UNCOMFORTABLE BEING COMFORTABLE (THAT LITTLE VOICE)

That little voice in my mind is becoming more clear. No, it is not a mentally unstable voice I am hearing. I am thinking about how uncomfortable I am becoming being comfortable. My comfort zone lacks much want or need. It lacks a great deal of danger. It also lacks much of a challenge of discipleship. What I mean by that is my surroundings do not make it difficult to be a disciple. Only my willingness.

This semester (living in semesters can be pretty comfortable) I have been experiencing what it is like to be a counselor, to work with broken people. I see that many of these people do not have the environment to succeed as a disciple or as an individual. Growing up in a home that gives witness to someone dragging your mother down stairs by her hair does not cultivate American success (opportunities for jobs, college, earning a living) or more importantly learning about Christ (growing up in a safe Christian home). It does give a life experience that could create violence and a feeling of not being safe. It makes me realize my comfort is a "privilege" that gives me a head start.

What in my life must change to be a better disciple? For to whom much is given much is expected. What can I do to rid myself of being comfortable? I must leave my comfort zone by helping those in need. Make sacrifices of my time and money. Do things that show true discipleship. I want people to actually see something different in me because of the way I help people.

I want to make people feel the way a counselor at Hope Works made a client feel. Based on simply listening to this person's life story and being encouraging the client said, "If everybody were like you it would be a better place."

ZAMBRANO-NO

THE MOST "IMPORTANT" VOICE

Some of my thoughts on the anniversary of the Twin Tower attack:

Don't pretend it is a special day of morning for God. He doesn't live solely in America nor do we deserve a "wake-up call" (as some interpreted the attack) anymore than any other nation.

1,003,000 deaths in Iraq as of August 2007 due to War on Terror. A minimum of 62,000 civilian deaths. Nearly 3,000 for 9/11 (I am not discounting, just giving a comparison).

Yes it was tragic. It was given a lot of attention because it happened to the US. Americans are no more God's people than Iraqis. 9/11/2001 was no worse for God than a day of starving children dying (who have no voice). Or a day of innocent people being killed for our war on terror (whose voice doesn't matter). Americans are not God's special people who get God's special attention. America is not the most important voice God hears.

HOW DO YOU USE YOUR VOICE? (WHY I WON'T VOTE)

With the upcoming election it is a time as an American people to "voice" our opinion, right? Our democratic government has it figured out. People over 18 can "voice" their opinion on our next president. The next great leader of the free world (and any other country we decide to invade).
It may be considered our American duty to vote each election. I would rather be a disciple of Jesus. Do they contradict? Maybe so maybe not. I would rather express my voice through acts of kindness. I would rather express how I want my money to be spent by spending it on that and more importantly by doing something about it. Meanwhile giving to Caesar what is Caesars, because that is what we have to do. If you have a passion to support education, do it. If you have a desire to keep your money- do the best you can at building an empire and express your voice that way. How about this, if you want to care for the poor don't wait on the government and complain about welfare. Do your part. Interested in international affairs? You get my point. Express your voice through actions that is what we are called to do anyway. Volunteer, show love and compassion, leave your comfort zone, and give your money away.
Today I decided not to vote. Why divide myself from people I like who may vote differently based on political choice(yes I still like people who choose to vote)? Why not just try to inspire through the voice I choose to use; a voice that comes from discipleship? This is the best I can do.
I plan to continue a series of blog posts on "voices".

BACK IN THE DAY

Every time I look at this picture it makes me laugh, well snicker at least. It was taken a nearly two years ago at a HUGSR event. I came across it recently and thought I would share. It was quite a privilege to play along with the talented Jason Whaley.

QUARTER LIFE CRISIS

Today I am 1/4 a hundred years old. In that amount of time...
I have been a Christian just under 15 years.
I have been in school 20 years.
I have been married just over three years.
I spent 22.5 years in KY
Lived 18.5 years in Paducah

Lived all but .5 in the same house. This was spent in an apartment with my wife.
I spent 4 years in Murray in three dorm rooms and two houses.
I have been in TN for 2.5 years (also the amount of time I have been in grad school).
I spent 12 years playing organized soccer (7 of it being club soccer).
I have been a Cubs fan around 17 years.
I have been a University of Kentucky Wildcats fan for exactly 25 years.

I have been an Indianapolis Colts fan for around 5 years.

I have been to six major league baseball parks and four minor league parks.

I have a picture of my name on the sign at Wrigley Field. It was taken exactly 15 years ago.

I have worked in two libraries.
I have been to 4 countries (not including airports).
I have been to 20 states.

I have been to church camp three times as a counselor. Never as a camper.

I have owned the same car since I was 16. It has survived two wrecks (but no tickets).

I was voted Most Friendly in Heath High School's graduating class of 2001.
I coached a sorority soccer team (while in college).

I have seen every episode of Seinfeld at least 5 times, I hadn't watched an episode until reruns.

I have been interviewed in the Paducah Sun in regards to riding my bike.
I have gone 19 months with one haircut. It was after 12 months.
I have performed stand up comedy once.

SUMMER SUMMARY

This summer was set up to be one of the most memorable summers I have ever experienced. It unfolded that way, in positive and negative. To get the negative out of the way I must mention that my second trip to Wrigley and first since I was ten didn't happen because of the train mix up as previously recorded. The Ben Folds concert didn't happen because it rained. Bummer.
There was much more positive action, however. I got to spend 27 days in Africa. It was an incredible experience. I got to learn a new culture and create friendships that otherwise would not have happened. Not long after Zambia, I attended church camp with Sycamore View. This was a wonderful experience and a great venue to create and deepen some relationships with people at church. I did have to go to school for a bit, but the class was one of my favorite classes I have had in grad school, so even school was a pleasure. Erin and I celebrated 3 years of marriage in July, but not in Chicago like we were planning.
My last summer as a student (probably) was a good one.

OLYMPICS--SWIMMING

Some observations on the swimming event.

Records are broken nearly every race. I think the swimsuits are too helpful, and I think the pool/water concedes faster times than in the past. Seriously.

Michael Phelps is a freak of nature, is a great swimmer, seems to be a good guy, I think he is clean, he is really fun to watch and the story is entertaining, BUT I don't see how he could have possibly won that 7th gold. I guess I can't doubt the touchpad technology.

BEN FOLDS NEW ALBUM SINGLE

I am really excited because this video is the first single from Ben Folds' new CD called "Way To Normal". It comes out September 30th. If you like Ben, enjoy. If you don't like Ben then you are lame. Just kidding.

ZAMBIA STORY 2

The second Zambia story I told was an example of how well Erin related to the children there. The Zambians on our medical team scheduled a football (soccer) game against a local Zambian team. A few of us Americans played in the game and several more watched the game, including Erin. Also among the spectators were several Zambian children. One child in particular took to Erin. He was about 5 or 6 years old and drifted over to where she was sitting. He walked right up next to her, then climbed in her lap. Before she knew it he was comfortably resting against her shoulder, just as relaxed as can be. It was really neat to see her interact with the children so well.

ZAMBIA STORY

Yesterday Erin and I were give the opportunity to tell people at church about how Zambia impacted us. It is impossible to communicate that, but we did tell them some of our favorite stories. We both told two stories. I will tell you one of the stories I told yesterday.
The story comes from an interaction I had with a man while working in the optometry clinic. The man was standing in line and started saying something to me. I couldn't understand what he was saying so I asked the interpreter what he was saying and the interpreter looked at me and said, "he is speaking in English". So I listened closer and heard him say our people are so grateful you have come here to serve us. He then went in to see Judy (the eye doctor) and got his glasses prescription and brought it to me. I retrieved his glasses and brought them to him. He tried them on, had an amazing reaction proving that he had not been able to see well at all. He then said I can see Jesus in you people, Christ is dead but today he is alive in you people. Although I don't know that man's name, I will never forget him.

COMING TOGETHER 2008

PLANES, TRAINS, AND CHICAGO

The city of Chicago has given us some grief in the way of travel this summer. First, Erin had to be held over night in Chicago on her trip to Zambia (while I anxiously awaited her arrival). First it was a weight issue with the plane, then maintenance, finally they blamed it on weather, I think.
That was not the only issue we had with the Chicago airport. On our way home there were two flights back to Memphis. Part of our group on each one. The first flight was canceled. Luckily we were not on that flight, even though we tried to switch to it because it was earlier. The flight we were on was delayed several hours.
The newest and probably the worst travel experience with Chicago involved missing our train. Yes we missed our train to Chicago. As many people know Erin and I planned a trip to Chicago for our anniversary. We were going just for the day to mainly catch a Cubs game. The train is overnight, so it was going to be an overnight trip to Chicago, spend the day, overnight trip back. It didn't happen, though. Our itinerary said 10:40. The train left at 9:55. A bus that was taking passengers to a point that I was told to arrive 15 minutes early for left the station at 9:15.
We tried to catch the train at the next stop, but that didn't work out. So we missed the train ride, and the game. Quite disappointing. I guess it will make a good story to laugh about later. Much later.

I AM RACIST

You will never relate with someone you fear or do not understand.
-Dr. Everett Huffard

This quote, coupled with my Multicultural Counseling course has forced me really think about how racist I am. There is no need for me to ignore the feelings I have of other races. As much as I know I should not fear or discriminate other races, I do. I feel like Paul in Romans. I do what I don't want to, I don't do what I should. I can talk the talk with the best of them when it comes to showing respect for minorities and making a concentrated effort to helping the poor in Memphis. However, what is it that I do for them? Wait until I graduate, like I tell myself? What barrier will I allow to be built after that? I am starting to act rather than just talk. It is a process I am struggling with. It must be a concentrated effort with me because it is out of my comfort zone.
Racism is more than the KKK and Neo-Natzis. In fact, in a recent documentary we watched in class a black man said he was more affected by racism displayed by people who are ignorant to the fact they are racist. I want to challenge you to examine yourself when it comes to the treatment of other races.

THE NEWEST CREATION