The Malarkey of Fluffiness

2011-04-01T15:19:00.001-04:00

April Fools! Did you expect something else more profound than this?

I Have a Comment

2011-03-31T10:11:00.000-04:00

A lot of Americans enjoy finding out what's going on in the world by reading a newspaper or watching the news on TV. I'm not one of those people. My major source for news happening around the world in found on the yahoo main page. Those neat little squares give me a vast array of mostly useless information.

A lot of Americans have that neat little thing called DVR. They can record the shows they miss. I am not one of those people. I tap into the beautiful resource of hulu.com to watch my missed shows.

In either case, here's what I find fascinating: if you scroll down to the bottom of any given story or episode you will find a "comments" section. It doesn't matter if it was the most pointless story or TV episode in the world...I guarantee there will be comments. People will share their thoughts on the content. They will reply to the comments of the other people. They will cuss out those that disagree with them. They will accuse the writer of the article of having too much time on their hands. And madness will ensue.

I have always noticed this but yesterday it really made me think. These archeologist dug up this ancient spiral notebook thing that has something to do with Christianity. That's good for at least 200 comments. It has something to do with the Bible...1000 more comments. It could possibly be a find that supports an idea in the book of Revelation...2000 more comments. And the title of the blog is "Ancient find has Bible experts dumbstruck"....3000 automatic comments. In total thus far...there are 9562 comments.

Is it just me, or do people really want to share their opinions? I have no room to talk...I'm writing on a blog right now...and I'll be honest...I was one of those 9562 comments. I couldn't help it! My comment was so amazing...it was possibly life changing..I wanted everyone to read it. I thought about copying it and repasting it so it wouldn't be lost on the bottom.

I get Facebook. Those are our friends and comments are expected on their statuses and photos and such...that's what makes it fun. But why is it in me to shout my opinion about a 2000 year old archeological find or what happened last night on American Idol? I went back today to look at my comment...I got 5 replies...and I was ecstatic. Kinda sad. Why is that is in me...I'm not really certain...but one thing is for sure...every one wants to have a voice and be heard.

You can comment below if you agree...we won't make fun of you :)

What's with Charlie?

2011-03-02T14:05:00.000-05:00

So unless you've been hiding under a rock for the past 2 weeks you have most likely heard Charlie Sheen's name every single day since the CBS producers cancelled Two & a Half Men. There have been 1000 interviews and 10,000 blogs written about this guy. Every radio show, every news program, even my beloved yahoo news has been talking about Charlie Sheen. It's about enough to make you want to go find a rock to hide under.

Here's my question: why are we(and the nightly news for that matter) so interested in watching this guy go crazy? It was the same deal back when Mel Gibson's recorded tapes his the media. It really does beg the question why do we as Americans get so wrapped up in stories like this? Is it entertaining to watch these guys throw their already bad reputations further into the mud? I wonder how many legitimately good news stories were shelved because we had to hear what Charlie just did.

I don't write this to be cynical but it is frustrating to me that the media gets so much pleasure out of watching someone, who is clearly a little off, going further off the deep end. I guess Charlie has been contacting the media but it really does get blown up doesn't it? It just makes me wonder...what should my Christian attitude be toward all of this "news"? Should I ignore it? Should I pray for Charlie Sheen? What do you think?

It also makes me wonder...what if Charlie Sheen and Lindsay Lohan had a kid.........I quiver at the thought.

The Time Machine

2011-03-01T09:07:00.000-05:00

I've decided that there's not very many good T.V shows on Monday nights these days. Kate and I usually end up watching Pawn Stars and House Hunters. Last night I was surfing and saw the show called the Universe and they were discussing time travel. My first thought was "why the heck is this on the Universe show". But it was rather interesting. Basically they stated that time travel is possible if you can move at the speed of light...but since that is something we can't do, it's impossible for us to time travel right now. My thought was "ummm, duh...we already knew that".

But it does make you think about what if we could. What if you were able to do it? Would you go back and try and change something? And if you changed that one event, what would it do to the future? Or would you go back and just want to witness some historical event? It;s kind of interesting to think about.

I'm not sure what I would do. I think I would be more of a spectator.I think though that it's interesting that humans are so intrigued with this idea. I think it has to do with how we live in general. It certainly seems that humans tend to live in the past or in the future....and we kind of miss the present. Either we dwell on mistakes or successes in the past or we tend to worry/plan for the future events. Maybe that's just human nature...or maybe we are missing what God has for us right now...

I'm trying to keep my blogs shorter so I will just leave it at that.

Soreness

2011-02-22T10:02:00.001-05:00

September 25th was the last time that I had ran a mile. I had also ran 25.2 previous miles on that day too. But since then, nothing, zilch, nada. I was tired of running and decided I would take a break. It turned out to be a long break. There were a few times that I thought about suiting up and going out into the cold...but sitting on the couch was so much more appealing! I would see those crazy people out running in the cold and I would make fun of them...even though a year ago, that was me.

Another funny thing has happened since September 25th. Something unexpected and that you will never believe...I gained weight. 15lbs to be exact. Not a lot of weight but enough to make me think. If I gain another 15lbs I will be back where i was when i did weight watchers a couple of years ago.

So yesterday I finally went to the gym. I got on the stupid treadmill and ran a mile. 1 mile. And let me tell you, I am sore today. I ran a stinkin marathon in September and now I am sore from 1 mile.

It's funny to me how when we quit something, it can be so hard to start it back up again. I also notice this trend in my spiritual life. If I get distracted or I let too much busyness creep in, I can tend to neglect personal time with the Lord or even opening up His Word. I will eventually notice that something is wrong. I will see my 15 lbs of baggage, unnecessary stress, and laziness that I have put on. The cool thing is that God is loving and understanding and let's me get back on track. But let me tell you, it's not easy to just start right back up and act like nothing ever happened. There's an emotional soreness that comes with recognizing that you were undisciplined. Paul says that we are to run out the race set before us. But how does one start to run? They must first start with a walk, then a jog, then comes the running. And if you have stopped, it might take a while to get back in stride.

Take what you want from this but I take away two things...1. It's a lot better if you don't stop running in the first place and 2. God is amazing for having the patience to run with me...and stop with me...and start again with me.

The Status Quo

2011-02-01T11:25:00.000-05:00

Went to the men's breakfast this morning at Bob Evan's and tried to explain Facebook to one of the older gentlemen that didn't get it. He really had no clue what it was. I explained the odds and ends of adding friends, wall postings, and instant messaging. He was most intrigued about status updates. He couldn't quite understand why people felt the need to air all of their laundry out in the open like that. I kind of had a hard time defending it. One of the other gentlemen said he felt the whole Twitter/Facebook status thing is kind of egocentric. People write what their doing and expect other people to care.

I agree to a point. Often times I will write a status in order to get a reaction or perhaps because I think something is funny or worth sharing. I can't exactly explain why it is that I am so in love with this action. It obviously consumes some people. I could tell you when some people eat, what they eat, how much they eat, and when they have a bowel movement just by looking at the status updates. I'd be lying though if I didn't say that I like to see that people are reading my statuses and even this blog. After I'm done writing this I will most certainly post this on my Facebook wall and write a creative little status that will entice you to read it. Why? Well...because...I...hmmmm. Interesting isn't it?

I think it has to do with the fact that we all enjoy companionship. We like to be connected with one another. we like to be heard. We also like to know what's going on in other people's lives. Some of us are down right nosy. Facebook and social networking in general allows us to find out things about other people that we wouldn't typically know. It allows people who are having a bad day to express that and have people support them. Sometimes it is shallow and pointless. Sometimes people write things that should only be shared in a private personal setting. And some people use it as a self promoting platform hoping to get "likes" that will boost their self confidence.

But this does not mean that we are defective nor does this mean that Facebook is evil. Part of me writes statuses and this blog so I can be heard. Maybe that is egotistical like my friend said. But another part of me writes and shares this because I think it's what we are called to do. I write because this can be encouraging. We read in Acts 2 that the early Christians met in each others homes and shared their lives daily. Now I believe that we as a church in general need a lot more bonding time throughout the week. But I think in a way Facebook can help supplement this need as well. Often times I will see statuses asking for prayers and below are comments of support. People can share their causes with one another. Information can be shared.

This cannot replace personal time with each other...I am not saying that. But it most certainly can be a tool we use to support one another and find encouragement. Whatever you do whether in word or in deed...you know the rest. So my little challenge for me and for you if you'd want it is this...see how you can use this tool for God's glory this week and not just as a support for you.

And if you like this blog please repost this in your....just kidding. :)

Motivation

2011-01-26T09:34:00.000-05:00

It's the bleak time of winter where experts say that depression can set in. I'm not really feeling that right now though. I have several things on my plate right now, don't get me wrong but there are a few positives in my day that make me smile. Here's my list and in no particular order:

1. Coffee. I really enjoy coffee. I just took a sip of coffee...and I really enjoyed it.
2. Squirrels. From where I sit in my office I can see 2 squirrels running around a tree chasing each other and for some reason, I think that's cool.
3. Checking stuff off my list. I didn't used to have a list. I would just kind of wing it. Kind of like throwing darts into the wind...I'd hit what I was aiming at. Now I have a weekly list...and yes blogging is part of it. Check.
4. Cooking dinner for my wife. Ladies don't "awwww" me just yet. My wife works until 7 each night since she's in tax season and if I don't cook...well we will be eating a steady diet of pb & j. However, I do enjoy looking up a recipe and making it. I am not a good cook. But I can follow directions. That is satisfying.
5. Coffee...just took another sip
6. Playing games with my wife. My wife has declared that in order to take her mind off of taxes, the hours from 9-10 every night shall be game night for us. I don't wanna brag but I can lay the smack down in the game of Life. It's nice because we will usually turn off the T.V. and play cards or something like that. Other than the time I bent her fingernail playing Egyptian Ratscrew...it's been some great bonding for us.

Last and definitely not least 7. Waking up early and not going back to bed after my wife leaves for work. My wife leaves at 7:15 and for some stupid reason a while back I started going back to bed until 8:25...I have to be at the office at 8:30. Very dumb of me. Plus I was missing out on some great devo time with the Lord during that hour. So last week I started kicking that habit and I had an amazing week. It's not easy but it's worth it....with a little help from #1 & #5.

What's your list?

The Thoughts of a Demon

2011-01-15T09:36:00.000-05:00

Been reading the Screwtape Letters by C.S.Lewis. It's a very thought provoking book and amazingly profound for it's time. If you haven't read it, it's about an older demon named Screwtape sharing advice with his nephew Wormwood on how to control the human soul. Read this part today and wanted to throw it out to you to think about. Feel free to comment if you'd like.

Screwtape- "He really does want to fill the universe with a lot of loathsome little replicas of Himself-creatures whose life, on its miniature scale, will be qualitatively like His own, not because He has absorbed them but because their wills freely conform to His. We want cattle who can finally become food; He wants servants who can finally becomes sons. We want to suck in; He wants to give out. We are empty and would be filled; He is full and flows over. Our war aim is a world in which Our Father Below has drawn all other beings into himself: the Enemy wants a world full of beings united to Him but still distinct."

Who the heck are you?

2011-01-10T10:04:00.000-05:00

Just spent a half hour going through my Facebook friends list deleting a bunch of "friends". I would feel bad for this but I don't. Why? Because of a few reasons: 1) I have no idea who some of them are. I mean how the heck did I click accept on some of these people?!! 2) Some of them I met back at a summer camp or some event about 5 years ago and we have not communicated since the time that we became Facebook friends. 3) Some people just annoy me(Farmville folks) and 4) Some of them have statuses that are less than encouraging.

I only made it to the J's....so if you saw this on Facebook and your last name is from A-J...I must like you for some reason or another. If your last name is from K-Z...your fate is yet to be determined.

It occurs to me that the term "friend" is thrown around rather loosely in todays' Facebook influenced culture. Now understand that I think social networking is a good thing and it's cool that I can connect with people that I wouldnt be able to otherwise. It's just amazing to me how going down through my list of friends that I do not know who 30 of them are...or at least I can't remember.

Here's what hit me though a few minutes ago that made me write this. I am considered God's friend. Now God has a bunch of friends yet he considers me one of them and a close one at that. There's have been times that I have not connected with God for quite some time. There have been other times that I have done things that most certainly hurts our relationship. I have made promises to Him that I have not been able to keep. I have been less than a friend to God time and time again...yet some how...some way...He still calls me his friend. He hasn't decided to "delete" our friendship. He still sees value in me...and in you.

That's a very elementary thought I know...yet at the same time it is very profound. I am glad that our Lord is not like me when it comes to friendships. How cool is it that God actually cares about our "status"?! Hopefully I am open enough to hear his "comments" on it. Okay...that's enough cheesy Facebook analogies. But seriously though...what would you do if God poked you?

Wish I Owned a Radio Station

2011-01-05T09:47:00.000-05:00

Bet you didn't expect that sound to come out of that mouth did you? Neither did I. Just another lesson in the "don't judge a book by it's cover" class.

We took the kids to Camden, New Jersey to work at a homeless shelter the weekend before Christmas. A staff member they called "Detroit" got up and told his story. He actually had 2 or 3 college degrees and was doing great early in life but got mixed up in a messy divorce from his wife and other bad circumstances landed him on the street. He lived in a box and begged for money in front of a Dunkin Donuts until the manager finally came out one day and asked him if he wanted a job cleaning. He said yes and did such a great job there that other surrounding businesses hired him to do the same. He now helps other homeless people get on their feet.

I haven't been around too many homeless folks but when I am...I get nervous. While in Italy studying abroad for ten weeks I would often run into gypsies who would beg for money and shake a cup in your face. My initial thought, whether in the US or abroad, has always been the same: do they really need this money or am I being cheated. But the more and more I experience people like Ted Williams and Detroit...well...you know what I'm feeling. Is it possible that my heart needs to change a bit? How would Jesus respond to this guy? How would you respond to this guy?

Think about it and say a prayer for Ted...hope to hear his voice on the radio sometime soon.

New Year's Side Effects

2011-01-03T10:15:00.003-05:00

It's a brand new year and for some reason I find myself wanting to blog. I have no idea why. The last time I wrote was 2009. This very morning I also got up early, made a pot of coffee, had breakfast, and read a book. For many people this is normal but that is not my typical morning ritual on my day off. I typically get up around 10am and then lay on the couch until 2pm watching TV and movies. But this morning i wanted to be more productive and have a feeling of accomplishment. Why you ask? Well I'm not sure but I think it has to do with this whole "new year thing".

I also have renewed my commitment to lose weight...again. I am also trying to become more faithful to my daily Bible reading and time with God...again.

What the heck is going on?! It was Friday night, time passed, and Saturday came and with it this renewed since that I could change and do the things I want to do and not be stuck in the habits of the previous day. What's up with that?!

I find it very cool that God let's us start again. We are not stuck where we are and have to put up with the habits we've formed. We have the ability to change and make choices. That, to me, is very refreshing. While I may or may not keep the habits I'm trying to form, God allows me to make that decision. And for some unknown reason, I find myself making those decisions on Jan 1st. Will it continue...well tomorrow shall tell. Happy New Year!

Stages

2009-05-01T10:21:00.000-04:00

Due to the recent changes in my life and some of the conversations I've had with people lately, I've made some observations about the stages we experience in life:
1) Each stage of life has it's own significance. We tend to make some more important than others(sweet 16, college, marriage...), but I'm not sure that we should view them that way. I don't want to go back to my high school years...but I know that it was a part of my life that shaped how I am today.
2) We tend to look forward to the next stage or wish we could re-live a past one rather than live fully in the one we're in. "I can't wait until I'm older" a 7 year old says. "Wish I had my licence" a 15 year old might say", "We are getting married next year, can't wait!!". The 60 year old says "not as young as I used to be, it's a shame". I understand that there are some things to look forward to. I think though that sometimes some people have all of their focus on the future or past rather than enjoying the phase they are in.
3) Last and most annoying(to me anyways): "Just wait til you get to the real world"-we say to a college kid, "Wait til your married, then you'll know what I mean"-to a young couple, "Just wait to you have kids"-to a newly married couple, "O you just wait til they turn 13"-to a family with todlers, "See if you feel the same way when your my age"-an older person says...and so on and so on. It's not condesending I've decided but it is a somewhat negative comment. Basically we're saying "you think you have it bad now...you just wait. It gets worse!!!" I'm sure I will do it myself from time to time but I hope to include the good things as well. "Enjoy high school while your there, college is a blast but make sure to enjoy the time you have left at home."
Bottom line: Enjoy the stage you're in to the best of your ability, know that God has a plan for you during that stage, and don't look down on but encourage the younger and less experienced people.

More Drama Than A Junior High Dance

2009-03-30T11:30:00.002-04:00

Drama. we all expereince it from time to time. I'm not talking Shakespeare either. I'm talking moments in life when everything gets crazy. Had one of those weekends Friday and Saturday. I'll spare you the details but give you my thoughts on it.

One moment in time. That's what makes a difference in some people's lives(not the song either). One choice, one mistake, one good decision...these are what define our lives at points. They point us in a direction. Sometimes one bad decision can change the course of a person's life and possibly change the world. The exact same truth applies to good choices as well. Consider Hitler and Abraham Lincoln.

There's a movie that I enjoyed watching in high school. It was a rough movie and I wouldn't recommend it because of the content...but I did get something out of it. The Butterfly Effect is a movie where a young man is able to read some of his old journals and is able to go re-live that moment in time that he wrote about. Not only can he re-live it but he can change what happens. Once he snaps out of his "reliving time" he comes back to reality...but his reality has changed. By changing one moment of his past, his entire future has changed...different college, different personality, everything has changed.

I like this because it shows that our decisions we make on a daily basis can effect our future paths and what will happen to us. It reminds me to keep my focus on God. When dramatic moments come...I want to make a good decision that has positive effects on my future...not negative. Don't let one moment in time mess with your eternity. So many people do this in moments of pressure, stress, and drama. The moment will pass and you will have to deal with the consequences of it. We need to decide right now that we are not going to let anything, any drama or situation mess with our final reality...heaven and life eternal with Jesus.

National Youth ministry Conference

2009-03-04T10:31:00.005-05:00

This past weekend I went to the Columbus Convention Center for the National Youth Ministry Conference. On the way there I started feeling really bad I must say...headache, sore throat, freezing to death. I went with my friend Justin pack who works at Louisville church of Christ. We got there and the night session was really good despite how bad I felt. They had a band at the end and I decided to go out and find a place to lay down. I found a sack chair and curled up in the fetal position and shivered for 45 minutes...it must have been interesting to watch. Some people must have thought I had the spirit in me, the others must have thought a demon. We found the couple that was letting us stay in their home and we headed that way. Once we got there I headed straight to bed and preoceeded to sweat out my 102.9 temperature. The next day I felt a great deal better.

I went to classes the next day pertaining to developing student leaders. It was a really great class where I learned a lot and I got plenty of ideas. I won''t share those ideas here right now. i must say though that this is an awesome conference. 3000 youth workers coming together to share life and conversation. I met a lot of great people and even though I felt like I was dying, i walked away encouraged.

Drunk McDonalds

2009-02-26T10:26:00.003-05:00

I had a very interesting conversation in Gatlinburg this past weekend. We had some free time during the day and some of the teens decided to go to McDonalds. Since I already had lunch that day I just found an open seat. Sitting at a seat near by was a gentleman that caught my eye. Something seemed odd about him to me...so obviously I had to talk to him. Ever feel like God is pulling you into a conversation? I said hi to him and the hour that followed became the most interesting one of the weekend. I asked if I could join him at his table and continue our conversation. Immediatly after sitting down I realized why this man seemed odd to me; I caught a whiff of his breath and it about knocked me down. It was 2:30 in the afternoon and this guy must have had some Jack Daniels for breakfast. "This oughta be good" I think to myself.

His name was Sam. He made outlandish claims that he was the son of the Tennessee govenor(false), he used to serve breakfast to big stars like Bono, Harrison Ford, and Sheryl Crow(doubtful), and that when there's any crimes on the news, you can bet it comes out of Ohio(I might believe that). I've had conversations with 3 or 4 drunk guys in the past...every single one of those talks led to Jesus. This was no exception. This was a man who was searching. He told me that he believed in God and absolutly loved Jesus(he asked me which one I preferred to pray to more...tough question). He told me though that he had a lot of questions. So for the next 45 minutes he fired them off at me. Some were legitimate questions, others didn't quite make sense...which makes sense since I was talking to a drunk guy. His big question was why Jesus was so special for giving his life since He knew that He would come back in 3 days. I won't tell you what I told him...you think about that one.

Bottom line and to make a long story short-er, I came to love this man that I didn't really know. He has so much potential and I told him that. I was able to shoot straight with Sam. I explained that no one can serve 2 masters and it seemed like he was trying to love Jesus while loving alcohol more. He agreed and told me that he planned on going to the bar after he left...he was eating at McDonald's to sober up. (?) By the end of our conversation though he was circling around the idea of getting help. I said a prayer with Sam and told him I had to leave. He didn't want me to go; he started naming off things we could go and do, things he could show me in town. I had to leave and I did so with a couple tears in my eyes.

Hope. Jesus brought hope to people. He went to where they were, talked to them as if they were close friends, and left them wanting more. Do we do that is my question? I'll admit that very few times in my life I've opened my eyes to that notion. Do we L1 by doing L2 to others and showing them that we care? It may have made a difference in Sam's life...I guess I'll never know until I get to heaven. That was the thought that made me ache on my way back to the hotel...I want Sam to go to heaven not hell. Please pray for Sam. Also pray that God opens our eyes to the hurting people around us who desperatly need Him. Be God's.

L1 L2: Winterfest

2009-02-24T10:23:00.003-05:00

This past weekend I hopped on a charter bus, as has been my custom for the past 11 years, and headed to Gatlinburg, TN for Winterfest. Each year is different and each year is the same. I always have "stomach issues" on the way down and always on the way back...I thank the heavens for Gas-X...and so do the people on the bus. I always make atleast 2 stops at the wonderful and magical land of the Donut Friar. I ordered a hot chocolate with expresso in it and the lady thought I was crazy. Guess they don't have Cafe' Mocha's in Tennessee. All in all a great trip and relaxing experience.

The lesson this year was really good. I'd like to share the basics of it. Matthew 22:34-40 Jesus explains that the 2 most important laws are to "love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength" and to "love your neighbor as yourself". Everything we do hangs on these 2 elements. L1: Love God. L2: Love others.

Sometimes we make things so much more complicated than that. "You must have a daily quiet time", "You must dress up for church", "You must attend 3 services a week"...etc. Often we have what I call Pharisiteous. We become the Pharisees in Matthew 23 that Jesus calls the "sons of hell". I think what Jesus is saying here is that if we focus on L1 and L2...all of the other things will fall into place. Also we must recognize that we can have L1 but miss L2. There are people out there who love God and enjoy worshiping him yet have racism in their hearts and are harsh to the strangers they meet. There are also people who love deeply and are great people yet they don't have a relationship with God. The two combined are the key elements Jesus says. It's not about the rules...it's ultimately about our relationship with Christ and our heart toward others. L1, L2...basic elements that give us the foundation to a meaningful life.

What's with the title of this blog?

2009-02-15T18:14:00.004-05:00

I was going to meet a teen yesterday for lunch and as I was driving I had a little prayer time. I prayed that God would allow me to get a little deeper with the kid in conversation. He and I typically talk about surface level things...school, work, college...etc. While I was praying I asked God to help me get past the malarkey of fluffiness with this teen. I stopped and said "God hold on a second, I gotta write that one down"!

In our day to day lives we have plenty of fluffy conversations. They are all well and good and they have their place. Too often though we ignore and pass by chances to go deeper into conversation with our friends, family, and sometimes strangers. I'm not talking about emotionally akward sharing times at church camp where you tell everyone all the sins you've committed in your life and later on sing kum-ba-ya. I'm talking about a conversation that encourages someone; a conversation that explores who we are and who we should be. I desire to have more conversations like this in my life, I need them to be honest.

That's what this blog will be about. Going deeper. I hope you will join me in this conversation.