My Chevy Cavalier: February 1998 - July 2012

The first and sole car I've ever purchased and it only had 11 miles on it when I pulled out of the dealer's lot. That was in February of 1998. This past Sunday we put my beloved Cavalier to pasture.

Last summer I ran into a friend that I hadn't seen in quite awhile and he laughed when he saw the Cav, "You're still driving that thing?!?" Laughing along with him, "I haven't had a car payment in years and it gets me where I'm going with good gas mileage. Why get something else?"

I'm not a "car guy." In my worldview they are just a means to get from Point-A to Point-B, so I've never really cared about them or been overly impressed by any. Yet 190,000+ miles later I have a ton of great memories with this car. Youth group rides, family stuff, late night drives up and down Lakeshore blasting the Pumpkins, and road trips to Indy, St Louis, Florida, Cleveland, Bair Lake Bible Camp (countless times) and a ton of other places from over the last 12 years. My favorite memory is definitely when Jeannette and I drove to South Dakota to see the Badlands and Mt Rushmore.

But on Sunday it was laid to rest. It's in Indiana now at my dad's to be used for parts. The AC doesn't work, the parking brake is shot, the drivers seat doesn't stay up on it's own, the trunk won't open, the cigarette lighter is broke (hence no phone charging option), the headlights only stay on if you keep the control bar on the steering shaft pulled back slightly and even then the front left headlight was out, oh...and this is all separate from the fact the car was actually declared totaled after someone pulled out and hit me back in November. I'll be curious to see what parts dad is able to pull off it.  =)

A few weeks ago Baylee was getting into the car with me and said, "Daddy, your car is nasty." 

"Yes baby, yes it is. It's old and beat up, but it's done us good. Lots of good trips in this car."

"Well why don't you get a new car and we can take that on a trip?"

Pretty soon. Pretty soon. 

Anyone have a good story about my car to share in the comments?

Stop comparing grass colors

Stop looking at other yards!!!

If yours needs weeding, then take care of it!

If yours needs mowing, then take care of it!

If yours needs watering, then take care of it! 

But the energy you spend comparing grass colors is a waste. There's as many weeds and dog piles and beetles in the other place as where you're standing now. You just can't see them from afar. 

Your marriage. Your friendships. Your church. 

Stop comparing yards! Take ownership of where you're at and make it amazing!

Take off your socks and shoes and squish your toes in the grass under your feet.

Stop checking out the neighbor's yard and dance where you're at.

Don't quit too soon

Seth Godin wrote the following on his blog today.

"I don't even know what I'm afraid of"

This is the fear that kills brands and b2b sales and individual creativity. It's the fear without a name, without a face, without false facts that can be shot down or arguments that can be reasoned with.

This is the amygdala firing, the lizard brain being triggered without rational explanation.

When we are wrestling against the elusive and resilient fear with no name, often the only choice is to live with it, to care enough about forward motion and practical progress that we can come embrace the inner trembling that won't give up.

In market after market paralyzed with fear, this trembling might be the very best sign that you're on to something.

He is speaking about business, but the truth flows into faith and relationships as well.

Life gets shaky at time. Life can bring a ton of uncertainty. Life can be downright scarey. Throw in a side of loneliness or hurt or letdown and things can move from uncertainty to overwhelming in the blink of an eye. 

Living in the red white and blue doesn't like this. We don't like uncertainty nor imbalance and certainly hate the feeling that we have no control. So whenever we find ourselves wrestling with the "elusive and resilient fear with no name" we would rather step away than step up. We'd rather go after balance and wholeness somewhere else than risk facing the unknown outcome of where we are.

So where does faith come in then?

Maybe that shaky, uncertain, scary, lonely, confusing, fearful spot is the most amazing, holy, beautiful, incredibly spot you could be in. 

Maybe you look around with, "God, why do you have me in this impossible situation? 

And maybe God looks around with, "Why not? It's perfect! You get to trust me and I get to show off!"

Easy doesn't produce faith. 

Easy doesn't produce anything.

Imagine what you're on the verge of!

Whether marriage, family, friendship, or church: Avoid backwards. Move forward. Don't give up. Keep on.

Don't quit too soon.

But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 10:39-11:1

Meatballs and Spinach and Mother's Day

As we're walking down the street after church I say to Baylee, "Today is Mommy's day. She gets to pick where we are eating."

"Ah man, the day she gets to pick she's going to choose something I don't want like meatballs and spinach!" 

Jeannette laughs and says, "Why in the world would I pick that? And besides, you love meatballs."

Baylee passionately responds, "Not with spinach though!"

My highly entertaining kids. And I am so thankful they have a mom like Jeannette! She is an amazing super mom and I couldn't have asked for more in a mom for my kids. I am immensely grateful for her!

Happy Mother's Day Jeannette!

Also, other Happy Mother's day shout outs to:

• My awesome mom whom I love immensely.
• My awesome Nana who is phenomenal!
• My way coo' mother-in-law Chris
• My sister-in-law Shannon who needs prayer because she is a Star Trek fan.
• My sister-in-law Chrissy who I know is at home laying on the couch right now (or will be).
• My awesome step-mom Barb
• My awesome grandma Loomis
• And to all the "Mom's" at New Life Lincoln Park!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY ALL YOU MADRES!!! 

Hating on Valentines Day

This morning I had to wake up at 3:30am in order to catch a 6am flight for work. On my way home the night before I had stopped to get flowers for Jeannette and Baylee, balloons for Baylee and Jaxon. Knowing I'd be leaving early my devised plan was to have everything set up on the counter and ready to be found when the fam crawled out of bed. Not wanting to wake any of them up at that ungodly hour, I slept on the couch. 

The pain of miscarriage and the goodness of God

Devastating. 

When talking of miscarriage, I'm not sure if there is a better word that can be used to describe what you're going through. Every person I've ever met who has gone through the experience uses this word when telling their story. 

Good.

When talking of God, this is one of many words we can use when describing Him.  Goodness is part of His defining character. It's who He is...all the time.

How these two words can come together in one story is hard to fathom. Yet, I'm incredibly thankful for my friends Tiffany & Daniel Schaaff. Last week Tiffany shared their story on her blog and beautifully brought these two words together. 

I'd really encourage you to take a minute and read her entry: God is Good...So Good!

Is it possible to stay married for 63 years?

Today my grandparents answer the question with resounding YES!!! 

And not just married for 63 years, but in love for 63 years. 

These are two of the most dear people in the world to me, and I would not be the man I am today if not for them. My thankfulness for their impact on my life is eternal. Our family is more indebted to their steadfast and faithful legacy then we ever will probably realize.

Love you so much Nana and Papa! 

Happy 63rd anniversary!!!

Me & Mark Driscoll

Yesterday I was part of the Love Life conference with Mark Driscoll down in Athens, GA. Regardless of the whether you are a Driscoll fan boy or the exact opposite, his messages on love, dating, and marriage were phenomenal. The content is based on a book he has coming out in January, and subsequent speaking tour that Logos is sponsoring. Really powerful stuff, highly recommend checking it out. Based on the current schedule he'll be in Rockford next September. So you have some time to plan ahead. =)