Thursday, February 28, 2008

Let It Snow...Again

Yesterday we saw about 15 inches of snow in the burbs of Cleveland. It was a first class dumping of snow. I had to shovel my way to the truck, then I used a large mop to whisk away the snow. Lake effect snow is a very real phenomena.

I left Cleveland for the 3 1/2 hour journey back to home around 11:00 AM. It was still coming down strong!. I drove extra slow, which would normally drive me crazy. Thanks to a great audio book that I am enjoying, "Black" by Ted Dekker, the slow go was more enjoyable.

Check out the book, especially if you enjoy a little Religious Fiction every now and then. A friend of mine owns an extremely nice bookstore and would be happy to help you find it.

Nomad Book House

Check it out, it is worth the trip. Online or here in Jackson, MI.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Let it Snow.

The greater Cleveland area gets an amazing amount of snow. Almost every week as I travel here I am glaring out the windshield of my truck, trying to see the yellow lines on the road. I had trouble sleeping last night so I was wide awake at 5:00 AM. I looked out the window of my buddies house this morning to see steady snow coming down. As I left for work early I was careful to not hit the garbage can on the side of the driveway. What I didn't know at the time was that the friendly plow guys had moved the can to do a better job of plowing the neighborhood. Of course this story ends with my half ton pick-up in a ditch, with no traction at all.

Everyone needs a friend like my buddy Matt. He is immediately out of bed, dressed, and playing around in the snow and dirt to help me get out. Eventually we hooked up my big, ugly truck to his little Honda, and that is all it took. A little humph and I was back on solid ground. And thanks to Matt I didn't even get my stuffy work cloths dirtied up! The amazing power of a Honda!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Many hands make light work.

I generally hate painting, it is tedious! Thank God for amazing parents who took a precious day off to spend with us in Jackson painting our kitchen. It is beautiful, and would not have been nearly as enjoyable a project for Sarah and I without them. My folks model selflessness. They are always looking to bless their friends and family. I am so thankful for them!

Saturday, February 23, 2008

The Shack

I just read an extremely interesting book called "The Shack" by William P. Young. The book rocked me deep and presented some interesting ideas and challenges to the traditional views of God's relationship with his creation. The book also explored probably 50 other aspects of Christian faith, all of which I am still processing and unpacking. I've given the book to many people. I hope to get their insight and have a group that I can digest the book with.

One of my most trusted spiritual advisers is my 83 year old grandma. She read the book quickly and had strong opinions about it's contents and agenda. It was great to talk to her and hear her heart on matters like the nature of her relationship with God. Funny how strikingly different each relationship is between God and his children. A book that I found deep, thought provoking, challenging, exciting, and even a bit disturbing to my preconceived notions, Grandma found fairly dull and not useful at all.

I was so thankful for Grandma's honest thoughts and opinions. I'm excited to engage you too when you get a chance to read the book. I have 30 copies, so give me a call if you would like one.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Mid Michigan Slump

I met today with the President of a 3 branch hometown bank based here in Mid Michigan. We discussed many challenges and opportunities that the soft Michigan economy is presenting for both our businesses and careers. "Guard your job!" That is how I sum up our meeting today. Weather you own a business, work in business development, or are president of the bank...in tough times you need to buckle down and bring as much value to your organization as you possibly can. So when the good times do come back around, and they always do, you were an important part of helping your company survive a difficult time. Equally as important is that you will not be one of the tens of thousands who lose their shirts while the economic ship is trying to get back on course.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

A Good Investment

I think that any time you embark on a worthy venture, there is a significant price that must be paid. I have recently agreed to help with some exciting projects that are contributing to the growth and success of InvestLinc. Part of the deal is that I need to be in Cleveland about 3 days a week. Two weeks into the deal and I am loving the work, I love to see deals come together...but the price is not kissing my girls before bed each night. I know that as I am working with the team at work, and growing in knowledge every day, the time investment that I am making is worth the price. My job back home now is to dig deeper into each moment that I do have with Sarah and the girls and really make them count. Believe me, the butterfly kisses are even sweeter when you've been missing them for three days.

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Girl #3

The most significant thing that I have done in my 29 years of life journey has got to be fathering girls. Two spectacular young ladies snuggle me in the morning and call me daddy. It appears that the creator of the universe believes I'm doing an OK job, becuase I found out Monday that I have been divinely entrusted with little lady #3. I can hardly wait to see her little face, and smell her hair. Heaven on earth!

I have two amazing parents who told me they loved me my whole life, but I never realized the depth of those words until I had children. I told my mom a few months ago, "It just hit me how much you actually do love me...you feel for me what I feel for my girls." I think she thought it was profound that I finally "got it" after years of having the words roll off me.

It appears to me that life is an amazing circle. I hope my girls know at every level of their being my deep affection for them. My experience tells me though, that it will truly be known, when they experience it for themselves. It will hit them like a bucket of joy, security, and peace being dumped on their head. It sure beats a bucket of gatorade.