Solo Flight – Day 3

The continuing the saga of a dad and 4 kids while his wife is on a mission trip…

We survived Monday fairly well. After lunch, I created a movie theater in the basement with some old equipment I have (the projector’s native resolution is 640 x 480). Did I mention it has been so hot that the basement is the only place in the house that is tolerable during the day? The kids loved the concept and we watched “The Never Ending Story” and “Everyone’s Hero”. I had never seen TNES before and someone at church had let us borrow it. I could write a whole blog on that movie alone.

After a lovely dinner of home prepared Fish’n'Chips and salad, we went swimming for awhile. We had the neighborhood pool to ourselves for the majority of the time. My kids are all like I was at their age, loving the water and wanting to swim 24/7. They definitely have been sleeping well as a result.

We hit the pool again this morning with my dad and my niece in tow. Another good time was had by all. The youngest took to jumping into the pool from the side with a lot of help from her Opa.  Opa always brings a snack for the kids which provides a nice break for the adults.

I read all of Psalm 119 this morning.  My Bible time has been lacking lately so I thought I’d dig into the Psalm from our memory verse at church. As I read, I saw I do not measure up to the writer and his love for God’s precepts. But as I was convicted in reading the whole Psalm, I found hope at the end…

Psalm 119:169-178

t Taw

May my cry come before you, O LORD;
give me understanding according to your word.

May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.

May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.

May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.

May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.

I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.

Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.

I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.

Solo Flight – Day 2

Solo flight – day 1 was great as it could be without my blurter of folly.

The Hosners had us over for lunch and swimming at their new place. Then there was dinner at the Richards. What a great way to spend my birthday being cared for by my brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful for their hospitality and seeing the gifts of Christ in action. Every glimpse is grace…

This morning my youngest greeted me this morning with a nasty diaper, one with a containment breach. So she got a bath while the rest continued to sleep. We all ate doughnuts for breakfast and now they are playing in the basement while I try to get a live person at Columbia House (I’ve been on hold a long time). Magically, I now have a DVD account with them that I need to cancel. They make it near impossible to do this. Oh wait, I have a live rep. Hold on…

…OK. Just got of the line with them. That was easy. They canceled the account and I get to keep the DVD for my inconvenience. I bet this happens a lot.

Well, my niece should be here any minute so I better run. The more the merrier you know. I hope to chronicle this week on the blog so my blurter can see what we were up to.

Peace.

Funny Things

It’s been awhile since I blogged and I am over HSM for the moment, so I thought I’d get rid of Zach’s face on my blog with a few funny things.

1.  Heard from my near 7 year old daughter regarding Paula on AI:

“That lady likes everyone!”

2.  And for you Starbux addicts, a poke at your Seattle Coffee pusher…

New Year – New Name

I’ve made a decision.  I don’t want to be called “too German” anymore and that includes this blog.  At this point it is more of an excuse for behavior than a complement.  The negative connotations to that moniker are things I am trying to change or refine, so I no longer choose to embrace such a catch phrase.  In removing my blog name I was faced with another decision, what should I call my blog now?”Every Glimpse is Grace” is the new name for this blog.  I choose the name to remind me to pursue God in the hope of knowing Him and seeing Him for who He is.  And with every bit of gain in that pursuit, I am know He makes it all possible.I’ve changed the theme as well.  I’m not particularly sold on it, so look for another change there.  Change is a reoccuring theme in January, as the new year gives a demark for stopping and starting things.  Look for a coming post on those things…  

It’s Been Quite a Summer

Wow, my last post was July 2nd.  I guess I will break the silence with a comprehensive update of the last few months.

My 8 year old is increasingly losing teeth.

I started personal training (and feeling much better).

I’ve gone through 2 managers at work.

I have a coordinator in my ministry to help out with vocalists.

My mailbox fell over from termite devastation.

My wife had Lasik surgery.

My daughter had her tonsils removed by a qualified doctor.

My protege is making a living full time in music through giving lessons, serving at church, and studio session work.

A dear friend flipped the door from my garage to my house, a project 4 years in the making.

I gutted my RSS feeder to reduce the perseved digital demand on my life.

I said farewell to my friend of 4 years and “go to” acoustic guitarist at church (college beckoned).

Unfortunately, my bestest pals house still did not sell.

Uncertainty morphed into certainty as my church secured space for another year.

I earned some money doing audio production for my sister-in-law for her math songs (she is a HS teacher).

I ran two miles for the first time ever (part of thePT)

I’ve coveted a Toyota Sequoia and repented

My job is more demanding but nothing else has subsided.

I didn’t blog about anything for almost 60 days 

That’s my summer condensed.  By His grace, may I Glorify God in the Fall.

The DMV Rocks

I went here to get my driver’s license renewed.  I opted for the 10 year $35 package.  I must say it was a painless experience.  I arrived at 11:25 and was done by 12 noon. 

They have an automated number system that continually updates the call number on a screen in the waiting area.  Usually this place is jammed, but Thursday at 11:25 must be the magic time.

The license is made on the spot within two minutes of the shooting of the  picture.

I like the high tech ticket system.  It allowed me to listen to my iPod and not miss my turn.  They also take credit and debit cards now.  Schweet!

So if you have to renew your license in person, I would recommend this place early in the morning.

I never thought I would walk out of a DMV and not be frustrated for any reason.  

There is a first time for everything.

Addiction and Ministry

On the blog at worship.com is an excerpt of an article by Sally Morgenthaler, the ex-wife of a former pastor who is now a felon.  You can read the entire piece here.  The experienced opinion of this woman is quite valuable.

Folks, pray for your pastors and encourage them live out the gifts they have been given, not someone elses.

I Repent

You know, in the recent and distant past, I have been quick to criticize Chris Tomlin.  In a recent post I panned his new release , See the Morning.

Well, I repent.

I had the opportunity to listen to the entire recording uninterrupted last Saturday.  At first, like his last record Arriving, the music seems much of the same.  But once I listened for the differences and creativity in the songs versus the similarities, I began to see the value of the songs. 

I really like the uptempo, “Let God Arise” and the contemplative “Uncreated One”.  I am still in digesting the tunes, all the while in awe Chris continues to write good songs in terms of melody and theology.  God has truly gifted him.  How many of my songs does the church universal sing?  You get my point.

I leave you with these words attributed to Chris I read on this blog:

When asked what it was like to be famous, Chris Tomlin said that it used to be nobody offered him any advice or criticism. The more that he becomes known, the more people criticize him.

For unjustly criticizing Chris and being one of those people, I repent.

Christmas List

Here’s my list online this year.

Crutchfeld’s iPod adapter for a 1997 Nissan Quest – the base model

Martin mandolin strings – 11s

Korg TM-40 Digital Tuner Metronome

Albums:

Keith Urban – Love, Pain, and the whole crazy thing

Rich Mullins – A Liturgy, A Legacy, and a Ragamuffin Band

Sanctus Real - The Face of Love

U2 – How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb

Not on my list

Clothes of any kind.

More updates to come… check comments

Changes in Key of PC Minor

Finally my Norton subscription expired.  Getting them to remove the auto-renewal in their records was difficult to say the least, but I made it through their maze with only one slammed fist on the computer desk.

At Jeffrey’s suggestion I downloaded and installed the free version of Zone Alarm.  It is a learn as you go firewall.  It prompts you to deny or allow every bit of communication out or into your PC.  You don’t really know what is happening on your PC until you have an app like that installed.  I also downloaded and installed a free anti-virus software called Avast.  The combination of these running has given my computer new life, like it was a kid again.  Norton was a resource hog and overkill for my needs.