A few "in process" pics...

Reminds me of college...

So today we demo'ed the bathroom...

Mulling an upgrade...

Thinking about Japan

What a heartbreaking tragedy in Japan! Actually, as we know, it's three in one. Mercifully, all of the people that Amy and I are connected with who have friends or relatives in Japan are in contact with their folks. With so many dead and missing, that's a true grace.

Two stories caught my eye recently. Both demonstrate the resiliency, communal spirit and hard-work intrinsic in the Japanese culture. If these are at all representative, the Japanese are uniquely equipped to endure such a heinous experience.

This is the story of a highway that gets rebuilt...in 3 days! How long do you think that would take in your town?!? It's a great metaphor I think.

And then there's this story. Now, before you go there, please note that it is full of foul language. But what a story of strength, courage, determination and perseverance. It'll preach! To whet your appetite, enjoy this little doozy of a quote: Now, I'm sure you're wondering what the f*** is more intense than commandeering a wet suit, face-punching a tsunami and dragging your wife of two decades out of the flooded wreckage of your home, but, no sh**, it gets even better...

Evidently the standard Dixon family rate of $1 a tooth is not good enough for our Lucy...

Because everyone knows that heart-shaped quesadillas just taste better!

Before and After

A Heartbeat Away

I love the old Michael Palmer, like back in the day Palmer. Unfortunately, in A Heartbeat Away , Palmer has lost his groove.

Recently, I went and watched the movie I am Number Four . I had not seen a trailer; all I knew was the premise, which sounded fascinating. Going in expecting great things, I was so disappointed to essentially be watching Twilight 8. Teenyboppers and aliens as far as the eye can see...

A Heartbeat Away was like that. The premise is amazing. A virus is released by terrorists during the State of the Union. Imagine that. Over 700 people held hostage, the core of our government. There is one designated survivor. What will happen?!?

Not enough, unfortunately. The plot is weak with characters I had trouble connecting with. The pacing was tough to follow and at several points I had to backtrack because the scene jumped so abruptly.

In the old days, Palmer's novels were quick-paced medical thrillers, themed around one person against some devious medical system. After reading A Heartbeat Away , I wish he would go back there.

Born to Run

In the last three years, I've read a lot of running books. The key word there is "a lot." And they are all amazing reads. Which makes sense. If you get a contract to write a running book, you are someone capable of superhuman feats, and you're probably pretty crazy as well. Put it another way, no one is asking this 15-20 mile a week, 1:40ish half marathon running 38-year old campus minister to write up his running biography! Bottom line...I love reading Karnazes, Reed, Yasso, et al. I leave each one entertained but, more importantly, inspired. They take me beyond my own experience.

On one hand, Born to Run is another example of the genre. In this case, we get to read about perhaps the craziest, most indie race around, a 50 mile footrace in the Mexican badlands featuring America's best ultrarunner, some truly crazy characters and the best of a tribe of Mexican runners called the Tarahumara. Toss in writer Christopher McDougall's wry and witty writing style, and it's a 5-star read just at that level.

Thing is, Born to Run doesn't stay at that level. And that's its genius. Because Born to Run offers the reader what you might call a meta-narrative. A bigger picture. A deeper story. Unlike the rest of the pack, whose meta-narratives are seemingly limited to "run...it's fun!" this story takes it a few levels deeper.

Here's my shot at articulating what Born to Run is, at its core, all about: the danger of so-called "progress." And, really, McDougall tells us this deeper, more important story on two levels.

First, we get to know the Tarahumara. Truly, these isolated folk are born to run. And run they do. In sandals and bright outfits no less (or more). And they love it. Running is as integral a part of their culture as McDonald's is of ours. And yet the picture McDougall paints is a tragic one. Slowly but surely, civilization is coming to their Copper Canyon home. Paved roads, bus routes, phones, things like that. And with this "progress," their running culture changes. Whole villages are giving up running. Others begin running in flashy Western gear. In one of saddest passages of the book, a group of Tarahumara take shortcuts up the mountain in an effort to win the great race. The people who love to run for the sake of running have, slowly but surely, misplaced their affection in the name of "progress."

Next, we get a thought-provoking look at what "progress" has meant for our feet. I gotta be honest...reading Born to Run made me want to go out to the nearby school, lose the shoes and run a few barefoot laps around the grassy field. The story McDougall tells reads something like this: the human body, and specifically the foot, is designed with running in mind. We are truly born to run. But several decades ago, someone (looking at you Nike) told us that we need these shoes to avoid injuries. And, we should plan to spend $100 plus to get these shoes. Thing is, in the time that we've been taught this, running injuries have increased. Significantly. What's "progress" then? And have we traded our physical health in the name of "motion control?" McDougall's answer would be yes.

So, 5 stars for the story and 6 for the meta-story. If you want to be challenged to think deeply about the nature of progress, this is the one for you. If, however, you just want some good yarns about some running freaks, I've got a bookshelf full of 'em for you!

The yearly Fly in the Soup March Madness picks

Wow, 4 games in and 3 last minute wins. If this is going to be a trend, I like it. Once again, I'm in the Sexton family grudge match, er tournament challenge. And after winning last year, I'm planning to be the first repeat winner in our history. Here are the picks:

Carolina beating Ohio State to make the final four out of the East.
SDSU (Go Aztecs!) beating Duke to make the final four out of the West.
Kansas beating Notre Dame to make the final four out of the Southwest.
And Michigan State (yes, Michigan State, the 10 seed) beating Pitt to make it out of the Southeast.

From there, I have Carolina beating SDSU and Kansas beating State. Then put me down for Roy Williams and the Heels beating the Jayhawks 65-60.

Happy Patty's Day from the Dixons!

A limerick for today

There once was an old man named Rob
All Wednesday his head had a throb
Took a nice morning nap
'Round the hood a late lap
At day's end he feels like a blob

Was it a surgery or a procedure? Either way, it hurt and I saw blood!

So until this morning I'd never been to a podiatrist before. Turns out the average clientele is about 20 years older than I am and you're not hip at a podiatrist unless you are wearing some of these badboys. But I digress...

I was there to get my ingrown toenail trimmed. Or is it clipped? Or cut? Not sure. At any rate, of course I have running to blame for the situation. The offending nail had been hurt either in late 2009 or at the Shamrockn Half in March of 2010. It had finally fallen off in July 2010 (outside the Starbucks in Cedar City, Utah if you must know) and then it had been hurting for the last month or so.

Turns out the surgery (or procedure if you'd rather) was pretty benign. Four shots to numb it all (I had sheepishly turned down his offer to go without) and then some tugging and pulling and it was done. Now I'm home waiting for the anesthesia to wear off. Pass the Aleve.

Here are two pics from the morning. I'll spare you the during pic, but here's the before shot. And then how's that for an industrial strength nail clipper?!?

Saw a Guatemalan Quetzal coin today and suddenly wished I was here:

A God-Sized Vision

I read A God-Sized Vision last Sunday in preparation for some meetings this week. What a fantastic read! The book hit me on several levels:

As a history major, I loved the stories of how God has worked in the past. What a joy to hear about the global and historic scope of His work in fanning revival. You leave this book certain that no place, people or timeframe is outside of God's ability to work.

As a staff worker, I loved hearing about the people that God used to advance his purposes on earth. People like Jonathan Edwards, Charles Finney and Timothy Dwight at Yale. As someone who everyday works to see students transformed, campuses renewed and world changers developed (how's that for a plug for IV?!?), I left inspired that God might bring revival onto my campuses in my day. May it indeed be so!

As a writer, I loved reading about the importance of chronically the work of God. I mean, how incredible that a revival in Whales could directly lead to a revival in India?!? It's not like those countries are neighbors! When God's people experience a fresh work of His Spirit, when they write it down, and then when they share it with others, the work spreads. It was fun to dream about what this could look like on our campuses.

Lastly, as a Jesus follower, I loved being challenged by what revival could mean for me. Where do I need revival in my own heart? Where do I want to see God work in fresh and amazing ways in my character? Where in my personal ministry do I need a rekindling? A God-Sized Vision gives the reader hope that the Spirit has the power to renew our souls and bring us back to life.

When people tell me that "they grow up too fast," I usually roll my eyes. But here's the thing...it's true.

In just 47 days, the Dixons are going to have 9 year old on our hands. That notion sort of staggers me. So I thought tonight that I'd record some of my favorite things about Josh right now. Gotta do it quick before he grows out of them!

I love how he has crazy, long hair right now that is ever rumpled...and he doesn't care.
I love how last night when he was having trouble going to sleep, I totally distracted him with a google picture search on "space shuttle."
I love how he's dutifully collecting cards. He's even got the little plastic card sleeves in a binder. Somewhere out in the garage, his dad has boxes full of cards just waiting to be rediscovered.
I love how he loves being a big brother, even though living in a house with 3 little sisters is constant chaos.
I love how he's content with his steady improvement on the soccer field.
I love how he loves to tell me about what he's experiencing...again and again.
I love how he can't tie his shoes, how he struggles to zip his jacket and how putting on shinguards kind of mystifies him. What's the rush? There'll be time for all of that later.
I love how, no matter the temperature, he cocoons each night in his Sesame Street blanket.
I love how we faithfully pray for Bosnia most nights.
I love how he's totally geeked up to go to the Monster Truck show at the SaveMart Center tomorrow night with his friend Preston.
I love how he can't wait to be a runner like his dad.
I love how he is tender-hearted.
I love how he thought our waitress was cute last weekend. I think the quote was "Mommy, I think I know who I want to marry."
I love how he's a reader. The kid's not happy unless there's a book nearby.
I love how he gave his friend Garrett five bucks. Just because.
I love how he's committed to the Lakers and Dodgers for life. Sorry Uncle Seth!
I love how he's memorized everything there is to know about Super Mario Galaxy. It reminds me of how I felt growing up about Middle Earth.
I love how I really have to work to beat him at MarioKart.
I love how I'm slowly wearing him down and sometime soon he'll read a Hardy Boys mystery.
I love how thrilled he gets with Man Lunches, Family Fun Days and time with us. May that never change!
I love how for some reason he has to use our bathroom in the morning.
I love how he's up to three bowls of Cinnamon Toast Crunch in the morning.
I love how unlike his sister he doesn't mind me hugging him goodbye in the morning at school.

I could go on. Josh, when you read this someday, know that your Dad is CRAZY about you and the little man that you are becoming! I love you buddy.

We had a DATE NIGHT tonight and it ended with this!

Why I do what I do!

A few pics from last weekend's Winter Conference. More here. What a joy to be almost 15 years in (in December) and more convinced than ever in the call to develop students to change our world for Jesus.

My idea of a perfect Saturday morning

Thanks Layla for the great pics!

I welcome your comments on this one...

My date tonight for my CSUF large group talk...