Spinning Carrousel

Roaring Lambs

2008-11-15T17:08:00.005-06:00

Roaring Lambs - By Bob Briner - Pg 65

Take, for example, the way in which the pro-abortion movement has entered the mainstream and gained respectability. Pro-abortionists score very well for their cause when they forcefully and all too often correctly, point out that the zeal of pro-lifers seems to wane when confronted with the real needs of children who are allowed to be born. With biting and telling sarcasm they ask where the marchers and demonstraters are when children go to school hungry, live in squalor and disease, are hijacked into the pornography trade and are abused in ever-growing numbers. It is always easier to protest, to carry a placard then it is to do the hard work of providing the cold cup of water in His name. (Besides, the cup of cold water rarely attracts television coverage.) The pro life movement will never succeed to the extent it should until its advocates and all other Christians work just as hard to produce good as we do to denounce evil.

Another Perspective...

2008-10-28T21:53:00.005-05:00

The US Presidential election of 2008 has become similar to the US Presidential election of 2000 in that there has been a sharp divide between "conservatives" and "liberals" over the single issue of abortion. This amidst the backdrop of the first ever black Presidential nominee and an American POW and there's no doubt why there is so much intensity.

As a Christian, I don't resonate with "conservatives" or "liberals" in the current political landscape. Both seem too polarized, too divided, too focused on "their" issues, unable to see beyond "their party" to have a desire to make any kind of significant difference in the world.

So before I offer the title of this entry, another perspective, I'd like to state these core beliefs...

I believe that abortion is Biblically wrong.
I believe that marriage is Biblically defined by one man and one women.
Theses two beliefs are woven into my Christian faith.

Now for another perspective.

I think we as Christians get so wrapped up in "our issues" we selectively rank, order and even at times discard other issues. We have put aside specific things Christ talked about throughout His ministry; countless parables, lessons and actions. And I have to believe He did these things, because they were intrinsically important to His Father. He ministered to the poor, healed the sick, forgave the prostitute and picked a ragamuffin group of ministry-inexperienced fishermen to help change the world.

The consistent reaction I receive from Christians when I talk about issues of poverty, AIDS, the death penalty, genocide or countless other social issues in the states and abroad is a reaction of raised eyebrows, rolled eyes and large gasps.

"But what about abortion Danny?", "What about gay marriage?"

And to that I ask, "What about everything else?"

Jesus' ministry and his commands were as wide as they were deep. As a Christian my heart stirs for more than just "one issue". I long for people to experience change, redemption, renewal and growth through the personal work of Jesus.

So as I have explored and researched the candidates this year, watched and read the political fodder, searched my heart and prayed for some clarity, I have found in fact, very little. One thing I am certain of however is this...

I believe my vote should be similar to the breadth and depth of the ministry of Christ.

Some within the Christian community might label this perspective as "emergent" and immediately categorize it as perspectives similar to Rob Bell, Tony Campolo or Shane Claiborne. I would say in response, "You've missed the point...again."

I'm under no illusion that my perspective will change anyone's vote or cause them to "abandon party lines" but that is not my purpose. My purpose is to offer another perspective so that after this election, when the yard signs are taken down, the news stations are covering something else and we resume our lives post-election, we can look at the world around us through the eyes of Christ. And do so, not with a narrow focus, but with eyes that see humanity, eyes that see compassion, love, forgiveness and justice beyond the tiny compartmentalized bubble we call "our life." I hope we can begin to care far beyond our suburbs, $5 latte's, and Saturday soccer games.

This year I will not vote on one or even two issues alone.
I welcome your thoughts and opinions.

Oprah's "A New Earth" - A Christian Perspective...

2008-04-09T17:26:00.008-05:00

As I worked out today Oprah was on the televisions in our fitness center. I was able to watch several portions of the show and learned Oprah is currently promoting the book A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle. Tolle is most well known for his book The Power of Now and could be considered a new-age philosopher.

Tolle and Winfrey have teamed up and are offering free web based classes that coincide with the book.

To begin, before you read the title of this blog and come with any preconceived notions, I don't believe, we as Christians, should "stick are heads in the sand" to anything "non-Christian." It is vital we have a healthy world view and can be culturally relevant to what is happening around us.

That being said, I believe Christians also have a responsibility to soundly, Biblically interpret what we hear, read, or view.

Here are several close paraphrases from the Oprah show I saw today...

Do you think A New Earth conflicts with other people's religious views? - Oprah.
No, I think just like when you add sugar to tea, it's still tea, it's just sweeter. - Guest

I always thought Jesus came to earth to live, die and resurrect, but He really came to this earth to teach us how to do this thing called life.
- Oprah

There is no death of anything except in appearance - Tolle

Having never read this book, I'll admit that I can't begin to tell you how valid or invalid it is. But what I think I can do without reading the book, is interpret what I saw, do some research and form a basic opinion.

The first discussion about tea and making it sweeter implies that somehow my faith, Christianity in general, needs something added to it. I see this a lot even within the Christian community. We'll ride the wave of programs and trends and books and seminars. Some of them are good and draw us closer to God, while others are just "filler". Jesus Christ doesn't need anything added to Him, nor does the Creator. Throughout the Old Testament it was apparent to see that people of all ages and backgrounds tried to add things to God. Yet in the end God's response was the same, you don't need anything or anyone but me.

The second discussion really surprised me because it's so contradictory to the core believe of Christianity yet even Christians in the audience nodded their heads in agreement. If you subscribe to the fact that Jesus came to this earth to "be a good person" and "show us how to live" then the floor drops out from underneath your belief system. Jesus said numerous times before and after His death that He came so we could have a life eternal. Now, did he show us how to live and how to be a good person, yes! But that was a bonus. His #1 goal was to be a sacrifice for the sins we commit everyday. Prophets in the earliest days didn't write about a "good person", they wrote very specifically about a "Savior". The role of Jesus Christ was predicted before His birth and lived out through His life and death on earth.

The final discussion I saw was an interview with Tolle himself in which he, in length, described that there is really no death. This again is contradictory to Christianity. If you believe there is no death, then Jesus came to earth for nothing. His sacrifice was in vein and the whole premise for Christianity is essentially irrelevant.

Books like A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose aren't by any means new. There have always been practices, religions or programs that encourage individuals to rely on themselves and the world around them to live complete and happy lives. It's interesting that many of the key concepts throughout the book have heavy Christian undertones. Selflessness, peace, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, etc. Yet the book relies on the reader to find these things within themselves and their world. There is no reliance or need for a Savior.

As a Christian I have no problem having open dialog about our culture and the beliefs within our culture. What I would like to encourage Christians to do is to soundly, Biblically interpret what we hear, read, or view. How do those things measure up to what God has said and what He continues to say?

For me, I am well aware that there might be some good principles in Tolle's book. But without Christ, it is my opinion that Tolle's words are empty and ultimately cannot totally satisfy us.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

Confirming Ignorance

2008-03-08T08:44:00.002-06:00

ig·no·rance (ig-ner-uhns)
n. The condition of being uneducated, unaware, or uninformed.

In less than a year we will be electing a new US President. Media coverage on the race has been pretty intense as pundits predict it will be one of the closest races on the Democratic side in years.

Everyone seems to have some opinion on who's running, who they would vote for and who they would not consider. But my use of the word ignorance starts here as some of us don't go beyond an ill-informed opinion.

We base these opinions on small packets of half-truths, innuendos and stereotypes. Our extensive research is based on huge generalities, copious amounts of political email forwards, advice from the pulpit and what the latest radio or TV host tosses up as "truth".

Entering into a discussion about politics having done nothing to extensively research a candidate is ignorant and sadly I see it often.

I have slowly learned that while America waves their flags, ties their ribbons, and enjoys everything that comes with being a free nation, we don't fully appreciate the freedom we bathe in on a daily basis. If we did, the act of voting wouldn't be an option...it would be a necessity. Voting wouldn't be just something we did every two or four years. It would be part of something we were engaged in year round. An active, informed, thriving discussion culminating with a regular vote.

So that is my desire, even for myself and my family. That we would engage in the political process. That we would investigate each candidate and form our opinions around extensive, multi-source research. And that we could have open and well informed discussion about the status of our country, the issues at hand and what the future could like for us and our children.

Passions and Talents: Revealed

2008-02-23T17:39:00.007-06:00

Throughout my time in college, I never came to any realization about the difference between my passions and talents. I lumped them together and figured I would eventually discover what I was talented in and this would develop or lead me to my passions.

Almost three years since graduation and after writing an email to a friend, I had a bit of an "ah-ha" moment...a time when I felt the pieces come together and I've been able to solidify my views on our passions and talents.

I believe God creates each of us with different passions. Things that he has inherently written on our hearts, interwoven on the strands of our DNA. When we do or experience these things, we are not only operating exactly how God created us to operate, but I believe He takes pleasure in seeing His creation do exactly what He designed.

For me, I've discovered a very specific passion since my time in college. Anyone who knows me would probably say my passion is in areas of graphic design, web design, computers, maybe writing, etc. And while I even considered those things in college and would go on to get a degree in those areas, it is not my passion.

My passion is seeing lives changed, especially at the college level. I love investing in the lives of men, one-on-one, speaking God's truth to groups, writing about God's character and helping present Jesus in an applicable, relevant way to a culture that finds it easier to disregard Him. Now THAT is a passion!

But what about the design, web, print, etc.? Those I've discovered, are talents; tools that God has given me to use in my passion. They are good and I enjoy them, but when I'm doing those things, I don't believe I'm operating to the exact specifications of the Creator. Call it 75%, maybe higher, but I don't believe it's 100%.

Could this then be a bit of a conundrum as my current job is 40 hours a week in my talent, not my passion? Three years in March at my work leads me to believe it's not a conundrum at all. I love my job. I think the reason I have so much joy and peace is because God gave it to me, He designed it in me just as He did my passion.

Which draws me to some final thoughts, advice for myself, maybe for you...

It can take years to discover your passion(s). And those passions will slowly evolve and morph depending on where God has you in His plan.
Simultaneously you'll come across your talents. Don't get those confused with your passion. Talents are things you'll need for your passion.
Don't stop searching and seeking God on where you should be and what you're to do. Don't settle and believe where you are is as good as it's gonna get, that God doesn't want to continue to refine and define you and your life. And don't trade a passion for a talent.
If you are in a place, like myself, where you know your 40 hours a week are in a talent, be patient. If you are seeking after what God desires He is going to reward your time and your efforts and deliver you your passion in some way, shape or form.

Passions and talents are uncharted waters for many of us, including myself, because I believe God is constantly shaping and re-shaping them. This is by no means a definitive guide on "How To Do Life" nor should it be used as the basis for any major life decision. It's simply what I've been learning, thinking and writing about.

Hopefully you're encouraged...

The Pursuit of Hapiness

2008-01-21T09:54:00.000-06:00

Days away from finishing John Eldredge's soon-to-be-released "Walking with God" and I felt pressed to include an excerpt.

He's writing about how he recognized himself moving from a place of desire to need. So, he was going from an attitude of "I want this..." to an attitude of "I need this..." Eldredge's thought is that once we move into that place, where we "need" something, that is when we begin to chase things one-by-one in hopes of finding satisfaction. He asserts that those things won't deliver us true satisfaction.

Now this concept isn't new. It's taught often in the church. But as I read, I really resonated with a verse he referenced and the passage that followed.

And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.'
"Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '
"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'
"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

Luke 12:16-21

Eldredge's writing which follows...

"The warning is not about cows on the hills and cash in the mattress. The dangerous turn of the soul described here is what happens in the fellow's heart. I've arrived. Life is good. But not because he has found life in God. There is no greater disaster for the human heart than this - to believe we have found life apart from God. And this shift I've been describing - this coming to believe that what I don't have but long for I actually need - is the opening stages of the disaster. For whatever reasons, we have come to believe that God is not enough."

"And so, whatever else might be the reasons for our disappointments, there is no question that God uses them to draw us to himself. To wean our hearts from every other perceived source of life, so that we might come to find our life in him."

Not Every Gospel Is Equal

2008-01-17T22:48:00.000-06:00

I continue to make my way through a pre-release copy of John Eldredge's "Walking with God." I have one last chapter and it's been really refreshing to get through a variety of topics.

One entry in the book is called "Not Every Gospel Is Equal" and after reading a few lines I knew I was going to like it. I will post several lines below but I'll summarize briefly.

Eldredge asserts that Christians today often will not make distinctions and value judgments between various movements in Christianity, churches or Christians. Citing Matthew 7:1-5 when Jesus said, "Do not judge or you too will be judged."

He counters this idea with John 7:24 "Stop judging by mere appearances and make a right judgement." and Galatians 1:6-9.

Eldredge's point is that Jesus, along with his disciples in writings to early Christians encourages us to make "right distinctions between the true and the false, the accurate and the not-so accurate." Not to make ourselves look better or prove a point, but to make "right judgements." We should feel comfortable holding up each other to the life and teachings of Christ and see if things align. He adds about some faiths, churches, people... "There are just enough Jesus words in there to make them sound like Christianity. But they are not preaching the Gospel Jesus preached."

On this point I agree. And often times I think we (Christians in general and myself included) often error on the side of "not rocking the boat" or "well I shouldn't really judge" when life before us, our churches, our relationships, our faith doesn't align with Christ. We make agreements or we rationalize and remain in something that has "enough Jesus words" to keep us comfortable, our situation manageable.

Eldredge closes this particular entry by talking about a type of Christianity he calls "Christianity and". He only spends a few paragraphs on it, but I'm sure you could spend chapters. The idea is, Christians get so wrapped up in issues or topics they become entangled in those issues and lose their loyalty to and focus in Christ.

For example, it could be "Christianity and conservatism". That people could become more concerned about issues of conservative values than they do drawing people into an intimacy with God. I, like Eldredge, don't have a problem with conservative values, but the focus is what I believe can become twisted. When we couple our faith with the world of politics, social reform, environmentalism, legalism and a variety of issues, those become our faith.

Don't think however, that these issues aren't important. Just like I don't have a problem with conservative values, I fully embrace and engage in political debate, social reform, environmentalism, legalism, etc. But my goal and my desire and my focus should be on how I can introduce people to a deeper intimacy with God through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Three additional points Eldredge makes...

"The heart is central to the Christian life..."
"...we are invited into a conversational intimacy with God..."
"...spiritual warfare is real..."

In closing, as I said at the top, this entry was refreshing and challenging. Not every gospel is equal. We need to make right distinctions and right judgments between the true and the false, the accurate and the not-so accurate. We can't settle for "just enough Jesus words." And our focus or allegiance shouldn't be with Republicans, Democrats, PETA, Evangelicals, denominations or organizations.

Our loyalty should rest with Jesus Christ and with Him alone.

"Walking With God"

2008-01-06T22:35:00.000-06:00

I am in the middle of a pre-release copy of "Walking with God" by John Eldredge. It's a very personal look at what God taught Eldredge over the course of a year. Broken down by the seasons (summer/fall/winter/spring) and mostly from his own journal, this book has given me some incredibly practical approaches to discovering a whole other realm in my relationship with God.

Now I know, for whatever reason, we as people often gravitate to the "next big thing". In our Christian culture I see it a lot. "What church is doing this?" "What preacher or writer came up with some program? We are inundated with 7 steps, 5 principals, 6 lessons, 40 days, 30 minutes.

I like that this particular book is not gimmicky. There isn't any cookie-cutter approach to walking with God. My friend told me tonight, "I wish God just gave me a list of things to do...a bulleted list of how to do life." But that's not how God designed it. It takes more than a list and it takes more then 7 steps, 5 principals, 6 lessons, 40 days or 30 minutes.

When I said this book has opened up a whole other realm in my relationship with God, that doesn't quite articulate it. Try paradigm shift, try 180 degrees, try upside down.

What God began 3-4 months ago, He has continued through this book and at a furious pace. As I have chomped through these pages, my view of God, my communication with God, how He made me, what He has for me, my marriage, my calling, my life...all changing. Some of this change has taken place quickly, other change more slowly. Regardless, it is good.

I'll get into more specifics in the coming days/weeks. I'll close with a excerpt about crisis. I think it will help...

..."When it comes to crises or events that really upset us, this I have learned: you can have God or you can have understanding. Sometimes you can have both. But if you insist on understanding it often doesn't come. And that can create distance between you and God, because you're upset and demanding an explanation in order to move on, but the explanation isn't coming , and so you withdraw a bit from God and lose the grace that God is giving. He doesn't explain everything. But he always offers us himself."

A Season of More and Less

2007-12-26T22:11:00.000-06:00

I don't like New Year's Resolutions, mostly because people break them very early on in the New Year and mostly because I don't think people should wait 365 days to change their life.

That being said, I have come up with some goals for 2008 and to make note, I began several of these things well before January 1, so they are by no means New Year Resolutions. :-)

Write More
Somewhat vague I know, but I would like to write more devotionals for FCA, more blog entries, more commentary about the Christian life, narrations on my own life and maybe a book...non-fiction.
Read More
Somewhat vague as well, but I would like to get through at least a book a month if not two. I already whizzed through two books in Oct/Nov and need to finish another. I'll post my Shelfari list of what I've read and currently reading later.

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog
Shoot More Photos
I need to get out and shoot a bunch more. Hopefully January still has some snow left for me, because winter is a unique season behind the lens. Regardless, the photography has to increase.
Play More
So my wife got me this awesome wedding present and I haven't given it nearly the attention it deserves the last 1.5+ years. Excellent acoustic guitar, built in tuner and pickups. This black beauty deserves better.
Work Less
In order to accomplish the above goals, I must work less. And by work, I mean freelance. I've already begun to ferret out current and long-time clients in a process that has been ongoing for the last year. So, no new clients in 2008 and a complete clearing of the current workload. That will hopefully be completed by February/March 1st.

The Sword and the Trowel

2007-11-06T07:25:00.000-06:00

Our young married small group is currently walking through an extensive sermon series by Mark Driscoll, the head pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, Washington.

The title is Nehemiah: Building a City Within a City and this past week was tremendous.

If you have 30 minutes, watch or listen to this sermon. It's powerful. It's relevant. It's truth.
http://www.marshillchurch.org/sermonseries/nehemiah/week_06.aspx

By the end you'll be slapping bricks together with a trowel, building your walk, you family, your marriage, your ministry your work and wielding a sword to protect them all.

Leadership Lessons...

2007-10-04T23:09:00.000-05:00

As I get close to ramping up the first phase of the largest project I've ever been responsible for, I've learned a really good leadership principle.

Trust 60% of the decisions your employees make and you'll only get 60% of their skills and experience.

There is a reason you have searched high and low, interviewed multiple candidates and eventually selected the team around you. As a manager you're tasked with leading the team, but compromise in times of disagreement and use the collective talents of those around you.

Your projects, goals and work environment will showcase 100% of your team and you'll be 40% more successful than if you tried to do everything by yourself.

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

Leading the Charge...

2007-09-10T07:15:00.000-05:00

Back in June, God had instilled in me a list. This list was in regards to a large project I would be undertaking this year for FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). It will be the largest and most significant project I've ever been entrusted with, which makes this list pretty valuable.

Thanks to Sarah H. for reminding me to post it.

"Remember and refer to these things...

You will need God everyday if you are to succeed
Don't ever doubt the power of prayer
Keep the end in mind, you will get there
People will doubt you and your project
Be financially responsible
Be detail specific
Thank God daily
Seek input throughout the project from staff, students and parents
Guard against a critical spirit, find joy everyday, you are in the middle of Godly, heavenly, Kingdom work!"

Because We're Not Good Enough...

2007-08-03T09:18:00.000-05:00

Throughout the week, I get Google Alerts sent to my work email. Everyday, Google scours the internet and looks for any piece of content with the words "Fellowship of Christian Athletes". Then, they send me an email with links to all the content.

This week I got a link to a blog. It was a bitter blog. A sophomore in college denouncing her faith and sharing the long, broken journey of hypocritical Christians that have jaded her perception on God and His son, Jesus Christ.

The only mention of FCA in her blog was to tell that at one time she had attended FCA at her high school. She reflected on that brief time and said it had done little to change her beliefs. It did however confirm her take on stereotypes.

I closed this blog only to come back to it later this week. It caused me to look at my own faith and all that I have, all that FCA has been given. Yesterday, we found out that FCA has grown tremendously this year, over 18% staff growth. Our field staff is better funded then any time in our 52+ year history. We're beginning ground-breaking projects in September that were a result of $10 million given by generous donors.

I'm doing what I love to do on a daily basis and getting paid for it. I have a great house, a beautiful Godly wife, money in the bank, food in the fridge and the ability to physically get out of bed each morning.

The overwhelming phrase that came to me this morning, as I read His Word was "because we're not good enough." I nor the entire staff at FCA is talented enough to explain the growth and success of our ministry. It baffles the mind. Through market woes, through Katrina, through struggling foreign affairs, we continue to prosper. Sure, I work with and know some of the most Godly, talented, passionate men and women. But alone, we couldn't do it. God is at work, alongside us, to bring about His plan.

This morning..."Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." 1 Cor. 15:58

Amen.

LowerMyBills.com Be Gone!

2007-06-20T21:36:00.000-05:00

If you do much surfing on the internet, you'll find a variety of annoying ads. Over the years I've been able to selectively ignore much of the banner ads that litter cyberspace. Recently, Flash ads have become a bit more difficult to ignore.

And of all these Flash-based ads, there is but one company that takes the cake for the most odd, annoying, poorly designed, cause you to lose your lunch advertisements. Meet "lowermybills.com"

I have included a screen shot as it might be familiar to you.

Everything from dancing on the roof, to weird monsters eating houses, to an unsuspecting woman dancing in her room, these ads are horrendous.

After doing some research I have successfully prevented these ads from showing themselves on my computer. Special credit to Rogers Cadenhead's Workbench website for these instructions

If you're on a PC and you want to rid yourself of these ads and any other ads, check out the steps below...

First you have to find out where the ads are hosted. This is usually easy, but can be difficult. View the source code and look for anything serving up ads.
MSNBC.com uses a server called Ads1.msn.com and for their static ads, speed.pointroll.com.
Next, navigate to a file called "hosts" in C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc
Open the file called "hosts" using Notepad
Add the lines, using MSNBC.com as an example, to the file

127.0.0.1 speed.pointroll.com
127.0.0.1 Ads1.msn.com
Select "File>Save"

Your computer will not display content coming from these two servers.
You can do this for a variety of "Ad servers" that provide much of the ads on webpages you view.

I realize this is a pretty "technical" blog post but there are some times when you simply can't take it anymore. Lowermybills.com no more...

Standing At The Gate...

2007-05-29T08:30:00.000-05:00

If marriage is a heavily fortified city then I haven't been diligently standing at the gate. Occasionally my sword and shield hang at my side. Some days I look peer through the gate unaware of the weaknesses that permeate through my city walls.

And enemies are plenty. Forces outside the city that desperately desire to get in. To disrupt the even flow of city operations, to offset the balance and spin city life in directions never intended, to overtake the city and pulverize it to the ground.

I have begun to shore up my walls. To replace the weak points with fresh brick and mortar. I have begun to stand guard from the watch tower instead of the ground to better see what lies ahead. The gate is locked and fortified. My helmet, my breastplate, my belt, my shield, my sword...ready and waiting.

What's beyond my walls is too valuable. My city too precious. I stand watch at the gate and wait.

"Though an a army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident...For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."
Psalm 27:3,5

The Hy-Vee Deli Counter

2007-03-25T19:57:00.000-05:00

Late last year our friends Billy and Melissa dropped off Christmas gifts for Ashley and I. Billy had designed a t-shirt and gave me the shirt as a Christmas gift.

I have included the photo of this shirt because it's vital to the rest of the story.

As you can see, the t-shirt design is a bit of a satire on patriotism. "American Cheese Because I'm a Patriot." I've enjoyed the t-shirt but have never felt like the timing was right to wear it. I had to wait to unveil this creative gift.

So for whatever reason, call it the warm spring breeze, a renewed zest for life, or the planets coming into alignment, but today was the day I decided to wear the shirt. And it turns out it couldn't have been any better of a day.

Tonight Ashley and I headed to Hy-Vee to pick up some groceries for the week. We had to get some lunch meat so we stopped by the deli counter. Behind the counter was a late 20's, early 30's, balding man. He was thin, wore thin circular, black rimmed glasses and was all business. He had a very, very dry but friendly personality.

So after ordering some meats I asked for a stack of Pepper-jack cheese. He weighed it, put it in a bag, placed the sales sticker on it and sealed it up.

He then asks me, with no emotion, no smile, no hint of sarcasm, all business ...

"Do you need any American cheese?"

Now keep in mind I have totally forgotten I'm wearing my American cheese t-shirt. So I reply,

"We have some at home I think, thanks though..."

And he immediately fires back, again with no emotion,

"Hmmm...traitor."

It took me a second and then Ashley and I laughed around Hy-Vee for the rest of the evening. To the unnamed Hy-Vee employee behind the deli counter, that my friend was brilliant. Excellent planning, excellent delivery. And to Billy, thank you again for the t-shirt. They may take away our freedoms but they can never take our cheese.

Lost In A Sea of Church

2007-03-24T21:49:00.000-05:00

As some of you may or may not know our nephew was involved in a serious accident over a month ago and as a result, we've been out of state, visiting him and his family almost every weekend for the last three. The other weekends we've been visiting my family or trying to "get-a-way" with a weekend trip of our own.

All that being said, we haven't been to our home church for five weeks in a row. Now our church has this weekly attendance card we fill out just to let them know we attended. And every week we give to the church financially in the form of a check.

But for the last five weeks we have not filled out the card and we haven't given financially. Do you think anyone noticed?

Don't get me wrong. I love our church and have no doubts it is where we should be. And to their credit, a counselor from the church did call during the first or second week to see how things were going.

My only question is if they setup the "attendance" card to track attendance and tell the congregation "if we don't see you in three weeks, we'll give you a call" and yet no one ever calls, is the system broke? Has our church become so large we are just another number?

I write this not as a complaint or a sob-story, but more as a starting point for some dialog on church size, the word "community" and the personal fellowship of today's Christian church.

Comments/dialog welcome...

The Viagra Corvette

2007-01-28T16:04:00.000-06:00

While driving down I-70 in Kansas City over the weekend, we heard this thunderous roar around Ashley's 1997 Honda Civic.

As we looked to our left, a new, maroon Corvette flew by us.

What was on the license plate? VIAGRA

I guess if you buy a car to make up for your inadequacies, yet you're not ashamed to tell everyone about it, why not put it on your license plate too!

Fearology

2007-01-13T13:29:00.000-06:00

Fear·ol·o·gy [fear·ol·o·gee]
(noun)
the science dealing with the atmosphere and its phenomena, including weather and climate to induce state-wide panic, surges at grocery stores and gas stations, and ridiculously slow driving.
the dissemination of fear associated with the atmospheric conditions and weather of an area.
[origin: Katie Horner - KCTV5]

related forms: Fear·ol·o·gist

If you have noticed that winter weather socking the Midwest, the local weather forecasters have been in high gear delivering up-to-the-minute weather reports, school/business closings and road conditions.

If you live in the Kansas City area then you have the privilege to tune into CBS affiliate KCTV 5. Chief ~~meteorologist~~ Fearologist Katie Horner has had a history of outlandish panic-filled broadcasts amidst severe weather.

Don't believe me? It's a fact, even written on the KCTV5 website,

"(Katie) persevered through a relentless, live 15-hour severe weather broadcast in March 2006, reporting on at least 12 tornadoes that hit within KCTV5's coverage area."

Fifteen hours? I'm all for public safety and awareness, but going live for fifteen hours straight?

From the onset she looks frazzled, rushed in front of a large screen of super-pinpoint-extreme-megawatt-Doppler radar with a rainbow of marshmellowy colors. She's spewing warnings at counties throughout the metro area. Timers in the upper corner let you know how long you have to live before the severe weather hits your home and if you didn't get a chance to hear all the warnings, relax. Katie will repeat the same thing at least five times during her "late-breaking" weather broadcast.

See, I think Katie Horner is probably a great person. And she isn't the only fearologist on TV. But she is by far the leader and it's the unnecessary dramatics and over-the-top reporting that cause way to much panic and fear and as a result, make the average viewer loss all rational thought.

Following Katie's snow report, people flood grocery stores to stock up on food in case they get "snowed in". Unless you live in the middle of a Kansas pasture and the National Guard has to drop bails of hay I think you'll be okay. Vehicles line gas station pumps so that if they do get snowed in, their cars can sit in snow drifts with a full tank. And lets not forget the over-cautious drivers that make turns at 5 mph in large 4x4 SUV's when a even a dusting of snow is on the roads. You're killing the environment with your overpriced, gas-guzzling vehicle. At least drive it like it was intended to...remember the glossy magazine ad, up the mountain side, over small villages, women children. I digress...

Never in my lifetime did I think I would say cite the KC FOX affiliate as doing something positive. But they're running a promo for their weather team and at the end of it, one of the meteorologists says "Severe weather can be dramatic enough, your weather team shouldn't be."

And that is my point. Katie and the rest of the fearologists out there need to get back to the roots of meteorology...the simple regurgitation of the National Weather Service's forecast, some cool weather clipart, a few colorful maps and a couple canned video animations.

In the end, their forecasts don't even have to be right. They'll still be up there, night after night telling us when we need to grab our poncho, boots, visor, goggles, gloves, hat, sunblock, water bottle, generator, fan and get to the basement.

Turn to Me

2007-01-11T13:59:00.000-06:00

Several months ago I was able to interview best-selling author John Eldredge, in addition to author/pastor Kenny Luck and National Center for Fathers President Carey Casey. This was all in preperation for a story I was guest-writing for Sharing the Victory magazine, FCA's Sports & Faith mag published nine times a year.

Feel free to read the story. Comments encouraged.

The Christian Vote

2006-12-30T10:09:00.000-06:00

With the 2006 elections behind and the 2008 Presidential election making news, I come to a bit of a fork in the road. A moment where I can choose conformity or non-conformity.

Prior to the 2006 elections, I attended a church where the Pastor, from the pulpit, said he wasn't going to tell us who to vote for and didn't care if they were Republican or Democrat. But he then went on to say that as Christians there are two important issues we SHOULD vote on:

The Sanctity of Marriage
The Right to Life

After spending Christmas with my extended family, these two issues were again brought up as being the most important issues facing voting Christians in 2008.

From my view, Christians have become polarized in politics. You're either liberal or conservative, period. The political vision of a Christian today is so focused and narrow that I have no doubt people vote on two issues and two issues alone.

But should we? What happens when Christians vote on just two issues?

It's difficult to deny that while we have held fast to traditional marriage and the Supreme Court is now considered more "conservative" we are no better off in foreign relations, national safety, energy or the environment.

From a global scale, the U.S. is now considered a bully in many parts of the world, our "lone-ranger" policy makes us unwilling to work with any other country and eager to line up inflated "evidence" as an excuse for aggression.
As a result other countries, most notably North Korea have beefed up their weapons programs. Thousands of Islamic extremists have taken up the fight against the "infidels" and would like nothing more than for the United States to cease to exist.
We're incredibly dependent on oil and have yet to develop any legitimate alternative to petroleum based fuel. Say what you will about hybrids or ethanol, but no one has been able to rally auto manufacturers for serious change.
And while many believe global warming is a myth produced by the "liberals" it's hard to ignore rising temperatures in the artic, thousand-year-old ice shelves falling off the coast of Canada, entire ecosystems changed in the ocean, and generations of children with asthma in murky-skied big cities.

I don't think I can conform to the "Christian vote". And I'm not sure what that says about me, my faith or the fact that I work for a Christian ministry. But there are so many issues, so many things that will affect the health, stability and existence of this country, I feel ignorant narrowing my vote to just two issues.

Your comments welcomed...

Good Love Is Back!

2006-10-30T17:46:00.000-06:00

Hoping for a resurgence of interest in this once forgotten video, the Good Love video is now on YouTube.com. Originally produced in less than 36 hours, with a Sony MiniDV cam, a 25ft extension cord, a CD player and a Mac editing bay, hopefully the powers of YouTube accept it with open arms.

Enjoy and spread the link like a California wildfire.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNTn9a5mZo4

CNN's Nancy Grace Is a Disgrace

2006-09-26T18:08:00.000-05:00

Nancy Grace is a talk show host on CNN's Headline News. The former prosecutor, turned talk-show host is a ratings winner for CNN.

Recently she interviewed the mother and father of a missing 2-year-old boy. Nancy, known for her relentless questioning, crude comments, quick judgments and outlandish generalities pressed this women with question after question. She accused the mother of being involved in the disappearance of her son, volleyed numerous questions and essentially obliterated her on TV. It was painful to watch.

The next day, the mother killed herself. In a suicide note she left behind she cited Nancy and the interview.

My two issues...

Nancy Grace is not a journalist. Her and her producers are CNN's very own TV Hit Squad. I've seen her lampoon guest after guest with no sense that she's crossing any kind of line. She wraps all of it under the blanket of "finding the truth", yet is constantly judge, jury and executioner often times before an investigation has come full circle. Regardless if this mother was guilty, Nancy wasn't professional, nor did she display any type of journalistic integrity.

Secondly, CNN chose to air the interview even after learning about the mother's suicide. They even re-ran the episode for days after her death. In the almighty ratings race, CNN devalued the life of this women, guilty or innocent, for a few extra points and a couple extra dollars. They too could see no line they crossed and stood beside Nancy and the airing of the interview.

My heart hurts for us. For those of us that are so desensitized to the media, we can brush it aside and feel nothing; for those of us that deem it the "status-quo" and don't form any kind of opinion. I believe this is a bit of a dark day for the media realm and for us as a society.

We need some much needed help.

For the complete story...read more.
Comments welcomed.

11 Clean Bathrooms

2006-09-06T18:35:00.000-05:00

Last weekend Ashley and I had a wedding to go to in Springfield, MO. It marked the first time we officially "road-tripped" as a married couple and the first road trip we had taken in well over a year.

The wedding was nice, Springfield itself was a bit junky and the drive to and from wasn't bad...Ashley did all the driving. (I had to get a book read for an upcoming magazine article I'm writing...more on that later)

On our way back, we saw miles and miles of signs for "Osceola Cheese". Each sign told of "Free samples, 11 Clean Bathrooms and 1.5 Acres of Parking" Now I'm not sure what part of these signs made Ashley want to stop. But sensing her curios excitement we took a break and stopped in Osceola Missouri at the coveted Osceola Cheese Company.

What followed would be an experience I never expected. Independence surprised me with my Wrestling Shoe Shopping Extravaganza, but Osceloa easily eclipsed it.

As we pulled in I was immediately taken back as every paved parking spot was taken. Brushing that little tidbit aside, we entered. Over 100 people packed this medium size shop. 30-40 people lined up, shoulder to shoulder, in front of cooler after cooler of cheese. Everyone had a toothpick in hand and was feverishly opening small Tupperware containers of different cheeses and taste testing them. Everything from Smokey Jalapeno Cheddar to the classic American. These people were crazy!

Kids were crying, whole families were jockeying for bricks of cheddar, plain string cheese and dozens of other cheeses. People bobbing in and out of the line, grabbing handfuls of the stuff. You'd think it was the "last plain outta Vietnam!" or there was some national shortage of cheese. And it continued like this the entire time we were there. Absolute, organized chaos.

For over 15-20 minutes, little girls yelling "I want this kind!" Husbands yelling to wives, "Should we get the smoked or the regular?" Senior citizens hobbling in and out. Packs of children racing and weaving. Grown men struggling to hold onto pounds of cheese as they tried to get to the register.

After making our way to just a few cheese samples, the onslaught was too much for Ashley and I. We made our way through the trinkets and gift shop attached to the main building. We finally purchased something I can only describe as peanut-butter filled pretzel pillows. These little gems came highly recommended from the mother of four in front of us at the register. She dropped $17.50 on cheese alone.

Before we got back in our car, Ashley took a picture of me in-front of a giant Indian Totem Pole. I'll post that soon. What it had to do with Osceola Cheese, I'm not sure.

But as we departed, I was glad we stopped. The cheese that we tried WAS free and the pretzel pillows were delish. Come to think of it, I didn't check out any of the 11 clean bathrooms.

"So You Wrestle In High School?"

2006-08-30T10:22:00.000-05:00

Finally, after months of waiting, the city of Independence delivers an experience worth blogging about.

Last night, I headed to the Independence Mall to purchase a new pair of running shoes. I stopped into CHAMPS Sporting Goods. A nationally known retailer, this wouldn't be difficult. Afterall, I knew what kind of shoe I wanted...it was identical to the beat-up pair I was wearing.

I briefly scanned the Greco-Roman sized wall of shoes under the large sign that said "RUNNING". Three from the top, was the show I was looking for. The Asics GT 2110. A middle of the road running show from Asics. By no means a Gel Kayano, but for average miles, an average runner, I enjoyed my previous pair.

I turned to scan the store for an employee and after awhle I approached a 20-something stocky sales associate. His athletic build lead me to believe he played football or some high-intensity physical sport. We'll call him Joe.

I handed Joe the shoe and said "I need this in a size 10.5 please". He said ok and went back to the room.

After quite awhile he emerged with a box and met me next to the Greco-Roman wall, under the large sign that said "RUNNING". He said sheepishly, "I couldn't find that wrestling shoe, but I did find this pair."

Did he just say "wrestling"? I thought to myself.
There's no way. Look at me...I weigh 138lbs and am wearing mesh shorts and a t-shirt. I don't look like a wrestler. Besides, we're under the "RUNNING" sign. CHAMPS Sports doesn't even sell wrestling shoes. And running shoes don't even LOOK like wrestling shoes.

I brushed off the comment and looked at the pair he brought out. The Asics he did bring out were about four generations before the 2110 and sold for about $65. If you don't know anything about running shoes, know that a running shoe for $65 regular price is not a decent medium-high mileage show. A bit disappointed, I glanced back at the wall and asked Joe to see if he had the 2110 in a size 10.

Minutes later Joe came back out with box in hand. There was my 2110.
As I tried the shoes on he asked me a question I thought I'd never hear.
"So you wrestle in High School or..." his voice trailed off.

He DID say wrestling shoe I thought to myself! He totally missed the large RUNNING sign, he doesn't know the difference between a running shoe and a wrestling show and for some reason Joe thinks I'm a high school wrestler!

I smiled politely and said "No, I'm a runner and these are a great pair of running shoes." Joe replied with "Oh!, those are running shoes, sorry about that..." I said "Yes, Asics makes a lot of wrestling gear, but their running shoes are pretty solid too."

With that I told Joe I'll take the pair and headed to the register.
This story doesn't end there. See, Joe originally commented that the 2110 "looked just like" the $65 pair. As he put the shoes back in the boxes he put the right shoe for $65 in with the left pair of the 2110. Meaning Danny gets to run with a different left and right shoe!

At the register, I opened up the box, because I had a feeling if Joe wasn't too familiar with the large RUNNING sign, he might have mixed up the shoes and with a smile, I was right. The associate at the register went back and got me both 2100s.

Eager to bring my wrestling shoe shopping experience to a close, the associate at the register added insult to injury. After clearly seeing I was buying running shoes, he asks "Can I get you any CHAMPS Shoe Cleaner or Scuff Protector." Perfect for the long-distance runner desperately wanting to keep his beat-up running shoes stylish, sophisticated and clean!

I said no thanks, signed my receipt, took my bag and walked out of the store.

As I made my way through the mall I wondered...
maybe I should of tried wrestling.