go to church, when God doesn’t answer your prayer or answers the wrong prayer, when you feel all is lost, and yet you find your car keys, when your either getting busy living or getting busy dying, remember to do this: Love God.
Praise You in this Storm
I was taking my kids to school this morning because I promised them that if they were good last night, I’d give them a free ride. Meaning they didn’t have to ride the bus. Well my son qualified but the daughters conduct was questionable so she got the free ride by default. Why leave one behind? On my way back from dropping them off, Casting Crowns song “Praise You in this Storm” came on the radio. I have always liked this song and there are words in it that mean more to me. “Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand“ and being the emotional person that I am, the tears started falling down my face. I was reminded of the passage in the Bible where it say’s something about no crying in Heaven. I wonder how in the world I could not cry when I am in the presence of my Great God. Even as I write, my eyes well up with tears ready to drip over the edge. “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’”
I would love to say I am not going through any storm, but with the economy being the way it is and more closer to the point, yesterday I was informed that I lost 24 hours of work this week due to a project being cancelled. That’s a lot of lost and needed cash that was to come my way. So this song made me ponder. My pondering reminds me of where do I put my trust? In money or in God, who can provide for all my needs. I choose the latter because no politician has ever knocked on my door and handed me cash. But I’ve received financial benefits from all kinds of sources that could have only been provided by God. (maybe someday I will share my ten best stories of Gods provision in time of need). Today I praise God in this storm.
I’ve cut and pasted the lyrics to Casting Crowns song “Praise you in this Storm.” Enjoy.
Praise You In This Storm
Written by Mark Hall / Music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms
If there ever were a test of our faith – if there ever were a test of the motives of our worship – it is when a storm rolls into our lives. We watched and prayed for a precious little girl named Erin Edwards struggle with a deadly disease for several years. The courage, the witness, and the worship of Erin’s mother Laurie inspired this song. Sometimes God calms our storms. Sometimes He chooses to ride them with us.
Romans 8:28 / 2 Corinthians. 4:16-18
Psalm 42:5 / Psalm 121:1-2
Job 1:20-21 / Daniel 3:16-18
2005 Club Zoo Music (BMI) / SWECS Music (BMI) (adm. by EMI CMG Publishing) / Word Music, LLC (ASCAP) / Banahama Tunes (ASCAP) (adm. by Word Music, LLC)
Lyrics
I was sure by now
God, You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with You”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
CHORUS
I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with You”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
CHORUS
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth
(repeat)
CHORUS
Though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
Character Kid of the Month
Once a month at my children’s elementary school they emphasis a specific character. My kids go to Whitman elementary and using the word Whitman, they’ve chosen characteristics that start with a letter. At least that’s the way I understand it. Well this month’s Character is Honesty. And this month’s winner, to be announced today, Friday, February 27, is my daughter, Anika. You gotta know that does a parents heart good when your child is chosen for something. Right? Well I am as proud as can be and trying extraordinarily hard not to tip off my daughter that she is about to be chosen. We are to arrive at the school’s gym this Friday before three o’clock. That is when the whole school goes to the gym for an assembly and the winner of this month’s Character Kid is announced. So shhhh. Don’t tell my daughter. It’s a surprise.
When we asked her what the character for the month was, she said, “Honesty. Now I have to always tell the truth.” We got a good laugh out of that. But then got to thinking about it and both my kids are pretty honest. They tell it like it is. So, congratulations to my daughter Anika for being a good example at school.
I joined facebook a week ago and found out quickly that my previous thought of “is friendship overrated?” was simply wrong thinking. I have many long, lost, friends. They have all been hanging out in facebook. I am enjoying reconnecting with friends. I have friends in Cambodia, Singapore, Southern California, Seattle, Portland, Tri-Cities, Oregon, and many other places in-between. It’s a great way to connect and just give snippets or journalistics of one’s life. If you haven’t joined facebook, check it out and give it a try.
Driving Snow
On Thursday I drove to Pullman, Washington to work at the Safeway store there. It started snowing once I got to the top of the Lewiston hill. But it wasn’t really snowing that hard. Then the wind picked up as I got closer to Pullman and by the time I pulled into Safeway’s parking lot, the wind was blowing so hard and it was snow so much, it was as though the snow was coming from the ground instead of the sky. I went to work and two hours later took a short coffee break and it hadn’t stopped snowing. An hour later when I was finished working, Iwent to my car and the ground was all white. I proceeded to drive home and with so much snow on the ground, I pulled over and put my Xterra into four-wheel drive. I was able to go quite far before running into any traffic, but when I did, I had to slow way down. Now I was the last car of 12 cars in a row and the lead car was doing 35 miles and hour. Probably saved my life. Instead of pulling over, that lead car lead us all to the top of the Lewiston hill and that was the only place any of us could pass him. Visibilty was terrible with the blowing snow. I am grateful to make it back home safely. A little later on, I picked up my kids and it had started snowing in the valley. Can anyone tell me when is spring coming?
Daylight Saving Time
It’s that time of year when we “spring forward” and lose that valuable one hour sleep. Being a “paper boy” now means I will definitely be needing to go to bed earlier than before since I want to get jumpstart on delivering the papers. Now I am curious to find out if it is “darker” in the mornings or does it start getting lighter in the mornings? Last summer it was great to finish my route in daylight. Less encounters with skunks. This city is loaded with skunks. My wife thinks the scent of a skunk equals the smell of coffee. I totally disagree. And she loves coffee. The scent of a skunk burns my nostrils and the smell of coffee picks me up. So here’s to another time change, another roaming the house changing clocks, including the one in my car, and here’s to longer days and hopefully SPRING!!!
Meeting Missionaries
Today I had lunch with several missionaries representing countries from Argentina to Russia. Having spent a couple of years on the mission field and pastoring at an ethnic church for 11 years I’ve always shared their hearts passion when it comes to reaching lost people. I admire their passion to serve abroad. I enjoy their stories because I can relate to life in a foreign country. Walking down dirt roads, smells in the air that are pungent to say the least, smiles from hardly dressed children, warped heat or cold, dust everywhere, and mosquitos by the masses. You either got it, get it or can’t stand it, when it comes to having a heart for missions. But it is for everyone. Because God gaves us all the ability to adjust. To adjust to extreme changes, climate, controls, and governances. We do adjust. Just remember the last time you moved to a different house, town, or changed jobs. You adjusted. So no one is off-limits when it comes to doing missions work. We all just get an “out.” That out simply is to say, “I don’t want to do it.”
I’ve met countless people who regret not responding to the call of God on their lives to do missions work. I met a young lady several years ago who told me that when she was a little girl she knew she wanted to be a missionary. But when she grew up, she married someone who was never going to go to the mission field and today, she still hasn’t fulfilled that childhood dream. One missionary today, Steve Shoop, said the same thing. He has met several people who “only wished they had followed their dream of becoming a missionary.”
When I lived in Cambodia, I worked with young people right out of college and with retireees. It was great. Great because we all had one thing in common. We wanted to reach people and lead them to Jesus Christ.
So today was a great day to sit among those who had the one thing in common, reaching the lost. I loved it and I pray for much success for each of them.
Going Green on St. Patrick’s Day
The only day I consider myself a “think green” person. Having the name Grogan let’s everyone know that I really am Irish. It used to be O’Grooggan. The it became O’Groggan. Then O’Grogan. Then eventually what it is today. Grogan. I looked up my Irish ancestry once and found out my ancestors are from around the central part of Ireland. So today I sit with my green shirt on, drinking brown coffee, wearing blue tennis shoes and blue slacks, contemplating working today.
In my small town, people everywhere have St. Patrick’s Day decorations on their houses. Pretty cool stuff. I think I will make green Kool-aid and buy some shamrock cookies. Have a great St. Patrick’s Day everybody.
Key to success
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” — Deuteronomy 6:5-9.
My favorite passage in the Bible and if we’d all just practice loving God, all would be successful. Even in our deepest, darkest moments, if we learn to love God by trusting Him with all our hearts, our soul, and our strength, He will pull us through them, as He walks with us. Loving God no matter what inspires me to live for Him and not worry about the economy. Do you trust in God no matter what? Do you love God no matter what? Share that with someone else today and make a difference in their lives as well.
Sometimes They Come to Your Door
I reread Bill Hybels book, Just Walk Across the Room not that long ago and I’ve already posted in here remarks regarding the book and how its been applicable to my life. This past Saturday added an interesting twist to this idea of sharing our faith with people.
Our doorbell rang Saturday around twelve-thirty in the afternoon. I peered out our glass window in our door and saw a face I was familiar with. A little friend of my daughter Anika. Her name is Ashley. Out in the car was Ashley’s parents and her two sisters. Ashley wanted to know if Anika could spend the night at her house. We agreed and off went my daughter. It was Anika’s first sleepover and we weren’t sure it was a good idea. My daughter is six, soon to be seven, and the idea of her being at someone’s house that we were only just getting to know, made us a bit nervous.
It was very quiet at our house. The next morning Anika arrived all fit and had even asked if it would be okay if Ashley went to church with us. Since Ashley and her family are not church attenders, we were pleasantly surprised when the mom, Lisa, said it would be okay. So we got us a second daughter for half a day. We took Ashley to church and since my daughter is in the Valley Kidz worship team, Ashley got to join her and both of them came and led our Little Kid’s, ages 3 t0 6, in worship. You could tell Ashley and Anika were having a great time.
Ashley then came to our house for lunch. They live “way out of town,” so we took her home and then were able to visit with the parents Lisa and Dan for quite awhile. Dan has been remodeling there house and it was great to see the progress he was making.
Andy Stanley calls it Invest and Invite. We did the investing and when it comes to this years Easter Sunday, the invite will come too. If you are a Christ-follower, I’d just like to ask you all to pray for Lisa, Dan, Ashley and her sisters. That by investing in building a relationship with them, they’d find relationship with Jesus Christ. Can you do that for us? Thanks in advance.
tips for connecting with people
1. When shopping at Home Depot, wear orange. People will approach you thinking you work there.
2. Watch for your neighbor to take out his garbage or return it to their home, then do the same, at the same time. Makes for great conversation.
3. Stand at the bus stop with your kids. Especially if there are other parents there. This was the regular routine when we lived in Bothell. Great opportunity to engage your neighbors and invite them to church.
4. Take in a baseball game. Doesn’t matter if you are rooting for either team on the field. Sit behind home plate or nearby, talk to elderly dads, they love the conversation.
5. If you have a dog, take him/her for a walk in your neighborhood. People engage people with pets. Especially where I live. We just don’t happen to have a dog.
6. Become a merchandiser. You meet all store management. Make sure they know your name. You will get to meet some great people who know a whole lot of more people.
7. Give good customer comments and make sure you leave your name, number and phone number. Instant access for them to connect with you.
8. Go to the local park and play hoops. Someone is going to want to shoot with you. We did this all the time in college. Still works today.
9. Attend school functions. Show yourself friendly. Wait for results.
10. Invite everyone you meet to Easter Sunday service, this Easter.
Heaven on my mind lately
With the economy being in the putz, I’ve thought about God, Heaven, going to Heaven, living in Heaven and some thoughts have been about who we’d see, what we’ll be doing in Heaven, and the awesome thoughts of living there forever.
I read this poem below on John Fischer’s website. He didn’t know the other, nor do I, but I liked it and wanted to share it with you.
I was shocked, confused, bewildered As I entered Heaven’s door, Not by the beauty of it all, Nor the lights, or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven Who made me sputter and gasp– The thieves, the liars, the sinners, The alcoholics, and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade Who swiped my lunch money twice. Next to him was my old neighbor Who never said anything nice.
Herb, who I always thought Was rotting away in hell, Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, ‘What’s the deal? I would love to hear Your take. How’d all these sinners get up here? God must’ve made a mistake. “And why’s everyone so quiet, So somber – give me a clue.” “Hush, child,’ He said, “they’re all in shock. No one thought they’d be seeing you.”
When That Voice Say’s Something
You know when it happens. You do something and “the voice,” your conscience, “something spoke to me,” say’s something to you and you have a moment to respond. Do you listen to the voice? Or do you ignore it, brush it off, or let the words sink in and then respond? Well Thursday morning, “the voice,” spoke to me. I was putting things together while staying in a hotel in Spokane and felt compelled to take a moment to find “the word for today.” That “word” would be to simply open my Bible and find something compelling, awe-inspiring, challenging, life-changing, or simply “a Christian duty.” I open my Bible and thumbed through it looking for something I underlined, highlighted or a word to jump out at me. I by-passed several of the above-mentioned as this particular Bible is full of highlights and underlines. I stopped at I Corinthians 9:27. I had previously underlined, “…I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” The whole passage deals with running in a race and running to win.
I left my hotel room, went to work, and when I came back, I found the following note on my Bible, “I would like to say thanks 4-leavin your Book opened. I read the first 1/2 page. Thanks again. Enjoy, Sammy. I needed it.”
Sometimes we listen to the voice, the Holy Spirit, our conscience, or whatever you want to call it, and when we do, we get cool results. Sometimes when we ignore it, we miss out on doing something great for someone else. I want to be a vessel used by God, to help others grow, especially in relationships with God.
Living Like Only Jesus Matters
When I was a kid, the only thing I wanted to do was play. I played with Tonka trucks, G.I. Joe army men, marbles, and eventually grew up a bit to ride a bike and shoot BB guns. Not a care in the world. No bills to pay, no Walkman to isolate me from friends and family, no Gameboy, and really not much decisions on what I was going to eat at any particular meal or any time of the day. The food was provided for me by my hard working dad and my stay-at-home mom.
Since I grew up going to church since I was a kid, Jesus took on a persona that I sometimes wish I could go back to. It was only Him. I talked to Jesus like I talked to anyone, especially my imaginary friends. I lived like only Jesus mattered.
If we take ourselves away from the shopping, the working, the exercising, the family raising, the other things that consume our time, energy, and space, and live like only Jesus mattered, I am certain, life would be way better. To do that would mean we have to rely on Him, Jesus, for everything. Trust becomes the huge factor. Could we do that? Could we even attempt to do that? Could we live like we really only rely on Jesus Christ to make it in life?
The Bible say’s a lot about having utter dependance on God. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.” Matthew 6: 25-27
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5,6
Romans 5 tells us of the peace and joy we can have through relationship with Jesus Christ.
I challenge myself to totally trust God for everything and live like only Jesus matters and then watch how He leads my life to connect with others.
Avenues
I enjoy meeeting people. I am sure I was shy at some time in my life. But as I’ve grown older and met more people, I’ve grown accustom to talking to people. In my life, I’ve talked to students at high schools, drunks on the streets of Portland, Oregon, a hitchhiker in Louisiana, children at schools and church, and neighborhoods, and kids waiting for the school bus. The best thing I could do was connect with them, encourage them, tell them there is hope and that hope is Jesus Christ.
Many times we are given avenues to walk on. If we trust God, we know that He directions all our paths. Sometimes the avenues come walking up our streets or live next door or across the street when my kids are waiting for their bus. Sometimes you get to meet really cool people or families when you accept your kids invite to attend a birthday party. My wife and I are meeting more and more people and we are becoming more and more intentional with our visiting.
I’d like to hear from you, my readers, avenues that are opening up for you to make connections with people in your parts of the world. Tell me your stories.
Front door living
I’ve already posted a similar blog on this, but it keeps happening to our family. People are just outside our front door. Whether its the kid who wants my kids to join him at the bus stop, who knocks loudly and seriously wants to inquire, or the neighbors across the street who we just got introduced to last Friday. Their son rides his bike in circles around our little portion of the neighborhood. Then there is our next door neighbor who just brought us some fresh tomatoes from the Dogwood Festival. He was given way more than he could use, so he decided to share. Its an ongoing exchange. We are making friends with him, investing time, listening to him as he gives us updates on his ailing mother, and recently himself, in exchange for ongoing invites to go to our church.
This morning I felt in my heart that he will some day show up at church. Pray for him. His name is Harold. If we live going out our front door, we get to connect with many people. If we go into our garage, get in our car, open the garage door, we only get to wave to our neighbors. That’s how we lived in our old house.
Front door living is a great way to meet people.
Swine Flu, Whine Flu, or Fear flu
So here we go again. Another flu that comes from another country (this time Mexico). According to statistics, 13000 people have died this year from our “normal” flu. A flu that we have no cure for, but an antiboitic that helps us get through it or somewhat prevent it.
The media, and there is a lot of them, want us to be fearful. When was the last time I got all the symptoms of the flu? Fever over 100, headache, body aches, sore throat, dry cough, chills or fatigue? A month ago when I had the “normal flu.” Now if I have the same symptoms, I have the swine flu. What would happen if I got the swine flu? My kids school would shut down, I’d wear a mask, along with my kids, and I can imagine how much fun that would be to try and keep a mask on my six year old daughter. We’d be quarantined, where? is anyone’s guess, and I’d be a media sensation for longer than I would care.
Here is my problem with the swine flu. It’s like crying wolf. I don’t want to upplay the swine flu, nor do I want to downplay it. Because if I blow it off and people die from it or millions of people contract it, I will appear foolish. If I hype it up, I am just “spinning it,” and will be mocked for sensationalizing it, but if the “next” flu is way more serious then this one, we could be so calloused to the reality of any flu and if millions did die from it, we might not be prepared for it. It has happened in the past. (see Wikipedia for pandemics in the past for results).
So, today I live my life normally by making sure I do my part by not spreading diseases, by washing my hands, and sneezing into my shirt sleeve, and encouraging others to do likewise, and trust God.
When I lived in Cambodia, amongst hundreds of diseases, I simply prayed, “Dear God, none of these diseases.” Most of the time I didn’t get sick, and when I did, it’s usually because I ate what I wasn’t suppose to eat, or drank unsantized water. Many of you know what I mean by that.
So, here is my resolve, “In Him I live and Move and Have my being.” Acts 17:28
“God has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7
The Shack
I was recently able to have dinner with Paul Young, author of The Shack. Then the next night he spoke at our church. I am impressed with how he just wanted to write a book for his kids and how this book in manuscript form, got into the hands of others and made an impression. An impression so big, that it became published and now is a best seller.
I am also sad that “Christian” leaders and “church people” would find it in their hearts to criticize someone for having a book written that was only what he thought about how God deals with people’s hearts, but instead had to figure out a way to somehow convince their listeners and/or readers that he was a heretic and should somehow feel bad for writing something fictional. Even more sadder to find out people actually think/thought it was interruption of regular, “normal” church to invite him to speak at our church. Their distaste for it leaves them at a distance from loving God who uses all people to reach other people that we can’t or won’t. Using our church to connect our community to it is a great thing. Inviting a best-selling author who wrote a book to his kids and it happens to get published, is a great thing. Not an interruption.
I doubt I will ever get anything noteworthy, published, but if I ever did, I’d hate it if people critcized me for writing a fictional piece. But I am sure even the best of the best writers were criticized for their literary masterpieces.
Investments
If I spend one hour a week with a seven year old child, teaching him or her about Jesus Christ and how to live for him and I get one year to do that and then move away, I believe my life will have been credited in Heaven. How much? I don’t know. But I will be rewarded for investing in a child’s life. A person who shares or breathes into another person’s life will get credit for that in Heaven. Agree with me? Or disagree with me? I will assume you basically agree with me.
If I share in a ministry with others, we all get credited for the time we invested in those people’s lives we’ve been given responsibility for. If any of us move and those people continue to grow in their relationships, more credit is given to us. I think in this world today we call it paying it forward. I agree and I think in the Christian realm it has to do with making eternal investments. My third grade teacher invested five days a week in teaching me the things I needed to know so that I would be prepared for the fourth grade.
When I teach seven year olds at my church about Jesus and what’s in the Bible, I am preparing them not only for living their live here on earth but for making it into eternity. An eternity I hope is in Heaven.
Though we will never know until we get to Heaven, the impact we have made on a person, its great to know that every day that person or person’s growth puts more credit in our eternal investment compartment. Wherever that may be. I am not thinking about how much I get in Heaven, rather, that my investment time was definitely worth it and definitely worth something.
Thinking about this today came from getting information that a place I used to minister at was growing in a new phase. My investment in that place just grew as they grew. And the cool thing for me, is that no one can take that away from me. God likes addition and He loves to add to what we have invested in.
If you’ve ever invested in person and saw them grow you probably know what I am talking about. If you don’t think your time with someone or a group of people is worth it, rethink it, because it is worth it.
So, on to more investments.
Merchandising Story
I work for four different companies, doing merchandising for all of them. For those of you who don’t know what a merchandiser does, he or she goes into a store like Walmart, Kmart, all groceries stores, and drug stores, and either puts product on a shelf, checks to see if a product is on the shelf, or changes out shelves, this is called resets.
So I get to work in all the grocery stores here in the Lewiston-Clarkston valley and up in Pullman and Moscow. Most days are typical. Sometimes mundane, but I enjoy meeting people so any day could change. On Monday, it changed.
I had been doing some projects at one of our grocery stores and there was a lady who I’d have to make contact with to confirm some product information. To be quite honest, I always felt like she wasn’t very friendly. So I always made my contacts short and to the point. Well this past Monday, it was quite different.
I heard her having a conversation with my supervisor. Her name is Debbra. She was asking my supervisor, Loren, if he attended New Bridges church. She said she thought she saw him. Well it was confirmed that they attend the same church, just sometimes different service times. She went on to say how much she liked the senior pastor there. I’ve never attended, so the names being talked about, were unknown to me.
She told Loren that she had been a Christian about 10 years but only last year understood just how much God loves her. Here is why. She was sprinkled as a baby into the Catholic church, at age eight, she was baptized into the Mormon church and in her twenties, she was baptized into the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
In about 20 minutes time, or less, she shared some life-changing moments in her Mormon and JW day’s. She never felt like she had any relationship with God or Jehovah. She just learned their methods and went through life, quite lifeless. She now calls the Mormon’s who visit her, “those boys who knock on my door.” She always asks them, “Have you always been a Mormon?” They always respond, “yes.” She then tells them they should look around. Check out other “religions” and make sure they investigate Christianity. For the JW’s, she simply was taught that Jehovah sits on a throne and is always pointing fingers at them, making them feel lowly or not good. She was told when she left the Jehovah’s Witnesses, that she was being excommunicated and her response was, “What good religion treats people that way?” She was only too happy to get out.
I wanted to hear more, but we all had jobs to do. I admire Debbra’s change. I admire how she came to conclusion, it wasn’t what she did or had to do, but that God loves us. Period.
Opportunity
My son played baseball for the Angels. A little league team made up of 11 boys, one of whom never played until this year. When the season started the team was typical of a bunch of boys thrown together and trying to get their act together. Three straight loses and it looked like they weren’t going to be much of anything. I personally wasn’t concerned about the wins and loses, but was concerned that their development of turning into baseball players wasn’t up to par. But they continued to practice and to play their games.
Then one game day, it all changed. The pitcher, Julian pitched a great game. He was in a groove and pitched a no-hitter through four innings. When he left the game, it was due to pitch count and not being able to finish. We won the game by a large margin and after that we couldn’t seem to lose. My son continued to struggle batting but for him, it’s about enjoying the game, more than being good at the game. For him, a great thing was getting to walk to first base. He knew that once he got on base he had a chance to score. And scoring a run, for Isaac, was the greatest.
I find it the same with my ambition for being in the ministry. I was told as a kid, crying an praying a the altar that I’d do great things for God. Well to me, great things was going to church, memorizing scripture and getting a star for each accomplishment. When I responded to the call of God on my life, obviously, “greatness” took on a new dimension. I wanted to be the best servant of God that I could be. I dreamed things about ministy and then dreamed about the “dream ministry job.” So doing great things for God was to lead a couple of missions trips to Mexico with youth and young adults and then live a couple of years in Cambodia where I would teach English to medical students in hopes they would want to attend a small group where we studied the Bible.
The biggest difference between those who are doing great things for God, who have hundreds if not thousands reading their blogs,attending conferences where they are speaking, or using their material and those of us who have applied for ministry positions and been rejected 60 times (that would be me), is OPPORTUNITY. Opportunity to use our giftings. Those who would have liked to hired me but couldn’t pay me enough to retain me so they decided not to hire me in the first place. So I’ve relegated my life to doing some great things even though few will see it or hear about it. I am breathing life into a handful of children ages 4 to 6 years old. I am a volunteer.
I’ve learned that no matter how much we try and make volunteers feel important, most of the work a volunteer does, goes unnoticed. Now as a believer, it is easy to say, “But God notices.” Very true, but making a difference in someone’s life, Sunday in and Sunday out deserves high honor. And even some time off.
I’ve met some ministry leaders whether they be pastors, directors, ministry leaders, or assistants, who have had to actually ask people to take time off. Kudos to those who find selfless volunteerism, a great thing and feel a break is not needed. However, eventually even the best of the best need a break. Pastors take vacations. Volunteers need breaks.
Those leaders who have had to ask and sometimes demand that people take breaks have found some volunteers were actually waiting for someone to tell them to stop what they were doing. They honestly didn’t know they could quit. When given the opportunity to step down, they almost ran out of the building.
Doing great things for God and having a gift set that takes you to the noterity level, where almost everything you do is noted and sometimes copied, is sometimes an enviable position to stand in. I would love to work at a growing church, on a multiple staff church, where everyone knows the direction the church is going and vibrantly does their parts. That’s not what I get to do today. I get to breathe into little children’s lives, the evidence of a loving, grace-giving, forgiving Father. I get to tell them that Jesus wants to be their friend forever. I am very cool with that.
To those of you who pastor churches with lots of people and lots of staff and lots of volunteers, please make note of them and tell their stories or let them tell their stories.
I no longer dream of opportunities, rather I live for the moments that where I can be used. If you are ever given an opportunity to something for God, small in the eyes of fellow-believers, but always BIG in the eyes of God, go for it. It will change your life.
School’s Out for the Summer
Today is my kids last day of school. Then its a whole summer of being creative so that they don’t get bored. We dumped TV so that our kids would read more, spend more time outside, write more, and basically not be lazy this summer. Here are some of the things my kids will get to do this summer.
1. Swim for free this Saturday at the Asotin County Aquatic Center.
2. Isaac’s finishes his baseball season on Monday, June 8th.
3. Both Isaac and Anika won free tickets to Silverwood in Northern Idaho for completing a reading program at school. So we will go there sometime this summer.
4. We get to fish in Idaho!
5. Isaac and Anika are joining a summer reading program at their school’s library.
6. Doing the Vacation Bible School roulette with local church’s VBS’s.
7. Taking a trip in July to a yet-to-be-determined destination.
8. Hoping to go to our family reunion in Vancouver, Washington this August and take in the Clark County Fair.
9. They get to hang out with me all summer long. Between jobs of course.
10. They get to sleep past 7:30 a.m. every morning. Yee Haw!!!
What are you and your kid’s summer plans?
Little Known Facts about me (Until Now)
To celebrate turning 50 on February 20, 2010, I thought I’d share some things about me.
10. I once played a 165 holes of golf in one day for a fund raiser. Started in the dark. I had 9 birdies and averaged 89 for nine and half rounds of golf. Still pretty much my average.
9. When I was 34 years old, I played in a basketball game against the Cambodian National Team and lit them up for 23 points. Even though we lost the game, they, the Cambodian National Team, was pointing at me after the game and yelling, “MVP. MVP.” My best athletic performance to date. Maybe my last best athletic performance.
8. When I was a young kid, I used to run into things a lot. One day after we had a convolescent service at the Gerantology Center in downtown Clarkston, I walked out the front door and started down the street and ran smack into a lamp post. It hurt so bad and now my wife knows why I always have that “I must be dumb because I can’t find my car keys, again,” look on my face.
7. I didn’t start drinking coffee until I was 30. It all started when I was working at the Bellevue Fred Meyer and they put a Seattle’s Best Coffee kiosk in there and I finally got up enough nerve to ask if they made banana mochas. I’ve been hooked ever since. And yes I have a banana mocha every day. I make my own now.
6. I am so afraid of falling that one time in 1991 during the Senior Breakaway for the seniors at Shoreline Community Church, at the indoor water park in the West Edmonton Mall, the guys decided I should go down the large slide. They carried me, kicking and screaming, all the way to the top and if it wasn’t for the “she saved my life from falling,” lifeguard who gave them all a mean snear and a loud command, “Put him down! Now!” that prevented me from actually going down the slide. To this day, I’ve never gone down one of those things.
5. I am almost certain I still hold the “average yards per carry” record at Clarkston High School. I carried the football one time and gained 11 yards and a first down. It was a reverse to the wingback. I took the ball and went around the end and no one saw me until I had cleared the line, by then, only one guy stood between me and the endzone. Since I had very little game experience, I just tried to run over him. He tackled me and then 20 other guys jumped on top, or so it seemed. I never carried the ball again. When you were 4 feet 11 inches tall and weighed a hefty 98 pounds, conventional wisdom said, “Quit now young man if you ever want to grow up and be a dad.” So I turned to managing football teams instead.
4. I’ve never drank a beer. Here’s why: When I was a kid I picked up a beer bottle to throw it and what came out landed on my shirt and stunk so bad, it made a lasting impression on me all my life. It helped that in 8th grade the science teacher showed us a picture of “This is your Brain.” “This is your brain after a few beers.” Sealed the deal.
3. I’ve been able to do a lot of traveling and I’ve been to about as many states in the U.S. as I’ve been to foreign countries. About 16 each. I’ve been as far as Miami, Florida, in the States, and as far East as Singapore and Manila, Philippines. But I’ve never been to South Dakota.
2. I, like a lot of my friends have sang the National Anthem with Contemporary Christian singer, Natalie Grant. At a couple of Sonics games. Very proud of Natalie and her amazing singing career.
1. I always thought I would like to meet my wife in a strange, or exotic, or cool place. Meaning, not at church, or a camp, or at school, or work. I thought like maybe at a library, or on a vacation, or coffee shop, or just bumping into her. Well I did meet my wife, Myleen, in a strange, exotic, and eventually cool place. We met in Cambodia. Of all places. She was teaching school to missionary children in the provinces. I was teaching English to medical students in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia. Real missionary dating. How cool is that?
Death is Death unless its Life
Three famous people died this week, Ed McMahan, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson. All will be remembered for what they contributed to society. Given the fact all were on TV, a lot, they will have lots of passionate followers, sad that they are now gone. We have already been listening to Michael Jacksons’ songs for several decades and now his song’s enter the post-Elvis remembrance.
I have personally lost far more important people to me than these three. My Grandpa Olinger was one of the greatest people I ever got to meet and know. He prayed for me, he sent me support money while I was in Cambodia and I am pretty sure he never sang any songs that got recorded or was in any movie or TV show, but his presence in my life goes noticed.
As Ed, Farrah, and Michael have their funeral’s, memorial services, and watch’s, as fans gather at each sight to remember them, I can’t help but remember my grandfather’s faith and the fact that someday I will get see him in Heaven. His death, is really life. For the Apostle Paul said, “To be present is great but to die (an eternal death), is even greater.” For we know that we get to be with the Lord.
I don’t know Ed, Farrah, and Michael well enough to know their eternal destiny. I would hope they put their faith in God.
Summer baseball/softball under the lights.
I live in a valley with two cities that are separated by a river. The Snake River at the confluence of the Clearwater River. If you drive into the valley from Spokane, you come down a big winding hill. If you come in the evening you can see the lights of both cities. It looks pretty cool. One time my son Isaac commented, “Christmas lights.” Recently I was driving home and looked down at the valley and counted at least five baseball fields with their lights on. Ball was being played. At least three of them are softball fields. In the Orchards there is Hereff Field, Church Field, and Airport Park. Way out in Clarkston Heights is the Field of Dreams, and close to my house is Harris Field. All with their lights on and games being played.
For me, growing up and playing softball on warm or hot summer evening was a highlight of my life. Gathering enough guys to get the game going and playing under the lights with friends and family in the stands, is something I enjoyed for many years and I think it’s great that games are being played practically every night in almost every city across this great nation.
What’s some of your favorite baseball/softball games played during the summer.
Fourth of July
Much can be said about celebrating the 4th of July. Our freedom, our nations birthday, our picnics, our fireworks, our baseball games, our eating apple pie and used to being able to say Chevrolet, as being all-American. But the best part of today, this July 4th of 2009, was being able to celebrate it with friends and family. We had an awesome day. Starting with going to an Aquatic Center and swimming for about three hours. Then watching several minutes of great fireworks. A special thank you to all of you in Clarkston, Washington for lighting off your illegal fireworks, you outdid yourself andwe all loved them. They were much appreciated.
My Fourth of July enables me to celebrate freedom to make choices and not have choices made for me. I enjoy the freedom to worship God as I please, to go to work where I want to work, and to raise my children with hopes they too will have freedom to do the right things.
Hope you had a great Fourth of July.
Life Lite
Woke up yesterday to a couple of swimming races taking place on the Snake River. Watched a couple of groups of swimmers standing on the Clarkston Beach,doned in green caps waiting to plunge into the river. It was a 3/4 mile race that would take them under the blue bridge to another beach. Eight o’clock in the morning never sounds like a good time to go swimming, for me. But here they were, taking the plunge. Since I don’t subscribe to the local newspaper, I don’t yet know who won either race.
I do know that this kind of race isn’t the kind where anyone would wake up and say to themselves, “I think I will swim in a race today.” Not without some kind of preparation for it. It’s the word “preparation” that I find either fulfilling a persons life, or shortcutting a persons life. Paul exhorts people to run in a race and finish it. To not let anything cut in front of them and detour them.
When we prepare for something, we have much chance to succeed. Then if we are aloof and foolhardy in our approach to life. In a time where lots of drinks are “lite” and diet foods are in abundance, are we “lite” in our life, shortcutting our life, or are we prepared for the long haul? You decide.
Open to Change More Than We Think?
We change our clothes. We change channels. We change lanes. We change our taste in what we drink, eat, and what we sleep on. We change our pets. We change the color of our hair. We change more than we think. Our problem with change is when something is changed to our dislike. It could be one spouse wants a different car. It could be the color of another person’s hair. The way we do church. The menu at at our favorite restaurant. You can put your own problems with change in here. But it really comes down to someone else changing what we like.
How do you handle change? Are you a changemonger, loving change all the time, or do you despise change? Except when it’s nickels, dimes and quarters?
Personal Happiness and Small Change
I recently was hired full-time at the Super Walmart in Clarkston, Washington. It’s kind of a culmination of rising to the top and falling to the bottom life that I’ve lived that past 49 years. Since my parents raised me until I was 18, I can’t really count those years in my rise to the top, with one huge exception. What my parents taught me during those years. They taught me to be nice — all the time. To say “please” and “thank you” at every given opportunity. To treat others the way I want to be treated. To go to church at every given opportunity. To lead an honest life. Make wise decisions. They taught me that every decision comes with a consequence. Make a good decision, usually good consequences. Make a bad decision, usually bad consequences. They taught me that alcohol, tobacco, and drugs are bad for my body and if I should indulge myself in any of them, they taught me what would happen to my body. I ended up only sipping some wine and since I have a distaste for it, it was only a few times. I place emphasis on “what those three things would do to my body,” not on whether it was the right or wrong thing to do.
So I grew up and went on my merry way. I won’t indulge you in my whole life, except to say I graduated late. I was 31 when I graduated from college. I married later. I was 37 when I got married. I became a dad even later. I was a dad five weeks before my 40th birthday. When I reached 40, I started to increase my income. Along with the duel income of my wife, we started making a lot of money. We bought our first house when I was 41. Sold it and bought another house when I was about 45 or 46. Thought we needed a rental home but found out too late that we didn’t and lost it to foreclosure. When I lost my well-paying job as an associate pastor, I eventually had to short-sale my house. Thus started the fall to the bottom. I started quoting, “How low can I go?” My wife didn’t like me saying that so I stopped.
I have always been a positive person. I see the glass mostly full and life can change in a moment so I try not to sweat the small stuff. I can catch fish one day and nothing the next. I started working one job, then another, then another, then another, and currently work 5 jobs. Since I will be full-time with Walmart in a week or two, I will be quitting at least one of them. The other three are flexible enough to keep.
I would never say Walmart is the bottom. But I know a lot of people would. Most people, I concur probably criticize or make fun of Walmart. But they shop there. Most would say, “I’d never work for Walmart” but most of them shop there.
Here’s what I’ve found out so far. Those who make less money seem to be more happy. Maybe its because they can’t afford much of anything. So they have less to concern themselves with. Most of the people I’ve gotten to know at Walmart are very friendly people. I don’t know them off the worksite yet, so I don’t know what attitudes they take home with them.
Most companies, and churches could learn a lot from Walmart. Communication is huge. They have three team meetings a day. Simply to go over decision-making items, make suggestions and get store reports. I think it’s pretty cool that they’d think all employees should stay “in the know.” They have an open door policy. You can criticize, suggest, and complement what Walmart does without any threat of retaliation. Maybe these policies have been defective to some disgruntled employees, but just having them at our disposal makes for a better working environment.
So, for me, my personal happiness has changed. I have a lot of stuff. Because I once made a lot of money. Now I just adjust it because now I can’t afford what I used to be able to afford. Our trips to Disneyland will become farther in between. Our electronic purchases, phones, TV’s, computers, video games, and accessories will be more thought out.
At any rate, the changes to my personal happiness have changed. But they are small considering where I could be. Now I sing a different song, “How high can I fly?” I think it’s heavenly.
Face Value
In today’s world, we have icons that represent different companies. I could list a ton here, but for the sake of not insulting your ignorance or having to read what you already know, I won’t. But they are out there and they identify a specific company. Some everyday things have their own icon, though it is not a logo. Church’s have crosses, stadiums have lights, cementaries have tombstones, city streets have stripes on them, and you can add your own here.
In sports there is something we call “the face of sports.” For instance, Tiger Woods is arguably the “face of golf.” Roger Federer is arguably the “face of tennis.” In team sports, it hard these days to put a face on them. It’s probably more like a franchise or a group of players at a specific position. I think you could put Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Ben Rothlisberger on football, and you could put either the New York Yankees or the Boston Red Sox as the face of baseball. Basketball brings the ongoing war between Kobe Bryant and Lebron James. I will go with the NBA logo of Jerry West or throw in David Stern as the face of basketball.
Whether its an icon, a logo, or the face of something, it comes down face value. How much value do you put on a particular thing and is that face value living up to its demands? If you have face value, you are worth something. Maybe not to everybody, but your definitely worth something. However, we can all screw up our face value. We can become dishonest, judgemental, have a critical, unforgiving spirit, and lose face value.
Lots of famous people have lost face value because of how they’ve acted off-screen, off-field, or out of the office. Doing damage by doing basically dumb things. We, as individuals, seem to value the face value of others and we contribute to their value when we serve up gratitude, praise, or honor for what we’ve deemed as good sportsmanship, workmanship, or citizenship.
In my life Jesus Christ is the face value of my whole belief system. I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe he died on a cross for me, forgives me of my wrongdoings, and has prepared a place for me to live forever, when that day comes. He gives me life, great life, abundant life, eternal life, and for that I am forever grateful. How I act, live, and do life, enhances my relationship with Jesus Christ. I can screw up and lose face value with those around me, but to Jesus Christ, he loves me so much, I don’t lose value to him.
Something to think about.
Keeping Current
Now that I have a new best friend, Facebook, I am finding it hard to blog. I get current, updated news from friends and family in Facebook and because I can give instant updates in there, I don’t take the time to come to WordPress and blog. I will try harder. I will challenge myself to blog more and link my blogs to Facebook for quicker reading by friends and family.
Yesterday I took the family to the beach in Clarkston for one of our last swims of the summer. Swimming in the Snake River is pretty cool. We can see the beach from our house. To get to the beach we have to drive over the Blue Bridge separating Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington. Lewiston doesn’t have a good beach. So it’s worth driving to the Clarkston side.
My kids start school this Wednesday. They are excited to start, although my son wishes summers lasted forever. I am excited for them, although my work schedule will make it hard for me to see them off or to be home when they get home from school.
On Wednesday September 2nd, I get to help open a brand new Super Walmart in Clarkston. I have been working there getting the store ready to open, now for about a month. It’s tough work. I am always sore and tired. Having two day weekends to recover is very helpful.
Today is Sunday and the day we get to go to church. A rest day.
Following God’s Leading Doesn’t Always Mean Doing What You Want to Be Doing
Quite honestly, I would prefer to be full-time in the ministry. I’ve been on staff in some sort of capacity at three different churches and volunteered at five or six churches in my lifetime. I’ve helped plant a church and I’ve worked with youth, children, married couples, and administrated a whole church of about 175 people. But for whatever reason, (unknown to me, but well known to God), instead of planting another church, or staffing at another church, in two days I get to help open a brand new Super Walmart in my hometown. Now those who know me best, know that I worked for Fred Meyer for 20 years, most of it in the grocery department. Instead of taking the 15 to 17 years of ministry experience and applying it to a church staff position, I get to take those 20 years and help a Walmart start a new store.
Some would say, and I am partially in that camp, that God is using my grocery giftings appropriately. Others might be thinking I missed God’s leading. Others might say, I am in a “learn something in the storm” period of my life, and others might say, “This is exactly what God has planned for you at this time in your life.” I wish I could whole-heartedly agree. I am kind of there, but most of the time I prefer to go back to my preference. Full-time ministry.
Here’s my point: I am exactly where I am suppose to be, doing what I am suppose to be doing, for however long God wants me to do it. Am I happy with that? I am trying to be happy with that. I am doing no less for God. On the side that I am happy with it, I get to be around so many unchurch people, that if Walmart was a church plant, I’d have a very big (500 employees in one store) church to help a lot of people grow in their relationship with God. (NOTE: To all my pastoral friends, doing what I wish I could be doing, you’ll find your new congregants in Walmarts all over the place.)
To all my fellow pastors who are not pastoring, but wish you could be, the saying is “harvest where your planted,” or something like that, and stay true to God. Because we are right in the middle of it. We have some of the greatest opportunities to reach people some pastors won’t ever get to.
Do I want to retire from Walmart? Hardly. Do I want to grow where I am planted? Definitely. Sometimes God’s leading doesn’t always mean doing what I want to be doing. And that doesn’t lessen who I am with God.
Wednesday September 2nd, I go from planting a church, to opening a Super Walmart. God thinks that’s cool.
Holy Water
I used to work in the seafood department at a Fred Meyer and always felt it funny that I went from being a “fisher of men” to a “seller of fish.” Knowing full well I wasn’t really stopping myself from trying to reach people for Christ. I just felt the irony was remarkable.
One day while at work, I was approached by my fellow co-worker, Jane. (Not her real name). Jane asked me if knew where she could get “holy water.” I said “What?” She replied, “I want to know where I can buy or get some holy water.” I laughed, at first, because no one had ever asked me about holy water, let alone, where to buy some. So I just shrugged and said, “Maybe at the local Catholic Church.” Then asked her why she wanted holy water.
Jane said it was because she thought her sister’s apartment was demon possessed. Now Jane is by no stretch of the imagination, a follower of Christ. She likes to “accept them all.” (all beliefs). I told her I really didn’t know where she could get holy water than said, “If I was going to cast out demons, or pray over a room, I’d use anointing oil.” Her response surprised me again. She said, “Where can I get some anointing oil.” I knew then, she was serious about this demon possessed room. I told her she could get some at the local Christian book and gift store.
End of story for that day. The next time I saw her she told me she went to the Family Christian Book store and bought every single vile of anointing oil and the proceeded to anoint every door frame, every window frame, and anything else she could anoint, including her nieces and nephews. I really wanted to laugh out loud, but I kept it to myself and wondered how on earth someone who has no faith in Jesus Christ, would be so willing to use something that people of faith use to fight against the common enemy, the devil.
So the next time someone asks you where they can buy “holy water,” well you will know what to do.
The Power of Bringing Us Back
As a person who grew up going to church my whole life, I’ve often wondered and many times have been amazed at the “forces” that brought people to Christ. The main force being the Holy Spirit. I am very pleased and again, amazed, when I hear stories of how people came to Christ. I was saved from stealing cookies from the cookie jar, lying to my parents and trying to beat the snot out of my brother Dwayne.
When I hear of people who served God and then fell away from God, stopped going to church, and then made a comeback, I think, “What brought them back?” In my own life, when I’ve gotten too busy to pray intensely, read my Bible more regularly, and pray for more opportunities to reach or influence other people towards a relationship with Jesus Christ, I’v sometimes wondered what would it take to really light a fire under me?
Now I know. Not like I haven’t known this for a long time, but I believe we go through seasons in our lives where we are either “hot” for God, “cold” in our relationship with God, or “lukewarm”, just trying to make it through life. In the past three years, I’ve experienced all three. And God is currently doing something in my life that brings me back to the “hot” for God season. I am sure we had times where we were so “hot for God,” that we told ourselves, “I am never going to let this experience die,” and then a few months or years later, we are no longer hot anymore and we found ourselves asking, “What happened?” When we take inventory of our lives, we find that answer.
So, for me today, here is how God has been working to get me back to being “hot for God. Its quite simple. He is using the Holy Spirit. I’ve been reading the book, “Living in the Spirit,” by George O. Wood. There is too much good information to quote, but I’ve read enough to know that I must live with the Holy Spirit at work in me. I’ve also been reading Bill Hybel’s book, “Just Walk Across the Room.” Bill gives a whole portion to following the leading of the Holy Spirit when being open to being used by God to reach people for eternity’s sake.
Through these two books, with both pointing to read some scriptures, I’ve found myself once again in a season where the Holy Spirit is speaking to me and I am hearing. Other instances are simply hearing what others are saying and being sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is saying in how I approach people or listen to what they have to say.
Prayers to all of you who read this that you will open your hearts and minds to receive what God has for you through the Holy Spirit.
Fall Time
The days get shorter. The air gets colder. The lights of the city burn brighter. People wear more clothing. Walkers in front of my house stride a bit faster. Dogs have more to sniff, or so it seems. Autumn and the time for things to die. Not my favorite time of the year, but a time that I enjoy only the color of trees changing to my favorite color. I love green and I love orange. So it seems appropriate for the trees to change to orange. What I dread, is when the trees live naked for three or four months, waiting for spring and new leaves to appear.
I “get through” the fall and winter by hoping and waiting for spring to reappear. But I also think about it as a “do over.” Things change, yet many people I know can’t handle change. I guess they just tolerate the changes of the seasons. But when it comes to change in their own lives or changes that God wants to bring in their lives, they put up the “speak to the hand,” motion and stand firm in their stoic belief that “change is bad.”
I, for one, enjoy change. I also realize just how fast time flies. When a person works 40 hours a week and works three other jobs, sometimes I get no time off and time goes by so fast, I have to stop and ask what day is it really?
Now its only a few weeks until Thanksgiving and I know I am one of many people who stopped complaining about society “overlooking” Thanksgiving and getting right to Christmas. I think of it as two months of holiday celebration. How about you? I’ve spent over 20 years in grocery retail and I used to get tired of all the Christmas music by the time Christmas actually arrived. Now I want more Christmas music. My daughter recently bought a Christmas cd with her favorite Disney Channel actors and actresses singing some great Christmas songs.
It made me think about how Atheists try so hard to get us to stop saying Merry Christmas during the holidays. Shame on them. Because think about all the Christmas songs that mention the words “Christmas” in them. Even non-faith people enjoy them and would put up fuss if they were outlawed.
I hope you are enjoying fall as much as I am. Happy Thanksgiving and I will hold off the Christmas wishes until the appropriate time.
One Fantastic Weekend
This past weekend, October 9th -11th, I experienced an exceptional three days. First, my wife Myleen, got a promotion in your job. She applied for a new position within the company and got it. Along with it came a significant raise. Then on Saturday my Los Angeles Dodgers, with whom I’ve been a fan since I was seven years old, swept the St. Louis Cardinals to advance in teh MLB play-offs, then on Sunday, I had my 90 day performance review. It went so well that my boss said he was going to recommend me for the opening in management. Then the Seattle Seahawks thumped on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Welcome back Matt Hasselbeck! Then that evening my wife’s favorite football team, the Indianapolis Colts beat up the Tennessee Titans. What a weekend. I read somewhere that promotion comes from the Lord. My hats off to that.
First Snow 2009
It’s snowing as I write. Small flakes and the front walkway and our back deck is white. We were told we could expect up to four inches. Last night the TV stations out of Spokane, Washington said it would start snowing this morning around 2:00 a.m. But in only started snowing around 3:00 this afternoon.
I like snow, especially the first snow. But I am definitely not a lover of snow. The first snowfall makes me all warm and snugly, but when it overstay’s it’s welcome, then I am not so warm. I am more agitated. If I never had to go anywhere, like work, I’d love to just sit and watch it snow a ton. But it’s usually not that way.
Last year I had to do a lot of work in Spokane and the snow up there stayed for about three months. It got all dirty from the exhaust of cars and was plowed into piles in the middle of parking lots.
Playing in the snow on my day’s off, with my two children, is a great time. Sledding and pulling my kids home on the sled make for good fun.
So tonight I enjoy 0ur first snow, while watching, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” sipping lemon tea and eating triple berry pie from Shari’s. I wonder who falls asleep first tonight? Me? Or the kids? And not because the movie is boring but because it goes until 11:00 p.m.
To all of you out there with or without snow tonight, have a blessed evening and keep safe and warm.
2010 — Happy New Year
Having just finished another decade, and with me being born in 1960, this means I get to celebrate my 50th birthday this year. I have mixed feelings about that and will write more on that later on. 2010 got me to thinking about the past 10 years.
Here are my remembrances:
10. Y2K. What was all the fuss about time becoming the year 2000? I remember going to work at midnight hoping something would be amiss so I could go home. Not a chance. Nothing went wrong and I worked my eight hour shift.
9. I became a dad in the last decade. My son Isaac was born January 24, 2000 and my daughter Anika was born in 2002. I love being a dad and it’s probably the best thing for me that I was a dad just before I turned 40.
8. 9/11 changed a lot of things in the world. But really had little impact on me personally. I remember watching the second plane crash into one of the twin towers and it seemed so surreal. I think that was due to the six hours I sat watching the Columbine High School tragedy. It seemed to make 9/11 less impacting. I do remember the silence and weirdness of no planes flying for many hours after the tragedy. I also remember praying for days for every large jet I saw in the sky that they would reach all their destinations.
7. My family and I took two trips to the “Happiest Place on Earth — Disneyland.” Once in 2003 and then again in 2007. Very good times. First trip we drove, with Anika only one year old. That made for an interesting adventure.
6. Buying a new house created a fun, challenging, disappointing, time. Fun to watch it being built, challenging to sell a house in order to buy the new home, pick out the things we wanted in it and then the disappointment of losing a great job and not being able to afford the home anymore and having to sell low.
5. The best movies I saw: Disney’s Cars, The Incredibles, Up, Both National Treasure movies, both Night at the Museum movies, High School Musical Trilogy, The Bourne Trilogy. When you have kids, you watch what you watch.
4. Reconnecting with over 500 friends via Facebook. Probably one of the best things that happened to me in 2009.
3. Celebrating my Grandma Grogan’s 90th birthday. Very nice to spend time with relatives we hadn’t seen in way-too-many years.
2. Celebrating my parents 50th wedding anniversary. Too much fun, especially seeing relatives and some pretty old friends.
1. In the past decade I was greatly impacted by how church was done, is being done, and isn’t being done. I spent hours studying church growth, creating community with those far from God, creating and administrating different ministries, including young adults, children’s ministries, and small groups, and today I have a way better understanding of what people who don’t attend church, need or want. So much time and money spent on helping those already on their way to Heaven, developing leaders, when all Jesus really wants us to do is hang out with those who don’t have a relationship with Him. I pledge to do much better at spending time with those far from God. God has given me a great opportunity to do just that. I currently work full-time in the grocery department of a Walmart Super Store. I meet and work with people every day who need to be connected to a loving, forgiving, life-changing God. This last decade has challenged me to make a difference in other people’s lives. Happy New Year 2010. May it be a good year for you and yours.
Encourage Someone Today
If you’ve ever had a mean coach, teacher, or someone else in your life, you know what it’s like to either retaliate verbally back at them, or sullenly walk away, feeling like your defeated. With all the every day living issues that we deal with, driving in bad traffic, getting bills on a weekly basis, bad television programming, social issues that we feel we can’t do anything about, it’s not very encouraging when someone or some people are mean to you. The opposite of discouraging someone is encouraging someone. People have it tough today. Some worst than others. So we really have no place to put down other people or be mean to them.
I don’t think it’s too hard to find creative ways to encourage others. For a parent it’s telling your child or children that no matter what happens to them, they are loved and they have a lot to offer to others. For the incidental meeting with a stranger, it can just simply be a smile or presenting yourself as being able to help. Others are going to need more than that to feel encouraged, but don’t settle for putting someone down, instead, reach out and pull them up.
Encourage someone today.
Turning 50
Not exactly as I dreamed it would be. Turning 50? Other people turn 50. Not me. When I think of 50, I think of my dad turning 50. But since he is now 71, well it’s time for me to turn 50. I remember working as a cashier at Fred Meyer when I was in my late 20′s and early 30′s I would be checking the ID of men coming through line and when I saw those that were in their 50′s, I would think, “Hey, they look great at 50. I hope I look good at 50.” Well not sure other people would say I look good turning 50. That’s their own opinion and it’s not been expressed to me that much. I do know that some of those I work with today, seem to be surprised that I am “that old.”
I was born February 20, 1960 at 1:17 p.m. at St. Joseph Hospital in Lewiston, Idaho. Since I don’t remember being born, I talked to my parents about my ”birth” day. Two months after I was born I was back in the hospital with bronchial pneumonia. Thanks for the prayers of the people at my church, I survived and a year later became a brother. I would eventually be the oldest of four boys and a girl.
I didn’t get married until I was almost 37 and I became a dad just five weeks before turning 40. Other than being overweight, I have been pretty healthy the past several years. Now comes the yearly check ups. The AARP registration in the mail. And on Saturday I qualify to be a substitute bowler in my dad’s “seniors” league. Wow! Pretty excited about that!
Maybe you can tell me what I qualify for in turning 50. I know I am 5 years away from a discount at Arby’s and a few other restaurants in town.
50 years. Half a century. Best picture for 1960 was Ben Hur. Charlton Heston won best actor for his role in Ben Hur. Two days before I was born the Winter Olympics opened in Squaw Valley, California.
The cost of some things in 1960 were: The price of a car was about $2,600.00. A brand new house would have cost you $12,700.00. A gallon of gas was at $0.25. The average income was $5,315.00. Flour cost 49 cents in 1960; Fresh eggs were also 49 cents. Del Monte peaches were 29 cents a can. Pork chops were 59 cents a pound and sirloin steaks were 89 cents a pound.
Number one song in February 1960? Teen Angel by Mark Dinning.
I was reading in the Bible this morning in Leviticus that 50 is the year of Jubilee. Really? Be jubulant at turning 50? Uh, I think I will just be satisfied that I can be jubulant at crawling out of bed at 50 years old.
50? I feel like I am 30. Well, until I get on the basketball court or the 16th, 17th, and 18th greens on a golf course. Water? Anyone got any water?
Homework and my son
Today at the Lewis-Clark State College baseball doubleheader, my son sat next to his really good friend Patrick. When I told Patrick that we might be moving to a house closer to him, we got to talking about the area and it was noted that Jenifer Junior High School was between us. Patrick told Isaac that he wasn’t looking forward to Junior High because it meant he would have to do a lot more homework.
My son, Isaac’s response was, “I am already in Junior High then.”
He always has more homework than most kids because he always has late work. He does well when he gets his work turned in on time, but he just can’t seem to get it done in class. I got a good laugh from my son’s statement.
Growing Older
One thing I’ve noticed about myself as I grow older is I seem to be more tolerant of people, other people’s vices, and other people’s opinions. Other people’s vices and opinions used to drive me crazy. I’d be pretty much legalistic on ideas and want to cram my opinion upon them, but then I grew older.
Notice I didn’t say grow up. Or I’ve mature. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve become more accepting of other people. The people I am least tolerant these days are people who refuse to drive within the law. People who cut me off, tailgate me, drive slower than the legal speed. I used to live very near to a four way stop. But hardly anyone stopped. Even the law enforcement people took notice and on occasion posted a police in a car near the intersection. It only cured the non-stopping for the moment.
It seems to me that it doesn’t matter what city one lives in, people are always in a hurry to get somewhere. Living in a small community I can be to any restroom within 15 minutes max. So what’s the rush? When we lived in the Greater Seattle-area, driving somewhere was a day’s adventure. Not just a quick jaunt to pick something up. That’s what you do “on your way home.”
A few days ago, I got to spend three days with my parents, my wife and my two kids, camping up in the mountains. The best thing I enjoyed was just sitting around the all day campfire. We’d go fishing then come back and eat and I’d sit by the fire. We would then go four-wheeling and again, I would return to the campfire. It was like a breathe of fresh air. Something I would never take time to do, at home. As I get older, I want more campfire time. I got to talk to my dad. I got to talk to my kids because they always wanted to put something into the fire. Kind of reminded myself when I was a kid. There is definitely something about fire that attracts boys and girls alike.
As I get older I want to slow down. Enjoy the “moments” and drink in the day. Not run “willy, nilly, here and there.” I think I am on my way.
Momentary Distractions
It was my goal a year and a half ago to start this blog in hopes of inspiring my writing. It worked for about a year, then I found Facebook and things changed. I found I could send short notes out and my Facebook friends had a quick read instead of a long blog. I still aspire to write, and I am making this attempt to not be so distracted with Facebook. I love Facebook and its resources but I also love to write. So to all of you who have read my blogs since I stared in February of 2008, I welcome you back and hope to get some blogs written for your enjoyment and your comments.
About The Charlie Report
My name is Charlie and this is my report. I started this report as a newsletter during my time in Cambodia where I was teaching English to medical students at the Faculty of Medicine in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. I was there from 1993 to 1995. My new and updated The Charlie Report deals with my life as I have transitioned from living in the Seattle area to my home town in the Lewiston-Clarkston valley. It has been thirty years since I last lived here and other than getting used to hot weather again and having a family this time around, most everything seems normal. I am a pastor between churches but I’d rather say that I am on an extended sabbatical. I live with my wife Myleen, and my two children, eight year old son Isaac and my six year old daughter Anika. I hope you enjoy reading my blogs and please feel free to give a reply every now and then.
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