West Cocoa Chat

I found myself in “Wally World” tonight shopping with my beautiful wife. For those that really know me, I enjoy shopping about as much as sitting on a cold toilet seat in the morning. Unless of course I’m with my lovely wife or I’m on vacation. Tonight’s visit to Wally World was very fortuitous as I came across a couple of hilarious Birthday Cards.

The first one had a picture of Al Gore looking at a Birthday Cake with a voluminous amount of lighted candles. The caption read, “You’re putting how many candles on that cake?” I’m sure Al goes for the “candle-less” cakes so as to not melt the Polar Ice Caps.

The other memorable card had a picture with Dick Cheney in a less happy mood than above saying, "Come on Birthday Boy - Get a smile on that face." I'm suprised the card didn't come with a free lesson on "Hunter Safety."

I love to laugh and be in a good mood. However, are there times when we need to get our ire up and make an impassioned stand as well as a statement? I'm thinking of Coach Mike Gundy who decided to forgo the usual Post game press (you can see the press conference at http://www.faniq.com/blog/Video-Mike-Gundy-Rant-Oklahoma-State-Coach-Goes-OFF-On-Jenni-Carlson-For-Bobby-Reid-Criticism-Blog-4301) conference in which his team won 49 – 45 over Texas Tech, to defend a player (Bobby Reid) on his team. Reid had been criticized by a local reporter who referred to the player as being fearful and needing to be fed “chicken” by his Mother.

If you’ve seen the video you know Coach Gundy has been criticized for the emotion (does that sound familiar to those of us in the Churches of Christ?) he displayed while he was defending this young man. I’ll give you my take:

This will probably come as a shock to you but teaching Middle School kids can be challenging at times. For the most part they are fun to be with, goofy like me, and treat each other and yours truly with respect. I would probably say that 99% of the time I’m cool, calm, and collected in dealing with my young charges. There are times when I’m witnessed to bullying or blatant (now I want to do a dialog of Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson)

Cruise – “Danger Colonel?”
Jack – “Yes.”
Cruise – “Grave danger?”
Jack – “Is there any other kind?”

disrespect. Occasionally I’ve chosen to meet these deeds with a raised tone to let students know there will be zero tolerance for such acts. Now before I become known as the screaming elder let me say that incidents of raising my voice in my classroom might occur infrequently at best. With kids it’s best to model strength through politeness, respect, and an even tone of voice. In fact, there are times when I’ve actually lowered my voice to get student’s attention.

However many of my students do not have a strong “father figure” if any in their lives so I try to mirror positive attributes of being a man and yet at the same time letting them know that there are lines that can be crossed that will result in a strong response.

Let’s take it a step further – is there room in the church for a Coach Gundy type response? Are we at times witnesses to “church” bullying, disrespect, and evil? Now, let me say that I’m not advocating yelling and screaming as a response to every instance of these types of acts but there are times when we read in the Bible passionate responses.

I’m thinking of none other than Jesus as he drove people away and overturned tables in the Temple in Mark 11. I think Jesus shows there are times when we need to step up and take a stand against wrong, just as Coach Gundy did in defending his player.

What do you think?
Have a good weekend family.

I was reminded of one of the classic movies, "Ace Ventura - Pet Detective," this past Friday. As I walked into our kitchen from our garage, I heard a voice say, “Dad, Dad, don’t tell Mom.” I was willing to comply with this voice but I had some issues:

1. There was no discernable body with this voice.

2. The voice reminded me of the scene where Ace’s Landlord walks up behind him after Ace has tried to allude him due to being behind in the rent, and says, “V-e-n-t-u-r-aaaaa.” Ace answers, “Yes, Satan.”

I didn’t want to answer in the same way but I was clueless as to the location of this voice until the bi-fold door opened to reveal my son who was up to one of his favorite games, “Lets Scare the Mommy.” Steven has played this game since he was knee-high to a Radar O’Reilly Grape Ne-Hi. Now as he has gotten older he has perfected his art.

I assured Steven I wouldn’t give his whereabouts away to which he smiled and closed the bi-fold doors. My wife walked into the kitchen, asked me if Steven had arrived home yet, and then received the usual high-pitched yell that is Standard Procedure when we play “Let’s Scare the Mommy.”

I know there are times when this game aggravates my wife but I know it will be one of the things she will miss if Steven leaves for college next year. How about that for the question of the day – Is there something a loved one (yes Greg, you can include Chipper) does that drives you crazy and yet you know you would miss it if said loved one stopped doing the annoying act or moved away?

Names will be changed to protect the innocent should someone need blog (does that even exist?) anonymity.

I couldn’t help but think back to the past yesterday. There was a time when I thought engaging, praise filled worship was not an option for any church in our area. I can remember thinking the uplifting worship that I got to share with Greg at Long Beach and the Pepperdine Lectures was not going to be an option for me if I stayed with Churches of Christ in the area I live. Boy, was I silly (sorry for the “double boy”) boy.

You see, I forgot that God is a God of “impossible.” Yesterday was a “Long Beach day” at our church. The worship was engaging filled with those who lifted their hands in praise to God. Our infant Praise Team under the direction of our Worship Leader, Terry, was engaging and Don brought another inspiring lesson on Heaven!

This may sound like a self-encouraging / give myself a pat on the back post. It isn’t. It is my way of trying to say that with God, now here’s a new one, with God – ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!

Thank you our most glorious Savior, The Creator of Matter for we obviously matter to you. You are able and willing to do things that we believe are impossible. For me, I witnessed that power yesterday.

For anyone out there for whatever the reason, who may be feeling trapped, alone, and without options, as they say in the Science Fiction movies – we are not alone! It’s true, for the God of this Universe is working a plan for you. Just believe and hang on!

First, thanks for the kind comments and emails yesterday. I needed some “pumping up” and you guys came through for me and I appreciate it. As my “program note” said we’re now returning to our “regularly scheduled programming.” I thought since I spoke of “age” yesterday that I would push us into the weekend with the funniest incident that I’ve been associated with when it comes to “age.”

Many moons ago, before children came along; we spend a week near Traveler’s Rest, S.C. with our good friends Bob and Shelby and Bob’s brother and sister-in-law, Naomi. We stayed in an “A-frame” cabin close to the N.C. border. As with most of my get-aways (Greg – remember the week in Fall Creek Falls) rain was involved which was causing us to go stir crazy. On one particular day, Garth, Naomi, Barb, and I decide to go for a little drive around the countryside. It was around 2:00 if I remember correctly. Bob and Shelby were cooking dinner and told us not to be gone too long. The cabin did not have a phone and this was before the day of cell phones.

To make a long story short we got lost. We ended up back at the cabin somewhere around 8pm. As we drove up to the cabin, Garth – Bob’s brother was sure that Bob would be somewhat mad. Knowing Bob like I do I knew his anger would be generated out of concern. We had been gone for almost 6 hours and there was no way for Bob or Shelby to track us down or to know if we had been in an accident.

So, as we were getting out of the van Garth uttered this famous line, “I know Bob is going to be mad. I’ll take care of him.” In my heart I knew #1 was true and #2 was a major “maybe.” We walked to the back of the cabin were there was an outside porch, grill, Bob and Shelby. The conversation started off with Garth launching a pre-empted strike. Garth explained how we had gotten lost, we were sorry; we tried to get back as quick as we could, and then the second famous line of that day:

“…..and besides, I’m 37 years old and I can take care of myself.”

Bob rose from his chair with fire in his eyes and said, “Garth, you’re not 37, you’re 33 years old!” I went down to my knees first in a fit of laughter and then fear as I realized I had been allowing a man to drive me all over North and South Carolina who didn’t know where he was going and, didn’t know how old he was – by 4 years!

So today my family lets all change our age and feel free to subtract 4 years or more.

Have a good weekend from this 45 year old.

Time for some blog whining. I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed these days. Like a good basketball player who is trying to play good “transition basketball” by hustling on both ends of the Court, I’m trying to find my rhythm. The trip to Lipscomb was a sweet fragrance as I alluded to in an earlier post. But as Steve can attest to, when a teacher is away for a couple of days, the amount of work to get ready and then to catch up is mind-boggling or at least it is to me. To now take away one of my 2 planning periods and add another class of kids, prep, and papers to grade, well, I’m blog whining.

O.K. – some important questions:

1. Did you volunteer for this extra class? Yes.

2. Are you getting paid extra money? Yes.

3. Are you still going to whine after answering “yes” to questions one and two? Yes!

That is why I love you guys – you’ll listen (won’t you) or at least read about what ever is causing me to whine. I think I usually get whiny around my birthday which now puts me 363 days away from the big “5-0.” Even though they’ve been gone for 19 and 10 years respectively, I miss my parents. I think of them during this time of year.

It’s funny how when they’re here and they make a “fuss” over you that we (or at least me) protest and at times can become embarrassed. Now that they are gone I would give my right arm to have them here for a moment, fussing over their boy. Now that is whining.

Let’s leave on a positive note – if you get a chance today, (as we say in the South) make a fuss over someone. Give them a day of encouragement for there are limits on those that are closest to us, the advocates in our lives. At least, there are limits on them on this side of eternity.

Program Note:

A return to our normal programming of encouragement will take place on the next post.

Apologies from my blog absence family. Picking up an extra class, my inability to somewhat blog from school, and our trip to Lipscomb have me playing blog catch up at this point. Post number 326 has me somewhat nostalgic if not downright in the (feel free to cue up Barbara Streisand) “memories mode.”

I went into one of our filing cabinets to search for some old Bible Class notes that I plan to update and present during the upcoming quarter. What I found was a treasure trove of notes and letters from the 80’s and 90’s. Most of the letters were from Greg. As most of you know, Greg is a gifted writer and when he lived in Rockledge, Florida he took the time the express his love for my family. We had one of those relationships where it wasn’t unusual for one of us to call the other on a moment’s notice and ask what the other was having for dinner. This was usually followed by combining our meals and enjoying a time of fellowship. The letters that came from the 90’s were mostly about our missing that relationship once he had moved to “the Beach” and the updating of what was happening with our families as they grew older.

As for the Bible Class notes, notes from early Pepperdine Lectures, and notes I had taken on books I was reading, it was a journey. Early on Greg when he was at the Rock urged me to move from my “Sports Illustrated” focus to focusing on God. I must admit that the beginning of that journey was motivated by my love for history and I saw a connection between studying God’s Word and history. Later, Scripture would move from another history class to something guiding my life and thoughts.

On the whole as I traveled down “Memory Lane,” I can see a progression, growth if you will. But I also saw some regression. Early on I was a “note-taking” fool. I don’t do as much of that anymore. Perhaps that is the duty of memory. It can be an encourager showing us how much we have progress but it can also be a task-master showing us where perhaps we’ve changed and not for the better.

Do you have any old file cabinets around the house or at the office? I know that question will be somewhat irrelevant for those of you that have recently moved. For me, last night was a moving experience. Perhaps it will motivate me to start moving again?

Family, have a great weekend.

We’re back. Yesterday was a day of playing catch up and picking up an additional class. The good news – I get paid extra for the extra class. The bad news, my work load will increase and I go from having 2 to one planning period. This did not illicit any sympathy from my “Kindergarten teaching” wife who only gets one planning period a day in her “normal” work day.

I wanted to say thank you for all the prayers on Steven’s (correct spelling Mr. Puckster) and “No Donna,” we do not hate you. Sometimes my good friend Steve (as in the Puckster) can cause a bit of confusion and mayhem but that’s why I love the guy.

Good morning family. I’m asking for prayers for our family as we head off on a 12 hour trip to David Lipscomb University after school today. We’re taking Steven to a “Baseball Showcase” held by DLU. The Showcase starts Friday and runs through Saturday. Steven is hoping to make a good impression and we are as well. He really has his heart set on attending DLU and so do we. It would be a blessing if he could get some helps from the good folks at DLU.

Our game plan is to drive to Tifton, Georgia tonight and then head on in to the “New Jerusalem,” I mean Nashville on Thursday. One of our teens, Brittany just started attending DLU and we’re looking forward to meeting her and taking her out to dinner.

I may be out of pocket for the rest of the week but I plan on taking some pictures. God bless all of you. Judy- it’s good to see you back.

We had the pleasure of hearing Chad speak yesterday here at Central. Chad does a great job as our “Youth Guy” but we’re also blessed that he also has the gift of preaching. He brought out a couple of points that I had never considered from the story of Abraham and Isaac that I thought I’d share with you. I’m sure you’re all familiar with this story from Gen. 22. It starts out by saying:

22:1 Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."
22:2 And He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."

Now as far as I’m concerned we fast forward to Abraham taking Isaac to the place that he will sacrifice him but I’ve never noticed what “old Abe” says in verse 5:

22:5 And Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go yonder; and we will worship and return to you."

Actually there are 2 things to notice here:

1. The translators who configured the “New American Standard” translation must have been from West Virginia, hence the use of the word “yonder.”

2. Abraham in his best rendition of “General McArthur” tells the “young men” that “we” will return.

In all my 49 years (officially by September 18^th / feel free to send gifts and money) I had never noticed his statement of faith. Somehow, Abraham knows God is going to work it out. Well, maybe we shouldn’t say “somehow.” Courtesy of Chad, lets look at Hebrews 11:

1:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac; and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;
11:18 it was he to whom it was said, "In Isaac your DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED."
11:19 He considered that God is able to raise men even from the dead; from which he also received him back as a type.

Now that is real faith for to my knowledge, up to this point in Genesis, God hadn’t raised anyone from the dead. It seems that in a life lived by faith; Abraham considered that nothing is impossible with God. I could use some of that faith. How about you?

Have a great day family and it’s been a pleasure to blog with you in the daytime for once.