Quick Catch Up . . . Nothing Earth Shattering

The last week and a half has been pretty much a whirlwind! I was in California and Texas speaking and teaching and loved every minute of it except for the one day I drove from LA to San Diego and the 5 was an angry highway. I love how people on the west coast talk about their highways. The 5, the 405, the . . . it is like their highways are real live people or something. Anyway, even though the highway was angry, the view was pretty sweet.

Monday this past week, my boss and I flew to Tampa and back for a meeting. Great meeting; nice to be out just during the day and sleep in my own bed that night. Thank you Southwest Airlines!

Work has been incredibly busy and later this week I can tell you about some changes that are already happening for me job wise. I am really excited for an opportunity to reinvent and stretch. It is both scary and overwhelming! but exhilarating.

Today is my wonderful wife's birthday. I will not tell you how old she is but I will tell you that we are both holding on to our 40s, but just barely! We went to the Nashville Symphony on Thurs night and saw Michael W. Smith play with the symphony. It was pretty great to say the least.

Shelbi and Mark are doing pretty good. Shelbi started her nursing job last week and is finding out what it is like to work 12 hour shifts. She is on a general surgery and orthopedic surgery floor. She is doing great I am sure. Mark has been feeling yucky with some allergy stuff and has undergone a bunch of testing. We think he is going to live.

Morgan is in the throes of a busy semester and has been dealing with mono. She seems to be past the sick part of it and now just dealing with all the tiredness. She came home on Friday to surprise her mom for a belated birthday present and then had to head back to Union on Saturday. Great to have her home even if for a short time.

I promise to blog a little more in the future.

Tough Decisions Ahead . . . Politically

I rarely post anything related to politics and know that many might take issue with me on my thoughts, but here goes . .

I did not vote for our current President in '08 because I did not agree with his stance on many issues related to the protection of the unborn; his views on same sex marriage, etc. When he was elected I committed to praying for him like I have every President that I can remember in my lifetime (basically Richard Nixon to now). I am aware that I have limitations on knowing all the facts as it relates to candidates, their past voting records, etc. I publicly announced that I would pray for President Obama and I have done so.

As the election draws near, I find myself more and more conflicted with our two choices of major party candidates. I disagree with many of the decisions that our current administration has made. I do have to say though, this administration pretty much has done what it said it would do before it was put into power.

Mr. Romney seems to be saying many of the same things that I agree with in principle, but a sticking point that I have with him is his view of Jesus. As a young boy, I gave my life to Christ and have grown to have a much deeper understanding of that relationship as I have matured over the last forty plus years. One of the main tenants of my faith and relationship is that Jesus is “the only way to heaven.” Jesus is not only “a” way, but “the” way. Mr. Romney would disagree with that and say that Jesus is not even “a” way. On that particular issue, I would have more in common with our current President who does not deny that Jesus is “a” way to heaven.

I understand that I have a right to vote and I am thankful for the sacrifice of many in days gone by and those currently who are continuing to fight for our freedom as citizens of the United States. I am a proud American. I, however, am struggling with having to vote for one or the other of two candidates that I biblically disagree with in their fundamental faith beliefs and actions. I will be voting for a President. I am pretty sure it will not be for either of the two front runners. I am praying for wisdom.

Baseball, Football, Quiet House

The MLB Playoffs are in full swing and in my opinion, this new format shows how goofy leaders have become in this sport. A one-game playoff and then the Division Series where teams with the better record in the regular season are sent on the road for the first two games. Seems to be no reward for playing well during the regular season. But . . . they get three games at home IF it goes to 5 games. I realize that it did not effect all of the better recorded teams but Selig seems to just be a goober and this is another instance. I remember when MLB used to be fun.

I spent the weekend watching alot of football since Sondra headed to MO to be with her mom (more on that in a minute). The MIZZOU debacle last week of 5 players being suspended for marijuana use; Pinkel announcing a divorce from his wife; etc all led to a miserable performance on the field against that powerhouse Vandy. Now, I like Vandy. I have struck up a casual friendship with Jordan Rodgers, quarterback for Vandy and brother of Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay Packers fame, but MIZZOU losing to them at home was embarrassing. I realize that James Franklin (MIZZOU QB, not Vandy head coach) got injured in the 1st quarter but our performance on the offensive and defensive side of the ball was indicative of distractions and poor coaching. Please Coach Pinkel, help kids know how to live life by modeling behavior that you would want them to emulate.

A Quiet House has been the theme this past four days. Sondra and Sadie (our goofy Westie) left for MO on Sat. to go spend some time with Sondra's mom. They made a stop in Jackson on the way and had lunch with Morgan and Wilson (her beau) and then on to MO. I mentioned earlier that Sondra's mom was not doing very well and is some better I believe but still not back to her norm. Sondra is there to assess the situation (along with her sister Bronwyn who was there last week) so that we can think, pray and plan for the future. None of us like Joyce living so far away from any of us and we want to be careful to do what is best for her.

So, the house is incredibly quiet. Many of you know that Alysha moved in with us back in July, so we kicked her out the last few days since Sondra was gone. Definitely want to avoid the appearance of anything not like Christ and protect all the parties involved. Alysha is a wonderful young lady that we are privileged to have as a part of our family and I shared about her here in an earlier post.

We are still working through some other things that we hope to announce in another week or so that could prove to be incredibly exciting for us. Don't mean to leave you hanging but cannot fully disclose all that is happening quite yet.

Catching You Up . . . You're Getting Sleepy

I have been remiss in blogging the last couple of weeks and some of you have been unable to sleep without the aid of reading my blog late at night. It usually helps people right off to sleep.

Last week was a bit of whirlwind with a trip to Atlanta for a Transform event where I had the privilege of learning alongside of some great youth workers. We covered many of the "basics" in student ministry that I have the arrogance to overlook too many times. It was good to be reminded of the simple things in ministry that tend to make the most impact. On the backside of that trip, I went through Rome, GA to see Shelbi and Mark; catch one of Morgan's roommates who plays soccer for Union play against Shorter College and then get home late Sat. night. Sunday was quick with church, meetings and packing for the D6 Conference in Dallas Mon-Weds.

It was good to be able to spend some time with a couple of ministry friends, Shelby Baucum whom I have mentioned earlier, and Gene Wilkes who I have also mentioned earlier. Two men who have made great contribution in my life. The D6 Conference was great to be a part of too. I had the privilege of leading a couple of breakouts and then was glad to get home on Weds night. This past weekend was at home but I led conferences for the Teach the Bible for Life conference here in Nashville. Another great time spent with youth leaders focusing on doing the small things well in serving others. I came away tired and encouraged.

I head to California and Texas soon and get to teach again at Golden Gate Seminary with my buddy Paul Kelly. Always encouraging to be with him and to learn from him.

A couple of things we would appreciate your prayers for this week especially is Sondra's mom, Joyce Holmes. She is having some health issues that we are trying to get a handle on and have better understanding moving forward. Sondra is making her way there this weekend to spend some time with her mom. Issue #2 is Morgan who has been diagnosed with mono. Last week we were somewhat concerned that it could be something more severe (not that mono is a piece of cake) and we are grateful that it is just mono.

I will be posting some stuff very soon about some exciting changes that are going on with us. It is not meant as a teaser but be praying for us as God shows us how best to get at some new things for us.