1st Baseball Practice

Cousins

The Kids

The Big Three

The big three questions that perpetuates our thinking is: Who am I?  Why am I here?  Where am I going?  These questions matter because deep down in every person is the desire to be happy and live life with a sense of meaning.  Answering these questions doesn't happen quickly or without much thought and often some long dialogues with fellow "questioners".

There are some people that choose not to answer these questions because the don't consider themselves the "philosophical" type thinker and honestly don't have time for such elusive questions.  Whether they are answered consciously or not, the questions are answered by default.  To not ask or seek answers, leads a person to live a very self-centered life where the answers look something like this: I am an individual.  I am here to work, live and do whatever I want and feels right and good to me.  I am going to do whatever and as much as I can with tomorrow taking care of itself.

Others seek out answers by turning to religion, education, prestige, fame, fortune and the like.  I grew up with religion and found that to be a very cumbersome path filled with unrealistic expectations, guilt and failure.  I pursued a religion degree in college in order to pursue answers to these questions outside of religion.

It was after college when I dusted off the bible for the first time in a long time that the answers started to fall into place.  I discovered the way toward the answers were to focus less attention on me and more attention on the Creator who made me.  I discovered the answers when God, the Creator and Sustainer, of all life showed up and said meet my Son, Jesus Christ.  In Him are the answers to life's biggest and most pressing questions.

Finally, it clicked for me.  It wasn't about what I did but what Jesus did.  It wasn't the level of my performance that mattered, but His accomplishments.  It wasn't about where I'm going but where He is today.

And all of this pertains to me and my life simply by believing.  Wow!  I was now free, yep free indeed.  I was no longer bound to my self, but to Jesus.

I know, conversations today about God or a higher power are okay to have, but not about Jesus.  I am in no way saying I'm right and you're wrong.  This is not for me to say.  Who am I anyway, but a mere man known by God because of His Son, and known to man by virtue of my faith.

I am saying, no honest thinking person can answer these 3 big questions without considering the person of Jesus: Who he is.  What he did and claimed.  Where he is today and promises to the rest human kind.

Dr. Birkman

Dr. Roger Birkman developed an amazing relationship tool, called The Birkman Method. It's uniqueness from other personality type assessments can be found in:

• uncovering a person's underlying motivations
• comprehensiveness which includes career fit, interests, strengths and more
• unscrambling interpersonal confusions

IM Arizona - November 2009

Sitting on my shoulders, Hudson helped me navigate through the Ironman registration process.

When race morning came Lori was there to capture my picture, and encourage me, just before the swim start. If I had only known that my body was fighting of brochitis. I was the most prepared for this race - from fitness, to effective training, to nutritional readiness, mental/emotional confidence. By the time I started the run I began to realize that something wasn't right...I was in my desired run pace with my legs feeling great but I was wheezing with every breath. By the time I hit the 8 mile mark it had really taken its toll on me. I finished 34th in my age group with a time of 10:31:31 and 1 hour off my time goal.

I was disappointed and mentally discouraged but after the half way mark on the run I got over it and began to take joy in being able to compete in my 4th Ironman. I then simple enjoyed the late afternoon Phoenix sun and took joy in seeing my family on the course.

In the days following the race I soaked up the quality time with the family and play time with the kids. Ironman is fun and plays well into my competitive drive, but laying on the floor with Hudson and Avery Kate is priceless and better than any race!

And most importantly I owe many thanks to the love of my life for supporting me in my Ironman pursuit and training. There is nothing like it, having a your life-long partner make incredible sacrifices in order to allow for the pursuit of goals and dreams.

Big Brother Loves Little Sister!

At just over 5 weeks little sister and big brother are becoming affectionately fond of one another!