Kate's quote of the day

When discussing bathroom privacy with daddy...

"You go potty in the toilet...I've seen it...it's like a water fountain"

how's that for a deep thought of the day?

I'd forget my head...best frustrating moment ever

Random...last Friday, I had an early appointment at the dentist. Didn't want to have crazy coffee breath while they were cleaning, so I held off until afterwards and picked up Starbucks on the way to work. I probably should've called Sara to see if she wanted one, but being the occasionally inconsiderate person I am, I just rolled on to work. About a half hour later, she called asking if I went to Starbucks...yeah, busted. Anyway, I decided to do the right thing and go get one for her and drop it off. So after I get back to work I'm getting out of the car...and of course I forgot my hat at home. Dad always said I'd forget my head if it wasn't attached. Anyway, I curse my way home...so frustrated with pretty much everything. I storm into the house, grab the hat, and start towards the door.

That's when Justin yells out..."I love you Daddy!" First time he ever said it...

Now...logically, I know that Justin really doesn't get the idea of love yet. I know that he probably said that because I always tell him I love him before I head out the door. But really, it doesn't matter. Hearing my kid say that is awesome, even if he doesn't really get it. Made my day.

Interesting how we never really stop to think how similar our relationships with our kids are to God's relationship with us. Do I really understand what it is to love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength? Not by a mile...but does that make my random cry of "I love you God" any less meaningful to him?

I hope it makes his day

Purity Equals Potential & Our Greatest Idol

Pastor Mark Batterson at our Church (NCC) said something today during the sermon that I loved. He said "purity equals potential." He later tied this to our motives. I think that this holds true in almost every facet of life that truly matters. Pure motives really do determine our potential. I can pour everything into my job. I can work my butt off to be the best pilot or the best military leader the Air Force has ever seen, but if I am only doing it for self-advancement, then what good is it? What potential for lasting gain is there in this back-stabbing culture that we in the military (and in the business world) have not only allowed, but encouraged? This goes the same for anything. I can pour everything out for my children and my wife. I can give them everything they could possibly want. But is that really worthwhile if I have no true love for them? Anyway...thought it was an awesome insight. I have a personal distrust for those (myself included) that only do good when it gains them something. Do the right thing!!! If good things come your way, then celebrate them...but do not live for them.

2nd thought from his message...He talked about idols. This hit a note with me because I've thought before about writing a piece on the idols we don't really acknowledge. So...I honestly think that for most of us in the US, our greatest idol IS our country. We think that because our country was based on Christian principles, then God must have our country's best interests at the center of his plan. How does this compute under the gospel? At what point did nationalism and evangelical christianity get all tied up? Someone I love and respect recently said something that almost made me cry. I was talking to this person about the US possibly detaining people in countries with lighter restrictions on torture so that we could 'extract information'. This person responded with..."So?"

When did we (believers) adopt the belief that American lives are more valuable than any others? How can we claim to celebrate the love and grace of God if we are ok with torture in the name of any man-made institution? Derek Webb recently put out a song called American Flag Umbrella. In it, he included the following lyrics. I think they're amazing and I think I'll round this out with them...

I know a way out of hell

We raise all our enemies' children

After they've murdered ours

We affix all their scars to our walls

So there's heartbreak for everyone

Thoughts after reading 'The Shack'

So Sara bought this book a couple weeks ago and told me I should read it. I gotta say that this was one of the most interesting novels I've read in a while. For me, this book highlighted some serious issues in my 'relationship' with God. We who claim to believe in Christ have a tendency to talk about having a "personal relationship" with Jesus...but what does that really mean? It's not like any of us have really spent a weekend with physical embodiments of God like the character did in this book. So many people today (and always) have called for shaking off our religion and moving more towards freedom...but how do we really do this? If we're truly called to just love God and live life...HOW do we love God? As for me...I definitely have trouble making God a part of every facet in my life. How do we love someone that we have our heads, but rarely our hearts, wrapped around? Either way, I'm comforted by the knowledge that God loves us and has his (our) best interests at heart...even when we let our doubts, assumptions, or even our religion lead us into confusion.