Time Warp of Celebrating a Facebook Birthday

Today I had the best birthday of my life. It began with my two children coming into our room and hugging and kissing me - and then my wife hugging me while my kids jumped on me and screamed happy birthday. I than received a very touching card from my Mom and Dad that was very emotional.

Throughout the day I began to receive greetings via Facebook. How strange and wonderful something like Facebook is. In a period of 10 hours I received greetings from:

+The friend (girl) in High School who I actually chewed tobacco with - and then kissed.
+Various "kids" from my first Youth Group who are now in their 30's-40's (youch).
+The Bride from the great wedding I went to in Mexico last summer.
+Someone who just began attending our church 2 months ago
+Kids from Minnesota who I led on a Baja trip a couple years ago.
+My sister.
+Old but good friends from Kansas, South Carolina, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and other strange places.
+Many friends who I have consistently beat while sitting at a card table (and a few friends who have beat me around a card table).
+A guy I "co-starred" in a High School performance of the "Odd Couple" with.
+Many friends who I have served in ministry with in various churches, who I have had the honor of serving the Lord with shoulder to shoulder.
+Random folks that I have shared experiences with on mission trips to Jamaica, Costa Rica, and MANY of our Baja friends.
+My failed workout partner who once told me the only way he could motivate me to operate the "crunch" machine at the Gym is if he tied a Krispy Kreme to the end of it.
+Parents of kids I have coached in softball and little league
+Old High School kids from Yosemite "Supertrips" (many now married with kids of their own)
+3 of the couples whose marriages I officiated.

I could go on. My point is I am extremely thankful to God for the rich variety of experiences and people that he has brought into my life. Today has really given me appreciation for the width and depth of good friends I have - and for that I am extremely grateful to God!

Goldfield or Foolsgold?

Last week I had the chance to travel with a few guys to Nevada for some R & R. Part of the trip was an ardous drive to the town of Goldfield - where my friend Art is...wait for it...contemplating the purchase of a historic hotel - the Goldfield Hotel!!!
I must say it was an absolutely cool old place -with lots of history. FDR gave a speech there, and the palce just smells like history (in a good sense). And lets be honest - the thought of purchasing a historic building and turning it into a hotel and casino is just kind of cool dream.
The "Brain Trust"- Art, Fred, and Buzz. They are observing a longstanding but obscure Nevada law that compels all men to place right hand in their right pockets when crossing the street.

The discussion on the ride back was a perfect primer on my sermon for the week "speaking the truth in love". We had a good debate on the relative merits vs. risks of the project. For some reason Art just reminds me of another man who saw great potential in a two bit town in the middle of nowhere - Bugsy Seigel when he opened up the first real casino in Las Vegas.

Birthday Girl and Composure

The more I coach the more I discover life-metaphors that sports teach us. My daughter took the mound this week on her birthday. She was excited all day that she got to play ball on the day of her birth. Then...things did not begin well. She could not find the plate. She could not pitch a strike for her life! I was dying inside. She walked the bases loaded. She got an out. She walked in a run. She walked in another run. She got another out. She walked in another run....

As Team manager -I called time out - and walked to the mound. In seasons past when Michaela struggles at pitching- she kind of gets tear-eyed and fearful. Usually when she struggles she wants the HECK OFF the mound. But on the day of her birthday - feeling all 11 years of her age - she looked back at me in confidence and said "DAD, I'M FINE".

I went back to the duugout and she proceeded to strike out the next batter. And I realized my daughter has developed a sense of "composure under pressure" that only comes from being a seasoned 11 years old veteran.

Wisconsin weekend

Steph and I just returned from a weekend in Northern Wisconsin. We were with some of our friends fro Cottage Grove, Minn. at a retreat. We had a great time - and as these pics show- it is beautiful up there - and not nearly as cold as you think...as long as you wear 8 layers of clothing...and stay insde by the fir.