An Extra Day . . .

Happy 29th birthday . . . to my Great-Grandpa . . . who was born in 1896!  He was a leap day baby who only had a REAL birthday when February 29 came around once every 4 years.  I remember him sitting on his couch while being interviewed by a local news station in 1980 on his 84th birthday as he was turning 21 and was finally of legal age.  He explained with frustration that since there is no leap day on the turn of each century, in 1900 when he should have had his first REAL one, "they skipped it" and his first Feb 29 birthday wasn't until 1904 when he was 8.
While it may seem unfair that people get ripped off and short-changed when it comes to their birthdays being skipped regularly, it's really no big deal to celebrate on Feb 28 or March 1.  On the other hand, I've heard people talk about days like today that come around once every 4 years like it's more special than others . . . some type of bonus or "extra day" . . . like what are you going to do . . . how are you going to spend your "extra day"?  I can't help but be reminded that each and every day we get to wake up to is a blessing and an extra day that God has given us by His grace.  Yes, February 29 might be a unique day on the calendar . . . but what if we consciously viewed each and every day as an "extra day" and lived it to the full?  Let's make the most of this gift of life that God has given us by using it to love Him and love others.
Grandpa Borg would have been 116 today . . . and with the type of wisdom that great-grandparents can give - like "don't drag race with your Chevette" - I think he would suggest that we don't take any of our days for granted.

Tuna & Other Sacrifices . . .

It's Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent . . . a time of fasting,  prayer and reflection leading up to Easter.  It's a time in which many people will give up certain things as a sign of repentance or sacrifice in honor to God.   A lot of people use it as a time to work on their relationship with God as they follow the example of Jesus' 40 days of fasting and prayer in the desert before He began his public ministry.
Around this time, it's always interesting when people start talking about what they're "giving up."  Some of the more common items that you hear being sacrificed are: sweets, junk food, smoking, drinking, or maybe swearing.  This is no news flash - I know I'm about the one bazillionth person to point out that these are things that really aren't good for us, and we should do without them anyway.  It's not just the "don't need them" category, either . . . what about the "don't want them" column?  For me, I could be making a bold declaration to give up tuna ( which about makes me gag just typing it ) but it would be meaningless, since it looks & smells like cat food, I can't stand it and it would be of no cost to me.
So what should we be doing to show our devotion to God?  Here's how I am being challenged: in 2 Samuel 24, King David said he would not sacrifice to the Lord that which cost him nothing.  Sure, my list of "off limit" items could include luxuries like caviar, and things I really don't care for like . . . caviar, but that would be a sacrifice that cost me nothing.  When we read Psalm 22:1-18 and Isaiah 53 we are reminded of the incredible sacrifice of Himself that Jesus made for us, and how they clearly show the extent of His full commitment to us.  If I am trying to show my commitment to God, it seems only fitting that my sacrifices for Him are meaningful, ongoing, and show that He is my top priority.  That seems to be what Jesus is teaching us in Matthew 6:33, when He tells us to put Him first and allow everything else to fall into its place.  This is what I'm being challenged to do: to show my commitment by my priorities - not just today as we begin Lent, but every other day as well.

Have To or Want To?

Whew . . . we made it!  Another February 14th has passed by and along with it, in one way or another, the romance and/or angst experienced by just about everyone - whether spoken for or single.  I couldn't help but once again notice the wide-ranging expressions of gushing jubilation and sad frustration that Valentine's Day ( or Single Awareness Day ) brought with it.  But even if you weren't acknowledging S.A.D. and you are in a relationship, there was the full spectrum of status updates on Facebook - from the squeals describing the semi-truck load of roses & chocolates delivered . . . to the "gee, thanks for the generic card" reactions.  It has almost become like a 2-month early precursor to Tax Day on April 15 because your perspective on it depends on if you owe the IRS . . . or if you will be getting a big fat refund ( or a measly generic one ).
Some people have a wonderful time celebrating with the love of their life - Tracy and I got to spend the afternoon in NYC going to the "free" David Letterman Show ( and briefly getting on camera in the audience ).  Some people would have rather just skipped ahead from Feb 13th to Feb 15th.
The debate over whether this holiday is a conspiracy perpetuated by companies like Hallmark & Russell Stover will continue to rage throughout time, but celebrating love ( which 1 Corinthians 13 says...is patient, kind...does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered...keeps no record of wrongs...does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth...always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres...and never fails ) should not carry with it the unnecessary pressure of "I HAVE to do something" instead it should be "I WANT to do something" to show it.

P.S. - I am probably going against some kind of "Dad-of-teenage-daughters-code" here, but I have to give props to the boyfriends of our 2 daughters.  They did pretty well on Valentine's Day - Struan took Makenna out to see a movie . . . and even though Chris had to work until late at night, he still brought over a dozen roses for Emily.  So, to Struan and Chris I say . . . well done, and you've earned yourself at least another week of hanging out with our girls.

Do They Really Go Together . . ?

I just heard about the new addition to the menus at Jack In the Box restaurants . . . the Bacon Milkshake.  I'm not sure if I should feel deprived that there isn't a location close to us, because to be quite honest, even though this is a combination of two of my FAVORITE things . . . I'm not sure I would be a fan.  Setting aside the obvious "blocked artery" considerations, let's just get flavor-conscious for a second - do they really go together . . ?
Reese's blending of chocolate & peanut butter is brilliant . . . Dr. Pepper's symphony of 23 flavors is a masterpiece . . . and Colonel Sanders' blend of 11 herbs and spices is heavenly.  And even though I would RARELY turn down a yummy chocolate malted milkshake or crispy bacon with . . . just about anything, I don't think that blending them together works . . . except for a tame round of Fear Factor.  Much like Packer fans and rational objectivity . . . there are some things that just don't seem to go together - but that's just my humble ( burp ) observation.

Life is a Precious Gift

Over the past couple of weeks we have had the opportunity to share special monumental times of life with dear friends & church members here in Jersey and back in Minnesota.  We have grieved with two of our current students as they lost their Mom after a long, brave battle with cancer.  We have celebrated new life with dear friends & leaders here as their beautiful baby girl was born.  We have proudly congratulated new Moms, who were special parts of our lives & ministry years ago in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.  It's so cool to see them hold new babies of their own in their arms like they used to, as teenagers, babysit our kids back in the day.  Tracy and I are SO thankful for the opportunity that we have had, and continue to have, to LIVE LIFE TOGETHER with so many precious people.  Being able to walk alongside friends through the lows & highs makes life richer . . . and it allows each of us to be a blessing to one another.  I have again been reminded that life is a precious gift which should never be taken for granted . . . but rather celebrated and lived to the fullest with the ones you love.