Flag-football results

Thought I would let everyone know about the results of the flag-football game we had the other day. I know you all just can't wait.

The students got the drumming they so richly deserved, 78-48. There was some talk that the adults only scored 68 points, but this is simply misguided propaganda. In fact, 42 of the students' points came in the 2nd half, when all of us were stiff and tired because we failed to stretch before we came back out on the field.

Anyway, we had a good time and it was fun to fellowship like that across generational boundaries.

Flag-Football

Saturday, Jan. 24 HPBC is hosting a flag-football game between the student ministry and the adults. I am very excited about this because, in my man-ness, I enjoy a good game with the possibility of collisions and concussions. I realize that flag-football is supposed to limit the contact between players, but there are always ways around this rule.

This began as a friendly competition between two generations, but has blown (hopefully) into a full-on church-wide event. There will be hot dogs, chips and drinks, and the aforementioned collisions. We even have a real referee coming out to call the game.

The build-up to this game has been ferocious, with even our pastor getting in on the trash-talk. It will certainly be a spectacle, possibly a debacle or some other kind of "-acle," but will definitely be entertaining. Come one, come all. Witness what happens when two generations of believers take (illegal) shots at one another on a grassy field (without knolls).

The life and times of...life

A few years ago there was a movie entitled "Life or Something Like It." I never saw this movie and couldn't honestly say what it's about at all except to say I thought the title was quite poignant. I think most of us could say this about our own lives. Maybe our lives are only "something like it."

I recently finished the curriculum for our community-wide Disciple Now. It's called "One: Developing Our Primary Relationship." It's come to my attention that life is less about the things that happen every day or even the things we do, and more about our relationships, specifically for me, my relationship with God. It has been a refreshing journey.

That's all I have for today. I leave with this. My friend Edward has a T-Shirt that I love. It says on the front "It's against my relationship to have a religion." I like this shirt.

Something New

It's been a while since I've written. The Christmas/New Year's holidays are done. The Cowboys will once again be without a Superbowl championship. I'm sitting on my sofa with my wife sleeping next to me. I'm about to watch the Eagles play the Vikings. I'm not really interested in the game, but at least it's football.

As we enter the beginning of a new year I pause for a moment to consider this opportunity for newness and change. I find that I talk a lot about what I want to do and don't spend much time doing it. When it comes time to actually do things I want to do, I tend to find something infinitely less interesting that takes decidedly less energy and thought to accomplish.

This summer I have the opportunity to take two overseas trips during the month of June. A group that I go to youth camp with is taking a trip to Haiti to build a school. Amanda and I plan to go with them. Recently, however, we've also been invited to go to Greece and lead and camp/retreat for IMB missionaries and their children. I'm excited about both of these opportunities but I also realize that it's going to cost quite a bit to be able to do both. We're talking between $6000-$7000 for both Amanda and myself.

Am I cautious because I know that I can't possibly do everything I want to do, or am I hesitant because it's going to be hard to raise the money to go? I don't know. I want to take every opportunity because I want to be available, but I also want to have wisdom and make good decisions.

Any thoughts/money would be welcome at this juncture.