The Price of Integrity

A judge who gets it!

And guess what, it’s a New York judge who got it right.

Apparently, an owner of an upscale Manhattan restaurant filed a lawsuit against a supermodel over a damaged designer umbrella said to be worth $5,000. Yes, a restaurant owner owned a $5,000 umbrella—let that settle in first. Then, he loaned out the $5,000 umbrella. Then, when it was damaged, he sued for one million dollars. Yes, one million dollars!

That’s when the judge got it right! New York State Supreme Court Justice Joan. A. Madden threw out the lawsuit, calling motions filed by the attorney on behalf of Nello Balan a “waste of judicial resources.” She then fined Balan’s attorney $500 for filing a frivolous claim.

Good for her! I hope sure she makes sure the attorney pays every penny of that $500.

Balan sued supermodel Le Call for $1 million, claiming that he lent her a Jean-Paul Gaultier-designed umbrella—and that she returned it to him in two pieces.

Balan claimed emotional distress and said that the model had intentionally damaged the umbrella.

Emotional distress over an umbrella? Did he really claim that! Yes! He did!

You know, I don’t own much that is worth $5,000 or more, much less an umbrella! And, if I did, I don’t think I’d be using the umbrella, much less loaning it out!

At what point does something become of great enough value to you that you would sue over it being damaged? Would you sue someone over damaging your property?

Share you thoughts!

Fast and Furious

Friday morning, on my way to work, I did something I normally don't do--I stopped and filled up with gas. I was getting low, but I usually like to wait until the weekend to fill up. Don't why that's my normal schedule, but it is. I guess I just like to have a full tank to start the work week.

So, I stopped, and paid $3.51 a gallon, for the cheap grade of gas. Not a great prices, but it was $.02 cheaper than the next lowest price.

On the way home after lunch, I drove past the very same gas station where I had filled up 7 hours earlier. In seven hours, gas prices had risen to $3.95 a gallon. Did you read that? Gas has risen $.44 in 7 hours! I was shocked!

Little did I know how much more shock I would experience over the weekend. By Saturday morning, gas was selling for $4.19 a gallon, again for the cheaper gas.

And, it continues to go up! And up! And up!

My wife heard on the radio on the way home Friday afternoon that gas could go to $5.00 - $6.00 a gallon...all because of Hurricane Ike.

Now, I fully understand that 25% of our gas refineries are located in Texas and Louisiana, I can appreciate that. However, at the time gas rose $.44 in 7 hours, the hurricane had not hit yet, and no gasoline had arrived in Birmingham from Texas. I can understand why gas prices would go up the next week or so, I really can. However, I am really struggling with the obvious gas gouging that is going on!

You cannot convince me that someone isn't making a killing off of us with gas! Again, remember, the hurricane hadn't hit on Friday. No gas has been refined on Friday or Saturday that made its way to Birmingham--all we were seeing were managers and companies raising rates--all because they could! And, this was on the day that the a barrel of oil dropped to $100 a barrel on futures.

Saturday afternoon, we went in my wife's car to Sam's Wholesale Club. We must have passed a dozen gas stations before we got there. We saw prices in the $4.19 - $4.25 range. Then, miracle of miracles, we found a station selling the cheap stuff at $3.83 a gallon. Who thought I'd ever be happy to pay $3.83 a gallon!

I filled up. I was proud to fill up, paying $.32 a gallon more than I had paid the day before. A man next to me was filling his truck and 5 or 6 five-gallon gas containers. The mid-grade and the highest grades of gas were out at this particular station.

Looks like rough and expensive days are ahead. All because of a hurricane named Ike. Who likes Ike!

What are gas prices doing in your part of the world? Seen prices rising or staying the same? I think your answers will either remind me that we don't have it that bad...or it will aggreviate me more on the gouging that is going on!

Putting First Things First

God is the first priority of the church.

Not people.

Not ministry.

Not growth.

Not success.

Not buildings.

God alone must hold absolute priority in the church.

In your church.

In my church.

But, I wonder, is that true? Will that be true today as we gather today for worship in the four-walled buildings we call a church building? Or, will other things garner first place in what we do? Will the focus be on the pastor? On music? On candles, stained glass, organs, pianos? On projection screens, bands, choirs, hymnals? Our small group class? Our friends? Our family?

Unfortunately, the standard found in the Bible, of God being the priority in worship, doesn’t always receive much attention in our people-centered, growth-dominated, success-oriented American church today.

From our preaching, our meeting together, our writing, our lifestyle, our conversations, and everything else we do, it often appears that today’s church is preoccupied with other matters. Unfortunately, God doesn’t always hold priority for us nor our church.

How shameful is that!
The priority of God is not an option in Scripture. The priority of God cannot be anything but the very heart of a Christ follower and today’s church. If our church expects to be all that it is intended to be, God must be first. If our church is to accomplish its great mission in the world, God must be priority. If our church is to be salt and light, it must recover the priority of God.

Listen. The greatest need we have today is not to do what we’ve always done in worship. Nor is the greatest need to create something that has never been tried before. Our church’s greatest need today is to make God priority of our worship and our entire life.

So, where does the priority of God rank for you? Your church? Your friends?

Bald, Beautiful, and Hired!

[Note, not my actual bald head!]

Well, I’ve finally found a second job that won’t cut into my primary job!

I’ve decided to fly to New Zealand and take them up on their job opening.

It seems that New Zealand needs bald men!

Air New Zealand is offering to pay bald travelers to stand in lines in three airports—while wearing temporary tattoos on the back of their heads so the displays can be seen by people lining up behind them.

The airline will pay $660 for each walking billboard, a company official said.

The tattoos will promote a new system that is meant to reduce check-in waiting times.

Air New Zealand marketing manager Steve Bayliss described the campaign as “a bit of fun.”

“It’s a tattoo on the back of someone’s head, so they have to have their head shaved or be bald already,” he told National Radio on Wednesday. “It will be an advantage for them to be bald already.”

The tattoos would fade or wash off after about two weeks, he said.

So, if you don’t hear much from me over the next couple of weeks, you’ll understand. I’ll be in New Zealand, walking around the airport, showing off my bald head!

Any one want to go with me?

Friday's Question of the Day

What did you promise on 9/11 that you would do differently, and have kept that promise?

Was Obama Flip in His Answer?

I want to ask a question, not really trying to stir the pot in any way, and not trying to make this blog political; however, in this election year in particular, I think we will continue to see situations like this, and I’d really like to know how you handle it.

Here’s the situation. Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama acknowledged this past Sunday that he was probably too flip when he said it was “above my pay grade” to answer a question about when is a baby entitled to human rights.

You remember the setting. Senator Obama gave his answer last month at a nationally televised religious forum sponsored by Rick Warren at his church in Orange County, California.

Asked on ABC’s “This Week,” whether the “above my pay grade” answer was too flip, Obama said: “Probably....What I intended to say is that, as a Christian, I have a lot of humility about understanding when does the soul enter into ... It’s a pretty tough question. And so, all I meant to communicate was that I don’t presume to be able to answer these kinds of theological questions.”

So, here’s my dilemma. Which answer should I believe? Was his answer to Rick Warren his real answer? Or, was his answer on “This Week” more genuine? Or, was his answer this week simply the one framed by his handlers and advisors?

I’m seriously struggling to understand this. I’m not interested in bashing Senator Obama or his campaign. But, as a Christian, how do I make heads or tails of his initial response vs. this response?

Or, even if I remove being a Christian from the equation, how do I understand this as a voting citizen?

Thursday's Question of the Day

Where were you on 9/11/2001? What were you doing when you first heard?

Memories of a 9/11 Volunteer

9/11.

A day that changed America.

A day that changed my life forever.

There have always been those days. You know the ones. The ones that change history or that change your life or both. 9/11 is one of those days in my journey through this world.

On September 11, 2001, I was serving as a pastor in a small town in south Alabama (or LA as we like to call it—Lower Alabama). I was also serving as a chaplain/firefighter for our volunteer fire department. We had a great fire department. We had wonderful men and women who were committed to helping our community in any way possible.

The day had barely started in our office when a friend called to ask if I had seen the news. Of course, I hadn’t. I was at work and we didn’t have a TV in the office. I turned on the Internet and thought it strange how long it took for my favorite news site to load. After a minute or so, I understood why. A large photo of the first tower took up the screen. Within minutes, the second tower was hit, then the Pentagon, then the crash in Pennsylvania.

All of that was happening in New York City, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania. Trust me when I say that more than miles separated my small town from those locations. Our people were simply country folks. Good people, just vastly removed from the large city and acts of terrorism.

After 20 minutes or so after the second tower was hit, my fire department pager activated. We were told to come to the station, prepare the trucks, and wait for further instruction. That was a strange request—one I had never heard before. I rushed to the fire station and was greeted by a dozen or so other volunteers. We waited for our assistant chief to arrive. When he did, the town’s police chief also came. They had news for us. The President had ordered the immediate landing of all commercial aircraft. All aircraft were to land safely, but quickly.

That was the problem. There was one plane in our region that couldn’t be accounted for. We were activated because we provided protection for a small airfield about five miles from our station. We were activated to be ready for a potential crash as had taken place in Pennsylvania. No one knew, in that moment, what would happen the next moment.

Within a short period of time, the plane was located, and it landed in Atlanta. We thought our duty would be finished, but no, that was not to be the case. We were needed to help at several area businesses and schools. Remember what it was like on 9/11? We were all panicked over what might happen next. Were there more planes? More terrorists? More attacks on the way?

I was assigned to protect the local high school. The school was in lockdown, as you can imagine. I monitored the doors and the hallway, watching for anything suspicious going on. Of course, nothing happened. Well, frightened parents did rush to the school to check out their children. Children did cry. I stood watch. And I cried.

Life changed after that. America stopped to worship and attend church. At least for a few days, maybe a week or so. Then, it was back to normal for so many.

James 4:14 is one of my life verses. James wrote, “Life is but a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away forever.”

9/11 brought the truth of that verse to life for me.

What are your memories of 9/11?

If you have blogged about it today and would rather link us to your site, please feel free to do so. If you’d like to cut and paste what you’ve written, that’s fine to.

As you have a moment, please share your thoughts about this day.

Seeing Isn't Always Believing

Since Sarah Palin's recent nomination to the Republican Vice-President role, I've seen several photos circulating the Internet of her. Some very flattering. Others, well not so much. Most of the photos have been photoshopped to place her in the worse possible light. I have no doubt that there are many photos of Obama and Biden floating around as well, I just haven't seen them.

Well, today, I received the latest photo of Sarah Palin, standing next to a bar, in a very short outfit, next to a glass of wine. In the email, a designer friend of mine was copied as well.

It would seem that he might have too much time on his hands. See below.



Be kind. If you can. Heck, after seeing this picture, many of you will do what Heidi says regularly about some of my food stories: "It made her throw up in her mouth!"

I know the feeling!

Wednesday's Question of the Day

Anyone can name their favorite places to go: the beach, church, home, work. But, where is your favorite third place to go?

Striving for Mobility

It's really hard to believe but this little fella is already seven months old! Evan was born on February 4, 2008.

Over these last seven months, my wife and I have watched in amazement as he has grown. From the little baby that was totally helpless for the first few weeks to the little boy that will probably be crawling by the end of this week, he is making steady progress toward mobility.

Mobility is an interesting concept and desire. The vast majority of us want to move forward in life, to grab life by the horns and pull ourselves up a little higher. It seems most of us are always reaching for the next rung on the ladder.

Maybe that desire for mobility and moving forward starts even before we are born. I know when we first thought my wife might be pregnant, we could hardly wait to confirm it. For a couple of days, we watched for signs (morning sickness, backache, etc.), not really realizing that we were too early for those things. Then, we purchased the "at home pregnancy kit" and the kit said, "Not Pregnant." Relief or disappointment? We didn't know. What we failed to do was read the fine print--the "at home" tests only work after so many days or weeks of pregnancy! When my wife did show "signs" of being pregnant, we took the test again. This time--PREGNANT! Relief or disappointment? More like scared out of our mind! But, we moved forward.

We moved forward with doctor visits, telling family and friends, and getting the room ready for our baby. We moved forward with clothes, paint choices, and even decorations for the room. We moved forward working on names and lists of who to call when he would finally arrive.

Now, it's Evan's turn to move forward, to strive for mobility. His scooting is just the beginning. Before long, he'll be up on all fours, crawling around the house. Then, he'll pull up for the first time and take his first steps. All of those days will happen before we know it. Mobility.

Then, Evan will be off to school, playing with friends in the neighborhood, and in no time, he'll be learning to drive. Mobility.

As you can tell, Evan's latest developmental milestone has caused me to wax eloquent about the days ahead. I really am glad that he is gaining mobility. I'm thrilled as I watch him scoot across the floor--sometimes on his belly, sometimes on his back. I'm thrilled to watch him as he wants to hold his bottle and feed himself with his spoon. I really do want him to grow and mature and be mobile. I promise you I do. But, I also know how much I love holding that little boy, feeling his head rest against my neck, and knowing that he trusts me with everything.

I wonder sometimes if God looks down at us from heaven with the same kinds of desires that parents have. Does He see us where we are, knowing where we could be, and then pushes us forward? Are there times He holds us back? Are there times He has to let us fall and skin our knees?

What about you today? Is God pushing you a little too hard? Or, is He having to hold you back until it's time for you to move forward? Skinned your knees or elbows lately?

I'd love to hear about your journey today.

Who Needs Fiction When Life is Like This!

This story is just in from Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin. A 54-year-old man says his obsessive-compulsive disorder drove him to eat 23,000 Big Macs in 36 years.

Fifty-four-year-old Don Gorske says he hit the milestone last month, continuing a pleasurable obsession that began May 17, 1972 when he got his first car.

Gorske has kept every burger receipt in a box. He says he was always fascinated with numbers, and watching McDonald’s track its number of customers motivated him to track his own consumption.

The only day he skipped a Big Mac was the day his mother died, to respect her request.

The correctional-institution employee says he doesn’t care when people call his Big Mac obsession crazy. He says he’s in love with the burgers, which are the highlights of his days.

Folks, I have nothing to add to this. Sometimes, the story just says it all!

Tuesday's Question of the Day

When was the last time you used a pay phone? Have you ever used a pay phone? Do you even know what a pay phone is?

A Double Standard

The news really breaks my heart at times.

The recent story out of Pakistan is one example. Apparently, a 17-year-old Pakistani girl who had been forced to marry a 45-year-old when she was only nine was reportedly killed by her parents.

The news article rightly called it “murder.” This murder has intensified despair among human rights workers in Pakistan over a recent spate of “honor killings,” in which two women and three teenage school girls were buried alive in Baluchistan Province because they wanted to marry the men of their choice. Imagine, wanting to have the right to marry whomever you wanted.

Saira Nusrat Bibi was successfully fighting a legal battle to have her marriage annulled. As she left court in the Punjabi city of Sahiwal, she was surrounded by a group of men reportedly sent by her parents, and shot in front of police. Did the police just stand and watch?

The Baluchistan case was made even worse by an attempt by a member of the country’s national parliament, Senator Israr Ullah Zehri, to defend them.”

I hope that breaks your heart as well. Unfortunately, we live in a world where women and girls are often treated as second class citizens, at best. In some cultures, animals have more rights than women. How wrong is that!

I know, in our country, things seem better, at least on the surface. But, dig deep, if you dare.

Young girls being sold into prostitution by their parents in our own country. Women entering into the world of adult films and adult entertainment. Women working the same job as men, yet making less than the man makes for the same work. Women being held to a double standard when it comes to work and raising their children. Women often handling the majority of responsibilities in their local church, yet being made to feel guilty because “women shouldn’t lead in the church.”

I don’t talk much about politics on this blog—there are plenty of other blogs and Web sites dedicated to that, if you want to participate in those discussions. But, let me say this word about Gov. Sarah Palin. I find it quite ironic that one of the knocks against her by the media and her opponents is that she can’t possibly balance her career in government and her family. What? Has that same argument been said about Sen. Obama, the father of two small girls? If it has, I haven’t seen it! What a double standard.

Women are gifted by God, just as men are gifted by God. While I am still growing in what I believe the Bible teaches about women in ministry, I fully believe that I have little right to question what God does or who God calls. I am no where close to being God or being perfect like Him. So, how dare me question what He does or how He acts.

This election has already proven to be interesting. I’ll really be watching to see how many more double standards will surface before the first Tuesday in November. I have little doubt that it will be many, many more! And, I'll be watching to see where the double standards come from.

Tell me what you think.

Monday's Question of the Day

Take a moment to think about yourself. What words come to mind that describe who you are?

You've Been Benched!

Here's a really cool idea for your church youth, men, women, or even children! There really is no end to the possibilities here!



Benched from Brandon McCormick on Vimeo.

Pop Pop Fizz Fizz

A man nicknamed “Humble Bob” stuffed himself with 11.5 pounds of a local specialty called chili-spaghetti in only about 10 minutes to claim victory in a Labor Day holiday eating contest.

Bob Shoudt won $2,500 at the inaugural Skyline Chili Spaghetti eat-off Monday at Kings Island amusement park.

“Humble Bob” dashed to an early lead, sucking down more than two pounds in less than a minute. Shoudt, of Philadelphia, is ranked No. 5 by the International Federation of Competitive Eating. He beat the federation’s top-ranked competitive eater, Joey Chestnut. Chestnut won this year’s July 4 hot dog-eating contest at New York's Coney Island.

I’ve eaten at Skyline Chili, not the one at Kings Island amusement park, but another location. Folks, I didn’t enjoy the spaghetti/chili combination. I love spaghetti. I like chili. But, together and smothered under cheese, is just too much.

I can only imagine what kind of night “Humble Bob” must have had. Then again, I’d rather not think about it!

Have you tried chili spaghetti? If so, tell me your opinion.

I'm Wondering About Worship Today

I wonder about many things. Like, why do we call a penny a penny? Where did that name come from? And, oh, why should we never end a sentence with a preposition? Where did that rule come from? I think I know the answer—some 11th grade English teacher! And, for all of you English teachers, if you don’t know how to spell a word, how in the heck are you going to look it up in a dictionary? That one has always troubled me!

But, today, I’m wondering about worship. Especially, I am thinking about the difference we could make if we prayed for what took place on this special day.

I wonder what would happen if Christ followers would be in such awe of God’s power, authority, love, wisdom, and grace that they truly worshiped Him today. Deuteronomy 10:17, 20 says, “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes . . . Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.”

I wonder what would happen if Christ followers would pray that everyone present in worship will know Jesus Christ as Savior and will grow to know Him better and better. 1 Corinthians 2:2 says, “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

I wonder what would happen if Christ followers would pray that the Word of God will be declared with clarity, boldness, love, and power. Ephesians 6:19–20 says, “Pray, also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I’ll fearlessly make known the mysteries of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

I wonder what would happen if Christ followers would pray that no distractions will keep God’s people from focusing on Him and being fully open to the blessings He wants to bring into their lives. Colossians 4:3 says, “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”

I wonder what would happen if Christ followers would pray that all worship leaders—preacher/teacher, instrumentalists, vocalists, sound technicians, ushers, and greeters—will rely on and be used of the Lord. 1 Timothy 2:1–2 says, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

And finally, I wonder what would happen if Christ followers would pray that worshipers will apply the biblical truths and principles they hear and be encouraged, uplifted, challenged, and rebuked. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

I pray you will experience these six things today…and every Sunday as you gather for worship!

Start Them Out Young

Even at 7 months and 2 days old, Evan is smart enough to know what color to dress in and what team to cheer on--Crimson and the University of Alabama.

We are working on his first words being these:

ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Real Men Do Cry

Here's the warning for today. Go ahead and grab a tissue. You'll need it as you watch this video.



Mark Shultz is one of my wife's favorite artist. This song is powerful.

Today, I pray for all Mark's out there who have been given up for adoption. I pray for all of the moms of children like Mark, who for various reasons have chosen to give them up for adoption. You are in my prayers.

While your sacrifice was great, thank you for giving life to your child and making a difference in our world through them!

Friday's Question of the Day

What words come to mind when you first think about God?

How Does It Feel?

Okay, this post today comes with instructions. It is very important that you follow these instructions. If you don't, the post may not make much sense! (Hey! No snide remarks about whether or not any of my posts make sense!)

Okay...watch...enjoy...then, read the rest of the post.



Now, why have you watch that video? Am I a secret Bob Dylan fan?

While I am not a huge Dylan fan there is a spiritual truth to be found in that song.

Guitarist Al Kooper, known for organizing Blood, Sweat, and Tears and discovering Lynyrd Skynyrd (now, there's a great band!), showed up hoping to play guitar for Dylan's recording session. But, another guitarist had been chosen, so Kooper was banished to the sound/production booth by the superior skills of Michael Bloomfield.

Kooper refused to just sit and do nothing. He wanted in on the recording session. So, quietly, he made his way back into the studio and sad down at the vacant organ bench in the corner. When Dylan began recording the song, Kooper threw into the mix of sounds some organ chords that he made up on the spot. If you listen carefully to the song, you will notice how these chords are stutter-stepped into the sound. That's because Kooper didn't know how to play the organ. He wasn't even sure what chords he was playing until he heard them.

When the producer realized what Kooper was up to, he ordered him back into the sound booth. But Dylan was caught up in the moment. For him the recording was more free play than planned execution. He heard a rare sound being born with the mix of cymbals, organ, and guitar. And he famously shouted over the confusion: "Turn the organ up!"

Here's the application. This should give all of us something to consider as we approach Sunday.

Ralph L. Lewis has studied the 125 incidents where Jesus encountered people in the New Testament. Of those 125 times, roughly 54% of those encounters are initiated by His hearers! Instead of standing up and proclaiming the message He wanted the people to hear, He responded to His audience's questions, objects, doubts. He allowed and welcomed their involvement.

I wonder, can the same be said of our preaching, worship, and teaching today? Are we telling them what we think they need to hear or are we listening to what they us they need?

Powerful message. All from a Dylan song.

Now. For those who didn't follow the instructions, now would be a good time to go back and listen to the video. Listen to the organ. Remember what happened. Learn how it applies to your work for the King.

If you did follow the instructions, you might want to listen to the video again anyway. This time, focus on the organ and how it was a response to the moment and not scripted movement.

Sure make the song make sense! And worship, for that matter!

Thursday's Question of the Day

How many Christians do you know whose lives demonstrate holy boldness? What does that quality look like?

And the Winner Is...

Well, the presidential election is officially over (oh, if that could only be true—I’m so very tired of this three-year election process we’ve had this time around! And, I can only imagine that the next election cycle will start up sometime after November 4, 2008).

But, the good news is that both candidates can and should just call it a day and go on home. The race is over!

This news was verified this past end in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It seems that John McCain sped to the finish while Barack Obama was reluctant to leave the starting point.

The contest? Another primary? A general election? No. Nothing of the sort. This time, it was a race between two giant Madagascar hissing cockroaches! One named John McCain, the other name Barack Obama.

The roach race was part of the New Jersey Pest Management Association’s annual clinic and trade show. Organizers likened the race’s prediction success to that of Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day.

Seems to me, if I were a giant hissing Madagascar cockroach, that I’d have a lot less interest in racing another cockroach in a mock presidential election and be more concerned about the pest management companies present at the meeting!

Maybe the winning cockroach was promised not to be terminated! Or is that exterminated?

I’ll stop there and not make any political commentary on how the same kind of incentives might help in the real presidential contest.

Old What's His Name

I am a numbers person. Always have been. Probably always will be. I like to track numbers. I like to study numbers. I like to see how things change from week to week, month to month, and year to year. Call it weird wiring if you want to. But, that’s how I’m wired.

One of the blogs that I enjoy reading belongs to Heidi. From time to time, Heidi shares a little about who visits her blog, how often, etc. I was very proud that in a recent month, the most referrers to her blog came from my blog! Well, since I enjoy reading her blog so much that may not really have been such an honor—many of those referrers were probably from me personally!

Anyway, I decided to check my site (for the first time since I started it on April 26). What I found was interesting, at least for a numbers geek. All of these numbers are as of yesterday, just in case you are keeping track!

I have had 1,143 comments shared on my site! I am appreciative for each and every comment made. I really am. To be honest, I’ve come to think of many of the commentors as friends—isn’t that weird!

The most commented upon post was about my son—The Smallest Brave—on July 23. I received 35 comments that day.

The second most commented upon post was the one I wrote about the house that burned down, leaving an image of “the Virgin Mary” on the wall (August 25). That post received 24 comments.

The third most commented upon post was a tie—Paging Dr. Smith (July 22) and the BBQ Song (August 29)—they both had 23 comments.

The words that brought the most people to my site? Well, I was shocked! “The Most Expensive Hamburger in the World!” People, apparently, around the world care about that kind of thing.

86.45% of people visiting my site come from the US. 5.63% come from Canada—I think they all came to read my continuing saga about the found feet in British Columbia.

The people who visit my site most often come from Alabama, Texas, then Florida.
The most referrals to date: Well, my blogger buddy Bill!

And, to keep everything in perspective, my Technorati ranking currently is 597,370. I guess that’s not too bad considering how many blogs are out there and the fact that I’ve only been blogging since late April. But, man, do I have a long way to go to reach number 1. I don’t think I’ll ever break the 500,000 rank! But, who cares! I just write to write and to offer a few thoughts on the day.

Okay, enough numbers for one day, if there is such a thing. I don’t want to bore the few people who regularly check out my blog—whether on purpose or simply by hitting “Next Blog” at the top of Blogspot.com!

Wednesday's Question of the Day

What was it about God that first drew you to Him?

What is it about God that keeps you coming back to Him for more?

Is It Good News or Bad News?

Hi. I’m Steve and I’m a news junkie!

I’ll admit it.

For many, many years, I enjoyed reading my morning newspaper. I would read it cover-to-cover and catch up on the events from around the world. Reading the paper was normally the first thing I had to do every day.

However, with the advent of the Internet, I no longer subscribe to a local newspaper (maybe an editor shouldn’t admit that!). Now, I get my news from online. I find myself reading MSNBC, Foxs News, CNN for my national and international news. I like to read AL.com to find out what is happening around Alabama, and in particular, around Birmingham. I read countless other Web sites each week, keeping up with the news, both the serious kind and the funny kind.

So much of what I read online breaks my heart. The news is just downright sad. Just this morning, I read the story of a teenager being shot and killed after egging a car. I read the story of a firefighting plane that crashed, killing three on board. I saw the story of a Jacksonville Jaguar football player who was shot outside an apartment complex.

News like that goes on and on.

So, why read it? Why keep up with what’s going on in the world, both near and far? Well, for me the answer is really simple. I don’t think God wants me to bury my head in the sand, pretending everything is fine, not keeping pace with what takes place in society. It was Billy Graham, perhaps the best evangelist since the Apostle Paul, who described his preaching as having a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other. I can envision that if Billy Graham were just starting out today, he’d edit that statement slightly by saying that he had a laptop in one hand and his Bible in the other.

To stay relevant with what is happening in the world, I read. I read books. I read magazines. I read blogs. I read online.

Do I get discouraged? Sure, all the time! But, if I stopped reading, I’d miss out on great stories like the waitress in Illinois that received a $1,000 tip for her service. I would miss out on how a balloonist survived a 9,000 foot fall in South Carolina. And, I would miss how the Jerry Lewis telethon raised over $65 million (a new record) for MDA research.

So, is the news pitcher half full or half empty? I guess it all depends on how you read the notches on the glass. Or in my case, the news on the screen.

Tuesday's Question of the Day

Take a few minutes to think about this question, well, in truth, there are two questions for today:

1) Do we see Christ in others?

2) Do others see Christ in us?

Keeping Your Mouth Shut

A former Democratic National Committee chairman apologized Sunday for remarks he made a day earlier that suggested he thought Hurricane Gustav demonstrated that God is on the Democrats’ side in this year’s presidential election.

Don Fowler, who was DNC chairman from 1995-1996, said he was just mimicking Rev. Jerry Falwell. (Remind me…isn’t Jerry Falwell dead?)

“That just demonstrates that God is on our side,” Fowler said during the flight, of which a video was posted on YouTube under the headline: “Fowler Fouls: Hurricane is God’s Favor To Democrats.”

AFTER an uproar, Fowler said he was sorry IF anyone was offended.

“I don’t believe in a God that’s vengeful. I believe in a God that’s compassionate,” Fowler said.
“This is a point of national concern. I think everybody of good will has great empathy and sympathy for people in New Orleans,” Fowler said. “Most religious people are praying for people in New Orleans. There is no political connotation to this whatsoever. This was just poking fun at Jerry Falwell and the nonsensical thing he had said several years ago.”

Falwell was roundly criticized after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when he said they were God’s punishment for abortion, homosexuality, and other sins.

South Carolina GOP chairman Katon Dawson called Don Fowler’s comments “disappointing and despicable.”

“A storm is not a partisan event and that is what they’ve done. I am outraged,” Dawson said, speaking by telephone from St. Paul, Minn., where the Republican National Convention is scheduled to start Monday, but may be altered because of concern over Gustav.

The impending hurricane apparently is cause for much speculation on God’s will. On Friday, liberal filmmaker Michael Moore said the storm is proof of God’s existence.

“I was just thinking, this Gustav is proof that there is a God in heaven,” Moore told MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann. “To just have it planned at the same time, that it would actually be on its way to New Orleans for Day One of the Republican convention, up in the Twin Cities, at the top of the Mississippi River.”

From me—I believe God cares far more about our world than He does about what some Democratic operative or Republican fanatic or deranged Hollywood-type or even out-of-touch preacher states. I don’t think the November election is the only thing on God’s “mind.” His "radar" is far larger than any limitations we put on Him!

It’s to be expected that Fowler didn’t apologize until after there was an uproar! Wouldn’t he have been wiser to have kept his mouth shut in the first place? Shouldn’t the same thing have been said about Falwell after 9/11? I think so!

And Michael Moore? Well, he needs to just learn to permanently shut up! He is so sad…and honestly, he always looks like he needs a shave and a bath! And, while He’s in the tub, maybe he’ll wash out his mouth with the soap! Might do him some good! And, it might make the rest of us happy too!

Just One More Meeting!

I’ve just about had my fill of meetings lately!

It seems every time I turn around, someone has reached out and touched my Outlook calendar and scheduled another meeting! A “brief” meeting here—only 30 minutes of my time required. A longer meeting on Wednesday—this time an hour needed. And don’t forget about the all-day meeting tomorrow.

Yikes! I feel just a bit overwhelmed! (Can you tell?) When am I to get all of my work done? When will I have time to write, edit, talk with writers, and do the other things my job involves?

When will I work on my next blog post?

I hear you, and the voice of my supervisor, “Get over it already!” Meetings are a way of life in our work!

Actually, I learn a lot in the meetings I attend. I hear new ideas, different opinions, and new ways to do things. I discover better ways to do things, and I find out what peers think about the work in progress.

So, meetings are good, for the most part. I’m glad I get to be a part of them, most of them anyway. Just don’t interpret my words as an invitation to call another meeting!

I hope you have a blessed day, free of meetings on this Labor Day, as you continue to serve the King of kings and Lord of lords.