Starting School Again?

I've signed up for continuing education classes at the University of Dayton. The classes that I've signed up for will go towards being a certified catechist. Should prove to be interesting. I'll keep you posted.

Starting school again? It's not really so much as starting again as much as it is continuous learning. When do we ever stop learning? In my line of work (the computer industry) there is constant learning and updating all of the time. And with the bible and church, there is always a yearning to learn more. No matter how many times I've studied something bible related, there always seems to be another layer, facet to look at. Like looking at an expensive diamond, it is beautiful from a distance, but becomes more brilliant when inspected under light and even more so when examined with a magnifying glass. That is how I like to approach things. First a broad look and then to start uncovering layers and to "dive deep" in to the subject all together.

So, please pray for me that this next endeavor goes well and is fruitful.

Peace,
Mike Leach

So...what's been going on you ask?

Lots. Dancing has started in full swing for the girls. So has Master's Academy and Homeschool studies and piano practice and the list keeps going on!!!

*****************************************************

I just accepted a new position at the hospital. I am now a Database Administrator (DBA). No more firewalls, security fluff, e-mail problems, surfcontrol, yada yada yada. No more Team Leader...and all that goes with management, employees running late, calling out, bickering,... ( :-) I was able to get monetary promotion with less responsibility... yea

I also just accepted a new position at the church as Sunday Morning Catholic Education Coordinator. Wish me luck!

*****************************************************

Sept 26th, 2008...only a couple of weeks away, my family will be walking in the "Light the Night Walk" for Luekemia and Lymphoma. We will be walking in memory of Martha Anne Twiggs.

Please support this walk by following this link. If the link doesn't work, then copy and paste http://www.active.com/donate/ltnAtlant/2324_mleach1990 into your web browser. This is the first time that I have tried to raise money this way. My goal is 500 dollars.

I would be gratefull if you would pass the link on to other folks that you think might be interested in supporting this walk. :)

Nutcracker Party Scene Practice

Today was day 1 of practice for the Nutcracker. I kinda knew what to expect... I mean, I've seen the Nutcracker several times. Helped out back stage several times. But to actually do it is something different. Don't get me wrong, it was tremendous fun. To be out there with Allen and Zan, Maddie filling in for the role of Drosselmier... (Mr. Charles can't be with us for many of the Saturday practices, so Maddie steps in and fills the void). It was just fun and I hope it stays that way.

The dancing took me back to middle school days when they would incorporate square dancing with PE. Back then I didn't really appreciate it. I do now.

I guess I will have to get Maddie to help me practice before next time. Yea Daddy/Daughter time!!

Secrets of Harry Potter

I was surfing around this morning and went to sqpn.com. It is a website dedicated to Catholic New Media. I was looking around and came across some information about Harry Potter. I've read all 7 of the Harry Potter books and loved them all! Anywho...there is a podcast series that goes into the signs and symbols in the series of books. I've listened to the first few podcasts and really enjoyed them. If you are a Harry Potter fan, then I invite you to listen to the series of podcasts.

The direct link to the spqn website is can be found HERE.

Alternatively you could subscribe to the podcast on itunes. Just search for "Secrets of Harry Potter"

Daughters...

I was reading a post on another blog earlier and one point stood out and made me think. The quote from the blog was “Coach each player like he was gonna marry your daughter” ~John Wooden.


What made me think about it was how I need to do things now for my daughters future. I need to be praying now for her/their future mate. These are not new ideas for me; it has merely been brought to the front of my brain. Off of the "back burner" so to speak.

I don't have a clue who he is...where he is from...what he looks like. All I do know is that he is growing and maturing and forming ideas about life and it is my sincere prayer that the Lord move in this young man's life in a good way. That he have positive role models that will teach him and guide him in what is right and just. That he knows/learns how do deal with conflict with dignity and that he treats women (all women) with respect. These things I ask in Christ Jesus name, Amen.

Early Church Fathers

I've started another Blog. I know that the Mike Leach blog has only been up for a few weeks, but I've decided to dedicate a whole blog to the subject of the early church fathers. There was a book that I read last year called "Four Witnesses: The Early Church in Her Own Words". Its s really good book and it is very hard to read. I hope to be able to go through the book and create a sort of book review of it and go from there. The link to my new blog is http://TheChurchFathers.blogspot.com.

Peace of Christ be with You!

Walkin' on Water

Gospel Reading from Mathew 14, 22-33

This Sunday's Gospel reading is about Jesus walking on water. After the multiplication of loaves and fishes, Jesus sends his disciples out on the boat while he goes and prays up on the mountain. The boat is a few miles offshore and is being tossed about by wind and waves. The disciples are a might nervous by this. Jesus comes down from the mountain and walks out to the boat on the water. When the disciples see this, they are scared. They believe Jesus to be a ghost. Jesus tells them to not be afraid and asks Peter to come to him. And Peter does! How amazing... a real leap of faith. Peter does well until he is distracted by the wind around him.

That is what happens to us. We get distracted by all the wind around us. The noise, needless distractions, sin. The distractions don't have to be bad either, they could be any number of things that distract us from Jesus. I believe that in a perfect world we could keep our focus on Him. If you have ever been to a retreat or a really good bible study or christian concert, you come away with a kind of euphoric feeling, a closeness to God and as time goes by, life goes by, the feeling does not always (I mean seldom) stays the same. We get distracted by life...

If we focus on God and always maintain focus on Him then we can all walk on water, if that is what we are called to do. Listen for Jesus's call. Listen for what he is calling us to do. Often times it is only a faint whisper and we will never hear it if we get distracted.

May the Peace of Christ be with you!