Aucun doute que j'ai dégusté en fin de semaine...
Le titre fait référence à un film avec Burt Reynolds qui joue le rôle d'un ex-champion de football américain accusé de corruption.Condamné à une peine de deux ans de prison , le directeur lui propose d'entraîner l'équipe des gardiens.
J'ai pas pris des gnons dans la figure mais c'était tout comme ;-) Après avoir examiné la trentaine de trades depuis mercredi-jeudi et vendredi , je n'arrive toujours pas à comprendre pourquoi j'étais long dollar alors que l'eurusd manifestement brulait tous les feux rouges vers un plus haut.
En fait je crois savoir pourquoi : mon esprit s'était auto-convaincu que le dollar allait se reprendre, qu'il y aurait des prises de bénéfices, que le marché se rendrait compte qu'on avait brossé un tableau trop pessimiste de l'économie US et que les exportateurs européens allaient commencer à sentir leur douleur.
Alors de façon inconsciente, j'ai presque anticipé que le marché allait se retourner au moment au j'entrais en position. Ben, ca n'a pas marché comme prévu.... Pourtant aucun trade n'a vraiment été une perte importante, mais une trentaine de scalps coupés rapidement , cela coûte cher malgré tout.
Ce n'est pas tant la perte financière qui m'ennuie, mais l'erreur absolue de raisonnement, comment ai-je pu être aveugle à ce point? C'est quasi une erreur de débutant que je pensais pourtant ne plus rééditer. Je vais peut-être devoir engager un type pour me donner des baffes quand je sors des clous. :-) Bon, lundi on reprends !
domingo, 30 de septiembre de 2007
Fall Has Arrived
So far we've had a wonderful weekend. The weather has been absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed a morning of playing football and riding toys yesterday morning. I cooked chocolate chip pancakes and sausage for breakfast which the kids amazingly ate up ;-). Leslie got to get out with "the girls" (her mom, sister and sister-in-law) for a little bit, which was fun for her but wore her out.
Nannie continues about status quo. It's hard to think about.
Nannie continues about status quo. It's hard to think about.
sábado, 29 de septiembre de 2007
Momentum in Missions
I thought I would write something on missions (or share something I wrote to a church missions committee chairman recently), since I do this every day. This is actually a modified version. My thought is I would have it to use again in the future if I put it on my blog, but it also might encourage others. Or someone out there might write something really provocative and tell me I've made no sense. Either way, this is in response to a missions committee chairman who had asked for some suggestions for his church. They had recently asked families to adopt missionaries, and wanted to make a great impact and maintain the momentum.
This is a great idea and I hope that it is going well so far. Here are some of my initial thoughts about how to keep people involved:
1) Promote it! - Folks won’t maintain the momentum or awareness on their own. They need to continually hear about it and see it, from the pulpit, in the bulletin, in small groups, etc… People are busy these days, and even though their hearts are in the right place, their minds are often distracted by a million other things. Instead of simply continually reminding them, you could suggest things such as the following:
a. How to pray - use this document (particularly the second page) to suggest weekly or bi-weekly ways they can pray specifically for their missionary family (there are 34 items, to which you could add others). You could email/mail a note every other week, and rather than say, “pray for your missionary,” you can say, “pray for your missionary, specifically for their understanding the differences between themselves and others on their team.”) You could elaborate more to spur their thoughts to deeper concern and prayer. Bottom line is that prayer is one of the key ways to minister through and to missions so modeling prayer, creating a prayer book, praying in worship services, planning a time of prayer emphasis, praying for the persecuted church, teaching people to pray, etc…are all great ways to move people from wanting to pray to actually praying.
b. Country Fact Sheet - either encourage folks to find or send families a “fact sheet” about a country; use a website like Operation World (or you can use the book by the same title) to email/mail people facts that will spur prayer and develop understanding
c. Missionary Fact Sheet - this could be something very simple that you put together (or get help from us to put it together) that is either specific about a missionary or very general about missionaries (such as issues facing “Third Culture Kids” or the struggles of learning a new language); sharing some such facts as are on this website in a bulletin sidebar, can remind people about language differences, and thus how to pray more specifically for a missionary
2) Story telling - I would suggest that it not just be “remember to contact your missionary family,” but use ways that would encourage (and thus motivate), such as story telling. One way is to have one family each month or so, give a report of what is going on. This could be on a Sunday morning, in a SS class or small group, or some other public format. They will thus inform the church of the work of the missionary, but will also share ideas they’ve come up with to minister to the missionary. It will motivate others to do this and keep the church aware of how they can pray. (e.g. The Jones, Browns and Smiths have adopted the Johnson family; they learn the Johnsons are using teaching English as a second language as a ministry to connect with unbelievers and share the Gospel; one way they do this is with American magazines, but they have trouble getting them regularly where they are; so the Jones, Browns and Smiths decide to start collecting the magazines they get and ship them together over to the Johnsons - when they tell this story to the church, others get ideas of what they can do and they learn about the Johnsons’ English ministry and how folks are coming to Christ through it)
3) Report it - when good things happen, tell everyone. You may get an email from a missionary telling you how much this has meant to them, or you become aware of something creative a family has done. When you do, report it.
4) Connect - as you mentioned, when missionaries come to the US, allow them to have some meaningful “connection” time with the church body; but also consider connecting through 2-week trips. Any 2-week trip that the church might take should definitely go to one of these 7 places, not to another place. Furthermore, the church should send the pastor annually or every other year, to visit one of these families. And he should come back and report. This is often where missionaries praise the church for their meaningful ministry to them (to the pastor when he visits). But then when these 2-week teams come back, or the pastor returns, they are all a resource to the adopting family for ways to minister (e.g. we noticed they love Reese’s cups and they can’t get them there; their computer is really old and they could use a new one; the kids love reading Hardy Boys books but only have 10 of them; etc…). Remember to consider the uniqueness of your church for connecting; that is, have folks brainstorm as to how they can uniquely connect with the field. Consider the attached Partnership Case Study as a guide for how churches can use their unique skills, assets, etc… to make a big impact on the field.
5) Read - provide a “book nook” of missionary biographies and relevant missiological books that will prompt prayer, and acts of thoughtfulness; you can see a list of recommended reading here; reading will prompt a lot of good acts and keep people mindful; it may even be good to read books together, for as many people who will participate
I wouldn’t expect every missionary to be as well taken care of as everyone else. There will be variety in the care given, based on the participation. I guess I wouldn’t make that the measure of success. Instead, I would consider any meaningful connection with the field a success. I would bet that over time it will grow.
One of the things we’re seeing is that churches want more meaningful connections to the field. Many churches (especially larger ones) are trying to become their own sending agency in an attempt to accomplish this. But this extreme isn’t necessary (or very efficient). What you’ve described is a wonderful way to make that kind of meaningful connection, and better serve your missionaries. I think what you’ll see over time is a greater desire on your peoples’ part to give more and to go more. And given enough time, I think you’ll see future missionaries grow up out of this work.
This is a great idea and I hope that it is going well so far. Here are some of my initial thoughts about how to keep people involved:
1) Promote it! - Folks won’t maintain the momentum or awareness on their own. They need to continually hear about it and see it, from the pulpit, in the bulletin, in small groups, etc… People are busy these days, and even though their hearts are in the right place, their minds are often distracted by a million other things. Instead of simply continually reminding them, you could suggest things such as the following:
a. How to pray - use this document (particularly the second page) to suggest weekly or bi-weekly ways they can pray specifically for their missionary family (there are 34 items, to which you could add others). You could email/mail a note every other week, and rather than say, “pray for your missionary,” you can say, “pray for your missionary, specifically for their understanding the differences between themselves and others on their team.”) You could elaborate more to spur their thoughts to deeper concern and prayer. Bottom line is that prayer is one of the key ways to minister through and to missions so modeling prayer, creating a prayer book, praying in worship services, planning a time of prayer emphasis, praying for the persecuted church, teaching people to pray, etc…are all great ways to move people from wanting to pray to actually praying.
b. Country Fact Sheet - either encourage folks to find or send families a “fact sheet” about a country; use a website like Operation World (or you can use the book by the same title) to email/mail people facts that will spur prayer and develop understanding
c. Missionary Fact Sheet - this could be something very simple that you put together (or get help from us to put it together) that is either specific about a missionary or very general about missionaries (such as issues facing “Third Culture Kids” or the struggles of learning a new language); sharing some such facts as are on this website in a bulletin sidebar, can remind people about language differences, and thus how to pray more specifically for a missionary
2) Story telling - I would suggest that it not just be “remember to contact your missionary family,” but use ways that would encourage (and thus motivate), such as story telling. One way is to have one family each month or so, give a report of what is going on. This could be on a Sunday morning, in a SS class or small group, or some other public format. They will thus inform the church of the work of the missionary, but will also share ideas they’ve come up with to minister to the missionary. It will motivate others to do this and keep the church aware of how they can pray. (e.g. The Jones, Browns and Smiths have adopted the Johnson family; they learn the Johnsons are using teaching English as a second language as a ministry to connect with unbelievers and share the Gospel; one way they do this is with American magazines, but they have trouble getting them regularly where they are; so the Jones, Browns and Smiths decide to start collecting the magazines they get and ship them together over to the Johnsons - when they tell this story to the church, others get ideas of what they can do and they learn about the Johnsons’ English ministry and how folks are coming to Christ through it)
3) Report it - when good things happen, tell everyone. You may get an email from a missionary telling you how much this has meant to them, or you become aware of something creative a family has done. When you do, report it.
4) Connect - as you mentioned, when missionaries come to the US, allow them to have some meaningful “connection” time with the church body; but also consider connecting through 2-week trips. Any 2-week trip that the church might take should definitely go to one of these 7 places, not to another place. Furthermore, the church should send the pastor annually or every other year, to visit one of these families. And he should come back and report. This is often where missionaries praise the church for their meaningful ministry to them (to the pastor when he visits). But then when these 2-week teams come back, or the pastor returns, they are all a resource to the adopting family for ways to minister (e.g. we noticed they love Reese’s cups and they can’t get them there; their computer is really old and they could use a new one; the kids love reading Hardy Boys books but only have 10 of them; etc…). Remember to consider the uniqueness of your church for connecting; that is, have folks brainstorm as to how they can uniquely connect with the field. Consider the attached Partnership Case Study as a guide for how churches can use their unique skills, assets, etc… to make a big impact on the field.
5) Read - provide a “book nook” of missionary biographies and relevant missiological books that will prompt prayer, and acts of thoughtfulness; you can see a list of recommended reading here; reading will prompt a lot of good acts and keep people mindful; it may even be good to read books together, for as many people who will participate
I wouldn’t expect every missionary to be as well taken care of as everyone else. There will be variety in the care given, based on the participation. I guess I wouldn’t make that the measure of success. Instead, I would consider any meaningful connection with the field a success. I would bet that over time it will grow.
One of the things we’re seeing is that churches want more meaningful connections to the field. Many churches (especially larger ones) are trying to become their own sending agency in an attempt to accomplish this. But this extreme isn’t necessary (or very efficient). What you’ve described is a wonderful way to make that kind of meaningful connection, and better serve your missionaries. I think what you’ll see over time is a greater desire on your peoples’ part to give more and to go more. And given enough time, I think you’ll see future missionaries grow up out of this work.
viernes, 28 de septiembre de 2007
It's Friday!
It's not untypical to get an email each Friday from my Dad that simply says, "It's Friday!" There's a lot of good about a Friday, and today is an example. Leslie seemed to have a pretty good day, as did the kids. We celebrated tonight with popcorn and a movie. I had to do a gas and grocery store run, but got a chance to see a few minutes of the Hermie movie with the kids and Les. I got a kick out of two of the characters, voiced by none other than Rick & Bubba (morning radio show hosts in Birmingham that I miss listening to).
Some friends from church brought us a wonderful dinner, which always takes a load off us. We came home to a beautifully clean house thanks to Cindy. During dinner we recounted so many blessings that we have experienced recently. I am especially thankful for how relaxed a clean house makes Leslie. She went to bed shortly after the kids, to watch some TV. I found her sleeping soundly shortly thereafter. Thank you Lord!
It was a good week for the kids too. McGrooter did not get his clip moved at all this week, which we were all thankful for. The teacher moves students clips when they do not follow directions. So many moves and they lose recess and such. Aggie is showing such responsibility at home, making her lunch, bathing herself, and even helping her siblings. Tonight when the Munch got hurt, Aggie went and got her a band-aid and put it on. The Munch regularly brightens my day, especially when I see her happily greet her teachers each morning when I drop her off at school. I think it makes them happy too to have a child who is happy every morning.
This morning I heard a funny song that I thought many moms would enjoy. Here is the video:
Some friends from church brought us a wonderful dinner, which always takes a load off us. We came home to a beautifully clean house thanks to Cindy. During dinner we recounted so many blessings that we have experienced recently. I am especially thankful for how relaxed a clean house makes Leslie. She went to bed shortly after the kids, to watch some TV. I found her sleeping soundly shortly thereafter. Thank you Lord!
It was a good week for the kids too. McGrooter did not get his clip moved at all this week, which we were all thankful for. The teacher moves students clips when they do not follow directions. So many moves and they lose recess and such. Aggie is showing such responsibility at home, making her lunch, bathing herself, and even helping her siblings. Tonight when the Munch got hurt, Aggie went and got her a band-aid and put it on. The Munch regularly brightens my day, especially when I see her happily greet her teachers each morning when I drop her off at school. I think it makes them happy too to have a child who is happy every morning.
This morning I heard a funny song that I thought many moms would enjoy. Here is the video:
jueves, 27 de septiembre de 2007
Pray for Sleep
The girls were up last night. It seems like we can't catch a break when it comes to sleep. We're all worn out, especially Leslie. Please pray that everyone will sleep through the night, that pain won't wake up Leslie, and that the kids will stay in bed. It probably sounds petty, and I know this isn't abnormal, but the compounding of everything sure adds up and we're longing for strength.
miércoles, 26 de septiembre de 2007
Downward Day
Today was a downward day for Leslie. Overall I think she's making progress but it feels more like three steps forward and two steps back. It's progress, but slow. She was really worn out and is still struggling from the effects of radiation. I think the emotional exhaustion is bearing its weight on her as well. We're all ready for this to be over, as silly as that probably sounds. Who wouldn't be?
She still manages to do a lot for our family. Tonight she cooked a yummy dinner of eggs and broccoli wrapped in a tortilla. The kids scarfed it up which is always a blessing. She then read with the kids, helped McGrooter with his homework, and went through flash cards of sight words and math problems. She continues to amaze me.
I'm still learning how to be understanding and compassionate. I'm such a man when it comes to this, still thinking there is something I have to fix. I need to learn that I don't need to say anything more than, "I'm sorry and I love you." I think this is true for so many people when they hurt. This is true for me too. In times like this I don't want to hear instruction or a solution. Those things often seem to demean my pain. And so I need to show more compassion like this to her.
Leslie's grandmother is back in the nursing home, but they have called in hospice. There really seems to be no improvement for Nannie. They are just trying to make her comfortable. Please continue to pray for Nannie and Poppie. I know he is beyond exhausted.
Pray too the kids would sleep through the night. We have not had an uninteruppted night of sleep in a long time.
She still manages to do a lot for our family. Tonight she cooked a yummy dinner of eggs and broccoli wrapped in a tortilla. The kids scarfed it up which is always a blessing. She then read with the kids, helped McGrooter with his homework, and went through flash cards of sight words and math problems. She continues to amaze me.
I'm still learning how to be understanding and compassionate. I'm such a man when it comes to this, still thinking there is something I have to fix. I need to learn that I don't need to say anything more than, "I'm sorry and I love you." I think this is true for so many people when they hurt. This is true for me too. In times like this I don't want to hear instruction or a solution. Those things often seem to demean my pain. And so I need to show more compassion like this to her.
Leslie's grandmother is back in the nursing home, but they have called in hospice. There really seems to be no improvement for Nannie. They are just trying to make her comfortable. Please continue to pray for Nannie and Poppie. I know he is beyond exhausted.
Pray too the kids would sleep through the night. We have not had an uninteruppted night of sleep in a long time.
lunes, 24 de septiembre de 2007
Like a Child
Today, Leslie returned to work for half a day. She had a good weekend, but this morning was pretty rough. She ended up making it through work but came home exhausted. When she called I was able to leave work, due to a very gracious boss, to go home and help. It was a blessing as she was able to rest.
I've been thinking a lot about my prayer life lately as I observe my children. When they ask something of me there is such a sincerity on their part. There really is no fear. But they often don't know what they are asking for, nor what is best for them. But they still ask. And with many things, they ask again and again. A good example as of late is their request for a dog. They really want one. Munchkin wants one so badly that she asks almost daily. She even pretends to be a dog, removing all but her underpants and going around on all fours barking at us until we acknowledge her. If we call her by name, she corrects us, "I'm a dog," or, "I'm Cheyanne" (the name of Wil & Kristin's dog). It's funny because they have no idea about what is involved in caring for a dog. They don't understand the difference between breeds, the costs, the potential barking at night, or vet bills. All they know is that they want a dog.
I'm a lot like my kids in terms of my wants. I want my wife to be healthy, my kids to enjoy these years (having time to enjoy life with me, rather than being frustrated by me as I struggle with all that's being juggled), financial freedom, a return to pastoral ministry. But right now, so many of my wants elude me. And I find myself not asking for these things the way my kids ask me. I come fearfully, afraid I'm praying the wrong things, or thinking I haven't earned them. I try to qualify everything. Rather than coming as a child, full of trust and persistence, I come with little faith and with little regularity. And I'm also like my kids in that I don't know what is best for me. Much like they are not ready to care for a dog, I am not who God wants me to be yet. But this doesn't mean I have to earn the right. Thankfully, it doesn't work that way. Just like I am preparing my kids for greater responsibility, and greater challenges, God is preparing me for the same. And just like I'll know (or will hopefully know) the right time for my kids to have a dog, God does know the right time to grant me many things that I want for our lives. And He also knows the things that I don't need (even if I am completely convinced that I do need them).
And so I am learning, and being challenged, to pray like my kids pray, to come boldly to the throne of grace in the same way they come boldly to me. And just like my kids ask permission for so many things (or at least I wish they would), I need to pray, "God, is this your will?" Just think, if we prayed that before every financial decision we made, or before every conversation we had, or before every time we sought justice for some wrong that had been done to us. Recently, we were eating out and Leslie had taken the girls to the bathroom (no small endeavor). When she returned, I could tell she was frustrated. She recounted to me that a lady had repeatedly jerked on the door handle to get in. When they finished, the lady glared at her. As we walked out, I saw the lady and could tell she was telling her partner what had happened (and she was visibly angry. I, filled with lots of self-righteousness, made a comment (loud enough for her to hear) to the effect that people with kids just don't understand. I so wanted justice. I wanted to go back in and tell her that my wife has colon cancer. I wanted her to know she was wrong. But if only I had prayed, "God, is this your will?", I would have been convicted to keep my mouth shut. Justice is God's job, not mine. Once again, I lived according to my own wisdom and my own strength. And of course, in that very limited wisdom (or you might call it foolishness) and strength, I was able to accomplish nothing.
This is a trite example in some ways, but it shows me how I really fail on a daily basis to walk by faith (and thus pray without ceasing). I cut back in front of the person who just cut me off on the highway because I walk according to the flesh. If I prayed for them I'd probably show a lot more grace. And I'd leave justice to God. Furthermore, I don't even account for the burdens others are carrying. How many times in the past few months have I done things on the highway that offended others because my mind was bogged down with our situation, or because I was so tired? But if I was talking with my Father the way my kids interact with me, I would more than likely remember in these situations how I should act.
Tonight as I stepped into the garage to get something out of my office, I was overcome by God's presence. I stopped and realized, "God is with me. He's right here!" I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for a dozen things right then because I was suddenly aware of how good God is. And then I thought, "this is true all of the time, God is always this close." I wondered, "what if I talked to Him like this without ceasing?" I know I'd suddenly watch the stress meter go down, as I did in this moment. I know I'd see Him working in ways that I am so often blind to. And I know I'd sin a lot less.
And so my desire is to be, like my children, a jabber-mouth of sorts (no comments please, I know that I am already). What I mean is that I want to really pray without ceasing. I want to move through my life with the conversation of a child, asking boldly, thanking heartfeltly (is that a word?), and doing so continually. I need not wait until I get "the dog." Just like I tell my kids, "we have a lot to be thankful for," I want them to appreciate how God has blessed us, but I know that won't stop the desire to be blessed further. I'm speaking in terms of material things for illustration, but that is not what I am getting at. Just like I want my kids to be thankful for their dad, not for what their dad gives them or what I do for them, I also want to be content in who my Father is. Prayer is such a key to this. So I will keep praying, thanking and asking, with trust and frankness, on and on...just like my kids!
I've been thinking a lot about my prayer life lately as I observe my children. When they ask something of me there is such a sincerity on their part. There really is no fear. But they often don't know what they are asking for, nor what is best for them. But they still ask. And with many things, they ask again and again. A good example as of late is their request for a dog. They really want one. Munchkin wants one so badly that she asks almost daily. She even pretends to be a dog, removing all but her underpants and going around on all fours barking at us until we acknowledge her. If we call her by name, she corrects us, "I'm a dog," or, "I'm Cheyanne" (the name of Wil & Kristin's dog). It's funny because they have no idea about what is involved in caring for a dog. They don't understand the difference between breeds, the costs, the potential barking at night, or vet bills. All they know is that they want a dog.
I'm a lot like my kids in terms of my wants. I want my wife to be healthy, my kids to enjoy these years (having time to enjoy life with me, rather than being frustrated by me as I struggle with all that's being juggled), financial freedom, a return to pastoral ministry. But right now, so many of my wants elude me. And I find myself not asking for these things the way my kids ask me. I come fearfully, afraid I'm praying the wrong things, or thinking I haven't earned them. I try to qualify everything. Rather than coming as a child, full of trust and persistence, I come with little faith and with little regularity. And I'm also like my kids in that I don't know what is best for me. Much like they are not ready to care for a dog, I am not who God wants me to be yet. But this doesn't mean I have to earn the right. Thankfully, it doesn't work that way. Just like I am preparing my kids for greater responsibility, and greater challenges, God is preparing me for the same. And just like I'll know (or will hopefully know) the right time for my kids to have a dog, God does know the right time to grant me many things that I want for our lives. And He also knows the things that I don't need (even if I am completely convinced that I do need them).
And so I am learning, and being challenged, to pray like my kids pray, to come boldly to the throne of grace in the same way they come boldly to me. And just like my kids ask permission for so many things (or at least I wish they would), I need to pray, "God, is this your will?" Just think, if we prayed that before every financial decision we made, or before every conversation we had, or before every time we sought justice for some wrong that had been done to us. Recently, we were eating out and Leslie had taken the girls to the bathroom (no small endeavor). When she returned, I could tell she was frustrated. She recounted to me that a lady had repeatedly jerked on the door handle to get in. When they finished, the lady glared at her. As we walked out, I saw the lady and could tell she was telling her partner what had happened (and she was visibly angry. I, filled with lots of self-righteousness, made a comment (loud enough for her to hear) to the effect that people with kids just don't understand. I so wanted justice. I wanted to go back in and tell her that my wife has colon cancer. I wanted her to know she was wrong. But if only I had prayed, "God, is this your will?", I would have been convicted to keep my mouth shut. Justice is God's job, not mine. Once again, I lived according to my own wisdom and my own strength. And of course, in that very limited wisdom (or you might call it foolishness) and strength, I was able to accomplish nothing.
This is a trite example in some ways, but it shows me how I really fail on a daily basis to walk by faith (and thus pray without ceasing). I cut back in front of the person who just cut me off on the highway because I walk according to the flesh. If I prayed for them I'd probably show a lot more grace. And I'd leave justice to God. Furthermore, I don't even account for the burdens others are carrying. How many times in the past few months have I done things on the highway that offended others because my mind was bogged down with our situation, or because I was so tired? But if I was talking with my Father the way my kids interact with me, I would more than likely remember in these situations how I should act.
Tonight as I stepped into the garage to get something out of my office, I was overcome by God's presence. I stopped and realized, "God is with me. He's right here!" I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for a dozen things right then because I was suddenly aware of how good God is. And then I thought, "this is true all of the time, God is always this close." I wondered, "what if I talked to Him like this without ceasing?" I know I'd suddenly watch the stress meter go down, as I did in this moment. I know I'd see Him working in ways that I am so often blind to. And I know I'd sin a lot less.
And so my desire is to be, like my children, a jabber-mouth of sorts (no comments please, I know that I am already). What I mean is that I want to really pray without ceasing. I want to move through my life with the conversation of a child, asking boldly, thanking heartfeltly (is that a word?), and doing so continually. I need not wait until I get "the dog." Just like I tell my kids, "we have a lot to be thankful for," I want them to appreciate how God has blessed us, but I know that won't stop the desire to be blessed further. I'm speaking in terms of material things for illustration, but that is not what I am getting at. Just like I want my kids to be thankful for their dad, not for what their dad gives them or what I do for them, I also want to be content in who my Father is. Prayer is such a key to this. So I will keep praying, thanking and asking, with trust and frankness, on and on...just like my kids!
domingo, 23 de septiembre de 2007
Des nouvelles de Refco...
Quelle surprise de recevoir cette semaine un chèque de Refco dans ma boite aux lettres !
Pour ceux qui n'ont pas suivi les péripéties de ce broker U.S . , il suffit juste de savoir que le pdg de la boite avait trafiqué les comptes et soustrait plus ou moins 400 millions de dollars. Il fallu plusieurs mois aux auditeurs pour découvrir le pot aux roses mais dès que des bribes d'informations filtrèrent dans la presse en octobre 2005, il ne fallu pas plus d'une semaine pour qu' un des plus grands courtiers américains se retrouve en faillite et tous les comptes des clients bloqués.
Ayant de par le passé déjà participé à une "class action" ( une action judiciaire commune d'actionnaires) je savais à quel point des rumeurs pouvaient couler une société en moins de temps qu'il ne faut pour le dire. En un clic de souris, je retirai tous mes avoirs de Refco et ma prompte réaction fut salutaire: je fus probablement un des derniers clients remboursé avant le gel des comptes. J'avais juste laissé +/- 120 $ sur le compte pour continuer à bénéficier du service de nouvelles financières du courtier ; de manière étonnante il fonctionna encore plusieurs semaines.
Pour moi Refco était du passé et une expérience pleine d'enseignements salutaires. Or les Américains vont souvent au bout des choses et donc la liquidition de la société continua malgré tout et des clients se voient remboursés une partie de leur solde. Le chèque de 48 USD :-) est accompagné d'une lettre spécifiant que ce règlement constitue 40 % du solde de mon compte et constituera un règlement définitif de cette aventure.
Pour ceux qui n'ont pas suivi les péripéties de ce broker U.S . , il suffit juste de savoir que le pdg de la boite avait trafiqué les comptes et soustrait plus ou moins 400 millions de dollars. Il fallu plusieurs mois aux auditeurs pour découvrir le pot aux roses mais dès que des bribes d'informations filtrèrent dans la presse en octobre 2005, il ne fallu pas plus d'une semaine pour qu' un des plus grands courtiers américains se retrouve en faillite et tous les comptes des clients bloqués.
Ayant de par le passé déjà participé à une "class action" ( une action judiciaire commune d'actionnaires) je savais à quel point des rumeurs pouvaient couler une société en moins de temps qu'il ne faut pour le dire. En un clic de souris, je retirai tous mes avoirs de Refco et ma prompte réaction fut salutaire: je fus probablement un des derniers clients remboursé avant le gel des comptes. J'avais juste laissé +/- 120 $ sur le compte pour continuer à bénéficier du service de nouvelles financières du courtier ; de manière étonnante il fonctionna encore plusieurs semaines.
Pour moi Refco était du passé et une expérience pleine d'enseignements salutaires. Or les Américains vont souvent au bout des choses et donc la liquidition de la société continua malgré tout et des clients se voient remboursés une partie de leur solde. Le chèque de 48 USD :-) est accompagné d'une lettre spécifiant que ce règlement constitue 40 % du solde de mon compte et constituera un règlement définitif de cette aventure.
sábado, 22 de septiembre de 2007
Jewish Penicillin
Dad always says chicken soup is Jewish penicillin. I think I'm going to order some hot and sour or other chicken-based soup tonight because I still feel horrible. The kids have done really well today. Leslie has been "cat herding" them to clean their rooms and straighten the house in general. I can actually see the floor in their rooms, so that's an improvement. I managed to carry out the trash and compost, and spray for some ants before I had to come back in and sit down. My head was pounding and I felt like I'd just done some kind of long, manual labor. Leslie has been ten times as productive as me these past 2 days. :-( She really amazes me with her strength. I know she's not feeling near 100%, but she's been caring for me and the kids like has nothing to complain about.
viernes, 21 de septiembre de 2007
More Sickness
I've been down with something since Wednesday night. I'm hoping it's just a sinus infection and that I can get over it quickly. But I'm pretty zapped from whatever it is.
We were able to celebrate (kind of) Leslie's birthday Wednesday evening before I started feeling bad. It wasn't much of a celebration as she wasn't feeling great, her dad was at the hospital with her grandmother, her grandfather was home sick, and her brother was working. We'll have a postponed party for Leslie once she is feeling better.
The kids seem to be feeling better, they're all still coughing and such. I'm just praying Leslie doesn't get any of it. If we just had the basement finished she could kick me down there to stay away from her until I'm better. Oh please don't throw me in the briar patch! :-)
We were able to celebrate (kind of) Leslie's birthday Wednesday evening before I started feeling bad. It wasn't much of a celebration as she wasn't feeling great, her dad was at the hospital with her grandmother, her grandfather was home sick, and her brother was working. We'll have a postponed party for Leslie once she is feeling better.
The kids seem to be feeling better, they're all still coughing and such. I'm just praying Leslie doesn't get any of it. If we just had the basement finished she could kick me down there to stay away from her until I'm better. Oh please don't throw me in the briar patch! :-)
martes, 18 de septiembre de 2007
Still Here!
I apologize for not posting in several days. We're still here! Leslie continues to improve some since finishing radiation, but is still having a rough time with her health. We're also dealing with three sick little ones. McGrooter has bronchitis, Aggie has an ear infection, and Munchkin has something in between. All three are on antibiotics. :-( Last night the two oldest had us up at different hours of the night. We need some sleep!
Tomorrow we celebrate Leslie's 35th birthday! She's more thankful than ever for another birthday and isn't complaining at all about being another year older. I had hoped to celebrate big, but she is still not feeling up to it, so those plans are deferred.
Some have recently asked about the Care Calendar. You can find more information by clicking here.
Leslie's grandmother is still in the hospital. She was slipping in and out of a coma, and was unresponsive for several days. But yesterday she responded for the first time and since has been alert, although is not making sense with her words. So please pray for her and Poppie. The tests have still not revealed anything. Pray too for Leslie's parents as they help care for Nannie, but are also helping us.
Tomorrow we celebrate Leslie's 35th birthday! She's more thankful than ever for another birthday and isn't complaining at all about being another year older. I had hoped to celebrate big, but she is still not feeling up to it, so those plans are deferred.
Some have recently asked about the Care Calendar. You can find more information by clicking here.
Leslie's grandmother is still in the hospital. She was slipping in and out of a coma, and was unresponsive for several days. But yesterday she responded for the first time and since has been alert, although is not making sense with her words. So please pray for her and Poppie. The tests have still not revealed anything. Pray too for Leslie's parents as they help care for Nannie, but are also helping us.
domingo, 16 de septiembre de 2007
Votre argent est -il en sureté dans votre banque ?
Au vu de la crise de liquidité actuelle sur les marchés financiers, cette question n'est pas dénuée de sens. En général, les établissements financiers sont peu bavards sur leur exposition à la contagion de la crise des "subprime", ces crédits hypothécaires "pourris", par analogie aux junk bonds , obligations pourries.
Peu de gens sont au courant des montants garantis en cas de faillite de leur établissement bancaire. Les montants varient en fonction du pays de résidence, par exemple:
France: garantie des dépots pour un montant maximum de 70.000 eur
Belgique: 20.000 eur et Angleterre: 31.500 GPB ( montants repris à titre indicatifs et sauf erreur de notre part)
Au vu des files d'attente qui se sont formées ces derniers jours devant les guichets de la Northern Rock , une banque anglaise , il est clair que les déposants veulent absolument récupérer leurs fonds et sont fort peu rassuré malgré les dénégations des autorités financières.
Il y à quelques semaines, j'ai envoyé un courrier en expédition recommandée à un des mes banquiers pour lui demander confirmation du montant de protection des dépots. A mon étonnement, je n'ai toujours pas reçu de réponse . En conséquence, je fis transférer mes fonds dans un autre établissement financier. Il est inacceptable qu'un banquier ne prenne même pas la peine de vous répondre.
Interrogez le vôtre, vous en apprendrez peut-être beaucoup sur la considération qu'il porte à votre souci légitime de vouloir préserver votre capital des crises financières internationales.
Peu de gens sont au courant des montants garantis en cas de faillite de leur établissement bancaire. Les montants varient en fonction du pays de résidence, par exemple:
France: garantie des dépots pour un montant maximum de 70.000 eur
Belgique: 20.000 eur et Angleterre: 31.500 GPB ( montants repris à titre indicatifs et sauf erreur de notre part)
Au vu des files d'attente qui se sont formées ces derniers jours devant les guichets de la Northern Rock , une banque anglaise , il est clair que les déposants veulent absolument récupérer leurs fonds et sont fort peu rassuré malgré les dénégations des autorités financières.
Il y à quelques semaines, j'ai envoyé un courrier en expédition recommandée à un des mes banquiers pour lui demander confirmation du montant de protection des dépots. A mon étonnement, je n'ai toujours pas reçu de réponse . En conséquence, je fis transférer mes fonds dans un autre établissement financier. Il est inacceptable qu'un banquier ne prenne même pas la peine de vous répondre.
Interrogez le vôtre, vous en apprendrez peut-être beaucoup sur la considération qu'il porte à votre souci légitime de vouloir préserver votre capital des crises financières internationales.
jueves, 13 de septiembre de 2007
Almost to the End of Round One!
Tomorrow is the end of round one for Leslie! She will endure her last chemo pills and final radiation zapping. We are so glad!! She will then have a break of at least three weeks before starting round two, which will consist of liquid chemotherapy.
Today was a good day for Leslie. She seemed more upbeat and to have more strength than in quite a while. However, her grandmother is back in the hospital. Leslie went upstairs to see her after her radiation treatment and, ironically, she is in the same room Leslie was in after her surgery. Nannie is in a lot of pain so please pray for her quick recovery.
On a lighter note, my friend, Van, has a great post here that will at least make you smile.
Today was a good day for Leslie. She seemed more upbeat and to have more strength than in quite a while. However, her grandmother is back in the hospital. Leslie went upstairs to see her after her radiation treatment and, ironically, she is in the same room Leslie was in after her surgery. Nannie is in a lot of pain so please pray for her quick recovery.
On a lighter note, my friend, Van, has a great post here that will at least make you smile.
martes, 11 de septiembre de 2007
9/11
Today was the sixth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. It is a solemn memory to think back on that day. The ensuing war that is still going on plagues our nation. I feel that few understand much about it, and it saddens me to think so many have forgotten what happened on 9/11. I remember in 1993 when I went through 16 weeks of training at the Navy & Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center, how we were taught that the next war our nation would fight would not be a conventional one, but a war against terrorists. I had no idea then what that would look like, nor that it would actually come to pass. But it has. We were trained as intelligence specialists with conventional war in mind. No one knew exactly what a war on terror would look like. We still have much to learn. But we must be vigilant. I recently saw a bumper sticker that said, "Peace is patriotic." It was one of many on the back of a car that was driven by someone who obviously opposed the war. This mindset, although noble, is faulty. None of us, if personally attacked in our own home, would sit by and wish that no one would attack us again. Our peaceful existence in the U.S. has been fought for, and is being fought for, by a strong defense. Only history will show where we went right and where we went wrong. But I do know that wishful thinking will not protect our freedom. Although it is an extreme example, this article with the included pictures is a testimony of those who wish to destroy our freedom. Again, we must be vigilant.
As for Leslie's cancer, we are being vigilant in that war. I only wish that we could not have fought the war we are fighting against it. Life would be simpler for us now if she were not going through the battle of radiation and chemotherapy. But sitting on our hands and wishing that our peaceful habits would cause the terrorist cancer cells in her body to give up their fight would accomplish nothing. Instead, we are enduring the unpleasantries of a battle against this terrorist disease so that her body can live in peace. It is painful now, for her, and for the rest of us to watch. But it is a worthwhile pain. It is a temporary pain that we hope will protect her body from future invaders, and give her a long, peaceful life.
The strength that Leslie gained this weekend has waned. Tonight has been pretty miserable for her. Although strong inside, the signs of the stresses of her treatment are showing. She is weary. Please continue to pray for her comfort and for the effectiveness of her treatment. She now has only 3 days left of radiation and the current chemo treatment. We will certainly celebrate this weekend as this comes to an end, and especially next Wednesday as we praise God on her 35th birthday.
As for Leslie's cancer, we are being vigilant in that war. I only wish that we could not have fought the war we are fighting against it. Life would be simpler for us now if she were not going through the battle of radiation and chemotherapy. But sitting on our hands and wishing that our peaceful habits would cause the terrorist cancer cells in her body to give up their fight would accomplish nothing. Instead, we are enduring the unpleasantries of a battle against this terrorist disease so that her body can live in peace. It is painful now, for her, and for the rest of us to watch. But it is a worthwhile pain. It is a temporary pain that we hope will protect her body from future invaders, and give her a long, peaceful life.
The strength that Leslie gained this weekend has waned. Tonight has been pretty miserable for her. Although strong inside, the signs of the stresses of her treatment are showing. She is weary. Please continue to pray for her comfort and for the effectiveness of her treatment. She now has only 3 days left of radiation and the current chemo treatment. We will certainly celebrate this weekend as this comes to an end, and especially next Wednesday as we praise God on her 35th birthday.
lunes, 10 de septiembre de 2007
Final Stretch
We are in the final stretch of Leslie's first round of treatment. This is the last week of the radiation and chemo combo. We're ready for it to be over to. I know that probably sounds silly, but I don't know how much more of this I'd care to go through. Leslie continues to lose weight, continues to struggle with side effects, and continues with the discomfort of the actual treatment. I'm tired in more ways than one. The constant stress of this situation and the ripple effects of it into our lives and the lives of our family has been wearisome. I'd say "I'm not complaining, but..." But I am. I guess I feel like being honest tonight. I sure have been a lot lately. I've ceased with the pleasantries in responding, "fine, how are you?" I guess I get kind of blunt when I'm tired. It's probably more to my detriment at home and at work. I guess I'm ready for this to be over not just to see Leslie relieved, but so that we're all relieved. I know that is selfish. It is. And it would be a lot more noble to say that I care only about Leslie. But I'm being honest. I guess that is okay.
When David was worn out, stretched to his limit, and stressed out he complained. But he always ended up in the same place...praising God. And I can say that is where God has brought me. Not instantly. You can ask Leslie because she's caught the brunt of my venting. But in the midst of my weariness I know God is at work. I know He is doing something. I was reminded today that I may never know the reason. That's okay.
Grace is one of those things I've talked about a lot in my life. It's fun to talk about. But really resting in God has been a whole other thing for me lately. When do I have time to rest? When do I have time to be still? When do I have time to be quiet? I certainly haven't taken the time. Maybe that's been my biggest blunder.
I've said it once (or twice) that God's economy is not ours. His ways are not our ways. Why would He take us through Leslie's cancer, take us through the trauma of not completing seminary, take us through one move after another, one job to the next, one church to another church? This would not be my way of working. Maybe I'll find that much of this has been due to my failed leadership, my mistakes, my lack of discipline. It's hard to sort out the difference between God leading us through trials to develop perseverance and God disciplining us for our mistakes. I wish I knew the answers. But one thing I do know...whether His testing us or His disciplining us, no mistake of mine is beyond His control. Or to look at it differently, not mistake of mine is un-redeemable. And so I come back to grace. Either way I have to come back to grace. I can't undo my seminary "adventure," my career path, or my financial decisions. I certainly couldn't stop Leslie's cancer. And so all I can do is rest in God's grace. All I can do is trust Him. I wish I could say something very eloquent, but I'm empty of words. I just don't know what God is up to. But I know that He is good, and I know that He is faithful. This is where I must rest.
Tonight, McGrooter and I read the story of the Ten Commandments. It's been fun to share this time with him, letting him read a page and then I read a page. I was reminded of how the Ten Commandments point us to our inability to be perfect as God is perfect. But that is what is required. But the Bible story pointed us at the end to Christ. In Him alone can we find perfection. It is in no way in us. We are incapable. I can honestly say that I think I would go nuts in our current situation if Christ hadn't credited me with His righteousness. I don't mean that hyperbolically. I mean I really think I'd go nuts. I have never been more appreciative for Christ's work on my behalf than in the midst of this. As I see how incapable I am, over and over again, I realize more than ever that Christ's gift to us is huge. I constantly fall short, and yet Christ hits the mark for me. I'm thoroughly enslaved to my wretchedness and yet Christ's righteousness is credited to me. I continually setup idols in seeking satisfaction, and Christ slays them. I feel completely worthless daily, and yet Christ makes me worthwhile. I don't always see it, or feel it, but yet I know it. What would I do if I didn't know these things?
When David was worn out, stretched to his limit, and stressed out he complained. But he always ended up in the same place...praising God. And I can say that is where God has brought me. Not instantly. You can ask Leslie because she's caught the brunt of my venting. But in the midst of my weariness I know God is at work. I know He is doing something. I was reminded today that I may never know the reason. That's okay.
Grace is one of those things I've talked about a lot in my life. It's fun to talk about. But really resting in God has been a whole other thing for me lately. When do I have time to rest? When do I have time to be still? When do I have time to be quiet? I certainly haven't taken the time. Maybe that's been my biggest blunder.
I've said it once (or twice) that God's economy is not ours. His ways are not our ways. Why would He take us through Leslie's cancer, take us through the trauma of not completing seminary, take us through one move after another, one job to the next, one church to another church? This would not be my way of working. Maybe I'll find that much of this has been due to my failed leadership, my mistakes, my lack of discipline. It's hard to sort out the difference between God leading us through trials to develop perseverance and God disciplining us for our mistakes. I wish I knew the answers. But one thing I do know...whether His testing us or His disciplining us, no mistake of mine is beyond His control. Or to look at it differently, not mistake of mine is un-redeemable. And so I come back to grace. Either way I have to come back to grace. I can't undo my seminary "adventure," my career path, or my financial decisions. I certainly couldn't stop Leslie's cancer. And so all I can do is rest in God's grace. All I can do is trust Him. I wish I could say something very eloquent, but I'm empty of words. I just don't know what God is up to. But I know that He is good, and I know that He is faithful. This is where I must rest.
Tonight, McGrooter and I read the story of the Ten Commandments. It's been fun to share this time with him, letting him read a page and then I read a page. I was reminded of how the Ten Commandments point us to our inability to be perfect as God is perfect. But that is what is required. But the Bible story pointed us at the end to Christ. In Him alone can we find perfection. It is in no way in us. We are incapable. I can honestly say that I think I would go nuts in our current situation if Christ hadn't credited me with His righteousness. I don't mean that hyperbolically. I mean I really think I'd go nuts. I have never been more appreciative for Christ's work on my behalf than in the midst of this. As I see how incapable I am, over and over again, I realize more than ever that Christ's gift to us is huge. I constantly fall short, and yet Christ hits the mark for me. I'm thoroughly enslaved to my wretchedness and yet Christ's righteousness is credited to me. I continually setup idols in seeking satisfaction, and Christ slays them. I feel completely worthless daily, and yet Christ makes me worthwhile. I don't always see it, or feel it, but yet I know it. What would I do if I didn't know these things?
domingo, 9 de septiembre de 2007
The Coffee Trader
Un excellent roman historique qui retrace les aventures d'un trader du 17ème siècle à Amsterdam.
Son auteur, David Liss a remporté un prix littéraire pour son premier roman: " A Conspiracy of Paper " dont l'action se situe à Londres au 18ème siècle.
Son auteur, David Liss a remporté un prix littéraire pour son premier roman: " A Conspiracy of Paper " dont l'action se situe à Londres au 18ème siècle.
sábado, 8 de septiembre de 2007
Quand le scalping ne suffit plus
Bonne semaine: objectifs atteints par plusieurs scalps de 5 à 14 pips.
Je devrais être satisfait et pourtant je reste sur ma faim : c'est ce qui arrive quand un scalpeur pense à "labourrer" le marché un peu plus en profondeur. Le forex a cette particularité d'évoluer en trends bien marqués, dès lors il est possible de prendre une position le matin et d'en sortir le soir avec 80 pips de plus. Un "collègue" trader s'est fait 250 pips depuis vendredi passé en suivant ce schéma. Belle performance; peut-être a-t-il tout simplement bénéficié d'un bon trend haussier sur quelques jours . Ca laisse néanmoins rêveur. Avec des performances pareilles, si elles se maintiennent ,on n'a plus beaucoup de souci à se faire pour l'avenir .
Mais passer d'un style de trading à un autre n'est pas chose simple. C'est ce que j'essaie de faire pour l'instant avec beaucoup d'hésitations. Un scalpeur intervient un poil de seconde avant un breakout et s'éjecte dès qu'il peut pour assurer son bénéfice. Il saute du train en marche :-)
Garder une pose pendant des heures et voir souvent un bénéfice potentiel se réduire inexorablement demande une autre approche et un autre mental. Par contre quelle hilarité quand on voit les pips s'accumuler sans effort aucun: dans un trend haussier, c'est comme si on était sur un tapis roulant avec un effêt multiplicateur sur les pips.
Pourtant , de scalpeur je ne cherche pas à m'orienter vers le "swing", je cherche un statut intermédiaire : un swing mais sans les phases négatives .Rien que cela ! allez-vous me répondre . Le scalp est encore bien ancré en moi, et je ne me sens pas prêt à m'autoriser à aller bien loin en territoire négatif, question de religion sans doute. Tout au plus 15 ou 20 pips sachant que je pourrai me refaire en scalp.
Il me tarde d'être lundi pour réattaquer. Je crois que je suis bon pour la cure de désintox. ;-)
Je devrais être satisfait et pourtant je reste sur ma faim : c'est ce qui arrive quand un scalpeur pense à "labourrer" le marché un peu plus en profondeur. Le forex a cette particularité d'évoluer en trends bien marqués, dès lors il est possible de prendre une position le matin et d'en sortir le soir avec 80 pips de plus. Un "collègue" trader s'est fait 250 pips depuis vendredi passé en suivant ce schéma. Belle performance; peut-être a-t-il tout simplement bénéficié d'un bon trend haussier sur quelques jours . Ca laisse néanmoins rêveur. Avec des performances pareilles, si elles se maintiennent ,on n'a plus beaucoup de souci à se faire pour l'avenir .
Mais passer d'un style de trading à un autre n'est pas chose simple. C'est ce que j'essaie de faire pour l'instant avec beaucoup d'hésitations. Un scalpeur intervient un poil de seconde avant un breakout et s'éjecte dès qu'il peut pour assurer son bénéfice. Il saute du train en marche :-)
Garder une pose pendant des heures et voir souvent un bénéfice potentiel se réduire inexorablement demande une autre approche et un autre mental. Par contre quelle hilarité quand on voit les pips s'accumuler sans effort aucun: dans un trend haussier, c'est comme si on était sur un tapis roulant avec un effêt multiplicateur sur les pips.
Pourtant , de scalpeur je ne cherche pas à m'orienter vers le "swing", je cherche un statut intermédiaire : un swing mais sans les phases négatives .Rien que cela ! allez-vous me répondre . Le scalp est encore bien ancré en moi, et je ne me sens pas prêt à m'autoriser à aller bien loin en territoire négatif, question de religion sans doute. Tout au plus 15 ou 20 pips sachant que je pourrai me refaire en scalp.
Il me tarde d'être lundi pour réattaquer. Je crois que je suis bon pour la cure de désintox. ;-)
jueves, 6 de septiembre de 2007
Tuesday
Leslie had a good day today. Her body is still racked by the treatments of radiation and chemo, and yet she is strong. Anne Johnston, our pastor's mother, came over this afternoon to play with the kids and brought us dinner. It made the evening go so smoothly once I got home. The kids got to bed early, which they really needed! Les and I even got a few minutes to visit. After tomorrow, she has only one week left of radiation!
I've had a bunch of thoughts running through my head, spawned from songs, sermons, emails, and conversations, each woven into life at some point in the past few days. I thought I should get them out.
I can't tell you how much peoples' comments on the blog and emails to me have meant. To know that people are keeping up with our lives in the midst of this journey, knowing they're praying, and knowing that some are being encouraged through it all is strengthening. I got an email from someone I've never met, just to tell me he's reading and praying. I read the comment from Rosemary today, saying they've been praying the whole way through. Rosemary was a middle schooler in my first youth group I pastored. She's now all grown up, married, and a mother of two. It blows me away that she even remembers me, let alone cares to pray for my wife. But what strikes me is this, God chooses to be glorified in some strange ways. But I don't want it to be any other way.
I don't want it to be any other way because I'm not God. God has an uncanny way of working out everything for good. Every time He does. He doesn't parent like I wished my dad had parented me when I was a kid. When you're young, you want your dad to take it easy on you, to cut you some slack, give you what you want, and let you have your freedom. But then you grow up and realize your dad did you a favor every time he was tough on you because he was "making a man out of you." Then you grow up some more when you become a dad and are overwhelmed at the amount of love you can have for your kids, and at the same time are compelled to prepare them for life. You want to make your sons into men and your daughters into ladies. You don't want your sons to be lazy, weak or fearful; so you are tough. You don't want your daughters to be whiney, shallow, or haughty; so you don't let them wrap you (at least not too tight :-)). But then you find yourself, or at least I find myself wishing God would take it easy on me, cut me some slack, give me what I want...and I realize I'm a kid again. I'm a fool. Today, Dr. Kooistra challenged us during our staff worship time to embrace what God is taking us through. He can talk...he's got room to talk. Especially to me. His wife has been battling cancer for years. What struck me from this was one particular illustration about a professor of his from seminary was how this professor had been shaped as a result of losing a very young son to leukemia. He expressed that his son would not have been better off had he lived...and neither would he. His ministry was so shaped by this great loss, something none of us would ever want or prescribe for ourselves, let alone our enemy. And so I was convicted about my own self-pity, particularly how I've been continually questioning God why I'm not back in the pastorate. Today I was reminded that God is shaping me. He has put us through some pretty tough stuff, and there is purpose behind it.
Even in this pressure cooker I am not the man I want to be. I'm amazed how I still long to please people and hide my own struggles. I'm a hypocrite. I would rather be right than be merciful, be seen righteous than act justly, and be righteous more than be humble. I'm baffled. In the midst of such struggle I try to be seen as strong rather than dependent on Christ, viewed as happy rather than satisfied in my Savior, and be thought of as noble rather than humble. All the ingredients are there to make a man that brings glory to God, and yet I am a mess. I'm angry, thankless, and pitiful. And yet even as I write this I see God's grace in my life. I've been spared of so much. I've been blessed when I should have been cursed. Tonight I see my heavenly Father making a man out of me. Even though I feel like giving up, like a kid wanting my way rather than the tough love that will make a man out of me, even though that's how I feel I know that God is faithful. He doesn't give up on me.
I've had a bunch of thoughts running through my head, spawned from songs, sermons, emails, and conversations, each woven into life at some point in the past few days. I thought I should get them out.
I can't tell you how much peoples' comments on the blog and emails to me have meant. To know that people are keeping up with our lives in the midst of this journey, knowing they're praying, and knowing that some are being encouraged through it all is strengthening. I got an email from someone I've never met, just to tell me he's reading and praying. I read the comment from Rosemary today, saying they've been praying the whole way through. Rosemary was a middle schooler in my first youth group I pastored. She's now all grown up, married, and a mother of two. It blows me away that she even remembers me, let alone cares to pray for my wife. But what strikes me is this, God chooses to be glorified in some strange ways. But I don't want it to be any other way.
I don't want it to be any other way because I'm not God. God has an uncanny way of working out everything for good. Every time He does. He doesn't parent like I wished my dad had parented me when I was a kid. When you're young, you want your dad to take it easy on you, to cut you some slack, give you what you want, and let you have your freedom. But then you grow up and realize your dad did you a favor every time he was tough on you because he was "making a man out of you." Then you grow up some more when you become a dad and are overwhelmed at the amount of love you can have for your kids, and at the same time are compelled to prepare them for life. You want to make your sons into men and your daughters into ladies. You don't want your sons to be lazy, weak or fearful; so you are tough. You don't want your daughters to be whiney, shallow, or haughty; so you don't let them wrap you (at least not too tight :-)). But then you find yourself, or at least I find myself wishing God would take it easy on me, cut me some slack, give me what I want...and I realize I'm a kid again. I'm a fool. Today, Dr. Kooistra challenged us during our staff worship time to embrace what God is taking us through. He can talk...he's got room to talk. Especially to me. His wife has been battling cancer for years. What struck me from this was one particular illustration about a professor of his from seminary was how this professor had been shaped as a result of losing a very young son to leukemia. He expressed that his son would not have been better off had he lived...and neither would he. His ministry was so shaped by this great loss, something none of us would ever want or prescribe for ourselves, let alone our enemy. And so I was convicted about my own self-pity, particularly how I've been continually questioning God why I'm not back in the pastorate. Today I was reminded that God is shaping me. He has put us through some pretty tough stuff, and there is purpose behind it.
Even in this pressure cooker I am not the man I want to be. I'm amazed how I still long to please people and hide my own struggles. I'm a hypocrite. I would rather be right than be merciful, be seen righteous than act justly, and be righteous more than be humble. I'm baffled. In the midst of such struggle I try to be seen as strong rather than dependent on Christ, viewed as happy rather than satisfied in my Savior, and be thought of as noble rather than humble. All the ingredients are there to make a man that brings glory to God, and yet I am a mess. I'm angry, thankless, and pitiful. And yet even as I write this I see God's grace in my life. I've been spared of so much. I've been blessed when I should have been cursed. Tonight I see my heavenly Father making a man out of me. Even though I feel like giving up, like a kid wanting my way rather than the tough love that will make a man out of me, even though that's how I feel I know that God is faithful. He doesn't give up on me.
martes, 4 de septiembre de 2007
Keeping On
"Keep going." That's my current mantra. It seems to be the response I give most people when they ask how we're doing. We're keeping on. I think that will be the way things are for a while now. Leslie was home again today, in bed. She had more strength early in the day and then a rough evening. Her mom came over to help her when the kids got home and my boss has been very flexible (and encouraging) to let me go when I need to. I left a little bit early to come home and take over from Becky.
I got to talk with a good friend of mine tonight, James. His wife, Becky, had thyroid cancer a couple of years back. In July she had to go through another round of radiation which made her really sick. Since then they've found a mass on her liver and they are waiting to find out more about it. Please keep them in your prayers. It was a real encouragement to me to talk with someone who knows what I'm going through on my end. They have young kids as well and James knows what it's like to carry an extra load while struggling watching his wife suffer.
I got to talk with a good friend of mine tonight, James. His wife, Becky, had thyroid cancer a couple of years back. In July she had to go through another round of radiation which made her really sick. Since then they've found a mass on her liver and they are waiting to find out more about it. Please keep them in your prayers. It was a real encouragement to me to talk with someone who knows what I'm going through on my end. They have young kids as well and James knows what it's like to carry an extra load while struggling watching his wife suffer.
Homebound
Leslie has pretty much been homebound since last Wednesday. Except for going over to her parents', she's not been comfortable going out any where. I think she is feeling a little stronger today. She's hoping to get through some of the bills and make some insurance related phone calls.
She was able to eat a little rice yesterday that her mom brought, and she asked me to fix her a scrambled egg which she was able to eat most of. I thought it was funny because she wanted me to fix it the way my dad does, with a certain secret ingredient. What's funny is that his mom made them that way and she added this ingredient to make the eggs go farther (something that is necessary with 7 kids). Now we all prefer to eat them this way. The irony!
Munchkin started her preschool today. She did great going in! The other two are already into the school grove as was evidenced by the comments, "I'm too tired," and "I think I have a tummy ache." They all had a great time at their friends' house this weekend. Thanks to Leslie and Matthew for taking such good care of them.
Two weeks of radiation to go!!!
She was able to eat a little rice yesterday that her mom brought, and she asked me to fix her a scrambled egg which she was able to eat most of. I thought it was funny because she wanted me to fix it the way my dad does, with a certain secret ingredient. What's funny is that his mom made them that way and she added this ingredient to make the eggs go farther (something that is necessary with 7 kids). Now we all prefer to eat them this way. The irony!
Munchkin started her preschool today. She did great going in! The other two are already into the school grove as was evidenced by the comments, "I'm too tired," and "I think I have a tummy ache." They all had a great time at their friends' house this weekend. Thanks to Leslie and Matthew for taking such good care of them.
Two weeks of radiation to go!!!
domingo, 2 de septiembre de 2007
gestion de base de données
Lors d'un billet précédent, je m'étonnais de l'inflation de blogs repris avec le mot-clé "forex" sur Technorati. Je viens de , partiellement, comprendre une des raisons: il n'est pas possible de supprimer son compte directement .
Il faut contacter le support et lui donner quelques informations pour que le compte soit supprimé. On peut raisonnablement penser que la majorité des blogueurs qui abandonnent un blog ne vont pas se soucier de mettre les données à jour chez Technorati. J'ai ainsi découvert que deux blogs que j'avais installé pour des tiers et qui sont actuellement inactifs ou disparus, sont toujours référencés. L'un des deux même en très bonne place dans la liste des résultats. Ceci explique qu'il devient de plus en plus difficile de trouver des infos pertinentes sur Technorati: un peu de ménage s'impose.
Je me suis rendu compte de ce fait en travaillant sur le référencement du site, comme j'ai quelques problèmes avec ce qu'on appelle "la face cachée" de Google: référencement inexistant, pénalités sur certaines pages etc...surtout sur la partie du site qui utilise le CMS Drupal.
Côté trading: la routine, des pips ici et là pour atteindre à peu près 50 % des objectifs fixés. Je travaille surtout sur des trades ayant un horizon plus large que quelques pips scalpés lors de breakout. L'idéal serait des trades rapportant entre 20 et 50 pips sur suivi de tendance.
bonne semaine.
Il faut contacter le support et lui donner quelques informations pour que le compte soit supprimé. On peut raisonnablement penser que la majorité des blogueurs qui abandonnent un blog ne vont pas se soucier de mettre les données à jour chez Technorati. J'ai ainsi découvert que deux blogs que j'avais installé pour des tiers et qui sont actuellement inactifs ou disparus, sont toujours référencés. L'un des deux même en très bonne place dans la liste des résultats. Ceci explique qu'il devient de plus en plus difficile de trouver des infos pertinentes sur Technorati: un peu de ménage s'impose.
Je me suis rendu compte de ce fait en travaillant sur le référencement du site, comme j'ai quelques problèmes avec ce qu'on appelle "la face cachée" de Google: référencement inexistant, pénalités sur certaines pages etc...surtout sur la partie du site qui utilise le CMS Drupal.
Côté trading: la routine, des pips ici et là pour atteindre à peu près 50 % des objectifs fixés. Je travaille surtout sur des trades ayant un horizon plus large que quelques pips scalpés lors de breakout. L'idéal serait des trades rapportant entre 20 et 50 pips sur suivi de tendance.
bonne semaine.
sábado, 1 de septiembre de 2007
Good Knews, Old Skool, Kabloons, and a Klean House
It's Saturday, and some folks must have been praying that we'd get some much needed rest. Usually, we have to pull the kids out of bed on school mornings and then they get up on their own (at 6 AM) on Saturday. But today, we got to sleep in. McGrooter did get up at 6, but went back to bed. And Aggie was already in our bed with us at that point (not sure when she got "in the middle"), but she was asleep and that's all that mattered. By 8:30 I was headed out the door with Aggie for a run through Starbucks (for some tasty new Ubora) and Chick-fil-A. On the way, Adventures in Odyssey came on. I wasn't sure she'd be into it (I've loved it since I listened regularly, as an adult, with the Noce family in Hawaii). Well Aggie was completely silent during the entire program (something that's rare for her). I think I may try to remember to turn the radio on that station when it's broadcast in the future. I've always told Leslie that I never wanted the kids to see Adventures in Odyssey videos because I thought it would ruin their imaginative ability to enjoy just listening to the program. So I guess they're old enough now to enjoy the audio, so maybe we can make that a part of our "routine."
Okay, so the good news (sorry for all the Ks...it's that silly alliteration thing). Mike's tumor is not the result of PKD, it is benign, and they think they can drain it and avoid surgery. Oh, and it's smaller than they first estimated. It's about the size of a baseball. So we were really relieved to find that out yesterday and to know that he's not facing cancer or PKD and the subsequent treatments. He'll go on Tuesday for a test to see what they need to do next, but everything seems optimistic at this point.
I took the Munchkin to her pre-school orientation yesterday morning. She went right into her class and seemed just fine there. But then this morning she asked when we were going to Aunt Kristin's. I think she'll miss her time there, especially petting Ponch and Cheyanne!
Last night we had a very yummy dinner at Grandad and Mimi's. It was a really relaxing time just to hang out there. Mike, McGrooter and I went to the garden up at Poppie's and picked some tomatoes and some beans. While there, the Munchkin enjoyed the simplicity of a balloon (which she calls a kabloon...don't ask me why) and an air vent. The air would blow the balloon up and she would giggle. No fancy toys, no lights or cool noises. Just a balloon and an air vent. Kind of cool!
On our way home, we went old school. Leslie stayed at her folks to rest a bit and I took the kids to get ready for bed. I threw in an old CD, Kirk Franklin's "Stomp." It's kind of like James Brown meets Billy Graham. Okay, maybe that's a little bit off but Kirk does exclaim phrases like "glory, glory," "oh yeah, we having church," and "Holy Ghost party" in very James Brown-esque style. The kids began bouncing and swaying immediately, demonstrating they have just enough of their mama's soul. They wanted me to play it again after it was over.
When we walked in the house, they were delighted, and exclaimed with excitement, as they found their bedrooms perfectly clean and their beds neatly made. Our friend, Cindy, had come over and cleaned the house. I knew this would be a huge blessing to Leslie as it means so much to her. But even I was overwhelmed at how nice it felt to walk into such a clean place. When Leslie did get home, she was really moved, noticing how neatly the steps had been vacuumed, how the hearth had been dusted, and how quickly a daddy and three little critters had trashed the bathroom getting ready for bed! Thanks so much Cindy! You'll never know how much that meant to us.
Leslie rested all day yesterday, except when she went to radiation. She is still not able to eat normally. She "pays" for anything she does eat. But the combination of various medications have helped some. Still, I hate walking in the bedroom and finding her lying there with a grimace on her face.
I got an email from Friends of Fred Thompson, stating he will announce his run for president on September 6!
And finally, thanks to a reminder from reading my friend's blog, here is a video I've been meaning to share with all of you who haven't seen or heard the audio from this.
Okay, so the good news (sorry for all the Ks...it's that silly alliteration thing). Mike's tumor is not the result of PKD, it is benign, and they think they can drain it and avoid surgery. Oh, and it's smaller than they first estimated. It's about the size of a baseball. So we were really relieved to find that out yesterday and to know that he's not facing cancer or PKD and the subsequent treatments. He'll go on Tuesday for a test to see what they need to do next, but everything seems optimistic at this point.
I took the Munchkin to her pre-school orientation yesterday morning. She went right into her class and seemed just fine there. But then this morning she asked when we were going to Aunt Kristin's. I think she'll miss her time there, especially petting Ponch and Cheyanne!
Last night we had a very yummy dinner at Grandad and Mimi's. It was a really relaxing time just to hang out there. Mike, McGrooter and I went to the garden up at Poppie's and picked some tomatoes and some beans. While there, the Munchkin enjoyed the simplicity of a balloon (which she calls a kabloon...don't ask me why) and an air vent. The air would blow the balloon up and she would giggle. No fancy toys, no lights or cool noises. Just a balloon and an air vent. Kind of cool!
On our way home, we went old school. Leslie stayed at her folks to rest a bit and I took the kids to get ready for bed. I threw in an old CD, Kirk Franklin's "Stomp." It's kind of like James Brown meets Billy Graham. Okay, maybe that's a little bit off but Kirk does exclaim phrases like "glory, glory," "oh yeah, we having church," and "Holy Ghost party" in very James Brown-esque style. The kids began bouncing and swaying immediately, demonstrating they have just enough of their mama's soul. They wanted me to play it again after it was over.
When we walked in the house, they were delighted, and exclaimed with excitement, as they found their bedrooms perfectly clean and their beds neatly made. Our friend, Cindy, had come over and cleaned the house. I knew this would be a huge blessing to Leslie as it means so much to her. But even I was overwhelmed at how nice it felt to walk into such a clean place. When Leslie did get home, she was really moved, noticing how neatly the steps had been vacuumed, how the hearth had been dusted, and how quickly a daddy and three little critters had trashed the bathroom getting ready for bed! Thanks so much Cindy! You'll never know how much that meant to us.
Leslie rested all day yesterday, except when she went to radiation. She is still not able to eat normally. She "pays" for anything she does eat. But the combination of various medications have helped some. Still, I hate walking in the bedroom and finding her lying there with a grimace on her face.
I got an email from Friends of Fred Thompson, stating he will announce his run for president on September 6!
And finally, thanks to a reminder from reading my friend's blog, here is a video I've been meaning to share with all of you who haven't seen or heard the audio from this.
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)