Author: Wick

This week’s Old Testament reading comes from the book of Daniel.  I’d confess that beyond the popular story of the Lions’ Den, and short passages here & there in my studies of Revelation and other apocalyptic writings, I’ve not spent much time with Daniel.

The readings are short (7:1-3, 15-18), and just enough to get a dream and its’ interpretation.  Daniel sees four great winds “churning up the great sea”, and four great unique beasts coming from that sea.  In the 2nd section we get the interpretation: “The four great beasts are the four (kings) that will rise from the earth.”

Before we get caught up in wondering which current or future governments will rise from the earth, we recognize there were four primary oppressive governing bodies over the Jews.  This isn’t news, as we can find this interpretation in several commentaries, and it definitely fits with the message of Daniel/scripture.

1. Chaldeans
2. Persian Monarchy
3. Grecian Monarchy
4. Rome? Turkish Empire? Syria?  (the jury seems out, but sure seems like Rome)

But the primary focus, even beyond these debates, seems to be found in verses 13-14, and verse 18:

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven.  He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed….But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and possess it forever – yes, for ever and ever.”

A good reminder, for sure. 🙂

Recently I was given a copy of “The Seven Minute Difference“, along with a soon-to-be-released companion daily planner.  I smiled, automatically relegating these things into the “won’t really impact me, but I’m forced to write something about ’em so I’ll give it a go” category.  I was somewhat wrong.

Turns out, the “7 Minute Difference” is simply using a few short moments a day to make sure what you’re doing with your day is connected to what you ultimately hope to do in life…both short and long term.  The planner itself is organized in such a way as to remind you to be taking those small steps on a daily basis, and staying on task with them on your mind.  Being honest, the planner was too much for my ADD.  Anytime you need 11 pages to explain HOW to use a planner, you’re over my head.  Turns out, it’s easy to use…if you use planners.   Maybe there will be an app for it someday…I might try that.  For more information, I encourage you to check out the Seven Minute Life System yourself.

One of the things that frustrated my wife over the past several years, is my lack of “dreaming” when it comes to our home.  Sure, I would agree when she asked me, I want a house where our girls can have closets.  I would like a house with sidewalks so we can teach them how to ride a bicycle.  I’d love a street with less traffic…etc.

But none of my actions/words ever conveyed that I intended to do anything other than live where we were for the rest of our lives.

This book pointed out to me, I may be doing the exact same thing in other areas of my life.  Allyson Lewis points out the importance of putting our “Life Purpose” into words, and then making lists of Goals and Micro-goals that move toward that purpose.  Although I will confess, I had a hard time coming up with a “Life Purpose”.  Mainly I think I was trying to see through her lens, which seemed optimistically too much about the vague notions of “success”, “security”, and “growth”…all business-oriented phrases that I’m not really motivated much by.

My “Life Purpose” would probably sound something like “My purpose in life is New Creation.  To experience being made new by God, & to be involved in His making all things new in Christ.  Desiring the same for my wife, our marriage, my children, my family, my relationships with those I love, and those I need to be reminded to love.  I pray the ministry God allows me to be a part of to be actively growing New disciples of Christ, and connecting believers in relationship across families and generations…toward the coming of God’s Kingdom.”

Now…that’s always been there in the background.  But not really in words.  And even now that it’s in words, I find myself critiquing and wanting to reword it.  Yet, there is a solid beginning.  A purpose that my daily actions, large and small, should be united by and part of.

I love the ministry God allows me to be a part of.   But I’ll be honest – I would probably be just fine if it looked very similar 10 years down the road.  Just as I’d be just fine if I lived in the same house.  But “just fine” doesn’t imply that’s what I want.  I want stronger relationships with my volunteers.  I want to be more connected with the families, and see teenagers deeper connected to the discipleship happening at home.

I think that often because I fight the mentality seen throughout this book of professional “success”, “growth”, and “security”, I forget that “content” doesn’t necessarily mean things have to remain the same.  I am thoroughly content, and thankful for where I am in so many areas of my life.  But I desire what can be…

And so it begins. We’ve kicked off the last bit of off-season dust, and have begun the journey toward awarding the 2011 Stanley Cup. Maybe you’re new to this fanatical experience of the NHL. Perhaps you’re a long-time fan with records of every Gordie Howe Hat Trick ever made. And possibly, you think a “hat trick” is probably something the goalie does involving taking off his protective head gear.

But what you all may have in common? Fantasy Hockey.

Personally, I’ve grown up watching hockey as far back as I can remember. I love it. So did most of the people I grew up around. But then I moved to the middle of Illinois. Now I find myself surrounded by basketball, football, and even a few baseball fans, many of whom have never watched a full NHL game, unless you count Chicago’s win last season.

So what do I do? I trick as many local guys as I can to put their ego’s to the test in the realm of Fantasy Hockey. Sure, sometimes I do alright. But overall, my “win” comes in the form of having a group of guys I can talk hockey with…both online, and in person.

And what a season it’s already turning out to be.

In the West, the 2010 Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks are fighting to make a statement. What statement? “Even though we lost some great players due to salary cap issues, we are still as much a team to be reckoned with.” Watch for Marian Hossa to continue gaining productivity as the season moves forward. He may have finally won a Stanley Cup after an emotional chase, but now he’s tasted victory and has more time on the ice than last season.

But that’s not all the West has to offer. This week saw the match up between the “Old” and “New” regimes of hockey, and it was VERY close. The Detroit Redwings took on the Colorado Avelanche in Detroit. The team captains age at 40 and 39, respectively, but only one truly represents the age of the men behind him. Nicklas Lidstrom, backed by a Detroit team aged mainly 25-40, and isn’t available in your fantasy league for a reason. He’s solid.

Adam Foote on the other hand, is surrounded by so many young whipper snappers starting at age 19, you wonder if Colorado will keep him around for another season? Yet even with much less experience, the Colorado Kids gave Detroit a pummeling on Tuesday night, tallying 38 shots to the Wings total of 28.

Any team that can give a performance like that in Hockeytown USA, is worth checking into.  You might take a chance on David Jones if you’ve got a deeper league, with an open RW position. Ousted by an injury mid-season last year, it’s hard to know what he would have accomplished. But the 20 minutes a game he’s playing right now says Colorado has confidence in his ability to produce, and they were rewarded for that confidence Tuesday night.