The past couple of nights some guys from a small group I'm in at church, as well as my 5 year old son (trying to teach him early to care about people), have gone to the home of an older lady in our church who needed assistance with some minor repairs and maintenance (mowing, trimming, fix-it projects) around her house.
Last night, one of the guys and I were trimming back a bush; one of those bushes that is a combination rosebush/old tree/vine-covered mass. The kind where, even while wearing work gloves, you can easily get cut because you can't tell what you're dealing with. In the middle of our "trim it to the ground" assault on the bush, we stopped suddenly when we noticed, hidden underneath a cluster of vines, a small bird's nest containing five speckled eggs. I'm amazed that in our effort to complete our work that we even noticed the neatly prepared home of a very industrious mother bird.
And that got me to thinking, how many times in life do I get so focused on a task that I overlook the beauty all around me? Or how often do I not see the forest for the trees? Or, more recently, miss the beautiful eggs and nest hidden beneath tangled vines?
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Fun on Friday- Phrases I Try to Avoid Using
Here are some commonly used phrases or cliches that I try to never use, although a couple slip out from time to time:
"give 110%"
"think outside the box"
"uh" or "ummm"
"you know what I'm saying"
"it is what it is"
"take it to the next level"
"that's what I'm talking about"
"we just need to do what we do"
"get outside your comfort zone"
"bring something to the table"
Are there some phrases or cliches that you really dislike? I'd love to know some of the ones that you don't like to use. I'm certain there are some good (or bad) ones I've left off this list.
"give 110%"
"think outside the box"
"uh" or "ummm"
"you know what I'm saying"
"it is what it is"
"take it to the next level"
"that's what I'm talking about"
"we just need to do what we do"
"get outside your comfort zone"
"bring something to the table"
Are there some phrases or cliches that you really dislike? I'd love to know some of the ones that you don't like to use. I'm certain there are some good (or bad) ones I've left off this list.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Statistics to Ponder
Interesting recent statistical data:
According to the Pew Center on the States (based on 2007 statistics), 1 in 31 American adults is included in the correctional population (prison, jail, probation or parole) of the United States; 7.3 million people in total.
GW: 1 in 31 is astounding to me. Take a trip to your local mall food court: 1 in 31. Go to a football game at Neyland Stadium: 1 in 31. That's alot of people.
A recent report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that, in 2007, almost 40% of all children born in the US were born to single moms.
GW: I'm not even talking biblically or morally here but practically. Common sense tells us that a family (Dad and Mom and children) is best. While some women may choose to parent on their own, far more men shirk their responsibilities. Sadly, they'll never know what they are missing. Grow up, be a man, be a Dad. As the Dad in a two-parent home, I can't imagine how hard it must be for single parents. I also can't imagine how hard it must be on the children.
According to the Pew Center on the States (based on 2007 statistics), 1 in 31 American adults is included in the correctional population (prison, jail, probation or parole) of the United States; 7.3 million people in total.
GW: 1 in 31 is astounding to me. Take a trip to your local mall food court: 1 in 31. Go to a football game at Neyland Stadium: 1 in 31. That's alot of people.
A recent report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention shows that, in 2007, almost 40% of all children born in the US were born to single moms.
GW: I'm not even talking biblically or morally here but practically. Common sense tells us that a family (Dad and Mom and children) is best. While some women may choose to parent on their own, far more men shirk their responsibilities. Sadly, they'll never know what they are missing. Grow up, be a man, be a Dad. As the Dad in a two-parent home, I can't imagine how hard it must be for single parents. I also can't imagine how hard it must be on the children.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Good Friday
As we remember Good Friday and the sacrifice of our Savior.........Recently, without prompting on our part, Parker drew this picture. I realize that the dimensions may not be perfect but his attention to detail was well thought out. It may not show clearly but there are nails (in grey) and blood (in red) on the hands and feet of Jesus as drawn in the photo.
But what is missing may be most telling. In the picture of Christ on the cross, as drawn, Christ does not have a smiling face. What is interesting is that in every picture that Parker draws (every picture of himself; every picture of Mommy, Daddy or Turner; every elephant, bird or giraffe; every picture) everyone has a smiling face. But not Christ on the cross. When we asked why Christ was not smiling, Parker replied, "Because it hurt Jesus to die on the cross".
May we never forget.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
All Things Work Together
Romans 8:28 reads, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose". This verse comes in the context of a section of scripture that explains that life is not always easy but, for the Christ-follower, it is always purposeful- that we may be "conformed to the image of His Son" (verse 29). However, we may not always understand the purpose until some time later.
In August 2007, when our son Turner was just two months old, he had to have double hernia repair surgery. When we were told that surgery would be necessary, we began to do some research. We learned this was a fairly standard procedure, not completely uncommon in infant boys. "They do them all the time", one friend offered. What we learned is that hernia repair surgery is considered a minor procedure, except that it's a MAJOR procedure when it's your own child. We were blessed in that Turner's surgery went very well and he has had no other hernia troubles.
Yesterday morning, I went to Children's Hospital to visit a little girl in our church who was heading into surgery. As I stood over her bed, my mind raced back to 20 months ago when Turner had his surgery. In that moment, I realized that part of what God wanted to teach me during Turner's surgery (to completely trust Him) allowed me to help the girl and her family. I was able to tell the girl and her parents about how the surgery staff wears funny hats, how they take good care of you, how much God loves us and how positive our experience at Children's had been. And I realized that all things really do work together.
While I would have preferred that Turner would have never needed surgery, God used that experience in the life of our family to allow me to better comfort a sick little girl. And to represent Him, in His image. He is always at work.
In August 2007, when our son Turner was just two months old, he had to have double hernia repair surgery. When we were told that surgery would be necessary, we began to do some research. We learned this was a fairly standard procedure, not completely uncommon in infant boys. "They do them all the time", one friend offered. What we learned is that hernia repair surgery is considered a minor procedure, except that it's a MAJOR procedure when it's your own child. We were blessed in that Turner's surgery went very well and he has had no other hernia troubles.
Yesterday morning, I went to Children's Hospital to visit a little girl in our church who was heading into surgery. As I stood over her bed, my mind raced back to 20 months ago when Turner had his surgery. In that moment, I realized that part of what God wanted to teach me during Turner's surgery (to completely trust Him) allowed me to help the girl and her family. I was able to tell the girl and her parents about how the surgery staff wears funny hats, how they take good care of you, how much God loves us and how positive our experience at Children's had been. And I realized that all things really do work together.
While I would have preferred that Turner would have never needed surgery, God used that experience in the life of our family to allow me to better comfort a sick little girl. And to represent Him, in His image. He is always at work.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Opening Day
Almost like the changing of the seasons, baseball's Opening Day means spring is here and summer will soon follow.
I'm a Toronto Blue Jays fan. Why does a Knoxville native follow the Blue Jays? The Knoxville area is full of Braves fans. Lots of Knoxvillians follow the Reds or the Cardinals. Of course, you can always find some Yankees or Red Sox fans no matter where you are. But you don't run into many Blue Jays fans. It all goes back to my childhood.
When I was growing up, the major league club in Toronto had a AA farm team in Knoxville, the Knoxville Blue Jays, known as the K-Jays. Back then, on Monday nights during the summer, a family could take their church bulletin from the day before to the K-Jays games and get in free. Free. The whole family. Parking was also free at the old Bill Meyer Stadium. The experience at the ballpark was not necessarily first class. Looking back, poor plumbing, faulty wooden bleachers down the right field line and poor sight lines were all part of the mix. But that's not what I remember most. What I remember most is that I was getting to watch guys who would soon be playing in the major leagues (Cecil Fielder, Jesse Barfield, Fred McGriff and others); great seats (they probably weren't great seats but because so few people went to games on Mondays, the seats seemed pretty great to me); and from time to time we would get ice cream in a mini-batting helmet. There's no better way to eat ice cream!
Fun memories. Go Blue Jays. Enjoy the baseball season.
I'm a Toronto Blue Jays fan. Why does a Knoxville native follow the Blue Jays? The Knoxville area is full of Braves fans. Lots of Knoxvillians follow the Reds or the Cardinals. Of course, you can always find some Yankees or Red Sox fans no matter where you are. But you don't run into many Blue Jays fans. It all goes back to my childhood.
When I was growing up, the major league club in Toronto had a AA farm team in Knoxville, the Knoxville Blue Jays, known as the K-Jays. Back then, on Monday nights during the summer, a family could take their church bulletin from the day before to the K-Jays games and get in free. Free. The whole family. Parking was also free at the old Bill Meyer Stadium. The experience at the ballpark was not necessarily first class. Looking back, poor plumbing, faulty wooden bleachers down the right field line and poor sight lines were all part of the mix. But that's not what I remember most. What I remember most is that I was getting to watch guys who would soon be playing in the major leagues (Cecil Fielder, Jesse Barfield, Fred McGriff and others); great seats (they probably weren't great seats but because so few people went to games on Mondays, the seats seemed pretty great to me); and from time to time we would get ice cream in a mini-batting helmet. There's no better way to eat ice cream!
Fun memories. Go Blue Jays. Enjoy the baseball season.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The Right Thing To Do
Last Friday, they backed out of the driveway at 1:46 PM. I know because I purposely looked at my watch as the moment happened. As Tonya shifted the car into drive and they headed down the street headed toward a 2:15 PM doctor appointment, Parker looked up, smiled and waved. He was headed to the doctor for a check-up (I remained at home to stay with Turner during his nap). This was not just any check-up, this was the check-up where a child receives multiple shots so he can attend kindergarten. And while we had discussed what to expect with Parker, I couldn't help but wonder, as he smiled and headed down the street, "Does he really understand what's about to happen?" Does he know what lies ahead?".
As the next couple of hours passed, I divided my time between wishing I could be there to support Parker while at the same time being thankful that I didn't have to go. Time was spent alternately between praying for Parker (and Tonya) and trying not to think about or "dwell" on what was happening.
If you are a parent, you try to protect your child from painful situations. But sometimes, as in this case, it was for Parker's good. It was the right thing to do. For Parker's health, for his education, for his future, though temporarily painful, it was the right thing to do.
Here's The Point: Many times in life, we try to avoid painful situations. We don't want to go through tough times. But sometimes, rather than running, we just need to tough it out, to live through it, to deal with our situation. Because it's probably temporary. And because it's the right thing to do.
By the way, at exactly 4:30 PM on Friday, Tonya and Parker arrived back home. Wearing three really cool Charlie Brown/Snoopy bandages, holding a gift we had promised him for after he got his shots and with a promise of a chocolate shake that night, Parker was in great shape. He'd made it through the tough times (he'll proudly tell you he teared up but didn't cry); he'd been immunized against disease; and he was prepared to begin his elementary education. It was the right thing to do.
As the next couple of hours passed, I divided my time between wishing I could be there to support Parker while at the same time being thankful that I didn't have to go. Time was spent alternately between praying for Parker (and Tonya) and trying not to think about or "dwell" on what was happening.
If you are a parent, you try to protect your child from painful situations. But sometimes, as in this case, it was for Parker's good. It was the right thing to do. For Parker's health, for his education, for his future, though temporarily painful, it was the right thing to do.
Here's The Point: Many times in life, we try to avoid painful situations. We don't want to go through tough times. But sometimes, rather than running, we just need to tough it out, to live through it, to deal with our situation. Because it's probably temporary. And because it's the right thing to do.
By the way, at exactly 4:30 PM on Friday, Tonya and Parker arrived back home. Wearing three really cool Charlie Brown/Snoopy bandages, holding a gift we had promised him for after he got his shots and with a promise of a chocolate shake that night, Parker was in great shape. He'd made it through the tough times (he'll proudly tell you he teared up but didn't cry); he'd been immunized against disease; and he was prepared to begin his elementary education. It was the right thing to do.
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