My Truck

I loved my truck. I say loved because I just sold it. I am bummed for a couple of reasons. First, I loved my truck. It was an awesome truck, low milage, great shape and I could haul stuff whenever I needed to. I even loaned it out to my friends so they could haul stuff with my truck that I loved. Second, a very good friend sold me that truck for a smoking deal.

But mostly I am happy that I sold my truck. First, we don't need three vehicles. About six months ago I bought a 1989 Nissan Sentra. Not exactly an eye grabber and does not fit in as well as my truck here in Baker City, OR. where we have lots and lots of ranchers and cowboys. But it gets an average of 32 miles per gallon and that makes up for it all. the second reason that I wanted to sell my truck, and honestly it was the major factor in this decision, is that in selling it we take another big step towards being debt free. I mean really debt free. I have written a nice check to the mortgage company and our payoff on the house is now $433.16. I know, it is very exciting isn't it!! At least we think so. We figure that by Feb. we will have all debt paid off including Chris's van, and will be 100% debt free. I am very excited about this. I think it was worth selling my truck that I loved.

Buy Nothing Day

Here are some challenging words that Eugene Cho has for me and maybe others about Buy Nothing Day.

(ht. Scot McKnight)

Thankful

I am thankful for my amazing and beautiful wife, for my three boys and the fact that I have friends.

I am thankful for that and oh so much more.....

RVL

Chris and I recently went to Twin Falls, Idaho to hear Ray Vanderlaan (RVL), "That the World May Know Ministries", speak. I can only say AMAZING!!! I was once again blown away by the insight that RVL has into scripture and the context that it was written in. Once again, I walked away challenged and inspired. I am doing everything I can to go to Israel as a result of this weekend.

free burma

Great cartoons

Daily cartoons by John Birch at ASBO Jesus.

School

School is going to start for me next Monday. Life as I know it is going to change a lot. Having to take two classes and not really excited about that. To be honest, I am not really even sure what two classes I am taking. Guess I should get in contact with the school.

Officically....

....the vacation is over. It was good times had by all. We went to Yellowstone National Park and had an awesome time. We saw bison and elk. No bears, but that is ok. The boys really loved it. I got to do my 23 mile hike which was a year in the waiting. Got some yard work done that has been waiting for some time now. The boys were all in school for part of it so Chris and I got to hang out, just the two of us. That is something rather new to us. All said, great vacation. Just the way we like 'em.

Done

Well, I got it done. 23 miles on the Elkhorn Crest Trail took us 7 1/2 hours. Better then I thought we would do.

It was awesome. My feet are a little tender and I am starting to feel a little stiff. Need to make sure I go on a hike tomorrow to work some of this out.

I was really jazzed that Loren and Sue went with me. It makes it so much more enjoyable to hike with others.

Next, traverse the Eagle Caps. Next weekend.

Man I love this stuff!

Today's adventure

It is 4:40am. I am tired because I really did not sleep well last night. I think it was because I am excited and nervous. It may be because I knew that I had to get up really early this morning.

I am getting ready to walk out the door and go meet my friends Loren and Sue. We are going to hike the entire Elkhorn Crest Trail today. 23 miles. Loren has done it before in 7 hours. He is in better shape then I am.

I have been wanting to do this for over a year now. It is going to be sweet!!!

Serve God, Save the Planet

I am currently reading several books, which I always end up doing. I can't just grab one and read it through.

One of the books is titled, "Serve God, Save the Planet". I have been very challenged and very encouraged by this book so for.

It is not just telling me what we are doing wrong, it is also opening my eyes to what I as a follower of Christ can and should be doing. Chris and I are reading this together and are moving in directions to make changes in how we live. The really cool thing is that our oldest son is picking up on this stuff as well. He is pointing out ways that we can be a part of saving the planet and be more eco-friendly.

OH! NO! The Barnes clan is becoming a tree hugger family.

candidate’s positions

Check out this helpful chart.

Motion Doggie

This is a little creepy. Move you mouse around and see the oddly creepy dog follow.

This past week

This past week has been a trying week for me. I have been excited, frustrated, sad, angry, confused, enlightened, and so much more. I have learned much about those around me and much about myself. Some good and bad in both cases.

Mostly I am being forced to ask myself some very difficult questions. What am I a part of? What is God calling me to? What is the purpose of the church? Is it fulfilling that purpose? Am I? Where is God leading our youth ministry? What steps do I need to take to fulfill that? Am I willing to take those steps? What is God doing in Baker City? Those are just a few of the questions. I wish I could say that I have come up with some answers.

I really have been feeling that something is going to explode in Baker, something good. Not just in Baker, but everywhere. I am just speaking of what I am noticing here. I really feel like we are on the brink of something. I am not exactly sure what that is, I just have the distinct impression that it is coming and that I want and need to be a part of it. I just don't know what that looks like right now. That is the frustrating and scary part.

Great! More waiting

A walk

Took a walk this afternoon after having lunch with my wife and oldest son. It was exactly what I needed. Time alone, on the local pathway, smelling the plants, trees, nature, looking at the clouds, noticing people and just everything. It was a great time to clear my head and think about my upcoming sermon, Aug 26. Was listening to Casting Crowns new album, The Altar and The Door. "What the World Needs" is an amazing song and actually quite appropriate for some of what I have been going through. What the world really needs is Jesus, not all the other stuff that we attach to Him or to the Gospel.

It was a good walk

Tony Jones in Baker City

So we hosted Tony this past Sunday. And it was an awesome day. I told Tony that he was like a birthday present to myself since this past Sunday was my birthday.

Anyway, he promised me that he would drop a couple grenades Sunday PM and he let a couple small ones go in the AM. What I found interesting was that I didn't think he dropped any. As I processed that I realized that I did not think he dropped any because I agree with him.

Not surprisingly, there were some folks that did not agree with him and in fact were hit by those grenades. What really struck me though was the fact that they are upset over the fact that we brought Tony to Baker City. Like it is a bad thing. So I try and look at it from their perspective. Still I can't get there. Because I actually think it is a good thing to listen to, read and try and understand those that I disagree with. Because I think it would force me to be a critical thinker. Guess that is a bad thing though.

We have already had a couple of people lash out, last night and this morning. I think it is going to be an interesting week.

Needless to say, Tony challenged us and made us think. I have had the opportunity to talk with several people about this as well. I was very surprised by how many people there are that are excited about what Tony brought. I just was not sure before that there were this many. I told Tony later that at least now we have a pretty good idea about who is and is not at the table.

I have to say that the best part of the weekend was getting to hang out with Tony and his brother Andrew. I almost feel bad that I took so much of their time and not many people got to hang out with them as well, almost. It was sweet getting to know these guys and form a friendship. I look forward to the continued formation of that friendship. we were even late to church Sunday night because we were hanging out at my house.

Baker County Fair

I have to say, I am so super proud of my son, Matthew. This is his first year in the fair and he has done awesome. He has been so responsible with his lamb. Making sure it gets fed twice a day and working with it each time. It paid off for him. He got reserve champ in his class, jr. novice, for confimation. Then he got champion for showmanship in his class. It has ben pretty awesome for him. Tomorrow, market auction. Not sure how well that is going to go. It is starting to sink in that his lamb is going to go to market.

Jr. High Camp

Well, it is done. We had Jr. High Camp last week and it was great. It was also very draining. This was my first year directing the camp and really taking the front spot. It was certainly a learning process as well. I became even more certain that I want to do everything I can as a camp director to keep the chapel time from being an "emotional wave". I realize that you can't stop some of that and this has probably been a part of camping for years and years. But I will do what I can to make sure that what is going on is genuine and not just a time for students to sit and cry for the sake of crying. not sure if that is all making sense. I just don't want it to be this big emotional thing.

Unique Thinking

john reuben video, word of mouth. "great visual imagery on cultural propensity to demand uniformity and to snuff out creative thought." -ysmarko

Spidy 3

fantastic list of things we learned from the disappoint-fest that was spiderman 3, from the wonderfully-odd little mind of josh treece:

10 Things We Learned From Spider-man 3

1) Emo kids are a product of alien symbiosis.

2) If you find yourself running from the law, no problem! Just hop over the gate that says “DANGER! Particle Physics Experiment in progress” and you’re in the clear.

3) If your girlfriend is hanging from the roof of a demolished skyscraper, never fear. Nonchalantly take some pictures and introduce yourself to her father, who also doesn’t seem to give a crap.

4) Flipping pancakes and listening to vintage dance songs will only lead to adultery.

5) Black is the new red. And alien goo is the new cotton.

6) If you ever find yourself battling a giant sand person and a jagged-toothed photographer alongside your best friend who just tried to kill you, be sure that you and him exchange “witty” banter at every opportunity. “I’m a little busy over here, buddy.” “I’d love to help you, but I’ve got my hands full, buddy” and so on.

7) If you want to kill someone real bad, then go to church and pray and maybe, if you’re lucky, God will provide you with an alien suit made of pure evil.

8) Sufferers of amnesia just can’t help smiling ridiculously and eating ice-cream. Life is good when you can’t remember anything.

9) Bad boys eat cookies, drink milk and mimic their college professors on the phone in a hilarious manner.

10) Is your girlfriend feeling down? No problem, make her feel better by passionately upside-down kissing some really hot chick in front of her.