Hwood's Thoughts

Interlochen

2009-04-17T07:01:00.000-07:00

Kid 1 got accepted to Interlochen summer camp for the arts. She will be studying classical voice under some of the best instructors in he country for 6 weeks.

Until a few weeks ago, I had no idea what Interlochen was...I still don't know much, but those in that world say its a very good thing.

Way to go kid.

Journal it...

2009-04-10T14:04:00.000-07:00

Not complaining. In fact, very blessed. My cup runneth over...here's how:
- In the throws of an acquisition in Puerto Rico. Comes with 7 great employees, 20% more business and a footprint that gives us the entire Caribbean Basin.
- We close on PR April 30, prepping a retirement party for the outgoing "man", and prepping to bring the family down on May 1 for the party and the weekend.
- Looking to buy a building in S. Florida to get out of our rent situation and build some long term equity. Narrowed down the hunt to a primary, now trying to deal with financing, looks like we'll move our office in November if all goes as planned.
- In two weeks Kid 3 and I go on his 12 year old trip. He was gracious to Dad and wants to stay local...a day at Disney, a Day at Disney Quest and Nick Hotel, and Day 3 at Adventure Island at Universal...staying at the Contemporary one night and Nick the next.
- Just hired a new sales associate that is really working out...and putting pressure on one I should have fired long ago...may still need to fire.
- I've eaten 7 lousy meals in a row, with a couple of bad snacks mixed in...how's this do ya:
Wed. afternoon, Duncan Donuts combo, coffee and two donuts on the ride south to get me through, Burger and Fries for dinner at Sports Bar, Pancakes for Breakfast, McDonalds for lunch, BBQ club sandwich and fries for dinner, Eggs and Chicken for Breakfast, Burger and Fries for lunch and about 4 servings of Recees Pieces this afternoon...I was doing well for about 3 and 1/2 weeks and just blew it. Thank goodness I still excercise.
- How bout my Rays going into Beantown and taking 2 of 3...nice way to start the season.
- Spanish Lessons are cutting into my reading.
- I'm having a hard time churning through my book on John Adams...Atlas Shrugged is next (all 1200 pages of it)...my bride is begging me to read The Barbarian Way again...says that my current state of grace would make it a much better read than 3 years ago.

Thats all for now...

Top 10 in my bracket...

2009-04-07T10:15:00.001-07:00

My friend and second college (suitemate) hosts the mother of all brackets for the NCAA tournament. 58 participants this year.

Yours truly finished tied for 7th.

(Pops collar for the first time ever - not usually very good at these things)

Panama

2009-02-19T13:35:00.001-08:00

Not the Van Halen song...the country.

I was blessed with the business opportunity to spend all of last week in Panama. Although I spent 75% of all the available daylight time in meetings, the 25% was really nice, and my wife was able to come along...100% of her time unscripted.

Highlights included dinner at one of the Canal locks overlooking the Canal operations, some group volleyball in the pool, lots of quality time with my wife...

but by far the coolest takeaway was a tour we took into the Rain Forest.

It was 6.5 hours long tip to tip. We arrived a boat launch by way of a nice ride with our tour guide in his car. At the boat launch were several dug out canoes. And when I say dug out, I mean hand dug out from a large tree, approximately 4 feet in diameter and 30 feet long. Each canoe had a 30 hourse outboard and a driver. Up front was kind of a mate...he helped people in and out and worked this long pole to get us out of tight spots.

Did I mention that neither had any clothes on, except what appeared to be a home made thong with a washcloth hanging in front? These guys looked the part...tribal ink everywhere, chisled bodies...had they spoken english, I may have felt my marriage may be in jeopardy.

Anyway, the scantally clad hosts took us upriver to a waterfall to go swimming. Once we beached the canoe, we hiked about a 1/4 mile inland to this beautiful 50' waterfall with a lagoon at the bottom. Since the natives set the tone for attire, figuring out where to change for a swim wasn't a problem. Needless to say, our modesty found us finding a nice large, smooth rock to set a spell and watch nature at its finest. A few minutes into our stay, almost as if staged, 5 9-10 year old Indian boys, dressed like Dad, hike up and proceed to start diving off cliffs and playing king of the mountain on this fallen log. It was just fun watching them have fun.

After water sport, we hiked back to the canoe and set off for their villiage.

They took us up to a large hut, elevated 5' off the ground (to protect from animals). No water, no power, no heavy equipment...no problem. These folks had it wired. This hut was masterful, and all of the others were too. The chief proceeded to explain to us how they live, how they get their materials, what they do to earn money (host tours and sell their wares - carvings, baskets, beads, etc.). As he is talking they fed us lunch...fried fish and plantains (a native banana)...very tasty.

This chief has been in charge for 12 years...he runs unopposed and the tribe loves him. He's 48 years old and early in his tenure he went into Panama City for a month to learn Spanish. Once he knew Spanish, he went to America to figure out how to host tour groups. Then came back and taught his tribe with the goal of being totally self sufficient from the Govn't. They charge $25 per person for the tour, and they price their wares based upon how long it takes to make - the going rate is $1 per day.

We bought a basket for $40 and a carving for $35. Our guide says that you can negotiate...but it felt kind of crappy telling someone their time was worth $0.83 per day, not a dollar. So we paid list price.

The lessons were countless. Lots of thinking goes on in 6 hours in the rain forrest. I'm sure those Indians are plenty wise too...they get to think all day.

I would be happy to answer any questions...

A Prophet Ministry

2009-02-02T04:53:00.000-08:00

Thoughts come in waves.

Recently my friend posted about a book titled "Why I'm not Emergent, by two guys who aren't" or something like that. I didn't read the book and probably won't, but was very impressed by the quote that Brent posted from the book. My paraphase, which I've quoted 100 times since reading it is...

"Now that we know how many belly button hairs we have, it's time to transform. The Gospel is about Transformation, not wallowing in our issues."

So on a date the other night, we were talking about the need for a "prophet ministry". I mean, I know it sounds harsh, but its like we just find ourselves solving everyone's problems that we hear about. Biblically, it is a gift, right? And if managed effectively, it could work right? The councelling ministry is made of all mercy-gifted people...and they are great at dealing with grief issues, moral dilemas, etc. The prophet ministry could be where you send people that don't listen to the counselor. So you get a nice gently dose of "I hear you, have you considered trying this?" And if that has no impact...you send them over to see Jeremiah.

Like the young couple who are tapping into the benevolent fund, we know that the wife could substitute teach at the local Christian School, while the husband stays home with the kids to recoup. Jeremiah would tell 'em..."you should be ashamed of yourselves for tapping that fund...it's not for you."

And the couple with marriage problems...who seem to have really strong personal Christian convictions, but just can't cross over to give their spouse some grace...Jeremiah could solve that problem in like 30 minutes...just imagine.

So I mention my idea to the Executive Pastor and Chairman of our Deacon Board last night in passing...'cause they tend to be the resevoir for this type of stuff...and they chuckled and said something polite.

But at the core...I seriously doubt that people really want to change. And I can't figure out why.

So, here's what I want from you...

1. Is there a place for a "prophet ministry" in the local church?
2. Why do people seem content to stay screwed up?

More on "Me, Myself, and Bob"

2009-01-23T10:08:00.000-08:00

Let's just say that the last 40 - 50 pages of "Me, Myself, and Bob" rocked my theology. Well, rocked may be a strong word...but strongly reinforced my current view on things may not have been as attention grabbing.

The book is definitely worth reading and buying...but the end makes it a must read for our "earn our way into the Heaven Hall 'o Fame" crowd that permeates middle class Christianity.

Vischer goes as far as to say that his mid-America conservative Christian upbringing created a cauldren in him that was equal parts ambition, God pleaser and Christian. He says his MTV inspired vision to become a Christian Walt Disney was so out of whack theologically, and so intoxicating in the moment, that he didn't even realize how outside the lines he had gotten. It took losing everything ($44 million business to a $12 million judgement against him, followed by a requisite auction of everything of value in the company - that's a $56 million swing or loss - literally overnight) for God to get his attention and to realize that God doesn't need him.

God "reveals" his plans for us very selectively. Until then, our part is to do what Noah did before God revealed his plan to him..."Noah was a righteous man. Noah walked with God."

Frankly, I'm a planner. I have long range plans, intermediate plans, annual plans...most of which feed a master plan that I hope will get me on a different plane or level...maybe even to the Christian Cooperstown.

I need to do better at "walking with God".

Thanks Phil.

Books I'm Reading

2009-01-15T08:33:00.000-08:00

Outliers by Malcom Gladwell. I'm biased here, but Malcom Gladwell is my favorite author. He could write poetry on toilet paper and I would buy it. His previous two books The Tipping Point and Blink were homeruns. I might like this one best of all. The premise is on what makes people successful. He takes the age old arguement of nature vs. nurture and turns it on its head. It's not just the obvious...that both make exceptional people...but how exceptionally successful people got some amazing breaks, and how societies can learn from what breaks can be orchestrated. I like books that make me think, and this one did that.

Me, Myself, and Bob by Phil Vischer. First, he's my age (plus or minus a few months) so his entire upbringing brings tremendous nostalgia. Second, he's a creative type, raised in Christian circles who became an exceptional success in his field...if you've read previous posts, you can see this has been an angst issue for me lately. Probably the neatest thing is that he gives credit to MTV for inpiring him. He watched it a lot. And as a churchy-youthgroup-kid he felt moral tension watching Madonna gyrate to "Like a Virgin" in the 80's. Rather than spray paint her garage door with "repent" (his words), he said I need to do something...so he made Veggie Tail videos. That's just cool...and he was 15 when he got the calling. Oh, and the financial lessons of this book are priceless.

Czar by Ted Bell. I'm a sucker for Bourne-like male-oriented entertainment...and that's what Ted Bell gives you. A mindless, action packed, respite from reality...for me, it filled the void over the holidays until 24 started up again. And, it was a great read.

That's it.

The slope continues...

2008-12-22T04:33:00.000-08:00

This article, published in arguably the most conservative mainstream publication...well, it's really a head scratcher.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/industries/divorce-rates-drop-couples-stay-tight-finances/

My thoughts: The first sentence makes reference to "a new class of casualty"...10 years ago this would never have been thought of as a "casualty"...in fact, I would go so far as to say that this would have been considered a "silver lining" of the economic downturn.

I know, I know...terms like "starter marriage" and "upgrade" have come on the scene in the last 10 years, so I shouldn't be surprised...but I was.

Any thoughts?

Talent Management

2008-12-11T04:32:00.000-08:00

I think in paterns. And I'm stuck on this one. This is a continuation of the discussion on "can you be a follower of Christ and achieve the pinacle of excellence in your worldly field?"

I gave examples of John Bonham (famed, but very dead, drummer from Led Zeppelin) and others to build my case. My limited readership countered with U2, John Wooden, and a few others.

So today I'd like to go down in the weeds a bit. Down into my career choice...Business Management...specifically Talent Management. The pinacles of excellence for me in this field is Bill Parcell, current President of the Miami Dolphins, and Jack Welch, former Chairman of GE.

Bill Parcell has created championship caliber teams at every stop. He's won Super Bowls in an era of parity, and wherever he's been he's given the fans hope that their team CAN win a Super Bowl...which in a competitive game, is the most you can ask for. When he arives...its all about winning championships. He is a fierce evaluator of talent, and relentless in his honesty, and ruthless as he shreads his new locker room to build up a culture of winning.

Jack Welch was very similar. He had a practice of firing the bottom 10% of any measurable group, every year. He called it culling the fields. It was very, very successful.

The results that both of these men achieved are written about in business journals. Neither would be mistaken for possessing Christian values.

However, did Christ get results? Absolutely. And He did it with weak talent. And when the shareholders (pharasees) said "How good could the results be if he culled the field, fired those 12 disfunctional salesmen, and brought in some real talent like us?" Well, it obviously didn't faze him. He stayed true to his "Relationship Management Plan".

So, here we are with shareholders screaming for Talent Management - accountability, performance standards, steady growth, etc...and a heart...a transformed heart screaming for Relationship Management - give them every opportunity to succeed, you must not be training them right, its all about coaching, etc.

And what I'm left with is the stress of trying to balance the two. Live an abundant life in Christ, building relationships with my associates, be a servant Leader...yet maintain high performance standards to ensure a winning team...a championship caliber team...a team that gives the fans (all stakeholders) hope we can win it all.

Any thoughts?

The 70's & Rock n Roll

2008-12-08T04:03:00.001-08:00

I know, I know there's a pattern forming here, but my mind creates patterns...

So I'm watching the History Channel...

Don't get me started on how it makes you feel when the History Channel is doing an expose on your childhood years. Needless to say, that's all my children needed to see.

Anyway, it's halftime of a good football game, and I already know all the scores and highlights due to a highly productive day, so what better way to accelerate halftime than to go to History. They are doing a bit on the 70's and the two segments I see are Jonestown masacre and the party life that surrounded Studio 54. Don't get me wrong...these were important events, I guess...

So it got me thinking about culture and the 70's and other stuff...and it hits me...

Our culture is 30-40 years behind Europe. And in the 70's the UK gave us everything we could absorb in Rock n Roll. They gave us Zeppelin, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, The Beatles...I could go on...but lets just say...if Lynyrd Skynyrd is the best we could produce in that era...compared to these pillars...well it's like comparing the MLS to Premier League Soccer.

So, fast forward 30-40 years...and you get the last 10 years of our history. Where I would assume that those pillars of Rock n Roll influenced the GREAT artists of today, of this generation...and I also might assume they might come from the good 'ol US of A.

So here's your question(s) for today...What groups or artists are we producing that are on a par with the stalwarts I mentioned earlier? And, if you are like me, and have trouble thinking of, oh, any, then why is this void occuring in our society?

What's better (follow-up)?

2008-12-04T12:45:00.000-08:00

A few months ago I posted about what's better...more gold medals or more total medals at the Olympics. You see, the good 'ol US of A had more total...and China apparently selected every obscure sport available and trained like mothers to get gold...so they nabbed most gold.

Nothing new in my opinion...Silver is first loser.

But to add a new twist...I've been in a meeting this week with several Chinese people...so I floated the question...

The Chinese land on the side of total medals are most important. The Americans tend to side with me (go figure). Neither liked their results.

Not sure what to read into this...but thought it worth mentioning.

The slope gets slipperier...

2008-11-25T04:35:00.001-08:00

Ok, I get that we're nowhere near where the Romans and Greeks were on the debauchery meter. I also feel that we should learn something from our past. But where I've seen gay & lesbian rights travel in my lifetime is amazing.

First a disclaimer. I am never mean to anyone...and I'm serious, no one. My goal is to, through my behavior, treat everyone with the love of Christ, so that I might be salt and light to a lost world. And at times, this causes me internal angst or conflict...'cause inside I'm thinking hmmm...and on the outside I'm trying to show love.

So my Harvard Business Review came yesterday. It's a wonderful monthly magazing, that I happily pay $400/year for the subscription, to stay current with the latest business trends. Two of my favorite sections (which are both regular monthlies) are A Different Voice and HBR Case Study.

A Different Voice will interview someone who is not necessarily in business that can teach business principles. For example, my favorites of memory was Bill Parcell being interviewed about conducting turnarounds, and the Harvard University Chaplain discussing corporate responsibility and ethics.

The HBR Case Study takes an issue that businesses are dealing with and lays out in narrative the challenge, then usually asks four experts to weigh in with their opinion on how to handle the issue.

All of this narative sets up my point for today. The Case Study for December is about how businesses are dealing with Transgender employees. Fundamentally I'm perplexed from several fronts...
- The issue only called on three experts this time, and one of them a transexual that works for Boeing as an engineer.
- The three experts made references to generic "state laws" that protect gender/transgender discrimination issues...we were never made aware of which states and how many even have such laws on the books.
- The transgender "expert" mentioned that statistically, a company that employs 30,000 employees can expect 1 - 2 transgender shifts to take place each year...AND at Boeing its much greater than that because they've been so open to gender diversity.
- Virtually every case starts with a psychologist working with someone who hates being male or female and wants the other...I'd love to hear how "happy" (relatively) they are 5 year or 10 years later, before we call on society to change to meet the needs of 0.003 %.

Now, a brief moment for me to vent. Understand, this is a thought, it would rarely make it to my lips, and if it did, only with my closest of friends, who would know the thought was there anyway...

At what point did we quit calling these people "crazy"? The cynic in me truly believes that the psychologist, the hormone drug makers and peddlers, the plastic surgeons, and the remaining business, etc. to cater to roughly 9,000 Americans - all of whom are convinced by an even smaller select few that by completing these steps, they will no longer be sad, and they should not by any means feel "crazy" about wanting to be a different gender.

So now that that's out...what are your thoughts?

Doing life, with excellence...for the glory of God

2008-11-19T13:12:00.000-08:00

Sirius has this Led Zeppelin channel. 24/7.

It's hard to argue with Led Zeppelin as the greatest rock and roll band ever. If you google search best drummer all time, best basist all time and best guitarist all time...you get No. 1, No. 3, and No. 9 respectively...no other band comes close...in fact, no other band has any two members in the Top 10.

I remember working construction one summer and the guy I was working with says..."you like the Stones, The Who, or Pink Floyd?" I said I like Zeppelin...he says..."everyone likes Zeppelin, but what about the other three, who's best?" Basically saying, the discussion was going to be over second place.

Even my 11 year old son recognizes excellence. He says, "Dad, I'm not sure I like it all, but that drummer is REALLY good."

Which led me to think, about a lot...

Almost all of the Top 10's are train wrecks personally...strung out on drugs, suicides, families a mess...you name it.

Could someone lead an abundant life in Christ, and pursue excellence in this venue? And, as a parent, would you even encourage it?

I mean seriously, your kid is the next John Bonham (who died at 32 after drinking 16 shots of vodka, leaving a wife and two kids behind)...would you encourage it? When you think through what it takes to be the very best "worldly" whatever (in this case Rock and Roll Drummer), you crash smack into arenas that compromise your convictions...just play out the reality...

So there lies the question...being in the world, but not of the world, is it too hard to do with excellence? Can you get worldly results as a lawyer, businessman, politician...rock star...without comprimising your convictions? Does God even care about whether you are the best lawyer or drummer? Should we care?

You see where I'm at...have at it.

Scripture and politics...

2008-10-27T10:02:00.000-07:00

I exercise regularly.

I'm very disappointed with our Presidential candidates.

I tend to daydream while exercising about what my stump speach would sound like if I were running for President. It gets really good when I think about what I'd say or do if asked about a pointed issue.

Most recently one of those issues was the question Katie Curic asked Sarah Palin...She asked her "What do you read to establish your view and opinions on global issues?"

On the surface this seems like a reasonable questions...unless of course, you have a Biblical world view. I mean really...what if Sarah answered like this:

"Well Katie, I read a lot, and all of it impacts my opinion on Global issues. I read Harvard Business Review, Time, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, my local paper - which is owned by the New York Times, and I also read the Bible, which tends to overlay everything I take in to give me proper perspective."

Katie: "Really, how so?"

Sarah: "Take for example God's command to Abram as he was directing him to Canaan...He told him he would be the father of a great nation and those that blessed Isreal will be blessed, and those that cursed Isreal will be cursed. Katie, it doesn't take a world scholar to look at modern (post-WWII) history and see that in the last 50 years our country has stood resolutely beside Isreal, and we've been blessed beyond belief...arguably the most blessed nation in the history of the world. And on the other side, how are things going for Iran, Sudan, Egypt, Iraq, and most recently those aligning against Isreal: Russia, Cuba, Venezuela. Now I'm not saying that this is God's plan, but I do find it very coincidental."

Now imagine the firestorm that would result from this level of honesty. Throw in a couple of questions on abortion, stem cell research, cloning, homosexuality and other blowtorch issues of the day, and anyone with a Biblical World View would be crucified (intentional pun) by the media before they got 12% of the vote.

However, the reality is, Scripture plays a huge part in politics. I want my leader to stay aligned with Isreal. I want my leader to nominate Judges who interpret the constitution liberally, not Judges who think that until they took the bench, everyone before them was stupid and its there duty to enlighten all the rest of us.

The world is getting progressively more complex. Now more than ever we need a plumbline. It's very frustrating to me why we can't talk about what that plumbline is, or be direct about God's influence on this earth.

GRRRRR (that's frustration)

Just blown away

2008-10-10T11:40:00.001-07:00

Her mother and I are both athletes.

Not good enough to get paid for it mind you, but I lettered in football, and became pretty good at Basketball as an adult...and frankly, until the last year or so stood out at the Church men's events. My wife lettered in Soccer and Basketball, was sorority sports chairman. We watch football together, talk about current events like the firing of Tony Franklin, etc.

Oh, and its safe to say that on the Artsy Meter...the needle doesn't quite move for the two of us.

So the natural progression for our kids is to get 'em into soccer at about 4 years old, play a little t-ball, flag football, church league basketball...and for kid number one she has varsity letters in Softball and played 2 years on the JV Basketball team. Really, she's no athletic slouch.

Same kid got involved singing in the church children's choir. She'd get a solo about once a year...you know, she was the one to the side that got to hold the mic and sing one verse alone. This grew to being a townsperson in the school play (I guess townsperson is where they stick the little kids when there aren't enough props or trees or stuff). And she liked it...just lit up after performances, laughed back stage. The funny thing is that her blossom curve on stage was inversely proportional to the declining enjoyment she got from sports. In fact, last year, in both softball and basketball, she really hoped that she didn't have to play...but just liked being on the team with her friends.

This weekend she's in full bloom (as much as a 16 year old can be):

She's going to be performing 4 shows as Mrs. Potts in Disney's Beauty and The Beast. It goes without saying that I think she's great. But if I had a nickle for every person in town who saw the show last night, that has come up to my wife or me and said stuff like:

"Wow, She has a beautiful voice." or

"Man, she's a natural" or

"Where did she learn to act like that?"

You get the point.

The best part is, she paved the trail for other budding artists that may be lurking the halls of our house. So Kid 4 gets to take art classes and play low stress church league soccer while she finds her place (she's leaning toward art). Kid 5 wants to take Karate...not sure what a 5 year old cupie doll wants with Karate, but I'll keep you posted.

Anyway...I'm thrilled on several different levels. I'm sure you can read into all of them.

Hooray God.

Two things...

2008-09-25T11:33:00.000-07:00

1. I'm spending much more time on Facebook than here.
2. I heard a funny saying for the second time recently...it makes me chuckle now...it made me chuckle then, and I'm guessing it will make me chuckle everytime I hear it. Refering to kids born into charmed lives...trust fund babies, whatever...the first time I heard it the reference was to George W. Bush...

"He was born on third base, but somehow he stands there thinking he hit a tripple."

Now that's funny.

What's better?

2008-08-15T07:36:00.000-07:00

I have a dog in this hunt. You see, I'm a REAL homer. I love my country and want to see us do well. In fact, I get pretty upset when we lose stuff...especially if we should win.

What I don't like is two different measures of winning.

In this case it's medal counts. We (the good 'ol USA) tend to count total medals...but if I'm China, I think Gold's would be my measure of choice, as they may need to build their own Ft. Knox to house all of theirs.

And frankly, if I'm totally honest, I tend to agree with the Chinese...total Gold's should be the measure of excellence. I mean really, Silver is the 1st loser and Bronze is the 2nd loser. I'm not sure when they started awarding Silvers and Bronzes, but I'm guessing about the time Dr. Spock's parenting book came out.

So, what do you think is better...most medals....or most Gold's?

Dear (older relative),

2008-08-13T14:00:00.000-07:00

I love you!

I realize from your perspective, it may not seem that way, because I haven’t been very nice. Please allow me some leeway to explain. The analogy may not seem apropos as you are not my child, but I think you’ll understand where I’m coming from.

If I see (oldest daughter) driving recklessly, I will have a discussion with her that will more than likely lead to me taking her car away for a period of time. If she pushes back, or argues with me, I may even raise my voice to express my authority and seriousness of my feelings. This entire event will take place because I love her. I love her so much so that I want her to learn that reckless driving is totally unacceptable. It’s unacceptable for her own good and for the good of those on the road around her. From (oldest daughter's) perspective, in this instance, I wasn’t being very nice. She’ll probably complain to her friends about what a jerk her Dad is. But my love for her is steadfast and true. I love her enough to be firm.

When it comes to your spirit, it’s because I love you that I get so passionate about where you will spend eternity. And frankly, I’ve done a terrible job communicating that passion and love.

Because God’s timing is perfect, I can’t help but know that Sunday’s message was delivered directly to us (you and me). And Pastor did a great job laying out the truth where I’ve fallen short. He also did a great job convicting me that I can’t be your Holy Spirit…so I’m officially resigning from that position (not that I ever really had it). I’ve given you a copy of it on this CD…it would mean a lot to me if you would listen to it.

I apologize if I hurt you…that has never been my intent.

Finally, I’ve learned a very important lesson in this. It’s ok if we aren’t them same. We’ll have different interests, different friends, different vacations, and different likes and dislikes…and frankly, I’m very cool with that.

I love you,
Me

Follow Up

2008-08-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

Met with said relative this morning. Had a very mature discussion about appropriate dialogue for relationship building and more transparency moving forward.

Things are progressing.

A private matter...

2008-08-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

Just clearing my brain...

I'm very concerned for someone close to me...a family member who lives in the same town. The behavior she's expressing is nothing new, but as she ages it becomes more polarizing and she seems to care less about the damage left in the wake.

You see, she's very critical, gossipy, and frankly at times will just plain make things up to embellish whatever story she's spinning at the moment. I found myself in the car with this person for a long trip the other day and I decided to call her on it. I just asked her...

"Why all the negativity? Why do you feel so compelled to run others down verbally?"

Of course she said..."like how?"

So I gave several examples from the previous week and she didn't respond. So I took the opening to give my theory...I think you are very unhappy and running others down, and focusing on the negative side of others makes you feel better...and that's very unhealthy.

I proceeded to share the Gospel with her, and told her that the Love of Jesus can replace her pain. Then I gave her some positive things in her life to focus on, and an example of a mutual acquaintance, another family member, we both know well who has a very similar personal history, who knows Jesus and has been able to not only experience Joy and peace, but now serves him willingly in amazing ways.

All this fell on deaf ears.

Not only that, but now she's going on the offensive. Our second conversation in four days went like this...

"I don't even want to be around you or your family if I have to walk on egg shells and think about every little thing I say."

To which I replied...

"You know, I am so not concerned with your behavior. I only get concerned when you say hurtful things to my family or about my children in front of them. My main concern is that you may spend etternity in Hell and I didn't do an effective job of warning you."

"I am NOT going to Hell!"

"Do you believe in Jesus as your Savior."

"Yes I do believe in Jesus."

"Then why all the missery and negativity?"

"I'm sorry if I can't measure up to your standards, and if things in my life make me sad...that's just the way I am."

"I'm very sorry you are choosing to alienate yourself from my family. I'll be fine...I'm a big boy and I'm ok if you drive a wedge in our relationship...but my children won't understand why their (older relative) won't come around any more. And all I can tell them is their (older relative) doesn't want to be nice, so she's choosing not to come around."

This whole issue breaks my heart.

However, the flesh in me is looking forward to the break from the havok.

Rad Moves

2008-07-24T12:07:00.000-07:00

A little frivolity as my next post will probably be my thoughts on 1 Peter (July's quiet time)...

For the last 5 years or so my favorite cartoon has been Jimmy Neutron. Generally speaking, other than live sports, I can default to Jimmy Neutron at any time...and most times keep peace in the house.

I'm usually very loyal to my cartoons. As such, prior to Jimmy Neutron, Looney Toons (Bugs, Daffy, Elmer, etc.) controlled the first spot for most of my life.

Well, there's a new sheriff in town. The Backyardigans.

Check out this link and you'll see why...

http://www.nickmobile.com/nickjr/ringtones/ringtone_backyardigans_radmoves1.jhtml

You can't find the original video on You Tube, but suffices to say, watching these guys (Pablo & Tyrone) dancing to this is an instant classic.

I guess this one more advantage to having an extraordinarily large family...you stay current with cartoons.

The Red Knot

2008-07-21T12:03:00.000-07:00

"The red knot is a sandpiper that every year travels more than 18,000 miles from the arctic islands of northern Canada to Tierra del Fuego, at the southern tip of South America and back again stopping along the way on several Atlantic beaches. During their stay in the southern hemisphere they replace their tattered feathers in a long molt ensuring their flight equipment to be in top condition when, in February, they begin their journey north in flocks of hundreds or thousands. They stop on their way for food, always at the same beaches or marshes where they have fed for centuries. From the northern coast of South America they embark on a week long non-stop flight that takes them to Delaware Bay just as horseshoe crabs are laying eggs by the millions. There they gorge themselves in order to be prepared to engage in the next leg of their long journey – non-stop to the islands north of Hudson Bay. There in the long summer they mate and breed. By mid-July the female knots abandon their offspring and head south and a few weeks later the males follow. The babies fend for themselves until late August when they too commence their 9,000 mile journey. (from Chet Raymo, Skeptics and True Believers)"

Now here is the amazing thing: the young red knots by the thousands and without adult guides or prior experience find their way along the very same migration route of their parents, stop at precisely the same beaches and marshes for food and join the others at precisely the same place in Tierra del Fuego.

"...scientists have no firm understanding why the red knot migrate each year" (from The Nature Conservancy in Delaware).

I truly wonder what Richard Dawkins has to say about this?

I'm convinced there are no less than 100 amazing, scientific, examples of the wonders of God that have no explanation other than a Creator who had a specific plan for exactly how He wanted things to function. The sovereignty of God is on display every day...

Why do we keep missing it?

"It's the economy, stupid..."

2008-07-18T12:52:00.000-07:00

Recently I caught some heat because I took the optimistic side of things with the soon to be Red Herring that is Phil Graham. It appears to me people don't like optimism and really optimism and hope can't compete with the doom and gloom art form that has become our mass media.

I'm going to cover a lot of ground today, so hang on...

My first observation is...people don't like much. We don't vote FOR candidates, we vote AGAINST candidates. We change the radio station because we HATE that song, we don't go TO a station we love. I root for whichever team is playing the Gators, not because I LIKE UT Chattanooga, but because I LOATHE the Gators...and I think most people are like this.

So, it goes against the grain to list all of the economic positives about our country: freedom to choose a career, change jobs, decide where and what hours you want to work...the fact that we have more millionaires than every other country on earth combined, our welfare recipients are in the Top 3% of wage earners in the WORLD...I could go on...but anyone who reads this is probably starting to feel their skin crawl with discomfort right now (if the venom I received the other day has anything to do with it).

My second observation is...we (American Society) have lived an opulent, spoiled existence for five decades. The lifestyles we have become accustomed to is so unrealistic relative to long term sustainability that previous leaders (Kennedy, Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush, etc.) should all be ashamed of selling "unlimited consumption"

The stewardship implications of the previous statement are evident. Church giving is at an all time low. America is now the third largest "mission field" in the world. We've gone from No. 1 on the list of "Global Missions Giving by Country" to No. 18 in the last 40 years...all because we can't check ourselves at the door before we go to Walmart or Home Depot.

I get that people are hurting. I've got family members, retired, about to lose their house in foreclosure. While discussing their options with them, we talked about selling dining room sets on Craig's List and possibly declaring bankruptcy or selling the house to settle the debt and move into an apartment. The responses floored me..."Where will we eat Thanksgiving dinner...I love that dining room set." And, "I can't live in an apartment, I won't have a flower garden."

I'm really concerned. These comments came from middle class, professionals, who are retired...I can only imagine what are lower middle class and poor are saying.

The really scary part is when someone takes a leadership position, calls a spade a spade, and asks America to dial it back a bit, conserve and work together to get this thing back on track...they get vilified.

Sheesh.

This is cool...

2008-07-10T14:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeE4mjS1BKM

I wish I could do this...

Sirius

2008-07-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

I would have never guesed how cool sirius satellite radio is.

My new car came with 6 months free.

Side note: if you want me to change my behavior and try something new, do what the nice folks at sirius did, and give it to me.

Now that I have it...I love it!

Here's why:
...180 channels...of which 10 I like a lot...my favorites: classic vinyl (no problem guessing here...Zeppellin, Stones, etc), 1st Wave (Romantics, Eurythmics, The Fixx, Depeche Mode, 52's, etc), the Grateful Dead station (24 hours of dead), Alternative Nation (being out of touch...I have no idea who sings these songs, but I like them).

...you never lose the signal...so no matter where you go...your stations never changes.

...did I mention its free right now....and I think it will only be $12/mo. afterward.

I'm a fan...hooray for Sirius.

Just in case you missed it...

2008-07-03T13:34:00.001-07:00

My Rays swept the SOX to take a 3.5 game lead and the best record in baseball into the all star break...

Auburn Grads

2008-06-25T11:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, I get it, I have a built in bias, but it doesn't change my observation.

Auburn alumni, that I know personally, tend to significantly outperform their peers who have similar educational and experiential backgrounds.

Just a few examples...

My friend Brent. He gets ministry, like very few I've been around. I've been a very active member of 6 different churches in my life and he would be in the Top 10% of all ministry staff I've observed through the entire process. As a youth pastor, he invested in his teens - compared to most of the peers I've observed who play with them.

I know 6 Auburn men in my town. Five own there own businesses that range from $5 million to $100 million. All are of strong character, good Dads, and 5 of the 6 are strong leaders in this community - actively serving on boards and making AU proud.

My wife and I were discussing this the other day and trying to figure out why? We think it might have something to do with the Creed. Could a simple creed have that much impact?

You be the judge:

I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn.
Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.
I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.
I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.
I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports that develop these qualities.
I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.
I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness for all.
I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God." And because Auburn men and women believe in these things,
I believe in Auburn and love it.

Does Jim Halpert have a place in Business?

2008-06-24T06:35:00.001-07:00

NO!

And I mean it...NO!

Jim Halpert is make believe. No different than wives like the ones displayed on Wysteria Lane aren't really the goal for the typical home.

Recently I've had to have this discussion with a couple of my people at work, and it blows me away how shocked they are that this behavior is unacceptable. Like, man, why would anyone get all bent if we put your stapler in jello?

Duh!

You see, Business is for one reason and one reason only...to make a profit! It's not to supply you a job, a place to make friends, a place for you to express your creative side, etc. If these things happen...AND, we make a profit, great...we all win more.

But, if I have to buy a new stapler, or loose two days while someone cleans there office out from 3' of paper shreddings that you decided to fill it with as a practical joke while your coworker was on vacation (3 days if you count the time it took you to fill it), then that cuts directly into profit, which is diametrically opposed to why we're here.

So when I have to have this conversation with you, and tell you that your $50K - $60K job is dependent on you growing up...and you look at me like I'm from Mars, forgive me for being blown away. I mean if you want to be a camp counselor or youth pastor (read play with your friends all day here), then go do it, but with that choice comes the economic realities of being with your playmates all day (no offense directed at youth pastors past or present intended...just venting).

More on Baseball...

2008-06-18T04:55:00.000-07:00

My wife got me a great Father's Day present...a new Carl Crawford jersey, and tickets for the entire family to see the very competitive and entertaining Rays host the best record in baseball, steeped in tradition, huge national fan base, Chicago Cubs...this event took place last night.

First, let me say...I get that I-75 connects the mid-west to Florida...and the natural resevoir for folks in Chicago, who want something a little more mild climate-wise, is to end up in Tampa-St. Pete, but...for real...there were every bit as many Cubs fans there as Rays fans.

Now, about Cub fan...I've been around obnoxious fans before (read Gator fan here), but Cub fan took this to a whole new level. Everything about there team was great, and oh, wait till you see what happens here. For example...
- From the guy behind me..."Dempster is 8-2 and for sure going to go 9-2 tonight...you just don't know how good he is, and man is he hot right now." (By the 4th inning we were averaging 2 hits per inning, Cliff Floyd took him deep in the 2nd, and in the 4th we our 2nd string left fielder struck out looking with bases loaded)
- Then when the bull pen came in..."Oh man, you just wait, our bull pen is so good, no one hits our bull pen." (First pitch, seriously, first pitch...yard...2-0 Rays).

It was like that all night.

So, you can only imagine, after Rays fan has to listen to a thousand versions of this through 5 innings, by the 8th when its 3-1 Rays, and all Cubs fans are beginning to exit, and Ray fan is fairly well liquored up...it got ugly...real ugly.

My 16 year old leans in to me and says..."I could go see 100 "R" rated movies and still not catch up to what I heard tonight." I think she's lobbying for us to relax our standards...sorry sweetheart.

I know it sounds rough, but we had a GREAT time. We had great conversation to and from the game, the game was awesome...and I sat next to the most colorful, talkative, knowledgable Rays fan...who held his own in the trash talking category himself...just so you get the picture...
- Imagine Matt Wolfsburger, but he's 5-10, 290 and red headed.
- Every time a pretty girl walked by, he'd say "hold on", stand up and begin to clap, then look at me and say, "what, that aint funny". The usher began laughing by the 6th at this act.
- He picked out this young kid in front of us in a Cubs jersey and began calling him Bartman in the 2nd, so every 5-10 mintutes, he'd yell out..."That's ok Bartman, your welcome here in Tampa, we got your back."
- He worked the lack of championship angle throughout the night...things like..."Don't the White Sox have like two more championships than you guys"...and, "Jordan cheated...had it not been for pushing off, Chicago's drought would be 50+ years...oh yeah, I forgot the White Sox won two."
- And after we went deep on their first releiver (first pitch), he starts calling for Rex Grossman..."he's got a great arm, right".
- The classic of the night was there was this one woman, looked like a Barbie Doll, blond, perfect figure, enhanced, that would walk by every 2-3 innings. My guy next to me gave her the standing O, like usual, then, only for her, would praise Dr. Dachia very loudly (Dr. Dachia is a well know plastic surgeon on the radio here)...so the picture is...standing O, sit down, and "God Bless Dr. Dachia...what, that aint funny"...and my 16 year old loosing it every moment on the other side of me.

What a tremendous evening. Happy Fathers day to me.

Why I like Baseball...

2008-06-04T10:31:00.000-07:00

I've never been much of a baseball fan, and I certainly wouldn't fall into the "purist" category, but I find myself liking the sport lately. The reasons are plenty why I never took to it...slow, long, batted .082 my last year of pony league...I could go on.

But of late there are several reasons that get me jazzed up...
- The Rays are really good and really fun to watch. I've never watched a major league team that seemed to try so hard every night. None of their guys slow up charging fly balls, jog out ground balls, avoid contact...and they all seem very focused.
- The leader of my Bible Study (a DTS grad by the way) has a son in the majors, who is one of the Top 20 batters in the league (according to some statistics his Dad can produce) - oh, the son is Matt Diaz with the Braves.
- I can take my shower in upper or lower half of the 7th (depending on when the Rays are batting) and even if its a big inning, I'll get the highlights by the time I'm out, in some inning recap.
- I can have a conversation while watching the game and still keep up with the game...its not like watching Football or Hockey where I need to stay so engaged that I alienate family members.

There you go...new Baseball fan created.

Galatians 6:7-8

2008-05-30T08:07:00.000-07:00

"Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit."

I was asked to give a Graduation Speech at our local Life Skills Center. It's a charter school with 50 graduates from at-risk background.

My youth pastor asked me to fill in for him this summer on a Wed. night.

I'm planning to share the Laws of the Harvest with both groups...tailored to fit each group of course, but the theme and message will be the same.

My preparation has caused me to reflect and take stock in my own sowing and reaping. Here are my thoughts (as they should be applied to me and mine...absolutely no legalism or forced standards on others should be read into this :))...

- God will not be mocked. Living an inconsistent lifestyle to what we portray to others on Sun. & Wed. is mocking God.
- Left to it's own, the garden WILL grow weeds, we need to weed out those things that do not aid in the harvest we are aspiring to grow. For me, and I stress...FOR ME...this includes some music, movies,books and TV shows that promote an unrealistic or fantasy lifestyle that is incongruent with the harvest I desire (and brings glory to God). You see, I travel alone a good bit. I'm in mixed company out of town. I'm out at night at business dinners. These things I can't help, nor do I want to change. I see these activities as me being "in the World". It's in these opportunities where I get to be "salt" and "light"...to be set appart...However, I know my heart, and the desperately wickedness that is there...and if the weeds of a lust filled, debaucherous world (think beer commercials, sex and the city, and desperate housewives) were allowed to grow unweeded...I believe I would be much less effective in the world in which I live...

Don't get me wrong...I never see me being unfaithful (I love my wife too much)...but I do catch myself blowing it with inappropriate humor or an off color comment...and that's where I believe the weeding needs to take place.

At the one third point

2008-05-26T05:25:00.000-07:00

50 games into the season...that's right 1/3 of the way through...our Tampa Bay Rays are in 1st place in the toughest division in Baseball, have the best record in the Major Leagues, and are 10 games over .500.

Just let me know when you want your next update...

Crazy Conflict of Interest

2008-05-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

I'm on the board of the Chamber of Commerce. The committee I serve on is the Smart Community Committee. The purpose of Smart Communitee is just what the name implies, do things smarter - greener, more efficient, etc. The presentation we saw last week was on Sustainability. Most of the focus was on growth management issues...one slide rocked me...then the moral dilema of the issue really shook me. And I had no idea.

It appears our little burrow of 90,000 is the best place in the Southeastern US to be homeless. With only 0.2% of Florida's population, we have 3% of Florida's homeless population...15 times what is should be relative to our population. Here's why...

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041022/MAGAZINE/410220331/1249

http://www.lighthousemin.org/news.php?subaction=showfull&id=1119366547&archive=&start_from=&ucat=&

According to our fine city's Master Planner (the nice man giving us the Sustainability presentation), this is a major problem to the long term sustainability of our city. The drugs, prostitution, thievery, and general malfeasance that takes place around these two downtown locations (which are 400 yards away from each other), is a major detriment to our city's long term survivability. He mentioned that we have become the MECCA for homeless, attracting homeless folks from as far away as Portland, OR. He SAID (and I quote), "whenever these ministries come to speak at our church, I stand up and tell everyone do not support these ministries, its a problem."

I truly get his point. By doing our part and then some, we've made our community super attractive to the homeless from all over our region of the country.

However, we're called to be salt and light, to excercise our faith, to care for the poor and downtroden. Hence my dilema.

So where do you fall on this?

I'm leaning toward the fact that Jesus wouldn't care about bricks and mortar and property values and sustainability...all that stuff is crash and burn...but the souls of men are eternal. What an opportunity we have...what if we were to take this thing to the next level and cater to 6% or 12%? What if we cured the homeless problem in the Southeast?

More from 1 Corr.

2008-05-14T05:36:00.000-07:00

May has been 1 Corr. 13 - 16.

Funny how timing works out. Recently I got under my friend Brent's skin (his words were, I pushed his hot button) by holding some well known Emergent Authors accountable for their words. I believe words mean things and the larger the audience, the more accountable you need to be (take note Joel Osteen and Charles Barkley).

So, I guess, if you were an outsider (being anyone else other than my friend and I who read this blog) and you caught the banter, you might guess...Hollywood has some Prophet tendancies and Brent has some Mercy tendencies and those were at odds here.

Then we read Ch. 13.

Side note: I find it amazing (again) how out of context this Chapter has been used, including by yours truly, at weddings, to send to boyfriends and girlfriends, etc. It's smack in the middle of a 4 chapter diatribe by Paul on Spiritual gifts and how the Church needs them all.

Anyway, Paul goes into great detail to say "I don't care where your gift is, if it's not wrapped in Love, then back down!"

That's kind of what my friend Brent was saying to me.

(Flips lid in Brent's direction, while saying too-shee.)

Asking Jesus in...

2008-05-09T18:16:00.000-07:00

Every time I hear it or read it, I get a bit perturbed. This morning it was in Bible study and we are finishing a study in "Love Walked Among Us". It was the last chapter and the author was quoting Anne Lamott. It's bad enough that the one and a half page quote included 7 paragraphs of how drunk, stoned and hung over she was...followed by a metaphor comparing Jesus to a dog curled up by her bed...but none of that made me cringe like...

"...I took a long deep breath and said out loud, "All right. You can come in."

I don't understand why I get bent about it...maybe because nowhere in scripture have I found anywhere that says...
- ask Jesus into your heart...
- raise your hand and pray after me...
- accept Christ into your life...
- take this pill...
- just repeat after me...

Every single time I read it, it requires declaring the Lordship of Christ. Take up your cross daily and follow ME.

Never, Ok I guess you can come in.

Ugh.

I Corr 9-12

2008-05-04T14:25:00.000-07:00

I know it's a few days late...but here goes...

First of all, this wasn't quite as riveting as I've been accustomed to. Secondly, my study time wasn't near as frequent. Interesting observation in my life though...my walk with Christ is directly proportional to how much focused time I spend in His word...I know, revolutionary stuff.

Ch. 9 - Take care of those who are in full time service...maybe it's just me, but Duh. Interesting that God had me read this as my Budget Finance committee was reviewing church staff salaries and benefits. And, fortunate that no one on our committee thinks Pastors should take a vow of poverty. But it was interesting the dialogue over market forces and demand in ministry circles, how our younger staff is compensated, how much and how fast should we increase 20 somethings, relative to how sought after they are in the Christian marketplace. I'm not sure when Paul was writing this chapter, that he'd have any idea how marketable he'd actually be in our culture. It's almost ironic that he's like...hey, we should be able to stay the night with you guys and expect to be fed...and he'd have a $10 MM book deal and a $200K salary from some megachurch today. Just funny.

Ch. 10 - Paul's cultural issue of the day appeared to be idols, Diana in Ephesus, and Corinth had theirs too. And he's telling them that no tempation is too strong. But then he shifts gears and gets into a great discussion on how and when to create personal boundaries and mentions the weaker vessel and causing your brother to stumble. To me, this passage late in Chapter 10, although abused in the past, now seems to be cast asside under the guise of grace. To me, this scripture is a call to selflessness...thinking about the other person first and their state of mind and feelings, before your own rights. The church today appears to have this all wrong. We're going through a battle at our Christian School right now, where teachers and administrators used to sign a "no drinking document"...this has now been eliminated by the "grace-crowd" and I'm not sure it flushes out with this scripture...particularly if we look at high school students as "the weaker vessel".

Ch. 11 - Husbands and wives...and the Lord's Supper. Seems to me the first half, husbands and wives is taught a ton in Sunday School...and we do the Lord's Supper, well, religiously, so we see this all the time...not much to add here...accept, I'd really like to have the Lord's Supper like they did...instead of grape juice and crackers...go to a covered dish kind of thing at someones house.

Ch. 12 - Spiritual Gifts. We've been studying spriritual gifts in big church for 12 weeks, so maybe this is why I wasn't drawn back to this each day. My big take away here is...lot's of people serve, and that's a good thing...but not near enough people serve. I'm blown away how many people come to church to be fed only and have no intent of ever feeding. If you spend, I don't know, 2-3 years under God's word...how could you possibly be an eater only. I don't know.

Well, my commitment to you is...I'll do better in May. April was pretty lousy due to my lethargy. Hopefully I can eat healthier too.

Don't look now...

2008-04-27T18:50:00.000-07:00

...but that sound that you just heard like the trash being taken out was really the Red Sox being swept in Tampa Bay by the 1st place Rays.

:) :) :)

Covenant vs. Evangelical

2008-04-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

So I got in this discussion with a brother of mine at breakfast this morning. Not my job to judge another's spiritual growth or status, but suffices to say that from the fruit he bears, he's not so mature.

We were discussing the recent expulsion of two seniors from our Christian School for using drugs on campus.

He had a problem with one strike your out, and the inconsistency the board uses when making said decisions. He referenced the fact that with his own son (Junior), he has seen marked improvement in behavior since attending Christian school - the friends he has chosen and the girl friend are great influences, yatta, yatta. He just felt that if his son were at the public school he would have big problems.

When I explained to my "weaker in the faith" brother that the school was founded (55 years ago) as a Covenant Christian School (not an Evangelical Christian School), with the purpose of becoming an extention of the Christian home and Church, not for the purpose of evangelizing or reaching the lost...he really pushed back. He felt like that outlook was wrong, un-Christ-like, etc.

So, I'm curious what do you think? What are your thoughts on Christian schools in general? And if you have any leaning toward supporting the idea, are you Evangelistic leaning or Covenant leaning?

1 Corr. 5-8

2008-03-24T05:53:00.000-07:00

This has been a tough month. The writings of Paul here are very convicting and he challenges us to hold our brethren accountable. The challenge is doing so with compassion and love, but frankly doing it period in a culture that frankly "just do it" and "me, me, me" are the norm - even in the church. I'm not sure our culture is as bad as 1st Century Corrinth, in fact I'm sure it's not...but I think our church is just as misguided...so now what.

Here are the basic takeways...
Ch. 5 addresses church discipline and the need for church purity. Paul makes it very clear that within the confines of the church, a bad apple spoils the bunch. He's very specific in the area of sexual purity and references one of the members' transgressions...but he's broad enough in his teaching here that I'm very sure that our churches in America today, that claim Christianity as their faith, aren't very good about staying pure...it's all about the numbers today baby...let's not offend anyone shall we. I'm in a Bible study with a group of luke warm men, some of whom could be considered bad apples...I'm really being challenged here.

Ch. 6 talks about settling disputes and specifically staying out of court. I found myself in a discussion with one of my closest friends, who is an attorney, with a "deputy dog" personality...who forwarded me an article about a Christian Librarian who was terminated for outing a library customer for viewing porn at the library. The Liberty counsel is taking up the cause. I'm not sure how the existence of the Liberty Counsel even can be rationalized if you read 1 Corr. 6...Paul says...it's better to be wronged for the cause of Christ than to take someone to court...again, how does my discussion with my lawyer friend (who is a very faithful Christian) build him up...or did I just challenge his career choice?

Ch. 7 addresses married vs. single. Paul gives lots of guidance here. He even differentiates opinion vs. God's instruction...this is helpful.

And Ch. 8, the shortest, but most powerful, addresses freedom in Christ vs. liscence to do whatever, and how we should be more concerned with our Christian brother than our right to do/eat/drink stuff. Very heavy stuff here.

Anyway...I'm still very engaged in the process. 9-12 in April.

Your thoughts are always welcome.

Competition and the Kingdom?

2008-03-17T13:53:00.001-07:00

We all have varying degrees of competitiveness. It manifests itself on the athletic field formost, but can raise its head while playing board games, and should play out at work (assuming you are in business).

In this case the business side of competition is weighing on me a bit. You see, we have financial metrics we need to meet...these include targets for growth, profitability, debt reduction, investment, etc. We're measured against those in our industry and placed on a "here's how you're doing chart". It's a very useful tool this chart, for those of us who are competitive, to get you moving. And if you're not competitive, well I guess they'll find someone else who is.

Anyway, all of this led to us making a tough decision to discontinue a service offering that wasn't profitable...which in turn led us to eliminating a job. At the end of the day, our need to compete, costs this guy his job...and for the life of me, I can't seem to rationalize this in scripture anywhere.

Go figure.

And it's weighing on me right now.

It's on...

2008-03-06T05:04:00.000-08:00

It's official. My teenagers are more enlightened than me. Last night my 15 year old came in my office and led me to this site...she said, Dad, it's hysterical!

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com/

Funny thing is...she's right. Enjoy.

A quick left turn...

2008-03-04T04:47:00.000-08:00

First let me say, I LOVE this form of Bible study. Thank you Chip Ingram. I started I Corr. 5-8 and lets just say it took an unexpected turn. I was expecting Paul to start laying on the love...you know the grace he is so known for...but noooooo...he's not done laying into them yet.

In fact, he was just getting started.

In Ch. 1-4 he's getting after their pride and scorekeeping...he's getting after motivation, the internals if you would.

In Ch. 5 - 8 he is laying into behaviors that are just unaceptable. He talks Church discipline, Sexual purity, legalism, husbands & wives, single life, gluttony (why we eat and how much - by the way, this gets more print than anything on alcohol, note to Churches everywhere)...and he gives specific examples...all IN THE CHURCH...he doesn't condemn the lost at all, just the Church.

I'm going to be reading this for the rest of the month, but I was so blown away by where this went...I had to make note.

Side note, my son's Bible verse from school is I Corr. 6: 15-19...it's the one about your body being a holy temple...interesting how we are having him memorize this at 11 years old at his Christian School...the context within which that was written was relating to sexual imorality...one of two things bother me here...
1. Either the need to teach this within context at this young age bothers me (if our culture is such that 5th graders need to learn Paul's intent)...or,
2. They are taking it out of context and talking about other things (probably a legalistic list of do's and don'ts with the body).
Just a thought.

Thoughts on I Corr. 1-4

2008-03-03T13:18:00.000-08:00

February was 1 Corr. 1-4...so here are my thoughts...

It's pretty clear Paul is a bit disappointed with the church he planted in Corrinth. They appear to be prideful, catty, malcontents. They seem to want to jockey for position, get the credit for things...and Paul sets them straight.

In essence he says, look, I planted the dadgum church and Appolos has been working with you guys, and compared to Jesus, we consider ourselves nothing. It's all about HIM, and nothing about anyone after him, so quit your jockying for position and "scorekeeping" and start loving each other.

I'm not quite to the love each other part yet, but I know it's coming. Paul spends an inordinate amount of time laying down the law and letting these folks know how pissed off he is at the whole situation.

So March is chapters 5-8. You'd think I'd take more away than this, but I'm working on majoring in the majors.

Out the other side...

2008-03-01T10:23:00.000-08:00

You know the guy...Travel Guy...has the Pharmaceutical or Regional Manager Job...leaves Monday, comes home Thursday or Friday...never at the games, claims the "it's quality time, not quantity time line"...

Well I've been that guy...and it sucks.

Since August, I've been to Venezuela, Guatemala, Argentina, Cleveland, Gettysburg, Cleveland again, Mexico, Atlanta, Cleveland again, Jacksonville...and Ft. Lauderdale (once a month).

But now there's nothing on my calendar until June...and it's nice...time to make up time.

Thoughts of late...

2008-02-17T14:12:00.000-08:00

- Vince Flynn is to men what romance novels are to women. Give me a book where Mitch Rapp (very Jason Bourne like) kills a terrorist or two every hundred pages and I'm entertained...I'm not sure how Christ-like this is...makes me wonder if any of the 12 went to the Gladiator shows after Christs resurection.
- In our culture, the better you perform, the more they load you up. The cycle doesn't stop until you say no and no is very hard to do with the appropriate ego stroke and increase in wealth. The jobs become more time consuming and demanding. But if it's your gift...when is enough. Franklin Graham grew up in boarding school because his Dad was the best evangelism of our generation...was it worth it?
- It funny how grace is viewed by conservative Christians (insert legalistic beat down here). We found ourselves at a business dinner sitting with some folks we only see 1-2 times each year, who we have Christianity in common...at the end of the night wondered "did we look at people like THAT?"
- I'm a deacon again. Pray I do better this time. Prophet and discernment (well anything other than blind affirmation) wasn't welcome last time.
- When people think you have money...well...it kind of sucks. Not that I'm trying to bury it in mason jars or anything...but if I gave in the manner that came to me in the mail this week, we'd lose our credit rating entirely. And when you have to say no to some, because the cubord is bare, it's awkward...like their ministry, idea, fundraiser, mission opportunity, wasn't good enough...I keep a list of ministries I feel called to support on the back flap of my bible (you make the list when I hear you pitch and feel moved)...I might give to like 25% of them...it's really a struggle man.

Thoughts on I John...

2008-01-29T06:28:00.001-08:00

I've been reading the same book in the bible, every day (more accurately, every day I HAVE quiet time) for a month...Jan. is I John.

I have a gift to take something, anything, and narrow it down to a 30 second commercial.

So in no particular order, here are my thoughts:
- If you claim salvation, but keep on sinning with no regret/remorse or the like, you should probably rethink your salvation. I John 1 & 2 should be required reading for new Christians (and old Christians)...I'm not sure why it takes us so long to get there.
- Chapters 3 & 4 make 43 references to love. Piggy backing on my first point...we sometimes gloss over how we treat others in our heart relative to sin...the second greatest comandment is to love others and I John makes a compelling point that if you can't do this...you should probably rethink your salvation as well.

So that's it in a nutshell. I'm sure that deep theologians would be upset with the simplicity of this...but I'm pretty sure if I can hang on to these for a few decades...and pass them on to my children and Grandchildren...we'll be in pretty good shape.

1 Cor 1-4 in Feb.

More proof about Zeppelin

2008-01-28T06:22:00.000-08:00

A normal Saturday morning involves me getting up with the 4 young ones...

Side Note: Before I sound all self righteous...I'm an early riser, so this is easy for me and I enjoy most facets of this weekly event.

Now, one of the major events of this Saturday morning ritual is I fix a big breakfast. It usually includes some type of pork product, scrambled eggs, waffles or pancakes. And before we start the cooking process, we pull up iTunes on the family computer in the kitchen, negotiate who's file we'll play, and commence the breakfast preparation process...to music.

Last Saturday, we selected my oldest's file. She's a teen, and we all like her music tastes, so not a lot of risk here. To my surprise, about mid way through the prep process, a very interesting series of notes entered my ear canal. It was a common guitar rift from a classic Led Zeppelin tune "Babe I'm gonna lose you."

I don't own the CD, and I didn't download this and share it...and it's on my 15 year old daughters iTunes file...well, frankly that's just cool. I mean mixed in with Reliant K, and Fergie, and whatever...is Zepp. Wow!

Further proof that Led Zeppelin crosses generations like no other Rock Band, and further solidifies them as the greatest ever.

The Paradox that is MTV and Me

2008-01-19T06:50:00.001-08:00

I was a big MTV fan when they played music videos. I was a teenager. Loved Robert Palmer's Adicted to Love, Thriller, that dude climbing in and out of the cartoon singing some crappy song, Devo...and then reality hit...and I mean reality. It's been a slippery slope ever since...starting with Madonna, then Spring Break, Real World, evolving to that dude with the Clock around his neck and some tramp named New York.

Until now.

My teenagers like this show about Rev Run. Now one of my three readers KNOWS that I am a HUGE Run DMC fan...recall...

My Adidas walk through concert doorsand roam all over coliseum floors I stepped on stage, at Live Aid All the people gave an applause that paid And out of speakers I did speakI wore my sneakers but I'm not a sneak My Adidas cuts the sand of a foreign landwith mic in hand I cold took commandmy Adidas and me both askin P we make a good team my Adidas and me we get around together, rhyme foreverand we won't be mad when worn in bad weather

My Adidas..My Adidas..My Adidas

standin on 2 Fifth St. funky fresh and yes cold on my feet with no shoe string in em, I did not win em I bought em off the Ave with the tags still in emI like to sport em that's why I bought em a sucker tried to steal em so I caught em and I thwart emand I walk down the street and I bop to the beat with Lee on my legs and adidas on my feet and now I just standin here shooting the gifme and D and my Adidas standing on 2 Fifth

My Adidas..My Adidas..

Now me and my Adidas do the illest things we like to stomp out pimps with diamond rings we slay all suckers who perpetrate and lay down law from state to statewe travel on gravel, drit road or street I wear my Adidas when I rock the beaton stage front page every show I go it's Adidas on my feet high top or low

My Adidas..My Adidas..

Now the Adidas I possess for one man is rare myself homeboy got 50 pairgot blue and black cause I like to chilland yellow and green when it's time to get illgot a pair that I wear when I'm playin ball with the heal inside make me 10 feet tall my Adidas only bring good newsand they are not used as selling shoes they're black and white, white with black stripe the ones I like to wear when I rock the mic on the strength of our famous universitywe took the beat from the street and put it on TVmy Adidas are seen on the movie screen Hoyywood knows we're good if you know what I meanwe started in the alley, now we chill in Cali and I won't trade my Adidas for a ??

My Adidas..

So now when there's nothing else on TV (which is most of the time) and I need to kill an hour or so (which is rare, but usually occurs with me and the toddler early on a weekend)...I click the TIVO to Rev Run...and I'm illin.

Is MTV going full circle?

Greatest Rock Band Ever

2008-01-12T06:23:00.001-08:00

I was driving home from a trip the other night and happened to be channel surfing at 7:00 sharp when my station landed on a Rock & Roll station playing "get the Led out". I like Led Zeppelin...always have. In high school and college I owned albums, used to listen regularly. My taste in music has improved since then, I think I've heard more music, at a higher quality and am equipped to pass this opinion more now than ever.

Led Zeppelin is the greatest rock band ever!

I know, I know...what about the Beatles...or Elvis...well frankly I believe both of those artists would be classified as Pop today (much like Justin or Britany). My justification is simple...if 13 year old girls line the stage and scream at you...if multiple stations and formats play your music...you are Pop, not Rock and Roll.

So now that THAT arguement is out of the way, and we've classified where we are negotiating this...

As I listened to the three song set, alone, intently...the music was absolutely fabulous. And I wondered, if they played any other three songs would I feel the same way...and the answer was a resounding YES! So that sealed the deal with me.

The gravy question of course was...is there any other band with a 3 song set that plays at a prescribed time every day on stations all over the country, and stands the test of time like Led Zeppelin? I think not.

But I'm willing to listen to your arguement as to who's better.

Two books

2007-12-31T12:23:00.000-08:00

I had breakfast with a new friend the other day. He's at Westminster Seminary, getting his masters in Theology, is working on writing a book, and is trying to get into Harvard to get his Theology PhD...which according to him is a long shot, but he's one of the brightest guys I know...so, who knows.

Anyway, as you can imagine, I wasn't too jazzed about his book idea. Let's just put it this way, if you don't know Greek and Hebrew, you may not be interested.

But I did give him two very practical ideas I struggle with, and suggested he get after these two:

1. "The balance between wealth acquisition and missions". Where is the balance between providing for your family, paying for college, weddings, etc. and supporting every need that comes accross your plate. Literally, and I'm not kidding, I feel like I could give it ALL away, and they'd be great causes, but at the expense of what? And I'd want a large section dedicated to organizational wealth. When does a church decide they need a family life center or larger sanctuary? When does a Christian School expand and to what degree?

2. "Engaging the culture without compromising convictions" (with special emphasis on teaching children about setting boundaries and standards). This one should be easy for someone, but the challenge will be providing guidelines without writing "laws". However, I would like specific examples...in fact this would be great if it were written like a story, maybe a father son, working through all the specifics we struggle through, and using biblical references to support Dad's teaching.

Unfortunately, my friend nodded politely and is progressing with the Hebrew thing. Oh well. Maybe Brent will post on one of these if they peak his interest.

Got 12?

2007-12-22T17:29:00.000-08:00

So I'm following this old beat up truck on my way to get my sons haircut and it has A L A B A M A in like 9" letters sprawled accross the back windshield. We stop at a red light and we make eye contact. He seemed like a nice enough guy - mid 50's, scruffy beard, camo hat, harmless - so I look at my son and say "watch this".

I lean over the steering wheel and when he looks back again I hold up 6 fingers in front of me...I'm wearing an AU ball cap, so he immediately gets it. The guy chuckles, pauses for a second or two and flashes 12 fingers (ten, then two) out his window at me...all the while laughing. My son asks, what's that mean...so I explain that UAT has won 12 National Championships and that's there way of saying "take that."

My son then says, "wow, what do you say to that?"

I explain that if I were in person with this trash talk, sign language exchange, you know, face to face, I'd say something like...Several centuries ago the Romans rulled the earth, but you don't hear the Italians playing that card during our current reign of world domination...and that tends to shut it down.

My son thought that was a great comback and encouraged me to pull alongside the guy and let him have it...I thought the moment had passed, so it ended there...but...

I've seen two more "Got 12?" stickers in the last week...on different rigs. It makes me want to preach the Roman message in a bad way.

Anyway...since I only have one reader, are you seeing this dynamic in FloMo?

Takeo Spikes

2007-12-16T14:44:00.000-08:00

The great Auburn linebacker wreaked havok on the SEC during his time there. He was Mr. Football for his home state in High School and highly coveted as a recruit. He ended up being a first round draft pick by the Bengals and drastically improved their defense. He played out his contract in Cincinati and signed with Buffalo, and started their for 3-4 years. He's now roaming the middle for the Eagles...and still plays solid, if not very well.

So here's the rub. Every team he goes to gets worse after he gets there...and then when he leaves they get better.

Coincidence? Or, is Takeo Spikes an unheralded cancer of sorts?

Christmas notes

2007-12-12T15:12:00.000-08:00

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

Hot chocolate...egg nog is like 3000 calories an ounce.

2. Does Santa wrap the presents or just sit them under the tree?
Set up all around the tree in sections for the kids...santa does not wrap.

3. Colored or white lights?
White

4. Do you hang mistletoe?
No...awkward.

5. When do you put your decorations up?
A week after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish?
Turkey...white meat...in a sandwich.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child?
My dad giving my mom a few rolls of quarters wrapped in a box...he saved them up like all year and said we kids couldn't touch them (for video games) 'cause he was saving for Mom's Christmas present...she cried...but it was funny at the time to a ten year old.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Neighbor kid...6 years old

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
No...used to on my side.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
White lights, ornaments...many kid things.

11. Snow: Love it or hate it?
Snow is a prop to ski on...other than that...Hate IT

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
Leather NCAA football...age 12...best football in the neighborhood...2nd - a high end set of head phones for the stereo at 15.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?
Jesus

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Butter nutt Cake

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Reading Luke 2 as a family (one of the kids reads it)

17. What is on top of your tree?
Star

18. Which do you like best giving or receiving?
Giving...way best

19. What is your favorite Christmas song?
I hate Christmas music...ever since the arival of real praise music (David Crowder, etc.) Christmas music is just tired.

21. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
Ralphy, you'll shoot your eye out.

More on II Timothy

2007-12-09T17:55:00.000-08:00

Again, a little repeat...John McArthur has me reading the same passages over for a month...today I had a revelation of sorts.

The whole AWANA movement really took their tag verse out of context. Awana stands for Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed and it's buried in the middle of II Timothy 2 among all this scripture about not arguing over trivial things. It got me thinking...pastors, leaders, etc. do this all the time...find obscure verses that fit their needs and run with it...

Think...Prayer of Jabez, Eye for an Eye, etc.

It just bothered me today...that's all.

Investing Long

2007-12-08T05:35:00.000-08:00

John McArthur (sp.?), on the radio a few weeks ago shared a Bible reading method that I found unique and inspiring, so I tried it. It involves reading the same book (or partial part of a book if long) of the New Testament every day for a month. He suggests to start with a short one, so I started with II Timothy.

Having read it now about 7 times, with 23 more to go, it's amazing how much reflection on scripture you get to have. I also get to pray about sharing certain things with people before doing so, not going in all willy nilly with advice...here's how this played out.

Day one I read about not arguing in Ch. 2...Paul dwells on it and makes a second plea later in the same chapter...I think Wow, my kids need to read this. By Day 4 I've prayed about it and purposed to wait for the right time to discuss...no rush, I've got 26 days to go. I've also been able to get my hands around how important this arguing thing is to Paul.

So during breakfast this morning, I ask the kids...you interested in what I've been studying in my quiet time this week (captured audience, at the table, mouths full, chewing)...they grunt, sure.

Note: They argue a lot with each other...about everything...who's a better quarterback, what position is most important in Basketball, who the first NFL draft pick will be, what the words are to that song...you get the point.

So I read Ch. 2 out loud. And ask them what the key point Paul was making here.

"Don't Argue"

Does he give any guidance to Timothy about how to correct wrong?

"Yeah, humble, gentle..."

You get where this is going.

Anyway, Thanks John McArthur.

So what else took hold but ended up being a bad idea?

2007-11-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

We live in this neighborhood that was developed from 1965 - 1990ish. The heart of the neighborhood went up in the early to mid 80's. I'm willing to bet they were very nice houses back then...we have several Doctors and Lawyers nearing retirement age, most have swimming pools, about 2500 square feet, circular drives...you get the picture.

Although I get to the gym about once or twice each week, I'm much more a walk/run the neighborhood guy. Our neighborhood is great for it, and it's just too convenient compared to all the baggage that comes with going to the gym (you know...sweaty car, fight for equipment, drive time, constantly beating back chicks (ok, maybe that one's not an issue for me)).

So, one thing I noticed in my neighborhood is that for a while - probably between 1975 - 1980 - "garbage can pits" were the rage. There are probably no less than 30 homes with said pits out by the street. Mind you, they are all filled with concrete now, but when initially conceved, you would leave your garbage cans, metal at the time, in the pit...taking your trash to the street, dropping said trash in the can, deep in this pit.

Now, seeing all of them filled in, I can immediately assume this experiment failed. So, like scientists finding a dinosaur bone and looking around and seeing no dinosaurs, and trying to create hypothesis' for why they are gone...I'll attempt to do the same thing with the extinction of the garbage can pit:
1. What do you do when it rains...where does standing water go?
2. Easier access for garbage picking varments
3. Domicile for undesirable varments (snakes, rats, etc.)
4. Is going to the street every day really that much easier than going to the garage every day and going to the street twice a week?

Knowing that there are probably many more reasons we could come up with...it bodes the question...why the garbage can pit in the first place? Clearly we can only surmise, it was a bad idea, that someone thought was good...for a while.

SO, what other bad ideas took hold for a while only to be deemed really dumb (filled in with concrete)?

(Note: Advances in technology don't count as bad ideas. For example, the 8-track would seem to be a bad idea...but was really the pioneer of getting music of your choice in your vehicle.)

Thoughts from Argentina

2007-10-21T04:18:00.000-07:00

I spent most of last week in Mendoza, Argentina at a South American Sales Meeting. I felt obliged to attend, as part of my responsibility includes the development of Venezuela. Here are some thoughts from the trip...
- The Andes mountain range is spectacular. I don't usuall rank such things, but I'm having a hard time coming up with something more impressive...tall (snow capped), long (as far as I could see from the plane in either direction), very jagged...just awe inspiring.
- Having been to Venezuela (Maracaibo and Caracas), Guatemala, and Argentina all in the last 6 weeks...most of Latin America is very similar...it's a little on the dirty side...everything looks old and out dated...stray dogs everywhere...lots of poverty. I'm guessing that they say the same thing about the states (Outback Steakhouse and Carabas everywhere, etc.).
- I'm not a wine guy (I rarely drink...just recently removed from never drink...but am rethinking abstenance from things in light of Paul and becoming all things...), but when you are in wine country (which Mendoza is) with wine people (some of those I traveled with), they make a big deal out of such things...I couldn't tell good wine from Boons Farm...but the glass of red with my steak went nicely.
- Flying through the night...departed Santiago, Chile at 9:30 pm and arrived in Miami at 5:20 am...well, it's a double edged sword. The sleeping thing makes the flight go by quicker and they feed you like they are going to slaughter you at the end...but, it wipes you out when you get home.
- First Class always seems sold out...and costs $4000 extra...I'm not sure when I'll get to the point where I part with four grand that easily...I was able to sleep in coach, and I'm sure I would have been more comfortable...but it's still a chair right?

Establishing Family Standards

2007-10-13T07:06:00.001-07:00

Establishing standards for our family, and keeping them consistently is getting more and more difficult.

Listen - now more than ever, I get the grace message. If I've said it once in the last 12 months, I've said it 20 times..."Where the Bible speaks boldly and with authority, speak boldly and with authority...otherwise, shut up". (I give Brent credit for bringing this to my attention, but it is a GREAT principle).

I also understand the NEED to engage our culture...where the culture is.

I also have a principle I've used since my Navy days..."Rules are for fools." In other words...THINK!

Now about my children...and said standards...

We're entering uncharted waters (for us)...and all of our peers (even those we really respect) are all over the board when it comes to standards for their family...

So, my wife and I pray about it, talk about it, discuss the desired results, talk to our kids...and move forward...

Then comes certain events...

Homecoming. Made a little easier for us because the Homecoming "Dance" at our Christian School, is really a dinner - no DJ, no dance floor, no means to set up an environment that would attract dancing. But the "after parties"...now these are a totally different story...in this case hosted by the rowdier in the grade,

so we say..."No Go!" After some push back from them, they oblige, and when you fast forward a week, they are glad that we didn't let them go, because several attendees are grounded for their transgressions.

Dating. No need to expound here...just suffices to say that we are further to the right than most.

And, "Where are you going and who with?" We're not very aligned with culture here either. They can come up with 3 or 4 good kids from our youth group whose parents aren't near as, well, restrictive.

Some of my friends warn me about...

"they'll go crazy in college...I've seen it man."

or

"we went to parties, we turned out fine...aren't we hypocrites if we don't let them go"

Again, I'm on a different axis....

And now with a major push in the Church to Engage the Culture...you can only imagine the smart argument from a teen who is actually listening in church. "Dad, shouldn't we be engaging our culture too?"

So here we are.

Holding strong to my standards...imagining Paul with Timothy (at 14 or 15) and knowing deep down inside that Paul wasn't setting Timothy up for failure,

so Timothy could learn, or
Paul wouldn't feel like a hypocrite, or
Timothy wouldn't rebel when he turned 19.

I just wish there were more New Testament examples of teenagers in the Bible.

So we stay the course while plowing through these years...trying to develop children who have a heart for Jesus.

Gettysburg

2007-10-06T06:16:00.000-07:00

Had a chance to spend the week in Gettysburg at a Leadership Conference. Here are some thoughts:
- Between the ages of 30 - 40, when you can really understand the magnitude of what took place, but you're still young enough for it to have an impact, every American ought to take a tour of that battlefield...it may be the best kept secret in America...it's only an hour and a half from DC...make sure you pay a tour guide though, or you'll miss too much.
- My faith in Jesus is stronger having seen it all..there are too many coincidences, mistakes, miscues, miracles that all worked together for the Union Army for God not to have had a hand in it...Chamberlain getting the 20th Maine to join forces, then holding off little round top...the Alabama snipper that had Chamberlain in his sights...twice...but didn't shoot (for some reason)...Heath not taking the high ground on day one...Picket's charge...
- The folks a the Steven Wiley group did a fantastic job teaching wonderful principles through a history lesson.

There's stupid, and then there's...

2007-09-27T17:26:00.000-07:00

...Michael Vick stupid
...The US women's soccer coach stupid
...Columbia University stupid

can you think of any?

Thoughts from Guatemala

2007-09-05T10:47:00.000-07:00

We're down here to pick up our son, so my thoughts will be mostly focused on the adoption process and what I've observed...
- Although everything we read and have been told about the general political climate being anti-adoption...I have never gotten that feeling from the locals we´ve met. I know that the places we go (hotels, restaurants, etc.) like the revenue that stems from a steady stream of visitors, but you´d think you'd feel some resentment if such a feeling existed.
- If you don't have joy prior to adopting, then all of a sudden getting a child probably won't resolve that issue...in fact, I have no research to substantiate this opinion, I think it might further enhance your non-joyous spirit. I've noticed all kinds...and there is no way to paint with a broad brush here...but a good number of people I´ve observed, maybe 25 - 30%, think that getting this baby will make them happy...and I have a sinking feeling that if that's why they are going into this, it will be like the 'new car syndrome'...once the novelty wears off, there's still that void.
- New airport terminal, new hotels, a thriving and bustling downtown business district...you wouldn't know that Guatemala is a 'developing nation', ravaged by poverty, by what the average businessman observes. See previous entry on Venezuela...wealth exists everywhere...and there are always places for wealthy to stay and eat and do business.
- The folks at the US Embassy were all very nice. They process between 30 - 40 adoptions a day, and have a much nicer countenance than most DMV agencies back home. It is very comforting to know that you are represented wherever you go.
- The countryside looks beautiful from the plane. I'd love to come back some time as a 'green tourist', hire a guide, hike up a volcano or go see some Mayan ruins...that would be cool.

God's Will

2007-09-03T12:42:00.000-07:00

For my wife it started over three years ago when her sister and her family went to Brazil to be missionaries. The Thanksgiving before they left, she told her sister

'if you find a little boy who needs a home, please call us.' It didn't seem like a big deal at the time.

Little did we know at the time that Brazil, although they have over one million orphans, does not allow foreign adoptions. But I never gave it a second thought...just thought my wife was spouting off. Until...

My daughter and I went to Mexico with my friend Brent's youth group. We bonded with the coolest family. The little boys' name was Miguel. He reminded me so much of my own children...bright, precocious, no inhibitions...so I prayed...God, there's got to be something I can do...

So, I came home and wrote the family a letter, via Amor ministries...

'Is there anything we can do to help you guys further? I know you are in your new digs and all, but the gap between me and you is just too great.'

I'm guessing now that Dad thought he provided just fine...I'm not sure how the letter went over, but I never heard anything back. Dead End.

More prayer, more discussions with my wife...

Side note on prayer. I think I'm a fairly faithful when it comes to prayer. I pray formally at times...but mostly in a 'without ceasing' kind of way...throughout the day, just kind of discussing with God what I'm thinking...kind of talking things through seeking affirmation or...maybe not.

Then at some point one of the discussions with my wife led to her getting up several nights in a row, going on line and discovering that their are millions of babies around the world with no families. Well one thing we got is family...so we discussed it...prayed about it...and really there wasn't any choice...it's on.

The process started a year ago. This week we bring Henry home (as long as the US Embassy doesn't do something very bureaucratic).

Then I guess chapter two of 'God's Will' begins for this book.

I would have never guessed, predicted, or even thought that this would be how we'd honor and praise and serve our Lord. Now that we're in it knee deep, I couldn't be more joy filled. That's how He works I guess. You just can't imagine it until your there. It's not about you and how God is going to bless you, or the stuff you get, or the status you have in the community, or what board you serve on...It's all about love and how that manifests itself in others. And if you can have a part in that...well, it's just very hard to describe how cool it is.

Things I'm thinking...

2007-09-03T04:30:00.000-07:00

- Auburn's offense is really bad this year. The offensive line is not very good. Brandon Cox could possibly be the worst 3-year college starter in the history of football. And, Brad Lester or not...I'm not sure we are going to score more than 10 points against Florida, LSU, Georgia or Bama.
- Quinton Groves is the real deal. I hope he doesn't develop the very common habit of taking plays off.
- My wife does a great job with our children...the kids are so well adjusted, responsible, and independent. Yes, they have natural 'leadership/take charge tendencies', but hats off to her for letting them flourish.
- Information in general really needs to be filtered through a 'negativity filter'. Let me explain. A couple of days ago I went on a rant about the 'Fox news affect'...well, I've seen it apply in other areas: Blogs, group settings like lunch tables, etc. For example...while monitoring the process of our adoption in Guatemala, my wife found a blog called Guadadopt...it has forums and threads for people who want information out of a country where there is none coming out - it is an amazing portal. However, it tends to be dominated by about 20 - 30 people posting their problems with the adoption process. Rarely do you see someone post the contrary position that everything went smooth for them, because they don't want to spit in the face of these folks having problems. So, we have 3000 adoptions a year in Guatemala...30 of them having extreme problems are posting their issues on Guatadopt...500 - 1000 others are monitoring Guatadopt for information of what to expect...and in the end that information comes with a very negative tilt to it. I see this dynamic a lot...not sure what the solution is though.
-My 15 year old daughter has friends who are getting cars now...the three most recent I've heard about - Mercedes, Land Rover, and brand new tricked out Ford F-150 4WD. Now, I'm a big proponent of being able to get nice things...but you ought to be 35 when that process starts.
- On that same topic...we've had this general guidelines for our girls, relative to things, that even though we have moderate wealth...they should be able to 'do poor' if God leads them that way. So if they fall in love with a Missionary, then they shoul be able to be happy with said missionary, and not have that door closed becaue Dad spoiled them as a teen ager...however, how do you have that conversation now, without throwing previously mentioned friends Dad under the bus?
- One of our own at Church has grown up and become a Youth for Christ Missionary. His ministry is very cool...going into poorer neighborhoods and working with at risk middle schoolers. I've been using one of the white pages in the back of my Bible to list opportunities to give as God has laid on my heart...I have like 15 charitable needs, all important...YFC is now on the list. My prayer is that God will give me the abundance to give to all I see here...and reach balance between this and the upcoming vehicle purchase looming.
- I hate my yard. Was asked at work by one of our Millenial associates what my plans were this weekend...and yard work came up. He said his primary tool for yard work is a bush hog...anything else is frivalous and he won't do it...my respect-o-meter for this young man went up exponentially...what would my neighbors think if I let it all go and used only a bush hog? Funny thought though...
- I wonder how close a Cat. 5 hurricane can actually get to a country before they allow you to fly in...do they still run the flights and just fly around the storm?

Lessons from Venezuela

2007-08-18T09:43:00.001-07:00

I just returned from a weeklong trip to Venezuela for business (although I have a hard time distinguishing personal from business, while on business, as those I do business with become my friends, thus I truly enjoy spending time with them...making it personal). Prior to making this particular trip, there was much angst in the house and at work. I've traveled to a lot of places mostly due to two careers (one with the Navy and the other with a global corporation) - Mexico, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Morocco, Mexico, Panama, Guatemala...I'm sure there's more...but this was my first trip to Venezuela, one that I should have made several years ago, and should have been made multiple times, but due to the angst, the trip kept getting put off.

Why the angst? Well, frankly their President (Hugo Chavez) hates our President...and frankly our country and way of life. He's a proponent of socialism and uses every opportunity to pumel the negative impact that Capitalism has had on his nation...and as poor as things are, it plays well to the poor. And, where there's major poverty, there's crime...mostly aimed at those who are not impoverished.

So, the family is nervous, I'm a bit nervous, the folks at the office tease a bit - but this is their way of showing nervousness...

But I cowboy up and go...

Boy was I surprised.

So here are my brief take-aways...

1. There are nice people EVERYWHERE. And, to take it a step further, most of the people are nice. They smile when you say hello. They want to help you. And, they are glad you are there.
2. We have dangerous places in the US - Liberty City, Miami...Harlem, NYC...Compton, LA...you get my point...but really here's my point...I would rather walk the streets of Caracas or Maracaibo alone than any of those three places alone.
3. If I ever watch US National news again, it will be with gritted teeth and against my will. The sensational way the we deliver the news, and dwell on fear, is a major cause for our angst.
4. The last two places I've traveled internationally (France and Venezuela) have drastically reduced moral standards than the US. What you can watch on public (free) TV, what you see people wear (or lack there of), the amount and duration with which they party...makes the US seem downright puritan.
5. Gas is $0.40 (that's 40 cents) a gallon in Venezuela...wow!
6. The US dollar is very strong there...so much so that there is a black market for dollars...meaning you can get twice as much of their money (Bollivars) on the street per dollar than if you exchange it at the hotel or bank or pay by credit card...that takes some getting used to...but my $400 hotel bill at the end of the week was $400 if I payed with American Express, but was $200 if I exchanged some cash on the street and paid in Bollivars...not sure how to flush that out morally, but I took a "when in Rome..." attitude.
7. Lots of fat guys (men) with really hot women...it appears fat and out of shape is a status symbol for success...intially repulsed by this, then the lazy in me said hmmm, then thought about it from a Christ perspective relative to the poverty...made me think.
8. The people I hung with down their for work have a certain machismo about the percieved danger as it is percieved by the international community...for example, my main contact for the week drives a Jeep Grand Cherokee that has bullet proof glass and reinforced side panels and blow out proof tires...he said he paid $70K US for it...and is somewhat proud of the crime and how he deals with it...seemed odd to me.
9. Wealthy people everywhere, do just fine. And frankly we were wealthy, very wealthy down there. We stayed in the nicest places, ate at the nicest restaurants (in fact one night a famous local TV star came in our restaurant and sat down a few tables over).

I'm sure there is more to share, but these are the big points.

I love my church.

2007-08-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

We've been studying Matthew in the AM and Romans in the PM since we got there.

Our Sunday School Class (the one we party with, since we teach 3rd graders) is a bunch of cool adults who are being taught Grace...and..."where the Bible speaks boldly and with authaurity, speak boldly and with authority, otherwise, everyone may be on a different page than you."...with specific references to Halloween, Santa, Music, etc.

Our worship rocks.

Our youth are growing in Christ.

We have a servants heart and I see true Joy.

My church Rocks. More to come.

Dirty Mac

2007-08-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

I think I'm fairly normal...I channel surf on occasion...especially while traveling alone and there's no one to keep me in check.

I'm also a sucker for the PBS fundraisers...I recall in the recent past stopping to see James Taylor live, on a bar stool, knocking out a set...so the remote sat idle for 17 minutes, until the guy comes on asking for $90 so they can send you the DVD of JT live at the acropolys. I've also stopped on the Moody Blues (much older than I expected), Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young...etc.

So the other night, I'm in the hotel room, surfing the channels (it's much easier out of town, as you don't know exactly where to find "the Office"), and I see a close up of a big nose...the camera pans out, and that coupled with the 3 seconds of name that tune in my brain...I think "that looks like a very young Pete Townsend"...within seconds I see Roger Daltry, about 23 years old, lots of hair and I think "COOL", the WHO.

Well, they were almost done with their song, so I'm anticipating some more Who, but then Jethro Tull takes the stage...and they're all like 21...except Ian Anderson is an old looking 21 if you know what I mean...now I'm hooked.

Then the fund raiser guy cuts in, but I gotta stay and figure out what the heck this is. Turns out it's a rare video of a Rolling Stones production called "Rolling Stones Rock & Roll Circus". So I wait though about 14 minutes of begging for money to see what's next, because the guy says that "Dirty Mac" is coming up...and I'm a pretty big classic rock guy, who's never heard of Dirty Mac.

Well, frankly, it was worth the wait...Dirty Mac has John Lennon as the front man and lead singer, Eric Clapton on guitar, Keith Richards on guitar, and the drummer from the Hendrics experience. They play blues. And it rocks.

This whole video was made in 1968 and you can check it all out on you tube.

Side note: you tube rocks, by the way...saved me $90...I think the good folks at PBS may need to come up with a new fund raiser tactic, 'cause every song I saw the other night, I've now seen two or three more times.

Anyway, Tull was huge, the Stones rocked, The Who was on fire...and Dirty Mac was very, very cool.

Hooray PBS.

Things I'm thinking...

2007-07-14T13:49:00.000-07:00

- I do 80% of my reading between May and August (football season starts).
- I'm really into military stuff...finished a WWII book about 3 weeks ago, ran through a Civil War book on Gettysburg in the next two weeks, and just started a cool book on Iraq and the current war.
- If you believe the guys who are fighting over there, we have no idea what's really going on by listening to our media and politicians...more people should be reading what the soldiers have to say when they come home - all of them, not just the ones the media decides to show you.
- I love Japanese steakhouse food - choped up in front of you, eaten right there off the grill.
- I hate firing people
- My kids are awesome...and when the teenagers come through the other side...they are a ton of fun.

More later...

Flags of Our Fathers

2007-06-17T02:58:00.000-07:00

I’m reading this book…”Flags of our Fathers” and it is really making me think about some things. The book is about the 6 guys who raised the flag at Iwo Jima in WWII. The photo of these guys raising the flag is probably the most famous photo in our military’s history (certainly Marine Corp history). In no particular order, some thoughts:

We lost 7,000 troops at IWO JIMA in 36 days of fighting. The Japanese fought to their death defending the island…22,000 Japanese died in that same period. Over the preceding twelve months we lost 3 – 5 thousand troops at each campaign, taking island after island (Guadalcanal, Midway, etc.), working our way from Australia to Japan. I didn’t do the math officially, but I’m guessing that between 50 –100 thousand US soldiers gave their lives in the South Pacific during this 2 year period. We don’t hear a ton about it, but the public outcry was similar to today…letters to the editors, mothers of dead boys in Washington wanting accountability…you know what I mean. But the numbers don’t even add up…I believe we’ve lost 4,000 in the last 4 years in Iraq and Afghanistan…where is our stomach for this…why do we seem so weak as a nation? So…I don’t know…soft?

Imperial Japan in the early 1900’s was very similar to the radical Muslim community in the Middle East in many ways.
- They were the aggressor
- Their soldiers found honor in death…there were no medals for survivors
- They fought dirty (a bad word I know), torturing soldiers, cutting off heads, enacting slave labor with prisoners of war, death marches…side note: I wonder why we don’t hear much about this? I mean, why do we constantly hear about Hitler and the Jews, but we don’t get constant reminders of just how bad Imperial Japan was. Maybe I was out sick the day they taught us this…I just don’t remember much Japan bashing in school.
- Maybe the biggest similarity was they truly believed they would win solely based on attrition and Washington’s inability to stomach a long campaign with many casualties.

How does all this flush out with the Gospel? I mean, “Blessed are the meek”, “Blessed are the peacemakers”. These aren’t just cute phrases…they are our goals as individuals. If collectively we arrive, or had arrived, Imperial Japan would have conquered Australia, Hawaii, and possibly the western United States. They were on a mission for resources. They had already invaded China, Taiwan, and were headed south to Australia when they dragged us in at Pearl Harbor. Was it ok to become the aggressor in the South Pacific (and eventually at Hiroshima and Nagasaki) to obtain surrender and an eventual major change in global policy by a very aggressive enemy? What did God think of this?

Fast forward 60 years…we now have taken a war with a radical aggressor (albeit less formally defined…cells not armies and navies) to a land far away from our shores. How long will our country be able to stomach this? How are we doing? (it would be nice to hear some good news), What does God think of all this? What if we were peacemakers, meek…how would that go over?

Since there’s only one of you reading this…I value your opinion.

Are you kidding me?

2007-06-15T05:46:00.000-07:00

I'm not a huge NBA fan...in fact, not much of one at all. But, this talk of San Antonio as one of the all time great teams is hogwash. I'm hearing words like Dynasty thrown around...are you kidding me? Here's my arguement...

1. They were one play away from getting eliminated in the second round by Phoenix. If Robert Horey doesn't cheap shot Nash...Phoenix wins that series going away.

2. They couldn't get past the "gimmick" that is the Dallas Mavericks last year to even make it to the NBA finals.

3. Other than their first championship (with David Robinson in the middle), they have been the equivalent of the "world tallest midget"...the league is so diluted right now...there just aren't ANY great teams.

4. To mention them in the same breath as the two great Celtic dynasties, the Bulls of the 90's, the Show Time Lakers...c'mon.

I feel better now. Thanks for allowing the rant.

How intense is intense?

2007-05-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

Had a great time with Kid 3 this weekend at a soccer tournament at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.

There were teams from all over, all age groups, as far away as Illinois...even a couple of local teams.

There were 12 teams in our age group, 3 brackets of 4. The tourney is a round robin format. You play the other 3 teams in your bracket Saturday and Sunday, and the bracket winner advances with one wild card to a semifinal round Monday AM, followed by a championship game Monday PM.

We went 2-1 in our bracket, ending up in a 3-way tie for the wild card...we were 3rd best in that deal, so no go. The team we lost to, really layed wood to us...final Coral Gables 6, Lakeland 0. Did I tell you Kid 3 is a goal keeper. He's pretty good if I do say so...that means that 6-nil score could have been much worse.

Anyway, another Miami team ended up rolling through their bracket too, so we saw a showdown brewing between the two Miami juggernaughts. Needless to say, we came back Monday, paid the admitance to see this final. Game ended 4-4...followed by a shootout where only one kid missed (5-4), and he hit the post with a rocket...game over, our bracket won...and we saw some of the best 10 year olds in our part of the world play that afternoon.

All this sets up a couple of points. It was very obvious that as the talent and expectations increases, so does the intensity of the coaches and parents...and the skin thickness of these young children. At times, during the heat of battle, I felt like I was watching Parcell or Lombardi coach...and these kids took it in stride...no attitude, no talking back...just nodding of head and corrected actions...it was amazing. So, my question is how intense should we be?

Side bar: During our final game we played Cape Coral (SW corner of Florida). During the second half of a close game, my son is fielding a long ball in the goal box and up runs an opposing offensive player who bumps him kind of hard and the ball falls out. My son jumps on the ball, no damage done...dialogue proceeds as follows (I'm a fan, on the opposite side of the bench, close to the play):

Me: Hey Ref, that can't happen

(whistle blows, foul other team, free kick there)

Other Coach: It was incidental Ref!

Me: They're running at him all game, you better call them off and do something!!

Ref to Coach: No conversations with the fans.

Me to my son: If they come at you again, put a shoulder in their chest.

After the game I went up to the other coach and appologized..."Hey, I'm sorry I said what I did. I over-reacted...As the Dad of the keeper I guess I got a bit over defensive and shouldn't have. I'm sorry." He was very cool about it and apologized too - His son was their keeper, he understood.

Side note within side note: I never would have appologized in years gone by...I would have justified my actions...Sanctification in real life taking place...thanks God.

Now here's question two. At what point is it ok to start coaching your son to punish the other guy to defend yourself (think Catcher guarding the plate on a play at home)? Was I wrong in telling him to put a shoulder in their chest if the continue to run at him? How intense is too intense for competitive/select soccer?

A Holy Spirit Moment

2007-05-30T09:07:00.000-07:00

See previous entry for background...

Paul says pursue Holiness, run the race to win, pursue Christ in all things...these things I take seriously and in context. I'm definitely not legalistic about it...these are heart issues...and if nothing else, I govern from the heart, especially when it comes to me.

So when Kid 1 and Kid 2 (both teens) inform me that one of my new favorite songs sports the "F" word in the chorus...I quickly retort "no way"...throw up all my anti-legalism, you can't rob me of my joy, chaff, and walk away...no fight.

Then a few days later, early in the morning, I'm in itunes, alone.

Crank up song and listen carefully (although in this case care is not necessary...it's the chorus right). I hear it, then again, and again. I google the lyrics, and there it is "f**k"...in print.

As for me and my family...this isn't grey at all. There's no holiness pursuit at all about this song, my heart is screaming to my mind, "what good comes of this?"

Not a whole lot.

D-E-L-E-T-E.

Unhealthy obsession?

2007-05-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

It started in middle school...with Billy Joel, The Stranger...in high school, it was Led Zepellin and AC DC, but they weren't that unique.

In college, it was Earth, Wind, and Fire and Run DMC...a little unique.

After college, every couple of years a new artist, Cake, Ben Folds Five, Jane's Addiction...

Lately, 2004 it was Superchick...2005, Switchfoot...2006, Third Day.

When I like a group, or a song or two, I wear it out...listen to it over and over till I know it, can sing along, but also until I can sing it independently. My wife makes fun of me...says I'm like a teenage girl.

It's happening now...started Tues. night during American Idol...Blake sang This Love...never heard it before, but liked it...alot. The next night, Maroon Five sang Makes Me Wonder...never heard of them, or the song...but I'm hooked now...listen at home, look for the songs on the radio, sing along in my head...it's just how I'm wired.

But suffices to say, I may be the oldest Maroon Five groupy on earth...now that's unhealthy.

Look vs. Think

2007-05-06T13:33:00.000-07:00

Let me start by saying I love my church, my Pastor, and what's going on inside me right now. (And there is no "But," coming)

This morning had a "wow" moment. Let me attempt to explain what happened.

You see, for the first 10 or so years of my spiritual walk, my attitude was virtually the same as the world (selfish, and leaning toward sin nature), but I "looked" different than others...well, I didn't drink and my friends did, I stayed clear of certain TV shows (but deep inside wanted to watch them)...you get the point...I dressed the part. I'm told now that this is one form of legalism.

The last 3-5 years of my spiritual walk, I've been much less consumed with how I look, and much more consumed with "what I think" or my attitude...and the behaviors have followed...those that matter, and some that don't...and the cool thing is, that it's a lot more behavioral changes, and some I'd never get to on my own (like going on a mission trip)...and all for the right reasons...

and, well, anyway...this morning, my Pastor did a magnificent job explaining what's been going on in me and why. It was pretty sweet.

Calling Your Shot...

2007-05-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of good things in this world...ice cream, police, A/C...the list is endless. But there aren't many better than the feeling you get when you call your shot. I mean, when you get to be real prophet-like, stick your neck out, get razzed by your friends...and then several months later, strut in and subtly remind them of it...

...that is a fine moment...a good thing.

So, maybe a year ago, or so, I was having this discussion about overated athletes (it followed the discussion of "best coach in sport - active"), and I throw out Dirk Nowiski.

You'd have thought I killed someone's grandmother...Ah, man...You're crazy...He's awesome...

The rants went on...

Until now...

Mark Cuban will need to move him to win a Championship. You heard it here first.

There aren't too many

2007-04-28T05:08:00.000-07:00

There are very few movies that we all can sit down and watch from start to finish. Our ages span from 40 to 3...and there are 7 of us...add to that a teenage friend and the odds get wider...

But, last night we all watched "High School Musical". Some for the umpteenth time. But it still holds everyones attention.

What other movies appeal to masses like this?

I'm almost ashamed to admit it, but for family movies, this may be a classic.

Still Struggling With Balance

2007-04-22T13:08:00.000-07:00

Where do you stand?

When do you take a stand?

This guy in Missouri has gone too far.

http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070421/NEWS/704210394/1021/LIFE05

But, then again, I think Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz, goes too far too.

So, where do you draw the line (or should you even consider a line)?

If a church asks its youth workers to hold to Biblical standards of conduct in an effort to set a positive yet REAL example for its young people, is that too far? Is it far enough? What if they ask their workers not to attend rated R movies? Or go to the local casino? Or drink an adult beverage with dinner while out in town? or in their home? Or purchase/read an adult magazine while filling up at the gas station?

You see, some of these are way over the edge and would never be addressed Biblically, because the temptation wasn't there. Albeit the sin took place in the mind, there just weren't as many places for it to fester or manifest itself into reality back in Bible times. So now we have all these options...choices. And we have GRACE and Freedom in Christ...not liscence, but freedom. But I'm not talking about me...that's easy.

The real question is...How does one who is responsible for choosing leaders...a board member, a youth pastor, a deacon...set standards for choosing leaders.

The disciples were not permitted to go out from Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit entered into them...they were told to stay put (pretty legalistic if you ask me - read sarcasm). This was done for the overall benefit of the program. So, when we choose leaders in church...or teachers at a Christian School...or Nursery workers...how do you set standards without coming across as a legalist?

Maybe God never intended Christian organizations to get this large. If it's so big that you just don't know, or can't TELL, then maybe it's too big (just thinking while I write).

You see, I've been great with following rules as set by organizations. If there's no gum chewing, then I'm not terribly rebellious...I don't chew gum. But the problem now is...

I'm in authority. I, with the help of others, am being asked to help set the rules...the standard of conduct...for those who work with children...

...and I'm struggling.

The Comfort Room

2007-04-14T04:22:00.000-07:00

Kid 3 represented his class at the Regional Spelling Bee yesterday. I've never been before (Kid 1 was a regular), and it's held in the nearby big city, so I block out my calendar two months ago to ensure I can attend.

What I didn't realize, until the day before, is that I would be the head judge for the other grade. This turned out to be a coup...a real blessing...because I don't know what I'd do if I had to sit around the gym waiting for things to happen up in the individual classrooms.

Anyway, being a judge gave me an inside look at the process...of which, the most bazaar step was THE COMFORT ROOM.

Each grade is in a classroom (about 50 kids). The judges are up front at a table. No parents or teachers allowed inside. Kids get up and spell. If they are wrong, a high school volunteer escorts them to the comfort room where there is cookies, juice, and a very compassionate administrator there to console if necessary.

As an employer, its the comfort rooms of the world that create the most problems for me when I have to deal with these people as adults.

It's been said many different ways, but I'll say it again:

Everyone shouldn't get a trophy, not everyone is a winner, losing builds character...and,

We DON'T need comfort rooms.

How much does it matter?

2007-04-11T03:07:00.000-07:00

My friend Brent is reviewing this book about an unchurched man becoming a "mystery shopper" for the church. On the surface, I think it's a great idea...actually an idea I was sharing with my pastor, as I have the perfect unchurched friend, who I work with, who has a critical eye, that might be very effective for our church.

But the more I think about it, does it really matter how much our church appeals to the lost world? I mean really, it kind of boils down to the purpose of the church...are we called to placate the pagans...or are we called to build up the body of Christ? Will the lost world ever really understand us...I mean if they're not saved?

Isn't evangelism done on an individual basis through personal relationships? Not necessarily through worship and praise?

Check this out...

2007-04-02T02:49:00.000-07:00

http://aboulet.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/hello-my-name-is-christian/#more-198

I'd like to add this to top of mind for my daily prayer life.

Some downsides of a Mega Church

2007-03-31T12:31:00.000-07:00

I've been a member of 5 churches since becoming a Christian. 14 of the 18 years were at two churches, both of them Mega Churches (one much more mega than the other, but nonetheless both qualified). That being said, I see a couple of distinct advantages relating to smaller community churches:

- You typically don't have a work day at a Mega Church (at least we didn't in 14 years)...you know, you come in Saturday at 8:00 and everyone grabs rags and paint brushes and gets after it for the day...it's great for the kids to get out with mom or dad and sanitize toys in the nursery or paint a railing at the front entrance...you meet people you don't know very well...have conversations for an hour or more while painting said railing...
- You don't typically pay near as many people to serve at smaller churches...like...nursery workers...and kitchen help...and housekeeping staff...and bookkeepers...it sort of gives stewardship an enhanced glow when its not confined to working in Sunday School and money.
- It's nice to see the Pastor and Associate Pastor at said work day. It's nice to have him sit down at a table next to you and eat a sloppy joe and ask your son what he's been working on...it's just nice.

We liked our Mega Church experience...there were lots of programs, lots of places to "plug in", you could even take months off and get lost if you wanted...but when you did plug in, particularly at a high level, you got tons of attention, etc.

I like where we're at now...I like the work days, my daughters serving in nursery...it's nice.

My disagreement with my friend (cont.)

2007-03-28T16:23:00.000-07:00

Ok, so me and my good buddy were disagreeing about Christians affecting change through politics vs. affecting change through service and relationships (one person at a time)...

So I take the discussion to my pastor for his thoughts...

And he gives me this book written by Chuck Colson in 1992 titled "Power Religion"...here are a couple of quotes (from 1992):

"Christians CAN make a difference. But in recent years many Christians have urged a more direct approach for bringing needed social change than the service to community that marked earlier evangelical involvement. And what is that more direct approach? Simply elect Christians to political office."

and...

"To suggest that electing Christians to public office will solve all public ills is not only presumptuous and theologically questionable, it is also untrue. Today's misspent enthusiasm for political solutions to the moral problems of our culture arises from a distorted view of both politics and Christianity - too low a view of the power of a sovereign God and too high a view of the ability of man...I know of no case where a spiritual movement was achieved by passing laws."

Interesting.

Me in 15 Years (cont.)

2007-03-26T11:33:00.000-07:00

What will the work week look like?

I guess this thought has to begin with "who's on the bus?" and how much confidence I can place in them. But since we're dreaming, let's dream big...

We'll have a VP of Service, a VP of Operations, and a VP of Sales who will be running the show. I'll meet with this crew on Thursday afternoons from 1:00 until we're done. I'll expect them to drive the growth of our business, and to have been doing so for at least 5 years (this gives me 10 years to get this in place, which means I need to have those people on our team in the next 5 years).

I expect we'll be a much larger business, probably 3 times our current size.

I expect we'll have a strategic planning retreat in October to set the agenda for the upcoming year. I expect they will bring 1-2 key people from their ranks to help develop the plan.

As for my work week...

My major focus will be: maintain our relationships with our manufacturer, ensure alignment with their vision, mentor/develop our leadership team, be the director of PR with our customers...how this all flushes out and develops will have to wait...but I think I'm getting the vision...

None of this is posible without the right people driving this thing...so, let's start developing and enabling them now...and hire where none are present.

USA Soccer

2007-03-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

I've been becoming a fan...but I arrived today. Went to see USA beat Equador 3-1 in Tampa today...

Soccer is like Hockey...you can't appreciate the skill and speed with which they play until you see it live...

Also, you can't experience the passion of a global fan base, until you go. 31,000 present in Tampa to see a scrimage (they call them friendly), at least 10,000 were Equadorian...in full regalia, chanting, singing, rooting for their team until the whistle blew.

I'm a fan.

My Ideal Life

2007-03-25T04:28:00.000-07:00

I'm reading a wonderful book called "Primal Leadership" about developing EI competencies required for Leadership. One of the exercises is titled "You, Fifteen Years From Now".

"Think about where you would be sitting reading this book if it were fifteen years from now and you were living your ideal life. What kinds of people would be around you? What does your environment look and feel like? What might you be doing during a typical day or week? Don't worry about feasibility, just let yourself imagine and place yourself in the picture."

So here goes...this may take a few days...

I'll be 55. I will be healthy and in-shape...able to run 3 miles in 30 minutes without stopping.

Will have been maried for 32 years and the marriage will be stronger than ever. My best friend will be with me in my ideal life.

I will have a mixture of young grandchildren, adult children, sons/daughters-in-laws, and teenagers. Things will be busy and active.

We will be in the same house, to help facilitate homecomings. Most of the rooms will be renovated to make things easier for adult families visiting.

I envision myself as a kind of oracle to my children and grandchildren. In this role I will be available on demand to offer advice/councel...but much of this councel will take place while fishing...or at the marina for those who don't fish.

To be this oracle, the business will need to be on autopilot, with me acting as oracle there too. So, I'll have a VP Sales, VP Operations, and VP Service who work together as an integrated team to grow the business. I'll be working about 30 hours/week...more later on what that work week should look like.

My boat won't be very big...4-5 people comfortably...probably something 24-29 ft...twin 225...center console...kept at a marina near Anamaria or Venice. The boat enters the picture somewhat recently relative to the 15 year outlook, so at this point I'm still learning the waters, where the sweet fishing holes are, all in preparation for Grandchildren.

All of this has been done while living an authentic faith...having been obedient to Christ in the smallest details of my life. Those who know me best, my children, will say "he lives his Faith". As a result, much of my oracleness will be in areas of faith I suppose, a sort of amped up continuation of now, with more focus and wisdom, and less distractions.

I see me doing short term missions with CWE through our church...building schools, churches, hospitals in developing areas. I think these trips will lay the groundwork for us funding/building an orphanage in Guatemala...I see Henry intimately involved in this.

Now, what will my work week look like?

To be continued...

God is at work...

2007-03-21T18:07:00.000-07:00

All I can say is God is at work in amazing ways...

Our adoption is going as smooth as could possibly be expected, and then some. Guatemalan adoptions in general are crazy right now, the whole thing is being turned upside down...but miraculously ours is going through at a tremendous pace.

I am currently "building bridges" to two people in my life (neither of whom I expected), and the dialogue is very rewarding and fulfilling...praise God...it's all you boss.

At work I just had an opportunity bigger than me dumped in my lap about 5 weeks ago. My response was "Bring It" (with a smile)...soon followed by prayer (God, this is so bigger than me, only you can provide, please do so, and guide me in the process)...and...it's unfolding in amazing ways.

Let's just say...

Yeah God!

Florida Greed Policy Council

2007-03-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

Almost a year ago we were invited to a banquet in Orlando to see a friend of our get an award for "grass roots activism". The organization was Florida Family Policy Council (a state level Dobson organization), and their mission is to lobby legislature at the state level about pro-family issues - the greatest of which is marriage between one husband and one wife.

Recently I turned down an invite to this year's banquet. One of my closest friends is on the board, and I confided in him how I hate these things...particularly those that don't necessarily advance the Kingdom. My main rationale involved...a Soveriegn God...and a ministry being able to stand on its own merrit without high pressure banquets featuring the Governor, or some other major speaker.

Well my friend unloaded on me...lovingly, but nonetheless unloaded on me. Not only was I wrong in not supporting his issue, but very wrong.

So I have spent the last week or so prayerfully considering his position, my position, and trying to form a more thoughtful position. So here goes...

First, groups like these tend to polarize the lost - those who need a savior most we tend to drive further away. We tend to, with good intention, make insular cocoons that meet OUR needs & uphold/rank OUR values in order of those we are most capable of keeping (1. Homosexuality 2. Child Abuse 3. Drug Adiction 4....). It all sounds a bit pharasaical to me. Why don't we ever see a Florida Pride Policy Council or a Florida Greed Policy Council? If we are to be God's hands and feet to reach a lost world, then why are we building walls between us and the lost like this?

Second, Christ traveled through Samaria to prove a point to His disciples, who normally made it a point to travel around that geography. He dined with tax collectors, the scourge of the times. He drank water with a prostitute. Samaritans, prostitutes, and tax collectors were the worst of the sinners...this was no accident.

Could the Kingdom be better served if we used these same resources to build bridges to the Homosexual community. If we started with those close to us, maybe those in our family, and went out of our way to go visit them like we do our straight family members. What if we funded missionaries to go into this community. Why can't we work to allow Christ to work the same miracle in them that he works in us?

I'm not saying what Dobson is doing is wrong...it's just not my method...and I'm not sure it's right either.

I'm no techie, but...

2007-03-07T15:48:00.000-08:00

I doubt there are many 40 somethings who enjoy their iPod as much as I do. I use it several times/week, and loathe exercising without it. I occasionally do a Spinning class with my daughter at the local gym and find myself getting annoyed with the music selection - almost music-snob-like in my attitude of "...she should have picked this song for this hill."

Well, I now own another technogadget that rivals my iPod...

...this piece of wizardry makes my life sooooo much simpler and efficient. It's so cool my wife put down the gauntlet and said "...if you get me nothing else for Christmas, I want that!"

We use it to find out of town schools for various athletic events, find restaurants while on said trips, find parks where soccer tournaments are held, get point to point throughout my business ventures, avoid traffic jams, get an idea (almost to the minute) of when we'll be home...it's just cool.

This little piece of wizardry is called a Garmin...and because I'm far from an early adopter of technology, I'm sure that my opinion will not create a buzz, but I think this thing is very cool.

Discipleship

2007-03-05T10:05:00.000-08:00

Our senior pastor has a real heart for discipleship. He recently shared with us how one person can make a difference...played out the numbers, etc...very appealing to the engineer in me. As a result of sitting through many a sermon where the topic is mentioned, I have become very convicted about discipleship. For months I've been praying about who and when, and how, and not really trusting the sovereignty of God to provide those answers - the doer in me wants to take over.

Flash to three weeks ago. This business group I'm in has us to share our annual goals with each other. Rarely do I read everyone's goals cover to cover (the document is 14 pgs. long). Except this time I did and one of the guys had some interesting goals, similar to mine...eat healthier, excercise, get to a target weight and GROW CLOSER TO GOD! So I send him an email, tell him how encouraged I am by his goals and let him know that mine are similar and I'd like accountability, would he? He says yes, and we start traiding emails 2-3 times/week on how we're doing. We're both doing ok, but the encouragement is helping both of us...he really wants to get some consistency in prayer and scripture reading during Lent (he's Catholic).

Flash to yesterday. I email him and share with him that my pastor has this discipleship study guide...kind of a work book that drives you into scripture, answers lots of questions, and should take a mortal 6-9 months to work through...if he's intersted, would he like to work through it with me after Lent.

He says "that sounds great." Pray for my first ernest, calculated, strategic discipleship effort.

Awkward Pastor moment foiled

2007-03-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

Last night we went to the theatre in the big city near by (one hour away). It seats a couple of thousand, we sat in the balcony, center stage. When we sat down, seated directly in front of us was our old pastor and his family.

Side note: We changed churches in May to seek a discipleship centered ministry rather than the evangelism/baptism centered ministry we were at. One plants seeds and coaxes them to sprout (the prior), the latter watters, fertilizes, and encourages the seeds to reproduce. Both ministries are a direct reflection of the ministry philosophy of the Senior Pastor. I like both Pastors and have become close with both while at their ministry, taking on leadership roles in various capacities...we are a very active family at church, regardless of which one.

The discussion was beautiful. It wasn't shallow or trite, it was deep and enjoyable. We discussed his ministry, his family, men he is discipling in the community...we discussed our family, our adoption, business, travel...the wives also visited...it was very nice.

Most of all, I think this is how Christians are to behave, in a spirit of love, reconciliation and forgiveness. To use the term of my friend...I was very proud of our tribe last night. Praise Jesus for making it possible.

Art ignorant...but ok with it

2007-03-03T06:08:00.000-08:00

Our eldest is a bit of a thespian...she sings in the school ensemble, participates in the plays, is called upon to solo for the national anthem...very accomplished resume for her age.

Most of the entertainment opportunities we take part in, involve a ball or a big screen with terrorists getting killed or large explosions. Very simple stuff I know.

My friend Brent posted some beautiful art his daughter painted on his blog yesterday...it looks very nice. I tend to think about "how does she overlap the petals without messing up the one in front"...logistical stuff like that.

Last night we took "the girls" to see Wicked...a wonderful adaptation of the Wizard of Oz...one of the more renowned Broadway Musicals of late. It was nice. I found myself wondering if the set was strong enough to support the monkeys hanging from it...logistical stuff like that.

This morning I've come to the conclusion that I'm different and that's ok. I'll continue to support my eldest's interests, and enjoy them more when she participates...but all take entertainment with a ball involved any day.

I like this discussion...

2007-02-28T03:33:00.001-08:00

http://aboulet.wordpress.com/2007/02/21/weekly-say-what-8/#more-174

Corporate Responsibility

2007-02-22T11:53:00.000-08:00

Things have shifted dramatically in my lifetime. The responsibilities that corporations take for their associates/employees quite possibly peaked when I was a kid (up considerably from the industrial revolution), and have been regressing ever since. If you walk into a corporate job today, directly out of college, you will be expected to partially fund your health insurance, fund the majority of your retirement account, and carry the entire load of dental, disability, and vision. Less than 10% of corporations offer pensions to new employees.

Much can said about why this has occured? Constant pressure to maximize corporate returns, an inability for current profits to cover recurring non-revenue generating expenses...GM publishes that every dime of their profit is offset by the health care of their retired pension holders...that is mind blowing for the 24th largest economy in the world.

I bring this topic up because a friend of mine recently sold his business. I was also very close with several long term employees (20+ year men). One of these 20 year men pulled me aside and asked..."what about me?" - refering to the business sale and potentially sharing the wealth. The funny thing was his first look was at the new owner...he told me he approached the new owner and said..."Um, excuse me boss, but you just paid $$$ for this business to my old boss. I helped build this business, is there a little something due me too?" After I recovered from the naivity of his question, and realized he was relaying this to me because he was serious, I asked him to explain further...so he did...

"I am a major reason the business was able to garner the sale price it was, I think I am due some of the proceeds from the sale."

I explained to him that his beef, if he had one, is really with the seller. Theoretically, he drove up the value of the business through his efforts, and if he is due some "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" it is due from the seller, not the buyer.

I went on to explain that technically he was compensated for his efforts every step of the way during the life cycle of the business, and that he was really due nothing. I used as stock purchase as an example...if I buy 100 shares of GE stock for $10 per share (that's $1000 for my non-math pastor friends), and sell it 5 years later for $3000, I'm not expected to divy up a portion of my $2000 earnings among the 100,000 GE employees. Am I?

So, here's the dealio. Corporate responsibility to individuals peaked about 30 years ago. It is clearly on a down swing. Where does it bottom out? As a business owner, how far do I let it go? Do I follow big business, like I've been doing so far...which has been pretty easy because that direction means more profits? If it swings back up, do I follow quite as easily? Will the labor market ultimately decide what i do? (probably)

So this is what I'm thinking today.

The curse of a critical eye

2007-02-18T04:56:00.000-08:00

My kids deal with it.

The associates at work deal with it.

Our sales associates deal with it most.

Things are going pretty well...really well.

We have great kids. Good hearts, sweet spirits, high performers, good choice in friends, not snooty. Yet I still will seek out those faults wanting even more.

Business is going well. People are working hard, getting it done, and most have some tremendously positive traits, that I recognize and praise (praise gets equal billing from the boss). Yet we continuously work on "blind spots" or "improvement areas", point out things that are unacceptable relative to our brand and the presentation of it...like timeliness, clean and neat appearance, presentation style, etc. Like the coach that grades his all pro lineman and forces him to watch game film to view the 2 plays out of 38 that he blew his assignment...in fact, that's the analogy I use to justify it.

I talk about pursuing excellence, not being acceptable.

One sales associate cried recently...saying it is just so hard.

It started in the Navy...with the inspection cycle. Things had to be just so...if it wasn't points were taken away. It's continued.

Now the critical eye consumes how I watch ball games, track meets, work performance, dinner prep, and probably most critical of me...so it's equal opportunity.

I know American society plays a role in this. Our insatiable desire for more (productivity, money, stuff, status...the American Dream).

What I don't know is how does this critical eye flush out Biblically. Is there room for this in the Kingdom? If the answer is no, how do I perform my role at work effectively without it?

Just thinking.

I think the hostilities may be ramping up...

2007-02-02T13:50:00.000-08:00

One of the perks of traveling on business is the ability to get a little closer to the world than I'm comfortable exposing my family to. I mean, I never want to be a stumbling block in their spiritual growth and I know what I can handle and not stumble...so I'll end up at places or watching movies that I wouldn't want my family watching (don't let your mind wander to the gutter...none of which I'd be uncomfortable discussing with Jesus).

Anyway...this trip had two documentaries catching my attention. One on in-room pay per view on "evangelical kids' camp" and the other an HBO documentary on "the evangelical movement". I only watched the preview of the camp thing...couldn't see investing $11.99 to get fired up at some liberal arts project. But I saw enough to see how we are viewed.

I did watch the last 35 minutes of the HBO documentary and the lady filming and interviewing did her best to be balanced and not come off condescending...like a good documentary, she tried to let the information tell the story. Every person she interviewed from Jerry Fallwell to this home school family of 12 in the mid-west was cordial, inviting, and I could see myself enjoying their company.

What's crazy is...I'm not sure that was the intention, nor was I the target market for the documentary. The narator is from New York City...female, artsy, horn rimmed glasses, short, straight hair, inteligent...very NPR-like. I got the distinct impression that she thought every one of these people were nuts...the old guy spending $22K per cross to erect 35' tall crosses in every state...the Liberty University student going door to door educating people about the importance of the upcoming election on family values...the beauty queen, would be lawyer, but mother of 12 who is content post conversion (which occured somewhere between law school and marriage to her pastor husband), the old man driving the red pick-up with "Jesus died for you and me" accross the tail gate...you get the point.

And if she thinks we're nuts, and HBO bought this film, there is probably a distinct chance that a large part of the population thinks we're nuts. And if that's the case, here in America, things are going to be drastically different for my children than say they were for my mother when she was a child. I'm not sure what that looks like, but I am sure I better be making sure that their faith is not luke warm.

Are thorns getting in the way?

2007-01-23T03:34:00.000-08:00

Luke 8:14

JV Basketball
Club Soccer
Cross Country
Track
Softball
Fitness
23 Employees (12 Direct Reports)
Debt Service/Capitalization
Home Repairs

Are my responsibilities getting in the way of sharing the Good News? I hear the Gospel, and I take it to heart, but am I just too busy to act on it? And, what can I do about it?

Teachable Season

2007-01-21T03:46:00.000-08:00

Kid3's competitive soccer season started out 0-7-1...he's the goal keeper and 31 goals had been scored in 8 games.

Kid1's JV Bball season started 0-8...she plays a lot and had maybe 20 points through 8 games.

Both coaches are great! Kid3's coach has been coaching soccer for 15 years. Kid1's coach coached a little in college and had never in 15 years of coaching lost more than 3 in a row. It's been a season of firsts.

We have spent the last 2-3 months talking about humility and character and excellence and sportsmanship...all necessary lessons when your family is 0-15-1 in winter sport. Things happen for a reason...I guess the family needed some humility.

The tide appears to be turning...Kid1 has won 4 in a row...Friday night handedly 52-28. Kid3 tied last week and won their first game yesterday, moving them out of last place...they have the first place team at 2:00 today.

Trinidad

2007-01-19T03:22:00.000-08:00

Just returned from a week in Trinidad...and the thing that amazes me most is how diverse spiritually they are without being divisive.

1/3 of the country is Christian, 1/3 Muslim, and 1/3 Hindu...and they all get along splendidly. The company I work with down there has a mix of all, some of whom are VERY passionate about their faith, yet all coexist and work well together...in fact challenge each other some times and banter back and forth about faith.

An interesting quote...from the warehouse man who is 110% Muslim (visual: dresses every day in long robe, matching cleric hat, long grey beard, wife joins him for lunch dressed in all black, you can only see her eyes)..."Those Muslims killing everyone over there in the desert, they are not showing the love that our faith teaches."

The whole experience moves me more toward Calvinist...we are called to evangelize, but God needs to call the recipient to the message, without God's calling of the listener, we are just putting up walls. That being said, I'm still flushing out evangelism and living in a spirit of peace with your brother.

So what does that make us?

2007-01-09T02:46:00.000-08:00

I'm just curious...

...Having just watched Florida dismantle Ohio State, the over-hyped juggernaught from the daunting Big 10...

...If you're the only team to beat the National Champion...and beat LSU (who throttled Notre Dame and made the player of the year look like he was just out of pee wee)...how good is YOUR program?

Brilliant

2007-01-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

It seems as though Rudy Guliani made a huge blunder recently. He held a strategy session in NYC at a posh hotel and detailed his "war plan" for a pending 2008 Presidential Run. Well, Rudy left the final battle plan in the room and the nice folks at the hotel gave it to the press...

...so...

All of his perceived "weaknesses to overcome" are listed in bullet form...like...

- bad split with ex-wife number 3
- ex-wife number 2 has some baggage on me
- shaddy private business prior to Mayoral gig
- liberal social leanings may be an issue in Republican primary

...and

stuff like how much money he'll need to run ($100 million in 2007 alone).

Well, if you ask me, this is no blunder...it's brilliant! Get all your dirt out early. Let people hash through it, pick it over, discuss it, and then say..."that's ok Rudy, you did a great job cleaning up NYC, you did a great job with 9/11, nobody is perfect...we want you anyway...and, oh, here's our part of the $100 million you need."

This guy is pretty darn smart if you ask me.

The Tie

2006-12-28T08:16:00.000-08:00

My mother (who is lost) bought me an "Amazing Grace" Evangelism Neck Tie for Christmas. It's Navy Blue with all the words to Amazing Grace writen in different sizes and fonts throughout the tie...it's not too ugly...definitely wearable.

Two thoughts...

First, how does my lost mom view me to even consider getting me this gift? Why would she go into a Christian bookstore, buy this for me, read it, wrap it, wait expectantly as I open it...but really, really look through jaded lenses of contempt at my actual faith? She sees my faith as "what we do." It's our "entertainment". Some folks are bowlers, some fish, some hunt...we go to Church. No matter how real we are or how much we live it to the core...that's the reality of how she sees us. Something is not right here on our end...I wish God would reveal this to me.

Second, I wear ties to work only (not to Church)...so...
...how will my associates at work, lost or otherwise, take to this brazen in-your-face display of my faith. I don't do fish, or stickers, or frankly any other displays of I'm saved and you're not, and really make it a point to (again) live my faith through love and consistency in my behavior, taking opportunities to share the Gospel when opportunities present themselves...but this tie is a bit over the top.

Any thoughts?