Golf (or the worst game ever invented)

The title may be a bit misleading. I actually enjoy the game of golf way more than I used to. Mostly because I can be more patient with myself (a maturity thing) and partly because my father-in-law got me clubs and a bag for Christmas. They are his old clubs but about 10,000% better than what I was using before.

We had our annual golf scramble with the coaching staff of my school yesterday and it was a blast. I have never played better (meaning I didn't lose any balls, well one but I found four or five, then I lost three of those). I hit it left, right, and straight. I was unpredictable but because it was a scramble it was great.

In many ways life is just like a round of golf...I'm not sure how, that's your job.

Music Memory 2

Steve, my brother-in-law, is who I think of when I hear the Steve Miller Band. Growing up in the Steel City I listened to a lot of classic rock. I listened to other stuff too, I'll get to that another time, but mostly classic rock out of the 60's and 70's. WDVE was my morning, afternoon and evening fix. I loved everything they played. Pop music could suck on my toe. Nothing compared to classic rock like the Stones, Floyd, Allman Brothers, Lynryd Skynyrd, Jimi, Eagles, Beatles, The Who, Cream, Boston, AC/DC, The Dead, Zeppelin, Billy Joel, Queen, Bad Company, Journey, Doors, Tull, Aerosmith, and many others.

I love teaching at a Christian school. We just had the Rochester College choir sing for our chapel time yesterday and they were incredible. There are only 35 members but they bring it. I was really impressed. I never was part of a choir or chorus or any singing group but I love to hear a good choir. Our choir director sang in Harding's choir and he introduced the Rochester choir and his comment was that his choir never moved him as much as this group did (they had sang for the high school right before our junior high came in to hear them). He was right, they were outstanding.

Mother's Day

It's so cool to wake up next to the mother of your children on Mother's Day. I used to love to pick flowers for my Mom on Mother's Day but now as a husband I actually have to go buy them. It is so worth it though. Erin is a wonderful wife and an unbelievable mother. I would like to honor her today with my thoughts.

We read Proverbs 31:10ff in my Sunday school class this morning. We read it from Eugene Peterson's 'Message'. I noted at least twenty-five times that Erin fulfilled/met the description that Solomon has written. I know that this is not what every woman aspires to but I am fortunate enough to have a wife who really wants to be a good mother and a good wife. She wants to fit the traditional role of homemaker. Here is the Message's paraphrase of Proverbs 31:10ff:

Hymn to a Good Wife
10A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.
11Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.
12Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.
13She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.
14She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.
15She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.
16She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
17First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
18She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
19She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.
20She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.
21She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
22She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
23Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.
24She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
25Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
26When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.
27She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.
28Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:
29"Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"
30Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-GOD.
31Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!

I'm Guilty

This song by hip hop artist KJ-52 (5 loaves, 2 fish) is played out as a court room drama. I've played this song for my kids several years in a row and I just think it really connects with the kids. In our society we show very little remorse, we tend to blame others (me included). The lyrics are great but only with the song. Check it out at www.grassrootsmusic.com. It's the second to last track. This will give you a snippet of the song.

INTRO:
All rise. Case number seven-seven-seven-five-two.
Defendant KJ-52 verses the Son of God in murder one.
How do you plead?
Guilty as charged.
Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole
truth, and nothing but the truth?
I do.
Then go ahead.

VERSE 1:
I solemnly swear to tell the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth now, so help me God.
What I testify and what I'm speaking
of is an eye witness account of an
experience of a kindof love,
I confess now to what it was.
I was guilty of making the very Son of
God now shed His blood, and
I was guilty of the reason now why He was hung, and
I'm guilty for every evil thing not that I have done.
I'm guilty for it all, I can't blame no one.
I'm filthy with what caused the death of the Son.
It kills me to think I was the one who shed His blood.
I still think of the way He died now and how it was.
It feels me with pain inside, I feel like throwing up.
I can't escape, I can't lie, I didn't make it up.
I was the one who took the life of the Holy One.
This is the first time I've confessed now to what I've done.

CHORUS 1:
I'm guilty, guilty.
That's right, I'm guilty.
God forgive me, I'm guilty.
You know what? I'm guilty!

VERSE 2:
Yeah that's right, I did it.
Right out in the open for all to see it, and
I never hid it, I got to admit it.
They took the whip, ripped His back wide open and split it.
I heard Him cry every time they pulled it back and hit it.
I wondered why He was silent now, I didn't get it.
I watched Him die while He cried out "It is finished".
Thought nobody would find out about the the crime I've committed.
I tried to hide out, it's too late, that's right I did this.
It's my time now, my own eyes have been a witness to my crime.
Now I'm speechless and I'm defenseless.
Can anybody find out it's obvious that this is my final time.
Now I've finally come to my senses.
I'm a climb down and take whatever I'm sentenced.
I know why there's no way now that I could miss this.
I opened my eyes, now I see Him just for who He is.
This my guilt is mine now, it's so obvious that...

CHORUS 2:
I'm guilty.
God forgive me, I'm guilty!
I'm guilty.
That's right, I'm guilty.
So help me.

VERSE 3:
I'm just another person, I'm just another man.
I was the one that hurt Him, I finally understand.
Now I know that for certain I caused the nails to land,
That left Him dead and murdered, pierced in feet and hands.
So now you've heard it, I testified and took the stand.
No other way I could word it, this is my confession and,
I never lied or purgured, I told just the best I can but,
I was the one that cursed Him, I was the trigger man.
The page is turning and I've now just confessed to this.
I didn't kill Christ, but it was just my sin that did.
Now I've confessed to the crime, I don't deserve to live,
I'm ready to do my time. All that I can say is...

CHORUS 3:
I'm guilty.
God forgive me, I'm guilty!
I don't deserve to live, I'm guilty!
Take me away, I'm guilty.
I'm guilty!

OUTRO:
Case number seven-seven-seven-five-two,
KJ-52 verses the Son of God in murder one.
The court has found you guilty as charged.
However, after further review of the case,
The prosecution has dropped the charges.
You're free to go.

Losing Hope

I lost hope the other day when I heard some news that crushed my spirit. There is a baby that I know of that has a blood hemorrhage in the brain. She is only two weeks old and the news I heard was that the baby, if she made it, would have permanent brain damage. That cut me to the heart. I know these folks real well and it took the wind out of me. I gave up hope. I forgot that the Healer and Great Physician was available to call upon and already looking into the situation. The news I heard today brought back hope. She has a good shot at living and the blood has not touched the brain. There is a surgery taking place tonight to relieve the pressure and after the baby is 10 pounds they will go about with more surgery, but they are waiting for the baby to gain weight but the pain is too much and the baby is not eating. Hope was lost because I had a lack of faith in my God. May I never forget who I serve and it is according to his will whether the child will survive or not. My job is to pray that He listens to his people and gives life back to this child. We still don’t know the answer to that question, but I am reminded that I must preserve hope in the midst of strife. Thank you Jesus for the hope you give.

 

Shalom (Peace), Jeff

 

Holy is the Lord

If I ever get the chance to see Chris Tomlin in concert again I will jump at the chance. Erin and I and some friends got to see Chris on the Indescribable Tour with Matt Redman and Louie Giglio. Chris was outstanding. On a side note, we were in the 2nd row at the famous Fox Theatre in downtown Atlanta. Great venue.

This song is a simple proclamation and confession that our Lord is Holy is worthy of our praise. I played the video of this song for my kids off of the WOW 2006 Video Hits.
Check out Chris' web site. It has great stuff on it including some clips from arriving.

Here is the song description written by Chris himself:

Holy is the Lord
This song was inspired by the picture of worship around the throne of God in Isaiah 6. The heavenly creatures sounding this anthem back and forth to one another….

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
The whole earth is full of his glory

Louie Giglio helped complete the thought with another picture from Nehemiah, where the people joined in a mass assembly…A great example of corporate worship. The Bible says they raised their hands to God at the hearing of his Word, they bowed with their faces to the ground and together made this statement… “the joy of the Lord is our strength.”

Finito

I sent my last paper (exam) in this morning with a push of a button. It was sweet! Right now I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Macy commented the other day, while I was still working on this thing that I had grey hair and it was confirmed by my lovely wife. This year might have been the hardest year that I have ever experienced in my life. I took on a lot of responsibility and was constantly busy. My fear now is that with all of it over I will revert to my old ways. I love to have a plan and set goals and accomplish those goals, but after it’s all over I don’t really want to set any new ones. When the man is looking over my shoulder it gets done (and usually pretty well). But when I am on my own I constantly fight the urge to just…exist.

 

Peace, Jeff