Fun on Friday- Second Annual Big Guy Weekend

Last Friday, Parker and I enjoyed our Second Annual Big Guy Weekend, a time for just the two of us to get away together for a couple of days (when Turner turns 5, he'll begin getting his own Big Guy Weekends). This year, we went to Stone Mountain Park just outside Atlanta, spending over 8 hours out in the 95+ degree heat. The above photo is of us on top of the mountain. We rode the Sky Rider twice. Rode the train twice. Played miniature golf twice. Went through the museum. Climbed on the ropes course. Got caught outside in the rain. Wore ourselves out. Spent the night in Alpharetta. Then stopped by First Baptist Woodstock and visited their awesome playground (photo below) before heading home on Saturday afternoon.

But the best part of the weekend was one on one time with Parker. We are blessed to be raising a great Big Guy.

Great Quote Thursday

The most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people- Theodore Roosevelt

Book Review- Abraham Lincoln by Thomas Keneally

Keneally's brief biography of Abraham Lincoln, part of the Penguin Lives series, paints a mixed review of 16th President of the United States. As portrayed by Keneally, Lincoln was either a devout Calvinist or he questioned the very existence of God. He was either a lifelong abolitionist whose sole purpose as President was to end slavery or slavery was simply an issue to be dealt with as his main Presidential objective was to keep the Union together. He either married Mary Todd out of love for her or he simply married her because his options for marriage were limited.

A benefit of the biographies in the Penguin Lives series is that the reader gets to see a brief and broad review of an individual's life. However, the difficulty with books of this sort, as with all biographies of the deceased, is that they are really compilations of the works of others. The author/compiler can paint the subject of the work in whatever light they choose.

What is not contested is that Abraham Lincoln was driven by a thirst for knowledge and information and made obvious his desire to rise above the agrarian-trade economy and society in which his harsh and uneducated father, Thomas Lincoln, raised him. Keneally shares a memorable story to this effect on page 9. As a teenager, Abraham Lincoln, while manning a cockboat that ferried passengers attempting to catch oncoming steamers at the confluence of the Anderson and Ohio Rivers, had two men toss a silver half-dollar into his boat as they exited to board a steamer. Keneally notes that years later in the White House, Lincoln would say of this moment "Gentlemen, you may think a very little thing...but it was the most important incident in my life. The world seemed wider and fairer to me". While one might think being elected President of the United States was Lincoln's brightest moment, he found his enlightenment of a more diverse world that was to become available to him to be his life's shining moment.

At under 200 pages, obviously a sketch of Lincoln's life, Keneally's book is worth the read.

Limited or Unlimited

Interesting to me that sometimes it's better when something is limited while other times if something is unlimited it's better. Here's what I mean:

I've found the unlimited soup, salad and breadsticks lunch at Olive Garden to my liking. It's currently available at a reduced price, but of course, this offer is only available for a limited time.
Owning a limited edition print can be a great investment.

Unlimited refills at restaurants are always a good thing.

If you own a piece of memorabilia that is handsigned and the available quantities of similar pieces are limited, you may have something quite valuable.

If you have a season pass to an amusement park, allowing you unlimited access to all the park has to offer for every day the park is open, you can do alot with that.

And sometimes something that's unlimited can be both good and bad. Like a pizza buffet. All the pizza you want (good) but it's maybe not of the highest quality (bad) and if you overdo it, you'll truly feel it (bad) later.

Fun on Friday

Was recently at Target in the toy section with our sons. Our 3 year old picks up a box of Toy Story 3 characters that he says he wants. Our 6 year old looks at the price tag and replies, "$49.99? That's way too expensive". That's my boy.

Is anyone is sports more overhyped than Danica Patrick? She's constantly in the media and is in multiple commercials for various products and companies. But she's not really a competitive racer in either the Nationwide Series or the Izod IndyCar Series. Most drivers running 62nd (Nationwide) or 11th (Izod IndyCar) in a racing series are just glad to have a sponsor.

Quickly becoming a big fan of Taco Bell's $2.00 Meal Deals.

Great Quote Thursday

Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved- Winston Churchill

Is Your Marriage Rock Solid?

John Piper, a noted pastor and theologian, is currently on an extended leave of absence from his home church, Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In a letter written to the church's membership and posted on his Desiring God website, Piper explained that one reason for his need to take some time away is to focus on his marriage:

"Noel and I are rock solid in our commitment to each other, and there is no whiff of unfaithfulness on either side. But, as I told the elders, "rock solid" is not always an emotionally satisfying metaphor, especially to a woman. A rock is not the best image of a woman's tender companion. In other words, the precious garden of my home needs tending."

Here's The Point: I had always thought of being "rock solid" as a positive thing. But every garden needs tending to prevent weeds and to flower as it should.

Fun on Friday

Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson recently said that, after leading the NFL in rushing with over 2000 yards last season, he "can't play for $550,000" this season. Apparently it doesn't matter that he's under contract for 3 more seasons. Most of the guys I know could make ends meet at 550K per year.

Recently flew to Florida on Allegiant Air. Oddly enough, it cost more for my bag to return to Knoxville than it did for me to get home.

One benefit of the dry, hot weather we've been having is that a guy doesn't need to mow his yard as often.

Great Quote Thursday

It is not the honor that you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind- Branch Rickey

Book Review- Louie Giglio's The Air I Breathe

This short book by Louie Giglio, the leader of the Passion movement, is designed to remind the reader that worship isn't a thing we do. Worship isn't just music. Worship must be who we are. Worship is to be constant. Like breathing. So much a part of who we are that we don't even notice it but yet essential to our very life.

It won't take you long to read this book and it's good to be reminded that worship is central in the life of a Christ follower. The book is worth your time to read.

Fun on Friday

Now that LeBron James is headed to Miami, ESPN can now focus all its attention on if (when) Brett Favre will return to the NFL.

United States Postal Service postage stamps are going up in price again. This time to 46 cents. If you think about it, 46 cents to get a piece of mail sent from your house to mine is actually not a bad deal. But with online banking and private competition, the USPS continues to spiral downward (billions in financial losses even after cutting 40,000 jobs). Some things eventually run their course.

More and more I find myself using my cell phone as a flashlight. It's odd but I've found it to be a very helpful feature.

Great Quote Thursday

More often it's not how handsomely or eloquently you say something, but the fact that your words mean something- Ronald Reagan

Elijah- Dealing With Discouragement

On Sundays, we're continuing our look at the life of Elijah, the Old Testament prophet.

In I Kings 19, Elijah's life is threatened by King Ahab's wife Jezebel. As a result, he deals with discouragement bordering on depression. As I study through chapter 19, I realize there are some great lessons for us to learn when we are dealing with discouragement:

1. Remember how good God has been to you- v. 3, 4
When Elijah's life is threatened, he flees in fear. He clearly forgets how good God has been to him (forgetting how God previously saved his life when Ahab sought to kill him; forgetting how God showed his glory and power on Mount Carmel)
2. Remember God always provides- v. 5-8
God provided water and food for Elijah during the period of the drought; God provided for Elijah by using a poor widow
3. Remember you are not alone- v. 18
When Elijah moans that he alone is left to honor and worship God, God tells him that He has 7000 followers who still love Him

Here's The Point: When discouragement comes, and it will, it's good to remember how good God has always been to us; to remember that God always provides (though maybe not in the way or in the time frame we'd prefer); and to remember that no matter what our struggles are that we are not alone, that others have experienced what we're going through.

Fun on Friday

I've not seen Toy Story 3 yet. But after my son's recent birthday party at which he received several Toy Story character items, I can see why Andy's mom boxed up Woody, Buzz and the gang. All children's toys that make sound, speak or play music should have an on/off button. It really should be mandatory. I'm all for "To Infinity and Beyond" as much as the next guy, but sometimes Buzz needs to take a break at our house.

I'm living the life.

Great Quote Thursday

This much I know. You can't put a price tag on being obedient to the Holy Spirit's promptings. Even when you are the only person who understands why you are doing what you are doing, walk confidently along the path God paves for you- Bill Hybels