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The Problem with my 12″ Apple

Tim — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 01:19:26 +0000

So, I have had this machine for nearly 4 years now(am conniving how to upgrade as they DO NOT last forever). I’m sort of a no-confrontational type and if you want to hear the boasting I do about my machine you would have to walk with me a while. There are things that I really like about it, and there are plenty of frustrations I have had. It serves me well and everything I throw at it - it handles fairly well. Sometimes I do feel sorry for my pc friends. But I try to hide it
So, the real problem. I cannot go anywhere public without people asking me about the machine, how to use it, how much better it is than the other option… etc. Usually this happens when there is a pc user nearby, and I feel obligated to protect them from becoming disgruntled or from just getting up and leaving. As I right the guy next to me just got up and walked out of the coffee shop. Sorry, I really am
The two guys really interested in the machine have kind of taken the hint, that I do not want to talk about it right now. They keep looking at me guiltily and are wishing they were the ones in my chair pushing the buttons - they told me so. Ughh. I think I might have to leave! Oh, I’ll put my headphones in and listen to the podcast I was in the middle of so I don’t have to talk about the tool in front of me.

So, I better write something here worth reading. Not my words:

The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life.Anne Morriss

Time to live that out today

tGriff

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Enjoying the Climb - February 5, 2009

Tim — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:53:00 +0000

I am in a conference call via skype at the moment. You can tell I am not doing the talking at this point[duh]. Our conversation has a lot to do with a number of individuals making serious life change decisions in this year. Cool stuff to be involved in these lives.

As we talk my thoughts are directed to my own life and fam and the implications of 2009. It is a climb and right now the pieces we are trying to fit in feel really really huge. I go between feeling an exhilaration and panic.

Exhilaration… near panic… but facing it

Hangin’ in there!

What an incredible thing to be a dad. There are days that I can hardly believe the joy of being privileged to be a part of these not-so-little lives. As we discuss change and 6 week span of “going” it is interesting to watch the wheels of their minds turn. Pray for our family in the light of 2009 faith ventures.

Going - its a normal thing
When I am tempted to think I am crazy I do not have t look far to realize that “going” is a normal thing in pursuing Christ and living in the light of His passion for world. I spent 4 days in a room full of others who have gone and/or are actively making plans to get going. I need these times and praise God for the opportunity to rub shoulders with these fellow believers.

Do You Have What It Takes
Heather Mercer shared a message last year in the Portland area. She told about how little and un-qualified she felt to go and serve the people of a war torn country. In her conversation with God the question she heard him ask her was, “Can you love me, can you love people, can you weep for the lost and the broken people of this world.” That is not too much to ask… and not so simple to respond to with concrete action.

Keepin’ My Head up
This is probably one of the busier seasons of my life. The work load and commitment level is high, the creativity and learning requirements are no less. Everywhere I turn there are significant projects to tackle, new processes to learn and great people to connect with. Loving it? Yes! Keeping on top of things? Well, keeping my head up.

Hey - I’m open to input and advice on keeping things straight in my head and heart. Got any tips. A couple of tools for the trade I am presently using:

LifeJournal - ok, more consistent with the reading part than the journaling part… and even that could go up a notch. (The suggested plan is 20 minutes reading, 20 minutes journaling and 20 minutes in prayer). I have found it helpful to have a simple and achievable reading plan.
Things - for mac folk this can be a totally awesome way to start filtering through various responsibilities.

Grateful to be His child,

Tim

Jesus Has Better Promises

Tim — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:54:05 +0000

I’m sitting in the coffee shop trying to drown out the high power sales pitch of the insurance agent sitting across from me. (The people on the other side of the room can hear every loud word - and aren’t buying it ) I’ve got my headphones on now and will attempt to get into the Word for today’s reading.

I’M HUNGRY

Some interesting truth today.

Ez. 16:49
Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside the door.

This is a passage I’ve been wanting to read and delve into more. What does it mean that the list of sins here does not include the sexual reference we typically think of first when the city of Sodom is mentioned? When the first sin mentioned is pride, where does that leave me? Come to think of it, isn’t that the primary thing one cannot get rid of - no matter how hard one tries?

Plenty to wrestle with in this passage - not the least of which is the fact that the primary infraction is how the poor and needy have been shut out and ignored.

Another passage read today was Hebrews 8. WOW! Check out vs 13. The lead up to this verse is the simple and beautiful truth that Jesus has better promises. Better than any president, priest, outdated agreement or Christmas wish list.

There is a short video worth looking at today and I am curious what motivated the people behind it. Currently downloading the AC podcast and also waiting for the BBC’s “World Have Your Say” to download. Today they are discussing, “Mumbai searches for Peace”.

Ever participated in this conspiracy? It is something I am trying to figure out how to do effectively with my crew this year.

The “Lost Letters” - No They Not! - A Cammy Episode

Tim — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:04:38 +0000

Prewa - Friend in Thailand

Story time. A classic when dad reads and the girls “listen”… most of the time
We have worked our way through a number of classic books and continue to discover new and exciting stories - fiction and otherwise. Cammy gets her own selection of board books and songs including her current favorite where she sings about the hornet that stung her cheek several weeks back. Never sang a song like this one before.

Cammy has been sitting in with the big girls reading time more and more. When reach the end of the chapter invariably the chirping goes, “Read More DAD!!.. Please? Please??!!” At this point I usually announce the name and number of the next chapter with the tag line… “Which we will read tomorrow!”

The name of the next chapter… “Lost Letters”
Cammy steps up quickly and says to me, “No they not… they right here!” Finger pointing at the page in front of me. She’s right. Literally speaking there are no lost letters - they are all, a,b,c,d,e… still in the book

Join us tonight for the “Not Lost Letters”.

the things cammy said

Ginger — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:01:17 +0000

I not fall down!

I put a new pair of corduroy jeans on Cammy this morning and said, “Now you are all ready for Fall!”

“I not fall down!” She said indignantly.

I just chuckled, knowing from experience that she was not ready for an explanation of autumn.

She then ran out to the living room where I spied her running erratically and falling down on purpose.

“I not get hurt!” she exclaimed, patting her new turquoise wonders.

Maybe I should have tried to clarify myself.

When told not to play in a particular area she retorted:
“Mom, I not gunna die!”
Guess where she got that one

Lakefair Olympia 08 - 3k for Gab n Dad

Tim — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:11:49 +0000

The numbers - 745 ready to run the 3k

The runner - 5min till lineup!

Making the moves - breath, pick up the feet, RUN!

Across the line - need more oxygen… hhuhh, huhh, hhhuuhhh

Landry keeps the crowds happy with fluids

Crunch - good stuff

Dad and Gab - feeling good (and a little sore too;-)

Next year - mom and HK and Cammy?
Lots of fun!

Backyard Campers

Tim — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:08:26 +0000

Just a couple shots of our first campout of the season - in the back yard. Sleep, when it came hit each of us rather quickly and we woke up feeling ready for a new camping day.

We reminded HK that she first started crawling in this tent when she was 9 months old.

Cammy learned what a tent was - and that tent pegs don’t feel so nice when you clonk yourself on the head with one.

All in all the campout was a success - to be repeated soon - in someone else’s back yard!

Life on a Run

Tim — Thu, 22 May 2008 05:05:37 +0000

A quick snap of of the crew at the Capital City Marathon, (Olympia, WA) Ginger’s dad - Jerry and Hellen - Grandma and Grandpa Miller). Didn’t envy the runners on this - the second hottest day of the year in the evergreen state
A picture can capture a lot. I just wonder what words you would put next to each sweaty face.

Cool

Our Home’s Newest Resident

Ginger — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:26:01 +0000

Meet Maeven, our three month old English Lop!

She is the boldest, most curious rabbit you ever did meet.
Running around the house, seeing what’s new and what she can get into are her favorite occupations.
Don’t let her soft cream fur and demure face fool you; she’s a girl who knows what she wants!
Her litter box habits are fastidious and I am looking forward to teaching her some tricks as time goes by.
Here is one of her recent shenanigans:

On my closet shelf - my reading list

Tim — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:43:15 +0000

Ever wonder where you’re life is going?
I was reading through the titles stacked on my reading shelf…

I’ve read large portions of most of these… and am reviewing a few just to freshen up. I have not started that last one nor the second, they have both been on the best sellers list and have my attention.

So this pretty much sums up my world at present and I’ve got to say that it is not a small adventure. Check in about 10 years from now. I’m curious to see what is on the shelf then. I am also curious what is on your current reading list.