Frozen Carp?

It took some researching but I found video (check out videos on the left) of the legend that is the annual New Years Carp Drop in Prarie du Chien, Wisconsin.  Thanks to my friend Gary…he brought me up to speed on this uniquely Wisconsin twist on New Years.  Yes…forget the glowing ball of New York City, or the lit peach of Atlanta…few traditions compare to the dropping of a frozen carp.  As Holli and I prepare for the trip back to Vancouver…I’m thinking we need to bring this tradition to Vancouver…maybe a frozen salmon, or a massive lit up Starbucks cup.

From Another Planet.

Yesterday we headed out with some friends from the campus to check out the movie the “Day the Earth Stood Still.” Yes, I know…few things say Christmas more than a movie about an alien with an eerie resemblance to Al Gore…set on destroying all of humanity because of our lack of care and concern over the earth. Now don’t get me wrong…caring about the environment is cool and responsible…I’m all about a good tie-dye shirt and 5 cent deposit. But for once got to say it’d be nice to catch a movie without the not so-hidden political, environmental, or philosophical agenda weaved into it. What happened to the days when an alien could just show up with the soul purpose of exterminating the human race, because that’s what aliens from other planets do. Why do our aliens now have to be socially and enviromentally conscious creatures?

The Way I See It?

Stuff Behind the Stuff

It’s hard to believe that Christmas is only 10 days away…amazing how time flies.  Yesterday…got to share a message on contentment with the campus…must have gone alright, not much hate mail yet.  In a nutshell basically spoke about the stuff behind the stuff…how contentment begins and ends at the mirror…how we see ourselves, how we see God?  As at the core of our chase for more…is a belief that we’re somehow less than…less than adequate, less than beautiful, less than significant.  It’s only until we see ourselves in the light of how God sees us that truly enough will ever be enough in life.   Anyway…good times!  Getting anxious for Holli and I to head back home for the holidays.  Excited to see friends and fam again.  We fly in on Christmas Day and will be in town for several weeks…giving us a chance to ring in the new year back in the Couv.  By the way…I know several of you have been asking about our mailing address…so here it is: P.O Box 802 / Monroe, Wisconsin 53566

By the way here is a tribute to our love for more as a society:

Let’s Play.

Some of the team.

I’m a big believer in the reasoning that “teams that play together stay together!”   I know…may sound a little odd…but there’s something energizing about teams that know how to play just as hard as they work.  I think Jesus and His crew seemed to get this as well, as throughout the gospel we read stories from one dinner party after another.  Perhaps that’s one of the reasons behind His call to all of us to be more “childlike” when it comes to our faith and walk with Him.  Ever noticed that kids don’t have trouble with play…they live for it…they value it.  And yet somewhere along the way it’s as if play no longer becomes a value for us.  One thing I’ve increasingly noticed over the years is the most successful people, in whatever arena of life, value play…those with great marriages don’t work at it, they play at it…they value their time, and having fun and romance with each other.  The greatest basketball players don’t work at their game, they play at what they love to do.  I sometimes wonder how different some of our lives would be if we placed more value on play.  So what is it…what is it in your life where you could use a little more playtime in…job, marriage, kids?

Anyway, don’t know what sparked that little call for “play,” really just wanted to say that we had a great time at the Pastors Christmas Party in Galena.  You’ll have to check out some of our “Pastors Gone Wild” videos to the left…it’s safe to say that after you watch them you’ll know why none of us are on “Dancing with the Stars.” Anyway, love being a part of a team that knows how to play as hard as they work!

Pastor Keith & Julie

Create Your Own Caption.

Cruising around Freeport…couldn’t help but get a photo of this very unique Christmas light display.  So anyway…see if you can create a unique caption for this photo?

White Thanksgiving?

Here it is…the first significant snowfall of the year here in Wisconsin.  The locals still seem to refer to this as fall…I don’t know…it feels pretty cold to me.  So anyway, for my Northwest friends battling the rain, thought I’d share a photo of the snow outside of the place we’re staying here in Monroe.

Attitude of Gratitude.

Have to say that yesterdays message was really a great perspective check.  I know that in my own life it can be so easy to get consumed with what’s wrong in my life…that if I’m not careful I can lose sight of what’s right in my life.  Truth is I have so many things to be thankful for…an amazing wife, a place to serve, and enough wood in the fireplace that Holli and I, atleast for the moment, have yet to turn into ice sculptures.  Anyway, joy when it comes down to it really is a choice…and it’s a choice that begins with choosing gratitude in life.  I thought I’d share afew pics from the end of yesterdays service…as people gave some things up to God, while others took time to give a shout of thanks out to God.