Are you ready for some Football?

I went to my first Fantasy Football draft today. It was pretty fun. I could have got more into it but I was asked to pick for a guy who couldn't show up. I was picking for both of us which I think he got the better team. I am happy with a few of my picks: Brady - QB, Mulronney and Willie Parker - RB, Harrison and J. Walker - WR, and Nate Keading - K . . . . I think I will be competitive. We will see.

After being in the ministry for numerous years, tomorrow I will teach my first baptism class. Looking forward to it. I will be baptizing the candidates next Sunday (Sept. 2). Good times!

Over my head

Just had our 23 day of 110 + day temps. The humidity is increasing due to Monsoon Season here in AZ. Think Sahara Desert with a splash of Rain Forest! Never been to either but I can imagine.

Enough about the weather. I've been talking to several people the last few weeks about how God puts us in situations for growth, development and ultimately to serve His purpose. I feel that is where I am. I woke up a couple of times with The Frey's "Over My Head" song in my head. That is how I feel these days. I know I cannot do the job I am doing without His intervention . . . daily! I am humbled that God has saw fit to use me in the capacity He's chosen.

"Over my head," . . . it's a great place to be.

Settling In!

We've had a whirl-wind month! Here are the highlights:

... We moved to the "WESTSIDE" of Anthem. Living the dream in our downsized house. God completely orchestrated the timing of the move, a quick and favorable response from the leasers, among many other things. The pool is a God-send in triple-digit Phoenix summers.

... I started my position at the Crossroads on June 1. As the resident "Ministry Catalyst" - as Steve has been calling me - I am responsible to make sure the vision (AIM) of the church is carried out in each ministry. I aslo help leadership development with other staff members and bottom line connect people to the church.

... Really enjoying my family. They seem to have adjusted to the move incredibly well.

... Got to see Ben Folds open for John Mayer. My second time seeing Jmay . . . he rocked and hit on all cylinders. Enjoyed hanging with my big bro Toe! He's really cool.

... Got a MacBook for work. Boy do I like it. Just need Adobe CS3. I really don't need it . . . just would like it.

Gearing up for fall kickoff - September 9th . . .

Better late than never . . .

Not sure who the "better late than never" quote is attributed to but I could imagine them to be a procrastinator. It's defined as one who delays or puts off action or to postpone doing something (I am into definitions these days). When you think about how God answers most of our prayers . . . "He' never early or never late, He's always . . . . wait for it . . . . . wait for it . . . . . not yet . . . . hang in there . . . . wait . . . . . RIGHT-ON-TIME!" I am grateful either way he decides (early or on time). I am just glad He answers!

I meant to post this pictorial a while back. It's of Gianna and her cribmate from the orphanage in China (who was also adopted), Mikeyla. They had a good time when the Cinfio's came to Phoenix to visit.

My, how time flys

So here it is, middle of May 2007. I have met my goal this year of blogging more than I did last year (twice). I'm feeling pretty good about it. Also, feeling pretty content these days. God has really refined me and Melissa in the last two years. Refined . . . defined as: to remove impurities or unwanted elements from a substance. Another definition is to improve something by making small changes, in particular more subtle and accurate. Boy . . . that has been us.

I feel things are shifting for us - in a way as if things are falling into order. Not that life has been out of order, it's just been redefined. Anyway, I am looking forward to see what will be the next adventure for our life. God is never boring. It's just a matter of how I am perceiving Him.

Here are some random thoughts I am having these days:

:: I felt a little guilty that as a life long Laker fan, I was rooting for the Suns to win it all . . . even when the Suns beat the Lakers in the first round.

:: I've been "Bicing" my head these days. Smooth crome-domious. Not really my favorite but with my head of hair or lack of it . . . it's the lesser of the evils.

:: I had an incredible time with my extended family (Brian and Joy Kitchen) the last weekend of April (See picture above). They are some of my favorite people to be with. Just typing this about them makes me smile.

:: Really enjoying playing the drums lately. I am feeling like I am really hitting my stride. I am playing more simple these days and it just feels right.

:: Would like to see a concert this summer. The Police would be great!

:: I love being married to Melissa. She makes me think, she loves our kids, she is beautiful, and makes me laugh!

:: My boys are getting big. I really feel like I have a brief window of time where my influence is really strong. I know it won't always be there and don't want to blow my opportunity. I pray for God's grace to fill the gaps. They are growing up to be respectful, character-filled, and Godly. Man I love them.

:: Gigi is my little love bug. When I am working on the computer, she climbs in my chair and lays her head on the back of my shoulders. She told me today that I was a good pillow and then proceded to peck me with countless kisses. It really made my day.

:: Graduations and Weddings are overrated. I know they are big for the people going through them but looking back at mine . . . all the hype . . . . yeah, their overrated. Looking forward to Micah's big day and Danny/Jen's wedding.

:: I don't like the middle east troubles. Gas prices suck! God bless and protect Israel.

That is it for now. My intent was to post something quick. I suppose I've blogged enough to last me til next month. We'll see.

Adventure in LAKEland

I like to mess around on the Mac. I am not proficient at everything but it's fun. Here is my latest creation. I plan to make these periodically ... for what it's worth!

Birthday Week

I had a great week. Started the week (or ended last week) playing drums at CCV. Great weekend, great set, I am starting to get in the groove of playing again. It is great to be reaquainted with the pocket! After church on Sunday, we went camping in Sedona . . . the place where the vortex of the universe exist according to some! I don't believe that vortex stuff but there was some pretty scenery! We camped (tent and all) by Oak Creek. The forecast said lows in the high 40's. They were wrong by about 15 to 18 degrees. We were so cold that first night! 32 degrees! Didn't get much better at 34 the next night after making some necessary sleeping arrangements.


As a family we had a great time. A little bit of hiking, bouldering with Nathan's "near death" experience, some card playing, some smore making, and Melissa out did herself for camp dinner making! She's good! Taught the boys how to start a fire. Great skill to have in the wilderness or in 32 degree temps! Really enjoyed being with the family.

Turned 38 on Wednesday. Feel a little bit older. I know "they" say age is a state of mind and you are only as old as you act or feel or whatever! I need to get in better shape, in every way! More on that in a later post.

I am currently doing some contract design work for the John Wayne Cancer Institute. It was a very productive week this week. My client is really enjoying my work and I am enjoying the working relationship. Could lead to more work . . . which is good. I must interject . . . God incredibly faithful. He has opened a great door and for that I am grateful.

Had a belated B-day dinner tonight with family. Good time and I ate too much Costco Chocolate Cake! Did I say I need to get in better shape? Note to self . . . no more Choco Cake!

Long time no post . . .

Well it's about that time of the year to look back and see how the new year's resolutions are doing. My one and only was to blog more than I did last year. I've met my quota but I haven't in a while. Not sure why. It's not that don't want to . . . I guess I am still working out my blog style and purpose.

Part of me thinks there is something a bit self absorbed, egomaniacal about blogging. You know, that someone else would care what I would think. I get it if your mentoring others, or have written a book, or want to get information out to the masses. I am blogging about the fact I haven't blogged in a while.

I have been thinking a bit lately about the purpose of difficulty in our life. I do all I can to make sure my kids don't have difficulty. I don't like it when their sick, when another kid makes fun of them, when they get hurt. Most have this figured out but without those difficulties we don't grow as people. Our character is never tested. I think difficulty exposes what's inside and sometimes it's hard for me to be exposed to me!

I read I Thes.5:18 yesterday . . . I am grateful for the good times and the bad times. Both serve a purpose . . . . Heck, it tells me "I'M ALIVE!" For that I am especially grateful!
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Saw this and this on the net today . . . Creative and funny ways to expose truth!
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Got a free dog yesterday. It's a one year old male Maltese that was given to us...did I say free! Anyway, we named him Rocky, or as Gianna calls him, "Froggy", sometimes "Frosty".

Transactions or Relationships

I am reading a book to my boys (bedtime reading) called "You don't need a title to be a leader" by Mark Sanborn. They seem to like it although they drift to sleep rather fast. In the book Mark discusses the imporatance of the daily exchanges we have with others. Here is a condensed thought that was rather provoking:

"Differences between Transactions and Relationships

Much of what we do each day as businesspeople and speakers is transactional. We focus on our interactions with others to achieve specific outcomes. In many exchanges there simply isn’t the need for relationship beyond common courtesy. But for those people we value, in business and life, we need to distinguish between the transactional and the relational.

If you value the person, don’t ever waste his or her time

Ultimately, time, the raw resource of life, is all we have. That’s why purposeful interactions prove we value the other person. In a time-compressed world, most of us can’t devote time to those who are simply “staying in touch.” I prefer “keeping in relationship” as a philosophy. That means I don’t need to engage in mindless contact to keep myself in someone’s awareness. Instead, I can devote time to meaningful exchange."

I struggle with this. I want my exchanges to have some meaning. I really would like to add to others more than I take. I'd rather have my relationship be mutual instead of a lopsided self interest. I'd rather inform rather than keeping in touch. I don't want transactions I want relationships. I think God is say the same to me.

To read the full length version of Mark's article, here's the link: http://www.marksanborn.com/store/Leadership_Lessons_01-04-07.asp

Happy New Year

To me this depicts a Happy New Year! Her biggest concern for this year is to keep from screaming when brothers pester her! I know as adults our lives are more complicated than that but this smile helps me keep life in perspective.

By the way, to keep myself accountable I am "resolving" only to try and blog a little more this year. I only blogged twice last year . . . so I am well on my way.

Cheeto!

For what it's worth
My little girl calls me Cheeto! Not sure it's exact meaning but it's her way of trying to get a point across. It's kind of cute in a little girl way. I don't like it sometimes cause I know she's right.

It's interesting, the power of words. I am reading a book by Andy Stanley and he got me to think if I was adding value to others lives or not. We really can plant seeds that if believed (by the one we speak to) can change their lives.

From my heart come my words to others. What ever I am saying is some how linked to what's in my heart. Why can't I see people for the potential that is in them seeing past the moment of contention. Jesus looked at others for the potential they had not just the underachieving or dissenting behavior. My friend Brian does this well.

So if I really want to make a difference with my words, I have to examine my heart. I am understanding that the heart needs attention every day. Like my teeth, my body, bank account, house hold . . . I need to add my heart to the top of the daily list that I need to attend to each day.

When I give my heart the attention it deserves, I'll be making the difference I'm called to make and I won't feel fell so much like a Cheeto.

Inaugural Blog

So I'm sitting in a MinistryCOM conference listening to what is the latest and coolest way for churches to communicate and I hear about blogging. Mind you, I have not been in a cave for the last five to six years and completely unaware of what blogging was or even it's purpose. It just hit me . . . I want to start. Why? Not sure. Just honoring the impression.

My first attempts at blogging were on a family trip to China to adopt our little girl, Gigi. Thought the family and friends back home would want to hear about our daily goings on in the Far East, so I wrote emails to a list of interested and chronicled our trip. Looking back, I'm glad I did.

Maybe that is why I've started. I felt like I made a contribution to my small world letting them in on what our life was like for that two weeks. Kind of a cartharsis. Maybe that is why I am moved to blog these days. Not sure what will come of it . . . we shall see. (Who the heck is we?)