Crossover...

I love the few games each year when the NL bouts against the AL in MLB. I also love the reality shows that pit celebrities in "out of their place" type environments... such as the new CMT hit show Gone Country. And dare I not mention the episodes of Crossroads that pair such famous acts like Bon Jovi & Sugarland, Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby and Maroon 5 and Sara Evans.

Well, tonight, Karie and I have just returned home from a similar duet matching two completely different worlds of music. We attended with some of our dear friends the Alison Krauss and Robert Plant concert. My take on the whole thing is somewhat different from Karie's. She found ways to remain entertained while I was amazed at the vocals of Alison Krauss, her amazingly talented band and the rock icon Robert Plant.

I was a little star struck to think of the large number of people that have been influenced by one man... Robert Plant. It was cool. To hear some of the great Led Zepplin tunes played in a bluegrassy fashion was a great treat. If you get a chance to see this show... I highly recommend it. Check them out at www.robertplantalisonkrauss.com

Timing Is Everything...

First of all... this may get a little long so don't say that I didn't warn you. Sixty-one days ago, Karie and I jumped completely into the next chapter of our lives. Having no idea what the next chapter looked like or even where the story would take us we stepped out. All we held to was a promise... "if you trust Me... go."

Today, April 25, 2008 that next chapter began. I accepted the position of Director of Volunteer Services at The Foundry. Trust me, I'll tell you much more about The Foundry in days to come but check it out for yourself at www.thefoundryonline.org

But the journey has been amazing. I have met so many amazing people. My great friend Barry Copeland never ceases to amaze me at how many people he knows and how vast his knowledge is. Barry is a coach, a friend, a voice of stability... and I am forever grateful to Barry and Kathy for their unfailing friendship to my family.

The last two months and one day have been a rollercoaster to say the least. There have been days of solidarity and standing firm on God's promises for my family and there have been days that I have felt completely alone in this thing. There have been days of obedience as well as moments and days of disobedience. I have grown so much in such a short period of time. I have found through talking with several others that my two month journey is relatively short for people changing careers. I actually got to share with a incredibly talented young woman this weekend about our journey and she is on a very similar journey going on eight months now. I guess God knows how long to let us go before He steps in.

I have been reminded that He is so concerned with all of the details of my life. I, at times, have been so close to the trees that I couldn't see the beauty of the forest. I am realizing once again that He is more concerned about us simply walking with Him than He is about all of the big and wonderful things we can do and accomplish in His name. He just wants us to be with Him and try to get to know Him. It really is that simple... yet I have the unique ability to always try to complicate God.

I have struggled with the song "Friend of God" over the last few years because to me it implies that He is ordinary. That song removes some of the mystique and majesty and reverence of the Almighty. I mentally struggle with the fact that He wants to know me in an intimate and friendly way as opposed to a mighty and overbearing kind of way. I guess that's my spiritual baggage. I've fallen guilty of thinking that He is a watchdog watching my every move and even disappointed in me when I fail. I've been guilty of seeing the Creator of heaven and earth with a domineering aspect attached to Him. When in reality He leaves a lot more of this life up to me than I ever imagined. That's not to discount the fact that He is supreme and all of that but more simply to say that He is control of everything and allows me a lot of leeway in how I get to the places He has ordered for me. I guess I really am a friend of God... He literally knows my name.

For my new chapter in life... I could not have laid it out any better or more fitting for myself than He has with the Foundry. I am full of excitement that I have been given this opportunity to use what He has given me for the things that He has set in motion.

For all of you have been full of encouragement and concern for me and Karie... thanks. For all of you who have prayed for us every day... thanks. For all of you who have just been our friends... thanks. I owe you. I love you. I thank God for you. I'll keep you posted on things as they unfold. I start my new job next Thursday, May 1. Karie is thrilled as well and maybe in part because I will no longer be tearing our home apart in one of my many "projects" since I've had all of this time on my hands.

You know who you are... THANKS.

LIFE Interrupted

Have you ever wondered what people were thinking about just before they died? I know it almost sounds somewhat morbid but I have had thoughts like these many times. Recently when Heath Ledger passed away my mind drifted to a series of thoughts such as... "I wonder what he had planned to do on the following day? Who had he put off calling back because it could wait till tomorrow? Who was the last person he talked to that final night?"

Not only in death but it also occurs to me just about every time I see an automobile accident. Simply because I know that when something like even the mildest fender-bender occurs it can quickly interrupt your previously scheduled events for that day and maybe days to follow. There truly is no convenient time to have a wreck. Well, all of this came flying back to mind just after 12 noon this very day.

I had been down in Bessemer and had just got back into my truck and pulled out onto Hwy. 150. There was little traffic other than a motorcycle police officer in front of me and a red van headed in our direction which proceeded to the turn lane to turn in front of us. I was about 30 yards behind the officer when to my shock, the van turned rather slowly in front of the officer. He hit his brakes and then released them. It appeared that the van had seen him at the last moment and almost stopped but in a flash the van kept coming and hit the officer on the bike. Remember... all of this is right in front of me. I watch as the officer's bike is hurled around and around and the officer himself literally goes flying through the air. I watch in seemingly slow motion as his feet flip over his head and he is launched nearly 30 yards before he lands in a parking lot. I stop immediately and am the first to reach the officer. It was so surreal. I really didn't even realize that anyone else was around. As I stooped down to check on him he was bleeding from his lip, his leg was tucked in behind him, and his right arm was somewhat twisted up over his head.

I had no idea what to say. As I was approaching him I had my phone and a lady shouted at me that she was on the phone with 911. I looked him in the eye and simply asked him his name... he replied Mike. I told him I was Micah and all I could think of was to tell him to be still and not move and that his buddies would be here in just a minute. Boy did I underestimate that time frame. Literally within 90 seconds the first officer arrived only to be followed by about 15 more in the next 2 minutes. Mike and I talked a little more and as the paramedics arrived I stepped back and had that same crazy thought again...

"I wonder who he had just talked to on the phone? Where was he going and was someone waiting on him? I bet he had no idea something like this would happen when he left the house this morning."

It all hit home for me today out on 150. Life can be short. Live it with everything you got!

By the way, Mike is listed in serious condition according to the Bham News. It looked like to me he had an injury to his foot, his shoulder, his arm and his face was busted and bleeding. I think he spit some blood on my brown Sunday shoes... it'll wash off. And here is the craziest part of it all. There were two clowns driving the van. Seriously... they were going to a party or something, dressed as clowns and WHAMO!

A Family Tradition...

There is a song by the legendary artist, Hank Williams Jr., that is simply titled... Family Traditions. That sums it up for me and my family when it comes to college football. We are just 137 days from the kickoff of ALABAMA football.

All of the naysayers remind me continually that Alabama fans live in the past... you want to know what I think... it's because we have a past. The tradition and rich heritage of college football in Tuscaloosa is paved with top-shelf athletes and victories that make even the best teams envious.

There is a feeling I get every fall when the weather begins to change simply because I know it means that me and my brother and my dad are on the precipice of one of our favorite family traditions. Whether we are at the game, huddled around a tube somewhere or even if we have to miss the game itself due to some crisis that pulls us away... we always find a way to merge our Crimson experience into a conversation. We've sat, or stood, in the student section for some of the greatest games of all times and watched as we held our breath during some of the most spectacular plays in football history unfolded right before our eyes. We've paid $100 for a ticket and we've even paid $2 for a ticket (that was for the AL vs. Georgia game back when I was in high school). We've even been known to work a concession stand or two just to be in the shrine built for the Bear.

There's nothing like spending time with family. It's my favorite thing to do. So when the time rolls aroiund each fall... on just about any given Saturday... you cn find the Andrews' men cheering faithfully for the Crimson Tide. But beware... if your sitting anywhere in our general area near the end of a Bama victory... don't be offended if you hear a loud rendition of Rammer Jammer.

Roll Tide Roll.

Die Hard

It is hard to imagine that John McClane has been the poster child for disturbed officers of the law for twenty years. That's right... Die Hard turns 20 in July. Love em or hate em... they were exciting. The great thing about each of Bruce Willis' movies is that he always has one great line in each of the four Oscar nominated flicks.

O.K.... I have no idea of any of them were ever nominated for anything or not but in a similar manner of the great lines from these features, today I heard a great quote from my own father. He was referring to a friend of his who is very sick and actually dying. The man has lived a good and full life and is literally clinging to each breath. Anyway, today as I talked to my dad he said something along these lines... (referring to the sick friend)

"He is actually fighting for each breath. Just when you think he's drawn his last he just keeps on hanging in there."

And here is my favorite part of what my dad said...

"You know, there's just something special about men like him, they are men who have experienced war, they've fought for their country and for their own lives... maybe that's why it is so hard for them to die."

What a way to be seen! I have never met the guy but I admire him like crazy. When my time comes... God, let that be said of me... "Micah was such a fighter that he just doesn't want to let go." And no, not a fighter in the sense of couldn't get along with other people or fighter in the sense of like actually hitting or getting hit (that is definitely not for me... I hate getting punched) but I mean I want to be remembered as a fighter, someone who stood my ground, didn't budge in the face of adversity, and who would stand by his clan till death. I'm getting head images of Braveheart...

What an honorable way to live. A man who was willing to fight for his faith, his God, his family, his country and for his own existence.

Maybe we should choose today what is worth fighting for instead of what is worth fighting over.

Sweet Home Alabama

Back in 1974, Ronnie and the boys probably had no idea that what they had just written would influence just about every high school male (and most females) from Bayou La Batre to the Redstone Arsenal for at least the next 35 years. I've said many times, "There's just something about that guitar riff following a 1-2-3" that just makes make blood pressure rise.

Well, it appears that I am not the only one moved by the anthem from the boys of Jacksonville. Maybe, just maybe, there's a little red-neck deep down inside each and everyone of us. Check these guys out... (be sure to read the caption... it'll make more sense).


http://www.tothepointnews.com/content/view/3114/85/

P.S. If you can't click on the link, copy & paste it into your address bar... it'll be worth it.

American Idol... Really?

It's sad... but it's true. My girls know that Tuesday night and Wednesday night are American Idol nights. Olivia knows them all and keeps me and Karie in tune with what's happening. We all have our favorites and who we hope will win it all. Over the past few seasons we have all come to know and expect what the judges will say...

Randy says "it was pitchy for me dog"
Paula says "we love you and I love you and you were true to yourself and that's all that matters."
And Simon says "dreadful... a complete mess"

And we love it, we are entertained by it, and we feel like we are actually a part of it all.

And then there was the Idol Gives Back Show that literally just went off a few minutes ago. This is my favorite night of the year because of all of the good that takes place. But as the closing number tonight I found it odd that the final contestants sang "Shout to the Lord". I hate to say this in the "public domain" for any and every one to read but... I'm one of those guys who does not like it normally when a Christian song such as we heard tonight is done in such a secular venue. It just makes me a bit uncomfortable. To me it is like Fergie singing "Amazing Grace" or Jessica Simpson singing "The B.I.B.L.E" or Britney Spears singing "I'll Fly Away" and on and on... it just doesn't fit for me. It comes across to me as a "token Jesus song".

It is in cases like these that I would love to have heard the discussion by the producers which actually chose this song for tonight. I would love to have been privy to the thought process. But either way, I can live with it or without it. Here's my biggest gripe of the whole entire thing... (if you didnt see it be glad)...

At the very end, after this climatic song (Shout to the Lord), the screen goes blank and in walks Ben Stiller. He has a brief dialogue where he proceeds to say... "Alright Seacrest... you are such a ___(f-bomb)___."

Point and case for the times we live in. Shout to the Lord and six bleeped out vulgar words that our own media sensors have deemed unspeakable on television.

American Idol... Really?

I Go Back... the formative years.

Isn't it funny how a song can take you somewhere? I mean just the first few bars of the opening theme to Rocky and I'm ready to hit the ring. And my all-time favorite anthem... there's just something special about the first four notes to Sweet Home Alabama... it just does something to me (it appeals to my "rough side"). The same can be said of two country songs... "I Go Back" by Kenny Chesney and "19 Something" by Mark Willis. Everytime I hear those two songs my mind drifts away in a cathartic trance to a simplistic way of living. I just decided to put a few of those "glory days" thoughts out here to see if anybody could relate.

Favorite Songs of my Early Years -
"Say, Say, Say" - Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson, "Welcome to the Jungle" - Guns & Roses, "Angel in the Centerfold" - J. Geils Band (and back then I had no idea what that was about), "R.O.C.K. in the USA" - the Boss, "Pink Houses" - John Cougar Mellencamp, "Sister Christian" - Night Ranger, "99 luft balloons" - Nena, "Red, Red, Wine" - UB40, "Straight Up" - Paula Abdul, "Girl You Know It's True" - Milli Vanilli, "Wild Thing" - Tone Loc, and absolutely anything by the following: Warrant, Great White, Whitesnake, Poison, Motley Crue, Cinderella, Winger, White Lion, Skid Row, Def Leppard, Firehouse, and Tesla.

With the musical influence that these bands and individuals had on me it is truly amazing that I didn't keep my stylish mullet.

Favorite TV Shows of my Early Years -
Hands down number 1 is "Dukes of Hazzard" (the show, not the movie... I refused to see the knock-off movie version), "The A Team", "Miami Vice", "Friday Night Videos", "Night Trax", "Family Ties", "Riptide", "Simon & Simon", "Magnum P.I.", "Night Court", & "Cheers".

Favorite Movies of my Early Years -
"Young Guns I & II", "Footloose", "Platoon", "Coming to America", all of the "Indiana Jones", "Karate Kid", and "Police Academy" movies & "The Blues Brothers".

Just remember... in an odd sort of way, these are the things that molded and fashioned a generation into what we are today. Maybe that explains it all. Hope this was a pleasant stroll for you as well.

Fishing on the Sabbath

Today I had one of the most fulfilling dates I have had in a long time. While my wife was at home on the couch... I snuck away for a great time with two other women. These two ladies have my heart in a way that no one does... Olivia & Ella are more of momma's girls than they are daddy's girls but there is just that God breathed connection between a daddy and his daughters.

We went to the final weigh in down at the Civic Center for the FLW fishing tournament. The girls fished on simulated lakes, we rode a sweet fishing boat simulator and they played and had a blast. The funniest part to me is that they have professional anglers everywhere signing baseball cards... but they are fishing people cards. They sign them and people collect them and everything. Next to my recent Nascar induction this ranks up there pretty high on my "You might be a RedNeck" list.

And here is the best part. In the world that we live in I have come to realize that celebrity status allows you a crossover into almost any genre of event. Would you believe that at the center of the FLW Outdoors marketing ploy is the old familiar face of none other than Hulk Hogan. His picture is everywhere and I couldn't help but laugh that Olivia and Ella had no idea who this guy is. Once I told Olivia who he was she kept calling him Honk Hogan... that made me laugh out loud.

Here's my recommendation to all of the fathers in the world... do something rediculous with your children every chance you get. No matter what you do or where it is... you get the rewards much more than they do.

Daddy time ROCKS!

Me, Myself, and I and the One Armed Bandit...

I have been re-reading the book "Blue Like Jazz". I must admit that I spot read this book the first time around and if I am totally truthful about it... I only read it because other people that I admired said that they had read it. I know... shallow. But as I listened as Donald Miller opened up his little world, the theme that struck me the most was this idea of self love.

He mentions throughout the pages that his biggest problem is that he loves himself more than he loves anyone else. He makes reference to the fact that others in our world have the same issues and that if we could fix the BIGGEST problems of being so self-centered and self-focus that many of the other social issues would simply fade away.

As I kept coming back to this I kept asking myself the question... "Do I love me more than anyone else?" That's almost ridiculous to even ask because I am a Christian. My journal entry from February 1996 reminds me that I made a priority list that put God first, others second, and myself last. I wrote it down... in pen... so that makes it a fact of my personal reality. Or does it?

I have a wife and two amazing daughters... surely I put them before myself. On the inside, I have committed my life to serving other people... by default I surely put their lives before my own... don't I?

God's Word says something about if I want to truly live then I must give up my own life for His life... and that is very loosely paraphrased. But how much of my day is all about me? What about those pleasure points throughout each day that are strictly designed by me, for me? At the core of everything I do... even when I do help someone else, is my motive to truly serve them or is there a part of it all that gratifies my inner man and could it be that part of me that even causes me to help someone else?

Is my greatest effort to serve God tied somehow to a benefit that I may receive? Miller says this is treating God like a slot machine... we pull the arm down in hopes of getting lucky in the eyes of God. That makes me tired. It is exhausting to try to fill a day full of things all about me. I'm tired of being tired.

God... please help me tomorrow to not feed my own ego. Help me tomorrow to be a real man after your own heart. After all, this story has many characters and I am not the main one.

Band of Brothers

I love a great war movie... give me a series of five and I'm set for the week. Band of Brothers was just that kind of series for me. It's been a few years since I watched the entire series but every once in a while I catch a piece of one of the episodes on the History Channel (now so affectionately known as History... they dropped the words THE & CHANNEL... seriously).

I'm not sure if it is the violence, the portrayal of an actual historic moment, the underlying story within a story or just the title itself that appeals to me the most but even if you have never seen the series... the title says it all.

Band of Brothers.

I have been priveledged over my lifetime to have had several bands of brothers. When I was in high school there were six of us. We had affectionate nicknames for one another such as bullet-head (that was me), spud, big russ & mush. Now that I think of it... we had names for each of our cars and trucks. Then again in college I had a larger band of brothers that all answered to the name of snagger. And yes, even as a semi-grown man I have also had a band of brothers... the MEN I served with for the better part of the last twelve years.

In each of these phases of life there have been common threads that spread throughout. In every band... one would have done anything for the others. There was always a selflessness involving each man in his own way. In every band... no matter how much time had seperated us, we never had to catch up... we always had that timeless bond. In every band... each played a very specific role towards the others. In every band... we lived life to its fullest... together... unconditionally.

In the last few weeks I have rediscovered a philosophy that has gripped my soul. It comes from chapter 11 in the book by John Eldredge, "Wild at Heart". It says...

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive."

What the world needs most is MEN who are fully alive. Alive in Jesus. Walking, laughing, running, seeking, honoring, loving God with everything that is within them... fully alive. Forget performance and requirements and all of the expectations of those around us just long enough to grab hold of what it means to be ALIVE! Breath in the fullness of what God has placed around us. Listen for the undertones of life... the beautiful bass line that drives the rhythm of your passions. Stop long enough to grab the hand of a brother who is drowning in their own mess.

What everyman needs is a band of brothers. Come to think of it... Jesus had a nice little band of brothers.

The Shack... (sounds like a great Alabama BBQ place)

I normally don't post twice on the same day but I am way behind of what I want to share. My computer doctor just informed me this morning that I needed a transplant of the hard drive so I am back at the library today. (To all of my new friends at CC-Nash... glad you are here today).

I have just added a link under the "bloggers r us" section to a book I have just finished called The Shack. When you get a chance go check it out.

I just want to pass on a few lines that inspired me personally as I read this fictional book by William P. Young... I hope you find it interesting.

(this is written from the perspective of God having a conversation with this guy named Mack)

"Humans try to control behavior largely through expectations... because I have no expectations, you never disappoint me."

"I don't just want a piece of you and a piece of your life. Even if you were able, which you are not, to give me the biggest piece, that is not what I want. I want all of you and all of every part of you and your day. I don't want to be first among a list of values; I want to be at the center of everything. When I live in you, then together we can live through everything that happens to you."

ENJOY!

Once Upon A Time...

Have you ever wondered why the greatest stories of our childhood began with the phrase, "Once Upon A Time?" I mean why do the characters in these stories get to live out all of the most glorious adventures only once? In fact, who says "they" get to live the adventure and get sole rights to the rewards? And again... why only once?

What a let down it must be for these "people" to only get one shot at greatness. What does Prince Charming have to look forward to after he has saved the Princess? It's all downhill from this point.

So to myself, the question is... Have I cashed in my "once upon a time" card already and I have just not realized it? In reality... do you even get more than one great story to be a part of? I think we do. I think the greatest stories ever to be told have yet to even be recorded. I hope in the thought of being like that wild, untamed stallion that gets to run wild and free in the greatest and greenest fields... wind blowing, heart pounding, adventurous running... until you collapse kind of journey... that's what I am looking for. And once I've done it... I want to turn around and do it again... and again... and again... and you get the point.

One of my favorite passages of scripture says, "God has a plan for me... a plan to prosper me and give me hope and a future..." That translates to me that there is always more out there. More stories to be written. More life to be lived. More adventurous journeys just waiting for me to explore.

So, have I lived the best days of my story already? Not a chance.