Category Archives: Stories

Stories

Coyote Ugly

At around 11:45pm on Saturday night, one exit from our house, I came car grill to face with a coyote. The animal gingerly walked out onto the highway (the darkest part of the highway btw) and I didn’t see him until it was too late. We were ok but more than a little shaken. I hit a bunny in my truck once but this coyote was big. I damaged the whole front of the driver’s side bumper. I called the claims service this morning and they will take care of everything. The bummer is that I could be spending my deductible on adding things to my super-cool, customizable, hip Scion tC. Instead I have to buy a boring old replacement bumper. No LED lights for Micheal.

Check out the damage. (WARNING: the last picture features a not too graphic shot of the coyote. It’s not gross but I’m not going to send it as a Christmas card either. Viewer discretion is advised.)

Car Accident

Crush

Full Frontal

Check out the coyote hair stuck to the fiberglass:
Pretty Crashed Car

Morning After

I drove by yesterday and took a pic of the culprit:
The Culprit

D'oh!, Discipleship, Movies, Popular Culture, Stories, Youth Ministry

*Blink* It’s July

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Can you believe that it is July already? I can’t. The summer is nearing the half-way point and I am already gearing up for the fall. I have been away from home for the past three weeks. I called the bank to see if I still had to pay the mortgage even though we didn’t use the house this month. They informed me that I still had to pay. Bummer.

I haven’t had time to update as often I would like this past month. Let’s play catch up.

3 States in 3 Weeks
On June 16 I flew out to Washington, DC. We arrived back home on Friday, June 22. At 6:30am the next morning we left for Ruidoso, New Mexico for our high school mission trip. The trip was a great success and I cherished the time I was able to spend with some of our high schoolers. We drove back to DFW on Wednesday, June 27 (Due to weather and our jonesing for some Chili’s we actually arrived at 12:30am Thursday morning) and were able to sit and rest for a full day! We left for Uplift in Searcy, AR on Saturday, June 30. After a great week of camp we returned safe and sound on Thursday, July 5. 3 weeks, 3 states. Whew!

Beep, Beep
So, as we cross into New Mexico I’m feeling pretty good. The trip has gone well and we have passed the halfway point. I feel like east NM looks a whole heck of a lot like west TX. It’s flat, dusty, and OH! A Road Runner has just walked out in front of the van. Ok it’s turning around. Not enough! Get out of the way!!! Is it is making eye contact with me? *dump-dah*

Yeah, I hit the state bird of New Mexico with our giant rental van.

Uplift
For the second year I taught a class at Uplift. This year’s class was entitled Involvement, Ministry, and Leadership. Anytime I can talk about leadership issues I jump at the opportunity. As we were planning for the class we wanted the students to leave camp with an idea of what they were gifted in and how they were going to impact their ministries back at home. Later this summer I hope to post what we did for the class and I want to expand what I taught into some sort of eBook. If you are interested, drop me a line and I’ll put you on the list to receive a copy.

Transformers
Metal-on-Metal action reminded me that I am a boy and that I love robots, explosions, rock ‘n roll, and Optimus Prime. Popcorn movie to the max!

Seriously- better than Spidey, Jack, and Shrek. It was so much fun that I want to see it again.

Books, Cinema, Ministry, Music, My Wife Rules, Stories

Quick Hits

Just a few thoughts for this morning:

Dating: Here is some free, unsolicited marital advice. One of my favorite things to do is to go out on dates with my wife. They never get old. Any couple can stay at home and watch a movie but there is no substitute for picking your spouse up at home, driving to dinner, and then catching a flick at the theatre… on a Tuesday. Don’t even wait for the weekend. These dates keep our love life fresh and exciting. It gives us time to sit together and talk about the day instead of frantically throwing a dinner together after a long day at work. Let someone else do the dishes while you connect. So where are yu and your spouse going to go tonight?

Busy and a Stiff Necked Guy: I hesitate to complain about how busy I’ve been because the summer is right around the corner. That is when I fear my reference point for being busy will be blown out of the water in a matter of weeks. However, I have been extremely tired and worn out. Today is the first day in two weeks that my right shoulder feels ok. A combination of sleeping wonky, working a tiller, sleeping on the ground for the Global Night Commute, and general use has left my right side stiff and unmanageable. Driving has been difficult because I have struggled to turn my head to the right or left in order to check my blind-spots. The pain has been frustrating. However today is good day.

Reading: When I get busy I miss out on my reading. I have updated the On My Desk page and On My iPod page to better reflect what I’m reading and listening to right now. Yancy’s Prayer and Wright’s Justice of God have been on the list since Jan. 1. I want to just finish them but I want to be very Berean about reading them. My goal will be to finish those two book by Dec. 31!

Long Distance Phone Call: While I was writing this post I got a very special international phone call from my friend in London, England. He and his family will be coming back to the states very soon. Austin City Limits here we come!!!

Beethoven’s 9th: Fantastic! I get teary and overjoyed every time I listen to it.

Creativity Should Never Go to Waste: before being called into ministry I had a great desire to become an animator. I loved to draw and I loved being creative in everything that I did. Thankfully I can still use my artistic eye and my flair for the creative in youth ministry. I spent the better part of yesterday working in Photoshop creating posters for different events and had a great time. Most of what I’ve learned in Photoshop has been trial and error. I’m not great at it but it feeds by need to create. Below is a poster for our Spider-man movie event. Our ministry name is Element523 so I tried to incorperate the logo and our name. Again, nothing ground breaking but I had fun. What do you think?

spiderman3_1024x768-1.jpg

Hope you all have a great day. It is beautiful here in the DFW area. Spring time rocks!

Peace.

Discipleship, Ethos, Faith in Action, Stories, The Word

Not in the Earthquake

1Kings 19:1-13 TNIV

The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?””

Who would have blamed Elijah for looking for God in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire? Certainly not me.

One chapter ago, Elijah was riding high on seeing the LORD nuke the holy snot out of his sacrifice on Mount Carmel. The prophets of Baal found themselves completely humiliated in their false service to a false god and it was all down hill for them from there.

Then along comes Queen Jezebel’s threats and Elijah runs away hiding himself in despair.

Elijah wanted to die he was so depressed (19:4-5). Although angels attended to his physical needs something in Elijah was still lacking. Anyone who has ever suffered through a season of depression knows that it is your spiritual needs that must be met in order for you to move forward.

In this need, the LORD showed up.

After the display on Mount Carmel Elijah would of course be tempted to look for God in the loud roar of the wind or in the rocking of the earth or even in the heat and sulfur of a great fire but if he had only looked in those things he would have missed that gentle whisper. He would have missed the LORD.

Over the last few months, I have been trying to remind my heart that while God can be found in the big and amazing things going on around me He can also be found in the gentle whisper of the rhythms and patters of life.

While I have stood in awe of some amazingly huge God moves recently, I have been more humbled by the whispers of God in my life. In being humbled I have grown closer to my Father and my heart has become, day by day, more sensitive to His ways and more sensitive to the world around me.

So what have I been hearing? Where and how do I hear the faint cries of the Almighty? What is the LORD trying to say to me through this season of life and ministry?

If I told you now I wouldn’t have something to post for later.

For right now, just take some time and do a heart check.

Are you only looking for God in the big things- the wind, the earthquake, the fire- or are you open to the whisper?

Books, Ethos, Faith in Action, Politics, Stories

Challenge With My Coffee

An estimated 300,000 child soldiers now fight in the more than 50 violent conflicts raging around the globe. Far removed from the world of pundits and journalists, policymakers and diplomats, a 13-year-old boy names Ishmael Beah became one of these young warriors in Sierra leone, Africa. Now in his mid-twenties, he courageously tells of the horrific road that led him to wield an AK-47 and, fueled by trauma and drugs, commit terrible acts. In poignantly clear and dauntless storytelling, Ishmael describes how he fled brutal rebal soldiers, traveled miles from home on foot and gradually regressed to a life of raw survival instncts. Yet, unlike so many of his peers, Ishmael lived to reclaim his true self, emerging from Sierra Leone as the gentle, hopeful young man he was at heart. (Reading Guide)

Childhood is a precious and sacred thing yet it can be taken away in one fell swoop by evil men intent on taking power by any means necessary.

Ishmael Beah and I were both born in 1980. While I grew up in the comfort and security of this country Ishmael and his family were living thousands of miles away in the African nation of Sierra Leone. While I was going through the supposed trials and tribulations of junior high, Ishmael was living through a very real hell fleeing from rebels in a land torn apart by war and unspeakable savagery. In 1993, Beah was kidnapped and forced into an army made up of his peers- mere children. The whole idea of children forced into fighting a war is despicable yet this evil happens everyday. The only way to stop this treachery is to become aware of it and to become vocal about its abolition.

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishamel Beah is his account, in his own words, of his capture, torture, and malipulation by the hands of his captors into becoming a child soldier. Beah was able to escape but the same cannot be said for the thousands of other young boys snatched from their homes and huts everyday. Beah story is harrowing and needs to be told.

A Long Way Gone is on sale now at your local Starbucks. Pick up a copy and get educated. There is also a reading guide bookmark available at the POS.

Over the next couple of days, I will be blogging through the book. I will be posting additional information on how you too can get involved. If you would like to read it with me drop me a line and let me know that you are interested. Also, on March 6, I am planning on attending the book signing and conversation with Beah at the Starbucks on Greenville Ave in Dallas. Let me know if you are in the area and you want to attend with me.

There are fires burning that need to be put out. It’s time to let your actions speak loudly.

Guilty Pleasure, Ministry, My Wife Rules, Stories, Thanksgiving

New Baby and the Mother of All Burgers

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Last night we went downtown to Big Baylor because my good friend, Brian, and his wife, Amanda, had a beautiful baby girl on Monday. I have known Brian since elementary and I am proud as punch for him and Amanda. Baby and mother are doing well and both looked good. What a joy! While we were at the hospital, Zac, Amber and their baby stopped by as did my parents. After congratulations and hugs, my parents offered to take us out for dinner. I’ve never turned down a free meal and neither had Zac so we graciously accepted their offer. My dad offered up a place called Red Hot and Blue which serves Memphis style barbecue. I had never been to one but had always wanted to. After another round of congrats and hugs we headed out for some grub.

Side note: I love being a member of the clergy and not paying for hospital parking! It is one of our rare perks.

Sandy and I were the first ones to arrive. While we were waiting for our table to get set up I noticed a placard advertising the new specials. One item caught my attention.

allin.jpg

The “Have Your Cake and Eat It Too” Burger consisted of a burger stacked with pulled pork and onion straws. For some reason I was mesmerized. I wasn’t the only one. Zac and Dad ordered one too.

Surprisingly, it was one of the greatest burgers I have ever eaten. Well done Red Hot and Blue. Well done.

Of course the food paled in comparison to spending the evening with friends and family. Good conversation with good people trumps good food every time!

Advent, Christmas, Ministry, Stories

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas everyone! Since Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday it is a working day for me. I am leading worship this morning and then I am in charge of our Christmas Eve service tonight. I am extremley excited about the candlelight service this evening. I am focusing on the action of the shepherds on that first Christmas night. Maybe I’ll even throw in a clip of Linus explaining the true meaning of Christmas. Who knows?

We head out to Memphis/Corith, MS tomorrow. I wish all of you a safe and merry Christmas.

Peace,
Micheal

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”
(Luke 2:8-20 TNIV)

Stories

I Looked Behind the Curtian

And was horrified by what I saw.

This post is neither deep nor profound. I just have to tell someone what I saw.

I was waiting by the mongolian grill at my local Chinese resturaunt and I looked inside the kitchen door.

The only way I can explain what I saw is with the phrase Chicken Holocaust.

Oh the humanity!

Stories

Bummer

I’m in Atlanta.

My iPod died on the flight.

A picture of a sick iPod appeared on the screen right in the middle of a great song.

I’m at the Apple store in Lennox square awaiting a vertict.

Keep you posted.

Stories, U2

Wednesday Morning Coming Down

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Well, I am back home and I am winding down after the massive emotional high I experienced Monday night at the Superdome.

First off: Way To Go New Orleans!!! Big win for the team and an even bigger win for the city!!!

My day started off at 9am when I flew out of DFW. After switching plaes in Houston, I landed in the Cresant City a little after noon. I dropped my bag off at the hotel and headed to the race track at the fairgrounds. I was still a little incredulous about the whole thing. Is ths for real? Had i wasted my day coming all the way to New orleans just to find out that this wouldn’t happen? All of my fears went away when I arrived at the designated spot and found 5 charter buses ready and waiting. About 5 or 6 more buses showed up later. At about 2 o’clock, we loaded the buses and waited (a theme of the day) until 3:30.

At that time, the buses were escorted to the Superdome by some of the sharpest looking Police motorcyclysts I have ever seen. It was awesome. It was almost as if the entire city stopped for us.

We were dropped off at the Arena next door to the Superdome where we had lunch and waited around for about another 3 hours.

There were about 1000 different people there: high school students, college students, Shell employees, hotel chain employees but only about 60-100 involved were individual fans like myself. All of us went through training and information about the event and then we ran through the staging twice.

At about 6:50pm we headed over to the Superdome. That is about the time all of the rehersals went out the window. It got crazy!!!

As we were waiting outside the dome, Harry Connick Jr. walked by. The crowd screamed. Then came the ESPN cameas. More screams. The U2 and Green Day walking by- Insane crazy screams and jumping and pushing. The loading dock to the dome opened up and we all surged forward to the endzone.

The stage was set into place and we were given the “go for launch” signal.

In rehersal we were told to briskly walk toward the stage and to sperad out so that our little crowd of 1000 looked like 10,000.

Yeah right! At the signal everyone took off in a full sprint to the 50 yard line!!!

I took a spot on the right corner of the stage with the bassist for Green Day directly in front of me. The Edge was over on the left and Billy Joe was next to him.

If you’ve seen the video of the concert you cannot grasp how loud the dome was. People were shouting and yelling and chanting. When the brass instruments began their march to the stage the place went gonzo!!! We were dancing, they were dancing, the crowd was dancing. It was awesome.

When the Edge began the opening note of Wake Me Up When September Ends it seemed like everyone just stopped. All eyes were on him.

From where I was I had a great veiw of Adam, bassist for U2, as he was waiting for his cue to go on stage. i was only about 5 feet away from him. What struck me was just how big his smile was as he watched his friend play guitar. He looked as if he was beeming with pride. Monday was the 30th anniversary of these friends begining their journey together. What a way to celebrate by helping others.

Then came Bono. Short on hair but long on bravado. I watched as he climbed onto the stage where he was greeted by thousands of screaming fans.

As the two played The Saints Are Coming everyone was jumping and singing the chorus as loud as they could. Both bands did an excellent job. I was very impressed. There was no lip synching there!!!

After they played Beautiful Day we all stood there in awe. Nobody on the field could believe what we had been privilaged to experience. Stangers wer exchanging high-fives and stories. I saw people hugging and smiling at one another. Then, almost at once, a realization set in.

We only have 30 seconds to get off the field.

With the dome cheering us off the field we moved toward the exit. I knew that this could be the only time 20,000 people would be screaming for me as I crossed into the end zone I did what any of you would do:

I did a tuck and roll over the goal line popping up into the end zone!!!

I wasn’t the only one enjoying the exit. College students were running between the hash marks with their arm extended like airplanes. Buzzing the hashes with percision accuracy. Fans in the stands were reaching down slapping our hands like we had scored the game winning touchdown. We were all high as kite on adrenaline! It was so awesome!!!

Well, that’s about it. The only thing I regret is following the guidelines about not bringing a camera. I was as close to the stage as the camera man who took the above photo. My hands were on the stage. Why, o why did I not bring my camera!!!!

Oh yeah. I was told not to.

Thank you to @U2 for posting the information about the event and thank you to Irene for getting all of us together. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I can’t thank you all enough.

Check out the Music Rising site to see how you can help and check out the performance video on Rhapsody.