Hip Shots, Tres

June 28, 2009 · Posted in (Gene)ric Ramblings, (Gene)tic Rantings, Friendship, Jesus Christ, Personal Observation · Comment 

Mr. Summer:

I am all done with you. You may be dismissed. Please return to the hellacious inferno from whence you came. Or…did you lose your way? The Sahara is east…waaaay east of here. Godspeed.

To all those who “beg the question,” if all you are saying is that some event or thought raised a question, then the question is raised, not begged. Begging the question is a philosophical term applied to a line of reasoning in which the thing proposed is implied in the premise. It is a form of circular reasoning, where the “proof” offered is simply a restatement of the premise. Something like, “That movie is awful because it sucks.” Some have even suggested That Descartes’ famous, “Cogito, ergo sum,” or, in English, “I think; therefore, I am,” is a glorified example of begging the question.

I was thinking about former friends, and it raised a question (but did not beg it) in my mind: Is there any such thing as a former friend?

Farewell to Farrah. Who would have thought that the iconic beauty of the seventies would become a courageous inspiration to millions in the final, frustrating, painful year of her life?

…And to Michael. Your life and death seemed to echo, if not answer, Jesus’ question: “What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

…And to Ed. Batman had his Robin. The Lone Ranger had his Tonto. And Carson had his McMahon.

An old family friend and longtime preacher of the gospel came to speak at a church where I was pastor. He titled his sermon, “Glorious Obsession.” I have been obsessed with that phrase ever since. Sometimes, it just pops into my head for no apparent reason. Oh well…

It’s Sunday morning.  I’m easy.

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The Over/Under Man

June 15, 2009 · Posted in (Gene)tic Rantings, Family, Life Experience, Personal Observation, Relationships · 2 Comments 

What I do not overvalue I underestimate.

I put that as my Facebook status this morning because the thought hit me like a subway train. I realized that much of what I am today – and where – could be explained by my either overvaluing or underestimating a thing or person.

I never saw myself doing anything but full-time church/ministry work, but I lost that privilege because I underestimated my own propensity for stupid and selfish behavior. Even then, I assumed the day would come that I would return to it. Turns out, I underestimated AND overvalued a few things there.

I recently saw a friendship I thought would last a lifetime disintegrate. I suppose I had overvalued it…and underestimated the toll my orneriness can take on a soul. Then I look around at this little handful of people who have every reason and right to scatter like rats from a sinking ship and yet they don’t (namely, my wife, her family, and my family), and realize I couldn’t possibly overvalue their love…though I might be guilty of underestimating it.

I overvalued that Liberty University theology degree and underestimated how hard it is to switch horses in the middle of the stream.

I have always and forever overvalued the unique deliciousness of a Dr Pepper and underestimated the impact its copious consumption can have on one’s physique.

I probably overvalue my silver 2500 4×4 Dodge Ram he-man pickup truck.

I always underestimate my kids.

I may overvalue my AT&T Uverse TV and Internet service, but I don’t care. It is better than underestimating how much Time/Warner Cable sucks.

It occurs to me that it may be next to impossible to determine the exact value of most of life’s offerings…especially if they are non-material in nature. I further conclude that I would rather overvalue most things than undervalue them. Better to care too much than too little.

If you are the gambling sort, I will set the over/under on this article making any sense at all to the average reader at about 50/50.

Place your bets.

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A Devotional: “Fizz!”

April 16, 2009 · Posted in Devotional, Life Experience, Love, Relationships · 2 Comments 

My darling, you are beautiful!
Oh, you are beautiful,
and your eyes are like doves.
S of S. 1:15 (NCV)

Bruce Barton said, “Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things.”

Little things can make a huge difference. Dr. John Pemberton experienced the truth of this concept at Joe Jacobs’ Drug Store in Atlanta, Georgia. The year was 1886, and Dr. Pemberton was excited about a new drink he was planning to produce and market. He took his formula, made primarily ofextracts from coca plants and cola nuts, to Willis Venable, who had leased space in the drug store to run a soda fountain.

Pemberton asked Venable to mix one ounce of his syrup with five ounces of water and tell him what he thought. Venable did, kind of liked it, and suggested they make another. The second time, however, Venable accidentally put soda water in it. Coca Cola was born and the world would never be the same.

Soda water instead of tap water. Just a little thing that made a huge difference. Just so, little things can make a big difference in our relationships. Saying “I love you” to your kids. Holding hands with your spouse. Dropping a note to a friend. Commending your pastor on his sermon. Flowers. Candy. A movie. A reassuring smile. Saying things like, “I am proud of you,” or, “You can do it,” or, “Don’t give up.” An afternoon drive through the country. A trip to the ice cream parlor. A stop at your neighborhood Hallmark store.

Little things, all of them. But a life without them is as flat as Coca-Cola made with tap water. A thoughtful, timely deed or word, however small, is to a relationship as soda water is to a soft drink. It adds fizz.

A Prayer For Today: Father, help me to find small ways to express my love. Please keep me from the trap of taking the people in my life for granted. Help me to love them as vibrantly as You have loved me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

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