He and I have always had a good relationship, but it is more rich today.

When we speak on the phone these days, we talk for a long time, usually discussing the Bible, the church, Christianity, or sometimes conservative politics. We talk about things that matter to us. I am very thankful that we can do this.

We don’t do it enough.

He encourages me regarding my faith and my family. He always suggests I “keep looking up,” rather than focusing on my circumstances.

I am aware more than ever today that he made sacrifices when I was growing up. I always remember him being there, even though I know he worked long hours. He made the choice to set his hobbies and his interests aside, instead of limiting his time with us.

This became real to me when I once asked him how long it had been since he had gone fishing or hunting, knowing it had been years. Taking care of children got in the way of his leisure time – and that is the way he wanted it. He didn’t see it as a sacrifice. He still doesn’t.

He wasn’t thinking of himself. He doesn’t think of himself. He spends his life making sacrifices for others.

I hope I can do the same.

I hope theology, the Bible, and the church are important to me when I am 80. I hope I can also look back on a life of sacrifice.

It will not be important for me to remember all the fun I had for myself. I would rather remember a life poured out for others, a life that meant something to someone else, like his life has meant something to me.

My dad is looking toward heaven more than ever now.

I wish I could take him on a great elk hunt before he gets there, but perhaps his arthritis wouldn’t allow it.

Somehow I think he will be content with just hearing about my life and watching my kids grow up. That is the kind of man he is.

He will always be a hero to me. He will always be someone I want to spend time with. He will always be someone I can point to as an example. I will always love him.

Below you can listen to my four children sing Happy Birthday to Grandpa. I know he will like that.

Happy birthday dad. I wish I could be there with you.

I love you and pray for you every day.

This interview from the Yukon Quest trail today reminded me why.

These men are leading the toughest sled dog race in the world. It winds through 1,000 miles of desolate territory, over mountains, on craggy ice, through constant wind, and in the midst of bitter cold. They don’t fixate on the moment. Moments can be tough.

When they look ahead, they see the finish line, but they don’t look past their teammates – the dogs.

Lance is a mushing legend. Allen is a veteran. These men know something about obstacles. They know even more about taking care of your partner.

They can teach us all a lesson on how to run together and finish strong.

This year’s Quest has been fantastic so far. You can follow race updates and live tracking on their website.

I am rooting for Lance.

He is the last familiar face I saw before departing Fairbanks for Wisconsin last September. He held the door for me while I carried some boxes out of the post office … only in Alaska.

My favorite part is when she accidentally repeats Jon three times. Great stuff.

The video below is about 25 minutes long, but his presentation only consumes about 15 minutes of that time. The remaining content will not likely be of interest to you.

Do you have any thoughts on the potential of audio and the future of the web? I plan to do a more lengthy update on the subject after launching a related project at some point in the near future.

I have had the privilege of hearing him each week during the MLS season, calling Seattle Sounders FC matches.

His clarity and insight on the game are excellent, and each call has creative flair and exactly the right amount of excitement.

After a couple of years with the Sounders, Arlo is moving into what is the best job in American soccer broadcasting today at NBC Sports. No one deserves it more.

Mediocrity is too often the norm in network broadcasting. Some commentators and anchors should not have jobs. In this case, it was terrific to see real excellence rewarded. Bravo NBC. Bravo Arlo White.

We understand that no place on this earth is our true home. God teaches us in His word that our true home is heaven. I am not not discounting, bypassing or forgetting that fact. It is the truth.

Still, people feel at home in a certain place. I am wondering what factors contribute to that feeling and considering the ingredients for developing a sense of belonging to a community.

Those who know, say Don Garber is the best commissioner in sports. I agree. He has MLS in a period of major growth at a time when the naysayers are many and the business climate isn’t exactly favorable. Great job, Don.

Should Christians be cool? Should we have a desire to be cool? What does our desire to be cool say about our spirituality?

Well…our Bible tells us to be set apart, to be separate from the world. Not removed from it, but certainly not like it. Therefore, a desire to be cool is incompatible with a desire to be Godly. They are, by their very nature, totally opposing one another.

To make it clear: one cannot more closely resemble popular people and culture, while at the same time being “set apart”. It is impossible.

Tonight, my wife and I were able to view the Monday evening sermon from Pastor Paul Chappell. It is a fantastic message that is every bit as dynamic as it is important. If you are a fundamentalist and you listen to no other video or audio sermon this week, devote an hour to this one. In it, Dr. Chappell addresses issues that few others of his stature dare to address. He does so with passion, eloquence and a clarity that is rare. I am placing it in my permanent files and will pass it along to as many as I can.

The Spiritual Leadership Conference continues this week. You can tune in the livestream or download each message soon after they are given. I’m certain you will not regret devoting some time to this endeavor. These are sessions that are certain to be filled with exhortation and encouragement.