ponderings

books that change us...

2011-02-28T18:30:00.001-08:00

I have just finished reading a book that I believe every American should be required to read. No matter what your beliefs, value-system, socioeconomic status, or political slant, this should be mandatory. Obviously that will never happen, so I'll just encourage you to read it.
The book is titled "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption" by Laura Hillenbrand. The title states most of what you need to know, but as the story unfolds you become captivated by these men and their struggles to survive. God's grace is a subtle undertone that explodes at one point near the end of the book. I am humbled to live in a country that took such sacrifice to maintain and uphold. I regret not serving in the military. I am ashamed of my generation of men, compared with the World War II generation and the caliber they were made of. I am thankful to worship a God who was in control on the darkest day in prison camp and who is control of my silly daily struggles. I promise you...if you read this book it will change you, and you will be a better American because of it, and be drawn closer to God through it all.

the dreaded new year reflection blog

2011-01-03T18:16:00.000-08:00

how many hobbies must one man have?
well...too many for sure.
here is my list...in no particular order:
outdoor activities in general, mountain biking, longboarding, freebording, hiking, fishing, firearms, shooting, hunting (specifically flying objects like doves and ducks), pipe smoking, coffee brewing/drinking, bicycling to and from work, beer drinking, triathlon, weight lifting, camping, reading, guitar playing, scotch whisky drinking, songwriting, golfing...is that it? hmmmm i thought there would be more. i'm sure there are, i've just neglected to remember them...oh yeah, jeep driving/4x4ing/mudding/trail riding....
of course these are simply my hobbies, things that add to the general flavor of my life. things that make me ...me. things that reflect God's creativity when creating me. these hobbies are not the most important things in my life. not even close. some of them i haven't been able to do in so long i'm not sure they should even qualify as a hobbie anymore...like golfing....i THINK i can still swing a club...but i don't LIVE for any of these hobbies. I live for God. I live for his glory. I pursue these hobbies because he has created me in his image. the same God who created blowfish and eagles....polar bears and ants...and the wilderbeast....have you ever looked at one of those things? some people claim they were put together from spare parts...one things for sure, they prove God has a sense of humor.
I don't LOVE my hobbies, nor do i live for them...
I live for my God.
I love my God.
I live for and love my wife, my girls (all three) and my family.
I am thankful for the ability to run, ride, laugh, smoke, drink, taste amazing food, laugh with friends and enjoy the amazing beauty of God's creation.
i am glad for 2011...and almost afraid of what new hobbie i may discover...but excited about what that will show me about myself, and about God.

the lov3s of my life

2009-01-17T20:02:00.000-08:00

pictures in letters mailed a week ago
make me laugh and smile i miss you so
i can't help but wonder when the time comes
what i'm gonna say to let you know...

that i'm falling in love...with you.

marriage brings our smiles and our tears of joy
a little giggle and a glow you never had before
she's moving you squeal as you take my hand
through your belly she already touches my heart

and i'm...falling in love again

my heart is showing and my tears are flowing
as the she puts you in my arms
so tiny, pink and pretty and so perfectly made
i can't believe i'm finally holding the life that He gave

and i'm...falling in love with you

another year or two of blissfully
growing watching waiting breathlessly
her mommy looks at me so wistfully...and says
i can't believe it buts it true...i'm expecting

and i'm falling in love again

i laughed and smiled and of course i cried
as she held onto my thumb for the very first time
another girl in my world who could ask for more
i'm more blessed than any man ever before

and i'm falling in love with you
and you
and you
again.

yes i've fallen in love...again.

keith hoak

2009-01-03T20:34:00.000-08:00

the tears flow as my heart beats slow
we all have known this day was close
the warmth i hold proves my hands are cold
as i weakly show affection of old

i let go of your hand as i reach out for His
i feel the cold of this dead earth fade away
the warmth i feel now is never going to leave
as my feet touch heaven's shores i know i'm home

63 years we held on tight
as we sang our own song
63 years we lived as one
i can't see being two for too long

they say one day is like a thousand years
and a thousand years is like one day
that means i may have to wait a million years
or i might open my eyes with you by my side

i have to go but you must know
that before your feet even hit the sand
you'll feel my hand, helping you home
and hand in hand again we'll stand

hand in hand we will stand