The Life List # 49

The Life list – Things You Have To Do Before You Die presented by Legacy Dad and Outside Magazine

It's Time to expand your bucket

49. Climb the Grand Teton

 You'll breathe hard. You'll be scared. It'll take two days. That's the appeal: This iconic, 13,770-foot fang of granite is tough and technical--but still a reasonable goal, even if you're a rock rookie. The ascent itself begins with a seven-mile approach on the lower saddle of the Grand Teton. Your team will rise before dawn the next morning to begin a series of roped-up pitches that are moderately difficult (from 5.4 to 5.7) and stunningly exposed. Chances are you'll tag the summit before noon and savor some 360-degree views over Wyoming and Idaho, then it's down, down, down to the base. 

 Teton

Unplugging in Twilight Country

IMG_0394 This weekend, our family unplugged and had our annual family shareholders meeting in the area where they film the infamous Twilight movies.  No phones, no computers, no TV.  A log cabin and time alone to think, talk and plan.  It's amazing how complex and overly commercialized our lives have become.  Do we really need need the latest 4G network ? Do we really need 3D TV?  Or are we just filling our lives with distractions so we don't have to face our ultimate problems and responsibilities? IMG_0342       

This weekend we lived in a 800 square foot log cabin with only a fireplace and a radio for amusement.  Well that and hundreds of acres of Temperate Rain forest and miles of beautiful beaches. Do we really need more?  This weekend our family unplugged but became in-tune with each other again.  We all talked, shared and made it a priority to focus our attention on each other.

IMG_0412 We also talked about the future and what lay ahead for our family and our children.  Both of children begin a two-year Bible study this week (led by my wife and I) that instills in them a biblical world view and prepares them to be adults in the church.  We discussed what this meant, how it would require homework and lessons as well as why it ultimately is crucial to have in life.  

We also talked about the next five years and our family plan.  My future career progression, my wifes graduate degree program and our son entering the first phase of the Legacy Dad process this year.  Everyone seemed easier talking about these topics after such a wonderful weekend together.  Our kids were much more mature and understanding of having to possibly move again, my wife's long hours of study and the rewards of the Legacy Dad process.  Just a side note, we don't call it the Legacy Dad process with our children but the Family Legacy.   IMG_0351

We also reflected on how far our family has come in the past 7 years not only in miles but in quality of life, spiritual maturity and morals and values.  We all agreed that we were content and that we should not spend any more time or money to chase frivolous things or to try to keep up with the Joneses.  Maybe it's because I just finished Donald Miller's A Million Miles in a Thousand Years but I feel as if it's time to write the next chapter in our Story.  This new chapter will have you on the edge of your seat and witnessing first hand what it takes to raise spiritual champions.  Stay tuned.  

   

 

 

 

Give me Jesus...

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=15673376&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=1&color=&fullscreen=1&autoplay=0&loop=0

Give Me Jesus from Faith Church on Vimeo.

There are often a lot of days when I let the busyness of life distract me from the important things. Things like family and friends and quiet moments in life that stress and worry can never replace.  Things like praise and worship and just spending time with Jesus and really concentrating on that relationship.  Sometimes I let the busyness distract me from a true and loving relationship with my Redeemer.  I have to confess that sometimes I have even forgot my first love - Jesus.  In order for me to be a Spiritual leader of my wife and of my family, then I have to model this relationship with them.  I have to show them what true faith looks like even when there is despair.  I have to show them that it is okay to fail because we have a God of second chances.  

In the Bible, there are so many who testify to this awe inspiring relationship.  In the Book of Job, we read how Job loses everything and yet he says that his Redeemer lives and that his faith will not be shaken.  Joseph, after he is rejected by his brothers and sold into slavery trusts in our God and knows that he will be delivered.  David had the heart of Jesus and spoke of Jesus in Psalms.  His love for his Savior was rivaled by few.  Paul, a murderer, found Jesus (his love) on the Road to Damascus and was transformed by Grace.

I guess what I am really trying to tell myself is that everything else under the sun means nothing if I do not have an eternal relationship with Jesus.  

When we find ourselves in a relationship (A marriage, a friend, a son or daughter, a parent or a mentor/mentee) we have to give that person(s) our time.  We have to give that person(s) honesty and respect.  In order to build that relationship up and into a lasting friendship, we have to give it time (not just quality but also quantity).

I don't just want to do the motions, I want to give Him my all.   Give me Jesus!

 

Dante

Turning off ALL CAPS!!

I know this post will cause controversy as this movie then needs to be followed by an hour long discussion clarifying it's context to those who "don't get it."  However, I am in agreeance with Rob Bell on this issue and many others he speaks of.  

In my personal opinion, beating people over the head with the Bible or trying to scare them with "eternal damnation" will never bring lasting change.  There is the exception and God can work in mysterious ways, however, in 2010 very few people respond to condemnation and judgement by Christians.  

What I have seen work best with my generation (40 and under) is personal relationships and acceptance of all types of people and letting our Christian values and daily example speak for itself.  

Stop Judging.  Stop Condemning.  It's called the "Good" News not the Hellfire and Brimstone News.

 

 

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-825273137571541112&hl=en&fs=true

Tentmaking

"After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks."

Anyone who has read this blog for any amount of time knows that I am an outdoor enthusiast.  Why?  I love exploring God's beautiful earth, it's an adventure and it requires a certain set of skills "Field-craft" that is a dying art for many man.

The challenge has always been to find a way to bring the family along on this trips and make it fun. 

I've learned that making things light, easy and efficient is the key.  This weekend, I finally got to try out my new tent.  The Sierra Designs Lightning XT-4.  I first read about this tent two years ago in Backpacker magazine as the first "family, back-packable tent." Thanks to the tent industry for helping us Dad's with a new category - ultralight and ultra-large.

We pitched this baby in the backyard on Friday and spent the night making smores and watching Jumanji on a laptop in the tent.  Here is my review of this awesome piece of equipment. 

IMG_0279 Sierra designs lightning xt4 At just 6 lbs. 13 oz.,this three-season, freestanding shelter is as light as some two-person tents, yet it legitimately fits four adults (and offers palatial digs for two parents and kids).

It took me 5 minuts to set up once I read the instructions and mastered the asymmetrical design.  The thing is huge inside and easily fits two parents and two adults.  It also has two doors and vestibules which allow for storying of packs and other items inside if the rain comes.  We spent the night carefree and the kids loved it.  My daughter, who loathes the outdoors the most, was quickly won over and wants to take it out for a real test run on the local mountain.

Testers from Backpacker took it to Whales in 2009 and it outlasted all the other tents.  Take down was equally easy and took about three minutes.  The Final Verdict?  This piece of equipment was definately worth the price tag, we can't wait to try it out on the side of a mountain next spring.  

If you don't beleive me, watch this video for an expert opinion. 

Lance

 

 

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