- FALL - I have always loved fall. It is by far my favorite season. I know of some that get depressed in the fall because after fall comes winter and winter in MN can be depressing. But I am not going to be like that. I cherish cooler temps that kill off blood sucking misquitos. This morning I stepped outside and felt a refreshing cool breeze on my face. After several muggy weeks here I loved a slight chill in the air. Fall is also the time I celebrate my wedding anniversary with my beautiful wife. It has been 13 years in a few short weeks. I am amazed and still perplexed why she agreed to share her life with me but I will be eternally grateful.
- REDS - My Cincinnati Reds are 22 games above .500 and leading the NL Central by 7 games. For many of you that means nothing. But to a guy that loves baseball and hasn't seen his team in the playoffs since 19freakin95 I am jacked up. Chapman was brought up last night and looked amazing in a perfect 8th inning. They have an explosive offense and the pitching is solid. I would love to see a late October run.
- FOOTBALL - The Bucks start their 2010 campaign towards a National Championship tomorrow night. Enough said!
- HEALING - My heart continues to heal. Some days are better than others but I think about Penny more and more every day. But God is faithful...always is! I have a hope of seeing her again someday and I cling to that promise.
- SOCCER - I am not much of a soccer fan. I have grown to appreciate the sport the more I understand it though. But I am learning to love it because my daughter Tori loves it and that is enough for me. She had her first scrimmage last night and I love to watch her play. It is the highlight of my week. She is alive and happy on that field. I especially love it when she knocks other girls over going after the ball. I know that is probably wrong but for a guy who envisioned seeing a son play football one day a daughter roughing up other girls on the soccer field is as close as I will get.
- NORMANDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE - Classes started last week and that means I am back on campus more. This is my 5th year of involvement and I really believe God is going to do amazing things here. There are many spiritually thirsty students walking the hallways. I hope to point them to the God that can quench those thirsts above and beyond what they can possibly comprehend.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
September 1
I haven't posted on the blog in a while so I thought I would share some random thoughts...
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Connect Four Fact
I admit that Gretchen is much smarter than I am. I frequently ask her for grammar and spelling tips. She breezed through school while I struggled immensely at times. But there is one area I master her in - CONNECT FOUR (abs). Not that we play connect four all that often but there is a fact I would like to share with you - In 13 years of marriage she has NEVER (abs), ZERO (abs) beat me.
This evening I saw the girls had connect four out. I played Tori & Isabelle a few times and then offered them a bet. I told them that I would play mama connect four and if she beat me just once in five games I would buy them a frosty. But if mama didn't beat me one time in five games then they would have to accept the terms of my bet. Of course they accepted this offer. Why wouldn't they? What are the odds that their father, who isn't as smart as their mama, could beat their mama five times in a row. Well after five games lets just say I will be expecting a back rub from Ponsi and pancakes from Tori on Thursday morning when Gretchen goes to work.
I officially end my gloating!
This evening I saw the girls had connect four out. I played Tori & Isabelle a few times and then offered them a bet. I told them that I would play mama connect four and if she beat me just once in five games I would buy them a frosty. But if mama didn't beat me one time in five games then they would have to accept the terms of my bet. Of course they accepted this offer. Why wouldn't they? What are the odds that their father, who isn't as smart as their mama, could beat their mama five times in a row. Well after five games lets just say I will be expecting a back rub from Ponsi and pancakes from Tori on Thursday morning when Gretchen goes to work.
I officially end my gloating!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Happy Birthday Penny
Penny Miller Hoffman - Born June 23, 1970
Penny should have been 40 but for reasons beyond my ability to clearly communicate that did not happen. With all of the sadness from her death I want to celebrate the life she was given on her birthday. Penny touched many people's lives because she lived a steady diet of putting others ahead of herself. The world is truly a better place because Penny was born. Happy Birthday Penny! We miss you!
Monday, June 7, 2010
Pretty blessed
Today I turned 35. I am officially the age where in most professional sports you are either retired or extremely old. But I still feel good and last I checked I wasn't competing against the world's greatest athletes. So I think I will be OK. I learned today that I share the exact birth date of Allen Iverson - June 7, 1975. I also share a birthday with Prince. That may explain my latest urge to get covered in tattoos, buy some heeled boots, and dress in all purple.
Today was a different birthday. Since Penny's birthday is in 2 weeks it just felt wrong to even contemplate celebrating. I know that is wrong and if Penny were here she would tell me that is stupid but it was hard to get past that feeling. But this morning I listened to an old voicemail from her and just imagined she was saying "Happy Birthday" on it. I then read many wall posts on facebook from people all over the world and was amazed at this life I was given by God. I have lived in three different states and been all over the U.S. and other countries and my life has been shaped by so many amazing friends. I spoke on the phone with the woman who brought me into the world this afternoon. I hung up the phone and was so incredibly thankful for the family and home I was raised in. And tonight I ate a meal with one special women and three beautiful girls. We later sat on a wooden swing. I was sipping coffee and the girls were back and forth from the swing to the water (looking at fish and ducks) and I again was overwhelmed at God's goodness to me.
Today the song"Tower" by Brad Kilman continues to play itself in mind (and on my guitar before dinner). I share these words on this post because it is so true of my life. The pattern of my life is I wait for God and He hears my cry...over and over and over again.
Jesus, Jesus
You are my tower Lord
Jesus, Jesus the rock I stand on
Jesus, Jesus there is no other name like Your name
And I will wait for You
The Lord is good to those
To those who wait for Him
Oh I will be still and I will know that You are God
Your loving kindnesses
Indeed they never cease
Your compassions never fail
They never fail
My story simple told
I waited for the Lord
And He heard my cry
Today was a different birthday. Since Penny's birthday is in 2 weeks it just felt wrong to even contemplate celebrating. I know that is wrong and if Penny were here she would tell me that is stupid but it was hard to get past that feeling. But this morning I listened to an old voicemail from her and just imagined she was saying "Happy Birthday" on it. I then read many wall posts on facebook from people all over the world and was amazed at this life I was given by God. I have lived in three different states and been all over the U.S. and other countries and my life has been shaped by so many amazing friends. I spoke on the phone with the woman who brought me into the world this afternoon. I hung up the phone and was so incredibly thankful for the family and home I was raised in. And tonight I ate a meal with one special women and three beautiful girls. We later sat on a wooden swing. I was sipping coffee and the girls were back and forth from the swing to the water (looking at fish and ducks) and I again was overwhelmed at God's goodness to me.
Today the song"Tower" by Brad Kilman continues to play itself in mind (and on my guitar before dinner). I share these words on this post because it is so true of my life. The pattern of my life is I wait for God and He hears my cry...over and over and over again.
Jesus, Jesus
You are my tower Lord
Jesus, Jesus the rock I stand on
Jesus, Jesus there is no other name like Your name
And I will wait for You
The Lord is good to those
To those who wait for Him
Oh I will be still and I will know that You are God
Your loving kindnesses
Indeed they never cease
Your compassions never fail
They never fail
My story simple told
I waited for the Lord
And He heard my cry
Monday, May 31, 2010
Memorial Day
I have always loved Memorial Day. In recent years my family has started a new tradition where we head to Fort Snelling (National Cemetery in the Twin Cities) sometime after lunch. It is our way of reminding Gretchen & me of the sacrifices many men & women made in order for us to enjoy the freedoms we possess. It is also a way of tangibly showing our girls this same sacrifice. We hope the lasting impressions of seeing families stooped over graves and women walking around the cemetery with tears in their eyes will embed in the girls mind and hearts that the life they live didn’t happen without overcoming difficulties in our nation and world.
Before we moved to MN we would hit up the Abington Township parade in PA on Memorial Day…usually with our good friends the Chapmans. Tara & Gretchen are parade freaks so every year they would have it all planned out. Some time later in the day we would all reconvene for a Memorial Day cookout. There was always plenty of food!
But before even that, I had another Memorial Day tradition that I will always cherish. Each Memorial Day for about 5-6 years (High School & into college) my old man and I would drive down to Gallipolis, OH on Memorial Day. Gallipolis is a town in southern OH on the Ohio River. This is the town my parents grew up. My dad and I would head down there and visit whatever family was still around (depending on the year). We would grab a milkshake and coney dog (usually at the Shake Shoppe) and head to the two graveyards where my mom & dad’s parents and other families were buried.
My mom’s families are buried in a graveyard right outside of Gallipolis named Mound Hill. Mound Hill sits up on this hill and from the top of the cemetery you can see down into the town and the beautiful Ohio River. It is a gorgeous view. My dad’s family is buried in a little cemetery 15-20 miles outside of Gallipolis in a little place called German Ridge. Even to this day I couldn’t find the place if I had to because it sits out in the woods away from towns, paved roads, and people. Up on the hillside sits a little Lutheran church and 100 or so graves. Two of these graves are my Grandpa & Grandma Miller. German Ridge is quite possibly the most surreal place I know. There is this since of peace and calm there. It is as if nature around the place knows to respect those that lie there and glorify the God that created these people and gave them life.
I have many fond memories of the trips my dad and I made those Memorial Days. One year, before my legal driving age, I remember my dad asking me if I wanted to drive his truck on some of those back roads. I thought he was kidding until he handed me the keys. He gave me a quick lesson on using a clutch and then off we went. The poor truck took a beating that day…shaking and jerking all over the road as I attempted to move from 1st to 2nd gear, etc., etc. There were many more wonderful memories but the ones I remember most were the times of silence at German Ridge. I always remember standing there observing my dad as he stood over the tombstone of his father and mother. I would wonder what thoughts were running through his head. Was he thinking of memories or missed opportunities? Did he wish they were not lying in the ground but standing next to him? I always felt horrible for my dad in those moments. I had no idea what to say or how to respond. So I would stand there in silence until it was time to go.
Honestly, I would give anything today to be in Ohio right now. I wish I could get into the car with my dad once more and take a trip to Gallipolis. We could stop in and see my uncle (his brother), grab a shake and a hot dog, visit the graves on Mound Hill, and then take the winding roads to German Ridge. If we went this year there would be one more grave to visit. My dad and I could stand there once again. Maybe this year it wouldn’t be in silence. We could reminisce about the daughter he loved and the sister I cherished. We could laugh, possible cry, and allow the peace and tranquility of that beautiful place to nourish our aching hearts. We could look into the blue sky and try to remember that the God that created everything & everyone around us was still in control. That life doesn’t end at a place like German Ridge, it really just begins. We could remember that although our hearts break we will see them all once again. That is the hope of Memorial Day to me. A day not just to remember the past, but to appreciate the future we have because of the death & resurrection of the greatest man to ever walk this earth. He is alive and so we shall be forevermore!
Before we moved to MN we would hit up the Abington Township parade in PA on Memorial Day…usually with our good friends the Chapmans. Tara & Gretchen are parade freaks so every year they would have it all planned out. Some time later in the day we would all reconvene for a Memorial Day cookout. There was always plenty of food!
But before even that, I had another Memorial Day tradition that I will always cherish. Each Memorial Day for about 5-6 years (High School & into college) my old man and I would drive down to Gallipolis, OH on Memorial Day. Gallipolis is a town in southern OH on the Ohio River. This is the town my parents grew up. My dad and I would head down there and visit whatever family was still around (depending on the year). We would grab a milkshake and coney dog (usually at the Shake Shoppe) and head to the two graveyards where my mom & dad’s parents and other families were buried.
My mom’s families are buried in a graveyard right outside of Gallipolis named Mound Hill. Mound Hill sits up on this hill and from the top of the cemetery you can see down into the town and the beautiful Ohio River. It is a gorgeous view. My dad’s family is buried in a little cemetery 15-20 miles outside of Gallipolis in a little place called German Ridge. Even to this day I couldn’t find the place if I had to because it sits out in the woods away from towns, paved roads, and people. Up on the hillside sits a little Lutheran church and 100 or so graves. Two of these graves are my Grandpa & Grandma Miller. German Ridge is quite possibly the most surreal place I know. There is this since of peace and calm there. It is as if nature around the place knows to respect those that lie there and glorify the God that created these people and gave them life.
I have many fond memories of the trips my dad and I made those Memorial Days. One year, before my legal driving age, I remember my dad asking me if I wanted to drive his truck on some of those back roads. I thought he was kidding until he handed me the keys. He gave me a quick lesson on using a clutch and then off we went. The poor truck took a beating that day…shaking and jerking all over the road as I attempted to move from 1st to 2nd gear, etc., etc. There were many more wonderful memories but the ones I remember most were the times of silence at German Ridge. I always remember standing there observing my dad as he stood over the tombstone of his father and mother. I would wonder what thoughts were running through his head. Was he thinking of memories or missed opportunities? Did he wish they were not lying in the ground but standing next to him? I always felt horrible for my dad in those moments. I had no idea what to say or how to respond. So I would stand there in silence until it was time to go.
Honestly, I would give anything today to be in Ohio right now. I wish I could get into the car with my dad once more and take a trip to Gallipolis. We could stop in and see my uncle (his brother), grab a shake and a hot dog, visit the graves on Mound Hill, and then take the winding roads to German Ridge. If we went this year there would be one more grave to visit. My dad and I could stand there once again. Maybe this year it wouldn’t be in silence. We could reminisce about the daughter he loved and the sister I cherished. We could laugh, possible cry, and allow the peace and tranquility of that beautiful place to nourish our aching hearts. We could look into the blue sky and try to remember that the God that created everything & everyone around us was still in control. That life doesn’t end at a place like German Ridge, it really just begins. We could remember that although our hearts break we will see them all once again. That is the hope of Memorial Day to me. A day not just to remember the past, but to appreciate the future we have because of the death & resurrection of the greatest man to ever walk this earth. He is alive and so we shall be forevermore!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Church Questions
What if I hang out with other Christ Followers regularly throughout my week? Is this church? Do I have to go "to" something called "church" for it to count?
This was a question posed by a friend of mine from my church. If you want to read my answer you can find it HERE. Scroll down and click on the blog link
This was a question posed by a friend of mine from my church. If you want to read my answer you can find it HERE. Scroll down and click on the blog link
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
A few updates
I am currently sitting in Methodist Hospital in the Twin Cities. My friend Dan is having his gallbladder removed today. This is the first time I have been in a hospital since I left Columbus in February following Penny's funeral. When I walked in here today it was kind of odd. I am in a different state and a different hospital than the one Penny spent much of her time in but I had this sense like Penny was here or something. The sad reality is that every time I went home to see Penny from November - February she was in the hospital. So I guess when I walked through the front doors today it was like Pavlov's Dog or something and the sounds, smells, etc. made me think of Penny. I felt as if I should be able to take the elevator up to the 3rd floor and walk in her room to see her. I wish that were true!
In other news I do sense this freshness about my work with Consumed though. I have said it often but I feel as if God is blowing fresh wind into our sails. I have interviewed one person for an internship through Consumed and she seems very interested. I have also talked with another guy that is married and they are considering as well. I am trying to plan a few trips in the fall to speak, connect with people, etc. So that is really good. I feel more alive when I am doing what I feel God has created me to do.
From mid June - mid July I will put my coaching hat back on and be an instructor for Hoopology University again. Hoopology is opening a branch in Bloomington so I will be co-leading that. I enjoy teaching basketball so this allows me to scratch that itch without doing it full-time throughout a regular season. If you have kids in Bloomington or surrounding areas, check out what is offered at the Hoopology University website.
This summer my family will embark on some new adventures. For Christmas this year we bought a tent for the girls with the promise of a few camping trips this summer. It is now time to cash in on that promise (the girls ask often when we are going to go). We will probably head to Mount Rushmore or Lake Superior for a long weekend but I need some suggestions for places closer to the cities. Something we could do for one night. If you have some ideas, let me know.
I think that is it for now. I have another post brewing in my head which will be entitled "Reasons to Go". If any of you listen to the Jim Rome radio show you will understand what the "reasons to go" phrase is in reference to.
In other news I do sense this freshness about my work with Consumed though. I have said it often but I feel as if God is blowing fresh wind into our sails. I have interviewed one person for an internship through Consumed and she seems very interested. I have also talked with another guy that is married and they are considering as well. I am trying to plan a few trips in the fall to speak, connect with people, etc. So that is really good. I feel more alive when I am doing what I feel God has created me to do.
From mid June - mid July I will put my coaching hat back on and be an instructor for Hoopology University again. Hoopology is opening a branch in Bloomington so I will be co-leading that. I enjoy teaching basketball so this allows me to scratch that itch without doing it full-time throughout a regular season. If you have kids in Bloomington or surrounding areas, check out what is offered at the Hoopology University website.
This summer my family will embark on some new adventures. For Christmas this year we bought a tent for the girls with the promise of a few camping trips this summer. It is now time to cash in on that promise (the girls ask often when we are going to go). We will probably head to Mount Rushmore or Lake Superior for a long weekend but I need some suggestions for places closer to the cities. Something we could do for one night. If you have some ideas, let me know.
I think that is it for now. I have another post brewing in my head which will be entitled "Reasons to Go". If any of you listen to the Jim Rome radio show you will understand what the "reasons to go" phrase is in reference to.
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