RE:think

Lots of Stuff Swimming Around

That's what I have in my head right. There are a few topics I want to discuss and will post on soon. So stay tuned. I haven't gone anywhere....

Project 12

This past Sunday Evette and I celebrated 12 years of marriage. It was a special day even if fairly ordinary. Anytime I get the chance to celebrate OUR day with my best friend is cool.

So this year I wanted to do something different and special for her. What I came up with was what our good friend Kristine dubbed "Project 12". I gathered a few words from friends and family about Evette, myself, and what they think of us and our marriage. I got many wonderful responses and they came from everywhere. Family, friends around town, and our dear blogging friends.

I printed it all pretty like on some fancy paper and gave it to Evette. She loved it. We thank all of you who participated and it was awesome celebrating with you.

Mom watched the kids and we went out dinner and a movie. I love the little rugrats, but it is always nice to enjoy a meal with it being just the two of us. After dinner we went to see National Treasure 2 and found it to be very entertaining.

So here's to many more years with my awesome sweetheart....

Briannah Update II

OK, so we made down today and saw the doctor. He told us the curve was a little larger at 20 degrees. 30 degrees is when we start to talk about a brace and since she is growing so much right now, we'll go see him every four months for the next little bit. She's really worried about having to wear a brace. But the news was pretty good overall.

Plus we had some fun! The weather was great, sunny and 55. We visited to the Apple Store and Guitar Center. Two of my favorite places and I was able to get out without spending a dime! Bri was blown away by both. We had lunch at the mall and desert later at Applebee's. It was a really good day. Here are a few pics from our day out...

Apple baby!!!

DJ BeBe!!!

Rawk!!!

Technorati Tags: scoliosis,apple store,guitar center,knoxville

Briannah Update

We got half way to Knoxville on Tuesday and the appointment was canceled due to bad weather. So we go back on Monday. Thanks so much for the prayers...

Be Praying

I take Briannah to Knoxville tomorrow for her yearly scoliosis checkup. I  mentioned here a few months ago, I think, that she was diagnosed with Juvenile Scoliosis. It occurs in children ages 3-10. She was diagnosed a little over a year ago when she was still seven.

It's worrisome because 70% of those diagnosed have to have either a brace or surgery. That 70% is split about 50/50 between the brace and surgery.

Just by sight it doesn't appear there has been any additional curving of her spine and she has never suffered any pain or had any debilitating effects. So we are very hopeful.

If you think about it tomorrow please send up a prayer for my precious little BeBe...

Super Tuesday Primary and My Vote

My state, Tennessee, is one of those holding it's primary on Super Tuesday (Feb 5th) along with about 20 other states. Here in Tennessee we do not register to vote with a party affiliation. I have always voted in the Republican Primary.

This time around I am voting in the Democrat Primary.

Why? Of the GOP candidates that will still be around I don't really have a true preference. So in an election where I can hardly find anyone to vote for, at least the Democrat primary will let me vote against someone. That someone will be Hillary.

My biggest preference in this election is someone who is not a complete DC insider. Will it make a huge difference? Probably not, but I just want anyone not named Bush or Clinton. If she wins and wins reelection that will mean 28 years of our country being led by the same TWO families! Do people not realize this!

I don't know if an outsider can make a dent in the establishment, but it sure is worth a try.

Are you voting in a primary?

Technorati Tags: Election 2008,Hillary Clinton,GOP,Democrat Party

Shackles: So What's the Answer?

I think we all know that the only road to freedom is Jesus Christ. That's a given for those of us who follow him. He said he came to seek and save the lost and when he left he charged us to go into all the world and spread his good news. There will be some people we run across who are ready to hear about him straight away. Many though will need a relationship with you first.

I look at the way Jesus did it in the Gospels, he always had the message. That was a given. He was ready to share it with all who would listen. But another thing I noticed is that he nearly always had something tangible to offer the community he was visiting with whether it was one of his miracle or just his friendly presence. He literally set free many from their physical burdens as signs of the Kingdom that he proclaimed was "at hand". He also was a regular friend to many and spent time with them. He would share meals and attend community functions as a guest (i.e. weddings, etc.). In this way he modeled ministry, IMHO, for us.

There are so many hurting people out there in need as Jake said in a prior comment. It is impossible for us to reach them all. It truly can be overwhelming. But I think the key is, and this is a "no duh" statement, living and moving amongst these struggling people with the love of Jesus. So how do we take this out into the world and not "leave Christ on the street" to quote a Caedmon's Call lyric?

Here are the things I think each of us can do to accomplish this mission:

1. Don't take our mundane daily routines for granted.

We all have a rhythm to our lives. Even the most unorganized of us are in the same places doing the same things regularly. While moving through these rhythms we come in contact, daily, with people who are shackled. You know some of them well and others not so much. Either way, Jesus called us "a city on a hill" and told us we are the "light of the world". If we follow Jesus as best we can, that light will shine and God will be glorified. They'll see another way.

Even as I try to follow Jesus I see others who's light burns brighter than maybe my own (at least in my eyes) and I see that there is even more still. That's how I know for myself that Jesus works through us and reveals more of his Kingdom.

This idea fits well with the "regular customer" notion that Fred put out there. We are all a regular customer somewhere whether it's by choice or convenience. Use that as an opportunity. When you go to the local grocery or big box store be kind to those who serve you. If possible see if you can get in the line of the same cashier every now and then if not all the time. Be kind, help them bag your things, and ask them how things are going. Many of them are glad to have someone to talk to.

2. Persistent Presence

This goes hand in had with the first point, but I still want break it out. I think that it's very important for us to develop a consistent and persistent presence at places outside our homes and churches. When we do this, we develop relationships with people that we'd never have the chance to by inviting them to church or over to the house for dinner. These venues allow for real relationships to form between Christians and not yet Christians because they are either neutral or home turf for those we meet. Some people need that first. Handing them a tract or asking them where they would go if they died tonight will do very little.

This "strategy" takes some time and we have to be committed to the long haul. It may take a good bit of time before the chance to share the Good News with them comes along. It also means we may become friends with someone who never "gets it". Lots of Christians would tell you if this is the case, then you've wasted your time. They will throw out one of their favorite lines about swine and pearls. But how much do we really care about them if being a friend is not at or near the top of our list?

There is a little Chinese Restaurant that I make it a point to have lunch at once a week. I walk in take my seat and head to the buffet. When I get back my Diet Pepsi is waiting for me without me having to say one word. When my waitress returns, she asks how things are and we talk for a bit about various things. Sometimes she will mention a sick family member or a problem with one of her children. I don't know that I have ever told anyone about my lunches there, but they have become a very sacred part of my week. I couldn't spend 10 dollars any better way. Plus the Mongolian Pork is outstanding!

3. Learn to Listen

I say learn, because most of us, including me, can always do better at listening. Even if they don't spell it out, most people will tell you everything you need to know about their situation. Heck, lots of people will unload it all after just meeting you.

We do this because there seems to be a need in all of us for peace. We tell our stories not just because we like to talk about us, but because we all know there is something missing. We look for others ideas on things and seek advice. We know our stories aren't perfect and it's in our nature to have them redeemed. Sometimes we try to redeem them ourselves and make the cuffs fit much tighter.

If we are actively listening, then we will know all we need to know. Some people are good at hiding things but eventually we'll get keyed in. Listen and be sure the person speaking to you KNOWS you are listening.

So, I guess that's all I have to say for now. I hope that I've made my point easy to grasp. I don't really know how well I do that. It's mostly just good for me to write and talk about these things because it helps me in joining God in his work. It gets me in a Kingdom mindset and reminds me that redemption is something many many people are seeking.

Gibson Robot Guitar

This is pretty cool...

Technorati Tags: Gibson, Robot Guitar

Shackles: Does it Matter?

In my last post I told you about the people we see everyday that are struggling with life and all of its circumstances. They are bound up by virtual shackles and think they have no way out. I gave a few examples of who these people are and what they may be dealing with.

After writing that post and thinking about these men, women, and children who’s lives have become hell on earth, I found myself a bit overwhelmed.

I took each of my children out this weekend at different times to get some alone time with them. Part of that time was spent out eating at restaurants. It’s something I like to do as often as is possible. If you have kids I encourage one on one meals with them.

I had dinner on Saturday night with my oldest daughter, Zxyan after taking her to run her errand at the mall. It was a good time with lots of laughter. While we were eating I spotted an older man sitting alone having dinner. No laughter there. I immediately noticed that he didn’t look very happy. I was running possibilities through my mind. Widower? Failing health? Just plain mean? ☺

So I asked Zxyan to look over and tell me what she thought. “He looks like he’s not very happy.” I asked what she thought was possibly causing his unhappiness if she had to guess. “Does it matter?”

Part of getting so overwhelmed by those who suffer around us is trying to get to many details. I for one am afraid I can be no help unless I have him or her all figured out first. Sure, there are things I am better equipped to handle than others, but at the start I need to have more of a “does it matter” attitude. They are hurting and need help. I know the answer (and will get to it in future post). It may be that I give it to them or someone else, but the answer tells me I need to get the ball rolling either way.

Getting the info you need to help is essential. I am not saying we do not need it. But when it moves to the point of paralyzing us, then nothing is accomplished.

I will move on tomorrow and talk about the “answer”. And here is a hint, it’s not us and it’s much more powerful than any of us have ever thought…

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Shackles

Imagine if you will a set of shackles. Those hideous contraptions used to restrict the motion of the arms and legs by binding hands and ankles together with a chain. Picture these gray/silver cuffs and rusty chains. They are ugly and their intent is not masked.

Imagine the coldness of their touch.  Feel the tightness around your wrists and they way they cut into your ankles when walking.

Imagine trying to do anything of consequence while wearing them. You can barely walk much less run. You can't reach certain parts of your own body with your own hands. Danger is hard to avoid and their is no fun to be had.

You're shackled. You're a prisoner. In an open field you are still not free. Rest does not come easy. Laying down requires folding your body up. There is no stretching out. No comfort.

Holding those you love is not completely satisfying. Smiling doesn't seem an option and has to be faked. Laughing and enjoying anything is simply not an option.

Now throw away the picture of the physical shackles. Do you know how many people around you are shackled by this world? They are bound up and chained by life and it's circumstances. They are bound up by their own selfish and destructive behaviors. You've heard about them often. Like me, you may be almost numb to them. You may have been one of these people before or maybe you are now.

That co-worker, neighbor, family member, friend, or even fellow church goer may not be wearing cuffs and chains on their wrists and ankles but they are certain bound. They are prisoners of both their own device and that of others.

Sadly, many of them don't even know it, or think it's just the way we all are suppose to live. They go from struggle to struggle with no relief and think "that's just the way it is, some things will never change" to quote an old Bruce Hornsby song. Escape seems impossible.

I see these people all the time. The cashier at Wal-Mart who looks like she can barely go on and hasn't had anything to smile about in ages. The kid walking through the mall alone who's parents are divorced and he has no one to go home to. The waitress who puts on a good face but is betrayed by her tired and weary eyes. The hopeless Dad who hasn't worked for months and can't find a job.

They are literally all around us. They think no one cares and no one loves them. They have been hurt over and over again and many are at the end of their rope.

Think about these men, women, and children for a little while. I'll be back to talk more about them and our roles in relation to them soon. We say we have the answers for them. Let's talk about that a little later.