Friday, July 16, 2010
The Office
I was asked this week about how to cope as a Christian in a very non-Christian work environment. Not all of us are fortunate enough to be surrounded by God's people everyday. (Be thankful if you are!) For the few years that I worked a "secular" job I had to deal with constant profanity, off-color humor and mockery of my God and my beliefs. It was difficult at times and I genuinely hated going to work. There was often the temptation to cower to the constant barrage by simply blending in and not making waves. At other times it seemed like lashing out and telling them "what's what" might be the thing to do. But the counsel I received back then and what I shared with someone this week is simply this: The best way to cure the darkness in a room is to turn on the light. Positivity dispels negativity. Righteousness conquers wickedness. Application? Don't stress about fixing a bad environment. Lost people WILL act lost. (In fact, so do many professing Christians-but that's for another day.) What I'm saying is, don't spend your time being critical of their ways, shaking your head when they cuss, and getting upset at their actions. Turn on the light! Talk about your Lord, your church, your faith, your awesome singles pastor:). Read your Bible on your break time. Invite them church. Politely excuse yourself from the joke circle. Dress well and modestly. Avoid office cliques and gossip. Guard against "too close" office relationships. Get to work early and stay late. Excel at your tasks. Turn on the light!!! You'll be amazed at how much more people respond to what we DO than to what we SAY. One person can make a difference. Most of all, don't be fake. Be real, while mindful that it's not a spotlight for your praise, but for His. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." Matt. 5:16.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Status! Messengers! Report to the Pavilion!
Are you as confused as I am that this year is nearly half done? Oh so baffling is the ever-increasing speed of life.
At the beginning of 2010, or the end of 2009, I laid out 73 personal goals for the next 12 months. If you're wondering about the significance of my favorite number, check out http://www.themiraclemansion.com. This should help ease the irritation of my random, though, remarkably consistent reference to it. Then again, maybe not.
The title of this blog entry is a line from a play scene in which a superior demanded an updated progress report of his workers. I voluntarily took a little time last week to evaluate my 2010 task list as it stands right now. Probably a good thing to do at some point. This is what I found: Out of 73 goals, 26 are completed or well on their way, 11 (give or take) have been initiated but need some work, 29 (give or take) have never met me, and 7 (give or take) have left the building. They aren't goals anymore, or have morphed into something else.
So that's where I am. Much like me, these are a work in progress. Setting goals has been good. Each victory, failure or "to be continued" teaches me a valuable lesson and is an exhibition of my colossal weaknesses in the glaring spotlight of God's infinite power.
#74: Count on that.
Just a few of the "victories" (among others) that make me giddy...
#3. Bring Lora home from work for good.
She's in her final weeks of teaching. She's ecstatic. Score!!!
#6. Complete my novel.
75%. Up from 2% at the beginning of the year. Hardest, funnest thing I've ever (almost) done.
#41. Get Maureen to DC.
Hm... best way to do this? Offer her a job. It worked! She's coming!
#21. Throw Granddaddy a 100th birthday party.
August 7. All set.
#9. Improve my prayer life.
Definitely better. Definitely on the list for 2011.
#13. Be 100% accessible to my friends.
I've worked really hard on this. I think it's going well, but you'll have to ask them.
#40. Increase our Faith-Promise Missions commitment.
Started last Sunday. It really is a great feeling!
At the beginning of 2010, or the end of 2009, I laid out 73 personal goals for the next 12 months. If you're wondering about the significance of my favorite number, check out http://www.themiraclemansion.com. This should help ease the irritation of my random, though, remarkably consistent reference to it. Then again, maybe not.
The title of this blog entry is a line from a play scene in which a superior demanded an updated progress report of his workers. I voluntarily took a little time last week to evaluate my 2010 task list as it stands right now. Probably a good thing to do at some point. This is what I found: Out of 73 goals, 26 are completed or well on their way, 11 (give or take) have been initiated but need some work, 29 (give or take) have never met me, and 7 (give or take) have left the building. They aren't goals anymore, or have morphed into something else.
So that's where I am. Much like me, these are a work in progress. Setting goals has been good. Each victory, failure or "to be continued" teaches me a valuable lesson and is an exhibition of my colossal weaknesses in the glaring spotlight of God's infinite power.
#74: Count on that.
Just a few of the "victories" (among others) that make me giddy...
#3. Bring Lora home from work for good.
She's in her final weeks of teaching. She's ecstatic. Score!!!
#6. Complete my novel.
75%. Up from 2% at the beginning of the year. Hardest, funnest thing I've ever (almost) done.
#41. Get Maureen to DC.
Hm... best way to do this? Offer her a job. It worked! She's coming!
#21. Throw Granddaddy a 100th birthday party.
August 7. All set.
#9. Improve my prayer life.
Definitely better. Definitely on the list for 2011.
#13. Be 100% accessible to my friends.
I've worked really hard on this. I think it's going well, but you'll have to ask them.
#40. Increase our Faith-Promise Missions commitment.
Started last Sunday. It really is a great feeling!
Friday, May 7, 2010
A Pillar of Salt I Shall Be
Wow, it's May 8 already, and this is my first blog post of the year. Typically, I might be apologetic, but in my defense, I've taken on a major writing project that will be completed by the end of summer **knock on wood**, so I don't feel terribly bad.
I could not let May 8 pass without recognizing the one-year anniversary of my hospitalization. Revisiting that ordeal is not a pleasant exercise-in fact, I'd much rather forget most things about it. But given the facts that-one year later I am healthy, and I clearly recognize that what could have been WAS NOT-I can truly say that I've been blessed... I've got a testimony! He is worthy! Hallelujah, what a Savior!
In case you're wondering, I feel great. Recovery was 100%. I will always have lymphedema (actually, I always have), but it IS manageable and so, we press on!
I'd like to steal a blog idea from a friend (thanks OMY) and recycle an entry I posted last year shortly after all of this. If it becomes a real blessing to one person who is going through a tough time, then, from my heart I can genuinely say, it was worth it all!
Finally, I am indebted to my family, my Crossroads/COEBA family, friends everywhere and to the doctors and nurses of Virginia Hospital Center-without whom this wimp wouldn't have stood a chance.
Looking back,
PM
"Learning To Lean"
Originally posted Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 10:46am
About two weeks ago following our Wednesday evening service I started feeling sick. It had been raining that night, and I had been out in the rain more than I should, so I pretty much chalked it up to being a cold. This wasn't good. We had a Homegoing service in the morning and I still had to do the obituary program in addition to participating in the service, so feeling bad was really not an option. So I ignored it. It was about 2 a.m. when I realized that the fever and chills were not going to let me finish, so I decided to go to bed and get up early.
I did go to bed, and I did wake up early--about 4:30 with uncontrollable chills and, eventually a fever of 103F. I'd had the flu before, but what was this?? I had never felt like this before. Lora insisted we go to the ER. I called Dad and Mom to let them know, and to prepare Dad for the possibility that I wouldn't make the funeral. They said to keep them posted and that they would be praying. We got dressed and were headed to the ER about 6 a.m. when my parents' prayers must've kicked in. All of sudden I started feeling better. The chills subsided. The fever broke. All I could think was that this was the Lord allowing me to finish that program and attend the service. And that's what happened. I stumbled back to our kitchen table and by the grace of God completed it and sent it off to church for printing. Praise the Lord!
I walked over to church at 10:55, weak and drenched in sweat, but I made it. The choir was already seated in the loft. I joined the other three preachers in the procession to the platform. The next 90 minutes comprised a beautiful celebration of our dear sister who had gone home to be with the Lord. The choir sang wonderfully, seemingly in tribute. I felt invigorated. I don't know what I would have done had I not been able to witness that wonderful homegoing.
So now that it was over, the logical thing was to go home and get in bed. It had already been a really long day. I now realized that my brief respite from the "flu" was either an adrenalin rush or simply a Samson-esque moment from the Lord, because now, I couldn't move. I sat in the auditorium alone for about an hour. Finally, with Chad's help, I mustered enough strength to walk home. All of the symptoms were back, but worse.
The next hours of that Thursday were a blur as I can only recall tossing and turning all night and wishing for morning. When morning came I started wishing for night. I was miserable and nothing in the medicine cabinet seemed to help. It was around 5 p.m. when I told Cameron that I had to go to the ER. Lora and Casey were out and couldn't be reached. Cam and I headed out. I was so sick I almost let my 14 year old drive. Kidding, but I wished that he could.
When we signed in at urgent care, they handed me a mask. I guess there's still some remaining swine flu paranoia. Staring at the sign that read, "Patients will be seen in order of illness priority" assured me that I'd get some relief soon. Not so. Apparently my indication of flu symptoms was not as critical as "scraped elbow", "sprained thumb", and "banged head."
By now I was having trouble breathing and everything on me hurt. I also noticed my left shoe seemed really tight and my foot swollen. I figured I would ask the doc about that--if I ever got back there.
After two hours they called my name. My good son, determined to not leave his dad's side, followed me back.
Blood pressure-120/68 (terrific). Heart rate-normal. Fever-101F. Drew blood (after six fishing expeditions to find a vein-runs in my family, ouch).
"Looks like you got the flu, son."
He did NOT just tell me that, I thought. I already knew that. I told him about the breathing problems. So I was off to x-ray. The x-ray showed inflammation but nothing abnormal. Blood test came back normal, other than elevated white blood count which they thought was consistent with a virus.
"Wow! how long has your foot been like this?"
Like what?, I thought. I was now back in the ER bed and looked down at my left foot and ankle, which were now twice normal size. I just stared in shock.
The doctor took scissors and cut my sweat pants up to my knee. It was swollen all the way up and really red. When the doctor looks shocked, you know there's cause for concern. Next thing I know, I'm in an ambulance headed to a real hospital. Cam was still right there. That's my boy.
I eventually found out that I had developed a deep tissue infection which triggered stage three lymphedema. In a short period of time I was carrying nearly 50 pounds of fluid in my left leg. Thankfully my vitals were all good and the antibiotics were doing the job of flushing out the infection. I had never been hospitalized before, so that was a new experience. I know for sure that the hospital is no place to get rest. Being poked and prodded all day and all night made it anything but restful.
But they took good care of me over the five days I was there at Virginia Hospital Center. Sunday morning was tough. I hadn't missed a Sunday morning service in 28 years! Thank God for wi-fi! I even got several of the nurses to come and watch church with me. I pointed everybody out to them. They got a kick out of it when Dad mentioned my being in the hospital and the whole church wishing me well.
It wasn't until after going home last Wednesday that I realized that recovery was going to be such a major ordeal. They sent home with a picc line so that I can self-administer an IV for the next 14 days. Man. This a trip. In addition, I have to go to physical therapy almost every day for 2-3 weeks to work down the swelling. All the medication has kept me feeling sick and weak. Then yesterday they found that I developed an allergic reaction to the bandages or the medication, not sure.
When they unwrapped my leg, I wept. I had never seen anything so disgusting. I got so discouraged and went into immediate self-pity mode. Then I remembered how good God has been to me. I thought of all the people who have gone through so much worse than this. I thought about my wonderful wife who has taken care of me every step of the way. I thought of my kids, my parents and my siblings who would do anything in the world for me. I thought of the more than 60 people who came to visit me in the hospital. Then I thought of the pain Jesus went through for me. Silly Mike. Dumb Mike. How could I be so ungrateful with all God's done for me? "This I know; for God is for me. (Ps. 56:9) Forgive me, Lord.
The docs predict 100% recovery within a few weeks. I am glad for that! The other day I bought a cane. Wow, that was telling! I didn't want to, but it's really obvious that it is a big help. I had to learn to use it properly. By leaning on it at the right time it takes pressure off of the bad leg AND the good leg. The symbolism in my life is clear. Through all of this I've had to--perhaps for the first time in my life--learn to lean on the Lord. Situations clearly beyond our control or ability to fix teach us to depend on the One who is really in control. I've had to learn that, as I tend to be a self-fixer. I can't fix this one. But I'm so glad God can.
And that lesson, believe it or not, makes it worth it all! -mb
We can only know
The power that He holds
When we truly see how deep our weakness goes;
His strength in us begins
Where ours comes to an end.
He hears our humble cry and proves again . . .
His strength is perfect when our strength is gone;
He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on.
Raised in His power, the weak become strong;
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.
I could not let May 8 pass without recognizing the one-year anniversary of my hospitalization. Revisiting that ordeal is not a pleasant exercise-in fact, I'd much rather forget most things about it. But given the facts that-one year later I am healthy, and I clearly recognize that what could have been WAS NOT-I can truly say that I've been blessed... I've got a testimony! He is worthy! Hallelujah, what a Savior!
In case you're wondering, I feel great. Recovery was 100%. I will always have lymphedema (actually, I always have), but it IS manageable and so, we press on!
I'd like to steal a blog idea from a friend (thanks OMY) and recycle an entry I posted last year shortly after all of this. If it becomes a real blessing to one person who is going through a tough time, then, from my heart I can genuinely say, it was worth it all!
Finally, I am indebted to my family, my Crossroads/COEBA family, friends everywhere and to the doctors and nurses of Virginia Hospital Center-without whom this wimp wouldn't have stood a chance.
Looking back,
PM
"Learning To Lean"
Originally posted Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 10:46am
About two weeks ago following our Wednesday evening service I started feeling sick. It had been raining that night, and I had been out in the rain more than I should, so I pretty much chalked it up to being a cold. This wasn't good. We had a Homegoing service in the morning and I still had to do the obituary program in addition to participating in the service, so feeling bad was really not an option. So I ignored it. It was about 2 a.m. when I realized that the fever and chills were not going to let me finish, so I decided to go to bed and get up early.
I did go to bed, and I did wake up early--about 4:30 with uncontrollable chills and, eventually a fever of 103F. I'd had the flu before, but what was this?? I had never felt like this before. Lora insisted we go to the ER. I called Dad and Mom to let them know, and to prepare Dad for the possibility that I wouldn't make the funeral. They said to keep them posted and that they would be praying. We got dressed and were headed to the ER about 6 a.m. when my parents' prayers must've kicked in. All of sudden I started feeling better. The chills subsided. The fever broke. All I could think was that this was the Lord allowing me to finish that program and attend the service. And that's what happened. I stumbled back to our kitchen table and by the grace of God completed it and sent it off to church for printing. Praise the Lord!
I walked over to church at 10:55, weak and drenched in sweat, but I made it. The choir was already seated in the loft. I joined the other three preachers in the procession to the platform. The next 90 minutes comprised a beautiful celebration of our dear sister who had gone home to be with the Lord. The choir sang wonderfully, seemingly in tribute. I felt invigorated. I don't know what I would have done had I not been able to witness that wonderful homegoing.
So now that it was over, the logical thing was to go home and get in bed. It had already been a really long day. I now realized that my brief respite from the "flu" was either an adrenalin rush or simply a Samson-esque moment from the Lord, because now, I couldn't move. I sat in the auditorium alone for about an hour. Finally, with Chad's help, I mustered enough strength to walk home. All of the symptoms were back, but worse.
The next hours of that Thursday were a blur as I can only recall tossing and turning all night and wishing for morning. When morning came I started wishing for night. I was miserable and nothing in the medicine cabinet seemed to help. It was around 5 p.m. when I told Cameron that I had to go to the ER. Lora and Casey were out and couldn't be reached. Cam and I headed out. I was so sick I almost let my 14 year old drive. Kidding, but I wished that he could.
When we signed in at urgent care, they handed me a mask. I guess there's still some remaining swine flu paranoia. Staring at the sign that read, "Patients will be seen in order of illness priority" assured me that I'd get some relief soon. Not so. Apparently my indication of flu symptoms was not as critical as "scraped elbow", "sprained thumb", and "banged head."
By now I was having trouble breathing and everything on me hurt. I also noticed my left shoe seemed really tight and my foot swollen. I figured I would ask the doc about that--if I ever got back there.
After two hours they called my name. My good son, determined to not leave his dad's side, followed me back.
Blood pressure-120/68 (terrific). Heart rate-normal. Fever-101F. Drew blood (after six fishing expeditions to find a vein-runs in my family, ouch).
"Looks like you got the flu, son."
He did NOT just tell me that, I thought. I already knew that. I told him about the breathing problems. So I was off to x-ray. The x-ray showed inflammation but nothing abnormal. Blood test came back normal, other than elevated white blood count which they thought was consistent with a virus.
"Wow! how long has your foot been like this?"
Like what?, I thought. I was now back in the ER bed and looked down at my left foot and ankle, which were now twice normal size. I just stared in shock.
The doctor took scissors and cut my sweat pants up to my knee. It was swollen all the way up and really red. When the doctor looks shocked, you know there's cause for concern. Next thing I know, I'm in an ambulance headed to a real hospital. Cam was still right there. That's my boy.
I eventually found out that I had developed a deep tissue infection which triggered stage three lymphedema. In a short period of time I was carrying nearly 50 pounds of fluid in my left leg. Thankfully my vitals were all good and the antibiotics were doing the job of flushing out the infection. I had never been hospitalized before, so that was a new experience. I know for sure that the hospital is no place to get rest. Being poked and prodded all day and all night made it anything but restful.
But they took good care of me over the five days I was there at Virginia Hospital Center. Sunday morning was tough. I hadn't missed a Sunday morning service in 28 years! Thank God for wi-fi! I even got several of the nurses to come and watch church with me. I pointed everybody out to them. They got a kick out of it when Dad mentioned my being in the hospital and the whole church wishing me well.
It wasn't until after going home last Wednesday that I realized that recovery was going to be such a major ordeal. They sent home with a picc line so that I can self-administer an IV for the next 14 days. Man. This a trip. In addition, I have to go to physical therapy almost every day for 2-3 weeks to work down the swelling. All the medication has kept me feeling sick and weak. Then yesterday they found that I developed an allergic reaction to the bandages or the medication, not sure.
When they unwrapped my leg, I wept. I had never seen anything so disgusting. I got so discouraged and went into immediate self-pity mode. Then I remembered how good God has been to me. I thought of all the people who have gone through so much worse than this. I thought about my wonderful wife who has taken care of me every step of the way. I thought of my kids, my parents and my siblings who would do anything in the world for me. I thought of the more than 60 people who came to visit me in the hospital. Then I thought of the pain Jesus went through for me. Silly Mike. Dumb Mike. How could I be so ungrateful with all God's done for me? "This I know; for God is for me. (Ps. 56:9) Forgive me, Lord.
The docs predict 100% recovery within a few weeks. I am glad for that! The other day I bought a cane. Wow, that was telling! I didn't want to, but it's really obvious that it is a big help. I had to learn to use it properly. By leaning on it at the right time it takes pressure off of the bad leg AND the good leg. The symbolism in my life is clear. Through all of this I've had to--perhaps for the first time in my life--learn to lean on the Lord. Situations clearly beyond our control or ability to fix teach us to depend on the One who is really in control. I've had to learn that, as I tend to be a self-fixer. I can't fix this one. But I'm so glad God can.
And that lesson, believe it or not, makes it worth it all! -mb
We can only know
The power that He holds
When we truly see how deep our weakness goes;
His strength in us begins
Where ours comes to an end.
He hears our humble cry and proves again . . .
His strength is perfect when our strength is gone;
He’ll carry us when we can’t carry on.
Raised in His power, the weak become strong;
His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
He's Making a List and Checking It 73 Times
Some people have their life all planned out. That was me, pretty much by the time I went to college. I would be in ministry, concentrating in music and administration, and eventually go into the pastorate. That was my “career” path. I followed it and I loved it.
In early 2006 after three weeks of personal turmoil, confusion and wrestling with God, everything changed. For the first time I understood what GOD had planned for my life. Of course, the concept I had mulled over was not totally new. Yet the idea of a special place where theatre, music and electronic media with a Christian worldview could flourish began to excite me and others. This “place” would be a spectacular destination whose thematic material, atmosphere and purpose would draw individuals and families from everywhere.
And so I began to embark on this project—to build Miracle Mansion.
But how in the world??
It was obvious that even the conceptualization of this was way above my pay grade, let alone the reality of it. If it was going to happen, God would have to do it. And a lot of people would need to stand with me. I could never do this alone.
Well, God willing, we will soon close on 73 acres of prime real estate where the Miracle Mansion complex will be built. This is 2010’s #1 goal! Three years ago the thought of purchasing a 17.5 million dollar piece of land was unfathomable. But God is making it possible. And people around the country are joining this effort. Miracle after miracle has taken place, and we are marching on toward opening night in late 2013.
So “73” has become my personal theme. What a great number! It was 1973 when the Dolphins defeated the Redskins for a perfect NFL season. “73” is the single season home run record set by Barry Bonds in 2001. I could go on and on, but I mostly love the fact that “73” is a number containing two integers symbolizing “perfection or completion” and “God.” This motivates me as I am reminded that we have an awesome God who can do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
With that in mind I prayerfully set 73 personal goals for 2010. A friend reminded me that if we “fail to plan, we plan to fail.” I may not accomplish all of them, but it won’t be due to the lack of a plan. I just want to be the best I can be for God and for His purpose in my life.
Thanks so much to each of you for the encouragement over the last 73 days. I so appreciate your prayers for the many more days ahead.
For information about the Miracle Mansion Project or to learn how to be a part of Groundswell73, visit www.TheMiracleMansion.com.
Personal Goals for 2010:
1. Close on the 73-acre property
2. Lose weight
3. Bring Lora home from work for good
4. Lead 52 people to Christ
5. Complete Groundswell73
6. Complete my novel, The Miracle Mansion
7. Become the most important person in the world to someone who really needs it
8. Buy Lora a killer diamond ring
9. Improve my prayer life
10. Host major MM event at the Kennedy Center
11. Teach Cameron to Drive
12. Write a musical
13. Be 100% accessible to my friends
14. Conquer procrastination
15. Memorize the Book of James
16. Bring on full-time MM staff
17. Spend more time with my parents
18. Travel to visit every Crossroads college student
19. Go away for a couple of days with Cameron
20. Go away for a couple of days with Casey
21. Throw Granddaddy a 100th birthday party
22. Hire a top-notch church pianist
23. Develop the MM Campus Project
24. Set aside a weekly date night with Lora
25. Attend one performance of each of Diana’s shows
26. Read a book each month
27. Start a college fund
28. Grow the College and Career Class to a consistent 45
29. Get 60 singles to the Retreat
30. Promote the July COEBA Gathering in January
31. Have Lari Goss in for a choral workshop
32. Start an orchestra at church
33. Produce a new Choir Christmas CD
34. Remodel basement
35. Complete collaboration on a book about church music
36. Hire the primary architect for MM
37. Buy a new MacBook Pro
38. Open up a Groundswell73 investment for my godchildren
39. Family vacation in California
40. Increase our Faith-Promise Missions commitment
41. Get Maureen to DC
42. Do choir workshops in Georgia & Arkansas
43. Work with budding new soloists
44. Get reacquainted with my cousins
45. Attend the Brooklyn Tab Music Conference
46. Relearn Spanish
47. Pay off all credit card debt
48. Teach my kids about money
49. Learn forty new choir anthems
50. Remodel kitchen
51. Build a screened-in porch
52. Remodel master bath
53. Reconnect with my high school class
54. Plan a trip to Africa for 2011
55. Relearn sign language
56. Raise money for projection screens
57. Host a Summer Fine Arts Camp
58. Complete Graduate Course in Organizational Management
59. Plan a family reunion
60. Complete Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving
61. Host a regular Bible Study
62. Produce and publish a good choral arrangement
63. Go to a Cowboys game
64. See Mary Poppins in the summer at the Kennedy Center
65. Visit my extended family in Cincinnati
66. Convert 25 years of sermon cassette recordings to CD/mp3
67. Visit the Creation Museum in KY
68. Keep a daily journal
69. Write a really good song
70. Get a dog
71. Visit my dearest friends
72. Take the family to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
73. Learn to play the guitar
In early 2006 after three weeks of personal turmoil, confusion and wrestling with God, everything changed. For the first time I understood what GOD had planned for my life. Of course, the concept I had mulled over was not totally new. Yet the idea of a special place where theatre, music and electronic media with a Christian worldview could flourish began to excite me and others. This “place” would be a spectacular destination whose thematic material, atmosphere and purpose would draw individuals and families from everywhere.
And so I began to embark on this project—to build Miracle Mansion.
But how in the world??
It was obvious that even the conceptualization of this was way above my pay grade, let alone the reality of it. If it was going to happen, God would have to do it. And a lot of people would need to stand with me. I could never do this alone.
Well, God willing, we will soon close on 73 acres of prime real estate where the Miracle Mansion complex will be built. This is 2010’s #1 goal! Three years ago the thought of purchasing a 17.5 million dollar piece of land was unfathomable. But God is making it possible. And people around the country are joining this effort. Miracle after miracle has taken place, and we are marching on toward opening night in late 2013.
So “73” has become my personal theme. What a great number! It was 1973 when the Dolphins defeated the Redskins for a perfect NFL season. “73” is the single season home run record set by Barry Bonds in 2001. I could go on and on, but I mostly love the fact that “73” is a number containing two integers symbolizing “perfection or completion” and “God.” This motivates me as I am reminded that we have an awesome God who can do “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
With that in mind I prayerfully set 73 personal goals for 2010. A friend reminded me that if we “fail to plan, we plan to fail.” I may not accomplish all of them, but it won’t be due to the lack of a plan. I just want to be the best I can be for God and for His purpose in my life.
Thanks so much to each of you for the encouragement over the last 73 days. I so appreciate your prayers for the many more days ahead.
For information about the Miracle Mansion Project or to learn how to be a part of Groundswell73, visit www.TheMiracleMansion.com.
Personal Goals for 2010:
1. Close on the 73-acre property
2. Lose weight
3. Bring Lora home from work for good
4. Lead 52 people to Christ
5. Complete Groundswell73
6. Complete my novel, The Miracle Mansion
7. Become the most important person in the world to someone who really needs it
8. Buy Lora a killer diamond ring
9. Improve my prayer life
10. Host major MM event at the Kennedy Center
11. Teach Cameron to Drive
12. Write a musical
13. Be 100% accessible to my friends
14. Conquer procrastination
15. Memorize the Book of James
16. Bring on full-time MM staff
17. Spend more time with my parents
18. Travel to visit every Crossroads college student
19. Go away for a couple of days with Cameron
20. Go away for a couple of days with Casey
21. Throw Granddaddy a 100th birthday party
22. Hire a top-notch church pianist
23. Develop the MM Campus Project
24. Set aside a weekly date night with Lora
25. Attend one performance of each of Diana’s shows
26. Read a book each month
27. Start a college fund
28. Grow the College and Career Class to a consistent 45
29. Get 60 singles to the Retreat
30. Promote the July COEBA Gathering in January
31. Have Lari Goss in for a choral workshop
32. Start an orchestra at church
33. Produce a new Choir Christmas CD
34. Remodel basement
35. Complete collaboration on a book about church music
36. Hire the primary architect for MM
37. Buy a new MacBook Pro
38. Open up a Groundswell73 investment for my godchildren
39. Family vacation in California
40. Increase our Faith-Promise Missions commitment
41. Get Maureen to DC
42. Do choir workshops in Georgia & Arkansas
43. Work with budding new soloists
44. Get reacquainted with my cousins
45. Attend the Brooklyn Tab Music Conference
46. Relearn Spanish
47. Pay off all credit card debt
48. Teach my kids about money
49. Learn forty new choir anthems
50. Remodel kitchen
51. Build a screened-in porch
52. Remodel master bath
53. Reconnect with my high school class
54. Plan a trip to Africa for 2011
55. Relearn sign language
56. Raise money for projection screens
57. Host a Summer Fine Arts Camp
58. Complete Graduate Course in Organizational Management
59. Plan a family reunion
60. Complete Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving
61. Host a regular Bible Study
62. Produce and publish a good choral arrangement
63. Go to a Cowboys game
64. See Mary Poppins in the summer at the Kennedy Center
65. Visit my extended family in Cincinnati
66. Convert 25 years of sermon cassette recordings to CD/mp3
67. Visit the Creation Museum in KY
68. Keep a daily journal
69. Write a really good song
70. Get a dog
71. Visit my dearest friends
72. Take the family to see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
73. Learn to play the guitar
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Twenty Oh Nine In Review
See if you can come up with your ten. Warning! Might have to think really hard.
2009’s Most Significant…
1. Most Significant Blessing—The progress of the Miracle Mansion Project. Many people became partners in this venture through their confidence in me and the vision. This is an amazing and humbling reality for which I am ridiculously grateful. Groundsell73 was a God-given plan that makes me tremble with the realization of God’s goodness to me.
2. Most Significant Trial—My sickness and hospitalization in late April. I had never been really sick before so coming down with a severe infection and lymphedema was an ordeal. In retrospect and in light of what others go through, all of it was pretty mild. But at the time, the fact that I couldn’t go to church and that I was incapacitated and a burden to my family was extremely depressing. I hid it well, because I genuinely hate sympathy. But I went through a great deal of guilt and self-pity before I began to be grateful for what I later learned could have taken my life. God was good, so good, in spite of me.
3. Most Significant Lesson—I learned to prioritize this year. I’ve always tried to do everything, and, as a result, usually got little to nothing done. The art of delegation—haven’t mastered it yet, but I’m trying. I also began to prepare for what I believe God wants me to do in the future. Now if I could just conquer procrastination. Oh well, that’s for another day.
4. Most Significant Life Change—I developed a love for writing. Before, I always wrote out of necessity. This year it became my most rewarding pastime. TO BE CONTINUED…
5. Most Significant Purchase or Acquisition—This was not a big year for self or family spending, so I’m gonna go with the acquisition angle. My friend Wayne gave me a guitar on his birthday. That was pretty remarkable.
6. Most Significant Regret or Personal Failure—Quite a few of these. Didn’t improve my prayer life much over 2008. Didn’t lose weight. Got several speeding tickets. And those are just the ones I’m willing to talk about. Thankful for forgiveness and second chances.
7. Most Significant Accomplishment—This one took some thought. Listing perceived accomplishments sounds really arrogant. And I had to really think to come up with something. If there’s one thing I can say that I feel especially good about, it is the fact that we made the decision to bring the COEBA National Gathering back home to Crossroads this past year. It saved us tens of thousands of dollars and was a phenomenal meeting.
8. Most Significant New or Improved Relationship—This one’s really hard too because it tends to imply status levels. I can’t stop at one, and I’m sure I’ll regret it later. But I gained many new friends this year. Tommy Creek is one of the most encouraging people I’ve ever met. In fact, his whole family is amazing. Maureen Zinser (aka—“Mojo”) is an incredible, smart, kind and caring individual of whom I think the world. There were rekindled friendships too. For example, if I start talking about my “refound” friend, Erin Bruce, I’ll get emotional. God broke the mold with her. And Doug Schweitzer remains the epitome of a godly iron-sharpener. I wanna be like him when I grow up. Existing friendships got even stronger, like with Carl Jefferson who is my brother and closest confidant, Wayne Maynard who cheers and supports me like no other and Deke Green who I would trust with my life. My wife, my immediate family, my adopted daughter, Diana, and my godchildren are priceless and really don’t belong in this list. My singles here and around the country, well, I would give everything I have for them. Longtime and ongoing relationships are too numerous to name, and there is no need to catch feelings because I love you all so much and you are irreplaceable. (Not to mention, this is supposed to be about “new” friendships anyway!!!) So by that token, my most significant new friend of 2009 was Olivia Yates. Can’t describe what a blessing she's been. One in a million. I thank the Lord for OMY. Period.
9. Most Significant Event or Trip—My 40th birthday weekend in June was one of the most enjoyable events of my entire life. The overnighter at a French-style villa in Amish country with special people was a dream. Can’t wait until my next 40th birthday.
10. Most Significant Memory—Here again, maybe you can do it, but I honestly can’t come up with just one. Several things jump to the forefront of my mind: An Inauguration that was extremely surreal. Our Easter Sunrise Service when poor Jon passed out and scared us all. Lady Paysour’s Homegoing. Liv’s surprise party and accompanying trickeries. My all-night drive home from Atlanta in August. Watching church on my laptop while lying in a hospital bed on a Sunday morning. A barbecue at Pat Robertson’s house. A marvelous singles retreat—particularly one very late game night. Five intense conversations—one regrettable and troubling at the time, one that was five hours long and THE MOST hilarious ever, one where I explained an unconventional plan to a panel of astute businessmen who listened and agreed, one where I had to say “no” despite a strong appeal for me to say “yes”, and one where I did all the talking as the listener cringed in absolute discomfort. Lastly, I have to say that my trip to Montreal in December will not be soon forgotten.
A year of mountains and valleys, of new opportunities and new friends, of new starts and abrupt endings. Yet through it all, God's been good!
2009’s Most Significant…
1. Most Significant Blessing—The progress of the Miracle Mansion Project. Many people became partners in this venture through their confidence in me and the vision. This is an amazing and humbling reality for which I am ridiculously grateful. Groundsell73 was a God-given plan that makes me tremble with the realization of God’s goodness to me.
2. Most Significant Trial—My sickness and hospitalization in late April. I had never been really sick before so coming down with a severe infection and lymphedema was an ordeal. In retrospect and in light of what others go through, all of it was pretty mild. But at the time, the fact that I couldn’t go to church and that I was incapacitated and a burden to my family was extremely depressing. I hid it well, because I genuinely hate sympathy. But I went through a great deal of guilt and self-pity before I began to be grateful for what I later learned could have taken my life. God was good, so good, in spite of me.
3. Most Significant Lesson—I learned to prioritize this year. I’ve always tried to do everything, and, as a result, usually got little to nothing done. The art of delegation—haven’t mastered it yet, but I’m trying. I also began to prepare for what I believe God wants me to do in the future. Now if I could just conquer procrastination. Oh well, that’s for another day.
4. Most Significant Life Change—I developed a love for writing. Before, I always wrote out of necessity. This year it became my most rewarding pastime. TO BE CONTINUED…
5. Most Significant Purchase or Acquisition—This was not a big year for self or family spending, so I’m gonna go with the acquisition angle. My friend Wayne gave me a guitar on his birthday. That was pretty remarkable.
6. Most Significant Regret or Personal Failure—Quite a few of these. Didn’t improve my prayer life much over 2008. Didn’t lose weight. Got several speeding tickets. And those are just the ones I’m willing to talk about. Thankful for forgiveness and second chances.
7. Most Significant Accomplishment—This one took some thought. Listing perceived accomplishments sounds really arrogant. And I had to really think to come up with something. If there’s one thing I can say that I feel especially good about, it is the fact that we made the decision to bring the COEBA National Gathering back home to Crossroads this past year. It saved us tens of thousands of dollars and was a phenomenal meeting.
8. Most Significant New or Improved Relationship—This one’s really hard too because it tends to imply status levels. I can’t stop at one, and I’m sure I’ll regret it later. But I gained many new friends this year. Tommy Creek is one of the most encouraging people I’ve ever met. In fact, his whole family is amazing. Maureen Zinser (aka—“Mojo”) is an incredible, smart, kind and caring individual of whom I think the world. There were rekindled friendships too. For example, if I start talking about my “refound” friend, Erin Bruce, I’ll get emotional. God broke the mold with her. And Doug Schweitzer remains the epitome of a godly iron-sharpener. I wanna be like him when I grow up. Existing friendships got even stronger, like with Carl Jefferson who is my brother and closest confidant, Wayne Maynard who cheers and supports me like no other and Deke Green who I would trust with my life. My wife, my immediate family, my adopted daughter, Diana, and my godchildren are priceless and really don’t belong in this list. My singles here and around the country, well, I would give everything I have for them. Longtime and ongoing relationships are too numerous to name, and there is no need to catch feelings because I love you all so much and you are irreplaceable. (Not to mention, this is supposed to be about “new” friendships anyway!!!) So by that token, my most significant new friend of 2009 was Olivia Yates. Can’t describe what a blessing she's been. One in a million. I thank the Lord for OMY. Period.
9. Most Significant Event or Trip—My 40th birthday weekend in June was one of the most enjoyable events of my entire life. The overnighter at a French-style villa in Amish country with special people was a dream. Can’t wait until my next 40th birthday.
10. Most Significant Memory—Here again, maybe you can do it, but I honestly can’t come up with just one. Several things jump to the forefront of my mind: An Inauguration that was extremely surreal. Our Easter Sunrise Service when poor Jon passed out and scared us all. Lady Paysour’s Homegoing. Liv’s surprise party and accompanying trickeries. My all-night drive home from Atlanta in August. Watching church on my laptop while lying in a hospital bed on a Sunday morning. A barbecue at Pat Robertson’s house. A marvelous singles retreat—particularly one very late game night. Five intense conversations—one regrettable and troubling at the time, one that was five hours long and THE MOST hilarious ever, one where I explained an unconventional plan to a panel of astute businessmen who listened and agreed, one where I had to say “no” despite a strong appeal for me to say “yes”, and one where I did all the talking as the listener cringed in absolute discomfort. Lastly, I have to say that my trip to Montreal in December will not be soon forgotten.
A year of mountains and valleys, of new opportunities and new friends, of new starts and abrupt endings. Yet through it all, God's been good!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
It's My Party and I'll Buy If I Want To
Isn’t it like age 14 or so when birthdays stop being really fun? Don’t get me wrong. We should all be thankful to the Lord for another year of living. But at some point the presents and the little hat and streamers are replaced by e-cards and bulletin mentions. Such is life.
Still, I was hopeful when my good friend, Wayne Maynard, told me last year that there was a very good chance that Micah would be born on November 5. How exciting this would be for Wayne and Shennetter! Micah would be the answer to prayer after Shennetter’s multiple pregnancy-related health issues.
And he would be Wayne’s greatest birthday gift ever.
Plot twist. Gasp. No “happily ever after” here. Shennetter’s whacky doctor was too busy, or something, to perform the C-Section on the 5th. He preferred the 6th.
Surely he didn’t know that Wayne’s birthday was on the 5th, right? Wrong. He knew full well. Perhaps he couldn’t move his tee time. Now that’s a real reason for health care reform.
Me? I would’ve pitched a fit. But Wayne is much nicer than I am. And angering the man who was about to deliver his son didn’t seem to be high on Wayne’s priority list. Fine. Just seemed wrong to me.
Fast forward a year. It’s now November 2009. Micah’s 1st birthday is approaching. Shennetter has made plans. She’s cooked a big meal and invited us all over to celebrate our godson’s special day. In style.
Now we’re at the Maynards enjoying a party that one-year-old Micah will never remember. There’s chicken wings, and crab dip, and shrimp cocktail, and cake. And there’s a little hat and streamers too.
And oh yeah, Wayne’s birthday was the day before. Happy belated birthday, Wayne! It’s a good thing you’re a proud dad, ‘cause YOUR birthday will forevermore be yesterday’s news. Sorry.
Then again, maybe not. I’m paraphrasing…
“I wanted to do something different for my birthday,” he said.
Yeah, yeah whatever. Say cheese, Micah!
“You guys mean the world to me. I’m so honored that you would be here tonight for Micah and so thankful for the impact each of you has had in our lives.”
Ok, he was getting sentimental, so now we had to pay attention. For the next several minutes Wayne elaborated in great detail about what each of us meant to him personally.
“So I decided that this year, for MY birthday, I would do something I always wanted to do. I bought gifts for each of YOU.”
Chicken wing, you’ve been spared. At least for now.
“Cameron and Casey,” Wayne said, “I’ve watched you grow.”
He handed them the coolest new game for their Wii.
“Lora and Denise, you are wonderful godmothers to both of our children.”
He handed them $50 Macy’s gift cards.
“Mike, you have been a great mentor and friend. I wanted to get you something that I knew you wanted and that will help you accomplish one of your 73 stated goals for next year.”
He handed me a brand new guitar.
“What can I say about my wonderful wife Shennetter? You are everything to me.”
He handed her a new Dell laptop.
As surprising as all of this was it’s really very much in character. Wayne is one of the most selfless people I know. He’s a terrific listener, encourager and the definition of a friend. I don’t remember one time when he hasn’t been all of these to me.
But I’m pretty sure I’ll always remember his birthday.
Still, I was hopeful when my good friend, Wayne Maynard, told me last year that there was a very good chance that Micah would be born on November 5. How exciting this would be for Wayne and Shennetter! Micah would be the answer to prayer after Shennetter’s multiple pregnancy-related health issues.
And he would be Wayne’s greatest birthday gift ever.
Plot twist. Gasp. No “happily ever after” here. Shennetter’s whacky doctor was too busy, or something, to perform the C-Section on the 5th. He preferred the 6th.
Surely he didn’t know that Wayne’s birthday was on the 5th, right? Wrong. He knew full well. Perhaps he couldn’t move his tee time. Now that’s a real reason for health care reform.
Me? I would’ve pitched a fit. But Wayne is much nicer than I am. And angering the man who was about to deliver his son didn’t seem to be high on Wayne’s priority list. Fine. Just seemed wrong to me.
Fast forward a year. It’s now November 2009. Micah’s 1st birthday is approaching. Shennetter has made plans. She’s cooked a big meal and invited us all over to celebrate our godson’s special day. In style.
Now we’re at the Maynards enjoying a party that one-year-old Micah will never remember. There’s chicken wings, and crab dip, and shrimp cocktail, and cake. And there’s a little hat and streamers too.
And oh yeah, Wayne’s birthday was the day before. Happy belated birthday, Wayne! It’s a good thing you’re a proud dad, ‘cause YOUR birthday will forevermore be yesterday’s news. Sorry.
Then again, maybe not. I’m paraphrasing…
“I wanted to do something different for my birthday,” he said.
Yeah, yeah whatever. Say cheese, Micah!
“You guys mean the world to me. I’m so honored that you would be here tonight for Micah and so thankful for the impact each of you has had in our lives.”
Ok, he was getting sentimental, so now we had to pay attention. For the next several minutes Wayne elaborated in great detail about what each of us meant to him personally.
“So I decided that this year, for MY birthday, I would do something I always wanted to do. I bought gifts for each of YOU.”
Chicken wing, you’ve been spared. At least for now.
“Cameron and Casey,” Wayne said, “I’ve watched you grow.”
He handed them the coolest new game for their Wii.
“Lora and Denise, you are wonderful godmothers to both of our children.”
He handed them $50 Macy’s gift cards.
“Mike, you have been a great mentor and friend. I wanted to get you something that I knew you wanted and that will help you accomplish one of your 73 stated goals for next year.”
He handed me a brand new guitar.
“What can I say about my wonderful wife Shennetter? You are everything to me.”
He handed her a new Dell laptop.
As surprising as all of this was it’s really very much in character. Wayne is one of the most selfless people I know. He’s a terrific listener, encourager and the definition of a friend. I don’t remember one time when he hasn’t been all of these to me.
But I’m pretty sure I’ll always remember his birthday.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Filet O' Fear
Despite the occasional service faux pas, our Couples Retreat last weekend went off without a hitch. And now everybody was headed home, anxious to get things prepared for Harvest Day and grateful for the extra hour that Daylight Standard Time would soon offer.
Lora and I along with our friends, Carl and Angie, were also looking forward to grabbing some seafood from Richmond’s famous Croaker Spot Restaurant. We had talked about it all week. The hole-in-the-wall eatery sits on a moderately busy street corner in one of the country’s oldest black neighborhoods and was once featured on the Food Network. One bite of their signature dish—fried fish and shrimp smothered in onions and red peppers, accompanied by cheese grits, cabbage and sweet corn bread—and you’d understand why the line to get into the restaurant’s brick-front brownstone often circles the block.
The wait to sit and eat was at least an hour (at 2:00 on a Saturday afternoon). So we opted to carry-out and dine at Chez Expeditione’—a.k.a., inside my SUV. Carl waited in line for the food. Angie waited in the car for Carl. Lora and I headed off to find a convenience store to get drinks.
“Make mine a ginger ale. I can’t handle the acidity of Sprite or 7-up.” Carl is such a baby.
After about five minutes I spotted a BP gas station/convenience store. It was one of those tiny ones that sat in between the gas pumps with a door on either side of the store. Perfect. It wasn’t like I was going grocery shopping. I parked the truck at a vacant spot in front of a pump and went inside while Lora waited. As soon as I walked in I saw the refrigerated section. Three diet cokes and a fruit punch (they had no ginger ale), easy enough. I then proceeded to the register. There were now two guys standing in front of the door I had recently entered.
I don’t want to stereotype here, so you can insert your own mental image. Let’s just say, they were very imposing dudes. Young, with thick jackets on—even though it was in the high 60s—and neither of them was smiling. They whispered something to each other and kept looking back at me.
Ok, fine. Sticks and stones. No big deal. Soon I would be safe and sound in my wussy, seafood-loving world.
The guy at the cash register started to ring me up. But he was making eye contact with the two gentlemen at the door. A quick glance back, and I noticed they were making eye contact with him too. All the while, our soft drinks were being scanned and bagged at the speed of paint-drying, or so it seemed.
About this time two other fellas, also of the baser sort, entered the already, way too crowded store. They walked directly to the other door (which I had already planned to use) and stood in front of it.
Now, we had a situation. Classic triangulation. Doors blocked to the left and right. Undetermined allegiance straight ahead. And behind me a dead end of refrigerators, a unisex restroom and racks of beef jerky and bubble gum.
Aw man. This was bad.
It was pretty clear what was getting ready to happen. Ten eyes were looking at me with my trademark church khakis and cotton polo that just screamed, “Mug me and kill me” (or vice-versa).
So I prayed. My eyes were open, but I was praying. God help me! Then I thought about Lora. Could she hear me if I scream? Probably not. Should I just give them the wallet now? Nah. They might think I’m hiding something else. Maybe I should go for my phone. My beautiful one-day-old iPhone 3Gs?!?
God help me!
The first two guys started walking towards me. I should also mention that all of this happened within about thirty seconds. But my recollection is remarkably clear.
Then, a seventh individual entered the store. I didn’t see his or her face. All I know is that this person was not a part of the situation. The four door blockers dispersed immediately, the checkout guy popped into fifth gear, bagging my drinks in one fell swoop, and I was out of there without a receipt.
Kissed my wife as soon as I got back in the truck, well, right after locking the doors. I was notably thankful at that moment for God’s protection. He is so good. There is absolutely nothing to fear with Him on my side.
Ok, but still, I floored it out of the lot.
“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.” Psalms 17:8-9
Lora and I along with our friends, Carl and Angie, were also looking forward to grabbing some seafood from Richmond’s famous Croaker Spot Restaurant. We had talked about it all week. The hole-in-the-wall eatery sits on a moderately busy street corner in one of the country’s oldest black neighborhoods and was once featured on the Food Network. One bite of their signature dish—fried fish and shrimp smothered in onions and red peppers, accompanied by cheese grits, cabbage and sweet corn bread—and you’d understand why the line to get into the restaurant’s brick-front brownstone often circles the block.
The wait to sit and eat was at least an hour (at 2:00 on a Saturday afternoon). So we opted to carry-out and dine at Chez Expeditione’—a.k.a., inside my SUV. Carl waited in line for the food. Angie waited in the car for Carl. Lora and I headed off to find a convenience store to get drinks.
“Make mine a ginger ale. I can’t handle the acidity of Sprite or 7-up.” Carl is such a baby.
After about five minutes I spotted a BP gas station/convenience store. It was one of those tiny ones that sat in between the gas pumps with a door on either side of the store. Perfect. It wasn’t like I was going grocery shopping. I parked the truck at a vacant spot in front of a pump and went inside while Lora waited. As soon as I walked in I saw the refrigerated section. Three diet cokes and a fruit punch (they had no ginger ale), easy enough. I then proceeded to the register. There were now two guys standing in front of the door I had recently entered.
I don’t want to stereotype here, so you can insert your own mental image. Let’s just say, they were very imposing dudes. Young, with thick jackets on—even though it was in the high 60s—and neither of them was smiling. They whispered something to each other and kept looking back at me.
Ok, fine. Sticks and stones. No big deal. Soon I would be safe and sound in my wussy, seafood-loving world.
The guy at the cash register started to ring me up. But he was making eye contact with the two gentlemen at the door. A quick glance back, and I noticed they were making eye contact with him too. All the while, our soft drinks were being scanned and bagged at the speed of paint-drying, or so it seemed.
About this time two other fellas, also of the baser sort, entered the already, way too crowded store. They walked directly to the other door (which I had already planned to use) and stood in front of it.
Now, we had a situation. Classic triangulation. Doors blocked to the left and right. Undetermined allegiance straight ahead. And behind me a dead end of refrigerators, a unisex restroom and racks of beef jerky and bubble gum.
Aw man. This was bad.
It was pretty clear what was getting ready to happen. Ten eyes were looking at me with my trademark church khakis and cotton polo that just screamed, “Mug me and kill me” (or vice-versa).
So I prayed. My eyes were open, but I was praying. God help me! Then I thought about Lora. Could she hear me if I scream? Probably not. Should I just give them the wallet now? Nah. They might think I’m hiding something else. Maybe I should go for my phone. My beautiful one-day-old iPhone 3Gs?!?
God help me!
The first two guys started walking towards me. I should also mention that all of this happened within about thirty seconds. But my recollection is remarkably clear.
Then, a seventh individual entered the store. I didn’t see his or her face. All I know is that this person was not a part of the situation. The four door blockers dispersed immediately, the checkout guy popped into fifth gear, bagging my drinks in one fell swoop, and I was out of there without a receipt.
Kissed my wife as soon as I got back in the truck, well, right after locking the doors. I was notably thankful at that moment for God’s protection. He is so good. There is absolutely nothing to fear with Him on my side.
Ok, but still, I floored it out of the lot.
“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.” Psalms 17:8-9
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