Friday, March 28, 2008

I wish...

I had this down by now but I don't. Each day is a journey toward getting rid of what I (think I) want and replacing it with what He wants.


"Maturity begins to grow when you can sense your concern for others outweighing your concern for yourself." -John MacNaughton


I pulled this from an email I get every morning from Joey Simmons (aka "Rev Run"). Yes, that Rev Run. What a stud. If you'd like to subscribe...go to revrun.uber.com/wordsofwisdom.

Have a great Friday.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Bubble Wrap...

I just finished a paper for my American History and American Literature classes (its 1:30am) and this was quite the pleasant experience in the deadness of what was my brain.

http://www.therightfoot.net/mystuff/whatever/swf/bubblewrap.swf

Enjoy.


(I pulled it from www.morethandodgeball.com - thanks JG!)

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Top Ten...

I know you didn't ask for it (but that's the beauty of having your own blog, right?)...

Here are my Top 10 TV shows (aside from sporting events, which of course, always come in at #1):

10. Home Improvement - Who can resist it? I miss Wilson.

9. American Idol - Used to be much higher. I'm getting tired. This may be my last year.

8. Law & Order - Don't get to watch new episodes much, but every guy needs a good police drama in their top ten.

7. Cash Cab - Makes me feel smarter than I am.

6. Trauma - Life in the ER - What a rush it would be to work in an ER.

5. Seinfeld - Major addiction lately. Effortless entertainment.

4. Extreme Makeover Home Edition - A Farris family staple. Sappy? Yes. Making an impact on people's lives? Yes.

3. Run's House - Rev Run and Russell Simmons are studs. I love watching Russell deal with Rev's faith.

2. Biggest Loser - Major man crush on Bob Harper. Another show that changes people's lives.

1. Little People, Big World - Matt Roloff is way up there on my list of heroes...if you haven't heard of him or watched the show. Take the time to google him and tune in Monday's at 7pm (central time).

Friday, March 14, 2008

duh...

and...

CHICK-FIL-A!!!

I am...

GRATEFUL for my life.

Do you ever have those moments (or days or weeks) where you look at other people's lives and say, "why them and not me?" Me too.

But this morning i made a list of some of the things i have to be grateful for.

My life is pretty good...


Michelle (wife)
Kayleigh (daughter)
Allyson (daughter)
Tanner (dog)
my house
my great neighborhood
Keller, Tx
racquetball
miguel who plays racquetball with me early in the morning (and lets me win sometimes)
2 cars that run
4 tv's in my house that all work (and show sports)
my church
jeff crawford (how many real 23 year best friends do you get?)
i can breathe (haven't always been able to say that)
my favorite black "Apex" t-shirt which i rescued from my truck bed after 5 months :)
mom
dad
sis
bro (who has 18 months left until his new life begins - i hope)
the coolest, best inlaws on the planet
mike and mike in the morning (espn radio's greatest show ever)
true friends (too many to name)
wii
the internet
golden corral
diet dr pepper (see February 27)
the opportunity to go to school again (and finish)
mowing season
itunes
todd snider songs (rated pg-13 but FUNNY)
music in general (and the ability to hear it)
david henry (who greats me with a genuine smile almost every morning)


Just to name a few...


Try it.


Have a great weekend.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Take a risk...

I don't write this to say that I've "arrived". Those who know me know I'm not even close.

I'm in a season of life right now where I've totally jumped out of the boat (Matthew 14). I left what I've known as my career for almost 20 years and now I'm a full-time student who mows grass to pay the bills. It makes me laugh just saying that in my head...

But here's the deal...when you take a risk, there WILL be days when you ask yourself, "what in the *%#@! was I thinking?" There are days when you feel like a failure or stupid or crazy..............But there is something about taking a risk that empowers you. And there are days when you feel God saying, "good jump!" I was speaking at a camp this past summer on Matthew 14 and I told the students who were there that there are jumpers (Peter - out of the boat), and sitters (other guys - stayed in the boat)...which would you rather be? Without thinking...most of us would say JUMPER! But then when the first sign of struggle or discouragement comes, we bail...jump back in the boat and take our seat.

I must say that there really are more exciting days than discouraging ones. But just when you start to think its smooth sailing.........I talked with a major gas station chain yesterday about bidding for their lawn care contract. They have 40+ locations in the DFW area (I wasn't bidding for all of them, just about a dozen). He asked how many locations were in my largest contract and I said, "one?". He laughed at me (literally laughed out loud). Discouraging? Yep.

But I'd still rather be a jumper.

Take a risk this week (no, you don't have to quit your job).

Monday, March 10, 2008

Snow Day...

Rare snow day in DFW (last Thursday)...












































Friday, March 7, 2008

Friends...

Last night, we had some friends over for some taco soup and American Idol (can you believe cruella deville is still in it?!?). Some were expected and some surprised us but here's the point...



Life isn't complete without good friends.



One of the things that happens when you spend a long time in a public vocation (ministry, public office, etc) is that "people" become work. You spend so much of your working life dealing with people that (at least for me), you end up having somewhat of a social disorder, where being around people is no longer enjoyable. The reason, I think, is that when "people = work" for so long...you eventually forget how to turn that off and just relax and enjoy their company.

When I resigned from "church ministry" in August of 2007...my people tank was completely empty. What i realized in the months following was that I had not only allowed "people = work" but I just flat didn't like people anymore (My fault, not theirs). I didn't want to go anywhere, hang out, do stuff. I just wanted to sit at home (to the detriment of my sweet family who sat with me without complaining) and heal.

Well, 6 months later...here we were on a Thursday night with a houseful of people and the only word i can use to describe it is...SWEET. I found myself just glad they were here and glad we have friends who wanted to be with us.

I realize that some reading this will think - "What a psycho". And my response would be that you surely should have figured that out before now.

To all our friends who came to hang out last night and those who didn't(and who love me in spite of myself)...thank you for loving the Farris family!

Find some friends...

Life is hard enough without trying to do it alone.

Have a great weekend.

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Brett Favre...


Brett Favre retired yesterday.

I think just about every football fan would rank Favre among the greatest of all time. The only reason I put Joe Montana in front of Favre as the #1 all-time is because Montana has 4 rings. Favre only 1. Yes, there are other QB's with more rings than Favre, but for my money - when you look at the entire package (records, leadership, big plays, comebacks and Super Bowls), Favre and Montana rank above all the others.

What sets Favre apart for me (besides the records, including that he didn't miss one game in 16 years) is the enjoyment factor. There's something about watching someone perform who's enjoying themselves like a 7 year old kid that wins you over. That was Favre. There are alot of superstars in all the major sports that when you watch them, it doesn't appear fun...all business. No, Favre didn't smile all the time but for the 16 years that he played...he made it possible to be 12 years old in the back yard again dreaming of throwing the winning touchdown (including 38 year olds).

The other Favre factor for me was his transparency and authenticity. Favre played in an era of Peyton Mannings, Tom Bradys, Troy Aikmans. Guys who make sure they say the right thing and look the right way. Always dressed in Armani and always prepared with a cookie cutter answer. Favre? T-shirt and wranglers...always stumbling over his words trying to honestly answer the question being asked.

In an increasingly "packaged" sports society, where image is everything and guys are coached on how to "play the part" of the superstar, Favre's retirement leaves a hole that may never be filled. Favre truly was one of a kind.


Kleenex available upon request...


Have a great Wednesday.

Monday, March 3, 2008

I'm excited about baseball...

Those who know me well understand that for years, baseball has been pretty low on my list of sports I enjoy watching. Well...this year, I seem to be really excited about the new baseball season.

Yes, our hometown team (Texas Rangers) is notoriously mediocre but that doesn't matter I still can't wait for our first trip to the ballpark April 9 (Thanks JK!), which also happens to be $1 hot dog night (can you say "gluttony").

Now don't confuse this "rebirth" of excitement to mean that I would actually watch a game (other than the World Series) on TV, but I will follow and I will go to games. Besides, I cannot bring myself to watch Arena League Football. It just doesn't seem right.

Have a great week.