progress

A perfect ten? Practice makes perfect? The perfect storm? What's with the obsession for perfection? I feel sorry for those who deem themselves as perfectionists simply because they may actually believe that they can achieve perfection. Don't get me wrong... I believe in always putting my best foot forward but how many times have you ever really done something perfectly?

The truth is even God is not looking for us to be perfect. He's not looking for perfection, just progress. I think He is looking for us and desires for us to get today just a little better than yesterday. Simple progress.

till death do us part...

When you give your life to someone else it is a two-part commitment. First of all, you have the initial promise (I do). But it doesn't stop there. In fact it only begins with those first words. That promise must be carried out day after day in order to stay in tact. Even though I told my wife I would love her forever I must be true to that day after day. What began as my initial vow must be carried out each day. In other words, I must act married.

I think the same is true in our salvation as we make a commitment to follow God. It too is a two-part deal. I make that initial promise or request and vow my eternal surrender to my Creator. But that isn't where it stops. In fact it only begins with those first words. That promise must be carried out day after day in order to stay in tact. Even though I told God I would love Him forever I must be true to that day after day. What began as my initial vow must be carried out each day. In other words, I must act redeemed. I must act changed. I must act committed.

All In The Family

Let it be known that I am a proud daddy. I have been blessed with two amazing daughters that make me laugh, make me cry, make me miss home when I am away and make every day an adventure. This past Saturday we had an awesome family day. Olivia had her last soccer game of the season. They won and finished the season 7-1. But not only did they win this past weekend they won 7-1. Of our 7 goals scored, Olivia scored 5 of them! Amazing. Needless to say I was proud of her. But what I was reminded of is how important it is for her and her sister to know that I am proud of them. I don't ever want their affirmation to come from another man. Not a boyfriend. Not anyone else but me. I bet I told her 20 times how proud I was. We watched the video later this past weekend and again I made it a big deal. In our world that is laced with a need for affirmation, make sure your kids get it the most at home. After all... children are a blessing from God.

Investing 101

Honestly, investing is not my favorite word (sorry EJH). I've avoided it for much of my adult life in part since I never heard it all that much at home growing up. When you never have any extra you just don't put any back. In an odd way, I have always felt like I was losing something now even though I would get it all back and possibly then some at a later time. But the loss of something important to me in the immediate is the roadblock for pouring and planting and investing for a future day.

So what about investing in people? Why do we rush down the hall right past him or her instead of stopping and planting a little hope and sunshine into their lives? Why don't we opt to share a lunch with a friend as opposed to shutting the door and eating alone? It's because it requires emotional labor. This is the stuff that drains us. It requires me to loose a piece of me now. But what we forget is that the small investment of me now may be the investment that pays a greater dividend in the future. Emotional labor is difficult because it appears to be all giving and no receiving... but in reality when you give of yourself you'll find that you always get more than you give.

Emotional labor. Invest into someone.

"light but not heat"

I read this statement last night that really caught me... Seth Godin referring to being graceful.

"Graceful is artistic, elegant, subtle, and effective. Graceful makes things happen and brings light but not heat."

I have found a new life trait that I want to capture. GRACEFUL. It makes me think of an old black & white movie with some guy that I don't know gliding across the floor with some long-haired blonde, moving seemlessly, almost in slow motion, nothing else in the room matters and barely seems to exist. GRACEFUL. The word itself just puts you at ease. But them comes the kicker - my life feels most days like anything but graceful. Chaotic, maybe. Hectic, maybe. Frantic, maybe. Some days I feel like I should have become a fireman since all I do is put out fires. I want to be a GRACEFUL leader. A man who is firm but fair. A man who shares light but not heat. Then comes the follow up quote from Godin...

"The thing is, no one is born graceful. It's not a gift, it's a choice."

I'm Bringing Sexy Back...

Just kiddin'. I'm actually bringing blogging back. Does anyone of my old friends out there still blog? I must admit with the new addiction, I mean addition of Face Book I've been a bit preoccupied. I have missed my old friend(s) at blogspot and just decided with almost a years vacation it was time to revisit a favorite of my past times. If you have never seen it... you can follow at www.micahandrews.blogspot.com

More to follow soon.

insufficient gratitude

I was 17 years old sitting on the edge of my bed when I witnessed war for the first time. It was the opening air strike in the Gulf War. I was shocked. I was amazed. I was terrified. My country was at war. I see it as one of those things as if you aren't directly involved you can't fully grasp the magnitude. Both of my grandfathers were war vets and I have listened over the years to their limited story telling doing my best to imagine what it was really like.

I remember the excitement of leaving home. Sure I'll miss everyone but I'm off to college. The world was mine for the taking. But not even for one second do I try to make the comparison of going off to college to the likes of going off to war. Unless some freak tragic accident I could come home whenever I got ready. Unlike the many who have served our country who were never guaranteed any return home... ever. I can only imagine the emotion of leaving home for potentially the final time. I can not imagine losing friends, forever.

There are several things that I have always envied of men who have served in the military. I have a limited understanding of honor for one. But to serve my country... no that's a flood of honor. I have always appreciated the sense of discipline our veterans seem to have. I have often wondered what kind of man I would be today had I served in the military. Those who have served walk differently. They have a swagger like none other. And talk about loyalty... they understand it.

As I reflect on this Veteran's Day I realize once again that I have a limited capacity to appreciate the numerous sacrifices made by men, women and families all across America. My best gratitude will always remain insufficient. To our Veteran's... hats off to you.

inspired...

I recently returned from a trip to the nations capital. While there I had the chance to visit the Smithsonian Museum. I actually went to the American History museum and was captivated by everything I saw. It is hard to imagine that some of the real items from history are there! I mean the actual coat worn by George Washington or Abe Lincoln... that's nuts! I saw Ali's boxing gloves, swag from many of the former President's and so much more...

As I walked around I could not help but feel overwhelmed. It was as if I was in the presence of excellence. I was in the hall of dreamers and visionaries. I have to admit I felt a sense of challenge as I read and looked at the artifacts that tell my nation's stories. The Civil War stuff struck me very closely. That was such an ugly time in history. Families hated one another and were often split. Rage and destruction ruled. But would we ever be where we are now as a nation if we had not previously gone there?

So many men. So many leaders. So many great accomplishments. What made them different? Did they have a greater ambition than I have? Were they smarter? Were they more wealthy? What separates the average man from the spectacular man? My answer is simple... bring your very best, every single day.

Was I inspired to make the most of my time on earth as I walked around DC? Most definitely yes.

3 drops of grape juice

mornings at our house are much like the final laps of a NASCAR race. everyone is rushing and running and doing their best to slide in the van just before the checkered flag drops. getting a kindergartner, a third grader, and a sixth grade teacher ready for the day and out the door at 6:45 is just short of insane. with the recent addition of late afternoon soccer practice followed by a late dinner, bath w/ hair washing & drying and a goal of bedtime by 8:30... forget about it.

even though i would not change one thing about my family (with the exception that in my perfect world school wouldn't start till about 9:15 or so) our mornings can be fairly crazy. and crazy is the word I choose if nothing goes wrong. add a little sleepy-headed 5 year old waking up on the wrong side of the bed and you might think the sky was falling. can't find soccer cleats, shoes are tied in knots, we just ran out of toothpaste, or 3 small drops of grape juice on the front of a fresh white nicely pressed shirt for mom and the world is rapidly coming to an end. well, just that very thing came to be at our house last week... not the end of the world part but the 3 drops of grape juice on mom's white shirt... just seconds before she was to crank Roxy (the name we have given our 2006 Toyota Sienna).

i witnessed it all first hand. the earth trembled slightly beneath my feet. sweat began to ooze from my brow. i could almost feel the tension. it was just short of actually painful. mom was steaming about those darn drops of untimely grape juice. and rightly so. i would have simply come un-glued. i would have snapped and thrown something. most of us would have done something stupid as we reacted and responded to one of life's little reminder moments.

i think those kinds of things don't just happen... i think they are allowed to happen. i really think GOD lets dumb stuff happen to us to see how we will respond. for us, the 3 drops of grape juice fouled our attitudes for the better part of the morning. everyone was late. the routine had been disrupted. but as i look at those silly moments, what's the big deal? it is grape juice. LORD, remind us all that the little moments that seem so HUGE are in all reality so very small. after all, how big can 3 drops of grape juice actually be?

alignment for assignment

A friend of mine shared a story with me a few weeks ago that I did not remember. This friend is beginning his fourth month of recovery and is living clean. He told me a story that took place about 15 years ago which I did not recall until he shared it with me. You see, he and I were at a party with other mutual friends when "the passing of the joint" took place. These were good guys, hanging out, not hurting anyone really... and as we sat around the joint came to me. Now I have had my share of "experimenting" but drugs never really appealed to me. I simply said, "No thanks, I'm good." I assume I didn't think anything else about it. But my friend obviously did. Just a few weeks ago he reminded me of that night. He said that memory of me had stuck with him over the years. I didn't make a big deal about it but simply passed.

Fast forward 15 years, I work in a drug recovery program and my friend is a resident in this particular program. Who knew that one day our paths would cross in this environment? In fact, 15 years ago I could not even imagined myself working in such a place. This past Sunday I listened as Pastor Larry Stockstill from Louisiana spoke about God's alignment for our assignment. He spoke of how so many things in our lives are simply aligning us for what God's ultimate will is for our lives. Maybe you have wondered like I have... why certain things happen to us in the way that they do. Maybe it is because somewhere down the line, He will use us in certain ways to help certain people simply because "we've been there". I know there have been trials in my own life and I have wondered, why in the world I am dealing with this. My own answer has been, well maybe God is allowing me to deal with this to minister to someone down the road. I don't know if that is going to be the case but it somehow gives me peace and meaning to the mess I often deal with.

I have to believe that the tests we all face are a part of the aligning process. Some of us have to be stressed and pulled to show our imperfections. Some are tested and tried to allow us to see where we need the most work. It is a character issue. I believe that God uses His all-knowing sense to direct us toward His perfect alignment. Once we find that alignment or as I call it, that divine "Sweet Spot" then we are able to achieve our assignment.

Don't grow weary if you are being tried. These tests breed perseverance and that leads to maturity and character. James chapter 1 says it this way... "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." At the time I had no idea that passing up a chance to get high would come back to be a badge of honor. Am I thankful that I passed? You betcha! My prayer: make me ever aware of Your alignment in my life.

sound investments in a troubled economy

What a year for the market. Many reports show that for the first time in decades our great land faces Depression-like levels of unemployment. When the bottom started to fall so many lost thousands and ten's of thousands and I only lost hundreds. I guess if you don't have much invested you really don't have much to lose. The problem with this is... you don't have much invested. I realize when I chose a career in the non-profit world that this term was literal. It is non-profit. The only ones making a killing in the non-profit world seem to turn out to be a little crooked. But don't cry for me, I chose this path. I made a conscious decision to follow in the footsteps of my father. I do find it neat that the last sentence applies to both my earthly father and my Heavenly Father.

I have close friends that financially are doing very well for themselves. I will admit that when I see them in their new car, new boats and having lots of big boy toys... I wonder why I can't afford stuff like that? Just this week I was reminded of why. Some choose to invest their money, time and talent in areas that reap them a sweet harvest. There is absolutely nothing inherently wrong with this, just for the record. They make wise decisions and it pays nice dividends for them. I on the other hand (and many like me) have chosen to invest money, time and talent in other ways. DISCLAIMER: This is not a self indulgent thought or statement that is set to paint a picture of poor little old me, nor is it intended to make me appear as a financial martyr, greater in any sense or the appearance that I have it all figured out. The truth is, if I had lots of money I would probably be just as broke... I like to spend.

I have simply chosen to make my investments elsewhere. I have also made some very wise investment choices. I can think of a list of young people and even peers that I have purposefully invested my own life in. I give them my time, I give them my heart, I give them my soul. After all, that is all I have. Regardless of how the market is doing and regardless of the value of the almighty dollar... the most sound investment you can make in a troubled economy is when you invest you in someone else. Luke 12:34 says, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." I think we can flip that verse and make the same kind of sense. "For where your heart is, there your treasure will be also."

I challenge me and you... make wise investments. Invest in your marriage. Invest in your children. Invest in your walk with God. Invest in those around you. The payoff is eternal.

Illegalism in the 21st Century... post #100

It took me a year and a half but I finally broke the century mark. This is the 100th post for me!

There are few things in life that just burn my hide. People leaving their blinker on after they have changed lanes, getting a voicemail and people say their number so fast you can't figure it out, bad cell service... you know, the big things. Well, one of the quickest ways to fire me up is to show your legalism card. In my own words I define legalism like this: Legalism is living and abiding by a standard of rules and regulations that simply flat-out miss the bulls eye. I know it is really nothing new and we even read about it all throughout scriptures. From not eating certain foods to the way you comb your hair. I have first hand knowledge of legalism seeing as how I couldn't wear shorts until the 7th grade due to spiritual reasons. Jewelry, make-up, long hair-short hair... where does it stop? I know peoples intentions are sometimes good as they abide by these "doctrines" simply because they want to be closer to God, but to think that I am going to hell because I play cards is nothing short of absurd.

Now where I really have issues is when someone who lives by these standards responds toward me with this "your not living right" attitude. Fires me up! To think that there are churches that get bent out of shape because members leave and go somewhere else and then they themselves "talk about it" to no end... ridiculous. It may be a surprise to some but some of the worst treatment many receive are from other "believers". Makes me sick at my stomach. To say they follow Christ is a pure lie. They follow rules. Well, heck... even animals can follow rules. I have coined a term to describe the whole entire mess... Illegalism. Because it should be.

Whatever happened to love thy neighbor as thyself? That was pretty good teaching. For those who are entangled by the nasty web of legalism, my heart hurts for you just shortly after my blood pressure rises. Get over it and move on. Our lives are too short to not work it out together.

That's all I've got to say about that.

revival cancelled

A friend of mine recently saw a sign outside a local church that read "Revival Cancelled" and it began to stir my thoughts. Revival cancelled... really? Is that a status report for the good old US of A? Revival cancelled... can you do that? Revival cancelled... what if it really is? What would life be like if God removed His hand from our existence? What would that be like? First of all it would bring utter chaos but beyond that how would it feel? If we all woke up tomorrow and the hope that so many of us rely on was over night simply removed or cancelled... what would we do?

I have read many reports or studies that keep a pulse on the church in America and from I have read maybe in some places revival has been cancelled. Reports show that there are churches closing the doors for good in almost every city, town and neighborhood across our country. For numerous reasons they are just calling it quits. Maybe some of them need to close. They haven't seen a convert in over a decade. They haven't baptized anyone in recent history. They are more of a drain on the community than there are anything else. Maybe they should close down. Maybe revival has been cancelled. However, be not dismayed... there are some great, vibrant, healthy churches out there as well. I know first hand revival has not been cancelled. I see each week people from all walks of life being revived, brought back to life, new life!

But I ask myself this question... what if as of this moment on God never answered another prayer of mine. What would I do? I would hope and like to think that I would continue living my life and playing on His team but I can only imagine how discouraging that would be. If He never answered another prayer, I would still have my lifetime of personal miracles and do-overs to thank Him for. I would guess that I could take one day at a time and thank Him each of those days for just one answered prayer and never run out of days. I would like to think if He stopped responding to my petitions it wouldn't make a difference and I would carry on. But how many of my prayers are prayed out of sincere love for Him and mankind and how many are prayed because I need something? How many prayers are prayed because I am just flat out desperate for Him to move on my behalf? If He never answers another prayer... I still have a huge pile of things to be thankful for.

Revival cancelled? Not at my house... what about yours?

Saying revival cancelled is like saying Freedom Revoked... you don't have the authority.

life in the customer service line @ walmart

I realized today as I stood in the return line at customer service at my local Wal-Mart that Apple Bottom Jeans is an actual brand... all this time I just thought it was part of the song. Anyway, I am sure that at some point in every adults life we will all experience a Wal-Mart return. Thus was the case for me today. As I stood there I experienced a flood of emotions and questions...

For example, am I the only one that feels like if I don't have my receipt I am viewed as the guy who is trying to pull a fast one on the largest retailer in the world? I didn't have a receipt today and my simple exchange had to be reviewed by what seemed to be at least a half dozen managers. Now I am sure that there are those who were standing in the long line with me that were simply out to pull the wool over the CSR in charge but why the pressure? And what takes them so long? Everything is computerized but the process of scanning what I want to bring back along with the pain-staking scanning of my new merchandise was similar in length to a full store, late night inventory. But for some strange reason I still felt like I had to prove something to the clerk serving me today.

And if you have something from the electronic department to return, even if it is completely unopened... be prepared to give a full blown account of your actions for the last two months, a blood sample or two, and two of your three most recent credit reports. If it is something from ELECTRONICS that doesn't work, forget about it. You in for a good half hour ordeal. I witnessed it first hand today with a slightly elderly woman in front of me. The final call from the obvious big man on duty... "I will do it this time but just know I am doing you a favor and I will not be able to do this again." Oh mister wal-mart manager man... thank you so much for your grace and mercy as I return the broken merchandise that I paid good money for that didn't work to begin with. I am so sorry that I have inconvenienced you with my petty wish to actually get something that works. As you can sense I was a little perturbed by my trials and tribulations earlier this afternoon.

I guess the lesson I want to share is this... I am a simple man. I normally try to treat others with decency and appreciation. Is it too much to ask for to be treated in the same way. In the good book we find a valuable lesson in "treat others in the same way you would like to be treated." Or as we so fondly call it... the Golden Rule. Honestly I don't know if it is even in the scriptures that way but it should be. Life Lesson # 32 (from the book of Andrews) if I am rude, respond to me with rudeness. If I am nice and appreciative, help a brother out and return the service.

Until later, avoid the customer service line at Wal-Mart if at all possible.

there's no crying in soccer...

Every time I think about the movie "A League of Their Own" with Tom Hanks, Madonna, and others I think of my dear friend Phil Harris. I also remember the great scene and line by Hanks, "there's no crying in baseball..." Well, today the Andrews family began our journey in the world of girl's soccer. I have been blessed to be asked to serve Ella's (my 5 year old) team as assistant coach. The greatest humor in this is that I have no idea how to play soccer. In fact, the only rule I know is that you can't touch the ball. Which by the way is quite confusing to 5 and 6 year olds when they see someone throw the ball in from the sideline. Anyway, we had our first practice this morning and let me just say, "there is crying in soccer." I dealt with that scenario on numerous occasions today with multiple young athletes. Once I even kicked the ball and hit Ella in the arm which summoned an outpouring of emotion. Not to mention at 8:00 in the early morning Alabama heat my youngest fell apart when we told her she had to kick it one more time.

But all in all the initial experience was good. At this age you basically try to get the kids to learn a little ball control and learn how to have fun playing the sport. One of the greatest aspirations is just to instill the love of the game in each child so they will actually want to show up the next time out. Not a bad strategy I might add. Maybe we in the modern, American church can learn a bit from little league soccer. Am I as a father, are we as a culture, are we as believers, is the church... instilling in our children a love for the body of Christ? Are we teaching them by our actions how to fall in love with our Savior? When it is all said and done, do they want to show up in a place of worship because we make them or because they actually want to go? VBS is great and all but what do we do the rest of the year to create an atmosphere where our kids learn about God but equally as important actually want to go?

If our children are our future what kind of investments are we as the church making for that future? My church, Church of the Highlands, I feel does a great job at this. There are churches all over our city, state, and country that do a good job at creating a child friendly environment to learn about Christ. My heart goes out to those who do not. I want my girls to want to go to church. I do not ever want to be the kind of dad who makes my kids go (which I do not believe is actually a bad idea if it comes to that) but I want them to have that deep desire at an early age to know Christ but also to simply go to church. After all, "there's no crying in church."

Real Men Wear Sunscreen...

As I sat on a stool in an old fashioned soda shop in Apalachicola, FL listening to Lionel Ritchie sing "Stuck on You" during my recent family vacation... I realized that there are some things you do on vacation that you just don't do on normal days. A long standing tradition in our family is that we leave our watches at home when we leave for vacation. Time really doesn't matter. We declare it from the get go. We sleep late... well, I do anyway. I wear a hat almost everyday. If my wife doesn't want to wear make-up, she doesn't have to (and I might add that she looks amazing with no make-up. Seriously.) The rules of family vacation are just different. The pace is slower. The capturing of special family moments seems to slide up the importance scale a bit more. We make sure to relax and eat what we want, when we want. It's vacation.

With the exception of baseball caps and the absence of Lionel Ritchie, why aren't more days like vacation? I can only imagine that the stress levels would drastically fall. I often wonder what life was like in the "good old days"? When it took weeks to travel across country and days to cross the state. How simple life must have been. And why does the term "simple" have the connotation of poor and being without? I think we all need to take a big old break, take a few more deep breaths and relax. Why not enjoy the small things like sitting on the porch at night and watching for shooting stars? So, my deepest advice for America... slow down. Enjoy the ride. There's lots to see.

And as the title suggests, yes... I did wear sunscreen on my family beach vacation.

Binge Thinking.

Fads. Here today, gone tomorrow. Out of sight, out of mind. Why is it that we often don't think about certain things... that is until it seems a little more pertinent to our immediate situation? For example, what is the expiration date on your driver's license? I would be willing to bet that no one knows it without looking (except for those with self diagnosed OCD like members of my family). But once you realize that date of expiration is drawing near, then it becomes something to address. Or what about that little sticker you get each time you get an oil change. Are you really mentally aware of how many miles you travel between oil changes? If it weren't for those little stickers, maybe you might forget all together when you even got your oil changed last. There are so many things in life that we just tend to forget about until it becomes urgent.

What about our walk with God? I wonder if I am the only one that turns up the heat between me and the Lord whenever the heat gets turned up on me? Maybe you've noticed in your own life the tendency to think much more about Him when you sense the need for His intervention. Maybe you realize that He is not quite the center once thinks get shaky and you find yourself thinking about Him a little more often. Why is it we don't think about Him as much when things are going well? Why do we binge think during tough times?

I am realizing more than ever the dangers of binge drinking (which if you don't know means the excessive intake of alcohol during a short period of time) and as I think now I am also realizing the dangers of binge thinking. Lord, let me not neglect you during the easy days. Let me not forget You for even a moment.

By the way... have you changed the ac filter at your home? Have you changed the batteries in your smoke alarms?

n-da-pin-dance dae

for me... it's BBQ, homemade ice cream, all the family, fireworks in Homewood, buy one get one free bottle rockets and possibly a watermelon. Most of my life the 4th of July has been about everything other than celebrating my Independence. Even though as I have grown older I may have had more of an awareness about those who fought for my Independence and those who sacrificed, dreamed, believed and then kicked a little British booty but really it has been a simple and quaint acknowledgement at best of my true freedom and my amazing country. I imagine Independence is much like grace in that you really don't notice it unless you don't have it.

I can't imagine not having the freedom to choose who and how I worship but break it down a bit... how about not having the simple freedom to watch the news, or report the news, or even down to what I wear, drive, live? I can't even begin to imagine what life is like without freedom. I have absolutely no frame of reference to comprehend such a life. Or do I?

Spiritually speaking. God infused us all with the ability to choose, in a sense a freedom to make our own decisions. But on the flip side who wants to be independent from God? In the Bible it says that apart from Him we can do nothing. In my mind and my heart I would never consider living independently or away from God but what about my actions? Do they say otherwise? Do my actions tend to be those that I choose or the ones I feel He chooses? If I'm not careful here I can get a little confused. I love my Independence in one sense but I cherish even more my dependence. I thank God for options, however...

This 4th of July season I will celebrate two things. My Independence and my dependence. Happy BBQ day.

tiny miracles

I have often wondered why we don't experience more of the old school BIG miracles here in the good old USA. I have listened to way too many self-proclaimed theologians try to debate this issue and for me none them adequately make their case. Earlier this week I had the opportunity to go and speak to about 25 senior adults about The Foundry. After about 35 minutes of babbling chatter I sat down and a gentleman who appeared to be in his mid 70's stood and gave a brief devotion.

Near the end he told of an experience he had witnessed the day before. He had been called to the ER because a friend had fallen and had been knocked unconscious. When he arrived at the hospital he said he stood and softly prayed a very simple prayer that went something like this... "Lord, we commit him into your hands, please heal him." The man was quite delirious and coming and going out of consciousness. He was very physically shaken by his fall. About 15 minutes later the man suddenly popped out of his crazed state and was perfectly back to normal. In fact they released him from the hospital in no time at all and only a few short minutes earlier they were ordering every kind of test they could to find out what was wrong.

As the man finished his story he softly but forcefully proclaimed that God was still alive, walking with us and still performing miracles. The crowd that surrounded me erupted into an elderly applause. It resembled a quaint golf clap at best. I too joined in with my 11 seconds of amazing praise to the King of Kings for His mighty works.

Then as I sat there I wandered away mentally. Why is it that I just discounted a miracle? A supernatural intervention of the Lord Almighty and I dismissed it as a tiny miracle. Have I been so jaded that the normal everyday moves of God's Holy Spirit no longer move me? Will it take another "inside the belly of a whale" kind of moment to crank my motor? I have to imagine that I am not the only one that haphazardly clapped as you sat in a Sunday School class and listened to the testimony of a tiny miracle. Is there such a thing as a tiny miracle? Isn't a tiny miracle like a minor heart transplant?

Why is it that unless it is a raising of the dead we too often first respond with a skeptical attitude? Is it the church's fault? Is it my fault? Is the devil's fault? Let us NEVER forget that God is the same today, yesterday, and forever. There are no tiny miracles. Just ask those who have been on the receiving end of such miracles... and see what they say.

cultural diversity

This fine country of ours have often been referred to as a melting pot. You don't have to look very far to find someone that is exactly the opposite of you. Just yesterday I drove past two old men selling produce on the side of the road. At first I drove past but as I continued my drive I was intrigued by the two old birds and decided to turn around and check em out. As I got out of my truck and approached them they sat still in their folding lawn chairs, one in over-alls and the other sitting quietly as a trusty sidekick. I bought a watermelon and this seemed to give me an opportunity to talk. I think maybe I wanted to just talk more than I wanted the watermelon.

Anyway, they began to share with me a glimpse into their lives. The main guy, adorned in his finest Dickey's, began telling me the stories of his childhood. He was one of fourteen children (all from the same mother he added) and how he had worked on the family farm until his early 30's. He complained about the taxes he was having to pay on his produce and how "the man" was robbing him blind. He added some of the funniest (and dirtiest) jokes that I had heard in a long time. I stood with my watermelon and free tomato that he just wanted me to try and listened until I had to leave. He had other paying customers arriving and his attention quickly was re-routed.

As I drove home I thought about how different his life was from mine. We possibly shared the same opinion on taxes, a similar view on politics and who knows... maybe a resemblance on matters of faith. But we were still so very different.

I was reminded yet again how diverse our country is. I was even reminded how diverse our own lives can be. I was and am still challenged to embrace those who see through different shades this thing we call life. I hope my $6 contribution helps the old man out. Just a few minutes of conversation with him helped me in a great way to see that this is a big old world.