88 million

88 million votes? Seriously? 88 million people voted for the next American Idol and its not even the final yet?

WOW.

I flipped on the TV tonight (which is a rarity in my world) and saw the last half of Idol. What is so appealing about that show? Watching it for 30 minutes I pondered why everyone is so "into" idol. I sometimes turn on the radio in the morning and it seems like every station is talking about the latest idol buzz.

Do we as Christians buy into the Idol mantra? Do we cling to a little not-so-respectable sin such as Idol gossip? Does it become an idol in our lives?

We so often try to find things in life to fulfill us, when nothing and no one can ever fill us, except for Christ. American "Idols" come and go. Fame is fleeting. But Christ is everlasting. As hard as we try, none but Christ can satisfy.

Who is your idol?

Here In Your Presence

Take a look at this song called Here In Your Presence written by Jon Egan:

Found in Your hands, fullness of joy
Every fear suddenly wiped away here in Your presence
All of my gains now fade away
Every crown no longer on display, here inYour presence
Heaven in trembling in awe of Your wonders
the kings and their kingdom arestanding amazed

Chorus:
Here in Your presence, we are undone
Here in Your presence, Heaven and Earth become one
Here in Your presence, all things are new
Here in Your presence, everything bows before You

Bridge:
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchlessin every way
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchlessin every way
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchlessin every way
Wonderful, beautiful, glorious, matchlessin every way


What do you think of the lyrics? I really love this song. Most of the lyrics are right-on and something about the music really invades my innermost being.

One line that has stood out to me lately is "Heaven is trembling in awe of your wonders." Do you think heaven is trembling?

Intersections to appraoch with a little extra caution

The City of Colorado Springs has released annual statistics about the city's worst intersections for traffic accidents, and it appears that accident numbers have continued to decrease for the third year.

The city ranks the most accident-prone intersections based on traffic volume, the number of accidents and accident severity. The higher the score, the worse the intersection.

Last year's top 10 top accident-prone intersections were:

1.) Briargate Parkway and Powers Boulevard

2.) Palmer Park Boulevard and Space Center Drive

3.) Rangewood and Vickers drives

4.) Nevada Avenue and Southgate Road

5.) Lake Avenue and Venetucci Boulevard

6.) N. Powers Boulevard and Research Parkway

7.) Barnes Road and Powers Boulevard

8.) N. Carefree Circle and Tutt Boulevard

9.) Fountain and Union boulevards

10.) Airport Road and Academy Boulevard

Source: CSBJ Daily

Sunday Quotes

"The world is run by tired men and women"

"If you hear any strange squeaks from my voice, it is something like reverse puberty"

Biblical history from a five-year old: "Pharaoh stoned Jesus and then hung him on the cross"

Reflections...

The mood inside the car was as dark as it was outside.The tone was silent, the atmosphere stoic. She stared aimlessly out the passenger window looking positively disinterested. He was focused on his driving; one hand firmly on the wheel, the other in his lap. The conversation had long since ended; it was apparent they were tired of one anther's company.

As the green Suburban sped into the night, I couldn't help but wonder about the couple inside. Apparently on their way home after a Valentines night together, they both looked disinterested in the entire evening. Possibly, they were no longer finding meaning and fulfillment in their marriage.

While one could speculate on the possible reasons for their lack of interest in each other, one truth is clear. Whether we are married or single we will never find our meaning simply in marriage. We must find our meaning and purpose in Christ alone. None other can satisfy. The world tries a myriad of ways to find meaning in life (including, but not limited to marriage,) but we as Christians know our meaning in life must start on the foundation of relationship with our Lord.

A look back...and forward

Stop.

Look.

Listen.

Ponder.


Do you ever take time to reflect on what you have learned from your past experiences and think about how it will impact your life in the future? Do you ever take time to cast a vision for your future? Or do you go through life aimlessly going about your day with little thought for the future?

Often this time of year we hear about New Year resolutions and how we are going to change our lives, but how many of us truly keep those more than a couple of weeks? Maybe your most recent resolutions are already fading into a distant memory.

I believe the start of a new year is a great time to take a day or two and truly ponder your future. Cast a vision, set some specific achievable goals, and then put a plan into place to actually do it.

One year ago I did some of this vision casting in my own life. Looking back on the recently concluded year, I see some wonderful change and accomplishments in my life. In February I committed to running a marathon in October. After many months of training I was able complete the Chicago marathon by the grace of God. At the beginning of 2008 the Holy Spirit re-kindled a flame within me to help start a college and career ministry at our church. After much prayer and several meetings/discussions with like-minded young adults, ignite was born. And to this day I give praise to the Lord for how he has blessed this ministry...far beyond what I ever imagined.

I share with you these examples for two reasons. One, to bring glory to God through what HE has accomplished thru me the last 12 months. Two, to encourage you to set some specific goals and a plan for achieving them in your life for 2009.

The last couple of weeks I have been pondering this question for my life in 2009. What would the Lord have me focus my time and energy on? Among other things I have come up with three goals for the upcoming year:

1. Learn how to play the guitar
2. Read through the Bible
3. Go on a missions trip
   

How will you redeem your time in 09?

Think about it.

Slow Fade

I heard this song(Slow Fade by Casting Crowns) on the radio as I drove home tonight. Listen to the words. Is the message of the song correct? Is it a "slow fade?"

2009

Happy New Year!

Busy, busy, busy. That has been the story over the past several weeks. In the upcoming months I hope to continue to post some things that have been mulling in my mind. Simply haven't had too much time to write blog posts recently. Among other things our church moved into a new building which meant many hours installing/learning new A/V equipment. There is still much to do but so far things have been smooth. Praise the Lord!

Three blog topics I hope to cover this month are:

• A look back...and forward
• Casting a vision
• Plugging in

Stay tuned...

Be like an old oak tree...

Have you ever planted a tree? I have…lots of em.’ When a tree comes from the nursery it is “balled and burlaped.” The roots are wrapped to protect them until the tree gets planted. Imagine what would happen if the burlap never came off of the rootball. Would the tree grow strong and healthy? Nope. In fact, it would die. The roots would get so confined that the tree would actually kill itself. Just because it is a tree doesn’t automatically mean it can grow. It needs water, sunlight, and space to thrive in.

Now you may be wondering why I’m giving you a tree planting lesson. I don’t expect many of you plant trees on a regular basis but the question I have for you is: are you in a place where you can grow?

You might be okay right now at the nursery wrapped in your protective burlap but what will happen in two years if you haven’t planted yourself somewhere? What will happen in five years if you are still wrapped in the burlap and you haven’t grown in stature, wisdom or other things of the Lord? What will happen if you manage to plant yourself but don’t get any sunlight, water or space?

Be like an old oak tree; never stop growing.

Here are three practical suggestions:

1. Put yourself in places where you can grow. Sitting at home watching sitcoms doesn’t cut it.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of areas in your life you need to grow in. Ask for humility while working on these areas.
3. Talk to a close friend and ask them what your weakest character trait is. Work on it.

Round and Round We Go...

Do you ever have one of those weeks where it seems like you fall asleep even before your head hits the pillow? And then the next instant the alarm is going off? Those days seem all too commonplace for me as of late. Work is busy, no insane. Phones ring at all hours of the day; e-mails flood the inbox like snow melting in spring. The office is a busy hub of coordination. The re-vamped marketing plan seems to have taken complete hold which is a double-edged sword. On the one hand it's great to have this much work and lots more coming in. The flip side though is the tyranny of the urgent. I must be careful not to let all of the little day-to-day items take over the big picture. As a business owner, I must be concerned not only with the job today, but the job tomorrow, next week, and next month. I must be concerned about taking care of clients; past, present, and future. I must communicate clearly to my client's and staff. These items often seem never-ending, but I rest in the peace that God has given me, knowing that I'm called to be an entrepreneur.

In the midst of the mundane Mondays, Tuesdays, or whatever-days; I trust that He will continue to bless my company as I strive to be a great owner, leader, and friend

Delays on Woodmen Road...

...this week...next week...and for years to come!

"Got a sales appointment or delivery east of Colorado Springs? You may want to plan an alternative route this Friday, June 6.

One lane on the Woodmen Frontage Road east of Golden Sage Road near the School District 49 Bus/Administration Facility will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The closure will allow the installation of a storm drain pipe, and flaggers will help direct traffic.

Speed limits along Woodmen Road also have been reduced from 55 mph to 40 mph between Black Forest and Meridian roads for the duration of the project, through April 2009" (CSBJ daily)

40 mph is entirely to slow for this stretch of road, speaking as one who drives it multiple times per day. Often when coming home at night there is minimal traffic and not a construction worker in miles. The 40mph ought to be lifted from 6pm-6am.

The state of construction along Woodmen is about to get even worse this fall when overpass construction begins at Woodmen and Academy. And don't forget about the massive project at Woodmen and Powers. Once work at Academy and Woodmen begins over half of Woodmen from Hwy 24 to I-25 will be a construction zone. Oh joy.

Don't plan on getting anywhere quickly for the next couple of years if you traverse the cone zones on Woodmen!

Look Up...Be Amazed

Do you ever stop and look up? At a sky filled with brilliant stars from horizon to horizon? The star-filled sky is amazing tonight. It makes one certain of a creator, one who created the heavens and each individual, beautiful star. This amazes me. I love looking at the stars on a clear cool night. To take a few moments to enjoy God's breath-taking creation. I love the silhouette of the Ponderosa pine trees against the star-filled sky. What a joy it is to know this Creator, the one who made it all.

Bloggle your mind...

If you haven't been over to "Mind Bloggling" lately you should check it out. Among a wide array of posts are some topics that might perk your perusing senses. Check out the latest FRAC podcast and the most recent post on Revelation.

Spring has Sprung !

The weather has gotten nice and that means work is abundant. Everyone and their mother has a landscape project they want done now. Too bad we are booking out 6 weeks. Blog posts will become a bit more scarce as I'm working long hours and sometimes six days a week.

In other news, I saw the movie Expelled last week and would highly recommend it. It is well worth the price of admission if for nothing else then the interview with Richard Dawkins at then end of the film.

General Reflections

There is a line in the movie Hitch where Will Smith says: "In my head...I didn't see it going that way." In our human perspective we see things going one way in our head, yet they play out completely different in real life. Why? Is it because we are inherently selfish? Or perhaps because we can't truly view how others perceive things? Philippians tells us to look out for the "interests of others." It is frustrating beyond measure when we try to do this and fail. I'm trying to truly look at things from others perspectives but actions and words still get misconstrued. Do you ever get the feeling sometimes people stop listening, stop thinking, and stop reasoning. It doesn't matter what you say they aren't listening. Period. They don't care what you have to say. This is frustrating. When misunderstandings occur with those around me I will try to understand where they are coming from because I've been on the other side.

We are imperfect beings thus we will fail and misunderstandings will happen....yet I'm weary of being misunderstood.