Thinking Padre

I hate

2008-10-15T17:14:00.002-04:00

I hate hearing political talk. Because, let's face it. If you're a republican you're bent on smearing Obama and if democrat bent on smearing McCain. Not only is your "candidate" perfect but the other is a polar opposite. Then there are the doom and gloom people that say we're screwed no matter what.

It's absurd.

Today at the gym I heard two guys talking about how Obama was going to make the market crash and how he's a socialist. What I'm about to type is true, it really happened. The guy was not joking or trying to prove a point. He started making a point about Obama and accidently called him Bin Laden.

Moving?

2008-10-14T21:40:00.002-04:00

New Blog. I think the thinking padre is moving. Well that's not quite true. This blog will still exist but I need to focus my efforts on this other blog for a while. Some come on over and join the community.

Where? What?

2008-10-13T15:34:00.002-04:00

Where to begin and what to blog about? I don't know, I just don't know. A group of Bridger, seven of us to be exact went down to Atlanta last week to participate in Catalyst. Most would say they went to a conference but can honestly say we participated in this conference. Geared toward next generation leaders the Conference features some of the best in their respective field from church planting to business. I always go with the highest of expectations and of the three times I've been I've never come back home disappointed. I might be exhausted but I'm passionate for the calling God has revived in me.

It's funny that the only reason I ever heard about Catalyst was that I wanted to hear Donald Miller speak after reading one of his books and the only play I saw him speaking was at Catalyst 2005. I've been to 05, 07 and 08. I missed 06 because I was in Russia.

I'm sure I'll have more to add later...

A book you'll actually read

2008-09-26T14:45:00.003-04:00

I stumbled upon these books because Amazon recommended them to me. I'm a little surprised I didn't hear about them sooner because Mark Driscoll is one of my favorite authors and preachers. I'm glad I found them though. The books are marketed as books you'll actually read because of their brevity.

I read the one titled "On who is God". It was brief, 82 pages I think but it was good. Part of it was excerpts from the other book I'm reading Vintage Jesus but it has enough original content to make it worth the purchase.

Great book overall. There are a few quotes in it that I'll highlight in another post.

Right now on Amazon the books qualify for a buy 3 get 1 free deal so you can get all 4 for $30 (free shipping).

ABYAR Website

Benefits

2008-09-24T23:54:00.002-04:00

So like I mentioned earlier today my friend Kristy asked me to compile a list of benefits to losing weight and being health. I can't sleep tonight for some reason so I might as well see what I can churn out.

1. I don't think overweight people ever really view themselves as overweight. I'm mean sure we know/knew we had a few extra pounds we knew we needed to get our diet under control but still when I read those statistics about the majority of Americans being overweight somehow that number didn't include me. I was confused as to why seats were tight. It was weird that all at once manufacturers started making movie theater, roller coaster and airline seats two sizes too small all in the same couple of years. It was also weird that for some reason all clothing manufacturers starting making xxl's so small.

In a way it was good that I never let my weight damage my perceived value or self worth. It was bad that I never was able to see my self for who I really was both in what I really looked like on the outside but also who I was on the inside. It's sort of like those two things were hiding from each other.

2. I think my favorite thing about this process is the energy that I now have. It was a chore to get up and play with Nathan or to take a little walk to the park. Just the little things in life took so much energy. After all it's quite a bit of work lugging around that much weight.

Rarely do I lack the energy to do things now and if I do it generally means I either worked out very hard that day or I didn't get enough sleep the night before. My feet don't get tired, my legs don't get tired and I can literally go all day without a break. It's not uncommon for me to get up and go for a run (5 or so miles), to spend a few hours cutting the grass and other lawn work and still have the energy to spend time with the family. I don't say that to boast but just that I'm still amazed that I don't have the insatiable urge to rest but rather enjoy exerting myself beyond what I have before.

It's all about pushing limits.

3. The final benefit (for now) is health I can be proud of. My resting heart rate is about 54, I have excellent blood pressure and cholesterol. This link is the benefits of running but I believe it would apply to any kind of regular and strenuous exercise. Benefits of Running.

Health

2008-09-24T15:14:00.003-04:00

My friend Kristy asked me about a month or so ago to compile a list of reasons that it's great to lose weight and get healthy. I promised I haven't forgotten but have been too lazy to sit down and write something up. However as I am currently reaching a few new milestones I realized I should write this thought down to share with others.

One of my goals when I started lifting weights was to one day be asked to give someone a spot in the weight room. If you don't know what that means I'll try to explain it. When someone is lifting free weights and attempting to do a weight that they have not done before or a weight that they aren't sure they will be able to do safely and with good form they will often find a random guy or girl in the weight room and ask them to "give them a spot" or be their spotter. The spotter is there in case something goes wrong or if the person lifting can't get the weight back up and on the rack.

Naturally when you look around the weight room you're looking for someone who can handle the weight. After all it might mean your safety. In my 18 months I've been in the weight room I've never been asked to give someone a spot. It doesn't happen that often anyway but it was a goal of mine. Today was my day. No big deal, no big story just a guy that was lifting on the bench press walked past two other guys to ask me if I'd give him a spot. That was a milestone for me.

I'm also approaching a new milestone in that today I weighed 201 lbs. My next major weight milestone is to weigh 199.

So that's what this entry is about. Setting realistic goals for yourself when attempting to live a healthier life. Whether you're just in it to get in better shape or to complete a race or triathalon or if you have lots of weight to lose setting goals, milestones that you'll place in the sand is important. Afterall how will you assess your progress if you don't know how far you've gotten or where you're going to begin with.

When I weighed in at 340 on April 1, 2007 I knew my first milestone. It was to get under 300 lbs. I knew I wouldn't stop there but I didn't allow myself to set my final goal weight. At that point in time it wasn't about weight loss as a collective whole, it was about 40 pounds. It's probably not a coincidence that Weight Watchers sets a 10% goal for their customers. The initial goal is to lose 10% of their current body weight. They are not allowed to set a goal weight until that 10% is lost. I recommend you do the same.

The amazing part was I was in a hurry to lose that weight so I lost it quickly. Then when I hit that goal I realized how attainable 40 lbs was so I decided to set my next goal at 250, 50 more pounds.

But I didn't stop there. I started an exercise goal. I had started walking. Walking is great exercise but one thing is true about walking. It takes a long time. So as a goal I told myself I could start running my miles when I hit 275 lbs. That was a big deal for me. I wasn't really looking forward to running but was looking forward to finishing my miles faster.

When I started running I thought it would be fun to run a 5k. I started running at the end of August 2007 and set a goal to run the Toys for Tots 5k on Thanksgiving day. I wanted to finish it in under 30 minutes. My time was 28:43. I did it.

By the time all of these goals were accomplished I was getting close to my goal weight of 220. So as far as weight loss goes it was time to pursue that goal. But I had one other goal I wanted to accomplish. I wanted to be able to bench press my body weight. I was 235 when I benched pressed my body weight. Today I can't bench 235 and I was only able to do it for that one day, but I did it.

I was also able to add in some running time goals, some race goals, some strength goals, push up goals, all stuff I can work towards. That's the key, keep working, keep pressing, keep achieving. Success generates more success.

Fun with the news

2008-09-24T15:06:00.002-04:00

PETA is nuts I tell you. They have requested Ben and Jerry's consider making breast milk ice cream. That's gonna go over like a lead balloon.

Truth?

2008-09-16T13:36:00.000-04:00

I would like the whole story on this, is this true?

A Nation Divided

2008-09-15T07:31:00.003-04:00

I was reading an article in Smithsonian magazine about previous party conventions. The contributors of the articles painted a picture of party conventions that featured debate, division and rally to certain causes. It made our current conventions seem like high school pep rallies compared to some of the stuff that was happening then. An interesting point was made about the divisions of the republican vs. democrat and their respective differences. Here you go.

Very interesting stuff.

As was pointed out in that article in recent history, my lifetime, there have been few democrat victories for the white house. In fact in my lifetime, if I subtract my toddler years, there has been exactly one democrat president, Bill "Party Boat" Clinton. I point that out to say that it's amazing to see the electoral college map and my memory of the first two presidential elections I've voted in. America is fairly evenly divided and while I know bipartisanship is paid lip service I'm not sure it's happening.

I'm certain it's certain issues that have so sharply divided us; gun control and abortion among others.

I mention this because I've been wondering lately how much I should let the ideologies of the different parties determine my vote. I think this is important because even if a candidate mentions their version of change how much change is really possible. Not only will they need the approval of those on the other side of the aisle of them but also of the ideas of their own party.

I think I'm pretty much decided who my vote will be going to on election day (actually before because I'll be on vacation and will be voting absentee) but there are still some things to be considered.

Ohio State Fans

2008-09-14T15:19:00.002-04:00

You knew it was coming. You were perhaps the most overrated team coming into the season. Or at least a close second to Clemson and USC. At least this year you guys didn't win in an easy big ten all year only to have it handed to you in your bowl game. The heartbreak must be easier to take in September than it is in January.

USC fans... play somebody and then talk trash, which means you might be able to talk trash sometime in 2011.

College football

2008-09-12T10:47:00.002-04:00

Sorry OSU fans (those words go so well together), but USC is going to absolutely destroy you on Saturday. Don't get me wrong I'm not USC fan but I've got USC 35 OSU 14, if you're lucky. And none of this crying about Beanie Wells, he wasn't going to help you out any.

Just to be fair:

So now for my final comments. Wow how about the ACC football? It was better when you guys just tried to stick to basketball. Big East, who?

Remind me again...

2008-09-11T06:45:00.002-04:00

I'm sorry the first is so small, it's my one of my favorites in the book. I can't find the bigger versions online but know that these comics are a 9/11 tribute done by DC comics.

2008-09-10T14:36:00.001-04:00

Polls are stupid (part one)

2008-09-08T12:18:00.003-04:00

A college football team, East Carolina, starts off with a win over #17 ranked Virginia Tech on week one. The week one games most of the time are gimme games, glorified scrimmage, ECU SHOULD have been the team that got beat down in that one, it wasn't it won. Then week two ECU ROMPS West Virginia, a Big East powerhouse ranked #8 in the nation and had as high a ranking as #2 last year (I think VA. Tech did too). So ECU as far as I know is the only team in college football that has played and defeated two top 25 ranked opponents. The rankings game out today for AP top 25 and USA today poll- 14 and 20 respectively. That's a load of crap. They deserve at least a top 10 ranking if not higher.

I'm not a pirate fan, I can't even tell you where ECU is but they deserve better!

:EDIT: it's in Greenville, NC.

Wedding

2008-09-01T12:05:00.003-04:00

I did my first of three weddings I have for this fall yesterday. I've known Audrie for most of her life. I first met her when she was about 4th or 5th grade. I saw her grow up and have seen her have a baby and now get married. It was the most special wedding I've ever been part of. Her and her new husband, Jeremy, really are very genuine and real with one another. They were most emotional about the ceremony and about getting married. It was obvious in many ways how special they are to one another and how special this day was. The vows they shared with one another were incredible.

What's a guy to do?

2008-08-29T16:23:00.002-04:00

McCain/Palin

Obama/Biden

Random thoughts...

2008-08-28T10:40:00.002-04:00

aren't they all?

While grinding out a few miles on the treadmill this morning I saw on one of the wall tv's that Michael Phelps was on the Today Show. I like Phelps and think his 8 golds are amazing so I wanted to hear him talk. I also like to hear him speak because in between phrases he makes this hilarious "aaahhhhh" nasal sound that cracks me up, every time with out fail.

But I really do admire him as an athlete. He mentioned that he got to meet Tiger Woods yesterday. I can't find the picture online but when I do I'll post it. It's a shot of them meeting and then embracing. Michael Phelps said in the interview, quite absent of the nasal ahhhhs, that it was just a regular conversation and then he said something that moved me. Phelps said "He told me I did a good job and that he was proud of me."

Wow.

I don't think I realized until today, or perhaps I forgot and was reminded today how powerful those words are. I'm not sure this statement is true for women but I know for men, at least most men, that these words are incredibly powerful. I'm proud of you.

It's so seldom heard, I think some might even view it as demeaning. We might get recognition through our jobs, from our bosses, from our wives/husbands or our children. But it takes someone that we respect, someone that is more advanced than us or more experienced that us or someone's whose opinion we value. I think it's most powerful from someone that is part of your life but not in the day to day grind with you.

I digress.

I'm proud of you...

Donald Miller and Barack Obama

2008-08-28T07:04:00.003-04:00

As a follow up to the video of Don Miller giving the benediction for the DNC the other night I got an email from Don this morning explaining a little bit more about his ongoing relationship with Barack and how they got to know each other.

You can read about it on Don's blog.

The Bucket List Series

2008-08-27T08:13:00.005-04:00

Donald Miller

2008-08-26T13:25:00.002-04:00

Looks like Don wanted to be like me and lost some weight. I'm guessing his cross country bike trip helped out as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b79m3fJfmuA

Confessions of free spirit

2008-08-14T11:07:00.003-04:00

I thought I should give a little plug for my friend Kristin Garrett. While I'm jealous of her that she has a book published before I do I'm also very proud of her and want to let you know about her book.

Here is the link to the publisher and also where you can buy the book online Confessions of a Free Spirit.

"In Confessions of a Free Spirit: A Girl’s Guide to Finding Herself in an Image-Obsessed Culture, Kristin Garrett tells sincerely of her experience as a self-declared free spirit trying to find her place as a Christian and as her own person in a society that makes girls feel like they must fit a certain type to be worth knowing and loving. Garrett discusses pertinent issues to middle- and high-school girls, speaking honestly about self-confidence, the media, guys, and community. Perhaps most importantly, she moves away from legalism and formulaic answers in favor of the importance of the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit through surrender. Through her unique writing style, she addresses her reader personally, like an older sister or good friend, scattering journal entries throughout and connecting closely with the reader. Teenage girls will connect emotionally and practically with the experiences and insights in Confessions of a Free Spirit, and in doing so, they will come to see themselves and their relationships with Christ as beautiful, active, and healing. "

Olympics

2008-08-14T10:24:00.004-04:00

Wow- so it's been a while. I'm noticing a trend...

Well in case you don't know I love the olympics. I love all the sports that we don't really have here like badminton, or the ones we don't get to see on tv much like kayaking and rowing. I love seeing Michael Phelps win medals and I love hearing him speak. He's the Rocky Balboa of the pool.

I love seeing Team USA (basketball) playing some defense this morning against Greece. I know there are dopers and cheaters and I know the athletes are sponsored and therefore paid but I still believe there is something pure about olympic athletes. I noticed a fire in the eyes of the basketball team this morning as they realized it was a dollar bill they were playing for but the pride of representing their nation.

Baptism Service Pics

2008-07-28T15:29:00.002-04:00

Ryan Hall

2008-07-28T15:05:00.003-04:00

I came across this article on Ryan Hall. In case you don't know Ryan is the #1 marathoner in the US. He is the fastest american born person at the distance of 26.2 miles. He also holds the american record for the fastest half marathon. Ryan is also a first class guy and clearly a follower of Jesus Christ.

Read the article here. It's long so if you don't get to all of it I highlighted a few things. They might not make sense if you don't read the whole article or know a little about Ryan's life and achievements.

There is no dust on Ryan Hall's Bible. It is hardly tattered, but the gilding on the pages is scored and worn. When he opens it to follow the sermon, it falls open easily to reveal well-thumbed page corners and verses underlined in pen. This Bible is not a prop. You can see him turning to it again and again. When racing for Heaven, one must train to the finish.

Everything is extraneous to those legs. You can see them in footage from the homestretch of the Trials, turning over in a pinwheeling lope, each foot meeting the earth right on axis, then looping up and away to fly forward again. The legs are all business right to the finish, even as the arms begin to loosen, even as Hall's head begins to swivel to acknowledge the noise of the crowd. The closer he draws to the line, the more evident it is that this is a finish for the ages. Hall begins to gesticulate, pointing to the sky, raising his arms high, even slapping hands with the people crowding the course. At first it seems uncharacteristic based on what you know of Hall and his mellow Christian demeanor. Then you notice the blazing intensity of his eyes and the inclusiveness of his open arms, and you realize he is not exulting, but exhorting. He is not celebrating triumph over man but rather triumph in the Lord--in short, this is a man in rapture. Hall often refers to running in terms of sanctuary, and here he is now, Brother Lawrence in a singlet, twining work to worship, running 4:55 splits, praising God full tilt right until he breaks across the line and the only thing left to do is bow quietly down, the work all done, the victory won.

Eventually, Susie speaks. "You know, for three days before every one of Ryan's races, Mickey fasts and prays. He prays that it will be a good race and a safe race." Up on the screen Ryan is surging for the finish, strong as a bolting deer, glorifying the Lord with each step. You think of Mickey, on his knees and hungry (so weak one time he fell and wound up in the ER), beseeching that same Lord that He might deliver every runner safe to the finish line. And yet we know full well watching the footage now, that even as Ryan Hall was pointing to the sky and the crowd was making a crazy joyful noise, his friend Ryan Shay was dead. The following night Mickey dined with Shay's father-in-law. "What do you say to someone who's lost their son?" he says, shaking his head. "What do you say?"

Ryan Hall's grandmother is suddenly at my elbow. Her face is troubled. All day she has been a sparkling presence. A petite woman with glittering eyes, her family loves to tease her for her vociferous cheering at Ryan's races. In private company she is quick to laugh and often punctuates her asides with a knowing grin. But now the house is quiet--Mickey has his son paused up there on the screen--and the glitter in her eyes has gone wet.

"I want you to know?" says Madeline, faltering. "I want you to know that this family prays, and prays for many things. That it will be a good race, that it will be a safe race, but they never?they never?" She stops now, holding her hand to her mouth as her eyes fill with tears. It takes her a moment to gather before she can speak again.

"They never pray to win."

Passion

2008-07-25T11:41:00.002-04:00

What’s your passion in life? What burns in your belly? What do you do that excites you? What do you do that gives you a feeling of accomplishment and achievement?

I love to read books. When I’m asked what type of books I like to read I always fumble around for an answer because truth is, I like to read all kinds of books. I like to read books about church growth, books about business and small business success, books about hobbies I enjoy, theology, and probably my favorite types of books are auto-biographies of people’s lives where were passionately lived. Most of the time these lives were passionately lived about one central thing. This genre also encompasses the new style of book that isn’t quite an auto-biography but is a book that is written from the heart from a non-ficitonal person’s life.

So now when I’m asked the question as to what types of books I like to read I’ll have an answer. But more than an answer as to what types of books I like to read I have an answer as to how I want to live my life. Don’t get me wrong this isn’t exactly the newest revelation. What I recalled in my car this morning, with the radio turned down and only the sound of my car driving on the highway with the windows down is nothing new for me. But it is fresh. And a freshness is what I need right now.

What burns in my belly? Well I have to say Jesus Christ. Thing is if I’m honest I’m not sure I have to say Jesus Christ because I know that’s what I’m supposed to say or if I have ot say Jesus Christ because I really believe that. Of course, I’d like to say it’s because I believe it and I’m pretty sure that’s true. I kknow Christ is my chief corner stone and without him life is futile I just hesitate because I often say that if our behavior doesn’t reflect a belief it’s hardly a belief at all.

What else? I think it’s the secondary passions we have that Christ uses to impact the world. As he resides at the center of our lives and as we strive to reside at the center of his will he sparks in us passions that motivate us. This may or may not be our vocation. I think we often mistake passion for vocation. I think its perfectly possible and perfectly healthy for your vocation not to reflect your passion. Because what we do is not who we are, who we are is this. We are always disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

But what burns in my belly? If I had to boil it down and give an answer, which after all is what this post is all about then I would say my passion is to equip people to live their lives on all cylinders. Pardon the car metaphor. My passion is to equip people to live their lives as close to 100% as they can, as close as possible. I absolutely love hearing what God is doing in people’s lives as a result of one of my ideas, messages, or even a class/study of some sort that I initiated. I even get excited when someone else initiates a class that is changing perspectives and in turn will change lives. It motivates me so much, to see people get closer to the life God intended for them, a life closer to 100% than they’ve ever had before.