I don’t like roller coasters. Or for that matter, I don’t like anything where I’m in something on a track going down quickly. It’s not a fear. It’s not an “I’m feeling sick.” It’s just an extreme dislike.
Oddly, I absolutely love water slides. Going down at a high rate of speed either on an inner tube or on tubeless slide is a great delight of the summer. I can’t get enough of them.
So what’s with that?
Well, I can’t explain the psychology of it all. I think it’s a matter of faith and control.
In a roller coaster, I’m strapped into someone else’s contraption. I’m under someone else control. I’m on someone else’s plan. How I feel is irrelevant to the machine that contains me. I’m always bracing myself against the machine to prepare for the next curve, descent, or swoop.
On a water slide, however, I’m not strapped into anything. The key to its enjoyment is relaxing my body and trusting in the laws of physics. In that I find a freedom. The more I can relax and trust, the more enjoyable and freeing it is. Every curve, descent, and swoop brings its own special and unique sensation and delight.
The last few weeks we’ve been trying to find the right place for Bryce to go to high school. It has truly been a roller coaster experience. I feel strapped within the convoluted system of high school admissions, public and private, in Baltimore. I feel totally at the mercy of forces throwing me up against the side of the car and am at a constant search for the barf bag.
And that’s how it often is in the World. I sometimes feel like much of life is spent in search of the barf bag. However, the Kingdom calls for my water slide outlook: Just as many twists and turns and drops but no seatbelts. It may seem less safe and secure at first glance and feel riskier with the lack of seatbelts and fear of drowning. But, the Way through the Kingdom says, “Relax. Trust Me.” He said it another way when he said, “I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn't like the peace that this world can give. So don't be worried or afraid.” (John 14:27)
So, my question for myself is: How do I remember the Kingdom to which I pledge my allegiance and remember that I’m on a water slide despite the roller coaster the world tries to strap me in? When I can do this we can go through anything in Joy and Hope and Peace.
Thanks for reading.
Jeff
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Day 32 (October 30, 2009)
So, as we all can tell, this blogging thing isn’t my best example of moving into the current century. For those of you keeping track, I am doing better with the other two things I started at the same time. I’m conquering Facebook and connecting with people I haven’t been in contact with for years. I’m also texting away on my cell phone. The blogging, though; that’s a different story.
Many of the issues are PEBKAC: Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair. Though, that doesn’t explain 100% of the problem. Several times that I tried to post the system wouldn’t let me log back in. “Try back later” was not a viable alternative.
So, what to do? We’ll, I don’t know. I certainly don’t want a more exciting life. In fact, I’d like a little bit of boredom now and again. I’ve got a day or two’s worth of content that I’m working on at present so there’ll be some new material coming soon.
In the meantime, I’m taking a “time out” from the neighborhood for a couple of days next week. Perhaps new insight will appear.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Many of the issues are PEBKAC: Problem Exists Between Keyboard and Chair. Though, that doesn’t explain 100% of the problem. Several times that I tried to post the system wouldn’t let me log back in. “Try back later” was not a viable alternative.
So, what to do? We’ll, I don’t know. I certainly don’t want a more exciting life. In fact, I’d like a little bit of boredom now and again. I’ve got a day or two’s worth of content that I’m working on at present so there’ll be some new material coming soon.
In the meantime, I’m taking a “time out” from the neighborhood for a couple of days next week. Perhaps new insight will appear.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Day 31 (October 25, 2009)
So, this discipline thing isn't working quite as I had hoped. Perhaps you noticed.
The weeks just slipped away without a posting. Sorry about that. I'm trying to figure out a better system.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
The weeks just slipped away without a posting. Sorry about that. I'm trying to figure out a better system.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Day 30 (October 7, 2009)
Wednesdays are long days. The computer (and everyone else in my time zone) thinks that it's already Thursday. It can't be because Wednesday is still going.
The alarm went off at 6:25 this morning. By 6:40 I was at the church setting up for SonRisers. SonRisers ended as I pulled out of the church parking lot at 8:02 to take the kids to school.
Once back at the church I visited with Tamara and Sarah. Donna stopped by to get the key to the church for the nurses group then Tamara went home to get me some checks from the checkbook.
Meanwhile, the HVAC repair man was working on the furnace. He left just as Joyce Meyer was signing off at 10:00. From there it was home for a quick shower followed by getting started on a middle school/high school mailing.
By 11:15 I was back at the church. The nursing student group was working in the front room. A nursing student from a different group came to interview me at 11:30.
Once that was over and I had a visit with Donna (who asked if I was done with work for the day), I locked up the church and went home for a 1:30 lunch. I finished the mailing and headed out to the post office at 3:00 after stopping back at the church to pick up some things I'd left there.
Naturally, USPS 21223 only had 100 postcard stamps when I wanted 200. I only needed 63 today so I bought the 100, affixed the 63 on the postcards in my hand, and dropped them in the mail.
I picked up Onalee from extended care at her school at 3:45 then waited for Bryce got out of after school band at 4:00. I got them home and started on their homework after they changed clothes so we could run a load of uniform pants/skorts. Vonceil and I had a quick review of the kids' interim report cards at 4:35 then I was off to the church to set up for the Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting.
While waiting for the NA group I visited on the phone with a friend in Missouri. I got home at 5:30 in time for supper.
After almost finishing the dishes it was back to the church at 6:20 to shut down for NA and set up for the 7:00 Mid-Week Service. Afterward I took home the communion cloths that had gotten stained on Sunday.
I arrived home around 8:15. That lead to finishing the filling of the dishwasher, fighting (and claiming victory) over stains in the communion cloths, and quizzing Bryce for Thursday's vocabulary quiz.
At our house the world stops at 9:00 each Wednesday evening for Glee. At 10:00 the TV was off and it was time for attendance tracking work and miscellaneous email.
I started typing this post at midnight.
Somehow in there I also registered for a conference in California in February, booked plane tickets, reserved a rental car, and selected a hotel. I also reserved a rental car for World Conference, visited my mother-in-law on the phone, sent out a bunch of emails, fielded phone calls, updated Facebook, developed a shopping list for this weekend's Homecoming, and started putting together an agenda for this Sunday's priesthood meeting. Did I mention the planning for Mid-Week Service and previewing the crafts for Sunday's Kids' Church?
Wednesdays are long. But not long enough to get everything done. I have to take some of what others call Thursday to wind up the work of the day. Tomorrow (or later today to most of you) I'll have a couple of hours at St. Mary's Seminary library and chapel to let the spirit and the flesh catch up with each other again.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
The alarm went off at 6:25 this morning. By 6:40 I was at the church setting up for SonRisers. SonRisers ended as I pulled out of the church parking lot at 8:02 to take the kids to school.
Once back at the church I visited with Tamara and Sarah. Donna stopped by to get the key to the church for the nurses group then Tamara went home to get me some checks from the checkbook.
Meanwhile, the HVAC repair man was working on the furnace. He left just as Joyce Meyer was signing off at 10:00. From there it was home for a quick shower followed by getting started on a middle school/high school mailing.
By 11:15 I was back at the church. The nursing student group was working in the front room. A nursing student from a different group came to interview me at 11:30.
Once that was over and I had a visit with Donna (who asked if I was done with work for the day), I locked up the church and went home for a 1:30 lunch. I finished the mailing and headed out to the post office at 3:00 after stopping back at the church to pick up some things I'd left there.
Naturally, USPS 21223 only had 100 postcard stamps when I wanted 200. I only needed 63 today so I bought the 100, affixed the 63 on the postcards in my hand, and dropped them in the mail.
I picked up Onalee from extended care at her school at 3:45 then waited for Bryce got out of after school band at 4:00. I got them home and started on their homework after they changed clothes so we could run a load of uniform pants/skorts. Vonceil and I had a quick review of the kids' interim report cards at 4:35 then I was off to the church to set up for the Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting.
While waiting for the NA group I visited on the phone with a friend in Missouri. I got home at 5:30 in time for supper.
After almost finishing the dishes it was back to the church at 6:20 to shut down for NA and set up for the 7:00 Mid-Week Service. Afterward I took home the communion cloths that had gotten stained on Sunday.
I arrived home around 8:15. That lead to finishing the filling of the dishwasher, fighting (and claiming victory) over stains in the communion cloths, and quizzing Bryce for Thursday's vocabulary quiz.
At our house the world stops at 9:00 each Wednesday evening for Glee. At 10:00 the TV was off and it was time for attendance tracking work and miscellaneous email.
I started typing this post at midnight.
Somehow in there I also registered for a conference in California in February, booked plane tickets, reserved a rental car, and selected a hotel. I also reserved a rental car for World Conference, visited my mother-in-law on the phone, sent out a bunch of emails, fielded phone calls, updated Facebook, developed a shopping list for this weekend's Homecoming, and started putting together an agenda for this Sunday's priesthood meeting. Did I mention the planning for Mid-Week Service and previewing the crafts for Sunday's Kids' Church?
Wednesdays are long. But not long enough to get everything done. I have to take some of what others call Thursday to wind up the work of the day. Tomorrow (or later today to most of you) I'll have a couple of hours at St. Mary's Seminary library and chapel to let the spirit and the flesh catch up with each other again.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Monday, October 5, 2009
Day 29 (October 5, 2009)
Please warn car salesmen for me. Their livelihoods depend on it.
I seem to be able to pick them. See, the first care I ever drove (in 1995) was an Oldsmobile. It was the first brand new car that I remember my mom and dad buying. As a teenager who couldn't yet drive it was a thrill to go with them a few months earlier to Cliff Anchutz Chevrolet-Olds-Nissan and shop for a brand new car.
It was blue. It was beautiful. It was fun to drive (not that I had anything to compare it to). And it was brand new.
(Of course, for a 15 year old, it had the most important thing of all ---- a 4 speaker electronically tuned am/fm stereo. The '78ish Chevy Caprice it replaced had a single speaker am dial-tuned radio. I was in love.)
Another car of mine was a 1997 Plymouth Voyager minivan. Bryce was almost a year old and the little Saturn we'd bought was broken beyond repair. It was a BASIC model (except for the stereo and cruise control) in purple. It made me feel like a responsible dad.
It was also the vehicle I used when feeding the homeless in Houston and for hauling things to and from Airline Drive for the Solid Rock Cafe.
In Baltimore I we bought a '99 Metro for Vonceil to drive around town. It was right when Geo was being converted into Chevrolet.
Just over three years ago we bought a green 2006 Saturn ION. So far it's been a great car for us.
Oldsmobile? Gone. Plymouth? Gone. Geo? Gone. Saturn? Gone. I feel like I'm bearing part of the weight of the nation's unemployment rate based on the men who sold me cars and are now out of work.
Now, I've owned used cars (Chevy and Suzuki) and some new cars (Honda and Dodge) that continue to call salesmen to inflate giant blue gorillas on the roofs of their dealerships. Still, the odds aren't too hot for me right now in terms of brand loyalty.
Perhaps I should look for work with Ford. I've never owned one. They could get me to buy cars from other manufacturers to weed out the competition. Maybe I'll send them my resume. I could list some Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Geo, and Saturn salesmen as character references.
Thanks for reading.
Jeff
I seem to be able to pick them. See, the first care I ever drove (in 1995) was an Oldsmobile. It was the first brand new car that I remember my mom and dad buying. As a teenager who couldn't yet drive it was a thrill to go with them a few months earlier to Cliff Anchutz Chevrolet-Olds-Nissan and shop for a brand new car.
It was blue. It was beautiful. It was fun to drive (not that I had anything to compare it to). And it was brand new.
(Of course, for a 15 year old, it had the most important thing of all ---- a 4 speaker electronically tuned am/fm stereo. The '78ish Chevy Caprice it replaced had a single speaker am dial-tuned radio. I was in love.)
Another car of mine was a 1997 Plymouth Voyager minivan. Bryce was almost a year old and the little Saturn we'd bought was broken beyond repair. It was a BASIC model (except for the stereo and cruise control) in purple. It made me feel like a responsible dad.
It was also the vehicle I used when feeding the homeless in Houston and for hauling things to and from Airline Drive for the Solid Rock Cafe.
In Baltimore I we bought a '99 Metro for Vonceil to drive around town. It was right when Geo was being converted into Chevrolet.
Just over three years ago we bought a green 2006 Saturn ION. So far it's been a great car for us.
Oldsmobile? Gone. Plymouth? Gone. Geo? Gone. Saturn? Gone. I feel like I'm bearing part of the weight of the nation's unemployment rate based on the men who sold me cars and are now out of work.
Now, I've owned used cars (Chevy and Suzuki) and some new cars (Honda and Dodge) that continue to call salesmen to inflate giant blue gorillas on the roofs of their dealerships. Still, the odds aren't too hot for me right now in terms of brand loyalty.
Perhaps I should look for work with Ford. I've never owned one. They could get me to buy cars from other manufacturers to weed out the competition. Maybe I'll send them my resume. I could list some Oldsmobile, Plymouth, Geo, and Saturn salesmen as character references.
Thanks for reading.
Jeff
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Day 28 (October 1, 2009)
I caught part of a talk show on WYPR yesterday talking about people always trying to buy things on the cheap. The real push from those talking was "you get what you pay for" and that quality is worth the price.
I couldn't agree more, except where they miss the point.
Now, those of you who know me well know that I'm always after a deal. I know, though, that there's no such thing as a good deal on a piece of junk. Quality is worth paying for, but the quality has to meet the need.
For example, take cell phones. Naturally, I need one that works without fail and want to get one that is as inexpensive as possible. As a late adapter, I would still be using my original cell phone I got back when the company was still called VoiceStream.
However, I'm glad I got one that wore out in about 2 years and that the other phones I've had since then did likewise. Each time I've replaced my "good enough" phone the technology had changed a lot. Each new phone has been smaller, been lighter, been able to do more things, and had a longer battery life than the one before it. Yes, I could have bought a higher quality phone each time, but it lasting longer would have been a detriment, not a benefit.
Another problem of "getting what you pay for" is that you can't always tell from the price what the quality will be. I've had enough times that I've paid a little more to get something "better" that ended up not being as good as the stuff with the reputation for being cheap.
Finally on this soapbox, there is a cost-benefit ratio. When we bought our last car it came down to a Honda or a Saturn. Clearly, the Honda was the superior product; there was no question about that. However, the Saturn was good and was $5K less. For us at that ratio, the decision was easy to go with the Saturn.
(When we replaced our van a few years earlier, it came down to a Honda and a Dodge with again the Honda being the clearly superior product. We decided then that the $3K price difference was worth it for that vehicle. We've been happy with both decisions.)
So, I guess I'm arguing a bit with the premise that "you get what you pay for." I would have to say that it's better to "know what you're paying for" and align your values with that value.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
I couldn't agree more, except where they miss the point.
Now, those of you who know me well know that I'm always after a deal. I know, though, that there's no such thing as a good deal on a piece of junk. Quality is worth paying for, but the quality has to meet the need.
For example, take cell phones. Naturally, I need one that works without fail and want to get one that is as inexpensive as possible. As a late adapter, I would still be using my original cell phone I got back when the company was still called VoiceStream.
However, I'm glad I got one that wore out in about 2 years and that the other phones I've had since then did likewise. Each time I've replaced my "good enough" phone the technology had changed a lot. Each new phone has been smaller, been lighter, been able to do more things, and had a longer battery life than the one before it. Yes, I could have bought a higher quality phone each time, but it lasting longer would have been a detriment, not a benefit.
Another problem of "getting what you pay for" is that you can't always tell from the price what the quality will be. I've had enough times that I've paid a little more to get something "better" that ended up not being as good as the stuff with the reputation for being cheap.
Finally on this soapbox, there is a cost-benefit ratio. When we bought our last car it came down to a Honda or a Saturn. Clearly, the Honda was the superior product; there was no question about that. However, the Saturn was good and was $5K less. For us at that ratio, the decision was easy to go with the Saturn.
(When we replaced our van a few years earlier, it came down to a Honda and a Dodge with again the Honda being the clearly superior product. We decided then that the $3K price difference was worth it for that vehicle. We've been happy with both decisions.)
So, I guess I'm arguing a bit with the premise that "you get what you pay for." I would have to say that it's better to "know what you're paying for" and align your values with that value.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Day 27 (September 30, 2009)
No, this won't post on time. I'm typing it at 11:59 p.m. so I'm actually posting today's thought tomorrow.
Yes, it's been a long time since I last posted and even longer since a serious post.
No excuses. Just some facts about my life to bring you up to date:
-The kitchen has a ceiling and walls. The bathroom has a wall, too. The ceiling and walls in the kitchen are painted. I have one piece of trim left (a big piece) to complete the painting in the kitchen. Unfortunately, I can't find my can of paint to get some more mixed up to paint in the bathroom. Needless to say, this unscheduled project has taken a lot of time.
-The depressed mood I suffer in from time to time hit really hard last week. I'm dealing with some losses and wasn't doing well with it. I'm doing a bit better today so we'll see how tomorrow goes.
Those are the big two things that interrupted my disciplines the last week or so. This wasn't the only discipline of mine that was totally interrupted. Let's see how long it takes to get back on track.
Thanks for reading.
Jeff
Yes, it's been a long time since I last posted and even longer since a serious post.
No excuses. Just some facts about my life to bring you up to date:
-The kitchen has a ceiling and walls. The bathroom has a wall, too. The ceiling and walls in the kitchen are painted. I have one piece of trim left (a big piece) to complete the painting in the kitchen. Unfortunately, I can't find my can of paint to get some more mixed up to paint in the bathroom. Needless to say, this unscheduled project has taken a lot of time.
-The depressed mood I suffer in from time to time hit really hard last week. I'm dealing with some losses and wasn't doing well with it. I'm doing a bit better today so we'll see how tomorrow goes.
Those are the big two things that interrupted my disciplines the last week or so. This wasn't the only discipline of mine that was totally interrupted. Let's see how long it takes to get back on track.
Thanks for reading.
Jeff
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Day 26 (September 23, 2009)
Yes, I know I haven't been good at posting the last couple of days. Right now chaos seems to have the upper hand. I'm hoping to beat it back a bit on Thursday.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Monday, September 21, 2009
Day 25 (September 21, 2009)
I asked a friend on the phone today what would happen to someone in my place if they were a real drama junkie? I don't like the drama but it seems to follow me. Take today for example:
-The people repairing my ceiling were removing the ceiling fan when they knocked out the electricity.
-While waiting for the electrician, someone smashed the contractor's truck's window and made off with some of his power tools.
-After the police left (they took 45+ minutes to get here) I said good bye to Jenn as she moved out of Pigtown after 6+ years of service here.
-I emailed Onalee's teacher and all she received from me was code.
-When getting a shower this afternoon I discovered that my bathtub now moves with me.
-While sitting at a stoplight I threw out my back.
This was just today. My friend said the someone who was a real drama junkie wouldn't survive long here because they wouldn't have a chance to be creative and exaggerate much; so much of what happens seems a bit too surreal anyway.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
-The people repairing my ceiling were removing the ceiling fan when they knocked out the electricity.
-While waiting for the electrician, someone smashed the contractor's truck's window and made off with some of his power tools.
-After the police left (they took 45+ minutes to get here) I said good bye to Jenn as she moved out of Pigtown after 6+ years of service here.
-I emailed Onalee's teacher and all she received from me was code.
-When getting a shower this afternoon I discovered that my bathtub now moves with me.
-While sitting at a stoplight I threw out my back.
This was just today. My friend said the someone who was a real drama junkie wouldn't survive long here because they wouldn't have a chance to be creative and exaggerate much; so much of what happens seems a bit too surreal anyway.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Day 24 (September 19, 2006)
It's been a highly undisciplined week. Sometimes that happens. I don't like it.
For me, structure and discipline help keep me on track and in the flow of what needs to be done. When I get off tract that way I find myself living a more frustrating life.
Sometimes I get off of my personal disciplines because of an outside interruption. Someone dies. A pipe bursts. A tire goes flat. You know the deal there. It happens to us all.
This was not one of those weeks. There were no major upsets from the outside. This week was all internal.
Once in a while, and this week was one of those times, I can't get into the rhythm of the week and my regular practices went out the window. I'm not sure why it happened but it just did.
So, I sit here late on Saturday night having not accomplished much of anything this week. Perhaps next week I'll be able to get myself back on track.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
For me, structure and discipline help keep me on track and in the flow of what needs to be done. When I get off tract that way I find myself living a more frustrating life.
Sometimes I get off of my personal disciplines because of an outside interruption. Someone dies. A pipe bursts. A tire goes flat. You know the deal there. It happens to us all.
This was not one of those weeks. There were no major upsets from the outside. This week was all internal.
Once in a while, and this week was one of those times, I can't get into the rhythm of the week and my regular practices went out the window. I'm not sure why it happened but it just did.
So, I sit here late on Saturday night having not accomplished much of anything this week. Perhaps next week I'll be able to get myself back on track.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Friday, September 18, 2009
Day 23 (September 18, 2009)
I'm doing the single parent thing for the weekend. Vonceil is at a women's retreat in Pennsylvania. She's gone to this event every year since 1998 except for 2001 when she was very pregnant.
I enjoy my kids a lot. We intend to get some work done on Saturday then have some good play time together. With them being more independent now than in years past things work out well.
I do confess that I'm serving what I call "Bad Parent Breakfast" in the morning. They wake up much earlier than I find necessary on Saturdays. I've put dry Cheerios in two individual-sized Tupperware dishes and set them on my desk. With them I put out two Hi-C juice boxes and a note saying the earliest they can wake me in the morning. I know it's bad but it's functional and they have enjoyed this annual treat in the past.
From there they've got to get the playroom and their bedrooms cleaned while I work on the weekly Power House report and the sermon and lessons for Sunday. We'll work together on a couple of other minor projects on the house and get the week's laundry started. Then we'll go rearrange the furniture at the church in preparation for the morning service.
If all goes well then we'll have a late afternoon and evening out together. They've got some gift cards to spend, we'll have dinner out, and then we'll have a fun activity in the evening.
Sunday is a bit more challenging during the services. At least Tamara has volunteered to re-braid Onalee's hair that morning so she'll look cared for despite the bad parent breakfast.
The good news is we'll all live to tell about it even if it doesn't turn out as pleasant as we hope. The better news is that Vonceil gets a weekend in the woods.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
I enjoy my kids a lot. We intend to get some work done on Saturday then have some good play time together. With them being more independent now than in years past things work out well.
I do confess that I'm serving what I call "Bad Parent Breakfast" in the morning. They wake up much earlier than I find necessary on Saturdays. I've put dry Cheerios in two individual-sized Tupperware dishes and set them on my desk. With them I put out two Hi-C juice boxes and a note saying the earliest they can wake me in the morning. I know it's bad but it's functional and they have enjoyed this annual treat in the past.
From there they've got to get the playroom and their bedrooms cleaned while I work on the weekly Power House report and the sermon and lessons for Sunday. We'll work together on a couple of other minor projects on the house and get the week's laundry started. Then we'll go rearrange the furniture at the church in preparation for the morning service.
If all goes well then we'll have a late afternoon and evening out together. They've got some gift cards to spend, we'll have dinner out, and then we'll have a fun activity in the evening.
Sunday is a bit more challenging during the services. At least Tamara has volunteered to re-braid Onalee's hair that morning so she'll look cared for despite the bad parent breakfast.
The good news is we'll all live to tell about it even if it doesn't turn out as pleasant as we hope. The better news is that Vonceil gets a weekend in the woods.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Side Note
This is just a side note to say that I still plan to post most every day. The system somehow wouldn't let me log in the last couple of nights when I've tried. Let's see how tonight goes.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Day 22 (September 15, 2009)
I don't put a lot of stock today's mass media entertainment. To find a gem you've got to dig through a lot of coal. Today I found two gems.
First, I finally caught up with the show Glee. I haven't seen anything this well-done on TV since West Wing. It's a show that is fun and requires you to be observant using at least half a brain to fully appreciate its nuances.
The only other shows of the last while that are/were as well-written and required that kind of brain engagement are West Wing and 30Rock. It's the only show out there that I would classify put in the same category.
(Now those of you who know me well are asking, "What about "The Office"? Yes, The Office is a favorite and a must see on soooo many levels. It's just in a different category just like the Olympics and the World Series are in different categories.)
Of course, Glee has special appeal to parts of my DNA that it might not for others. Obviously, there's the latent music teacher that's still in me somewhere that wants to get out once in a while. There's the working with kids, especially high school aged kids thing that's a constant part of my life, too.
The other thing is the school setting. Yes, it's a caricature of a school. But being in a school is deep in my bones. I loved being a public school teacher. I miss it every day. Though I am confident in my calling and am honored at the opportunity and trust I've been given since leaving the classroom, part of me still aches to stand in front desks full of kids with a piece of chalk in my hand.
The other gem came today when I stopped by the RedBox and found the movie Grand Torino. I had heard that it was good so I spent my $1 to rent it and watched it tonight with Vonceil. I would have never guessed how good it would be.
It's a hard movie to describe; you'll need to watch if for yourself if you haven't already.
The thing is, it really spoke to another side of my life. With the exception of one or two scenes with really bad acting, the movie's portrayal of themes and situations is very accurate. There's no particular character I fully related to in that movie but I connected strongly to the situation.
It was good to experience both these stories in the same day. Both resonate with issues at the extremes of my life. Yet, the notes struck ring in harmony and sympathy in the key of my life and remind me of the Chord that I listen for to find the center of who I am to be.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
First, I finally caught up with the show Glee. I haven't seen anything this well-done on TV since West Wing. It's a show that is fun and requires you to be observant using at least half a brain to fully appreciate its nuances.
The only other shows of the last while that are/were as well-written and required that kind of brain engagement are West Wing and 30Rock. It's the only show out there that I would classify put in the same category.
(Now those of you who know me well are asking, "What about "The Office"? Yes, The Office is a favorite and a must see on soooo many levels. It's just in a different category just like the Olympics and the World Series are in different categories.)
Of course, Glee has special appeal to parts of my DNA that it might not for others. Obviously, there's the latent music teacher that's still in me somewhere that wants to get out once in a while. There's the working with kids, especially high school aged kids thing that's a constant part of my life, too.
The other thing is the school setting. Yes, it's a caricature of a school. But being in a school is deep in my bones. I loved being a public school teacher. I miss it every day. Though I am confident in my calling and am honored at the opportunity and trust I've been given since leaving the classroom, part of me still aches to stand in front desks full of kids with a piece of chalk in my hand.
The other gem came today when I stopped by the RedBox and found the movie Grand Torino. I had heard that it was good so I spent my $1 to rent it and watched it tonight with Vonceil. I would have never guessed how good it would be.
It's a hard movie to describe; you'll need to watch if for yourself if you haven't already.
The thing is, it really spoke to another side of my life. With the exception of one or two scenes with really bad acting, the movie's portrayal of themes and situations is very accurate. There's no particular character I fully related to in that movie but I connected strongly to the situation.
It was good to experience both these stories in the same day. Both resonate with issues at the extremes of my life. Yet, the notes struck ring in harmony and sympathy in the key of my life and remind me of the Chord that I listen for to find the center of who I am to be.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Monday, September 14, 2009
Day 21 (September 14, 2009)
So, I don't normally follow tennis, but I found it interesting today. A player lost the US Open lost the set, and ultimately the tournament, because of unsportsmanlike conduct for cussing out a line judge. She was also fined $10K for her actions. This was a high price to pay for her emotions getting the best of her.
Yet, unless there is a high cost to letting our emotions run us then we will continue to let them do so. I think that loosing the tournament, the prize, and $10K might help her have more self control in the future.
Meanwhile in the halls of congress the congressman from South Carolina refuses to apologize to his colleagues for breaking their rules of conduct when he hollered at the President last week from the house floor on national television. Others in the House are considering possibly reprimanding him but are having difficulty doing so without finding themselves in political hot soup. Instead of his bad behavior costing him, this Representative is using it to gain further spotlight time and is raising quite a lot of money for his election from this for his reelection bid.
Some people have noted that congress has sometime booed presidents in the past. This is true. Booing, however, is different. Booing is a collective way of expressing distaste for what was just said. Hollering out "YOU LIE!" is an individual direct attack on a person and his office.
In his apology to the President, he said that he let his emotions get the best of him. So did the tennis star. Perhaps our elected officials in Washington should spend some time watching sports and learn from them how to handle people who won't follow the basic rules of the game and have the courage to referee themselves.
Thanks for reading.
Jeff
Yet, unless there is a high cost to letting our emotions run us then we will continue to let them do so. I think that loosing the tournament, the prize, and $10K might help her have more self control in the future.
Meanwhile in the halls of congress the congressman from South Carolina refuses to apologize to his colleagues for breaking their rules of conduct when he hollered at the President last week from the house floor on national television. Others in the House are considering possibly reprimanding him but are having difficulty doing so without finding themselves in political hot soup. Instead of his bad behavior costing him, this Representative is using it to gain further spotlight time and is raising quite a lot of money for his election from this for his reelection bid.
Some people have noted that congress has sometime booed presidents in the past. This is true. Booing, however, is different. Booing is a collective way of expressing distaste for what was just said. Hollering out "YOU LIE!" is an individual direct attack on a person and his office.
In his apology to the President, he said that he let his emotions get the best of him. So did the tennis star. Perhaps our elected officials in Washington should spend some time watching sports and learn from them how to handle people who won't follow the basic rules of the game and have the courage to referee themselves.
Thanks for reading.
Jeff
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Day 20 (September 13, 2009)
When guest ministers ask me how long their sermon should be, I tell them that if it's really going well and everyone seems to be with you then keep on going. Otherwise, please just stop.
There's no sense in filling up time if there's not much to say. There's no sense typing text if there's not much to write, either.
Therefore, I'm having sense enough to stop for the night.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
There's no sense in filling up time if there's not much to say. There's no sense typing text if there's not much to write, either.
Therefore, I'm having sense enough to stop for the night.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Friday, September 11, 2009
Day 19 (September 11, 2009)
I noticed today people were talking more about where they were and how they heard about the events of 9/11/01. Here's my story:
As was my tradition at that time, I woke up in time to turn on Joyce Meyer on TV at 9:30 in the morning. When I turned it on I saw that it was news and thought I was on the wrong channel. When I realized that it was the right channel and that something was going on I turned to NBC for better coverage.
The impossibility of the situation was reflected in the thoughts I had as I watched scenes unfold. They included:
-It's a good thing that skyscrapers are built to withstand crashes like this.
-I wonder if/how the buildings can be repaired and, if not, how would they tear them down?
-It will be so strange to see just one tower standing by itself from now on.
As troubles expanded into Virginia, I felt a need to pray for Detroit and Pittsburgh.
I got a phone call from Mike saying that Bonnie, who worked in the Pentagon, saying that she was stationed on the side the plane hit but that she was OK. Another friend of mine who was flying that morning landed safely in Dallas but some of his coworkers were on the flights that crashed.
After getting Bryce from Kindergarten and Vonceil getting home early from her school, I had a lot of nervous energy that had built up. I needed something to do.
We were in the process remodeling our home after buying the house next door and converting the two houses into one. Bryce had moved into his new bedroom and we'd just finished converting his old room into a nursery for Onalee (who would be born in another 6 weeks, though we thought 12 weeks at the time). The playroom was the next room on the list.
That room had paneling on the walls that we had primed to prepare for painting. Three walls were to be tan (and I believe I had already finished those three walls but am not 100% sure) and one wall was to be a fun lavender shade. I took a 1 inch trim brush and started to paint the lavender in the cuts in the paneling that wouldn't cover easily with the roller.
I couldn't stop. Several hours later I had painted the entire wall with a 1 inch brush.
We opened the church that evening. A few, but not too many, people came by for prayer. We kept a TV going in the corner the whole time.
That's what I was doing that day.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
As was my tradition at that time, I woke up in time to turn on Joyce Meyer on TV at 9:30 in the morning. When I turned it on I saw that it was news and thought I was on the wrong channel. When I realized that it was the right channel and that something was going on I turned to NBC for better coverage.
The impossibility of the situation was reflected in the thoughts I had as I watched scenes unfold. They included:
-It's a good thing that skyscrapers are built to withstand crashes like this.
-I wonder if/how the buildings can be repaired and, if not, how would they tear them down?
-It will be so strange to see just one tower standing by itself from now on.
As troubles expanded into Virginia, I felt a need to pray for Detroit and Pittsburgh.
I got a phone call from Mike saying that Bonnie, who worked in the Pentagon, saying that she was stationed on the side the plane hit but that she was OK. Another friend of mine who was flying that morning landed safely in Dallas but some of his coworkers were on the flights that crashed.
After getting Bryce from Kindergarten and Vonceil getting home early from her school, I had a lot of nervous energy that had built up. I needed something to do.
We were in the process remodeling our home after buying the house next door and converting the two houses into one. Bryce had moved into his new bedroom and we'd just finished converting his old room into a nursery for Onalee (who would be born in another 6 weeks, though we thought 12 weeks at the time). The playroom was the next room on the list.
That room had paneling on the walls that we had primed to prepare for painting. Three walls were to be tan (and I believe I had already finished those three walls but am not 100% sure) and one wall was to be a fun lavender shade. I took a 1 inch trim brush and started to paint the lavender in the cuts in the paneling that wouldn't cover easily with the roller.
I couldn't stop. Several hours later I had painted the entire wall with a 1 inch brush.
We opened the church that evening. A few, but not too many, people came by for prayer. We kept a TV going in the corner the whole time.
That's what I was doing that day.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Day 18 (September 10, 2009)
Today would be a good day to find someplace with a waterfall and watch gravity create beauty.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Day 17 (September 9, 2009)
It's a funny thing when hope pops up when you least expected.
Chester's family and I were setting up the church tonight in preparation for his memorial service tomorrow evening. This is always an oddly complicated task physically, emotionally, and spiritually. One new layer of complexity is that we now have the chairs set in a new configuration so that we can use the screen and projector.
When we first derived this arrangement, we ended up with one or two fewer chairs than our normal setup. It also looks as if the room is more limited in terms of seating space.
The family is anticipating a very full house for the service which is why they are using our facilities (we have one of the largest rooms in the neighborhood and we're within walking distance of most of Chester's friends and family). So, when I heard myself telling then on Sunday that I would have all 150 chairs set up, I wasn't really sure if and how that would actually work.
Come to find out, the 150 chairs actually fit better in this configuration than the old one. They look more inviting and create good traffic flow patterns.
Sitting there tonight feeling sad and frustrated about the whole situation around Chester's death and feeling the grief of his family and friends, hope popped up. It came in the form of being able to see the church set up like this every Sunday and people coming to fill the seats for worship, fellowship, and discipleship.
Could it really happen? Could we need this many seats each week? It seems so distant yet, tonight, seems only inches from reality.
I guess that's a definition of hope itself --- seeing the nearly impossible within reach.
As we look out on the sometimes bleakness of the situations we find ourselves in, may we have the vision needed to live in hope and therefore work passionately that we might see the nearly impossible come into our grasp.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Chester's family and I were setting up the church tonight in preparation for his memorial service tomorrow evening. This is always an oddly complicated task physically, emotionally, and spiritually. One new layer of complexity is that we now have the chairs set in a new configuration so that we can use the screen and projector.
When we first derived this arrangement, we ended up with one or two fewer chairs than our normal setup. It also looks as if the room is more limited in terms of seating space.
The family is anticipating a very full house for the service which is why they are using our facilities (we have one of the largest rooms in the neighborhood and we're within walking distance of most of Chester's friends and family). So, when I heard myself telling then on Sunday that I would have all 150 chairs set up, I wasn't really sure if and how that would actually work.
Come to find out, the 150 chairs actually fit better in this configuration than the old one. They look more inviting and create good traffic flow patterns.
Sitting there tonight feeling sad and frustrated about the whole situation around Chester's death and feeling the grief of his family and friends, hope popped up. It came in the form of being able to see the church set up like this every Sunday and people coming to fill the seats for worship, fellowship, and discipleship.
Could it really happen? Could we need this many seats each week? It seems so distant yet, tonight, seems only inches from reality.
I guess that's a definition of hope itself --- seeing the nearly impossible within reach.
As we look out on the sometimes bleakness of the situations we find ourselves in, may we have the vision needed to live in hope and therefore work passionately that we might see the nearly impossible come into our grasp.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Day 16 (September 8, 2009)
The first house I owned was brand new. The house I live in now was 100 years old when we bought it back in '98. Though I like the character of old houses a lot, I can attest that living in a new house is easier than living in an old one.
This has been so true this last week. I'm glad that the ancient plumbing has been replaced, but the gaping holes in the walls and ceiling are getting to be a bit much. 100+ year old dirt just doesn't smell right. Mice see the whole the way we would a newly built express way making our house the fastest way across Pigtown.
And each time I go into the kitchen I find some mysterious object on the counter top. I've found chips of paint in colors we've never seen in the house. I've found small pieces of plaster. I've even found evidence of what appears to be a mouse having lost its balance falling atop the cupboard and knocking things to the floor.
If you're not totally grossed out by this point, then please stop by. I am. I can't count the number of Clorox wipes I've used just today let alone since they started ripping up the house.
So, next time you're shopping for a house, remember the old adage location, location, location. But once you've met those three requirements, consider how old the dirt will be when things get torn up and if you want to clean up something that gross.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
This has been so true this last week. I'm glad that the ancient plumbing has been replaced, but the gaping holes in the walls and ceiling are getting to be a bit much. 100+ year old dirt just doesn't smell right. Mice see the whole the way we would a newly built express way making our house the fastest way across Pigtown.
And each time I go into the kitchen I find some mysterious object on the counter top. I've found chips of paint in colors we've never seen in the house. I've found small pieces of plaster. I've even found evidence of what appears to be a mouse having lost its balance falling atop the cupboard and knocking things to the floor.
If you're not totally grossed out by this point, then please stop by. I am. I can't count the number of Clorox wipes I've used just today let alone since they started ripping up the house.
So, next time you're shopping for a house, remember the old adage location, location, location. But once you've met those three requirements, consider how old the dirt will be when things get torn up and if you want to clean up something that gross.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Monday, September 7, 2009
Day 15 (September 7, 2009)
I guess I need some screaming lessons.
More and more I'm discovering that in our world the person who screams the loudest and longest wins. Being right doesn't matter. Being good doesn't matter. Being ethical doesn't matter. When it comes to making decisions, the best decision is the one that appeases the screamers.
Case and point came today. Actually, on Friday we got a letter from my kids' school saying that the Archdiocese of Baltimore was, because of the many phone calls they'd received, decided to have an "opt out" option for kids whose parents didn't want the President encouraging them to do well in school. To me, that was disturbing.
This afternoon, however, we received an email from the principal of the school saying that only the middle school students would watch the broadcast while the younger kids would not be allowed to watch it. This was the result of further "concerns expressed by parents."
Amazing.
Now, if GWB had done this when he was president I would not have been thrilled. However, my kids would have watched it. We've taken out kids to several presidential sites, like libraries or homes, including Bush I, FDR, and Eisenhower. Agreement with their politics is not the reason for a visit or, for that matter, choosing to not. Respect for the Office and respect for authority is the basis for listening to the President.
The screaming about health care is working my last nerve, too. People who don't like the "public option" scream that there needs to be a compromise. They've already forgotten that the "public option" already was a compromise from the single payer system.
This need to scream (both literal and metaphorical) is not limited to the political arena. This happens in so many areas of life; at church, on the highway, or trying to deal with any level of bureaucracy.
Perhaps that's why I get screamed at so often. I've been cussed out more as a pastor than at any other job I've ever had. This is especially surprising when one considers that I used to work as a telemarketer for MCI.
I think that's because when you try to practice Matthew 5:37 (Let your yes be yes and your no be no) people don't like it. When you try to make and stick with your decisions, people who disagree don't want to talk, debate, or try to understand. Apparently, engaging the intellect is too hard. Instead, they revert back to the basic instinct which started at birth with a good, loud scream.
No one likes the sound of a screaming child. People will bend over backward to accommodate a child's every whim to stop the screaming. Perhaps if we could see relationships as having roles other than "screaming child" and "appeaser," saving screams for only dire emergencies, we could progress a bit as creatures and as a society.
And I could save some money by not having to hire a screaming tutor.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
More and more I'm discovering that in our world the person who screams the loudest and longest wins. Being right doesn't matter. Being good doesn't matter. Being ethical doesn't matter. When it comes to making decisions, the best decision is the one that appeases the screamers.
Case and point came today. Actually, on Friday we got a letter from my kids' school saying that the Archdiocese of Baltimore was, because of the many phone calls they'd received, decided to have an "opt out" option for kids whose parents didn't want the President encouraging them to do well in school. To me, that was disturbing.
This afternoon, however, we received an email from the principal of the school saying that only the middle school students would watch the broadcast while the younger kids would not be allowed to watch it. This was the result of further "concerns expressed by parents."
Amazing.
Now, if GWB had done this when he was president I would not have been thrilled. However, my kids would have watched it. We've taken out kids to several presidential sites, like libraries or homes, including Bush I, FDR, and Eisenhower. Agreement with their politics is not the reason for a visit or, for that matter, choosing to not. Respect for the Office and respect for authority is the basis for listening to the President.
The screaming about health care is working my last nerve, too. People who don't like the "public option" scream that there needs to be a compromise. They've already forgotten that the "public option" already was a compromise from the single payer system.
This need to scream (both literal and metaphorical) is not limited to the political arena. This happens in so many areas of life; at church, on the highway, or trying to deal with any level of bureaucracy.
Perhaps that's why I get screamed at so often. I've been cussed out more as a pastor than at any other job I've ever had. This is especially surprising when one considers that I used to work as a telemarketer for MCI.
I think that's because when you try to practice Matthew 5:37 (Let your yes be yes and your no be no) people don't like it. When you try to make and stick with your decisions, people who disagree don't want to talk, debate, or try to understand. Apparently, engaging the intellect is too hard. Instead, they revert back to the basic instinct which started at birth with a good, loud scream.
No one likes the sound of a screaming child. People will bend over backward to accommodate a child's every whim to stop the screaming. Perhaps if we could see relationships as having roles other than "screaming child" and "appeaser," saving screams for only dire emergencies, we could progress a bit as creatures and as a society.
And I could save some money by not having to hire a screaming tutor.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Friday, September 4, 2009
Day 14 (September 4, 2009)
The good, the bad, and the ugly.
First, the ugly.
I learned that they're removing life support my friend sometime tomorrow. This is after a long, hard, draining, senseless week since his drug-induced suicide attempt last Sunday morning. We've been over the stages of grief like a pinball this week. Surreal is the word for the experience.
The bad.
I had an unplanned infrastructure overhaul this week or so. The pipes leaked which took two full days of plumbers in the house. This involved ripping out 100+ year old plaster and newer drywall coating the house with dust (which has naturally been followed by a massive cleaning effort). The carpenter gave an estimate on fixing the walls and replacing the ceiling. The van needed just over $1K in repairs (which just followed about $500 in repairs on the car). The HVAC system at the church went on the blink, as is the sound system and a few other things. These problems are always frustrating, but all at once amid the grief is a bit much.
The good.
My friend will be bringing life to several people who have been in need of organ and tissue transplants. Somehow, prayers are being answered. Friends who haven't been to church in years showed up at our new Wednesday night services. I found a few folks on Facebook who were on our "missing" list at church. SonRisers resumed, we did a mass mailing, and the new Kids' Church is about to launch.
So, though I'm frustrated and sad and angry and a lot lower on cash, and am spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, and physically drained, I'm not hopeless.
And besides, the best watermelon of the summer is in the refrigerator and I can here it calling me.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
First, the ugly.
I learned that they're removing life support my friend sometime tomorrow. This is after a long, hard, draining, senseless week since his drug-induced suicide attempt last Sunday morning. We've been over the stages of grief like a pinball this week. Surreal is the word for the experience.
The bad.
I had an unplanned infrastructure overhaul this week or so. The pipes leaked which took two full days of plumbers in the house. This involved ripping out 100+ year old plaster and newer drywall coating the house with dust (which has naturally been followed by a massive cleaning effort). The carpenter gave an estimate on fixing the walls and replacing the ceiling. The van needed just over $1K in repairs (which just followed about $500 in repairs on the car). The HVAC system at the church went on the blink, as is the sound system and a few other things. These problems are always frustrating, but all at once amid the grief is a bit much.
The good.
My friend will be bringing life to several people who have been in need of organ and tissue transplants. Somehow, prayers are being answered. Friends who haven't been to church in years showed up at our new Wednesday night services. I found a few folks on Facebook who were on our "missing" list at church. SonRisers resumed, we did a mass mailing, and the new Kids' Church is about to launch.
So, though I'm frustrated and sad and angry and a lot lower on cash, and am spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, and physically drained, I'm not hopeless.
And besides, the best watermelon of the summer is in the refrigerator and I can here it calling me.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Day 13 (September 3, 2009)
So, this week my shrink said that I haven't been contemplative enough. I'd better go think about that.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Day 12 (September 2, 2009)
Let's go back to Eleanor Roosevelt for a few minutes. She had many quotable lines posted throughout the FDR Library and Museum.
One that resonated with me quite strongly with me went, "Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight."
It's easy to think of fear and heroism when there's an emergency or something high profile in which we are called to act. It's also not too hard to talk about less dramatic things like peer pressure in terms of fear.
However, sometimes heroism and courage are more rooted in private, internal moments. When you're depressed, you can be your own hero by overcoming the fear of getting out of bed and getting dressed. That may be the only accomplishment for the day but it makes you a hero even if it's "only" to yourself.
When you fight back against all the things inside you that are trying to keep you from fulfilling you life's purpose you are a courageous hero. It's so easy to just let things wear you down. After a while, a sense of defeat makes it easier to just let those things win.
Become a hero. Have the courage to do what it takes over and over again to win the internal battles. Not only will you become your own hero, you might just inspire others to do likewise. Perhaps you'll become their hero, too.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
One that resonated with me quite strongly with me went, "Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight."
It's easy to think of fear and heroism when there's an emergency or something high profile in which we are called to act. It's also not too hard to talk about less dramatic things like peer pressure in terms of fear.
However, sometimes heroism and courage are more rooted in private, internal moments. When you're depressed, you can be your own hero by overcoming the fear of getting out of bed and getting dressed. That may be the only accomplishment for the day but it makes you a hero even if it's "only" to yourself.
When you fight back against all the things inside you that are trying to keep you from fulfilling you life's purpose you are a courageous hero. It's so easy to just let things wear you down. After a while, a sense of defeat makes it easier to just let those things win.
Become a hero. Have the courage to do what it takes over and over again to win the internal battles. Not only will you become your own hero, you might just inspire others to do likewise. Perhaps you'll become their hero, too.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Day 11 (September 1, 2009)
When traveling in the national parks it not uncommon to see signs that say something like, "Take nothing but pictures." I've always tried to be obedient. Today I paid a little bit of the price for that obedience.
I spent the morning sorting through pictures that Vonceil and I took in July and August, most of which were taken in national parks. 1494 pictures to be exact. Our camera shop seems to take pride in its ability to shuffle our order so it took a while to get pictures of locations and events organized semi-chronologically.
Challenging as the work was, it was a wonderful way to spend the day at home while the plumbers completed their work in our kitchen and bathroom. The delight came not from organizing my pictures but organizing the memories that go with them.
Some people talk about looking forward to retirement so that they can travel. For me, the travel itself is only a small part of the fun. I thoroughly enjoy the planning and preparation for the trip. And, I revel in the memories.
When I run across a picture from Yosemite or Glacier or Muir Woods or one of the other amazing places I've been able to go, my heart beats just a bit faster. I have a few seconds of awe and wonder and delight, even while sitting at the computer.
We all need a little awe and wonder and delight in our lives. It breaks up the monotony, jars the mundane, and puts what is important back in its rightful place. For me, that starts through traveling to majestic or historic places. Those experiences sprinkle themselves over my brain like salt and pepper giving a little more flavor and color to everyday living.
So, if given a choice, I'll let my brain be seasoned throughout life and revel in the memories rather than waiting for a nebulous future time to do so.
And to the national park service, I didn't take any rocks or flowers or twigs or pine cones or any of those things with me from the parks. But each time I come home I seem to have a taken a lot more from your parks than just 1494 pictures.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
I spent the morning sorting through pictures that Vonceil and I took in July and August, most of which were taken in national parks. 1494 pictures to be exact. Our camera shop seems to take pride in its ability to shuffle our order so it took a while to get pictures of locations and events organized semi-chronologically.
Challenging as the work was, it was a wonderful way to spend the day at home while the plumbers completed their work in our kitchen and bathroom. The delight came not from organizing my pictures but organizing the memories that go with them.
Some people talk about looking forward to retirement so that they can travel. For me, the travel itself is only a small part of the fun. I thoroughly enjoy the planning and preparation for the trip. And, I revel in the memories.
When I run across a picture from Yosemite or Glacier or Muir Woods or one of the other amazing places I've been able to go, my heart beats just a bit faster. I have a few seconds of awe and wonder and delight, even while sitting at the computer.
We all need a little awe and wonder and delight in our lives. It breaks up the monotony, jars the mundane, and puts what is important back in its rightful place. For me, that starts through traveling to majestic or historic places. Those experiences sprinkle themselves over my brain like salt and pepper giving a little more flavor and color to everyday living.
So, if given a choice, I'll let my brain be seasoned throughout life and revel in the memories rather than waiting for a nebulous future time to do so.
And to the national park service, I didn't take any rocks or flowers or twigs or pine cones or any of those things with me from the parks. But each time I come home I seem to have a taken a lot more from your parks than just 1494 pictures.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Monday, August 31, 2009
Day 10 (August 31, 2009)
My nephew moved today. For the first time, he now lives someplace other than with his parents. New apartment. New city. New school. New independence. Congratulations to him!
Though I would guess he's a little nervous, I would also guess that he's thinking that it's good to be a grown-up. In a culture obsessed with youthfulness, that feeling is sometimes hard to come by.
So, as someone who's about to turn the Big Four O, let me be honestly counter-cultural and say, "I like being a grown-up." I'm glad I'm almost 40 and, in a couple of months, will be glad that I am 40+.
I have no interest in reliving my childhood. I had a good childhood. My shrink has probed around it for years and hasn't found much material to work with. Still, I have no interest in reliving it.
The college years are filled with great (and some really messy) memories. It was a time of tremendous growth and unparalleled energy. I don't want to go back.
When I look back at my young adulthood years, my most pleasant memories are pretty much all tied to things that are outward displays of adulthood: graduating, getting married, buying my first new car, moving across the country, getting a "real" job, buying a house, having kids. Let me say it again, "I like being a grown-up."
That's not to say that everything is easy, happy, and fun. Instead, there's a satisfaction that comes with making and keeping commitments (even when I question them), planning finances to pay the bills on time (even though there are other things I really really really want), keeping a house in order (despite the contractor leaving it a mess), and helping the younguns grow up (knowing that their therapists will have job security).
So, to my nephew, congratulations on taking this next step in being a grown-up. I hope you'll wisely embrace being more and more grown-up in the next few years. May you find satisfaction in these milestones and their ramifications so that when your 40 is just around the corner you'll be glad you're a grown-up, too.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Though I would guess he's a little nervous, I would also guess that he's thinking that it's good to be a grown-up. In a culture obsessed with youthfulness, that feeling is sometimes hard to come by.
So, as someone who's about to turn the Big Four O, let me be honestly counter-cultural and say, "I like being a grown-up." I'm glad I'm almost 40 and, in a couple of months, will be glad that I am 40+.
I have no interest in reliving my childhood. I had a good childhood. My shrink has probed around it for years and hasn't found much material to work with. Still, I have no interest in reliving it.
The college years are filled with great (and some really messy) memories. It was a time of tremendous growth and unparalleled energy. I don't want to go back.
When I look back at my young adulthood years, my most pleasant memories are pretty much all tied to things that are outward displays of adulthood: graduating, getting married, buying my first new car, moving across the country, getting a "real" job, buying a house, having kids. Let me say it again, "I like being a grown-up."
That's not to say that everything is easy, happy, and fun. Instead, there's a satisfaction that comes with making and keeping commitments (even when I question them), planning finances to pay the bills on time (even though there are other things I really really really want), keeping a house in order (despite the contractor leaving it a mess), and helping the younguns grow up (knowing that their therapists will have job security).
So, to my nephew, congratulations on taking this next step in being a grown-up. I hope you'll wisely embrace being more and more grown-up in the next few years. May you find satisfaction in these milestones and their ramifications so that when your 40 is just around the corner you'll be glad you're a grown-up, too.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Day 9 (August 30, 2009)
In making plans, I always try to include at least a "Plan B" to be ready for the unexpected. Sometimes, though, the unexpected is too far out of what I consider possible to plan for.
This "too far out" lands in two categories: 1.) Things that are so completely "normal" in my life that I don't ever think to plan around; and 2.) Things so completely "un-normal" in my life that I wouldn't have thought to plan around. Both of these categories happened for me this morning.
The first thing to throw off my plans happened when I went to get a drink of water after breakfast. I turned on the tap and found that the water coming out was browner than iced tea. Yuck. Nothing to drink. No shower. No brushing teeth. All with church starting in 90 minutes. There was nothing to do other than be the unshaven odoriferous pastor with halitosis.
Category 2 arrived during the sermon. Josh came in mid-message and whispered something to his mother. She looked shocked and left the building. Needless to say, we wondered what was going on. Come to find out, a man who lives across the street from the church who knows pretty much everyone in the congregation had just jumped off the roof onto the concrete below.
When things we take for granted aren't there it's inconvenient, annoying, and, in the case of today, a little smelly. With a few coping skills and a few phone calls the world can be returned to order.
Disillusion is an immediate byproduct of things from category two. They're beyond a phone call and a repairman getting to work. This is where faith comes in.
And by faith, I don't mean the pat answers/smile Jesus loves you kind of faith. The faith I'm talking about is what comes from walking through lots of life trying to follow the path we think Jesus is on. There are no easy answers and it's not all blue skies and apple pies. Better, we have the promise of strength and comfort amid the unimaginable.
And just so you know -----
The water was clean again by about 1 p.m. Our neighbor is in critical condition with a fractured skull.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
This "too far out" lands in two categories: 1.) Things that are so completely "normal" in my life that I don't ever think to plan around; and 2.) Things so completely "un-normal" in my life that I wouldn't have thought to plan around. Both of these categories happened for me this morning.
The first thing to throw off my plans happened when I went to get a drink of water after breakfast. I turned on the tap and found that the water coming out was browner than iced tea. Yuck. Nothing to drink. No shower. No brushing teeth. All with church starting in 90 minutes. There was nothing to do other than be the unshaven odoriferous pastor with halitosis.
Category 2 arrived during the sermon. Josh came in mid-message and whispered something to his mother. She looked shocked and left the building. Needless to say, we wondered what was going on. Come to find out, a man who lives across the street from the church who knows pretty much everyone in the congregation had just jumped off the roof onto the concrete below.
When things we take for granted aren't there it's inconvenient, annoying, and, in the case of today, a little smelly. With a few coping skills and a few phone calls the world can be returned to order.
Disillusion is an immediate byproduct of things from category two. They're beyond a phone call and a repairman getting to work. This is where faith comes in.
And by faith, I don't mean the pat answers/smile Jesus loves you kind of faith. The faith I'm talking about is what comes from walking through lots of life trying to follow the path we think Jesus is on. There are no easy answers and it's not all blue skies and apple pies. Better, we have the promise of strength and comfort amid the unimaginable.
And just so you know -----
The water was clean again by about 1 p.m. Our neighbor is in critical condition with a fractured skull.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Day 8 (August 29, 2009)
It came up in some things today. Hell. No, it didn't rise up and burn up my neighborhood. Rather, the question of why I don't preach and teach about it very much (ok, pretty much never) was at hand.
I hadn't spent a lot of time contemplating why I didn't/don't. It's not that I shy away from difficult topics. It's not like I only preach once in a while (I've preached well over 800 sermons) and don't ever get to it. Why not this topic?
I answered by saying that I don't spend much time teaching about it for the same reason I don't study travel guidebooks to Louisiana; I know it's miserably hot and don't plan on going there. (No offense for my LA friends --- it's just someplace I really don't want to go and even you die-hard Atchafalaya dwellers have to confess that sometimes the only thing you can honestly say is, "It's hot as Hell today.")
So, I guess that it would be fair to say that I don't preach on Hell because I don't know of people who are interested in going there. I mean, imagine if you went to a travel agent and asked for brochures for destinations they would recommend not going to. Though I'm sure they could relay some great stories from trips from Hell they've been on, that's not what they're selling or what they're hoping for you.
As for me, I'm interested in God's Kingdom and will teach about finding the Path to get there from where we are. If you're interested in going there, come listen to some "travel brochures" next Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
I hadn't spent a lot of time contemplating why I didn't/don't. It's not that I shy away from difficult topics. It's not like I only preach once in a while (I've preached well over 800 sermons) and don't ever get to it. Why not this topic?
I answered by saying that I don't spend much time teaching about it for the same reason I don't study travel guidebooks to Louisiana; I know it's miserably hot and don't plan on going there. (No offense for my LA friends --- it's just someplace I really don't want to go and even you die-hard Atchafalaya dwellers have to confess that sometimes the only thing you can honestly say is, "It's hot as Hell today.")
So, I guess that it would be fair to say that I don't preach on Hell because I don't know of people who are interested in going there. I mean, imagine if you went to a travel agent and asked for brochures for destinations they would recommend not going to. Though I'm sure they could relay some great stories from trips from Hell they've been on, that's not what they're selling or what they're hoping for you.
As for me, I'm interested in God's Kingdom and will teach about finding the Path to get there from where we are. If you're interested in going there, come listen to some "travel brochures" next Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Friday, August 28, 2009
Day 7 (August 28, 2009)
Is it just me or are there some days where nothing seems to be in its correct position? Today (Friday) was one of those days.
-I showed up to pick up my nearly 1500 photos from our summer vacations. They were to be ready by the end of business on Tuesday. They hadn't yet started printing them.
-When we went to buy magic markers in bulk for the school supply drive at church, the first Walmart we went to was completely out of markers. We emptied the racks at the second one.
-I dropped off an order at Staples. When I went back to get them they had copied page 2 up side down and needed to rerun the order.
-I sent a text message to a kid at church who texts me often. It bounced.
-The church's Facebook page even went rogue for a while and had to be reset.
Is it a Zeitgeist? Is it just that I notice things like this more some days than others?
Too weird.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
-I showed up to pick up my nearly 1500 photos from our summer vacations. They were to be ready by the end of business on Tuesday. They hadn't yet started printing them.
-When we went to buy magic markers in bulk for the school supply drive at church, the first Walmart we went to was completely out of markers. We emptied the racks at the second one.
-I dropped off an order at Staples. When I went back to get them they had copied page 2 up side down and needed to rerun the order.
-I sent a text message to a kid at church who texts me often. It bounced.
-The church's Facebook page even went rogue for a while and had to be reset.
Is it a Zeitgeist? Is it just that I notice things like this more some days than others?
Too weird.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Day 6 (August 27, 2009)
What is it about lists that are so comforting, especially once things are checked off of them?
I had a long list of things to get done today. Some were significant. Most weren't. Many didn't really accomplish anything at all. But, I was able to check them off the list so I feel pretty good about the day.
This list did bring a few changes in my life. For example, I now have text messaging on my phone. The other items on it did not do much of anything.
Most things were just odds and ends like getting the new fliers for the church ready for printing. Mind you, I didn't actually get the fliers printed, folded, and distributed, but the "ready" line on the list is checked off.
Some things on the list were surprisingly expensive, like my meeting with the plumber who found nearly $3K worth of problems leaking onto my kitchen ceiling. (He also tells me that I'll need a contractor to fix or replace the ceiling once they're done with the pipes.) You would think I would feel depressed or angry or sad about this, but because it was on my list, I feel good that it's checked off even though the work hasn't started yet.
For me, I think lists are sort of like the odometer on a stationary bike. No matter how long I peddle, I haven't gotten anywhere. Yet I can feel good about myself because the numbers on the dial are higher than when I started.
In a life that's often chaotic, frustrating, and going as far as a stationary bike, a checked-off list gives me just enough of an illusion to get a good night's sleep after a "productive" day.
I'd better get my list ready for tomorrow.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
I had a long list of things to get done today. Some were significant. Most weren't. Many didn't really accomplish anything at all. But, I was able to check them off the list so I feel pretty good about the day.
This list did bring a few changes in my life. For example, I now have text messaging on my phone. The other items on it did not do much of anything.
Most things were just odds and ends like getting the new fliers for the church ready for printing. Mind you, I didn't actually get the fliers printed, folded, and distributed, but the "ready" line on the list is checked off.
Some things on the list were surprisingly expensive, like my meeting with the plumber who found nearly $3K worth of problems leaking onto my kitchen ceiling. (He also tells me that I'll need a contractor to fix or replace the ceiling once they're done with the pipes.) You would think I would feel depressed or angry or sad about this, but because it was on my list, I feel good that it's checked off even though the work hasn't started yet.
For me, I think lists are sort of like the odometer on a stationary bike. No matter how long I peddle, I haven't gotten anywhere. Yet I can feel good about myself because the numbers on the dial are higher than when I started.
In a life that's often chaotic, frustrating, and going as far as a stationary bike, a checked-off list gives me just enough of an illusion to get a good night's sleep after a "productive" day.
I'd better get my list ready for tomorrow.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Day 5 (August 26, 2009)
So, if you're still needing a reality check on the economy, come hang out in my 'hood this week. Historically, the church has given out school supplies to kids the day before school starts. Typically, the church gave out supplies to 35-45 kids. In 2006 we helped about 65 kids. In 2007 that number jumped to 120. Last year we closed the doors at 160 kids.
This year, things are different. Everywhere I go I get people stopping and asking me about supplies. I even have people knocking on the door of my house to see if and when supplies will be available. I've never seen this level of need before hand.
Now, here's the kicker: We don't have near the supplies available to give away this year as last year. I have a substantial donation coming on Friday and we've got about $100 given to us to spend to fill in the gap. Still, we are nowhere near last years resources with a seemingly dramatic increase in demand.
We've got lots of crayons, notebooks, pencils, pens, and erasers. We only have about a dozen boxes of markers and fewer than ten boxes of colored pencils and bottles of glue. Last year we had boxes upon boxes of 3-ring binders. This year we have 8 binders total.
We may need a loaves and fishes thing, riot gear, or both.
I, for one, am most curious as to what will happen next.
Thanks, for reading,
Jeff
This year, things are different. Everywhere I go I get people stopping and asking me about supplies. I even have people knocking on the door of my house to see if and when supplies will be available. I've never seen this level of need before hand.
Now, here's the kicker: We don't have near the supplies available to give away this year as last year. I have a substantial donation coming on Friday and we've got about $100 given to us to spend to fill in the gap. Still, we are nowhere near last years resources with a seemingly dramatic increase in demand.
We've got lots of crayons, notebooks, pencils, pens, and erasers. We only have about a dozen boxes of markers and fewer than ten boxes of colored pencils and bottles of glue. Last year we had boxes upon boxes of 3-ring binders. This year we have 8 binders total.
We may need a loaves and fishes thing, riot gear, or both.
I, for one, am most curious as to what will happen next.
Thanks, for reading,
Jeff
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Day 4 (August 25, 2009)
There's something special about the start of school. I don't know if it's the fumes from the new Crayolas or the adventure of the unknown but this time of year is always good for me.
There have only been a few falls since 1975 that I haven't been going back to school --- elementary, junior high, high school, college, graduate school, teaching, seminary. When the buses start rolling and the crossing guards appear on the corners something in me wants to go with them.
Well, not exactly with them; I have no desire to relive my childhood or write more term papers. But, I do feel the call of the classroom, either as student or teacher.
This year I'll have to resist it again. Perhaps I'll settle for a fresh box of Crayolas.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
There have only been a few falls since 1975 that I haven't been going back to school --- elementary, junior high, high school, college, graduate school, teaching, seminary. When the buses start rolling and the crossing guards appear on the corners something in me wants to go with them.
Well, not exactly with them; I have no desire to relive my childhood or write more term papers. But, I do feel the call of the classroom, either as student or teacher.
This year I'll have to resist it again. Perhaps I'll settle for a fresh box of Crayolas.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Monday, August 24, 2009
Day 3 (August 24, 2009)
I've been missing my friend Theresa a lot the last week or so. She died in June and I haven't had much time to really go through mourning the loss.
Theresa was a real delight at the church. She was at every activity and had an amazing faith amid a very tough life.
I've had about 14 people in my life die so far this year. Some, like Theresa, were friends. Others were acquaintances who were close friends with other people in the church.
As we've been transitioning from our summer activities to our fall schedule there's been just a bit of space in my spirit for some healthy grief. I really haven't had much of a chance to do that.
Jesus said, "God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!" (Matthew 5:4 CEV) I'm grateful for those who have been a part of my life, for finally having some mourning time, and for the Comforter who continues to be found.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Theresa was a real delight at the church. She was at every activity and had an amazing faith amid a very tough life.
I've had about 14 people in my life die so far this year. Some, like Theresa, were friends. Others were acquaintances who were close friends with other people in the church.
As we've been transitioning from our summer activities to our fall schedule there's been just a bit of space in my spirit for some healthy grief. I really haven't had much of a chance to do that.
Jesus said, "God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!" (Matthew 5:4 CEV) I'm grateful for those who have been a part of my life, for finally having some mourning time, and for the Comforter who continues to be found.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Day 2 (August 23, 2009)
Yesterday I spent some time trying to solve a Rubiks Revenge. For those of you who don't remember the 80s, it is like a Rubiks Cube only it's 4X4X4 rather than the standard 3X3X3. Mine had been unsolved for over 20 years so I thought it was time to do something about it.
After following the algorithms that I'd found on line for an extended period of time, I turned one side too quickly and a couple of pieces popped out of the cube and skated across the Pergo floor. Since I didn't know which way the pieces should go back into the cube the only real option at that point was to take the thing apart and assemble it correctly (which, btw, is almost as challenging as following the algorithms).
This is a lot like the rest of life. If we're trying to solve a problem, even when we try to follow the best instructions available sometimes it all falls apart right in our hands. The only thing we can do is deconstruct and start over again.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
After following the algorithms that I'd found on line for an extended period of time, I turned one side too quickly and a couple of pieces popped out of the cube and skated across the Pergo floor. Since I didn't know which way the pieces should go back into the cube the only real option at that point was to take the thing apart and assemble it correctly (which, btw, is almost as challenging as following the algorithms).
This is a lot like the rest of life. If we're trying to solve a problem, even when we try to follow the best instructions available sometimes it all falls apart right in our hands. The only thing we can do is deconstruct and start over again.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Day 1 (August 22, 2009)
Well, this is the start. I'm trying to move into new (for me) areas of technology. I confess to being a late adapter when it comes to technology. I've been in a bit of a time warp for about 10 years. The last couple of months I've decided to push my comfort zone out of the 1990s. I joined Facebook and am even thinking about getting a text plan on my cell phone. Don't laugh --- I still get TV over the air so this is a big leap for me.
So, why the blog? Well, earlier this week the family and I toured some historic sites in New York. Among them was Eleanor Roosevelt's home in Hyde Park. One thing I learned about her was that she published a daily newspaper article called "My Day" for many years. In essence, she was a blogger with a typewriter.
Now, I'm no Eleanor Roosevelt. But, I admired her discipline. I also have been wanting to do something different with my weekly email reports that have been going out since the early days of email and thought this might be a good venue. We'll see.
What will I blog about? Well, that's a hard question at this point. I'm going to give it a try and see where it goes.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
So, why the blog? Well, earlier this week the family and I toured some historic sites in New York. Among them was Eleanor Roosevelt's home in Hyde Park. One thing I learned about her was that she published a daily newspaper article called "My Day" for many years. In essence, she was a blogger with a typewriter.
Now, I'm no Eleanor Roosevelt. But, I admired her discipline. I also have been wanting to do something different with my weekly email reports that have been going out since the early days of email and thought this might be a good venue. We'll see.
What will I blog about? Well, that's a hard question at this point. I'm going to give it a try and see where it goes.
Thanks for reading,
Jeff
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