Busy!

It drives me crazy when people say "I'm busy, or I'm staying busy" when asked how they are doing, As if busyness were a virtuem emotion or feeling . So bringing up this topic is really tough for me but I can't accurately explain the past 6 weeks of my life any other way. In addition to regular office hours and routine family responsibilities, I have attended 3 graduations, 7 graduation parties, a weekend retreat for 5th and 6th graders, spent 8 days in Nicaragua, celebrated 3 birthdays, father's day, taken day trips to Atlanta and Hendersonville. During this time I have taught 21 times, sat in countless meetings and returned what seems like a bazillion e-mails.

Ok, I feel better now! I must admit that I have really enjoyed the past 6 weeks. Some of the highlights include:
* Hanging out with the kids on the Fusion retreat
* Participating in Joseph and Chelsea's wedding
* Lots of fun time and closure with our seniors (I will miss them!)
* Learning about Jesus, the church and Nicaraguan culture
* Teaching in the weekend services at Grace (always a humbling experience)

I believe that God has taught me a lot during this whirlwind of activities. I have plenty to think about, share and hopefully put in to practice. One thing is for sure. I am convinced now more than ever that I don't want busyness to characterize or control my life!

Reminder...

This past weekend we took about 50 high school students on a weekend retreat to the mountains of North Carolina. However, this was not the typical "have a lot of fun, study the bible, play ridiculous games, and stay up 'til 2:00am retreat. (Ok, we did do some of that!) No, the entire point of the retreat was to prepare for three summer mission trips. We have youth mission teams going to Nicaragua, Peru, and the Bahamas. (I promise it is a mission trip!)

If you know me at all, you know that I absolutely love taking students on cross-cultural experiences. Watching their eyes widen and their hearts explode as they experience "what the rest of the world lives like" is a true blessing to me. I believe it is one of the greatest things we can do for our students. These types of experiences, time and time again, lead to life change, ministry focus, and leadership development.

There is something special about loving on those who have great physical needs. This weekend, it became clear again why I need these experiences in my life. They are perfect reminders of the gospel. Some of the people who are in need are in need because of their poor sinful decisions (so am I). Many are blind to the help that is available to them (so am I). Some will reject the love and mercy that is extended to them (so will I). Some will not offer even a hint of thankfulness when compassion is shown to them (nor will I). Some will walk away unchanged by the words and deeds we offer (so will I).

I realize that my spiritual condition was and is just as bleak as the physical conditions that permeate the slums of third world countries. Additionally, I know that I routinely am blind to, reject, and go unchanged by the love and mercy that Christ so graciously offers me. However, the beauty of it all is that the gospel never stops coming. God's love reaches farther than any rejection I have to offer. The gospel keeps holding out hope for my soul, and that is why I will continue to hold it out for those in need.

Happy Birthday!

Both of my kids recently celebrated birthdays. This year, I started a new tradition of writing my kids a letter for their birthday. I know, it's not nearly as appealing as a Nintendo Wii or an American Girl Doll, but hopefully one day it will be something they look back on and appreciate. I stole the idea from Matt Chandler, a pastor in Dallas that I really appreciate and follow (don't want anyone to accuse me of not giving proper credit). I thought I would share one of my letters:


Dear Calahan,

Happy Birthday! I cannot believe you are seven years old. It seems like it was just a few years ago when we were bringing you home from the hospital in Dallas.

I wanted to write you this letter on your birthday to tell you how special you are and how much your mom and I love you. Watching you grow as a young boy is so fun, and we are thankful that God has chosen us to raise you.

Some of my favorite memories over the past year include:
- Seeing you finish kindergarten
- watching you try to eat without your two front teeth
- coaching your soccer team, "The Bulldogs"
- fun times at the beach (golf, the ocean, bikes, putt-putt)
- watching you learn how to tie your shoes all by yourself
- your first trip to Chapel Hill (UNC/Dook football game)
- coaching your basketball team, "The Greenwaves"
- waking you up really late at night to watch UNC beat Dook in basketball
- playing Nintendo Wii with you

There are so many things I could write about because you are such a great son, and I always have fun with you. Since you are our first born, we are learning with you how to parent. By now you know that we mess up a lot and are still trying to figure out how to do this thing. We love you and want the best for you.

More than anything, we want you to know how much we love Jesus, and we want you to understand your need for him. I love you so much Son, but not as much as Jesus does. His love for you is perfect. He died for you, and I hope the rest of your life is changed because of that truth. As you grow older, my biggest desire for you is that you would fall more in love with Jesus. I hope that you will see how much your mom and I love Jesus, and you will love him too.

I am so happy to be your dad. God is so good to me to let me have such an amazing son.

Love,
Daddy

Two Shining Moments

It was a Monday evening in late March of 1982 and my face was glowing. Partly because I was allowed to stay up so late on a school night, which for a 7 year old is a really big deal. But my face was also beaming because it was glued to the TV screen. And I mean literally glued. OK, well not literally glued but almost. I was forced to sit/stand within arms length of our television set because the picture would only come in clearly when the dial (if you don't understand ask your parents) was held at a certain angle. That night my mom and I took turns squeezing the dial while the other jumped up and down and cheered on the North Carolina Tarheels to a national championship.

That experience is forever etched in my memory as the beginning of my avid, sometimes borderline insane, infatuation with the North Carolina Tarheels. I am sure there were games and moments prior to that spring night but none more memorable.

This past Monday I shared the same experience with my 7 year old. Dressed in our Tarheel gear, Calahan and I sat in front of the tv and watched the entire game (even the postgame interviews and the infamous "one shining moment" video) until after midnight. He too was pumped about it all. Staying up 5 hours past his bedtime, getting to see Tyler, Danny and others play their last game and watching them win "the trophy" which he has been asking about since the season began.

The sentimentalist in me hopes that one day he will be blogging about that night or at least telling his kids about it. Who knows, he may soon forget it entirely. But one thing is for sure. I won't! And now, instead of one shining moment...I have two!

Weeds 'n Things

This is my favorite time of year! I love pretty much everything about it--cool mornings and warm afternoons, trees and flowers in bloom, Daylight Savings Time, fresh fruits and vegetables, outdoor grilling, shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, Easter, spring break, The Final Four (Go Heels!), The Masters, and the list just keeps on going...

At this time of year, I also find myself getting excited about "the potential" for my yard. Dead branches, brown grass, and piles of leaves are enough to have me jazzed about transforming my lawn into something that resembles the likes of Augusta National.

So this past week as I was putting out fertilizer, trimming shrubs, and trying to make scizzor-straight lines with my lawn mower, I was quickly reminded that the five months of winter are just long enough for fantasy to overtake reality. Instead of the lawn of distinction that I dream of, I find myself facing endless weeds, crabgrass, and dandelions. It doesn't take long for me to remember that they don't go away. Regardless of how much weed killer is applied and how many taproots are pulled, the job is endless.

You would think as a pastor that the echos of Genesis would ring loudly enough to keep my hopes and dreams at bay:

And to Adam he said,
“Because you have listened to the voice of your wife
and have eaten of the tree
of which I commanded you,
‘You shall not eat of it,’
cursed is the ground because of you;
and in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;
thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you;
and you shall eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your face
you shall eat bread,
till you return to the ground,
for out of it you were taken;
for you are dust,
and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:17-19)


So with many months of weeds and sweat ahead, my prayer is that I will never forget the magnitude of sin, and that my real hope will be for a new "weed-free" heaven and earth.

Turn it Green!

Oh yes! St. Patrick's Day! As a man of Irish heritage, I always get excited about this annual celebration. However, my soul is saddened at the mockery our country (and others) have made out of such a meaningful man and his true legacy, which should give us all reason to celebrate.

This past Sunday, I asked the 5th and 6th graders at our church to tell me what they knew about St. Patrick's Day. Keeping with culture, they rattled off the things that have become so closely associated with this March holiday. Wearing green, getting pinched, clovers, and leprechauns. And before we chuckle too loudly, my guess is that most adults would be able to add parades, corned beef, and green beer to the list. What has been lost is the major impact that this one man had on a nation.

Born in Britain around 400 A.D., Patrick was raised in a wealthy family. Tragically, he was kidnapped and shipped off to Ireland where he was a slave for over seven years. After being rescued and returned to Britain, Patrick became a Christian. He then felt led by God to spend the rest of his days as a missionary to Ireland--a land which at the time had little Christian influence. He spent the majority of his adult life loving the very people he was once enslaved to, and telling them about the great love of Jesus. (Does that story sound at all familiar?)

As someone who comes from a long lineage of Christians, I am very grateful for the faithfulness of St. Patrick and his unending commitment to share and live out the gospel with the people of Ireland. So this year, as you don your green, watch your parade, pinch your friend, or toss back your Guinness, be sure to do it with an understanding of the true greatness of St. Patrick.

little things mean a lot

I hear the phrase often, but I don't always "get it." And at times I believe it, but other times..hmmm...I am not so sure. But despite my ambivilence, the reality for me (like most of us), is that I am a product of my culture. And if you haven't noticed lately, this culture is all about me and all about now. Microwaves, instant everything, text messaging, live this and live that, drive-thru, drive-up, drive-by, fast food, fast cash, lose weight fast, get rich fast, interactive TV, everything on demand, and the list goes on and on. Simple ideas such as patience, diligence, routine, discipline, and process seem to fit more with re-runs of "The Walton's" than they do with life in the 21st Century.

However, this past weekend, through the words of our pastor, Bill White, I was reminded that simple things actually do mean a lot, and they really do make a difference. It's just that most of the time we don't realize it until weeks, months and sometimes years later. So recently I have been evaluating my life experiences, and I have found plenty to validate this truth that things in the moment that seem simple, minute, and almost pointless over time produce life-long memories, create limitless opportunities, and make a profound difference in the lives of many. Looking back, here are a few that have meant the most to me:

- my dad always hugging and kissing my mom
- my dad reading the Bible to us during breakfast
- the use of "please" "thank you" "ma'am" and "sir"
- family, friends, and youth leaders showing up to my sporting events
- my friends hanging with me when I needed them most
- buddy days and family nights
- family votes

Here are a few that I am trying to focus on now:

- always telling my wife and kids that I love them and am proud of them
- praying daily with and for Kelly and the kids
- writing a quick note or e-mail to say thank-you
- talking to God about whatever is on my mind, even when I don't feel like it
- letting the kids win from time to time (this one is really hard!)
- smelling a cup of coffee before I take the first sip
- enjoying time my kids, even when it is late and I am tired
- reading the Bible to my kids even when they don't pay attention
- enjoying God's creation everyday
- saying "please" "thank you" "ma'am" and "sir"
- finding ways to encourage others
- piggy-back rides, even when my back hurts
- engaging a student when I would rather not
- smiling, laughing, and being ridiculous

I realize that a lot on this list may seem silly and even pointless. However, if history is right, I believe that this time next week, year, or lifetime the efforts will prove to mean so much more!