Sara B

A while back during a visit with my brother and his family, my brother and I got into this discussion that caused us to sound like the stereo-typical old codgers. The subject of the discussion was music today. It was decided by us (which by the way is the ultimate authority) that there is no current group or artist that has grabbed us to the point that we want to just listen to their music over-and-over. There are no songs that captivate us to the point of wanting to listen to them enough where we can sing along. All the many factors such as quality of music to lack of beauty and theme were discussed which further solidified our opinions.

Then a few months later, I discovered Sara Bareilles. I heard "Love Song" on that Direct TV commercial and thought it sounded pretty good! Ashton wanted the single on her MP3 player, so I downloaded it for her and added it on my iPhone. I listened and loved it! Decided to download the whole "Little Voices" album and it is now in constant rotation on my iPhone selections. It has been a LONG time since I have encounterd a full album without a weak link. Bareilles' voice is rich and emotive. The music she has composed is down-right addicting. This is a great artist and a tremendous album. I want to hear and learn her songs (even though I have a very difficult time singing like a girl--no comments please!).

I think I'll buy a copy for my brother.

Small World

This morning a good friend of ours, Dana, brought her mother to church with her. When introduced to me, she commented, "Irby? I knew an Irby when I was at school at North Texas State." Knowing that my father had attended North Texas State, I asked her if his name was, "Bob or Robert" she said, "No" and then explained that she dated this Irby for a while. Gaging her approximate age and thinking this coincidence, is too great, I explained that my father went to North Texas and was a music major. This jarred her memory and she said, "well, the Irby I knew was a music major." Turns out she did date my dad in college and journeyed with him and a quintet of singers who called themselves the "Dipsy Doodlers" one summer. This summer tour was one that my dad spoke of often with fondness. There is a framed black and white picture of him and the other "doodlers" in full hillbilly garb prominently displayed in his study. As we talked, she said that she had a print of the same picture. While musing about their summer, she commented, "I think we decided that we loved each other, but were not 'in love' with each other."

As we were all walking out of the room in which we were talking, Dana turns to me and says, "You know my mother was one of the 'North Texas Beauties' when she was in school." Way to go dad!

Oh, Please!!!

Today, I had a rare opportunity to have lunch with my wonderful wife. It is rare more due to my schedule than hers. Since my morning appointments all canceled and/or rescheduled, it freed me up to do something I love to do.

On the way to her school, I was listening to Paul Harvey deliver the news. A mixture of emotions ranging from frustration, sadness, and disbelief manifested themselves as sarcastic laughter as I heard his proclamation that LifeWay Christian Bookstores has hidden the most recent issue of "Gospel Today" Magazine. To purchase this month's issue you must REQUEST it. Why? Why is a Christian magazine censored as if it were a pornographic publication? Because, the cover displayed WOMEN! Not women who are scantily clad or of questionable reputation. Women who dare to serve in the role of Pastor.

You see LifeWay Christian Bookstores is owned by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)and the ordination of women as pastor or chaplain is viewed as unbiblical and therefore doctrinally unsound. Therefore, the magazine cover and subsequent story of women who love God, love people, and spend time in prayerful biblical study and preparation before being God's mouth-piece is somehow offensive. Oh, Please!

A quick Google of the issue brought me to a pastor's blog who stated that he supported the SBC in this stance adding that "scripture is clear [about this issue]." Oh, Please! I'm sorry, but to believe that scripture is "clear" on this issue and on the side of the SBC's most recent revision of the Baptist Faith and Message is utterly ridiculous and it is a narrow interpretation of passages detailing the people to serve as overseers as "husband of one wife" and completely ignores the role of people like Deborah and Phoebe.

It embarrasses me as a Christian and as a Baptist to hear a story like this broadcast.

Let me be clear... LifeWay has the right to censor what resources they offer and where they place products based on their doctrinal stances. On some level, I respect the fact that they have guts enough to allow their convictions to determine their course (such is the life of faith). According to a loose and abridged take on the "priesthood of the believer" doctrine we have the ability to disagree on interpretations. There are more important issues about which we as Christians and Baptists should be proactive. Issues about which we agree. Issues that can lead to more healing and restoration rather than more division. Maybe, this posting does the same thing -- further widens the gap of division.

I should've just told you how awesome it was to have lunch with my wife on a Tuesday.

"Being" versus "Doing"

As a church we are going through a bible study series called "Inside Out." One of the first studies focused on the difference between "doing church" and "being church." The obvious correlation to the theme, is "doing church" is what typically happens within the walls of the church (i.e. attending programs/meetings) and "being church is what happens on the outside of the walls (e.g. building relationships with unchurched and/or "least of these"). While I agree with the premise, I find it somewhat limited. First of all, I think we should "be the church" to those in the church. This can and should happen within the walls of the church. What happens when those "unchurched" start "doing church" and they find Christians who won't "be the church" in the church? For that matter, what about those long-time faithful who are hurting and seem to fall through the cracks because we are so busy doing church?

Here are a few more insights pondered as a result of the study:

1. When we talk about "being church" the focus seems to be primarily on others "out there" and we tend to forget that we need to be the church to our spouses and children before or as we are being the church to "them."

2. We discussed "barriers" that prevent the church or Christianity from palatability in much of society. There is a wonderful trend in evangelical Christian literature and teaching that is emphasizing the relationship style of evangelism versus the "hit and run" confrontation style that was so popular through the 70's, 80's, and early 90's. This trend also emphasizes the need to be salt and light in the world and the power of love over condemnation. I think of the ancient words of the Psalmist that Chris Tomlin integrated in to one of his songs, "It's your kindness, Lord, that leads us to repentance." This trend will remove much of the barriers history has given us.

I need to spend more time "being" (i.e. moving out the way and allowing Christ to emanate through me) as salt and light.

Random

Just a couple random thoughts I had on the drive into work today.

1. I started an experiment to see how much slowing down on the highway would truly save on gas. Driving to work for me means about 18 miles, 15 of which are highway with very little traffic (i.e. no "stop-start" rush hours)and about 6 intersections off the highway at least 3 of which I have timed out to catch the green light. Prior to the experiment I was filling up with gas once a week - occasionally once every 8 days. Last Tuesday (8 days ago) I filled up after work. I have slowed my highway driving to 60 MPH from 70-73 MPH. Today I am still above the "half tank" (barely).

2. Dry cleaners who wish to save money yet still maintain a semblance of organization could e-mail claim slips to customers. Saves on paper and ink costs and provides the consumer with at least the idea that they will keep the order straight. I thought first about texting slips, but realized that would probably require development of new software and expensive computer upgrades. Surely there is a cost-effective, streamline way to e-mail them.

Prayer OF my Daughter

The summer usually brings about the breaking of evening routines. Routines that I love, by they way, such as reading with my son and praying with my daughter. One of the common things my daughter says in her prayer (at least she did as of May)is, "please help my brother and me to get along better and not fight so much."

One would think that as a father, it does my heart good to hear this prayer and recognize that my daughter realizes God is her help and hope to become all that He wants her to be. This prayer warmed my heart for about two weeks. Then I recognized "it ain't happening..." the bickering, teasing, and annoying of one another continued at the same level and at times worsened.

This got me thinking about Ashton's prayer, her ever evolving theology, and how she might be interpreting the fact that there is seemingly no answer. The possibilities I considered are:
1. She believes God is not hearing her which could mean she believes God could be unfaithful.
2. She believes this whole idea of getting along with my annoying brother seems to be even out of the reach of God (which I sometimes find myself believing... ahem!).
3. She says to herself, "I say these words at night as a part of my routine prayer and never really think about it again until it is bedtime and time to pray."

Knowing that any one of those possibilities is... err... possible, and knowing that my son, too, had been known to pray this prayer, I decided to take advantage of a teachable moment. The next time they starting having a mild bicker (because a major one means "meltdown" and "I'm not listening!!") I reminded them how they have prayed this prayer and asked them why they think God hasn't done anything. They thought for a couple of seconds and shrugged. I explained that God was not going to magically place a heart of camaraderie in them, but that He is going to build this in them if they allow Him to do so. When you feel yourself wanting to retaliate and annoy, that is the opportunity to allow God to work. It will take time, it will take intentionality, you will not be perfect.

I wish I could tell you that they fell down, tore their clothes, sat in the ashes and grieved over their behavior and/or celebrated with great songs of praise at this new revelation of the goodness and faithfulness of God, but I can't. That's OK, with me. I trust that God will continue his work and I am well aware that there are still SEVERAL opportunities a day for this prayer to be answered. I believe it is happening.

This same kind of thinking is present in adults, too. It is seen in the frustrated couple who prays God will help them love their spouse again, yet continues in the same distant, dysfunctional interaction that does nothing but further estrange them. Or the person who prays for a new job and does nothing but wait for the phone to ring. We miss opportunities for God's work in us all the time. MY prayer is that I begin to recognize them more often in my life. God is faithful.

Well, Hello Dolly...

Well, we just had a ill-planned trip. My brother's family and my family coordinate our trips to Harlingen (Christmas and Summer) so that we can all be there together. With our daughters in adolescence, the calendars fill up pretty quickly. So the only time we could all be together was SUPPOSED to be Saturday through Wednesday. It became clear by Sunday that we might have to leave a little sooner than expected because of a little hurricane brewing in the Gulf. By Monday, my step-mother was urging us to leave on Tuesday.

Judging from the initial reports on Sunday and Monday, I wasn't so sure we were going to encounter more than some harsh wind and rain and thought everyone was just a little paranoid.

We decided to go ahead and cut our trip short but not without going to our favorite Mexican food at Las Vegas Cafe. YUMMMM!!!!

I am glad we came back! My uncle and step-mother both had some damage and have been without power since 10:00 Wednesday morning. All are safe... Hot and bored... but safe.

Meanwhile, we had a great lazy last day of vacation yesterday while my family nearly blew away. Went to see Get Smart together ("that's not cheese!"). As we were leaving the theater, Seth offered his insight that it Get Smart was probably the best choice of movie for our entire family to see together since the boys didn't want to see Mamma Mia and the girls don't want to see Hancock. Dad is the only one who wanted to see Dark Knight. I still CAN'T WAIT to see it!!!

I liked having a day at home to recover from travel before going back to work.

Reaction

Yesterday evening, I came home from work, grabbed a quick snack and changed clothes to go mow the thick, lush grass that we had hydromulched in only 5 weeks ago. Of course, according to our water bill, it should have been lush and think or heads would roll... but I digress. For the last 20 years, I have only used a push mower because of the size of the lawns and a few weeks ago we purchased our first riding lawn mower (nothing runs like a Deere!). Along with the push mower came the necessary wardrobe of jeans and sneakers (or work boots). Yesterday, however, I made a conscious decision to start dressing differently when hopping on the Deere. I put on shorts, t-shirt, and an old pair of open-toe sandals. I stepped off the driveway into the thick, lush grass and IMMEDIATELY felt a sting on one of my toes like I have never felt before.

Before I knew it, I had dashed back on to the drive way, kicked off my shoes and was yelling, "OUCH!" a few times and louder than I ever intended. After I recognized how loud it was I was embarrassed and looked around to make sure no one was out in their yard to witness this display. I went back to the edge of the grass to see if I could see something crawling or flying away. I saw nothing.

I went into the house told Laurie about the incident and she gave me something to relieve the sting.

Returning to the job at hand, I backed the Deere out of the storage building and took it over to the driveway for some simple maintenance before trimming the thick, lush grass. I started to feel tingly all over and dismissed it thinking it would go away. I hopped on the Deere and started mowing realizing that the tingling getting more specific and moving up my body. Still, I was not too uncomfortable to be concerned. As I continued mowing, I began to notice that the area around my mouth started to feel numb and soon realized these bumps coming up on my arms that resembled small mosquito bites and knew I probably needed to stop mowing.

Laurie gave me 2 Bennadryl (sp?) and loaded the family into the suburban on our way to the minor emergency clinic. As we drove, I noticed those bumps and rash spreading along with the itching. I looked in the mirror and noticed my lips swollen to the point of looking like a character out of the Simpsons.

You know it is fairly serious when EVERY SINGLE PERSON at the clinic takes one look at you and immediately changes their countenance with looks of sympathy. The doctor walked in and within 10 seconds said, "Well, you certainly are allergic to something!" One booty shot and a Zantac later, the doctor says, "I want you to hang around a little bit to make sure." Discharge came about 20 minutes later with a little relief.

Next time, I'm wearing my jeans and work boots.

The Plight of Michael Scott

If you are a subscriber to any social networking interface (e.g. Facebook or MySpace) and you actually read people's "favorites" inevitably you find a host of people who list The Office among their favorite television shows. I have to agree that the Office is one of the funniest shows on television. However, I was a late-comer to the "office party" (pun intended even though its not very funny). I first started watching The Office during lunch via Netflix "view instantly" feature on my computer. As with anything I enjoy, I find increased satisfaction by over analyzing characters or the reason why I like it or why I had certain emotional reactions to characters.

The one character I find myself drawn to out of all of them is Michael Scott. Steve Carrell plays this guy with absolute genius. Genius because he adds just the right amount of distortion on what is socially acceptable to make it hilarious. On the surface, Michael is a goofy, awkward, insecure, disorganized boss. Some might even characterize him as self-absorbed to some degree. I would have to disagree with that sentiment. To me the most defining characteristic of Michael Scott is desperation. Desperation does require self-focus to get that aching need met, but it is not self-absorbed. I love the episodes that have brief flashbacks to his childhood when you see this is not a new issue for him. Michael Scott is desperate for love; desperate for acceptance; desperate for relationship. Think about every irresponsible, annoying behavior we have seen in him. It is motivated by that desperation. Even his emnity toward Toby is due to the notion that Toby and his rules stand in the way of him being more likable and accepted. Most of the time this desperation is so strong that he actually drives people away rather than drawing him to himself (Phyllis' wedding anyone?).

Last night I watched a rerun (new to me!) of the episode where Jan sues Dunder-Mifflin and Michael has to testify at the deposition. In that episode we see Michael humiliated by both his company and his girlfriend. Yet in each case he returns to them not out of a particular loyalty, per se, but a loyalty based on relationship. Think about Michael's last comment to the CEO, "I like you, too." Not, "I don't mind taking this one for the team" or "Dunder-Mifflin is a company worth defending because their products are so wonderful." When faced with the betrayal of Jan giving over his diary, he isn't confident enough just to leave it with "I can't believe you gave them my diary" but adds, "I love you" at the end with almost a question mark of, "do you still love me even though I just expressed anger toward you?"

The flaw in Michael Scott's thinking is that he must be more, do more to be accepted. Being Michael Scott is not enough. What he doesn't realize is in order to find relationship, love, and acceptance it is not from focusing completely on your performance and how others interpret it, but on focusing unashamedly on the needs of others regardless of what others might think of you. It is taking "self" out of the equation. The Apostle Paul urged this of the church at Rome

Love must be sincere, Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted
to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be
lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord... Share with
God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. -- Romans 12:9-11, 13

We see in this passage that looking out for personal interests when forming relationships and meeting needs is empty. Too often we limit the application of this passage to those who are arrogantly self-centered. When service/love/ministry is motivated by desperation, the needs of the desperate one is actually the focus; the love is insincere. To sincerely love/minister to those who are in need is also an act of worship bringing glory to God.

I have to admit that at times I identify with the plight of Michael Scott. I think all of us do on some level because we are hard-wired for relationship. The example of Michael Scott should be kept at the forefront of my mind, to be so desperately self-focused works against the desire to be loved and accepted -- it pushes people away. To focus completely on others and Christ glory will draw others to Christ in me. Love must be sincere.

RIP Tim Russert

Just in case you have not turned on the television or been on the internet in the last two days, you should know that one of the premiere political analysts/scholars died Friday afternoon. Tim Russert was probably best known as the host of Meet the Press. I watched that show nearly every week. What I appreciated most about Russert as a professional was his tenacity to have questions answered without being distracted by political double-speak and avoidance. I appreciated his research and preparation for a guest and how he would use their own words for or against them without adding "spin" or bias. While most people would agree he voted most consistently with the democratic party, he seemingly did so, not as a party loyalist, but because that was the party that most aligned with his values. You HAVE to admire that in a such a public figure. He seemed unimpressed with a person's fame or powerful positions and simply wanted truth. Even though he was tenacious, he was humble and respectful. Russert is one of those people that you simply notice is intelligent but not because he is quick to flaunt it.

As a person, I respected Russert's value of family. He only wrote 2 books and both were about family. As a self-proclaimed Catholic, he was devoted to his faith. He was an unashamed Buffalo Bills fan. He was the kind of person I would have loved to have lunch with or just share a cup of coffee. I will miss him in my living room on Sunday mornings.

Appeasing Brooke

Here you go Brooke! I don't usually do these things, but since it came from YOU...

Rules of the meme:
1. Post these rules of the game first.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names. Then the tagger goes to the blogs of those who have been tagged & leaves a comment letting new players know they’ve been tagged. The tagger asks them to find the meme and instructions back at his/her blog.

What I was doing 10 years ago:
I was in my second year as Minister to Students at FBC, Brownwood.

Five things on my ToDo list today:
1. Deliver cases of soda to those who ordered for Ashton's fund raiser
2. See clients
3. Complete application for new board certification thing
4. Study/Review for Sunday morning
5. Have lunch with a friend

Five things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Pay off debts
2. Set up a trust for the kids
3. Travel with the family (all around US and Europe; cruises!)
4. Put in the most wicked pool in the neighborhood
5. Build a few vacation homes (Colorado; South Padre; on a nice lake)

Three of my bad habits:
1. Getting on internet and wasting time
2. Over planning/filling a day
3. Black tar heroine (just checking to see if you are reading...)

Five places I have lived:
1. Harlingen, TX
2. Brownwood, TX
3. Eastland, TX
4. Haskell, TX
5. Abilene, TX

Five jobs I have had:
1. Worked in an afterschool program for kids 1st year of college
2. Wild Game (mostly deer, javalina, and elk) processor (really!)
3. Minister
4. Therapist
5. Adjunct University Instructor

I am ignoring rule #3. I am not tagging anyone. If you would like to participate, please feel free.

My Two Idol Cents

I thought I would join the throngs of those blogging about American Idol results because is there really any issue of greater importance?

Just as Emily, this is my first time to ever really get into American Idol. I usually just watched the hilarious and ridiculous tryouts and the final two or three weeks. My two favorites were Brooke White and David Archuleta (DA). From the moment I heard DA perform John Mayer at his tryout, I said, "This guy is going to go deep into the finals!" As the season progressed I saw how all the tween and teen girls lost their sanity at the sight of him and factored that into his consistency of INCREDIBLE vocals and humility, I was convinced he was going to win.

During the first few weeks of the competition, I couldn't stand David Cook (DC). He seemed cocky and arrogant and had that annoying red streak in his hair that was obviously grown long to cover up a receding hairline. Then he performed his arrangement of "Hello" and it absolutely blew me away! Then he performed Billie Jean. Then he performed Elenor Rigby. Wow! I continued to be impressed with his ability to either arrange or find an arrangement of a song that completely suited his voice and style. He was still only a close 3rd to Brooke and DA.

It became apparent that Brooke was destined to be voted off. To me the most TALENTED of the bunch were Brooke White and DC. The one with the best vocals by far was DA. So, I was glad to see the showdown between DA and DC. DC actually became more palatable personality-wise showing some appreciation of DA and SOME humility. The final night of the competition, I thought DA blew DC out of the water. It is my belief that Simon's reaming of DC gathered the troops to vote more fervently for DC. So, I voted for DA several times because we have AT&T texting and it is free.

I have to admit that the 2 best moments of the final results show were DC and ZZ top (FANTASTIC!!!!!!) and Brooke White and Graham Nash. DC out performed DA in the final results show.

My preference would have been for DA to win, but I am certainly OK with DC. I will buy both CD's.

A Prayer for My Daughter

On April 2, my daughter turned 13. That's 13 YEARS old. I'm not handling it very well.

I understand that this is just the beginning of many years where my baby girl is less and less a baby and more and more a lady.

To top it all off, on May 16 she had her first "date." Well, it wasn't a date, date. She went to a banquet with a boy and afterwards she, he, and all her friends stayed for a dance at which I don't think they ever danced together. I can handle that, OK.

These adolescent years are so critical, and I know she will be faced with choices and situations that will have a hand in defining who she will be.

All this has me thinking more and more of the lady I want her to become. I want her to be a woman of deep faith and love for God that spills over into her love for people. With all the choices she is facing I want Christ to be her first consideration and final word. There will be mistakes and there will be hard times. It is in those she will come to understand and appreciate grace. It is going to be difficult for me to see her hurt with her first heart break and struggle with regret.

I want to be the hands, feet, arms, and ears of God to her through all this to demonstrate our Father's love and grace.

As I was waiting for our Sunday morning Bible Study to begin, I was reading through the first chapter of Phillipians and ran across a passage that immediately caused me to think of my daughter.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in
knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best
and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of
righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ -- to the glory and praise of
God. (Philippians 1:9-11)

Paul sums up what I have in my heart for my daughter as we enter into this phase of her life. I want her love of God to abound through her increased knowledge and understanding of Him so that He will provide her witih the ability to make Christ-centered choices and ultimately point others to the same God she is following and loving.

I still can't believe she is 13... years... that is...

I've Got Issues...

I debated on what to title this posting. "Bathroom Issues" and "Urine for Quite a Story" were other possibilities. Alas, I just chose to own the issues.

You see, I do have issues that involve public restrooms and urine tests (not necessarily at the same time). When it comes to the former, I have what can only be characterized as "performance anxiety." I may have to really use the restroom, but just as someone else walks in prior to beginning the task, the urgency immediately leaves me for another 30 minutes. If a bathroom is crowded, I am much more comfortable in the stall rather than at the urinal and if someone is WAITING on me, that pressure makes my bladder pressure far less. I'm not sure where this originated in my psyche, but I'm sure part of the puzzle includes my grandmother's childhood warning that most adults in public restrooms are probably child predators. Only, she used much more colorful language and somehow associated child predators with gay men. A crowded public restroom provokes much more anxiety in me than a gay man does.

Now the "urine test" anxiety is easy to trace. As a preteen (approximately age 12) I was going to have minor surgery which required the "pre-op" blood and urine tests. However, I was only told about the blood test. When I was handed the cup and told to "fill 'er up" I kind of panicked because I didn't have to go. In fact, I had used the restroom just prior to the test so it could be hours! So, as it happens, I stayed in the restroom about 30 minutes. About 15 minutes into it, I started drinking out of the faucet with still no luck. When the urge eventually hit me and I returned the cup, the nurse proceeded to kid me about how long it took which only exacerbated my embarrassment. Since that time, I have tried to be aware of when a urine specimen would be needed and drink plenty of water prior to the appointment which usually solves any potential problems.

Since I'm not on probation, parole, or drug-abuse recovery, I don't really have to worry about frequent urine tests. However, I did recently choose to get new life insurance which required a blood test. I'm beginning to understand now, that it is usually understood that "blood test" is code or shorthand for "blood and urine test." For some reason, most people fail to tell you that little detail as was the case this last week. I was told to fast in the morning so I did. My in-laws were in town and as I was leaving my father-in-law made a comment about having to "fill up one of those little cups." I again panicked because the appointment was in 15 minutes and I had no possibility of filling up on water. So, I did what any rational adult would do... I obsessed over it the whole time. Then when I knew the time was drawing near for the cup, I told the nurse about my issues. She handed me a bottle of water. I drank it in record time but now not only did I not have any pressure on my bladder, I was FREEZING which further expands my bladder. After Laurie went through all her questions and blood drawing, I decided I could give the cup a try. I was in there for what seemed like 20 minutes with the faucet running and focusing on distracting thoughts (like counting tiles, multiplication tables by 5's) but there was no hope felt. I exited the bathroom with an empty cup and asked the nurse if there was any possibility of coming back. She was only going to be in the office for another hour but she agreed and even gave me the vials so I wouldn't have to transport a sloshing cup in my car.

When I left the nurses office and arrived at my own office, I immediately needed to fill up the cup. I did. I returned the vials and then proceeded to have to pee every 30 minutes for the next few hours.

I've got issues.

One more thing...

In my post yesterday, I did not address the issue of how my faith is influencing this opinion. I agree again with Christine that as followers of Christ it is imperative that we "care for the widows and orphans" and in today's society that includes equal access to health care. I filter this imperative with the understanding that God typically gives us a choice to obey or not to obey. There will be consequences respective to our choices. Therefore, since God does not force us into obedience, I don't deem it appropriate for government to do so with regard to this issue.

Let me again explain that I am not in favor of keeping the health care system the same, nor am I in favor of Canadian-style "socialized medicine" there has to be a medium-ground solution.

Healthcare...A Response

A few days ago, I visited my friend Christine's blog where she discusses the issue of healthcare. I found myself mixed in my reaction to her opinions. Whenever this happens the analytical side of me (which unfortunately is pretty big) kicks in and I try to figure out why I had that kind of response.

The short version is that there were parts of her posting that I very MUCH agreed with such as the idiotic insurance system that will cover everything except those things for which you specifically need healthcare and charge not only the proverbial "arm and leg" but also the whole of your lower torso. An example is my own son who has asthma and when we attempted to get them independent health care, the insurance company said they would not cover any respiratory issues. Duh!

Another point of agreement was the inherent value of all children and the need for an egalitarian system for children. Having worked with people in poverty I also recognized that young adults who are not pregnant are one of the populations that seems to "fall through the cracks" of our current system if they are impoverished or even middle-class without employment benefits.

My main disagreement with Christine's position is the means to the end. While she never specifically comes out and says it, the clear implcation is that she is in support of any political candidate who will make this issue a priority which ultimately means a tax in order to fund the program. I fully recognize that my thinking here is somewhat idealistic because while I applaude Christine's willingness to make a sacrifice, and I would hope given the opportunity, our family would do the same, I have a problem with the government forcing people to contribute through a tax increase or new tax.

Surely, there is some kind of medium ground solution that would provide incentives to the public (esp. the wealthy and corporations) to contribute to such a program. Somehow making the process voluntary while at the same time appealing to those who may not be completely pure of heart. I also believe there is a whole lot of WASTEFUL spending that could be curbed and those funds could be used for important issues such as this.

I am not a politician, nor am I the son of a politician, so I don't have an understanding of the intriciacies of the possibility or probability of such a compromise, but I do agree with Christine that something HAS to be done. I am including a link below to her posting.

http://christinemoers.blogspot.com/2008/02/christine-on-issues-health-care.html

Appreciation

I can't believe I am beginning a blog posting about American Idol... I have never been a consistent watcher of the show. I usually watch the auditions for comedic and voyeristic reasons, and then I'll probably watch the last few weeks. This season, I'm hooked. There is an incredible amount of talent, but there is only one contestant that truly has my attention. (However, I must also note, that no one has my vote because I'm just not going to pay for the text message. Call me cheap. I've been called worse). The one contestant that has my attention is 17-year old David Archuleta. Not only is he one of the top 3 in talent among the guys, he seems to genuinely appreciate this experience. He is confident but not arrogant. There is no sense of "entitlement" to his personality. David truly seems to be cherrishing this experience with humility. I find that refreshing.

I see the same kind of appreciation in professional artist/songwriter Taylor Swift. At this point in their careers, David and Taylor seem to be having fun and not being sucked in by the hype and/or success garnered them by the media and fans. I hope they don't lose it. I hope they don't believe the stories written about them and become full-fledge member of the entertainment industry complete with the attitude that common Americans are blessed to be around them and they now somehow deserve lavish gifts. I still want them to offer to pay for their meals and not expect for the tab to be written off by the restraunt because the establishment is fortunate to have them dine there. I hope they keep their witts about them and their egos in check.

I know its premature to count Archuleta among the ranks of Swift, but my guess is, he is going to stay in the competition a very long time and the innocense can be lost and entitlement found even in the midst of all the hype and success of the show.

I hate to see innocense lost.

Presence

"When I am tempted to complain about God's lack of presence, I remind myself that God has much more reason to complain about my lack of presence."

Initially, when I read that statement, I interpreted it legalistically (e.g. "You're not spending enough time in prayer or Bible study."). While that is partially true, that is a narrow definition of "presence." Do I expect God to only be present when I am in prayer, Bible study, or at church? That is PART of the equation, but certainly not the whole.

To think of "presence" relationally I think about being engaged both emotionally and physically. I can be physically present at home but tune everyone out via television, reading, or getting on the internet. In essence -- ignoring my family with whom I am physically present.

I don't like it when it seems like God is ignoring me. I also know how often I ignore Him. As life is being lived with the presence of the Holy Spirit within me, I ignore His voice. Ironically, that's one more thing that requires His attention in me and mine in Him to overcome.

Lights Out

My alarm sounded at 6:30 AM yesterday morning. Actually, it was 6:20 because I'm one of those people who believes in the self-deceptive notion of setting your alarm clock ahead 10 minutes to get you out of bed faster and earlier. I hit the snooze (self-deception doesn't really work). I awakened spontaneously at 6:40 (real time) but didn't know it was 6:40 because our electricity had gone out. Thank God for creating the iPhone and my incredible wife for giving me one because I was able to use it to check weather and time. The bright screen display served well as a flashlight until I could find a real one. I also used this nifty iPhone to call my mother-in-law to ask if she would watch the local morning news for any possible school closures or late starts. There were none. I looked out all the windows at the homes around us and realized it was not just our home that had lost electricity. I could see candle light glimmering in the hazy bathroom windows of a couple of neighbors and felt better knowing we weren't the only ones. Existential group therapists call this a sense of universality (e.g. recognizing you are not the ONLY ONE who suffers from the same affliction).

So, I spent the morning getting ready with the aid of a flashlight. Shaving was a real adventure! Clothes had to be the ones that didn't need ironing and figuring that out in the dark is quite entertaining. Seth was sick and Laurie was staying home with him so I had to be extra careful and quiet, too so as not to wake them. I went out on the back porch to see if by chance I had actually left some fire wood underneath where it would be dry and my family would not freeze. I got bundled up in my coat and went out to the garage to find my gloves in case I had to gather wood from the bottom of the pile. Fortunately, there was wood! Unfortunately, the starter log was barely staying lit. I tried tissue paper, but it was quickly burnt and did nothing to the starter log. I sat there in front of the fireplace attempting to "will" the fire to accelerate and wondering what "plan B" might be (lighter fluid maybe? Mmmmm... naw!). After starting the other end of the log, the fire finally took shape. Keep in mind all this was being done in darkness and early dusk with only my flashlight to guide me. Seth was awake by this time and asked if he could blow on the fire. I let him.

As I was getting ready and starting the fire, all these realizations came to me like, "I can't make coffee!" and "Oh, man, the garage door has to be lifted manually!"

The sun rose and it was now about 8:00. There were 3 electric company trucks in the street, and approximately 30 minutes earlier I had received a phone call from our across the street neighbor telling us they had power. The other homes in the neighborhood still had no illumination (I'm still not the only one suffering!). So I go out to the garage. One must understand that our suburban BARELY fits in the garage. There is no room to go behind it and unlatch the garage door, so I have to crawl around the front of the vehicle over stuff that has accumulated, unlatch the garage door from the electronic track, and lift the heavy door open. As I make my way back to the door to our house that leads into the garage, I notice the battery for my drill on the charger. I also notice that there is now a little green light indicating the charge is complete. Wait a minute! A little green LIGHT! I did a double-take and then walked up to the house door and next to the door is the doorbell looking thing that is pushed to raise the garage door. It now has it's red back-lights illuminated and I notice the house next door now has it's back porch lights illuminated. I walk into the house knowing I need to go back out, shut the garage door manually and make sure the latch fits just perfect in that little slit that keeps it on track. As I enter the house I hear my son LAUGHING and telling his sister, "... and Dad just raised the garage door manually!" Thanks for sharing in my suffering, son.

Not So Much...

I fully recognize that January is half over. I also recognize that this post is nearly 2 months after the last post. Both of these recognitions are reflective of my New Year's resolution.

As I pondered the traditional resolutions - losing weight, getting in shape, being more consistent with spiritual disciplines, blogging more consistently -- a flaw in much of our thinking this time of year came into focus. It seems most of us believe that in order to have self-improvement, we are to "DO" more. This insight became most clear as I started planning for my resolutions. Trying to find time in an already stretched schedule just created more stress.

Therefore, it is my resolution for self-improvement to do nothing new. When I can exercise, I will. I will continue to eat the same way I have been. I will not look at the date of my last blog posting and compare my inconsistency with those who blog nearly every day. One thing I will do is relax (e.g. do NOTHING) with my family. I will continue to enjoy the presence of God through prayer and personal study without the notion that I need to do MORE. I will do less in order to become more.