The Way

Most of us really like change as long as it is happening to someone else. When it comes to land in our own lives and in our own homes, it definitely takes on a whole new connotation. I am all about change, especially when I am consulting a church, leading others, and talking about how to get at it differently. I am little less enthused with change when it hits me square in the chest. And . . . change has hit me square in the chest. Sondra and I have been married for 25 years, have two incredible daughters and a not so incredible dog, but she is a dog and does not really count in this conversation. Change hit us last Thursday/Friday. Morgan is now a college student and has had the audacity to join her sister at Union (her sister left us two years ago). The house is quiet; we have to take care of the dog (scratch that . . . that is the same. It is their dog but we have always been the ones to care for that four legged beast); picking up the trash takes about half as long; laundry loads...

It was nice to be at home most of last week and then on Friday morning I headed out to Ft. Myers, FL to be a part of the SW FL SS Conference. I have to admit that I am not a big fan of Delta Airlines, in fact, most of the time I work hard avoiding their carrier. It was not an option this time so I boarded a flight to ATL (all flights on Delta go thru ATL) seated in a row with two of the largest men I have ever flown with. I had the aisle, they had the rest of the three seat row. I had about 2/3 of my seat. Arm rests up w/ the exception of the one on the aisle. It was buried about 6 inches into my ribs. But, I have to say, these two guys were extremely pleasant to be around. Not that large people are not pleasant, but many of them I have sat beside wedge into the seat and then spread out and just assume I want 1/3 of the seat I paid for and they can have the other 2/3s. Most of the trip consisted of layovers. . . in fact, long layovers. Lots of sitting around. Lots of opportunities to...

I do not like writing this blog entry. There. I said it. I do not like writing this particular blog entry because unless you have been in a cave lately, you know that Tiger's life is a mess, Mel, well, he is a mess as well, and Paul, yep, me, that one, is a mess too. How does it happen that people do stupid things? How is it that we all "fall short of the glory of God"? And, I know what you are probably thinking, "what did Paul do?" No big announcements of gross sin forthcoming. No tales of lurid affairs, running around with shady characters, and no videos of me doing something I should not be doing. But, I do have to tell you, my life and my actions are far from perfect. I get mad a people who drive slowly in the "speed lane". I get impatient when things do not go as I think they should. I think less of people than God does way too often. I feel entitled to many things when I have no "right" or reason to feel that way. My thoughts are at...

Last Friday I flew to Jackson, MS via Chicago and spoke three times at the Growing Churches Conference in Brandon, MS at Crossgates Church. Great group of youth leaders and got to reacquaint with Kipp Smith is a wonderful youth minister going at it into his late 40s. Also, Ken Hall at the MS Baptist Convention is a great guy and good to see him as well. The team that put the conference together is one of the best I have worked with. Great job of communicating and everything was very well done. Saturday night I flew to Orlando and met my family who had driven from home and on Sunday we worshipped at FBC, Orlando; met our friends the Keators and then drove to Sarasota. The Keators are letting us use their condo this week and it is very nice. We have enjoyed the pool and the beach. Great times with the girls. We will try to put some pics up somewhere I am sure.