busy

so it's been a while since i've last posted. things have been kind of hectic around here with a lot of changes and all. not that i would have done an end of the year list anyway, but Christmas and the new year have come and gone so fast, it feels like it should be march already. I keep thinking I should be filling out a bracket by now.

so what's been keeping me busy? our new sunday morning change and the mission event associated with it. with less than two months to plan the event and mobilize at least half of our 1000+ worship attenders, getting the structure built has been a real challenge. I am SO grateful for the many "trail bosses" and others who have taken leadership and specific tasks on. if it wasn't for them, I'd be paralyzed with stress right about now (according to Laura, that's a lot of stress for me). It looks as though things are coming together, I placed the order for 600 box lunches today and finished entering the volunteer sign ups which are pretty close to that number. I''m hoping even more will decide to be in mission in some form that day, but hope they don't expect to be fed. Again, though, the work that everyone has done in getting the projects set up has been tremendous. With close to 30 projects and at least a dozen additional sites, we're going to have a huge presence in the community. Trinity really does love the Tennessee Valley.

The other thing that has taken up a bit of my time is trying to become first time homeowners. Laura and I have decided that we've had enough of apartment life and are now in the final stages of closing on a house. It's a really neat home in south huntsville. Freshly redone on the inside, but some minor-major work to be done on the outside. We're waiting to here how the seller will react to the home inspection.

One bit of funny that come out of our inspection today was opening the air return and seeing a pile of what looked like nuts, shells, twigs, and leaves. Telltale signs of a squirrel home. This concerned us more so than any of the other potential problems that we had considering it evoked bad memories for us both of parents being driven to the edge of insanity by the pesky rodents. Fortunately our agent was more observant than us or our inspector and when she saw it, she said, "You know, y'all, that almost looks like potpourri." Well, of course it was. The former homeowner decided to put it in there no telling how long ago to freshen the house. No, squirrel. Needless to say, we were relieved and any of the other problems seemed trivial after that.

Well, my break is just about over and I've got to get back to it. Maybe I'll get to post again when it really is March.

Monopoly: The uncluttered edition

Unclutterer » Archive » Monopoly: The uncluttered edition

I'm usually a fan of the site "Unclutterer," for its tricks and tips on getting rid of all the crap we keep. However, this post gives me some pause and discomfort. I've never been a huge player of board games, and Monopoly was actually one of the few that we played on a regular basis, particularly on snow days when we HAD to be inside. But the new edition that is talked about here may be a sign of problems for what we are trying to teach about money - gone is the paper money and now relies on electronic banking (a fancy calculator).

While many of the negative comments on the article dealt with this revision eliminating the lessons on math skills, a few did recognize the problems that might arise from reinforcing a cashless (credit-dependent) society. The article even links to another "helpful" article on how to go cashless - really, eliminating coin clutter. But treats paper money as something to be avoided.

For some time, I've struggled with how much debt do I really want to have. I've tried to find a balance of Dave Ramsey, Suze Orman, and common sense. We've been very fortunate not to have any debt up to this point, and don't really want any, though a car and possibly a house is in the near future. What gets me though is the problems that so many other have with being in debt, yet they don't seem to recognize it, and there's so few good examples and resources out there.

I absolutely hate the "Life takes Visa" commercials that show the well-oiled machine being gummed up by someone who has the audacity to use cash for a purchase. I used to be a debit card only person keeping no more than $10 in my wallet and would tease Laura for using cash exclusively. Though she's more of a credit/debit person now, I so see the wisdom and discipline of using cash. I'm certainly less willing to part with it and more ready to think about what I'm buying with cash than credit/debit.

As we're gearing up for our stewardship campaign, I wonder what more can we do to help people struggling with debt and all the issues that contribute to it and are caused by it? I don't know if Dave or Suze are the answers, but they are a start. What drives us to consume so much yet remain feeling so empty? Why do you buy what you buy?

Fall

There are just a few times of year that I am absolutely comfortable when it comes to the weather and the climate indoors. Today has been one of those days. It's been great on my day off to have the windows and door to the porch open and enjoy the cool breeze going through. It's rarer still that I can wear a long sleeve shirt and not push up the sleeves (granted, I'm wearing shorts).

I've known for a long time that I was not made for an Alabama climate, despite being born here and my only time living away was three years in Atlanta. I do love the summer and definitely going to the beach, but I feel more alive and comfortable in the cool weather.

It's frustrating, because I do like to bundle up and wear cold-weather clothing. We got both an L.L. Bean and Eddie Bauer catalog last week. I just flip through the pages and can only dream to be cold enough for an extended period of time to justify the flannel lined chinos and layering a weathered henley under a goose-down parka. With my internal thermostat and the lack of cold weather around here , I could wear that exactly once every two to three years. The money would better be spent on air conditioning in the summer.

Here's hoping for a long, cold winter!

If I had kids...

...and was a jerk who had no concept of teaching healthy money skills, then I might consider this Halloween prank as a good idea. It seems as if it was designed by Dave Ramsey, Bill O'Reilly, and Jerry Falwell (the Freddy, Jason, and Michael Myers of waking nightmares). However, I did get a chuckle out of teaching the dangers of identity theft.

Only a few more days 'til Halloween, we've got to get carving and settle on what scary movie to watch. Maybe we'll even get some trick-or-treaters!

Continuing Ed.

Tomorrow, Laura and I attend a conference at our old seminary. The conference is called "Caring in a Violent World." Despite the heavy subject matter, we're looking forward to it. Me in particular, because it ties into our Healing & Wholeness Ministry and because this is one of the few continuing education event that I've actually had a choice in what, where, and when. Up until now, most continuing ed has been dictated by either the Conference or due to ministry roles.

We're looking forward to some time here in Atlanta as well. Particularly around Emory and the in the Decatur are where I lived, there are some great food places and places to unwind. It's a great environment here too. Not many places where you can eat breakfast with people dressed in suits, tattooed and pierced from head to toe, young families, old couples, gay, and international. It's a neat mix where it seems people do more than just tolerate diversity.

Now, it's time to rest up, it's already been a long weekend.

"...that's about right for someone your age"

I heard this (directed at me) for the first time this week. Maybe I've had it said to me before, but certainly not in this context - that I am hitting aging milestones.

I went to the dentist Monday (there's a whole other back story to that), for a regular cleaning and checkup. I've been having problems for a while with a tooth that has been sensitive and occasionally get things caught in the gums. I was a little concerned that it might be a cavity.

Fortunately it wasn't, only that the dentin has become a little worn and chipped, thus prompting the statement, "That's about right for someone your age."

I had figured that phrase would come up sooner than later, but I was thinking a few years, not weeks, after my 30th birthday. I realize it's not THAT big of a deal, but with other things going on in my life and in the church, I do wonder about some of the arbitrary parameters we create based on chronological deficiency.

I go back and forth about the whole "under 35" focus for clergy in the Conference. I appreciate the confidence, but at the same time, resent the assumption that just because someone is under a certain age that means that churches will automatically begin to grow. That's not just a lot of pressure, but also discredits any real gifts and talents for ministry for a person of any age.

Regardless, I'm entering a new stage in life whether I like it or not. I've got a feeling posts may come even more regularly as a result.

You can't make me believe

Free gas pumps hundreds of drivers

For the past few days, the news has been talking about how safe Huntsville drivers are and the free gas giveaway. There is absolutely no way that Huntsville could be in the top five safest cities to be in! From having to dodge multi-lane switchers to 95% of drivers being on cell phones, Huntsville is one of the worst places I've ever tried to drive in. Just this morning I had to use my horn three times on the way into work - there's no reason for that! I used to think that people from Walker county were awful drivers - not any more.

I'm not sure what the grading scale was that Allstate used, but I wish I had had it when I took Calculus III from Dr. Liem. ...I was going to try to think of something good to say about Huntsville drivers, but nothing is coming to me. Maybe there is something redeeming. If this is top five quality here, then I don't want to know the worst.

Shut up and drive, Huntsville!

And then the rain

No more than a few hours after my previous post did we have some of the hardest rain we've had in some time. Initially, I was pretty happy that we were getting so much rain and I was inside, but soon we had to leave the restaurant and get groceries for the week.

Being the kind husband that I am, I offered to run to the car so that Laura wouldn't get so wet as we loaded groceries into the car. Somewhere along the way the clasp in my geek phone holster became unfixed and my phone went flying. It was literally a splash of explosion, pieces of my phone went everywhere and began to float down what were now small rapids in the Publix parking lot. I retrieved the phone and the battery, and even later on a return trip found my stylus, but my 1GB SD card with music, audiobooks, Bible software and other files are either in the drain or in someone else's phone or camera.

Here's how it looks now:









After my phone did a hard reset and I was able to restore most of my files from backup, the rest of the damage is seen above and includes: various buttons not working (the power button that locks the screen no longer works, the shortcut button for messaging is kaput), the volume slider controls the volume to how best it sees fit, and Windows Media Player starts up at random times.

Some would say that maybe I angered the phone spirits today by disparaging the iCult, others (including my wife) might say that this was just a way to get a new, flashier phone, still others would recognize me for the dork I am. However, I must say, though banged up as it is, I'm pretty surprised how well this thing held up. I thought for sure I would have been picking up more than two pieces.

Time to go shopping. I won't be standing in any lines though, that's not part of my iLife.

News Flash

It's hot out there. I mean really hot.

I officiated my first outdoor wedding yesterday (only my second one to attend), and I completely soaked through everything I was wearing. The couple gave me a card before the wedding and only taped the envelope shut. By the time I took it out of my back pocket, it was completely sealed. Minutes after going outside, I thought I had steamed all of the starch out of my shirt with my robe holding in all of the extra heat. Later i found out after I cooled off that the sleeves decided to re-set and starch themselves into an attractive-looking mess.

I don't think that it's as hot as last summer, or summer about five years ago, but it's close. The lack of rain doesn't help much either. I think I'll be spending more time at the pool soon...

Stick.

Last night, Laura asked me if we were going to see "Transformers" when it comes out. Surprising her, I said, "No, I hadn't planned on it."

Now don't get me wrong. Growing up I was obsessed with the toys had had "more than meets the eye." But there is no yearning whatsoever to see this movie. It's kind of surprising to me, too. But, I think that there is reason that nostalgia and nausea sound similar. I can only look back for so long (I type this, of course, while listening to 90's alternative on my radio).

It's interesting, though, that there are so many things that are now being geared to people my age that hearken back to my childhood and youth - Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and for the girls, Nancy Drew and Strawberry Shortcake. Of course, it's to capitalize on our generation who are now becoming parents, and seeing where there is a huge market to make toys for the kids of kids who never grew up. Maybe "Toys'R'Us" was as sinister as my mom made it out to be.

So now, I have an idea. If old is new again, and the market is there to bring back toys from previous generations, maybe some even older toys have some profit potential. I'm thinking of packaging and marketing "The Stick." I'm pretty sure my dad played with one, certainly my grandfather, possibly even my great-grandfather. Just think of this untapped potential of reviving these "classic toys." I can see it now, "The Stick," "The Can," "The Rock," and the ever-popular, "The Spin Around Until You're Sick."

I think that it can work. Any venture capitalists who want to get in on ground level?

The source of this week's teasing from my wife

Unclutterer: The end of the chip-clip



I first saw this on Lifehacker a while ago, and even recently implemented it. I thought it was handy, but Laura saw it as a testament to my geekiness. It's a close call, I guess.

It's not news, it's...

Enough.

Enough already. Enough with the celebrity "news." It's becoming more "pornographic" than what I get bombarded with in my email. There's no reason that the local news should be reporting on Paris Hilton and whether or not she's in jail. Yes, it is news on a fundamental level, but only so much that it's entertainment news and a possibly a further illustration of how the legal system needs reform on many levels. It doesn't deserve the attention it is getting right now though from mainstream media - I think Access Hollywood and the like can cover it well enough where it belongs.

Maybe I just don't get it, but I've never been into the celebrity obsession. Magazines like the Sun, Enquirer, etc. and shows like AH and Entertainment tonight don't appeal to me whatsoever. But yet, apparently they are widely popular.

"Reality TV" doesn't do it for me anyway. About the only "reality TV" I can stomach is what you find on Discovery or TLC, mainly in the form of Deadliest Catch and Mythbusters (yes, I'm a geek). TV in general has lost its luster. As part of the TV generation, I can remember growing up thinking as I was getting ready to spend a week at camp, "How will I be able to make it all week without TV." Granted, I did make it, and even at home, I played outside and did other non-TV activities, but TV was a major part of my regular activity.

Now, not so much. With our free time decreasing, news being dumbed down and increasingly anemic, programming based on cheap production and maximum outrage, and being able to be more selective through our DVR, we've gotten to where we'll watch maybe an hour of primetime programming a night - if we're lucky.

I guess I'm just looking for more substance in my entertainment and wish that more people felt the same. I don't want to necessarily be challenged and disturbed every night, but I'd like for my news to at least be something more than the equivalent of jingling your keys in front of an infant. Thankfully, there is at least the web in which I can get apprised of what's going on in the world, but even that is being challenged with the threat to net neutrality.

Bottom line, I want more. Not so much in quantity, but in quality, and I wish you do to.

GTD (Getting Things Done)

(Image credit from The New Shelton.)

I'm trying to be more productive with my time throughout the day. I've become a big fan of a couple of sites, Lifehacker and Unclutterer, that really appeal to my OCD side. Of some of the many things that have been suggested to GTD (Get Things Done), email has been tapped as being the source of the least AND most productivity. It's all a matter in how it's used. I don't remember the link, but the study was done with people completing tasks under different conditions and it turns out, in terms of accuracy and adjusted IQ, someone who is stoned is more productive and intelligent than someone who is "plugged in" all the time.

Since being "plugged in" doesn't have all the other benefits of the other option, I'm turning of my automatic email notification and only checking email once an hour. It will be a while before I can move to the suggested practice of doing email only twice a day at 11:00 and 4:00, but I've already noticed a huge difference in productivity by feeling that the most effective use of my time is not immediately responding to every email as they come in. I wonder, what are some practices that others use to GTD and get the clutter out of their lives?

Might be time to move

As I type this, my wife and I are in our apartment under lockdown. Apparently, there is a man on the loose carrying an AK-47 after having shot someone. There are no less than 8 police cars blocking the entrance which we can see from our bedroom window. Topping it off, we're in the midst of a thunderstorm that would mask any gunfire.

This is the second time in as many months that our complex has been in the news. Previously, we made headlines after an arsonist set an apartment on fire, damaging it and the one above it. Interestingly enough, it was the apartment occupied by my former seminary roommate and his wife, who he was also the Associate pastor who preceded me.


More details later...










8:08 PM - Apparently the suspect has been apprehended. 13 cops (some SWAT, others heavily armed) just poured out of the building across from us. They gathered briefly, then went elsewhere. The party seems to be breaking up and the mood is much less tense. I'll be checking out the news tonight to see what happened. This is all we know so far.

"Form one thought, break it off..."

"Form one thought, break it off..."
Billy Pilgrim, 1994, "Try"

Those words keep going through my head as I make attempt after attempt to return once again to posting somewhat regularly.

In fact, I have quite a backlog of unfinished thoughts and ideas and whatnot saved as drafts that just linger and look at me like that stack of books that I'm going to one day read. There's been a few reasons for not posting, not that it matter to anyone but apparently David - for which I am very thankful though.

As far as posting regularly, time has been a big factor. I just don't have much of it, and when I do, I'm not thinking much about the blog. Tied to this, there is the fear that folks from the church would think that all I did was play on the Internet (though that's not the case). And finally, after taking some heat a while back for not clearly forming my thoughts on communion, I'm struggling with the very same demons that got me interested in starting the blog in the first place - trying to please everyone with what I do and say.

However, I don't think that it's wrong to want to be understood. I do want to be careful in what I say, and I would like to think that what I post has more substance than a few partial thoughts and no real focus. The problem is that I want to write too much and don't have the time to put everything down in one sitting.

It feels like I'll find a balance sometime soon though. After five months, I think I'm beginning to establish somewhat of a rhythm.

Until next time...

We're back!

This is Panama. (Actually the Central Offices of the Evangelical Methodist Church of Panama.)

This is where we stayed for the first night we were there, as well as the last two nights. The in between days, when we were working with the Ngobe Indians, we stayed in a hotel in David. Overall, the lodging conditions were much better than expected, especially in David. The only drawback to staying at a hotel was that it made it that much harder going back to the central offices and sharing a bunk with Bishop Willimon rather than Laura.

I had a great time on the trip. We just tried to do too much in too short of a time. We weren't able to fully complete our intended project of painting a multi-use building on the Indian reservation, but we were able to do a lot for the children and the families that the building served.

Because this was a multi-purpose trip, trying to blog straight through the trip would be next to impossible, and very unreadable. So, my plan is to do a summary in segments, addressing different topics and aspects of the trip. It's about the only way I know how to make sense of all that we did, and will help me to properly reflect theologically on what we were able to do and see. Plus, it will allow me to post more pictures.

Expected topics will include: Purposes, Mission and People, Team building and bonding, Sight-Seeing and Customs, Food, Final thoughts. Of course, these ideas may change. Also, any specific questions concerning our trip will help in making the summary more coherent.

Yes, this is a picture of a "Hello Kitty" pinata dressed as Bishop Willimon burning and filled with firecrackers. (More on this in the customs section.) The sign says, "8 Districts or Bust!"

Journeys

No, not the band.

Laura and I head out today for what will be an eleven day tour, spanning, Tennessee, Alabama, and the country of Panama. We're looking forward to it all, but I'm already getting tired thinking about all the places we'll be going.

We will be spending most of those 11 days in Panama, with several of the younger clergy from the North Alabama Conference, and Bishop Will Willimon. This is part of a UVIM training trip with the idea that we will be trained to be group leaders so as to be able to take other groups to Panama to do missions. Also, the Bishop wanted this time to spend with the younger clergy so as to get to know us better and to have a dialogue about the changing face of ministry. If anything, it should at least an interesting trip just to see a different part of the world.

So, Merry Christmas to all, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, and for the rest of us, Happy Festivus! I will be back next year with updates and a journal of our trip.

--MATT

So we survived

The winds and rains were bad enough here, but certainly not devastating. There were some branches down, we lost a gutter spout, and there was trash and other debris, but that was it.

We did lose power Monday night around 9:30. Laura and I stumbled around the house in candlelight for a little while before going to bed. As we were getting in bed, Laura asked, "So, are you ready for me to blow out this last candle?" As she was taking her breath, all of a sudden the power comes back on and everything starts beeping and running again. Great lungs my wife has!

I hope everyone is OK. WHUMC is trying to send some relief funds and materials through UMCOR.