Journeying

Many of you may recall that last January I set aside 5 things I desired to accomplish in 2014.  I feel it is time to update you on that list and create a new list ... well sort of a new list. 1.  Save Money.      Over the course of the year I set aside one dollar for every week of the year into my savings account. Starting with 52 and counting down to 1.  I did not accomplish it quite like that, but I did manage to save that amount of money plus a little more over during the year.  MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!      Now for 2015, I've decided to challenge myself a bit further.  Using the same method, but doubling it.  I'll start with 104 dollars and whittle my way down to a two dollar week at the end of December 2015...at least that's the idea. 2.  Read the entire Bible.  It took a bit more than a year, as I finished up yesterday.  But I did read the entire Bible.  So MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.  However, I must be honest and say I didn't enjoy it.  When I read and study Script

If you are a regular reader if my blog chances are you might recall the first post.  It outlined 5 year long goals for me to accomplish, one of which was composing a song that's been floating around in my head. I started the song in January.  It sucked.  I didn't like it.  It was 17 measures of crap.  I never really gave it much more attention. During the summer months on several occasions I just sat at the church piano and played bits of a melody or developed a chord structure.  I never put any of that on paper.   I'm not sure why, but about two weeks ago, I started writing this song.  It's possible that the act of composing the song is helping me deal with the stress elements of my life. I'm not a composer.  I'm a decent conductor, I'm a good teacher, but composing was never my forte.  I haven't written anything original since theory class in college. But I love my song.  It floats and soars, it's pretty to hear and yet I've tried to remind mys

This is not going to be an atypical Thanksgiving post.  Don't be alarmed, and try to be open minded as you read this. Every year we sit down and stuff ourselves full of the good stuff.  Turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing (my personal favorite), pumpkin pie, pecan pie, coconut cream pie... How much longer do I have till lunch? I'm making myself hungry. We "count our blessings" in the manner that we have friends, family, good health, a job, a roof over our heads...etc., etc. But what about the things we don't see as clearly?  I'm thankful this year is almost over.  If another stressful event happens to me in the next month, I won't be surprised.  It seems to be the theme of my year.  "Let's see how far he can be pushed."   In February I posted this:  " In the past several weeks and months I have imagined God saying to satan 'Have you considered my servant Mike?' The same way He did with Job." I still feel exactly that way.  Tes

Several weeks ago I posted a Facebook status about writing a poem in 90 seconds, that I had been trying to write for a week and it just never worked.  Then there was that one moment and BOOM like lightning it was completed and rather beautiful. I was encouraged to share that poem since I had talked about it in a status.  That's not going to happen.  It's too personal and private for public sharing. However I did compose a new one this morning.  This one took about ten minutes total.  It's ironic because the line I hated the most the first time through, has now given me the title. Thanks to my friend Amy T. for reading it so I could have a fresh set of eyes looking at it. Safety Net When there's a smile on your face I'll be there for you When you feel you've lost your place I'll help find you  If your heart is shattered I'm still around If you don't believe you ever mattered I'm here to lift you off the ground Should your life be full of joy and b

This post has been a long time in the making.  About a year and a half ago, a friend sent me a link to a video for the event known as the Tough Mudder.  Tough Mudder is an incredibly intense obstacle/mud run.  I was hooked, I wanted to participate, but to be a realist - there was no possible way I could do that then. So the goal became to enter for the summer 2014 event.  However due to scheduling the 2014 Tough Mudder dream had to be put on the back burner for another year.  Hey, there's always 2015. Over the course of time I came across another event called the Gladiator Rock 'n Run.  An obstacle/mud run not quite as intense as the Tough Mudder, but nonetheless similar.  So I took the challenge. I started getting up early in the morning and going for a run (which was more like a jog).  Often getting out of bed was more challenging than the run itself as those who know me know that I am not and never have been a morning person.  Two awesome friends agreed to participate as wel

It has been several months since I've posted anything, but not for lack of trying.  Several topics have passed through my mind and possibly those will show up in the future.  And since it's my blog I can write about what I want to write about.  Today's topic is something close to me that unfortunately few people in my life understand.   The genre of sci-fi and fantasy is fascinating to me not because of the high-tech weaponry or the magic or the aliens or the mutant powers.  The appeal is featured in the way it shows concepts of humanity we deal with everyday.  Let me choose a common example I think most readers will be familiar with - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This is a poster I found for the 1931 movie starring Frederic March.  And I'll be honest this image is used without permission.  The calm collected outward man versus the inner angry beast.  The two sides of human nature explored in a fantastical way.  But think about it, we all know at least one guy, the one who