Blogging Hiatus?

One week without blogging...hmmm? Was Todd on some sort of blogging fast? Did his Mac catch a virus (ha!)? Are his hands in double casts as a result of some sort of street fight gone bad? or Did he simply have a full week and was only able to Twitter his thoughts during the last 7 days?

The answer is affirmative to the last guess and if you, like so many others, don't know what to do when this blog lies dormant, then head over and follow todderickson on Twitter. You might be glad you did (I think?!)

Chicago's Official Food

Mo and I are heading to the Windy City for a conference with some friends next month. Where do you suggest we dine?

New Favorite Spot

My new favorite place for vacation breakfast is hands down The Belvedere Coffee Shop. It's on 36th at the ocean, check it out the next time you head to Virginia Beach.

I recommend the special (2 eggs, bacon, home fries and wheat toast) and my kids love the pancakes.

Why stop there?

Yesterday Mo posted about us praying together for 40 days. We are currently heading into day 4 and have no plans on stopping.

This prayer challenge has caused me to wonder about other areas where we could step up to a challenge...

Could we diet together for a month?

How about managing our finances together for a lifetime?

I wonder if we could exercise together in order to reach a goal?

Can our marriage handle our cooking together?

And finally, my favorite, could our intimate relationship handle 101 days in a row?

What kind of challenge does your marriage need?

My Desktop

Tony Morgan suggests that our desktops tell a lot about us. A pixelated window into our souls (I said that, not Tony). Here's mine:


What does it say about me? What does yours say about you?

All Day Long

Suggest a caption...

Run, Swim, Run

Hello, my name is Todd and I'm a casual triathlete.


Today, I embarked on my first event that involved an open ocean swim. It was set up like this: 1k run on the sand, 1k swim in the ocean, and then a 5k run on the boardwalk. My goal was to complete this event in under 60 minutes and I missed that mark by just 1 minute and 11 seconds. I did not come anywhere close to finishing on the podium but I also was not bringing up the rear. I got pretty much what I trained for.

That adage of "you get what you train for" certainly works for triathlons, but it also fits perfectly for our spiritual lives. In my mind I want to be a spiritual giant but too often I spiritually train to be just a regular guy who happens to know Jesus. Paul reminds us that our spiritual training is important.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
I Corinthians 9:24-26

I left the race this morning with a renewed vision for my physical training and this Scripture encourages me to rethink my spiritual training as well.

Habakkuk 1

I was reflecting back on last week's message from Habakkuk 1 while looking forward to hearing Lathan help us through the "dip" this weekend. I was struck by this verse from the Message:

God, you're from eternity, aren't you?
Holy God, we aren't going to die, are we?
God, you chose Babylonians for your judgment work?
Rock-Solid God, you gave them the job of discipline?
But you can't be serious!
You can't condone evil!
So why don't you do something about this?
Why are you silent now?
Habakkuk 1:12-13

Habakkuk knows God and this depth of knowledge allows him to ask questions with comfort. The juxtaposition of his knowing God and his questioning God is all too familiar. He has obviously logged the divine relational hours in order to know God well. Sometimes I wonder if my questions are not based on my knowing God but on my ignorance of his ways. Hmm...

Pick Your Nose

This certainly has the capacity to liven up your next party or backyard barbeque.

Don't you just love creative stuff. It all goes back to the we are created God's image thing. What with Him creating the whole world and all, that would make Him supremely creative, don't you think?

Encounters with God

My spiritual life hardly ever includes holding a leather bound Bible in my hands.  More often than not, my connection to the Scriptures is through my 17" PowerBook.  Therefore, I'm thankful to the folks over at Scripture Union for sending me God's Word every day. This keeps me fresh. We're in II Timothy right now.

Would you like to join us? It don't cost nothin'.

Also check out www.youversion.com (now with a cool iPhone app) and www.biblegateway.com.

What's On Your List?

I am heading back down to the beach at the end of this week and I had such a solid stack of books with me last time, that I'm not feeling confident that this week's reading will be up to par. Here is what I may be hauling along with the beach umbrella:

What would you add to my list?

Logging in a Very Good Day

Here is how my Monday shaped up...

-Wake up Clay and Em for a morning commute to Tysons Corner.
-Check 'em in for Apple Camp and then drool over all the uber cool Mac gear.
-Cinnabon. 730 calories!
-Change Facebook profile pic multiple times.

-Answer emails on a big 'ol sloppy 30" Mac Display. I think that thing is bigger than my TV?!
-A good half hour in the Message in the corner of the Apple store.
-Head back down the toll road with the kids wolfing down McD's.

-Destiny Staff Gathering at Moe's. "Welcome to Moe's". It just makes you feel good to walk in the door.
-A few very productive office hours.
-Convinced son to join me on a training run to the pool to log in 1500 yards.
-Dinner with neighbors.

-Making sure you are kept up on all the minutia.

Apple Camp

Tomorrow morning Em and Clay and I are heading to the Apple Store in Tysons for Apple Camp. They'll learn their way around Garage Band while I read in a soft chair at Starbucks. Then off to a lunch staff meeting.

Should be a good Monday.

I'm a sucker for something free... III (apology)

I blew it. Yesterday was not only Free Slurpee and Free Best Buy Gift Card Day, it was also Cow Appreciation Day which is also known as the "Offishul Chikin Eatin Day".

All you had to do was wear a cow costume to your local Chick Fil A and they would have given you a Free Combo Meal. This was an obvious mistake on the part of areyoudestinized and I promise to be more diligent in the future. Please do not drop us from your RSS feeds.

I'm a sucker for something free... III

Today is a big day in the cheapskate world that I live in.

-Rush over to your nearest 7-11 to celebrate the fact that today's date is also 7-11. Nothing is better than a free slurpee!



-Then head over to Best Buy with your kid's report card and for every A they get a designated amount on a gift card (max of $25). This is untested and apparently ends at 10pm tonight....definitely worth a shot.

-Finally, if you are local and are a woman (this is not starting out well) and are interested in the Women of Faith conference at the Verizon Center, email me right away....I've got one free ticket for you. First come, first served.


Have a great Free Friday.

-

Join My Team

Triathlon season is now in full swing. I'm heading to Virginia Beach next weekend to compete with a bunch of Navy Seals in the Allen Stone Run, Swim, Run event. I probably should have noticed that I'd be up against a bunch of guys who swim 5 miles a day when they are not even training. Just looking to finish in the pack on that one!

I'm pumped for the beach event but am really excited about the Destiny Triathlon Team taking on the Giant Acorn Triathlon in October. We, as a team, are not only seeking to tackle this event but are also teaming up with World Vision to help change the world. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for this amazing organization that serves over 70 million people throughout the world every year.

Please head over here and help me help World Vision by sponsoring me in this event. We'll watch the giving grow together on the widget in the left column here on areyoudestinized. Thanks for jumping in with me!

Release Points

This week, I've had the great opportunity to have a few conversations with parents regarding their kids as they step out into new adventures. This is often a difficult process for us as parents. We know we have to let go, but want to tighten our grip at the same time. 

These conversations reminded me of Dennis Rainey's illustration of archery release points.  I first heard Dennis use this illustration at a Family Life Parenting Conference and it has stuck with me for years. 

An archer's accuracy is largely impacted by how the arrow is released. If it is released correctly, the arrow should fly straight toward the target. If it is released incorrectly, the arrow will not fly straight.

It works the same with our kids. Throughout their lives they experience release points where we need to let them go. Whether it is learning to walk, a first sleepover, a driver's license or freshman year away at school, these are all release points where we, as parents, need to let our kids step out  and experience the fullness of life with all of it's ups and (in the case of learning to walk) downs.

How are you doing in releasing your kids?  How would they say you  are doing?

Top Quality Independence Day Weekend

July 4th falling on a Friday this year, really made for some great down time.

July 4th - Morning Swim, Local Parade, Poolside Lounging, Barbeque with Friends, and Fireworks (say it with me "oooo, ahhh").

Today - Church on the Lawn Setup, Dunkin Donuts, Power Napping on the Couch, More Barbeque, this time with Family.

Tomorrow - Church on the Lawn!

I could get used to this kind of schedule.

Minor Prophets

I know you will not want to miss your favorite minor prophet this summer at Destiny, so here is the lineup:

July 6 Amos  (Church on the Lawn)

July 13 Habakkuk I

July 20 Habakkuk II

July 27 Habakkuk III

Aug 3 Hosea

Aug 10 Jonah

Aug 17 Haggai

Aug 24 Zechariah

Aug 31 Malachi

Each of these guys heard directly from God. Although  they are only minor prophets, which means they never made it to the majors  or got the big  Nike shoe contract, the message they carried is very relevant for us today.  Adjust your vacation schedules accordingly.