Blogging dilemma... putting my faith where my fingertips are...

So here I am blogging again... wow... amazing that I have done it what? two days in a row now? I have been enjoying trying to figure out how to customize it a bit... probably spending more time... no... I KNOW spending more time on it than I should.

Here's the dilemma though: my interest in blogging got rekindled when a bunch of my XBox Live gaming buddies (most of whom I have known since the beta days, what.. 3 years ago already?) decided to start posting and linking their blog addresses. So I have been in the process of going through all of them and adding them. But... some of the content on some the other sites makes me a bit uncomfortable, especially given my own personal Christian beliefs and personal "fleshly" weaknesses which I consciously try to avoid. I have family that pops by here, as well as possibly other friends from other circles of life. The last thing I want to do is be a negative witness to others or damage my own integrity by ignoring my faith and my conscience and convictions to avoid those things. I know my weaknesses and know where I fail if given the chance. All my mind needs is a "foot in the door" and the search for "more" will be on. The lessening of my standards will begin AGAIN. I have to fight and scratch twice as hard to get them back every time. It is just exhausting.

Ya'll have to understand that trying to walk the Christian walk in today's world is TOUGH, and I have to make conscious efforts to avoid things that I know make me fall. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:13-14... "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." In other words, it is a whole lot easier to mess up your Christian walk than it is to stay on track. So sometimes you step on a few toes when you do in your efforts. As such, there were some that I simply did not feel comfortable listing just now given some of the content. You may feel I am being a prude and stickler or whatever, but I gotta go with my convictions. No, I am not condemning anyone. Each man in this world has their own decisions to make, and it is not my place or desire to judge them, since I have so many weaknesses myself - I am in no way blameless in this world. That is hypocritical and definitely not a Christian way of thinking (though way too many Christians today ARE too judgmental).

Hope ya'll will understand why I did this, and why I had to talk about it here. Heck, for all I know, my discussion here (and what will be a theme of this blog - my faith) will likely turn some of my friends off and they'll remove me from their links list. I respect and understand this. If any of you need to contact me about this more... you know where to find me.

Sean

My Christian "Mantra"... Colossians 3:2... Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.

Everybody needs a fresh start...

Well, I started my days with Blogger... then switched over to MSN Spaces because it has a few extra features. But it just doesn't have enough storage space. So here is the beginning. I am going to transfer all my old posts there (to be honest there weren't many) to this place to keep it up to date.

Now I also thought about switching to the old McKay Wildlife Preserve theme I had before since most of it was about my three boys. But really, my posting tendencies are becoming much more varied than just them. Really, this place is MY place to vent and share my feelings and thoughts, since I spend most of my days providing that to others who walk through my office. So welcome to the place, but it's My Turn to be on the Couch!

Promise Keepers 2005...The Awakening

So this year I had to trek up to Nashville for Promise Keepers. Six hour drive, but hey, I was used to that when I lived in Bismarck and had to drive to St. Paul, MN for the nearest event. It was in Atlanta last year, and will be next year. But this year Hotlanta got skipped and the nearest were in Nashville and Mobile, AL. It is virtually the same distance to each, but I found out that Steven Curtis Chapman was doing the concert in Nashville, so that settled it. Promise Keepers (and men's ministry in general) has been a passion of mine since my first PK event four years ago. I was able to wrangle up 17 other guys to go with me this year from my church, and it turned out to be a great event!


Now, if you don't know what Promise Keepers is, it is an organization started by former University of Colorado football coach, Bill McCartney, as he saw a dire need in our country for Christian men to become more involved and connected with each other. These events are filled with worship music, wonderful speakers on all kinds of aspects of issues important to the struggles of Christian men in this unfortunately increasing secular culture, drama, comedy, and just general "guys being guys." But because it is men only, there is no pretense, no trying to be macho to protect your image (since everyone there admits having the same struggles you do), no "men are strong and don't show emotion" stuff. It is honest talk and exploration about what we Christian men struggle with to "stay the narrow path" and overcome pronography, infidelity, workaholism, ignorance of our families and our children, substance abuse, anger, and so on. But since it is men talking to men about being men, let's just say that things are informal and lively and at times hilarious. Speaking of hilarious, Christian comedian Brad Stine performs at all events now (well, for the last two years) and, if you have never heard the guy, he is amazing. I have never seen a man so intricately weave comedy, evangelism, and social commentary with such agility!

I know many popping through here may not be excited about something like this, but it is an amazing ministry that has personally touched me and helped me re-focus my life on what is important. I gotta tell you, there is almost nothing as emotional and awe-inspiring as being in an arena like this and hearing 15,000 men singling "Holy, Holy, Holy" acapella!

If you want to know more, you can always email me... or join me in Atlanta on July 21-22 2006! *hint hint*

Yet another month has flown by...

I just don't get it. Am I the only one in the time-flies-faster-than-Tom-and-Katie's-courtship time warp? I guess when you're dealing with your own business, 3 VERY ACTIVE boys, becoming more involved in church activities and organizing our Promise Keepers trip, time just skips by (and blogging drops WAY LOW on the priority list)...

Some recent and upcoming things.... So we fenced in the back yard a couple of months ago so the boys could play unattended (especially Mitch and the pups), but nobody was playing in the back yard.... Hmmm... I wonder why? BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE BACK YARD TO PLAY WITH. So we decided to add a bit to the debt (why would you want to start crawling out of that hole NOW? LOL...) and get the boys a nice play set. Professionally constructed out of redwood, with two swings, a glider, slide, club house, and deck on top... Was done on Monday. I will get pics soon and post a few. Needless to say the boys are excited. LOL...

Tomorrow night I am taking Connor, Luke, and my sister page to a DCI (http://www.dci.org) drum and bugle competition. Haven't been to one in years (well, kinda hard to when they never came to North Dakota!), and since Connor has started drum lessons I figured he'd love it. We are ALL excited to go, and I can't wait to suck my two older boys into the "shock and awe" of a field full of brass and drums blowing our faces off with a wall of sound! Will post their reactions afterward...

Upcoming goodies for daddy... My annual River Trip with my dad and our buddies as well as my annual trek to a Promise Keepers event is coming up in August. Though we usually do the Chattahoochee down to the gulf and back, this year we're gonna do the Tennessee-Tom Bigbee River in, um, Tennessee (duh!). Whereas the 'Hooch is littered with sand bars all the way to the gulf - great places to stop and eat and relax - the Tom is huge and WIDE. No sand bars to stop at there.... I guess whenever we want to stop, we'll just all tie-off together a'la Jaws 2 and have a floating barge of sorts. I can't wait. One of the things I am most looking forward to is seeing my cousin Scott. We only get to see each other about 1-2 times per year, and this is one of them. Great guy. Just wish our families got to see each other more...

Then there's Promise Keepers! Started going I think 5 years ago, and wouldn't miss it for the world now. I need a good spiritual recharge every now and then, and this is it! Where else can you be in a sporting arena with 15,000 other men praising God and learning how to become better and more faithful fathers, husbands, and mentors!? I think this is gonna be our best trip yet! So far I have 18 other guys on board to go with me, and the event is not til mid-August. Hope to fill up a bus by then! Men are supposed to be the spiritual leaders of the household, but unfortunately we are usually the ones dragged kicking and screaming. I hope this event does some miraculous things in the lives of these men (and me)!

Well, better get back to work. It never ends. LOL...

Oh, speaking of work... the practice is really growing and I HAVE to hire a colleague... This is a scary step for us since we have never done anything like this! The ad will be in the July/August edition of the psychologist's trade magazine. Please keep us in your prayers that we will find exactly who we need (and God wants to be here) quickly, and the transition occurs smoothly!

Until next time (which hopefully will be sooner than later)....

Geez! Where have I been?

I can't believe it has been a month since I added an entry... I guess it has been due to a few things... 1) Work has been off the hook and I simply have had virtually no time to add anything... 2) As most of you know, I am an Xbox, um, "aficionado".... yeah, that's it... and so I have been delving deep into info on the Xbox successor - the Xbox 360 - due out in November.... So no entries have come from valid, responsible reasons (work) and not-so-responsible reasons (my hobby/waste-of-time)...LOL

Kel's parents were in town this past weekend so they could be here for Connor and Luke's baptism at church. That was so cool! To be IN THE BAPTISTRY with them as they were baptized, proclaiming their newfound faith in Jesus Christ, to the congregation and having my parents and in-laws there was so awesome! Unfortunately I have no pics of it since Kel said the camera wasn't working right.... Gotta teach her to check the "record/preview" switch before trying to snap any shots....

The boys are continuing to have a great time at our community pool, and getting darker by the day. hey are getting that bleach blonde, surfer dude hair color now too. Kel, on the other hand, seems to just be turning red! I think my niece and nephews are coming over today for a splash at the pool... maybe they will get pics! Upcoming events include taking Connor and Luke to a DCI (Drum and Bugle Corps) show in Atlanta in June. Since Luke loves music so much and Connor has started drum lessons, they should have a blast! And last thing I can think of... I think I am gonna surprise everyone at home with a trip to Florida soon... maybe even this weekend. One of my fondest memories as a kid was my dad spontaneously loading us up EARLY in the morning, driving to Florida, spending the whole day at the beach, then heading back home... Apart from gas and food, a really fun and CHEAP day trip! Now if only I can convince Kel... she is more of a plan-it-out kind of gal... probably not too keen on a spur of the moment tip to Florida...LOL

Well, I just had to add SOMETHING here... it has been too long! Back to work now...

The pain and joy of being a daddy...

Tonight I experienced overwhelming emotions across the entire spectrum with my two older boys, Connor and Luke. They each have their own pets - Connor a parakeet, and Luke a hamster. Well, tonight as we were getting the boys ready for bed, Luke came in the room in a panic. "Mom," he said, "I reached in to pet Spot and she didn't move. Is she sick?!" Kelly and I both go in there not expecting anything wrong, and sure enough, Spot is not moving. Luke, who loved this hamster more than anything, just broke down sobbing. We got her out, and she was just barely breathing and had her eyes open. We tried to give her water, but she would not even open her mouth. Of course seeing her eyes open gave Luke unrealistic hope, and we had to tell him that she was dying. He could not talk he was in so much pain and sorrow. I had brought the cage downstairs so it wouldn't be in his room, and he came down and asked if he could say goodbye. Kelly and I just sobbed as we watched our little 6 year old boy hold and cuddle his hamster and rub it against his cheek saying he loved her and telling her goodbye.

Then I was filled with pride and emotion as I watched Connor, Luke's older brother, walk in with a wad of cash. "Luke," he says, "here's my money out of my bank. You can use it to buy another hamster if you want." And Connor hands Luke almost $40 he has saved for months. They hug each other and as Luke says, "Thank you," Connor replies with, "It's okay, that's what big brothers are for."

As I am tucking Connor in bed and telling him how proud I was with what he did, he simply said, "Dad, I had to do something, it just hurt my heart watching Luke so sad."

For those of ya'll that know me and my boys, and how nuts they can drive me sometimes, right now I am having a hard time remembering any of that right now....

Who's on first...

Below is something I HAD to share with everyone who stops by. Here is a transcript of an email my wife Kelly sent out to family describing a conversation she had with Connor, our 8 year old son....

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What a frustrating day in our house. Mitchell has clogged the toilet twice, Connor and I have been working on homework for 2 hours, and Luke has changed clothes twice...all since about 3:00. This conversation struck me as so idiotic, I had to share it.

I had just unclogged the toilet for the second time and then while vacuuming I heard a strange thumping noise. No one screamed so I figured all was well and kept vacuuming. A little while later I walked past the 1/2 bath and saw a very large hammer on the floor. I braced myself for absolutely anything and asked what I thought was a straightforward, clear question with one of two answers:

"Who brought a hammer into the bathroom?" I asked.

"There was a spider," said Connor.

I said, "OK, but who brought a hammer into the bathroom?"

"I did," Connor said.

"Why did you need a hammer?"

"I told you. There was a spider."

"Where did you hit with the hammer?"

"I told you. On the spider."

"Yes, sweetheart, but where was the spider?"

"In the bathroom."

(Starting to grit my teeth a bit) "Yes, but where did you actually hit the hammer?"

"I told you. On the spider."

(I start looking around for cracks in the sink, holes in the wall, cracked toilet...)

Turning red..."Where was the spider when you hit him with the hammer?"

"I told you. In the bathroom."

"Yes, dear, but where was the spider crawling when you were hitting him with the hammer? Did you hammer the sink, the cabinet, the walls, WHAT?"

"No."

"Where did you hammer?"

"Around in here," pointing in a general area next to the toilet.

"Did you just hammer the floor?"

"Yes."

Starting to lose it a bit..."Could you please take the hammer and just pretending to hammer, please show me exactly what you did with the hammer on the spider?"

Connor proceeds to pretend to hammer all around the floor around the toilet.

I said, "Thank you. Now, where did you get this huge hammer?"

"Dad was going to hang a clock."

"OK, but when you decided to hammer the spider, where did you go to get the hammer?"

"My room."

"Take it back there, please."

I go into the bathroom to clean up the water around the toilet from it overflowing and guess what I saw on the wall next to the toilet? A curled up spider...on the wall...not the floor. At least there weren't any holes in the wall.

Figured I'd give you a laugh. That's what I have to do to keep from crying.

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Some of the just wonderfully stupid silly moments we have in our house... you gotta admit... they always keep us entertained...

Charmin is evidently evil...

...so we bought this 10 year old nice house in a nice upper middle class residential community just outside the city limits. Since we're not in the city, we do not have sewage, but instead have septic systems. Well, lately we have noticed that flushing just ain't working like it is supposed to, and as of yesterday, nothing, I MEAN NOTHING, was going anywhere but back up and onto our floor....

...so today Kelly gets the septic tank guys out and they find the tank, open it up, and it is literally full to the top... an 8 foot deep septic tank, FULL TO THE TOP. He said it needed to be drained every 3 to 5 years, and he guessed it had never been pumped in the 10 years of its existence. Then he said, "Ya'll use Charmin don't ya?" Kelly, said, "Yeah we do." "Naw... don't use Charmin... it's BAD! Just soaks it all up and swells up like a tick. It'll just fill your tank up with paper. Use AngelSoft instead. Good stuff."

So there you have it. Pump them septic tanks every 3-5 years. And for all that is good and wholesome, DON'T USE CHARMIN.

This Public Service Announcement was brought to you by "I had to take a spit bath in the sink this morning 'cos everything was stopped up."

A haunted house?

There is always a lot of confusion in our house after church. We walk in, Sunday shoes and clothes start flying and everyone starts crying for lunch. It is feeding time at the zoo and the animals can get testy. Once everyone is fed and watered and have retired to their respective dens, I start cleaning up.

Well, today was no different. It was quiet upstairs as everyone had retreated downstairs. How typical...when there's work to do. As I was in the kitchen, I heard something hit the floor and turning around toward the sound I saw something amazingly terrifying. A toy without a child nearby. One of the bathtub toys was laying just outside the bathroom door as if it had been thrown out of the bathroom. I stood there motionless....which doesn't happen often... wondering how the toy had come flying out of the bathroom on it's own. I dismissed it and went about my work, but I kept seeing it out of the corner of my eye. Luke and I have been enjoying playing lots of "hide and go seek" in the house every day and one of his favorite places is in the bathtub. I slowly walked into the bathroom fully expecting to see him standing there with a big grin on his face. Nothing. The room was empty, as was the entire upstairs.

After I got the kitchen cleaned up, the incident just kept gnawing at me. I went downstairs and found Sean. I cleared the room of little ears and told him that the weirdest thing just happened. As I explained that I saw a toy come flying out of an unoccupied bathroom, he smiled and said, "No dear. The toy was down here in the office and I threw it upstairs. You must have heard it hit the wall and saw it laying on the floor outside the door."

Sean just looked at me, grinned, and said, "Blogger material."

Holiday confusion...solved.

Hello all. I know it's been a while since you've heard anything interesting about happenings at "the zoo," and believe me it's not because the "animals" are exceptionally good these days. No. In fact, it is simply that the "keeper" has been exceptionally busy.

Connor has been really confused these days about the holidays this time of year. At school, they have been studying how different people celebrate. The school prepared us for the fact that they would be studying Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, one that I didn't even recognize, and Christmas. One day he came home doing Kwanzaa dancing and wanted me to play the bongo drums for him while he danced. Another day he came home saying, "Then they all sit around and drink a warm drink in honor of their ancestors and play with a cradle." He then proceeded to tell me the name/meaning of a few of the Hebrew symbols on the "cradle."

While the purpose of these lessons was for political correctness, it certainly gave me a wonderful teaching opportunity. The boys are very familiar with the true meaning of Christmas and the reason God came to earth in human form. Now, they are acutely aware that there are people in the world who do not understand or accept the greatest gift we will ever receive. The gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Don't leave Christ out of your Christmas holiday season. Merry Christmas!