Earlier this week, I wrote what some might feel is a scathing entry on my church. If anyone was offended, I apologize. It was never my intention to offend.
That doesn't mean I feel any differently or regret the comments; just didn't mean to offend.
Churches aren't perfect because they're - say it with me - run by people, the most imperfect thing God placed on this earth. Yes, we were created in His image, but He also had to go so far as to sacrifice His one and only Son in order for us to spend eternity with Him...and that's only if we're not stubborn, stupid, or crazy enough to not accept His beautiful gift of salvation. Just because we're created in His image doesn't mean all the gray matter transferred over as well. Far from it.
But just because churches aren't perfect doesn't mean we should just be accepting of the warts. What's the old definition people use for "insanity" - doing the same thing over & over again and expecting a different result? Many modern-day churches - not just mine, but many - could fall into that same definition of how our ministries are run.
Last night, I had a meeting of our Sunday School Planning Task Force - the group of teachers that were brought together to help shepherd and create a comprehensive plan for the Sunday School's development over the next five years. It was unbelievably refreshing to hear these teachers express to me the traditional type of Sunday School ideals and values that were embraced for years & years versus the more contemporary methods. Why do I like some of the traditional versus contemporary methods? I'm open to change quite often (it's hard to imagine, but seriously, I'll hear any idea out and be willing to give it a chance if it's legit and if it has support for those who'll have to be carrying it out). But some of the more contemporary ideas are based and rooted in a true lack of accountability and depth of study. They're more interested in generating numbers than they are in spiritual depth.
I'm not saying none of the new ideas have any use; quite to the contrary, some of the new ideas that are being circulated out there do have some merit. But it was so - SO - refreshing to hear that the ideas of generations past are still valued. The values I grew up with and learned during my brief time at Sunday School as a child are still there today. That's why I love being a part of Sunday School. That's why I've stayed as Superintendent through the past few years even when others have done everything but shown me the door. That's why I've been honored to spend the last decade-plus heading up what I view as THE core ministry of a church. That time won't last forever, however. But for now, this plan is my mission at my church, and at this point, it'll probably be done in a matter of days.
And for those who may already know, yes, a change is still a comin'. But first we'll finish the plan. Then we'll see some relatively dramatic changes...
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
"I have no aversion to eggs"
Earlier today I got my first flu shot...first ever. Longtime readers of this blog will remember last year when I lamented in great detail over my bout with the flu. Well, based upon that horror and the fact that some others I know are now getting really intimate with their toilets, I decided that maybe this year I'd take the plunge and have the doctors poke me with a sharp, metal object.
So, I headed in to the Hannibal Clinic, and they did their magic. But, they asked an odd question on the health waiver (i.e., the document whereby if they, oh, kill you, you shouldn't sue). "Do you have any adverse reactions to eggs?"
I know they have the flu vaccine formula based in some type of egg thing...I'm not a biologist, nor do I play one on tv...but it just seemed a bit odd, that's all.
Well, I went in, and Nurse Nightingale asked if I wanted it in the upper arm. I asked, "Is there another spot?" She just glared at me. I rolled up my sleeve, she poked me, and that was that. But on the way out, my left arm was really tingling, and I didn't really feel all that hot on the way to the car.
I thought, "Wow, maybe I have high cholesterol, and this has triggered something."
Then I realized, "No, you goof. You're just a hypochondriac." Finally. So good to figure things out.
So, I headed in to the Hannibal Clinic, and they did their magic. But, they asked an odd question on the health waiver (i.e., the document whereby if they, oh, kill you, you shouldn't sue). "Do you have any adverse reactions to eggs?"
I know they have the flu vaccine formula based in some type of egg thing...I'm not a biologist, nor do I play one on tv...but it just seemed a bit odd, that's all.
Well, I went in, and Nurse Nightingale asked if I wanted it in the upper arm. I asked, "Is there another spot?" She just glared at me. I rolled up my sleeve, she poked me, and that was that. But on the way out, my left arm was really tingling, and I didn't really feel all that hot on the way to the car.
I thought, "Wow, maybe I have high cholesterol, and this has triggered something."
Then I realized, "No, you goof. You're just a hypochondriac." Finally. So good to figure things out.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Bad Moon Rising
First, let me ID myself - this is Scott.
I have a really bad attitude. Really bad.
I've contemplated putting this out there for a long time, but I've held back for an equally long time. Until now. Here goes.
I'm not really satisfied at my current church right now. I've not been led to the point of leaving yet, but I'm not really content there. I'm in church membership purgatory, if a Southern Baptist can even have legal claim to use that term.
I remember when we first visited and then joined our church back in the Fall of 1994. I loved going there Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, and Wednesday nights. I couldn't get enough of it. It lasted for years. But in recent years, with the emphases that I've seen, with the approaches to ministry that have turned into programs that have nearly turned our church into a smaller version of the YMCA, with the focus on the bottom line that's made us literally miss seeing the forest for the trees instead of focusing on ministry and spiritual growth, I just don't know what to think anymore.
I also think we're just running haphazard in many respects with our ministries. Sometimes we stick way, way too closely to the letter of the law in our ministries, but there are other times I am upset that we really throw caution to the wind and just beg for problems. There are several examples I could give to document my problems, but I just think we could handle ourselves a little better. I also have a problem with how it seems as though we last-minute most of our ministry opportunities. For example, we (apparently) waited until the VERY last minute to get our ducks in a row for a Halloween alternative to be run by our Awana ministry this year. We just got a postcard this weekend, and last week - the 24th of October - no one really had any idea what we were going to do, but for the fact that it would involve candy.
Did we not know Halloween had been scheduled for the 31st this year?
Those calendars can be tricky, I know...
Am I going to the Halloween alternative or taking our kids? Well, no. First, it's about the "Parable of the Pumpkin Patch". If I want them to know about it, I'll just read them this selection.
Second, if I have to hear one more garden analogy in that building...
Third, it's just the principle of the thing. This was a last-minute, slapped together show. I want my kids to have a nice night, not a night being ad-libbed as we go.
I had a person tell me a few weeks ago that when he was first starting in ministry years and years ago, one of his first full-time church positions required - yes, REQUIRED - him to take one weekend off a month and do something else. Go to a different church, take the weekend off, spend it in prayer at home, whatever...he was required to do something away from that church.
I think I may quickly be approaching that boiling point as well.
I have a really bad attitude. Really bad.
I've contemplated putting this out there for a long time, but I've held back for an equally long time. Until now. Here goes.
I'm not really satisfied at my current church right now. I've not been led to the point of leaving yet, but I'm not really content there. I'm in church membership purgatory, if a Southern Baptist can even have legal claim to use that term.
I remember when we first visited and then joined our church back in the Fall of 1994. I loved going there Sunday mornings, Sunday nights, and Wednesday nights. I couldn't get enough of it. It lasted for years. But in recent years, with the emphases that I've seen, with the approaches to ministry that have turned into programs that have nearly turned our church into a smaller version of the YMCA, with the focus on the bottom line that's made us literally miss seeing the forest for the trees instead of focusing on ministry and spiritual growth, I just don't know what to think anymore.
I also think we're just running haphazard in many respects with our ministries. Sometimes we stick way, way too closely to the letter of the law in our ministries, but there are other times I am upset that we really throw caution to the wind and just beg for problems. There are several examples I could give to document my problems, but I just think we could handle ourselves a little better. I also have a problem with how it seems as though we last-minute most of our ministry opportunities. For example, we (apparently) waited until the VERY last minute to get our ducks in a row for a Halloween alternative to be run by our Awana ministry this year. We just got a postcard this weekend, and last week - the 24th of October - no one really had any idea what we were going to do, but for the fact that it would involve candy.
Did we not know Halloween had been scheduled for the 31st this year?
Those calendars can be tricky, I know...
Am I going to the Halloween alternative or taking our kids? Well, no. First, it's about the "Parable of the Pumpkin Patch". If I want them to know about it, I'll just read them this selection.
Second, if I have to hear one more garden analogy in that building...
Third, it's just the principle of the thing. This was a last-minute, slapped together show. I want my kids to have a nice night, not a night being ad-libbed as we go.
I had a person tell me a few weeks ago that when he was first starting in ministry years and years ago, one of his first full-time church positions required - yes, REQUIRED - him to take one weekend off a month and do something else. Go to a different church, take the weekend off, spend it in prayer at home, whatever...he was required to do something away from that church.
I think I may quickly be approaching that boiling point as well.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
My postcards to the edge
Only one from me (SC)
Dear students,
Just because I told one student that I'd look at her term/research paper to see if she had the right concept doesn't mean I want to proofread 50 papers over the couple of days. Unlike you guys, I'm not 18-years old anymore, I can't get 5 hours of sleep per night (though I really try) and survive on it, I can't eat plastic anymore (chili after 9 PM is a bad idea for a plethora of reasons), and I don't have unlimited blocks of time anymore. Take some of the Clearasil money and go buy a word processing program that actually has Grammatik or Spell Check on it.
Signed,
Your bloodshot-eyed professor.
Dear students,
Just because I told one student that I'd look at her term/research paper to see if she had the right concept doesn't mean I want to proofread 50 papers over the couple of days. Unlike you guys, I'm not 18-years old anymore, I can't get 5 hours of sleep per night (though I really try) and survive on it, I can't eat plastic anymore (chili after 9 PM is a bad idea for a plethora of reasons), and I don't have unlimited blocks of time anymore. Take some of the Clearasil money and go buy a word processing program that actually has Grammatik or Spell Check on it.
Signed,
Your bloodshot-eyed professor.
Maybe her teeth threw her off-balance?
Marie Osmond, who so gracefully took a dive the other night on "Dancing With the Stars," now claims she fainted...as a result of the California wildfires. "The air quality is really bad and I have allergies really bad so maybe that was it," she said.
Yes. That was it. You're in an air-tight, sound-tight studio in downtown Los Angeles, miles from the fires, and you're surrounded by bottled water and air purifiers, not to mention a/c units pumping more air than all the wind in Twister combined. Yes. It was the wildfires.
Yes. That was it. You're in an air-tight, sound-tight studio in downtown Los Angeles, miles from the fires, and you're surrounded by bottled water and air purifiers, not to mention a/c units pumping more air than all the wind in Twister combined. Yes. It was the wildfires.
One more letter, from Scott
I'm going to pay for this, but I read what Tammy wrote earlier today, and I have to respond.
Dear Tammy,
When talking to our checking account (words I never thought I'd say), what exactly does "My must you mock me" mean?
"MY must you mock me?"
Interesting.
Dear Tammy,
When talking to our checking account (words I never thought I'd say), what exactly does "My must you mock me" mean?
"MY must you mock me?"
Interesting.
Letters to the world ...
Stealing an idea from Brandy's blog, I just had to vent a few frustrations, so here goes:
Dear Wal-Mart Customers,
It's Saturday and we're busy. The last place we want to be is Wal-Mart. Has it ever occurred to you that things could move along a lot faster if you MOVED YOUR CARTS???? And when I say excuse me, I mean get out of my way; I know what I want and where it's located. And don't tell me, "You're fine." I know I'm fine - you're the one in my way.
Signed,
Frustrated in a Wal-Mart Traffic Jam
___________________________________________
Dear English Language,
Why must you be so difficult? My son is only 8 and doesn't need the stress of the following:
which, witch
too, to, two
dew, do, due
you, ewe
I could go on, but you know the story. I know the right spellings to use, but he's only 8, for cryin' out loud. Give the kid a break (or is it brake)?
Signed,
For the Children
____________________________________________
Dear Checking Account,
My must you mock me? So full of promise and dreams at the beginning of each month, I'm almost sure we're going to be friends. And then without warning you deflate to almost nothing, making my hopes of eating dinner out tonight or getting a Tall Decaf Mocha Grande (with whipped cream) seem like a distant memory. Can't we work this out?
Signed,
Where's the Love?
_____________________________________________
And finally...
Dear Mass Merchandisers,
It's only October but I saw it coming. A Christmas bulb in July, a piece of garland in August, I knew it was a matter of time before you had to pull out all the Christmas stuff. But I'm not ready. It's too soon. This is all so sudden. I've got to be honest, we need to slow things down a bit. I'm not ready for this kind of commitment. I need some breathing space between back-to-school shopping and deck the halls. Please, all this pressure is tearing me apart.
Signed,
I Need Some Space
Dear Wal-Mart Customers,
It's Saturday and we're busy. The last place we want to be is Wal-Mart. Has it ever occurred to you that things could move along a lot faster if you MOVED YOUR CARTS???? And when I say excuse me, I mean get out of my way; I know what I want and where it's located. And don't tell me, "You're fine." I know I'm fine - you're the one in my way.
Signed,
Frustrated in a Wal-Mart Traffic Jam
___________________________________________
Dear English Language,
Why must you be so difficult? My son is only 8 and doesn't need the stress of the following:
which, witch
too, to, two
dew, do, due
you, ewe
I could go on, but you know the story. I know the right spellings to use, but he's only 8, for cryin' out loud. Give the kid a break (or is it brake)?
Signed,
For the Children
____________________________________________
Dear Checking Account,
My must you mock me? So full of promise and dreams at the beginning of each month, I'm almost sure we're going to be friends. And then without warning you deflate to almost nothing, making my hopes of eating dinner out tonight or getting a Tall Decaf Mocha Grande (with whipped cream) seem like a distant memory. Can't we work this out?
Signed,
Where's the Love?
_____________________________________________
And finally...
Dear Mass Merchandisers,
It's only October but I saw it coming. A Christmas bulb in July, a piece of garland in August, I knew it was a matter of time before you had to pull out all the Christmas stuff. But I'm not ready. It's too soon. This is all so sudden. I've got to be honest, we need to slow things down a bit. I'm not ready for this kind of commitment. I need some breathing space between back-to-school shopping and deck the halls. Please, all this pressure is tearing me apart.
Signed,
I Need Some Space
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Friend or foe?
I was just perusing some of the news websites on the Internet tonight, and like usual, I was really taken aback by the hostility of the stories we see on the news. The days of intelligent debate over issues is gone. It's a 15 to 30 second sound byte mentality and that's usually interspersed with vitriolic language used in the name of compassion and/or standing up for your fellow man. Either that or we're spoon-fed the latest prison abuse video or something like that that's supposed to pass nowadays for news.
In that very moment, I came to a conclusion.
I'm a bad, bad man.
Not like Shaft (watch your mouth!), but really like a bad man.
My Christian faith prevails, obviously. But that still doesn't change the fact that I'm a bad, bad man.
I will engage in self-depricating humor probably quicker than anyone on the planet - I figure I need to make fun of myself because 1) it loosens people up, 2) if you had this kind of ammo to work with 24/7, you'd make fun of yourself, too, and probably the most problematic reason, 3) I poke fun at so many others as well.
Is it good natured? I hope so. Do I cross the line occasionally? Absolutely. Do I know that? Yes. Am I ashamed at some of the lines that creep out of my mouth? Unfortunately, yes.
What really brought this to light was the other night on a phone call between Tammy, a mutual friend of ours, and me, I let slip a comment that wasn't necessarily untrue, but just didn't need to be said. Wasn't necessary, but it just popped out. That just fell into a long line of times I've said things and thought, "Wow, that was REALLY out of bounds and over the line." It really made me stop and think about my attitude, fun loving as it may be more times than not, it also can get the best of me.
It also made me think how patient Jesus is to work with a sinner like me. His love - quite obviously - has no bounds. I'm living proof.
In that very moment, I came to a conclusion.
I'm a bad, bad man.
Not like Shaft (watch your mouth!), but really like a bad man.
My Christian faith prevails, obviously. But that still doesn't change the fact that I'm a bad, bad man.
I will engage in self-depricating humor probably quicker than anyone on the planet - I figure I need to make fun of myself because 1) it loosens people up, 2) if you had this kind of ammo to work with 24/7, you'd make fun of yourself, too, and probably the most problematic reason, 3) I poke fun at so many others as well.
Is it good natured? I hope so. Do I cross the line occasionally? Absolutely. Do I know that? Yes. Am I ashamed at some of the lines that creep out of my mouth? Unfortunately, yes.
What really brought this to light was the other night on a phone call between Tammy, a mutual friend of ours, and me, I let slip a comment that wasn't necessarily untrue, but just didn't need to be said. Wasn't necessary, but it just popped out. That just fell into a long line of times I've said things and thought, "Wow, that was REALLY out of bounds and over the line." It really made me stop and think about my attitude, fun loving as it may be more times than not, it also can get the best of me.
It also made me think how patient Jesus is to work with a sinner like me. His love - quite obviously - has no bounds. I'm living proof.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
My body doubles
One month later - to the day - I'm posting again, but this time with a fun little ditty from another blog. To quote my dear friend Brandy, I'm stealing blogs again.
I found this little link from our friends, the Billups, on finding your celebrity look alikes. Looked interesting enough, so I gave it a shot. Here's who I found were my lookalikes:
I'll suggest this to Tammy so she can upload a more recent photo of herself and see her lookalikes.
Think this is accurate? I like the Pierce Brosnan deal...I can live with that...
I found this little link from our friends, the Billups, on finding your celebrity look alikes. Looked interesting enough, so I gave it a shot. Here's who I found were my lookalikes:
I'll suggest this to Tammy so she can upload a more recent photo of herself and see her lookalikes.
Think this is accurate? I like the Pierce Brosnan deal...I can live with that...
Monday, September 10, 2007
Profile in Courage?
Recently, over on Brandy's blog, she posted a link to help determine what famous leader you're similar to in nature. The first time I took the test, I (Scott) took the 19-question option, and here's what it came up with:
Then, the second time, I took the entire 45-question blow-out. This is what I came up with:
Which one am I? Let me know what you think.
And, by the way, I'm sure that I don't have to highlight for you the similarities between JFK and Gandhi.
Two words: Babe Magnets.
Two more words: Snappy dressers.
Then, the second time, I took the entire 45-question blow-out. This is what I came up with:
Which one am I? Let me know what you think.
And, by the way, I'm sure that I don't have to highlight for you the similarities between JFK and Gandhi.
Two words: Babe Magnets.
Two more words: Snappy dressers.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Still "The Natural"
I just read several national media articles on the popular knee-jerk reaction to Rick Ankiel's alleged use of HGH back in 2004.First, let me say I am an admitted HUGE fan of Ankiel, dating from his days as a pitcher back in the Cards' minor league system. That was pre-pitching implosion. I've watched and rooted for him ever since, and his story is the thing storybooks are written for.
Also, for background's sake, Ankiel had recently undergone elbow ligament replacement (Tommy John) surgery in 2004 and was in recovery that - while I'm not a doctor and don't play one on tv - could have been helped along through the prescribed AND LEGAL use of HGH. It would've produced collagen to help strengthen and aid the ligament's development.
Don't forget - HGH was not a banned substance by MLB at the time. It was just as legal as Gatorade...obviously, ridiculously stupid to use without a valid prescription or without a medical necessity, but legal nonetheless.
So, it would appear the majority of the national sports media are quickly convening a lynch mob for a guy who - in reality - hasn't yet even been accused of committing a crime? Will baseball's so-called "steroid era" also be viewed as the "media jumping through hoops to get to conclusions" era?
As I've said to anyone who's interested, I absolutely believe Barry Bonds
probably has used every legal and illegal substance short of cow manure to help enhance his athletic ability. He'd take battery acid straight into his veins if he thought it'd help him hit and be "bigger than life", or at least bigger than Hank Aaron. His head didn't expand to two sizes larger than a canned ham by accident. Ankiel's size hasn't changed, he's always been an amazing hitter (people originally thought he should've been pushed into everyday status when he was first drafted), and he's got large holes in his swing that - should they go uncorrected and become victims to pitchers' exploitations - could bring him back down to earth quite quickly.For the national media to compare him to Mark McGwire (who I used to believe was falsely accused, but I then changed my mind completely following his congressional testimony) & Bonds right now is a little ridiculous, don't you think? Shouldn't the media give Rick a chance to, oh, I don't know...comment?
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Don't eat the daisies, er, raisins
It had to happen someday.
Last night, Scott was carrying dishes from the downstairs to the kitchen when I noticed an empty bowl in his hand.
"Where are the grapes that were in the bowl?"
Scott replied, "I ate them. I thought the kids had left them downstairs and I ate them."
Now, for those of you that don't know, we homeschool. David has been studying the sun (as much as you can when you're in Kindergarten). And so we've been talking about how the sun helps us do all kinds of things, like dry grapes out to make raisins - that is until Daddy ate them.
I knew one of these days a science experiment would get eaten, thrown away, or lost in the house. I'm just glad Scott didn't eat them after they had "turned" into raisins. My teacher's manual was very clear - do not eat the grapes/raisins. They were dried under unsanitary conditions!!
So far Scott looks fine and nothing is growing out of his head. Maybe we dodged this bullet - whew!
Last night, Scott was carrying dishes from the downstairs to the kitchen when I noticed an empty bowl in his hand.
"Where are the grapes that were in the bowl?"
Scott replied, "I ate them. I thought the kids had left them downstairs and I ate them."
Now, for those of you that don't know, we homeschool. David has been studying the sun (as much as you can when you're in Kindergarten). And so we've been talking about how the sun helps us do all kinds of things, like dry grapes out to make raisins - that is until Daddy ate them.
I knew one of these days a science experiment would get eaten, thrown away, or lost in the house. I'm just glad Scott didn't eat them after they had "turned" into raisins. My teacher's manual was very clear - do not eat the grapes/raisins. They were dried under unsanitary conditions!!
So far Scott looks fine and nothing is growing out of his head. Maybe we dodged this bullet - whew!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Back to the vacation blogs...
The hills in the background are actually an optical illusion; Hays is a wasteland of humanity. I'm sure some lemonheaded freak of nature who has "I'm a Hick from Hays" or "Kall me a Kansan" will probably do a Google search someday, find this blog, and leave some nasty, badly misspelled comment referencing chew or the love his wife & sister (same person) has for the town, but let me assure you, this place is an absolute wasteland.
The day we left Colorado Springs and I picked up my Michael English book, we trekked back across Eastern Colorado through Limon (COMPLETELY missing that gas station THIS time around) and were headed back to the Holiday Inn (and this one was not a "Stay Smart; Stay Holiday Inn Express" site, let me assure you) with the two-story water slide (they bill it as three stories tall, but unlike most of the people in Hays, I can count) we'd stayed at on the way out.
We were, well, let's say unimpressed with this Holiday Inn on our way to Colorado. It was an old Holidome type of hotel that was built probably in the late 60s or early 70s...with probably no updates since then, either.
Well, the a/c didn't work in all the rooms (we had to change rooms once on the way out b/c of the malfunctions), and I found a few dead bugs strewn throughout the hotel...but the kicker was that the in-room a/c unit that actually did work in our second room had the wires and the plastic connectors dangling down from under the motor.
Nice. Last time I pre-book a hotel like that - I don't care WHAT the discount is.
So, while the people there were really nice, Tammy & I decided when we left and headed for Colorado Springs on Monday that - even though the kids thought the 2 story water slide was just the berries - if there was ANYTHING wrong with that hotel when we came back through, we were getting our money back and going elsewhere.
We got our wish.
When we left on Monday to go to Brandy's on the way out, there was a note on the front desk saying the water slide, pool, & hot tubs would be closed for cleaning. We came into town on Thursday, and sure enough, the same note was there.
Who didn't see that coming?
Once we confirmed it, we got out of that rathole and went down the street to the newly built Hampton Inn. As always, I asked my budget nazi & resident Dave Ramsey guru Tammy to go in and ask for a price...and sure enough, she got it for like 10-20 bucks off of the normal rate.
Again, who didn't see that coming?
We ate, had a great night in the pool and room, and got out of dodge the next morning. Wonderful breakfast...on vacation, I'm all about the hot breakfasts...
The Ha
mpton Inn and a few other places are good there...just don't go south of the overpass to the majority of the town. It's ugly...really ugly...down there... but I hear there's a catch-all type of approach they're looking to apply to improve the town's appeal, at least south of the I-70 exit.
It'll really be a huge improvement.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
I need you!
I've typed on here many times before that I'm covering the more comedic, quick-hit type of reports from our vacation, but I'm going to leave Tammy in charge of hitting the "shock & awe" moments of heading into Colorado Springs, going through the Rockies west of Denver, etc...in fact, I sort of wanted to wait on her to do that until I wrote any more and until I made some overall changes to our blog.
But, as you can probably see, she's not done that.
I've begged, pleaded...I've even offered money.
No dice.
So, I'm enlisting your help. If you're one of the 4.5 people who actually read this thing, take the time right now to flood this entry's comments section or our inbox with pleas that she take 5 minutes of her time to do an entry sometime before Thanksgiving of 2009. It'd be greatly appreciated.
Remember, the blogging you encourage can spur your own.
At rest...
OK, perhaps I should clarify my most recent post...
Those who haven't known me for long - and they've seen my poundage and relative lack of hair, as well as my contacts instead of glasses most days - don't think the photo I borrowed from a friend of a friend's blog for my most previous post looks at all like me...
However, for those who have known me for some time and know that looks reasonably like me, let me clarify - it was NOT me; it's a borrowed photo, and I was only kidding about Tammy snapping that photo - that's why I put the "thanks to Brandy's friend, Scott..." below the photo, but perhaps I wasn't clear.
So, just to clarify...right now...calm as a day in the mountains, cool as a cucumber...
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
You can pick your nose, but you can't pick family
More vacation blogs later, but first, Tammy snapped this quick photo after I got off the phone with Mom earlier tonight...
Thanks to Brandy's friend, who also just happens to be named Scott, for the remotely close likeness physically and the uncanny likeness mentally.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Redemption
When we awoke after our trip to San Antonio's SuperTarget ;) the night before, we got ready, packed, and headed to Panera Bread for breakfast with our hostess with the mostest, Miss Brandy. After getting a family photo in front of Pike's Peak (we'll post later) and saying our goodbyes, we headed over to...Focus on the Family. I just felt an absolute calling to get Michael English's new book The Prodigal Comes Home, and I'd seen it a couple of days earlier in the FOTF bookstore.
What a great, great read. If you're looking for an absolutely honest Christian autobiography that is written with warts and all, you need this book. It is a textbook definition of a life redeemed solely through Christ. I'll take time at some point in the future to talk in more detail about this book and the lynching Christian Contemporary Music circles launched against Michael back in 1994, but that's another blog. Let me just say, though, we left on Thursday morning, I did all the driving, but yet by Monday afternoon I'd finished this 200-plus page book. Awesome read.
Can you tell I've always been a fan of his? Talk about a voice that just doesn't, won't, and hasn't quit.
For now, though, let me leave you with this clip - it's not dubbed from my DVD, but it's a YouTube clip of Michael's performance closing out last year's ('06) Gaither Canadian Homecoming concert in Toronto. Quite frankly, if this doesn't reach out, grab you, and move you, you, my friend, are comatose or dead.
More vacation in the next post...on to Hays, KS.
What a great, great read. If you're looking for an absolutely honest Christian autobiography that is written with warts and all, you need this book. It is a textbook definition of a life redeemed solely through Christ. I'll take time at some point in the future to talk in more detail about this book and the lynching Christian Contemporary Music circles launched against Michael back in 1994, but that's another blog. Let me just say, though, we left on Thursday morning, I did all the driving, but yet by Monday afternoon I'd finished this 200-plus page book. Awesome read.
Can you tell I've always been a fan of his? Talk about a voice that just doesn't, won't, and hasn't quit.
For now, though, let me leave you with this clip - it's not dubbed from my DVD, but it's a YouTube clip of Michael's performance closing out last year's ('06) Gaither Canadian Homecoming concert in Toronto. Quite frankly, if this doesn't reach out, grab you, and move you, you, my friend, are comatose or dead.
More vacation in the next post...on to Hays, KS.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Behind the Music: Brandy McNally
I've taken a lot - a LOT - of shots at Brandy Campbell, our host for the time we were in Colorado Springs. Now, she lists on her website that these shots weren't completely truthful (a notion which I summarily dismiss); however, that not withstanding, I wanted to take a few moments to talk a little about her, how important she is to us, and how her leaving really left a void.
When we headed to and left Colorado Springs, our boys commonly referred to "Brandy and Sabrina" as though they were a single person. Brandy and Sabrina (Price) used to fit right in at our house; one might've thought they could've been charged rent...especially toward the last couple of years Brandy was in town, Sabrina was around a lot more, and they were roommates.
Tammy and I have always been, are now, and probably always will be very social people. We like spending time with our kids and each other, but we also like spending time with other people, too - playing cards, playing games, watching television, or just talking - that's fun for us like nobody's business. It doesn't have to involve money...in fact, with the new emphasis we've taken on becoming debt-free, we'd prefer it not include a huge outlay o'funding. We want to spend time with people that we call and people that call us - it's a two-way street.
On a side note, since Brandy left and Sabrina is on the road a lot with her ministry, that list of drop-of-a-hat fun friends has dried up somewhat. Don't get me wrong - we have great, great friends in Hannibal...but just not too many who probably welcome us calling at any given time and saying, "Hey - get over here and let's do something fun, even if it's watching paint dry...if you're here, we'll find a way to make it fun." We've - or who's kidding who - I've probably been the cause of a lot of answering machine purchases in this region! People probably don't mind hanging around Tammy, but I'm pretty certain they're probably not big fans of me hanging around too often.
You don't realize how good of a friend you have until he or she is gone. We both still feel that void today...most noticeably on Friday or Saturday nights when we're sitting at home. But enough self-pity...
Many times, when I find an opening, I kid good friends unmercifully. And if you've read this blog over the last few days, you know Brandy's been square in my sights. But, I hope she knows how deeply she's loved by this family and how deeply she's missed on a continual basis. We're so proud of the ministry and the huge steps of faith she took in moving to Colorado Springs to start a brand new chapter of her life, and we've seen first-hand God moving dramatically in her life to take her to a level of servanthood she probably didn't even know existed. I can guarantee I'm not anywhere near that level. It's amazing to watch someone who is.
She's traveled around the country and around the globe on mission trips - not because it's her job (though in this most recent case it was), but because she wants to and feels God is calling her to go and share. Let me put this into perspective - she's one of millions around this world who feels God's purpose clearly and completely and is answering it with all her being. But we know her; she's just like family. So, I wanted to make sure to set the record straight - though I wouldn't trust her directions to cross the street, I completely and totally trust in the direction she's receiving and following in her life. We can all be so blessed to have that kind of clarity and opportunity.
When we headed to and left Colorado Springs, our boys commonly referred to "Brandy and Sabrina" as though they were a single person. Brandy and Sabrina (Price) used to fit right in at our house; one might've thought they could've been charged rent...especially toward the last couple of years Brandy was in town, Sabrina was around a lot more, and they were roommates.
Tammy and I have always been, are now, and probably always will be very social people. We like spending time with our kids and each other, but we also like spending time with other people, too - playing cards, playing games, watching television, or just talking - that's fun for us like nobody's business. It doesn't have to involve money...in fact, with the new emphasis we've taken on becoming debt-free, we'd prefer it not include a huge outlay o'funding. We want to spend time with people that we call and people that call us - it's a two-way street.
On a side note, since Brandy left and Sabrina is on the road a lot with her ministry, that list of drop-of-a-hat fun friends has dried up somewhat. Don't get me wrong - we have great, great friends in Hannibal...but just not too many who probably welcome us calling at any given time and saying, "Hey - get over here and let's do something fun, even if it's watching paint dry...if you're here, we'll find a way to make it fun." We've - or who's kidding who - I've probably been the cause of a lot of answering machine purchases in this region! People probably don't mind hanging around Tammy, but I'm pretty certain they're probably not big fans of me hanging around too often.
You don't realize how good of a friend you have until he or she is gone. We both still feel that void today...most noticeably on Friday or Saturday nights when we're sitting at home. But enough self-pity...
Many times, when I find an opening, I kid good friends unmercifully. And if you've read this blog over the last few days, you know Brandy's been square in my sights. But, I hope she knows how deeply she's loved by this family and how deeply she's missed on a continual basis. We're so proud of the ministry and the huge steps of faith she took in moving to Colorado Springs to start a brand new chapter of her life, and we've seen first-hand God moving dramatically in her life to take her to a level of servanthood she probably didn't even know existed. I can guarantee I'm not anywhere near that level. It's amazing to watch someone who is.
She's traveled around the country and around the globe on mission trips - not because it's her job (though in this most recent case it was), but because she wants to and feels God is calling her to go and share. Let me put this into perspective - she's one of millions around this world who feels God's purpose clearly and completely and is answering it with all her being. But we know her; she's just like family. So, I wanted to make sure to set the record straight - though I wouldn't trust her directions to cross the street, I completely and totally trust in the direction she's receiving and following in her life. We can all be so blessed to have that kind of clarity and opportunity.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Back to the Future
I also toyed with titling this entry "Scott, his pet boy Sherman, and the WayBack machine," but I was woefully afraid no one would know what the heck I was talking about.
On the Wednesday of our trip to Colorado, we awoke to head north to Denver and parts west - shortly after securing a one-day fishing license for yours truly (the boys fished for free in the great state of Colorado).
I've detailed before that I hadn't been to Colorado in nearly 20 years, and Tammy & the kids hadn't ever been there before this trip. This is where this point comes in handy...I was lucky as a kid - we were able to head to California nearly every year for like 5-6 straight years (and then another 4-5 straight years after that following a couple of years break). Every year, we'd drive through Colorado and head west on scenic Highway 6 between Golden and Idaho Springs, and we'd pull off on the side of the road next to Clear Creek and let me fish, throw rocks, etc.
This year, we headed north from Colorado Springs and got into Denver, driving past Mile High/Invesco Field, Coors Field, and Six Flags over Denver before exiting onto I-70 and subsequently Highway 6. I'll let Tammy write another time about the scenic beauty of literally driving through and at the base of the Rocky Mountains, but I'll write about this part - sure enough, about 10 miles into our Highway 6 trip, we ran across the same pull-off I used to stop at two decades ago. What a true treat to spend time with my wife and kids at the same spot I was able to have so many special moments as a child. It was just awesome.
Then later, we headed out I-70, windows still down, moonroof open, and breathing in all of that fresh, 70-degree cedar and pine air and went through tunnels and over mountains. A real treat for the kids was going thru the Eisenhower Tunnel just west of Georgetown and east of Dillon. It takes nearly 2 minutes to go through this tunnel at 60mph, to give you a handle on how big this thing is (if you've never traveled through it yourself).
Once we returned to Colorado Springs, we met up with Ms. Brandy, and after the boys had a brief dip in the pool (on a relatively cool evening, though the pool was heated with the overflow from the outdoor hot tub), we headed to a guided (by Brandy, of course) tour through Compassion International. Brandy, of course, is a staff writer for this great organization that does so much with so little. Tammy and I are prayerfully considering sponsoring a child in the organization. Brandy does a tremendous job for them, and we're proud of her work there.
But, then Brandy had to get us somewhere else in Colorado Springs. And, again, here's where Brandy McNally came up aces.
Tammy told Brandy she would like to go to a Target to stock back up on lunch meat, snacks, etc for lunches & snacks on the drive home. So, Brandy, being the great hostess she can be (did I mention she gave us great welcoming gifts when we arrived - welcoming gifts, friends...welcoming gifts!), she directed us from Compassion to the nearest Target store. We were all talking on the cell phone with Sabrina during the trip, and we ended up having a very detailed conversation with Ms. Price. This is because our SuperTarget we were shopping at was located in Tuscon.
Seriously, it was in Colorado Springs, but like, oh, 50-60 minutes away. Seriously - I had digested my meal already once we had arrived at Target.
OK. Anyway, we get to Target...oh, sorry - SuperTarget - at around 9:45. We're no sooner in the store - which assumedly was open 24 hours - when I hear, "Attention, SuperTarget shoppers: we will be closing in 15 minutes. Please complete any shopping and bring all items to the store front for transactions at this time."
WE JUST GOT THERE. I ran up to Tammy, Brandy, and David (Jonathan & I had just visited the SuperMen'sRoom) and said, "Did you guys hear that? They're closing in 15 minutes."
They were knee-deep in a quick-to-end conversation with Sabrina, so they hadn't heard.
And, our shopping spree began. Ever seen one of those old Laverne & Shirley shows where they've won a shopping spree & are running around the store? That would be us. Again, I'll leave the details for Tammy to write regarding her take on the deal, but the workers there were less than kind, to say the least.
Anyway, and that's how that day went. On to the departure tomorrow. But first...
On the Wednesday of our trip to Colorado, we awoke to head north to Denver and parts west - shortly after securing a one-day fishing license for yours truly (the boys fished for free in the great state of Colorado).
I've detailed before that I hadn't been to Colorado in nearly 20 years, and Tammy & the kids hadn't ever been there before this trip. This is where this point comes in handy...I was lucky as a kid - we were able to head to California nearly every year for like 5-6 straight years (and then another 4-5 straight years after that following a couple of years break). Every year, we'd drive through Colorado and head west on scenic Highway 6 between Golden and Idaho Springs, and we'd pull off on the side of the road next to Clear Creek and let me fish, throw rocks, etc.
This year, we headed north from Colorado Springs and got into Denver, driving past Mile High/Invesco Field, Coors Field, and Six Flags over Denver before exiting onto I-70 and subsequently Highway 6. I'll let Tammy write another time about the scenic beauty of literally driving through and at the base of the Rocky Mountains, but I'll write about this part - sure enough, about 10 miles into our Highway 6 trip, we ran across the same pull-off I used to stop at two decades ago. What a true treat to spend time with my wife and kids at the same spot I was able to have so many special moments as a child. It was just awesome.
Then later, we headed out I-70, windows still down, moonroof open, and breathing in all of that fresh, 70-degree cedar and pine air and went through tunnels and over mountains. A real treat for the kids was going thru the Eisenhower Tunnel just west of Georgetown and east of Dillon. It takes nearly 2 minutes to go through this tunnel at 60mph, to give you a handle on how big this thing is (if you've never traveled through it yourself).
Once we returned to Colorado Springs, we met up with Ms. Brandy, and after the boys had a brief dip in the pool (on a relatively cool evening, though the pool was heated with the overflow from the outdoor hot tub), we headed to a guided (by Brandy, of course) tour through Compassion International. Brandy, of course, is a staff writer for this great organization that does so much with so little. Tammy and I are prayerfully considering sponsoring a child in the organization. Brandy does a tremendous job for them, and we're proud of her work there.
But, then Brandy had to get us somewhere else in Colorado Springs. And, again, here's where Brandy McNally came up aces.
Tammy told Brandy she would like to go to a Target to stock back up on lunch meat, snacks, etc for lunches & snacks on the drive home. So, Brandy, being the great hostess she can be (did I mention she gave us great welcoming gifts when we arrived - welcoming gifts, friends...welcoming gifts!), she directed us from Compassion to the nearest Target store. We were all talking on the cell phone with Sabrina during the trip, and we ended up having a very detailed conversation with Ms. Price. This is because our SuperTarget we were shopping at was located in Tuscon.
Seriously, it was in Colorado Springs, but like, oh, 50-60 minutes away. Seriously - I had digested my meal already once we had arrived at Target.
OK. Anyway, we get to Target...oh, sorry - SuperTarget - at around 9:45. We're no sooner in the store - which assumedly was open 24 hours - when I hear, "Attention, SuperTarget shoppers: we will be closing in 15 minutes. Please complete any shopping and bring all items to the store front for transactions at this time."
WE JUST GOT THERE. I ran up to Tammy, Brandy, and David (Jonathan & I had just visited the SuperMen'sRoom) and said, "Did you guys hear that? They're closing in 15 minutes."
They were knee-deep in a quick-to-end conversation with Sabrina, so they hadn't heard.
And, our shopping spree began. Ever seen one of those old Laverne & Shirley shows where they've won a shopping spree & are running around the store? That would be us. Again, I'll leave the details for Tammy to write regarding her take on the deal, but the workers there were less than kind, to say the least.
Anyway, and that's how that day went. On to the departure tomorrow. But first...
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