Vacation Foto Time 2

And now more photos...

Me and my sis, Susan, before she heads off to work...she's cool.

Aub's family came and visited on friday...quite the fun time. That's Mark and Diana right there.

This is a scary photo of my parents, but fun anyway. Not sure what are in my mother's hands. Oh yeah, those are crispy crappy hotdogs. And in her other hand is the pasta salad we ate all week. Thank God for leftovers.

This is me during our levitation ceremony. I got pretty high before my mom broke her concentration and dropped me 10 feet onto the deck.

Actually, this is me jumping into the great river. Boy, what a riot. I actually did this jump like 5 times before we got the actual air shot. Not that I am complaining... And this is Mark on the kayak that we bent in half trying to empty it of the water we had logged in it.

Vacation Foto Time

So here are the first few selected pics from vacation...

here's dad walking down our dock. notice the lilly pads...at high tide they're almost covered, and at low tide, they stand about 4-5 feet above the water.

Aubrey and I chillaxing on the tube...trying not to get taken away by the current.

my huge catch.

my catch beside my dad's catch.

all of us, besides sue (somebody had to take the picture), hanging...and the sunset...

what a beautiful day.

vacation is awesome.

Book Review and Recommendation

So I've journeyed into reading a book written by a friend of my father, and now a friend of mine, Jeff Edmondson.

The Premise:

We are all called by God to something that takes guts. Through prayer, scripture reading, asking friends, and obedience, we will find our place in God's great story, carrying out his dream for the world.

The Highs:

I loved his stories. Jeff does an excellent job at getting to the point through bringing the Bible to life. It felt a little like Ray Vander Lann's 'Echo's of His Presence' at times.

Having questions at the end of each chapter, allows the reader to really engage with the concepts that Edmondson is putting out there. And most of the time, the questions weren't cheesy (always a fear)! They took the reader farther.

I felt that Edmondson offered quite a bit of hope for all of us, in following the way of Jesus.

In dealing with the question of evil, Jeff doesn't try to give exact reasons for the source, just that it happens. he doesn't try to pass it off on others or put all the blame on me and you, but says the real test is what we do with what we're given.

The Lows:

I think the main point of it all, found in chapter 12, was delivered too late. The main point is this: "Everything must be filtered through love of God and our neighbor." I wish that this had come up before the closing of the book.

Best Quote:

"God is looking for those with the guts to allow him to move in during tragic times, to bring healing to pain and suffering, to bring love to the unloved, to bring justice to the maligned. He is searching for those who, during their times of weakness, will turn to Him, allowing Him to show His incredible compassion for their situation. God is looking for those who will choose to allow Him to prove how powerful He actually is. He's desperately seeking those who will free Him to display His perfected power during their times of weakness."

Who I'd give it to:

Graduating High School Seniors

Peeps in their 20's who are trying to figure out where to go in life

Anybody who likes Jeff Edmondson

Small Group Leaders

Mission Week Last Week, Vacation This Week

So last week, had a dandy time with our youth in york and this week am hoping for a relaxing time with the family in VA.

July 4th Celebrations

Here are a few pics from our time with my dad and his brother's family on Tuesday. Ah the joy of having meals (check Jordan's blog on this one) and making funny faces for the digital camera.

We're thankful for our family and the time we get to spend together.

Facelift for the Lady

Well, I think the French will be mad about this one.

But if all mega churches spent their money in this way, I guarantee the world would be a better place.

Beat that eBay!

So I spent two smacks and a quarter for 9 books at a yard sale the other day. Not a bad deal if you ask me.

I got my fast pleasure reading: ludlum and seinfeld.

And I got my grueling pleasure reading: Hugo, Potok and Steinbeck.

another friend in the blogosphere

so i have a friend named Jordan.

one of those types that if you don't talk to him for 3 months it's exactly the same when you do talk to him. he's a good man.

he's joined the blogosphere and is journeying out to Mars Hill grad school in the NorthWest.

So check out his thoughts here.