Chasing The Wild Goose

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.

Goodbye Summer

Today, with much sadness, we had to say goodbye to our Border Collie Summer.  She has been our faithful companion since Anna's third birthday.  She was battling a very serious infection and we decided it would be best if she was put to sleep.  She was a great dog and we will really miss her.

Breathe Deep

Amy had a great post yesterday that is well worth reading.  Check it out here.

A Gift To My Masculine Heart

For Christmas this year Amy gave me a 357 Magnum Revolver.  This was an incredible gift, not just for me, but for my heart.  It wasn't something that I asked for, that was part of what made it so great, Amy know's me well enough to know that its something I'd love to have.  To be given something that dangerous shows incredible trust and respect.  It was like she was saying, "Here you go, I trust you as a man, you can handle this." 

We as men need to feel as though we can be trusted with danger.  I think many men feel emasculated by their surroundings...whether its their office cubicle...or just a life of complete safety.  As John Eldredge points out in Wild At Heart, "Eve was created within the lush beauty of Eden's garden. But Adam, if you'll remember, was created outside the Garden, in the wilderness."  There is something about us as men that needs that wildness, that danger, in fact our hearts crave it.

Above is my friend Steve trying out the Magnum.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!  We had a fun evening with Amy's family in Seguin, Texas.  Here I am with my new brother-in-law, James.

Click here for more pictures from tonight.

Pictures

Our friends David & Jamie Maxfield just posted a photo album of their trip here last weekend.  You can see some great pics of the local scenery and some recent pics of our family.  Check them out at this link.

Family First

Here's an article I received by my friend Mike Steele:

I went to the book store today and found a book that surprised me. Dr. Phil, famous for his TV counseling, has written another book. The title jumped off the shelf at me . Family First! Here’s what Dr. Phil says on the book cover.

I want to talk to you about Family: Yours and Mine.

I know and feel that as parents, you and I share some very important priorities. Just like you, I love my family more than anything in the world and I want us all to be safe, healthy, happy and prosperous in everything we do, both within our family and as we go out into the world. Cynics will tell you that it is just an old-fashioned, lost concept, getting buried in a busy world of “enlightened” people. I’m here to tell you that that is not right, not even close. Family is even more important today than in generations past, and its erosion is unacceptable. This is a fight we can and must win. …. Your children are the stars in your crown and it is time for them to shine; it is okay for them to shine and, if you do your job, shine they will.

Fishing Trip

This weekend I went on a fishing trip with my father-in-law Jim and some of his friends.

Click here to take a look at the photo album.

More Pictures of Baby Shae

I've uploaded some more pictures of baby Shae's first week. Click here to view the album.

And here's a photo album from a couple of trips to the river with the kids.
Click here to view the album.

Hearing God's Voice

I think learning to hear the voice of God is probably the most vital part of the Christian life. I've found that most Christians have baught into a Christian life of principles, tips and techniques. When they are faced with a question/problem/challenge/whatever they look for the latest spiritual principle to deal with the issue. While spiritual principles are valuable, I've found that if you teach someone a technique you may have solved their problem, but if you'll help them learn to hear the voice of God you can help them solve the rest of their life. That's really what discipleship is, walking daily in intimate relationship with God. You can't have intimacy with someone you only have a one way conversation with.

I've been planning to write a post on hearing the voice of God for a while now. Today I received the following article written by my friend Robert Fitts. It does a better job than I would have done tackling the subject, so I'm posting it here for your enjoyment.

I'd also like to take an informal anonymous survey. Please post a comment (without your name) and tell me how often you hear the voice of God (in whatever way you hear it). Daily, Weekly, Monthly, Yearly or I've never heard what I know was his voice.

So here's an excellent writing by Robert:

God Reveals His Will to Men

Every believer can be led by the Spirit of God. Paul said, "They that are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. " (Romans 8:14)