Originally published one year ago today. Italizied words added.
On this date 11 years ago people died in the high school I was attending. People were also paralyzed and a few survived their wounds. I think about that at least once a year, usually more. Yes, I knew everyone involved including the shooter who was in my first two classes.
In high school there are always the corny cheers about being "proud to be a Pirate, yes I am...".
Well at football games I usually wasn't. We stunk. But 11 years ago tomorrow I was proud to be a Pirate. Some students from the prayer circle which was the target of the shooting made a huge sign and put it on the front of the school which was surrounded by TV vans from CNN, NBC, CBS, etc. The sign read, "Michael, we forgive you." I don't think about that part of the story as much. I wish I did. That is awesome maturity from high school students, unfortunately I was too immature to be a part of that at that point in my life.
Heath High School has since put in a memorial garden, which is nice. But I wonder what happened to that sign.
Another memorable moment from that season of my life was the entire school meeting in the lobby for the prayer circle the next day. Hearing the entire school body sing "Amazing Grace" truly was amazing. For a while every time I heard that song being sung by youths I got chills.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Misplaced
With our time in Memphis rapidly drawing to a close, I am realizing that we haven't been "misplaced in Memphis" at all. So many things about life here I will miss. . . our family at Sycamore View, lunch at El Molina with the Alexanders, Sunday nights with our life group, my friends and co-workers at Renaissance Group, our tiny little apartment (I never thought I would say that) with life long friends right next door. I am excited about the move to Paducah but a part of me wonders if we will once again be "misplaced."
egl
egl
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Sunday, April 05, 2009
OH HAPPY DAY
Today is kind of Opening Day (only one game).
Tomorrow is the all out Opening Day of Major League Baseball. This means summer is coming...
By the way, this is the year. Go Cubs.
Tomorrow is the all out Opening Day of Major League Baseball. This means summer is coming...
By the way, this is the year. Go Cubs.
Monday, March 16, 2009
KENTUCKY IS STILL WILDCAT COUNTRY
With the University of Kentucky having down years, most especially this year in not making the tournament it is conceivable fans would jump ship as some did when Ricky P. joined U of L. This year could be tempting for fans of the bluegrass since U of L is doing so well. In case you were wondering if that is the case I did some research. Alright, I noticed a poll from ESPN. But I think this proves fans of the 'Cats are loyal (mostly).
The map below indicates that nearly all the states in America believe UCONN is least likely to reach the final four. Kentucky is one of the three that does not indicate that and is the only state that believes L'Ville is least likely. I doubt Cardinal fans voting against their team. It only leads to one conclusion, Kentucky basketball fans still prefer UK (or Murray State, or Western, or Eastern, or Morehead State...) and despise the Cards.
Click to enlarge
The map below indicates that nearly all the states in America believe UCONN is least likely to reach the final four. Kentucky is one of the three that does not indicate that and is the only state that believes L'Ville is least likely. I doubt Cardinal fans voting against their team. It only leads to one conclusion, Kentucky basketball fans still prefer UK (or Murray State, or Western, or Eastern, or Morehead State...) and despise the Cards.
Click to enlargeTuesday, March 10, 2009
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
PSALM 89 IN THE EYES OF A CHILD
We had quite a unique responsive reading experience Sunday morning at Sycamore View.
Our worship minister was reading from Psalm 89 and paused after verse 8 that reads, "O Lord God Almighty who is like you?" A child in the back of the room yelled out--"Jesus!"
The worship leader taken aback said, "Yes." And the crowd had mixed response of chuckling and applause.
Evidently the children's ministry at SVC is doing a good job teaching the divinity of Jesus.
Our worship minister was reading from Psalm 89 and paused after verse 8 that reads, "O Lord God Almighty who is like you?" A child in the back of the room yelled out--"Jesus!"
The worship leader taken aback said, "Yes." And the crowd had mixed response of chuckling and applause.
Evidently the children's ministry at SVC is doing a good job teaching the divinity of Jesus.
Friday, February 13, 2009
CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF FAMILY VALUES LIVE IN AMERICA
Many people have noted the deterioration of the classic American family over the past few decades. It is now just as common for a child to grow up in a single parent home or in a blended family.
Recently I have wondered if there is an inherent idea as to what a family should be like. This also has caused me to consider if the family roles have an inherent nature that is recognized among all people.
Example #1: You will hear many people say, "he is like a brother to me." The person who said this could have no brother, or their brother may be completely out of their life. However, there is something that is defined about the brother role as someone you can be close with that resonates with all people.
Example #2: I recently heard a adolescent girl without a father in the home refer to an older male in the therapy group as the group's "dad." She meant this (under my interpretation) as someone who was protective of the group and shared wisdom from life experiences. So, even though her dad was not present, somehow she is familiar with (and appreciative of) the role of a father in a family.
Example #3: Corporate America. How many times have you heard a company say we are "like a family here" in reference to an open good work environment? It seems almost cliche. Do you think they mean a place where the members abuse one another? Ignore one another? Say mean things to one another? I am not an expert when it comes to the business world, but I think they are trying to convey a safe, inviting, loving environment.
Before I conclude I would like to state that classic American family life is not what I accept as the only or necessarily the best option of upbringing. It does have it merits, though.
My conclusion is that appropriate family life is not a concept that is lost, undesired or misunderstood. Rather, the breakdown comes in a lack of focus on preserving family life in its appropriate setting. It is unfortunate that the family paradigm must be used in other places rather than the actual family.
Recently I have wondered if there is an inherent idea as to what a family should be like. This also has caused me to consider if the family roles have an inherent nature that is recognized among all people.
Example #1: You will hear many people say, "he is like a brother to me." The person who said this could have no brother, or their brother may be completely out of their life. However, there is something that is defined about the brother role as someone you can be close with that resonates with all people.
Example #2: I recently heard a adolescent girl without a father in the home refer to an older male in the therapy group as the group's "dad." She meant this (under my interpretation) as someone who was protective of the group and shared wisdom from life experiences. So, even though her dad was not present, somehow she is familiar with (and appreciative of) the role of a father in a family.
Example #3: Corporate America. How many times have you heard a company say we are "like a family here" in reference to an open good work environment? It seems almost cliche. Do you think they mean a place where the members abuse one another? Ignore one another? Say mean things to one another? I am not an expert when it comes to the business world, but I think they are trying to convey a safe, inviting, loving environment.
Before I conclude I would like to state that classic American family life is not what I accept as the only or necessarily the best option of upbringing. It does have it merits, though.
My conclusion is that appropriate family life is not a concept that is lost, undesired or misunderstood. Rather, the breakdown comes in a lack of focus on preserving family life in its appropriate setting. It is unfortunate that the family paradigm must be used in other places rather than the actual family.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
I DON'T BLAME PHELPS
If you make a young, rich, famous, talented in athletics man your hero, or hero for your kids you are setting them up for a let down. I am not disappointed in Phelps. I don't condone drug use or partying. Not even in the college days when partying is socially acceptable. More than that I do not condone making a hero out of people because they excel in athletics.
What is it that you want your kid to imitate? Swimming the majority of your week? Swimming really fast? What do we really know about him anyway?
It is not a big deal to me that he got caught doing what he was doing. People make mistakes. I am more disappointed in people who expect him to be a role model for their kids. That is a mindset that should be changed. Find someone in your kids life to be their role model. Surround your children with family and other adults who can provide a real flesh and blood example for them.
Mentors make much better role models than celebrities.
For fans of Phelps (or former fans): What has changed for you? You learned that he makes mistakes and apologizes for them. If anything it should be nice to know more of a human side to someone. If you are a fan of athletics and are under the assumption your favorite athlete is squeaky clean, you are probably wrong.
What is it that you want your kid to imitate? Swimming the majority of your week? Swimming really fast? What do we really know about him anyway?
It is not a big deal to me that he got caught doing what he was doing. People make mistakes. I am more disappointed in people who expect him to be a role model for their kids. That is a mindset that should be changed. Find someone in your kids life to be their role model. Surround your children with family and other adults who can provide a real flesh and blood example for them.
Mentors make much better role models than celebrities.
For fans of Phelps (or former fans): What has changed for you? You learned that he makes mistakes and apologizes for them. If anything it should be nice to know more of a human side to someone. If you are a fan of athletics and are under the assumption your favorite athlete is squeaky clean, you are probably wrong.
Friday, January 23, 2009
BEHIND THE SCENES AT HUGSR:EPISODE 2
Special Thanks to Dr. Evertt Huffard, Dr. Dave Bland, Preston Cottrell and Dr. Richard Oster.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
BEHIND THE SCENES AT HUGSR
Editing and Movie "magic" done by Jacob Parnell.
Special Thanks to Don Meredith, Shelia Owen, and Dr. Richard Oster
Thursday, January 15, 2009
I RESOLVE
I have made a resolution. Or is it just a change if it happens after the first week of January? Anyway, my change in lifestyle is to no longer say the word "cool".
It is too general of a word that is not in the least bit, in any setting creative. Also, I have been known to use it to fill-in pauses in the conversation or use it as a response when I have nothing better to say, "that's cool." When in reality that tells the person very little about what I really think about what they just told me. In fact, I have become aware that it communicates, "I don't really want to explore that any further."
Basically, "cool" is vague and I want to use a word or phrase that is at least more amusing and at most more descriptive.
It is too general of a word that is not in the least bit, in any setting creative. Also, I have been known to use it to fill-in pauses in the conversation or use it as a response when I have nothing better to say, "that's cool." When in reality that tells the person very little about what I really think about what they just told me. In fact, I have become aware that it communicates, "I don't really want to explore that any further."
Basically, "cool" is vague and I want to use a word or phrase that is at least more amusing and at most more descriptive.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
FAVORITE LEAST FAVORITE JESUS ENCOUNTER
My favorite least favorite Jesus encounter must be the "Rich Ruler" or "Rich Young Ruler". This text is found in Luke 18:18-23 and Mark 10:17-24.
What I mean by least favorite is that it is so challenging. I am much like the Rich Ruler. I do a pretty good job keeping the ten commandments. I was raised going to church in a conservative area of the United States where people are generally good and nice. I grew up following all the rules.
I can hear Jesus' response to me being one that is like to that of the one he gave the Rich Ruler:
"That is only part of the mission. You still have a long way to go my friend. Give away your stuff, put your trust in things that are above. Don't live for the things of this world, do things that have eternal significance (store up treasures in heaven)."
This is my favorite in times when I want to be the disciple I should be. It is a good motivator and shows me the way I should be living (which I need). The difference in me and the Rich Ruler is that I don't walk away sad. I walk away inspired. Although I don't always succeed in doing this, I give my best effort. As I write this I realize I could be doing more, this text won't let me go!
What I mean by least favorite is that it is so challenging. I am much like the Rich Ruler. I do a pretty good job keeping the ten commandments. I was raised going to church in a conservative area of the United States where people are generally good and nice. I grew up following all the rules.
I can hear Jesus' response to me being one that is like to that of the one he gave the Rich Ruler:
"That is only part of the mission. You still have a long way to go my friend. Give away your stuff, put your trust in things that are above. Don't live for the things of this world, do things that have eternal significance (store up treasures in heaven)."
This is my favorite in times when I want to be the disciple I should be. It is a good motivator and shows me the way I should be living (which I need). The difference in me and the Rich Ruler is that I don't walk away sad. I walk away inspired. Although I don't always succeed in doing this, I give my best effort. As I write this I realize I could be doing more, this text won't let me go!
Saturday, January 03, 2009
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