July 29, 2010

Go Fish

Every June the guys in my family go on what we call "The In-Law/Outlaw Fishing Trip.Attendance varies every year, but usually it consists of myself, my brother, my father, my brother-in-law, my father-in-law and my brother's father-in-law.  We spend a couple of days in Southern Missouri fishing for trout and enjoying each other's company.  Half of the guys are are excellent fishermen.  Half of us are not.  I'm including myself in the "Not" half.  Usually I only catch a fish or two.  At least on the last trip we stayed in a cabin with a stocked pond. I spent most of my time catching bluegill and a couple of bass in the pond rather than in the stream with the trout.  It was easy fishing, my favorite kind.
So this weekend we leave on a big family trip to Gatlinburg where I will for the first time try some difficult fishing, fly fishing.  I was thrilled that for my birthday this year I got everything I need to start fly fishing.  Totally different kind of fishing.  The skill it takes to whip your line back and forth and drop a near-weightless piece of fuzz exactly where you think the fish is waiting for it is impressive.  The fishing that I've done has always been throwing the hook out into the water and hope a fish takes the bait.  I'm not saying there isn't some skill involved, but it's not nearly as impressive as fly fishing.
      "And Jesus said to them, Come after Me and be My disciples, and I will make you to become fishers of men."
Mark 1:17

July 19, 2010

It will only take a little while...

Last weekend I decided to change the oil on the minivan.  I had never changed the oil on the minivan before, but I'd changed the oil on 3 or 4 of my other cars before.  The oil pan is on the bottom of the car and I could see the oil filter.  No problem.  I had already purchased the oil and the filter.  So I told my wife it should only take 30 to 45 minutes and I was ready to go.  I got the car on the ramps.  I drained the oil.  Everything is right on schedule.  

Then I put the oil filter wrench on and twisted.  It slipped.  Tried again.  Slipped again.  It didn't fit.  I pulled the new oil filter out of the box and slipped it into wrench.  It fit.  Tried on the old filter again.  Too loose.  Aaaagggh!!!  To make a long story short I spent at least an hour and a half on a job that should have taken just 30 minutes.  

Why do things never seem to go according to plan?

July 9, 2010

All Things Through Christ

We want to have control of our lives.  We want to make the decisions.  Whenever there is a problem we want to fix it.  But there are situations in our lives that we cannot fix.  When we are faced with those times we run to God.  But why do we only run to God in those times?  Why does it take a time of helplessness to remind us of all that God can do in our lives?

July 5, 2010

How Cleaning the Garage Taught Me Stewardship

I had a goal on Saturday - to park the minivan in the garage.  Spent a couple of hours cleaning and organizing.  The garden tools are hanging on the wall (most of them).  The workbenches are in a more accessible locations.  And the goal of finally being able to park the minivan inside the garage was attained.  One problem, the clickers stopped working.

July 3, 2010

The Brick Testament

The Brick Testament  calls itself "The world's largest, most comprehensive illustrated Bible."  I'll stick with The Lego Bible.
 
I haven't had the chance to go through the whole site, but for those of you that enjoyed legos as a kid...  you MUST take a look at this site.  

www.thebricktestament.com