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.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
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.
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.
Monday, January 14, 2008
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Thanksgiving
Whew! Thanksgiving was quite a holiday this year! We hosted about 26 people at the house and had PLENTY to eat. We deeply missed Brooke, Emily, and Kyle this year! However, what made this Thanksgiving unique was the work done outside of the kitchen. Laurie's cousin, Shane, is a gifted landscape designer working as a tree salesman at Fannin Tree Farm in the DFW metroplex. He was gracious enough to design the layout for our front landscaping. Not only that, but he rented a U-Haul, purchased the plants needed (including 3 big trees) and brought the plants down to us.
Wednesday, I had to work at my paying job so he and Laurie spent much of the day doing last minute stuff and working their tails off outlining the beds. Shane is a pro at running a Bobcat!
Thursday, Shane enlisted the help of long-time friend and fellow landscaper, Paul Wilson. It was COLD, COLD, COLD on Thursday, but Shane, Paul, my father-in-law, and I all layered up in clothes and spent most of the day doing bed preparation tilling in compost with top-soil, and other stuff like that. The landscaping day ended by planting the two big trees at the north and south ends of our beds. At this point it was actually snowing and neighbors would slow down and stare as they drove by watching the crazy people plant a tree in the snow.
Friday, that same group of folks spent Friday planting the plants, spreading mulch, and picking out flagstones (not in that order). It was cold, but not snowing at this time.
Saturday we were going to get concrete rock and spread it out in the neccessary places and place the flagstones. However, it was raining and it prevented us from doing so.
The majority of the labor was done and below is a slideshow which captures the nearly completed masterpiece designed by Shane and assembled by him, Paul, and a couple of rookies. It was a blast!
Create Your Own
Wednesday, I had to work at my paying job so he and Laurie spent much of the day doing last minute stuff and working their tails off outlining the beds. Shane is a pro at running a Bobcat!
Thursday, Shane enlisted the help of long-time friend and fellow landscaper, Paul Wilson. It was COLD, COLD, COLD on Thursday, but Shane, Paul, my father-in-law, and I all layered up in clothes and spent most of the day doing bed preparation tilling in compost with top-soil, and other stuff like that. The landscaping day ended by planting the two big trees at the north and south ends of our beds. At this point it was actually snowing and neighbors would slow down and stare as they drove by watching the crazy people plant a tree in the snow.
Friday, that same group of folks spent Friday planting the plants, spreading mulch, and picking out flagstones (not in that order). It was cold, but not snowing at this time.
Saturday we were going to get concrete rock and spread it out in the neccessary places and place the flagstones. However, it was raining and it prevented us from doing so.
The majority of the labor was done and below is a slideshow which captures the nearly completed masterpiece designed by Shane and assembled by him, Paul, and a couple of rookies. It was a blast!
Create Your Own
Saturday, November 17, 2007
God and MacGyver
I heard a guest on a radio show the other day who was supposed to be representing the Christian voice of politics. Only the tail-end of the appearance was heard, but the part that was heard included a statement to the effect of “I believe that if people pray, God can orchestrate the circumstances so that His candidate is elected.” It was probably intended to be an affirmation of God’s sovereignty despite insurmountable circumstances, or the power of prayer, but it just irritated me. We are giving way too much to ANY political party or politician who claims to have the endorsement of God. Most candidates, if asked, would probably tell you that they believe they could be God’s instrument to bring about change in this country or else they wouldn’t be running. What if there are prayer vigils held all around the country and the candidate that is “supposed to be” elected isn’t? What does that say of God or of his praying people? Was it “lack of faith”?
I believe in the awesome power, provision and protection of God (how’s that alliteration for all my preacher friends!?). I just envision in it in a different way. Which is more amazing… orchestrating circumstances so that a specific person is elected, or still achieving your purposes despite whoever is in the Whitehouse? My vote is for the latter. There is more evidence both historically and biblically that suggests God’s work despite flawed leadership. It’s kind of like how amazed we could be with MacGyver who could pull off an escape with just a Swiss army knife, chewing gum, and a piece of string. My God is too amazing and too powerful to need any one person in charge other than Himself.
I believe in the awesome power, provision and protection of God (how’s that alliteration for all my preacher friends!?). I just envision in it in a different way. Which is more amazing… orchestrating circumstances so that a specific person is elected, or still achieving your purposes despite whoever is in the Whitehouse? My vote is for the latter. There is more evidence both historically and biblically that suggests God’s work despite flawed leadership. It’s kind of like how amazed we could be with MacGyver who could pull off an escape with just a Swiss army knife, chewing gum, and a piece of string. My God is too amazing and too powerful to need any one person in charge other than Himself.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
My Own Private Homecoming
In keeping with my dad's tradition of getting together with college friends on an annual basis, I took a day to hang out with my good friend Kelly Wolverton. We stayed Sunday night at the "Heart of Texas Baptist Encampment" and spent all day Monday walking the campus of our old almamatur and seeing who we might run into.
Kelly is much more of an extrovert than I am, and during the years we were at HPU together, I was basically known as "Kelly's friend." He prompted us to go up to the School of Christian Studies and see on whom we could just "drop in." My first inclination was, "Why are we going to bother these people unannounced?" But I quietly followed his lead. Boy was I glad I did. The first person we saw in the door was a new friend, Rusty Wheelington, who is a Professor of Youth Ministry. He and I were acquainted last year at a conference and became friends. Then down the hall were two OLD mentors who are long-term youth ministers just up for a special class. When I was an undergrad, these guys would assist with a 2-week workshop and I had the privilege of hanging out with them outside of class. So to bump into them now and get to hang out with them for about 20 minutes was a great gift! With them was a man I respect and admire, Gary Gramling who is the director of the Master of Arts in Youth Ministry program at HPU. He was a former professor of mine in the early 90's, and friend when I served at FBC, Brownwood in the late 90's. His heart for God is tremendous and contagious.
Kelly, being the extrovert, invited the professors to join us for lunch at Gomez's! For those familiar with Brownwood, Gomez's needs no introduction. Those unfamiliar just know the term, "greasy spoon" does not even come close! Rusty and Gary joined us (check it out, I'm using their first names now!) but I was the only brave one to actually order Mexican food ("I'll have the #1... ALWAYS!).
I loved this day because the conversation was "all over the place" from light-hearted goofy stuff, to intimate sharing of internal struggles and desires for God's work.
Kelly and I ended the day visiting a 95 year old lady who is one of the Faithful at FBC, Brownwood. Her name is Pauline Moore, and we share a unique connection that developed through simple, short conversations when she would pass by my office at the church, or call to question why certain things were planned or conducted a certain way. Even with the connection, I still only call her Mrs. Moore. She has quite a life to share and actually a lot of life left for 95!
It was a great trip!
Kelly is much more of an extrovert than I am, and during the years we were at HPU together, I was basically known as "Kelly's friend." He prompted us to go up to the School of Christian Studies and see on whom we could just "drop in." My first inclination was, "Why are we going to bother these people unannounced?" But I quietly followed his lead. Boy was I glad I did. The first person we saw in the door was a new friend, Rusty Wheelington, who is a Professor of Youth Ministry. He and I were acquainted last year at a conference and became friends. Then down the hall were two OLD mentors who are long-term youth ministers just up for a special class. When I was an undergrad, these guys would assist with a 2-week workshop and I had the privilege of hanging out with them outside of class. So to bump into them now and get to hang out with them for about 20 minutes was a great gift! With them was a man I respect and admire, Gary Gramling who is the director of the Master of Arts in Youth Ministry program at HPU. He was a former professor of mine in the early 90's, and friend when I served at FBC, Brownwood in the late 90's. His heart for God is tremendous and contagious.
Kelly, being the extrovert, invited the professors to join us for lunch at Gomez's! For those familiar with Brownwood, Gomez's needs no introduction. Those unfamiliar just know the term, "greasy spoon" does not even come close! Rusty and Gary joined us (check it out, I'm using their first names now!) but I was the only brave one to actually order Mexican food ("I'll have the #1... ALWAYS!).
I loved this day because the conversation was "all over the place" from light-hearted goofy stuff, to intimate sharing of internal struggles and desires for God's work.
Kelly and I ended the day visiting a 95 year old lady who is one of the Faithful at FBC, Brownwood. Her name is Pauline Moore, and we share a unique connection that developed through simple, short conversations when she would pass by my office at the church, or call to question why certain things were planned or conducted a certain way. Even with the connection, I still only call her Mrs. Moore. She has quite a life to share and actually a lot of life left for 95!
It was a great trip!
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