I think one of the fondest collective memories of my childhood was going to the Mississippi State Fair each year. I can remember coming around the bend of I-55 North and seeing my first glimpse of the Farris Wheel. What a thrill! Neon lights bouncing off the gloriously hideous orange and yellow of the Coliseum. I could practically hear the carnies yelling, "See the world's smallest woman!" or "She speaks, she sings, she crawls on her belly like a reptile! It's Snake Woman!" In mere moments, I'd be going 500 miles per hour in the Matterhorn and the Rock and Roll Express or eating my weight in footlong corndogs and onion rings.
It seems like every trip to the Fair included my best friend, John. When we were little, we would spin ourselves (and my Dad) sick on the rides. When we were 10 or 11, John provided expert advice on which cheap piece of brass jewelry I should get the girl I was "dating" at the time. I want to apologize to the many wonderful young ladies I knew at Carver Elementary and Jr. High School. Each of you meant much more to me than the tarnished trinket I gave you. It was a gift from my heart, though!
In our teen years, John was the best double date pal around. He was nearly a year older so he could drive long before any of our friends. A non-chaperoned ride to the Fair or anywhere else was a big reason I had any dates at all when I was 14! He always had a cool car too. It was either the Chrysler with the sunroof or the Jaguar. Thank goodness his sister's GMC Pacer burned to the ground before John was able to drive. Can you imagine trying to pick up chicks in a fish bowl?!
My daughters are very excited about going to the Fair again this year. They've asked me to drive by the Fairgrounds each morning so they can watch it being built. Every time we make the crest on the Pearl Street bridge, I feel a little twinge of excitement in my stomach. The air seems a little cooler this week and, from my building, I can see the Farris Wheel standing high above the hundreds of workers hurriedly building their city of lights.
It's true what they say. You can't go back and relive your youth. But you can sure enjoy the faint memories from time to time.
"Step right up and test your arm, son! Knock over these bottles and you could win this beautiful charm bracelet for your girl back home. It's only one dollar!"
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
A Parent's Example
I have encountered one of the members of the staff at our church, Tom Elkin, in several different ways over the last few months. It's been good to get to visit with him in the halls of the church. He also preached on Wednesday nights during the summer and taught our Sunday School class during the same period of time.
Although his topics were varied, I continued to hear a theme throughout the lessons. “Parents, teach you children responsibility by allowing them to understand and experience the consequences of life.” I know it’s not exactly what Tom was saying but it is certainly what my heart was hearing.
In that context, I was struck by a train of thought I had when I read an online devotional today. There were two scriptures that stood out to me:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” – John 13:34
"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” – John 15:9
To follow the thought in reverse, Jesus learned to love us by experiencing the love of His Father and Jesus wants us learn to love each another by experiencing and emulating His love for us.
To be blunt, God’s love for Jesus was “tough love” in its highest form. Jesus was sent with the purpose of suffering the consequences of our sin in our place. Despite the fact that He was perfect and Holy and eternally beloved by His Father, He was “allowed” to experience the consequences of His life and purpose.
How painful it must have been for God to see His Son suffer. As a parent, I know that I could not have allowed one of my girls to suffer so much, even knowing the greater good that would result. That is the broken humanity in me. Yet, God’s strength stands as an example of how we should care for our children. We should love and cherish them so much that we are willing to allow them to experience the consequences of life and the results of their actions.
I don’t know that Tom will ever read this. If he does, I want him to know that the message is being heard and I’m reading it in the words of God’s Holy Scripture too. Thanks for the kick start, Tom.
Although his topics were varied, I continued to hear a theme throughout the lessons. “Parents, teach you children responsibility by allowing them to understand and experience the consequences of life.” I know it’s not exactly what Tom was saying but it is certainly what my heart was hearing.
In that context, I was struck by a train of thought I had when I read an online devotional today. There were two scriptures that stood out to me:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” – John 13:34
"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.” – John 15:9
To follow the thought in reverse, Jesus learned to love us by experiencing the love of His Father and Jesus wants us learn to love each another by experiencing and emulating His love for us.
To be blunt, God’s love for Jesus was “tough love” in its highest form. Jesus was sent with the purpose of suffering the consequences of our sin in our place. Despite the fact that He was perfect and Holy and eternally beloved by His Father, He was “allowed” to experience the consequences of His life and purpose.
How painful it must have been for God to see His Son suffer. As a parent, I know that I could not have allowed one of my girls to suffer so much, even knowing the greater good that would result. That is the broken humanity in me. Yet, God’s strength stands as an example of how we should care for our children. We should love and cherish them so much that we are willing to allow them to experience the consequences of life and the results of their actions.
I don’t know that Tom will ever read this. If he does, I want him to know that the message is being heard and I’m reading it in the words of God’s Holy Scripture too. Thanks for the kick start, Tom.
Friday, September 4, 2009
This Weekend is Finally Here!
I am a proud fan of the Ole Miss Rebels. I say that with honesty and integrity and lacking any shame. However, as an Ole Miss fan, it has been a long while since I have looked forward to a college football season.
I guess we were excited about 2003, but there were so many unknowns. Yes, it was Eli's senior year but the cast around him had us wondering and guessing. We had done average the season before and there were some untested players stepping up to fill the voids of graduation. As it turned out, 2003 was a very exciting year, but we proved our hesitancy with losses to Memphis and Texas Tech.
But, in reality, it's been a long time since Ole Miss fans were this excited about a season. Last year's six game run to end the season was magical. The Cotton Bowl victory was as exciting a game as we've had in the last ten seasons. The players lining up to wear the red and blue are talented, confident, prepared, and anxious to go. So are the fans.
Ole Miss starts their season this Sunday against Memphis. The Tigers want the upset. The Rebels want the decisive win to kick off the season. The fans want their high expectations to be realized. We want that illusive trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game. We want to be the hunted and still succeed.
I've waited for the return of Ole Miss football since January 3. September 6 has been circled on my calendar for months. It's finally here and I can't wait!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
"Building Blocks" on MPB Televison tonight at 9 p.m.
Please take the time to watch this really amazing documentary. "Building Blocks" tells the story of restoration for several historic properties on the Coast after Katrina. The stories are about properties but they're really about the people within the historic buildings.
http://www.gulflive.com/living/mississippipress/index.ssf?/base/news/125076332194510.xml&coll=5
http://www.gulflive.com/living/mississippipress/index.ssf?/base/news/125076332194510.xml&coll=5
Monday, August 17, 2009
Great Memories
Recently, I had the chance to visit the church where my wife and I got married. It is the church she grew up in and her family still attends. She was singing the offertory and we all went to worship together. I love that church. It has so many wonderful memories, most of which come from that special evening nearly 14 years ago. It's a simple sanctuary and it's a really good metaphor for marriage.
I've been in many different churches in my lifetime. Several have been my home church, but many more I saw during my days in college. As a member of the Millsaps Singers, we performed in dozens of churches throughout the Southeast and in several from other areas of the country. I've seen my share of sanctuaries... large and small... simple and ornate.
Covenant is a tall, A-frame sanctuary made almost entirely of long, copper-colored wood planks. It has a single pulpit, a beautifully simple alter table, and a tall ceiling that seems to reach to the sky. It has a backdrop wall that stands alone behind the alter and adds to the space of the room. It's so big but they don't feel the necessity to fill up the space with "stuff". When I worship there, it feels like a living, breathing thing. As time passes, the timbers that make up the walls/ceiling creak and moan with the wind and changes in temperature. The sounds are deep and penetrating. The choir loft is in the back of the sanctuary so it seems as though their sounds drop down from heaven. It's a wonderful experience.
Whenever I'm there, I think back to our wedding and reflect on our marriage. Life has not been easy over the last 14 years. ("Easy" is NEVER promised when it comes to marriage.) But it always does my heart and soul good to go back to Covenant. It reminds me of the beautiful (inside and out) woman I married. It also serves as a reminder that marriage is designed to be simple and honest, just like that church.
So many times, I have made my marriage much more complicated than God intended it to be. A place of worship needs nothing more than an alter on which to pray, a pulpit from which to read and preach the Gospel, and space for God's people to praise and worship Him. Everything else in a church is "stuff".
I've heaped on to my marriage so many needless expectations and limitations. They're just like the unnecessary statues, overly ornate woodwork, and all the other extras that we see in many churches today. I've piled this "stuff" onto to my wife and myself. Neither of us can live up to the unfair requirements.
Being in that place reminds me of the simple ideas of love, marriage, and commitment. On that evening back in 1995, I pledged to love, honor, and cherish. I promised God that I would care for my wife as I do myself. I vowed to care for her in the same way that Jesus cares for his people. And I committed myself to a beautiful person. I did so in the presence of God.
Those were simple promises. Yet, over time I've threatened them with doubt, harsh words, terrible behavior, simple-mindedness, and many other sinful acts. I've jeopardized my relationship with my wife by acting selfishly and pridefully. I've been quick to anger and slow to forgive. Unfortunately, I've neglected the vows I made.
However, every time I go back to Covenant, I am reminded of that wonderful day and our shared memories. It's almost like looking back at the photo album and feeling the excitement and joy all over again.
God created marriage as a way to honor Him. He gave me a partner to cherish and glorify. When I'm in that church, I find myself so inspired that I renew my commitments to my Lord and my wife. I renew my vow to be pleasing in His sight, both as a husband and a believer.
I've been in many different churches in my lifetime. Several have been my home church, but many more I saw during my days in college. As a member of the Millsaps Singers, we performed in dozens of churches throughout the Southeast and in several from other areas of the country. I've seen my share of sanctuaries... large and small... simple and ornate.
Covenant is a tall, A-frame sanctuary made almost entirely of long, copper-colored wood planks. It has a single pulpit, a beautifully simple alter table, and a tall ceiling that seems to reach to the sky. It has a backdrop wall that stands alone behind the alter and adds to the space of the room. It's so big but they don't feel the necessity to fill up the space with "stuff". When I worship there, it feels like a living, breathing thing. As time passes, the timbers that make up the walls/ceiling creak and moan with the wind and changes in temperature. The sounds are deep and penetrating. The choir loft is in the back of the sanctuary so it seems as though their sounds drop down from heaven. It's a wonderful experience.
Whenever I'm there, I think back to our wedding and reflect on our marriage. Life has not been easy over the last 14 years. ("Easy" is NEVER promised when it comes to marriage.) But it always does my heart and soul good to go back to Covenant. It reminds me of the beautiful (inside and out) woman I married. It also serves as a reminder that marriage is designed to be simple and honest, just like that church.
So many times, I have made my marriage much more complicated than God intended it to be. A place of worship needs nothing more than an alter on which to pray, a pulpit from which to read and preach the Gospel, and space for God's people to praise and worship Him. Everything else in a church is "stuff".
I've heaped on to my marriage so many needless expectations and limitations. They're just like the unnecessary statues, overly ornate woodwork, and all the other extras that we see in many churches today. I've piled this "stuff" onto to my wife and myself. Neither of us can live up to the unfair requirements.
Being in that place reminds me of the simple ideas of love, marriage, and commitment. On that evening back in 1995, I pledged to love, honor, and cherish. I promised God that I would care for my wife as I do myself. I vowed to care for her in the same way that Jesus cares for his people. And I committed myself to a beautiful person. I did so in the presence of God.
Those were simple promises. Yet, over time I've threatened them with doubt, harsh words, terrible behavior, simple-mindedness, and many other sinful acts. I've jeopardized my relationship with my wife by acting selfishly and pridefully. I've been quick to anger and slow to forgive. Unfortunately, I've neglected the vows I made.
However, every time I go back to Covenant, I am reminded of that wonderful day and our shared memories. It's almost like looking back at the photo album and feeling the excitement and joy all over again.
God created marriage as a way to honor Him. He gave me a partner to cherish and glorify. When I'm in that church, I find myself so inspired that I renew my commitments to my Lord and my wife. I renew my vow to be pleasing in His sight, both as a husband and a believer.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Put this on your To Do List for November
This is a great story about a good kid and a good family. It makes your heart warm to see people reach out to help one another.
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810088176/video/14881491
http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810088176/video/14881491
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