State Constitution Preambles...

NOTE: No one is forced to worship God in any of these- nor should they be. But...God is mentioned as the basis for liberty and invoked for the continued blessings of these States.

Alabama 1901, Preamble We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish the following Constitution...
Alaska 1956, Preamble We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.
Arizona 1911, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution...
Arkansas 1874, Preamble We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...
California 1879, Preamble We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom...
Colorado 1876, Preamble We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe...
Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.
Delaware 1897, Preamble through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences...
Florida 1885, Preamble We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution...
Georgia 1777, Preamble We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...
Hawaii 1959, Preamble We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance ... Establish this Constitution.
Idaho 1889, Preamble We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.
Illinois 1870, Preamble We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil , political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
Indiana 1851, Preamble We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to choose our form of government.
Iowa 1857, Preamble We, the People of the St ate of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings, establish this Constitution.
Kansas 1859, Preamble We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establishes this Constitution.
Kentucky 1891, Preamble... We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...
Louisiana 1921, Preamble We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.
Maine 1820, Preamble We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity... And imploring His aid and direction.
Maryland 1776, Preamble We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...
Massachusetts 1780, Preamble We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe In the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction
Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom, establish this Constitution.
Minnesota, 1857, Preamble We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:
Mississippi 1890, Preamble We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.
Missouri 1845, Preamble We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness. Establish this Constitution...
Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution...
Nebraska 1875, Preamble We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom. Establish this Constitution.
Nevada 1864, Preamble We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, establish this Constitution...
New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.
New Jersey 1844, Preamble We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.
New Mexico 1911, Preamble We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty...
New York 1846, Preamble We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.
North Carolina 1868, Preamble We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those...
North Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...
Ohio 1852, Preamble We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common.
Oklahoma 1907, Preamble Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty, establish this Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences
Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance....
Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing...
South Carolina, 1778, Preamble We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
South Dakota 1889, Preamble We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ...
Tennessee 1796, Art. XI...III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...
Texas 1845, Preamble We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God.
Utah 1896, Preamble Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.
Vermont 1777, Preamble Whereas all government ought to enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ..
Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other
Washington 1889, Preamble We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution
West Virginia 1872, Preamble Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...
Wisconsin 1848, Preamble We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility...
Wyoming 1890, Preamble We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties, establish this Constitution...

Centered...

Self-centered and self-involved vs. others-centered and God-centered. Self-centeredness leads to credit and excuses. When things go well, the self-centered dude takes the credit. "Well, I planned well and worked hard and..." When they go poorly, it becomes about the excuses. "If I could just catch a break..." "Getting a job there is about who you know...I'm more qualified than everyone else. They just won't let me have the job..."

Others-centered and God-centered means giving God his due when things go well. It means understanding that even our gifts, talents and abilities come from him- though we may hone them and grow in them. It means that failures become opportunities to take responsibility and learn from them instead of excusing them and repeating them over and over.

I just heard about another local pastor trying his best to take someone from a home church to grow his particular church. God, I'm so tired of this crap. I got no respect for that nonsense. NOWHERE in the Bible does it say the ultimate goal is to become entrepreneurial and grow big. The goal is to help people follow Jesus (discipleship) so they can reach others who want to know this amazing Christ we follow. It's an issue of centeredness.

God-centered leaders aren't in competition with anyone. They simply want to serve God and his people. "Sheep-stealing" is an indication that the heart is not right. That something has gone terribly wrong. That cultural values have taken precedence over God's values.

Layman may never become a big church. I'm pretty OK with that. I'm def. not jealous of big churches. I'm a co-worker in the faith, regardless. But I do want us to do all things with integrity and love. If we can do that, trusting God all the while, we're successful. Regardless....

OK, vent-mode }OFF{

Sabbathing...

My voicemail this week said that I was "sabbathing" with my family. At first glance, it might appear that I'm simply trying to spiritualize my vacation.

After all, I was in Orlando. I mean, c'mon, it's the friggin' capital of tourism and theme parks. And we stayed 5 nights at the Nickolodean hotel in a Jimmy Neutron=themed room.

We enjoyed Universal and Universal's Islands of Adventure. We went to Aquatica and Sea World. We spent time in the arcade at our hotel's mall. We saw 4-D mini movies. And I'm saying I'm "sabbathing?" Crazy, no?

I DID sabbath. It was incredible. I read from life-changing scriptures. I prayed. I read "Edge of Eternity" by Randy Alcorn. (Amazing book!). I asked God to protect my heart and keep me pure as I walked through parks and pools in which women were dressed in provocative ways.

I kept my phone off so as to disallow the busyness of work and the weight of ministry to lay heavy on my time with my family and my God. And...sad to say, it usually does when I'm on vacation. People call. Well-meaning.

But they want me to know about this or that. As if I'm the one who can solve the problem. I know the One who can. But I'm not him. And I trust our leadership to deal with issues. So I turned the phone on once or twice a day to see if anyone just HAD to leave a message- even after hearing that I was sabbathing and unavailable.

A woman at the hotel lost a young child. The hotel was dealing with it, so we took time as a family to pray. My son got upset at my wife, so I took the time to explain the theology of sin against one another and how sin always demands a sacrifice- even sin against one another. And how Christ paid for all our sin, so we can nail to the cross what other people do to us. He forgave and realized he wasn't justified in his anger to begin with.

I was sick all week (and for almost 2 weeks before). It got bad on Wednesday afternoon. The sinus infection caused my left eye area to swell. I was in pain. But God was good. We had a great vacation anyway. And I- without all the distractions of life and full-time ministry-was able to appreciate my God and my family. And grow closer to both.

I don't want any more vacations. I want Sabbaths. I've tasted the good stuff. Sabbaths- time apart from so as to draw near to- rock!

Florida...

Just got back from Orlando. Had a week of vacation. I've been sick for several weeks now, but it turned into a bad sinus infection on Wednesday. Put me right down in the bed with half my face swollen and hurting. I'll be seeing the doc today!

Learned some things... Like, for instance, when it comes to taxes, it's never enough for the government. I kept rolling up to tolls that said ".50" and then, a little further down said ".75" and then actually become "1.00". I spend 4 bucks just getting from the airport to my hotel! Those guys are nuts- the roads certainly weren't any better than they are around here...

I learned that the desire for money without the guiding force of morality always ruins the endeavor. Universal and Sea World have versions of a "Fast Pass" you can buy for mega-bucks that allows you to skip lines. So...we waited and waited while the privileged few rode coasters and rides over and over again. Once, the ride operator didn't even make them get off the coaster and walk back around, so my wife, my son and I just stood there waiting and waiting to ride.

I learned that vacations are better with a looser schedule. We spend all day Friday and Saturday at the 2 Universal parks. We were spent. My 45-yr-old body doesn't handle that well. Not anymore. We spent all day Sunday at Aquatica (water park). But...towards the end of the week, we got smart. We did half-days at the parks and half-days at the hotel.

And I was reminded that I care much more about the time with family than where it's spent. We had a great time and got jaw-dropping deals on everything we did, but nonetheless, my best times were just being with my wife and son.

Oh- and God was so gracious to me. I read scripture and it was living and real. I asked the Lord for help with "every man's struggle" and found it almost embarrassingly easy to keep my mind pure. I hate living in a society that objectifies women and I hate that my past has been so heavily influenced by it. But I rejoice that God is continually working on me to daily overcome that struggle.

And really, being head-over-heels in love with my wife doesn't hurt...

Peace!

Easter's Aftermath...

Friday

Six Hours on a Friday Afternoon...blood dripped freely...

Saturday

The tomb...death...despair...disciples disillusioned...was it all just a lie?

Sunday, Pt. 1

Could it be? The women are breathless with astonishment! Peter and John go running. Flat-out sprinting in the cool of the morning, anticipation mixed with trepidation. What if??? What if... What would it mean for now? After all that has transpired. Peter's hands sweat. His stomach is in knots. What would it mean for the rest of their lives?

Sunday, Pt. 2

He IS alive. But Peter...Peter failed. He denied even knowing Jesus. And Christ saw him in that moment of failure. Locked eyes with him. Jesus knows. Jesus is alive, but Peter is a failure and it's over for him. Ashamed, shoulders forward, crestfallen, he lumbers away from the tomb. Time to go back to fishing...

Soon Thereafter..., Pt. 1

He's alive. But not for Peter. There's no joy. The days were a grand dream with a horrible ending. It's time to go back. The smell of the salt air, the familiarity of the task, the rhythmic rocking of the boat. Home. Yet, no longer enough. Who's that on the shore?

Soon Thereafter, Pt. 2

Jesus? On the shore? Could it be? Caution to the wind, protocol forgotten, Peter shed his tunic and dived headfirst into the salty cold. No walking this time. Not even an attempt. Just a headlong burst of unrestrained hope into the icy murky flow.

Part 3

A morning breakfast of fish and bread, a warm fire, awkward small-talk. The elephant is still in the room. Then he just ups and asks- "You love me?" Heart sinks, pulse quickens, eyes averted. Defensive, wishing to hide the shame. "Of course I have affection for you!" "Then start serving me again. Quit hiding. Feed those who are mine." It's a rebuke, but a gentle one. It's...restoration...

Part 4

The warmth of the fire on Peter's face turned to hot shame. Jesus kept asking that question. Finally, the third time, "Do you at least have affection for me?" Exasperated, Peter's voice rose. "Lord, you know all things. You know I have affection for you!" "Then get your eyes off your failure, Peter. Serve me well by serving those who are mine." And with that, it was over. A weight was lifted. Peter was...free...

St...st...st...stutterrr...ing...

He was totally unqualified for the job. In every way.

• He was compromised- he'd grown-up in a royal household as an adopted son, yet betrayed the very people he was supposed to now confront with God's message.
  
• He'd already tried and been rejected by the people he was now being sent to save
• He was a murderer and an outlaw
• He was supposed to be God's spokesman, but he had a stuttering problem
• He was supposed to lead people to freedom, yet he was living in exile, enslaved by his past and keenly aware of his own inadequacies

So, naturally, God picked him to be a prophet, a spokesman, a mouthpiece who would go before Pharaoh, the ruler of the most powerful nation on the earth- Egypt- and give the message that God wanted his people set free from slavery.

Moses demurred. "But I stttt...stt...stt..sttutttter, Lord! I am ssssslow of ssspeech and tttt-tt-ttongue."

It was like he was telling God something God didn't already know. Can't you just imagine God slapping his forehead in amazement and saying, "Thank you so much! I didn't realize you had a speech impediment! Wow, we really dodged a bullet there. I'll go find someone else and you go back to being shepherd."

God answered, instead, "Yo- who do you think made you?? Yeah, I know you have speech problems. That's the point! You're gonna do what you could never do on your own. And through that, you will know me and my power in a way you'd never have known me otherwise. And everyone who hears you will understand- sooner or later- what a great God you serve."

I wish the narrative ended there and we saw God use Moses in all Moses' weaknesses. Because following God always demands faith. It's never comfortable. But, that's kinda the point.

Spiritual comfort is akin to laying on the couch every night eating bags of greasy potato chips and then hoping to live a long life and be healthy and fit. We grow as we trust, pray, exercise faith. As we seek and find.

I talked to a guy yesterday who's a skeptic. I kept smiling because I'M a skeptic! And my skepticism led me away from my new-agey beliefs in "universal consciousness" and so many other things. And the only reason I'm a Christian is that I've questioned every aspect of it. No laziness there- I've checked this thing out. I reject much of the TV preachers. The slain in the Spirit/"gimme money and God will make you rich" garbage. I reject holier-than-thou attitudes. But I follow Jesus hard. With all my heart. Because I've checked him out and he checks out well.

Again, I wish the narrative ended there. But Moses couldn't quite bring himself to trust God. Instead, he argued for his own limitations and they became his. Moses said, "Please, Lord- just send some other sucker."

God answered back, "I sending your brother Aaron to you. He'll help you speak."

And Moses, not fully trusting God, talking himself out of blessing and into trouble. Once the Israelites had left Egypt, Aaron made false gods of gold for the people to worship while Moses was away.

Here are my thoughts:

• I refuse to be spiritual lazy while expecting to be spiritually healthy.
  
• I will seek God. I will be skeptical but willing to ask questions and really seek
• I won't argue for my limitations, nor will I allow those areas of weakness to keep me from being usable by a God who knows the limitations better that I do
• I won't allow my past to control my present. Even when I've had times of messing everything up and I've been a total failure. God is bigger than my past and stronger than my failures
• Humility will be my companion as I seek to point the way and allow God to live large through my life
• Everyone is broken, flawed, sinful. No exceptions. God is the beginning of the healing. Those who refuse to allow God to do his work in their lives are arguing for their own limitations. I'll love them anyway, but continue to point towards God for healing, hope, life
• Finally, I'll praise God for the areas of weakness and limitation. Because they force me to trust him. And that's that point
  

Watchmen...

So I decided to see a movie on my only day off. Watchmen. Read a bit about the premise before going. Heard it was violent. Little did I know... I have no problem with guns and fights and shoot'em ups. But this...well, this was just ridiculous. A little girl had been taken and chopped up by a guy who fed her to his dogs. We see the leg being eaten, shoe still on it. Grisly, bone and flesh. Too much.

Overall premise is this: humankind is fatally flawed and bent on self-destruction.

Overall thesis: it is OK to perpetrate great evil in order to prevent an even greater evil and/or bring about a good outcome.

Underlying philosophy: pragmatism. The concept of "the ends justify the means."

Analysis of pragmatism: viscerally appealing, yet rotten at its core.

• Hitlerian atrocities arose from pragmatism. Eugenics was a popular concept at the time. The idea was that, in order to move the human race forward, certain "unwanted" and "weak" elements within the race needed to be purged from the gene pool. Thus, blacks, homosexuals, mentally ill, Jews, the poor, the blind, etc, were marked for purging. Lest you cluck your tongue and shake your head in American superiority, please understand that the eugenics movement had adherents such as Woodrow Wilson and Teddy Roosevelt.

• Would you sanction the killing of thousands of "inferior" human beings if it meant a greater quality of life for the "superior, pure" human race?

• When televangelist and supposed healer Peter Popov was caught using radio communications to supposedly call people's names from the audience and announce their illnesses so he could heal them, he talked about how he was just helping God. And that, in the end, God was glorified. Pragmatism at work.

• Moral relativism is the engine of pragmatism. It says that morals are situational and individual. It may not be wrong to steal, depending on the circumstances. Or to kill.
  

• Right now, our country is throwing billions and billions at financial institutions and earmarked pork in order to dig us out of the financial mess that we all got into by overspending to begin with. We're told that it's not something we want to do, but it will bring us the desired outcome. That's like getting a fat man to eat extra food so he can lose weight. Pragmatism often has good goals, but when you compromise the means, you lose the objective.
  

• How many politicians (both parties) have cheated, lied and made deals with the devil so that they could go to Washington and make a real difference, only to find that by they time they got there, they were so corrupted that they could do no great good? Instead, they actually did harm to the country.
  

• Pragmatism put Jesus on a cross. The Jewish religious leaders were worried that Jesus would stir up trouble, make the Romans think that an insurrection was about to occur and cause the Romans to send in the military and massacre the Jews. Thus, "it is better to have one man die for the people than to have the whole nation destroyed." In the end, Israel was destroyed, along with their temple (A.D. 70).

Pragmatism offered by Watchmen is no different (except in scope) from the philosophy of the suicide bombers of radical Islam. It's a lie. A beautifully tragic one. It promises what it can't deliver. Doing what's wrong never leads to an outcome that is right. Not long-term.

Truth...Contentment...Life...

I was a Rhythm last night (collegiate/20's-30's worship and Word time). We packed the house- standing room only. I lead a group from Rhythm that meets midweek.

Anyway, I was saying "hi" to a guy who also leads a group. He asked how things were going. Me- "good!" Him- "are you happy with where you are at your church?" Me- "I love it!" Him- "Really??" I was a bit dumbfounded. Didn't know what to say. I made some wisecrack about how I get half the take on Sunday mornings and I'm dating 2 of the choir members. In other words, that I'm a televangelist. (Not even close to true...but I didn't know what to say)

I've had time to think about his question. I believe it reveals that very American mindset that defines success as bigger, better, more. And then says anyone with any sense will chase it. Higher up in the workplace, more money, lots of material possessions. In church, bigger buildings, more people, lots of influence in the particular denomination. And I don't chase that particular rabbit.

I understand believing that the Christian faith is worthwhile and that it can change lives for the better. And wanting others to experience it. But- and maybe this is just me- I tend to notice that some of the big, growing churches in the Valley are really doing nothing more than transferring in people from other churches. And that's not success- it's cannibalism. And when it's intentional, it's wrong. We're on the same team.

We are believers together, not in competition. I swear, if one more person tries to convince me to leave Layman (I NEVER introduce myself as a pastor!) and come to that big church in Salem because of all the programs for children, the women's bible studies and the men's groups, I'm gonna finally just plain go ape! I always make it clear that I'm in a church I consider "home." Yet the members at this church, like Stepford Christians, want me to leave the place I believe God specifically led me and come to their church. Without regards for God's desire in it ("God sets each member in the body as he desires"- 1 Corinthians 12).

Anyway, I'm happy. No, I'm content. But more- I'm settled on the idea that I am exactly where I should be. And because of that, I'm overjoyed at the prospect of laboring in the Layman field. I see real Christianity. Authentic, transparent, struggling with addictions and brokenness and flaws and sins. And no one puts on the "Happy Jesus Face" because their in some stupid building that people call a church. They are real. The struggle. They are not perfect. And because they are very aware of their own flaws and failures, they don't put on those "holier-than-thou" attitudes. They don't look down on anyone. Instead, they have the overwhelming feeling that "we're all in this together."

A couple of our mottos are: "No perfect people" and "No one walks alone." We believe that. And if really religious people happen to come to the church, I'm just gonna piss 'em off anyway. No, I don't want to leave. I'm happy. I'm psyched. God has been so good to me in my middle-age. I get to work with the college-aged crowd. And I get to pastor a small church in which faith is real and people honestly care for one another. We feed, clothe, house those in need. We don't give money because we don't have it. But we care for one another. And we sincerely seek to let Jesus change how we live. We are growing deeper in Christ each day. Could I honestly ask for anything more?

God, Sex and D.L. Hughley...

This is why Driscoll is my pastor...

BToL...

BToL's are part of how I live my life. They are (based on observation, learning and experience)
Basic Truth's of Life.

For instance, if two partners approach a relationship each looking to get their own needs met, the relationship will suffer and neither will get needs met. If, however, they approach it looking for what they can give, both will have their needs met and the relationship will flourish. Thus, the

BToL: Healthy relationships involve an attitude of giving, not getting.

BToL: Intolerance is a part of human condition. Those who claim tolerance tend to be intolerant of the people they deem intolerant.

BToL: Jesus was not a "good teacher."

And, yet another BToL I experienced yesterday: I can run hills, I can run distance or speed, but not all three.

I wanted to go to Explore Park for an easy 6-er in the remnants of the snow. I got all the way into Vinton and found out the Parkway was closed. WTFrig???

Headed to Carvin's Cove. Didn't want to run pavement at the beginning, so I took 4 Gorges, which is climbing/descending/climbing/desc...well, you get the idea. Lots of half-frozen mucky mud in all the lower areas. Made it tough. I kept running fast and I'm not sure why. Had to stop to catch my breath several times.

Finished 4 Gorges, headed down the hill, now thoroughly warmed from the run. It was breezy and cold, but I was feeling OK. Knees giving me some probs, but I wanted to tough it out. Should have turned towards the parking lot, but my feet directed me to Comet.

Comet was almost un-run-able. Lots of mud, standing water and fat tire tracks cut deep into the soil. I was slip-sliding away. Ran on the sides of the trails quite a bit. Finished it, took the stream (wet feet at 33 or so degrees!) over to Forest and ran the first half of that. Forest was good!

By now, I wasn't hurting as much, but I should have headed back via the Happy Valley road. SHOULD have...

Instead, I ran Songbird back towards the gate. More hills, lots of turns, fairly cambered trail. But...it did become effortless as I sunk into the quasi-hypnotic state of distance running. I slowed pace quite a bit and just enjoyed, listening to Driscoll spout Jesus into my auditory receptors.

Happy Valley quickly to the pavement, then the car. Did 7.6 miles. Not a long run unless you haven't been doing much. Add the speed at the front end and the hills that bookmarked my run and I'm sore today.

Quick shower at the gym, Panera for laptop work and coffee, then dinner with the Wise Men and over to the Barnes and Noble 20/30's group for bible study. All-in-all, good day.

Home for Fringe (recorded) with wife, then bed by 1 AM or so. No sleep, but I'm good for now. Waiting on an addicted guy to call and hang out.

Peace,
Brian

Frailty...

I didn't want to go out yesterday. Figured it would be icing out and I would stay home and work. But one of our band members went to the hospital with heart problems (he has ongoing heart issues). So I drove out to Lewis-Gale and spent a good hour talking to him.

I went into the hospital via the entrance to the left of the ER, found the appropriate elevator and took it up the floor with the Keurig coffee machine and the variety of coffees/hot chocolates for free. Grabbed a cup of butter toffee coffee and then walked the full length of the winding halls to the opposite end of the hospital to see my friend.

After the visit, I made some calls, did some work and made tracks for the gym. I debated a bit about going. Kinda wanted to go home and work there. I was grumpy for trying Ambien once again. Post-pill haziness and overall groggyness had a pretty good hold on me.

I hit the gym and started my normal superset weight workout. I do opposing muscle groups with no rest in-between. So I do a push/pull working. Bench press followed by lat pulldown, then back to bench press, etc. Then more chest and back supersets. Finally, shoulders (no supersets there!).

I had pulled something in my upper back last week (Saturday) and could still feel the pull, just a bit. I knew I needed to take the biceps curl sitting down- probably at a machine. Instead, I did tricep extensions supersets with bicep curls on a cable with straight bar attached- the greatest stress I could have put on that muscle in my back. I could feel it pulling. But...

I was admiring my arms in the mirror and feeling superhuman. So...I finished my third tricep extension and moved the pin to an even heavier weight for my curls. I felt it immediately- pain in my left upper back muscle.

I finished with a set of curls on the machine and then ran 4 miles, feeling in my back each step for the first mile.

After the run, I felt fine. Then...I got home and it began to hurt more. I debated cancelling B & N Tanglewood small group. But I hate doing that. Went, hurt, left early. Last night, almost no sleep. There were no good positions to sit, stand or lay.

I'm a bit better today- 2 muscle relaxers and double-shots of Aleve have helped.

But, I guess I'm not superhuman. I'm...frail. Subject to injury and pain. Always have been, but didn't acknowledge it until I hit more 40's. James would call yesterday OLS. I wasn't showing off for anyone but me, but OLS does have variants, doesn't it?

And Again...Gratuitus Info...

Gratuitous info to follow:

The church website is: www.LaymanChurch.com

- Casual Dress (Jeans and T's-even for the pastor)

- Coffee- bring it in with you to the service

- Contemporary Band (yes: drums, guitars, keyboard, etc. Though right now it's mostly Christmas music)

- Nursery and Children's Church during the worship service

- 11 AM Sundays

- 5207 Old Mountain Road, Roanoke

- Not really denominational these days- just into following Christ

Need more info? Just leave a comment on the blog with an email address or use the form at the church website.

The difference...is huge

"Confidence and arrogance are very different...Arrogance is when your confidence is rooted in yourself"- Driscoll

Circuit City? Brahahahahahahaha!!!

First, a disclaimer. Sorry for those who worked at the CC. I know you are losing your jobs. I'm sorry. Truly.

But...I have had more bad experiences in CC than good ones over the years. I remember back when CC was at Crossroads Mall. I needed to return something. It was an MP3 player that wouldn't work- DOA out of the package. So I took it back. Waited at the desk for someone to help me. Finally, a little guy came and began to process the return. Then he said, "I'll need my manager's approval." And he stood there. I waited. He just stood there. I said, "Can you go get him." Little guy: "He's on break right now."

"Well," I asked, thinking about customer service and caring about repeat purchases, "Is there someone else you could get to approve the return?"

"Yes." Long pause, still standing there unmoved. "But they aren't here right now."

"When will your manager be back?"

"Soon."

So I waited. And waited. Then...I waited some more. It was a full 20 minutes before he came back. He was paged to the Returns Desk and looked annoyed. Never made eye contact with me. Asked his employee, "Are you sure it's not working?" The employee nodded in the affirmative.

The manager grumbled something about people not knowing how to work MP3 players. I said directly and in a very low voice (because I was more upset than I usually get and didn't want to blow my stack), "I've been waiting 20 minutes for you to approve this return. If you have any questions, I'm right here." He simply looked up, looked back down and continued to process the return. Then he walked off. No apologies, nothing.

Now, I'd like to have crossed CC off my list of places to shop right then and there. But...I like good deals. I like saving money. So when CC has the best deal, that's where I go. My wife's laptop came from CC at the Valley View location. An exchange was needed several days afterwards. We spent 2 hours in the store. 2 hours! In the daytime on a Monday with almost no one else there.

My second-to-last CC buying experience was this: my wife found a great deal on 2 Nintendo DS games for my son for Christmas. I told her before I left, "They'll mess it up. I just know it."

So- I looked for someone to help me find the right games. Took me awhile. Found a guy who worked in games and showed him the ad and asked for the games pictured in the ad. The young guy was helpful and friendly. Once procured, I took them to the front. The register rang up a much higher price. I calmly showed the ad to the woman at the checkout. She couldn't figure it out, so she called...a manager. About 5 minutes later, he was trying to figure it out. Finally, they called a guy from the back. He looked at the ad, looked at my games and told me I had picked up one of the wrong games. Mine was similar but not the same as in the ad.

I told him I was given the games by one the employees. His answer, "Yeah, you should've checked them before bringing them up front." He went to the back, got the correct item and brought it back up. It rang up just fine. Total time at the checkout? Close to 20 minutes.

I'm glad they are going out of business. There, I said it! I don't believe Best Buy will have a monopoly. Not with Walmart, Sears and the internet as competition.

By the way, DON'T, I repeat DON'T go to CC for any deals right now during the so-called liquidation sale- there aren't any. None. Zip. Zero. Nada. Zilch.

http://consumerist.com/tag/circuit-city/

Prices are higher. Think you have a good deal at CC? Write down model number, price, etc- take it to Best Buy. Don't ask for a price match- just look. I bet the price is lower at BB- even on non-sale stuff.

Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey-a, good bye!

"Because We're Clueless and Care More About Numbers than about People"

Visiting with someone today. Told me about her friends who badger her to leave Layman and come join their church. Even tried to emotionally blackmail a friend's daughter to leave Layman. I hate that. I NEVER, repeat NEVER, try to get people to leave their churches for Layman. It's a compromise of integrity, a slap in the face of Jesus, a spitting upon the cross. We aren't in competition, but on the same team. Why do they do it? Like the title says...

A Big "Oooooppppsss!"

The Seeker Model of Church takes a hit from its own...

Bill Hybels and the leadership of Willow Creek Community Church has admitted that what they have taught millions of pastors, church leaders and converts to “do” is “not producing solid disciples of Jesus Christ“. Hybels confessed, “We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and became Christians, we should have started telling people that they have to take responsibility to become ’self feeders.’ We should have gotten people (and) taught people, how to read their Bible between services (and) how to do spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.”

Jesus' Commission was to make disciples by "teaching them to observe" what he commanded. Not to shout Jesus at people, to force their views on others, to make a religion out of politics. But to simply...live it. Humbly, authentically, live it real.

Instead, we got churches offering multitudes of programs in exchange for the promise of butts in the seats on Sunday mornings instead of teaching truth in love and being involved in spiritual formation. And the result? Shallow, shopper Christians who sacrifice nothing but demand the best "deal" they can get in church choices. Sad...And wrong...

Past Week...

Tried Ambien- heart beat fast and I was awake most of the night.

Tried a double shot the next night (10 mg instead of 5 mg)- slept like a log, but was spacey the next day.

Next night, nothing- no sleep. Not a wink. Tough night, not a great day the next day. Even missed an appointment to do premarital counseling. I never miss appts. Felt terrible- I stood them up.

Saw Doc- got X-rays of the knees. I'm feeling some pain- bad at times. But I can still run right now according to him. He suggests 2 days running and the rest doing cross-training. OH- and an anti-inflam. I hate those. Might take it. Not sure yet. Sister had a bleeding gut from NSAIDS.

Church cool- great people, busy day. Met for premarital today to make up for this week. Was too shot from church to do real well, but that's OK. Came home, wrote a paper that was due today. Didn't finish till 9 PM. All-in-all, about a 14 hour day. Tomorrow comes early with a hospital visit.

'Sall good, man. I'm blessed.

Quickly...

Insomnia last night- no even a wink of sleep till 7:30 AM this morning. And then only 2.5 hours off and on. Just a bit tired right now...

Windows 7 is way cool. It's what Vista should have been. Very fast, sleek, good. I'm beta-testing it and loving the way it works.

'Nuff for now.


Later!

Bittersweet Visit with an Old Friend...

I have an appointment today that could possibly end my friendship. So I decided to visit my friend yesterday in advance of today's meeting. I pointed my Infiniti towards Vinton, jumped onto the Parkway and tentatively made my way towards the Star. My hands were sweating and I was unsure of myself. Could I go through with this? What if things turned ugly- how would I get out without an exit strategy?

I sat in the parking lot for long moments. Cold outside. Radio talk show host kept me company by blustering politics in the car. Finally, I was ready. I took a deep breath and stepped out. The frigid wind hit me like an ice wall. I walked towards my friend. He was impassive yet welcoming.

Once there, the first footfalls were met with the muted crunch of brown leaves covering the hard-packed winter soil. My knees felt the impact, but just barely. I made it all of 2 minutes before needing a "nature break." Once emptied, I continued on, feeling great to be back with my buddy, the trail.

At the bottom on the bridge. How do I feel? So far, so good. But what if I get 3 miles out and then my knee goes out on me? Deal with it when it happens.

Looked up- I now had a long, steady climb ahead. I hadn't run trails in quite a while. Could I still do this without having to walk? I concentrated on Mark Driscoll in my ears as I slowly ascended and maneuvered the exposed roots, rocks and switchbacks. The pressure built in my chest. My breathing was labored. But...I topped the crest and continued on.

Continual feedback told me my knees were sore already. But onward I pressed, Driscoll speaking truth the whole time. Made it to the road. Moment of truth: should I stay or should I go? Outer Loop and extend the run or River Path back to car? This could be my last time out. Outer Loop, knees be damned.

I hit the long, steep climb o' doom. Surely I couldn't make this one without stopping? Brian, what are you doing? Turn back, you fool! Turn back! I ignored the supplication and began the climb. It's hella-steep. So I kept moving, leaves thick under my feet. I looked down, watching for buried tree roots that might twist an ankle and end the run. Saw my feet disappear in the leaves. Kept moving.

Yeah, I made it up the whole way! Stopped to breathe, then continued on. Ran the loop, feeling good. Back at the road, I took the River Path all the way to the road, then walked most the hill back to the car. I did 5 miles total. Heard about justification, sanctification and glorification. And how the religious "dogs" (Bible word) tend to put sanctification before justification, believing the lie that if they can just be good enough, God will accept and love them. Which, obviously, is absolute crap. God, religion just plain sucks...

My visit with my friend was good and, thus completed, I meandered towards home. Received a call from someone in dire circumstances- made an appointment to meet today. Then made it back to home base for recharge and chill time. Not a bad day off. Glad I went to visit my old Explore Park friend... Today, I'll go see the doc and find out if I can continue the friendship...

Help! I'm Trapped in the Body of a 45-Year-Old Bald White Guy!

Church Stuff:

So much going on. I feel overwhelmed. New Deacon Couples. New ministries to get off the ground. Facebook/Connection/Prayer wall to create in the worship area. Community Fair to plan for.

I hate going into Sunday not liking the message. But that's what I felt like this past weekend. The message dealt with murmuring and arguing. I'm going verse-by-verse. But our folks don't tend to do that stuff. Still, I needed to hit it. I wanted to scrap the outline I had in the worship program and on the PowerPoint and just preach it from the bible- no outline. I should have. It was an example of me going with what was planned rather than with what I sensed God was leading me to do. And I should have listened to God...

Work-Outs:

I'm hitting the weights twice/week at the gym. Loving it. Going a bit too heavy, so I need to ease off before I wind-up injured. My left rotator cuff was hurting a bit after last week's workout.

My knees, though... I'm wondering if I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. My mom does, my grandmother did. I have transient joint pain problems. And I have the RA titer in my system. All I know is, it hurt to move my legs at all yesterday. I stood at the hospital and every time I moved, I felt it. Walked to the car was an exercise in understanding how my mom must feel every day of her life.

I see the Dr. this next week- Ortho guy. Hopefully he can give some insight. I've taken to the treadmill (short runs) because it kinda sucks to be 4 miles out and have the knee really start hurting and still need to get 4 miles back to the car. And I can't hitch a ride at Carvin's Cove- the bears just give me annoyed looks when I ask!

But even if I find out I can't run again, I'm grateful for the time I've had. And I'm so blessed by my family, my work, my spiritual life, I hardly know what to do sometimes. Life is too good. And being off the temazepam is great- it can lead to depression- I didn't know that until recently. And I look back over this past year and see some of my upbeat optimism was sliding away. Screw that! Life's too short to be negative and critical.

Time to work!

Peace!

Poppin' Pills with Major Tom...

Read-up on the Temazepam I take for insomnia. Apparently, I shouldn't take it long-term. Great, really- I've only been on it for a year or two. So I guess I'm OK. The voices keep telling me not to worry. Of course they're speaking French, so that's a bit problematic.

Seriously, with my knees hurting and the transient joint pain I've been having, I did some research on my sleep drug and found out it can cause joint pain. So...I now have to ween myself off of the drug that has helped me sleep. I'll go through some restless nights, but that's why God gave us televisions and DVD's (praise Jesus!). I won't be real productive at 3 AM. But I can always veg to a good movie or 3.

I keep thinking back to the Bob Seger song, "Like a Rock."'

I was eighteen
Didnt have a care
Working for peanuts
Not a dime to spare
But I was lean and
Solid everywhere
Like a rock

My hands were steady
My eyes were clear and bright
My walk had purpose
My steps were quick and light
And I held firmly
To what I felt was right
Like a rock

Like a rock, I was strong as I could be
Like a rock, nothin ever got to me
Like a rock, I was something to see
Like a rock

And I stood arrow straight
Unencumbered by the weight
Of all these hustlers and their schemes
I stood proud, I stood tall
High above it all
I still believed in my dreams

I remember being solid, strong, invulnerable. Age and truth take that feeling away. Age, because I realize I can't do some of the things I used to do. Truth, because I never was invulnerable anway. That's just a myth of youth.

But- and this I like- the strength of youth gives way to the wisdom of years. The trick is to enjoy EVERY season of life. Instead of looking at what we don't have, real life is found in looking at the gifts this particular season of life has brought.

Again, per Seger:

He wants to dream like a young man
With the wisdom of an old man
He wants his home and security
He wants to live like a sailor at sea

Beautiful loser
Where you gonna fall?
When you realize
You just can't have it all

He's your oldest and your best friend
If you need him, he'll be there again
He's always willing to be second-best
A perfect lodger, a perfect guest

(Above, Seger is talking about the life that's waiting. It'll still be there, but if you try to have it all and always look at what you're not getting, you're just a beautiful loser- losing out on the life you DO have)

Beautiful loser
Read it on the wall
And realize
You just can't have it all
You just can't have it all

Yeah, I'm older. And I hurt at times. And the bills are always there. I want to travel, run ultras and sail catamarans. But I just don't need it all. And what I got is better than any of that! My family is amazing and incredible. They're a gift. My church family is so cool! Someone wrote me an email this week. Here's a small excerpt: "Layman is the only church we have been a member of that we could be ourselves and say what we think without being judged and that is a wonderful thing."

I am so blessed by God that it's not even funny. In the midst of the aches and pressures of life, I got more than I know. I am no longer like a rock. My God is more rock than I'll ever need. And that's enough...