Hero Worship

I've never been much on hero worship--maybe it's because there are few that are qualified for true hero status. And I guess that everybody has their own standards for what qualifies as a hero.

From the website of the 107 Ranch:

Any man, woman, or child can be a H.E.R.O. with humility, endurance, relationship, and obedience which all begins and ends with Jesus Christ.

I can live with that. Using that as a qualifier for hero status, take the time to read about a guy that just may meet the standard to be called a genuine HERO.

Read the article, then come on back. I'll wait.

I like that guy--and not just because he's a great baseball player. He really seems like he's a great guy, too. It has to be hard to keep humble and to remember his roots and to serve in Christian obedience when he is one of the all-time great baseball players.

I don't know if Albert would make the hero status in your world, I'm not even sure that I'd say he's a hero in mine; but I do know that he is a hero to many young people in his homeland and around the world of baseball. He is an ambassador--an Ambassador of Christ, an ambassador of baseball, an ambassador of many that are much less fortunate due to poverty or disability.

I'd have to say that Albert Pujols is one of the good guys...and a reminder that we all can make a difference. We may not be able to sponsor a medical mission to a foreign country, but we can help our neighbors or contribute in some way in our local community.

Do something nice for somebody today--little or large--and come back to share it with the rest of us!

John

Summer Re-runs

I just changed my profile picture on Facebook. If you follow Mike's blog, you'll recognize it from one of his posts.

After posting it, I got to thinking about the masks we wear and the perceptions (and mis-perceptions) that people have of one another. Then I did some back tracking to read several old posts that give an idea of who John really is--or at least an idea of who I think I am.

Some of the things are a little bit funny, some are interesting, some are controversial, not many are normal or boring. Maybe that's why I like the new pic.

If you're a long time reader and don't feeling like the reading the repeats, I understand. If you are relatively new to Out of My Hat or a recent addition to my Facebook friend list, you may enjoy these (I do):

Who Am I?

Who am I? (Again)

Facebook and Random Things

Ten Honest Things About John

The last two are short easy reads (lists), the first two are a little bit longer.

So now you know why being me isn't boring ... or normal

John

Who is Your God?

I read a couple of different blogs today that addressed diversity of beliefs in one way or another.

This first one is really just a brief on the author's look at how we sometimes view God. I think that we all need to examine why we believe as often as we examine what we believe.

The second is Brian McLaren's response to the question "Are all religions the same?"

And the last is an irreverent look at a polytheistic world that ridicules several beliefs. If you're easily offended by somebody making fun of your beliefs, you might want to skip this one.

John

Looking Back, Living Ahead

Today was another beautiful day in the Ozarks. I don't know if it made it to 90F (32C) or not, but I'm sure that it was close--pretty much what one would expect for mid-July. At a little after 5 pm, the sun is beating down on the back of the house and the driveway (where I am sitting) is well shaded.

I'm taking advantage of my laptop, wifi router, and the alone time afforded me by my current task of manning the ice cream freezer to do a little blogging. There really isn't much to do other than making sure that there is ice with enough rock salt to keep it melting and to be here when the delicious confectionery concoction freezes enough to stop the electric motor.

Chris is baking the lasagna and we are awaiting the arrival of our dinner guests. Aaron and Jenny are home for the weekend taking care of some pre-wedding business. Tux measurements, dress fitting, a shower at Hopedale today and another one at Jenny's church tomorrow. Then back to Clinton and work for Jenny, Chicago for Aaron. For this evening, we'll share the two of them with Jenny's family and have dinner together as soon-to-be in-laws.

I was looking at some of Aaron's pics from when he was just a little guy and thinking of the great time that I've had being a dad. Honestly, I'm not really sure of how I feel about entering into this next phase of fatherhood--I mean it's good--I'm very proud of Aaron and thrilled with the young woman that he's marrying. I don't know if I'm supposed to be sad that they will be on their own far away from home or not. I think that falls under the category of what mom's are supposed to be sad about. For dads, I think it's more of a "mission accomplished" kind of thing. You know--that's what we raised them to do.

I think that Jenny's dad, Joel will be scanning some of these pics for a power point presentation of pics of Aaron and Jenny for the wedding. After they're digitized, I'll post some of them here. They remind me of some great times.

*****

Dinner was great, the ice cream was awesome and we had a good visit our with friends that are soon to be family. Kathi, Joel and Kassi went home a little while ago. Hannah's boyfriend, Ethan, left around midnight and Aaron and Jenny are on an early morning (1am) run to Buffalo Wild Wings to get Aaron his spicy fix.

It's been a whirlwind kind of visit--arrived home about 10pm Friday, busy with tux measurements, dress fittings, hair appointments, and a shower today. Too busy to make the fireworks after dinner tonight and church, another shower tomorrow and then the drive back in the afternoon. Jenny will be back next weekend, but we won't see Aaron until the week before the wedding. He's still got some laundry to finish tonight so he'll have a pretty late night. Maybe he can get a nap on part of the trip back tomorrow.

All-in-all, a pretty boring post for most my readers, but another reminder for me of just how good things are. Yeah, I only mowed half of yard today, spent a few days on sick leave last week, spent some money on stupid medical tests for work last week, watched the Cardinals have a dismal week, and I have two cars in need of repairs (ones not running and I can't figure out why). And yet I have a grand life.

If you're one of my Facebook friends, you may have already listened to this song. I think it explains my attitude about making it through the day to day struggles of life. In the Bible, Paul writes that we are just travelers through this life; that this is not our home; that we have something greater ahead of us.

Author Stephen Covey says it this way: "We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey."

I guess it's just a matter of perspective.

Enjoy the song.

Enjoy the day.

Enjoy life.

John

When Small Business Turns to Corporate Greed

Just down the road from me is a Wal-Mart Super Center. It has just about anything that you might want or need from a gallon of milk for dunking cookies to a quart of oil for your car. You can do all of your grocery shopping from fresh fruits and vegetables, to deli, dairy, bakery and packaged foods. You can buy a new cell phone (and contract) from most cell providers, a new computer, iPod, or flatscreen TV. You can get school supplies, bedding, hardware and tools, clothing from slacks to shorts and dress shirts to t-shirts. You can get exercise equipment, sporting goods, toys and tents. You can fill your prescriptions, get your vitamins and supply your medicine cabinet. You can decorate your yard, fertilize your lawn, buy a lawn mower, weed eater, leaf blower, patio furniture, gas grill or charcoal grill. You can buy tires or batteries, get the oil changed in your car or buy all of the stuff to do it yourself.

It is the great one stop shopping place...and it's cheaper than any other place around.

...That is, if you can find another place around.

I'll admit that it's easy to go in there when you're in a hurry and need a few diverse things. Or when it's almost midnight and you're on your way home and need to get a gallon of milk for the next morning's breakfast.

Your kids will never make a fashion statement dressed in Wal-Mart clothing, but if money's tight (and it usually is) you can buy a couple weeks worth of t-shirts, shorts, sock and underwear for a lot less than at a "clothing" store.

This might sound like a big push for Wal-Mart Stores...IT IS NOT.

Wal-Mart is the ultimate example of how corporate greed can upset the balance of healthy competition, small business and community pride. It shows how profits for the major stock holders and corporate executives outweigh honesty, integrity and just plain fairness when it comes to dealing truthfully with communities and employees.

The High Cost of Low Prices is a documentary film that will will make you think twice before spending another dime in a Wal-Mart store or make you become active in keeping a Wal-Mart from coming to your town. You can watch it here.

I know that it's an hour and thirty-eight minutes long, but it's worth the reminder that we are still paying a high price in round-about ways and it's all going into the pockets of the corporate big shots.

Come back after you've watched the film and tell me what you think.

Today I'll sign off as...

John

the Union Member

Commercial Food Workers 1985-86

International Association of Machinists and Sheet Metal Workers, Dist 9 1989-'92

National Air Traffic Controllers Association 1992-present

Happy 4th of July!

It's a great day of celebration across the USA. Although we often struggle with political issues and we may not have the perfect system of government, it beats the pants off of whatever anybody else is doing.

One FB friend posted the thought, "Wondering what our founding Fathers would say about our country and government today."

I liked the comment that was posted, "They'd say they're still a free country and fighting to keep it free. Way to go people!"

To often we want to focus on what's wrong with our country--and we have to recognize our faults if we are going to fix them. But let's celebrate what's right with our Grand Country today! As Citizens of the USA--what ever your race, religious preference, political party, sexual orientation, social status, size or shape--let's celebrate our freedom!

My friend Bilbo has an excellent post for today. Hop on over and give it a read.

John

Happy Birthday to my Dad.

Saturday Morning

This is an unusual Saturday morning for me. Normally, my weekend begins on Friday morning after completing the Thursday night/Friday morning midshift. This week, so that I could have a long weekend last weekend and so that a co-worker could have the Friday night/Saturday morning mid off, I traded shifts and worked the additional mid at the end of the week.

I stopped at Starbucks on the way home and then stopped to visit with some friends at an Estate Sale. It was quite nice to visit with Pastor Joseph and his wife Kaye. It's been a little while since we've talked and it makes me think that I need to have a lunch with Joseph or perhaps have them over to dinner sometime soon. I always enjoy talking with Joseph. He is a unique individual.

One wouldn't normally look at a man that is legally blind and say that God favors him. Nor would you see a man that now walks with a cane or a pronounced limp and count him as one that has been blessed abundantly. His childhood was not a good one. He ran away from home and was on his own as a young teen. Born blind in one eye, he lost sight in his other, regained it for a time only to lose it again. Somehow, this displaced Montana cowboy was guided to Evangel College (now Evangel University) in Springfield, MO and managed to get scholarships and grants to secure an undergraduate degree.

In spite of his tremendous education (I believe that he now hold four Doctorate degrees--I don't even know if that's the right way to say that!), he is as humble a man as I know and very easy to talk with. I consider myself blessed to be numbered among his many friends.

Check out his website and you'll see that he is an author, play-write, teacher, actor, pastor, and much more. I encourage you to consider his books for your personal reading (I like I'm Not Really Blind, I just Can't See the best.) and if you are ever considering the Ozarks as a relaxing getaway, you need to look into the Serenity View Lodge Bed and Breakfast.

All-in-all, my short visit this morning was a grand way to start the weekend. Now for a little sleep and the weekend can continue sometime around noon!

John

Just a note about the statement "He is a unique individual."

I had to change this from my original "He is a very unique individual."

I recently read that since the "uni" in unique means one and that since unique means one of a kind; very unique is an improper phrase. Some thing can be somewhat unique (meaning that there are few like it) but nothing can be very unique.

JH

Just Waiting...

This morning finds me waiting for the American Red Cross Apheresis Center to open for my 8 o'clock appointment. There is now a standing joke about one of the nurses calling the police on me. I generally donate after working a mid-shift. Often I will park in the parking lot and sleep in my car while waiting for them to open. One morning, one of the employees saw me in my car, didn't recognize me through the tinted windows, tapped lightly on the window and when I didn't respond, she called 911.

I woke up a few minutes before the police and ambulance arrived and went inside to wait. That's when she realized that I was the one in the car. I'm sure that the police and paramedics got a little bit of a laugh out of it. I know that it made me one of the more memorable donors and am reminded of it each time I come donate after working a mid-shift.

Listening to NPR as I wait this morning--it was 60 years ago today that North Korea invaded South Korea. Sad that we continue to have issues with North Korea today. Just yesterday I was feeling very badly for the North Korean soccer team that performed so poorly at the World Cup. In an unusual move, the North Korean government allowed the live broadcast of the game. I wonder what awaits the players that "embarrassed" their country with such a dismal performance.

Also on this date--only one year ago--Michael Jackson died. Apparently, death was a good financial move for Michael. Not only did the incredible spending stop, the assets of old music, memorabilia, etc., have skyrocketed.

Listening to the news reminds me of how great my life is. The Gulf oil spill is causing problems for the locals in Louisiana. The drug violence in Mexico is spreading. The military structure in the Middle East is in flux after inappropriate comments by a loose lipped General. Here I only have to deal with minor issues. I have a nice home, a good job, a great family. Life is good.

I know of many that are dealing with joblessness, health issues, financial crisis...I wish that I could do more to help them. I almost feel bad that I have so much going on. I'm glad that I'm able to do occasional free (or close to free) magic shows for seniors or kids. I did that Wednesday afternoon. It was fun and not my usual venue. Not only is it good for my audience, it allows me to work on different things and prepare for doing more magic when I retire from the ATC gig.

Well, it is time to take care of the pre-donation paper work. Have a good day. Do something for somebody else today. Offer encouragement, help, a smile or kind word. Donate blood, platelets, food, money, time. Give of what you have--even if you have little. You'll be glad that you did.

John

Catching up

Looking at the date of my last post and the date on the calendar for today, it has been 20 days since my last post. Coincidentally, that is also about the same amount of time that I have been without my HP Mini netbook.

You may recall that I damaged the LCD screen when my Mini fell to the floor. HP informed me that the minimum repair cost would be $250 and that I could buy a new mini for $279. I was checking into the new ones, looking at a iPad, and trying to figure out what I was going to do. A friend suggested that I might consider replacing the screen myself.

What?! Me?! I am a total computer moron. I do little "manly" stuff when it comes to home repair/maintenance, less when it comes to cars, and none--let me repeat, NONE--when it comes to computers. But, considering the options and the expense, I decided that I'd at least price a new screen. HP wanted about $110 and I found them elsewhere from $59-79. The main problem that I was facing was that there appeared to be a number of different screens that might work. I decided to order one from a local shop so that I would have some place to go if I ran into any problems--it was $85.

When it came in, I set about taking the old screen out. I was hoping that it would be as simple as removing a few screws and then unplugging the old screen, plugging in the new one, and re-assembling. It probably would have been except (there's always an "except") it wasn't the right screen. So...I took it back, along with the original and had them reorder it. For whatever reason, it took almost two weeks for the correct one to arrive--yesterday. As unbelievable as it might seem--I, Mr. Tech gadget moron--put it all back together and am blogging away on my netbook at this very moment!

I'll try to get caught up over the next few days. For now, the lawn beckons me. Then a few hours sleep before returning to the radar room for another midshift.

John

C. S. I.

It's early in the morning on the day of Hopedale's Children's Camp. I am a little bit anxious about camp this year. While I really do like the "Who Are You?" theme and the crime scene approach, I'm afraid that I'm moving in a little bit different direction than the lesson time is going to be directing the kids.

We have a very good Children's Department and a volunteer staff that understands how kids learn as well as any professional staff. I'm looking forward to the lessons and the skits as much as the kids are. It may seem strange that I don't know what the lessons are or what the skits will be like. I do that on purpose. I don't want the message during worship to be based on the skits. I know the theme and will work with that. Usually, it all comes together quite nicely.

This year...I don't know. I have been given a summary of the skits since I've been asked to talk to the kids about trusting Jesus as Savior at the end of the final skit. Right now, I'm not sure how I'm going to reconcile the two different approaches to this "investigation" in a way that will make sense to the kids, honor The Word, and give glory to God.

Our Children's director asked me how many years I've been serving as Camp Pastor. It's been a few...I think 9 of the last 10 years. Maybe it's time for somebody a little younger to serve as Camp Pastor. Our Children's Director has changed (younger). Our worship team has changed (also younger). Our camp sites have changed. I'm just thinking...you know?

The TriCounty camp has changed over the past couple of years and I have had a diminished role each year...and that's okay with me. It really is about the kids getting to know more about our God.

In any case, today will be a long day. I had hoped to grab a couple of hours of sleep after the midshift before needing to be at the church at noon, but I just learned of a worker's meeting at 10. By the time I get to the feed store and take care of the horse, finish getting my things together for camp and make it to the meeting...well, it looks like maybe 11 o'clockish tonight before sleep. No big deal...unless, of course, I turn into the grumpy old guy! Not a chance!

Enjoy the weekend.

John