Hard to believe it's already been four days since my last post. Our lives are always busy, but they always get busier as the holidays approach. And work is getting more intense all the time. As I'm sure is true with many others, the pay raises never keep pace with the workload or responsibility. I'm in Peoria tonight (how exciting is that?) at the midpoint of a 2 day whirlwind tour of some of our plants in Illinois. It's cool to see the plants and meet new people, but I'd rather be home. What especially sucks is that the Packers and Cowboys are playing tonight and the greed-sucking NFL decided to only broadcast the game on their network. I hope they choke on it (but I'm not bitter).
Liz's choir had the first of two consecutive nights of fundraising tonight. They are presenting a dessert concert that includes group and solo performances as they serve homemade desserts to patrons. There's also a silent auction and some other stuff. They will be going to New York during Spring Break to perform in a national competition and need cash to finance the trip. Pretty fancy stuff--they're really quite good (obviously).
I finished up my series on the attributes of Jesus Sunday. This week was about Jesus as King; but not like that. It's not the whole "ruler of the universe" thing, but the warnings that he gave about what it means to commit to him. He has to be in charge of all we do and we have to know that up front and be willing to stick with it. He doesn't want us to jump in just to decide we can't handle it--and he won't allow us to use the excuse that we didn't realize what it would cost us.
We decided to spend Christmas in MO this year rather than travel back to Bama like we have been planning. Gas is way too high to afford to make the trip and still pay all the bills; plus the kids are kind of excited about just hanging out and decorating our house and seeing their friends. It'll be fun and I'm still going to take some time off so we can go do some stuff; like tour Meramec Caverns, hit the City Museum, etc. We do way too few family outings. I'm really looking forward to it.
Just one quick, predictable reminder about the season before I go. I think even the origins of Christmas didn't really have a lot to do with elevating Jesus just for the sake of elevating Jesus; but that doesn't mean we have to ignore that opportunity. The angels were spot-on when they said that his birth (which was actually sometime in the Spring) was all about peace and good will. We have so little of that any more, whether we're talking about countries or each other. Try committing some Acts of Random Kindness (ARK--was 'Evan Almight' a sweet movie, or what?). Forget the crap and focus on the good stuff. It really is contagious.
Pray for peace; celebrate life.
Mike
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Walk-ins Not Welcome
OK...this was just too funny to pass up. A young couple who shall remain nameless (friends of ours) had returned home to St. Chuck to visit with the husband's parents. After awakening this morning they felt rather amorous and decided to do something about it. At a most inopportune moment, in walks Dad (without thinking to knock) to announce that breakfast would be ready in 15 minutes. Panic-stricken, the dad said, "Oh no!", made the breakfast announcement and hastily retreated. The wife was mortified but the husband was quite amused. And he used the situation to his advantage in conversations with his parents throughout the remainder of the day--especially with his mom, who was even more freaked out than his wife. When he called and told me about it (with his wife's blessings) I think I wet myself a little bit.
He did admit that he will be checking the lock on the bedroom door more carefully on future visits.
God gave us our sense of humor so laugh easily and often.
Mike
He did admit that he will be checking the lock on the bedroom door more carefully on future visits.
God gave us our sense of humor so laugh easily and often.
Mike
Post Holiday
Well, the family has come and gone and a good time was had by all. Debbie and David spent the night last night on their way back to Cincinnati from Arkansas. We watched the Mizzou game and Die Hard with a Vengeance last night. Good movie--excellent action sequences and one liners from Willis.
Church was good today. I taught the last of the lesson series on the attributes of Jesus for the middle school kids. It was one of those weird teaching times where I felt like I hit all the points I wanted to hit and got all the info out there, but it just didn't seem to resonate. Oh, well; I guess they can't all be home runs.
Remember that it's cool with me if you disagree with me about anything I say--social views, political views, religious views or whatever--if you have an informed opinion. If we can have thoughtful discussions based on differing understandings of facts and information, then there exists the potential for common ground. But if you only want to yell about stuff you aren't willing to learn about, I don't have the energy for it. Our country was founded upon, and its future depends upon, INFORMED disagreement and compromise. Ignorance is the breeding ground for marginalization, persecution, racism, hatred, etc. Do not fall victim to it.
Love God...pray for wisdom...be a life long learner.
Mike
Church was good today. I taught the last of the lesson series on the attributes of Jesus for the middle school kids. It was one of those weird teaching times where I felt like I hit all the points I wanted to hit and got all the info out there, but it just didn't seem to resonate. Oh, well; I guess they can't all be home runs.
Remember that it's cool with me if you disagree with me about anything I say--social views, political views, religious views or whatever--if you have an informed opinion. If we can have thoughtful discussions based on differing understandings of facts and information, then there exists the potential for common ground. But if you only want to yell about stuff you aren't willing to learn about, I don't have the energy for it. Our country was founded upon, and its future depends upon, INFORMED disagreement and compromise. Ignorance is the breeding ground for marginalization, persecution, racism, hatred, etc. Do not fall victim to it.
Love God...pray for wisdom...be a life long learner.
Mike
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving
Well, the meal--non-traditional though it was--was great. So was having our family here. I think it's going to make us that much more homesick when they leave. I still haven't heard from the church in Pensacola that I emailed. I'm hoping that's just because of the holiday. I'll call if I don't hear from them by mid week next week.
I guess some gratuitous ramblings about the meaning of Thanksgiving is in order. I kind of hate that sort of stuff, though. It always seems so canned and predictable. I am truly thankful for what I have--great family, good job, friends. I even like my stuff, although I try not to be tied up in it. One thing I often think about is how we as Anglos look at the holiday as a celebration of our coming into this country--our coming to posses the land and build such an empire. We think of it as a recreation of the fellowship the pilgrims had with the Native Americans they met so many centuries ago. I don't think the Native Americans quite see it that way. It wasn't long after that first celebration that the long and bloody process of stealing the land from them through genocide began. I realize that this is a story that is repeated often throughout world history in many countries on many continents. Of course, just because a thing is common doesn't make it OK.
I guess, more than anything, I look at this and think of our hypocrisy when dealing with the immigrants today. We look down our noses at them and want them to leave. We consider them less than ourselves. States have even passed laws that make it illegal for churches to help them with the most basic of their needs. I understand that some control over our borders is necessary, but how can we be so angry at people who are looking for a way to live a decent life; to make a better life for their families? We should be looking for a way to make it work, not make it go away. Compassion should be our aim, not isolation. Carte Blanche is not the answer, but neither is anger and hatred. Most of us are looking for the middle ground; to do what is right, even if it's hard sometimes. We have to stop allowing the hardliners on the fringes run our country and our lives.
Love God. Pray for peace.
Faith, hope and love.
Mike
I guess some gratuitous ramblings about the meaning of Thanksgiving is in order. I kind of hate that sort of stuff, though. It always seems so canned and predictable. I am truly thankful for what I have--great family, good job, friends. I even like my stuff, although I try not to be tied up in it. One thing I often think about is how we as Anglos look at the holiday as a celebration of our coming into this country--our coming to posses the land and build such an empire. We think of it as a recreation of the fellowship the pilgrims had with the Native Americans they met so many centuries ago. I don't think the Native Americans quite see it that way. It wasn't long after that first celebration that the long and bloody process of stealing the land from them through genocide began. I realize that this is a story that is repeated often throughout world history in many countries on many continents. Of course, just because a thing is common doesn't make it OK.
I guess, more than anything, I look at this and think of our hypocrisy when dealing with the immigrants today. We look down our noses at them and want them to leave. We consider them less than ourselves. States have even passed laws that make it illegal for churches to help them with the most basic of their needs. I understand that some control over our borders is necessary, but how can we be so angry at people who are looking for a way to live a decent life; to make a better life for their families? We should be looking for a way to make it work, not make it go away. Compassion should be our aim, not isolation. Carte Blanche is not the answer, but neither is anger and hatred. Most of us are looking for the middle ground; to do what is right, even if it's hard sometimes. We have to stop allowing the hardliners on the fringes run our country and our lives.
Love God. Pray for peace.
Faith, hope and love.
Mike
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Healthcare Crisis
There's a crime being committed in this country every day and we are subsidising it--and it's being perpetrated by the insurance companies and the politicians who work for them. 48 million Americans are uninsured or under-insured; many of them children. And many, if not most of them are working men and women whose wages won't support the cost of health insurance and whose companies either can't or won't provide it. Fortunately, our president vetoed the SCHIP bill (which passed with great bipartisan support) which would have at least provided some coverage for most of the kids who are on the outs. And that crap that he said about Medicaid providing the coverage they need is a lie straight from hell--and the sad thing is that he may be too thick to even know it's a lie.
With nearly a trillion dollars being spent on health care, there is a huge incentive for the insurance companies to want to maintain the status quo--which is, basically, pay through the nose to purchase a product that they will ultimately try to withhold from you at their whim. Here's something encouraging though; of every premium dollar paid to the insurance companies, at least 15% is spent on overhead and administrative costs--and that's only indicative of the best of them. It's more likely to be in the 20% to 30% range for most of the companies.
There is a solution that will allow every single person in this country to be covered for less money than is being spent now to cover 83% of us: HB 676. Check it out at Healthcare-Now.org. Also check out the Sojourners website at sojo.com to see what they have to say about the proposed bill. If you believe that we are truly supposed to care for "the least of these" (Jesus said that, Christians); if you believe that we've been lied to for long enough; if you believe that corporate greed must become a thing of the past; if you're tired of corporate bigwigs, lobbyists, special interest groups, political action committees and others who are only interested in themselves running this country instead of the people who live in it then educate yourself and do something about it. Write, email and call your representatives and tell them you demand to be heard over the voices of the rich. Check out the websites and check out the bill. Here's something else we as Christians need to think about: in addition to the fact that the Republican president vetoed the children's health care extension which was supported by his party, there is not one single Republican signed on to cosponsor HB 676. Where are their priorities--where are ours?
Seek God; pray for justice.
Mike
With nearly a trillion dollars being spent on health care, there is a huge incentive for the insurance companies to want to maintain the status quo--which is, basically, pay through the nose to purchase a product that they will ultimately try to withhold from you at their whim. Here's something encouraging though; of every premium dollar paid to the insurance companies, at least 15% is spent on overhead and administrative costs--and that's only indicative of the best of them. It's more likely to be in the 20% to 30% range for most of the companies.
There is a solution that will allow every single person in this country to be covered for less money than is being spent now to cover 83% of us: HB 676. Check it out at Healthcare-Now.org. Also check out the Sojourners website at sojo.com to see what they have to say about the proposed bill. If you believe that we are truly supposed to care for "the least of these" (Jesus said that, Christians); if you believe that we've been lied to for long enough; if you believe that corporate greed must become a thing of the past; if you're tired of corporate bigwigs, lobbyists, special interest groups, political action committees and others who are only interested in themselves running this country instead of the people who live in it then educate yourself and do something about it. Write, email and call your representatives and tell them you demand to be heard over the voices of the rich. Check out the websites and check out the bill. Here's something else we as Christians need to think about: in addition to the fact that the Republican president vetoed the children's health care extension which was supported by his party, there is not one single Republican signed on to cosponsor HB 676. Where are their priorities--where are ours?
Seek God; pray for justice.
Mike
Visitors
Well, Debbie and David left this morning for Arkansas; Mom and Dad arrived about 4:30. The rain made it a dreary day, but we had a lot of fun visiting and catching up. I laughed so much last night and today that my stomach hurts.
We decided to go non-traditional for Thanksgiving eats this year. We're having steaks and baked potatos and a few shrimp on the side--a little surf-n-turf. We usually fry a turkey and fix all the usual trimmings, but everybody wanted to go with something a little easier; works for me.
Becca and the twins are getting restless because of the weather and having to be inside all day. Will took them bowling late this afternoon--brave man.
We decided to go non-traditional for Thanksgiving eats this year. We're having steaks and baked potatos and a few shrimp on the side--a little surf-n-turf. We usually fry a turkey and fix all the usual trimmings, but everybody wanted to go with something a little easier; works for me.
Becca and the twins are getting restless because of the weather and having to be inside all day. Will took them bowling late this afternoon--brave man.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Family Visit
Cathy (my sister) and her family arrived this afternoon. It'll be good to have the family here again. It's been a long time since we had everyone up here together. Debbie and David (friends from Cincinnati) are due in any time and Mom and Dad will be here tomorrow. I finished work on the bathroom about an hour before they arrived...whew.
Met with David this afternoon to talk about a potential staff position at FBC. Turns out it won't be filled for a while; and even then they're looking for something besides what I really have the expertise for. Not a big deal...probably the most fruitful realization I've had in a long time is that it's not a big deal either way if I ever get a full time gig at a church. I still know I'm called to do it, but I also know that I'm called to serve regardless of where. David's a good guy; he's really trying to do what's best for the church and follow God's will. He's going to put my name out there when he hears about staff positions he thinks are suited to me; and he's going to let me know if when he hears about speaking or teaching opportunities in the area--for services or events.
I am finally on vacation--off work until Monday. It's the first time in a while that I can just hang out a veg. The only other vacation I've taken this year was in June and that was to go to youth camp; not exactly a real vacation--lots of fun, but not restful.
Love God, pray for peace.
Mike
Met with David this afternoon to talk about a potential staff position at FBC. Turns out it won't be filled for a while; and even then they're looking for something besides what I really have the expertise for. Not a big deal...probably the most fruitful realization I've had in a long time is that it's not a big deal either way if I ever get a full time gig at a church. I still know I'm called to do it, but I also know that I'm called to serve regardless of where. David's a good guy; he's really trying to do what's best for the church and follow God's will. He's going to put my name out there when he hears about staff positions he thinks are suited to me; and he's going to let me know if when he hears about speaking or teaching opportunities in the area--for services or events.
I am finally on vacation--off work until Monday. It's the first time in a while that I can just hang out a veg. The only other vacation I've taken this year was in June and that was to go to youth camp; not exactly a real vacation--lots of fun, but not restful.
Love God, pray for peace.
Mike
Monday, November 19, 2007
Well, Liz's play is over with--it was "Guys and Dolls". She was the Salvation Army general (I forgot the character's name). She, and all the kids, did a great job.
I am tired of working on our bathroom. Thank goodness we're nearly finished. Just a little more baseboard to put in and a bit of painting and it's done. Then it's on to the next project. It's nice to be getting some stuff done around here; the place looks better already.
Relatives are coming in for the holiday this year--first time in a long time. We're very excited about it. My sister and her husband and their boys arrive tomorrow and my mom and dad on Wed. (unless they back out again). Some friends are staying tomorrow night only on their way through town heading for Arkansas (I know, but they have relatives down there). It's good to have people coming to visit. We usually have to make the trip down south to see them.
I have a meeting with David tomorrow (our pastor). We're going to talk about the open staff position at the church. I think I've finally reached the point where I don't feel frantic to get a full time ministry job--like I'm running out of time or something. If God works it out then that's cool; if he doesn't, I've still got a good job and a great family--a great life, really. It's not always easy, but it's usually my fault when it isn't. There are also a couple of staff openings at my sister's church in Pace that I'm checking into. That would be very cool if I could get the full time gig close to home like that. We'd really like to go back soon. I would like to be with my family again before I get old.
Love God; pray for peace.
Mike
I am tired of working on our bathroom. Thank goodness we're nearly finished. Just a little more baseboard to put in and a bit of painting and it's done. Then it's on to the next project. It's nice to be getting some stuff done around here; the place looks better already.
Relatives are coming in for the holiday this year--first time in a long time. We're very excited about it. My sister and her husband and their boys arrive tomorrow and my mom and dad on Wed. (unless they back out again). Some friends are staying tomorrow night only on their way through town heading for Arkansas (I know, but they have relatives down there). It's good to have people coming to visit. We usually have to make the trip down south to see them.
I have a meeting with David tomorrow (our pastor). We're going to talk about the open staff position at the church. I think I've finally reached the point where I don't feel frantic to get a full time ministry job--like I'm running out of time or something. If God works it out then that's cool; if he doesn't, I've still got a good job and a great family--a great life, really. It's not always easy, but it's usually my fault when it isn't. There are also a couple of staff openings at my sister's church in Pace that I'm checking into. That would be very cool if I could get the full time gig close to home like that. We'd really like to go back soon. I would like to be with my family again before I get old.
Love God; pray for peace.
Mike
Sunday
Today was good. David's message rocked; I got to sub in doing worship for the middle school kids and had a lot of fun with that; and the lesson on Jesus as Shepherd went well. And we had a good lunch with Bruce and Leigh and the boys.
Got some bad/disturbing news yesterday--Mac (fraternity brother) called to let me know that an old friend, Greg Hamilton, also a frat brother, died about a week and a half ago. He was 45 and had 7 kids. That's a tough thing to take. Life is fragile and full of questions. Mac was really close to Greg and took it pretty hard.
I'm super tired. Sandi and I have been working like crazy to finish the remodel on our guest bathroom. The relatives are coming in for the holiday and start arriving Tuesday. Got the floor in today; the painting is nearly finished; still got to reinstall the toilet and put in the trim and caulk everything.
Pray for justice.
Mike
Got some bad/disturbing news yesterday--Mac (fraternity brother) called to let me know that an old friend, Greg Hamilton, also a frat brother, died about a week and a half ago. He was 45 and had 7 kids. That's a tough thing to take. Life is fragile and full of questions. Mac was really close to Greg and took it pretty hard.
I'm super tired. Sandi and I have been working like crazy to finish the remodel on our guest bathroom. The relatives are coming in for the holiday and start arriving Tuesday. Got the floor in today; the painting is nearly finished; still got to reinstall the toilet and put in the trim and caulk everything.
Pray for justice.
Mike
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Another Day
Nothing heavy today...I had to work which I didn't really want to do, but figured I'd better because Christmas is coming and I usually don't get paid for my OT but today I did...whew.
Question: Why is it never obvious to the people who so obviously have double standards that they obviously have a double standard?
Liz (my oldest daughter) is in her final night of her play at school and tonight is the night we are attending. I love to watch her perform but I wish we had gone to one of the performances earlier in the week because I'm really tired.
When we get home from that I have to finish the lesson I'm teaching for the middle school kids tomorrow morning at church. It shouldn't take long, but it's just another thing to have to do. I'm teaching about Jesus' role as shepherd. It focuses quite a bit on how he really does want the best for us and he promises to always care for us. I think people completely misconstrue this idea by thinking it means that he will guarantee that nothing bad ever happens to us. We have no concept that the real value of the relationship we have with Jesus will be realized when this life ends...in the afterlife. We'll be secure with him forever. In this life it means that we can count on him for joy and peace even in the midst of turmoil and pain. That's a hard lesson--goes against our nature. We think that joy and peace are equal to happiness and that they can only be present in the absence of turmoil and pain. In the Psalm, when David writes that "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil", he's giving us a huge clue. He's saying that the cool and amazing thing about God is that even when I'm completely up against it because of stuff that's happening to me in my life, knowing God intimately gives me the courage to keep going. Even when I really am scared I can still find comfort, joy and peace in my relationship with him.
BAM!! Relationship! That's what God wants from us--not robots who know all the words and movements to the rituals. He hates that. Talk to him; cry with him; yell at him; seek him; know him. Intimacy. That's the key to getting through the crappy times of life.
Love God--pray for justice.
Mike
Question: Why is it never obvious to the people who so obviously have double standards that they obviously have a double standard?
Liz (my oldest daughter) is in her final night of her play at school and tonight is the night we are attending. I love to watch her perform but I wish we had gone to one of the performances earlier in the week because I'm really tired.
When we get home from that I have to finish the lesson I'm teaching for the middle school kids tomorrow morning at church. It shouldn't take long, but it's just another thing to have to do. I'm teaching about Jesus' role as shepherd. It focuses quite a bit on how he really does want the best for us and he promises to always care for us. I think people completely misconstrue this idea by thinking it means that he will guarantee that nothing bad ever happens to us. We have no concept that the real value of the relationship we have with Jesus will be realized when this life ends...in the afterlife. We'll be secure with him forever. In this life it means that we can count on him for joy and peace even in the midst of turmoil and pain. That's a hard lesson--goes against our nature. We think that joy and peace are equal to happiness and that they can only be present in the absence of turmoil and pain. In the Psalm, when David writes that "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil", he's giving us a huge clue. He's saying that the cool and amazing thing about God is that even when I'm completely up against it because of stuff that's happening to me in my life, knowing God intimately gives me the courage to keep going. Even when I really am scared I can still find comfort, joy and peace in my relationship with him.
BAM!! Relationship! That's what God wants from us--not robots who know all the words and movements to the rituals. He hates that. Talk to him; cry with him; yell at him; seek him; know him. Intimacy. That's the key to getting through the crappy times of life.
Love God--pray for justice.
Mike
Friday, November 16, 2007
Hi
This is my second run at blogging. I had one a couple of years ago when we had the church plant, but I kind of let the weeds grow up around it. I seem to feel like I have some stuff to say; mostly it seems to be born of discontent...discontent with politics; with religion; with the church; with people--or least Americans. We're so busy hustling to succeed at The Dream that we've become incorrigibly too lazy to think for ourselves. We believe everything we see on TV, read in a magazine or hear on the radio--or God forbid we find it on the internet (I think I may have just suggested to you that I'm not to be trusted; screw it, work hard enough to figure it out for yourself). USE YOUR BRAIN!! Please.
Our country is run by lobbyists for insurance companies and oil companies and banks and pharmaceutical manufacturers and the list goes on. This is only possible because we allow it.
If you call yourself a Republican then at least know why. Are you rich and just trying to protect your money--no matter at whose expense? Are you a Christian and think it's your responsibility to God to support a particular party? Are you hawkish and want to see America fighting in constant wars?
If you call yourself a Democrat then at least know why. Are you so far left of center that only anarchy will ever truly satisfy you? Are you convinced that the government is ultimately responsible for taking care of all of us?
My guess is that most of us fall in between these extremes; but we've gotten lazy--or tired. Too tired to hold our government responsible for what's really important to us. Too tired to fight for ourselves, much less those less fortunate or able. Too tired to cry out against the demagogues who defile our airwaves and our minds with hatred and lies and horribly slanted points of view that represent only the smallest fraction of people in our world. Too tired to fight the greed that has corrupted our companies and our leaders.
Find a mirror, look at the person you see there, point your finger right at them and say, "From now on I'm holding you responsible; not the media; not the politicians; not my boss; not my wife or my kids--but you."
Until we take back our integrity and our honor and reacquire a sense of personal responsibility for what happens not only to us but around us we are doomed to failure and death. Generate energy and justice in your world. Suppress the urge to blame someone else. Find the real God; the one who hates greed and injustice; the one who holds service to other humans as the highest form of service to him.
Our country is run by lobbyists for insurance companies and oil companies and banks and pharmaceutical manufacturers and the list goes on. This is only possible because we allow it.
If you call yourself a Republican then at least know why. Are you rich and just trying to protect your money--no matter at whose expense? Are you a Christian and think it's your responsibility to God to support a particular party? Are you hawkish and want to see America fighting in constant wars?
If you call yourself a Democrat then at least know why. Are you so far left of center that only anarchy will ever truly satisfy you? Are you convinced that the government is ultimately responsible for taking care of all of us?
My guess is that most of us fall in between these extremes; but we've gotten lazy--or tired. Too tired to hold our government responsible for what's really important to us. Too tired to fight for ourselves, much less those less fortunate or able. Too tired to cry out against the demagogues who defile our airwaves and our minds with hatred and lies and horribly slanted points of view that represent only the smallest fraction of people in our world. Too tired to fight the greed that has corrupted our companies and our leaders.
Find a mirror, look at the person you see there, point your finger right at them and say, "From now on I'm holding you responsible; not the media; not the politicians; not my boss; not my wife or my kids--but you."
Until we take back our integrity and our honor and reacquire a sense of personal responsibility for what happens not only to us but around us we are doomed to failure and death. Generate energy and justice in your world. Suppress the urge to blame someone else. Find the real God; the one who hates greed and injustice; the one who holds service to other humans as the highest form of service to him.
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