Four score and seven years ago...

Well it wasn't really all that long ago. It only seems like a lifetime. That is because it has been a blur. And that is a good thing.

August 6, 1994. That goes down as the greatest day in my life. On that day, I got married. Life has never been the same.

I sometimes hear that grooms are nervous, anxious, fearful and have incredible doubts. The term "Bridezilla" has certainly gained popularity. If I had been marrying a bridezilla, perhaps things would have changed, yet I was never nervous or anxious or fearful. I never had doubts. I knew this woman was amazing and I had nothing to fear.

If you are married long enough, you will probably get asked how you knew this was the person you should marry. Of all the billions of people on Earth, how did you settle on this one? There are a variety of answers to this. My answer is simple: I just knew. When we decided to date, I knew there was no one else for me. If I get even more scientific I say this: I have never seen anyone look at me the way she looks at me. In her eyes, I can see she loves me. Some days it might be her allergies, yet normally she is looking at me "with love in her eyes."

Amy is a wonderful person. She is caring, loving, kind and genuine. Basically, she is everything I am not. And yet she loves me anyway. Obviously, she is also crazy. I mean, she married me! She laughs at my jokes. (At least when I have new material.) She is a fantastic mom. She keeps me sane by letting me have hobbies. She supports me in my work. She lets me watch college football! She is awesome!
I can think back to our wedding day and I remember a few things. My groomsmen were a bit irreverent, yet supportive. The bridesmaids took their job seriously. The food was great. The music was amazing. The doors opened and there she was. I know folks say that every bride is beautiful. I have seen a few that I would not classify that way (just watch Big Fat Redneck Wedding sometime). On that day, there was no more beautiful woman in the world. She was not just smiling, she was absolutely radiant. I felt like the most fortunate man in the world. And I still feel that way now.

My lovely bride will tell you there are prettier women in the world. What I can tell you is: there is no more beautiful woman in the world. And I am the luckiest guy ever. I don't know why she agreed to marry me except for momentary lunacy on her part. And then I guess she figured she was stuck with me.

Thanks to John, Michael and Danny for inviting me to that Hawks' game. That night I met Amy, and even though she really does not remember meeting me that night, my life was changed forever. (Great story, you should ask about it.) Then it took a while, yet eventually we got together. Apparently a good number of our friends were wondering what took so long. I have never been accused of being very bright and this is another good example.

So thanks for 16 great years. I look forward to a whole bunch more if you can stand it. I love you more today than I did then. I love you more today than I did yesterday. I will love you more tomorrow than I do today. Thanks for being you. Thanks for taking a power sander to my rough edges. Thanks for loving me back. Thanks for sharing life with me. I can't wait to see what the future holds.

Camp is for the camper.....

Last week, we picked up our 9 year old from camp. To be exact, it is Ridgecrest Camp for Boys (http://www.ridgecrestcamps.com/). The closing ceremony is simple, and could be viewed as a bit corny, yet it is so indicative of what boys do at camp. There are some traditional songs, a presentation or two, a brief spiel about the alumni organization (which is amazing) and a video.

The video is where it gets me. Through the video you get to see all that goes on. These campers have no idea how good they have it. I watch the video and I want to go to camp! I wish there was a session for 30 ish campers (OK, more like 40 ish!).

Throughout the 2 week session, we can go on line and see pictures and read blogs and get a sample of what is going on. Of course, you look for your son. We make a folder and save his pictures. That only tells part of the story.

I worked camp-not Camp Ridgecrest-but I worked at a camp for boys. I know that some of the things you do during a session are for the campers, yet some are purely for your sanity. I also know that if you did not love what you were doing, and love the place where you are serving, you simply would not go back. Many of the staffers go back year after year. They serve unselfishly and work hard. The video shows much of what is offered to the boys.

Mountain biking, camp outs, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, zip lines, blobs into the lake, Disc Golf, sports of all kinds, rock climbing, carnivals, water slide, field trips (eating at Fuddrucker's is an amazing camp activity I say), hiking, rocketry, paintball, hang time, bonfires, tribal rings, devotions, amazing camp food, meeting boys from throughout the country (Andrew's best buddy at camp lives in Michigan), is all just a sampling of what they do. Not every boy experiences the same stuff because each can choose some activities and then some things are camp wide or age group specific. Sock war is a camp specialty. Then they do Capture the Flag, Sub Wars, World Cup, Sink the Dock, Messy Games and so much more. All this in an environment where the focus is developing young men as leaders, and teaching them it is OK to have fun and live for God at the same time. Apparently no one ever wears a shirt either!

The camp video, which each family gets to take home, shows snippets of all kinds of activities at camp. As I watched, I literally had tears in my eyes. Watching these videos brings back so many memories and I am so glad I get to send my son. I sat him down and explained how lucky he is to get to go to camp. They do an amazing job!

Next year, our daughter can go to Crestridge Camp for Girls. I know she will have an amazing time as well. They also have a tremendous tradition and do a great job. I cannot wait to see her response to camp, camp activities, camp environment and all that is involved with camp.

In these days, many parents are leery about sending away their kids. Too many parents won't allow their kids our of their sight, thus earning the title Helicopter Parent. Allowing your child to attend camp is great for them, and can be great for you. You know they are in a safe environment, they get to experience life without you, and they get to blossom and develop in a wholesome environment. What could be better? Additionally, you get a small vacation from them, which is healthy for you!

Camp can be pricey. Most things in life that are worthwhile have a cost. In my opinion, there is very little in this world that is more valuable for them than sending them to camp. Sacrificing for their sake is good for them and you.

Send your child to camp, and you cannot believe how they develop and grow. Send your child to camp and they might find out who they really are. Send your child to camp and the benefits far exceed any negatives (like missing them). Basically, send your child to camp.

Camp changes lives.

Give it the old college tri....

I like to exercise. The way it benefits the body is a great plus. Since I like food so much, exercise is a must. Exercise helps clear my mind. If I don't work out for a while I am more testy and grumpy. So for the sake of my family, and sometimes at the urging of my family, I exercise.

I have been running really since my middle school years. I have never been the fastest for sure. My effort has always been high, I am just not real fast. And as age has crept on me, that speed is even more reduced. August 2008, I decided to get in shape and I began watching my diet and running. I dropped some tonnage and got in better shape. Last spring and summer I did a few road races and really worked hard. My body began to break down and while I wanted to work out, it was just too painful to run 5 or 6 times a week.

A couple of guys at work and church, Scott Darnell and Steve Jones respectively, started talking to me about getting a road bike. I liked the idea, yet they are quite expensive. Well finally they talked me into it, and I then convinced my lovely bride that I would use it frequently, so we bought a bike.

If you have not ridden a bike recently, you really need to try it. The thrill of the wind in your hair and of dodging Bubbas in pick up trucks and dogs chasing you is amazing. Then I began swimming a tad. I was certainly not fast, and in fact, was quite slow. Yet something was in my head....

I don't quite know what possessed me, yet I decided to do a triathlon. After lots of research and some recommendations from an old high school friend of my wife, Scott Helms, I picked one in the town of Valdese, NC. This event is the shortest adult distance tri I have ever seen. Most sprint triathlons I can find have a swim at least 500 yards. This swim would be 250 yards. The bike was 9 miles and it finished with a 5k run. So I began training, and convinced my neighbor and training partner Greg Hughes and co-worker Scott Darnell to join the fun. In October, I really threw myself into training. I learned something: I can bike and run just fine, but my swimming was awful.

This swim occurs in an indoor pool. One swimmer starts every 15 seconds or so. You swim a length of the pool, then change lanes, and so on until you get to the last lane. At that point you jump out, move to the bike and off you go. When I first began swimming I could barely go a lap without stopping. This whole breathing thing was not going well. Then Scott D. came to my rescue. After he gave me some help, it clicked. I still was not fast, yet I could swim for a while non-stop and then actually started to improve.

After a few months of training, doing most of my running and riding inside because of the rough winter we had, taking swim lessons geared for triathletes, and purchasing some new gear, the day was upon us.

I really had no fear of not finishing. Unless I was in a bike wreck, suffered an injury or came down with some strange malady, there was no way I would not finish. The only question was how would I do?

In the early morning hours we met at my house. Scott, Greg and I traveled to Valdese together and began getting things together. Being a rookie, I was not sure how to set up my area. Each participant has a spot for their bike, and that is the same bit of Earth where you place your running gear and anything else you need. We "got inked" which means you get your race number written on you with a permanent marker at this event. Then it was time to hurry up and wait.

Time began to creep up on us and eventually it was start time. Each registrant submitted a swim time and that is how we were seeded. One swimmer every 15 seconds, a break every few minutes, which meant I did not start until 9:28:30. At about 9:20 I went to stand in line. Then the nerves really hit. At this point it was as if time was leaping forward. We could watch all the swimmers going and could see some good swimming strokes, some bad and some swimmers who had clearly given optimistic swim times. These folks were passed by the people behind them. That became my new goal-don't get passed!

The guy in front of me was a couple of inches shorter then me, with zero body fat. The guy behind me was about 6' 4" and also had no body fat. Everybody around me looked fit and trim. Again, I felt incredibly nervous. Again I told myself, don't get passed! The guy in front of me started, and then it was my turn. I remember thinking, "What have I gotten myself into? Oh well, I may as well do this thing." Lame I know, but in stressful times we think strange thoughts.

The race worker was counting, "5,4,3,2,1, go" and I was off. As I went I concentrated on my form, made sure to breathe, and wondered where the guy was behind me. After the first lane I turned, found my rhythm and things were good. My training was paying off. By the end of lane 2 I was catching the guy in front of me. He would not get out of my way. For 2 more lengths he was in my way. Then on lane 5 I made my move. I pushed harder and got past him, then just concentrated on getting back on my pace. Apparently at this point, as I was passing him, my lovely children were screaming loudly and cheering like they were at a football game. With my head in the water I could hear nothing! As I got to the end of lane 10 I noticed the ladder. Out we go. From there we had to go out the door, up a sidewalk, across the street and into the bike transition area. What I kept thinking was, "Nobody passed me!" That lasted about 10 seconds.

I am told this is me swimming

Transition areas are where serious participants make up time. Some of these folks came sprinting into the area and got their bike stuff and moved on quickly. I took my time, making sure I forgot nothing, and then got on my bike. The guy I passed swimming got on his bike, passed me in the first 50 yards, and then I never really saw him again. A couple of other guys went by me in the first half mile. Fortunately, I was never passed again and even passed a few riders. The course was tough and hilly. As if the hills were not enough of a challenge, the wind was blowing fairly hard. I saw several people with some sort of equipment issue on their bike. If I knew anything about fixing bikes, other than taking them to the shop, I may have offered to help. Maybe my ignorance actually helped me a little in this area. The last mile of the bike section was mostly down hill back to the start/transition area. I did not really pedal hard and tried to recover a bit. I was slowly catching a woman in front of me and a guy was gaining on me quickly. As we got to the transition area, off the bike I went, and I attempted to get my bike on the rack. My family was just outside the fencing and my lovely daughter asked, "Daddy are you tired yet?" Well I was a little, yet we still had the run to finish. So, off I went.

Answering my daughter, "Not too tired yet."

The transition area was located in a parking lot with a pretty good slope. I had to move up the hill toward the run route, which was located on streets of the town. I noticed the woman I nearly caught on the bike was way ahead of me, and the guy who was catching me on the bike was now in front of me. "Well, just run your race and relax" I thought. And away I went. Within 50 yards I caught the guy in front of me. I was certainly not running quickly, and he seemed to be laboring. I briefly looked at him, gave a slight head nod, and kept on going. The run route was an out and back, meaning you run the same route both ways. I could see several folks as they traveled back to the finish line. Some of these participants looked fresh and strong, some looked so tired I thought they were going to fall down. Then a few were walking. I made a decision that I would not walk! And then I wondered how I looked. Did I look as rough as some of these folks did?

About a half mile into the run, I moved out of the way of a lady that was running towards me. To fully get out of her way, I moved up onto the sidewalk. As we passed, my foot caught a raised part of the sidewalk, and I fell. When I say fell, I mean I fell completely to the ground. Of course, this was right in front of a race volunteer, who was talking to a guy in a big pick up truck. They showed tons of concern by laughing at me. I laughed as well-what else could I do?

After my fall, I quickly caught back up to my pace. I seemed to be gaining on some other runners. The route was not very difficult, and in fact seemed to be fairly easy. The reason for the easy feel of the course was that it was mostly down hill. At some point I recognized that as easy as this course was, I would have to run uphill back to the finish line. After the turn around, things got tougher. We started going uphill, and I tried to maintain my pace. I passed a few folks and felt strong. I could see the woman that I nearly caught on the bike. She seemed to be slowing down, and I was gaining. After crossing the intersection we had about a quarter mile to go. I caught this woman and then saw my family. They were cheering for me and holding signs and running along beside me. While I wanted to run with my kids, I also did not want this woman to beat me that I had spend so much time trying to catch! So I kept churning away and finished before her.

Cruising in toward the finish

And that was it. I finished. I beat my goal time and really enjoyed myself. After recovering for a few minutes, I went out and saw Greg finish. Our race times are pretty similar, yet I started the swim about 15 minutes before him. Talk about looking fresh, he looked great! He looked like he had only done a 5k, not the whole tri. I wonder if he pulled a Rosie Ruiz? (http://www.answers.com/topic/rosie-ruiz) Unfortunately, I had to leave before Scott finished. Yet he did great and finished strong as well.

Greg looks way too relaxed and energetic. Did he do the whole event?

This was a blast. I am now registered for 2 more triathlons, and 1 is a lake swim. That should be a challenge. I like the challenge of adding the new events. While running is fun, and my best event, I really enjoy the variety of the different events.

My kids have decided they want to do a triathlon as well. We have found a kids' event and they are training. This could be a family affair. Well, except for my lovely bride. She really does not want to run. Yet maybe I could get her to do a relay event with some friends! That would be pretty great.

If you like to exercise, come on out and do a triathlon. To quote my friend Matt Hammons, "It's fun and real active."

My support crew after the race.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away...

I feel the health care system needs changing. In fact, I don't know anyone who would disagree with that premise. Yet what does changing the health care system look like? That is the question!

A few years ago I worked at a facility where we employed seasonal instructors. School groups would come in and these instructors would teach classes like forest ecology, stream ecology, pioneer life, survival skills and night wildlife. These instructors were usually incredibly talented, recent college graduates, looking for their place in the world. Most were extremely intelligent. Many of them would stay a season and then head off the next great adventure. One in particular caught my attention. He was a fantastic instructor, great with students and adults alike. His knowledge base was great and he loved sharing it with students. When we was not teaching, he loved to backpack. He had completed the Appalachian Trail, and was working towards doing the Pacific Crest Trail. It was his belief that he should be able to go through life like this isf he chose. I agree. It was his belief he should be able to work the length of a contract, save his money, and head off into the wild. I agree. It was his belief that others should be responsible for his health care. And there we differed.

That young man also said, "the government" would take care of things. When asked what goods and services "the government" produced to generate revenue to pay bills, he had no answer. But that is a different story.

I can be sympathetic. I don't want people to suffer unnecessarily. I believe people should receive care. But then who pays? If you do not have the funds, who pays? Should others be on the hook for your bill? What do we do?

Health care is an expensive business. Why? Well, doctors and nurses must go through a lot of education and training to be qualified to treat you. They don't just give those degrees out in cereal boxes. Medical equipment is expensive. MRI machines cannot be found cheaply on ebay. (and if you find one, don't buy it) Malpractice insurance is very expensive. And the amount of unjustified law suites against doctors goes up every year. So how can it not be expensive?

Do we really need the government to determine our health care? Do we need the government telling insurance companies they must cover someone? Is that their role?

I have heard it said that this latest health care reform bill will cut the deficit. How? It is a trillion dollar bill, and we are already in the hole. Everything our federal government does is more expensive than any estimates. Why would this be any different? And the government will ensure things run smoothly? Since when? Have you been to a driver's license office recently? How smooth was that?

By some polls, as many as 80% of our citizens expressed displeasure with this bill. Our representatives in Washington voted for it any way. Either they don't listen, they don't care or they think they know better than we do what we need. I am of the opinion they don't care, because this was a power grab. Any thinking person knows this bill will never be rescinded. The fear tactics used against anyone who would try to take this government mandate away will be amazing.

I have heard it said that if people do not get insurance they will go to jail. I just have one more question-where is that in the Constitution? Maybe those folks in D.C. don't care about that any more than they care about our opinion.

As I said, I believe something must be done to health care. I am not smart enough to have any good ideas. That said, I don't believe this is the way to do things. Just one man's opinion.

I'm late for a very important date...

I simply do not understand people who are late all the time. In my opinion, that is rude. Period. There I said it. Now let me explain.

Everyone will be late on occasion. There is no way around it: we have a flat tire, traffic is heavier than anticipated, we forgot something and have to go back and get it, or simply do not leave when we should. I know that and understand that. Every now and then we may be in a situation where we simply underestimate how long a trip should take. Those are reasons that can be understood and forgiven.

What I do not grasp is how the same people can be late to the same places All the Time! Here is what I mean. I live in a small community and it does not take too long to get anywhere in our town. We attend a church not very far from our house. Some folks arrive at church late every week. I don't mean 5 minutes late and miss the announcements. I mean 15-20 minutes late. Sometimes these folks are even later arriving. As I said it is the same people all the time.

We have attended this church a little over 5 years. We still have the same service times. Our building has not moved. The parking lot is in the same place. Why can you not get here on time? On this I am not exaggerating, every single week the same few families arrive quite late for service. So I think the question is: why?

Growing up, I was taught if you are on time you are late and early is on time. I know I am uptight about time, and certainly not everyone feels the same way about it. Some folks would probably tell me to relax, because it is not a big deal. I disagree.

Not too long ago I had a boss that was frequently late to pretty much everything. At times, that put the rest of us in some awkward situations. He gave the impression that his time was more important than ours. And that is the rub. I think many people simply think their time is more important than the rest of the world.

Showing up late can be a power play. Someone could simply want to ensure he/she is the last in the room to make the point that the meeting cannot start without them. This gives the illusion of a type of power.

Some could simply be oblivious to anyone else. They may be so self-absorbed they do not notice how their lack of timeliness affects others.

I am sure there are other possible reasons. Regardless of the reason, chronic lateness is rude.

Now I have to go. I am late for a meeting.

Here is the church, Here is the steeple...

This past Sunday, our church celebrated the 10th year of its existence. The service was spectacular. In fact, it is the best church service I ever remember. The staff did a tremendous job in planning different ways to share and display how lives have been changed. While it was a long service I never once wanted it to be over.

Towards the beginning of the service there was a short slide show that chronicled the history of this congregation. A local radio host who used to be a member before moving too far away provided the voice over, and this slide show was also professionally done. The part of the entire service that moved me the most was when the slide show moderator mentioned that right about the time the existing building was completed the church was asked a question: If the church closed its doors, would anyone in the community besides the members, notice. The life of the church was shaped forever at that point. The congregation determined to truly minister and reach out to the community. The rest, as they say, is history.

Is that not the question all churches should ask? How many congregations would be afraid to ask such a question simply because they are afraid of the answer? What would be the result and what would change if every church truly asked the question, and then were not afraid of the answer?

It is my opinion that this is the question that MUST be asked. We as Christians, and our churches, must not be afraid to ask and answer this honestly. We may argue with the answer, and not like the answer, yet that will not prevent the answer from being correct.

Is this not the purpose of the church to reach out to the community? Local congregations are not simply to be a safe haven for members, although that is a role. Churches are to be a place of healing and ministry. We cannot pick and choose our targets for ministry. We cannot decide we will only minister to certain people in certain socioeconomic conditions. We must minister. If we follow the example of Jesus we will reach out to anyone and everyone. If we follow His example then there is not a sole that is off limits. No one is too far gone or too bad to attempt to reach.

Does your church need to ask this question? If you do ask, be careful. You might not like the answer. The answer may cause change. We all love change, right?

The essence of ministry is reaching people where they are. If every church would do that, the world would be a much different place. And then that would be Change I can Believe in! (I know that is grammatically incorrect. Oh well.)

Liar, Liar pants on fire...

So we all have heard about Representative Joe Wilson from South Carolina who shouted out that President Obama was lying last week during an address to Congress. First, let me say that I do not think this was in good taste, and frankly was in very poor taste. What I find remarkable, yet predictable, is the reaction from his peers and the media.

Rep. Wilson has been called everything but a Child of God. The favorite of many in the media, and many Obama supporters is that he is a racist. None other than former President Jimmy Carter has stated that Wilson's behavior is rooted in racism. The Congressional Black Caucas, has condemned his outburst and accused him directly of racism. Racism? An accusation against a white man of racism by an organization called the Congressional Black Caucus? Really? Any day now I am sure the Congressional Caucasian Caucus will back him. I won't hold my breath.

Any time a white person disagrees with someone of a different race we are accused of being a racist. I checked on Merriam-Webster online. The definition of racism is not that one person disagrees with another person of a different race. The definition given is:
1 : a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race
2 : racial prejudice or discrimination

So I ask, how was Mr. Wilson guilty of racial prejudice or how was he guilty of showing that he was convinced that his race is inherently better than the race of the president (who has a bit of Caucasian in him if I remember correctly)?

This is a great ploy used by those on the liberal side in our country. Once accused of racism, you really cannot do anything to get that reputation to disappear. This is quite similar to being accused of abuse of a child. That will ruin your reputation and life quickly. While both may not be true, and both could be complete fabrications, that does not mean simply because you dispute it and may have some proof to support you that all will be cleared up. Oh no. You must apologize many multiple of times, even to those you have have never met. You must find ways to make amends and many times, if you are a political conservative, the outrage eventually leads to your ouster from office or loss of your job.

Now those on the liberal side can say anything. They can accuse a president of lying, or misleading, of being disingenuous, or leading the country down a path to certain destruction. You can say anything you want. You can hide many thousands of dollars in your freezer (see Jefferson, William). You can "forget" to report large amounts of income yet get off without penalty. Oh, and you are in charge of the House Ways and Means Committee which writes legislation related to taxes and other money related issues (see Rangel, Charlie). You can be the mayor of Washington D.C., get caught using crack cocaine in a sting, yet accuse everyone involved of racism (see Barry, Marion). And lest I be accused of racism because none of those is white, you can even kill a woman. That is right, you can actually kill someone and get away with it (see Kennedy, Edward). Liberals are not forced to apologize when they call conservatives liars or worse. Liberals are not forced to resign from office when they break ethics rules and regulations. Liberals can pretty much do whatever they please.

Unless you listen to a conservative news source (Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Neal Boortz, etc.) you will hear very little about this. How much do any of us know about Democrat malfeasance simply by watching the news like our parents did on ABC World News Tonight or a source like that?

It is time we hold the media's feet to the fire. We should expect honest reporting. How can we expect honesty from news sources when they endorse candidates? That should stop now. Yet more than the media, we should expect decorum, honesty and responsibility from our "representatives" in Washington.

When will we stand up to politicians that look at many thousands of protestors and say, "This does not represent main stream America"? Emanuel, Rahm said that one.

When will we make sure our voices are heard and adhered to? How stupid do they think we are? President Obama stated in his address that this health care plan would not increase our debt at all. He said we would eliminate waste from Medicare and Medicaid. Well if we know there is waste, why wait, why not eliminate it now? That is just stupid. In addition, we have tons of debt. So we are going to add a new program, we have no money, how are we going to pay for it? Are we going to set up lemonade stands?

At the dentist office yesterday, I heard two ladies discussing the health care plan. One said to another, "I think it is great that the government will provide this for us. And we won't have to pay anything." I could not resist. I asked her, "Where will the money come from to pay for this program?" She said, " The government." I asked her what good or service was the government going to start selling so they had revenue to pay for it. She looked at me in much the same as a possum looks at a car right before meeting the tires. I then asked her how efficient she thinks our government is with our money. She had a predictable response, which was, "Not very." And then I asked her the magic question: "Do you really want our inefficient government playing with your health and even more of your money?" This time she resembled a brook trout. After a brief silence, they called me back. Where my insurance will pay for some of my crown and then I will pay for the rest. At a dentist of my choosing. Not one chosen for me.

I am not saying the president is a liar. I have not read the bill or his plan, and we will have to simply rely on others to tell us what is there. What I will say is that the plan the President wants does not matter. What matters is what is passed by Congress. So on that the President has not been completely honest.

If you are not completely honest that means you are not telling the whole truth. That equates to lying.

I better be careful. I might be accused of being a racist.