Mothers Don't Lie

I knew last night that my post wasn't going in the right direction, but I just couldn't bring myself to erase it all.  So when I asked mom today if it made sense, this is what she said.  And I quote, "Well, it was uhhhh....yeah, sure...it did."  I'll just say that was a little less than convincing.  I had previously decided no to write about the books I read because there are plenty of people out in the world much more intelligent and eloquent than I that write great book reviews.  In a moment of weakness I succumbed.  Please accept my sincerest apologies.

These pictures should make up for it.  How cute are they?

While Melissa was busy cooking dinner, Audrey stole away with the newly purchased box of Reese's Puffs.  Yes, she did ruin her dinner and no, I didn't stop her.  That's what aunts are for.  

This must be what uncles are for - letting 6 year olds toss cereal in the air as you try to catch it in your mouth without choking or falling on the baby sitting next to you.  Can't wait to see this man in action with our kids one day!

The Reason for God

I am reading a wonderfully insightful book right now called The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller.  In the first half of the book Keller takes the 7 most common doubts people have about Christianity and proves them wrong.  In the second half, which I haven't read yet, he discusses 7 reasons for faith.  Don't worry.  I'm not in a crisis of belief or anything, but it feels good to have logical answers for some of those questions that have lingered in the back of my mind.  Keller actually encourages believers to wrestle with their doubts, not to simply ignore them, because "only if you struggle long and hard with objections to your faith will you be able to provide grounds for your beliefs to skeptics, including yourself."

With all the media coverage of the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, I see why people are attracted to their congregation.  They seem so open, inclusive, and compassionate in their acceptance of all beliefs.  I have had a handful of conversations over the last few years with people who wonder why all religions can't be true.  "How can Christianity claim to be the only way?  It is just arrogant and narrow-minded."  My only answer has always been where Christ says, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).  This might be enough for a person of faith, but for skeptics, it likely isn't.  

The Reason for God poses a strong argument that it is not in fact closed-minded to claim Christianity as THE truth, but rather just the nature of being a community.  "Any community that did not hold its members accountable for specific beliefs and practices would have no corporate identity and would not really be a community at all.  We cannot consider a group exclusive simply because it has standards for its members."  

Even today I heard a student almost bragging that she believes all religions are true.  It seems so progressive and tolerant to make this claim.  However, "if Christians are right about Jesus being God, then Muslims and Jews fail in a serious way to love God as God really is, but if Muslims and Jews are right that Jesus is not God but rather a teacher or prophet, then Christians fail in a serious way to love God as God really is."  It is obvious that we all can't be right, yet we must remember that at the center of the Christian belief system is a man who died for his adversaries, praying for their forgiveness.

I'm afraid I have muddied what Keller made so clear, but it is 11:00.  P.M.  And 5:30 a.m. will be coming too soon, so hopefully you will find a nugget somewhere in this mess.  Anyway, I recommend this book for skeptics and believers alike.  And if you know a seeker who wouldn't be offended by such a gesture, this would be a great gift.  

Extreme Makeover

On a lighter note...

Oh pweez! Don't make me wook at the camwa!

Okay, this is as much as I'm gonna do.

Awwight awweady! Wets get it ovuh with.

Ahhh. Much bedda.

So, how do I wook?

If you have known me for very long, you know that I love a good haircut. My pattern so far is to grow it out really long, and about a month after it gets to where I have wanted it for the last year, I cut it off. Not just a little trim either, but an all out chopping session. Then, just when I learn how to fix my new short-do, I decide to grow it out again. So that means most of my life, my hair has been in the awkward growing out stage. I have learned my lesson. I'm going on eight months of keeping it short now. Since I am changing my hair-styling ways, poor Milly is subject to my need for extreme hair changes. I now love to let her ears grow out and then chop them off. (The hair, not her ears, that is.)

And yes, she is wearing a baby shirt here. Not because she was dressed up for the occasion though. (Her pink flamingo tank top is used for that.) She has horrible allergies, and this keeps her from scratching too much. Andrew said all she is missing is a black belt, and she would be ready for some Kung Fu fighting!

That Good Men Do Nothing

As I suspect all teachers would tell you, mixed in with our delightful students are a wayward few who have gotten lost along the way. Sometimes I look at those students and wonder what the rest of life has in store for them. After the senseless tragedy yesterday at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, I worry that some of my students are headed down a similar path. We all look to find an answer to explain why something like this happens even though it never brings the comfort we are looking for. Maybe more important than finding out what happened to cause somebody to go to such extremes, is finding out what didn't happen. So, maybe this man didn't get what he needed from his parents or family, but where were his teachers, guidance counselors, coworkers? It might be too late to save him, but it isn't too late for the others. Only one week from the official start of a new year, I hope to connect with a few of those who have fallen through the cracks, and I pray that it is not too late. I challenge you to do the same with someone in your life.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." -Edmund Burke

How Cool is My Great-Grandmother!

Can you believe it?  This is my 85 year old great-grandmother, Mama Ese, on a dirt bike.  Mark should win some sort of prize for this.  He did take her on a tour of Italy last year, but this takes the cake.

I think she's ready for the road folks.

The new great-grandfather (a.k.a. Papaw J) and great-great-grandmother.  You think they're happy to be in Denver?

A Delicate Balance

I am definitely a fan of the firm handshake. There is something about a person, especially a man, gently squeezing my hand as if I am some kind of fragile porcelain doll that just creeps me out. Today, though, I got a lesson in the kind of handshake that nearly brings you to the floor. I was introduced to someone at school, so as is expected, I offered my hand in greeting. I seriously regretted my offer only moments later. The man squeezed my hand so hard that there was an audible popping sound from my bones being crushed together. I mean, I actually heard it. I just wonder what he was thinking. Was it an effort to establish his manhood? his power? He had already been introduced as a police officer (here to investigate whether or not one of my students is dealing drugs - another story for another day), so I already knew the power he wields.

Let's all do humanity a favor. Test out your handshake on somebody tonight. Ask their opinion. Too gentle? Too forceful? Find that delicate balance. Modify. Make some adjustments. We perform this action regularly, so trust me, it will be worth it.

Google Searches

I think most people who read my blog actually know me, but a random few wind up here from google searches. Here are a few of the most interesting ones.

• how do i stop my self from breaking out with spots if ive just eaten chocolate cake - Okay. We all know the obvious answer here, but it just isn't a possibility to actually stop eating the cake. To tell the truth, a few bites of the moist cake topped with a thick layer of creamy frosting are probably worth the embarrassing break out. And I know I talk about sweets pretty often around here, but I don't recall ever mentioning chocolate cake, and I know for a fact that breaking out in spots would definitely fall under the non-bloggable category.
• is beth moore dispensationalist - This is possibly the scariest of google searches because I get one of these at least everyday. When I posted about this, I was actually just admitting my lack of knowledge about this complicated issue. At least all of these fellow Beth Moore studiers will know they are not alone in their confusion.
• can you feel the wall - Come again? The wall? What wall? Oh, you mean the handwriting on the wall. Yes, I guess you're right. If we really do mean to lives our lives as God's handwriting on the wall, it should not only be seen but also felt. In fact, it should be felt more than seen. Ahhh. Nice. Thanks google searcher.
• fragmentosis - I was beginning to think G.W. (lead pastor at my church) must have coined this term because I haven't heard it anywhere else, but the other search results indicate otherwise. I normally pride myself on being a multi-tasker, but after looking at my to-do list for the summer, I am questioning my skills. A few too many things listed, a few too many things started and not finished.
• instant cappuccino and friendship bread - Oh, honey. Please don't. You are missing out on the joys of the Bialetti Mukka Cappuccino Maker when you go instant. Not only is the finished product worth it, but the five-step process is therapeutic in itself. As for the friendship bread, go for it. I don't recommend trying to make three batches in one day though - unless your will power is strong enough to resist the desire to test each of the six loaves while they are still warm.

Stay tuned for future installments of the often humorous google searches.