Things I've learned in my 30 years

The LORD has blessed me with 30 years on this earth, and I thought I would jot down some of the things I have learned in that time:

- Christ is the answer to any important question that begins with the word "why".

- Life is hard. It's meant to be hard, and without that difficulty, we wouldn't be able to identify with Christ.

- The only thing in my life that I find truly easy is being in love with my son.

- I don't need a ton of friends, but without the friends I have, I wouldn't be the man I am.

- Running is my catharsis.

- Christ is the answer to any important question that begins with the word "who".

- I am good at being a dad. Why? See the first point.

- One man, and one man alone, enabled me to make it through the darkest point in my life. Who? see two points up.

- I don't read the Word enough. When I was in school for Biblical Studies and reading the Word every day for hours, I wasn't reading the Word enough. If anyone ever thinks they do read the Word enough, I worry about that person's eternal fate.

- I'm supremely blessed by God to have two parents who demonstrate the love of Christ through their relationship with each other. It's a rare thing these days, as my life demonstrates.

- I long to go home, but know that there is still a purpose for me down here, even if I have absolutely no idea what that purpose is.

- Christ is the answer to any important question. Period.

Josh Ritter, Quantum Mechanics Czar!

This is my official lobbying effort to our most high king, Barack Obama, to be the Quantum Mechanics Czar!
You see, there are over 20 official Czars in king BO's control, ranging from Car Czar to Urban Czar to (and I'm not kidding), "Non-Proliferation" Czar, whatever that is... It is clear to me that the nation simply cannot survive without a Quantum Mechanics Czar, and I believe I am supremely qualified to be his most high's choice.
Why, you ask, do I believe I would be the perfect choice? Simply because it is one of the few subjects that I know absolutely NOTHING about! It is obvious that this is the main qualification to be the "Czar" of an issue. In addition, I do not have the time in my life to devote to learning more about Quantum Mechanics or deal with the obviously pressing issues in the field. Again, this appears to be a main qualification of the job.
Think about it. I could get a nice, six figure salary, take credit for fixing all the pertinent "Quantum Mechanics issues", and golf/run/play tennis every day. What could be better than that? Sure, I'd have to agree with everything King BO says and does, but hey, it's not going to be too long before we all have to do that anyway, or else suffer the fate of becoming an "un-person," right?
So, King BO, please make me your next Quantum Mechanics Czar. Your kingdom needs me!

Come run a marathon!

For most of my adult life, I've had the idea of running a marathon in my head, but never taken it seriously. First, school and work got in the way, then marriage and work got in the way, then having a son and work got in the way. Well, now I'm in a situation where I have a jogging stroller, and Devon LOVES the stroller, so he can't be an excuse. Working two jobs is tough on time, but you know, I'm inching closer to thirty, and if I'm going to do it, I need to do it now. So... On October 4th, I will be running in the Cowtown marathon in Sacramento. I'm just now starting the training process, as running 26.2 miles isn't something you just do.
Matt is going to start working on training with me, so if there is anyone else out there that wants to run a marathon, start training today and we can all go down to Sacramento and run a marathon. You in???

Devon's Jam

Devon and I were in the car this week, and I was listening to one of my CD's (Mandisa). "The definition of me" came on, which is a fast paced, almost rap-edge song came on, and Devon told me to turn it up. I did. He told me to turn it up again. I did. Then he started dancing in his carseat. I then said "Devon, is that your jam?" Of course, he said yes. From there on, every time the song ended, he said "Daddy, my jam, my jam!" and on came that song again.
So apparently, Mandisa's "The definition of me" is officially Devon's jam! I love it, though I think that particular song is better suited to a girl. It's okay, though, because we have a blast.

Top 5 Baby Names

On Sunday, when we found out Jamie was getting ready for #4, Matt and I thought it would be fun to see what everyone thought their top 5 baby names were. So, please comment on your top 5 baby names, so we can all help Jamie pick a name. By the way, only girl names are allowed, because as we all know, Mike only has X chromosomes! (:

My picks:

1. Amanda (still my all-time favorite name) - Means "worthy to be loved"
2. Kayla - Means "slender", which has a good chance of working out given Jamie's insane metabolism!
3. Ashleigh - Means "dweller near an ash tree"... isn't that just awesome!
4. Hailey - Means "residing in a brook or remote valley"
5. Jordan - Means "to flow down", plus it's a cool name.

Have fun!

Good Friday

As I write this, it's just a few hours away from Good Friday. Over the years, I've always made a point of reading through the account of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection from the Gospel of Luke on Good Friday (there is SO much detail in the Luke account that isn't in either Mark or Matthew, and I suggest it if you want to read a detailed account of the passion). I find that reading through the story helps remind me of how much God gave up to give His people fellowship with Him. To think that Christ willingly separated Himself from the Holiness of the Father, that He bore the sins of His people, being sinless, continuously amazes me.
We are a selfish, sinful people. The best that is in us is full of evil, deceit, and self-interest. I don't think anyone who has been touched by the Holiness of God can deny that. We so often, in our culture, see the Holiness of God as something to be grasped. That if we were to see God in His Glory, it would be a wonderful experience. God, though, is shown in His Word to be Powerful, Awesome, and Full of Wonder. Men who were put in the presence of the LORD were cast down in shame, for in seeing the fullness of the Glory of God, they immediately recognized their own shameful inadequacies before that Holiness. As Isaiah said, "I am undone, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I have seen God's Glory."
When I read the story of Jesus, I am amazed at the entirety of what Jesus gave us in His life and death. Humanity SAW holiness, perfection, true royalty, in a man we could interact with. Everything Jesus did in His time on earth was a miracle, not just the overt signs and wonders. God BEING a man was a miracle. God dying as a man... well, if that doesn't still boggle our minds, and I fear that it doesn't, then I wonder if we've missed the point.
Celebrate Christ this weekend! Amidst all the business of family, events, and busyness of Easter, lets all remember that Christ is the point, the only point, in our existence on this earth. May Christ be glorified above all!

2009 NCAA Champion Tar Heels!!!!!

Congrats to my boys, the 2009 National Champion North Carolina Tar Heels! What a dominant team!