Stolen goods...

Today was kind of a blah day...

The events of the day left me with a bad feeling.

First thing I guess is that I am dealing with some relational issues right now that I am just not sure of. It makes me a bit nervous.

Second, we found out that the new building site for our church was burglarized last night. The thieves got away with about $1600 worth of tools. I was shocked that someone would break into a church, but apparently there was another church in the area that had the same problem recently. It is such a shame...


picture of our new church building

Third, I went to work at the building tonight, and just have such a difficult time not having much experience building things for myself. Does make me feel a bit out of my element. I know that every little bit helps, but it makes me wonder how much helping I actually do, and how much hindering I do sometimes. (no one likes to have to teach people when they are trying to get things done...)

So, I guess if I were to just go by my feelings, things wouldn't be too good. BUT, I am relieved to know that my feelings don't always echo the Truth.

The Truth is what I base my life upon!

Panorama!

A friend of mine offered some panoramic shots on his website recently, that were so beautiful, that I had to offer one of my own.

Actually, this image was found on the website of a local photographer. I visit this site often to refresh my desktop images. It has some really beautiful shots of the place that I have lived in all my life.

It is too late... early?

Well, this is my first post since blogger gave us the fancy "WYSIWYG" editor to use... I don't like it.

And neither does my wife by the way!

I have included a pic of a rainbow that I took a couple months ago. A little dark, but a pretty interesting image I think.

I am just sitting here looking through various blogs I read and decided to add a couple to my blogroll...

• Exploring Orthodoxy (Ian's blog -- thanks for the comments and B-day wishes mate!)
  
• <<< the kedge >>>
  
• spirit farmer
  

In other news, my geocache has been found!!! Read about the missing cache here.
I guess some kid found it and brought it home to show his parents. Once they finally got it open and realized what it was, they sent me an email. They put it back together and want to see it replaced in it's original location! I will have to find a rather stealthyway to hide it this time so it doesn't get "muggled"!

I am really tired now... so I sign off with that!

The Bible re-written? (I think not!)

Take a look and make your thoughts known...

The Most Controversial Bible Ever

It is my daughter's 4th birthday today!

That is a picture of her on the right. She is so excited for today. As a matter of fact, she has been counting down the days for the last week! (which is a long time to a little girl!)

This is the first year that she has really been hyped up about the whole thing, so it has been pretty fun. She is going to the zoo today with some friends. This evening we will have a party with the family. I should be a fun one!

Funny post!

This one is going around, but I had to add a link so you can take a look...click here!

Bush in my hometown...

Well, I will let my wife explain that last post. I guess her Grandma my have started an alternate definition of the word bikkies.

Anyway, time to move on with this blog into other topics I think.

President George W. Bush will be in my hometown of Duluth tomorrow. I think that is pretty exciting! It is not every day that you get to see the President of the United States in your city. Although, I think there was more excitement over the visit of Senator John Kerry a couple of weeks ago. This part of the U.S. happens to be a fairly liberal area demographically. The fact that we do have both Presidential candidates come through in the election year is pretty interesting though. It also makes for some interesting conversations around the water coolers as well.

I was just thinking that it is amazing how quickly 4 years has gone by since Bush was elected. My daughter (my oldest child) is turning 4 on Wednesday as well. Time is just flying by, and it is causing this desire in me to savor every moment.

I am realizing more these days... actually since my last birthday that I have a lot of things to accomplish in my remaining time here on earth. Things that I would like to see accomplished that I also believe God wants to see accomplished in me. We watched a video this evening of a sermon preached a couple of weeks ago by Pastor Bill Johnson of Bethel Church of Redding, CA. The message was about taking up and reclaiming "lost mantles" of the spiritual fore-fathers, and receiving the inheritance that has already been given to us.

I am still mulling it all over in my mind, but somehow it has inspired me to look at the last few years of my life and take stock of where my heart has been.

I am excited to see what God is going to do with this, because I can feel something happening within my heart. I believe a change is coming again! Oh boy!! ;)

Bikkies

Well here you go! Have a look...

Biscuits --- Gourmet Australian Bush fruits spices

culture to culture...

It seems that a comment I recently made on another blog has touched off a bit of discussion(and here) in the blogosphere. I have been visiting James and Elicia's Adventures in Australia's Winter Wonderland ever since I first blogged about it in May.

The other day, I was reading through and came across the word bikkies... what? You read it right, bikkies! As in:

"when she arrived home she carried beer, sausage rolls, a jam donut, cheese and bikkies and chocolate" (emphasis mine)

I have never heard of this word before... so call me uncultured... but I had to find out. Bikkies by the way are biscuits. Who knew?!?!

I don't know, I think it is pretty interesting. Why is this cool you ask?

I guess for me it still boggles (or should I say "bloggles") my mind how communication has changed these days. I can sit in the comfort of my own home and read posts that someone has written from half way across the world. (I don't want to sound too old fashion, but I am a child of the '80's afterall...)

I also find it fascinating that there are so many differences in cultures that seem so much the same. Something as simple as the language can set us apart, and heaven knows that there are probably more complex cultural differences that we could talk about at great length.

But, as I read through this blog I am drawn to the similarities in the human experience. Without getting too deep, I think if you read through you will find the same thing. Somehow I make a connection with these people from another continent just by reading what they have to say. As I have said before, it is fascinating to me!

I am also amazed that my beautiful wife has finally decided to join me!!! :)

Ever open a can of worms?

I am really good at opening those cans...

I think that I have done this a few times lately. Once for sure at work, and I think I may have done so with other relationships lately. It seems like a combo of misinformation and bad timing have gotten me. (That and the fact that sometimes I can't leave well enough alone...)

What a mess it leaves me in, but every once in a while, it turns out to be a good thing. Who wants to keep a can of worms anyhow? Isn't it better to open up and let them out so they can be dealt with properly?

Well, that is my philosophy anyway...

Things are good here as far as Life goes! I couldn't ask for much more.

I do keep trying to convince my wife to blog, but it doesn't seem to be working. I have asked, begged, guilted... about the only thing I haven't done is bribed.

Well, it will happen one of these days. She is just keeping us in suspense!

Well, we had a great time this weekend. It was good to have some time off to do whatever we wanted.

Just a basic recap... we went up to the lake Friday and Saturday, and spent Sunday and Monday at home. I think that Sunday was the most relaxing day of the weekend. We went to church that morning and had a picnic right after, and then we just spent the day at home. It was great!

The weather was pretty miserable though! Friday was really the only nice day of the bunch. Saturday was HOT in the morning, and rained in the afternoon. Sunday and Monday were cloudy and cold with off and on rain. It seems like we have only had a handful of nice days this summer so far.

Last night we went out to watch the fireworks (they were postponed Sunday because of rain)! I was a good show, and the kids loved it!

Much needed time off...

I need a vacation very badly! I am taking tomorrow off work, and we are going up to the lake for a couple of days.

Maybe do some fishing or swimming with the kids.

Enjoy the summer sun!

It is going to be great! But it also means that we will not be updating the blog at all (for a few days anyway...).

Of course we will be celebrating Independence Day this weekend, so there will be a lot going on. Hopefully we will have a few pics to share when we get back.