Chewie

Chewie got his hair done like an . Now he looks a lot more like an than a puppy.

A Cutting

T got his hair cut. He looks like a new man. He has grown his hair for so long I forgot what he looks like with short hair. We went to watch. It was a wonder to watch, his barber-lady (that's what he called her) was a fun vietnamese young lady. She had a great sense of humor and we were so shocked when she went right at it, just grabbed his hair and said, "here we go!". He is going to donate his locks to Locks of Love.

What a handsome lad!

Sin Constellation

Here's the exercise for Elevation - The Sin Constellation
We are going to make what I call a “sin constellation”. The constellation is an exercise to remember how deeply every one of us has been affected by the Fall. The Fall is our story too and we all have been born into a world where everyone has a condition or problem called sin. As well, each of us struggle with a unique group of sins. The sins that you have in your life are different than my life.

Rules:
1. Don’t let anyone else see your list, until you get further instructions.
2. Read your list once a day. Pray over the list however you would like. Let the reality of it soak in. Write down what you think or feel when you read it or consider the list.
3. Bring it back next week.

Make Your Sin Constellation
When you recognize one that has ever been a part of your life in the past, list it on the outer parts of your page in lower case letters.
If it is a sin that still is part of your life list it in upper case letters near the center of the page. I actually have 45 sins listed on my list, 8 are in the center of my constellation.

Example:
vanity manipulation prejudice

MUSIC PIRACY
rudeness MATERIALISM CURSING arrogance
COMPLAINING BOASTING

name-calling jealousy adultery


Here's a list of some sin
Greed, gluttony, vanity, envy, lust, sloth, wrath, lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, pride of life, pride, materialism, jealousy, avarice, malice, prejudice, impatience, gossip, backbiting, manipulation, anger, meanness, belligerence, sarcasm, condescension, bitterness, belittling, bitchiness, teasing, name-calling, rudeness, controlling, bossyness, emasculation, revenge, tantrums, foolishness, abuse; physical, emotional or verbal, uncouth words, scoffing, scorn, unwholesome talk, cursing, sharp comments, stalking, dishonoring your parents, disobedience, rebellion to parents, disrespect to authority, arguing, fighting, arrogance, conceit, boasting, judgmental, offending, persecution, being a stumbling block, complaining, flattery, hate, holding a grudge, quarreling, tattle-tale, traitor, treachery, idolatry, workaholism, substance abuse, shopaholic, food as comfort, materialism, security in money, power hungry, overly competitive, gambling addiction, lying, masks, deceit, promise breaker, phoniness, covering up mistakes, showing off, posing, worried about what others think, not acknowledging wrongdoing, white lies, tax evasion, tax fraud, identity lies, bearing false witness, false accusations, unbelief, discord, corrupting innocence, vandalism, financial irresponsibility, divorce, lack of faith, fear, doubt, anxiety, worry, discontent, selfishness, self-promotion, selfish ambition, uncontrollable rage, life’s all about me, thinking you’re a god or goddess, laziness, murder, plotting someone’s demise, conspiracy, bribery, eavesdropping, busybody, lack of compassion, causing hurt, not serving, not responding to the HS direction, hardheartedness, condemnation, immorality, sensuality, sexual perversion, promiscuity, abortion, paying for an abortion, seduction, pornography, using sex as power, withholding sex for payback, frigidity, adultery, prostitution, voyeurism, extra or premarital sexual behavior, carousing, exhibitionism, homosexuality, sodomy, provocative clothing, entertaining lustful thoughts, transvestism, sexual abuse, rape, incest, lack of self-control, sorcery, drunkenness, stealing, shoplifting, swindling, music piracy, video piracy, embezzling, coveting, extortion, bullying, hazing, favoritism, evil, channeling spirits, witchcraft, occult, demonic activity, graven images, taking the name of God in vain, not keeping the Sabbath day, denying Christ, blasphemy, lack of forgiveness, strife, lukewarm living, kidnapping, just to name a few

Liminality

There is a term I have read recently in two different books. It is the term liminality. It means a period of transition between two different places where someone or something is in neither one place nor in the other.

I really identify with this concept. Personally I feel like I am between two worlds and neither of them fit me. I feel clumsy here in this world, as though I am blind and am fumbling my way through life. I am without the information I need, the tools to live well or a guide to take my hand. I feel/know I am made for a different world than here, or if it is here, it's not for like it is.

I do have some handles, but they seem to be of either one of the other worlds of which I am stuck between, so it is difficult to gather a strong semblance of comfort or workability. Possibly I may not be meant to be able to make this work or be comfortable here, but maintain a longing for life in a different world.

So liminality really describes the place I find myself. I am here on this world longing for my true home, which some describe as heaven. I like to call it home. I just know I am made for a different world and living in this world requires that I somehow connect with Jesus to guide me through each day.

First Snow

Our first snow of the season today! Winter has come in so quickly. Here's Chewie playing around. He just loves the stuff.

This Fall

This Fall seems to be a crazy season. I've got so much going on with my work everything seems to be going great, yet it is a season where I am still trying to find out who I am and how I tick and how I relate and how I lead and stuff like that. In many ways I feel like a stanger in a strange land.

Argentine Pass

Chewy and I went for a 4x4 excursion today up Argentine Pass. I took the day off to air out my brain and to take a little time to see if I could connect with God some. It was a great day and very good experience. I did take time to journal and listen, no big spectacular moments, but it was good to just listen. A very good day. Pictures are of the Pooper on the pass, Chewy with Grays and Torreys Peaks behind him and a couple of goats that were at the pass also.

New Addition

Here's our new addition. We're not sure why we did this but we did. So far he is a great little guy.

passionless

I am trying to think what there is in my life that brings about passion in me. I am in a season where passion seems to be a precious commodity - coming less than I want. I just know that right now everything is ok, but I am somewhat passionless. I know I work better when something is burning in me.

Beginning of the End of Summer

We had a great time with some friends over at the house for a beginning of the end of summer party. We played some very exciting volleyball in the rain (it was miraculous watching the ball remain in the air with all of us inept players, what a blast! We played some Texas hold'em and watch Aust have the most amazing streak of luck imaginable. It was so much fun.

Family Reunion

Blessed are the physically repulsive,
Blessed are those who smell bad,
The twisted, misshapen, deformed,
The too big, too little, too loud,
The bald, the fat, and the old-
For they are all riotously celebrated in the party of Jesus.
-Dallas Willard

I just finished a week of family reunion. I love them all.
Praise to our God and Father Jesus Christ!

Summer '06

The events from the past couple of weeks include; my son getting lost in the woods during a hike with the family on Father's Day (we found him all is good), a significant bike accident (fortunately only road rash, lots of it), a wonderful wedding experience in Oysterville, Washington, a biopsy, restructuring of my job and the anticipation of my family coming to visit. Life just seems to come at you with so much. I am glad that everything isn't as hard as a concrete bikepath!

Wildlife near my Home

I have been blessed to have open space near my home that is abundant with wildlife. This weekend I saw animals that I did not expect, bull elk and whitetail deer. We abundantly see mule deer here, but it was cool to see whitetail. As for the elk, periodically they come down from the mountains in the winter, but these guys seem to be here for the summer. They have beautiful velvet as their antlers are growing for the summer. I love this! I have also included a photo of a great blue heron.

wisdom

Right now I feel like I need some wisdom because my brain is not big enough to come up with the solution to figuring out how I need to move in the future. So if you can, please pray that I can recieve some wisdom from God. Thanks