A Slower Pace

Because our family was on the road yesterday, we recorded the Broncos-Steelers game. However, we also cheated and checked the score during the game via our iPhone app. And when my wife announced that the Broncos beat the Steelers in overtime we both yelled and high fived in the truck. I plan on watching that game tonight when I get home.

Below is a statement that was forwarded to me from a friend. I don’t know the validity of the details, but they sound very cool.

The fact that Tebow had 316 yards passing and averaged 31.6 yards per pass in the game didn’t escape notice on Sunday night. Tebow wore “John 3:16” on his eye black in the 2009 BCS Championship game and has since become identified with the famous Bible message. The coincidental stats caused millions of fans to perform Google searches on the Bible passage in the past 24 hours. Here’s one more unbelievable stat: John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reports that the final quarter-hour television rating for the Broncos-Steelers game was, you guessed it, 31.6.

And just in case, in the remote chance, that you don’t know the verse of John 3:16, here it is.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Bring on the Patriots!

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Today we spent 8 hours on the road taking R back to college and returning home. It was an all day affair and, luckily for us, was a beautiful sunny winter day for a road trip.

On our way to R’s school, we got to talking about the “old days” when I was a kid. It was prompted by a gas fillup at a station up in Indiana. I pulled into the gas station island where there was an attendant. I didn’t mean to and didn’t realize that service still existed. I swung around to another island — the “self serve” one — and the kids asked what that was all about. I went into a description of “back when” and the “old days” where there were full service gas stations and the station attendant would come out after you ran over the “ding, ding” hose (remember that cool sound?). They would pump your gas, wash your window, inflate your tires and check your oil for an added 10 or 15 cents a gallon.

This conversation transitioned to candy. My son is transfixed by the candy from back then and had all sorts of questions. I gave him all sorts of stories including types of candy and prices, which amazed him and my daughter K.

This conversation specifically cracked me up:

Me: “25 cents would get you a full size candy bar. 1 dollar would get you 4 full size candy bars.”

D: “And 10 dollars would get you sick.”

Such a witty and funny boy.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Scientifically, global warming has been shown to, at best, be myopically focused on incomplete science. And while I am not here to debate the specifics, I welcome the warmer winter we have had here in Kentucky. So far we have only had one or two cold snaps (defined by me as multiple days below 32F freezing throughout the day). And let’s face it – when it’s 10F or 20F degrees for multiple days in a row, the weather just sucks. And last year we had that condition for a few weeks on end with no breaks. So I have come to dread winters.

But this year has been a welcome change. Outside of the few cold snaps described above we have had temps in the 40’s and 50’s. Some night time temps dropped below freezing while some daytime temps have hit 60F. How nice is that? And with multiple days of bright sunshine to boot, I really can’t complain about this winter so far. In fact, I even ate lunch outside in the 45F sunshine last week. Granted, I had a jacket on and had to come in after a while, but it was tolerable and nice to be outside in the sunshine — something that normally can’t be done in Kentucky this time of year.

As far as the winter weather, it could even change and dump a foot of snow and I would be OK with that. Even if it’s cold from here until Spring, we are already ahead of the game.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Every Friday when I go and pray downtown in front of the local abortion clinic, I meet up with several devoted prayer warriors. Several of these folks have been down there either daily or weekly for not only months, but years.

One such older lady is Donna. She is a precious grandma type and what she lacks in physical strength and size she more than makes up in faith and wisdom. She is a persistent, faithful and bold prayer warrior who I look forward to seeing week in and week out. She particularly enjoys it when I bring my son D down and she goes out of her way to give him a hug and speak to him. She will lovingly speak with those lost young girls going in and coming out of the abortion center providing them information, letting them know of alternatives, and letting them know of Christ’s love.

One particular event revealed Donna’s true nature and cemented her in my mind as a true disciple. It was during a time when there was quite a bit of activity in front of the center. There were several of the clinic escorts in orange vests out front and Donna was standing on the curb by her car signs that say “It’s a boy” and “It’s a girl” highlighting the sanctity of life. She had her Bible and crucifix in her hands and a guy drove by really slow. He honked his horn and yelled to Donna out his rolled down window several expletives that do not bear repeating here. It was obvious his anger and ire were pointed towards Donna, not the abortion clinic. She turned towards the street and, without missing a beat, said in a louder voice (for her), “God bless you!!!”.

I was impressed. Her reaction wasn’t thought out. It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t deduced or premeditated. It was the natural reaction of a loving servant of Christ. I don’t know I would have responded the same way…..actually, I know I would not have responded the same way. I have more time along my path to acquire such wisdom and patience. But Donna models it.

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. — Luke 6:27-28

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I recently stumbled across this and believe that it hits home for our country in this day and age.

It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.

I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”

By Dean Alfange

I like this guy!

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

I was able to scratch another book off my 2012 reading list today — John Miller’s QBQ, Question Behind the Question. It is a great short read (just over 100 pages) on personal accountability – something this country is in severe shortage of. There are some very good stories in there on how there are people out there owning up and being personally accountable. It all starts with me and it all starts with you and it all starts with small actions.

Tomorrow at lunch I start in on the next book on my list, James Hunter’s The Servant – a simple story about the true essence of leadership.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

As with most people this time of year, I have set some goals for 2012. One of them I posted about here — my 2012 book list. Well, I am happy to already claim my first milestone — last night I finished the first book on my list, Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Revisited. This book was first because I should have been reading it in parallel with our attendance at FPU at church (Financial Peace University). Well we finished the class right before the holidays and now I have completed the book. And last night my wife and I also had our first household budget meeting for 2012 — with no issues. It went smoothly and was 20 minutes well spent. We are prepared for January and now just need to follow our written plan.

Bring on 2012! I’m ready for more success and goal completion!

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

A few days ago, my wife captured some words of wisdom on our kitchen whiteboard. They aren’t new or unique but it is a good reminder — they are truthful and inspiring and therefore I am sharing.

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net

Well, 2012 is upon us.

We started the year off very differently today. Because today was Sunday there was no staying up until midnight, waking up with no alarm clock, and lounging in PJs all day while watching the Rose Parade. Instead we followed our normal Sunday routine of getting up early, enjoying a pancake breakfast and going to 9am service at our beloved Southeast Christian Church.

Interestingly, the sermon today included a first that I have heard from a pastor. There were a few quotes in there that made it clear that while the Southeast Christian Church enjoys its role as a spiritual shepherd guiding believers and encouraging growth, we are to ensure we don’t become dependent on Southeast as a church for our spiritual growth. We are to have a personal relationship with Jesus and grow ourselves. Southeast will be there for fellowship, praise, worship, and guidance but there might be a time where another church or someplace else will fulfill that role or we will be called and led elsewhere. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a pastor offer up other options outside of their own.

On a different topic, here is my oldest daughter’s Facebook status for today.

“Starting the new year right; sober and going to church.”

I am so proud of her!

Happy New Year and many blessings to you for 2012!

…..Dan at aslowerpace dot net