17 Oct 07 Conversion Experiences

A little over a year ago I was converted.

I was rescued from the kingdom of darkness (PC) and transferred to the kingdom of light (MAC).

I’ve discovered and enjoyed the freedom and feeling of explicable joy.

Today, I experience conversion once again.

I’m switching from a freshwater aquarium to a saltwater aquarium.

Our youth minister is a saltwater aquarist and has been after me for many years (we’ve known each other a long time) to make the switch.

As they say, no time like the present.

16 Oct 07 Speaking of Buried Treasure . . .

I didn’t find any.  Nothing.  Nada.  Zilch.

I had to crawl under the house to dig two holes (2X2X1) to pour cement to make pier blocks for the posts that will carry the weight of the beams.

Digging a hole is one thing.  Underneath your house on your belly digging into adobe is another.

I imagined myself tunneling to freedom, a little bit of Solanoshank action to keep the mind motivated.

I also imagined finding lost treasure but that was just silly talk.  No metal tins full of cash, bonds, or jewels.

But I didn’t find any human remains either so that’s good right? 

 

15 Oct 07 Buried Treasure

There’s an awful lot of garbage on youtube, probably more refuse material than useful material.

This clip, however, is an exception and may do a lot to explain the reason for the garbage.

11 Oct 07 Time Off

I arrived back at the office this morning with an energized desire to get some work done.

Either the time away was rejuvenating or it had been a while since I’d had an Iced Caramel Machiatto.

That’s one of the benefits of being away isn’t it - ready to tackle the job again?

09 Oct 07 Visiting Friends Aside . . .

Any restaurant you would consider worth making a trip to enjoy once again? 

What’s the restaurant?  Where’s the restaurant?  What do they serve?  (If it’s not obvious in the title) 

08 Oct 07 When You’ve Been Away

When you’ve been away life simply goes on without you.  I say this not only as a reality but a good reality.  No one should expect for the lives of others to pause just because you’ve been away. 

Life does go on.

For some the routine of life mainly stays the same.

For others the routing of life is interrupted with the ocassional major blip on the radar screen.

Death.

Expected birth.

Decision to move followed by the decision not to move. 

New job (where you are greatly appreciated).

Promotion to full bird Colonel.

These are the things I learned while catching up with our former neighbors.

When you’re given the chance to catch up and discover all that you’ve missed it makes you wish you’d been there.  It also makes you glad to know that life goes on.

06 Oct 07 Asking For The Manager

When I asked to speak with the manager at the restaurant last night you would have thought I had just hopped up on the table and screamed at the top of my lungs "there’s a rat in the kitchen!"

The waiter seemed perplexed.  We could see him processing in his mind trying to figure out what he had done wrong.

He had . . . wait for it . . . done everything right and had done so with great efficiency and friendliness.

The manager approached the table anxious and concerned as to what we would say.  She was working through her deep breathing exercises and buttoning up her flak jacket.

The situation was diffused immediately when I said "I just thought you should know what a wonderful dining experience this was and how impressed we were with the attention and service we received from our waiter."

Her countenance softened and she seemed genuinely surprised that our summons was to compliment not to complain. 

It’s obvious that managers don’t get called to tables much these days for compliments and encouraging words.

 

05 Oct 07 I Saw The Future

I was part of the future last night — at least I hope it is the future.

Honestly, for some time, I’ve hoped it was our present but am encouraged and inspired that it’s our future.

We had the chance to attend a 20 something (the age group) worship gathering last night and it was incredible.

They stood for the better part of an hour.  They sat or knelt to pray for a while but stood the rest of the time. 

No one had to tell them to stand up.  They just did.

No one had to tell them to feel free to lift their hands.  They just did.

No one had to tell them to lift their hearts.  They just did.

No one had to tell them to lift their voices.  They just did.

I didn’t know all the songs, it didn’t really matter.  I was swept up in the voices and energy of the worshipers.

Even on the songs I did know I didn’t want to sing.  I wanted to listen.  I just wanted to listen and absorb every note, every word.

My heart was touched as I thought about by my own kids - it’s what I want for them.  I want them to engage and interact as the share in the experience of worship.

It looks and sounds different from what we are used to and it should look and sound different. 

It’s time for the lot of us to step aside and let a new generation with a fresh voice and a fresh passion for God lead us to an experience of worship completely dedicated to God. 

I saw the future. 

I was part of it for 1 hour and hope it was the first hour and not the last. 

04 Oct 07 Sleepy

We flew from SAC to DCA and headed straight for the diner to catch up with friends that were leaving town Friday.  We left full, tired and caught up.

We woke up early (4:30AM our time) and dropped Reese off with his friend (and family).  The boys were ecstatic to see each other.

We (Brad and I) flew from BWI to Nashville and arrived in time for the opening lecture.

The theme is centered on rest. 

I could use some right now. 

Is it professional courtesy not to nod off while a colleague preaches?

03 Oct 07 Home?

1 year 2 months and 2 days later Reese and I return for a visit to the place that was our home for 7 years.

I know the specific time frame because of a widget on my mac that I set when we left and forgot to update.

If you ask me, Reese has been counting the days.