Counseling

I am just drained this week. I have had multiple very intense counseling sessions with people. It can just suck the life out of you. I love being a pastor, but sometimes the job just is very, very tough. What do some of the rest of you do to help keep yourself top-notch?

Best book I've read in a long time...

I was at a conference this week when a few guys started talking about the book, The Shack. I quickly asserted that it sounds like fiction therefore I am not interested. My boss, Randy Burg, said, "If you only read one more book this year, this should be it." That meant a lot to me so I started asking questions. The guys were vague, but insisted that it was a great read.

I went to Parables bookstore in Omaha (where the conference was) and picked up the book for like $15. I started reading it on Monday evening. It was so good that I turned the Cubs spanking the Mets off of the television so I could have quiet. I made it half way through the book on Monday evening.

Tuesday at the conference I went to the guys and thanked them for recommending the book. I wanted information from them about how things were going to end. They would not share with me except to say, "Don't stop now." One fella did share that when I read the last few chapters that I should be in a place where I can cry openly.

I finished the book on Tuesday evening. He was right. I had to put the book down multiple times to just openly bawl my eyes out. In all honesty, to me it was more than a book. It was an experience. I want everyone I know to read it. I don't know how you couldn't like it personally. It did take me a few minutes to get over how they personified God, but I get it...

Oh how I would love to spend a weekend in a cabin with the Trinity!

Sweeties!

So I am in my office talking on the phone to a pastor buddy in Ohio when the Pizza Hut guy comes in with a large meat lovers thin and crispy pizza. I told him he had the wrong place and he said that it was prepaid from someone in Omaha! Robyn and Kathy in my District Office went in together to surprise me with lunch!

I have to say that I am blessed beyond what I am worth. God has surrounded me with some awesome people. I love where I am in life. God is amazing.

Just the two of us...

Cindy and I spent the whole day together yesterday on our day off. Both boys were in and out of the house all day, so it was kind of a family day too. We did not get a whole lot accomplished, but it was nice to just kind of relax and take it easy.

We had a few errands to run in the afternoon in Ames. We then went to Red Lobster for dinner. We ate fairly "cheap" and with coupon and tip were able to stay under $40.00. We were going to go see Horton Hears a Who, but decided to rent something instead.

We rented this film, No Reservations. While there is no one getting shot or beat up, and there are no aliens taking over the world, or zombies eating flesh, it wasn't a half bad movie. Off-screen sex is implied, but other than that it is pretty clean.

An independent woman in NYC finds a family when she is not looking for one. The little girl in the movie moved Cindy to tears several times. Guys if you're looking for a date movie...this is it!

Future home?

Well I made a bid on a home yesterday. I guess it is official that we are putting roots down in Boone. I am very happy that God has brought us here. Cornerstone is such a fun place to be. We are blessed beyond belief.

We actually walked past this home several times before we saw the inside of it. In the past twelve months we have walked through dozens and dozens of homes. We did see a lot that we liked. In fact we even made bids on a couple of other homes but ours in Minnesota had yet to sell. We prayerfully decided to leave our Realtor alone until we were ready to talk turkey.

Again, we had been walking past this home on our walks that we take and we noticed an Open House sign that they had scheduled. It was a perfect opportunity to get inside of the home. We both really liked it. It is definitely not a big home, but with our boys ready to jump ship it, a big house is no longer necessary.

There are a couple of downfalls with the house. It is facing the rail road tracks so once again we will have to deal with the whistle. It also has no garage. I think we'll have no problem putting one up, but until then we will have some storage issues. If you want to check out the home you can. You even get a virtual tour this way.

We are hoping to move in June 1st. Strong backs are needed... Again...

Ethics

I am teaching ethics at DMACC this semester. It has been a very rewarding experience for me personally. Today was tough though. We discussed abortion. I try so very hard to present both sides of the argument so the students can make a fair and informed decision.

It is sooooo hard to present the pro-choice side for me. We watched a video of a church in Atlanta that was protesting at an abortion clinic. I would never align myself with idiots (I know it is a harsh word) that would bomb a clinic and do it in the name of Jesus. That is not Christianity!

On the other hand, I love babies! I would gladly take in another child before I would allow it to be the victim of an abortion. In my own life, I should have been aborted. My mom was 16 and hooked with a loser. She sacrificed the last years of her childhood so that I could have life. Okay, so now I am crying thinking of my mom!!!

I have learned as much if not more this semester. I am looking forward to next semester so I can build on what I continue to learn.

Up and at em' early today...

Don't you hate those times when you can't sleep? I sure do. I'm a guy that drags if he doesn't get about seven hours of sleep each day. I went to bed pooped about 9:30 last night. I had not slept well the night before. needless to say, 2:30 a.m. rolled around and I was wide awake again.

I watched Sports Center and then an old re-run of Happy Days. (I love the Fonz!) Then I decided to shower and come to work. So, here I am!

I am wrestling with whether or not we should go to three services. Our sanctuary holds 250 and we have about 150 or so in the late service. We did it at Easter and had 85 for Saturday night, but then again it was Easter. I don't want to upset the apple cart, but then again, I don't want to leave apples on the ground either.

Any tips?

I'm Back...

I know, I know it has been a long time. The good news is that my master's paper is complete. I'll get back to posting regularly.