West Cocoa Chat

For the last few years my wife has been the “Trail Boss” of our “Fall Festival / Trunk or Treat.” This year was another fine performance. My wife (or the 1st Sergeant as my National Guard buddy lovingly calls her) had our “FFTT” down to a fine science. The events were great, numerous kids abounded, clean up and transition to Trunk or Treat went both flawlessly and painlessly, and we had a great time.

My costume consisted of a t-shirt, shorts, tennis shoes, and a blue tu-tu. Good thing there were no pictures taken or at least I hope so. One of my other fellow (Ray) elders wore a multi-colored Afro wig. Somebody told me that as Ray and I stood next to each other, our preacher was telling one of the parents of our college kids that their son was in good hands as he pointed to Ray and me.

Our annual “Trunk or Treat” followed our Fall Festival. This has come to be one of my favorite events for a couple of reasons. First, it’s like a huge “sweet-tooth tail-gating party.” You can sit by your vehicle as the kiddos come by or you can peruse the “other trunks” while you’re hanging out with different folks. Second, it’s the one time of year that I get to break out our “fog machine.” I especially love handling the remote control as both kids and parents come by to “trick or treat.”

Someone asked me what was up with all of the “smoke?” I made a “cigarette smoking gesture” and said, “Tough elders meeting.”

Back to my wife – as I said before – she is a “fellowshipping machine.” I am so proud of her for she creates that “homey” environment that all churches need to help folks feel like their part of a greater family. So, to my lovely bride of almost 26 years, this blog is for you.

As for my last post and the question, “Which one of us did my son say I looked like following my recent transformation from a 70’s hippie to a post-modern scalped guy?” The winners are Keith and Randy. Keith said the “finger” in the photo gave it away while Randy complemented me on my good looks which were a dead give away for – drum roll please- Mr. Randy Wray! Yes, I am (according to my 16 year old son) a southern version of Randy.

Some of the other guesses which were “close” were:
Larry Bird, Demi Moore, a pelican, something extremely (according to Greg) sickening, Jimmy Buffet, Crocodile Dundee, and David Lee Roth. All of that from one haircut. Amazing! I’m going to make a shift to something serious and then I’ll go back to my usual nature.

This past Saturday evening, my wife and I were invited along with some other couples to watch a movie entitled “Obsession – Radical Islam War Against the West.” I’m pasting a link (http://www.obsessionthemovie.com/) to the movie’s website. This movie connects some dots that go to illustrate the hatred and war-like intentions of the believers of “Radical Islam” against our Country. There is also an un-nerving parallel this movies draws between our time and the time in this country just before the outbreak of WW2. I would recommend the viewing of this movie as you consider our upcoming elections and the security of our country. Enough said, you can draw your own conclusions.

Speaking of conclusions, did you ever think I, a guy that closely resembles some of the subjects listed above, the lovable, good natured, and all (well, 2 out of 3 isn’t bad) knowing guy that I am might be banned from a college campus? It came close to happening yesterday. Shall I elaborate?

As I said in an earlier post, I’m trying to get back in shape so I’ve started jogging again. Ever since my son was in 5th grade playing Pop-Warner Football, I’ve jogged the same route that partially takes me through the campus of Brevard Community College. In the six years I’ve done this I’ve passed numerous College Security Guards on golf carts. Most of them have waved and been quite pleasant.

One day one of them was using a radar gun to clock speeders in the parking lot. As I approached him I saw him aim his gun and “clock me.” As I got closer to him I yelled out, “Don’t even say it.” He smiled and said, “6 miles an hour slow poke.” But other than that humiliating incident I’ve gone unmolested through the BCC Parking Lot until yesterday.

Yesterday, “Mr. 6mph” was jogging through the parking lot when I was “pulled over” by a female security guard. She said, “Sir, you need to use the sidewalks along the road and stay off our parking lot.” I asked her why? She said, “We’ve had an increase in the number of kids darting out in front of cars and it’s getting quite dangerous.”

I answered, “Mam, (remember, I’m a good southern / raised by a Sgt. in the Army-boy) I’m a 48 year old man and my days of darting in front of anything are long gone.” She reiterated that I would still need to stay off the parking lot. Now, this was occurring around 5pm and by my most astute observation the parking lot was at least three-fourths empty. I could have seen her point if I was jogging through the parking lot at 8am when people are fighting for parking spaces.

So, as politely as I could I informed her that I would be contacting someone in the Administration to find out if I was subject to a College wide ban on 6mph joggers or if this was something that she was trying to enforce on her own. I sent an email to the Cocoa Campus Provost this morning. Having the luck that I usually have I’ll probably be banned from the campus forever.

I know “all” of you have been struggling through the weekend as you anticipated my post today where I reveal who my son said I looked liked after my recent scalping, I mean haircut. O.K., here is your first clue:

BTW – “Jerry Garcia” has not and I guess, “cannot” be a part of our “Blog (as Dee put it so well) Church.”
BTW #2 – The only guess I received on my previous post was a “no guess” of Greg and that came from Keith. O.K., do you need another clue? Perhaps my handsome (not to mention the 8-alarm tie-dye shirt I have on) face is throwing you off just a bit? Here is clue #2:

Alright bloggers, are we ready to guess? Once again, following my haircut who do you think my 16-year old son said I looked like with respect to "one of Uncle Greg's friends that you blog with." I await your guesses.

This past Saturday was a great day both weather wise and father son bonding wise. Steven along with another boy on the baseball team, his Dad, and myself played in a scramble golf tournament. We didn’t finish in first but we didn’t finish in last either. We had one double bogey on the first hole and the rest were either pars or bogeys. Of course if you’re familiar with scramble tournaments usually you must play “birdie golf” to have a hope of placing.

I did manage a rare “athletic complement” from my 16 year old / best shape of his life / 0% body fat son. As we were eating at Sonny’s (sorry Randy) BBQ this past Tuesday evening, Steven said to me, “Dad, if it hadn’t been for you and Mr. Langston are golf score would have been terrible.” Made an “old man” feel good.

This past Sunday saw me do something I haven’t done since mid-June – get a hair cut. My wife asked me when I was going to take a visit to our “hair stylist” and I couldn’t give her a definite date. So, she did something to me for only the second time in our 25+ years of marriage – she cut my hair.

My hair cut resulted in several comments such as:
1. “Mom, why did you do that to Dad?”
2. “Nice hair cut (May I have 10 bonus points) Mr. Walker.”
3. “I’ve never seen a haircut change the looks of someone as dramatically as yours.”

But the best comment came from my son at Sonny’s. He said, “Dad, you look like one of those guys you blog with, one of Uncle Greg’s friends.”

So here is the question:
Which one of our blog family do you think my son said I look like?

Pictures will follow.

Due to one of us apparently being offended by today’s post (and commenting so) I have pulled it from my site. Please feel free to email me at walkerc2@brevard.k12.fl.us if you would like more detail on the post that I pulled.

I apologized for forgetting that some do not share the same sense of humor.

I just finished my grades for the first nine weeks. It is hard to believe we’re one-fourth through the year already.

It seems like it’s been a year since I did any running, I mean jogging. My 16 year old, in the best shape of his 0% body fat life tells me that I don’t run. I’ll acquiesce to his observation. Actually it’s been about 3 months since I last ran which was at Greg’s. There is a 3 mile route which coincidently I call “my route” that I usually run when I’m visiting Greg in beautiful “Bixby Knolls” / Long Beach. It is a very hilly (remember – I’m from Florida) route which makes me feel somewhat proud of myself when I complete it. But, that was 3 months ago.

So, today around 4:15pm, EST, I’ll be hitting the “bricks” while my son practices with the Cocoa High Baseball Team. My “route” will be a little over 2 miles provided I don’t pass out or quit. Would there be any shame in calling a cab?

Take care Family.

Baseball update on son – We lost the “North (Brevard) County Championship Game this past Wednesday, 3 to 2 to Astronaut H.S. My son who had been in one of the worst slumps of his baseball career was moved to the cleanup spot for the game. He told me on the way to the field he had a strong feeling he was going to be “pegged” (beaned, hit) in the game if a certain pitcher was pitching. Seems this particular kid (who throws in the mid-80’s) thought Steven had said something to him that wasn’t very flattering during our last game. Steven said it was actually the batter in front of him who was hit in the ribs by an inside fastball.

In the first inning we went down in order which meant Steven led off in the top of the 2nd. Guess who was pitching? Steven said he told our coach as he walked out to the plate that he was going to get “pegged.” Sure enough, first pitch, right at his head. Steven had enough time to put up his left hand in front of this head. The ball hit him on the side of his left hand.

The good news – he ended up stealing 2nd, went to 3rd on a fielder’s choice, and then scored one of our 2 runs on a passed ball. The bad news – he had to come out of the game because he couldn’t grip the bat. He was very frustrated. I reacted as any Christian father would encouraging our coach to throw something high and tight to the pitcher when it was his turn to bat. You know, Jesus said to “turn the other cheek” and I wanted this young man to literally have practice this “Christian virtue.” But, like other people at my church, our coach didn’t listen to the silly and upset Dad. Any way, Steven is O.K. now.

I’ve always been and “experience” kind of guy and I had a new one yesterday. Our neighbor just moved back into his house after his soon to be ex-wife was forced to move out. He had been out of the house since mid-June and his yard had gone that long without being cut. One of our neighbors who has a commercial lawn mower cut his front yard but even he had difficulty having to stop several times to untangle the “hay” from his blades. Due to the size of the mower and the gates, he couldn’t help with the backyard. Enter “weed-whacker guy.”

I told Rob Tuesday that I would give his backyard a shot with my somewhat new “straight shaft / reconditioned Sears weed-eater. Rob is working 2 jobs and has custody of their only son so I thought the guy could use a weed-whacker, I mean hand. So, yesterday I began the task of weed-eating an entire yard with grass has high as my knees. After 2 and a half hours and a couple of wasp stings, I can proudly say that I have weed-whacked and entire yard, literally. If you’re wondering I had to refill my weed-eater 3 times.

Tonight I’m working one of those vestiges of American society, a middle school dance. By the time the last kiddo gets taken home I will probably earn almost 6 hours of comp time (which I use each May to head out to Greg’s and Pepperdine) and several jewels in my crown not to mention a few more steps towards using the “Miracle Ear.” My main jobs will be to take in money and then walk in between the huge "scrum" that stands / dances in front of the speakers to make sure the little darlings have some daylight between them.

Tomorrow at 8am, Steven and I will be playing in a scramble golf tournament to benefit our high school baseball team. Golf is one of the few sports and I can still school Steven in but that advantage is quickly disappearing as well.

Have a good weekend family.

Did I get you with that catchy title? Let me digress for one moment. As Brady termed yesterday, I must feed my “blog cash cow.”

Thanks for the prayers on my son’s behalf. Here are his stats for the last 3 games including last night:
Game 1: 1 for 3
Game 2: 1 for 3 with a walk, double, RBI, and 2 runs scored.
And now (please insert Christmas Vacation drum roll please) last night’s game:
Can we say – 3 for 3! Yes! Steven had another double and 2 singles driving in 3 RBI’s. He was beaned in his last at bat which made for an interesting stare down session before the umpire warned him to “get down the line.” I was staring the pitcher down from the press box but I don’t think he saw me.

Anyway, before Greg (I love you Bro.) asks it I'll go ahead and pose the question to myself: "Would I have been as happy if Steven was still in his slump?" Of course not. Did God hear and answer those of you that prayed for my boy. Yes but as we know, sometimes the answer is a “no” or a long period of silence. I’m just glad we got a “yes” this time. Now to my title:

As I said in an earlier post, I’ve been reading Dr. Sarah Sumner’s book, “Men and Women in the Church.” She makes an interesting point on page (yes, I’m reading this book backwards but I promise to be a good boy Brady and read Yancy’s book the conventional way) 40:

“Most Christians don’t know it but complementarians and egalitarians have something else in common. Both are trying hard to bring reform to the church’s view of women. But they are doing it in two different ways. Whereas complementarians want Christians to believe that women’s worth is equal to men’s, egalitarians want Christians to believe that women’s rights are equal to men’s. Both are revising church tradition.”

I find Dr. Sumner’s point penetrating. We all know if you want to get a good fight started in a church, just mention “women’s role” and your opinion on same. I guess I’m also somewhat intrigued by this issue because of a statement made to me by a dear friend (who is still a dear friend) of mine.

His statement was made in the context of a decision I made concerning an issue that had occurred in our youth group. My good friend wasn’t very happy with me or my decision so he made this statement to me: “You don’t understand because you do not have any daughters.”

BTW – I’m always blown away by people who are suspicious of me or don’t like me. I think I’m a wonderful guy but hey, I’m just lowly middle school teacher. Any way, I digress –

The issue of “women’s role” or what they can or cannot do during worship hasn’t come up that often at our church. Or rather, it hasn’t come up that much to “my knowledge.” My good friend’s statement makes me wonder sometimes if I’m somewhat insulated from the concerns of women due to the fact that I have a son?

There hasn’t been any push for women to serve communion or do anything that is out of the ordinary for a predominately white, southern, Church of Christ. But I do think Dr. Sumner gets at the heart of the matter. When you boil this discussion down to it’s common denominator it does seem to center more around the “rights” or the “worth” of women, Christian women.

Now, here is where I’d like you to comment. In my experience, the trump card that has always been used to say that “our” view of scripture, our church tradition if you will concerning women must not change are the following verses:

I Timothy 2:12-14 2:12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.2:13 For it was Adam who was first created, 21 and then Eve.2:14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression.

My blog brothers and sisters, in light of what women can or cannot do in worship or as Dr. Sumner put it, in light of Christian women’s rights and, or worth, how do you deal with these verses?

Thanks for any insights you can gleam my way.

Some random thoughts from the weekend:

Friday – Cocoa High School’s football team, Class 3A, dresses 25 kids – defeats the #3 ranked Class 5A team in the state, Palm Bay 24 to 17. Cocoa remains undefeated at 6 and 0. Their motto – “Quality rather than Quantity.”

Saturday – 8am meeting with our Deacons at Kay’s BBQ Restaurant. 10am – Took Steven to hitting lessons with Coach Chris. They were quite productive as I’ll illustrate in a few words. 1pm – I’m up on our roof attempting to clean off some mold off our second story that faces north and is almost in constant state (I wonder what that would do to a person) of shade. I did this earlier this summer with a spray bottle and ended up with a chemical burn on my face. When I went to church the next day I felt like the “Elephant Man.” “I am a man!”

This time we used a paint bucket and brush. This allowed me to go to church the next day and look a little less hideous than I usually do. It was also quite successful.

3pm – A colleague of mind brought his son over who is a first year teacher, to check out our upstairs apartment. He liked it and will be moving in on (go into military mode) 1 November. Also 3pm – Steven goes to church for our praise team practice. Real source of pride for Papa.

4:45pm – I bring Steven’s uniform to the field. He forgot his glove and cleats in the clubhouse so he had to meet the coach at the field. Real source of aggravation for Papa.

6:30pm – Our team minus several players due to injuries, plays “Team Demarini.” This team is mostly made up of Merritt Island High School seniors. They should be the class of Space Coast baseball this Spring. Long story short – we ended up winning 10 to 9. Steven played leftfield and pitched 2 innings. He ended up going 1 for 3 with a walk and he scored 2 runs. His hit came after the first inning he pitched. That inning was his worst inning pitched so far. He threw a couple of curve balls that “fooled the blue” and it unnerved him when he didn’t get the strike call. He then ended up making some mistakes and gave up 3 runs. When he came to bat he hit a bomb that bounced off the leftfield fence for a double. He gave up no hits the next inning and we ended up coming back for the win. The coach said it was a “huge win and it showed we’re capable of battling.”

Sunday – Don is preaching a great series of lessons out of the “Beatitudes” using Tim Woodroof’s book. These lessons have made for some great, tough, introspective Life Group Meetings.

As we woke up today we discovered that the Florida Gators are now the number 2 ranked team in the nation! Even though I’m a “Nole fan” I’m still proud of “Gator Nation.” Could the Florida Gators pull off a “Tiger-slam” and win back to back (non-calendar seasons) NCAA Championships in basketball and football?

That’s it from West Cocoa. Have a good day.

The slump watch continues with perhaps an end in sight? At our game last night against (I know Steve loves these names) Astronaut High School, my son Steven played the entire game in center-field. He made a number of nice catches including one hit right behind the short-stop that he made a running one-hander on.

He went 1 for 2 with a walk, fly out to right, and then a nice backside hit to move a runner over to 3b which eventually scored our third (we lost on 3 to 4) run.

Steven got his hit at his last at-bat against a kid that was throwing the best heat I’ve seen all Fall. The pitcher had just hit the batter in front of him with an inside fastball. He had to be taken out of the game and replace with a pinch runner. That always makes you nervous for your kid when he’s the next batter.

The pitcher had a pattern of throwing hard inside on his second pitch. Sure enough, he threw one right at Steven’s head which he had to do his best imitation of “Vic Marrow” (anybody remember the old “Combat” T.V. show?) and hit the ground. I found myself standing up and yelling an emphatic “Hey” like that was going to do anything. I did say something like, “Come on “one,” (Steven’s number) let’s make him pay for that one.” He made Papa proud by getting a nice hit between first and second.

Have a good weekend Family. See you Monday.

There seems to be in most churches, those “benchmark” events that can steer a church’s destiny for years to come. I know in my own experience and to my knowledge, most of those benchmark events seem to be on the negative side and usually result in folks leaving and churches splitting. I feel like our church had one of those benchmark events this past Saturday but I’m happy to say this one was on the positive / unifying side.

Several weeks ago, several women from our church and 2 local conservative Christian Churches decided to hold a “joint progressive dinner” for the ladies of our 3 respective churches. This group of women met together, planned out their parts of the progressive dinner, and then executed one of the finest acts of unity I’ve been privy to witness.

At 4:30pm this past Saturday, our ladies boarded our church bus and some private vehicles and left for the Christian Church just north of us for salad. They ended up back at our church for the main meal. I and several other guys had been cohered, I mean asked to help serve and cleanup once the ladies left our building to drive to the Christian Church in Merritt Island for desert. It was a most serendipitous occasion as the lasagna and the “blackened” fettuccini Alfredo was some of the best pasta I’ve ever ingested.

105 ladies in all participated in this event. They purposely set at tables with ladies from different congregations so they could get to know one another. When it became time for the ladies to leave they decided to go up to our auditorium to sing a few songs together before they left to drive to the Merritt Island Christian Church for desert. I was helping some of the ladies make the climb in our elevator. When I had made my second trip from our basement (yes, we have a rare Florida Basement in our church) to the floor of the auditorium, I heard the most beautiful sound. The ladies from our church and the two conservative Christian Churches were standing together in the front of our auditorium singing “Blest Be the Ties That Bind.” It was the right song for such an event based on unity.

I couldn’t help but think of Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17. The entire night was about unity. Does our church and these two conservative Christian Churches agree on every point of doctrine? Of course not. Are they or we going to change any of our beliefs or worship practices because we’ve shared a meal together? No. The entire evening wasn’t about what we disagree on but rather what we have in common; a common savior, a common belief that one needs to be buried in Christ for the forgiveness of sins, a common (sounds like a camp song) love for one another.

I couldn’t help but think that Jesus was smiling for at least a moment as 3 groups of people, who differ in some areas of doctrine and practice, for a moment, were united in their love for each other through a common bond in Jesus.