greg ramer

Trip Completed

Back on November 16, 2009, I started a reading plan that would take me through the entire bible in 90 days. Yesterday I completed my journey two days ahead of schedule. I have always wanted to read the entire bible, but I have never been disciplined enough to do so. Then I came across the B90X reading plan. (I cringe everytime I think of how unoriginal the plans name is -- but thats for another post.)

Name aside, I thought the idea of trying to read the bible in such a short amount of time would be a good challenge for me. It worked -- sort of. Reading the bible that quickly didn't allow me to really dive into the scriptures. Towards the end it seemed like more of game or a competition I was competing in. Not a feeling I think one should have when reading the holy Word. 

Now, I can't say that I "read" the whole way. I am a slow reader. According to one online reading test I read about 150 words per minute which they labeled at below average to average. During the last three months I read roughly 20% of the time and listened to Mr. Max McLean read me the rest. So, I don't know if that 'officially' counts as me reading the bible in 90 days or not. But, fast or slow, reading or listening, I am glad my mind enveloped the scriptures one way or the other.

Until now I had never read the entire bible. It's something I have always wanted to do and I plan on continuing to do so for the rest of my life. I don't plan on reading it as quickly as I did this time, but once I finish, whether it takes me seven months or three years, I will start over again the next day. For my next read through I have started to read the bible chronologically using The Chronological Study Bible.

Greg.

And We're Back

Okay, so as you can tell, I am back to this blog. I had the great hope and plan to create a completely different customized blog that would look different and have all these different kinds of bells and whistles. However, after reading the small print of my other source I soon realized it was more then I thought it to be. So, here I am, continuing on with this same ol' blog. As they say, if it ain't broke...

Greg.

Until Awhile

Stepping away from this ye old blog for a little while. Until awhile...

Greg.

Dad's 60th Birthday

Today is my father's birthday. He turned 60 -- a fact he doesn't seem to enjoy. In honor of his birthday mom, dad, mammaw, and I went to the garden of olive. (I would like the IV bag of Zuppa Toscana please and thank you.) Afterwards we rolled ourselves over to Mammaw's where dad opened his birthday presents and we all enjoyed a wonderful upside down strawberry cheese cake from Publix. To say it was delicious would be an injustice. It was so good I kicked my grandmother in the shin and lost sight in my left eye for about five minutes. 

Greg.

Here is a picture or six from the evening...

    

    

Ramer Photography's First Logo

As some of you know I dabble in photography from time to time. Many people have suggested that I should pursue this hobby as a profession. I have thought on such things. And each time I think on those things, I decide it is not for me. I still feel that way. However from time to time I do take pictures for people that could be considered "professional."

Since my picture taking for people has increased recently I have decided to create a logo and eventually some business cards. I consider myself to be creative, however I don't have some of skills (or software) it takes to take my creative thoughts from my brain to pixels. So, when I was in Orlando recently, I tossed an idea out to a guy who can make my creative thoughts become realities.

This man's name is Tim DeMoor. I told Tim I wanted an "R" to be my main logo, but I didn't just want a plain old "R." Tim went to work. And after a few months and an email or two, he came up with this -- a shutter turned into an "R."

 

I am VERY happy with the result. When Tim first sent me the design he came up with, I was giddy (yes, I said giddy) and couldn't wait to see the finished product. You can see the original drawing and read more about Tim's process for developing the logo here.

Greg.

Stop Motion Post-it

(The behind the scenes video.)

(ht: stuff christians like)

Break To Build: Silence and Solitude

Silence can be deafening. It is amazing what you hear when you are quiet.

New Years weekend I got a chance to do something I wish I could do more of -- hunt. As I sat in a shooting house in the woods of northern Mississippi watching a small field for deer, all I could do was listen. Cold, I sat still with my arms crossed over my chest, each hand tucked under my armpits. The rifle's muzzle sticking out of the window with the butt resting on my right arm. My head leaning back against the cold wooden wall behind me.

(The shooting house and field.)

Straight ahead my eyes scanned the cold, hard ground. To my left I could hear the trickling of a small creek winding though the forest -- her trickle slowly buidling to a roar the longer I sat quiet. All around me I could hear the intense fluttering of small birds moving from tree to tree. Periodic blast of wind flowed through the shooting house making me colder and colder all the while the smile on my face grew bigger and bigger.

I wanted to be no where else.

I was alone. No TV blaring. No phones ringing. No emails that needed to be replied to. No Facebook. No Twitter. No people talking. No people, period. It was just me and that lone baby doe that just walked across the field from right to left. The rising sun impeding my view of her completely.

I didn't care. I needed this. I needed to be alone. Still. And quite.

Often times I think it's the ones who are constantly working or doing something are the ones that make it. But in reality it's those that understand the importance of disconnecting and getting away that get it. We need rest. We need time alone to think with a clear mind. Jesus did this (Mark 1:35; Luke 6:12).

I have been bothered by this thought for sometime and can't seem to get past it. I have felt for the past few weeks as if I am in a stagnant place. Like I am between two moments. 2010 is going to be a major year in my life. Really, as I sit here and type these words, I would say this year will certainly mark the closing a huge season in my life as I walk passionately in the next. Words can't describe how excited I am about this. It is almost to the point that I am antsy about it and want things to happen quicker then they should, which is probably leading to my feeling of being between two moments.

Ever since I have gotten back from my hunting trip life has been busy and noisy. As the holiday season has come to a close and friends and family are back into their routines, I am finding it's still noisy. Only this is not an audible noise so much as it is a mental noise.

With that, for the next few days I am getting away. Unfortunately, not to a tree stand, but I am getting away nonetheless. I will be turning the cell phone off. Staying far, far away from Facebook and tweets. And shutting up. I plan on spending a lot of time with a notebook, a pen, and an bible. And seeing what happens.

Until next week.

Greg.

Previous Build to Break posts:

Comfort
Thankfulness

Help For Haiti

Compassion International has set up donation options for those who would like to give financially to the relief efforts in Haiti. I sponser a child through Compassion and know they are a legit orginization. If you are able to help, please do.

For more information on how the money helps in the efforts and to donate click here.

Greg.

30 Days

Thirty more days to go on this. I have a few thoughts, but I will wait until I am finished to share them.

Greg.

Too Soon

Even though it technically snowed while I was in Mississippi last weekend, it looks as if I missed it by a few days. The picture below was sent from my relatives in Mississippi to my mom today with a little greeting for her. That is what I was hoping to see and hunt in while I was there. Maybe next time!!

Greg.