Open Letter

To: Those who attended Lifepoint Baptist Church Services on Sunday, December 28th, or those who have watched the sermon online.

I'm so sorry. Really. I had NO IDEA that my sermon was 3 hours long. I should have either a.) cut it short or b.) offered an intermission. I promise, next time I will wear a watch or something.

Thanks, in advance, for your patience and kindness. And for not throwing things.

-Jimmy

The Woodsman

I'm about to go to bed to get rested up for tomorrow: Tomorrow being the day that I, along with two other robust chaps, will set out to gather a massive amount of wood for burning. We shall saw, we shall cut, we shall stack, and we shall smell bad at the end of the day: But, if things go as planned, we'll have enough tinder to keep us warm through the winter. (wow, it sounds so rustic saying that)

I haven't done any "real" manual labor in quite some time... at least not to the extent of chopping wood. I'm excited to get back in touch with my testosterol roots. I suspect there will be some serious grunting, high fiving, and possibly a chest bump or two as we take on that wiley pile of dead wood. Victory is ours!!!

Sheer Ecstacy

That was the look on Olivia's face today after I sat her in the kiddie swing and sent her flying. Head tilted back, mouth wide-open, smiling, eyes closed, shoulders shrugged... it made me laugh just to watch her.

About the time Olivia decided she would like to check out more playground equipment, Anna had made her way over to where we were, and wanted to swing, too. She is really a little too big for the kiddie swing (you know, the one that looks like a molded plastic hernia brace?), but I went ahead and slipped her in and gave her a good shove.

She has a swing set at home, but I am hesitant to push her too high. She still doesn't quite have the hang of it, and I really prefer not to launch my daughter across the yard. But, with her safely in the kiddie swing here at the park, I went ahead and let er' rip.

She swung so high that she was getting slack in the chain. I thought she would want to slow down, but she wanted to keep going, so I obliged. She, like Olivia, became thoroughly absorbed in the event. I am sure that, to her, she was on the cusp of danger; Flitting the edge of kiddie swing safety: But, in reality, I could have pushed with everything I had, and she would have stayed safely in the kiddie harness and come flying right back to me. Maybe that's why it was so much fun.

It reminded me of how, sometimes, I get the sense that I am really "letting it all out" for God - taking risks, making big decisions, pushing the envelope. But am I? In reality, if I have followed where he led me (to the swing), then I'm probably pretty safe within the confines of His sovereignty and grace (in the swing). While I may feel I am really "out there", the worst that can happen is a fast, wobbly ride right back into the hands of my father. Maybe that's why it is so much fun.