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

Kid's Camps

School is out and it's time for summer camps! I can't believe it's been almost four years since I wrote this post on kids! Maybe I'm mellowing as I approach 50 or maybe the little buggers are just wearing me down, but they really don't seem as bad as they used to be. This year(as always), I'm really looking forward to the upcoming camps.

Friday begins the Children's camp for Hopedale Baptist Church. I know that we're expecting 60+ kids (3rd-6th graders, I think) and we'll be there through Monday morning. This year our theme is "Who Are You?" We'll be taking a CSI approach at looking at our character as Christians and our relationship to God through His Son, Jesus.

Monday afternoon the kids arrive for the TriCounty Association camp. That will go on through Thursday night. Once again, the young adults at Sports Crusaders will be at camp with us.

Then on Monday, June 14, I'll drive across the state to spend an evening with the girls at the Mineral Area Association Girl's Camp.

It will be a busy couple of weeks. For those of you that are prayer minded, remember me over the next few weeks. Work is still apart of my schedule (the first to camps are close enough to drive back and forth--working a couple of day shifts and midnight shifts), as well as my annual MWT on the 10th of June. (That's always a blast!)

I hope that your June is as fun packed as mine.

John.

Remember

Amid the family gatherings and barbecues today, be sure to remember those that have died for our freedom.

My generation is really the first post-draft generation--the first generation of which military service was not required. Two of my siblings serve in the military. Nobody in my family has given their life in the line of duty. Too many people are unable to say that.

Today is not a day that we honor those that serve (we'll do that in November), it is the day that we honor those that were called on to die for their country--for our country--the United States of America.

Remember.

John

Musings From My Ordinary Life

Ever wonder how you can be busy and yet seem to live a boring, ordinary life. That's pretty much sums up how I've been feeling lately.

It's not that I hate my life or anything. As a matter of fact, I think that I have a pretty good thing going. It's just that it's also a pretty ordinary thing. I haven't done much in the way of magic or preaching lately, although I have a couple of camps coming up. Work is ... well, work and that's about all I'll say about that. Family life is evolving as the kids are growing up. Aaron will not be coming home this summer as he works in Chicago and moves into the apartment that he and Jenny will be living in after their August wedding. Hannah is working, saving money, getting ready for college in the fall and doing things that don't involve hanging around with mom and dad.

I really don't think that this is mid-life crisis kind of stuff, but it does have me wondering about what's ahead and why we value the things in life that we do. Here are a few random thoughts on the things that seem to matter in our society today and what I think about them:

*****

Several people have blogged, posted Facebook status/comments or just generally complained about the President not attending the Memorial Day service at Arlington National Cemetery this Holiday weekend. He will be at a service near his home in Illinois, where he will spend some time with family and friends (the first in over a year). I think that that's fair since that is what most of the rest of us will be doing (unless,of course, you have to work). I don't think that it has any great impact on life if the President is at a cemetery in Illinois or DC on Monday. Maybe it's just something to complain about. I'm trying to do a little less of that (complain) and trying to keep a more positive attitude about little things in general and life as a whole. Maybe for some, this issue is important enough to get upset about--not for me.

*****

How about the Arizona immigration law? That seems to be a big issue. I've read of Arizona residents that have been treated rudely when travelling, as though they are personally beating up Mexicans where ever they find them. There is no question that something has to be done but perhaps we could make a simple start--secure the border. Before we tackle the big issue of what to do with all of the illegals that are already here, doesn't it make just a little bit of sense to stop the flow--NOW. I guess I don't see the harm in moving forward one step at a time. I know we need long term plans. But while we're fighting over just what those plans will be, can't we agree that the border needs to be secured. We can use the military, national guard units; we could build a barrier (fence/wall); anything to force people to legitimate entry/exit points.

By the way, that will cost money--so get ready to hear it from all of the "want less government" folks about...wait a minute...this is one of the areas that they're screaming that the government isn't doing enough, isn't it? Never mind. But it will cost money and that has to come from taxes (or drug money seized at the border).

I've noticed a that many are concerned about Arizona's law violating the rights of the illegals. Actually, it's the rights of the legitimate residents that would be violated unless everybody, regardless of race, is made to show proper identification/papers for what ever services are being sought. Maybe it's a sacrifice that we will all have to make until the situation is brought under control. Although I don't have any Mexican heritage, I have been mistaken as a native when we've been vacationing in Mexico. I could be a victim of racial profiling in Arizona. I guess we're going to have to decide if it's worth it or not.

It used to really tick me off that I had show my driver's license and sign for a box of sudafed. But if it hinders the manufacturing and distribution of meth, well...I can deal with it--especially in our part of the country. Missouri is a big producer of meth. "417" is the street name for meth in some parts of the country--it's also the area code for Southwest Missouri.

****

Lost, Idol, Celebrity Apprentice have all completed their seasons and I really couldn't care less. I haven't watched a single episode of any of them.

Are the NBA playoff over yet? Probably not. They seem to go on forever.

Hockey is also wrapping up it's season.

World Cup Soccer is getting ready to start. I like international sporting competitions. I like that while governments are at war or issuing sanctions against each other, ordinary citizens that are extraordinary athletes can play games and compete on the sports fields of the world. Fans can cheer on their teams and appreciate good plays made from either side. Too bad the world has to be so much bigger than a soccer field.

*****

Around the world, there are still people that are recovering from earthquakes, mudslides and other disasters. Those things that aren't in the news aren't so important today--unless you're one of the ones that is still struggling to get your life back together after losing everything and everyone.

The stock market continues to be influenced by bad debt and big banking on a global scale. The housing market in our area hasn't really had much of a rebound. The oil continues to pour into the Gulf of Mexico and threatens the coast of our southern states, as well as the industries that rely on the Gulf waters and beaches.

I know that it sounds dreadful. But in my little corner of the world, things aren't so bad. Maybe it's all in the attitude. Maybe it has to do with weighing out the importance of the issues. Maybe it's just about deciding that I'm content to let God be God, and I'm trusting in Him to take care of my eternal soul. After that, everything else just seems to be small, too small to get excited about.

How are things in your world? Are you getting wrapped up in the worry of the world? Are you hiding in the fake reality of some producer's idea of what life is supposed to be like?

What's important to you? and Why?

While the big stuff goes on and makes the news, I still have to repair my HP mini. I still have to mow my yard. I still have to lose some weight. I still have to ..., you get the idea. I still live out this ordinary, semi-boring life.

And that's okay with me!

John

Immigration, Arizona and The Land of the Free

I know that I have sworn off of politics and political posts, but this isn't just about politics--it's about people.

When dealing with the subject of immigration, or in most cases--illegal immigration, I think that some compassion is in order. Sure, the curmudgeonly part of me wants to take a hard line stance and deport anybody that is here without a "legal" right to be here. But the humanitarian part (yes, I have a humanitarian buried deep in my personality) doesn't want to send them back to a situation that is worse for them or their families.

The fiscally conservative part doesn't want to spend a nickel of public money for their health, education or well being. While the humanitarian part (their it is again!) doesn't want to withhold necessary things from the innocents (children) that are caught in the situation as a result of adults that can't get things worked out.

I certainly realize that we need to have immigration laws and the right to enforce them. I shake my head in the irony of the strict Mexican immigration laws in regard to their southern border and the Mexican government's blind eye towards people leaving through their northern border and the criticism they have for the US policies.

I don't know if the Arizona law is the answer but I do think that the state has the right to address the issue since the federal government chooses to ignore it.

I'm not a big fan of the writings of Richard Land. I usually don't disagree with his stance, but often find his attitude and demeanor offensive. However, his article on addressing the issue of immigration was well written and deals with the compassion, understanding and grace that we (the citizens of Heaven and of the US) should have towards those that are just seeking a better way of life. Read the article, contemplate the ideas expressed, and let's see if we can't offer some help to our elected officials in addressing the issue facing our border states and effecting us all.

Love God, love your neighbor...

John

Marking Time

It's overcast and damp in the Ozarks on this Saturday morning. My high school graduate arrived home from the all-night graduation party at the Ozarks Community Center a short time ago and headed straight to bed. I'm enjoying a cup of coffee (actually starting on my second) and reading my daily blogs before getting started on what will prove to be a busy weekend.

Some time during the coming week, I'm going to have to work on scanning a few pictures into the computer--pics of the kids when they were little. I'm having a bit of difficulty figuring out what happened to the eighteen years from when Hannah was just a baby to the day of her high school graduation or from teaching Aaron to ride a bike to officiating his wedding in a few weeks. It's not a matter of feeling old or anything like that, it's just ... has it really been that many years?

I know that they say that "time flies when you're having fun" and I know that being a dad is a blast, but ... really? Can it be that my babies are now a young man and a young woman? It just boggles my mind.

I'll work on those pics later this week, for now I've got plenty to do--too much to be spending time on the blog.

Have a great weekend!

John

Blackberry Winter

It's been cold, damp, rainy weather in the Midwest for the past few days. I asked the question on my Facebook status: If the warm weather of late fall is "Indian Summer", what is the cold weather of late spring?

I got several responses that said it's called "Blackberry Winter" as the cold snap coincides with the blackberry blossoms of early to mid May. Sure enough, we are having a Blackberry Winter. The good news is that it is not expected to last and it really isn't all that cold. The cold air from the north and warm air from the south are making for some severe weather. Tornadoes in Oklahoma claimed several lives and caused a lot of property damage on Monday afternoon. I've written about the Springfield Plateau before. This geographic rise seems to send a lot of weather north and south of us as storm systems seem to break up as they hit the western edge of the plateau.

Oh, we still get our share of severe weather in the spring and summer but it is pretty amazing to watch the weather radar at work as many storms start to break up as they hit Missouri's western boundary. I thought that we were in for some severe weather tonight when I left work but we didn't even get any rain. There was a little thunder and lightning but not much else.

I'm hoping for a good weather day tomorrow as I make the 3 hour drive to Jefferson City, MO to meet with some other evangelists and MBC staff to talk about our ministry to the people of Missouri. I'm looking forward to sharing ideas with these guys, although I'm not really sure why I've been invited. I know that I'm the current president of the Fellowship of Missouri Baptist Evangelists, but that's just because the other guys are too busy and I wasn't quick enough (or smart enough) to say no. In any case, I love hanging out with these guys and secretly hope that some of their smarts, and some of their fire will rub off on me.

Well I need to be on the road in about six hours so I'd better call it a day and grab a little sleep. Meetings and travel tomorrow and back to work the mid-shift tomorrow night.

Try not to fret about the cold--it didn't freeze so we'll still have plenty of blackberries to enjoy this summer!

John