When you start to believe that real change can’t happen (in yourself or others), it means you’ve either stopped believing in the Holy Spirit, or started to believe you are Him.
Dave Desforge (one of our teaching pastors)
This guy is giving the church a good name…
Link: This guy is giving the church a good name…
I’ve written before about the church and our lazy copyright-violating practices that do nothing but alienate creatives. A few days ago I stumbled across the work of Zach Bush. I don’t know if he is a believer, but early on in the interview linked above he mentions “a guy from church.” What a gifted graphic artist. Thanks, Zach, for giving us a tiny glimpse of the creativity of our God.
Three Years Ago, Today…
Three years ago today I had no idea what I was getting into.
I laid on a chaise lounge trying to position myself in such a way as to not throroughly wrinkle my tuxedo. I enjoyed listening to the music being played out on the porch, but was also wishing I was out there to hear the band that I had assembled. People kept walking past to go to the restrooms and making that “I’m not sure I’m supposed to be here or be talking to you” face when they passed me. I enjoy awkward moments.
We got the cue that it was time to head out. I had 5 million thoughts (roughly) in my head, and was surprised that most of them were completely unrelated to the event at hand. I kept wondering about the feedback coming from Joe’s microphone to my left. I was thinking about what the people politely smiling were thinking about what I was thinking about. If they only knew. I smiled, because it felt like I needed to.
15 minutes, 2 rings, 2 vows, and a prayer later I jumped, clicked my heels, and walked down the brick walkway toward the first of our getaway cars. We really only got away to the back of the house, as I remember. I kept messing with a new ring on my left hand, wondering if I’d ever get used to wearing jewelry.
We had a relatively short reception (there was business to attend to, and the weather took a turn for the chilly), but enjoyed dancing, getting caked in the face, and a much nicer second getaway car.
When we got to the Hilton, we showed up at the same time as Job, one of my friends who was supposed to drop our stuff off at our room before we got there. Poor timing meant that we all got to share another awkward moment as he wheeled our stuff into the honeymoon suite. I enjoyed every second of watching the normally-unflappable Job squirm in discomfort.
Fast forward three years, and it feels like time has gone almost as fast. Now we have a little boy, a great group of friends and co-workers in Asheville, and a slew of memories for which to be thankful. God has done some great things.
If I had it to do all over again, knowing what I know now (just a sliver of what I was getting into), I’d still “I do.”
Happy anniversary, Babe. I’d still pick you over every woman on the planet.
Here’s the edited version of Benjamin’s birthday cake experience. I apologize for my use of “yo” at the end of a sentence. I’ll return that phrase to the mid-90s.
"He’s 6′ 4", 106…"
That’s the info the nurses gave to the anesthesiologist right before my dad went in for (surprise) cardiac bypass surgery this afternoon. If you’ve seen my dad, you might know that the last time my dad was clocking in at 106 on any scale was before he became the tallest 9th grader in his class. He’s not a small guy. So I was about to interrupt and tell the nurses their scale was broken when she clarified, “106 Kilograms.” Right. So, closer to 240 pounds. That’s the dad I know and love.
He went in for surgery after a long day of tests revealed one of his arteries had 99% blockage. Single bypass surgery, and he did great. He’s out now, recovering. The goal is to have him walking before bedtime.
Thanks for those of you who prayed. I really appreciate it. We’ll keep you posted.
Jacqueline and I came back to Asheville to get ready for the road trip (leaving at about 6 AM on Sunday to travel cross-country), but we’re keeping up with the goings-on back at Forsyth Hospital in Winston.