Going through the motions

Don't you just hate to get soap in your eyes in the shower? Perhaps there are some out there that has never experienced this but this morning I was mid-wash when some how soap sprang into my eyes causing pain. Since I was mid wash I had soap on my hands which prevented me to wash my eyes out. So I just closed them and finished up "blind". I noticed how deliberate I was in everything I did. Putting the soap back on the dish for example. In everything I did, I was taking care and thinking through each process. In my head I thought, I am intentionally going through the motions.

I usually hear that phrase in a negative context but I think there is something to intentionally or perhaps deliberately go through the motions. As I was getting dressed, I began to compose some thoughts about this blog. What is my equivelant soap in the eye? What gets me out of the automation and into the whys behind the process. In my spiritual walk, am I as intentional about following Christ on a daily basis as I was about wanting to remove that soap in my eye? Perhaps if I came to terms with how blind I am without God then I would want to do everything I can, as perfect as I can so that the blind may see. Perhaps we could all do with a good dose of soap in the eye.

Happy Thanksgiving

This morning I was able to sleep late, around 8:00. I turned on the TV and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade was just about to begin. For some reason watching the parade always makes me cry. They are usually tears of joy with only a few times mixed with tears of yesteryear. Having been in the parade when I was in 8th grade there are many memories attached to it. so I guess that is cause for some emotion to be aroused.

Having made a decision to just relax on this day of thanks, I chose to put up my Christmas tree and watch a few movies. My evening dinner plans fell through so I made poppy seed chicken and had my own T-day feast. Now before any of you feel sad for me...don't. This was my choice.

Have you ever been going at such a fast pace that you just need a vacation from people. That is how today and possible even tomorrow will be for me. I did go to the movies with a friend tonight and will see some family tomorrow but mainly I needed a break.

There are a few things I am thankful for that may seem trivial to most but to me they are what this day means to me.

I am thankful for my Cubs blanket because it reminds me that God gave me friends who love me.
I am thankful for my two roommates that go away for the holidays. It is always good to be reminded that you do miss them when the house is quiet.
I am thankful that I have a family who loves me enough to say it is ok that I did not join them for dinner in Bham.
I am thankful for God who loves me inspite of my mistakes and as a friend recently reminded me...Thanks be to Jesus Christ that I do not bear the burden of my forgiven sin.
I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving day. God Bless

Go to Church?

Last night at my part-time job, I was talking with a friend who goes to church with me about an article in Sharing the Victory, the web magazine of the Fellowship of Christian Athletics about Tommy Tuberville and his 2 team chaplins. About 30 mins later a coworker, Kevin, came up and said "So you go to church with Tommy?" Honestly, the first thing I thought was how does he know Tommy Hunke, who is a close friend of mine that has graduated, married and moved on. Then I realized he must have overheard my conversation. So I said yes. He then asked "Does the pastor pray more when we lose?" I jokingly replied, "Well since that has only happened twice in the past two years, I can't really say." I then went on to explain how he is a great family man and his mother also lives here and attends church. He seemed a little taken aback that I don't put a lot of hype into the fact that Coach Tuberville goes to church with me. For me, he is just a normal guy. I respect him a lot, and it took the heavy pressure of my mom on multiple occasions to ask him to sign a football for my nephew because I want him to feel safe in the church building. This of course is not the first time people have been "awed" that Coach goes to my church. Everytime, I leave these conversations just wondering...what would people say if I said, "Yea, Tuberville goes to church with me, but so do hundreds of other people and I am pretty sure that God attends regularly as well." But I don't think they would get the point.

Late Lunch

So early this week, I found out that a good friend, Kara, was hoping to come into town and wanted to grab lunch with the three Amigos (Phil, Adam & myself). Kara works for Impact Alabama and she along with a co-worker were in the "general area." So lunch ended up being around 2:00, by that time I was really hungry. As me and Phil drove to Niffer's, we passed resturants and I could taste my favorite food of each place. Needless to say by the time I pulled into the parking lot, my taste buds were screaming.

Do I do that with my spiritual food? I just don't crave it like I do corn nuggets, honey mustard burger & fries. And here is the rub, I know I have been here before feeling the same thing but I let that moment pass away into the oblivion known as complacency. It all falls down to doing something about it. I am very good at observing and complaining about my situation in life, but I slam the brakes when someone wants me to do something about it.

I recently took the GRE. I honestly don't know if I will go to grad school or not, but it felt good to accomplish something different. To have a challenge and do my best. I did ok on it. Nothing to get me into Harvard or anything but it helped me feel a little more in control of my life. Please understand that all of this was prayerfully decided but I think I tend to "let" my circumstances dictate my life. I think I was led to believe that because of the past, you are bound to those cirmcumstances. Taking the GRE changed that. It gave me hope that just perhaps the church sign was true when it said "God does not consult your past about your future."

So now I am faced with another decision. On my dresser is a Bible Study book. A lot of my older friends have gone through it and it has challenged them and helped them grow immensely. But it sits there taunting me. Am I so afraid of change that even change from impure to pure, unholy to holy, spiritual milk to a hearty spiritual feast, I fight and resist? I want to think that is not true but in the past it has.

Will I allow this "feeling" pass or will I allow God to change me? It is my choice and I think that is what scares me the most.

The Odyssey…Van that is Part IV

The morning sun rose beautifully on that Sunday morning. I have typically been an early riser so while the rest of the guys were sleeping. I went outside and sat on the swing by the lake for just a little while praying and meditating. Soon it was ready to get ready for church. We went to Grace Church in Morton, Il. It was a wonderful service. The speaker was the associate pastor and he had been in the mission field abroad before coming to Morton. He spoke on Luke 15 and shared insights that he learned from reading this story with those who are from the middle east. It really showed me how much my culture as an American tints my reading/interpretations of the Bible.

We then went to one of my favorite places, Monical’s pizza. Though having only been there once before, I came close to begging that we go there again. They have the best thin crust pizza. The atmosphere is very eccentric. With movie posters, old lunch boxes and toys adorning the walls and shelves. It was a great time. We ordered 2 pizzas and I think had to force feed Eric and Jill to eat the last few pieces.

From there we departed to drop Jill off and then head to Pekin County High School to take a tour of Eric’s classroom. So we drop Jill off and go pick up Kim, Eric’s sister to take her to Bradley to drop off some items. So we precede to drive to PCHS, get out the car and in typical Eric fashion, he realizes that he has forgotten his work keys. We all start laughing and then saunter down a hill to peek into a small window of his classroom to get a glimpse of the room. He then takes us on a tour of the area. We stop at Bradley, Eric bachelors Alma Mater. We take a brief tour and then help Kim take some stuff to her dorm.

We then pile back in and head back the Larson homestead. Rosy had planned this meal for when we arrived on Friday but do to car trouble had postponed it for Sunday evening. The entire Larson family, minus the Dad, who was away on work, gathered round the table, laughing and story telling. There was no mistake. This family loves each other but further, each one loves God. Coming from a family that is similar in that aspect, I am continually thankful for that blessing. People gradually went home and it was just the Band and Paul outside half-heartedly playing hoops.

We all went towards the dam embankment and just sat and let the Spirit guide us. I could attempt to explain that night but words fail me because I can’t begin to explain the feelings, sights or sounds that came from God being presence with us and guiding our thoughts, songs, and prayers. It was good. Praise God.

After that experience, reality of the world began to set in. Eric had school in the AM and we had to get on the road to head back towards KY to see about my car. We awoke and loaded up. Giving our hugs and farewells to Eric and Rosy. It was hard for me because I knew that it would be awhile before I would physically see one of my best friends again. I am not ashamed of my sentimental attitude. But life is life and friends move away.

To wrap up the saga. My car’s engine had died. So after quick decision making, we extended our rental and headed to Auburn in the Odyssey. Leaving my car to be repaired. (that is a story for another time but not today).

I want to thank my faithful readers for reading my story of that weekend in September. It will be a weekend I won’t soon forget. The Band of Brothers lives on, in fact we meet tonight. But right now I have to go to Walmart and pick up my new contact lenses.

DD