ICE, ICE Baby

We went with a group from church to explore the Opryland's Winter Wonderland, ICE!  This year's theme was Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.  It was based on the characters from the classic T. V. special.  It was kind of cool (pun intended) walking through the tent full of ice sculptures.  The ice slides were pretty fast, and Sophia had a blast.  After walking through the ICE displays, we went outside to take part in the Snow! Basically, they made fake snow for the kids to play in (but not throw at each other).  The Snow! wasn't as cool as ICE.  Delia, Sophia, and I came home and watched Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.


Sophia, Queen of the Ice Slide.

What is that penguin doing here?

The rule breaker.

Wilderness Wonderings

A friend and I spent some time traversing through the woods today on 4-wheelers. As we drove through the paths so many things went through my mind. I was captured by the beauty I saw. My mind began to wonder what it must have been like for our first parents, Adam and Eve, in the garden of Eden. What did an unspoiled world look like?

On one path we had to pass through some brambles and I was quickly reminded of the curse brought into this world because of Adam's sin. Now amid beauty there is thorn and thistle. As we passed by a creek, I was reminded of how much the world must have been changed by the Flood of Noah's day. The world we now see must be so different from the world Adam first laid eyes on.

I thought about the hours I spent as a child playing in the woods in my backyard. I thought about the trails I hiked with friends when I lived in Pineville. I thought about a similar excursion Delia and I had two years ago in Cozmel, Mexico, and I hoped I wouldn't kill my friend's 4-wheeler (like the one I killed in Cozmel).

One thought that kept coming back to my mind revolved around our Lord. I kept thinking, if this place is so beautiful, so majestic, so breathtaking, so enlivening, what will it be like when we see Jesus face to face? When Jesus comes in all his glory, and we are able to behold him in his splendor, what will that be like? I can't say that I came up with an answer. I only know that if this world, even in its fallen state, is any indication of the beauty of that moment, then it will be something marvelous to behold. In that moment we will truly know what "awesome" means.

I thank the Lord for his marvelous creation, for the eyes to see it, the ears to hear it, the nose to smell it, the ability to taste it, and to be able to feel it. I am thankful for wonderful friends. I am grateful for the opportunity to just hang out and have a good time. I am thankful for so many things, things that I often take for granted, but bless my life in so many ways. I am grateful that I was able to get out and enjoy a glorious day, to laugh, to pray, and to play.

Rowing Down the River

Today was an excellent day to be out in God's creation. The sun was warm and the leaves are beginning to change. The day was accompanied by a cool breeze. It was the kind of day that makes you happy to be alive and even happier that you know the One who made it all. We had around twenty or so show up for the canoe trip this morning. We all set out with the hopes of ending the day as dry as we started it.

The last time that Monticello took a canoe trip Delia and I flipped our canoe three times. We had hoped to end the trip with no flips this time (thank the Lord no flips). The water was really cold this morning. If you fall out of a canoe in the summer, chances are you experience relief (if you can get over the embarrassment, are not afraid of water, and if you can swim). The only way you would have experienced relief by falling out of the canoe today was to have been a polar bear.

Our canoe got stuck at one point today (low water). So we had to get out of the boat (ankle deep) to push it free. It wasn't the coldest water I have ever felt (I jumped into a swimming pool in the middle of the winter once--but that is a story for another day), but it was cold enough that I didn't want to find what it would feel like to be immersed in it. We did have one couple that tipped their canoe, but they were alright.

I had a great day today. I really appreciate the opportunity to serve among such admirable and amiable people. I glad that we have the opportunity to enjoy life together. I regret that many of our friends couldn't be there, but there will be another time for us to join together and enjoy each other's company. God bless.

Funny Friday Part 4

I would not want to be accused of taking myself to seriously. I am enjoying writing a blog, and I am excited to know that people are reading it. I hope that God blesses you with a lot of laughter today and everyday. He is our ultimate source of true joy, and life itself. God Bless.

Funny Friday Part 3

Here is a collection of thought provoking posters. These are more related to church life and point out errors we need to avoid. They make me laugh in one way and yet, they make me want to cry. The views parodied in these posters are real and dangerous. It does us good to give some consideration to error and humor is a gentle way to address it. You can find these and others here. May we never be guilty of such things. Lord preserve us from error.

Funny Friday Part 2

Here a few more funnies from Despair.com.

Funny Friday Part 1

I take laughter very seriously. I love to laugh and I hope you do too. Here are a few uninspiring motivational posters from Despair.com.