It's ALL over...eventually

The Yankees have shut the door on Yankee Stadium after 85 years.  In 1923, this monument to the national pastime was unbelievable.  Even into this final season many have commented on being awe struck as they walked into "the House the Ruth Built."

But now it's over.

It doesn't matter how big you build it or how sturdy it is.  If it's here on this earth it has already begun to deteriorate.  So why do we continue to consume, run after and store up the things of this world?

Jerry Bridges, in The Practice of Godliness writes "The very first temptation in the history of mankind was the temptation to be discontent."  Adam and Eve were offered a perfect place to live, plenty of food, and a personal relationship with God, yet the snake was able to tap into the refusal of man to be content with what we have and sin entered into the world.

My prayer is that God will help me understand that I don't need that Tony Romo jersey or Guitar Hero: Aerosmith.  I should be content with my place in this world and strive to please God daily.  Besides if even Yankee Stadium is discarded I realize that Tony Romo won't always be a Cowboy and my Wii will stop playing games one day so why run after things that moth and rust destroy. 

Pain is weakness leaving the body, right?

That's what those "No Fear" shirts everybody in wore in the 90's said.

Well, last night my wife and I entered the world of new mountain bike owners. We didn't go overboard...in fact the opposite because anyone I've talked to that does the bike thing all seem to agree on one thing, don't buy a Wal-mart bike. Which is what we did. I rode home from the store last night (about four miles) and I woke up this morning and tooled around to the tune of another 6 miles. And I HURT.

I don't understand. I used to ride a bike everywhere all day and never get tired. what happened over the last 14 years to make this so tough? I've tried to get more healthy lately. I switched from Coke to Coke Zero about a month ago.
In any case, the guy at the bike shop I stopped at this morning (because my one of my cheap plastic pedals broke very first thing his morning, don't buy a Wal-mart bike) assured me that it would actually not take long to get used to riding again. I hope he's right.

As I rode around this afternoon I began to do my usual thing...looking for the spiritual truth that the current situation and I got this. The call to radical discipleship (as I'm reading Brennen Manning's Signature of Jesus which centers on that topic) is not a gentle walk or a ride in the car but more of the 4th mile of a 6 mile bike ride. The hills get high and tough at times. And sometimes you can't go any further and you have to jump off and walk the bike up the hill. But stopping doesn't help and going back is no longer an option so you just have to keep going and trust that God can and will give you the strength if you keep moving forward. And since I've been concentrating on James 1 this seemed to speak to the situation.


Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
-James 1:2-4 NIV

And because I didn't stop or give up that last downhill streach just before the apartment complex was a wonderful feeling. I hope that my perseverance in my realationship with Christ will bring about the same elation as Jesus calls me home one day....

See Ya.

A new and better home.

This weekend we took the kids up to Dallas to see family. And since we'd never tried the train for a trip we thought we'd give it a try.
As we left on Monday the train passed just to the south of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in Arlington.

Now as a Cowboys fan, I've seen the pictures online and every preseason game has included halftime feature segments about the construction, but there is no comparison to seeing it in person.

Even though the train doesn't allow for you to stop and take in the whole thing I realized immediately, TV and the internet can't do this justice. I would equate it to my first trip[ to Las Vegas in 2006. As you walk down the strip at night for the first time, nothing can prepare you for the lights and scope of everything around you. On the train this weekend a little of that came back to me.
I can't wait for the new stadium to open. And I'm ready to see the Dallas area host the Super Bowl. As much as i love Texas Stadium and all it's meant to the organization, I'm in no way sad to see it go, simply because the new place is that much better.
I feel the same way about Heaven. Life here on earth can't compare to the God's Kingdom. And I can't wait for God to call me home. I am pretty sure the stories and songs we've composed can't possibly do it justice .

Till next time.

See Ya.