Breakfast with Kim

Bernice

Bernice is at it again. I really struggle with her. This morning she was recruiting for Breakfast with Liz on Saturday, September 10. I tried to sign up and was told it's just for "Red Hatters" and that I couldn't attend. What is that all about? It sounds like discrimination to me! I really think she doesn't like me because I'm an Iowa State Cyclone fan!

If I can't have breakfast with Liz, I'm going to throw my own breakfast meeting. I'm officially announcing Breakfast with Kim! My breakfast meeting will be held on Saturday, September 10 at 9:00 AM at Panera's NE. You've heard it here first. Tell a friend and join me for coffee. I'm depending on my blog readers to get the word out.

Bring a favorite book or a passage of Scripture that God has been using in your life. Men, let's not let Bernice and those "Red Hatters" have all the fun! Get the word out and join me for Breakfast with Kim! Leave a comment here on my blog if you plan to attend.

Creating Space For Life

Oscillation

I'm enjoying the book, The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz. The premise of the book is that managing energy, not time, is the key to high performance and personal renewal. Full engagement requires cultivating a dynamic balance between the expenditure of energy and the renewal of energy physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

The authors call this oscillation, and it represents the fundamental pulse of life. Nature itself has a pulse, a rhythmic movement between activity and rest. The ebb and flow of the ocean tides, the change of seasons, and the daily rising and setting of the sun create the rhythms of life. So too, human beings are guided by rhythms. Our breathing, brain waves, body temperature, heart rates, hormone levels and blood pressure all have rhythmic patterns.

Our 24/7, always on, western society has pushed us to perform at unsustainable levels without adequate rest or recovery. Our propensity to live "linear" lives ignores our need for recovery and leads to unproductive levels of stress. "Sounds become music in the spaces between notes, just as words are created by the spaces between the letters. It is in the spaces between work that love, friendship, depth and dimension are nurtured. Without time for recovery, our lives become a blur of doing, unbalanced by much opportunity for being."

I'm learning to build in more frequent times of recovery during my day. It's not easy, but I'm learning to be more in tune with my rhythms. Taking time to talk to family and friends, listen to music, eat lunch or a healthy snack, reflect, pray, create, blog or read help recharge my physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual energy reserves.

Our equipping staff and families enjoyed a great time of relaxation and refreshment tonight at the Eade's home. It was so relaxing to sit with friends I love and to enjoy the beautiful evening! Click on the picture at the top of this blog article to see a short slideshow of our evening.

Living a healthy, productive and fully engaged life requires careful attention to how I expend and recover energy. I want the second half of my life to be more successful than the first half. I want to create space for life!

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. Psalm 23:1-3a

Guard Your Heart

Super Mario

Does this man look dangerous? Of course not! We know him as the beloved Mario from the Nintendo video games. Many of our children grew up on Mario, just like those of my generation grew up with Captain Kangaroo and Dr. Max. Surely Mario means no harm.

Although Mario is a rather harmless character, other video games are filled with first-person violence that is disturbing, and we are finding, dangerous. Based on an examination of the research that shows the negative influences of violence in interactive media on youth, the American Psychological Association (APA) today adopted a resolution recommending that all violence be reduced in video games Additionally, the APA also encourages parents, educators and health care providers to help youth make more informed choices about which games to play.

Here is a portion of their report.

The policy decision, made by the APA Council of Representatives, was adopted at the recommendation of a special Committee on Violence in Video Games and Interactive Media of the Media Psychology Division of APA, which reviewed the research indicating that exposure to violence in video games increases aggressive thoughts, aggressive behavior, and angry feelings among youth. In addition, this exposure reduces helpful behavior and increases physiological arousal in children and adolescents.

Research on media violence also revealed, that perpetrators go unpunished 73 percent of the time in all violent scenes. “Showing violent acts without consequences teach youth that violence is an effective means of resolving conflict. Whereas, seeing pain and suffering as a consequence can inhibit aggressive behavior”, says psychologist Elizabeth Carll, PhD, co-chair of the Committee on Violence in Video Games and Interactive Media.

Studies on learning also show that active participation may influence learning more than passive observation. “Violence in video games appear to have similar negative effects as viewing violence on TV, but may be more harmful because of the interactive nature of video games," says Dr. Elizabeth Carll, who is a private practitioner in New York and a past president of the Media Division of APA. “Playing video games involves practice, repetition, and being rewarded for numerous acts of violence, which may intensify the learning. This may also result in more realistic experiences which may potentially increase aggressive behavior,” added Carll.

Psychologists are merely discovering the ancient wisdom found in the Scriptures - that there is a direct correlation between what we think about and behavior. In a time of increasing violence, aggressive behavior and a preoccupation with death, followers of Christ need to stand up for life. We need to reaffirm our commitment to bring reconciliation and peace, not division and violence. We need to be careful to guard our hearts.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

Seasons of Life

Josh and Jon Then .................... Jon and Josh Now

How quickly time flies. The chill in the air this morning was a reminder that another school season is upon us. It hardly seems possible that nine years ago we sent Josh and Jon off to Kindergarten! And today they are officially high school juniors.

It's time for school to begin. It's time for Josh and Jon to be juniors. It's time for them to move into this new phase of life. And it's time for Sharon and me to move into this new phase with them.

As is our custom on the first day of school, I took Josh and Jon out for breakfast this morning. We are studying through Know What You Believe. But we also talked about the upcoming year and some of their goals. This year will involve college campus visits, learning new responsibilities and taking on new challenges in preparation for graduation.

And then I told them something that brought a lump to my throat and sadness to my heart. I uttered words that I knew had to be said, but had secretly hoped would never come. I told them that one of my jobs as their dad is to help prepare them to leave home. I told them that when the time came for them to leave that they would feel ready to go. And I told them to pray that their dad and mom would be ready too.

When people have asked me if I'm ready for fall, my response has been; "I'm ready for fall, I'm just not certain that I'm ready to be the father of two juniors." But I am looking forward to fall. I love the change of seasons. This is one of the reasons I love living in Iowa. I'm looking forward to the beautiful fall colors, crisp autumn air, Friday night football games, and marching band competitions.

And I'm also ready for a new season of life that is right around the corner for me. This new season comes with its own unique beauty and opportunities. Rather than grieve the loss of what I cannot hold on to forever, I choose to look forward to the future and to enjoy today. Its time. I'm ready for this new season of life to begin.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11a

Welcome to Our Community

Moving Crew

Tye, Andrew, Allyson and Morgan arrived today with their two moving vans. Judy and Mackenzie will drive out and join the rest of the family on Wednesday. The Male's were greeted by an energetic moving crew of teens and adults. We ripped into the two vans and had them unloaded in less than one hour. The piano took another 30 minutes to negotiate. I knew there was a reason that I don't play the piano!

It was awesome to see the body of Christ in action today - helping, carrying, unpacking, setting up beds, cooking, and loving. Tye, Judy and family; welcome to our community of faith!

Freedom!

After and Before

Jon got his cast removed today. He now has new freedom of movement and activity. Jon intends to give the new wrist a good work out today at band camp, helping the Male’s unload their moving truck, playing ultimate frisbee, and finally, swimming. Swimming is one thing you can’t do with a cast on!

On the way back from the doctors appointment we talked about how leaders use their acquired influence for the benefit of others. Leaders are called to use their freedom to serve, rather than be served. Freedom can be used for selfish pursuits, or it can be used for the benefit of others. Leaders hear the call of God to use their freedom to serve God's purpose in the lives of people.

How about you? What has God given to you, and how could you use it to serve others? Have you experienced the joy and freedom that accompany serving?

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14

A Bear Tale

Beware of Bear

There are bear everywhere in the Smokies! If you don't watch your step you can find yourself face to face with one of these ferocious creatures. Which is exactly what happened the first day we were in our cabin.

Jason exclaimed that he saw a bear in front of our living room window. We all thought he was joking. That is, until we turned around and looked out the window! There in front of us was a mama bear with her two cubs. I found my camera and opened the door in time to snap off a quick picture as they disappeared into the woods. Fortunately, I escaped with my life and lived to tell this harrowing story of danger and adventure. Click on the picture above to see some of the bears we encountered while in Tennessee. The last picture is of our visiting bear family.

Who Touches the Mountains, and They Smoke

The Smoky Mountains

May the glory of the Lord endure forever; may the Lord rejoice in his works - he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. Psalm 104:31-33

The Smokies are as beautiful as people say. Photos don't do them justice. We had a very relaxing family vacation that exceeded our expectations! How often does that happen? Highlights for me included hiking in the Smokies, hanging out as a family in the cabin at night, sleeping in, discussing Knowing What You Believe each evening, taking pictures, reading and time to relax! Click on the picture above to see a slideshow of our vacation. And yes, I did see bear! I narrowly escaped with my life. I'll tell you the rest of the story, complete with pictures, at another time.