...US voter

Ok, I've held off from tossing my hat into the political discussion ring on my blog... until now.  Let me begin by saying that I really wish we could start all over with the candidates.  I really don't like my choices.  It's kinda like going to a restaurant and having the server ask me if I'd like blood sausage or haggis with my meal... uhhh, neither?  

Anyway... so after watching the first debate (twice) I am convinced, more than ever, that while neither candidate instilled much confidence in me, Obama just doesn't have the answers.  The first 40 minutes of the debate centered around the domestic economic situation.  Neither candidate really had much to say.  But, I must say that Obama's responses were completely empty of useful content.  "Change," yes we know you want change.  But HOW, exactly do you plan to affect change, Senator Obama?  You want to change the root of the domestic economic problem heh?  What, exactly, is your plan?  I noticed that, at one point, the mediator attempted to nail Obama down to answering the HOW in his plan of "change."  That was the first time I have ever seen Obama at an obvious loss for words.  He fumbled his answer (or lack thereof) like a clumsy Jr. High football player in his first game of the season.  

I'm not super excited about McCain's response to the economic situation, but at least he HAS a specific plan, or the beginnings of one.  It seemed as though Obama hadn't put ANY thought to the issue prior to the cameras turning on.  I will concede that neither candidate hit a home run on this issue since neither candidate really had enough information to confidently propose a definitive plan of action.  I give half of a point to McCain for at least stating a plan.

The next 50 minutes of the debate concentrated on foreign policy.  This is where Obama just scared the hell out of me.  Senator McCain took Senator Obama to school!  It actually seemed as though Obama was getting educated on legitimate foreign affairs.  Obama was speaking philosophy when McCain was speaking reality.  Obama talked about what he wanted, McCain talked about what was needed.  I felt like Obama was reciting and defending an event from a college textbook when McCain had actually experienced the event and could speak directly to it, from his personal experience.  The differences were obvious and so was Obama's lack of experience.  I'm not for doing things the "same old way," but Obama has no clue as to HOW to affect the "change" he desires and with the volatility of the world, specifically the middle east, this is just not an option.  I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it when McCain suggested at Obama's response to Iran, "So let me get this right, we sit down with Ahmadinejad and he says 'We're gonna wipe Israel off the face of the earth. and we say 'No you're not?  I don't think so."  Then McCain went on to put Obama in his place as to what Henry Kissinger did or did not say, who is a 30+ year friend of McCains'.  Senator Obama, you just look liked a fool, when it comes to international affairs.  Point to McCain.

I've decided to dock Obama a point for distasteful disrespect.  Did anyone else notice that Senator Obama began referring to Senator McCain as "John."  Not just once, as two cordial debaters might do as an indication of a personal relationship with each other.  Rather, this was an attempt at stripping McCains' dignity and equality as a Senator.  Poor behavior Senator Obama!  Deduct one point from Obama.

One thing that jumped out to me, and probably most everyone who was watching, was the distinct difference in the candidate's pubic speaking abilities.  They're POLITICIANS, they are both adequate public speakers, but Obama is definitely smoother and more well spoken. McCain trips over his words and searches for what he wants to say and how he wants to say it a bit more.  It definitely takes more energy and discipline to listen to Senator McCain speak.  But, here's the catch; I'd rather have a President who takes a bit more time searching for the right words to say, even stumbling over his delivery a bit, than a President who is smooth, well spoken and always ready with a witty response but whose message is devoid of substance or depth.  I feel as though everyone is swooning over Senator Obama's oration skills, like a ship full of sailors chasing the siren's calling.  We all know what happened to the sailors.  I'll give Obama half a point for at least sounding good though.

Tally:

Obama: -.5

McCain: 1.5

In my mind, the win goes to McCain in this debate.  I look forward to the others and I will attempt to be as non-biased as possible in my analysis of those too.   

...grandson

I learned this afternoon that my grandfather is not doing well. The day after I last saw him (about three weeks ago) he was diagnosed with colon cancer following a colonoscopy. He went under the knife this morning to remove what they believed to be a limited amount of cancer. But, what they found was not what they expected. He has numerous lymph nodes in his sower abdomen that are very swollen (presumably cancer) and there are other cancerous areas the surgeon could not get to. It's in his system... Not good.

So, this has me thinking about my theology on healing. Allow me to backtrack here; about a week ago our church was asked to pray for a little South African boy who has been fighting brain cancer and it's effects. We began praying for him about 8 months ago (at least), when he collapsed while he and his parents were visiting Orlando, FL. He fought hard while surgery and treatment were initiated there in Orlando before he healed well enough to be sent home to S.A. Since then, our church family has been in prayer for him and his family, but no specific word his condition had been communicated to us (at least not to my knowledge). Then this last Wednesday we were informed that he took a turn for the worst. The church was asked to pray, and pray we did. But, I took a long pause as I soaked in all the voices lifting up their requests to heaven.

This is where my grandfather's cancer and this little boy's story connects.

As I was surrounded by people praying that our God would heal this little boy, I couldn't bring myself to pray for his healing. One thought stopped me... and I don't know the correctness or incorrectness of it yet. I don't really think there is a correct or incorrect side of this thought anyway.

"God, either miraculously heal him, totally and completely, right now... or just take him home to be with you. He's a kid and has been fighting this horrendous battle for long enough. So, take care of it once and for all right now, one way or the other."

My grandfather is 86 years old, has been in full-time pastoral and evangelical ministry for more than 60 years, has visited about a 100 countries in ministry (give or take), seen countless hundreds, if not thousands, come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, has loved... lost... and loved again, has seen all of his children and grandchildren come to the Lord, and has eleven beautiful great-grandchildren.

"Honestly, God, either miraculously heal him, totally and completely, right now... or just take him home to be with you. At his age, there's no need for him to fight this horrendous battle that will most likely leave him with less , physically, emotionally and mentally, than what he has now. He's fought for the Kingdom all his life. So, if he's done fighting for the Kingdom, let him take his armor off and come sit with the King."

I love you Papa...

... Budding Photographer

I have decided to begin offering some of my choice photos for sale.  I've been interested in this for quite some time now, and just offered some of my work in a local art and photography benefit auction.  About half of my work was successfully auctioned for a minimum of $15/piece.  I will be tagging them with a watermark then posting them on this blog, the the individual prices.  The far majority of my subject matter is natural landscape.  Everything from scapes of our National Parks to unique views flowers and spectacular sunsets.  The photos will have come from places such as Mt. Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, Alaska, Las Vegas, San Diego, Pasadena, my back yard and many other locations.  It may be a while before I get everything set up, but when I do... enjoy!

...SoCal Scardicat...

Most, if not all, of you know that the Orange County area was rocked by a moderate earthquake on Tuesday morning.  So, being relatively new (almost four years) to SoCal, I thought I'd give a play-by-play of the event, as I experienced it.

I was in a staff meeting with the Summer Conference Staff in a second floor conference room in the Student Center building here on the campus of HIU.  As we were beginning to wrap up, what felt and sounded like somebody dropped a truck onto the roof of the building shook the entire building.  It was like a pop, similar to what you'd think a car bomb going off outside the building might feel and sound like, with a concussive feeling.  Immediately after this most of us around the table either froze or sort of half stood up.  I looked out the window to see the trees violently shaking, unlike from a wind.  At that point, I knew it was an earthquake, but before I could even process the thought it felt like the entire building slid about a foot to the left and then swooshed back to the right.  Right then I yelled for everyone in the room to get under the conference table and I didn't have to say it twice.  As I dropped to the ground and squeezed under the table, I seriously thought the building was going to collapse, based on the violence of the shifting of the building.  I imagine there are some people that, when a situation arises they believe is a possible catastrophe, immediately fear death or think they may die.  But, as I seriously thought the building would collapse, I never once thought I would die.  Rather, my mind did a shift to a place of survival at all costs; duck, grab, run, push... whatever was coming my way, I felt hyper-aware of.  It was a bit of a strange feeling, emotionally, yet also gives me a sense of confidence.  I think some people freeze.  I felt the opposite of frozen.  I felt... totally engaged.  The rumbling continued for about another 20 seconds or so, gradually tailing off.  While I was under the table I realized the building was not going to collapse and began to pray (out loud) that God would protect Stephanie and Madeline.  My fear was for them being in 42 year old dorms that are falling apart, regardless of earthquakes.  As soon as the shaking seemed to stop I told everyone to stay put and I opened the conference room door to see what the Student Affairs lobby was like.  Many people were coming out of offices making their way to the lobby, toward the doors to exit the building.  I heard good friend and co-worker, Chris Williams, holler from down the hallway for everyone to evacuate the building, in case there was any structural damage.  I turned and told everyone in the conference room to get out and make their way to the parking lot.  At that time, I ran as fast as I could down the stairs, out the front door, and to the dorm where my wife and baby were.  As I barged through the door hollering my wife's name, I heard her shakey voice saying that they were alright coming from the back yard.  I followed the voice and hugged my wife and baby girl for a good long time.  Steph was pretty shaken up, no pun intended.  But she did great in getting to Madeline and getting them both to safety.  She was scared for the dogs too.  She doesn't remember exactly what they did, except that they "freaked out."  Madeline, on the other hand, never even woke up!  

Ok, I know this must sound a bit over dramatized for a "moderate" quake.  But, I'm telling you, I have no problem telling you that it scared the CRAP out of me!!!  I really don't want to experience that, or worse, ever again.  The one thing you always feel you can count on, the ground under your feet, is no longer safe.  Tornados and Hurricanes you know are coming... earthquakes?   Uh, no.  I told Steph last night that she needs to begin looking into other places in the country she wants to live, because I REALLY don't want to experience "the big one." (I was partially kidding)  Someone told me this afternoon that there is a 99% chance that "the big one" will hit SoCal in the next 30 years.  Yikes!!!!

... thankful father

So, last night was a bit frustrating.  We put Madeline down at about 10:00 pm and she wasn't having any of it.  She cried until about 11:00 as we held her, fed her some more (in case she hadn't gotten full on the first feeding) rocked her, swaddled her, unswaddled her and generally did everything we, as new parents, know to do to calm her down and get her to sleep.  Then, I took her to her bedroom and was walking and swaying her (while she continued to cry) when I impulsively pressed play on her little stereo/CD player.  One of Tommy Walker's CD's was in there and the song "I Have a Hope" was playing.  Since she was crying good the song was fairly loud in order to hear the music over her.  Within 2 seconds she was completely quiet silent, eyes closed and seemingly asleep.  I was astonished.  We stayed in there and listened to the entire song.  When it was over I foolishly thought she was really asleep and took her to her cradle and laid her down.  Well, she wasn't asleep deeply and within minutes was whaling again.  It was fun while it lasted.  

I quickly grabbed the computer, bringing it into the bedroom and, as fast as I could, opened iTunes, found Tommy Walker and hit play.  It didn't have quite the same response, but when I picked her up, began swaying and sang along with Tommy and the rest of the worship team (including her auntie Becca), she quieted right down again.  As I held her swaying, listening to the songs and singing along, I began to really worship the Lord.  During the song "To God Be the Glory" I began to do exactly what the song says, giving God the glory for this little bundle of beauty, joy and blessing.  Tears began to flow and I couldn't continue to sing.  But my heart was singing loud and clear as I was as thankful for God's provision and blessing as ever.  May He receive all the Glory of Madeline's life and our happiness with her.   *

... astonished young father...

... astonished young father.

Well, Im a new father!  On July 3, 2008 at ten minutes to 9:00 in the morning my little princess was born.  Apparently she didn't want to come out, as what was supposed to be a 5 minute extraction, took about 20 minutes due to her being so high up in Steph's abdomen (she hadn't dropped yet) and the doctors having a difficult time gripping Mad's head (the anesthesiologist said is was like the docs trying to grip a wet basketball).  Since they couldn't get a grip, they chose to use the vacuum.  They tried with that dumb vacuum at least 10 times before tossing it out due to it's persistant malfunctioning.  They had the nurses break out a brand new one and out she came on the very first attempt.  Although she was covered in blood and caked in this white gunk... she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.  When she cried out for the very first time, her mother and I glanced at each other with grins the size of the Grand Canyon and both of us cried at hearing the most beautiful sound in the world.

Since then, Steph and I have been learning a ton every day and loving every minute of it.  Madeline has her days and nights flip flopped, but we're working that out one day (and night) at a time.  

From the moment Steph told me she was pregnant I was more convinced than ever that children were a true miracle.  But this last Wednesday this idea was driven home to a whole new level.  Mads had developed an eye infection on Monday and Tuesday, to the point where her eye was sealed shut with an orange gunk and was very swollen.  So, we made a docs appointment (Mad's first) for Wednesday.  We're sitting in the waiting room of the office and I received a phone call from my friend, and mentor, Nick Saltas.  I told him what we were doing and what Mad's issue was.  He told me a story about when he and his wife, Karin, had their first child in South Africa.  Karin's midwife told her that whenever any of her children got an eye infection she should "squirt" breast milk on the eye and it should clear it up.  When I heard this info., I laughed heartily and told him he was nuts.  He reassured me he was serious and that this treatment has been used on all three of his girls with amazingly positive results.  We hung up and I told Steph about the proposed treatment and we both got a good laugh.  

Five minutes later we were in the exam room and the doc verified that it was, in fact, an eye infection (didn't take a genius to figure that one out).  She immediately turned to us and asked if Steph had tried putting any breast milk in her eye yet.  We both just about fell out of our chairs!  She told us that she wanted us to put breast milk on Mad's eye each time she was fed for the next three days and if that didn't take care of the problem to fill the prescription she would give us before we left.  

Well, in less than 48 hours, the eye had completely cleared up and the swelling abated.  Who would have guessed!!!  Amazing!  Anyone who doesn't believe that God created us is ignoring facts that are more obvious than the sun in the sky.  And that creation is so intricate and perfect that I'm more amazed each day.  We truly are created in His image.  

...thirsty socialite

I was hanging out with a good friend yesterday and a point that is circulating in popularity and profile hit me a bit harder.  Our society has convinced itself that virtual communities are satisfactory and fulfilling.  Cell phones, Facebook, MySpace, email, etc.  I have about 200 friends on Facebook.  The speaker at the LTT on Thursday night claimed to have over 2500 friends on Facebook (he has had to open two accounts because Facebook only allows 1500 friends per account).  I can guarantee that neither he nor I have that many friends... real friends.  This is not a new revelation... I know.  But it really hit yesterday as my friend (real friend) and I talked the entire way to, and back from, where we were going.  I've noticed I have had the same feeling when just sitting and chatting with my wife.  

I'm thirsty for real community and relationships.  I get this with my wife, of course, and then there are a few friends and church (which is extremely relational and an awesome community), but I read what my Facebook friends are doing in their lives and it actually makes me feel like I know them even less than I really do.  

This feeling reminds me of when I was attending a megachurch (McChurch - see my last post).  Seriously, going to church with thousands of other people you claim to, "go to church with" but have never said more than two words to in your lifetime.  It's like flying to New York City on a full Boeing 757 and saying that you went to New York with 3oo "friends."  

Now, I do think these virtual communities can be helpful, as I have reconnected, albeit ever so briefly, with some people I went to high school with (GO HORNETS!) and then others from college (GO SPARTANS!).  But friends?  They may have been at one time.  They may be again in the future.  But right now most are an acquaintance, at best.  

Then, there are those who really are friends, but I minimize myself to the point of texting, emailing and posting messages on their Facebook, instead of calling them and letting them know I miss them, or I want to pray for them, or just want to catch up... verbally, if not in person.  How shallow am I?  OMG!

Time, postage, snail mail, time...  Is that what it is?  We've got ourselves so wrapped up in the business of our lives that we no longer have time for friends.  I guess it shouldn't come as such a surprise.  We've already sacrificed time with our families (around the dinner table) due to "lack of time."  And then there's time with God... shoved aside because we "have no time."  Friends are the next logical step I guess.  

How ironic that I'm discussing this via a virtual community? 

Oh, wait my wife just texted me...  "hi babe. jst blgn.  b home soon. luv u."  

:-)