Live for the Truth

I started drinking coffee when I was about two years old. I can remember lying on the hard wood floor of our home, watching The Three Stooges, drinking coffee from a baby bottle, and rubbing the silky edge around my blanket between my fingers. Ah, the memories! My mother would bore the hole in the nipple with a knife and fill the bottle with coffee, cream, and sugar. What was she thinking? I remember my parents getting mad at me because I wouldn’t go to bed when they told me to. Hello!? Around my house we try to keep the kids away from any form of stimulant. They’re already bouncing off the walls; I can’t imagine what a ‘cup-o-jo’ would do to them.
I continued to drink coffee all the way through my school years, though not as much as when I was a toddler.
When I entered the real world coffee became a staple in my every day routine. If I don’t have at least one cup of coffee in the morning I’ll suffer headaches throughout the day.
When I’m working nights I’ll usually drink a pot in the first 3 hours of a 12-hour shift. If I don’t stop drinking before 11pm I won’t be able to sleep well the next day, due to caffeine and trips to the restroom.
There is one stretch each month where I work 4 consecutive 12-hour night shifts. (mon-thur) Last month, on Thursday evening, I realized that I hadn’t drank anything but coffee for the past three days. And during those three days I had slept a combined total of around 11 hours. I'm beginning to think there may be a connection.
Folks, this cannot be healthy. The only time I’ve ever been able to curb the ‘java jones’ was while I was running. I didn’t crave coffee at all. My body craved nothing but water, and lots of it. I slept better at nights, and during the daytime. I even had more energy during my waking hours.
That’s it! I’m going to start running again and stop drinking coffee. After all, it’s not right for me to let a steaming cup of bean juice run my life.
I’m finished! Done! I’m through with it!
He says as he hears the coffee maker come gurgling to a halt.
Hey, I do have to stay awake until morning!

Lance Armstrong is a tremendous athlete and his accomplishments are remarkable. He is one of the best, if not THE best, conditioned athletes in the world. Lance has about 4% body fat, while Shaquille O’Neal has about 16%. He has a resting heart rate below 40 and the average man’s is around 70. Lance’s VO2 Max rating (the amount of oxygen the lungs consume during exercise) is 85. An average healthy male MIGHT rate a 40. Looking at those numbers I have to believe that Lance would be the ideal marathon runner. He beat testicular cancer, only to win one of the most difficult athletic events- a 2000+ mile bike race- 7 years in a row, despite being told by doctors that he only had a 20% chance of survival. He’s raised millions of dollars for cancer research.
Now, having said that, why don’t I think Lance Armstrong should be considered a role model for kids?
While the media was all ‘goo-goo’ over Lance and Sheryl, his rock star girlfriend, they never mentioned that Lance left his wife and mother of his children just a couple of years ago because, apparently, they had different priorities. Word is that Lance’s ex-wife had this crazy idea that Lance should spend more time at home with her and the kids, and less time riding his bike around the world. How crazy is that? How selfish can this woman possibly be to want to rob the world of this great athlete just so her kids can have their father around the house? I’ve also read Lance had a hard time understanding his wife’s devotion to her faith. That’s not hard to believe since Lance has been quoted as saying such things as “If there was a god, I’d still have both of my nuts” or “God gave me cancer, the doctors took it away”. If you google “Lance Armstrong God” you will see several atheist websites singing the praises of their hero, Lance Armstrong. I don’t really know if Lance is an atheist or not, but his statements would lead you to believe so.
We live in a world that wants the highest paid athletes, biggest movie stars and rock stars to be the model of perfection. After all, fame and fortune is what it’s all about, isn’t it? Don’t get me wrong, these type folks are definitely ‘role models’, just not ‘good role models’.
I do not dislike Lance Armstrong whatsoever. In fact, I think he is probably a great guy. It’s not his fault that he has had this title forced upon him.
BTW, I don’t think that Babe Ruth was a very good role model either. But in those days the MSM didn’t let the ‘little things’ get by them.

I love watching sports on TV. I’ve been married for more than 18 years. I’ve fathered three kids. I love to work on cars and get my hands dirty. I work in a steel mill for Pete’s sake! Now, having said that, I’ve got a confession to make… You see, I love watching Gilmore Girls. At first I thought I was the only man who struggled with this. But I’ve come to discover that at least a couple of other ‘guys’ I know also enjoy watching the show, one of which has loaned me the first season on DVD. I don’t know what it is about this program. I wish I could tell you that I had a crush on Lorelia or Rory, but it’s much worse than that. I do think the girls are VERY cute, but I actually find myself getting caught up in the show! As a Christian conservative (see: right-wing wacko), I have many problems with some of the shows message. But that can be said about 99.9% of today’s programming. I think Gilmore Girls is one of the most brilliantly written programs ever. The dialog between the characters is hilarious. The town, Stars Hollow, is the kind of place we all would love to live in. You find yourself really caring about the relationships between the characters. Sometimes it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling that can only be duplicated by watching video 1980 US men’s hockey team, a Sports Century episode on Lou Gehrig, a Nolan Ryan no-hitter, or highlights of one of the Dallas Cowboy’s Super Bowl victories.

When I was in school I wrote a term paper titled ‘Satan in Rock Music’. You know, things like Stairway to Heaven backwards, KISS (Knights In Satans Service), Anton LeVay’s picture on the Hotel California album cover, and stuff like that. At the time I was probably a little more caught up in the subject than I should have been. While I became a Christian a few years earlier, I had gotten pretty deep into the heavy metal scene. I would frequent concerts by such bands as Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, KISS, Van Halen, and Ozzy Osborne. When I look back I realize that I was an extremely messed-up teenager. I don’t know why I chose the subject that I did, I guess because I found it fascinating. Fascination can be a very bad thing, especially when it draws you away from Christ. You’d be surprised how many books you can find on this subject. Remember, this is WAY before the days of the internet. One of the books that I checked out from the library talked about a ‘conversion’ The Eagles went through in the early ‘70s. I remember it describing it as ‘selling their souls’ to the devil. The book stated that their conversion to Satanism was documented in their song Hotel California. A few years later one of the band members – I can’t remember which one – struggled with his decision to serve Satan because he had given his heart to Christ as a child. As he struggled with all of this, strange things began to happen to him. There were equipment failures, illnesses, and other things that he experienced. While in bed suffering from exhaustion he would wake up every evening at precisely eleven thirty four. Finally, one night when he awoke the digital alarm clock next to his bed was turned upside down and it read HELL, which is 11:34. If I remember correctly, this is what helped lead to the band’s separation. I have no idea if any of this stuff was actually true. I just remember it made an impression on me at the time. It also made for good term paper material.
Now, on to the part that I should never tell anyone.
Over the years I haven't been able to look at a clock reading 11:34 without remembering that story. That seems pretty acceptable. In fact, I can’t even see the numbers 20 or 34 without remembering Earl Campbell. Here’s where it gets really strange. Over recent years I have begun to look at the clock at exactly 11:34. I don’t look at the clock any more frequently than the average person, I don’t believe. But I will go for days at a time without seeing 11:34 on the clock two times per day. If I’m asleep, I will wake up and roll over, knowing that the clock is going to read 11:34, and sure enough…it does. I really don’t know what to make of this. I had written if off a long time ago as merely coincidence. But after a while one has to start to wonder. Is it God trying to tell me something? Is it the devil? Is it my mind, along with my internal clock, playing games with me?
Okay, so now when I go ‘over the edge’ you’ll know one of the many contributing factors.

I mentioned that I had painted the kid's rooms.

I worked nights this weekend and when I got home the girls were all sleeping in my bed with their mom. So I decided that I would sleep in my daughter's room, as not to disturb anyone. The only problem was that I could still see the colors of the room when I closed my eyes!!!

McKenzie's Room 

Macie's Room 

Jordan's Room 

Who do we think we are?
I really like to watch the reality show ‘Airline’, based on everyday activities inside the terminals of Southwest Airlines around the country. It’s a pretty bold move for Southwest to allow full access to cameras, regardless of the situation. While the airline isn’t always in the ‘right’, although 99% of the time they are, they handle every situation much better than I would myself. Watching this show you realize just how self-centered and ignorant most people really are. I have no doubt that these people have no idea just how foolish they come across when they’re causing a scene in front of the cameras. If you’ve seen the program, then you know what I’m talking about.

The other morning I had to run to Wal-Mart to buy some supplies for painting my girl’s rooms. (Hot Pink & Lime Green!!!) On my way to checkout a man carrying an arm full of items was walking in front of me. It was about 8am in the morning, so the store wasn’t very busy at all. There was only one counter opened at the nearest end of registers, and it was the express lane. I noticed that none of the ‘self-check’ lanes were opened, so I got in line behind a gentleman who was about ready to pay, while the other guy proceeded to the ‘self-check’ counter. He attempted to scan an item before he finally realized that the thing wasn’t turned on. He looked over toward the express lane where I was second in line, and I stepped back as if to let him in front of me since that’s where he would have been. But instead of walking over and getting in line, he barks out for the cashier to “get a manager” over there immediately. The cashier asked if there was anything she could help him with, but he was bent on speaking to a manager. By the time a manager arrived I had already paid, but wanted to stick around an finish watching this fool make an arse of himself. The whole time I’m thinking, “If this guy is in such a hurry, then why didn’t he just choose to get in line like everyone else?” When the manager finally got there, he lit into him about how the ‘self-check’ lines are supposed to be there for the customer’s convenience, and since they’re not turned on it’s caused him more of an inconvenience than anything. Huh? He had to know that I was standing there watching him make a spectacle of himself. I was also waiting for him to lash out at the poor checkout girl again. I could tell that she was pretty intimidated by this fool. After the manager was able to kiss his butt enough to make him happy, he proceeded to pay like a regular person would have. I had already gotten into my truck when he came out of the store and hopped into his Lexus, which was parked in a HANDICAP SPACE. Is it just me, or do people like this really get under your skin too?

I realize that there are times when I don’t handle things in a very Christian manner. But I always try to maintain the WWJD attitude when a situation arises.


I’m excited.
I’ve been asked to teach the youth class next Wednesday night, since our youth minister is going to be out of town. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve taught Sunday School and I miss it a lot. I don’t really know what I’m going to talk about yet, since it is just a one-time deal. It’s also been a couple of years since I’ve been able to go to camp with the kids during the summer. I miss that even more.


My son is growing too fast.
Jordan will be going into the eighth grade this fall. He’s already taller than I am, by just tiny bit. He’s started growing hair in all those strange places and his voice has dropped a few octaves. The great thing is, he hasn’t traded Spongebob for music videos, at least as far as I know.
He’s in for a rude awakening when football practice starts. By the time I was 13 me and my friends would work out during the summer to stay in shape for two-a-days. But with the exception of fishing and swimming Jordan hasn’t had any physical activities this summer. I’ve been telling him all summer that he’s going to barf when he has to run in the heat, but he won’t listen. This will be one of those ‘father knows best’ lessons.

"When I was 14, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have him around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished to find out how much the old man had learned in seven years." Mark Twain


Lord, help me.
In the past, I have expressed how displeased I am that my girls are into competitive cheerleading. I admit that I actually enjoyed watching them perform when I was forced to go to their competitions.
My oldest daughter isn’t really the cheerleading type. She is only on a squad because the instructor begged her to join because there weren’t enough girls. She’s more of the ‘athletic’ type and would much rather be playing softball or basketball.
My youngest daughter is REALLY into the whole ‘cheer’ thing. She’s very small and agile for her age. (9) She is what they call a ‘flyer’, which is the one they toss up in the air and hold over their heads. She can also tumble really well. She will actually be on two different squads this year. First, they had decided to move her up to an older squad this year. Instead of being on a squad with the elementary age girls, they moved her up to a squad with girls up to 13 years old. Then, they decided that they would move her and another girl up to the senior squad. They’re going to be performing with the high school age girls!
This whole ‘cheerleading’ thing is getting WAY out of hand.


Movie Review
I took the girls to see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory the other day. I thought the movie was decent. I think it would have probably been a better film if it weren’t a ‘Tim Burton’ movie. You come to expect a certain ‘weirdness’ associated with his movies, but Johnny Depp took it to the extreme in this film. While Gene Wilder’s character wasn’t exactly normal, he didn’t come across quite as disturbed with as many issues as Depp’s portrayal of Wonka. I was, however, very pleased with certain parts of the movie. I really liked the way the movie kept in line with the original in the way it portrayed Charlie’s family. Who doesn’t remember both sets of their grandparents lying around in bed together all day?


Hater
Recently, a co-worker left me notepad message on my computer. The message said that God didn’t want people to become religious robots that march into church each time the doors are open. God intended for the church to be an “organism”, not an organization. (I can’t argue with that one) It stated, “god wants your heart, not your attendance”.
I’m guessing that because I often have my Bible on my desk and attend church with my family, I’m a “religious robot”. I can honestly say that honored that some perceive me this way. However, I feel sorry for this person that seems to want to find an ‘out’ so they don’t have to go to church and change their life. I will pray for you, whoever you are.

Where have I been?
Why haven’t I written over the last couple of months? I can think of many reasons. I’ve been very busy. We’ve had kids running every which direction, with baseball, softball, cheer, and church camps. With it being summer, there is always someone at home. I just don’t feel right ‘blogging’ when I can’t seem to find time to study the Word, like I should. Not to mention that the computer is usually tied up with one of the kids on MSN Messenger. What a monster I created!!! A couple of months ago I showed them how to IM, and they’ve since created a ‘friends’ list with over 30 kids on it. But probably the main reason I hadn’t written is because I had lost my place of ‘solitude’. For the past 3 months I’ve been training someone else how to do my job. It’s strange going from being locked-up in a lab alone for 12 hours at a time, to having someone following you around, watching every move you make. It’s hard for me to write when I’ve got someone looking over my shoulder, literally. Luckily, this person was easy to get along with. Although a bit young and naïve, they were wise enough to realize it. But now I’ve returned, all alone in the lab again. I don’t know how long this is going to last though. I’ve heard that I’ll be training another person beginning next week. People have been dropping like flies around here, and I can’t figure out why. For some reason they all say they are ‘stressed’ doing this job. My mind cannot even conceive this “stress” that they speak of. I guess another reason that I haven’t written is that I just haven’t felt like it. I still read all the same blogs that I usually read, but I don’t even feel like leaving a response most of the time. Hopefully, this entry will be the beginning of a string of entries.

How are things going?
Things are going great! The Lord has blessed me with a beautiful wife, three great kids, a loving church family, many dear friends, a good paying job, and a nice home. I count my many blessings each and every day. While my study time has decreased significantly over the past couple of months, I find at least as much time as ever to meditate and pray. It seems like almost every day that tragedy strikes ‘too close to home’. When I look at all that I have, and am thankful for, “blessings” are the only explanation.
Recently, there was talk that I was being considered for a ‘day’ position here at work. Day jobs are hard to come by in this industry. Usually someone has to die before someone else gets promoted. Well, as I mentioned before, we had several people quit or transfer and I’m stuck working the same rotating shift that I’ve been working for the past 13 years. I had been praying for the past couple of years for a day job and I thought that prayer was going to be answered. For reasons that I don’t yet understand, I’m not supposed to be a 9 to 5 guy right now.
My wife has taken on the role of interim church secretary while our secretary recovers from a battle with cancer. I can’t tell you how great this is for her. Since I haven’t been able to take on a more active role in the church, I’d been praying that she would have the opportunity to do so. This Friday she will be going with the youth to Ft. Worth for Y.E.C. (Youth Evangelism Conference) I believe that God is really starting to do things in her life. That can’t be a bad thing, can it?

The lighter side of sports…
The Longhorns have won yet another NCAA Championship in baseball. While there is no doubt that football draws all the national attention and media coverage, we all know that it is baseball that really matters. After all, it is the “Great American Pastime”. I knew they had the talent to win it all this year, but questioned whether they were mentally prepared, especially since their pitching had little experience. Who knows? This could be the year for TEXAS to win it all in football too. For sure, Vince Young will make a run after the Heisman, especially if he has a good performance against Ohio State and Oklahoma early in the season.
The little Rangers are plugging along despite inconsistent (at best) pitching. We can only hope that the Angels fall flat on their faces during the second half of the season. Looking at the AL East, I don’t think a wildcard is in books this year. It’s either ‘win it all’, or nothing. If Kenny Rogers isn’t committed before the season’s end, Chan Ho continues to produce runs (?), and we patch together enough innings of quality relief, I think the Rangers have a chance.
Could someone please explain to me why Michelle Wie is trying to play on the men’s tour? Granted, she is probably the greatest 15 year-old golfer of all time, even greater than Tiger at that age. But she is just that… a 15 year-old golfer. She hasn’t proven that she can win on the amateur tour or the LPGA. Why must she try to compete with men? Is it her, or her parents, that feels the need to make this huge leap? There isn’t much of a difference in the 120th and 200th ranked male golfers in the world. Any one of them is capable of making the cut from week to week. If that is where Michelle wants to be, then more power to her. But if she wants to be playing on Sunday afternoon each week, she needs to be able to win about 20 LPGA events in a row. Who knows, maybe she will become a competitor on the PGA Tour. But it isn’t going to happen in the next couple of years, if at all. I once heard a tour player say that the average male club-pro could be competitive on the women’s tour. Does it make me a chauvinist if I think that true? On the same subject… Has anyone noticed how much larger Annika Sorenstam has gotten in recent years? Her arms are huge. Her shoulders are much squarer. And her facial features seem more, well, manly. I hope she doesn’t read this!!! The craziest things cross your mind at two in the morning.

A couple of years ago I looked around at the people I was attending church with. There were doctors, lawyers (lots of lawyers), judges, CEOs, and politicians. I was sitting in Sunday School with our state representative, a wealthy business owner who made his fortune developing and manufacturing video games. He even fought against the current rating system that is supposed to prevent our children from getting their hands on the games that are filled with violence and filth. He called it censorship.
I feel certain that most of these people gave generously to the church. That became apparent when I spoke to the preacher about issues he seemed to skate around during his sermons. I started to notice that his sermons were very ‘user friendly’. It was obvious that he didn’t want to bite the hand that fed him.
I cannot judge what is in other people’s hearts when they reach into their pocketbook. But one has to wonder if people were giving generously to the church to ‘buy’ their religion. You have to wonder if they were just looking for someplace where they could attend church in comfort, without having to worry about hearing anything bad spoken of their lavish lifestyles. Hoping not to hear anything about giving it all away and following Jesus.
They gave, but you can bet that they didn’t give enough to effect the kind of car they drove or the size of home they lived in.
Am I bitter because I feel like the preacher ignored me because I didn’t give as much as other members of the congregation? Probably. I do need to let that go. But you see those people didn’t have to worry about their ‘smallish’ check they’d written to the church clearing the bank at the right time.
Shortly after we left this church the congregation ‘split’. The church is now about half the size it was before. Of course, you might guess which half remains.

So I don’t feel that the amount that you give is as important as what is behind your motivation to give.