Day 205-207. Over the weekend I went up to the mountains around Ruidoso, NM.  It was the annual High Altitude Men's Retreat.  We had a great time.  On Friday morning we walked up to the top of the mountain that we were on.  Four guys from my church and a couple of guys from another church and myself made the trek to the top.  We had a time of praise and worship up on the top of that mountain.  It was really great.  Up on that mountain is where I took this picture.  Notice the lack of snow.  It's the middle of February.  There should be lots of snow on the mountain tops.  There may not have been any snow but the Holy Spirit came and saturated the place.  I know that our group came home refreshed and fired up for God.  I hope the news of this retreat spreads though our district and more men will want to come and catch the fire.

Day 199.  I can't believe it's been almost a week since I have blogged.  I have missed it.  Time just got away from me, no excuses.  Later this week I will go to a men's retreat with some of the guys from the church.  The same guys went last year.  That is where this photo was taken.  We had a blast and I am expecting this year to be awesome, too.  I saw this T-Rex  head coming out of a building and I stopped to take a picture.  I'm glad they are extinct.  I wouldn't want to live next to one.  Studying the fossils is just fine.  We all have to deal with our own monsters and we don't need any extras running around.  I wouldn't know how to deal with a real T-Rex, but I know I can handle my monsters because I can do anything through Christ who gives me strength.  

Day 193

Well, a cold front came through today.  It was pretty cool to watch as it came over the horizon, and then across the terrain.  It  lasted most of the day, dropped only enough snow to cover the grass, and then it was gone.  Just like so many things in life, it's here only a short time and then it's gone.  So, enjoy it while you can.  Opportunities come way to far apart to let them slip by.  What causes us to miss those opportunities?  You can make all the excuses you want, but it is mostly because of fear.  We simply don't know the outcome so we are not willing to risk our time or dignity.  Are you more afraid of failing or succeeding?  Think about it.

Day 188

Did you ever have one of those days that seem last forever.  I guess Scooter had one of those days.  He sure looked like it anyway.  He didn't even perk up when we fed him.  Some days are just like that.  But for Scooter everyday is a new day.  He wakes up and yesterday doesn't matter.  He doesn't remember today why I was upset with him yesterday.  Actually, neither do I.  If we treated our friends like we treat our dogs, how many more friends would you have?  And, how many would run away?  Scooter has no reason to run away, he has it good around here. 

Day 186

Day 186, a photo by dgakins2 on Flickr.

I am posting this picture directly from flickr just to see if I can. I took this picture some time ago, but I like it and wanted to show it here. I just thought that it deserved more attention than what it was getting. Every picture should have its fifteen minutes of fame. If only we could be satisfied with that, and quit wanting someone else's fifteen minutes too.

Day 182.  Poor Mr. Man.  In order to ensure that he stays out of trouble we had to place him in a Hannibal Lecter style face cage.  This will ensure that he won't be falsely accused of wrong doing.  Strangely enough, I think he likes it.  He is still smiling anyway.  Actually, Mr. Man was just playing around with Stacy's back scratcher.  He has such a strange sense of humor.  It is fascinating how appearances can make a wrong impression, though.  Just because someone has a tattoo doesn't mean that person is in a biker gang, and having a gun doesn't make you a murderer.  Appearances cause us to jump to conclusions, usually wrong ones.  Instead of looking at people though critical eyes, try to see them through compassion.

Day 181.  Even in death some things can be pretty.  I picked up one of my ministry books and these petals fell out.  I had picked them up and put them in the book some time ago, when they were fresh and still fragrant.  They reminded me of the rose sitting on a shelf behind me that is itself all dried out.  So, I put them together.  Here is the thing, the petals and the rose are from different funerals.  Somehow they ended up preserved and lying around my office.  This week in our area we have had three fatal accidents.  Every one a tragic loss.  Sometimes we think that we are indestructible and life will never end.  The truth is, every day is a gift.  Unwrap it with excitement and enthusiasm, but unwrap it carefully.