meanderings of a restless wanderer

Here I am. Preparing for what I am sure will be an interesting week. Leanne is gone on a week long retreat…and I am all alone with the baby…being Mr. Mom

Mr. Mom

So, I’ve never been the sole provider before. I’m pretty sure I can handle it…I hope. The great thing is, is that Bella is uber easy however, I am still kind of freaked out about being single dad for a week. I’m not sure how to balance the work and baby thing on my own…especially in a week when I am preparing for a sermon ths coming Sunday and a wedding I will be performing. So I might just stay home and forgo the social activities that I would normally partake in and prepare for Sunday…and watch 30 Rock.

30 Rock

I am not a big fan of Alec Baldwin…in fact he kind of annoys me, which has caused me to not even attempt to watch 30 Rock. Well after months of hounding from Tanya I gave in and watched an episode…thanks to HULU I have now watched the entire second season…in 3 days. Seriously, it’s genius! Since Leanne is gone and since I will not be partaking in social activities Tanya is letting me borrow season 1 so I can watch it in the evenings after Bella goes to sleep, but to protect my brain from too much TV I will also be reading my new book…A Voyage Long and Strange.

A Voyage Long and Strange

I do so enjoy a good book…truth be told I’m kind of a book whore…I’ll read just about anything. Between business books, apologetic books, missional Church books, and the Walt Disney Biography I have found some time to brush up on my History Books. My newest is entitled “A Voyage Long and Strange”. To read a synopsis click here. I’m actually quite looking forward to it and hoping to gain a few new bits of info to store away in my noggin…but truth be told we shouldn’t just exercise our noggins but our bodies as well which leads me to Weight Watchers.

Weight Watchers

Leanne and I have been discussing making some serious life changes and setting good goals for ourselves. So this week I start Weight Watchers. I kind of would like to live a long productive life so I’m not so much into the continual self sabotage that we Americans do to ourselves. I can’t do it alone…the Big guy upstairs is going to have to help me…of course you can too. I open myself up to you my friends…you have permission to ask me how’s it going…heck you can even ask me how many points I have used in the day.

Moving forward…

This week will be interesting, but I have no doubt it will be great…it’s the continual process of moving forward…I don’t do so well being stagnant so I trust God to continue to lead me on.

Until next time…

Every once in a while I will watch a film that moves me…that truly makes me ponder my life and the world that surrounds me. Sometimes it is because of the sheer poetry of the film, other times it is because of the simple truths that it presents, while still others because it taps into a part of my soul that I had forgotten existed. As I watched “Into the Wild” my soul was stirred by all three of those things.

As I watched the story of this young man unfold before me like some story from Thoreau - I couldn’t help but be conflicted. On the one hand it was a journey that Christopher McCandless had to take. One of self discovery, one of growing up and being the very person his soul craved to be. On the other hand many of his actions were selfish…which ultimately he realized.

Now, maybe it’s because I never had a tree house when I was a kid…or maybe I didn’t go camping enough - but to be honest I am a little jealous of Christopher McCandless. For two years he lived an adventure that many of us wish we could live. Soaking up the freedom that surrounded him as he experienced a life that was separated from the things that cause so much pain and stress to the majority of us.

I’m a nature guy. I crave to be in it. I feel God speaks and shows His mystery through it. There is something wild about our making…that I believe causes our souls to cry out for adventure. As we grow up we push it down - trying to ignore it - calling it childish - foolish even…and still deep within, it beckons us to live in dangerous wonder…because He calls us to live in dangerous wonder.

As I continue on in this journey - I see the adventure that it is. I don’t want to stand in the shallows, I want to dive into the heart of the raging river. I want to gasp for breath as I let myself go in His divine story - breaking free from all of those things that entangle…as I am swept away in the great mystery that I am apart of…and what makes it even more exhilarating is that I know I am not alone.

As time continues in its inevitability may my soul continue to hear the call of the wild - and may I always have the courage and trust to allow Him to sweep me away in the greatest of adventures.

Until next time…

When I was in college a good friend of mine kept a quote book. In this book she would write down different quotes that would make her think. It has been 6 years since I have started my own quote book and it’s pages are filled with many ideas and thoughts that have and continue to challenge me. Below you will find just a small smattering of some of my favorites.

“If what has happened in my life can change even one person…let it. If not, send me back to the fire.” - Philippa Robson

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep - to gain what he cannot loose.” - Jim Elliot

“I dream, I test my dreams against my beliefs, I dare to take risks, and I execute my vision to make those dreams come true.” - Walt Disney

“He who cannot forgive another breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself.” - George Herbert

“The man who is afraid to suffer cannot belong to the one who suffered.” - Tertullian

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” - Edward Everett Hale

“God does more through the willing then through the able.” -?

“A selfish life breeds nothing more than an isolated soul.” - CSLL

“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” - Amy Carmichael

“Love to be real must cost. It must hurt. It must empty us of self.” - Mother Theresa

“Sometimes all it takes is remembering how to be a child.” - Pam Fisher

‘Imagination is a mere spark that beckons the impossible.” - CSLL

“To clasp hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world.” - Karl Barth

“To live outside of God’s will is dangerous - to live in His will makes us dangerous.” - Erwin McManus

“To trust God is to rest in divine mystery.” - CSLL

“We must no only give what we have, we must also give what we are.” - Cardinal Mercia

“Is it routine or is it real?” - Daniel Shelton

“When you’re through changing…you’re through.” -Bruce Barton

So, these New Orleans posts are exhausting and time consuming and I want to make sure that I clearly articulate the feelings and thoughts of the experience…That being said December 29th was a big day so it is taking me a little longer to process.  Please bare with me I should have it up by Monday.

In the meantime I have decided that I want to start a book club.  I have always wanted to do it, and by gollly why should Oprah have all the fun.  I am tired of reading books and never having anyone to talk about them with.  So here is the deal…if you are a reader…and I know some of you are…and you would like to be apart of this book club, just let me know.  Even if it is just two of us I’ll be a happy camper.

We will read one book a month and have open discussion about said books.  Books will cover the full spectrum…Fiction, Non-Fiction, Religious, Biography, Historical, etc… I have taken the liberty to choose our first book.  It is entitled The Devil in the White City and you can find in paperback or hardcover.  The book is a true account of the 1893 Columbus World Exposition and Americas first serial killer.

This book is one of my favorites and I can say with some certainty that you will enjoy it.

OK, that’s all for now.  If you would like to join me let me know, and don’t forget to check back on Monday for Pt 3. of my New Orleans experience.

Since Leanne and Bella have been out of town I have a tiny bit of free time in the evenings so I went and saw Hairspray, read the last Harry Potter, caught up on So You Think You Can Dance, and feasted on Chipotle.

Hairspray…Now granted I love musicals so I may be a bit biased however, Hairspray is good times. I can’t remember a time recently where I had that much fun watching a movie. Nikki Blonsky is inspired as she does big folk proud, and I have never like John Travolta more as when he is strutting his stuff as Edna. Plus You got Queen Latifa and who doesn’t like her? Even if your not into musicals I still say you should go see it…you won’t regret it.

Good Bye Harry Potter. If you don’t read them you can’t understand. There is a sadness when you finish a story you have been reading for close to ten years. J.K. Rowling does a fantastic job at closing the story but there still remains a bit of regret just like when your favorite TV show goes off the air. Can I get a shout out for Growing Pains? Alias? Friends? If you haven’t read the books you should it is a great 4,000 page story. You could wait for the movies…but as always movies are never as good as the books.

So You Think You Can Dance…Great summer fun (addiction)…I am rooting for Lacey…and although I don’t like him I think Danny is frickin amazing! You know you watch it too…don’t try and lie…you know who you are stop trying to hide it.

Chipotle…Let’s just say I am pretty sure they put an addictive chemical that makes you crave it fort nightly.

Until next time…

Well, this morning I took Leanne and Bella to the airport.  They are now in Baltimore until next Tuesday.  Although, I am uber busy with Serve Day and other activities I must admit…I’m lonely.  I have never been away from them both this long…it’s kind of unnerving…and its just the first night…Thankfully I have the new Harry Potter to keep me occupied at night.

I love to read. When I read a book I am able to escape the world around me…I am able to learn new things…and I am challenged in my thinking. So I thought I would share my summer books that I have read, am currently reading, and hope to read by the end of summer.

Finished reading

The Treasure Principal

More Mouse Tales

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

The Starbucks Experience

Messy Spirituality

The Way of The Wild Heart

The Last Season

Currently reading

The Road

The Dangerous Book for Boys

The Externally Focused Church

Humility

Entertainment Weekly

The Hikers Guide to Sequoia National Park

Things I hope to read (if time and money allow)

Harry Potter

Irresistible Revolution

Sex God

A Book of Hours

Into the Wild

The Reagan Diaries

Quiet Strength

The Devil’s Teeth

What is it that you’re reading or hope to read this summer? Let me know, I may want to read that too.

I get a lot of people asking me what my favorite movie is, or what my favorite restaurant is…well, I figured if people want to know…I’ll tell them. Below you will find my compiled list of my favorite things. If I am missing anything please let me know, and feel free to tell me your favorite things.

Favorite Old Movies (Before I was born)
Action/Adventure: African Queen
Horror: The Birds
Drama: The Godfather
Comedy: How to Steal a Million
Musical: Guys and Dolls
Disney: Peter Pan
Romanic: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Holiday: White Christmas

Favorite New Movies
Action/Adventure: Any Indiana Jones Movie
Horror: Scream
Drama: Braveheart
Comedy: The Great Outdoors
Musical: Chicago
Disney: (tie) Hunchback of Notre Dame/Finding Nemo
Romanic: Love Actually
Holiday: Elf

Favorite Music
Rock: U2
Pop: Jackson Family
Jazz: John Coltrane
Standards: Diana Krall
Hip Hop: Missy Elliott
Country: Nickel Creek
Singer/Songwriter: Iron and Wine

Favorite TV Show No Longer Airing
Drama: Alias
Comedy: Friends

Current Favorite TV Show
Drama: Lost
Comedy: Scrubs

Favorite Book
Drama: The Road
Thriller: Still Life With Crows
Christian: What’s So Amazing About Grace?
Non-Fiction: Devil in the White City
Fantasy: Chronicles of Narnia
Children’s: Thief Lord
Classic: To Kill A Mockingbird
Travel: 1,000 Places To See Before You Die

Favorite Big Cities
East Coast: Boston, MA
West Coast: Portland, OR
Midwest: Kansas City, MO
South: New Orleans, LA

Favorite Little Cities
East Coast: Portland, ME
West Coast: Flagstaff, AZ
Midwest: Hannibal, MO
South: Eureka Springs, AR

Favorite Disneyland Attractions
Thrill: Big Thunder Mountain
Dark: Pirates of the Caribbean
Show/Parade: Fantasmic
Just For Fun: Astro Blasters

Favorite Restaurants
Chain: Maggiano’s
Fast Food: Chick-fil-a
Unique: Juan’s Flying Burrito

Favorite Animals
Domestic: Labrador
Exotic: Baby Elephant

Favorite Beverages
Juice: Apple
Soda: Pepsi
Coffee: Praline
Tea: Sleepy Time

Favorite Cartoon
Old: (tie) Duck Tails/Scooby Doo
New: The Simpsons

Favorite Store
That I Can Afford: Target
That I Cannot Afford: Restoration Hardware

Favorite Magazine
Entertainment: Entertainment Weekly
Chick: Real Simple
Travel: Conde Naste
Men’s: Men’s Health
Cooking: Cooking Light

Well, there you have it…If I left anything off let me know…and for the record my favorite color is green.