TOPIC: College football national championship...
Prior to last night's game, all of the prognosticators were saying that the upcoming championship game between USC and Oklahoma was, on paper, the best championship matchup ever...a total of four Heisman candidates on the field at the same time, including a winner on each team (the QB for USC won this year; the QB for OU won last year)...the numbers matched up ever so well...I thought, "How could it possibly be any better than when OSU beat Miami in the 2003 Fiseta Bowl for the championship?"...turns out I was right...last night was not a good game; it was a blowout...it wasn't very fun to watch...I turned it off and continued to read The Last Don by Mario Puzo, one of the three books I am currently reading...woke up this morning to find out that USC won 55-19...the OSU vs. Miami game still, in my mind, is the best college football championship game ever...period.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
TOPIC: Catching up...
I've been away for a while...it's time to catch up. so here are some really random and very brief thoughts from the last however long:
I've been away for a while...it's time to catch up. so here are some really random and very brief thoughts from the last however long:
- Preaching went well...got many good comments...it was fun preaching in the dark...I did that during the first half to symbolize the darkness that I was speaking on...kinda' hard to see my notes, but we had candles...some would say it was postmodern and experiential...some would say just weird...
- Went home for the holidays...it was nice to see the whole fam damily, but something has to change...the travel is just too much, 10-12 hours one way...and December is crazy enough already...this was the third Christmas that my wife and I have been together, and one or both of us have been sick each time...this time, I had a sinus infection and got a stomach nastiness while there, and Marcy had a migraine just before we left...we may have to alternate Christmases between the families...we'll see...
- How about them Buckeyes?...they came out and whupped up on the lesser OSU - Oklahoma State - in the Something-or-other Bowl...Ted Ginn, Jr. is an absolute freak!...I haven't seen someone that made everyone else look like they were standing still like that since Randy Moss in college...Go Bucks!...
- On another sports note, my Browns suck...they can't even lose right...if they had lost their last game, they would have gotten the second pick in the draft...now, because they actually won a game, they will draft #3...jugheads...
- Fave Christmas gifts, in no particular order: Napoleon Dynamite on DVD, French press coffee maker (and lots of Starbucks!), a quilt made from my old t-shirts, cool orange vest thing, U2 CD, cash money...
- The new Cranium game is great, Cranium Turbo...played it with family over New Years...much fun...
- The Cleveland Cavs got sold for $350 million...I would have bought them, but there is a $200 withdrawal limit from the ATM...bummer...
- Got to see some friends while in Wilmore overnight the other night...man, there are some good memories there...I sure miss that place and those people...it really is a great place...I think Marcy and I will be making a trip there in the spring to spend some more time...
- Big time prayers need to go out to southeast Asia...we cannot imagine the heartbreak that is happening over there...we lament the fact that over 1,000 of our soldiers have died in the year plus since we went to Iraq...150,000 lost their lives almost instantly there...please pray for them, and when you are done, pray again...
That's enough for right now...going to try to straighten up my office...not a fun job...
Thursday, December 23, 2004
TOPIC: Preaching soon...
I get the opportunity to preach again in Big Kids' Church this coming Sunday...I really like to do this...ultimately, I love teaching teenagers about the things of God, but I also really dig the chances I get to do it with adult-type people...I am preaching about John 9, the passage of the man who has been blind his whole life, and then Jesus heals him..."I was blind but now I see!"...what a great summary of the Christian life...once we were stumbling around clueless, but then we met Jesus and He helped make sense of things...don't know how many people will be there on Sunday, seeing as how it is the day after Christmas and all...doesn't matter...still looking forward to it...now I just need to hope and pray that I feel better by then...don't want to be sniffling or hacking up phlegm throughout the sermon...
I get the opportunity to preach again in Big Kids' Church this coming Sunday...I really like to do this...ultimately, I love teaching teenagers about the things of God, but I also really dig the chances I get to do it with adult-type people...I am preaching about John 9, the passage of the man who has been blind his whole life, and then Jesus heals him..."I was blind but now I see!"...what a great summary of the Christian life...once we were stumbling around clueless, but then we met Jesus and He helped make sense of things...don't know how many people will be there on Sunday, seeing as how it is the day after Christmas and all...doesn't matter...still looking forward to it...now I just need to hope and pray that I feel better by then...don't want to be sniffling or hacking up phlegm throughout the sermon...
TOPIC: Jury duty...
How did I get picked for jury duty???...I have only lived in this town for a year and a half, and I get picked?...ridiculous...anyway, I went in last week to do my duty as an American...Marcy's first question when I got home was, "Was it interesting?"...in a word, no...it was quite boring...we stood around for a while, then sat around for a long while while we were read instructions, and then questioned, first by the prosecutor, and then by the defense attorney...after a long recess, we were given the results...as it turns out, I was not selected to be one of the twelve...it's probably a good thing that I was not chosen, because the defense attorney was so annoying, so condescending, that I wanted the prosecutor to win on that basis alone...she treated us like we were third graders and had never heard of the judicial process before...I know, how childish of me to base the fate of a man on that...that's why I say that it is a good thing that I was not among the twelve...
How did I get picked for jury duty???...I have only lived in this town for a year and a half, and I get picked?...ridiculous...anyway, I went in last week to do my duty as an American...Marcy's first question when I got home was, "Was it interesting?"...in a word, no...it was quite boring...we stood around for a while, then sat around for a long while while we were read instructions, and then questioned, first by the prosecutor, and then by the defense attorney...after a long recess, we were given the results...as it turns out, I was not selected to be one of the twelve...it's probably a good thing that I was not chosen, because the defense attorney was so annoying, so condescending, that I wanted the prosecutor to win on that basis alone...she treated us like we were third graders and had never heard of the judicial process before...I know, how childish of me to base the fate of a man on that...that's why I say that it is a good thing that I was not among the twelve...
Monday, December 20, 2004
TOPIC: A Christmas Poem...
Here is a Christmas Poem that our high school youth group helped me create...it's a sort of Mad Libs...in case you can't figure it out, the words in italics are the ones I had them fill in...enjoy, and Merry Christmas...
'Twas the dog before Christmas and all through the clock,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a snowflake.
The hockey pucks were hung by the moose with care,
In hopes that George W. Bush would soon be smelly.
The monkeys were nestled all snug in their bumper cars,
While visions of dogs danced in their duck.
And Mom in her shovel and I in my snowman,
Had just settled down for a lysdexic winter's tree.
When out on the baby there arose such a clatter,
I skipped from my curtain to see what was the matter.
Away to the gator, I ran like a flash,
Tore open the on/off switch and threw up the boy.
When what to my wondering liver should appear,
But a bright sleigh and 32 ugly reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and greasy,
I knew in a moment it must be Marcy.
More rapid than boogers, the pencils they came,
And he vomited and licked and called them by name:
On Sasquatch and Elvis,
On Dave Matthews and Barbie.
On Tom York and Frosty the Snowman,
And Ashton Kutcher and Napoleon.
But I heard him squat as he drove out of sight,
"Yummy Christmas to all, and to all a good pig!"
Here is a Christmas Poem that our high school youth group helped me create...it's a sort of Mad Libs...in case you can't figure it out, the words in italics are the ones I had them fill in...enjoy, and Merry Christmas...
'Twas the dog before Christmas and all through the clock,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a snowflake.
The hockey pucks were hung by the moose with care,
In hopes that George W. Bush would soon be smelly.
The monkeys were nestled all snug in their bumper cars,
While visions of dogs danced in their duck.
And Mom in her shovel and I in my snowman,
Had just settled down for a lysdexic winter's tree.
When out on the baby there arose such a clatter,
I skipped from my curtain to see what was the matter.
Away to the gator, I ran like a flash,
Tore open the on/off switch and threw up the boy.
When what to my wondering liver should appear,
But a bright sleigh and 32 ugly reindeer.
With a little old driver, so lively and greasy,
I knew in a moment it must be Marcy.
More rapid than boogers, the pencils they came,
And he vomited and licked and called them by name:
On Sasquatch and Elvis,
On Dave Matthews and Barbie.
On Tom York and Frosty the Snowman,
And Ashton Kutcher and Napoleon.
But I heard him squat as he drove out of sight,
"Yummy Christmas to all, and to all a good pig!"
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
TOPIC: Discipline
If you have read this blog at all, you probably know that I have a puppy...she is now a little over 5 months old...for the past several weeks, we have been taking her through obedience classes...that has been very good for her, and for us...this coming week, we actually have to be tested to see if Attie passes and gets her diploma...she has been doing very well, so we had no reason to believe that she wouldn't graduate...then comes last night...it was not a good night of training...it seemed like the things she had learned about stay-ing had been completely removed from her doggie mental framework...I would tell her to stay, and she would stand up and walk right along with me, as if I had never said anything...as a result, she would get quite a yank on her pinch collar...the more and more I did this, the more timid she would get...she also, surprisingly enough, got very loving...she knew something was wrong, and she probably knew I was causing it, but it just made her want to cuddle up to my legs and have me hold her...man, did I feel awful!...I was hurting her, but she just loved on me all the more...I knew what I was doing was for her own good...it still hurt, though...I wonder: does God hurt when He disciplines us?...and why don't we love Him all the more when He does?...hmmmm...
If you have read this blog at all, you probably know that I have a puppy...she is now a little over 5 months old...for the past several weeks, we have been taking her through obedience classes...that has been very good for her, and for us...this coming week, we actually have to be tested to see if Attie passes and gets her diploma...she has been doing very well, so we had no reason to believe that she wouldn't graduate...then comes last night...it was not a good night of training...it seemed like the things she had learned about stay-ing had been completely removed from her doggie mental framework...I would tell her to stay, and she would stand up and walk right along with me, as if I had never said anything...as a result, she would get quite a yank on her pinch collar...the more and more I did this, the more timid she would get...she also, surprisingly enough, got very loving...she knew something was wrong, and she probably knew I was causing it, but it just made her want to cuddle up to my legs and have me hold her...man, did I feel awful!...I was hurting her, but she just loved on me all the more...I knew what I was doing was for her own good...it still hurt, though...I wonder: does God hurt when He disciplines us?...and why don't we love Him all the more when He does?...hmmmm...
Thursday, December 09, 2004
TOPIC: God makes me shake my head
As I type this post, I am listening to an MP3 of my cousin preaching at my home church in Ohio...it makes me think about our family and what we are doing with our lives...here I am, in Missouri, a youth pastor...my cousin that is preaching on my computer right now is a worship leader in Ohio...another cousin is a youth pastor in Pennsylvania...how weird is it to have three people in the same family in full-time ministry?...and my brother is seminary-trained, too...makes me shake my head...this is not to downplay anyone else who works at a job outside of the local church...I know they have a ministry that is just as important as the ones we hold in the church...but as I think about our childhoods (can that be pluralized?), I just find it a little baffling the way that God has directed our lives...He never ceases to surprise me...
As I type this post, I am listening to an MP3 of my cousin preaching at my home church in Ohio...it makes me think about our family and what we are doing with our lives...here I am, in Missouri, a youth pastor...my cousin that is preaching on my computer right now is a worship leader in Ohio...another cousin is a youth pastor in Pennsylvania...how weird is it to have three people in the same family in full-time ministry?...and my brother is seminary-trained, too...makes me shake my head...this is not to downplay anyone else who works at a job outside of the local church...I know they have a ministry that is just as important as the ones we hold in the church...but as I think about our childhoods (can that be pluralized?), I just find it a little baffling the way that God has directed our lives...He never ceases to surprise me...
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
TOPIC: Closeness...
I have a good dog...this morning, Attie sat patiently by the back door, waiting for me to finish drinking my coffee and reading my Bible...I finally got up to let her out...she wandered out to the back sidewalk, but instead of running around the yard sniffing leaves or going into the yard to facilitize (go to the bathroom), she started heaving and came back up on the porch with me...I recognized that she was getting ready to throw up, so I tried to get her back down into the yard so as not to make a mess on the porch...but she wanted to stay close to me...so I simply petted her and talked with her while she vomited on the porch - twice...it's like that with our relationship with God...we are happy to run around the yard, footloose and fancy-free, until things are cruddy...then we scamper back up onto the porch to puke before God...the difference is that God never tries to push us back down into the yard...He simply strokes our back and speaks softly to us...I have a good God...
I have a good dog...this morning, Attie sat patiently by the back door, waiting for me to finish drinking my coffee and reading my Bible...I finally got up to let her out...she wandered out to the back sidewalk, but instead of running around the yard sniffing leaves or going into the yard to facilitize (go to the bathroom), she started heaving and came back up on the porch with me...I recognized that she was getting ready to throw up, so I tried to get her back down into the yard so as not to make a mess on the porch...but she wanted to stay close to me...so I simply petted her and talked with her while she vomited on the porch - twice...it's like that with our relationship with God...we are happy to run around the yard, footloose and fancy-free, until things are cruddy...then we scamper back up onto the porch to puke before God...the difference is that God never tries to push us back down into the yard...He simply strokes our back and speaks softly to us...I have a good God...
Monday, December 06, 2004
TOPIC: The sports doldrums...
Thank goodness for Lebron James and the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers...if it weren't for them, I would be in a majorly bummed state as far as my sports loyalties go...the OSU Buckeyes never really showed up this year (except for against Michigan, which was nice)...the Browns are pitiful (except that Luke McCown got a start, which I predicted before the season)...and my fantasy football team reeks in a significant way...all I can say is, "Go Cavs!"
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
TOPIC: I will be the next Head Coach of The Cleveland Browns...
Want evidence? Read the application letter I just submitted below...
November 30, 2004
RE: Head Coaching Position
John Collins
c/o The Cleveland Browns
Training Facility and Administrative Complex
76 Lou Groza Blvd.
Berea, Ohio 44017
Dear John Collins,
It has come to my attention, through my good friend Chris Mortensen (I consider him a good friend as I listen to him regularly on ESPN Radio), that the position of Head Coach of The Cleveland Browns has recently become vacant. It is my deep desire to throw my hat into the ring of possible candidates to fill this opening.
I feel strongly that I have what it takes to be a head coach in today’s NFL. Most people that know me would say that I am sorely under qualified for this position. They base this solely on the fact that I have no professional, college, or high school coaching experience. In addition, I have no experience playing organized football (unless you count soccer, which I played for several years in high school). However, I have one year’s coaching experience at the YMCA Pee-Wee level. And I have been following football – and The Cleveland Browns – very closely for many years and feel that I have a keen mind for the game. When Brian Sipe threw the infamous “Red Right 88” interception against the Raiders in 1980, I knew even before he threw it that he should throw the ball into Lake Erie. When John Elway led “The Drive,” and two seasons ago when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Browns in the playoffs, I screamed at the TV to not use the prevent defense, which the Browns employed and ultimately lost. And numerous times, I have made comments and observations about various games, to which friends and families have replied, “Wow! You should be coaching this team.” These are just a few of the evidences of my football mind. As a result, I am now looking for my opportunity to make a difference for the Browns.
Thank you for considering me for this opening. I would love to be the next Head Coach of The Cleveland Browns, and I feel that we would be a great match! Please contact me for my resume, if you have any questions, or to set up an interview. Thank you again…
Thank you,
Michael C. Fitzpatrick
MCF/mcf
Want evidence? Read the application letter I just submitted below...
November 30, 2004
RE: Head Coaching Position
John Collins
c/o The Cleveland Browns
Training Facility and Administrative Complex
76 Lou Groza Blvd.
Berea, Ohio 44017
Dear John Collins,
It has come to my attention, through my good friend Chris Mortensen (I consider him a good friend as I listen to him regularly on ESPN Radio), that the position of Head Coach of The Cleveland Browns has recently become vacant. It is my deep desire to throw my hat into the ring of possible candidates to fill this opening.
I feel strongly that I have what it takes to be a head coach in today’s NFL. Most people that know me would say that I am sorely under qualified for this position. They base this solely on the fact that I have no professional, college, or high school coaching experience. In addition, I have no experience playing organized football (unless you count soccer, which I played for several years in high school). However, I have one year’s coaching experience at the YMCA Pee-Wee level. And I have been following football – and The Cleveland Browns – very closely for many years and feel that I have a keen mind for the game. When Brian Sipe threw the infamous “Red Right 88” interception against the Raiders in 1980, I knew even before he threw it that he should throw the ball into Lake Erie. When John Elway led “The Drive,” and two seasons ago when the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Browns in the playoffs, I screamed at the TV to not use the prevent defense, which the Browns employed and ultimately lost. And numerous times, I have made comments and observations about various games, to which friends and families have replied, “Wow! You should be coaching this team.” These are just a few of the evidences of my football mind. As a result, I am now looking for my opportunity to make a difference for the Browns.
Thank you for considering me for this opening. I would love to be the next Head Coach of The Cleveland Browns, and I feel that we would be a great match! Please contact me for my resume, if you have any questions, or to set up an interview. Thank you again…
Thank you,
Michael C. Fitzpatrick
MCF/mcf
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
TOPIC: Thanksgiving
With only a few minutes before I head home for the long Thanksgiving holiday (my local home, not Ohio), there isn't much time to compile a good list of things to be thankful for...but I'll come up with what I can:
-God, and the fact that I can have a relationship with Him...
-My lovely and patient wife Marcy...
-La Croix Church, it's leadership, and the great people I get to work with...
-the awesome youth of La Croix...
-Hostess Ho-Hos...
-all Cleveland sports teams (even though they often make me mad)...
-all the good friends in my life, especially Joe and Trey...
-my fantastic family...
-my puppy (who's quickly turning into a dog) Attie...
-modern conveniences: TV, telephones, computers, microwave, coffee maker, electricity, stereos and CDs, DVDs, etc....
-Adidas sandals...
-my car...
-Evil Dead 2...
-Arrested Development...
-living in the USA...
-reading materials...
-the color orange...
-David Wilcox music...
-Graeter's Ice Cream...
-Quizno's...
-Homestar Runner...
-kids...
-when someone says, "duty" (it makes me giggle because it sounds like "doody")...
This is by far NOT an exhaustive list, but I want to go home now...happy Thanksgiving to you and yours...
With only a few minutes before I head home for the long Thanksgiving holiday (my local home, not Ohio), there isn't much time to compile a good list of things to be thankful for...but I'll come up with what I can:
-God, and the fact that I can have a relationship with Him...
-My lovely and patient wife Marcy...
-La Croix Church, it's leadership, and the great people I get to work with...
-the awesome youth of La Croix...
-Hostess Ho-Hos...
-all Cleveland sports teams (even though they often make me mad)...
-all the good friends in my life, especially Joe and Trey...
-my fantastic family...
-my puppy (who's quickly turning into a dog) Attie...
-modern conveniences: TV, telephones, computers, microwave, coffee maker, electricity, stereos and CDs, DVDs, etc....
-Adidas sandals...
-my car...
-Evil Dead 2...
-Arrested Development...
-living in the USA...
-reading materials...
-the color orange...
-David Wilcox music...
-Graeter's Ice Cream...
-Quizno's...
-Homestar Runner...
-kids...
-when someone says, "duty" (it makes me giggle because it sounds like "doody")...
This is by far NOT an exhaustive list, but I want to go home now...happy Thanksgiving to you and yours...
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
TOPIC: New CD in the player...
Currently listening to tobyMac's new CD...borrowed it from a co-worker...most excellent...it is clear that this guy was the driving force and the creative element behind DC Talk...Tait is OK, and Kevin Max went nowhere fast...toby keeps pushing the envelope and coming out with great music...I'll be wearing out this CD, fo sho (that was me trying to sound cool)...
Currently listening to tobyMac's new CD...borrowed it from a co-worker...most excellent...it is clear that this guy was the driving force and the creative element behind DC Talk...Tait is OK, and Kevin Max went nowhere fast...toby keeps pushing the envelope and coming out with great music...I'll be wearing out this CD, fo sho (that was me trying to sound cool)...
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
TOPIC: Thank goodness it's over...
The ballots have been cast, and the results are final...I watched as Kerry conceded the election today, and then a short while later, Bush gave his victory speech...I am not only glad because Bush won (yeah, that's who I voted for - it's out there now)...but I'm even more glad that the whole election process is over...these Presidential election campaigns, as well as all the other local and state election campaigns, were U-G-L-Y...namecalling, accusations, twisting truths, and just downright meanness got me all fed up with the election process...not to mention the fact that there will be no political commercials for a while...now we can get back to important commercials, for things like Cialis, Pepto-Bismol, and Kotex...OK, maybe political ads aren't all that bad...I have this weird new fantasy...I want to run for political office and simply be me - t-shirts, jeans, and all - and be really nice..."Hi, I'm Fitz, and I approve this message. If you elect me President, here are the things I will try to accomplish: _________________. Now my opponent, Joe Blow, is saying some negative things about me. That's OK. He's allowed to. That's what makes this country great. Joe is actually a pretty good guy. I don't agree with everything he says, but he has strong convictions, is a good husband, and a great dad..."...anyway, you get the picture...I might actually gain a few votes from people who like nice guys...but you know what they say about nice guys...
The ballots have been cast, and the results are final...I watched as Kerry conceded the election today, and then a short while later, Bush gave his victory speech...I am not only glad because Bush won (yeah, that's who I voted for - it's out there now)...but I'm even more glad that the whole election process is over...these Presidential election campaigns, as well as all the other local and state election campaigns, were U-G-L-Y...namecalling, accusations, twisting truths, and just downright meanness got me all fed up with the election process...not to mention the fact that there will be no political commercials for a while...now we can get back to important commercials, for things like Cialis, Pepto-Bismol, and Kotex...OK, maybe political ads aren't all that bad...I have this weird new fantasy...I want to run for political office and simply be me - t-shirts, jeans, and all - and be really nice..."Hi, I'm Fitz, and I approve this message. If you elect me President, here are the things I will try to accomplish: _________________. Now my opponent, Joe Blow, is saying some negative things about me. That's OK. He's allowed to. That's what makes this country great. Joe is actually a pretty good guy. I don't agree with everything he says, but he has strong convictions, is a good husband, and a great dad..."...anyway, you get the picture...I might actually gain a few votes from people who like nice guys...but you know what they say about nice guys...
Thursday, October 28, 2004
TOPIC: The Red Sox...
I am quite glad that the Boston Red Sox finally won the World Series...this is not because I am a Boston fan; I am a lifelong, faithful Indians fan...this is not because I hate the Cardinals; they are currently my National League team, thanks to me living near St. Louis...this is also not because I felt bad for the Red Sox, since they haven't won a World Series since 1918...this is simply because maybe this means they will quit whining already..."WAAAAHH!! We haven't won a World Series in soooo long."..."WAAAAHH!! The Curse of the Bambino."..."WAAAAHH!! Bill Buckner let that ball go through his legs."..."WAAAAHH!! We have it so bad."...give me a break...hopefully this will put an end to all that sniveling and carrying on...
Now we just need to get the Cubs a World Series and we're all set...
I am quite glad that the Boston Red Sox finally won the World Series...this is not because I am a Boston fan; I am a lifelong, faithful Indians fan...this is not because I hate the Cardinals; they are currently my National League team, thanks to me living near St. Louis...this is also not because I felt bad for the Red Sox, since they haven't won a World Series since 1918...this is simply because maybe this means they will quit whining already..."WAAAAHH!! We haven't won a World Series in soooo long."..."WAAAAHH!! The Curse of the Bambino."..."WAAAAHH!! Bill Buckner let that ball go through his legs."..."WAAAAHH!! We have it so bad."...give me a break...hopefully this will put an end to all that sniveling and carrying on...
Now we just need to get the Cubs a World Series and we're all set...
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Topic: Obedience...
During my current trek through the Bible, I find myself in the Old Testament again...each time I read through the Bible - I have done it several times now - something new shows up...or maybe I should say that something appears new to me...the latest thing that I have discovered revolves around obedience...to be more specific, it revolves around the phrase, "...just as the Lord commanded," or something similar...Noah did everything just as God had commanded him regarding the building of the ark...Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded regarding speaking to Pharaoh...at the first Passover, the Israelites did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron...David did as the Lord commanded him and he beat down the Philistines...you get the picture...
As I read through these passages, I have to ask myself, "At the end of my life, when they write my biography (because they will, you know :-) ), will they write, 'Mike did everything just as God commanded him'?"...I don't see it happening...I try to live my life by God's guidelines, but at the end of each day, I know how unsuccessful I have been...add all those days up, and you have a whole lot of falling short...thank God that my relationship wih Him is not dependent upon my doing everything just as He commands me...is that my goal, what I strive for, what should be my aim?...certainly...but fortunately, God recognizes that I am human and that I will fall short...however, I will keep trying...man, it sure would be cool though to hear those words at my funeral...if I weren't dead and all...
During my current trek through the Bible, I find myself in the Old Testament again...each time I read through the Bible - I have done it several times now - something new shows up...or maybe I should say that something appears new to me...the latest thing that I have discovered revolves around obedience...to be more specific, it revolves around the phrase, "...just as the Lord commanded," or something similar...Noah did everything just as God had commanded him regarding the building of the ark...Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded regarding speaking to Pharaoh...at the first Passover, the Israelites did just as the Lord had commanded Moses and Aaron...David did as the Lord commanded him and he beat down the Philistines...you get the picture...
As I read through these passages, I have to ask myself, "At the end of my life, when they write my biography (because they will, you know :-) ), will they write, 'Mike did everything just as God commanded him'?"...I don't see it happening...I try to live my life by God's guidelines, but at the end of each day, I know how unsuccessful I have been...add all those days up, and you have a whole lot of falling short...thank God that my relationship wih Him is not dependent upon my doing everything just as He commands me...is that my goal, what I strive for, what should be my aim?...certainly...but fortunately, God recognizes that I am human and that I will fall short...however, I will keep trying...man, it sure would be cool though to hear those words at my funeral...if I weren't dead and all...
Thursday, September 16, 2004
TOPIC: Youth ministry - how fun...
Over the last two days, I have had three students come to me with significant problems in their lives, and a fourth is coming in shortly...apparently I have been here long enough for them to feel comfortable sharing with me their concerns, issues, and heartaches...that is great, because that is part of what I do and part of growing up in Christ...and it would be fine if I didn't have such a feeling-type personality...it would be nice to be able to analyze it and to not get caught up in the emotion of it, but that's just not me...it weighs heavily on me...it would be much easier if it happened maybe once a week, but four in two days is a little overwhelming...I'll get though it, with God's help...pray...
Over the last two days, I have had three students come to me with significant problems in their lives, and a fourth is coming in shortly...apparently I have been here long enough for them to feel comfortable sharing with me their concerns, issues, and heartaches...that is great, because that is part of what I do and part of growing up in Christ...and it would be fine if I didn't have such a feeling-type personality...it would be nice to be able to analyze it and to not get caught up in the emotion of it, but that's just not me...it weighs heavily on me...it would be much easier if it happened maybe once a week, but four in two days is a little overwhelming...I'll get though it, with God's help...pray...
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
TOPIC: Why do we say that?...
I have something that I need to get off my chest...I have a new pet peeve, for lack of a better descriptor...it's a small, two-word phrase that many people I know use, including myself...but lately I have decided that I would, if I had the power, wipe it from the face of the linguistic earth...the phrase is, "real quick"...it's used as a part of a larger phrase such as, "I need to go to the bathroom real quick," or "I have a story to tell you real quick"...the phrase is grammatically incorrect, but that is not my problem with it...my problem is that it makes me wonder if we are really that busy that others have to give the disclaimer that what they are doing, they will do it quickly so as not to inconvenience us...sure, I have a lot of things going on, but my life needs to be about people, not about my time...Jesus was about people, not time...He didn't wonder if this healing or that personal contact was going to interfere or make Him late for His committee meeting with the Rabbis...He knew that He came to be with people...and I am supposed to imitate Him, not be wrapped up in how busy I am or the ministry is...I need to be about people...so the next time you are with me and you have to go to the bathroom or tell me a story, take your time...I've got it to give...
Tuesday, September 14, 2004
TOPIC: Professional athletes...
Yet another reason to hate professional athletes...if you've watched or listened to any sports broadcasts today, you've heard the story of Frankie Francisco, a relief pitcher with the Texas Rangers...late in the game against the Oakland A's, a fracas erupted, but it wasn't between the Rangers and the A's...it was between the Rangers and the fans of the A's...apparently there were some fans mouthing off to the pitchers that were in the bullpen, and one of the pitchers lost it...he and some of the other pitchers started to go after the fans...and then, out of nowhere, Frankie launches a chair into the stands and hits a lady in the face, breaking her nose...now I know, fans can be idiots...I've witnessed some of them, especially since I watched games from the old Dawg Pound in Cleveland...but couldn't other measures have been taken, like having security remove the fans or simply ignoring them...but no, the athletes think they have certain rights and are above the law...I was glad to hear that he was arrested and not just suspended...not only is this another reason to hate pro athletes...it's also another reason why the new Commissioner of Major League Baseball should be my cousin's husband, Cleveland attorney Stephan Schlegelmilch, Esq...if there is one person that can fix baseball's problems, it's him...Schleg for Commish...
Yet another reason to hate professional athletes...if you've watched or listened to any sports broadcasts today, you've heard the story of Frankie Francisco, a relief pitcher with the Texas Rangers...late in the game against the Oakland A's, a fracas erupted, but it wasn't between the Rangers and the A's...it was between the Rangers and the fans of the A's...apparently there were some fans mouthing off to the pitchers that were in the bullpen, and one of the pitchers lost it...he and some of the other pitchers started to go after the fans...and then, out of nowhere, Frankie launches a chair into the stands and hits a lady in the face, breaking her nose...now I know, fans can be idiots...I've witnessed some of them, especially since I watched games from the old Dawg Pound in Cleveland...but couldn't other measures have been taken, like having security remove the fans or simply ignoring them...but no, the athletes think they have certain rights and are above the law...I was glad to hear that he was arrested and not just suspended...not only is this another reason to hate pro athletes...it's also another reason why the new Commissioner of Major League Baseball should be my cousin's husband, Cleveland attorney Stephan Schlegelmilch, Esq...if there is one person that can fix baseball's problems, it's him...Schleg for Commish...
Thursday, September 02, 2004
Just thought you might like to meet my new puppy, Attie...although she is a girl, she is named for Atticus Finch from 'To Kill a Mockingbird'...she is absolutely adorable, except when she whines and barks all night long...she's still cute then, too, but also quite annoying...but we still love her...they tell me that this will be good practice for having kids...we'll see...
Wednesday, September 01, 2004
TOPIC: The body and the blood...
This past weekend, I got to serve Communion at my church...now this is something I have done countless times, both here and during my time at seminary...there have been times in my life that I have dealt emotionally with the idea of Jesus Christ, the God-man, giving up his life in such a brutal, inhuman way, so it generally doesn't affect me the same way any more...some may call that callousness, I don't know...but something different happened this time...the juice dripped on my hand...maybe it has happened before and I just didn't notice it, but it felt like a new experience...and then it happened again...and again...then one man, as he was taking the juice-soaked bread to his lips, splattered it on his shirt...after I served, I sat down and looked at my hands...there were stains from the juice and small morsels of bread...my mind immediately raced to the soldiers that whipped and beat my Lord to death...I thought of Pontius Pilate and how he metaphorically washed his hands of Christ's blood...I considered those who removed his lifeless body from the cross...how all of them must have been covered in the blood of Jesus, either literally or figuratively...then I thought of myself...I thought of the times I have turned my back on God, the times I knew the right and did the wrong, the times I rebelled against the only one worthy of my entire loyalty...and I thought, "It's not enough."...this small amount of juice and bread was simply not enough to cover for the sins in my life...but fortunately, that wasn't all...it was only a small shadow of what Jesus did when he laid his life down on that cross, when he shed his blood and allowed his body to be broken for me...for me...what a strange thought...he did it for me...Jesus, thanks doesn't cut it...but thanks just the same...
This past weekend, I got to serve Communion at my church...now this is something I have done countless times, both here and during my time at seminary...there have been times in my life that I have dealt emotionally with the idea of Jesus Christ, the God-man, giving up his life in such a brutal, inhuman way, so it generally doesn't affect me the same way any more...some may call that callousness, I don't know...but something different happened this time...the juice dripped on my hand...maybe it has happened before and I just didn't notice it, but it felt like a new experience...and then it happened again...and again...then one man, as he was taking the juice-soaked bread to his lips, splattered it on his shirt...after I served, I sat down and looked at my hands...there were stains from the juice and small morsels of bread...my mind immediately raced to the soldiers that whipped and beat my Lord to death...I thought of Pontius Pilate and how he metaphorically washed his hands of Christ's blood...I considered those who removed his lifeless body from the cross...how all of them must have been covered in the blood of Jesus, either literally or figuratively...then I thought of myself...I thought of the times I have turned my back on God, the times I knew the right and did the wrong, the times I rebelled against the only one worthy of my entire loyalty...and I thought, "It's not enough."...this small amount of juice and bread was simply not enough to cover for the sins in my life...but fortunately, that wasn't all...it was only a small shadow of what Jesus did when he laid his life down on that cross, when he shed his blood and allowed his body to be broken for me...for me...what a strange thought...he did it for me...Jesus, thanks doesn't cut it...but thanks just the same...
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