More than meets the I

Follow-up on Larry.

2010-12-24T06:03:00.000-08:00

The last time you heard from me, I was asking for help with my tutor kid’s family. They are the ones whose house was broken into; their electronics, clothes, backpacks, and Christmas presents were stolen. Larry’s family needed support. Between the teachers of BT Washington, Relevant tutors, and many who heard about the situation, rest assured Larry and his family will have a very merry Christmas. Here is the story of how one family became a part of Larry and his family’s Christmas.
So I get a call from my friend Ben who was doing a little spell checking over the email I sent out about the Smith Family’s break-in. Ben said that he was with some of his friends and was just talking about the email. He said that his friends were looking for a family to help out this year. Ben remembered Larry and wondered if his family had been taken care of yet. I said this break-in happened too late for the family to be added to Relevant’s Ornaments of Hope and that most of my other options were exhausted. It sounded like they might be interested. So Ben forwarded my email to his friends to think it over. On their way home that night, Ben’s friends took note of a star that streaked through the sky.
Larry’s family moved from Alabama. I assumed they were running away from something, but now I think they were running to something. Their town was small and consisted mostly of hunting cabins and farms. They were the last of their family to move to Tampa. Larry’s mom Peaches is a CNA (certified nursing assistant), and she works long shifts from 6:00am to 6:00pm. She takes care of elderly patients who have seen better days. I’m sure that when Peaches moved to Tampa she wouldn’t have thought her family would need any help. After all she’s got three kids in school, her own place, and a good job. With so many signs held on street corners reading will work for food, she works not just for food but to restore what was taken. She models for these kids what it means to provide.
Sunday after church I get a phone call. “Hey this is Kim, Ben told me to give you a call about the Smith family, and we would like to help.” “Great,” I said. Kim continues with “but first I’d like to tell you a little something about myself.” Kim has a son Justin. Justin had a little brother, a half brother from a different marriage. Because the boys did so much together, Justin’s half brother was like a son to Kim. She went on to explain how they lost Justin’s brother. He was a heart transplant recipient. Sadly, his body rejected the donor heart and a little over 2 years ago he passed away. “We’ve accepted it,” Kim said with a shaky voice. Even though the loss of a loved one can be accepted, the void is never complete.
After the funeral Kim and Mercy, the boys mother sat on the front porch mostly in silence. Words could not express the grief and solace that they both felt. Mercy, a broken mother propped up by her son’s courage, and Kim whom loved the boy as if he were her own, pondered how to best memorialize such a loss. As the two ladies sat holding hands, the night sky revealed numerous shooting stars. They made a vow that when they saw a shooting star they would think of their lost son, Larry.
Kim wanted Larry’s mom to know about her Larry. These two sets of 9 year old Larrys share more than a name, they share a giving spirit. Kim and Mercy’s Larry had Jonas Brothers tickets for the family. But the doctor wouldn’t give permission for a concert adventure. But Larry wouldn’t dream of his brother or his family not going to the concert on his account. Larry Smith is learning to be a giver; during the cold snap when one of his school buddies didn’t have a jacket Larry Smith gave his extra. This seemingly small gesture doesn’t look like a world changing event but it does take on new perspective when you realize all his other clothes were stolen.
For two years Kim’s tree didn’t have a present for Larry. This year finally she had a place to put her present labeled: for Larry.

Violating Christmas Hope

2010-12-16T19:19:00.000-08:00

This year I’ve been tutoring at BT Washington. Each week on Thursdays, Larry teaches me a little more about life. When I first met Larry he was donned with seriously cool dreadlocks which were the kind grown for years, not as a fad. I chatted with his mom, Peaches, over the phone one day. I’m not sure she knew how to take me, but I let her know what tutoring was about and that I was here to help if she ever needed it.

Larry moved from Alabama, and without prying I guess they moved back to Tampa for a second chance. The hum in the teacher’s break room about the new kid reflected that he was rambunctious and was goanna need a little extra help. I’m not sure what they left back home, but this was Larry’s new home and I became a little part of it.

The three’s times tables are the hardest part of our hour together. Well, focusing on something other than the computer racing games is pretty hard too. For some reason, B.T. kids look forward to the time with us old people. When a kid gets a tutor, it’s like they have entered into an exclusive club. Tutors are treated like celebrities. The reality is that I probably get more out of our relationship than he does. When he begs me to stay for lunch, he teaches me about being a father. He also sharpens my multiplication and checkers skills.

Life has hit Larry’s family pretty hard the past couple of weeks. Besides his sister’s frightening seizures that have bound her to the hospital for a time, the family apartment was robbed over the weekend. From the street their apartment looks appealing considering it overlooks the river, but driving through the streets, a closer look reveals the typical neighborhood role models. These role models include young people standing idle in unsavory groups solidifying their bleak future.

See, when Larry’s apartment was breached, so was his trust. This trust is the very basic trust that says my home is safe and full of hope. The bad guys not only took the electronics, school supplies and clothes, but they also opened up Christmas presents and left only wrappings. Larry’s family Christmas this year was unwrapped alright, just not by them.

So where does that leave Larry and his family? Simply, they need your help. First things first, they need clothes and school supplies. Larry is a Size 10 and his sister is a size 14. His brother is size 36. If you have any clothes you would be proud having on these kid’s backs then bring them on Sunday. If you don’t have kids this age or size, but would like to help, you can donate monetarily through PayPal or give on Sunday and designate your offering to the Smith Family. All donations to the Smith Family will be personally managed by the Relevant Church staff and officials from BTW to make sure the most vital family needs are met.

To be totally honest, when I got the email about this situation, I read the first few lines and almost deleted it. I thought it was sent to a mailing list. I didn’t realize until after re-reading that it was about my tutor kid’s family. This tutor thing is getting kinda real.

What happened to the Gandy.

2010-10-18T17:18:00.000-07:00

Pics along the way.
An afternoon of free time led one photographer on a journey that will soon not be forgotten. Many times Jamie and his boys venture to their lucky fishing spot, the Gandy bridge. Due to the deterioration of the structure and lack of funding the bridge and its fishing pier were closed to public use. Memories of family ventures fade into current realities with the introduction of Todd.

At first the project was simple; take a few shots of what the Gandy bridge has become since its closure. First a few flower and beach compositions: then the grand gates that pronounce “no trespassing”. The once welcoming bridge was engulfed with chain link fencing. The old donations accepted signs still hang awaiting donations for a restoration that will never come.
Fishermen, tourists, and officers come and go. However the eye of the local homeless was nearby. One might say they were trolls. These down and outers stoked an outlawed fire under an outlawed bridge. Three men called this space home. It was harsh but tidy.

Randy, the missing guy, and Todd. Randy was shy, don’t care much for having his picture taken. “ What part of no don’t you understand?”, Randy shouts. Todd was a welcoming soul, at first. He explained that they cared for up to 15 cats. “ We feed’em cause they have to eat too. The Lord’s watching” He gave a tour of how they kept up the place, the rules of the fire and how to stay out of trouble. Did you know that three men working as a team on the street corner make about $150 a day. Only problem is “someone keeps falling off the wagon and that’s why we can’t get enough for rent.”

Todd is much like what people expect out of the homeless. He holds a sign that says “God Bless”. He admits “I’m a drunk. But I don’t drink and ride the bike I’d F’ myself up even more.” He has no idea how his arm came out of place but he is very proud of his homemade sling. “Made this myself, I’m too stubborn to go to the hospital.”
His anger also gets the best of him. Todd seems nice enough. He offers a sandwich to his guest. Suddenly, he becomes enraged when the kindness was not accepted. “What ya mean, you too good to sit and have a meal?” Quickly, this became a tense moment for a photographer holding expensive gear considering what to do with a drunk under a bridge. Todd then talks about his anger. He says the cops put him away a few times. “They really piss me off. You copper with a badge, live in my world for a day you would be angry too.” In fact, Todd even mentions wanting to go into an employers office with a rifle and “kill all those N----.” Didn’t sound like it mattered if they were his previous employers they just had to employ someone at some time.
Todd recites that he knows where he comes from. “I could go back.” Seemed like he was under the bridge by choice. One has to wonder if where he came from they only spoke in curse words. He tells about his life story in context of how wrong everyone has treated him, either a broke fisherman of 17 years or being laid off of a job of 37,000 years and given no pension. “Well I exaggerated a bit, but it’s a tough economy.”

“Do you believe in God, well I do. Through all the S---t I’d been through he’s the only one who stuck by me.” Todd mentions his faith often only to be followed by another F’ing story. One has to wonder, why did Todd end up being everything everyone expected him to be. At least God is there for those who aren’t there for themselves.

St. Augustine Trip plan

2009-12-28T15:51:00.000-08:00

Cafe 11
Sunset Grille
Zahanras
Harry's
Casa Maya
Mango Mangos
Deco
Caps
Alcapulco
Bistro de Leon
The tasting room

Starbucks-A1A & State Rd. 3

To hot for email.

2009-07-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

The other day I was looking at a house to buy for my real estate company. On occasion I get to see the house before all the trash is removed by the foreclosing bank. This particular house had so much porn in it that I call it “The house of porn.” Just about every room was scattered with the stuff. I know what your thinking, why am I riffling through some else’s porn. Sadly, I have become desensitized to piles of porn in foreclosed houses. I end up spending more time trying not to fall over it rather than discover the home owners’ preferences. Don’t get me wrong, I think in cases like this one, there are spiritual forces at work. Immediately, when I open the doors to these kinds of houses I sense it, creepy on so many different levels.

I think that when the sheriff evicted these people they thought nothing of the years of porn they were leaving behind. I’d guess that it became so normal for these people to be immersed by this stuff that weren’t embarrassed by it any more. The sheer volume is embarrassing by any standard.

So what’s this got to do with God?

Don’t we do that in our spiritual lives? We go to church for years and seem to let the crud build up. Don’t we use trite Christian ideals to hold it all together when it’s all really falling apart? We try quick fixes. In our spiritual lives we like to have God served on a platter. We go from one spiritual high to the next. We miss what it’s really all about.

Someone else.

We have been talking about getting away from our selves during this VS Series. But what does it really mean to legitimately care for some one else more than we care for our selves? Why do we continue to hit our heads against the wall trying to get our own “needs” met when the reality is that by caring for other people we end up being liberated our selves?

After the fact I found out that the previous owner was a doctor. Last I checked doctors make some serious money yet this guy became so consumed with himself that he lost his house.

You might have heard it said “We all have something that we could lose it all over” but maybe the better question is what are we willing to give it all up for?

Prayer

2009-07-02T14:52:00.001-07:00

A couple of Sundays ago I was moving hurriedly through the cantina and I noticed Thom Yencer leading his Set-up team in prayer. Totally unsolicited, I witnessed a team gather and pray for the kids who would soon be learning about Jesus, in part as a result of their work. Although I didn’t cry, (because I am a heartless manJ) I had to pause and thank God for our volunteers who get it.

Who’s driving your boat?

2009-07-02T14:50:00.001-07:00

While on vacation, Carly and I rented a two-person kayak. We were heading to the shallow waters to manatee cove. I noticed being in the back the boat made me in control. Carly sat upfront and did all the hard work and I just stuck my paddle in and turned us left and right.

Once we reached our destination, we were met by at least ten manatees. These manatees were happy if you know what I mean. It was cool for us because our small boat allowed us to hover over top of these fat beasts. I even grabbed one. Don’t tell the fish and wild life people. It was a pretty cool sight to see.

Here are a couple of things I noticed about our seating arrangement.

Front seat:

You’re the person moving the boat forward. When you sit in the front of the boat everything coming your way hits you first; every thing that happens to you is immediate. You’re the first to see life’s cool stuff and bad stuff. You lose a little bit of control.

Back seat:

Being in the back of the boat gives a broader perspective. The person in front trusts you. You make choices that affect direction and everyone else you have contact with. Power comes with responsibility.

Here’s the thought. We all have things that steer us. As believers was try to allow God to be our guiding force. But in reality we let other people, feelings, and self interest guide us. Often we are so involved in the front our life’s boat that we can’t keep perspective. We become consumed with our current realities rather than where God wants to steer us. Ironically some times we strive to be all that we can be for God that we kill direction he might have started in us to run to another Godly direction.

Questions.

How can we take a step back and gain perspective?

How much of our life’s choices are thought about through the character of God.

How can we discern between God’s direction and our feelings masquerading as God’s voice.?

Why do we serve?

2009-07-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

This morning I found myself stuck in a flood of water. Car stalled out, other motorists were passing me on every side. I wasn’t sure what to do. The closest exit had a steep incline, that I didn’t think I could handle by myself. I tried to crank the motor a few times to no avail.

I was trying to figure out how to get this car out of the road. Call AAA, push, just wait right there till it dries out. In the back of my head I was reminded of how I never stop to help any one in auto distress. I usually justify my unhelpful behavior with “I don’t know how to fix cars” or “ I’m going to be late”. I was not counting on any help from a fellow motorist because I am not a helper myself. I may be insensitive but at least I am a consistent insensitive jerk.

A man wrapped in a yellow rain coat is riding his bike down the sidewalk. He appeared like the type that would hold a sign in an intersection “Homeless-Vet God Bless”. The guy approaches my car and hollers through his salt and pepper bushy beard, “You want me to push you out of the road?” I took my shoes off and together we pushed my car up the steep incline to a dry spot in a parking lot. I shook his hand and thanked him and we went our separate ways.

While I was waiting for my engine to dry out I wondered a few things.

Why did this guy help? He was on a bike clearly going somewhere. Why would he help me when I surely wouldn’t help him? Was he already wet and figured might as well? Was he hoping that I would hook him up with some money?

After getting the car started I continued my journey through the flooded streets of South Tampa; cars flooded everywhere. In Hyde Park I passed a woman that almost had water in the doors. I thought I couldn’t push that car alone, she won’t help. She was in a business suit. In the back of my head the passage about the Good Samaritan played over and over. Here I am the church guy who was just helped and I passed others in need.

Here are my questions:

What does it take to live a life of service? To be at the point where we respond to needs instead of reflect about needs.
How do motives play into our decisions to respond to needs? What motives prevent us from responding when opportunity slaps us in the face? Many people serve with wrong motives yet God blesses their efforts. How can we identify our motives and realign our heart with our actions?

The next day I was on my way to work and I noticed a nice Mercedes with a blown tire in the road. I didn’t want to be a dirt bag two days in a row so I turned around and offered to push her out of traffic.

I am whole again

2009-04-23T14:07:00.000-07:00

This week my computer went into the service shop. She needed a little tune up. The man took my computer put it in a box affixed my name to it and sent it behind the repair door. Some expert was replacing the logic board. It's his every day job so I'm sure he is thinking here we go again "another logic board". The computers he doctors back to life are just that, machines. They really begin to look the same after a while. I quickly began to realize that I watched a very important part of me go behind closed doors for repair.

    This repair dude held in his hand my most of my work life, personal life and, social time. Twenty four hours passed and my anxiety went through the roof. I felt like a naked man on the city streets holding nothing but an Iphone. I was on a forced vacation because I couldn't really work. The phone rings at 8:20pm "your computer is ready for pick up." I thought "you mean life is ready to begin again". 8:57pm I enter the store, because waiting till 10:00am the next day was to much to take. Finally, in my hands again was my life. I walked out of the store with the laptop proudly held above my head.

    Tuns out a logic board is important and expensive. Because of my warrantee I got me a new one for free. But I began to think, does the guy who replaces computer boards, with his fancy screw drivers, know what importance his job has? Were not talking about Blart the mall cop here. We are talking about fixing a device that I spend hours working with every day. I spend more time with this than I do my wife or my kids.

    When you serve at Relevant you are affecting people in very real ways. When people come to Relevant they are trusting us with very important things; time, mental attention, emotional openness, their kids, most of all access to their soul. The second greatest fulfillment I have experienced is watching people's lives changed because of your commitment.

Jamie Takes The Taser

2009-04-23T13:13:00.000-07:00

Feasting at the table of faith.

2009-03-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take a minute to highlight great news on one of our groups. The Wirth’s are doing the 30 Days to Understanding the Bible. A study most people would think is surface and for new believers.

Paul tells me this week their group began hitting their stride. They assign homework for each of the topics of the week. Paul was amazed the amount of research their people brought for discussion. Pages and pages of info about there assigned topics. These people are spiritually all over the board. Some have been in church for years, some have just started looking at their faith. It seems like no matter where on the journey this group is they are really digging in.

God has set before us a buffet of spiritual growth that we can’t even imagine. Often at a party no one wants to be the first in the buffet line for fear of looking like a pig. Be ready because I can see the gathering of hungry people who cannot hold back any longer and they are beginning to rush the buffet.

If you heard Paul’s message from last Sunday you can tell the spiritual temperature is rising. God has begun a new day for Relevant, mark it on your calendar. Thanks for being apart of the life change going on right now.

By the way Great Freaking Job.

2009-03-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

A week ago I took an incredibly long car ride. Greg Vander Wel and I set out to scout for beach baptism pavilions. During the very long time in the car, I made mention to Greg how important his job is on Sunday morning. He and Darren invented the roll of walking first time guests up to the second floor. Along the way they chit chat with the guests about Relevant in attempts to make them feel comfortable. What started out as just an idea has turned into a critical part of our guest experience. We now have five people trained to do the same thing.

While discussing the roll and its success Greg stops me and says “ I’m glad it’s working because I really have to put my self out there and you never really know how people respond.” I must have looked dumbfounded because I thought he knew how important I felt the job was. I just had not reinforced the role’s importance along the way.

All to often we/I can get used to how well things work and forget to celebrate the wins. Sometimes we even forget why the systems are in place and what impact they have.

HERE IS THE SHOCKER……. Since January, over 141 first time guests have come through Relevant’s doors. Over 98% of the guests who took our online survey said they felt welcomed. Imagine if 141 people gave church a try and no one paid attention to them?

I have known Greg for many years. I knew him when I worked for him in real estate and before he returned to a church regularly. I remember over a year ago after lunch in Ybor we were standing at his car in the Italian Club lot, telling him that he needed to man up and take his faith serious. A few weeks later he began coming to Relevant. I have watched his faith grow by leaps and bounds. Although he does not feel like he has arrived, I can see his faith journey growing every week.

I have 4 more stories just like Greg’s of how God is working in your lives and through your lives.

Where Did Jamie Go?

2009-03-12T12:37:00.001-07:00

Remember the questions I sent out from last week? Asking areas we are succeeding in and areas I need to improve on. (If you don’t remember I’ll send it again.) I received a great reply from the Begley’s. I wanted to highlight one of their reflections.

My question:

Premise Two: Leaders who do too much, prevent others from leading. The end result of poor delegation results in a cap of how effective the ministry can be.

Question Two: In what areas do I need to step back and let others step up?

Begley response:

I do appreciate that you’ve let the cantina team act fairly independently recently. We’ve found a groove that seems to work for our team.

On the surface it might seem like an ego stroke to me rather, I see it as a huge win for their set up team. I realized a few months ago that by me being down in the cantina I was getting in the way of others taking charge. I had to force myself to find something else to do. That was really hard. The great news is that this team flat knocks it out of the park. Last week they were done with set up at 9:03am. The fastest time ever.

A survey with all the wrong questions.

2009-01-09T10:50:00.000-08:00

The recently returned to the YMCA after the new year. The place was clean and full of optimistic athletes. On the way out an employee asked me to fill out a survey about our YMCA.
The questions:
Did our staff greet you?
Did our staff use your name today?
Is our staff friendly?
Is the facility clean?
Other suggestions……

After answering the questions I commented, “ The racquetball courts could be swept more often.” During the summer, the courts are used by kids with seriously dirty shoes. Hand prints collect on the glass, what a fright. May times I thought that someone ought to take care of this.

As I went on with my day I remembered a conversation I had during the membership process. The intake person told me “YMCA’s depend on volunteers.” It’s part of the spiel. After a few days of working out, any thought of volunteering was gone. I’ve got lots of things; time is not one of them.

Back to the Survey, all the questions were associated with issues the staff control.
Inadvertently the priority of volunteerism has faded from the organization’s daily operations. Finally a thought occurred to me. What if I found a broom? What if I just cleaned the glass? Would I get in trouble if I just fixed the problem myself? Would these tasks be a help to some one other than me? Am I selfishly serving?

I think lots of times people hop from one church to another and they feel like the church staff are “the church”. I think many times people survey a church they attend and never ask the question, “What if I just fixed the broken toilet in the women’s room.” Often, people view their tithes like dues at a gym. Sadly, they find them selves looking for a new place that, “meets their needs.”

People who end up serving, do so for many reasons. Some serve to find friends, while others are thrilled to serve with no certain benefit. The reality is, if I only took a few minutes a week to make sure my court was cleaned, than the YMCA guys could do another more important task. Better yet, my ownership of the courts might spur others to do a small part them selves. Small tasks, even if selfishly done, still make a difference.

I am so proud that at Relevant our culture has not tuned into a staff does everything mentality. You guys are the ones who make every thing happen. Because of your ownership in the ministry here, you further embody your faith. Thanks for being fully engaged while you’re here.

Slow Sandwich

2008-12-27T05:03:00.001-08:00

Following by example

2008-12-19T05:04:00.000-08:00

Nuts & Bolts - Case Study : Retaining the Flock

2008-11-22T10:06:00.000-08:00

Challenge: Retain churchgoers.
Solution: Mobile marketing, sending daily text messages.
Results: Of the 125 church members and attendees who participated, 100 percent have remained worshippers.

Taking a leap of faith, Relevant Church of Tampa, Fla. invested last year in database management software from Fellowship Technologies of Irving, Texas. In one of its first challenges for the software, Relevant created a mobile marketing retention drive.

"We had a series that we called TEXT," Administrative Pastor James Adair says. "It was a study of the Bible, a play on the word, obviously. What we wanted to do was to help our people get to interact more with scripture on a daily basis. So we tried to find an apparatus to communicate with them that was relevant, already ingrained in their daily life. So we said, ‘Well, what if we text message them Bible verses for the day?' You could always e-mail, but sometimes you get that later, when you're already at work."

The church posed the challenge to its attendees one Sunday, and 125 opted in to read scripture every morning for 30 days. After pulling worshippers' cell phone numbers from the Fellowship One database-the Fellowship Tech software Relevant Church purchased to keep track of its growing flock-Relevant sent out the text messages. New congregants who weren't yet in the database filled out contact cards, which the church then added.

"Just because you have somebody come to your church for years, [sometimes] they don't actually grow in their faith, or they don't go anywhere with it; it's just like somebody coming into your restaurant and not buying any food," Adair says. "You want them to start growing. So by getting them into Fellowship One, we can track their progress. We can tell if they go to a small group. We can tell if they attended church. We can tell if they give money. We can tell if they've taken any ‘action steps.' So, during the TEXT series, if they signed up to receive text messages, that's permanently in their record[s]."

Of the 125 who partook in the TEXT action step, Adair says 100 percent are more than still attending-many are joining in on more challenges. Now Relevant Church has scheduled different retention drives twice a year, amid the 2008 "Year of Challenges." Worshippers have new goals to meet every 30 days, such as the recent "We Are Relevant" push in October to define the church's role in their lives and in the lives of the community.So, at a time when Adair says average church attendance is static to slumping, Relevant is growing. During the past year, Relevant's overall attendance has grown by more than 50 percent, from 230 to 350.

He credits a large part of this growth to the collected data that allows the church to enhance its ability to service the congregation's needs. For instance, if the information shows 20 percent of the attendees live in a certain Tampa neighborhood, the church can create a small group meeting for the area that can even cater to its demographics-young and single or married with children-and perhaps have a better chance of retaining
those worshippers.

Meanwhile, those who've grown up ensconced in traditional religion probably never thought they'd see the day that churches became savvy marketers. But that day is here, Adair says.

"We put a ton of effort into marketing. A ton," he says. "Because it's got to be something that people who don't go to church are interested in. If you send out a black and white, boring, cut-and-paste bulletin, that's no good-well, who's going to be interested in a church like that?"

But what matters most to Relevant's ministry is reaching those in the pews with God's message. As Adair puts it, if Relevant markets "to these people halfheartedly, well then, they're going to think we think of our God halfheartedly."

When Serving Sucks.

2008-11-13T11:10:00.000-08:00

Paul used an illustration few weeks ago with two types of fish tanks. He talked about fresh and salt water and how the two types of fish can’t mix. Here’s the tragic back-story behind what you saw on stage.

Saturday night I set up the tanks. Beach sand and ocean water made the salt tank and the fresh water tank came from Walmart. I could have bought small fish salt water from the pet store, but bigger fish from my home 75 gallon reef system would make a better point.

Sunday morning at 7:00am I attempted to catch the fish in my home aquarium. They kept hiding in the rocks. I started tearing the tank apart to get these fish. Buckets filled with siphoned water protected the rock and coral I pulled out of the tank. With in minutes my pristine home tank was in shambles. My kids, stood in their PJ’s, are staring at me.

Finally, I caught my first fish, then the second. As I looked for the third, I saw a yellow snout sticking out from under a large rock. Ahh. I moved the rock and realized that my final catch would never move again; he was crushed.

Ironically, this is the same fish I freed previously from the deadly grip of a clam. Me and my yellow fish had a delayed appointment with destiny. Off to Relevant.

I dumped these Caribbean fish into 62 degree water. I’m sure they remembered the comfortable 81 degree tank they just left. I ran down to the cantina to set-up for children’s ministry. Tim Mann greeted me with a cheerful smile; a smile I could not return. He asked if he could help with anything. “Not unless you can raise fish from the dead” I responded.

The fish in question, were valued at $150-$180 each. The dead one would have fetched $120. All of these fish were at least 9 years old. I gave them 2 pinches of food daily, for 2 years. I brought 15 gallons of new water to the tank weekly. They experienced dawn, daytime, dusk and even moon light. I even scooped their poop. My sons knew them as Nemo, Dori, and the Yellow one.

While I was laying tiles in the children’s area those thoughts raced through my mind. “Why am I so angry?” I wondered. I was not not angry at God, but at myself. I went all out for this illustration. “I could loose everything”. Laid another tile.

Carl and the band practiced upstairs; loud as usual. I laid another tile.

Jesus paid it all,  All to Him I owe;  Sin had left a crimson stain,  He washed it white as snow.

And when before the throne  I stand in Him complete,  I’ll lay my trophies down  All down at Jesus’ feet.”

I began to weep, quietly. Laid another tile. I started to see all my selfishness. I was committed to making this illustration work. I never imagined how much my commitment would cost. I never considered how much work it was going to be. Two days of prep unraveled 2 years of nurturing. I never thought I would lose something I cared for. Laid another tile. As Carl sang the refrain again, “Jesus paid it all, all to him I owe”, I felt terrible that God gave his son and I could not give a few fish.

Serving has a cost. Serving is not dependent on our feelings. Faithful serving is a process of letting go of ourselves one bit at a time.

You are my Beefsteak.

2008-11-11T13:29:00.001-08:00

I have a small garden growing in my yard. One of the starter plants that all new gardeners use is tomatoes. My first tomatoes were cherry. They were small and totally useless. They grow fast and rot quickly. This season I picked larger breed of tomato; Beefsteak.. Here is what I didn’t know. Big tomatoes take a whole lot longer to grow. After months of watering this plant its like 6 foot tall. But only in the past few weeks have the tomatoes started budding. They are still green but I can finally see the fruit beginning to grow.

I planted two identical Beefsteak tomato plants. Both are tall and both take a lot of work. One is producing fruit and the other has buds but no fruit. Not one. The plant is totally useless. I guess I could use it as a hedge or give it as a house warming gift to an enemy.

There are lots of believers in the kingdom. Unfortunately, some take lots of water and care yet still they don’t give back. They keep all the nutrition for themselves. They, like this tomatoe plant have forgotten their purpose.

On the other hand there are those believers who step-up, step-out and produce fruit. They find their place, and they make a difference. YOU are a part of the people at Relevant that produce fruit. Some-times it takes a while to see the fruit in others and often it takes longer to see the fruit in ourselves. Be assured that God has been watering, pruning, and caring for you all along.

Distractions.

2008-11-11T13:22:00.001-08:00

I was playing Racquetball this morning. It did not go well. I found myself highly distracted. Being a medicated ADD person, I know that I am medically superior to the average Joe. But most of the time we are a highly distracted people. We find our minds wandering from one thought to another.

I found myself thinking: “How bad will this market crash be, 1980’s or 1920’s? Why don’t the kids clean up their own crap? I hope my wife feels better. Who is on Facebook? My house value is down $80k. Why is everyone I know sick or broke?” Oh wait I’m playing Racquetball- get in the game.

An old boss I used to work for always pushed me to limit the number of distractions in my life. I thought he was Scrooge-ing me. Surly he was watching out for himself. In reality he wanted me to focus on the few things that would feed my family. As I observe myself, and the remainder of humanity, I notice that when times get tough we find even more ways to become distracted. More often we will relish in thoughts of misery. We get stuck in our own experience that we can’t see that we are in the middle of a game we care about. We forget what is at stake. It is the Kingdom of God in people’s lives; a game far more important that Racquetball.

Whether on Sunday morning or during the week in a Growth Group each of you takes a role at Relevant. I am so glad that you have a laser focus on the most important priority in your spiritual service. I am thrilled when I see volunteers who could be shootin the breeze with their friends down-stairs; instead they engaged a new couple in conversation. This kind of laser focus resulted in the visitors signing up for a growth group and coming to Carefest. I know it is hard to keep distractions out of our minds but by serving something greater than ourselves we add value and meaning for eternity in the lives of those we touch.

I got my first.

2008-11-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

6:45am: A frantic wife calls to her loving, and still asleep, husband, “Hey, the fridge is broken.” Apparently the coils froze over. So Carly and I moved all the food out into the shed fridge, and for three days, we made trips out to the shed fridge to make dinner. Once, I even thought, “You know you’re a redneck when you find yourself in the backyard, barefoot, getting milk out of your shed fridge.”

Finally, with my trusty cordless drill in hand; I began the process of removing the panels covering the frozen coil. Ethan came over to help his dear, old dad, and you know how the story goes. He had to have a job. I gave him the job of holding all of the screws that I extracted from the panel.

Then it happened. All of a sudden, without warning and without prompting, Ethan said it. Words I had not heard from him before. At least, not without coaching. He said it, my jaw dropped, and I wasn’t sure what to say, or how to respond. “I love you, dad.”

How long do we serve in an area of ministry and desire to hear about the difference we make? How long have we served without being served? How long have we wanted to know that someone felt cared for, because of what we are doing? One day it will come.

Despair Factory Bailout

2008-11-11T13:13:00.000-08:00

A family waits in the hospital for a doctor’s coat to approach with news. A wife wrestles with her distant husband’s addiction to bottles of all kinds. A man driving his 4-cylinder beater car sighs as he realizes that he has not actually filled up the tank in over a year. A man with a credit score of 705 contemplates if he should just let the house go. After all it’s worth $100,000 less than what he paid for it. Pastors of young vibrant new churches gather to figure out how to keep their doors open. Taxpayers all over the nation are bracing for the fallout from the Fanny and Freddy default. Presidential candidates recite a nation’s despair, offer promises, and then ask for a vote.

It seems just about every place one looks despair abounds. Its almost like in the cosmos a factory exists. This “Despair Factory” has an assembly line working over time to produce difficulties. Some difficulties are even customized. It seems like so many are in places of despair.

Hindus call it Karma, while the Buddhists call it “The four passing sights”. What happens when our time of shock has past? How long will we savor the words “your fired”, “recession”, and “I’m pregnant”? In the west, Americans don’t reflect on despair, rather blame is assigned to everyone but the troubled. We find ways to relish in our misery. There are entire sections of daytime TV set aside to enjoying misery.

When trouble comes along people’s eyes glaze over and incapacity sets in. Any foreclosure defendant will attest the paralyzing effect of impending doom. What does it take to snap out of it? Where is the big restart button? What bailout is needed to bring hope back? Maybe the question is ”How can hope be used to bailout the Despair Factory?”

At the very basic level hope offers purpose to our struggle. Most often, hope offers a sense of better days ahead? Paying for next week’s gas and praying for healing asks hope for an immediate action. Hope itself does not fill a gas tank nor does it heal. But hopeless place themselves at the end of the despair factory production line repeatedly. Hope offers reason and purpose to great struggle. Martin Luther held hope in the midst of huge struggle. Yes the original Martin Luther and Martin the King had at the core of their message purpose to their struggle. Hope fueled their drive for change. Don’t confuse hope with a campaign slogan or marketing piece. Hope naturally encourages action for those who have internalized it.

For believers in Christ we have a dualistic approach to hope. We know that God makes Earthly provision. Believers also know that the calling of Christ has hope of salvation. Often the big picture of faith is lost in the details of the day. The wind blows and masses follow the dust it created. We know that troubles we face have greater implications. They fit into God’s greater picture. Even those things that seem meaningless, God weaves into the mosaics of our faith. There is a time for mourning. And there is a time for action. Let us weep with those who mourn.

Ironically, some believers respond to any adversity by looking for God to console rather than convict. Let us spur on those whose hope has been stolen by life’s circumstances. Some call it “putting on the big boy pants” while others call it “pushing the baby out of the nest”. So how do we snap out of it? Is it the bootstraps or surrender before God? Both. Dark clouds are momentary.

People who make it through great trials have some of the following traits. Setting aside the blinding effect of life’s trials will be the biggest challenge.

· Gain a realistic perspective of just how good or bad a situation is.

· Stop talking about what you can’t do, start doing what you can do.

· Essentualize-Get back to the basics.

· Change your mind, starting with your tongue. Speak the good, silence the negative. The tongue has power. It starts plenty of bar fights and secures many first dates.

· Gain wise outside perspective. The kind that’s hard to hear, not blindly comforting.

· Pray for God’s guidance on the tangible stuff: “Should I pay my rent or go to a movie?”

Faith or Wisdom

2008-08-26T07:56:00.000-07:00

Ecclesiastes 1

12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! 14 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 15 What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted. 16 I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge." 17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. 18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

Questions:

Why is the wisest man unfulfilled?

Is the acquisition of wisdom a dangerous pursuit?

Is this comparable to the tree of Good and Evil?

Reflections:

In my circle of influence it seems that health is the topic of the day. I can’t remember a time when more people in my life have been dying, sick, or dealing with a family member’s drama. Many church workers have prematurely passed away. I have been watching how people have reacted to their traumatic situations. Some turn to prayer. Some turn to grief. Some stand in shock.

In two cases I have observed what truly seems like miracles. When I left the charismatic movement I didn’t leave the idea that God could heal. But I did stop looking around every corner for a demon or a miracle. One person lay on the hospital table receiving CPR for 30 minutes. Most people don’t normally come back. Another person involved in a typically fatal motorcycle accident, still lives. The man is in his late 60’s not his 20’s.

When I get the phone call about these and other less fortunate medical situations, I feel my faith sink. I find myself knowing just enough about medicine to know when its real bad. I’m not a doctor, but I have seen a lot of these end-of-life situations come along. Words like DNR, Aneurism, and Melanoma have more power than my faith. I wonder if the more I know, will I become more like the son of King David? Jaded, sorrowful, and grief stricken. Just maybe blind faith is wiser than wisdom that destroys faith.

Open discussion about some pictures I observed.

2008-07-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

Setting. This Orlando mall is at least 1/3 empty. No food court that I saw. The exterior had a make over but not overly convincing. There is a lot of competition by other huge pretty malls. This is a dying mall looking for stores and customers.

Here were some learning lesions I thought of, what are your thoughts.

Casting vision: Maybe the owners were trying to cast a vision of what the mall could be one day.

Sustaining: Maybe the mall was trying to do the best with what they had left to deal with.

Deception: Were the owners just trying to fool shoppers with the perception of more stores then what really existed.

Church application: How many churches feel like they have nothing to offer compared to a mega church. They have facilities that don’t meet the use they once had.

Business plan: Maybe the property needs to be sold as office space.

Golf and faith

2008-07-26T11:15:00.001-07:00

I was playing golf this week: it was my third time playing. The ironic part is that I don’t really think I care much for golf. It’s okay to play but horrible to watch on TV. That being said, I had the good fortune to play on a really nice course. It was not one of those with the windmill and water fall colored toilet blue, but this course was really nice. So nice that I had to wear a shirt with a collar. As we passed the second hole a woman from the resort approached us and offered cold towels. I wondered what I needed a cold towel for, it was free so I took it. As the day grew hot I realized just why the cold towel was going to be important.

At Relevant we get a chance to go over the top to meet the needs of those who visit Relevant. Both physical and spiritual needs are met by our team. From the water at the front door to a warm hello that comforts the soul. Thanks for caring unexpectedly to those who need it the most.

I got it.

2008-07-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

I got it.

11:46 Pm Sat. night. This week has been so busy that I just could not come up with one encouraging thought to put in my First Impressions e-mail: then tonight it hit me.

Some of you know that I cook. I have worked with Mise en Place while at college and during catering season totaling 11 years. It’s great fun & hard work. I see a lot of the same people and there is a deep sense of community shared among people of the food industry. Tonight there was a wedding: little did I know that when they said they needed me that they really meant it. There were four chefs on the gig, two of which are clearly much better chefs than I. Without going into all the details our team was under a huge time crunch. We only had to pull together “passed appetizers”, “3 appetizer stations”, and seated salad and dinner course for 278 people. All in 3 hours.

To put this into context I know I can cook, I know that I have a decent palette, but I know in reality I am small potatoes compared to the REAL CHEFS from Mise en Place. The night went on mostly without a hitch. As the DJ played the song “ This is the Last Dance”, the lead chef on the gig, Larry said to me; “Thanks for busting it out tonight.” I did my usual “ thanks for letting me be on the team”. Larry knew I brushed off his complement and he followed it up with “ What do you mean, we couldn’t have made it without you tonight.” I was underestimating what value I brought to the team. I don’t know if you’re like me; where you forget what value you bring to those people in your life. When I realized that Larry really appreciated my help tonight I felt great.

Some times on a Sunday morning I will give a compliment or two that seem so over the top that I must not really mean it. I tell someone on my Relevant Team that what they do matters, and because of the way I say it or because they might view their job as insignificant they don’t believe my compliment. Rest assured I DON’T GIVE vain compliments.

See for Larry the restaurant is his only life. When you guys walk into Relevant to serve you are walking into my life. You bring what you have to offer not only to me but more importantly to God. I want you to know from my perspective that I can’t do it without you. From God’s perspective, He created the Heavens and Earth and still includes you in accomplishing His will.

Thank you for moving tables, counting money, greeting and tearing down. Thanks to all of you; Amanda, Andrea, Anthony, Ben, Erin, Bill, Tina, Camille, Kristin, Shannon, Chenelle, Angela, Chris, Chris, Clay, Darren, Julie, Katie, David, Dave, Derrell, Edwin, Krissi, Elysia, Dory, Eric, Greg, Carly, Jason, Jenna, Jennifer, Jenny, Jerry, Janet, Allison, Jim, John, Jonathan, Michelle, Jonathan, Katrina, Ken, Kiani, Kimberly, Donna, Kyle, Lauren, Katy, Matt, Melissa, Sharon, Mike, Philip, Nicole, Rebecca. There is more but I don't have emails, It's staggering to think 68 of you make Relevant happen, In my team alone. I am truly humbled.

Thanks again,

Jamie

A non-political statement.

2008-07-19T21:20:00.000-07:00

The season is upon us. A time when a nation interviews candidates for the future position of President. Relevant does not take political sides, but we are excited that Relevant does reach people who are all over the political map. Disclaimers are done, on with the story.

Americans usually look for what the next president will do for them. I guess that’s why he is being elected; to do something right. Unfortunately, most elections in America are based on issues that the voters are unwilling to personally get involved in.

We vote about education- yet most don’t teach.
We vote about underprivileged children- yet most won’t find time to mentor.
We vote about health care – yet most don’t go to the gym.

I have found myself noticing in many of you a strong desire to take matters into your own hands. Kind of like vigilantly servants. You decided at some point, “I am not going to stand by and watch other people serve in causes I care about.” You made a choice to “be about change”. Every time you serve you are voting for what you say you believe in. Not the kind of vote that creates a hanging chad, lost in the Electoral College. Rather, this vote directly impacts real people. I say you guys will have a greater influence on more of your neighbors than the next occupant of the large white house on Pennsylvania Ave.

Thank you for “Asking not what the God can do for you, rather what you can do for your God.”

Jamie

This week’s schedule.

FI and Freaking Sweet Surgery!

2008-07-19T21:17:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had an amazing opportunity to a long time goal. I have been wanted to observe a surgery. An orthopedic surgery would offer the best of “wood shop” and “home ec”. Less than 1% of the world’s population has seen the inside of an operating room. I got to sit in on five cases. I literally was only feet away from the action. None of this watching TV or youtube stuff, the real deal. I will spare you the details but just know that there was a lot of drills, screws, and nails.

Here is an interesting observation I had before getting to operating room. The doc’s assistant told me I needed scrubs on. She pointed to the Dr. dressing rooms, “change there”. She knows I know nothing about medicine, or even how to look like I know about medicine. I wondered, did I need to take off my clothes or did the scrubs go over my clothes? Lucky for me, I passed a few docs on the way in and it looked like they were naked under those scrubs. When in Rome do as the Romans do right.

On my way out I grab a hat and a Home Depot hazard mask. I quickly found out that real doctors don’t wear those types of masks. As I cross the red line into the operating ward a nurse tells me, “Hey, put your hat on”. Glad she told me. Then we entered the room with all the washtubs, “Hey, now put on your mask”. Glad she told me. As I entered the room the doc warmly greeted me.

My plan was to fold my arms, touch nothing, and observe everything. They were using all these fancy terms; distal, proximal, medial, and flux capacitor. I located myself just over the doc’s shoulder but really close to the instrument table. A nurse tech reminded me, “If you bump the tool table, everything would have to be resterilized”. Bad day! I’m glad someone told me. Doctors and nurses went out of their way to include me in as much as I could handle.

I have never felt more like a fish out of water. Yet, this was one the greatest moments in my life; I had way to express it. Many people wondered why I would find surgery so interesting. But hasn’t that been said regarding religion?

Non-religious people come to Relevant with folded arms, touching nothing, and observing everything. We can’t tell if they love it or are completely lost. Here is the great part; Relevant gets a chance to welcome observers weekly. The result of our work is not mended bones, but mending hearts. Thanks for your commitment to telling a broken world that they matter to God.

Jamie

Here is the schedule for the week.

FI and Freaking Sweet Surgery!

A fish meets a clam

2008-07-01T19:04:00.000-07:00

A fish and a clam meet in an aquarium. Cute fish is the top of the food chain. 34 cent clam as food is the bottom of the food chain. Fish snaps at clam. Clam bites back. Yes the clam caught the fish by the snout. Fish struggle for life. Clam forced open to save the $120 dollar fish.

Moral of the story: Know what your worth, but you might want to watch where you stick you nose.

Family Reunion

2008-06-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

I had a family reunion this week. While I was diverting my attention from what the in-laws were doing. I checked E-mail, and did a little work. A voice from behind the sliding glass door asks me to help with dinner. Potatoes needed to be mashed. I could have put them off till Jimmy Buffet was done singing "It's five o'clock somewhere." My retreat into work related tasks was being challenged by dinner.

I don't know if your like me, a master of mixed priorities. I find myself doing what's captured my mind, rather than what I need to do.

In the short term, potatoes were turning to mush instead of mash. Children play at the pool without a parent. Long awaited snorkeling adventures put on hold-again.

In the long term an unguided mind does lots of things poorly. Children have a half present parent. Spouses settle for unengaged relationships. College years turn into memories rather than marketable skills. Great ideas fade into could've and should've.

We need time to work, time to play, time to love, and time to worship. Often various passions compete for attention. We forget to focus on direction rather than fickle thoughts of the mind. So here is what I learned while mashing mushy potatoes. Figure out what moment your in and live in that moment as best as you can.

Training Video

2008-06-27T12:16:00.000-07:00

Jury Duty

2008-06-27T12:14:00.000-07:00

This week I have the privilege of serving as a juror. Yes I got the paper and showed up. I charmed my way right into the juror's seat. Before they select you, they ask a battery of questions. Most of which filter out people with biases. The court tells you that, serving in the Jury system is critical to what America stands for. When you walk in the room everyone stands in your honor. It's a pretty important roll. Here is the ironic part. When a case is being deliberated jurors must only consider evidence when rendering a verdict. We can NOT think about the further implications of our actions. Such things as will the defendant lose a job, or serve hard time. But at Relevant it’s like the roles are reversed. No one stands when volunteers walk into serve at church. But we are very much so deciding peoples fate by serving at Relevant. We must keep that in mind as we serve. The court battles for the jurors’ attention. The hearts of the world are begging for attention. The question is, will we rise to the occasion.

My chubby 1 year old cuts through silent chaos to remind daddy to love.

2008-05-24T11:52:00.000-07:00

I guess that often you have days like mine. Days where you tell the wife, "hey I will be home in an hour", and that hour turns into two. Well recently I had one of those where I called Carly with my intended arrival and could hear the kids in the background grinding away at her patients.

When I finally arrive home, late, I notice dinner sitting coldly on the counter. Carly was finishing the boys bath. I could tell I was walking into tense moment. Dinner was reheated and plates abruptly put on the table. Each boy was put in their seat.

Carly and I both had one of those days and shared very little in way of conversation. You know kids never just behave. Each screaming their own dinner objections. Ethan whines about his nuggets and choice of juice cup. Connor pushes away his bottle. Carly and I fire back with frustrated grunts and a "just sit there". Carly hands Connor a musical greeting card to keep him busy. Ethan continues his protests.

Then in an unexpected moment of silence Connor, my chubby one year, old opens the greeting card. The first utterance of noise encouraged Conner's biggest smile. The song begins to play " All my love my darling, I hunger for your touch." I began to feel again. My eyes warmed with emotion. Just about cried on that one.

See this was the card left over from Mother's day. It seems lessons memorialized on such a day can be forgotten so quickly. My son helped me remember how much I love the one who does so much.

Unexpected smiles

2008-05-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday I find myself in the smile business. I encourage greeters to welcome people into our church. Some their first time in church. Churches are so concerned with a welcoming atmosphere they spend millions on environments and higher staff to make sure people feel comfortable.

Yet, I found myself at an event that correlated with our current series, swetin to the 80's. An 80's skate night. Complete with a costume contest, and couples skate. Being the 80's generation the staff loved the idea. As of last Sunday we had a few sign-ups for the event and even if it flopped at least we would have some fun.

People started trickling in on a Tuesday night. Most adorned with some sort of 80's garb. Some went over the top. Shaved mullets, incredibly tight leather pants, and who can forget all the neon. Heres who I didn't expect to show up. People who were barely alive in the 80's and adults who were past there prime in the 80's. We had them both, and everybody in between. People who had never skated and those who had some left over skills strutted their stuff.

As the night wore on I realized the greatest phenomena, Smiles. Real legitimate smiles. Our age group is so jaded. We find hope in our pessimism. We rejoice in failure. But of this brief moment all the oil prices faded. For a brief moment the election was forgotten. People were having fun. I guess we all get used to being happy enough to think everything is all right. When was the last time we just had a blast? Tuesday, May 20th at 6:30pm.

The last Lecture

2008-05-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

This is the story I might have told some of you about. Its all over the internet, Oprah and 20/20. The part that really hit me is telling the truth. Not that I like lying is easy but difficult conversations need to happen. Often I wonder how much more I would lay it all out on the table if I had nothing to loose. The long version is worth watching. But the short version from Oprah or 20/20 gives a fair summery of his story. Randy's non-spiritual truths make me look at where I spend my time.

Enjoy the long version.

Enjoy the short ABC Version ....Great....

You'll shoot your eye out.

2008-05-05T18:01:00.000-07:00

My wife and son return home from Target where somehow he received a reward of a toy. In fact two squirt guns. His first sentence to me was " these are for the pool and you can't point them at people." Shortly there after Dad and Ethan go out side to play with these weapons of mass amusement. Mom is off on another errand. After watering the garden with the guns dad's squirter turns to Ethan's legs. Oops did I do that? Dad asks. Before long dad and son are in an all out squirt war. Ethan says "We just can't get my jammies wet." Soon there after Mom returns only to see dad and son covered in water. Most can guess where this goes, mom runs for cover as her men lob gallons of liquid fun in her direction.

Some rules are made to be broken. Guns are serious and safety adds sobriety to many moments between father and son, but breaking free from rules together is liberating. Dad catches himself when he sounds like a personal injury attorney rather than adventure mate.

In a final moment of rule breaking dads squirt gun runs out of WATER. What to do. Ethan offers his remaining squirts in turns. We proudly stood as civil war combatants, each taking turns shooting at the other with bursts of laughter in-between.

30 Day Sex Challenge Guide

2008-03-17T09:52:00.001-07:00

GG Spring Welcome

2008-01-04T13:09:00.001-08:00

The Least You Could Do

2008-01-04T13:06:00.001-08:00

Tomorrow's ran out Thursday

2007-11-26T05:57:00.000-08:00

I have a friend from community college that has been ill for a while. His diabetes broke his body down to the point of needing a multi organ transplant. His battle for survival seemed to linger for ever. We talked infrequently but I knew I ought to call more often. Recently I sent him a copy of my crazy story in the news. Here is his response.

From: kmburkett1@comcast.net
Subject: RE: Jamie Adair-in the newspaper
Date: November 19, 2007 4:25:26 PM EST
To: Paganlover@aol.com

Way to go Jamie. Good for you. I'm proud of you! Takes some guts to stand up for the right thing and that you did. Awesome!

Anyhoo, nothing much here is going on. I'm still waiting for the call for the transplant. You'll be one of the first I contact when the call does come in though. Hope all is well with you and everything is going great. If I don't speak to you before them, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Hope to hear from you soon, old friend.
Kevin

-----Original Message-----
From: James Adair [mailto:Paganlover@aol.com]
Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2007 4:58 PM
To: James Adair Subject: Jamie Adair-in the newspaper

I printed this out and taped it to my wall to remind me to call Kevin more often. Kevin lost his fight on Thanksgiving day. Why don't we do things we know we should do. What is more meaningful; returning stolen goods or calling your "old friend". Life happens every day. I guess making life count daily is more important than counting the days of life.
OBIT

The craziest thing that has ever happend to me.

2007-11-05T07:17:00.000-08:00

I am switching to a Mac. Yes leaving the broken world of PC to a system that just works. But I am a cheap man. I started looking on Craig's list for a slightly used system. Some might cringe at the notion, but no one is stepping up to buy me one either. I found a great deal, $750 for a one generation old system. I offered $550.00 to make the hassle of dealing with a used system worth my time. Initially the seller emailed rejecting the offer but later accepted. The seller's email instructed me to contact his in town friend to make the purchase. I told the seller I would and also provided my cell number. Weird but the "in town friend" called me within minutes to arrange a meeting.

The next day I brought my Mac genius friend to check the computer out with me. Got to make sure it works, right. We meet the "in town friend" at his work just outside of down town and drive him to his house. After a battery of tests on the recently cleaned machine my friend looks in the system profile for the name of the computers owner. The name that appeared was not that of the "in town friend" or "out of town seller". When asked about the name the "in town friend" said he had gotten the Mac from his friend and had checked his mail on it a couple of times. With no system disks and open questions as to actually ownership I told him we would be in contact.

I remembered that he mentioned his girlfriend at UT and his "out of town friend" the seller went to UT also. I figured that he might have permanently borrowed this computer from a UT student. Another guy in my office says I should check face book for the possible victim's name. Guess what, the possible victim did have a face book account and lived in Tampa.

I called campus security and asked if they kept records of thefts on campus. After a dismissive operator told me that is confidential info, I told her I might know where stolen goods are. She passed me along to the night time security guy. He took the important info; possible victim's name from the Mac, and Mr. Thief's info: names, phone, address, and email, said he would call me back. I thought for sure this was the end of the story. 10 Minutes later the phone rings with a dumbfounded campus security officer. "Your right on the money; the computer went missing a few days ago." I am going to get on the phone with Tampa P.D. and you call "Mr. Thief" to buy the machine.

Dialing phone, ring, answer "Hello" "Mr. Thief, I found the system disk and want to buy that computer" I said. He replied that he already had another buyer, I could barely hear him because some sirens rang out in the background. I told him to call me if that sale does not go through and that I still wanted it.

I called campus security back with the report and the idea came up to offer more money. "Mr. Thief what if I paid you $700 for the computer? Can you call the other buyer and tell him your selling it to me instead?" "Mr. Thief" then calls this other buyer, to get a better price out of him I guess, but he could not get him. "Mr. Thief" calls me back" Hey, man I only have the other buyers home number and could not get him. He is on his way here to meet me now. I am at this intersection where an accident took place so he might be held up." I told him "let me know what happens."

By this point, Tampa PD contacted me getting an updated story. All I could tell them was "Mr. Thief was selling to another buyer as we speak and if you want to catch him you could check the police scanner for an accident in Tampa Heights. I just heard sirens in the background no more than 10 minutes ago." Tampa PD asks, "What's he look like?" "He is a white guy with really big ear rings. Like 50 ring gage." I told them.

I was on my way to Jimmy Buffet, soon to forget the entire day, especially the part about missing out on a half price computer. The phone rings again. "Tampa PD here, We got him. He had the stolen property with him."

After seeing the computer this entire exchange occurred in under 3 hours. Pretty crazy ey.

Here is the article

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/17/Hillsborough/Between_duplicity_and.shtml

Front page ayout

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/17/timesfront/Times_1A.pdf

Story from the UT Student Paper

http://media.www.theminaretonline.com/media/storage/paper1025/news/2007/11/16/NewsFeatures/Ut.Security.Tpd.Set.Up.Craigslist.Sting.Return.Students.Stolen.Laptop-3101590.shtml

People learn what they want to learn not what they need to know.

2007-10-15T06:10:00.000-07:00

A few things I have learned while trying to select study material for people in order to grow their faith. After sizing up spiritual weaknesses, I can come up with a good study list. Stuff people need to know. For instance a broke man might need to learn about managing money. What about a husband who needs to communicate more often with his wife. But what does the poor man choose the beatitudes or the book of James. The inattentive husband picks a business or leadership study.

We give groups options as to what they are going to study. Our group attendance has never been higher, people are more optimistic. This looks great. I just wonder if focusing on the growth opportunity areas is the wrong way to go. Is the notion of a spiritual Renaissance man foolish.

An even better question to me is, where in my life do I need to learn a lesson of two. Where am I choosing to spend my learning time. What study should I be looking at?

Are you listening?

2007-10-09T08:23:00.000-07:00

Many times in a meeting, suggestions are offered as to how to fix a problem. You know how it goes " hey you should fix your marriage." Or " You should provide more depth for church people." Some times the person receiving input gets this glossed over face. You know full well their ain't now way they are going to actually do what you are telling them. For me it's when some one tells me about a book I ought to read. Like I got time to read a book about your interest. I usually say read it into a tape recorder for me and I'll listen. When do you decide who is worth listening to and who needs to be blown off? Really. People with answers to our problems are out there. We keep listening to the wrong answers.

How do we find these answer people? Find someone who has been there and done that. COPY THEM FIRST. Then tweak the idea. Get some momentum built by winning small battles. Don't eat the entire elephant in one sitting. Get your mind straight. Get your plan together. Begin.

Comfortably Wrong

2007-10-06T06:47:00.000-07:00

My local grocery store has this nifty machine that filters water seven different ways. Weekly, I fill twenty gallons of water for my salt water aquarium. My fish need untainted water for survival.

I thought wouldn't this machine be great in countries without wells or any clean water. Just plop it down in the desert, and line the village up. My friend Stephanie told me about the process for educating villagers on healthy sanitation and well drilling. The process is overwhelming to say the least.

Am I to comfortable to do anything about fresh water in developing countries? Is my time and money more valuable to me than people I will never meet? Are my efforts better spent in areas where I have greater influence?

Here is the funny part. Lots of people take up a cause, rattle cages, and look down on everyone else for not holding their same view. This kind of arrogance follows a segment of people from every cause, (Especially home owners associations). All to often I find some people have a hard time talking as they walk. Me included.

The better question might be will I stay comfortably wrong in my every day life? Will I talk to my parents more often? Will I come home earlier and play with my boys rather than sit on the couch? Will I offer the back rub or expect the usually? Usually the usual is pretty nice.

In the words of Eddy Murphy, "What have you done for me lately?" At least acknowledge when your comfortably wrong. Maybe one day some-one will become uncomfortably right.

Left a message.. is not getting er done.

2007-10-04T09:36:00.000-07:00

Many times a project is at hand, and the question is asked where are we on that? The reply, "WELLL I left a message". "I am waiting for an e-mail back from them." My favorite: "Its on cruise control." The emergencies/priorities in our lives are not on the priority stack of other people. Sure, one day we will get a call back. Sure, one day we will get the final report. Answers after the fact or not provided in enough time cripples deals, production, ministry, momentum, and wastes money. Time is too short to wait for a message to be returned. Go knock on the door. Call the number until it's picked up. Send flowers. Pay a neighbor to deliver your message. Force the clutter off their desk. Pleasantly demand their attention.

The world is given to those make things happen not to those who leave balls floating in the air.

My life insurance man keeps calling and leaving messages about additional coverage I requested. I dodge the calls because in those moments I can't talk about my future death and how much it's worth. He has called 3 times a week and left messages 2 times a week; for 6 weeks now. He paged me once, and finally e-mailed me. Then I returned the call. You never know what trigger will get the response. PULL ALL THE TRIGGERS.

Funny things people say?

2007-10-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

Recently a small group met to discuss the future of "Hope" in a Postmodern world. One thing leads to another and the following illustration was offered. The illustration paints a picture of how heaven is our "hope". A hope of being fully connected to God and fellow believers.
The kingdom of God is like sex. It is the closest two people can become. In that sexual moment total connection is attained. Being connected with God is much the same. Through our worship and service we create moments of connections while in this Earthly dwelling. However, the final connection with God and other believers is to come. Heaven has no barriers, no stylish jeans, no eye liner, no pride or bravado. We will all be in that "moment of connection together".

Every one is thinking it some one had to say it. ....Orgy?

God love those who are on the journey.

Welcome to the Jungle

2007-10-02T06:17:00.000-07:00

Many mistake my misplaced jokes and overall disregard for common social since as a short coming. I see it as a way to level the playing field. Keeping the bar of expectation low works great. This blog will offer meaningful thoughts from my head; even if few and far between. By the way spell check and grammar rules don't apply here, in the ADD zone. Strap in for the ride.