Lawn Theology

I finally got to mow my lawn today. It’s been over six months since my last mow, and boy did I miss it. I’m not one of those people that have finely designed lawns on anything. Far from it to be honest. I have more rocks, sticks, and weeds in my yard than I know what to do with. And don’t get me started on the hills and valley’s (stupid moles).

No, I love mowing because it’s 45 minutes that I get to slap on my ipod and meditate. And it never ceases to amaze me how many epiphanies I’ll get by simply mowing my lawn. I’ll solve the worlds problems, not to mention my own, by simply walking back and forth in my yard attached to a beat-up Briggs & Stratton.

Last year my favorite epiphany came to me when I solved a problem I had been having all Summer. You see there’s this one stretch of about 50 feet where I have to define the line between mine and my neighbors yard. And every single time I’d get to the end of that stretch only to look back and find a winding mess. I couldn’t mow a straight line to save my life. But then one day I tried something new. I focused on this tree that was on the line between our plots, and kept my eyes focused on that tree the entire length of the strip. Wouldn’t you know it that when I looked back my line was straight as an arrow.

The problem I was having was that my focus was one foot in front of me, instead of seeing a much larger goal. A bigger target. With all my effort trying to perfect my route inch by inch, and foot by foot, I couldn’t keep the line straight. I needed an ending point. A object of focus to guide me in. I couldn’t help but think about my walk with God. How often do I take my eyes off Him like Peter did, only to find myself waist deep in the ills of life—all the time being able to walk on water had I only kept my eyes focused on Him.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:12-14

Filed under: Faith, Goals, Inspiration, Religion, Theology

What Was. What Is To Come.

For some reason I just don’t feel up to writing a huge reflective post about 2007, and my hopes for 2008, like I did last year. It might have a little to do with the busyness I’ve had at work over the last few weeks, and lack of time to even digest it all. So this will be the cliff-notes version.

2007 was a different sort of year for me. I tried my hardest to disconnect from certain responsibilities, trying to make things easier on myself, only to find that it made things harder in the long run. This year I’ve re-dedicated myself to becoming the responsible man I’ve been known for, or at least think I am.

My goals are modest this year. They basically involve continuing to be more intentional, and more pro-active, in my spiritual development, family life, work production, church leadership, and overall basic health (diet+exercise).

The three biggest and specific goals that I’m planning for 2008 are:

1. Participate in a triathlon – Actually it’s a mini, or sprint, but they still call it a triathlon, and it still involves swimming, biking, and running.

2. Get a tattoo – My brother, my dad, and I have always talked about getting a tattoo of a wedding band, and ditching this jewelry. This is the year we stop talking.

3. Take steps to adopt a child – It’s time.

Here’s hoping for nothing but the best for 2008.

Filed under: 2007, 2008, Adoption, Goals, Reflection, Resolutions, Tattoos, Triathlon

Florida or Bust

It appears that my good friend MIke Jacobs is on his way to Melbourne, Florida. (Yeah, we’ve got a Melbourne too). Another one has broken free and is headed straight out of Michigan. It’s amazing the job opportunities available south of Toledo. It’s a shame because I was just starting to get used to his smell.

I was introduced to Mike when we began NewSong a little over 2 years ago. He’s been running the sound board ever since, and I’ve spent many a Sunday ducking from his spit balls.

I’m happy that Mike was able to land a sweet gig doing what he wants to do. He is an inspiration in the fact that he went out and got it done. He wasn’t going to wallow around in mediocrity his whole life, he was going to actively pursue good things for his life! Luckily for me I booked him for the Friday Mute Math show prior to this news, so he’s going out with a bang!

Congratulations Mike! Get a place with an extra bedroom, you’ll be having company very soon!

Filed under: Florida, Friendship, Goals, Michigan, Success, Work

Status Check

I’ve posted about a couple of high aspirations recently. To keep myself in check, here is a status update.

Summer of George — Well this started off with a bang. It hit its stride around the first of July. Then the wheels fell off. I got really tired of my old bike and, honestly, a little laziness set in. For the record I kept up the breakfast / soymilk part through June and July. The exercise part ended up regressing each month after a solid month of perfection. Now that I’ve got a new bike, and new aspirations, I should be able to be a little more consistent. All in all I still think I did some good in preparation for the cholesterol test. I’ll keep you posted. (I still have a few bowls of Cheerios to eat to finish off the supply I had Tonia buy.)

Culture Gap — This is going a little better than expected. Thanks in most part to the addition of Netflix. I still have a few left to complete the list, however there are a few I’m thinking of eliminating. I’ve heard no good reviews to warrant giving Clockwork Orange a look. And after the first Monty Python movie I watched, I’m positive it couldn’t get any better with Life of Brian. And I seriously doubt I’ll watch all of the Star Trek and James Bond movies, but I will catch a few so I’m not completely out of the conversation. (Any recommendations on those?)

Filed under: Cheerios, Cholesterol, Culture, Goals, Movies, Netflix

2007 – The Year That Is To Come

Because I’m such a legalist at heart, the new year brings me so much pleasure. Having real, concrete, starting points always makes things easier for me. Many times I put off something that I really need to do until the start of a new month, or year, simply because it’s a cleaner starting point for me. I know, I’m very strange.

But now that it’s here, the fresh outlook of a new year, I feel so refreshed and ready to go. It’s as though I’ve successfully gone through detox and am ready to be released. So many ambitions are before me. Just the fact that all my vacation time has been re-issued is enough for me to rejoice! I would be silly not to lay out a few tangible items to work on for the new year, so here are a few things on my mind for 2007.

SPIRITUAL
» Read Through the New Testament – Never done that systematically before. Actually, I intend to read through it twice this year.

» Daily Devotional – I have a really nice hardback journal version of ‘My Utmost For His Highest‘ and am really looking forward to what’s in store.

» Pray More – More in the mornings. More in the afternoon. More before meals. More with my family…

» More Active & Vocal About My Faith – Theoretical theology just isn’t cutting it for me anymore.

PERSONAL
» Diet & Exercise – Cliché I know, but I’ve really been undisciplined in recent years.

» Read More Books – Not just more in quantity, but more varieties of books. Two high on my list that are outside my norm are Freakonomics and Audacity of Hope.

» Develop Relationships – I need to get better at being willing to “get dirty” so to speak in my relationships. (That looks funny after I look at it, but I’m standing by that statement).

» Less Selfish – In most areas of my life I am extremely self-centered. I’d like to break that habit.

» Better Family Man – Better husband, father, son and brother.

BLOG
» Better Writing – No more slapped together posts. I’m going to take a little extra time to ensure better writing. However, there will always be room for improvement,.

» More Creativity – I’m a designer by trade and sometimes I wonder if anyone would ever know it by this blog. I need to do a better job creatively in writing and creatively in aesthetics.

» Chase More Rabbits – Explore deeper into things that interest me.

» More Originality – More out in front blogging and less of what everyone else is posting on or saying. Not that I’ll stop that altogether though, that’s what blogs are made for.

» More Raw – I tend to hold back on certain topics and opinions so as not to offend anyone. Be prepared to be offended.

» Hosted Site – I need to get this blog 100% hosted, which will involve me increasing my web knowledge by a huge margin.

After watching Rocky Balboa last week, my brother was inspired enough to want to accomplish something great before he’s 30. Between that and what the pastor had to say Sunday, I too was inspired to “accomplish something.” I’ve been making excuses for too long on something, the time for action is now. I hope to look back on this post next January and see the beginning stage of something that will have drastically change my life. You’ll just have to wait to see what it is.

Filed under: 2007, Goals, Vision