I spent Saturday at my friend Todd and Julie Kuiper's cottage in Grand Haven. Actually, it is Todd's parent's cottage and they are gracious enough to let us use it. The name of the cottage is called rest-a-while and the name is a perfect fit. Every year around Memorial Day the Kuipers invite Jon and Beth Wilmot and I to spend the weekend at the cottage. I have a lot of good memories at this cottage.
My first time at the cottage was way back in 1993 when a bunch of us college buddies stayed there and went to our friend Duke's wedding up in Fremont. I'll never forget that weekend. My old roommate Dan had never been to the beach so it was fun to show him the sand and the water. (I was also there when he saw his first escalator, which is a story I'll share in another post someday.) We had a great time that weekend. We grilled, went to the beach and stayed up late talking and playing cards. I miss a lot of those friends but am thankful that I still see Todd and Jon on a regular basis.
A couple years ago, it rained all weekend and the kids got stir crazy. Julie and Beth didn't love the fact that Jon and Todd and I played Video games all day while they took care of the kids. I didn't mind because I kept whooping on both of them in Madden 2000. It was also the first weekend after I broke up with Liz. I wasn't a couple anymore which was a little bit of an adjustment because Liz was such a good fit with the group. As I look back to that weekend it was actually fun but it reminded me that we are all growing up and how much life changes.
This year was very restful. During the day, we took Caleb, Josh and Ethan for a walk in the woods to look for squirrels. Then later in the day went down to play in the sand at the beach. Their kids are all so cool. Very well behaved. I am amazed how big Abby and AJ are getting. Abby has the cutest toothy grin. In the evening, Julie and Beth took the kids so we could have some guy time which is incredibly rare these days. We went to see Star Wars, played Race for the Whitehouse and talked about our fantasy baseball league. The only downside of the weekend besides losing to Jon, was that I didn't get to visit with Julie or Beth very much. They are both remarkable women and I still wonder how Todd and Jon got so lucky.
I love the fact that we have this annual get together. I enjoy my friends and Grand Haven is the perfect location. It is good to rest-a-while.
Monday, May 30, 2005
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Typical Day
People always give me funny looks when I tell them I am a legislative assistant. This is followed by the inevitable questions as to what does a legislative aide do exactly. So I thought I would share what I did today.
7:00 - I get to work and type up the minutes from last week's committee meeting. Then I put together the committee member's folders with information on everything that we are voting on in committee this morning.
8:30 - We started committee and since I am the clerk I get to call the roll, take minutes, etc. I also get to explain all the changes that were made to the bills before the committee members voted on them. Today's topics were mandating 55% of all loans made by the broadband authority be given to projects in rural counties. This is part of a rural job package of bills which I helped write. The bill passed pretty easily. The other topic was a little messier. There were two bills to create state loans and tax breaks for methane digesters which turn manure into gas energy. The Sierra Club was opposed to the bills because they think all big farms pollute and this bill could help them. After contentious debate, the bills passed 3-1.
10:00 - I got to sit on the senate floor for the annual Memorial Day Service. Several veterans came to the Senate floor. As they came in, the bag pipes were playing which sounded really cool. At the end each Senator who had a soldier die in his or her district read their name aloud and laid a folded flag in the center aisle. This was followed by the playing of Taps. It was a very moving ceremony and gave flesh to the real cost of war.
11:15- After the ceremony I go back to my office to sit in on a meeting to select what survey questions we want to ask in our literature that we plan to hand out this summer. Should we ask controversial questions or simple questions? What happens if the answers we receive from our constituents don't match up with my boss's views? We end up with 6 pretty vanilla questions.
12:15 I fill out my bill reports and walk the bills we passed out of committee over the Secretary of the Senate so they can placed on next week's calendar to be voted on.
1:30 I led about 25 mentally challenged constituents on a tour of the Capitol building. They were here lobbying for mental health care reform and decided they wanted a tour. They were great. We had fun and they asked a lot of good questions but they were a little hard to keep focused. One woman wanted to know if I had seen the angels that lived in the capitol building. No, but I have seen a lot of demons around the state capitol.
2:30- I was late for education committee which was okay because it was a rather dry presentation on a recent audit of the department of education. I won't go into details but the state needs some improvement on how we count the number of children in each school.
3:30 - I finally get to sit down at my desk only to get a call that two bills that I thought were going to run on the house floor today didn't move because a couple of republicans want more changes. These bills were part of the above mentioned rural jobs package. Hopefully we can work out the problems and have them move next week.
4:15 I spoke to the nursery and landscape association about a bill that we are sponsoring to prohibit invasive plant species. I want their support for the bills. I don't want to harm their industry but we do want to stop these harmful plants from ruining our environment. After a few minutes, we agree on some penalty language for selling the plants and things are looking good for the bill. We plan to vote on our bill next week Tuesday afternoon.
4:30 - I put in a request with the legislative service bureau to draft a bill to repeal a provision in the law that prevents a company from holding two race track licenses in Michigan. We have the only thoroughbred track in the state in our district and the same company is planning to build a new track in Romulus. The bill will allow them to stay in business in Muskegon. I also put another request in to change the dog bite law to make it a misdemeanor to flee the scene if your dog attacks someone. This is in regards to an attack that happened to my friend heidi's mother. You can read about it on her blog.
That brings me to 4:45 this afternoon. I have several phone calls and emails to return on topics ranging from the right to food processing law to the make up of the potato commission. And since the Governor vetoed the bills last year, I also still have to call the adminstration to try and find some consensus on the methane digester bills that were voted out of committee.
Sorry if this was a little detailed but I thought it might give you a glimpse into what a legislative assistant does on a daily basis.
7:00 - I get to work and type up the minutes from last week's committee meeting. Then I put together the committee member's folders with information on everything that we are voting on in committee this morning.
8:30 - We started committee and since I am the clerk I get to call the roll, take minutes, etc. I also get to explain all the changes that were made to the bills before the committee members voted on them. Today's topics were mandating 55% of all loans made by the broadband authority be given to projects in rural counties. This is part of a rural job package of bills which I helped write. The bill passed pretty easily. The other topic was a little messier. There were two bills to create state loans and tax breaks for methane digesters which turn manure into gas energy. The Sierra Club was opposed to the bills because they think all big farms pollute and this bill could help them. After contentious debate, the bills passed 3-1.
10:00 - I got to sit on the senate floor for the annual Memorial Day Service. Several veterans came to the Senate floor. As they came in, the bag pipes were playing which sounded really cool. At the end each Senator who had a soldier die in his or her district read their name aloud and laid a folded flag in the center aisle. This was followed by the playing of Taps. It was a very moving ceremony and gave flesh to the real cost of war.
11:15- After the ceremony I go back to my office to sit in on a meeting to select what survey questions we want to ask in our literature that we plan to hand out this summer. Should we ask controversial questions or simple questions? What happens if the answers we receive from our constituents don't match up with my boss's views? We end up with 6 pretty vanilla questions.
12:15 I fill out my bill reports and walk the bills we passed out of committee over the Secretary of the Senate so they can placed on next week's calendar to be voted on.
1:30 I led about 25 mentally challenged constituents on a tour of the Capitol building. They were here lobbying for mental health care reform and decided they wanted a tour. They were great. We had fun and they asked a lot of good questions but they were a little hard to keep focused. One woman wanted to know if I had seen the angels that lived in the capitol building. No, but I have seen a lot of demons around the state capitol.
2:30- I was late for education committee which was okay because it was a rather dry presentation on a recent audit of the department of education. I won't go into details but the state needs some improvement on how we count the number of children in each school.
3:30 - I finally get to sit down at my desk only to get a call that two bills that I thought were going to run on the house floor today didn't move because a couple of republicans want more changes. These bills were part of the above mentioned rural jobs package. Hopefully we can work out the problems and have them move next week.
4:15 I spoke to the nursery and landscape association about a bill that we are sponsoring to prohibit invasive plant species. I want their support for the bills. I don't want to harm their industry but we do want to stop these harmful plants from ruining our environment. After a few minutes, we agree on some penalty language for selling the plants and things are looking good for the bill. We plan to vote on our bill next week Tuesday afternoon.
4:30 - I put in a request with the legislative service bureau to draft a bill to repeal a provision in the law that prevents a company from holding two race track licenses in Michigan. We have the only thoroughbred track in the state in our district and the same company is planning to build a new track in Romulus. The bill will allow them to stay in business in Muskegon. I also put another request in to change the dog bite law to make it a misdemeanor to flee the scene if your dog attacks someone. This is in regards to an attack that happened to my friend heidi's mother. You can read about it on her blog.
That brings me to 4:45 this afternoon. I have several phone calls and emails to return on topics ranging from the right to food processing law to the make up of the potato commission. And since the Governor vetoed the bills last year, I also still have to call the adminstration to try and find some consensus on the methane digester bills that were voted out of committee.
Sorry if this was a little detailed but I thought it might give you a glimpse into what a legislative assistant does on a daily basis.
Monday, May 23, 2005
A prayer for Laurie
(Note: My good friend Laurie is moving this Wednesday to New Zealand to work for a Wesleyan church in Auckland. The following is my prayer for her.)
Dear God:
Thank you Lord for bringing Laurie into my life many years ago. I have always appreciated her friendship. Thank you even more that you have shaped her and molded her into the woman she has become. A woman whose heart truly follows after yours. A woman who is willing to sacrifice the comforts and familiarities of this country in exchange for sharing your love to kids in New Zealand. She said it best the other night when she said it would be harder for her to stay than to go. Please give me that same sense of purpose and conviction when it comes to following your direction in my life.
Thank you Lord that you have given her the past couple years to learn and work with kids at Kentwood Community Church. I know she would have liked to have left sooner but all along you were preparing her to be more effective by sharpening her skills. May you bless her for her willingness to wait and use the skills she has learned to further your work. Give me the same patience as I wait upon you.
Please protect Laurie from the enemy. He is willing to do anything he can to protect his territory. May you surround Laurie with your angels as she moves to the front lines of the battle. Give her a safe trip this week. Help her to be ready to work when she gets there even though she might be tired from jet lag and in culture shock. Prepare a place for her to live. Provide for her enough resources to complete her work there. Move in my heart and the hearts of others to give and sacrifice our conveniences to support her ministry.
Lord, please help Laurie to make meaningful, lasting relationships with people of New Zealand. Help her understand their language and culture. Give her and the people at the church a united purpose. Give them patience and grace to work together in achieving that common purpose. Give her compassion for the kids she will come in contact with. Help her to communicate clearly and effectively. Do not let her get discouraged or disheartened.
Prepare the people of Auckland to receive your gospel Lord. May your word of comfort and hope and redemption seep deep into their hearts. You have broken into other countries with the good news of the gospel and I expect the same thing to happen in New Zealand through the work of Laurie and others like her.
Thank you again for Laurie and how special she has become to me. Go with her Lord. Bless her work. Use her as an example to the people of New Zealand and to those she has chosen to leave behind.
In the Name of Jesus Christ,
Jeff
Dear God:
Thank you Lord for bringing Laurie into my life many years ago. I have always appreciated her friendship. Thank you even more that you have shaped her and molded her into the woman she has become. A woman whose heart truly follows after yours. A woman who is willing to sacrifice the comforts and familiarities of this country in exchange for sharing your love to kids in New Zealand. She said it best the other night when she said it would be harder for her to stay than to go. Please give me that same sense of purpose and conviction when it comes to following your direction in my life.
Thank you Lord that you have given her the past couple years to learn and work with kids at Kentwood Community Church. I know she would have liked to have left sooner but all along you were preparing her to be more effective by sharpening her skills. May you bless her for her willingness to wait and use the skills she has learned to further your work. Give me the same patience as I wait upon you.
Please protect Laurie from the enemy. He is willing to do anything he can to protect his territory. May you surround Laurie with your angels as she moves to the front lines of the battle. Give her a safe trip this week. Help her to be ready to work when she gets there even though she might be tired from jet lag and in culture shock. Prepare a place for her to live. Provide for her enough resources to complete her work there. Move in my heart and the hearts of others to give and sacrifice our conveniences to support her ministry.
Lord, please help Laurie to make meaningful, lasting relationships with people of New Zealand. Help her understand their language and culture. Give her and the people at the church a united purpose. Give them patience and grace to work together in achieving that common purpose. Give her compassion for the kids she will come in contact with. Help her to communicate clearly and effectively. Do not let her get discouraged or disheartened.
Prepare the people of Auckland to receive your gospel Lord. May your word of comfort and hope and redemption seep deep into their hearts. You have broken into other countries with the good news of the gospel and I expect the same thing to happen in New Zealand through the work of Laurie and others like her.
Thank you again for Laurie and how special she has become to me. Go with her Lord. Bless her work. Use her as an example to the people of New Zealand and to those she has chosen to leave behind.
In the Name of Jesus Christ,
Jeff
Friday, May 20, 2005
Church Growth
This weekend our church is scheduled to vote on whether or not to pursue a new building project. Over the past few years we are growing at a rapid pace and our current facility is not big enough for all the people coming. This is a great challenge to face and I am praying that we have wisdom in our response. I was speaking to a friend at the church about it and he said that God is bringing us new people and we have to have a place for them. He said we didn't ask to be a big church. He's absolutely right but we need to examine all our options and I am not completely sold on the idea that building a new church or even expanding our current place is the answer.
Before we build, I want our church to have vision for what kind of church we want to be. Simply because people are coming to our church, does that mean we want to be a big church? Is that our only response? I fear that by opposing a new building project I will be seen as being anti church growth. That is not my position. When we think of church growth we most often think of increasing the number of people in the church. What if we think of it in terms of increasing the number of churches in the area?
I recently spoke to another good friend of mine whose church is on the cutting edge of the church planting movement and I really think they are on to something. As they grow to a certain size, they take lay people from their congregation and plant new churches. Their church is growing but they are not faced with where to build but rather where to start a new church. Building new and bigger churches is a model which has worked in the past but today's church should consider a new paradigm of planting churches instead.
Now there are benefits to bigger churches. They typically have better facilities, more professional presentation and bigger budgets. However, most people in my generation, myself included, are looking for community and relationships and authenticity rather than presentation. Bigger churches have a more difficult time providing this sense of intimacy. Since we live in a corporate world and many church leaders like to apply corporate principles to the church, I'd like to use starbucks as an analogy. When you go to starbucks you go for the coffee, but more than that your go for atmosphere. Starbucks knows this and that is why they don't build huge coffee shops. Instead they build multiple smaller stores to meet the demand and maintain their identity. In fact in some cities you will see a starbucks on every corner. It would be cheaper and more efficient for them to build a super starbucks but that is not their mission. I propose the church should adopt the starbucks model.
By writing this, I do not mean to impugn or disparage big churches or the people in my church who support a new building project. There is room to disagree on how we proceed. I just want to point out that there is an alternate answer and share my vision for how we meet the challenges we are facing.
Before we build, I want our church to have vision for what kind of church we want to be. Simply because people are coming to our church, does that mean we want to be a big church? Is that our only response? I fear that by opposing a new building project I will be seen as being anti church growth. That is not my position. When we think of church growth we most often think of increasing the number of people in the church. What if we think of it in terms of increasing the number of churches in the area?
I recently spoke to another good friend of mine whose church is on the cutting edge of the church planting movement and I really think they are on to something. As they grow to a certain size, they take lay people from their congregation and plant new churches. Their church is growing but they are not faced with where to build but rather where to start a new church. Building new and bigger churches is a model which has worked in the past but today's church should consider a new paradigm of planting churches instead.
Now there are benefits to bigger churches. They typically have better facilities, more professional presentation and bigger budgets. However, most people in my generation, myself included, are looking for community and relationships and authenticity rather than presentation. Bigger churches have a more difficult time providing this sense of intimacy. Since we live in a corporate world and many church leaders like to apply corporate principles to the church, I'd like to use starbucks as an analogy. When you go to starbucks you go for the coffee, but more than that your go for atmosphere. Starbucks knows this and that is why they don't build huge coffee shops. Instead they build multiple smaller stores to meet the demand and maintain their identity. In fact in some cities you will see a starbucks on every corner. It would be cheaper and more efficient for them to build a super starbucks but that is not their mission. I propose the church should adopt the starbucks model.
By writing this, I do not mean to impugn or disparage big churches or the people in my church who support a new building project. There is room to disagree on how we proceed. I just want to point out that there is an alternate answer and share my vision for how we meet the challenges we are facing.
Monday, May 16, 2005
Freckles update
Freckles came home Thursday night. She is not eating much but is in good spirits. If she doesn't start to eat and drink more I may have to take her back to the Vet this week. I have enjoyed having her home this weekend and am hopeful she can continue to get better. The Vet thinks she has a 50/50 chance of recovering full use of her kidneys and she is not out of the woods yet. Thank you to all who prayed for her recovery.
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Freckles
It has been a scary week. Monday morning I took my cat Freckles to the vet because she had been throwing up and not eating for a couple days. The week before I took her to MSU animal hospital and she was diagnosed with arthritis and they gave her some anti-inflammatory medicine to take. I found out on Monday that the medicine had caused her kidneys to stop working. My Vet was very good and immediately gave her treatment and Freckles has been in the hospital the past two days flushing her kidneys. At first I was concerned she might not make it but she is making progress and I may get to take her home as early as tomorrow.
The thought of losing her really got to me yesterday. I discovered through her illness how emotionally involved I have become with her. I know that sounds weird but she is who I come home to everyday. Before I met Freckles, I was never a cat person but my good friends the Blairs had to get rid of her and so they asked me to take her. Freckles and I hit it off right away and she has lived with me for over 2 years now. She is the sweetest cat I know. She and I have a lot of common interests including laying around and napping. Last night it was hard to sleep without her because I was so used to having her around.
I look forward to having Freckles back home soon.
The thought of losing her really got to me yesterday. I discovered through her illness how emotionally involved I have become with her. I know that sounds weird but she is who I come home to everyday. Before I met Freckles, I was never a cat person but my good friends the Blairs had to get rid of her and so they asked me to take her. Freckles and I hit it off right away and she has lived with me for over 2 years now. She is the sweetest cat I know. She and I have a lot of common interests including laying around and napping. Last night it was hard to sleep without her because I was so used to having her around.
I look forward to having Freckles back home soon.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Very Bad Movies
Derek's blog has a recent post on the best movies of the past 30 years. This got me to thinking about my favorite movies and I thought I would come up with my own list. But instead of my favorites, I decided to write about the 10 worst movies. The only criteria I gave myself was that I had to actually suffer through at least a portion of the movie. This excludes such classics as Ishtar, Waterworld, Leonard Part 6 and Kazaam from the list. The hardest part about this list was limiting it to only 10 movies. Without further ado, here is my list:
1. Pulp Fiction I have no idea why this appears on many people's list of favorites. It was nothing but pointless violence. Unfortunately, a whole genre was created out of it.
2. Pokemon2 The artwork was terrible and the plot was incomprehensible. Whoever marketed this crap was a genius.
3. The Crying Game The climax of the story (no pun intended) is when the main character realizes that the girl he is dating is not really a girl. If that's your thing, you might enjoy the movie but it made me want to throw up.
4. October Sky I saw this movie on a date and it was the longest, most boring movie ever made. It has something to do with a kid, a rocket and a mining town or something. I think we turned it off half way through but it seemed like it took a lifetime.
5. Bowling for Columbine I had no idea what the movie was about and got dragged to it by my friend Andrea. I still haven't forgiven her. Nothing but lies and clever editing. I made her leave early.
6. 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag I saw this movie for free. Thank God because I would hate to think I wasted money on it. It had Joe Pesci in it but even he couldn't save this debacle.
7. Transylvania 65000 This movie was supposed to be funny. I never laughed. Not even a chuckle. It was one of Michael Richard's (Kramer) earliest movies but even he wasn't funny.
8. Ready to Wear Wow this movie was bad. I saw it with my friend CJ and still wonder why we picked it. It had Lots of stars and plots lines and even a naked pregnant woman but there no point to the movie whatsoever.
9. American Beauty It is hard to believe that this movie won best picture. It was nothing but propaganda for drug use and pedophilia.
10. Rocky V How do you ruin the Rocky series? Have Tommy Morrison star in this film. I love Rocky but I think the makers of this movie took a few too many shots to the head filming the earlier Rockies.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
David Stern Can Bite Me
I am sick and tired of NBA commissioner David Stern and his bullying antics. Last week, Jeff Van Gundy who coaches the Houston Rockets, complained about how the referees were calling falls on his player Yao Ming. It appears that after the first two games in the playoffs, the opposing team suggested to the league that Yao was committing illegal screens. The very next game he got called for these fouls. Van Gundy received an anonymous call from a referee who told him that they were instructed to give special attention to Yao and to call more fouls on him. When Van Gundy publicly complained about this mistreatment David Stern fined him $100,000. He also demanded that he reveal the name of the referee and threatened to kick him out of the league altogether if he did not provide the name.
Much has been said that the reason Stern is upset with Van Gundy is because he feels that his complaints give the NBA a bad name and make it look like games can be influenced by the referees. To which I say, yes the games are fixed and its about time somebody had the guts to say so. The real reason Stern is upset is because he is fearful of somebody exposing the leagues unfair approach to calling fouls on certain players and not calling fouls on other players.
The NBA is notorious for giving special treatment to their star players and for calling games so that teams from big cities do well. They are more concerned about TV ratings, Jersey sales and marketing their star players than they are about the fair treatment of teams and players. This is why Michael Jordan never fouled out of a game and why Shaq never gets called for charging even though he throws his shoulder into his opponent at every opportunity.
The NBA wants the Jordans and the Shaqs to do well. They also want LA, Chicago, and NY to win and will do whatever they can to manipulate the system to give them an advantage. Players who are not stars and who play for a small market team never get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to calling fouls. This is what makes it even more shocking that the Pistons were able to overcome this bias and beat the Lakers last year. To see this bias, one only needs to compare how the Pistons were treated by the NBA and the TV schedulers to how the Lakers were treated. If you didn't know better you would think the Lakers won last year because they were showcased and hyped by the league instead of the Pistons.
I hope Van Gundy sticks to his guns and tells David Stern what he can do with his $100,000 fine. Better yet, I hope he refuses to pay it. It would send a signal that the time has come for a change and help keep the spotlight on the NBA and their bias towards the teams they choose. The NBA would be much better off if they just called games evenly and treated each player the same. It would allow the best team to win and restore confidence to a lot of fans. David Stern's treatment of Jeff Van Gundy for daring to speak out on this chicanery does nothing more than fuel an already existing concern that the sport is corrupt.
Much has been said that the reason Stern is upset with Van Gundy is because he feels that his complaints give the NBA a bad name and make it look like games can be influenced by the referees. To which I say, yes the games are fixed and its about time somebody had the guts to say so. The real reason Stern is upset is because he is fearful of somebody exposing the leagues unfair approach to calling fouls on certain players and not calling fouls on other players.
The NBA is notorious for giving special treatment to their star players and for calling games so that teams from big cities do well. They are more concerned about TV ratings, Jersey sales and marketing their star players than they are about the fair treatment of teams and players. This is why Michael Jordan never fouled out of a game and why Shaq never gets called for charging even though he throws his shoulder into his opponent at every opportunity.
The NBA wants the Jordans and the Shaqs to do well. They also want LA, Chicago, and NY to win and will do whatever they can to manipulate the system to give them an advantage. Players who are not stars and who play for a small market team never get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to calling fouls. This is what makes it even more shocking that the Pistons were able to overcome this bias and beat the Lakers last year. To see this bias, one only needs to compare how the Pistons were treated by the NBA and the TV schedulers to how the Lakers were treated. If you didn't know better you would think the Lakers won last year because they were showcased and hyped by the league instead of the Pistons.
I hope Van Gundy sticks to his guns and tells David Stern what he can do with his $100,000 fine. Better yet, I hope he refuses to pay it. It would send a signal that the time has come for a change and help keep the spotlight on the NBA and their bias towards the teams they choose. The NBA would be much better off if they just called games evenly and treated each player the same. It would allow the best team to win and restore confidence to a lot of fans. David Stern's treatment of Jeff Van Gundy for daring to speak out on this chicanery does nothing more than fuel an already existing concern that the sport is corrupt.
Sunday, May 01, 2005
Blind Dates and Boxing
It was another interesting weekend. Initially, my friend Ray's Mom was trying to set me up on a blind date with one of her friends. I have a bad history with blind dates. I am always amazed at why people would think I have anything in common with the person whom I am being set up with. But I told Ray I was open to it because at this point, I figure I have nothing to lose other than my dignity and a few hours on Saturday night.
I know it sounds sad the my dating life has become so bad that I have friend's moms trying to set me up with unsuspecting women. What's even sadder is that the women wasn't interested and decided not to do it. Now I am used to getting turned down on dates but usually it takes knowing me a few weeks. I didn't even get to use any of my boyish charm and good looks to win her over.
As it turns out, Ray and I went to the Golden Glove boxing state championship instead. We were waiting in the lobby debating whether or not to buy tickets because they were more expensive than we thought. I am trying to save money and Ray has always been thrifty with a buck. Anyways, out of the blue a guy comes up to me and asks me if I want his ticket for free. It was a very generous gesture and so we decided to stay and watch the boxing.
I had never seen boxing live and it was fun. The first match was between two women which was a little weird. I think I could probably take both of them. Of course they were only 119 pounds. Once the men started fighting the action got a lot better. I sat next to a drunk guy who kept wanting to wager a buck on each fight with me. Eventually, I took him up on it until he was all out money. At one point he was collecting all his loose change so he could continue betting with me. Some people never learn. Ray and I also were picking each fight but only for bragging rights. So I guess I can brag because I kicked his butt.
On the way home, I realized how lucky I am to have a friend like Ray. I have known him since junior high and we have gone through a lot together. He's a really good guy and we had a fun night together. It sure beat going on a blind date.
I know it sounds sad the my dating life has become so bad that I have friend's moms trying to set me up with unsuspecting women. What's even sadder is that the women wasn't interested and decided not to do it. Now I am used to getting turned down on dates but usually it takes knowing me a few weeks. I didn't even get to use any of my boyish charm and good looks to win her over.
As it turns out, Ray and I went to the Golden Glove boxing state championship instead. We were waiting in the lobby debating whether or not to buy tickets because they were more expensive than we thought. I am trying to save money and Ray has always been thrifty with a buck. Anyways, out of the blue a guy comes up to me and asks me if I want his ticket for free. It was a very generous gesture and so we decided to stay and watch the boxing.
I had never seen boxing live and it was fun. The first match was between two women which was a little weird. I think I could probably take both of them. Of course they were only 119 pounds. Once the men started fighting the action got a lot better. I sat next to a drunk guy who kept wanting to wager a buck on each fight with me. Eventually, I took him up on it until he was all out money. At one point he was collecting all his loose change so he could continue betting with me. Some people never learn. Ray and I also were picking each fight but only for bragging rights. So I guess I can brag because I kicked his butt.
On the way home, I realized how lucky I am to have a friend like Ray. I have known him since junior high and we have gone through a lot together. He's a really good guy and we had a fun night together. It sure beat going on a blind date.
Thursday, April 28, 2005
On Saying Goodbye
Today I had to say goodbye to good friend of mine. We met just a few months ago as she worked for another Senator on my floor. Her boss sits on the agriculture committee, which my boss chairs, and so we were able to work together on several issues and developed a friendship in a very short time. She is leaving the legislature to go work for a private corporation in Detroit and today was her last day. This afternoon, we exchanged one of those awkward hugs in the hallway when both people really don't like to say goodbye. We also talked about how we'll get together soon and call and email etc. But I know that things will change and I am going to miss having her close by.
Since moving to Lansing in January of 1999 I have noticed a familiar trend. I meet people either at work or church or in the community and we quickly bond. Typically it is with someone whom I didn't anticipate becoming friends but I end up enjoying their company. We begin to hang out and then about a year or two go by and my new friend has a job opportunity in another town. So I say goodbye, get a little discouraged that my friend is moving on and wish that I was the one moving instead. Then after a brief time a new friend comes along and fills the vacuum that was left by their absence. I conservatively estimate this process to have repeated itself 10 times in my brief time in Lansing.
Quite frankly it is getting harder and harder to be the person left behind as others move on to other cities and new jobs. However, I have learned several valuable lessons from this process.
Since moving to Lansing in January of 1999 I have noticed a familiar trend. I meet people either at work or church or in the community and we quickly bond. Typically it is with someone whom I didn't anticipate becoming friends but I end up enjoying their company. We begin to hang out and then about a year or two go by and my new friend has a job opportunity in another town. So I say goodbye, get a little discouraged that my friend is moving on and wish that I was the one moving instead. Then after a brief time a new friend comes along and fills the vacuum that was left by their absence. I conservatively estimate this process to have repeated itself 10 times in my brief time in Lansing.
Quite frankly it is getting harder and harder to be the person left behind as others move on to other cities and new jobs. However, I have learned several valuable lessons from this process.
- I make friends fairly easily and with a broad range of people. This is truly a blessing because I have noticed others are not able to develop relationships so quickly.
- Along with number one, I never know who my next friend will be. My friends have included liberals, conservatives, men, women, extroverts, introverts, blacks, whites, Christians, non-Christians and I have even been friends with an Oakland Raiders fan.
- Each time I lose a friend, God has been faithful to provide new friendships. For this I am very thankful. I just have to be patient.
- I value the friends that I still have in Lansing a lot of more because I know how tenuous our time together is.
- True friendships transcend geographic boundaries. I now have friends in about a third of the fifty states. This provides me great opportunities to travel. Thank God cell phones have free long distance.
- I would not have as many friendships if my other friends had not moved away. I would have been comfortable with my old friends and missed out on getting to know a lot of really cool, interesting people.
- It now takes me a little longer to open up to people because I fear I might have to say goodbye. But each time I do invest in others, I don't regret it even when they leave.
Monday, April 25, 2005
Benedict XVI
The following is the text of Cardinal Ratzinger's homily to the college of cardinals as they gathered to pick the pope. It provides a glimpse of the new pope's worldview.
"At this hour of great responsibility, we hear with special consideration what the Lord says to us in his own words. From the three readings I would like to examine just a few passages which concern us directly at this time.
The first reading gives us a prophetic depiction of the person of the Messiah - a depiction which takes all its meaning from the moment Jesus reads the text in the synagogue in Nazareth, when he says: "Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing" (Lk 4,21). At the core of the prophetic text we find a word which seems contradictory, at least at first sight. The Messiah, speaking of himself, says that he was sent "To announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God" (Is 61,2). We hear with joy the news of a year of favor: divine mercy puts a limit on evil - the Holy Father told us. Jesus Christ is divine mercy in person: encountering Christ means encountering the mercy of God. Christ's mandate has become our mandate through priestly anointing. We are called to proclaim - not only with our words, but with our lives, and through the valuable signs of the sacraments, the "year of favor from the Lord". But what does the prophet Isaiah mean when he announces the "day of vindication by our God"? In Nazareth, Jesus did not pronounce these words in his reading of the prophet's text - Jesus concluded by announcing the year of favor. Was this, perhaps, the reason for the scandal which took place after his sermon? We do not know. In any case, the Lord gave a genuine commentary on these words by being put to death on the cross. Saint Peter says: "He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross" (1 Pe 2,24). And Saint Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians: "Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, 'Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree', that the blessing of Abraham might be extended to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Gal 3, 13s).
The mercy of Christ is not a cheap grace; it does not presume a trivialization of evil. Christ carries in his body and on his soul all the weight of evil, and all its destructive force. He burns and transforms evil through suffering, in the fire of his suffering love. The day of vindication and the year of favor meet in the paschal mystery, in Christ died and risen. This is the vindication of God: he himself, in the person of the Son, suffers for us. The more we are touched by the mercy of the Lord, the more we draw closer in solidarity with his suffering - and become willing to bear in our flesh "what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ" (Col 1, 24).
In the second reading, the letter to the Ephesians, we see basically three aspects: first, the ministries and charisms in the Church, as gifts of the Lord risen and ascended into heaven. Then there is the maturing of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, as a condition and essence of unity in the body of Christ. Finally, there is the common participation in the growth of the body of Christ - of the transformation of the world into communion with the Lord.
Let us dwell on only two points. The first is the journey towards "the maturity of Christ" as it is said in the Italian text, simplifying it a bit. More precisely, according to the Greek text, we should speak of the "measure of the fullness of Christ", to which we are called to reach in order to be true adults in the faith. We should not remain infants in faith, in a state of minority. And what does it mean to be an infant in faith? Saint Paul answers: it means "tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery" (Eph 4, 14). This description is very relevant today!
How many winds of doctrine we have known in recent decades, how many ideological currents, how many ways of thinking... The small boat of thought of many Christians has often been tossed about by these waves - thrown from one extreme to the other: from Marxism to liberalism, even to libertinism; from collectivism to radical individualism; from atheism to a vague religious mysticism; from agnosticism to syncretism, and so forth. Every day new sects are created and what Saint Paul says about human trickery comes true, with cunning which tries to draw those into error (cf Eph 4, 14). Having a clear faith, based on the Creed of the Church, is often labeled today as a fundamentalism. Whereas, relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and "swept along by every wind of teaching", looks like the only attitude (acceptable) to today's standards. We are moving towards a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires.
However, we have a different goal: the Son of God, true man. He is the measure of true humanism. Being an "Adult" means having a faith which does not follow the waves of today's fashions or the latest novelties. A faith which is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ is adult and mature. It is this friendship which opens us up to all that is good and gives us the knowledge to judge true from false, and deceit from truth. We must become mature in this adult faith; we must guide the flock of Christ to this faith. And it is this faith - only faith - which creates unity and takes form in love. On this theme, Saint Paul offers us some beautiful words - in contrast to the continual ups and downs of those were are like infants, tossed about by the waves: (he says) make truth in love, as the basic formula of Christian existence. In Christ, truth and love coincide. To the extent that we draw near to Christ, in our own life, truth and love merge. Love without truth would be blind; truth without love would be like "a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal" (1 Cor 13,1).
Looking now at the richness of the Gospel reading, I would like to make only two small observations. The Lord addresses to us these wonderful words: "I no longer call you slaves...I have called you friends" (Jn 15,15). So many times we feel like, and it is true, that we are only useless servants. (cf Lk 17,10). And despite this, the Lord calls us friends, he makes us his friends, he gives us his friendship. The Lord defines friendship in a dual way. There are no secrets among friends: Christ tells us all everything he hears from the Father; he gives us his full trust, and with that, also knowledge. He reveals his face and his heart to us. He shows us his tenderness for us, his passionate love that goes to the madness of the cross. He entrusts us, he gives us power to speak in his name: "this is my body...", "I forgive you...". He entrusts us with his body, the Church. He entrusts our weak minds and our weak hands with his truth - the mystery of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the mystery of God who "so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son" (Jn 3, 16). He made us his friends - and how do we respond?
The second element with which Jesus defines friendship is the communion of wills. For the Romans "Idem velle - idem nolle", (same desires, same dislikes ) was also the definition of friendship. "You are my friends if you do what I command you." (Jn 15, 14). Friendship with Christ coincides with what is said in the third request of the Our Father: "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". At the hour in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus transformed our rebellious human will in a will shaped and united to the divine will. He suffered the whole experience of our autonomy - and precisely bringing our will into the hands of God, he have us true freedom: "Not my will, but your will be done". In this communion of wills our redemption takes place: being friends of Jesus to become friends of God. How much more we love Jesus, how much more we know him, how much more our true freedom grows as well as our joy in being redeemed. Thank you, Jesus, for your friendship!
The other element of the Gospel to which I would like to refer is the teaching of Jesus on bearing fruit: "I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain" (Jn 15, 16). It is here that is expressed the dynamic existence of the Christian, the apostle: I chose you to go and bear fruit...". We must be inspired by a holy restlessness: restlessness to bring to everyone the gift of faith, of friendship with Christ. In truth, the love and friendship of God was given to us so that it would also be shared with others. We have received the faith to give it to others - we are priests meant to serve others. And we must bring a fruit that will remain. All people want to leave a mark which lasts. But what remains? Money does not. Buildings do not, nor books. After a certain amount of time, whether long or short, all these things disappear. The only thing which remains forever is the human soul, the human person created by God for eternity. The fruit which remains then is that which we have sowed in human souls - love, knowledge, a gesture capable of touching the heart, words which open the soul to joy in the Lord. Let us then go to the Lord and pray to him, so that he may help us bear fruit which remains. Only in this way will the earth be changed from a valley of tears to a garden of God.
In conclusion, returning again to the letter to the Ephesians, which says with words from Psalm 68 that Christ, ascending into heaven, "gave gifts to men" (Eph 4,8). The victor offers gifts. And these gifts are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Our ministry is a gift of Christ to humankind, to build up his body - the new world. We live out our ministry in this way, as a gift of Christ to humanity! But at this time, above all, we pray with insistence to the Lord, so that after the great gift of Pope John Paul II, he again gives us a pastor according to his own heart, a pastor who guides us to knowledge in Christ, to his love and to true joy. Amen."
"At this hour of great responsibility, we hear with special consideration what the Lord says to us in his own words. From the three readings I would like to examine just a few passages which concern us directly at this time.
The first reading gives us a prophetic depiction of the person of the Messiah - a depiction which takes all its meaning from the moment Jesus reads the text in the synagogue in Nazareth, when he says: "Today this scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing" (Lk 4,21). At the core of the prophetic text we find a word which seems contradictory, at least at first sight. The Messiah, speaking of himself, says that he was sent "To announce a year of favor from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God" (Is 61,2). We hear with joy the news of a year of favor: divine mercy puts a limit on evil - the Holy Father told us. Jesus Christ is divine mercy in person: encountering Christ means encountering the mercy of God. Christ's mandate has become our mandate through priestly anointing. We are called to proclaim - not only with our words, but with our lives, and through the valuable signs of the sacraments, the "year of favor from the Lord". But what does the prophet Isaiah mean when he announces the "day of vindication by our God"? In Nazareth, Jesus did not pronounce these words in his reading of the prophet's text - Jesus concluded by announcing the year of favor. Was this, perhaps, the reason for the scandal which took place after his sermon? We do not know. In any case, the Lord gave a genuine commentary on these words by being put to death on the cross. Saint Peter says: "He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross" (1 Pe 2,24). And Saint Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians: "Christ ransomed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, 'Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree', that the blessing of Abraham might be extended to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." (Gal 3, 13s).
The mercy of Christ is not a cheap grace; it does not presume a trivialization of evil. Christ carries in his body and on his soul all the weight of evil, and all its destructive force. He burns and transforms evil through suffering, in the fire of his suffering love. The day of vindication and the year of favor meet in the paschal mystery, in Christ died and risen. This is the vindication of God: he himself, in the person of the Son, suffers for us. The more we are touched by the mercy of the Lord, the more we draw closer in solidarity with his suffering - and become willing to bear in our flesh "what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ" (Col 1, 24).
In the second reading, the letter to the Ephesians, we see basically three aspects: first, the ministries and charisms in the Church, as gifts of the Lord risen and ascended into heaven. Then there is the maturing of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, as a condition and essence of unity in the body of Christ. Finally, there is the common participation in the growth of the body of Christ - of the transformation of the world into communion with the Lord.
Let us dwell on only two points. The first is the journey towards "the maturity of Christ" as it is said in the Italian text, simplifying it a bit. More precisely, according to the Greek text, we should speak of the "measure of the fullness of Christ", to which we are called to reach in order to be true adults in the faith. We should not remain infants in faith, in a state of minority. And what does it mean to be an infant in faith? Saint Paul answers: it means "tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery" (Eph 4, 14). This description is very relevant today!
How many winds of doctrine we have known in recent decades, how many ideological currents, how many ways of thinking... The small boat of thought of many Christians has often been tossed about by these waves - thrown from one extreme to the other: from Marxism to liberalism, even to libertinism; from collectivism to radical individualism; from atheism to a vague religious mysticism; from agnosticism to syncretism, and so forth. Every day new sects are created and what Saint Paul says about human trickery comes true, with cunning which tries to draw those into error (cf Eph 4, 14). Having a clear faith, based on the Creed of the Church, is often labeled today as a fundamentalism. Whereas, relativism, which is letting oneself be tossed and "swept along by every wind of teaching", looks like the only attitude (acceptable) to today's standards. We are moving towards a dictatorship of relativism which does not recognize anything as for certain and which has as its highest goal one's own ego and one's own desires.
However, we have a different goal: the Son of God, true man. He is the measure of true humanism. Being an "Adult" means having a faith which does not follow the waves of today's fashions or the latest novelties. A faith which is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ is adult and mature. It is this friendship which opens us up to all that is good and gives us the knowledge to judge true from false, and deceit from truth. We must become mature in this adult faith; we must guide the flock of Christ to this faith. And it is this faith - only faith - which creates unity and takes form in love. On this theme, Saint Paul offers us some beautiful words - in contrast to the continual ups and downs of those were are like infants, tossed about by the waves: (he says) make truth in love, as the basic formula of Christian existence. In Christ, truth and love coincide. To the extent that we draw near to Christ, in our own life, truth and love merge. Love without truth would be blind; truth without love would be like "a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal" (1 Cor 13,1).
Looking now at the richness of the Gospel reading, I would like to make only two small observations. The Lord addresses to us these wonderful words: "I no longer call you slaves...I have called you friends" (Jn 15,15). So many times we feel like, and it is true, that we are only useless servants. (cf Lk 17,10). And despite this, the Lord calls us friends, he makes us his friends, he gives us his friendship. The Lord defines friendship in a dual way. There are no secrets among friends: Christ tells us all everything he hears from the Father; he gives us his full trust, and with that, also knowledge. He reveals his face and his heart to us. He shows us his tenderness for us, his passionate love that goes to the madness of the cross. He entrusts us, he gives us power to speak in his name: "this is my body...", "I forgive you...". He entrusts us with his body, the Church. He entrusts our weak minds and our weak hands with his truth - the mystery of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the mystery of God who "so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son" (Jn 3, 16). He made us his friends - and how do we respond?
The second element with which Jesus defines friendship is the communion of wills. For the Romans "Idem velle - idem nolle", (same desires, same dislikes ) was also the definition of friendship. "You are my friends if you do what I command you." (Jn 15, 14). Friendship with Christ coincides with what is said in the third request of the Our Father: "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven". At the hour in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus transformed our rebellious human will in a will shaped and united to the divine will. He suffered the whole experience of our autonomy - and precisely bringing our will into the hands of God, he have us true freedom: "Not my will, but your will be done". In this communion of wills our redemption takes place: being friends of Jesus to become friends of God. How much more we love Jesus, how much more we know him, how much more our true freedom grows as well as our joy in being redeemed. Thank you, Jesus, for your friendship!
The other element of the Gospel to which I would like to refer is the teaching of Jesus on bearing fruit: "I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain" (Jn 15, 16). It is here that is expressed the dynamic existence of the Christian, the apostle: I chose you to go and bear fruit...". We must be inspired by a holy restlessness: restlessness to bring to everyone the gift of faith, of friendship with Christ. In truth, the love and friendship of God was given to us so that it would also be shared with others. We have received the faith to give it to others - we are priests meant to serve others. And we must bring a fruit that will remain. All people want to leave a mark which lasts. But what remains? Money does not. Buildings do not, nor books. After a certain amount of time, whether long or short, all these things disappear. The only thing which remains forever is the human soul, the human person created by God for eternity. The fruit which remains then is that which we have sowed in human souls - love, knowledge, a gesture capable of touching the heart, words which open the soul to joy in the Lord. Let us then go to the Lord and pray to him, so that he may help us bear fruit which remains. Only in this way will the earth be changed from a valley of tears to a garden of God.
In conclusion, returning again to the letter to the Ephesians, which says with words from Psalm 68 that Christ, ascending into heaven, "gave gifts to men" (Eph 4,8). The victor offers gifts. And these gifts are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Our ministry is a gift of Christ to humankind, to build up his body - the new world. We live out our ministry in this way, as a gift of Christ to humanity! But at this time, above all, we pray with insistence to the Lord, so that after the great gift of Pope John Paul II, he again gives us a pastor according to his own heart, a pastor who guides us to knowledge in Christ, to his love and to true joy. Amen."
Busy Lately
I have not written as much lately because I have been busy. I usually try to keep a lot of free time for myself but that has not been the case recently. About two weeks ago I started teaching a class on Wednesday night for my church. We are studying world missions from a biblical, historical, cultural and strategic perspective. I have to admit it is a little more work than I first anticipated and I wonder how qualified I am to teach the material, but so far things have gone well. I am hoping that the class will spur an increased interest for missions in our church and encourage new leaders to participate in missions.
Then this weekend I went to Cincinnati for niece's birthday party. She just turned three and is the cutest little girl and has the sweetest disposition. She is full of smiles and it was a joy to be around her. I was also able to see both of my stepsister's new houses and both are living the good life. In comparison I am living in a ramshackle apartment. Seeing their new homes has motivated me to start looking at buying a home if I decide to stay in Lansing.
On the trip back to Michigan we drove through a snow storm which is totally unacceptable. It's not like this is North Dakota or something. Despite the weather, my family had a good time playing games in the car and we were actually able to name all but two of the presidents. Finally my degree in history pays off. However, I suck at hangman and after losing to my nephew I may never play it again.
Now I am back home and I have to prepare again for this Wednesday's class at the church. I am hoping to get a schedule down so I don't have to prepare the night before like I have done the first two weeks. That would free up some time to write a few more posts. Or watch the west wing marathon on Bravo.
Then this weekend I went to Cincinnati for niece's birthday party. She just turned three and is the cutest little girl and has the sweetest disposition. She is full of smiles and it was a joy to be around her. I was also able to see both of my stepsister's new houses and both are living the good life. In comparison I am living in a ramshackle apartment. Seeing their new homes has motivated me to start looking at buying a home if I decide to stay in Lansing.
On the trip back to Michigan we drove through a snow storm which is totally unacceptable. It's not like this is North Dakota or something. Despite the weather, my family had a good time playing games in the car and we were actually able to name all but two of the presidents. Finally my degree in history pays off. However, I suck at hangman and after losing to my nephew I may never play it again.
Now I am back home and I have to prepare again for this Wednesday's class at the church. I am hoping to get a schedule down so I don't have to prepare the night before like I have done the first two weeks. That would free up some time to write a few more posts. Or watch the west wing marathon on Bravo.
Sunday, April 17, 2005
Yesterday
I usually stay away from posting my daily activities because I think most people will find them pretty boring to read. But yesterday was a fun and eventful day and I wanted to share some of my experiences.
The day started at 10:00 am which was much too early because I was out until 3:00 the night before. Anyways, my church was holding its monthly Christ In Action (CIA) event and we bought down the price of gas for one hour at a local gas station. We lowered the price by a quarter and then washed people's windshields and chatted with drivers as they filled up. It was a cool event. We drew a huge crowed and had lines at every pump. People were surprised but very happy to get the discount and most were happy to have company while they pumped their gas. All in all we reached over a hundred cars and also the owner of the gas station who I believe is not yet a Christian. Today's Lansing State Journal even printed a picture of our event on the front page which is great free publicity. The day reinforced the theory that small acts of kindness can be an effective outreach tool.
Then last night I was able to attend my first fashion show with my family. My sister in law's cousin is a student at MSU and he was one of the designers. His designs were very good and based on a Charlie Chaplain theme. It was a lot of fun and the female runway models were all attractive. So was the gal sitting next to me in the audience. I tell you guys, fashion shows are a good place to meet girls and you face no competition because the other guys in the crowd are all gay. The only down side of the night was when one male model came out on the runway in underwear and fuzzy white boots. I guess that was for all the other guys in the audience. Yuck.
After the show we went to a really bad karaoke bar in East Lansing. I felt a little bad for my Mom because she was noticeably out of place but she was a good trooper. It was funny listening to all the drunks singing. It was like being at a really bad American Idol tryout.
Anyways that was my day. Later this week I am going to write on dating, careers choices and servanthood. Stay tuned.
The day started at 10:00 am which was much too early because I was out until 3:00 the night before. Anyways, my church was holding its monthly Christ In Action (CIA) event and we bought down the price of gas for one hour at a local gas station. We lowered the price by a quarter and then washed people's windshields and chatted with drivers as they filled up. It was a cool event. We drew a huge crowed and had lines at every pump. People were surprised but very happy to get the discount and most were happy to have company while they pumped their gas. All in all we reached over a hundred cars and also the owner of the gas station who I believe is not yet a Christian. Today's Lansing State Journal even printed a picture of our event on the front page which is great free publicity. The day reinforced the theory that small acts of kindness can be an effective outreach tool.
Then last night I was able to attend my first fashion show with my family. My sister in law's cousin is a student at MSU and he was one of the designers. His designs were very good and based on a Charlie Chaplain theme. It was a lot of fun and the female runway models were all attractive. So was the gal sitting next to me in the audience. I tell you guys, fashion shows are a good place to meet girls and you face no competition because the other guys in the crowd are all gay. The only down side of the night was when one male model came out on the runway in underwear and fuzzy white boots. I guess that was for all the other guys in the audience. Yuck.
After the show we went to a really bad karaoke bar in East Lansing. I felt a little bad for my Mom because she was noticeably out of place but she was a good trooper. It was funny listening to all the drunks singing. It was like being at a really bad American Idol tryout.
Anyways that was my day. Later this week I am going to write on dating, careers choices and servanthood. Stay tuned.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Heroes
I was going to write a tribute to the Pope in wake of his passing but it seems like every other website has beaten me to the punch and I have nothing significant to add that hasn't already been addressed. However, it has been amazing to watch the huge outpouring of support that Pope John Paul II has recently received. Millions of people paid tribute to his memory and life work. The world mourns the pope because he provided moral and spiritual leadership to over a billion people. He was a man of integrity, honor and charity. Who today shares these attributes? Who else do we admire and respect enough to emulate. Who are our heroes today?
Are today's heroes politicians? Hardly. Deserving or not, most politicians are seen as selfish and fake. Half the country feels such apathy for them that they fail to even vote for or against them. Are they famous celebrities? Maybe. We do live in an entertainment culture that feasts on celebrity gossip and reading about stars in the tabloids. But I wonder if today's celebrities and their licentious lifestyle are really worth celebrating. Do we really want our kids to grow up and become the next Madonna or Eminem? Are today's heroes the rich? No. There is certain level of disdain and jealousy for the rich. We might want to be rich but we don't respect them. One can hardly blame us for that feeling after watching all the recent corporate scandals.
So who is left? Who are the leaders of tomorrow? Who is the next John Paul II? My suggestion is that you and I have to fill that role. Before the Pope was the Pope he just a boy named Karol from Poland. I am sure he never figured he would be a hero to so many but he lived his life with purpose and compassion that eventually won the respect of the world. People are hungry for real leaders. The world wants to believe in someone who places others before themselves.
Our calling is not to be famous but to live a life dedicated to serving the less fortunate and standing up for right and wrong. By doing that we can be a hero to the people around us. And while millions may not gather for our funeral our lives will be worth celebrating.
Are today's heroes politicians? Hardly. Deserving or not, most politicians are seen as selfish and fake. Half the country feels such apathy for them that they fail to even vote for or against them. Are they famous celebrities? Maybe. We do live in an entertainment culture that feasts on celebrity gossip and reading about stars in the tabloids. But I wonder if today's celebrities and their licentious lifestyle are really worth celebrating. Do we really want our kids to grow up and become the next Madonna or Eminem? Are today's heroes the rich? No. There is certain level of disdain and jealousy for the rich. We might want to be rich but we don't respect them. One can hardly blame us for that feeling after watching all the recent corporate scandals.
So who is left? Who are the leaders of tomorrow? Who is the next John Paul II? My suggestion is that you and I have to fill that role. Before the Pope was the Pope he just a boy named Karol from Poland. I am sure he never figured he would be a hero to so many but he lived his life with purpose and compassion that eventually won the respect of the world. People are hungry for real leaders. The world wants to believe in someone who places others before themselves.
Our calling is not to be famous but to live a life dedicated to serving the less fortunate and standing up for right and wrong. By doing that we can be a hero to the people around us. And while millions may not gather for our funeral our lives will be worth celebrating.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Missed opportunities
Last night my friend Jason, my nephew David and I all went out to Champs to watch the basketball game. What looked like a blowout turned out being a very close game and we had a good time cheering on both teams. Maybe the best part of the night was our waitress, a very cute, friendly brunette named Natalie. Now I never can tell when a waitress is flirting because they like me or if they simply want a good tip but it seemed like there was a connection between us. But instead of asking for her number I left a big tip and walked away. This is becoming an increasingly familiar pattern in my life of missing potential opportunities with women.
Last summer I met an amazing woman on a flight from Chicago. We talked the whole way, had lots in common. I am sure she was interested in me but I chickened out at the last minute and didn't ask for her number and now have no way to contact her. I regret it to this day. Then last Fall I was afraid of committing to a good friend of mine. We had been "hanging out" all year and she was really cool, smart and attractive but every time she would try to move things along romantically, I would get cold feet and pull away. Now I regret that I didn't give that relationship a chance.
Last night, Jason and I were talking and both complaining about not dating. The problem is we have been having this same talk for ten years. I fear it will be the exact same talk another ten years from now. When I was younger, I was okay with being free and having no commitments. I had plenty of time to find Ms. Right and I could pretend that when I was thirty I would settle down and find someone. Now it is not so fun. I fear that I am living a life of regret because of my fear of rejection and commitment. What if I have already walked away from my perfect woman because I was too scared to pursue her? What am I waiting for? How do I break this pattern? They say insanity is doing something over and over again even though it doesn't work. I think I am going crazy.
Last summer I met an amazing woman on a flight from Chicago. We talked the whole way, had lots in common. I am sure she was interested in me but I chickened out at the last minute and didn't ask for her number and now have no way to contact her. I regret it to this day. Then last Fall I was afraid of committing to a good friend of mine. We had been "hanging out" all year and she was really cool, smart and attractive but every time she would try to move things along romantically, I would get cold feet and pull away. Now I regret that I didn't give that relationship a chance.
Last night, Jason and I were talking and both complaining about not dating. The problem is we have been having this same talk for ten years. I fear it will be the exact same talk another ten years from now. When I was younger, I was okay with being free and having no commitments. I had plenty of time to find Ms. Right and I could pretend that when I was thirty I would settle down and find someone. Now it is not so fun. I fear that I am living a life of regret because of my fear of rejection and commitment. What if I have already walked away from my perfect woman because I was too scared to pursue her? What am I waiting for? How do I break this pattern? They say insanity is doing something over and over again even though it doesn't work. I think I am going crazy.
Friday, April 01, 2005
Baseball Predictions
Each year before the season I usually write out which teams I think will make the playoffs and then win the world series. This year I am deciding to make my predictions public so I can claim fame and fortune for accurately selecting the correct teams.
American League East - New York Yankees
American League Central - Minnesota Twins
American League West- Anaheim Angels
Wildcard - Detroit Tigers
You heard it here first; the Red Sox will miss the playoffs this year and will be replaced by the once lowly Tigers. When I look at the Red Sox I just don't see how their starting pitchers can hold up for the whole year. The Tigers are young and promising and even though their pitching staff isn't that much better than the sox, they play in an easier division and will win more games. The Twins will be very good again this year and have the best pitcher in baseball. I also love their young players. The Angels will win a watered down division and the Yankees, well they're the Yankees.
National League East - Atlanta Braves
National League Central - Pittsburgh Pirates
National League West - San Diego Padres
Wildcard - Florida Marlins
Yes another big surprise in the National League with the Pirates edging out the Cubs and the Cardinals to win the Central. They have last year's rookie of the year in Jason Bay and budding superstar Oliver Perez. I hate the Cardinal's defense this year and the Cubs will find a way to lose by season's end. I picked the Braves because they have won the division every year since the first Bush administration. The Padres have great young pitching and their batters have had a year to adjust to their new ballpark. Finally the Marlins will win the wildcard by scoring a lot of runs and hoping their bullpen doesn't have to do much.
The American League Champion will be the Twins over the Yankees in 7 games.
The National League Champion will be the Marlins over the Padres in 6 games.
And in a classic World Series between two teams that were supposed to be contracted three years ago the Twins win in 7 games.
Feel free to share these predictions with your friends so you can show off your baseball knowledge.
American League East - New York Yankees
American League Central - Minnesota Twins
American League West- Anaheim Angels
Wildcard - Detroit Tigers
You heard it here first; the Red Sox will miss the playoffs this year and will be replaced by the once lowly Tigers. When I look at the Red Sox I just don't see how their starting pitchers can hold up for the whole year. The Tigers are young and promising and even though their pitching staff isn't that much better than the sox, they play in an easier division and will win more games. The Twins will be very good again this year and have the best pitcher in baseball. I also love their young players. The Angels will win a watered down division and the Yankees, well they're the Yankees.
National League East - Atlanta Braves
National League Central - Pittsburgh Pirates
National League West - San Diego Padres
Wildcard - Florida Marlins
Yes another big surprise in the National League with the Pirates edging out the Cubs and the Cardinals to win the Central. They have last year's rookie of the year in Jason Bay and budding superstar Oliver Perez. I hate the Cardinal's defense this year and the Cubs will find a way to lose by season's end. I picked the Braves because they have won the division every year since the first Bush administration. The Padres have great young pitching and their batters have had a year to adjust to their new ballpark. Finally the Marlins will win the wildcard by scoring a lot of runs and hoping their bullpen doesn't have to do much.
The American League Champion will be the Twins over the Yankees in 7 games.
The National League Champion will be the Marlins over the Padres in 6 games.
And in a classic World Series between two teams that were supposed to be contracted three years ago the Twins win in 7 games.
Feel free to share these predictions with your friends so you can show off your baseball knowledge.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Don't Dare Read Your Bible
Over the past few weeks much has been said about the judicial system over-stepping their boundaries and ignoring the popular will of the people. While much of this backlash against the courts can be attributed to high profile cases like Terri Schiavo and others, another case illustrates just how out of touch the court has become.
In 1995 Robert Harlan kidnapped and brutally murdered a young woman in Colorado. He was convicted and sentenced to the death penalty. His death sentence was recently overturned by the Colorado Supreme Court because it ruled the jury consulted the bible during their deliberations and thus violated the law. Apparently, the bible wasn't considered part of the facts in evidence and therefore the jury used information outside the scope of the trial to arrive at their sentence.
When I first heard about this case, I had to check and make sure it wasn't April 1st because I was sure somebody was making it up. How could a fair sentence, determined by a non-biased jury be thrown out simply because they sought to bring their religious perspective to the case. Have we really come this far in our antipathy towards Christianity? Isn't this the same court that used to have people swear on the bible to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help them God?
I find it highly ironic that our laws are based on a moral code of right and wrong but when a juror has a religious basis for applying this moral code, they have somehow overstepped the law. If Christians are not allowed to bring their religious and moral judgment to trial then maybe they should be excluded altogether. We could just add a new question on the jury application and when you check Christian they automatically disqualify you from jury service. This could be a very good evangelical tool.
The court should not expect people of faith to check their world view at the steps of the courthouse. To do so would compromise their most deeply held beliefs. Christian jurors cannot and should not make their determination in a moral vacuum free from their personal experiences. Interestingly, the court has no such difficulty allowing preconceived bias to accompany other jurors to the trial as long it's based on culture, economics, race or sex. Religion is the one factor that judges are afraid of. And that makes me very afraid of our judges.
In 1995 Robert Harlan kidnapped and brutally murdered a young woman in Colorado. He was convicted and sentenced to the death penalty. His death sentence was recently overturned by the Colorado Supreme Court because it ruled the jury consulted the bible during their deliberations and thus violated the law. Apparently, the bible wasn't considered part of the facts in evidence and therefore the jury used information outside the scope of the trial to arrive at their sentence.
When I first heard about this case, I had to check and make sure it wasn't April 1st because I was sure somebody was making it up. How could a fair sentence, determined by a non-biased jury be thrown out simply because they sought to bring their religious perspective to the case. Have we really come this far in our antipathy towards Christianity? Isn't this the same court that used to have people swear on the bible to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so help them God?
I find it highly ironic that our laws are based on a moral code of right and wrong but when a juror has a religious basis for applying this moral code, they have somehow overstepped the law. If Christians are not allowed to bring their religious and moral judgment to trial then maybe they should be excluded altogether. We could just add a new question on the jury application and when you check Christian they automatically disqualify you from jury service. This could be a very good evangelical tool.
The court should not expect people of faith to check their world view at the steps of the courthouse. To do so would compromise their most deeply held beliefs. Christian jurors cannot and should not make their determination in a moral vacuum free from their personal experiences. Interestingly, the court has no such difficulty allowing preconceived bias to accompany other jurors to the trial as long it's based on culture, economics, race or sex. Religion is the one factor that judges are afraid of. And that makes me very afraid of our judges.
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Waiting
Today is the Saturday before Easter and I am waiting for Easter to come. Yesterday I went to a good Friday service which I enjoyed. We sang some of the old gospel songs which I don't get to sing very often. It was good because I was able to spend some time to reflect on Christ's sacrifice.
Tomorrow I will get up early and go to church and celebrate the resurrection. I know it's a big day when my parents are driving to Lansing to attend church with me. Tomorrow afternoon I will spend with my whole family. While it most likely won't be very spiritual it will be fun.
Today however I wait. Today is no holiday. No event to celebrate and no service to attend. We don't really even have a name for this day. Why not? We have a name for Maundy Thursday but nothing for Saturday.
I wonder what it must have been like for the followers of Jesus on Saturday. They had this draining emotional day on Friday. Their leader and friend had been tortured and killed. Their hopes for reform and freedom gone right before their eyes. Jesus had told them the about the resurrection but they didn't really understand it. It must have been awful. They had to wait and they did not fully understand the end of the story.
I wait today as well. But then I realize that I already have the full story. I know how it ends. I get to experience the resurrection everyday and I don't have to wait Easter. Then why do I feel like I am still waiting?
Tomorrow I will get up early and go to church and celebrate the resurrection. I know it's a big day when my parents are driving to Lansing to attend church with me. Tomorrow afternoon I will spend with my whole family. While it most likely won't be very spiritual it will be fun.
Today however I wait. Today is no holiday. No event to celebrate and no service to attend. We don't really even have a name for this day. Why not? We have a name for Maundy Thursday but nothing for Saturday.
I wonder what it must have been like for the followers of Jesus on Saturday. They had this draining emotional day on Friday. Their leader and friend had been tortured and killed. Their hopes for reform and freedom gone right before their eyes. Jesus had told them the about the resurrection but they didn't really understand it. It must have been awful. They had to wait and they did not fully understand the end of the story.
I wait today as well. But then I realize that I already have the full story. I know how it ends. I get to experience the resurrection everyday and I don't have to wait Easter. Then why do I feel like I am still waiting?
Friday, March 25, 2005
Terri Schiavo
I have been trying to put together my thoughts on Terri Schiavo for some time. When I first heard about this case, I simply tried to ignore it and wondered why the news was focusing so much attention on one case. After all this is only one woman. There are many similar cases everyday. Why are people so passionate about this one particular case? Then I realized that it is not often that we experience such a confluence or moral and legal questions. On one side are those who want to let her die because that is what she wanted and she has no hope of recovery. On the other side are those who want to protect her life even if means circumventing the law.
Both raise significant questions.
First, I have an issue with framing this as a matter of her choice to die with dignity. There is no written or verbal record that this is indeed her choice. All we have is the word of her husband who has already moved on to another woman and fathered two children with her. Because of this conflict of interest there is reason to question his validity. In fact there is currently a bill in the Michigan legislature that would take away the rights of spouses to make life and death decisions if they are involved in an adulterous relationship so as to avoid this type of case happening in Michigan.
Secondly, there are a lot of misconceptions about her medical condition. She is not completely brain dead. She is able to respond to certain stimuli. Her body can function on its own. The only artificial help she needs is a feeding tube which is much different than being kept alive by a machine that keeps her heart beating. When I hear that she is suffering and she would want to die, I often wonder how they know this? Then I wonder what we would do to someone who was born this way. Would we simply walk away from her and let her die because she suffering and subject to a life of disability? I have a hard time thinking we would starve a baby to death simply because she didn't have full brain activity. Is Terri's quality of life directly tied to probability of her recovery? Does she still have value if she never recovers? When someone asked her brother if he thought she would ever recover, he simply replied that he loved Terri in her current condition. To me that says it all.
From a political perspective, I find it fascinating that the media thinks this case will somehow help Republicans. The polls suggest a majority oppose government intervention. One reason for the polls is because of the public's desire to simply see this issue go away. This is not a fun topic to discuss or think about. Life and death issues never are. As a professional politician, I can tell you that it is not good politics to oppose the will of the majority. Sometimes however, even politicians muster the courage to do the right thing regardless of public opinion and this is one of those times.
Finally, the questions is: do we really want government involving themselves in such personal matters? Where does the fight for life trump respect for the law. The law is inherently neutral and based on fact. This often sets it apart from the moral implications it hands down. I have been trying to find a parallel case in our legal history. Probably the closest thing I can compare is the dred scot case which ruled that slaves were property and had no rights under the law. This case was based on the law of the day but was obviously immoral. I am glad our country had the courage to not accept the court's decisions as final. Today we look back and wonder how the court could have made such a bad decision. I hope that someday we will look back at this case and ask the same question.
Both raise significant questions.
First, I have an issue with framing this as a matter of her choice to die with dignity. There is no written or verbal record that this is indeed her choice. All we have is the word of her husband who has already moved on to another woman and fathered two children with her. Because of this conflict of interest there is reason to question his validity. In fact there is currently a bill in the Michigan legislature that would take away the rights of spouses to make life and death decisions if they are involved in an adulterous relationship so as to avoid this type of case happening in Michigan.
Secondly, there are a lot of misconceptions about her medical condition. She is not completely brain dead. She is able to respond to certain stimuli. Her body can function on its own. The only artificial help she needs is a feeding tube which is much different than being kept alive by a machine that keeps her heart beating. When I hear that she is suffering and she would want to die, I often wonder how they know this? Then I wonder what we would do to someone who was born this way. Would we simply walk away from her and let her die because she suffering and subject to a life of disability? I have a hard time thinking we would starve a baby to death simply because she didn't have full brain activity. Is Terri's quality of life directly tied to probability of her recovery? Does she still have value if she never recovers? When someone asked her brother if he thought she would ever recover, he simply replied that he loved Terri in her current condition. To me that says it all.
From a political perspective, I find it fascinating that the media thinks this case will somehow help Republicans. The polls suggest a majority oppose government intervention. One reason for the polls is because of the public's desire to simply see this issue go away. This is not a fun topic to discuss or think about. Life and death issues never are. As a professional politician, I can tell you that it is not good politics to oppose the will of the majority. Sometimes however, even politicians muster the courage to do the right thing regardless of public opinion and this is one of those times.
Finally, the questions is: do we really want government involving themselves in such personal matters? Where does the fight for life trump respect for the law. The law is inherently neutral and based on fact. This often sets it apart from the moral implications it hands down. I have been trying to find a parallel case in our legal history. Probably the closest thing I can compare is the dred scot case which ruled that slaves were property and had no rights under the law. This case was based on the law of the day but was obviously immoral. I am glad our country had the courage to not accept the court's decisions as final. Today we look back and wonder how the court could have made such a bad decision. I hope that someday we will look back at this case and ask the same question.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
March Madness
I love March Madness. It's my favorite sporting event. Let's hope I do better than last year when I picked Stanford. But I am sticking with the west coast theme this year as Arizona willl win the whole thing over North Carolina. Washington and Kentucky round out my final four.
Good luck everyone and enjoy the games this weekend.
Good luck everyone and enjoy the games this weekend.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)