Christmas Time!

Fun on the pond

The final product

More Christmas trees

Theirs is a little taller (but skinnier!)

Christmas Snowman

Picked up for bad behavior...

Some of the Finished Product...

Christmas Trees

All it takes is a few balloons and a package of band-aids to get into the Christmas Spirit!

News of the Weird hits close to home... I am so proud...

"Travis Himmler, 22, was charged with burglary in November after allegedly stealing the cash register from the Golden Wok restaurant in Bloomington, Minn., and carrying it away on his bicycle. He was found down the street, injured, after taking a bad tumble when the dangling cash register cord got caught in the bike's spokes. [Sun Newspapers (Eden Prairie, Minn.), 11-26-09]"

An Ode to Fall as the Snow descends...

Growing up we had several crabapple and berry trees in our front yard. In the late fall and winter, these trees would attract many birds, especially migrating robins who appreciated the semi-fermented fruit. A common occurrence was to have one of these robins leave the banquet of the trees and fly right into our picture window. Sometimes they would shake it off and fly away, other times they did not. One Thanksgiving we had a grouse hit the window and provide us with a post-turkey-dinner meal. The moral of the story is don't eat questionable berries (and fly).

Everyone Admires Jesus

"Indeed, there are many people who are critical of the church yet who,
at the same time, retain a sneaking admiration for Jesus. In fact, I
have never yet met anybody, nor do I expect to, who does not have a
high regard for Jesus Christ. Jesus appeals to twenty-first-century
people like us. He was a fearless critic of the establishment. He
championed the cause of the poor and needy. He made friends with the
dropouts of society. He had compassion on the very people whom others
despised and rejected. And although he was fiercely and unjustly
attacked, he never retaliated. He told his disciples that they must
lover their enemies, and he practiced what he preached. There is a
great deal about Jesus to admire." (Stott, Why I am a Christian, 35)

Falling leaves... and the hand behind it.

Crystal helped me out a little when I wanted to get a picture of falling leaves.

An Ode to Fall as the Snow descends...

"Wind Chill" and Time-ology

One thing that frustrates me about winter is the whole concept of our
mythical "wind chill." I wake up to the glorious Minneapolis weather
report, "Good morning! Snow again this evening, so expect 2-3 hour
delays on every major highway and back road. If you aren't at work
already you may as well call in sick. Also, to top things off, the
temperature is coming in at a balmy -5 degrees this morning, but
because of the wind chill it feels more like -17. Have a good day at
work!"
Since when are we allowed to mess with the facts like that? Don't toy
with my mind. What is the temperature!
Why don't we do this in other areas as well? I plan to begin to write
my own health facts on the side of the cereal boxes. "Contains 75% of
all the needed calcium (but since we put it into such a nice package
it feels more like 88%"); Maybe I will have a special update on the
radio about the time. "Your timeologist here, checking in at 3:30 in
the afternoon on Friday but because of the frigid temperatures and
darkness it feels a lot more like 7:30...better get home and to bed!"

An Ode to Fall as the Snow descends...

From the Archives

I won the contest... (this was taken while we were still dating)

For Those Learning English

We'll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes,
But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes.
One fowl is a goose, but two are called geese,
Yet the plural of moose should never be meese.
You may find a lone mouse or a nest full of mice,
Yet the plural of house is houses, not hice.

If the plural of man is always called men,
Why shouldn't the plural of pan be called pen?
If I speak of my foot and show you my feet,
And I give you a boot, would a pair be called beet?
If one is a tooth and a whole set are teeth,
Why shouldn't the plural of booth be called beeth?

Then one may be that, and three would be those,
Yet hat in the plural would never be hose,
And the plural of cat is cats, not cose.
We speak of a brother and also of brethren,
But though we say mother, we never say methren.
Then the masculine pronouns are he, his and him,
But imagine the feminine: she, shis and shim!

See, it's not so hard after all...

An Ode to Fall as the Snow descends...

Running Apparel

I hate being cold. The worst part is cold hands and feet, and these are common when you are out running for 1 1/2-2 hours. Knowing this, my mom made me a pair of mittens made from a wool sweater and polar fleece. She wanted to make sure that my wrists stayed warm so she made them really long. I teased her that it will be just fine to run with my tank top and mittens. (They also double as sleeping bags for those really cold nights)

Rough Day hanging Christmas lights...

Bowling

Bowling

Bowling

For those who memorized and quoted James 3, there was a special pizza and bowling night.

Christmas lights

Half the fun is figuring out how they got so tangled!

Black Friday

Crystal and I participated in Black Friday, but only as students are able to. Our Black Friday was not spent camping out on a frozen parking lot, rushing the Wal-mart doors in order to buy one of their five poorly constructed flat screened tvs, having a packed shopping cart repeatedly ramming my Achilles tendon in order to make me move quicker through the toy isle, or having to guard my own cart from pillagers as Crystal frantically grabs other merchandise off an inner shelf. No, our Black Friday was spent in a more brutal, exhausting, and stressful way - we worked on our theology papers. Crystal sat all day slaving over the biblical evidence whether Christ could have sinned or not, and I toiled over John's meaning of "kingdom" in his gospel. It was a Black Ink Friday...

Band of Enemies

“What binds us together is not common education, common race, common income levels, common politics, common nationality, common accents, common jobs, or anything else of that sort. Christians come together . . . because . . . they have all been loved by Jesus himself . . .. They are a band of natural enemies who love one another for Jesus’ sake.”
- D.A. Carson, Love in Hard Places (Wheaton, Ill.; Crossway Books, 2002),61.

Running Partners, Part 3

I just returned from a long run. It was my first two hour run since my last marathon, so it was an interesting experience. The weather was cloudy and damp, with occasional showers, but I enjoyed the run.
I spent the first hour running with John Piper. Amazingly he was able to keep up and preach an entire sermon on 2 Corinthians 8 (I believe God is trying to tell me something since I have heard three excellent sermons on the same passage in less than three weeks! Pastor Odens just spoke on the passage yesterday stressing that we must be involved in not only Thanksgiving, but "Thanks-living.")
Then after John Piper had finished, I switched running partners and ran around Lake Harriet with Don Carson. He was being interviewed about the importance of theological training. This interview is a must listen for any student, pastor, or theologically concerned believer. One of his many convicting statements was that "many theological students enter seminary seeking to be mastered by the Word, but gradually fade into desiring to only master the Word" (This is a rough quote since we were running around the lake). He also discussed the danger of having an "upstairs and "downstairs" in a students spiritual life. The student diligently studies the text downstairs, and attempts to live a pious life upstairs, but they never meet.
The final half hour was spent surrounded by some of my favorite Christian artists singing about the Gospel and glories which await those who believe.
The only real regret I had was that I didn't bring along some food! I got so hungry that I was tempted to stop at every gas station and restaurant and ask for a sample!

What is a leaf pile if you can't jump in it?

Remodeling

In our new home we have decided to take on a drastic remodeling. We are getting rid of our windows. Now this may seem overly aggressive to some of you, but we have weighed the evidence and have determined that this is for the best. Here is what we have found:

The positive elements for keeping windows -
1. "Everyone" has windows
2. The long history of windows
3. Windows will be better in the future
4. To much hassle involved in getting rid of one's windows

The negative elements for keeping windows -
1. Nasty stuff can come in through windows
2. Much is let out through windows
3. The opening up and closing of windows can take a long time - and time is important!
4. The construction of windows definitely makes a better opening than a platform.

Really, Macs are the way to go, that is why you won't find Windows in our home.

Imitation and Immaturity

I was walking through a store a while back and passed a few people looking at a jewelry display case. I overheard the teenager say "Are those real diamonds? Look how sparkly they are! Who cares!" I noted it as a good illustration of the mentality found among many Americans today - "I don't care if it is real at long as it sparkles."

For all those hunters

We saw these by the hundreds!

Montana Road Trip

Heading out to my Grandfather's funeral in Sheridan, Montana we were able to enjoy the beautiful snow AFTER it had fallen!

Playing Pool/El Billar Americano

Someone gave my parents a pool table so we have spent some fun times playing. Please don't ask who won....
Alguién les dió a mis papas una mesa de billar americano entonces estamos divirtiédonos jugando. Por favor, no preguntes quién ganó....

Raking

The teens had a raking activity this past week. They were able to rake lawns as an outreach to several families. There was fun all around as they jumped into the large leaf piles and made caramel apples to finish out the afternoon.

Considering my Grandfather's Life

Hebrews 13:7-8
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (ESV)

One of the primary reasons why I am attending my Grandfather's funeral in Montana is in order to consider the outcome of his way of life. He faithfully served God for the extent of his life, and I desire to see how God has used him in the lives of others.
I need to see and consider his outcome of life in order that I might follow his example. Last summer we celebrated with them their 65th wedding anniversary. What an evidence of God's grace in their lives - to bring together two people and keep them together for sixty-five years! Crystal and I have been married for 2 years and 11 months, but I pray that I will learn from and live by his example in order that we may enjoy at least 62 years and one month more.
My childhood of growing up as a son of a pastor was a great experience, and I assume that it was the same for my father's childhood. My grandfather was a pastor for the majority of my father's life, and yet that did not deter him from entering the ministry as it does with so many others. It also is significant that not only my father, but both of his brothers have become pastors as well.
I need to see and consider his outcome of life in order that I may be strengthened in my life. Ministry is hard at times, and to see someone who faithfully ministered throughout his entire life is a great encouragement. Hebrews 12 encourages believers to take strength from those who have gone before in order that they may run the race that is set before them. Some stepped out in faith to head to a new land, some stepped up to face the battle, some stepped down from their positions of prominence in order to follow God. Some were beaten, many were killed, but this world was unworthy of them all. My Grandfather was a man who has joined the ranks of men who have gone before. His testimony encourages me to run this race.
I need to see and consider his outcome of life in order that I may seek to know Christ more. As I contemplate the work of Christ in the life of my Grandfather, it gives me the desire to know Him more. Jesus Christ completely transformed his life for I was able to see the fruits of the Spirit in his life (Gal. 5:22-23), something which is completely out of reach for the unbeliever (John 15:5). What God was able to do in and through him baffles the mind. Truly the Gospel of Christ is the power of God.
I need to see and consider his outcome of life in order that I may rejoice in his present condition (2 Timothy 4:7-8). I would be a fool not to be jealous (Phil. 1:23).

Give it up...

A pastor recently spoke in chapel about giving as explained in 2 Corinthians 8:1-15. This passage highlights three incentive for giving which amount to one.
1. God gives grace to give (1-2)
2. God gave himself to us (9)
3. God can supply the needs of others through us (14-15)
These 3 incentives amount to one overarching incentive -
GOD is the incentive for giving

At the outset of the message, he made the observation that this topic is normally not addressed in colleges or seminaries - due to the general lack of funds possessed by students. I also noticed that the topic is rarely addressed in churches because the pastor may feel guilty about "asking for money." Both of these reasons - lack of funds or guilt -are tragic. They are robbing believers of the benefits of giving!
An example of a giving spirit is found at Desiring God. I truly appreciate the work which they are doing making many books available for free download at their site. They also have Desiring God audio book as a free download. I understand that this is not possible for all authors, but their desire to further the Gospel and not the bank account has challenged me.
Am I willing to give freely of what could financially profit me? The statement "If you want to know what someone loves, look at their bank statement" does have merit.

Old People

So often a visitor evaluates a prospective church by the younger generation present. I am not so sure that young people are the best determinate of spiritual life in a church. Do they have it? I sure hope so! But the trend among the younger generation as a whole is that they are transitory and noncommittal. Therefore, one may join a church because of a large group in that particular age group, but the majority of the group could be gone the next year.
I would postulate that a better determinate of spiritual vitality in a given congregation is in the old people. Is the older generation full of joy and growing? Are they interested in encouraging and edifying the saints? Do they love and admonish others? Are they willing to do their part in the Body of Christ? If you find a church where the older generation loves Christ and seeks to know Him, latch on!

Running Partners, Part 2

During the past two runs I listened to a theological debate on eschatology. I really enjoyed it, although the second hour got pretty heated. I may be different, but I really enjoy listening to theological debates where people get spirited. Disagreements are not intrinsically wrong - they are necessary! How is one ever supposed to grow unless they are challenged on their beliefs? If they are right, they will learn how to defend that. If they are wrong, they will hopefully learn where to change. At the end the participants were honest about their love for the truth and their love for each other, which was very encouraging.
This is not only true for eschatology, but for every area of our life. We must be willing to challenge others and be challenged by others.

Grandpa Grotzke's Homegoing/Abuelo Grotzke está en su hogar celestial

2 Corinthians 5:1-5
1 For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, 3 if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. 4 For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

2 Corintios 5:1-5
1 Porque sabemos, que si nuestra casa terrenal, este tabernáculo, se deshiciere, tenemos de Dios un edificio, una casa no hecha de manos, eterna, en los cielos.
2 Y por esto también gemimos, deseando ser revestidos de aquella nuestra habitación celestial;
3 y si así estamos vestidos, no seremos hallados desnudos.
4 Porque nosotros que estamos en este tabernáculo gemimos con angustia; porque no quisiéramos ser desnudados; sino revestidos, para que lo mortal sea absorbido por la vida.
5 Mas el que nos hizo para esto mismo es Dios, el cual también nos ha dado las arras del Espíritu.

Kid's Connection

Liberty Baptist has a Kid's Connection each summer where kids are invited to come and participate in an "Awana" type program.

New Kicks

I purchased new running shoes and started to enjoying running again! (If you run, don't run in uncomfortable shoes - you will hate ever minute of it.) For the past few weeks my whole body has been groaning inwardly as I awaited a new pair of shoes. I tried on at least ten different pairs looking for the right ones because I didn't want any more blisters. Two new brands that I had never heard about but put out some good shoes are Brooks and Karhu. In my shoe quest I found new running stores, I ran to stores, I searched online, and even looked at Mall of America. My favorite running store is a smaller store in Edina called Gear Running Store. The owner was extremely friendly and very helpful. I also visited TC Running in Eden Prairie, another very helpful store.
The moral of the story is this - find a good pair of shoes, and run.

One picks flowers, the other throws rocks....

It's not easy being Spiderman

I don't ever remember being afraid of spiders. Sure, I think they are nasty and would never make one a pet, but I have not run from them. I have actually interacted with many spiders in my day. I have stomped on large spiders, smashed small ones, flicked daddy long legs and squashed garden spiders. I have watched a black widow move along the wall and held a jar with a brown recluse. I have even tolerated staring at the tarantula displays at zoos. I have not made it through an entire viewing of "Arachnophobia," about 5 minutes was enough for me, but I have picked up dead spiders! All this to say that spiders, although I kill them when I get a chance (my small contribution to subduing the earth), I have no outright vendetta against them or fear of them. This fact is clear in my mind, but obviously not in my subconscious.
One Sunday evening this summer Crystal was awakened by shouts. I personally did not hear the culprit, but she tells me the shrieks were coming from our room. For the sake of the story we will call this sorry fellow, "Seth." Anyway, Crystal was started from her sleep by this ruckus, and she turned to "Seth" and asked if everything was alright. His only response was "Spiders!... spiders!..." and more movement. As soon as these words had escaped his mouth he leapt off the end the bed, taking all the covers with him. This was slightly unnerving for Crystal and more questions were asked as she pondered whether the spiders were on her side of the bed as well.
I suppose the situation would have been quite interesting had I been awake for it. In the middle of the night there is a poor delusional soul kneeling at the end of the bed with all the covers surrounding him, obviously frightened by something, would be something to remember.
In the morning when asked about it, I was foggy. I do remember having a dream where a tarantula was running toward me and I jumped over it, but that is about it. I propose that this "mythical" account was simply a dream of Crystal's.
Now, how did all these covers get on the ground?

Computers

Some just do it right.

I miss my Peruvian parents!/¡Les extraño a mis papas peruanos!

No Fear

I love thinking about the future millennial kingdom of God. The day
when believers will sit with Jesus Christ - free from hunger, disease
and fear. Those will be the good days!

From the Archives

What a Cutie!

Greek Poem

(If you learned other pronunciations for the letters, this may be confusing)

The front view of our home

Running Partners

As I have been running, and for extended periods of time, I have been listening to the New Testament. It is interesting to have Matthew, Mark, John and Luke speaking to me as I plod along. I am listening to the NIV Dramatized Bible which makes it very interesting, not like the monotone single reader which other sets have. It is a great resource to have! As I am running I am able to listen to large portions of Scripture, allowing me to get a wider view than simply reading a paragraph or chapter at a time. I also have been challenged as I hear the interaction which I often skim over as I read. To hear a group of Pharisees denounce Jesus, or an angry crowd threaten Paul brings out the life which I often miss as I read through the passage hastily.
The only problem is when I am running through the woods and the sounds of an earthquake hit. That scares me.

A Frog in the Kitchen/Un Sapo en la Cocina

Seth's parents brought us down a lovely plant last week to put in our
kitchen. We really enjoy having it there, but after a couple of days
we started noticing something strange. Seth did, that is. One day, I
walked into the kitchen as he was peering into the plant with a
flashlight. He thought there may be a frog in the plant as he was
hearing strange noises. Since we don't believe in ghosts, that had to
be our assumption. The problem was, the noise never occurred when I
was in the room, only Seth. Finally, after several days of this, I
heard the noise as well but we still found no frog. Until....the next
day I got up from the table to walk across the kitchen and a frog
jumped out in front of me!! Needless to say, at 6:30 in the morning
and seeing an animal (which I thought was a mouse) in the kitchen
slightly startled me and I may have screamed (a little). We were able
to catch the frog and release him to the wilds of Minneapolis. We are
just wondering now if his wife is still in the plant...

Los padres de Seth trajeron una planta bonita por nosotros la otra
semana. La pusimos en la cocina, pero después de algunos días
escuchábamos algunos sonidos. Pues, Seth escuchaba. Un día, al entrar
la cocina, yo vi a Seth, mirando fijamente en la planta con una
linterna. Él pensaba que quizás un sapo estuviera en la planta porque
él escuchaba sonidos raros de la cocina. Como no creemos en las
fantasmas, tenía que ser un sapo. El problema fue que nunca ocurrió el
sonido cuando yo estaba cerca, solamente cuando Seth estaba allí. Por
fin, algunos días después, yo escuché el sonido también. Pero todavía
no podíamos encontrar el sapo. Hasta...el próximo día cuando yo estaba
caminando en la cocina. ¡Un sapo saltó en frente de mi! Claro que
estaba bien asustada (porque por un rato yo pensé que fuera una rata o
algo) y quizás yo grité (un poco). Pudimos recoger el sapo y liberarlo
afuera. Ahora, estamos preguntándonos si haya una esposa en la planta
también...

Did you Know...

that you can force painted turtles to hibernate, and can keep them
hibernating for quite some time with only the use of several household
items and a refrigerator? First, catch a turtle. Second, wrap the
turtle in a wet paper towel. Third, place the "packaged" turtle in a
ziplock bag appropriately marked so as not to cause problems with
other family members looking for a midnight snack. It is best to label
it something that none of the family members will want to eat, yet
would not want to throw away, like "Amish Friendship Bread Mix."
Fourth, place in the refrigerator. Nearly any place in the
refrigerator will do, although I always thought the "crisper" drawer
was the most appropriate. Fifth, awake when desired by removing the
turtle from his/her "hibernation station." This is most dramatically
done in plain view of the family. For the best results, do it at
dinner time.
*The author holds no responsibility for the results of this knowledge
when placed in the head of an inquisitive boy.

Running Wild

One of my favorite places to run is Bredesen Park. It has walking/biking trails running through ponds and woods. I enjoy it because 1. I don't have to worry about getting run over by a bus, 2. The blowing snow and rain - so common to this month - are partially blocked by trees, and 3. I get to see a plethora of animals such as deer, ducks, geese (although I despise them), and others. This past week as I was running in the snow I saw a marten bound across the trail.
As I run and take in the beauty around me, I praise God. Although this creation groans for a final renewal (Romans 8:23), it also declares the glory of God (Psalm 19).

Running "The Race"

Three weeks ago I began training for a big race this winter. My dad
planted the idea in my mind that we could run around the island of
Cozumel. Before completely commiting to every idea, I have learned to
at least check the plausibility. So, as Charles Lindbergh pulled out
his piece of string and globe, I pulled out trusty Google Earth and
measured it. The greatness of the idea faded much like the image on
the tv as it is powered down. The road around the inhabited part of
the island is 40 miles! I am not sure that it is the best idea to
force ones body to run forty miles, after all, it is a temple. There
are many other rational arguments about why one should never run forty
miles, such as the possibility of sunstroke, extreme blisters, or that
ones legs may fall off.
Well, I suppose I will find out if any of those are legitimate concerns.

"In every temptation let us look up to a crucified Christ, who is fitted and qualified to support tempted souls. Oh my soul, whenever you are assaulted, let the wounds of Christ be your city of refuge where you may fly and live.

Let us learn, in every trouble which presses us—whether it be sin, temptation, or any other evil—to translate it from ourselves to Christ. And all the good in Christ—let us learn to translate it from Christ to ourselves."

—Thomas Brooks, The Golden Key to Open Hidden Treasures

Mall of America

We went to the Mall of America to take Katrina on some rides. She really likes Dora the Explorer. We were able to go through the Build-a-Bear store with "Gaga" (Seth's mom) and Katrina.
Fuimos al Mall of America para que Katrina pudiera ir en los juegos mecanicos. A ella le encanta Dora la Exploradora. Pudimos hacer un peluche con ella y Gaga (su abuela, la mama de Seth).

Our Bathroom/Nuestro baño

We had to paint a large area on our bathroom wall where the people who had lived their previous had taken the mirror off. Pics of the finished product will come someday...
Tuvimos que pintar un area grande en nuestro baño donde la personas quienes vivian en la casa antes habian quitado el espejo. Fotos vienen algun dia del producto complido.

A Definition of Sloth

John Ortberg writes, "Sloth is the failure to do what needs to be done when it needs to be done —like the kamikaze pilot who flew seventeen missions."

Read this on a blog today, and thought it was humorous.

Flowers and Fun

The suspension bridge really got a rise out of them!

Road Rage... errr... Boat Rage.