tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41897535275407000542024-03-05T02:48:18.028-05:00Adventures in Following JesusWritings of Patrick Bartkus as he endeavors to be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-46200653988364677592011-03-23T15:46:00.001-04:002011-03-23T15:46:48.252-04:00This Blog has been RelocatedI've moved this blog. There will not be any more updates here.<br />
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Please continue to follow me at my new blog at:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://wwjl.net/">wwjl.net</a></span><br />
<br />
Thanks!<br />
PatrickUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-66267765911718337262010-08-08T19:51:00.000-04:002010-08-08T19:51:58.021-04:00Doing Scary Things<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rU5IsbRjULWFHZRtmlW2_G_iHLL5xN2L_CPSAol27XjJxw-BK8pJR2E0mjUoBfU-Ur98T3uP6yNzABPiVCdmUQHxQBflUgsJFFGDf-47YwOS6_LsYR6MDp9f14_jI-LqK7x6qoNK4tQ/s1600/100761143_226e540b49_o.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rU5IsbRjULWFHZRtmlW2_G_iHLL5xN2L_CPSAol27XjJxw-BK8pJR2E0mjUoBfU-Ur98T3uP6yNzABPiVCdmUQHxQBflUgsJFFGDf-47YwOS6_LsYR6MDp9f14_jI-LqK7x6qoNK4tQ/s320/100761143_226e540b49_o.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/oddsock/100761143/">Photo by Oddstock</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>These are a few of the scariest things</b><br />
I've become more aware of how I procrastinate on doing things just because I'm afraid. Why? Usually I delay doing things because I don't totally foresee the outcome. I'm afraid of making the wrong choice. I'm not sure which way is the "right" way to do it.<br />
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So I put off doing anything. I ignore that something needs to be decided or acted on. I'll wait until another day.<br />
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<b>The Antidote</b><br />
I've found that I have to remind myself of the saying I've heard "If something is worth doing, it's worth doing poorly." Now, I know I can do almost anything poorly. So I give myself permission to do it poorly and I do it. I usually end up with a pretty good result. The other thing I remember is that "If I'm not happy with the decision I've made, next time I can make a different decision."<br />
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How have you handled those things that you would rather not face?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-71236452877772271262010-07-23T05:45:00.007-04:002010-07-23T05:45:00.909-04:00The Forgotten Productivity Tool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb6CoXUCmYMYhJ9nRn6uQQaT3FBPe0SPFFBeUrBy9Y9luLTL_S9PZCiyN89EQ-YI_MsdLaxpHZ9mKg-10PcS5N_Vt-9-d6vjOAwSFLiUs2vYl4zvtfSJ0yAAbo8UU8-vJ7xv_R8SOcy4/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_0434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEb6CoXUCmYMYhJ9nRn6uQQaT3FBPe0SPFFBeUrBy9Y9luLTL_S9PZCiyN89EQ-YI_MsdLaxpHZ9mKg-10PcS5N_Vt-9-d6vjOAwSFLiUs2vYl4zvtfSJ0yAAbo8UU8-vJ7xv_R8SOcy4/s320/Copy+of+IMG_0434.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<b>The Telephone</b><br />
<br />
How many times have I gotten into an e-mail flurry back and forth with one other person? <br />
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How many times have I also CCed people who "might" be interested? <br />
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My wise boss (who is one of the unfortunate recipients of the "might be" CCs) has "encouraged" me to PICK UP THE PHONE and call the person rather than e-mail back and forth. <br />
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Since practicing this discipline, my productivity has gone up.<br />
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What is your favorite productivity tool and why?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-45626171815037512622010-07-22T10:00:00.001-04:002010-07-22T10:03:10.850-04:00Copyright, Fair Use, and Trust<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlSlLWPSvyIKePifd-_-w-t9ZsF9_mPCjt1WOd3jNh1zx9B9VYmXTDO5cYMSDG6rx8M7qjv06F3UDZfKGcnKQQ9-ddMIOhg0aA2XW_7jJ5GqHZDrr4CefNCioxDN06KF-COvOdKsIh_M/s1600/IMG_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlSlLWPSvyIKePifd-_-w-t9ZsF9_mPCjt1WOd3jNh1zx9B9VYmXTDO5cYMSDG6rx8M7qjv06F3UDZfKGcnKQQ9-ddMIOhg0aA2XW_7jJ5GqHZDrr4CefNCioxDN06KF-COvOdKsIh_M/s320/IMG_0102.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<b>An Awesome Service</b><br />
<br />
<br />
This past Sunday our church had an opening song that was great. An ensemble of ten very talented vocalists sang the Queen version of "Somebody to Love." They did a fantastic job! I knew ahead of time how wonderful it would be so I showed up with my new camcorder. I got a fairly good capture of the performance.<br />
<br />
<br />
Of course, I uploaded my capture of the performance to YouTube as any good video pirate does...<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A New DVD</b><br />
I bought a new DVD the other day. I was excited that I got it "fresh off the presses." I told some friends about it. One friend wanted to borrow it so I loaned it to him "to watch." He gave it back a week later. <br />
<br />
Later I found out that he had ripped a copy to his laptop's hard drive. He then used it as a part of one of his programs. I asked him why did he copy it and his reply was that he was "planning" to buy it. <br />
<br />
I felt I had trusted him to not break copyright law by copying the the disk but he had. I felt my trust in him was betrayed.<br />
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<b>Conviction</b><br />
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<br />
Now, our church is Very Particular about copyright. They go to great lengths to protect copyrights. They pay much to the appropriate authorities to use and broadcast rights for the music that they do. <br />
<br />
<br />
Once I processed what my friend had done, I realized that I had not been much different from my friend. I had broken my church's implied trust. I couldn't be angry with my friend when I had acted similarly.<br />
<br />
I took down the YouTube video.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-22579165111282146622010-05-04T21:36:00.000-04:002010-05-04T21:36:26.486-04:00Love and War - Eldredge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385529805?ie=UTF8&tag=adveinfolljes-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0385529805"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF81UdNAXyZ0Emhzf6OCeLScy-eJn1INFYXjqhy6EuQBngcmsHz2b7zwP-qTYFVjoCqJDmfQFgVW76Kk_TbgOvK0L-S5eNtKSLNKd5wUYej057hK9uhL5gNMDbQyqzbxQ17KyzSs2Lsw/s320/41OfHnB6XJL._SL160_.jpg" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=adveinfolljes-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0385529805" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></div>This is a great book. John and Staci Eldredge have written an incredible description of what their marriage went though and they are now letting us in on how our marriages can be better.<br />
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They sum up the whole book on p.92:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Pressed to choose our "top three things that would most help your marriage," we would come down to this list: </span><br />
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<ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Find life in God.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deal with your brokenness.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Learn to shut down the spiritual attacks that come against your marriage.</span></li>
</ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Practice this and nothing else, and you will be </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">amazed</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> at the freedom, love, and joy that will begin to flow."</span></div><div><br />
</div><div>I think I have never heard wiser advice. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Get this book. You will not be the same after reading it. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-71567783545661081202010-04-11T19:50:00.000-04:002010-04-11T19:50:09.122-04:00Small Group Retreat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlp5d_omLLbL4pdHl9kfc-aAiol6TzkfXUq7RWu4nEtmD_8lkODie9K5Rkd-vPDXMbElJrI7Z7xMKj2r9f-aS9V-yje66mMt_5npdNJsVmdrux5rBVp_CM7u4pfwQUEn4-lMpdOGHoz8E/s1600/DSC01038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlp5d_omLLbL4pdHl9kfc-aAiol6TzkfXUq7RWu4nEtmD_8lkODie9K5Rkd-vPDXMbElJrI7Z7xMKj2r9f-aS9V-yje66mMt_5npdNJsVmdrux5rBVp_CM7u4pfwQUEn4-lMpdOGHoz8E/s320/DSC01038.JPG" /></a></div><b>Our first retreat</b><br />
We got together and spent the weekend together at a friend's house. We had put together an agenda for the weekend together. We developed a mixture of activities that included a <a href="http://ransomedheart.com/p-398-walking-with-god-a-dvd-study.aspx">John Eldredge video</a> and a <a href="http://nooma.com/nooma_whirlwind_024_rob_bell.php">Nooma video</a> and guy-fun things.<br />
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We ate well by cooking all our own meals. We shot pistols and rifles at a helpless milk jug. We explored the surrounding cities. And we talked. We talked about the videos, we talked about our journeys. We talked about our walks with God. We had a great weekend together.<br />
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Has your small group ever gone on a retreat? How was it?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-67802814661913978722010-04-04T16:03:00.001-04:002010-04-04T17:07:03.220-04:00Easter Traditions<b>Sunrise Service</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2052759&id=1074781285&l=4414f717a1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFZKcdhDQHUKh_X9t0vMM6M04SLWB4ZN0H7MEKe0dRUzAscfnZjOJReV2LqyYRX7xlx48mm5Xrno7zHu7vdGGRyGr2eosc7PUBMhGEjfBsCl5VnEn98WRcdoB5iZLHTQcWcT2GCAEgFI/s320/IMG_0101.JPG" /></a></div>Today some friends and I climbed Stone Mountain to attend the Easter Sunrise service. The weather was amazing. The temperature when I left the house was 60F/15C and the wind was reasonable. The service was good. We made the mistake of parking our blanket right in front of one of the speakers. But the message was good and the songs were ancient.<br />
<br />
But we had a good time together and went to eat afterward at the Original Pancake House restaurant on Memorial Drive.<br />
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This is the second year I've gone and I think going to this service will become a new Patrick tradition.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1N-g9dGjXxIxWJklT_74pWkt7rqK6pGk-eBv0dAkj1z_JZCGyNdtLx1QjP7TnENBBnxsoYEDiES3d-GEnE0H3ocn26yIjJm23Hw9zMv2rWx8VdEin3rDHV42rFLd6B6AhATpIdIHIWc/s1600/Copy+of+IMG_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1N-g9dGjXxIxWJklT_74pWkt7rqK6pGk-eBv0dAkj1z_JZCGyNdtLx1QjP7TnENBBnxsoYEDiES3d-GEnE0H3ocn26yIjJm23Hw9zMv2rWx8VdEin3rDHV42rFLd6B6AhATpIdIHIWc/s320/Copy+of+IMG_0111.JPG" /></a></div><b>Easter Tradition</b><br />
<br />
Each Easter I get a chocolate Easter bunny. I always eat the ears first. Always.<br />
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What are your Easter traditions?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-3453060274133085812010-03-28T15:25:00.000-04:002010-03-28T15:25:06.457-04:00Taxes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTr9gWjdpY2DeDL8NbKAHudiZ5ykXkUTnJlHCjFStOguX82_oF1pRtikMVAYdLArdJVnk8uiE1ioaT4gaGZr2qOluwAijs_PvsxIWizrKnaP_UMzVxUaS_4mE9O_s2FKMlZq0crw_peg/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTr9gWjdpY2DeDL8NbKAHudiZ5ykXkUTnJlHCjFStOguX82_oF1pRtikMVAYdLArdJVnk8uiE1ioaT4gaGZr2qOluwAijs_PvsxIWizrKnaP_UMzVxUaS_4mE9O_s2FKMlZq0crw_peg/s320/IMG_0073.JPG" /></a></div><b>To the Accountant!</b><br />
<br />
I'd like to say the taxes are "done" but I've done my part. The accountant, who has saved us more than his fee for many years, has to do his part. I didn't get them to him before his guaranteed date of readiness, so they may not be filed by the 15th and I may have to file an extension. But, I'm glad I got them out of my hair for now.<br />
<br />
The hardest part for me is getting all of the volunteer miles together. Since we itemize deductions, each mile spent as a volunteer adds up to a significant deduction.<br />
<br />
Are yours done? What's the hardest part of getting them done for you?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-2772731927010356492010-03-23T16:38:00.000-04:002010-03-23T16:39:31.751-04:00Stella my friend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pF4VOWC60c11qzm6CIQpfC1nh0MnrFuOHzuFObD8iRkaAV1dW4i7_Mxeeaz3RUhSVMX-x6t46py3fx8MEQLjKdR6oiPhUZOAiYAmCCVbRJxCrpKgvNNVsQLU5-2NmdKaV1pKkY_NFR0/s1600-h/IMG_0026.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pF4VOWC60c11qzm6CIQpfC1nh0MnrFuOHzuFObD8iRkaAV1dW4i7_Mxeeaz3RUhSVMX-x6t46py3fx8MEQLjKdR6oiPhUZOAiYAmCCVbRJxCrpKgvNNVsQLU5-2NmdKaV1pKkY_NFR0/s320/IMG_0026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451265584652702866" /></a><br /><b>I've got a friend named "Stella"</b><div><br /></div><div>She's my GPS and I've named her Stella because she tells me where to go. I don't know how I got around with out my GPS. It is such remarkable technology. Stella and I get along fine.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do you own a GPS? Do you always follow where it says to go?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-49376742604027922010-03-14T16:21:00.003-04:002010-03-14T16:39:14.796-04:00God's Geeks<b>Wycliffe Bible Translators</b><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.wycliffe.org">Wycliffe</a> has people spread around the world working to bring the Bible to every known language. From Wycliffe's site:<br /></div><div><quote>Wycliffe works all around the world. Currently our efforts serve languages spoken in more than 90 countries. The majority of the remaining translation needs represent minority languages—relatively small people groups, many of which struggle to maintain their identity in the shadow of majority culture. Often these groups have no written language of their own, and many struggle to gain the literacy skills they need to prosper in the majority culture.</div><div><span id="ctl00_Body_ctl01_ContentArea"> <p>The benefits of translation and literacy for these minority language groups are many. They include better health as a result of access to medical information, economic growth due to the acquisition of marketable skills, and the preservation of culture thanks to a written history. Most importantly, Bible translation brings people closer to God Himself—the One who transforms hearts.</quote></p><p><b>Techie Missionary?</b></p><p>I've been seeking whether God would help use my techie skills to help in the effort to bring the Bible to those who still need it. I went to a <a href="http://www.checkitout.org/">Check IT Out conference</a> a few weeks ago with a friend. We learned how important technology is to the translation effort. I feel a tug on my heart. While Wycliffe uses much technology in doing translation work, most of the time the work and expertise in translation is not necessary the same skills as the technology that helps that work. They need techies to come along side of the linguists to help in the work.</p><p><b>Next Step</b></p><p>I'm going this week to spend a day at Wycliffe HQ in Orlando, FL. I will be talking with a number of people about my possible role with Wycliffe. It will be a quick trip but I'll get to see some good friends while I'm there. </p><p>Pray for my journey and my possible calling. Thanks!</p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-52835614479455689762010-03-06T10:29:00.000-05:002010-03-06T11:19:09.870-05:00God's Chisel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://skitguys.com/store/detail/188/"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlK0XLK-xM5T59IEpwszci_CYQ5HAtz4Ru5BjP4HwrPi4TAlj7-74WRtRW81hKQ9c_6lorG51C2tWmp65aI-5KC3kO_RZDrG_nVY5u3AfCtO4O5iEQM469LmYNn-gPVnHL6kvCDU8vBQ/s320/godschisel_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389123811025270242" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Thank you Sir, May I have Another!"</span><br />[Omega Fraternity Pledge (Kevin Bacon) in the movie classic <span style="font-style: italic;">Animal House</span>]<br /><br />This period of singleness is giving God a great opportunity - and He's taking it. God is using this as a time of growth for me. I think <a href="http://skitguys.com/">The Skit Guys</a> skit <a href="http://skitguys.com/store/detail/188/">God's Chisel</a> very accurately portraits the process I'm feeling. I feel He is opening up deep wounds and bringing some healing that will make me more into the person he wants me to be. And it is tough.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-87188963307919438682009-08-29T17:53:00.006-04:002009-08-29T19:14:02.935-04:00How was the Bosnia Trip?<table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KMFCTqBffQ6r-Tp0gJ33qA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjcKTvT9vx6aT6QhwW7pO21EElK-CTP251J6pGhnqDOUfAdQWkSlw_wnY_9t1fXGMUbMY5wdOdeISI64qoPsvYtYNZLl4pB6vJLxsWfbSLa1GHH7YC8sA-oLNiqIB8GU7K5pf77xxVQog/s400/100_1364.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/patrckb/BosniaYouthWorkshops2009?feat=embedwebsite">Bosnia Youth Workshops 2009</a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-weight: bold;">Youth Workshops</span><br /><br />The main workshop was the digital storytelling workshop. The youth (ages 10 to 15) were divided by the Novi Most staff into three teams. They were told that this is a contest. They were to make a three-minute story that would tell an new kid about their home town, Capljina. Each team had a Novi Most staff adviser but they all created their own projects.<br /><br />The three teams all made very good projects. I was able to provide limited guidance since I was unable to understand the actual story in their native language. They all finished their stories and then on Friday evening they were all shown in the city square. Everyone had a good time. One boy even said that he already knew what he wanted to do for his next project.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Encouragement and Support</span><br /><br />We spent a good bit time with both Bernard the pastor and with Mick and Ali of Novi Most. They are on the front lines of the battle to bring the light of the Lord in that country. They really appreciated our presence and the fellowship time we had.<br /><br />All in all, it was a good trip. All the travel went smoothly and all our connections went without a hitch. Will I go back next year? I'm going to wait to see how the Lord leads me. So I can't really answer that now.<br /><br />Link to: <a href="http://bosyouwork09.blogspot.com/">Bosnia Youth Workshops Blog</a> and <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/patrckb/BosniaYouthWorkshops2009?feat=directlink">Bosnia Youth Workshops Picture Album</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-81222306429160009372009-07-28T20:41:00.002-04:002009-07-28T20:44:11.572-04:00North Point Online<span style="font-weight: bold;">Coming August 16th</span><br /><br />LIVE webcast from Buckhead Church! Check out <a href="http://northpointonline.tv/">North Point Online</a><br /><br /><object height="358" width="651"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5807759&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=5807759&server=vimeo.com&show_title=0&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=ffffff&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="358" width="651"></embed></object><br /><br />It will be awesome. I'm sorry I'll miss it. We will be in the air heading to Bosnia.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-71844991176040231582009-07-18T18:34:00.005-04:002009-07-18T18:46:54.384-04:00But Officer...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P2c_d8OY4jInRAbX-E5Ip3fpniJUIDVLTNFTWfs3C_Qv4WcV63H0sj2lavnO4gdnOe_oht7WeOqVuzJRdd9nTD1XKWmxTn-OF4EjgX8ceCcZRNIuVhbHTNaHF_GPQDDHhCmSTlpX6sg/s1600-h/07-16-09_0805.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P2c_d8OY4jInRAbX-E5Ip3fpniJUIDVLTNFTWfs3C_Qv4WcV63H0sj2lavnO4gdnOe_oht7WeOqVuzJRdd9nTD1XKWmxTn-OF4EjgX8ceCcZRNIuVhbHTNaHF_GPQDDHhCmSTlpX6sg/s320/07-16-09_0805.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359933187158765218" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"Here come da judge..."</span><br /><br />Well, I got a little bit in a hurry and I got timed doing 62MPH ( 100kp/h) in a 45 MPH (70kp/h) speed zone.<br /><br />So I got dressed up in my best suit and headed to court. What amazed me is that I could FIT into my suit! This is the suit that I got married in 17 years ago. Also, my sister and brother-in-law gave me a nice dress shirt and tie that went well with it.<br /><br />Since I had (had) a squeeky-clean driving record, they reduced the charge to "driving faster than conditions." But I still had to pay a good sized fine. The good thing is that charge won't be reported to the State of GA and appear on my state driving record.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-75145931055573573292009-07-11T13:30:00.002-04:002009-07-11T13:31:46.904-04:00Grief<span style="font-weight: bold;">Sad Plants</span><br /><br /><table style="width: 194px;"><tbody><tr><td style="background: transparent url(http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat scroll left center; height: 194px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/patrckb/SadPlantsInJuly2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCLmwz6ibisPvdw&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QKpMpD6gVcI/Sk5e3PFDwPE/AAAAAAAAB8g/ohqSP43HIoA/s160-c/SadPlantsInJuly2009.jpg" style="margin: 1px 0pt 0pt 4px;" height="160" width="160" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/patrckb/SadPlantsInJuly2009?authkey=Gv1sRgCLmwz6ibisPvdw&feat=embedwebsite" style="color: rgb(77, 77, 77); font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Sad Plants in July 2009</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />We had lots of rain in March, April, and May. Then in June we had virtually nothing. Consequently, my plants were not happy. Even the daphne was drooping badly.<br /><br />So I got outside with the hose and gave them all a good dousing. They started responding in a few days.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Loss</span><br /><br />We grieve anytime we have a loss. I have just been reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785289097?ie=UTF8&tag=adveinfolljes-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0785289097">Captivating</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=adveinfolljes-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0785289097" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> by John and Staci Eldredge. This is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785287965?ie=UTF8&tag=adveinfolljes-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0785287965">Wild at Heart</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=adveinfolljes-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0785287965" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> book for women. They are talking in the chapter I'm reading that every woman has a beauty to unveil. And that she brings that beauty to the relationship.<br /><br />While watering the plants, I was reminded about how much beauty Trudie used to bring to my life. She brought beauty through the plants she planted. She brought beauty through the decorating she did in the house. She brought beauty by bringing her own beauty to our relationship. Thinking about the beauty that is no longer here I got sad. I stayed sad for a number of days. It's probably the closest I've been to actual depression.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beauty Replaced</span><br /><br />I took my sadness and pain to the Lord. He has taught me that He can handle anything I'm feeling. After a while, He taught me to look to Jesus to see beauty. I see beauty in His creation. I see His beauty in the variety of birds and animals. I see His beauty in the variety of plants He has put around me. I see beauty in His love for me that sustains me every day.<br /><br />I've climbed out from my sadness. I know that I've lost a beauty but I am now more aware that there is so much beauty around me and that it is a gift from God.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-80419099202732282982009-06-27T18:39:00.002-04:002009-06-27T18:47:20.143-04:00Big Dogs Anonymous<span style="font-weight: bold;">Hi, I'm Patrick and I'm a yip-dog hater,</span><br /><br />"Hi, Patrick."<br /><br />I have to admit, I've had a relapse. I fell off the Big-Dog wagon.<br /><br />But the yip-dog was so cute. And she snuggled right up to me. And she was soft. She was almost like a cat - in fact, my daughter has cats that are probably bigger than this dog.<br /><br />It wasn't a REAL dog. A REAL dog is a dog that you can body slam.<br /><br />But I did stroke her. It was a "slip."<br /><br />I will take my white chip and pledge to only be friendly to REAL dogs from now on.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-44055416561330729022009-06-21T15:11:00.011-04:002009-06-21T16:08:57.228-04:00Rocky Mountain High<table style="width: 194px;"><tbody><tr><td style="background: transparent url(http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat scroll left center; height: 194px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="center"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/patrckb/RockyMountainNationalParkJune2009?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QKpMpD6gVcI/SjoDnZ9ZhlE/AAAAAAAABsM/Ql-ZP9BhJso/s160-c/RockyMountainNationalParkJune2009.jpg" style="margin: 1px 0pt 0pt 4px;" width="160" height="160" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align: center; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/patrckb/RockyMountainNationalParkJune2009?feat=embedwebsite" style="color: rgb(77, 77, 77); font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Rocky Mountain National Park - June 2009</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Day in the Mountains</span><br />I took an extra day on my recent vacation and spent the day driving through the Rocky Mountain National Park. It as a great day. The weather was unseasonably cool. The high was about 65F/18C at the park entrance. But by the time I reached the summit, it had cooled down to 30F/-1C. The wind was really blowing. And when I was at the Trail Ridge Store it started snowing. It was great.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Emotional Ambush</span><br /><br />I took my camera and, as I usually do, I took lots of photos. [Click the image above and it will take you to the web album of those photos.]<br /><br />That night I downloaded them to my laptop and started to look through them. Then it struck me - I'm the only one in the photos. Boom. Trudie and I used to really enjoy traveling together. So my sadness was about not having my favorite traveling companion with me. This was a great opportunity to grieve another area of loss. Yes, it was tough - but I've learned that tough is part of the territory and that Jesus is walking with me.<br /><br />So I let myself feel the sadness and I had a good cry.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-72163430288459014522009-06-18T03:14:00.008-04:002009-11-24T08:43:42.319-05:00I'm A Man<span style="font-weight: bold;">The Beard Story Morphs</span><br /><br />My first digital story was about <a href="http://wwjl.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-bosnia-video.html">My Bosnia Story</a>. It was a project that I did during my <a href="http://www.storycenter.org/workshops.html">Basic Digital Storytelling workshop</a>.<br /><br />My second digital story was supposed to be about shaving my beard and mustache after my having them for 27+ years. I wrote it and liked part of it but I was not satisfied with how it ended. Over the course of six months I would struggle with it and then put it back on the shelf again many times.<br /><br />I got the chance to take the <a href="http://www.storycenter.org/fit.html">Facilitator Intensive Training</a> offered by <a href="http://www.storycenter.org/index1.html">The Center for Digital Storytelling.</a> This workshop gave us perspectives on how to facilitate a digital storytelling workshop in our environment.<br /><br />So I brought my "Beard Story" to be mulled over by the collective of instructors and fellow facilitator trainees in a story circle.<br /><br />I was asked deep probing questions about what was the story<span style="font-style: italic;"> really </span>about?<br /><br />This was tough right-brain work that I'm not used to doing. Issues were being uncovered like "what makes a man?" and "<span style="font-style: italic;">do</span> I know I'm a man?" and "<span style="font-style: italic;">how</span> do I know I'm a man?".<br /><br />I rewrote it and then shared it again with my classmates and the lead facilitators. More layers of the story onion were probed and revealed. I rewrote it again.<br /><br />Over the course of four days, the Beard Story morphed. It was hard work and my brain felt like mush but I really like this revised story.<br /><br />Enjoy!<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7732050&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" /><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=7732050&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/7732050">I'm A Man</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/pbartkus">Patrick Bartkus</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p><br />My thanks to Daniel, Amy, Kayann, Christina, Corinne, and all the great folks in our group last week.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-11253612014369449452009-05-13T20:06:00.008-04:002009-05-16T22:06:32.981-04:00Bosnia Trip 2009<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:donotpromoteqf/> <w:lidthemeother>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther> <w:lidthemeasian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:lidthemecomplexscript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:splitpgbreakandparamark/> <w:dontvertaligncellwithsp/> <w:dontbreakconstrainedforcedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> <w:word11kerningpairs/> <w:cachedcolbalance/> </w:Compatibility> 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mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><span style=""> </span>May 16<sup>th</sup>, 2009<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Dear Family and Friends,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Last year I decided to go on a short-term mission trip sponsored by my church, North Point Community Church. I went to Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of July. It was a great trip and God used it in my life to help me come to know Him deeper. We also made great friends with those doing ministry in that country.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >This year I’ve decided that it will be good to go back. The ministry team in Bosnia and Herzegovina needs our encouragement and support as they try to bring the love of God into the lives that have been deeply scared by past war wounds. We will be working with the same team at the <a href="http://www.novimost.org/">Novi Most Center</a> conducting Youth Workshops for the week of August 16th - 24th. We saw last year how the hurts of the past are impacting the kids. They are living with the baggage of their parents and their grandparents. The <a href="http://www.novimost.org/">Novi Most Center</a> is bringing the light and love of our Lord into those hurts.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >I need your help. I need you to be part of my team. First, of course, I need your financial support. The total cost of the trip is $2,600. I’m tossing in a chunk of change for it but I also wanted to give you guys the opportunity to invest in it too. If you decide you want to be a part of it you can make a check out to “North Point Ministries” and send it to me. Or this year, you can go on line and make a donation through the <a href="http://www.goglobalx.org/">GlobalX web site</a>. There are directions below.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >But the main thing I will need is for people to be on my prayer team. I am going to <span style="font-style: italic;">need much prayer</span> through this whole trip. I need my team to be in prayer before we go, to be in prayer while we are there, and to pray for me after we get back. There will be many opportunities for God-moments. And I will need prayer to make the right choice each time. I will need prayer to get what God would want me to show.<span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Would you please consider being part of my team this Summer? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" >Patrick Bartkus<span style=""> </span></span><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves/> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> 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name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:1; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-format:other; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ><span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.novimost.org/"></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on"><span style=";font-family:";" >4911 Sturbridge Cres.</span></st1:address></st1:street><span style=";font-family:";" > NE<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span style=";font-family:";" >Roswell</span></st1:city><span style=";font-family:";" >, <st1:state st="on">GA</st1:state> <st1:postalcode st="on">30075</st1:postalcode></span></st1:place></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><st1:place st="on"><span style=";font-family:";" ><st1:postalcode st="on"></st1:postalcode></span></st1:place><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" >Link to Bosnia Partner: <a href="http://www.novimost.org/">http://www.novimost.org/</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=";font-family:";font-size:12;" ></span></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p>On Line Giving Instructions - Bosnia Youth Workshops</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p>Go to <a href="http://www.goglobalx.org/">www.goglobalx.org</a></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span style=";font-family:";" ><o:p></o:p></span></p>Click on the "give" on the top right hand side of the page.<br /><br />Fill in your contact information.<br /><br />Select the "Short-Term Mission Trip" radio button.<br /><br />Under globalX Trip Information:<br />- select -<span style="font-weight: bold;">Bosnia</span>- in the "Country" drop down<br />- select -<span style="font-weight: bold;">Bosnia Youth Workshops</span>- in the "Trip" drop down<br />- Type my name in the "Individual" field.<br /><br />Fill in the Credit Card Information. (They accept Visa or MasterCard)<br /><br />Click "Review Donation Information" and finalize your transaction.<br /><br />A confirmation e-mail will be sent to you and will serve as your receipt to use for tax purposes.<br /><br />Thank you so much for your generosity in supporting what God is doing in Bosnia.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-85046306042827028142009-04-12T11:43:00.005-04:002009-04-12T11:58:28.223-04:00Easter 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8KNEwywI9o8WoVwUbeme3OJBhmeIp0Ioey5E-nLyoF45k4Zom-WeZQEVv_7rlpoAi2kyMBcGCvrTwkImb1yHCAsdV2Ypiux86dblnoXiVQXOYJSsYJuNAPJneItQAzFe7k4ErD-EpPU/s1600-h/100_0934.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS8KNEwywI9o8WoVwUbeme3OJBhmeIp0Ioey5E-nLyoF45k4Zom-WeZQEVv_7rlpoAi2kyMBcGCvrTwkImb1yHCAsdV2Ypiux86dblnoXiVQXOYJSsYJuNAPJneItQAzFe7k4ErD-EpPU/s320/100_0934.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323833458767927138" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Easter Sunrise Service - Stone Mountain</span><br /><br />For many years, I used to go every <a href="http://festivals.stonemountainpark.com/mini-section/default.aspx?season=spring&id=66">Easter Sunrise Service service</a> at the top of <a href="http://www.stonemountainpark.com/">Stone Mountain Park</a>. I even occasionally brought a few braves dates along. It was certainly the earliest date pickup on record (3:30 AM).<br /><br />This year I decided to restart the tradition. So I left the house at 4 AM and walked up the mountain. I was there in plenty of time. I forgot 1) how rocky the walk up was, 2) how steep the final part is, and 3) how WINDY it is on top of the mountain. I took a blanket but it wasn't near thick enough to stop the 44F/7C degree wind. Next year I'll take a thicker blanket.<br /><br />Here's a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020785&id=1074781285&l=ad08f03168">link to my Facebook photo album.</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-30936630991057271562009-03-27T16:19:00.004-04:002009-03-27T16:36:30.119-04:00Maytag Repairman Patrick<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2019644&id=1074781285&l=64a7e99ad5"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZSaV2FtNhDFb8Zp2LND2JDNbPhYLxJZCysWcU81wxWwT7Gq1QcSsnq0Jyxt5P1w_iI8V-JowcQhHZK8Co-YMFY7GdBuuV8EooXUZvS8rJ7jU5YRj1tGJFJBmMUbFF_EYv9hWHpzeOUs/s200/100_0905.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317968753102479970" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Old Washing Machine was sick</span><br /><br />Well it isn't THAT old. But the agitator wouldn't agitate. It would only sit there while the bottom part went back and forth, back and forth, etc. So I looked it up <a href="http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=257303">online</a> and found a <a href="http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/ctrfs.aspx?part_id=3138838&&&&diagram_id=84309&model_id=257303">"agitator rebuild kit"</a> and necessary <a href="http://www.appliancepartspros.com/part_details_lgimg.aspx?pn_=350849&part_id=3098553">grease</a>. Total cost about $32. So I placed the order.<br /><br />Today, I got around to tearing into it. It was not easy to find out how all the new parts fit together. But I did it. Now it's happily washing away.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-76580277564106918872009-03-21T17:30:00.005-04:002009-03-21T17:43:57.789-04:00Hike in the Mountains<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-SDzQi630U9ReJbpKtt8Da_AqG0SHSy1QIivAWJUkfhYYq-XzwKTmR8A4Sx_nUpzWC5FChO2BsdpNyRWI9jBsI2kMZs7ibmiVK3PJC8-fCPiaSk_bEmHQ9VWtyxpUwcX-OxSZR9x_g4/s1600-h/100_0877.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-SDzQi630U9ReJbpKtt8Da_AqG0SHSy1QIivAWJUkfhYYq-XzwKTmR8A4Sx_nUpzWC5FChO2BsdpNyRWI9jBsI2kMZs7ibmiVK3PJC8-fCPiaSk_bEmHQ9VWtyxpUwcX-OxSZR9x_g4/s320/100_0877.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315757877570277970" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Fusion Group hikes Raven Cliff Falls</span><br />Fusion is the environment at North Point Community Church where singles get together and do light Bible study and get to know each other.<br /><br />This weekend our group went to Raven Cliff Falls. <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2019210&id=1074781285&l=c25a4cb0b5">More pictures are here.</a> We had a gorgeous day. The temperature was around 60F/16C degrees and it was bright and sunny. The falls were about 2.5 miles (4 K) from the parking lot. It was not a difficult trail but it did have a few "challenging" sections. Most if the trail was beside the mountain creek so it was very picturesque. It was a lot of fun.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-70195430442878826882009-03-13T17:32:00.006-04:002009-03-13T17:56:46.797-04:00Facebook - A God Send or of the Devil?<span style="font-weight: bold;">Resistance is futile, you will be assimilated!</span><br /><br />Hi, I'm Patrick and I'm addicted to Face Book [Hi, Patrick!].<br /><br />Yes, I'm spending way too much time keeping up with the minutia of my friends lives. It is a time black-hole. It sucks up my time and never gives it back.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Why did I join? </span><br />I heard about how great it was from other FB-addicts. So I thought I'd try it.<br /><br />At first is started innocently enough. I joined and put the minimum of personal information on there. I added a few really good friends whom I care deeply about. I then met new people at various singles events. So I added them. Then, FB showed me other people whom I may know. Why yes, I am sort-of friends with some of them, so I added them. Pretty soon, I had 50 "friends." And then people started finding me, so I added them. <br /><br />Now, I have 90 friends. Some post things I DO what to know about - these are the posts that keep me coming back and checking for more. These posts feed my addiction.<br /><br />A lot of them rarely post anything. A few of the post a lot of stuff. Some I don't even care about. I have even dropped a talkative "friend" or two that I got tired of listening to.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Videos</span><br />I can share videos that I like by posting links to them on FB. Other friends do the same and I spend time watching them.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Pictures</span><br />I love looking at friends pictures. I see people who are important in their lives. I spend time going through not just the pictures they are tagged on. I look at all the pictures in the album.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Events</span><br />Friends show links to events that they are attending. I evaluate the links and see if it is something I would be interested in. Maybe it is, usually it isn't but I need to check it out. We have to keep our options open, you know.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Bottom Line</span><br /><br />I want my time back. I am turning it over. I know there is a <span style="font-style: italic;">higher power</span> who can restore my on line life to sanity. I have to continually turn my on line life and will over to Him who is able.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-55758795751025254152009-03-11T15:44:00.002-04:002009-03-11T15:46:58.989-04:00Drew is Home<span style="font-weight: bold;">Finally Home Again!</span><br /><br />Brother-in-Law, Drew, was released from the hospital on Tuesday evening. My sister, Millie, is ready for some relief. Drew's brother, Casey, has arrived to help out.<br /><br />Thanks everyone for praying!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4189753527540700054.post-55373944959507732632009-03-08T16:59:00.002-04:002009-03-08T17:06:28.373-04:00Drew still in the hospital<span style="font-weight: bold;">New development</span><br /><br />Drew's creatinine level was going back up. It was down to 1.5 and then it was back to over three. They did a biopsy and are changing his medicine routine. He's also getting <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasmapheresis">Plasma Pheresis</a> treatment. This will help him not reject the kidney.<br /><br />Millie is staying with him and is doing great herself.<br /><br />They both could use more prayer.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0