It's cold and snowy in Westfield, IN this morning. Luckily we have tall ceilings in our basement. Here's how the Wolfe boys spend a Saturday morning in the winter.



Watch on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UprmxsXM9Ls

 

I took this picture today while driving Camden to school.   It actually turned out better than I thought it would given it was taken on my iPhone through my windshield.

This picture makes me think about the importance of being in the moment.  How often do we get caught up in our own worlds distracted by life?  Remember to take time to observe the world around you. Live in the moment.  This sunrise was mostly gone in about 1 minute.  I'm sure glad Camden and I were there to see it.

 

 

Unfortunately, I don't get out too often with just the guys.  For some reason, we never seem to take the time to plan something.  Tonight was different.  An idea last night turned into going to the late show of Avatar at Hamilton Town Center tonight.  After about 48 ounces of Mountain Dew, I'm still unwinding.

The original idea was to see it in IMAX 3D, but it was mostly sold out except for some single seats.  We even got to the theater about 25 minutes ahead of time.  Plan B had to kick in, so we opted for the 10pm showing on the normal screen in 3D.  I loved it.  I'll spare you my thoughts about the movie because there are plenty of great reviews out there.

Some of the night's highlights:

• Hanging out with good friends.
• Eating most of a big barrel of popcorn.
• Drinking way too much Mountain Dew.
• Great conversations before and after the movie.

The one downside?  Tonight made me feel old.  Not that I stayed up late, or that there were lots of high school kids at the theater.  No, it's nothing that valid.  It's the fact that I just popped a couple Tums, so I hopefully won't wake up in the morning with a sore gut from all the popcorn and Dew!

Good Night All!

[image by jetalone]

I'm feeling very thankful and blessed today.   Some of you know that my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer recently.   They did the surgery last night and the doctors say it went perfectly.   They feel they got all of the cancer out and it had not started to spread.   We are still waiting on a pathology report, but as of right now everything sounds great. 

I love Psalm 103: 

1 Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2 Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children—

18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the Lord, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

21 Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.

22 Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

 

[image by dtchristner]

I enjoy reading bumper stickers while driving.  It entertains me.  While I don't have any stickers on my car, I appreciate those people that choose to decorate their cars.

I saw this bumper sticker today and I thought it was so basic yet very descriptive:

 

 

I was feeling creative and out poured this poem.   I normally don't write poems, so I feel a little awkward posting this.  Sort of like I'm exposing a part of my soul.  However, I wanted you to read it.

Jesus is here, He's right at my side.

He says that He loves me, I'm the reason He died.

A death on a cross, so brutal, so bad,

but for me He did it.  He tells me He's glad.

I'm sad and I cry.  I'm not worthy of this.

He says close your eyes for a minute or two

My father in heaven has something special for you.

Something special for me?  How could it be?

I ignore Him and curse Him and many times flee.

Close your eyes He repeats and so I retreat.

I sit down on the ground and bury my head.

There's no sound to hear, nothing for my ear,

but I know what he said.

He's in my heart longing for me. 

I can hear Him whisper.

He wants me to see,

how special I am, He's got a plan.

A plan for my life, so rich and so full,

but not of this world,

something for my soul.

Eternal life,

believe it or not.

It's the reason He died and did not rot.

In the grave He was put,

but it was no match.

In 3 days He rose and started to hatch.

The Spirit that is, Holy and true.

Call on His name, He's waiting for you.

A sinner like me?  How can it be?  I really don't see.

You shouldn't He says.  It's a gift that I give.

Just accept it and live.

 

Chapter 1 of Proverbs starts out with a Prologue called "Purpose and Theme".    I was reading this today and it really struck me.    The purpose and theme of the proverbs is exactly what I want.

It says the proverbs are:

for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight;

for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young-

let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance-

for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.

Come on, be honest, who doesn't want this?  I think all other things in life flow from these qualities.

Here's the last part, what verse 7 says:

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

What is "fear of the Lord"?    Here's what Wikipedia says:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_of_the_Lord  I like the last sentence:  

As Robert B. Strimple says, "It is the convergence of awe, reverence, adoration, honor, worship, confidence, thankfulness, love, and fear."

 

The title of this post probably makes you think I know it all.   So not true.  I'm hoping this post can be used as a discussion starter for guys, specifically husbands, that want to be more intentional in their marriage.

I was talking with a friend the other day and this topic came up and we both were scratching our heads.  Sure, we came up with a few ideas, but overall I don't have any good answers. 

Been thinking about these two verses recently.  These are pretty standard "do this" type of messages guys hear:

Ephesians 5:25 -- Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

1 Peter 3:7 -- Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

The question is:  How do you do this?   What does this look like for you?

The one thing that really stood out to me was the part about "so that nothing will hinder your prayers".   That verse is telling us if we're not intentional about our marriage and our relationship with our wife, that are prayers will be hindered.   I don't know about you, but I don't want my prayers hindered.  I think this shows us how important the marriage relationship is to God and that it is something we must constantly be intentional about.

So how are you doing at this?   Make an effort to start being more intentional today.  I know I'm going to try.  Anybody want to get a discussion going? 

The one thing I love about the snow is when it snows at night. Last night I woke up at 2am and got out of bed and looked outside. It was absolutely beautiful. The snow was coming down and it looked like daytime. You know what I mean? It actually looked light outside. It's probably the way the street lights and house lights reflect off of the snow, but I love the way that looks. I eventually went back to bed, but I had to just stop and stare for a few minutes.

I'm having a blast playing with the Wii Fit.  Santa brought Camden a Wii for Christmas and we are having fun with it.  I'm thinking of trying to use the Wii Fit solely for a month and see how I feel.   I'm a little concerned I might get bored after a week or so, but we'll see.  

I like the "Body Test" feature of it.   It's given me a Wii Fit age of 35.  I'm 36 (almost 37), so I'll take that!   The BMI measurement is interesting too.  It's telling me my BMI is 24.88.  I don't know too much about BMI, but according to the Wii, I'm on the edge of normal and overweight.   It's telling me that my BMI should be 22 for a healthy range.   I'll give it a shot and see if I can do it.   It's telling me I have to lose 15 pounds which seems like a lot.

Do you have a Wii Fit?  How do you like it?  What's your favorite exercise?  I love the hula hoops!

BTW, I'm listening to my favorite worship song (still) as I write this :)