I'm a Doubting Thomas

My wife blogged about this song the other day, but I can't help but mention it myself! I first heard this song when cHOOSe performed it two years ago, but I had no idea that Nickel Creek wrote it, and that the original was soo incredible! I've been trying to get the guitar down ever since I got back from Germany and I think I finally have it, albeit a bit slower than the recording. Anyways, I've been playing Doubting Thomas by Nickel Creek, repeatedly, for 4 days. OK, maybe not 24 hours a day, but I wouldn't doubt if it is in my top-10 of all time on my iPOD now :)

I think I love the song so much because it addresses the conflict within my own heart. Trust. Which has a powerful neighbor known as Faith. Who kind of has a stick-in-the-mud neighbor who goes by OBEDIENCE. I want physical sustenance and security to ensure my plans won't be thwarted. Before I get a little risky, I want to know, and I mean KNOW, that there is some type of pre-nup or plan B that can serve as my emergency eject button to salvage some value. In science, we like to know the result and have the data before we even do the experiment (aka, grant writing). But I think we both know that when Abraham was walking up that mountain with Isaac, they were alone. Moses went to Pharoah with nothing but his bumbling-tongue. Such faith is easy to stare at and watch, maybe even stir our own hearts, but hard to shoulder.
The chorus is on FIRE. I took a promise, I get to be friends with my maker, and Christ saved me so that I can have as much or as little relationship with God as I want. Yet my actions show my desires to be south of heaven. I choose to play games with 'what-ifs' rather than give Him my heart and hands. The song goes on to ask for forgiveness for wasted timed mulling around. I hate to think I've wasted what little time God has granted me. All this being said, check out the song. The video is random, but the song is...

"I'm a doubting thomas,
I took a promise,
But I do not feel safe,
Oh me of little faith..."

I've missed you...

It's been a while, no?
From getting ready for the Ribosome Synthesis conference, to the beach, to the conference, I've been really busy over the last several weeks. But the fall semester has officially started and I'm here to stay (for at least a while). That means finding time to write here might be a easier, or at least not as hard!

So last week I had the privilege of attending the 8th conference of Ribosome Biosynthesis in Regensburg, Germany. Now some of you may thinking, SWEET...Germany, what the heck is a Ribosome? But I think most anyone would agree, a trip to Europe is a trip to Europe, who cares what it is for!? The plane ride was incredibly long but once we got over there, plenty of great food, science, and beer made it all worthwhile!

I haven't decided how much to blog about the trip, but I have to share a little. Regensburg is probably one of the coolest cities I've ever been to. For it's relatively modest size (150k), it has a butt-ton of history! The Romans founded it in like, 139, and it managed to survive WWII bombing raids (of which there weren't many due to Regensburg declining economy ever since the Reformation and founding of the Americas). I mean, the stone bridge in the heart of the city carried foot soldiers of the 2nd and 3rd Crusades over the Danube. I stood where Crusaders stood!! I posed in front of a wall that Roman soldiers leaned against while they consumed their rationed one liter of wine and cup of olive oil! How cool is that?! As I walked through the city and visit the buildings, I started to feel like everything was really antiquated and things are just falling apart. But they aren't- it is really cool how they've built around the history and preserved so much of it's history right into its present. It just hit me, my Dad would probably LOVE Regensburg. He is the kind who likes to read every (yes, EVERY) sign at a museum. Of course, these are in German- but I bet he would love it!



It is good to be back in the states though, I hate I had to miss a bunch of the kids at church going back to school and trying to make sure everyone was as happy as possible :) I also missed my wife after about an hour on the plane and then I really, REALLY missed being at work. Oh wait, NO I DIDN'T.


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Now playing: Nickel Creek - Doubting Thomas
via FoxyTunes

The Deception Trap

I love this video! This is probably my favorite out of all of them just because I could SOOO see myself doing some of this to joke around on a fun day outside (keeping in mind I would never cheat like that seriously)....in fact, I have taken very similar "practice swings." And I am definitely going to remember to pull out my 'hand wedge' next time I'm looking to crawl out of a steep bunker :) I have no idea why we (men) feel the need to be good at everything, but man do we try our darndest to make everyone think we are!

Golfisode - Episode 2: The Deception Trap from Granger Community on Vimeo.

Tomorrow's Weather Forecast

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Golf Lessons

I mentioned back in June that I've picked-up another 'sport.' I only put quotes around it because it is more a skill sport than anything else, and it doesn't require much physical effort. Although I like to think I am a quick learner and athletically, I can do anything....it's apparent that golf is NOT one of those sports you can just grab a club and just swing. For several months now I've considered going for some golf lessons at the club down the street, but I'm yet to go cough up the $80/hour that it costs to learn from a Pro. Maybe I should though....apparently there is a lot to learn from golf.

From the same guys who brought most of the videos I've posted here (GCC), over the next couple of days I am going to post their Golfisodes. I think they used these videos to open discussion/sermon on communication. This video opened discussion on timeliness and how proper timing can heavily impact the weight that your words carry. Just in the several months I've read Mark's blog (the Sr. Pastor of GCC) I've noticed he has scripture for just about anything and everything he posts, so this is just like another one of his seemingly random but surprisingly appropriate posts (aside from the fairly crude mention of younger women).

Golfisode - Episode 1: The Timing Trap from Granger Community on Vimeo.

Check back tomorrow for Golfisode 2 and the potential deceptions of communication in the golf game!



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Now playing: Hillsong - Glow
via FoxyTunes

Sunday School

During Sunday School yesterday, Courtney led a short discussion of the future and our plans versus God plans. It was really fun to hear the evolution of some of the girls' career ideas. I hope you can enjoy these excerpts from the conversation...it was certainly fun to listen in!


Taylor: I think I'd want to be a professional soccer player.
Elizabeth: Did that change between childhood and now?
Morgan: Yes, she WANTED to be a Power Ranger! (the pink one, just FYI)

Courtney: I don't want to be stuck in one place, I want a career that will allow me to travel a lot.
Taylor: If you're a soccer player, you get to travel a lot...
Katherine: Well, if you're a power ranger, you get to FLY!