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| I almost forgot my password to get into here...thank goodness for my brilliant memory...and the fact that the computer remembers my passwords anyway.
Summer in Ohio. I am enjoying some of the places that we found around Central Ohio. We have found some great shopping places and restarants in Columbus. There is this mansion in Mansfield that a man willed to the state upon his death. The home is surrounded by 5 or so acres of maintained gardens. It is absolutely beautiful. There is a pond with some ducks which Josiah got to feed. It was the highlight of his day followed closely by eating a carton of "sabewwies" or strawberries with his mom and dad on a nearby parkbench.
It was interesting because as I was sitting there on a parkbench in the middle of this garden next to my wife and watching my son scarf down his fourth strawberry while wandering around the path I thought to myself, "I feel fully alive at this moment." Honestly, life cannot get much better than sharing a carton of strawberries with my family on a summer evening. Thanks for that Lord...
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| I just read a friends Xanga about his bracket. I filled out my first NCAA bracket this year after 27 years of avoiding it. I was forced by the Senior Pastor and the rest of the staff. So I unashamedly stole a teens bracket and copied it nearly team for team. I did take UWM a little farther than the bracket I copied merely out of love and loyalty for my home state. And the results. After competing with the staff at the church (5 of us) and also with some others from the church (including the pastors 9 year old daughter) I came in dead last place. Dead last. So what is my punishment? I have to bring in Doughnuts for our staff meeting tommorow.
I hope all of you sports people find my sorrow in losing humorous.
Last night of course was the championship. I was shopping for shoes at a swanky Columbus mall during it. Now whenever Ohio State is in anything, the entire population of that state glues themselves to the game (with the exception of Matt Murphy). So I called this pastor friend of mine today who loves Ohio State and I had to confess that I didnt know who had won. I found out nearly 24 hours later that in fact, Ohio State had lost. And he was in mourning and made fun of me for not even knowing who had won. I have never been and am not in the loop when it comes to sports ever in general...not even polo.
Just some fun insight into my life with sports.
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| all well, why not satiate the great monster called Xanga with a moderate sacrifice such as this little entry. I think if I were to title this entry, I would title it, "Living in a small town." And with that I will tell you all about my experience living in a small town (I feel like I'm writing a third grade paper: Why I live in a small town, by John Eger).
Anyhow, rural lifestyle. The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that this morning, on my run, I had to dodge horse apples, manure, crap, poop...you name the noun. Thats right, horse poo-poo in the middle of the street. Why you ask? Was there a parade? Oh no, my virtual friend. We live near the Amish. We share a certain geographical nearness with a community of Amish. So the horse apples in the middle of the street at 7:30 this morning that I had to dodge in order not to get them on my new running shoes came from a horse and buggy. And upon reflecting on my Amish experience these past 6 months, a few things come to mind. I have seen Amish in the following places: Wal-Mart, the Library, and a Chinese Buffet. I have driven past an Amish farm and saw about 15 ladies playing volleyball in full Amish garb. We have a hitching post at our library. Oh the glory of our small town...
What else....does there need to be anything else? Isnt that enough?
On another note, if you are breathing then you need to read the book at the top of the entry. Simply incredible...
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| update....
I think the sooner you learn that you really cant control a whole lot in life the more sane you become. If I took an inventory of all the ways that I attempt to control my circumstances and others in one day I would be astounded at the amount of energy I waste trying to accomplish something that I was never given to accomplish.
Living open handed instead of tight-fisted is incredibly difficult. But it is worth doing. The open handed position leaves us open to the blessing and revelation of God as He controls and guides whereas the tight-fisted approach only leaves us (at least me) frustrated, tired and angry at everyone else, including God...
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| just a quick recommendation: Nouwen's book, Life of the Beloved, has been a great spiritual journey. It is Nouwen basically writing a letter to a friend of his who doesnt know Christ and tells his friend what it means to live the Christian life. It is simply profound and amazing. Thats all I need to say, just get the book and read it...
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