Perspective

I am doing a message on perspective this next week. 

I am wondering if we view our situations in light of God's work in our life or if some of our experiences are because of "lifeinstance"?  

How does one's perspective on/about life shaped?  Is it a matter of your glass being half full/empty?  Discuss ... 

Not necessarily the direction I am going but just want some feedback.

Adversity

We've all gone through it. Some of us are in over our heads in it! Adversity is not biased. It can touch anyone in any area of life, at any time.

Maybe in school…

Maybe in a relationship…

Maybe as a single mom or dad…

Maybe in your job…

I've had my share. I've learned that adversity reinforces, strengthens. It also challenges who I am at the core. It's been said that adversity doesn't build character...it reveals it!

I have to ask myself: Do I avoid adversity and take that path of least resistance? OR will I get my hands dirty and push…conquer…learn…understand?

Maybe it’s having that challenging conversation that I have been avoiding. Maybe it's procrastinating on a project because I have hit a mental block, challenging circumstances, economic woes, or whatever!

In these times we face, let's find out what we are truly made of. It is in those times that we can see our strengths and opportunities for growth. I would suggest that in those times adversity could serve us well. If we don't like what it reveals, change it.

A comfort in adversity for me is Psalm 91:15 - God promises us that He will be with us in our times of trouble. Sometimes I may not feel that. . . but I trust and know it's truth.

What is our perspective on adversity? Maybe it's to provide wisdom, a teachable moment, or provide us opportunities for compassion and empathy. I am much more empathetic when I encounter others who are experiencing my past / current pain! Finding someone to talk to about the situation helps too!

What adversity have you been avoiding? What are some challenges that you need to face head on this week?
My suggestion: don’t avoid adversity…face it and live!

**Logged for my future use and reference.

Tiger's 14th

I watched the US Open this weekend.  Incredible battle between Rocco Mediate and Tiger Woods.

If a picture is worth 1000 words.... what is the caption?

A little day in your night

We stayed here in Seattle for about two months a few years ago - in the summer time.  We forgot what 9:30 PM looked like!  

If the picture doesn't tell you . . . it looks like about 6:30 / 7 Pm farther south!

A little hard to go to bed when it's light outside.

Planes, Buses, & Boats

We took a little trip to Seattle to celebrate Melissa's sisters High School graduation.  We haven't been to Seattle in about three years and with many of Melissa's family around, should be a good time!

We set off for adventure bright and early - Ahead of us a plane ride, a bus ride (which we volunteered for the sheer adventure of it), and a boat ride!  Here is the day in Hyper speed.  

WARNING:  Take a little Dramamine - the fast pace has know to cause dizziness!

One Year and counting

June 1st came and went. I just realized that I've been a part of the Crossroads team for one year. It went by so quickly! I am thankful to God for directing me and teaming me up with the Roadsters!

After celebrating our third anniversary this past January, we moved into our new office/cafe. As you can see from the pics . . . it's a pretty cool place. The coffee shop will be full service, hopefully in mid-August.

Today - one of our neighbor business owners used our Cafe to conduct an interview. That is exactly what we've been hoping for. I was able to talk with the interviewee . . . whose family is moving here from Flagstaff. I enjoyed meeting Tina and was even more happy we are becoming a third place for our community.

In a funk

I hesitate to write this, but I feel a little funky! Not sure why - just a little out of control with stuff. There is a lot on my mind:

:: Work related stuff to juggle. Outside of maybe accounting (no offense to numbers people) do we ever get a handle on all we have to manage. Maybe it's just me!

:: Am I being the dad and husband my family need. I feel sometimes that I am distracted by what I didn't get done, I have trouble being present for the family.

:: I am not exercising like I should - regularly!

:: My back has been bugging me when I wake up.

:: I don't like my head shaved or fuzzy - Now I'm sounding like a girl.

:: I need to get better at planning our monthly spending (got great tools at my disposal from my FPU class)

:: I want to run another marathon but not sure I want to put in the time and energy!
ARRRGGGHHHH!

I am extremely grateful for so many blessing God's given . . . Man, I am thankful - just feeling funky!

Thanks for letting me get this out of my head. I'm going to eat a bowl of cereal.

What do you do when you are in a funk?

Consoli-da-she-own!

A few months ago I contemplated changing blog formats. I liked what the Typepad offered but didn't like the feeling of once you go there - they've got you for life - feeling. What I mean is all the post on Typepad are non-transferrable to any other blogging site. It's a feature that some of the others offer . . . which is why I have decided to stick with Blogger (Blogspot). For the kind of blogging I am doing and for my "audience" - it's the right format for me.

So as to not lose any of the Typepad posts when I close my account (within a couple of days) - During the next couple of days I will be reposting the Typepad posts to my Blogspot account. If you've already read them, please bear with me. If you haven't it may catch you up as to what was on my mind!

If you want to view all the post from Typepad - Search by typing - Typepad - at the top of this page!

Wii Fit . . . Way fun!

If you've heard about our little compact we started at the end of last year, you probably know that buying anything new (besides the exceptions) is not in our plan this year.  We've been really doing well, although we haven't had much to blog about in that department.  Anyway, in a moment of weakness - we caved!  The Wii Fit component grabbed and wouldn't let go!

Needless to say it's way fun and half way through you don't even realize you are actually working out-breaking a sweat and breathing a little faster, at the beginner level!  This thing is pretty legit if you ask me and we as a family are having lots of fun and hopefully getting more fit along the way.