May 2010
1 post
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Now it's time to say goodbye...
Hey everyone-
So I’m sure you noticed that I stopped updating with any regularity quite some time ago. I’m sorry about this, but every time I would sit down to do an update, something more pressing would inevitably pop up. I’ve decided it’s time I finally just throw in the towel and shut down my blog.
You can still keep up with our family by adding me on facebook at:...
April 2010
4 posts
Easter!
Easter is one of our favorite holidays. It’s reverent like Christmas, but much more laid back since there is no pressure to get people gifts, and usually the family gathering is slightly smaller.
My brother and sister-in-law came to Waco for the holiday and finally got to meet Baker for the first time.
Much like he did for the Super Bowl, my dad made a special cake for Easter.
...
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Where to begin?
Let’s start with just before Easter, shall we?
Kristin’s super hero of a friend, Cassi, came to visit us, but more importantly, she came to meet Baker! Kristin and Cassi have a long history together: They met at a track meet in high school, ran against each other throughout their high school “careers” (where my wife, whom I show no bias to of course, no doubt won every...
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Men of God: Promises
When I married Sally, I made a promise before God that I would love her, keep her, cherish her, and be faithful to her. I meant it; I poured all that I had into that promise. A marriage promise is probably one of the biggest that anyone would make. It would break me and who I am if I were to break this promise because I believe in it so much. There are other promises I make in relationships...
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Men of God: We Know, You're a Christian
Authenticity is valued, and your words matters. Not only your words, also how consistent your actions are relative to those words.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Building a good reputation takes a lifetime, and losing it takes but a moment.” This can be particularly true for those of us who make others aware of our commitment to God. AKA Men of God.
Sadly, there are too...
March 2010
10 posts
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Men of God: Investing in Others
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” -Matthew 28.18-20
Jesus’ plan when he...
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Men of God: Being a Christian Man
Smith asked a while back that some of his male friends write on the theme of being a Christian leader or Christian man. I chose to write on the idea of being a Christian man because, well, regardless of what I may think of my leadership abilities, I’ve got the proof that I’m a man!
It’s actually pretty easy to be a man in America today. Or, it’s at least pretty easy to...
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Men of God: In His Image
I must confess: I do not know why so many men of my generation hesitate to proclaim the name of the Lord with any sense of urgency or excitement. I do not know why there are so few men willing to take up the mantle of Christian leader. It puzzles me as to why men of a certain age (20s to 30s) refuse to stand up for Christ and sing his praises, as we are called to do.
It confuses me. It frustrates...
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Men of God: An Introduction
As most of you are aware, I write a devotional every week that I send out to a group of people; God has really blessed me with this activity because it has helped me grow as a follower of Christ and as a Christian leader. The devotionals have given me the opportunity to talk with people about Christ, that I might not have broached the subject with, had they not read it in an email or here on my...
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Are you not entertained?
One of the things you quickly realize when you are in charge of a small human, is that you talk and sing and read and talk a lot more than you used to.
Any sort of television viewing for children under the age of two for more than one hour is harmful to the brain development of the child. (Side note: Sort of hilariously, PBS does everything it can to convince you otherwise until finally admitting...
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The End
There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. -Daniel 12:1
We do not like to talk about The End. The Endo of All Things frightens us into silence. It seems to be an unspoken agreement amongst Christian that sermons, devotionals and conversation should always steer clear of the terrifying reality of The End.
But The End is very real...
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February, pt. 2
Also during February, Kristin’s mom came down to visit.
One of the things we’ve started doing is putting Baker on his belly while he plays on his Boppy.
This thing is great because it allows us to put him down while we eat, but we don’t have to put him in his chair. He can sit right next to us on the couch! Also, if we put him on his belly, it helps him work on his neck...
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February, pt. 1
Yes, yes, I know. It’s been way too long since my last Baker update.
February is one of my least favorite months. The weather is always bad and nothing really ever seems to be going on during the month because everyone is indoors avoiding the bad weather, preparing for Spring. I guess having a small human changes things because February was great this year and went be so fast!
Baker was...
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The Lonesome Valley
Salvation is found through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. -Acts 4:12
There is only one way to experience the majesty of His kingdom and it is through the salvation found in Jesus Christ.
The stark reality of our journeys as Christians is that no one else on this earth can save you. No one else here can go to...
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I'm now on Twitter... →
Please feel free to follow me. It’ll be a lot like the stuff I put on this blog. Getterman family stuff, random links, and God stuff. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it.
Let me know if you’re on Twitter too and I’ll be sure to follow you.
(Awesome rhymes.)
February 2010
6 posts
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He is Jealous
For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. -Deuteronomy 4:24
We belong to the Lord. Our worship, service and faithfulness belong to Him and Him alone. When we choose to devote ourselves to something other than God, He becomes the consuming fire as described in Deuteronomy.
When God sees us slipping away to something other than Him, He becomes zealous in His...
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Baker Photo Update
Since it has been a little bit since I last updated, I thought I would do just one post with Baker pictures.
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One Month Birthday
Baker’s one month birthday just happened to coincide with Super Bowl Sunday so we had planned to celebrate at my parents with “football food” and treats. My mom ended up getting sick so my dad came over to our house and we had our little celebration here.
Baker got a bath before my dad came over and I love it when he gets a bath. After we dry him off his hair goes back to its...
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NYT: Big Benefits Are Seen From Eating Less Salt →
Starting on the first of February, I stopped adding extra salt to everything I eat. This doesn’t mean I’m not eating something cooked with salt, I’m just not picking up the salt shaker and pouring more salt into my food. I haven’t felt a huge difference yet, and I doubt I will, but I know it will make a difference in the long run. From the linked article:
In a report that...
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NYT: Flock Is Now a Fight Team in Some Ministries →
This story about evangelical churches forming their own MMA style fighting clubs in order to attract more people to the congregation, is pretty amusing. Once you get over the fact that these are guys that are punching people in the face, in the name of God, there is some pretty deep and interesting motivation behind what they’re doing…
The outreach is part of a larger and more longstanding effort...
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Humility
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. -Proverbs 11:2
It’s easy for us to get wrapped up in our daily accomplishments. It’s even easier for us to boast to others about a life goal or milestone recently we’ve reached. We will often get into a “groove” either at work or in a relationship and think that it is because of all the work that we are doing.
...
January 2010
16 posts
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Almost One Month!
As Baker approaches his one month birthday(!), he has been making the rounds seeing the various members of our family. Most of them come to him since we’re keeping him quarintined for a while, but they don’t seem to have any issue coming over to our house to visit him…
My Aunt and Uncle came in from Cedar Park to see Baker, so my grandparents joined them (as did my folks) and...
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NYT: Between God and a Hard Place →
A personal or global tragedy always presents an opportunity for believers and non-believers to attack the grace, love, and very notion of God. Haiti was no different.
In the hours following the disaster in Haiti, everyone knows the terrible, seemingly inhumane things Pat Robertson said. Of course we also know the response he was given, and as a result of the words he spoke the picture that was...
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Be in the Light
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” -John 8:12
Are you afraid of the dark? As a follower of Christ, you shouldn’t be. We have, as our leader, the ultimate light…the literal Light of the World.
As children we would often see shadows “moving” or monsters under our bed, but only while the light was out....
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NYT: The Human Body Is Built for Distance →
One of the things that I’m constantly hearing from non-runners about running is that it “isn’t good for you.” This is poppycock and really gets under my skin because it is usually these same people that, when you try to explain all of the research that actually supports the other side of the case, they lose interest. It’s just one of those things, I think, that people...
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The Lair
I was going to post this a couple of weeks ago, but then we went and had the baby!
So I guess by now I’ve established that Kristin and I both really love Disney and all things Disney Parks related. Thus, it should come as no surprise to you, that Baker’s room is Disney Park themed.
Hanging over his crib is this sign we had painted, with a quote from Pinocchio:
When Kristin and I...
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For short stories...
I wanted to pass along the below post, a review of a short story collection that is also an endorsement of the genre. Carolyn, the author of the post and blog, was in one of my classes when I was a teacher and is now a junior at Denison University in Ohio. She writes reviews of books she has read and I find them to be quite insightful.
I chose this post in particular to highlight because I am a...
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…And Listen
The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” -1 Samuel 3:10
What you do in your solitude with God will change your life.
Wrestling yourself into a submission of silence is not the end goal, however. Our goal, once we reach that state of humility where we allow ourselves to strip away...
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Weight Check
I figured it’s about time I write about running and fitness again, since I haven’t in a while. As you can tell, I’ve been sidetracked with plenty of other stuff to write about.
When I first began this blog six months ago I stated that my intention was to keep from gaining any sympathy weight during Kristin’s pregnancy, hold myself accountable for what goes into my body,...
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Be Quiet
This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…” -Isaiah 30:15,16
We live in an age when everything has an on/off switch. We are constantly checking our email, voice mail, stock picks, and sports scores. Many of us can’t go an hour, much less a day, without checking out our favorite...
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Lust: Part Two
But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. Flee from sexual immorality. -1 Corinthians 6:17,18
Although it is very clear in the Bible that men are to take a leadership role when it comes to matters of faith, women play an equally important part. While men are called to be leaders, we need women to support us and help keep us on the straight and narrow...
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A Getterman Christmas Carol
What a crazy week!
Since Kristin is so far along in her pregnancy, we couldn’t travel anywhere for the Christmas/New Years break, which meant pretty much every member of our family was in Waco at some point or another during the course of the break.
Kristin and I celebrated what will be our last Christmas with just the two of us, which is a wild thing to think about.
Well I guess it...
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Lust: Part One
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. -1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Lust and sexual temptation are tough topics most people shy away from. Why? These are two temptations and evils that the greater majority of us deal with on an...
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Hello, 2010.
Generally speaking, I don’t partake in New Year’s Resolutions. I tend to think they’re trivial and sort of a perfunctory and halfhearted attempt at improving one’s self. People tend to pick something, break their resolution once, and then give up and go back to their old routine of doing what it was they were trying to stop doing before hand.
Having said all this, I am...
December 2009
11 posts
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36 Weeks
Sunday marked the 36th week (!) of Kristin’s pregnancy. From what everyone has told us (books, friends, doctor, etc.), go-time could be pretty much any day from now until our due date (Jan. 17th).
Because 36 Weeks is the “you better get ready” milestone, we started making final preparations to make sure that we are ready when the day comes. Kristin put together her hospital...
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The Restless Evil
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. -James 3:9,10
This passage confronts us on several levels. First, it challenges our “Sunday-selves” and our habit of shedding that persona for what we consider a more “practical” us,...
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It Begins.
I spent the majority of my weekend assembling various baby related items. By the end of the day on Sunday, my brain was pretty spent from reading poorly written instructions and trying to figure out the secret to the byzantine nature of children’s products.
The Jumperoo was far and away the most difficult item to assemble, followed closely by the pack and play. I think it was mostly...
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Amazing Disney Facts and Figures
Here’s an interesting chart drawn up with some of the amazing facts and figures concerning the Walt Disney Company. It covers everything from movies to theme parks.
Click here for the direct link to the chart.
Click here to check out the website, where I found it.
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The Calling
I Am So Weak!
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. -1 Corinthians 1:25
Let me tell you a little secret. I am so weak! Perhaps I’m just fooling myself; maybe that’s not a secret at all. Maybe you can tell when you talk to me or see me out somewhere. Maybe I come off as something other than what...
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The Calling
Undiscovered Blessings: Now is the Time
…for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. -Philippians 2: 13
You are right where God needs you to be.
We spend too much time wishing for the future and reminiscing on the “good” days of the past. When we find ourselves in a period of difficulty or on the brink of an exciting adventure, we often forget to consider...
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November 2009
12 posts
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Green Christmas
For this Christmas season, Kristin and I wanted to try to be a little more environmentally friendly with how we wrap our presents. Wrapping paper can be expensive and it generates lots of needless waste…plus we thought it would be fun to make our own!
I brought in some old issues of the New York Times from my office and Kristin got together some water based acrylic paint and stamps. We...