Thoughts on glory

I saw a story a long time ago on the CBS evening news that captivated me (and no, this isn't about Christian music). In fact, I've thought about this story many times since I was it. Some of you will no doubt remember it.

Jason McElwain was the high school basketball team trainer. Small, enthusiastic, full of life. . .and autistic, he attended every practice of the team's, grabbed rebounds for the players, and helped however he could. Jason attended every game, sat on the bench, acting as the team's biggest cheerleader from outside of the game.

And, I'd butcher the story if I told it any further. Watch:


Jason McElwain - Unlikely Hero - These bloopers are hilarious

I cry almost every time I watch this video. It builds in me as I watch the video, beginning when he goes into the game. And, as he hits his first shot, the team bench goes nuts. Then, he hits another, and the crowd starts to go nuts. And finally, he hits the last shot at the buzzer, and the crowd, made up of many of his peers, storms the floor, swarms Jason, and carries him off of the court. And, I don't know, I might be reading way too much into it, but man, what a great picture of glory. I think about myself in high school, how I treated autistic kids in my mind, and I marvel at the depth of love those students showed Jason. To me, it's nothing short of glorious. I want that kind of emotion in my relationships with friends and loved ones, coming out of my chair to cheer them on, to carry them off the floor in their victories, and to cheer just as loudly in their misses.

Doesn't it make you feel good?

Thoughts on my last few days

Random thoughts from the past few days:
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I don't like it when people blog for the purpose of telling us how much weight they've lost. Nothing says "I need more comments" louder than that. Come on, how desperate are you??
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The state of the union might be one of the funnier things on the unintentional comedy scale. First, the poor president, bafoon that he is....getting raucous support from his posse, and blank "are you freaking kidding me stares" from the other side of the room. To change that, all you have to say is "I support the troops!", causing the entire audience to burst into simultaneous and thunderous applause. The funniest parts of the night were as they showed the 4 top presidential candidates staring at the camera, with seemingly rehearsed looks on their faces: defiant, strong, determined. . .and rehearsed. Hilarious. Who wants that job? Hilary does, and she's determined, resilient, and strong. . . .so says her campaign manager.
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I want to vote for the president who doesn't send people to their deaths in Iraq.
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I want to vote for the president who doesn't murder unborn babies.
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Crap.
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Micah: "Dad, are there bad guys in Kansas City?"
Me: "Yes, there are some, buddy."
Micah: "Dad, can I buy a gun?"
Me: "No. . . .why?"
Micah: "So I can shoot all the bad guys in Kansas City."
Nice. Cabelas here we come.
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There remains no greater feeling as a father than giving my 2 year old a drink in the middle of the night, then rubbing his forehead and watching him drift off to sleep.
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WTF? How did I marry the girl who took this? Are you freaking kidding me? Mad skills.
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I hate the crunch of 5 day+ old snow under my feet. Mostly because that means that snow's been on the ground for 5 straight days.
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My new goal: lose 15 pounds in February. Can you guys get on board with me and support this? I need all the help I can get. You'd help me most by leaving me comments. Please? Pleeeeease?
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Oh. Crap.

Thoughts on interesting people

I love Lost. Just read my post below. I love that throughout each episode, you're introduced to a character's past history that you've never known before. It's what really makes the show intriguing - each person bringing his/her baggage into a new society that has to begin from scratch. And, I think, that as a result of my watching Lost, I have found myself wondering about different people I see around the city - what their story is, where they come from, what brought them to where they are now?

For instance: where did the worker at Blockbuster come from? You know, the employee that likes working at Blockbuster a little TOO much? "You know, that was an excellent film but I would have to recommend you seeing The Kingdom instead it's a really good movie and you know it's also filmed in parts of Arizona and they had to shut down the highways and there's really good action scenes and it's a really good story and it is really thought provoking also and would you like popcorn, pepsi, sour patch kids, or some chocolate to go with your movie tonight, and do you have your blockbuster card, oh you don't you better get out your id so I can verify your account (gaaaaaaaaaasp)."

Who is this guy? Every week, I go to that store, and see the same guy. And he bugs the heck out of me. Why? He's. . .well, weird. Should that really be my attitude as a Christ follower? I think that far too often, I'm content to let the weird and marginalized stay that way, choosing instead to pursue relationships with the affluent and cool. I don't think that's how it should be.

So heck, what's his story? Who's his best friend? Where did he grow up? What does he hope to be when he gets older? What's his favorite movie....besides The Kingdom? Has he ever loved someone? Broken someone's heart? What about his parents?

It sounds maybe a bit retarted, I get it. But maybe I shouldn't be as quick to judge him. Maybe I should cut him a break in my mind. After all, I have a hard enough time figuring myself out sometimes.

So I'll work on it.

And for the record, The Kingdom is really good.

Thoughts on new hilarity

Chad and Alysia arrived at our front door, eager to come in from the bitter cold. As we ascended the stairs, thoughts about out friendship came flooding back in to me - reminding me instantly how much I love these two. We met them early after our relocation to Kansas City from Colorado, and I liked them instantly. They were, at the time, still in a semi-newlywed stage, and we welcomed their friendship with open arms.

Chad and Alysia have been two of the people we've been able to go to with a lot of discouragements. They're two of the people we can sit around with deep into the night: smoking pipes, drinking beers, hanging out. Oh, and they have one of the best senses of humor I've ever known. As dry as I am, Chad matches it, plus some. I love it - he challenges me in new, fresh ways. He introduced us to Flight of the Conchords - one of the greatest shows ever. We introduced them to Arrested Development. We both give, we both take. It's beautiful.

These thoughts and memories came flooding in. And, we had a great evening - pizza, conversation, etc. Then, we took the party all the way to our living room...from our dining room...and we settled in, in front of the Apple TV. With YouTube at our fingertips, Chad took Ashley and I to new hilarity. And I'm here to take you there also. I'm not much for standup usually, but this guy's different. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

Thoughts on a long, cold winter

It's mid January, and my heart is heavy. Daily, this problem gets worse, although, at least I know I'm not alone. It's 15 degrees outside, and the temperature is dropping. Yet, as cold as it is in Kansas City in January, the bitter chill deepens even while I sit indoors with the heat running - it sinks into my bones and soul - when I consider having to spend an evening in front of the television.

Gone are the implausible, but hooking storylines of 24. . . and Jack Bauer torturing bad guys (or ARE they bad??)

Gone are the ridiculous, but addicting relationships of Grays Anatomy.

Gone are the laugh-out-loud moments from 30-Rock, and The Office.

Heck, even CSI, CSI:NY, CSI:Miami, CSI:SVU or whatever the heck they're called - all gone. And it's all beginning to hit me. Is it sad, my missing good television shows? No. Don't judge: culture matters, get over it. . . read on.

Instead, what do we have? A steady gamut of unscripted reality shows, game shows, and other entertainmentless, hour-long, advertisement filled death traps - disguised as dramatic, heart wrenching, life-changing, meaningful "gifts" to their viewers. Thank you, Hollywood Writers. Thank you for lengthening my winter. And, while I don't watch them, thank you for subjecting me to shows like:

The Power of 10
Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann
Wife Swap
Super Nanny
1 vs. 100
Celebrity Apprentice
American Gladiators
The Biggest Loser
Deal or no Deal

And praise Jesus for the one redeeming thing coming out of my television display this winter: Lost. May the next two weeks fly. A 2 hour premiere - in 2 weeks.

Thoughts on Movie-Jesus

God has started to revive my heart, for which I'm grateful. And, I don't know why, but lately, in the car, I've flipped to 97.3 - Christian Radio (formerly, the best sports radio station in Kansas City, but I'm not F-ing bitter). I go, hoping to hear a good song, I leave with blog material. . . and not hearing a good song.

Heard today. . . on K-LOVE. . . .



The Women of Faith conference is on its way to Texas - and all women are invited. Come, revive your faith. You're invited to a weekend of awesome worship (probably Darlene Zzzeck), and awesome speakers, and your chance to meet:



Movie Jesus.

Jim Caviezel.

I'm sure. . . ahem. . . it will be a very. . . um. . . spiritual experience for them. "HOLD ME IN YOUR ARMS, JESUS!! NEVER LET ME GO!"

Spiritual. Right.

Thoughts on similarities, and yet so very different.

Interesting characters seen around Kansas City lately:

-A "gangsta". No, maybe not a gangsta, but probably a rapper in town for a show, with his posse - in a very "white", American sports bar in Westport. Yes, a real rapper. Yes, he wore a bullet proof vest over his shirt. Yes, he had a real posse, complete with really big guys that like to stare you down and surround him everywhere he walked. Yes, he said the F-word...a lot (which must be a lot because I work with construction workers). Yes, I stared them down. Yes, I am lying about that part.

-Another type of "gangsta". Yes, his pants and jacket matched and were baggy. Yes, his hat was backward and to the side. Yes, he had a lot of acne. Yes, his glasses were slightly smudged. Yes, he had a nasally voice - very apparent when he spat off his slew of obscenities. Yes, he was pretty fly for a white guy. Yes, he stared me down as he walked into Chick-Fil-A.

That's okay, I thought to myself. His mom probably still tucks him into his Star Wars sheets. Nerd.

Enjoy your nuggets, dawg.

Thoughts on my charmed existence

I have, admittedly, a charmed existence. My two nearly perfect children are sleeping in their beds - they fell asleep quickly tonight. My best friend, and love of my life: my wife, is pursuing photography leads as I write; a business that has exploded recently, thereby exploding passion from within her heart. I married a hotty. I have a good job - while other guys in my company can't work because of the weather, I get to work. I work for a good man. We had 4 of our best friends over tonight to share life with: hopes, fears, pains, joys, success, failure. We have community. I have two sets of parents that love me, my family, the Lord. I have sisters that are living out their lives' dreams adventurously and I get to proudly bear witness. I have friends that care enough about me to buy me a plane ticket to go visit them. I have friends who will be published writers and artists someday. I have a friend that leads worship, and if he put himself out there, would be playing at the Passion worship conferences or recording CD's in two years - he's that anointed. I have a missionary friend who has given away "the easy life" to serve Christ - pouring her life into the lives of teenage girls who have been abandoned and are parentless. My friends and family are, in the words of Derek Zoolander: all really, really, really, ridiculously good looking. I am honored to be in their presence whenever God allows.

I own two cars and have no car payment. I'm listening to digital music through my television set as we speak - scrolling through any of 4000+ songs for my auditory pleasure, typing on my Apple laptop, on the internet while sitting on my posh couch. My heat is running on a cold night, keeping me warm. The roof over my head has kept the drizzle and snow off of my clothing. I haven't shivered at all today. I'm full from one of my favorite dinners: a pesto pasta dish with chicken (an Ashley specialty). The two large helpings I had tonight really hurt my stomach because I ate so much - now I know what it's like to suffer!! The water I drank tonight had lemon AND lime in it.

And here I sit, rich in the eyes of the world, basking in the glow of my earthly possessions' glory. I sit here, with everything I could have ever dreamed of having. I sit here, with all of it at my disposal, right now.

Across the city, a young mother has just been beat up by her husband. Many thousands of men and women are sleeping outside. . .and it's cold. Father's are leaving their kids, girls are having abortions, kids are hungry, drugs come easy. Cancer is ripping families apart. Elderly people die alone in nursing homes. Depression haunts thousands, despair hovers over so many households. Houses are being repossessed. People are unemployed. The public schools are among the worst in the nation (no joke). Poverty holds Kansas City's urban core in its icy, unending grip. Apathy grows, pornography sells, brokenness runs rampant. On the "other side of the tracks," wealth drives children toward rampant materialism. People leave the city for the safety of the suburbs. Churches are moving there too. The need for higher dollars keeps some parents living as workaholics.

I don't want to make bigger statement than necessary. I won't preach at you. But I'm definitely being tugged at toward things that matter. May God break my heart for the things that break His - more and more - in 2008.

Thoughts on ripped pants

I am over a quarter century old. Yet, I continue to learn.

Lesson for the day? A pair of ripped jeans (right "down the middle" so to speak) can ruin the fun I have at a 3 year old's birthday party - pronto. Happy Birthday Annabelle. In 10 years, what will her memory be of her 3rd birthday? The present we got her? No. Some brown haired guy with a gaping hole in his jeans.

An easy solution? My jacket tied around my waist. Fun resumes, life goes on, and I look like a jackass. Although, come to think of it, how's that different than any other day?

Really, who's cooler than Jeremy? Don't answer that.

Thoughts on new music

Today I found what's destined to be a mainstay in my music collection forever.



Smash-Ups. Take two Christian songs, and pit them against each other in a battle to the death in Jesus' name. One artist's lyrics play over the other artists' music, and vice versa.

Track listing:
1. Steven Curtis Chapman "Dive" vs. Grits "All Fall Down" vs. Audio Adrenaline "Get Down"
2. dc talk "Colored People" vs. Newsboys "Entertaining Angels"
3. Switchfoot "You Already Take Me There" vs. Grits "TN Bwoys"
4. Rebecca St James "God" vs. Earthsuit "One Time"
5. Tobymac "Yours" vs. Relient K "Pressing On"
6. Benjamin Gate "All Over Me" vs. John Reuben "Do Not"
7. dc Talk "Jesus Freak" vs. ZOEgirl "Dismissed"
8. Newsboys "Shine" vs. PAX217 "Tonight"
9. Steven Curtis Chapman "Live Out Loud" vs. Out Of Eden "River"
10. Carmen "Who's In The House" vs. ZOEgirl "Even If"

Get it for me - and I will burn you a copy.

Foughts on fame, and famous family, fool

I believe, fully, that I know 5 people who will one day be famous. And since I have about 5 readers, that means that if you read this blog - you'll be famous one day....I firmly believe that.

One is my sister who moves today for Nashville, because country just lives in Nashville. . . so she should too.

I have her autograph, and her old yearbook pictures. . . and nobody is prouder she's going after her dream than me. . . and nobody believes she'll actually make it there more than I do.

Have fun, Annie. I love you. Don't forget me. . . we used to share a room.

Maybe knowing her will make me more famous?

Thoughts on Caucuses. . .caucusii. . .caucii. . .cii

What the heck is a caucus? Why not just call it a "test election" or "JV election"? Why do we need to know who's ahead in Iowa? Iowa? Land of farms and. . . .fields. Iowa? Who decided these rules?




Iowa?