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33 is the number of Eddie Murray, the first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles during my days as a kid. (Dad thanks for taking me to games at Memorial Stadium…even if we had to walk 5 miles to get to the park)

33 is the largest positive integer that cannot be expressed as a sum of different triangular numbers.

33 is the atomic number of arsenic.

33 is, according to the Newton scale, the temperature at which water boils.

33 is the age at which Jesus was crucified.

33 is not only a numerical representation of “the star of David”, but also the numerical equivalent of AMEN. 1+13+5+14=33

33 is the number of innings played in the longest baseball game in history (a 1981 minor league game between the Rochester Red Wings and the Pawtucket Red Sox in Pawtucket, Rhode Island).

33 is a song by The Smashing Pumpkins on their album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.

33 is the title of the first episode of the new Battlestar Galactica television series.

33 is the year of my life I just closed the book on.  Today begins 34.

I learned quite a bit during year 33.

I learned that just when you think you couldn’t love your wife more you discover there is so much more about her to love.  I am crazy about Michelle!

I learned that being a dad keeps becoming more and more fun.

I learned it’s okay to quit on Sunday as long as you show back up to work on Monday.

I learned that joy and pain often roll together.  You don’t get one without the other.

I learned that growth is good but health is better.

I learned that all things are possible.  I ran a marathon!

I learned it’s okay to see a counselor.

I learned that coaching little league can be the most frustrating endeavor ever.

I learned that you really need to be really careful when riding your bike over railroad tracks!

I learned that if you have a handful of friends you are extremely blessed!

I learned that people leave…and it’s not always a bad thing.

I learned that pruning is painful.

I learned that the only way to overcome insecurities is to stop running from them and start running at them.

I learned that the difference between dreamers and doers is what happens once you wake up.

I learned that it’s pointless to ask God what’s next if I’m not trusting Him with what’s now.

I learned that mentors are a must!  Thank you Matt, Perry, Jason, Tony, Chris, Tadd, Steven, Brian, and many more.

I learned that the greatest ministry flows out of a raging hunger for the Word and Presence of God.  Thank you Pastor Robert Morris for this.

I learned that every team needs a Daryl Strickland who will fight beside you and for you…to the death!

I’ve learned that growing older is making me sappy.

I’ve learned that there is no weapon formed against me that will prosper.

I’ve learned that the little things matter.  Handshakes and hugs.

I’ve learned that you’re never as good as THEY say you are and you’re never as bad as THEY say you are.  It only matters what HE says you are.

I’ve learned that at the end of the day the most important thing is that I love Jesus, Michelle, Riley, Kenly, and Emery, because out of them will flow my greatest ministry.

33 was.  34 is.  Let’s do this thing!

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