We're a Year Old!!!

Did y'all catch that our lovely blog turned the Big Oh One this month?!?!?!

We should have a special celebration.

Actually, I think we missed the anniversary. We technically turned 1 in May. But, that deosn't mean we can't celebrate now!

Bible time!

Alright Bible scholars, I have a question. Please read I Corinthians 11:1-16.
I stumbled upon this scripture and wasn’t sure what it means. Does this mean I have to have a hat on in church, or is it talking about hair?
Please explain. Thanks!

Open for Visitors

This is an invite to all the regular contributors...sorry not Commentors. Please come visit.

We are settled into the new place nicely. I wanted to share some pics of the most imporatant areas to the guys. The Backyard (BY) and the "Smoke Room (SR)" (a.k.a. back porch).

As you can see there are many nice places to pee. The entire back yard is private; I haven't found a place I can't just be myself.



The "Smoke Room" is a great place to relax away from bugs but still in the outside air. Given, it doesn't look like much from the outside.



I relaxed there a couple evenings ago with some new Tobacco from a local shop, a Coke ;-) , and the melodies from a fine singer Norah Jones. Smooooooth is all I have to desribe the occassion.



For those who don't mind a long load time, here are links to some panoramas of the BY and SR.

Customer Service from Hell

Some guy called AOL to cancel his service that he was no longer using. He recorded the phone call and the results are as hilarious as they are scary.

At work warning: in frustration the guys lets out a couple of curse words.


As seen on Break.com

My First Article...Follow-Up

I checked the Our Families Magazine page today and saw that they had already posted the Summer issue of the pub with my article! I have the first feature!

I'm so excited!!!

River City Reviews

I have noticed over the last several months that Montgomery has no website dedicated to the review of local eating establishments and entertainment. In my frustration, I decided to create a blog titled River City Reviews, which is to be used exclusively for the review of local food, movies, theatre, and music.

The site url is: http://rivercityreviews.blogspot.com/

I emailed some key folks at WSFA and the Montgomery Advertiser to tell them they're welcome to use my reviews as long as they link to my page. I have just started and would really appreciate any links or on-air plugs they could give the site. At the moment, it's merely a fun, personal undertaking. But, over time, I hope that River City Reviews will become the go-to source for all things fun and enjoyable in Montgomery!

Forget Freelance...I've Got a Job!

I have a job…ok so the freelance idea was a good crutch, but apparently not what God had in mind. This is however, the job I mentioned the other day.

I will be working for the state at the Okaloosa County Health Department as a Systems Administrator. Pray for me (and the county); I’m going to have 150 users. I’ll have assistance from higher-ups for a short time, and then I will be involved in hiring an assistant.

Here’s the strange thing. My first interview was my last day at AP. My second interview was today at 1:30 (exactly one week after we pack up the house). I got a call from them at about 4:30 as I’m writing an e-mail to a guy at Lockheed Martin asking for his help on another job.

I’m going to need to refresh my brain a bit, before I hit the ground. Luckily, I will have to go through a security screening before they can officially hire me. It could be as many as 3 weeks before I’m actually working. Hopefully that will be enough time to “brush up” a little and do a little fishing with old friends.

I’ll be going down there first thing tomorrow morning to fill out some paperwork and such.

I’m soooo excited. God is awesome! I kept praying He would make things work out perfectly, and He made everything work out better than I had imagined.

How’s Thomas doing btw? Does he have that job yet? I hope so, I’ve been praying a lot for him as well.

I’ll let you know more as I know it.

Hey Jamison, can I call you if I get in a pinch?

Ex-coC Support Group

To make a long story short, I went online to Wikipedia and looked up church of Christ. The write-up they had was actually very accurate. They also included links to online coC resources, including Apologetics Press.

However, one of the related groups under the Former Members and Internal Critical Views section led to this website.

I just thought I'd pass it on as an interesting study in why the coC is losing people. Maybe we can glean some good info from it. Some of it's not so good, I'm sure. But, it's interesting to see why some folks have left.

How 'bout that?

Well we are officially moved in, and we are in pretty good shape. I now only have a garage to organize (I managed to fit my car in it today...yaaaah!). The rest of the house has little things that need to be done, but in all it is about as organized as this temporary abode will become.

Oh, this is funny in a strange sort of way. I've had no second interviews on any of the jobs I've interviewed for in the past 8 months (I interviewed for about 10 or 12). Well, I had a phone interview on Monday of last week (my last day at AP) with the Okaloosa County Health Dept (OCHD-a state job even though it's a county department). Today, I'm dropping the little one off for an introductory partial day (11-5) at daycare. Suddenly, I get a call from them asking me to come for a second interview. I ask the lady if I can call her back because it's a bad time. She's like sure they really want to talk to you again. Here's what weird. I know both times I sounded like I could care less about the job; I had pretty much decided I wanted to stop looking and just work on my freelance business. With all the other places I interviewed, I was generally excited and overly cheery trying to impress the employers. If I have future interviews, I'm going to take a who cares attitude. Apparently it works.

The Churchwarden

Nay, this isn't a religious post. It refers only to my Father's Day gift.

Yes, Luke and Noah are contributing to their Dad's occasional smoke nights with Uncle Jamie.

This is my dream pipe. Came in the mail today. My lovely wife is allowing me to open it up early. I even get to break it in early!

In any case, I know it's but a small thing, but quite exciting to me!

The pics don't really do it justice. If you can imagine this pipe as almost 11 inches long, then you have it!

Well, he finally did it.

Chuck left yesterday. He, Jodi, and Alexandra were slated to stay with us last night, but got their packing finished in plenty of time to head on down to Florida.

I remember coming back from Summer Break in, I believe it was 95/96 and finding that Chuck was gone from Faulkner. He was the first of us boys to "leave". Then, he was married. Another first.

Now he's really gone and it's weird.

I saw him at lunch yesterday and we talked a bit. He seemed a little sad, but the great joy of moving close to family made it seem not to exist. But, I know the feeling. You're so happy to take on the new life, but you mourn the pasing of what you left, even if it's in some small way.

In any case, Chuck and his family are in for a great adventure now and I think they'd appreciate our prayers. And with that, I'll once again wish them Godspeed...

Resolution to the "Name that Company" Game

For anyone who cares...I've decided to name my company (drum roll)

Lasting Graphics

The beauty is, both of these URLs were available:

LastingGraphics.com
and
Lasting-Graphics.com

I could not believe it. The other great thing is there is not a company in all of Florida named Lasting Graphics. I don't say this often because I fear I may wrongfully give creadit. But, I believe God had a hand in this. I don't know how he did it or why he waited to help me with the name, but I'm glad he did. Keep praying for me (and thanks for the past and future prayers); I've got a long road ahead.

I'm excited. MORE TO COME!

Oh, and check out my graphic...

Chinese Christians

As most of you know, my sister along with her husband and much of his family are in China. Officially they are there as English teachers, but unofficially they are missionaries, teaching the Word to the Chinese.

It is illegal for Christians to worship outside of officially controlled Protestant churches. It is also against the law for foreigners to specifically mention Christianity to any Chinese unless they are asked about the religion.

Unofficially, the government generally overlooks any missionary movement due to the countries need of English teachers. As long as my sister and others do their teaching quietly, they have not been bothered.

Recently a worship service in a private home was raided by the Chinese police. They detained 28, and took their Bibles and notebooks. Many of these people were released after paying a $200 fine. Others are still being held, and names have not been released. There are some reports that the preacher of that congregation has been beaten severely.

All of this took place in Shanghai, the city where my sister currently lives. Please keep her and that family in your prayers. The work has never been without danger, but it appears things may get worse very soon.

My sister and her husband are coming back to the states this summer for about two months. However, they are planning to return to China and keep up the work there. Please continue to pray not only for their safety, but that the work may continue there.

The brotherhood of us...

Last night was grand. Mysteries of the universe and our inner spaces were unraveled. Spiritual and religious issues were challenged, which ironically brought more peace. Friendships between the 3 of us somehow grew tighter, seems as though 12 years of friendship was built upon each other just for that one night to happen. As you know, many nights in college were spent on the floor of a dorm room, candles as the only source of light, and life was discussed... ah life.
Chuck mentioned something last night that honored me beyond honor. Only because the smoke night was at my house maybe. But he said "This reminds me of the nights in college." and twas true. It had that feeling. That feeling we all try to recreate. That feeling we had that we try to mimic nowadays yet try too hard. You can't go back and you can't MAKE that feeling come back, it just has to happen; and it did.

The night started out in typical male-fashion. Burgers on the grill. Don’t let anyone tell you gas is better than charcoal. Bunk! I tried to convince Chuck that these burgers were in my top 10 of my whole life. (He made the burgers) but he didn't buy it, but see the picture; can you deny their beauty? They were so grand. and delici-oh-so. I then remembered I bought a watermelon for this occasion. We divided the 1/4 melon slice into 3 and enjoyed a fun summer treat together, wordlessly. Chuck then drop-kicked his melon rind and it exploded all over his foot. He didn’t expect it, but I did. I then took the long knife and showed off my Samaria sword skills. The camera was there, so we all had a grand-ole-time acting afool with knives and fruit. Chuck even tried his hand at the old sword. Watermelon has an amazing ability to fill you up. So Josh and I then compared bloated bellies. Not sure who won, you be the judge. I am almost certain Sip is holding his in. I, on the other hand, and poking mine out very much. I will always win the most hair contest though. You'll forgive my messy hair and unkept-look. At least for now, I am not caring much about how I look. I find it more refreshing and gives me a more joyous outlook on life. It may seem silly, but I now catch myself purposely messing my hair up.

Fear not friends… we all peed many times in my backyard. Sometimes we gathered around a beam of moon light shining through the trees and honored the moon light with our urine.

So to work some of the fullness pains off, we walked for a bit around the neighborhood since I have a neighborhood conducive to walking (If you can dodge the occasional golf cart). After the walk we sat to smoke a spell. Chuck had some Yachtsman that really caused many a buzz. Hard-to-stand-up kind of buzz.

Everything seemed really fascinatingly boring (Or interestingly uninteresting perhaps?) when you smoke it. Bricks, concrete, wood grain, etc... tis kewl. The conversation turned to me, and I told the men things that have changed in my life, thoughts, feelings, etc, particularly related to religion and how it is hard to believe that churches we go to and religions we practice today are the same as those in the Bible that we all claim to emulate... Alot of it was hard to bring up and put into out-loud words, but since we are of like-mind, my men related to me and we discussed it further and came to no certain conclusion, yet I felt at peace all the same.

I pulled out the mandolin for a few quiet, slow tunes which my brothers gladly sung whilst I played, to which I am thankful. I like to play, but I hate to sing and play, and love it when someone will sing along, thanks guys...

Must else was discussed, but if you weren't there you may never know of it, tis the nature of the smoke night, friends.

Chuck will be missed. He leaves this Wednesday, but I foresee us all smoking at least once a year together until the day we die... of lung cancer... kidding.

Computer applications

The computer teacher at my school is leaving so there will be an open position here at the school.
If you or anyone you know wants to teach computer applications at my schoolo, tell them to holler my way.

Not a great blog, but it was on my mind and figured I'd put it out there. Ryan, maybe your bro-in-law in Mobile would be interested...

Jamison

My First Article!!!

My dear wife called a moment ago and informed me that Dr. Donnie Hilliard, Director of the Cloverdale Center for Family Strengths, had called asking for a picture to accompany an article I had submitted to Our Families Magazine.

Yea verily, I'm being published!!!

The article is titled "Staying Married: Advice from a Short-time" and will be in the Spring/Summer 2006 issue of the magazine! This is a great step for me. I can now list that I'm published in query letters, resumes, and on applications of all sorts! So, I'm happy...

That’s Martel Pace and his bride on the old issue cover.

On a side not, I also found out I'll be teaching an English course in the fall at Faulkner! More excitement to come!

Good News For Brewster

I got my new position. I'm officially the new copywriter for my company. They are planning to revamp pretty much everything. They are completely redoing the website and I'll be writing all of the copy for that. I will be rewriting all of the letters/statements that we send our customers. I am completely in charge of our intranet program, and I'll be creating new marketing ventures. Right now it's completely about writing copy, but they seem to be pushing me towards design as well.

I'm a little nervous about the gig, just because it is new and I know it will be a lot of work. But it's exciting too, and nice to know they like me.

Plus it came with a nice fat raise.

Official Word

I just learned that I will not be working for Brad. Major bummer! I think I'll be doing Discovery as freelance work. I'm about to go find out if that's the route Kyle wants to take or not. I'm not sure what God has in store for me. It may be a lot of kneeling and meditation. Just keep praying for me.

Grandma at Gunpoint

If you looked up “little old lady” in the dictionary, you’d probably see a picture of my grandma. She’s as tiny as a tack, and just as sharp.

A few nights ago she was robbed. While sitting on her couch watching TV a young man broke the glass on her door and barged in. He laid a pistol against her temple, laid her down on the couch and asked for all her money.

“You can have all the money I’ve got,” she said, “but I only have $2.50.”

The robber grabbed her purse, rummaged through her wallet and found that she was telling the truth. Disgusted, he took the $2.50 and moved her to the bedroom. He threw my grandmother onto the bed and covered her head with a blanket while he began looking around for valuables.

She began screaming as loud as she could for help. The dog began to bark loudly. The thief went to the other room hoping to find something of value. When he left, grandma got up quickly, found her jewelry box and hid all of her more expensive jewels.

Jumping back into bed, throwing the covers over her head again, she asked the thief as he walked back into the room,

“Son, have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?”

He said he didn’t want to hear nothing about that and told her to lie still.

Grandma returned for her screaming for help and began to also pray for safety. The thief found the jewelry box and took a handful of the leftover cheap costume jewelry.

He then asked my grandmother if she had a car. When she answered in the affirmative he told her that she was going to drive him to an ATM so that she could take out some cash for him.

“An AT…what?” she asked. “Son, I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about.”

Sure enough, as the thief looked through her wallet again, he saw no sign of any bank card.

Exasperated, he left the house and fled to safety, with $2.50 and some cheap costume jewelry.

The Next Illogical Step

I was speaking with someone the other day (think it was Jamison) about how society seems to be going down the toilet faster and faster.

He asked if I thought pedophilia would ever be legalized. I laughed and said it was ridiculous. No way! That would never happen!

Check out this article about some crazy Dutch folks who want pedophilia and more!

Makes my stomach turn...

Gardening At Night

The city of Bloomington has a community garden project. They have two pieces of land that they have plotted out for local residence to garden in. One is a more elaborate plot in which communities can rent out each year, the other a little less glamorous, yet free chunk of earth located in the middle of a city park.

Having missed any opportunity to garden over the last year and a half, Amy and I signed up for a free plot. Unfortunately we have been too busy to get out there over the last several weeks and so the ground that was nicely plowed for us became overgrown with weeds.

We were a little embarrassed going out there last week seeing our weedy rectangular plot sitting next to all of these finely tuned vegetable gardens. A local not-for-profit business has taken over the majority of the plots so that they might bring home grown vegetables for the poor. They have a large number of volunteers all who can spare time to come out each day and make their gardens looks wonderful.

So there me and Amy were, next to these beautiful gardens, sitting in a plot of tall grass and well established weeds. The hippy girls with underarm hair were all very kind to us, and were very excited to see our plot being used.

Several hours and a lot of sweat later and we had hand pulled and raked nearly all of the major weeds. As the sun set, we packed it up and headed out for the day.

It was a few more days before we were able to make it back to the garden spot. What we thought was a lot of progress previously, now looked like a whole lot of work still until we could actually plant. We toiled until well past sunset, with large street lights guiding our way through the moonless night.

The plot looked about as good as we expected to get it and we planted some nice tomato and pepper plants.

This morning we headed out again, blocking off our plot with string, making nice squares in which to plan our garden. We planted squash, onions and carrots before we ran out of seeds. Amy bought some garlic, beans and herbs today and we hope to get back out tomorrow evening.

I anticipate many more hours of sweating, weeding, and toil before our hard work sees harvest. Yet it brings me a great deal of joy to look at a well sewn garden, knowing how good those vegetables will taste having come from my own hand.

Controlling my own destiny?

Well I did it. I completed my work for Brad (you know that stuff that will determine if I get his account or not). I decided to let you guys see part of it. There are another couple pages, but I figured two would be enough. It was a lot of fun.

I've sent them to Brad and he said he would be looking at them tomorrow. Please keep me in your prayers, I really want to work for both him and AP. If this does not come through I will be working freelance until I find something else.

Stop P-ing

No this isn't a blog about why we should stop being members of ACPO. This is merely a test.

I think I fixed the problem with our blog and using the return key. There was a setting that allowed you to turn on and off hard returns. I turned them on.

I believe now Mullins (and everyone else), you should now be able to stop "p"-ing.

Church

I am getting way too close to being one of "those" people...

Those people who come to church, talk to few if any people...

Those people who sometimes don’t want to be there...

Those people who pretty much want to avoid social events with church folks...

Those people who bring others down...

Tonight was the last straw. My wife and I were skipping Wed class (working on VBS stuff in the work room... we do this every wednesday night till VBS... why go to church at all then?) and my wife mentioned how she is starting to notice her attitude slipping. I am 100% certain it is because of me. I know it is. Guilt swept over me... how could one of the sweetest, kindest women on earth have a bad attitude towards doing work for the church? Why you ask? Because of ME!

That was all it took. I canceled Tuesday night VBS work sessions, canceled one of the Saturdays, and told my wife let's finish this crap with a bang and never do it again.

I desperately sought out an elder with which to speak (We have 4... one I care not to speak to as much as I can, one seems to care little for anything, much less church related issues, and the other two who seem to know what's going on were not there...) I mentioned to the non-caring elder that I am not doing VBS next year. I had to stop it at that because I started to tear up and was about to cry.

Anger? Frustration? Saddness? Guilt? Joy? I don't know, I cannot pin-point the emotion.

I refuse to sacrifice my joy, my salvation, my eternity so some kids can make macaroni necklaces for mommy and get a sugar rush on cookies and kool-aid each night for a week. If VBS saves a few souls, awesome, but if it would be at the expense of my own soul, forget it. Call me selfish.

I get so ANGRY when people use the "over worked" excuse as a reason why they don’t work for the church very much, but here I am using it (though I am not using little-league as an excuse and I dont just come to fun events and avoid the work events...). I need to back off. I really think I do. I am a negative influence on my wife, my friends, my brothers and sisters.

I don't socialize like I used to. I shun being around alot of the people I used to long to be around. I am starting to associate this church building with work that I hate doing. Hense, I dread walking into the building at all.

Dare I say I am starting to hate going to church?

But it makes me sad. VBS is kewl. We are good at it. But frankly, I am sick of it and if I never do another one, it will be too soon, which again makes me sad because this is not the Jamison I have always been. Why the change? What does God want me to do? I feel like I am seeing my church, my brothers and sisters and everything in a different light. And I don’t like it.

Pray for me to find the zeal and passion I used to have. Pray for me to improve my attitude. I know God will answer that one. In high school my mom always said I had a bad attitude. I finally just prayed that God would improve my attitude and He did...

Love you.

did or didn't the dino..?

This is going to be easy, maybe... ~~~~~~~~


In no overly complex terms to you guys really believe in a literal six day creation? ~~~~~~~~


If this is the case do you believe that the world is roughly six thousand years old? ~~~~~~~~


If yes or no, do you believe that dinosaurs co-existed with humans? ~~~~~~~~


I’ll go into my theories once I get some communal kindling smoking. ~~~~~~~~

Name that Company (The Home Version)

This might be a really fun BLOG.

I'm letting you all in on the ground floor. I'm trying to come up with the name of a business that can also be a dot com (Emphasis on dot COM. It can't be .net or .biz). If you come up with something better than what I have below, I'll buy you a $10 meal.

Here's the RULZ of the game. (If you don't follow them, you are not eligible for the prize.)

First, it must have one of the following words (or variation of the words)

• graphic (but don't be crude)


• typeset (typesetting is also a possibility)


• layout


• design

Second, it can be no longer than 18 characters without dashes or other symbols. Letters and numbers only.

Third, you must check to see if it is available first. Go here: http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/index.jsp. Type in your ideas for a domain name like "super.com", if it does not have an "X" in the .com column then post it to this blog. If I like it I add it to my list. Should I choose your idea as my business name you will get credit on my Website and a $10 meal on me. The meal will be in the form of a gift card of your choice (if I can buy it online) or PayPal deposit.

Fourth, when you post your ideas, send me a separate e-mail with your entries to charlesmccown(at)charter.net. Replace "(at)" with @ symbol. This is my only way to get back in touch with you to send you your prize.

Fifth, if I come up with a variation of something someone else posts. Partial credit will be given on my site, but no gift card or PayPal credit will be givien.

Sixth, contest ends May 31st at 5:00 pm Central time. Check back on June 1st to see the winner.

Here's what I've come up with...

These three play on the idea of typesetting paragraphs and graphical layout:

    ParGraphics

    ParGraphic

    ParGraphical

I just like the sound of these:

    BarNoneGraphics

    GraphicsBarNone

    SoulOfGraphics

    TheSoulOfGraphics

These are other possibilities:

    MustBeGraphics

    GraphicsOfCourse

ENJOY THE GAME!

I'm Board so You Benefit

Well this is one way to get me to blog. I'm board at work. I haven't doe much of anything all day except some clerical work for the wife.

Here's your benefit...We are moving to Florida June 15th. It's official. No Job yet, but I'm still working on the Brad Harrub thing.

1. We officially have a spot at daycare. We had to pay for an extra month just to hold it open.


2. Once we get settled, please come visit our new place. We will be renting a house for about 7 months. Visit during the week even. Treat it like a beach bungalo (even though the beach is about 5-10 minutes away)


3. I have two friends with boats, if I don't have a job or I can swing a day off we can go fishing.


4. I already have a phone number...I'll give that later through a more secure channel.


5. Even this blog is boring. I feel like I'm just writing to write.

Hey, I probably forgot something, so if you have a question post it.

...don't have no mercy.

I did my second gig at the Comedy Zone. It was a bit@h!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I doubled my emailing of the poster, as you guys might have noticed, and the CZ hit the street a bit harder, though I’m not convinced they couldn’t have done more.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anyway several folks from church showed and the little girl that attempted to sing has some folks show up and that was about it. It was like prying teeth to get a good laugh. I pulled a guy on stage that happened to be the signer’s dad and he was an ass. He does a stupid prat fall walking on stage and I knew we was going to be a jerk the whole time. I was right and let my vengeance be the fact that his daughter is a terrible singer.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The rest of the show was decent but the audience was still dead for the whole thing. Josh and I had a good bit at the end with the dueling banjo’s and a few improved things but it was tough.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Work update…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I decided that it is again time to actively pursue what Scripps calls a “conflict of interest.” In placing my job on the line I recently met with another production house in town that’s doing some really good work and showed them some “writing samples.” I also took them a “sample” of a project for someone like NBC. Everything over two meetings has been received pretty well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I was walking into work this morning gazing into a brilliant blue sky framed with trees I was praying for guidance and inspiration with my work and as I reached my desk a phone call was waiting on me
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As I reached my desk today I had a message from the VP of Development of the same production house. They were curious about how far I’d taken the samples because he wanted to take my ideas into a development meeting and see what they could do with them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If something works and a show goes into development I’ll get a handsome check based on a percentage of the licensing fee and I’ll have created myself a job at a new production house. At that moment the doors will swing wide.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moment of Irony: Say a pray for something to work!

Fishing

Me and Sip went fishing together in Luverene. It was a grand day of fishing. Granny gave us a guilt trip for not cleaning them so we cleaned and fileted them. Day was good, very good, see pics....

Oh, the gas station sign is a sign I pass almost everyday a few miles from my house... I think it sums up American capitalism, and is funny...

Two Down ? To Go

I finished the second draft for my second novel last Friday. I've actually been finished with the first draft for a while, but I hand write all my first drafts, so I had to type it up/edit simultaneously.

The Tower Quail is about a young girl who unwittingly goes through something I call a "time bounce". The time bounce allows her to look into the past and future and subsequently leaves her with haunting visions of events she largely has no control over. It's something of a departure form my last book, but I'm really excited about it!

Once Rachel looks it over, I'm going to send it through my editing mill and then I'll send it to all you guys. By then, it'll be ready for submission, but I'll continue to refine it even then.

I plan to keep writing books. I have started about 3 others and have at least 10 other ideas, but I might slough off some along the way as some are better than others. It's fun and rewarding. Maybe it'l go somewhere. Who knows?

In any case, I just wanted to pass on the good news.

A Dream

I was in my high school during some sort of break period. I was with two young men, who I actually did go to school with, Billy Medford and Brett. We decided to ditch the place and began walking the hallways. For some reason I was sitting in a big office chair, which I did not leave and in fact rolled through the halls in.

In reality my high school set in a building that was very close to my junior high building. The junior high building was in fact connected to the middle school and elementary school building. In the dream even the high school building was connected to the others via hallways.

We began slowly walking down the halls to the elementary school. We looked at the young kids walking by, studied our old lockers and generally reminisced. Eventually we came to the end of the building and walked outside, me finally leaving the chair.

It was recess, and there were all kinds of kids running and playing. Over there was the BigToy, and just in front was a lively game of softball.

I watched the boys play softball as the batter lobbed a ball directly to the third baseman. A pudgy kid, the third baseman was, and he promptly dropped the lob, the proceeded to fumble with it off the ground, allowing a man to score. When he finally got the ball under control the play was over and he tossed it to the pitcher amongst some good ribbings from his teammates.

At this time an elementary school teacher, Mrs. Buchfink, noticed us and asked what we were doing. Billy immediately walked over making up a story about it being break time at the high school and we got bored playing a game.

I, too, walked over and began discussing how long it had been since I was on this side of the school. I waxed nostalgic with Mrs. Buchfink on how things had changed and how old it all made me feel.

A current coworker, Monique, appeared and I asked her how long she had been at this school, to which she replied she came last year.

I began talking about the parking situation with the teacher and then I awoke.

While this may seem a very bland and boring dream to most, and in fact it is rather dull, there is something I find quite interesting about it. You see Billy Medford was a real student at this school and one I had an odd relationship with, and have dreamed about before.

I was very shy in school, and quite unpopular. Like a lot of kids not on the popular roster, I wanted very much to be there. I was simply too shy to get anywhere near it. In order to not be a complete loser and absolutely alone I often hung together with other unpopular kids, even if I didn’t particularly like them. As if being seen with some jerk was better than being seen alone.

Billy Medford was one such kid. I never particularly liked him, but for different classes and projects we grouped together. Mostly we tolerated each other, though sometimes we fought both verbally and even once physically (though the pacifist in those days I deflected most of the punches without throwing my own).

Since leaving high school for good, I have often dreamed of Billy Medford. In those dreams he is always the annoyance and tormentor. In my dream life he is that much more of a jerk and spends his time doing everything to irritate me to my last nerve. The dreams are never exactly the same, but his role in them is identical.

It is in this most recent dream, which he has taken on a new role. For the first dream ever, Billy is not tormenting me but rather being nice to me, if not exactly a talkative friend.

Sacrifice

Last night (Monday) our Ladies' class watched The Passion of the Christ. I had seen it once and honestly did not plan to watch again as it was so graphic and heart-wrenching. Now I'm not promoting the movie or even trying to critique it. But it really got to me and has occupied my mind a lot.



What kept going through my head was "Why?" It's a question that bothered me a lot years ago while I was going through a questioning/testing period in my faith. How could this physical pain and suffering atone for the spiritual evil in man? Why did it have to be this way?



The answer to the question "why" is simple: love. And two other things put me on a path to understanding the sacrifice of Jesus. One is that he had to suffer any and everything his followers would suffer, and we know about the great persecution that many endured in the early days of Christianity. The other thing that convinces me is this. God is good. There cannot be anything evil about Him or He ceases to be God. But for us to be with Him sin must be eradicated- killed. And this is what Christ took with Him to the cross. I still find it hard to comprehend how sin was transferred to Jesus on the cross, but I do understand why.

The same yesterday, today & tomorrow

Romans 1: 18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

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I believe that the Bible is timeless, what you read is obviously historical and directly relating to being in the moment when it was written. I also believe that it connects with its readers today. So, as I was reading the above passage last night all I could think about was today’s modern scientific world.

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Humans have been living in a world where the design and designer are really beyond all comprehension yet, through his grace we are allowed to get glimpses “behind the curtain” to see how things work and why. Still, and understandably I guess, many people refuse to acknowledge their place in the nebulas soup and have: V23”exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.”

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It’s a bit encouraging to see that perhaps Paul was dealing with these yahoos just as Christians are dealing with them today. V22 seems to be a direct call to those who seeking to explain away the designer in favor of our little species taking center stage.

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This of course is easy for me to say because I do have faith to fall back on. Still as I’m trying to move my faith forward it seems more and more difficult for me to figure out how people can consider the Bible to be a fake. Even the Gospel of Judas, no matter what you might think of it, screams that this person called Jesus walked the earth and was a real man.

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In this book the followers of JC are telling their brethren to straighten up and fly right and look at the obviousness of Gods creation over their own fabrications of what they think is right.

prayer paths

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I touched on this a while back and I’m not sure if it went as far as I had hoped.

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I know that we are told to pray (Biblically and socially) for various reasons and I know that we offer prayers for those folks who are sick and what not, as recent posts have shown, but what are we really doing?

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Do we really have the power to alter the course of Gods plan? In the OT there are several instances of people getting God to sway on various subjects namely revolving around the smoting of a person or persons. The NT seems to revolve around guidance, bolstering faith and enlightenment of sorts. I know JC in the garden prays to “let this cup pass” but I’m not guessing he thought he might actually get out of what was going to happen to him in the next several hours.

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I have tried to adjust my prayers to the understanding, guidance and acceptance of what happens in life over attempting to change things to our likings?

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This might sound really hard but someone passing away might serve a greater good for another. I don’t want anyone who is a father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter of anyone to die under a difficult situation but people do and the best we can hope for is that the person was ready and that they were received by Christ. Maybe we should pray to relieve our and potential the passing persons suffering. Having been in this situation more than once, that is the only prayer I can offer.

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Perhaps the instances of answered and unanswered prayers (relative to one situation of course) are less of a miraculous event and more of Gods plan simply moving from A to Z.

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I guess part of this relates to various scriptures referencing the need to put God before our family and everything else in the world in every situation.

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I think if we should take anyone’s advice it would be that Jesus guys when he said in Matthew 6 “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” I know that’s nit-picking scripture but how broad of a stroke on telling someone “how to pray” should you draw, especially when that message comes from JC himself.

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If God knows what we’re going to be doing at every moment then wouldn’t praying for intercession and it working be altering Gods ultimate plan for our lives? Do the paths of coincidence/fate/destiny and prayer cross more than we want to think it might?

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Please don’t get me wrong I believe in prayer whole heartedly, I just think the prayer has to be moving in the right direction. All too often I think we’re trying to dictate the direction of the pray adjusting Gods position rather than our own.

Outside the Box

Well I may finally do it. I might be my own boss pretty soon. I'll be keeping you guys posted.

I've been talking with an old co-worker , Brad Harrub, and he now has a journal that he's paying $5,000 a month (yes, a 5 with 3 zeros) to have typeset. That includes the company finding the pictures to illustrate the journal. It's 32 pages long and would take about 2 straight weeks per month to complete. I told him I could do it for a flat $3,000 per month. He said, "Hello!" Which is Bradeeze for "keep talking, I'm listening." I could do that and Discovery for $500 per month (2 to 4 days work) and make $42,000 per year before taxes. I would still have over 15 business days per month to do other things, work part time elsewhere, find filler work or other accounts, etc.

It sounds awesome on the surface. I would have to invest about $6,000 to start-up. That includes:

1) A better computer and second monitor

2) Software

3) A used laptop (Jamison you got a price for me yet?)

4) A Tabloid color laser printer

5) A monitor and printer color optimization tool.

In reality investing $6,000 into a start-up business is nothing. I'm really giving this a lot of thought. Your prayers would be appreciated. I'll be calling Brad sometime today to see if we can work out some details.

(And on a side note...Where's the Mullinz video, Jamison?)

Graduation

Rachel, Luke, and I took my in-laws up to Nashville last weekend to see my brother-in-law, Paul, graduate from David Lipscomb University.

Y'all know I'm weird anyway, but I'm probably one of the few people in the world who really enjoys going to graduations. There's something very dignified and important about the passing of the intellectual baton from one generation of academia to the next.

The weekend was filled with lots of events from picnics to the ceremony itself, so we didn't get out to see the city much. Alhough, it didn't matter to me since I've seen Nashville plenty of times. But, it was heartening to see all these students walk proudly across the stage and grab their diplomas, not having much of an idea of what was happening to them.

I was the same way, as the rest of you probably were. I graduated, got the diploma, etc. but didn't and couldn't grasp the significance of the day until much later. What helped was something my brother told me later. He and his wife and my Mom decided to walk to the exit while we marched out, but Dad told Sam (my brother) that he wanted to wait till the graduates were gone before he left. At the bottom of the steps, Sam looked back up and saw my Dad crying. When he told me that, I realized what it meant. I saw that in the eyes of my in-laws and wife this past weekend.

We all reach those mile-markers in life when we know something big just happened, but can't understand exactly what it is. When we were baptized, graduated, had children, and other things, we knew our lives would never be the same, but not until much later did we realize how changed we were. I am honored to have seen a "new birth" after a kind and hope to know my own rebirths and their significance well.

Leanne Durden (Edmonson)

I wouldn't generally blog something like this, but it's urgent.

Y'all might remember Trey Durden and Leanne Edmonson. Well, they're married and have one girl and just had another baby. There were major complications and she's in rough shape. PLEASE pray for her and her family. Here's an update:

The following is an update on Leann Durden (Faulkner alumnus) sent in by hersister-in-law, Misti Edmondson (Faulkner alumnus):

Hey guys!! I know by now you all have heard and been praying for Leann. We still need those prayers. The doctor just came in a little while ago and saidshe looks good but what we are concerned about now is when she bled out and shedid bleed completely out.

She lost everything so they are trying to put it backin her and her body has been through so much trauma. She is on a respirator forher breathing, she is on medicine to make her kidney's function and she is onelectrolytes for her liver. She is not really doing anything on her own andright now and that is what the doctors want because they say it is helping herheal but at the same time that means we don't know what she can do on her own.They are worried about complications and the possibility of infections.

She is not out of the woods and we are not sure when she will be. The doctors said thisis one of the hardest things to go through because they can't give us a timelineon when she will be better it's just a waiting game. So please continue to prayfor her because we need it so bad! Thank you for all being so GREAT!! The prays have gotten her this far!!

One more thing we ask if you want to do this. Leann was given 44 units ofblood and so many people have wanted to know what they could do to help. If youwill give blood at a Life South they are going to track it and tell Leann howmany people gave in her honor over the next 10 days or so. You just tell themthis is in Leann Durden's honor. The web address below is for Life South and youcan go on and check for a local one in your area. I know we have one in H-villeand they are doing blood drives all over the place usually.

Again thank yall so much for your prayers and keep sending them!!!

Love, Misti Edmondson (in case you don't know Leann's sis-in-law)

Blog is Back In Town

I've temporarily uploaded my blog here.

It is through wordpress which seems ok. I really like that you can assign each post a category. This way if someone wants to read all articles about my adventures in France they can click the France category and immediately see all of those postings.

It doesn't allow you to change the template at all, so all of my little sidebar pictures and what not are done. Kind of annoying, but acceptable at this point.

In my searching I found out that yahoo allows you to register a domain name for like 5 bucks a year! So, I'm thinking about getting one and just putting the name on top of the clunky wordpress one. The question is, what should I name my domain?

I'm thinking about:

www.midnightcafe.org

which seems kind of cool, and makes it old school. However, I've had the "Brewster's Millions" name rolling around for so long that it has developed a little title recognition. Meaning there are a few folks out there who now know me and my blog soley by the "Brewster's Millions" name. So, I might lose them if I change names.

Anyways, what do you fellas think I should nam it?

You Sneaky People!

A gentleman from Apologetics Press name Kyle B. called yesterday. Rachel was in the bathroom (again[pregnant, you know]) so I took the call. The conversation went something like this:

Kyle: Hi, is this Josh S?

Me: Yes...

Kyle: This is Kyle B. does your wife want a freelance, part-time, from home, graphics design job?

Me: $#%@%!? I mean, she'd love it! Let me have her call you back!

Kyle: Good cuz Chuck's leaving :(

Anyway, I'm guessing Chuck gave Kyle the low-down on Rachel's skillz. If so, thanks Chuck! If not, who did?

Rachel called him back and they'll be trying her out on a trial basis. This is a dream job for her. Please keep her and our family in your prayers. She'd love to do it and she'd be great at it! This is an answer to prayers and an amazing opportunity.

You say box with strings, I say Dulcimer...

Went to Chattanooga this weekend. Mom shows me this ancient looking piece of work you see above and asks me if I want it. For some reason, I am entralled by handmade musical instruments so of course I say yes.

I can only assume it to be a dulcimer. It has four strings and is a lap instrument. Mullins, what do you think? Sip?

Mulls, when I started to play the mando, you gave me some very nice (though elementary) books on playing the mando (Of which I still have if you want them back). Any chance you have dulcimer books as well?

Will a music store sell "dulcimer strings"? Is it a slide or pick instrument?

Anyway, thought it was kewl. Was made and/or played by my dads great aunt Mary Katherine. About 90 to 100 years old.

Mullins and his standup act...

I won't go into detail about his act. I doubt even if he had much of it written down so I don't expect I will remember it. If you know the man and spent any time with him, you'll know it was funny. I laughed. I faked a few just to get the audience going, but most of the laughs were genuine. I didn't want my pal to hear crickets up there!

I love the old bast. Go to my webshots page by clicking here to see him in action. I will have some video clip links up later this week as well.

A Freak Happening

On my way home from work today I’m stopped at a red light at an intersection between 2nd street and highway 37. Both streets are always very busy, and on Friday afternoon just after 5 o’clock, they are crammed with traffic.

So, there I am waiting at the red light amongst all the other saps trying to get home for the weekend, when out of nowhere this big, fat tire comes flying out of the sky. It was a good twenty feet in the air at it’s peak and came crashing down right onto the back windshield of this little silver car.

SMASH!

The window went out with an explosion of shattered glass and panic. The tire then leaped back into the air, crashing down onto the trunk of the next car then rolled across the rest of the road resting at a curb.

Looking around I couldn’t see any car crash or anything else that would indicate where the tire came from. It wasn’t like there was some wheeless auto lined up on the exit ramp, or a big truck hauling tires. Absolutely nothing around that could have lost a tire.

The lady in the car was unhurt and pulled to the side of the road. The rest of us drove off quietly, stunned into silence at the sheer oddity of it all.

I am sorry, but I must share this via blog...

Our blog has really gotten classy, I know...

But I have to share this with all my c of C buddies... especially you Sippie-pooh...

Song leader game

Obviously made by a member of the church...

My fave lines "Just make sure there are no men around", the quote from Billy Grahm: "But where are the intruments?", and best of all "Go ahead and sing all 4 verses!"

Weighing In

Planning to ship a couple of boxes to some friends in France, my wife asked me to help her weigh them to get an idea of how much this would cost. Having only a bathroom scale and the boxes being to big to fit on them we decided I would weigh myself, and then I would hold onto a box – the difference between me and me with the box should be the weight of the box.

200 pounds!

How can I weight 200 pounds?

It’s true I have been weighing in at about 190 pounds for the last several weeks, but where did the extra ten pounds come in?

The blame lies somewhere at the office. Like so many others I have a job that keeps me sitting sedentary for most of the day. The hours of sitting are moved along with mouth fulls of junk food: carbonated soda, salty chips, chocolate bars and doughnuts.

I have a moving and rather odd shift that doesn’t allow for too many daylight hours in which I can be active. By the time I do get home, I’m often so exhausted that all I want to do is sit on the couch and vegetate.

Even on a day like today when my shift gets off early and I start the day with plans of eating right and maybe hitting the gym on my way home I am sabotaged by the local vending lady and her pies.

As a way to say thank you for using her services, she brought in a dozen or so lovely, delicious pies. Chocolate pies, lemon pies and scrumptious, coconut cream pies.

How could I resist?

It’s like this all the time. Folks go to Steak and Shake and pick me up a caramel vanilla milk shake. The boss brings in pastries for a Friday morning meeting. One of the supervisor orders pizza for her meeting. On and on it is a steady stream of sugar, salts and fats paraded in front of my useless will power.

I used to live on the other side of town and so would bring my lunch to work. I’d spend the rest of my lunch hour taking power walks down the sidewalk. I now live about a mile away and take the five minute drive home for lunch. Which means I check my e-mail, and play a quick game of Zuma ending my hour with a quick meal and absolutely no exercise.

200 pounds of this and I have got to find a better way. I have vowed to take my lunch to work each day, a sandwich or a salad. I’m ordering an i-Pod which I plan to fill with good tunes and some audio books which will motivate me to walk again. Then I’m swearing off sodas (again.) Sodas are killer. I despise coffee so soda has become my method of choice for my caffeine addiction. If I can manage to get over the three day hump of no caffeine and convince my body I wake up better, and healthier with a glass of juice or some herbal tea.

I’ve always known I’d never make a good muscle bound stud. I don’t have the personality for it. Seeing that scale tip the 200 mark has punched me in the solar plexus. If I can’t be on the cover of Muscle Magazine, I hope I can at least lose a few pounds and become more healthy.

Burns, Carlin, Mullinz.

So the subject of motivation was sort of broached discussing the horrible missed opportunity of Jamison doing nothing with his illustrating talents. Considering myself somewhat picky in the world of artsy things there are very few things that are so simple and can actually make me break a smile than his this style of cartooning. BTW I’ve added your Hippo to my web shots screen saver.

At any rate this is about me… Eventually I get tired of things, actually I get pretty fed up quickly sometimes, somewhere my beautiful wife is nodding. On a professional front this happens about every 12 days. Out of this I’ve attempted some projects. The golf thing is sitting in a financial black hole and other ideas have been shelved, adjusted and are pending. I’m talking to two different people on Friday about work prospects. I pushed myself and am still slated to go to Africa in July to do some producing. It’s happened again.

I’ve got an old friend who has been doing some MC work at a local comedy club. Actually I know that Jamison and Brew met this guy when he showed up in Montgomery on a cook out night, his name is Josh Phillips. We’ve had some falling outs and have managed to still talk with each other from time to time. Anyway, A local comedy club guy had an idea and asked a mutual friend of his and Josh’s, a guy named Blake Clark http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0163703/ , for some help. Blake’s first recommendation was Josh. The club guy contacted Josh and asked him if he might be interested in something. After agreeing, Josh was asked if he knew anyone else that might be a natural fit for this little venture. The first words out of his mouth were “M… Mullinz!”

April 29th I’m going to be doing a segmented 20 minutes of stand up and shtick for a local comedy club’s kid’s night. It’s the club’s first venture into this world and there is no way to know how this stuff is going to be received but when I met with the club guy he was far more impressed with me than Josh. Josh did some old puppet stuff which was more like a class than a gag and I was just joking with the guy and doing pretty well. I’m going to do some clown stuff along with some guitar improve junk I used to do back in the day.

Anyway, this will be a real paying gig on a stage and I’ve got no idea what I’m going to do. I know a few physical gags but who knows what else might happen?

The point is this, I could have said no and backed away without interest but I would have always wondered what might have happened. This could be a one shot deal or a once a month deal, which the club will determine. Don’t let these gifts pass you guys by. Sipper you wrote your book and you’re getting some nibbles, I’ve been a goofy dork for a long time and it might finally pay off for at least one night. Each of you guys has a gift follow you heart and hunt that illusive thing you want. Sometimes you have to get it like my trip to Africa sometimes if you do something long enough it comes to you.

Someday you'll be old and can't do what you can now and wonder what you were so afraid of. Plus Sipper and I are going to be tired of you guys riding around on our coat tails.

Sometimes, It's Not God

I've had this discussion with other people, but don't think I've ever brought it up here.

Many times in our lives, when things get tough, we tend to tell ourselves, "God is testing me." or "God is just trying to make me stronger."

However, have you ever considered that perhaps God is not the one who is involved? I don't mean to say that He isn't there and we can't rely on Him, but there are examples in scripture where God let's Satan take hold of us in some way. The best example is probably Job.

But, consider this passage from the NT:

Luke 22:31- The Lord said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat, but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn't fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers."

Have you ever been "sifted" by Satan? Can you tell the difference? Is it any different than being tested by God? What do y'all think?

Reflections

I've done a lot of soul searching lately. Knowing you have time limitations and trying to find employment is stressful (many of you understand). Since I've started looking, I've lost 25 pounds. I've even tried to start eating more lately and it doesn't seem to help. I've needed to loose the weight, but now I can't say it's because I diet and exercise. It's because of stress.

I've looked high and low for a good job. Something that even pays close to 2/3 what I make now. Pensacola is not an easy market to crack. Maybe I've been too picky, but I know there are certain things I would not want to do. I think the problem has been, that the one thing I don't want to do everybody wants me to do.

I've been praying a lot lately. Talking to God has given me a great deal of peace. Although he has not answered my prayer for a job yet, he has quickly given me hope every time I've asked. Specifically, when I've been down, I've asked him to just send an interview along, just to keep my spirits up. He's answered in the affirmative every time, generally the same or very next day. He's waiting for something; it could very well be me. I've tossed around:

1) Maybe I've done something wrong
2) Maybe I'm supposed to finish something first.
3) Maybe I'm not listening
4) Maybe it's just not time, etc.

For those who don't know, I've been given until June 30th by Dave to find something. After that I'm on my own. Jodi and I have sold our house and we are renting it back until then or until I find employment. If June 30th comes close and no Job is in sight, we are moving regardless. There is no reason to stay here. Jodi's Job is based in Pensacola anyway. And at least down there I can more actively search.

I've prayed that God would not let it come to this, but He may have other plans. All I can do is trust Him. And try to be patient.

Siesta

No real blog here, just a funny picture...

Had my roof done last week. 98% of the work was done by 4 hard working, honest hispanic men. They arrived at 11am. and after they ate, the laid down in my front lawn and fell asleep. I snuck up to my window, ipened the blinds, and snapped this shot...

Interesting story ...

They made every effort to avoid messing up my gutters. My wife and I got back from fishing Saturday morning and the 'english speaking one' came to me and showed me the gutter damage. It was bent a bit in a small area and I was sure that it would not affect the drainage ability of the gutters.

I said "okay, no biggie" and went back inside.

Half hour later my doorbell rings, there is the "english speaking one" with his wallet in his hand. He asks MS how much the damage would cost me. I am like "Ummm, I have no idea". He pulls out a $100 bill and hands it to me. I say "Um, are you going to be reimbursed for that?" He says "No." I ask him if that is his personal money and he says yes.

I tell him to keep the money and tell the owner it doesn't bother me a bit, "Go buy your crew a big dinner tonight." That was pretty honest of him. He was troubled by the damage he caused. I saw why it happened; These guys carry TWO shingle packs up the ladder at a time...

Because I don’t want Jamison and Sipper carrying the weight I’ll add a bit more to the fold.

http://www.freecdtracts.com/ Bill Wiese Hell Testimony

So I was on a conspiracy website, I can see Jamison crack a smile now, and one of the captions said something about some guy having been in Hell. Being interested in all things spiritual and others POV I decided I’d take a minute to see how cheesy the site would be.

It was a cheesy site but what I found was a very timid guy who doesn’t seem comfortable talking in front of a crowd and sincerely believes that he spent time in Hell.

I tend to go back and forth on people who claim to have had such fantastic experiences. After having watched the whole thing I still have one thought, why do I question something like this? This guy has tons of BCV quotes to support why he’s not crazy and actually went into Hell that sound very reasonable.

Why do we, as a body of believers, decide to consistently ignore that there is a battle going on for our souls.

No one on this blog questions the existence of Satan and his sway over the world around us so why does he get largely ignored?

Perhaps, just perhaps, we don’t know the true inner workings of God and he does communicate with those who he chooses. I mean this guy’s story is the exact same stuff that we can read about in the Bible and believe whole heartedly. Yes, Jesus changed a lot as far as salvation goes but he also set in place that as Christians we need to SHARE our faith and experiences in order to get other people to believe.

I’m beginning to think that by not addressing this issue we are creating and perpetuating the idea that everything is fine and good and that we shouldn’t be too worried as long as we keep our nose to the Biblical grindstone. There’s more too this though…

Why don’t we believe this guy, why shouldn’t we believe this guy? Are we too afraid to think God communicates with others before he communicates with us? I’m not talking about faith healing (which I should post about a dream I had last night) or speaking in tongues but some something else that is not clearly definable. Jesus never said once you apostles die you’re gifts will die with you. Is the Holy Spirit that gave them their gifts not the same one that we receive after the washing of our sins?

There are places I remember...

Last night I was telling my wife a story that I shan't ever forget (At least I hope not. I am forgetting more and more each day). We were talking about how we wish we had a swimming pool (We do this all the time every summer). I told her how one time, when Sip and I were riding our bikes through Montgomery (Which we did often), and were very hot.

We rode our bikes to Gazebo East apratments. We took our shoes, socks, and shirts off, and jumped in the pool and swam a bit, got out and rode back to our apartment (Though we may have lived on campus at this time.)

I love that simple story, and I love the simple pleasrues of life we all got back in the day. It got me to thinking about our friend Chuck.

Here is a man who was the first of us to leave college (Okay, he got kicked out, but who is counting?), the first to get a real job (which we all envied), first to get married, first to live in a cool home (duplex), etc. He was becoming the first grown up of us all! He never left Montgomery. Neither did I. Perhaps that is why news of him leaving Montgomery saddens me so. Were me and Chuck the closest of closeness? Not really. I ironed shirts for him in college, but he paid me a dollar to do it. I told him one time that the Coke machine was spilling out wuarters and he ran faster than I had seen a mad move in a while, to the coke machine, coming back with a tee-shirt full of quarters... but recently (thanks to our monthly get-togethers with him and Sip) we have grown a bit closer. He was the first man I went to when I found out my wife might have a miscarriage and he prayed with me and comforted me and gave me a soda and some candy. We go out to eat together more too.

The man is leaving, sometime soon. He is leaving a town he hasn't left in 12 years and I have been here the whole time with him. So him leaving will leave an empty space inside me. I likened his leaving to when Mullins left college. I brought this up friday night when we got together. The setting wasn't all that different either. We were outside, candles burning, a fire going, we had drinks, snacks, music and there was alot of smoke in the air...

I said that when Mullins left, here we were, 5 (well 4, chuck wasnt there) guys that really looked up to this clown. The man was our hero! And with little warning (we felt) he was gone. I thought I would never see the man again. He left a candle that Sip had made burning in his room, his empty dorm room, and that was that. So here is Chuck, leaving us as well. On to better things of course! On to being closer to family and on to better job prospects (And on to a better state; no income tax).

I wish the man NOTHING but the best, but wish that life could stand still sometimes...

Baker's Mark

I was browsing Preditors and Editors today and found a literary agency that looked like a good fit. The only electronic means by which I could submit was a web form that allowed only one sentence. So, I sent the first sentence of my query letter:

The young man only knew himself as Runaway Swimmer, an up-and-coming Cherokee leader, until his surrogate mother, Walking Wind, told him otherwise.

Here's the response I received from the agent:

It is quite possible that you are the first writer who has intrigued me with one sentence. I would very much like to see your manuscript. Could you please send the first 100 pages, with a synopsis, a bio, and a SASE to the mailing address below? I look forward to seeing more from you soon.

All the best,
(name deleted)
Literary Agent

I mean, Holy Cow, man!

Coosa River Craziness

This past Sunday, we had our 'evening' services at 1pm, special speaker, lunch, etc...It felt great to set up for lunch, eat with everyone, then all work together to clean up and meet again to study more... felt very 1st century-esque... though I was worn out by 1:10pm... and the song leader (Sipper) had us stand up more than I could handle... anyhow, I digress....

Afterwards, me and a friend at church named Mark too his bass boat to the Coosa river. This is the river that runs through Wetumpka. The boat ramp we used is no more than 10 mintues from my house in a nice park set up by the city (See the ferry boat in the picture on the right, that's where we put in at.)

As we got to the boat dock Mark asked me if I want to get in the boat as he backs it in the water. Having never driven a boat (And not wanting to make a test drive on a $10,000 boat that isn't mine) I declined. He asked if I wanted to back the truck down the ramp... same reasons, I said no. He said he would back the boat in and I would just hold a rope tied to the front of the boat to hold it till he parks and comes back... little did I know that rope was very old and frayed...

I get by the boat and unhook it from the trailer. It takes me 10 or 20 seconds and Mark says "Don't untie that rope!" I said "I am not!" because I wasn't...

I get the boat unhooked and grab the wad of rope... he backs the truck in and the boat floats away. As I am giving it slack, the boat is not taking andy slack... I stare at the boat and in slow motion I am thinking "There is no rope connected to that boat..." Mark yells "I told you not to untie that rope!" I stare, amazed at what is happeneing... "GO get my boat!" Without thinking I march into the waters of the Coosa. I pay no mind to the temperature. But immediately feel my shoes filling with water... pants clinging to my legs, underwear getting soaked, and not water up to my chest. I try to push the boat back by kicking my legs... no good... I climb onto the boat and sit in the drivers seat... I look at the controls like I am sitting in a 747. I look back to see if Mark is there to guide me... he isnt, he is parking the truck...

I turn the key, seems simple enough... nothing... I try again...nothing...

I see Mark and he says "Put the trolling motor down!" Ah! Trolling motor, yes! I know how to use one of those! I go to the front of the boat and realize this trolling motor is totally different from mine... He yells for me to pull the rope (That unlocks it to go in the water)... i see no rope. Eventually, some men on the bank tel me to go to the back of the boat and pump the motor... I do it... then turn the key... nothing... i look to them desperately and he says "Choke the motor by pushing in the key!" I do it... POWER!

I steer the boat back up river to the dock... Mark then tells me sorry his rope broke...

Meanwhile I am fishing for 5 hour soaked and catch nothing...

Oh, did I mention my cell phone was with me when I went into the water? It didnt work after that. I got it home, put a hair dryer in front of it and today it is working flawlessly... Kyocera... buy one if you need a cell phone.

Breaking up the seriousness

Sorry to butt in on the serious conversation, but you guys have to watch this... if you don't so much as smile I'll eat my hat...

This is why FInnish folks never make it big in the music industry...

Click here

Judas: the book tour

So I was reading my international TV new email this morning and learned that the National Geographic Channel is going to be releasing some specials documenting the restoration, history and release of the Gospel of Judas.

Apparently this text was found in 1983 and taken out of Egypt without govt approval. This “hot” and ancient text was shopped about for a number of years because no one wanted to cover the price tag of its restoration not to mention the association of purchasing stolen goods.

One way or another NG decided they would sink a ton of money into their restoration in order to secure publishing rights and a slew of other media type locks on the content, though they obviously can’t claim ownership of the source material, also someone else already did that.

I found a write up about references made to the newly restored Gospel made in the 4th century and 6th centuries from Bishops of the time giving the document some historical authenticity.

Here are a couple of passages from the write up that discuss the stories in the Gospel from http://www.religionnewsblog.com/13067
“Hardly anything is known about the document's contents "other than a few personages" it names, said Robinson, identifying them as the mythological figure Allogenes (literally, "the stranger") known from some Nag Hammadi texts, and Satan, Jesus and Judas.”

“…the last six pages of the Judas document describe a heavenly scene in which Allogenes is being tested and tried by Satan, followed by an earthly scene in which Jesus is being watched closely by scribes. At one point Judas is told, "Although you are evil at this place, you are a disciple of Jesus." The last line of the text says, according to Hedrick: "And he [Judas] took money and delivered him [Jesus] over."

“For Robinson, the significance of the Gospel of Judas has to do not with first-century history but with second-century mythology. Still, he offered these half-serious reflections in his closing remarks last month: "Where would Christianity be, if there had been no Judas, and Jesus—instead of dying for our sins on the cross—had died of old age?" he asked. "So: Thank God for Judas? Even the most broadminded among us would call that heresy!"

The last of these remarks is a bit interesting. Yes Judas did a very bad thing but God being God don’t you think he knew that already.

It seems that we take the whole Judas thing as a surprise and are as betrayed as Christ was when in fact Judas was doing what had been prophesized about since the beginning. Jesus knew he was going to be crucified and wasn’t looking forward to it; he knew who was going to be responsible for it too. The Gospels have several accounts where the Pharisees were discussing and planning a way to get the Messiah but never followed through until Judas.

Very interesting…

Odd Gig

Saturday, the little group of Bluegrassers Jamison and I hang with played a gig for a ladies day.

Now, this doesn't sound very strange at first read, but this gig was held at a Methodist church building out in Eclectic (close to Wetumpka).

Imagine how backwards it felt to be a bunch of church of Christ guys playing Gospel BG for a room full of Methodists...

Strange to say the least.

A couple of highlights were George Jones (our "leader" of sorts) told the old 3 religion joke where dude goes to heaven, St. Pete shows him a room where folks are partying, he asks what's with them, St. Pete says it's the Baptists...second room same thing except it's the Methodists...third room, though, everyone's dead silent...guy asks why...St. Pete says, "Keep it down now. That's the coCers thinkin' nobody's here but them!"

Second "funny" was when we sang "Angel Band". At the end, we always cut the instruments and sing a stirring 4-part harmony chorus. Clyde Hall (interestingly enough, distant kin to your's truly) made the comment, "That's how you do it church of Christ style!"

Both instances drew chords of laughter...

In any case, it went well. We were complimented repeatedly and fed some mighty fine steaks and chicken.

Pics of our recent get-together...

If anyone wants the full-size version of any of these (For printing, or what-have-you) let me know via email!

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