A day of rest

Last weekend we went up to Mt. Bigelow. Four of our friends were already there and were staying until Sunday. We only went up early Saturday and left around 8pm that night. It was gorgeous up there. The temperature was perfect, there was just enough wind to refresh the face, and, of course, the time with friends was great! Two other couples (+ kids) showed up mid-day. There were 26 of us in all and it was a great time.

Rock-star Donnie and me










Mrs. FPF and my bride










Wyatt and his fiance (first argument)










Bubba critiquing lunch

What's your ultimate satisfaction?

I was flipping through a Tucson magazine today from the beginning of the summer. In honor of Father's Day, they had an article on the top dad's in Tucson. The three that were featured consisted of two CEO's and a prominent restaurant owner.

As I browsed through each of the bios, thinking I am way behind if this is what it takes to be a good dad, I read a featured quote from each of the dynamic daddy's. The last one caught me off-guard. He said that being a father was the ultimate experience and the ultimate satisfaction.

That really hit home with me. I've tried to find ultimate satisfaction in a lot of things. To name a few, video games, friends, girlfriends back in high school, fun activities, my marriage, collecting things, taking in all the movies, spin je...., er, I mean, and being a father. And just like all of you, the desire for more or something deeper continued. Whether we're a millionaire CEO or a 7-11 night clerk, we all seek satisfaction of something we can't quite put our finger on.

Jesus said to a woman who was also trying hard to fill that need that he had the answer. In the Bible's book of John chaper 4 verse 13 Jesus told the woman that everyone who tries to quench their need with things in this world will thirst or desire for more. But whoever drinks the water that Jesus has will never thirst.

I, for one, have experienced finding complete satisfaction in Jesus. If you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it.

Decisions, decisions

Last Sunday night I went to Hellboy 2 with my father-in-law. It was a pretty good movie. I enjoyed the first one and this one pretty much lived up to my expectations. Good fight scenes. An unlikely hero who wants to be accepted by the human world but struggles with his "horns" and "red skin."


One constant theme in the movie was that "the right thing to do" isn't "the cool thing to do." Hellboy or Red, as he is nicknamed, is a loose-cannon that gets the job done, but allows the public to see him too often. Red is just one in a government funded team of paranormal heroes. Jeffrey Tambor plays the impotent leader of the team, who is unable to control Red. Consequently, the writers introduced another character intended to keep Red in line, who eventually succumbs to doing the "necessary" way rather than the right way.


I think part of Satan's scheme is to lead us into the same rebellion he chose - I'll do it my way. That seems to be a cry in our society. In the kids movie, The Emperor's New Grove, one of the characters, Kronk, is struggling with making the correct choice. Immediately his good and bad angels appear on his shoulders. The bad angel states his case as to why Kronk should listen to him - "He [good angel] wants to lead you down the path of righteousness. I'm going to lead you down the path that rocks!" Note the implied comparison.


While the world raises its voice to convince us of its philosophy, we have to remember the TRUTH. Can God's ways be trusted regardless of circumstances? Is God a liar? Or are His ways always right? God says His ways are high above our ways (Is 55).

Psalm 119:5-10 urges us to trust God's smarts! It says "How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to [God's] word."

I think the only question left to ask is "Are we willing to follow Him long enough for God to be proven right?" I for one need to remember that Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25 says that there is a way that seems right to a man, but in reality its end is the way of death. I have often started my wrong choice thinking I was completely right and that taking the path of integrity would have been bad, but give life a little time and...

Graduate or Grace

I had an interesting discussion recently over how much education is required/necessary for someone to teach God's word or to be a lead pastor. I don't have experience doing either. Here are the two sides of the discussion.

One side of the discussion says that everyone that God used to write the bible had extensive training. Plus, someone that is continuing their education (through college courses) must commit an abundant amount of time to those courses. As such, one cannot be a pastor or teacher effectively while taking college courses because the community that they are leading will be short changed. On a side note, this side says there's no one with motivation enough to study God's word independently to the extent necessary to teach sound doctrine; thus, official training is required.

The other side says that it's the same Holy Spirit that revealed the word to first century Christians. Consequently, anyone that is gifted by God for this work should have the support of the church to use that gift. The claim from above that there is no one with motivation enough to learn independently is refuted as hypothetical and not real life. This side also claims that the bible is inexhaustible in its wisdom and teachings. Therefore, only a strong foundation of basic, essential doctrine is necessary for one to begin teaching. Which doctrines those are is another subject.

So which do you believe to be true? Must teachers of God's word be professionally trained (i.e. bachelor's, master's, or doctorate's degree) or can they get by with the Holy Spirit's teaching? Perhaps a little of both...

Check out the poll on the right.

No one ever "finds" time - it must be made.

The last few weeks have been a little weird for me. I took a break from school until next spring. I also have very little additional duties at work. So with the little that I have to do, I have learned a few interesting things about myself.


1. Despite my best efforts, I am still a workaholic. I am completely uncomfortable not having "too much on my plate." This is especially true with my job.


2. If I don't have things I have to get done, I am extremely tempted to do things that have absolutely no meaning in them (TV, games, blogging - ha!).


3. Any lack of deep relationship with my family and friends isn't caused by being too busy. It's caused by being relationally challenged. I actually have a very hard time putting down work or activities just to look another in the eyes, talk about life and each other, and being known by another.


4. When I slow and calm myself down enough to relate with others I realize my "business" has made me too busy to know myself. One can't share what one doesn't know.

Thank God for His grace both to reveal my weaknesses and to allow His power to change me.

Forever and just a moment ago

Mrs. Pipes and I celebrated our 9th year of marriage on Thursday. We took the morning (because I had to work later) to drive up the beautiful Summerhaven on the iron horse to enjoy some fresh, fresh air and stone oven pizza. It was a great time together.

We got caught in the rain for the second time coming down the mountain. That's just another highlight that we have no pictures for.

You load 14 tons and what do ya get?

These are belated pictures are of the yard work last week. Special thanks to everyone appearing below, Changing Times Travis (who came on a very busy day and weekend, put in at least two hours of hard labor at the Sickels minimum security prison), and Don (who lent the use of shovels and a good wheel burrow). You'll have to come over for dinner if you want to see the yard (mostly) finished.

The one of Dean and me is the ceremonial last shovel full.

Thank you, Nori, for taking the pictures.

Thank you, Candi, for encouraging me to not quit.

Thank you, God, for healing us all up and giving us great rest for recovery..