Peeps and Chris level a 4 x 4 while Blake measures the distance from the top of Johnathan's ear to his shoulder.

Men's Breakfast

Saturday morning. My son Justin picks me up at 7:45 and we drive to Westminster Church, to a men's breakfast. Lots of guys come, bring friends...a few sons and dads too. Bob Henderson came with Will, his son, who's grown about 6" since last time I saw him. Bob and I may be the only men here with our sons. Flip Young & Co. rally before dawn. They make the kitchen start jumping and by the time the first man arrives, coffee's always on. Tex & Shirley's, IHOP, or Waffle House can't hold a candle to this breakfast, at least from May through September, when from 8-9, this is a happening thing. Guys mingle, see friends (old and new), and drink coffee. Sam Zealy offers thanks asking God to continue His redeeming work to all here and to bless those we left at home. Two serving lines open up and five minutes later, 75 men are sitting down and enjoying one of life's greatest and simplest pleasures - great food and real fellowship.

And me, I get to be with my son, how special is that gift? I wonder, how many dads and sons this Saturday morning get to have breakfast together? Some sons I know would give anything to be able to do this. Some dads too. Justin invites a friend, Kevin Sasser and we three are joined by another friend, Vic Cochran. Curtis Weaver introduces Fil Anderson to the crowd. He challenges us to think honestly and carefully about some things that most men, me included, don't think of very often. Like what's on your mind and heart as you start a new year. And what kind of report your body is giving you. Its good. Click here to listen Men's Breakfast (note, this broken link is under repair).

goals for 2006

'An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One is evil. He is anger, envy, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.

The other is good. He is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you and inside every other person too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee replied simply, "The one you feed.'

virtue check-list

Dr. James Sire, author of The Universe Next Door, A Basic Worldview Catalogue, listed four categories of what he calls Intellectual Virtues, which should characterize the believer because they are essential to the development of a truly Christian mind and heart. He says these are worth thinking about, adding to our daily prayer list, and reflecting on to what extent we display the virtue, and whether we are growing in it:

Acquisition virtues (displaying a passion for the truth): inquisitiveness, teachableness, persistence, and humility.

Maintenance virtues (displaying a passion for consistency): perseverance, courage, constancy, tenacity, patience, and humility.

Application virtues (displaying a passion for holiness): will to do what one knows, love, fortitude, integrity, and humility.

Communication virtues (displaying compassion for others): clarity of expression, orderliness of presentation, aptness of illustration, humility.

Humility appears in all four categories, because, absent humility they quickly turn into vices. A passion for holiness minus humility, for example, becomes legalistic, prideful, and self-righteous.

Check out www.ransomfellowship.org and search on "sire" to read more.

What do you think?

Advent...year round

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of--throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself."

C.S. Lewis
Mere Christianity

Justin "turns" J&J&J "chigger sauce" with special tools from Extra Ingredient

Justin checks the consistency of this year's J & J & J sauce, otherwise known as "Chigger sauce," a family tradition. Professional kitchen tools from Extra Ingredient make the job so much easier...

Lighted balls sighted in California

Lighted balls glow brightly in Fair Oaks, CA, a suburb of Sacramento, 2,775 miles west of Greensboro. These dazzling ornaments were made by Libba, Jonathan's daughter, and her husband Rod and their daughter, Kenzie. Libba's passion is representing the "missing" missing and under represented through www.outpostforhope.org; Rod's passion is his family, golf, and shooting an occasional duck; by day he's a financial advisor, helping teachers, nurses, and hard-working folks save and invest for their retirement years.