Chasing The Wild Goose

Amy finishes her first half marathon

My wife Amy just completed the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville.  Six months ago she was watching PBS and saw a NOVA special about a group of non-athletes who trained for the Boston Marathon.  She was so inspired by this that she decided she wanted to run a marathon. 

Amy started a training program and here we are less than six months later in Nashville.  She finished in 3 hours, 12 minutes.  This was 20 seconds per mile under her training pace!      

Here's a video of her crossing the finish line.  Needless to say I was in tears.

She's got another half marathon planned in a few months in Colorado Springs and she's already registered for the full marathon at the Rock and Roll Marathon in San Antonio in November.

I'm proud of you Amy!

   

Eli's First Kayaking Adventure

I took Elijah kayaking today at our friends kayaking school.  He had a great time...looks like a natural kayaker.   He kept asking, "Dad, can I go over a little waterfall now?"  I have to say, I'm one proud daddy. 

Click here to see more pics.

New Album Coming

Our buddies Barry and Michelle Patterson are in their studio cutting a new album.  They are phenomenally talented and I can't wait to share their new album with you.  They've just posted an audio snippet on their blog.  Check it out here.

God Can Steer A Parked Car

I've just finished reading Phil Vischer's new book, Me, Myself, & Bob, in one sitting.  While I was reading I laughed, I cried, I laughed some more and then I cried some more.  Maybe I was so touched by the story because, like Phil, I've been an entrepreneur and can relate to joys and heartache of running a business. 

I felt as though I was there for the roller coaster rise and fall of his company Big Idea.  From the production of the first Veggie Tales video to their eventual bankruptcy.

I was reminded of an old sermon that describes how when man starts something it almost always eventually becomes a Frankenstein.  How once created, organizations, businesses and ministries all seem to take on a life of their own.  They start to serve their own interests rather than the interests of their creator.

Towards the end of the book, Phil refers to the oft quoted passage from Proverbs, "Where there is no vision, the people perish."  I mean...yes, right...that's it, we have to strategize and come up with goals or else we won't know where to head....or will we.  He goes on to point out that none of the modern translations use the word vision, they use the word revelation.  When the King James version was translated, "vision" didn't mean what it means today.  It wasn't about goals and ambition and a "vision statement"...it literally meant a vision from God.   

He writes:

According to Paul, God had in mind even before I was born the "good work" he wanted me to do.  I don't have to dream it up, I don't have to read a hundred business books and craft a "vision paper," I don't have to try a bunch of stuff and see what works.  I just have to stop and listen.

The Problem with the saying "God can't steer a parked car" is that, while its cute, it isn't biblical.  When people of great faith in the Bible don't know what God wants them to do, they don't just run off and make stuff up. They wait on him.

I've used that phrase myself.  I've told people, "Just do something, start moving, get going, God will direct you."  The problem is, like Phil points out, that doesn't seem to be how the God of the bible works.

Take Noah, a man who actually got to "save the world."  He waited 500 years for his chance.  What was he doing during the wait?  Genesis 6:9 says, "Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God."  That's what Noah did for the first 500 years of his life, he walked with God.  That's what God is calling us to do, to wait on Him.  To walk with him.  Not to run out and and try to manufacture something important to do for Him. God's more interested in our relationship with Him than what we do for Him. So maybe God can steer a parked car...the question is, will we wait for Him?

But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Today I Turn Thirty

A friend asked me yesterday if I feel any different, and honestly I don't.  However, I am aware that I am stepping into another decade of life, specifically the second decade of adulthood.  In my late teens I set a goal of becoming a millionaire by age thirty.  I'm grateful to say that I haven't achieved that goal.  Grateful, because I don't believe that I'm ready for the responsibility that comes with that kind of wealth. 

A couple of months ago a friend of mine who turned thirty last year sent me a document, a sort of guidebook that he had compiled when he turned thirty.  What he did was ask a dozen or so older men to give him counsel for the next decade of his life from the experience of the miles they have traveled.  He asked them "Where should a man be at 30? What should the decade of the thirties be all about? What are the pitfalls? What would you change about your thirties if you could go back and do it again?"

As I read through these men's responses, a few really jumped out at me:

One man said that the core drives of the 30's are: To get something going, to make a name for yourself, and to make a little money - Resist these, rather than be seduced by money, live a normal life, its not about the money.

Another said enjoy your wife and kids - You won't be available much beyond your domain, that's OK and even good.

Several of them stressed the importance of key relationships: With mentors who speak into your life.  With peers who you walk through life with...and don't discount the impact you can have on younger men.

Another man offered this gem, Get up early, be with God - when you do this there will be a shift from you doing it for God to you doing it for you.

There was more...much more.  True wisdom from Godly men.  I'm so grateful to have it as I head into this next decade of life.  I'm also so thankful for Amy and our kids, our friends and all that God has blessed us with.

Goal-Setting: The 90-Day Challenge

I read this on Michael Hyatt's Blog Today...I found it really helpful:

I planned to write a new post on goal-setting today. This is the perfect day for thinking about the year ahead. However, I re-read an article I had written on that topic a couple of years ago on my Working Smart blog. (I recently shut that blog down to focus on this one.) I didn’t think I could improve on what I said there, so I am re-posting it here—with a few minor tweaks. Enjoy!

It’s that time of year again. New Year’s resolutions, diets, exercise—and goal-setting. I continue to be surprised at how few people take time to write down their goals. Despite the fact that numerous studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between goal-setting and success, few people seem to ever get around to it.

I have been setting goals in one form or another for years. Every now and then, I stumble across an old list of goals. I am always fascinated by how many of the things I write down come to pass. And, I must confess, it often happens despite the fact that I do nothing more than write it down. The magic of this is all explained in a very compelling book by Henriette Klauser called Write It Down, Make It Happen.

Even if you don’t create an action plan for each goal and work your plan, there is tremendous power in simply identifying what you want and focusing some thought on the outcome.

For example, at the beginning of 1997, I wrote down this goal: “Write a a New York Times bestselling book.” Now understand: at that time I had never written a book. I had a book idea, but that’s all I had. Though I had worked in the publishing industry my whole career, I was scared to death at the thought of actually trying to write an entire book. Nevertheless, I wrote it down and took a deep breath.

Continue reading "Goal-Setting: The 90-Day Challenge"

The Perfect Human?

I just came across this amazing article in the latest issue of WIRED magazine:

Dean Karnazes runs 200 miles just for fun (he ran 50 marathons in 50 days). Here are 12 secrets to his success. By Joshua Davis from Wired magazine.

DEAN KARNAZES WAS SLOBBERING DRUNK. IT WAS HIS 30TH BIRTHDAY, and he'd started with beer and moved on to tequila shots at a bar near his home in San Francisco. Now, after midnight, an attractive young woman – not his wife – was hitting on him. This was not the life he'd imagined for himself. He was a corporate hack desperately running the rat race. The company had just bought him a new Lexus. He wanted to vomit. Karnazes resisted the urge and, instead, slipped out the bar's back door and walked the few blocks to his house. On the back porch, he found an old pair of sneakers. He stripped down to his T-shirt and underwear, laced up the shoes, and started running. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

Click here to read the rest of the article at Wired.com.

Surprise Arrival

Little Aspen Joy surprised us by arriving a week before Amy was scheduled to be induced.  Thankfully, my brother and sister and their spouses had arrived the night before and were able to look after the other kids as I rushed Amy to the birthing center.  Amy awoke at five and her water broke but she didn’t go into labor until they put her on Pitocin at around ten.  She got an epidural shortly after that, which (she assured me) made everything much more pleasant.  At about 12:10 she pushed for about five minutes and Aspen was born at 12:15.  She weighed 8 lbs. and was 20 ½ inches long.  She was very purple at first, but still very beautiful of course. 

Later in the day the other kids came to the hospital to meet Aspen and it was love at first sight.

Aspen (or “A.J.” as I call her) is doing great.  She is eating well and sleeping well.  She is very sweet natured and we are so thankful that everything worked out just as it did. 

So, happy birthday Aspen Joy!  We are very excited to have you in our family.

Click here to view a photo album from Aspen's First Day

Photos from Breckenridge

Click the picture below to view a photo album from our snowboarding trip.

Elijah's first snowboarding film

Its winter time

Yesterday, I took Anna snowboarding in Breckenridge.  We had a great time.  Chris went with us to help Anna learn the basics and she is doing really good.  Unfortunately I forgot my camera so I don't have any pics from the slopes.

Today I found a snowboard small enough for Elijah.  I'm pretty stoked because I had thought that he would have to ski since he is so small.  I'd tried to find a board small enough for him and had struck out.  Thankfully,.Burton now makes a size 90 board and its the perfect size for him.  I can't wait to hit the slopes with Anna and Elijah. 

Elijah couldn't wait so he decided to try snowboarding in our basement.  Here he is.

The Way of Wild Heart

Here's a newsletter I recently received from John Eldredge announcing the release of his latest book.  I've just finished reading it and it is by far his best yet.

Friends,

I am really, REALLY excited to announce the release of my new book, The Way of the Wild Heart – A Map for the Masculine Journey .

 

I think you are going to love it. Five years ago I wrote Wild at Heart to awaken men (and women) to what God set in the heart of a man. But this new book is the one I’ve been wanting to write, because it lays out the masculine journey stage by stage, and shows men (and those who love them) how God comes to us and Fathers us into a genuine masculine wholeness and strength. Wild at Heart began the vision; The Way of the Wild Heart provides guidance through the journey. The book is written on two levels. First, for men who find themselves in the masculine journey but needing a guide. And second, for parents of sons (of any age) who want to know how to raise them to be men. For a brief video of me talking about the new book, click on this link:

The Way of the Wild Heart - Video Introduction by John Eldredge

You can email the video to friends to let them know about the new release.

Would you join me in praying that this message reaches many men, and women, and boys, and that it brings healing to their lives? O, how I pray for that.
                           
Together with you for the hearts of men and women,
 
John

The World Turned White

We woke up this morning to discover the world had turned white.  We took this picture of the kids for this years christmas cards.

Simple Church Interviews

This is the "Special Feature" from the new When You Come Together DVD available from House2House.

The Way of the Wild Heart

I'm currently reading The Way of the Wild Heart: A Map for the Masculine Journey, John Eldredge's newest book.  Its very, very good.  When it comes out later this year it will be a must read for men.  It picks up where Wild at Heart left off and explores the masculine journey.  For a preview of the material, I'd highly recommend the Masculine Journey Audio Set that is available from Ransomed Heart.  Its on sale right now for $16.99.

While I'm talking about Ransomed Heart, I'd like to recommend again, that if you haven't been to their Men's (Wild at Heart Bootcamp) or Women's (Captiviting) Retreat you really need to go.  If you are unable to get into one of their retreats (there are always many more men trying to attend than they have room for) I'd also recommend Boot Camp Northwest.  Some friends of mine run these events and do an incredible job. 

I'm considering taking a group of guys on a four day expedition during which we'd explore The Way of the Wild Heart together.  Attendance at a Boot Camp type event (Ransomed Heart, Boot Camp NW, Band of Brothers DVD set, etc.) would be a pre-requisite.  If you're interested, please drop me an email at jon@jondale.com.