The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

I've been chastised by a friend and called out as a slacker blogger! I've decided to retaliate by posting a really long post!

The Good:

I have had a really fantastic weekend and week!

I started the weekend by taking Chris out to breakfast for her birthday. Then the really big birthday present...I left town for the rest of the weekend! I was on my way to Centralia, MO for a weekend Revival. Centralia is about a half hour north of Columbia. I left early enough to meet Aaron for lunch before continuing on my way.

I had really been looking forward to this particular Revival. My part was to provide magic and share the Gospel message to kids on Saturday afternoon and during the Sunday School hour on Sunday morning. I also spent some time with the youth on Sunday night, plus a few moments in each of the three services. The preaching evangelist for the weekend was Clyde Chiles. It was an incredible honor to be invited by Clyde. He is one of my evangelist heroes! Last summer, Clyde was honored by the Southern Baptist Convention as an inaugural member of the Hall of Faith. You'll find his name among the likes of Cliff Barrows, George Beverly Shea and Billy Graham to mention just a few of the honored members. Needless to say, the preaching was fantastic and many responded by making decisions to trust Jesus and to live according to His teachings. I was a guest in their home and owe Clyde and Betty a great debt of gratitude!

Returning home was also a great treat. At my home church, we were also in the midst of Revival meetings. Our guest evangelist was another of my heroes. Ron Mills has probably had the greatest influence on my own ministry. He has been a great encourager and has really helped to introduce me to many pastors. He has helped me to get involved with the Fellowship of Missouri Baptist Evangelists (FMBE) and many of the Associational Evangelistic Conferences. My own ministry and work kept me from most of the meetings at Hopedale, but Chris and I did get to enjoy breakfast with Ron and Cheryl Tuesday morning and I managed to be at Tuesday and Wednesday night services. The services were very well attended and once again, many decisions and commitments were made. Kudos to Rich for all of the work to bring the music and musicians together and to Dan and the guys in the sound booth! Great job to all!

The Bad:

Have you ever had one of those moments that you later really regret? I'm not just talking about saying or doing something stupid...I have those all of the time. I'm talking about acting out of character; doing something that can change somebody's opinion of you...or worse--change somebody's opinion of the God that you're supposed to love, honor and obey. I've had a couple of those moments recently and it really frustrates me. It frustrates me because I usually have a pretty good handle on what was once a very bad temper. Today, there isn't too much that makes me mad enough to lose control. Even the little outbursts that I'm referring to are nothing like they once were. But still, they are unnecessary, they are hurtful and they do irreparable damage to your personal testimony and reputation. In a day when cultural sensitivity and political correctness are the themes, insensitivity and offensive attitudes are seen as primitive and immature. Jesus teaches that humility is a better way when it comes to dealing with others. So it would seem that apologies are in order. Man, I hate that!

The Ugly:

The Presidential Campaign continues on. Wednesday morning's NPR had a fact check on the Tuesday night debate. It was disturbing that both candidates were either telling boldfaced lies, giving misleading information, telling half truths and making promises that everybody knows they can't and won't keep. It's less than four weeks to the election and the end of the political ads. At least we have that to look forward to!

John

(OK, so it wasn't really that long of a post!)

Talk About Your Bridge to Nowhere!

Hey! How about a blog post to celebrate the brilliance of the human mind? Enough about the idiots that govern the world societies. Here is something that indicates that there is hope and that there are creative minds to overcome any obstacle.

I recently ran across these two engineering marvels. The first is the Monitor Merrimack Memorial Bridge Tunnel (MMMBT). I was looking for this image -> but thought that it was for the bridge/tunnel that connects Denmark with Sweden. The MMMBT is right here in the USA.

Below is the bridge that I was looking for. Built to accommodate the large ships that use this straight and still allow for auto travel, this is truly an engineering wonder. The Oresund Bridge was opened in July of 2000 and is the longest border connecting bridge in the world. To give you an idea of the marvelous design, I've included this satellite image.
With brilliant minds like the ones that design these concrete and steel structures to keep mankind connected, why can't we solve the relationship problems of our world? Do greed and power always have to overcome common sense and good judgment? If money is the root of all kinds of evil and absolute power corrupts absolutely, can't we do away with absolute power and find a way to take care of ourselves and our neighbors without the greed?

Just a thought.

John

I'm John Hill and I Approve This Message

I can understand why politicians would want to lend their personal endorsement (or not) to their campaign commercials. If an organization other than their own says something that offends a group or might cause problems, well obviously they don't want to be associated with those comments. A voice over or short clip of them approving ads makes sense. But when it is the politician that is delivering the message in the ad, it sounds stupid for them to end their own commercial by saying, "I'm the guy running for office and I approve of everything that I just said."

That would be enough for me to say, "You're a moron and don't deserve my vote." Of course I would be saying that to every candidate. Either they are all morons or they think that we are all morons. I'm sure that some really smart lawyer (with no common sense) has advised them that this little blurb is necessary on every ad to limit their liability. And so in a scary, mindless sort of way, these politicians do what others direct them to do--even though it makes no sense.

Anybody for a $700 billion bail out? Where did that figure come from? According to this article on Forbes.com:
"It's not based on any particular data point," a Treasury spokeswoman told Forbes.com Tuesday. "We just wanted to choose a really large number."

If the people that are supposed to be watching this industry (and weren't) tell us that it has to be $700 billion, I guess we're just supposed to believe them. "We're Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and we approve this figure!"

Give me a break!

John

When All Else Fails

Okay, so I know that it's only September 30th and post-season play for the 2008 baseball season hasn't even started. So what? The world is in turmoil and so we might as well start planning for the 2009 baseball season.

The Cardinal's season opener is just 6 months and 6 days away. Aaron has noted that they will be in Chicago on his birthday and is already lobbying for tickets as a birthday present. The Cards are in Kansas City for inter-league play on June 19-21. I foresee another 50 seat block from group sales for Hopedale Baptist Church for the evening of the 20th. I'd also like to take a group to St. Louis for the April 25 game against the Cubs. I don't know how many would be interested, though.

The season finale is on October 4th. That could pose a minor problem as it is Chris' birthday. I see a St. Louis weekend birthday present in her future.

Watching the post season without the Cardinals won't be quite as fun as if they were playing. However, there will still be some interesting games. The Cubs (swept in the first round last year) face the Dodgers. The Dodgers are 1-12 in their last four post season appearances. The White Sox are still battling for their post season spot with a 1 game playoff later today. It would really tick the Cub fans off if the Sox ended up in the Series without them!

Hey! I just had an idea that would endear all of the players and owners to a grateful nation. Why not have Major League Baseball sponsor the finance industry bailout?! Those guys make thousands of dollars per inning and the owners are raking in even more. A little help so that the rest of us can continue to enjoy the occasional $6 hotdog and $5 soda!

Baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and a financial bailout! What could be more American than that?

John

A Little Bit About Ted Drewe's

This is what Ted Drewe's Frozen Custard stand looks like on a typical summer night. I remember bringing a friend (we were at a magic convention) here at about 11:30 pm. The scene was pretty typical with a large crowd still visiting and feasting on the frozen delight.

He looked on with a bit of awe and said, "What is this place?" I think I just responded with a simple--"This is what you do in south St. Louis in the summertime."

Over on Mike's blog, Amanda asked the question, "What is frozen custard?" Wikipedia can explain it far better than I ever could so here is the Wiki-link for frozen custard. If you read down to the Notable Chains, you'll find Ted Drewe's as the third link or you can just click here for the Wiki-scoop on Ted Drewe's. There is usually one of St. Louis' finest around at night to make sure that the crowd doesn't stray too far into the street. I'm usually thinking that would be a great assignment for a beat cop! This location is on the Historic Route 66.

Chris and I have spent may nights visiting this location--both when we lived in St. Louis and now whenever we visit. We were here the night before Chris went to hospital to have labor induced for both of our kids and we have raised them up with the expectation of Ted Drewe's every time we're close to St. Louis. I'll be back at the end of the October.

John

Happy Father's Day!

Yes, today I celebrated Father's Day. Our baseball outing was courtesy of Aaron by way of my Father's Day gift--tickets to a Cardinal baseball game. It was a beautiful day for a ball game and the Cardinals won big! And since I couldn't bear the thought of waiting a whole six months for another one of those grilled Kosher dogs with the grilled onions and 'kraut, I grabbed a second one in the seventh inning!

After the game, Aaron decided that it was best for him to get back to school instead of indulging in some frozen custard--something about a paper to write and some studying that he needed to do! So I was off to Ted Drewe's by myself to meet the curmudgeonly blogger Mike and his wife, Claudia.

It was really nice getting to meet a reader. I know that many of you have known me for some time. This is the first reader that I've met through blogging. I missed the opportunity to meet Bilbo last spring and would really enjoy traveling to meet Amanda.

Of course there are many others that I would enjoy traveling to see, part for the travel and part to get to meet the flesh and bones behind the creative writings that I've come to enjoy so much.

I brought a bit of the frozen custard home to Chris and Hannah. It was wrapped up with a chunk of dry ice and packed into a cooler that I brought along so that I could be a hero to my favorite girls. I skipped the half dozen White Castle double jalapeno cheeseburgers--but only because I had the second dog (and a second custard treat--small chocolate milkshake for the road) and because I know that I'll be back in St. Louis at the end of October and can indulge at the Castle then.

If good times are based on food, then this was an exceptional weekend. Lambert's Cafe with friends on Friday night, fish fry on Saturday night and ballpark fare with Ted Drewe's on Sunday! Wow!

I passed the time on the drive to St. Louis talking to my Mom and Dad. And on the way by talking with my younger sister and then a fellow magician that I always enjoy talking to and spending time with.

I hope that your weekend was as wonderful as mine!

John

Man Stuff

Kudos to the men of the Ozark Prairie Baptist Association for the Men's and Boy's Fish Fry last night at the Main Street Baptist Church in Greenfield MO last night.

The food was great and I hope that everybody had the same great time that I did. I think that it is so important that men and boys have these types of get togethers. The Bible tells us that even as iron sharpens iron, so the countenance of one man sharpens another. We are better when we hold each other accountable.

While I'm on the subject of man stuff, here's something that I've been meaning to write about for a while now...man hugs. It use to be that a simple handshake was the customary greeting for men in the US. I know that different cultures greet each other differently and that a kiss on the cheek (or both cheeks) is normal in many cultures. But it's a little confusing when there are mixed acceptabilities in the same culture. Maybe I'm just not as friendly as I seem to be. I don't mind greeting a friend with a man hug and I certainly don't mind (I actually prefer) greeting a family member with a man hug. But too many acquaintances feel the need to hug when I think that a hand shake would do fine. I hate to think of myself as old fashioned or worse--curmudgeonly, but it would appear that I'm starting to fall into those catagories. Are men trying to be less confrontational and more sensative appearing by hugging? Have we quit being competitive in the manly way of nature? Is this something we do for ourselves or are we being softer for the women that are watching? Am I just over analyzing a change in generational greetings?

In the end, for close friends and family, hugs are good. For others, I'm always comfortable with the handshake and usually let the other guy initiate the man hug. It's not that they make me uncomfortable, I just never really know when it's appropriate.

Oh well. Today I'll greet Aaron with a hug...and that's definitely OK.

John

Writer's Block

It's not so much that I don't have plenty to say, it's more like I don't really feel like saying it. There just seems to be too much bad news to talk about. I don't know much about the economy or the mess that we've gotten into. I do know that I may have to work past the 3 years, 3months and 12 days when I'm eligible to retire now that the my retirement fund may be in the proverbial crapper.

My blogging friend at The FAA Follies puts the economic situation in terms that I can understand and relates to an industry very close to home--air traffic control.

So much for the depressing news.

On the bright side...

Tomorrow night I have my first magic show in some time. I'm looking forward to performing at a Men's and Boy's dinner at a nearby Association. On Sunday I'll meet Aaron in St. Louis for the Cardinals' season ender. I'll enjoy the grilled Kosher dog with grilled onions, 'kraut and mustard, and later meet Mike at Ted Drewe's for the world's finest frozen custard! I'll probably make a stop at White Castle on the way home. No worries about the economy for Sunday!

After mentioning hot dogs, frozen custard and White Castle's, it would seem like a poor time to introduce another one of my regular reads (along with FAA Follies)--Health Nut Wannabee Mom. Heidi always has some good info on what is good stuff to put into your body. Sorry about the junkfood intro, Heidi.

I've added both of these to my blogroll and encourage you to stop by or subscribe to them too.

John

Time Marches On

Today, September 22, 2008, the economy of the US is in a shambles and the government is using hundreds of billions of tax dollars (the only kind of dollars they have) to bail out the over extended financial institutions; gas prices continue to be high even though crude oil has dropped; hurricane victims in the south deal with where to live, how to live and what to do about everything that was lost; Bolivia is a country that is torn with civil unrest and violence; Haiti and Cuba are rebuilding from summer hurricanes; US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq are trying to help establish a more peaceful way of life in the Middle East; and slowly and quietly the Earth slips past the invisible plane that marks the Autumnal Equinox and in the Northern Hemisphere fall begins.

For many, the attitudes of fall began with the kids returning to school or with the first football game of the season. For some it won't feel like fall until baseball begins post-season play or the first leaves start turning to brilliant colors. No matter, time marches on.

Time pays little attention to the matters of the world. It just continues its endless cycle as the Earth spins on its axis and orbits around its Sun. It's true for many of us, too. The big picture is just too much for us to think about in our own day-to-day grind. We'll do pretty much the same thing this Monday that we did last Monday and next week we'll do the same thing again. We'll shake our heads at world events and go on about our business. We are in as predictable a pattern as the Summer Solstice followed by the Autumnal Equinox...and time marches on.

It's easy to convince ourselves that we can't make a difference in the whole world picture. While that may be true, we can make a difference in our little corner of the picture. What if everyone reading this (all 12 of you) decided that today--just today--we'll go out of our way to do something nice for somebody that we don't know. Twelve people would get an unexpected blessing! Maybe you'd want to share this with another person or maybe that blessed person would do something for somebody--we could start a revolution of kindness. If time is going to carry us along in its continuing march, we may as well march along with a smile on our face, a song on our lips and kindness in our hearts.

Have a great day. I have to find somebody to assault with kindness!

John

CUBS Win!!!

Congratulations to the Chicago Cubs and all of the Cub fans.

For the first time in a hundred years the Cubs make it into back to back post-seasons. A World Championship has evaded the North-siders for the same 100 years. Wrigley Field has never seen a World Series Winner. My son's favorite question to ask after the 2006 season was (and still is):

What's the difference between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals?
The Cardinals have won a World Series in their new stadium!

We'll have to see if he's still asking that question at the end of October.

John