The TV Stays On!

Last winter we got a couple of gift certificates to a ski resort just outside of Anchorage. They sat on our kitchen counter for several months waiting for just the right moment to come along.

That moment has arrived - my birthday. Joyce called the lodge and the birthday room was booked! Credit card to hold the reservation? No problem, after all we do have two gift certificates, and together they are pretty healthy. However, just before she hung up, Joyce asked, "how much is the room?" ... 2__$ a night?! You have got to be kidding! They weren't.

I'm now making plans for the birthday room. At 2__$ a night you can't actually sleep! I'm thinking of taking a nap just before check-in so I can stay up all night and get the most out of the room. I may actually wear the robe that is supplied in the closet. If I only knew who wore it the night before! Oh yea, I'm keeping the shampoo and the TV stays on - all night.

I'm beginning to think that the following Sunday may actually be a day of rest for me. After staying in a 2__$ a night room, I'm probably going to be exhausted. But, what can I say, it should be a great birthday.

The Bridge to Somewhere

This one lane bridge leads to somewhere - somewhere special. It leads to an investment that my wife and I made over the years, an investment of prayers, it leads to my son's house. Today Stu is married to a wonderful young woman and they have three fabulous children - perfect children! ( A grandpa's perspective.)

Last night I watched another investment of ours in operation, my daughter. I watched as she and others in their "Solutions Co." orchestrated a large wedding. They did a great job! She too is a product of our prayer investment. She is married to a fine young man with outstanding character, Bryan.

The older I get the more I believe that life is about investments, spiritual investments through biblical living and prayer, investments with our daily decisions and actions, and investments of our finances and talents. Every day is an investment for tomorrow and eternity. Every day is a preparation day for something bigger than me.

USPSA

This past weekend I shot my second USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) match in Fairbanks. Shooters are required to analyze, draw, shoot, reload, and negotiate obstacles, and the clock doesn't stop until all of these have been accomplished. The match is strictly supervised and you must go through a safety orientation prior to competing. When it is your turn to negotiate the course you are under the watchful eyes of two Range Officers at all times. During the day we were blessed with rain, hail, and sunshine - you have to love Fairbanks in July! Also, I need to note that my son smoked the fun-house stage - a little over 18 seconds! The best time for that stage was shot by Bill who competes internationally and he came in at a little over 15 seconds. It took me that long to figure out where to stand!

Avoiding A Disappointing Life

In the last quarter of 2006, Acer Notebooks outsold Toshiba notebooks, and Sumit Agnihotry, Director of Marketing, said the reason was execution. "Once a strategy is decided, if execution doesn't happen, its just talk," Joanna Stern, Laptop Magazine.

That statement made a lot of sense to me because I feel that opportunity without execution will become disappointment. So I need to examine myself for execution, or follow through, on decisions I've made. For example, I had decided to read more - do I? I believe the answer is yes. I set time aside routinely, make book selections, and read regularly. It was, and is, quite rewarding.

While pastoring in Fairbanks, I remember examining my time at the church, about two years had passed at that moment, and I was not please with my progress. So, I chose a plan and began to execute one goal at a time. After a ten year pastorate, I looked back and felt good about my accomplishments. It was far from perfect, but I think I made a difference in some areas.

As Don Meyer would say, 'Think About It."

A Family Gathering

My brother passed away recently, and after the funeral service several family members got together. We haven't seen each other for some time, and it was good to be with each other. Though the reason for coming together was difficult, the gathering was enjoyable.

Those gathered were of all ages. They hugged, laughed, and engaging in conversations, all at the same time. There were discussions on recreation, what other family members were doing, and who was suffering from what ailment - it was really noisy - and fun. I did my best to move from one conversation to the other trying to fit into the discussion. Then the topic of hugging came up when someone (Jan) observed my hugging style. That would be my politically correct, extreme angle, avoiding eye contact, while minimizing any actual human contact hug. In this setting it drew a lot of attention - alright ridicule. Only one family member (a fellow minister) came to my rescue, citing a recent court case. The others just looked at me like - "what's wrong with you - you have a skin disease or something?" So, I am now working on a less politically correct, while attempting to stay our of court for sexual harassment, hug.

Eddy (my brother) would have enjoyed the gathering.