More Than A Feeling

Andrew Peterson has some really good songs. In one of his songs there is a lyric that makes alot of sense and convicts me. It goes "love is not a feeling in your chest, it is getting down to wash someone's feet." What is love if it is stagnant? Love isn't just a feeling or a thought. If you love then you are taking action.
If love is taking action then I am bad at loving the poor. I am good at thinking about how I want to be good in the helping profession. I am good at thinking about what I should be doing for the poor. I have the heart and compassion for the poor. But I am bad at loving though. I bought a man on Poplar Street lunch one day last year. I felt like I was really doing something. If I really loved the poor and didn't just want to make myself feel good I could have ate with him at least. When I reflect on financial ways I could be helping the poor I get sick.
I don't want to answer to God about how little I did for the poor. I want to be able to freely give as I have freely received. That giving should be of my time and of my money. I pray that I will not only have the desire to help but I will be willing to take action.

Bland Nights

Bland Nights are far from bland. I want to take this blog space to show appreciation to Dr. Dave and Nancy Bland, possibly the most kind people I know. Every first and third Sunday night you can depend on a Bland Night. A typical Bland Night consists of the group making announcements and prayer requests then Dr. Bland offers up a prayer for the requests, our fellowship, and the wonderful food that Nancy has graciously prepared for a number of people. There is always more than enough food and deserts. There is even a Bland pouring a drink for you. Bland Nights are heavily anticipated in the Lewis home. Bland Nights are one of the top five things for me in Memphis. The Blands have been a great example to me of what hospitality, fellowship, and servanthood looks like.
I will really miss Bland Nights when I leave Memphis.

A Knit Bib

This is a bib that Erin just finished. No it is not for me. I was just the model. It is for a kid. I think it would be beneficial for me, though. I am out of control at the dinner table.

One For The Ages

What a game. Can't ask for much more excitement. Peyton leads the biggest comeback in AFC Championship history. He displayed his greatness in the form of a game winning drive with 1:00 left on the clock.

One more.

Sweater And More

This may be Erin's most impressive knit project, she put together this sweater much quicker than I expected. It only took her like ten days or something.

Here is my cool iPod protective case, you can't find one of those in the Apple store. Those socks were created a long time ago, they are just now getting some love.

I'm A Maine-iac

At some point at the end of last year Erin and I felt a draw to the New England area. After doing some semi-serious looking into it I discovered that a staff member and her husband at the Grad school used to live in Maine. They graciously had us to their house one night and told us all about Portland, Maine. Erin and I were sold and I have been researching Maine on the internet ever since. We have a connection from people that the Alexander's know, that furthers our confidence in our draw to the northeast US. I am not sure how the will of God works and I am not sure if it is God who is leading us to Maine, I hope we can figure that out. I know that Maine was not ever originally on my list of places to live when I finished grad school. My list was pretty short though.

So thats it for know, some interest and a connection and hope for some wise discernment. I still have time here in Memphis and I still need to visit, but right now we are considering it.

The "Real" Kramer Reality Tour

This is the "real" Kramer standing infront of the famous Monk's Diner, where the Seinfeld characters frequented. Not Cosmo Kramer, Kenny Kramer.

Although this is the real Kramer, he seems to be much like the Kramer from the TV show. Not only do they both have crazy hair, both like to cash in on outlandish ideas. OK so maybe Kenny's isn't quite as outlandish as Cosmo's, but it still fits the character.

Kenny performs tours and has even traveled to Australia to perform his Seinfeld reality tour. Recently he involved the actor who played the Soup Nazi into his tour. I do not think the "real" Soup Nazi enjoys the Seinfeld attention though. Of course Kenny has an official website promoting all his "real" Kramer stuff. For a link to Kenny Kramer's home page click here. Giddy up!

Bend(Not Break The Bank) It Like Beckham

David Beckham is waving goodbye to his home across the Atlantic Ocean and joining the super capitalist capital of the world. The USA. I sure would say he is exercising his freedom to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, if that includes lots of money.

Reports are that he is receiving $250 mil for 5 years to come play in our low standard professional soccer league. As true as that may be, lets hold on just one second before we red card Major League Soccer. The curious, investigative part of me decided that it was financially impossible for a league like the MLS to pay one player that much. Heck, the free spending Major League Baseball teams don't even think about $250 mil for 5 years.

So just how is MLS managing this? Or, how is the LA Galaxy managing this? Well, I have read confirmed MLS offical reports that he is being paid only 8 or 9 million dollars a year from the MLS/Galaxy. (I know we could do the whole discussion about the amount of money professional athletes make is not fair. But let's take the "only" in a relative sense for the sake of this blog)

Ok, sounds interesting but there is still alot of money unaccounted for, right? Endorsements. Think about how huge LeBron James' contract would have been with the inclusion of endorsements, or Micheal Jordan? What about Derek Jeter or A Rod? The inclusion of the amount of mula James would get from endorsements would be negative attention, "How can this kid be getting this much money?" The Beckham paycheck may not get people excited for his financial gain. But it sure does get attention. Espically for people who only follow sports like baseball where huge contracts are the entertainment of the off-season. I'd say it is a win-win for Beckham and MLS. I wouldn't care where the money came from if I am Beckham and MLS is getting a high-profile player that will surely get some primetime ESPN or ABC. As far as the endorsers, I suppose they will get their money back through sales, I don't really know or care.

Yes it is alot of money. Yes Beckham is winning by gaining it, and as a soccer fan, hopefully the MLS will win too.

All my info came from the article "Debunking the Myth of Beckham's Contract" by Jen Chang

UK vs. Ole Miss

Here is a picture of Jacob, me, Seth, Jessica, and Erin at a UK v. Ole Miss basketball game last Saturday. UK won by 10. It was a good time. Unfortuantly we didn't see Tubby after the game. Way to come through with the tickets Jake!

Knittage

Here are a few of the latest knitting projects. Not all are included.

The best creation yet. My house shoes.

Hand made socks for Dad.

Felted hand bags.

Another felted hand bag. First you knit it then you wash it.

Kinda hard to tell from the angle. These are baby sized socks.

I am a Peyton Fan

One game down and a few more until the greatest player in the NFL silences the critics about his inablity to win the big one, I hope. I only was able to watch half the game yesterday because I went to watch UK play Ole Miss. But they looked good. Even if Peyton threw a few interceptions.
Hopefully, this is the year that the best player at the hardest position finally earns the championship he deserves.
I may eat my words, but no matter what Peyton deserves to win the big one. I don't want to see possibly the best ever retire without at least one Super Bowl victory leaving people saying "yeah but...he never won a Super Bowl". But if it isn't this year he still has time.
Plus, he has really funny commercials. I am not sure what that has to do with anything. But he does.

More Than a Dreamer

"Early mourning, April 4th
Shots rang out in the Memphis sky
'Free at Last' they took your life
They could not take your pride" - U2 "Pride"

After a trip to one of the top Memphis must see tourist spots -the National Civil Rights Museum-the life and death of one of the most important Americans is on my mind.
I am ashamed that a country that prides itself on freedom and the pursuit of happiness treated minorities with such a blind eye to the freedom in the constitution and supposed unfailing democracy. The lack of Christianity was also disappointing to say the least.
It was good to observe throughout the tour people willing to stand up for what is right. Martin Luther King, Jr. being one of the most impressive. He dedicated his life as a preacher of the gospel to sound out against the oppression and unfair treatment of minorities.
Not only should he be observed as a great leader against discrimination, Christians should respect him for the way he rebelled against the societal norms to live like a Christian ought to live.
He defied the societal norms and truly did not conform to this world. His fight against discrimination is a great Christian example of standing up for what is right in a world that is wrong.
His "I have a dream" speech is one of the most inspiring speeches I have ever read or heard. If you have not experienced it click here: I Have a Dream

MLK Jr. was definitely more than a dreamer. He was a great leader and more importantly, a great Christian.