My Bad Day

I thought Id share this very bad day of mine just for anyone's entertainment. I posted it in my facebook status and it was too long. So here's what happened...I got off to a late start today, dumped water all over my laptop, had 3 hours of meetings, went to a court hearing I wish I didn't have to be at, my yogurt mysteriously exploded all over my cell phone, I dumped coffee all down the front of my shirt, ended up breaking up a family fight at a team meeting where the F bomb was dropped at least 3 dozen times, attended another meeting where I learned some new bad news about my clients father I can't post on here, walked into a messy arguement between a teen and a mother I've been working with and to top it all off when I came home I found my sandal and toes on my left foot covered in crap that I evidently must have stepped in somewhere. No joke. All true. So I took my self out to dinner and had ribs at Buffalo Wild Wings and I'm going to bed. Not a typical day of mine. Thinking positive. Anyone every have days like this? It happens. Luckily it always gets better. Tomorrow it'll all just be a bad dream. Or maybe a good laugh. Whatever the case............Adios evil Thursday.

God's Back Yard

Last night I was on my way back from a clients house in northwestern arizona and came across an experience like never before. If you have ever been in that area you know how amazingly beautiful it is and scenic. Mountains, the north rim of the canyon, miles and miles of Joshua trees and open skies. I took a new route back this time off of 93 just north of Kingman on Stockton Hill Road that let me into one of the most powerfully amazing places Ive ever been. Maybe it was just me or the moment but I think I literally for a little while stumbled into God's back yard. The sun was going down and leaving more colors on the mountains and landscape than I could remember. There was open road both ways and I was the only one there. Peaceful, serene, panaramic and breathtaking. I got out of the car to take some pics and then took off again. Only minutes later to end up getting out again and taking more. Needless to say this route thats about a 30 miles long ended up being a long trip as I couldnt get enough of the place. Simply amazing. Perfect place to experience God like none other. Not really that explainable by words and these pics only really give a small taste of the place.....

One big thing for me lately that has been cool is getting simple reminders in my daily life that provide some kind of comfort or peace or even direction. As I came across this I was sure this was one of those places to again remind me of the need to stop and take a breath. Im pretty sure nowhere else did anyone have an experience like this at the time and place I did as I was alone in the middle of one of the most incredible and majestic views completely surrounding the road I was on. To me it was like God giving me a moment to take one on one with Him as he said "Im here". I actaully had nothing to say and in my amazement of it all just stood there, took pics (even in the middle of the road) and soaked up the unique silence in a place very massive, serene and relaxing.

The pics are below. Nothing more to say. The pics should say it all. If not you need to go and experience it for yourself.

Off Pitch Reminder

I had another awesome worship time at Northpoint again today. My friend Bryan led and every song was perfect. As I was singing however I noticed something was really off. It didnt take long to figure out that it was the guy in front of me, singing out as loud as he could but I think he was singing in a different key. Or maybe his own key. Whatever the case he was definitely off pitch. I can't say I regularly hear alot of people in Church singing that far off but he had it going on. That might have been why the lady next to him moved over a bit. The best part was he was really singing and you could tell he was meaning every word and singing from the heart. All he wanted to do was worship from his heart.



This reminded me of something I again needed to be reminded of. God through his grace looks past our imperfections. No matter how many times you have messed up in your life or even today, no matter what is going on or if you can't sing anywhere near the note. God only wants us to worship Him in all we do with all our hearts so we can grow closer to Him. Its hard to remember and definitely hard to do. I willingly admit that and confess I am not and have not always beenthe perfect "Worshipper" or even close. But I do know as I was reminded through this guys feeble attempt at singing this morning that when we do worship God, He restores, heals, redirects and has promised us hope. Everyone needs to know that. This is something I've been holding on to in my life for quite some time now and I will not ever give up on my personal worship during the week or corporate worship on the weekend. Im grateful for a God who saves and purifies as Pastor Paul has been sharing and glad He makes me new through my worship everyday.


This is one of the songs we did today by Tenth Avenue North called "Hallelujah"
I love this band and love these lyrics.
Click this link here to listen to the song

I'm falling to my knees, I feel the earth beneath
With the weight of my sin and this crushing unbelief
How could You really love me with all that I've done? O lord

I hide my face in the shadow of Your wings oh Lord
Hide my sin from the beauty here before Your throne, Your throne

Hallelujah for the blood of the lamb that was slain
Hallelujah for the blood of the Lamb that was slain
And so we enter in to see Your Face, We enter in to see Your face Oh God


Good stuff. Amazing how simple and weird things can be awesome reminders we really need to hear huh?

Reaching 40

Reaching 40.So I finally made it to 40. Not too excited about the number but I am very excited about how Im celebrating it. I set a goal just two months ago to reach my perfect weight and reached it. Now Im on vacation celebrating and I think gained it all back. Whatever the case I'm glad to be hanging for over a week with family and doing alot of things Ive been wanting to do for a long time. Camping, swimming in lake Michigan, fireworks, visiting missed relatives and of course catching up on my blogging. To top it off the trip down to Phoenix to fly out was one of the most adventurous days Ive had ever. Long story but maybe sometime I'll share more. Anyway. Its been a strange different kind of year and there's alot to write about. In case you are following along stay tuned for some more stories and insight from the new 40 year old blogger.

Working In lake Havasu City

My new part time job in Lake Havasu City

For years since Ive been in AZ I have wanted to go check out the London Bridge. Ironically this year as part of work Ive been in and out of Lake Havasu city where we have an office. So I get to see it all the time. Its like a little tropical paradise in the middle of nowhere Arizona. Who would have ever thought the London Bridge is in Arizona, let alone a large body of water that is officially a lake and an island that the bridge connects. ITs all hard to wrap your mind around I know. Whatever the case I love that town and Im glad I get to check it out so often. Im getting to know people around the town and have my favorite places (including the Hawaiin shaved ice stand along the channel.) Sure its a bit hot there but it beats 40's and snow in the middle of May here in Flag. ITs a pretty sweet gig and its been great working with the staff there at AZCA. I have tons of pics as I work around the town and am just amazed by the view. Its a great vacation spot if you're looking for a get away. (Know anyone with a jet ski they would be ok with me borrowing?)

Snowboarding Season

Snowboarding Season!

So I just completed the second year of our Snowbaording Group at Snowbowl with SOS, Club 412 and some of my fellow employees at AZCA. This year I co-led our group with Maggie from the Club as we both helped out last year. This year we doubled our total to 18 youth. It was an awesome year!!

Everyone did awesome (and I actually only fell a couple times believe it or not).

On the last day Corey B and I went up to the top and did the black diamond through which turned out to be a complete white out snow storm at the top of the mountain. We came all the way down without being able to see more than a few feet in front of us. Definitely one of the most crazy things I have ever experienced.

Hoping our team of youth next year will continue to grow. It was great to see how well this years program went.

Physically Fit in 2011 ( My big 40th birthday goal)

So one of my big goals this year is to again be physically fit. About four years ago I stepped on to a scale after Christmas while I as on vacation and was greatly offended by the numbers. Somehow I had gained a ton of weight and so I decided I needed to do something about it. I set a goal for myself, a new years resloution and went out an bought a treadmill. I was determined that I was going to lose weight that year. I walked everyday whether I wanted to or not and kept a log. Holidays, busy work days. Read on the tread mill, listened to music on my Ipod while on the treadmill, made phone calls on the treadmill, watched TV on the treadmill. Several months went by and even tho I didnt notice anything I felt a difference. To make a long story short by that fall and that winter I lost about 38 pounds. Good story huh?

Sad to say but my focus has not been very much on fitness over the past couple years until just recently. Last December I decided to make a goal in 2011 to focus again on health. After all believe it or not this year I turn the big 40. So my goal is to get back down to my desired weight. (Im not going to give the number but its about 10-12 pounds less ) and Im working on building muscle. My sons and I joke alot about our six packs. Or one packs. But I decided to work it all off and go for the abs. So I workout as many days a week as I can doing several miles on the treadmill, and my reps of crunches, push ups, curls and keep increasing weekly. I set a goal to be at by this month and presently am only a couple pounds off. Corey has been trying to do the same and keeps me going. My goal is by my birthday... July 4th, to be exactly at my expected weight, have developed abs and upper body tone, muscle. Im determined to do it. If you read this and want to follow up and make sure Im still trying to work on my big 40th birthday goal ask me. I still have a little over 4 months! Im excited and have to step it up!

Ive found, as any fitness guru or PE teacher would probably tell you, that excersize is definitely one of the keys to your mental health. Its been for me anyway. When your stressed or overwhelmed or maybe even having a rough week you would be suprised how much taking about 45 minutes will do to positively help your health. It doesnt mean even walking on a treadmill. It could be just by getting outside and being physically active for a change. It can boost your mood, help you find that energy you need to make it through a busy day and actually help prevent and fight off some of those bugs that come this time of year. So I am going to keep working at this and see how it works out. The clock is tickin. Time for some more crunches.......