A NEW CAR!

Today has been an interesting day. I started at Grace Community Church and then attended the People's Church with my family. After lunch in downtown Franklin, we drove north of Nashville to look for a new car. We drove through one lot and the vultures were swarming, so we quickly made our escape. We drove onto the second lot and this time parked the van to get out. Nikki met us and got right to the point. The most car for the least amount of money was right behind us. So, two hours later we drove that car home.

It is amazing how quickly a drive can turn into a major investment. But with gas priced as it is, and knowing that this particular car gets between 35 and 38 mpg, it was hard to resist. And, because of the kind of car it is, it should last us at least 10 years. My daughter will be the primary driver, so safety is a major concern. When I opened the hood and saw how little room existed between her and the back end of another car, I was a little concerned. She will have to learn how not to tailgate, and I'll have to learn how to trust her driving skills.

In a few days I should receive the title for my van in the mail. When I do, I will be donating it to one of my favorite ministries. The van was originally bought to be used in that ministry, and now that we are no longer there it's just appropriate that the van stay there and complete the task for which it was bought. It does my heart good to know that my daughter will be driving a reliable car, and that my van will be used to assist the work of the ministry. And just like us, even a vehicle can serve its purpose and then move on down the road.

Down the Drain

I was watching the show Modern Marvels, and learned that an average of 7 million cell phones are flushed down toilets each year in this country. Think about that for a moment. Most of us pay approximately $100 per month for phone service, and we sometimes pay hundreds of dollars for the phone itself. And then in the blink of an eye there goes our link to modern society down the drain. Now phones with cords make so much more sense. At least then you could fish the phone out without getting your hands all wet.

Where am I

I heard yet another little kid story today. A grandmother was preparing to take her preschool grandson to the library, a place he really enjoyed going. As she walked to the car, she realized that he had gone back into the house. She found him staring at a family portrait made of his family before he was born. He looked at grandmother and said, "Where am I?" Being grandma she came back with a quick reply. She said, "You were still an angel in heaven, and were not with us yet." The little boy replied, "Grandmother I don't want to go to heaven I want to go to the library!"

There is some pretty deep theological and philosophical questions here. But, who cares. It is so great to hear the honesty of the child, and the simple truth that all he really wanted to do was go to the library.

Let Me "Splain"

A caucasian couple had three biological daughters. Then they adopted to older boys from Africa. One day while shopping in Wal-Mart, the family was confronted with the reality of someone's stupidity. I heard someone say that you can cure ignorance, but there's nothing you can do about stupidity. A woman approached this mother of five and said, "I guess they are not from the same dad." Before the mom could respond tactfully the smallest daughter put her hand on her hip and said, "Let me splain it to you. When my mommy was pregnant with my brothers she drank chocolate milk!"

As we travel along this journey it might be a good idea to think before we speak. I know from personal experience that what we say can and does hurt people. However, the real danger in opening our mouth without thinking is the genuine threat of being put in our place by a young child.

More Holes

I heard a humorous story yesterday. It seems that a maintenance man was doing some landscaping at residential home for children. While digging in the flower bed, a small boy approached him and asked a typical child's question, "What are you doing?" The man replied, perhaps inappropriately, "I digging holes to put mean children in." The young boy pondered the statement and then responded, "You're gonna need more holes."

I am sure that this was a reference to all his friends on campus and not himself. You just have to love the spontaneity and innocence of a child. There are comedians that work hard and even have other people who write jokes for them. And then here comes a little child that says something that just causes you to laugh out loud.

I learned today that former White House spokesman, Tony Snow died. Like most Americans our news media seem almost like arch enemies or close friends, even though most of us have never met them. Tony Snow seemed like someone that I would enjoy spending some time with. Last year he gave a speech at Catholic University, and pretty much sums up for me why it would have been good just to have a day to sit down and discuss life with Tony. Please follow this link and read his speech. It shouldn't take too long to read, and will be worth a pause on your journey to do so.

"My Feelings Exactly"

I heard a cute story about a small boy, who was either in kindergarten or the first grade when this happened. He had been studying George Washington at school, and really learned to like old George. One day at the dinner table the little boy said to his mother, "Mom, George Washington is dead." After a long pause, he then said with a great deal of emotion, "I MISS HIM SO MUCH!"

Have you ever felt that way about someone. Well, I have. Right now my wife and daughter are overseas, and will be there for several more days. Although, I am so excited for them, I have to confess I MISS THEM SO MUCH!

Celebrating Twenty Years

Yesterday my daughter celebrated her 2oth birthday. Her comment just before bedtime last night was, "It didn't seem much like a birthday, but I have had a pretty good one." She started a new job, and had dinner out with her dad. We came home to a small birthday cake with one candle on top representing her 20 years. We discussed earlier in the week how birthdays seem to take on less significance the older we get. And yet, that still beats the alternative.

As we sat together at a local eating establishment, I could not help but think what others might be thinking about us. Do I look old enough to be eating dinner out with my daughter, or was I some middle aged man who was out with a young woman that looked young enough to be my daughter? Well, I am not sure what others thought, and know for sure that most of those around us could care less. However, I do know what I was thinking.

Here in front of me sat a young lady, who showed signs of maturity and style that impressed the socks off her dad. She spoke of her new job and all that she had learned in just one day. She spoke about the people at the office, and her desk that came with all the electronic gadgets needed to do her job well. And all I could think about was how short this journey seemed. Twenty years have passed and yet she is still our little girl.

The Journey I Didn't Take

Today I took my wife and daughter to the airport for another trip overseas. They will be spending the next 12 days in Athens Greece. It is my wife's fifth trip and my daughter's third. They have some great friends there that they are anxious to see, and always look forward to meeting new people along the way.

We drove to the airport, and I walked them to the security check point. From there they were on their own. After a brief weather delay, they flew to DC. I spoke with my wife late this afternoon and they were on their way across the "pond." I can't wait until they get there and are able to let me know how things are going. My daughter communicates superbly over the computer, so I am sure I will hear from them soon.

There are some journeys that you would love to be a part of but can't. But I am so proud of my wife and daughter, I feel like I am a part of their journey even though I am not there. And, when they get back home, I will get to hear some incredible stories and get caught up on all the friends over there.

Upside Down Thinking

A friend emailed me the other day about a new ministry that he and his wife witnessed God creating in their community. They call it Upside Down Ministry. After hearing and seeing for myself this Upside Down ministry idea, I received another video link from another friend on Facebook. It is amazing how things come together sometimes. Check out the video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avwQ4_eLasY.

A Life Saved Along the Way

Recently, I watched the movie Juno, There was a compelling scene where the main character made her way to the abortion clinic. She was confronted by a friend from school who was protesting in front of the clinic. Her last words to our main character before she entered the waiting room of the clinic was a reminder that the baby she carried already had fingernails, a thought that had not yet crossed the mind of this 16 year old mother. While she filled out the necessary paperwork, she could not help but notice the number of people in the waiting room and how each one of them used their fingernails for a particular purpose. Without hesitating, the young lady rushes out of the clinic and passed the friend and protestor outside the building. I can not entirely recommend the movie, but I will say that some very powerful statements about life and motherhood are made throughout.

What are fingernails anyway? Well, if you were a dinosaur, it would be your talon. If you were a horse it would be your hoof. But since you are a human, it is simply a protective and useful collection of keratin at the end of your digits. It is an amazingly tough compilation of cells. There are three layers, with the middle layer being the source of strength for the other two. It is the top and bottom layer that provides flexibility. Fingernails are abused, used and chewed. Some are long, some short and some are the “press on” kind. However, like all of the human body fingernails are just further evidence that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. And, can be a subtle reminder that life exists. Click here to view the "fingernail clip" from the movie.

A Long and Distinguished Journey

A friend sent me this video. It's not so much about what she did or what she did not win. Nor is about who she lost to. It's about a life of sacrifice for 2500 children. Click here to watch.