No warning

I have decided that I have reached the end of the Internet and will be taking a blogging hiatus...no good or bad reason. I'm just going to take a break for a while.

What can I use the 'extra' time for?

Water shortage empties pocketbooks

Govenor Sonny Purdue put mandatory water restrictions on all homes throughout the state of Georgia this last year. The citizens of Georgia followed the regulations - stopped watering their yards and washing cars, shared shower and bath times, changed out normal toilets for low flow toilets, and turned the water off when brushing their teeth.

What was the result?

We conserved too much water according the city of Atlanta Water Board! What does that mean? It means that the city didn't make enough money off of the water usage and as a result they are raising the water and sewage rates!

Thanks Major Shirley Franklin...

Sleepless flights

The last couple times we flew with Morgan to Denver to see the grandparents, we planned the flight to coinside with nap/bed time. What better way to spend 2.5-3 hours on a flight than with a sleeping 2 year old? That time provides a time for Jen and I to re-energize our souls by reading, talking, writing, watching television or a movie (Frontier Airlines), or napping.

Things did not quite work out that way this time!

This was the first time that we have flown since Matthew was born - I am thankful that airlines still are not charging for infants (2 years or younger) that sit in an adults lap. We headed to the airport on Friday night bound for Denver. We followed our usual MO - late flight so that Morgan (and now Matthew) would sleep.

Not so much

Morgan talked, laughed, screamed, hit, swung, and kicked (I want to say I'm sorry to the people that sat in front of us on both flights) the entire flight! As soon as the wheels went up, the little 2 year old devil horns sprouted from her head. It was totally weird.

There were many 'conversations' between Morgan and myself in the bathroom about how to behave and to listen to what Mommy and Daddy say. Nothing worked. We just grinned and beared it until we began our decent to 15,000 feet - at which time Morgan took a power nap for maybe 20 minutes to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the grandparents!

The flight home was pretty much a carbon copy of the flight out. I have come to the conclusion that we will not be flying out with Morgan anytime soon - so if you live out of driving range (5 hours) then you will need to fly to us!

Overdue Posts

These last couple weeks have been extremely busy - maybe not physically, but mentally I have been extremely drained! Between work changes, traveling across country, exploding laundry detergent bottles, and Matthew going to school, Jen and I have not really had a moment to catch our breath.

So between tonight and this weekend, I plan on catching up on my blog posts. So the next posts will go out all in one night (maybe tonight?) or over the next few days. My goal is by Sunday to be caught up with 'past' posts and return to the usual inconsistent schedule.

Sound good?

Book Review: Jesus in the Margins

Like most people in their mid-30s I was first introduced to Rick McKinley by Donald Miller in his book Blue Like Jazz. It was here that I first read about Rick’s passion to re-imagine church – to change the image of church for people that feel beyond reach. Pastor Rick and his wife moved to to establish a community “for people to discover the love of Christ in the reality of life,” (taken from his book’s back cover).

In Rick’s book, Jesus in the Margins, he explains how the encompassing love of Jesus reaches down into the margins of society. That He came to Earth for those broken souls that usually go unnoticed by mainstream society. Throughout the book, Rick walks the readers into the margins of life, showing them that it is in the margins that we see the image of God (Imago Dei incidentally is the name of the community started by he and his wife).

How many of you have seen the figurine of Jesus playing soccer, baseball, or football with the kids? This is the culturally agreed upon image of Christ most of us have in our heads – right or wrong. Rick’s description would be a harder sell in the Christian bookstores. He describes Jesus as a misfit in his family, town, and culture He grew up in (Chapters 2 and 3). Jesus grew up in a small, rural town amidst whispers, behind the back accusations, and branded an illegitimate child. He didn’t fit the status quo – he was a “friend of sinners” (p. 51).

Jesus in the Margins opens and closes with chapters devoted to real life stories of people. They share their stories of life: neglect, sexual abuse, growing up fatherless, success-driven personalities, and homelessness. Each story is my story, not because I have gone through each of these circumstances, but because ‘margin dwellers’ feel that they are alone and have no real expectation to be welcomed if someone knew their ‘real story’.

We are not supposed to do life alone. We are supposed to live life in community with other Christ followers – we are “wired” for community. We need each other – without community we cannot become all we were designed to be (we were created on purpose and with a purpose). Just because we are meant to be in community, does not mean community is always neat. Rick says that “community is messy” (p. 162). It is messy because those that live in “community are required to fall at Jesus’ feet and beg him for the love it takes to obey the ‘one another’ commands” (p. 162). We exist for God and for those in our community.

Rick’s life is his book. He writes with an honest voice, accepting that he cannot do anything for God to love him more or less. He accepted many years ago that reality is a tough place to be with or without Jesus – life is not fair, but God is in control. Rick says that “sin is our desire to run our own lives any way we want” (p. 65), and that no matter how many times he fails, that “grace…keeps coming my way…” (p. 68). This is what resonated with me the most – no matter how many times I try to do things my way; I’m going to screw things up; just as much as I make a mess of my life, “You are accepted because of what Christ has done for you, not because of what you can do for Christ” (p. 144).

Who wants free movies?

Why am I always a day late and dollar short?


After seeing a number of people talking about Redbox on Twitter and now my wife asking me about it, it was time to look into this little gem of a company further.

What did I find?

How about free movies on Wednesdays, $1 a night rentals, and movie drop-off at any Redbox that is convenient? With gas prices increasing and day care costs increasing, I believe we will now be able to afford movie night! Sweet!

I can't imagine...

Life is not fair.

Most people have heard the news by now that tragedy took grasp of Steven Curtis Chapman and his family with the death of his daughter on Wednesday evening.


I can't imagine what his family is going through right now: the loss of his daughter, the guilt his son is feeling. It all just breaks my heart and puts me at a loss of words; actually, there are a few words that I have for this entire situation, but mostly I am just sick to my stomach.

Pray for the family and friends that are directly effected by this horrific accident!

I <3 a challenge

Most of you (remember, there are only about 6 of you that read this blog. I love my family!) know that I love to read and write. I read a lot and write on a inconsistent basis. Recently though I have begun to write more regularly (not on the blog obviously, but for work and for 'fun').

On my night stand there is usually no less than 5 books stacked in the corner under my lamp - which drives Jen crazy! She likes her night stand to be orderly, I like to be able to knock things unto the floor when I reach for my blackberry at 2 AM - different strokes for different folks. Right now there are a couple books that are kicking my arse - both in reading and writing.

Reading:

I am reading Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell and eventually will do a book review. Most people have read the book or have at least heard of Rob Bell. I have listened to his podcast for Mars Hill for a while and have seen most, if not all of his Nooma videos. But this was the first time that I have actually read any of his books.

Let me tell you he is breaking my bones. I'll explain more once I am finished with the book, but let me say that I am only on the third chapter and I am totally in inner monologue conversations with him challenging me on all levels. I love a good challenge - that is the only way we grow!

Writing:

I am writing a book review of Rick McKinley's book Jesus in the Margins. I am writing the review for a blog/twitter buddy - can't tell you about the project he is working on now, but should be able to link to it in the near future!

Jesus in the Margins was also a great challenge. In response to the challenge, my definition of neighbor, community, and love has expanded. I'll post the review when it is 'safe' to do so.

Growth is hard, but well worth it!

Compassion Bloggers Trip #2 (Dominican Republic)

Man - I would love to go on this trip! Go and check out the new web site for Compassionbloggers.com, while you are there pick up a widget, put one on your site and select the child or children that will be ever changed because of your love!

Political Cycle

Growing up in the late 70s/early 80s my favorite toy was my Big Wheel.

I would spin out, slam on the brake, crash into anything moving or not moving, and generally raise havoc. The only problem with the Big Wheel was that after a week or two of racing my friends and crashing into the curb to stop, a portion of the front wheel would flatten out. From that point forward, the sound of wind blowing through my jacked up 1970's hair cut was replaced with the 'thwump, thwump, thwump' of the Big Wheel.

For the last 13 months the US has been bombarded with 'news' stories and commercials (radio, television, Internet, email, and phone), telling us how great or pitiful those running for the nomination to be President of the United States. Generally, I am a person with strong political views - I'm not going to bash you over the head for your beliefs, but will contribute to a 'discussion' if I am in the mood to rumble; especially if you are 'drinking the cool-aid' of a politician or political system and have done no research to understand 'your' belief. (Unfortunately, America is full of 'sheep-ole'.)

Rambling. Sorry.

All that being said. I am so sick and tired of this political cycle 'thwumping' through my head. The Democrat Party can't decide on who is going to best not be George Bush, and the Repuke-licans can't find someone to nominate that offers voters a voice for tomorrow. I still can't believe that we are going to have 7 months of this political unrest before the lesser of two evils is selected to lead our country.

BLAH...

Tax Rebate

I found this in my INBOX this morning:

President George Bush said each one of us would get a $600.00 tax rebate. It was previously slated to be $800.00, but they dropped it to a $600.00 tax rebate because of various budget problems. Now, if we spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China. If we spend it on computers, most of the money will go to Korea or India . If we spend it on gasoline, it will all go to the Arabs . . . and none of these scenarios will help the American economy.

We need to keep that money here in America . . . so the only way to keep that money here at home is to drink beer, gamble, or spend it on prostitution. Currently it seems that these are the only businesses still left in the U.S.

I'm Elliot Spitzer, and I approve this message.

Purple crayons...

As a teacher of middle school and high school aliens for nearly 7 years, I was told on a number of occasions that it was best not to grade my student's papers using a red pen. Why? Because it would wound the spirits of the kids that missed a lot of the questions to see all that red (the paper looks like it was bleeding).

So each year before the school year would start I would stock up on school supplies and I made sure that I had enough multicolored pens to survive the school year's grading and that I didn't wound anyone's spirits. Instead of papers being covered in red ink, the papers were covered in purples, blues, greens, browns, whatever color Crayola made I used (other than red of course).

Well, after the first week of the NCAA tourney, it looks like my brackets went through a kill zone! Look at all the red...


My spirit hurts just a little bit...

St. Patrick was a Brit!!!!!

Taken from Relevant Magazine's webpage:

St. Patrick's Day has become a cultural phenomenon in the United States, forever associated with Irish pride, copious amounts of alcohol consumption and those weird green milkshakes from McDonald’s. But, how much do you really know about where it all came from? Here are 10 facts you may not have known about St. Patrick's Day.

1. You Already Missed It
Though St. Patrick's Day generally takes place on March 17, the date is moved when it coincides with Holy Week. Because Easter falls early this year, Pope Benedict moved the date of St. Patrick's Day to March 15. Consider today a do-over.

2. St. Patrick Wasn't Irish
The archetypical symbol of all things Irish was actually a Brit. Patrick, whose real name was Maewyn Succat, was born around 378 in Roman-controlled Britain to a fairly affluent family. But, our next fact proves the age-old adage: Mo' Money, Mo' Problems.

3. St. Patrick Was a Slave
When he was 16, Irish marauders attacked Patrick's family's estate and kidnapped Patrick along with several of his father's vassals. Patrick was sold into slavery, and for six years worked as a shepherd before escaping to France.

4. St. Patrick Was Responsible for One of the Greatest Missionary Movement's of All Time
After escaping from slavery, Patrick devoted himself to studying theology and doctrine. He had a passion to return to the very people who had enslaved him. In spite of the objections of his diocese, who felt he was wasting his education, Patrick returned to Ireland after being ordained as a bishop at the age of 43. As he evangelized the people, Christianity took hold quickly. Within a few short years, Ireland became one of the foremost launching points for missionaries in the world. The Irish were responsible for evangelizing most of Western Europe.

5. St. Patrick Didn't Drive the Snakes Out of Ireland
Legend likes to see St. Patrick as a forerunner to modern-day hero Samuel L. Jackson, driving snakes off the metaphorical plane that was Ireland. However, snakes are not even indigenous to Ireland. The legend probably arose because the serpent was one of the symbols of the Celtic pagan religions.

6. St. Patrick Used the Shamrock to Explain the Trinity
The shamrock was considered a sacred plant by the Celtic religions, because it symbolized the rebirth of Spring. Patrick used the three-leafed plant to describe the unity of the Godhead.

7. Green Was Not the Original Color of St. Patrick's Day
The original color associated with St. Patrick was blue. Green was actually considered unlucky, because it was associated with mischevious spirits.

8. There Are More People of Irish Descent in the United States Than in Ireland
There are currently some 34 Million United States residents who claim Irish heritage. That's almost 10 times the population of Ireland. Of course, that number no doubt quadruples on St. Patrick's Day.

9. The First St. Patrick's Day Parade Took Place in Colonial New York
The St. Patrick's Day Parade is a tradition older than our country. In 1766, Irish members of the British colonial army marched through New York City to honor their patron saint.

10. The St. Patrick's Day Parade is the Longest Running Civilian Parade in the World
After that initial parade in 1762, individual Irish fraternal organizations held their own parades to commemorate St. Patrick’s Day. In 1850, these parades united to form the one we know today. Yet, somehow, Regis Philbin has always been a part of it.

Audacity to Hope

As most people around the world have seen on the news this last week, Rev. Jeremiah Wright has said some rather controversial things in his past from the pulpit in Chicago. Because on the limited remarks of which there is video, people are speculating that Obama has similar views on America and want to know how Obama could have Rev. Wright as a spiritual mentor.

I don't necessarily agree with Obama's stance on most "government" related issues, but think he is getting a raw deal for some of the comments the Rev. has made. I do like Obama's response to ABC News.

Reverend Wright is like “an old uncle who says things I don’t always agree with.” And the candidate said Saturday, “I completely reject” the statements Wright made in those sermons.

Here is the sermon by Rev. Jeremiah Wright from which Obama got the name of his book. You will be surprised if you get your news from the mainstream media or even talk radio - it pays to be well informed.

We're not in Kansas anymore...

Tonight a thunderstorm that was not supposed to bring much to the Atlanta area, apparently brought forth a possible tornado that whipped through downtown. Pieces of the Georgia Dome collapsed during the SEC Tourney - but don't worry the games tonight will continue on. Oh, and no one had major injuries.

Go Miss State! Go KY!

On the road...

We got to the hospital this morning around 6:15 and got "checked in". Got to the Labor and Delivery Room and began the process of sitting and waiting until Matthew pushes hard enough to get things going.

So far all things are going extremely well! Jen is kicking right along with her contractions (drugs I hear are great things). As of 2:30 PM (EST) we are about half way there, based on Jen's development and Matthew's positioning. We hope to meet Matthew in the next couple hours. It would be really cool if we could deliver Matthew before Morgan got picked up from school, so she could come in and meet the newest addition to our family.

Keep posted on the status of Matthew's arrival by checking back here and looking at the Twitter on the top right corner of the page! Thanks for the continued prayers and thoughts...

Countdown...

"It has begun"

If all goes as planned, we will be holding Matthew in our arms on Friday afternoon/evening! Keep us (mostly Jen and Matthew) in your prayers! I'll keep everyone updated as we get closer...

Fungus Amongus

There is some nasty stuff going around! Here is the toll as of today:

• Jackson - vomit
• Brandon - nausea
• Brian (me) - nausea
• Dad - aching all over (no tummy issues)
• Adam - nausea (maybe vomit)
• Cole - vomit (hospital with IV)
• Josh - snot, fever, vomit
  
• Alyssa - snot, fever, vomit
  
• Morgan - snot, cough, double ear infection (antibiotics)

Anyone else want to join in on the fun?

D.O.M.S

So yesterday I headed back into the wide world of exercise. It was an easy day - I just wanted to do a quick warm up on the bike and work through a rotation on the weights.

Easy. Peasey. Right?

Not exactly. First off, the quick warm up on the bike was brutal. It was the longest 5 minutes at the 3rd level in my life. 5 minutes was all I could handle (maybe this working out thing is not such a good idea...). After the "warm up" I went through a typical upper body workout (shoulders, back, chest, biceps, triceps, etc.). The workout felt awesome! I was feeling like He-Man pushing the weights around.

Today? I need someone to hold the phone to my head. I can barely move my arms from my elbow down. I am trying to figure out what I can eat without having to use my arms.

My Dad suggested that I buy some soup, stick my face in it, blow bubbles and slurp away! That really sounds like the best plan at this point...

Here is my new wish list item:

D.O.M.S - Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness

*Unfortunately tomorrow is probably going to be worse than today! (2nd day of soreness is just a glimpse into what is in store for you the next day)

Last doctor appointment this afternoon? (updated)

Jen has what could be the last doctor appointment this afternoon before Matthew arrives. We have continued to have great news with how well Matthew is doing (e.g., the approximate weight and size, based on Jen's belly is right on track; his heart rate is strong)!

We are hoping that after speaking with the doctor that we can get a specific date to be induced - and when I say we, I of course mean my beautiful, strong, patient wife. I think it would be awesome for Matthew to born on Friday (February 29th - a "Leap Day"). I think that would be an awesome birthday! No one in the immediate family thinks that having his birthday on the 29th is cool - they are all worried that he would never get to celebrate his birthday!

Hello?

We would celebrate it on March 1st and every 4 years would have a HUGE birthday on Feb. 29th! Plus it appears he could get a free pizza from Papa Johns. He could also join the Honor Society of Leap Year Babies! Check out Leapzine to meet all those lucky kids born on Leap Day!

Jen is hoping for Monday (March 3) as the day for delivery...I asked her to at least let me have this ONE thing - after all, she has gotten all the fun stuff throughout the pregnancy!

Edit (as of 3:15 PM, EST) - Well, it looks like there will be at least one more appointment for Jen and Matthew. My desire to have a Leap Year Baby was dashed this afternoon - because it is ALL about ME!

We'll keep everyone posted on any changes over the weekend! But as of now the next appointment time is set for Wednesday (3/5).