Murphy's 3rd Law

Caleb's science presentation board

2012-01-11T20:32:00.000-06:00

We made a working model of lungs with a diaphram. Go Caleb!

Caleb n Steve exploring. We found a plant that couldn't be contained by a simple

2011-12-29T11:29:00.001-06:00

Caleb n Steve exploring. We found a plant that couldn't be contained by a simple pot.

Dance time!

2011-12-21T17:39:00.001-06:00

Dance time!

Murphy adventure duke forest in rain

2011-12-21T09:04:00.001-06:00

Murphy adventure duke forest in rain

Muddy Brothers!

Ethan and Bess Art time

2011-12-16T21:30:00.000-06:00

Cousin Bess came over for a spend the night with Ethan. We had a great time. They went to sleep about 30 minutes ago. But of course we made sure there was some art time included with our fun.

Renee Van Loon would be proud.

THanksgiving

2011-12-06T07:03:00.000-06:00

Our first Thanksgiving in North Carolina.

I think Ethan likes Mom's cookies. ;-)

2011-11-28T17:37:00.001-06:00

I think Ethan likes Mom's cookies. ;-)

Ethan made a goldfish and ketchup tower at breakfast.

2011-11-03T04:40:00.001-06:00

Ethan made a goldfish and ketchup tower at breakfast.

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Treehouse roof has shingles. Thanks pops for the supplies.

2011-11-01T16:35:00.001-06:00

Treehouse roof has shingles. Thanks pops for the supplies.

Caleb at barnes n noble. caleb has almost finished the book in the store.

2011-10-15T09:49:00.001-06:00

Caleb at barnes n noble. caleb has almost finished the book in the store.

Lego time at barnes n nobles

2011-10-15T09:46:00.001-06:00

Lego time at barnes n nobles

Hanging Rock

2011-10-08T18:36:00.001-06:00

We left early this morning (well not really THAT early) and headed out to Hanging Rock State Park for a Murphy Adventure.

It was amazing. The hike up to the top was just right. There is something amazing about getting away from traffic, cars, and standing on top of a mountain and looking out. It changes your perspective.

Here are some pics from the day:

Here is where we went:

View Larger Map

Here is a link to the entire photo album of pics

Hanging Rock Oct 9

Jesus, thank you that your creation reveals your glory, and that sometimes stepping away from routine opens our eyes a little wider to see You. - Amen.

Working on the roof of a tree house.

2011-10-07T14:06:00.001-06:00

Working on the roof of a tree house.

Divinity Graphiti

2011-10-03T19:18:00.001-06:00

This is one of my favorite Divinity school graphiti things written on the wall of a study carol I use in the library. Dr. Ellen Davis is my OT professor. This makes me laugh. It says: "Ellen Davis was here memorizing the Torah 11/21/03" my other favorites are "Karl Barth was here" and "Abram 'heart' Sarai".

Eagle Spur Trail

2011-10-03T11:30:00.000-06:00

We went on a hike Saturday on the Eagle Spur Trail. It was a great deal of fun. The weather was perfect. Ethan got cold. Caleb was a great brother and shared his hoodie. Here are some great pictures.




	2

Caleb's First Jr. High Dance

2011-10-02T20:27:00.001-06:00

This is Caleb ready to head out for his first school dance. He came home so full of excitement. I wish I could have recorded his enthusiasm. He Had so much fun.

He took a pack of cards just in case there was a chance to play Hearts with some friends. He had so much fun and never had the chance to take out the cards.

Ethan going down a snow hill at the fair.

2011-10-01T14:01:00.001-06:00

Ethan going down a snow hill at the fair.

Birthday Cake

2011-09-27T05:32:00.002-06:00

Deer in front yard while waiting for bus with Caleb.

2011-08-30T05:42:00.001-06:00

Deer in front yard while waiting for bus with Caleb.

1st Day of School

2011-08-26T05:32:00.001-06:00

Here are some more: https://picasaweb.google.com/118073440246967582899/1stDayOfSchoolForTheMurphys2011?authuser=0&feat=directlink

Let it begin! Duke orientation.

2011-08-24T07:09:00.001-06:00

Let it begin! Duke orientation. Thank you to all who helped get me here.

Harkers Island - Thanks Phil!

2011-08-19T17:57:00.000-06:00

Phil Bowling took us to meet Gene and Kay Atkinson last Friday. They used to go to St. Paul UMC before moving to the island. We had an incredible boat ride and saw wild horses, climbed to the top of a lighthouse and boogie boarded in the Atlantic. It was a wonderful relaxing day.

More pictures here

Now steve goes for it.

2011-08-19T08:50:00.000-06:00

Now steve goes for it.

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Caleb's turn

2011-08-19T08:43:00.001-06:00

Caleb's turn

Adventure can be found anywhere.

2011-08-19T08:42:00.001-06:00

Adventure can be found anywhere.

Fun building a treehouse.

2011-08-08T14:22:00.001-06:00

Fun building a treehouse.

Rope Swing adventures

2011-08-05T11:08:00.001-06:00

While doing an interview with Lacy he spoke of doing things like making his own wagon when he was a kid. He used tree cookies he cut from an old sweet gum tree for the wheels. My boys were indicting boredom and I just thought about Lacy. So we found some rope I had saved and the next thing you know we have a rope swing in the backyard.

More pictures here

BEACH TRIP - ATLANTIC OCEAN

2011-07-19T20:23:00.005-06:00

Location: Topsail Island pronounced Tops'l. I don't know why?

Here are some pics. We had a great time!!!

The rest of the pics can be found here.

Tow truck is done. :)

2011-07-09T08:21:00.001-06:00

Tow truck is done. :)

Occoneechee Mountain - 4th of July Adventure

2011-07-04T20:28:00.000-06:00

Today, without much planning, we headed out on one of our Murphy Adventures. It turned out to simply be a great day. Jill found Occoneechee Mountian. It was great to be outdoors. The hike was great. We found the river. Then found the big cliff. We almost made it too the top, but we weren't too confident we were still on the right path. Next time we are talking about jumping from 'coon rock'. We watched some teenagers make the 20 foot jump from the rock down to the river, and also swing from this crazy long rope swing. It was a great day!

Here are some more pictures

I thank God for my wonderful family and all that we saw today.

4th of july fun with the cousins! wii dance!!

2011-07-03T17:20:00.001-06:00

4th of july fun with the cousins! wii dance!!

Random

2011-06-29T20:35:00.000-06:00

Here are some pictures that I needed to share.

Morris family, ya'll are awesome!

Ethan and I climbed under the house and saw the biggest slug EVER!

Cool jungle gym thing we found.

Testing the couch for coziness and comfort.

Ethan's school Mascot is a Raptor

please don't eat me.

yes, I am in Middle school!

I can't believe he is 12!

Like I said - Awesome!

Adventures in Following

2011-06-19T20:20:00.000-06:00

So here is the plan. I am going to have two blogs. Murphy's 3rd Law and Adventures in Following.
Murphy's 3rd Law will be for posting pictures and all the crazy adventures we Murphys find our selves on. Adventures in Following will be a collection of thinking and processing what God is at work doing in me, around me, and through me. I hope these will become places of connection with family and friends that Jesus has blessed us with. Join us for the adventure.

http://adventuresinfollowing.wordpress.com/

http://murphys3rdlaw.blogspot.com/

I found it.

2011-06-16T10:45:00.001-06:00

I found it.

hard to describe....

2011-06-14T11:38:00.000-06:00

Here are some snippets from the beginning of the transition.

Met a wonderful person at the hotel because of a room mix up. We end up praying in the hotel lobby, then later on she hands us some money to help us on our journey.

The drive up was not bad at all, we were very ready to get out of the cars.

The apartment is great.

About an hour after getting there. The pastor, Mark Stephens, his wife and a couple of families from the church brought us pizza and some nice gifts welcoming us. We are all very excited about getting to know each other and serving together.

The cross and flame necklace the Trinity staff has given me has started more conversations than I would have expected. I met our next door neighbor, Matt LeRoy, who pointed out the cross and come to find out he is a pastor at Love Chapel Hill and his wife, Sarah. They are expecting twins. We are looking forward to having them as great neighbors.

I have been overwhelmed by the amount of love and support we have received from everyone. Thank you.

We ended the night by praying in every room in the house, then story time as we camped out on air mattresses.

Now we are waiting for our stuff to show up so we can make the house a home.

Passing through atlanta:)

2011-06-13T08:28:00.001-06:00

Passing through atlanta:)

First fillup the buick lasabre

2011-06-12T15:56:00.001-06:00

First fillup the buick lasabre got 28 mpg. that rocks! kfc drive thru for dinner.

Just crossed the river.

2011-06-12T14:19:00.001-06:00

Just crossed the river.

Just add pressure

2011-06-04T18:23:00.000-06:00

Mom and Dad gave us this water bottle rocket launcher years ago, and it is still offering up hours of fun. We have gotten brave and started just holding it instead of mounting the launcher in the ground.

Check out all the Photos here

1 mile down. 4 to go

2011-06-04T13:28:00.003-06:00

1 mile down. 4 to go

Ethan's Baseball season dramatic close

2011-06-03T13:15:00.002-06:00

Ethan's team, Ponchatoulas, won their semi final game and then played against Ruston Locker Room for the championship. After the 2nd inning it was tied up and they had to play another inning. We were winning for a little bit and then held it to a tie game all the way to their last batter. Then their last batter knocked in the winning run. So Ethan's team finished 2nd. It was a fun game and the kids did great!

He was tired when we got home after 9pm. when the first game was at 6.

Now That is How You Spend Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T21:38:00.000-06:00

Simply gather a bunch of great friends and set up a paint ball game where you get to shoot each other. Including opportunities to shoot the kids. We had so much fun! I am so thankful for such a great group of friends.

Awesome art/bike show at turbogoat.

2011-05-06T19:42:00.001-06:00

Awesome art/bike show at turbogoat.

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Ethan hits a single.

2011-05-06T18:34:00.001-06:00

Ethan hits a single.

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Cool bikes out the window. This was a cool art show.

2011-05-06T17:37:00.001-06:00

Cool bikes out the window. This was a cool art show.

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Worship at the park was great.

2011-05-01T14:23:00.002-06:00

Worship at the park was great.

Baseball has begun.

2011-04-28T21:51:00.000-06:00

Go Ethan! Go!

Caleb's Dallas Trip

2011-04-28T21:39:00.002-06:00

Dallas Trip Pictures

These are some of caleb's Pictures from his adventure with his Classmates on their field trip. I can't wait to hear more about it in the morning.

Amish Peace

2011-04-28T20:46:00.000-06:00

"If you sense your faith is unraveling, go back to where you dropped the thread of obedience."

-Amish Proverb

Jill and I have been reading through this book called Amish Peace. It is like devotions and short stories about the Amish. Very interesting stuff. Each day it opens with an Amish Proverb and I have really enjoyed these.

Easter good times

2011-04-24T21:15:00.002-06:00

Our family reunion was great. I am so grateful to my parents for making this happen. We enjoyed visiting with everyone. I forget how blessed I am and how wonderful and supportive of a family I have. Thank you and Happy Easter.

Check out the pictures

Classic Murphy kid videos are back

2011-04-18T13:04:00.000-06:00

I received a message from Google video that they were no longer going to host our videos anymore (maybe I should have used YouTube), but this sparked a moment of revisiting and reuploading some of those "classic" videos. What can be more fun, kids with lazers, portals, magic potatoes, and more....
Watch them here

Hunter

Backyard Guards 3

Bike Star

Greatest Spies Ever Ep 2

Ninja Spies

Go Fly a Kite!

2011-04-17T19:24:00.000-06:00

The kids and I built a kite today.
http://www.my-best-kite.com/make-a-sled-kite.html

I don't have any pictures, but it worked! It was awesome. However once we got it up REALLY high, the wind started gusting and the plastic (I used cheap plastic drop cloth material) started tearing. It was a perfect first run, however.

There may be more prototypes in the near future. Stay tuned.

Viktor Frankl

2011-04-14T21:56:00.003-06:00

Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/v/fD1512_XJEw&rel=0&hl=en
Enjoyed this. Viktor Frankl wrote Man's Search For Meaning.
This might be why I love being an encourager of people.

2011-04-02T18:09:00.001-06:00

-Steve

2011-04-02T13:13:00.001-06:00

-Steve

Pine cove group picture.

2011-04-02T08:26:00.001-06:00

Having a great time so far.
-Steve

Bat Cave

2011-03-27T13:41:00.001-06:00

The boys found this bat hanging from the ceiling of where we're exploring.
-Steve

Murphy adventures

2011-03-26T14:24:00.001-06:00

We found a "cave" while riding around near Ruston power plant.
-Steve

FPU Garage Sale

2011-03-25T22:17:00.000-06:00

11pm and I just got back from putting out Garage Sale signs around town. I decided to stop by the church. There is a bunch of great stuff ready to be sold. This is going to be a good one! Come by Trinity Saturday March 26 from 6-11am and get a deal on some stuff.

Dessertfest

2011-03-25T21:12:00.001-06:00

We had a great time at Christ Community tonight. Amazing entertainment and fun enjoying 80s music. the Murphy fam. Thanks Stacey Woodard. Ethan took the picture with my phone.
-Steve

The Preaching Life - Barbara Brown Taylor

2011-03-23T21:18:00.000-06:00

Excerpt from the book I am reading right now. I thought I would share. This if from Chapter 2 "Call"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Do anything that pleases you," the voice in my head said again, "and belong to me."

That simplified things considerably. I could pump gas in Idaho or dig latrines in Pago Pago, as far as God was concerned, as long as I remembered whose I was. With no further distress, I decided that it would please me to become a priest, and to spend the rest of my life with a community willing to help me figure out what that meant. It did not strike me as an exalted idea at the time, nor does it seem so now, almost ten years later. The one true turning point in a person's life is when he or she joins the body of Christ, however that comes about - sprinkling or by immersion, by proxy or by confession. That is the moment we join ranks with God. That is when we become the flesh and blood of God in the world. The decision to become ordained does not supersede that moment; it is simply one way of acting it out, one among very many others.

If my own experience can be trusted, then God does not call us once but many times. There are calls to faith and calls to ordination, but in between there are calls to particular communities and calls to particular tasks within them - calls into and out of relationships as well as calls to seek God wherever God may be found. Sometimes those calls ring clear as bells and sometimes they are barely audible, but in any case we are not meant to hear them all by ourselves. It is part of God's genius to incorporate us as one body, so that our ears have other ears, other eyes, minds, hearts and voices to help us interpret what we have heard. Together we can hear our calls, and together we can answer them, if only we will listen for the still, small voice that continues to speak to us in the language of our lives.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I have seen and experience the range of callings she mentions. The clear voice calling me toward being a pastor. I have had a gentle nudging to do something simple as turning around to help someone.

I enjoyed the freedom she described. It reminded me of other conversations about how God really desires us to be fully human. Fully who we were created to be. Enjoying him and the gifts he gave us whether that is the gift of being a painter, pastor, or postman.

It's what men do...

2011-03-15T20:51:00.002-06:00

Just Dance 2

2011-03-12T17:09:00.000-06:00

More crazy murphy fun.
-Steve

Pump track fun.

2011-03-12T12:36:00.001-06:00

Murphy family fun.
-Steve

2011-03-05T11:33:00.001-06:00

-Steve

Rainy day adventures.

2011-03-05T10:51:00.001-06:00

Thank you jill for the raincoats.
-Steve

The CUT

2011-02-26T23:25:00.002-06:00

Well, I feel lighter. I lost a layer of good insulation on my head. I was walking under a light fixture in our apartment and I could feel the heat radiating from the light bulbs on my head. While putting a shirt I realize that hair as short as two days of beard growth acts like Velcro.

We searched the through boxes in storage to find our old hair clippers - no luck. So I broke down and bought some new rechargeable hair trimming kit with more attachments than an expensive vacuum cleaner. It was all they had on the shelf, but I was determined that today was the day I was going to cut my hair.

Pantene has a program called Beautiful Lengths where they make wigs for women that lose their hair during cancer treatment. They require only 8 inches instead of Locks of Love’s 10 inches. This has been my third go around of growing and donating my hair and I don’t think I could stand growing it out another inch or more than I did. My last hair cut was in July of 2009, and I was ready. We measured the longest hair was past 9” and the others stuff was just past 8” - so today was a “go” for cutting.

The rechargeable trimmer had been on charging for an hour or so (I didn’t see in directions the recommended 14 hours). So we began. Not even a quarter of the way through the battery dies. We try turning it off then on again numerous times trying to milk the most out of that battery as possible. Then we figure we should be able to plug it in and cut, but plugging it in only charges the battery. It doesn’t provide power to operate it! Does anyone else remember the days when you could plug stuff in and use it? Yes, I know it had a strange chord attached to the wall while you used it, but it would typically work. We get one small pony tail off at the back corner of my head, we switch to scissors, but the ones we have we couldn’t get very close to the scalp. So began the long process of waiting 5 minutes for enough charge to make a couple sweeps across my head before it would whirr - whirrrrr - whirrrrrrrr to a stop, then repeat.

We decided to stop and wait for a while for the trimmers to recharge after Jill had cleaned me up enough that I would be semi presentable in public. The kids and I made a Wal-Mart run with the bottom half of my head shaved and the top half in a pony tail. This was an interesting exercise in living up to my own words and thoughts about not worrying about what people think about me and what I look like.

We return home and head back to the yard for more attempts at cutting. Jill steps up and binds half of the hair on my head, and says, “Now if I cut this, there is no going back. You sure you want to do this now?” With my a solid affirmative, Jill begins to cut. The trimmers, now charged, work pretty good for a while. Then suddenly I find myself holding a pony tail in my hand, but I am hearing the trimmers trying to quit. We go back to the old cycle of wait five minutes, cut 2 passes, wait five minutes, cut, until finally.... I am free! There is now a bag full of hair ready to mail to Pantene -and I can feel the breeze on my scalp.

I began all this years ago standing in the shower feeling like it was time for my normal hair cut I would get every 2 - 3 weeks. I simply thought that it seems like such a waste. I’ve got good hair and some people lose theirs because of circumstances that can’t control. So then and there I began to grow out my hair. Now I have told lots of jokes about why I do this over the years, and besides who doesn’t like to save money by not paying for haircuts?

Originally it was a simple idea of just growing out my hair to help someone, because it was something I could do. It is just like giving blood, or donating stuff to help others. However, at some point during the first time I began growing out my hair, I got really annoyed. Especially when it had gotten longer than I had ever had hair before. Then a new thought began growing up in me. My favorite scripture verse is Romans 12:1-2, and this hair thing became a prayer. Nearly every time I would brush my hair, or have to use more shampoo than I was used to, or have to start using conditioner, or using some hair product, or put a hair band on, or just get annoyed or whine about my hair I would pray that my life would be a living sacrifice. I really love Jesus, and I simply want to live my life for him. I want there to be nothing left at the end that I held back. So yes, I wanted to give my hair away to hopefully help show someone that God has put people on the planet that are willing to give of themselves to help make their life a little better. But this hair thing became more. It was a constant internal reminder that I want to live my life for the one who has given himself for me.

So I know what you are going to ask. “Steve, are you going to grow it out again?” I will say the same answer I had said after I cut and donated my hair the first time. “No way! I will not do that again!” Whether I go back to regular hair cuts or let it grow long again - I hope this prayer will become a way of life. I hope you will join me in not just praying that prayer, but being a living sacrifice.

From The CUT 2011_02_26

Lectionary reading

2011-02-22T04:56:00.000-06:00

Surrounded by all these questions up here at Duke about where are we going to live, kids schools, paying for Duke, Jill finding a job,... I have had this strange peace about all this. Not saying I am throwing caution to the wind and am going to throw my family into a situation without a plan or not try to make the best decisions for my family, but there is this sense of reassurance. Jesus has lead (and provided for) us this far...

So this morning I am reading through the lectionary reading for this week and find out - maybe I'm not crazy for feeling this way.

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6

3 interviews down 1 To go.

2011-02-21T15:14:00.001-06:00

Having a great day at student pastor day here at Duke. This is going to be a big challenge when this all gets started, but really good.
-Steve

The boys filled in for dad on jill's birthday. I am so proud of them.

2011-02-21T07:18:00.001-06:00

Moms surprise birthday breakfast from caleb and ethan

-Steve

2011-02-14T10:08:00.001-06:00

I rocked the switchbacks, but the backcave rocked me on my ride today.
-Steve

Fun mustaches

2011-02-11T16:52:00.001-06:00

Fun at log cabin.
-Steve

This is taking too long

2011-02-06T21:30:00.000-06:00

I have been saying that this usually takes a year and 2 months to grow out my hair... well it must be slowing down. I looked up when I last had my hair cut. This picture was taken July 2009. So I am now passing a year and a half. I am getting close, I look forward to cuttng it!

As long as Pantene still wants my hair.

Ethan working hard.

2011-01-28T14:31:00.001-06:00

Ethan showing off his raking skills. Earning some money.
-Steve

Ethan's first Grade Play

2011-01-24T07:29:00.003-06:00

These pics are from Ethan's play at AEP. It was pretty cute and fun. He was a French fry.
All the kids did great.

still reading

2011-01-23T21:40:00.002-06:00

3 books down, 3 to go for license to preach school. I wouldn't perfectly ace a test on them, but I've got the main stuff. I’m thinking about practicing the art of skimming.

Here is my reading list. Plus the bonus book, Preaching Without Notes.

I'm going to try

2011-01-22T22:40:00.002-06:00

Let's see if Twitter is worth it.

Fun with Palmer Fam

2011-01-17T23:21:00.002-06:00

We went over to the Palmer's house to study. Jill and Jim went a couple of round (around 2 hours) doing statistics, while all our kids played with the xbox Kinect. I am so glad my wife took just a minute to try it!

Oh yeah. I played on it too. It was awesome!

Mountain biking Arkansas

2011-01-07T14:15:00.001-06:00

-Steve

Christmas Morning

2011-01-01T22:24:00.004-06:00

Kids crawled in our bed, read the Christmas story, said a prayer, opened presents, ate a birthday muffin cake. We had a birthday candle it and sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. Went to visit Jill's family in Shreveport. A great day!

From Christmas Morning 2010

Here are the rest of the pics:

Christmas Morning 2010

Christmas 2010

2011-01-01T22:15:00.003-06:00

Here are a couple of picture highlights.

From Murphy Christmas Alexandria

Ethan's new Razor scooter jumping the curb at MawMaw and PawPaw's house.

From Murphy Christmas Alexandria

Caleb caught some air too!

To see more pictures:

Murphy Christmas Alexandria

Adventure!

2010-12-20T14:44:00.001-06:00

Definately bath night!
-Steve

Daddy's turn.

2010-12-20T13:53:00.001-06:00

-Steve

Ethan's turn.

2010-12-20T13:50:00.000-06:00

-Steve

Swinging on a vine

2010-12-20T13:48:00.001-06:00

What a great adventure day.
-Steve

Going to the show!

2010-12-15T12:48:00.001-06:00

-Steve

Ethan Reece adventure

2010-11-13T15:16:00.001-06:00

Ethan and static

2010-11-06T17:48:00.001-06:00

Ethan and static

Simply Christian - Reflection 4

2010-10-20T20:13:00.002-06:00

Not much reflecting here, but thought I would share a paragraph.

The church is the single, multiethnic family promised by the creator God to Abraham. It was brought into being through Israel's Messiah, Jesus; it was energized by God's Spirit; and it was called to bring the transformative news of God's rescuing justice to the whole creation.

Position Matters

2010-10-19T21:25:00.002-06:00

I love riding bikes. Both trail and road bike. I don't get to do it enough, but I have enough cycling gear to make me look like I should be awesome at it.

This is an old picture when we brought bikes hoping to ride during a camping trip.
From Camping 08 small group

I went to Lincoln Parish Park riding the trails with Derek Joyce a couple Mondays ago and I noticed how high he had his seat. I had always kept my seat position relatively low because when ever we were riding with the kids, I was constantly hopping on and off the bike to help Ethan or Caleb out. It felt more convenient being lower.

When I rode with Derek that day I was getting tired pretty early (a major result of not having ridden in a while and generally not staying in shape). Halfway through the ride we made the adjustment and raised my seat up. It felt strange. I did notice a big difference on my legs. I could tell immediately I was being more efficient with every stroke. It was pretty cool. Still, I was DONE riding for the day. I was exhausted putting my bike in the car, and I watched Derek take off to do a second lap.

I was able to ride again by myself on Monday and I began with the seat in this new position. At the point where last time I had to stop to catch my breath, I only paused for a little water. I made the entire trail in about an hour and 20 minutes (not exactly sure - I don't have one of those computer things on my mountain bike) and I felt great. I wasn't feeling like taking another lap yet, but I felt great. It had everything to do with that higher seat position. Now I did have a little trouble. I was having to adjust my riding style. I found myself leaning forward too much. Which can give you trouble with the back tire slipping while climbing. This also contributed to my minor crash as I went over the handle bars when trying to go through a creek bottom. Still, I can't deny the positive effect this new position had on my riding.

I started thinking about my position. Not my position on abortion, or my political position, or my position on the economy. We already have plenty of people defending all those positions. This morning I read Luke 18:9-14 and saw how much the position of our heart matters. Two men went to the same place to worship and pray. One man's heart position was high on himself and the other was humble. Jesus clearly lifts up in the story the man with the humble heart. What is your position?

I am praying that God will help me to ride high on the bike, but humble in my heart. It will probably feel strange at times adjusting to the position, but I can't deny the positive effect this position will have on me.

Swim Meet and El Dorado

2010-10-17T21:35:00.004-06:00

We had a great family weekend. Saturday went to El Dorado for Caleb to swim in his first swim meet. Actually it was an international swim meet since there was a team from Germany there. Which is cool. I told Caleb that is something he can brag to his kids about someday. "I swam in an international meet against a German team." That just sounds cool.

Caleb did great. That was about the fastest I had ever seen him swim.

During the slow waiting times Ethan, Jill and I took turns touring around El Dorado. Very cool downtown area. Jill bought some fudge and brought me a local sample of Étouffée. Good family time.

Caleb loves to read!

2010-10-14T10:52:00.001-06:00

He spent his own money to get the new Rick Riordan book.

Ethan, Go Get Ready for Your Bath

2010-10-12T18:48:00.003-06:00

Dad: "Ethan, go get ready for your bath."

[1 minutes later]

Ethan: "Come check out my clothes monster"

I walk in and find this on the floor of the bathroom and him ready for a bath.

From Ethan Clothes man

Well, at least he did get undressed and ready for bath. Maybe a little more creative than I was anticipating, but he did the job.

Caleb n Ethan building a fort.

2010-10-09T14:26:00.001-06:00

The boys built a fort while i was out.

Ethan wanted a website

2010-10-05T21:46:00.002-06:00

Ethan wanted a website to display his art..... so here we go.

http://artofethan.blogspot.com/

LifeHouse Ministries Inc.

2010-10-04T21:17:00.001-06:00

Bike Ride

2010-10-04T08:46:00.005-06:00

I rode my road bike today.

17.65 miles :)

13.4 Average Speed :(

Was great to get out and ride! It was cold enough I rode almost a mile out and turned around to get full finger gloves and my a jacket. My teeth were chattering and my fingers were hurting. Still it was a beautiful day and a great ride. Sometimes I love just getting on my bike and going without a planned route and today I ended up going west near Ruston Jr. High, then south to highway 80 then east to the Ruston Airport. It was fun just wandering around. I was listening to Revelation. It seems like we get to taste moments in our life where heaven and earth meet up or intersect. Listening to Revelation was like watching Heaven and earth Fully collide.

Simply Christian - Reflection 3

2010-09-24T20:15:00.002-06:00

N. T. Wright's
Simply Christian
Why Christianity Makes Sense

I don't have much of my own commentary to add here, but here are some quotes that stood out as I read the chapter "God's Breath of Life".

"the point of the Spirit is to enable those who follow Jesus to take into all the world the news that he is Lord, that he has won the victory over the forces of evil, that a new world has opened up , and that we are to help make it happen."

I like this idea being invited to participate in the renewal and recreation of ... well of creation.

"The Spirit is given so that we ordinary mortals can become, in a measure, what Jesus himself was: part of God's future arriving in the present; a place where heaven and earth meet; the means of God's kingdom going ahead."

I loved his connecting the pillar of fire and the cloud to the Holy Spirit. God's mysterious presence with his people as a reminder, a promise, a guarantee that there is a promise land. They can live knowing that God is present with them right then and a guarantee that (if they keep their side of the covenant) they can live with God as God's people.

We are participating in the true exodus. The Journey from Passover to Promise land. and just like the pillar of cloud and fire was present with His people, not the "Spirit is the strange, personal presence of the living God himself, leading, guiding, warning, rebuking, grieving over our failings, and celebrating our small steps toward the true inheritance."

"The Whole world is God's holy land." It may appear a mix of suffering and beauty, but God is reclaiming it.

"They are, individually and corporately, places where heaven and hearth meet." Speaking of followers being the Temple of the Holy Spirit.

That's all I have for now.

My favorite picture of Gran

2010-09-21T19:29:00.002-06:00

We love you.

Gran and Daniel

2010-09-18T10:56:00.001-06:00

Gran and Daniel - beautiful moment.